









I 



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Book -W/ b^? ? 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL 



RECORD 



OK THE 



WILLAMETTE VALLEY 



OREGON 



Containing Original Sketches of many well known Citizens 

of the Past and Present 



ILLUSTRATED 



CHAPMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

Chicago 

1903 




lloiCjio 



V 









A- 



" Let the record be made of the men and 
things of to-day, lest they pass out of memory 
to-morrow and are lost. Then perpetuate them 
not upon wood or stone that crumble to dust, 
but upon paper, chronicled in picture and in 
zvords that endure forever." — Kirkland. 

" A true delineation of the smallest man and 
his scene of pilgrimage through life is capable of 
interesting the greatest man. All men are to an 
unmistakable degree brothers, each man's life 
a strange -emblem of every man's; and human 
portraits, faithfidly drazim, are, of all pictures, 
the welcomest on human walls." — Thomas Car- 
lyle. 



f 




I 



PREFACE 



A cursory review of the local history of the Willamette valley can but arouse enthusiastic 
pride in the work of the heroic men and women who have succeeded in bringing this portion 
of Oregon up to the position of grandeur and future promise it occupies among the grand 
galaxy of progressive western states. The publishers are especially gratified with the charac- 
ter of the book they are able to herewith present. The citizenship of the Willamette valley 
is of a high standard, and the histories presented in this volume are such that can but be looked 
upon with great admiration and satisfaction, not only by those immediately interested, but by 
the citizens of older states who must feel gratification in knowing that our Union is able con- 
stantly to produce citizens of courage and ability to strengthen and broaden our sisterhood of 
states. The commonwealth of Oregon has been very largely founded and fostered by the sons 
of the eastern and middle western states, and the entire country is proud of the achievement. 

The last fifty years have witnessed a marvelous, almost miraculous, growth in material 
prosperity, which has been only in keeping with the progress made in art, literature and edu- 
cational lines, and the whole, in turn, but augurs the great possibilities of the advancing cen- 
tury. And in every particular Willamette valley is keeping well abreast of the other portions 
of Oregon in the progress of material and educational improvement. 

In the following pages mention is made of many of the men who have contributed to the 
development and progress of this region — not only capable business men of the present day, 
but also honored pioneers of years gone by. In the compilation of this work, and in the securing 
of necessary data, a number of writers have been engaged for many months. They have vis- 
ited leading citizens, and have used every endeavor to produce a work accurate and trustworthy 
in even the smallest details. Owing to the great care exercised in the preparation of biographies, 
the publishers believe they are giving their readers a work containing few errors of consequence. 
The biographies of some representative citizens will be missed from this work ; this, in some in- 
stances, was caused by their absence from home when our writers called, and in other instances 
was caused by a failure on the part of the men themselves to understand the scope of the work. 
The publishers, however, have done everything within their power to make the volume a repre- 
sentative work. 

The value of the data herein presented will grow with the passing years. Many facts secured 
from men concerning their early experiences in the state are now recorded for the first time, 
and their preservation for future generations is thus rendered possible. Posterity will preserve 
this volume with care, from the fact that it perpetuates biographical history which otherwise 
would be wholly lost. In those now far-distant days will be realized, to a greater degree than at 
the present time, the truth of Macaulay's statement that " The history of a country is best told in 
the record of the lives of its people." 

CHAPMAN PUBLISHING CO., 

Chicago. 



Biographical 



X 







y^^ 




HON. HENRY W. CORBETT. 



HON. HENRY W. CORBETT. The First 
National Bank of Portland, of which Air. Cor- 
bett officiated as president from 1898 until his 
death, March 31, 1903, dates its existence from 
about 1866 and has the distinction of being the 
first national bank to be organized on the coast. 
From an original capital stock of $100,000 it was 
gradually increased until now the capitalization 
is rive times as great as at first, while there is a 
surplus of $700,000 and deposits aggregating 
about $7,000,000. "Without any exception it is 
the largest bank of the northwest, and at the same 
time none has a wider reputation for solidity, 
strength and conservative spirit in investments. 

The maintenance of a general oversight of this 
institution by no means represented the limit of 
Mr. Corbett's activities. Scarcely an enterprise 
of importance has been inaugurated in Portland 
since the city's pioneer days in which he was 
more or less interested and to which his support 
was not given, when once convinced of its value 
to the municipality. As president of the Port- 
land Hotel Company, he was closely associated 
with the building of the Portland, one of the 
finest hotels on the coast, and the fame of which, 
spreading throughout the country, has been of 
incalculable value in bringing the city into promi- 
nence. For years he was largely interested in 
the city and suburban railway system, his po- 
sition as a member of the board of directors 
having made it possible for him to contribute to 
the development of a satisfactory system of 
transportation. Connected with the organiza- 
tion of the Security Savings and Trust Com- 
pany of Portland, he was its president and a 
member of its directorate. Another enterprise 
which received the benefit of his co-operation and 
influence was the Title Guarantee and Trust 
Company of Portland, while he was further con- 
nected with important local business industries 
through his position as president of the Willam- 
ette Steel and Iron Works. 

Special interest centers in the life history of 
one who was so closely identified with the prog- 
ress of Portland along every line of commercial 
development. The genealogy of the Corbett fam- 
ily is traced to Roger Corbett, a military chief- 
tain who won distinction under William the Con- 
queror. The eldest son of Roger was William, 



owner of a country seat at Wattesborough. The 
second son. Sir Roger Corbett, had for his in- 
heritance the castle and estate of Caus. The 
latter's son, Robert, went to the siege of Acre 
under Richard I, bearing for his arms in this 
campaign two ravens, which have since been 
used by the family for a crest. Early in the sev- 
enteenth century the family was established in 
New England, being among the first settlers of 
Milford, Mass. Elijah, son of Elijah Corbett, 
Sr., was born in Massachusetts and became a 
manufacturer of edged tools, first in the Bay 
state, and later at White Creek, Washington 
county, N. Y., where he died. His wife was 
Melinda Forbush, a native of Massachusetts and 
descended from a pioneer family of that state, 
whose history is traced back to England. Her 
death occurred in New York. Born of her 
marriage were eight children, of whom three 
sons and two daughters attained maturity. One 
of the sons, Elijah, came to Portland in 1864 
and remained here until his death. Another son, 
Hamilton, died in New York during early man- 
hood. The daughters were Mrs. Thomas Rob- 
ertson, who came to Portland in 1856, and Mrs. 
Henry Failing, who settled in this city in 1858 ; 
both are now deceased. 

The youngest member of the family circle, as 
well as its last representative, was Henry W. 
Corbett, who was born in Westboro, Mass., Feb- 
ruary 18, 1827. When four years of age he 
was taken by his parents to WTiite Creek, N. Y., 
and later settled in Cambridge, that state, where 
he completed the course in the Cambridge Acad- 
emy at thirteen years of age. For three years 
he clerked in a village store. At the age of sev- 
enteen he went to New York City, having with 
him $22 in money and only a very limited supply 
of clothing. He obtained a position in a dry- 
goods store on Catherine and East Broadway. 
A year later he entered the wholesale drv-goods 
house of Bradford & Birdsell on Cedar street, 
where he remained for three years as a clerk. 
A later position was with Williams. Bradford & 
Co., wholesale dry-goods merchants. In the fall 
of 1850 he resolved to come west to Portland. 
At that time thousands were seeking the gold 
fields of California, but comparatively few were 
identifying themselves with the limitless possi- 



22 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



bilities of Oregon. The motive that impelled 
him in his decision was the fact that Oregon 
was an agricultural country and California then 
almost wholly devoted to mining, and he reasoned 
that the produce raised in Oregon would be 
taken to California, payments being made with 
gold dust ; thus Portland would be an excellent 
trading point. 

On the steamer Empire City, January 20, 1851, 
Mr. Corbett set sail from New York to Panama. 
Crossing the isthmus on muleback he then took the 
Columbia, which had been built by Howland As- 
pinwall of New York to ply between San Francis- 
co and Portland. After a few days spent in San 
Francisco he proceeded to Oregon, arriving at 
Astoria on the 4th of March. The next day he 
reached Portland. There were only a few busi- 
ness houses on Front street. The houses were 
small and poorly furnished. Improvements were 
limited. What is now a beautiful city was then 
covered with large forest trees of pine and 
spruce. The territory of Oregon embraced 
Washington, Idaho and a part of Montana. 

Some months before starting west Mr. Corbett 
shipped a stock of goods on the barque Francis 
and Louisa via Cape Horn. On the arrival of 
the vessel in May, 1851, he transferred the goods 
to a building on Front and Oak streets and em- 
barked in a general mercantile business. Leav- 
ing the store in charge of a manager, in June 
of 1852, he returned east via Panama, and spent 
almost a year in New York, meantime shipping 
goods to the Portland store. In 1853 he returned 
to Portland, where he continued the business. 
On the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad 
it was no longer necessary to bring goods around 
the Horn, but they were sent by rail to San 
Francisco, thence by boat to Portland. In 1868 
he made the first trip by rail from the east to 
San Francisco. Previous to this he had made 
thirteen trips across the isthmus. 

Through his election as United States senator 
from Oregon in 1866 Mr. Corbett gained promi- 
nence among the statesmen from the west, and was 
enabled to do much toward advancing the in- 
terests of his home state. However, he was not 
a politician at any stage of his career, and his 
service in public capacities was only as a result 
of the constant solicitation of his friends, his 
personal tastes being in the direction of finan- 
cial and commercial affairs rather than politics. 
As a business man he contributed to the develop- 
ment of Portland in a degree surpassed by none. 
As early as 1851 he began to be a leader among 
merchants. He was the first business man to 
close his store on Sunday, this being regarded 
at the time as a startling innovation. From 
that day forward he was strict in his adherence 
to measures he believed to be just and right. The 
business which he established shortly after his 



arrival in Portland was conducted under the 
name of H. W. Corbett, then as H. W. Corbett 
& Co., later as Corbett, Failing & Co., and lastly 
as Corbett, Failing & Robertson. Since 1867 
their store has been the largest wholesale hard- 
ware establishment in the northwest, as well as 
one of the largest on the coast. In 1868 H. W. 
Corbett bought a controlling interest in the First 
National Bank, of which Mr. Failing was made 
president and continued as such until his death 
in 1898, at which time Mr. Corbett became the 
executive head of the institution. 

In 1865 Mr. Corbett took the contract for the 
transportation of mails to California. Four 
years later he bought out the California Stage 
Company and enlarged the line to carry out the 
contract for running the four-horse stage coach 
with the mail between Portland and California. 
On his election to the United States senate he 
relinquished the contract. From the early days 
of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company he 
was one of its directors and up to the time of 
his death was a director of its successor, the 
Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company. At 
different times he has had important manufac- 
turing interests. The building interests of Port- 
land were greatly promoted by his co-operation. 
Among the buildings which he was interested in 
erecting are the following : First National Bank 
building; Worcester block, six stories, on Third 
and Oak streets ; Cambridge block, on Third and 
Morrison ; Neustadter building, on Stark and 
Fifth ; Corbett, Hamilton and M^rquam build- 
ings, etc. An earnest advocate oi the Northern 
Pacific Railroad, while in the senate he gave 
himself to the work of promoting the measure. 
After the failure of Jay Cooke to carry the plan 
to a successful issue and when Henry Villard 
undertook the completion of the road, Mr. Cor- 
bett took a pecuniary interest and in many ways 
promoted the work. 

While living in New York, Mr. Corbett was 
married at Albany, that state, to Miss Caroline E. 
Jagger, who was born in that city and died there 
in 1865. Two sons were born of that union, 
namely : Henry J., and Hamilton F., both of 
whom died in Portland in young manhood. The 
second marriage of Mr. Corbett was solemnized 
in Worcester, Mass., and united him with Miss 
Emma L. Ruggles, a native of that state. Move- 
ments of a humanitarian nature always received 
the encouragement and assistance of Mr. Corbett. 
One of the worthy movements to which he lent 
his aid was the Boys and Girls Aid Society, 
which endeavored to arrange affairs so that chil- 
dren, guilty of a first crime, were not thrown 
among hardened criminals. A home was built 
especially for such first offenders and its influ- 
ence has been lasting and far-reaching. 



PORTRAIT AMD PdOCRAPI 1 ICAL RECORD. 



23 



The election oi Mr. Corbett to the United 
States senate, over Governor Gibbs and John II. 
Mitchell, occurred in l866 and he took his seat 
March 4. 1S07. His record as senator was a 
most excellent one. lie secured the appropria- 
tion for the Portland postoffice. also the custom 
house at Astoria, and succeeded in having Port- 
land made the port of entry for the Willamette 
custom district. One of the bills he introduced 
provided for the return of the government to 
specie payment, which, though not passed at the 
time, was eventually adopted. In the senate he 
was especially effective in securing much needed 
financial legislation. On the expiration of his 
term. March 4, 1873, he visited Europe, spending 
seven months in a tour that was of deep interest 
to him as well as a source of recreation. In 
1896, when the St. Louis platform declared for 
the gold standard, the Republican party in Ore- 
gon became somewhat disorganized on account 
of the advocacy by many of free silver. How- 
ever, the influence of men as conservative and 
successful as himself did much to secure a Re- 
publican victory, and McKinley was given a ma- 
jority of two thousand. In 1900 Mr. Corbett was 
the Republican candidate for the United States 
senate and had the majority of Republican legis- 
lators, but was defeated by John H. Mitchell 
through a combination of Democrats and some of 
the Republicans. In 1898, when the legislature 
failed to elect a United States senator, Governor 
Geer appointed him to the office, but he was not 
seated on account of the ruling 01 the United 
States senate, they declaring that an appointed 
senator was not entitled to a seat caused by the 
failure of a state legislature to elect when they 
had the opportunity. On several occasions he 
was a delegate to national Republican conven- 
tions, where he was recognized as one of the 
leading men from Oregon. Considerable of his 
time and thought had been devoted to his duties 
as president of the board of directors of the Lewis 
and Clark Exposition, in the success of which 
he was deeply interested, as affording an oppor- 
tunity to show to the east and to visitors from 
other countries the remarkable advancement 
made by the northwest during the eventful one 
hundred years since, at the instance of President 
Jefferson, Captain Lewis and Captain Clark, at 
the head of a small expedition, sailed to the head- 
waters of the Missouri and thence crossed the 
country to the coast, where they arrived Novem- 
ber 14, 1805. The conditon of the present, con- 
trasted with the wildness of that period, affords 
an opportunity for the student of history to note 
the changes that have rendered possible the pres- 
ent high state of civilization, for which no class 
of people deserve greater praise than the indom- 
itable, energetic and resourceful pioneers. On 
the day prior to his death, realizing that his 



strength was failing. Mr. Corbett resigned the 
office of president. 



PROF. [RVING W. PRATT. The citj of 

Portland is one of the greatest strongholds of 
Masonry in the United States. During the days 
of the greatest ascendency of this ancient and 
mystic order on the Pacific coast, no man has 
been more ardently devoted to the promotion 
of its highest interests than Prof. Irving W. 
Pratt ; and it is safe to assume that the great 
personal esteem in which he is held is accepted 
by him as ample reward for his unselfish and 
high-minded services in behalf of the order, ex- 
tending over a period of more than forty years. 
He has been honored by elevation to the highest 
post a Mason may hope to attain in the state, 
and every possible mark of distinction has been 
conferred upon him by the fraternity in this 
jurisdiction. 

During the early colonial period in American 
history the founder of the Pratt family in Amer- 
ica came from the vicinity of London, England, 
and settled in Connecticut, from which state 
Benjamin Russell Pratt, one of seven brothers, 
went forth to fight in behalf of the cause of 
the colonies in the Revolution. Soon after the 
close of the struggle he removed from Con- 
necticut to the banks of Cayuga Lake, in New 
York state, where he spent the remainder of his 
days. Franklin Pratt, a son of this Revolution- 
ary soldier, was born in Norwich, Conn., and 
grew to manhood in New York state, whence he 
removed to Ohio, settling in Huron county about 
1842. By occupation a contractor, he secured 
the contract to construct a section of the San- 
dusky, Mansfield & Newark Railroad, now a 
part of the Baltimore & Ohio system, the second 
road to be built in Ohio. Earlier in life he had 
been for some time a superintendent on the 
Erie canal. In 1858 he removed to Lenawee 
county, Mich., where he bought a farm, on which 
he resided until his death at the age of seventy- 
five years. While living in New York state He 
married Hannah Holaway, who was born in 
Delaware county, N. Y. Her father, Benjamin 
Holaway, a native of Pennsylvania, and of 
English descent, became a pioneer of Huron 
county, Ohio, where he died at the age of ninety- 
nine years. To an unusual degree he retained 
his physical and mental faculties to the last, and 
on the day he was ninety-eight years of age he 
walked five miles, feeling little the worse for 
this exertion. 

In the family of Franklin Pratt there were six 
sons and three daughters. The eldest son, Ben- 
jamin Russell, served in the Mexican war. hold- 
ing a commission as captain of the Third Ohio 
Regiment. His death occurred at Dayton, Ohio, 



24 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The second son, Martin, was killed by the fall 
of a tree while hunting, in his young man- 
hood. Henry, the third son, occupies the old 
homestead in Michigan. Irving W. was the 
fourth in order of birth. Nathaniel Lee, the 
fifth, is a merchant at Blissfield, Mich. The 
youngest, Martin L., who served as a Michigan 
volunteer during the Civil war, is now engaged 
in teaching in Albina. 

Irving \Y. Pratt was born at Waterloo, N. Y., 
.March 17, 1838, and was about five years of age 
when the family settled in Ohio. At the age of 
sixteen he entered Norwalk Academy, from 
which he was graduated, in the meantime teach- 
ing schools in adjoining districts. He consid- 
ered himself fortunate to secure a position as 
teacher at $8 per month and "board 'round," 
in which manner he paid the expenses of his 
academic course. On leaving Ohio he taught 
district schools in Michigan, and with the means 
thus secured paid his way through the Ypsilanti 
State Normal School, from which he was grad- 
uated in 1 86 1. He then resumed teaching. 

At the first call for volunteers for service in 
the Rebellion Professor Pratt offered his ser- 
vices to his country, but was rejected on account 
of disabilities. Disappointed at his failure to get 
into the service, he soon turned his thoughts to 
the far west and decided to seek a home on the 
Pacific coast. By way of New York and the 
Isthmus, in 1862 he went to San Francisco, 
thence to Placerville, Cal., where he was em- 
ployed as principal of the Placerville school. Re- 
signing in 1867, he returned to San Francisco 
with the intention of going to Los Angeles, but 
was dissuaded from his intention by a Mr. Mar- 
tin, who induced him to change his course toward 
Portland. After his arrival in Oregon he re- 
covered from the ague, from which he had been 
a constant sufferer for some time. He was not 
long in securing a position as teacher, as in- 
structors possessed of more than ordinary quali- 
fications were not easy to obtain in Oregon in 
those days, and for two years he had charge of 
schools in East Portland. He then came to 
Portland as principal of the Harrison Street 
school, located in the second school building 
erected in the city. For twenty-two years con- 
tinuously he served as principal, resigning in 
1 89 1 in order to accept the position of superin- 
tendent of the city schools. When he began 
teaching in Portland in 1869 but thirteen teach- 
ers were employed by the city. During the five 
years he occupied the post of superintendent he 
bad the supervision of the work of two hundred 
and eighty teachers, distributed among twentv- 
eight buildings, and his efficient conduct of the 
educational system of the city is on record as 
successful to an eminent degree. Upon retiring 
from this office in 1896 he accepted the principal- 



ship of the Failing school, which he now holds, 
superintending the work of twenty teachers. In- 
cidental to his professional labors, for sixteen 
years he served as a member of the state board 
of education. 

Professor Pratt maintains an interest in re- 
ligious work and contributes to the support of 
the Congregational Church, of which his wife 
is a member, though he is not identified with any 
denomination. He is connected with the Com- 
mercial Club, and in a general way has given 
abundant evidence of his public spirit. He is 
devoted to the principles of the Republican 
party, and actively supports its candidates and 
measures. 

The Masonic record of Professor Pratt, to 
which brief reference already has been made, 
dates from 1865, when he was initiated into the 
order in Pilot Hill Lodge No. 160, at Pilot Hill, 
Eldorado county, Cal. Soon after his removal 
to Portland, in 1867, he organized Washington 
Lodge No. 46, and became its first master. Since 
1874 he has been a member of Portland Lodge 
No. 55, in which he is past master. In Port- 
land Chapter No. 3, R. A. M., he is past high 
priest, and in Oregon Commandery No. 1, K. T., 
he is past eminent commander. He is also a 
member of Washington Council No. 3, R. & 
S. M. In 1871 he received the Scottish Rite 
degrees, from the fourth to the thirty-second, 
and for eleven years served as presiding officer 
in these important bodies. He is past grand 
secretary of the Grand Lodge of Oregon, and 
since 1892 has been active inspector-general of 
the Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdic- 
tion in the state of Oregon, the highest post of 
honor possible of attainment in the state. In 
this capacity he organized Oregon Consistory 
No. 1, A. & A. Scottish Rite, the first consistory 
in the state. Upon the organization of Al Kader 
Temple, N. M. S., in 1888, he was made illus- 
trious potentate, and occupied this post for fif- 
teen years continuously, or until December 26, 
1902. At the session of the Temple on the 
evening of January 17, 1903, Professor Pratt 
was treated to one of the greatest surprises of 
his life in being made the recipient of a mag- 
nificent loving cup, a tribute of affectionate re- 
gard from the nobles of Al Kader Temple. The 
inscription on the cup is as follows: "From 
Al Kader Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles 
of the Mystic Shrine. Portland, Oregon, Janu- 
ary 17, 1903. To Irving W. Pratt, for fifteen 
years Illustrious Potentate of Al Kader Temple, 
from its organization, February 15, 1888, to 
December 26, 1902. A tribute of affection 'and 
esteem. Es Selamu Aleikum." Professor Pratt 
is also the possessor of one of the most beauti- 
ful Masonic jewels in the United States, which 
was presented to him in March, 1885, by Port- 



PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPTITCAL RECORD. 



'J 7 



land Lodge XV 55, and the Scottish Rite Ma- 
sons of Portland. 

Hie marriage of Professor Pratt was solem- 
nized in Portland July 14, 1874. and united him 
with Sophia C. Taylor, who was horn in Ohio. 
She came to Portland in 1853, joining her father, 
Peter Taylor, a native of Scotland and a pioneer 
inhabitant of this city. Her education was re- 
ceived in the schools of this city, and early in 
life she engaged in teaching. Professor and 
Mrs. Pratt have their home at No. 611 First 
street, and are the parents of six children, name- 
ly : Douglas L., Irving H., Martin T., all of 
whom are engaged in business in Portland ; Jo 
S., who is a clerk on a transport in the Pacific 
squadron of the United States navy ; Allyne 
Francis and Gertrude S. The three eldest sons 
enlisted in Company H, Second Oregon Volun- 
teer Infantry, for service in the Spanish-Amer- 
ican war, and were soon sent (1898) to Manila, 
where they rendered efficient service as soldiers, 
being fortunate in retaining their health in spite 
of the trying tropical climate. On their return 
they all engaged in business in Portland, where 
they now reside. 

It will be observed by a perusal of this brief 
sketch of important events in the busy life of 
Professor Pratt that his career has been one of 
great utility. His long period of service in Port- 
land as an educator has been characterized by 
marked success, a consensus of the opinion of 
those who have closely watched his record be- 
ing that no incumbent of the office of superin- 
tendent of the city schools has done more than 
he to elevate the standard of the schools. As a 
citizen he has proven himself progressive and 
public-spirited, giving freely of his time and in- 
fluence to the work of promoting those move- 
ments intended to enhance the intellectual, social 
and industrial prestige of the community in 
which he has spent the most active years of his 
life. Personally he possesses an abundance of 
those qualities of mind and character which tend 
to endear a man to those with whom he comes 
in daily contact, and the people of Portland who 
have learned to know him best are steadfast in 
their allegiance to and devoted in their friend- 
ship for him. 



ASAHEL BUSH. The career of Asahel 
Bush, pioneer journalist and banker, of Salem, 
illustrates in a striking degree the possibilities 
of the Northwest during the first half-century 
of its development. The citizenship of Oregon 
probably affords to-day no more conspicuous ex- 
ample of the self-made man of affairs, no bet- 
ter or more worthy type of American citizenship, 
than is to be found in the subject of this neces- 
sarily rather brief memoir. A record of the 



salient points in his career, illustrating the vari- 
ous steps he has taken onward and upward to 
the attainment of the unquestionable and un- 
questioned position as the foremost citizen of 
the Willamette valley should, and undoubtedly 
will, prove a source of inspiration to the ambi- 
tious young men of the present generation whose 
aspirations lie along lines of a nature more or 
less similar to those pursued by Mr. Bush dur- 
ing the days preceding the period since which 
his position in the commercial world has been 
assured. 

The ancestral history of Mr. Bush, both lineal 
and collateral, is distinctly American. The 
founders of the family in the New World emi- 
grated from England in 1630, and from that 
time to the present men bearing that name have 
lent their best efforts toward the promotion of 
the welfare of the country, placing America first 
in their affections and interests. In 1650 rep- 
resentatives of the family moved from the state 
of Connecticut, where they had resided for more 
than twenty years, to Westfield, Mass. Aaron 
Bush, grandfather of Asahel Bush, was a farmer 
of New England, where his entire life was spent. 
Asahel Bush, his son, father of the pioneer of 
whom we are writing, was born 'in Westfield, 
Mass., also carried on agricultural pursuits in 
that state. In public affairs he was prominent 
and influential, and served as selectman of his 
town and as a representative in the Massachu- 
setts State Legislature. He was a believer in 
the Universalist faith, and a man of broad mind 
and liberal views. In early manhood he wedded 
Sally Noble, a native of Westfield, Mass., whose 
ancestry may also be traced back to England. 
Asahel and Sally (Noble) Bush became the pa- 
rents of six children, but two of whom are now 
living. 

Asahel Bush, whose name introduces this me- 
moir, was the fifth child in order of birth, and 
the only one who located on the Pacific coast. 
He was born in Westfield, Mass., June 4, 1824, 
was reared in that town, and completed his lit- 
erary education in the Westfield Academy. At 
the age of seventeen years he moved to Sara- 
toga Springs, N. Y., where he was apprenticed 
to the printer's trade in the office of the Sara- 
toga Sentinel. Here he was employed for about 
four years, during which time he learned the 
details of the trade, it having been his original 
intention to make newspaper work his vocation. 
As he grew to maturity his views of life broad- 
ened, and he determined to make his life more 
useful by mastering the law, thereby equipping 
himself more fully for the struggle which he 
realized lay ahead of him. With this ambi- 
tion dominant in his mind, he returned to his 
native state and began the study of the law in 
Westfield under the direction of William Blair 



2S 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and Patrick Boise, being admitted to the bar of 
Massachusetts in 1850. Judge R. P. Boise of 
Salem, a nephew of Patrick Boise, who had pre- 
viously been a student in his uncle's law office, 
was a friend of Mr. Bush, and the aspirations 
of the two young men about this time tended 
in the same direction, both arriving at the con- 
clusion that the well-nigh boundless resources 
of the then new and undeveloped Northwest of- 
fered to them broader opportunities than the 
East. Accordingly they decided to put their 
fortunes to the test in the territory of Oregon, 
whither a tide of immigration was then flowing. 
Soon after having been admitted to the practice 
of his chosen profession, Mr. Bush started for 
( )regon by way of the Panama route, leaving 
New York City as a passenger on the steamer 
Empire City, bound for Aspinwall. He made 
the journey across the Isthmus on a boat poled 
up the Chagres river and on the back of a mule 
over the mountains, and re-embarked on the 
steamer Panama, which, after stopping for a 
short time in the harbor of San Francisco, pro- 
ceeded northward to Astoria. At that point Mr. 
Bush took a small boat up the Columbia and 
Willamette rivers to Portland. A short time 
afterward he located at Oregon City, where he 
established a newspaper, which he named the 
Oregon Statesman, for the publication of which 
he had had a printing press shipped from the East 
around the Horn. The first issue of the States- 
man appeared in March, 185 1. Mr. Bush con- 
tinued to be editor, proprietor and publisher of 
this pioneer newspaper until 1853, when he re- 
moved his office to Salem, there continuing in 
journalism until 1861. The business evidently 
appealed to him as more fascinating and satis- 
factory than the practice of the law, for by 
this time he had abandoned the idea of engag- 
ing in the practice of his profession. 

In 1 861 Mr. Bush sold his newspaper, which 
thereafter was known as the Union. In 1867 he 
engaged in the banking business in Salem as a 
member of the firm of Ladd & Bush, his part- 
ner in this enterprise being the late W. S. Ladd 
of Portland. This relation was sustained until 
1877, when Mr. Bush purchased the interest of 
his partner. For the past twenty-six years he 
has retained control of the institution and has 
been actively engaged in the conduct of its 
affairs, and through his individual efforts he 
has made it one of the strongest banking houses 
in the Pacific Northwest. In 1867 he erected 
the commodious brick structure now devoted to 
the purposes of his business. 

Mr. Bush has further contributed to the im- 
provement of the city through the erection of a 
number of stores and other buildings. He is a 
stockholder in and president of the Salem Flour- 
ing Mills, in which he has been interested for 



main years. In company with Mr. Ladd and 
others he purchased this enterprise several years 
ago and equipped the plant with roller process 
machinery. When the mill was destroyed by 
fire it was immediately rebuilt, and there is now 
a modern mill having a daily capacity of four 
hundred barrels. He is also financially inter- 
ested in the Salem Woolen Mills, is the owner 
of the Salem Foundry, and for some time was 
a stockholder in the old Oregon Steam Naviga- 
tion Company, the predecessor of the present 
system known as the Oregon Railroad and Navi- 
gation Company. In addition to these enter- 
prises, in which much of his capital has been 
profitably invested and to which he has devoted 
no inconsiderable portion of his time and energy, 
he has, at various times, been identified with 
other local enterprises which have helped to es- 
tablish the city of Salem on a sound manu- 
facturing, commercial and financial basis. 

In his political views Mr. Bush is a Demo- 
crat who has always remained firm in his be- 
lief in the principle of free trade. He has taken 
an active part in the promotion of the welfare 
•of his party in Oregon, and probably no other 
man has accomplished more for the general well- 
being of "the Democracy of this state than he. 
For several years he was a member of the Dem- 
ocratic State Central Committee, of which he 
served for a time as chairman. In 1892 he was 
sent as a delegate to the Democratic National 
Convention at Chicago, on which occasion Grover 
Cleveland was nominated for the presidency for 
the third time. For eight years he served as 
Territorial Printer for Oregon, the first and 
only man to hold that office. He was appointed 
one of the board of visitors to the United States 
Military Academy at West Point, N. Y., filling 
that post in 1861, when two classes were gradu- 
ated for the purpose of providing officers for 
the army in the Civil war. For many years he 
was a regent of the Oregon State University, 
but resigned the office; and at the time of its 
incorporation was a trustee of Willamette Uni- 
versity. He is a member of the Oregon His- 
torical Society, and in religious faith is a Uni- 
tarian. In 1902 he was made a member of the 
Board of Directors of the Lewis and Clark Cen- 
tennial Exposition to be held in Portland in 
1905. 

In 1854 Mr. Bush made a trip to his old home 
in Massachusetts by way of the Panama route, 
returning to Salem the same year. In 1861 he 
made a second trip by the same route, and in 
1865 he crossed the plains to the East by stage, 
returning home by way of the Isthmus'. 

The marriage of Mr. Bush occurred in Salem 
in October, 1854, and united him with Eugenia 
Zieber, who was born in 1833 in Princess Anne, 
Princess Anne county, on the Eastern shore of 



PORTRAIT AND UK )( IRA IM I KAL RECORD. 



29 



Maryland Her father was a native of Phila- 
delphia, and her mother of Maryland. Her 
family crossed the plains in 185 1, settling in 
( Oregon City, but afterward removing to Salem. 
John S. Zieber, her father, became surveyor- 

neral of Oregon in 1853, filling the office for 
one term. Mrs. Hush was a graduate of the 
Moravian Seminary at Bethlehem, Pa., and was 
a lady of superior culture and refinement, pos- 

sed of many graces of character. She died 
in Salem in 1863, leaving four children : Estelle, 
who is a graduate of the school in which her 
mother received her education; Asahel N., a 
graduate of Amherst College, class of 1882, now 
a partner of his father in the banking business ; 
Sally, a graduate of Smith College at North- 
ampton. Mass. ; and Eugenia, who is a graduate 
of Wellesley College. 

It is difficult to place a proper estimate upon 
the services of Asahel Bush to the state of Ore- 
gon, and particularly to the community in which 
he has been for so long a period a most potent 
factor. Thoughtful men who have watched the 
progress of the state for the past four or five 
decades are generally agreed that there is liv- 
ing to-day no other individual whose personal- 
ity, sound judgment in affairs of finance, trade 
and commerce, broad-mindedness, thoughtfulness 
for the welfare of the community at large, and 
unselfish and disinterested desire to witness the 
most economical utilization of the partially de- 
veloped resources so abundant throughout the 
country in which he was a pioneer, has made, 
and is yet making, so marked an impress upon 
the trend of events in the state. For many 
years his strong guiding hand has been felt in 
nearly all important undertakings throughout a 
large expanse of territory within the borders of 
the state, and his judgment has been sought and 
deferred to by hundreds of men in all walks of 
life. A common expression in local commercial 
and manufacturing circles has been: "Ask Mr. 
Bush what he thinks about it." His integrity 
has always been above reproach, and his motives 
in all his operations have never been questioned. 
Honored and respected by all who have learned 
to know him, and well-beloved by those who 
have been favored by an intimate acquaintance 
with him, he is now — in his eightieth year — 
recognized as the foremost citizen of the Willa- 
mette valley, if not, indeed, of the entire state 
of Oregon. 

Such, in brief, is the life history of Asahel 
Bush. Those whose discernment enables them 
to read "between the lines" and who are famil- 
iar with the history of the state, will readily 
realize the nature of the environments which 
surrounded him in the early years of his resi- 
dence here, and what courage and fortitude, as 
well as enterprise and energy, it required to 



face the pioneer conditions of the Northwest 
and establish large business interests here upon 
a profitable basis. In his undertakings, however, 
he has been greeted with such a measure of suc- 
cess that his methods naturally prove of pro- 
found interest to the commercial and financial 
world. Yet there is no secret in connection with 
his advancement, for his success has been at- 
tained through earnest and conscientious effort, 
guided by sound judgment and keen foresight, 
supplemented by principles of honorable man- 
hood. 



HON. JOHN B. CLELAND. About 1650 
the Cleland family, who were strict Presbyteri- 
ans, removed from Scotland to Ireland, and 
there, in County Down, Samuel Cleland was 
born and reared. Before leaving that county 
he was made a Mason and subsequently rose to 
the rank of Knight Templar. About 181 2 he 
settled in Orange county, N. Y., where he im- 
proved a farm near Little Britain. In his old age 
he joined his son's family in Wisconsin and 
there spent his last days. His son, James, a 
native of Orange county, became a pioneer of 
1846 in Wisconsin, where he settled near Janes- 
ville, in Center township, Rock county, on the 
West Rock prairie. Like his father he took a 
warm interest in Masonry and in his life has 
exemplified the lofty principles of the order. 
During his active life he maintained a deep in- 
terest in politics and was a local leader of the 
Democratic party. For some years past he has 
been retired from agricultural pursuits and now, 
at eighty-two years of age, is making his home 
in Janesville. His wife, Isabella, was born in 
county Down, Ireland, and died in Rock county, 
Wis., in 1879. I n early childhood she was 
brought to this country by her father, John Bry- 
son, who settled on a farm in Orange county. 
Of her marriage there were five children, and 
three sons and one daughter are now living, the 
eldest of these being Judge John B. Cleland, of 
Portland. The others are : Mrs. Mary Fisher, 
of Janesville, Wis. ; Samuel J., a farmer near 
Emporia, Kans. ; and William A., of Portland, a 
well-known attorney. 

On the home farm in Rock county, Wis., 
where he was born July 15, 1848, Judge Cleland 
passed the years of early boyhood. He attended 
the country district schools, the grammar and 
high schools of Janesville, and later Carroll Col- 
lege in Waukesha. At the expiration of the 
junior year in college he entered the University 
of Michigan in 1869 and was graduated from the 
law department March 29, 1871, receiving the 
degree of LL. B. Admitted to the bar of Michi- 
gan, then to that of Wisconsin, and soon after- 
ward to that of Towa. in July of 1871 he settled 



30 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



at Osage, Mitchell county, Iowa, where he was 
a practicing lawyer and justice of the peace. In 

1876 he was elected district attorney of the 
twelfth judicial district of Iowa, comprising 
eight counties, and this position he held from 

1877 to 1885. In the fall of 1884 he was elected 
circuit judge of the twelfth district by a large 
majority. A constitutional amendment two years 
later abolished the circuit courts, and he was 
then elected district judge, which position he 
resigned in 1888 on removing to Fargo, N. D. 
After two years as a practitioner in Fargo he 
came to Oregon in 1890, since which time he 
has been a resident of Portland. The appoint- 
ment as circuit judge came to him in January, 
1898, from Governor Lord, to succeed Hon. L. 
B. Stearns, resigned, as judge of one of the de- 
partments. The nomination for this office was 
tendered him in June, 1898, and at the following 
election he received a flattering majority, im- 
mediately thereafter entering upon his duties 
for a term of six years. 

In Center township, Rock county, Wis., Judge 
Cleland married Ellen J. Cory, who was born 
in that county, her parents having been pioneers 
from Orange county, N. Y. They are the par- 
ents of four children, namely : Laura Josephine, 
Bessie Isabella, Earl James and Mattie Ellen. 
Mrs. Cleland is identified with the Congregation- 
al Church and a contributor to religious and 
philanthropic movements. 

The eminent position held by Judge Cleland 
among the attorneys and jurists of Oregon is 
indicated by the high honor they conferred upon 
him in electing him to the presidency of the State 
Bar Association. No jurist in the entire state is 
more highly esteemed than he, and none enjoys 
to a fuller degree the confidence of the people in 
his impartiality, intelligence and sagacious judg- 
ment. By his previous experience on the bench 
in Iowa he had gained a thorough knowledge of 
the duties of a jurist and was therefore qualified 
to assume the responsibilities devolving upon 
him. With him partisanship sinks into the back- 
ground, yet he is a loyal Republican and since 
boyhood has never swerved in his allegiance to 
the party. Socially he is associated with the 
University Club and Multnomah Athletic Club. 
Like his father and grandfather, he maintains a 
constant interest in Masonry. While in Iowa 
he was made a Mason in Osage Lodge No. 102, 
where he served as master for two terms. In 
Osage Chapter No. 36 he served as high priest, 
while his connection with the commandery dates 
from his admission to Cceur de Leon Command- 
ery, K. T., of which he was eminent commander 
for seven years. At this writing he is a member 
of Portland Lodge No. 55, A. F. & A. M. ; Port- 
land Chapter No. 3, R. A. M., and Oregon Com- 
mandery No. 1, K. T., of which he was emi- 



nent commander for two terms. During his res- 
idence in Iowa he was senior grand warden of 
the Grand Commandery, and since coming to 
Oregon he has enjoyed similar honors, having 
been grand master of the Grand Lodge in 1898- 
99 and grand commander of the Grand Com- 
mandery of Oregon during the same year. The 
Shrine degree he received in El Zagel Temple, 
N. M. S., Fargo, N. D., and he is now affiliated 
with Al Kader Temple, N. M. S., of Portland. 
His Consistory degree has been given him since 
coming to Portland, and he has also attained the 
thirty-third degree here. 

Aside from his connections with bench and 
bar, fraternal and social organizations, Judge 
Cleland has a host of warm personal friends in 
every walk of life. His commanding presence 
makes him a conspicuous figure in even the larg- 
est concourse of people. In physique he is stal- 
wart and well-proportioned, about six feet and 
four inches tall, and possessing a dignified and 
judicial bearing, yet with a kindly and genial 
courtesy that wins and retains deep and lasting 
friendships. 



WILLIAM A. CLELAND. During the 
years of his residence in Portland Mr. Cleland 
has established a reputation for accuracy of 
knowledge and breadth of information in matters 
relating to his profession, that of the law. For 
this he was well qualified through the advantages 
derived from an excellent education. While 
his early advantages were limited to the district 
school near the home farm, in Rock county, Wis., 
where he was born June 22, 1855, yet his teach- 
ers were thorough and, finding him to be ambi- 
tious, delighted to aid him in securing a satis- 
factory start. When thirteen years of age he 
became a student at Milton and two years later 
went to Beloit, where he completed the prepara- 
tory department and in 1872 entered Beloit Col- 
lege. In 1874 he matriculated as a junior in 
Princeton University, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1876, with the degree of A. B. His 
alma mater in 1902 conferred upon him the de- 
gree of A. M. 

Immediately after graduating Mr. Cleland en- 
tered the law office of his brother, Judge John B. 
Cleland, at Osage, Iowa, where he combined the 
duties of clerk with the study of law. Two years 
later he returned to Wisconsin, where he re- 
mained until after his mother's death. In 1879 
he went to Fargo, N. D., where he continued his 
law readings and acted as clerk. Admitted to 
the bar in 1881, he opened an office in Grafton 
and a year later formed the firm of Cleland & 
Sauter. While continuing the office at Grafton, 
in January of 1889 he became a member of the 
firm of Miller, Cleland & Cleland, of Fargo. In 





" . 



PORTRAIT \\n BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



33 



8 .•> he came to Portland and with his brother, 

John \'., formed the firm of Clelancl & Cleland. 
Since the accession of his brother to the circuit 
bench in 1898 he has continued alone. 

Always a believer in Republican principles, 
Mr. Cleland served as chairman of the county 
and district central committees while living in 
Dakota. Socially he is a popular man, number- 
ing a host oi friends and well-wishers, an active 
participant in the affairs of the Commerical 
Club and a welcomed guest in the most select 
circles of the city. 

Belonging to a family conspicuously promi- 
nent in Masonry, he has shared the general in- 
terest in that order. While living at Grafton, N. 
1)., he was made a Mason in Crescent Lodge No. 
1 1 . in which he served as master from December 
of 1887 to December of 1888. February 6, 1884, 
he was initiated in Corinthian Chapter No. 3, 
R. A. M., at Grand Forks, N. D. February 18, 
1885. he was made a member of Grand Forks 
Commandery Xo. 8, K. T., from which he was 
demitted March 5, 1890, to Oregon Comman- 
dery Xo. 1. K. T., of which he is past eminent 
commander. In 1889 he became a Shriner in El 
Zagel Temple, X. M. S., at Fargo, and since 
May 26. 1891. has affiliated with Al Kader Tem- 
ple, of Portland. He is also associated with 
Portland Lodge Xo. 55. A. F. & A. M., and 
Portland Chapter X"o. 3, of which he is past high 
priest. In June of 1902 he w-as elected grand 
priest of the Grand Chapter of Oregon, which 
responsible position he has since filled with char- 
acteristic enthusiasm and success. 



HEXRY FAILIXG. At the time of the death 
of Henry Failing of Portland, C. A. Dolph, as 
chairman of the sub-committee appointed to draft 
a suitable memorial, submitted the following 
sketch of his life, which was adopted by unani- 
mous vote of the water committee at its regular 
meeting, December 20, 1898. and ordered spread 
upon the records of the proceedings of the com- 
mittee : Henry Failing was born in the city of 
Xew York January 17, 1834. He was the second 
son of Josiah and Henrietta (Ellison) Failing, 
the first son having died in infancy. His father 
was a native of Montgomery county, in the Mo- 
hawk valley, in the state of Xew York, and was 
descended on the male side from the German 
Palatines, who settled that part of the province 
in the early part of the eighteenth century. His 
mother was an English woman, with a strain of 
Welsh blood in her veins, and came to the United 
States with a brother and sister about the begin- 
ning of the nineteenth century. Josiah Failing 
was reared on the farm of his parents and re- 
mained at home until a young man, going to 
Xew York about 1824. There he was married, 



June 15, 1828, to Miss Henrietta Ellison, daugh- 
ter of Henry Fllison, of York, England, and 
Mary (Beek) Ellison, a native of Xew York. 
She was born in Charleston, S. ( '.. whither her 
parents had gone shortly after their marriage. 
Mr. Ellison died suddenly when his daughter was 
hardly a month old, and the widow, with her 
fatherless infant, returned to the home of her 
parents in Xew York, where her daughter grew 
to womanhood. The Beeks were descended from 
the early Dutch settlers of the province, coming 
over from Holland before the transfer of the 
colony from the Dutch to the English more than 
two hundred years ago. Xathaniel Beek, father 
of Mrs. Ellison and grandfather of Mr. Failing, 
did service in the cause of independence during 
the Revolutionary war, in the Ulster county regi- 
ment of Xew York militia. 

The early boyhood of Henry Failing was 
passed in his native city. He attended a public 
school in the ninth ward, then and now known 
as Xo. 3. The school was at that time under 
the control of the Xew York Public School So- 
ciety, an organization which has long since ceased 
to exist, the management of the schools being 
now merged into the general system of the board 
of education. The work of the schools in those 
days was confined to the more simple branches, 
but what was taught was thoroughly done; so 
that when, in April, 1846, young Failing at the 
age of twelve bade farewell to school and sports, 
he was well grounded in the English branches. He 
entered the counting house of L. F. de Figanere 
& Co., in Piatt street, as an office boy. M. de 
Figanere was a Portuguese, a brother of the Por- 
tuguese minister to the United States, and his 
partner, Mr. Rosat, was a French merchant from 
Bordeaux. The business of this firm was largely 
with French dealers in the city and it was there 
that Henry Failing acquired such a knowledge of 
the French language that he was enabled to both 
write and speak it with facility and correctness. 
Three years later, having meanwhile become an 
expert accountant, he became junior bookkeeper 
in the large dry-goods jobbing house of Eno, 
Mahoney & Co., of which concern Amos R. 
Eno (the lately deceased Xew York millionaire) 
was the head. His knowledge of the importing 
business and custom-house firms and dealers was 
such that neither of these two concerns had oc- 
casion for the services of a broker during bis 
stay with them. Mr. Eno, with whom Mr. Fail- 
ing maintained a correspondence until the for- 
mer's death, told an intimate friend that it was 
one of the mistakes of his life that he did not 
make it more of an inducement for Henrv Fail- 
ing to remain with him. As it was, they parted 
with mutual regret. 

The almost meagre opportunities for the ac- 
quirement of knowledge which Mr. Failing 



3i 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



possessed were so diligently and wisely used 
that when, in 1851, a little more than seventeen 
years old, he made the great move of his life, 
he was better equipped for his future business 
career than many of far greater opportunities 
and educational facilities. April 15, 1851, in 
company with his father and a younger brother 
(the late John W. Failing), he left New York 
to establish a new business in Oregon. The 
journey was by sea to Chagres on the Isthmus of 
Panama, thence by boat up Chagres river, and 
tlunce to Panama by mule train. From Panama 
they came to San Francisco by the steamer Ten- 
nessee, afterwards lost on the coast. They 
reached Portland June 9, 185 1, coming on the 
old steamer Columbia, which that year had been 
put on the route of the Pacific Steamship Com- 
pany, C. H. Lewis, late treasurer of the water 
committee, being a passenger on the same 
steamer. For many years Mr. Failing and Mr. 
Lewis were accustomed to observe the anniver- 
sary together. 

After a few months of preparation, building, 
etc., the new firm opened business on Front 
street, one door south of Oak. The original sign 
of J. Failing & Co. can be seen yet on the four- 
story building that occupies the ground. On 
this spot Mr. Failing continued to do business 
many years, retaining his interest until January, 
1893. Josiah Failing from the first was promi- 
nent in municipal and educational affairs, being 
a member of the first city council in 1852 and 
mayor of the city in 1853. In 1854 the elder 
Failing retired from business and Henry Failing 
continued in his own name. He was married, 
October 21, 1858, to Miss Emily Phelps Corbett, 
youngest sister of Hon. H. W. Corbett, formerly 
of this city. Mrs. Failing died in Portland July 
8, 1870, since which time he has been a widower. 
He had four daughters, one of whom died in in- 
fancy. Three are now living, namely : Miss 
Henrietta E. Failing, Mary F. Failing and Mrs. 
Henry C. Cabell, wife of Capt. Henry C. Cabell, 
U. S. A. 

In the year 1869 Mr. Failing, in connection 
with his father, Josiah Failing, and Hon. H. W. 
Corbett, bought a controlling interest in the First 
National Bank of Portland from Messrs. A. M. 
and L. M. Starr, who had, with some others, 
established the bank in 1866. Mr. Failing was 
immediately made president of the institution, 
which he continued to manage until his death. 
Immediately after the change of ownership the 
capital of the bank was increased from $100,000 
to $250,000, and in 1880 it was doubled to its 
present amount, $500,000, while the legal sur- 
plus and the undivided profits amount to more 
than the capital. In addition to this, dividends 
far exceeding the original investment have been 
made to the stockholders. Tn January of 1871 



Mr. Failing and Mr. Corbett consolidated their 
mercantile enterprises, forming the firm of Cor- 
bett, Failing & Co., the co-partnership continu- 
ing twenty-two years, when Mr. Failing's inter- 
est terminated by the dissolution of the firm. The 
name of the concern is perpetuated in the present 
corporation of Corbett, Failing & Robertson, 
their successors. 

In the political campaign of 1862 Mr. Failing 
was chairman of the state central committee of 
the Union party, a combination of Republicans 
and War Democrats, who carried Oregon for 
the Union in those exciting times. In 1864, at 
the age of thirty years, he was by popular vote 
elected mayor of the city of Portland, and during 
his first term in that office a new charter for 
the city was obtained, a system of street improve- 
ment adopted and much good work done. At the 
expiration of his term of office he was re-elected 
with but five dissenting votes. In 1873 he was 
again chosen mayor of the city and served for a 
full term of two years. His administration of 
the affairs of the city was able, progressive and 
economical. In the legislative act of 1885 he was 
named as a member of the water committee and 
upon its organization was unanimously chosen 
chairman of the committee, which position he 
held until his death. Upon all political ques- 
tions he had decided convictions, in accordance 
with which he invariably acted ; but he never en- 
gaged in political controversy nor indulged in 
personalities. His marvelous judgment and 
powers of exact calculation are well illustrated by 
his service as chairman of the water committee. 
For many years he, substantially unaided, an- 
nually made the estimates required by law of 
the receipts and expenditures of the committee 
for the year next ensuing. These estimates are, 
under the varied circumstances necessarily con- 
sidered in making them, characteristic of him, 
and some of them are marvels of exactness. His 
estimate of the cost of operation, maintenance, 
repairs and interest for the year 1893 was $100,- 
000, and the actual outlay was $100,211.91. His 
estimate of receipts for the year 1892 was $240- 
000, and the receipts actually collected were 
$237,300.85. His estimate of the receipts for 
the year 1897 was $232,000. The amount actu- 
ally collected was $231,860.95. The magnitude 
of the task of making these estimates is empha- 
sized when the fact is considered that not only 
the fluctuations in the population of a large city 
must be considered, but climatic conditions an- 
ticipated, and the amount of water consumed in 
irrigation based thereon; the amount of build- 
ing and the volume of trade considered, and an 
estimate made of the amount of water consumed 
in building and in the use of elevators. These 
various sources of revenue were all carefully con- 
sidered and estimates made which were in ex- 



PORTRAIT AXD MOCRAI'I I l( ' \L RECORD. 



37 



is of the actual income in but trifling amounts. 
The career oi Mr. Failing affords encourage- 
lt to young men seeking place and power in 
business affairs. It demonstrates what can be 
accomplished b) patient industry and honest ef- 
fort, unaided by the scholastic training afforded 
by colleges and universities. The counting house 
was his schoolroom; but he studied not only 
men and their affairs, but also the best authors, 
becoming well informed in literature, science and 
the arts. IK- appreciated the advantages of a 
classical education and contributed liberally to 
the support and endowment of the educational 
institutions of this state. At the time of his 
death, which occurred November 8, 1898, he was 
a regent and president of the board of regents 
of the University of ( Oregon and was a trustee 
and treasurer of the Pacific University, the 
oldest educational institution of the state. 
He was a stanch friend and supporter of the re- 
ligious and charitable institutions of the city and 
state. The First Baptist- Church of Portland, 
and the Baptist Society of which he was many 
years the president, also the Children's Home, 
of which he was treasurer, were special objects 
of his solicitude, and he contributed largelv to 
the support of all. In connection with the late 
William S. Ladd and H. W. Corbett he was 
active in the project for purchasing and laying 
out the grounds of Riverside cemetery. For 
many years he was desirous of seeing a suitable 
piece of ground laid out and properly improved 
for cemetery purposes, and this beautiful spot, 
where his remains now rest, is in no small de- 
gree the result of his effort. To the Portland 
Library Association, of which he was president, 
he made large donations in money and gave much 
time and thought to the work. The library build- 
ing, now one of the fairest ornaments of our 
city, is largely the result of his benevolence and 
enterprise. He was especially generous and kind 
to the pioneers of the state, who. like him, aided 
in laying the foundation of a civilization which 
is now our common heritage, and his name will 
be remembered and honored by them and their 
posterity as long as the history of our state is 
written or read. In appreciation of his character 
and of his services to the city and state, his as- 
sociates of the water committee of the city of 
Portland direct this tribute to his memory be 
entered upon their records. 



HON. GEORGE E. CHAMBERLAIN. Be- 
lievers in the influence of heredity will find much 
to support their claims in the ancestral record 
of the governor of Oregon. Hon. George Earle 
Chamberlain. The qualities that have given him 
an eminent position in the public life of the 
northwest are "his bv inheritance from a long 



line of capable, scholarly and influential ances- 
tors. The family of which he is a member 
came from England at an early period in Am- 
erican history and settled among the pioneers of 
Massachusetts. I lis grandfather, Ur. Joseph 
Chamberlain, a native of Delaware, was one of 
the distinguished physicians of Newark, that 
state. The lad)' whom he married also came of 
a prominent pioneer family. Her uncle, Charles 
Thomson, who served as secretary of the con- 
tinental congress from 1774 to 1789, was born 
in Ireland, of Scotch lineage, November 29. 1729. 
Accompanied by three sisters he settled at New- 
castle, Del., in 1741, and there became a teacher 
in the Friends' Academy. In 1758 he was one 
of the agents appointed to treat with the Indians 
at Oswego, and while there was adopted by the 
Dela wares, who conferred upon him an Indian 
name meaning "One who speaks the truth." The 
possessor of literary ability, he left his imprint 
upon the literature of his age through his "Har- 
mony of the Five Gospels," a translation of the 
Old and New Testament, and an inquiry into 
the cause of the alienation of the Delaware and 
Shawnee Indians. His private file of letters, con- 
taining communications written to him while sec- 
retary of the continental congress and before that 
time, is among the most valued possessions of 
Governor Chamberlain, and contains letters from 
all the leading men of that day. 

In the family of Dr. Joseph Chamberlain was 
a son, Charles Thomson Chamberlain, a native 
of Newark, Del., and a graduate of Jefferson 
Medical College at Philadelphia. After receiv- 
ing the degree of M. D., he settled in Natchez, 
Miss., in 1837, as offering a favorable opening 
for a professional man. During the years that 
followed he built up a large practice and estab- 
lished an enviable reputation for skill in the 
diagnosis and treatment of disease. An evidence 
of his kindly spirit of devotion to duty and self- 
sacrificing labors for others is shown by his rec- 
ord during the yellow fever epidemic of 1871. 
At that time, when many physicians felt justified 
in considering their own health, he attended pa- 
tients night and day, without thought of self, 
until at last he was stricken with the disease and 
soon died. 

The wife of Dr. Charles T. Chamberlain was 
Pamelia H. Archer, a native of Harford count v, 
Md., and now a resident of Natchez, Miss. Her 
father, Hon. Stevenson Archer, was born in 
Harford county, and graduated from Princeton 
College, 1805, after which he became an attor- 
ney. He served in congress from 181 1 to 1817 
from Maryland, and in the latter year accepted 
an appointment from President Madison as 
judge of Mississippi Territory with guberna- 
torial powers, and resigned later. From [819 to 
1 82 1 he again represented his district in congress, 



38 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



where he was a member of the committee on for- 
eign affairs. In [825 he was elected one of the jus- 
tices of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, 
which office he held until his death in 1848, at 
which time he was chief justice. His father, 
John Archer, M. D., was a native of Harford 
county, Aid., born in 1741. After graduating at 
Princeton in 1760, he studied for the ministry, 
but throat trouble rendering pulpit work inad- 
visable, he turned his attention to medicine. The 
first medical diploma ever issued in the new 
world was given to him by the Philadelphia Med- 
ical College. In 1776 he was elected a member 
of the convention which framed the Constitution 
and Pill of Rights of Maryland. At the com- 
mencement of the Revolutionary war he had 
command of a military company, the first enrolled 
in Harford county, and was a member of the 
state legislature. After the war he practiced his 
profession and several important discoveries in 
therapeutics are credited to him. In 1797 he was 
a presidential elector and from 1801 to 1807 was 
a member of congress from Maryland. His 
death occurred in 1810. The Archer family is 
of Scotch-Irish descent and was represented 
among the earliest settlers of Harford county, 
where for generations they wielded wide influ- 
ence. It is worthy of record that the portrait of 
Hon. Stevenson Archer appears among those of 
distinguished men of Maryland placed in the 
new courthouse in Baltimore, that state, and also 
adorns the courthouse in his native county. 

In a family of five children, one of whom, 
Charles T. Chamberlain, is a merchant in 
Natchez, Miss., Hon. George Earle Chamberlain 
was third in order of birth. His name comes to 
him from an uncle, George Earle, who was one 
of the noted men of Maryland, and assistant 
postmaster general of the United States during 
General Grant's term as president. In his native 
city of Natchez, Miss.,- where he was born Janu- 
ary 1, 1854, he received such advantages as the 
public schools afforded. On leaving school in 
1870 he clerked in a mercantile store. Two vears 
later, entering college at Lexington, Va., he took 
the regular course of study in the Washington 
and Lee University, from which he was gradu- 
ated in July of 1876, with the degrees of A. B. 
and B. L. Shortly after his graduation he re- 
turned to Natchez, where he remained until after 
the presidential election. However, prospects for 
success in the south were not encouraging at the 
time, and he determined to seek a more favorable 
opening. With this purpose in view he came to 
( )regon, which has been his home since his arrival 
December 6, 1876. Early in 1877 he taught 
a country school and in the latter part of the 
year was appointed deputy clerk of Linn county, 
which position he held until the summer of 1879. 
During 1880 he was elected to the lower house 



of the legislature and in 1884 became district at- 
torney for the third judicial district of Oregon. 
In the discharge of the duties of these various 
offices he gave satisfaction to all concerned, 
evincing wide professional knowledge and re- 
sourcefulness. His talents being recognized by 
the governor, he was given the appointment of 
attorney-general of Oregon on the creation of 
that office by act of legislature in 1891, his ap- 
pointment bearing date of May 21, 1891. For 
a short time before this he had been interested 
in the banking business at Albany, being con- 
nected first with the First National Bank, and 
later with the Linn County National Bank. 

At the general election following his appoint- 
ment he was elected attorney-general on the Dem- 
ocratic ticket, receiving a majority of about five 
hundred, notwithstanding the fact that the Re- 
publican majority in Oregon at that time was 
about ten thousand. In 1900 he was electechdis-' 
trict attorney of Multnomah county by a major- 
ity of eleven hundred and sixty-two, the county 
being then about four thousand Republican. The 
highest honor of his life came to him, unsolicited, 
in 1902, when the Democrats nominated him for 
governor by acclamation. In the election that 
followed he received a majority of two hundred 
and fifty-six over the Republican candidate, al- 
though on the congressional vote the state at the 
time was nearly fifteen thousand Republican. 
These figures are indicative of his popularity, 
not only with his own party, but with the gen- 
eral public. Among his large circle of friends 
and admirers are many who, though of different 
political faith, have yet such a warm regard for 
the man himself and such a firm faith in his 
ability to guide aright the ship of state, that many 
thousand votes were given him by people accus- 
tomed to vote another ticket than his own. It is 
doubtful if any public man possesses greater 
strength among the people of the state. Through 
the long period of his residence here he has won 
and maintained the confidence of the people, and 
his upright life, combined with unusual mental 
gifts, has given him his present prominence and 
prestige. 

In Natchez, Miss., Mr. Chamberlain mar- 
ried Miss Sally N. Welch, who was born near 
that city, a descendant of an old Revolutionary 
family from New Engand. Her father, A. T. 
Welch, a native of New Hampshire, was a large 
planter near Natchez, the possessor of abundant 
means that rendered possible the giving of valu- 
able educational advantages to his children. 
Mrs. Chamberlain was graduated from the 
Natchez Institute and is a lady of culture and re- 
finement, an active member of the Calvary Pres- 
byterian Church and also a member of the East- 
ern Star. Born of this marriage are the follow- 
ing children: Charles Thomson, a graduate of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



41 



Portland High School and Academy, and a mem- 
ber of the class of [903, Cooper Medical College, 
San Francisco; Lucie Archer. Marguerite, 
Carrie-Lee, George Earle, Jr., and Fannie W. 

The Commercial Club of Portland. .Multnomah 
Amateur Athletic Club, University Club and 
1 Oregon State Historical Society, number Gov- 
ernor Chamberlain among their members. A life 
member of the Benevolent and Protective ( >rder 
of Klks in Portland, he is past exalted ruler of 
the local lodge. While at Albany he'joined the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which 
he is past noble grand and a demitted member 
of lodge and encampment. Interested in the 
Knights oi Pythias, he is past chancellor of Lau- 
rel Lodge No. 7 at Albany. His record in 
Masonry is interesting and proves him to have 
been devoted to the lofty principles of that order. 
His initial experience with Masonry began in 
St. Johns Lodge No. 62, A. F. & A. M., at Al- 
bany, of which he is past master. At this writ- 
ing his membership is in Willamette Lodge No. 
1 . at Portland, and he is past grand orator of the 
Grand Lodge of Oregon. The Royal Arch de- 
gree was conferred upon him in Bailey Chapter 
No. 8, at Albany, in which he is past high priest, 
and he is also past grand high priest of the 
Grand Chapter of Oregon. He was raised to 
the Knight Templar degree in Temple Comman- 
dery No. 3, K. T., at Albany, in which he is past 
eminent commander. The thirty-second degree 
was conferred upon him in Oregon Consistory 
No. 1, at Portland, and he is also identified with 
Al Kader Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. 



JAMES D. FENTON. The genealogy of 
the Fenton family is traced to England, whence 
three brothers came to America, one settling in 
Virginia, another in New York and the third in 
New England. Descended from the Virginian 
branch was James E. Fenton, a native of the 
Old Dominion, born in 1798, and in early life 
a resident of Kentucky, but after 1820 a pioneer 
farmer of Boone county, Mo., where he died. 
His son, James D., was born and reared in 
Boone county and became a farmer in Scotland 
county, that state. From there, in May of 
1865, he started across the plains with ox-teams, 
accompanied by his wife and seven children. 
Joining an expedition of over one hundred 
wagons, he was able to make his way safely 
through a region inhabited by hostile Indians. 
During the winter of 1865-66 he taught school 
near what is now Woodburn. in Marion county, 
Ore., but in the spring of 1866 be removed to 
a farm near McMinnville. Yamhill county. In 
addition to improving this property, he cleared 
a tract near Lafayette, and on the latter farm 
his death occurred in February of 1886, when 



he was fifty-four years of age. Through all of 
his active life he adhered to Baptist doctrines 
and favored Democratic principles. At one 
time he held the office of county commissioner. 
The marriage of James D. Fenton united him 
with Margaret A. Pinkerton, who was born 
near Barboursville, Ky., and is now living in 
Portland, at seventy-two years of age (1902). 
Her father, David, was born near Asheville, 
N. C, of Scotch descent, and settled in Ken- 
tucky when a young man. After his marriage 
he established his home on a plantation near 
Barboursville. In 1846 he removed to Clark 
county, Mo., and from there in 1865, accom- 
panied Mr. and Mrs. Fenton to Oregon. His 
grandfather, David Pinkerton, was a cartridge 
box maker and rendered valued service during 
the Revolutionary war. The Pinkerton an- 
cestors became identified with the Carolinas as 
early as 1745. In the family of James D. and 
Margaret A. Fenton there were ten children, 
namely : William D., attorney-at-law, of Port- 
land ; Mrs. Amanda Landess, of Yamhill county ; 
lames Edward, an attorney at Nome, Alaska ; 
Frank W., an attorney at McMinnville, Ore. ; 
J. D., a practicing physician in Portland; H. L., 
a merchant at Dallas, Ore. ; Charles R., an at- 
torney, who died at Spokane, Wash., in 1893; 
Matthew F., who is engaged in dental practice 
at Portland; Hicks C, a physician of Portland; 
and Mrs. Margaret Spencer, also of Portland. 



HON. WILLIAM D. FENTON. Within re- 
cent years, and particularly during the opening- 
years of the twentieth century, William D Fenton 
has gradually grown to be recognized, within the 
ranks of his profession and among the laity, as 
a man exerting a strong influence upon the cur- 
rent of public events in the city of Portland, and 
to no meager extent in the state of Oregon at 
large. His unquestioned ability as a legal prac- 
titioner and the hearty interest he has taken in 
affairs calculated to develop and foster the im- 
portant material interests of the home of his 
adoption have brought him prominently before 
the public, in whom rests an abiding confidence 
in his manifest capabilities, his public spirit and 
his integrity of character. Educated in western 
schools, fortified by an accurate knowledge of 
the west and its resources, and well-grounded in 
the principles of the law, he began the practice 
of his profession with a good foundation of hope 
for future success. Since 1891 he has been en- 
gaged in practice in Portland, where, in addition 
to his general practice (with a specialty of cor- 
poration law), he now acts as counsel for the 
Southern Pacific Tompany in Oregon. 

Mr. Fenton was born at Etna, Scotland county, 
Mo., June 29, 1853. a son of James D. and Mar- 



4-2 



PORTRAIT AND l'-K )( iKAI'J 1 ICAL RECORD. 



garet A. (Pinkerton) Fenton. (Sec sketch of 
James D. Fenton, preceding). When the family 
crossed the plains in 1865 he was old enough to 
be of considerable help to his father, and during 
much of the journey assisted by driving an ox- 
team. After settling in Oregon he took a pre- 
paratory course in McMinnville College, and in 
[869 entered Christian College at Monmouth, 
Ore. (now the State Normal School), from 
which he graduated in 1872 with the degree of 
A. B. For a time thereafter he taught school 
in his home county. In 1874 he began the study 
of the law in Salem, and in December of the 
following year was admitted to the bar before 
the supreme court of the state. From 1877 to 
1885 he practiced in Lafayette as a member of 
the 'firm of McCain & Fenton. During his resi- 
dence in Yamhill county he served one term as 
a member of the state legislature representing 
that county. He first located in Portland in 1885, 
but six months later the death of his father 
caused him to return to Yamhill county, where he 
continued to reside four years. In April, 1889, 
he removed to Seattle, where he was engaged as 
assistant district attorney for a while. In June, 
1890, he returned to Oregon, and the following 
year re-located in Portland, where he has since 
been continuously engaged in the practice of his 
profession. For some time he was a member of 
the firm of Bronaugh, McArthur. Fenton & Bro- 
naughj one of the strongest law firms of the 
northwest ; but upon the death of Judge Mc- 
Arthur and the retirement of the senior Bro- 
naugh the partnership was dissolved. Besides 
his interests in Portland he owns a portion of 
the old homestead. 

Since the inception of the movement for hold- 
ing the Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland 
in 1905, Mr. Fenton has taken a leading part in 
the formulation of plans for that gigantic enter- 
prise. As a member of the sub-committee on 
legislation of the Lewis and Clark board (con- 
sisting of Mr. Fenton, P. L. Willis and Rufus 
Mallory), he drafted the bill presented to the 
Oregon legislature at its session of 1903 and 
passed by that body. The bill provides that the 
governor shall appoint a commission of eleven 
members, who shall work in touch with the 
Lewis and Clark board; that if the commission 
and the board cannot agree upon any subject the 
differences shall be adjusted by the governor, sec- 
retary of state and state treasurer, whose decision 
shall be binding on the commission ; that $50,- 
000 of the $500,000 appropriated shall be used to 
pay the expenses of making an Oregon exhibit 
at St. Louis in 1904, and that as much of this 
exhibit as possible shall be returned to Oregon 
for the Lewis and Clark Exposition ; that the 
commission shall erect a memorial building in 
Portland on ground to be donated for the pur- 



pose, provided that not more than $50,000 of the 
state's money shall go for this building, and pro- 
vided that the Lewis and Clark board shall 
contribute $50,000 toward the cost of the same 
structure. The measure further provides that 
one-half of the total amount of the appropriation 
shall be available in 1904 and the remainder in 
1905, but the commission is authorized to enter 
upon contracts before this money comes in, on 
warrants drawn by the secretary of state. It was 
Mr. Fenton's idea in framing the bill to give the 
commission as much discretion in the use of the 
public funds as would safely conserve the inter- 
ests of the state. 

In Monmouth, Ore., October 16, 1879, Mn 
Fenton married Katherine Lucas, a native of 
Polk county, this state. Her father, Albert W. 
Lucas, a Kentuckian by birth, came to the north- 
west as early as 1853 and identified himself with 
the agricultural interests of Polk county. The 
four sons of Mr. and Mrs. Fenton are named 
as follows : Ralph Albert, member of the class 
of 1903, University of Oregon; Horace B., class 
of 1902, Portland Academy; Kenneth L., class of 
1904, Portland Academy; and William D., Jr. 
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which Mr. Fenton formerly served as 
trustee. He is a member of the State Bar Asso- 
ciation, and socially is connected with the Arling- 
ton and University Clubs, being a charter mem- 
ber of the latter. His identification with Ma- 
sonry dates from 1880, when he was initiated 
into Lafayette Lodge No. 3, A. F & A. M. At 
this writing he is connected with Portland Lodge 
No. 55, A. F. & A. M., Oregon Consistory No. 
1, and Al Kader Temple, N. M. S. He is also a 
member of the Ancient Order of United Work- 



men. 



MILTON SUNDERLAND. Back to patri- 
otic sires on both sides of his family, Milton Sun- 
derland traces his descent, and unquestionably 
derived from these same admirable sources the 
reliable traits of character developed at a later 
period among the trying pioneer conditions of 
Oregon. Mr. Sunderland, who is rounding out 
his well directed retirement in Portland, was 
born in Mercer county, Mo., June 8, 1842, and 
was reared in Iowa until his tenth year. His 
paternal and maternal grandsires followed the 
martial fortunes of Washington for four years, 
one of them being a celebrated and most astute 
spy, who, afterward being captured, was one of 
two to successfully run the gauntlet and escape. 
The parents of Mr. Sunderland, mentioned at 
length in another part of this book, were Benja- 
min and Elizabeth (Schaffer) Sunderland, na- 
tives respectively of Tippecanoe county, Ind., and 
Pennsylvania. 



'i iK I K \IT A.\n BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



4:; 



The little log school house in Wapello county, 
Knva. where Milton Sunderland gained his first 
glimpse into book lore, was situated one mile 
from the paternal farm, and was only pat- 
ronized by the Sunderland children for a few- 
months during the winter time. A flood appear- 
ing in 1S51 his father decided to run no more 
risks in the Keokuk district, and an emigration 
of the family to the west was planned. The 
ten-year-old lad made himself useful driving 
loose cattle on the way, and he walked a great 
many miles of the long distance. The remark- 
able personality in this part of the great caravan 
that wound its way over river and plain was the 
mother of the six Sunderland children, who 
drove the family carriage drawn by two Cana- 
dian ponies, each weighing a thousand pounds, 
missing only one day of such service when once 
on the way. Also she was a ministering angel 
to the sick and weary and discouraged, and by 
her great strength of character and sublime faith 
in their ultimate good fortune, stimulated them 
to renewed effort. 

After the family located on their permanent 
section of land, one mile east of Woodlawn, Mil- 
ton, though barely eleven years of age, made 
himself generally useful, and materially assisted 
in grubbing and clearing the timbered land, and 
preparing the way for crops. About this time 
the family lived in a rude cabin with a dirt floor, 
and the inconvenience and loneliness can be ap- 
preciated only by those similarly placed. Hav- 
ing reached his majority Mr. Sunderland started 
for Florence, on the Salmon river, Idaho, his 
brother accompanying him on the four hundred 
mile walk. They had three pack horses, and 
were reasonably successful as miners, and also 
increased their revenue during the three years 
later devoted to logging on the Columbia Slough 
Road. In Portland Mr. Sunderland was inter- 
ested in the wood business for eleven months, 
and then returned to the Columbia river district 
and engaged in the dairy business. Since then 
he has been dealing in stock on a large scale and 
has lived on farms in different parts of Mult- 
nomah county. His last rural residence was on 
the old Payne place of one hundred and ninety 
acres, where he engaged in farming until mov- 
ing to Portland in 1886. This ranch, finely im- 
proved, and equipped with all modern labor sav- 
ing devices, passed from the possession of Mr. 
Sunderland in March of 190 1. and with it went 
the stock, which had the reputation of being 
among the finest in Multnomah county. At one 
time he owned as many as nine hundred acres, a 
considerable portion of which was in the city 
limits, and was therefore more suitable for resi- 
dence and business blocks than stock raising. 
Mr. Sunderland is interested in a coal mine 
twenty-eight miles south of Portland, in Wash- 



ington county, the company having already be- 
gun to operate the same. In the spring of 1902 
.Mr. Sunderland built a summer home at Hood 
River, three-fourths of a mile from the depot, 
and here the family spend much of their time 
during the summer. 

Various social and other organizations benefit 
by the membership of Mr. Sunderland, whose 
genial manner and unfailing tact not only win 
lint retain friends. He is essentially social in his 
tastes, and is devoted to out-of-door sports, es- 
pecially hunting and fishing. Politically he' has 
always been a firm supporter of the principles of 
the Democracy, and for several years served as 
school director, being an earnest advocate of good 
schools. For thirty-five years he has been identi- 
fied with the Orient Lodge No. 17, I. O. O. F., 
and for many years a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, Fidelity Lodge No. 
4, in which he has passed all the chairs and is a 
charter member of the Degree of Honor, an aux- 
iliary of the Workmen. With his wife he is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
contributes generously of time and means to- 
wards its maintenance and charities. 

His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth 
Stansbery. (A complete sketch of her family will 
be found in the biography which follows.) To Mr. 
and Mrs. Sunderland have been born the follow- 
ing children : Mary A., a graduate of the Port- 
land Business College, and now Mrs. Beckwith 
of Portland ; Charles, a graduate of the Portland 
high school, and now engaged in dairying on 
the Columbia Slough Road ; Ivy M., Mrs. Rowe 
of Portland; and Bertha, at home with her par- 
ents. 

All his life Mr. Sunderland has been a very 
busy man, and now that he has retired from 
active business he well deserves the rest which a 
long, busy and useful life rewards. At all times 
he has been ready and walling to give time and 
means in support of any measure that had for its 
basis the betterment of the conditions with which 
the people of Oregon are surrounded. He has 
never been a man that cared for publicity, pre- 
ferring to do his part in a quiet unostentatious 
way. A man with strong domestic tastes, he has 
found his great happiness within the bosom of 
his family and all his life he has been a devoted 
husband and loving father. To such men too 
much credit cannot be given, for it is to them 
the great debt of gratitude is due, as they are 
the ones who have redeemed Oregon from a 
wilderness and they are the ones that have stood 
for all that was good and pure. 



JOHN E. STANSBERY. While not one of 
the early pioneers of Oregon. Mr. Stansberv was 
one of the many that crossed the plains with ox 



44 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



teams, encountering all of the hardships and 
privations incident to the long, tedious trip. A 
native' of Indiana and a son of John Stansbery, 
John E. was thoroughly familiar with the life 
of the pioneer. His father was born in New 
Jersey and settled in the Hoosier state at a very 
early day. Later in life he removed to Jefferson 
county, Iowa, where he lived until death ended 
his career in this world. Reared on the plains 
of the great middle west, John E. Stansbery had 
few advantages, as in those days the services of 
the boy were too valuable to be wasted in school, 
and as soon as old enough he was obliged to per- 
form his part of the farm labors. When a young 
man he learned the cooper's trade, which he fol- 
lowed for some years. Later he engaged in 
farming in the state of his nativity, and in 1852 
he started for Oregon, but for some reason, 
when Jefferson county, Iowa, was reached, the 
little party tarried. Here he engaged in farm- 
ing and stock raising until. May 3, 1862. Then, 
in company with his wife and six children, he 
rcsnmed the trip that had been begun ten years 
previous. Six months were spent in covering the 
weary distance and it w^as on October 15, 1862, 
that the little band reached Portland. For the 
first two years they lived on a farm near Hills- 
boro, while the third year was spent on what 
was known as the old Quimby place. The next 
five years were spent on the Whittaker farm, and 
then a dairy farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres was purchased in what is now Woodlawn. 
On this farm he conducted a dairy and carried 
on general farming up to the time of his death 
in September, 1881. 

His wife, who in maiden life was Miss A. M. 
Hughes, was born in Charleston, Clark county, 
Ind., a daughter of William Hughes, a native of 
Kentucky. The original name of the Hughes 
family is veiled in obscurity, having been lost 
track of when the paternal great-great-grand- 
father was kidnapped from his seaport town in 
England, and brought to America when a very 
small lad. In this country he was adopted by a 
family by the name of Hughes, from whom he 
took his name. He accompanied them on their 
removal from Kentucky and remained with them 
after they took up their residence in Indiana. 
The paternal grandfather Hughes, also William 
by name, was a cooper bv trade, and after he en- 
gaged in farming in Indiana he had a small shop 
on his farm, where he did the work of the neigh- 
borhood. 

John E. Stansbery. the father of Mrs. Sunder- 
land, married Miss A. M. Hughes, who is still 
living and resides in Portland. She became the 
mother of thirteen children, ten of whom grew to 
maturity, and nine of whom are now living, 
Nancy Elizabeth being the oldest ; Mary Mar- 
garet is now Mrs. A. J. Dufur of Wasco county, 



Ore.; Susan E. is now Mrs. Windle of Portland; 
Rosa Bell married W. D. Zeller of Portland, but 
now in Dawson ; Lucetta became the wife of 
John Foster, wdio died January 3, 1901 ; Frances 
is now Mrs. M. A. Zeller of Portland; J. E. and 
S. E. are twins and live in Woodlawn ; and Will- 
iam Grant is living in Dawson. Mrs. Sunderland 
was reared in Iowa until her fourteenth year, 
when she accompanied her parents on their re- 
moval to Oregon. She has a very vivid remem- 
brance of the long trip across the plains, which 
to her was a long joyous holiday. 

In politics Mr. Stansbery was a firm supporter 
of the men and measures of the Republican party, 
but he never had the time nor inclination to take 
any active part in the political struggles, prefer- 
ing rather to devote his whole time to his busi- 
ness interests. Fraternally he was identified with 
the Masonic order, while religiously he was an 
active member of the, Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 



I. N. FLEISCHNER. The rapid development 
of manufacturing on the Pacific coast in recent 
years has brought to the front young men of 
executive ability and firm grasp of detail. A 
man of this progressive type is I. N. Fleischner, 
of the firm of Fleischner, Mayer & Co., Port- 
land, the largest manufacturers of and dealers in 
dry goods in the Pacific northwest. Mr. Fleisch- 
ner is a native Oregonian, having been born at 
Albany, July 16, 1859. His father, Jacob 
Fleischner, had settled in Oregon in the early 
'50s. Coming from Austria when quite a young 
man, he engaged for a time in merchandising 
in Iowa, but soon joined in the westward march 
and crossed the plains to Oregon in an ox-team, 
which was the only method of conveyance half 
a century ago. At Albany he began business 
again and widened his field of operations by mov- 
ing to Portland in i860. At present his family 
consists of himself and wife. Six children were 
born to this union, of whom two sons and three 
daughters are living. 

I. N. Fleischner was educated in the public 
schools of Portland, supplementing the high 
school course by a term at St. Augustine Military 
College, Benicia, Cal, from which he was grad- 
uated in 1878. After leaving school, he entered 
the firm of which he is now a partner. Upon 
the death of his uncle, Louis Fleischner. he suc- 
ceeded with his brother to the Fleischner end 
of the business. At that time the firm was com- 
posed of I. N. and Max Fleischner, Solomon 
Hirseh, Samuel Simon, and Mark A. Mayer. 
Mr. Hirseh has since died. 

From the time that he first engaged in busi- 
ness, Mr. Fleischner has been actively identified 
with every movement for the good of the state 




y/ <= 5t —V'C-^^ ofr ez— <_^^-^z_^ 



PORTRAIT AND I'.K KIKAPI I ICAL RECORD. 



47 



of Oregon. He lias served the Manufacturers' 
Association as vice-president and for two years 
was secretary of the Portland Chamber of Com- 
merce, the most influential commercial body on 
the northwest coast. The Commercial Club and 
other business and social organizations include 
him among their members. In June, 1903, the 
city oi Heppner, Ore., was partially destroyed 
by a Rood and nearly two hundred and fifty peo- 
ple were drowned. A great amount of relief 
was sent from Portland to the stricken people, 
and Mr. Fleischner was honored by the mayor 
with appointment as chairman of the relief com- 
mittee, a position which lie filled with signal abil- 
ity. Mr. Fleischner's firm was one of the largest 
subscribers to the stock of the Lewis and Clark 
Fair corporation, which has been formed to hold 
an international exposition at Portland in 1905 
in honor of the one hundredth anniversary of 
the exploration of the Oregon country by the 
explorers Lewis and Clark. Mr. Fleischner is 
a member of the board of directors of this cor- 
poration and chairman of the committee on press 
and publicity. 

Mr. Fleischner is an extensive traveler and 
has made several trips abroad, taking in Europe, 
Asia and northern Africa. He is a close ob- 
server, and his letters and lectures on places he 
has visited have been greatly appreciated in 
Portland. Mr. Fleischner was married in 1887 
to Miss Tessie Goslinsky, of San Francisco. Mr. 
and Mrs. Fleischner have one child. 



HOX. JOSIAH FAILING. In the dawn ot- 
her awakening prosperity Portland had her com- 
manding personalities who manipulated her re- 
sources with dexterous hand, and developed 
whatsoever of lasting good was suggested by her 
advantages of climate, situation and soil. Such 
an one was Hon. Josiah Failing, founder of a 
family of splendid commercial and moral import- 
ance, and transmitter of traits everywhere recog- 
nized as the fundamentals of admirable citizen- 
ship. So fine a mental revelation of Portland's 
needs, so harmonious a blending of opportunities 
and accomplishments, suggest to the student of 
nationalities the country from which he drew his 
inspiration, especially when he is universally re- 
called as one of the founders of the public school 
system of his adopted city. That empire which 
produced a John Jacob Astor. produced also the 
house of Failing, and from the Palatinate on the 
Rhine came the paternal grandfather of Josiah, 
who settled in the Mohawk Valley west of Al- 
bany, X. Y., in 1 710. This emigrant ancestor 
had the thrift that is begotten by industry, the 
positive purpose born of moral motive and the 
vigorous mentality that is nurtured and strength- 
ened by upright living, all of which are character- 



istics par excellence of the children of the Father- 
land. Descendants of the establisher of the fam- 
ily in America continued to live in Xew York 
state, and at Canajoharie, .Montgomery county, 
Josiah Failing was born on his father's farm, 
July 9, 1806. 

Shut in by the horizon of the paternal acres, 
Mr. Failing realized his limitations and was con- 
vinced that destiny intended him for larger 
things than were possible in the then circum- 
scribed life of the agriculturist, and when six- 
teen years of age he went to Albany, to learn the 
trade of paper stainer, and in 1824, accompanied 
his employer to Xew York. He served his ap- 
prenticeship and continued to follow his trade 
until he was forced to abandon it on account of 
ill health. His next venture was in the trucking- 
business, which he followed for some years. Dur- 
ing this time he served for several terms as super- 
intendent of public vehicles of the city. Becom- 
ing convinced that the west with its undeveloped 
resources offered better inducements, he deter- 
mined to seek a home on the Pacific coast, and 
in 1 85 1, accompanied by his two oldest sons, 
Henry and John AV., he came to Oregon, which 
was then a territory, and settled in Portland. 
Two years later he was followed by the re- 
mainder of the family. At that time the city 
was in its infancy, but Mr. Failing seemed to 
have faith in its future and soon after his arrival 
he organized the firm of J. Failing & Co. The 
following twelve years were devoted to the active 
management of this business, at the end of which 
time he retired. 

The pronounced ability of Mr. Failing was 
bound to receive ready recognition in his new 
home in the west, and especially were his broad 
and liberal political tendencies required in shap- 
ing the future municipal policy of the town. In 
1853 be was elected mayor of the city, and during 
his term of service he wisely directed its affairs 
from chaos to a semblance of order and stability. 
He was a delegate to the national convention 
which nominated President Lincoln for a second 
term, and to the convention which nominated 
General Grant. More than any other of the great 
forerunners of northwestern development he 
foresaw the advantages of educating the rising 
generation, and to this end devoted his most 
strenuous efforts, eventually accomplishing the 
establishment and management of that system 
whose present high excellence is attributed to 
his timely guidance. It is perhaps in this con- 
nection that Mr. Failing will be longest remem- 
bered, and no higher tribute could emanate from 
the hearts of a grateful posterity, who realize 
that this large-hearted and clear-minded pioneer 
saw them in his waking dreams, traversing the 
byways and lanes accessible to the assimilated 
intelligence of the world, and willingly gave of 



LS 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his time, his money and his counsel for the fur- 
therance of his immeasurable desire. 

In his religious inclinations Mr. Failing was 
a Baptist, and he was one of the founders of the 
first church of that denomination in the city of 
Portland, which occurred in August, i860. Al- 
ways interested in its advancement and well- 
being he actively promoted its interests, and con- 
tributed generously to its charities. To live far 
beyond the biblical allotment was the privilege 
of Mr. Failing, and to no wayfarer among the 
stress of a growing city could that "Old age 
serene and bright and lovely as a Lapland night'' 
descend with greater beneficence. Throughout 
his days he was distinguished for honesty, in- 
dustry, and that fine consideration for others 
which more than any other trait in human nature 
is responsible for the worth-while accomplish- 
ments and friendships of the world. He was 
both a philanthropist and a humanitarian, and 
his efforts to alleviate the misery around him 
were continuous rather than intermittent. His 
death, August 14, 1877, deprived the city of one 
of her noblest men. He not only left behind 
him the heritage of a good name, of substantial 
public services and unquestioned integrity, but 
has contributed to the future growth of Portland 
three sons, Henry, Edward and James F., men 
of high character and more than ordinary busi- 
ness ability. 



JAMES F. FAILING, for many years a 
merchant of Portland, and now president of 
the wholesale hardware firm of Corbett, Failing 
& Robertson, bears a name forever enshrined 
among the pioneers of Oregon, and associated 
with the most substantial development of Port- 
land. He was born in New York City, March 
24, 1842. and of the six children born to 
Josiah and Henrietta (Ellison) Failing who 
reached maturity, he is the youngest. His par- 
ents were natives respectively of Montgomery 
county, N. Y., and Charleston, S. C. Josiah 
Failing died in Portland, August 14, 1877, and 
was survived by his wife until January 20, 1885. 
Of the children in the family Mary F. is now 
Mrs. Merrill of Portland ; Elizabeth became the, 
wife of John Conner of Albany, Ore., but is now 
deceased ; Henry is mentioned at length in an- 
other part of this work ; John W. studied medi- 
cine after retiring from business in 1865, and 
thereafter practiced near Knoxville, Tenn., np to 
the time of his death, in January, 1895 ; Edward 
is also written of in this work ; and James F. 
completes the number. 

When eleven years old James F. Failing came 
with his brother and mother around the Horn in 
the ship Hurricane, the journey to San Fran- 
cisco taking four months. They came at once 



to Portland, the trip being made by steamer. 
The youth was educated at the Portland Acad- 
emy and Female Seminary, which was the lead- 
ing school of the state, and in i860, after com- 
pleting his studies, began clerking for his brother 
Henry. January 1, 1871, was organized the firm 
of Corbett, Failing & Co., Henry Failing and 
Mr. Corbett being the two principal partners, 
the other members of the firm being Marshall B. 
Millard, Edward Failing, James F. Failing as 
the Portland partners, and John A. Hatt as the 
eastern partner. With some changes the firm 
continued in business in Portland until January 
1, 1895, at which time the corporation of Corbett. 
Failing & Robertson was formed, consisting 
largely of the two firms of Corbett, Failing & 
Co., and Foster & Robertson. The firm carry one 
of the largest hardware stocks in the northwest, 
and the business is still located on the east side 
of Front ^street, between Oak and Stark streets. 
Although still president of the company James 
F. Failing retired from business about two years 
ago, and is now enjoying a rest from a very active' 
career. 

In Albany, Ore., in 1880, Mr. Failing was 
united in marriage with Jane J. Conner, Mrs. 
Failing being a native of Albany, and daughter 
of John and Martha (Whittlesey) Conner. Mr. 
Conner was a pioneer merchant and banker of 
Albany, who died in Portland February 12, 1902. 
Mrs. Failing is a graduate of the Albany Colle- 
giate Institute, and is the mother of five children : 
Edward J., a graduate of Yale University, class 
of 1903 ; Kate Whittlesey, attending school at 
Waterbury, Conn. ; John Conner ; Frederick El- 
lison ; and Henrietta Chase. Mr. Failing is a 
member of the First Baptist Church of Port- 
land. He is a Republican in politics, and is a 
member of the Oregon Historical Society, and 
the Oregon Pioneers. 



EDWARD FAILING. In writing the his- 
tory of a city or county one must devote con- 
siderable space to the men who have built up and 
developed the commercial industry. The pres- 
ent generation of Oregon owes much to those 
men, who, by their business ability and perse- 
verance, have made this one of the greatest 
states in the Union. Although not a native of 
Oregon, practically the entire life of Mr. Fail- 
ing was spent in the city of Portland. It was 
here he received his educational training and it 
was here that he first entered the mercantile 
field. _ His efforts were well rewarded, and when 
he died he was able to leave his family a com- 
fortable competence. 

A native of New York City, Mr. Failing was 
born December 18, 1840, a "son of losiah and 
Henrietta (Ellison) Failing. (A" complete 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



41) 



sketch of Josiah Failing will be found on an- 
other page of this work.) At the ago of thir- 
teen our subject was brought to Portland by his 
parents. Soon afterward he entered the Port- 
land Academy and Female Seminary, where he 
received his educational training. It was nat- 
ural that he should take to the husiness in which 
hi- father was engaged, and when a young man 
he entered the store of H. \Y. Corbett, accepting 
an humble position. By close application and 
industry he steadily advanced from a clerkship, 
until, in [868, he was admitted to the firm of 
11. \Y. Corbett & Company. On the formation 
of the firm of Corbett, Failing & Company, he 
became one of the members, and when this firm 
was succeeded by Corbett, Failing & Robertson, 
he remained with the latter organization. While 
the greater part of his time was devoted to his 
store duties, he nevertheless found time to take 
an active interest in other business affairs, and 
was for a' time a director of the First National 
Bank of Portland. Two years prior to his death, 
which occurred January 29, 1900, he retired 
from active business and devoted his time to the 
settlement of his brother Henry's estate. 

In Trinity Church, Portland, August 2, 1866, 
Mr. Failing was united in marriage with Miss 
Olivia B. Henderson, daughter of Robert Hen- 
derson, a native of Tennessee. Mr. Henderson 
crossed the plains to Oregon in 1846, and set- 
tled in Yamhill county, where he later pur- 
chased a farm upon wdiich he lived for the re- 
mainder of his life. His well-directed life was 
interspersed with some outside activity, among 
which may be mentioned a season of mining in 
California in 1849. His thrift and industry were 
rewarded with a competence, and his home seven 
miles south of McMinnville, and five miles from 
his first settlement in Oregon, was one of the 
most desirable in that section of the county. 
His death occurred November 1, 1890, in his 
eighty-second year. He was survived by his 
wife, who was formerly YTiss Rhoda C. Hol- 
man. until 1901, when she, too. was called to 
her final reward. Mrs. Henderson was born in 
Kentucky. Besides Mrs. Failing there were the 
following children: Lucy A., the wife of Judge 
Deady, Portland; Mary Elizabeth. Mrs. George 
Murch. Coburg; John J., Coburs: ; Frances A., 
Mrs. John Catlin, Portland; J. Harvey, Salem; 
Alice M., Mrs. C. C. Strong, Portland : and Wil- 
liam A., Salem. The three sons of Robert Hen- 
derson spent a large portion of their lives on 
the old homestead in Yamhill county. Mrs. 
Failing was born in the northern part of Cali- 
fornia. She was educated principally in Port- 
land and during her married life was her hus- 
band's greatest comfort and consolation. Since 
his death she has lived at the family home in 
Portland. The order of birth of her nine chil- 



dren is as follows: Henrietta Henderson; Lucy 
Deady; Elsie C, the wife of E. II. Shepard ; 
Emma Corbett; [Catherine Fredericka; Rhoda 
Duval; Ernestine; Henry Robertson; and Olivia 
11. Mrs. Failing is an active member of the 
Trinity Episcopal Church. 

The death of Mr. Failing was a blow to the 
city of Portland that was felt by all. A man of 
splendid business ability, his most earnest ef- 
forts were directed towards maintaining the 
integrity of the enterprises with which he was 
connected, and in placing them on a par with 
the best of their kind in the world. Quiet in 
manner, he never had the desire for public life 
found in many. Not that he was not public 
spirited, for there was no man in Portland that 
took a more active interest in the welfare of 
the city than he. No movement calculated to be 
of benefit to the city of his adoption went by 
without his endorsement and he was at all times 
willing to give of his time and means. Although 
he did not unite with any church, he was an 
ardent Baptist and strong supporter of that de- 
nomination. Of his goodness and thoughtfulness 
in the midst of his dearly beloved family, the 
various members alone are capable of testifying. 
It can truly be said, the world is better for hav- 
ing known him. In his life there was much that 
was worthy of emulation. He was a noble man 
and his record is one of which Portland is proud. 



HON. JULIUS C. MORELAND. During 
the stirring days in England when Oliver Crom- 
well held the reins of power one of his stanch 
supporters was a member of the Moreland fam- 
ily, but after the death of the Protector it 
seemed advisable for this ancestor to seek an- 
other home; hence about 1660 he crossed the 
ocean to Virginia, settling on the James river. 
From him descended a long line of planters, who 
were strict adherents of the Quaker faith. John 
Moreland, a Virginian by birth, settled in North 
Carolina in young manhood, but in 1807 moved 
to Kentucky and five years later settled in Ten- 
nessee, where he died about 1853. Though 
reared in the Quaker religion, he became con- 
nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and his son. Rev. Jesse Moreland, who was born 
near Asheville, N. C, January 1, 1802, for more 
than seventy years held a license as a local 
preacher in that denomination. All of this min- 
isterial work was done gratuitously, for love of 
humanity and a desire to uplift men and women 
through the benign influence of Christianity. 
Meantime, in order to earn a livelihood, he con- 
ducted farm pursuits. Discerning the evil in- 
fluence of slavery, he determined to seek a home 
far removed from its shadow, and therefore 
settled in Carlinville. Macoupin county, 111., in 



50 



PORTRAIT AXL) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1848. Four years later, accompanied by his wife 
and seven children, he crossed the plains with 
ox-teams, crossing the Missouri at St. Joseph, 
thence proceeding up the Platte, and finally ar- 
riving in Oregon October 6, after a journey of 
six months. The home of the family for some 
time was on a farm in Clackamas county. After 
the death of his wife in 1859 he took up mer- 
chandising, which he followed for twelve years. 
In 1882 he settled in Salem, thence went to Port- 
land, where be died March 3, 1890, at the age of 
eighty-eight years, three months and two days. 
While living in Carlinville he was made a Mason 
in Mount Nebo Lodge, of which Gen. John M. 
Palmer was then master. 

The wife of Rev. Jesse Moreland was Susan 
Robertson, a native of Cumberland county, 
Tenn., and a daughter of George and Elizabeth 
(Nelson^ Robertson. The founder of the fami- 
ly in America was Gen. William Robertson, an 
officer under Cromwell and a member of the jury 
in the trial of Charles I, and as such a partici- 
pant in the order demanding the death of Charles 
II. On the death of Cromwell he sought safety 
by flight, and in 1658 settled in Virginia. Major 
Charles Robertson, who was born in the Old Do- 
minion, about 1750 went to North Carolina. In 
1768 he and a brother James crossed over the then 
wilderness to what is now Watauga Springs, 
Tenn., where tney settled in the midst of the 
wildest surroundings imaginable, being, in fact, 
the first white settlers in the entire state. Soon 
the_\- were joined by John Sevier. Both James 
and Charles were soldiers of the Revolution. 
The name of James Robertson is preserved in 
history as that of one of the four most cele- 
brated men of Tennessee. Though less promi- 
nent, Charles was no less active and worthy. In 
the war with England he fought at Eutaw 
Springs, Cowpens, Musgrove Mills, and other 
engagements, holding the rank of major. His son, 
George, though only fifteen years of age, insisted 
upon entering the colonial army but was refused 
permission. With a spirit worthy of his ances- 
tors he determined to go even without permis- 
sion, and the following morning Major Robert- 
son was surprised to find that his best horse and 
rifle as well as the boy were missing. A desire to 
fight the British was strong among those Ten- 
nessee pioneers, and it finally became necessary 
to draft men into the home guard, in order that 
there might be men enough left to protect the 
women and children against the Indians. 

During the war of 1812 five of the Robertsons 
fought under Jackson in New Orleans and later 
Julius C. N. Robertson was a brigadier-general 
in the Creek war under the same general. Major 
Charles Robertson died in 1707. but his brother 
James survived until 1820. George, the fifteen- 
vcar-old soldier, became a farmer and died 



about 1830. In the family of Rev. Jesse More- 
land there were nine children. Wesley, who was 
captain of Company C, Seventh Iowa Infantry, 
was in the Civil war witn Wallace at Shiloh, 
with Grant at Donelson and Henry, and with 
Lyon at Booneville and Wilson Creek ; he passed 
away June 23, 1862, and rests at Corinth. The 
other members of the family were as fol- 
lows : Mrs. Sarah J. Owen, of Mount Tabor, 
Portland ; Martha, who died in Illinois at twenty 
years of age ; Mrs. Mary Robinson, of Port- 
land ; William, of Clackamas county, Ore. ; 
Samuel A., who was attorney, police judge and 
a writer on the staff of the Orcgonian, and who 
died in Portland in 1886; Eliza and Josephine, 
who died in Oregon respectively in 1857 ar >d 
i860; and Julius C, who was born in Smith 
county, Tenn., June 10, 1844, and is now an 
attorney of Portland. 

When eight years of age Julius C. Moreland 
accompanied his parents to Oregon, where he 
aided in clearing a farm, having the privilege of 
attending school three months during the year. 
In April of i860 he came to Portland and se- 
cured employment in the composing room of the 
Oregon Farmer, .where he remained for three 
and one-half years. Afterwards he attended the 
old Portland Academy, from which he was 
graduated in 1865. For six weeks during 1864 
he had charge of the state printing office at 
Salem. After graduating he began the study of 
the law, Avorking at intervals at his trade in 
order to pay expenses. In 1867 he was admitted 
to the bar, after which he practiced in Boise 
City, Idaho, and also followed his trade on the 
Idaho Statesman for a year. On his return to 
Portland he acted as foreman for the Daily 
Orcgonian for a short time. In December, 186S. 
he formed a partnership with John F. Caples 
under the firm name of Caples & Moreland, the 
two continuing together for six years. In 1885 
and 1886 Governor Moody appointed Mr. More- 
land county judge of Multnomah county, and 
in 1890 he was elected to the office, which he 
filled efficiently for a term of four years. Since 
then he has devoted his attention to professional 
practice. A man of conspicuous legal talent, he 
ranks among the leading attorneys of the state, 
while his genial personality wins many friends 
outside_ the ranks of strictly professional circles. 
In politics a Republican, he was at one time 
secretary of the state central committee, from 
1872 to 1875 was a member of the city 
council, and from 1877 to 1882 held office as 
city attorney. 

In Boise City, July 3. 1867, Tudge Moreland 
married Abbie B. Kline, who was born in Fort 
Scott. Kans., and in 1853 accompanied her par- 
ents to Corvallis, Ore. They have five chil- 
dren, viz. : Harvey L., who is in the insurance 




HON. M. C. GEORGE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



53 



business; Susie A., wife of M. W. Gill, of Port- 
land; Eldon W\. who is in the employ of the 
< )regon Railroad and Navigation Company ; 
Julius Irving and Lueen. The position of presi- 
dent which Judge Mpreland holds in the Oregon 
Pioneers' Association has brought him into close 
contact with many of the leading pioneers of the 
state, by all of whom he is held in high regard. 
He is connected with the Portland Chapter, Sons 
of the American Revolution, is a member of 
the Commercial Club, the State Bar Association 
ami the Portland Board of Trade. Though not 
identified with any denomination, he is a contrib- 
utor to religious movements, especially to 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his 
wife is a member. His initiation into Masonry 
occurred October 22, 1866. in Harmony Lodge 
No. 12. In 1872 he became a charter member 
of Portland Lodge No. 55. A. F. & A. M., of 
which he served as master in 1878-79. In 1872 
he became affiliated with Portland Chapter No. 
3, R. A. M., of which he officiated as high priest 
in 1884-85. In 1879 he became associated with 
the Knights Templar through his initiation into 
Oregon Commandery No. 1. In 1893-94 he was 
grand master of the Grand Lodge of Oregon, 
and previous to this he had served as grand 
orator of the Grand Lodge, grand senior dea- 
con and deputy grand master. Since 1888 he 
has been identified with Al Kader Temple, N. M. 
S., of Portland. No follower of Masonry has 
been a more devoted disciple of its high prin- 
ciples than has he, and in his life, whether occu- 
pying public office or discharging the duties of 
a private citizen, it has been his ambition to ex- 
emplify the teachings of the order. 



HON. MELVIN C. GEORGE. From the 
colonial period of American history the George 
family has borne its part in epoch-making events. 
While each generation contributed to the devel- 
opment of tlie country's material resources, they 
also gave men of valor to assist in our nation's 
wars. Jesse George, grandfather of M. C, was, 
a soldier in the Revolutionary struggle, serving 
in Captain Radican's company of volunteers from 
Virginia, and later in Capt. William George's 
company in a regiment commanded by Col. 
Thomas Merriweather. His enlistment dated 
from September 1, 1778, and he continued at the 
front until peace was established. Afterward, 
with Virginia troops, he was sent on a journey of 
exploration to the northwest, and during the 
trip he was so pleased with the prospects that he 
decided to migrate further west. Accordingly 
he at once took his family to Ohio, where he was 
one of the very earliest settlers. In recognition 
of his services in the army he was granted a 
pension by Lewis Cass, secretary of war, his 



hardships, sacrifices and perils of several yea] 
being recognized by the munificent pension of 
$13.50 per annum, a little more than a dollar a 
month. There is now in the possession of M. C. 
George a copy of an application made by this 
Revolutionary ancestor in which he asked for an 
increase in the pension. 

In the family of Jesse George was a son, Pres- 
ley George, who was born in Loudoun count} , 
Va., and grew to manhood in Ohio. There he 
married Mahala Nickerson, who was born at 
Cape Cod, Mass., and grew to womanhood in 
Ohio. Her father, Col. Hugh Nickerson, who 
was born in Massachusetts in 1782, commanded 
a regiment of Massachusetts volunteers in the 
war of 1812, and later settled in Ohio. His wife, 
Rebecca Blanchard, was also of eastern birth. 
Tracing his ancestry we find that his father, 
Hugh Nickerson, Sr., was a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary war in Capt. Benjamin Godfrey's com- 
pany, under Colonel Winslow. This Revolution- 
ary soldier was a son of Thomas and Dorcas 
(Sparrow) Nickerson, and a grandson of Thomas 
Nickerson, Sr., whose father, William, was a son 
of William Nickerson, Sr., a passenger on the 
ship John and Dorothy, which crossed the ocean 
from Norwich, England, and landed in Boston 
June 20, 1637. On the Sparrow side the ances- 
try is traced back to Elder William Brewster, 
one of the chief founders of Plymouth colony, 
and a ruling elder of the church at Leyden, and 
at New Plymouth, also keeper of the postoffice 
at Scrooby, at that day an office of considerable 
importance. Another ancestor of the Sparrow 
family was Governor Thomas Prince, who in 
1 62 1 crossed to Plymouth from England in the 
ship Fortune, and afterward held office as gov- 
ernor of Massachusetts. 

The family of Presley George consisted of 
eight children, but five of these died of diphtheria 
or scarlet fever in Ohio. The father and mother, 
with the three surviving children, left their 
eastern home and proceeded by boat from Mari- 
etta to St. Joe, Mo. There they outfitted with 
ox-teams and crossed the plains, arriving in 
Linn county, Ore., at the expiration of six 
months. Previous to this they camped for several 
weeks in what is now East Portland, where there 
were only two houses at that time. Entering a 
donation claim near Lebanon, the father took up 
the work of a farmer in the new locality. Coming 
from a timber country, he preferred a location 
where there was a forest growth and accord- 
ingly settled in the midst of a heavy timber. 
However, an experience of eight years proved 
unsatisfactory, and he moved to another farm 
three miles from Lebanon, where he remained 
until his retirement from agricultural pursuits. 
At the time of his death, which occurred at the 
home of his son, M. C, in Portland, he was 



54 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



eighty-three years of age. It is worthy of note 
that he was the youngest of fifteen children, all 
of whom lived to be more than seventy years of 
age, and the men of the family were without 
exception large, stalwart and sturdy, weighing- 
two hundred pounds or more. His wife also 
attained the age of eighty-three and died at the 
home of her son in Portland. In religion they 
were members of the Old School Baptist Church. 
On the disintegration of the Whig party, he iden- 
tified himself with the Republicans. Of his three 
sons, Hugh N., who was a teacher, journalist 
and attorney at Albany, and a presidential elector 
in 1864, died in his home city in 1882. The 
second son, J. W.. who was United States marshal 
of Washington in 1884, died in 1892 in his home 
city, Seattle. The only surviving member of the 
family is Hon. M. C. George, of Portland, who 
was born near Caldwell, Noble county, Ohio, 
May 13, 1849. T° the advantages of an academic 
education he added a course of study in Willam- 
ette University, after which he had charge of the 
academy at Jefferson and also for a year acted 
as principal of the Albany public school. 

In order to fit himself for the profession of 
law, toward which his tastes directed him, Mr. 
George took up a course of study in 1873 under 
Judge Powell of Albany, later reading with 
Colonel Effinger of Portland. On his admission 
to the bar he began to practice in Portland. At 
once he entered upon public life as a leader in 
the Republican party. From 1876 to 1880 he 
represented his district in the state senate. During 
the latter year he was nominated for congress- 
man-at-large against Governor Whitaker, the in- 
cumbent, and was elected by a majority of almost 
thirteen hundred'. In March of 1881 he took 
his seat in congress. The following year he was 
re-elected, serving in the forty-seventh and forty- 
eighth sessions of congress. While in that body 
he was a member of the committees on commerce 
and revision of laws. Much of his legislation was 
in connection with the opening of Indian reserva- 
tions and concerning the establishment of a ter- 
ritorial government in Alaska. Large appropri- 
ations were secured for Oregon, including the 
payment of the Modoc Indian bill of $130,000. 
On the expiration of his term in 1884 he declined 
to be a candidate for re-election, and resumed 
the practice of law. However, his fellow-citizens 
recognized that his qualities admirably adapted 
him for public service and frequently solicited 
him to accept offices of trust. In 1897 Governor 
Lord appointed him judge, and in June of the 
following year he was elected to the office to 
fill an unexpired term of two years. At the 
expiration of that time he was elected for a full 
term of six years, and has since filled the office, 
discharging its many and responsible duties in a 



manner calculated to place him in a rank with 
the most able jurists of the state. 

The marriage of Judge George occurred at 
Lebanon in 1872 and united him with Miss Mary 
Eckler, who was born in Danville, 111. Her 
parents removed from Kentucky to Illinois, 
where her mother died. Later the family start- 
ed across the plains. During the journey the 
father died and was buried on the present site 
of Council Bluffs. From there the sons brought 
the balance of the family to Oregon, arriving 
here in 1853. Three daughters, Florence, Edna 
and Jessie, comprise the family of Judge and 
Mrs. George. The oldest daughter is a graduate 
of Fabiola Hospital training school in San Fran- 
cisco. 

Fraternally Judge George has numerous con- 
nections. In the Odd Fellows' Order he has 
been past grand and a member of the encamp- 
ment. He was made a Mason in Lebanon Lodge 
and now belongs to Washington Lodge at Port- 
land, of which he was past master for three 
years. His initiation into the Royal Arch chap- 
ter took place at Corvallis, and he is now iden- 
tified with Washington Chapter in Portland, be- 
sides which he belongs to Portland Comman- 
dery, K. T., and Portland Consistory, thirty- 
second degree. For five years Judge George 
was a director of the city schools of Portland 
and during two years of that time he was hon- 
ored with the presidency of the board. As a 
member and (for a time) chairman of the board 
of bridge commissioners, he was directly in- 
strumental in the erection of the Burnside bridge 
in Portland. The State Bar Association num- 
bers him among its members, as do also the 
Oregon Pioneers' Society, State Historical So- 
ciety, Chapter of Sons of the American Revolu- 
tion and Sons and Daughters of Oregon Pio- 
neers, of which last-named he has officiated as 
president from the date of its organization. 



JACOB MAYER. The lights and shadows, 
failures and successes which are the inevitable 
heritage of the strong and reliant and resource- 
ful have not been omitted from the life of Jacob 
Mayer, whose name in Portland stands for all 
that is commercially substantial, personally up- 
right and practically helpful. As long ago as 
1857 Mr. Mayer came to Oregon, bringing with 
him a wide knowledge of men and affairs, and 
here he opened a retail dry goods store. In 1865, 
just at the close of the Civil war, he started, 
in Portland, the first exclusive wholesale dry 
goods business in the northwest. In the years 
that have intervened his strenuous vitality and 
profound appreciation of the opportunities by 
which he has been surrounded have penetrated 
with telling effect the industrial, social, humani- 



PORTRAIT AND P.IOGR MM 1 ICAL K IX '( )\< I ) 



55 



tarian ami political atmosphere o\ his adopted 
city, and rendered worth while an ambition 

which else had been characterized by spectacular 
money getting and keeping. 

The most remote memory of Mr. Mayer goes 
hack to the town ot" l'echtheim, near Worms and 

Mentz, in the province ol" Rhein-1 lessen, Ger- 
many, where he was horn May 7, 1826. He is 
the youngest of the children in the family of 

\aron Mayer, a merchant of the Fatherland 
who immigrated to America in 1847, lived for a 
time in New Orleans, hut eventually removed 
to St. Lonis, Mo., where the remainder of his 
life was passed. His son Jacob had preceded 
him to America in 1842, and the youth secured 
a position with his brother as clerk, in 1849 
starting an independent dry goods business of 
his own in Xew Orleans. This proved to be 
a very satisfactory departure, hut the business 
was disposed of the following year, owing to 
the gold excitement in California, and prepara- 
tions were made for a similar business on the 
western coast. During 1850 Mr. Mayer started 
for the Isthmus, carrying with him a cargo of 
merchandise, and accompanied by his wife and 
children. Arriving at Panama he boarded the 
Sarah and Eliza, upon which slow-going craft 
the passengers experienced such misery, dep- 
rivation and adventure as falls to the lot of but 
few whose pioneer longings lay toward the west- 
ern sea. One hundred days out from Panama 
the supply of water and provisions was practi- 
cally exhausted, and but a half pint of water a 
day was the meager allowance available for slak- 
ing thirst. Sharks and pelicans served as food 
for the wayfarers upon the trackless waste of 
waters, and served to render less hideous the 
haunting fear of starvation which intercepted 
their fast diminishing dreams. When hope be- 
came an elusive phantom there loomed upon the 
horizon a Boston ship with a less depleted larder, 
and to strained eyes and failing faculties it 
seemed like a mirage above the desert sands. 
For a barrel of sea biscuit Mr. Mayer gave the 
extent of his money possessions, which amounted 
to $800, and thus terminated indescribable suf- 
fering of mind and bod}-, the memory of which 
had haunted the consciousness of the voyageurs 
as naught save such experiences can. One hun- 
dred and twenty days after leaving Panama the 
Sarah and Eliza wandered into the port of San 
Francisco, discharged its commercial and human 
cargo, having added a sorry chapter to its life 
upon the deep. 

In March. 1850. Mr. Mayer started the second 
dry goods store in the city of San Francisco, 
the first, that of Sac & Kenney, having been 
started by a Frenchman. Mr. Mayer conducted 
his business until 1857, and that year he came 
to Oregon, where he engaged in the retail dry 



goods business until starting a wholesale dry 
goods business in 1865. For ten years, or until 
1875, he continued alone, hut in that year he 
formed a partnership with L. Fleischner, A. 
Schlussel and Sol llirsch, under the title of 
Fleischner, Mayer & Co., which has stood to the 
present day, although Mr. Mayer is the only 
member of the old firm now living, and he has 
turned the business over to his son Mark. Having 
come to the front in all matters pertaining to 
the development of the city of his adoption, Mr. 
Mayer has lent his fine business and executive 
ability, tempered with extreme benevolence, to 
the inaugurating and promoting of the best 
known enterprises here represented. For the 
past ten years he has been president of the 
Masonic Building Association ; is a member of 
the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade, 
and is one of the pioneers and charter members 
of the Oregon Historical Society. All charitable 
organizations, irrespective of denominational in- 
fluence, have profited by his substantial and prac- 
tical support, and it is to his credit that he was 
the founder of the first Hebrew Benevolent So- 
ciety of San Francisco, and he was also the 
founder of a similar organization in this city. 
As a member of the Young Men's Christian As- 
sociation he has exerted an influence for high 
living and large accomplishment, and his efforts 
have been as praiseworthy in connection with 
the organization of the first B'nai B'rith Society 
on the coast, which was none other than that of 
District No. 4 of California, and today he is 
the only charter member living. In 1855 he 
obtained the charter for Ophir No. 21, and from 
this and District No. 4 were formed various 
branches in the state. He organized Oregon 
Lodge No. 65, of which he was first president 
and is still a member. Mr. Mayer was also the 
organizer and one of the charter members of the 
Congregation Beth Israel, in which he has been 
prominent from the beginning, and has held the 
various offices of the organization. 

Fraternally Mr. Mayer has been connected 
with the Masons since 1852, when he became a 
member of Perfect Union Lodge No. 17 of 
San Francisco, and was afterward a member 
and for two years master of Lebanon Lodge No. 
49, also of San Francisco. In Portland he is 
identified with Willamette Lodge No. 2 ; is a 
member of Portland Chapter No. 3, R. A. M. ; 
Washington Council No. 3, R. & S. M. ; Oregon 
Lodge of Perfection No. 1 ; Ainsworth Chapter 
Rose Croix No. 1 ; Multnomah Council of Ka- 
dosh No. 1 ; Oregon Consistory No. 1 ; Supreme 
Council of Jurisdiction, thirty-third degree, and 
Al Kader Temple, N. M. S. For many years 
he was grand treasurer of the Grand Lodge of 
Oregon, and during 1888 and t88q was grand 
master of the Grand Lodge of Oregon. He 



56 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



is, and has been, for many years, grand repre- 
sentative of the Grand Lodge of England and 
Spain, near the Grand Lodge of Oregon, to 
which position he was appointed in 1895 by 
J 'rince Edward of Wales, now King of England. 
Another office held by Mr. Mayer is that of 
treasurer and chairman of the education fund 
of the Grand Lodge of Oregon. 

In New Orleans Mr. Mayer was united in 
marriage to Mary Auerbach, who was born in 
Germany, and who is the mother of six children, 
the order of their birth as follows : Josephine, 
now Mrs. Solomon Hirsch of Portland, and 
whose husband was minister to Turkey ; Clem- 
entine, now Mrs. Oscar Meyer of New York 
City ; Bertha, the wife of H. Zadig of San Fran- 
cisco; Rosa, now Mrs. M. Blum of San Fran- 
cisco; Mark A., representative of his father's 
dry goods business in New York City ; and Ben- 
jamin, who died in San Francisco at the age of 
twenty-three years. Mr. Mayer is a broad and 
liberal politician, and his exertions in behalf of 
his party have been characterized by the same 
good sense and appreciation of the needs of the 
community which have been discernible in his 
business and social undertakings. Among the 
political services rendered by him may be men- 
tioned that of United States commissioner for 
the New Orleans World's Fair, to which re- 
sponsibility he was appointed by President Ar- 
thur. 



E. E. SHARON. To the members of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows Mr. Sharon is 
known as one of the leading workers in the 
organization in Portland, and, indeed, in Oregon 
itself. His connection with the fraternity began 
at Pendleton, this state, where he was initiated 
in Eureka Lodge No. 32, February 17, 1883. 
For some time he was its secretary, also held 
rank as past grand, and still retains membership 
in the same lodge. Formerly connected with 
Umatilla Encampment No. 17, he was past chief 
patriarch and scribe, and is now scribe of El- 
lison Encampment No. 1, of Portland. When the 
Grand Lodge was in session at Pendleton in 1894 
he was honored by election as grand secretary of 
the order, and removed to Portland, where he 
has since made his home. At each succeeding 
meeting he has been re-elected grand secretary 
of the Grand Lodge. At the same time and 
place (Pendleton, in 1894) he was elected grand 
scribe of the Grand Encampment of Oregon, and 
each year since then he has been regularly chosen 
to succeed himself in this office. Under his over- 
sight there are one hundred and forty-nine 
lodges, forty-five encampments and more than 
one hundred Rebekah lodges. 

The Sharon family is of English extraction. 



John Sharon, a pioneer farmer of Mount Pleas- 
ant, Jefferson county, Ohio, had a son, James 
H., who was born at the old homestead there, 
and married Amanda L. Van Dorn, a native of 
Ohio, of German and Welsh descent. They be- 
gan housekeeping at his old home and there a 
son, E. E., was born January 22, i860, he being 
the oldest of six children, five now living. Of 
the others J. L. lives in Pendleton, Ore., Mary 
is in San Francisco* and Jessie and Lura reside 
in Wheeling, W. Va. In 1861 the father took 
.his family to Monona county, Iowa, and a year 
later crossed the plains by horse-train, arriving 
at the Rocky Bar Mines in Idaho at the close of 
a tedious trip of six months. In 1865 he came 
to Oregon and settled in Umatilla county, where 
he engaged in farming, surveying and teaching. 
In 1875 he was appointed clerk of Umatilla 
county and elected for a full term of two years 
in 1876. This election was a personal tribute to 
his popularity, for the county usually gave a 
large Democratic majority. His death occurred 
in 1889 in Pendleton, where his widow still re- 
sides. 

On completing the studies of the Pendleton 
high school, E. E. Sharon began to assist his 
father in the office of county clerk, and later was 
with the next incumbent of the office. On re- 
signing he became editor of the Pendleton 
Tribune, a leading Republican paper of the 
county. In 1881 he sold his interest in the paper 
and went to San Francisco, where he was gradu- 
ated from Heald's Business College in 1882. 
For three months afterward he was engaged as 
a bookkeeper in Oakland, thence proceeded to 
Boise City, but soon returned to Pendleton, 
where he was bookkeeper for Alexander & 
Frazier a period of three years. Later he acted 
as deputy sheriff, and finally resumed the editor- 
ship of the newspaper with which he had pre- 
viously been connected. A later venture was in 
the insurance business and as express agent. 
From Pendleton he came to Portland in 1894 and 
has since made this city his home. 

At Pendleton, December 12, 1886, Mr. Sharon 
married Miss Frankie B. Purcell, who was born 
in Muscatine, Iowa. Her father, Thomas Pur- 
cell, a native of Indiana, born May 25, 1829, set- 
tled in Muscatine, Iowa, where he followed con- 
tracting. During the Civil war he was captain 
of Company C, Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, and 
while leading his men in action received a severe 
wound, afterward falling into the hands of the 
enemy, by whom he was confined in Libby and 
Andersonville, and finally exchanged. After the 
war he continued in Iowa until 1879, when, with 
his wife and child, he crossed the plains and 
settled in Weston, Ore., and there engaged in 
contracting and also sold furniture. Fraternally 
he was a Master Mason and a Grand Army ad- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



5!) 



herent. His death occurred in Weston May II, 
899. His first wife, Hester Ann Myers, was 
horn in Louisville, K\ .. and died in Iowa, leav- 
ing three children, namely : William., a farmer 
Pendleton; Josephine, in Iowa; and Frankie 
1'... Mrs. Sharon. After the death of his first 
wife he married Sadie O. Arlie. of Iowa. Mrs. 
Sharon is a member oi the Rebekahs, in which 
she formerly served as noble grand, and is also 
a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security, 
(hi the organization of the Muscovites Mr. 
Sharon became a charter member and was elected 
the first recorder, which position he still holds. 
In Pendleton Lodge No. 52. A. F. & A. M., he 
was made a Mason, and is now past master of 
Hawthorn Lodge Xo. Ill, of Portland; and also 
a member of Washington Chapter Xo. 18, R. A. 
M.. of Portland, in which he is past high priest 
and secretary : and a member of Washington 
Council No. 3, R. & S. M. He became a member 
of the Knights of Pythias at Pendleton in 1880, 
and is now past chancellor of Ivanhoe Lodge No. 
10, also past grand chancellor of the Grand 
Lodge of Oregon, 1892-93, and for four years 
supreme representative from Oregon. Besides 
belonging to the Order of Rebekahs he is con- 
nected with Webfoot Camp. Woodmen of the 
World. Always a stanch Republican, his inter- 
est in the success of his party led him to once 
accept the position as chairman of the Umatilla 
county central committee and at another time 
he served as its secretary. Both he and his wife 
are identified with the Episcopal Church, in 
which faith they are rearing their three children, 
ssie, Leila and Allen. 



HOX. HENRY SPOOR ROWE. Descend- 
ed from an old colonial family of Xew England, 
Henry S. Rowe was born in Bolivar. Allegany 
county. X. Y., October 11. 1851, his parents 
being John S. and Hulda (Peck) Rowe, also 
natives of X'ew York. His father, who was 
master of seven different trades and a man of 
great mechanical genius, devoted much of his 
'life to the building of grist and saw mills, first 
in Xew York and later in the south and in Wis- 
consin. In mechanical work with wood and iron 
he had few superiors. His ability in invention 
made it possible for him to construct anything 
from a violin to a large mill, and in his labors 
as master mason he won praise from people 
most competent to judge. 

The wife of John S. Rowe was a daughter of 
Joel Peck, a New Yorker who became one of 
the pioneer farmers of Palmyra, Wis., where he 
died. One of her brothers. George R. Peck, is 
a prominent attorney of Chicago, and another, 
Charles B. Peck, is a leading citizen of Houston. 
Tex. In her family there were four sons and 
two daughters, of whom two sons and one daugh- 



ter are now living. One of the sons, Herbert 
M.. at the age of fourteen years enlisted in the 
First Wisconsin Cavalry and later was trans- 
ferred to the Thirteenth Light Artillery, serv- 
ing in Missouri until his capture by the Con- 
federates and subsequent confinement in Libby 
prison. On being exchanged he returned to the 
artillery service, but his splendid war record was 
abruptly terminated by his death, which occurred 
Tune 8, 1863, in Baton Rouge. Another son. 
John S.. who was connected with the Oregon 
Railroad & Xavigation Company, died in Port- 
land. Oscar D. is a large tobacco dealer and 
at this writing county recorder of Rock county, 
Wis., where he has made his home many vears. 

The public schools of Palmyra afforded Henrv 
S. Rowe fair advantages. While a mere boy 
he learned telegraphy in Janesville and at the 
age of thirteen was given work in that city with 
what is now the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railroad. Going to Lawrence, Kans., in 1870, 
he was engaged as clerk in the freight house of 
what is now the Santa Fe (then the Leaven- 
worth, Lawrence & Galveston) road. After a 
year he was made terminal agent, his duties in- 
cluding the opening of all the offices in the fron- 
tier districts and the starting of the little ham- 
lets that sprung up along the line of the road. 
From that position he was promoted to be gen- 
eral agent for the Fort Scott & Gulf, and the 
Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston roads at 
Kansas City, remaining there until 1880. On the 
purchase by Henry Yillard of the uncompleted 
road extending into Oregon, Mr. Rowe came to 
Portland in 1880 and was at once retained by 
the Oregon Railroad & Xavigation Company. 
For a time he acted as the company's agent for 
steamers. On the starting of the train service 
on the railroad in 1882 he was made general 
superintendent, which' position he held until the 
road was leased in 1887 by the Cnion Pacific, 
at which time he retired from railroading. 

An enterprise which had already engaged a 
portion of Mr. Rowe's time was the W r eed & 
Rowe Hardware Company, which had stores at 
Elmsburg and Yakima, Wash. On selling out 
the store in the latter town in 1889 he became 
president of the Yakima Xational Bank, the in- 
ception of which was due to his recognition of 
the needs of the village for such an institution. 
In 1892 he organized the Albina Savings Bank, 
becoming president of the concern, but the fol- 
lowing year he sold his interest in order to de- 
vote himself to real-estate enterprises. July 1. 
1902, he accepted a position as general agent 
for the Xorthwestern Pacific coast for the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, the du- 
ties of which position he has undertaken with the 
same enthusiasm and discretion characteristic of 
him in every post of responsibility. 



60 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The Republican party, of which Mr. Rowe is 
a supporter, has honored him at various times 
by election to positions of trust. He has at- 
tended state conventions as delegate and has 
served on the county central committee. His 
first election as mayor of Portland occurred in 
i goo, when he received a plurality of about one 
thousand over his two opponents. It is said of 
him that one of the most noteworthy features of 
his administration as executive was his econom- 
ical oversight of the city's expenses, and there 
have been many tributes paid to him for his 
success along this important line. At the ex- 
piration of his term he took up his duties as 
general agent for the St. Paul road. For sev- 
eral years he was president of the board of fire 
commissioners of Portland, and was a member 
of the water committee during the building up 
of the works, thus deserving a share of the credit 
for securing for Portland the best water in the 
entire country. He is a member of the Chamber 
of Commerce and the Commercial Club. 

The marriage of Mr. Rowe, in Independence, 
Kans., united him with Agnes H. Hefly, who was 
born in Bellevue, Iowa, and by whom he had 
two sons, namely : Henry S., Jr., clerk for the 
city auditor of Portland ; and Donald H. While 
in Independence, Kans., Mr. Rowe was made a 
Mason, and is now connected with Portland 
Lodge No. 55, A. F. & A. M. In the same 
Kansas town he was raised to the chapter, while 
his connection with the Knights Templar began 
in the commandery at Lawrence, Kans. At this 
writing he is connected with the chapter and com- 
mandery in Portland, also Oregon Consistory, 
thirty-second degree. Other fraternal organiza- 
tions which have his membership are the Benevo- 
lent Protective Order of Elks, Woodmen of the 
World and Modern Woodmen of America. 
While not identified with any denomination, he 
attends the Episcopal Church and is always in- 
terested in and a contributor to measures having 
for their object the uplifting of humanity, as he 
is also an enthusiastic advocate of movements 
for the material development and progress of 
Portland, his home city. 



HON. ALEXANDER SWEEK. The fam- 
ily of which State Senator Sweek is a distin- 
guished representative has been connected with 
American history since a very early period in 
the settlement of the country, the first of the 
name establishing themselves in Virginia. Later 
generations removed to West Virginia, whence 
Martin Sweek, after his marriage to a lady of 
English family, removed to the then far west, 
settling in the primeval forests of Missouri. His 
son, John, was born at St. Genevieve, that state, 
and from there started across the plains for Cali- 



fornia at the time of the discovery of gold, but 
the illness of the father and mother caused him 
to return to the old home, and not long after- 
ward he married there. In 1852 he again started 
for the Pacific coast, and this time brought the 
trip to a successful consummation, arriving in 
Oregon on the 1st of September. At once he 
took up a donation claim at Tualatin, where he 
improved three hundred and twenty acres. On 
this homestead he conducted general farm pur- 
suits until his death, in February of 1889, at 
which time he was sixty-eight years of age. 
Many important movements of his locality owed 
their inception to his energy. Especially was his 
interest in educational matters keen and per- 
manent. A portion of his farm was laid out 
for a town site, the sale of lots bringing him 
a neat return for his outlay of labor in years 
gone by. His wife, formerly Maria Beard, was 
born in St. Genevieve, Mo., and is now living 
on the old homestead at Tualatin. Her father 
was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal de- 
nomination and a pioneer preacher in Missouri. 
The family of John and Maria Sweek con- 
sisted of the following-named children : C. A., 
an attorney at Burns, Ore. ; Alice, wife of M. W. 
Smith, of Portland ; Lawrence, a stockman in 
Grant county ; Alexander ; Mrs. Lillie Harding, 
living on the old homestead ; and Thaddeus, who 
is connected with the Oregon Railroad and Nav- 
igation Company, of Portland. Alexander 
Sweek was born in Tualatin, Washington county, 
Ore., August 6, 1861, and in boyhood attended 
district school, afterward taking a course in 
the Pacific University until the senior year, when 
illness obliged him to relinquish his studies. In 
1883 he took up the study of law under Milton 
W. Smith, and five years later was admitted to 
the bar, after which he took up the practice of 
his profession. In 1896 he was elected munici- 
pal judge, which office he filled for two years. 
The highest honor of his life thus far came to 
him in 1900, when he was nominated to repre- 
sent Multnomah, Washington and Columbia 
• counties in the state senate. As the candidate 
of the Citizens' ticket he was elected over the 
Republican candidate by a majority of about 
eight hundred. During the session of 1901 he 
drew up the bill on assessment and taxation, 
which passed successfully and is now in active 
operation. Other measures received the benefit 
of his wise judgment and shrewd discernment. 
Among the Democratic members of the senate 
he is a leader, his recognized superior qualities 
fitting him for wielding a wide influence among 
his fellowmen. As a member of the state com- 
mittee and as chairman of the . county central 
committee, he has done much to promote the 
welfare of his party. However, in matters re- 
lating to the general welfare, party lines are al- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RF.CORD. 



61 



ways sunk beneath his patriotic spirit, and, as 
a public-spirited citizen, he favors movements 
for the progress of his city and state aside from 
any bearing they may have upon strictly party 
affairs. 

In the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks 
Mr. Sweek serves as past exalted ruler. His 
connection with Masonry began in the Forest 
Grove Lodge, ami he is now a member of Har- 
mony Lodge X". i-'. of Portland, of which he 
is past master. In addition he is identified with 
Portland Chapter. R. A. 3VL, and the Oregon 
Consistory No. i, thirty-second degree, besides 
which he is an active member of the Knights 
oi Pythias and past chancellor in the same. 



HON. JOHN W. WHALLEY. Among the 
men of the west who, through their own efforts, 
have risen to positions of honor and prominence, 
is to he named the Hon. John W. Whalley, who 
laid down alike the responsibilities and successes 
of his life November 10, 1900, and passed to a 
Higher judgment. Beyond the advantages of 
fine parentage and a long line of ancestry which 
has transmitted those qualities and character- 
istics essential to greatness, Mr. Whalley relied 
solely on his own strength to perfect the talents 
which he felt to be his, and through which he 
rose to an eminent position as a lawyer of the 
state of Oregon, having held for many years 
the. profound respect and esteem of his fellow 
laborers and of those wdio profited by his excep- 
tional ability. A brief resume of his life is here- 
with given, representative of the type of men 
who made the west, and an example of perse- 
verance and indefatigable energy, combined with 
an unflinching honesty and integrity which have 
left no measurement as to the moral influence in 
the community in which he made his home for 
so many years. 

John William Whalley was born at Annapolis, 
Nova Scotia, April 28, 1833, a son of the Rev. 
Francis Whalley, a clergyman in the Church of 
England, who was, at that time, under an ap- 
pointment from the Society for the Propagation 
of the Gospel in Foreign Lands. In 1835 the 
family returned to England, where the father be- 
came rector of Rivington Parish, in Cheshire, 
but was subsequently appointed chaplain of Lan- 
cashire Castle, followed by service as rector of 
parishes at Churchtown, Lancashire, New Hut- 
ton, Old Hutton, Kendal and Westmoreland. 
The ancestors of the paternal line for a long 
period were yeomen, owning and cultivating the 
estate of Coventree near Dent, in the West Rid- 
ing of Yorkshire, to which they had become emi- 
grants from Norfolk, where they belonged to the 
same family as that of which Edmund Whalley, 
of the army of Cromwell, was a member. Many 



of the family held honorable positions in church, 
army and the bar, the elder sons managing the 
estates while the younger followed professions. 

On the maternal side the ancestors were numbered 
among the first families of Wales, and for over 
two hundred years occupied, under lease for that 
term, Overton Hall, of Lord Kenyon's estate. 
The lease terminated during the lifetime of 
William Jones, the grandfather of J. W., of 
this review, who, with his family, removed to 
Canada, thence to New York City, where he 
died and was buried in St. Paul's churchyard on 
Broadway. 

Of the three sons and one daughter born to 
his parents the only one living is Richard Whal- 
ley, a clergyman in the Church of England, now- 
residing in that country. John W. Whalley 
was the third oldest of the children and was 
very industrious and apt in his studies, while 
pursuing his grammar studies at the age of nine 
being able to read Caesar, and following this up 
with Ovid at ten years. The reduced circum- 
stances of his parents precluded the possibility 
of a collegiate course and held out the necessity 
for a trade, and at the age of thirteen years he 
took service aboard the merchantman Speed, 
which sailed from Liverpool for New York City 
in 1847. Not caring for a seafaring life he left 
the ship upon his arrival in New York City and 
visited some of his mother's people in New Jer- 
sey, there meeting an uncle, Thomas Jones, who 
was the author of a treatise on bookkeeping and 
a teacher of that science. Mr. Whalley entered 
his office and remained there for about a year, 
and March, 1848, he returned to England, with 
the understanding that a position was awaiting 
him there in the Bank of England. Failing to 
secure the expected place, through lack of 
wealthy or influential friends to work for him, 
and recognizing as self evident that bis country 
afforded but little opportunity of advancement 
for an ambitious young man, be bound himself 
to an apprenticeship on the Antelope, which 
sailed in February, 1849, f° r California. His ar- 
rival in that state was in July, when the gold ex- 
citement was at its height, and with a number of 
others he sought the mines, eager and hopeful of 
making a fortune. During the winter of '49 
he mined on the south fork of the American river, 
a little below Columbia, and in 1850 he moved 
to the Middle Yuba. He perseveringly endured 
the hardships and privations of a miner's life in 
Sacramento, Redwood and Yreka until 1858, and 
not having yet found his fortune he came to the 
conclusion that he preferred another kind of life. 
Desiring to study law, and not having the means, 
he engaged as a school teacher at Little Shasta, 
near Yreka. Fie continued in this employment 
until 1864, being one of the pioneer teachers of 
the Pacific coast. During 1861-62 he served 



62 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with great efficiency as superintendent of schools, 
and while so engaged became a frequent con- 
tributor to the local press, and to the Hesperian 
Magazine, published at San Francisco. With 
a mind full of beautiful imageries and an easy, 
graceful style, he became a poet of more than 
local renown, his poems being copied extensively 
throughout the United States and evoking favor- 
able comment from the press. During his earlier 
days of teaching he read law with Judge Rose- 
borough, of Yreka, and was admitted to practice 
before Judge Dangerfiekl in 1861, in Siskiyou 
county, Cal. 

In 1864 Mr. Whaliey withdrew from his peda- 
gogical work, and going to Grant county, Ore., 
he began the practice of his profession. He was 
married July 21, 1861, to Lavinia T. Kimzey, 
who was born in Missouri in 1842,, and with her 
parents in 1847 crossed the plains to California, 
where she grew into a cultured and refined 
womanhood. They became parents of seven 
children, of whom one son and one daughter 
died in infancy. Of the remaining five Mary 
was born in California and became the wife of 
J. Frank Watson, president of the Merchants 
National Bank, of Portland, and they now have 
two children, namely : Frank Whaliey and Clif- 
ton Howe. Susan was born in California and 
became the wife of Maj. James N. Allison, U. S. 
A., who is now stationed in the Philippine Isl- 
ands. They are the parents of the following 
children: Marion, Philip Whaliey, Malcolm G. 
and Stanton W. Lavinia was born in Portland 
and is now the wife of H. S. Huson, who is vice 
president and general manager of the Pacific 
Coast Construction Company. They make their 
home in Portland and have four children: John 
Whaliey, Jane, Herbert R. and Richard S. 
Jane is the wife of W. T. Muir, a prominent at- 
torney of Portland, and their two children are 
Mary and William Whaliey. Charlotte is un- 
married and resides with her mother at No. 
393 West Park street. All are graduates of St. 
Helen's Hall, of Portland. 

In Canyon City, Grant count}', Mr. Whaliey 
formed a partnership with L. O. Stern which 
was soon dissolved. While there be had a stu- 
dent in the person of M. W. Fechheimer, who 
had lived in Portland for a time and after he was 
admitted to practice he returned there and opened 
an office. His accounts of the advantages of the 
city led Mr. Whaliey to make this place his 
home, coming in 1868, where he formed a part- 
nership with Mr. Fechheimer, under the title 
of Whaliey & Fechheimer, and this well known 
firm flourished for a number of years, being one 
of the strongest of the northwest. They made 
the bankrupt law of 1867 a specialty and the 
greater part of the business of this department 
passed through their hands for several years. 



Their surplus earnings were invested in real es- 
tate, which, with the rapid increase in value, 
made each a fortune. In 1883, desiring to make 
an extended trip to Europe, he dissolved his legal 
partnership and with his daughter Susan visited 
Scotland, England, France, Spain, Germany, 
Italy and Switzerland, remaining abroad eighteen 
months. Upon his return to Portland in 1884 
he resumed the practice of law in connection 
with H. H. Northup and Paul R. Deady, under 
the firm name of Whaliey, Northup & Deady, 
and the work quickly grew to lucrative size, gain- 
ing a prominence in railway litigation. In 1885 
Judge E. C. Bronaugh was admitted as a mem- 
ber of the firm, which was then known as Whal- 
iey, Bronaugh, Northup & Deady. The latter 
shortly retired and his name was dropped from 
the firm. In March, 1889, Mr. Whaliey retired 
from active practice, having acquired a large 
property which required his personal attention, 
but five years later he became a partner of Judges 
Strahn and Pipes and practiced again for two 
years. At that time Mr. Whaliey withdrew from 
the firm and formed a partnership with his son- 
in-law, W. T. Muir, which lasted until the death 
of the former. For a number of years he had 
held a chair in the law department of the Uni- 
versity of Oregon as instructor in pleadings. 

As a Republican in politics Mr. Whaliey rep- 
resented Multnomah county in 1870 as a member 
of the state legislature, but retired altogether from 
political movements and enterprises at the close 
of his first term. He was a prominent man in 
the fraternity of the Odd Fellows, in 1870 repre- 
senting the Grand Lodge of Oregon in the Sov- 
ereign Grand Lodge at Baltimore. Always ac- 
tively interested in the welfare of the city, he 
was a member of the Columbia Fire Engine 
Company No. 3, Volunteer Department, and so 
continued until the paid department was installed. 

Mr. Whaliey long held a place in the front rank 
of the profession to which he gave so much of 
his life. He had a well ordered mind and in his 
forensic encounters always had his legal forces 
under control. He had a love of "fine point" 
which became a subject of trite remark among 
his legal brethren throughout the state. He be- 
came famed for his logical and strategic qualities, 
availing himself of every means to guard against 
legal surprises and to overlook no legal defense. 
The care which he bestowed upon the "critical 
niceities" of the law was due to his mental activity 
and habit of thoroughness in whatever he under- 
took, and not to any neglect of the broad prin- 
ciples which make the study and practice of law 
one of the most useful and elevating pursuits of 
mankind. He had a keen appreciation of the 
humorous, and this, with his imitative faculties, 
made him the most entertaining and enjoyable 
companion at the bar. He was an indefatigable 





l>-^--tifljU^ a-^J&> 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL REC< >RD. 



65 



.-port smaii and was a master of the science of 
casting a fly or making one; every foot of that 
sportsman's paradise from "Mock's bottom" to 
Charley Saline's was to him familiar ground. 
With a few chosen friends he controlled the 
shooting privileges of twelve hundred acres of 
lake marsh ground on Sauvie's Island, always 
taking a great interest in the preservation and 
protection' of game birds in the state, urging the 
enactment by the legislature of beneficial game 
laws. The statutes of the state to-day contain 
many game laws of his own construction which 
are susceptible of no misinterpretation. He was 
the first president of the Multnomah Rod and 
Gun Club of Portland, an organization which 
under his personal influence and endeavor ac- 
complished much good along these lines, and be- 
came especially vigilant in the detection and pros- 
ecution of violators. He was chosen the first 
president of the Sportsman's Association of the 
Xorthwest, and re-elected a second term. He 
had a fondness for dogs and was always their 
protector and friend. 

As a member of St. Stephen's Chapel he con- 
tributed generously to the maintenance of the 
church work, acting as vestryman for some years 
and as superintendent of the Sunday school for 
three years before his death. A tribute paid to 
his memory by a friend was: "A man of alert 
mind, of great legal and literary erudition; of 
ready command of language, speaking and writ- 
ing with admirable force ; at all times accessible, 
steadfast in his friendships, and intellectual pow- 
ers that would have brought him to distinction 
in anv situation." 



HON. GEORGE H. WILLIAMS. A record 
of the life of Judge Williams, former United 
States senator and attorney general of the United 
States, is in some respects a history of the rise 
and progress of Oregon. It is now (1903) just 
half a century since he first cast his lot with the 
inhabitants of the then territory of Oregon ; and 
by reason of his identification with the develop- 
ment of its resources during the pioneer period 
of the territory and the constructive era of the 
state, and likewise through his intimate associa- 
tion with its most vital public interests during 
practically the entire history of its statehood, he 
has for many years been regarded as one of its 
foremost citizens, whose rich experience in the 
affairs of the nation, on the bench, and before the 
bar, entitle his opinions on questions of general 
public interest to the highest consideration. 

Judge Williams was born in Xew Lebanon, 
Columbia county, X. Y., March 26, 1823, and re- 
ceived an academic education at Pompcy, X*. Y., 
whither his parents removed when he was a 
child. At the age of twenty-one he was admitted 



to the bar of Xew York. Immediately thereafter 
he removed to Iowa, then a territory, and opened 
an office at Fort Madison. At the first election 
after the organization of the state government, 
in 1847, he was elected judge of the first judicial 
district of that state, serving five years. The im- 
mediate cause of his identification with Oregon 
was his appointment, in 1853, as chief justice of 
this territory, an office to which he was reap- 
pointed in 1857 by President Buchanan. lie be- 
came a member of the constitutional convention 
which drafted the first constitution for the state 
of Oregon, and acted as chairman of the judiciary 
committee of that body. In this capacity he 
vigorously opposed the introduction of slavery 
into this state, and before the instrument was pre- 
sented to the voters made an active canvass in 
behalf of the anti-slavery clause therein. In i860 
he became one of the founders of the Union party, 
and subsequently canvassed the country for Lin- 
coln and aided with all the strength at his com- 
mand in awakening sympathy for the Union 
cause. His election as United States senator in 
1864 took him to Washington at the most critical 
period in the country's history, and it is a matter 
of record that his services during that vital epoch 
were in line with the policy which, in its consum- 
mation, was productive of such splendid results. 
In the senate he was a member of the committees 
on finance and public lands, and also of the re- 
construction committee. 

Among the measures which he was instrumental 
in bringing before the senate, and which became 
laws, are the following: The Military Recon- 
struction Act, under which the insurrectionary 
states were reorganized and their representation 
admitted to congress ; an act creating a new land 
district in Oregon, with a land office at La 
Grande ; an amendment to the act granting lands 
to the state of Oregon for the construction of a 
military road from Eugene to the eastern bound- 
ary of the state, granting odd sections to supply 
any deficiency in the original grant ; various acts 
establishing post roads ; a general law to secure 
the election of United States senators ; the "ten- 
ure of office act," vetoed by President Johnson, 
but passed over his veto ; numerous appropria- 
tions for Oregon; an amendment to the act of 
1861 relative to property lost in suppressing 
Indian hostilities in Oregon ; an amendment 
to the judiciary act of 1789; an amend- 
ment to the act granting lands to aid in 
the construction of a railroad from the Central 
Pacific in California to Portland. Ore. ; an act 
to pay two companies of ( )regon Volunteers com- 
manded by Captains Walker and Olney ; an act 
to strengthen the public credit ; an amendment 
to the act granting lands to aid in the construction 
of a railroad from the Central Pacific to Port- 
land, by which the grant was prevented from re- 



66 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ve'fting to the government; an act granting lands 
to aid in the construction of a railroad and tele- 
graph line from Portland to Astoria and Mc- 
Minnville; a resolution to facilitate the building 
of a light-house at Yaquina Ray, and other light- 
houses on the Oregon coast ; an act granting cer- 
tain lands to Blessington Rutledge, a citizen of 
1 ,ane county ; a resolution to increase the pay of 
assistant marshals in taking the census of 1870; 
an act extending the benefits of the donation iaw 
of 1850 to certain persons; and an act creating 
;i new land district in Washington, with a land 
office at Walla Walla. 

In 1871 Judge Williams was appointed one of 
the joint high commissioners to frame a treaty 
for the settlement of the Alabama claims and the 
northwestern boundary, and other questions in 
dispute between the United States and Great 
Rritain. There is no question but his ability, 
wisdom and tact secured a settlement of the 
boundary question favorable to the contention of 
the United States. It had been claimed that the 
only solution of the difficulty was to refer the 
matter to the Emperor of Germany ; but Judge 
Williams refused to agree to this proposition 
unless it were stipidated that the Emperor's de- 
cision should be strictly in accord with the treaty 
of 1846; that he should not decide dc novo, but 
simply explicate the meaning of the convention 
which had already decided the question. The 
commission finally yielded to his views and thus 
rendered possible the decision that gave to the 
United States San Juan and other islands. It is 
not generally known throughout the United 
States that the part Judge Williams bore in the 
solution of this question was such an important 
one, but all who are familiar with the case accord 
him the honor for his wise stand in the adjust- 
ment of the problem. 

In 1872, upon the invitation of President 
Grant, Judge Williams became attorney general 
of the United States ; and in this important cab- 
inet post he proved himself a keen, resourceful 
and logical adviser, and demonstrated the pos- 
session of high qualities of statesmanship. His 
record in the cabinet was an honor to the state 
of Oregon as well as to himself. The people of 
the northwest exhibited the keenest pride in his 
capable service during an administration when it 
was necessary to solve numerous perplexing 
problems, and the generation which witnessed 
the events of those days are wont to refer to it 
with great satisfaction. Many important ques- 
tions were brought before him, to all of which he 
brought the same thoughtful attention so char- 
acteristic of him in earlier years and in his own 
private affairs. The sting left by the Civil war 
in the south had not yet begun to heal, and a 
great degree of tact was required daily of the 
attorney general, to whom were brought for solu- 



tion intricate questions arising from the conflict. 
Subsequent events in the history of the republic 
have demonstrated the fact that the policy he 
pursued in these various matters was eminently 
fair and sagacious, and in numerous instances he 
was happy in being able, through his prudent 
counsels, to restore peace to distracted communi- 
ties. In 1874 Judge Williams' name was present- 
ed to the senate by the president as successor to 
Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase ; but so great an 
opposition to his confirmation developed in the 
east, among those who wished an eastern jurist 
to succeed to the office, that, in the interests of 
harmony, he withdrew his name, much to the re- 
gret of President Grant, who was one of his 
warm personal friends and admirers. 

History has accorded to this distinguished 
citizen the honor of having been the first to out- 
line, through the medium of the Washington 
Star, the policy ultimately adopted by congress 
for the adjustment of the historic presidential 
contest of 1876. The essential features of the 
famous Electoral Commission Act under which 
Gen. Rutherford B. Hayes was made president 
were embodied in an article which he contributed 
to the Star, and the credit for the plan outlined 
and soon after adopted is conceded to belong to 
him. 

Since his retirement from public life Judge 
Williams has made his home in Portland, among 
whose citizens he holds an assured position of 
eminence and influence. For many years de- 
mands have been made upon him by his personal 
friends and his party for his services in political 
campaigns, and by the citizens of Portland, on 
their numerous social gatherings. Not onlv is he 
a strong speaker on public questions, clear, 
powerful and convincing in his arguments, but to 
a rare degree felicitous as a post-prandial orator. 
In brief, he is a giant in intellect, totally devoid 
of the arts of the politician, in the common ac- 
ceptance of the term. His utterance on the sub- 
ject of Christianity from the standpoint of the 
historian, freed from the romance which attaches 
to the life of the Saviour, commanded the atten- 
tion and interest of thoughtful persons through- 
out the country; and a valued contribution to 
the best thought of the period on this subject is 
found in his lecture on "The Divinity of Christ." 

Judge Williams is now spending the twilight 
of his life in the administration of the official af- 
fairs of the municipality of Portland, having been 
elected to the mayoralty in 1902. In the labor 
which he has thus assumed in his advanced years 
he is bringing to bear the same conscientious ef- 
fort, the same honesty of purpose and highminded 
views of the duties of a public servant, which 
characterized his record while filling some of the 
most responsible and onerous offices in national 
affairs. He is giving to the city, through his ap- 



P< IR fRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pointment of men of acknowledged integrity and 

public spirit, a corps of executive and advisory 
officials whose efforts in the direction of honest 
ami unselfish labor in behalf of the public are be- 
ing generally appreciated, and all indications now 
point to an administration unequalled in the his- 
tory oi the city for moral courage, political econ- 
omy and breadth of view — a sight too rare in the 
conduct of municipal affairs in these days when 
corruption and vice are rampant throughout the 
larger cities vi the land generally. 



HENRY EVERDING. During the many 
years of his residence in Portland Henry Ever- 
ding has advanced with the people of his adopted 
locality, and has entered with zest into the busi- 
ness and social life by which he was surrounded. 

ssessing the adaptiveness characteristic of his 
Teutonic nationality, he has also applied the 
thrift and conservatism so necessary to the suc- 
cessful development of pioneer or growing con- 
ditions. A citizen of this part of the west since 
1864, he first started a grain, feed and produce 
business in partnership with Edwin Beebe, under 
the firm name of Everding & Beebe, his partner 
having been similarly employed since 1862. This 
modest beginning was located on the corner of 
Front and Taylor streets, and after various 
changes from one part of the city to the other 
settled down to where Mr. Everding has been 
conducting his affairs alone, ever since the death 
of Mr. Beebe, twenty years ago. It is the oldest 
commission house in Portland, and in the early 
days had a much more extensive and far reach- 
ing trade than at present, at that time shipping 
grain and produce to California and the adjacent 
states. 

A native of Hanover, Germany, Mr. Everding 
was born April 14, 1833, and comes of a family 
distinguished in war and peace, and vitally con- 
nected with commercial, agricultural and indus- 
trial affairs. The father of Mr. Everding died 
at a comparatively early age. and thereafter the 
widow and children carried on the work of the 
farm which he left to their care. Of the eight 
children all came to the Pacific coast. John, 
who came in 1853, is now a resident of San 
Francisco ; Charles, Fred and Richard came over 
in 1854 ; the two first mentioned died in Califor- 
nia, while Richard is living in Portland ; Henry 
and his mother came in 1855. There were three 
daughters in the family, one of whom is deceased, 
while the others reside in California and Portland 
respectively. Henry was six weeks out from 
Bremen on a sailer, and after landing in New 
Orleans took a three weeks' trip up the Missis- 
sippi and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati, where he 
worked in a starch factory for six months. For 
a few months following he clerked in different 



stores, and while learning the language and 
familiarizing himself with the customs of the 
country, managed, by thrift and economy, to save 
a little money. 

In April, 1855, Mr. Everding went to New 
York and embarked for Aspinwall, and from 
Panama sailed on the John L. Stevens for San 
Francisco, which craft contained fourteen hun- 
dred passengers. When thirty-six hours out 
the boat came upon the wreck of the ill-fated 
Golden Age, a large number of whose passengers 
were taken aboard the Stevens and returned to 
Panama. No interruption marred the progress 
of the second sailing, and the hopeful little band 
arrived in San Francisco in May, 1855. Here 
Mr. Everding was fortunate in finding work in 
the starch factory of his brother, John, who had 
started the first enterprise of the kind in the 
city. Later Mr. Everding and his brother Fred- 
erick stocked and ran a ranch in Contra Costa 
county, the management of which fell to Fred- 
erick, while Henry turned his attention to the 
starch factory. As before stated, he came to 
Portland in 1864, and inaugurated the large 
grain, feed and produce business with which his 
name has since been connected. 

Since coming to Portland Mr. Everding has 
been united in marriage with Theresa Harding, 
a native of Prussia, Germany. Mr. Everding is 
essentially social, as are the most of his country- 
men, and is identified with Willamette Lodge No. 
2, A. F. & A. M. ; Oregon Commandery No. 1, 
of which he is a charter member, having been 
transferred from the Knights Templar Comman- 
dery No. 1, of San Francisco. He is also con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows of Portland. Mr. Everding is one of the 
substantial and highly honored pioneers and cit- 
izens and has been among the most helpful and 
representative of the countrymen who have set- 
tled in this city. 



COL. JAMES JACKSON, U. S. A. A mil- 
itary career of more than ordinary distinction is 
that of Col. James Jackson, a lieutenant-colonel 
of the United States Army, retired, and colonel 
and inspector-general of the state of Oregon, on 
the Governor's staff. His services during the 
civil and Indian wars entitle him to a conspicu- 
ous place in the military history of the United 
States. 

Colonel Jackson was born in Sussex county, 
N. J., November 21, 1833. His father, Timothy 
Jackson, was an ordained minister of the Bap- 
tist Church, and filled pulpits in different parts 
of New Jersey and Ohio. His mother, Mary A. 
Jackson, was the daughter of Rev. Morgan Ap 
John Rhees (Welsh Rhys) and Ann Loxlev. 
Dr. Rhees was a Baptist minister and brought 



t;s 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a colony of Welsh dissenters to America, estab- 
lishing them at Beulah, Pa. This colony not 
proving a financial success, he removed to Phila- 
delphia, where lie married Ann Loxley, a daugh- 
ter of Benjamin Loxley, who at the breaking out 
of the Revolution was keeper of the King's 
stores in Philadelphia, but resigned this office 
to join the colonial forces, in which he held com- 
missions from lieutenant to major, and was a 
volunteer aid, with rank of colonel, on Wash- 
ington's staff at Valley Forge. Colonel Jack- 
son's father died in 1843, and his mother soon 
after returned with her children to Philadelphia, 
where Colonel Jackson received his education in 
the public schools, graduating from the high 
school in 1850. He then studied architecture, 
located in Charles City, Iowa, in 1855, and was 
living there when the Civil war came on. He 
determined to volunteer for the suppression of 
the Rebellion, and after closing up his business 
joined the Twelfth United States Infantry, was 
on recruiting duty for some months, and then 
went into the field in Virginia, in August, 1862, 
as a sergeant of Company C, Twelfth United 
States Infantry. In April, 1863, he was pro- 
moted a second lieutenant in this regiment and 
participated in the battles of Second Bull Run, 
Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Get- 
tysburg, Spottsylvania, the various battles in the 
Wilderness, and the siege of Petersburg, until 
November, 1864, when the regular brigade, be- 
ing badly depleted, was withdrawn from the field 
and sent north to recruit its strength. 

In the reorganization of the army, after the 
war, he was assigned to the Thirtieth Infantry 
and accompanied the regiment to the plains in 
January, 1867, where he was engaged in guard- 
ing the construction of the transcontinental rail- 
road and scouting in the Indian country. He 
was promoted a captain in 1868, and January 1, 
1870, was transferred to the cavalry arm of the 
service as captain of Troop B, First Cavalry. As 
commander of this troop he took part in the 
Modoc war, the Nez Perce war and the Bannock- 
war. He was, at different times, stationed at 
Camp Warner and Fort Klamath in Oregon ; 
Fort Walla Walla, Fort Colville and Fort Coeur 
d'Alene in Washington; and Forts Keogh and 
Custer in Montana. In 1886 he was placed on 
recruiting service in New York City, and after 
the termination of this tour of duty was detailed 
as inspector-general of the Division of the At- 
lantic. In 1889 he was promoted major of the 
Second Cavalry, joining the headquarters of this 
regiment at Fort Walla Walla and going with 
it to Fort Lowell, Ariz., in 1890. This post being- 
abandoned, he took station at Fort Wingate, N. 
Mex., and while serving there was detailed for 
duty with the Oregon National Guard, reporting 



to the governor of the state in June, 1892, and 
taking up his residence in Portland. At the 
solicitation of the state military officers he was 
continued on this duty until his retirement from 
active service November 7, 1897, a few months 
previous to which he was promoted a lieutenant 
colonel and assigned to the First Cavalry. 

For special gallantry in action at the battles 
of Weldon Railroad and North Anna, during the 
Civil war, Colonel Jackson was brevetted a cap- 
tain and major, and for gallant services in the 
Modoc and Nez Perce wars he was brevetted a 
lieutenant colonel. For " most distinguished gal- 
lantry in action against hostile Indians " he was 
awarded a medal of honor by congress. 

Soon after the beginning of the Spanish -Amer- 
ican war, in April, 1898, Colonel Jackson was 
appointed, by Governor Lord, inspector-general 
of the state of Oregon with the rank of colonel, 
and assisted in organizing the Second Oregon 
Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which, shortly after 
its organization, reported for duty in San Fran- 
cisco, and was one of the first regiments sent to the 
Philippines. He has held the office of inspector- 
general ever since, having been reappointed by 
Governor Geer, and annually inspects each or- 
ganization of the National Guard in the state. 

Colonel Jackson, by virtue of his descent from 
Colonel Benjamin Loxley, is a member of the 
Sons of the American Revolution, and, through 
his services in the Civil war, a member of the 
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United 
States — has been commander of the Oregon 
Commandery of this order — and the Grand Army 
of the Republic (Lincoln-Garfield Post), in 
which he has held the offices of department in- 
spector and of aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen- 
erals Warner and Lawler, Commanders-in-Chief 
of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a 
member of the New York Club, the Army and 
Navy Club of New York City, and the Commer- 
cial Club of Portland, being at present vice-presi- 
dent of the latter club. 

Colonel Jackson has two children by his mar- 
riage with Miss Ida Beach of Oakland, Cal. : a 
son, Rliees Jackson, and a daughter, Marion 
Beach Jackson. Rhees Jackson served in the 
Second Oregon Volunteers in the Philippines as 
first-lieutenant and battalion adjutant, and was 
recommended by its commander, Gen. Owen 
Summers, on account of gallant and efficient ser- 
vice, for a commission in the regular army ; he 
was appointed by the President second-lieutenant 
in the Twelfth United States Infantry August 1, 
1899, an< -l is now a first-lieutenant in that regi- 
ment. Colonel Jackson's daughter is living with 
her father at his home on Willamette Heights 
in Portland. The present Mrs. Jackson was 
Miss Ella Greene, of Davisville, Cal. 





^> 



PI )R I'kAl 1' AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



n 



HAR\ EY W. SCOTT, president of the Lewis 
and Clark Exposition Company, is. of the type 
of men that have transformed the Pacific north- 
west from a wilderness. With his own hands 
he lias cleared away the forest trees to make 
room for the simple home of the pioneers, with 
its mica windows and puncheon floors; he has 
split the rails for the fence built around the family 
homestead ; in going to and returning from school 
he has followed the only paths through the 
woods- die trails beaten down by wild animals 
and Indians: he has shouldered rifle and 
gone forth in defense of the white man's right 
to occupy the country; he has seen the ox-team 
oi the plainsmen pass away and the steamboat 
and the railroad take its place as the means of 
transport : he has seen the activities of the peo- 
ple rise from a small and uncertain traffic with 
the Hawaiian Islands to a world-wide commerce. 
I'he remotest corner in Africa is better known 
to Americans today than Oregon was to them 
when Mr. Scott made it his home. In Mr. Scott 
the past and the present are indissolubly linked. 
In him the hardy spirits that followed the foot- 
steps of Lewis and Clark to the Pacific ocean 
join hands with those who have taken up the 
wand of civilization and progress where the pio- 
neer laid it down. The trails of half a century 
ago have become the railroad of today ; the bat- 
eau of the trader has gone and in its place has 
come the ocean carrier ; warships anchor where 
Indian dugouts lolled in the '50s; the old settler 
is passing and the new order is here. Mr. Scott 
is in even- way the most eminent representative 
of the old and the new and it was fitting that he 
should be chosen to head the undertaking for the 
celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of 
the exploration of the Oregon countrv by Lewis 
and Clark. 

Mr. Scott was born in Tazewell county, 111., 
near Peoria. February 1, 1838. His father, John 
Tucker Scott, was a farmer, and his son, Harvey 
W., was reared to the same calling. In the 
winter he attended district school, but his early 
educational facilities were limited. In those 
days. Illinois was in the wild west, and claimed 
a population of about one-tenth of what it num- 
bers today and its facilities for education were 
crude indeed. In 1852 John T. Scott crossed the 
plains to Oregon, first settling in Yamhill countv. 
where after one year's residence the family lo- 
cated in Mason county. Wash., on Puget sound. 
Here Harvey W. Scott did his share of the ar- 
duous work of clearing up a farm. When the 
great Indian wars, which had for their purpose 
the extermination of the white settlements, broke 
out. he enlisted as a private in the volunteer armv 
organized by the settlers and served one vear. 
In 1857 he walked from the farm to Forest 
Grove, Ore., a distance of over one hundred and 
fifty miles, and entered school, continuing: at his 



studies four months. A little later his father re- 
moved from Washington to Oregon, locating in 
Clackamas county, twenty miles south of ( Iregon 
City. To this farm the young man went at the 
close of his short term in school. 

He who can buy land cleared and ready for 
the plow in these modern days cannot realize 
what homemaking was in ( )regon fifty years ago. 
There were giant trees to fell, rails to be split, 
and cattle to be cared for. Pioneers in those days 
did not while away much of their time as some 
farmers are wont to do now. Fvery moment 
was precious. Mr. Scott remained on' the farm 
until he was twenty-one years old. doing his full 
share of the work. In the summer of 1859 ' :c 
branched out for himself and taught school." His 
father now removed to a farm three miles west 
of Forest Grove and the son again took up farm 
work, devoting part of his time to a saw mill 
which his father operated. 

Mr. Scott was now resolved to obtain an edu- 
cation and applied himself to the studies which 
he had begun in 1857. No young man in this 
generation or any other generation in Oregon 
has persevered so hard for the essential equip- 
ment of life or achieved so signal a triumph as 
has Mr. Scott. In 1859-60-61-62-63 he worked 
on neighboring farms and saw mills, earning 
money to pay his way through school. He would 
shoulder an axe and work at clearing for a while 
and with the money thus earned would go to 
school. When this slender fund was exhausted 
by tuition fees he would find new work to en- 
able him to resume his studies. This he kept 
up until 1863, when he received his diploma as 
the first graduate from Pacific University. 

After leaving his school Mr. Scott went to 
the placer mines in Boise Basin, Idaho, where he 
spent a year. In 1864 he returned to Portland 
and for a year studied law in the office of E. D. 
Shattuck, who had been a member of the consti- 
tutional convention, and in the Rebellion period 
a leader in Oregon among the Union forces in 
politics. Mr. Scott was reading law and serving 
as librarian of the Portland Library when, in 
1865. he was offered the position as editorial 
writer on the Oregonian. He accepted, continu- 
ing as an employe until 1877, when he purchased 
an interest in the paper which he still owns. 

In the editorial management of the Orcgnnian 
Mr. Scott has alwavs fought for the right, know- 
ing that time would justify his course. In the 
Civil war period, when there was a strong 
Southern sentiment in ( )regon. he was a stead- 
fast friend of the I_ nion, and gave his loval sup- 
port to all administration policies aimed to es- 
tablish the nation upon a firm and enduring basis. 
Fie neither favored nor countenanced half way 
measures or compromises that left open the vital 
point to trouble a future ircneration. He has 
always been for meeting the main issue fairlv and 



il 



TORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFXORD. 



squarely ami settling it once and for all. Time 
and again he has taken a firm stand for the en- 
forcement of law, the preservation of order, and 
the observance of the nation's treaties with other 
countries. Perhaps the greatest achievement of 
his life was the signal victory for sound money 
in the national campaign of 1896. Sound money 
with Mr. Scott meant the gold standard, without 
equivocation, not sixteen to one, nor thirty-two 
to one, nor international bimetallism, nor coinage 
of the seignorage, nor "do something for silver." 
He knew the evil that lurked in a base currency 
and fought it with all his power and resource. 
For two years before McKinley and Bryan had 
been nominated, nearly every daily newspaper 
west of the Mississippi river, Republican as well 
as Democratic, was trimming with the silverites, 
if not openly espousing sixteen to one. On the 
Pacific coast, the Oregonian, among the leading 
dailies, stood alone in its advocacy of gold. The 
Oregonian lost both business and subscribers for 
the stand it had taken on the money question, 
but Mr. Scott never turned back, never wavered 
in his purpose. The issue was not new to him, 
for he had made the same fight for the sound 
dollar vears before, in the days of the Hayes ad- 
ministration. The result was in the nature of a 
personal victory for Mr. Scott, for Oregon was 
the only state west of the Rockv mountains that 
gave its full electoral vote to McKinley. 

In journalism, Mr. Scott belongs to the school 
of the elder Bennett, Charles A. Dana, Medill 
and Watterson — editors who took the right stand 
on great questions regardless of the public clamor 
or the consequence to their own interests. The 
esteem in which he is held by the newspaper men 
of the United States is evidenced by the fact that 
he is a director of the Associated Press, the 
world's foremost collector of news. In 1900 he 
presided over the meeting for reorganization of 
the association in New York. 

The Lewis and Clark Exposition received its 
impetus from a resolution adopted by the Oregon 
Historical Society in December, 1900, favoring a 
celebration and fair in honor of the one hun- 
dredth anniversary of the exploration of the 
Oregon country by Captains Lewis and Clark. 
Mr. Scott was then president of the society. He 
gave the enterprise his cordial support after he 
had cautioned the people of Portland to weigh 
carefully the responsibility they were about to 
assume, and they had given heed to his advice 
in the preliminary steps. The Oregonian Pub- 
lishing Company at once became one of the 
largest stockholders of the Exposition corpora- 
tion. Mr. Scott was elected on the board of 
directors and was chosen first vice president. 
Upon the death of H. W. Corbett, in March, 
1903, Mr. Scott assumed the duties of president 
and was elected to that office by the board of 
directors on July 24, 1903. 



In 1856 Mr. Scott was married to Miss Eliza- 
beth Nicklin, who died in 1875, leaving two 
children. In 1877 he was married to Miss Mar- 
garet McChesney, of Pennsylvania. Three 
children have been born of this union. 

Politically Mr. Scott is a stanch Republican. 
He has fought all the battles of his party in 
Oregon for nearly forty years, and was actively 
identified with its fortunes in the few years fol- 
lowing his arrival at the voting age and pre- 
ceding his service with the Oregonian. Indeed, 
Mr. Scott is entitled to the full measure of credit 
for making Oregon a Republican state. For 
nearly twenty years following the admission of 
the state, the Democrats had a strong footing in 
Oregon. Their last great victories were in 1876 
and 1878, when they won all the important 
offices, including both the United States senators. 
Since 1880 the Republicans have been successful, 
with the exception of the loss of the governor in 
1886, 1890 and 1902, and the state treasurer in 
1886. For several years past there has been a 
strong desire on the part of the rank and file of 
the Republican party to honor Mr. Scott with 
a seat in the United States senate as a suitable 
recognition of his distinguished services to his 
party and his state. Mr. Scott is disinclined to 
accept political office, preferring to continue at 
the post of editor of the Oregonian which he has 
filled for so many years. However, at the urgent 
solicitation of friends, he permitted his name to 
be presented to the legislative assembly of 1903 
for United States senator. The legislature had 
been deadlocked all session on the senatorship 
and Mr. Scott was placed in nomination an hour 
before final adjournment as a compromise candi- 
date who might be acceptable to the several fac- 
tions into which the Republican majority of the 
legislature was divided. He received the votes 
of twenty-nine members, but C. W. Fulton, who 
had led throughout the session, was chosen. 

The Corvallis Times, a Democratic newspaper, 
paid Mr. Scott the following tribute in its issue 
of March 9, 1903. following the adjournment of 
the legislature : "For forty years his great ability 
has been spent in the promotion of Republican- 
ism, and in converting disciples to its faith. He 
has not only given the best years of his life to 
his party, but he has, in addition, laid at its feet 
a great newspaper with which its battles have 
been fought and its victories won. It is a fact 
so patent as to be beyond cavil, that to the work 
of Mr. Scott and his Oregonian is due the fact 
that within twenty-five years, Oregon has been 
transformed from a Democratic into a sure Re- 
publican state. The character that he has 
stamped on that newspaper has been such that 
it has exerted a commanding influence that has 
been effective in drawing recruits to the Re- 
publican partv. Tt is unquestionably true that if. 
through all these vears, Mr. Scott ' had been 



P( )R fRAIT AND BI( (GRAPHICAL REC( >RD. 



elected to conduct his newspaper in the interest 
of Democracy, die Republicans in the state would 
be in the minority, and that in the places of many 
of those Republican members who repudiated 
him for senator, there would have been Demo- 
crats, It is wholly and practically probable that 
but for the implements of war that Mr. Scott 
has constantly kept in the hands of the Republi- 
cans ot" Oregon, the senator elected by the late 
ioim assembly would 'nave been, not a Republi- 
can, hut a 1 Jemocrat. 

"Indeed, whatever of prestige the Republican 
party has in the state, whatever of preferment its 
partisans enjoy. Mr. Scott and his paper gave 
them. Whatever loaves they have divided, his 
toil and talents supplied. It ever there was a 
condition in which a party organization from 
sheer gratitude was indebted to an individual, 
it is manifestly, signally and unquestionably true 
in the case of Mr. Scott. His brain, his capital, 
the influence of his paper, his life-work until he 
has reached that period in his career where re- 
ward is already long overdue — all these have 
been uncomplainingly and constantly laid at the 
feet of Republicanism in Oregon. A reasonable 
regard for the service he has rendered his party 
in the state should, when his name was presented 
as a candidate at Salem, have dictated his elec- 
tion bv an enthusiastic and unanimous vote." 



WILLIAM SARGENT LADD. In tracing 
the genealogy of the Ladd family it is found that 
their earliest recorded history is connected with 
the counties of Kent and Sussex in England. 
P.efore the days of Henry VI they owned and 
occupied as their manor house the estate of 
Bowyck in the parish of Eleham. Thomas Ladd, 
the then owner of Bowyck manor, died in 151 5, 
and his grandson Vincent, a later owner of the 
estate, died in 1563. In 1601 the manor passed 
through marriage into the Nethersole family. 
In 1730 John Ladd. a direct descendant of 
\ incent Ladd. was created a baronet by 
George II, but the baronetcy became extinct 
a generation later. The first representa- 
tives of the family in America were Daniel 
and John Ladd. The former, however, was 
the first to land here, arriving in New Eng- 
land in 1623. The latter established his home 
in New Jersey in 1678. with a company of mem- 
bers of the Society of Friends. It is said that he 
was employed in laying out the city of Philadel- 
phia ; beyond doubt he was a surveyor of abil- 
ity and employed in many important enterprises 
connected with his occupation. During 1688 he 
took up six thousand acres in Gloucester county, 
where at the time of his death he was an influen- 
tial citizen and large land owner. 

Representative of a family so intimately iden- 



tified with early American history was Dr. Na- 
thaniel Gould Ladd, who was born July 13, 1798, 
and, notwithstanding hardships, obstacles and re- 
verses, rose from a humble position to promi- 
nence as a physician. His wife was Abigail Kel- 
Icy Mead, who was born in New Hampshire 
August 7, 1806. In 1830 the family moved to 
Meredith, N. II., and three years later settled 
in a village now known as Tilton (then Sanborn- 
ton Bridge). During the previous residence of 
the family in Holland, Vt., a son was born Oc- 
tober 10, 1826, to whom the name of William 
Sargent was given. Being one of ten children, 
whose parents had only limited means, he had 
few advantages in boyhood ; indeed, it may be 
said that he had no opportunities for advance- 
ment except such as he made for himself. Al- 
ways ambitious, with the love of study charac- 
teristic of the true scholar, diligent in his appli- 
cation to text books, and quick to acquire knowl- 
edge, he soon gained a valuable fund of knowl- 
edge. Though the schools of those days were 
crude in comparison with the educational insti- 
tutions of the present day, his determination and 
energy surmounted obstacles. Whether in the 
schoolroom, on the farm or in his home, he was 
a constant student, and, indeed, throughout all 
of his life he continued to be fond of reading 
and study, as eager to grasp new thoughts when 
advanced in years as when a boy at home. Early 
experiences in breaking and tilling a New Eng- 
land farm, followed by acquiring the mastery of 
rebellious pupils in a rough district school, de- 
veloped in him traits of self-reliance and firm- 
ness of purpose that had no little to do with 
his subsequent success. 

Following his experience as a teacher Mr. 
Ladd engaged in railroading, securing employ- 
ment in a freight house on the line of the Boston, 
Concord & Montreal Railroad, and later holding- 
other positions in the same occupation. While 
thus engaged he met Daniel Webster, who re- 
marked to him, in the course of their conversa- 
tion, "There is always room at the top." Tin- 
young man, feeling that the top might be reached 
with- less difficulty in a newer country than his 
home state, began to plan for the future. The 
gold fever of 1849 did not fascinate him nor did 
he fall a victim to its alluring prospects, but he 
did begin to contemplate the opportunities offered 
bv Oregon's vast farm lands. Deciding to seek 
a home in the far west he set sail on the Prome- 
theus from New York, February 27, 1851. and 
crossed the isthmus, thence sailed north to San 
Francisco and from there to Portland. With him 
lie brought a few articles of merchandise and 
these he began to sell, business being conducted 
on an extremely small scale. Hard work, how- 
ever, will win when the environment is favorable, 
and so it proved with him. Four o'clock in the 



74 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



morning found him ready for business, and 
throughout all the day he was busy, energetic, 
hopeful and sanguine. 

A change came in his affairs during 1852, when 
the firm of Ladd & Tilton formed a partnership, 
continuing the same until the spring of 1855. 
Meantime, in 1854, Wesley Ladd came to Port- 
land, bringing with him Caroline Ames Elliott, 
the fiancee of William S. Ladd. They were mar- 
ried in San Francisco, October 17, 1854, and their 
union proved one of mutual helpfulness and hap- 
piness. Indeed, in later years Mr. Ladd ascribed 
much of his success to the optimistic spirit, patient 
devotion and cheerful comradeship of his wife. 
They became the parents of seven children, five 
of whom attained mature years, namely : Wil- 
liam M., who was born September 16, 1855. 
received a classical education in Amherst College, 
and is now a member of the banking house of 
Ladd & Tilton, of Portland ; Charles Elliott, who 
was born August 5, 1857, and is also connected 
with the bank founded by his father ; Helen 
Kendall, who was born on the 4th of July, 1859; 
Caroline Ames, born September 3, 1861, now the 
wife of Frederic Bailey Pratt, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; 
and John Wesley, born January 3, 1870, now con- 
nected with Ladd & Tilton. 

No step in the business experience of Mr. Ladd 
was more important than his identification with 
the founding of the banking business which is 
still conducted under the original title of Ladd & 
Tilton. Opened for business in April of 1859 
with a very small capital, the institution enjoyed 
a steady growth from the first. Two years after 
its organization the capital was increased to 
$150,000, and not long afterward was further in- 
creased to $1,000,000. When the partnership 
was dissolved in 1880 the bills receivable 
amounted to almost $2,500,000, but so conserva- 
tive had been the management of the bank and 
so sagacious its officers that, in 1888, less than 
$1,300 of this large sum was outstanding. While 
the building up of this important banking busi- 
ness occupied much of Mr. Ladd's time and 
thought for years, his activity was by no means 
limited thereto. Instead, we find him partici- 
pating in many enterprises of public value or 
private utility. As a financier he stood foremost. 
Throughout the entire northwest his opinion was 
regarded as final in matters pertaining to local 
banking and financial interests. The utmost con- 
fidence was reposed in his judgment, not only 
by the great middle class, but also by those men 
who like himself were captains of industry and 
leaders in finance and commerce. 

From an early period of his residence in Ore- 
gon he was interested in farm lands, a frequent 
purchaser of unimproved property and instru- 
mental in the development of the agricultural 
resources of the state. Besides owning three 



farms of his own, he was, with S. G. Reed, the 
owner of five others. Among his possessions was 
an estate of four hundred acres near Portland, 
which was a model farm in every respect. The 
raising of thoroughbred stock also engaged his 
attention, and he devoted considerable attention 
to Clydesdale and Cleveland bay horses, Short- 
horn cattle, Berkshire hogs and Cotswold and 
Leicester sheep. Another enterprise in which he 
was once interested and which has become an 
establishment of great magnitude was the Oregon 
Furniture Manufacturing Company, which he 
organized in April of 1874. During 1883 he be- 
came interested in milling, which was then a 
comparative!}' new industry in the northwest. 
Through his wise oversight the occupation was 
put on a firm basis. At the time of his death 
he owned three-fourths of the entire flouring-mill 
interests of this part of the country. In 1888 
he organized the Portland Cordage Company, 
which is still one of the leading concerns of its 
kind in this city. In the organization of what 
is now the Oregon Iron & Steel Company at 
Oswego he was a prime mover and he also acted 
as a director of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation 
Company. His interests in Portland realty were 
large and of a value constantly increasing. The 
first brick building in the city was erected by him, 
and in later years he was one of the principal 
factors in the improvement of vacant property. 
The movement which had its climax in the erec- 
tion of a magnificent hotel, one of the finest in the 
west, had in him a stanch supporter. He was 
also interested in the Portland Water Company 
and in numerous other concerns organized to aid 
in the development and progress of the city. 

In early life Mr. Ladd supported Democratic 
principles and during 1861-65 allied himself with 
the "War" Democrats. Subsequently he refused 
to ally himself with any political organization, 
although during his last years he uniformly 
voted for the presidential candidates of the Re- 
publican party. At one time, through the soli- 
citation of friends, he consented to act as mayor 
of Portland, but other official honors he firmly 
declined, preferring to concentrate his attention 
upon matters of finance and commerce rather 
than enter the arena of public life. In his various 
enterprises he gave employment to many men, 
and it was always noticeable that by all he was 
not only respected but deeply loved. In him the 
workingman always had a stanch friend, and, 
while he was easily the master of his employes, yet 
his consideration for them was so great that they 
always regarded him as a personal friend. 

As indicative of the religious spirit which im- 
pelled Mr. Ladd in all his actions, it may be 
stated that from early life it was his custom to 
set aside one-tenth of his income for charitable 
and philanthropic purposes, and no destitute fam- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



77 



ily, it worthy, ever sought help from him in vain. 
Quick to detect and denounce deception and 
hypocrisy, he was equally alert in aiding the 
honest and unfortunate. It is probable tbat no 
movement for the city's benefit was ever inaug- 
urated where his name did not appear among 
those oi contributors. When the people began 
to agitate the Founding of a library, his contri- 
bution was the first made and was sufficiently 
large to place the fund on a safe basis. In 
making the gift, the only stipulation made was 
that the library be kept out of politics. This, 
however, by no means represented the limit of 
his assistance to the library. For twenty-four 
years the banking house of Ladd & Tilton gave 
the Library Association, rent free, the second 
floor of their bank building, on the corner of 
First and Stark streets, which represented a gift 
of many thousand dollars. Indeed, the library 
remained in these quarters until the handsome 
new building was ready for occupancy. 

Tlie chair of practical theology in the Pres- 
byterian Theological Seminary of San Francisco 
was in 1 886 the recipient of $50,000 from Mr. 
Ladd, and he also gave several scholarships to 
Willamette University. Though reared in the 
Methodist faith, in 1873 he became a member of 
the Presbyterian Church, to which he afterward 
gave his support and allegiance, although remain- 
ing to the end a generous contributor to religious 
movements of the various creeds. With the co- 
operation of Messrs. Corbett and Failing, he 
donated to the city what is now known as the 
Riverview cemetery, several miles south of Port- 
land on the Willamette river. At one time, during 
his travels, he saw at Bangor, Me., a homestead 
that he admired, and a counterpart of this was 
built by him in Portland, and in 1878 enlarged 
and improved. In this home his earth life ended 
January 6, 1893. when he was sixty-six years of 
age. The demise of a man so intimately associ- 
ated with the city's development called forth tri- 
butes of affection and esteem from people of all 
classes ; the bankers recognized in his death a loss 
to their fraternity ; business men united in 
deploring the loss ; the poor, so often, the recipi- 
ents of his kindness, the pioneers, side by side 
with whom he had lived and labored so'manv 
years, and the organizations to which he had 
given generous assistance, recognized that with 
his passing away one of Portland's greatest men 
was gone. In the years that have since elapsed 
his influence has been apparent in matters con- 
nected with the city's growth. His commanding 
personality, as pioneer, banker and Christian 
philanthropist still wields an influence among the 
citizens of today, and in the annals of the city 
of Portland and the state of Oregon his name is 
forever enshrined. 



SENATOR JOHN II. MITCHELL. For 

forty-three years the subject of this review has 
been one of the most prominent figures in Un- 
political history of the Pacific northwest. Be- 
coming a citizen of the state soon after it was 
invested with the sovereign dignity of statehood. 
he at once became an active man in the political 
arena, and so rapid was the growth of his in- 
fluence that within six years from the time of 
his arrival he had served a term in the state 
senate, establishing a record that was the ad- 
miration of all Oregon. So popular did he be- 
come that he was the choice of a large part of 
his party for the highest office the state had to 
give. This honor that his party friends thus 
early in his career wished to bestow upon him, 
was deferred but a few years when, September 
28, 1872, he was elected" to the United States 
senate, a position which, with two vacations, one 
of six, another of four years, he has held up to the 
present time. His career in this, the highest leg- 
islative body in the United States, is too well 
known to comment upon. Suffice to sav he has 
been no disappointment to his party and among 
his brother senators he is highly respected and 
honored as a man of more than ordinary ability. 
The Pacific northwest owe to him a debt of grati- 
tude that will never be paid, as through him this 
country has been ably represented and it is a fact 
that there is no man in the state so capable of 
carrying on the business and looking after the 
interests of Oregon as he. A hard worker, he 
is at all times working for Oregon. During the 
winter of 1902-03 this hard work showed its re- 
sult, as for a time he was a sick man, and the 
people of Oregon showed the interest they had 
in him by the numerous inquiries that were 
made. For a couple of weeks it was the main 
subject of conversation, but owing to a rugged 
constitution he was able to ward off the disease 
and take up the work of the office before the 
close of the session. When the word was flashed 
over the wires that he was once more at his 
desk a sigh of relief went up from all Oregon. 

The following biographical sketch of the 
career of Senator Mitchell we copy from the 
History of Portland edited by H. W. Scott : 

" He was born in Washington county, Pa., on 
the 22d day of June, 1835. During his infancy 
his parents moved to Butler county, the same 
state, where he was reared on a farm and where 
he acquired the rudiments of an English educa- 
tion at the district school. At the age of seven- 
teen he began teaching in a country school and 
after spending several winters in this way real- 
ized sufficient money to pay his tuition at Butler 
Academy, in Butler county, and subsequentlv at 
Witherspoon Institute. After completing the 
full course at both of these institutions he com- 
menced the study of law in the office of Hon. 



— o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Samuel A. Purviance, formerly member of con- 
gress from that district, and later attorney-gen- 
eral (if the state under Governor Curtin. After 
two years of study he was admitted to the bar 
in 1 Sutler county by Hon. Daniel Agnew, lately 
chief justice of' the supreme court of the state 
of Pennsylvania, and then presiding judge of 
that district in the spring of 1857. He then 
began the practice of his profession at Butler, 
in partnership with Hon. John M. Thompson, 
since a member of the National House of Rep- 
resentatives from that district, and was thus en- 
gaged until he came to California in April, i860. 
For a short time thereafter he practiced law at 
San Luis Obispo, and later for a brief time in 
San Francisco. The fame of Oregon as a young 
and growing commonwealth had in the mean- 
time attracted his attention, and he determined 
to link his fortunes with the new state. With 
this end in view he arrived in Portland, July 4, 
i860, where he has since resided. 

" With that same energy which has been so 
conspicuous in his career, he not only at once 
mined his attention to building up a legal prac- 
tice, but took an active part in local politics. So 
quickly did he make his influence felt that in 
186 1 lie was elected corporation counsel of Port- 
land. The succeeding year he was nominated 
and elected by the Republican party to the Ore- 
gon state senate, in which body he served for 
four years. During the first two years of his 
term he was chairman of the judiciary commit- 
tee, and the last two years he held the position 
of president of the senate. At the close of 
his senatorial term every mark of approval from 
his immediate constituents was accorded him, 
and in 1866 strenuous efforts were made by his 
political friends to secure him a seat in the 
United States senate. They only failed to elevate 
him to this exalted position through the lack of 
one vote in the caucus, his competitor for the 
die nomination being Governor Gibbs, who re- 
ceived twenty-one votes and Mr. Mitchell 
twenty. In 1865 he was commissioned lieuten- 
ant colonel of the state militia by Governor 
Gibbs, and two years later was chosen professor 
of medical jurisprudence in Willamette Univer- 
sity at Salem, Ore., and served in that position 
for nearly four years. During all this time he 
was engaged in the active practice of his profes- 
sion in Portland. In October, 1862, he formed 
a law partnership with Hon. J. N. Dolph, later 
his colleague in the United States senate, which 
continued until January, 1873, when he resigned 
all other engagements to enter upon his duties 
as United States senator. During this period 
he had acquired a reputation as a lawyer second 
to none in the state of Oregon and was constant- 
ly employed in important litigation. For several 
years he was the attorney of the Oregon & Cali- 



fornia Railroad Company and the North Pacific 
Steamship Transportation Company, while his 
practice extended to all the courts, federal, state 
and territorial, of Oregon, Washington and 
Idaho. 

" In September, 1872, Mr. Mitchell was nom- 
inated, in caucus, by the Republican members of 
the state legislature for United States senator, 
receiving the votes of over two-thirds of all the 
Republicans in the legislature on the first ballot. 
On September 28, 1872, he was elected by the 
legislature in joint session as United States sen- 
ator for the term of six years, commencing 
March 4, 1873. In this body he soon took a 
prominent position. He was assigned to duty 
on the following committees : Privileges and 
Election, Commerce, Claims, Transportation 
Routes to the Seaboard, and Railroads. At the 
end of two years he was made chairman of the 
committee on Railroads, and served as such until 
the end of his term. When the electoral com- 
mission was organized, Senator Oliver P. Mor- 
ton was chairman of the Senate Committee on 
Privileges and Election, but having been chosen 
a member of the Electoral Commission, Senator 
Mitchell was made acting chairman of the com- 
mittee on Privileges and Election, which com- 
mittee, for the purpose of taking charge of the 
great controversy involved in the presidential 
contest in 1876, in the states of Oregon, Louis- 
iana, South Carolina and Florida, was then in- 
creased from nine, the ordinary number, to fif- 
teen senators. As acting chairman, Senator 
Mitchell presided over the committee during all 
the investigations which followed and which at 
the time attracted so much interest all over the 
country. He was also selected by the unani- 
mous vote of the Republicans in the senate as 
the senator to appear before the Electoral Com- 
mittee and argue the Oregon case. This duty 
he performed and in a long speech ably pre- 
sented the legal questions involved and to the 
perfect satisfaction of his party friends defended 
the position taken by the Republicans of Ore- 
gon. During his first term he was on several 
occasions selected by the Republican majority as 
chairman of said committee to visit South Caro- 
lina, Louisiana and Florida for the purpose of 
investigating contested elections. 

" In April, 1873, Senator Mitchell and Sen- 
ator Casserly, of California, were appointed a 
sub-committee of the committee on Transporta- 
tion Routes to the Seaboard, to visit the Pacific 
coast and investigate and report upon the best 
means of opening the Columbia river to free 
navigation. It was in this position that he had 
opportunity to do a great service for Oregon. 
Soon after his appointment on the committee, 
Senator Casserly resigned his seat in senate and 
Senator Mitchell was authorized to proceed 



Pi iRTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



79 



alone. He thereupon during the summer of 1873 
made a most careful examination as to improve- 
ments necessan to increase the navigation facil- 
ities of the Columbia river, and at the next ses- 
sion of congress submitted an elaborate report 
to the committee on transportation news, Senator 
Windom of Minnesota being chairman, in which 
lie recommended, among other things, large ap- 
propriations for the mouth of the Columbia 
river, and also an appropriation for a survey at 
the Cascade, with the view of ascertaining the 
cost and advisability of constructing a canal and 
locks. This report, as written by Senator 
Mitchell, was incorporated into the report of the 
committee without alteration, and submitted to 
the senate, and based on this report, congress at 
its next session made an appropriation for a sur- 
vev for canal and locks at the Cascades, which 
paved the way for their subsequent construction. 

" At the expiration of his senatorial term, 
March 4, 1879, the legislature of Oregon was 
Democratic, and Honorable James H. Slater, a 
Democrat, was elected as his successor, where- 
upon Mr. Mitchell resumed the practice of his 
profession in Portland. In the fall of 1882, he 
was urged by party friends to again submit his 
name as a candidate for United States senator, 
the legislature at that time being Republican. 
After much hesitation he consented to do so and 
in the legislative caucus received on the first 
ballot the vote of two-thirds of all the Republi- 
cans in the legislature, and thus became the 
nominee of the party for United States senator. 
A bolt, however, was organized, and he was 
not elected. The contest, however, was con- 
tinued from day to day until the last day and 
the last hour of the forty days' session. During 
the most of this time he was within a few votes 
of an election. It required forty-six votes to 
elect and during the session he received the votes 
of fortv-five different members. Finding- an 
election impossible, although urged by his sup- 
porters to continue in the fight to the end, and 
if not elected himself, thus prevent the election 
of any one else, he withdrew from the contest 
during the last hour of the session and all of his 
supporters, except one, who had so earnestly 
stood by him during the forty days, gave their 
votes for Hon. J. N. Dolph, who was elected. 
Throughout this long contest, without parallel 
in the political history of the state, for the bitter 
personal character of the fight, Senator Mitchell 
apparently lost none of his personal popularity, 
and after the adjournment of the legislature and 
upon his return from Salem to Portland he was 
tendered a reception which in warmth and cor- 
diality partook more of an ovation to a success- 
ful than to a defeated candidate. 

" After his defeat Mr. Mitchell resumed the 



practice of his profession, and although earnest- 
ly urged by party friends to again permit the 
use of his name as a candidate for United States 
senate, at the regular session of the legislature, 
in January, 1885, he peremptorily declined to 
do so. The legislature, however, after balloting 
through the whole session, adjourned without 
making an election. The governor of the state 
thereupon called a special session of the legis- 
lature to meet in November, 1885. Senator 
Mitchell at that time was in Portland, and al- 
though not personally desirous to be a candidate, 
and steadily refusing to permit the use of his 
name until within three or four days before the 
election, he was again, November 19, 1885, 
elected to the United States senate for a full 
term, receiving on the second ballot in joint con- 
vention the vote of three-fourths of all the Re- 
publicans, and one-half of all the Democrats of 
the legislature, having on this ballot a majority 
of twenty-one votes. He was at this time elected 
to succeed Hon. James H. Slater, and took his 
seat December 17, 1885, when he was assigned 
to duty on the following committees : Privileges 
and Election, Railroads, Transportation Routes 
to the Seaboard, Claims, Mines and Mining, 
Postoffices and Post-roads, and special commit- 
tee to superintend the construction of a National 
library. After a year's service he was made 
chairman of the committee on Transportation 
Routes to the Seaboard, and in March, 1889, 
was made chairman of the committee on Rail- 
roads." 

On January 19, 1891, Mr. Mitchell was again 
re-elected as his own successor, for a full term 
of six years ; in this election there was no con- 
test, the Republicans being largely in the major- 
ity in the legislature, and every one of them 
voted for • Mr. Mitchell as his own successor ; 
this term expired March 4, 1897. 

At the meeting of the legislature in January, 
1897, it being the duty of that legislature to elect 
Mr. Mitchell's successor, on January 10, 1897., 
in a caucus of the Republican members of the 
legislature, there being forty-eight members 
present, two more than a majority of the whole 
legislature, the whole number constituting the 
two houses being ninety, on an open roll call he 
received every one of the forty-eight votes, and 
was declared the unanimous nominee of the Re- 
publican party for United States senator to suc- 
ceed himself ; twenty-eight members of the 
house refused to take the oath of office during 
the entire session, thus destroying a quorum, and 
preventing a vote for senator, and also prevent- 
ing the passage of any appropriation or other 
acts during the entire session, which resulted in 
his defeat. Mr. Mitchell was again, February 
23, 1901, elected to succeed Hon. George W. 



80 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



McBride, and took his scat March 9, 1901 ; his 
present term of service will expire March 3, 

x 907- . . . 

Mr. Mitchell enjoys the distinction it is be- 
lieved no other man in the United States ever 
attained in connection with service in the United 
States senate ; lie is the only man who has ever 
been elected from the same state to the senate 
after two vacations. He served from March 
4, 1873, to March 4, 1879; was out from March 
4, 1879, to March 4, 1885 ; served from March 
4, 1885. to March 4, 1897 (twelve years) ; was 
out from March 4. 1897 until March 4, 1901, 
and is now serving his fourth full term. 

The people of Oregon have reason to feel a 
justifiable pride in his career. A man of remark- 
able energy and untiring industry, Senator 
Mitchell has throughout his career as a public 
man shown a keen discrimination and a wonder- 
ful ability for grasping the great and intricate 
questions that are every day to be met with by 
United States senators. It is not our intention 
to make comparisons, but we do say that Oregon 
has never had a man who has filled this exalted 
position in a more satisfactory or painstaking 
manner than has Senator Mitchell. No request 
of his constituents is received, whether from 
the rich or poor, but it is given his personal at- 
tention. As a speaker he is forcible, tactful and 
with his sound judgment and eminently practical 
views he is well equipped to defend the interests 
of his adopted state. His long term of service 
has made him one of the most popular men in 
the United States senate and among his col- 
leagues he is recognized as a power. Here in 
Oregon, where for over forty-three years he has 
made his home, the senator is known by all and 
there is no man in the state who has a larger 
personal following than he. Generous to a fault, 
whole-souled and sympathetic, to know him is to 
admire him. 

Personally Senator Mitchell is a man of strik- 
ing appearance ; he is an interesting conversa- 
tionalist, has a direct, forceful way of talking, 
while his wonderful memory makes him a most 
congenial companion. 



GEORGE JENNINGS AINSWORTH. A 
comparatively brief life was that of George Jen- 
nings Ainsworth, a native of Oregon, and the son 
of a substantial pioneer, but he left behind him 
the evidence of well-directed effort, both as a 
citizen and the maker, of a home. He was born 
in Oregon City, April 13. 1852, the son of John 
C. and Jane (White) Ainsworth, who died when 
he was seven years of age. He received his edu- 
cation in the public schools of the state and the 
old Portland Academv. after which he entered 



and took a four-years' course in the State Uni- 
versity of California, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1873, the year following taking a post- 
graduate course. He was elected on the Univer- 
sity Board of Regents for a term of eighteen 
years. His school days over and the preparation 
for his life work complete he returned to Port- 
land and engaged upon the river boats, with the 
self-reliance which had even thus early distin- 
guished him, declining all aid and starting at the 
foot of the ladder and familiarizing himself with 
every detail of the different departments. Pro- 
motion was not long in coming to him, nor an 
infrequent occurrence, for he steadily rose to 
positions of importance in his new relations. 

During his experience on the river he was com- 
mander of the steamers Otter, Welcome, Dixie 
Thompson, Emma Hayward, Oneonta and others. 
In January, 1877, ne was made a director of the 
Oregon Steam Navigation Company, and in 1878 
was made assistant general superintendent, later 
assuming charge as general superintendent. He 
was vice-president of the Oregon Steam Naviga- 
tion Company when its affairs were closed after 
the Villard coup, and when the Oregon Railroad 
& Navigation Company succeeded it he was ap- 
pointed superintendent of the river and sound di- 
visions, and operated the portage roads at the 
Cascades and the Dalles, resigning in 1882 to 
assist his father, who had become interested in a 
number of enterprises at Oakland, Cal. After six 
years there Captain Ainsworth went to Redondo 
Beach, and under the direction of his father and 
R. R. Thompson, the owners, succeeded in trans- 
forming a barren waste of land into one of the 
finest commercial ports of southern California. 
The Redondo Beach Company, Redondo Railway 
Company, and Redondo Hotel Company were ad- 
juncts in the development which brought into ex- 
istence a magnificent hotel, narrow gauge rail- 
way, a wharf suitable for the largest ships afloat 
and many other improvements. Captain George 
remained in charge of this vast property six years, 
when his father's death occurred, which com- 
pelled his return to Oregon as administrator of 
his father's estate. Returning to Portland he at 
once assumed control of the business affairs with 
the details of which he was perfectly familiar, as 
he had been associated intimately with his father 
from early boyhood, in his more mature years be- 
coming a co-worker and a companion of the elder 
man. His own death occurred but a little later, 
as he died October 20, 1895. 

Mr. Ainsworth was a man of many admirable 
personal characteristics, being public-spirited and 
earnest for the welfare of whatever community 
he had made his by a residence. Though not a 
politician in the common acceptance of the term 
he was strongly identified with the Democratic 
party and spared no efforts to advance the pnn- 





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Chapman Publishing Co 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



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ciples which he endorsed. His ability being rec- 
ognized by the local leaders in California he was 
induced to accept the nomination of United States 
senator, but was defeated in the election, while 
the canvass was in progress, himself being absent 
in the pursuit of his business in eastern states. 
In the accumulation oi property he was uniformly 
successful, for his shrewd business judgment 
went hand in hand with an ambitious, enterpris- 
ing spirit and wide profits were the result. He 
was a lover of sports, being fond of hunting and 
fishing, appreciated a good joke and could tell 
many. At his death he had large holdings in 
California as well as landed property in Portland 
and vicinity, and left his family, for whom he had 
always cared with an exceptional kindness and 
thought, well provided for in the matter of this 
world's goods. Personally he was a man of be- 
nevolent and kindly disposition, in religious faith 
a Presbyterian, in which church he officiated as 
elder. Fraternally he was a Mason, and was 
identified with the Blue Lodge, Chapter. Com- 
mandery. Consistory and Scottish Rite, and was 
always active in lodge work. 

June 16, 1875, Mr. Ainsworth was united in 
marriage with Margaret Sutton, a native of San 
Francisco, and the descendant of a long-lived 
Boston family of English ancestry. The parents, 
John and Anna B. (Doland) Sutton, came to 
Portland in 1870, and in January, three years 
later, the father was lost at sea. aboard the 
George S. Wright, and the mother now makes 
her home, at the age of seventy-three years, with 
her daughter, Mrs. Ainsworth. The other chil- 
dren of her father's family were Julia, who mar- 
ried G. B. Wright, of British Columbia ; Mave, 
who married Otis Sprague, of Tacoma ; James, 
who is in the employ of the Southern Pacific Rail- 
road, and located in Portland ; John, a native of 
Portland, who is now located in California and 
engaged in scientific research ; Albert, an archi- 
tect, of San Francisco; Herbert, born in Portland, 
in the employ of a lumber company, of San Fran- 
cisco : Jennie K., who was married in Tacoma to 
A. D. Wheeler, a mining expert, of British Co- 
lumbia ; and Ada \\, a resident of Boston, and 
the widow of A. E. Bull. The four last named 
of the children were graduates of the Portland 
high school. Two children blessed the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Ainsworth : Lawrence Sutton, 
born in Portland, April. 1877, an d now purser on 
the steamer Regulator, makes his home with his 
mother; and Mabel, born in Portland, became 
the wife of Edwin Mays, and they have two chil- 
dren. George Ainsworth and Eunice. This fam- 
ily is also included in that of Mrs. Ainsworth, 
who in May, 1899, removed from her home, 
"Pagoda Villa," at Berkeley. Cal., and became a 
resident of Portland. 



CAPT. JACOB KAMM, about whom centers 
the development of river and other trans- 
portation facilities in Oregon, and who for many 
years has been a most important factor in the 
upbuilding of numerous gigantic enterprises in 
Portland, is one of the most striking types of 
mankind residing in the region known as the 
Pacific northwest. Perhaps no other man living 
to-day in Portland has been more intimately as- 
sociated with all that has tended to give this city 
the great commerciar prestige it now boasts, and 
surely no man has entered into the spirit of in- 
dustrial and commercial development more hear- 
tily and unselfishly than he. A brief resume of 
the principal events in the life of this pioneer 
builder, illustrating the various steps in his up- 
ward career, will prove a stimulus to the young 
men of the present generation who start out in 
life no more fully equipped than he to attain 
success. 

Jacob Kamm was born in Canton Glarus, 
Switzerland, December 12, 1823. His father re- 
signed his commission in the Swiss army to 
make a home for himself and his family among 
the broader opportunities offered in America, 
bringing with him his son Jacob, then eight 
years of age. Four years after their arrival his 
father died of yellow fever in New Orleans, 
leaving his twelve-year-old son to solve for him- 
self the problems of life in a strange land. Some 
foreshadowing of the ambitious dream of the 
elder Kamm must have come to him at the 
period when his capabilities and the possibilities 
of success in this country of wonderful resources 
first began to dawn upon the son, and has, per- 
chance, followed unremittingly into the strenu- 
ous activity which has characterized all his ma- 
turer years. 

Soon after the father took up his residence in 
New Orleans, the younger Kamm secured a po- 
sition in the office of the New Orleans Picayune, 
in which office he remained until the death of 
the foreman, who was a personal friend. After 
the death of this friend, a new foreman was se- 
cured and Mr. Kamm was forced to look else- 
where for a position. For a time he remained 
in the city, working at whatever came his way, 
until November, 1837, when he went to St. 
Louis. Here he secured a position as cabin boy 
on the Ark, a small steamer plying the Illinois 
river. While en route from the southern city 
he made the acquaintance of a smooth-talking 
stranger, who robbed him of all his money with 
the exception of ten cents, the whole amount of 
his capital on arrival in St. Louis. In his new 
position as cabin boy he felt his limitations, and 
having a mechanical turn of mind he improved 
all his spare time mastering the details of marine 
engineering. Expert workmanship brought him 
into contact with concerns who offered him pay- 



84 



•ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing positions, and he soon managed to save 
enough money to purchase an interest in the Belle 
of Hatchie, a steamboat which he ran until his 
health gave way under the unbroken strain to 
which he was subjected. After disposing of 
his interest in this boat he put in a number of 
years as engineer on packet boats plying between 
St. Louis, Keokuk and New Orleans. At that 
time the requirements demanded of engineers 
before they were licensed to ply their vocations 
were very high. Mr. Kamm received his diplo- 
ma from the Engineers' Association of the state 
of Missouri. Owing to impaired health, Mr. 
Kamm sought relaxation and change, and with 
a party of friends he crossed the plains in 1849, 
locating in the mines around Sacramento, Cal. 
Soon after his arrival he secured a position as 
engineer on a steamboat running on the Sacra- 
mento and Feather rivers in California. A well- 
remembered incident connected with these pi- 
oneer days of California was the meeting of 
Mr. Kamm and Lot Whitcomb in Sacramento 
in 1850. As the result of this meeting Mr. 
Kamm decided to come to Milwaukee, then a 
flourishing hamlet above Portland, in order to 
install the machinery ordered for the steamer 
Lot Whitcomb. This proved a herculean task, 
owing to the lack of proper implements with 
which to work, the sole equipment being a bel- 
lows and anvil. Mr. Kamm's assistant, a black- 
smith by the name of Blakesley, happened, for- 
tunately, to be ingenious and painstaking, and 
the combined application of the two men re- 
sulted in the manufacture of crude tools which 
filled the demand. Considerable trouble grew 
out of the construction of the boilers, which ar- 
rived from New York in . twenty-two separate 
sections, and as there were no boiler makers in 
the west at the time Mr. Kamm was compelled 
to figure out a way to overcome this difficulty. 
That he was equal to the emergency was dem- 
onstrated to the satisfaction of all concerned 
when the Lot Whitcomb proudly steamed out of 
the harbor, a substantial and thoroughly reliable 
craft, the first of the kind ever equipped in this 
port. On this historic occasion the man behind 
the engines was Mr. Kamm, and he continued to 
operate her machinery until she was sold and 
taken to California. 

With Messrs. Abernethy, Clark and Ains- 
worth associated with him in the ownership, 
Mr. Kamm constructed the first stern-wheel 
steamer built in Oregon, the Jennie Clark. This 
also proved an undertaking of considerable pro- 
portions, for the machinery had to be brought 
in a sailing vessel around the Horn, entailing a 
great expense and risk, but Mr. Kamm had great 
faith in the enterprise and when his first partner, 
a Mr. Hall, stepped out he got the above 
gentlemen to take a quarter interest each, while 



he put up the money for the balance. The Car- 
rie Ladd, another pioneer water craft of Ore- 
gun, was the nucleus of what afterward became 
know as the Oregon Steam Navigation Com- 
pany. This vessel was constructed under the 
direction of Mr. Kamm, and was owned by him 
in partnership with others. He was a large 
stockholder in the Oregon Steam Navigation 
Company, which was organized in i860, with 
Mr. Kamm as chief engineer, which position he 
filled until 1865. He afterward sold his interest, 
which was the second largest, to a syndicate, 
which in turn transferred its stock to that gigan- 
tic enterprise known as the Oregon Railroad and 
Navigation Company. Another company which 
in its days of independent prosperity operated 
extensively on the Willamette, and which even- 
tually was merged into the Oregon Railroad and 
Navigation Company, was the Willamette Trans- 
portation Company, of which Mr. Kamm was 
one of the organizers and principal stockholders. 
At one time he also owned that well-known 
ocean coasting steamer, the George S. Wright, 
which, after passing into the hands of Ben Hol- 
liday, was wrecked in Alaskan waters. Although 
at one time Mr. Kamm thought of going out 
of the steamboat business entirely, his plans 
were changed through no fault of his own, but 
chiefly through having loaned money to a friend, 
with steamboat property as security. 

With his years as invaluable experience in 
this direction, it is not surprising that Mr. Kamm 
has been identified with the organization of 
most of the large steamboat transportation com- 
panies of the northwest, or that to some extent 
he has been interested in railroads. In 1872, 
through a business transaction, Mr. Kamm came 
into possession of the Carrie, a small steamer, 
which proved to be the nucleus of the Van- 
couver Transportation Company. In February, 
1874, the company was incorporated with Mr. 
Kamm as president, a position which he has 
held up to the present time. His next venture 
was his connection with the Ilwaco Railway and 
Navigation Company, but his interests in this 
concern were disposed of some years ago. As- 
sociated with others, Mr. Kamm built the 
Norma, which is the only boat that has passed 
through the famous Box Canyon on the Snake 
river without being wrecked. 

While practically his whole life has been de- 
voted to navigation Mr. Kamm has, nevertheless, 
found the time to take up other business mat- 
ters, and was at one time vice-president of the 
United States National Bank of Portland, and 
he is also a prominent stockholder in several 
other banks in the city. His interests have ex- 
tended to Astoria, 'where he has been an im- 
portant factor in the upbuilding of the present 
enterprising community. He is president of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Fir>t National Bank of thai city, and one oi 

the heaviest taxpayers of Astoria. He also has 
valuable property in San Francisco; and in 
Portland owns, among' other property, the large 
business block hearing his name. 

The beautiful home occupied by Mr. Kamm 
and his wife in Portland, consisting of fourteen 
acres almost in the heart of the city, was, at the 
time of its purchase in the early '60s, outside 
the city limits. At the present time it is hedged 
in by the stress of commercialism and handsome 
residences, and is one of the most conspicuous 
landmarks which bind the past to the present. 
This home, with its countless memories of early 
davs, is presided over by one of the most charm- 
ing women of Portland, to whose co-operation 
and unceasing sympathy this honored pioneer at- 
tributes a large share of his success in life. 
Mrs. Kamm, whose marriage to the subject of 
this brief memoir occurred September 13, 1859, 
was formerly Caroline A. Gray, daughter of the 
late William' H. and Mary A. (Dix) Gray. Mr. 
and Mrs. Kamm are the parents of one son, 
Charles T. Kamm, who, like his father, has won 
a captaincy. 

Mr. Kamm became identified with the Masonic 
fraternity in St. Louis, July 27, 1847, and was 
one of the earlv members of Multnomah Lodge 
No. 1, A. F. & A. M., of Oregon City. At the 
present time he is the third oldest Mason in the 
state of Oregon ; is a member of Clackamas 
Chapter R. A. M. ; Portland Commandery No. 1, 
K. T. : Oregon Consistory No. 1, Scottish Rite; 
and Al Kader Temple, N. M. S. He is a member 
and president of the board of trustees of the 
First Presbyterian Church of Portland, and for 
many years has been a generous contributor to- 
ward its maintenance. 

Success has come to Mr. Kamm, the result 
of his own efforts, and that too in the face of 
one of the greatest of handicaps — ill health, as 
from young manhood to the present time he has 
been a sufferer and there have been many times 
when it was only by superhuman efforts that 
he kept himself from giving up the struggle. 
Jacob Kamm is a typical representative of the 
stalwart founders of the civilization of the Pa- 
cific slope, and in his integrity, his broad-mind- 
edness and his resourcefulness, has met the de- 
mands of our splendid western citizenship. Per- 
sonally he is a man possessed of numerous strik- 
ing and delightful characteristics. Those who 
know him best, the representatives of the 
younger generation as well as those who. like 
him, have spent many years in useful operations 
in Oregon, cheerfully accord him a rank among 
the most enlightened, useful, public-spirited, 
kind-hearted and generous citizens of the state ; 
and in him they find a man whose support of 
all worthv movements calculated to enhance the 



commercial, industrial and. social standing of the 
metropolis of Oregon comes from entirely unsel- 
fish motives. That he has come to be recog- 
nized as one of the foremost citizens of the 
northwest i> a tribute to his personal worth, his 
indefatigable industry and perseverance in the 
face of obstacles that would have seemed insur- 
mountable by many others, and his determina- 
tion, inherited from his study father, to accom- 
plish what he could toward success by honesty 
and industry alone. These characteristics have 
made his life what it has been — reflecting great 
credit upon himself, and a source of the greatest 
inspiration to those young men of the present 
generation whose only hope of reward may be 
found in doing what lies before them in the line 
of duty with a firm determination to adhere to 
a policy of integrity, watchfulness and perse- 
verance. 



MRS. CAROLINE AUGUSTA KAMM. 
The history of Oregon were indeed incomplete 
without due mention of the family to which Mrs. 
Caroline Augusta Kamm, wife of one of Ore- 
gon's noblest and most resourceful pioneers, be- 
longs, or of the place which she herself has oc- 
cupied these many years in the hearts of her 
many friends. Mrs. Kamm was born at Lapwai, 
Oregon territory, now Idaho, October 16, 1840, 
and is the oldest daughter born to William H. 
and Marv A. (Dix) Grav, pioneers respectivelv 
of 1836 and 1838. 

The Gray family is one of the very earliest 
to settle in Oregon, and their impress upon the 
institutions which served as a nucleus for later 
large achievements was marked in the extreme. 
William Henry Gray was born in Fairfield, N. 
Y., September 8, 1810, and in 1836 was selected 
by the American Board of Missions as secular 
agent in Oregon. On the trip across the plains 
he joined Whitman and Spaulding and their 
wives at Liberty Landing, Mo., and the subse- 
quent trials of this courageous little band have 
been already often recorded. Thev succeeded in 
reaching Walla Walla. Wash., September 2, 
1836, and, having partially accomplished his mis- 
sion in the west, Mr. Gray undertook again the 
perilous trip over the plains, that he might marry 
Mary A. Dix, w r ho was born in Champlain 
county. N. Y., January 2, 1810. The marriage 
ceremony took place February 25, 1838, Mrs. 
Gray being the daughter of a Revolutionary sol- 
dier, who had decided to devote her life to mis- 
sionary work. In 1838 this courageous couple 
set forth upon their life mission in the west, 
taking with them three other missionaries and 
their wives, and locating at Fort Lapwai, Idaho. 
The zeal of the missionaries is understood when 
it is known that two weeks after their arrival 



sc 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mrs. Gray had started a school for Indians under 
a pine tree in the wilderness, and had a member- 
ship of from fifty to one hundred. Nor were 
her efforts confined to teaching the children, for 
during leisure hours she instructed the mothers 
in keeping their homes clean, in the art of mak- 
ing- bread, and also taught them to cut and make 
the clothes for their families. The following 
March her pine tree school was exchanged for 
more satisfactory quarters in a little log build- 
ing without any floor and with puncheon seats, 
and this advance in accommodations was the 
signal for renewed effort to give the Indians in 
Idaho the benefits of an uplifting civilization. 
In 1838 both Dr. Gray and his wife received 
certificates from Rev. Dr. Greene of New York 
as missionaries of the American Board of For- 
eign Missions, both of which now hang in the 
historical rooms together with their passports. 

In July, 1842, Mr. Gray resigned from the 
Hoard of Foreign Missions, and during the sum- 
mer of the same year made a trip to the Will- 
amette Valley where he became trustee and con- 
tractor, and built the old Oregon Institute, since 
known as the Willamette University. In 1843 
he was the leading spirit in the formation of 
the provincial government, and in 1845 ne was 
elected a member of the legislature from Clacka- 
mas county. From 1842 until 1844 he lived with 
him family in Salem, and from then until 1846 
made his home in Oregon City. He then re- 
moved to the Clatsop Plains, where, aided by 
his wife and three others, he organized the first 
Presbyterian Church in Oregon. During the lat- 
ter vears of their lives Mr. and Mrs. Gray lived 
principally in Astoria, and her death occurred 
in Clatsop county in 1881, while that of her 
husband occurred at the home of Mr. Kamra in 
Portland November 14, 1889. 

Mr. Gray was a man of diversified gifts, and 
besides being a practicing physician for many 
years, was a writer of no mean merit. Of his 
History of Oregon, written in 1870, Rev. Geary, 
D. D., when asked for his opinion, said emphat- 
ically : "True, every word of it, but you told 
too much." To Dr. Gray is due the distinction 
of performing the first operation of trephining 
of the skull on the Pacific coast, and the Indian 
boy who was thus benefited by his skill spread 
his good fortune up and down through the for- 
ests. In the order of their birth the children 
born to this noble pioneer couple are as follows : 
Capt. J. H. D. Gray, who died in Astoria Octo- 
ber 26, 1902, and was ex-state senator and ex- 
county judge of Clatsop county; Caroline A., 
Mrs. Karam; Mary S., the deceased wife of Mr. 
Tarbell of Tacoma. Wash. ; Sarah F.. now Mrs. 
Abernethy of Coos county, Ore. ; Capt. William 
Polk; Capt. A. W., of Portland; and Capt. 
James T.. also of Portland. 



Mrs. Kamm is a very popular and well in- 
formed woman, and is full of generous impulses 
and unbounded sympathy. Her name is at the 
head of many charities, although unostenta- 
tiously she gives much towards the alleviation 
of human suffering. In her travels through the 
country with her husband she has accumulated 
a horde of interesting information, and is par- 
ticularly enlightening about the early times in 
which her parents took so prominent a part. 



CHARLES E. LADD. Of Charles E. Ladd 
it may be said that he has succeeded in spite 
of wealth. The incentive which is supposed to 
animate the average actions of men being want- 
ing, he has yet developed a business capacity 
beyond the average, and which has placed him 
in the front ranks of captains of industry on 
the coast. It is usual to praise those who suc- 
ceed in spite of poverty ; they have an enormous 
advantage", in that if ambitious they must work. 
The man of inherited wealth possesses already 
all that the average successful man craves as a 
result of labor. Mr. Ladd has ignored every 
incentive save that of desiring to maintain a 
family prestige splendidly established by his 
father, W. S. Ladd, one of the best remembered 
of the early pioneers whose unceasing toil won 
him a handsome competency. 

A native son of Portland, Charles E. Ladd 
was born in 1857 and was educated at Phillips 
Academy, Andover, Mass., and at Amherst Col- 
lege, from which he was graduated in the class 
of 1881, with the degree of A. B. Returning 
to Portland, he became president of the Port- 
land Planing Mills, and upon the death of his 
father became identified as manager with the 
banking firm of Ladd iz Tilton. Besides the 
numerous corporations with which he is con- 
nected, Mr. Ladd is a director in the Portland 
Library Association ; a member of the board and 
on the executive committee of the Lewis & 
Clark Exposition; a member of the University, 
Commercial, Arlington and Multnomah Clubs; 
and a member and director of the Chamber of 
Commerce. In Somerville, Mass., Mr. Ladd 
was united in marriage with Sarah L. Hall, a 
native of Somerville. The family are members 
of the Calvary Presbyterian Church. 

William S. Ladd, whose worth-while career 
is extensively written of in another part of this 
work, died in Portland, January 6, 1893, leav- 
ing a widow and the following children : Wil- 
liam M., head of the banking house of Ladd & 
Tilton; Charles E., ; Mrs. H. J. Corbett of Port- 
land; Mrs. F. B. Pratt of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; 
and J. Wesley, also associated with the banking 
house of Ladd & Tilton. The latter institution, 
founded by the elder Ladd and Mr. Tilton, and 




iurv /SW^-v^ec 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sy 



iu>\\ owned entirely by the Portland family of 
Ladd, is one of the most solid financial institu- 
tions this side o\ the Kooky mountains, and one 
of the most substantial in the country. 



HON. GEORGE C. BROWNELL. Among 
the distinguished lawyers and lawmakers of Ore- 
gon George C. Brownell is numbered, and for 
the third term he is serving in the state senate, 
leaving the impress of his individuality upon the 
legislation which has been enacted during the 
period of his connection with the general assem- 
bly. A native of the Empire state, he was. born 
in Willsboro, X. Y.. August 10, 1858, the second 
in the family of seven children born unto Am- 
brose and Annie (Smith) Brownell. Of Eng- 
lish ancestry, the Brownell family was founded 
in New England at an early period in the. devel- 
opment of this country. The father of our sub- 
ject was a native of New York, born in Essex 
county, whence he removed to Columbia county, 
where his last days were passed. He was a me- 
chanic, but at the time of the Civil war he put 
aside all business and personal considerations in 
order to aid in the preservation of the Union as 
a member of Company F, One Hundred and 
Eighteenth New York Infantry, which was as- 
signed to duty with the Army of the Potomac. 
He took part in a number of engagements and 
on one occasion was severely wounded. His wife 
was a native of Addison count}'. Vt. 

After acquiring his literary education in the 
public schools and an academy. George C. 
Brownell took up the study of law under the 
direction of Charles L. Beale. member of con- 
gress living in Hudson. N. Y., and in Albany, in 
1882. he was admitted to the bar. He entered 
upon his professional career in Frankfort, Kans., 
where he engaged in practice with marked suc- 
cess, winning prestige at that bar. and in public 
affairs he was also prominent, serving as mavor 
of Frankfort in 1884-85. On th« 6th of January, 
1886. he removed to Ness City. Kans.. and the 
same year was appointed attorney for the Den- 
ver, Memphis & Atlantic Railroad, extending 
from Chetopa. Kans., to Pueblo. Colo. A large 
private practice was also accorded him in recog- 
nition of his skill and ability in the line of his 
chosen profession, and for two years he served as 
county attorney of Ness county, Kans. 

Since June. 1891, he has been a resident of 
( Iregon City and a practitioner at its bar. and to- 
day a distinctively representative clientage is ac- 
corded him in recognition of his capabilitv. He 
has broad and comprehensive understanding of 
the principles of jurisprudence, possesses a keenlv 
analytical mind, prepares his cases with great 
care and precision and therefore seldom fails to 
gain the verdict desired. But Mr. Brownell has 



not confined his attention solely to the practice of 
law. having been a factor in the lawmaking body 
of the state. In 1892 he was made the nominee 
of the Republican party for state senator, but 
declined to accept the nomination because he had 
been a resident of the state for less than a year. 
He was, however, in the county convention, made 
chairman of the degelation to the state conven- 
tion and was chairman of the Republican central 
committee of Clackamas county and had charge 
of the convention that year. In 1894 he was 
nominated for the position of state senator by 
acclamation and defeated Hon. W. A. Stark- 
weather, who had been a member of the first 
constitutional convention of Oregon and was an 
ex-representative and a former register of the 
land office, Mr. Brownell being elected bv 
a plurality of three hundred and twenty- 
seven. In 1898, after the most bitter contest 
that had occurred in the county in vears, 
he was renominated by acclamation, cover- 
ing, every one of the thirty-six precincts 
of the county, and in the June election he 
defeated Hon. W. S. Wren by two hundred 
and thirty-eight votes. In the special ses- 
sion of 1898, he was chosen by the Republican 
caucus to present the caucus man. the Hon. 
Joseph Simon, to the joint assembly as the can- 
didate for United States senator. In 1900 Mr. 
Brownell received the unanimous endorsement of 
the Republicans of Clackamas county for mem- 
ber of congress. In 1902 he was a third time 
nominated for state senator by acclamation and 
after a hard contest before the people defeated 
the Hon. George W. Grace, by a plurality of 
six hundred and ninety-five. During the session 
of 1901 Mr. Brownell took an active part in the 
election of a United States senator, and it was 
he who on the fortieth ballot, when hope of elect- 
ing a senator was about gone, presented the name 
of John H. Mitchell, who was later elected. 
Again during the session of 1903-04. when Mr. 
Brownell was serving as president of the senate, 
he was successful in having his candidate for 
United States senator. Hon. C. W. Fulton, 
elected, and in the speech made bv Senator Ful- 
ton directly after the deciding ballot had been 
cast, he gave Senator Brownell the full credit for 
what he had accomplished. 

Mr. Brownell has been a very active and val- 
uable member of the upper house of the state 
legislature and his labors have been a potent 
factor in framing legislation enacted during bis 
terms of service. He was the author of and in- 
troduced into the senate the initiative and refer- 
endum resolution to amend the state constitu- 
tion : was the author of the law which provided 
that supervisors should be elected instead of ap- 
pointed : and at each session he introduced a 
bill to authorize the calling of a constitutional 



90 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFXORD. 



convention to revise the organic law of the state 
and finally secured the passage of the bill 
through trie senate in 190 1, but it was defeated 
in the house by two votes. He was also the 
author of the bill to elect precinct assessors, in- 
stead of county assessors, and this also passed 
the senate, but was defeated in the house by a 
vote of two. He introduced the bill, and secured 
its passage through the senate, exempting to 
i' very laboring man that was the head of a fam- 
ily thirty days' wages from attachment and 
execution for debt, and this passed the house 
and became a law. In the senate Mr. Brownell 
offered resolutions for the appointment of a com- 
mittee to investigate the handling of school funds 
of Oregon and was made the chairman of the 
committee, whose report gave a shortage of 
$31,000 in the school funds, and thus prevented 
other fraudulent use of money appropriated for 
educational work in the state. On May 20, 1903, 
Mr. Brownell delivered the address of welcome 
at the state capital as chairman of the committee 
on behalf of the senate and house of representa- 
tives of Oregon. 

In Rockland. Mass., Mr. Brownell was mar- 
ried to Miss Alma C. Lane, a native of the Bay 
state. They have two adopted sons, Howard 
and Ambrose, the former a law student. Mrs. 
Brownell is a member of the Presbyterian Church 
and Mr. Brownell belongs to various fraternal 
organizations, holding membership relations with 
the Knights of the Maccabees, the Woodmen of 
the World, the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men and the Improved Order of Red Men. 

While not engrossed with his labors as a leg- 
islator, Mr. Brownell finds that his time is fully 
occupied with a large and growing law practice 
of a distinctively representative character. He 
is especially strong as a trial lawyer, being a 
forceful, eloquent speaker, whose deductions fol- 
low in logical sequence and whose . analyzation 
of a cause and the application of the points of 
law which apply thereto is correct and compre- 
hensive. 



HON. CHARLES W. FULTON. The ju- 
nior United States senator from Oregon is Hon. 
Charles W. Fulton, a statesman of eminent abil- 
ity, one of the foremost attorneys of Clatsop 
county, and a man of exceptional talent and high 
character. A resident of Astoria, he is prominent 
in legal, political, fraternal and social circles, and 
is deservedly popular and esteemed as a citizen. 
A son of Jacob Fulton, he was born August 24, 
1853, in Lima, Allen county, Ohio, the same 
county in which his paternal grandfather, Loami 
Fulton, was born. 

A native of Allen county, Ohio, Jacob Fulton 
was reared on a farm, and when young, learned 



the trade of a carpenter and builder. He subse- 
quently removed with his family to Harrison 
county, Iowa, locating on a farm in Magnolia. 
During the Civil war, he served as "second lieu- 
tenant of Company A, Twenty-ninth Iowa Vol- 
unteer Infantry, being in the Department of the 
Tennessee until forced to resign on account of ill 
health, in 1864. Removing to Pawnee City, 
Neb., in 1870, he was successfully engaged in 
mercantile pursuits until his death. He married 
Eliza McAllister, who was born in Pennsylvania, 
of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and was left an orphan 
in early childhood. She survived her husband, 
and still resides in Pawnee City, Neb. Of the 
eight children that blessed their union, one daugh- 
ter and five sons grew to years of maturity. 
Four of the sons became residents of Astoria, 
namely : Charles W., the special subject of this 
brief biographical review; George C, an attor- 
ney, in partnership with his brother Charles ; Dr. 
J. A., a well-known physician ; and Dr. A. L., a 
prominent physician, who died at his home in 
Astoria in 1900. 

Obtaining his elementary education in the dis- 
trict schools of Magnolia, Iowa, whither his par- 
ents removed when he was a child of two years, 
Charles W. Fulton afterwards completed the full 
course in the Pawnee City Academy. Ambitious 
to enter the legal profession, he accomplished his 
desire by virtue of hard work, studying law 
under Judge A. H. Babcock, now of Beatrice, 
Neb., in the meantime teaching school winters 
in order to assist in defraying his expenses. 
Being admitted to the bar in April, 1875, Mr. 
Fulton immediately came to Oregon, and the fol- 
lowing three months taught school in Waterloo, 
Linn county. Going in July of that year to As- 
toria, he found that the entire population of Clat- 
sop county was but seventeen hundred souls, and 
that Judge Bowlby, Judge Elliott, Gen. O. F. 
Bell, J. Taylor and W. L. McEwan were the only 
attorneys in the city of Astoria, and of these 
Judge Bowlby and Mr. Taylor are the sole sur- 
vivors. Opening a law office. Mr. Fulton at once 
began the practice of his profession, which he has 
continued until the present time. He has met 
with most excellent success, having so much busi- 
ness to attend to that in 1884 he admitted his 
brother, George C. Fulton, to an equal partner- 
ship, and both are kept busily employed in look- 
ing after the interests of their large clientele. 

One of the leading Republicans of the state, 
Mr. Fulton has ever been influential and active in 
local and national affairs, and since 1884 has done 
much campaign work at every state election. As 
state elector in 1888. he was selected to carrv the 
vote for President Plarrison to Washington in 
February, 1889, having previously served as 
chairman of the Oregon delegation to the con- 
vention which nominated him to the presidency, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL REG IRD. 



!»l 



and in 1892 he was .1 delegate to the national con- 
vention held in Minneapolis, Minn. For two 
terms he served as cit) attorney tor Astoria. In 
[878 he was elected state senator, and served two 
years. Again elected to the state senate in 1890, 
he served from 189] until 1893, in the meantime 
helping to re-elect Senator Mitchell as United 
States senator, and serving in 1893 as president 
of the senate. In 1898 Mr. Fulton was elected 
state senator, and served in the special session of 
that year, and in the sessions from 1899 ""til 
1901, in the latter year being again president of 
the senate. In 1902 he was re-elected state sen- 
ator, and in the biennial session of 1903 was 
elected United States senator, and took the oath 
of office March 5. 1903, at a special session of 
the United States senate. 

Mr. Fulton married, in Astoria. Miss Ada 
Hobson, who was born at Clatsop Plains, a 
daughter of John Hobson, who came to Clatsop 
county with the first wagon train of emigrants to 
cross the plains, arriving in 1843. Mr. and Mrs. 
Fulton have one child. Frederick C. Fulton. 
Fraternally Mr. Fulton is a member and past 
exalted ruler of the Benevolent and Protective 
( )rder of Elks, and of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. 



IRA F. POWERS, SR. The long and promi- 
nent association of Mr. Powers with the com- 
mercial affairs of Portland, together with his high 
character as a man. his kindness as a friend and 
his liberal, philanthropic spirit, gave him a place 
of influence and honor among his fellow-towns- 
men and caused the news of his death, which oc- 
curred September 8, 1902, to be even-here re- 
ceived with regret. The family of which Mr. 
Powers was a member was established at Little- 
ton. Mass.. very early in the history of America, 
and the lineage is traced back in England as far 
as the twelfth century. In 1683 tne ^ttev "s" 
was added to the original name of Power, thus 
giving it its present form. Many generations 
continued to reside in New Englaiid,"but finally 
Levi Powders migrated from Vermont to Balls- 
ton. X. Y., where he married Mary Frost. 
Among their children was Ira F. Powers. Sr., 
who was born at Au Sable. Clinton county, N. 
Y.. in 1831. From the age of twelve he was 
-elf-supporting. However, though he had little 
opportunity to acquire an education in schools. 
he gained a broad fund of knowledge in the 
great school of experience, and few men of his 
day had a more thorough business education than 
he, though it was wholly self-acquired. When 
news came of the discovery of gold in Cali- 
fornia, he came to the coast via Cape Horn, and 



though his faith in mining was not great, he fol- 
lowed the general trend of emigrants, and ex- 
perimented as a miner, the result being suffi- 
ciently satisfactory to induce him to remain in 
the occupation for about thirteen years. Mean 
while he prospected in various parts of Cali 
fornia and Idaho. 

The spring of 1865 found Mr. Powers in 
Portland, where, in partnership with A. Uur- 
chard, he engaged in the second-hand furniture 
business, continuing the same profitably until 
all was lost in the fire of 1875. Meantime, in 
1872, he had embarked in the manufacture of 
furniture under the firm title of Donly, Beard 
& Powers, their plant being located at Wills- 
burg. During 1875 ne started a factory on 
Water street near the foot of Montgomerv, but 
later removed the plant to South Portland, 
where he had a tract of three acres. In 1893 the 
business was incorporated under the title of the 
Ira F. Powers Manufacturing Company, with 
himself as president, and this position he held 
until his death. In the meantime he had other 
interests of an important nature, chief among 
these being his connection with the banking bus- 
iness, his membership in the Chamber of Com- 
merce and the Manufacturers' Association, his 
work as a builder of the Morrison street bridge 
and also as a stockholder in the Madison street 
bridge. Fraternallv he was a charter member of 
Pilot Peak Lodge, I. O. O. F., but allowed his 
membership in this bodv to lapse in later years. 
He was also connected with the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen. In Masonry he was first 
a member of Gold Run Lodge, F. & A. M., in 
California, and later of Harmonv Lodge No. 12. 
of Portland, in which he officiated as treasurer 
for twelve years. After coming to Portland 
he also became associated with Portland Chap- 
ter No. 3, R. A. M. ; Oregon Commanderv No. 
1, K. T., and Al Kader Temple. N. M. S. In 
politics he was a pronounced Republican. 

In disposition he was large-hearted and gen- 
erous, and was one of Portland's most philan- 
thropic citizens, a friend to the needy and es- 
pecially kind to homeless boys. It is said that 
at times he had as many as five such boys in his 
own home, doing all he could to train them for 
positions of usefulness and honor in the busi- 
ness world. Largely through his efforts the 
Boys' and Girls' Aid Society was organized in 
Portland, and in many other ways he was en- 
abled to help those who were homeless and 
friendless. 

The first marriage of Mr. Powers occurred in 
t86o and united him with Minnie Wilson, who 
died four years later, leaving a son. Frederick, 
now living in Maine. In 1870 he was again 
married, his wife being Mary Sullivan, who was 
horn in New York City and came with her par- 



02 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cuts, D. and Jessie Sullivan, to the west in an 
early daw later accompanying her mother from 
California to Oregon. She died in 1875, leaving 
an only son, Ira F., Jr. The last named was 
horn in Portland, in 1872, and at seventeen years 
of age entered his father's store, where for three 
years he studied business methods and the de- 
tails of that special enterprise. For a year he 
engaged in the furniture business at Lagrande, 
( he., after which he traveled as salesman for 
I ley wood Bros. & Wakefield Co., his route com- 
prising Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Washing- 
ton. While as a commercial traveler he was 
successful, yet it was his father's wish and his 
own desire to enter into business for himself, 
and, accordingly, in August, 1902, he resigned 
from the road and became secretary of the Ira 
F. Powers' Manufacturing Company. Upon 
the death of his father he succeeded to the pres- 
idency of the concern. His furniture establish- 
ment is situated at No. 190 First street, where 
both a wholesale and retail business is con- 
ducted, and where four floors, 50x100 feet, fur- 
nish ample space for storage and exhibit pur- 
poses. The sales are not limited to Portland, but 
extend throughout the entire northwest. To 
supply the constant demand for extension and 
center tables, the manufacture of which is the 
firm's specialty, modern machinery has been in- 
troduced, until now the plant, operated ten hours 
a day, has a capacity of about fifteen hundred 
tables per month. 

In many of his business and fraternal connec- 
tions Mr. Powers has followed the example of his 
father. He is identified with the Manufactur- 
ers' Association, the Portland Board of Trade, 
Harmony Lodge No. 12, A. F. & A. M., and is 
likewise a member of the Commercial Club and 
the Multnomah Athletic Club. In politics he is 
a stanch adherent of the Republican party. It 
is his ambition to maintain the high standard of 
business honor and intelligence established by 
his father and to increase the volume of business 
transacted by the concern of which he is the 
head. In succeeding to the business, he has be- 
fore him the example of his father to stimulate 
him to an increased ambition, knowing that he 
cannot better honor his predecessor in business 
than by keeping all of his transactions above crit- 
icism and sustaining the high reputation already 
gained by the company. 



HON. JOSEPH S. HUTCHINSON. On 
the arrival of Joseph Hutchinson from York- 
shire, England, he took his family to Iowa and 
settled near Dubuque, but soon removed to 
Shullsburg, Lafayette county, Wis., and there 



supplemented the tilling of a farm by work as a 
lead ore smelter. His life was protracted to the 
advanced age of eighty-seven. His wife had 
died of cholera during their residence in Iowa 
when forty-six years old. At the time of cross- 
ing the ocean their son, Christopher, was a small 
boy, and hence his early recollections were prin- 
cipally of frontier scenes in Iowa and Wisconsin, 
hollowing in the footsteps of his father, he took 
up work in lead ore smelting, and continued in 
the same, in various towns, until about 1881. 
While living in Grant County, Wis., he served two 
terms in the state legislature. From Wisconsin 
he went to Oregon, and in 1897 began prospect- 
ing in Dawson, Alaska, later going to Nome, 
where he staked a rich claim, but through a fraud- 
ulent entry in the land office he was defrauded 
of what was justly his. Thereupon he returned 
to Portland. 

While living in Wisconsin Christopher Hutch- 
inson married Susan Oatey, who was born near 
Land's End, Cornwall, England, and came to 
America with her father, Samuel Oatey, settling 
in Shullsburg. After a time as a salaried 
employe in lead mines, he was promoted 
to the position of mine superintendent in 
Cuba, later returning to Wisconsin. In the 
family of Christopher Hutchinson there were 
four sons and two daughters, all of whom 
are in Oregon,. Joseph S. being the third 
son and fourth child. He was born in Shulls- 
burg, Wis., July 7, 1868, and attended the gram- 
mar and high school of his native town. After 
completing his schooling he learned the barber's 
trade. In 1891 he came to Portland, where he 
took up work at his trade. On the organization 
of the Barbers' Union, in October, 1899, he was 
chosen its first president. It was through his 
instrumentality that the union was organized and 
placed upon a solid basis ; it has proved a wise 
step, and many have profited by the sick benefits 
offered. Death benefits also are gfiven. 

In Portland, December r, 1895, Mr. Hutchin- 
son married Lelah Hendershott, who was born 
in Marion county, Ore., and by whom he has 
two children, Howard and Corrine. Fraternally 
he is connected with the Maccabees and the An- 
cient Order of United Workmen, and is also 
counselor of the Order of Pendo. Politically he 
is a stanch Republican, loyal to his party and a 
worker for its success. In 1902 he was nomin- 
ated on the Republican ticket as a member of the 
legislature representing Multnomah county and 
was duly elected, since which time he has served 
in that capacity to the satisfaction of all con- 
cerned. March 6, 1903, he was appointed license 
inspector in the office of the city auditor, which, 
under the new charter, comes within the civil 
service regulations. 








^t^tH^ 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



95 



HON. NEWTON CLARK. A varied, event- 
ful and interesting career preceded the coming 

of Hon. Newton (.'lark to Portland in 1889, his 
chief incentive in thus selecting this city for his 
home being the better to fulfill his important re- 
sponsibility as grand recorder of the Grand 
Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men of the state oi ( )regon, a position which he 
has maintained with special distinction, and for 
a longer time, than any other man in the state. 

\ native of McHenry county. 111., Mr. Clark 
was born May 27. 1837. and is a son of Thomas 
L. and Delilah (Saddoris) Clark, and grandson 
of Richard Clark. The latter was born in Ohio, 
and served in the war of 1812 under General 
Harrison. At a later date he settled in Indiana, 
still later taking up his residence in McHenry 
county. [11., whence he removed to the farm near 
Baraboo, Wis., and there the remainder of his 
life was spent. Thomas Clark was born in In- 
diana, and in time followed the family fortunes 
to Illinois and Wisconsin. In 1863 he removed 
with his own family to Golden City, Colo., where 
he farmed at the foot of Table mountain until 
coming to Oregon in 1877. The journey hence 
was via the overland trail, and was accomplished 
with horse teams and wagons, the travelers 
halting at a farm on Hood river, in Wasco county, 
where Mr. Clark died, at the age of eighty-one 
years. His wife, who was born in Ohio, was a 
daughter of Henry Saddoris, an early resident 
McHenry county. 111. Mrs. Clark, who lives 
with her son Newton, her only child, still retains 
her bright faculties, and takes a great interest 
in the career of her son. 

After completing his training in the public 
schools of Baraboo, Wis., Newton Clark gradu- 
ated from Bronson Institute at Point Bluff, and 
1 hereafter taught school for a couple of years. 
This peaceful occupation was interrupted by the 
demand for his services in the Civil Avar, and he 
was mustered into Company K, Fourteenth Wis- 
consin Volunteer Infantry, at Fond du Lac, in 
September, 1861. This well-known regiment 
participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, 
luka. Holly Springs. Champion Hill, the siege 
of Vicksburg (at which place Mr. Clark veteran- 
ized), the Red River expedition under General 
Banks, Sabine Cross Roads. Yellow Bayou, the 
siege and battle of Mobile, and the battle at Fort 
Blakely and Spanish Fort. Having charge of 
the headquarter's train of Maj.-Gen. J. B. Mc- 
pherson, who commanded the Seventeenth Army 
Corps at the siege of Vicksburg, he had the 
pleasure of furnishing the United States flag 
which was floated from the cupola of the court- 
house in the capitulated citadel on the morning 
of its surrender upon that memorable Fourth of 
July. After the capture of Mobile Mr. Clark 
was placed on guard duty at Montgomery, Ala., 



and was thus employed until his mustering out at 
Mobile, in the fall of [865. At Corinth he was 
promoted and commissioned second lieutenani 
of his company, and was afterward promoted to 
the position of quartermaster and first lieutenant 
of the regiment, serving thus until the close of 
hostilities. 

Following his military services Mr. Clark en- 
gaged in farming on the paternal farm near 
Baraboo, Wis., and in 1869 removed to Dakota 
as a government surveyor, where for seven years 
he was engaged in running township and sec- 
tion lines over the greater part of the territory, 
now called North and South Dakota. He had 
his own corps of assistants, and while surveying 
also managed to engage in farming with consid- 
erable profit. He was identified with many of the 
pioneer undertakings in the great Dakotas, and 
among other things to his credit built the first 
frame house in Minnehaha county, now in South 
Dakota, and which was located two and a half 
miles from Sioux Falls, but now adjoins the 
city limits. Mr. Clark served for one term in 
the territorial legislature which met at Yankton 
in 1875, and he was chairman of the county com- 
missioners of Minnehaha county for three years. 
Clark countv, S. D., was named in honor of Mr. 
Clark. 

In 1877 ^ r - Clark joined his father at Fort 
Laramie and with him came overland to Oregon, 
the journey taking from the middle of June until 
the 1st of September, from the Fort to Hood 
River, Oregon. Here Mr. Clark bought one 
hundred and sixty acres of school land, combin- 
ing farming with surveying, and eventually was 
employed by the government to survey section 
and township lines in Oregon and Washington. 
This occupation proved a hazardous one, and dur- 
ing the seven years spent mostly in the Cascade 
mountains, he was often obliged to carry his food 
on horseback, and when the exceeding roughness 
of the roads made this impossible he had to carry 
it on his back. This life gave him an intimate 
knowledge of the Cascade mountains and he 
was a member of the first party of white men to 
visit the interesting Lost Lake lying northwest 
of Mt. Hood. The great glacier, lying on the 
eastern slope of Mt. Hood, known as the Newton 
Clark Glacier, bears his name. 

In April, 1889, Mr. Clark was appointed to his 
present high office of grand recorder of the 
Grand Lodge of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen of the state of Oregon, and soon after- 
ward took up his permanent residence in Port- 
land. He still owns the Hood River farm, 
which, however, is rented to other parties. 

In Baraboo, Wis., Mr. Clark married Mary 
Ann Hill, a native of Edinburg, Scotland, and 
who was reared in Wisconsin, a daughter of 
William Hill, who served in a Wisconsin regi- 



1)6 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



merit during the Civil war. Three children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark, of whom Lewis 
is a civil engineer in Portland ; Grace, Mrs. 
Dwinncll, resides in Baraboo, Wis. ; and Jeanette 
is assistant recorder to her father. Mr. Clark 
became identified with the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen in 1881, in which year he be- 
came a member of Riverside Lodge No. 68 at 
Hood River, and still retains said membership. 
Pie served as master workman, and was an active 
member of the Grand Lodge previous to his 
present appointment. He served as representative 
to Supreme Lodge at Sioux Falls with the degree 
of honor. In Masonic circles he is also well 
known, and is still a member of the Minnehaha 
Lodge No. 5, of Sioux Falls. As a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic he is identified with 
Canby Post No. 67, of Hood River, of which he 
is past commander, and ex-aide on the depart- 
ment staff. A stanch Republican, he has never 
interested himself in political undertakings fur- 
ther than to cast his vote. Mr. Clark is a mem- 
ber of the Commercial Club, and his wife is a 
member of the Presbvterian Church. 



licans. He is a member of the Native Sons of 
Oregon and of Multnomah Amateur Athletic 
Club. Actively identified with the Taylor Street 
Methodist Episcopal Church, he has promoted 
its welfare tlirough his intelligent and faithful 
service as a member of its board of trustees. 



ADOLPH A. DEKUM. With the inspira- 
tion and encouragement afforded by the success- 
ful career of his father, the late Frank Dekum, 
and with an enthusiastic faith in the future of 
Portland, his native city, Adolph A. Dekum has 
conducted expanding and important business in- 
terests. In Portland, where he was born Febru- 
ary 28, 1865, he received the advantages of 
study in the grammar and high schools, and 
then gained his initial experience in the hard- 
ware business through a clerkship with the 
Honeyman Hardware Company. During 1888 
he embarked in business with his brother, Otto 
C, under the firm name of Dekum Bros., the 
two conducting a wholesale and retail hardware 
trade at No. 245 Washington street. In 1895 
he bought his brother's interest and has since 
conducted the business alone, his present loca- 
tion being Nos. 131-33 First street, where he 
has a double store, fitted with all the heavy 
ware, tins, shelf goods and hardware needed by 
the retail trade. 

In addition to the management of his ex- 
tensive business, Mr. Dekum acts as trustee of 
bis father's estate, having entire charge of the 
same. Both the Chamber of Commerce and the 
Board of Trade have the benefit of his member- 
ship and keen business and progressive spirit. 
His marriage, in Warren, Ohio, united him with 
Linda E. Andrews, who was born in that state 
and graduated from the school of her native 
town of Warren. Her father, Francis Andrews, 
was a large stock and wool buyer of that place. 
In politics Mr. Dekum votes with the Repub- 



JUDGE ARTHUR L. FRAZER, one of the 
eminent jurists of Portland, was born in Polk 
county, Ore., November 22, i860, a son of John 
A. and Sarah (Nicklin; Frazer, natives respec- 
tively of Kentucky and West Virginia. John A. 
Frazer was an educator during the greater part 
of his life, having cmalified therefor at Hanover 
College in Indiana. He engaged in teaching in 
Kentucky, and in 1854 crossed the plains with 
ox teams, settling in Polk county, where he im- 
proved a place, and combined the occupations of 
small farming and teaching almost up to the 
time of his death in Salem, in July, 1866. Al- 
though born in a Democratic community, his 
father was a strong anti-slavery man, and the 
son profited by his enlightened example. As a 
Republican he was well known in Polk county, 
and represented it in the state legislature in 
1864. On the maternal side Judge Frazer comes 
of colonial ancestry, the Nicklin family being 
closely allied with that of General Washington. 
John H. Nicklin, the father of Mrs. Frazer, was 
an early settler of Iowa, and an immigrant to 
Oregon in 1852. He settled on Salt Creek, Polk 
county, where he built the pioneer sawmill of the 
county, conducting the same with considerable 
success. Afterward he built a mill in Salem, 
where is now located the old Kinney mill, and 
his death occurred while carrying on this latter 
industry. Mrs. Frazer, who died in March, 
1866, four months before her husband, was a 
relative of Mrs. Lamberton, of Hillsboro, and 
was the mother of four children, two of whom 
are living. Of these, Hough N. is clerk of Gil- 
liam county. 

Left an orphan at the age of five years, the 
youth of Judge Frazer was characterized by a 
hard struggle for existence, especially after 
leaving the home of his uncle in Salem, at the 
age of eleven. For some time he lived among 
strangers, worked hard on farms, and was 
brought face to face with the serious and respon- 
sible phase of life. As happens sometimes in 
most unexpected manner, this lonely youth be- 
came known to a Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Buffum, 
very early settlers in the state, having come here 
in 1845. These people of resource and large 
heart proved benefactors indeed, and through 
their instrumentality the possibilities of life were 
opened up to a receptive and keen intelligence, 
and what is better a grateful one. Through the 
influence of Mr. Buffum the lad was sent to the 



PORTRAIT AND UK )( IRAKI I HAL RECORD. 



'.'7 



state university at Eugene, where he displayed 
studious traits, and from which he graduated 
with the degree of A. B., in 1882. Thus started 
on tlu' highway of worth-while tilings, the way 

was opened tor the study of law, for which he 
had long entertained a preference, and at the 
same time he acted in the capacity 01 principal of 
the Amity school. In 1883 Mr. Frazer entered 
the law office of ex-United States Senator 
James K. Kelly, at Portland, and was admitted 
to the bar in October, 1884. For a few years 
following he practiced law in the office of Mr. 
Kelly, and after the removal of the latter to 
Washington, conducted an independent practice. 

In 1898 Mr. Frazer was elected circuit judge 
of the fourth judicial district of Oregon, and as- 
sumed control of the office in July of the same 
year, succeeding Judge Shattuck, of department 
1. Judge Frazer is noted for his equitable rul- 
ings, his large grasp of general law, and his in- 
variable fairness in all matters that come under 
his jurisdiction. He is a member of the State 
Bar Association, the Oregon Historical Society, 
and the Native Sons, Abernethy Cabin No. 1. 
In Portland he became identified with the Will- 
amette Lodge A. F. & A. M., and is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ar- 
tisans, and the Knights of the Maccabees. 

In Portland Jndge Frazer married Dora 
Francis, a native of Clackamas county, and 
daughter of Stephen D. Francis, who was 
born in the state of Massachusetts. Mr. 
Francis removed from Massachusetts to Ver- 
mont, from there to Illinois, and to Clackamas 
county, via the plains, in 1854, locating eventually 
in Mt. Tabor. Mrs. Frazer, who was educated in 
Portland, is the mother of four children, the 
order of their birth being as follows : Kenneth 
Francis, born in 1890; Genevieve, born in 1892; 
Dorothy, born in 1895 ; and John Hough, born 
in 1900. 



HON. RUFUS MALLORY. Ever since the 
early days of American settlement the Mallory 
family has been identified with the history of our 
country, the original immigrant, Peter Mallory, 
having crossed the ocean in 1643 ancI settled in 
New Haven. Conn. From him descended David 
Mallory, a native of Connecticut and a lifelong 
resident of that state, from which he went forth 
to do service in the colonial army at the time of 
the Revolution. In recognition of his services 
therein the government donated to him a land 
warrant in Missouri, which was a f terw? irjJ_ _io- 
c'ated by his grandson . His son, Samuel, was 
boTn in" Uxtord. Conn., August 9, 1782, and in 
early life settled at Coventry, N. Y., later going 
to Allegany county, that state, and finally to 
Steuben count}-. With the exception of a short 



period devoted to seafaring he made agricul- 
ture his occupation. In religion Ik was a de- 
voted member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Mis death occurred August [9, 1854, at 
( ireenwood. 

The wife of Samuel Mallory was Lucretia 
Davis, who was born in Oxford, Conn., and died 
in Greenwood, N. Y. Her father, Col. John 
Davis, a native of that state, of Welsh extrac- 
tion, served with such valor in the Revolution- 
ary struggle that he was promoted to the rank of 
colonel. In times of peace, as in times of war, 
he was a leader among men, and he left the im- 
press of his personality upon his locality in such 
imperishable memory that the anniversary of 
his birth is still celebrated at High Rock Grove, 
where he lived. Nine children comprised the 
family of Samuel and Lucretia Mallorv, of 
whom the following survive : Augustus, of Hepp- 
ner, Ore., now more than eighty-three years of 
age; Mrs. Maria Slocum, of Fleppner, who is 
eighty-two years of age ; Mrs. Hallock, who is 
seventy-nine, and Mrs. Abigail Wallace, seventy- 
five, both of Heppner; Homer H., of New York ; 
and Rufus of Portland. The last named was 
born at Coventry, Chenango county, N. Y., 
June 10, 1 83 1. and as a boy attended district 
schools in Allegany and Steuben counties, af- 
terward studying in Alfred University. From 
the age of sixteen he alternated teaching with 
attending school, and in this way paid for what 
schooling he received, in the meantime taking up 
the study of law. 

Going to Iowa in 1855, Mr. Mallory became a 
pioneer teacher at New London, Henry county, 
where he remained for three years. Meantime a 
study of the resources of the west had decided 
him as to his future course, and in 1858 he 
started via Panama for Oregon, making the trip 
by ship to San Francisco and thence overland 
via Red Bluff and Shasta, riding muleback over 
the mountains. On his arrival at Roseburg he 
found a teacher was needed, so stopped there, 
accepted the school, and remained for fifteen 
months as teacher. During i860 he was ad- 
mitted to the bar and the same year he was 
elected district attorney of Jackson, Josephine 
and Douglas counties. The people of Douglas 
county in 1862 elected him to represent them in 
the legislature, and in the fall of that year he re- 
moved to Salem. Later he served for two years 
as district attorney for the third district, includ- 
ing Linn. Polk, Marion and Yamhill counties. 
Snortlv after his retirement from that office in 
1866 he was nominated for congress by the Re- 
publicans and received a fair majority over J. D. 
Fay. While a member of congress he was pres- 
ent at the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, 
which stands out in his memory as one of the 
most eventful incidents of his life. In the body 



Its 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of which he was a member were some of the 
greatest statesmen our country has ever had. 

For a short time after his retirement from 
congress Mr. Mallory was engaged in profes- 
sional practice. In 1872 he was elected to repre- 
sent Marion county in the state legislature, and 
during his term of service had the honor of be- 
ing chosen speaker of the house. President 
Grant in 1874 tendered him the appointment of 
United States District Attorney, to which position 
he was reappointed under the Hayes administra- 
tion, his service continuing until 1882. On the 
expiration of his term the government chose him 
to act as special agent in relation to some mat- 
ters at Singapore,. Asia, and he accordingly 
visited that city, afterward continuing around 
the world, his trip being completed in seventy- 
eight days. On his return to Oregon in Novem- 
ber, 1883, he, with C. B. Bellinger, entered the 
law firm of Dolph & Simon under the firm name 
of Dolph, Bellinger, Mallory & Simon. The con- 
nection continued until Judge Bellinger was ap- 
pointed by President Cleveland as United States 
District Judge for Oregon, when Judge Strahn 
was admitted, the firm becoming Dolph, Mallory, 
Simon & Strahn. On the death of Judge 
Strahn the title became Dolph, Mallory & Si- 
mon, and on the election of Mr. Simon to the 
United States senate another change was made 
to Dolph, Mallory, Simon & Gearin. 

The record of Mr. Mallory in professional cir- 
cles brings his name into mention in con- 
nection with many of the most noted 
cases in Portland. One of his specialties 
has been to act as attorney for defen- 
dants in damage suits. For some time he was 
attorney for various railroads, but on the segre- 
gation of the roads he withdrew. On the organ- 
ization of the State Bar Association he became 
a charter member and later was honored by elec- 
tion as its president. In the organization of the 
Columbia River & Northern Railroad Company 
he was an active factor, and has since aided in 
pushing the work of construction from the Col- 
umbia River northeast to Goldendale. He is a 
director of the City & Suburban Railroad Com- 
pany and the United States National Bank, and 
acts as attorney for both corporations. While 
living in Roseburg he married Lucy Rose, who 
was born in Michigan and by whom he has a 
son, Elmer E., attorney-at-law, of Portland. 
Mrs. Mallory is a daughter of Aaron Rose, a 
native of New York and pioneer of Michigan, 
who came overland to Oregon in 185 1 and 
founded the town of Roseburg, where he settled 
upon a tract of six hundred and forty acres. 
Until his death in 1901 he was closely connected 
with the building up of the town. 

During the existence or the Whig party Mr. 
Mallory was one of its adherents. In 1852 he 



voted for Winrield Scott. On the organization 
of the Republican party he identified himself 
with the same and nas since been loyal to its 
principles and candidates. In 1868 he was sent 
as a delegate to the national convention held in 
Chicago, at which time General Grant was nomi- 
nated for president. Again, twenty years later, 
he was appointed a delegate to the national con- 
vention held in Chicago, on which occasion he 
gave his support to Benjamin Harrison, candi- 
date for the presidency for the first time. On 
two occasions the Republicans of the state, in 
convention assembled, have honored him by 
electing him president of the meeting. 



LAWRENCE A. McNARY. In tracing the 
genealogy of the McNary family, it is found 
that Hugh McNary, a Virginian by birth and a 
member of a Colonial family of the Old Domin- 
ion, identified himself with the pioneers of Ken- 
tucky, where the subsequent years of his life 
were passed in the task of clearing a home from 
the wilderness. During the Revolution he and 
a brother served with the patriot forces, and the 
gun that he carried was kept by the family and 
afterwards brought to Oregon. 

Alexander, son of Hugh McNary, was born in 
Kentucky, whence he moved to Morgan county, 
111. In 1845, accompanied by his wife, two 
daughters and three sons, he crossed the plains 
by ox team, after having spent the winter of 
1844 and 1845 m Missouri. The trip was a mem- 
orable one, and rendered especially dangerous by 
the participation of a portion of the immigrants 
of that year in the Meek-Cut-Off expedition, 
when a man named Meek attempted to find a 
shorter road for intending settlers in the Oregon 
territory, but became lost in the mountains. The 
family of Mr. McNary, with many others, were 
subjected for many days to suffering from ab- 
sence of water, proximity to hostile bands of In- 
dians and the ever present anxiety of winter 
overtaking them before civilization could be 
reached ; but they finally made their way to the 
old trail and on to Oregon, arriving at The 
Dalles after a journey of six months. Thence 
they proceeded by raft to Portland, where they 
camped in December, 1845. The city at that 
time had only one store and about one dozen 
houses. 

From Portland Alexander McNary proceeded 
to Polk county, where he located a donation land 
claim, and ultimately acquired an improved es- 
tate of six hundred and fortv acres, remaining 
on that homestead until his death, about the vear 
i860, at the age of sixty-two years. In his 
family there were the following named sons and 
daughters: Sarah E., who married A. C. R. 
Shaw, and died in Fresno county, Cal., in 1901, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



10] 



at the age of seventy-four years; Hugh M., who 
was horn in Morgan county, 111., and was a 
youth of eighteen when the family came west, 
and who died at Salem, Ore., in 1891 ; Alex- 
ander \\\. a fanner, who died in Polk county in 
[898; Catherine, who married John C. Allen, 
and died in Polk county about i860; and Davis, 
who died in Polk county about the year 1862. 

When twenty-one years of age, Hugh McNary 
took a claim in Polk county, and thereafter fol- 
lowed farming until 1859, when he removed to 
Wasco county and settled on Eight Mile Creek, 
eight miles from The Dalles. His attention was 
given largely to freighting from The Dalles to 
the mines of eastern Oregon and Idaho, and later 
devoting himself to the cattle business. He after- 
wards removed to Klickitat county, Wash., where 
he continued in the cattle business until the year 
1876, when he removed to Salem, still continu- 
ing to be a large land owner, having about one 
thousand acres in Linn and Polk counties. At 
the time of his death, which occurred at Salem in 
1 89 1, he had reached the age of sixty-four years. 

1 lis wife, Catherine Frizzed, who was born in 
Green county, Mo., and now resides in Portland, 
was one of the six children of Rees and Lilly 
Frizzed, who brought their family to Oregon in 
1852. The father died in the eastern part of the 
state before the completion of the journey, and 
the mother died in the year 1887, at her home- 
stead in Polk county. 

Hugh and Catherine McNary had seven chil- 
dren, namely : Mrs. Sarah A. Smith, of Vale, 
Ore. ; Anna L. and Lillian M., who reside at 
Salem ; Angelo P., a stock raiser in Wheeler 
county; Lawrence A., an attorney of Portland; 
Hugh P., engaged in the hardware business at 
Salem ; and Wilson D., a physician in the State 
Insane Asylum. 

The education of Lawrence A. McNary, who 
was born in Wasco county, in the year 1866, was 
obtained in the public schools of Salem, and later 
at the Willamette University, where he took a 
three years' course. In 1888 he took up the study 
of law with Richard and E. B. Williams, of Port- 
land. In June, 1890. he was admitted to the bar 
and at once began the practice of his profession 
with ex-Governor W r . W. Thayer, who at that 
time had just retired from the bench of the su- 
preme court of the state, which continued until 
a short time before the death of Judge Thayer, 
In 1902 the Republicans of Portland nominated 
him for the office of city attorney. He was 
elected and entered upon his duties in Julv of 
that year for a term of three years. While the 
duties of that office naturally require close at- 
tention, and while in addition to these responsi- 
bilities he retains the oversight of his general 
practice, he still keeps in touch with all move- 
ments looking toward the welfare of the city. 



lie is a member of the Oregon State Bar, the 
Multnomah Club, the Commercial Club and Port 
land Lodge of Knights of Pythias. I lis capable, 
though brief, record as an office bearer has added 
prestige to the name of one of Oregon's oldest 
and most honored families. 



CAPT. JOSEPH KELLOGG. Especial inter- 
est attaches to the records of those pioneers, who, 
during the earlier half of the nineteenth century, 
braved the dangers of the unknown west, the 
perils from wild animals and even more savage 
Indians, devoting their lives to the redemption 
of the Pacific coast region and counting no sac- 
rifice too great that was made for the benefit of 
their home locality. Such an one was Capt. 
Joseph Kellogg of Portland, one of the founders 
of the Peopled Transportation Company of the 
Willamette, and a man widely known and uni- 
versally honored. 

The genealogy of the Kellogg family shows 
that they came from England to Massachusetts 
during the colonial period and numerous of their 
representatives were prominent in the old Bay 
state. The captain's grandfather, Joseph Kel- 
logg, Sr., was born in Vermont and became 
owner of a large tract of land at St. Albans. 
During the Revolutionary war .he served under 
General Putnam, and some years afterward re- 
moved to Longdale, Canada, where he was ap- 
pointed a magistrate and, it is said, married the 
first couple in the town. Next in line of descent 
was his son, Orrin, who was born at St. Albans, 
Vt., in 1790, and who married Margaret Miller 
in Canada in 181 1, taking her back with him to 
Vermont. The following year they visited Can- 
ada and, owing to the outbreak of the war, were 
compelled to remain there until hostilities ceased. 
Thus it happened that their son, Joseph, who 
was born June 24, 1812, first opened his eyes to 
the light upon foreign soil, but, by act of con- 
gress, all children born under such circumstances 
were regarded as native-born sons of our repub- 
lic. After the war was ended the family crossed 
into the States and settled near the present site 
of Lockport, N. Y., but soon moved to a farm on 
the Maumee river in Ohio. There the son grew 
to manhood and, in 1844, married Estella Bush- 
nell, who was born in Litchfield, N. Y., February 
22, 1818, and was taken by her parents to Ohio 
at the age of two years. 

The family started for Oregon in 1847, an(1 
here the parents remained until death, the father 
dying at eighty-five and the mother when sev- 
enty. Of their twelve children nine attained 
mature years and seven settled in Oregon, 
namely : Joseph ; George, who built and ran 
a boat on the Columbia river and was also a 
graduate physician and active practitioner ; 



102 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Elisha and Jason, chief engineers on boats owned 
by Joseph ; Edward, a farmer in southern Ore- 
gon ; Phoebe and Charlotte, who died in Ore- 
gon. While still a boy Joseph Kellogg learned 
the millwright's trade and at seventeen years of 
age built a frame bridge across the Ottawa river 
which at the time was pronounced the best bridge 
on the river. In Ohio his uncle had let a sub- 
contract to a millwright who built the mill, but 
the work was unsatisfactory, and the uncle asked 
his nephew to rebuild, which was done promptly 
and well. Inspired by this success, he took con- 
tracts to build mills in different parts of Ohio, 
but the country was low and swampy, causing 
him to suffer with fever and ague. Believing 
the west afforded better climatic and financial 
openings, he determined to seek a home there. 
November 24, 1847, he and his family started on 
the long journey. The following winter they 
spent at St. Joe, where they outfitted with an 
ox-train. As soon as the grass was long enough 
to provide feed for the oxen, they resumed their 
journey. When but a short distance out they 
met Joe Meek, who was hastening east with the 
news of the Whitman massacre and the Cayuse 
war. Undaunted, although saddened by this 
news, the party proceeded on their way. 

Among the members of the company was P. B. 
Cornwall, who afterward became a wealthy citi- 
zen of California. Some time before this a few 
Masons in Oregon had sent to Missouri for a 
charter, which was granted by the grand lodge 
of that state October 19, 1846, authorizing the 
formation of "Phoenix Lodge No. 123. It was 
entrusted to Mr. Cornwall to be delivered to his 
Masonic brethren in Oregon, but, while crossing 
the plains, he learned of the discovery of gold in 
California and decided to go there. Having 
found that the Kelloggs, father and son, were 
good Masons, he placed the charter in their care, 
to be delivered to Joseph Hull in Oregon. Jo- 
seph Kellogg accepted the responsibility and 
placed the charter in a small rawhide trunk, 
which he himself had made in Canada in 1834, 
and which was cylindrical, with a flat bottom, 
two feet long and one foot deep. This trunk he 
locked and put in the bottom of his wagon, and 
in due time the charter was delivered to Mr. 
Hull. Besides, he had the honor of assisting to 
establish Multnomah Lodge No. 1, the first Ma- 
sonic lodge in Oregon, and of this he was the 
first secretary and treasurer. 

Shortly after his arrival in Oregon a donation 
claim was secured by Orrin Kellogg between 
Milwaukee and Oregon City, and this in time he 
converted into one of the most profitable estates 
in the whole region. Though somewhat ad- 
vanced in years, his energy and determination 
enabled him to cope with all the hardships of 
frontier life. One of the first tanneries there 



was put up by him and he was also a pioneer in 
raising fruit. The subject of navigation on the 
lower Willamette and Columbia early engaged 
his attention, and he was the first of the family 
of river captains bearing the name of Kellogg. 
His interest in progressive movements was shown 
when he accompanied the expedition of his son, 
Dr. George Kellogg, in the opening of Yaquina 
bay to commerce. A man of superior ability and 
broad mind, he was qualified for the difficult task 
of opening a new region to settlement and add- 
ing a great commonwealth to our nation's gal- 
axy of states. 

While the father was thus engaged, his son, 
Joseph, was no less active and progressive. Lo- 
cating a claim at Milwaukee, he laid out the 
town and built a sawmill, having with him as 
partners in the venture Lot Whitcomb and Will- 
iam Torrence. In the fall of 1848 he began 
building a schooner which was completed that 
winter and sent to San Francisco with a load of 
produce for the mines. On its arrival the vessel 
and cargo were sold,- and a larger schooner pur- 
chased, which was used in carrying lumber from 
Portland to Sacramento. In a short time suffi- 
cient money had been made to enable the owners 
to secure the barque Lausanne and a pair of 
engines and boilers, also a complete outfit for a 
steamer. In the spring of 1850 they began to 
build the Lot Whitcomb, the first steamboat of 
any size built in Oregon. The launching of this 
steamer on Christmas day of the same year was 
the occasion of general rejoicing, but the day 
had a sad ending in the explosion of a cannon 
and the death of a ship captain. 

The business of the firm increased with grati- 
fying rapidity. A flour mill was erected in Mil- 
waukee and later Captain Kellogg built the Mer- 
chant mill in Portland. Two vessels made regular 
trips to Sacramento, laden with lumber, the selling 
of which brought large' profits to the firm. When 
the original partnership was dissolved, the firm 
of Bradbury, Eddy & Kellogg was established, 
and the standard flour mills were erected, which 
for years were the most extensive in the state. 
In 1863 he built the steamer Senator, which was 
later sold to the People's Transportation Com- 
pany, an organization formed in 1861 by a num- 
ber of influential men whose object was to navi- 
gate both the Willamette and Columbia rivers. 
However, by reason of an agreement made with 
the Oregon Steam Navigation Companv, thev 
confined their work to the Willamette river. 
About 1867 the company built the basin above 
the falls to facilitate the portage. This work, 
which was superintended by Captain Kellogg, 
stands today a monument of his engineerin°- 
skill. With the steamer Onward he began the 
navigation of the Tualatin, and built a canal be- 
tween that river and Sucker lake, thereby mak- 



PORTR \1 I' WD I5IOGR AI'MKAl. RKCORI). 



m:; 



in-; it possible to bring Freight to Oswego and 
thence to Willamette. About the same lime he 
laid out the village of Oswego. 

Shortly after the People's Transportation Com- 
pany disposed of its interests in 1870, the Wil- 
lamette Transportation Company was organized, 
with Captain Kellogg as vice-president and a di- 
rector, and as superintendent of the building of 
the steamers. Governor Grover and Beaver. 
However, these interests were soon sold, and he 
Formed a new company with his brother Jason 
anil his two sons, placing his boats on the Co- 
lumbia, on the line to Washougal and the Cowlitz. 
The two steamers, Joseph Kellogg and Toledo, 
were erected under his supervision, and his two 
sons were placed in command of them. They 
are still on the Cowlitz route and navigate that 
river into the heart of Washington. This cor- 
poration, known as the Joseph Kellogg Trans- 
portation Company, is one of the most popular 
in Oregon, and has proved a source of profit to 
its enterprising officers. In order to sail as far 
up the Cowlitz as possible, the company built the 
Chester, the lightest draught steamboat in the 
country, drawing only seven inches, and being 
used principally between Castle Rock and Toledo. 
Another boat owned by the company is the 
Xorthwest. 

Possessing the characteristics of a public- 
spirited citizen, Captain Kellogg has done much 
to promote the welfare of the state and advance 
its interests. About 1857 ne was actively con- 
nected with the telegraph line to be constructed 
between San Francisco and Portland and the 
first in the state of Oregon. At his mill 
were sawed the cedar posts for the section 
between Portland and Oregon City. An- 
other public-spirited enterprise which he fostered 
by a generous contribution was the building of 
the old macadam road between Portland and the 
White House, the first road of its kind in the 
northwest and still the best drive out of Portland. 
In early days it was his hope that Milwaukee 
might prove the metropolis of the state, but he 
lias since discerned that the growth of Portland 
is advantageous for the entire state, as thereby 
the commercial interests of the lower river are 
massed at one point, rather than divided between 
some point higher up on the same river and an- 
other place on the Columbia river. Old river 
men declare that Captain Kellogg is the most 
efficient pilot who ever guided boats on the 
lower Willamette, and he performed success- 
fully the feat of taking vessels past Ross Island 
to her dock, which it seems impossible to do 
now. He was one of the first to receive a license 
and is now the oldest river pilot. Though now 
advanced in years he is still a first-class nav- 
igator, with a clear eye, a steady hand and a vig- 
orous muscle, and were the necessity to arise he 



could hold his own with the river men of the 
present generation. 

In politics Captain Kellogg is a stanch Re- 
publican. One of the recollections of his ( )bio 
experiences is connected with a rally in 1840, 
attended by thirty thousand people and addressed 
by General Harrison. It was the captain's priv- 
ilege to meet the hero of Tippecanoe and be 
entertains a pleasant memory of the kindly pres- 
sure of his hand and cordial expression of inter- 
est. As might be expected of so influential a 
pioneer, he holds membership in the Oregon 
Historical and Pioneer Association, among 
whose membership none is more highly regarded 
than he. In Masonry he ranks high. June 27, 
1872, he became a member of Portland Lodge 
No. 55, and in 1858 identified himself with Clack- 
amas Chapter, R. A. M., but is now connected 
with Portland Chapter No. 3, R. A. M. He is 
also a Scottish Rite Mason of the thirty-second 
degree. September 11, 1891, on the occasion of 
the forty-third anniversary of the organization 
of the first lodge in Oregon, he was made an 
honorary member of the Masonic Veteran Asso- 
ciation of the Pacific coast, in recognition of his 
services in bringing the charter safely through 
in the perilous journey over the plains. At Den- 
ver, Colo., August 11, 1890, he was elected a 
member of the Masonic Veteran Association of 
the United States and vice-president for Oregon. 
The lofty principles of Masonry have been incul- 
cated into his life. It has been his aim to ex- 
emplify the teachings of the order, carrying out 
its precepts of kindness and brotherly love, 
which, indeed, may be said to be his religion. 

Three sons were born to the union of Captain 
and Mrs. Kellogg, of whom the youngest, Har- 
vey, died in infancy. The oldest, Orrin, is also 
represented in this volume, as is the second son, 
Charles H., whose death August 7, 1889, was 
recognized as a heavy loss to the river interests 
and the steamboat business. , 



CAPT. ORRIN KELLOGG, JR. The name 
of Kellogg has been indelibly impressed upon 
the navigation history of the northwest, any rec- 
ord of which would be incomplete without con- 
siderable mention of Capt. Joseph Kellogg, and 
his capable sons, Capt. Orrin and Capt. Charles 
H. Kellogg. The former of these sons, who is 
also the older, was born in Wood county, Ohio, 
October 16, 1845, an( l was tw0 y ears of age 
when the family started for the far west. His 
earliest recollections, therefore, are associated 
with the Pacific coast regions, particularly with 
the village of Milwaukee, where he attended the 
common schools. Habits of industry and perse- 
verance were early impressed upon him, and at 
an early age, when most boys are care-free, he 



104 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



began to assist in the cultivation of the farm and 
the management of the sawmill. Upon removing 
to Portland he attended the Central school and 
still further enlarged his education by a course 
in the Portland Business College, of which he 
was among the first graduates. 

Leaving school, he took up the occupation of 
steamboating on the Tualatin river, first as en- 
gineer and later as captain of the steamer On- 
ward. Since then he has given his attention 
mainly to navigation interests, although for a 
time he owned and conducted a dry goods store 
in Hillsboro. Returning to Portland in 1874 he 
resumed steamboating, and has since operated 
on the Willamette and Columbia rivers. In 
1878 he was placed in command of the steamer 
Toledo, owned by the Joseph Kellogg Trans- 
portation Company, of which corporation he is 
president. In the running of his steamer he has 
sought to accommodate ranchers all along the 
line of the boat, giving each a landing, taking 
their produce on his boat, selling it at market, 
and bringing back the money, or purchasing for 
the ranchers any farm machinery, household 
goods, etc., that they might need. His accom- 
modating spirit has made him very popular, and 
he has a host of warm friends among the people 
of the Cowlitz country. In addition to accom- 
modating farmers he has done much other im- 
portant work. Through his influence govern- 
ment aid was secured for the Cowlitz river im- 
provement, and the resources of the company 
were drawn upon to further the same. As a 
result of his broad and progressive policy his 
company gained control of the trade of the Cow- 
litz country, opened up a valuable region for 
settlement, developed thriving villages from pas- 
ture lands and gave the ranchers a market for 
their produce at reasonable freight rates, thus 
preventing railroad monopoly. Due credit must 
be given him for these satisfactory results. 

While living at Hillsboro, Ore., Captain Kel- 
logg married Margaret Ellen Westfall June 5, 
1870. They have three children, Stella May, 
Ruby Ethel and Chester Orrin. Mrs. Kellogg 
was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, May 30, 
1850, and came to Oregon with her father, Na- 
than Westfall, settling first at West Chehalem 
and later going to Hillsboro, where she remained 
until after her marriage. 



CAPT. CHARLES H. KELLOGG. Through 
a close identification with the river interests of 
Oregon, dating from his early childhood until 
his lamented death, Captain Kellogg acquired a 
thorough knowledge of his chosen occupation 
and was recognized as the most efficient steam- 
boat man in the northwest. Old and experienced 
navigators, such as Captain Couch, gave him un- 



stinted praise, and even those unfamiliar with 
steamboating recognize him as an expert in the 
business. The native talents he possessed, 
coupled with his long experience, made him one 
of the most efficient and successful pilots that 
ever guided their crafts through the lower Wil- 
lamette and the Columbia. 

The second son of Capt. Joseph Kellogg, in 
whose sketch appears the family history, Capt. 
Charles H. Kellogg was born in Wood county, 
Ohio, October 1, 1846. His earliest recollections 
are of Oregon, to which state he was brought 
by his parents in infancy. As a boy he attended 
the district school at Milwaukee, Ore., and later 
was a student in the Central school and academy 
at Portland, completing his education in the Port- 
land Business College, of which he was among 
the first graduates. His initial knowledge of the 
river business was gained under Captain Baugh- 
man. As soon as qualified to assume command 
of a vessel he was put in charge of the Senator, 
a steamer owned by the People's Transportation 
Company and plying between Portland and Ore- 
gon City. When the company's interests were 
sold to Ben Holladay, he relinquished his posi- 
tion and identified himself with other interests. 
On the completion of the locks at Oregon City, 
he had the honor of piloting the first steamer 
through the locks. For a time he was captain 
of the Governor Grover on the Willamette river, 
and later commanded various boats for the Ore- 
gon Steam Navigation Company. On the or- 
ganization of the Joseph Kellogg Transportation 
Company he became a stockholder, and was first 
its vice-president and then its treasurer, and had 
command of the steamer Joseph Kellogg until 
his death. 

The first marriage of Capt. C. H. Kellogg oc- 
curred February 2, 1870, and united him with 
Miss Emma E. Goode of Oregon City. His sec- 
ond marriage took place in January, 1882, his 
wife being Miss Mary Ellen Copeland, of Scap- 
poose. Ore., by whom he had two children, Pearl 
and Earl Joseph. While he was still in the prime 
of life, with a hope of enjoying many years of 
usefulness and honor, death came to Captain 
Kellogg August 7, 1889, removing one whose 
death was a source of sincere mourning among 
all of his associates and whose memory is still 
cherished in the hearts of those to whom he was 
endeared. 



^ CAPT. W. H. SMITH. A veteran of the 
Civil war and a representative of one of the 
oldest families of Clackamas county. Captain 
Smith is now spending his last years in ease and 
retirement at his beautiful home in Parkplace. 
Retiring in nature, he has never cared for the 
emoluments of public office, preferring rather to 




jcu^nri^Huu^ 



IM )K IK \l I' WD BIOGRAPHIC AL RECORD. 



107 



give his whole time and attention to his own 
business interests. A native of Ohio, his birth 
occurred in Washington county, December 14, 
1S40. a .-en of John A. Smith, who was born 
in Parkersburg, W. \ a., where for a time he 
lived after reaching mature years, but later re- 
moved to Ohio. In 1855 he settled in the north- 
ern part of Missouri, and ten years later found 
him bound for Oregon with a large party who 
were also seeking a home in the undeveloped 
northwest. The journey across the plains was 
made with ox teams. The encounters with the 
Indians were many and thrilling. Indeed they 
were compelled to organize the band into a mili- 
tary train, of which Captain Knight was made 
the commander and F. M. Dodson orderly ser- 
geant. Soon after reaching Oregon, Mr. Smith 
settled in Clackamas county, taking up a home- 
stead from the government. Here he resided 
until 1878, when he sold out and removed to 
Pomeroy, Wash., where he purchased a tract of 
land and here he lived the balance of his life, 
passing away at the age of eighty-four years. 
His wife, Eliza B. Brewer, whose birth occurred 
in Ohio, was a daughter of Peter Brewer, a 
native of Xew York. His death took place in 
Lewis county, Mo., when he was about eighty 
years of age. He was a farmer and partici- 
pated in the war of 1812. 

In Washington county, Ohio, where his birth 
occurred, Captain Smith spent the first fifteen 
years of his life, attending the public schools 
and thus gaining a good foundation for the 
many busy and useful years before him. The 
five years previous to the breaking out of the 
Civil war were spent in Missouri on a farm. 
When the call for troops was made, Captain 
Smith was not slow to respond, and in May, 
1 861, he enlisted in the Home Guards of Colonel 
Moore. Later, however, he enlisted in the Elev- 
enth Missouri Cavalry, the latter company be- 
ing consolidated with the Second Missouri Cav- 
alry, and was afterwards known as Company L. 
From private he advanced to orderly sergeant, 
and later was made first lieutenant, and finally 
was brevetted captain, commanding company L, 
Second Missouri Cavalry. During his service 
he was engaged in encounters at Cape Girardeau 
and Pilot Knob ; was in Price's raid in Inde- 
pendence, Mo., in 1864, also in the battle of 
Mine Run. His experience with the James Boys 
and Quantrell's men was one that will always 
be remembered. After four years of noble serv- 
ice spent in defense of his country, he was mus- 
tered out, April 7, 1865. 

Soon after the close of the war Captain Smith 
made the trip to Oregon via the plains. His 
first employment was found in a saw mill on 
the Clackamas river, near Oregon City. Here 
he remained for about twenty years, during 



which time he assisted in changing the mill to 
a paper manufactory. Feeling convinced that 
the growing west offered a good field for in- 
vestment, he purchased the Buck donation claim, 
which consisted of one hundred and seventy 
acres. At one time he owned fifteen acres in 
what is now Parkplace and laid out an addition 
which was called Smith's addition to Parkplace. 
On May 7, 1871, occurred the marriage of 
Mr. Smith with Miss Louise Rivers, a native of 
Canada. Pier father, Israel Rivers, was born 
in New York, of French descent, his parents 
going to Canada when he was a young man, 
and there he engaged in the lumber business. 
After rearing his family the father took his wife 
and children and started for the west, locating 
for a time in Illinois and Kansas, but finally 
settled in Clackamas county in 1866, and here 
they still reside. Captain and Mrs. Smith have 
three living children, as follows : Charles E., 
a resident of Parkplace; Fred W., graduated 
from the Parkplace high school, the Corvallis col- 
lege and the Portland business college, and is 
now employed as a railway mail clerk ; Katie, 
the wife of Paul Freytag, who is engaged in 
the grocery business in Oregon City. 

In political belief Captain Smith is a Repub- 
lican and for thirty years has served his district 
as school director. Fraternally he is a member 
of the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., the Grand 
Army of the Republic, and the Union Veterans' 
Union- 
While Captain Smith has led a life of retire- 
ment, he has nevertheless neglected none of the 
duties of good citizenship and at all times he has 
been found ready and willing to do his share. 
No movement calculated to be of benefit to his 
adopted state or county has went by without his 
firm and active support. He is a type of citi- 
zenship which stands for all that is good and 
pure. His record is an honorable one and with 
those who know him his word is as good as his 
bond. 



CAPT. JAMES H. McMILLEN. The first 
member of the McMillen family of whom we have 
any record is the great-grandfather, James Mc- 
Millan, a native of Scotland, who upon immigrat- 
ing to America settled in Rhode Island. His 
eldest son, also named James McMillan, served 
valiantly in the Revolutionary war. The latter's 
eldest son, Joseph McMillen, it will be noted, 
changed the spelling of the family name, and this 
has been the style used by subsequent members 
of the family. The father was a native of Oneida 
county, N. Y., but in early life removed to Attica. 
where he learned the millwright's trade. At 
Pompey, N. Y., he erected a mill, and in 1826 he 
removed to Buffalo, where he erected the First 



108 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Presbyterian Church, besides many other struct- 
ures, and also followed millwrighting to quite 
an extent. Going to Lodi, that state, in 1829, 
he continued at his trade there, building mills 
along Cattaraugus creek, and in the year 1836 
he removed to Illinois, and on the banks of the 
Desplaines river also engaged in erecting mills. 
Working his way further west we next hear of 
his crossing the plains in 1852. In Oregon City- 
he at once began to work at his trade, also as- 
sisting in the building of steamboats and similar 
work. In 1856 he went back to his home in the 
cast, going by way of Panama, and upon return- 
ing to the west brought his wife with him. Set- 
tling in Forest Grove, he there spent the re- 
mainder of his life, dying in 1890. His wife, 
formerly Ruth Gannett, was a native of Spring- 
field, Mass., and the daughter of Joseph Gannett, 
who participated in the Revolutionary war, tak- 
ing part in the battle of Bunker Hill as a minute 
man. He was of English descent and came of 
good old Puritan stock. Mrs. Ruth McMillen 
(lied at her home in Forest Grove, when more 
than ninety years of age. 

In the family of Joseph McMillen there were 
seven children, five of whom came to Oregon 
and three of whom are living at this writing, two 
sons and one daughter. In Attica, N. Y., where 
he was born May 10, 1823, James H. McMillen 
spent his childhood years, and in the schools of 
Ohio received his early knowledge of books. 
Going to Illinois with the family in 1836, he 
continued his studies there for a time, but, finally, 
wishing to begin his business career, at the age 
of fifteen years commenced to learn his father's 
trade, and this he found of inestimable value, as 
future years proved. March 14, 1845, he- took up 
the weary march across the plains by ox-teams 
and did not arrive at Oregon City until October 
25 of that year. Work at his trade, however, 
was waiting for him, and almost immediately he 
found employment in Governor Abernethy's 
mill. The massacre of the Whitman party in 
December, 1847, incensed the settlers and inau- 
gurated what is known as the Cayuse Indian war. 
Mr. McMillen was one of the first to volunteer 
and was made first duty sergeant in the first com- 
pany of Oregon riflemen, doing service in the vi- 
cinity of The Dalles. Here he found work at his 
trade and for a time was employed in building 
fortifications for. the defense of the soldiers. After 
a service of sixty-eight days he was discharged, 
as his services were needed in repairing Gover- 
nor Abernethy's mill, which furnished flour for 
the soldiers. After performing this task satisfac- 
torily he was again ready to shoulder his gun, and 
wherever be could be of use in subduing the In- 
dians, there he was found ever ready to perform 
his duty toward the settlers. In the spring of 
1849 he was one of the argonauts that sought 



the gold fields of California, but unlike the great 
majority of them his efforts were crowned with 
more than a modicum of success. From the 
American river and its tributaries, along which 
his labors lay principally, he took a large cman- 
tity of the yellow dust, and in the Oregon can- 
yon, ten miles east of Coloma, he took out as 
much as $700 in a single day. 

Although he spent but a few months in the gold 
fields he returned in December of 1849 $8,000 
richer than when he started out in the spring. 
On the Tualatin plains in Washington county 
he bought a large farm, and to this he added 
until he had nine hundred acres in the tract. In 
the meantime he had been employed at his trade, 
and many mills all over the states of Oregon and 
Washington stand as monuments to his handi- 
work. 

In 1865 Mr. McMillen sold his farm on the 
Tualatin plains and on the banks of the Willam- 
ette purchased a forty acre tract not far from 
the steel bridge. A few years later he laid out 
McMillen's addition to East Portland, but this has 
been almost entirely disposed of, although he 
still retains three blocks on the river front, where 
he has built up a fine residence property. Since 
taking up his residence in Portland he has built 
several mills, one of which was for Mr. Weidler, 
in whose employ he remained as millwright for 
twelve years. 

A sketch of Mr. McMillen's life would be in- 
complete were no mention made of his identifi- 
cation with the North Pacific History Company, 
which published the History of the Pacific 
Northwest, known everywhere, and especially in 
the west, as the best work of the kind extant. 
He helped organize, was one of the incorpo- 
rators of the company and was its president. To 
him should be given the credit for a large part 
of the historical matter contained in the work, 
especially the early history of Oregon, which 
his associations here in pioneer days made 
it possible for him to produce. 

In Polk county, Ore., in December, 1845, Mr. 
McMillen was married to Miss Margaret Wise, 
a native of New York state. She died eleven 
months later, leaving a son, Frank, who died 
when he was twelve years old. In Portland oc- 
curred his second marriage, which united him 
with Miss Tirzah Barton, a native of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. She was the daughter of Capt. Ed- 
ward Barton, who in 1851 came to Oregon with 
his family, and who still conducts a carriage 
manufactory in Portland. Of the second mar- 
riage the following children were born : Ernest, 
who died in 1891 ; Justus and Union, who died 
at the age of ten and six respectively; Mvrtle, 
who died in her twelfth year and whose ability 
as a natural artist was very apparent ; Constant, 
who was killed in an elevator accident when in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



109 



his twenty-second year; Right H., of Washing- 
ton; Juno, the wife of Julius Ortlway. engaged 
in the lumber business in Portland; and Ivy M. 
wife oi William I. Glover, shipping clerk for 
Bell & Co., of Portland. 

Aside from his private interests Mr. McMil- 
len has served his fellow citizens in numerous 
capacities. For four years he was councilman in 
East Portland, and for twelve years was director 
and clerk of the school board. Educational mat- 
ters have always claimed a goodly share of his 
attention and he materially assisted in building 
the schoolhouses in this vicinity. Fraternally he 
is a Mason, holding membership in Washington 
Lodge at East Portland. For a number of years 
he held the office of president in the First Spirit- 
ual Society of Portland, with which he still holds 
membership. He is also interested in the Monu- 
ment Association and is now its efficient treas- 
urer. This association erected, in 1903, in Lone 
Fir cemetery, a monument to the soldiers who 
participated in the Mexican. Cayuse Indian, 
Civil and Philippine wars. Mr. McMillen is a 
member of the Pioneer Society and the Historical 
Society, in both of which he takes an interested 
part. For seven years he held the office of cap- 
tain of Multnomah Camp No. 2, Indian War 
Veterans, which comprises the soldiers who par- 
ticipated in the Cayuse Indian war, and is now 
serving as treasurer. Politically he is a Republi- 
can, upholding its principles upon every occa- 
sion. 



PROF. REUBEN F. ROBINSON. Early 
representatives of the Robinson family in Amer- 
ica identified themselves with the colonists of 
Virginia, and from that commonwealth sent forth 
of their bravest and best to fight for the patriot 
cause during the Revolution. Reuben Robinson, 
who was a nephew of Col. William Robinson of 
the Revolutionary army, left Virginia and set- 
tled in east Tennessee, and from there went 
to Missouri. He possessed the hardihood and 
dauntless courage of the frontiersman and it 
was but natural, when the tide of emigration 
turned toward the Pacific coast, that he should 
decide to seek a home beyond the Rocky moun- 
tains. With ox teams in 1852 he started across 
the plains. The long and eventful journey came 
to an end near Junction City, Lane county, Ore., 
where he took up a donation claim and made 
it his home the remainder of his life. He not 
only managed his farm but taught school for 
several terms during the early period of Oregon 
settlement. 

Prior to the removal of Reuben Robinson to 
the west, his three sons, George D.. Washington 
and William, in 1849 nac l crossed the plains 
toward the setting sun. Washington died in 



California and afterward William settled at 
Jacksonville, Ore. The other son, George D., 
who was born in the Cumberland mountain re- 
gion of east Tennessee, engaged in mining for 
a year in California, but in 1850 came on horse- 
back to Oregon, swimming his horse across 
rivers and camping out at night wherever he 
happened to be. After arriving in Lane county 
he seized the opportunity of attending school 
for several short terms, but Oregon's school 
facilities in the early '50s were not such as to 
hold ambitious young men long. He afterwards 
engaged in farming and in hauling produce to 
the miners of Southern Oregon. About 1865 
he, with his family, moved to Polk county and 
improved a farm near Dallas. In the spring 
and summer of '68 he drove a large band of 
cattle to Bitter Root Valley, Mont. Returning 
the same year, he bought land and continued his 
farming interests near Dallas, sending his older 
children to the Dallas school. Believing that a 
change of climate would prove beneficial to his 
wife, who was in ill health, in 1880 he removed 
to Washington and settled near Spokane, where 
he bought and brought under cultivation a de- 
sirable tract of land, on which he lived for a 
number of years. Being physically unable to 
continue the hard work of the farm, he sold it 
and returned to his home in Dallas. His wife 
died in the spring of 1900 and was buried in 
the Odd Fellows cemetery at Dallas. Since 
1900 he has made his home with his children in 
Portland and Dallas, where he takes a lively 
interest in municipal affairs, favors educational 
improvements and reforms, believes thoroughly 
in the public school, the free library and other 
agencies for uplifting humanity, and casts a Re- 
publican vote at every general election. 

The marriage of George D. Robinson in Lane 
county in 1854 united him with Sarah Richard- 
son, a native of Iowa and the granddaughter of 
a Revolutionary soldier from Pennsylvania. Her 
father, William Richardson, was born in Phila- 
delphia, Pa., of Scotch descent, and settled in 
Iowa during the early days. He served in the 
Black Hawk war. Accompanied by his family, 
he crossed the plains in 1852 and settled in 
Lane county, Ore., but later removed to Polk 
county, where he died in 1885. 

In the family of George D. and Sarah Robin- 
son there were the following-named children : 
John W., who is now a farmer in Polk county ; 
George Washington, who died in infancy ; Reu- 
ben P., county superintendent of schools of 
Multnomah county ; S. Elvira, Mrs. C. M. Cahill, 
of Spokane, Wash. ; Abraham L., who is en- 
gaged in the grain business at Waverly, Wash. ; 
S. Grant, who is connected with the Union 
Market Company in Portland; Mary A., wife 
of J. Card, of Dallas ; Georgia, who died in 



110 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



infancy; and J. Curtis, who is with the Great 
Northern Railroad Company in Spokane. 

While the family were living near Junction 
City, Ore., R. F. Robinson was born December 
9, 1861. As a boy he attended district schools 
in Polk county and for four years (1880-84) 
was a student in La Creole Academy, the inter- 
vening vacations being devoted to teaching in 
Polk county. During the last two years of his 
academic course he not only kept up with his 
classes, but also acted as instructor in mathe- 
matics. After his graduation he was chosen 
first assistant teacher in the academy and in 1885 
became principal. This position he resigned in 
1886 in order to accept the office of county 
superintendent of schools of Polk county, to 
which he was elected on the Republican ticket. 
On the expiration of his term, in 1888, he was 
elected principal of Central school and the East 
Portland high school. On the consolidation of 
the city, the latter school was merged into the 
Portland high school, and he continued as prin- 
cipal of Central school until 1900, when he was 
elected superintendent of schools, on the Repub- 
lican ticket, by a majority of about three thou- 
sand. The duties of the office he assumed, in 
August of 1900, for a term of four years. 

During the first year of Mr. Robinson's serv- 
ice as superintendent of schools of Polk county 
he continued to act as academy principal as 
well, but finding his new office required con- 
slant attention, he resigned his principalship, 
and then gave much attention to the organiza- 
tion of the school system there, re-writing the 
records of the school districts. Since then no 
county superintendent in Polk county has ever 
divided his time, but has devoted his attention 
exclusively to official duties. As a teacher his 
experience has been varied. He has taught in 
country schools, has been principal 'of an acad- 
emy and principal of a high school, besides 
acting as superintendent of schools. In the lat- 
ter capacity he made a special study of methods 
of instruction for institute work, and since 1900 
he has acted as an instructor in a large number 
of institutes in Oregon and Washington. He 
has closely organized the schools of the county 
and carefully guards the educational interests 
wherever industry and close attention will avail. 
He is a member of the executive committee of 
the State Teachers' Association and is the regu- 
lar instructor of the Multnomah Teachers' Prog- 
ress Club, an organization of teachers formed 
for the study of methods and practical school 
problems. 

Aside from his educational work, Professor 
Robinson has taken a course in law at the Uni- 
versity of Oregon, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1898, with the degree of LL. B., and 
during the same year was admitted to the bar. 



He has not practiced law, but studied it for the 
benefit that would accrue to his regular work. 
This knowledge of law he finds of importance 
to him in his chosen profession. Politically he 
is a Republican and always takes an active part 
in the county affairs. While at Dallas he was 
made a Mason in Jennings Lodge No. 9, but is 
now connected with Washington Lodge No. 46, 
of Portland; also Washington Chapter, R. A. 
M. In the Ancient Order of United Workmen 
he is connected with Fidelity Lodge No. 4, of 
which he has been a leading officer. For five 
years he was a member of the finance committee 
of the Grand Lodge of Oregon and is now 
connected with the board of arbitration. The 
Woodmen of the World also number him among 
their members. His marriage occurred at Dal- 
las in 1885 and united him with Ella E. Hal- 
lock, who was born and educated in this state. 
Her father, Ezra Y. Hallock, a native of Long 
Island, came via the Horn to Oregon in 1852 
and settled in Polk county, where he engaged 
in milling. The family of Professor and Mrs. 
Robinson consists of six children, namely : Carl 
H., Earl N., Frank L., Reubey Faye, Warde 
and Claude. 



CAPT. RICHARD HOYT. Yet another of 
the pioneers of this state w T hose active life began 
upon the high seas, and who eventually sailed 
into Portland harbor . to identify his activities 
with the upbuilding of the city, was Capt. Rich- 
ard Hoyt, from whose life many useful and in- 
teresting lessons may be drawn. Although he 
died February 2, 1862, there are many still living 
who recall his genial and hospitable nature, his 
capacity for entertainment and his shrewd busi- 
ness ability. In fact the proverbial inability of 
mariners to either make or retain money never 
applied to him, for he possessed none of the ten- 
dencies which tempt seamen to extravagant ex- 
penditure, and left his family unusually well pro- 
vided for. 

Captain Hoyt came of a family represented 
among the very early settlers of New England. 
He was born in Albany, N. Y., August 
7, 1 8 16, his father, Richard, being an edu- 
cator and farmer during his active life. As 
is usually the case, the seafaring life appealed to 
Richard Hoyt while he was still a lad, and when 
rebelling at a supposed want of opportunity in 
his immediate family circle. At the age of 
twelve he ran away from home and shipped 
before the mast on a sailing vessel, which seemed 
a calling for which he was best fitted. He 
liked the work, and under the inspiration of 
sea breezes advanced rapidly in nautical mat- 
ters. Arriving at the age of twenty-one, he 
was given command of a vessel for Captain 





' 



Pi >R IK \!T AND BIOGRAPHICAL REG IRD. 



L13 



Prince, and was delegated to sail from Portland, 

Mo., to European ports. I lis adventures upon 
the deep were many and exciting, the present 
order and system upon the high seas not being 
in use at that time. 

While in port in Albany, X. Y.. in 1S42. Mr. 
Hoyt married Mary Ann Middleton, who was 
horn in Lincolnshire. England, August 9, 1818. 
and reared and educated in Albany, N. Y. 
Shortly after the marriage he set out on a 
whaling voyage in the north, and though in- 
tending to be absent but a few months was gone 
three years. He came to Oregon as master of 
a vessel in 1847. bringing missionaries for the 
Methodist Church, the voyage taking eight 
months. Among them were "Father" Wilbur, 
the founder of the "Old Portland Academy," 
and Rev. Mr. Roberts, equally well known, both 
accompanied by their families. Again in 1849 
he brought another load of missionaries to carry 
on the work of the church, and this time he 
left his ship in Portland, secured his discharge 
papers, and went to the mines in California. 
His first practical experience on land proved 
disappointing and unprofitable, and the seasoned 
sailor naturally turned his thought to the water 
which he loved so well. Therefore, he began 
boating on the Sacramento river, but in this 
venture he failed to realize his expectations. In 
the meantime, in 1851. he sent east for his wife 
and son ; his brother, George W. Hoyt, was dele- 
gated to bring them safely, via the Isthmus of 
Panama, to the coast. 

Arriving in Portland in the fall of 185 1, Cap- 
tain Hoyt located his family in a house owned 
by Captain Irving on Second street, and five 
years later he purchased a quarter of a block on 
the corner of Sixth and Morrison streets, where 
his death occurred in 1862. As soon as be 
came here he interested himself in boating, and 
for his purpose bought a vessel, fitted it with 
new machinery, and christened it the Multno- 
mah. The Multnomah certainly had a success- 
ful career, and while plying between Portland 
and Astoria, towed, freighted, and also carried 
the mails. About this time he bought an interest 
in the Eliza C. Anderson, a well known river 
boat of its day, but the Multnomah claimed his 
attention to the last, rewarding him handsomely 
for the investment. The mail contract which 
he had signed with the government did not ex- 
pire until a year after his death, and his wife 
was obliged to fulfill the contract, which her 
experience with her husband amply fitted her to 
do. She continued to live in the home on the 
corner of Sixth and Morrison streets until 1878, 
and then went to make her home with her daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Phillips, until her death, September 
1. 1893. Mrs. Hoyt was a woman of large 
heart and practical ideas. She was well edu- 



cated and well read, and kepi pace with her fam- 
ily in their studies and interests. She had a 
brother, John Middleton, who was a wagon 
maker by trade, and who came to Portland at 
an early day, plying his trade when there was 
great need of mechanics and master workmen. 
Richard Hoyt, the oldest son of the captain, was 
born in Albany, N. Y., in 1847, and was edu- 
cated in the Willamette University and the old 
Portland Academy. He was fourteen years old 
at the time of his father's death, but young as 
he was, he was thoroughly familiar with" the 
river, and was able to take the Multnomah from 
Portland to Astoria. He married and had three 
children, Herbert H., Christina, who died aged 
eighteen years, and Lindley. Sarah M. was born 
in Portland in 1853, and was educated in the 
public schools and St. Helen's Hall. Her mar- 
riage with P. F. Phillips occurred in 1875, her 
husband being a native of St. Johns, New Bruns- 
wick. Seven children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Phillips, but John Richard, the oldest son, 
died at the age of six years, and Ralph died 
March 3, 1903, at the age of seventeen. The 
other children are : Minnie S. ; Aimee W. ; 
Maude M. ; and Hazel and Harry, twins. Mary- 
Frances Hoyt was born in 1856 and for her 
first husband married T. S. Carr, by whom she 
bad two children, a son who died at the age of 
three years, and a daughter, Ethel, now the 
wife of Marcus Eddy Spaulding, of Tacoma, 
Wash. For her second husband Mrs. Carr mar- 
ried Loyal B. Stearns, and at present makes 
her home in Portland. Mrs. Hoyt was a de- 
voted member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, towards the support of which her hus- 
band liberally contributed, although he was not 
a member. 



JOHN H. JONES. One of the most kindly 
and gracious, as well as substantial and forceful 
representatives of past and present commercial 
activity in Oregon, is John H. Jones, president 
of the Jones Lumber Company, and the oldest 
active lumber merchant in the state, if not in 
the northwest. This venerable, liberal and thor- 
oughly successful manipulator of western oppor- 
tunities was born on a farm near Carthage, N. 
Y., October 3, 1832, a son of Justus and a grand- 
son of Elihu Jones, the former of whom lost his 
father when but fourteen years of age and was 
thus thrown upon his own resources at an early 
age. His mother afterward married a Mr. Hal- 
sey. and he himself was apprenticed to a black- 
smith in Xew Jersey, from which condition, akin 
to servitude, he escaped and ran away to Canada. 
While in the Dominion he married and settled 
on a farm, an 1 later removed to Carthage. X. 
Y., where he farmed and plied his trade for 



u 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



main- years. He died in 1847, at the advanced 
age of eighty-seven years. 

fustus Jones was horn in Ogdensburg, N. Y., 
March 14, 1807. In 1845 he removed to the 
vicinity of Keoknk, Iowa, where he engaged in 
farming until the fall of 1848. He then re- 
moved his family to Lakeview, Dane county, 
Wis., traveling with ox teams, where they made 
their home until the spring of 1852. Not con- 
tent with the prospects in Wisconsin, he once 
more hitched up his ox teams, loaded his wag- 
ons and started on the long journey for Port- 
land; and notwithstanding the many dangers 
and deprivations incident to such a trip in those 
days, arrived safely at Fort Laramie, July 4, 
1852, after having traveled three months and 
three days. November 27 following the fam- 
ily reached Portland, and in the month of Feb- 
ruary, 1853, he and his two sons made the first 
settlement at Clatskanie, Columbia county. The 
pioneer family at once engaged in logging and 
lumbering with fair success, but at the end of 
three years the father returned to Portland, 
where the remainder of his life was spent. He 
died at the Jones sawmill in 1893, at the age of 
about eighty-five years. His wife, Lois Hast- 
ings, was a daughter of John Hastings, who 
went from Massachusetts, about 1800, and set- 
tled in Jefferson county, N. Y., where Mrs. 
Jones was born. The family came of Puritan 
stock and were related to the famous Bacon fam- 
ily. Mrs. Jones died in Oregon in 1879, leav- 
ing two children, of whom Elihu King, her 
youngest son, resides in Portland. 

Upon removing with his family to Iowa in 
1845, John H. Jones attended the district schools 
at intermittent intervals, and experienced the 
same unsatisfactory advantages after settling in 
Dane county, Wis., in 1848. When the family 
set out over the plains in 1852 he drove an 
ox team to Fort Boise, and was there attacked 
with bilious fever, from the ravages of which he 
was relieved by the incessant care of his mother. 
Arriving in Portland in the fall of 1852 he spent 
the winter in the city, and in the spring located 
on a farm in Clatskanie, in what is now Colum- 
bia county, which remained his home for three 
years. In 1855 he located at Cedar Mills, Wash- 
ington county, Ore., seven miles from Portland, 
and there erected and operated the small water- 
wheel mill which marked the beginning of his 
career as a lumber merchant. This mill was en- 
tirely of his own construction, and in it he en- 
gaged in the manufacture of lumber until 1870, 
when he located in Portland. In the meantime, 
however, he had returned to the east in 1862, 
via Panama, and in 1864 married Jane Catherine 
Osborne, a native of New York, with whom he 
returned to his mill in Oregon, by way of the 
Panama route. 



In 1871 Mr. Jones erected a steam mill on the 
Macadam road. This was burned in 1873, re- 
built at once, and again destroyed in a similar 
manner in July, 1889, through sparks from the 
railroad locomotives. Just prior to the last dis- 
aster he had dissolved partnership in the milling 
firm, but his brother rebuilt the property and 
he again took an interest and incorporated the 
firm of E. K. Jones & Co. in 1891. The Jones 
Lumber Company, incorporated in 1901, grew 
out of the latter-named concern, and Mr. Jones 
became its president, as he had been of its prede- 
cessor. The mill has a maximum capacity of 
fifty thousand feet per day, and its output is 
shipped to California and many eastern points. 

During all these years Mr. Jones has extended 
his abilities into various lines of development. 
Several business and other structures in the city- 
are due to his faith in the continued prosperity 
of his adopted state, and he owns besides sev- 
eral residences and some country property. Mr. 
Jones is at the present time the oldest active 
lumberman in this section, and though seventy 
years of age still retains the business ability and 
fine personal traits which have brought about 
his remarkable success in the west. He has 
given abundant evidence of his appreciation of 
the opportunities by which he was surrounded 
by investing heavily in town and country prop- 
erty, and has in many ways taken an active part 
in those affairs intended to contribute to the 
general development of his adopted home. 

The wife of Mr. Jones died in 1875, leaving 
four children : Elizabeth Lois, wife of William 
Towne of Holyoke, Mass. ; Lovina Dell, wife of 
W. H. Grindstaff of Portland; Birdie Lucy, 
wife of George D. Schalk of Portland; and Her- 
man Halsey, manager of the Jones Lumber 
Company. 



HERMAN HALSEY JONES. Among the 
younger business men of Portland, Herman Hal- 
sey Jones, secretary, treasurer and manager of 
the Jones Lumber Company, is securely fortified 
in a position whose responsibilities he has so suc- 
cessfully shouldered as to entitle him to a con- 
spicuous place in the ranks of the most enter- 
prising and sagacious representatives of the 
commercial world of the Pacific northwest. 
While it is true that opportunities of Ho mean 
nature were placed within his grasp when he 
stood upon the threshold of his business career, 
his record proves that, unlike many a young man 
similarly situated, he was possessed of powers of 
discernment and judgment sufficient to enable 
him to make the most of these opportunities from 
his first effort to the present time. 

The family to which Mr. Jones belongs has a 



PORTRAIT AND P.IOCRAPHICAL RECORD. 



115 



record for enterprise, energy and initiative work 
extending through several generations. The 
history of the identification of the fam- 
ily with the industrial interests o\ Oregon 
began more than a half a century ago when, in 
[852, Justus Jones, the paternal grandfather of 
the subject of this sketch, came from his pioneer 
home in Wisconsin and established one of the 
earliest lumber industries of this state in the 
vicinity of Portland. His son, John H. Jones, 
took up this business where the pioneer left off, 
and the representative of the third generation is 
now energetically engaged in prosecuting the 
business developed by his father, whose advanced 
age renders him willing to allow the brunt of 
the great responsibilities attached to the conduct 
of the enterprise to fall upon the younger and 
more active man. 

Herman Halsey Jones was born in Portland, 
March 17, 1870, and received his education in 
the public schools of that city. From his earliest 
youth he was more or less familiar with the busi- 
ness conducted by his father, and after entering 
the employ of the mill in 1890, beginning at the 
bottom of the ladder, he learned all the details of 
the business in its various departments. When 
the firm of E. K. Jones & Co. was incorporated in 
1891 he was elected to the directorate, and filled 
the position of vice-president until assuming the 
positions of secretary and manager in 1898. 
Upon the organization of its successor, the Jones 
Lumber Co., in 1901, he became its secretary, 
treasurer and manager. The mill, located at No. 
1280 Macadam street, has a capacity of fifty thou- 
sand feet per day of te.11 hours, and the yard, 
located at Fourth and Columbia streets, is the 
largest retail yard in Portland. The mill is op- 
crated by steam power, has double circular saws, 
lath mill, box shook plant and moulding plant, 
and its products are shipped to California and 
many eastern points. 

In Portland Mr. Jones was united in mar- 
riage with Mamie C. Morris, a native of England, 
and a daughter of David A. Morris, foreman 
of the Willamette Steel & Iron Works. She 
came to the United States with her parents in 
1876, and has resided in Portland since 1879. 
They are the parents of a son, named Morris 
Giesy. Air. Jones is a member of the Native 
Sons of Oregon, and in political affiliation is a 
Republican, though not a seeker for public 
honors. He was one of the incorporators of 
the Portland City Retail Lumber Company, a 
clearing house association for the lumber mer- 
chants of this city. He is one of the energetic 
and typically western business men. possessing 
personal attributes which cannot fail to keep him 
among the foremost in business and social af- 
fairs. 



ROCKEY PRESTON EARHART. During 

his public service, which lasted over a period of 
twenty-five years, Rockey Preston Earhart be- 
came a prominent and influential figure in the 
legislative life of the state of Oregon, serving 
almost constantly in some capacity during this 
time, and unlike many other public men every 
succeeding position lifted him higher in the esti- 
mation of the people whom he served. Always 
a careful, thorough business man, punctual in 
the discharge of duties, and always implicitly 
trusted, Mr. Earhart took a firm stand on every 
question which affected the people morally, so- 
cially or financially and they well knew that their 
interests were upheld by a representative in 
every way worthy of their trust and confidence. 
Personally he was a man who influenced all 
with whom he came in contact, through the 
possession of a courteous, kindly disposition and 
a forceful, speaking magnetism, winning many 
friends, for whom he entertained a frank, warm 
and loyal attachment, which could not but be 
reciprocated. His splendid optimism, from 
which fine quality the greatness of the world 
has grown, caused him to be sought for at 
every gathering, political or otherwise, for he 
was an eloquent and engaging conversationalist, 
describing with striking force whatever had 
come within his line of vision. Such a char- 
acter as that of Mr. Earhart must stand for 
all time as one of the pillars in the magnificent 
statehood which has been erected in the north- 
west, and though gone from mortal sight, as all 
must go, he still lives in the hearts of those who 
knew him in the pioneer days of the country. 

Air. Earhart was born in Franklin county, 
Ohio, June 23, 1836, and received his education 
in the private schools of his native state, where 
he gained a practical business training. He 
left his home in 1855 and came to Oregon by 
way of the Isthmus of Panama, seeking a 
broader, scope for his abilities. Upon his arrival 
in this section he came in contact with some of 
the public men of the day, and they, recognizing 
the ability which was needed in all departments 
of the growing west, secured for him an ap- 
pointment as clerk in the quartermaster's depart- 
ment at Ft. Yamhill, then under the command 
of Capt. Robert A'IcFeely, who later became a 
general in the United States Army, and quar- 
termaster P. H. Sheridan, then an almost un- 
known soldier. Air. Earhart remained in this 
department until 1861, this date being the signal 
for the departure of Sheridan, who went toward 
the states to offer his services in putting down 
the rebellion, during which time he served val- 
iantly in the Yakima Indian war, rendering val- 
uable assistance to the officials under whom he 
served. Tn 186] he embarked in a merchandis- 
ing enterprise in Yamhill and Polk counties, con- 



116 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tiriuing so engaged for three years, during which 
time he was married, July 2, 1863, to Miss N. A. 

Burden, who was herself a young pioneer to 
the coast. 

Judge Job Burden, the father of Mrs. Earhart, 
was one of the first judges appointed in that 
county, and was a pioneer of Oregon. His home 
was in Sangamon county, 111., and from that 
state a party of emigrants, of whom the judge 
and his family were members, came in 1845, 
equipped with supplies, wagons and ox teams. 

The journey occupied six months, the close of 
which found them safely located in the western 
state. Judge Burden followed farming in Polk 
county and endured all the hardships and priva- 
tions of the early settler, and by his earnest and 
persevering work proved his substantial qualities 
as a citizen of the county in which he made 
his home. He and his wife died there at ad- 
vanced ages. Of their six children three daugh- 
ters survive, Mrs. Earhart having been born in 
Illinois in 1844 a "d thus crossed the plains at 
the ag-e of one vear. Of the children which 
blessed her union with Mr. Earhart, Alice A. 
is the wife of H. F. Gibson, of Seattle, Wash. ; 
Eva T. is the widow of F. H. Alliston, of Port- 
land ; Clara E. is the wife of Dr. George F. 
Koehler, of Portland; and Agnes L. is the wife 
of W. A. Holt, also of this city. They were all 
born in Oregon and were educated in the public 
and best private schools which the country af- 
forded. 

Mr. Earhart engaged in merchandising until 
he received an appointment as United States 
Indian Agent at the Warm Springs Agency, to 
succeed Colonel Logan, remaining for about a 
year, when he was followed by Capt. John Smith. 
For some time after this he served as chief clerk 
and special Indian agent under Superintendent 
Huntington, and was secretary of the board of 
commissioners appointed by the general govern- 
ment to treat with the Klamath and Modoc In- 
dians. In 1868 he again engaged in the mercan- 
tile business at Salem, Ore., and continued there 
until 1872. In conjunction with other citizens 
Mr. Earhart was active in maintaining peace at 
the capital during the troublesome times when 
the Civil war was in progress and when an out- 
break might have occurred but for the courage 
and coolness of a few citizens who were pre- 
pared for active service at .any moment. In 
1870 Mr. Earhart was called upon to represent 
Marion county in the legislature, as a Repub- 
lican, and was there instrumental in securing the 
first appropriation for the erection of public 
buildings in the state. He moved to Portland at 
the close of the term and was engaged for some 
time in the business department of the Daily 
Bulletin. He was appointed chief clerk of the 
surveyor general's office in 1874 and success- 



fully maintained this position until 1878, when 
he resigned to accept the office of secretary of 
state, to which he had been elected. He en- 
tered upon his duties and reorganized and sys- 
tematized the business of the office, and so ac- 
ceptably did he discharge his duties that he re- 
ceived the unanimous vote of the Republican 
state convention for renomination and secured 
a majority of twenty-five hundred votes in the 
June election, 1882. Plis second term was as 
eminently satisfactory as the first, and upon his 
retirement his administration was heartily en- 
dorsed by both parties. From 1885 to 1887 he 
served as adjutant general of the state, and in 
1888 was elected member of the legislature from 
Multnomah county, and re-elected for a second 
term, which was never completed. In 1890 he 
was appointed collector of customs, a position 
which was also interrupted by the summons of 
death. During his last residence in Portland 
Mr. Earhart was instrumental in the organiza- 
tion and incorporation of the Northwest Insur- 
ance Company, taken up by the prominent men 
of the city of Portland, and in this company Mr. 
Earhart was appointed manager, which position 
he held for a number of years. His death oc- 
curred at his home in Portland, No. 365 Twelfth 
street, south, May 11, 1892. 

In fraternal relations Mr. Earhart was very 
prominent, having been made a Mason in 1863 
and had held every office in the gift of the 
fraternity. In 1872 he was elected grand secre- 
tary of the Grand Lodge, serving until 1878, 
when, in recognition of past services in that 
body, he was elected to the high and honorable 
position of grand master and re-elected in 1879. 
He was also sovereign grand inspector and at- 
tained the thirty-third degree in the Scottish Rite 
in Oregon. He assisted in the organization of 
the first commandery of Knights Templar estab- 
lished on the north Pacific coast, and served for 
four years as eminent commander, and upon his 
retirement he was presented with a handsome 
Masonic jewel. At the time of his death he was 
grand commander of Knights Templar of the 
state. Religiously he was a member of the Con- 
gregational Church. 



CAPT. GEORGE H. FLANDERS. A little 
more than a decade ago the city of Portland was 
called upon to give up one of the men whose 
character has truly left an ineradicable impres- 
sion upon the moral, social and commercial life 
of that city ; whose purity of thought, word and 
action has placed him as one apart from the 
large number of those who gave their strength 
and manhood to the upbuilding of the west ; who, 
though long passed away, is still remembered by 
the many friends who loved him and the manv 




Jf CTsUlsjJ PV. ^^^oUu^y^ 



pi IRTR \1T AND I'.K >GRAPHICAL RED >RI). 



1 IP 



who knevt his worth through the kindness which 
he had shown them in the day oi their need. 
Captain Flanders lived a life of such usefulness, 
intelligent, practical and Christian, giving freely 

of all wherewith he was blessed, in every busi- 
ness enterprise earnest for the advancement of 
the growth of the city but ever guarding his own 
honor ami that of the community, the word be- 
in £ the key note to the blamelessness of his en- 
tire life. A brief sketch of his life is herewith 
given, his participation in the early history of the 
city numbering him as one of the representative 
citizens. 

George 11. Flanders was horn in Newbury- 
port, Mass.. December 25. 1821, the representa- 
tive of an old New England family, the English 
ancestor having come to that state in 1040. There 
the father. John, was also born. From his earli- 
est boyhood Captain Flanders followed the sea, 
engaging in manhood in foreign trade, and 
finally he turned his eyes toward the western 
states, a splendid faith in their future justifying 
the removal here. In the year 1848 he came 
with his brother-in-law, Captain Couch, in a ves- 
sel of his own named "Palos." around the Horn 
to San Francisco and a little later became a resi- 
dent of our city, where he remained throughout 
the remaining: years of a long and useful life, 
closely identified with the business interests of 
the city and the development of her resources. 
It is a fact worthy of note that Captain Flanders 
never revisited his home in the eastern states, so 
entirely content did he become in the life and 
interests which were his as a citizen of this 
section. He was first connected with Captain 
Couch in the building of the wharf which 
extended from Ankeny to Davis street and 
was known by the names of the two men, 
and Captain Flanders also built the Greenwich 
wharf. For several years he was engaged in the 
mercantile business here and in transportation 
between Portland and San Francisco, and also 
owned one-fourth of the Couch donation land 
claim, now known as Couch addition to the city. 
In connection with Captain Couch he built the 
first Masonic temple in the city, located at the 
corner of Front and Burnside streets, this being 
one of the first brick buildings here erected. One 
of the most important positions which the cap- 
tain filled was that of United States hull inspec- 
tor, succeeding to this upon the death of Captain 
Couch, and maintaining honorably and creditably 
the same for the period of ten years, at the ex- 
piration of that time resigning. 

In fraternal relations Captain Flanders was a 
member of the Masonic order, belonging to Wil- 
lamette Lodge, and in religion he was a consci- 
entious member of Trinity Episcopal Church, in 
which he officiated as vestryman until his death, 
which occurred November 22. 1892. He married 



Maria L. Foster, horn in Winthrop, Me., also 
Messed with the ancestry of a sturdy Puritan 

family, and she now makes her home in the old 
home in this city. 



HON. JOHN W. MELDRL'M. From an 
early period in the history of America the Mel- 
drum family has been identified with its growth, 
and it is a noticeable fact that its members have 
been associated with the pioneer element. Will- 
iam Meldrum. who was of Scotch-Irish descent, 
settled in Kentucky as early as 1804. while that 
state was yet in its infancy and unredeemed from 
the wilderness. At a later date he became a 
pioneer of Illinois, settling near Carrollton. 
where he passed the remaining years of his busy 
life. John, a son of this pioneer, was born in 
Shelby county, Ky., in March. 1808. and became 
a stonemason and builder, following that occupa- 
tion both in Illinois and Iowa. 

As 'early as 1845 the Meldrum family started 
on the long and difficult journey across the 
plains. The family consisted of John Meldrum. 
his wife. Susanna Depew (Cox) Meldrum, and 
their four children. Starting from Council 
Bluffs, Iowa, in April, they followed the Platte 
and Green river route, and landed at Oregon 
City in October, 1845. The third in order of 
birth among the children was John W . who was 
born near Burlington. Iow^a. December 17. 1839. 
From the age of six years he has been a resident 
of Oregon. Almost his earliest recollections are 
therefore of the far west, with its pioneer en- 
vironment and sparsely-settled communities. 
The hardships and privations incident to opening 
up a home in the wilderness he experienced while 
yet a boy. and in his later years he has looked 
back upon the past with a keen appreciation of 
the changes which time has wrought in our pop- 
ulation, improvements and well-being. His edu- 
cation was such as the early schools of the state 
afforded, but has been supplemented by self- 
culture and habits of reading and close observa- 
tion. His father had a claim near Ilwaco. Wash., 
and for a time he remained there, assisting in 
clearing the land, but about 1856 he returned to 
Oregon City. The next few years witnessed a 
number of changes in his life. For a time he 
taught school, for two years read law. and for 
four vears worked in the Florence and other 
mines. 

About T865 Mr. Meldrum's attention for the 
first time began to be turned to surveying. For 
a period of twenty consecutive years, excepting 
onlv one vear. he was employed as United States 
deputv surveyor, and meantime worked in every 
part of Oregon, as well as in Idaho. In 1888 
he was elected county surveyor of Clackamas 
county, and two years later was honored with 



L20 



TORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the office of county judge, which officer was at 
that time ex-officio chairman of the board of 
county commissioners. In this position his 
knowledge of engineering was brought into prac- 
tical use in the betterment of the county roads, 
then everywhere in a deplorable condition during 
all except the summer months of the year. 
Realizing that no permanent improvement could 
ever come under the labor tax system of working 
the roads, then employed, he devoted his ener- 
gies to the abolishment of that system, and the 
substitution of the money-tax system in his 
county. But it was not until the middle of his 
term, in 1892, when a new commissioner, R. 
Scott, of Milwaukee, whose ideas on road build- 
ing coincided with those of the judge, came into 
the board, that it was possible to make the 
change. As soon as practicable thereafter the 
change of systems was made, and although con- 
siderable opposition was encountered at first, 
especially in the country districts, it soon became 
evident from the amount of actually permanent 
improvement already accomplished on the county 
roads that the new system of working the pub- 
lic highways was much better and it has been 
employed in the county since that time. The 
result has been greatly improved roads, the bene- 
fits of which the people, from actual experience, 
have learned to appreciate, and many who at 
first opposed the change now bless the judge 
who was instrumental in bringing it about. 

The judge has a comfortable country home on 
the banks of the Willamette river, one-half mile 
below the mouth of the Clackamas river. On 
September 25, 1872, in Oregon City, the mar- 
riage of the judge and Miss Georgiana Pope was 
solemnized. Mrs. Meldrum is a native of Ore- 
gon City, and a niece of Governor Abernethy. 
They are the parents of three children, namely : 
Charles E., of Oregon City ; Eva S., a teacher in 
the high school of the same place ; and David 
T., a student at Cornell University. 

During 1898 Mr. Meldrum was appointed 
special agent for the general land office, exam- 
ining surveys in Nevada and Wyoming, where 
he remained for ten months, filling the duties of 
his office. In 1902 he was elected county sur- 
veyor of Clackamas county, which office he is 
now filling. The experience of his past surveying 
expeditions adapts him admirably for his present 
position, and he is filling it to the satisfaction of 
the people of the county. Since 1869 ne has 
been associated with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, and is also a member of the En- 
campment, besides having filled the chairs in the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he 
is still a member. For ten years he has been a 
member of the board of trustees of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at Oregon City, in the work of 
which he is warmly interested, as well as being 



a generous contributor to its maintenance. From 
the time of casting his first vote he has been a 
stanch Republican, and was one of the four dele- 
gates-at-large from Oregon to the St. Louis 
convention which nominated McKinley and 
Hobart. He is a member of the Pioneer Society 
and the Oregon Historical Society, and is at all 
times interested in anything pertaining to pioneer 
days in Oregon. 



ROBERT C. KINNEY was a son of Samuel 
Kinney and a nephew of Gov. William Kinney 
of Illinois. He was born in Belleville, St. Clair 
county. 111, in 1813, of Kentucky parentage. He 
pre-empted a tract of land on the banks of the 
.Mississippi river which he thought eligible as a 
site for a future city. Here he built a hotel 
and wharf and laid out a town, and ran a boat 
between this point and St. Louis. Thus he be- 
came the founder of Muscatine, and a pioneer of 
Iowa. For a time he engaged in the flouring 
and sawmilling business, and also read law with 
Judge Hastings, a prominent member of the early 
bar of San Francisco. In 1847, accompanied by 
his family he crossed the plains via the Platte 
route and Oregon trail, making the journey with 
ox teams. Near Lafayette he took up a donation 
claim under the territorial laws of Oregon. 

Attracted by the news of wonderful gold mines 
in California he joined the throng of adventur- 
ous spirits, who have since rendered that state 
and epoch brilliant by their achievements in many 
fields, and during a part of 1848-49 shared their 
hardships and their fortunes. Returning to his 
farm in the latter year he devoted himself to 
its improvement for a time, but re-entered the 
milling business in 1859 by the purchase of the 
McMinnville mills, and finding the business 
profitable and to his taste, added the purchase 
of the flour mills at Salem in 1875 and removed 
thither with his family. This enlargement of his 
business called for branch offices in Portland. 
San Francisco and Liverpool, England. To this 
Salem milling company belongs the credit of 
chartering the first vessel for the shipment of 
flour from Portland to Liverpool, China, Hin- 
doostan and elsewhere in the Orient, and to 
Montevideo in South America. In the manage- 
ment of this growing and profitable business 
Mr. Kinney found his sons to be capable and 
successful lieutenants, and hence the business 
which they pioneered has grown to its present 
importance. But these growing interests did rtot 
withdraw Mr. Kinney's attention from his duties 
as a citizen, and his sterling sense and sound 
judgment were called for by his fellow citizens 
to aid in the convention which framed the first 
constitution for Oregon. 

Through his marriage to Eliza Bigelow, R. C. 



PORTRAIT AND moCKAI'llkWI. RECORD. 



121 



Kinne) became connected with the founder o\ 

the cit\ oi Milwaukee. Wis. Mrs. Kinney was 
bom in Nova Scotia, and at an early age ac- 
companied her father. Daniel Bigelow, to Illi- 
nois, thence to Wisconsin, where Mr. Bigelow 
engaged in sawmilling. The little mill which he 
operated became the nucleus of a village, which 
lie called Mil-waukee. 

In the family oi R. C. Kinney there were eight 
children who attained mature \ears. and of these 
three sons and three daughters are now living. 
Mrs. Mary Jane Smith is a resident of Astoria, 
and her sons. Senator J. H. Smith and A. M. 
Smith, are prominent attorneys of the same 
place. Albert W. Kinney, who was in the mill- 
ing business with his father, died in Salem in 
1882. This son. together with William S. and 
M. J. Kinney, continued in the business pro- 
jected by their father, and William S. Kinney 
was the president and manager of the Clatsop 
Sawmill Company until the time of his death in 
1899. Augustus C. Kinney, the Astoria physi- 
cian so well known as a specialist in tuberculosis, 
was among the first advocates of the germ the- 
ory of the origin of this disease, and had come 
to be recognized in this country as an authority 
in this field before the demonstrations of Koch 
of Germany removed all doubt by the discovery 
of the tubercular bacillus. His well consid- 
ered articles in medical journals and before 
medical societies had before that attracted 
much attention from medical men and now a 
large practice in his special field is a part of his 
reward. Alfred Kinney, a younger brother and 
a physician and surgeon in general practice lives 
in Astoria, where he stands high in his profes- 
sion. Mrs. Josephine Walker lives in San Fran- 
cisco, and Mrs. Eliza Peyton, wife of Dr. J. E. 
Pevton. lives in Redlands. Cal. 



^MARSHALL J. KINNEY, the fourth son 
of R. C. Kinney, was an infant when the family 
came to Oregon in 1847. He was educated in 
the public schools of the state and in the ?Jc- 
Minnville Academy. After the completion of 
his education he entered into the employ of his 
father, where he soon mastered the details of 
the business. Tn 1868 he went to San Fran- 
cisco to take charge of a branch office there. 
Though barely twenty-one years of age the busi- 
ness, running into many hundreds of thousands 
of dollars per annum, and extending across both 
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, was conducted 
with such good judgment as to command the con- 
fidence of his business associates of all classes 
in San Francisco, as well as the entire approval 
of his father in Oregon. 

The death of his father, in 1875. and of his 



older brother soon after, and the consequent sale 
of the Salem mills, recalled him to Oregon, where, 
in 1876, he became interested in the salmon pack- 
ing business in Astoria. Through his enterprise 
there was built up what was at the time the 
largest salmon cannery in the world. Not satis- 
fied with the methods of canning then in vogue, 
he introduced improved machinery and methods, 
and in this way brought the business up to a 
high plane of activity and success. About 
seventy-five thousand cases were packed an- 
nually, and the Kinney brand of salmon be- 
came known in every part of the world. In ad- 
dition to his Astoria business, he established 
canneries at Chilcoot and Cape Fox. in Alaska, 
and started the cannery at Fairhaven. Wash., 
of which he is still president. 

In addition to his canning interests, which con- 
tinue to be large and valuable, for twenty vears 
or more Mr. Kinney has engaged in the lumber 
manufacturing business with his brother. Will- 
iam, president of the Clatsop Mills Company. 
The mills have a large capacity, manufacturing 
lumber from the timber fields of Oregon. The 
company owns valuable tracts on the Columbia 
river and in the coast counties, which are es- 
pecially adapted to the purpose of the concern. 
In 1899 Mr. Kinney removed his office to Port- 
land, where he has since made his home and his 
business headquarters. 

Mr. Kinney is a life member of the Occidental 
Lodge of Masons in San Francisco. .Among the 
other organizations with which he is connected 
are the Oregon Pioneer Association, the Oregon 
Historical Society, and others of a similar na- 
ture. In San Francisco he married Margaret 
Morgan, who was born in that city and died there, 
leaving a daughter, Harriet M. His second mar- 
riage united him with Narcissa White of Penn- 
sylvania, wdio gained a national reputation 
through her distinguished services in the cause 
of temperance. (An account of the life of Mrs. 
Kinnev will be found in the following sketch.) 



NARCISSA WHITE KINNEY. If we were 
asked to characterize Narcissa White Kinney we 
would write : The grand law of her being was 
to conclude whatsoever she undertook. No mat- 
ter what its difficulties nor how small its worth, 
she held to it until she had mastered everv de- 
tail, finished it, and made the result of it her 
own. Carefully she studied the matter in hand 
and with indomitable energy, perseverance and 
skill carried forward to completion the ideas she 
evolved and finally crystallized into living prac- 
tical issues. Hence, whatever she did bore the 
ineffaceable impress of her personality. 

Mrs. Kinnev came of good stock. She was 
Scotch-Trish bv inheritance, and for irrit and 






L2 



>■> 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



grace there seems to be no better combination. 
Her ancestors on both sides hail from "bonnie 
Scotland," but stopped on their way to America, 
for several generations, in the North of Ireland. 
Her mother's maiden name was Wallace, and 
family records show that she was a direct de- 
scendant of Adam Wallace, who was burned at 
the stake in Scotland for his religion. The 
thrilling account of his steadfast faith and tri- 
umphant death has been handed down to us 
through the sombre records of "Fox's Book of 
Martyrs."' At his death his two sons, David 
and Moses Wallace, fled to the North of Ire- 
land, whence Narcissa's grandfather, Hugh Wal- 
lace, emigrated to America in 1796 and located 
in the western part of Pennsylvania. Her 
father's ancestor, Walter White, suffered mar- 
tyrdom for his religion during the reign of 
Queen Mary, and four of her far-away grand- 
fathers — two on each side of the house — fought 
side by side at the battle of the Boyne. 

Mrs. Kinney's father, George W. White, was 
a Christian gentleman of high moral character 
much respected by all who knew him. He was 
an intelligent man. a deep thinker, well posted 
in the literature of the day. in history, and es- 
pecially in the sacred scriptures. He realized 
the advantages to be derived from a liberal edu- 
cation and labored hard to give his children the 
very best attainable in that early day. He spent 
the greater part of his life on a part of the old 
homestead taken up by his father. At seventy 
years of age he was suddenly killed in a railroad 
accident which occurred near his home in 1883. 

The mother, Susanna Kerr Wallace, was born 
in Ireland and came to America with the family 
when eighteen years of age. She was a woman 
of strong personality, very energetic and full of 
resources, deeply pious, and carried her religion 
into her every-day life in such a way as early 
to impress her children with their need of spirit- 
ual guidance. She was the mother of eight 
children, one boy and seven girls, all of whom 
honored their father and their mother in their 
lives. The youngest daughter, Maria, from 
early girlhood longed to become a missionary 
to the foreign field, and finally gained the con- 
sent of her parents to study medicine and so 
prepare herself for the work of a medical mis- 
sionary. After graduating from a medical 
school in New York City, she took up work in 
the slums of the city for one year as a prepara- 
tion for the foreign field. In 1886 she sailed 
for India under the board of the United Presby- 
terian Church, and on reaching her destination 
began work in Sialkote. In a few years she 
formulated plans, raised funds, and founded a 
medical hospital there, which has proven an 
inestimable blessing to the afflicted and diseased 
women and children in that benighted land, and 



is considered by the church as a powerful factor 
in civilizing and christianizing those depraved 
and ignorant heathen. After eight years of 
arduous labor, Dr. White returned to America 
broken in health, with but little hope of ever 
being able to return ; but after several years her 
health was restored, and in 1902 she again sailed 
for India to devote the remaining years of her 
life to her chosen work. 

Xarcissa White, the subject of this sketch, 
was horn in (irove City, Pa., in 1854. She was 
the sixth daughter, the youngest of the family 
but one. She received her primary education in 
the Grove City public schools, and was later 
graduated from the State Normal School of 
Pennsylvania, with high honors, distinguishing 
herself as a writer and speaker and showing 
such marked ability as a teacher that she was 
immediately elected principal of the training 
school in Edinboro, Pa. She labored here for 
some time and was sent out through the state 
to organize county institutes, where she gave 
instruction in chart work and elocution. So en- 
ergetically did she prosecute her work that her 
health gave way and she was laid aside for two 
years. 

During these years the great temperance cru- 
sade was in progress, and its outgrowth, the 
Woman's Christian Temperance Union — which 
has now become such a powerful organization — 
was in its incipiency, but was claiming public 
attention. Miss White, among others, became in- 
terested in the movement, and after studying 
carefully its aims and methods, became pro- 
foundly impressed with the need and importance 
of its work and felt it her duty to work under 
the auspices of that organization. With her, a 
duty known was a duty performed. She at once 
joined the white ribbon ranks, was elected presi- 
dent of the Grove City Union, and in a short 
time county president, then state superintendent 
of scientific temperance instruction, and in that 
position did an immense amount of work. She 
visited county institutes and gave instruction in 
the scientific teaching of the effects of alcoholics 
and narcotics upon the human system, in such 
a logical way as to elicit warm commendations 
from educators generally. All this work was - 
gradually preparing her for the larger field she 
was soon to occupy. In 1880 she was called to 
the platform exclusively. She was made a 
national lecturer and organizer, and in that 
capacity visited every state and territory in the 
Union, also Canada and British Columbia. 

During these years Narcissa White had de- 
veloped wonderfully. Naturally she possessed 
a keen, logical mind, a most persuasive manner, 
a quick, sparkling wit and a charming person- 
ality. Her face was handsome and expressive, 
one that would attract attention among the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



125 



crowds. She had a lofty, graceful bearing and 
a fine physique. Her address was dignified, 
without a suggestion of haughtiness. She was 
gracious to everyone, yet without a trace of 
superiority. Her success as a platform orator 
was remarkable. She had developed into one 
of the most brilliant speakers in the entire coterie 
engaged in reform and educational work 
and was sought far and nt^ar and everywhere 
hailed with delight. Her presence was mag- 
netic : her voice, which she had carefully culti- 
vated, was clear and penetrating, so flexible and 
sympathetic that she swayed her audience at her 
will. She brought to the platform such intense 
enthusiasm that it was contagious, and impelled 
her hearers to give assent to her earnest plead- 
ings. 

As a champion of truth and righteousness and 
in shaping and carrying forward the great re- 
forms of her day, she had no mean part. Her 
great heart was stirred to its very depths by 
the wrongs inflicted upon defenseless women 
and children by the liquor traffic, and her deep 
sense of right and justice was outraged by the 
protection the traffic received from our national 
and civic government, so she threw her whole 
soul into the battle for prohibition and her strong 
personality and burning eloquence left their im- 
press upon every community she visited in our 
great commonwealth. 

Miss White twice visited the Pacific coast in 
the interest of temperance and did most effective 
work in Oregon and Washington, particularly in 
securing temperance legislation. During these 
tours she met and formed the acquaintance of 
Marshall J. Kinney, at that time the proprietor 
of several of the largest fish canneries on the 
Columbia river. Mr. Kinney's family was 
among the pioneers of Oregon, known all over 
the coast. The father and five stalwart sons 
have been identified with many of the large in- 
which have attracted immigration to 



the northwe-t. In 1888 Miss White left the 
lecture field to become the wife of Mr. Kinney, 
and came to Astoria, "the city bv the sea." to 
make her home. Here she soon found many 
avenues for work, and her fertile brain, ever 
active, among other things developed plans for 
elevating and christianizing the hundreds of fish- 
ermen in the employ of her husband. Mr. Kin- 
ney, being in full sympathy with all her work, 
gave her free rein, and she opened a mission 
and taught those ignorant men and women — 
many of them Russian Finns — new ideas of life. 
She opened to them the Scriptures and led many 
of them to the feet of the Master. 

Mrs. Kinney was a devoted Christian, reared 
in the United Presbyterian Church, and after 
her removal to Oregon a member of the Presby- 
terian Church. She was identified with all the 



activities of the church, and was especially in- 
terested in the foreign mission work in India, 
where her sister labored. In her will she left 
her wedding ring, a valuable diamond, to the 
India mission. It was to be sold and the money 
used for furthering the work there. 

Mrs. Kinney was also a philanthropist. She 
planned largely to promote education in Oregon 
by assisting in establishing libraries, organizing 
Chautauquas and summer schools, and repeat- 
edly lectured before such assemblies and before 
the state universities and colleges. She was also 
the center of a large social circle of cultured 
and refined people. Her sparkling wit, quick 
repartee and winning manner made her a gen- 
eral favorite at all social gatherings. 

In 1894 she was elected president of the Ore- 
gon W. C. T. U., which position she held until 
about one year before her death, when her fail- 
ing health compelled her to resign. She was a 
most efficient president, a model presiding officer, 
and possessed great executive ability. She was 
a careful financier, and had the faculty of im- 
parting to her followers a measure of her own 
earnestness and enthusiasm. By her unselfish 
devotion to the cause she represented she in- 
spired all with whom she labored to do their very 
best. She knew no such word as failure, so her 
administration was one of progression and wide 
influence. 

In the autumn of 1899 Mr. and Mrs. Kinney 
left Astoria and went to Portland to reside. She 
was not robust, but was not an invalid by any 
means, and in her new home was entering into 
such work as presented itself. She was appa- 
rently as well as usual when, without warning, 
she was stricken and yielded up her life forty- 
eight hours after she was taken ill. It seemed 
a strange dispensation of Providence that had 
called her away in the midst of her usefulness 
and at the very zenith of her mental power. 
These things we cannot fathom and may not 
question. 

We will not say, "God's ordinance 
Of death is blown in every wind ; " 

For that is not a common chance 
That takes away a noble mind. 

We know only that God called her, and she 
obeyed. We know, too, that her consecrated 
life — single-hearted, generous, pure and noble- 
has left an influence which will rest like a bene- 
diction upon her adopted state and upon all who 
came in touch with her, and that it will go on 
and on, spreading and growing and blessing even 
generations yet to come. 



HON. SAMUEL BRUCE HUSTON. The 
ancestral history of Samuel Bruce Huston has 
been one of close connection with America and 



26 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



her development from the early colonial epoch 
of the nation. James Huston, the great-great- 
grandfather of our subject, was born in the little 
rock-ribbed country of Wales, whence he 
c'rossed the Atlantic to the new world, braving 
the dangers incident to an ocean voyage at that 
time. He lived first in Delaware and afterward 
in Mifflin county, Pa., and his spirit of loyalty 
and bravery was manifest in the early times 
when the French and Indian war was in prog- 
ress, for during that contest he served as an 
officer. When the yoke of British oppression 
became so intolerable that the colonists resolved 
to sever all allegiance to the British crown he 
joined the Continental army and fought for the 
independence of the nation. Hon. Alexander 
Huston, the great-grandfather of our subject, 
was born in Mifflin county, Pa., and immigrating 
to pioneer districts took up his abode in Nelson, 
county, Ky., whence in 1809 he removed to In- 
diana, and in both states he visited Indian 
camps. He was a member of the first constitu- 
tional convention of Indiana, and he aided in 
laying broad and deep the foundation upon 
which was reared the superstructure of the com- 
monwealth. His son, Samuel M. Huston, the 
grandfather, was born in Nelson county, Ky., 
ere the removal of the family to Indiana. In 
the latter state he engaged in farming, and in 
Salem. Ind., Oliver Huston, the father of our 
subject, was born and reared. He, too, followed 
farming in the vicinity of Salem and of New 
Philadelphia, and when the Civil war broke out 
he responded to his country's call for troops, en- 
listing in Company G, Eighteenth Indiana In- 
fantry, with which he went to the front, and in 
the battle of Stone River, in 1862, he was killed, 
thus laying down his life upon the altar of his 
country. His wife, who bore the maiden name 
of Lucretia Naugle, was born in Washington 
county, Ind., a daughter of Jacob Naugle, who 
was born near Washington, Pa., and became a 
pioneer farmer of Indiana, whence in 1842 he 
removed to Texas, where he was engaged in 
raising cattle. His son, Benjamin Naugle, 
served in the war for the independence of Tex- 
as, and during the Civil war fought with the 
Texas Rangers. He died in the Lone Star state. 
Tradition says that the great-grandfather Nau- 
gle was a soldier of the Revolution. The 
mother of our subject died in Illinois and of 
her three children but one is now living. 

Samuel Bruce Huston of this review was born 
in Salem, Ind., March 16, 1858, and spent the 
first eight years of his life in that state, but 
after his father's death he became a resident of 
Crawford county. 111., where he was reared upon 
a farm, while in the district schools he acquired 
his education until he had prepared for entrance 
into the Northern Indiana Normal School, where 



he spent three years. He was enabled to ac- 
quire his more advanced mental training be- 
cause of the money which he had previously 
earned in teaching, and his determination to se- 
cure an education, even in the face of difficulties, 
showed forth the elemental strength of his char- 
acter, which has been developed with the pass- 
ing years, making him a strong man in those 
qualities and characteristics which are essential 
to a successful career. 

Entering upon the study of law Mr. Huston 
spent one year as a student in Robinson, 111., 
his reading directed by George N. Parker, after 
which he entered the law office of the firm of 
Heffron & Zaring, in Salem, Ind., being ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1879. For four years there- 
after he occupied a clerical position in the em- 
ploy of the Santa Fe Railroad Company, be- 
tween Trinidad and Santa Fe, and in 1883 ne 
came to Oregon, settling in Forest Grove, where 
he remained for a year. In February, 1884. 
he located in Hillsboro for the practice of law 
and soon gained a distinctively representative 
clientage, his practice being not confined within 
the limits of this county but extending through- 
out the state and embracing much important lit- 
igation. The zeal with which he has devoted 
his energies to the profession, the careful re- 
gard evinced for the interests of his clients, and 
an assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all the 
details of his cases have brought him a large 
business and made him successful in its conduct. 
As his financial resources have increased he has 
made judicious investments in real estate and 
is now the owner of farm property in Wash- 
ington county and business property in Port- 
land. 

In Forest Grove occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Huston and Miss Ella Geiger, a daughter of 
Dr. William Geiger, who came to Oregon across 
the plains in 1839, an d for many years was a 
successful and prominent physician of this part 
of the country, his death occurring in 1901, 
when he was eighty-five years of age. Three 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hus- 
ton : Blanche, Oliver and Carl. 

The qualities of leadership are dominant in 
Mr. Huston, and his fellow citizens, recogniz- 
ing his worth and ability, have frequently called 
him to office. He has served and at the present 
time is filling the position of councilman, has 
been city attorney and mayor of the city and 
for nine years he was a school director, acting 
as president of the board for a part of that 
time. Still higher political honors awaited him, 
for in 1892, on the Democratic ticket, he was 
elected to the state senate, serving in the ses- 
sions of 1893 and 1895, during which time he 
secured the passage of a number of important 
bills, including the one to stop the sale of school 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



12^ 



lands or indemnity lands and providing for the 
appointment, bj the governor, of a commis- 
sioner to select and list all of the lands the state 
had lost 1>\ reason of donation claims, home- 
stead claims and forest reserves, where the same 
covered school sections. This became a law and 
has proved of great value to the state and ma- 
terially increased the school fund. It was also 
due to Mr. Huston that there was a bill passed 
making it a criminal offense to point firearms, 
either loaded or unloaded, at any human being. 
In 1896 Mr. Huston became a gold-standard 
Democrat and is now a Republican. The step 
which he thus took is indicative of his faithful- 
ness to his honest convictions. He is ever fear- 
less in what he believes to be right and never 
weighs his actions in this regard in the scale of 
policy. He is a member of the State Bar Asso- 
ciation, of which he is now (1903) president, 
and holds a position of prestige at the bar as 
well as in political circles, for his comprehensive 
knowledge of jurisprudence and his forceful 
presentation of a case before court or jury have 
secured him high honors and gratifying suc- 
cesses at the Oregon bar. 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS WORTH. En- 
shrined in the hearts of all true Oregonians are 
the pioneers who blazed the way for progress and 
enlightenment on the coast, and though many of 
them have long since passed beyond the ken of 
those comprising the teeming present, their 
names, if not their faces and voices, are familiar 
to the student of state history. Such an one was 
John Quincy Adams "Worth, an early merchant 
of California and Oregon, a pioneer of 1855, and 
a member of the state legislature on the Demo- 
cratic ticket for two terms. At the time of his 
birth, February 2, 1824, Mr. Worth's parents, 
Joseph and Charlotte (Ellison) Worth, were liv- 
ing in Starksborough, Vt., where the father was 
conducting quite a millwright business. From 
Vermont the family removed to New York, and 
from there to Ohio, later locating in Wrights- 
town, Wis., where the elder Worth died at the 
age of eighty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Worth, 
Sr., lived together in harmony, rearing their large 
family of ten children in comparative comfort, 
and training all in ways of industry and strict 
morality. Two children died in infancy, and 
the majority of the others lived to an advanced 
age. Lionel died in Illinois; Guy C. died in 
Alton, Iowa ; William E. died in San Francisco, 
of which town he was a pioneer, and where he 
was superintendent of the Union Iron Works for 
many years; Richard K. died on the way to the 
g-old mines of California in 1849; Eliza Ann, Mrs. 
Turnbull, died in Ohio; George W. died in in- 
fancy: Samuel M. died in May. 1901, in San- 



dusky, ( Ihio, where he was engaged in a mer- 
cantile business; Arthur \V. came from Califor- 
nia to Oregon in 1855, was an architect and 
builder, and died a bachelor, November 13, 1866; 
Martha J. married Philip DeWalt, lived in Ohio 
for many years and died in Florida; 1 larriet A., 
Mrs. Morrison, died in Wisconsin; John Q. A. 
died in Oregon, February 26, 1867; and Vincent 
died at the age of five years. 

The Worth family was established in America 
by very early emigrants who settled in Nan- 
tucket off the Massachusetts coast, and whose 
children subsequently dispersed and founded fam- 
ilies of their own in various eastern states. The 
solid and reliable English traits of character were 
shared by all of the brothers and sisters of John 
Quincy Adams Worth, and were trained into use- 
fulness by a common school education, and prac- 
tical lessons taught at home. After completing 
his education at Newark, Ohio, John applied him- 
self to learning the tailor's trade, and then re- 
turned to Sandusky, and entered into a dry goods 
business with his brothers, later being taken in as 
a partner. They were successful, accumulating 
considerable money, and with this the brothers 
came to California via Cape Horn in 1852, mak- 
ing their way to Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras 
county, where they started a general store, and 
operated a pack train, teaming to Sacramento. 
At the same time Mr. Worth had interests in sev- 
eral mines thereabouts, but his combinations 
proved trying for his health and he was obliged 
to abandon them at the end of three years. After 
selling out the brothers went to Albany, Ore., 
and spent the winter, going later to Orleans, 
where they engaged in business for one year. Mr. 
Worth founded the little town of Peoria, and with 
his brother operated a store in connection with 
the growing of its industries. He was successful 
and prominent in his locality, was regarded as a 
benefactor, and very progressive man, and his 
death in 1867 left a void difficult to fill. He was 
a Democrat from his first voting days, and aside 
from two terms in the legislature, filled various 
positions of trust in his respective communities. 
He was fraternally connected with the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a sociable, 
genial man, interested in churches and schools 
and all that had to do with the fundamental well 
being of his district. 

In 1862 Mr. Worth was united in marriage in 
Brownsville, Ore., with Miss Geary, who was 
born in Ohio in 1842, and who, since his death, 
has reared her children on the farm in Linn 
county, although she permanently located in Port- 
land in 1889. Three children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Worth, Edward Geary, the oldest, hav- 
ing been born April 13, 1863. Mr. Worth is a 
man of education and ability, and was trained at 
the University of Eugene, eventually succeeding 



L28 



'OUTRAN- AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to the position of superintendent of lighthouse 
construction for the government, located in Port- 
land. He is a member of the Independent Order 
of ( )dd Fellows. Joseph E., the second son in the 
family, was born October 14, 1864, and in 1901 
married Leona Henderson. He was a civil en- 
gineer during the first years of his business life, 
taking up that profession after leaving the Uni- 
versity of Eugene. November 5, 1890. he en- 
gaged' in the drug business with Dr. J. H. Irvine, 
after three years assuming his present position 
as sole manager of the drug enterprise. Mr. 
Worth is a public spirited and popular mantis 
fraternally widely known, and is identified with 
the Knights of Pythias, of which he has passed 
all of the chairs ; the Anchor Lodge No. 45, A. O. 
U. \Y. ; the Artisans, Golden Rod Assembly No. 
108; and the Multnomah Camp, W. O. W. Ada 
Lillian, the only daughter of the family, was born 
April 6, 1867, and married Alva O. Condit, in 
March, 1891. Mrs. Condit is a graduate of the 
Monmouth Normal School, and her husband is a 
practicing attorney of Salem. 



EDWARD RACHFORD GEARY. A brave, 
patient and richly endowed nature was called 
from various fields of activity through the death 
of Edward Rachford Geary, September 3, 1886, 
but though so long a time has elapsed, months, 
years nor great changes will place a limit on the 
extent and usefulness of his ministerial, educa- 
tional and general accomplishments. While giv- 
ing all praise to this pioneer of 1851 for his suc- 
cessful manipulation of resources, it is but fair 
to say that certain advantages aided in his rise to 
prominence, not the least being a more than or- 
dinarily strong constitution, a stature developed 
to six feet, and inherited traits which have al- 
ways been associated with the best and most 
virile blood of England. These same ancestors 
were peculiar in one particular, in that all were 
devoted to a seafaring life, only one son being 
left to perpetuate the Geary name of nine genera- 
tions, the others were killed in the British navy. 

Born in Hagerstown, Washington county. Md\, 
April 30, 181 1, Mr. Geary was one of four sons 
(two reaching maturity), born to his parents, 
Richard and Margaret (White) Geary, the for- 
mer of whom was an educator, and removed with 
his family to Pennsylvania in 1823. Edward was 
six years older than his brother, John, the latter 
of whom was equally impressed with the im- 
portance of life, and moulded his tendencies into 
broad and liberal channels. John Geary won the 
rank of captain in the Mexican war, and that of 
general in the Civil war. and he became the first 
mayor of San Francisco, having removed to Cali- 
fornia at an earlv day. He carried scars from 



wounds in both wars, and aside from this distinc- 
tion, won more than local prominence as a poli- 
tician. At the time of his death in Harrisburg, 
Pa., at the age of sixty, he had just completed his 
second term as governor of Pennsylvania. Ed- 
ward Geary early turned his thoughts to the min- 
istry, and after graduating from the Jefferson 
College, Pa., entered the Allegheny Theological 
Seminary. Afterward he went to Alabama, or- 
ganized and conducted an academy for three 
years, and soon after his return to Pennsylvania, 
in 1838, married Harriet Rebecca Reed, whom he 
had known as a child. Miss Reed was born in 
New Berlin, Pa., May 24, 1814, and received an 
excellent education in her native state. Soon after 
the marriage the young people removed to Wayne 
county, Ohio, where Mr. Geary had charge of a 
Presbyterian church at Fredericksburg for twelve 
years, during this time having other church re- 
sponsibilities in the state. His first wife died 
February 17, 1844, leaving two children, Mrs. 
Martha L. Perham, of Butte. Mont., and Mrs. 
Worth. For a second wife Mr Geary married 
Nancy Merrick Woodbridge, a native of New 
York, who was born near Owego, Tioga county, 
January 17, 1818. Mrs. Geary died in Oregon in 
1889, having borne eight children, two of whom 
died in infancy. Of the other children, John 
White Geary is a physician of Burns, Ore. ; 
Elizabeth W. died in Eugene in 1885 ; Ellen E. 
lives in Astoria ; Woodbridge, a graduate of 
W T est Point, was stationed first in Texas, and 
then at Fort Parker, N. Y., later at Mackinac, 
Mich., and Sault Ste. Marie ; becoming an in- 
structor in tactics in the Agricultural College in 
Corvallis, Ore., and from there enlisting in the 
Spanish-American war, his death occurring as 
major and acting captain at the battle of Malla- 
bon, Philippine Islands ; Dr. Edward P. Geary, 
of Portland, Ore. ; and May L., who died in early 
childhood. 

Mr. Geary came to Oregon in the year 185 1 
as representative of the Board of Foreign Mis- 
sions, to look after the church and school work. 
By way of the Isthmus of Panama he reached San 
Francisco, and from there embarked on a sail- 
ing vessel for Astoria, coming from there up the 
river to Oregon City, and thence on the upper 
river aboard the first boat to make the trip, known 
as the Little Hoosier. Upon arriving in Oregon 
he found work much less advanced than he antici- 
pated, and instead of a ready means of livelihood 
in his chosen occupation he was obliged to turn 
his attention to secular work. He organized a 
school and in connection preached as opportunity 
offered, and about this time was appointed secre- 
tary to General Palmer, superintendent of Indian 
affairs. Later he succeeded General Palmer in 
this important responsibility, in April, 1859. In 
1856 he had removed to Linn county from his 




-*;'■% jfraX 



PORTRAIT AND I'.li >GR M'llUAl. REC< >RI>. 



i::i 



former home near Lafayette, settling upon a 
claim which continued to be his home for some 
years, For a time he was interested in a general 
merchandise business, and on one occasion was 
sent cast to purchase machinery for the woolen 
mills at Brownsville 3 the second enterprise of the 
kind in the state of Oregon. Hie burning of this 
mill entailed great loss to its promoters, Mr. 
c icarv sustaining a portion of it himself. He 
afterward became interested in another general 
-tore, but sold out the same upon becoming one 
of the organizers of the Albany college, of which 
he served as president. For some time he served 
as county judge, although he never aspired to 
political recognition; in the meantime he had 
purchased a farm near Albany, making this his 
headquarters while associated with the college and 
judiciary. In 1873 he removed to Eugene, where 
he built a home and was instrumental in locating 
the university at that place. This college enlisted 
bis sympathy and co-operation, and up to the 
time of his death he was a member of the board of 
regents, and a substantial contributor to its finan- 
cial welfare. 

In the meantime Air. Geary had preached in 
many churches, most of which he himself or- 
ganized and started upon their self-supporting 
careers. The gospel was to him a living force 
in the every day affairs of men, and after its ap- 
plication, came all else that made living desirable. 
\*o call was too remote, or entailed too arduous 
toil for his ready response, and at one time he 
rode one hundred and thirty miles on horse- 
back to Portland to converse with a mem- 
ber of the board of missions for a couple 
of hours. He possessed a magnetic and 
forceful personality, impressing all with his 
sincerity and truth, facts observable es- 
pecially in his intercourse with the Indians in the 
very early times, when he used to secure treaties, 
thus averting disaster on many occasions. Many 
experiences of a startling nature came his way 
while intent upon his errands of mercv, and on 
one occasion while going through the almost im- 
penetrable woods he was attacked by bears and 
succeeded in killing one with the butt of his gun. 
He had the faculty of adapting himself to all 
conditions and circumstances, and was equally at 
home in the tents and huts of the early settlers, 
as in the ministerial halls of the assemblv. He 
was a member of the general assembly in 1884, 
having served in a similar capacity on a prior 
occasion. Thus was the life of Mr. Geary cast 
in useful and distinguished mould, and whether 
as a preacher, merchant, educator or agriculturist, 
he maintained a settled faith in goodness and suc- 
cess, as understood by the larger minds of the 
world, never losing track of the gospel of hu- 
manity, which smoothed his way in times of dis- 



tress and seeming failure, and encouraged his 
progress in the waj to which nature and inclina- 
tion had called him. 



CHARLES N. WAIT, attorney at law 
and agriculturist of Clackamas county, was 
born in Oregon City, this county, Febru- 
ary 10, 1856, and bears a name prominently 
identified with the jurisprudence of the state of 
Oregon. His American ancestors were connect- 
ed with the early history of the extreme eastern 
states, his paternal great-grcat-great grandfather, 
Benjamin, having been born in Connecticut, 
from which state he emigrated to Hatfield, Mass. 
This remote forefather was never wanting in 
physical or moral prowess, and because of his 
bold frontier experiences was known as an In- 
dian annihilator. His fighting ability seems to 
have been inherited by his son, John, who was a 
soldier in the Whately Company, under Capt. 
Henry Stiles, and afterward a sergeant in Capt. 
Russell Kellogg's company, on the Bennington 
alarm. Joel, the son of John, followed the mar- 
tial fortunes of Washington during the Revolu- 
tionary war, and was in both the Hatfield Com- 
pany, commanded by Captain Graves, and the 
company of Captain Murry. 

Judge Aaron E. Wait, father of Charles N., 
and first chief justice of the state of Oregon, 
was born in Whately, Franklin county, Mass., 
December 26, 1813, a son of Aaron Wait, also a 
native of Massachusetts, and a soldier during the 
war of 1812. Aaron Wait married Sarah Mor- 
ton, a native of Whately, and daughter of Solo- 
mon Morton, representative of a prominent 
Massachusetts family. Four children were born 
of this union, Eunice, Clementine, Charles G., 
and Aaron E., the latter the youngest of the fam- 
ily. Aaron Wait died when his namesake son 
was an infant, and his wife afterward married 
again, in consequence of which the lad lived with 
his grandfather until his fourth year, and then 
with his uncle until he was eight years old. His 
education was difficult of attainment owing to 
the lack of necessary funds, and was chiefly ac- 
quired while serving an apprenticeship of four 
years at the broom maker's trade in Hatfield, 
Mass., his spare money defraying the expenses 
attached to his schooling. For some time he 
subsequently engaged in teaching in New York, 
and in 1837 removed to the state of Michigan, 
where he studied law in Centerville, St. Joseph 
county, and was admitted to the bar of Michi- 
gan in 1842. Before leaving the state he was 
the military secretary to Governor John S. Barrv. 

Accompanied by Judge Lancaster, Mr. Wait 
made preparations to cross the plains in 1847, 
there being forty wagons in the train and a large 
number of stock. The journey was not attended 



182 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



by any disastrous occurrences, although terrific 

storms made progress difficult at times. ft is 
recorded that Judge Wait made a deep impres- 
sion upon the Indians with his glasses, which he 
wore for near-sightedness, and which the red 
men believed to endow him with almost super- 
natural powers, permitting him to see enormous 
distances and through practically everything. 
The judge persisted in watching the cattle and 
horses at night, and came near dealing out the 
death penalty to a would-be horse thief, who, 
however, dropped into the tall grass when he 
found he was discovered, and managed to sneak 
away to safety. Arriving in Oregon, Mr. Wait 
settled in Oregon City, and here he entered upon 
the practice of law with ex-Senator James 
K. Kelley, with whom he remained for a 
number of years. In 1849 ne varied his 
practice by going down into California on a 
little seventeen ton vessel, intent upon claim- 
ing a share of the gold for which thousands 
were striving. He was fairly successful as 
a miner, his largest find in one place during 
the course of a day being $60, and his largest 
all around find in a day was $100. 

Upon returning to Oregon Judge Wait became 
connected with the Cayuse War Commission, 
which up to that time had accomplished practi- 
cally nothing. His service was marked by ex- 
treme fairness to all concerned, and he audited 
nearly all of the war claims, and every claim 
he allowed was met precisely as he had made it. 
The judge practiced under the provisional and 
territorial laws of Oregon, and was elected to 
the circuit bench in the fourth judicial district 
and later served as the first chief justice of Ore- 
gon, immediately after the admission of Oregon 
as a state in 1859. He held many important 
offices within the gift of his fellow townsmen, 
practically his only defeat taking place after his 
nomination to the senate in 1862. From a large 
legal practice Judge Wait gradually drifted into 
real estate speculations, and, as seems natural 
with so many active men, chose to spend his later 
life amid the peace and quiet of farming enter- 
prises. In 1876 he removed onto his six hun- 
dred acre farm near Canby, remained there for 
eight years, and then went back to Portland, 
where he lived until 1897. The same year he re- 
turned to the Canby farm, where his death oc- 
curred December 13, 1898. He was a very large 
land owner, had two thousand acres in Jackson 
county, Ore., his Canby farm of six hundred 
acres, and enough other Oregon land to make 
up five thousand acres. In Washington he 
owned one thousand acres. No finer type of the 
gifted and substantial citizen has invaded the 
ranks of law and agriculture in Oregon, and to 
none has been accorded more universal esteem, 
or generous appreciation of splendid personal 



characteristics. Judge Wait married Mary Ann 
Sprenger, who was born in McConnelsville, 
Ohio, a daughter of a merchant who was born in 
Germany and came to the United States as a 
voting man, settling in Pennsylvania. From the 
latter state Mr. Sprenger removed to McConnels- 
ville, Ohio, from where he emigrated to Linn 
county, Ore., his death eventually occurring on 
his donation claim at an advanced age. Of the 
first marriage of Judge Wait three children were 
born, of whom Charles N. is the only one living. 
Of the second marriage contracted by the judge 
three children were born, but only one matured, 
Anna Evelyn, the deceased wife of Frank Han- 
ford, of Seattle, Wash. 

The education of Charles N. Wait was ac- 
quired in the public schools of Portland, which 
training was supplemented by a course at the 
Bishop Scott grammar school. His first busi- 
ness experience was as general timekeeper on 
construction with the Oregon Railroad & Navi- 
gation Company, whose employ he entered in 
1880, and with whom he remained for eight 
years. In 1888 he became chief clerk of the 
money order department of the Portland post- 
office, and, owing to close confinement and con- 
sequent effect upon his health, resigned at the 
end of two years. For the following two years 
he acted in the capacity of deputy United States 
marshal under John Myers, after which he en- 
tered the law department of the Oregon State 
University, from which he was duly graduated 
with honors. In June, 1891, Mr. Wait began to 
practice in Portland, and in 1897 removed to the 
old homestead in Canby, since which time he has 
combined the management of the large estate 
with the general practice of law. He is a Demo- 
crat in political affiliation, and has taken a prom- 
inent part in the affairs of his party in Oregon. 
For one term he was deputy city attorney of 
Portland, and he was secretary of the state cen- 
tral committee when Cleveland was last elected. 
Also Mr. Wait has been mayor of Canby for one 
term. He is fraternally associated with the An- 
cient Order of United Workmen, of which he 
is past master; the Warner Grange, of which 
he is past master ; the Elks ; the Red Men ; and 
the Knights of Pythias. 

The first marriage of Mr. Wait was contracted 
in Clackamas county with Laurena J. Marks, 
who died July 20, 1891, leaving one son and two 
daughters. October 2, 1895, Mr. Wait married, 
in Washington, Wilhelmina Woicka, who was 
born in Portland, and whose father, William, a 
jeweler by trade, was born in Germany. Mr. 
Woicka came to America as a young man, and 
died in San Francisco, Cal. Of this union there 
have been born two sons, Aaron E. and 
George N. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



138 



JOHN COLGATE BELL. With nearlj 

ninety years behind him the minion of John 
Colgate Bell goes back over the better part of 

the nineteenth century and recalls the changes 
which the years have brought to the nation and 
to the individual. As a mere lad his hand was 
shaken by La Fa) ette on his tour of the country 
in 1824. and he has listened to the retailing of 
happenings oi the two wars with Great Britain, 
by his grandfather. William Bell, who served as 

- tidier under Washington at Brandywine and 
other battles of note, fighting valiantly for his 
adopted country, for he was a Scotchman by 
birth, and by his father, also William Bell, who 
served as major of cavalry in the war of 1812. 
The fadu-r was a pioneer of the state of Ken- 
tucky and he himself has put the greater part of 
the continent between him and the scene of his 
birth, enduring the hardships and dangers of 
the early days and now r enjoying the affluence 
and prosperity which a wise use of opportunities 
entail. 

The birth of Mr. Bell occurred in Mount 
Stirling. Montgomery county, Ky., February 24, 
1814. The father was a native of Philadelphia, 
and early removed to Kentucky, where he en- 
gaged as a wholesale hat merchant. In 1834 he 
went to Missouri, where his death occurred at 
the age of eighty-eight years. His wife, for- 
merly Yirlinda Grimes, was born in Bourbon 
county. Ky.. and died in Missouri at the age 
of fifty years. Of their four children the only 
one now living is J. C. Bell, of this review. He 
received his education at the academy of his na- 
tive town, his first employment being as a clerk 
in a store there. When his parents removed 
to the state of Missouri, Mr. Bell, then twenty 
years old. accompanied them, and there bought 
a farm and engaged in raising tobacco, in which 
employment he remained for two vears, in 1837 
entering the mercantile world as a wholesale and 
retail grocer of Clarksville, Pike county, Mo. 
This business was successfully conducted for 
about three years, when he went to New Or- 
leans for eighteen months and then to Platte 
county. Mo., where he passed the ensuing ten 
years. While in that location he was married 
in Weston, in 1845, to Sarah E. Ward, who 
was born in Greenup county, Ky., in 1829, after- 
ward becoming a resident of Fleming countv. 
where she was reared and educated. She was 
the daughter of Gen. Thompson Ward, a com- 
mander in the war of 181 2, and an attorney and 
politician, representing his district in the Ken- 
tucky legislature for sixteen years. He moved 
to Weston. Mo., and in 1854 came to Oregon, 
crossing the plains with ox teams in a journev 
of five months. He settled in Salem, where he 
followed farming and stock raising until his 
death, which occurred at the age of eighty-five 



years. 1 1 i -- wife, who before her marriage was 
Sarali Kountz. died in Salem, at the age of 
sixty-seven years, liesides Mrs. Bell the other 

daughter of this family now living is Mrs. Nancy 
Belt, the wife of Dr. Belt, of Salem. 

In 1850 Dr. Belt brought his family to Oregon 
and Mr. Bell accompanied them, leaving his own 
wife in their Missouri home until he had first 
tried the western life. They set out primarily 
for the gold fields of California, leaving May 1 
of that year, but through delays they changed 
their intentions and came instead to Oregon. On 
the way they fell in with Major Davis and came 
to Portland, but left Mr. Davis here while they 
journeyed on to Salem, which city was the 
scene of about twenty yeai-s of the practical busi- 
ness life of Mr. Bell. In the same year he was 
appointed manager of a store at The Dalles, 
where he was employed in hauling supplies to 
the soldiers as well as carrying on a large trade 
with the Indians. Major Tucker was the com- 
manding officer and Mr. Bell had been appointed 
by Colonel Loring. He built the first house and 
occupied it at The Dalles before the officers 
were in their own quarters. Until 1851 Mr. Bell 
remained there, then sold out, and purchasing 
thirty-two pack mules, conducted a pack train 
from Salem to Yreka. Cal., a distance of two 
hundred and fifty miles, which occupation was 
continued for a year. The year following he 
returned to Missouri and in 1854 came back 
across the plains with his family. During this 
trip they experienced the horror, while camping 
on the banks of the Oyhee river, of witnessing a 
massacre of a party of emigrants by Indians, 
which would probably have been their own fate 
had not Mr. Bell performed a strategic move- 
ment which averted the danger. In Salem Mr. 
Bell opened a general merchandise establishment 
and continued the same for many years, also 
buying a farm near that city, where he engaged 
in stock raising and cultivation of wheat, this 
latter, however, occupying his attention for only 
three years. After selling his business in Salem 
in 1870 and also his farming interests he re- 
tired from active duties until his appointment 
by Cleveland as postmaster of Astoria, at which 
time he moved his family there and served in 
that capacity for four and a half years. In 1890 
he removed to Portland, which has since re- 
mained his home, conducting until his retirement 
a real estate business here, in which he met 
with the uniform success which had character- 
ized the efforts of his life. 

Throughout his entire residence in this state 
Mr. Bell has been associated with the enterprises 
calculated to advance the interests of the com- 
munity, taking an active part in all affairs that 
have come within his range of influence, which 
has, fortunately, been wide and far-reaching 



134 



•ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



through his business contact with the people of 
the state. In 1861 lie was one of the stock- 
holders of The Arena, in Salem, the first Demo- 
cratic paper of the city, and the same year as- 
sisted very materially in the election of Colonel 
Baker to Congress, his tragic death at Ball's 
Bluff, in 1861, being especially felt by those who 
had sent him as their representative. In 1864, 
while Mr. Bell was in San Francisco, the Demo- 
cratic party nominated him for state treasurer, 
but he was defeated at the election. He has 
been very active in the Democratic conventions, 
acting as delegate to the state, county and local 
meetings. While living in Weston, Mo., he 
gave much aid in the time of the Mexican war, 
assisting in recruiting the regiments of Colonel 
Donovan and General Price, both being organ- 
ized at Fort Leavenworth. Mr. Bell then ranked 
as lieutenant-colonel. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Bell were born ten children, 
of whom two died in infancy in Missouri and 
one at the age of two years in Salem; Nancy 
Garnett, born in Missouri, married Walter Jack- 
son and died in Portland, leaving two children, 
Alice Bell and Harold, who now make their 
home in that city ; Laura W., born in Missouri, 
married J. H. D. Gray, formerly county judge 
of Astoria, Ore., but who is now deceased ; they 
became the parents of eight children ; William T. 
is engaged in the mercantile business in Enter- 
prise, Ore., and has three children, two sons and 
one daughter, namely : Memory, Burnett and 
Helen ; Alice is the wife of S. Z. Mitchell, of 
Tacoma, Wash., the manager of the General 
Electric and Improvement Company, and they 
have one son, Sidney A. ; Sarah Blanche is the 
wife of Capt. R. E. Davis, who is connected 
with the Willamette Iron Works, and they have 
one son, Robert Bell ; Genevieve is the wife of 
C. M. Maxwell, an electrician of Seattle, Wash., 
and they have two sons, Allyne and John C. ; 
Robert Edward is married and engaged as an 
electrician in Tacoma, Wash. The sons were all 
educated in Salem University, and the daughters 
in the parochial school, Sisters of the Sacred 
Heart, all making their home with their parents 
until marriage, trained to domesticitv by the 
father, who has always cared more for his home 
than anything else in the world. Mr. Bell is a 
member of the Pioneer Association of Oregon, 
and fraternally is a member of the Masonic or- 
der, having been made a Mason in Clarksville, 
Mo., in 1837. He is a charter member of Mult- 
nomah Chapter, R. A. M., at Salem. 



FRANK S. FIELDS, County Clerk of Mult- 
nomah county, has been prominently identi- 
fied with Portland and its vicinitv for a 
period of more than a quarter of a century. 



During that time his career has caused him to 
become recognized as a man of most estimable 
personal qualities, who is unselfishly devoted to 
the promotion of those movements calculated to 
enhance the numerous advantages of the city 
and the state as a desirable place of residence, 
as well as to educate the rest of the world in the 
many material advantages offered by the com- 
monwealth to men of energy and enterprise. 

His father, Samuel H. Fields, was born near 
Lexington, Ky., in 182 1, and at an early age 
was made an orphan. In his youth he went to 
Missouri with the intention of assisting in the 
pioneer development of that state. There he 
learned his trade, that of mason, and about 1854 
removed to Milwaukee, Wis., where he estab- 
lished himself in business as a contractor and 
builder. Subsequently he carried on operations 
in the same calling in Kilbourn City and New 
Lisbon, in that state. In 1875 he came to Ore- 
gon and purchased a tract of twelve and one- 
fourth acres in Mount Tabor, which he con- 
verted into a fine fruit farm. The remainder 
of his life was spent at Mount Tabor, where his 
death occurred in 1896. During the Civil war 
he served as a member of the Eighth Wisconsin 
Infantry. His widow, who before her marriage 
was Luconda Hamilton, now makes her home in 
Mount Tabor. In their family are four, chil- 
dren, namely ; Eliza J., wife of E. J. Brubaker, 
postmaster of and merchant in Mount Tabor ; 
Louis R., superintendent of the Oregon division 
of the Southern Pacific Railroad ; Charles E., 
who is engaged in the real estate business in 
Portland ; and Frank S., the youngest child in 
the family. 

Frank S. Fields was born April 13, 1862, in 
New Lisbon, Juneau county, Wis., where the 
first thirteen years of his life were spent. With 
his parents he came to Oregon in 1875, attending 
school at Mount Tabor until he reached the age 
of sixteen. In young manhood he began his 
business career by becoming a telegraph opera- 
tor in Oregon. For eight years he was sta- 
tioned at Halsey, Ore., as telegraph operator 
and agent for the Oregon & California Railroad 
Company. His entry into public life occurred 
in 1887, when he began a two years' term as city 
recorder of Halsey. He also served one term 
as mayor. In 1890 he engaged with his brother, 
Charles E., in the real estate business in Port- 
land, the firm name being C. E. & F. S. Fields. 
They laid out an addition of eight acres north- 
west of Mount Tabor, Summit Addition to 
Mount Tabor (comprising sixteen acres), Sum- 
mit Annex to the same place (ten acres), and 
Mount Tabor Central Tract Addition (eight 
acres). They also laid out Mount Tabor Com- 
mercial Block, a tract of one acre where t 1 " 
postoffice now stands, and a five-acre addition 




WILLIAM BARLOW. 



PORTRAIT AND UIOGUAl'lllCAL RECORD. 



137 



known as East Paradise Springs, besides other 
plots. Frank S. Fields is now retired from the 
firm, which is known as Fields & Co., with 

offices in the Alisky building. 

In 189S Mr. Fields was appointed deputy 
clerk of the county court, under II. C. Smith, 
ami this post he tilled for two and one-half 
years, or until the expiration of bis term. In 
1902 the Republicans of Multnomah county 
nominated him for the office of county clerk, 
and he was elected, assuming the duties of that 
office July 7 of that year. At the time he entered 
the office, the law passed in 1901 consolidating 
the offices of clerk of the county court, recorder 
oi conveyances and clerk of the circuit court 
into one office, to be known as county clerk, took 
effect. The enactment of this law resulted in 
the saving to Multnomah county of thousands 
of dollars annually, as under the old regime 
from twenty to twenty-five deputies were em- 
ployed in the three departments, whereas the 
work is now done by a reduced force under the 
direct supervision of Mr. Fields. He has always 
exhibited a keen interest in educational matters, 
and for some time served on the Mount Tabor 
school board in the capacity of clerk, holding 
this position until his election to the office of 
county clerk. Although not identified by mem- 
bership with any religious body, he does all in 
his power for the promotion of good along all 
avenues, and aids all worthy measures by ma- 
terial support. His wife is an active member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Frater- 
nally he is connected with Mount Tabor Lodge 
Xo. 42, A. F. & A. M., Mount Tabor Camp, 
Woodmen of the World, holding the office of 
council commander in the lodge at Mount 
Tabor, with the Benevolent Protective Order of 
Elks, the Artisans and the United Brotherhood 
of Railroad Employes. He is also a member of 
the Board of Trade. 

In Salem, Ore., April 24. 1883. Mr. Fields 
was married to Bessie E. Lindsay. She was born 
in Bucyrus, Ohio, but reared in Salem, where 
she removed with her parents in girlhood. Her 
training in the public schools of that city was 
supplemented by the full course in Willamette 
University, from which she was graduated. 
They are the parents of three children, Vera M., 
a graduate of the Portland high school : Frank 
IT. and Grace G. 



WILLIAM BARLOW. In this great north- 
western country, with its boundless possibili- 
ties, and but imperfectly developed resources. 
its remoteness from the cradle influences of New 
England, and its diversified interests beckoning 
the traveler from afar, the large hearted, cour- 
ageous and far-sighted pioneer is revered for 



what he has accomplished, and for the strength 

and hope which his sterling characteristics have 
infused into all departments of activity. At tin- 
present time there is in process "f 'writing a 
history of the Barlow family, different members 
of which have made perceptible inroads into 
the opening of Oregon, and who, in their attain- 
ments and characters, are representative of the 
most far-reaching and helpful pioneership. 
Pending the completion of this interesting nar- 
rative, it is a pleasure to enumerate the salient 
points in the careers of the best known members 
of the family, with reference especially to their 
association with the state of Oregon. 

Very early records credit the Barlows with 
emigration from Scotland, and with settlement 
near Plymouth Rock, Mass. Virginia became 
the home of the later members of the family, 
in which state the paternal great-grandfather, 
John, was born, and where he enlisted for ser- 
vice in the Revolutionary war, in time attaining 
to the rank of captain. His son, W'illiam, the 
paternal grandfather, was also born in Virginia, 
and after going into Kentucky with Daniel 
Boone to fight the Indians, liked the state so 
well that he forthwith settled therein. In 
Nicholas county he owned a large farm, and 
reared a large family, his death occurring at 
the age of sixty-five years. 

Samuel K. Barlow, the father of William, and 
son of William, was born in Nicholas county, 
Ky., and in his youth learned the tailor's trade. 
When twenty-eight years old he removed to In- 
diana, but later took up his residence near Peoria. 
Fulton county, III. just at the close of the Black 
Hawk war. Subsequently he pioneered where 
Chicago now stands, but because there was no 
prophet to advise him. refused to pay $400 for 
the property upon which now towers one of the 
greatest centers of activity in the world. At 
that time the prairie around and bordering on 
Lake Michigan was unbroken by farm houses 
or barns, and in the woods there roamed game 
of various kinds, as yet unfrightened by the gun 
or wily scheme of the pale faced hunter. Ignor- 
ing the chance to buy up the future site of Chi- 
cago, Mr. Barlow started from Fulton county 
to cross the plains, March 30, 1845. his means 
of transportation consisting of four teams of 
three yoke of oxen each. With his family he 
traveled alone to Independence, Mo., wdiere the 
band was increased to one thousand wagons, and 
divided up into different companies. Mr. liar- 
low was captain of the company hearing his 
name, and faithfully guarded the interests of 
his charges through all the dreary months on 
the trail. The way was via the Platte and the 
Sweet Water rivers, the journey being rather 
a pleasant one, and singularly free from annoy- 
ances of Indians or the ravages of disease. 



L38 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Slowly the cavalcade moved into the Willamette 
valley' travel stained but hopeful, and ready to 
do and dare to an extent unappreciated by peo- 
ple under any other circumstances. 

William Barlow helped very materially to 
build the first wagon road over the Cascade 
mountains. Previous to 1845, a11 immigrants 
coming to western Oregon came to The Dalles 
and were conveyed by bateaux down the Colum- 
bia to the Willamette valley. Mr. Barlow's 
father determined to make the route one con- 
tinuous journev by land. He and William Rec- 
tor blazed the route and S. K. Barlow's 
family and a few helpers followed. Upon Will- 
iam Barlow, the oldest son, devolved much of 
the responsibility and work of the undertaking. 
He and John M. Bacon were the first men to 
test the road. Following the blazed trees made 
by the pathfinders, they made the trip on foot 
to the Foster settlement, where provisions were 
procured to take back to the hungry women 
and children who were struggling with the diffi- 
culties of the new mountain road. The road was 
eightv miles long; sixty-five miles of it were 
cut through the primeval forests and canyons 
of the mountain slopes. The late Judge Mat- 
thew P. Deady, of the United State supreme 
court, said of it : "The construction of the Bar- 
low road contributed more toward the prosperity 
of the Willamette Valley and the future state 
of Oregon than an}- other achievement prior to 
the building of the railways in 1870." 

Christmas eve, 1845, Mr. Barlow arrived with 
his family in Oregon City. He had been suc- 
cessful in Illinois, and had money with which 
to start life in the west. He bought a hotel 
for which he paid $2,000, later sold to his son, 
William, and also took up a claim of six hun- 
dred and forty acres near the city, which he 
eventually sold for $5,000. Later he bought six 
hundred and forty acres, upon a portion of which 
the town of Barlow has since been built and 
named in his honor, and this land he sold for 
$6,000. In the meantime he had purchased land 
in Canemah, and thither he repaired to spend 
his last years, his death occurring there at the 
age of seventy-two years. Mr. Barlow was one 
of the splendid personalities which illuminated 
the pioneer days of Oregon, and who, by his 
fine grasp of existing opportunities, furnished 
a worthy example to all would-be promoters of 
western interests. He was fashioned somewhat 
on the Cromwellian order, was of Scotch an- 
cestry, and fearless almost to audacity. He de- 
spised lies and soft people, and never stooped 
to a small meanness during the course of his 
long and well ordered life. 

While living among the crude conditions of 
Indiana S. K. Barlow married Susanna Lee, 
who was born in South Carolina, and whose 



father, William Lee, was born in Ireland. Mr. 
Lee's father was a colonel in the British army, 
and fought for the crown for seven years. In time 
he changed his tactics and fought against rather 
than for England, for which evidence of in- 
subordination he was captured and imprisoned in 
a dungeon for a year. After his release he sent 
his two boys, William and Frank, to America. 
and William settled in Charleston, S. C, where 
he enlisted for service in the Revolutionary war. 
He was a lieutenant of artillery and during the 
first engagement at Charleston a shell burst, 
causing him to be crippled for life, and cutting 
short his military service. Nevertheless, he 
lived to a good age, for he was sixty at the time 
of his death in South Carolina. His widow and 
her children removed to Kentucky, and later to 
Indiana, settling near Vincennes. but the mother 
finally removed to the vicinity of Indianapolis, 
and died there. 

William Barlow, son of the pioneer, was born 
ten miles west of Indianapolis, Inch. October 
26, 1822, and was reared in Indiana and Illi- 
nois. He was the second oldest of the five sons 
and two daughters born to his parents, and like 
the rest of the family availed himself of such 
education as was procurable at the little log 
subscription school-house. He came across the 
plains with his father, and bought six hundred 
and forty acres of land near the Clackamas 
river, and within six miles of Oregon City. 
After disposing of this land at a profit he went 
on the Molalla river and bought a section of land 
upon which he planted fifty acres in wheat. In 
1848 he sold his property to Matthias Sweagle. 
a friend of the old days in Indiana and Illinois, 
who paid him $2,000 in gold. What this amount 
of money meant may be best judged when it is 
known that it was very scarce at that time, and 
that what little currency was to be had included 
English, Canadian, Mexican and various other 
kinds. Later Mr. Barlow brought up in Ore- 
gon City, where he bought wheat, made it into 
flour, and after getting in a supply of one thou- 
sand barrels of the latter commodity talked it 
over with his partner and decided that one ought 
to buy the other out. As no Barlow ever thought 
of backing down, the flour was soon under the 
exclusive ownership of the Barlow side of the 
house, and a rise in the price of flour enabled 
him to sell at an enormous profit. This happy 
chance proved the beginning of the success of 
Mr. Barlow, and placed to his credit what was 
then a comfortable competence. 

In 1849 Mr. Barlow left his flouring business 
and went down to the mines of California on 
horseback, and during his absence from home 
collected a varied assortment of experience, al- 
beit his success as a miner did not reach large 
proportions. The Indians showed him a great 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



139 



deal of unsolicited attention, and while endeav- 
oring to turn them from the error of their ways 

he was compelled to acknowledge their superior- 
ly of numbers and fighting prowess, and re- 
treat to a safe haven. His object par excellence 
S to regain possession of a fine riding horse 
of which the red men had relieved him, hut it 
is feared the horse had henceforth a much be- 
decked and savage master. After his flour sale 
Mr. Barlow bought the Love joy donation claim 
of three hundred and twenty acres on the hills 
hack of where Canemah now stands, and after- 
ward he went into partnership with A. F. Hedges 
in laving out the town of Canemah. The part- 
ner went to New Orleans in 1850. hought an 
engine for a steamboat and saw mill, and a fine 
stock of general merchandise, and when he re- 
turned Mr. Barlow took the stock of goods and 
saw mill, and the partner took the boat, and all 
went merrily and successfully to the advantage 
of all concerned. The land back of Canemah 
increased in value and sold at a large profit, and 
the way of the pioneers was brightened by more 
than anticipated success. 

Upon purchasing his father's place at Barlow 
Prairie in 1852, Mr. Barlow was practically free 
from other business obligations, and in a position 
to devote all of his time to the cultivation of 
his fine property. A modern residence was un- 
fortunately burned in 1884, but Mr. Barlow at 
once arranged for a larger and more commo- 
dious residence. No more beautiful rural resi- 
dence contributes by its harmony and appropri- 
ateness to the agricultural well being of Clacka- 
mas county, nor is any farm more admirably 
managed or finely cultivated. Located on the 
Southern Pacific railroad, it has its own way 
station and warehouse, and while essentially a 
country home, is in close proximity to town in- 
terests. At one time Mr. Barlow was asked to 
put up $2,500 and thus become half owner of 
the land upon which Portland has since been 
built, the other man in the case, Dan Lonsdale, 
having paid $5,000 for it in leather. He after- 
wards traded a portion of the same land for the 
leather with which he had bought it to a tannery 
located on the property. Mr. Barlow was de- 
terred from entering into this transaction through 
the advice of his father, to whom he went for 
counsel, and whose opinion he valued more 
than that of anyone else in the world. Mr. Bar- 
low has been foremost in all public enterprises 
in his locality, his force of character, akin to that 
of his father, forcing him unwittingly into all 
that has called for strength and concerted action. 

He early saw that the climatic conditions of 
his adopted state were suitable for orchard cul- 
ture and next to Mr. Llewellan of Milwaukee, 
was the first to establish an apple nursery. In 
1852 he imported from Illinois, by way of the 



Horn, a bushel of black walnuts, and a fine grove 
oi bearing trees attest the success of this experi- 
ment. In public enterprises, Mr. Barlow's name 
was among the originators of the < )regon State 
Fajr, the first woolen mill in Oregon, the build- 
ing of the first telegraph line, and in [860 he 
gave up his residence and part of his farm for 
the establishment of barracks for the First Ore- 
gon Volunteers. In 1861 he moved to Oregon 
City and was enthusiastic in sanitary organiza- 
tions for the Union boys. Mr. Barlow was en- 
gaged in mercantile pursuits in the county seat 
for ten years, when he returned to the Barlow 
farm, where he has resided continuouslv for 
thirty-two years. 

He is a Republican in political affiliation, and 
has served as county commissioner and assessor, 
and was nominated representative from Clacka- 
mas, but resigned on account of sickness. His 
political enthusiasm led him to give an inaugural 
ball and dinner in honor of Lincoln's first inau- 
guration. When Col. E. D. Baker arrived in 
Oregon, Mr. Barlow drove him to Salem in his 
family carriage. This carriage is now a histori- 
cal relic, having been shipped to Governor Aber- 
netby via the Horn in 1859. Mr. Barlow pur- 
chased it on its transit and has owned and used 
it ever since. 

Mr. Barlow often expresses his sentiments in 
regard to two great political movements of the 
last decade in these words: "There is iust as 
good material in a woman to make an honest and 
intelligent voter as there is in a man. and there 
is just as good material in silver to make an 
honest dollar as there is in gold." He is 
fraternally associated with the Masons, and 
bears the distinction of being the oldest liv- 
ing member in Multnomah Lodge No. 1. the first 
lodge organized on the coast. 

In 1852 Mr. Barlow married Mrs. Martha 
Ann Partlow Allen, of which union there have 
been born three children, of whom Mary is one 
of the well known educators of the state, and is 
possessed of great natural talent for her chosen 
occupation. Jennie, the second daughter, is de- 
ceased; and Cassius U. is managing his father's 
farm, and is an exceedingly capable and popular 
member of the younger generation of f Oregon 
promoters. Mr. Barlow is now eighty-one years 
old, but possesses a keen memory of all his 
pioneer exploits. A habit of reading formed in 
youth is a great solace to him in his old aq-e. 
His wife died in 1901, and his two children are 
now administering to the comfort of his declin- 
ing years. 



ROBERT ARMINGTON IRVINE. A fam- 
ily of exceptionally substantial standing in the 
annals of this state is that of which Dr. E. I.. 



I4n 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Irvine, a well known medical practitioner of Port- 
land, represents the third generation. His father, 
Robert Armington Irvine, and his grandfather, 
Jesse Irvine, were born in Kentucky, the former 
in 1824, and the youth of both was characterized 
by a hard struggle for existence. Both of these 
men had strong and leading traits of character, 
and came of a long lived and vigorous family, 
longevity being particularly marked on the ma- 
ternal side, which was English, the paternal side 
furnishing the Scotch perseverance and conser- 
vatism so much needed and appreciated in 
pioneer localities. 

In his young manhood Robert Irvine married 
Miss Berry, presumably of Kentucky, and in 
1852, accompanied by his wife and two children, 
his mother, and several brothers and sisters, 
crossed the plains to Oregon, accomplishing the 
long distance between his old and adopted home 
with ox and horse-teams in six months. The 
hope of his emigration was dimmed ere he had 
tested its wisdom or value, for his daughter died 
en route and was buried in the bottoms on the 
Platte river, his wife later succumbing to the 
rigors of the overland trail at the Cascades. John, 
the son of the family, alone remains of his first 
marriage, and at the age of fifty-four is engaged 
in farming in Linn county. Mr. Irvine started 
out with more than the usual equipment for 
travel, having one hundred head of cattle and 
fifty horses. Even this number proved insuffi- 
cient, owing to disease and the depredations of 
the Indians, and in order to complete his journey 
in comfort he was obliged to purchase a horse on 
the way. His mother located in the little town of 
Salem, and her own was the first grave to be dug 
in the desolate Lee Mission cemetery, since so 
thickly populated. Her son, Samuel, died on the 
farm near Salem; James died on a farm adjoining 
his brother Robert's in Linn county; Benjamin 
is living retired in Lebanon ; Jesse is a resident 
of Corvallis and his son is editor of the Times; 
Marv E. and her husband, Charles Claggett, lived 
in Salem, but both are now deceased ; Margaret 
J., deceased, was the wife of Robert Miller, and 
died in Lebanon in 1902; and Elizabeth, deceased, 
became the wife of James Claggett. brother of 
her sister's husband. Of this large family which 
started out so bravely and formulated their plans 
over brightly burning camp fires, tramping cease- 
lessly from morning till night over rough roads, 
and in many ways enduring great hardships, 
Rlizabeth and her husband stopped in Portland; 
Mary and her husband left the train at Salem ; 
and the others went on to Linn county, taking up 
such claims as their means permitted or their re- 
quirements demanded. Thus was established in 
the western wilds, and in touch with the enor- 
mous fertility and resource of a great state, as 



large a family as reached Oregon in the aggre- 
gate, in 1852. 

Recovering somewhat from the disaster which 
visited him on the plains, Robert Irvine married, 
in 1853, Sarah Jane Smith, who was born in 
(bio in 1834, and with her parents, who were 
natives of Kentucky, and had previously lived 
in Ohio, came to Oregon in 1852. Her father, 
Elijah Smith, was a man of means, and after ar- 
riving in the far west was able to avert much of 
the discomfort which rendered hard and discour- 
aging the lives of the early settlers. He located 
first in Linn and afterward in Marion county, his 
death occurring at the home of his daughter, 
Amanda Bossier, in the Waldo Hills, at the age 
of ninety three years. He was a doctor by pro- 
fession, and a man of leading traits of character, 
taking a prominent part in the political and other 
advancements, by which he was surrounded in 
Oregon, and wielding an influence in financial and 
general circles. Besides his youngest child, Mrs. 
Irvine, he had ten other children, the order of 
their birth being as follows : John, the postmaster 
of Lebanon ; Hiram, a retired farmer living in 
Salem ; William, a graduate of the medical de- 
partment of the Willamette University, who died 
at Turner, Ore. ; Elijah, a capitalist of Medical 
Lake, Wash. ; Abner, living in Marion county ; 
Taylor, a resident of Salem, Ore. ; Susan, the 
deceased wife of William Peebler, of Lebanon ; 
Mary, the wife of George Matleer, of Heppner ; 
and Amanda, the wife of John Bossier, of Mac- 
leay, Marion county. 

Robert Irvine settled on a farm near Scio, Linn 
county, and through the exercise of business judg- 
ment accumulated six hundred and twenty acres 
of land before his death. He lived on his farm 
until 1868, in which year he was elected sheriff of 
Linn county, and removed to Albany to better 
attend to his duties, and because of the superior 
educational facilities. He was re-elected sheriff 
in 7870. and after completing his term, in 1872 
purchased a farm on the prairie near Albany, 
which continued to be his home for several years. 
After retiring from active business life in Albany, 
he continued to take an interest in politics, and in 
1886 was elected state senator, finishing the term, 
and also the second term to which he was re- 
elected. His political sendee was characterized 
by wise and conservative methods, and with due 
regard for the best interests of those who placed 
him in power. His name was a household one 
throughout the county and state, and carried with 
it both influence and power. Attending all state 
and county conventions, his acquaintance with the 
prominent men of the state was naturally large, 
and his large estates, both in the county and city 
of Albany, gave him an unquestioned financial 
standing. He was a promoter of education, mor- 
ality, and good government, and whenever called 




JfAf'/jUs ItfLcJta^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 i:; 



upon in an) popular cause, fulfilled the expecta- 
tion for a large and generous contribution. Many 
years ago he became a member of the Masonic 
iodge of Albany, in which his genial personality 
and good fellowship were greatly appreciated. 
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church profited by 
his membership and support, and it is said of him 
that he was consistent in his attendance, harmon- 
izing his Sunday and everyday life, and applying 
the beneficent Golden Rule in all of his depart- 
ments of activity. The widow who survives him 
lives at the old home in Albany. His oldest 
(laughter. Margaret Ellen, is the wife of Lark 
Bilyeu, an attorney of Eugene; E. L. is a resi- 
dent ri Portland; Mary is the wife of A. B. Slau- 
-•on. assistant lihrarian of Washington, D. C. ; 
and Amanda is the wife of E. L. Thompson of 
Portland. 

1". I.. Irvine, one of the well known medical 
practitioners of Portland, was born on his 
father's farm near Albany, April 12, 1858, and 
was educated primarily in the public schools, 
afterward attending the Albany College and the 
Willamette University, completing the English 
course in the latter institution. After spend- 
ing two more years on his father's farm 
he began the study of medicine under Dr. 
J. L. Mill, of Albany, at the same time tak- 
ing a course of lectures in the medical de- 
partment of the Willamette University, from 
which he was duly graduated in 1883. After a 
medical practice of three years in Portland he 
was appointed assistant superintendent of the 
( 'regon State Insane Asylum under Harry Lane, 
maintaining the position four years. Dr. Irvine 
possesses the broad and liberal tendencies of his 
father, and his participation in public affairs is a 
foregone conclusion. Maintaining the best ten- 
ets of his profession of infinite possibilities, he 
leaves no stone unturned to keep abreast of the 
times, and in his diagnosis and treatment dis- 
closes individual theories based on profound re- 
search and of demonstrated merit. Dr. Irvine is 
a member of the Oregon State Medical Society, 
a member and medical examiner of the Knights 
of Pythias, the Degree of Honor and the United 
Artisans. Politically he supports the man best 
qualified to serve the public interests. In Albany, 
in 1882. Dr. Irvine married Laura Robertson, a 
native of The Dalles, Ore., and daughter of W. 
H. Roberston. deceased. After the death of Mr. 
Robertson, his widow married Christopher Houk 
and made her home in Albany. E. Lloyd, the 
only child of Dr. Irvine, who was born in Albany, 
August 7. 1883. was educated in the high school 
of Portland, and is now in the second year of his 
medical studies. After severing his association 
with the Oregon State Insane Asylum, Dr. Irvine 
located in Albany, in 1891, and in 1900 came to a 
large field of activity in Portland. Already his 



former success is being duplicated, and it is the 
wish of all who have watched his meritorious 
career that substantial appreciation and encour- 
agement may reward his scholarly attainments 
and unquestioned allegiance to science. 



WESLEY JACKSON. To the pioneers of 
Oregon the present generation owes a debt of 
gratitude that will never be paid. They were 
men who were truly cast in heroic mold. Few 
had money, and it certainly required a sturdy 
nature and a perseverance that today is rarely 
found in men. Men in 1850 were known for 
their true worth. All w'ere animated by a com- 
mon hope. The confidence in the future of 
Oregon was great. They were noble men and 
too much cannot be said or done in their honor. 
To this class of men belonged the gentleman 
whose name forms the caption of this review. A 
native of New York, his birth occurred in the 
village of Medina, and here the days of his 
boyhood and youth were passed. A few weeks 
of the year were spent in the school-room, but 
in those days the services of the youth were of 
too much value to be wasted in school. He 
was needed to assist in the work of the farm. 
Attracted by the discovery of gold in California, 
Mr. Jackson left his home in 1849 and joined 
the thousands who were emigrating westward. 
San Francisco was reached after a long and 
tedious voyage around the Horn, and the fol- 
lowing year was spent in mining on McCamel 
Hill. At the end of this time, with the capital 
he had accumulated, Mr. Jackson came to Port- 
land on the vessel Ajax, and soon after his ar- 
rival he opened a crockery store. From a very 
small beginning he gradually built up a business 
that was not only the largest in the city of Port- 
land, but was one of the most important of 
its kind in the Pacific northwest. Each year 
for a considerable period he would go east and 
purchase his supply of goods and at the same 
time he would also buy in large quantities for 
other firms in different lines of business. Mr. 
Jackson continued in this line of business until 
1883 and during that time he became one of 
the best known business men in the west. His 
reputation was an enviable one and the success 
that crowned his efforts was but the natural 
results of diligence, enterprise and honesty. On 
disposing of his crockery business in 1883, he 
organized and established the North Pacific 
Manufacturing Company, which under his ju- 
dicious and efficient oversight became one of 
the most important industries in the city of Port- 
land. The plant was constructed under his per- 
sonal supervision and the company engaged in 
the manufacture of buggies, carriages and 
wagons, transacting a business that aggregated 



J u 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



$100,000 per annum. From the plant the Jack- 
son vehicles were shipped to all parts of the 
country, particularly through Oregon, Idaho and 
Washington. It is worthy of note that here 
were manufactured the first street cars used on 
the Pacific coast which were run on the streets 
of Portland. To assist them in the production 
of their high-grade vehicles, hardwood lumber 
was ordered from the east and reached here via 
the Horn. However, the establishment and 
oversight of so large a business overtaxed the 
physical powers of the founder and owner, and 
his sudden death, May 10, 1891, was a direct 
result of overwork. 

While Mr. Jackson was at all times a man 
who had many business matters to occupy his 
attention, he nevertheless was one of the most 
public spirited citizens of Portland. No move- 
ment that was calculated to be of material bene- 
fit to the city went by without his support. His 
time and means were always at the disposal of 
any interest deserving the support of good citi- 
zens. Among the many enterprises with which 
he was connected was the Portland Telephone 
Exchange which he aided in starting. He was 
also actively identified with the Transcontinental 
Line. Fraternally he was a Mason and politically 
he supported the men and measures of the Re- 
■publican party, but he never had the time nor 
the inclination to take an active part in the polit- 
ical struggles of his party. He was ever on the 
side of right and when called upon he always 
responded. 

While still a resident of Medina, N. Y., Mr. 
Jackson was united in marriage with Fran- 
ces Moore, a native of that city and now a resi- 
dent of Portland. Three children were born of 
this union, as follows : Wesley James, who died 
in 1876, while attending school at Andover, 
Mass. ; Annie G., now Mrs. Shofner of Port- 
land ; and Carl H., a sketch of whom follows. 



CARL H. JACKSON. A native son of Ore- 
gon, Mr. Jackson has established an enviable 
reputation among the business men of Portland. 
A son of Wesley Jackson, he was born in 
the city of Portland on January 26, 1870. 
When old enough he entered the public schools, 
which he continued to attend until his gradua- 
tion in 1886. Soon after he entered the office 
of his father, who was then engaged in the manu- 
facture of buggies, carriages, etc., and here he 
acquired a thorough knowledge of the manufac- 
turing business. In 1892, one year after the 
death of his father, he succeeded to the manage- 
ment of the business and immediately closed out 
the same. The plant was remodeled as a planing- 
mill and handed back its charter. The Northern 



Pacific Planing Mill Company was formed with 
Mr. Jackson as president and manager. The 
dimensions of the mill are sixty-five by one hun- 
dred and fifty feet, being three stories in height, 
with large warehouses and sheds. Two blocks 
bounded by Twenty-second and Thurman streets 
are utilized for the mill, which in addition to its 
planing business is engaged in the manufacture 
of sash, doors and budding materials. As time 
has passed the output of the concern has been 
enlarged until at the present time it is one of 
the most important industries of the city. 

Much credit is due Mr. Jackson for what he 
has accomplished. In all of his transactions he 
has shown a conservative spirit which is usually 
the accompaniment of old age, but when found 
in youth or middle age, with qualities of energy, 
enthusiasm and determination, produce almost 
invariably gratifying results. 

Though not active in politics, Mr. Jackson is 
a firm believer in the principles of the Repub- 
lican party. He has never had the time nor the 
inclination to seek public office, preferring rather 
to devote his whole time and attention to the 
management of his business. Fraternally he is 
identified with the Hoo Hoos ; the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen; the Woodmen of 
the World ; Modern Woodmen of America ; and 
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 

Aside from his connection with the planing 
mill company he took an active part in the or- 
ganizing of the Oregon Sash and Door Com- 
pany, and for a time served as its vice-president 
and secretary. 



RICHARD B. KNAPP. who for thirty- 
five years has been identified with the business 
of Knapp, Burrell & Company, agricultural im- 
plement dealers, and also president of the Bag- 
gage and Omnibus Transfer Company, the larg- 
est concern of its kind north of San Francisco, 
is one of the very early settlers in Portland, his 
residence in this city dating from July, 1859. He 
has lived to witness the growth of the metropolis 
of Oregon from a city of a little less than three 
thousand inhabitants to one of the largest and 
most prosperous in the territory west of "the Mis- 
sissippi. And in this wonderful development Mr. 
Knapp has been a factor of more than ordinary 
strength, his influence always having been cheer- 
fully extended in behalf of all those movements 
having for an end the establishment of a firm 
foundation for a future city which might proper- 
ly be accorded a rank among the most progres- 
sive municipalities of the country, and a commer- 
cial and industrial community known as worthy 
of more than passing consideration on the part 
of foreign countries. Though he has not yet 
reached the age when his life work may "be 





'a^c 



PORTRAIT AND Li IU GRAPHICAL RECORD. 



147 



said to be complete, he is able to see. in the status 
of Portland at the beginning of the twentieth 
century, a most optimistic outlook for her future 
nong the newer cities of the world. 

Mr. Knapp was born in Geneva, Ashtabula 
county, Ohio, fuly 28, [839. His father, Auren 
Knapp. and his grandfather, Caleb Knapp, the 
latter the founder of the family in Ohio, were 
natives of Sheffield. Conn. Auren Knapp was 
engaged in farming near Geneva for many years, 
but his death occurred in Clatsop county, Ore., 
in 1884, in which county he spent the latter years 
of his life in retirement. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Sarah M. Burrell, was born in Mas- 
sachusetts, and of her four sons and three daugh- 
ter- all but one daughter attained maturity. Of 
the children two of the daughters never came 
west, and one of them, Mrs. Mary R. Higley, 
is still living in Ohio. Jabez B. Knapp, another 
who was born in Ohio, became a teacher in 
the south, crossed the plains in 1852. and engaged 
in general merchandise business in Portland in 
1855. In 1S70 he disposed of his mercantile 
interests here, and engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness at Knappton, at the mouth of the Columbia 
river. He finally retired to his dairy farm on 
the banks of that' river, where his death occurred 
April 17. 1900. at the age of seventy-eight years 
and eight months. Fraternally he was a Mason. 
Kirk Knapp. the second oldest son, died in Ohio 
at the age of twenty years; while Auren. Jr.. 
came to Oregon, via Panama, about 1868, and 
died while engaged in logging on the Columbia 
river. 

After completing the course at the academy at 
Kingsville, Ohio. Richard B. Knapp removed to 
Grand Rapids, Wis., in 1858, and spent the 
winter of that year in the pineries of that state. 
In the spring of 1859 ne started for Oregon. 
going by way of Xew York City, Panama and 
San Francisco. In July, 1859, soon after his ar- 
rival in Portland, he secured employment with 
the firm of Knapp & Hull, dealers in agricultural 
implements. In i860 Mr. Hull retired from the 
business, and the firm became Knapp. Burrell & 
Co. In 1862 R. B. Knapp secured an in- 
terest. In those days they were obliged to brim: 
their goods around the Horn, and one of the 
members of the firm went east each year to secure 
the needed supply. So successful did they be- 
come that they were enabled to establish branch 
stores in Oregon and Washington, and the house 
soon became well known throughout the western 
states.- In the spring of 1870 J. B. Knapp re- 
tired from the business, which was continued bv 
M. S. Burrell and R. B. Knapp until Mr. Bur- 
rell's death in 1885. R. B. Knapp then incorpor- 
ated the concern afterward known as Knapp, 
Burrell & Company, which' experienced an era 
of uninterrupted prosperity extending over a 



period of several years, establishing a reputation 
for enterprise and business integrity unexcelled 
throughout the entire west. Mr. Knapp is now 
retired from active business cares, although he 
still retains the presidency of the Baggage and 
Omnibus Transfer Company, of which he was 
the principal organizer and largest stockholder. 
From time to time he has been interested in 
various enterprises for the betterment of the 
community interests, and his sound business 
judgment, his keen insight into commercial af- 
fairs, and his resourcefulness are generally rec- 
ognized. 

In political faith Mr. Knapp is a Republican. 
He was a charter member of the Chamber of 
Commerce, the Commercial Club and the Arling- 
ton Club, from all of which he has since resigned. 
Fraternally he is associated with Willamette 
Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M., Portland Chapter 
Xo. 3, R. A. M.. Oregon Consistory Xo. 1, A. 
& A., Scottish Rite, and Al Kader Temple, X. 
M. S. 



HOX. ROBERT D. IX MAX. The typical 
western man is popularly conceived as a man of 
liberal ideas, of generous and hospitable instincts, 
imbued with a spirit of adventurous enterprise, 
and withal hardy and courageous. He is not 
punctilious in minor questions of etiquette or in- 
clined to make much of mere forms and cere- 
monies. He is a friend to his friends, a man 
of sterling integrity and of firmness of charac- 
ter developed by habits of self-reliance. Such 
men are the state builders wdiose names and deeds 
are a part of the history of the newer states of 
the American commonwealth. To this class be- 
longs Hon. Robert D. Inman. who in spite of the 
disadvantages of youth and without the assist- 
ance of influential friends has risen to a position 
of affluence. A native of Ohio. Mr. Inman was 
born in Miami county, near Piqua, August 11, 
1853. and is the oldest of the two sons and two 
daughters born to Asa and Lucinda (Kendall) 
Inman, natives of the Buckeye state, where the 
latter is still living. The family was established 
in America during the seventeenth century, the 
first emigrant from England presumably settling 
in Vermont, as the paternal grandfather was born 
in that state, and became a pioneer of Miami 
county. Ohio, and later engaged in farming near 
Marshalltown. Iowa. The paternal great-grand- 
father. Ahab Inman, served his country in the 
Revolutionary war. Asa Inman was a natural 
mechanic and when a youth engaged in contract- 
ing and building, which occupation he followed 
ali his life. During the Civil war he manifested 
his patriotism for his country by enlisting in the 
service and at the battle of Shiloh he fell while 
valiantly defending the stars and stripes. His 



: 



14s 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



wife reared the children in ways of usefulness 
and honor, and proved a veritable helpmate to 
her husband. 

When but two years of age the parents of 
lion. Robert D. Inman removed from Ohio to 
Iowa and settled near Marshalltown, where the 
family lived until the father enlisted in the Civil 
war. They then returned to Ohio, where young 
Inman attended the public schools as opportunity 
afforded, but in those days the youths were 
obliged to spend most of their time assisting the 
family in the struggle for a living, and at the 
age of eight Mr. Inman began his career as a 
tow-boy on the old Ohio canal. Various occupa- 
tions engaged his attention until 1865, when he 
joined a large train of emigrants bound for the 
Pacific coast, under the leadership of William 
Davidson. The trip consumed seven months and 
its members were forced to endure many hard- 
ships. At Rock creek they were attacked by a 
party of Indians and six of the party were killed. 
Arriving in Oregon, Mr. Inman worked for a 
time on the farm of Mr. Davidson in Washington 
county, and in June, 1869, he located in Portland, 
where for a time he was employed by the west 
side road cutting ties. He next secured a posi- 
tion with the Oregon & California Railroad, 
serving his time from brakeman to fireman. 
After severing his connection with the railroad 
he became identified with the John Wilson circus, 
remaining with the exhibition for the following 
two years. A year was thereafter spent in the 
employ of G. W. Shaver, and in 1875 he entered 
the employ of the Willamette steam mills, and 
after being in the yards for a short time was 
promoted to a position in the machinist depart- 
ment, where he remained for the next seven 
years. During this time he developed a remark- 
able mechanical ability, which was probably in- 
herited from his father, and later, when he be- 
came associated with the Northern Pacific Lum- 
ber Company as one-quarter owner and director, 
he was well qualified for the superintendency of 
the construction of the new mill and the placing 
of the machinery. In 1889 he resigned his direc- 
torship and sold his interests in this company, 
having been identified with the concern for seven 
years. 

His next venture in the lumber industry, of 
which he was a thorough master, occurred in 
1890, when, in partnership with Johan Poulsen, 
the Inman-Poulsen Lumber Company was in- 
corporated with Mr. Inman as president and Mr. 
Poulsen as secretary and treasurer. The mills 
were constructed in 1889 and in 1890 was inaug- 
urated a lumber business which has since devel- 
oped into the largest in the state of Oregon, in 
fact the business transacted by this company is 
one of the largest on the Pacific coast, while the 
mill is considered to be the swiftest in the west. 



Beginning with a capacity of thirty-five thousand 
feet of sawed lumber per day, the output has 
been increased to four hundred thousand per 
twenty-four hours, or one hundred million per 
year. The mills are equipped with large circular 
saws, planing apparatus, and sixteen hundred 
horsepower engine. The goods are shipped to 
all parts of the world, a large share going to the 
Orient. Three hundred and fifty hands are em- 
ployed, and the enterprise is thus of great value 
as a commercial center, and a promoter of all 
around activity. To Mr. Inman is due the credit 
for a number of important patents, among them 
being a power set works for setting out the log 
on the carriage. 

Aside from his connection with milling mat- 
ters Mr. Inman is variously associated with busi- 
ness and social affairs in Portland. While al- 
ways a very busy man, he has nevertheless found 
time to perform the duties falling to the lot of 
good citizenship and there is no man in Oregon 
more interested in the ship of state than Mr. In- 
man. At all times a stanch Democrat, he has 
been very active in promoting and supporting 
the interests of his party, and as a public servant 
has rendered altogether satisfactory service. In 
1892 he was elected to the state legislature, serv- 
ing in the session of 1893, and so well did he 
serve his constituents that in 1900 he was elected 
to the state senate on the Citizens' ticket, and 
during the session of 1901 was interested in sev- 
eral bills, including the street car vestibule bill, 
the bill regarding fees in county offices, and the 
Barber's Sunday closing bill. Recognizing his 
worth and ability his party called upon him to 
accept the nomination for the office of mayor of 
Portland, and unlike many, he resigned his posi- 
tion in the senate and in the election that followed 
was defeated by George Williams, probably the 
strongest man in the opposition party. 

In addition to his other interests Mr. Inman is 
a director in the Merchants' National Bank, is 
also a member of the Board of Trade and the 
Chamber of Commerce, while for six years he 
has served as water commissioner. Fraternally 
he is a member of the Masons, holding member- 
ship with Harmony Lodge No. 12, the Consist- 
ory, and Al Kader Temple, N. M. S. He is a 
member of the Hoo Hoo's, of which he served as 
state snark for two terms, and one term was on 
the supreme nine. He is also identified with the 
Portland Rowing Club, and the Commercial Club, 
and is a life member of the Multnomah Amateur 
Athletic Club. A few years ago he built the Al 
Kader, a small steamer which he uses as a pleas- 
ure boat, and which has the reputation of being 
the fastest boat of its kind in the northwest. In 
1875 he was united in marriage with Miss Fran- 
ces L. Guild, a native of Oregon, and a daughter 
of Peter Guild, who crossed the plains in 1847 




GEN. OWEN SUMMERS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



151 



and became the owner of a large tract of land, 
now within the city limits oi the city of Portland. 

\s a result oi this union two daughters have been 
horn to Mr. and Mrs. lninan, the oldest being 

Minnie Myrtle, while the younger is Ivy Frances. 
Thus in brief outline we give to onr readers 
and to history a sketch of a man, who in face of 
many obstacles, which at first seemed almost 
insurmountable, has climbed the ladder of success 
step by step, until today there is no man in Port- 
land or in the state of Oregon, who is more uni- 
versally respected. His life is a living illustra- 
tion oi what can be accomplished if one but has 
the perseverance. His motto has been " honesty 
and fairness to all," and with the natural busi- 
ness sagacity with which he seemed to be en- 
dowed, Mr. Inman has stopped at nothing. It is 
true that he owes much of his success to his 
wonderful mechanical talents and in that particu- 
lar line he has few if any equals in the Pacific 
northwest, for to him is accorded the honor of 
being the greatest lumber-mill man the west has 
ever known. While Mr. Inman has spent many 
years before the public he is happiest when in the 
bosom of his family, where he is known as a lov- 
insr husband and an induleent father. 



GEX. OWEX SUMMERS. About the early 
boyhood years of Genera! Summers there was 
little to stimulate hope for the future or to indi- 
cate his possession of superior ability in military 
affairs. He was born in Brockville, Canada, 
June 13, 1850, and in infancy was taken to 
Chicago by his parents, John and Elizabeth Ann 
Summers, the former of whom engaged in the 
shoe business there. During the cholera epi- 
demic of 1856 the father, mother and one daugh- 
ter died of the disease, leaving four small . chil- 
dren. Of these three are living: James, Mrs. J. 
C. Olds and Owen, all of Portland. The six- 
year-old boy, thus early orphaned, soon saw the 
dark side of life. His was no easy path to for- 
tune. He was taken on a farm near Frankfort, 
Will county, 111., where he worked early and 
late for his board and clothes. During a small 
part of the year he was permitted to attend a 
school held in a log building in the township 
where he lived. 

In the spring of 1864 he went to La Center, 
Lee county, 111., and while attending school there 
he and three schoolmates (of whom lie was the 
youngest) left school to enlist for service in the 
Civil war. Going to Dixon he offered his ser- 
vices, but as he was only fourteen years of age, 
weighed only one hundred pounds, and in height 
stood only five feet and one inch, the enrolling 
officers were loath to accept him. The examin- 
ing physician, too, refused to pass him, but the 
energetic, youthful volunteer was more than a 



match for them all. He secured the aid of a 
Pennsylvania Dutchman, who consented to be- 
come his guardian, and with the permission of 
this man the physician was prevailed upon to 
grant him a certificate. February 1, [865, at 
Dixon, he was mustered into Company H, Third 
Illinois Cavalry, and joined his regiment imme- 
diately afterward in the eastern part of Missis- 
sippi, later serving in Alabama, Tennessee, Ken- 
tucky r and the Carolinas. After a number of 
skirmishes and cavalry dashes he was ordered to 
St. Louis, and, the war being now closed, was 
fitted out for an expedition against the Sioux in 
Minnesota and Dakota. At the close of that 
service he was mustered out December 11, 1865, 
and returned to Lee county, 111., where he re- 
sumed farming. 

In 1871 he went to Chicago. His recollections 
are most vivid of the exciting scenes connected 
with the great fire in that city. At the peril of 
his life, he not only saved his own family, but 
that of two others. The rebuilding of the city 
gave him considerable business as a contractor. 
In January, 1875, he came to Oregon, but after 
ten days in Portland, proceeded to San Francisco 
and from there returned to Chicago, where he 
spent six weeks. On his second return to San 
Francisco, he remained for two years and then 
spent six months in San Diego as a government 
contractor, after which he returned to San Fran- 
cisco. Coming to Portland in January, 1879, he 
started a crockery store at No. 183 First street. 
Six months later the firm of Olds & Summers 
was formed, his partner being J. C. Olds, a 
brother-in-law-. The firm dealt in crockery, 
both wholesale and retail, and became one of the 
largest concerns of the kind in the northwest. 
On losing their building by fire in 1886, they 
moved into a new building on Yamhill street, 
between First and Second. Later they returned 
to No. 183 First street and No. 23 Yamhill, 
where a three-story building had been erected, 
they r occupying the ground floor and basement of 
the arcade. In 1890 they moved into and occu- 
pied the four-story building at Nos. 183-85 First 
street. In 1895 the partnership was dissolved, 
Mr. Olds entering a department store, and Mr. 
Summers continuing the business at the old 
place. A year later he moved- to No. 157 Wash- 
ington street and No. in Third street, where be 
continued in business. Meantime he received the 
appointment as United States appraiser of the 
port of Portland by the unanimous decision of 
the delegation from Oregon, and has since filled 
the position with characteristic intelligence and 
sagacity. Tn 1900 the crockery business was dis- 
posed of. 

Though but a boy when serving in the Civil 
war, Mr. Summers had gained a thorough and 
practical knowledge of military affairs and this 



132 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lias been of aid to him in subsequent events. 
.Through bis energetic efforts a bill was formu- 
lated and passed by the legislature during the 
session of 1 886, of which he was a member, by 
which the militia was organized into the National 
Guard of Oregon, consisting of three regiments. 
May 21, 1883, be organized a company of Vet- 
eran Guards, which was composed of ex-mem- 
bers of Civil war regiments, and of this he was 
chosen first lieutenant. After the reorganization 
of the military department of the state, in 1887, 
he was elected lieutenant-colonel of the First 
Regiment, Oregon National Guard. Seven years 
later he was promoted to be colonel of the regi- 
ment. At the opening of the war with Spain all 
the National Guard troops of Oregon were or- 
dered to Portland and consolidated, and with 
additional recruits formulated and constituted 
the Second Oregon, U. S. V., of which company 
Summers was given the command by Governor 
Lord. May 4, 1898, the regiment went into 
camp. On the 7th, organization of the field staff 
was made, constituting the date of the organiza- 
tion of the regiment. On the 24th of the same 
month the men set sail for the Philippines, this 
being the first expedition to leave the United 
States for war in a foreign country. June 1st 
they arrived at Honolulu ; June 20th, entered the 
port of San Luis de Apra, island of Guam ; June 
2 1st, Companies A and D disembarked to effect 
the surrender of the islands ; June 28th, sighted 
Luzon ; June 30th, anchored in Manila bay off 
Cavite; July 1st and 2d, troops landed; August 
12th, ordered to Manila; August 13th, received 
the surrender of fifteen thousand Spanish troops, 
inside the walled city; August 14th, removed to 
barracks Cuartel de Espana, Calle Victoria, Ma- 
nila, Company F remaining as palace guard; 
January ir, 1899, regiment began to leave 
Cuartel ; February 5th, battle of Manila, and in- 
surgents driven from their trenches; February 
6th, fighting all day along the line, and capture 
of the water works ; February 10th, battle of 
Caloocan; February 15th, more than one hun- 
dred prisoners captured by Company A; Feb- 
ruary 24th, third battalion engaged at San Juan 
del Monte; March 3d, fighting at Santa Ana; 
March 5th, Company C engaged on Mariquina 
road; same day, Company K engaged near -San 
Juan del Monte; March 6th, Company G and 
Hotchkiss battery engaged insurgents on Mari- 
quina road ; March 7th, G and K engaged enemy 
near Mariquina ; March 10th, entire regiment or- 
dered to prepare for the front; March 13th, ad- 
vanced upon Guadalupe; March 14th. E and I 
crossed river and engaged enemv opposite Pasig, 
while B. D, L and M engaged "from bluff over- 
looking Pasig; March 15th, E and I crossed river 
and engaged enemy one mile in advance of for- 



mer position ; March 18th, Company D sent to re- 
lief of Tagui ; March 19th, B, D, E, I and L en- 
gaged in battle of Laguna de Bey ; March 20th, 
regiment returned to Manila ; March 22d, Com- 
pany F and third battalion joined regiment ; 
March 24th. marched to Caloocan; March 25th, 
battle of Malabon, captured seven lines of en- 
trenchment ; March 26th, entered village of Ti- 
nageros; April nth, enemy attacked Marilac and 
Bocave camps; April 16th, attack on outposts 
east of Melinto ; April 23d, cavalry engaged en- 
emy north of Santa Maria; April 24th,Narzogara 
captured ; April 25th, capture of Angot ; May 
1st, capture of San Rafael; May 3d, captured 
Baliuag; May 4th, captured Maasin ; May 13th, 
captured San Miguel; May 17th, captured San 
Isidro; May 22d, telegram received ordering 
Oregon to Manila ; May 23d, homeward bound ; 
June 13th, first battalion embarked on Newport 
and third battalion on the Ohio; July 13th, 
reached San Francisco ; August 7, 1899, mus- 
tered out. During its term of service the regi- 
ment had participated in forty-two engagements. 
Among the many communications received by 
General Summers bearing testimony to his ex- 
cellent service in the Philippines, he especially 
treasures the following: 

"Manila, P. I., August 30, 1898. 
"Col. O. Summers, Commanding 2d Oregon, 
U.S. V.: 

"Sir — I desire to express to you in very strong 
terms my appreciation of the manner in which 
you and your regiment performed the very diffi- 
cult and delicate duties of acting provost marshal 
and provost guard during the time immediately 
following the capitulation of Manila. It gives 
me much pride and pleasure on the eve of my 
departure to recall the way in which I have been 
supported by all of my troops, and the cheerful 
fortitude with which they have endured the hard- 
ships of the campaign. 

"Very respectfully, 

"Wesley Merritt, 
"Major-General, U. S. A. 

"June 12, 1899. 

"Sir : 

"Your regiment, having been relieved from 
my command for the purpose of proceeding to 
the United States for muster-out, gives me an 
opportunity of which I am glad to avail myself 
of expressing to you and to the officers and men 
of your regiment, my high appreciation of their 
gallant and faithful service while they have been 
under my command. 

''While I am glad the regiment is to return to 
their homes, I regret to lose so manv good sol- 
diers. When your regiment came to my com- 
mand their reputation as brave and gallant sol- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 






diers had preceded them. Since you have been 

with me our work has been constant, arduous and 
dangerous. I learned very soon to place implicit 
confidence in your energy, judgment and cour- 
. and the gallantry and bravery of your men 
and officers. You have nobly earned the reputa- 
tion oi being among the best soldiers of the 
American army. In saying farewell to the regi- 
ment, 1 wish you Godspeed and all the good for- 
tune and prosperity that may and should come 
to you. 

(Signed) "H. W. Lawton, 

" Major-General Volunteers. 

"Candaba, May 23, 1899. 
■■Adjutant-General: 

In view of the remarkable successful engage- 
ments of Maasin, Balac Bridge and San Isidro, 
participated in by the troops under Colonel Sum- 
mers' immediate command, I recommend Colonel 
Summers for promotion to the grade of briga- 
dier-general of volunteers. At least. I believe him 
entitled to the corresponding brevet. I make 
this recommendation in advance instead of in my 
final report on account of his relief from this 
command and the probability of immediate re- 
turn to the United States. My report will con- 
tain recommendations of other officers. 

'"Lawton, 
" Major-General Volunteers. 

"Manila, P. I., May 27, 1899. 
"Col. Owen Summers. 2d Oregon Vol. Inf. : 

"Sir — Your regiment is about to leave for 
home to be mustered out of the service of the 
I nited States, and I now desire to conveys to you 
my high appreciation of the distinguished serv- 
ices of yourself and of the Second Volunteer In- 
fantry. The skill, ability and courage with which 
you have fought your regiment is deserving the 
thanks of our countrymen ; the bravery, deter- 
mined courage, and gallant conduct of the officers 
and men of the Second Oregon Volunteer In- 
fantry prove them worthy successors of the men 
who fought at Shiloh, at Gettysburg and in the 
Wilderness. Their gallant conduct during the 
recent campaign in Luzon has reflected credit 
upon the state from which they came. 
" Very respectfully. 

"Lloyd Wheaton, 
" Brigadier-General U. S. V. 

SENATE TOTXT RESOLUTIONS. 

"Whereas. The people of the state of Oregon, 
regardless of party affiliations, are desirous of 
expressing their deep feelings of gratitude and 
their admiration for the courage of the Oregon 
soldiers who have so noblv offered their lives in 
defense of helpless humanity in avenging the loss 
of the Maine, in hehalf of civilization. 



"Whereas, The hearts of some of our people 
are bleeding as the result of the loss by sicklier 
or in battle of loved ones to them most dear; 
therefore, be it 

"Resolved by the senate, the house concur- 
ring, That the congratulations, admiration and 
confidence of the people of the state of Oregon 
be and the same are hereby extended to the Ore- 
gon soldiers in the Philippines, and that the sym- 
pathy of the people be and is hereby extended to 
the mourning friends of the heroic dead ; 

"That the secretary of state be and he is 
hereby requested to transmit a copy of these 
resolutions to the commanding officer of the Ore- 
gon regiment at Manila, and that said officer be 
and he is hereby requested, upon receipt of such 
copy, to cause the same to be read to each com- 
pany of his said regiment." 

Adopted by the senate, February 6, 1899. 

T. C. Taylor, 
President of the Senate. 

Concurred in by the house, February 6, 1899. 

E. V. Carter, 
Speaker of the House. 

The quality of the men who composed the 
Second Oregon was indicated by a brief order of 
General Wheaton at Melinto : "Orderly, over- 
take those Oregon grayhounds on the road to 
Polo and order them to Melinto. Go mounted or 
you will never catch them."' When, after the 
victory at Malabon, General Wheaton was asked, 
"Where are your regulars?" he pointed to the 
Second Oregon, saying, "There are my regu- 
lars." They were more than once placed in po- 
sitions where supreme courage was absolutely 
imperative, and never once did the}' falter or fall 
back. Their record is one of unstained honor. 

On his return to Oregon General Summers 
was tendered the re-appointment as United 
States appraiser by the president, taking effect 
September 1, 1899. In addition he reorganized 
his business and incorporated the Summers & 
Prail Crockery Company, but in February, 1900, 
sold his interest and has since given his entire 
attention to his government position. 

In Portland, July 23, 1880, he married Miss 
Clara T. Olds, who was born in Oregon, her 
parents having been pioneers of 1847. They arc 
the parents of one son, Owen George Summers. 
Mrs. Summers is identified with the First Uni- 
tarian Church of Portland, the Native Daughters 
of Oregon and the Women's Relief Corps. 

In politics General Summers has always been 
a Republican. He is a member of the Commer- 
cial Club, at one time was connected with the 
Knights of Pythias, and is now associated with 
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being 
past noble grand of the Portland Lodge, fn 1 87 r 



154 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he was made a Mason in Apollo Lodge, No. 642, 
in Chicago, and afterwards became a charter 
member of Columbia Lodge, No. 114, A. F. & 
\. M.. of Portland. At one time he was honored 
with the position of commander of the George 
Wright Post, (i. A. R.. of Portland, and in 1886 
he was elected department commander, serving 
one term. An indication of the esteem in which 
he is held is afforded by the fact that on his re- 
turn from Manila, the citizens of Oregon pre- 
sented him with a beautiful jeweled sword, in 
recognition of his meritorious service at the head 
of the Oregon boys. 



GEN. CHARLES F. BEEBE. While the 
associations of General Beebe have been largely 
along the line of military affairs and particularly 
with the Oregon National Guard, he has had, 
nevertheless, an interesting career as a business 
man and is now identified with various move- 
ments of an important nature bearing upon the 
commercial progress of Portland. The family 
of which he is a member settled in New England 
during the colonial era. His grandfather, Silas 
Beebe, a native of Connecticut, was for years a 
sailing master and built and owned a number of 
vessels running out of the harbor of Mystic. 
It was in this seacoast town that Charles E., 
father of Charles F. Beebe, was born and reared, 
and from there he went to New York City in 
youth to enter upon a business life. From 1840 
until his death, in 1892, he was extensively en- 
gaged as a tea merchant and importer, the firm 
of Beebe & Bro. being one of the oldest houses 
of its kind in the city. His wife was Jane B. 
Wade, born in Springfield, N. J., and deceased 
in 1 89 1. Her father, Elias Wade, Jr., was a 
native of New Jersey and a wholesale grocer 
for some years. From 1865 until his death in 
1878 he acted as managing partner for the large 
importing and shipping house of Grinnell, Min- 
turn & Co., of No. 32 South street, New York. 

In a family of four children all but one 
attained mature years. Of these William W., 
a graduate of Yale in 1873, became an attorney 
in New York City and later made his home in 
Colorado. Springs, Colo., where he died. An- 
other son, Alfred L., a graduate of the Columbia 
School of Mines in New York Citv, was for 
years assistant chemist of the New York Board 
of Health, but in 1898 came to Portland, where 
he has since resided. The third son, Charles F., 
was born and reared in New York City and in 
1865 was graduated from Flushing Institute. 
Afterward he entered his father's office at No. 
149 Front street, New York City, and later be- 
came a partner in the house of Beebe & Bro. 
On his withdrawal in 1879 he became interested 



with Henry M. Evans in the cotton brokerage 
business, under the firm name of Evans & Beebe. 
This partnership was dissolved in 1883, and 
during that year Mr. Beebe, with his brother- 
in-law, A. M. Sutton, came to the west to take 
the agency for Sutton & Co., of New York. 
On his arrival in Portland, in January, 1884, he 
opened a branch house, starting the business on 
the 1st of February, at No. 16 North Front 
street. In July of the same year Mr. Sutton 
established an agency in San Francisco, the two 
acting as western agents for the Dispatch line 
of clipper ships around the Horn from New 
York and Philadelphia. In connection with the 
Portland agency, a general ship chandlery busi- 
ness was conducted. During 1896 Sutton & Co. 
discontinued business in Portland, but Mr. 
Beebe, having become interested in the city and 
bound to its people by intimate ties of friend- 
ship, decided to remain. January 1, 1897, the 
Charles F. Beebe Company was incorporated 
with him as president, and the firm has since 
dealt in general supplies, imported pig iron and 
coke, and conducted a general shipping and com- 
mission business. The two-story building of 
the firm is on the northwest corner of First and 
Ankeny streets. 

Besides being at the head of this important 
enterprise, Mr. Beebe is secretary of the Ore- 
gon Lime and Plaster Company, engaged in the 
manufacture of lime and plaster, with plant four 
miles from Huntington. On the organization of 
the Adamant Company he became a charter 
member and is now its secretary, the concern 
owning and operating a mill at the foot of Four- 
teenth street. Though not active in politics, 
he is a stanch Republican. In the Chamber 
of Commerce he was president one term, 
vice-president two terms, and has also served 
as a member of the board of trustees. The Ar- 
lington Club has honored him by election to 
official positions, while in the Commercial Club 
he has twice been elected to the presidency. In 
1903 he was appointed by Mayor Williams a 
member of the Executive Board, under the new 
charter. Owing to his thorough military train- 
ing he is serving on the committee having super- 
vision of the police department. Of Presby- 
terian faith, he still has his membership in the 
Madison Square Church in New York. 

In New York City occurred the marriage of 
General Beebe to Miss Emma Bowne, who was 
born at Flushing, Long Island, and received her 
education in Miss Porter's School at Farming- 
ton, N. Y. Her father, Simon R. Bowne, was a 
member of a very prominent Quaker family of 
Flushing. Born of her marriage are three sons, 
namely : Walter Bowne, secretary of the Charles 
F. Beebe Co. ; Gerald E., a member of the class 






*"^r 







PORTRAIT AND RTOGR APTITCAL RECORD. 



157 



of 1004. Yale College; and Kenneth, a graduate 
of Portland Academy. 

\ttcr seven and one halt years of service in 
the Seventh New York Regiment, Company H, 
beginning February 14. 1871, Mr. Beebe was 
honorably discharged in November of 1878. 
Immediately he was appointed aide-de-camp, 
with rank of first lieutenant, on the staff of 
Brig.-Gen. J. M. Varian, commander of 
the Second Brigade, New York National Guard. 
From time to time he was promoted until he was 
brigade-quartermaster j with the rank of captain, 
t )n the death of General Yarian, die command 
of the regiment passed into the hands of Brig.- 
Gen. Louis Fitzgerald, and Captain Beebe 
was retained with a very few others. To 
him came the appointment as inspector of rifle 
practice, with the rank of major, which position 
he resigned in the fall of 1882. Soon afterward 
he was appointed assistant in the department of 
rifle practice, with his former rank of major, 
under Gen. Charles F. Robbins, inspector-gen- 
eral of rifle practice in New York, on the gov- 
ernor's staff. This office he held until coming to 
( 'regon, when he resigned. 

At the time of the reorganization of the 
National Guard of Oregon, in the spring of 
1886. when Company K was organized in Port- 
land, General Beebe was appointed second lieu- 
tenant, then first lieutenant, and three months 
later, when the company was permanently organ- 
ized, was elected its captain, serving as such for 
a year. In July of 1887 he was elected colonel of 
the First Regiment, Oregon National Guard, on 
the organization of the full regiment. When in 
camp at Milton, Ore., in 1891, he was re-elected 
colonel. February 22, 1895, he was appointed 
and commissioned brigadier-general in command 
of the Oregon troops by Governor William P. 
Lord. At the expiration of his term of four 
years he was again chosen for this responsible 
position, under appointment from Governor T. 
T. Geer, and as such continues to the present 
writing. The Oregon troops comprise the fol- 
lowing regiments : Third Infantry, O. N. G., in 
Portland ; Fourth Infantry, O. N. G., comprising 
companies in the Willamette valley ; First Sep- 
arate Battalion, in Eastern Oregon; Light Bat- 
tery Artillery, in Portland ; troop of cavalry at 
Lebanon, and a signal corps at Corvallis. It is 
needless to state that General Beebe has accom- 
plished much in behalf of the National Guard of 
Oregon, for this fact is known to all in the least 
familiar with the development of military 
affairs in this state, and due credit is given him 
for his thorough work in the development of the 
same. His connection with the militia in New 
York is held in remembrance through his life 
membership in the Seventh New York Regi- 



ment Veteran Association. It was in New York 
that he gained his accurate training in military- 
tactics and the knowledge thus acquired has been 
invaluable to him since coming to the coast and 
has been instrumental in enabling him to bring 
the Oregon National Guard into a position 
among the foremost among similar organizations 
of the west. 



I 1 RED BICKEL. The word pioneer is dis- 
tinctly applicable to that venerable citizen, Fred 
Bickel, who came to Oregon in 1853, and locat- 
ing in Portland, materially assisted' in the gen- 
eral upbuilding of the town. Fie started the 
first confectionery store and soda water manufac- 
tory here and has of late years been successfully- 
engaged in the storage business. It is also to 
his credit to be enrolled among the soldiers who 
were destined to discipline the murderous and 
treacherous bands of Indians who infested the 
plains and were especially troublesome during 
the wars of 1854, 1855 and 1856. During that 
momentous period he volunteered in Company 
A, Oregon Volunteers, served in eastern Oregon, 
and was mustered out and honorably discharged 
during the summer of 1856. He participated in 
several skirmishes with the Indians in Walla 
Walla Valley, one of which lasted for four days. 

In his general makeup Mr. Bickel embodies the 
most desirable of Teutonic traits, all of which 
have been fostered and developed by a careful 
early training and the subsequent necessity for 
looking out for himself. He was born in the 
town of Rodenburg, Germany, on the river 
Fulda, May 21, 1832, and is a son of George and 
Elizabeth Bickel, natives respectively of Roden- 
burg and Solz. George Bickel was a blacksmith 
up to the time of his retirement, and he brought 
his family to America about 1846, locating in St. 
Louis. Of the three children who attained ma- 
turity in his family, Fred is the second child and 
oldest son and the only one living. Like the 
majority of the German reared youths, Fred 
Bickel started out on his own responsibility at 
the age of fourteen, and upon landing in St. 
Louis, after an ocean voyage of fifty-three days, 
apprenticed himself to a confectioner for four 
years. At the expiration of two and a half 
years his employer died of cholera, and the youth 
thereafter worked for his employer's wife and 
her brother, Frank Dekum, assisted by another 
apprentice. Eventually he came to California 
with Mr. Dekum, the journey towards the coast 
being replete with many adventures. From New 
Orleans they sailed to Chagres, Panama, where 
they took a small boat up the river of that name 
to Corcona, the head of navigation. Thereafter 
they walked twenty-eight miles to Panama, 



158 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



where they were compelled to wait two weeks 
because all transportation opportunities were en- 
gaged in advance for about tbree months. The 
travelers managed to secure passage on the ves- 
sel Anna Smith, bound for Acapulco, which, 
however, was obliged to put into port because of 
shortage of water. Finally they got aboard the 
Golden Gate, bound for San Francisco, which 
city they reached after two months, about May 
21, 1852. 

In Shasta City, Cal., Mr. Bickel engaged in 
business with Mr. Dekum, but the latter removed 
from Shasta City to Portland in 1853. For some 
time Mr. Bickel assumed control of the confection- 
ery shop left in his charge, but in May, 1853, it 
was burned to the ground, entailing considerable 
loss. Shortly afterward he came to San Fran- 
cisco, whence he embarked on the Columbia for 
Portland, which he reached in June of that year. 
Here he entered into partnership with Mr. De- 
kum, under the firm name of Dekum & Bickel, 
confectioners, which was the first enterprise of 
the kind in the town, and was located for the 
time being between Stark and Washington 
streets. In 1856 he started the first soda manu- 
factory in Portland, which he and Mr. Dekum 
ran for ten years, but which is now carried on 
by other parties. At the expiration of their re- 
lationship Mr. Dekum and Mr. Bickel had been 
connected for more than twenty years. 

After going out of business with his old time 
partner Mr. Bickel was out of work for a time, 
but in 1883 built the large storage house which 
he has since managed, and which is 80x100 feet 
ground dimensions. The building is four stories 
in height, and the front contains two double 
stores. Mr. Bickel has also put up other stores 
and public buildings in Portland, and at the 
present time is a large holder of town real estate. 
He erected a block on Second street, between 
Ash and Ankeny, which is 150x112 feet ground 
dimensions, is two stories in height, and has 
eleven stores in front. 

Through the marriage of Mr. Bickel and 
Catherine Karlskind, who was born in St. Clair 
county, 111., near Belleville, five children have 
been born : Caroline Fredericka, and Louise, 
both of whom are living at home ; George L., a 
strawberry rancher on Hood river, Ore. ; Albert, 
a clerk in Portland; and Frederick, a collector in 
Portland. Mr. Bickel is a Republican in politics, 
but has never been induced to accept official 
recognition. He has been prominent before the 
public in various capacities, and to him is due 
the organization of several societies in which his 
countrymen feel particularly at home, among 
them being the Turn Verein and the German Aid 
Society. He is also a member of the Historical 
Society and the Oregon Pioneers' Association. 



(APT. J. C. AINSWORTH. The history 
of Oregon would be incomplete did it fail to 
give the life record of Capt. J. C. Ainsworth, 
who was for many years a well known factor 
in navigation and railway matters as well as a 
promoter of banking interests in the northwestern 
country. He was a son of John Commiger Ains- 
worth, who died when his son J. C. was seven or 
eight years of age. Captain Ainsworth was born 
in Springborough, Warren county, Ohio, June 
6, 1822, and on the Mississippi river received his 
first lessons in the profession which afterward 
made him famous. On arriving at man's estate 
he was quickly promoted to the position of pilot 
and subsequently to that of master on a passen- 
gen steamer plying between St. Louis and up- 
river points. While in this service he first heard 
of the discovery of gold in California and the 
wonderful possibilities for labor and capital in 
that state. He accordingly journeyed to San 
Francisco in 1850, accompanied by the noted 
banker, William C. Ralston, and soon after his 
arrival on the Pacific coast he went to Oregon to 
take command of the Lot Whitcomb. His life in 
the northwest from this time until he retired, 
nearly thirty years afterward, was inseparably as- 
sociated with marine pursuits, and to his thor- 
ough and practical knowledge of the business in 
all its details was due the marvelous success 
achieved by the great transportation company in 
which he was a leading spirit from the time of its 
inception until it was merged from the Oregon 
Steamship & Navigation Company into the Ore- 
gon Railroad & Navigation Company. He was 
president of the latter company until it was sold 
to the Villard syndicate in 1881, for $5,000,000. 
He built the Missouri Pacific Railroad through 
from California to -the Sound, getting the engine 
into Puget Sound twenty-four hours before the 
expiration of a valuable land subsidy. This, too, 
he completed, furnishing the means from his own 
pocket. He started the Ainsworth National Bank 
in 1883, built the Ainsworth Block in 1881, at the 
corner of Third and Oak streets, and started the 
Central Bank of Oakland, Cal., acting as its presi- 
dent until his death. While Captain Ainsworth 
made for himself a reputation as a remarkable 
financier among the money kings on both sides of 
the continent, yet he always remained a firm 
friend of the laboring classes. Retrenchment 
with him did not commence with a reduction of 
salaries. "Give the boys good salaries," was a 
sentiment he always expressed, and "the bovs," 
since grown gray, many of them in the service of 
less appreciative masters, will never forget the 
kind-hearted employer who appreciated good 
services and acknowledged the same in a substan- 
tia^ manner. As an indication of the regard in 
which Captain Ainsworth was held by the people 
of the upper country, from whom much of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



139 



revenue of the Oregon Steam Navigation Com- 
pany was derived, an extract from an article pub- 
lished in The Dalles Inland Umpire after the re- 
tirement of Captain Ainsworth, is herewith 

en: "He has been at all times a gentlemanly 
public servant, a faithful custodian of the inter- 

- oi his fellow stockholders and the most equit- 
able and merciful of employers. In fine, he has 
been a good friend to friends and a semi-foe to 

mies. His broad sense of justice has made 
him the object of an almost filial degree of affec- 
tion from his employes, and to his sagacity in 
making three voluntary reductions of freight 
rates without compulsion in five years' time, the 
growth and expansion of the Eastern Empire are 
largely attributable." 

Captain Ainsworth's friendship for his early 
companion and friend. \Y. C. Ralston, lasted until 
the tragic death of Mr. Ralston, and in this con- 
nection the folowing story was told in the San 
Francisco Examiner: "When Captain Ainsworth 
and W. C. Ralston arrived in California they sep- 
arated. Mr. Ralston remained in San Francisco, 
and engaged in the banking business with Eugene 
Kelly, while Captain Ainsworth went to Oregon 
and began steamboating on the Willamette river. 
Each was successful, and one day Ainsworth saw 
a chance to increase his fortune if he could be- 
come possessed of $100,000. As he desired this 
amount very much he went to San Francisco and 
called on his old friend. W. C. Ralston, for assist- 
ance. The details of the plan were outlined and 
the required amount was promptly advanced on 
a sixty-day note. When Mr. Kelly returned from 
an eastern trip he looked over the affairs of tne 
institution and noted the transaction. He was 
much displeased with the loan and insisted upon 
its immediate recall. Ralston defended his action 
warmly, but unsuccessfully, and some words 
passed between the partners. In the meantime 
Ainsworth had gone to Oregon, and the custom- 
ary notice was delayed until the sailing of the 
next steamer. Ainsworth concluded the deal, 
cleared up something like $250,000, and started 
the borrowed money homeward within a few 
days, and the vessel which carried the recall 
passed the money on the way to the bank. This 
transaction so angered Ralston that he withdrew 
from the partnership and opened the Bank of 
California. Before retiring from the Oregon 
Steam Navigation Company Captain Ainsworth 
invested largely in real estate in Tacoma, and was 
prominently identified with the construction of 
the Northern Pacific Railway Company between 
the Columbia river and Puget Sound. In 1880 
he removed to Oakland, Cal., where he became 
interested in local banking and subsequently ex- 
ploited the famous watering place, Redondo 
Beach, expending nearly $3,000,000 in trans- 
forming it into one of the finest seaside resorts on 



the Pacific coast. Captain Ainsworth died at his 
home near Oakland, December 30. [893, and few 
if any of the pioneers in the transportation busi- 
ness of the northwest have left a record which 
will prove more lasting or more creditable. 

The second marriage of Captain Ainsworth 
occurred in San Francisco, the lady of his choice 
being Fannie Bobbitt, daughter of Gen. Edwin 
Burr Bobbitt, a graduate of' West Point and chief 
of the Quartermaster Department, U. S. A. 1 li- 
son, Lawrence S. Bobbitt, is second in rank for 
chief of ordnance, stationed at Dover, N. J., and 
his son, Edwin B. Bobbitt, is a graduate of West 
Point and now a captain of ordnance stationed at 
Washington, D. C. L'nto Capt. J. C. Ainsworth 
and his wife were born six children, five of whom 
are still living, two sons and three daughters. H. 
B. Ainsworth is manager of the Los Angeles & 
Redondo Railroad Company, of Los Angeles, Cal. 
J. C. Ainsworth, Jr.. is represented in the follow- 
ing biographical sketch. The mother of this fam- 
ily survives her husband and resides in Portland. 
Captain Ainsworth was for years a very promi- 
nent Mason, and Ainsworth Lodge and Ains- 
worth Chapter, in Oregon, are named in his 
honor. He attained the thirty-third degree and 
was first Grand Master of Oregon and was for 
years active inspector-general of the supreme 
council of the Southern Jurisdiction in the state 
of Oregon, the highest post of honor possible of 
attainment in the state. 

Captain Ainsworth was a man fitted by his 
excellent business qualities to take a leading part 
in the upbuilding and growth of a new country 
such as the northwest at the time he took up his 
abode here, and that he faithfully fulfilled everv 
duty devolving upon him and carried forward to a 
successful completion whatever he undertook was 
a well known fact. Strict integrity and upright- 
ness were salient features in his characteristics, 
and all who knew him regarded him with the 
highest honor and respect. 

(For many of the facts contained in the pre- 
ceding biography credit is due to Lewis & Dry- 
den's History of the Pacific Northwest). 



J. C. AINSWORTH. One of the leading and 
prominent business men of Portland is J. C. 
Ainsworth. who is active and energetic and takes 
a deep interest in everything pertaining to the 
commercial progress and general upbuilding of 
the state in which he lives. He is one of Port- 
land's native sons, having been born in this city 
January 4, 1870, and is a son of Capt. J. C. and 
Fannie (Bobbitt) Ainsworth. He was gradu- 
ated from the University of California in 
1 89 1. with the degree of Bachelor of Sciences. 
He then took a special course in electrical engin- 



160 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



eering in the same institution, graduating in 1892 
and receiving the degree of Master of Science 
from his alma mater. Subsequent to this he 
spent one year in the Central Bank of Oakland, 
Cal. In 1894 he came to Portland, Ore., and 
engaged in the banking business for himself, with 
the Ainsworth National Bank and acting as presi- 
dent of the same, which had a capital stock of 
$100,000. In 1902 he consolidated the Ainsworth 
National Bank with the United States National, 
under the name of the United States National 
Bank, the same having a capital stock of $250,000 
and later increased it to $300,000. This is one 
of the strongest institutions on the coast. He 
was one of the incorporators of the Fidelity 
Tin st Company Bank, of Tacoma, having a cap- 
ital stock of $300,000, and in 1902 he succeeded 
Col. C. W. Griggs as president of the company. 
He is president of the Oregon Telephone & Tele- 
graph Company, having a capitalization of $500,- 
000, and is assistant secretary and treasurer of 
the Pacific States Telephone & Telegraph Com- 
pany, which institution has a capital of $15,000,- 
000, and has lines extending from Mexico to 
Alaska with 150,000 subscribers. He is treasurer 
of the Portland Railway Company ; director of 
the Portland Hotel Company, the Portland Gen- 
eral Electric Company, the Portland Street Rail- 
way Company, the Pacific States Telephone & 
Telegraph Company, the Los Angeles & Redondo 
Railway Company, Oregon Railroad & Naviga- 
tion Company, and numerous others, including 
the Lewis and Clark Fair. 

In Portland, June 26, 1901, J. C. Ainsworth 
was united in marriage with Miss Alice Heitshu, 
who was born in California. Mr. Ainsworth 
is a stanch Republican in his political views and 
is ex-president of the Arlington Club. His relig- 
ious faith is indicated by his membership in the 
Presbyterian Church. Through his good busi- 
ness judgment he has not only gained for himself 
success in life, but his efforts have been of bene- 
fit in promoting the advancement and prosperity 
of the communities in which he has been finan- 
cially interested. He is a wide-awake, capable 
man, quick to take advantage of a good business 
opportunity. A gentleman of fine presence, genial 
manner and handsome appearance, his good qual- 
ities win the regard of all with whom he comes 
in contact. 



CAPT. JOSEPH A. SLADEN. Since his 
retirement from the active list of the army, in 
T889, Captain Sladen has been a resident of 
Portland, where he was engaged for five vears 
as special agent and adjuster for the German- 
American Insurance Company of New York. 
January 1, 1894, he was appointed clerk of the 
United States circuit court by Judge W. B. 



Gilbert, circuit judge, which position he still oc- 
cupies. He is also United States commissioner, 
to which position he was appointed by Judge C. 
B. Bellinger, United States district judge. 

Captain Sladen was born in Rochdale, Lanca- 
shire, England, April 9, 1841, the youngest of 
four children, three boys and one girl. His 
father dying while he was very young, his fam- 
ily came to this country when he was about five 
years of age. They settled at Lowell, Mass., 
where he attended the public schools, and left the 
high school to enter the army at the outbreak 
of the Civil war. He enlisted in the Thirty- 
third Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and par- 
ticipated in the campaigns of the Army of the 
Potomac, including the famous battles of Chan- 
cellorsville and Gettysburg. With the Eleventh 
and Twelfth corps he went west to the relief of 
Rosecrans at Chattanooga, and took part in the 
campaigns under General Sherman which re- 
sulted in the capture of Atlanta, and in the bat- 
tles incident thereto. He was also in the March 
to the Sea, and the campaigns through the Caro- 
linas, which ended in the battle of Bentonville, 
N. C. For distinguished gallantry at the battle 
of Resaca, Ga., he was awarded a congressional 
medal of honor, and in 1866 was brevetted a 
first lieutenant and captain in the regular army 
for distinguished gallantry at the battle of Jones- 
boro, which resulted in the downfall of Atlanta. 
In November, 1864, he was commissioned a sec- 
ond lieutenant in the Fourteenth United States 
Colored Infantry, and thereafter served till the 
close of the war as an aide upon the staff of 
Gen. O. O. Howard. He was appointed a sec- 
ond lieutenant in the Seventeenth United States 
Infantry March 27, 1866, and continued on duty 
as an aide to General Howard, remaining on duty 
in Washington, D. C, until 1874, when he ac- 
companied that general to the department of the 
Columbia, with headquarters at Portland. He 
participated in the Indian wars in that depart- 
ment, that of the Nez Perces in 1877, and that 
of the Bannocks and Piutes in 1878. With the 
appointment of General Howard as superintend- 
ent of the United States Military Academy he 
accompanied that officer as adjutant general of 
that institution, and also accompanied him to the 
department of the Platte, at Omaha, when that 
general was ordered there in 1882. 

In October, 1885, Captain Sladen was ordered 
on duty with his regiment, the Fourteenth United 
States Infantry, to which he had been trans- 
ferred, at Vancouver Barracks, Wash., and 
served there as regimental quartermaster until 
promoted to the command of his company in 
1888. April 8, 1889, he was retired from active 
service on account of the loss of his right leg, 
which had occurred in the line of duty. In 1891 
he was elected commander of the Grand Army 




tr^ 




P< )R fRAIT AND BIOGR VPHICAL REO >RD. 



163 



of the Republic for the department of Oregon, 
and served on several occasions as aide on the 

• of the commander-in-chief of that organi- 

He is a member, and past commander of 

Lincoln-Garfield Post, G. A. R., and also a past 

•inander of the Oregon Commandery of the 
military order of the Loyal Legion. 

In Massachusetts Captain Sladen was united 
in marriage, in [866, with Martha Frances Win- 
native of Lowell, and of this union 
there have been born four children. Fred Win- 
chester, who graduated from West Point in 
June, 1890. is now a captain in the army, and an 
instructor at the United States Military Acad- 
emy, having been detailed at that institution after 
serving through the Philippine campaigns as an 
aide to Major-General Otis; Harry Stinson, a 
graduate of the Leland Stanford University, is 
now with the Portland General Electric Corn- 
pan v : Frank Joseph, a graduate of Yale, class 
of 1002. is a student at the Johns Hopkins Medi- 
cal College : and Caroline L. is the wife of Capt. 
John J. Bradley, of the Fourteenth United States 
Infantry. 

Captain Sladen is prominent in Masonic cir- 
cles. He was made a Mason in B. B. French 
Lodge, of Washington. D. C, in 1866, and was 
afterwards master of Mount Hood Lodge at 
Vancouver. Wash. He is a thirty-second degree 
Mason, and is identified with the Oregon Con- 
sistory, and El Kader Temple, N. M. S. He is 
a member of the First Baptist Church of Port- 
land ; a Republican in politics, and is socially a 
member of the Arlington Club. Although so 
long connected with affairs military, and every 
inch a soldier in bearing and general deportment, 
Captain Sladen possesses a geniality and good 
fellowship which have won him many and lasting 
friends, and he has evinced in his latter day un- 
dertakings shrewd business and executive ability. 



WILLIAM FRAZIER. In the record of the 
life of a successful man there is always much of 
interest, and particularly is this true in the case 
of a man who is forced to begin the battle of life 
in extreme youth, unaided and penniless. Xo 
greater source of inspiration can be offered a 
young man of ambition than the example afforded 
by such a life in the maturity of its success. 

The death of his parents when he was a mere 
child forced William Frazier to undertake the 
solution of the problem of self-support at a very 
early age, but the self-reliance thereby developed 
proved of incalculable benefit to him. Though 
the years of his youth were less free from care 
than those of most boys, the activities of his 
manhood doubtless have been more successful 
by reason of these very deprivations and hard- 
ships of boyhood. He was born in Shelik, near 



Ross Shire, Scotland. September 15, 1851, and 
was the second of three sons. The oldest, I [ector, 
died in Washington; the youngest, Collin, is en- 
gaged in farming in Grande Ronde Valley, Union 

county, Ore. His father, George Frazier, a ship 
carpenter by trade, was lost in a shipwreck off 
the coast of England, and subsequently the wid- 
owed mother brought the three sons to the United 
States, settling near Kawanee, 111., where she 
died two years later. 

When the family crossed the ocean William 
Frazier was a child of six years. For a time 
after their arrival in Illinois all went well, and 
he had the privilege of attending the country 
schools of Henry county, 111., three winter terms. 
But with the death of his mother he was thrown 
upon his own resources. In 1863, at the age of 
twelve years, under the escort of his uncle, John 
McDonald, he crossed the plains to Oregon as 
a member of a party accompanying a train of 
one hundred wagons. At that time the Indians 
were particularly troublesome, and his party never 
would have reached the coast had it not been for 
a government escort of thirty-six mule teams and 
one hundred and fifty men under the command 
of Captain Crawford. The great cavalcade of 
emigrants and soldiers proved too formidable 
for the wandering bands of Indians to attack, 
and they were permitted to pursue their course 
unmolested. One of the wagon teams was driven 
by the twelve-year-old boy, who in many ways 
proved himself a useful companion for the older 
men. Soon after their arrival at the coast, his 
uncle settled upon a claim in Grande Ronde \ "al- 
ley where, at the age of eighty years, he still 
makes his home. 

After three months with his uncle, Mr. Frazier 
went to Umatilla Landing, where he worked in 
a dry goods store for Mr. Case during the win- 
ter. In the spring he secured employment on a 
pack train from Umatilla to Boise City, Bannock, 
Albanv and Placerville, Idaho, which occupation 
he followed for two years, riding the bell horse 
and acting as cook for the train. During the 
fall of 1865 he arrived in Portland, where he 
has since made his home. At first he followed 
any occupation that presented itself, and availed 
himself of such leisure as he could command in 
order that he might attend to his neglected 
schooling. For one winter he attended Portland 
Academy. In the spring of 1869 he bought an 
interest in a butcher shop in Portland, but after 
a vear or more began to take contracts for the 
piles on the lower docks of the Willamette. This 
work consumed two years, during which time 
he cleared the neat sum of S 10,000. A portion 
of his earnings he invested in a livery stable, 
which he conducted for three years and then 
sold. His next enterprise was with L. A. God- 
dard, under the firm name of Goddard & Frazier, 



1(14 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the two conducting a large stable on Morrison 
and Second streets. In 1883 a three-story barn 
was built, 100x100, on Fifth and Taylor streets, 
and here he bas since engaged in business, being 
with Mr. Goddard until 1897, and since then a 
member of tbe firm of Frazier & McLean. In 
addition to tbe renting of horses and vehicles, he 
has done a large business in buying and selling- 
stock. At times he has brought in three car- 
loads of horses from Chicago at once, these being- 
sold principally to loggers and lumbermen. For 
twenty years he has supplied the government 
with horses, furnishing five thousand for the 
Manila campaign, and in all of his contracts with 
the government his work was conducted with 
sagacity and dispatch. 

In Portland, in 1873, occurred the marriage of 
William Frazier and Margaret E. Long, who was 
born near this city, her father, Edward Long, 
having come from Ohio in 1847 an< ^ settled two 
miles from the city of Portland. The only child 
of Mr. and Mrs. Frazier is Charles R. Frazier, 
who graduated from a business college and at- 
tended Leland Stanford University for two years. 
afterward acting as deputy county sheriff under 
his father. The Commercial Club and Riverside 
Driving Association number Mr. Frazier among 
their members. While he is not connected with 
any denomination, he is a contributor to the 
Baptist Church, with which his wife is identified. 
His fraternal connections include membership in 
the Woodmen of the World, Benevolent and Pro- 
tective Order of Elks ; Portland Lodge No. 55, 
A. F. & A. M.; Oregon Consistory No. 1, thirty- 
second degree; and Al Kader Temple, N. M. S. 
The leading position he held in the Republican 
party, as well as among the citizens of his home 
town, led to his selection in 1896 for the office 
of county sheriff, and not only was he elected at 
that time, but in 1898 and 1900 he was honored 
by re-election, serving from July, 1896, to July, 
1902, when he retired and did not enter the lists 
as a candidate. The qualities which he possesses 
qualified him for tbe duties of sheriff. With a 
robust mental and physical sturdiness, he was 
a terror to evil doers and law-breakers, and his 
several administrations won the commendation 
of the law-abiding element of the county. As a 
private citizen, as well as in his official capacity, 
he has won a large circle of friends and well- 
wishers, and bas gained a deserved prominence 
in the city to which he came, unknown, many 
vears ago. 



HON. SOLOMON HIRSCH. The Pacific 
slope has furnished to the country many men of 
high intellectual attainments, who have distin- 
guished themselves in the various fields of endeav- 
or for which the American commonwealth has 



become noted during the past few decades. In 
the commercial world by far the great majority 
of these have been men who began life with no 
resources excepting their own industry and in- 
domitable spirit. While the pioneers of the 
great west have been, as a rule, men born and 
reared in America, there also have been found, 
especially in tbe years following immediately after 
the first great rush to this country of wonderful 
opportunity, numerous conspicuous instances 
where rare successes have been the reward of 
diligent application on the part of those who have 
come from foreign shores to cast their lot with 
the ambitious sons of. the east who have sought 
fame and fortune in this opulent region. The 
history of the operations of the early settlers on 
the coast has shown, however, that it has been 
men of force of character and determination only 
(with rare exceptions has this been true) to whom 
the greatest measure of success has come. The 
life record of the late Hon. Solomon Hirsch of 
Portland, ex-United States minister to Turkey, 
forms one of the most splendid illustrations of 
this obvious truth — that personal character and 
genuine worth count for more in the contest for 
supremacy in the liberal atmosphere of the west 
than in any other section of this free country, 
or in any other country in the world. Even so 
brief a resume of the life services of Mr. Hirsch 
as it is possible to give in a volume of this char- 
acter will be a source of inspiration to the young 
men of the future generations who start out 
on their careers no more amply equipped to fight 
the battle of life than he. The story, in the tell- 
ing, sounds like a romance. 

Born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 25, 
1839, he was a son of Samson Hirsch, a member 
of an old and respected family of that kingdom. 
There were five sons in the family who came to 
the Pacific coast. Leopold, who settled in Oregon 
as early as 1851, engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness in Salem, and died in 1892. J. B. and Mayer 
were pioneers of 1853 in this state, and also fol- 
lowed mercantile pursuits in Salem, where the 
former died ; the latter died in New York in 
1875. Edward, who settled in Oregon in 1858, 
became a merchant in Salem, where he has also 
been prominently identified with public affairs. 
In 1878 he was elected state treasurer of Oregon, 
and upon the expiration of four years was re- 
elected to the office. Further honored by the 
people of his city, in 1890 he was chosen to repre- 
sent them in the state senate. In 1898 he was 
appointed postmaster of Salem, an office which he 
fills at the present time. 

The youngest of the five sons in the family, 
Solomon was fifteen years of age when, in 1854, 
he set sail from Havre for New York. After a 
voyage of forty-two days he arrived at his desti- 
nation. Without any delay he secured work 



PORTRAIT A.ND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



H>o 



a clerk in New York, and later was similarly 
employed in Now Haven, Conn., and Rochester, 

\ IL Meantime, from his brothers, who had 
preceded him to Oregon, he received glowing 

reports oi the prospects in the west, and deter- 
mined to join them in this state. March 
iS;S. he took passage on the vessel Star of 
the West for Aspinwall, and after crossing the 
Isthmus, proceeded on the Golden Gate to San 
Francisco, where he made a short stop. From 
there he came to Portland, landing here in April, 

858, His objective point was Salem, but he soon 
I to Dallas, where he opened a retail store, 
tinuing there until 1861. A later location was 
Silverton. Marion county, where he conducted a 
mercantile business until the fall of 1864. Upon 
returning to Portland he became a partner of L. 
Fleischner and A. Schlussel, under the firm title of 
L. Fleischner & Co., wholesale merchants occupy- 
ing a store on Front street, between Stark and Oak 
streets. In 1875 the concern was consolidated 
with that owned by Jacob Mayer, and the name 
thereupon became Fleischner, Mayer & Co., under 
which style it operates at the present time. The 
members of the firm at the time of the death of 
Mr. Hirsch were : Solomon Hirsch, Isaac N. 
Fleischner, Marcus G. Fleischner, M. A. Mayer 
and Samuel Simon. The trade built up by this 
firm, as manufacturers and importers of dry goods 
and men's furnishings has extended into Wash- 
ington, Idaho and Montana, besides reaching 
into every part of Oregon. 

In fraternal relations Mr. Hirsch was a Mason, 
and the manner of his initiation into the order 
may testify to the great esteem in which he was 
held. Amongst the oldest prerogatives of a grand 
master of Masons, very rarely conferred or ex- 
ercised, is the right of conferring the degree of 
Masonry without the usual scrutiny of the can- 
didate by secret ballot. In the history of the 
order in the state of Oregon that prerogative has 
been exercised but once — in the case of Mr. 
Hirsch and Cyrus A. Dolph, who together, in 
1902, were so distinguished, in the language of 
the craft being made Masons "at sight." The 
honor may be somewhat inexplicable to those not 
identified with the order. But Masons will un- 
derstand that this compliment was a recognition 
of the honor, the probity, the character, the 
noble life, the high principles of the man thus 
welcomed into the greatest secret order the world 
has ever known. 

The marriage of Mr. Hirsch took place in 
Portland, February I, 1870. and united him with 
Josephine, daughter of Jacob Mayer, a native of 
Xew Orleans. There are four children in the 
family, namely: Ella, Sanfonl, Mai and Clemen- 
tine. 

The public service of Mr. Hirsch was as note- 
worthy as his private business career. As a 



member of the state legislature during the session 
ot 1872 he assisted in electing United State.. 
Senator Mitchell. In 1874 he was chosen to 
represent his district in the state senate, and 
four years later was again elected to that office. 
Upon the expiration of his second term, in 1882, 
he was re-elected, and served up to and includ- 
ing the session of 1885. During his latter period 
of service he again gave his support to Mr. 
-Mitchell; but failing to bring his candidate suc- 
cess, turned his support to J. N. Dolph, who was 
elected. During the session of 1880 he was hon- 
ored by the election to the presidency of the 
senate. Upon the expiration of his third term he 
declined further renomination and returned to 
private life. Nevertheless a very large proportion 
of his fellow-citizens, and particularly the mem- 
bers of the Republican party, were not content 
to allow him to remain aloof from public affairs. 
In 1885 they brought his name before the people 
as a candidate for the United States senate. A 
few of the minority Republicans had their own 
candidate, but Mr. Hirsch was the choice .of the 
majority of his party. When the matter was 
taken up by the legislative body of which he was 
at the time a member, he lacked but one vote of 
being elected. Had he cast that vote for himself, 
he would have gained a seat in the United States 
senate, but he was unwilling to do so and there- 
fore lost the office. An occurrence so unusual was 
widely commented upon at the time and has never 
been forgotten. During his service as state sen- 
ator he supported scores of important bills. 
Among these was an assignment law for the bene- 
fit of the poor (1878), to which he introduced 
an amendment giving it many features in common 
with the more recently adopted national bank- 
ruptcy law. 

In 1888 Mr. Hirsch went abroad for the pur- 
pose of visiting Mr. Fleischner in Vienna. While 
there he was taken sick and went to Carlsbad 
for the benefit of the waters. While still taking 
a course of treatment, in 1889, he received a 
cablegram from the state department notifying 
him of his appointment as United States minister 
to Turkey. The appointment came without solic- 
itation on his part, and naturally was an entire 
surprise. At first Mr. Hirsch felt constrained to 
decline on account of the condition of his health, 
but finally decided to accept upon receiving per- 
mission from the department to continue his 
treatment as long as necessary, and also permis- 
sion to return home after the formal presentation 
of his letters of credence. In June. 1889, he 
went to Constantinople, where the Sultan granted 
him an audience for the presentation of his letters. 
Immediately afterward he returned to the United 
States, arrange! his business affairs preparatorv 
to an extended absence, and then, accompanied 
by his family, returned to Europe in October 



L66 



I 'i (RTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the same year. He remained at his post until 
the summer of 1*891, when he was granted leave 
of absence in order that he might return to the 
United States and tender his resignation. Arriv- 
ing in Washington, he called upon President Har- 
rison, but found the latter unwilling to accept 
his resignation. At the urgent request of the 
chief executive Mr. Hirsch withdrew his request 
to be relieved of the responsibilities of the office 
and returned to Turkey in December, 1891, with 
the understanding, however, that the next year 
his resignation would be accepted, as the death 
of his business partner in 1890 rendered his 
return to Portland desirable. Again, in October, 
1892, he returned to Washington, and this time 
he was allowed to resign the post, as agreed upon, 
the president tendering him the most flattering 
acknowledgment of the valuable character of his 
services as minister plenipotentiary at a post of 
more than ordinary difficulty during a most criti- 
cal period in the relations between the two 
countries. Not only was his work highly accept- 
able to- the department of state, but the mission- 
aries located in the various parts of the Ottoman 
Empire also tendered him the most cordial resolu- 
tions in recognition of his unselfish devotion to 
their welfare and interests. In 1897 President 
McKinley offered him the same post, or that 
of United States minister to Belgium, as 
preferred, but his business demanded his presence 
at home and he felt obliged to decline the honor. 

While not himself seeking the honor, many of 
the most influential citizens of Oregon had looked 
forward to the nomination and election of Mr. 
Hirsch to the United States senate in 1903. 
Many of his warmest adherents predicted that 
nothing could have prevented his election ; and 
this is now the generally accepted belief. It is 
but an echo of the best public opinion to record 
in this brief memoir of one of the most dis- 
tinguished men of the Pacific slope, that the 
state of Oregon could have furnished no more 
capable, sincere or highly qualified man for the 
office ; and that if he might have been spared to 
round out his useful life in this position, the state 
would have been represented at Washington by 
a gentleman possessed of such a broad knowledge 
of public affairs and the needs of the region he 
represented, as to make him the peer of the most 
distinguished members of that great body. 

In the midst of private affairs of great magni- 
tude and importance, and public services of an 
invaluable nature, Mr. Hirsch was not unmindful 
of the best interests of his home city. Through 
his unselfish labors as a member of the Chamber 
of Commerce, as president of Beth Israel Con- 
gregation, and as a life member of the Portland 
Library Association, he promoted local interests 
in the social, educational and religious world. 
The Republican party at all times had the benefit 



of his counsel and advice; and his services as 
chairman of the Republican Central Committee 
in 1882, and again in 1896, will be remembered as 
instrumental in perfecting the organization of 
the part)- on a basis which has made its operations 
in great political campaigns vastly more easy and 
successful. Chiefly as the result of his labors, 
the Republicans of Oregon elected a governor in 
1882 for the first time in many years ; and in 
the memorable campaign of 1896, when every 
possible obstacle in the way of Republican suc- 
cess was raised by the adherents of the free silver 
party, his management of the campaign was such 
as to save the state to his party. It has since 
been said by thoughtful party leaders that the 
same result probably would have been attained 
through no other management. 

The career of this useful man of affairs and 
distinguished citizen of Portland was terminated 
by his death December 15, 1902. Among the 
many eulogistic editorial utterances following this 
sad event, we give place to the following from the 
Portland Labor Press, which is particularly felic- 
itous as coming from the leaders of the great 
masses of laboring men of Portland, by whom Mr. 
Hirsch was regarded as a friend in all that the 
term implies : 

"Mr. Hirsch, while a man of large affairs and 
one whose impress was felt in many ways and 
walks of life, has left behind him the universal 
respect and regard of our entire people. He was 
a large employer of labor, and his uniform justice 
and fairness in his relations as an employer won 
the confidence and guaranteed to his house the 
faithfulness of those dependent upon him for 
employment. The great factory of the Fleischner- 
Mayer Co., employing over three hundred people 
in the manufacture of men's garments, will live 
long after him as a monument to his enterprise 
and far-sightedness. While in the congested 
cities of the eastern states it is found necessary 
to enact the most stringent laws compelling 
rigid inspection of factories of this character, the 
Fleischner-Mayer plant is a recognized model for 
health, cleanliness and up-to-date hygienic and 
sanitary appointments. Could it be said that the 
future manufacturers would all be like Solomon 
Hirsch, Oregon would not need to burden her 
statutes with laws governing sweat-shop methods 
in the making of men's wear. The working people 
can rightly feel that in the death of this good man 
they have lost a true, tried and just friend, and 
their sympathies will go out to those closer and 
dearer, who mourn his loss." 

At the services held in his memory at Temple 
Beth Israel on Sunday, January 4, 1903, a large 
concourse of his personal friends, including prac- 
tically all the most prominent men in Portland 
and many people from the lowlier walks in life 
who esteemed it a high privilege to be able thus 



rORTRMT AND BIOGKAL'll KAL RKCOKI). 



[63 



to honor the memorj oi one dearly beloved bj all, 
wire in attendance. Eulogistic addresses were 
delivered by Rabbi Stephen S. Wise and ex- 
Attorney-General George 11. Williams, the 
present mayor of Portland. Dr. Wise's estimate 
of the character ami services of Mr. Hirsch may 
lie summed up briefly in the following excerpts 
from his address : 

"Solomon Hirsch was a man of ideals. Man 
of affairs though he was. he did not permit him- 
self to become the servant of his business, or the 
i his possessions. He remained master 
oi himself and all that he possessed. Virtue he 
pursued, and knowledge high ; with him the two 
were closely allied, for in his life to know was to 
<.\o. Virtue he pursued from the beginning unto 
the end oi his days, and knowledge high through 
all his busy, crowded life, with the ardor of a 
youthful lover. 

"In the highest sense of the term he might be 
styled a self-made man, for he rose from very 
humble beginnings unto high place, with no aid 
from without, unaided save by Him of whose 
help and guidance his life was a grateful and 
pious acknowledgment. Self-made though he 
was. no one could have been further removed 
from the arrogance and boastfulness of the merely 
successful man who believes only in himself and 
in his own prowess ; though self-made, he was 
God-fearing and God-revering. 

"Solomon Hirsch proved his Americanism not 
only by the probity of his conduct in public life, 
which but served to make his personal character 
conspicuous, so that adapting the words of Theo- 
dore Parker "his private character became a pub- 
lic force,' but especially in his resentment of the 
inhuman attitude of some European powers to 
his fellow-Jews. * * * The cry of the hounded 
Roumanian Jewish expatriate wrung that noble 
heart which bled for the sorrows and sufferings 
of his people. 

"I would say that his love of the race and relig- 
ious fellowship whence he was sprung rivaled 
his devotion to his adopted country. If rivalry 
there was between his attachment to his mother- 
faith and his loyalty to his fatherland, it was a 
rivalry that tended to deepen his attachment and 
strengthen his loyalty at one and the same time. 
So faithfully did he cherish the religion of his 
fathers that I have long thought that, if he was 
ambitious, it was because he hoped to serve his 
people by representing them honorably and worth- 
ily in public life. Eagerly he welcomed every 
opportunity to win and merit the world's respect 
fi r the Jew. * ::: * The religion he professed 
impelled him to nobility of action. Full as was 
his life of deeds and achievements, it was fullest 
of the little kindnesses and tendernesses and cour- 
tesies, the little and great benevolences which 
endeared him to his fellow-men. Disciple of the 



House of Israel unswervingly faithful, citizen of 
his adoptive country gratefull) patriotic, settler 
oi the northwest Sternly honorable, if none of 
US can take his place, each of us can take pattern 
and inspiration from his life." 



JOHN MILTON HODSOX. The Hodson 
family are quite numerous, being represented in 
England, Canada and all the states and territories 
of the United States, particularly in the middle 
states. There are three forms of spelling the 
family patronymic: Hodgson (the old English 
form), Hodgin, and Hodson, the latter being used 
by probably ninety per cent of the members of the 
family. The genealogy of the particular branch 
to which the subject of this article belongs is 
traced to Robert Hodgson, an officer in the Eng- 
lish army, who served in Ireland from about 1645 
to 1650. After the death of Robert, his children, 
two sons and a daughter, came to America, in 
1660. the daughter and one of the sons locating 
in Xew York. The other son. George Hodgson, 
settled on Sassafras creek, in Susquehanna 
county, Pa., in which vicinity many of his de- 
scendants now reside. His son John lived and 
died upon the old homestead. 

Robert Hodgson, the son of John, removed to 
Xorth Carolina about 1750, settling near Guil- 
ford Courthouse, where he reared a large family, 
eight sons and two daughters. Nearly, if not 
quite, all of the latter about 1800 found homes 
in the then new territories of Ohio and Indiana. 
Jonathan Hodgson removed to Clinton county, 
Ohio, with his family in 181 1, and there cleared 
out a large farm and reared a family of four 
sons and two daughters, all of whom were born 
in X T orth Carolina, prior to the removal of the 
family to Ohio. Matthew Hodgson was born in 
X'orth Carolina in 1795, and came with the family 
to Ohio, where in 1820 he was married to Hannah 
Hunt. About this date, by almost unanimous 
consent, at least ninety per cent of the Hodgson 
family dropped the letter "g" from the name, as 
in the pronunciation of the same it had always 
been considered a silent letter. Matthew Hod- 
son, who was a farmer and wheelwright, con- 
tinued to reside in Ohio until 1852, when he- 
removed to Hancock county, Ind., his death oc- 
curring there in 1875. The Robert Hodgson who 
removed from Pennsylvania to Xorth Carolina 
was a minister in the Society of Friends 
(Quakers) and nearly all of his descendants have 
adhered to the faith of that church. The family 
of Matthew Hodson consisted of two sons and 
three daughters. Asa FI. Hodson removed from 
Indiana to Oregon in 1879, settling in McMinn- 
ville, where he engaged in the hardware business. 
His death occurred in 1889. His son, Orlando O. 
Hodson, continues the business established by his 



170 



'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



father and is meeting with success in his under- 
takings. 

John Milton Hodson was born near New 
Vienna, Ohio, August 24, 1839, and re- 
moved with his parents to Hancock county, 
ind., in 1852. The education which he 
received in the public schools of Ohio and 
Indiana was supplemented by a course in 
the National Normal University at Lebanon, 
( )hio, and for several years he was engaged as 
teacher and superintendent in the schools of In- 
diana. In 1872 he engaged in the newspaper 
business as editor and joint proprietor of the 
Winchester (Ind.) Journal, but in 1880 he sold 
out and engaged in the orange business in Flori- 
da, following this for some time. Not being 
pleased with the conditions prevailing in that 
country, he returned to Indiana in 1881, and two 
years later removed to Oregon, locating in Lane 
county. He founded what was known as the 
Eugene Register, publishing the same until 1888. 
In 1890 he came to Portland as deputy collector 
of customs for the port of Portland, which posi- 
tion he held for three years, or until Cleveland's 
administration was inaugurated, when he re- 
signed. For four years, dating from the fall of 
1894, he was interested in the firm of Irwin- 
Hodson Co., printers and blank book manufac- 
turers, as secretary and accountant. All through 
his busy life he has been engaged in buying, im- 
proving and selling real estate, which is his prin- 
cipal business at the present time. 

October 17, 1861, Mr. Hodson was united in 
marriage with Martha A. Rawls, who passed to 
the spirit life in 1881, leaving a daughter, Ger- 
trude. In 1883 he married Winona Coffin, a 
great-niece of the famous abolitionist, Addison 
Coffin. In 1865 Mr. Hodson was made a Mason 
in Golden Rule Lodge No. 16, of Knightstown, 
Ind., and was exalted a Royal Arch Mason and 
knighted in the bodies of Knightstown in 1870. 
Since coming to Oregon he has attained the 
thirty-third degree, Ancient and Accepted Scot- 
tish Rite, being crowned an honorary inspector 
general of the Supreme Council of the south- 
ern jurisdiction, by Illustrious I. W. Pratt, in 
January, 1902. At this writing he is preceptor 
of Oregon Consistory No. 1. His official rela- 
tions with the craft have been almost continuous 
since he was made a Mason, having served in 
nearly every station within the gift of his breth- 
ren. He is a past M. W. grand master, past 
M. E. grand high priest, past M. E. president 
of high priesthood, past M. Illustrious grand 
master of the Cryptic Rite, and past grand com- 
mander of Knights Templar of Oregon. He en- 
joys the distinction of being the only Mason who 
has passed the presiding chairs of all the grand 
bodies in the state. For a number of years he 
has been the writer of the reports on correspond- 



ence for the grand lodge, grand chapter and 
grand commandery. He is an earnest supporter 
of the principles and philosophies of the world's 
greatest fraternity, believing them the most pro- 
found and valuable of any human organization, 
and that their most perfect demonstration should 
be found in the daily life and conduct of its mem- 
bers. 



HON. GEORGE W. BATES. To follow the 
career of Ceorge W. Bates from the time when, 
as a sturdy youth on his father's farm back in 
Lee county, Iowa, he worked and played beside 
the stream that sang its refreshing way through 
the meadows, and in which he ofttimes plunged 
to dissipate the noon-day heat, were to travel 
faster and with more accomplishable vigor than 
is either consistent or profitable to average mor- 
tals. Yet so seemingly exhaustless is the pres- 
ent vitality and resourcefulness of this intrepid 
promoter of western enterprises, so varied are 
his interests, and so splendid his grasp of the 
opportunities by which he is surrounded, that 
one is constrained to look forward rather than 
back, and to expect as well as appreciate. 

Of Teutonic ancestry, Mr. Bates was born in 
Lee county, Iowa, November 21, 185 1, and lived 
among the home surroundings until his seven- 
teenth year. His father, Nicholas, was born in 
Germany, and came to America with the grand- 
father Bates, locating in Iowa when that part 
of the country was yet a territory. Nicholas 
farmed for many years in Iowa, but spent the 
last fifteen years of his life with his son, Hon. 
George W. He married Matilda Harris, a native 
of Illinois, and member of an old southern fam- 
ily. Mrs. Bates died in Iowa in 1868. Of her 
six children a daughter and three sons are liv- 
ing. Of these, one son, J. W., is a bridge- 
builder, at present operating near Honolulu, 
Sandwich Islands, and William is a resident of 
San Francisco. 

At the age of seventeen George W. Bates 
started out upon an independent career, and 
from the bottom learned all about railroading 
and railroad building, finally completing his 
instruction with laying track and bridge build- 
ing. In 1874 he identified himself with the San 
Francisco Pacific Bridge Company, and engaged 
in building bridges and docks, and was sent by 
the same company to Portland in 1880, intending 
to remain for three months. The business 
chances represented in this town appealed to his 
largeness of perception with considerable force, 
and in due time he found himself a part of the 
moving forces around him. He constructed the 
dock for William Reed in 1880, and while asso- 
ciated with A. S. Miller & Son contracted for 
building the bridges between Roseburg and Ash- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



17.'{ 



laml. on the California & ( >regon Railroad. He 
was associated with Lee HoPman for eight 
years, or until 1890, and (luring that time put in 
piers and steel bridges all through Oregon. The 
bridge across the Columbia river at Pasco, most 
of the snow sheds and the bridge on the Cascade 
division, and mam kindred constructions in dif- 
ferent parts oi the state, are due to his prac- 
tical grasp of an enormously interesting and 
responsible occupation. However, building 
bridges required frequent absences from home, 
and often called for deprivations and exposures 
to extremely trying and inclement weather, so 
after contributing to an unusual degree to the 
promotion of bridge building in the state Mr. 
Bates decided to engage in some occupation 
more concentrated and less wearing. 

With others similarly interested, Mr. Bates 
purchased the little water plant in Albina and 
organized the Albina Light and Water Com- 
pany. From a very small beginning the plant 
was enlarged and modernized, and made to con- 
form to the most pressing needs of this part of 
the city. An electric lighting system was intro- 
duced all over Albina and East Portland, for 
which valuable franchises were secured. In 
December, 1891. was begun a deal with the 
Portland General Electric Company, which was 
carried through in January, 1892, and by the 
terms of which the company disposed of their 
electric lighting business for $200,000. Tanuarv 
1. 1902, the water business was also sold for a 
like amount. When Mr. Bates first bought the 
water plant it was realizing $350 a month. 

At the present time Mr. Bates is engaged in 
hanking in Portland, and has under his super- 
vision the Bank of Albina, incorporated in the 
spring of 1893: the Multnomah County Bank, 
and the Albina Savings Bank. During the panic 
of 1893, having plenty of money on hand from 
the sale of the water works, he used it to enable 
the Savings Bank to maintain its credit, and he 
also bought the other two banks. The banking 
business is incorporated under the firm name 
of George YV. Bates & Co. He built his pres- 
ent bank building in 1896. Mr. Bates is also 
interested in the laundry business, and in 1894 
incorporated the Union Laundry Company, of 
which he is president, and which is one of the 
largest laundry enterprises in the Northwest. 
The present building was erected in 1902 on 
the corner of Second and Columbia streets, has 
three floors, and is 60 x 100 feet ground dimen- 
sions. The Diamond Vitrified Brick Company, 
near \ ancouver. is another enterprise in which 
Mr. Bates is interested, and of which he is presi- 
dent and a director. This is a very large plant, 
and its brick are shipped over all the country. 
For some years he owned the Parker Mill, and 



during that time organized the Albina Saw Mill 
Company, of which he became president, and 

managed to work up the affairs of the mill to 
a high standard. This plant was disposed of in 
[8 19, in response to the more pressing demands 
upon the time of Mr. Bates. 

As a Republican Mr. Bates has rendered the 
same kind of service to his party which has char- 
acterized his many business enterprises. He 
represented Multnomah county in the state sen- 
ate during the sessions of 1897-99, a "d wa s ap- 
pointed police commissioner by Mayor Frank, 
but resigned from the same. Mayor Mason also 
appointed him police commissioner, and he was 
appointed to the same office by Governor Geer 
upon the passage of the new charter. He is a 
member of the Commercial Club, and attends 
the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a 
member. Mrs. Bates was formerly Miss L. M. 
Menzies. who was born in Oregon, and whose 
father. Capt. James Menzies. owned a home near 
Sandy. and was a pioneer of that district. Three 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bates, 
Lloyd, George W.. Jr.. and Bruce Adler. 



MILTON W. SMITH. The success which 
has encouraged the efforts of Mr. Smith in the 
practice of law is another indication of the abil- 
ity possessed by the native sons of Oregon. Born 
at Aurora, this state, July 15, 1855, he owes his 
education to our schools, where his keen natural 
gifts were broadened by contact with teachers of 
intelligence and superior ability as educators. In 
1878 he received the degree of A. B. from Pacific 
University, one of the oldest institutions of the 
west, and three years later the degree of A. M. 
was conferred upon him by his alma mater. Im- 
mediately after graduating he took up the study 
of law in the office of Judge Deady. of the United 
States district court, at Portland, and continued 
his readings until he was admitted to the bar in 
March of 1881. During August of the same 
year he established himself in practice and has 
since won his way to an eminent rank among the 
attorneys of his home city. 

In addition to professional practice. Mr. Smith 
has officiated as treasurer and a director of the 
Portland Library Association since 1890, and at 
this writing is chairman of the book committee 
managing the library. Since 1894 he has acted 
as a director of the Multnomah Law Librarv and 
during all but three years of this time has been 
its president. Ever since his graduation he has 
maintained his interest in his alma mater and is 
keenly alive to the advantages offered to the 
young by this pioneer college. In his desire to 
promote its welfare, he accepted the position of 
secretary of its finance committee and a director 
of the university, which offices he now fills. At 



J 74 



PORTRAIT AX I) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



one time he held office as president of the Alumni 
Association. However, it is not higher educa- 
tion alone that commands his interest and en- 
thusiastic allegiance. In the education of the 
little children, in seeing that their feet are plant- 
ed in the right direction when they ascend the 
hill of learning, his interest is keen and con- 
stant. Indicative of this fact is his efficient ser- 
vice as vice-president of the Portland Free Kin- 
dergarten. 

As a director Mr. Smith is connected with the 
Columbia & Northwestern Railroad, running 
from Lyle, Wash., to Klickitat, same state. The 
Arlington and University Clubs number him 
among their members, and he is also actively as- 
sociated with the State Bar Association. His 
marriage, which was solemnized in Portland, 
united him with Alice Sweek, who was born in 
Oregon, her parents, John and Maria Sweek, 
having come from Missouri in 1852 and settled 
in the vicinity of Portland. Since the death of 
Mr. Sweek his widow has continued to make 
her home in the same locality. The children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are Ruth, Josephine and 
Marion. As yet Mr. Smith has not identified 
himself closely with politics, though he is a firm 
believer in Republican principles. His inclina- 
tions are toward his profession rather than pub- 
lic life or political service. Keenly alive to the 
opportunities offered by the law, it has been his 
ambition to keep in touch with its progress and 
important decisions rendered bearing upon the 
people or the lands of Oregon. One of his lead- 
ing characteristics has been conservatism, as op- 
posed to the recklessness sometimes evinced by 
the enthusiastic and daring. This conservative 
spirit, however, is not a bar to progress, but leads 
him to the exercise of great caution in pro- 
nouncing opinions, so that a decision, when once 
given, is seldom changed, thus lending added 
weight to his counsel and advice on subjects per- 
taining to the law. 



FRANK RIGLER. During a very early 
period in the settlement of Pennsylvania mem- 
bers of the Rigler family crossed the Atlantic 
from Germany and identified themselves with 
the pioneer families of William Penn's colony. 
When the Revolutionary war came on John Rig- 
ler enlisted in the colonial army and held rank 
as captain under "Mad" Anthony Wayne. In- 
spired by the example of his brother, the captain, 
Andrew Rigler, then a mere boy in years, offered 
himself to his country and went to the front 
to fight for independence. Little is known con- 
cerning Andrew Rigler, but it may be judged, 
from his faithful service in the army, that he 
was a man of courage and high patriotism. His 
son, Jacob, a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, 



was by occupation a farmer, stock dealer and 
nurseryman, and died at eighty-four years of 
age. 

Next in line of descent was Hon. Henry Rig- 
ler, who was born and reared in a suburb of 
Philadelphia, became a large stock dealer, and 
for a time served in the Pennsylvania legislature. 
Originally a Whig, on the disintegration of that 
party he allied himself with the Republicans. 
In religion he was a Presbyterian. At the time 
of his death, which occurred in Philadelphia 
in 1894, he was seventy-nine years of age. His 
wife, formerly Mary Castor, was born in Phila- 
delphia and died there in 1901, when seventy- 
nine years of age. She was a member of an old 
Quaker family that settled in Pennsylvania with 
William Penn and was a daughter of a Mexican 
war soldier, who lost his life while taking part 
in the battle of Monterey. 

In the family of Hon. Henry Rigler there 
were ten children, all of whom attained ma- 
turity, and five sons and three daughters are 
now living, Frank being the sixth in order of 
birth and the only member of the family on the 
Pacific coast. He was born in Philadelphia Jan- 
uary 9, 1855, an d as a boy lived in the parental 
home near Frankford arsenal, attending the Cen- 
tral high school, from which he was graduated 
in 1872. His first employment was in the city 
engineering department, after which he engaged 
in railroad engineering in Kansas for six months. 
On his return to the east, in 1875, he began to 
teach in Bucks county, four miles from Doyles- 
town, where he continued for two and one-half 
years. His next position was that of vice-prin- 
cipal of the Boys' Grammar school in Philadel- 
phia. After a year in that position he relin- 
quished his work on account of throat trouble. 
Hoping that a change of climate might prove 
beneficial, in January, 1879, ne came to the 
coast, settling in Polk county, Ore., where lie 
taught at Buena Vista a short time and then 
became principal of the Independence school. 
In 1882 he was elected superintendent of schools 
of Polk county and for a term filled that posi- 
tion with marked ability. On retiring from 
office he became superintendent of the Walla 
Walla schools, where he remained for eighteen 
months. From there, in December, 1885, he 
came to Portland as principal of the Park school, 
where he remained until the expiration of the 
school year of 1887-88. Leaving Portland, he 
accepted a position as superintendent of the Ore- 
gon City schools, where he remained until 1891. 
On his return to Portland he accepted the prin- 
cipalship of the Harrison street school, and con- 
tinued in that capacity until June of 1894, when 
he was chosen principal of the high school. 

An acceptable service of two years in the high 
school was followed by Professor Rigler 's elec- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



177 



don as city superintendent of schools in June, 
i Sou. and he has since devoted his time and 
thought to the discharge of his duties. Under 
his supervision there are thirty school buildings, 

with tliree hundred and twenty teachers and an 
enrollment of thirteen thousand ami three hun- 
dred pupils. The oversight of so many teachers 
and pupils is no slight responsibility, yet it is 
one that he has ably maintained, and through 
his acceptable service he has won the confidence 
oi those best adapted to estimate judicious and 

itematic educational work. He is interested in 
the National Educational Association, has been 
a member of its National Council, and was for- 
merly a director for Oregon in the organization. 
Almost continuously since 1882 he has been a 
member of the state board of examiners of 
teachers. The State Teachers' Association num- 
bers him among its leading workers, and in the 
office of president, which at one time he held, 
he was enabled to materially promote the wel- 
fare and success of this body. His interest in 
educational matters extends into institute work, 
and as an instructor in county institutes he is 
favorably known throughout the state, into all 
parts of which he has gone to aid in bringing 
before the teachers plans of vital importance for 
the prosperity of our public schools. For a 
number of years he served as president of the 
Schoolmasters' Club, in which he was a charter 
member. Owing to the nature of his profession 
and its constant tax upon his mental and phys- 
ical powers, he has not identified himself with 
political affairs, in which indeed he has taken 
no part whatever aside from casting a Repub- 
lican vote at local and general elections. 

During his residence in Walla Walla, in 1884, 
Professor Rigler married Lena Koehler, who 
was born in Iowa, and is a graduate of the Cedar 
Falls Normal School in that state. Born of their 
marriage are two children, named Evelyn S. 
and Howard. 



JOHN MARION LEWIS. In John M. 
Lewis, treasurer of Multnomah county, we find 
a native of the state who has given abundant 
evidence of the possession of the qualities essen- 
tial to a trustworthy, capable and thoroughly 
safe servant of the public. He traces his lineage 
back to old families of Virginia and Tennes- 
see. His paternal great-grandfather. Fielding, 
was born in the Old Dominion in 1767, but at 
an early age removed to North Carolina and 
from thence to East Tennessee, where the grand- 
father, also named Fielding, was born in 181 1. 
Some time prior to the year 1830 the latter re- 
moved to Wabash county, 111., and thence to 
Missouri, and finally came to Oregon in 1852. 
The family, which included his son, James P. 



Lewis, lather of John ML, started across the 
plains with an ox-team in the early summer of 
1852, and were six months in reaching their 
destination, a point near Brownsville, Linn 
county, Ore. They crossed the Snake river at a 
point near the site of Huntington, followed the 
general course of that river down to its junction 
with the Columbia, thence down the Columbia 
valley to the mouth of the Willamette, and thence 
up the Willamette to Linn county. The voyage, 
at the best fraught with peril, was in this case 
characterized by peculiarly sad features. Moun- 
tain fever and cholera broke out in the party, 
and the bodies of four of the family were left 
in graves along the route, victims of the ravages 
of these maladies. Lucinda (Moore) Lewis, 
wife of Fielding Lew-is, died on the banks of 
Snake river near Birch creek ; Charles Wesley, a 
son, died on Burnt river; Marion died at the 
Upper Cascades, and Mary Ellen died on the 
Oregon side of the river opposite Vancouver 
barracks. 

Upon his arrival in Oregon James P. Lewis 
entered land in the forest, which he at once 
began to clear and improve for a home for his 
family. Subsequently he removed to Althouse, 
Josephine county, where he purchased a farm 
upon which he still resides and where for two 
terms he served as county assessor. November 
29, 1853, he was united in marriage to Tennessee 
T. Tycer, the ceremony being performed by the 
Rev. H. H. Spalding, who came to Oregon with 
Dr. Marcus Whitman in 1836. Tennessee T. 
Tycer was born in Linn county. Mo., a daughter 
of Lewis Tycer, a native of Nashville, Tenn.. 
and an early settler of Linn county. Mo. The 
family of the latter came either from Virginia or 
North Carolina, and was of French descent. 
Lewis Tycer settled in Oregon in 1853, crossing 
the plains with his family. The house which he 
erected near Browmsville after abandoning his 
original cabin home, and in which he died at 
the age of seventy-seven years, is still standing. 

Of the nine children born to James P. and 
Tennessee (Tycer) Lewis, three sons and three 
daughters are now living. George W. is sheriff 
of Josephine county, and James E. is a farmer in 
that county. John M. Lewis, the subject of this 
sketch, was born in Linn county, Ore., September 
20, 1855. Until 1872 that county was his home, 
but in that year he accompanied the family to 
Josephine county, attending the common schools 
and aiding in the duties of the farm during the 
summer, and later on engaging to some extent 
in mining during the winter. In 1881 he arrived 
in Portland, and at once set about to improve his 
education. In 1882. after taking a course in the 
Portland Business College, he secured a position 
in the government employ, having charge of the 
mailing division in the Portland postoffice under 



17S 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Postmaster George A. Steel for about three years. 
When a Democratic official, C. W. Roby, assumed 
charge of the office, Mr. Lewis continued to fill 
his post for eighteen months, or until he found 
it necessary to retire on account of the inroads 
upon his health caused by the confining nature 
of his work. For three years after relinquishing 
his position in the postal service he was in the 
employ of the H. R. Duniway Lumber Company 
in East Portland as lumber inspector. From 
1888 to 1890 he was a member of the city council 
of East Portland. In the latter year President 
Harrison appointed him postmaster of East Port- 
land a post he filled until the consolidation of 
the cities of Portland and East Portland, when 
the office was discontinued. Later he was made 
superintendent of Station A, which was estab- 
lished in place of the old office in East Portland, 
and filled the place under Postmaster Steel until 
the close of the latter's second term. In 1894 he 
entered the county treasurer's office as deputy 
treasurer under A. W. Lambert, holding the 
position two years ; and was then reappointed to 
the same office by Ralph W. Hoyt, serving for 
four years more. This was followed by his nomi- 
nation and election to the office of county treas- 
urer, the duties of which he assumed July 7, 
1902, for a term of two years. 

In Portland. May 1, 1883, occurred the mar- 
riage of Mr. Lewis and Ella M. McPherson, a 
native of Linn county, Ore., and a daughter of 
W. A. McPherson. ' The latter settled in this 
state about 1850, and at one time filled the office 
of state printer. His death occurred in 1891. 
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, 
one of whom, Herbert Wayne, died at the age 
of two years. Those living are Edith, lone and 
Wade V'ernon. In the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church Mr. Lewis is a ruling elder, and is also a 
teacher in the Sunday school connected with that 
society. In his political views he is a stanch 
Republican. Fraternally he is identified with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, the Modern Wood- 
men of America, and the Woodmen of the World. 
He was also a charter member of Abernethy's 
Cabin No. I, Native Sons of Oregon. 

Mr. Lewis belongs to the class of men who 
have shown by their unselfish interest in public 
affairs that they are warmly devoted to the pro- 
motion of those movements whose tendency is 
to help to give Oregon rank among the most pro- 
gressive, prosperous and inviting commonwealths 
of the Union. His public spirit has been abund- 
antly manifested on many occasions, and the 
fact that Oregon is the state of his nativity un- 
doubtedly explains, in a measure, the extreme 
heartiness of his desire to co-operate with others, 



on all possible occasions, in advancing the mater- 
ial interests ot the state and the community in 
which he makes his home. 



CYRUS A. DOLPH. The genealogy of the 
Dolph family in America is traced to Balthazar 
De Wolf, who was born about 1620, resided for 
some years in Wethersfield, .Conn., but removed 
to Lyme, that state, in 1664. By his wife, Alice, 
whom he married in 1645, he had six children. 
The oldest of the family, Edward, was born in 
1646 and died in 1712, after having been a life- 
long resident of Lyme. By his wife, Rebecca, 
Edward De Wolf had four sons, viz. : Simon, 
born in 1671 ; Charles, 1673; Benjamin, 1675; 
and Edward, Jr. The line of descent is traced 
through the second son, Charles, who spent the 
active years of his life in Middletown, Conn., and 
died there in 173 1. His wife, Prudence, died 
ten years after his demise. Their son, 
Joseph De Wolf, born in 1717, lost his life in 
the battle of Louisburg, 1757, while fighting in 
the colonial army during the French and Indian 
wars. By the marriage of Joseph De Wolf and 
Tabitha Johnson there was born a son, Abda, 
through whom the line of descent is traced. In- 
heriting the patriotic spirit of his father, Abda 
enlisted in the French and Indian wars and later, 
when war was declared with England, showed 
his zeal for liberty and independence by serving 
in Colonel Whiting's Albany county regiment, 
New York troops. At the time of the conflict 
with the French his sympathies being with the 
English, he and a number of his cousins de- 
cided to Anglicize their family name by changing 
it to Dolph. This was the origin of the present 
mode of spelling. 

The marriage of Abda Dolph united him with 
Mary, daughter of Nathaniel and Ruth Coleman, 
of New Haven, Conn. Their son, Joseph, was 
born in Fairfield, Conn., June 6, 1767, engaged 
during his active life as a teacher and surveyor, 
and died December 21, 1827. The lady whom 
he married, Elizabeth Norton (born 1772. died 
1839), was a daughter of Joseph and Martha 
Norton, the latter in turn a daughter of Jabez and 
Elizabeth (Allen) Norton. Both Joseph and 
Martha Norton were descended from Nicholas 
Norton, of Weymouth, Mass. (1636-60). Dur- 
ing much of his life he made his home at Ed- 
gartown, on Martha's Vineyard. It is said that 
of the thirteen hundred and fifty-six inhabitants 
of Edgartown in 1790, one hundred and seventy- 
four of these were Nortons. Probably as many 
others were descendants of Nicholas in the 
female line, making three hundred and forty- 
eight descendants in the one hundred and thirty 
years. The progenitor of the family, Nicholas 
Norton, by his wife, Elizabeth, had a son, Ben- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 






jamin, whose son, Nicholas, married .Martha 
Daggett, and their son, Jabez Norton, was the 
lather of Mrs. Elizabeth (Norton) Dolph. Little 
is known concerning the first Nicholas, except 
that he was horn in [6lO, and (.lied in 1090, after 
having for years made his home at Weymouth 
and then at Edgartown. Mention has heen made 
one of the Norton descendants, who married 
a member of the Daggett family. This family 
traced its lineage to John Daggett, of Weymouth, 
who died in 104 2. By the marriage of John Dag- 
gett to Bathsheba Pratt, there was a son, Thomas, 
who married Hannah Mayhew, and their son, 
Joshua, married Hannah Norton, daughter of 
Isaac and Ruth Norton. Joshua and Hannah 
Norton had a daughter. Martha, previously 
mentioned as the wife of Nicholas Norton. 

Through the wife of Thomas Daggett the 
family is brought into relationship with the May- 
hew family, of colonial fame. The founder of 
this family in America, Thomas Mayhew. was 
born in England in March of 1592. In 1641 he 
ohtained a grant of Martha's Vineyard and the 
neighboring islands, and the next year settled at 
Edgartown. whose inhabitants were then Indians. 
With him came a few Englishmen and they in 
turn were joined by others from their native 
land. However, the population still consisted 
almost wholly of Indians. During King Phil- 
lip's war. when the savages became hostile and 
killed the white settlers all over New England, 
such was the influence of Thomas Mayhew over 
the red men of his islands that they remained 
quiet and peaceful, though they might easily have 
killed the few white men, had they so desired. 
After a long and honorable service as governor of 
the island, Thomas Mayhew died in March of 
1682. His son, Thomas, was a missionary to the 
Indians, and so greatly beloved by them that even 
many years after he perished at sea in a ship- 
wreck he was seldom named by them without 
tears. Other members of the family also became 
prominent, especially Experience (born 1673, 
died 1758), Zachariah (1717-1806) and Jonathan 
(1720-1766), the last-named distinguished as a 
theologian and patriot. 

The genealogy is traced from Joseph and Eliza- 
beth (Norton) Dolph to their son, Chester V. 
Dolph. who was born at Whitehall. N. Y.. on 
Lake Champlain, February 14, 1812. and died 
November 3, 1869. His wife was Elizabeth V. 
Steele (born 1813. died 1884). whose parents 
were William Steele (1785-1868) and Rachel 
Vanderbilt (1795-1883). William Steele was a 
son of John B. and Grace Seville (Brown) 
Steele. Rachel Vanderbilt was a daughter of 
Cornelius and Elizabeth (Rodman) Vanderbilt, 
her father being a member of one of the most 
noted pioneer families of Staten Island, in New 
York. 



In the family of Chester \ . Dolph were four 
sons, namely: Joseph Norton, deceased, late 

United States senator from Oregon; Cyrus Abda, 
the suhject of this narrative; and William V., 
who is living at the old home in New York, and 
John Mathew, an educator of note now living at 
Port Jervis, N. V. Cyrus Abda Dolph was born 
on his father's farm near Havana, Chemung 
(now Schuyler) county, N. Y., September 27, 
1840. The name of Abda was given him in 
honor of his forefather, Abda Dolph, who was 
born in Bolton, Mass., in 1740, and served with 
distinction during the Revolution, as did also 
a brother, Charles, to whom congress voted the 
thanks of the country for military services. As 
a boy Cyrus A. Dolph assisted in the work of 
the farm during the summer and attended 
the village school during the winter. At 
the age of eighteen he began to teach school, 
which occupation he followed from 1859 to ^62. 
During the progress of the Civil war the 
Indians on the western plains took advantage 
of the disturbed condition of the country to 
harass emigrants seeking to settle in the west. 
So serious did the condition become that con- 
gress, during its session of 1861-62, made an 
appropriation to provide military escort for emi- 
grants crossing the plains to Oregon. In the 
spring of 1862 the two brothers, Joseph Norton 
and Cyrus Abda Dolph, enlisted in a company 
known as the Oregon Escort and assisted in 
bringing a train of immigrants across the country 
to Oregon and Washington, after which they 
received an honorable discharge at Walla Walia. 
and thence came to Portland. In 1866 he was 
admitted to the bar and took up active practice 
of the law. Ever since then he has ranked 
among the leading professional men of Port- 
land. In June, 1869, without solicitation on his 
part, the Republicans nominated him as city 
attorney, and he was elected by a large majority, 
serving the full term of tw : o years. During a 
temporary absence from the city, in 1874, he 
was nominated by the Republicans for the state 
legislature, but declined the honor, as he did two 
vears later, when the nomination for the state 
senate was tendered him. In 1891 he was urged 
to accept the appointment of circuit judge of the 
northern judicial district and was unanimously 
endorsed by the best citizens of the northwest. 
However, feeling that an acceptance of the high 
honor would mean a life work and thus inter- 
fere with other plans, he declined the position. 
Notwithstanding his refusal to accept official posi- 
tions, he is a stanch Republican and always gives 
his support to the men and measures of the 
partv. For many years he was a member of the 
water works committee, and at this writing he 
is regent of the University of Oregon and presi- 
dent of the board of trustees of the Portland 



ISO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Library Association. Associated with a num- 
ber of other citizens, he organized the Security 
Savings and Trust Company, of which Hon. H. 
W. Corbett was president up to the time of his 
death. 

Nor do the movements and organizations 
hitherto mentioned represent the limit of Mr. 
Dolph's activities. He was one of the founders 
of the Portland Savings Bank and the Commer- 
cial National Bank of Portland. For some years 
he has held the office of president of the North- 
ern Pacific Terminal Company of Oregon, and 
has also been financially interested in the Ore- 
gon Improvement Company. Besides acting 
for years as a director of the Oregon & Califor- 
nia Railroad Company, in 1883-84 he was re- 
tained as general attorney for the corporation. 
From 1883 to 1889 he was a member of the di- 
rectorate of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation 
Company. In 1883 Henry Villard, then presi- 
dent of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Com- 
pany and the Northern Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany, selected Mr. Dolph as general attorney 
of the first-named corporation and consulting 
attorney in Oregon for the latter company. 
These positions he has filled with efficiency and 
in a manner indicative of his high legal talent. 
The man}- important and intricate questions that 
have arisen in relation to these two great con- 
cerns he has handled with dispatch and decision, 
disposing of their to the entire satisfaction of 
the officers and stockholders of the companies. 

June 24, 1874, Mr. Dolph married Eliza Car- 
dinell, a native of Canada, and daughter of 
Charles Cardinell, of French-Huguenot ancestry. 
They became the parents of four children, 
namely : Joseph N., Hazel Mills, William Van- 
derbilt and John Mathew Dolph. 

Beginning in law practice in Portland, Mr. 
Dolph has since continued professional practice 
in this city, where, at different times, he has been 
associated as partner with a number of the 
brightest minds connected with the bar of this 
city and state. In 1883 he became the senior 
member of the firm of Dolph, Bellinger, Mal- 
lory & Simon. Ten years later the title was 
changed to Dolph, Mallory, Simon & Guerin, the 
other members of the firm being Rufus Mallory, 
Hon. Joseph Simon and John M. Guerin, all 
men of note, distinguished in the annals of the 
law in their home city and state, and forming, 
in their association, a partnership of legal talent 
of exceptional strength, character and ability. 



HON. JOSEPH NORTON DOLPH. The 
life which this narrative sketches began near 
Watkins, N. Y.. at a village then known as 
Dolphsburg, October 19, 1839, and came to a 
close in Portland, Ore., March 10, 1896. (See 



preceding sketch for the genealogy of the Dolph 
family). The intervening years represent a 
period of great activity and high honors. Into 
the life of the boy at an early age there came 
high aspirations for the future, and these ambi- 
tions were associated with the west, in which he 
had become interested through reading in the 
New York Tribune Fremont's "Military Expedi- 
tion to the Pacific Coast," Washington Irving's 
"Astoria," and Dr. Elijah White's account of mis- 
sionary life in Oregon. The way did not at 
once open for him to seek a home in the north- 
west, and meantime, at the age of eighteen, he 
began to teach school, which occupation he fol- 
lowed for eight years. His leisure hours were 
devoted to the study of law with Hon. Jeremiah 
McGuire at Havana, N. Y., and in 1861 he re- 
ceived admission to the bar. 

The hoped-for opportunity to locate in the west 
came in the spring of 1862, when he and his 
brother enlisted in Captain Crawford's Company, 
known as the Oregon Escort, raised under an 
act of congress (1861-62) for the purpose of 
protecting the immigration of that year against 
hostile Indians. As orderly sergeant of this 
company he crossed the plains, receiving an hon- 
orable discharge at Walla Walla, Wash. His 
service during the expedition was so satisfactory 
that the following year, when the same captain 
was again detailed to accompany an expedition 
of similar character, he endeavored to secure the 
services of his former orderly, but the latter had 
other plans in view, and so declined. 

In the spring of 1863 Mr. Dolph formed a 
partnership with John H. Mitchell, which con- 
tinued until the latter was elected to the United 
States senate. Meantime, in October of 1864, 
Mr. Dolph was elected city attorney. He pre- 
pared and proposed important amendments to the 
city charter, which were afterward adopted, and 
he also revised for publication the ordinances of 
the city. In January of 1865 President Lincoln 
appointed him United States district attorney for 
the district of Oregon, and this position he held 
until 1866, when he resigned it to take his seat 
in the state senate. During the session of 1866 
he served in that body, again taking the 
seat in the session of 1868, but a contest 
arising he was deposed by a strict party vote. 
However, the confidence maintained in his 
ability by the people was exhibited in 1872, 
when he was returned to the senate by an in- 
creased majority, after which he rendered effi- 
cient service in the two succeeding sessions. A 
still higher, though strictly party, "honor came to 
him in 1866, when he was chosen chairman of 
the state Republican central committee, and his 
service of two years in that capacity proved be- 
yond a doubt that he was one of the greatest lead- 
ers of his party in the northwest. Not only was he 




G. W. SHAVER. 



Pi IRTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



188 



an eloquent advocate of parts principles, but was 
also a man of remarkable executive ability, tlms 
admirably qualified to direct the functions of an 
important committee. Perhaps no service ren- 
dered bis part} was greater than that in connec- 
tion with the meeting oi the electoral college at 
Salem in 1S70. After Governor Grover had 
given the certificates of election to Cronin, Mr. 
I )olph advised the course adopted by the Repub- 
lican electors, and on the spot drafted the papers 
which were by the electoral commission adjudged 
sufficient to establish the election of Messrs. Odell, 
Cartwright and Watts. Thus the papers drafted 
by him secured the return of Dr. Watts as Re- 
publican elector and thereby decided the vote of 
( Iregon in favor of Rutherford B. Hayes for 
president. 

During the early days of Mr. Dolph's experi- 
ence as an attorney he acted as counsel for the 
< )regon & Central and the Oregon & California 
Railroad Companies, and also as counsel for Ben 
Halliday, who was then running his steamships 
from Portland to San Francisco, and was also 
constructing the Oregon & California Railroad. 
When Mr. Mitchell was elected to the United 
States senate in 1872 he retired from the firm, 
and thereupon Mr. Dolph took into the firm as 
partners Judge E. C. Bronaugh, C. A. Dolph and 
Joseph Simon. For some years he was retained 
as attorney for the Oregon Steamship Company, 
the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company, the 
( )regon Improvement Company, the Oregon 
Transcontinental Company, and other corpo- 
rations organized by Henry Villard, whose 
name is so indissolubly associated with the de- 
velopment of the northwest coast. He was also 
the adviser of the officers of the Northern Pacific 
Railroad Company at Portland, attorney for 
various minor corporations, also president of the 
Oregon Improvement Company, and vice-presi- 
dent of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Com- 
pany and the Oregon Transcontinental Company. 
The highest honor of Mr. Dolph's life came to 
him in 1883, when he was chosen to succeed Hon. 
Lafayette Grover, Democrat, in the United States 
senate. Assuming the duties of his position, he 
was at once placed on the committee on public 
lands and claims. In 1886 he was chosen chair- 
man of the committee on coast defenses. The 
committee on commerce also received the benefit 
of his wide experience. Measures presented by 
him in the interests of navigation have become 
laws and have proved invaluable in the develop- 
ment of our country's maritime interests. As a 
member of the committee on foreign relations, 
he also proved himself an astute statesman. In 
1889. at the expiration of his first term, he was 
elected to succeed himself, without opposition, by 
the two legislative houses, and during his second 
term held practically the same committee rela- 



tions as during the first. In every respect lie 
proved himself a patriot and an able statesman, 
and his retirement from the senate in 1895 was a 
source of regret to his colleagues in that body, 
as well as to the people of his home state. Dur- 
ing the twelve years of his official service he 
made his home in Washington, where he and 
his wife (formerly Augusta E. Mulkey) enter- 
tained on a liberal scale and with the greatest 
hospitality, extending a hearty welcome not only 
to people of that city, but to visiting friends from 
the Pacific coast. Since his death, Mrs. Dolph 
has continued to make her home in Washington. 
In closing this resume of Senator Dolph's 
career, mention should be made of his fraternal 
relations. In 1876 he was elected Most Worthy 
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F^, 
State of Oregon, which position he filled for one 
year. Nor was his identification with Masonry 
less conspicuous, for in that body he was, in 1882, 
elected Most Worshipful Grand Master of the 
Grand Lodge of Oregon, and in this office he 
showed the same tact, executive ability and wise 
judgment characteristic of him in other positions. 
In physique Senator Dolph was stalwart, of im- 
posing appearance, grave in demeanor and earn- 
est in expression, which physical attributes were 
but the outward expression of high mental quali- 
fications and unsullied honor. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON SHAVER. One 
of those to whom the finding of gold on the coast 
opened up vistas of vast possibility was George 
Washington Shaver, erstwhile farmer, who 
crossed the plains in a party with ox teams and 
wagons in 1849, intent upon wresting from the 
earth sufficient riches to enable him to carry out 
many ambitious projects. He was born in Camp- 
bell county, Ky., March 2, 1832, and in the south- 
ern state received as fair an education as his 
father's many responsibilities permitted. While 
still a young man he removed to Missouri, and 
while here became enthusiastic on the subject of 
the coast. 

That Mr. Shaver was successful in life was 
due partially to his failure as a miner, else he 
had remained longer than a year in California, 
and this state might never have benefited by his 
noble and capable citizenship. Arriving in Ore- 
gon in 1850, he settled in the Waldo Hills, Mar- 
ion county, from which place he removed to 
southern Oregon, where he again tried his luck 
at mining. February 2, 1854, found him in Port- 
land, where he married Sarah Dixon, daughter 
of a pioneer of that section, and with whom he 
returned to his farm in Marion county. Here 
four children were born to them, and six more 
were born after their removal to Portland in 
i860, settling in what is now known as the Eliza- 



184 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



beth [rving addition. During his early residence 

in Portland Mr. Shaver found an outlet for his 
energies in the wood business, whose possibili- 
ties he seemed to appreciate more than any other 
at that time, and upon which he embarked with 
a great deal of enthusiasm and expectation of 
success. For many years he furnished the steam- 
ers plying between Portland and San Francisco 
with all the wood used in their business, and he 
further branched out and furnished the wood 
for river boats and barges. Large portions of 
the forests that reared tl/eir densely crowded 
trees in the primeval days disappeared under 
the necessity for providing timber to these boats, 
and Mr. Shaver probably denuded more acres 
of land during his busy career than did any other 
man of his time. 

In time Mr. Shaver became president of the 
Shaver Transportation Company of which his 
son, Capt. James W., was treasurer and manager, 
and thus was greatly enlarged his field of ac- 
tivity. His death, which occurred October 26, 
1900, removed from accustomed haunts one of 
the most useful of the founders of the commer- 
cial greatness of Oregon. He was not only a 
man of sound business judgment and capacity 
for observation and action, but in his character 
he embodied all that is excellent and of good 
report. No worthy cause but profited by his 
generosity and large heartedness ; no friend but 
was benefited by his counsel and assistance. To 
the end he retained in increasing measure the 
confidence of all with whom he was ever associat- 
ed, and to his family and friends left the heritage 
of a good name, and the dignity of a small for- 
tune. 



CAPT. JAMES W. SHAVER. The Shaver 
Transportation Company occupies an altogether 
unique position among the large developing forces 
of the great northwest, and has had much to 
do with shifting from one place to another the 
products of the dense forests for which Oregon 
is famous, and for placing the output of the 
great mills in their respective localities of use- 
fulness. No more familiar sights greet the ob- 
server on the Columbia and Willamette rivers 
than the heavily loaded barges, puffing tow boats, 
in advance of stealthily gliding rafts of logs, 
and other craft calculated to promote the clear- 
ance of the enormous water business of the state. 

Capt. James W. Shaver, the present head of 
the Shaver Transportation Company, was born 
in Waldo Hills, within five miles of Silver- 
ton, Ore., October 2, i860. To his father, Capt. 
George W. Shaver, is due the organization of 
the transportation company. At the time of 
his death in October, 1900, he was survived 
by his wife, formerlv Sarah Dixon, who was 



born in the east, and who still lives at the 
old home in Portland. Of the ten children who 
grew to maturity in this household, four sons 
and four daughters are living : John R., sheriff 
of Clackamas county, and living in Oregon City ; 
Alice, Mrs. Wittenberg of Portland ; James W. : 
Lincoln, captain and chief engineer in Multnomah 
county; George M., interested in the transporta- 
tion company, and who spends his summers in 
Alaska ; Delmar, a captain in the employ of the 
company ; Pearl, Mrs. George Hoyt of Portland ; 
and Susie, Mrs. A. S. Heintz, of Portland. 

Locating in Portland with his parents when 
six years of age, Capt. James W. Shaver nat- 
urally received his education here, and at an early 
age became interested in his father's enterprises, 
which then consisted of a livery business in East 
Portland, as well as a large cord wood concern. 
They had a wood yard in East Portland and at 
the Shaver dock, and at this early stage of pro- 
ceedings were of immense importance in the 
wood business of the day. In 1880 Mr. Shaver 
embarked in the boating business, and with Henry 
Corbett and A. S. Foster bought out Mr. Bureau, 
continuing business under the name of the Peo- 
ple's Freighting Company. The firm inaugurat- 
ed its activities by running the steamer Manzan- 
illa, and Mr. Shaver became captain of the boat 
and manager of the company, which operated be- 
tween Portland and Clatskanie. Soon afterward 
the father joined the company and Mr. Corbett 
stepped out, having" previously purchased the in- 
terest of Mr. Foster. At this time, June 10, 1893, 
a re-organization was effected, under the name of 
the Shaver Transportation Company, the father 
being president, and the son secretary and treas- 
urer. In 1889 the G. W. Shaver was built and 
called after the father ; this useful little craft 
was one hundred and forty feet long. The Sarah 
Dixon, named after the mother, took its place 
among other boats on the rivers in 1892, and 
after that the Manzanilla was sold, the Shaver 
and Dixon doing all the work of the company. 
About 1900 the Shaver was sold, and the same 
year a tow boat called No Wonder was purchased 
for towing logs. The next year, in 1901, the firm 
built the Henderson, also used for towing pur- 
poses, and these boats are in constant use, among 
other undertakings towing for three of the larg- 
est mills here. For many years Mr. Shaver 
acted in the capacity of captain for the company, 
but of late years has devoted his time to manag- 
ing the business, and is still secretary and treas- 
urer. He of course has a captain's license, and is 
remarkably familiar with all phases of river life 
in this state. The offices of the firm are located 
at the foot of Washington street. 

In Portland Mr. Shaver was united in mar- 
riage with Annie Schloth, who was born in Port- 
land, and whose parents were very early settlers 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



18a 



the state. Mr. Shaver is variously identified 
with social and fraternal organizations in the 
county, among them being the Woodmen of the 
World. He is a man oi strict integrity, and the 
public at large place the greatest confidence in 
his character and business ability. 



LOT P. W. QUIMBY. In many and varied 
avenues Lot P. W. Ouimby has been identified 
with the business interests of Portland and has 
n no small assistance in the material growth 
of the city. He has just retired from the posi- 
tion of game and forestry warden for the state 
of Oregon, having received the appointment 
in iSi>8. his life having previously been associ- 
ated as hotel keeper and liveryman, of the former 
being one of the oldest now living in the city. 
\t one time in the past he served his state as a 
member of the legislature from Multnomah 
county, where he upheld the interests of his 
constituents and did all in his power to promote 
general movements for the welfare of the com- 
munity. 

Mr. Ouimby comes of a family of Scottish an- 
cestry, his father being Daniel Ouimby, a native 
of Vermont, who lived to be seventy-two years 
old. Besides engaging as a blacksmith the elder 
man also followed farming in the latter part of 
his life, and through steady application and hard 
labor he maintained a comfortable and even plen- 
tiful home for his family, and though of a limited 
education himself was vitally interested in giv- 
ing the best of advantages to his children. He 
married Polly Woodruff, also a native of Ver- 
mont, and she died the year after the death of 
her husband when she was sixty-nine years of 
age. Of their nine children two died in infancy, 
and one daughter at the age of fifteen ; six grew 
to maturity, namely: Mary E., who married 
James Mathewson and reared a family (she died 
in Massachusetts in 1890) ; H. A., who is a 
wholesale crockery merchant in Springfield, 
Mass. ; Cordelia M., the widow of Hiram Nich- 
ols, of Lyndon. Vt. ; D. J., a resident of Port- 
land, where he is proprietor of the International 
Hotel ; L. P. W., of this review, and Laura, wife 
of Edwin P. Swetland, of Portland. The chil- 
dren were all reared on the paternal farm, and 
though advantages were necessarily limited, two 
daughters became teachers in the eastern states. 
The birth of Mr. Ouimby occurred in Cale- 
donia county, Vt., July 6. 1839. and like the 
other members of his family, he was under the 
necessity of contributing his strength to the as- 
sistance of the farm work, for about three months 
of the year receiving instruction in the district 
school in the vicinity of his home. When seven- 
teen years old his education was considered com- 
plete, so far as further attendance was concerned, 



and at eighteen years he went to work on a ped 
dler's wagon, working tor his brother-in-law, 
Mr. Nichols, traveling through the eastern states 
and Canada, though his principal time was spent 
in Vermont and New Hampshire. This occu- 
pation was continued for quite a number of 
years in the life of Mr. Quimby, but in 1859 he 
decided to try to better his condition by crossing 
the continent to the less crowded states of the 
Pacific coast. He accordingly left New York 
City, coming to California via steamer, by the 
isthmus, and upon his arrival there he at once 
began placer mining in Columbia. While there 
he became acquainted with D. O. Mills by selling 
his gold dust. Mr. Mills was one of the wealthy 
men of this country at this time. On leaving the 
mines Mr. Quimby went to San Francisco county 
and worked for three months on a farm in Susan 
valley, when he went into the city and engaged 
in the water business, peddling this necessity of 
life, and also assisting in hauling it to many of 
the important buildings of the city. He found 
this a lucrative occupation for quite a time, but 
finally engaged in the livery business, only a 
short time passing before he had there sold his 
interests and opened a restaurant on Market 
street. This also was disposed of, and February 
22. 1862, he came to Portland. 

On his arrival in this city Mr. Ouimby formed 
a partnership with W. H. Bennetts and engaged 
in the livery and transfer business and forward- 
ing, bringing to the city the first platform scale 
and the first express wagon. In 1864 he sold out 
to John White, and later purchased the livery 
business of Sherlock & Bacon, located on Third 
street, remaining there for one year, when he 
again sold out and purchased an interest in the 
Weston Hotel, now known as the Occidental Ho- 
tel, and in partnership with Samuel D. Smith re- 
mained one year in that connection. Disposing 
of his interest to Mr. Smith he purchased the 
American Exchange, formerly the Lincoln 
House, and continued for three years, when he 
took a partner in the person of Charles Perkins 
and the two continued together until 1876, when 
Mr. Ouimby again became sole owner and re- 
mained such until the loss of the property by fire 
in the year 1878. This meant a heavy financial 
loss to Mr. Ouimby and he did not immediately 
re-open the hotel. He was appointed receiver 
for a grocery house about this time and he pro- 
ceeded to devote his time to the closing up of 
those affairs, and not until 1880 did he again 
engage in the hotel business, at this date opening 
up the Hotel Ouimby. continuing successfully 
until 1897, for the first six months having a part- 
ner in the person of Mr. Hersey. Lpon sale of 
the property in 1897 Mr. Ouimby retired from 
his long accepted position as mine host, in which 
he had certainly met with success, for the repu- 



186 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tation of the two hotels which he conducted had 
extended for a great distance on the Pacific 
coast, the service and accommodation being such 
as to delight the heart of the traveler. Follow- 
ing closely his withdrawal from his former in- 
terests came the appointment of Game and For- 
estry warden. 

In Portland, in 1866, occurred the marriage 
of Mr. Quimby, uniting him with Miss Amelia 
M. West, the daughter of Col. W. G. West, a 
pioneer of the west. He established the Wells- 
Fargo route between Portland and California, 
and died while in the employ of this company, 
passing away at the home of Mr. Quimby in 
Portland. Mrs. Quimby was born in New York 
state, receiving her education in New York and 
California, and is now fifty-seven years old. 
Since 1882 their home has been at Fourteenth 
and Johnson streets, where Mr. Quimby put up 
a house when it was a heavily timbered tract of 
land and no streets in the vicinity. Their chil- 
dren are six in number, one of whom died in in- 
fancy, the others being as follows : Elmer W., a 
scenic artist and traveling salesman, his home 
with his parents, as he is still unmarried; Daisy, 
the wife of L. O. Swetland, of Portland, their 
one daughter being Florence E. ; Lottie, the wife 
of Harry Taylor, of White Horse, Alaska ; and 
Polly and Daniel, both of whom are unmarried. 
All were born in Portland and received their ed- 
ucation in the public schools of this city. As a 
Republican in politics Mr. Quimby has had many 
offices tendered him but he has not cared to ac- 
cept, as his business interests have engrossed all 
his time, though he takes an active interest in 
all public matters, and is a liberal supporter of 
every worthy movement, and especially has he 
warmly advocated the improvement of public 
thoroughfares. Fraternally he is a member of 
Hope Lodge, A. O. U. W. In religion he was 
reared in the faith of the Baptist Church. 



HON. JOHN McCRAKEN. There are few 
men now living whose arrival on the Pacific 
coast antedates that of Mr. McCraken, who first 
landed on western soil September 17, 1849, an d 
has been identified with the development of Ore- 
gon ever since 1850. The family of which he 
is a member came of Scotch ancestry, but his 
father, John, was a native of Dublin, Ireland, 
and in early life associated himself with mercan- 
tile pursuits in London, where his son and name- 
sake was born July 11, 1826. From that city the 
family crossed the ocean to America, settling in 
New York City, where the father was establish- 
ing himself upon a substantial basis as a mer- 
chant at the time of his death. His wife, Sarah 
Pigeon, was born in England, of an old English 
family, and died in Connecticut. Of their six 



children John and his sister are the sole sur- 
vivors. He was six years of age when the fam- 
ily crossed the ocean in 1832, and hence almost 
his earliest recollections are of this country. 
When he was eleven years of age his father 
died and afterwards his opportunities for an ed- 
ucation were very meager, for the necessity of 
self-support soon presented itself to him. It had 
been his mother's hope that he might enter the 
ministry, but his tastes were distinctly commer- 
cial and the need of earning a livelihood deterred 
him from taking up any profession. 

For about four years Mr. McCraken was em- 
ployed as clerk in a retail store at Fiskville, R. I. 
In 1846 he went to New York, where he took 
charge of the books and collections in a large 
plumbing establishment. Probably he would 
have remained in the east permanently had not 
the discovery of gold stirred his ambition and 
led him to seek his fortune on the Pacific coast. 
In March of 1849 ne joined the Greenwich & 
California Mining & Trading Company, of 
which he became vice-president and a trustee. 
The company bought a vessel, Palmetto, of two 
hundred and eighty tons, and this was stocked 
with supplies and other freight. Thus equipped 
for the voyage the forty-two members of the 
company started from New York via Cape 
Horn, putting in at Rio Janeiro eleven days and 
at Valparaiso seven days, and after a voyage of 
six months and nine days landing on the beach 
in the bay at San Francisco, September 17, 1849. 
The mechanics in the company went on shore, 
where, being offered $48 a day wages, they con- 
cluded it advisable to accept this offer rather 
than work for themselves, so the company dis- 
banded. Mr. McCraken, together with the pres- 
ident and secretary, remained to settle up the 
company's accounts. A house they had brought 
with them was sold for $350 per thousand feet 
for the lumber. The pork and beef were sold at 
high prices. The profits were divided and sent 
to the members of the company. 

After a brief experience in freighting to the 
mines, in the spring of 1850 Mr. McCraken em- 
barked in the mercantile business at Stockton. In 
the fall he sold out and went to San Francisco. 
On the day that California was admitted as a 
state he took passage on a sailing vessel for As- 
toria, where he landed in October, thence pro- 
ceeding to Portland. At that time there was only 
a hamlet of a few buildings. A dense forest ex- 
tended as far as Second street, and the rest of 
the town was dotted with trees. The wharf was 
small, but was sufficient to accommodate the few 
vessels that anchored here. Soon he bought an 
interest in the Island mills at Oregon City, 
where he engaged in the manufacture of lum- 
ber and flour. The water power was improved 
by Methodist Episcopal Mission, and later 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I-:' 



bought b\ Lane «!v. Thompson, subsequent to 
which Mr. McCraken bought Mr. Thompson's 
one-fourth interest. The high water of 1852 
ruined the mills and left the buildings a wreck. 
The work of rebuilding was at once begun, but 
the second venture did not prove successful on 
>unt of the fact that wheat, bought at $5 a 
bushel, was to be used in making flour to be sold 
at $50 a barrel, but a drop in the price of flour 
>r> or $8 a barrel proved ruinous to the mill, 
which was sold at a great sacrifice. 

Elected by the territorial legislature as chief 
clerk oi the house of representatives, Mr. Mc- 
Craken served in the sessions of 1852 and 1853. 
In 1854 he was appointed United States marshal 
of Oregon and Washington by President Bu- 
chanan, serving almost two years. In the fall of 
1855 he returned to Portland, where he started 
in the produce business, shipping to California 
via steamers and sailers. The firm was Richards 
& McCracken, the senior member, James Rich- 
ards, being in San Francisco. A large and suc- 
sful business was established and conducted 
until Mr. Richards was lost on the vessel 
Brother Jonathan, which was wrecked off Cres- 
cent City while en route to Portland. A subse- 
quent partnership was that of McCraken, Mer- 
rill & Co., of Portland and San Francisco, and 
later Aldricb, Merrill & Co. conducted the busi- 
ness in San Francisco for five years, since which 
time Mr. McCraken has been mostly alone. The 
J. McCraken Company was organized in 1892, 
and is now located at the corner of Second and 
Pine streets, where a wholesale business is con- 
ducted in building materials. Among the ma- 
terials carried in stock are Roche Harbor lime, 
Portland cement, building, casting and land plas- 
ter. King's Windsor cement plaster, Monterey 
sand, marble dust, mortar colors, fire brick and 
fire clay. Under the supervision of Mr. Mc- 
Craken were built the large warehouses on 
Ninth and Irving streets, covering three-fourths 
of a block, also the warehouses on Davis and 
Pront streets, but these were later sold. 

The interests held by Mr. McCraken are not 
limited to his identification with the J. Mc- 
Craken Company. For some years he was a di- 
rector of the Commercial National Bank, and 
was the first president of the smelter at Linton, 
which position he still holds. For some years he 
occupied for his homestead the block between D 
and E, and Seventh and East Park streets, but 
this he has sold to the government for the new 
custom house site. His marriage took place in 
Oregon City and united him with Ada Pamb- 
run, whose father was an officer of the Hudson 
Bay Company. They are the parents of four 
children, of whom the daughter is the wife of 
Charles B. Hurley, of Tacoma. The sons, 
Henry, James and Robert, are connected with 



the business which their father established in 
1856. 

A careful study of political questions long ago 
led Mr. McCraken to ally himself with the Re 
publican party. During early days he served as 
president of the city council, in which he re- 
mained a member for several terms. In 1891, 
1893 and 1 90 1 he was elected to the state legis- 
lature from Portland, serving three terms. 
In 1891 he was interested in a consolida- 
tion bill for the city. During his ser- 
vice in the legislature he was instrumen- 
tal in promoting bills of an important nature 
and gave his support to measures of undoubted 
value. In religion he is connected with Trinity 
Episcopal Church, of which he is senior warden. 
In Masonry his interest and connection have 
continued for many years. Initiated into the or- 
der in Portland, he served as master of the lodge 
and during the '60s was for two terms grand 
master of the Grand Lodge of Oregon. For 
two terms he officiated as grand high priest of 
the Grand Chapter of Oregon. In the Portland 
Commandery he has been eminent commander, 
while he has also reached the Consistory and 
thirty- third degrees, being inspector-general in 
the latter. Among his brethren in the Masonic 
order his standing is the highest, as it is also 
among men of commercial and executive ability, 
all of whom recognize in him the qualities of up- 
rightness, tact, keen discernment and loyaltv to 
his home city that have characterized his long 
association with the historv of Oregon. 



AMEDEE M. SMITH. Very early in the 
settlement of Nova Scotia the Smith family re- 
moved there from England, but subsequently ex- 
changed the bleak and icebound shores of their 
peninsular home for the more prosperous region 
of Massachusetts, and from there proceeded to 
Xew Jersey. Freeman Smith, a native of New 
Jersey, became a resident of Fayette county, Pa., 
and in 1842 established his home on a tract of 
raw land near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, of which 
he was one "of the founders. A man of rare 
insight into causes and their effects, fortified by 
a determined will, and possessing the hardihood 
of a pioneer, he was fitted for the task of creat- 
ing a new town on the edge of the then wilder- 
ness. His ability was inherited from his father, 
Dr. Isaac Smith, a successful physician and tal- 
ented man. who during the Revolutionary war 
served as colonel of the First Regiment from 
Hunterdon county, X. J., but resigned his com- 
mission in 1777 in order to accept an appoint- 
ment as justice of the supreme court of his state. 

Tn the family of Freeman Smith there were 
eleven children. The youngest of these, Amedee 
M. Smith, Sr., was born in Fayette county. Pa., 



190 



Pi iRTRAIT AND BI< )( iRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in 1839. Al the outbreak of the Civil war he 
enlisted in Company F, Twenty-fourth Iowa In- 
fantry, and served for three years as a non- 
commissioned officer. On being honorably dis- 
charged from the service he learned the pottery 
business in a pottery owned by his brother, Free- 
man Smith, in Iowa. Meantime. he had married, 
and in 1865, accompanied by his wife and their 
child, he came via Panama and San Francisco 
to Portland. On this trip he was accompanied 
by his father and mother, who settled at Albany, 
Ore., but in 1866 removed to Buena Vista, this 
state, where his father died in 1881, at the age 
of eighty-nine years. During the same year they 
had come by the isthmus to Oregon, his brother, 
Freeman, had crossed the plains, and previous 
to this, during the '50s, three other brothers had 
come. Henry, who settled near Eugene, James, 
who died immediately on his arrival, and W. H., 
who took up land in Clatsop county. 

For the first year of his residence in Oregon 
Amedee M. Smith made Albany his home, but in 
1866 removed to Buena Vista, Polk county, 
where, having found suitable clay land, he and 
his brother, Freeman, and their father, started 
a pottery, which was the first enterprise of its 
kind on the Pacific coast. In 1870 A. M. Smith 
bought the interests of his father and brother 
and continued alone until 1883. Meantime, in 
1881, he had brought his family to Portland and 
established his headquarters in this city. From 
a very small beginning he built up a plant occu- 
pying several acres of ground at this time. In 
1883, on the river front and Sherlock avenue, he 
erected a building 200x250, three stories in 
height, on a lot 200x600, and put in six large 
kilns, at the same time incorporating the Oregon 
Pottery Company, of which he was president and 
James Steel secretary. Everything in the line of 
vitrified pipes was manufactured there, while the 
plant at Buena Vista meantime turned out the 
pottery. On the destruction of the Portland 
property by fire in 1890 he erected brick build- 
ings on the same site and a tract of land adjoin- 
ing. The buildings occupy about 300x300 feet, 
three and four stories in height, and are equipped 
with steam boilers and engines of two hundred 
horse power, with the latest improved machinery 
for the manufacture of sewer pipe, chimney pipe, 
flue lining and fire proofing. 

In the early days of the pottery business in 
( Oregon it was the custom of the manufacturers 
to start out from the kilns with a load of pot- 
tery and travel throughout the Willamette valley 
until all they carried was sold. Money being 
scarce, often they accepted produce in exchange 
for their wares. However, as the population in- 
creased and railroads came in, the capacity of 
their plant was also increased and they made their 
sales in large quantities, shipping by railroad. 



On the death of A. M. Smith, Sr., his son and 
namesake was chosen president and manager of 
the Oregon Pottery Company. Two years later, 
in 1896, James Steel retired from the concern, 
which was then reorganized as the Western Clay 
Manufacturing Company, with A. M. Smith, Jr., 
as president and manager ; W. H. Britts, vice- 
president ; and Blaine R. Smith, secretary and 
treasurer. The company is still doing business 
under the same name and with the same officers 
as at first, the three being also the sole owners 
of the plant. In 1890 the manufacture of pot- 
tery was discontinued and the plant devoted en- 
tirely to the manufacture of their other products. 
Frequent enlargements have been made and to- 
day the plant is the most complete one of its kind 
on the Pacific coast. The products of the kilns 
are shipped to all points on the Pacific coast and 
their trade extends as far north as British Colum- 
bia and Alaska. They also have an extensive 
trade in the Hawaiian Islands. The office of the 
company is at No. 55 Fourth street, Portland. 

While still in the east, Mr. Smith was united 
in marriage with Miss Mary E. Speelman, who 
was born in Pittsburg, Pa., a daughter of A. E. 
Speelman, a native of the Keystone state and a 
glass blower by trade. On account of the fail- 
ure of his eyesight Mr. Speelman gave up his 
trade and removed to Iowa during the early '50s. 
settling on a farm near Marion, Linn county. 
Later he went to Minnesota and his death oc- 
curred at Verndale, that state. In religion he 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
The family of which he was a member came 
from Germany, while his wife was a member 
of the Isherwood family, of English extraction. 
Seven children blessed the union of Mr. Smith 
and Mary Speelman, namely : Albert G., who 
died at the age of nine years ; an infant that died 
in Iowa; Elizabeth, now Mrs. W. H. Britts; 
Amedee M. ; Blaine R. ; Mary E., wife of Dr. 
F. C. Sellwood, and Leta R., all residing in 
Portland. The mother of these children passed 
away in 1883, and for his second wife Mr. Smith 
married Mrs. Emma J. Coulter, of Connellsville, 
Pa., and by this union two children were born, 
Harold S. and Mildred. 

In the death of Mr. Smith, which occurred 
September 29, 1894. Oregon lost one of its hon- 
ored pioneers and Portland was called upon to 
mourn one of its most prominent and highly es- 
teemed citizens. His death was not only a severe 
blow to the industrial world, in which he had 
taken such an active part and in which he was 
so well known, but by his demise Portland lost 
a citizen who at all times was in favor of any 
movement calculated to be of benefit to his 
adopted state or county. 

The Taylor Street Methodist Episcopal Church, 
of which he was an active member, had in him 



PORTRAIT AND BIOCRAPHKAL RECORD. 



1: I 



oik- oi its most sincere supporters and at his 

h he was a member oi its board of trustees. 
Ili> influence was always for the good, ami his 
sympathy, his benevolence ami his kindly greet- 
ing will long he remembered by all with whom 
he had come in contact. His duties were per- 
formed with the greatest care and throughout 
life his personal honor and integrity were with- 
out blemish. His character, as it was manifested 
to liis associates, was remarkable for its simplic- 
u\ ; he had great earnestness and concentration 
oi purpose; in planning he was deliberate but 
forcible. His wisdom had been largely gained 
by observation^ as the advantages of his youth 
were limited. In his business dealings he was 
ever prompt, reliable and entirely trustworthy 
and he gained a greater degree of success than 
many who at the start were blessed with better 
advantages. 



the official life of the church and at present is a 
member of the board of trustees. The Young 
Men's Christian Association also receives the 
encouragement of his influence and financial aid, 
and through his services as a member of the 
board of directors he has been enabled to pro- 
mote its welfare in Portland. 



AMEDEE M. SMITH, JR. At Buena Vista, 
Polk county. Ore., Amedee M. Smith, Jr., was 
horn December 16, 1868. At the age of twelve 
years he accompanied his father and mother on 
their removal to Portland. Here he attended the 
grammar and high school, remaining in the latter 
until the senior year, when he was obliged to 
give up study on account of ill health. Six 
months were spent in southern Oregon, and then, 
having regained his health, he returned to his 
home and entered the business of his father, 
with which he has since been actively associated. 
At the first he w-as connected with the Buena 
Vista factory, but in 1888 came to Portland as 
superintendent of the plant here. In 1890 he en- 
tered the office of the company as bookkeeper, 
and three years later was elected vice-president 
and manager of the Oregon Pottery Company. 
( )n the death of his father, in 1894, he succeeded 
to the office of president, which he held both in 
that company and in the reorganized plant. 

In Portland Mr. Smith was united in marriage 
to Miss Alice M. Johnson, who was born at 
Point Reyes, Cal.. her parents having removed 
there from Massachusetts. She is a ladv of ex- 
cellent education, having attended the Univer- 
sity of the Pacific. In fraternal relations Mr. 
Smith is a Mason, connected with Mount Tabor 
Lodge No. 42, A. F. & A. M. ; Oregon Consis- 
tory No. 1, thirty-second degree; and Al Kader 
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Politically he votes 
with the Republican party. He is a member of 
the Manufacturers' Association and an active 
worker in the Oregon Historical Society, es- 
pecially interested in movements connected with 
the perpetuation of the annals of the pioneers. 
At one time he was Sunday-school superintend- 
ent of the Taylor Street Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in the work of which he is deeply inter- 
ested. Since 1894 he has been connected with 



REV. JOHN W. SELLWOOD. This well 
known and widely loved pioneer minister of Ore- 
gon was born near Mendon, 111., July 22, 1839, 
and was the son of Rev. James R. W. Scllwood, 
an Englishman by birth and for years an Episco- 
pal rector, holding pastorates in Mendon, 111., 
and Grahamville, S. C, thence coming to Oregon 
as early as 1856 and becoming the first rector 
of St. Paul's Church in Salem. During the last 
years of his life, owing to failing eyesight, he 
was forced to relinquish ministerial work, and 
thereupon retired to a farm near Milwaukee, later 
settling in Portland, where he died. 

Few opportunities came to the boyhood of 
John W. Sellwood other than those obtained by 
his own determination and industry. The eldest 
of five children, he early proved himself the 
mainstay of his parents and their comfort and 
assistant. Nor was this merely the case in mat- 
ters material, but especially so in spiritual affairs. 
From an early age his mind turned to thoughts 
of God, and he cherished an ambition to follow 
in his father's steps as a missionary and minister 
of the Gospel. When he was yet young his 
father removed to Grahamville, S. C., and in 
1856, with a brother, John, decided to respond to 
the urgent appeal of the then bishop of Oregon, 
Thomas F. Scott, who needed missionaries to 
labor in this then frontier field. The two started 
together and en route were the victims of a 
bloody riot at Panama, from which they barely 
escaped with their lives. The children, too, were 
with them and endured all the horrors of those 
hours of danger. When the groans of the 
wounded and the dying were to be heard on all 
sides, the eldest son, John W., solemnly conse- 
crated himself to the work of the ministry, and 
the decision then made was never regretted. On 
the other hand, in the midst of hardships, toil, 
privations and vicissitudes, he yet called it his 
greatest glory that he might preach the glorious 
Gospel of the Christ. 

In clue time the family arrived in Oregon, but 
the uncle had been so seriously wounded in the 
massacre that for months he was unable to enter 
upon his work, but on regaining his health he 
took charge of Trinity Church, Portland. Rev. 
fames R. W. Sellwood meanwhile went to Salem, 
where he became rector of St. Paul's Church. His 
son, John W.. pursuant upon his resolve to enter 
the ministry, gave himself to preparation for the 
work, and in 1862 was ordained deacon in St. 



192 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Paul's Church, Oregon City, three years later 
1 icing advanced to the priesthood in St. Stephen's 
Chapel, Portland. At the same time (July, 
1865) he was united in marriage with Belle J., 
daughter of Rev. James L. and Frances (Brown) 
Daly, natives respectively of Dublin and county 
Sligo, Ireland, and of Scotch extraction. For 
the purpose of engaging in educational work 
James L. Daly went to Australia, and for some 
time remained in Sydney. On account of ill 
health he came to California, but, not finding the 
social environment desirable, went to Honolulu, 
where he opened a school. Ill health again 
forced him to relinquish his work and in 1853 
he came to Portland under Bishop Scott, taking 
up missionary work, in which he proved an ef- 
ficient and consecrated laborer. His life was 
prolonged to the age of almost eighty years, 
when he died in Portland in 1895, five years after 
the death of his wife. Of their ten children four 
are living. Mrs. Sellwood was born in Aus- 
tralia and received her education in Punahou 
College, Honolulu. Born of her marriage is one 
son, John J., who is a graduate physician of the 
University of Oregon Medical College and now 
practicing in the village of Sellwood, founded 
by his great uncle. 

Immediately after his marriage Mr. Sellwood 
became rector of St. Paul's Church in Oregon 
City, in addition to which he extended his work 
to Butteville, Salem, Mount Pleasant schoolhouse, 
Clackamas Station and Canemah, a little town 
one mile from Oregon City. As a result of his 
work a large Sunday school was built in Oregon 
City and a chapel erected in Canemah at a cost 
of $800. For two years he was superintendent 
of schools of Clackamas county, and during that 
time visited even the most remote schools and 
sought to elevate the standard of education here. 
it has been said that no missionary seemed to 
throw greater enthusiasm into his work than did 
he and certainly none enjoyed the work to a 
greater degree. His ministry was a source of 
constant joy to him. He was never happier than 
when preaching to his parishioners and trying 
to aid them in their spiritual life. No toil was 
too great that would promote the cause of Christ 
and the church in the particular field which he 
had chosen as his scene of labor. His love for 
Christ led him to love every created being. None 
was too lowly to be excluded from his sympathy, 
and none too high to be aloof from his affection. 
Each one of his congregation had a special place 
in his heart. His work was so full of delight to 
him that other occupations seemed uninteresting" 
in comparison. Many hardships and privations 
he had to face and more than once Sorrow was 
his companion, yet never, through all of his life, 
did he lose faith in his Creator and never did 
he lose faith in the ultimate success of the work 



in which he engaged. The humble successes that 
came to him were received with a grateful heart. 

Though stanch in his allegiance to the Protes- 
tant Episcopal Church, Mr. Sellwood was not a 
bigoted churchman. On the other hand, he pos- 
sessed a broad and catholic spirit and saw the 
good in all, ever praying for the reunion of a 
divided Christendom. As a preacher he was 
earnest and forcible, never led aside into sensa- 
tional subjects, but clinging closely to "Christ 
and Him crucified." A text was chosen only 
after careful and prayerful deliberation, and the 
subject matter of the sermon was presented after 
much prayer. When before his people he lost 
himself so wholly in his subject that no trace of 
self-consciousness could be discerned. Indeed, 
he forgot himself in the message he was to de- 
liver. 

After fifteen years of labor in Oregon City Mr. 
Sellwood accepted the pastorate of St. David's 
Church in East Portland, where the last ten years 
of his busy life were passed. From a small con- 
gregation, St. David's has grown into a large 
and well organized parish, and this happy result 
is largely due to his efforts in those days of 
small beginnings. While he was pastor of that 
flock, on Christmas eve of 1899, after a day of 
severe illness, he insisted upon speaking to the 
children at their Christmas exercises, saying, 
when his family protested, "I feel I must look 
into their dear, bright faces once more." The 
next day he again went to the church, hoping to 
administer the holy communion to his loved con- 
gregation, but he was taken with a chill and was 
carried from the church, never more to enter it 
in life. Weeks of pain and illness were met with 
his accustomed cheery and bright patience, and 
finally, March 12, 1890, with the parting words 
upon his lips, "All is peace," he entered into the 
unknown. A large concourse of those who loved 
him attended the funeral services, where Bishop 
Morris, in the memorial sermon, paid a deserved 
tribute to his years of patient and self-sacrific- 
ing toil. The organizations with which he had 
been connected passed resolutions of respect. 
The bishop and clergy of the diocese of Oregon 
adopted resolutions bearing testimony to his 
goodness of heart and gentleness of spirit. 
Other organizations who took similar action 
were St. David's Vestry, Women's Guild of St. 
David's parish, Daughters of St. David's, Young- 
Men's Guild of St. David's Church, St. Paul's 
parish in Oregon City and the convention of the 
diocese. Since his death his wife, who had been 
his constant and successful co-laborer in the min- 
istry, has devoted herself largely to missionary 
work in the Protestant Episcopal Church in 
Oregon, and is now registrar of the diocese of 
Oregon, and is also the diocesan secretary of the 
Women's Auxiliary. 






V*T 





'&?i4yt/£/<^ 



PORTRAIT AND iWi K.KAl'l IK AL RECORD. 



1 95 



Ilo.X. THOMAS G. HENDRICKS. The 
name of Hon. Thomas G. Hendricks has boon 
associated for many years with all that is sub- 
stantial and progressive in connection with the 
best interests of the city of Eugene and the 
Willamette valley. The power to act intelli- 
gently, as well as to think, to marshal his forces 
at the right time and place, to concentrate, to 
lead and to infuse others with his own indom- 
itable courage and determination, are attributes 
which have contributed to the successful career 
of Eugene's most representative citizen. 

While Mr. Hendricks' financial stability rests 
upon his achievements as a merchant and banker, 
his greatest claim upon the consideration of 
posterity is his association with the building, or- 
ganization and subsequent management of Ore- 
gon's greatest institution of learning — the Uni- 
versity of Oregon at Eugene. It is doubtful if 
any other undertaking of his life has been the 
source of so great a measure of personal satis- 
faction, so earnest and absorbing an interest, as 
the development of this ambitious project, the 
realization of which will be the proud heritage 
of the coming generations. Mr. Hendricks is 
one of those far-sighted men who saw the neces- 
sity for just such an institution, and in the be- 
ginning of the seventies he accepted the responsi- 
bility of raising funds for its erection, the state 
not yet having arrived at an appreciation of its 
duty in the matter. The few who helped him t»> 
raise the required fifty thousand dollars, and who 
as members of the building committee, overcame 
gigantic obstacles, ignored discouraging influ- 
ences and conditions and with singleness of pur- 
pose made straight for their goal, are entitled 
to rank with the state's greatest benefactors. 
That Mr. Hendricks \vas the life and soul of this 
little band, the far-sighted adviser and friend, 
redounds to his lasting honor and invests his 
career with additional dignity and nobility. After 
the state had accepted the institution he became a 
member of the board of regents, being appointed 
consecutively for twenty-four years, or until the 
stable condition of the university justified him in 
withdrawing his active support. During all of 
these years he w r as chairman of the executive 
committee, and it was largely due to his judgment 
that the university took on the methods and the 
prestige of institutions of historical renown and 
established usefulness. Thus has the greatest 
ambition of this pioneer Oregonian been realized ; 
vet broad and comprehensive as is its scope, it 
has been but one of the numerous avenues in- 
vaded by his business sagacity and genius for or- 
ganization and development. 

Mr. Hendricks comes of a family of which 
much might reasonably be expected. Born in 
Henderson county. 111.. June 17. 1838, he is a 
son of James M. and grandson of Abraham 



Hendricks, the latter of whom established his 
family in Kentucky at an early day, and died 
in Illinois. James Hendricks was born in Ken- 
tucky and married Elizabeth BristOW, of Vir- 
ginia, daughter of Elijah Bristow, the first set- 
tler of Lane county, Ore. With his wife he set- 
tled on a farm in Henderson county, 111., and 
while there served with distinction in the Black 
Hawk war. Five children were born to him and 
his wife in Illinois. In 1848 he outfitted for the 
journey across the plains, having three wagons, 
eight yoke of oxen and a number of loose cat- 
tle. Leaving the familiar scenes behind them in 
March, and pushing forward to the uncertainties 
of the west, they crossed the Missouri river at 
St. Joseph, and were soon after obliged to stop 
for a couple of weeks, in order that the grass 
might grow and supplement the scant supply of 
feed for the stock. Fortunately the members of 
the train escaped many of the discomforts and 
dangers which surrounded the early emigrants, 
their chief drawback being the stampeding of 
their cattle by the Indians and Mormons. Cross • 
ing the Cascade range by the Barlow route, they 
arrived at Pleasant Hill, Lane county, in October. 
Here they found Elijah Bristow joyfully awaiting 
them, he having preceded them to Oregon in 
1845. Mr. Hendricks settled on a section of land 
twelve miles southeast of the site of Eugene, 
his only neighbors being Eugene Skinner, Jacob 
Spores, Messrs. Isaac Briggs, P. F. Blair and 
their families, and William Dodson, a bachelor. 
Mr. Hendricks at once set about the task of clear- 
ing a farm out of the wilderness tract, and en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising on an ex- 
tensive scale. In 185 1 he crossed the mountains 
and for a time was engaged in gold-mining in 
California. He took an active part in the affairs 
of government, and in religious and educational 
movements, and became a member of the first 
church to be organized in Lane county, a church 
of the Christian denomination, which erected its 
house of worship near his home. The first school 
in Lane county was built within sight of his 
farm, and was established by his father-in-law, 
Elijah Bristow. It became known as School 
District Xo. I. Mr. Hendricks died in 1876. 
His wife's death occurred the year previous. 
They were the parents of eleven children. Of 
these Benjamin F. is maintaining the gunshop 
at Fort Bragg, Cal. : Susan J. married John A. 
Winter and died in California : Sarah A. married 
J. W. Skaggs and resides in Santa Cruz, Cal.; 
Elijah B. is engaged in the drug business in 
Cheney, Wash. ; James M., who died in Lane 
county, was for many years engaged in the hard- 
ware and implement business in Eugene : Colum- 
bus C. is a capitalist residing in Pendleton, Ore. : 
LaFayette is a farmer of Lane county : Albert 
M. is engaged in painting in Eugene ; and Olive 



190 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



E. is the wife of F. P. Close, a farmer of Lane 
county. 

Hon. Thomas G. Hendricks, the second child 
in the family, received his rudimentary educa- 
tion in the district school established by his grand- 
father, Bristow, conducted in a small log struc- 
ture which, for many years, was the seat of learn- 
ing in Lane county. At a later period Cascade 
Academy was established at Cloverdale, and he 
entered this school in 1853, remaining for three 
years. In the meantime the general mercandise 
business of Mr. Bristow became firmly estab- 
lished, and Mr. Hendricks began his business 
career in 1857 as a clerk in this pioneer store. 
By i860 he had advanced to an interest in the 
firm, thereafter conducted under the name of 
E. L. Bristow & Co. The firm contributed to the 
commercial stability of the town of Eugene by 
building the first brick store there in 1866. This 
was likewise the first brick structure in Lane 
county. In 1874 Mr. Bristow sold his interest 
in the store to his brother. W. W. Bristow, and 
after the death of the latter in the same year, Mr. 
Hendricks became sole owner and proprietor. In 
1884 he disposed of his stock, but retained pos- 
session of the building, and the same year organ- 
ized a banking business under the firm name of 
Hendricks & Eakin, his partner being S. B. 
Eakin. With true western enterprise the bankers 
erected a two-story building on West Willamette 
street, between Eighth and Ninth streets, with the 
first plate glass front in Lane county. The bank 
started business in January, 1884, with a capital 
stock of $50,000. In February, 1886, the con- 
cern was reorganized as the First National Bank 
of Eugene, with a paid-up capital of $50,000. 
The splendid business standing of the bank sug- 
gested numerous innovations, and the delibera- 
tions of the owners resulted in the erection of 
a handsome edifice in 1898 — a two-story building 
with a stone front. 

As a practical demonstration of his faith in 
the future of this section of the Willamette valley, 
Mr. Hendricks has invested heavily in town and 
country property, including Hendrick's Addi- 
tion in College Hill Park and other valuable 
residence and business sites. His public spirit 
has found vent in the promotion of many local 
enterprises, among them being the city water 
works, of which he was one of the builders, and 
a director until disposing of his interest therein. 
He was elected one of the first councilmen of 
Eugene, and has since served many times in that 
capacity. He has also been mayor of the city for 
two terms. From 1880 to 1884 he was a member 
of the Oregon state senate, having been elected 
as the nominee of the Democratic party. During 
that time he served on the committee on educa- 
tion. He was not at home when elected by a 
good majority in a Republican county. During 



the two terms of his service in the senate he ad- 
vocated many measures demanded by the most 
thoughful of his constituents, and secured the 
passage of considerable judicious legislation. In 
1872 Mr. Hendricks received from the county 
court the appointment to the office of county 
superintendent of public instruction to fill a 
vacancy. He was twice re-elected to this office, 
serving in all six years, and was the first in- 
cumbent of the office to take an active interest in 
the welfare of the schools and to visit them in 
official capacity. The experience thus gained 
formed the foundation of his interest in the cause 
of education, and particularly in the cause of 
higher education. 

Mr. Hendricks is a member of the State His- 
torical Society, and of the Lane County Pioneer 
Association, of which he has served as secretary. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, and is past noble grand 
of the lodge at Eugene. In 1865 he became a 
member of the Christian Church, and for many 
years has been a member of its board of trustees. 

October 20, 1861, Mr. Hendricks was united 
in marriage with Mary J. Hazelton, daughter of 
Harvey Hazelton, who settled in Lane county in 
1852 or 1853. She died in Eugene in 1866. They 
were the parents of two children : Harry A., 
who died in infancy; and Ida B., wife of Frank 
L. Chambers, of Eugene. The second marriage 
of Mr. Hendricks was solemnized January 3, 
1869, and united him with Martha A. Stewart, 
a native of Missouri, and a pioneer of 1852. (See 
sketch of Elias Stewart, which appears elsewhere 
in t his volume.) They are the parents of two 
children : Ada A., a graduate of the University 
of Oregon, class of 1896; and Ruby V., a grad- 
uate of the same institution, class of 1903. 

In closing this necessarily brief outline of the 
life and services of Thomas G. Hendricks, it is 
but just to make a permanent record of the es- 
teem in which he is held by the people of Oregon. 
At no time during his long, honorable and use- 
ful career has his position as an influential factor 
and high-minded man of affairs been brought into 
question ; and with the progress of years and the 
development of the spirit of public utility which 
he has always exhibited, those who have been 
able to keep most closely in touch with his daily 
life accord him a post of eminence among the 
men of the Pacific northwest. Many men of in- 
telligent discriminating powers have expressed 
the conviction that in naming two living men who 
properly may be regarded as the first citizens of 
the Willamette valley, the name of Thomas G. 
Hendricks should thus be perpetuated. In the 
history of the city of Eugene, no man has done 
more toward the advancement of its highest com- 
munity interests — social, moral, intellectual and 
commercial. Every act on his part whose 




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



L99 



tendency has been to add to the prestige of the 
city in am way lias demonstrated his unselfish 

and gracious public spirit. The record of his 
entire life exhibits no taint or blemish ; its purity 
and integrity, in both its public and private 
phases, has been beyond question. Assuredly the 
career of this useful and high-minded man of 
affairs should prove a never-diminishing source 
of inspiration to the youth of the present and 
future generations, as well as of great pride to 
those bound to him bv ties of blood. 



THEODORE THURSTON GEER. The 
history of a state as well as that of a nation is 
chiefly the chronicle of the lives and deeds of 
those who have conferred honor and dignity 
upon society. The world judges the character 
of a community by that of its representative citi- 
zens, and yields its tribute of admiration and 
respect for the genius, learning or virtues of 
those whose works and actions constitute the 
record of a state ; and it is their character, as 
exemplified in probity and progress, in kindly 
virtues and in integrity in the affairs of life, 
which is ever affording worthy examples for 
emulation. Perhaps there is today no man bet- 
ter known in Oregon than Theodore Thurston 
Geer, recently governor of the state, a man who 
is leaving the impress of his individuality upon 
the commonwealth, who has aided in framing 
important legislation and who in 'his recent ser- 
vice as chief executive promoted the welfare 
of the people of the state through an admini- 
stration that was progressive, yet practical, and 
upheld the best interests of the majority. 

Governor Geer is a native son of Oregon, 
his birth having occurred in Marion county, 
seven miles from Salens March 12, 185 1. His 
father. Heman J. Geer, was born in Madison 
county, Ohio, while the grandfather, Joseph 
Cary Geer, was born in Windham county, Conn., 
February 5, 1795. When seventeen years of age 
the latter enlisted for service in the war of 1812, 
and in 1818 he became a resident of Madison 
county. Ohio, casting his lot among the pioneer 
farmers. In 1840 he removed to Galesburg. 
Knox county. Hi. The ancestry, however, can 
be traced tarther back than this, for it is defi- 
nitely known that two brothers, James and 
George Geer, came from England about 1630 
and settled in Windham county. Conn. Joseph 
C. Geer was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
Johnson, who was born in Rhode Island and 
was of English descent. When he came to Ohio 
in (818 he was accompanied by his wife and 
two children, the journey being made in a wagon. 
They went to Illinois in the fall of 1840. making 
the trip down the Ohio and up the Mississippi 
rivers, and after seven years spent in Knox 



county they again started westward in a tram 
commanded 1>\ Capt. Joel Palmer. All of the 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Geer also 
became residents of Oregon. The second son, 
Fred, had crossed the plains in 1846, and the 
third son, Joseph Cary, Jr., had come overland 
in 1845 an( l llmv hves in Modesto, Cal. Three 
others, Isaiah, Ralph C, and Heman J., came 
in 1847. The grandfather settled in Clackamas 
county, directly across the river from Butteville, 
Marion county, where he secured a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres, which he 
improved, continuing to carry on farming there 
until his death, which occurred in August, 1881, 
when he had reached the age of eighty-six years 
and six months. During the last twenty years 
of his life he was blind. He was always a 
Republican, but never cared for or sought of- 
fice. 

Heman J. Geer was born September 23, 1828, 
in Madison county, Ohio, and was educated in 
the schools of that state and Illinois. In 1847 
he crossed the plains with an ox-train, driving 
from Illinois, and reached Marion county after 
six months of travel. In October, 1848, he was 
married here to Cynthia Ann Eoff, who was 
born in Illinois, November 4. 1833. a daughter 
of John Leonard Eoff, who was born in Pulas- 
ki county, Ky., July 2, 1812. He removed to 
Indiana, then to Illinois, went to Iowa in 1841, 
and in 1847 brought his family over the long 
trail to Oreg'on, the train being commanded by 
Capt. L. N. English. He settled on Howell 
Prairie, in Marion county, securing a donation 
claim of one section, of which he was the owner 
until his death. His father, John Eoff, was a 
native of Virginia, became a pioneer of Ken 
tucky and there died. Our subject visited his 
grave in 1887. Mr. Eoff was of German de- 
scent and took part in the Indian wars with 
Daniel Boone. At the time of their marriage 
Mr. and Mrs. Heman J. Geer located on a claim 
of six hundred and forty acres in the Waldo 
hills, Marion county, and there Mr. Eoff fol- 
lowed farming for four or five years, after 
which he sold that property and located in Sil- 
verton. where he established a nursery business. 
His oldest brother, Ralph, established the first 
nursery in the state, from seeds he had brought 
with him. In May, 1861, Heman J. Geer re- 
moved to Salem, and in 1862 went up the 
Fraser river at the time of the gold excitement. 
In 1866, however, he went to Union county and 
located on the place where he now resides. He 
was joined bv his son, Theodore, and together 
they converted the wild land into an excellent 
farm. Heman J. Geer has since been suco 
fully engaged in the nursery and horticultural 
business and is well known as a fruit grower. 
He has demonstrated the possibilities of the 



200 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



state in this direction, and through his well di- 
rected efforts has met with gratifying prosperity. 
In political views he is a Republican. An hon- 
ored pioneer, he is familiar with the history of 
the state from an early epoch, and experienced 
many of the hardships of life here before rail- 
roads connected this section with the older east. 
He served in the Cayuse Indian war and watched 
with interest the advance of civilization as the 
Indian wigwam was replaced by the tasteful 
residence of the white man. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Geer were born five children, of whom two are 
living, Theodore T. and Mrs. Theodosia Janes, 
of Salem. 

Theodore T. Geer was reared in Oregon. 
After attending the district school, on the 5th 
of September, 1863, he entered Willamette Uni- 
versity, where he remained until April, 1865. 
He afterward worked with his uncle, Ralph 
Geer, on a farm in the Waldo hills, making his 
own way from the time he left college, and he 
has never been too proud to remember the man- 
ual labor he performed in reclaiming portions 
of Oregon's wild land for civilization. In De- 
cember, 1866, he joined his father at Cove, in 
Union county, and assisted him in developing a 
farm from the wilderness. 

On the 1 6th of June, 1870, Mr. Geer was 
united in marriage to Mrs. Nancy (Duncan) 
Batte, and the following year he secured a home- 
stead at Cove by buying a right. This land he 
farmed until he had perfected his title, and in 
May, 1877, he sold the property and located near 
Salem on a place adjoining that upon which he 
was born, eight miles east of the city. Here 
he had three hundred and twenty acres of land, 
some of which had been broken by his father 
with ox-teams in 1848. Mr. Geer there began 
general farming and stock-raising, and his pro- 
gressive, systematic methods of agriculture have 
made the property valuable and productive. 
Mrs. Geer was born in Calloway county, Mo., 
October 22, 1841, a daughter of F. W. Duncan, 
who was born in Prince Edward county, Va., 
February 26, 1816. When two years old he was 
taken to Kentucky, and in 1829, at the age of 
eleven, went to Calloway county, Mo., with his 
parents. There he followed farming until 1864, 
when, on account of his Union sentiments, he 
was forced to leave his home, and with his fam- 
ily he then crossed the plains to Oregon. Here 
he followed farming for some time in Union 
county. His death occurred at the home of Mr. 
Geer in Marion county, in 1881. Three children 
were born to Theodore T. Geer and wife : 
Maud A., Theodosia A. and Frederick He- 
man, the latter an express messenger on the 
Southern Pacific railroad for Wells-Fargo Ex- 
press Company, making his home at Portland. 
Jn 1898 Mrs. Geer started to visit her old home 



in the east and stopped to see the Omaha Expo- 
sition. The same night she was taken ill and 
died in Omaha on October 13, and her remains 
were brought back to Oregon for interment. 

Mr. Geer has always been an active Repub- 
lican, fearless in defense of his honest convic- 
tions, not bitterly aggressive, but unequivocal 
in his statements, so that no one need question 
his position. He has always been a close and 
earnest student of the issues which have divided 
the people into great national parties and his 
views have many times been expressed through 
the papers. When seventeen years of age he 
began writing for the press upon political and 
other subjects, during the Grant campaign in 
1868, and there is probably no man in the state, 
who is not a journalist by profession, who has 
been a more frequent contributor to the press. 
In 1880 he was elected to the legislature from 
Marion county, serving in the session of that 
year, when Governor Moody was speaker of the 
house. Mr. Geer was instrumental in passing 
the bill locating the insane asylum at Salem and 
providing a building for it. In 1888 and again 
in 1890 and 1892 he was re-elected, and in the 
session of 1891 he was chosen speaker of the 
house, acting in that capacity when the Aus- 
tralian ballot law was passed. An excellent par- 
liamentarian, his rulings were strictly fair and 
impartial, and his legislative service throughout 
proved of benefit to the entire state as well as 
to his local constituency. In 1896 he was nom- 
inated presidential elector on the Republican 
ticket and received the highest popular vote 
given any elector in the state. He took a most 
active part in the campaign, being on the stump 
for seven weeks, working untiringly for the suc- 
cess of his party. By the state electors he was 
chosen to carry the vote to Washington, in 
January, 1897, and visited President McKinley 
in Canton. After his return he was nominated 
by acclamation in the state convention, in April, 
1898, as the candidate for governor, although 
he was not present on that occasion. During the 
campaign he visited every county in the state 
but one, addressing the people on the issues of 
the day, and as his legislative service had been 
such as to warrant public confidence, he was 
elected by a plurality of ten thousand five hun- 
dred. On January 10, 1899, he took the oath 
of office, thus becoming the chief executive of 
his native state for a term of four years. His 
administration was free from misrule in state 
affairs, and no matter what his enemies might 
say against him — and no man in public life is 
without enemies — they have never urged against 
him that he has been the tool of others, but on 
the other hand every one 'acknowledges his loy- 
alty to his honest convictions, and the state at 
large endorses his administration as that of a 






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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



£08 



i rnor who has had the interests of the com- 
monwealth at heart, has placed the state before 
party and general good before personal aggran- 
dizement. 

Under the Mays referendum law of 1901, 
Governor Geer was nominated as the Republican 
candidate for United States senator by the peti- 
tion oi three thousand electors in various parts 
of the state. But political combinations resulted 
in the choice oi another. His vote for senator, 
under the law mentioned, was. with two or three 
exceptions, the greatest popular vote ever re- 
corded in Oregon — forty-five thousand — exceed- 
ing the vote he received for governor of the 
state. During the Ohio state campaign in 1901 
he was sent for by the Republican National Com- 
mittee and canvassed the state for the Repub- 
lican nominees. He had been invited to that 
state for the same purpose in 1900, and was again 
invited there in 1902. During the presidential 
campaign of 1900 he was called upon to make 
a number of speeches in Idaho and Washington, 
where he addressed large crowds in the principal 
cities of those states. 

On the 14th of June, 1900, in Astoria, Gov- 
ernor Geer married Isabelle Trullinger, a native 
of Washington county, Ore., and a daughter of 
J. C. Trullinger, who came from Iowa in 1848, 
crossing the plains to Oregon with his parents. 
His father, Rev. Daniel Trullinger, also came 
in 1848 and settled in Marion county, the re- 
mainder of his life being spent principally in 
Washington and Clackamas counties, his death 
occurring near Molalla, in the latter county. The 
father of Mrs. Geer was a prominent mill man 
and lumber manufacturer. He built the electric 
light plant in Astoria and was the owner of that 
and the gas plant at the time of his death. In 
1893 he served as a member of the state legisla- 
ture. Mrs. Geer is a talented artist, well known 
in artistic and social circles in Oregon. 

In social circles the governor is popular. 
Twenty-seven years ago, in Union county, he 
was made an Odd Fellow and now is a member 
of Olive Lodge, in Salem. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen 
and of Abernethy Cabin (at Portland), of the 
Xative Sons of Oregon. His life history stands 
in contradistinction to the old adage that "a 
prophet is not without honor save in his own 
country," for Mr. Geer has gained recognition 
as one of the most distinguished citizens of his 
native state, and his lifework has had an im- 
portant bearing upon the stable progress and 
prosperity of the commonwealth. 



HOX. JASON WHEELER. As a repre- 
sentative citizen of the days when men's souls 
were tried and lives impoverished in the mighty 



effort to establish a stronghold for the American 
nation in the northwest, the Hon. Jason Wheeler 
recalls vividly the trend of events from pioneer 
days to the present prosperity and affluence. He 
is properly called a landmark of those early times, 
for from his entrance into the territory he has 
been connected with almost every movement, 
every enterprise upon which statehood has been 
reared. As a sturdy, steady patriot of the new 
land he exposed his life to the dangers of Indian 
warfare ; as a public official, chosen to serve 
through the indisputable evidence of his personal 
worth, he faithfully performed the duties which 
fell to his lot ; as a citizen he has accepted the 
bounty of the government and given it back ten- 
fold, in the cultivated fields of the lands which 
have made the agricultural life of the state of 
Oregon. Personally he is rich in characteristics 
which have won him many friends, and call forth 
the esteem and confidence of all who have ever 
known him. 

Mr. Wheeler was born in Ohio, August 4, 
1823, the son of Deland Wheeler, a native of 
Vermont, who served in the war of 1812. He 
removed to New York state, and after his mar- 
riage with Margaret Court, a native of that state, 
and the daughter of John Court, a native of Eng- 
land, who was engaged in farming there, he 
made a trip to Ohio. He returned to Cayuga 
county, N. Y., and continued his farming inter- 
ests there, until his death at the age of sixty 
years. Of the eight sons which blessed his mar- 
riage all attained maturity. John came to Ore- 
gon in 1848 and died near Grant's Pass; Truman 
started across the plains in 1849 an d died en 
route, near Salt Lake ; George came to Oregon 
in 1872. and now makes his home at Everett, 
Wash. ; and Leonard came in the same train in 
which his brother Jason traveled, and his death 
occurred in Lebanon, Linn county. 

Jason Wheeler was the second oldest of this 
family of children, and on his father's farm in 
New* York state he grew into the ways of a use- 
ful and practical life. He received a rather 
limited education in the district school in the 
vicinity of his home, after which, at the tender 
age of thirteen years, he ventured out into the 
world with the responsibility of his own liveli- 
hood before him. For six years he worked on 
neighboring farms, and when nineteen he de- 
cided to try his fortunes in the west, of which 
he had heard so much, and accordingly jour- 
neyed as far as Centreville, Mich., where he 
found employment in a hotel. Five vears later, 
in 1847. he still further followed the sun in his 
course, outfitting at St. Joseph. Mo., with ox- 
teams and wagons, and May 1 starting over the 
old Oregon trail along the Platte river. The 
journey was a long and tedious one. and the 
party were saved from dangerous encounters 



204 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with Indians only by the constant guard main- 
tained day and night. September 7, 1847, found 
them at the end of their trip, at Oregon City. 
Mr. Wheeler came down the Columbia river 
from The Dalles with Governor Abernethy, and 
at Peterson's butte in Linn county took up a 
claim of six hundred and forty acres. Building 
a little log cabin there, he prepared to make this 
his home. With the breaking out of the Cayuse 
war, he volunteered under Captain Maxon and 
at once went to the scene of action. In the battle 
of Wells Springs, February 28, 1848, he was 
wounded in the right knee, and it was under 
these conditions that the greatest suffering was 
experienced. The soldiers had constructed a 
place for their wounded comrades at Whitman 
station, and there he was carried in a wagon, 
a distance of fifty miles from the scene of his 
injury. After many weeks of suffering he re- 
turned in May of the same year to the valley. 
In the spring of 1849 ne went overland to Cali- 
fornia and engaged in mining on the American 
river. He continued there until the fall, and 
then, with the fruits of a well-spent summer he 
invested in various mercantile articles, and em- 
barked on the sailing vessel Hagstaff for Port- 
land, which he was not destined to reach until 
he had passed through many hardships and dan- 
gers. After a voyage of eighteen days the boat 
was wrecked at the mouth of the Rogue river, 
and the passengers were left scattered among the 
mountains. 

When he, with the passengers and crew 
of the wrecked vessel, started up the river, 
depending for means of sustenance on spike- 
nard and other roots and sugar pine, for ten or 
twelve days, and the suffering of the party for 
water was intense, as they had left the river and 
for several days went up a "divide," where there 
was no water. So great was the suffering for 
food and water that some of the party, notably 
Shively, became temporarily insane. Mr. Wheel- 
er one day went out with his gun to try to find 
something to appease the cravings of their hun- 
ger, and he fortunately shot a squirrel and a 
pigeon, and returned to camp, and found Shive- 
ly roasting a snake, and Mr. Wheeler said, 
"Shively, what are you going to do with that 
snake?" "I am going to eat it," said he. "I 
am so hungry I would eat anything." Wheeler 
said, "If you will not eat the snake I will give 
you half the squirrel." He agreed to that and 
Mr. Wheeler gave him half the squirrel — for 
the mess of eight persons. About nine or ten 
days after the party left the wrecked vessel, as 
they were struggling along toward the mountain 
top, they saw a large herd of elk, and follow- 
ing the directions of Mr. Wheeler, the party 
divided, each party passing around the moun- 
tain in such a wav as to surround the elk with- 



out alarming them. When the maneuver was 
accomplished, at a prearranged signal, the party 
pressed toward the game, which did not appear 
to be disturbed by the presence of men, and 
the first one to approach the line of half 
famished men was a large bull, which was shot 
by Mr. Wheeler at a distance of about forty 
yards, and in an incredibly short time twenty 
elk had been shot, and one of the party cut out 
a quarter, weighing perhaps one hundred 
pounds, and said he could carry it a distance 
of about two miles to camp. It is needless to 
say he had overestimated his strength and un- 
derestimated the weight of his game, and before 
proceeding one hundred yards he stopped and 
cut out the bone, and with a stick over his shoul- 
der to support it he managed to struggle into 
camp. The party, who was so hungry and 
weak, had so overloaded themselves that they 
were constantly stopping and lightening their 
load, until they finally reached camp with a small 
piece each. The next morning an elk was seen 
soon after leaving camp and was shot by the 
party, and such was its position that, though 
repeatedly shot, it did not fall, and on nearer 
approach it was discovered that it was prevent- 
ed from falling by a tree, against which it was 
leaning and a slight push sent the game to the 
ground. From that time little game was found, 
and was so scarce the supply of food was ex- 
hausted, and only an occasional deer was killed, 
which kept the famished men up till they reached 
Cow creek, at a point not far from what is now 
Riddle Station ; while there Mr. Wheeler met 
an Indian who evinced hostile designs, had a 
large knife which he brandished menacingly, 
whooping, as Mr. Wheeler thought, to give 
notice to other Indians who were in the vicinity, 
and whooped in answer, and the Indian gave 
directions as to the road the party should travel 
but indicated that they — the white men — 
should walk in advance, thus affording the In- 
dians the advantage, if his designs were hostile ; 
but Mr. Wheeler was too wary to walk in a nar- 
row trail with an armed hostile Indian behind. 
His experience had been a good school, and he 
had been an apt scholar and learned that an In- 
dian could only be trusted while under the vigi- 
lant eye of an armed white man. Hence he said 
to the red, "No, you walk in front and I will 
follow," and thus they traveled, the red in front 
and the white man, with a trusty rifle, following, 
until they reached Canyonville and Mr. Wheeler 
told the Indian he could dispense with his fur- 
ther services and he might return if he desired, 
and the Indian then left the party, and, to use 
the language of Mr. Wheeler : "We came on 
toward the Umpqua valley and we made camp 
on the Umpqua and stopped all night, and the 
bovs scolded because I did not shoot a wolf for 



PORTRAIT ANT) BlOG&APHtCAL RECORD. 



205 



d, and I said he was too poor and gaunt, but, 

they, 'We would have eaten him, anyway,' 

but we had nothing to eat, and the next morn- 

g we started following the trail we had traveled 

in the spring as wo came south. 1 know the 
road thence, as we had boon over the road the 
Spring before. This was about forty miles from 
the Welch place, the only place where there was 
any one living — where any one dared to stay — 
on account of the Indians. We reached Welch's 
the second day and remained and recuperated 
our strength, for we were badly worn and our 
feet woro blistered and sore with much walk- 
ing. After leaving Welch's we came to the 
valley and continued on to Portland." 

The way bad been hard and wearisome, but 
the trip was full of rich experiences which, in 
a measure, compensated for the hardships and 
deprivations endured. 

In Portland he bought a pair of blankets, and 
made his way in a canoe down the Columbia 
river to Astoria, where he helped in the build- 
ing of a sawmill, in which he worked for some 
time. Eventually he made his way back to his 
claim in Linn county. Subsequently he took up 
a section of land three miles north of Lebanon, 
where he successfully engaged in stock-raising. 

The marriage of Mr. Wheeler occurred in 
Linn county. Ore., June 2, 1850, his wife being 
Eliza D. Claypool. who was born on the Platte 
purchase, a daughter of David Claypool, and 
came to Oregon in 1846, crossing the plains 
with her parents. Her death occurred in Albany 
in 1897. She was the mother of the following 
children : Melissa, now the wife of Dr. J. M. 
Kitchen, of Stayton. Ore. ; Delia, deceased ; El- 
len, wife of John Morgan, of Albany ; Mary. 
wife of C. H. Walker, of Albany: and Frank, 
located in California. Mr. Wheeler was mar- 
ried a second time in Linn county. September 
29. 1898, to Miss Diana Elizabeth Hanchett, a 
native of Fulton county. 111. In his political 
convictions a Democrat. Mr. Wheeler was first 
elected sheriff of Linn county while lying sick 
and wounded after the Cayuse war. He has 
since been quite active, serving three terms as 
county commissioner, and one term in the ter- 
ritorial legislature, and he has also served one 
or two terms as councilman of Albany, and one 
term as mayor, and once as a member of the 
state legislature. As a popular and prominent 
man in the state he was a member of the com- 
mittee which was sent to Congress to obtain the 
passage of the Indian War Pension bill. Among 
the most important enterprises in which Mr. 
Wheeler gave very material assistance was 
the building of the Albany canal, the construction 
of which he superintended, and also performed 
the same duties in connection with the military 
road over the Cascade mountains. This road is 



four hundred and forty-eight and a half miles 
in length, and as manager he later sold out to 
Colonel Hogg for the sum of $130,000, which 
he divided pro rata among the stockholders, the 
sale and division being successfully carried to a 
close. During the administration of l'rosidont 
Cleveland he was appointed Indian agent at the 
\\ arm Springs Indian reservation, occupying 
the post three years. 

Mr. Wheeler was made a Mason in Corinthian 
Lodge of Albany. He also belongs to several 
state organizations, among them being the Indian 
War Veteran Association and the Pioneer So- 
ciety. A devoted member of the Baptist Church, 
he is active in all the work pertaining to the 
same, and has acted as trustee. Constantly con- 
tributing to the cause of the church he also 
donated funds amply sufficient to cover the ex- 
pense of a parsonage, and in many such ways 
he evidences his character as one belonging to 
an upright, honest, and honorable citizen. The 
first claim taken up by Mr. Wheeler in Oregon 
has been traded for one hundred and forty acres 
of land adjoining Albany, the cultivation of which 
he himself superintends, though now in his 
eightv-first vear. 



CHARLES H. LEE. M. D. "Earn thy 
reward ; the Gods give naught to sloth," said 
the sage Epicharmus and the truth of this admon- 
ition has been verified in all the years which have 
run their course since his day. It is especially 
manifested in the learned professions where 
advancement depends entirely upon individual 
merit. Xot by wealth, purchase or influence 
can one gain prestige in any of the professions,. 
but steady progress therein is the legitimate out- 
come of earnest purpose, careful preparation and 
unfaltering devotion to the calling. It has been 
in this way that Dr. Charles H. Lee has won dis- 
tinction and success as a representative of the 
medical fraternity. In recent years ill health 
has compelled him to abandon in large degree the 
practice of medicine, but after a rest he has fully 
recuperated and is again an active practitioner 
of Corvallis. 

The doctor was born in Hillsboro. Highland 
county. Ohio. His father, Edward Lee, was a 
native of the Shenandoah valley of Virginia, 
born in 1800, and the grandfather, Barnard Lee, 
died in the Old Dominion. He had married 
Miss Elkins, a representative of an old Virgin- 
ian family of that name. About 1830 the doc- 
tor's father removed to Ohio and engaged in 
farming and stock-raising in Highland county, 
where he died in 1854. His wife bore the maiden 
name of Sarah Fisher and was born in Penn- 
sylvania, a daughter of Frederick Fisher, whose 
birth occurred in Germany. Crossing the Atlan- 



206 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tic to the new world he settled in the Keystone 
state, but spent his last days in Highland county, 
Ohio. Mrs. Lee passed away in 1896 at the age 
of eighty-six years. Both she and her husband 
were members of the Lutheran Church and in 
their family were eleven children, all of whom 
reached years of maturity, while three are still 
living. One of the sons, Dr. J. B. Lee, was 
graduated from the Starling Medical College of 
Ohio, and he also graduated from the medical 
department of the University of Oregon. In 
1862 he joined Foster's independent cavalry 
and went to Fort Leavenworth. He came to 
Oregon in 1863, located in Corvallis, where he 
practiced medicine up to the time of his death in 
1892. He not only won distinction as a repre- 
sentative of the profession, but was- also very 
prominent in public life and served as mayor of 
Corvallis, while for several terms he represented 
his district in the state senate. Another brother, 
Dr. James P. Lee, was a hospital steward in the 
army during the Civil war and died while serving 
his country. 

Dr. C. H. Lee, who is the youngest of the 
family, was born June 2, 1850, and was reared 
in Highland county, Ohio, upon the home farm. 
When sixteen years of age he began teaching 
directly after his course in the high school. At 
the age of twenty he took up his study of medi- 
cine under Dr. Noble and later continued his 
reading under the direction of Dr. R. C. Russ. 
In 1874 he entered the Miami Medical College 
of Cincinnati, Ohio, in which he was graduated 
in 1877 with the degree of M. D. He then 
began practice in New Petersburg, Ohio, where 
he remained until 1884, which year witnessed 
his arrival in Corvallis, Ore. After eighteen 
months spent in this city he returned to Hills- 
boro, Ohio, where he spent about nine months, 
and in July, 1866, he again came to the north- 
west, locating in Newport, Ore., where he suc- 
cessfully engaged in practice for two years. Once 
more he took up his abode in Corvallis in 1888 
and entered into partnership with his brother, 
this relation being maintained until the latter's 
death in 1892. Dr. Lee of this review has since 
practiced alone and is very successful in his ad- 
ministration of remedial agencies for the alle- 
viation of human ills. He is also very efficient 
in his sitrgical work and for a long perod he 
enjoyed an extended patronage, but of recent 
years has partially retired, confining his atten- 
tion to his office and city practice. 

The doctor was united in marriage in Corval- 
lis to Miss Henrietta Foster, a native of Benton 
county and a daughter of John Foster, who was 
born in Ohio and came to Oregon in its pioneer 
days. Mrs. Lee was educated in Mills Seminary 
in Oakland, Cal., and is a most estimable lady 
who has made her hospitable home the center of 



a cultured society circle. The doctor was ini- 
tiated into the mysteries of the Masonic craft 
in Buford, Ohio, and now belongs to Corvallis 
Lodge No. 14, A. F. & A. M. He took the 
Royal Arch degree at Greenfield, Ohio, and he 
has since been a worthy exemplar of the craft. 
In politics he has always been an active Demo- 
crat and in the line of his profession he is con- 
nected with the State Medical Society. Dr. Lee 
has become very widely known during his resi- 
dence in this section of the state and his promi- 
nence is not less the result of social worth than 
of professional skill. He is a man of broad in- 
telligence, highly educated and is a representative 
of a distinguished and honored old southern 
family. 



JAMES MARTIN. To James Martin is due 
the distinction of raising and shipping the first 
wheat in Benton county, and when the first con- 
signment was well under way the captain in 
whose care it was placed honored the nationality 
of the pioneer grower by calling a certain portion 
of the river Irish Bend. In the estimation of all 
who knew him, Mr. Martin carries with him the 
finest traits to which his countrymen are heir, 
including invariable good nature and adaptabil- 
ity. He was born in County Down, Ireland, in 
June, 1822, and was one in a family of ten chil- 
dren born to farmer parents. He had no partic- 
ular chance for advancement in his native land, 
and, being well aware of this fact, came to Amer- 
ica in 1847, when he was at the ambitious and 
resourceful age of twenty-five. For about three 
years he was variously employed in Philadelphia, 
Pa., and in 1850 came to Ohio, settling in Mahon- 
ing county, near Canfield. 

In 1852 Mr. Martin thought to try his chances 
in the west, but. his manner of reaching it dif- 
fered somewhat from the conventional route 
mapped out by the average fortune seeker. Going 
to New Orleans down the Mississippi river, he 
made his way to Vera Cruz and the City of Mex- 
ico, where he bought a pony and packed his 
goods, and himself walked to Acapulco and from 
there to San Francisco. After following mining 
a few months with indifferent success he came 
to Corvallis, and, after spending the first winter 
in the town took up a donation claim of one 
hundred and sixty acres five miles northeast 
of Monroe. Here was conducted a lonely bach- 
elor enterprise for some time, but which under- 
went a change in 1869, when the owner returned 
to Ohio and married Mary Wilson, a native of 
the Buckeye state. Returning immediately to 
Oregon, he settled on his claim, and from time 
to time success has induced him to add to his 
original purchase. In all he owns eight hundred 
and three acres of land, five hundred of which 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



SOU 



arc under cultivation, and he is engaged in gener- 
al farming and stock-raising. From the first he 
has given much attention to grain, and was one 
of the first in his neighborhood to appreciate its 
possibilities in this direction. Upon his meadows 
graze large numbers of Durham cattle, and a 
variety of other kinds of stock, the sale of which 
brings to their owner a considerable yearly rev- 
enue. Mr. Martin is a Democrat in politics, but 
has never been an office-seeker, although he has 
creditably sustained many minor offices of a local 
nature. With his wife he is a member of the 
Episcopal Church, and contributes generously 
towards its support. Two children have been 
born into the family, Ida and John, both of whom 
are living at home. 



HON. REUBEN PATRICK BOISE, con- 
nected for more years than any other man in the 
state with the jurisprudence of Oregon, and an 
important factor in the shaping of her splendid 
destiny, was born in Blandford, Hampden county, 
Mass., June 9, 1819. His ancestors on both 
sides of the family followed the martial fortunes 
of Washington during the Revolutionary war, 
and on the paternal side he is descended from 
those French Huguenots whose devotion to prin- 
ciple made them welcome refugees in any for- 
eign land. From scarcely more tolerant Scotland 
members of the Boise family emigrated to the 
north of Ireland, whence the paternal great-great- 
grandfather emigrated to Massachusetts, settling 
on the farm in Blandford. This same farm was 
the birthplace of the paternal great-grandfather, 
Samuel. Like his forefathers, Reuben Boise, 
grandfather of the Hon. Reuben Patrick, was a 
farmer, and served in the state legislature. He 
married a Miss Patrick, who lived to be ninety- 
four years of age. 

The father of Judge Boise lived and died on 
the old Hampden county farm, in the meantime 
exerting a broad influence in politics and the gen- 
eral affairs of his district. From Jefferson's time 
he was a Democrat, and then a Whig, finally 
subscribing to the principles of the Republican 
party. He held several offices in Massachusetts, 
among them being that of county commissioner, 
and he also served in the state senate and legis- 
lature. He married Sallie Putnam, who was 
born in Xew Salem. Mass., a daughter of Jacob 
Putnam, soldier at the battle of Bennington dur- 
ing the Revolutionary war, and relative of Gen. 
Israel Putnam, of Revolutionary fame. Mrs. 
Boise, who lived to be ninety-four years of age, 
was the mother of eight children, four sons and 
four daughters, of whom Judge Boise is the third 
child and only one living. Two of the sons, 
Jarvis and Fisher Ames, died at the age of 
twenty-six years, just as they were to be ad- 



mitted to the bar; and the other son, Stillman, 
died at the age of fifty. 

Judge Boise was educated in the public schools 
of Blandford. and after preparatory study under 
Dr. Cooley entered Williams College at the age 
of twenty-one years, graduating therefrom in 
1843, w hh the degree of A. B. After a year of 
school teaching in Missouri, he returned to his 
native state and studied law under his uncle, 
Patrick Boise, a distinguished lawyer of West- 
field, being admitting to the bar three years later, 
in 1847. F° r the following two years he engaged 
in practice at Chicopee Falls, Mass., and during 
that time served as one of the town commission- 
ers in charge of the schools. In the meantime 
he had accumulated a great deal of information 
concerning the west, to which he came in 1850, 
via Panama, locating in Portland, which was 
then but a small town. However, shipping and 
other interests were beginning to create a demand 
for legal talent, and the promising young lawyer 
found that he had plenty to do. By the fall 
of 1852 he was launched upon a fair practice, and 
his faith in the agricultural possibilities by which 
he was surrounded led him to invest in six hun- 
dred and forty acres of land west of Dallas, 
which he still owns, and upon which he lived 
about four years. In 185 1 the territorial legis- 
lature elected him prosecuting attorney of the 
first and second districts, his field of effort lying 
between Eugene and Washington territory.' In 
1853 he was elected one of the code commission- 
ers for Oregon, selected to compile the first code 
of laws for the territory, the others being the 
Hon. James K. Kelly and Hon. D. R. Biglow. 
In 1854 he was re-elected prosecuting attorney, 
and the same year represented Polk county in the 
territorial legislature, being re-elected for two 
years in the latter position. In 1857 he represent- 
ed Polk county in the constitutional convention, 
was chairman of the committee on legislation, 
and in this capacity was instrumental in furnish- 
ing to Oregon her fundamental laws of govern- 
ment. 

In 1857 Mr. Boise was appointed by President 
Buchanan one of the supreme court judges of the 
territory with Judges Williams and Deady, and 
after the admission of Oregon to statehood he 
was elected supreme judge of Oregon, with 
Judges Waite, Stratton and Prim. In 1878, by 
the constitution of the state, the judges first 
elected to the supreme court were to draw lots 
for their terms, one term two years, one four 
years and two six years. Judge Waite having 
drawn the shortest term, was by the constitution 
made chief justice of the supreme court; Judge 
Stratton at the end of two years became chief 
justice, and Judge Boise, at the end of four 
years, became chief justice. For twelve vears 
Judge Boise continued to hold this honorable po- 



210 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sition, the duties thereof being particularly trying 
as the supreme judges were also obliged to be 
circuit judges of their districts. From 1862 to 
1864, inclusive, he served as chief justice of Ore- 
gon, and upon the expiration of his term was re- 
elected for six years. After being again chosen 
in 1870 his seat was vigorously contested by 
Hon. B. F. Bonham, and rather than engage in 
long and expensive litigation. Judge Boise re- 
signed his office and returned to the general prac- 
tice of law. In 1874 he was elected by the legis- 
lature one of the capitol building commissioners, 
an office which he filled with distinct credit until 
1876. The same year he was elected to his old 
position on the supreme bench. When the legis- 
lature, as authorized by the state constitution, 
provided for a separate supreme court and cir- 
cuit courts, the new supreme court consisted of 
three judges. Judge Boise was appointed by 
the governor one of the three judges of the su- 
preme court under the new system, with Judge 
James K. Kelly and Judge Prim. Judge Kelly 
being the oldest in years, became chief justice, 
and Judges Boise and Prim associates, and cir- 
cuit judges were appointed from the judicial dis- 
tricts. These judges, both supreme and circuit, 
held their offices under the court and the new 
law creating them, until the next general election, 
when Judge Boise preferred the nomination for 
judge of the third judicial district, the same dis- 
trict from which he had formerly been elected 
to the supreme bench. He was elected and has 
held the office ever since, with the exception of 
six years, from 1892 to 1898. At present he 
has charge of Department No. 2, and in spite of 
his advancing years, and the fact that he has been 
a circuit judge of Oregon for all but eleven years 
since 1857, ne st iU performs the duties of his 
office with old-time vigor and enthusiasm. 

Judge Boise has been a resident of Salem ever 
since 1857. Until 1865 he lived on property in 
the town upon which is now built the convent of 
the Sacred Heart, and in 1880 purchased the farm 
which is still his home, and of which he retains 
sixty acres. During the years much property has 
passed through his hands, and the old farm 
taken by him upon his arrival in the territory 
has been enlarged to twenty-six hundred acres. 
The first house in Salem was built upon his pres- 
ent home, and he owns the old mission mill 
house and grounds, a portion of the house having 
been built in the early '40s. A part of his farm 
at Salem has been laid out in city lots, and the 
North Salem addition is included in this prop- 
erty. His farm is finely improved and profitable, 
and has greatly increased in value with the build- 
ing up of the town. For some years Judge Boise 
was interested in a woolen factory near Dallas. 
Especially has he been interested in the develop- 
ment of the agricultural resources of his county, 
and as a member, and five times master of the 



Grange, has had the opportunity to further the 
interests of the farmers, whom he regards as the 
backbone of communities wherever found. 

Oregon has had no more stanch supporter of 
her educational institutions than Judge Boise. 
Twice has he been a member of the board of 
trustees of Pacific University at Forest Grove, 
and has held the same position in La Creole Acad- 
emy, at Dallas, and Willamette University at 
Salem, serving also as regent of the Agricultural 
College at Corvallis. Pacific University conferred 
upon the judge the degree of doctor of laws. 
Judge Boise is a member of the Oregon Historical 
Association and the Pioneer Association, and in 
this connection treasures his old-time friendships 
for other founders of the legal structure of the 
golden west, among whom may be mentioned 
Judge Kelly, who came to Oregon in 1851, and 
is now living in Washington; Governor Grover, 
who came to Portland in 185 1 ; and George H. 
Williams, who arrived in the state in 1853. 

The first marriage of Judge Boise was con- 
tracted in San Francisco in 1851, and was with 
Ellen F. Lyon, a native of Boston, Mass., and 
daughter of Capt. Lemuel Lyon, a pioneer of 
the Pacific coast. Mrs. Boise, who was a cousin 
of General Lyon, who was killed at the battle 
of Wilson Creek, Mo., died in Oregon, leaving 
two children, of whom Reuben P., Jr., is engaged 
in the real-estate business in Salem ; and Whitney 
L. is an attorney in Portland. In 1867 Judge 
Boise married Emily A. Pratt, a native of Worces- 
ter, Mass., a daughter of Ephraim Pratt, a manu- 
facturer of Massachusetts, and sister of Captain 
Pratt, who started the woolen mill of this town. 
Of this' last union were born two children, of 
whom Ellen, a graduate of Willamette Univer- 
sity, was drowned in the undertow at Long Beach, 
Wash., at the age of twenty-two ; and Maria, also 
a graduate of Willamette University, is living 
with her father. During his first voting days 
the judge was a Douglas Democrat, but after the 
war subscribed to the principles of the Repub- 
lican party. It is unquestionably true that it 
was largely owing to the efforts of this early 
pioneer judge that his state was saved to the 
Union, for he unceasingly worked to that end, 
and by sound logic, well delivered, did much to 
direct public opinion into channels of humanity 
and broad-mindedness. The career of Judge 
Boise needs no eulogy. He has been noted for his 
equitable rulings and lucid exposition of the 
law ; for his rugged integrity under any and all 
circumstances ; and for his devotion to friends 
and the interests intrusted to his care. 



AUGUSTUS H. BUCKINGHAM. Among 
the more recent acquisitions to the business com- 
munity of Bellfountain due mention should be 
given to A. H. Buckingham, who since March 1, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



2U 



1903, has been engaged in mercantile interests 
here. Heman G Buckingham, the father of A. 
H. was horn March 15, 1812, in New York state, 
and until his first marriage, which united him 
with Miss Laura Kinney, he remained at home 
with his parents. Mrs. Buckingham died when 
quite young, leaving one child, who is also de- 
ceased. After his marriage to his second wife, 
who was Miss Betsie Trumhle, the family moved 
to Illinois, which was their home until the year 
1845. which witnessed their outfitting for the trip 
across the plains. Instead of making the contin- 
uous journey, however, they varied the monotony 
bv spending the winter months in St. Joseph, 
Mo., but with the dawn of spring again resumed 
the journey. Oregon City was their destination, 
and there the father engaged in a mercantile busi- 
ness until 1850, when he came to Benton county, 
taking up a donation claim south of Bellfountain. 
His second wife did not long survive the arduous 
journey to the west, and at her death left two 
children, one of whom, Lovina Greeg, resides in 
the vicinity of Bellfountain. 

The third marriage of Heman C. Buckingham 
was with Matilda J. Starr, a native of Ohio, who 
came to Oregon in 1848. Of the nine children 
who blessed this marriage seven are living, and 
are named as follows : Precious, Mrs. Pruett, 
of Oakland, Cal : Augustus H. ; Deette, Mrs. 
Barrows, of Coos county ; Victor, a resident of 
Roseburg, Douglas county ; John, also a resident 
of Coos county ; Edith, Mrs. Rayburn, of Port- 
land ; and Mrs. Winnifred Woodcock, of Bell- 
fountain. The parents continued to live on the 
old donation claim until their death, the father 
passing away when sixty-eight and the mother 
when sixty-three years of age. Both were prom- 
inent and active members of the United Brethren 
Church. Mr. Buckingham was a very popular 
man in his community, and served one term in 
the state legislature. 

Augustus H. Buckingham received his edu- 
cation in the district schools and in Philomath 
College, and remained at home until his mar- 
riage with Miss Lillian Frink. a native of Benton 
county. Their early married life was spent in 
the vicinity of the old home place, and two years 
later they removed to Philomath. During the 
three years in which they resided there the wife 
died, and thereafter Mr. Buckingham went to 
Pendleton, Umatilla county, where for about 
three years he was engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness. His second marriage occurred in 1886 and 
united him with Miss Henrietta Pendergrass, 
a native of Coos county, and the following year 
the family removed to the latter county, remaining 
there until 1900. In the meantime having pur- 
chased two hundred and seventy-two acres of 
the old family homestead. Mr. Buckingham re- 
moved hither in the year last mentioned, engag- 



ing in general farming upon the tract until March 
1. 1903, when, as previously stated, he purchased 
his general mercantile store in Bellfountain. Dur- 
ing Mr. Buckingham's residence upon the farm 
many improvements were made which have 
enhanced it both in appearance and in value, and 
one hundred and fifty acres are now under active 
cultivation. Three children were horn to Mr. and 
Mrs. Buckingham, George, Lelah and Velma, and 
all are at home with their parents. Among the 
fraternal organizations Mr. Buckingham's name 
is to be found enrolled as a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen and the Degree of 
Honor, and he is also identified with the Grange. 
Politically he supports the principles of the Re- 
publican party. 



GUSTAYUS ADOLPHUS COXE. The 
third generation of the Cone family in Oregon 
is worthily represented by Gustavus Adolphus 
Cone, who was born upon the farm near Hub- 
bard upon which he now lives, September 19, 
1873. His father, also Gustavus Adolphus, one 
of several brothers to emigrate to the west in the 
early days, was born in Rush county, Ind., Nov- 
ember 21, 1823, and when nine years of age 
removed with his parents to LaPorte county, 
also in Indiana. There he learned the cooper's 
trade, which he followed in Indiana. The other 
members of the family removed to Illinois and 
thence, in 1841, to Iowa. His two brothers, 
Anson and Aaron, having come to Oregon in 
1846, Gustavus A. followed their example the 
following year, leaving behind him a paying 
cooperage business in Michigan City, Ind. Seven 
months were required to accomplish the journev 
from Indiana to Oregon. Having arrived at 
his destination, he located in Oregon City and 
worked at his trade. During the historic year 
1849 he contracted the gold fever, which was 
rendering half the inhabitants dissatisfied with 
existing conditions, and went to California, where 
he mined with moderate success on the middle, 
north and south forks of the American river. 
Afterward he engaged in the hotel business in 
Sacramento. In the fall of 1849 he returned to 
Oregon by vessel, spending twenty-seven davs 
on the water. Soon after reaching Portland he 
purchased the title to six hundred and fortv 
acres of land on the French prairie. Having 
thus established himself permanently and satis- 
factorily, he was united in marriage December 
15, 1850. to Rebecca Emma Her. a native of the 
state of Ohio, and a daughter of James Her. 
Of the seven children horn and reared of this 
union, Benjamin F. lives on a ranch near Mos- 
cow. Idaho: Louise is the wife of John Murrav 
of Butteville, Ore. : Lewis died at the age of 
twentv-one: Laura is the wife of Fred Ernst 






212 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Jefferson, Ore.; Heman is a resident of 
Portland, Ore.; Anna is the wife of A. L. Rice 
of Silverton; and Gustavus Adolphus is living 
on a portion of the old donation claim. 

Too much cannot be said of the admirable and 
useful life of Gustavus A. Cone, who possessed 
all of the strong and reliable attributes with 
which we are wont to invest the typical western 
pioneer. In the twilight of a venerable age he 
had the satisfaction of knowing that he had 
eighteen grandchildren and four great-grand- 
children, nearly all of whom were possessed of 
rugged constitutions, and who, without excep- 
tion, regarded their grandparent as the embodi- 
ment of all that was honorable and genial. Many 
years before his death he was the undisputed 
owner of the entire six hundred and forty acres 
of land, and upon this he successfully raised 
grain and general produce, devoting much tim'e 
to the breeding of Short-horns and other high- 
grade stock. His business ability found vent in a 
general mercantile enterprise conducted in Butte- 
ville for several years in partnership with his 
eldest son, Benjamin F., and he was instru- 
mental in bringing about the organization of the 
Farmer's Warehouse Association. A Republi- 
can in his political affiliations, he filled many posi- 
tions of trust in the community, and he took a 
deep interest in the maintenance of a high stand- 
ard of education, serving for many years on the 
school board. He was one of the oldest Masons 
in the state of Oregon, was connected with Mult- 
nomah Lodge of Oregon City, and passed all 
the chairs in the Blue Lodge. His death 
occurred December 26, 1898. 

The present Gustavus Adolphus Cone was 
reared on the home farm in Marion county, and 
was educated in the public schools, the Oregon 
State Agricultural College at Corvallis, New- 
burg College, and the Portland Business Col- 
lege. With the exception of one summer spent 
among the mines of Idaho, he has continued to 
reside upon the old donation claim, of which he 
now owns three hundred and twenty acres. He 
is engaged successfully in general farming and 
stock-raising, and has thirteen acres under hops. 
May 9, 1896, he was married to Alice Ackerson, 
who was born in Johnson county, Neb., a 
daughter of Truman and Mary Ann (Linford) 
Ackerson, who came to Oregon in 1876. Mr. 
and Mrs. Cone are the parents of three children: 
Earl T., Hazel M., and Letha Beryl. 

Mr. Cone is a stanch Republican, as was his 
father, and fraternally is associated with the 
Maccabees. He has prospered in his chosen 
calling, and has a justifiable ambition to make 
his property one of the finest and most productive 
in the entire northwest. He takes an active 
interest in public affairs, though not identified 
prominently with the political undertakings of 



his neighborhood, and is ever ready to assist in 
these enterprises which are calculated to improve 
general conditions. He enjoys the confidence 
and esteem of all who know him, who regard 
him as a man of probity, conscientious and fair- 
minded in all that he does, and with a fine regard 
for the rights and privileges of others. 



MAGNUS EK. To those interested in the 
derivation of names, and in their relation to 
things in the material world, and more espec- 
ially to those unfamiliar with the Swedish tongue, 
the name of Magnus Ek, ice manufacturer and 
expert millwright of Corvallis, seems singularly 
appropriate. Surely in his general make-up Mr. 
Ek has something of the sturdiness and strength 
of the "ek" or oak, as it is translated in English, 
and one is inclined to attribute a great deal of his 
success in life to the possession of this same 
strength and ruggedness. As indicated, Mr. Ek 
is a native of Sweden, and was born at Skaane 
Christianstad, a fortified town, located on the 
Helge-a, near the Baltic sea, and two hundred 
and sixty-five miles from Stockholm. The date 
of his nativity is September 27, i860, and he was 
educated in the public schools of his native city. 
His father, Mons Ellis Ek, was a native of the 
same place, and by trade was a cabinetmaker. 
His mother, Bengte (Swenson) Ek, was born 
in the same northern clime, and both parents 
spent their entire lives in the immediate vicinity 
of their birth. Of the six children born into the 
family all are living, Magnus, the second child, 
and his sister, a resident of Ohio, being the two 
members who emigrated to America. 

When about fifteen years of age Magnus ap- 
prenticed to a cabinetmaker for four years, and 
after completing his services traveled as a jour- 
neyman through Sweden, Denmark and Norway. 
In the spring of 1882 he came to the United 
States, and from Chicago made his way to Casey, 
111., and engaged in railroad work. Returning 
to Chicago he became interested in milling with 
the North Chicago Planing Mill Company, but 
soon worked up a desire to go west, thereafter 
hunting around for ways to accomplish his 
desire. The most hopeful method seemed to asso- 
ciate himself with different railroad companies 
as cabinetmaker and general carpenter, so he 
became an employe of the Northwestern Railroad 
Company on the western Iowa division. At the 
expiration of three years he branched off into 
working as a millwright for the Alton Croix 
Company of Iowa, and then for a time traveled 
in the interest of milling. As millwright he 
became identified with the Novelty Iron Works, 
and after that traveled around to different Cities 
in Iowa, constructing mills. Many of the fore- 
most mills now operating in Iowa were placed 




&. 9t>. oS&uctZut+t, 



PORTRAIT AND 1WOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



215 



in operation by this excellent and very skillful 
millw right. 

In 1885 Mr. Ek came to California, and after 
working lor the Pioneer Mill Compan) of Sacra- 
mento for three months became associated with 
the Sperry Mills, and from there went to San 
Francisco. Here he received the contract to put 
in the big mills at Salem. Ore., having completed 
which he placed mills at Rickreall and Turner. 
For several years he was with the Oregon Milling 
Company, and he then entered into the sawmill- 
ing business six miles southeast of Silverton. 
This was a steam sawmill, and in partnership 
with Mr. Johnson, under the firm name of John- 
son & Ek. he manufactured large quantities of 
lumber and general building supplies. After dis- 
posing of the mills he lived for a year in Portland 
as an employe of the Johnson Shipyard, and then 
went to California on a dredge building expedi- 
tion for the Risden Iron Works Company, on 
Feather river. This contract lasted eight months, 
and upon returning to Portland Mr. Ek worked 
in the shipyard for another year, and then located 
in Silverton, where he had in the meantime built 
a fine residence. 

In 1900 Mr. Ek came to Corvallis to overhaul 
the Fisher Flouring Mills, and later acted in a 
similar capacity for the Fisher mills at Silverton. 
In August, 1 90 1, he bought of John Zeis the ice- 
works of this place, and immediately remodeled 
and enlarged the plant, so that at present it is 
one of the best equipped ice manufacturing 
plants in the state. During the season the plant 
is kept going night and day, and the capacity is 
three tons per day. Two engines, one of twenty 
and one of eight horse power supply the motive 
power, and in connection with the manufacture 
of ice is maintained a storage business of large 
capacity. To his plant Mr. Ek has added a 
cabinet-shop, and turns out all kinds of work in 
the carpenter line. He delivers ice all over the 
town, and attends to a great deal of the carpenter 
work and building. 

In Silverton, Ore., Mr. Ek married Emma 
Johnson, a native of Kansas, and daughter of 
Matthew Johnson, at present a resident of Port- 
land. Four children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Ek, Ray. Vivien, Ellis and Walter. Mr. 
Ek is a Republican in politics, and was a member 
of the council in Silverton for one term. He is 
fraternally connected with the Masons of Turner, 
and the Woodmen of the World. His religious 
home is with the Lutheran church. As will be 
seen by this account, Mr. Ek is a man of more 
than ordinary ability and versatility, and he has 
fortunately succeeded in all of his avenues of 
activity. Alert, progressive, observing, and adap- 
tive, he has already^ accomplished, and in suc- 
cessful manner, more than the average man suc- 
ceeds in crowding into an entire lifetime. 



FRANCOIS XAVIER MATTHIEU. A life 
replete with interest through intimate association 

with the events of pioneer days, is that of Fran- 
cois Xavier Matthieu, who is one of the last sur- 
viving members of the first emigrant train to 
cross the plains and give to the upbuilding of the 
west the hardy and fearless men and women who 
dared to venture into the dangers and privations 
of such a journey for the sake of the homes they 
hoped to make in the rich lands of the great 
northwest. Probably there is no man living in 
the Willamette valley to-day who is more conver- 
sant with the conditions and history of that in- 
teresting period and the events that led up to the 
statehood of Oregon, than Mr. Matthieu. A late 
reminder of his first experiences in Oregon oc- 
curred May 2, 1901, at the unveiling of the monu- 
ment at Champoeg, where Governor Geer, in be- 
half of the Oregon Historical Society, presented 
to him a badge, as a mark of distinction to the 
last survivor of the fifty-two people who voted 
for the first provisional government west of the 
Rocky mountains, May 2, 1843. This badge is 
of silk, the colors being red, white and blue ; a 
rosette with the seal of Oregon occupies the 
center, while a pendant medallion represents Ore- 
gon as a member of the Union. The inscription 
reads as follows : "Only survivor of the fifty- 
two persons who voted to organize the first civil 
government west of the Rocky mountains, at 
Champoeg, May 2, 1843, known in history as the 
Provisional Government of Oregon." At that 
early historical meeting in Champoeg, May 2, 
1843, there were present one hundred and two 
people, many of whom were French Canadians. 
Mr. Matthieu had used every effort to induce 
these people to cast their vote in favor of the 
Americans, and when Joseph L. Meeks asked the 
party to divide, he was the first to step to the 
American side. 

The birth of Francois X. Matthieu occurred at 
Terre Bonne, near Montreal, Canada, April 2, 
1818. He is a descendant of French ancestry, 
his parents being Francois Xavier and Louise 
(Daufin) Matthieu, both, however, being natives 
of the district of Montreal. Being one of seven 
children, three sons and four daughters, and his 
parents in rather straitened circumstances, he 
lacked many of the advantages which might 
otherwise have been his, the farm life to which he- 
was reared being the only occupation of his boy- 
hood years. But few schools existed in the coun- 
try, and all his education was acquired through 
association with a neighbor, who had come from 
the United States and settled there. During the 
Canadian rebellion, in 1835-38, Mr. Matthieu 
took an active part by supplying arms to the reb- 
els. At twenty years of age, Mr. Matthieu left 
his home and located in the United States ; he 
was then unable to speak a word of the English 



216 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



language. Going to Albany, N. Y., he engaged 
in carpenter work for seven months, after which 
he came as far west as Milwaukee, Wis., making 
the journey by way of Erie canal and the lakes. 
One month was passed in the last-named city, 
and he then went to St. Louis, by way of Chi- 
cago, traveling by wagon and water. Failing to 
secure work in that city, he engaged, after a like 
length of time, with the American Fur Company. 
While in this employ he was sent to what is now 
North Dakota, in the Black Foot Indian country, 
there to trade liquor to the Indians for furs. 
There were thirty men in the company, twenty 
wagons with two mules to each, and two barrels 
of liquor in each wagon, the journey being made 
by water and land, as was the custom in those 
days. The liquor was so welcome to the Indians 
that Mr. Matthieu was able to trade one gallon 
of it for as many as fifteen buffalo skins, such 
bartering meaning great profit to the company 
for which he was working. While there, he 
learned the Indian language. After one season 
he returned with his furs to St. Louis, where he 
engaged with Joe Rubedow, a fur trader, at that 
time located above Fort Benton, in the Black Hill 
country, where he remained until the spring of 
1842. In that year, at Fort Laramie, he joined 
the first emigrant train bound for the great west. 
This train consisted of fifty or sixty wagons, and 
one hundred and fifty people, sixty-one of whom 
were men, under the command of Hastings and 
Lovejoy. At Fort Hall the emigrants were com- 
pelled to abandon their wagons and walk the bal- 
ance of the way, driving their oxen. There Mr. 
Matthieu and six others left the train and joined 
the Hudson Bay Company, going on to Wal- 
lula, Wash., from which settlement they fol- 
lowed the Indian trail to Mount Hood and The 
Dalles, and on pack animals from there to Oregon 
City. 

The morning after his arrival in this part of 
Oregon Mr. Matthieu started for the Willamette 
valley, where the Hudson Bay Company had 
trappers. At that time there were about two hun- 
dred and fifty families scattered throughout the 
country, principally French Canadians, employed 
by the Hudson Bay Company, having come there 
at different times between the years 1824 and 
1842. On reaching the valley Mr. Matthieu took 
up his abode with Etien Lucien, a Canadian 
by birth, who had settled here in 181 1. One of 
the most striking conditions of the times when 
Mr. Matthieu took up his residence in this sec- 
tion of the country was the absence of gold or 
silver for currency, a necessity being given in ex- 
change for provisions, labor or land. In 1843, 
Mr. Matthieu took up a claim of three hundred 
acres near Fairfield, but he never made his home 
in the location. In 1844 he bought a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres, paying $600 



therefor, and upon which he now makes his 
home, having removed here in 1846. The farm is 
located one and one-half miles southwest of Au- 
rora, Marion county. He at once erected a hewed 
log house, in the same year building a house at 
Butteville, where he followed the carpenter's 
trade. Later he purchased some property in Au- 
rora and improved it, though he still made his 
home on the claim. In 1851 he started a general 
merchandise store in Butteville, in company with 
George La Rock and Mr. Du Puis, the three con- 
tinuing in partnership for twelve years, when 
Mr. Matthieu became sole owner and conducted 
the business until 1866. At that date he sold his 
stock and returned to his farm. 

At variance with his steady business interests, 
Mr. Matthieu has branched out in other direc- 
tions, among his ventures being a trip to Califor- 
nia, in 1849, during the gold excitement. In 
partnership with another, he loaded fourteen pack 
horses with flour and other provisions, intending 
to dispose of their stock to the miners. The ven- 
ture was not a success, financially, as Mr. Mat- 
thieu lost $2,000, and after three months, much 
of which time he suffered from illness, he re- 
turned by water to Portland, Ore. A more pleas- 
ant diversion in his pioneer life was a trip back 
to Canada in 1858, where he enjoyed visiting the 
scenes of his childhood. 

By the marriage of Mr. Matthieu, April 15, 
1844, to Rosalie Aussant, who died February 12, 
1901, aged seventy-four years, he has had fifteen 
children, named in order of birth as follows : 
Philomene, born April 20, 1845, now Mrs. 
Dwight Geer, of Wilbur, Wash. ; Charles, born 
July 7, 1847, an d living on the home farm ; Clara, 
Mrs. Ouimette, born August 16, 1849, an ^ now 
a widow; Rose, born November 10, 1851, now 
the wife of Charles Bergevein, of Portland; Pris- 
cilla Clotilda, born November 10, 1851, and died 
November 7, 1874; Arcino Laodice, born Janu- 
ary 4, 1857, and now the wife of A. Burton; 
Francis Xavier Edward born October 17, 1858, 
and died November 3, 1891 ; Henry Clovis, born 
November 9, i860, and died February 19, 1862; 
Alfred Stephen, born November 14, 1862, a drug- 
gist in Portland ; John Joseph Fabian, born Octo- 
ber 30, 1864, and living on the home farm; 
Ernest Theodore, born August 2, 1866, located 
in Salem ; Francis L., born February 25, 1868 ; 
Robert Wilfred, born August 5, 1869, and was 
accidentally shot April 20, 1895, dying within an 
hour and ten minutes ; Mary Louise, born July 
25, 1871, now the wife of Samuel Howard, of 
Portland ; and Violet Adelaide, born April 21, 
1873, an d died September 12, 1896. 

While making for himself a competencv in the 
country of his adoption, Mr. Matthieu has not 
neglected to give his energies, mental, moral and 
physical, toward the upbuilding of the opportu- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



217 



nities of the territorj into a great and noble com- 
monwealth. His most earnest efforts have been 
devoted toward this end, since he first cast his 
vote for the provisional government, soon after 
which he was elected justice of the peace, being 
the first to hold that office in this community, an 
office which at that time included the duties of a 
•nt or probate judge. He discharged the 
duties oi that position for four years. The only 
court on the coast, there was no appeal from his 
decision. He and Dr. Wilson served together. 
After the organized law Mr. Matthieu was one 
of the first county commissioners of Marion 
county. In politics a stanch follower of Demo- 
cratic principles, Mr. Matthieu was very active 
in the organization of the Democratic party in 
Oregon, and served in 1874, and again in 1878, 
in the state legislature, ably representing the 
people who had honored him with their votes. 
He had previously given his time and attention 
to the laying out of roads, and the organization 
of schools, and many other public services too 
numerous to mention. During the Cayuse Indian 
war he was assistant quartermaster on French 
Prairie, and helped to raise a company, giving 
liberally of horses and provisions for the troops, 
thus proving his loyalty and courage. Among 
other noteworthy incidents in his life was the 
organization of the Pioneer Association, to which 
he contributed his efforts in company with Judge 
Grim, Eli Cooley and W. H. Reese, Mr. Matthieu 
being the only one of the four men now living. 
He was the first president of the society, serving 
for two years. A late honor in the life of Mr. 
Matthieu occurred when President Roosevelt vis- 
ited Salem, the place of honor beside the presi- 
dent on the platform being given to this ven- 
erable pioneer. Fraternally, Mr. Matthieu has 
been a Mason since 1856, being a member of 
Multnomah Lodge, of Oregon City. In June, 
1 901, the grand master's degree was conferred 
upon him by the state Grand Lodge, then in ses- 
sion at Portland. An evidence of the exceptional 
morality of Mr. Matthieu lies in the fact that 
though eighty-five years of age he can boast that 
never in his life has he used tobacco in any form, 
all other acts of his life corresponding to the high 
sense of honor that has placed him among the 
first citizens of Marion countv. 



R. WILLIAM FRY. Among the native sons 
of Linn county who are proving worthy their 
early training, and the opportunities which sur- 
round them, R. William Fry occupies a promi- 
nent place. He is not only industrious and prac- 
tical in the management of his two farms, but is 
of a progressive turn of mind, alert to every ad- 
vantage which invention and latter-day ingenuity 
has placed at the disposal of the tiller of the soil. 
Of the farm near Albanv where he was born 



September 15, 185O, .Mr. Fry owns one hundred 
and sixty acres, and his home place near New- 
port consists of one hundred acres. His father 
was one of the early settlers of this state, and 
the son grew to maturity under the mosl kindly 
and auspicious circumstances, being instilled with 
a thorough appreciation of the dignity and use 
fulness of agricultural life. 

At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Fry left 
the old homestead and took up his residence on 
the farm of his uncle, which he rented for two 
years, and then removed to a farm near his old 
home. Four years later found him located amid 
the scenes of his youth, and which bore innumer- 
able tokens of the industry and good management 
of his sire. Eventually he came to his present 
farm, in connection with which he runs his share 
of the old place, devoting both farms to general 
farming and stock-raising. He is successful and 
popular, living far behind his yearly income, 
and thus laying up for a stormy day, or per- 
chance for the more complete enjoyment of a 
bright one. 

The marriage of Mr. Fry and Irene Swank 
took place in 1895. One child, Roberta, was 
born December 15, 1899. Mr. Fry is a Democrat 
in politics, and his sociability and loyalty find 
appreciation and outlet in the lodge of the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of Albany. He is one of the 
strongest members of a successful community 
of agricultural interests, and his wide-awake ef- 
forts reflect credit upon all who surround him 
as friends or associates. 



THOMAS H. SIMS. One need not look to 
the past to find examples worthy of emulation, 
for in the life history of those about us we can 
find qualities that may well be an example to 
those who would gain the respect and win the 
confidence and regard of their fellow-men. The 
life history of Thomas H. Sims illustrates forci- 
bly the power of activity and integrity in the 
every-day affairs of life. He has gained suc- 
cess as a lumber manufacturer of the north- 
west and now lives retired in Salem, where he 
stands high in the community. 

A native of Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. Mr. 
Sims was born April 3, 1853. His father, Will- 
iam Sims, was a native of Greenwich, England. 
The latter was a carpenter and builder, and when 
a young man crossed the ocean to Woodstock, 
Ontario, and in that place and the surrounding 
district he followed the builders' trade until 
his life's labors were ended in death. He held 
membership with the Church of England and 
was a man whose personal worth was above 
question. He wedded Jane Martin, who was 
born in Sussex, England. Her father, who was 
a stair builder, brought the family to the new 



21S 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



world, settling in Woodstock, and Mrs. Sims 
is still living in Oxford county, Ontario. Mr. 
and Mrs. Sims became the parents of ten chil- 
dren, seven of whom yet survive, and of this 
number three are in Oregon, Thomas H. and two 
sisters, Mrs. Mary E. Shaw, of Salem, and 
Mrs. James Milne, of Howell Prairie. 

Thomas H. Sims was the ninth in order of 
birth in his father's family. His youth was 
spent in Oxford county in the province of On- 
tario. When the son was only three years old 
his father died at Woodstock and the mother 
afterward removed to the township of East Nis- 
souri, where Thomas H. Sims attended the Na- 
tional School. In his boyhood he lived upon the 
farm and early became familiar with the work 
of the farm and also learned the carpenter's 
trade under the direction of his brothers, who 
were contractors. He was fourteen years of age 
when he undertook to master the builder's art 
and he found no difficulty in this, for he pos- 
sessed much natural mechanical ability and skill 
in the use of tools. The brothers continued to- 
gether in their farming operations and as con- 
tractors and builders until 1877, when, attracted 
by the opportunities of the west, Thomas H. 
Sims came to Oregon, settling at Stayton, Mar- 
ion county, where he spent the first summer. 
He was engaged in farming until the fall of 
1877, when, in connection with his brother-in- 
law, John A. Shaw, he purchased a saw-mil] 
operated by water power, at that place, and was 
for several years successfully engaged in the 
manufacture of lumber. On disposing of his 
interest in that enterprise he became a merchant 
of Stayton, and while thus engaged he joined 
Mr. Shaw, W. H. Hobson and Lee Brown in the 
incorporation of the Santiam Lumber Company, 
of Mill City. Mr. Sims became general manager 
and superintendent and erected a new mill on 
Santiam river, at Mill City, operating the same 
by water power. This mill has a capacity of 
ninety thousand feet of lumber in ten hours, and 
the company owns its own lumber tracts situated 
on the river above the mill, thus affording op- 
portunity to engage in logging by river as well 
as by rail. Retail lumber yards were established 
in Salem and in Albany, and extensive shipments 
were made to the east. In 1891 Mr. Sims came 
to Salem as manager of the business here, and 
the splendid success of the lumber enterprise 
was due in large measure to his thorough under- 
standing of the business, his practical knowledge 
and sound judgment. He also engaged in mer- 
cbandising at Stayton as a member of the firm 
of W. H. Hobson & Co., and the Santiam Lum- 
ber Company was the owner of a mercan- 
tile store at Mill City. In 1893 Mn Sims closed 
out the yard in Salem, but continued as man- 
ager of the mill until it was sold to the Curtis 
Lumber Company in 1899. He has become 



largely interested in timber and farm lands, but 
is now practically retired from business cares, 
enjoying a well earned rest. In 1893 he erected 
his present home on State and Fifteenth streets. 

At Shaw Station, June 23, 1879, ^ r - Sims 
was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. 
Shaw, who was born in Oxford county, On- 
tario, a daughter of Angus and Mary J. (Keley) 
Shaw. Her father, also a native of Ontario, 
followed farming in that locality until 1876, 
when he, too, became a resident of the north- 
west, purchasing a farm in Marion county, upon 
which Shaw Station has since been established. 
He had a large tract of land and became a pros- 
perous agriculturist. He was of Scotch descent, 
his mother having been a Miss Cameron prior to 
her marriage. Mrs. Angus Shaw was born in 
the north of Ireland, and was brought to the new 
world by her parents, who located in Ontario. 
She is now a resident of Reidville, Washington 
county, Ore. In the Shaw family are nine living 
children, seven of whom reside in this state, 
while two are residents of Washington. Those 
residing in this state are : John A., of Albany ; 
Mrs. J. J. Graham, also of Albany ; W. A., of 
Portland ; S. A., also of Portland ; Mrs. Rachel 
Stish, of Mill City; Mrs. Thomas H. Sims, of 
Salem ; and Daniel, of Reidville. Mrs. Mary 
Mcintosh and J. F. Shaw reside in Washington. 
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sims has been blessed 
with three children : Austin, Mercedes and 
Bernice. 

From the time age gave to Mr. Sims the 
right of franchise he has been a stalwart advo- 
cate of the Republican party, and in December, 
1900, was elected on that ticket as alderman from 
the Third ward, the only member of his party 
elected at that time. He became chairman of 
the fire and water committee and took an active 
interest in the work of the city council, doing 
everything in his power to advance progress, re- 
form and improvement in Salem. That he dis- 
charged his duties in a manner satisfactory to 
his constituents and to the public at large is 
shown by the fact that in 1902 he was re-elected 
without opposition. While in Canada Mr. Sims 
was made a Mason and afterward transferred 
his membership to the lodge at Stayton, but is 
now demitted. His wife became a member of 
the Eastern Star, and she is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Sims has shown 
himself a resourceful business man, quick to 
plan and perform, yet his business activity has 
been based upon sound judgment and a recog- 
nition of existing conditions and possibilities. 
In establishing, controlling and enlarging im- 
portant mercantile and industrial enterprises of 
the northwest he has gained for himself wealth 
and at the same time has promoted the com- 
mercial prosperity of the community in which 
his lot has been cast. 







fl 




cfr^rnr ouzswtfsyLc^^T/ 



P! >RTR \1T AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ml 



Willi \M LAUGHUN. One of the large 

1 owners of Yamhill county is William Laugh- 

lin, the possessor of nine hundred acres of land 

devoted principally to stock-raising interests. 

Mr. Laughlin, who feels a just pride in his Rev- 

olutionarv ancestry, and in forefathers who ac- 

mplished largely and substantially, was born 

in Lincoln county, Mo.. October 13, 1830. His 

ind father was James, and his father, Samuel, 

the latter being especially worthy of mention as 

comprising one of the largest band that crossed 

the plains in 1847. 

William Laughlin was educated in Missouri 
ami Yamhill county, Ore., and when eighteen 
\ears old left the farm upon which his father 
had settled and tried his luck in the mines near 
ckton, Cal. From the fact that he spe it over 
two years in the mines argues that he must 
have been reasonably successful, and that from 
.May, 1849, unt 'l August, 1851, he succeeded in 
appropriating to his own use a fair share of the 
hidden treasure of the earth. From the mines 
he went to San Francisco and thence embarked 
for Portland, arriving at length on the old home- 
stead in Yamhill county. In 1853 ne t0 °k U P a 
donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres 
east of North Yamhill, where he farmed and 
raised stock for four years, and then traded for 
a farm of two hundred acres upon which he lived 
and prospered until October 8, 1892. He then 
settled on his present farm of one hundred and 
ninety-four acres, which, however, he had pur- 
chased in 1886. To this has been added by more 
recent purchase, so that at present Mr. Laughlin 
owns about nine hundred acres, being one of the 
very large operators of this county. 

April 3, 1857, M f - Laughlin was united in mar- 
riage with Phcebe Roberts, born in Tippecanoe 
county, Ind., October 8, 1839, an d of this union 
there were born sixteen children, twelve of whom 
are living : Bedford H. is a resident of Forest 
Grove ; Charles lives in Alaska ; George also is in 
Alaska; Abram is a farmer in Yamhill county; 
Mrs. Mary Tate lives in Seattle, Wash.; William 
lives near Yamhill ; Samuel is cashier of the 
Xorth Yamhill Bank; Benjamin lives in the state 
of Washington ; Alice is living at home ; Leona 
lives in Washington ; Mrs. Delia Richardson 
lives in Goldendale, Wash., and Crystal lives with 
her parents. Like all the members of his widely 
diffused family Mr. Laughlin is a stanch ad- 
herent of the Republican party, and among the 
offices maintained by him with credit may be 
mentioned that of road supervisor and school di- 
rector. He is a liberal minded, progressive mem- 
ber of the community, and as an agriculturist is 
both practical and successful. 



BEDFORD H. LAUGHLIN of Forest Grove, 
is a native son of Oregon, and was born on his 
father's farm in Yamhill county, February 4, 
1858. His parents, William and Phcebe (Rob 
erts) Laughlin, are natives respectively of Mis- 
souri and Indiana, and his grandfather, Samuel, 
was born in the state of North Carolina. The 
latter removed from North Carolina to Missouri 
in the '20s and in 1847 crossed the plains with 
ox teams, locating on the claim in Yamhill 
county where the remainder of his life was spent. 
His son, William, was reared principally in 
Missouri, and was seventeen years of age when 
the memorable trip was undertaken, and he in 
time took up three hundred and twenty acres 
in North Yamhill, Yamhill county, to which he 
has since added another large farm. He served 
with distinction in the Yakima Indian war of 
I 8S5"56, and has in many other ways shown his 
deep interest in the affairs of his native state. At 
present he is living on his well improved property 
two miles west of North Yamhill, managing both 
of his farms with an abundant degree of success. 
His wife is a daughter of Henry Roberts, who 
removed at an early day from Pennsylvania to 
Indiana, and who crossed the plains in 1848, his 
daughter being at that time seven years of age. 
Sixteen children were born to William and 
Phcebe Laughlin, and of these twelve are still 
living, Bedford H. being the oldest of the family. 
After completing his education at the district 
schools and Tualatin Academy, Mr. Laughlin 
engaged in business for a year in Forest Grove, 
and then turned his attention to mining for several 
years. At present he is one of the best informed 
men in the county on mining affairs in general, 
he having experienced all the ups and downs 
which harass the soul and delight the heart of 
searchers after golden fortunes. 1883 found him 
in the Cceur dAlene district during the excite- 
ment, after which he went up into British Col- 
umbia, and in all worked in the mines and at pros- 
pecting for five years. During that time he spent a 
couple of winters in Forest Grove, and after 
finishing in the mines engaged in railroading with 
the Northern Pacific and the Oregon Railroad & 
Navigation Company, principally in the freight 
department. 

In 1896 Mr. Laughlin renewed his association 
with mining, going to the extreme north to 
Cook's Inlet, Alaska. After spending the winter 
in Juneau he availed himself of the promising 
conditions in the Klondike and started over the 
Chilkoot Pass in March, 1897. Going down the 
Yukon, he took up a claim on American gulch, 
tributary to Bonanza creek, and in this enterprise 
was seconded by two comrades who also took up 
claims in the same neighborhood. The men 
worked faithfully for three years, and realized 



222 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



considerable success, although not sufficient to 
wish to devote the remainder of their lives to 
mining. Mr. Laughlin spent the winter of 1900- 
01 in North Yamhill, and in the spring of 1901 
tried his luck in the Copper River country. Re- 
turning to this town that fall he bought a livery 
business which he built up and enlarged, and 
conducted a general livery and transfer business 
until he disposed of the same in March, 1903. 
Mr. Laughlin was united in marriage in Forest 
Grove June 18, 1902, with Nora E. Johnson, a 
native of Yamhill county, Ore., and a daughter 
of Thomas and Rebecca Gallee. Mr. Laughlin 
was made a Mason in Washington, and was iden- 
tified with Palouse Lodge No. 46, until his trans- 
fer to Holbrook Lodge No. 30, of Forest Grove. 
He is a member of the Republican party, but 
has never taken an active interest in local affairs, 
or been willing to serve his party officially. He 
is a progressive, particularly well informed, and 
adaptive citizen, and his life has been prolific of 
great good will and esteem on the part of his 
fellow townsmen. 



JEPTHA THOMAS HUNT. No more in- 
teresting family has invaded the Pacific north- 
west than that of which Jeptha T. Hunt is a 
representative, and which was established in 
Oregon in 1847. The progenitor of the Hunt 
family was an officer in the army of William 
the Conqueror. After the battle of Hastings 
and the conquest of England, for his services in 
behalf of this mighty warrior he received a grant 
of lands in the north of England, where he set- 
tled down to peaceful pursuits, married a British 
maiden, and founded the present Hunt family. 
The latter has furnished many men who have 
won distinction in the various walks of life — gov- 
ernors of states, generals in the army, distin- 
guished members 1 of the bench and bar, illus- 
trious physicians and profound scientists. 

About the year 1600 three brothers of this 
family left the north of England and landed 
in New York, and in that state founded the 
Hunt family of America. Wilson Price Hunt 
of Trenton, N. J., was John Jacob Astor's most 
trusted man in the company which founded As- 
toria, Ore., April 12, 181 1. He was also the 
first white man buried at the mouth of the Col- 
umbia river. The bank of the Skipanon river, 
where he was buried, having caved off, revealed 
his burial place, and his skull was placed in 
Wood's Museum in Portland, Ore. 

Two of these brothers who came to America 
in the early days of the seventeenth century 
founded families in North Carolina. About the 
year 1800 some of the members of the family 
left Rowen county, N. C, and moved to Clair- 
mont county, Ohio, and Wayne county, Ind., 



and from them the Oregon branch of the fam- 
ily sprang. One of these, Charles by name, 
Jeptha T. Hunt's great-great-grandfather, moved 
to Indiana, where Jonathan Hunt, his great- 
grandfather, was born. The latter married a 
Miss Shotwell. He located on a farm near 
Smithfield, Ind., where John S. Hunt, the grand- 
father, was born, and where his father, George 
W., was born February 8, 183 1. 

George W. Hunt's father learned the gun- 
smith's trade in his youth, and in 1835 emigrated 
with several of his neighbors to LaPorte county, 
Ind., and built the first house at Byron. He af- 
terward built the first gun shop in the town of 
LaPorte, and became prominent in the general 
undertakings of that section, which he was forced 
to leave because of the chills and fever, a com- 
mon affliction in those days. In eastern Indiana 
he settled near Liberty, the county seat of Union 
county, and while operating his saw and grist 
mill there lost large sums of money by reason 
of the general financial depression of the times. 
From personal friends in Oregon he received 
most favorable reports of this state, and forth- 
with made preparations to cross the plains. In 
the history of the family written by George W. 
Hunt appear details of the plans entered into 
for the long journey. It is recorded that the 
father and his sons partially made their own 
wagons, and ran a sugar orchard long enough 
to make sugar to carry them. On the way they 
encountered many Indians and had many other 
novel and exciting experiences ; but having a 
fair outfit, they managed to reach their destina- 
tion in safety, and in fairly good health and 
spirits. From one cause or another they lost 
many of their cattle, especially during the lat- 
ter part of the trip, when hundreds of miles of 
travel had reduced them almost to skeletons, 
and made it difficult for them to withstand the 
chill of winter. The party were obliged to pur- 
chase new oxen, and these outstripping the weary 
ones, the latter were left behind, with few ex- 
ceptions. 

Arriving in the Waldo Hills, John S. Hunt 
took up a claim now called the Warren ranch. 
At the time of his arrival here his sole cash capi- 
tal consisted of but fifty cents. One of his 
brothers, Harrison H. Hunt, had established a 
milling business at the upper end of Cathlamet 
bay on the Columbia, having brought his mill 
irons across the plains in 1843. He was already 
transacting an extensive business with the Sand- 
wich Islands, and gave of his abundance to the 
pilgrims but recently arrived from the east. 
There, was a large family to make a start, for 
the grandfather had six sons and three daughters, 
and but one child, Noah W., was older than 
George W. Harrison H. Hunt had had the 
Columbia built at New York and brought her 



PORTRAIT AND lil( H !R A I'l I U ' Al . RKC< >kl). 



225 



west, the first and for a long time the only ocean 
steamer plying regularly the waters of the Pacific 
between Portland and San Francisco. 

From the first the new -corners had trouble with 
the Indians, who began levying tribute upon the 
white settlers, and enforcing their demands by 
stealing ammunition and intimidating the women 
and children left alone. The subjugation of the 
reil men interfered for a time with the erection 
of suitable homes and the cultivation of the land, 
but, the trouble once lessened, the elder Hunt at 
once built his house and afterward erected the 
first school house in the neighborhood. This 
building served as a church for several years, 
and for a long time was the only house of wor- 
ship in the vicinity. 

Having attained his eighteenth year in 1848, 
George W. Hunt bought his freedom from his 
father, whom he left with twelve acres of cleared 
land, all of which was fenced and planted. His 
destination being his uncle's mills, he embarked 
on the boat at Oregon City, and in passing the 
site of the city of Portland, saw nothing but a 
dense forest. In 1849 ne went to the mines of 
California, and there had divers experiences of 
a startling and sometimes dangerous nature, mak- 
ing money at times, and as often losing. August 
3, 185 1, he married Elizabeth N. Smith. The 
newly wedded couple were very young to start 
out in life together, the husband being twenty 
and the wife but seventeen. A few days after 
the ceremony they moved to the homestead 
located where the postoffice of Whiteaker is sit- 
uated, where their six children were born, and 
where they spent the greater part of their lives. 
During the Cayuse Indian war George W. Hunt 
assisted in organizing a company for service 
against the Indians, and with a large number of 
his neighbors participated in the battle of Abiqua. 
This conflict was of such a decisive character 
that it practically ended the troubles with the, 
Indians, which the early settlers had been experi- 
encing for a long period. In 1876 Mr. Hunt 
opened a general merchandise store and black- 
smith shop on his farm, and these he operated 
with success in connection with farming until 
his retirement and removal to Salem in 1886. 
His wife died October 10, 1891, and his death 
occurred October 9, 1902. 

George W. Hunt was a man of wide general 
knowledge, of great resource and sound busi- 
ness judgment. Conservative and reliable, the 
country had need of his services, and correctly 
appreciated him as a citizen who adhered closely 
to his convictions, and worked for the good of 
all by whom he was surrounded. When thirteen 
years of age he espoused the cause of Christian- 
ity, his wife's conversion following shortly after 
their marriage. Their home was always a center 
of religious activity, as it was also a place from 



which radiated a splendid spirit of good will 
and helpfulness. Early settlers less fortunate 
than themselves found rest, consolation and prac- 
tical assistance under this hospitable and chari- 
table roof, and the children of more 1 than one 
generation bless their name and revere their 
memory. 

Jeptha T. Hunt was born on the farm which 
he now occupies February 12, 1862, and was 
educated in the public schools and in Willamette 
University. In 1886, upon his father's retire- 
ment and removal to Salem, he assumed charge 
of the farm and the store, and conducted the lat- 
ter until 1892. At the present time he is the 
owner of seven hundred and ten acres of land, 
four hundred and eighty acres of which are 
a part of his father's old claim, and two hundred 
lying east of the homestead. He also has a third 
interest in a farm of one hundred acres in Marion 
county, near Salem. His father was the first 
man to import Shropshire sheep to the Pacific 
coast, and found the Waldo hills to be especially 
adapted to grazing purposes, and the son con- 
tinues to value these profitable animals, raising 
numbers of them each year. He also makes a 
specialty of registered Durham cattle. A hop 
yard of ten acres has proven a fruitful source 
of income, and general farming and grain raising 
are carried on extensively with good results. 

June 18, 1886, Mr. Hunt was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Myrtle E. White, a native of the 
Waldo hills, and a daughter of Thomas J. and 
Rachael Arnott (Merrifield) White. To this 
union four children have been born : Clarence 
J., Marion S., Norris E., and Helen R. 

Like his father, Mr. Hunt is a staunch Repub- 
lican, but he has never taken any active part in 
the local contests of his party. In his fraternal 
relations he is connected with Stayton Lodge 
No. 51, A. F. & A. M., and the Woodmen of the 
World. He is a member of the Christian Church. 
Mr. Hunt is a practical business man, as well 
as a successful farmer, his experience in mercan- 
tile pursuits having covered a period of several 
years. He is the possessor of one of the finest 
estates in Marion county, and in increasing his 
worldly possessions he has consistently refrained 
from wilfully doing anything which would re- 
flect dishonor upon the ancient name which he 
bears. To him and to his highly esteemed father 
and grandfather, those responsible for the com- 
pilation of this publication are glad of an op- 
portunity of making a permanent record of the 
facts set forth in this sketch. 



N. M. NEWPORT. To a man of such 
depths of character and mental attainments as 
distinguish the life and services of N. M. New- 
port among his associates of Albany, Linn 



220 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



county, the hampering of a career at the be- 
ginning with hardship and trial meant only the 
pathway of opportunity leading to a far more 
desirable goal, since opposition invariably 
brings out that which is strongest in a man'.-? 
nature. It is against many obstacles that Mr. 
Newport contended in his efforts to reach an 
honorable position in the work of the west, 
and the success to which he has attained is 
compatible with the strength of purpose and 
will which encouraged him to effort. Through 
his own efforts he has become a finely edu- 
cated, cultured man, following this up with 
the degree which admitted him to practice 
law in the courts of the United States, and 
while so engaged in this city he also holds a 
place of prominence on the editorial staff of 
the Herald, his productions being marked by 
soundness of reason, and deep thought and 
research. 

The Newport family is of English extrac- 
tion, the grandfather, Calvin, having been 
born in Pennsylvania of this ancestry, and 
died in Tennessee, where he had engaged for 
many years as a farmer. As a patriot he 
served in the war of 1812. His wife was Miss 
Margaret Able, the representative of an old 
Pennsylvania family. The father, John D. 
Newport, was born in Tennessee, and when a 
young man removed to Missouri. While 
a resident of that state he fought for the Union 
through the entire Civil war as a soldier in a 
Missouri regiment of volunteer cavalry. He 
married Harriet Bennett, also a native of 
Tennessee, having been born there in the east- 
ern part of the state. She was the daughter 
ot M. G. Bennett, who was an early settler 
and farmer of Missouri. The grandfather of 
the family was a member of an old and hon- 
ored Virginia family, and as a patriot he 
served in the Revolutionary war. The mother 
died in Missouri, and of her ten children, five 
are now living, the third oldest and the only 
one now on the Pacific coast being N. M. New- 
port, who was born in Buffalo, Mo., March 12, 
1864. 

N. M. Newport was reared on his father's 
farm in his native state, where a rather lim- 
ited education was received through the 
medium of the district school in the vicinity 
of his home. When he was sixteen years old 
he accompanied his brother M. Calvin to Ore- 
gon, the latter locating on a dairy farm near 
Astoria, where he remained two years. At 
the close of that period he returned to Mis- 
souri, but alone, as N. M. Newport had de- 
cided that opportunities here only waited for 
the man to recognize their worth and he 
thereupon concluded to make this his home. 
While on the farm with his brother Mr. New- 



port had begun attending school during the 
winter and working in the summer, and in 
1883 he had accumulated sufficient funds to 
justify his entry into Willamette University, 
Salem, however difficult must be the comple- 
tion of the course. During the summers he 
was employed in a cheese factory at Astoria 
and one year he remained out of college to 
make enough to allow him to finish. During 
his last year at the University he founded the 
Willamette Collegian, of which he remained 
the manager until his graduation, and was 
also class president his senior year. He was 
graduated in 1890 with the degree of A. B., 
and in 1893, by invitation of President Whit- 
taker of Willamette University he delivered 
his master's oration on commencement day 
and received the degree of A. M. Upon leav- 
ing his work of preparation in 1890 Mr. New- 
port had begun attending school during the 
Salem Journal, remaining so employed for 
one year, during which time he was also en- 
gaged in the study of law. In 1891 he came 
to Albany and continued his study in the of- 
fice of General Blackburn, being also a student 
in the law department of Willamette Univer- 
sity. He was admitted to practice in 1893 and 
the same year graduated and received the de- 
gree of LL. B. from the school wherein he 
had so patiently worked his way for so many 
years. He then entered upon a practice here 
in partnership with J. J. AVhitney, remaining 
in this connection until 1899, when the part- 
nership was dissolved and he has since been 
alone in a constantly increasing and neces- 
sarily remunerative demand for his services. 

In connection with the absorbing interests 
of law Mr. Newport has also devoted much 
time and thought to the editorials which he 
contributes to the Albany Daily Herald, the 
increasing strength and thought showing the 
broadening of the capabilities which have de- 
veloped from study and earnest effort along 
these lines. He spares no effort to keep him- 
self well informed and in touch With the cur- 
rent topics of the day and his able and force- 
ful manner of portrayal has made him many 
admirers. He has also been much interested 
in horticulture, setting out and improving 
several orchards of apples and prunes in Ben- 
ton county. 

The marriage of Mr. Newport occurred in 
Albany, and united him with Miss Emma R. 
Cougill, a native of Kansas, who came to Ore- 
gon with her parents when only one year old. 
Her father is J. B. Cougill, of Albany. Two 
daughters have been born to them, Beatrice 
and Louise. In politics Mr. Newport is a 
stanch and earnest Republican, for the past 
eight years having been a member of the Linn 




'*&*" MdM 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



V29 



county central committee, of which he is now 
acting as chairman, having advanced from the 
tion of secretary for four years and a 
member of the executive committee for two 
years. Fraternally he is financial secretary 
Ol the Independent ( >rder of Odd Fellows; 
and belongs to the Encampment : Ancient 
( >rder of United Workmen and Knights of the 
Maccabees. He is also an active member of 
the Alumni Association of Willamette valley 
and belongs socially to the Alco Club. As a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
he officiates as one of the board of trustees, 
and by the life which he lives in all sincerity 
and honor, upright, stanch and in every sense 
of the word, manly, he adds no little to the 
moral character of the city wherein he makes 
a worthy and valued citizen. 



WILLIAM MILLER. The dominant charac- 
teristics which have made the Scotchman a 
valued addition to the citizenship of any com- 
munity or land in which he casts his lot are 
manifest in the career of William Miller, who 
from early pioneer times has been a resident 
of Oregon. He was born two and a half miles 
from the city of Glasgow, Scotland, July 26, 
181 5. a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Spence) 
Miller, both natives of the land of hills and 
heather. The father was a mine operator and 
was killed by fire damp in the mines when his 
son William was but nine years of age. In 
religious faith he was a Presbyterian. His 
wife, who belonged to an old family of her na- 
tive country, died in Scotland at the advanced 
age of eighty-five years, having long survived 
her husband. They were the parents of seven 
children, of whom William was the fourth in 
order of birth and the only one now living. 
The eldest brother, Malcolm, came to America 
and made his way to Oregon in 1850. He 
followed farming in Linn county and there 
died, leaving a large family. 

William Miller was reared in the suburbs 
of Glasgow and attended a private school until 
his father's death, when he was forced to earn 
his own livelihood. He went to the mines, 
where he was first employed at pushing a car, 
and eventually became a miner. He also 
learned the method of taking iron ore from the 
earth and as time passed his efficiency and 
fidelity won him promotion until he became 
foreman, and later superintendent of the mines. 

The favorable reports which he had heard 
concerning America led him to come to the 
United States in 1842, in the hope that he 
might better his financial condition in a coun- 
try where higher wages were paid. He left 
Glasgow on the sailing vessel Elizabeth and 



after a voyage of two months arrived at New 
York on the 28th day of May, accompanied 
In a brother-in-law. They journeyed on foot 
across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indi- 
ana, and Illinois, to Schuyler county, of the 
last named state, settling near Rushville, where 
Mr. Miller opened the first coal mines of the 
county for Colonel Rose. He had read in the 
newspapers that Dave Xewsom of Springfield, 
111., offered two miners from the old world $5 
per day for their services, and thus it was that 
he was attracted to the new world. In the 
spring of 1843 ne opened a coal bank of his 
own and operated it until 1846, when he was 
taken ill with chills and fever and had to seek 
a different climate. His physician recom- 
mending his removal, he determined to come 
to the new country of Oregon, and with ox- 
teams drawing a wagon, he came with three 
young men, Messrs. Chambers, Agnew and 
West. They started March 28, 1846, crossing 
the Mississippi at Glasgow and the Missouri at 
St. Joseph. They joined a wagon train at 
Independence, Mo., and proceeded by way of 
the old Oregon trail and down the Snake river, 
crossing then from the John Day river to the 
Shules river by the Barlow route to the head- 
waters of the Clackamas river, arriving in Ore- 
gon City, November 15, 1846. Here Mr. Miller 
was first employed at the construction of some 
tan vats and later entered the employ of James 
Jervey and John Martin, for whom he dug a 
ditch on French prairie. He was afterward in 
the Cayuse Indian war under Captain Pugh 
and later engaged in gathering the harvest on 
French prairie. In 1848 he started on horse- 
back over the mountains for the mines of Cali- 
fornia and was very successful in his mining 
ventures on the Macalamy bar, realizing hand- 
somely from his labors there, covering three 
months. 

Mr. Miller then returned to Illinois by way 
of San Francisco, Panama, New Orleans and 
up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to 
Beardstown, 111., where he arrived in 1849. re ~ 
maining there until the spring of 1850. He 
then outfitted with his own money, nine 
wagons, drawn by horses, mules and oxen, and 
again started for the west. This time he was 
accompanied by his mother-in-law and brother-in- 
law, his brother, with his wife and nine children, 
and his brother-in-law, David McDonald, with his 
wife and six children, but Mrs. McDonald died 
while on the plains. Mr. Miller also employed 
seven men to assist him and he came over the 
same trail which he had previously traveled, 
although the journey this time was accom- 
plished in a much shorter time than the first 
trip, reaching The Dallas July 4. People said 
he could not cross the mountains because there 



230 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was too much fallen timber, but he replied that 
he would go through to Barlow's gate. From 
there he sent six men ahead with axes and 
ordered them when they came to a big tree 
fallen across the road to cut small timber and 
bridge it. Thus they got along well, crossing 
the mountains in three days, and at length they 
reached Oregon City. Mr. Miller located in 
Yamhill county, while Mr. McDonald took a 
claim in Polk 'county and Mr. Miller's brother 
in Linn county. 

Securing a right, Mr. Miller located a dona- 
tion claim of six hundred and forty acres in 
Yamhill county, near Wheatland, on the banks 
of the Willamette. This was partly open tim- 
ber and there he improved a farm and engaged 
in the raising of grain and stock-horses, cattle, 
sheep and hogs. He had fullblooded Durham 
cattle and also bred and raised standard-bred 
horses, selling one three-year-old for $1,700. 
He also bought land adjoining his original 
claim, having nine hundred and sixty acres in 
one body, nearly all of which is tillable, and this 
he still' owns. At Wheatland, in partnership 
with M. B. Hendricks, he built the first flour 
mill and conducted it for many years, or until 
it was destroyed by fire. He continued farm- 
ing until 1858, when great misfortune overtook 
the family, four of the children dying within 
four weeks. No longer could they content 
themselves on the farm where such great sor- 
row had come to them and they then moved to 
Salem. Mr. Miller purchased Griswold's is- 
land in the Willamette river and kept it for a 
year, during which time he cut the tim- 
ber from it, but the citizens of Salem and 
vicinity wanted a man to superintend the 
streets and highways, and offering him the 
position he accepted it and thus served for four 
years, when he resigned and returned to his 
farm. He then made many improvements upon 
it, restocked it and for three years carried on 
agricultural pursuits, after which he returned 
to Salem, establishing his home at the corner of 
Court and College streets, where he is now living 
retired, satisfied with a competency which sup- 
plies him with the necessities and comforts of 
life, not desiring great wealth. 

Mr. Miller was first married in Scotland March 
28, 1837, the lady of his choice being Miss Jane 
McDonald, who was born in that country August 
8, 1817, a member of the McDonald family of 
Inverness. When her husband first came to the 
northwest she remained in Illinois — from 1846 
until 1850 — and in the latter year accompanied 
him across the plains. She died November 21, 
1895, in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, 
of which she had long been a consistent member, 
and her loss was deeply felt by many friends as 
well as her immediate family. She was the 



mother of nine children : John and Elizabeth, 
who died in Scotland ; William, who died in Illi- 
nois ; Andrew, who died in Oregon, at the age 
of thirteen years ; Mrs. Jane Kellogg, who lives 
on the old home farm ; Caroline, Isabelle, Andrew 
and William, all of whom died in this state. The 
last three were born in Oregon and Caroline on 
the plains, when they were making the journey to 
the northwest. Mr. Miller was again married, 
in Portland, his second union being with Mrs. 
Jane Barndrake, who was born in Germany, came 
to Oregon at an early day and died in Salem. 
For his third wife he chose Mrs. Mary Martin 
Pearson, who was born in Davis county, Iowa, 
a daughter of John Martin, who was born in 
Kentucky, where his father died. John Martin, 
who served in the war of 1812, removed to Illi- 
nois and afterward to Iowa, and in 1845 ne 
came across the plains with his wife and four 
children, their wagon drawn by the slow-moving 
ox team, which was the factor in most travel 
westward at that time. They proceeded by way 
of St. Joseph and the Oregon trail and Meeks 
cutoff, intending to go to California, but Meeks 
was lost in the fog and eventually they reached 
Oregon. They were almost starved to death, 
being for five days without food, and they put 
salt on grass and ate that. At length they 
reached The Dallas and proceeded down the Co- 
lumbia on a raft made of logs. Mr. Martin set- 
tled on French prairie, where he farmed, and in 
1849 he removed to Polk county, where he took 
a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, 
two and a half miles west of Salem, improving 
that and opening up a good farm. In 1855 he 
removed to the vicinity of Roseburg, where he 
engaged in raising stock until fall, when he 
started to Yreka, Cal., to drive a band of hogs, 
but the Rogue river Indian trouble broke out 
and he had to turn back, losing most of his hogs. 
He was then appointed government commissary, 
serving for nine months during the Rogue River 
war, after which he located on Deer creek, ten 
miles from Roseburg, where he farmed for six 
years. He next went to Jacksonville, Ore., where 
he remained for a short time, and after a year 
spent at Crescent City he returned to Jackson- 
ville, where his two eldest sons died of small- 
pox. Afterward he located in Salem, where he 
died at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. Mar- 
tin married Malinda Smith, who was born in 
Virginia, a daughter of Ezekiel Smith, who 
came to Oregon from Iowa in 1846, in the same 
train with Mr. Miller, and settled in Yamhill 
county, four miles north of Wheatland. In 1848 
he went overland to California with his youngest 
son and mined on Feather river until both were 
murdered there, in 1849, their tent being shot 
full of arrows. Mrs. Martin, the mother of Mrs. 
Miller, died in Salem. Her children were Mrs. 



p< >RTF \! r \M' BIOGR M'liu \1. RECORD. 



231 



Eliza fane Chambers, of Portland; Mrs. Mary 
Miller"; Mrs. Emily Howell, of Crescent City, 
Cal.; John and Joseph, who died in Jacksonville, 
this stau-; Chauncey, who died near Salem; Mrs. 
Luc\ Foss, of Portland; and Andrew J., who 
resides in California. 

Mrs. Miller was born in Iowa, but was edu- 
cated in Folk county. ( )re. She was first mar- 
ried in that county to Joseph Allrcd, who was 
born in Indiana and crossed the plains in 1845 
with his grandfather, in the same train with Mrs. 
Miller. He was reared in Washington county 
until twenty-one years of age and died in Cali- 
tia. By his marriage to Alary Martin he had 
five children, of whom four are living : Mrs. 
Katie Worden, of San Francisco ; Mrs. Emma 
Carp, of Siskiyou county, Cal. ; William, who is 
living in Santa Cruz county, Cal. ; and Walter, 
of Klamath county, Ore. After the death of her 
first husband, Mrs. Allred married John Pear- 
son, who was born in Tennessee and came to this 
state in 1862. He was a farmer of Klamath 
county and died on the old homestead there. Of 
the three children of this marriage, but one 
reached mature years : Harry, who is a farmer 
of Klamath Falls. August 22, 1900, Mrs. Pear- 
son gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Miller, and 
thev have a pleasant and comfortable home and 
many friends in Salem. 

Mr. Miller was made a Mason in Beardstown, 
111., and is now a member of Salem Lodge, No. 4, 
F. & A. M. He took the Royal Arch degree in 
the chapter at Salem. He is also a member of 
DeMolay Commandery No. 5, K. T., and El 
Kader Temple, N. M. S., of Portland. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, while his 
wife belongs to the Methodist Church, and in 
politics he is an unswerving Democrat. Both 
he and his wife hold membership with the Ore- 
gon Pioneer Society. 

In 1876 Mr. Miller went to Scotland, visiting 
his old home and his relatives there, and to some 
extent he traveled in Europe, spending three 
months abroad. Mr. Miller is now almost ninety 
years of age, but Nature has been kind to him 
because he has not abused her laws. He has 
remarkable memory concerning pioneer times in 
this state and he deserves to be classed with the 
van guard, who opened up this splendid region 
to civilization. 



HON. IRVIN L. SMITH. Upon the mili- 
tary history of his country and the legislative 
annals of his adopted state the name of Hon. 
Irvin Lucien Smith is deeply engraved. He 
was born in Franklin county, Ohio, six miles 
east of Columbus, his natal day being May 16, 
1827. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Smith. 



removed from New York to Ohio, becoming 

One of the pioneer fanners of the latter state. 
Among his children was Thaddeus Smith, the 
lather of our subject, who was born in the Em- 
pire state and with his parents went to Ohio, 
where he too devoted his energies to farming 
and there engaged in the tilling of the soil until 
1834, when he became a resident of Tazewell 
county, 111., not far from Peoria. At that point 
he carried on farming for many years and at 
length died in that locality. His wife, who bore 
the name of Mary Ross, was born in Ohio, of 
Scotch ancestry. Her death occurred in Illinois 
soon after the removal of the family to that state 
and the father later married again. By the first 
marriage he had four children, two of whom 
reached manhood : Irvin L. of this review and 
Levi E.,who came to Oregon in 1870 and now re- 
sides in Portland. Of the eleven children born 
of the second union all reached adult age and two 
of the sons were soldiers in the Civil war. Eli, 
who served throughout the entire struggle in the 
Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, enlisting in 
1 86 1, now resides on a farm in Washington 
county, Ore. William, who became a member of 
the Sixth Illinois Infantry, was killed in battle 
at Altoona, Ga. One brother, Leonard, died in 
Medford, Ore. ; and a sister, Mrs. Stephenson, 
lives in Forest Grove. 

In 1834, when Irvin L. Smith was about seven 
years of age, his parents removed from Ohio to 
Illinois, making the journey overland by wagon, 
a distance of four hundred miles, across cor- 
duroy roads. He was reared on the old family 
homestead, attending the public schools and in his 
youth he was a schoolmate of the Hon. Shelby 
M. Cullom. The "little temple of learning" was 
built of logs and was furnished in the primitive 
style of the period, the methods of instruction 
being little better than the building and its equip- 
ment. Quill pens were used and it was a very 
common thing to hear the remark from a scholar, 
"Master, please mend my pen." When nineteen 
years of age Mr. Smith began work at the car- 
penter's trade, afterward mastered cabinet making 
and then engaged in the furniture business in 
Mackinaw, 111. Subsequently he resided at Pleas- 
ant Hill, in McLean county, that state, and in 
1856 he took up his abode upon a farm in the 
same county, carrying on agricultural pursuits 
until after the outbreak of the Civil war. In 
August, 1862, he responded to his country's call 
for volunteers and joined Company H, Ninety- 
fourth Illinois Infantry, under Colonel McNulty, 
being mustered in at Bloomington. The regiment 
was sent to Springfield, Mo., where Mr. Smith. 
because of his ability as a carpenter, was detailed 
to build a hospital, remaining there until after 
the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark. While there 
the Confederate troops under Marmaduke ad- 



232 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



vanced upon Springfield and he was engaged in 
repelling them. Later he participated in the 
siege of Vicksburg, his regiment being one of the 
first to enter the city after its capitulation. He 
participated in the battle of Yazoo City and Port 
Hutchinson, going thence to New Orleans, where 
for a time he was ill in the hospital. Following 
this he crossed the Gulf of Mexico to Browns- 
ville, Tex., and the Ninety-fourth Illinois was 
one of the two regiments which crossed the Rio 
Grande into Mexico to protect the American 
consul, bringing him back into the United States. 
This trip consumed ten months. Later Mr. Smith 
participated in the capture of Fort Morgan, Span- 
ish Fort and Fort Blakely, then crossed the gulf 
again to Galveston, Tex., and a month later re- 
turned to New Orleans, where he was mustered 
out in the fall of 1865 with the rank of sergeant 
and received an honorable discharge upon his 
return to Illinois. When he went to the war he 
left a family consisting of his wife and five chil- 
dren. He had a farm that was in an excellent 
state of improvement and well stocked and which 
was free from all indebtedness. It was of course 
a sacrifice for him to join the army and fight for 
the flag, but he did this willingly and was most 
loyal in his attachment to the United States. His 
wife, in order to meet the living expenses of 
the household and to pay the high assessments 
which the war made it necessary to institute, 
had to sell off the stock and also to incur in- 
debtedness, and thus upon his return Mr. Smith 
found it necessary to again resume work at the 
carpenter's trade in order to pay off this indebt- 
edness and gain a new start. 

Upon his Illinois farm the subject of this re- 
view remained until 1870, when he came to 
Oregon, locating near Forest Grove, where he 
purchased a farm, conducting it for a year. He 
then established the Western Hotel in Forest 
Grove, which he conducted for four years, at 
the end of which time he built a shop and em- 
barked in the furniture business. Subsequently 
he and his sons, James and George, erected a 
sash and door factory and furniture plant and 
continued its conduct until the second Democratic 
disaster, when they retired from business. At 
that time Mr. Smith took up his abode upon his 
place of seven acres in Forest Grove and there 
he lived in honorable retirement until April, 1903, 
when he moved to Sheridan, Yamhill county. He 
has passed the Psalmist's span of three score 
years and ten and well does he merit the rest 
which is vouchsafed to him. 

Mr. Smith was first married in Illinois, the lady 
of his choice being Miss Margaret Mathews, who 
was born in Ohio and died in Oregon. They 
became the parents of twelve children, ten of 
whom reached years of maturity, namely : Mary, 
who died in this state; James, a farmer of Uma- 



tilla county, Ore. ; Mrs. Flora Hinman, of Balti- 
more, Md. ; George, who is engaged in the furni- 
ture business in Sheridan, Wyo. ; Elmer, of Forest 
Grove ; Mrs. Esther Kane, who is a teacher of 
Portland ; William, a carpenter of Portland ; 
Fred, who is engaged in the furniture business in 
Sheridan, Wyo. ; Mrs. Carrie Merchant of Yam- 
hill and Lillie D., the wife of Rev. W. E. Stew- 
art, of Reno, Nev. After the death of his first 
wife Mr. Smith was again married, in Salem, 
Ore., his second union being with Mrs. Margaret 
J. McMeekin, who was born in Sangamon 
county, 111., a daughter of James H. Brown, Sr., 
who was born in Virginia, and a grand-daughter 
of James Brown, who removed from the Old 
Dominion, settling in Columbus, Ohio, while 
later he became a resident of Tazewell county, 
111., where his death occurred. 

James H. Brown, the father of Mrs. Smith, 
took up his abode in Sangamon county, 111., where 
he followed farming and was married. In 1850, 
with his wife and seven children, he crossed the 
plains to Oregon, driving an ox-team, and in Sep- 
tember he reached his destination. Portland at 
that time contained but one store. He settled 
three miles from Sheridan, in Yamhill county, 
where he purchased a tract of land and engaged 
in the raising of grain and stock, succeeding so 
well in his undertakings that in course of time he 
became the owner of sixteen hundred acres. His 
death occurred upon his farm in 1875, when he 
was seventy-two years of age, and the old home- 
stead is now owned by his three sons. His wife, 
who bore the maiden name of Sophia W. Hussey, 
was born in Sangamon county, 111., a daughter of 
Nathan Hussey, who was born in Ohio and took 
up his abode upon a farm in the Prairie state. In 
1846 he, too, made the long and perilous journey 
across the plains with an ox-team and settled on 
the Yamhill river near Fort Yamhill, where he 
resided until his death in 1895. In the family 
of Mr. and Mrs. Brown were four daughters 
and three sons, all of whom are living. Their 
daughter, Margaret J., was reared in Oregon and 
in Yamhill she gave her hand in marriage to 
Archibald McMeekin, who was born in Scotland. 
His parents removed to the north of Ireland, 
settling in Antrim, whence they came to America, 
their home being first established in Canada. In 
1852 Mr. McMeekin crossed the plains to Oregon. 
He was a blacksmith and farmer and after reach- 
ing this state carried on agricultural pursuits on 
Mill creek, in Polk county. Later, however, he 
sold that property and located in Salem. The 
year following his marriage he was stricken with 
paralysis and for twenty-four years could not 
walk a step, during which time with wonderful 
devotion Mrs. Smith cared for him as she would 
a child and also managed their farming interests. 
She owned five hundred acres of land in Mill 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



creek which she h;is since sold. Her husband 
died in Salem in 1885 and later shewas united 
in marriage with Mr. Smith. She is a lady of 

marked force of character, of splendid ability, and 
is deserving- of the greatest credit for what she 
has accomplished. 

In public affairs Mr. Smith has been prominent 
and influential. An earnest advocate of Repub- 
lican principles, he served on the first board of 
trustees of Forest Grove and for three or four 
terms was a member of the city council. For 
two terms he was mayor of Forest Grove and in 
1S7S he was elected county commissioner. In 
1880 he was honored with the election to the office 
of state legislator and in 1886 he was again chosen 
to represent his district in the general assembly 
and served during the special session of 1887. 
A prominent and patriotic member of the house, 
he did everything in his power to promote the 
welfare of the state and advance the interests 
of its institutions. He belongs to James B. 
Mathews Post Xo. 6, G. A. R., of which he was 
the first conductor, and his wife is a member of 
the Women's Relief Corps, in which she has 
served as senior vice-commander. This worthy 
and highly esteemed couple belong to the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Smith for- 
merely served as trustee. His has been an event- 
ful career. He lived in Illinois during an early 
period in the development of that state and has 
served upon juries there when Abraham Lincoln 
was one of the attorneys at the bar. Going to 
Oregon he has borne an active and important 
part in the progress and substantial upbuilding 
of his section of the state and has been particu- 
larly helpful along educational lines, serving 
upon the school board when the schoolhouse of 
Forest Grove was built. Character and ability 
will come to the front anywhere, and the genuine 
worth of Mr. Smith has been widely recognized, 
making him a distinguished citizen of the Will- 
amette vallev. 



DR. PLATT A. DAVIS. On the 7th day of 
April, 1902, the citizenship of Marion county 
was deprived, by the hand of death, of the ser- 
vices of one of the most widely known, highly 
honored and beloved pioneer physicians of Ore- 
gon, Dr. Piatt A. Davis. For half a century he 
had gone up and down the valley of the Willam- 
ette, crossing the prairie and climbing the hills 
in his daily rounds, and probably no other phy- 
sician in the valley was personally and intimately 
known by so large a number of the earlier in- 
habitants. Dr. Davis was born near Randolph, 
Ohio, September 11, 1825. He was educated for 
his professional career in Philadelphia, Pa. In 
1852, at the age of twenty-seven years, he crossed 



the plains lor Oregon. Locating at Silverton, 
Marion county, he at once opined an office for 
practice, and the remainder of his life was de- 
voted to his professional labors in and about 
Silverton. For many years the number of prac- 
titioners in the Willamette valley was small, and 
Dr. Davis was frequently compelled to make long 
and wearisome journeys over the mountainous 
country to the eastward of Silverton, as well as 
through all other sections of Marion county. 
Frequently his services were demanded in ad- 
joining counties, for within a few years after 
his location in Silverton his skill in medicine 
brought to him a fame that was not confined to 
his local field of practice. His work frequently 
was so laborious that a man possessed of lesser 
powers of endurance would have broken down 
under the strain. 

In recognition of his eminent success as a 
practitioner Willamette University accorded him 
an honorary degree in 1871. At the time of his 
death he was probably the oldest physician in 
Oregon, and undoubtedly one of the most pro- 
foundly respected and beloved men who ever 
lived in the valley. 

Dr. Davis was worthy of more than passing 
mention in the memoirs of the representative citi- 
zens of Oregon. He was possessed of charac- 
teristics which commanded attention wherever 
he was known. He had an unusually alert mind, 
was a great student, and extremely well-informed 
on all subjects which appeal to an analytical 
and inquiring intelligence. There was nothing 
small or narrow in his intellectual make-up. He 
was an entertaining and edifying conversation- 
alist, was broad and liberal in his views of affairs 
in general, and in his practice availed himself 
of many opportunities such as are sought by the 
humanitarian and public benefactor. His benefi- 
cences were numerous, though in doing good 
he was always absolutely free from ostentation. 
Throughout his entire career he exhibited a keen 
interest in the welfare of the community in which 
he made his home, and no taint or blemish ever 
marred the beauty and splendor of his life. Men 
like him are rare, and the life he led. at all times 
will cause his name to be perpetuated as that 
of one of the noblest and most high-minded citi- 
zens of the Willamette valley. 

Before coming to Oregon, Dr. Davis was en- 
gaged in practice for a few years in Iowa. He 
was married in Millersburg, 111., in 1849. to 
Sopha Wolf, whose death occurred in 1864. 
Their children were: Dr. La Fayette L. Davis. 
of Lamborn, Kans. : Charles C. Davis, of Spo- 
kane, Wash. : Winfield S. Davis, deceased ; Dr. 
Edward V. Davis, deceased; Dr. William Henry 
Davis, of Albany, Ore. : Mrs. Viola Davis Brown, 
of Walla Walla. Wash.; and Dr. S. T. Davis, 
Chicago, 111. June 29, 1865, Dr. Davis was 



236 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



united in marriage with Susan Moore, who sur- 
vives him, and resides in Silverton. They be- 
came the parents of two daughters, Nellie, de- 
ceased ; and Dr. Jessie (Davis) Brooks. 



JOSEPH G. VAN ORSDEL, who is now 
engaged in the real estate business in Dallas 
anu has to his credit two terms of capable service 
in the office of county sheriff, was born near New 
Castle, Lawrence county, Pa., July 18, 1853, 
being one of a family of eleven children, ten 
sons and one daughter, born unto Ralph and 
Margaret (Randolph) Van Orsdel. His paternal 
grandfather, Col. Job Van Orsdel, was a native 
of Holland and when a young man came to Amer- 
ica. He then went south and married the 
daughter of a planter. He won his title by valiant 
service in the war of 1812 and in recognition of 
the aid which he gave to the government he was 
given a grant of land of six hundred and forty 
acres in Crawford county, Pa., but never realized 
anything from the property. For many years he 
remained in the government service and main- 
tained his residence at Gettysburg, Pa. Ralph 
Van Orsdel, the father of our subject, was born 
in Adams county, Pa., on his father's farm ad- 
joining what later became the battlefield of 
Gettysburg, which was stained by the blood of 
hundreds of brave men from both the north and 
south. In early life Ralph Van Orsdel learned 
the miller's trade and followed milling in New 
Castle, Pa., for a time, but subsequently turned 
his attention to agricultural pursuits in that 
locality and was very successful in his farm 
work. In his political views he was a stanch 
Abolitionist and rejoiced greatly in the outcome 
of the Civil war. He died near New Castle, Pa., 
at the advanced age of eighty-two years. The 
mother of our subject was born in Butler county. 
Pa., a daughter of John Randolph, who was a 
native of Virginia and a lineal descendant of 
Senator John Randolph, one of the most dis- 
tinguished sons of the Old Dominion. Her 
father removed from his native state to Butler 
county, Pa., and there Mrs. Van Orsdel was 
reared. She died in Lawrence county, Pa., at the 
age of seventy-five years. Like her husband she 
was a devoted member of the United Presbyter- 
ian Church. Of her family seven sons and one 
daughter reached the age of maturity. Job Van 
Orsdel, the eldest, was a train master in the 
Civil war and is now a prominent business man 
of Youngstown, Ohio. The other are : Mrs. Belle 
Donaldson, of Lawrence county, Pa. ; William, 
killed in Sherman's march to the sea, while in 
front of Atlanta ; John C, of Pittsburg. Pa., who 
is national organizer of the Knights of the Mac- 
cabees ; James Fremont, a stockman of Stock- 
dale, Kans. ; Hon. Josiah Alexander, attorney- 



general of Wyoming; and J. G. of this review. 

Upon the home farm in Lawrence county, Pa., 
amid the lights and sounds that came from the 
furnaces and rolling mills of that industrial 
center, J. G. Van Orsdel was reared, and edu- 
cated. He remained at home until twenty-three 
years of age. In 1876 he went to California, 
proceeding to San Francisco and thence to the 
mining regions. He engaged in clerking in 
Amador City, Cal., for a time and in 1879 ne 
returned to Pennsylvania, where he was married, 
and engaged in farming, cultivating a tract of 
land near New Castle. In 1889 he arrived in 
Oregon, and purchased one hundred and twelve 
acres of land adjoining the town of Independence. 
Stocking his farm with a large number of cows 
he engaged in the dairy business, and was the 
first man to run a milk wagon in his section of 
the state. That enterprise occupied his time 
and attention until 1898, when he received the 
nomination on the Democratic ticket for sheriff 
of Polk county. He was elected, and in July, 
1898, he took the oath of office and removed to 
Dallas. He still owns a part of his farm, although 
seventy acres of it has been divided into lots, 
constituting an addition to the town of Inde- 
pendence. In the discharge of his official duties 
Mr. Van Orsdel manifested a fidelity and prompt- 
ness which caused his re-election in 1900 by a 
majority of sixty-two. During his first term he 
was called upon to carry out the mandate of the 
court by executing one William Magers, who 
murdered A. R. Sink. He retired from his 
duties with the confidence and good will of the 
public He at once embarked in the real estate 
business and became agent for securing the right 
of way for the Salem, Fall City & Western Rail- 
road. He secured the right of way for nine and 
a half miles, obtaining forty-five different deeds 
through the transaction. As a member of the 
firm of Van Orsdel, Hayes & Company he is 
now doing an extensive business handling timber 
lands, farm and city property, besides loans and 
insurance. 

In New Castle, Pa., on December 22, 1880, 
occurred the marriage of Mr. Van Orsdel and 
Miss Elizabeth Pomeroy, who was born there a 
daughter of Col. John and Eliza (McGaryj Pom- 
eroy, natives of Westmoreland county, Pa. John 
Pomeroy represented an old family of the Key- 
stone state, of Scotch-Irish descent, and was a 
farmer by occupation and held the rank of col- 
onel in the National Guards of Pennsylvania. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Van Orsdel have been born 
seven children : John Pomeroy, a civil engineer 
in Cheyenne, Wyo. ; Ralph Alexander, a student 
in Dallas College ; Ruth E. ; Robert Randolph ; 
Pauline E. ; and Thomas Clark. One daughter. 
Patience, died in infancy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Van Orsdel are members of the 



P0RTRA1 r AND BIOCK M'llU'M. UK( < )KI). 



237 



Presbyterian Church, and he is the president of 
its board of trustees. He was made an (Hid Fel- 
low in Friendship Lodge No. 6, of which he is 

DOW noble grand master. Both he and his wife 
are connected with the Rebekah degree. He is 
also identified with the Knights of the Mac- 
cabees, and is a director of the board of trade 
oi Dallas. In his political views he was a Repub- 
lican until 1892, when, on account of his opinion 
on the tariff question, he endorsed the Demo- 
cratic party, with which he is now affiliated. 



WORTH HUSTON. More than any other 
man of whom we have immediate knowledge, 
Worth Huston fulfills the popular conception of 
an incumbent of the sheriff's office, to which he was 
recently elected. Six feet three and a half inches 
tall, broad-shouldered and strong-limbed, with 
force and determination written in every line of 
his expressive face, his physical fitness has a 
counterpart in his mental and educational quali- 
fications, and in his extensive knowledge of the 
motives which animate the average individual 
as he travels the divers byways of life. A native 
son of Linn county, Ore., he has also the ad- 
vantage of knowing his surroundings as well as 
anyone living here, and of being on speaking terms 
with the greater part of the well-known men who 
have contributed to its agricultural, commercial 
and general development. 

Born on the old donation claim near Albany, 
November 2, 1854, he is the youngest in a family 
of nine sons and one daughter, and the only one 
born in Oregon. His paternal grandfather, 
George Huston, was born in Virginia, and as a 
young man removed to eastern Tennessee, where 
his son, Joel B., the father of Worth, was born 
in 1810. He served as a private in the war of 
1812, and as a farmer and stock-raiser was fairlv 
successful Joel B. settled in Henderson county, 
111., at an early day, and there married Catherine 
Huston, a native of Iowa, whose father was a 
very early pioneer of Iowa. Nine children were 
born in Illinois, and these, with his wife, Mr. 
Huston brought across the plains with ox teams 
in 1853, locating on a claim of three hundred 
and twenty acres near Plainview, twelve miles 
south of Albany. This he improved and operated 
up to the time of his death at the age of sixtv- 
nine years, his wife surviving him until 1898, 
when she died, at the age of eighty-three. 
Their oldest son, William, is living in Rochester, 
Wash.; Walter lives near Harrisburg; Joel B. 
is at Halsey : John is a resident of Heppner. Ore. ; 
Marion lives in Wasco county, Ore. ; and Luther, 
of Heppner. 

As a boy Worth Huston laid the foundation 
for his present fine constitution while exercising 
plentifully on the home farm, and tramping to the 



somewhat distant country school-house. Later 
on he attended the Harrisburg College, and at the 
age <>! twenty began fanning on Ins own respon- 
sibility on the home place. At all times appreci- 
ative of the horse, he has devoted twenty years 
to studying and raising the finest specimens in 
the county, and he is credited with introducing 
in 1890 the first French bred coach horses into 
the state of Oregon, and was one of the first 
to import registered Tercherons, and now has 
on his farm a large number. He has greatly im- 
proved the breed since first bringing them across 
the water. No better judge of the fine points 
of a horse is to be found anywhere in Linn 
county, nor has any a finer sympathy for the 
creatures who fail to find humane and consider- 
ate owners. Mr. Huston is a member of the Na- 
tional Percheron Horse Breeders' Association. He 
is a member of Camp Albany Modern Woodmen 
of America and Albany Lodge Knights of 
Pythias. For many years he has been an active 
member of the Christian Church, and is a deacon 
therein, contributing liberally of his means to- 
wards his chosen denomination. 

On the old homestead Mr. Huston was united 
in marriage with Lucy Dannals, who was born in 
Linn county, Ore. Nine children have been born 
of this union : Maud ; Carl ; Fannie ; Walter, on 
the home farm ; Delwin ; Ollie ; Eva ; Ray ; and 
Clark. Mr. Huston has at all times a whole- 
souled regard for the general well-being of his 
neighborhood. 



AUGUST STARK, M. O., M. D. As a gen- 
eral practitioner and an eye, ear, nose and throat 
specialist, Dr. August Stark bears a reputation 
second to none in the state of Oregon. In quali- 
fying for his chosen line of work he has spared 
neither personal effort nor expense, and has 
availed himself of the best training to be had in 
this country. Upon the theory that congenial 
work means successful, he has penetrated the 
practically inexhaustible avenues of research with 
ever-increasing interest, finding in each discovery 
an impetus to further advance the interests of 
science. Of Teutonic parentage, he is a de- 
scendant of a race who have achieved wonderful 
success in medical and surgical circles, and whose 
dominant characteristic is the ability to concen- 
trate upon the hard and trying problems of life 
until some result shall have, been accomplished. 
This national trait was unquestionably possessed 
by Joshua Stark, the father of the doctor, who 
was a stone-mason by trade, performing his tasks 
with conscientious exactitude. He was born in 
Wurtcmbcrg, Germany, and in i860, when about 
forty years of age, came with Iris wife, Christine, 
to America, locating in Bethel. Shelby county, 
Mo. Here his son August was born March 17, 



238 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1864, and here he engaged in contracting for 
many years. In Bethel the parents both died, 
leaving three sons and four daughters, two sons 
and two daughters still living. 

Having completed his education in the public 
schools August Stark entered a drug store at the 
age of eighteen years, where he remained for 
some time, also in connection with his gaining 
some knowledge of the jeweler's trade, combin- 
ing the two occupations until coming to Oregon 
in 1889. 

With F. G. Will he bought out the jewelry 
store of W. F. Carter, conducted the same with 
fair success, and at the same time began the 
study of the eye, in time entering the Ophthalmic 
College of Chicago, from which he was duly 
graduated in 1894, with the degree of master 
of optics. Returning to Albany he assisted with 
the management of the jewelry store, and in con- 
nection therewith began the study of medicine, 
completing his course at the University of Ore- 
gon, from which he was graduated in 1901. Soon 
after he disposed of his mercantile interests that 
he might devote all of his time to medicine and 
surgery. In 1902 he took a post-graduate course 
at the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Col- 
lege. His practice extends through the entire 
valley, patients coming from afar to profit by his 
skill in dealing with the physical disorders above 
mentioned. Dr. Stark is popular both in social 
and professional circles, and is identified with the 
Knights of Pythias and the Alco Club. Politi- 
cally he is a Republican. Genial in manner, sin- 
cere and enthusiastic along the lines to which his 
life is devoted, he commands not only the esteem 
but the appreciation and gratitude of the intelli- 
gent citizens of the community. 



CHARLES W. BLACK is the proprietor of 
the city livery stables of Dallas. He was born 
on Mill creek in Polk county, Ore., January 
28, 1874, and belongs to one of the old and promi- 
nent pioneer families of this state. His paternal 
great-grandfather was a native of Illinois and 
founded the family in America by establishing 
his home in Pennsylvania. The grandfather, 
Thomas Black, was born in the Keystone state 
and about 1835 removed to Ohio, settling five 
miles north of Columbus. In 1837 he again 
started westward, establishing his home near 
Jacksonville, 111., and in 1841 he resumed his 
journey toward the setting sun and became a 
resident of the New Purchase in Iowa, his home 
being near tne present city of Oskaloosa. The 
pioneer spirit was strong within him, and in 
t868 with his family he crossed the plains to 
Walla Walla, Wash., in a wagon train in which 
horses, mules and oxen served as means of trans- 
portation. There were altogether twenty-six 



wagons in the company and Mr. Black served 
as captain. In 1864 he removed from Washing- 
ton to Oregon, making his way to the Willamette 
valley and locating in Polk county. Subsequently 
he removed to Yamhill county, where he died in 
February, 1868. In various communities he took 
an active and helpful part in the work of im- 
provement and general progress. He was a pio- 
neer of Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Washington and 
Oregon, and in all these places he left the impress 
of his individuality for good upon the localities 
in which he lived. While in Polk county, Iowa, 
he served as county commissioner for two terms, 
but his best public service was done as a private 
citizen. He did not seek the honors or rewards 
of office, but was content to do what he could 
at all times for the benefit of his community. 
He married Sarah C. Beck, who survived him 
but a few months, passing away in July, 1868. 

Joseph Black, the father of our subject, was 
born in Washington county, Pa., in 1834, and 
accompanied his parents on their various remov- 
als, being largely reared in Decatur and Polk 
counties, Iowa. In 1861 he came to the north- 
west with his parents, two sisters and two 
brothers, making the long overland journey 
across the hot sandy plains and over the mount- 
ains, until they reached the fertile valleys of the 
northwest. He has been engaged in farming in 
Oregon since 1864 and is now the owner of a 
rich and well improved tract of land on Mill 
creek in Polk county. His home, since 1882, has 
been in Dallas, where he is widely and favorably 
known, being a man of jovial and genial disposi- 
tion, good hearted, liberal and having many ex- 
cellent qualities which have gained for him 
many friends. His political support is given to 
Democracy. He married Eliza Ridgeway, who 
was born in Polk county, Ore., in 1850. Her 
father, John Ridgeway, crossed the plains in 
1845 an d established his home in Polk county. 
Mrs. Black is an earnest Christian woman, hold- 
ing membership in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. In the family were five children, only 
two of whom are now living, the elder Emma, 
wife of Charles F. Belt of Dallas, and Charles W. 

Charles Walter Black, whose name introduces 
this record, was reared and educated in Dallas. 
Having attended the public schools, he continued 
his studies in La Creole Academy. He afterward 
engaged in the teaming business which he fol- 
lowed until he became a liveryman, in 1901, 
when he entered into partnership with William 
Tatom as a member of the firm of Tatom & Black, 
and they purchased of Samuel Ray the city livery, 
which they conducted together until the 1st of 
September, 1902, when Mr. Black purchased his 
partner's interest and has since been alone. The 
city liverv is one of the oldest stables in Dallas 
and to Mr. Black is accorded a liberal and con- 




fl ^\^/§~-^r-[^yC^^-^^' 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



•_'i i 



stantly growing patronage. He owns many fine 
carriages and good horses and he is always 
obliging and courteous to his patrons, and has 
secured a creditable standing and merited sue- 
- in his business career. 
.Mr. Black was united in marriage in 1902, 
to Miss Nettie Greenwood, a native of Illinois. 
He votes with the Democracy but has never 
had time nor inclination for seeking public office. 
He is well known in his native county and his 
pleasant kindly spirit' makes him a general 
favorite. 



HON. BENJAMIN F. BONHAM, an Ore- 
gon pioneer of 1853, a practitioner grown old 
in the service of legal science, and the recip- 
ient of many unsolicited political honors, is 
a man of broad and liberal mind, whose life 
has been one of labor and untiring devotion to 
the best interests of his adopted state. He is 
recognized as a profound student of the law 
and as a jurist his decisions have been impar- 
tial, showing a careful consideration of the 
legal points at issue, and yet never losing sight 
of the merits of the case, with a view to pro- 
moting substantial justice between man and 
man. Having passed the age of three score 
and ten years, we present to our readers a 
chronological record of the life work of a 
man who has conferred honor and dignity 
upon society. 

Judge Bonham was born October 8, 1828, 
near Knoxville, Tenn., and was reared prin- 
cipally in Indiana, to which state his people 
removed when he was twelve years of age. 
At a very early day an English forefather 
settled in Virginia, where was also born his 
paternal grandfather and namesake, Benjamin, 
a planter who settled in East Tennessee. Vir- 
ginia was also the birthplace of his son, John 
P. Bonham, the father of Judge Benjamin F., 
who in time combined farming and merchan- 
dising near Knoxville. In 1840 he removed to 
Middletown, Henry county, Ind., where he 
continued his former 1 occupation up to the time 
of his death in 1864. He was a Democrat in 
politics and held membership with the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. His wife, Sarah (Jones) 
Bonham, was born in East Tennessee and died 
in Indiana. Her father, John Jones, was also 
born in Virginia. 

Of the seven children in his father's family. 
Judge Bonham is one of two survivors, and 
the only one to come to the Pacific coast. Like 
many other men who have attained promi- 
nence in the west and elsewhere he undertook 
self support in the humble capacity of a school 
teacher, having qualified therefor in the pub- 



lic schools and in Delaware- County Seminary, 
at Muncie, Ind. 

In 1853 he came across the plains, arriving 
in Oregon in September, and for the first two 
years was engaged in teaching school, one year 
on French Prairie and one in Salem. In the 
meantime he had been reading law, with a 
view to entering the legal profession. In 1856 
he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme 
Court of Oregon. The unsettled condition of 
the country at that time had need of just such 
latent resources as were embodied in this 
promising young attorney, and he at once 
stepped into positions requiring tact and 
ability. In the early '50s he held the offices 
of territorial auditor, librarian and superin- 
tendent of schools in Marion county, and while 
thus diversely engaged served as a member of the 
last territorial and the first state legislature. 
In 1S60, upon retiring from public office, he 
began to devote all his attention to the prac- 
tice of law, and in 1870 was elected a member 
of the Supreme Court, at the same time serv- 
ing ex-officio as judge of the Circuit Court for 
six years. Between the years 1874 and 1876. 
inclusive, he was Chief Justice of the state of 
Oregon. Upon retiring from office he resumed 
practice in partnership with Judge W. M. 
Ramsey, continuing until 1885. 

Judge Bonham's substantial service in be- 
half of the Democratic party has brought him 
more than local renown, and in 1885 he was 
appointed by President Cleveland Consul- 
General to British India. In the fall of that' 
year he embarked from the port of San Fran- 
cisco, and for over four years represented the 
United States at Calcutta, with credit to him- 
self and entire satisfaction to both govern- 
ments. His experience in the foreign service 
of the United States at one of its important 
posts, enabled him to gain a comprehensive 
knowdedge of international law, and his equip- 
ment in this respect was, upon his retirement 
from the position, of a much more practical 
nature than could have been gained in any of 
the technical institutions of learning. After 
his resignation from this post he set sail for the 
United States, coming by way of Suez canal, 
Marseilles, Paris and London, arriving home 
August. 1890. He again resumed the practice 
of law in Salem and vicinity in partnership 
with Hon. W. H. Holmes. In 1894 he was 
appointed postmaster of Salem, holding thai 
office for four years, since which time he has 
devoted all his energies to the practice of law. 
and in 1809 entered into partnership with 
Carev F. Martin, a graduate f the state uni- 
versity and a very energetic and promising 
young attorney. 

In 1858, at Salem, Judge Bonham was united 



24£ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in marriage with Miss Mildred A. Baker, who 
was born in Illinois in 1840, and is a daughter 
of John Baker, a well-known and highly re- 
spected Oregon pioneer of 1847, wno * s now 
residing on his donation claim near Salem at 
the age of eighty-seven years. Of the seven 
children born to Judge and Mrs. Bonham, two 
only are living — Raphael P. and Winona M., 
both of Salem. Three of the children — Frank 
E., Burton M. and Wayne L. — died of diph- 
theria in 1879, and two sons — Clinton O. and 
John Clifford — died of fever in 1881. 

Judge Bonham is a member of the Marion 
County Bar Association of which he has been 
president for the past eight years. He is 
possessed of superior legal attainments, and 
his unceasing devotion to the best tenets of 
a great profession have brought him enviable 
standing, the friendship of kindred minds, and 
the highest regard of all with whom he has 
come in contact, in social, civil and judicial 
life. 



Hayter is a stanch Democrat and at the present 
time is secretary and ex-chairman of the County 
Democratic Committee. Mr. Hayter is a genial 
practitioner of the law, and his career has been an 
active one from the day of entering practice. 



OSCAR HAYTER, one of the most promising 
of the younger generation of Oregon lawyers, 
and representative of an old pioneer family of 
1 85 1, was born near Dallas, Polk county, Decem- 
ber 3, 1873. His father, Thomas Jefferson Hay- 
ter, a native of Franklin county, Mo., and a 
retired citizen of Dallas who has twice crossed 
the plains, is mentioned at length in another part 
of this work. His mother, Mary I. (Embree) 
Hayter, was born in Howard county, Mo., a 
daughter of C. D. Embree, who crossed the plains 
in 1844, lived on a donation claim in Polk county 
from 1845 until 1889, and died in Dallas in 1900, 
at the age of ninety-four years. 

Until his tenth year Mr. Hayter was reared 
on the farm, and then located with his parents 
in Dallas. He was educated in the public schools, 
subsequently graduating from La Creole Acad- 
emy. After studying law for a short time in 
Dallas he became interested in the Clackamas 
Abstract & Trust Company as compiler of ab- 
stracts, and at the same time continued the study 
of law, being admitted to the bar October 9, 1895. 
Almost immediately he entered upon a prac- 
tice of law in partnership with Judge J. J. 
Daly, of Dallas, an association amicably and 
satisfactorily continued until 1900, since which 
time Mr. Hayter has practiced alone. He is a 
member and ex-vice president of the State Bar 
Association, and is variously connected with the 
social organizations in which his town and county 
abound. Fraternally he is a member of Jennings 
Lodge No. 9, A. F. and A. M., of which he is 
past master; Ainsworth Chapter No. 17, R. A. 
M. and Oregon Consistory No. 1, in Portland 
and Al Kader Temple N. M. S. In politics Mr. 



HON. THOMAS J. HAYTER. Prominent 
among the pioneers now living retired in Dallas 
is Hon. Thomas J. Hayter, owner of a twenty- 
acre tract of land in the town, and of an eighty- 
acre farm three miles southwest. Mr. Hayter, 
who is an ex-member of the Oregon state legisla- 
ture, an intrepid Indian fighter, and a former 
extensive stock-raiser, was born in Franklin 
county, Mo., February 8, 1830, and comes of 
English forefathers long identified with the south. 
The establisher of the family in America was his 
paternal great-grandfather, who came from Eng- 
land and settled first in Maryland, removing in 
later life to Virginia, where his death occurred. 
The paternal grandfather, Abraham, was born 
in Maryland, and became a planter in Washing- 
ton county, Va., whence he removed to his last 
home in Campbell county, east Tennessee. James 
H. Hayter, the father of Thomas J., was born in 
Washington county, Va., in 1793, and removed 
to Franklin county, Mo., about 1816. Here he 
started a saw and flour-mill in the wilderness, 
which was the pioneer industry of its kind in 
that section, and at which he worked up to the 
time of his death in 1856, from cholera, at the 
age of sixty-three years. Ten days after his 
death, his faithful wife, who was formerly Sarah 
Fulkerson, cf Lee county, Va., succumbed to 
the scourge. Of their ten children, seven grew 
to maturity, and two are living. W. L. Hayter 
being now a resident of Coos county, Ore., an 
Oregon pioneer of 1854, and Thomas J. 

The seventh child in his father's family, 
Thomas J. Hayter spent an uneventful youth 
on the Missouri farm, the first interesting period 
in his life being the preparation to cross the 
plains. About nineteen years old, he was just the 
age to appreciate all the proposed change meant, 
and he entered with zest into equipping for the 
departure, which took place April 15, 1849. Via 
the old California trail, past Fort Hall, Humboldt, 
and Truckee the train made its way, and upon 
arriving in Sacramento he found employment 
as a teamster until going to the mines, August 
28, 1849. He must scarcely have realized his 
mining expectations, for in the fall of 1850 he 
came to Oregon on the schooner Creole, twenty- 
three days being consumed on the trip between 
San Francisco and the mouth of the Columbia. 
The Little Columbia, the first steamer on the 
river, brought him to Portland, whence he came 
immediatelv to Polk countv, and took up a claim. 
This he disposed of in 1852, and the following 



P0RTRA1 r WD BI( ^,\< M'llk'AL REC( IRD. 



243 



jrear returned to Missouri, via San Francisco, 
Panama, Ihe steamer Philadelphia to New 

Orleans, thence up the Mississippi and Missouri 
to his old home, having been on the route from 
San Francisco twenty-two and a half days. 

In the spring of 1854 Mr. Hayter again 
crossed the plains with ox-teams, taking the 
same route to Raft river, and from there branch- 
ing off onto the old Oregon trail. On this trip 
he took more time, in order to safely get through 
with a large herd of cattle. He arrived at the 
first house in Oregon September 4, 1854, and 
soon after was located on a claim three miles 
west of Dallas, where he engaged in the stock 
business until 1856. In the fall of 1855 he vol- 
unteered in Company G, First Oregon Regiment, 
and served in the Yakima Indian war until an 
annoying bronchial trouble forced him to retire 
from the service. Having been honorably dis- 
charged he returned to his stock farm, and after 
selling it in 1856 located on a farm east of Dallas 
upon which he farmed until 1884. Since then he 
has lived retired on his farm of twenty acres in 
the city, although he still owns and derives a 
substantial income from a farm of eighty acres. 

In May, 1856, in Polk county, Ore., Mr. Hay- 
ter married Mary I. Embree, who was born in 
Howard county. Mo., in February, 1838, and who 
is still living. Mrs. Hayter is the mother of six 
children, four of whom are living: Eugene 
is deputy sheriff of Polk county ; Mark is a den- 
tal surgeon of Dallas ; James Carey is editor and 
proprietor of the Polk County Observer; and 
Oscar is an attorney-at-law. Mr. Hayter has 
been a Democrat for many years, and served in 
the state legislature of 1876. He is a member 
of the State Pioneer Association. 



GEORGE M. GOOCH. There is no citi- 
zen in Dallas who takes a deeper or more 
sincere interest in the welfare and progress 
of the city and county than does George M. 
Gooch, and while conducting a successful 
business enterprise he always finds time and 
opportunity to aid in the promotion of any 
movement for the general good. A native of 
Daviess county, Mo., he was born April 24, 
1849, an d since 1879 nas been a resident of 
Oregon. His father, William Gooch, was 
born in eastern Tennessee and the grand- 
father was of German lineage and belonged 
to an old Tennessee family. He died in that 
state. His son, William Gooch, removed from 
Tennessee to Daviess county, Mo., becoming 
one of the early settlers there. Entering land 
from the government he improved a farm 
which subsequently he sold and then took up 
his abode in Fannen county, Tex., where for 
five years he carried on agricultural pursuits; 



but being a Union man, believing firmly in 
the right of the nation to preserve the Union, 
he found that he was not welcome in the 
south and with his family started in 1861 to 
return to Missouri. At the outbreak of the 
Civil war, while on his way northward, he- 
was robbed by a band of guerrillas, who took 
his horses, leaving him only one wagon, lie 
had, however, hid some money and with this 
he was enabled to purchase some oxen and 
continued on his way to Johnson county, Mo. 
He then began merchandising in Fayetteville 
and was also appointed postmaster of that 
place, but before the end of the war his store 
was raided by bushwhackers, who supposed 
he had money hidden. At night they took 
him from his home, tied a bed cord around 
his neck and wrapped one end around a sad- 
dle horn, with which they dragged him for 
a long distance. He managed to save his 
life by catching hold of the rope and keeping 
the noose from tightening around his neck. 
He ran for a time, but finally fell and was 
dragged on the ground. He had given the 
robbers all the money he had, but, supposing 
he had hidden some, they took this method 
to make him reveal its hiding place. After 
dragging him for some distance they returned 
him to his own gate and were preparing to 
repeat the operation when they were fright- 
ened away by what they supposed to be the 
approach of federal troops. In time Mr. 
Gooch regained his health and continued his 
duties as postmaster and merchant in Fay- 
etteville until he sold his interests and re- 
moved to Grundy county, Mo., where for 
twenty years he was engaged in farming. On 
the expiration of that period he retired to pri- 
vate life and resided in Trenton, Mo., until 
his death at the age of seventy-seven years. 
His wife bore the maiden name of Vina Man- 
nering. She was born in eastern Tennessee 
and died in early womanhood in Missouri. 
There were five children of this marriage: 
John J., who is living in Seattle, Wash. ; 
George M. ; J. H., a millwright of Springfield, 
Ore.; A. K., of Trenton, Mo.: and O. J., of 
Kentucky. 

George M. Gooch spent the greater part of 
his youth and young manhood in Missouri, 
but on account of the war he received limited 
educational advantages. In his youth he as- 
sisted his father in the store and in the post- 
office and when nineteen years of age re- 
moved to Trenton, Mo., where he was ap- 
prenticed to a miller and followed the trade at 
that place for five years. He afterward spent 
two years in a mill in Linn county, Mo., and 
later was employed for one year in the 
Princeton mill in Mercer county, Mo., following 



244 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



which on account of his health, he went to 
Grundy county, Mo., where he engaged in farm- 
ing. He found the outdoor life of field and 
meadow beneficial, and after two years fully re- 
gained his health. 

In 1878 Mr. Gooch was married in Grin- 
nell, Mo., to Miss Amelia Hein, who was 
born on a vessel while her parents were sail- 
ing around Cape Horn. Her father, Andrew 
Hein, was a native of Germany and went to 
South America, but afterward made his way 
to New York and subsequently to Missouri, 
where he was engaged in blacksmithing and 
wagon-making. His last days were spent in 
Aumsville, Ore., and his wife died in Salem, 
this state. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gooch were born five 
children: Bertha, preparing for teaching; 
Bessie, Freddie, Cordie, and one who died in 
infancy. About the time of his marriage Mr. 
Gooch removed to Burt county, Neb., and was 
employed in the Lyons flour mill for one year, 
and in 1879 he arrived in Salem, Ore., and 
obtained the position of second miller in the 
Salem Flouring Mill, where he remained for 
two years. On the expiration of that period 
he went to AVhitman county, Wash., where 
he purchased a farm which he broke and im- 
proved, successfully engaging in the cultiva- 
tion of wheat. He had two hundred and 
thirty-three acres of land, all of which was 
tillable and for twenty-two years he was a 
successful farmer. He still owns that prop- 
erty, which is now rented. In 1899 he took 
up his abode in Salem and in October, 1900, 
he came to Dallas. Here he purchased the 
old Felix Noel mill in partnership with his 
brother, J. H., under the firm name of Gooch 
Brothers. In 1902 the brother sold his interest to 
C. F. Hein and the firm of Hein & Company 
was organized with Mr. Gooch as manager 
of the business. The mill is supplied with a 
full roller process and its motive power is 
water and one forty horse-power engine. The 
plant is located at the head of Mill street and 
has a capacity of fifty barrels daily. The 
leading brand of flour is called "Snow White" 
and on account of the excellence of the prod- 
uct the firm enjoys a large trade in the valley. 
In addition to the mill they have a warehouse 
adjoining. 

Fraternally Mr. Gooch is connected with 
the Artisans. In politics he is independent, 
but in early manhood he cast his first vote for 
Abraham Lincoln in support of his war 
policy. Both he and his wife are devoted and 
loyal members of the Baptist Church, in 
which he is serving as a trustee. 



FRANK E. MEYER, assessor of Polk county, 
and one of the most popular and promising of the 
younger generation of politicians in the state, was 
born on a farm in this county, November 9, 1865, 
the youngest of the ten children born to Hon. 
John Henry and Elizabeth (Shanklin) Meyer, the 
latter of whom was born in Kentucky, January 
5, 1826, and at an early day removed to the 
state of Illinois. 

Plon. John Henry Meyer, one of the pioneers 
of Oregon, was born between the towns of Oster- 
coplin and Osnabruck, Hanover, Germany, No- 
vember 30, 1818, a son of Gerhart H. and Eliza- 
beth (Piete) Meyer, also natives of Hanover. 
Gerhard H. Meyer brought his wife, four daugh- 
ters and three sons, to America, and on the 
way one of the sons died in the sailing vessel and 
was buried at sea. Mr. Meyer settled nearQuincy, 
111., in 1833, but was n,ot permitted to long enjo> 
the advantages of his adopted country, for his 
own death and that of his wife occurred the year 
after their arrival in the country. At the time 
of this catastrophy John Henry and his older sis- 
ter were the main props upon which the other 
children depended, and they managed to cling 
together, and make the best of a disconsolate sit- 
uation. In time John Henry made his way to 
Missouri, where he married, and two children 
were born, and whence he started across the 
plains with his family and brother William. The 
train in that early day experienced many hard- 
ships and had considerable trouble with the Indi- 
ans, and in addition the two children, both of 
whom were boys, succumbed and died. Mr. 
Meyer took up a donation claim of six hundred 
and forty acres six miles north of Dallas, which 
he improved and turned into a paying investment, 
and to which he added until he owned about 
fifteen hundred acres. With the exception of 
three hundred and sixty acres retained for his 
own use he divided his property among his chil- 
dren, all of whom were thus enabled to start in 
life under promising conditions. His death July 
14, 1900, removed a man highly honored in the 
community, and who possessed more than ordin- 
ary ability and public spiritedness. A life-long 
Democrat, he served his party in various capaci- 
ties, but in none which reflected greater credit 
upon himself and district than as a legislator for 
two terms. His wife is an active member of the 
Presbyterian Church and Mr. Meyer contributes 
generously towards the maintenance of that de- 
nomination. His wife died January 23, 1899, at 
the age of seventy-three. The next oldest of the 
children after those who died on the plains was 
John, who was drowned in the Umatilla river, 
November 21, 1877, and who was ex-county 
judge and ex-school superintendent; George, liv- 
ing on a part of the old homestead, served as 
representative for two terms ; Sarah is the wife 




4^ 




L fa 



POP TRAIT AND I'.li (GRAPHICAL RED >RD. 



24' 



S I Riggs, of Salem; Amanda J. is now 
Mrs Hastings, oi Polk county; Mary is the wife 

Mr. White, of Polk county; James lives on 
.1 part of the old farm ; and Anan is a farmer near 
Fall City. 

At the age of fifteen years Frank E. Meyer 
came into possession oi one hundred and thirteen 
acres oi land, which was a part of the old home- 

.1. ami which he fanned and cultivated until 
removing into Dallas in the fall of 1900. In 
lime. [900, he was nominated on the Democratic 
ticket for county assessor, overcoming a Repub- 
lican majority of one hundred and fifty. So cred- 
itable and altogether satisfactory was his admin- 
istration of the affairs of the assessor's office that 
he was re-elected in .May. 1902, his term of 
service to continue until January, 1905. In 
Dallas. Ore., Mr. .Meyer was united in marriage 
with Mary Fsta Holman, who was born in 
Polk county, Ore., a daughter of Hardy 
Holman. extended mention of whose life 
may he found in another part of this 
work. Two children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Meyer. Floyd Clair and Roy Merle. Mr. 
Meyer is fraternally identified with the Woodmen 
of the World. His wife is a member of the Wo- 
men of Woodcraft. Mr. Meyer is progressive, 
public-spirited, genial, and thoroughly in accord 
with western ideas and enterprises. In the dis- 
charge of his duties as assessor he is ably assisted 
by his gifted wife. 



JOHX MIXTO has every claim for represen- 
tation in the history of the Willamette valley, 
both from his noble birth and long residence on 
the Pacific slope, and also for his long public 
and semi-public service, which of itself has made 
him a prominent character in the history of the 
state. His life has been crowded with events of 
importance, which have followed one another 
in close succession, and his intimate connection 
with all the leading agricultural issues of our 
country has won for him merited distinction. 
He is now living a retired life at his home in 
Salem, Ore., and still enjoys life at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-one years. 

Mr. Minto is a descendant of a prominent 
Scotch family. His great-grandfather on the 
paternal side was born in Scotland and went to 
England as steward of a large estate. His 
grandfather's name was John Minto and this 
name has since been handed down from 
father to son. The grandfather spent the 
early years of his life in gathering the money 
that would carry him and his family to 
America, of which he had read so much. 
lie started with all the family except his son 
John, the father of the subject of this review, 
who remained for a time in England, and a sis- 
ter who bad emigrated to America in 1818. But 



he never reached his destination nor realized his 

hopes, as he went down in the wreck oi the 
brig Enterprise off Newcastle in [820, all oi die 

family being rescued except himself and an in- 
fant nephew whom he had in his arms. 

John Minto, the father of our subject, was 
born at W'vlani, England, on the Tyne, about 
nine miles from the city of Newcastle. ' The same 
house in which he was born was also the bulb 
place of his eldest son, who is the subject of 
this review. The father was a coal miner b\ 
occupation and by trade a gunsmith. His mar- 
riage with .Mary Hutchinson, who was of Eng- 
lish ancestry, took place in England, and in 
1840 they, with their family, came to America, 
stopping first at Pottsville and later at Pitts- 
burg, Pa., where for several years the father 
followed coal mining. Earl}- in 1848 the fam- 
ily removed to Iowa, where the mother's death 
took place. The father lived to be fifty-five years 
old and died in 1855 of tropical fever on the 
Caribbean Sea, within a day's sail of Aspinwall, 
while on his way to join his son in Oregon. 

Nine children were born into the parental fam- 
ily, namely: Margaret, John (of this review), 
Man-, William H, Jane, Annie, Robert H, Isa- 
bell and Sarah. Margaret was twice married, 
her first husband being Mr. Haig, by whom she 
had one son, John Haig, who was a soldier in 
the Civil war ; her second union was with 
Thomas Craig, a veteran of the Civil war, and 
her death took place in Iowa. Mary died in 
Pennsylvania in 1880; her husband. Henry 
Ramsey, was also a soldier in the Civil war. 
William H. was drowned in the river Tyne, 
England, when a youth of thirteen years. Jane 
is the widow of Fred Richards and resides at 
Tipton, Iowa ; Annie is the widow of William 
Arnott and formerly lived at Springfield. Ohio, 
but is now r a resident of Kansas. Robert H. re- 
sponded nobly to our country's first call for troops 
at the outbreak of the Civil war, and was a vol- 
unteer in the First Ohio Cavalry, serving three 
months; after receiving an honorable discharge 
he at once re-enlisted in another cavalry troop 
and served until the termination of the war ; be 
died in Indian Territory. Isabell, the first child 
of this family who was born in America, 
married Alonzo T. Wain. Sr., and resides at 
Hawkeye, Iowa. Sarah became the wife of 
Lucien P. Fullerton ; at the time of her death 
in Oregon she owned the donation claim four 
miles south of Salem, Ore., originally taken up 
bv her brother John, and the same is now owned 
by her sister's son. Alonzo T. Wain. Jr. 

Tohn Minto. whose name heads this article, 
was born October 10. 1822, in England. He ac- 
companied 'he family to America and his early 
education was irregular and defective, owing 
chieflv to the moderate circumstances of the fam- 



248 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ily as well as to the inferior schools of those 
early times. From his eighth to his twenty- 
second year, he found, almost steady employment 
in the mines, digging coal after he had passed 
his eighteenth year. He finally left Pittsburg, in- 
tending to go to Iowa, but when he reached St. 
Louis he conceived the idea of going to Oregon. 
He bad read so much about frontier life that the 
very name of Oregon had a peculiar fascination 
for him, and finally influenced his decision. 
Changing boats at St. Louis, where he also 
bought supplies to cross the great plains, he 
proceeded to St. Joseph, Mo., where he fell in 
with the Gilliam Company, which rendezvoused 
at that place. He contracted with R. W. Mor- 
rison and drove the leading teams of the Gilliam 
Company across the plains and Rocky mountains, 
arriving one month ahead of the balance of the 
train, and returning, assisted the others on their 
way. That was in 1844, and he arrived in Ore- 
gon City October 18, though the balance of 
the party did not arrive at Linton, their destina- 
tion, until much later. Early in 1845 ne re ~ 
turned to The Dalles and drove Capt. R. W. 
Morrison's cattle to the valley, arriving in March 
of the same year. 

July 8, 1847, M r - Minto was joined in mar- 
riage with Martha Ann Morrison, who was born 
in Montgomery county, Mo., December 17, 1831, 
a daughter of Capt. R. W. and Nancy (Irwin) 
Morrison, both of whom died on the 
Clatsop. They were noble pioneers of 
that section and both died at the old 
home farm, which was the original Morri- 
son donation claim. They both lived to attain the 
advanced age of eighty-four years, and at their 
death left a large family, as follows : Martha 
Ann, who became Mrs. Minto ; Mary E., widow 
of Hiram Carnahan, residing at Carnahan Sta- 
tion ; Thomas H. Benton, president of the His- 
torical Society at Astoria ; John H. and James 
F., deceased ; Hannah M., wife of Captain Ham- 
lin; William M. and Jefferson. The three last 
mentioned reside on a part of the home farm. 
Soon after his arrival in Oregon Mr. Minto 
worked for Peter Burnett, making cedar rails, 
and next assisted in logging for Hunt's saw- 
mill, near the present site of Clifton. During 
the vear 1845 he purchased the original Metho- 
dist Mission claim, and turned his attention to 
agricultural pursuits. He subsequently sold this 
farm and took up a donation claim four miles 
south of Salem, and began immediately to im- 
prove it, setting out orchards, etc. About this 
time he began raising sheep, and soon became a 
leader in that industry. Fine wool sheep were 
first introduced into Oregon about i860, and 
being already a prominent sheep-raiser, Mr. 
Minto paid $512 for an interest in ten head of 
choice Merinos. From the first he was success- 



ful in this business, and was soon considered 
an authority on all questions pertaining to sheep. 
He also contributed many articles on sheep-rais- 
ing to the leading agricultural papers of the 
country, and for two years was secretary of the 
State Agricultural Society. During the second 
year he was elected by the managers of the so- 
ciety to edit The Willamette Farmer, devoted 
wholly to agricultural interests. 

In 1873 Mr. Minto was appointed by the 
county court to go to the mountains and ascer- 
tain if there was a natural pass into eastern 
Oregon, as had been reported by some hunters. 
The report was confirmed, and the pass was 
named Minto's Pass, in honor of our subject, 
who personally superintended the work of con- 
structing a trail. In 1882 he learned from Hon. 
John B. Waldo that a lower pass existed seven 
miles south of Minto's pass, and, upon the lat- 
ter's suggestion, Mr. Minto was furnished with 
the funds to make a survey, and finally a rail- 
road was built through this pass over the Cas- 
cade mountains. 

In politics Mr. Minto is a Republican, though 
he was originally a Douglas Democrat. He 
served several terms in the lower house of the 
state legislature, being elected in 1862, 1868, 
1880 and 1890. In 1892 he received a commis- 
sion from the secretary of agriculture to report 
on the sheep-husbandry in the northwest, em- 
bracing California, Oregon and Washington. 
In 1895 he was appointed by Governor Lord as 
a member of the State Board of Horticulture of 
Oregon, and shortly afterward was elected Sec- 
retary of the board and served as such for three 
and one-half years. He has been a copious 
writer on every subject connected with farm life, 
and the management of the Pioneer Association 
of Oregon selected him to make the presentation 
speech February 5, 1889, when the life-size por- 
trait of Dr. John McLoughlin, which now 
adorns the state house, was presented to the 
state. It is needless to add that he did not dis- 
appoint his friends on that occasion, as he is a 
fluent speaker. 

In 1867 Mr. Minto purchased the Island prop- 
erty, which was then covered with driftwood 
and undergrowth. Under his management it 
soon put on an air of thrift, and since 1870 he 
has made it his home. He owns two hundred 
and forty-seven acres of land, seven acres being 
on the east side of the river. 

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Minto, as follows : John Wilson, Mary E., Rob- 
ert B., William Jasper, Irwin, Douglas C, Harry 
Percy, and May. The last-named died in in- 
fancy, and Irwin and Robert B. died of typhoid 
fever when eighteen years of age. Mary E. is 
the wife of Robert C. Halley and they reside on 
part of Mrs. Minto's donation claim four miles 






<^a^>^ z i^' 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



251 



south of Salem. Jasper resides in the latter city. 
Douglas C. operates the home place and Harry 
Perc) is prospecting for gold in Alaska. 

Though Mr. MintO is now in his eighty-first 
year, he has not ceased to think and care for 
the best interests of Oregon, and his views have 
often been sought in matters of moment. 



JOHN PORTER. Among the courageous 
pioneers of Marion county, who put forth their 
highest efforts toward the upbuilding of the com- 
munity in which they had located, were Edward 
Porter and his son John, the subject of this 
sketch. Coming to Oregon when the country 
was practically virgin wilderness, they were par- 
ticipants in and interested witnesses of the rapid 
transformation of the heavily timbered land into 
a rich and productive agricultural region, and 
by every means within their power aided in its 
growth and advancement. 

Edward Porter was born in 1803. Early in life 
he engaged in farming in Ohio, where he mar- 
ried. In 1835 he removed with his family from 
Ohio to Illinois, settling in Fulton county, wdiere 
for nearly a score of years he continued farm- 
ing. In his youth he had learned the trade of 
steel-smith, and made tools of all kinds, an occu- 
pation which demanded no small measure of 
skill. In 1853 he started on the long journey 
overland, bound for Oregon. He and his family 
crossed the intervening country with teams and 
wagons, which were then the only means of land 
transportation in the west. With his wife and 
children he came direct to Marion county, and 
located about five miles southeast of Silverton, 
on what is known as the Porter donation claim. 
In common with other pioneers he labored with 
untiring energy to improve his land, and as the 
vears rolled by found himself possessed of a 
comfortable home. Here he resided until after 
the death of his wife, Anna (Anderson) Porter, 
who was born in 1805. His remaining years he 
spent at the home of his youngest son. He lived 
to be over seventy years of age. 

A native of Vermilion towmship, Richland 
county, Ohio, John Porter was born October 6, 
1830, and in that state spent the first five years 
of his life. Going then with his parents to In- 
diana, and thence to Fulton county, 111., he was 
there reared and educated. When his parents 
started westward in 1853 he accompanied them 
on their trip across the plains. They were nearly 
six months journeying with the plodding ox- 
teams, but had no serious adventures en route. 
Being young and unmarried he remained at 
home, assisting in the clearing of the land taken 
ur> by his father until he reached the age of 
about twenty-five years, when he took unto him- 
self a wife and established himself as a house- 



holder on the old Porter donation claim. There 
he resided until 185*;. In that year he located 
near Fairfield, on the French Prairie, where he 
remained until 1864. From that time until the 
death of his wife in 1897 he resided on the White 
donation claim. Since 1897 he has made his 
home with his children. 

Mr. Porter's wife, whose maiden name was 
Annis White, was born in Indiana, and came 
with her parents from Missouri to Marion 
county in 1852. They settled about five miles 
southeast of Silverton. on the White donation 
claim. Of the ten children born of their union, 
one died in infancy. The others are as follows: 
Allen, residing in Grant county, Ore.; Rene, wife 
of F. M. Remington, a resident of Idaho ; Ed- 
ward S., a farmer of Marion county ; Charlotte, 
wife of E. W. Ross, also a farmer of Marion 
county ; Anna, wife of R. N. Harrison, of Wash- 
ington; John H., living not far from the old 
homestead ; Josie, wife of L. D. Leonard, of 
Idaho ; Ai, who lives on the home farm ; and 
Lena, wife of B. H. Davis of Silverton. 

A man of unusual energy and ability, John 
Porter has met with almost unprecedented suc- 
cess in his life occupation. Since the beginning 
of his career he has accumulated a large amount 
of land, aggregating about sixteen hundred 
acres, a large part of which is in a good state of 
cidtivation and yielding him a handsome annual 
income. Straightforward and honest in all his 
dealings, he enjoys in a marked degree the con- 
fidence and good-wdll of all who know him. He 
is liberal and public spirited, and has taken an 
active part in the political undertakings of his 
neighborhood. The record of his entire life has 
been above reproach, and his name will go down 
in history as that of one of the earnest, consci- 
entious, fair-minded and upright men of Marion 
county. 



O. P. DANNALS. Continuously since 1896 
O. P. Dannals has served as councilman of the 
First ward in Albany, and during that time has 
proved himself a conscientious and painstaking 
public servant. His reputation as a broad-minded 
and incorruptible politician goes hand in hand 
with his standing as one of the substantial busi- 
ness men of the town, and one who has for years 
contributed to its material and moral upbuilding. 
An expert blacksmith and machinist, he stands 
at the head of his line in this community, and his 
shop, with its horse-power machinery and mod- 
ern facilities for doing a large and varied busi- 
ness, is one of the busiest places in the town. 

Tames Dannals. the father of O. I'., was born 
in Rochester, X. Y., and by trade is a cabinet- 
maker and carpenter. As a young man he sa- ■ 
an opportunity to make a fortune in the mini - 



252 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of California, but after crossing the plains with 
ox teams in 1851, and spending a year in mining 
and prospecting, he gave up the idea of making 
money rapidly and came to Oregon. Taking up 
a claim near Eugene in the spring of 1853, he 
soon after moved into the town and engaged in 
the furniture business, continuing the same until 
1862. For a short time following he farmed 
in the vicinity of Salem, and in 1868 bought a 
farm, twelve miles south of Albany, in Linn 
county, where he lived and prospered until 1876. 
He is now living retired in Albany, where he is 
well known, and where he has served in the 
city council. He married Louise Clover, a native 
of Indiana, and daughter of Paul Clover, who 
crossed the plains with his family in 1852, settling 
on a farm in Linn county. Oscar Paul is the 
oldest of the four sons and four daughters born 
into this family ; Lucy, the oldest daughter, is the 
wife of Worth Huston, the present sheriff of 
Linn county ; Rosa is deceased ; Frank is a painter 
and decorator in Albany ; James is deceased ; 
Daisy is now Mrs. Allen, of Washington ; Charles 
is engaged in painting in Albany ; and Laura is 
living at home. 

Born on the old donation claim near Eugene 
February 5, 1854, Oscar Paul was educated in 
the public schools, and while still a boy, learned 
the cabinet-maker's trade from his father. Later 
he was apprenticed to a blacksmith and machinist, 
and at the expiration of his service was amply 
qualified to look out for himself in any emer- 
gency. In 1876 he began to farm in Linn county, 
and in 1878 located in Albany, where his father 
was running a furniture factory, and where he 
himself worked as a cabinet-maker and uphol- 
sterer. In 1882 he removed to east Oregon and 
worked at blacksmithing at Dufur, Wasco coun- 
ty, returning to Albany in 1882, and establishing 
his present shop in one of the most desirable loca- 
tions in the town. He makes a specialty of horse- 
shoeing, but besides has a most complete ma- 
chinist's outfit, both for repairing and manufactur- 
ing. 

In Linn county Mr. Dannals was united in mar- 
riage with Alice McCulley, a native daughter of 
Linn county, and whose father, J. M., is a farmer 
in Idaho. Five children have been born to Mr, 
and Mrs. Dannals, the order of their birth being 
as follows : Elmer J., a conductor with the Cor- 
vallis & Eastern Railroad ; Clyde, a blacksmith 
in business with his father ; Nellie, employed with 
the telephone company ; Floe ; and James. A Re- 
publican in politics, Mr. Dannals has taken a 
keen interest in his party's local undertakings, 
and was elected councilman first in 1896, being 
re-elected continuously since, the last time in 
1902. He is fraternally popular, and is identified 
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and 
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Like 



the majority of men who are thrown much with 
horses, Mr. Dannals has a keen appreciation of 
the good points of a horse, and owns some valu- 
able specimens of this noble animal. In the esti- 
mation of competent judges the driving horse 
with which he usually appears is one of the finest 
to be found in Oregon. A beautiful thorough- 
bred Arabian, of the kind the Bedouin chiefs 
rank as deserving a place with their owners in 
the great hereafter, with a splendidly arched neck 
and shining sides, it is not surprising that the 
hand which guides the reins is a kindly and gen- 
tle one, and that it is numbered among his most 
valued possessions. 



STIRLING PRICE MUNKERS. Promi- 
nently identified with the management of the pub- 
lic affairs of Linn county, S. P. Munkers of Al- 
bany, occupies the responsible position of county 
recorder. A native son, he is a worthy repre- 
sentative of one of the earliest and most hon- 
ored pioneer families of the Willamette valley, 
the name of Munkers being conspicuously asso- 
ciated with its industrial development, and the 
promotion of its prosperity. He is a son of the 
late Hon. Thomas McLean Munkers, and was 
born in Linn county," September 16, 1864. 

Descendant of a distinguished Virginian an- 
cestry, Mr. Munker's paternal grandfather, Ben- 
jamin Franklin Munkers, was born and reared 
in the Old Dominion state, but began his. life 
work as a farmer in Missouri. Crossing the 
plains with his family in 1845, he took up a do- 
nation claim in Marion county, Ore., near Salem, 
and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits 
until well advanced in years. Removing then to 
Linn county, he resided in Scio until his death. 

As a boy of fifteen years, Thomas McLean 
Munkers came with his parents to Oregon from 
Jackson county, Mo., the place of his birth, mak- 
ing the journey with ox-teams in 1845. 1° l ^>4^> 
accompanied by two of his brothers, he rode 
across the mountains to California, but not being 
impressed with the country, soon returned to 
Salem, Ore. During the excitement that fol- 
lowed the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mills, he 
again visited California, and while there took 
part in the Indian war, and was an active par- 
ticipant in various skirmishes with the savages, 
both in California and Oregon. After his mar- 
riage he settled in Linn county, purchasing a 
farm of four hundred and eighty acres in the 
forks of the Santiam river. Improving the land, 
he devoted his attention to the raising of grain 
and stock until his retirement from active pur- 
suits, when he settled in Scio, where his death 
occurred in 1898, at the age of sixty-six years. 
Active and influential in public matters, he repre- 
sented his district in the state legislature three 



PORTRAIT A.ND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



255 



terms, and served one term as state senator. He 
was a Democrat in politics, and a member of Un- 
christian Church. 

Hon. Thomas McLean Munkers was twice 

married. His first wife, whose maiden name 
was Phoebe Ann Crabtree, was born in Kentucky, 
a daughter of Washington Crabtree. Her father 
was an early pioneer of Linn county, taking up a 
donation claim near Red Hills, at the forks of 
the Santiam river, where he improved a farm, 
and also worked at his trade of hlacksmithing 
and carriage and wagonmaking, as well as manu- 
facturing plows. He died at the venerable age 
of ninety-three years, a respected and honored 
citizen. Mrs. Phoebe Ann (Crabtree) Munkers 
died at the age of twenty-six years, leaving three 
children, namely: George \\\. who died in 
Marion county. Ore., in June, 1902; Sarah I., 
wife of John Smallman. of Stayton, Ore.; and 
Stirling i Vice, the subject of this review. For 
his second wife Mr. Munkers married Mary Jane 
Chrisman, by whom he had three children, two 
of whom are now living: Ida, wife of Ed. King, 
of Salem, Ore.; and I. C. Munkers, of Mohawk, 
Ore. 

Reared on the home farm, Stirling Price Munk- 
ers received a practical education in the district 
schools, remaining beneath the parental roof until 
attaining his majority. Accepting then' a position 
as superintendent of the warehouse at Munkers 
Station, he was associated with G. F. Simpson as 
a dealer in grain for nine years, and after a time 
became a partner in the business. Returning 
to the old homestead. Mr. Munkers had charge 
of the farm for five years, being successfully em- 
ployed in grain and stock-raising. Purchasing 
a farm of his own, he engaged in general farm- 
ing for three years, when he sold out and re- 
moved to Scio, and for a time worked at various 
occupations. Accepting the nomination for coun- 
ty recorder on the Democratic ticket in June. 
10.02. Mr. Munkers was elected by a majority of 
one hundred and fifteen votes, for a term of two 
years, and took the oath of office on July 7, 
1902. 

On June 29. 1892, in Albany, Ore., Mr. Munk- 
ers married Miss Maggie McKnight, who was 
born in Linn county, of pioneer parents. Two 
children have blessed their union : Zelpha Ann 
and Royal Bruce. Mr. Munkers is a member and 
past chancellor of Scio Lodge No. 36, K. of P. ; 
and Scio Camp. W. O. W., of which he is past 
councilor. Politically he is a sound Democrat. 
Mrs. Munkers is a member of the Cumberland 
Presbvterian Church. 



MATTHEW SMALL. With southern blood 
his birthright and southern skies the first he 
ever looked upon, the father of Matthew Small 



was still a stanch Abolitionist, going even to the 
length of giving up his home and the pleasant 
associations of his young manhood to remove 
from the conditions that were so foreign to his 
inborn principles. Thomas Henderson Small 
was born in Wayne county, Ky., October 
6, 1810, and was reared to the life of a farmer. 
In that state, December 22, 1831, he married 
Miss Elizabeth Burnett, who was born in Mer- 
cer county, Ky., July 14, 1806, and there they 
continued to make their home for some time. 
In 1832 they removed to Tennessee. Finding 
the social conditions there such as he could not 
endorse, Mr. Small gathered up his worldly goods 
and with the proverbial ox-team started in 
September, 1852, on the journey over an un- 
settled continent. Whatever the remainder of 
their life was, one year of it was spent as was 
that of the Israelites of old, in wandering toward 
a land which they fondly hoped would prove the 
realization of their dreams. On the trip they 
had stopped in Gentry county, Mo., where they 
had remained through the winter, taking up the 
journey again with the breaking of the cold. 
They were providentially spared the depreda- 
tions of the Indians while on the way, reaching 
Oregon safely September 7, 1853, ana< coming 
direct to Marion county, where they settled in the 
Waldo Hills, about four and one-half miles 
south of Silverton and twelve miles east of Salem. 

Having purchased the squatter's right to 
property in this locality, Mr. Small at once proved 
up on the claim, putting upon it all the im- 
provements that brought it from the wilderness 
to rank with the farms of this fertile county. 
His first wife having died on the old donation 
claim six miles south of Silverton, October 21, 
1882. after a few years he married Mrs. Fannie E. 
Green, a native of Missouri, who was born Janu- 
ary 28, 1839. and died June 30, 1893. By his first 
marriage he had nine children, three of whom are 
living as follows : Henry, of California : Matthew, 
of this review ; and Rhea, living fin the old home- 
place. Thomas H. Small died May 3, i<)Oi, 
when over eighty-nine years of age, after a 
well-spent life, not the least of whose labors 
was his ministry in the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, he having given about a third of his 
time to religious work. He was ordained to the 
ministry in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 
in eastern Tennessee, about 1832. During the 
years of his residence in Oregon he performed 
onerous pastoral duties in various sections of the 
Willamette valley, and never sought pecuniary 
reward for his services. He was one of the best 
known men in the vicinity, and the general es- 
teem in which he was held has made his name One 
to be remembered. 

Matthew Small was born October 25, 1836, in 
Sweetwater. Monroe countv, Tcnn., receiving: 



250 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his education through the medium of the dis- 
trict schools, principally in his native state. 
He journeyed to the west with his parents and 
remained with them until his marriage, which 
occurred in Oregon April 2, 1857, uniting him 
with Miss Mary J. McAlpin, a native of Indiana. 
Their first home was one mile north of the old 
home place, but in 1870 they removed to the 
location where they now live, about a half-mile 
south of Silverton, on the old mountain road. 
The house in which the family live was built 
in 1853. In his farming Mr. Small has always 
been progressive, endeavoring to bring this in- 
dustry to a higher standard of excellence and 
to make it pleasant as well as profitable. In 
addition to city property Mr. Small and his wife 
own nine hundred and fifty acres, upon which 
he is at present engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. He is also interested in fine sheep 
and goats, being the first man to introduce 
Angora goats into the Willamette valley. His 
first wife having died March 9, 1891, at the age 
of forty-nine years six months and four days, 
he married Margaret M. Moore, April 5, 1892. 
She is a native of Ottawa, LaSalle county, 111., 
and a daughter of William Craig and Margaret 
Jane (Wauchope) Moore, born respectively in 
Pennsylvania and Ireland. They died in LaSalle 
county, 111. By his first union Mr. Small had five 
children, only three of whom are living: Olivia, 
wife of Capt. David Craig, of Macleay, Ore. ; 
Isham B., of Oswego, Ore. ; and Narvesta, wife of 
James G. Smith, of Silverton. The children by his 
second marriage are Hugh Talmage and John 
Quincy. Politically Mr. Small is a supporter of 
the Prohibition party, and finds his religious 
home in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 
In closing this brief sketch of the life of Mr. 
Small, it is but just to add that, throughout his 
entire career, he has been highly esteemed by his 
fellowmen. The admirable traits in his charac- 
ter — his probity, his generosity toward others, 
his fine religious qualities, his public spirit, and 
the broad view he takes of affairs in general — 
all contribute to render him one of the most 
worthy citizens of the Willamette valley. Not 
only his family, but his many friends and ac- 
quaintances, view his record with feelings of 
justifiable pride; and when the time comes that 
he shall be called from the scene of his earthly 
labors, his good works will stand perpetually 
as a monument to the graciousness, honor and 
unselfishness which have characterized his entire 
career. 



WILLIAM RALSTON. This honored and 
worthy pioneer citizen of Linn county. Ore., is 
passing his sunset days in ease and comfort, en- 
joying the reward of his early industry and per- 



severance. He has been identified with the in- 
terests of Linn county for over half a century 
and has long been recognized as one of its best 
citizens, aiding and maintaining it in reaching 
its present position among the first-class com- 
munities of the state. Pie is a son of Jeremiah 
and Margaret (Mc Knight) Ralston and was 
born in Rockville, Parke county, Ind., March 24, 
1824. 

Jeremiah Ralston was born in Greene county, 
Ohio, where he stayed until he reached man- 
hood's years, then moved to Washington county, 
Ind., where he was joined in wedlock with Mar- 
garet McKnight. Of the large family of chil- 
dren afterward reared by them, only three are 
now living. After residing in Indiana for a 
number of years they moved to Iowa and located 
in the city of Burlington, where he engaged in 
mercantile life until 1847. That year he left 
Iowa and traveled by ox-teams to Oregon to 
seek his fortune anew. The train of which he 
was a member had many difficulties and hard- 
ships to pass through before reaching his des- 
tination, for the Indians at The Dalles were 
troublesome. Upon their safe arrival, however, 
they located at Lebanon in Linn county and 
through the years of prosperity that followed 
he was always numbered among that city's in- 
habitants until his demise twelve years ago, at 
an advanced age. He entered the business life 
of the city and worked his way to the top of 
the ladder, owning the leading merchandise store 
of the city at the time of his death. Politically, 
he was an aggressive supporter of the Demo- 
cratic party all his life, and in religious affairs 
belonged to the Methodist Church. His wife, 
who died in Iowa in 1840, was a member of the 
Secular Church, now the United Presbyterian. 

William Ralston was the eldest child of his 
parents. His education was derived from schools 
in Indiana, where he remained until ten years 
of age, and from those in Iowa, where the fam- 
ily later located. After his father moved to Ore- 
gon, he assisted all he could in managing the 
store and home place until 1848, at which time 
he went to the mines of California, and labored 
there three years. Finding this not as suitable as 
he had believed, he returned to Oregon 
and engaged with his father as a partner in the 
first store ever started in Lebanon. The busi- 
ness continued five or six years, until William 
severed his connection to engage in general farm- 
ing and stock-raising near Lebanon. This farm 
consisted of a donation land claim of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres, which was improved as 
fully as possible by Mr. Ralston, and became his 
home place until 1878, the year of his retirement 
from active life. 

In 1854 he was joined in marriage with Laura 
Denney, a daughter of Christian and Eliza ( Nick- 



POR H< \l r VND BI( >GR \IMIU Al. REC( >RD. 



■jr. 7 



m) Denney and a native of Muskingum coun- 
ty, Ohio. Her father was born in Virginia and 
went to Ohio at an early age, moving in [853 to 
he settled in Linn county near 
the <.-ii\ of Lebanon, but lived only a short time 
after his arrival. 

Mr. Ralston and his wife had five children, of 
whom onl) two are now living. The deceased 

Franklin, who lived three years; Christian, 

who had attained the age of twenty years, and 

William, who died in infancy. The others are 

a stockman oi Portland, Ore., and 

|oseph 11.. residing in Albany, Ore., where he 

>ws the business of an electrician. The 
mother died in 1886 at her home in Albany. Mr. 
Ralston was afterward joined in marriage with 
Plantena Biddle, the widow of Dr. William Bid- 
die, who died in May. 1903. Both of these ladies 
were devoted and active members of the Metho- 
dist Church which Mr. Ralston also joined some 
vears ago and has served many years as a trus- 
tee. 

Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic 
Order, being a Knight Templar. He has always 
been a Democrat in his political views, and for 
three terms served as a councilman of the city 
of Albany. He is admired bv his fellow-citizens 
for his integrity and uprightness. 



FRANK EUGEXE ALLEN. The business 
contingent of Albany is materially augmented by 
the successful business career of Frank Eugene 
Allen, engaged in an extensive grocery and hard- 
ware business since 1888, and a resident of this 
town since 1886. He was born in Adrian, Lena- 
wee county. Mich., September 18, 1852, to which 
part of the country his father, Asa, a native of 
western New York state, removed at a very early 
day. The family afterward removed to Rich- 
mond, Macomb county, wdiere the father cleared 
a place in the beech and maple wilderness, and 
built the first house and church in the vicinity. 
He was one of the very first settlers of that 
region, and up to the time of his death was an 
important factor in its development. His wife, 
Ellen (Sanford) Allen, was born in Wyoming 
county, X. Y., and died fifteen years after the 
birth of Frank Eugene, her oldest son. She had 
four children in all, and of these two sons and 
one daughter are living 

Equipped with a public school education, 
Frank Eugene Allen became independent at the 
age of eighteen, and for a few years worked on 
farms in different parts of Macomb county. In 
1876 he came west to Oregon, and at once inaug- 
urated a successful stock business on a farm near 
La Grande, Union county, and was thus em- 
ployed for ten years. With the gains from his 
stock dealing he located in Albanv in 1886, and 



organized the Pacific Mattress Company, of 
which he was manager for a couple of years. 
In 1888 he bought out X. Blodgett, one 
block west of his present store, and engaged in a 
grocery business, conducting the same until enter- 
ing into partnership with I*:. Washburn in 
1896, when he moved here and added to his orig- 
inal stock a complete line of hardware. He is 
successful and thoroughly understands catering 
to the public and is possessed of the tact and 
consideration which retains the good will of the 
public. 

Mr. Allen has been twice married and is the 
father of five children. His present wife was 
formerly Rachel Dumond, a native of Sault Ste. 
Marie, Mich. The children are : Berthe, who 
is Mrs. Whitlark of La Grande; George, who 
died in Stockton, Cal., in 1902.; Elmer, who is 
clerking in Spokane, Wash. ; Ruth and Donald. 
Fraternally Mr. Allen is one of the best known 
men in the Willamette valley, and few have ex- 
ceeded him in the extent of honors conferred. 
In 1884 he became a member of the La Grange 
Lodge No. 41, A. F. & A. M., and is now a 
member and past master of St. John's Lodge No. 
62. In 1896 he became high priest of Bavlev 
Chapter Xo. 8, Royal Arch Masons, and in 1898 
became eminent commander of Temple Com- 
mandery Xo. 3, K. T. In 1896 be was elected 
grand junior warden of the Grand Commandery 
of Oregon and September 25, 1902, was elected 
grand commander of the Grand Commandery of 
Oregon. He is also a member of the Knights of 
Pythias, of which he is past chancellor ; and 
the Woodmen of the World. For many years 
Mr. Allen has been connected with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which he is steward. lie 
is a member of the Alco Club, and politically is 
identified with the. Republican partv. Mr. Allen 
is the sole architect of his fortune, and his quiet 
and unostentatious rise to prominence is both 
to be commended and emulated. 



CHARLES SCOTT. The name of Scott 
has been indelibly associated with the rise and 
progress of Marion county, and the development 
of one of the most important industries in the 
entire valley of the Willamette. Robert II. Scott, 
father of Charles Scott, a detailed outline of 
whose career appears on other pages in this 
volume, was for many years one of the most 
prominent and highly esteemed citizens of the 
county, and accomplished as much, if not more. 
than any other individual toward the promotion 
of the industrial interests of the community. The 
example he set, and his firm principles of strict 
integrity, determination, unflagging industry, and 
public-spirited efforts toward the advancement 
of the general welfare of Scott's Mills and Wood- 



258 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



burn, where the most active years of his life 
were spent, doubtless proved a source of great 
inspiration to his sons, who have striven to emu- 
late their worthy sire in all those characteristics 
which combined to render him a conspicuous 
figure in the valley for so many years. 

Charles Scott received from his father an herit- 
age which has enabled him to compete success- 
fully with other captains of industry in the great 
northwest. He became one of the most expert 
millers in Oregon while still a young man, and 
although at the present time various worthy 
interests have resulted in his abandoning the full 
control of the mills his father established in 
Woodburn, he has always been associated with 
the trade. He is the fifth of the ten children 
born to Robert H. and Ann (West) Scott, and 
was born at Westport, Ore., November 5, 1864. 
He was favored with excellent educational ad- 
vantages. After completing his rudimentary 
training in the public schools, he entered the 
Oregon State Agricultural College at Corvallis, 
to which he was appointed as a student by T. W. 
Davenport, of Silverton, Ore. After three years 
spent in this institution, he entered the Portland 
Business College, from which he was graduated 
March 10, 1886. While a youth he had assisted 
his father with his books, and in other work about 
the mill, and gradually became interested in 
saw-milling. For two years he acted in the 
capacity of manager of the plant at Scott's 
Mills. He then removed to Woodburn and 
engaged in the milling business with his father, 
and for several years managed his interests in 
that town. 

In later years Mr. Scott has become identified 
with various other important interests. Mining 
has demanded a great deal of his time and atten- 
tion. He owns the controlling interest in the 
Esmeralda gold and quartz mine in the state of 
Sonora, Mexico, which contains a ledge vary- 
ing in width from two to six feet, and has been 
worked to a depth of sixty feet. He is also inter- 
ested in mines in Montana, seven miles north of 
the National Park, in Sweet Grass county. These 
are both quartz and placer, one of the former 
being the Hidden Treasure, which has been incor- 
porated for $10,000,000. Another line of activity 
has occupied no little of his time and energy. 
At Scott's Mills he owns forty acres of land 
upon which he is raising large quantities of 
prunes, pears, apples and other fruits. He also 
owns two hundred acres of farming land near 
Scott's Mills which he devotes to general farming 
and stock raising. 

At Glad Tidings, Ore., June 21, 1893, Mr. 
Scott was united in marriage with Lulu Shaver, 
a native of that town, and a daughter of Alfred 
H. and Margaret (Ridings) Shaver. Her father, 
who was born in Kentuckv. came to Oregon in 



1 85 1, crossing the plains with ox-teams, and 
locating in the Waldo Hills. Subsequently he 
moved to Glad Tidings, where he and his wife 
passed the remainder of their days. Mr. and 
Mrs. Scott are the parents of one son — Alfred 
Merle. 

Mr. Scott was reared in the faith of the Demo- 
cracy, but with the characteristic breadth of mind 
by which he levels all things, he has developed an 
independence of thought in political matters. 
Fraternally he is a member of Woodburn Lodge 
A. F. & A. M. 

Mr. Scott is a man of pronounced business 
ability and of unquestioned integrity, and he 
wields an important influence upon all public 
undertakings in his adopted city. Numerous 
occasions have arisen during the years of his 
maturity when the opportunity of exhibiting a 
fine public spirit has presented itself to him, and 
he has never failed to assist in the promotion of 
such causes as have been inspired by a desire to 
advance the welfare of the people. Though a 
very busy man, he does not show an inclination 
to neglect the finer ideas of humanity, but, by his 
advice and example, encourages the best which 
an ambitious communitv demands. 



JOHN BALDWIN TEAL. Since coming to 
his present farm in 1880 John Baldwin Teal has 
advanced steadily to the fore in county affairs, 
and as a politician and lumberman has gained an 
enviable reputation, being the first lumberman to 
invade this section of Polk county. His property 
is fortunately well adapted to lumbering, being 
heavily wooded, and he has added to his original 
purchase of one hundred and sixty acres, until 
he is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of 
valuable timber land. For the first ten years of his 
residence here he made rails and shakes, and be- 
ing successful he branched out into the saw and 
planing-mill business, building the first mills 
of this part of Polk county in 1891. Since then 
the hum of machinery has broken the former still- 
ness of the surrounding country. Shipments are 
made at the rate of the mill's capacity, which is 
ten thousand feet per day. A modern residence, 
fine barns and outbuildings, and a complete gen- 
eral farming outfit, facilitate one of the most 
ambitious and far-reaching projects in this part 
of Polk county. 

This genial and popular miller and farmer is a 
native of New York state, and was born at Utica, 
May 5, 1849. As ^ aT back as authentic records 
show, his ancestors pursued their various voca- 
tions in Yorkshire, England, where Charles Teal, 
the paternal grandfather, was born, and where 
his son, Thomas Teal, the father of John, was 
also born. The father emigrated with his wife, 
Elizabeth (Baldwin) Teal, to America, in the 




v3~ e_£~v^~&4 



PORTRAIT AND I'.K HIKAl'l I ICAL RECORD. 



261 



.spring of 1840. He was possessed of considerable 
skill as a stationary engineer, although he had 
little money, and no influence to assist him on this 
side of the water. Locating in Utica, he worked 

at his trade for souk- months, and in 1851 re- 
moved to Illinois, locating in Scott county, where 
he also followed his trade until the outbreak of 
the Civil war. Enlisting at the age of thirty- 
nine in Company K. Fourteenth Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry, as a private, he was destined to be 
enrolled among the fallen heroes of that memor- 
able strife, and fell at the battle of Pittsburg 
Landing. April 6, [862. lie was survived by 
his wife, who died in Florida in the fall of 1886, 
at the age ^\ eighty-four years. She was the 
mother of four children, three sons and one 
daughter, of whom Charles is a potter by trade, 
and a resident of Macomb. 111.; Susan, deceased 
wife of (i. ]'>. Campbell, of Upshire county, Fla. ; 
and W. IL. deceased. 

When the father went to the war John Bald- 
win was bound out for his board and four dollars 
a month, and while thus serving, supplemented 
his rather meager common school education by 
attending night school. At the age of seventeen 
he apprenticed to a carriage-maker, serving four 
years, and in 1870 he came over the Union Pa- 
cific Railroad to Oregon, locating at Dallas, where 
he followed his trade for ten years. In 1880, as 
heretofore stated, he came to his present farm, 
bringing with him his wife and children, the for- 
mer of whom. L'rsula A. (Huffman) Teal, was 
born in Virginia. June 5, 1852, a daughter of 
John A. Huffman, who died in Kansas City in 
1891, at the age of seventy-four years. Ursula 
A. Huffman came to Oregon in 1870 with Nathan 
P>aker and his wife, and her marriage with Mr 
Teal occurred in 1871. She is the mother of 
eleven children, nine of whom are living: Charles 
D., at home; Annie B., the wife of Abie Brown, 
of the vicinity of Falls City ; William A. ; James 
E. : Chester O. : John B.. Jr. ; Xova A. ; Ira L. ; 
and Orva P. 

Besides saw-milling and general farming, Mr. 
Teal is interested in the raising of Angora goats, 
and has about two hundred and fortv head at the 
present time. He has taken a prominent part 
in Republican politics, has been school director 
and road supervisor many terms, and since 1901 
has served as county commissioner. Fraternally 
he is well known and popular, and is identified 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
the Knights of the Maccabees of Fall Citv. He 
is a capable and far-sighted business man. a 
scientific agriculturist, and successful stock- 
raiser, and he may be counted on to further with 
counsel or practical assistance any project which 
has for its object the maintenance of the well- 
being of the community. 



HON. JOHN W. O )WLS. The name of 

Hon. John \V. Cowls is inseparably associated 
with the earl) educational, judicial, mercantile 
and financial development of Yamhill county, 

and his death, November 24, [896, removed from 
accustomed haunts and innumerable friends a 
noble, versatile and well-adjusted personality. 
During very early colonial days his emigrating 
ancestors settled in Massachusetts, where was 
born his paternal grandfather. Adonijah. on. 
the stanch supporters of colonial independence 
during the Revolutionary war. This patriotic 
sire removed in later life to New York state, 
where his son, Cyrus, the father of John \\\. was 
born. The latter married Rachel White, a native 
of New York, and whose people were also early 
settlers in Massachusetts, and devoted members 
of the Methodist Church. As far back as au- 
thentic records go, die male members of the 
Cowls family have been fraternally associated 
with the Masons. 

A native of Onondaga county, N. Y., Hon. 
John W. Cowls was born November 3, 1823, and 
was educated at the De Renter Institute and the 
Pompey Hill Academy. The knowledge thus 
gained was applied to educational work, in which 
he engaged in his native state, and in connection 
with farming, after his removal to Ohio, in 1840. 
From Wisconsin, which was his home for five 
years, Mr. Cowls crossed the plains to California 
in 1852, and though he was moderately success- 
ful in prospecting and mining in the vicinity of 
Placerville, failing health interfered with his 
cherished plans, and compelled his removal to 
the more bracing climate of Oregon. At no time 
of large proportions, his available assets were 
soon diminished to $2.50. and in order to replen- 
ish his depleted finances he earnestly sought em- 
ployment as a teacher. In passing, one day. he 
encountered Zebedee Sheldon in his yard, who, 
reckoning before consulting his wife, arranged 
very favorable terms with the disconsolate 
scholar for the education of his six children. 
The bottom falling out of this arrangement. Mr. 
Cowds offered to teach the children a few days 
for his room and board, and so favorably im- 
pressed the parents with his worth, that his serv- 
ices were retained for some time. Two of the 
boys thus instructed developed into physicians, 
one locating in Salem and the other in Eugene 
City. After three months in the Sheldon home. 
Mr. Cowls secured a school two and a half miles 
from the present site of McMinnville. and at that 
time but few and widely separated settlers inhab- 
ited the region, the children for the most pari 
arriving- for their tuition on horseback, and in 
their general lives experiencing deprivations un- 
thought of by the searchers after knowledge of 
to-day. 

This particular school was recalled by Mr. 



•262 



PORTRAIT AND P,I( )( IRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Cowls as the center from which radiated his later 
success, for he was thus thrown into intercourse 
with the older members of the community, who 
quickly arrived at an appreciation of his abilities. 
Though still continuing to teach, he was able 
also to fulfill his duties as county auditor, an 
office to which he was elected after the first meet- 
ing of the Republicans in Oregon in 1857. When 
the state constitution was adopted, he was elected 
county clerk, and afterward served for eight 
years as county judge, during the latter office 
engaging also in farming three miles northwest 
of McMinnville. His special fitness for official 
responsibility being fully demonstrated, Mr. 
Cowls was nominated and elected to the state 
senate, and during the session admirably main- 
tained the best interests of those who had worked 
in his behalf. Beginning with 1864, Mr. Cowls 
operated a mercantile establishment in McMinn- 
ville, in partnership with James R. Bean, but 
after a year and a half, returned to his farm, 
ostensibly to remain for the rest of his life. How- 
ever, his ambition to accomplish largely had by 
no means diminished, for in 1888 he established 
the McMinnville National Bank, of which insti- 
tution he was the honored and capable president 
for the balance of his life. The impress of his 
sterling integrity pervaded this developing enter- 
prise, and invested it with a substantiality not 
exceeded by any of its kind in the county. Be- 
sides owning the building in which the bank is 
housed, Mr. Cowls otherwise contributed to the 
structural development of McMinnville, and 
after erecting the first residence, in 1865, when 
few people had as yet identified their lot with the 
embryo town, built -several residences and public 
buildings. 

The first wife of Mr. Cowls was formerly Mrs. 
Lucretia Martin, and of this union there was 
born a daughter, Mary, who died at the age of 
two and a half years. The present Mrs. Cowls 
was formerly the wife of James F. Bewley, men- 
tioned at length in another part of this work, and 
she was, before her first marriage, Lucy E. 
Graves. 



COL. JAMES B. GRAVES. Among the 
Oregon pioneers of 1847 the name of Col. James 
B. Graves is worthy of prominent mention. His 
ability for public service was soon recognized, 
and his valuable assistance as a member of the 
territorial legislature gained him great promi- 
nence. He was born in Virginia in 1796, and 
came of English ancestry. The family was es- 
tablished in America by Thomas Graves, the 
father of James B., who came to the land of the 
oppressed in time to assist in making it the land 
of the free. He settled in Virginia, and in time 
owned large landed estates, his enlistment in the 



Revolutionary war covering many of the impor- 
tant battles of that memorable time. From Vir- 
ginia he removed to Kentucky, and from there to 
Warren county, Mo. 

Before the removal of the family to Missouri 
James B. Graves married Diana Newton, a na- 
tive of Kentucky, and she became the mother of 
nine children. In Missouri Mr. Graves was a 
member of the state militia, for meritorious serv- 
ice in which he gained the rank of colonel. Dis- 
content in the middle west led to plans for re- 
moval to the far northwest, and in 1846 the old- 
est son and daughter joined a train across the 
plains, the father, mother and five children fol- 
lowing the next year. After spending two 
months in the vicinity of what is now McMinn- 
ville, the father took up a donation claim, which 
has since been in the possession of the family, 
and which is located one mile west of Sheridan. 
As may be imagined, no country possessed fewer 
signs of civilization than did this very region 
around Sheridan, for in the territory there was 
scarcely an aggregation of houses and interests 
worthy the name of town. Portland was in its 
infancy, and Oregon City owed its signs of life 
solely to the fact that it was the principal dis- 
tributing point for the arriving emigrants. On 
his square mile of beautiful and fertile land Col- 
onel Graves built the log cabin which was the 
home of the family for several years, and here 
the first wife died in March, 1848. His second 
marriage also occurred here, and united him with 
Mrs. Catherine Bewley, who died in 1867. 

In 1862 Mr. Graves purchased a home in 
Salem, but from 1867 until his death, in 1882, 
at the age of eighty-five, he lived with his chil- 
dren. He was a man whom all delighted to 
honor, and his sterling integrity and interesting 
personality pervaded whatever he started out to 
accomplish. At one time he took much interest 
in politics, and his services in the early territorial 
legislature were characterized by marked ability 
and disinterested devotion to the best welfare of 
his district. 



HENRY A. CLEEK. The successful career 
of Henry A. Cleek should furnish encouragement 
to all who contemplate engaging in stock-raising 
operations in Linn county. When he arrived in 
Oreg"on in 1861 his worldly possessions con- 
sisted of the clothes he wore, an old wagon, and 
four horses much the worse for their trip across 
the plains. For the first eighteen months he was 
glad of common wages as a farm hand, and 
with his earnings he was able to pay for a farm 
of one hundred and sixtv acres in Benton county, 
near Corvallis. This he stocked to a limited 
extent, and as success came his way he added 
to his land, in time settling on three hundred and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



203 



twent) acres nine miles south of Corvallis, wliere 
he engaged in farming for about fourteen years. 
At the end of that time he was able to sell his 
laud at a profit, and he changed his base of opera- 
tions to Willow creek, Crook county, Ore., where 
he conducted a very large stock-raising business 
for the period of twenty-eight years. He 
had three thousand acres of land in Crook county, 
and became one of the best known stockmen in 
that section of the state. The experience gained 
was invaluable, besides enabling him to retire 
with an ample competence in 1900. Two years 
later he disposed of his Crook county farm and 
its herds of cattle, but he still owns twelve hun- 
dred acres of farm land near Plainview, which he 
rents, and he also posseses the farm formerly oc- 
cupied by him in Denton county, and consisting of 
three hundred and twenty acres. 

This ambitious and successful stock-raiser and 
at present retired citizen of Albany, was born in 
Sullivan county, Tenn., October 28, 1833, and 
was reared on a farm. His father, Henry Cleek, 
was a farmer during his entire active life, and 
from Sullivan county moved to Ray county, his 
death occurring in Monroe county, also in Tennes- 
see. His mother, Linda (Titsworth) Cleek, also 
was born in Tennessee, and died in Monroe county 
after raising to maturity a family of twelve 
children. Of these children, Henry A. is the 
oldest, and the only one in Oregon. He lived on 
the home farm until his twenty-fourth year, and 
in 1857 joined a party of home-seekers bound for 
the coast, his outfit consisting of ox and horse 
teams. Leaving Arkansas in March, they pro- 
ceeded over the Platte route to California, arriv- 
ing in Yolo county, Cal., in October. Here Mr. 
Cleek engaged in farming and stock-raising until 
1859, and that year returned to Tennessee via 
Panama, remaining there until the spring of i860. 
Going then to Independence, Mo., he wintered 
there, and in 1861 again outfitted for the long 
journey across the plains. This time he came 
with horse teams, starting in March and arriving 
in Oregon in September, via Red Bluffs and 
Honey Lake. 

In Albany, Mr. Cleek married Sarah Isom, 
who was born June 27, 1849, m Cole county, Mo., 
a daughter of John Isom, who, with his wife, 
was born in Virginia and brought his family to 
Oregon at an early day. Mr. Isom took a promi- 
nent part in agricultural and business affairs in 
Linn county. Among his undertakings was the 
erection of the Red Crown Mills, which he suc- 
cessfully managed for several years. His death 
occurred in February, 1903, aged seventy-five 
years, after a particularly active life. His widow, 
Elizabeth (Mercer) Smith Isom, now makes her 
home with her children. 

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Cleek, the order of their birth being as follows : 



Isom. living in Prineville, Ore.; Varian, wife oi 
Samuel Smith, sheriff of Crook county; Hugh, 
a farmer near Plainview ; and Charles and Lillie, 
twins, living with I heir parents. 

Mr. Cleek is a Democrat in politics, hut has 
been too busy with his stock to think about hold- 
ing office, lie is one of the most successful 
stockmen that this county has produced, and 
in addition, he is a very enterprising and liberal 
gentleman, contributing generously when called 
upon in a public or private capacity. In manner 
Mr. Cleek has about him the breeziness and 
whole-souled honesty which we are wont to 
associate with men of his calling, and his jour- 
ney through life has been brightened by the devo- 
tion of many friends, and the good 'will of all 
his associates. 



JOHN WALLING. As the son of a promi- 
nent business man of Lincoln, Polk county, John 
Walling has been interested in various enter- 
prises in this community, working for his father 
in both his mercantile establishment and the Peo- 
ple's Transportation Company, the oldest business 
of its kind on the Willamette river, and in which 
the elder Mr. Walling owned an interest. John 
Walling is now engaged in farming on property 
which he purchased in 1880, consisting of sev- 
enty-two acres of land, forty of which is devotee' 
to the cultivation of hops, the income so acquired 
amounting to no small percentage of the money 
invested. 

The origin of the Walling family is English, 
the grandfather having been an Englishman who 
fought in the Revolutionary war. He was at that 
time a farmer in the state of Virginia, when. 
his son, J. D., the father of John Walling, was 
born April 1, 1818. Being reared to the life of 
a farmer J. D. Walling continued in that occupa 
tion in early manhood, locating first in Iowa, 
where he remained until the spring of 1847, when, 
with the usual outfit for such a journey, he joined 
an emigrant train of ox-teams and set out for the 
west. The train was unusually large, and, with 
the usual experiences of such a journey, they 
reached Oregon safely after six months. The 
first winter of the Walling family in ( )regon was 
spent in Oregon City, the next spring, however, 
finding them located near Zena, Spring valley, 
Polk county, on a donation claim of six hundred 
and forty acres, upon which property Mr. Wall- 
ing made his home until his death in 1870, being 
killed by being thrown from a vehicle while driv- 
ing. In addition to his farming interests .Mr 
Walling was engaged in general merchandising 
in Lincoln, and a warehouse in the same location. 
In politics a Republican, he served as road su- 
pervisor. While giving his attention to the duties 
of this office he met his death. Fraternally lie 



264 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was a member of the Masonic order, belonging 
to the lodge at Amity. The wife of Mr. Walling 
was in maidenhood "Eliza A. Wise, a native of 
New York state, and the descendant of a Dutch 
familv. She survived her husband twenty-two 
years, dying in 1892, at the age of sixty-two years. 
Of the 'children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walling 
thirteen are now living, four sons and nine 
daughters. 

John Walling is the fourth child of the family, 
and was born in Iowa, September 14, 1846, being 
but one year old at the time of the removal to the 
west. He received his early education in the com- 
mon school located in the vicinity of his home, 
and when his school days were over he went to 
work for his father in his store in Lincoln, where 
he remained until after his father's death. He 
then rented a farm for a few years and engaged 
in the cultivation of the soil, until 1880, when he 
purchased his present property, which has since 
yielded him a good income. 

The marriage of Mr. Walling occurred in Polk 
county, in 1870, and united him with Celia Har- 
ris, who was born in Missouri, January 16, 1850, 
her father, James R. Harris, crossing the plains 
in the same year. Of this union nine children 
have been born. Six died in infancy, while those 
living are : Tracy, Lorin and Alvin, all of whom 
are still at home with their parents. Politically 
Mr. Walling is a Republican, and has served in 
several offices, among them being that of road 
supervisor and school director, holding the latter 
position for twelve years. In his fraternal rela- 
tions, he affiliates with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, holding membership with the 
lodge at McCoy, and with the Maccabees at 
Lincoln. 



VERY REV. LOUIS METAYER. Thomas 
Carlyle says, "Blessed is he who has found his 
work ; let him ask no other blessedness. He has 
a work, a life purpose. Labor is life." Admit- 
ting the full truth of this saying, Very Rev. 
Louis Metayer, Rector of St. Mary's Church at 
Albany, and Dean of Southern Oregon, is surely 
worthy of receiving divine favor. Imbued with 
the true missionary spirit, and with scarce a 
thought of self, he has labored untiringly in his 
appointed vineyard, and in the upbuilding of the 
parish with which he is connected is reaping a 
rich reward for his many years of toil and sacri- 
fice. A native of France, he was born June 24, 
1855, in the diocese of Laval. His father, Louis 
Metayer, was born, lived and died in France. His 
mother, whose maiden name was Louise Marie 
Marcus Du Plessis, survives her husband, and 
still resides in her native country. 

Reared in France, the Very Rev. Louis Me- 
tayer prepared for college when quite young, and 



afterwards obtained a fine knowledge of philos- 
ophy and the classics at the Archbishop's Col- 
lege, at Chezal-Benoit, in the arch-diocese of 
Bourges. Coming to American in 1875, he 
studied theology in the Montreal Seminary, and 
on December 20, 1879, was ordained for the Dio- 
cese of Oregon by Bishop Morro. Desirous of 
entering the missionary field, he came to Port- 
land, Ore., as secretary to Archbishop Blanchet, 
who resigned from the see of Oregon in 1883. 
He was subsequently Secretary for Archbishop 
Segher, who was murdered in Alaska. In Sep- 
tember, 1885, Father Metayer was appointed by 
Archbishop Gross as Rector at Albany. Coming 
to this city, he courageously took up the work 
before him, and has labored diligently. There 
vvas neither church nor congregation here at that 
time, nor had there ever been a resident priest 
in this locality. Purchasing a small school-house 
in Albany, he had it moved to the site that Arch- 
bishop Blanchet had bought thirty years before, 
remodeled it, and it did duty for a church until 
the new one was completed, in 1898. This new 
edifice was blessed by Archbishop Gross, August 
17, 1898, it being the last church that he blessed, 
his death occurring the following November. It 
is a noteworthy coincidence to relate in this con- 
nection that the first church building that the 
late archbishop blessed was the old school-house 
of which Father Metayer first had charge as a 
church. 

Father Metayer labored hard to secure the 
money to erect his church, which cost $18,000, 
and which is built according to European archi- 
tecture, resembling the old abbeys of the conti- 
nent. In connection with the church is a vestry, 
toward the erection of which he contributed 
largely from his private fortune, his small con- 
gregation being unable at present to assist very 
much. He also purchased land about one-half 
block from the church and on it has erected a 
fine, large rectory, which is surrounded by beau- 
tiful grounds. 

Rev. Father Metayer has also in his parish the 
Academy of Perpetual Health, which was estab- 
lished and built in Albany in 1887, and in Novem- 
ber of that year was dedicated by Archbishop 
Gross, and is controlled by the Benedictine Sis- 
ters. In 1893 ne was appointed, by Archbishop 
Gross, Dean of South Oregon, and he is now a 
member of the Council of Archbishops of Ore- 
gon. 



WILLIAM R. HAND. In the business cir- 
cles of Albany Mr. Hand is accorded a high 
place. Eminently successful in a financial sense, 
he has throughout his entire career exhibited 
clearness of perception and soundness of judg- 
ment, and moreover enjoys an enviable reputation 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



267 



tor moral worth and integrity of purpose. He 
possesses true public spirit, and uses his influence 
to enhance the best interests of the city and 
county, and all worthy enterprises for their en- 
velopment meet with his hearty support. 

William R. Hand was the only child horn to 
his parents. Crandal anil Delilah (Mussleman) 
Hand, both of whom were horn in Iowa, the 
father in the vicinit) ^i Keokuk. As a partici- 
pant in the Civil war he served valiantly as a pri- 
vate in an Iowa regiment, and was wounded in 
the service. Upon retiring to private life he 
settled on a homestead claim in Lincoln county, 
Neb., which was the scene of the family life 
until the father removed to Albany, Ore., in 1882. 
Here his death occurred at the age of fifty-four 
years. His army associations were kept fresh 
in his memory by meeting with old comrades of 
the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he 
was a member. The mother is still living and 
makes her home in Albany with her son. 

Born February 1. 1872, on his father's farm 
in Nebraska. William R. Hand was a lad ten 
vears of age when the trip was made to Oregon, 
and he distinctly remembers the incidents con- 
nected with the journey, which to a boy of that 
age were romantic indeed. In the public schools 
of this western state he received his education. 
and when sixteen years of age was apprenticed to 
learn the trade of architect and builder, under 
Mr. Shell, in Albany. Having become proficient 
at his trade he put it to practice in his home 
citv. but in 1895 went to San Francisco, where, 
in addition to following his trade, for two years 
he took a night course in an architectural school. 
Determined that there should be no part of the 
profession with which he would not be perfectlv 
familiar, he took a course of instruction with the 
International Correspondence School, from the 
drawing department of which he received a di- 
ploma. A self-made man, Mr. Hand began life 
for himself without fortune but made the most 
of his privileges and advantages and steadilv 
worked his way up until today he is numbered 
among the substantial business men of his com- 
munity. He is now devoting his entire attention 
to architectural work, and has drafted plans for 
many of the prominent buildings in Albanv and 
elsewhere in Linn county, and is meeting with 
well-merited success. 

In Albany December 28. '1897. was celebrated 
the marriage of William R. Hand and Miss Clara 
Bentlev. a native of Albanv and the daughter of 
one of Oregon's pioneer citizens. Two children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hand. Fula. and an 
infant which died unnamed. Business affairs 
have not absorbed Mr. Hand's attention to the 
exclusion of all else, and every movement looking 
to the material advancement of the citv meets 
his encouragement and active support. In poli- 



tics a Republican, he advocates with enthusiasm 
ami fidelity the platform of his chosen party and 
supports its candidates with his ballot, fn the 
fraternal organization Woodmen of the World 

he is holding the office of council commander. 
Mrs. Hand is a member of the Methodist Epi 
p-d Church of Albany, to the support of which 
Mr. Hand liberally contributes. 



JAMES F. BEWLEY. Worthy of ranking 

among the chief developers of the state of Ore- 
gon was James I 7 . Bewley, a pioneer of '47. and 
for many years an agriculturist of Yamhill 
county. A native of Tennessee, Mr. Bewley was 
born April 9, 1828, the third oldest of the twelve 
children of John W. and Catherine (Fllis) Bew- 
ley, natives also of Tennessee. From their an- 
cestral home in Tennessee, the Bewley family 
removed to Indiana, and from there to Missouri, 
in which latter state they developed an ambition 
to go west, and, accordingly, outfitted for the 
dangerous and adventurous journey. Two of the 
children, Crocket A. and Lorinda, bavin- quali- 
fied as teachers, stopped at Whitman Mission to 
help educate the Indians, a most unwise decision, 
for Crocket A. was killed by the people for whose 
interests he was willing to sacrifice his time and 
ability, and Lorinda was kidnaped and held 
until ransomed. The rest of the family pro- 
ceeded upon their journey, unconscious of the 
fate of their loved ones, but the father died soon 
after reaching Oregon, and his wife and children 
lived in Oregon City until removing to Yamhill 
county, in 1849. Here the mother married Col. 
J. B. Craves, whose interesting career is spoken 
of elsewhere in this work, and in Salem, where 
the remainder of her life was spent, her death 
occurred in 1867. 

James F. Bewley became an independent land 
owner in Oregon in the spring of 1852. when he 
took a half section of land near Sheridan. Sep- 
tember 12, 1852. he married Lucy E. Graves, a 
native of Missouri, and daughter of his step- 
father, Colonel Graves. For some time after- 
ward he lived in a rudely constructed frame 
house, and in [860 disposed of his property, and 
purchased the three hundred and twenty-acre 
farm of his father-in-law. This property was his 
special pride for many years, and his most intel- 
ligent and broad-minded efforts were expended 
in making of it a model agricultural enterprise. 
Somewhat weary of arduous labor, Mr. Bewley 
took up his residence in Forest Grove, after ten 
months removing to McMinnville. The five 
acres of land purchased for his home is now 
within the corporate limits, and the home erected 
thereon reflected his ideas of eomfort and refine- 
ment. At the same time he managed his finely- 
improved farm, up to the tragic event which 



'21)8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



occasioned his death in 1888. Owing to a small- 
pox epidemic, McMinnville was quarantined, but 
notwithstanding this fact, Mr. Bewley went to 
his farm and stopped to see a man at Sheridan. 
Being met by an officer, a colloquy followed re- 
garding his attitude in the matter, and such pro- 
portions did the argument assume that Mr. Bew- 
ley was ordered to throw up his hands, and was 
instantly shot. His son, who was present, was 
also shot at, and in turn shot at the murderer, 
but the ball fell short of the mark. This sad 
event threw disorder and sadness into the hap- 
penings of McMinnville and vicinity, for Mr. 
Bewley was a man most highly honored by all 
who knew him, and his sixty years of worthy 
living deserved a less ignominious termination. 

In memory of the brother so ruthlessly killed by 
the Indians in 1847, Mr - ancl Mrs - Bewley named 
their first son Crocket A., and his birth occurred 
July 31, 1853. He died while yet a bright-eyed 
boy, but his brother, Roswell L., born December 
24, 1864, still lives and owns the old homestead. 
In October, 1888, he was united in marriage with 
Anna R. Young, a native of New York state. 
Mrs. Bewley, who afterward married J. W. 
Cowls, also deceased, is one of the highly-hon- 
ored and popular women of McMinnville, and in 
her interests displays broad-mindedness and ca- 
pability. She is foremost in all efforts of the 
women of her locality to improve their social and 
intellectual surroundings, and is especially promi- 
nent in the Christian Church, the Ladies' Aid 
Society and the Woman's Relief Corps of Custer 
Post No. 5, G. A. R., of which latter organization 
she was for one term junior vice-president. 



fiuential stockmen in Oregon, and one of the 
largest land owners. Mr. Bewley is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and is fraternally connected with 
Sheridan Lodge No. 64, F. & A. M., of which he 
is past master. 



ROSWELL L. BEWLEY. While his mother 
was on a visit to Salem, Marion county, Ore., 
Roswell L. Bewley was born, December 24, 1864, 
and he was afterward reared on his father's farm, 
one and a half miles from Sheridan. Judging 
by his present success, he must have had an ex- 
cellent agricultural training, his educational 
chances being also far above those of the average 
farm-reared youth, for he was permitted the ad- 
vantages of the public schools, the Forest Grove 
College, and the McMinnville College. 

Mr. Bewley assumed charge of one of the 
finest ranches in this county in 1888, and on Oc- 
tober 7, 1888, married Anna R. Young, who was 
born in New York state, and who has borne him 
twin boys, William H. and James Garfield. At 
the present time Mr. Bewley owns five thousand 
acres of land, nearly all in one body, of which 
one thousand acres are devoted to farming enter- 
prises, and all under cultivation. Also, he owns 
a stock ranch of eight hundred acres in Polk 
county, and has some of the finest stock in the 
state. He is one of the most experienced and in- 



GEORGE F. SIMPSON. In estimating the 
extent to which individual effort has influenced 
the development of the northwest, it is hardly fair 
to regard as typical the career of George F. 
Simpson, whose more than ordinary ability and 
resource have enabled him to accomplish more 
than his fellow pioneers of less fortunate mould. 
The most careless surveyor of present conditions 
must needs feel an interest in the lifework of 
so worthy and honored a man, and perchance 
may find for his own encouragement that suc- 
cess is rarely denied the capable and earnest 
striver. 

The virtue of perseverance, a characteristic 
of Scottish folk, is inherited in marked degree 
by Mr. Simpson, whose paternal great-grand- 
father, both in Scotland and America, was de- 
termined, practical and persevering. This was 
true also of Francis Simpson, the father of 
George F., who was born on a farm near Win- 
chester, Clark county, Ky., and during his active 
life combined farming and carpentering. About 
1840 he settled in Cooper county, Mo., twelve 
miles from Booneville, and from there moved to 
Cass county, Mo. His wife died in Cooper 
county, Mo., leaving to his care two children, 
G. F. and J. W., the latter of whom is now liv- 
ing on Snake river, Wash. 

Through a second marriage, contracted in Mis- 
souri, four sons and two daughters were born, 
all of whom are living. In 1850, with his sec- 
ond wife and seven children, Mr. Simpson 
crossed the plains with ox teams, and after living 
on a farm in Washington county, Ore., for a 
couple of years, operated a saw-mill on Dairy 
creek. In April, 1852, he located on a section 
of land four miles south of Albany, but later 
sold it, and bought a farm twelve miles south of 
the town. This continued to be his home until 
1870, when he went to Big Valley, Cal., where 
he died in 1871. 

Born on the old homestead near Winchester, 
Clark county, Ky., June 29, 1835, George F. 
Simpson was five years old when the family 
moved to Missouri, and soon after that he lost 
his mother. The children were naturally enthu- 
siastic over the plan to cross the plains, and 
George, then fifteen vears of age, made himself 
very useful on the long and tiresome journey. 
Thev came up the Platte through the Indian 
country, and arrived in Oregon the latter part 
of October. He was a footsore and tired youth, 
for he had driven an ox team all the way from 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL REG >RD. 



2(51) 



Missouri, and walked the entire way. They had 
a considerable number oi louse stock, and were 

fortunate in being able to retain nearly one-third 
of it until the end oi their trip. George lived 
on the donation claim with his lather for a con- 
pie of years, and during that time attended the 
earl) subscription school in his neighborhood, 
his teachers being Hugh George and Rev. Ir- 
vine. 

A.s early as 1853 Mr. Simpson began trading in 
cattle, and at different times took herds over 
the mountains to California. In the latter state, 
on I lumbug creek he engaged in mining during 
1 S54-5. and upon returning to Oregon, married, 
in December, [859, in Linn county. Mary Nan- 
nev, who was born in Kentucky, and came to 
Oregon in 1852. Abner Nanney, the father of 
Mrs. Simpson, was horn in Kentucky, and 
moved to Missouri previous to crossing the 
plains. He located in Oregon on a claim which 
comprised the present site of Shedds Station, al- 
though he subsequently retired to Albany, where 
his last days were spent. His wife, formerly Isa- 
belle Morgan, was also born in Kentucky and 
died in Oregon. 

After his marriage Mr. Simpson settled on a 
farm four miles south of Albany and engaged 
in stock-raising, and in 1863 bought a quarter 
section, and later ninety acres of land, making 
three hundred and thirty acres in all. Before 
locating on this farm, in 1862, he had a rough 
experience in trying to reach the Florence Mines 
in Idaho, and he will never forget crossing the 
White mountains on foot through the snow and 
storm, with a burden of one hundred pounds on 
his back. Nevertheless, notwithstanding this 
handicap, he made thirty miles a day. Eventu- 
ally he sold his farm and at the present time 
manages one of the finest farms in this count v. 
and unquestionably one of the most valuable. It 
is one hundred and fortv acres in extent, located 
two and a half miles south of Albany, and is 
equipped with a fine new house and barns, mod- 
ern fences, the latest of agricultural implements, 
and all known aids to scientific and practical 
farming. Mr. Simpson raises stock principally, 
making a specialty of high-grade sheep and An- 
gora goats. 

In 1873 Mr. Simpson -moved into Albany, and 
has since been substantiallv identified with its 
business growth. The same vear he became 
superintendent of the Farmers' Grain Storage 
Company, an enterprise destined to promote the 
agricultural prestige of the vicinity more than 
any other agency as vet established. He was 
the first superintendent of the company, and 
directly controlled its affairs for many years. To 
facilitate the object for which it was started, he 
bought the warehouse at Tangent, and during 
the first year taxed its capacity with ninety- 



thousand bushels of wheat. There was no divi- 
dend the firs! year, but the second realized a 
dividend of forty per cent. This increase of busi- 
ness inspired him to enlarge his capacity, and 
he built a larger and better elevator, of 'which 
he had charge for seven years. The dispi 
of die first storage required some time, but he 
finally found a buyer who paid a dollar a bushel, 
whereas the ruling price was eights- cents. After 
disposing of his elevator. Mr. Simpson engaged 
in wheal buying for about twelve years, and was 
compelled to retire from business because of a 
stroke of paralysis. At the time he had sixty 
thousand bushels of wheat on hand, and not being 
able to personalis- superintend its disposal at the 
proper time, suffered a financial loss of $20,000. 
In the hope of securing the boon of health he 
traveled for several months in California, and. 
having accomplished his desire, he returned to 
Oregon, where he has lived uninterruptedly since. 
For a couple of years he ran the Magnolia Mill 
in partnership with his son. and in the mean- 
time he has been improving his farm, winch has 
ever been a source of pride and satisfaction to 
him. 

Politically a Republican, Mr. Simpson repre- 
sents the most liberal and broad-minded of the 
local adherents, and at times has activelv par- 
ticipated in town and county affairs. Frater- 
nally, no man in the county is better known or 
more gladly welcomed to the prominent lodges, 
among them being the Corinthian Lodge of Al- 
bany, of which he has been past master two 
terms ; the Royal Arch Masons of Albany ; the 
Commandery No. 3 ; and the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. With his wife he is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of the six 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, George 
W. is living in Portland, and is interested in 
mining; Abner was killed in a mill by the fall- 
ing of a scaffold ; Frank is a bookkeeper in 
.Athena: Ada is now Mrs. Robson of Albany; 
Eva is a graduate of the Albany College, and 
is at present a teacher of English and elocution 
in the Tacoma (Wash.) College; and Ora will 
graduate from the Albany College in the class 
of 1903. Xo man in Albanv bears a more hon- 
ored name than does Mr. Simpson, nor is any 
more emphatically typical of that broad and tol- 
erant citizenship which commands universal ap- 
probation. 



DAVID NACHTIGALL. A native of Rus- 
sia, David Nachtigall .was born in the southern 
part of that country, April 16. 1853, the son of 
Peter and Xeta fSchultz) Nachtigall, natives re- 
spectively of Holland and Russia. The death of 
Peter Nachtigall having occurred in 1870, at the 
age of thirty-seven years, his widow afterward 



27o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



became the wife of John Boese, and now makes 
her home in South Dakota, being in her seven- 
tieth year. Of the thirteen children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Nachtigall only three are now living. 
They are: David, of this review ; Toby, a shoe- 
maker in the state of Missouri; and Mrs. Anna 
Smith, of Smithheld, Ore. 

The early education of David Nachtigall was 
received in the common schools of Russia, his 
school days being soon over, however, and an 
apprenticeship in a linen factory beginning. He 
was seventeen years old when his father died 
and he then went to make his home with an 
uncle with whom he worked for six years, half 
of the time being spent in the old country and 
the remainder in the United States, whither he 
had come with his uncle in 1873. His relative 
sought a home in York county, Neb., where later 
David found employment among the farmers, 
which work meant to' him, with his rigid economy 
and patient industry, the beginning of a com- 
petency. In 1878 he married a native of his 
home "country, Mary Abrahams, and the two 
went to housekeeping on a farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres which he was then able to pur- 
chase There thev remained until 1892, at which 
time thev came to Oregon. Mr. Nachtigall first 
rented land in Polk county, near Crowley, and 
after being satisfied that the country was all one 
could wish in which to make a permanent home, 
he bought his present farm of two hundred and 
eighteen acres, located near Salt Creek in the 
same county. His purchase was made in 1900, 
and since that time he has been engaged in gen- 
eral farming and the raising of cattle, sheep, 
horses, etc. Thirty-three acres of his farm are 
devoted to the cultivation of hops. 

Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Nachtigall, of whom there are five daughters and 
three sons. In addition to the success which 
Mr. Nachtigall has made in his chosen life-work 
he has, since being numbered among the citizens 
of Oregon, so won" his way into the confidence 
of the people of the community by his honorable 
life and intelligent interest in the affairs of the 
day that they have used their influence to secure 
his appointment as postmaster of the Salt Creek 
postoffice, his term extending from 1900 to 1904. 
He is independent in his political views, reserv- 
ing the right to cast his ballot for the man whose 
services he thinks will be productive of the most 
good for the country. Religiously he is a mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church. 



WILLIAM W. ROWELL. As the pro- 
prietor of the Russ House, Albany, Linn county, 
W. W. Rowell is winning a wide popularity in 
the community, which is not bounded by the limits 
of the city or county, but his reputation as a 
successful landlord is carried beyond this bv 



those who know him in his business capacity. 
He is a man of splendid personality, as well as a 
successful business man. and since his purchase 
of the hotel in 1892 he has built up a good patron- 
age and has emphatically met with rich returns 
from his efforts. 

Mr. Rowell was born in Albany, Orleans coun- 
ty, Vt., May 14, 1852, the descendant of an Eng- 
lish family who truly loved their adopted land. 
Three brothers of this family had come to the 
colonies just previous to the breaking out of 
the Revolutionary war, and so deeply were they 
impressed with the righteousness of the cause of 
the colonists that they generously gave their aid 
in the struggle. The first American born was 
William, the grandfather of W. W. Rowell, of 
this review, and his birth occurred in Vermont, 
where he represented both a New Hanpshire and 
a Massachusetts family. The father, Guy E., 
also owes his nativity to that state, in which he 
engaged in farming and stock-raising as a means 
of livelihood. Being a prominent man in the 
affairs of the community in which he lived he 
acted often in an official capacity, serving as 
selectman at various times. His wife was in 
maidenhood Betsey G. Page, also a native of Ver- 
mont, and the descendant of an old New England 
family. At her death, which occurred in Ver- 
mont, she was the mother of nine children, all of 
whom are living, and all located in the New Eng- 
land states, with the exception of W. W. and his 
brother, Z. E., who is a farmer in California. 

William W. Rowell was the second oldest of 
his father's children, and was reared on the pa- 
ternal farm, and educated in the public schools 
and Albany Academy. When nineteen years of 
age he began working at the carpenter's trade, 
and continued in the work until he came to Cali- 
fornia with his brother in 1875. After engag- 
ing for two years at his trade in San Francisco, 
he spent one year in Southern California, and 
then located in Mendocino county, where he be- 
came interested in a stock ranch, which he left 
in 1888 to settle in Linn county. Ore. Here he 
bought a farm located three miles from Albany, 
and engaged in its cultivation until 1892, when he 
sold it and invested the proceeds in his present 
lucrative business, which has become very suc- 
cessful under his ablemanagemeent. 

The marriage of Mr. Rowell occurred in 
Ukiah, Mendocino county, Cal., and united him 
with Miss Mary Harter, a native of Iowa, and of 
the union two children have been born, of whom 
Edith is the wife of T. A. Riggs, of Dallas ; and 
Oliver is a clerk in the establishment of A. M. 
Reeves. Politically, Mr. Rowell is a stanch Re- 
publican, true to the party and to the principles 
which it advocates. Fraternally, he is a member 
of the Foresters, the Fraternal Union and the 
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. 



IV >R I KAI r AND BIOGRAPHICAL REC( >KD. 



273 



Hi IN. PHIL METSCHAN. Truth is always 
stranger than fiction, and in the lives of even the 

si dignified of men is an element of romance 
This is noticeable in the record of Phil Metschan, 
the presidenl <>t" the Imperial Hotel Company 
Portland, and ex-state treasurer of Oregon. Lit- 
tle did the bo) of fourteen foresee the future 
that awaited him as he crossed the ocean, in a 
three-masted clipper, and during the tedium of 
forty days on shipboard amused himself by pon- 
dering upon what he would do in America. But 
the dreams of the boy never tinned to the far- 
distant shores of the Pacific, nor did they reveal 
to him the honors which the future held for him 
as Destiny awaited his coming- to the sunset sea. 
In Hesse-Cassel. Germany. Phil Metschan was 
born March 24. 1840. a son of Frederick I", and 
Caroline C. ( Schiricke ) Metschan, natives of 
the same province. His father was a graduate 
of Heidelberg College, which was founded in 
1386, and is the oldest university in Germany. 
He was a lawyer by profession and an attache 
of the Duke of Hesse. Like all of his family, he 
adhered to the Lutheran religion. His death 
occurred in February. 1875, and three years later 
his widow came to America with three of her 
daughters. Her death occurred in Canyon City, 
Ore., in 1884. Of her eight children three daugh- 
ters and two sons survive, one son. Max. being a 
deputy in the office of the internal revenue col- 
lector at Tacoma. 

When Phil Metschan arrived in Cincinnati he 
had only $4.75 with which to begin in the new 
world. However, he had two uncles there, and 
one of them took him into the meat market to 
learn the butcher's trade. In the spring of 1858 
he went to Leavenworth, Kans., and began in 
business in Shawnee market, but was taken ill 
and forced to change his occupation. Those 
were the days of the Pike's Peak excitement, and 
he joined the throng of gold-seekers w-estward 
bound. In the spring of 1859 he crossed the 
plains to Denver and thence to California Gulch 
(now Leadville). wd:ere he opened a meat mar- 
ket. Returning to Leavenworth in the fall of 
1860. he enjoyed the privilege of voting for Abra- 
ham Lincoln. In the spring of 1861 he went 
back to California Gulch, but soon joined an 
expedition for the far west, traversing the pony 
express route and landing in Sacramento just 
before the floods of 1861. During the winter he 
was employed on General Hutchinson's ranch. 
In the spring of 1862 he started for the Caribou 
mines in British Columbia, but a short stay 
in Victoria convinced him of the futility of the 
enterprise and he returned to the States, arriv- 
ing in Portland in June. T862. Soon afterward 
he went to Canyon City, Grant county, Ore., 
where he followed mining and prospecting at 



first, and then opened a meal market, conducting 
the same and a general mercantile business until 
1890. 

After settling in Canyon Cit) Mr. Metschan 
married Miss Mary Sehaum. who was born in 
Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and died in Salem, 
Ore., in 1895. His second marriage took place 
in San Rafael, Cal., and united him with Mrs. 
F. D. Sweetser, who was born in Canada and 
accompanied her parents to California. His 
children, all born of his first marriage, are named 
as follows: Frank, a stockman at Silvies. Har- 
ney county, ( )re. : Anna, whose husband, George 
H. Cattanach, is an attorney of Canyon City and 
ex-representative; Mrs. Amelia Meredith, of 
Salem; Julia, Mrs. Griffith, whose husband is a 
physician in the state insane asylum at Salem ; 
Phil, formerly cashier of the Grant County Rank 
and now proprietor of the Paris hotel at Hepp- 
ner, Ore. ; Otto, who is engaged in the stock 
business in eastern Oregon ; Anton H., a clerk 
in the Wells-Fargo Bank; Lillian: and Edward 
who is attending the Pennsylvania Dental Col- 
lege at Philadelphia. 

During his residence in Grant county Air. 
Metschan was a prominent factor in Republican 
politics. For four years he held the office 01 
county treasurer, for two years served as county 
clerk, and for four years officiated as county 
judge, after which (1888-1890) he again served 
as county clerk. In 1890 the Republicans placed 
him on their ticket for state treasurer and he was 
elected by a majority of sixty-seven hundred, 
while at the same time a Democratic governor 
w*as elected by five thousand majority. He as- 
sumed the duties of office in January, 1891, and 
about the same time established his home in 
Salem. At the expiration of his term he was 
re-elected by a plurality of twenty-three thousand 
over his Democratic opponent, his victory prov- 
ing not only his popularity as a man but also his 
successful administration in the high office with 
which he had been honored. In January, (899, 
his second term being ended and a constitutional 
limit of office reached, he retired from the posi- 
tion in which he had served with distinguished 
fidelity and efficiency. In May of the same year he 
purchased the Imperial hotel and incorporated 
the Imperial Hotel Company, of which he is 
president and which has enlarged the hotel and 
increased its capacity. 

Any reference to the life of Mr. Metschan 
would be incomplete without mention of his fra- 
ternal relations. He was made a Mason in Can- 
yon City Lodge Xo. 34, A. F. & A. M.. of which 
he is past master. During 1896-97 he was hon- 
ored with the office of grand master of the grand 
lodge of Oregon. He was raised to the Royal 
Arch degree in Blue Mountain Chapter No. 7. 
of Canyon City, in which he is past high priest. 



274 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



For a time connected with Oregon Comman- 
dery No. i, K. T.. he later became a charter 
member of DeMolay Commandery No. 5, K. T., 
of Salem, and is also identified with Oregon Con- 
sistory No. 1, and Al Kader Temple, N. M. S., 
of Portland. While in Canyon City he was in- 
itiated into the Odd Fellows as a member of Ho- 
bah Lodge No. 22, in which he is past noble 
grand. During 1881-82 he officiated as grand 
master of the grand lodge, I. O. O. F., of Ore- 
gon. In the Grand Encampment he is past grand 
patriarch, and also acted as supreme representa- 
tive to the Sovereign Grand Lodge in session at 
Los Angeles and later at Denver. Other organi- 
zations to which he belongs are Hope Lodge 
No. 1, A. O. U. W., and Lodge No. 142, B. P. 
O. E., both of Portland. Upon the organization 
of the Illehee Club of Salem, in which he bore 
a prominent part, he was chosen its president, 
and since leaving Salem has still retained his 
connection with the society. 



JOHN W. YORK, now deceased, was a pio- 
neer of Oregon of 1852. settling in this state in 
the fall of that year. He was born in Jackson 
county, Ga., near Raleigh, in 1800. and was an 
only child of James and Aletha Wright York. 
He came of English and Scotch ancestry. His 
grandfather was killed by the Tories. His 
father, at the age of sixteen, together with two 
brothers, fought in the Revolutionary war. 

When but a year old John Wright York was 
taken by his parents to St. Louis. Mo., and there 
his father died, after which the mother was mar- 
ried again and removed with her family to Ken- 
tucky, where the subject of this review lived for 
a few years. He then returned to Missouri and 
later went to Illinois. He acquired his education 
by the fireside, for there were no schools of any 
importance in the localities in which he lived. 
He, however, became a well read man. possess- 
ing a natural aptitude for intellectual work. He 
continually broadened his knowledge by reading, 
observation and investigation and during the 
greater part of his life he devoted his time and 
energies to the work of the ministry. When a 
young man he was licensed to exhort in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1826 was 
licensed to preach. He was then given charge of 
a circuit ; it required eight weeks to visit the 
different congregations therein. His speech was 
always correct, his arguments forceful, his logic 
convincing, and he exerted strong influence in 
behalf of Christianity and the development of 
upright manhood among his fellow men. 

Mr. York was united in marriage to Miss 
Mary P. Collier, who was born in Jefferson 
county, Ky., in 181 2. They became the parents 
of eight children, but five of the number died in 



infancy or early childhood. Martha C, the eld- 
est, was born in Carrolton, Green county, 111 , 
February 5, 183 1 ; Ann Aletha was born at Car- 
rolton, Green county, 111., January 3, 1833; and 
Emily Y. was born at Waterloo. Monroe county, 
111., January 24, 1835. They came with the 
family to Oregon in 1852. Martha Cordelia was 
married to William Masters at Dayton, Ore., 
May 13, 1860, and her family history is given in 
the sketch of his life given elsewhere. Ann Ale- 
tha became the wife of Rev. C. G. Belknap in 
Oregon. They reared four children, of whom 
three are yet living : Charles, Mary and Rosa. 
Mrs. Belknap died in May, 1880, in California, 
where she had lived since 1869. Her husband, 
however, still survives. Emily Y., the other 
member of the family of Mr. York, is a graduate 
of Willamette University of Oregon, being the 
first to pursue a full course in that institution. 
She afterward engaged in teaching in the public 
schools for one winter and for several years was 
a teacher in the "Old Portland Academy." She 
became the wife of A. W. Moore, of Olympia, 
Wash., who died within a few years, and she is 
now living with her daughter, Mrs. Mary E. 
Houck, in Roseburg, Ore. 

In 1842 Mr. York, of this review, was called 
upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in 
St. Clair county, 111. He was at that time 
preaching in central Illinois, being connected with 
the Illinois Conference. He afterward wedded 
Nancy S. Barrett, a daughter of Judge Barrett, 
of Farmington, Mo. ; she died of cholera in 1844, 
only ten months after their marriage. For his 
third wife he chose Mrs. Parmelia Ann Quinton, 
nee Bush. On account of the ill health of his 
wife he started for the northwest in 1852, hoping 
that she would be benefited by change of climate. 
This hope was realized, for her health soon im- 
proved and she lived until December 17, 1880, 
when she passed away in Corvallis at the age of 
sixty-nine years. 

Mr. York was the owner of three farms in Illi- 
nois, which he had purchased at different places 
where he was engaged in his ministerial labors. 
He started overland with ox teams and he also 
had a fine stock of horses and cattle. On the 
15th of April, 1852, he left Carlisle, 111., and 
arrived in ( )regon in October of that year. 
While on the trip the Indians stole his stock, 
and cholera broke out among the members of the 
party, one of the number dying of that disease. 
There were eighteen voting ladies and seventeen 
young men in the train of twenty wagons and 
the party was therefore a lively one and the trip 
enjoyable. When the family arrived in Oregon 
Air. York had only ox teams to haul his car- 
riage and wagons. Making his way to Cor- 
vallis he there located a claim of three hundred 
and twenty acres, upon which he established his 



Pi IRTRAIT AND lib >GR M'llU Al. RE< i iRD. 



27:. 



home, giving his attention to its cultivation and 
improvement. He never discontinued his labors 
in the ministry, however, but preached For one 
year at Corvallis, for two years at Albany, for 

one war in the Mohawk valley and for one year 
a- presiding elder of the Umpqua <listrict. 
Throughout his entire life he preached the gos- 
pel and was stationed for a time at Dayton, Ore., 
and later at Rock Creek, near Oregon City. 
Throughout his residence in this state he re- 
mained in the Willamette valley, save for the 
period of two years spent in the (Jmpqua valley. 
1 le covered his circuit on horseback, being' one of 
the pioneer preachers of the northwest. lie was 
on that circuit when the first church was built 
at Corvallis and up to the time of his death he 
never faltered in his efforts to establish Chris- 
tianity upon a firm basis in this state. 

In early life Mr. York was a strong- Whig, and 
afterward became a stalwart Democrat, while at 
the time of the Civil war he gave a stanch sup- 
port to the Union cause. He was a man of large 
form, strong and rugged, and proved a very use- 
ful citizen of the Sunset state from pioneer times 
down to his death. Selling bis farm he removed 
to Corvallis. where be lived for about twenty- 
five years, spending his last few years in retire- 
ment. There is no measurement by which we 
can determine the strength, extent and scope of 
his labors, but it is well known that his influence 
was a powerful factor for good in the early days 
of Oregon. 



WILLIAM MASTERS. They who planted 
civilization in the northwest, who braved the dan- 
gers and trials of pioneer life, are fast passing 
away. ( >n the roll of the honored dead appears 
the name of William Masters, who was a pioneer 
of Oregon of 1852. He was born in Lancaster, 
Pa.. May 17. 1819. a son of Christopher Masters, 
who was born in Chester county. Pa.. March 17, 
7778. and died in Fairfield, Ind.. November 6, 
1859, and Mary (Kerling) Masters, who was 
horn November 14. 1781. and died August 10. 
1838. In the family were fourteen children, of 
whom William was twelfth in order of birth. On 
the home farm he was reared and in the district 
schools he obtained his early education, which was 
supplemented by a course of study in a college in 
Indianapolis, where he was a schoolmate of Gen- 
eral Burnside. He went to Indiana when nine- 
teen years of age. In early life he served an ap- 
prenticeship as cabinetmaker there, later he re- 
moved to Fairfield. Franklin county. Ind., where 
he followed his trade. 

It was during his residence in that place that 
William Masters was united in marriage *"o Miss 
Mary Garrison. They became the parents of four 
children during their residence in the easf. Tn 



1852 they started with their family on the long 
journey across the plains to < Iregon. It was with 
the hope of more rapidly acquiring a fortune and 
of establishing a good home for his family that 
Mr. Masters came to the Sunset state. After 
traveling for long weary months, just as the train 
crossed the Sandy river. Mrs. Masters and two 
children died and arc now buried in Lone Fir 
cemetery. The party arrived at their destination 
in September, 1852, having made the journey with 
ox teams. Mr. Masters located in Portland, 
where be opened a wagon shop in partnership 
with Mr. Jacobs, continuing in that business at 
the corner of Second and Morrison streets until 
1859, when he sold out. He then became a part- 
ner in an enterprise for the packing and shipping 
of apples to California and in this was very suc- 
cessful for a number of years. He then opened a 
general mercantile establishment, forming a co- 
partnership with F. Harbaugh and W. W. Baker, 
being thus engaged until 1863, when he went to 
the Caribou mines, driving a band of cattle. 
When the Indians became hostile and waged war 
against the settlers in 1855-56, he volunteered for 
service when recruits were called for, going to 
the Cascades, where the Indians were committing 
depredations, with a company of volunteers from 
Portland. 

On the 13th of May, i860, Mr. Masters was 
married in Dayton. Ore., to Martha Cordelia 
York, and with his wife he came to Portland to 
live. By his first marriage be had four children : 
Lewis L. and Mary, who died at the same time 
the mother passed away ; S. LaFayette, who was 
born in 1848 and is now a resident of Tenino. 
Wash.; and J. Wilbur, who was born in the year 
1850 and died in January, 1891. He was a mer- 
chant of North Yakima and at his death left four 
sons and a daughter. LaFayette is a farmer and 
is married and has nine living children. By his 
second marriage Mr. Masters became the father 
of three children, of whom one died in infancy. 
William York, born April I, 1862, is mentioned 
later in this connection. Francis K., the other 
child, was born March 20, 1872. Both were horn 
in Portland. Francis, after graduating from the 
public schools in Portland, attended the State 
University at Eugene for one year, was a student 
in the law school at Portland and was admitted 
to the bar and is now engaged in the abstract 
business. 

William Masters was ever a stanch advocate 
of Republican principles and an active worker in 
this party, doing everything in his power to pro- 
mote its growth and insure its success. Tie was 
honored with several public offices and positions 
of trust : from 1872 until 1^74 he served as treas- 
urer of Multnomah county. No one was ever in 
doubt as to the position he occupied in regard to 
public affairs, for he was fearless and outspoken 



f 



L'Tii 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in defense of his honest eonvictions. In his busi- 
ness affairs he prospered. He lived in Yakima 
for eight years, where he was interested in farm- 
ing and stock-raising, and in Portland he engaged 
in speculating in land, buying, improving and 
then selling property. He became well-to-do, and 
was widely known as a successful business man 
During the last thirteen years of his life he lived 
retired from active business cares. He started 
out in life, however, empty-handed and the suc- 
cess which he achieved was due to his own well 
directed efforts. He made a great deal of money, 
but seven times suffered loss by fire. After com- 
ing to Portland he purchased a home, his place 
covering a quarter of a block at the corner of 
Fourth and Morrison streets. He also lived on 
Jefferson street at the corner of Fourth street for 
three years and for fourteen years at the corner 
of Jackson and Sixth streets, there spending his 
last days, his death occurring in that home on the 
5th of October, 1897. In the Methodist Episcopal 
Church he was a very active and helpful member. 
He belonged to the Taylor Street Methodist 
Church, was a leader in its work and was liberal 
in his contributions to its support. He also gave 
generously to other worthy causes. At the time 
of his death he held the oldest membership in the 
First Methodist Church here. He gave an unfal- 
tering allegiance to the temperance cause and was 
found as a champion of all measures pertaining 
to the moral progress of the community. 

William York Masters, to whom we are in- 
debted for the history of his honored father, pur- 
sued his early education in the "Old Portland . 
Academy," and afterward in the Agricultural 
College at Corvallis. where he pursued a full 
course and was graduated with the degree of 
A. M. in the class of 1882. He then read law 
with the firm of Killin & Moreland, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1884. He then formed a co- 
partnership with Judge J. C. Moreland, which 
was maintained for some time, and since the dis- 
solution of the partnership Mr. Masters has been 
alone in practice. He was a stockholder and vice- 
president of the Pacific Coast Abstract Company, 
which in 1901 was re-organized under the name 
of the Pacific Coast Abstract Guaranty & Trust 
Company, with Mr. Masters as its vice-president 
and attorney. The office of the company is now 
located in the Failing building. He also enjoys 
a lucrative general law practice, is a capable at- 
torney, having broad and comprehensive knowl- 
edge of the science of jurisprudence, which he 
applies with accuracy and correctness to the points 
in litigation. 

William Y. Masters was married in Corvallis 
March 31, 1886, to Miss Elizabeth M. Bell, who 
was born in Corvallis and is a daughter of H. M. 
Bell. Thev have three sons and two daughters, 
William H.. Bertha B., Edward W., Alfred R. 



and Margaret E. The family home is at No. 605 
Sixth street in Portland. 

Mr. and Mrs. Masters are members of the First 
Methodist Episcopal Church. He served as a 
member of the city council in 1901-02, is a mem- 
ber of Samaritan Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he 
is past grand, also a member of the Encamp- 
ment. He likewise belongs to Industry Lodge, 
A. O. U. W., and was a member of the Alpha 
Tau Omega college fraternity when in college. 
He is now an active factor in professional circles 
of the city and is not only a worthy representative 
of an honored pioneer family, but also deserves 
mention in this volume by reason of his own per- 
sonal worth and prominence. 



WILLIAM W. PLIMPTON. Few of the na- 
tive sons of Oregon have attained a more en- 
viable position in the business circles of Portland 
than the gentleman whose name appears at the 
head of this brief review. The greater percent- 
age of the men who have become actively iden- 
tified with the upbuilding of Portland, and in 
fact the entire Pacific northwest, are men who 
have emigrated from the more developed east, 
where they received the full benefits of fine schools 
and the experience of men who for years had 
been successful in the carrying on of various en- 
terprises. Thus to the young men of the north- 
west especial credit is due when in the face of 
the keen competition of thorough going business 
men with much older heads, they have reached 
a position of affluence. 

William W. Plimpton is a descendant of an 
old English family, a member of which, John 
Plimpton, emigrated to this country in 1636 and 
settled at Medfield, Mass. Here the descendants 
of the family lived for many years, and here in 
1826 the father of our subject, S. B. Plimpton, 
was born. He followed the shoemaker's trade 
for a few years, but at the age of twenty-five, 
the family ties being broken by the death of his 
parents, and attracted by the discover)' of gold 
in California, he came to the Pacific coast, via 
the Horn. The first year was spent in the mines, 
at the end of which time he came to Oregon, and 
at Rainier, in Columbia county, he took up a 
donation claim and engaged in farming. In i860 
he removed to Westport. Here he met with 
success and continued farming, and later re- 
moved to Oak Point, and still later returned to 
Westport, whence he removed to Willsburg. 
where he is now living. In 1853 he was united 
in marriage with Miss Lydia P. Wright, who 
was born at South Reading, now Wakefield, 
Mass. Of the children born of this marriage, 
three attained maturity, William W. being the 
oldest; Sarah is now the wife of FT. L Winter- 



PORTRAIT AND Bl< HiUAPI Ih'AI. RECORD. 



37 y 



botham, of California; and Ortley is an dec 

trician, now residing in ( >regon. 

William W. Plimpton is indebted to the public 
schools of i )regon for his preliminary education, 
which was supplemented by study in the gram- 
mar schools in the city of San Francisco. At the 
age of seventeen years, in 1S71, Mr. Plimpton 
made his first start in life by obtaining a position 
with Knapp, lWirrell & Co., implement dealers in 
Portland. Beginning at the bottom he steadily 
worked his way upward, step by step, and from 
the office he was promoted to the shipping de- 
partment, later had charge of the order depart- 
ment, in fact learning thoroughly every phase of 
the business. That his services were greatly ap- 
preciated is shown by the term of years he was 
with the firm, with which he severed his con- 
nection at the end of nearly twenty-five years, 
resigning in January, 1896. Profiting by the ex- 
perience he had here gained he at once took the 
necessary steps to organize the Western Storage 
& Transfer Company. The following six years 
he devoted his whole time and attention to the 
management and development of the business. 
From the first the enterprise proved to be a suc- 
cess and with Air. Plimpton at the helm it rapidly 
came to the front, and in 1902, when he turned 
the management over to his son, it was consid- 
ered one of the most substantial concerns in the 
city. The warehouses, erected under the per- 
sonal supervision of Mr. Plimpton, are modern 
in construction and ample in size, covering one 
hundred and fifty by two hundred feet, ground 
dimensions. As stated, in 1902, Mr. Plimpton 
severed his connection with the business, doing 
so for the purpose of accepting a position with 
the Acme Harvester Company of Peoria, 111.. 
as assistant manager of their Portland office. 

In 1888, Air. Plimpton was united in marriage 
with Alice J. Miller, also a native of Oregon, 
being the second daughter of Adolph and Betsy 
Miller, who were early pioneers and located at 
Portland in 1853. Of the children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Plimpton, William M. was educated in 
the public schools and Scott Academy and is now 
occupying his father's former position with the 
Western Storage & Transfer Company; their 
other child, Ethel W.. is now the wife of James 
D. M. Abbott, of Portland. 

In politics Mr. Plimpton is an unswerving Re- 
publican, but he has never had the time or in- 
clination to take an active part in the campaigns 
of his party. Although his time and attention 
have been devoted to his business interests, Mr. 
Plimpton is a firm supporter of all measures cal- 
culated to be of benefit to the city and state. 
V\ "hile there are many men who have risen from 
the ranks there are none that deserve more credit 
for what they have accomplished than does Mr. 
Plimpton. 



CAPT. JOHN T. APPERSON. It is seldom 
throughout the incipient stages of growth, down 
to a period covering many years in the develop- 
ment of a progressive commonwealth, that to any 
one man is accorded a foremost place bj general 
consent. New countries in these latter days of 
steam and electricity develop often with rapidity ; 
new issues are met by new leaders, while those 
who laid the foundation of society rarely retain 
their hold on affairs for any extended period of 
time. In this, however, Oregon has been an ex- 
ception to the rule, and the career of Capt. John 
T. Apperson is a conspicuous example of the ex- 
ception. Coming to Oregon when the country 
was an undeveloped wilderness, no settled social, 
political or business order, he has exerted a con- 
tinually increasing influence in the various line* 
of development which have added to the wealth 
and greatness of the state. Apart from his busi- 
ness life, he has been one of the foremost build- 
ers of our state. The results of his high integrity 
and of his efforts to elevate the tone of society 
and keep pure the moral sentiment of the com- 
munity, make a double claim upon our respect 
and recognition. Fortunate, indeed, has it been 
for the state, that its political leaders, like our 
subject, have been men whose social, religious 
and domestic relations have stimulated and hon- 
ored the highest of her people. The lessons of 
such lives are the best inheritance of a state or 
people. 

John T. Apperson was born in Christian 
county, Ky., December 24, 1834, a son of Bev- 
erly Apperson, who was born in the vicinity of 
Jamestown on the banks of the James river, and 
was united in marriage with Jane Gilbert Tubbs. 
a native of Tennessee. Ten children were born 
of this union, as follow-s : Beverly, who died 
when young ; Sarah ; Matilda Jane ; John T. ; 
Harriett Rebecca ; Albert A. ; Dona Elvira ; 
Jacob R. ; Susan H. ; and Milton M., who died 
in childhood. Beverly Apperson was a planter 
and farmer, and after his marriage removed to 
Kentucky. In 1835 he took up his residence in 
Missouri, living for a time near Springfield, and 
later locating near Neosha, New-ton county. 
This father was ambitious for his family and in 
order to better their conditions joined an expe- 
dition bound for the coast, in which there were 
one hundred wagons and much live stock. The 
journey was a tedious one and much trouble was 
experienced with the Indians, especially so with 
those at Umatilla, who were afterward connected 
with the Whitman massacre. Little did the hope- 
ful band think that ere their journey's end was 
reached, death would take from their midst one 
of its most stalwart and hardy members, but the 
grim messenger strikes where least expected and 
at Ham Fork, Beverly Apperson died of an attack 
of fever and was buried in a lonely grave, remote 



280 



•ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



from home and kindred. Heartbroken, the 
mother and nine children continued on their 
way to the new Eldorado, which to them was 
Oregon City, where a cousin and son-in-law re- 
sided. The first winter in Oregon, however, was 
spent near Portland, at the mouth of the Sandy, 
where the cattle were wintered and where the 
mother took up a claim afterward ahandoned. In 
the spring of 1848 the family removed to Lawns- 
dale, where the mother found employment in a 
tannery owned by the cousin. Here this brave 
woman labored for her flock and gave to them 
the few advantages then obtainable. 

John T. Apperson, of whom we are writing, 
iemembers well the long journey across the 
plains, and although but thirteen years of age, 
he did his share of the labors incident to the 
life of the pioneers. He remained at home and 
worked to assist in the maintenance of the fam- 
ily. With the breaking out of the gold excitement 
in California in 1849, the family came to Port- 
land, and John T. departed for the Golden state. 
For a time he mined on the Yuba river and Deer 
creek, meeting with considerable success, but ow- 
ing to the state of his health he was obliged to 
seek other employment, and two years were spent 
in ranching and cattle raising. At the expiration 
of this time, Mr. Apperson returned to Oregon 
and for three years was in the employment of the 
Milling and Transportation Company, and there- 
after engaged in steamboating, his first boat be- 
ing the Rival, its course being between Oregon 
City and Portland. Being possessed of an eco- 
nomic nature he saved from his earnings and in 
time was able to purchase an interest in the boats 
Clinton and Union, freight and passenger car- 
riers plying between Oregon City and Dayton. 
He continued in this line of business until 1861, 
when the breaking out of the Civil war offered 
an opportunity for every citizen to display his 
patriotism. Mr. Apperson was among the first 
to lay down the business duties of life, and as a 
private he enlisted in the First Oregon Cavalry 
from which position he was later promoted to 
first lieutenant. Instead of following out the 
original intention to join the Army of the Poto- 
mac, the government sent them into eastern Ore- 
gon, Washington territory and Idaho, where they 
were engaged in fighting Indians and bushwhack- 
ing. Mr. Apperson continued in the service until 
1865, in which year he obtained his honorable 
discharge. He at once took up his old occupa- 
tion, that of steamboating, which he followed for 
the next five years. 

During these years spent on the river and in 
the army Mr. Apperson had gained an acquaint- 
ance which extended over a large territory. In 
those days it was hard to find men who were 
capable to handle the reins of government. Those 
were the davs when the state was being: made 



and it needed men of unquestioned ability, of 
honesty and integrity. A Republican in politics, 
Mr. Apperson had always been found thoroughly 
abreast of the times and a firm supporter of the 
principles of his party. Recognizing his worth 
and ability his party made their first call upon 
him in 1870, in which year he was elected to the 
state legislature. He served his constituents 
well and in 1874 he was selected to fill the office 
of sheriff, to which position he was later elected. 
His administration was so satisfactory that his 
party determined to keep him in public office, 
and in 1878 he was elected to the state senate, 
where he served from 1878 to 1882. No mem- 
ber was more active than he. Bills that were 
calculated to be of benefit to the state always had 
his active and hearty support. Other political 
honors came to Mr. Apperson in 1884, wdien he 
was sent as a delegate to the National Conven- 
tion held in Chicago, at which time he labored 
earnestly for the nomination of James G. Blaine. 
Four years later, in 1888, he was again called 
upon to serve in the legislature, and in 1889 he 
was appointed registrar of the United States 
land office at Oregon City, which position he 
held for the succeeding four years. Since re- 
tiring from the latter position he has lived in 
retirement from public office. Twenty-four years 
of his life have been given to his state. His 
record is an honorable one over which there falls 
no shadow of shame or dishonor. 

Fraternally Mr. Apperson is one of the most 
prominent Masons in the state and is the oldest 
on the Pacific coast, having joined Multnomah 
Lodge in 1858, of which he is past master. He is 
also identified with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, has passed the chairs in both 
branches of the order, and has been grand repre- 
sentative of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the 
United States and attended the convention held 
in the city of Cincinnati in 1882. In 1872 he 
served as grand master of the state of Oregon. 

All his life Captain Apperson has been a stanch 
supporter of educational matters and has done all 
in his power to better the conditions of the schools 
in the state. In 1885 a law was enacted creating 
a Board of Regents of the State Agricultural 
College at Corvallis. In the same year Captain 
Apperson was appointed a member of the Board 
by Governor Moody, and at this time he is still 
serving. For seven years he was president of 
the board and during that time he won the ap- 
preciation of all. On his retirement from the 
office of president the board passed resolutions of 
thanks and praise for the manner in which he 
had conducted the affairs of the office. In ad- 
dition to other matters Mr. Apperson has been 
greatly interested in the agricultural conditions 
of Oregon and for many years was a member 



F'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



2hl 



of the state hoard, while for ten years he served 
as president of the same. 

In Walla Walla, Wash.. Mr. Apperson was 
united in marriage with Mi>-~ Mary A. Elliott, 

a native of Missouri and a daughter of William 
Elliott, who was horn in \ ineennes. Ind.. and a 
tanner during his active life. Mr. Elliott crossed 
the plains to Oregon in 1S40, and has lived for 
many \ears with his daughter. Mrs. Apperson. 
To his eredit is courageous service in the Indian 
wars and a life oi devotion to his family. 

If space permitted the writer could say much 
more oi the life and deeds of Captain Apperson. 
There is no man in the Willamette Valley more 
deserving of the esteem and confidence of his fel- 
low-men than he. His life is like an open book — 
open to all. He has lived a life of high purpose. 
His interest in the growth and development of 
his adopted state has been sincere, and by ex- 
ample he has endeavored to elevate the standard 
of morality and progress in all of the avenues 
of his activity. It is to such men the present gen- 
eration owes a debt of gratitude that will never 
be paid. Too much cannot be said or done in 
their honor. They are the men that have made 
Oregon one of the greatest of states and their 
lives are well worthy of emulation. 



CAPT. GEORGE ANSON PEASE. Not a 
few of the fortunes which have been made in the 
great northwest have come from the waters of its 
many rivers, for steamboating has not been the 
least of the remunerative employments of this 
section. Capt. George Anson Pease is one of the 
pioneers who realized the possible profit of such 
work, his early observation having taught him as 
much, for his mother had six brothers engaged 
in boating on the Hudson river, and almost im- 
mediately after his arrival here in 1850 he became 
so employed and continued so throughout his 
entire business career. It is a self-evident fact 
that he has been successful in a financial way, 
and the general esteem and respect of his fellow- 
men bespeak that greater one which can only be 
won by years of trustworthiness. In 1861 Cap- 
tain Pease rescued forty people from a flood, 
proving those qualities which have always dis- 
tinguished his life. 

The father of Captain Pease, Norman Pease, 
was an architect and builder of New York state 
and said to be the best in his trade throughout 
the state. He was born in Ohio and after his re- 
moval to New York he married Harriet McAllis- 
ter, a representative of a Scotch family, and he 
died January 4, 1847, at tne a g e °f forty-three 
years, while she came to Oregon in 1862 and 
made her home in Oregon City until her death 
in 1890, in her eighty-fourth year. She was the 
mother of seven children, one of whom died in 



infancy, the others being as follows: ' ieorge 

Anson, of this review, the oldest child, and the 
only son, horn in Stuvvesant Landing, Columbia 
county. X. Y., September 30, [830; Maria V. 
now the wife of Alexander Warner, of Mt. 
Tabor; Martha E., the widow of John Howser, 
at the time of her mother's death being in Cort- 
land, hut now living in New York City; Jane, 
who became the wife of A. M. Cannon and died in 
Spokane Falls, W r ash., in 1893; Harriet [•'.., the 
widow of Capt. C. W. I 'ope ; and Pamela, who 
became the wife of Alfred Herring and died in 
Portland, in 1887. Captain Pease and his sisters 
were all educated in the subscription schools of 
his native state, but at the age of fifteen years he 
became connected with his father to learn the 
carpenter and joiner's trade, and at the death of 
his father he finished his apprenticeship with an- 
other man. He remained at home until 1849, 
when he set out for the west, his trip being made 
by way of the Horn, his arrival safely accom- 
plished September 30, 1849. He remained in Sac- 
ramento for a time and spent the winter in the 
mines, where he met with success, which was 
turned into failure through his trust of the man 
with whom he was working. Having lost all that 
he had gained he decided to go north and try his 
fortune in Oregon, arriving here in July, 1850, 
where he has ever since remained. He purchased 
a couple of boats and ran them from Milwaukee 
to Oregon City and later from Portland. In 185 1 
the first steamboat was brought to the Willamette 
river and Captain Pease secured a position as 
clerk and deck-hand, remaining for six months, 
the first boats being the Hoosier, Oregon, Can- 
ema and Franklin. With others Captain Pease 
bought The Elk in 1858 and Onward in i860, and 
became pilot and captain of the steamer Hoosier 
in 1 85 1. In 1863 he built a boat which he called 
the Enterprise and ran on the upper river, which 
proved a profitable undertaking and later it was 
put into The People's Transportation Company. 
For some years the captain was a member of the 
board of directors, but later they sold the Benja- 
min Holliday and he remained in his employ as 
superintendent of the river lines. Mr. Holliday 
afterward sold out to the Oregon Steamer and 
Navigation Company and Captain Pease still re- 
mained as master in the employ of that company 
until he resigned and became a pilot in 1879, after 
some years going to work for the Oregon Rail- 
road & Navigation Company. Tn 1896 he was 
appointed captain of the United States govern- 
ment dredge, W. S. Ladd, and remained success- 
fully until May. 1903. when he resigned and quit 
active work. 

In Linn City, in 1857, Captain Pease was united 
in marriage with Miss Mildred A. Moore, who 
was born in Illinois and came to Oregon when she 
was five years old. She died in Portland, whither 



282 



P( IRTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the family had removed in [868, in October, 1889, 
when thirty-seven years old, the mother of four 
children, of whom two, Francis A., aged six, and 
George E., aged two, are deceased, while the liv- 
ing are Archibald L., who is married and has two 
sons, George Norman, a student of Cornell Uni- 
versity, and A. Leroy, a student of Hill Military 
Academy; and Harriet M., residing in San Fran- 
cisco, the wife of T. J. Colbert, manager of the 
carpet department of the Emporium, and they 
have two children : Mildred Grace, now Mrs. 
Peters, and George Pease Colbert. The children 
of Captain PeaseNvere all educated in the public 
schools of Oregon City and Portland. Frater- 
nally the captain is a prominent man, having been 
made a Mason in 1855, in Oregon City, and hav- 
ing acted as master of Multnomah Lodge, which 
is the oldest on the Pacific coast. He is a charter 
member of Portland Lodge No. 55, and belongs 
to the Chapter, R. A. M.. charter member of 
Scottish Rite and member of Al Kader Temple. 
He belongs socially to the Pioneers' Association 
of Oregon and Historical Society, and in the line 
of his business belongs to the Masters and Pilots' 
Association of Untied States Steam Vessels. 
Captain Pease is a self-made man and the success 
which he has achieved may be traced to that de- 
cision of character which impelled him to grasp 
a difficulty as soon as presented and use every 
strength and purpose of his intellect to overcome 
it and lift himself to a higher position among his 
fellow men. 



KENNETH A. J. MACKENZIE, M. D. The 
founder of the Mackenzie family in America was 
Roderick Mackenzie, a member of an old family 
of Scotland and himself a native of Ross Shire. 
The ancient families of Langwell and Aldy, 
Earls of Cromartie and Brahan, are members of 
the same family. When a young man he settled 
in Canada wdiere he soon became identified with 
the operations of the famous Hudson Bay Com- 
pany, first in the capacity of clerk, and subse- 
quently rising to be chief factor in the service. 
Through his keen intelligence and rare executive 
ability he rose rapidly to a position of influence 
among the company's officers, and his work- at the 
various posts where he was stationed reflected 
the highest credit upon his capabilities and his 
devotion to the company's interests. Upon re- 
tiring from active business he purchased a home- 
stead at Melbourne, Quebec, on the St. Francis 
river, where he continued to reside until his 
death in 1896. Throughout his life he adhered 
to the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, in 
which faith he had been reared. His wife, who 
also died in 1896, was Jane Mackenzie, a native 
of Fort William, in the Lake Superior district. 
Fler father, also named Roderick Mackenzie, a 



native of Ross Shire, Scotland, likewise became a 
chief factor in the service of the Hudson Bay 
Company, and for years was stationed in the 
northwest, eventually dying in the Red River 
settlement, where he owned a large farm. 

In the family of which Dr. Mackenzie was 
the eldest son there were four sons and two 
daughters. Of these, Peter is a well-known ad- 
vocate in Quebec, and rendered able service as 
a representative of his district in the Provincial 
Legislature. Thomas is a farmer in Australia. 
Francis A. is engaged in business in Montreal. 
One of the daughters, Isabella, is married to R. 
Lea Barnes, manager of the Wells-Fargo Bank ; 
and resides in Portland, while the other, Jane 
Mackenzie, continues to occupy the old home- 
stead. 

Kenneth A. J. Mackenzie was born in Cum- 
berland House, Manitoba, January 13, 1859. As 
a boy he was afforded excellent educational ad- 
vantages, attending the Nest Academy in Scot- 
land, later the high school of Montreal, Canada, 
and subsequently being graduated from Upper 
Canada College in Toronto. Having decided to 
enter the medical profession, in 1877 he matricu- 
lated in McGill University, where he took a com- 
plete course of lectures, being graduated in 1881 
with the degree of M. D. C. M. With a desire 
to broaden his professional knowledge before 
undertaking active practice, he went to Edin- 
burg, Scotland, where he took a post-graduate 
course in the Royal College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, which conferred upon him the degree 
of L. R. C. P. and S. E. In the hospitals and 
clinics of Berlin, Vienna, Paris and London he 
had further advantages of the highest importance 
to one whose ambition was to acquire a thorough 
knowledge of medicine and surgery. 

Upon returning to America, Dr. Mackenzie, 
in 1882, located in Portland, Ore., where he has 
since established an enviable reputation for skill 
in surgery and accuracy in diagnosis and treat- 
ment in general practice. By his professional 
brethren he is at this time freely accorded the 
position of pre-eminence among the practitioners 
of ( )regon, and ranks as the peer of the most suc- 
cessful and distinguished medical scientists of 
the Pacific slope. Aside from his large private 
practice, he has been variously identified with im- 
portant interests properly associated with his pro- 
fessional work. For twenty years he has served 
as a member of the medical faculty of the Oregon 
State University. In 1883 he was appointed to 
the staff of St. Vincent's Hospital, where his 
broad knowledge and observation, extending into 
the hospitals of the medical centers of Europe, 
as well as of this country, made his services es- 
pecially valuable. He has also held the post of 
chief surgeon for the Oregon Railroad & Naviga- 
tion Company. His high standing' among the 





v^ 



PORTRAIT \\n UK JGRAPHICAL REG IRD. 



2«ri 



members of the profession is indicated l>\ the 
fact that he was honored by election t>> 1 1 1 «. - presi- 
dency of the ( )regon State Medical Association 
and oi the Portland Medical Society, in both 
of which organization he has been an active 
laborer. Me i- also a member of the American 
Medical Association and of the International As- 
sociation oi Railway Surgeons. Fraternally and 
socially he is identified with the University Club 
and the Arlington Club, and is a life member of 
the Portland Library Association. In religious 
connections he is a member of Trinity Kpiscopal 
Church of Portland, and is a contributor to the 
success of other movements of a religious and 
benevolent nature. 

Chi 1885 Dr. Mackenzie married Cora Hardy 
Scott, a native of Louisiana, and a daughter of 
Pliny and Cora Hardy of St. Landry's parish, 
La. She died in 1901. Their children are 
named as follows: Ronald Seaforth. Jean Stuart, 
Barbara and Kenneth A. L, fr. 



COL. HENRY E. DOSCH. In noting the 
history of the Dosch family we find they were 
prominent in military affairs in Germany, where 
Col. John B. Dosch and his father, Col. Ernest 
Dosch. were officers in the army ; and the former 
had two brothers who also held high rank in the 
service of their country. At the close of an hon- 
orable career in the army he entered the diplo- 
matic service, and subsequently, with a record of 
which he might well be proud, he retired to his 
large estate adjoining Kastel-Mainz, and there 
his last years were passed. His wife, Anna, was a 
daughter of Ulrich Busch, a large and wealthy- 
lumber merchant of Kastel-Mainz ; her brother, 
Adolphus Busch, has since become one of the 
most prominent residents of St. Louis, Mo. In 
her family of seven children one son and one 
daughter survive, the former being Col. Henry 
E. Dosch, of Portland, proposed director-general 
of the Lewis and Clark Exposition, and commis- 
sioner of the board of horticultural commission- 
ers of Oregon. 

In his native town of Kastel-Mainz, where 
he was born June 17. 1841. Col. Henry E. Dosch 
received excellent educational advantages. On 
the completion of the regular course in the School 
of Commerce and Industry in Kastel-Mainz. he 
was apprenticed to a large importing oil house, 
where he served for three years. In March of 
i860 he came to America and secured employ- 
ment as bookkeeper in St. Louis. At the open- 
ing of the Civil war he enlisted as member of 
General Fremont's body guard, serving as such 
until November, 1861, when the one hundred and 
fiftv-one men composing the guard were honor- 
ably discharged. At the battle of Springfield, 
Mo., these valiant guardsmen met and routed 



three thousand Confederates in a desperate con- 
lliet that lasted from three in the afternoon until 
dark. During this engagement Mr. Dosch was 
wounded in the right leg. It might have been 
supposed that this baptism of fire would dis 
courage Mr. Dosch from further efforts to cnlisi ; 
but not so. On the expiration of his time he 
endeavored to secure admission into the volun 
teer service, and in March of 1862 was accepted 
as a member of Company C, Fifth Missouri 
Cavalry. Later, on account of losses in the Fourth 
and Fifth, these regiments were consolidated 
and he then resigned. A later office was that of 
sergeant of Company C, after which he was pro- 
moted to be sergeant-major of the regiment and 
then adjutant, and for the last three months he 
was acting colonel. On the consolidation of the 
two regiments, in 1863, he resigned his position 
and retired from the service. 

The first experience of Colonel Dosch with 
western life and environment was gained in 1863, 
when he crossed the plains with ox-teams and 
after two weeks in Salt Lake City continued his 
journey to Virginia City, Nev. For a time he 
was connected with the Wells-Fargo pony ex- 
press, and at one time he walked from Omaha 
to Sacramento and thence to San Francisco. In 
April of 1864 he became bookkeeper and cashier 
for a firm dealing in miner's supplies at The 
Dalles. The next year he embarked in the mer- 
cantile business at Canon City, Ore., and contin- 
ued until the loss of his stock and store by fire 
led him to come to Portland in 1871. In this 
city he conducted a wholesale business in the 
boot and shoe line for nineteen years, having 
his establishment on Front street. The mental 
and nervous strain incident to the building up of 
a large wholesale business proved very trying 
and he was finally obliged to retire, in order that 
his health might not be permanently injured. 
Being of too active a temperament to enjoy com- 
plete rest, he turned his attention to horticulture. 
a science which has always possessed the keenest 
fascination for him. In 1889 the governor of 
Oregon appointed him a member of the board of 
horticultural commissioners and each succeeding 
governor has re-appointed him to the office. 
During his term of service five volumes of bien- 
nial reports have been issued. Those published 
in 1899 and 1901 have been adopted as text 
books at Cornell University, University of Mich- 
igan, University of Wisconsin, Stuttgart Uni- 
versity in Germany, and various colleges in 
England. 

Perhaps in no way has Colonel Dosch more 
materially aided in the progress of Oregon and 
in bringing before the world a knowledge of its 
resources, than through his connection with ex- 
hibits of the products of the state. During the 
World's Fair in Chicago an exhibit was inaugu- 



286 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



rated that attracted much attention from people 
who previously had been wholly unacquainted 
with the state's possibilities. Through his efforts 
the legislature was interested in the exhibit and 
an appropriation was made, thereby enhancing 
the success of the enterprise. A later project 
which he superintended was the exhibit of the 
products of Oregon at the Trans-Mississippi Ex- 
position at Omaha. So successful was he in this 
work that he was appointed to the same position 
in connection with the Pan-American Exposition 
at Buffalo, N. Y., and the Inter-State and West 
Indies Exposition at Charleston, S. C. One of 
the highest honors of his life came to him with 
his appointment as director-general of the Lewis 
and Clark Exposition, to which he is now giving 
much time and thought. During 1903 he will 
have charge of an exhibit at Ozaka, Japan, and 
while visiting this International Exposition it 
is his hope to arouse an interest on the part of 
the Japanese and induce them to make an exhibit 
at Portland during the Lewis and Clark Ex- 
position. 

There is probably no citizen of Portland whose 
knowledge of horticulture is broader and more 
thorough than that possessed by Colonel Dosch. 
In his office as commissioner of the state board 
of horticultural commissioners, he has directed 
its operations and headed its work in the direction 
of bringing to the people of the state, as well as 
elsewhere, an accurate knowledge of Oregon soil, 
its possibilities as a horticultural center, and the 
special fruits suited to various localities. Often 
he has accepted invitations to contribute to hor- 
ticultural journals, and the articles appearing 
therein over his signature always command a 
wide reading. His association with the board of 
horticultural commissioners has been productive 
of the greatest good to the fruit-growing inter- 
ests of the state, and to those having a knowledge 
of his contribution to the success of the board's 
reports the accepted value of the reports is a 
tribute to his accuracy and judgment. It may 
be doubted if any measure has contributed more 
to the development of Oregon's horticultural re- 
sources than the act of legislature, approved 
February 25, 1889, for the creation of a state 
board of horticulture ; and it may also be doubted 
if any one member of the board has contributed 
in so great a degree to its success as has Colonel 
Dosch. As originally created, the board of hor- 
ticulture consists of six members, appointed by 
the governor, secretary of state and state treas- 
urer. One member represents the state at large, 
while the others represent five districts, namely : 
first district, Multnomah, Clackamas, Yamhill, 
Washington, Columbia, Clatsop and Tillamook 
counties ; second district, Marion, Polk, Benton, 
Lincoln, Linn and Lane counties ; third district, 
Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Josephine, Coos, 



Curry and Lake counties ; fourth district, Wasco, 
Sherman, Morrow, (hlliam and Crook counties; 
and fifth district, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, 
Baker, Malheur, Harney and Grant counties. 
The members reside in the districts for which 
they are appointed and are selected with refer- 
ence to their practical experience in or knowl- 
edge of horticulture. Appointment is for a term 
of four years. The present officers of the board 
are E. L. Smith, president ; L. T. Reynolds, treas- 
urer, and Henry E. Dosch, secretary, while the 
representatives of districts are as follows : 
W. K. Newell, first district; L. T. Reynolds, 
second district ; A. H. Carson, third district ; 
Emile Schanno, fourth district ; Judd Geer, fifth 
district ; and E. L. Smith, state-at-large. 

The marriage of Colonel Dosch was solemnized 
at Canon City, Ore., in 1866, and united with 
him Marie Louise Fleurot, who was born in 
France and received her education in Portland. 
They are the parents of six children now living, 
namely : Ernst, who is a merchant at Skagway, 
Alaska ; Lillie, Camelia, Arno, Roswell and Mar- 
guerite. The family attend the First Presbyter- 
ian Church of Portland, in which Colonel Dosch 
for a time officiated as treasurer. 

For several terms he was commander of Lin- 
coln-Garfield Post No. 3, G. A. R. During his 
residence in Canon City in 1867 he was made a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and is now identified with Minerva Lodge 
in Portland. During 1887-88 he was grand 
master of the grand lodge of Oregon. In politics 
he has always been allied with the Democratic 
party, but during the campaigns of 1896 and 
1900 connected himself with the gold wing oi 
that party, not being in favor of a sixteen-to-one 
standard. During the long period of his resi- 
dence in the west he has kept in touch with the 
progress in the world of thought and action, and 
while especially devoted to the great northwest, 
yet has no narrow spirit of prejudice, but is 
loyal to the welfare of our country, and interested 
in worldwide progress. Frequent trips to the 
east, as well as several voyages across the ocean 
to the old home land, have brought to him an 
intimate knowledge of the development of our 
nation and the influence of modern thought in 
the old world; but, while loyal to the land of 
his birth, he believes the history of the future 
ages is to be written by the United States and 
especially by that portion thereof lying beyond 
the Rockies. 



EARL C. BRONAUGH, JR. From his earli- 
est recollections identified with the history of 
Portland, Mr. Bronaugh is keenly alive to the 
opportunities offered by his home city, and is 



1 







(g \q O 3^sr**--&~A-*-*y*i- 



PORTRAIT AND BI< >GR M'llHAI. REC( iRD. 



2«7 



out' oi the enthusiastic advocates of its possi- 
bilities. He was Norn in Cross counts. Ark., 
Februarj _'<>. [866, and when two years of age 
was broughl to i )regon by his father, E. C. 
Bronaugh. lli> education was begun in the pub- 
lic schools of Portland, and was completed at the 
University of the Pacific, at San Jose. Cal., from 
which he was graduated in 1888, with the de- 
cree of \. B. Three years later the degree 
of A. M. was conferred upon him by his alma 
mater. He began the study of law while a clerk 
in the office of Whalley, Bronaugh & Northup, 
and afterward entered die law department of 
the University of Oregon, from which he was 
graduated in 1890. with the degree of LL. B. 
During June of the same year he was admitted 
to the bar. In taking- up the active practice 
oi his profession he became a member of the 
firm of Bronaugh, McArthur, Fenton & Bro- 
naugh. which, by the death of Judge McArthur, 
in 1897, and the retirement of the senior Bro- 
naugh. was changed to Fenton, Bronaugh & 
Muir. The latter partnership was dissolved in 
February, 1900, and later the firm of Bronaugh 
& Bronaugh was organized by Mr. Bronaugh 
and his cousin. Jerry Bronaugh, the two now 
conducting a general practice and acting as at- 
torneys for a number of corporations. Air. Bro- 
naugh has made a specialty of the law of real 
property, and has been, since 1900, attorney for 
several foreign loan companies. 

Mr. Bronaugh was married in San Jose, Cal., 
to Miss Grace Huggins, a native of Iowa. They 
now have four children : Elizabeth, Lewis, 
Earl C, Jr., and Polly. The family is connected 
with the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Port- 
land, in which Mr. Bronaugh is a member of the 
board of trustees, and for eight years has been 
Sunday school superintendent. He is a member 
of the board of directors of the Y. M. C. A. 
The Arlington Club. University Club, State 
Bar Association and Alumni Association of the 
Phi Kappa Psi and Phi Delta Phi are among 
the organizations to which he belongs. During 
his university work he was one of the founders 
of Chase Chapter of Legal Fraternity, Phi Delta 
Phi, University of Oregon. Fraternally he is 
connected with the A. O. U. W. and the Royal 
Arcanum. In 1900 he was elected to represent 
the Seventh ward in the city council, and served 
two years, meantime being chairman of the 
committee on streets, health and police, and was 
also a member of the judiciary committee. Under 
appointment by the legislature in 1901 he be- 
came a member of the charter board and served 
as chairman of the committee on executive de- 
partment and a member of the committee on the 
legislative department. 



EARL C. BRONAUGH. In the last half 
century the lawyer has been a pre-eminent factor 
in all affairs of private concern and national im- 
portance, lie lias been depended upon to con- 
serve the best and permanent interests of the 
whole people, and is a recognized power in all 
the avenues of life. He stands as the pro- 
tector of the rights and liberties of his fellow men. 
and is a representative of a profession whose 
followers, if they would gain honor, fame and 
success, must be men of merit and ability. Such 
a one was Earl C. Bronaugh, who passed away 
March 6, 1899, a f tcr a connection of thirty- 
one years with the bar of Oregon, and it is safe 
to say that there never was an attorney in the 
state who was held in higher respect by his asso- 
ciates. Coming to the state at a time when 
the work of development had just begun, he be- 
came identified with the substantial growth and 
upbuilding of the same. Unostentatious in man- 
ner, he never allowed himself to become a pub- 
lic man, preferring to give his whole time to 
the practice of his profession. 

At the time of the revocation of the Edict of 
Nantes, members of the Bronaugh family, who 
were French Huguenots, fled to Scotland for 
refuge, and from there came to America. The 
emigration must have taken place some time be- 
fore the Revolution, as members of the family 
took part in the struggle for independence. 
Jeremiah Bronaugh. the father of the personal 
subject of this review, was born in Virginia, 
where the family had settled at a very early 
day. In about 1846, Mr. Bronaugh became a 
pioneer of western Tennessee, and still later 
removed to Arkansas, where he lived the balance 
of his life. In earl}' manhood he was engaged 
in the mercantile business, but the most of his 
life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. By 
marriage he was united with Miss Elizabeth 
Clapp, a daughter of Dr. Earl B. Clapp, of Ab- 
ingdon, Va. Dr. Clapp was a native of Massa- 
chusetts, and served as surgeon during the war 
of 1812 with the Virginia troops. He married 
Elizabeth Craig, of Abingdon, a daughter of 
Capt. Robert Craig. Captain Craig was a native 
of Pennsylvania, and in 1787 he removed to the 
Old Dominion. During the struggle for inde- 
pendence he served under Washington during 
two campaigns. He was also very active in pro- 
moting patriotic societies, organizing many in 
different portions of the country. He died in 
Abingdon in 1834, aged ninety years. For 
seventy years he was a very active member of 
the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Earl B. Clapp 
was a descendant of Thomas Clapp, a native of 
Dorchester. England, who came to this country 
in 1633, and settled in Massachusetts, where 
the descendants of the family resided until some 
time prior to the war of 1812, when Dr. Clapp 



28<s 



'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



migrated to Virginia, being the first member 
of the family to leave the New England states. 
His marriage with Elizabeth Craig resulted in 
the birth of four children, one of whom was 
Elizabeth, who became the wife of Jeremiah 
Bronaugh. Of this latter union there were 
seven children, three of whom lived to reach ma- 
ture years, as follows: Earl C, our subject; 
Anna Louisa, now Mrs. Poindexter, of Bard- 
well, Ky., and William J., who died in Arkansas. 
His son, Jerry, is now an attorney of the city of 
Portland. 

Earl C. Bronaugh was born in Abingdon, 
Va., March 4, 183 1. There he spent the first 
twelve years of his life, at the end of which time 
he accompanied his parents on their removal to 
Shelby county, Tenn. There a new home was 
founded in the wilderness, and for six years Mr. 
Bronaugh assisted his father in the work of the 
farm and wood. While a resident of Abingdon 
he had attended the public schools and laid the 
foundation for an education, and while working 
with his father he devoted his spare time to 
study. Early in life he had become imbued 
with a desire to make law his life occupation. 
Accordingly, in 1847, he entered the law office 
of his uncle, J. W. Clapp, of Holly Springs, 
Miss., and after two years of study he was ad- 
mitted to the bar. 

Being without means to take up the practice 
of his profession at once, the following two 
vears were spent in teaching in Tennessee and 
Arkansas. He then located at Jacksonport, 
Ark., where he engaged in practice for a short 
time. Soon after he removed to Little Rock, 
the same state, where for a time he served as 
clerk of the chancery court. Later, two years 
were spent at Brownsville, Ark., from which 
place he removed to Helena, in the same state. 
Here he became prominently identified with 
affairs and was elected judge of the circuit court 
in i860. This office he continued to hold until 
the breaking out of the Civil war. 

While not a man in sympathy with slavery, his 
education and environments had been such as to 
imbue him with the principles of the south. He 
was a firm believer in state sovereignty and when 
his adopted state seceded from the Union he 
gave his support to the Confederate cause. He 
enlisted in the army of the south and for one 
year continued in the service. At the expira- 
tion of this time his health failed and he soon 
after received his discharge from the service and 
returned home, where he remained until the close 
of the war. For a time after the close of the 
great struggle he remained in the south, but he 
soon realized that it was a poor country in 
which to strive for a fortune and position and 
after a few years he determined to seek newer 
fields in the far west where there were fairer 



chances for reward. In the year 1868 he came 
to the city of Portland. On reaching here he 
was without a dollar in the world, but he was 
not of the sort that give up and become dis- 
heartened. He was determined to succeed and 
at once opened a law office. From the first he 
received his share of the public's patronage and 
as time passed and people learned of his ability 
his practice grew until at the time of his death 
there were none that commanded a more ex- 
tensive clientage, and his legal attainments 
placed him in the very front rank of the Oregon 
bar. 

For three years he was associated with Hon. 
John Catlin as a partner and for ten years was 
a member of the firm of Dolph, Bronaugh, 
Dolph & Simon. In 1882, owing to failing 
health, he removed with his family to St. Clair 
county, Cal., where he remained for two years. 
On his return to Portland he became a partner 
in the law firm of Whalley, Bronaugh & 
Northup. The senior member of this firm re- 
tired in 1889, and from that time until the 
death of Mr. Bronaugh, the style of the firm 
was Bronaugh & Northup. 

At a meeting of the members of the Portland 
bar soon after the death of Mr. Bronaugh there 
was a large attendance and many of the leading 
attorneys of the city delivered a number of 
scholarly and eloquent orations. It was said at 
the time there was never before a like meeting 
where so many sincere and able addresses were 
given. The committee on resolutions, in addition 
to a sketch of his life, presented the following 
eulogy, which was adopted by the meeting : 

"As a lawyer, Judge Bronaugh had few if 
any superiors at the Oregon bar. Some might 
excel him in eloquence, others in powers for 
skillful cross examination, but no one in the 
knowledge of the law or accuracy of statement. 
No case intrusted to him was lost through his 
want of care, research or ability. It has been 
said of him that no man could make a better 
record in a cause for appeal to the supreme 
court, and no lawyer saw the controlling ques- 
tions in a case with more clearness than he. 
Before a jury he was an exceedingly dangerous 
antagonist. Always in earnest himself in what 
he did, he never failed to impress those whom 
he addressed with the sincerity of his views. 
Persuasive in speech, logical and forceful in ar- 
gument, with a play often of quiet and grace- 
ful humor and gentle wit, of which he - used to 
please and not to wound, it was not surprising 
that he should have been a great verdict winner. 
Those whom he vanquished in forensic contest 
never felt the sting of their defeat intensified by 
any boasting on his part or the detraction of 
the abilities or conduct of his adversary. In 
defeat he was always calm, courteous and 





',£?& 




POR IK \i r WD BI( >< IF \pmic \i. RECORD. 






brave; fertile in resources but fair in action. 
It is not tlic language of mortuarj panegyric, 
but the plain simple truth, which everyone in 
the community in which for thirty years he has 
lived and labored, will attest, to say of him that 
his name was the synonym of uprightness and 
honor, and that he was in the estimation of 
everyone, whether client or adversary, esteemed 
and respected as an honest man. 

" Priceless indeed is that legacy of a good 
and honored name that he bequeathed to his 
family which he loved so well, and for whom he 
so cheerfully labored. He was a devoted hus- 
1 and father; a kind and generous neighbor; 
a plain and simple gentleman of the old school ; 
unaffected in manner, speech and dress; sin- 
cerely devoted to his profession and unmindful 
of the strife and contentions of public life. He 
did not mingle much in public, was retiring and 
modest, and preferred the quiet home, the grave 
decorum of the court room, and the desk and 
library of his office. He was a man of strong 
religious convictions, and deeply sensible of the 
sufferings of the human race. The loss of seven 
children in their childhood and youth gave a 
touch of sorrow to his face, and the gravity of 
life and its issues made a profound impression 
upon his whole career. And yet he was a most 
hopeful man in the promises of the faith he pro- 
fessed. The hope of a simple, sincere Christi- 
anity animated his life and efforts. To him this 
life was but a preparation for that to come. It 
was therefore doubly earnest to him. for as Long- 
fellow wrote, he felt — 

' Life is real, life is earnest. 
And the grave is not its goal : 
Dust thou art, to dust returneth 
Was not spoken of the soul." 

" Although his star of life is no longer seen, 
yet it has set as sets the morning star in beauty. 
which goes not down behind the darkened clouds 
of the west, but melts away in the pure radiance 
of Heaven. Let us emulate his virtues and fol- 
low his example." 

Mr. Bronaugh had a deep and abiding faith 
in the cardinal principles of the Christian re- 
ligion. Though reared in the Presbyterian 
faith, later in life he identified himself with the 
Christian Adventist denomination, and became 
an earnest worker in the cause. He was a man 
of unsullied reputation, pure minded, generous 
hearted, and always adhering strictly to the prin- 
ciples which he laid down for his self-govern- 
ment, when, as a thoughtful and reasoning 
creature, he first decided to champion the cause 
of the Master of the hearts and lives of men. 
He contributed liberally of his means for the 
furtherance of the Gospel, and his benevolence 



aside Ironi church work was numerous, though 
\er\ quietly conducted. The ethical system as 
sociated with the church was carried by him into 
his daily life, and in Masonry, in which he look 
an earnest and active interest, he found the 
fellow of the church. The time he had to spare 
from the practice of his profession was devoted 
to the study of the Bible; it was his recreation, 
and many of the Biblical articles from his pen 
have been published in different sections of the 
country. 



HON. JOHN F. CAPLES. The descendant 
of a family identified for many years with the 
jurisprudence of ( )hio, with the founding of at 
least one of the towns of that state, and with the 
maintenance of its agricultural prestige, the 
career of Hon. John F. Caples has naturally been 
founded on broad and libera! lines, and with a 
view to large accomplishment, lie was born at 
what is now Ashland county. Ohio, January 12, 
1832, and is the youngest of the eight sons and 
two daughters born to Judge Robert Francis and 
Charlotte (Laffer) Caples, natives respectively 
of Westmoreland and Allegheny counties, Pa. 
The paternal grandfather Caples was of Eng- 
lish descent, and was an early settler in Penn- 
sylvania. 

Judge Robert Francis Caples became identified 
with Wayne county at a very early day, where he 
engaged in farming and was associate judge of 
the county courts. In time he removed to within 
fourteen miles of Tiffin. Seneca county, Ohio, 
where he entered, cleared and improved the land 
upon which the town of Risdon was built, and of 
which he was one of the proprietors. The near- 
by town of Rome, of which Mr. Foster was pro- 
prietor, was eventually incorporated with Risdon. 
under the name of Fostoria. Judge Caples 
studied law in his youth and was admitted to the 
bar, in after life becoming known for his equit- 
able rulings and wise disposition of legal com- 
plications. His death occurred in 1835 of chol- 
era. His wife was of German descent, and a 
daughter of John Laffer, a pioneer of Allegheny 
county. Pa., who followed the martial fortunes 
of Washington during the Revolutionary war, 
under command of General Wayne. Mrs. Caples 
died in Ohio in 1852, having survived her hus- 
band seventeen years. Three of her large family 
are living, and of these Henry I.., a resident of 
Vancouver, an attorney, and ex-member of the 
Washington legislature, came to the coast i:t [852. 

The education of lion. John F. Caples was ac- 
quired in Risdon. now Fostoria, Ohio, and at the 
Ohio Weslevan University at Delaware, which 
latter institution he attended for four years. Hi- 
legal training was inaugurated with the firm of 
Stanton & Allison, of Bellefontaine, Logan 



292 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



county, Ohio, and he was subsequently admitted 
to the bar of Logan county in 1853. In 1855 ne 
transferred his law practice to Findlay, Ohio, and 
later to Warsaw, Ind., and after returning to 
Ohio entered the government recruiting service 
in northwest Ohio and northern Indiana. In 
1865 he brought his family to the coast via the 
Isthmus, San Francisco and to Vancouver, Wash., 
in which latter city he engaged in practice and 
served as city attorney. A year later, in 1866, 
he located in Portland, and in 1872 was elected 
to the legislature from Multnomah county, was 
chairman of the judiciary committee, and assisted 
in the election of Mr. Mitchell to his first term 
in the United States senate. In 1878 he was 
elected district attorney, his territory compris- 
ing Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Colum- 
bia and Clatsop counties, a responsibility main- 
tained by Mr. Caples for six years in succession, 
an honor hitherto accorded to no district attorney 
in the state. In 1897 Mr. Caples was appointed 
United States consul to Valparaiso, Chili, by 
President McKinley, and while holding this im- 
portant post had opportunity to exercise the dip- 
lomacy and tact which have been important 
factors in the formation of his success, and which 
were especially required because of the compli- 
cations resulting from the Spanish-American 
war. Mr. Caples resigned the consulship in 1901, 
and thereafter returned to Portland, where he 
has since engaged in a general practice of law. 
In Champaign county, Ohio, Mr. Caples mar- 
ried Sarah J. Morrison, in 1854, Mrs. Caples hav- 
ing been born in Ohio, and her death occurred 
in California in 1877. Six children were born of 
this union : Carrie, wife of Dr. W. H. Saylor, of 
Portland; Mrs. Matthieu, of Portland; Mrs. 
Paget, of Portland; Mrs. Anthony, of Califor- 
nia ; Robert A., a newspaper man of Vinita, I. T. ; 
and Jennie, living at home. Mr. Caples is a 
member of the State Bar Association and of the 
Board of Trade. Fraternally he is associated 
with Portland Lodge No. 55, A. F. & A. M., the 
Consistory and the thirty-second degree of Scot- 
tish Rite ; and the Ancient Order of United 
W T orkmen. As a stanch upholder of Republican- 
ism he has enrolled himself among the western 
politicians in the broadest sense of that much 
abused term, and aside from the honors before 
mentioned, served as presidential elector of Ore- 
gon in 1892, and was the messenger who conveyed 
the vote to Washington. In 1896 he served in a 
similar capacity for President McKinley. Back 
in Ohio Mr. Caples was a delegate to the Ohio 
state convention at Columbus in 1856, and he was 
present at the Chicago nomination of Abraham 
Lincoln. As an orator, eloquent and effective 
platform speaker, and general trial lawyer, Mr. 
Caples is excelled by few, if any, on the Pacific 
coast, and within the state of Oregon no one is 



personally known to more people than he. He is 
a member of the Taylor Street Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, a member of the board of trustees, 
and chairman of the same for many years. 



HON. JAMES WILLIS NESMITH, The 
name which heads this review is one written 
high in the annals of Oregon's history, and 
stands for the life of a man whose influence still 
makes itself felt throughout various circles in 
the life of the west. Beyond the borders of the 
state which Colonel Nesmith made his by the life 
and work of a pioneer, has also gone that broad- 
ening influence, for he became one of the prom- 
inent men of the national government during 
the trying times of '61, and gave the strength of 
his intellect and manhood toward the support 
of those principles, upon which the foundation 
of the Union rests. True, always, to his princi- 
ples of honor, loyal to that which claimed his 
allegiance, and earnest in the prosecution of 
whatever duty came into his hands, Colonel Nes- 
mith won the esteem and confidence of all with 
whom he came in contact, friend and foe alike 
trusting him, for in his social, business and polit- 
ical relations, in public and private life, his 
career was free from the stain of dishonesty. 
Oregon is justly proud to claim him as a repre- 
sentative son. 

The life of Hon. James Willis Nesmith began 
in New Brunswick, in 1820, while his parents, 
AVilliam Morrison and Harriet (Willis) Nesmith, 
were visiting in the north. Both the father and 
mother of Colonel Nesmith were representatives 
of old and distinguished families, on the pater- 
nal side inheriting the sturdy qualities of Scotch- 
Irish ancestry. After their marriage in 1814 the 
young people took up their abode in Maine, 
where they remained until the death of the 
mother, which occurred while the colonel was 
still an infant. When this son was five years 
old, the father lost his entire fortune by fire, 
and was thus prevented from giving to his 
children those advantages which would otherwise 
have been theirs. Though deprived of the reg- 
ular training of school, Colonel Nesmith did 
much studying, as he had a natural inclination 
for books, and had also a keen observation, which 
enabled him to pick up a great deal of valuable 
knowledge as he grew older and found more 
association with the outside world. Like many 
another eastern-bred youth, he felt a strong de- 
sire to test his ability in a pioneer life, and he 
was not old when he came as far west as Ohio, 
and in company with his cousin, Joseph G. Wil- 
son, late member of Congress from Oregon, 
attended the district school near Cincinnati. A 
little later he came to Missouri, and was joined 
by his father, who died and was buried there. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 






t the death of the elder man the younger 

had left no tics to bind him to the cast, and he 
at once sought to join a company bound for the 
trip across the plains. He failed to join the 
part) he sought, but became, instead, a member 
of the Applegate party, who crossed in 1843. 
Locating in Oregon City, he followed out the 
gestion of Peter Burnett, who was also one 
of the party that crossed the plains in 1843, anu - 
in the study of law. With that application 
which ever distinguished his efforts, the colonel 
became familiar with the common sense 
idea of jurisprudence contained in the few books 
which came into his possession, and two years 
later qualified to fill the office of judge under the 
provisional government. 

Always a stanch Democrat, it required no 
small degree of courage for Colonel Nesmith to 
ally himself on the side of another party and plat- 
form, as he was compelled to do, at the time of 
the breaking out of the Civil war. Many of 
those who had always been his friends, Demo- 
crats in politics, gave their support to the south- 
ern cause, while his ideas of honor and his deep- 
rooted convictions made the colonel a stanch 
Unionist. He was not an abolitionist, nor in 
sympathy with die anti-slavery agitation, and it 
was because of this that his friends expected 
him to join them in their espousal of the south- 
ern cause. He did not, however ; he stood apart 
from the regular party ranks, and in i860 
accepted a position as elector on the Douglas 
ticket. He was elected through the votes of the 
Douglas Democrats and the Republicans, the 
latter having entire confidence in the integrity 
and the worth of the man selected to fill the 
position. He therefore became senator to fill the 
place left vacant by General Lane, for many 
vears a warm personal friend of the colonel's, 
and who accepted the place of vice president on 
the old Democratic ticket with Breckinridge. 
Whatever trials and difficulties arose during the 
time in which Colonel Nesmith served as senator 
were met with that same courage, that frank, 
fearless honor, but masterly will and intellect, 
which contributed so largely to the personal suc- 
cess of the man. It was not an easy position to fill, 
and a man less worthy in any way would have 
failed in the discharge of duties. Until the close 
•lie war he upheld national authority and be- 
came a trusted adviser of President Lincoln. After 
its close, however, he vigorously opposed the re- 
construction measures of the Republican party. and 
was ever afterward identified with the Demo- 
cratic party. Upon his return to Oregon he be- 
came a leader in that party, and in 1873 was 
elected to fill the vacancy in Congress caused 
by the death of his cousin. Joseph G. Wilson. 

Colonel Nesmith was never too busy in the pur- 
stiit of his profession, or his own aggrandizement 



in any way, to neglect his dut) as a citizen and a 
pioneer in the western state. He was one of 
the number who fought in the Cayuse war in 
1S4S to avenge the death of Whitman, and again 
in 1855 ne served with distinction in the Rogue 
river and Yakima wars, earning there the title 
by which lie has ever been known, that of 
COIOnel. In [857 be was appointed superin- 
tendent of Indian affairs, and served for two 
years, in a position of great responsibility, cov- 
ering a held which included ( >regon, Washing- 
ton and Idaho. He also served at one time as 
United States marshal at Salem, and became a 
member of the state legislature, meeting every 
duty promptly, and as promptly fulfilling it. This 
most admirable trait was that which won the 
commendation of those who had the interests 
of Oregon at heart, and meant to intrust them 
only to men who possessed the courage, honesty 
and earnestness of purpose to carry forward the 
great plan which was to make her one of the first 
of the states. 

In 1846 Colonel Nesmith was united in mar- 
riage with Pauline Goff. whose father was a 
pioneer of 1844, and she bore him the following 
children : Joseph Lane, Mary J.. Harriet. Va- 
leria, James and William. The death of the 
colonel occurred in 1885. Thus passed away 
from mortal sight one of the men to whom Ore- 
gon owes her greatness ; but memory survives 
the lapse of time, and his name loses none of the 
luster which attaches to it as that of a pioneer, 
a courageous, loyal, worthy man and gentleman. 



BLUFORD D. SIGLER. In the business ca- 
reer of Bluforct D. Sigler. the young man of the 
present generation may find a source of inspira- 
tion and encouragement. Coming to Portland 
when that city was at the zenith of its era of 
early commercial development, he was still a 
very young man when he decided to establish 
himself independently in business. But the 
northwest, with its boundless resources, is a 
country of young men, and here Mr. Sigler 
found abundant opportunity to build the founda- 
tions of a business which is amply rewarding his 
laborious and well-considered efforts. 

Mr. Sigler was born in Georgetown. Vermil- 
ion county. 111.. November 27. 1X66. His fam- 
ily was founded in Illinois by his paternal grand- 
father. John Sigler. a native of Pennsylvania, 
who became one of the earliest pioneer farmers 
of Vermilion county. His son. Samuel W. Sig- 
ler. father of B. D.. was born in Illinois, and 
was reared and educated in that state. Upon 
the outbreak of the Civil war he left his farm to 
take up arms in the defense of the Union, and 
served as a private in Company C, Seventy- 



204 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His active 
service continued until the close of hostilities. 
He married Deborah Smith, a native of Ver- 
milion county and a daughter of Jefferson 
Smith, an extensive farmer and an early settler 
of Illinois. In 1870 Air. Sigler moved with his 
family to Medoc, Jasper county. Mo., and en- 
gaged in a general merchandise business, which 
he disposed of five years later in order to take 
up his residence in Dayton, Ore., where he es- 
tablished a similar business. In 1883 he re- 
moved to Portland and conducted a feed business 
until 1898, but in that year returned to Dayton, 
where he now resides. 

The only child in his father's family, B. D. 
Sigler received his education in the public 
schools of Illinois and Missouri, concluding his 
studies in the high school of Portland, to which 
city he removed with his parents in 1883. In 
his boyhood he had become familiar with the 
mercantile business, having been educated along 
these lines by his father, and in 1886 became a 
clerk in a store in Mount Tabor. At the expir- 
ation of two years he became identified with the 
sawmill business of Smith Brothers & Company, 
whose works were located at the foot of Harri- 
son street. In 1897, in company with Samuel 
E. Wrenn and W. V. Smith, he organized the 
Multnomah Box Manutacturing Company, which 
succeeded to the business of the Multnomah Box 
Company. This enterprise proved highly suc- 
cessful, and at the end of three years was dis- 
posed of at advantageous terms. The whole- 
sale feed business next engaged the attention of 
Mr. Sigler, who organized the Sigler Milling 
Company in 1901, with himself as secretary and 
manager. The concern conducts an extensive 
and constantly increasing trade in flour, feed, 
lime, land, plaster, and shingles, besides doing 
a general commission business. A. T. Smith is 
president, and A. J. McDaniel vice-president. 
The business is located on the corner of Front 
and Madison streets, occupying a building 30X 
75 feet, and containing four floors. 

Aside from the enterprises with which he is 
identified in Portland, Mr. Sigler has taken a 
wholesome interest in politics, the Republican 
party receiving his stanch and unqualified sup- 
port. In 1902 he was nominated for council- 
man for the sixth ward, and elected by a major- 
ity of one hundred and twenty-five. In the 
council he is a member of the committees on ac- 
counts and current expenses, sewers and drain- 
age, and parks and public property ; and is 
chairman of the committees on liquor license, 
and on health and police. He is a life member 
of the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club, of 
which he served as secretary for one year; and 
is now vice-president of the same and a member 



of the Commercial Club. His marriage, which 
occurred in Portland united him with Veina E. 
Adair, a graduate of the University of Oregon, 
whose parents came to this state in the early '50s. 



REUBEN DANNALS, one of the pioneers of 
Clackamas county, was born in Greene county, 
Ohio, October 23, 1829, and is the second oldest 
son of the four sons and five daughters born to 
Reuben and Hannah (Wyckel) Dannals, natives 
respectively of Pennsylvania and the east. 

From his native county of Bedford, Pa., the 
elder Reuben Dannals removed with his parents 
to Ohio, and later to Illinois and Iowa, coming 
to Oregon in 1865. Settling in Linn county, he 
farmed for several years, but at the time of his 
death, in 1883, at the age of eighty-two years, 
was living a retired life. All of the children of 
the family were obliged to work hard from early 
morning until late at night, and Reuben per- 
formed his share with willing heart and capable 
hand. As might be expected, he had little time 
for either leisure or study, and his education has 
been a matter of his own acquiring during later 
years. He was one of the most enthusiastic of 
the little band who crossed the plains in search 
of larger opportunities. Although there were 
eighteen wagons from their own neighborhood 
in Iowa, the Indians were so very troublesome 
that they were obliged to fall in with a freight 
train for protection during the most dangerous 
part of the journey. Three ponies were stolen 
during the dawn of one morning, and they had 
many other experiences which added zest and 
interest to the journey. 

When the family arrived in Clackamas county 
Mr. Dannals bought, on his own responsibility, 
one hundred and forty-two and one-half acres 
of land, a part of which he soon after sold, and 
at present his possessions consist of eighty of the 
original acres, besides one hundred and sixty 
acres at Highland, this state. He is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising, and has met 
with great success in his chosen occupation. 
With him across the plains came the wife of Mr. 
Dannals, formerly Hannah Colson, who was 
born in Ohio, and whom he married in Iowa. 
Three children have been born into the family of 
Mr. and Mrs. Dannals, of whom Charlotta is the 
oldest ; Hiram is the second child and only son ; 
and Minnie is the youngest. Mr. Dannals is a 
Democrat in politics and is fraternally associated 
with the Grangers. He enjoys the respect and 
good will of all who know him, and his integrity 
and public spiritedness have never been ques- 
tioned. 



1 






POR IK \l r WD Bl< >GRAPH1CAL RECi >RD. 









WILLIAM II. BYRD, M. D, The family 
of which William II. Byrd, M. D.. of Salem, 

a distinguished representative is one of ilu 
oldest and most favorably known throughout the 
Willamette valley. His father, Lorenzo A. 
Byrd, who is still living in Salem at the advanced 
ace of eighty-one years, is a striking type of the 
best class of sturdy pioneers who braved the dan- 
gers and hardships of the plains more than half 
a century ago in order to assist in the founda- 
tion of a new commonwealth in a region whose 
natural wealth w r as, in those early days, little 
more than conjectural. The family was founded 
by him in the northwest in 1847. an d since that 
year the unusual versatility and adaptability of 
its members to environment have been demon- 
strated in various ways. With descendants who 
have taken a high position in professional, edu- 
cational, mercantile and agricultural circles, this 
honored pioneer must view with a great degree 
of satisfaction the happy augury which led his 
ambitious young steps toward the greater pos- 
sibilities of the northwest, and inspired him to 
earnest and upright endeavor. (See sketch of 
Lorenzo A. Byrd, which appears elsewhere in 
this volume.) 

William H. Byrd. the eldest son in the family 
of Lorenzo A. and Martha (Savage) Byrd, was 
born near Fairfield, Marion county, Ore., October 
31, 1854, w r as reared on his father's farm, and 
received his classical education in the public 
schools of Fairfield and Salem. Upon reaching 
young manhood he engaged in teaching school, 
at the same time beginning the study of medi- 
cine under the direction of Dr. J. C. Shelton of 
Salem. In 1880 he matriculated in Cooper Med- 
ical College, in San Francisco, but the follow- 
ing year entered the medical department of Will- 
amette University, from which he was gradu- 
ated with the class of 1881. Opening an office 
in that year, he has since been engaged in the 
practice of his profession uninterruptedly, with 
the exception of the winter of 1890-91, when he 
took a course in surgery in the New York Post- 
Graduate Medical College. His practice has as- 
sumed large proportions and has been attended 
by exceptional success. 

For several years Dr. Byrd has been local 
surgeon for the Southern Pacific Company. 
When Willamette University established its 
medical department in Salem, in 1896, he was 
chosen professor of surgery, and one year later 
was made dean of the faculty, a post which he 
has continued to fill to the present time. Since 
1896 he has also served on the staff of the Salem 
Hospital, which was established in that year. In 
the line of his profession he is identified with 
the Marion County Medical Society, the Ore- 
gon State Medical' Society, the American Med- 



ical Association, and the International Associa 
tion of Railway Surgeons. 

In Salem, in [882, Dr. Byrd was united in mar- 
riage with Teresa 1 lolderness, a native of Oregon. 
She died in Salem in 1886, leaving a daughter, 
Winifred M., now a student in the Boston Con 
servatory of Music. In 1890 he married Mar- 
garet J. Macrum, a native of Pennsylvania, and 
a daughter of I. A. Macrum, deceased, of Forest 
Grove. Mrs. Byrd is a graduate of the Pacific 
University, and a lady of many graces of mind 
and character. Dr. and Mrs. Byrd are the par- 
ents of two children, Clarence M. and Donald 
W. 

In politics Dr. Byrd is a Democrat. For sev- 
eral terms he has been a member of the Salem 
Board of Education, and has also served in the 
city council. Fraternally he is identified with 
the Masons, being a member of Pacific Lodge 
No. 50, A. F. & A. M.. Multnomah Chapter 
Xo. 1. R. A. M., DeMolay Commandery, Al 
Kader Temple, N. M. S., of Portland ; and has 
taken all the Scottish Rite degrees up to and in- 
cluding the thirty-second. Pie is also connected 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellow-s, in 
which he is past noble grand : and the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks, of Salem, in which 
he has been exalted ruler. 

Genial in disposition, optimistic in tempera- 
ment, and an erudite scholar, Dr. Byrd com- 
mands the attention and good will of the com- 
munity in which he dwells. By his contem- 
poraries he is regarded as the peer of the most 
noted physicians and surgeons of Oregon. A 
well-trained and inquiring mind has resulted in 
the accumulation of a vast store of the knowdedge 
disseminated by the greatest masters of medical 
and surgical science ; and to this he has added 
through his own personal investigations, direct- 
ed along special lines wdiich have appealed to 
him as worthy of profound study. By the laity 
he is highly regarded for the many splendid 
traits in his character which have become so con- 
spicuous during his professional career in Salem. 



JOB CONNER. For many years a highly 
esteemed resident of Ballston, the late Job C 
ner was well known throughout this section of 
Polk county as an industrious and enterprising 
farmer, a good citizen, a kind neighbor, a loving 
husband and father: and his death, which oc- 
curred November 10, 1888. on the home farm, 
was a cause of general regret. 

A native of Ohio, Job Conner removed in boy- 
hood to Iowa with his parents, and resided in 
that state until 1847. Following the tide of civ- 
ilization westward in that year, he. with three 
of his brothers. William, Nathan and Robert, 
came to Oregon to take up land in this newer 



298 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



country, hoping thereby to speedily improve their 
financial condition. All settled in the Willamette 
valley, where they engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. In 1871 Job Conner purchased the farm 
now owned and occupied by Mrs. Conner and 
her family. Laboring earnestly and industrious- 
ly, he placed a large part of it in a good state of 
cultivation, and added substantial improvements, 
making his estate one of the most valuable and 
attractive of any in the vicinity, residing on it 
until his death. 

In 1855 Mr. Conner was married to Polly Ann 
Riggs, who died April 13, 1871, leaving several 
children. Those living are : Robert S., of Col- 
orado ; Thomas Edgar ; Jane Baxter, Roswell, 
Yamhill county ; Louisa Morrison, of California ; 
Nancy Ann Berdau, of Idaho; and one who died 
in infancy. 

On May 16, 1872, Mr. Conner married Martha 
Hicklin, who was born in Jennings county, Ind., 
September 27, 1842. Her father, John L. Hick- 
lin, removed from Kentucky, his native state, to 
Indiana, from there coming to Oregon in 1849. 
Locating first on the Columbia river, he remained 
there a year, then went to Washington county 
in search of a more favorable site for establish- 
ing himself permanently. Being pleased with the 
land in that part of the state, he took up a dona- 
tion claim near what is now called Tigardville, 
Ore., and having made some improvements, sent 
for his family. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Martha Thorn, went with her family from 
Indiana to St. Joseph, Mo., where she joined 
a train composed of twenty-eight wagons starting 
across the plains. Four of the wagons came to 
Oregon, Mrs. Hicklin and her family reaching 
the home farm at Tigardville on September 13, 
185 1. Mr. Hicklin continued adding to the im- 
provements already made, by energetic efforts 
clearing a good homestead, on which he carried on 
general farming until his death, October 14, 
1877. His widow survived him, dying in June, 
1882, at the home of her sister, Jane Conner, 
near Ballston. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Conner five 
children were born, namely : Mrs. Sarah Olm- 
stead, who resides on a farm adjoining the pa- 
rental homestead ; Lowman, living at home ; El- 
bert, who is in Idaho; Belle, living at home; 
and Mrs. Ella Hastings, of Smithfield, Ore. Mr. 
Conner actively supported the principles of the 
Republican party, and served his district several 
terms as school director. He was a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pleasant Hill 
while Mrs. Conner belongs to the Baptist Church 
at Ballston. 

PETER WILLIAM MESS, city recorder of 
Mount Angel, and an educator of extended ex- 
perience, was born in Luxemburg, November 9, 



1842, but received practically his entire training 
and education in the United States. The fam- 
ily had long been identified with Luxemburg, 
his father, Michael, having been born there Sep- 
tember 12, 1799. The father removed with his 
family to the United States in 1847, Peter Will- 
iam Mess being then three years old. After a 
year near Tiffin, Ohio, Michael Mess removed 
to a farm in Henry county, where his death oc- 
curred in 1855. He did meritorious service 
under King William of Holland, and he not only 
served the Dutch Republic for five years for 
himself, but undertook an additional five years 
for a stranger. His wife, Susan, was born on 
disputed territory bordering on the Moselle river, 
September 12, 1803, and her death occurred in 
Henry county, Ohio, July 10, 1871. 

The fourth of the five children in his father's 
family, two of whom were daughters, Peter 
William Mess was educated in the public schools 
of Ohio, at the Wesleyan University at Dela- 
ware, and at the Heidelburg College at Tiffin, 
Ohio, leaving that institution to enlist for the 
Civil war. ' As a soldier in Company D, One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, Mr. Mess participated in many of the 
important contests of the war, including the bat- 
tles of Thompson's Station, Chickamauga, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Tunnell Hill, Resaca, Cassville, 
and Pickett's Mill. In the latter he was wound- 
ed so severely as to necessitate the amputation of 
his right hand. He was discharged at Nashville, 
Tenn., November 8, 1864, cast his first vote for 
Abraham Lincoln, and returned to his class work 
at Tiffin College. At the expiration of the session 
he engaged in teaching a district school in Henry 
county for a term, and then studied for a term at 
the State University at Bloomington, Ind. Re- 
turning to Ohio, he passed through the fresh- 
man, sophomore, and junior years at Delaware 
College, and though within a year of graduation, 
discontinued his study to engage in teaching in 
Henry county, Ohio, in the fall of 1869. After 
five terms in Henry county he removed to Kan- 
sas in April, 1874, locating at St. Paul, where 
he engaged in educational work for ten years at 
St. Francis College, and for six years in the dis- 
trict schools of the neighborhood, making sixteen 
years in all. For one year he served as superin- 
tendent of Kaw Indian schools of Kansas, and 
was appointed census enumerator of Neosho 
county in 1890. The same year he located in 
Mount Angel, Ore., and continued his former 
occupation of teaching, occupying the chair of 
mathematics at Mount Angel College. 

In September, 189 1, Mr. Mess bought a small 
place in Roseburg, Ore. The following June he 
returned to Mount Angel, and was appointed 
postmaster of the city. In 1894 he removed to 
Grand Ronde, teaching in the male department of 



POK IKA I 1 AND IMt >GR \I'MK \1. RE< :i IRD. 



•J'.''.' 



the Indian school. Since then he has been re- 
jigel, and has also held a no- 

D since [893. Mr. Mess has had 

ule certificates, and now holds a cer- 

which entitles him to teach for six years. 

While living in Ohio in 1S71. he was united 

m marriage with Mary Clemmens, who was born 

in Ohio in 1S40. and died in Kansas in January, 

cond marriage was contracted by Mr. 

Mess in Neosho county. Kans., bis wife being 

1 M. Reischman, a native of Louisville. Ky., 
i> born in 1855. a daughter of Nicholas 

schman, a native of Bavaria. Germany. Mr. 
Reischman came to the United States in 1851. 
locating at New Albany. Ind., where he engaged 
in farming until removing to Kansas in 1868. 
He came to Oregon in 1895, and died in the 
hospital in Portland, June 13, 1902, at the age 

seventy-four years. 

n children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Mess, the order of their birth being as 
follow-: Norbert X.; Lenora M. ; M. Cyrilla ; 
Michael J.; Peter W., Jr.; Theresa Rose, and 
Benedict Rupert, all of whom are living at home. 
Mr. Mess is a Republican in politics. He is con- 
nected with the Grand Army of the Republic. 

K. Warren Post No. 114, Department of 
Kansas, and finds a religious home in the Roman 
Catholic Church. 



CHRISTOPHER A. VANDRAN. When 
but fourteen years of age Christopher A. Van- 
dran made the journey with his parents from 
his home near Wurtzburg, Bavaria, to Amer- 
ica, and each year has witnessed a forward 
step in the march of progress for this emi- 
grant family. The father, Christopher, Sr., 
was born in Bavaria, and was there engaged 
as a carriage manufacturer, but hoping to bet- 
ter the condition of his family he came to 
America in 1881, settling first in Kansas, re- 
maining, however, but two months before 
changing his location to Oregon. In this 
state he located near Coburg, Lane county, 
where he died after engaging for several years 
as a farmer in this vicinity. The wife of 
Christopher, Sr., also a native of Bavaria, died 
in Albany, being the mother of five children. 
all of whom are living. 

Christopher A. Vandran was the second of 
his parents' family, having been born near 
Wurtzburg, Bavaria, September 2, 1867. He 
received his education in the public schools 
of bis native country, and on settling in Ore- 
gon be engaged with his father in farm work. 
Later he spent two and a half years in St. 
Paul. Marion county, and in 1884-5 ne occu- 
pied his time as a gardener. Tiring of a farm 
life, he came to Albany in 1890 and entered 



the employ of Mr. Gross, who was then man 
ager of the Southern Pacific Motel. In 

4 Mr. dross sold out in Albany, and Mr. 
Vandran was made manager for the comp; 
of the Depot Hotel, a transient house and 
railroad eating station, and has sin* 
tinned to hold the position. Mr. Vandran is 
now much interested in the breeding of Chi- 
nese pheasants, raising for stock birds, and 
shipping them as far east as New York, in 
fact, to every section of the United State:-;. 
Me began his raising of pheasants from wild 
birds. Me also owns a few fine bird-dogs. 
Through the kindness of Mr. Vandran the 
rose garden and pheasant farm are thrown 
open to the public, and during the twenty 
minutes' stop of all the overland trains at 
Albany the passengers enjoy the interesting 
sight. 

Fraternally Mr. Vandran is a member of 
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and 
religiously belongs to the Roman Catholic 
Church. 



PRESTON BRUCE MARSHALL. The 
Albany Farmers' Company, of which Pres- 
ton Bruce Marshall is secretary and manager, 
was organized April 25, 1873, and has since 
held its own among the developing and sub- 
stantial concerns of Linn county. From a 
comparatively small beginning it has in- 
creased its sphere of usefulness until the com- 
pany now have an elevator at Albany with a 
capacity of two hundred thousand bushels, 
one at Tangent of one hundred thousand 
bushels, and one at Tallman of the same ca- 
pacity as the latter, the combined capacities 
being four hundred thousand bushels. The 
company act as agents for the farmers, tak- 
ing their grain and general produce, storing 
it until making the desired sale, and charging 
them a reasonable per cent for the transac- 
tion. Needless to say they have facilities for 
disposing of commodities not at the command 
of the individual farmer, and to the hard- 
worker the item of getting this business taken 
off his hands is by no means an indifferent 
one. The enterprise has stimulated trade and 
encouraged the farmers to do their best, for 
thev are assured that a superior grade of pro- 
duce brings a better price than an inferior 
one, and besides establishes bis reputation as 
painstaking and progressive. 

Mr. Marshall, who has held bis present po- 
sition since 1889. is a member of an old pio- 
neer family of this state, and was born on a 
farm near Albany, November 11. t86l. His 
grandfather. Tobn. was a large farmer ncpr 
Springfield. 111., where was born bis fathi 



300 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Arthur G., in 1831. When the latter was 
twenty-one years of age, in 1852, he started 
across the plains with his sire, and on the 
way grandfather John succumbed to the 
deprivations of the journey, and the young 
man was left to complete the distance alone. 
He located on a claim seven miles from Al- 
bany, and some time after coming here mar- 
ried Josephine Morris, who was born in Il- 
linois, and crossed the plains with her father, 
Preston Morris, in 1851, settling on a farm in 
Linn county, where the father died. The 
young people went to housekeeping on the 
donation claim settled upon by Mr. Marshall, 
who proved a good manager, and amassed a 
competence for his wife and children. His 
wife, who is still living on the old claim, bore 
him eleven children, seven of whom are liv- 
ing, Preston Bruce being the second child. 

Like his brothers and sisters, Preston went 
to the public schools, and he afterward at- 
tended the State Normal at Monmouth. 
After teaching school for a year he engaged 
in farming on the old place, and in 1889 
located in Albany, where he was elected to 
his present position by the board of directors 
of the Albany Farmers' Company. In this 
county he was united in marriage with Win- 
nifred Wilds,, a native daughter of Linn 
county, and daughter of one of the early pio- 
neers. One child, Arthur, has been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall. Mr. Marshall is a 
Republican in politics, and is an ex-member 
and secretary of the county committee. At 
present he is serving his second term in 
the city council from the Third ward, and 
is chairman of the license committee. He 
is fraternally prominent and widely known, 
and is identified with the Masons, the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the En- 
campment, the Rebeccas, and the Uniformed 
Rank Knights of Pythias. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Native Sons. Mr. Marshall is es- 
teemed for his many admirable personal char- 
acteristics, for his unquestioned integrity, and 
for his appreciation of the duties and de- 
mands of the highest citizenship. 



ARTHUR H. WATKINS. Worthy of special 
mention among the younger generation of busi- 
ness men in Polk county is Arthur H. Watkins, 
general manager and secretary of the Coast 
Range Lumbering Company, the largest milling 
concern on the west side of the Willamette river 
south of Portland. His father, E. H. Watkins, 
now living at Cathlamet, Wahkiakum county, 
Wash., is extensively identified with the business 
interests in Polk county, and has proved himself 
a veritable master of western opportunities. 



In Herefordshire, England., where E. H. Wat- 
kins was born and reared, he married for his first 
wife Emma Gaut, with whom he came to the 
United States in 1867, locating at Plymouth, 
Lucerne county, Pa., on the banks of the Sus- 
quehanna. Here he engaged in a general mer- 
chandise business with considerable success, and 
here was born his son, Arthur H., May 3, 1873. 
In 1878 the elder Watkins desired to go west, 
and his wife and son therefore went to England, 
where they visited relatives and friends for five 
years, and where the lad went to school. In the 
meantime the father reached Leadville, Colo., 
where he engaged in mining, and in 1881 went 
to New Mexico, making his headquarters at Las 
Vegas. In 1884 he came to Oregon and located 
at Portland, where he became interested in a 
grocery business on the east side, and after giving 
that up in 1891 removed to a farm of two hundred 
and fifty acres near North Yamhill, Yamhill 
county. About 1893 he became interested in a 
lumbering, farming, and general merchandise 
business in Wahkiakum, Wash., which is still 
operated under his name, as is also a large busi- 
ness at Seattle, Wash. It will be seen that he 
has a genius for organization, as well as many- 
sided business ability. He owns a large town site 
adjoining Cathlamet, and is prominent and influ- 
ential in commercial and business circles. A 
Democrat in politics, he has served as county 
commissioner, and has been a member of the 
state central committee of Wahkiakum county. 
His first wife died in Portland in 1887, and 
of the three children born of this union Arthur 
H. only is living. Mr. Watkins married in 
1890, Cora P. Church, of Portland, and of the 
three sons born of this marriage two are living, 
Ray and Ralph. 

Educated in the public schools of England 
and America, Arthur H. Watkins studied also at 
the Bishop Scott Academy for one term, and 
eventually graduated from the Holmes Business 
College in Portland. From early youth he has 
been identified with his father's various interests, 
and at present is connected with both the farming 
and lumbering enterprises of the elder man. In 
1894 he became a member of the general mer- 
chandise firm of E. H. Watkins & Son, of Wash- 
ington, and in 1896 engaged in logging in the 
same state. In the summer of 1901 he came to 
Falls City and engaged in the general merchan- 
dise and lumbering business, and now has charge 
of the Coast Range Lumbering Company's inter- 
ests, a responsibility which he is proving 
thoroughly capable of assuming. The mills have 
a capacity of one hundred and twenty thousand 
feet per day, and the company have two miles 
of flume, connecting the mills with the planing 
mills at Falls City. They are equipped with 
modern machinery and dry kilns, and for the 



PORTRA] l' WD BIOGRAPHICAL REC< >RD. 



30J 



transportation of their output have a switch of 
the S W> & F. Railroad. I'hc company was 
I with a capital stock of $25,000, and 
:i the beginning of its business life Mr. Wat- 
kins has been its general manager and secretary. 

S - ssful a business man must needs see 
the advantage of lending his influence to all 
rts to improve the general conditions among 
which he is living and working, and Mr. Watkins 
is keenly alive to all public-spirited undertakings. 
Though not particularly active as a Democrat, 
he is now serving his first term on the city council 
and his sound judgment and advanced ideas 
will undoubtedly be called into requisition in 
other official capacities. He married in Cath- 
lamet, Wash.. Rosa A. llaniagan. of which union 
there have been born three children, one of 
whom. Lester, is deceased, and Harold and 
Arlyn are living at home. Mrs. Watkins is a 
daughter oi C. R. llaniagan. a farmer of Iowa 
who came to I Iregon in 1881, and after living 
for a time in Portland removed to Washington 
in 1883. He is still living on his farm in 
Wahkiakum county, and is devoting his ener- 

- principally to stock-raising. 

Mr. Watkins is fraternally connected with the 
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of Astoria. 
He is popular and well known in Polk county. 
and has a comprehensive knowledge of both lum- 
bering and merchandising, occupations which go 
together in the west, as in Michigan and other 
lumbering centers, and which in Oregon have 
been among the prime developing factors of the 
state. 



JESSE EDWARDS. Many enterprises of 
Newberg owe their establishment and successful 
conduct to Jesse Edwards, who is now the presi- 
dent of the Newberg Terra Cotta and Pressed 
Brick Company. I [e is classed among the public- 
spirited citizens, and was largely instrumental in 
the establishment of the settlement made by the 
Friends church. He came to Oregon Septem- 
ber 8, 1880. when a young man, his birth oc- 
curring in Hendricks county. Ind., February 8, 
1849. He represents one of the old families of 
the south. His paternal grandfather, Anuel Ed- 
wards, was born in North Carolina and success- 
fully followed farming throughout his business 
career, his death occurring in Hendricks county, 
Ind., when he had reached the advanced age 
of about ninety years. His son, John Edwards, 
ihe father of our subject, was born in Guilford 
county, N. C, September 4, 1806, and in the 
year 1830 he removed to Indiana, making a set- 
tlement in Hendricks county upon the farm on 
which the birth of his son Jesse occurred. There 
he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits 
until 1882, when he disposed of his interests in 



the Eioosier state and came to Oregon, settling 
in Newberg, where he lived retired until his 
death, which occurred when he was eighty-eight 
years of age. He was a stock-raiser and also 
speculated in land in addition to carrying on gen- 
eral farming pursuits, and in all his business 
undertakings he prospered and at the same time 
his integrity and honor were above reproach or 
question. He married Abigail Stanley, a native 
of North Carolina, as was her father, Jesse Stan- 
ley. The latter likewise devoted his energies to 
farming and prospered in his chosen work. He 
died in North Carolina at the advanced age of 
eighty years. 

Jesse Edwards was the only child born unto 
his parents, but both his father and mother had 
been married before. He supplemented his early 
educational privileges, afforded by the common 
schools, by study in the high school at Westfield, 
Hamilton county, Ind., and then, in order to 
further fit himself for life's practical duties, he 
entered Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, 
at Indianapolis, Ind., and when he was graduated 
therefrom he pursued a course in the University 
of Michigan as a pharmacist. Later he estab- 
lished a drug store at Mooresville, Ind., and 
conducted the enterprise in a profitable manner 
for a year, but at the end of that time he returned 
to his father's farm and assumed control of the 
business as manager, devoting his attention to 
the cultivation of grain and to the raising and 
shipping of stock. In 1874 he removed to Ham- 
ilton county, that state, and purchased a farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres, which he also 
stocked with good grades of cattle, horses and 
hogs, living thereon for three years or until 1877, 
when he once more returned' to the old family 
homestead, which he purchased. When three 
years had passed he came to Oregon and settled 
on the present site of the town of Newberg, pur- 
chasing the land on which the place has since 
been built. His first purchase made him the 
owner of one hundred and eighty-five acres ; his 
second purchase brought to him fifty acres; and 
later he bought one hundred and' twentv-four 
acres. He now owns one hundred and seventy 
acres, which is highly cultivated and improved. 
Here he built the Newberg House, which was 
first his private residence, and in T885 ne erected 
his present beautiful home. In 1882 he estab- 
lished a general mercantile store and in 1883 
he became the owner of the first steam sawmill 
in this portion of the country. Mr. Edwards is 
very quick to recognize and utilize business op- 
portunities and certainlv no man has done more 
for the upbuilding of Newberg than he. In 1886 
he established a tile factory, which was conducted 
for some time, and in i8<;o he assisted in the or- 
ganization of the Bank of Newberg, becoming 
its president in the second year of its existence, 



304 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and continuing to serve in that capacity until 
1899. ^ n *892 he organized the Newberg Pressed 
Brick and Terra Cotta Company, of which he is 
still the head. This is the only pressed brick 
manufactory in the entire state, and from the be- 
ginning Mr. Edwards has been its chief executive 
officer and to his capable management and keen 
business discernment the success of the enter- 
prise is largely due. The other stockholders of 
the company are members of his immediate fam- 
ily, his son, O. K. Edwards, being manager, sec- 
retary and treasurer, while C. J. Edwards is vice- 
president. The business is capitalized for $50,- 
000, with $30,000 paid up, and the trade is con- 
stantly growing in volume and importance, so 
that the industry is now an important one. The 
capacity is two million bricks per annum. In 
1898 Mr. Edwards also established a private 
dairy, which he is continually improving. 

Mr. Edwards was married in Hendricks coun- 
ty, Ind., to Miss Mary E. Kemp, whose birth 
occurred in Park county, that state. Her father, 
Jeremiah Kemp, was a native of North Carolina 
and a tinner by trade. Removing westward he 
took up his abode in the Hoosier state and there 
he died in early manhood. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Edwards have been born four children, three 
sons and a daughter : Clarence J., who is pro- 
prietor of the Newberg Electric Light Plant and 
an excellent business man ; Walter F., who deals 
in wood and builders' supplies, both wholesale 
and retail, in Portland as a member of the firm of 
Timms & Edwards, agents and manufacturers ; 
O. K., who is manager of the pressed brick and 
terra cotta business of this place ; and Mabel, who 
is at home. She has attained considerable pro- 
ficiency in painting and music. The sons have 
all completed a college course and the family is 
identified with the Friends church, in which the 
different members are active and faithful mem- 
bers. In 1879, in Indiana, Mr. Edwards served 
as a recording minister of the church and he 
took a very active and helpful part in the organ- 
ization of the denomination in Newberg. For 
ten years he was president of the board of man- 
agers of Pacific College, an institution under the 
auspices of the Society of Friends, serving in 
that capacity until 1901, while at the present time 
he is one of its members. He has given gener- 
ously to the support of this institution and has 
also labored effectively for its upbuilding and 
promotion. Three times has he made trips to the 
east in the interest of the college. In politics 
an earnest Republican, he served for two or three 
years as a member of the city council at New- 
berg, and was also a school clerk and trustee 
in his younger years. For almost a quarter of a 
century Oregon has numbered him among its 
prominent and progressive citizens. He may 
well be termed one of the founders of Newberg, 



for he not only owned the site of the town, but 
has been the promoter of many of its leading 
business enterprises. His connection with any 
undertaking insures the prosperous outcome of 
the same, for it is his nature to carry forward to 
successful completion whatever he undertakes. 
He has earned for himself an enviable reputation 
as a careful man of business, and in his dealings 
is known for his prompt and honorable methods, 
which have won him the deserved and unbounded 
confidence of his fellow men. 



MERRITT L. THOMPSON. The drug 
store of Merritt L. Thompson is one of the 
active business centers of Falls City, and in 
its appointments would do credit to a much 
larger and older community. Since coming 
into the possession of the present owner in 
1893, a marked change has taken place in the 
enterprise, the trade has steadily increased, 
and the stock has been correspondingly en- 
larged to meet more exacting and discriminat- 
ing patronage. Since September, 1897, Mr. 
Thompson has been the postmaster of Falls 
City, and as a stanch upholder of Republican 
principles other honors have been conferred 
upon him. He was mayor for one term, and 
for the past four years has been city treas- 
urer. It will thus be seen that he is possessed 
of characteristics which inspire confidence and 
suggest authority, and which place him in the 
front rank of promoters of the general well- 
being. 

The representative of an old New York 
family, Mr. Thompson was born in Cayuga 
county, N. Y., August 18, 1864, his father, 
Charles H., and his grandfather, Lovell, being 
natives of the same state. Charles H. mar- 
ried Jerusha Merritt, who was born in New 
York state, and with her he removed to a 
farm of eighty acres one and a half miles from 
Greenville, Mich., where he is now living, and 
is about sixty years of age. Of the two sons 
in the family, both were educated in the pub- 
lic schools, and both started at a practically 
early age to earn their own living. 

Merritt L. began to work in a drug store at 
Genoa, N. Y., when fourteen years old, and 
the following year accompanied his parents 
to Michigan. After going to school for a 
year he entered a drug store in Greenville 
for a year and a half, and then filled a similar 
position in a store in Howard City, Mich., 
for about the same length of time. Returning 
to Greenville he engaged in the drug business 
for about four years, and then made up his 
mind to try his luck in the far west. In Aber- 
deen, Wash., he found employment in a drug 
store, and during his two years' association 



PORTR \' I WD BK IGR M'lIU \l. REC( >RD. 






witli this concern visited his home in Michi 
on tw>> occasions. Desiring to go further 
it, he came to Portland in 1890, but after 
:\ looking tor a position for a COUple of 
months went to independence, Ore, where 
lie remained for five months. In the meantime 
he had been looking around for a desirable 
permanent location, ami hearing of a drug 
re for sale in Falls City came here in 1893 
purchased the business of Otto Messman. 
Reaching the west with comparatively few 
Mr. Thompson has made the 
51 of his opportunities, and for his industry 
point to his drug store building, several 
•i lots, and the thirty acres of land ad- 
joining the city on the west, which is laid 
in lots, and is known as Thompson's First 
Addition. 

In Falls City, in 1895, Mr. Thompson mar- 
ried Maggie Travis, who was born in Penn- 
sylvania, as was also her father, Calvin M. 
Travis. Mr. Travis removed from his native 
e to Kansas, and from there came to Ore- 
in 1890, locating at Falls City. A car- 
penter by trade, he has spent many years in 
working at bis trade, but is now engaged in 
farming near the city, although well nigh 
eighty years of age. Two children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, Hallett E. 
and Mildred. Mr. Thompson, as an official, 
has proven himself worthy of the confidence 
of the people. He is equally well known in 
fraternal circles, being identified with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Knights of the Maccabees of F"alls City. He 
enterprising, progressive and public-spir- 
ited, a shrewd business man. and a very genial 
companion. 



F. S. REMINGTON. One of the much es- 
teemed farmers of Yamhill county is E. S. Rem- 
ington, a native of Ohio, born May 13, 1833, a 
sojourner in Illinois, and a westerner by long 
adoption. For many years his father was a res- 
ident of Trumbull county, Ohio, where he fol- 
lowed the trades of carpenter and millwright. In 
1837 the family removed to Illinois, and twelve 
years later, in famous '49, the father prepared to 
west in the hope of bettering the condition 
of those dependent on him for support. He trav- 
eled by ox team as far as Salt Lake City, where 
he sold his team, going the remainder of the 
journey by pack-mules. In common with the 
thousands of others who thronged to the west at 
that time, he tried prospecting and mining for 
several years in California on the American river. 

While awaiting the father's return, or financial 
success, the principal support of the mother was 
her son, E. S., a lad of sixteen, who in the four 



years' absence ^i his father grew to sturdj man 
hood, generously taking up the burden of car- 
ing for the family, even venturing in 1853 to 
set OUt with the family to join the wanderer in 
the west. When we think of what the JOUrneymUSt 
have been to him, with its dreariness and danger, 
the long days and lonesome nights when he 
could not help but think of his responsibility 
should they never see again the loved one they 
were going so far to join, we gain a truer esti- 
mate of the courage of this young pioneer. 

However, after six months, the emigrant train, 
consisting of fifteen yoke of oxen and one mule 
team, reached Bear valley safely, August 20, 
1853, an d the reunited family went at once to 
settle on a pre-emption claim, the one selected 
being eighteen miles from Sacramento, where 
they remained until 1859. The last year but one 
of their residence there was marked by the death 
of the father, thus once more throwing the entire 
responsibility upon the shoulders of the son. In 
1859 the family made another move, into the 
state where they have ever since lived, settling 
three miles south of Hillsboro, in Washington 
county, Ore., where they remained for three 
years. They then removed to Marion county, 
making this their home until 1893. Flere Mr. 
Remington met and married Miss Hannah 
Rauch. She was also a sturdy product of the 
middle west, who crossed the plains from Illinois 
with her parents in 1853. Until 1893 the young 
people made their home in Marion county, but 
in the last-named year they went into Yamhill 
county, where Mr. Remington bought the Joseph 
H. Garrison donation claim just south of White- 
son. Two years later, in 1895, he was bereaved 
by the death of his wife. In 1874 he had also 
lost his mother, for whom he had continued to 
provide even after his marriage, making her an 
bonored member of his home up to the time of 
her death. She became the mother of nine 
children, three of whom are living. 

Mr. Remington is the owner of considerable 
property, consisting of one hundred and ninety- 
nine acres in the, home farm, seventy-five acres 
adjoining and one hundred and twenty in hill 
land, besides land in Marion county, making 
nearly four hundred acres in all. well improved 
and under cultivation. He made all the im- 
provements on the farm now occupied by bis 
son, the original land bought in Yamhill county, 
and also built a house where he now lives. He 
has four children living and settled near him: 
Henry, who runs a portion of the home farm, 
married Susie Thurman and has two children, 
Leta and Melvin ; Elizabeth is the wife of Will- 
iam A. Forrest and the mother of one child. Ver- 
nal : and Mina and Vina are twins. Mina being 
the wife of C. Patterson, and Vina making bright 
the home that would otherwise be lonelv without 



306 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the presence of the wife and mother. Though 
now retired from active duties, Mr. Remington 
has not lost the zest of living, having always 
taken an active part in politics, being a stanch 
Republican, and holding at various times public 
offices at the request of his fellow-townsmen. He 
has lived a good, clean, useful life, giving from 
his earliest boyhood to those who claimed his 
help, bringing into his character the fruits of 
this self-sacrifice that have made him a most 
respected member of every locality of the west 
in which he has lived. 



J. H. GRIMES. An important farming en- 
terprise of Yamhill county is that managed by 
J. H. Grimes, who is successfully raising grain 
and general crops, and is making a specialty of 
Jersey cattle and O. I. C. hogs. This farm 
is located five miles south of Dayton, between 
Salem and Wheatland, and about one hundred 
and thirty acres are under cultivation, Mr. 
Grimes having recently purchased sixty acres 
of the adjoining farm. 

A native of Indiana, Mr. Grimes was born 
near Millersburg, Elkhart county, September 
25, 1862. His father, who was a farmer in the 
vicinity of his birthplace, died when his son 
was only two years of age. There were three 
other children in the family, and in spite of 
their limited resources the mother and children 
managed to keep together and share their com- 
mon sorrows and pleasures. The son, J. H., 
managed to acquire a good education in the 
common schools, and he eventually assumed 
charge of the. paternal farm, remaining with the 
rest of the family until his twenty-first year. In 
1884 he came to Oregon, settling in Yamhill 
county near his present location, and from then 
until 1895 found employment on various farms 
in the vicinity. In the year last mentioned he 
was employed by the C. K. Spaulding Logging 
Company in Newberg, remaining in their em- 
ploy for two years, after which he located upon 
the farm which has since been his home. 

March 15, 1885, Mr. Grimes was united in 
marriage with Minnie Seese, a native of Indiana, 
and the daughter of Eli Seese, a farmer by occu- 
pation. Mr. Grimes is a stanch Democrat in 
his political views, and has taken an active part 
in the undertakings of his party both here and 
in his 'native state of Indiana. Fraternally he 
is associated with the Knights and Ladies of 
Security. With his wife and two children, Ray 
and Venelli, he is a member of the Evangelical 
Church, in which he is an active worker. Mr. 
Grimes has won the respect of all who know him 
in his adopted state and all accord him the credit 
due so conscientious and painstaking a farmer. 



THOMAS W. RICHES, who for ten years 
has filled the position of postmaster in Silver- 
ton and is one of the well and widely known 
citizens of that locality, is numbered among Ore- 
gon's native sons, his birth having occurred on 
the 17th of November, 1853, in the Geer settle- 
ment amid the Waldo Hills about six miles from 
his present home. The Riches family is of Eng- 
lish lineage. The grandfather, Thomas Riches, 
was born in England. Crossing the Atlantic to 
the new world he settled at Hamilton, Canada, 
where he spent his remaining days. His son, 
George P. S. Riches, the father of our subject, 
was born near London, England, and accompan- 
ied his parents on their emigration to the new 
world in 1830. Desiring to make his home in 
the United States instead of in the Dominion, 
he removed to Illinois, where he was engaged in 
the logging and lumber business until 1847. 

In that year he crossed the plains to Oregon, 
among many other emigrants and brave pioneers 
who made their way into the northwest to sub- 
due the wilderness and claim from the red man 
the dominion of this rich section of the country. 
He located in Oregon City, where he was en- 
gaged in business as a ship builder ; and later 
he removed to Oakpoint, Wash. In 1851 he 
took up his abode in the Waldo Hills, where he 
secured a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres, and there he remained up to the 
time of his death, which occurred in April, 1892, 
when he was seventy-two years of age. His 
wife bore the maiden name of Mary Jane Wat- 
kins, who was born in Anderson, Ind. She 
started across the plains with her parents, but 
both died during the journey, one surviving the 
other only a day ; and they were buried in the 
same place. Mrs. Riches is still living and 
makes her home on the old donation claim. By 
her marriage she became the mother of eight 
children, four sons and four daughters, and 
of these three sons and three daughters are yet 
living. 

Thomas W. Riches, the eldest of the family, 
having obtained a public school education, en- 
gaged in farming for himself on attaining his 
majority. He was married, and in order to have 
a home of his own he purchased one hundred and 
fifty-one acres of the old donation claim from 
his father. This he continued to improve and 
cultivate until 1883, when he sold that property 
and removed to Silverton, where he purchased a 
grocery store, which he conducted for six years. 
He was then made assistant postmaster, and 
under President Harrison's administration was 
appointed postmaster. He was also appointed to 
the position of turnkey in the State Penitentiary, 
but remained there only six months. Return- 
ing to Silverton, he later engaged in clerking 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



309 



m a general mercantile establishment until he 
was re-appointed postmaster by President Mc- 
Kinley, and again by President Roosevelt, so 
that his incumbency in the position covers an 
entire decade. 

Mr. Riches has been twice married. In 1873 
he wedded Rosa Hibbard, who was horn in Ore- 
and died in Silverton on the 17th of Sep- 
tember, 1883, leaving two children: George H., 
who IS now assistant postmaster; and Amy, who 
i^ an educator at Jefferson, Ore. For his sec- 
ond wife Mr. Riches chose Mary L. Hall, who 
was born in Vancouver, Wash. They have five 
children : Lloyd, Lelia. Harold, Gladys and Mar- 
jory. 

In his fraternal relations Mr. Riches is an Odd 
Fellow, and is very prominent in the order, 
lie has served as grand patriarch, and was Ore- 
gon's representative to the Sovereign Grand 
Lodge in Detroit in 1889, and also in Richmond, 
Ya., in 1890. He is likewise connected with the 
Woodmen of the World, and has rilled all of the 
offices in the local order. His life is in harmony 
with the teachings of the Odd Fellows' frater- 
nity, which is based upon brotherly kindness and 
helpfulness. For one term Mr. Riches has served 
as school director, and for tw r o terms has been a 
member of the city council of Silverton. In pub- 
lic office he is always prompt and faithful in the 
execution of his duties, and his administration 
has been business-like, systematic and progres- 
sive, giving general satisfaction to the many 
patrons of the office. 



HORACE E. BICKERS. The superintendent 
of the state reform school in Marion county is 
well qualified for his responsible position, years 
of practical business experience and close asso- 
ciation with men in many walks of life having 
mellowed his judgment and turned his thoughts 
into humanitarian and common sense lines. Hor- 
ace E. Bickers was born on his father's dona- 
tion claim within six miles of the reform school, 
September 26, 1856. a son of Henry C. Bickers, 
who was born in the state of Virginia in 1820. 

Henry C. Bickers was reared in Virginia and 
Kentucky, and as a young man removed to Xew 
Orleans, where he learned and followed the trade 
of ship carpenter. In the southern city he mar- 
ried Mary Carter, who died four years later, 
leaving three children, all of whom died voung. 
In order to reach the western coast Mr. Bickers 
joined the government service and came across 
the plains with a caravan, stopping for a short 
time in the mines of California. His trip was 
not altogether satisfactory, for he encountered 
much difficulty with the Indians, and was wound- 
ed while attempting to defend himself during an 
attack. In 185 1 he came to Marion county, Ore., 



and worked at the carpenter's trade, and in 1853 

took up a claim of four hundred acres about two 
miles east of Marion. The same year he was 
married to Mrs. Malinda Brown, widow of 
Thomas J. Brown, who crossed the plains with 
her former husband in 1852. Mr. Drowns death 
on the plains was one of the sad occurrences 
which marked the early emigration to the west, 
and his wife proved one of the heroic pionei r 
women upon whose shoulders fell so much of 
the responsibility in the early days. Alone she 
resumed her journey with her four children, and 
coming to Marion county, she started a boarding 
house in Jefferson, of which she was the amiable 
hostess at the time of her second marriage. After 
his marriage Mr. Bickers continued to live on 
his claim, and there he and Jacob Conser built 
the first three reapers in this part of the state, 
and the first ones on the coast. 

The elder Mr. Bickers was variously connect- 
ed with the affairs in the county, and for many 
years derived a substantial income from cutting 
and sawing logs. He also engaged in carpen- 
tering and building, getting the material from 
the timber and making lumber by hand. In 1861 
he took about $30,000 worth of cattle and horses 
into eastern Oregon, intending to engage in an 
extensive stock-raising business. The severe 
winters of ? 6i-'2 annihilated his hope in this di- 
rection, for out of his herd he had but one team 
of horses left. With this team he drove his 
family to Boise City, Idaho, and there engaged 
in mining and prospecting and also followed 
that occupation in different parts of that 
and the adjoining country. In 1869 he 
went into San Diego county, Cal., and 
discovered what is now known as the Wash- 
ington Ledge in the Julian district, and the same 
year, with his son, spent some time in Seattle, 
Wash. The year 1873 found him in Alaska dur- 
ing the excitement of that year, and on this trip 
he was accompanied by his son, Horace E. Sev- 
eral months were spent in the mines and in the 
fall of '73 they returned to California, where he 
made his home until his death in 1893. His wife 
died in August, 1900, at the age of eighty-one 
years. She w 7 as the mother of four children by 
this marriage, of whom Horace E. is the sec- 
ond oldest. William H. died in 1882 ; Mary died 
in 1862; and Andrew J. is a resident of Waldo, 
Wash. 

From so energetic and ambitious a father Hor- 
ace E. Bickers inherits the traits that have 
brought about his own success. He was educated 
in the public schools and learned carpentering 
from his father, an occupation which he followed 
from the age of twelve to that of twenty years. 
He was seventeen years of age when he went to 
Alaska, and the experience among the miners 
gave him an insight which be might otherwise 



310 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



never have received. In 1879 he went to Pendle- 
ton, Ore., where he acceptably filled the office of 
clerk in the postoffice until 1886. For the fol- 
lowing two years he engaged as an accountant, 
and the next occupation to which he turned his 
attention was merchandising in Alba. His little 
store was also the postoffice of the town during 
Ihe three years of his residence there, after which 
he sold out his interests and returned to Pen- 
dleton. In 1896 he was elected recorder of Uma- 
tilla county, serving for two years, and thus 
launched upon the sea of politics stepped natur- 
ally into his present position as superintendent 
of the Oregon State Reform School, to which 
he was appointed in 1899, his appointment being 
duly confirmed by the secretary of state. 

In 1881 Mr. Bickers married Miss Ida Bean, 
of Vancouver, Wash., and of this union there 
were born three children, of whom Horace E., 
Jr., died in infancy; Hazel, who after graduating 
from the public schools of Pendleton, took a 
special course of music at Eugene, Ore., and is 
now attending the conservatory of music at Port- 
land ; and Mabel, also a student, is living with 
her parents. Mr. Bickers has always been a very 
active man in the Republican party, and frater- 
nally is associated with various orders, namely : 
The Masons, belonging to Pendleton Lodge No. 
52, A. F. & A. M. ; and Pendleton chapter, 
R. A. M. ; is a member of Pendleton Camp, W. 
O. W. ; the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks, of Pendleton ; and Damon Lodge No. 4, 
K. P. Both himself and wife are identified with 
the Eastern Star. 



MARTIN R. SETTLEMIER, who is engaged 
in agricultural pursuits in Marion county, was 
born in Montgomery county, 111., March 24, 1846. 
His educational privileges were those afforded 
by the common schools of the frontier and were 
somewhat limited because his services were 
needed upon the farm. At the age of eighteen 
years his father allowed the sons to begin farm- 
ing on their own account. The family had come 
to Oregon in 1850 and when Martin R. reached 
the age mentioned his father gave him two hun- 
dred acres of the original donation claim ad- 
joining Mount Angel on the west. He also 
secured fifty acres more, and now has a valuable 
farm of two hundred and fifty acres, the greater 
part of which is under a high state of cultiva- 
tion. There are altogether one hundred and 
fifty acres planted to cereals and other crops, 
while the remainder is devoted to pasture land. 
He has twenty-three acres planted to hops, which 
is becoming a very valuable product of the north- 
west. He makes a specialty of raising cattle 
and draft ftorses, and has some very fine speci- 
mens of Belgian horses and Durham cattle. In 



the various branches of his business he is meet- 
ing with creditable success. The greater part 
of his land was unimproved when he took pos- 
session, being covered with brush, but this he 
cleared away and transformed the tract into pro- 
ductive fields. He also built his residence, two 
barns and the other necessary outbuildings for the 
shelter of grain and stock, and today the farm 
is one of the best improved in this section of 
the county. Mr. Settlemier's possessions are 
not limited to this property, however, for he 
is the owner of two lots and residences in Port- 
land and a house on east Davis street in East 
Portland. He also owns some lots in Astoria, 
Ore. 

About two miles from his present home, in 
1872, Mr. Settlemier was united in marriage to 
Miss Elizabeth Simmons, who was born in Octo- 
ber, 1855, on Howell Prairie in Oregon. Her 
father, John H. Simmons, was a native of In- 
diana, and in 1845 made the long and wearisome 
journey overland to the northwest with his par- 
ents. His father secured a donation claim on 
Howell Prairie in Marion county, thus becom- 
ing the owner of six hundred and forty acres of 
valuable land. The father of Mrs. Settlemier 
resides about two miles northeast of our subject's 
home. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Martin R. Settlemier have 
been born nine children : Etta, now the wife of J 
B. Palmer, who has two sons and one daughter, 
Hazel, George and Jesse, and is living in the Ya- 
kima district of Washington ; Flora, who is as- 
sistant postmistress in Mount Angel ; Elmer, who 
carries on farming on the old homestead, is mar- 
ried and has one daughter, Minnie ; Mamie, de- 
ceased ; Eva, the wife of C. Janz, a farmer on 
Howell Prairie ; and Mary, Sadie, Perry and 
Adelphia Eldorene, all at home. 

In his political views Mr. Settlemier is an 
earnest Republican who has studied closely the 
issues and questions of the day, and gives a 
stalwart support to the principles in which he 
believes. For one term he served as clerk and 
for many terms as school director, the cause of 
education finding in him a warm friend. In 
his farm work he is prospering through methods 
which always bring success, and his well im- 
proved property with its splendid buildings and 
highly cultivated fields forms one of the most at- 
tractive features of the landscape. 



_ PETER A. FINSETH. The largest and 
finest mercantile establishment in Polk county is 
universally conceded to be the Bee Hive, op- 
erated and owned bv the firm of Nordby & Fin- 
seth, the latter of whom is the general manager 
and largest stockholder. This store, which has 
been an upbuilding factor of Dallas since 1899, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



:;l I 



been located in Ihe Odd Fellows Building 
■i.l has quarters 32x80 feet in ground 
The firm has a comprehensive un- 
s of .1 cosmopolitan com- 
munity, rries a complete and up-to-date 
| mc os, shoes and clothing, 
and in its attitude toward a large and apprecia- 
te courtesy, tact and con- 
nvariablj ited with permanent 
ind uninterrupted retention of patronage. 
ilv speaking. P. A. Finseth began at 
round of the ladder four years ago, 
and lias since worked his way up to a substantial 
mercantile position. He is one of the many 
ndinavians who have found a practical field 
ffort in the northwest, and who is appreciated 
because of his many fine national characteristics. 
•1 in Trondhjen, Norway, July 19, 1867, he 
reared in his native town until his fifteenth 
year, and attended the public schools, his emi- 
gration to America taking place in 1882. He lo- 
cated in Sioux City, Iowa, and inaugurated his 
mercantile career as a clerk in a dry goods store, 
remaining in that capacity for five years. In 1887 
he shifted his residence to Portland, Ore., and 
a clerk for the proprietors of the 
Farmers' and Mechanics' store, two years later 
ted to the management of the linen, 
drapery and blanket departments. In 1894 he be- 
came a salesman in the linen department of the 
Olds. W'ortman & King, and in August, 
8, resigned his position to start up in business 
for himself in Portland. On Morrison street 
between First and Second streets, Portland, he 
ihlished the Crescent, a well-equipped and 
modern dry-goods store, of which he was sole 
intil January, 1899. He then started 
up business in Dallas on Main street, but has 
since removed his stock to the Odd Fellows 
building. 

In Sioux City, Iowa. Mr. Finseth married 
Anna Paulson, a native of the vicinitv of Chris- 
tiania. Norway, and who is the mother of two 
interesting children, Leif and Roy. Mr. Finseth 
i^ a member of the Board of Trade, and in his 
political affiliation is a Democrat, and fraternally 
is identified with the Woodmen of the World. 
He is possessed of a broad knowledge of the mer- 
cantile business, and his friends and associates 
predict a continuation of his present success. 



THOMAS IIOWF. No more genial person- 
ality is included among the citizens of Mount 
Angel than Thomas Howe, and it is doubtful if 
any furnish more frequent glimpses of the bright 
and happy side of life. Mr. Howe is posses 
of fine business ability, has substantially launched 
himself in the commercial life of the town, has 
invested in real estate, and has established the 



reputation of being one of the best dog lam 
and trainers in the United States. 

In Mr. Howe is found a refutation of the 
generally accepted belief that the English are 
devoid of humor, and lack effervescence and 
buoyancy of spirit. He was horn in Dorset- 
shire, England, June 22, 1S42, his father. 
Thomas, and his mother, Phillows (Garrett ) 
1 lowe, being natives of the same shire. The 
elder Thomas was a farmer during the greater 
part of his active life, and he was also a con- 
tractor for large excavations and kindred work. 
He lived to the advanced age of eighty-eight, 
his wife having died at the age of eighty-two. 
Eighteen children came into this home, four- 
teen sons and four daughters, of whom Thomas. 
Jr., is the fifteenth in the order of birth. 

As soon as he had completed his education in 
the public and parish school in Dorsetshire, 
Thomas Howe entered upon an independent ex- 
istence as game-keeper for John Tatchell Bull- 
ing, in the parish of Marshwood, Dorset. He 
was also game-keeper for Lady Rool, whose 
employ he left to enter that of Hon. Captain 
William Hood Waldron, of Dunchideock, Dev- 
onshire, England. He lived for a time in South 
Wales, and at the age of thirty-two began to 
work as porter and ticket collector for the Great 
Western Taffail Railroad. In 1875 Mr. Howe 
came to Canada, and after a residence of five 
years in Orillia, returned to England for nine 
months. Again locating in Canada, he soon after 
came to the United States, and at Salem. Ore., 
started the dog kennels which have since made 
him famous. He raises pointers, setters, and 
brake dogs in large numbers, always has them 
on hand, and ships them to all parts of the 
United States, some of them being sent beyond 
the borders of the country. In connection with 
his kennels Mr. Howe owns and manages a fur- 
niture store in Mount Angel, and also handles 
buggies, hacks, and agricultural implements. 
He also carries guns and ammunition, all manner 
of sporting goods, as well as pianos and organs 
He has demonstrated his faith in the future of 
this section by investing heavily in red estate, 
and besides the two acres in connection with his 
home, owns the store building called the Howe 
Block. Pie is a Democrat in political preference, 
and is a member of the Episcopal church. 

In Dorsetshire, England. April 3. 1863, Mr. 
Howe married Emma Rawlins, a native of tin 
same shire, and whose father. Robert Rawlins, 
died on his farm in Dorsetshire at the age of 
forty-four. His wife died in 1883 at the age of 
seventy-three ye 

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Howe, of whom Charlotte, the eldest child, is 
the wife of George Applin, living in Dorsetshire, 
England: they have two children, Flossie and 



312 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Alice. Frank is a resident of Portland, and is 
representative agent for the Union Metallic Car- 
tridge Company, and the Remington Arms Com- 
pany ; Frank won the cup and gold medal from 
the mayor in 1902 ; he married Clara Rustin 
and they have four children: Florence, Wesley, 
Fred and Harry. Alice is the wife of T. R. Ryan 
of Mount Angel; has five children, Mary, 
Edward, Agnes, Leon, Frank; and Emma, the 
youngest daughter, is living at home. Two of 
the sons, Fred and Walter, are deceased. Mr. 
Howe has many friends in Salem, in Mount 
Angel, and in different parts of the state, and 
it is needless to say that he occupies an alto- 
gether enviable place in the social and business 
life of his home town. 



JOHN JAMES COLWELL. When Scotland 
denied religious liberty to thousands of her loyal 
citizens, near-by Ireland offered an asylum to 
such as desired to avail themselves of her more 
rational but less prosperous conditions. Among 
those who, smarting under their years of perse- 
cution, took themselves and children to the 
sheltering country, were the paternal grand- 
parents of John James Colwell, a retired farmer 
and business man of Falls City. The grand- 
parents settled in County Cavan, Ulster, Ire- 
land, and here John James Colwell, Sr., was 
born, reared, and eventually married a bonnie 
Scotch-Irish lassie by the name of Mary Ann 
Glenn. Miss Glenn was born in Ireland, of 
Presbyterian stock, and her father, William, born 
in Scotland, came to Canada at an early day, 
settling near Hamilton, where he died at an 
advanced age. From Ireland John James Colwell, 
Sr., came on a sailing vessel to Canada about 
1834, locating on a farm near Toronto, where he 
farmed with moderate success until removing to 
St. Paul, Minn., in 1864. He and his good wife 
reared a family of eleven children, six sons and 
five daughters, and besides giving them as good 
an education as his circumstances permitted, he 
left a nice little estate at the time of his death 
in 1899, at the age of about seventy years. 

Born twenty miles north of Toronto, Canada, 
July 12, 1849, John James Colwell was fifteen 
years of age when he went with the family to 
Minnesota, and in 1870 he entered the University 
of Minnesota, where he .remained five years. In 
1875 he started out to make his own living in the 
world, and as a mail carrier in Minneapolis, 
delivered the missives of Uncle Sam for about a 
year. In 1876 he went to Texas and engaged in 
school teaching twenty-two miles south of San 
Antonio, some time later turning his attention to 
stock-raising near that city. He remained in 
Texas seven years, and in 1884 returned to Min- 
nesota and worked on his father's farm until 



1886. He had long desired to see the far west, 
so he came to Portland, and as a means of live- 
lihood engaged with the street car company as 
carpenter for about a year, when he returned 
east, and 1887 found him filling the position 
of foreman and check clerk of the floating gang 
at the steel mills at Carbondale, Pa., and two 
years later he again made the trip across the 
country to Oregon, locating on a farm adjoining 
Falls City. In 1891 he abandoned farming and 
in Falls City, worked at teaming for two years, 
and in 1893 engaged in a general merchandise 
business. He was fairly successful as a merchant, 
and in 1902 closed out his business, and prepared 
to take the rest of his life easy. That he is suc- 
ceeding in his expectations is evident from his 
disposal of his time, for he has just returned from 
a delightful trip of three months to California 
and Texas, in which latter state he still has 
interests. 

While living in Carbondale, Pa., Mr. Colwell 
married, September 27, 1890, Cora M. Baker, 
who was born in Fell township, Lackawanna 
county, Pa., July 17, 1870. Mrs. Colwell is a 
daughter of Jackson Baker, also born in Penn- 
sylvania, and who, after many years of farming 
in his native state, came to Oregon in 1891. Mr. 
Baker located on property one mile east of Falls 
City, where he is now living with his wife, 
formerly Sarah Ann Montgomery, who is now 
seventy-eight years of age. 

Mr. Colwell is a Republican in politics, but 
has never sought official honors. He has always 
been an earnest promoter of education, and in 
this capacity served for a term on the school 
board. He is a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and has contributed generously 
towards its support. 



^ LOUIS H. PFANDHOEFER, M. D. Falls 
City is fortunate in the possession of so erudite 
and successful a practitioner as Dr. Louis H. 
Pfandhoefer, who came here in 1898 after many 
years of practical experience in Buffalo, N. Y. 
Although devoting his energies to all branches of 
medicinal science he has made a specialty of 
obstetrics, and has already demonstrated his 
skill in this direction. That he is favorably 
impressed with his adopted town and county 
is evidenced by the fact that he has invested 
in considerable property and besides a timber 
claim of one hundred and sixty acres, owns resi- 
dence property consisting of five acres, on the 
banks of the creek. He is identified with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in 
political affiliation is independent. 

As his name indicates, Dr. Pfandhoefer is of 
Teutonic ancestry. He was born in the Rhine 
province of Germany, January 7, 1853. His 



POR l'U \l f \\l> I'.li »GR MMIH'Al. REC( IRD. 



8 1 5 



family had long been known in the locality, his 
father, Louis, being a native of the Rhine 
country, as were also several of his tore fat hers. 
His mother, formerly Margaret Wusthoff, was 

horn near there, so that his paternal and 
maternal associations are connected with one 
of the most historic and fertile parts of the 
empire. Louis Pfandhoefer, St., was a black- 
smith by trade, and was also an excellent business 
man. so that his combined abilities resulted in a 
substantial little property, lie was able to give 
his three sons and six daughters more than an 
average education. 

Louis H. is the seventh child of this family, 
and he passed from the public schools to the his- 
toric Bonn University, from the portals of which 
have stepped forth some of the most brilliant 
men. However, his university career was des- 
tined to be short-lived, for, owing to the death 
of his father, he was obliged to return home 
at the end of the first term. In 1873 ne entered 
the normal school, and thereafter engaged in 
educational work in Germany until coming to the 
United States in 1879. 

In America Dr. Pfandhoefer located in Bay- 
onne City, Hudson county, N. J., where he taught 
school for two years, and in the winter of 1881 
changed his field of endeavor to Buffalo, N. Y. 
While teaching in the latter city he became inter- 
ested in medicine, and in 1883, entered the Buf- 
falo Medical College, from which he was duly 
graduated in the class of 1886. Thereafter he 
engaged in practice in Buffalo, but by 1898 found 
that his health was failing, and that a change of 
climate was imperative. He therefore came to 
Oregon, and for seven months rested and enjoyed 
life in Portland, coming then to his present home 
in Falls City. 

In 1 88 1 the doctor was united in marriage in 
Bufifalo, N. Y.. with Annie H. Winkelman, who 
was born in Bufifalo, although her father, Charles, 
was a native of Germany. A tanner by trade, 
Mr. Winkelman was successful in both Germany 
and America, in the latter country plying his trade 
in the New England states and in Bufifalo, where 
his death occurred at the age of fifty-eight. Five 
children have been horn to Dr. and Mrs. Pfand- 
hoefer, of whom Louis, Jr., Charles and Johannas 
are deceased, while Henry and Violet are living 
at home. 



HON. LEE LAUGHLIN, who, as a youth of 
fourteen, crossed the olains in 1847 w ' tn the 
largest caravan which had as yet raised the ap- 
prehension of the Indians, and paved the way for 
succeeding home and fortune seekers, has been 
substantially identified with the growth of Yam- 
hill county, and has contributed to its agricul- 
tural, political and general well-being. The 



Laughlins, and there are main belonging to this 
special family, have proved themselves pioneers 
in the highest sense of that important term, and 
one and all have left the impress of strong and 
rugged personalities on whatsoever they have 
found to do in the great northwest 

James Laughlin, the paternal grandfather of 
Lee, was horn in South Carolina, and partici 
pated in the Revolutionary war at the battle of 
Cowpens. He was a farmer by occupation, and 
when a man of middle age, with his family, re- 
moved to Hopkins county, Ky., where his death 
occurred. He married Rachel Dalrymple, who 
died in Missouri at the age of seventy-five years. 
Of the large family of children horn into the 
family of James Laughlin, Samuel, the father of 
Lee, was the oldest, and was born in the Pendle- 
ton district, South Carolina, December 2, 1791. 
He was ten years of age when the family for- 
tunes were shifted to Kentucky, and he remained 
on the paternal farm in Hopkins county until 
his twenty-second year. About 18 14 he began 
to have pioneering inclinations, and, saddling his 
horse, started forth on a journey to what is now 
the great city of St. Louis. Arriving at the then 
small town, then a French settlement, he was 
offered five acres of land in the heart of the now 
busiest section of the city for his horse, but re- 
fused the ofifer as inadequate. In Franklin 
county he purchased a farm, but a high-water 
washout induced him to move north into Lincoln 
county. Reports from the journal of Patrick 
Gass, who accompanied Lewis and Clark, filled 
him with the fever of unrest, and he disposed of 
his Missouri farm, and joined the largest train 
that, up to that time, had ever braved the dan- 
gers of the plains. There were twenty-nine 
wagons under Capt. Joseph Magone, and besides 
Samuel and his brother, James, there were eleven 
Laughlins in the party. No braver or more de- 
termined band ever carried the flag of civilization 
before them, nor did any have more typical and 
varied pioneering experiences. Starting on their 
way April 19, 1847. they arrived at Wapato lake 
November 1, of the same year. In January. 1848, 
Mr. Laughlin took up a donation claim of six 
hundred and forty acres, three miles north ot 
Yamhill, and there engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising until his death, June 22, 1869. 
A former Democrat, he left his party on account 
of its slavery attitude, and died firm in the faith 
of Republicanism. He was a member of the 
Baptist Church. 

While his father was living on a farm in Lin- 
coln county, Mo.. Lee Laughlin was horn Janu- 
ary 17, 1833. His expedition across the plains, 
at the age of fourteen, was both interesting and 
developing, and so imbued had he become with 
western ideas and chances, that at the age of six- 
teen, during the gold fever of '49, he went down 



316 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.* 



into California, on the Trinity river, and engaged 
in mining for about three months. He was fairly 
successful on the Sacramento and Trinity rivers, 
making sometimes as high as $150 per day. With 
his little hoard he returned to Oregon in Janu- 
ary, 1850, and the next year made another trip 
overland to the mines of the New Eldorado. As 
soon as age permitted, he took up a claim of one 
hundred and sixty acres, three miles north of 
Yamhill, and engaged in farming thereon until 
1864. In the meantime, Mr. Laughlin had real- 
ized the importance of education, and as oppor- 
tunity offered, had applied himself at the public 
schools, also attending the Pacific University for 
a couple of years. For two terms he applied this 
knowledge as an educator in Yamhill county. 
After disposing of his Yamhill county farm he 
removed to Horseshoe Bend, near Boise City, 
Idaho, and engaged in the hotel business for a 
couple of years, and in 1866, returned to Yamhill 
county, and opened up a general merchandise 
business in North Yamhill. As the largest mer- 
chant in that section, he catered to an increasing 
trade for nine years, his affability and business 
ability enlarging both his capital and his 
list of friends. After retiring from business, in 
1876, Mr. Laughlin paid a visit to the east for 
a few months, but finding the need for active 
occupation, returned to the store the same year, 
remaining there until 1886, when he permanently 
retired from business activity. 

The business aptitude and progressive spirit 
of Mr. Laughlin has created a demand for his 
services in connection with many undertakings 
in this county. He is credited with being one of 
the principal organizers of the Republican party 
in Oregon, and since then has closely and actively 
watched the trend of Republican affairs. His 
first definite service was in i860, when he was 
elected county assessor, and ten years later, in 
1870, he was nominated to the state legislature. 
However, the Democrats being in the ascend- 
ancy, his seat, with that of others, was severely 
contested, and the political plums passed into 
the keeping of the opposition. In 1874, Mr. 
Laughlin was duly elected to the state legislature 
from Yamhill county, and so satisfactory were 
his services for the best interests of the people, 
that his re-election followed in 1880. During the 
last session he was chairman of the committee on 
public lands, and was also instrumental in secur- 
ing the erection of the State Insane Asylum. 
Other offices were duly maintained with credit 
by this broad and liberal minded citizen, includ- 
ing that of school director and clerk for many 
vears, and mayor of North Yamhill for a couple 
of terms. As a politician, he has won additional 
respect and confidence from those who placed 
him in office, and his services have invariably 
been accompanied by substantial and popular re- 



sults. Mention of the creditable war record is 
due so valiant an Indian fighter, he having served 
in the Yakima Indian war of 1855. In 1887, 
Mr. Laughlin was one of the organizers of the 
McMinnville National Bank, and was a member 
of the first board of directors, and first vice- 
president, which position he held until the death 
of Judge Cowls, in 1897, when he succeeded him 
as president, holding the position at the present 
time. 

October 8, 1856, Mr. Laughlin was united in 
marriage with Emma Stewart, who was born in 
Putnam county, Ohio, and whose father, Ben- 
jamin E., crossed the plains in 1847, locating in 
North Yamhill. Mrs. Laughlin, who died Feb- 
ruary 11, 1901, left no children, but homeless 
children have at times found shelter and care 
under the hospitable Laughlin roof, and have 
grown to maturity under the most kindly and 
parental influences. Mr. Laughlin is a man of 
broad information and most liberal ideas, and his 
services to his adopted state are of an enduring 
and highly appreciated nature. 



FREDERICK SCHWAB. The warehouse 
business of Frederick Schwab is contributing to 
the financial stability of Mount Angel, the owner 
being one of its most enterprising citizens. He 
embarked upon his present occupation in 1893, 
and has since dealt in grain, hay and potatoes, 
making a specialty of the latter. Other inter- 
ests also claim the time and attention of Mr. 
Schwab, and he owns a farm of sixty acres two 
and a half miles east of the town, ten acres of 
which are within the corporation limits, although 
not yet laid out in lots. He has built a fine 
residence, and he also owns the warehouse and 
lot. Mr. Schwab takes a keen interest in the 
general affairs of this town, and may be counted 
on to meet any just demand upon his resources. 
Although independent in politics, he has held im- 
portant city offices, including membership in the 
city council, and three terms as recorder. 

The early life of Mr. Schwab was spent in 
Johnson county, Iowa, where he was born No- 
vember 1, 1863, and whence he removed with 
his parents to Harrison county in 1866. His 
father, Louis, was born at Frankfort, Germany, 
and, immigrating to the United States in the 
first flush of manhood, located in Philadelphia, 
Pa., and engaged in the meat-market business. 
At the expiration of five years he removed to 
Iowa, settling on a farm near Blairstown, Benton 
county, where he remained until 1866. He then 
located in Harrison county, purchased a farm 
of one hundred and sixtv acres, and ten years 
later, in 1876, removed to Crawford county. In 
t88i he became a resident of Oregon, and near 
Mount Angel bought one hundred and fifty acres, 



POKTR Ml AND BI< (GRAPHICAL RE< I >RD. 



UI7 



..in- and a half miles east of the town, and where 
he died in 1882. His wife, Josephine (Winters) 
Schwab, was born in Baden, Germany, and died 
m Oregon in 1893, at the age of seventy-one 
She was the mother of five sons and 
t\mr daughters, of whom Frederick is sixth in 
order of birth. 

\~ .1 l)o\ Mr. Schwab accompanied his parents 
m their migratory agricultural life, and his educa- 

n suffered somewhat from the uncertain condi- 
tions. Nevertheless, he was apt and quick, and 

- all his life been one of those who learn more 
from observation and direct contact with men 
and affair.-, than from books. The business in 
which he is now engaged was his first attempt to 
earn an independent livelihood, and his success 
iroof of the wisdom of his selection. Since 
coming to Mount Angel he has married Mary 
Mayer, who was horn in Wurtemberg, Germany, 
December 2, [869, and whose father, Joseph, is 
.it present living on the family homestead in the 
German principality. Mrs. Schwab came to Am- 
erica to visit her brother Joseph in 1890, and 
while here met and married her husband. Six 
children have been born of this union: Mary, 
1 lertrude, Joseph, Bertha, Agnes and Paul. The 
family are members of the Catholic Church. 



THOMAS G. HOPKINS. A valuable ad- 
dition to the society of the western state has 
been Thomas G. Hopkins, with the many ad- 
mirable characteristics that bespeak his na- 
tionality, and who, for a number of years has 
been an estimable citizen of Oregon, through 
his substantial business enterprises and 
shrewd judgment becoming a leader in the 
financial circles of the city of Albany. He is 
now at the head of the Albany Hardware 
Company, a business which was begun about 
1885, and has since grown to remunerative 
and satisfactory proportions, becoming an in- 
corporated concern in 1901, and through its 
successful operations adding much to the 
prestige of the city. 

Thomas has been a family name for many 
generations in the Hopkins household, the 
grandfather and father both bearing the 
name, Both were born in Dartford, County 
Kent. England, the elder man emigrating to 
America, settling near Fond du Lac, Wis., 
where he was followed by his son in 1857. 
The grandfather followed chair manufactur- 
ing, while the father engaged in the hardware 
business in the city of Fond du Lac, continu- 
ing profitably in the same until 1891, and now 
living retired in that city at the age of sev- 
enty-nine years. He married Mary Wikes, 
also a native of Countv Kent, England, where 
she was born in 1812, the daughter of William 



Wikes, who later settled in Wisconsin. At 
her deatli she was the mother of six 'iuidren. 
Four daughters and two sons, all ol whom, ex- 
cept one son, are stil! living. 

The birth of Thomas Hopkins of this re- 
view occurred November, [852, and he was 
the second of his father's children. He was 
reared in the state of his father's adoption and 
educated in the public schools of bond du 
Lac. At the age of nineteen years be was ap- 
prenticed to a tinner, remaining with him 
until 1872. when he went to Green Bay, Wis. 
After three years he returned to Fond <\u Lac, 
and passed the ensuing two years. In 1877 he 
severed his connection with Wisconsin, coming 
to California. For a short time he worked at his 
trade in San Francisco. In July, of the same 
year, he came to Portland, Oregon, and after a 
year's successful prosecution of his trade in that 
city he was made second foreman of the firm of 
Hexter May & Co., with whom he remained 
for three years. In 1881 he came to Albany and 
entered the employ of W. C. Tweedale, remain- 
ing for two years as an employe, when he pur- 
chased an interest in the business, the firm being 
then Tweedale & Co. This co-partnership was 
continued for eighteen months, when Mr. Hop- 
kins sold out and began business for himself 
in the hardware line. From 1890 be had a part- 
ner in the person of his brother, H. J. Hopkins, 
who died in 1901. He has now one of the largest 
hardware stores in Albany, carrying a complete 
line of all articles to be found in an establish- 
ment of this nature. He conducts also a plumb- 
ing and tinning shop. 

The marriage of Mr. Hopkins occurred in 
Salem, in May, 1883, and united him with Cora 
Reily, a native of that city. She is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally he is a 
member of the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men, and of the Alco Club. 



EDWARD ANGUS McPHERSON. The 
position of first warden of the state penitentiary 
is now (1903) being acceptably filled by F. A. 
McPherson, a native of Salem, Ore., born Octo- 
ber 13, 1866, the son of W. A. McPherson, one 
of the progressive and able pioneers of 1852, 
who left the imprint of bis strong personality 
upon the course of events in the early history. 
The father was born in North Carolina and in 
his native state became associated with news- 
paper work : but, feeling his ability to help in 
the up-building of a new country, he accepted 
the hard lot of a pioneer, and in 1852 crossed the 
plains and located near Scio, Linn comity, ( )r< . 
He first engaged in farming, persevering ailiid 
the discouragements and trying conditions of 
those primitive days and succeeding in his work. 



318 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Some time after he located in Albany and was 
later elected state printer, his death occurring 
about 1892, in Portland. Besides E. A. Mc- 
Pherson of this sketch, there were the following 
children: Cassius, who died in Salem; Ella, the 
wife of John M. Lewis, treasurer of Multnomah 
county ; Leon, of Portland ; Kate, the wife of 
W. S. Weeks, who has charge of the supply 
department of the Northern Pacific Terminal 
Company, of Portland ; Guy, of Portland ; ana 
Pearl, also of that city. 

The early education of E. A. McPherson was 
received in the common schools of the state, after 
which he entered Willamette University. Upon 
the completion of his school course he entered 
the State Prison and for three years acted as 
guard, winning the confidence of the officials of 
that institution. He then located in Portland and 
became a clerk in the employ of the Moyer 
Clothing Company, with whom he remained for 
six years, working under Ben Selling. April I, 
1903, he received the appointment to his present 
position. While a resident of Portland Mr. Mc- 
Pherson was president of the Retail Clerks' 
Association and secretary of the Trades Council, 
in which discharge of duty he manifested the 
same thoroughness which has distinguished his 
entire career. 

February 28, 1893, Mr. McPherson was united 
in marriage with Miss Carrie B. Hart, who was 
born in Wisconsin, in 1876, and two sons have 
been born to them, Oscar and Donald. In his 
fraternal relations Mr. McPherson is a member 
of the Masonic order, Mt. Tabor Lodge, A. F. 
& A. M., and also belongs to Portland Lodge 
No. 142, B. P. O. E. Politically, he casts his 
ballot with the Democratic party. 



JAMES DANNALS. Formerly engaged 
in the furniture business in Albany, James 
Dannals had a reputation for fair dealing and 
honest worth not exceeded by any of the 
other pioneers of 1851. He is one of those 
who came to the west with a stanch belief in 
its future, and his success in the various oc- 
cupations in which he was engaged strength- 
ened his conviction that Oregon is a place 
par excellence for homes and substantial for- 
tunes. Of an old and honored New York 
family, Mr. Dannals was born on a farm near 
Rochester, Monroe county, N. Y. His father, 
Richard, a tanner by trade, was a native of 
the same state, as was also his mother, Lucy 
(Clough) Dannals, who was born in Onon- 
daga county, and died in Rochester. 

As one of the three children to attain ma- 
turity in his father's family of five, James 
Dannals remained at home until his twenty- 
first year, in the meantime performing his 



share towards the general support. He 
learned the cabinet-makers' trade in Roches- 
ter, N. Y., and thus equipped for a livelihood 
removed to near Freeport, 111., in 1849. While 
plying his trade he heard a great deal about 
gold mining on the coast, and contracting the 
gold fever himself he crossed the plains in 
1850 with horse teams, starting out in March, 
and arriving at his destination on the Ameri- 
can river in California after about six months 
on the plains. That he had a very exalted 
idea of mining is hard to believe, for in the 
spring of 1851 he crossed the mountains to 
Oregon with pack mules, arriving in Cor- 
vallis in June, 1851. Here he worked at his 
trade of building in partnership with Bushrod 
Wilson, and in 1853 took up a donation claim 
east of Coburg, in Lane county, which he im- 
proved to some extent, engaging also in 
building and contracting^ Four years later 
he started a furniture business in Eugene, 
both manufacturing and dealing, but five 
years later disposed of his store and again 
turned his attention to farming. This farm 
was subsequently traded for a farm near Al- 
bany, Linn county, which he lived on until 
starting his furniture business in 1876. He 
is now living retired in Albany. 

In Linn county Mr. Dannals married Louise 
Clover, daughter of Paul Clover, and who was 
born in Indiana, settling in Linn county after 
crossing the plains with her parents in 1852. 
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Dannals, of whom Oscar Paul is a blacksmith 
in Albany ; Lucy is now Mrs. Worth Huston, 
the sheriff of Linn county; Rosa died in Al- 
bany ; Frank is a painter in Albany ; Daisy is 
now Mrs. Allen of Washington ; Charles is 
engaged in painting in Albany ; and Laura is 
living at home. Mr. Dannals is a very de- 
termined Republican, and has always stanchly 
upheld the principles and issues of his chosen 
party. He served as councilman for one term 
and has held other offices of trust in the com- 
munity. His religious relations are with the 
Presbyterian Church, of which he is an ex- 
elder. 



JOHN H. LINES. Among the pioneers of 
!853 who have long since passed beyond the 
ken of those who knew and valued them in 
life, is John H. Lines, recalled as one of the 
men of southern birth who reflected great 
credit upon the agricultural and political de- 
velopment of Linn county. Born April 21, 
1803, in South Carolina and removing with 
his parents to near Louisville, Ky., he was 
reared on a farm, and with a common school 
education and plenty of inherited ability and 




PAUL DARST. 



POR llv \l r \\l> r.li (GRAPHICAL REC( )RD. 



321 



determination, settled in Louisville as a 

_^ man and engaged in the drug business. 

At an early day he removed to Lee county, 

Iowa, where he owned a largo farm devoted 

general fanning- and took a prominent part 
in local politics. For seven ami a half years 
he was clerk oi Lee county. Disposing of 
his Lee county farm in 1853, he brought his 
wife and four children to ( iregon by way of 
Isthmus of Panama and San Francisco, 
and in Finn county. Ore., three miles south 

Albany, located a claim of three hundred 
and twenty acres. This he improved to some 
and after selling it at a profit invested 
in five hundred and forty acres east of Knox 
Butte. As in Iowa, his reliable and substan- 
tial traits of character, and oft-evinced inter- 
in the public welfare received practical 
gnition from his fellow-townsmen, and 
he served as county clerk seven and a half 

ITS. From his first voting days he was a 
stanch Republican, but in local affairs con- 
fined himself rather to the personal character 
and principles of the respective candidates 
than to the issues of the party which they 
represented. 

( >n November 17, 1842, in Lee county, 
Iowa, Mr. Lines married Martha M. Sample, 
who was born in Huntington county, Pa., 
February 11, 1824, and died in Oregon, Sep- 
tember 8, 1902. having survived her husband 
thirty-four years. Mr. Lines died on his 
claim, October 21, 1868, leaving behind him 
a legacy of good will, success, and honor, and 
the esteem of all with whom he had ever been 

ciated. Eight children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Lines, of whom Margaret, the old- 
est child, died in early youth; Mont D., a 
farmer, lives in eastern Oregon; Perry C. 
died in Linn county, September 2, 1887; Vir- 
ginia is the wife of L. C. Marshall of Albany; 
Fillie is the wife of Dr. L. Foley, of Lebanon, 
Ore.; Frank is a farmer in Linn county; 
Cyrus died in early childhood; and Fred E. 
is engaged in farming in Linn county. 



FALL DARST. For the history of Paul 
Darst, one of the most interesting and worthy 
of the early Oregon pioneers, we herewith 
acknowledge indebtedness to the able article 
prepared by his brother, 'William, at the request 
of members of the Oregon Pioneer Association. 
As the sole survivor of a little party of three 
who traversed the plains comparatively alone in 
1847, and as the later associate of his brother 
in many of his worthy undertakings. Mr. Darst 
is qualified to speak disinterestedly and to the 
point, and he is probably the only one of whom 



absolutely reliable information could he obtained 
at the present time. 

Paul Darst was born in (labia county, Ohio. 
September _>S. [819, and when eighl years of 
age removed with his father, David, to Hocking 
county, of the same state, going in the fall of 
1838 to Vermilion county. 111. In the fall of [840 
they took up their residence in Henry countv, 
Iowa, and when Paul was twenty-one years of 
age he started out to make his own living at 
farm work, continuing thus until the spring of 
1847. During a portion of this time he worked 
on farms in Dade county, Mo., returning then 
to Iowa, where, in the spring of 1847, nc pre- 
pared to cross the plains, accompanied by his 
brother William and John Morley. This small 
party, with their one wagon and team of oxen, 
started away from home and kindred April 7, 
1847, an< L continuing their way westward to with- 
in a few miles of St. Joseph. Mo., there camped 
on a river called One Hundred and Two. The 7th 
of May they crossed the Missouri river into 
the Indian country, and after traveling for a 
few days joined what was known as the David- 
son party, of whom Albert Davidson was the 
capable guide, he having been to Oregon on 
a previous occasion. In the company were 
about forty-seven wagons, and Paul Darst and 
his friends joined them, traveling as far as 
Ash Hollow. There the company divided into 
three parts, Mr. Darst and his two companions 
and wagon becoming a part of the Louisa com- 
pany, consisting of seventeen wagons. Arriv- 
ing at the Powder river, the Louisa party also 
divided, and the Darst party became members 
of a small company of four wagons. Crossing 
over the Cascade mountains, they came to the 
new Barlow road, which had but recently been 
opened to the public, the toll on this thorough- 
fare being $5 for a wagon and team, and ten 
cents a head for stock. This little party arrived 
on the Clackamas river, a short distance below 
Oregon City, September 7, 1847, just four 
months from the time of leaving St. Joseph, on 
the Missouri river, and five months from the 
time of leaving Mount Pleasant, Henry county, 
Iowa. 

After resting on the Clackamas river for two 
or three days, the four wagons proceeded up the 
Willamette valley on the east side, and along 
what might be called the mountain road. They 
passed the present site of Silverton, in the east- 
ern part of Marion county, and on to the Waldo 
Hills country near the town of Sublimity. Here 
the party broke up, and as there was plenty of 
vacant land all around in this sect inn nearly 
every man availed himself of the opportunity 
and became an independent landowner. Mr. 
Darst located on the claim which he afterward 
sold to George W . Hunt for $100, and the same 



322 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



became famous for its fine stock, and was later 
the site of the Whiteaker postoffice. This early 
settler took part in the Abaqua river war, which 
contest has often been questioned, but which, ac- 
cording to an eye witness, William Darst, was 
quite a momentous struggle. In February or 
March, 1848, in the eastern part of Marion 
countv, and on the Abaqua river, the Indians 
became very troublesome, and Paul Darst and 
some of his companions went forth to meet them 
in mortal combat. William Darst and his friends 
arrived at the home of John Warnock too late 
to engage in the conflict, and were unable to fol- 
low because the deep snow covered up their 
tracks. When the party returned they reported 
that the Indians had been routed, some being 
killed, while the Indian wives and children were 
taken prisoners, as were also the horses and cat- 
tle. However, this wholesale capture was merely 
a ruse, and was used to induce the Indians to 
permanently abandon the county, whereupon 
their wives^ children and cattle were turned over 
to them. To this day, in the estimation of Will- 
iam Darst, they have never since interfered with 
the peace of mind of any of the residents of 
Marion count)-. The whole party followed the 
red men to the Santiam river and saw them cross 
over, never to return. 

Until 1849 P aul Darst worked on his original 
Oregon claim, and then went to the gold mines 
of California, making the journey on a sailing 
vessel, for passage upon which he paid $60 in 
the steerage from Portland to San Francisco. 
On the Yuba river he worked in the mines until 
about October 1st, and then, owing to impaired 
health, he returned to Oregon with about $1,500. 
Thereafter he worked on his claim until the pas- 
sage of the donation law by congress, and he 
then sold his land, and in the vicinity purchased 
three hundred and twenty acres of deeded land. 
This was the eastern half of the claim of David 
Simpson and wife, about two and one-half miles 
north of Sublimity, in Marion county. Here he 
started in a second time to make his agricultural 
fortune, a task appreciated only by those who 
have cleared land in Oregon and assiduously 
worked for its cultivation. He was also a car- 
penter of much ability, and in connection with 
the management of his farm accomplished con- 
siderable building in his neighborhood and in Cal- 
ifornia. For some years he was also engaged in 
teaching school in the neighborhood where he re- 
sided. In 1852 he was elected assessor of Marion 
county, and according to his brother Will- 
iam, assessed the whole of the county with- 
out any help whatsoever. This was an 
enormous task even in those early days, in order 
to make the return in the time required by law. 
In 1856 he volunteered in the Yakima Indian 



war, and of his service Col. George K. Shiel 
says: "Paul Darst enlisted about the 1st of Jan- 
uary, 1856, in the second company raised by 
Marion county, E. J. Harding captain, for the 
recruited battalion of the First Regiment of 
Oregon Mounted Volunteers, in the Indian war 
of 1855-56. Col. Thomas Cornelius command- 
ing." Mr. Darst remained with the command 
until it was mustered out of service some time 
in May, 1856, and, according to the colonel, had 
a very hard time of it. Their extremity may be 
imagined when it is known that for two or three 
weeks they were obliged, to subsist solely upon 
horse meat and wild onions. 

After the war Mr. Darst returned to his farm 
and combined farming and carpentering, and 
in 1857 was again elected assessor of Marion 
county. In the meantime the country had grown 
to such an extent and was so much more thickly 
settled that it was impossible for him to cover 
the whole county in the time required by. law. 
Up. to this time he had been a stanch Democrat 
but with the beginning of the Civil war he es- 
poused the cause of the north. October 24, 
1861, he married Cindarella Phillips, a young 
woman of about twenty, and together they com- 
menced housekeeping on the donation claim. 
Mrs. Darst was' not blessed with good health 
and in the fall of 1866 she went with her husi- 
band to California, remaining for about a year. 
Returning to the Oregon farm all went well 
until the 1st of April, 1874, when Mr. Darst 
was stricken with apoplexy. Following the cus- 
tom of his time for all complaints the physician 
bled his patient in the arm and brought on par- 
alysis of the right side. Gradually Mr. Darst 
grew worse, continually lost strength and at last 
failed to respond to remedies administered. April 
23d his spirit left its earthly house, and he was 
buried not far distant from where he had come 
and gone and labored for so many years in the 
Downing settlement, about fourteen miles from 
Salem. A short time after his death a son was 
born to his wife, and thus three children were 
left fatherless, and a wife was left without her 
chief consoler and greatest strength. The son 
was called Charles Paul, and at present he is 
managing the home farm of five hundred and 
twenty acres for his mother. Of the daughters, 
Fidelia, is the postmistress of Whiteaker, and 
Parthenia is living at home. Mr. Darst was a 
man of force of character, of untiring industry 
and good business judgment, as evidenced by 
his possession of eight hundred acres of land. 
As reminders of a sterling pioneer, and as the 
possessors of abilities and admirable character- 
istics of their own, the household enjoys an envi- 
able place in the community. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



823 



\\. \\ . HALL, who has ever been found true 
lo the trusts reposed in him in official life and 
who made for himself a most creditable record as 

inty clerk oi Marion county, is numbered 
gon's native sons, his birth having oc- 
curred near the present site of Woodburn, July 
;. His father. Benjamin F. Hall, one of 
honored pioneers of this state, was horn in 

. county, Mo., in 1820, while the grand- 
father, James Hall, was a native of Kentucky, 
whence lie removed to Missouri. In 1845 he 
-lit his family to Oregon, traveling with an 

■rain across the long stretches of sand and 

r the mountains. When the party were on 
the Mecks cut-off they became lost. At length 
they made their way to the Snake river and in 
November arrived in Oregon City. The grand- 
father secured a donation claim in Marion count) 
near Champoeg. and improved a farm, upon 
which lie spent his remaining days. 

Benjamin F. Hall was a young man of nine- 
\ears at the time of the emigration of the 
family to the northwest. When he had attained 
his majority he, too, secured a donation claim, 
comprising three hundred and twenty acres near 
the present site of W'oodburn, and this property 

-ill in his possession. His financial resources 
increased and gradually he extended the bound- 
aries of his original tract and now has large 
farming interests. At one time he was the owner 

Ei mrteen hundred acres of valuable land, but 
this he divided with his children. He maintains 
his residence on the old home place and is an 
honored pioneer citizen seventy-six years of age, 
who receives the respect and high regard of all 
with whom he has been brought in contact. He 
has not only been helpful in the reclamation of 
the wild land for purposes of cultivation, but 
has also aided largely in the promotion .of in- 
tellectual and moral interests of the community. 
He has taken an active part in educational work 
and in the upbuilding of the schools, and has 
been a liberal contributor and helpful member of 
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In politics 
he is a stanch Republican. He was married March 
24, 1854. to Miss Mary A. Johnson, who was 
born in Tazewell county. 111., July 2. 1829, a 
daughter of the Rev. Xcil Johnson, whose birth 
occurred in Xorth Carolina, whence he removed 
to Kentucky and in pioneer times took up his 
abode in Illinois. In 1 85 1 he brought his family 

' Iregon, making the overland journey, and 

tied near what is now the town of Woodburn 
I [ere be secured a donation claim and his energies 

itted in transforming the wild tract into a 
finely developed farm. Tn the establishment of 
tlie Cumberland Presbyterian Church in this part 
of the state he took a most active interest and 
was instrumental in founding a church in Salem 
and other places. While he depended upon his 



farm to bring to him and his family a living he 
engaged in preaching the gospel without financial 
remuneration, and bis influence in behalf of Chris- 
tianity was widely felt. He died in McMinn- 
ville at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years, 
but the influence of his life and labors is yet a 
potent factor in the lives of many in this part 
of the state His daughter, Mrs. Hall, is also 
a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church and is now seventy-three years of age 
To Mr. and Mrs. Hall were born eleven children, 
nine of whom reached nature years: A. {)., who 
is a farmer at Waldo Hills, Marion county; 
Sophronia J., the wife of G. W. McLaughlin, 
who resides in Buena Vista, Polk county, Ore. ; 
E. N., also a resident farmer of Buena Vista; 
E. T., who follows farming near Salem ; O. L., 
who died at the age of twenty-eight years ; Will- 
iam W., of this review ; Mrs. Edith Haller, of 
Woodburn; C. C. and J. J., who follow agricul- 
tural pursuits near Woodburn. 

William W. Hall remained upon the home farm 
until seventeen years of age. Having acquired 
a good preliminary education in the public schools 
in 1883 he entered the Oregon Agricultural Col- 
lege at Corvallis, in which institution he was 
graduated in 1888, completing the regular five 
years' course with the degree of B. S. Mr. Hall 
then engaged in teaching, first becoming principal 
of the Brownsville schools. Later he was prin- 
cipal of the schools of Hubbard, Ore., and after- 
ward occupied a similar position in Woodburn. 
He put aside his educational labors when elected 
county clerk in June, 1898, as a candidate of the 
Republican party. He received a majority of 
two hundred and twenty-eight and in 1900, when 
re-elected, his majority was increased to eight 
hundred and forty-nine. This fact stands in in- 
controvertible evidence of his promptness, sys- 
tem and accuracy in the discharge of his duties. 
Xo more capable official has ever served as county 
clerk and when he retired from the position in 
July, 1902, he carried' with him the confidence 
and good will that he had taken with him to the 
office. He owns a farm at Woodburn and is en- 
gaged in horticultural pursuits and to some ex- 
tent in stock-raising, but continues to make his 
home in Salem. 

Mr. Hall was married in Corvallis, Ore., to 
Miss Clara Lilly, who was born in Benton coun- 
ty, this state, in 1868, a daughter of S. N. Lilly, 
one of the pioneer settlers who became identified 
with farming interests of P.cnton county at an 
early day. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hall is 
blessed with one daughter, Eva. Socially Mr. 
Hall is connected with the Masonic fraternity of 
Woodburn and likewise belongs to Woodburn 
Lodge No. 102, I. O. O. F., of which he is a 
past noble grand, while both he and his wife arc 
connected with the Rebekah degree. He is also 



324 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a member of Salem Lodge No. 336, B. P. O. E. ; 
French Prairie Camp No. 47, W. O. W. ; Salem 
Assembly No. 87, Union Artisans; and Daniel 
Waldo Cabin No. 3, Native Sons of Oregon. He 
has always been a Republican in politics and in- 
terested in the welfare of his party. His entire 
life having been passed in the northwest he is 
imbued with the progressive spirit which has 
led to the wonderful development of this section 
of the county and is a popular and enterprising 
young man widely known in Salem. 



EUGENIO E. GOFF. In no department of 
science has more searching inquiry been made 
during the past few years than in that relating 
to electricity, and although great progress and 
many important developments have been estab- 
lished, scientists are aware that but little is as yet 
really known of this potent force, which is des- 
tined one day to revolutionize labor, and settle 
complicated questions connected with our indus- 
trial conditions. One of the pioneer and most 
competent electricians of Oregon, E. E. Goff, 
of Albany, built, at Astoria, in 1887, the second 
electric light plant installed in the state, and has 
since carried on a successful business in that line. 
The respresentative of one of the early New 
England families, Mr. Goff was born November 
6, 1858, in Bentonsport, Van Buren county, Iowa, 
a son of J. H. F. Goff. 

A native of New York state, J. H. F. Goff was 
employed as a bridge builder in his younger days, 
constructing railroad bridges, for which he hewed 
the heavy timbers from the forest. He also built 
many saw and flouring mills. Removing to Iowa 
he continued his operations in that state until 
1 86 1, then removed to Nevada, and, near Lake 
Tahoe, he erected seven saw and shingle mills. 
Coming to the Pacific coast in 1870, he located 
in California, four miles south of San Jose, here 
he embarked in horticultural and agricultural 
pursuits, also built a four-mile flume for the Los 
Gatos flouring mills. Two years later he settled 
in San Benito county as a miller and ranchman, 
but subsequently returned to San Jose, and lived 
there until his death, in 1896, at the age of sev- 
enty-seven years. He married Hannah M. Gelatt, 
who was born in New York, a daughter of Rich- 
ard Gelatt, a civil engineer and surveyor, who re- 
moved from New York state to Iowa. Four 
sons and two daughters were born of their 
union and of these three sons and one 
daughter survive, all excepting Eugenio E., the 
subject of this sketch, residing in San Jose, where 
their widowed mother still lives. 

In 1861 J. H. F. Goff made his initial trip to 
Nevada, going by ox-teams across the plains, 
and returning to his Iowa home the same year 



by the way of the Isthmus of Panama. In 1862, 
taking his family with him, he again went to Ne- 
vada, being three months in accomplishing the 
journey to Carson City. There E. E. Goff ob- 
tained the rudiments of his education, attending 
tne public schools until twelve years old. In 
1870 he accompanied his parents to San Jose, 
Cal., where he continued his studies in the high 
school. He subsequently worked with his father 
on the ranch, and in the grist-mill, then learned 
the painter's trade, which he followed four years, 
being employed in Oakland and in San Jose. En- 
tering the employ of the Pacific Coast Electrical 
Construction Company in 1882, he was stationed 
at the Union Iron Works, in San Francisco, under 
the instruction of Prof. N. S. Keith for a year. 
Mr. Goff was then sent by the company to Port- 
land, Ore., to take charge of the newly patented 
electrical machinery at the Mechanic's Fair; here 
he made a most satisfactory and successful ex- 
hibit of electrical goods. Continuing with the 
same company, Mr. Goff remained in Oregon after 
the close of the fair as their Construction Elec- 
trical Engineer. In 1887 he installed, for J. C. 
Trullinger, the Astoria Electric Light Plant, of 
which he subsequently had charge for eighteen 
months. 

Accepting the agency for the Heisler Electric 
Company, of St. Louis, Mo., Mr. Goff had head- 
quarters in Portland, and in the next two years 
he sold and superintended the installation of five 
Central Station Plants, namely : At Pendleton, 
Eugene, Salem, East Portland and Albany. Pur- 
chasing a half interest in the Albany Electric 
Light Plant, in 1889, he has since resided here 
as its superintendent. In company with the late 
N. H. Allen, he incorporated the Albany Electric 
Light, Power and Telephone Company. Since 
taking charge of this plant, in 1889, he has made 
great improvements in the service, increasing its 
power from a fifty-two horse-power to a one 
hundred and sixty horse-power, which is de- 
veloped by water and steam. On January 15, 
1903, this plant was sold to the Albany Canal 
and Water Company, of which Mr. Goff is stock- 
holder, and general superintendent and elec- 
trician. More water power and more room being 
needed, the plant was removed one block farther 
south, where a new building has been erected, and 
furnished with ample machinery of the most ap- 
proved modern patents, including a new boiler 
and engine, two hundred horse-power, and hori- 
zontal twin turbine water-wheel of two hundred 
and sixty horse-power, also electrical machinery 
for both light and power. 

Mr. Goff married, in Berkeley, Cal., in 1886. 
Clara Etta Kelsey, who was born in Oak- 
land, Cal., October, 1858, and they have two chil- 
dren: Laura Adele and Alice Irene. Fraternallv 
Mr. Goff is a member of St. John Lodge, A. F. & 







i 



PORTR \1T \\l> BI( >GR \Plllc.\i. REC< >RD. 



827 



\ M ., and of the A. O. U. W. He belongs to the 
First Presbyterian Church, in which he is a dea- 
con, and is also secretary of the Sunday school 
connected with it. He is one of the trustees 
\lbanv College, in the management of which 
he is warmly interested. Socially he is a mem- 
ber oi the Alco Club, ami is a supporter of the 
Republican party. 



CAPT. PETER 1". CLARK. Twice has 
Peter F. Clark crossed the plains to the west, 
once with oxen and once with horses, on the 
wa\ experiencing the deprivations and adven- 
tures which befell the early seekers after homes 
and fortunes. His life in the northwest has 
been successful and after a creditable war record 
during- the Rebellion, and many years of farm- 
- :k-raising, he may well survey with 
satisfaction his well directed career. A native 
rreene county. 111., he was born January 27, 
iS2u. a son of Christopher H. and grandson of 
Peter H. Clark, the latter of whom was born 
in Virginia, on a plantation near Xorfolk, De- 
cember 1 8, 1779. The paternal great-grand- 
father, presumably the founder of the family in 
America, was a supposed second cousin of Cap- 
tain William Clark, famed in Revolutionary an- 
nals, and he spent many years of his life in Vir- 
ginia, and probably died there at an advanced 
a^ r e. His son, Peter H., was a minister in the 
Baptist Church, and reared a family of eleven 
children, of whom Christopher H. was the third 
oldest. He removed to Greene county, 111., 
about 1824. and there died in 1833, at the age of 
fifty-four years. 

Christopher H. Clark was born in Pittsylvania 
county, \'a.. August 10. 1806. and was reared on 
a farm, profiting by the religious atmosphere 
created by his father's calling. Although en- 
listing in the Black Hawk war he was never 
called upon to serve, and in 1822 he preceded 
the family to Greene county, 111., his parents 
ling n<:ir him when they followed him there 
in 1824. He became an extensive farmer and 
k-raiser, and in 1848 disposed of his lands 
and removed with teams to Lawrence county, 
Mo. There he lived until the spring of 1865, 
when he moved to Bourbon county. Kans., and 
it was there that his death occurred March 23, 
1887. His marriage united him with Margaret 
Bell, who was born in Jefferson county, Tenn., 
January 23. 1809, and who came from a family 

tinguished in the early history of the country.' 
Her errand father, Francis M. Bell, was born in 
North Carolina. November 23. 1782, and his 
half brother. John Bell, was the presidential can- 
didate on the Union ticket in i860. 

Until his twenty-first year, Peter F. Clark 
remained on the home farm in Missouri, and in 



[850 crossed the plains with ox teams, mining 
tor two years on the American river in Cali- 
fornia. In 1852 he returned to the east \ i;i 
Panama, and farmed and raised stock in Mis- 
souri with considerable success. The beginning 
of the Civil war found him living on a farm de- 
veloped by his industry into a paying property, 
yet he left his interests and enlisted, May 19, 
1 Sot, in the home guards of Lawrence county, 
which guards had been raised principally through 
his instrumentality. The services of the guards 
were recognized by the governor of the state 
and were paid accordingly, Air. Clark serving 
as captain about four months. For the follow- 
ing two months he was a member of the state 
militia, after which he raised Company A, 
Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, of which he was 
made first lieutenant, serving thus until the end 
of the war. Two companies, A and H, were 
detached from the regiment and sent to carry 
supplies to Kit Carson's regiment, and to act 
as escort to the governors of Arizona and New 
Mexico. 

After the close of hostilities, Mr. Clark re- 
turned to Missouri and engaged in farming until 
1874, when he again crossed the plains, this time 
with horse teams. Four months and thirteen 
days were consumed in the journey, whereas 
five months were lost in the former trip. Locat- 
ing at Zena, Polk county, he remained there 
until 1876. He then purchased his present farm 
of one hundred and fourteen acres, all of which 
is under cultivation. The property is now 
rented and Mr. Clark is enjoying a well earned 
rest from the arduous toil which marked his 
earlier years. September 23, 1852, he was 
united in marriage with Margaret J. Marsh, in 
Lawrence county, Mo. Airs. Clark was born in 
Tennessee, November 10, 1830, and died in Polk 
county January 28, 1900, leaving three children 
living and one deceased, as follows: Margaret 
E.. who became the wife of A. W. Cochran, but 
is now deceased: Henrietta C, the wife of J. X. 
Gibson, of Pullman. Wash. ; John F., an attor- 
nev-at-law of Oregon City, and Addie E., who 
graduated from the McMinnville College in 
1889, and for three years was engaged in teach- 
ing in Polk and Yamhill counties. In i8</>. 
Miss Clark went to Oregon City and became a 
grade teacher in the West Side school, later ac- 
cepting a similar position in the Barclav school. 
After two years she became principal of the 
school, in which position she remained until June. 
1903. when she was elected to the important 
position of superintendent of the Oregon City 
schools. 

In politics a Republican. Mr. Clark has kiken 
a keen interest in all matters of general interest, 
and his influence has often been hit in the coun- 
cils of his party. Among other positions of trust 



32S 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and responsibility which he has filled, may be 
mentioned that of justice of the peace for twelve 
years, postmaster at Zena for six years, and 
clerk and director of the school board for many 
years. He is a niember of Salem Post, No. 10, 
G. A. R., a member of and a deacon in the Bap- 
tist Church. A man of high moral courage and 
unquestioned integrity, Mr. Clark commands the 
highest respect of all who know him, and well 
deserves the financial and general success which 
has crowned his honest efforts in the northwest. 



ABRAHAM McKILLOP. A lunch counter 
enterprise in Albany which is deserving of the 
large patronage accorded it, is that owned and 
operated by Abraham McKillop, who, though a 
voung man, has both the experience and special 
ability for his chosen calling. The Albany 
Lunch Counter has many attractions for the hun- 
gry wayfarer, not the least of which is absolute 
cleanliness and agreeable surroundings. The 
viands are the best procurable, and where prep- 
aration is required, the utmost skill is evinced, 
an excellent chef being in attendance in the cul- 
inary department. The genial and tactful propri- 
etor has a good word for everyone, a fact which 
goes far towards retaining his constantly in- 
creasing patronage. 

The adaptability of the brightest of the sons 
of Erin is the inheritance of Mr. McKillop, who 
has also Scotch blood in his veins, his grand- 
father. James, having established the family in 
the north of Ireland after leaving his native Scot- 
land. Abraham was born in Belfast, Ireland 
April 10, 1872, and is the youngest of the ten chil- 
dren born to his parents, James and Martha (Mc- 
Meekin) McKillop. James McKillop was born 
in County Antrim, Ireland, and by trade was 
a linen weaver. He died when Abraham was 
two years of age, and his wife died when the 
boy was nine years old. The other children 
are James, who came to Oregon in 1870, lived 
en a farm in Marion county, and was killed 
while hauling lumber in the mountains ; Robert 
lives on a farm at Scio, Ore. ; Hannah, deceased, 
was the wife of Mr. McCauley, of Salem ; 
Archie was accidentally killed in a logging camp ; 
David is living on the farm of his brother Abra- 
ham near Salem ; William is a farmer near Sil- 
verton ; and Alexander is a rancher in Califor- 
nia. Archie McKillop, brother of James, and 
uncle of Abraham, was a pioneer of the Pacific 
coast, having crossed the plains in 1849, an ^ 
located in Marion county, where his death oc- 
curred. 

After the death of his mother, Abraham Mc- 
Killop went to live with a cousin until he was 
fourteen years old, and in 1886 he came to Am- 
erica, traveling overland to Salem, Ore. His 



first business experience was in a restaurant in 
Salem, where he began at the bottom and worked 
his way up to be cook, learning also to be a 
practical and economical buyer. In 1896 he came 
to Albany and bought and conducted a restau- 
rant for two years, disposing of the same in 1898 
in order to pursue a similar occupation in San- 
dow, B. C. He was very successful in the north- 
ern country, and at the end of eighteen months 
returned to Albany and again bought the res- 
taurant he had owned before. Two years later 
he sold it and bought the White House Res- 
taurant in Salem, a year later disposing of his 
purchase to buy, for the third time, the old Al- 
bany eating house. Since 1900 he has conducted 
this time-honored restaurant known as the Al- 
bany Lunch Counter, with gratifying success. 

In Albany Mr. McKillop was united in mar- 
riage with Estella Critchlow, who was born in 
Salem, and who is the mother of one son, Archie. 
Mr. McKillop is a stanch defender of Republican 
principles, but he has hardly been long enough 
in one place to actively participate in the local 
undertakings of his party. He is popular fra- 
ternally, and is identified with the Knights of 
Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. The old McKillop farm, settled by his 
uncle near Salem, is the property of Mr. McKil- 
lop, and its one hundred and eighty-one acres are 
devoted to grain and stock farming, and managed 
at present by his brother. 



FRANK SKIPTON. On the corner of Sec- 
ond and Ellsworth streets, Albany, is located 
the livery and feed stable owned and managed 
by an enterprising and up-to-date business man, 
one who appreciates the value of first-class car- 
riages and well-bred horses. Frank Skipton has 
a thorough understanding of his business, and 
is known as one of the popular and successful 
liverymen in the Willamette valley. He has tact 
and is obliging, never out of humor, and able 
to count his friends and patrons by the score. 
He was born on a farm near Des Moines, Iowa, 
October 20, 1865, his father, Elijah, having set- 
tled there at a very early day, removing from his 
native state of Illinois. The paternal grand- 
father, James, lived for many years in Illinois, 
and lived in contentment to the end of his days. 
Elijah Skipton brought his wife and three chil- 
dren across the plains with horse teams in 185 1, 
spending six months on the way, with a train 
of one hundred wagons. He settled on a farm 
of two hundred and thirty acres in Benton coun- 
ty, Ore., seven miles from Corvallis, where he 
is still living, and successfully engaged in farm- 
ing, stock and prune-raising. He is a promi- 
nent Democrat, and served continuously as 
county assessor for twelve years, refusing to 



rouru \l r AND P.h (GRAPHICAL REG >RD. 



H29 



longer till that important office. He lias also 
been county commissioner, and is a man of lead- 
ing characteristics, thoroughly in touch with gen- 
ii affairs. His wife, formerly Mary Marion, 
a native of Illinois, i> also living, as arc four 
s ven children, Frank being the fourth 
in : birth. 

While on the paternal farm Frank Skipton at- 
tended the public schools, and in time entered the 
burg, later attending the Philo- 
math College. His school days ended, he re- 
turned to the farm, and after his marriage in 
unty, in 1891, with Miss Alvia Im- 
bler, bought two hundred and sixty-six acres of 
land near the old home, which he improved and 
■ted to grain raising for four years, when he 
I it. He still owns seventy-one acres of the 
old farm. In 1895 he located with his family 
in Albany, and in 1890 bought the livery busi- 
John Smear, which he has since main- 
tained most successfully. To such an extent has 
the business grown that he opened another barn 
to accommodate his large and constantly increas- 
ing trade. The main barn is 110x96 feet, ground 
dimensions, and has ample accommodations for 
horses which are for sale, a department in which 
Mr. Skipton realizes large yearly returns. 

He is identified with Laurel Lodge No. 17, 
Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, and Knights of the Maccabees. All 
who know him entertain respect for the admirable 
personal characteristics of Mr. Skipton, and rec- 
ze in him a man of strict business integrity. 
In public matters he has always been a liberal 
contributor. 

FLKRIS A. LUCAS. The Bryan-Lucas 
Lumber Company, formerly the Luckiamute 
Milling Company, is one of the substantial 
commercial enterprises of Polk county, and 
in the community around Falls City enjoys 
a reputatii n in keeping with its large output 
and the high character of the men directing 
its affairs. The prime factor in the develop- 
ment of this industry is F"cfris A. Lucas, a 
lumberman of many years' experience, and 
one who. although, comparatively speaking, 
one of the younger business men of the 
county, has already evinced marked financial 
ability. Born in the heart of the lumbering 
district of Michigan, in Steuben county. Sep- 
tember 14, 1865, and reared at Stanton, the 
heart of the lumber section, he was accus- 
tomed from earliest boyhood to the hum of 
the sawmill, and to the free and easy life 
around farm and mill. His father, Tsrael J. 
Lucas, born in Ohio, moved from Indiana to 
Montcalm county. Mich., about 1865, and 
there became interested in milling and farm- 
ing. He is a very successful, prominent and 



ambitious man, ami has amassed quite u for- 
tune from his combined interests. At pic-, 
ent he is living at Stanton, Mich., where he 
owns four farms, at the age of sixty live 
years. lie is of Scotch-English descent' and 
his father, Israel, was also a native of Ohio, 
and died in Indiana. Israel, Jr., married Marv 
Ann 1 lodges, who died in Stanton, Mich., a'l 
the age of twenty-nine years, leasing four 
children, three sons and ' one daughter, of 
whom Ferris A. is the second child. 

When within three months of graduation 
at the high school of Stanton, Mich., Ferris 
A. started in to farm for himself, being at that 
time twenty-one years of age. In 1889 he 
began to work at the carpenter trade, and 
in 1891 came to Oregon, locating in Falls 
City. He was not slow to realize that he 
had found a very desirable lumbering local- 
ity-, and in 1896 became interested in a shingle 
mill, and the following year bought a lumber 
or sawmill with a capacity of fifteen thousand 
feet per day. In 1898 he put up a mill with 
a capacity of one hundred thousand feet per 
day, located four miles southwest of Falls 
City, and having a flume which carries the 
lumber to the town. At present seventy-five 
men are employed around the mill. The new 
mill, now being erected, will have the very 
latest in milling machinery, and will be an- 
other addition to a large and flourishing lum- 
ber community. A dryer is also being built 
at present, with a capacity of eighty thousand 
feet. A market is found in all of the states 
west of the Mississippi river, and the mill 
products are known all along the coast. As 
in Michigan and other lumbering centers, the 
company maintains a large general merchan- 
dise store for the accommodation of its em- 
ployes and their families, the store building 
being one of the finest of the kind in the 
county. It is three stories high, and has 
ground dimensions 40x80 feet. In the build- 
ing is a hall 40x80 feet, and the store contains 
everything in demand in the general merchan- 
dise line. 

First known as the Luckiamute Milling Com- 
pany, Mr. Lucas changed his associations in 
1897 and took as his partner John J. Mont- 
gomery, and in 1898 sold a third interest to 
A. H. Dodd. In 1899 he bought out Mr. 
Montgomery, and in the same year sold a 
half interest in the business to R. E. Bryan, 
since which time the business has been con- 
ducted under the firm name of the Bryan- 
Lucas Lumber Company. Mr. Lucas is pro- 
gressive in his ideas, and has all modern im- 
provements in his business, including a tele- 
phone connection with Falls City. 

In Michigan Mr. Lucas was united in mar- 



330 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



riage with Carrie E. Calkins, a native of Hills- 
dale county, Mich., and daughter of H. S. 
Calkins, a native of New York. Mr. Calkins 
•was an early settler in Michigan, and at the 
present time is employed by his son-in-law 
in his mill. The twins born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Lucas died at birth. Mr. Lucas is a Demo- 
crat in political affiliation, and fraternally is 
connected with the Modern Woodmen of 
America. A man of sterling integrity and 
sound business judgment, he not only has the 
confidence of the business community, but the 
friendship and good will of all who are asso- 
ciated with him in whatsoever capacity. 



OLIVER EMMETT LEET. Among the real 
estate men who are helping to spread abroad the 
many advantages of Polk county, and by their 
advocacy of its climate, soil, and resources induc- 
ing homeseekers to settle within its boundaries, 
may be mentioned Oliver Emmett Leet, an enter- 
prising citizen of Falls City, and a large land- 
owner in different parts of the state. Mr. Leet 
is a native of Massachusetts, and was born at 
the old homestead at Williamstown, May 9, 1850. 
On this same farm his father, Alonzo Leet was 
born, reared, married, and eventually died at 
the age of sixty-five years. He was a farmer 
during his entire active life, and because of 
good management and shrewd business ability 
acquired a competence. The old Leet homestead 
was the scene also of the birth of the paternal 
grandfather, William. The paternal great-grand- 
father, Gerard, was born on Leet Island, Conn., 
which was named in honor of the family. Alonzo 
Leet married his wife Laura in Vermont, the 
daughter of Oliver Hill, a farmer of the Green 
Mountain state. 

The youngest son and fourth child in his 
father's family, Oliver Emmett Leet was educated 
in the public school near the home farm, and at 
the age of seventeen learned the stone mason's 
trade in North Adams, Mass. In 1875 he came 
to the coast, and after a short time spent in Cali- 
fornia returned to Massachusetts. During the 
latter part of 1876 he came to Nebraska, but the 
same year returned to Massachusetts. A third 
time he came west in 1878, this time reaching 
California, but in December he again visited his 
native state. The various trips to the coast had 
been utilized by Mr. Leet for making observations 
of the country, and in hope of finding a desirable 
permanent location. October 15, 1879, he came 
to Oregon, and in October, 1880, settled in what 
is now Sherman county but at that time it formed 
but one precinct of Wasco county, containing 
only thirteen voters, and there he cast his first 
vote in Oregon for James A. Garfield, for presi- 
dent. He engaged in stock-raising, principally 



horses and cattle. In addition to the land he had 
taken up he bought a large tract and placed it 
partially under cultivation, and in 1888 desiring 
to try his fortunes in another part of the state, 
he settled in Newport, where he remained .four 
years. Returning to his farm in eastern Oregon 
in 1892, he continued to farm and raise stock 
for two years. In December, 1894, he came to 
Falls City, where he bought ninety acres adjoin- 
ing the town, and engaged in farming and fruit- 
raising. In 1896 he removed to Dallas, return- 
ing to the farm in October, 1898, and there 
remaining until November, 1901. 

Locating in Falls City, Mr. Leet engaged in 
the real estate business, and although a compara- 
tively recent addition to the business life of the 
city, he is recognized as one of the substantial 
business factors in the community. He deals 
principally in farm and timber land, concerning 
which his life of activity in various parts of the 
state has given him a wide knowledge. Person- 
ally he owns a great deal of property in Oregon, 
at Dallas, Hillsboro, and in Portland, as well 
as valuable town property in Falls City. 

Mr. Leet married, June 30, 1872, in New York 
state, Mary Jane Parker, a native of Stanford, 
Vt., and daughter of Harry Parker, a native and 
farmer of Vermont. Mr. Leet is prominent in 
social affairs of his adopted town, and is identi- 
fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
Politically a Republican, he held the office of 
councilman in Newport, Ore., for two terms. 
He is a resourceful and enterprising man, con- 
scientious and painstaking, and with a parti- 
cularly fine regard for the courtesies and ameni- 
ties of life. 



SILAS LIVINGSTON. Occupying a promi- 
nent position in the industrial circles of Albany, 
Linn county, Ore., Silas Livingston is a member 
of the firm which controls the interests of the 
Albany Planing Mills, a large and lucrative busi- 
ness which adds much to the financial prestige of 
the city. Though in business but a comparative- 
ly short time, as far as regards independent in- 
terests, Mr. Livingston has forcibly demonstrated 
his ability along these lines, and has made a 
gratifying success of his work. 

The birth of Mr. Livingston occurred in York- 
ville township, Racine county, Wis., March 13, 
1844, his parents being David and Julia Ann 
(Nichols) Livingston. The founder of this fam- 
ily in America was John Livingston, an emi- 
grant from Scotland. After a short residence in 
Canada he came to the state of New York and 
there became a farmer, later making his home in 
Wisconsin, where he died. His son, David, the 
father of Silas Livingston, was born in New 
York state, and was also a farmer. He became 



P0RTRA1 r AND l'.U >GRAPHICAL REG IRD. 






a pioneer of Racine comity. Wis., ami later re- 
moved to Minnesota, where he lived in both Hen- 
nepin ami Carver counties. \\ itli his wife, the 
daughter of George Nichols. Mr. Livingston 
made the journey to Portland, Ore., where he 
(liid. His wile survived him until 1899. her 
death occurring in Albany. I ler father was first a 
resident oi New York state, where Mrs. Liv- 
ston was born. Subsequently he resided in 
\\ isconsin. Of the nine children horn to them. 
ht sons and one daughter, all attained ma- 
turity, though only three are now living. Of the 
son> four served in the Civil war. heing as fol- 
lows: John, in BUrdan's First Sharpshooters; 
Alexander, likewise in Burdan's First Sharp- 
shooters, being wounded at Antietam ; Jasper, 
in the Ninth Minnesota; and S. Livingston, 
fourth of the children. The three first named 
are now dead. John and Jasper both dying while 

ents of Minnesota. 
Silas Livingston was about seven years of 
age when his father removed to the state of 
Minnesota. There he was reared to manhood 
on the paternal farm, receiving a limited educa- 
tion in the district schools. Though but eighteen 
vears of age Mr. Livingston enlisted in 1862 
in Company D, Sixth Minnesota Infantry, and 
was sent to the scene of the Sioux Indian upris- 
ing, where he served until the Indians were sub- 
dued. He was then sent south, passing through 
Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi, and serv- 

through the siege of Mobile. Before he left 
the service he was made a corporal. After a 

ice of three years and three months he was 
mustered out at Ft. Snelling, in September, 1865. 
In his native state he afterward engaged in 
farming for two years. In 1867 he went to Kan- 
sas and took up a homestead of one hundred and 
sixty acres, near Columbia, Cherokee county,, 
where he remained for twelve years engaged in 
farming and threshing. At the close of that 
period he came west, settling first in Los An- 

s county, Cal., near Wilmington, and in 1879 
coming to Oregon. On his arrival in this state 
he first engaged with the bridge department of 
the Oregon Limited, and remained with them 
for seven months. After spending the winter in 
southern Oregon he came to Linn county, and 
in Albany engaged in the shops of the Althouse 
& Pierce Planing Mill Company. After one 
year here he returned to Portland, and was em- 
ployed for the ensuing twelve years in planing 
mills of that city, and others in Albany, being 
principally engaged with the Sugar Pine Mill and 
Fixture Company with the exception of three 
years spent in the employ of the Curtis Lum 
her Company in Mill City. Ore. On entering the 
business for himself he engaged with Mr. Sears, 
and they now occupy three floors of a building. 
the dimensions of which are 60x90 feet, all fix- 



tures and machiner} being thorough lj up to & 
The business has increased in volume through the 
enterprise and conscientious effort of Mr. Liv- 
ingston and his partner to turn out exceptional 

work. 

Mr. Livingston was married in Hennepin 
county. Minn., to Miss Amy Could, a native of 
Wisconsin. They have four children, as fol- 
lows: Alexander, an engineer on the Southern 
Pacific Railroad, who makes his home al Ash 
land. Ore.; Grace, wife of Sanford La Salle, of 
Albany; Pearl and Robert. Mr. Livingston is 
a Republican in his political affiliations, and in 
military circles he is known through his mem- 
bership of McPherson Post, G. A. R. 



JOHN HUGHES. The name of John 
Hughes, who for many years was one of the 
substantial business men and influential citi- 
zens of Salem, is closely interwoven with the 
history of the Willamette valley since the pio- 
neer days of the community. He was born 
in Blountville, Tenn., June 21, 1831, a son of 
John Hughes, who was also a native of thai 
state. His grandfather, David Hughes, was 
born in Ireland, but prior to the Revolution 
crossed the Atlantic to Virginia. When the 
colonists attempted to throw off the yoke of 
British oppression he joined the American army 
and fought for independence. He became a 
pioneer of eastern Tennessee, and there died 
at the age of ninety-two years. In religious 
faith he was a Presbyterian. Mr. Hughes' 
father, who carried on farming in eastern 
Tennessee, died at an early age. He had mar- 
ried Ann Himes, who was born in Lancaster, 
Pa., a daughter of Abraham Himes, who was 
also a native of the Keystone state and of 
German descent. He removed from Pennsyl- 
vania to eastern Tennessee, and there Mrs. 
Hughes was reared. She was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in 
Knoxville, Tenn., at the age of ninety years. 

John Hughes was the eldest of a family of 
four children and the last surviving member. 
He was reared in his native locality, pursuing 
his education in the district and subscription 
schools. In 1852 he went by stage to the 
Mississippi, and took a boat for Council Bluffs. 
Towa. On the 20th of May of that year In- 
left the latter place and started for the gold 
mines of California. lie and four comrades 
outfitted with a three-yoke team of oxen and 
one wagon, proceeding westward until they 
reached the forks of the Green river, where 
the party divided, three of the number going 
to Oregon and two to California. Cutting 
their wagon in two and dividing the o\<n, 



3U 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



they continued on to their respective desti- 
nations. 

On the 7th of October, 1852, John Hughes 
arrived in the city of Portland, and came 
thence to Marion county, where for seven 
years he was engaged in farm work. He then 
engaged in painting in Salem for a number of 
years. In 1863 he began business as a mer- 
chant in that city, establishing a store for the 
sale of groceries, paints, oils and other com- 
modities. For forty years thereafter, with the 
exception of the time when he was temporarily 
out of the city, he devoted his time to building 
up a trade which ultimately became one of 
the most important in the Willamette valley. 
At the time of his death he was the oldest mer- 
chant in the city of Salem. He erected the 
Hughes block, built a portion of the bank 
block, and at one time was interested in the 
Salem Flouring Mill. It will thus be seen 
that his efforts were not confined to one line 
of enterprise. He carried forward to success- 
ful completion whatever he undertook, and his 
identification with commercial pursuits result- 
ed in making him one of the wealthiest men 
of the city. 

Mr. Hughes was married in Salem July 29, 
1857, to Miss Emma Pringle, who was born in 
Warren county, Mo., in 1838, a daughter of 
Virgil K. Pringle, whose birth occurred in 
Hartford, Conn., July 29, 1804. Her grand- 
father, Norman Pringle, was also born in Hart- 
ford, and about 1820 removed to Missouri. 
Her father, settling in Warren county, that 
state, followed the shoe-making trade until 
1846, when he came to the northwest, accom- 
panied by his wife and six children. They 
started April 15, 1846, with two ox-teams, com- 
ing over the old trail by way of Fort Hall 
and the Applegate cutoff. The travelers en- 
dured many hardships and much suffering. 
They made a road of their own from Hum- 
boldt to Oregon, reaching the Willamette val- 
ley on Christmas day, after a tedious journey 
of nine months. They brought their teams 
only as far as Eugene, and their cattle gave 
out on the journey. Mr. Pringle engaged in 
shoe-making in Salem until 1851, when he 
settled upon a donation claim of six hundred 
and forty acres four and a half miles southeast 
of the city. There he carried on farming for 
a time, but later he returned to Salem and 
was identified with business interests there 
until, having acquired a handsome competence, 
he retired to private life. He was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a 
man of unassailable integrity and genuine 
worth. He married Pherne Brown, who was 
born in Montpelier, Vt., March 22, 1805, a 
daughter of the Rev. Clark Brown, who was 



an Episcopal clergyman in the Green Moun- 
tain state. His entire life was devoted to the 
ministry in Vermont. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pringle were born eight 
children, of whom seven reached years of ma- 
turity — Virgilia, who became the wife of F. 
R. Smith, and died in Salem ; Clark, who served 
m the Cayuse Indian war and is now living 
in Spokane, Wash. ; Octavius, who was four- 
teen years of age when he crossed the plains, 
and is now living in Prineville, Ore. ; Sarelia, 
who became the wife of Charles H. Northrup, 
and died in California ; AJbro, who died in 
Seattle ; Emma, Mrs. Hughes, and Ella, widow 
of C. D. Young, a resident of Salem, and the 
only child who was born in Oregon. 

The father of this family passed away in 
Salem, March 24, 1887, when eighty-three 
years of age. The mother's death occurred in 
the same city May 23, 1891. She was a great- 
granddaughter of Dr. Joseph Moffet, of Brim- 
field, Mass. His daughter, who became the 
grandmother of Mrs. Pringle, was liberally edu- 
cated, and afterward engaged in teaching. 
She married Rev. Clark Brown, who died in 
Maryland. She afterward took her family to 
Missouri, whence, in 1846, she came to the 
northwest. In a log cabin at Forest Grove 
she established a private school which after- 
ward developed into a widely patronized and 
celebrated institution. Her original capital in 
this enterprise is said to have been but six 
cents. Little by little the attendance increased 
until she had forty pupils. This pioneer educa- 
tional institution, for years known simply as 
"Mrs. Brown's School," afterwards became the 
Tualatin Academy, and is now widely known 
as Pacific University. Mrs. Brown was thus 
actively and prominently connected with the 
educational development of the northwest, 
and her name should be enrolled among those 
of the prominent pioneers who contributed to 
the upbuilding and general welfare of Oregon. 

Unto John and Emma (Pringle) Hughes 
were born five children — George P., who is 
manager of his father's store ; Lulu, wife of 
A. N. Bush, of Salem ; Francis, who is also 
connected with the store ; Genevieve, wife of 
David B. Mackie, of Portland, and Ethel, wife 
of W. A. Carter, of Gold Hill, Ore. 

The military experience of John Hughes 
was confined to the Indian troubles occurring 
in the pioneer days of Oregon. In October, 
T855, he enlisted in the First Oregon Regiment 
for service in the Yakima Indian war, and 
was engaged in the Walla Walla country until 
1856, taking part in many fights with the red 
men. Fraternally he was connected with the 
Odd Fellows, having served as Noble Grand 
of Salem Lodge, No. 1 ; and Mrs. Hughes is 



POR rP \l r VND BI< )GRAPHIC \l. RED iRD. 



331 



identified with the Order of Rebekah. With 
his wife he was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church for many years, taking an 
active and zealous pan in its work. He was 
>f Willamette University, and the 
• t education always found in him a 
warm friend, lie served as a member of the 
in City Council several terms, ami exer- 
1 his prerogatives in support of all meas- 
ures for the general good, tie was also asso- 

ted with the State Pioneers' Association and 
the Oregon Historical Society, of which Mrs. 
Hughes is also a number. 

Few residents of the Willamette valley re- 
sided in this section of the state longer than 
Mr. Hughes and his estimable wife. They 
have witnessed its remarkable transformation 

Mature has yielded up her rich treasures for 
the use of man, as business interests and in- 
dustries have been established, and as the 

eral work of improvement has been carried 
"ii. Their influence has invariably been on the 
side of substantial advancement. Mr. Hughes 
personally accomplished much toward promot- 
ing the commercial activity of Salem, where 
he was for so long a period numbered among 
the highly honored and prominent merchants. 
I lis death, which occurred April 25, 1903, was 
a distinct loss to the community; for few of 
the inhabitants of Salem have so closely en- 
deared themselves to their fellow men of two 
mature generations as did this noble, upright 
and useful citizen of Oregon. The record of 
his life, a few of the more important features 

which we have endeavored to preserve for 
the future, certainly contains much that should 
prove a source of inspiration to the rising gen- 
eration and of pride to his descendants. No 
finer tribute to his memory can be offered — 
no more lofty monument to his fame can be 
erected — than the preservation in literature of the 
simple facts as they are known to all who 
knew him during his long and useful life. 



GARDNER BROTHERS. No donation claim 
in Polk county is surrounded with more inter- 
■ig reminisences of the old pioneer days 
than that which was taken up by Samuel J. 
Gardner, one of the pioneers of 1843, an( l which 
is now occupied by his sons Cyrus L. and Chester 
C. Gardner, two of the most promising and suc- 
cessful of the younger generation of agricultur- 
and stock-raisers of his neighborhood. 
Especial interest surrounds the life of Samuel 
J. Gardner, who represented in his character 
and attainments the most hardy and resourceful 
of the emigrants who dared the dangers of the 
plain-; before the innumerable later caravans had 
rendered them more habitable and less hazardous. 



Born in Boston, Mass., September 10, 1821, he 
dud in California, December 20, [866, having 
gone to the southern state for impaired health. 

As a young man in the east Mr. Gardner 
engaged in school teaching lor some years, and 
m 1843 came to Oregon accompanied by Nesmith, 
Applegate and Abernethy, spending a few /ears 
on the French Prairie, in Marion county. When 
he came to Polk county he had a pack on his 
hack containing his worldly possessions, and 
finally with his earnings made arrangements to 
take up three hundred and twenty acres of land. 
March 3, 1853, he married Eliza Ann Smith. 
horn in Missouri, July 1, 1835, an( l daughter of 
James Smith, who crossed the plains in 1846, 
locating on a claim near Lewisville, consisting 
of a section of land. After this marriage the 
young people came to the claim now owned by 
the sons, and built the house which is still stand- 
ing, a silent reminder of the many years of 
struggle and deprivations in the early days. 
This house was built in 1850, and in it the six 
children were born, four of whom are living : 
George W., of Falls City ; Thomas J., of Salem ; 
and C. L. and C C. on the home farm. For a 
second husband the wife of Mr. Gardner mar- 
ried, November 27, 1867, John A. Williams, who 
was born in 181 2, and died April 30, 1884, on 
the home place. Of this union there were two. 
children, Alvin A. and John D., the former of 
whom is deceased, and the latter of whom lives 
at Falls City. For a third husband Mrs. Williams 
married, January 3, 1886, W. A. Frost, and her 
fourth husband, married September 26, 1891, 
was Jacob Rhodaberger. Mrs. Rhodaberger died 
in Falls City December 26, 1901, at the age of 
sixty-six. 

The Gardner brothers were given a common 
school education, and under their father's dis- 
cipline developed into thrifty and conscientious 
farmers and stock-raisers. Cyrus L., was born 
on the donation claim February 1, 1861, and 
Chester C. was born on the same farm 
February 8, 1864. Chester C. married, February 
11, 1 89 1, Hattie Elliott, who was born in Polk 
county, December 11, 1871, and whose father. 
James W., crossed the plains in 1862, locating 
in Polk county, and from there removing to his 
present home near Bellevue, Yamhill county. 
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Gardner: Cyrus Orville; Wiley M.: Edith L. ; 
and Lester W. Like their father, the sons are 
Democrats in political affiliation, but have never 
desired or been willing to accept anything hut 
minor local offices. C. C. Gardner is a member 
and trustee of the Evangelical Church at P.ridgc- 
port. The brothers own the original donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres jointly 
Chester C. purchased three hundred and eighteen 
acres adjoining on the south and Cyrus L. owns 



336 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



one hundred and sixty adjoining that on the 
southwest, making a farm of eight hundred acres 
in one body. The Gardner farm is one of the 
most valuable in Polk county, and has all of the 
modern improvements which are calculated to 
facilitate a high-class general farming enterprise. 
l>oth men are of advanced and practical ideas, 
and have enviable reputations for substantiality 
and all-around general worth to the community. 



JOHN B. SMITH. Certain distinguishing 
features mark the establishment of the Smith 
family in Oregon, both as regards the father, 
Isaac, and his son John B., the latter of whom 
now owns and operates the original donation 
claim taken up by his sire in 1853, and where 
he was born November 18, 1856. The elder 
Smith was born in Warren county, Ky., Feb- 
ruary 14, 1816, a son of Godfrey Smith, who 
died at a comparatively early age, and who 
claimed Dutch ancestry. Isaac Smith went to 
Warren county, 111., as a young man, and there 
married Margaret Butler, who was born in 
Kentucky or Illinois in 1822, and who bore him 
nine children, six of whom were sons, John B. 
being the seventh, all of whom are now living : 
Rufus M. ; Silas W., of Waitsburg, Wash.; 
Berryman M., who was police judge of Portland 
for two years ; Flora A. Campbell ; R. Matilda 
Humphrey ; John B. ; Ira S., who was sheriff of 
Polk county one term and member of legislature 
one term; Isaac L., United States lighthouse 
keeper at Canby, Ore. Mr. Smith owned a large 
farm in Warren county, 111., which, however, 
he disposed of in the early '50s, and in 1853 
outfitted with horse and mule teams and crossed 
the plains to Oregon. His family had in the 
meantime grown to large proportions, and all 
accompanied him on the search for better and 
larger opportunities in the far west. The train 
was under command of Captain Butler, father of 
Mrs. Smith, and the journey covered a period of 
six months, being comparatively immune from 
distressing accidents or setbacks. The first 
winter was spent in Polk county, and the next 
spring Mr. Smith took up the claim now owned 
by his son, which consisted of three hundred and 
twenty acres. He engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising until his death, April 29, 1897, 
bis wife having preceded him in December, 1871.. 
He was a prominent man in his neighborhood, 
and his influence for growth and progress was 
of more than local extent. Since the Civil war 
a stanch Republican, he served many years as 
justice of the peace, and was elected to the state 
legislature for one term, serving as county judge 
until declining health necessitated his resignation 
from office. Broad and tolerant in his views, 



he was public-spirited in the extreme, and will- 
ingly shouldered the large responsibility which 
fell upon him in the early days. 

Educated in the public schools of Bridgeport, 
and La Creole Academy at Dallas, John B. 
Smith began farming with his father, and at 
the age of twenty-one became independent, taking 
his share of the farm profits in return for labor 
expended. In 1886 he was united in marriage 
with Maggie Hill, who was born in Tennessee, 
December 2.^, 1867, an( l came to Oregon in 1884 
with her father, Licurgus, locating in Polk 
county. Mr. Hill now lives in Bridgeport, four 
miles from Falls City, and is engaged in general 
farming and hop-raising. 

After his marriage Mr. Smith continued to 
live on the home place, and in December, 1900, 
bought out the other heirs, and now owns the 
entire property. His farm is one of the finest 
and most valuable in this section, and is devoted 
chiefly to the raising of stock, including sheep, 
goats and cattle. The most modern improvements 
have been introduced, for the present owner is 
progressive in the extreme, and keeps abreast of 
the times in congenial and successful occupation. 
That he has been more expansive than the 
average farmer is evidenced by his town as well 
as city interests, for he owns considerable town 
real estate, including four lots in Newport. The 
stanch friend and promoter of education, he has 
materially advanced the educational opportunities 
of the children in his neighborhood, and has 
rendered valuable service as a trustee of Dallas 
College. He is an upholder of Republican prin- 
ciples, has been a trustee and school clerk for 
many terms, and held other positions of trust and 
responsibilicy in the county. With his family he 
is a member of the Evangelical Church, and for 
many years has been the popular and helpful 
Sunday school superintendent. His four chil- 
dren are being given every advantage within the 
power of their parents to bestow. Oscar P. is 
in Dallas, while Cecil, Hallie and a baby are 
living- at home. 



JOHN MORRIS. A paying farming and 
fruit-raising property of Polk county is that 
owned by John Morris, which, though not one 
of the largest in the neighborhood, is one of 
the best improved and most fertile. In 1890 
be purchased the sixty acres comprising his 
farm, forty-five of which are under cultivation, 
and seven acres of which are devoted to straw- 
berries. He has given horticulture considerable 
study, and finds a ready market for his finely 
flavored fruit. Mr. Morris was born in Colum- 
bus, Ohio, June 1, T840, his father, Asa, being 
a native of Pennsylvania, and died in Frank- 
lin county, Ohio, at the age of fiftv-five vears. 




J>,0. flop 



</y?, 





WUaMl eA m facriovfrCh^' 



Pi >R IK UT AND BI< »GR MMIICAI. REC( >RD. 



33!) 



["he mother and family moved to Mahaska 

inty, Iowa, in 1853, and the son, John, stayed 
on the home farm until i860 

ssing the plains in the spring of [860, John 

rris was a member of the D'Lashmutl party, 
which included his widowed mother, who after- 
ward married Jonathan Dyer. She died in Polk 
county in 1889, aged seventy-eight years. After 
arriving in Polk county, he lived with Mr. 
D'Lashmutt on Salt crook. In 1862 he wont to 
gon, and in Baker county engaged in 
mining for a year, going in 1863 to Placerville, 
Idaho. As a minor he was not successful, and 
short hut disastrous experience convinced 
him that the life of the farmer was after all one 
desired. So in [865 he went to Walla 
Walla. Wash., and after a year of farming 
came to Polk county, locating on Salt creek. He 

- moderately successful as a farmer and stock- 
raiser, and in 1872 had saved enough money to 
justify him in marrying and wedded Mary E. 
Farley, a native of Yamhill county, daughter 
of Robert and Lydia (Cosper) Farley, of which 
union there have been horn five children: Will- 
iam A., a graduate of the Stanford University, 
now teaching the Latin class in the East Port- 
land school; Robert F., attending the Willamette 
I nivcrsity : Carl G.. graduate from the law 
department of Willamette University and died 
at home September, 1901, aged twenty-four; and 
lied in infancy. 

• a number of years after his marriage Mr. 
Morris lived near Perrydale, and in 1891 came 
to his present farm near Salem. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics casting his first vote for Lincoln 
in 1864, and has held the school offices for many 
years. He is a member of the Baptist Church 

Rickreall, while his wife attends the church 
of the same denomination at Salem. Liberal 
minded and enterprising, Mr. Morris is also noted 
1 business ability, and for his un- 
swerving integrity. For further reference re- 
garding the Morris family, see sketch of E. L. 
D'Lashmutt elsewhere in this volume. 



CHARLES OSCAR BOYNTON. Follow- 
ing a career of credit to himself as a farmer and 
business man. Charles Oscar Boynton came to 
Woodburn in 1891. and erected his present com- 
fortable and hospitable home on seven acres of 
land purchased for the purpose. With the excep- 
tion of a year in the grocery business, as the part- 
ner of W. F. Finzer, he has since lived a retired 
life. Mr. Boynton is enrolled among that noble 
band of pioneers which arrived in ( )regon Octo- 
ber 3. 1850, and has since given their strong and 
reliable characters to the development of western 
resources. Of Revolutionary ancestry on both 
sides of his family, he was born in Troy, N. Y., 



June 10, 1822. his father, Ebenezer I... having 
boon horn on the old paternal farm of one hun- 
dred and sixt) acres near Brattleborough, Vt., 
August S, 1 ji)(). The paternal grandfather, Joel, 
■ a native of \ ermont, succeeded in making a 
fair living for his farnil) out of the Vermont 
farm, whoso well tilled and somewhat worn acres 
are still in the possession of the Boyntons. Mo 
loft his plow and difficult duties to participate in 
the war for independence, serving with distinc- 
tion in the Colonial army, lie lived to bo ninety- 
nine years old. Ebenezer L. Boynton moved 
from Vermont to New York about 1812, settling 
in Catskill, where he married Elizabeth Fancher, 
who was born near Now London, Conn., January 
21, 170.5, and whose father, Andrew Fancher, 
was also a native of Connecticut, a farmer by 
occupation, and a valiant soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary war. In New York, he settled in the 
timber near Syracuse, cleared his land, engaged 
in farming and stock-raising, and died at an ad- 
vanced age. 

In 1821, Mr. Boynton removed from Catskill 
to Troy, N. Y., where he was appointed inspector 
of provisions by the legislature, which position 
he creditably maintained for many years. In 
1836 he took up his residence in Fulton county, 
111., where he bought a farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres, and also eighty acres of timber land. 
Here he died at the age of ninety, after a very 
active life, during which he took an important 
part in the politics of his locality. At first a Jef- 
fersonian Democrat, his political convictions had 
broadened, and he died a stanch Republican, and 
a warm admirer of the character and political 
policy of Abraham Lincoln. 

The third oldest in the paternal family, Charles 
Oscar Boynton, was educated in the public 
schools, and at the age of twenty-one left the 
farm and apprenticed himself to the cooper's 
trade, at Cuba, Fulton county, 111. In 1843, he 
located on a farm near Cuba, married Mary A. 
Bonney, July 26th of the same year, Mrs. IBovn- 
ton being a native of Sandusky, Ohio, and born 
December 29, 1823. Her father, Truman Bon- 
ney, was horn in the state of Vermont, where he 
was a tanner, stave maker, and later a cooper, 
and from whore he emigrated to ( >hio, settling 
near Sandusky, and, in 1834, removed to Fulton 
county. 111. Fie crossed the plains to Oregon in 
1845. and settled on the donation claim upon 
which his death occurred. After his marria 
Mr. Boynton continued to live on the Illinois 
farm, and in the meantime a great deal of local 
interest had boon aroused regarding the superior 
opportunities in the west, and it is not surprising 
that quite a little colony in the neighborhood dis- 
posed of their farms and needless possessions, 
and prepared for the long journey over the 
plains. Nine families made up the little train 



340 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



that courageously set forth into the practically 
unknown west, and accomplished their desire 
without any particular incident. They came by 
way of the north side of the Platte river, and the 
first winter in Oregon Mr. Boynton spent two 
miles northeast of Woodburn. Near Needy, 
Clackamas county, he then took up a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres, which he 
proved up, and which continued to be his home 
for thirty-nine years. The town of Needy sprang 
into existence upon a portion of the Boynton 
farm, and the owner was deeply interested in the 
various enterprises which gradually helped to 
establish a community of fair proportions. Nor 
was he an outside spectator, for he gave gen- 
erously towards the promotion of various enter- 
prises there represented, notably the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, for which he contributed five 
acres as a building site, and also gave money to- 
wards the erection of the edifice. In this connec- 
tion, it is pleasant to mention the great good 
accomplished by Mr. Boynton in connection with 
the church, of which he has been a member for 
a great many years. He has always felt the help 
emanating from this denomination, and during 
the early missionary days, such well remembered 
disciples as Waller, Hines, Garrison and Parrish 
were welcome guests at the Boynton home. The 
first camp meeting grounds were held on this old 
farm, and many social and religious undertak- 
ings received their first inspiration from the vig- 
orous personalities and helpful enthusiasm of Mr. 
and Mrs. Boynton. Their home was the center 
of a genial good fellowship appreciated by all 
the early settlers, and their hearts responded to 
all calls for sympathy and practical help, 

Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Boynton, Ebenezer Larned, a horse dealer in 
Woodburn, married Lucinda Morgan and has 
three sons : Charles O., Jr. ; Alva T., who is mar- 
ried and has one daughter, Eddie ; and Edward, 
deceased ; Bradford A. is deceased ; Helen A., 
deceased, married Clark McCown and had three 
children : Mary A., married, and has one daugh- 
ter; Charles W. and Lida; Thurston A., de- 
ceased, married Josie Moor and had one daugh- 
ter, Thursa, the wife of Mr. Goodman, of Mal- 
heur county, Ore. ; Jennie Alice, deceased, mar- 
ried Cuthbert Stump, and had three children : 
Paulina, Mary and Charles C, the latter deceased ; 
Albert, twin brother to Jennie A., died in early 
childhood; C. Truman, living in Malheur county, 
Ore., married Susan Zumwalt, and they have two 
daughters, Bertha and Mary A., each of whom 
is married and has one son ; Bessie is the wife 
of John Pope joy, and has two daughters : Mary 
A. and Charlotte O., the latter having three chil- 
dren, Marietta, Harley and an infant, and is liv- 
ing in Stockton, Cal. ; Ida, deceased, married J. 
Robert Sconce, and they had one son, J. Robert 



Sconce, Jr., now in the United States navy ; Lida, 
a twin sister of Ida, is living at home with her 
parents. Mr. Boynton has always been a Repub- 
lican, and his fitness for office has received con- 
stant recognition. He served four years as 
county assessor, and was county commissioner 
for the same number of years. For twenty-two 
years he was justice of the peace, and his rulings 
were always equitable and in accord with the 
principles of truth and justice. Since living in 
Woodburn, Mr. Boynton has been solicited to 
fill numerous political offices, but has always re- 
fused. He served as delegate to the county con- 
vention, and was delegate from Clackamas 
county to the first Republican state convention in 
Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Boynton are the only 
survivors of the first Methodist Episcopal class 
between Salem and Oregon City, organized by 
Alvin Waller. They are both members of the 
Pioneer Association, and Oregon Historical So- 
ciety, and Mr. Boynton is a charter member of 
Woodburn Lodge No. 106, A. F. & A. M., and 
with his daughter, Lida, belongs to the Eastern 
Star. 



SIDNEY TOMLINSON, who served as chief 
executive of Woodburn during the years 1901-02, 
was admirably adapted to the requirements of 
his responsibility, was the seventh to hold office 
in the city and presented a clean, wide-awake, 
and progressive administration. His foresight 
and recognition of its necessities resulted in the 
organization of a fire company for the protection 
of life and property, and he otherwise evinced 
a desire to place his charge among the influen- 
tial, modern, and thrifty municipalities of the 
Willamette valley. 

A native of the vicinity of Zanesville, Ohio, Mr. 
Tomlinson was born March 17, 1855. His fam- 
ily was represented in the Revolutionary war, 
the war of 1812, and the Mexican war. The 
soldier of whom there' is most authentic account 
is the paternal grandfather, Solomon Z., who was 
born in Virginia, reared in Pennsylvania, and 
participated in the war of 1812 and the Mexican 
war. The prime of his life was passed in Ohio, 
where he married, and whence he removed in 
i860 to Nemaha county, Kans. In 1878 he took 
up his residence on land in the state of Iowa. 
He died at the age of ninety-three in Boone 
county, Iowa, where he was stricken with paraly- 
sis while at the home of his son, James F., the 
father of Sidney. 

James F. Tomlinson was born in Columbus, 
Ohio, May 22, 1824, and in early life was a shoe- 
maker by trade. After removing to Iowa in 1856 
he settled in Boone county, where he bought 
land on the banks of the Des Moines river, forty- 
five miles from the citv of that name. He became 



P( >R IK Ml WD r.li (GRAPHICAL REO iRD. 



341 



minent as a farmer and politician, gathered a 

isiderable fortune into the family exchequer, 

and held, among other political offices, thai ol 

:it\ commissioner for sixteen years. Mis wife, 

tabeth (Simmons i Tomlinson, was born in 

diocton county, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph 

mons Her death occurred in Iowa August 17. 

hen her son Sidne) was seventeen months 

Of the two children in die family, Clarinda 

■ >u the wife of 11. A. Whitted, the latter a 

farmer mar Steele, Idaho. 

For twenty-seven years of his life Mr. Tom- 
linson lived on his father's farm, and the many 
responsibilities which fell to his lot prevented 
more than irregular attendance at the public 
ols. As a relaxation from agricultural life 
he engaged in a general merchandise business 
Pilot Mound, Boone county. Iowa, for four 
irs, and then removed to Harlan county, Xeb., 
where he lived on a farm of one hundred and 
-. acres for about a year. Upon removing to 
Oregon in 1888 he settled in Medford, Jackson 
county, and worked as a carpenter and builder 
for about three years. Since coming to Wood- 
burn he has engaged in contracting and building 
on a large scale. Among his most worthy at- 
tempts in this direction may be mentioned the 
brick block opposite the depot ; the building of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which 
be afterward sold : and Hotel Woodburn, the 
finest and best appointed hostelry in the city, and 
which is being conducted under his personal 
supervision. Before being elected mayor in 190 1 
he was a member of the city council for two 
terms, and he has also served six years on the 
school board, and in 1903 was re-elected for 
the ensuing three years, doing his utmost during 
that time to advance the cause of education, as 
exemplified in the Woodburn school. He was 
of the chief organizers of the Woodburn 
Hoard of Trade, an organization which has mate- 
rially promoted the mercantile and commercial 
interests of the city and county. He is the presi- 
dent of the board, and one of its most helpful 
and enthusiastic members. He is identified with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Knights ot the Maccabees, and has passed the 
chairs of each. Mr. Tomlinson is cxtensivclv 
interested in real estate business, handling city 
and farm property in Willamette valley. 

The family of Mr. Tomlinson consists of his 
wife, formerly Miss Lottie White, whom he mar- 
ried in Boone county, Iowa, April 1, 1882; and his 
only son. Vernon Wayne, who was born in Boone 
count v, Iowa. January 18, 1883, and is now a stu- 
dent in the State I diversity at Eugene, a leader 
of the University debating, societv, and will grad- 
uate in [905. Airs. Tomlinson is a daughter of 
Mathias White, who was born in Kcntuckv. and 
has owned and managed farms in Indiana, Illi- 



nois, and Iowa, and died in the latter state. The 
mother still resides in Boone county, towa, and 
IS over eighty years of age. Mrs. Tomlinson 
conies from a family noted for their abilities 
as musicians, and she herself possesses marked 
talent. She has given private instruction to many 
and is a vocalist of ability. From [896 to 1900 
-he was assistant principal in the Woodburn 
school, and was principal of the Hubbard school 
from 1900 to [901 inclusive. With her husband 
she ably manages the hotel in which they are 
both interested. 



DEDR1CK H. BOMHOFF. One of the suc- 
cessful and representative mercantile establish- 
ments in Woodburn is the grocery business of 
Dedrick H. Bomhoff, but recently' located in a 
new building, fitted with all modern improve- 
ments. Mr. Bomhoff is one of the many sons 
of Germany who are utilizing their commendable 
national traits for the upbuilding of the north- 
west, to which be came in 1891, and in regard 
to the advantages of which lie is most enthu- 
siastic. He was born in Hanover, Germany, 
February 10, 1868, his father, Henry, and his 
mother. Anna, being natives of the same part of 
the kingdom. Henry Bomhoff is a carpenter, 
builder and contractor, and is at present living 
with his wife in Homfeldt, where he has been 
in business for many years. 

The oldest of the three sons and two daugh- 
ters in' his father's family, Dedrick was not des- 
tined to reach maturity in his native land, for at 
the age of twelve he had a chance to come to 
come to America with a kinsman, locating in 
Greenleaf, Washington county, Kans., where he 
attended the public schools. Since that early 
age he has made his own living, and has no one 
to thank but himself for the large measure of 
success which has come bis way. Having heard 
a great deal about the west during his life in 
Kansas he came hither in 1890, locating at Olym- 
pia, Wash., where he remained for a year. For 
a couple of years be worked on farms near I'.ulte- 
villc and Hubbard, Ore., and became identified 
with Woodburn in 1894, his various efforts hav- 
ing resulted in his saving quite a little money. 
In 1898 he stepped boldly into the mercantile 
life of the town, and boughl out O. A. Nandall's 
grocery store, which lie has since conducted in 
larger form, and with increasing patronage. The 
new store just completed is worthy of both the 
town and man. is well slocked with the commodi- 
ties most in demand in growing and progressive 
communities, and has at its head a very genial, 
broad-minded and tactful manager, whose pleas- 
ing personality makes his place of business popu- 
lar and profitable. 

Through his marriage in July, 1896, with Mrs. 



342 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Lizzie M. Scheurer, Mr. Bomhoff became allied 
with one of the pioneer families of Oregon. 
Mrs. Bomhoff is a daughter of Peter Fellow, 
who was born in the disputed territory of Alsace- 
Lorraine, between France and Germany, and who 
came to America at a very early day. Mr. Fellow 
located first in Illinois, and in i860 came around 
the Horn to San Francisco, from there embark- 
ing for Portland. Pie took up a donation claim 
near Butteville, Marion county, Ore., consisting 
of six hundred and forty acres, improved the 
same to a fine farm, and lived there for the re- 
mainder of his life. Through her first marriage 
Mrs. Bomhoff had one child, Mabel, and of her 
second marriage there have been born three chil- 
dren, Annie, Grace and Harry. 

Mr. Bomhoff is interested in all that has to 
do with the upbuilding of his adopted city, and 
has been before the public in various capacities. 
As a Republican he has served in the city coun- 
cil for one term. He' is fraternally connected 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
a charter member of the encampment. With his 
wife and children Mr. Bomhoff is a member of 
the German Lutheran Church. Is also member 
of the Mercantile and Tradesmen Protective As- 
sociation. In 1899 he purchased and remodeled 
a dwelling which is now one of the finest in 
Woodburn, all the modern improvements to be 
found therein, and has a drilled well, one hun- 
dred and seventy-seven feet deep, the deepest in 
the citv. 



HENRY J. OS FIELD is a leading and 
prosperous representative of mercantile in- 
terests in Dallas, where he is engaged in deal- 
ing in groceries and queensware. A native of 
Illinois, he was born in Urbana, October 22, 
1856, and is the second in order of birth in a 
family of seven children, five of whom are 
living. The parents were John J. and Rachel 
(Servis) Osfield. The paternal grandfather 
was a resident of New York and belonged to 
one of the old eastern families. John J. Os- 
field was born in the Empire state and came 
to Lockport, N. Y., where he pursued his edu- 
cation and learned the blacksmith's trade. 
Removing westward as civilization made its 
way into the Mississippi valley, he took up 
his abode in Urbana, 111., where he became 
interested in the conduct of a wagon and car- 
riage factory as a member of the firm of Boy- 
den & Osfield. He was associated in that en- 
terprise for many years and in 1876 he re- 
moved to Iowa, establishing his home in Vil- 
lisca, but after two years he came to the Sun- 
set state, locating in Portland, Ore., where 
be was engaged in carriage manufacturing 
throughout the remainder of his business ca- 



reer. His wife was born in Ohio and was a 
daughter of Asher Servis, who was a native 
of New Jersey and who married a Miss Sco- 
field, a native of Connecticut. Removing 
westward, Mr. Servis • followed farming in 
Warren county, Ohio, afterward in Illinois 
and subsequently in Harrison county, Iowa, 
where his death occurred. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Osfield were born seven children, five of 
whom are yet living and with the exception 
of our subject all are residents of Portland. 
The father died in September, 1901, at the 
age of seventy-six years, but the mother is 
yet living in Portland. 

H. J. Osfield spent the days of his boyhood 
and youth in Urbana, 111., acquiring his edu- 
cation in the public schools there, and in 1876 
when twenty years of age went to Iowa, 
where he carried on farming on his father's 
land. He remained a resident of that state 
until 1880, in which year he arrived in Port- 
land, Ore., where for two years he was em- 
ployed at blacksmithing and carriage making. 
He then accepted a position as shipping clerk 
with the firm of Frank Brothers, dealers in 
implements, acting in that capacity for eight 
years or until 1890, when, with the capital he 
had acquired through his own labors, he es- 
tablished a store in West Portland. He was 
also instrumental in securing a postofHce 
there and was appointed its first postmaster. 
He continued to engage in general merchan- 
dising and to discharge his official duties until 
October, 1895, when he sold his store and re- 
moved to Dallas, thinking to find a broader 
field of labor at this place. Here he opened 
a grocery, queensware and notions store and 
later he purchased the store building which 
he now occupies. It is a two-story brick 
building, 30x70 feet, and he also has a large 
warehouse. His grocery and queensware 
store is the most extensive in the county, and 
he is also the leading dealer in produce. He 
has been very successful in his business here, 
working up a large trade. He carries a fine 
line of goods. His store is neat and attract- 
ive in appearance and his business methods 
commend him to the confidence and support 
of the public. 

In Logan, Iowa, Mr. Osfield was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary Ellison, who was 
born in that state, and they have two chil- 
dren, Ada F. and Carroll Henry. They hold 
membership with the Presbyterian Church of 
Dallas, and Mr. Osfield is serving on the 
board of trustees. Socially he is identified 
with the Woodmen of the World and was 
made a Mason in Jennings Lodge, No. 9, A. 
F. & A. M. He is also a stanch and unswerv- 
ing Republican, an active member of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 






r.l of trade an.l takes a deep and helpful 
• m eyerything pertaining to progi 

ami improvement in Ids locality. He i> 

and favorably known, and throughout 

er lie lias labored for the improvement 

ry line of business or public inter 

b which he has been associated, and at all 

tin een actuated by a fidelity to his 

country and her welfare. 



JUDGE \Y. C. Hl'BBARD. The qualities 

which endear man to man are dominant traits 
the character oi W. C. Hubbard, and so wide- 

ind favorably is he known in Salem and 
the surrounding: country that it is with pleas- 
that we present to our readers the record 
- ,-areer. His residence in the state dates 
847 and therefore the pioneer history 
^on is as familiar to him as is the latter- 
progress and development. He was born 
in Pike county, 111., twelve miles from Pitts- 
. November 8, 1836, and is the eldest liv- 

of the four surviving children in a family 
that once numbered eleven born unto Charles 
and Margaret (Cannon) Hubbard. The 
father was born in Kentucky February 14, 
1800, and at an early day removed to Missouri, 
settling near St. Louis, while later he became 
a resident of Pike county, 111., and there car- 

I on farming. The explorations that had 
been made in the northwest and the reports 
that he had heard awakened in him a desire to 
become a resident of the section of the country 
whose resources were so glowingly described. 
Accordingly, in 1847. ne started for Oregon ac- 
companied by his wife and six children. They 
had two wagons drawn by oxen, thus traveling 
in the primitive manner of the times — the van- 
guard of civilization which was soon to trans- 
form this district from a wild region inhabited 
by Indians to one of the most important sec- 
tions of our great land. They traveled bv way 
of St. Joseph. Mo., crossing the river there. 
thence proceeding up the Platte and over the 
old Oregon trail. On the way the baby of 
the family died while they were in the Cascade 
mountains. They had no trouble with the In- 
dians until they arrived at the Columbia river 
and even then they managed to make the red 
men keep their distance. They had left the 
main road at the foot of Blue mountain and 
proceeded to Whitman station, intending to 

•id the winter there. Dr. Whitman, at the 
time, was down in the valley and Mrs. Whit- 
man urged them to proceed on their way be- 
cause she believed that there would be many 
emigrants behind them whom thev would have 
to assist later in the season. They arrived, 
therefore, in the valley October 20, and the 



father secured a donation claim on Clear creek, 
Seven miles northeast of Oregon City, but re- 
mained there for only a year, when lie gave up 
the property. He then located on the French 
claim, purchasing a tract of a former owner 
and also securing a donation claim of six hun- 
dred and forty acres. With characteristic 
energy he began to clear, improve and culti- 
vate his land and in course of time a splendid 
farm was seen as the result of his labors. 1 [e 
continued to engage in agricultural work until 
his retirement from business life. He died at 
the home of his son in Mission Bottom in 1884, 
when eighty-four years of age. A worthy 
Christian man, he held membership in the 
Baptist Church and into the minds of his chil- 
dren he instilled lessons of industry and in- 
tegrity wdiich have borne good fruit in their 
later lives. His wife, who was born in Mis- 
souri, April 19. 181 1, was a daughter of James 
Cannon, who died in that state. Mrs. Hub- 
bard passed away at the old homestead in 1880. 
Judge Hubbard spent the first ten years of 
his life in the state of his nativity and then 
came with his parents as they journeyed across 
the country to the northwest. He assisted in 
driving the loose cattle and walked six hundred 
dred miles of the way at one time, but at in- 
als he had the privilege of riding for a 
short distance. After reaching Oregon he re- 
mained at home with his parents until twenty- 
two years of age with the exception of a period 
of two years. In his youth, he attended school 
near his home and in Oregon City and at the 
age of nineteen years worked in the mines of 
California for a time. He passed through the 
Rogue river Indian war country, making the 
journey on pack horses, and at lengfth arrived 
at Yreka. Cal. He was then engaged in mining 
at Deadwood until 1857 when he returned to 
his home, remaining with his parents until 
1859. He then came into possession of one 
hundred and sixty acres of new land covered 
with brush, and there he began farming, but 
after two years he rented an improved farm, 
upon wmich he lived for three years. By that 
time his labors had brought to him a good 
financial return and with the money he had 
thus earned he purchase''. indred and 

sixty acres of land in the Mission P.ottom and 
located at his new home. As the years have 
passed and his financial resources have enabled 
him to make additional purchases he has 
added to his property until he now owns a 
farm of six hundred acres in one body which 
is under a very high state of cultivation. This 
is pleasantly located twelve miles nortri 
Salem. There grain is raised on an extensive 
scale, and to the cultivation of a portion of tin- 
property- Judge Hubbard gives his personal 



316 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



supervision. He is, however, living practically 
retired at his home in Salem. 

The judge was married in Parkerville, Ore., 
in 1859 to Miss Helen M. Cooley, who was 
born in Clay county, Mo., and was brought 
across the plains to Oregon in 1844, her father, 
Christopher C. Cooley, bringing his family to 
the northwest in that year. Reaching his des- 
tination, he settled on French Prairie, where he 
engaged in farming until his death. Mrs. Hub- 
bard was but four years of age at the time of 
the overland trip. Unto the judge and his wife 
have been born seven children: Walter S., 
who is a member of the fire department of 
Seattle ; Orville B., who is engaged in mining 
in Alaska ; Oscar, who died on the home farm 
at the age of twenty-five years; Ira W. and 
Wylie W., who are stock men, living in Salem ; 
Rodena, who died when but three weeks old; 
and Dollie, of Salem. 

In his political views the judge has ever 
been an earnest Republican and has studied 
closely the issues and questions of the day and 
puts forth everv effort in his power to promote 
the growth and extend the influence of his 
party. While residing upon his farm he was 
elected and served for two terms as county 
commissioner, entering upon the duties of the 
office in 1882. From early manhood he has 
also served as a school officer and the cause of 
education has found in him a warm and help- 
ful friend. In 1892 he was elected county 
judge of Marion county on the Republican 
ticket for a term of four years, assuming the 
duties of the office in July of that year, serving 
continuously until July, 1896. In December, 
1902, he was nominated on the Republican ticket 
for the position of city councilman from the 
fourth ward and in January, 1903, he took his 
position as a member of the board of aldermen 
for a two years' term. Fraternally the judge is 
connected with Chemeketa Lodge, No. 1, I. O. 
O. F., of Salem, and Salem Encampment. 
Judge Hubbard is kind-hearted, liberal, sym- 
pathetic and honorable, and in all life's rela- 
tions he has been found true to the trusts re- 
posed in him and worthy of the regard ac- 
corded him. 



BENJAMIN B. COLBATH, who is now 
serving as sheriff of Marion county, was born 
in Salem, April 22, 1866. His father, Elijah J. 
Colbath, was a native of Bangor, Me., and be- 
came one of the pioneer settlers of Oregon in 
1852. When a boy he went to sea and for many 
years followed a life on the ocean wave, ris- 
ing successively from one position to another un- 
til" he had become captain of a vessel. As such 
he sailed around Cape Horn to Portland and then 



resigned his captaincy in order to establish a 
home in Oregon. Jn 1853 ne located in Salem 
and built a sawmill on the Willamette river, for 
the manufacture of lumber. For twelve years he 
conducted that enterprise in a profitable manner 
and then floods washed away the mill. He after- 
ward engaged in contracting and building in 
Salem, where he likewise followed the occupation 
of a millwright until he went to the shore of Puget 
sound in 1889. He erected several large mills 
there but afterward returned to Salem, where he 
was actively identified with the improvements of 
the city as a contractor and builder. Many of 
the fine structures which he erected still stand 
as monuments to his enterprise and his skill. He 
was a Democrat in his political views and he died 
in Salem May 14, 1898. His widow, still sur- 
viving him, was born in Pike county, 111., and 
bore the maiden name of Gabriella Hayden. In 
1852 she came to Oregon with her father, Will- 
iam Hayden, who brought his family to this state, 
making the long and arduous journey across the 
plains, and upon its completion settling in Salem. 
In this state he followed farming until his death, 
which occurred in Polk county in 1868. Mrs. 
Colbath is still a resident of Salem, and of her 
six children five are still living, namely : James 
H., of Salem; Benjamin B. ; Nathaniel, who is 
employed as a clerk in Salem ; Alfred B., a con- 
tractor and builder here ; and Camilla, of Salem. 

Mr. Colbath was reared in Salem and his early 
educational privileges were those of the common 
schools. Later he entered Willamette University 
and completed a course in the Portland Business 
College in 1886. From early boyhood days he 
had been familiar with the building trade, having 
assisted his father, and followed carpentering in 
Salem until he went to Tacoma, where he en- 
gaged in the operation of a planing mill. For 
four years he was identified with industrial inter- 
ests there, but in 1890 returned to Salem, where 
he carried on contracting and building on his 
own account until 1898, when he was appointed 
deputy sheriff under F. W. Durbin, serving for 
four years as his chief deputy. At the end of that 
time, in 1902, he was nominated on the Demo- 
cratic ticket for the office of sheriff and was the 
only candidate on that ticket ejected, the others 
all being defeated by a large Republican ma- 
jority. Certainly no greater evidence of his per- 
sonal popularity and the confidence reposed in 
him by his fellow citizens could be given than 
the fact that he was thus chosen for office. On July 
7, 1902, he took the oath for a two years' term 
and is discharging his duties with the same re- 
liability and promptness that characterized his 
service as deputy. He has always been active in 
support of the Democracy and his labors have not 
been without result in securing successes. 

Mr. Colbath was married in Seattle, Wash., in 



I\ »K l In' \i I AND \ib liRAl'IIU'AL RE( ( IRD. 



8 1 7 



1890, t" Mi>^ Amanda Harrington, daughter of 
S. Harrington, and a native of Salt Lake City, 
rod the} have one son, Cyril B. Fratern- 
ally Mr. Colbath is connected with the Woodmen 
rid and also with the Daniel Waldo 
bin, Native Sons of Oregon, and is also a 
mber of Salem Lodge 336, B. P. O. E. He is 
a man well liked as is indicated by his election to 
the office of sheriff and his fidelity to duty is a 
matter above question. 



CHARLES F. BELT. There is a satisfac- 
tion in having before one's eyes the example ot 

successful life, especially if the person who 
lived that life be in any way connected with 
one's own. It is an invisible, yet invincible, 
shield ; it is the passport to a successful career, 
and even an abuse of the confidence inspired 
by such an association does not always have 
the effect of a withdrawal of the latter, since 
the potency of successful living continues long 
after the life is done. But better still than the 
example of such a life is the inherited tenden- 
cies that give fulfillment to so fair a promise. 

In the years of Charles F. Belt, a native Ore- 
gonian, this fact is exemplified, for with the life 
<<i his father before him he could hardly fail to 
touch the first rounds of the ladder of success, 
but lacking inherent worth he could never have 
climbed to the height he now- occupies. His 
father. Dr. Alfred Metcalf Belt, was born in 
Kentucky. July 23, 1804. and reared in Platte 
county. Mo. After completing his study of 
medicine he practiced there for many years. 
In 1850. with his wife and six children, he 
joined an emigrant train bound for Oregon, 
and on his arrival, continued the practice of 
medicine, making his home in the city of 
Salem. Those were the early days of Oregon, 
and the physician often had to travel many 
miles to reach his patients. Mounted on a 
horse with his saddle bags behind him, Dr. 
Belt rode up and flown the Willamette valley, 
often remaining from home a week at a time 
in his ministrations to the remote settlers. It 
is doubtful if there was another pioneer who 
had more knowledge of this section of the coun- 
try, on both sides of the Willamette river. 
With his long practice and thorough knowl- 

*e he filled with admirable success the posi- 
tion of professor in the medical department of 
the Willamette University, enjoying an envia- 
ble reputation that had been honorably earned 
by years of application in the profession to 
which he had given his life. In Masonic cir- 
cles Dr. Belt was also prominent, having been 
made a Mason in Missouri. In Oregon he 
gave his hearty support to the upbuilding of 
the lodges of the craft, and he became a mem- 



ber of Salem Lodge No. 4, V F. & A. M., and 

in the Grand Lodge of < >regon it was his honor 
to serve as its first -rand master, an additional 
honor being the perpetuation of his name in 
the licit Lodge of Kerby, Josephine county. 
In the midst of his busy life he found time to 
go to the defense of his country against the 
uprising of the Indians, serving as colonel of 
volunteers and as surgeon general. In his re- 
ligious views Dr. Belt was a member of the 
Kpiscopal Church and Democratic as to his 
political affiliations. 

On August 21, 1881, he passed away, after 
over fifty years in the successful practice of his 
profession. He married, June 17, 1835, Nancy, 
daughter of Gen. Thomas Ward, who won re- 
nown in the war of 1812. Mrs. Belt survives 
him, being now in her eighty-fifth year. She 
still makes her home in Salem, the scene of her 
husband's labors. Her father, Gen. Thomas 
Ward, died in Benton county, at the age of 
forty-nine years. 

Of this union were born ten children, their 
names being as follows: Thomas; Sarah Eliz- 
abeth, now Mrs. Huelat ; Joseph, who was 
graduated from the Cooper Medical School, 
dying in Salem; Emily, now Mrs. J. W. Jor- 
dan, of San Francisco ; Alfred M. in the employ 
of the government at the Mare Island Navy 
yards of San Francisco; John D., a druggist of 
Sheridan ; Benjamin F., pharmacist in Read- 
ing, Cal. ; George W., an attorney and circuit 
judge at Spokane, Wash. ; Marian, now the 
wife of Judge Burnett, of Salem, and Charles 
F., who was born February 14, i860, in Salem, 
Ore. 

With a fine education secured in the excel- 
lent public schools of Salem and the Willam- 
ette University, Charles F. Belt felt able to 
cope with the world in his efforts to live up 
to the splendid example set by his father, and 
in 1890 he left Salem, going to Dallas to stink 
pharmacy with his brother, John D., where he 
remained for six years. Being strong in his 
political convictions, which were Democratic, 
he had early taken an active part in public 
affairs, and his efforts were appreciated by his 
fellow-townsmen, securing for him the ap- 
pointment of postmaster of Dallas, under 
Cleveland's last administration. For five years 
he served in this capacity, at the cm\ of which 
time he purchased a drug store in partnership 
with G. X. Cherrington, continuing in the 
business with marked success, and now owning 
one of the handsomest stores in the city, ele- 
gantly finished in white pine, with fixtures to 
match the surroundings. Their stock is up-to- 
date in every way. and their practiced handling 
of trade has won them many commendations. 
Their business is further increased by the plac- 



348 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing in their hands of the agency of the Pacific 
States Telephone and Telegraph Company. 

In 1896 Mr. Belt married Miss Emma Black, 
also a native of Oregon, the daughter of Jo- 
seph Black, a very prominent man of Dallas. 
Mr. Belt was elected a member of the city 
council in 1902, and he became a Mason in 
Jennings Lodge No. 9, A. F. & A. M., in March, 
1891, and has since taken the Scottish Rite de- 
grees in Oregon Consistory No. 1 of Portland, 
besides being a member of Al Kader Temple, 
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs 
to Salem Lodge No. 18, Knights of Pythias, 
Woodmen of the World, and the Native Sons 
of Oregon. 



JOHN M. KITCHEN, M. D., who for thirty- 
eight years has been a resident of Oregon, and 
for more than a quarter of a century has been 
engaged in the practice of medicine in Stayton, 
is a representative of one of the well-known fam- 
ilies of Missouri. His father, Thomas Kitchen, 
was born in North Carolina, but at the age ^ of 
twelve years left that state with his parents and 
emigrated to Missouri, where he grew to man- 
hood. In 1847, having heard much of the won- 
derful opportunities afforded by the northwest, 
he set out for the Oregon country, the customary 
ox-teams being employed to convey him across 
the plains. After a journey .consuming six 
months he arrived in Marion county. For some 
time he remained at the home of a Frenchman 
named Laroque, who had a claim on what is 
known as French Prairie, but as soon as he had 
become familiar with the relative value of lands 
in that locality he took up a donation claim on 
Muddy creek, near the site of the town of Hal- 
sey. In 1849, when the gold excitement was at 
its height in California, he left his newly estab- 
lished home and started on horseback over the 
mountains for the new Eldorado. His journey 
was rendered a very dangerous one by the pres- 
ence of numerous bands of hostile Indians, who 
persistently attacked him ; but he passed through 
in safety, reaching the gold fields on the Sacra- 
mento river, where he at once engaged in mining. 
Some time later he found it more profitable to 
run a pack train from San Francisco to the min- 
ing camps. In this occupation he remained until 
1 85 1, when, having acquired a handsome little 
sum of money, he returned to his home in Mis- 
souri, going by water to New Orleans. At the 
same time he also made a visit to his birthplace 
in North Carolina. 

Mr. Kitchen's next location was near Little 
Rock, Ark., where he purchased a ranch ; but 
not finding agricultural life in that region as 
satisfactory as he had anticipated he soon re- 
turned to Missouri and re-engaged in farming 



until 1864, when he went to Texas to remain 
until the close of the Civil war. The remaining 
years of his life were spent in that state, where 
his death occurred in 1900, at the age of eighty- 
five years. Sixteen years prior to his death 
he was stricken with paralysis, but it did not 
seriously affect his general health. He was twice 
married, his first wife being Mary McHard, a 
native of Kentucky. The only child of this 
union is Dr. John M. Kitchen. His second wife 
was Mary Best, a native of Missouri. To them 
were born eight children, four of whom are liv- 
ing : Jefferson, Moses, Samuel Tilden, all of 
Missouri, and Lottie, wife of Henry Teeters, of 
Randolph county, that state. 

Dr. John M. Kitchen was born near Keytes- 
ville, Chariton county, Mo., February 12, 1842. 
The death of his mother occurring when he was 
but eighteen months old he was taken into the 
family of his mother's parents, with whom he 
remained for ten years. On account of the bet 
ter educational advantages to be derived by the 
change he was then given into the care of his 
paternal grandparents. He attended the public 
schools until he was sixteen years of age, when 
he entered McGee College, a Presbyterian school 
now located at College Mound, Mo., where he 
remained for two years. Upon the outbreak of 
the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Con- 
federacy, enlisting July 5, 1861, in the First 
Regiment of the Third Division of Infantry, 
under the command of General Sterling Price. 
He remained in this service from that time until 
June, 1863, in the meantime participating in 
the battle of Carthage, and numerous other en- 
gagements. At one time he remained in camp 
for four weeks drilling for a campaign, during 
which period the Federals were met at Fort 
Scott, Kans. In 1863 he was taken prisoner in 
company with a few other Confederate soldiers 
near Osceola, Mo., and for some time was im- 
prisoned in a large store building in Clinton, 
that state. During his incarceration his slum- 
bering convictions were awakened into life by 
maturer thought and judgment, and he realized 
that the south would eventually be vanquished. 
He took the oath of allegiance to the United 
States and entered the enrolled militia of Mis- 
souri in the fall of 1863. In 1864 he was hon- 
orably discharged, and entering the drug store 
of a personal friend, Dr. T. B. Jackson, a son 
of ex-Gov. Claiborne Jackson, who was also 
a physician, he began the study of medicine. 
In April, 1865, he started on his journey across 
the plains, reaching Brownsville, Linn county, 
Ore., October 5, his trip having been rendered 
more than ordinarily interesting by several ex- 
citing skirmishes with the Sioux Indians in the 
Medicine Bull Mountains. 

Upon his arrival in Linn county Dr. Kitchen 




fa/77V77£U<jy 



PORTRAIT AND I'.li u.KAI'l IL'AI. RECORD. 



351 



iching in the public schools, a 
n he followed until 1S74. In the mean- 
time he continued his medical researches in 
Willamette University. In June 1875. he re- 
moved to Stayton and engaged in practice 
in partnership with Dr. McCauley. The fol- 
year he resumed his studios in the med- 
ical department of Willamette University, from 
which he was graduated with the degree of 
M. D., in June. 1S77. Since that time he has 
been continuously engaged in the conduct of a 
laborious practice in Stayton, with the excep- 
tion of a few months spent in East Portland 
and about four years, during which he took a 
much-needed rest on account of the state of his 
health. In 1803 he visited the Columbian Expo- 
sition at Chicago, and from there went to New 
rk City, where he took a post-graduate course 
in the New York Post-Graduate Medical Col- 

The marriage of Dr. Kitchen, which occurred 
•her 20. 1872. united him with Melissa J. 
Wheeler, a daughter of Jason and Eliza 
1 Claypool 1 Wheeler. They have an adopted 
daughter, Deane. now the wife of Dr. F. R. 
Bov of Glendale, Ore. Fraternally Dr. 

Kitchen is a Mason, affiliating with Santiam 
Lodge No. 25. In his political preferences he 
is a Democrat of the Jacksonian school, and has 
never wavered in his faith in the righteousness 
• >f the principles underlying the fabric of that 
party. He is a member of the Baptist Church. 
Dr. Kitchen's career as a practitioner has been 
gr ted with success. He has not rested con- 
tent with the foundation of knowledge with which 
he was equipped at the beginning of his career, 
as is altogether too frequently the case, but he 
has been and is to-day a constant student, keep- 
ing fully abreast of the most advanced thought 
in medical science. He is esteemed alike by his 
fellow-practitioners in the Willamette valley and 
by the laity, who keenly appreciate his talent 
and ability, the great care which he bestows upon 
all cases intrusted to him, whether his patients 
be rich or poor, and the kindly disposition so 
frequently manifested by him in the midst of 
his arduous professional labors. He is accorded 
a personal character above reproach, and belongs 
to that class of men who are always ready and 
anxious to contribute to the well-being of their 
fellow-men. 

GEN. W. H. ODELL, who is now living re- 
tired in Salem, but who for many years was an 
active factor in business circles and in the devel- 
opment and progress of the state, was born near 
Delphi, Ind., December 25. 1830. He comes of 
an old family of Welsh lineage. On leaving the 
little rock-ribbed country of Wales, his first 
American ancestors settled in Canada, whence 



representatives of the name later wini to New 
York. James Odell, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was born in northern New York, whence 

he removed to South Carolina. Later he became 
a pioneer fanner of Ohio and Indiana. He died 
near Delphi, lnd., where he had settled in [825. 
John Odell, the father, was born near the divid- 
ing line between North and South Carolina, in 
[799, and in 1803 was taken by his parents to 
Wayne county, Ohio, and in 1808 to Wayne 
county, Ind. He stood guard at a block-house in 
which the farmers had taken refuge during the 
battle of Tippecanoe. In 1825 he took up his 
abode near Delphi, Ind., being the first settler of 
the township, following an old trail to his home, 
as there was no wagonroad. Having built a log 
house he began hewing out a farm in the midst 
of the forest of oak and black walnut trees, and 
continued his farming operations in the Hoosier 
state until 1851, when he came with his family 
to Oregon, traveling across the country until he 
reached Yamhill county. He settled near Day- 
ton, securing a donation claim of three hundred 
and twenty acres, which he broke and improved, 
making his home thereon until his death, in 
March, 1869. In politics he was first a Whig 
and afterward a Republican ; and religiously he 
was a devoted member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. While in Indiana he married Sarah 
Holman, who was born near Louisville, Kv., a 
cousin of Congressman Holman, of Indiana, and 
a daughter of George Holman, who, in 1781, at 
the age of sixteen years, was taken prisoner by 
the Indians while acting as an escort to a govern- 
ment team on the road from Virginia to Ken- 
tucky. For three years he was held captive by 
the Indians, and then securing his freedom, he 
settled near Centerville, Wayne county. Ind.. 
where he followed farming until his death, at 
the age of one hundred and two years. He was 
a representative of an old Virginia family, of 
English descent. His daughter. Mrs. Odell. died 
in Yamhill county, in 1888, at the age of eighty- 
three years. 

In the family of John and Sarah Odell were 
eleven children, ten of whom reached years of 
maturity: Mrs. Martha Coovert, deceased; Rus- 
sell B., a farmer of Josephine county. ( )re. ; Jo- 
seph, who died in Yamhill county: Mrs. Sarah 
McTeer. who resides near McMinnville; W. H., 
of this review ; James A., who died in Eugene. 
Ore., in 1872; Mrs. Mary Farnsworth, who died 
in Yamhill county: George W., a phvsician. re- 
siding near McMinnville: Charlotte, now Mr-. 
A. L. Alderman, of Dayton, this state, and Tohn 
Albert, who is engaged in the insurance business 
in McMinnville. 

Upon the home farm in Indiana General Odell 
was reared and pursued his education in the sub- 
scription schools. When twenty years of age he 



352 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



came with his parents to Oregon, starting from 
Indiana on the ioth of March with ox teams, in 
a train of sixteen wagons, with four yoke of oxen 
to each wagon. At Peoria they crossed the Illi- 
nois river, and at Fort Madison, the Mississippi. 
They purchased one hundred and fifty head of 
cattle in Iowa, and then proceeded onward, cross- 
ing the Missouri river at Council Bluffs. At that 
time there was not a single house on the site of 
Omaha, and beyond that a waste. They followed 
the old Oregon trail, and did not see any Indians 
between Elkhorn and Green river, except at a 
ferry, and there they were leaving because of a 
small-pox scare. The family arrived in the Wil- 
lamette valley September 26, 1851, and in Yam- 
hill county October 3. 

Mr. Odell remained with his father until Feb- 
ruary, 1853, and assisted in breaking the fields, 
planting the crops and also in planting an or- 
chard. He then entered the Oregon Institute, 
now Willamette University, where, for two years, 
he pursued a course in the classics and civil en- 
gineering, going into the field in the summer of 
1854, with a corps of surveyors. He began as 
chainman with a company engaged in govern- 
ment work in Yamhill county, after which he re- 
turned to school, and the next spring he again 
spent two months in surveying. In 1855, he set- 
tled on a farm near Dayton, and continued to im- 
prove the place until i860, when he rented his 
land, and he and his wife took charge of the 
Santiam, better known as Lebanon, Academy, 
with which they were connected for three years. 
Removing then to Eugene, General Odell entered 
the service of the surveyor-general of Oregon as 
deputy United States surveyor, and was thus 
engaged until 1871. During two summers, 1864 
and 1865, he was employed by the Oregon Cen- 
tral Military Wagon Road Company, in locating 
and making the survey of the route, and in the 
summer of 1869-70, was superintendent of con- 
struction of the military road. In 1871 he was 
appointed by President Grant surveyor-general 
of Oregon, and made his headquarters at Eugene. 
He served in this office until 1874. The follow- 
ing year he was nominated a presidential elector 
on the Republican ticket, and being elected, he 
was selected by the Electoral College to carry 
the votes to Washington, and he became a promi- 
nent factor in what was known as the Oregon 
Case. The votes which he carried for Oregon 
made the election of the Republican nominees, 
Hayes and Wheeler, possible. 

General Odell continued to act as deputy 
United States surveyor until the spring of 1877, 
when he purchased the Statesman, of which he 
was the editor and proprietor until 1884, and 
during that time he was for two years the state 
printer, having been elected in 1880. After sell- 
ing his paper he was appointed postmaster of 



Salem by President Arthur, and filled the position 
for four years and one month, or until April, 
1889. In 1 89 1, he was appointed by the surveyor- 
general of Oregon as inspector of public surveys. 
For fifteen months he was engaged by the Indian 
department in surveying and allotting lands to 
the Indians on the Selitz reservation. With Judge 
Boise and Major Harding he was appointed a 
commissioner to negotiate with the Indians for 
such of their lands as were in excess of the 
amount of the allotments. In this work General 
Odell was made disbursing agent. In 1895, fol- 
lowing the election of Governor Lord, he was 
appointed clerk of the state land board of Salem, 
and upon the expiration of his four years' term 
he retired to private life, and is now living in 
Salem. 

In 1855, General Odell married Mrs. Elizabeth 
(McLench) Thurston, who was born near Ban- 
gor, Me., and was a graduate of the Bangor Fe- 
male Seminary. In 1853, she became preceptress 
of the Oregon Institute, which position she held 
for two years, and in i860, of the Santiam Acad- 
emy for a term of four years. She was the 
widow of the Hon. Samuel R. Thurston, who 
crossed the plains in 1847, an d settled in Oregon 
City. He was an atttorney, and served as a dele- 
gate to congress from the territory of Oregon. 
He died while on the way home from the second 
session on the steamer off the coast of Acapulco, 
Mexico. Mrs. Odell, who died in Portland, in 
March, 1890, was the mother of two children by 
her first marriage, George H., and Mrs. A. W. 
Stowell, of Portland. In 1894, in Indiana, the 
general married Mrs. Carrie (Bright) Taylor, a 
native of Ohio. 

Geijeral Odell is a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, the Oregon His- 
torical Society and the Pioneer Society. Since 
1878 he has been a member of the board of trus- 
tees of Willamette University, and its president 
since 1891, and his efforts in its behalf have been 
instrumental in promoting its welfare and extend- 
ing its influence. Always a Republican in poli- 
tics, his opinions have carried weight in the coun- 
cils of his party, and for many years he was a 
member of the state central committee. An ac- 
tive member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
he is now serving as chairman of the board of 
trustees of his home church, and in 1890 he was 
a delegate to the general conference of the church 
held in Chicago. If one examines his life to find 
the secret of his influence in so many lines, it will 
be seen that it rests upon his deep interest and 
zeal in every movement which he endorses, — a 
zeal which inspires others. He has much of that 
quality which, for want of a better name, is called 
personal magnetism, and which arises from a sin- 
cere regard for his fellow men and a hopeful view 
of the world and its progress. 



P< >RTRA1 r A.ND I'.li >GRAPHICAL RE< ( n<\). 



353 



i HARLES P. BISHOP. Anion- Salem's 
bus I professional men none is more 

identified with the growth ami best in- 
terests oi the city than C. P. Bishop, who has 

made his home here for twelve years, a period 
inn which the city has attained her present 
proud position, vying with other metropolitan 
centers for leadership in the world of commerce. 
many years Mr. Bishop has been known for 
his sterling qualities, his tearless loyalty to his 
hon fictions, his sturdy opposition to mis- 

rule in municipal affairs and his clear-headed- 

— . discretion and tact as manager and leader. 
He is now serving as mayor of the city and is a 
ilar and progressive officer, his administra- 
ting at all times practical and beneficial. 

Mr. Bishop was born in Contra Costa county. 
Cal.. September 23. 1854, and traces his ancestry 
back to an early epoch in American history. His 
grandfather was killed in the war of 181 2. 
His grandfather, William Bishop, was born in 
the south and was married in Tennessee, after 
which he removed to Alabama. He was a me- 
chanic and went to that state in order to build 
cotton gins. Subsequently he became a pioneer 
farmer of Indiana, and in 1836 removed to Illi- 
nois, settling in McLean county, ten miles from 
l'.loomingtou. There he secured government 
land, which is still in possession of his descend- 
ants and upon that farm he passed his remaining 
days. 

Hon. \V. R. Bishop, the father of Salem's 
mayor, was born in Carroll county. Ind., and 
obtained his education in the public schools of 
Illinois and in Cherry drove Seminary. In 

50 he started across the plains to California, 
traveling with mules and horses. He made his 
way to the mines and for a year was engaged in 
a >earch for the precious metal, after which he 
turned his attention to farming, which he fol- 
lowed in California until 1856. when he went by 
way of Portland to Linn county, Ore. There 
he secured a donation claim of one hundred and 
sixty acres and devoted his energies to its culti- 
vation and improvement until 1879, when he re- 
moved to Portland, where he is living retired. 
In 1893 he represented Multnomah county in the 
state legislature. He served as secretary to Gov- 
ernor I). \Y. Ballard of Idaho, and was appointed 
by him superintendent of public instruction for 
that territory. He acted in the latter capacity 
from 1866 to 1868, when he resigned in order to 
return to ( )regon. He has been an advocate of 
Republican principles since the Dred Scott de- 
cision, and upon the organization of the party 
he became a stalwart advocate of its principles 
and has never wavered in his allegiance to the 
party. Socially he is connected with the Masonic 
fraternity ; and he is an ordained minister of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In earlv man- 



hood he married Elizabeth J. Adams, a nativi 
Indiana. Her father .started across the plains to 
California in 1840, accompanied by his wife and 
three children; but he died during the trip. His 
widow continued the journey and with her little 
family located in California, where Mrs. I'.ishop 
was living at the time of her marriage. She be- 
came the mother of three sons and four daugh- 
ters. With the exception of one daughter all 
reached mature years, namely: C. I'., of this 
review j Mary 1)., the wife of W. ( ). Stannard, 
of Portland; Jay A., of Salem; Mrs. Clara I .. 
Starr, of Brownsville, Ore.; Mrs. Effie Muir. 
who died in Portland in 1901 ; and Fred E. and 
Estella, both of Portland. 

C. P. Bishop, of this review, was reared upon 
the home farm in Linn county, ( )re., and ob- 
tained his education in the public schools of 
Crawfordsville. In 1874 he started out in life 
for himself as a clerk in Brownsville, and in 
1878 began business on his own account as a 
general merchant of Crawfordsville, where he 
remained until 1884. In that year he established 
a clothing store in McMinnville. which he con- 
ducted with success until 1889, when he joined 
Thomas Kay in the incorporation of the Thomas 
Kay Woolen Mills Company. Mr. Kay becoming 
president and manager, while Mr. Bishop was a 
director in the business until 1900, at which time 
he resigned. He assisted Mr. Kay in building 
up the mills at Salem, and in 1889 he went to 
Portland as a representative of the milling in- 
terests there. In 1891 he established his home 
in Salem and became proprietor of the Salem 
W'oolen Mills store. In 1897 he established the 
Salem Woolen Mills store in Portland, located 
in the Sherlock building. This store is large and 
well arranged and in each place he carries on a 
general merchant tailoring business with excel- 
lent success. He is a man of marked enterprise, 
keen discernment and unfaltering perseverance, 
and he forms his plans readily and is determined 
in their execution. 

While residing in Brownsville, Ore., Mr. 
Bishop was married to Miss Fannie Kay, who 
was born in Yorkshire. England, in November. 
1857, a daughter of Thomas Kay. who was also 
a native of the same country and became a practi- 
cal woolen manufacturer, as were his ancestors 
for several generations. Crossing the Atlantic 
to New England he there engaged in woolen 
manufacturing. About 1862 or 1863 he came 
to Oregon, having been persuaded by the people 
of Brownsville to remove to this state and build 
and Operate a woolen mill there. Two or three 
years afterward, however, the mill was burned, 
and while he had periods of prosperity he also 
suffered a number of hardships in his business 
career. In 1872. in company with two others 
he leased the old Brownsville Mill for a period 



354 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of three years, and later they purchased the 
property, conducting it for sixteen years, when 
they sold out. In 1889 Mr. Kay built the Salem 
Woolen Mill, of which he was manager up to 
the time of his death in 1900. This proved a 
large and important enterprise and was success- 
fully conducted by Mr. Kay from its establish- 
ment. In 1896 his plant was destroyed by fire, 
but the following year he rebuilt and carried on 
the work with unflagging energy. Prominent 
in the Masonic fraternity, he attained the Knight 
Templar degree, and his life was in harmony 
with the beneficent teaching of his craft. His 
widow, Mrs. Ann Kay, still resides in Salem. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bishop have been born three 
children : Clarence M., who spent five years in 
the University of Oregon; Thomas Royal, who 
was for two years a student in the Willamette 
University; and Robert Chauncey, who is now 
preparing for a commercial career at the Bond 
Institute of Mercantile Training in New York 
City, and will probably follow in the foosteps of 
his father. The two eldest sons are graduates 
of the Philadelphia Textile School, and of the 
Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial 
Art at Philadelphia, and will devote their lives 
to the woolen manufacturing industry on the 
Pacific coast. 

Mr. Bishop is a member of the Greater Salem 
Commercial Club and is a man of marked influ- 
ence and popularity in the city because of his 
genuine worth of character and his devotion to 
the public good, his loyalty to Salem and its in- 
terests being above question. In December, 
1898, he was nominated on an independent citi- 
zen's ticket for mayor of the city and was elected 
by a large majority. He filled the office so ac- 
ceptably that in December, 1900, he was re- 
elected. His administration has been one of 
great benefit to Salem and its people. He has 
been progressive and practical ; and while he has 
introduced many improvements he has at the 
same time saved a large amount of money to the 
people. His administration refunded eighty-five 
thousand dollars of the floating indebtedness by 
reducing it twenty thousand dollars, and then 
refunded sixty-five thousand dollars by popular 
loan at four per cent, payable on or before ten 
years. Formerly the interest had been from six 
to eight per cent. It had always been claimed 
by financiers that bonds must be sold to bond- 
holders, and that there must be a stipulated time 
of maturity ; but the course which Mr. Bishop 
introduced soon proved practical and the issue 
was subscribed for three times over in Salem. 
In this he established a precedent hitherto un- 
known in Oregon. During the first year of his 
administration the electric light contract expired 
and was reduced from fifty-four hundred to 
twentv-five hundred dollars. 



His business ability and his business-like ad- 
ministration of the city's affairs have been mani- 
fest in many other ways proving equally valu- 
able to Salem. He has demonstrated that the 
affairs of the city could be run upon a tax levy 
of ten mills on the dollar, which his predecessors 
could not do, for in controlling the city's affairs 
they had run behind in expenses. Under the 
leadership of Mr. Bishop the city has certainly 
had an economical administration and is not only 
out of debt, but has a good surplus in its treas- 
ury. The soldier on the field of battle has dis- 
played no greater loyalty than has Mr. Bishop 
in the support of American institutions and his 
condemnation of political intrigue. There is no 
doubt that had he entered into the methods of 
many politicians he could have obtained almost 
any office he might desire, but with him principle 
is above party, purity and economy in municipal 
affairs above personal interest. 

Along other lines of progress and advance- 
ment Mr. Bishop is also prominent. He is a 
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church 
of McMinnville ; and in 1897 he was elected a 
trustee of the Willamette University and is now 
vice-president of its board. He also is a member 
of the Oregon Historical Society. In conse- 
quence of his prominence in political, commercial 
and social life he has a wide acquaintance and 
has gained a host of warm friends, whose high 
and sincere regard he possesses. 



THOMAS A. JONES. Soon after the birth 
of Thomas A. Jones, which occurred in John- 
son county, Ind., August 20, 1844, his parents, 
Lewis W. and Mary A. (McCalpin) Jones, re- 
moved to Andrew county, Mo., where they 
resided for six years. The agitation regarding 
the rich lands and mining opportunities in the 
far west even at this early day had penetrated 
the quiet agricultural regions of Missouri, and 
Lewis Jones was one of the first men living in 
his neighborhood to place credence in the re- 
ports heralded throughout the country. After 
carefully considering the matter he decided to 
cast his lot among those who were seeking their 
fortunes in the country west of the Rocky 
mountains. Disposing of his farming land at 
a profit he outfitted for the long journey across 
the plains with four wagons and four yoke of 
oxen each, and started overland. Arriving in 
Oregon in the fall of 1852, after a journey 
which consumed six months, he bought three 
hundred and twenty acres of land in the Waldo 
Hills, then, as now, considered one of the garden 
spots of the entire Pacific slope. This property 
was located near what was known as the Union 
Hill school house, and contained a log cabin 




^f^t^i i g^v^/.c? 



P0RTRA1 1' WD BIOGR VPHICAL RE( I >RD. 



367 



in which his family found shelter from the in- 
clement weather of the approaching rains season. 
A iYu acres were fenced in, and with this 
improvement to encourage lhs pioneer spirits 
lie set about the task of housing his stock and 
performing such other duties as were required 
to make his household comfortable among the 
strange surroundings. 

For six years this sturdy pioneer continued 
to occupy this farm, and undoubtedly would 
have made it his permanent home had not the 
title to the land been disputed. In order to avoid 
legal complications he bought three hundred and 
twenty acres near Jefferson, upon which there 
were a few improvements. There he resided 
until removing to Oakland, Ore., where he died 
in 1884. at the age of seventy-two years. The 
death of his wife occurred at the same age. 

Lewis Jones was an energetic man, enterpris- 
ing, capable and resourceful, and appeared to 
appreciate fully what was demanded of pioneer 
settlers of the most reliable kind. He took an 
active interest in the cause of education, promot- 
ing good schools, and was in a large measure 
responsible for the excellent condition of the 
roads of the county, even as they exist at the 
present day. 

The little log school house located a mile from 
the Jones farm numbered among its pupils in 
this early day Thomas A. Jones, who was ac- 
counted one of the most eager and capable of 
the young searchers after knowledge. At the 
age of twenty-one years he began to work on the 
surrounding farms. October 30. 1878, he was 
united in marriage with Ellen Short, who became 
the mother of nine children. Of these Walter, 
the oldest son. has been in Alaska for the past 
five vears : Etta is the wife of Norman Williams 
and they reside in Eairhaven. Wash. ; William 
lives on a farm near his father ; the remainder 
are Edith. John. Clifford. Bessie, Susan and 
Bertha, the two last named being now deceased. 
Bertha had become the wife of L. W. Ross, a 
jeweler of Albany, and they were the parents of 
two sons. Elfin and Carlton. The mother of this 
family passed away in January, 1886. 

After his marriage Mr. Jones rented land for 
six years, and then bought the farm in the Waldo 
Hills, which is now his home. It contains one 
hundred and sixty acres of fine land, ninety acres 
of which is under a hi^h state of cultivation. 
Upon the settlement of the estate of Mrs. Jones' 
father, John W. Short, another farm of one hun- 
dred and nine acres was added to this first one, 
hoth farms at present being devoted to general 
farming and stock-raising. Mr. Jones is recog- 
nized as one of the progressive farmers of Marion 
county, and his efforts have contributed materi- 
ally to the agricultural prestige of the community. 
He exhibits a commendable public spirit when 



the occasion demands, and is known as a man 

of strict integrity and excellent business 
judgment. 



FRANK .MAIM' IX BROOKS, M. D. Every- 
thing in connection with the life and work of Dr. 
Frank M. Brooks, of Silverton, indicates pros- 
perity, culture, knowledge of the world, and ex- 
ceptionally high professional Standing. He en- 
joys one of the most desirable and lucrative prac- 
tices in the Willamette valley, and from his home 
radiate helpfulness and strength into hundreds "i 
homes throughout Marion county. 

Dr. Brooks was born in Salem, Ore., April 10, 
1868, a son of John and Martha R. ( Harper) 
Brooks. His father, who was born in Kentucky 
March 7, 1824, crossed the plains in 1864, and 
settled upon a farm near Salem. There he en- 
gaged in general farming until 1897, when he re- 
tired from active life to spend his remaining 
years with his children. He still owns a home in 
the suburbs of Salem, consisting of twenty-five 
acres, the remainder of his property having been 
laid out in lots and named the Brooks subdivision. 
His marriage to Martha R. Harper, who was 
born in Hart county, Ky., August 2, 1834, oc- 
curred in Kentucky, April 9, 1848. To this union 
ten children were born, named in the order of 
their birth as follows : Mary W., deceased ; 
Irene, wife of E. P. Hodnett, of Portland; Will- 
iam W., deceased ; John H., of Silverton ; Lydia 
A., wife of R. H. Leabo, of Salem; Frank M. ; 
Clyde C, of Los Angeles, Cal. ; Edward A., head 
keeper of the United States light station at Dun- 
geness, Wash. ; Lenora, of Portland, and Dr. 
Benjamin F., of Sedro Woolley, Wash. 

After being graduated from the Salem public 
schools, in 1882, Dr. Brooks, then fourteen years 
of age, entered the employ of Murphy, Grant & 
Co., wholesale dry-goods merchants, in their 
branch house in Portland, with whom he re- 
mained for two years. In the meantime he had 
decided to devote his life to the science of medi- 
cine, and therefore resigned his clerkship for the 
purpose of applying himself wholly to the mas- 
tery of his chosen profession. After a course of 
study with Dr. Horace Carpenter, covering a 
period of two years, he entered Cooper Medical 
College in San Francisco, where he studied one 
year. He then entered the medical department of 
the University of Oregon, from which he was 
graduated with the class of [890. The first two 
vears of his career as a practitioner were spent 
in La Camas. Wash., hut since 1S02 he has been 
engaged in his professional labors in Silverton. 
with the exception of the time devoted to further 
research in the east and in foreign capitals. In 
[894, he entered Jefferson Medical College, at 
Philadelphia, from which h.e was graduated May 



358 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



15, 1895. Again resuming practice in Silverton, 
he was very successful, in 1902 he temporarily 
abandoned a large and lucrative practice in order 
that he might spend three months in Europe. 
This period he devoted to post-graduate work in 
the leading hospitals of London, Paris, Vienna, 
Prague and Edinburgh, where he was enabled to 
avail himself of instruction at the hands of some 
of the most illustrious exponents of medical and 
surgical science in the world. With this rare 
equipment for his future career he returned to 
Silverton, and is now practicing with a degree of 
success which has at once given him rank with 
the foremost physicians and surgeons of Oregon. 

January 21, 1891, Dr. Brooks was united in 
marriage with Agnes Gordon, a native of Chi- 
cago, 111., and a daughter of the Rev. John Gor- 
don, D.D. Her father, who is a clergyman in the 
Baptist Church, is a native of Scotland. He was 
formerly pastor of the First Baptist Church of 
Portland. He is now a resident of Philadelphia, 
where he is pastor of the Second Baptist Church 
and dean of Temple College. Two children were 
born of this marriage, Irwin and Agnes, both of 
whom are living at home. Agnes Gordon Brooks 
died in Silverton, April 11, 1898. On September 
11, 1900, Dr. Brooks married Jessie Fremont 
Davis, who is also a practicing physician. She 
was born in Silverton February 8, 1870, a daugh- 
ter of Dr. Piatt A. Davis, a pioneer physician of 
Silverton. She was educated in the Silverton 
public schools and in the Academy of the Sacred 
Heart of Salem, being graduated from the latter 
institution in 1887. In 1892 she entered the med- 
ical department of the University of Oregon, 
from which she was graduated with the degree of 
Doctor of Medicine, in 1896. Until her marriage, 
she was engaged in practice in Silverton, though 
independently from the practice of her father. 

Contrary to family tradition and family train- 
ing, Dr. Brooks is a stanch adherent of Repub- 
lican principles. For one term, from May, 1899, 
to May, 1900, he filled the office of mayor of Sil- 
verton. Fraternally, he is associated with the 
Masons, being a member of Silverton Lodge No. 
43, A. F. &. A. M., and other orders. 

In closing this brief review of the career of 
Dr. Brooks, it does not seem out of place to make 
a permanent record of the high esteem in which 
he is held by reason of the many substantial and 
gracious traits of his character. The foundation 
of his learning had been laid broad and deep, and 
he has exhibited a determination to make the best 
of the opportunities afforded by the time and 
location with which he has been favored, by 
adopting every possible means of keeping in 
touch with the most advanced thought in the 
world of medical science. Personally, he is ex- 
tremely liberal in his views of affairs in general, 
the result of extended travel and close contact 



with some of the best and brightest minds in 
Europe and America. Possessed of an optimistic 
temperament, his presence in the sick-room brings 
a cheer and encouragement which, in themselves, 
do much toward bringing a forgetfulness of 
woes to the patient. Aside from his professional 
labors — though they are of a most arduous na- 
ture — he has taken the time to give such aid as 
lies within his power to the advancement of other 
local interests. No worthy enterprise calculated 
to promote the best interests of the community is 
slighted by him; but on the contrary, he lends 
his influence, as well as more material aid when 
the occasion demands it, to the advancement of 
all measures which, in his opinion, will elevate 
the social, industrial, moral and intellectual status 
of the community. All in all, his record is one 
worthy of emulation by young men who are actu- 
ated by ambitions similar to those which prompted 
him to undertake preparation for a career in med- 
icine. It is with genuine pleasure that those re- 
sponsible for the compilation of this volume give 
this review of his life and work a prominent place 
in the annals of the men of the Willamette valley. 



MAURICE KLINGER. One of the most im- 
portant elements in our American citizenship is 
that furnished by the fatherland. The represen- 
tatives of the Teutonic race have ever been pro- 
gressive and have carried the civilization of their 
own country westward, taking an active part in 
reclaiming new districts and bringing them up 
to a high standard of improvement and progress. 
Mr. Klinger has been one of the most important 
factors in the upbuilding of Salem, his labors 
being felt along many lines of advancement and 
certainly he deserves prominent mention in this 
volume. He was born in Alsace, Germany, April 
10, 1844. His father, Maurice Klinger, was a 
farmer and distiller there and spent his entire 
life in that province. The grandfather of our 
subject was also a native of that locality. The 
mother, whose maiden name was Mary Eckerlen, 
was born in Alsace and was a daughter of August 
Eckerlen, a farmer of that community. Unto 
the parents of our subject were born six chil- 
dren, of whom Maurice is the eldest. The others 
are August, of Mt. Angel, Marion county; Emil, 
who resides at the old home in Germany ; Ed- 
ward, who is also living at the old home place 
in the fatherland ; Mrs. Adele Ackerlen, of Ger- 
many ; and Ernest, who makes his home at New 
Whatcom, Wash. 

In the land of his nativity Maurice Klinger 
spent the days of his boyhood and youth, attend- 
ing; the national schools in accordance with the 
rules of the country. He learned the distiller's 
trade in his early youth. When sixteen years of 
age he became his father's assistant at farming 



PORTRA1 r AND I'.li (GRAPHICAL RED >RD. 



::..:> 



and distilling and was thus engaged until 1869, 
when he began learning the brewer's trade in the 
n ... scrsburg. He afterward completed his 
Imer and in 1873, thinking to enjoy 
the better business opportunities of the new 
I the Atlantic from 1 [avre to New 
ity, and thence proceeded inland to Mi- 
He was employed by John Stenger, a 
wcr of Naperville, 111., and afterward spent a 
months in Chicago, going thence to 
where he was in the service of the 
up and Anheuser-Busch Companies and also 

ie Winklemeyer Company. 
The year 1877 witnessed the arrival of Mr. 
Klinger in Salem, and here with the capital he 
had acquired through his own diligence and 
norm he established the Capitol Brewery lo- 
n Commercial street. He afterward pur- 
chased the present site and in 1885 erected a new 
brick brewing plant, the main building being sev- 
enty-five by eighty feet. There is also a boiler 
house and ice machine and the plant is thoroughly 
equipped with all modern accessories for carrying 
die work. There are two ice machines, one 
- and the other of twenty tons, and two 
3 are used in the operation of the plant, 
lie manufactures malt, beer and ice and the 
city >n the brewery is thirty-five hundred 
barrel- per annum. In the early days of his resi- 
e here Mr. Klinger had to haul his product 
lifferent cities in Polk, Yamhill and Marion 
nties before the era of railroad shipment. As 
years have passed he has built up a very 
e trade, developing a splendid brewery 
and the patronage which is accorded him has 
made him one of the wealthy citizens of his 
imunitv. His business methods have ever 
n straightforward and honorable and the busi- 
- which he has developed has become one of 
the leading industries of Salem. Mr. Klinger 
has also extended his efforts into other lines of 
activity and his building interests have done much 
to improve the city. He erected store buildings, 
including a double store and a single store, and 
he is also the owner of other propertv. His 
attention is now largely given to the supervision 
is investments. In 1900 he sold the brewery 
s, for he found that his attention was 
largely taken up by his other interests. 

Mr. Klinger was married in Sublimity. Ore., 
Miss Virginia Eckerlen, who was born in 
ace, a daughter of John Eckerlen. who was 
a native of that locality and a farmer by 
occupation. In 187 r he brought his family, con- 
ng of his wife and five children, to America. 
locating in Dupage county, III., and in 1875 
he became a resident of Sublimity, Ore. He fol- 
lowed farming in that locality "for a time, but 
rward died in Mount Angel. His wife bore 
the maiden name of Mary Klinger, who was born 



•11 Usace, while her death occurred in Sublimity, 

In the familj of Mr. and Mrs. Eckerlen were 

five children, of whom four are living, Mrs. 
Klinger, wife of the subject of this review, be- 
ing the third in order of birth. She has two 
children, Ernest and Bertha. 

Mr. Klinger belongs to the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen and has held office in the Salem 
lodge. He votes with the Republican party and 
in matters of citizenship he is public-spirited 
and progressive, giving hearty aid and co-opera- 
tion to every movement for the substantial up- 
building and material improvement of his city. 
He certainly shows in his life history what may 
be accomplished by determination and energj 
guided by sound business judgment, for to these 
qualities he owes his splendid success in life. 



WILLIAM Y. RICHARDSON, who is 
serving as county treasurer of Marion county, 
represents one of the old and honored pioneer 
families of Oregon, his grandfather, John Rich- 
ardson, having arrived in this state in 185 1. 
Andrew J. Richardson, the father of our subject, 
was born near Quincy, 111., and was about 
eighteen years of age when the family crossed 
the long, hot stretches of sand and made their 
way through the mountain passes into the fertile 
valleys of Oregon. They settled in Linn county, 
and on attaining his majority A. J. Richardson 
secured a donation claim near Scio in that 
county. With characteristic energy he began 
its cultivation and improvement and resided 
thereon until 1872, when he took up his abode 
in Stayton, where he conducted a hotel known 
as the Farmer's Hotel. He is one of the oldest 
representatives of this line of business in Oregon 
and has a wide acquaintance among the traveling 
public. He married Emeline Crabtree, a native 
of Missouri and a daughter of Washington Crab- 
tree, who was born in Tennessee, whence he 
removed to Missouri. About 1852, with ox- 
teams, he crossed the plains and settled near 
Scio in Linn county, where he remained until 
his retirement to private life, when he took up 
his abode in Stayton, dying there in October, 
1901, in his ninety-third year. Unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Richardson were born seven children: 
Susan C, wife of J. H. \\ ' y lie. a business man 
of Seattle, Wash.; William Y.. of this review; 
Warren, of Stayton. Ore. : and four who have 
passed away. 

William Y. Richardson was bom on the home 
farm near Stayton. Linn county. June 2, 1804. 
and upon the home farm remained until eight 
vears of age. when his father removed to Stayton 
just as the place was being established. There 
the son attended the public schools and later he 
was engaged with his father in the livery busi- 



300 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ness under the firm name of Richardson & Son. 
When nineteen years of age he purchased the 
business from his father and continued as pro- 
prietor of the barns with success. Later he con- 
solidated his business with that of Thomas 
Brothers, under the firm name of Thomas 
Brothers & Company. They had two barns in 
Stayton, conducting these until 1894, when the 
firm sold out to Thomas & Trask. Mr. Richard- 
son then moved to Salem to become proprietor 
of the Club stables as a member of the firm of 
Downing, Thomas & Co. This firm conducted 
a general livery business for three years; at the 
end of that time our subject sold out and re- 
turned to Stayton, where he engaged in dealing 
in stock including cattle, sheep and horses. He 
was recognized as a prominent dealer in sheep, 
buying and selling. When elected to public 
office in July, 1902, however, he returned to 
Salem. 

Mr. Richardson was married in this city to 
Miss Maude Kress, a native of Wisconsin, and 
they have two children, Paul K. and Homer J. 
Mr. Richardson belongs to the Woodmen of the 
World and he has taken an active interest in 
local politics, serving for seven years as a mem- 
ber of the city council of Stayton, and for one 
year as its president. In 1902 he was nomi- 
nated on the Republican ticket for the office of 
county treasurer and was elected by a majority 
of about sixteen hundred. On the 7th of July, 
of that year, he entered upon his duties which 
he is now acceptably discharging, managing 
the affairs of the office in a prompt and business- 
like manner. 



JAMES A. HOWARD. A liberal and enter- 
prising citizen of Albany, Linn county, is to be 
found in the person of James Austin Howard, 
who has recently become connected with the 
commercial life of the city, engaging in 1902 in 
the real estate business. The energy and applica- 
tion which he has put forth clearly stamps him 
as one of the rising young men of the com- 
munitv. 

J. L. Howard, the father of J. A. of this 
review, was a native of Kentucky, and the son of 
Charles Howard, a representative of an old Vir- 
ginia family. The grandfather made his home 
in Kentucky at an early date, later removing to 
Iowa, where J. L. Howard spent much of his 
life up to the year 1864. At this period he 
crossed the plains with ox-teams, six months 
of the year being consumed in the passage, 
during which they had many exciting encount- 
ers with the Indians, and upon the arrival in 
Oregon he settled near Sheridan, Yamhill county, 
where his mother died. A short time after he 
continued the journey by team into California, 



and from that location returned east via San 
Francisco and Panama. On making his home 
in Iowa once more he located four miles south 
of Marshalltown, and engaged in farming. Fond 
of the excitement and adventures of traveling 
Mr. Howard made many trips to Oregon, his 
last one being the ninth and leaving him a resi- 
dent of the state in which he had been so long 
interested. The last journey was made in June, 
1887, and the changing years had brought a 
wonderful difference in the mode of traveling, 
his thoughts in the Pullman sleeper going back 
to the days and nights on the open plains, sur- 
rounded by a loneliness which held many unseen 
dangers, and through which the pioneers of those 
early days fought their slow, patient way. 

The first settlement which Mr. Howard made 
was one mile east of Amity, where he now owns 
a farm of two hundred and seventy-two acres, 
and from which he later removed to a location 
one-half mile southwest of Albany. This con- 
sists of a comparatively small place, but from 
the cultivation of which he gains substantial 
returns, as ten acres embodied in the property 
are devoted to the raising of fruit. The wife 
who shares his home was formerly Rachel A. 
Gillespie, a native of Indiana, and the daughter 
of Norilla Gillespie, a prominent farmer in Mar- 
shalltown, Iowa. Of the seven children born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Howard, Franklin is an extensive 
farmer in Washington ; Charles Norilla is a mer- 
chant in Chico, Cal.; James Austin is the sub- 
ject of this review; Robert Pleasant is farming 
on a part of the old home in Yamhill county ; 
Stephen Edward is also engaged in farming on 
the home place ; Ernest E. and Ella Penelope 
are both at home with their parents. 

The natal day of James Austin Howard was 
February 13, 1871, and his birth occurred in 
Marshalltown, Iowa. His childhood was spent 
in a far different manner from many, enjoying 
with a child's keen delight the various trips 
across the country, and which gave to him a resi- 
dence in Iowa, California, Texas and Oregon, 
in all of which he attended the public schools, 
his education being in no wise neglected on 
account of the many movings. He crossed the 
plains eight or nine times and in 1887 he became 
with his parents a permanent resident of Yamhill 
county. There he attended and graduated in 
the Amity schools, thereafter taking a course in 
both the McMinnville College and Willamette 
University. Interested more or less in his 
father's pursuit he followed farming in Amitv 
for a short time, but in 1896 he went to Cor- 
vallis and engaged in the commission and pro- 
duce business, in which business he remained 
for about a year. Returning at the expiration 
of that time to the farm he conducted the occu- 
pation for five years, when he again changed his 




%&$oaaJ 



* / 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



363 



s ttlinc in Albany, and entering upon 
sent business career. In addition to his 
tte business, he is also engaged in the 
•f sheep and cattle. 

\mit\ Mr. Howard was married to Miss 
l. u ; ,\lio was born in Yamhill count) 

tucated in McMinnville College, and of 
s union one child has been born. Francyl. 
In his fraternal relation- Mr. Howard affiliates 
with tin Knights oi the Maccabees, the fnde- 
• Order of the Lions, and the Twenty-five 
Hundredths oi Albany, and religiously is a 
- of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
inded and earnest in his efforts for the 
era! welfare, he is interested in all political 
irements, his convictions lying with the Demo- 
cratic party. In the business affairs of the city 
he is a member of the Albany Real Estate Ex- 
change, in which he acts as treasurer. 



L. T. DAVIS. A fine old pioneer home, an 
exclusive agricultural and stock-raising enter- 
prise, and a forceful, progressive personality is 
embodied in the farm and character of L. T. 
Davis, than whom there is no more prominent 
and influential man in Yamhill county. Mr. 
Davis is a native of Andrew county, Mo., where 
he was born March 26, 1838, a son of Samuel 
and Mary (Brock) Davis from whom he in- 
herited the sterling traits which have brought 
about his success. 

Samuel Davis was one of the best known of the 
pioneers of this county, and though his death 
iccurred as long ago as February 27, 1875, his 
aptitude in grasping and using the opportunities 
by which he was surrounded in the west may well 
-erve as an example to all aspirants to homes and 
a competency. Mr. Davis was born in New Jer- 
. December 13, 1804. and when a young man 
moved to Ohio, where he married the wife who 
proved a helpmate indeed, and who died January, 
72, three years before her husband, at the age 
sixty-six. The couple moved to Missouri in 
,'), and ten years later, in 1846, started across 
the plains with nine yoke of oxen and three 
wagons, on the way experiencing little difficulty 
with the Indians, nor was their health impaired 
by the deprivations to which they were subjected 
for six months. Mr. Davis settled near Dilley. 
Washington county for about a year, and then 
lived for a year near Olympia, Wash., returning 
to the farm near Dilley, for about six months. 
In 1848 he became identified with Yamhill county 
where he took up a donation claim of six hun- 
dred and forty acres, upon which he erected a 
log house for the temporary residence of his 
family. The following year, the well remem- 
bered '49, he went to California with his son 
Albertus, and for a year engaged in mining and 



prospecting with considerable success. Rcturn- 
ing with his little hoard lo bis family in Yam 
hill count) In- engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, bis material success and personal popu- 
larity increasing with the passing uf the years. 
At one time he owned one thousand acres all in 
one body, and he made many improvements on 
his land, keeping at all time in touch with the 
progress of farming as understood in the most 
advanced centers of activity. 

In his -capacity as an all around useful citizen, 
Samuel Davis exerted a highly moral inlluence 
in the community, and he was one of the pillars 
and the chief supporters, financially, of the old- 
school Baptist Church. At no time was he es- 
pecially connected with politics, and never worked 
for or accepted responsible official recognition. 
He was a stanch advocate of education, and as 
far as lay in his power gave his children every 
available advantage. Of the nine children born 
to himself and wife J. B. is deceased; William B. 
is a farmer of Whitman county, Wash. ; Martha 
A. is deceased ; Albertus C. is deceased ; and 
L. T., Sarah, Elizabeth, Rachel A. and May M. 
complete the number. All the daughters are de- 
ceased. 

After leaving the parental home, at the age of 
twenty-one, L. T. Davis went to Boise City and 
became interested in mining and prospecting. He 
was educated in the public schools and at Mc- 
Minnville College, and in his youth devoted much 
more time to securing an education than is per- 
mitted to the busy life of the average farm-reared 
lad. He also experienced many pleasures among 
the half wild scenes of the country, among which 
was that of hunting. He has had many exciting 
adventures while enjoying this pastime, his ex- 
periences being principally with bears and Span- 
ish cattle. Many a time he has been driven to 
take refuge in a tree where he has remained a 
half day, one time especially recalled while haul- 
ing rails with an ox-team. One night he heard 
some sort of an animal prowling about the house 
and he went out with the intention of chasing 
it away, when he was met by a huge black bear 
which caused himself and dog to beat a hasty 
retreat. June 17, 1873, he married Margaret A. 
Hunsaker, a native of Oregon, and niece of Rev. 
A. J. Hunsaker, of McMinnville. Her parents 
crossed the plains in 1847. settling in Polk county. 
Tn the house where he now lives Mr. Davis and 
his wife started in to make a home on the old 
donation claim three and a half miles southwest 
of McMinnville. and here Mrs. Davis died in 
1892. Four children were born to them. Mary 
E. and Ernest W.. both of whom are deceased, 
and Lois V. and Naomi £., at home. In 1895 
Mr. Davis married Clara J. Skinner, a native of 
Indiana, and daughter of O. B. and Lettitia Skin- 
ner, who came to ( >regon in 1877. O. B. Skinner 



36i 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



died in Yamhill county in 1897. Of the seven 
children born to himself and wife four are living, 
namely : Charles J. ; Clara J. ; Ida A., who spent 
four and a half years in India as missionary for 
the Baptist Church ; and Orrin C. 

With the exception of three years spent in 
eastern Oregon and McMinnville Mr. Davis has 
lived continuously on his present farm, which is 
one of the finest in the county from the stand- 
point of productiveness and location. The home, 
on a hill commanding a view of the surrounding 
country, has all the charm of a life dating to the 
remote past, and although crude methods were 
employed in its construction, it is still stanch 
and whole, and capable of weathering many a 
storm, and resisting many a wintry blast. From 
farming Mr. Davis has branched out into other 
paths of activity, and some little credit is due 
him as an inventor. In 1866 his fertile brain in- 
vented a combined header and thresher, to which 
he sold the right in 1883, but which is still manu- 
factured and in use on the coast, and highly ap- 
preciated for its many merits. In 1865 Mr. Davis 
and his father incorporated the Blue Mountain 
Road, still run as a toll road, and one of the 
oldest public thoroughfares in this part of the 
state. The Davis farm is the scene of extensive 
stock-raising, Red Poland-China and Berkshire 
hogs bringing a considerable revenue. One of 
the chief departments of interest on the farm is 
an orchard of thirty-five acres, containing about 
four thousand fruit trees, chiefly prunes, many 
of them bearing a fine grade of fruit. 

A Prohibitionist in political preferment, Mr. 
Davis has refused all responsible and time-taking 
offices in the county, but has served as school 
clerk and supervisor for many years. He is one 
of the stanch supporters of the Baptist Church, 
is a deacon and clerk in the same and contributes 
generously of his means for its charities and 
general maintenance. 



MRS. JOSEPHINE BOYLE is the owner 
of one of the most highly-cultivated farms of 
Polk county, owing to her capable manage- 
ment. She w r as born in Howard county, Mo., 
December 5, 1830. Her father, Col. Nathaniel 
Ford, was born in Buckingham county, Va., 
January 22, 1795, and her mother, Lucinda 
Embree, was a native of Clarke county, Ky., 
born November 18, 1799. Colonel Ford re- 
moved from Virginia to Kentucky, and thence 
to Missouri, locating in Howard county. For 
twenty years he was a member of the Missouri 
legislature, and also held the offices of sheriff 
and county clerk. In 1844 he left Howard 
county, and with ox teams made the journey to 
Oregon. In the company which made this trip 
were seventy-five men, of whom he was cap- 



tain. They started April 15, and arrived De- 
cember 13, 1844. On reaching Oregon City 
Colonel Ford decided to spend the winter there 
with his family, and the next spring came to 
Rickreall, where he established the town, and 
was the first man to locate on the Rickreall 
stream, which was named by the Indians. He 
took a donation claim where the town of Rick- 
reall now stands, and resided there until his 
death, which occurred January 21, 1870. In 
politics he was a Democrat, and was a member 
of the Oregon legislature for several years. 
His wife died in January, 1874. In the early 
development of Polk county Colonel Ford took 
an active and prominent part. He was a 
natural leader among men and received the 
highest respect and esteem from all his friends 
and neighbors. Unto the colonel and his wife 
were born ten children, of whom four died in 
infancy and six accompanied their parents to 
Oregon. Mrs. Boyle is now the only surviving 
member. Her husband, Dr. J. W. Boyle, was 
born in Tazewell county, Va., April 15, 181 5. 
His father, Abraham Boyle, was also a native 
of that county, and died in the Old Dominion 
about 1828. 

Dr. J. W. Boyle removed from Virginia to 
Indiana, where he remained for a short time, 
thence removing to Fairfield, Iowa. Taking 
up the study of medicine he graduated from 
the medical school of St. Louis, Mo., in the 
winter of 1843-4, after which he returned to 
Iowa, continuing there until 1845. He then 
came to Oregon, where he was the pioneer and 
only physician in Polk county. He followed 
his calling through many difficulties, often 
traveling one hundred miles to minister to a 
patient, and thus he became a welcome friend 
in the frontier homes of the pioneers, having 
a very extensive practice throughout Polk, 
Yamhill, Marion, Linn, Benton and Lane coun- 
ties. He possessed but limited means when he 
made his way to Oregon, and made his home 
with Colonel Ford, at Rickreall until 1846, 
when he married the colonel's daughter, Jo- 
sephine. He had taken a donation claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres, and on his marriage 
took three hundred and twenty acres more, and 
the young couple took up their abode on the 
farm now owned by Ben Whiteaker. Dr. Boyle 
continued in the practice of medicine, and in 
1859 removed with his family to Salem, where 
he engaged in practice until his death, which 
occurred July 6, 1864, when he was thrown 
from his carriage and killed. His loss was 
deeply mourned by his many friends and ac- 
quaintances, as he was known throughout the 
Willamette valley as an able physician and a 
kind and sympathizing friend. Unto Dr. Boyle 
and his wife were born seven children : Han- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



;;»;; 



nah Tatum, ;it home; Mrs. Rena Childcrs, of 
Portland; fames M.. of Dawson City, Alaska; 
William, al home, and Charles, at home, ami 
■ «■ I. The farm where Mrs. Boyle re- 
sides consists of two hundred acres of rich and 
ble land, which is at present operated b> 
her - • - She is a member of the Christian 
I i- well known m the community 
s hi li s, her friends regarding her with 
and affection because of her many ex- 
cellent traits of character. 



HARRISON BUTERICK. It was not with- 
I the possibilites oi his own land that 
Harrison Buterick ventured across the great 
an and continent that he between his present 
e ami the land of his birth, nor yet blind 
net that led him to the fertile fields of Ore- 
. ready intelligence and shrewd judgment 
making him quick to act upon the suggestion 
contained in the glowing reports of the west 
that came to him in his first residence in the 
United States The birth of this representative 
farmer of 1'olk county. Ore., occurred in York- 
shire, England, November 12. 1839, being the 
of William Buterick, of Lincolnshire, Eng- 
land, who passed the years of his life in the 
country oi his birth, dying there in 1875, at 
sixty years of age. lie married Cenia Harrison 
a native of England, who died in 1845. G)f the 
five children horn to these English parents Har- 
n Buterick was next to the youngest, and was 
only six years old when he lost his mother. The 
education of his boyhood years was exceedingly 
limited, on account of the burden of self-support 
that fell upon his shoulders at fourteen, engaging 
then among the farmers of the neighborhood, 
where he worked until he was twenty-one years 
At that age he shipped as fireman of a 
steamboat plying on the North sea, in which 
occupation he remained for eleven years, having 
risen to the position of second engineer two years 
orevious to his resignation. 

Acting upon the sober judgment of his mature 
manhood, Mr. Buterick started for the United 
es. and after a vovage of fourteen days he- 
landed in New York City, going thence to Grant 
county. Wis. For eighteen months he found 
occupation among the farmers of that section, 
but could not be satisfied to remain there with 
the more brilliant opportunities of the west por- 
trayed in every report that reached him through 
the vari -us channels connecting all farming 
sections of the country. His first venture into 
Oregon was into Yamhill county, where he 
settled near North Yamhill in the fall of 1872, 
and engaged in his chosen work of farming. 
Until 1889 he made Yamhill county his home, 
when he removed to Polk county, settling upon 



his present farm of four hundred acres leased 
from Ci. Glandon. lie is now actively interested 

in general farming, and has also a threshing 
machine, with which he gains no little profits. 
Mr. Buterick married, in [862, Jane llutch- 
croft, also a native of Yorkshire, England, born 
in June, [838, and of the union five children have 
been born, of whom William is a resident of 
McCoy; Sarah A. is the wife of S. A. Cane, 
of Sheridan; Elizabeth is the wife of R. L. 
White, of McCoy; James lives in McCoy; Han- 
nah is the wife of Melvin Bailey, of Bethel 
hills. Having gained an education through the 
constant application of the years of his manhood, 
Mr. Ruterick sees the advantages accruing from 
the early training in the school room, and is 
actively interested in all educational movements 
of hi s vicinity. He is now director of the school 
in his district, and was road supervisor in Yam- 
hill county, serving in the interests of the Repub- 
lican party which he supports with his vote. 
Religiously he is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in which he officiates as 
trustee. 



B. D. WELLS. A fact which elicits no sur- 
prise among his acquaintances and friends is 
that B. D. Wells is an enthusiastic admirer of the 
Willamette valley, and a firm believer in the pos- 
sibilities which the future may grant to the earn- 
est, patient laborer among the scenes of this re- 
sourceful country, for it was in this clime that 
he experienced an almost wonderful recovery to 
health and strength when he had journeyed here 
but to die, as he thought. He made the trip 
from California in the fall of 1899, driving 
through, having left the southern state with noth- 
ing but the outfit necessary for travel, and en- 
gaged on the route at haying ^nd harvesting to 
make enough to sustain his family, though he 
was ill from the time of starting until they ar- 
rived three months later, lacking six days, in 
Stayton, Ore. There he located, broken in 
health and weary with the journey, expecting to 
hear his summons to "join the innumerable 
caravan," but instead he soon felt the change of 
returning health and the vigor and courage 
"4iirh it imparts, and into his once empty hands 
have e-o.ne a lucrative and engrossing custom 
in his business of a veterinary surgeon, especial- 
ly noticeable since March 16, 1902, when he- 
located in Albany, Linn county, and from which 
city his practice extends throughout Linn. Ben- 
ton and Marion counties, and also into Lane 
and Polk counties. 

Dr. \\'e!U was born in Boston. Erie county, 
N. Y.. June 8. 1852, the son of Major Wells, 
also a native of that state, and who died there 
after a successful career in the furniture busi- 



360 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ness. The mother was Sarah Olin in maiden- 
hood, also a native of New York state, and she 
now makes her home in Holland, Erie county, 
of the same state. She was the mother of five 
children, four of whom are now living, the third 
oldest being 1 Jr. Wells, of this review. He was 
reared principally in Erie county, his education 
received through the medium of the public 
schools. In early youth he learned the carpen- 
ter trade, but met with an accident which pre- 
vented the continuance of the work. He then 
entered, in 1876, a branch school of Toronto 
Veterinary College, located in Buffalo, N. Y., 
and which was known as Buffalo Branch of 
Toronto Veterinary College, where he remained 
over two years. About this time he was inca- 
pacitated by illness and compelled to return 
home, and 'when able physically he began the 
practice of his profession in Holland, a city 
of his native county, from which he later re- 
moved to Wellington, Ohio, and from there lo- 
cated in Barton county, Kans., where he con- 
tinued his work as a veterinary surgeon. Two 
years later, in 1888, he removed to Riverside, 
Cal.. and there combined horticultural pursuits 
with his profession, and after eleven years' resi- 
dence in Corona and Long Beach, he decided 
to leave for the northwest, and it was then the 
memorable trip was made to Oregon. In his first 
location of Stayton Dr. Wells remained two 
vears, after which he sought a home in Albany, 
"which residence, though of short duration, has 
made him many friends and a successful busi- 
ness. 

The marriage of Dr. Wells occurred in Well- 
ington, Ohio, Miss Martha Dyer, a native of that 
city, becoming his wife, and of the union one 
child, Garnett, has been born. In his fraternal 
relations Dr. Wells affiliates with the Masons, 
having been made a member of this order in 
Wellington, Ohio, where he still belongs, and 
politically he casts his ballot with the Republican 
party. Along the lines of his profession he is 
deeply interested, as a member of the State Vet- 
erinary Association utilizing every opportunity 
to excel in his chosen work. Dr. Wells has had 
many obstacles to contend with in his efforts to 
earn a livelihood, but he has allowed nothing 
to discourage him or make him lose faith in his 
own ultimate victory, and he owes his success 
to indefatigable energy and effort, the qualities 
which, in bringing personal success, also make 
the most worthv citizens. 



EDWARD A. PIERCE, M. D. Though a 
comparatively brief period has passed since the 
establishment of Dr. E. A. Pierce in Orcgonian 
fields, the time has been sufficient for him to 
demonstrate the splendid talent which is his in 



the practice of the most noble of professions, 
and to number him among the successful physi- 
cians of the state. Through a tour which he made 
of the west in 1894 the doctor was enabled to 
arrive at a correct estimate of the advantages held 
out to the man of energy and talent, and after a 
year's location in Portland he came to Salem, 
Marion county, in 1896, and has since made this 
his home and the scene of his activities. 

The Pierce family is one of those whose lin- 
eage dates to the foundations of this country, 
on the paternal side being allied with the house 
which produced a president, and on the maternal 
side having ancestors among the passengers of 
the Mayflower. The paternal grandfather, 
Judah Pierce, was a native of Massachusetts and 
in the militia of that state acted as colonel, and 
after his removal to Truxton, Cortland county, 
N. Y., was appointed to the position of colonel. 
His son, Ethan A., the father of Dr. Pierce, was 
born in New York state, and spent his entire 
life there as a farmer, with the exception of 
two years in California, as a gold hunter of 1849, 
going by way of the Isthmus and bringing back 
with him the substantial fruits of his efforts. 
He married Harriet A. Geer, a native of Con- 
necticut, and the representative of a prominent 
family of that state, her father, Moses T. Geer, 
and her mother, Hannah Phelps Dennison, both 
owing their nativity to that section and tracing 
their ancestry to a proud English birth. Both 
father and mother have since passed to their 
reward, the death of the latter occurring in i860. 
Of the eight children born into this family four 
daughters and two sons are now living, the 
voungest being Dr. E. A. Pierce, born in Trux- 
ton, Cortland county, N. Y., April 3, 1855. 

Dr. Pierce was reared upon his father's farm 
and trained to a thorough agricultural life, which 
though he has since departed from it, has been 
of no little benefit in the establishment of habits 
of energy, industry and the practical application 
of every rule which has brought about the suc- 
cess of his own career. Until seventeen years 
old he attended the district school in the pur- 
suit of an education, entering then the Cortland 
Normal School, where he took a business course 
of two years. He also attended Homer Acad- 
emy at different times from the age of eighteen 
until he had attained his majority, and engaged 
in the stud) r of medicine even while teaching 
In 1876 he became employed in his brother's 
store at Center Lisle. Broome countv, N. Y., 
where he had charge of the drug department 
;md was later appointed hospital steward of the 
Broome county almshouse, which position he also 
held in the insane asvlum. This latter position 
was maintained from 1880 until 1885, during 
which time he studied medicine under the tutelage 
of Dr. C. B. Richards, who was in charge of the 




^/ />-. >rv_ 



G£*"9k 



tlytu^t^tAJ 



l I IK I'kAl r \\l> BI< (GRAPHICAL REl I IRD. 



36l« 



insane want, and entered and graduated March 
i»>. 1885, from the medical department of the 
University of New York City. Hie class num- 
undred students, and the one selected 
•.ml marshal was Dr. Pierce, the com- 
mencement exercises being held in the Academy 

Music, with Gilmore's hand discoursing music 
the six thousand people present. 

graduation Dr. Pierce located in 
mton, Broome county, and opened an of- 
fice wherein he continued successfully for ten 
identifying himself with many public 
movements of the city and making Ids voice 
heard in all matters of progression. The sec- 
ond year oi his residence there he became jail 
physician and the third year was elected coroner, 
which latter position he maintained for six years, 
and during the last year acted as health commis- 

cr anil was also on the staff of the city hos- 
pital. While a resident of Binghamton, in com- 
pany with Dr. C. \\ . Ingraham, he purchased 
Mt. Prospect medical institute for treatment of 
tuberculosis. Having married an Oregonian the 
doctor came west in i8< )4 to visit the country and 
while here became impressed with the oppor- 
tunities and decided to locate permanently. 
In September. 1805. he settled in Portland after 
a resignation of his eastern positions, and in the 
spring of the following year came to Salem, 
where he has since engaged in the general prac- 
tice of medicine and given the power and pur- 
of his life to the advancement of worthy 
and progressive movements in his adopted com- 
munity. In exchange for various positions in his 
rtern home, among them being that of the 
presidency of the Broome Countv Medical So- 
ciety, presidency of Ringhamton Medical Acad- 
emy, member of the New York Medical Society, 
of which he is now an honorary member, he has 

pted those of equal importance in the Will- 
amette valley, as member of the Oregon State 
Medical Society, Marion County Medical So- 
ciety, occupying the chair of physical diagnosis 
and diseases of the chest, and that of lecturer 
on hygiene of the Nurses" Training School and 
the Sanitarium, and is also on the staff of the 
city hospital of Salem. Another position which 
he resigned to come to Oregon was that of as- 

int surgeon of the Sixth Battery, New York 
National Guard-, to which he was commissioned 
bv Gov. D. B. Hill, holding the rank of first 
lieutenant until 1895. In February, 1903. he was 
appointed physician to the Indian Training School 
at Chcwawa, and one of the commissioners of 
the State Board of Health April 4. [893. 

The marriage of I)r. Pierce occurred in Bing- 
hamton and united him with Miss Grace Par- 
rish, a native daughter of Oregon, having been 
born in Salem in 1872, but was then in the east 
studying music, under Professor Scharwenka. 



Previous to this she had received the best in- 
struction that the west afforded both in classical 
111. 1 musical courses, having been educated in 
Willamette University, Mills College, of ( lakland, 
Cal., and Anna Wright Seminary, of Tacoma, 
Wash., in the latter institution graduating in 
music. The father of Mrs. Pierce was the Rev. 
Josiah L. Parrish, one of Oregon's oldest and 
most noted pioneers, and one whose labors in 
behalf of the advancement of the western cause 
lifted him to a prominence among his fellow 
men. A sketch of the life of this venerable 
pioneer is given on another page of this work. 
.\ot alone prominent in the pursuit of his pro- 
fession, Dr. Pierce has allied himself with various 
,'raternal orders and social clubs, having been 
made a Mason in Otseningo Lodge, Binghamp- 
ton, N. Y., and there rising to the degree of Royal 
Arch Mason and Knight Templar, and is now 
allied with Demolay Commanderv of Salem, the 
Consistory of Portland, and Al Kader Temple, 
N. M. S. He is also identified with the Benevo- 
lent and Protective Order of Elks and Woodmen 
of the World. He is a member of the Salem 
Commercial Club, in which he acts as vice-presi- 
dent, and is a member of the Illihee Club. Po- 
litically he is a Republican. 



SAMUEL W. WEAVER, M. D. With an 
extended reputation in the practice of his pro- 
fession. Dr. Weaver's earnest study and wide 
experience have given him a knowledge and 
skill that have gained for him the confidence 
and esteem of his many patrons, and won for 
him a fine position among the leading prac- 
titioners of Marion county. He is a Pennsyl- 
vanian by birth, having been born in Canons- 
burg January 9, 1853, a son of Thomas 
Weaver. His paternal grandfather, John 
Weaver, was born, lived and died in Canons- 
burg, Pa., being a well-known contractor and 
builder, and a prosperous farmer. He married 
Mis- Mary McMillen. a daughter of Rev. John 
and Catherine (Brown) McMillen, the former 
a noted Presbyterian divine, and the founder of 
the first Latin school established west of the 
Allegheny mountains. This school, opened 
near Canonsburg in 1775. was afterwards 
called Jefferson College, later being merged in- 
to the Washington and Jefferson College. 

Thomas Weaver spent his long life of four 
Score years in Canonsburg. where he was 
busily employed in agricultural pursuits. He 
married Elizabeth Lesnett, who was born near 
Bridgeville, Pa., a daughter of Frederick Les- 
nett. a well-known farmer of that section of 
the country. Of the ten children born of their 
union, one son and one daughter died in in- 
fancy. Seven sons and one daughter grew to 



370 



FORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



years of maturity, and the doctor, a brother, 
Frank Ritchie, and his sister are the only ones 
now living. 

Receiving the rudiments of his education in 
the common schools of his native town, Sam- 
uel W. Weaver subsequently attended the Can- 
onsburg Academy, later entering the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, 
Md., from which he received the degree of M. 
D. in 1882. Beginning the practice of his pro- 
fession in Pennsylvania, he remained in Wash- 
ington count}- two years, then settled at Para- 
dise Valley, Nev., continuing there an active 
practitioner for two years. Coming to Oregon 
in the spring of 1886, Dr. Weaver located in 
Hubbard, where he has a large and constantly 
increasing practice, being known as one of the 
leading physicians of this locality. In addi- 
tion to his practice, the doctor has also another 
source of revenue, having a half interest in the 
drug store of Weaver & Scholl, a well-known 
and well-patronized establishment. Since com- 
ing here he has identified himself with the 
best interests of the city, and has built a most 
attractive residence for himself and family in 
a desirable location. 

Dr. Weaver was married November 1, 1888, 
in Hubbard to Alice Grim, who was born Sep- 
tember 28, 1867, and educated in that citv, and 
of their union two children have been born, 
namely: Francis E. and Guy G. Mrs. 
Weaver is a daughter of Judge John W. and 
Frances E. (Geer) Grim, pioneers of 1847, ar >d 
both now deceased. Judge Grim was the first 
county judge of Marion county. His family 
comprises the following children: Byron; 
Martha, wife of M. Schmer of Yamhill county; 
Thurston, of Marion county; William, of 
Marion county; Isaiah, of Portland; Edwin 
and Edgar, twins, the former mining in Philip- 
pine Islands and the latter an attorney at 
Nome, Alaska; Mary, wife of George H. 
Beebe, of Woodburn ; Ralph, of Clackamas 
county; and Alice, wife of Dr. Weaver. Polit- 
ically the doctor is a Democrat, and has ren- 
dered the city excellent service one term as a 
member of the city council. Fraternally he is 
a member of Hubbard Lodge, I. O. O. F. He 
is an accomplished musician, belonging to the 
Hubbard Symphony Orchestra, in which he 
plays the first violin. Among his valued pos- 
sessions he counts the first violin ever played 
in this valley, it having been brought here prior 
to 1847. 



LEVIN NELSON ENGLISH. To be suc- 
cessful in business, one must have, as a rule, 
an occupation that is congenial. The truth of 
this proposition finds an illustration in the agri- 



cultural undertakings of Levin Nelson English, 
who owns and occupies a finely cultivated farm 
near Sublimity. He is not only one of the most 
prosperous farmers in Marion county, but also 
one of the most ambitious and advanced in his 
ideas. He thoroughly enjoys his vocation, takes 
advantage of all innovations which, in his opin- 
ion, will prove beneficial, and is constantly look- 
ing for ways and means to render more con- 
tented and happy those intrusted to his care. 
His farm consists of four hundred acres, the 
greater part of which is under cultivation, and 
its improvements include three fine cattle barns, 
recently constructed. A general air of neatness 
and thrift in evidence everywhere bespeaks the 
careful and painstaking farmer. 

A native of Macoupin county, 111., Mr. English 
was born September 17, 1832, a son of Levin 
N. and Mary (Tucker) English, respectively of 
Kentucky and Maryland. When his son and 
namesake was three years of age the father 
moved to a farm near Burlington, Iowa. From 
there he went to Davis county, that state, his 
family in the meantime being increased to four 
sons and three daughters. In 1845 ne made 
arrangements to cross the plains, and laid in 
a large supply of provisions, besides loose cat- 
tle and the requisite number of oxen. The 
long journey was accomplished in six months' 
time. Upon their arrival at the Cascade Moun- 
tains they crossed the range on pack animals, 
driving their cattle before them. Their wagons 
were left at The Dalles, in order to facilitate 
the journey westward from that point. At 
that time all the members were in fairly good 
health, and felt they had reason to congratu- 
late themselves on their escape from Indian 
depredations and other disasters. But the famil> 
were saddened at this point by the death of 
one of the children, William, and a lonely grave 
was left to mark the last resting place of one 
who had counted much on making his way in 
this country of wonderful resources. 

The family spent the first winter in Oregon 
City. In the spring of 1846 the father bought 
a right to six hundred and forty acres of land 
located seven miles east of Salem, in Marion 
county, upon which a small log cabin had al- 
ready been erected. Into this the family moved 
and resided until prosperity permitted the erec- 
tion of a more commodious residence. He then 
returned to Marion county, located on a farm, 
and operated it for two years, at the expiration 
of that time removing to Salem, where he died 
in 1880 at the age of eighty-five years. 

Mr. English was a man of strong personality 
and marked characteristics. He always exhib- 
ited a keen interest in current events, and had 
strong convictions as to the righteousness of 
the policy pursued by those intrusted with the 



P< >R IK \l i \\l> UK (GRAPHICAL REC< >KD. 



371 



administration of the affairs of the government. 
In politics a stanch Democrat, he was honored 
by election t<> the Oregon State Legislature and 
in turn honored his county by the faithful per- 
formance of the duties intrusted to him. For 
mam years he also served as a justice ol the 
peace. Fraternally he was identified with the 
Masons. 

Of the children horn of his first marriage, Be- 
linda married Joseph Foss, of Howell 1'rairic; 
William died while crossing the plains, as noted; 
Hiram is deceased; Man A., deceased, was twice 
married, her first husband being Jeremiah Mor- 
al'ter whose death she became the wife of 
Coleman Burnett; Rebecca was the wife of Pres- 
ton Smith: Delilah is the widow of William 
Hendricks, and resides at Chehalis, Wash.; 
Levin N. is the subject of this sketch; and Rob- 
ert is deceased. For a second wife Mr. English 
chose Mrs. Mary Daley, a native of Missouri. 
i )f this union the following children were horn: 
Francis, deceased; Thomas: Mahalla: LaPay- 
. Elizabeth : Nancy, and Lewis. 

When the memorable journey across the plains 
was undertaken Levin Nelson English. Jr., was 
thirteen years of age. At the age of fifteen he 
enlisted with the Oregon troops for service in 
the Cayuse Indian war with his father and 
brother Hiram, and during the thre^ months' 
campaign in which they were actively engaged 
they had some very trying and exciting experi- 
ences. For twenty-seven days they were with- 
out bread of any kind, and besides being exposed 
stantly to the menaces of the Indians, they 
suffered at times from most inclement weather. 
After the massacre at Whitman's Station they 
fought their way through their savage enemies, 
following them through to the Snake river. 
where a fiercely contested battle took place. 
The- elder English raised his own company. 
drilled it. and throughout the entire campaign 
served as its captain. After the thrilling ex- 
periences of the three members of this family 
they were glad to return to their home. 

Until his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Riggs, 
which took place in February, 1853, the subject 
of this memoir remained at home assisting his 
father in the operation <^' the farm. His wife, 
who i> a native of Scotland county. Mo., is a 
daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Burton) 
Riggs. and crossed the plains from Iowa in 1852. 
I hey settled on a donation claim four miles 
south of Eugene, and later removed to Umatilla 
county, where Mr. Riggs died, at the age of 
eighty-five years. His wife passed away in that 
county at the age of eighty-three. After his 
marriage Mr. English resided for a time on 
Howell's Prairie. In 1853 he took up a claim 
of five hundred acres in the foothills, where lu- 
ted a log cabin and remained for four years. 



He then purchased a farm of one hundred and 

seventy acres on Howell Prairie, which he Opel 
.Hed SUCCessfull) tor ten years. This property 
he sold at the end of that period and went to 
California, spending two wars a1 Los Vngeles 
and San Diego. Upon his return In- rented a 
farm for a year. In 1870 he purchased his pres- 
ent farm of four hundred acres, which is un<|iu !S- 
tionably one of the finest and most productive in 
the Willamette vallev. 

Unto Mr. English and his estimable wife four 
children have been horn. Robert X. is deceased; 
William H. now has charge of the home place; 
Alice is the wife of Byron Denney, of Marion 
county, and has one daughter, Florence; John 
A. is engaged in farming near Sublimity, and 
has a family of two children, Clarence and Mil- 
dred. 

It will be seen from a reference to this brief 
outline of the career of Mr. English that he is 
doubly entitled to a permanent place in the 
annals of the representative families of the 
Willamette valley. He is not only a descendant 
of one of the earliest pioneers of the state and 
a pioneer himself, but during the long years of 
his residence in Oregon has been closely as- 
sociated with the best interests of the home of 
his adoption in various ways. He is highly es- 
teemed by his fellow-citizens as a man of probity, 
(. ver willing to assist in every way in his power 
in fostering and developing the resources of the 
state, in securing the best possible educational 
facilities for the rising generation, in inculcat- 
ing in the minds of the young a healthy moral 
tone, and in aiding materially all projects of a 
worthy character. His spirit is an unselfish one, 
broad and liberal. That he has attained more 
than the ordinary measure of success in his 
chosen field of endeavor is a fact that can be 
attributed solely to his own energy, perseverance 
and praiseworthy ambition. The record of bis 
career, which is here preserved for the inspira- 
tion of future generations, will do much to pro- 
mote in the minds and hearts of those to come, 
a worthy ambition to emulate the principles 
which have guided his life and crowned it with 
the success which is his just due. 



JOHN M. WATSON. One of the best 
known representative- of the dairv interests of 
Marion county, Ore., is John M. Watson, who 
resides on a farm of seventy-five acres near 
Turner, where he devotes his time principally 
to the product of a fine herd of Jersey cows. 
Mr. Watson was horn in Beaver county, Pa., near 
Beaver Falls, April 8, 1848, the son of Nicholas 
and Hannah (Creighton) Watson. With his 
parents he removed to Mansfield. Ohio, in 1853. 
and thence, in [860, to Findlay, Ohio, whers 



372 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he completed his education and grew to ma- 
turity. In 1864 he enlisted as a private in Com- 
pany K, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio In- 
fantry, which formed a part of the Twenty-third 
Army Corps. His active service was principally 
in North Carolina, and the principal engagement 
in which he participated was the battle of Kings- 
ton, that state. At the close of the conflict he 
was mustered out of the Federal service and at 
once returned to his home, where he remained 
until his twenty-fourth birthday. At that time 
he moved to Auburn, Ind., where he was en- 
gaged in the manufacture of hubs and spokes for 
three years. In the Centennial year he sought 
better financial returns for his energies and abil- 
ities by a prospecting tour of the Black Hills. 
Soon after abandoning this venture he went to 
Iowa, where he remained for a short time. The 
opportunities which he was earnestly seeking not 
appearing to him up to this time, he finally de- 
cided to try his fortunes in the far west, Oregon 
appealing to him as a fertile field for young 
men of brain and brawn. Removing to this 
state in 1876 he located in Marion county, where 
he remained until 1879. In that year he went to 
Idaho, where he took up government land under 
the pre-emption act, and operated a farm for 
two years. Returning to Oregon in 1881 he en- 
gaged in the management of a hotel at Turner, 
in which his efforts were attended by success. 
Upon the expiration of two years he became 
associated with the Oregon Milling Company, 
an occupation which he found both congenial 
and profitable, and to which he devoted his 
time for seven years. At the end of that time 
he purchased the farm upon which he now re- 
sides. Here he makes a specialty of dairying, 
though general farming is engaged in to some 
extent. 

Mr. Watson has been twice married. In 1872 
he was united with Miss Clara Beach, who be- 
came the mother of one daughter, Clara, now 
deceased. In 1879 ne married Miss Jane Steele. 
They are the parents of five children, named as 
follows : Clara E., wife of E. L. Martin, of 
Turner ; William Byrd ; Ruth ; Sophia R. and 
John M., Jr. 

Mr. Watson has become one of the thoroughly 
representative men of Marion county. An earn- 
est Republican, he has been prominently identi- 
fied with the party, and has been called to posi- 
tions of official trust. In 1890 he was elected 
county commissioner of Marion county, serving 
continuously in the office for eight years. He 
has also exhibited a profound interest in educa- 
tional matters, and has been a member of the 
local school board for several years. Frater- 
nally he is a member of Pearl Lodge No. 66, A. 
F. & A. M., of Turner, in which he has filled 
the various chairs. On every occasion when 



Mr. Watson has found the opportunity to dem- 
onstrate his public spirit he has done so, not for 
the sake of any personal aggrandizement, but 
with motives of an entirely unselfish character. 
He has accomplished all in ' his power for the 
improvement of the social, moral and intellectual 
status of the community, and in all ways has 
shown himself to be a useful citizen. 



WILLIAM E. BAKER. That Mr. Baker has 
been an important factor in the growth and up- 
building of Albany is disputed by no one, but on 
the contrary he is conceded by all to be one of 
the city's most enterprising citizens. As a con- 
tractor and builder he stands second to none 
in the profession in Albany, where upon every 
hand are to be seen evidences of his superior 
handiwork. When he came here in 1888 the city 
could boast only two brick buildings, but in the 
years that have intervened scarcely a brick struc- 
ture has been erected for which he has not had the 
contract. As a partial list of the structures he has 
erected mention may be made of the Masonic 
Temple, Baltimore building, Vance building and 
the woolen mill, all in Albany, and the bank 
building in Lebanon. In addition to contracting 
and building, he also fills contracts for doing 
cement work of all kinds, this department alone 
furnishing a splendid income. 

A native of England, Mr. Baker was born near 
Wells, Somersetshire, where his father, William, 
who was descended from an old established fam- 
ily, followed the peaceful life of the agriculturist. 
Charles Baker, the grandfather, was a wagon 
and carriage-maker by trade. William Baker 
chose as his life companion Charity Foxwell, also 
a native of England, and the daughter of William 
and Mary (Stone) Foxwell, the former of whom 
was a stone and brick contractor. The parental 
family comprised eight children, six sons and 
two daughters, all of whom reside in England 
with the exception of William E. and his brother 
Walter G., who is superintendent for a large 
contracting firm in Seattle, Wash. 

William E. was the oldest child born to his 
parents, the date of his birth being January 13, 
1850. His early boyhood days were spent in 
steady application to his books in the national 
schools in the vicinity of his home, and at the 
age of twelve years he was apprenticed to his 
maternal grandfather for a term of seven years 
to learn the mason's trade. His grandfather dy- 
ing four years later, however, he completed his 
apprenticeship under the direction of John Par- 
rot. When twenty years old he began to apply 
the knowledge gained during' his apprenticeship, 
and for one year worked at his trade at Bristol. 
In 1 87 1, when he had reached his majority, he 
set sail for the United States, his destination be- 




JTZ^HMI 




C 



!•' >RTRAJ r \\n BIOGR M'MU'Al. RECORD. 



876 



ing Skaneateles, Onondaga county, \. Y., where 
he remained until 1876, working at Ins trade. 
From the latter state he went to Sibley, [owa, 
engaging in contracting and building there for 
twelve years, or until coming to Oregon in 1888. 
\\ . E. Baker and Miss Mar) Lukens, a native 
of Somersetshire, were united in marriage in 
England, and. of the six children born to them 
all are deceased. His identification with the Ma- 
sonic order dates from the time of his residence 
in Sibley, Iowa, and he is now a member of St. 
John's Lodge in Albany. Later he was made a 
Royal Arch Mason, being identified with Bailey 
Chapter, and subsequently was raised to the com- 
mandery, affiliating with Temple No. 3. While 
in England he was made an Odd Fellow, and is 
now a past officer in the lodge of the order at Al- 
bany, besides being identified with the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. Business and fra- 
ternal matters have not absorbed his time and 
attention to the exclusion of religion and politics, 
however, and in the Episcopal Church of Albany, 
of which he is a member, he is accounted one of 
the stanch supporters. Politically his sympathies 
and support are in favor of the Republican party. 
In his business dealings Mr. Baker has been very 
successful, his good management and fair deal- 
ing winning him a handsome competence, and he 
is numbered among the substantial citizens of the 
communitv. 



JAMES HELMICK. There is an indisput- 
able honor attached to the fact that one has come 
to ownership of the many attributes which go to 
make up the necessities of life, the strongest of 
them being the inalienable rights of citizenship, 
through an inheritance which has followed the 
name, proving the loyalty and the courage of an 
immediate ancestor. To James Helmick, a farmer 
of Polk county, has been given such an inher- 
itance, left to him by his father, Henry Helmick, 
a pioneer of 1845, ar, d a man who won his way 
against heavy odds in the clays of Oregon's early 
history. 

Henry Helmick was born in Germany, Sep- 
tember 14, 1822, and came with his father, Ste- 
phen Helmick, to America in 1825. The first 
settlement was made in Pennsylvania, from which 
state the elder man removed later to Indiana, and 
followed this up with a movement into Iowa, set- 
tling near Burlington, where he and his wife 
passed the remainder of their lives. Henry Hel- 
mick grew to manhood principally in Iowa, and 
in 1845, he left the familiar surroundings of his 
youth and started across the plains for the pro- 
ductive lands of the northwestern territory. Two 
yoke of oxen and a wagon embodied all his 
worldly wealth, but courage was a dominant trait 
in the character of the pioneer of the times and 



he made the six months' journey, buoyed up by 
the hope of finding a home in the western land 
The greatest misfortune of the trip befell Mr. 
Helmick alter the journey was ended, or nearly 
so, the strong current in the river at ["he Dalles 
sweeping away the raft upon which the wagons 
were standing, preparatory to being taken ashore. 
Thus deprived of all that would have made tann- 
ing a possibility, Mr. Helmick was compelled to 
take any kind of work offered, the firsl being to 
help in building a barn, the pay for which enabled 
them to subsist for a short time. The first winter 
was spent on Tualatin plains and in Salem, and 
in the spring of 1846, Mr. Helmick took up a do- 
nation claim upon the present site of Salem. 
He remained there but a short time, however, 
before giving it up and coming to Polk county. 
The claim which he took up here was located four 
miles south of Monmouth, and consisted of six 
hundred and forty acres, upon which he engaged 
in stock-raising and farming until his death, in 
1876. Through perseverance and unending in- 
dustry he had succeeded in building up a fortune, 
owning at the time of his death thirteen hundred 
acres. But once in the intervening years had he 
departed from the industries of his farm, that 
being in the spring of 1849, when he was at- 
tracted to the gold mines of California. Not 
meeting with the success he had expected and de- 
sired, he returned in the fall of 1850, and found 
a greater wealth in the wide lands of his adopted 
state. 

The wife who shared the trials and burdens 
of the early life of Mr. Helmick was, in maiden- 
hood, Sarah Steeprow, who was born in Indiana, 
July 4, 1823, of German parentage. The mar- 
riage was celebrated April 14, 1845, an d the next 
day witnessed their departure for the west. Of 
the four sons and one daughter which blessed 
their union, two died in infancy, the remaining 
three attaining maturity. They are as follows : 
James, of this review ; Lewis, now deceased ; and 
Mary C, who became Mrs. James Tedrow, of 
Corvallis, ( )rc. 

James Helmick was born in Polk county, ( )re., 
February 2\, 1851, upon his father's donation 
claim, and the old house in which the family lived 
is still standing. His early education was re- 
ceived in the district schools of his native county, 
which he attended until he was nineteen years 
old. At that age he left school and entered upon 
the work of the farm, remaining at home until 
his father's death, when the propcrtv was divided 
among the children. He now owns five hundred 
and eighty acres of land, to the cultivation of 
which he is devoting his intelligent effort, being 
now one of the most extensive and successful 
farmers in this neighborhood. He is principally 
interested in general farming, though sixteen 
acres are set apart for the raising of hops. In 



376 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



addition to his farming interests Mr. Helmick is 
engaged in a warehouse at Parker Station, having 
built the same in partnership with his brother, 
Lewis, in 1882. He handles grain in immense 
quantities, shipping from forty thousand to fifty 
thousand bushels annually, as well as produce of 
all kinds. He has met with the same success in 
this work, which has characterized his every 
effort, and stamped him as one of the leading 
farmers of Polk county. 

In 1880, Mr. Helmick married Miss Amanda 
Mayes, who was born in Marion county, Ore., 
April 25, i860. She was the daughter of Stephen 
Mayes, who crossed the plains in 1852 and lo- 
cated in the northern part of Marion county. The 
five children born to them are as follows : Fran- 
cis, Sarah, Nellie, Mary and William, all of 
whom are still at home with their parents. Po- 
litically, Mr. Helmick is a stanch Republican, and 
through the influence of this party he served as 
county commissioner in 1890-94, and has also 
held the position of road supervisor, and that of 
various school offices. In his fraternal relations 
he affiliates with the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. 



ZENAS FERRY MOODY. No man in Ore- 
gon is more highly respected than Hon. Zenas 
F. Moody, and no man ever more fully enjoyed 
the confidence of the people or more richly de- 
served the esteem in which he is held. His life 
has been one of labor — labor in the business 
world and in the field of public service — and the 
result of his efforts is to be found in the benefits 
which have accrued to the entire commonwealth. 
He is a man remarkable in the breadth of his 
wisdom, in his indomitable perseverance and his 
strong intellectuality. His entire life has no hid- 
den phase, being an open scroll inviting the 
closest scrutiny. 

Born in Granby, Mass., May 2,7, 1832, his an- 
cestry, both lineal and collateral, is distinctively 
American through many generations. The line 
may be traced back to George Moody of Moul- 
ton, Stiffolk county, England, whose son, Deacon 
John Moody, crossed the Atlantic to the New 
World in 1633, settling in Boston, Mass. Later 
he resided in Roxbury, in that state, and in Bos- 
ton he was made a freeman. His son, Samuel 
Moody, married Sarah Deming. At the time of 
his death, Samuel Moody was serving as a select- 
man in his town. His son, who also bore the 
name of Samuel, was born November 28, 1670, 
and died November 10, 1774. His wife, Sarah, 
was a daughter of Samuel Lane of Suffolk, 
Conn., and the son born of this marriage, another 
Samuel Moody, was born in Granby, Mass., Sep- 
tember 10, 1702, and wedded Mary Hovey. The 
son of this union was Thomas Hovey Moody, 



the great-grandfather of the subject of this re- 
view. He was born in South Hadley, Mass., 
August 31, 1736, and married Eunice Chapin, a 
native of Massachusetts. Their son, Gideon 
Moody, grandfather of Z. F. Moody, was born 
in Massachusetts March 15, 1765, and served 
in the Revolutionary war in a company com- 
manded by Captain Oliver Consey. To one of his 
sons, the father of Z. F. Moody, he gave the 
name of his own father, Thomas Hovey Moody. 
The birth of this son occurred August 19, 1795, 
and he became a farmer in New England. Even- 
tually he removed to Illinois, settling at Con- 
cord, Morgan county, where he spent the re- 
mainder of his days. He served as Major in 
the old Massachusetts State Militia, and in poli- 
tics he was originally a Whig and afterward a 
Republican. He married Hannah Ferry, who 
was born in Massachusetts, a daughter of Noah 
and Hannah (Montague) Ferry. Her birth oc- 
curred March 17, 1794, and she gave her hand 
in marriage to Thomas H. Moody in May, 181 7. 
Her father was a son of Noah Ferry, Sr., and a 
grandson of Charles Ferry of Springfield, Mass. 
Senator T. W. Ferry of Michigan is a cousin 
of Governor Moody, his father, the Rev. William 
Ferry of Grand Haven, having been a brother 
of the Governor's mother. Hannah Montague 
was a daughter of Joseph Montague. The an- 
cestry in that line may be traced back to Richard 
Montague of Hadley, Mass., who was the first 
of the name to come to America. He was of 
English birth, and in England the family history 
may be traced back to Normandy, the French 
name being Montacute. 

Unto Thomas H. and Hannah (Ferry) Moody 
were born six children, five of whom reached 
mature years : Thomas Hovey, who followed 
farming in Illinois and afterward in Nebraska, 
in which state he died; Mary, who became the 
wife of Lemuel Stoughton and died in Connecti- 
cut ; William Ferry, who was a merchant in 
Philadelphia, where his death occurred; Z. F. 
of this review ; and Gideon Webster, who re- 
sides in Morgan county, Illinois. The parents 
were members of the Congregational Church. 
The mother died in Bedford, Mass. 

Ex-Governor Moody spent the days of his 
youth in New England. He acquired his rudi- 
mentary education in the district schools, and 
afterward became a student in the Union School 
in Chicopee, Mass. He began his business career 
as a clerk. In 1851, possessed of a strong desire 
to see more of the country, he came to Oregon, 
sailing from New York March 13 as a passenger 
on the steamer Empire City. He landed at As- 
pinwall, and thence proceeded by way of the 
Chagres river and on the back of a mule to 
Panama. Here he boarded the steamer St. Louis, 
which carried him to San Francisco. There he 



P( >R IK \\ V WD p.H IGRAPHICAI REC( mi). 



877 



une a passenger on the Columbia, bound for 

it carried two hundred and fifty-three 

gers and five hundred and fifty 

inn passengers. Ex-governor Moods 

traveled in the steerage; for his money had be- 

xhausted and, having nothing left, he 

borrowed twent) dollars to take him to Portland. 

lor fourteen miles of this journey he traveled 

on foot. 

\~ it was necessary that he secure employment 

- .tin- kind at once, he began doing chores for 
his board. Six weeks later he secured a posi- 
tion with the first surveying party in Oregon 
engaged in the survey of the meridian line. He 
started in as chainnian. but steadily worked his 
way upward until he became an expert surveyor. 
He followed this profession for some time, act- 
ing as Deputy United States Surveyor the greater 
part of the time until 1856, his labors being in 
the valley ami among the mountains of this sec- 
tion of Oregon. In 1854 he embarked in gen- 
eral merchandising in Brownsville, Linn county. 
The following year he went to California, where 
Surveyor-General Hayes appointed him to ex- 
amine surveys at the headwaters of the Salinas. 
After devoting six months to this labor he re- 
turned to ban Francisco and made his report. 
In the fall of 1856 he left the Pacific Coast for 
Illinois, traveling by way of the Panama and 
New York route. Until 1862 he remained in 

rgan county, 111., residing in the city of 
Jacksonville, where for one term be served as 
county surveyor. But the fascinating influences 
of the great west were strong upon him, and, 
pining for life on the coast, he returned by way 
of the route he had taken to Oregon a few years 
before. Upon his arrival in this state he located 
at The Dalles. There he engaged in general 
merchandising for some time, and also performed 
considerable labor as surveyor. As deputy 
United States surveyor he located the boundaries 

'he Umatilla Indian Reservation. Subse- 
quently he again engaged in mercantile pursuits 
at The Dalles, where he served for a time as 
member of the city council. 

Varied and important have been the interests 
which, from time to time, have claimed his at- 
tention. His work, while contributing to his 
-. has also been an important fac- 
tor in the development of the state in many ways. 
In 1805 he organized the Oregon & Montana 
Transportation Company, which built steamboats 
to navigate Lake Pend d'Oreille and Clark's Fork 
of the Columbia river, now on the line of the 
Northern Pacific Railroad. The aim of this 
company was to secure the transportation busi- 
ness from Montana to the Pacific coast. For 
one season the company continued in business, 
but the Missouri river route proved cheaper on 
account of the expenses incurred by the transfer 



In wagons, which was necessary from White 
Bluffs to the lake, a distance of one hundred and 
fift) miles. On account of this feature the 
company could not well compete with the Mis- 
souri river route. In an early day, from [870 to 
1S74, Mr. Moody also had a contract for carry- 
ing the mails on the steamers on the Columbia 
river. With his sons, he has long been associated 
in business at The Dalles as a grain merchant 
and the owner of extensive warehouse interests, 
and the enterprises there have reached large and 
1 >r< ifitable proportions. 

The active part which Mr. Moody has taken 
in public affairs, his splendid record as a business 
man. his ability, energy and devotion to the pub- 
lic welfare, led to his selection for high political 
office. In 1872 he was nominated by the Repub- 
licans of Wasco county as their candidate for the 
state senate, and received a majority of the 
votes cast. The election was contested, but as 
the senate was composed of eleven Democrats 
and eleven Republicans, Mr. Moody's opponent, 
who had been granted a certificate of election, 
was allowed to keep his seat. In 1880 he was 
nominated on the Republican ticket for the state 
legislature, was elected, and was serving as speak- 
er of the house when he received the nomina- 
tion for the governorship. In t888 he was a 
delegate to the national convention in Chicago 
which nominated Benjamin Harrison for the 
presidency. He was the only Harrison man from 
the Pacific coast, and throughout the convention 
he gave the Indiana statesman his support, cast- 
ing his ballot for him from the start. In 1882 he 
was the Republican nominee for the office of gov- 
ernor against the Rev. J. L. Smith, and was 
elected bv a majority of nearly two thousand, be- 
ing the first Republican nominee elected in six- 
teen years. 

Governor Moody took the oath of office in 
September, 1882, and as the legislature had voted 
to make the time of inauguration in the January 
following the election, he was thus retained in 
office until January. 1887. Pie was not a candi- 
date for re-election, and retired to private life at 
the close of his term. Tn the meantime he had 
accomplished much for the state. There has 
been no administration of more practical benefit 
to Oregon than that of Governor Moody. He 
made a close study of the social, economic and 
political problems which confronted Oregon, and 
brought to bis administration the keen discrimi- 
nation and sound judgment of a practical busi- 
ness man, in addition to the loyalty of a public- 
spirited and patriotic citizen. 

We would intrench upon the province of his- 
torv if we were to enter into a detailed account 
of his administration; but in the record of his 
life there should be given at least an indication 
of the work which he accomplished while oc- 



378 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cupying the gubernatorial chair. The biennial 
message which he transmitted to the legislature 
showed that he possessed a thorough understand- 
ing of the conditions in the state. During his 
term in office the tax rate was reduced from five 
and one-half mills on the dollar to one and nine- 
teen-twentieths mills, and within this time, with- 
out special tax or appropriation by the legisla- 
ture, much building was done. This included 
the erection of the brick stockade about the peni- 
tentiary grounds, and four additional workshops 
and a large wing to the main building of the 
penitentiary. Large tracts of land for the use of 
the asylum and the' penitentiary were also pur- 
chased, all this being accomplished through the 
economy of the administration. The legislative 
hall and all the halls and corridors of the west- 
ern approach and a portion of the eastern ap- 
proach to the state capitol were completed, to- 
gether with various minor improvements in the 
public buildings of the state, involving the ex- 
penditure of more than a quarter of a million of 
dollars. 

In his biennial message of 1887, after a thor- 
ough review of conditions in the insane asylum, 
Governor Moody spoke of the fact that when a 
person appeared before the county court for ex- 
amination as to his sanity, it was also customary 
to make inquiry as to his financial ability with a 
view to holding him responsible for his main- 
tenance during the period of his confinement in 
the asylum. He urged that this practice should 
be abandoned, as the law frequently worked posi- 
tive hardships in many instances, " particularly 
where the head of a household is bereft of rea- 
son, leaving the management of a small property 
in the hands of a dependent and inexperienced 
family." He also recommended that in case the 
patient who had been assigned for commitment 
was in extremely poor health, an experienced at- 
tendant should convey him to the institution in 
order that he might have the proper care while 
upon the way. In taking up the subject of the 
state penitentiary, he called attention to the fact 
that no provision existed for the separation of 
hardened criminals from youths and persons con- 
victed of less heinous crimes, and serving the 
shortest sentences, and recommended that a 
course of moral training should be instituted, that 
the youthful criminals might be reformed and 
made law-abiding citizens. The State Agricul- 
tural College, the State University, the School 
for Deaf Mutes, the Blind School and the Or- 
phans' Home also received due consideration 
and recommendations for means of further work. 
He showed that he had also made a thorough 
study of agricultural conditions, dairying and 
contagious diseases as affecting the prosperity of 
the state. He had also given earnest thought to 
questions of pilotage and navigation, as well as 



to highways, and he recommended a fish com- 
mission for the further care and development of 
what is one of the most important industries of 
the northwest. He recommended the establish- 
ment of a radroad commission, and that state aid 
should be given to the state militia. Another sub- 
ject which came up for his consideration, and 
which he recommended to congress, was the re- 
apportionment of the state, calling attention to the 
inconsistency in representation caused by the un- 
equal population in different parts of the com- 
monwealth. In closing this message he said : 

"The volume and importance of your duties 
increase with each biennial session, and the neces- 
sary additional labor involved in the consideration 
of matters brought before you will call for the 
most patient industry and faithful application. 
In determining your responsibility in this work, 
it is well to consider that there is greater danger 
of too much than too little, legislation. Certainty 
and stability in our statutes are of the utmost im- 
portance. Hasty work and frequent changes are 
to be deplored. A well-established law should 
remain untouched, unless the demand for amend- 
ment or repeal is urgent and of vital importance 
In the introduction of new legislation every point 
should be well considered and acted upon with 
deliberation. Grave matters of legislation should 
not be delayed until the closing days of the ses- 
sion, and then forced through with such haste 
as to preclude the possibility of proper consid- 
eration. 

"Upon taking the oath and assuming the duties 
of the office of chief executive of the state, I 
promised faithfully to endeavor to promote the 
prosperity of the state and the happiness of her 
people. The record has been made, and it will 
determine whether the obligation thus taken has 
been fulfilled. Called from the scenes of a purely 
business life, and without experience in the ad- 
ministration of the affairs of state, the varied and 
complex nature of the numerous duties incident 
to this office have brought many embarrassments 
not experienced by my predecessors, who had 
the advantage of antecedent training and ac- 
quaintance with public affairs. Whatever suc- 
cess may have attended my efforts is largely due 
to the co-operation of the legislative assembly 
and my official associates, and the generous for- 
bearance of the people. For the confidence which 
has been reposed in me, and for the assistance 
and forbearance extended, I desire to express 
my grateful acknowledgments ; and I bespeak 
for him who has been chosen as my successor 
the same generous co-operation and support. 
Trusting that the work of the session upon which 
you are about to enter may be such as to redound 
to your credit and to the prosperity of the state, 
and invoking for you in your labors the blessing 
and guidance of the Divine Ruler, I take my 




iL. M, &, 



TA^esis. 



I'OK fR \l I WD KM >GR M'lIU \l RED >RD. 



8X1 



the duties and responsibilities of the i k 
B 
ernor Moody was married in Browns- 
ville, ( hre., November [9, 1853. to Mary Stephen- 
, who was born in Boone county, fnd., a 
iiai . William Stephenson. At an early 

is left an orphan, and with friends 
■ 1 Linn county, Ore., crossing the plains 
in 185a. They arc the parents of five children: 
Malcolm A., who is now serving his second term 
tative in congress from the Second 
district of Oregon; Zenas A., a mechanical en- 
rolling in Ashland, Ore. ; William 
1 lo\ e) , wh( [jed in business with his father 

: lie Dalles ; Ralph E., who is a graduate of 
the law department of Union College at Albany, 
V Y.. now an attorney in Portland and a for- 
mer representative in the Oregon state legisla- 
ture: and Edna, wife of Eugene P. McCornack, 
lem. 
K\-Governor and Mrs. Moody are members 
the Presbyterian Church. In 1856 he was 
made an Odd Fellow in Concord. 111. He is now 
a member of Columbia Lodge No. 5, of The 
Dalles, in which he has filled all the chairs. He 
1 member of the State Pioneer Association 
and the State Historical Society. Honored and 
respected by every class of society, for many 
years he has been a leader in thought and action 
in the public life of the state, his honorable career 
adding lustre to the history of the commonwealth. 



GEORGE H. GREER, whose residence in 
j. was born in Philadel- 
phia. Pa., December 7, 1836. His father, James 
er, was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, 
born May 10. 1806, and in the year 1831 he came 
America, locating in Philadelphia, where be 
was engaged in weaving in the woolen mills, 

ng a hand weaver, for the steam process of 
weaving had not then come into use. In 1837 
lie went by way of Xew Orleans to Indiana. 
for the river route was practically the only mode 
of travel at that time, else one would have had 

Irive in private conveyance across the coun- 
try. In 184] he went to Missouri, where he pre- 
empted one hundred and sixty acres of land, and 
in 1852 he came to ' making the journey 

with ox teams aero-- the country to King's Val- 
ley. He arrived at The Dalles in August, having 

nt several months upon the way, for it was on 
the 1st of May that he crossed the Missouri river 
enroute for the northwest. On the 25th of Oc- 
r, lie arrived in King's Valley and secured a 
donation land claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres, which he improved and continued to hold 
until 1871, when he sold that property and re- 
moved- to Corvallis. In 1889 he took up his resi- 



dence at Dallas, where he died when almost 

ninety-two years of age. 

After coming to the northwest Mr. Greet fol- 
lowed farming and was also freight receiver and 

packer to ( aniden, Mo. In his political affiliations 
in early life he was a Whig and he strongly en- 
dorsed the Abolition principles when the ques- 
tion of slaver) became the paramount issue be- 
fore the people. When the Republican part \ was 
formed to prevent the further extension of slav- 
er} he joined its ranks and remained one of its 
stalwart advocates until his demise. He was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, de- 
voted to its work and laboring earnestly for the 
upbuilding of the cause of Christianity. I It- 
traced his ancestry back to the early Wesleyan 
denomination and he was most loyal to the teach- 
ings of Methodism. A memorial window has 
been placed in the Methodist Episcopal Church 
at Dallas in memory of Mr. Greer and his wife. 
In early manhood he had wedded Margaret Ham- 
ilton, who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, 
January 13 ;8o8, and died at Dallas in 1885. 
Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, 
three sons and six daughters, of whom one son 
and three daughters came to Oregon. 

George H. Greer was the third of the family 
and after acquiring his education in the common 
schools he entered upon his business career as a 
salesman in a store in Missouri. In this way 
he aided in the support of the family while his 
father was working in the mines of California. 
At the age of twenty years he began teaching 
school in Benton county, Ore., and in the winter 
of 1857 went to California. He taught in Sono- 
ma county in 1858 and in Yolo in 1859, and in 
the summer of the latter year he returned to Ore- 
gon, where he continued his educational work 
until the fall of i860. He then joined the Oregon 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and in 1862 was made a deacon by Bishop Mat- 
thew' Simpson and was ordained elder by Bishop 
Clark at Salem. He was then stationed at Dallas 
and afterward continued his labors as a minister 
of the gospel at Lafayette, McMinnville, and in 
the Puget Sound country. He was minister of a 
church in Olympia, afterward in Seattle and did 
his last pastoral labor in Port Townsend. In 
1873, however, he left the Oregon conference 
because of the change in his religious views and 
for two years labored in the interest of (he Amer- 
ican Bible Society in western Washington. Bur- 
dened with doubt as to many of the teachings of 
the church, however, he then gave up religious 
work and went upon a farm, lint his deep interest 
in the human race and its ultimate destiny con- 
tinued to engage his attention and he eventually 
arrived at a belief in the Unitarian doctrine. In 
[883 he became a student in the Unitarian Theo- 
logical College at Meadville, Pa., and in 1884 



382 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the charge of Washington was assigned to him 
as a field of labor. He established societies in 
Tacoma and Seattle and again did work in Olym- 
pia and in Victoria, B. C. He was instrumental 
in building the house of worship at Tacoma now 
used by the Free Church, but on account of his 
wife's health he left that city and state and in 
1891 went to Mayfield, Cal., where he remained 
until after the financial panic of 1893. Return- 
ing to Oregon, he then settled upon his farm, 
which is the old Spencer donation land claim 
which belonged to his wife's father. It comprises 
three hundred and twenty acres and since that 
time he has been devoting his energies to agri- 
cultural pursuits. He has twenty-five acres 
planted to prunes and the remainder of his land 
is devoted to general farming. In his work he 
is progressive and has developed a splendid 
property which annually returns to him a good 
income. 

Mr. Greer was married in Oregon in 1864 to 
Miss Cornelia Jane Spencer, who was born in 
Wellsville, Ohio, and who pursued her education 
in the common schools and under the instruction 
of her father, John Spencer. He was born in 
Huntington county, Pa., April 17, 1802, and 
though he had no educational advantages in his 
youth, he became a man of scholarly attainments 
and broad intellectuality. While pursuing his 
ministerial .work he mastered Greek and Latin 
without the aid of a teacher and he also read 
broadly in scientific literature and theological 
works. He continued upon the farm until 1828, 
when he was admitted to the Pittsburg Confer- 
ence, which embraced western Pennsylvania, 
southeastern Ohio and the state of West Virginia. 
He thus .continued his labors in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church until 1852, when he came' to 
Oregon with an ox train, making the long and 
arduous journey overland. He located in what is 
still known as the Spencer farm, which is the 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Greer, in January, 1853,. 
having spent the first winter in Portland. For a 
number of years he carried on agricultural pur- 
suits here and in 1871 he removed to McMinn- 
ville, where his death occurred June 30, 1884. 
He was one of a family of nine children. His 
wife, Julia Ann Spencer, was born February 3, 
1 810, in Westmoreland county, Pa., and died 
upon the old Spencer homestead in October, 1889. 
The ancestry of the Spencer family can be traced 
back through many generations. The great- 
great-grandfather was Zachariah Spencer, who 
it is believed was born in England and for many 
years followed farming in Harford county, Md. 
The great-grandfather, James Spencer, lived for 
many years in western Pennsylvania and also 
became a successful farmer in Harford county, 
Md. He died in the former state and was buried 
in the cemetery at Johnstown, Pa. William 



Spencer, the father of John, was born in western 
Pennsylvania in 1773 and is buried in the Johns- 
town cemetery. At the time of the Civil war 
John Spencer, the father of Mrs. Greer, was an 
active Union man and had previously been a 
strong champion of the cause of abolition. He 
was very prominent and influential and his entire 
life was devoted to the cause of humanity. Thor- 
oughly unselfish, he gave of his time, his energy 
and his means for the welfare of his fellow-men. 
In politics he was an active Republican and for 
two terms he served as county superintendent 
of schools in Yamhill county. His daughter, 
Mrs. Greer, is a lady of exceptional culture and 
intelligence and she, too, has left the impress of 
her intellectuality upon the educational develop- 
ment of the state. For six years she engaged in 
teaching in the city schools of Tacoma and dur- 
ing that time she was elected county superin- 
tendent of the schools of Pierce county, Wash. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Greer have been born two 
sons. Elwin Spencer, who pursued a course in 
divinity in the Meadville Theological School, a 
Unitarian school at Meadville, Pa., is now at 
home. Medorem William, of Chicago, 111., is a 
graduate in the electrical engineering department 
of the School of Technology in Boston, where 
he completed the course in June, 1891, and in 
1892 he was graduated in literature in Stanford 
University. 

Mr. Greer is a man of strong socialistic tend- 
encies and is now a believer in Unitarian faith. 
Fearless and upright in defense of his honest 
convictions, he stands to-day one of the highly 
respected citizens of the county because of his 
fidelity to what he believes to be right and be- 
cause of his honorable record. 



DORY BUSSARD. Since becoming a resi- 
dent of Albany, Linn county, Ore., Dory Bussard 
has established and built up, as proprietor of a 
feed stable, one of the largest industries of its 
kind in the Willamette valley. He has been in 
this business since 1897, having come to this city 
at that date, and conducted for four years a feed 
stable at the corner of Baker and Second streets, 
in 1 90 1 purchasing the quarter block of the 
Pioneer Hotel property. Upon this land he 
erected a building which covers nearly the en- 
tire spot, the dimensions of the part under cover, 
which is galvanized iron and surrounded by a 
brick wall, being 133x102 feet and has a capac- 
ity of one hundred and seventy head of stock. 

Mr. Bussard was born. in Streator, 111., Sep- 
tember 25, 1863, the son and grandson of two 
William Bussards, the elder, a farmer, having 
removed from Pennsvlvania to Circleville, Ohio, 
where the younger William was born. On at- 
taining maturity the father of Dory Bussard be- 



i ok ru \i r \\D BiOGR apiiu \i. re< < )ki). 






a pioneer farmer near Streator, 111., and 

in 1871 he made Ins home in Clinton, Mo., alter 

tin returning u> Illinois, now living upon 

near Breeds, Fulton county, lie mar- 

iroline Defenbaugh, a native of Pickaway 

my, Ohio, the daughter of Dan Defenbaugh, 

who was the first white male child horn in llock- 

inty, Ohio. He was a farmer by occupa- 

n. Mrs. Bussard died in 1 S75, in Canton, 111., 

• g nine children, of whom Alary is the wife 

William Brown, oi Canton, 111.; Martin is 

I in the sale oi agricultural implements in 

.; Marquis is located near Eugene, 

g; Margaret is .Mrs. Duncan of Albany; 

5 the subject oi this review; Susan is Mrs. 

. of Bloomington, 111.; Elizabeth is Mrs. 

:key, of Chicago; Arizona is Mrs. Campbell, 

of Peoria; and William is in the northern part 

shington. 

Bussard, the fifth child, was reared on 
the paternal farm, and interspersed his home du- 
- with an attendance of the public schools. 
When twenty-one years old he began farming for 
himself, engaging in the work near his birthplace, 
and after a tew years he went to North Dakota, 
in t888 purchasing near Devil's Lake new farm 
lands for wheat raising. Two years later he 
sold and again made his home in Illinois, then 
conducting a feed stable in Streator, where he 
remained lucratively employed for eight vears. 
In 1896 he came to Oregon, locating first in 
ialem, where he built a feed yard, which, at 
that time, was the largest in the Willamette 
valley, hut since his sale of that property in 1897, 
has taken second place in comparison with the 
which he now conducts.. In addition to his 
l-yard Mr. Bussard is interested in a black- 
smith shop and a hotel, the latter known as the 
Riverview House, and is also the agent in Linn 
county for the Corvallis Gate-opening Device, 
selling the farm right for this patent gate. 

Through his marriage with Miss Carrie A. 
Mackey, a native of Streator. 111., where the 
ceremony was performed, he has two children, 
namely: Edith and Ethel. Fraternally Mr. Bus- 
sard i> a member of the Modern Woodmen of 
America, the Order of Pendo and Royal Neigh- 
bor>. Religiously he is a member of the Congre- 
gational Church, and politically is a stanch Re- 
publican. 



REV. JOSIAH L. PARRISH. No other 
in the Union has been more liberally en- 
dowed with men whose personal sacrifices have 
nade the life of the community in which they 
lived than has Oregon, a half century ago a wil- 
derness, to-day the garden spot of the great 
northwest. It was firm faith in the future re- 
tirees of this section which led to the wide emi- 



gration in the earlj days, when men of erudition, 

talent and ambition gave up fair prospects in their 
native localities, crossed the plains with their 
myriad dangers, endured hardships and priva- 
tions, and undaunted by discouragements of all 
kinds brought their adopted state to a position 
of prominence and enrolled their names among 
the beginners of a nation. The pride in a fair 
state is laudable and the efforts of these men to 
make a cause for loyalty have been thoroughly 
appreciated b\ posterity, hut while many engaged 
in the advancement of industrial, commercial 
and political conditions there were others who 
accomplished no less fine results in the line of 
moral betterment, which is the true test of a conn- 
try's greatness. What this devotion to a prac- 
tical and earnest religion meant in the life of 
the state is beyond computation at the present 
day, though its undoubted power is visible in the 
prevailing conditions, and speaks eloquently of 
the noble, self-denying lives of the early mis- 
sionary settlers. 

" For God and humanity," was the watchword 
of one of those earnest men, Josiah L. Parrish 
by name, a missionary of the Methodist Church, 
and a consistent upholder of the faith which he 
professed. At the time of his death, May 30, 
1895, be was the oldest living pioneer, and the 
changing scenes which marked each epoch in 
his life have become state history, in which his 
own name is indissolubly linked as that of a man 
who gave his best efforts toward the moral and 
material uplifting of those about him, Indian as 
well as white inhabitant honoring his memory. 
The life of Mr. Parrish began in Onondaga coun- 
ty. X. Y., January 14, 1806, where he was born 
the son of Benjamin and Sally (Lamberson) 
Parrish, natives respectively of Connecticut and 
New Jersey. The father was born in 1777, the 
representative of a Puritan family of English an- 
cestry, while the mother inherited the trustworthy 
blood of Dutch forefathers. Of their ten chil- 
dren Josiah L. was the oldest son, and beyond 
the advantage of a brief attendance of the public 
schools, was unable to secure in boyhood any- 
thing but a very common education. His father 
being a blacksmith, he early learned that trade, 
working at it when he was so small that he had 
to stand on a stool to blow and strike. His home 
remained in his native town until he had attained 
his seventeenth year, when he removed with his 
parents to Monroe county and later to Allegheny 
county. While still located in his native state 
he found employment at Brockway, on the Erie 
canal, remaining for many years satisfied with 
the opportunities which the east offered. When 
thirty-three years old he left his home and going 
to Xew York City sailed on the ship Lausanne, 
October <>. 1839, bound for the then wilderness 
of Oregon, by way of the I lorn and Sandwich 



3S4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



islands. He was then an ordained minister in 
the Methodist faith and it was in company with 
the missionaries which made up the party of 
the Rev. Jason Lee that he made the voyage and 
prepared to give of his strength and purpose of 
life to western growth and civilization. 

In May, 1840, the party landed in Oregon, 
each of the several members preparing to go 
his own way in the fulfillment of the intentions 
with which the trip was undertaken. Though a 
minister and missionary Mr. Parrish was also a 
blacksmith, carrying with him a trade which is a 
most necessary adjunct to a successful teaching 
of religion, material benefit being imperative in 
an undeveloped country. He also engaged in 
harness, wagon and tool making. Mr. Parrish 
first stopped at the " old mission " located ten 
miles below Salem upon the banks of the Willam- 
ette river, where he was employed for three years 
in the prosecution of his trade, after which 
be was sent as a missionary to the mouth of the 
Columbia river. The Rev. Daniel Lee helped him 
to start a mission where he had found one white 
man, James Burney by name, this man having 
an Indian wife. Having always been accustomed 
to Indians, Mr. Parrish united with a clear com- 
mon sense a fearless friendliness and a hearty 
good will, which met with a quick return in the 
manner in which he was able to handle the men 
with whom he came in contact. He first made 
his home on Clatsop plains, seven miles south of 
the Columbia river, in company with his wife 
and three children, and after becoming thorough- 
ly familiar with the Indian language taught the 
religion which he had come to far to tell, and 
by his gentle, kindly personality so won the 
friendship of the red men that he became one of 
the most useful men of Oregon in his subjection 
and moral training. Several times during his 
life among them, being appointed Indian agent 
in 1849, llis territory extending from California 
to British Columbia, and afterward being de- 
tailed to accomplish some dangerous missions in 
which members of their tribe were to be given 
into the custody of the whites. Two circum- 
stances in particular are worthy of note, as they 
denoted the great confidence which Mr. Parrish 
had won among them and the power which his 
personality had over them. During the gold 
excitement a party of white men were sent from 
Fort Auford to find a trail that would connect 
with the trail for California, and while out they 
encountered two hundred hostile Indians, when 
several of their party were killed. Mr. Parrish 
was asked to take forty well armed men and go 
to the Indians and ask them for a conference 
with Dr. Dart, superintendent of Indian affairs, 
but he requested only that he have an Indian in- 
terpreter (the language of these Indians being 
Coquille) and various articles which he knew the 



natives particularly desired. This was granted 
and Mr. Parrish sought the Indians and alone 
won from them a treaty of peace. In 1854 Mr 
Parrish was Indian agent of the district extend- 
ing from California to Coos bay, during which 
service several treaties were made with the In- 
dians, resulting in much good to the country. 
At one time there was a serious trouble, in which 
Mr. Parrish was sent to arrest an Indian who had 
killed a white man, and though the entire coun- 
try was stirred up over the affair, both whites 
and Indians, he went fearlessly among them and 
after some delay, but without violence, he suc- 
ceeded in taking back with him the offender, 
who showed the power of the missionary's per- 
sonality when he followed the party to Fort Au- 
ford without the exercise of force. Mr. Parrish 
then returned to Salem, where he found his wife 
very ill, her health having been failing for some 
time. For this reason he resigned his post, 
remaining near his wife in the tender ministra- 
tions which he never failed to give to those in 
trouble or distress. He continued his minister- 
ial duties, being stationed 'regularly in Portland 
in 1849, an d also preaching at many other loca- 
tions in the state. 

The wife who shared his strenuous life was 
formerly Elizabeth Winn, a native of New York 
state, having been born March 17, 181 1, and 
there united in marriage with Mr. Parrish in 
1833. Her death occurred August 30, 1869, 
leaving three sons, the oldest, Lamberson W., 
having died in September, 1840, during the first 
year of their residence in the west. Norman O. 
died November 26, 1900 ; Sarmtel B., who served 
as chief of police ©f Portland, and died in that 
city, 1898, and Charles W., born in September, 
1844, was one of the first white children in Ore- 
gon. He is now a lawyer at Burns, Ore. The 
second marriage of Mr. Parrish united him with 
Jennie L. Lichenthaler, by whom he had two 
daughters, Grace G., the wife of Dr. E. A. Pierce, 
whose biography appears elsewhere in this 
volume, and Josie, Mrs. Slater, of Salem. After 
the death of Mrs. Parrish in 1887 Mr. Parrish 
married the following year Mrs. M. A. Pierce, a 
native of Indiana, and the widow of J. O. Pierce, 
a pioneer of Washington county, Ore. 

Beyond his abiding interest in the cause of 
Indian humanity Mr. Parrish became one of the 
most prominent men in the commercial and in- 
dustrial life of Oregon, as active in all movements 
as in that of religion. He was a stanch supporter 
of all educational movements and served as one 
of the first trustees of the Willamette University, 
and later was elected a life-honorary member of 
the board of trustees, a position which he held 
for nearly thirty years. He became the owner 
of much valuable property in the Willamette 
valley and in the city of Portland, at one time 







\ 





PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 






losing much of the latter through the kindliness 
which prompted him to sign the notes of those 
who were never able to return the money, but this 
still left him with sufficient to pass through <>U1 
comfortably. Through his position as one 
of the early pioneers of the stale Mr. Parrish was 
invited to drive the first spike in the Oregon & 
California Railroad, when in Portland, and with 
others he made a speech commemorative of tlu 
event and the changes which the years had 
brought to the west. h\ 1889 he drove the first 
>pikc in the street railway of Salem, the broadax 
which he used having been brought to Oregon in 
1840. and after a long and singularly useful career 
in hewing timbers for many of the missions, it 
then lay rusting beneath the waters of the 'Willam- 
ette river, where it was lost in 1840. and afterward 
found and utilized once more in the mission of 
Clatsop. It now adorns the museum of the Wil- 
lamette University, to which it was present' 1 
in 1892 by Mr. Parrish. Among the most notice- 
able of his unselfish and noble acts was the minis- 
trations for seventeen years in behalf of the con- 
victs of the state penitentiary, where he preached 
the religion which had meant the fullness of his 
own life, the appreciation shown by the men 
being evidenced by the gift of a gold-headed cane 
hv officers and convicts on one of his birthdays 
This cane was afterward lost by fire but the 
memory of his deeds outlasts time and destruc- 
tion, the worth of such actions ending not with 
the passing of life, but going on down through 
the coming years with a never-ending influence 
adding regard and veneration to a name already 
lustrous with the lisrht of work well done. 



AI COOLIDGE. No history of Silverton 
or this section of Oregon would be complete 
without mention of Ai Coolidge, so active a 
part has he taken in the business development 
and substantial upbuilding of his community. 
More than a half century has passed since he 
arrived in Oregon, and there has been no 
movement for the good of the state and the 
advancement of its material interests that has 
not elicited his attention and insofar as pos- 
sible his active co-operation. Successful in his 
undertakings, he is at the same time a man 
free from ostentation and display, but the in- 
trinsic worth of his character is recognized by 
all with whom he comes in contact and has 
gained for him the highest regard. He stands 
to-day one of the honored pioneer citizens of 
Oregon, being among the few who can relate 
from memory as an active participant in the 
affairs, the incidents which form the early- 
annals of the state. 

Mr. Coolidge was born in Union county, 
Ohio, February 15, 1823. His father, James 



1". Coolidge, was a native of Massachusetts, 

and when a young man he removed to Union 
county, Ohio, locating on the Big Derby river, 
where he engaged in blacksmithing and farm- 
ing. He first purchased eighty acres of land, 
but afterward added to that until the trad 
comprised a quarter section, lie married Fan- 
nie Rice, a native of Vermont, and a daughter 
oi Squire Rice, who was also horn in the Green 
Mountain state, whence he removed to Ohio. 
He became a trader and conducted a little store 
in Columbus at an early day. In the latter part 
of his life he was crippled by falling from a 
bridge, but he lived to reach the advanced age 
of about eighty years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Coolidge were born seven children, two daugh- 
ters and five sons, of whom only two are liv- 
ing — Annette, widow of George Wilbur, of 
Marysville, Ohio, and the subject of this 
review. The father was a Whig in his political 
views and was a member of the Univers'alist 
Church. Liberal and kind-hearted, his gener- 
ous spirit and genial nature won for him many 
friends, and his death, which occurred in 
March, 1846, when he was fifty-six years of 
age, was deeply regretted by all who knew 
him. 

Ai Coolidge was the third in order of birth 
in his father's family. To a limited extent he 
attended the common schools and in his youth 
he worked in the fields almost from the time 
he could reach the plow handles. In 1844 he 
started out in life for himself and devoted his 
energies to the manufacture of brick in Union 
county, Ohio. The following year he removed 
to Wisconsin, where he spent one year en- 
gaged in trapping and hunting. In 1846, how- 
ever, he returned to Ohio. He had left his 
native state with $35 and he returned with $40, 
thus realizing a profit of $5 for his year's labor. 
Mr. Coolidge continued to make his home in 
the state of his nativity until 1851, when the 
opportunities of the northwest became known 
to him and he resolved to seek a home in this 
promising portion of the country. 

A journey at that time was fraught with 
many r hardships and considerable danger. The 
great system of railroads which now spans the 
country had not then been dreamed of, and the 
long journey over the hot and sandy plains and 
across mountains was usually made with ox- 
teams in covered wagons. It was in this way 
that Mr. Coolidge traveled, the party proceed- 
ing by way of the Tlatte river route. They 
were fortunate in escaping trouble with the 
Indians, and the journey over the now country 
really proved a pleasant one. On reaching 
Oregon Mr. Coolidge camped about a quarter 
of a mile from the present city of Silverton, and 
there was engaged in cutting logs for Pd u ford 



388 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Smith through that winter. He took up a do- 
nation claim of one hundred and sixty acres 
about four miles southeast of the present site 
of Silverton, and then devoted his energies 
to the work which was before him. Beginning 
the development of his farm he split about 
seven thousand rails in order to fence a portion 
of his tract, built a house and the first year 
sowed six acres in wheat. In 1852 he embarked 
in general mercbandising in what was then 
called Milford, but in 1855 was superseded by 
the present town of Silverton, and Mr. Coolidge 
transferred his business from the former to the 
latter. He occupied the Central hotel building, 
which is now standing there, and moved it 
from Milford to Silverton. Never for a day did 
he suspend his business, but continued it while 
the moving was going on, selling to customers 
all along the road. It required four months to 
get the building from Milford to Silverton. 
He brought his goods from San Francisco and 
continued to engage in merchandising at this 
place with good success for ten years. Subse- 
quently he engaged in farming and raising cat- 
tle, having in the meantime purchased land to 
the extent of five or six thousand acres. He 
still retains possession of the first tract of 
land which he owned. Three miles south on 
Drift creek he bought four hundred and sev- 
enty-one acres and the soil is still in its virgin 
condition, there never having been a plow 
upon it. In the last year and a half he has 
sold about twelve hundred acres of his land, 
but he now has remaining more than two thou- 
sand acres. He has owned land all around the 
town, and is now the owner of the Coolidge 
or Postoffice block and the bank building. The 
enterprising spirit, practical labors and wise 
counsel of Mr. Coolidge have been most effective 
in the developing of Silverton. He was one 
of the promoters of the Silverton Electric 
Light Company and rebuilt the gristmill here, 
but later sold it. He is now the president of 
the Coolidge & McClaine Bank of Silverton, 
which was established in 1880 by Alfred Cool- 
idge and A. F. McClaine, under the firm name of 
Coolidge & McClaine. It was incorporated under 
the same name in 1890. The bank has become 
one of the solid and trustworthy financial insti- 
tutions of this part of the state. The bank build- 
ing was erected in 1893. 

About two miles above his present home 
Mr. Coolidge was united in marriage to Miss 
Sarah F. Allen, a native of Illinois and a 
daughter of Abner Allen, who was born in 
Tennessee, whence he removed to Illinois. In 
1852 he crossed the plains to Oregon, locating 
about three miles south of Silverton. He pur- 
chased a farm of three hundred and twenty 
acres and continued its cultivation for some 



years. His death occurred at tbe borne of Mr. 
Coolidge. Unto our subject and his wife were 
born six children, but only two are now living, 
Dollie, Ai, May and Lena all having passed 
away. The surviving members of the family 
are Eva, who is at home, and Alfred, who is 
the owner and president of the Second Na- 
tional Bank of Colfax, Wash., and president 
of the Traders' National Bank of Spokane, 
Wash. 

Mr. Coolidge is a stalwart Republican in 
politics and for two terms he served as coun- 
ty commissioner. He has also been council- 
man for several terms, and for a long period 
has been a school director. His fellow towns- 
men, recognizing his worth and ability, have 
called him to public office, and no trust reposed 
in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest 
degree. He is alike honorable in business and 
social relations, and wherever he is known he 
is esteemed for his fidelity to principles which 
make up an honorable manly character. His 
life has indeed been a busy and useful one, and 
he has accomplished much. Though he is now 
eighty years of age and though the snows of 
many winters have whitened his hair, in spirit 
and interest he seems in his prime, giving to 
his business affairs careful supervision and at 
the same time taking an active interest in 
whatever pertains to the welfare of his locality. 



JOHN J. SCOTT. Though young both in 
years and in his residence in Oregon, John J. 
Scott has made the most of natural ability and 
opportunity and holds now a position of promi- 
nence in the business affairs of the city of Al- 
bany, Linn county, where he has made his home 
since 1899. In the brief time of his residence 
he has shown exceptional ability along the lines 
of his business, and is a man of fine personality, 
winning a large circle of friends, who recognize 
his worth as a citizen. He is in the real estate 
business there and has every promise of a success- 
ful career, based upon the principles which have 
given him his first forward step in life. 

The birth of John J. Scott occurred in Alpena, 
Mich., May 1, 1875, his parents being James, a 
native of New York, and Mary (McCallum) 
Scott, the latter of whom was born in Ontario 
and died in Michigan. The father early settled 
in Alpena, Mich., building and conducting a saw- 
mill for many years. He later removed to Choate, 
in the upper peninsula of Michigan, and there 
built a sawmill, and conducted it successfully for 
some time, investing the proceeds of the sale of 
the same in a hardware business in Ewen, in the 
same county. In 1899 he changed his location to 
Oregon, now living upon a farm in Benton coun- 
ty, which is owned by himself and son, John, the 



I I IRTRA] 



AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



389 



other son, Walter, completing his Father's family, 

„ u homo in Polk county, Ore. John J. 

the older of the two sons, and was 

red ni Mpena, where he attended the public 

schools until he was fifteen years old, when he 

- apprenticed to loarn the tinner's trade, tak- 

instruction in his father's store. Alter five 

rs with his father he opened a tin shop in 

Ewen on his own responsibility, and conducted it 

until he changed his residence to Oregon in 

899. He first engaged in Albany with T. G. 

Hopkins in the prosecution of his trade, in which 

employment he remained for about a year, at the 

f that period entering the produce busi- 

[n 1901 he began business as a real estate 

man of Albany, being- one of the principals in the 

mi oi Curran & Scott, which has since dissolved 

partnership, II. F. Hulburt taking the place of 

Mr. Curran. The firm name is now Scott & 

Hulburt. In partnership with bis father he 

bought eighty acres of land two miles west of 

Albany, and in Benton county, where his father 

now lives, engaged in general farming. 

Mr. Scott was married in Albany to Miss Nellie 
Rilev. a native of that city, and the daughter of 
Peter Riley, a farmer and stock-dealer, who 
makes his home here. Mrs. Scott was educated 
in St. Mary's School. Interested always in the 
advancement of his business, Mr. Scott is a mem- 
ber of the Albany Real Estate Exchange, and 
politically he is a Republican. 



PARIS R. WINSLOW. Left an orphan at 
a very early age. Paris R. Winslow has made his 
own way in the world without money or influence, 
and by so doing has won an honored place for 
himself among the successful and enterprising 
farmers of Polk county. Born in Lincoln county, 
Maine. April 21, 1846. he is a son of Josiah and 
Nancy (Rowell) Winslow, natives of Massa- 
chusetts, and whose death occurred in Maine re- 
spectively in 185 1 and 1854. The elder Winslow 
was a blacksmith bv trade, and followed it nearly 
all of his active life, combining therewith the 
management of a small farm. 

Eight years old when left destitute of the care 
r "ather or mother, Paris R. went to live with 
an aunt in Hopkinton, Mass., where he continued 
the education begun in the public schools of 
Maine. Nothing of particular interest occurred 
in his life until the breaking out of the Civil war. 
when his desire to become a soldier and fight 
for the Cnion more than ofifset any business 
chances that might come his way. February 2, 
1862, he enlisted in Company D, Fifteenth 
Maine Volunteer Infantry under Gen. B. F. But- 
ler, and went to Mississippi, becoming a part 
of the Army of the Gulf. In this capacity he 
participated in the battles of Baton Rouge, Fort 



Hudson, Sabine Cross Roads ami Pleasant Hill. 
Under General Sheridan he was a soldier in Shen- 
andoah valley, and under General Banks was at 
Winchester and Cedar Creek, serving under the 
same able leadership until the close of the war. 
After being discharged and mustered out at Au- 
gusta, Me., July 14, 1866, he started the same 
year for California, making the journey by way 
of the Isthmus, and going direct to Olympia, 
Puget Sound. There he engaged in farming until 
1870, and then removed to Klickitat countv, 
Wash., and engaged in stock-raising until 1874. 

Arriving in Polk county. Ore., in 1874, Mr. 
Winslow lived first on a farm in the Eola Hills, 
and in 1890 rented his present farm, which he 
greatly improved and in time purchased. It 
consists of one hundred and two acres, twenty- 
five of which are under cultivation, the whole 
being devoted to general farming, stock-raising 
and dairying. In 1875 Mr. Winslow was united 
in marriage with Addie Vandevort, who was 
born in Lane county, Ore., in 1857, a "d whose 
father, W. H. Vandevort, crossed the plains in 
1852. Six children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Winslow, of whom Helen K. is living in 
Salem ; Herbert is in California ; Elvie and Wal- 
ter are attending the Willamette University ; and 
Frank and George are at home. With his wife 
Mr. Winslow is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of Lincoln, of which he is class- 
leader and trustee. He is a Republican in poli- 
tics, but has never been identified with local or 
other office. He is esteemed for his personal 
characteristics and success in life, and has many 
friends who wish him well and appreciate his 
public spiritedness and thrift. 



ERASTUS SPAULDING is one of the retired 
residents of Newberg who has stored up a great 
deal of interesting and instructive information 
regarding the early days of California and Ore- 
gon. Descended from a fine and reliable New 
England ancestry, Mr. Spaulding was born in 
Milford, N. H., August 14, 1832, his father, 
Abel, being a native of Massachusetts, as was 
also his paternal grandfather, another Abel. The 
latter served in the war of 1812, and died in hi? 
native town of Peperal at the advanced age of 
ninety-four years. He was a farmer during his 
entire active life, and handed down to his name- 
sake son a keen appreciation of the many ad- 
vantages of an agricultural life. However, the 
second Abel branched out somewhat from the 
example set bv his sire, and on his two hundred 
acre farm on the state line between New Hamp- 
shire and Massachusetts, in Milford township, 
engaged in sawmilling with a water-wheel mill 
for manv years. His latter days were rendered 
precarious by a defective heart, and this distress- 



1590 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing disorder was die cause of his death at the age 
of seventy-six years. His wife, Anna Shaddock, 
was also born in the east, the daughter of a farmer 
in Massachusetts, and her death occurred on the 
old homestead in Milford township. 

The second youngest in his father's family of 
seven sons and two daughters, Erastus Spauld- 
ing attended the early subscription schools at 
irregular intervals, and was early inured to long 
hours and hard work. Between the ages of ten 
and sixteen he knew little leisure on the home 
farm, and after that applied himself for seven 
years to learning and applying his trade of 
blacksmithing. During this time he lived in 
Westborough, Mass., and in 1858 he located in 
Leavenworth, Kans., where he lived and pros- 
pered for six years. Various activities engaged 
his attention in the Kansas city, including black- 
smithing, masonry and teaming, and he also came 
to own and manage a saw-mill. He was a strict 
Abolitionist, and fearlessly made known his 
views on this then all-important question. Those 
were interesting times in Kansas, and the ener- 
getic blacksmith had some peculiar experiences. 
The Quantrells were traveling their liveliest gait, 
and the country was being scoured for their cap- 
ture, dead or alive. Mr. Spaulding luckily es- 
caped close association with this murderous 
band of robbers, and his services were never in 
demand to hunt them to their lairs. 

In 1872 Mr. Spaulding unsettled himself from 
Kansas and located in California, where he found 
employment in the shop of the Excelsior Manu- 
facturing Company, managed by his brother. 
Thereafter he developed a talent for invention, 
and with a man named William Plumber invented 
what became known as the Plumber Fruit Dryer. 
They built the second fruit dryer in the state of 
California, and placed it in Sonoma, Sonoma 
county. They were fairly successful in manufac- 
turing their dryer, but a drought appearing the 
second year they removed to Oregon in 1874, 
locating' their plant at East Portland. Here 
they manufactured and sold their dryer for three 
years, made a large amount of money, but owing 
to a failure in the fruit crop the fourth year de- 
termined to dispose of their company rights. The 
severing of the partnership was accompanied by 
considerable friction, owing to the unreliability 
of the partner of Mr. Spaulding. 

After retiring from manufacturing dryers Mr. 
Spaulding bought a farm of one hundred and 
thirty acres near Pleasantdale, Yamhill county, 
a part of which was improved, and upon which 
he lived and farmed until 1896. He then took 
up his residence in Newberg, and though he still 
owns his farm, is practically retired from busi- 
ness activity. Four years ago he had a stroke 
of apoplexy, but at the present time has nearly 
recovered his normal health. In Massachusetts, 



May 8, 1861, Mr. Spaulding was united in mar- 
riage with Elizabeth Kent, who was born in Can- 
ada, and whose father, a printer by trade, lived 
and died in the northern country. Of the three 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding one died 
in infancy ; Frank, who had just completed an 
apprenticeship as a machinist, was drowned 
while moving some lumber into its proper place 
for his employers in Portland, and, stepping back- 
ward, fell into the Willamette river, striking the 
lower deck of a steamer moored to the shore. Flis 
neck was broken, and for two days the effort to 
find his body was futile. However, a longshore- 
man saw in hisi^leep the place where the boy 
might be found, **fcnd strange as it may seem, a 
search of the place revealed the body of the un- 
fortunate lad. He was twenty years and fifteen 
days old at the time of his death, and his taking 
away was sadly deplored by his family and many 
friends. C. K. . Spaulding, the youngest son, is 
mentioned at length in another part of this work. 
Mr. Spaulding is a Republican in politics, and in 
religion professes no particular creed. He is fra- 
ternally associated with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, and the Woodmen of the World. 



J. J. COLLINS. Bringing with him into the 
west a fund of enthusiasm and a firm belief in 
the inexhaustible resources of the states of the 
Pacific slope, it is not a matter of wonder th?t 
J. J. Collins has grandly succeeded in his under- 
taking, building up for himself an interest in a 
substantial and remunerative business, as well as 
developing the latent possibilities of the country. 
After many years of experience in the timber 
lands of Michigan, where he gained a keen, true 
insight into, every detail of the work, he desired 
a new and broader field for utilizing the ability 
and energy which he felt had become the moving 
power of his ambitions, and he therefore sought 
the fields of Oregon, and as a member of the 
firm of E. Dorgan & Co., of Albany, Linn coun- 
ty, he has added to the business possibilities of 
the city. 

J. J. Collins was born in Carsonville, Sanilac 
county, Mich., December 5, 1865, the son of 
Jeremiah Collins, a farmer in that vicinity, and 
who died there. He was the second oldest of 
the eight children, six of whom are living, two 
sisters and a brother, F. H. Collins, having also 
located in Albany. He was reared to manhood 
on the farm of his father, receiving his education 
in the district school, and when eighteen years 
of age he went to Alpena, Mich., and entered the 
employ of F. W. Gilchrist. Beginning at the 
foot of the ladder he made his way gradually to 
one of the best positions in the business, becom- 
ing, before the close of the fifteen years' service, 
the buyer and scaler of logs. In 1899 he resigned 




ANSON S. CONE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



393 



ln> position and coming to Albany, Ore., he be- 
• the firm of E. Dorgan & Co., which 
was then formed by himself. !•'.. Dorgan and F. 
Devine, the three being experienced lumber 
and timber men. Mr. Collins assumed charge 
of the office and the other two attended to the 

ating and buying of lands, beginning at once 

upon tlie work, and in their sale of the same meet- 

witli extremely gratifying success. In 1902 

tliev located about seventy thousand acres, most 

the locaters being Linn county people, alto- 

ther in this short time having bought and sold 
over thirty thousand acres of land. The best 
efforts of this firm have been put forth in the 
endeavor to induce capital to build a good saw- 
mill in the city of Albany, and thus advance the 
timber interests of the county and vicinity, the 
value of which operations would extend through- 
nut the Willamette valley, and induce emigration 
from the eastern states. 

The marriage of Mr. Collins united him with 
Miss Katherine G. Marinan, a native of Mis- 

-i. In addition to the absorbing interests of 
his timber business, Mr. Collins is connected with 
fire insurance circles, representing the Phoenix 
& Milwaukee Mechanics. In his fraternal rela- 
tions he is a member of the Benevolent Protec- 
tive Order of Elks, Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica and Foresters of America, in the first named 
serving as treasurer. 



AX SOX STERLING COXE. A family nu- 
merously and worthily represented in Oregon is 
that of which Anson S. Cone is a member. He 
i> widely known as one of the extensive farmers 
and stock-raisers of the Willamette valley, and 
since 1846 has been actively identified with the 

•; citizenship of this state of unbounded re- 
sources and possibilities, and with its wonderful 
latter-day development. He was born near Shel- 
byville, Ind., November 6, 1827, a son of Gus- 
tavus Adolphus and Mary (Garrison) Cone. 
\\ hen he was four years of age he was taken by 
his parents to Laporte county, Ind., and at the 
age of thirteen accompanied them to Lee county, 
Iowa, where his father purchased a farm. As 
early as 1846 rumors of the superior advantages 
offered by the west began to reach the quiet agri- 
cultural region of Lee county, and the sons in 
the Cone family discussed the subject with as 
much enthusiasm as did any of their neighbors — 
and perhaps with more practical results. At any 
rate Anson and Aaron Cone, two of the most 
enterprising and ambitious young men of that 
neighborhood, joined a caravan bound for Oregon 
in the spring of that year, having outfitted with 
ox-teams, with the unalterable determination of 
putting their fortunes to the hazard in the won- 
derful new country. A halo of romance invested 



everything connected with the great region for 
which they were headed, and. once started, noth- 
ing persuaded them to turn back. 

Upon their arrival at Whitman's Station the 
brothers, accompanied by Asbury l'ugh, pur- 
chased pack horses and proceeded on horseback 
the rest of the way to Oregon City, where they 
arrived about seven months after starting out. 
The following year Oscar H. and Gustavus A., 
their brothers, crossed the plains in the same man- 
ner, the former from the Iowa farm and the 
latter from Laporte county, Ind., and settled 
near Butteville. In 1852 'the father of these 
young men, desiring to share in the advantages 
surrounding his sons, sold his Iowa propertv 
and followed them to Oregon. In 1853 Francis 
AL, Oliver and Philander J. brought their mother 
to join the family, and thus were assembled in 
one state, and in practically the same neighbor- 
hood, the dear ones to whom separation and its 
attendant anxieties had been so severe a trial. 

Anson S. Cone's first location in Oregon was 
in Washington county, where he was employed 
for a time at work upon farms which were being 
developed out of the wilderness in the vicinity 
of Hillsboro. Subsequently he removed to the 
vicinity of Oregon City, and in 1848 started for 
California with ox-teams. The pioneer spirit 
of adventure had taken possession of him, and 
he was determined to secure some of the gold, 
the discovery of which about this time had created 
such a sensation the world over. The party with 
which he traveled was the first to open a road 
over the mountains into the far-famed valley 
of the. Sacramento. The expedition consisted of 
forty wagons and one hundred and twenty men, 
only one of whom was accompanied by his wife 
and children. Anson S. Cone first went to Sut- 
ter's Mill and prospected until the spring of 
1849, at which time he visited the north, middle 
and south forks of the American river, experi- 
encing fair success in his mining operations. In 
the fall of the same year his brother Aaron, 
wdio had been his companion in so many travels 
and adventures, and who had gone to California 
in the spring of 1849. died in Sacramento; and 
in August Mr. Cone himself became ill and was 
obliged to abandon his work and return to Ore- 
gon. He came by steamer from San Francisco 
to Astoria, and in the spring of 1850 went to 
Butteville, where he took up a donation claim 
of three hundred and twenty acres. This is the 
propertv now occupied by J. B. Kenyon and his 
sons. In the summer of the same year he took 
up his present farm of three hundred and twenty 
*acres. and upon this his father moved in 1852. 
In the latter year he built himself a log house 
on his original claim, and in the midst of crude 
and unattractive surroundings began the work 
of converting the wilderness into a productive 



394 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



farm. For four years he maintained bachelor 
quarters on this property, and endured many 
hardships without complaint, assured of ultimate 
improvement in his condition. 

In 1850, when the Indians who participated 
in the Whitman Massacre were tried, Mr. Cone 
served on the jury, in charge of Joseph L. Meeks, 
then United States marshal. 

In 1 86 1 Mr. Cone went to Florence, Idaho, 
and for two years earned considerable money 
in the mines. For a time thereafter, he turned 
his attention to a pack train with which he con- 
veyed provisions from Lewiston to the mining 
camps of Elk City and Clearwater Station, a 
distance of one hundred and thirty miles. Dur- 
ing the heat of two summers he made this trip 
frequently, and finally, with his brother, Philan- 
der J., he took the train to Marion county. In 
1866 he was united in marriage with Sarah A. 
Cone, widow of his brother Oliver, who had five 
children by her former marriage. Of these, Jane 
married Joseph Graham, of Clackamas county ; 
Alvina is deceased ; Orville O. resides near Sandy, 
Ore. ; Everett A. M. lives on the farm ; and Mary 
F. is the wife of Mr. Tower, in the mail service 
in Portland. By her first marriage with William 
Long she had a son, John Wesley Long, now on 
the home farm. 

Soon after his marriage Mr. Cone settled on 
the farm upon which his father formerly lived, 
and which now consists of four hundred acres. 
He is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising, has seventeen acres under hops, and 
is breeding hogs and Angora goats in large 
numbers. In politics he is a Republican, but 
has never evinced a desire to hold public office. 
Thorough, practical and substantial in appear- 
ance and fortune, he is a typical, large-hearted 
and resourceful northwestern pioneer. Possessed 
of a genial disposition and a kindly public spirit 
which actuates him to many deeds which will al- 
ways reflect credit upon his name, he strives to 
do his part in the world toward making it better 
and happier. At his home he and his family 
dispense a gracious and generous hospitality. The 
publishers of this volume have taken great pride 
in preserving for the future a record of the life 
of Mr. Cone, with this brief estimate of the es- 
teem in which he is held by those who have 
learned to know him best, feeling assured that 
such a review will prove the fountain-head of in- 
spiration for many an ambitious youth of the 
present day, as well as of generations yet to 
come. 



Z. H. RUDD. No history of the Willamette 
valley would be complete were no mention made 
of Z. H. Rudd, who. as manager of the Linn 
County Abstract Company, occupies an impor- 



tant place in the business affairs of the county. 
A native son of the state, he was born August 
27, 1862, a son of Harry L. and Lydia A. (Mor- 
rison) Rudd, natives of Rutland county, Vt., and 
New Hampshire, respectively, tbe latter a daugh- 
ter of Major Morrison, also a native of New 
Hampshire, but who finally settled "in Michigan. 

Harry L. Rudd was proud to claim descent 
from an old New England family. He was a 
farmer's son and was early initiated into the 
duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. 
From Rutland county, Vt., he removed to Cass 
county, Mich., there also engaging in farming. 
In 1849, however, he was seized with the fever 
of unrest, as were so many others upon the an- 
nouncement that gold had been discovered in 
California, and forthwith started across the plains 
with gold and California as his goal. In the 
fall of the year 1851 he returned to the east, and 
in Michigan, in the early part of 1852, was 
united in marriage with Miss Lydia A. Morrison. 
The young people at once started across the 
plains, ox teams furnishing the motive power. 
He became associated with John N. Donalds in 
the management of a merchandise business in 
Burlington. Adjoining what is now known as 
Peoria, Linn county, Mr. Rudd took up a dona- 
tion claim of six hundred and forty acres, and 
at once began to transform it into a habitable 
tract. 

The long and useful life of Harry L. Rudd 
was brought to a close in 1892, his death occur- 
ring in Albany, his wife preceding him by one 
year. To this worthy couple three children were 
born, only two of whom are living. Lura, Mrs. 
Haight, of Albany, and Z. H. 

As his father was a farmer, it was but natural 
that Z. H. Rudd should become acquainted with 
the duties that pertain to the farm, and at an 
early age he gave a helping hand. When the 
district schools were in session he improved every 
opportunity which they afforded, and subsequent- 
ly he attended Armstrong's Business College in 
Portland, from which he graduated in February, 
1882. From then until 1891 he remained on the 
old home farm, taking an active part in its care 
and cultivation. In 1891 he was appointed 
deputy to the county recorder, E. E. Davis, hold- 
ing the position two terms, and in the meantime 
gaining a practical insight into the details per- 
taining to the office. In 1892 Z. H. Rudd, E. E. 
Davis and W. A. Kimsey formed what has since 
been known as the Linn County Abstract Com- 
pany, although the individual owners have 
changed somewhat since its organization. Mr. 
Kimsey's interest was later purchased by the two 
other partners, and subsequently B. M. Payne 
and Z. H. Rudd bought Mr. Davis' interest 
Substantially all the abstracts written in the coun- 
ty pass through the company's hands, and it goes 



PORTR \l r AND BI< >GR VI'MU'AI. kF.COUl). 



[95 



without saying that the compan) enjoy the com- 
plete confidence of the people wanting work in 
that lme. A number of assistants are required 
in the office to do the detail work. Mr. Rudd is 
manager of the company, for which position he 
tughly qualified. 

In Lebanon, I. inn county. Mr. Rudd was united 
in marriage with Miss Mary Rieland, whose birth 
occurred in Ohio. Fraternally Mr. Rudd is a 
Mason, being identified with St. John's Lodge 
and is also enrolled among the Royal 
Arch Masons and the Woodmen of the World. 
Socially he holds membership with the Alco Club, 

I in political matters invariably casts bis vote 
in favor of Democratic candidates. Mr. Rudd 
and his sister still own the old donation claim 
which his father took up in 1852, but rent it to 
tenants. In his business dealings he has been 
vt tv successful, his good management, enterprise 
and fair dealing winning him a handsome com- 
petence, which numbers him among the substan- 
tial citizens of the community. 



WILLIAM GOLTRA. Since coming to Ore- 
gon in 1853 William Goltra has been closely 
connected with the business as well as the ag- 
ricultural interests of the communities of which 
he has been a resident, through the exercise of 
his practical, clear-cut methods, dictated by an 
unusually keen judgment. Not empty-handed 
when he came west — for no man can be called 
who has mastered a trade, and with earnest 
energy and industry prepares for the work which 
is to win his livelihood — he also had for his cap- 
ital the personal traits which have since charac- 
terized his success, and also called forth the ad- 
miration and esteem of those who have witnessed 
his efforts. 

The Goltra family came originally from Ger- 
many, the first representative in America being 
the great-grandfather of William Goltra. He set- 
tled in New York state, where Oliver Goltra 
was born, the latter serving his country in the 
war of 18 1 2. He was a farmer by occupation 
and made his home in young manhood in New 
Jersey, and later in life removed to Jacksonville, 
111., where his death occurred. The second 
ttiver, the father of William Goltra, was born 
near Xew Brunswick, N. J., and in that state he 
engaged at his trade of a hatter, carrying on his 
work in both Middlesex and Somerset counties 
until 1861, at which time he removed to Jack- 
die, 111., and became a farmer in Morgan 
county, later removing to Lincoln, where he died. 
In his religious views he was a Presbyterian. 
He married Anna Harris, a native of New Jer- 
sey, and a descendant of Welsh and English an- 
cestors. Her father, William H. Harris, died 
in Xew Jersey, where Mrs. Goltra also died, his 



loyalty having been tested in the war of iS 1 2 dur- 
ing which he faithfully served. Of the eleven 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Goltra, ten at- 
tained maturity and nine are now living, only two 
of whom came to the Pacific coast, another son, 
Nelson, coming at the same time that William 
Goltra emigrated. He settled in Linn county, 
Ore., where he engaged in the manufacture of 
lumber, and was killed in Corvallis in 1858, by 
the explosion of one of the boilers of the saw- 
mill. 

The oldest child living of this large family 
is William Goltra, who was born May 24, 1834, 
near New Brunswick, N. J., and there reared to 
manhood, receiving his education in the public 
schools. He early learned the trade of a carpen- 
ter, working at the same for some little time in 
his native state, but when only nineteen years old 
he started with his brother for the west. The 
outfit, consisting of ox teams and necessary sup- 
plies, was obtained in the spring of 1853 and 
they set out over the " Barlow route " for Ore- 
gon, May 12 witnessing their departure from 
the site of Kansas City, and five months later, 
to the day, they arrived at their destination. Mr. 
Goltra walked the entire distance between Mis- 
souri and the western territory, driving a team, 
his pluck manifest in the way he endured hard- 
ships and privations in this first struggle of life. 
The brothers first located in Clackamas county. 
Ore., and there spent the winter following the 
journey. William Goltra engaged in the prose- 
cution of his trade. In 1854 he came to the 
citv of Albany, Linn county, and for the ensuing 
eleven years continued here, contracting and 
building. In 1855 he bought the right to a do- 
nation claim seven miles southeast of xAlbany, 
known originally as the Keller claim, and near 
which the Southern Pacific railroad now runs, 
and improved and operated it in connection with 
his interests in Albany. In 1865 he removed to 
the farm and devoted his energies entirely to the 
cultivation of the same, and has added to the 
original number of acres purchased until he has 
four hundred and thirty acres. In 1873 he rented 
the farm and again located in Albany, engaging 
then in the grain business. He has since con- 
tinued in this work, meeting with a gratifying 
success which can scarcely fail to accompany 
earnest, persevering effort, such as Mr. Goltra 
has put forth in everything that be has attempted 
in life. He buys grain from Linn, Marion and 
Lane counties principally, and ships to Portland 
and San Francisco, dealing almost entirely in 
wheat and oats. In t8o6 he bought out the 
branch house of the Mitchell, Lewis & Staver 
Hardware Company, of Portland, and moved the 
stock into his own building at the corner of Ells- 
worth and First streets, where he carries a com- 
plete line of all farming implements, carriages, 



396 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



wagons and harness. The business is conducted 
under the firm name of Goltra & Rumbaugh. 
Mr. Goltra is well known through his extensive 
grain dealing, especially in the eastern part of 
the Willamette valley, where he bought and 
shipped grain over the " East Side Railway " be- 
tween Silverton and Coburg, and the main line 
between Harrisburg and Turner, for many vears. 
Mr. Goltra also owns other farms in the vicinity 
of Albany, and for some years was interested in 
the Farmer's Elevator Company, of which he was 
one of the organizers. 

The marriage of William Goltra with Sarah 
E. Denney, occurred in Lebanon, Linn county. 
She was born in Ohio, the daughter of Christian 
Denney, who crossed the plains in 1852 and set- 
tled in Linn county. Of the four children which 
blessed this union, Eva died in Albany ; Addie 
became the wife of D. W. Rumbaugh, of Al- 
bany; Laura was married to J. B. Starr, now of 
New York City ; and John O., a graduate of 
Willamette University, is the secretary of the 
Portland Trust Company, and makes his home 
in Portland. Mr. Goltra is a Methodist in his 
religious views and a Republican in politics, 
and though never desiring official recognition, he 
takes an active interest in political affairs and 
gives every effort toward the betterment of mu- 
nicipal government and hearty encouragement 
toward movements calculated to advance the 
general welfare of the city. He is one of the 
representative citizens of the west, and it is 
through the efforts of such men of ability and 
integrity that the commonwealth of Oregon has 
so quickly risen to a place of importance in the 
affairs of the country. 



E. J. SEELY. An important factor in the 
industrial interests of Linn county, and a lead- 
ing member of the Democratic party, E. J. Seely 
holds a commanding position among the active 
and enterprising men of the thriving city of 
Albany. He takes a prominent part in public 
matters as chairman of the Democratic Central 
Committee, and is widely and favorably known 
as a most successful creamery operator, being the 
secretary and manager of the Albany Butter and 
Produce Company. A son of the late William 
Seely, he was born July 3, 1866, in Whitehall, 
Greene county, 111. He is of French-Canadian 
/descent, his paternal great-grandfather, Anthony 
Seelye, as the name was formerly spelled, having 
been born of French ancestors, in Canada. He 
subsequently removed to Missouri, settling in 
St. Louis, when that now important city was but 
a hamlet. His son, Stewart Seely, who curtailed 
the family surname by cutting off the final " e," 
was the grandfather of E. J. Seely. He was 
born and bred in St. Louis, but as a young man 



settled in Greene county, 111., where he became 
a farmer of some prominence. 

Born in Whitehall, III, William Seely was 
reared to farming pursuits, and continued a resi- 
dent of his native town until 1888. Emigrating 
then to Benton county, Ore., he purchased land 
in Alsea, and was there engaged in agricultural 
pursuits until his death, in 1892. He married 
Jennie Jones, who was born in Greene county, 
111., and died, in 1896, in Alsea, Ore. Her father, 
Josiah Jones, a native of North Carolina, was a 
pioneer settler of Greene county, 111. Of the 
thirteen children born of their union, eight sur- 
vive, namely: E. J., the special subject of this 
sketch ; Charles, a resident of Astoria ; Curtis, 
who is engaged in the creamery business at Wald- 
port, Ore. ; Mrs. Lana Neal, of Heppner, Ore. ; 
Mrs. Lucy Warfield, Harry, Gusta and Inez. 
The last four named children live in Alsea valley. 

Brought up on the home farm in Greene coun- 
ty, 111., E. J. Seely obtained his education in the 
district schools and the Whitehall high school. 
Leaving home at the age of nineteen years, he 
went to Bartelsville, I. T., where he was em- 
ployed in farming and stock-raising until the 
spring of 1889. Coming then to Oregon, he lo- 
cated at Springfield, Lane county, where he re- 
mained for five years in the creamery business, 
being associated with Douglas & Co., as manager 
of their creamery, and while there became pro- 
ficient in the trade of a butter maker. Remov- 
ing, in 1895, to Albany, Mr. Seely became sec- 
retary and manager of the Albany Creamery As- 
sociation, with which he was connected five 
years. In 1900 he organized the Albany Butter 
and Produce Company, of which he has since 
been the secretary and manager. Buying a cor- 
ner lot he built the creamery, and has been in- 
strumental in the establishment of an extensive 
and profitable dairy business, making a specialty 
of manufacturing a choice grade of butter, in the 
season of 1902 making 155,000 pounds. Remod- 
eling the building in 1902, Mr. Seely erected a 
cold storage plant, and is in every way success- 
ful. He both stores and manufactures ice, in 
which he carries on a substantial retail trade, 
having a lucrative patronage in Albany. 

Mr. Seely married, in Albany, Miss Stena 
Freerksen, who was born in Illinois, of German 
ancestry, and they have one child, Claribel Seely. 
For several years Mr. Seely has been a member 
of the Democratic Central Committee, of which 
he is now the chairman, and for one term rep- 
resented the third ward in the City Council. Fra- 
ternally he was made a Mason at Eugene, Ore., 
joining Eugene Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M., 
and is a member of Eugene Chapter, R. A. M., 
and of Temple Commandery, No. 3, K. T., of 
Albany, being Past E. C. He united with the 
Odd Fellows at Springfield, Ore., and now be- 




ouawLtfL $t 



'fhOsLC* 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



399 



longs to Albany Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., in 

which he lias passed all the chairs, and to the 
Albany Encampment, of which he is Past C. I'. 
Mr. Seel) likewise belongs to the Benevolent and 
Protective ( 'rder of Elks, to the Alco Club, and 
to the State Dairymen's Association. 



CAPT. DAVID CRAIG. The fine farming 
property owned by Capt. David Craig, located 

glit ami a half miles from Salem, has witnessed 
ny large undertakings in the line of stock- 
raising and general farm operations, and without 

mbt has been one of the most productive and 
profitable farms in Marion county. The owner 
has advanced ideas relating to his preferred oc- 
cupation, and through the medium of his own 
practical experiments, agricultural journals and 
conferences with others as thoughtful and inquir- 
ing as himself, has probably brought his farm to 
as high a state of perfection as it is possible at 
the present time and under present conditions 
in the northwest. Of the three hundred and forty 
acres in the property, three hundred are under 
cultivation. The work of improvement has been 
greatly facilitated by reason of the many natural 
advantages existing, chief among which is the 
presence of numerous living springs. A beau- 
tiful rural home, surroundings of shrubbery, 
trees and flowers, with fine barns, hop houses 
and the most modern of agricultural implements, 
convey an idea of the enterprise and progressive 
spirit of one of the representative land-owners 
of Marion county. 

When Captain Craig took possession of his 
farm in 1877, he had to deal with and solve the 
problem of disposing of vast areas of scrub oak 
and underbrush. Having accomplished this 
work, he began, on a small scale, the raising of 
wheat and oats, gradually increasing his annual 
production until he became one of the extensive 
grain-producers of his community. At the same 
time he embarked in stock-raising, a business 
which soon developed to large proportions. In 
vears gone by, some very valuable stock has been 
bred on his farm. During the stock-raising pe- 
riod of his career, which terminated in 1895. he 
was awarded many prizes at the State Fair. He 
has made a specialty of Angora goats, Cotswold 
sheep and Poland-China swine. In 1894, Cap- 
tain Craig put sixty acres of his land under hops. 
Two vears later he reduced this to thirty acres, 
which has since been devoted- uninterruptedly to 
the culture of this product. In 1902 the yield 
was over eighteen tons. 

A native of Toronto, Canada, Captain Craig 
was born February 8, 1852. When eight years 
of age he was taken by his parents to London, 
Canada, where his rudimentary education was 
received. After the completion of his studies in 
tlie public schools he entered Day's Business Col- 



lege in Toronto, from which he was graduated. 
He was variously employed during the earlier 
years of his young manhood, until he came to 
Oregon with his father in 1875. His father 
located on a farm in the Waldo Hills in Marion 
county in that year, where David Craig remained 
for two years. In 1877 ' le settled upon the farm 
which he now occupies, and which he has since 
made his home. April 20, 1881, he was married 
to Olivia Small, a native of Silverton. Ore., and 
of this union five children have been born : 
Ernest E., the eldest son, while a student in 
Mount Angel College, ran away to participate in 
the Spanish-American war, and died in the Phil- 
ippine Islands; Harvey S. graduated from the 
classical department of Mount Angel College, in 
June, 1903 ; Alma M., Willard D. and Vernon 
W. reside with their parents. 

Recognizing his qualifications for public office, 
the people of Marion county elected Captain 
Craig to the Oregon state legislature in 1895, and 
again in 1897. During both sessions he sup- 
ported all measures inspired by a desire to pro- 
mote the highest interests of the state and the 
community in which he resides, and those who 
watched his record accord to him the highest 
credit for the capable and efficient manner in 
which he safeguarded the causes of his constitu- 
ents. His first presidential vote was cast for a 
Republican candidate, and he has since stanchly 
adhered to the principles of that great party. 
Fraternally, he is identified with the Masonic 
order, affiliating with Pacific Lodge No. 50, A. 
F. & A. M., of Salem, and Multnomah Chapter 
No. 1, R. A. M., also of Salem. For many vears 
he was connected with the Oregon National 
Guard. Upon the organization of Company I, 
Second Regiment, Oregon National Guard, in 
September, 1887, he was elected first lieutenant. 
May 17, 1890, he was elected to the captaincy of 
the company, and filled this office until his resig- 
nation, in 1892, after a continuous service of 
nearly five years. 

Captain Craig is a man possessed of a high 
public spirit and a keen sense of personal honor. 
In all his associations with his fellow-men he has 
exhibited those characteristics which cause a man 
to be respected and honored, and his influence 
and his means have always been at the command 
of the public when the opportunity of assisting 
in any cause for the advancement of the general 
welfare presented itself to him. He has been a 
frequent contributor to the press, and his opinion 
on public affairs, thus disseminated, has been of 
immediate interest to the people. In every sense 
he has shown himself to be a thoroughly repre- 
sentative citizen, and his name will go down in 
history as that of one of the thoughtful, unselfish, 
generous-hearted and conscientious citizens of 
the countv. 



400 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



MANFORD McCROSKY. Though a resi- 
dent of Oregon but three years, Manford Mc- 
Crosky has become a man of no small importance 
in the industrial life of the community in which 
he has chosen to make his home. Having met 
with a gratifying success in his line of work in 
the middle west he has ventured to extend his 
operations into the less tried opportunities of the 
Pacific slope, confident as to his ability to win 
the approval and business confidence of the people 
with whom he should deal, and his effort has 
met with speedy and entirely satisfactory results. 

Mr. McCrosky is a representative of a Scotch- 
Irish family, his grandfather, Samuel McCrosky, 
having been a near descendant of an emigrant 
from the country across the water. His home 
was originally in Pennsylvania, and from that 
state he removed to Ohio, where he continued to 
follow his occupation of farming. Near St. 
Paris of the latter state the father of Manford 
McCrosky, John, was born and reared to man- 
hood, likewise following the occupation of an 
agriculturist, later making his home near Argos. 
Ind., where he was well known through the sub- 
stantial results of his work. He married Cynthia 
Hunt, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Isaac 
Hunt, a farmer in that state, and she was the 
mother of two children, a son and a daughter. 
She died when the son, Manford McCrosky, was 
an infant. 

The birth of Manford McCrosky occurred near 
Argos, Ind., September 24, 1864, and he there 
grew to manhood, receiving his education in the 
public schools of that state. Until 1888 he re- 
mained at home, and at that date he removed 
to Rosewood, Champaign county, Ohio, and there 
engaged in the employment which had occupied 
the attention of his forefathers. After a few 
years he became interested in the creamery busi- 
ness in the city of Rosewood, being one of the 
organizers of the Rosewood Elgin Butter Com- . 
pany, of which he became director, secretary and 
manager. The business venture was entirely suc- 
cessful and he continued in this employment until 
1899, when he decided to carry his interests into 
the west. Unlike the pioneers .of old, but no less 
interested in all that pertained to the welfare of 
the land in which he was seeking a home, he 
traveled to Oregon, and at once entered the em- 
ploy of the Albany Creamery Association, re- 
maining, however, but six weeks at their skim- 
ming station at Tangent, before he accepted a po- 
sition as butter-maker with the T. S. Townsend 
Creamery Company, of Salem. For seven months 
he was satisfied with this position, but January 
1, 1901, he returned to Albany at the request of 
the Albany Creamery Association, and though 
they gave him the position of manager and sec- 
retary he also took charge of a department where 
he could make the butter. Though receiving help 



at times in his department the work which he 
has chosen is done entirely by himself, and he 
derives much satisfaction in so doing when 
viewed in the light of results. He has competed 
in several butter-making contests, his first being 
at the Oregon State Fair, where he took first 
premium. At the Hillsboro meeting of the Ore- 
gon Dairymen's Association, December 16-18, 
1902, he took the gold medal, his butter scoring 
963^, and through his successive triumphs a proper 
valuation has been placed upon his work. He 
is also interested as a stockholder in the Albany 
Creamery Association, of which he is secretary 
and manager. 

The marriage of Mr. McCrosky occurred in 
Urbana, Ohio, and united him with Victoria E. 
Newcomb, a native of that city, and they are 
now the parents of two children : Carl R. and 
Cecil B. Religiously Mr. McCrosky is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically 
he is a Democrat, while in his home in Rosewood 
serving for six years as justice of the peace, a 
postion which he resigned on coming to Oregon. 
Always interested in his business affairs, Mr. 
McCrosky is an active member of the State 
Dairymen's Association, and during the Oregon 
state fair at Salem, in 1900, he was a judge of the 
creamery display. 



JUDGE H. H. HEWITT. For many years 
associated with the jurisprudence of Oregon, 
Judge H. H. Hewitt occupies a position in the 
community of Linn county in keeping with his 
profound legal attainments, his political integ- 
rity and sagacity, and his advantages as a native 
son and a member of one of the earliest pioneer 
families of the northwest. Born near Wheaton. 
Yamhill county, December 7, 1846, he laid the 
foundation for his present rugged constitution 
on the home farm, and gained his rudimentary 
education while irregularly attending the public 
school of his neighborhood. A son of Henry and 
Elizabeth (Matheney) Hewitt, he is a grandson 
of another Henry. 

The father of Judge Hewitt was born near 
Huntingdon, Huntingdon county, Pa., November 
19, 1822, and was sixteen years old when his 
father moved overland to Platte county, Mo. A 
mountaineer chancing to pass the lonely and iso- 
lated farm of the Hewitts discoursed glowingly 
upon the advantages in the far northwest, and 
young Henry lent a ready ear to his account, 
and eventually inspired others with faith in the 
remote western country. At a public meeting 
he secured the signatures of a number of the 
prominent seitlers of the locality, the majority 
of whom withdrew after promising to make ready 
for the proposed journey. At best the project 
was a hazardous one, for no wagon train had as 



PORTRAIT AND KIOC.RAPI I HAL RECORD. 



401 



penetrated the limitless tracts of the plains, 
the chances were against their reaching the 
Nothing daunted, the young' man 
' in agitating the plan which accentu- 
ated his limitations and made his days and nights 
with uncertainty. He finally succeeded 
in getting together a party which included 
Messrs. Applegate, Burnett, Martyn, Lennox, 
Waldo, and many others, as well as Captain Ma- 
ihencv, one of the central figures in this first great 
nigration towards the western sea. Captain Ma- 
thene} was one of the settlers of Platte county 
with whom the Hewitts became acquainted soon 
•itur removing there, and his daughter, 
Elizabeth, finally became the wife of young 
Henry Hewitt. She was born in Indiana, while 
her father was born in Virginia, and reared in 
Kentucky. From Indiana he took his family 
to Illinois, and in Hancock county won the rank 
which clung to him through life, that of captain 
of a company organized to drive the Mormons 
out of Nauvoo. In Missouri the fearlessness 
which characterized his entire life made him an 
important factor in the then wilderness country, 
and he naturally fell into a foremost position in 
the opening expedition of 1843. 

History furnishes various accounts of the brave 
and fearless men who sold their middle west 
farms and risked all on the chance of reaching the 
western slope of the Rocky mountains. That the 
ipany was a large one is certain, for it is 
practically agreed that their original intention 
was to travel in four columns, of thirty wagons 
h, and sufficiently far apart to facilitate the 
rmation of a square into which the loose cattle 
could he driven at night for protection from the 
Indians. Owing to the necessity of forming so 
many new paths this plan proved impracticable, 
and it is assumed, after reading many accounts, 
that the train finally resolved into a single line, the 
different wagons of which took their turn in lead- 
ing the way. However, three companies were 
formed, each having a captain, and thus organiza- 
tion was effected, and complications minimized. 
jreat difficulty was experienced with the loose 
;tock, and greater difficulty in crossing the North 
tnd South Platte rivers. Here also one can 
hardly get a correct version of the methods em- 
ployed, for each company accomplished the feat 
according to their best judgment, and the result, 
ood or bad, of those who had preceded them. 
tee authority speaks of chaining all of the teams 
Bgether and passing over the South Platte in a 
d column, while another recounts the placing 
of buffalo robes under the wagons, thus trans- 
forming them into boats. Ferries were made by 
lashing two Indian canoes together, and placing 
the wheels on each side of the wagons in the 
canoes. The mountains offered many obstacles 
for the intrepid travelers, and it is recorded of 



Mr. I [ewitt that he was the first to drive a wagon 
over the range since Whitman's time-honored 
vehicle passed that way in 1838. From The 
Dalles the most of the party went by water, the 
cattle being driven along the south shore, and 
made to swim the Columbia river at Sauvie's 
island, going thence to Vancouver. 

Locating in Washington county, Mr. Hewitt 
the next year moved to a claim three miles north 
of Wheatland, Yamhill count}-, the same being 
the Joseph McLaughlin farm, first settled upon 
in 1832, and constituting the oldest farm on the 
west side of the Willamette. Here he improved 
his land, reared his children, and ennobled his 
life by as true, sincere and helpful a career as 
any that contributed to the upbuilding of Oregon. 
His old-time friend, Captain Matheney, true to 
his former record, continued to exert an influence 
among his new surroundings, and after taking up 
his residence in Wheatland established the Ma- 
theney Ferry, destined for a long era of useful- 
ness in propelling people across the river. The 
captain was a large, strong man, with wonderful 
powers of endurance, and an expert axman. A 
remarkable shot, he hunted with his friend in the 
timberlands, and up to the time of his death at 
the Hewitt homestead, at the age of eighty, de- 
lighted to recall the trials and adventures with 
which he had to contend in crossing the plains, 
and during the subsequent settlement of Yamhill 
county. His daughter, Mrs. Hewitt, who died 
in October, 1899, was the mother of ten children, 
the order of their birth being as follows : Ann 
Eliza, deceased wife of Mr. John L. Thornton, of 
Yamhill countv ; D. M., a farmer in Polk county ; 
Judge H. H., of Albany; A. W.. of Salem, Ore.; 
A. J., living on a part of the old home in Yamhill 
county; J. C, of Salem; M. C, a builder of 
Sacramento, Cal. ; J. L., a doctor of dental surg- 
ery of Portland ; H. W., a jeweler in La Grande, 
Ore ; and L. L., living on the old homestead in 
Yamhill county. 

Mr. Hewitt, whose death occurred January 15, 
1899, at the age of seventy-six years, was a 
stanch Republican, and took an active part in 
the establishment of his party in Oregon. He 
was a regular attendant at county and state con- 
ventions, and served two terms as commissioner 
of Yamhill county. He was successful as a 
farmer, and at one time owned Scott Mount, in 
Portland, which he sold to H. W. Scott many 
years before his death. He participated in all of 
the measures adopted for the development of his 
county, and contributed both time and money for 
many worthy causes. His varied experiences in- 
cluded some time spent in the mines of California 
in 1848. His family was distinguished during 
the Civil war by the meritorious service of two of 
his brothers, one of whom, Andrew J., lost his 
life in battle as colonel of his regiment, and the 



408 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



other, Adam, entered the service after returning 
from Oregon, whither he had gone with a pack- 
train in 1842. 

Judge H. H. Hewitt secured his higher educa- 
tion at the Willamette University, from_which he 
was graduated in the class of 1870, with the de- 
gree of A. B. For the following nine years he 
engaged in educational work, his time being dis- 
posed of for a year as principal of the Baptist 
College at McMinnville, as principal of the pub- 
lic schools of Amity for two years, principal of 
the Scio schools for two years, principal of the 
LaFayette Academy for a year; as professor of 
Greek, Latin and mathematics in the Albany 
Collegiate Institute for two years, and as principal 
of the latter institution for one year. In 1872 he 
was elected superintendent of schools of Yam- 
hill county. In the meantime Mr. Hewitt had 
devoted his leisure to the study of law, and, hav- 
ing been admitted to the bar in December, 1877, 
he opened a law office in Albany in July, 1879. 
For ten years he engaged in practice in partner- 
ship with H. Bryant, and later was connected for 
three years with O. H. Irvine. In 1888 he was 
elected attorney of the Third judicial district on 
the Republican ticket, and in 1894 was nominated 
judge of the same district, and elected by a large 
majority. Upon the completion of his political 
service he retired to private practice, and has 
since been senior member of the firm of Hewitt 
& Sox. Fie is an ex-member of the State Central 
Committee, and was chairman of the Congres- 
sional Committee at the convention held in Rose- 
burg, Ore., in 1902. For two years he has served 
as city attorney. 

In Yamhill county in 1872 Judge Hewitt was 
united in marriage with Maggie J. Rowland, a 
native daughter of the county, and daughter of 
Jeremiah Rowland, and sister of Dr. L. L. Row- 
land, of Salem. Jeremiah Rowland was one of 
the early settlers of Yamhill county, having 
crossed the plains in 1844. Mrs. Hewitt died in 
1899, leaving a daughter, Olga L., who shares 
her father's appreciation of mental culture, hav- 
ing graduated from the Albany College. Fra- 
ternally Judge Hewitt is prominent as a member 
and ex-senior warden of Albany Lodge No. 64, 
A. F. & A. M., the Royal Arch Chapter, the 
Knights of Pythias, and the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. He is a member, and ex-vice 
president of the State Bar Association. No name, 
in the legal annals of this county carries with it 
greater influence than does that of Judge Hewitt. 
He has the personal characteristics which rivet 
popular attention, and command universal re- 
spect. Industrious, fearless, profound and prac- 
tical, he has made himself distinguished for erudi- 
tion in the legal profession, for painstaking and 
exhaustive examination of every subject engag- 



ing his attention or committed to his care, and 
for guarding well the interests of clients, the 
public and the integrity of law. 



JASON N. BRANDEBERRY. The firm of 
Brandeberry & Wheeler represent the largest re- 
tail lumber enterprise in Linn county. Started 
in Albany in 1899, an era of prosperity has al- 
ready dawned for the promoters, both of whom 
are men of extended experience in their chosen 
occupation, and command the confidence of the 
business world. J. N. Brandeberry, the senior 
member of the firm, was born in Troy township, 
Ashland county, Ohio, November 18, 1848, and 
lived on a farm for the first twenty-two years 
of his life. The most remote ancestor of whom 
authentic record has been kept is his paternal 
great-grandfather, who came from Germany and 
settled in Pennsylvania, where his son, Abraham, 
the grandfather, was born. The latter removed 
to Medina county, Ohio, as a young man, and 
there Conrad Brandeberry, the father of J. N., 
was born, and upon the same farm the grand- 
father passed several years of his life, his death 
occurring after his removal to Ashland county, 
the same state. He was a soldier in the war of 
1812. Conrad Brandeberry farmed for many 
years in Ashland county, but in 1854 took up his 
residence in Williams county, Ohio, and died 
there in October, 1902, at the age of eighty-four 
years. He was a Republican in politics, and a 
member of the United Brethren Church. His 
wife, Jane (Malcolm) Brandeberry, was born in 
Aberdeen, Scotland, a daughter of Alexander 
Malcolm, who brought his family from Scotland 
and settled in Ashland county, where the balance 
of his life was spent in farming. Mrs. Brande- 
berry, who survives her husband, is the mother 
of eight children. One of her four daughters is 
deceased. 

From the public schools J. N. Brandeberry 
went to Oberlin College, Ohio, which he left at 
the end of a year to engage as a clerk in a drug 
store in Bryan, Ohio. During his four years' as- 
sociation with this concern he acquired a com- 
plete knowledge of the business, and thereafter 
traveled for a year before his marriage in Pio- 
neer, to Mary L. Himes. a native of Williams 
countv, Ohio. After farming for a year Mr. 
Brandeberry engaged in the drug and grocery 
business in Montpelier, and after four successfid 
years his store was consumed by fire and he lost 
about all that he had accumulated. He then 
turned his attention to railroading, beginning as 
fireman on the Wabash Railroad, and the fifth 
year was promoted to engineer, acting in that 
capacity for two years. In 1886 he came to 
Corvallis. Ore., and worked at the carpenter's 
trade for a short time, and then became manager 




v£ &L- < ^2 : z&-~y*^c*-JxA^s 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICA1 



ECORD. 



t05 



oi the warehouse business of Wells & Cauthom 
tor about ten seasons. 

Mr. Brandeberry's tirst lumbering experience 
was acquired in partnership with Nels 11. 
Wheeler, with whom he has since been associated 
in business. The firm rented a mill in Corvallis 
for two years, and were so successful that they 
started a branch concern in Albany in June, 1899, 
thereafter managing both mills until disposing of 
the Corvallis mill in October, 1899. The com- 
pany now have two yards, one on Jackson and 
Water, the other on Water and Washington 
streets, the main yard covering half a block. The 
company have complete arrangements for con- 
ducting a large retail and wholesale business, 
the former the most extensive in the county, the 
business being facilitated by switch connections 
with both the Southern Pacific and Corvallis & 
Eastern Railroads. The lumber for manufactur- 
ing is brought from Mill City, Ore., and the firm 
turn out all kinds of lumber and builders' mate- 
rials. They are the exclusive agents, outside of 
Salem, for the Curtis Lumber Company, shipping 
their output to the east, west, north and south in 
the Willamette valley. 

This prosperous part of Oregon has no more 
enthusiastic advocate of its many advantages than 
Mr. Brandeberry, wdio has evidenced his faith in 
its future by investing in real estate, and in a 
general participation in the upbuilding of its 
material, social, and moral structure. His pro- 
gressive spirit is shared by his sons, Earl C. and 
Marvin D., the former a bookkeeper and the 
latter a salesman for the mills, both of whom are 
enterprising, ambitious, and promising members 
of the younger generation of business men of 
Albany. Mr. Brandeberry cast his first presiden- 
tial vote for a Republican candidate, and he has 
never strayed from his allegiance to his party. 
Fraternally he is connected with Albany Lodge 
Xo. 4. Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
Albany Tent Xo. 5, Knights of the Maccabees. 



BENJAMIN AUSTIN LEONARD. A his- 
tory of Marion county were indeed incomplete 
without due mention of two of its most venerable 
and honored pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. B. A. Leon- 
ard. Though the husband is now past eighty- 
three years of age. and his wife but five months 
younger, each continues to perform the duties 
which from long experience have become second 
nature, the husband still caring for his farm, and 
the wife performing her household work. The 
Leonard farm consists of two hundred and eighty 
acres, and general farming and stock-raising are 
engaged in, particular attention being given to 
fine Durham cattle. 

A native of Bradford county, Pa., Mr. Leon- 
ard was born November 15, 1819, and is one of 



ten children horn to Abel and Abi (Leonard) 
Leonard. I lis father, Austin Leonard, who was 
born in Massachusetts, was of Scotch or English 
descent. I 'reserved Leonard, who was probably 
a brother of Austin Leonard, served with the 
Continental army in the Revolutionary war. 
Abel Leonard, a tanner by trade, removed, in 
1804, to Bradford county, Pa., and, with the 
family of which his wife was a member, founded 
Leonard's FIollow, now known is Leona. He 
was engaged in business there until 1829, when 
he removed to Ashtabula county, Ohio. In 1852 
they started across the plains, intending to join 
their son, B. A., who had gone the year before ; 
but the deprivations of the journey were more 
than they could stand. Arriving at the Missouri 
river they gave up the trip, as too exacting, and 
retraced their steps to Ohio, where they passed 
the remainder of their lives with their son, Hor- 
ace. Their children, named in the order of their 
birth, were as follows : Junietta, wife of Asaph 
Blanchard ; Leicester Upham ; Harriet, wife of 
Philemon Guthrie ; Horace F. ; Laura, wife of 
William Glenn ; Rosamond, wife of Hiram Bel- 
den ; Benjamin Austin; Sallie, Mariah, and Abi- 
gail. All are deceased, excepting the subject of 
this review. 

Naturally Benjamin Austin Leonard took to 
the shoemaker's trade as a boy, working with his 
father, and eventually serving a regular appren- 
ticeship. He attended the public schools as op- 
portunity offered, and worked at his trade for 
many years in Ohio. November 9, 1840, 
in Caldwell county, Mo., he married Jane Soaps, 
who was born in Campbell county, Term., Feb- 
ruary 24, 1820. Thereafter the young couple 
went to housekeeping in Caldwell county, Mo., 
where they lived until 185 1, and then outfitted 
to cross the plains. They were six months on 
the way, and at the end of their journey, Septem- 
ber 6, 1851, found themselves in the Waldo Hills, 
where Mr. Leonard took up a donation claim of 
three hundred and thirty acres, upon which he 
lived until 1867. This was all wild land, but he 
succeeded in improving much of it, and in ac- 
quiring fair success in general farming. He then 
bought the place where he now lives, four miles 
southwest of Silverton, and has since made all 
of the improvements. 

While conducting his farming enterprises, Mr. 
Leonard has taken an active interest in Repub- 
lican politics, although he has never desired 
official recognition. Eight children were born to 
himself and wife, the order of their birth being 
as follows : Abel Brower, operating the home 
farm ; Horace, deceased ; Thomas Benton, living 
at Ritzvillc, Wash.; Mary A., widow of Hiram 
Smith Reed, of Salem ; Flora, wife of Alexander 
Clark, of Salem, and Lucinda, deceased (twins) ; 
Ellen S., wife of Jefferson Scriber, a banker at 



406 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



La Grande, Ore., and Jennette, wife of Jefferson 
Pooler, of Salem. Mr. Leonard has many friends 
in the vicinity of his home, and his long associa- 
tion with the county has been prolific of the best 
possible good feeling among all with whom he 
has been associated. 



CHARLES OLVIS. Not all men find the 
niche in life which Nature intended they should 
fill, but that Mr. Olvis, who is foreman of the 
Albany tannery, is the right man in the right 
place is conceded by all. His paternal great- 
grandfather fought in the English army. The 
latter's son, Charles Olvis, was born in Belfast, 
Ireland, and in 1816 brought his family to Amer- 
ica, settling in Baltimore, Md. He died at the 
advanced age of ninety-eight years. Among the 
children who came to this country with the grand- 
father in 1816 was John, the father of Charles, 
the subject of this article. He followed the 
weaver's trade in Baltimore until his death, at 
the age of forty-five years, his death resulting 
from injuries inflicted by a horse. He had mar- 
ried Miss Margaret McCartin, a native of Glas- 
gow, Scotland, whose father, Edward McCartin, 
was born in County Down, Ireland. By trade he 
was a weaver, following the same in Scotland, 
and after his emigration to America carried on 
the same business in Baltimore. Mrs. Margaret 
Olvis also died in the latter city at the age of 
sixty-three years. 

Of the seven children who formerly comprised 
the parental family only two are living. Charles 
Olvis was the youngest of the family and was 
born August 9, 1841, in Baltimore, Md., where he 
attended the public schools. When sixteen years 
old he was apprenticed to learn the tanner's trade 
under Spear & Cole, and after completing his 
apprenticeship went to Philadelphia to take a po- 
sition at his trade. It was in 1864 that he came 
to the Pacific coast, making the trip by way of 
Panama, and ere long he found work at his trade 
in Salem, Ore. In March, 1865, he went to 
South America, and in the course of his travels 
visited Chile, Bolivia and Peru. The following 
year he returned to Oregon, and for the next 
two years was foreman of a tannery in Milwau- 
kee, Ore. In 1868 he became interested in the 
mines at Boise Basin, but soon returned, content 
to resume work at his trade, first taking a posi- 
tion at Portland, later at Astoria, and finally at 
Salem, where he was foreman of a tannery. He 
was subsequently employed in San Francisco for 
two years and four months, but finally, in 1872, 
returned to Oregon, and for two years was fore- 
man of the Lineweber tannery. Going from 
there to Victoria, British Columbia, he had full 
charge of a tannery there for five and one-half 
years, and at the expiration of that time again 



returned to Astoria and for eight years filled 
his former position of foreman in the Lineweber 
tannery. Upon the death of the proprietor Mr. 
Olvis leased the plant and for ten years was suc- 
cessfully engaged in the manufacture of leather. 
From Astoria he went to Vancouver, where he 
had charge of a tannery for over two years, and 
then, in July, 1902, returned to Oregon his iden- 
tification with the Albany tannery dating from 
that time. Three months later he was made fore- 
man of the beam house, and in February, 1903, 
became superintendent of the entire plant. 

In Portland was celebrated the marriage of 
Charles Olvis and Miss Mary Johns, the latter 
a native of Germany. Two children were born 
of this marriage, a son and a daughter. The 
former, John, learned the tanner's trade and is 
now his father's able assistant. The daughter, 
Mag'gie, is Mrs. Marovich and resides in Port- 
land. Mr. Olvis is identified with the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, and in political mat- 
ters is a stanch defender of the Republican party. 



JOHN B. HOLMAN. As vice-president of 
the Albany Iron Works, John B. Holman occu- 
pies a position which has been won through the 
display of intelligent and practical ability, per- 
fected by long experience in the line of a ma- 
chinist in various shops throughout different 
parts of the United States. His talent for the 
work which he has chosen to do amounts to 
veritable genius, an inheritance which has been 
added to through many years of effort and cul- 
tivation, and, as all earnest and persevering labor 
meets with wide returns, so Mr. Holman has risen 
to a place of importance in the industrial life of 
the Willamette valley, in which he has been 
largely instrumental in establishing and perfect- 
ing the details of his business. 

The lineage of the Holman family is that of 
English nobility, their ancestry being traced back 
to Sir William Boes Bennett Holman. The 
father of John B. Holman, Lewis, was born in 
Exeter, Devonshire, England, the son of a man- 
ufacturer of threshing machines, and the one who 
gave to his descendants their taste and talent 
for such work. The father also became a manu- 
facturer, and later in life he settled in Ontario, 
Canada, where he followed the business of con- 
tracting and bridge building. With the invar- 
iable success of this family he rose to prom- 
inence in the community in which he made his 
home, remaining there until his retirement, soon 
after which his death took place. In his religious 
views he was a member of the Episcopal Church. 
In politics he was always greatly interested, giv- 
ing his hearty support to William Lyon Mac- 
kenzie, who led the Ontario opposition against the 
Conservatives. His wife was formerly Jane 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGR \PIUUAL RECORD. 



40; 



Bailey, also a native of England, and the daugh- 
tichard Bailey. He was a representative 
minent English family. Upon his emigra- 
tion td America he settled in Ontario, where he 
.iine a large landowner, interesting himself 
in the cultivation of Ins many hroad acres. Airs. 
lloltnan. whose death occurred in Canada, was 
the mother of thirteen children, seven sons and 
laughters, of whom only one son is deceased. 
[ohn L'». llolman the living sons are R. 
a millwright in Salem ; \Y. L., proprietor of 
the llolman Car Shops, of San Francisco, Cai. ; 
Janus, a >tairbnilder of Chicago, 111.; Samuel, 
actor of Chicago, 111. ; Ceorge, a teacher 
111 the schools of Ontario; and Joseph, a wealthy 
manufacturer, who died in London. 

The birth of John B. Holman occurred 
ember 1 9, 1839, m London, Ontario, and was 
there reared to manhood, receiving a rather lim- 
ited education in die national school of the prov- 
ince. Karly seeking the life which gave him an 
opportunity for the display of unquestioned 
talent, he had served his apprenticeship to the 
machinist's trade, and received his papers at 
twenty-one, having begun it when only sixteen 
and a half years old. With the documents evi- 
dencing his capability he set out for the broader 
opportunities of the United States, finding em- 
ployment in various cities, among them being 
Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo and Roches- 
ter. In the best machine shops in the United 
States he remained for two years, wdiere the 
training and experience proved invaluable to 
him. At the expiration of that period he returned 
to the old foundry and there worked for the Hon. 
Elijah Leonard, of London, for a short time. 
In 1865 he again left the community and settled 
in the western part of the United States. The 
trip, which was made by way of the Isthmus of 
Panama, was an eventful one in many ways, 
the steamer. Ocean Queen, on which he sailed 
from Xew York City, being wrecked off Cape 
Hatteras, thus obliging him to go to Cuba, and 
from there to Aspinwall, thence across the Isth- 
mus. He took passage on the Golden City to 
San Francisco, and completed the voyage from 
that city to Portland on the Brother Jonathan. 

On arriving in Oregon Air. Holman settled 
in Salem, where he soon found employment in 
the shops of Drake & Moore, and remained with 
them to their entire satisfaction until the firm 
dissolved partnership. In 1867 he assumed en- 
tire charge of the shop of B. F. Drake of Salem, 
which provided very limited means for workman- 
ship. Under difficulties he gradually established 
a more secure footing for the business and a more 
extended line of operations, making a gratifying 
success of his work, and as superintendent and 
manager he conducted the business until 1890, 
leaving it at this date one of the largest and 



most substantial machine shops in the Willam- 
ette valley. Able at this time to take a more 
active part in a business proposition he came 
to Albany, and with others bought out the busi- 
ness of Sox & Stewart, and changed the firm 
to the Albany Iron Works Company, of which 
he became vice-president and manager, proceed- 
ing to give his energies and talents to the up- 
building of this work. With the exercise of 
judgment, skill and management the business has 
come to be one of the most substantial and firmly 
established of any in the Willamette valley, the 
amount of work being done showing large re- 
turns for the money invested. The line of oper- 
ations now extends over the entire valley, along 
the coast, and also in the state of Washington. 
In London, Ontario, in 1861, Air. Holman was 
married to Jane Weeks, a native of London, 
England, and four children have been born to 
them, of whom Walter John is chief electrical 
engineer in charge of the government plant at 
Presidio, Cal. ; Alinnie S. is the wife of Thomas 
Holman, of SaleVn ; Carrie is the wife of H. G. 
Meyer, of Salem ; and Victoria E. is the wife of 
J. H. Linn, of Santa Rosa, Cal. In his fraternal 
relations Air. Holman affiliates with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, holding mem- 
bership with Olive Lodge, No. 18, at Salem, and 
also belongs to the Encampment of Salem, in both 
of which he is a past officer ; the Benevolent Pro- 
tective Order of Elks; and the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen. He is also identified with 
the State Historical Society. His wife is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Though 
public-spirited and earnest in his endeavor for 
the general welfare, Air. Holman is independent 
in his political views, believing that to be the 
surest means toward good government, and he 
carefully considers both men and question before 
casting his ballot. 



EDWARD BIDDLE belongs to the little 
group of distinctively representative business 
men who have been the pioneers in inaugu- 
rating and building up the chief industries of 
this section of the Willamette valley. He 
early had the sagacity and prescience to dis- 
cern the prominence which the future had in 
store for this great and growing country, and, 
acting in accordance with the dictates of his 
faith and judgment, he has garnered, in the 
fullness of time, the generous harvest which 
is the just recompense of indomitable indus- 
try, spotless integrity and marvelous enter- 
prise. He is now connected with many ex- 
tensive and important business interests in 
Polk county, being proprietor of the Dallas 
Iron W'orks, which constitute the leading in- 



408 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dustry of this character in the Willamette 
valley. 

Mr. Biddle is a native of Greece, Monroe 
county, N. Y., his birth having occurred there on 
December 9, 1844. He is the eldest in a 
family of six children born unto Edward and 
Adelaide (Beeby) Biddle, both natives of 
Canada, the former born in Quebec and the 
latter in Montreal. The maternal grand- 
father was of English descent and became a 
farmer in New York. Edward Biddle also 
removed from Canada to the Empire State 
and, establishing his home in Greece, Monroe 
county, carried on agricultural pursuits in 
that locality until his death. His widow died 
in Rochester, N. Y., in April, 1903, at the age 
of eighty-nine years. 

Upon the home farm Edward Biddle was 
reared and the work of plowing, planting and 
harvesting early became familiar to him. He 
attended the public schools in his youth and 
then, not desiring to follow the plow as a 
lifework, he turned his attention in other di- 
rections and in i860 was apprenticed to the 
machinist's trade in the shop of M. S. Otis 
in Rochester, N. Y., where he remained for 
three years. On the expiration of that period 
he went to Chicago, where he entered the 
employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pany in their shops, and later was sent by the 
company to Centralia, 111., where he remained 
for several months. Subsequently he was em- 
ployed in a machine shop in connection with 
steamboat building at Cincinnati, but after a 
brief period he went to Hannibal, Mo., and 
for a year was employed as a machinist in 
the shops of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Rail- 
way Company. During that time he joined 
a military company which drilled and was in 
the state service for three months in pursuit 
nf the notorious Bill Anderson of Missouri. 
After his return from military duty he con- 
tinued as a machinist in the railroad shops 
for three months and then went to Louis- 
ville, Ky., where he was employed in a simi- 
lar capacity. His next move took him to 
Keokuk, la., where he was employed in the 
Des Moines Valley shops until the spring of 
1865, when he went from Keokuk to New 
Orleans, where he again secured work at his 
trade. He afterward went to Whistler, Ala., 
and for three years was there employed in 
the Mobile & Ohio Railroad shops, when he 
returned to Rochester, where he continued 
for three months. At the end of that interval 
he started for New York, intending to go to 
California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, 
but ere he embarked he was led to change his 
plans and for three months was employed 
in the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Phila- 
delphia. At the end of that time he carried 



out his intention of coming to the Pacific 
coast. He took passage at New York on the 
steamer Aspinwall bound for the isthmus, and 
from Panama he sailed on the steamer Golden 
Age for San Francisco. 

In that city Mr. Biddle was employed as 
a machinist in the Union Iron Works for two 
months, and then, going to Sacramento, he 
obtained a position in the machine shops of 
the Central Pacific Railroad Company, re- 
maining there for three years. He next was 
employed in the shops of the same company 
at Rockland, Cal., and later spent a year in 
the shops of the Vallejo Railroad Company. 
He was afterward made repair engineer at 
Marysville for the same company and later 
returned to the Central Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany, working in their shops at Sacramento 
as a machinist for one year. At Carlin, Nev., 
he was employed as foreman in the machine 
shops of the Central Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany for three years, and later secured a posi- 
tion at Carson City, Nev., in the shops of the 
Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company, act- 
ing in that capacity for eighteen months. On 
the expiration of that period Mr. Biddle left 
the railroad service and became machinist in 
the Belcher mine at Virginia City, Nev., 
where he remained for more than two years, 
when he became machinist in the Overman 
mine, later setting up pumping engines and 
machinery in the Lady Bryan mine of Vir- 
ginia City. His next position was that of 
chief engineer of the Sutro Tunnel Company 
and in that capacity he acceptably served for 
six years, during which time the tunnel was 
completed. 

In 1880 Mr. Biddle arrived in Oregon and 
for seven years was employed as a machinist 
and engineer by the Narrow Gauge Railroad 
Company, with headquarters in Dallas. 
Then, having through his industry, economy 
and careful management, acquired some capi- 
tal, he established his own machine shop and 
foundry in 1888. He has since conducted it 
and has practically rebuilt the plant, supply- 
ing it with new machinery, with water power 
and all modern equipments for facilitating 
and turning out work of the highest grade. 
The foundry has two cupolas and has made- 
castings weighing as high as thirty-seven 
hundred pounds. In the foundry both brass 
and iron castings are manufactured and all 
kinds of repair work in machinery, boilers 
and engines is done. Mr. Biddle also manu- 
factures the best hop presses in Oregon, 
known as the Morrison Improved Hop Press. 
He likewise manufactures hop stoves and 
feed mills. The Dallas Iron Works are the 
oldest in the valley and the west outside of 
the citv of Portland. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



411 



In 1879 in Virginia City, Nev., Mr. Biddle 
was united in marriage to Miss Josephine 
Davis, who was born in Boston, Mass., a 

lighter of Luther Davis, who followed the 

baking business in Boston and afterward in 

Virginia City. Mrs. Biddle is a most estima- 

hulv and holds membership with the 

ethodisl Episcopal Church. Mr. Biddle was 
made a Mason in Jennings Lodge, No. 9. A. 
F. & A. M.. and for two terms was its mas- 
ter, while for eight terms he was high priest 
\mesworth Chapter, No. 17, R. A. M. He 
stands today as one of the leading representa- 
tives of the craft in Oregon, and is past grand 
;>e and at present grand king of the Grand 
Chapter of Oregon. In politics an earnest 
advocate of Republican principles, he is serv- 
ing as president of the Republican Club of 
Dallas, and for six years he has been a school 
director and two terms was a member of the 
city council. For forty-two years he has been 
connected with the machinist's trade and has 
gradually advanced, enlarging his efficiencv 
and adding to his skill until today he is suc- 
cessfully controlling an industry of volume 
and importance which adds to the commer- 
cial prosperity of his city, and returns to him 
a gratifying and creditable income. His life 
has been one of continuous activity, and he is 
numbered among the substantial citizens of 
Dallas. In business he has achieved success 
through honorable effort, untiring industry 
and capable management, and in private life 
he has gained that warm personal regard 
which arises from true nobility of character, 
deference to the opinion of others, kindliness 
and geniality. 



ADOLF WOLF, who is now residing in Sil- 
irerton, is widely known throughout the "Willam- 
ette valley, with whose welfare he has been closely 
identified for thirty-seven years. He is one of the 
most extensive and successful hop-raisers in the 
vicinity of Silverton, and formerly was intimately 
associated with the upbuilding of Independence, 
I 'oik county. 

Mr. Wolf was born in Frauenkirchen, Austro- 
iungary, nine miles southeast of Neusiedl, in 
February, 1837, his father, Jacob, and his mother. 

•sther (Gerstel) Wolf, being natives of the 
same town, His father spent his entire life in 
the picturesque little Hungarian town, where he 
was known as a successful wine merchant. He 

ved to be seventy-five rears of age, his death 
occurring in 1864. His wife, who "died in 1862 
at the age of seventy, bore him thirteen children, 
two sons and eleven daughters, of whom Adolf 
Wolf is the youngest son and the twelfth child 
in the family. 



At an early age Mr. Wolf evinced habits of 
thrift and industry, and he studied diligently in 
the school of his native town. That he was am- 
bitious to make his life a success was demon- 
strated in [863, when he left his home and family 
and came to the United States. He had read 
much of the broader opportunities offered by this 
country, and was determined to lake advantage 
of them, in the most favored location which he 
could find. After working for two years as a 
clerk in a tobacco store in Fremont, Ohio, he 
came to Portland, Ore., in 1866, where he ac- 
quired all the information possible as to the re- 
sources of the various sections of the northwest. 

Firm in the belief that Polk county at that 
time offered better opportunities to him than 
any other locality, he settled in the new town of 
Independence, and for some time his was the 
only store in the town. At that time but few 
families had assembled there, and few in- 
terests were represented. Mr. Wolf, with 
keen foresight, at once entered into the 
spirit of development and upbuilding, contrib- 
uting freely of his time and means for advancing 
the interests of the community. It was chiefly 
through his influence that the Oregon and Cali- 
fornia Railroad Company, now the Southern Pa- 
cific, was induced to run its line through Inde- 
pendence, an advantage to that town which was 
almost instantly apparent in the general increase 
in trade. In building the Southern Pacific 
through Independence gravel in large quantities 
was needed. Mr. Henry Hill, one of the town 
proprietors, owned a large gravel bank which 
was easy to work from, if it could be acquired; 
the company tried to get it by purchase or lease, 
but all means failed. Mr. Wolf was appealed to, 
and through his influence it was secured with no 
expense to the railroad company, and this was 
the means of making Independence what it is 
to-day, a fact appreciated by the citizens and the 
officials of the railroad. 

In 1884 Mr. Wolf disposed of his business and 
property in Independence and moved to Silver- 
ton, where he purchased the general merchandise 
business of George Aiken, deceased. This he 
conducted successfully for several years. In 
1890 he took his son, Julius C, into partnership, 
and in 1891 he erected the Wolf Block, in which 
he opened new headquarters for his trade. In 
1899 ne an d his son disposed of the business to 
James Craig, who is still in possession. 

At the present time Mr. Wolf is chiefly inter- 
ested in the hop and the cattle industries. He 
has sixty acres under hops, and buys, sells and 
exports large quantities of this product every 
year. During 1903 he expects to ship at least 
four thousand hales out of the country. On his 
farm he raises a high grade of cattle and sheep. 
In his business operations he has been very sue- 



412 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cessful, and ranks as one of the substantial men 
of Marion county. 

Mr. Wolf was married in Portland, in 1 868, to 
Fannie Kracmer, who is a native of Germany. 
They are the parents of three children, namely : 
Julius C, his father's partner in the hop busi- 
ness ; Louis Jacob, who was graduated from 
Cooper Medical College, San Francisco, in 1903 ; 
and Sophia, who lives with her parents. 

Mr. Wolf is identified with Silver Lodge, I. O. 
O. F. ; the Rebekahs, and Silverton Lodge No. 
45, A. F. & A. M. He is a firm advocate of Re- 
publican principles, and while a resident of In- 
dependence was actively interested in public 
affairs, serving for several terms in the city coun- 
cil and as school director. In Silverton he has 
served as mayor two terms, and has been a mem- 
ber of the city council for four years. He has 
an enviable reputation for business integrity, for 
enterprise, and for public-spirit, and is accounted 
one of the most liberal-minded and progressive 
citizens of Silverton. When he undertakes to 
carry out an object which he has deemed worthy 
of his support, he enters into the spirit of the 
enterprise with his whole heart. He has never 
failed to respond to the solicitations for aid in 
any worthy project. Throughout his entire life 
in the Willamette valley he has exhibited an un- 
selfish interest in the general welfare of the 
people, and has done all in his power for the im- 
provement of social, intellectual, moral and com- 
mercial conditions. He has earned his title to 
the rank of representative citizen, and is deserv- 
ing of praise for the honorable success which has 
greeted his efforts. 



JOSEPH P. GALBRAITH. Formerly 

actively associated with the manufacturing and 
mercantile industries of Linn county, as book- 
keeper of the Albany Woolen Mills, Mr. Gal- 
braith is recognized as a citizen of worth, and 
an efficient business man. He served with dis- 
tinction in the Union army during the Civil war, 
and has since been equally loyal in the support 
of the government. A man of talent and cul- 
ture, he evinces a warm interest in the advance- 
ment of beneficial projects, and is a zealous 
worker in various secret societies. In the Ma- 
sonic order he is one of the foremost members, 
and has done much to promote the good of the 
fraternity. A native of Rogersville, Tenn., he 
was born April 6, 1840, a son of William Gal- 
braith. His paternal grandfather, Andrew Gal- 
braith, a native of Virginia, removed to Haw- 
kins county, Tenn., when a young man, and was 
there successfully engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, owning a large plantation. He was of 
Scotch-Irish ancestry, and a lineal descendant of 
Arthur Galbraith, who was born in the North of 



Ireland, but emigrated to this country, settling in 
Pennsylvania. 

William Galbraith was born ten miles west of 
Rogersville, Hawkins county, Tenn., and re- 
moved to Jefferson county and there spent the 
greater part of his life. He first engaged in busi- 
ness as a merchant, then a railway agent, and 
subsequently a clerk and master in chancery. 
He served in the Seminole Indian war as lieuten- 
ant of a company of volunteers, and for one term 
was a representative to the state legislature. He, 
too, was prominent in the Masonic order, in 
which he attained the degree of R. A. M., and 
belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
He married Eliza Cobb, who was born in Haw- 
kins county, Tenn., the daughter of a planter, 
Jesse Cobb, who removed to Tennessee from his 
native state, North Carolina, in early manhood. 
Ten children were born of their union, and of 
these nine survive, and five are living in this 
section of the country, two of the sons residing in 
Oregon, and two sons and one daughter living in 
Washington. 

At the age of six years Joseph P. Galbraith 
removed with his parents to Jefferson county, 
Tenn., where he received his early education, at- 
tending Holston College. In August, 1861, im- 
bued with the true patriotic spirit of his ances- 
tors, he made his way across the mountains to 
Camp Dick Robinson, in Kentucky, and, in Sep- 
tember, 1861, enlisted in Company C, Second 
Tennessee Infantry. He subsequently took an 
active part in many engagements, being in the 
Battle of Mill Spring, Ky., at Murfreesboro, and 
at Cumberland Gap. For bravery in action he 
was promoted first to the rank of sergeant major, 
and was afterwards made adjutant of the Second 
Tennessee Regiment, U. S. V., with the rank of 
first lieutenant. He subsequently participated in 
several skirmishes in Tennessee, and while in 
the eastern part of the state assisted in driving 
the rebels into Virginia. While home on a fur- 
lough, his regiment was captured at Rogersville, 
Tenn., and sent to Richmond, Va. In February, 
1864, Lieutenant Galbraith resigned his commis- 
sion, and was afterwards engaged in business 
in Knox and Jefferson counties, Tenn., until the 
close of the war. 

Returning then to Jefferson county, Mr. Gal- 
braith was assistant clerk in the state legislature 
of 1864 and 1865, and afterwards served as a 
clerk under the United States Tax Commission. 
Having in the meantime studied law at Dand- 
ridge, Tenn., he was admitted to the bar in 1866, 
and practiced his profession in that city until 
1875. Removing in that year to Washington 
county, Ore., he taught school there two terms, 
then came to Linn county, and for three terms 
was principal of the schools in Brownsville. Ac- 
cepting a position as secretary and bookkeeper 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



413 



with the Brownsville Woolen Mills Company, 
under Thomas Kay, in 1877, he was associated 

th this company until [886. Being then 

cted county clerk of Lfnn county, Mr. Gal- 
braith served two years, but declined a re-elec- 
Retuming to Brownsville, he assisted in 
a manufacturing company, which pur- 
■he old woolen mill, with which he was 

tnected about a year. Being offered a bonus, 

in 1889. to build a mill in Albany, the company 

I its property in Brownsville and located in 

any under the same name and with the same 

5, erecting a plant in Albany. The company 

- afterwards re-incorporated as the Albany 
olen Mills Company. In December. 1893, 
Mr. Galbraith disposed of his stock in that firm, 
resigned his position and resumed the practice 
of law, continuing his professional labors for 
eighteen months. The Albany Woolen Mills 

mpany then passing into the hands of a re- 
ceiver. Mr. (ialbraith was appointed clerk and 
bookkeeper, and served in those capacities until 
the affairs of the company were adjusted. When 
the new company was organized in 1898, he be- 
came financially interested in it, and continued 
as bookkeeper until the plant was sold. 

Mr. Galbraith was married in Tennessee, in 

3, to Miss Nancy J. McFarland, who was 
horn at Millspring, Tenn., daughter of Dr. Ben- 
jamin F. McFarland. an old and prominent phy- 
sician, who was for a number of years president 

the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad Co. 
She died March 9, 1902. Ten children were 
torn of their union, namely : Lena, wife of C. 
H. Younger, of Albany ; Louis, who died in 

7 : William, of Lewiston, Idaho ; Hattie, 
at home ; Eliza, wife of George B. Hart, who 
is United States Inspector of Customs in the 
Philippine Islands; Nina, wife of W. L. Lyons, 
of Pullman, Wash.; Jennie, wife of S. M. Gar- 
rison, living in Roseburg, Ore., and Frank, Jo- 
seph and Victor, all of Whatcom county, Wash. 
Politically, Mr. Galbraith is a gold Democrat. 
and at the last election cast his vote for President 
McKinley. After serving one term as council- 
man he resigned his position, and in 1902 was 
elected justice of the peace. Fraternally, he was 
made a Mason in Dandridge, Tenn., in 1866, 
and while living there was raised to the degree 

R. A. M. He is now a member, and past 
master of St. John's Lodge Xo. 62, A. F. & A. 
M.. of Albany; a member and past officer of 
Bayley Chapter. Xo. 17. R. A. M. ; a member 
and Past Eminent Commander of Temple 
Commandery, No. 3. K. T. ; is a member of 
A doniram Council, R. & S. M., of Albany, in 
which he is recorder; and has served as Grand 
Generalissimo of the Grand Commanderv of Ore- 
gon, as Grand Senior Deacon of the Grand 
Lodge, and as Grand Captain of the Host of the 



Grand Chapter of Oregon. He is also a member 
of the Alco Club, and of McPherson Post, G. A. 
R. He is a prominent member of the Presby- 
terian Church, in which he is an elder, and is 
also a trustee, and the secretary and treasurer, 
of the board of trustees of, Albany College. 



THOMAS V. B. EMBREE, M. D. When 
Dr. Thomas V. B. Embree arrived in Oregon 
City December 24, 1844, he found the largest 
aggregation of houses and people anywhere as- 
sembled on the coast. At the time he was eight 
years of age, having been born five miles from 
La Fayette, Howard county, Mo., August 14, 
1836. As one of the early pioneers of Oregon 
he has contributed his share to its upbuilding, 
and has practiced medicine within its borders for 
more than forty-two years. The establisher of 
the Embree family in America was the paternal 
great-grandfather of the doctor, who was born 
in England, and left his plantation in Virginia 
to participate in the war of independence. This 
southern plantation was the birthplace of his 
son, Thomas, the paternal grandfather, who in 
early life removed to Kentucky, but died on the 
farm in Howard county. Mo., to the pioneer de- 
velopment of which he devoted the last years of 
his life. 

Carey Duncan Embree, the father of Thomas 
V. B., was born in Clark county, Ky., January 
11, 1806, and was the sixth-born in a family of 
fifteen children. Owing to both the want of 
facilities and time, his early education was ex- 
tremely limited, not exceeding a year and a half 
in all. At the age of twenty-eight he married Lu- 
anda Fowler, a native of his own town, who was 
two years younger than himself, and with whom 
and their children, Thomas V. B., Mary Isadore, 
Marcellus A., and Benton, he started on the long 
journey across the plains. The family was 
equipped with wagons, six oxen, tw r o cows and 
one horse. They had many experiences of a 
trying nature, and the weather was exceedingly 
inclement, the rain setting in soon after they 
left Boonville, and continuing at frequent inter- 
vals until the first of July. Arriving at Fort 
Hall, the sole remaining ox team was traded for 
one strong, reliable animal, and thus reinforced 
they proceeded on their way, meeting with dif- 
ficulties from steep inclines, and inconvenience 
because of a depleted larder. However, the lat- 
ter trouble was overcome through sending to 
Dr. Whitman for supplies. Upon arriving at 
The Dalles Mr. Embree was the possessor of but 
$1, and with this money he purchased a bushel of 
potatoes, some sugar and tea for his sick wife, 
after which they resumed the journey, meeting 
with many more obstacles than it is possible to 
enumerate in this work. Just above Dixie Mr. 



±14 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Embree took a claim of six hundred and forty 
acres, and here he settled with his wife and five 
children, one of whom had been born near the 
end of their journey. The family lived in their 
wagons while the father hewed wood for the 
little cabin, his heart heavy, because of the almost 
entire absence of money, and the necessities of 
life, but the industry of the head of the family 
soon brought a change, and in time the property 
developed into one of great value. The year 
1881 was a sad one for this patient and resource- 
ful pioneer, for the wife who had so faithfully 
aided him in accomplishing his object in life 
was killed by falling from a wagon, being at the 
time seventy-five years of age. Mr. Embree 
went to California during the gold excitement 
of 1849, returning by boat, being forty-nine days 
upon the way. A few years before his death, at 
the age of ninety-four years and five months, he 
removed to Dallas, where he owned a twelve- 
acre lot, and where he worked as inclination dic- 
tated. He was an old time Democrat with pro- 
nounced southern tendencies, and as a politician 
was quite prominent in the early clays of his 
arrival in Oregon. He was the first sheriff of 
Polk county, but resigned when asked to attach 
the property of a poor man, for his humanity 
and extreme kindness of heart rebelled at that 
seeming injustice of the law. 

On his father's farm Dr. Embree was reared 
to hard work, and his early education was ac- 
quired under difficulties. At the age of twenty- 
two, in 1858, he began the study of medicine 
under J. W. Boyle, and in i860 entered the med- 
ical department of the University of the Pacific 
in San Francisco, now the Cooper Medical Col- 
lege. After the first course he began to practice 
medicine in. La Fayette, and later practiced in 
Amity and Lewisville, locating in Dallas in 1874. 
He graduated from the medical department of 
Willamette University in 1881, and the same year 
entered upon a three and a half years' practice in 
Corvallis. After eight years in Burns, Harney 
county, he returned to Dallas, where he devoted 
his best endeavors to the practice of his chosen 
profession, being one of the oldest physicians in 
active practice who acquired their professional 
training in the state. In 1903 he moved to Port- 
land. 

In October, 1855, Dr. Embree participated in 
the Yakima Indian war as a member of Company 
G, First Oregon Infantry, under command of 
Capt. Benjamin Hayden. Later he was a member 
of Company B, commanded by Capt. B. F. Burch. 
Until 1892 he was a stanch Democrat, but 
since then he has allied himself with the 
Populist party. He was a candidate for 
the state legislature in 1900, but was de- 
feated. He is a member of the National 
Committee of the Allied People's Party, and a 



member of the state committee and ex-chairman 
of the county committee. For one term be was 
coroner of Polk county, and of Benton county 
for the same length of time. He is a member of 
the State Historical and State Pioneer Associa- 
tions. 

In Corvallis, Benton county, Ore., Dr. Embree 
married, in 1868, Annie E. Finley, who was bom 
in Missouri and reared in Santa Clara, Cal. 
Seven children have been born of this union, four 
of whom are living, the order of their birth being 
as follows : Clyde, a printer by occupation ; Alice 
J., now Mrs. Sellers, of Dallas ; Van Buren, 
a photographer of Dallas ; and Lillie, who became 
the wife of Harmon Guthrie and resides near 
Dallas. Dr. Embree has an enviable reputation 
of more than local renown, and hundreds of 
families have come to regard him as an essential 
part of their household. A practitioner for many 
years he keeps himself well advised as to the 
latest discoveries in medical science, and is in ac- 
cord with modern thought as exemplified in the 
leading medical institutions. The doctor is 
genial and kindly, attributes so useful to the 
successful practitioner. 



GREEN B. CORNELIUS, manager and pro- 
prietor of a livery business in Turner, was born 
in Henry county, Iowa, January 11, 1837, a son 
of Absalom and Elizabeth (Cotton) Cornelius, 
the former a pioneer settler of Oregon, and 
a man well known in his locality. Absalom 
Cornelius was born in North Carolina, and 
reared in Virginia, where he married and 
engaged in both farming and lumbering. 
About 1832 he became a resident of Iowa, and in 
1845 crossed the plains with three wagons and 
reveral yoke of oxen, the train in which he trav- 
eled being composed of fifty wagons. They came 
via the Platte river route, setting out from St. 
Joseph, Mo., in May, and arriving at The Dalles 
in October. From The Dalles Mr. Cornelius 
reached Oregon City by flatboat, and on this trip 
got out of provisions, a deficiency remedied by 
Dr. David McLaughlin, who sent out a party 
with relief, the chief cause for gratitude being 
the wheat flour, which they had not tasted since 
leaving The Dalles. Across the plains Mr. Cor- 
nelius brought fifty head of fine Durham cattle, 
which he wintered at The Dalles, together with 
his household possessions. He himself spent the 
winter on a claim east of Oregon City, where he 
took up six hundred and forty acres of land, 
upon which he built a saw-mill. In the spring 
he returned to The Dalles and got his cattle, 
brought them to the ranch, and made his home 
there until the spring of 1850. He then removed 
to Marion county, taking up a donation claim 
the same size as his other tract, located three 



PORTRAJ I WD Bl< IGRAPH1CAL RECORD. 



417 



piilcs southwest of Turner. Here also he built 

,.iu mill, large enough for his own and the 
of his neighbors. He fanned and raised 

ck for the remainder of Ins life, his death oc- 

rini^ in 1SS0. at the advanced age of eighty- 
ars. ( >f the fifteen children horn to him- 

• and wife. Mary A. is the widow of John 
Salt Lake City, Utah; Sophia is the 

low oi X. O. Parker, of W'ardner. Idaho; 

■>t. Aaron M. lives in Oakland, Cal. ; Green P>. 

the subject of this review: and Ahsalom H., 

county commissioner and ex-county assessor, 

l Jefferson. Marion county. The deceased 

children are : Ehsha, Catherine Chamness, Cata- 

lina Morris. Allie Woodcock. Rebecca Rinearson. 

rge and Samuel, the latter participating in 

the Cayuse and Rogue river wars. 

Mr. Cornelius was eight years of age when he 
came to Oregon, and thirteen when he came to 
Marion county. He remained with his father 
until eighteen years of age, and then went to 
Clackamas county and bought a piece of land 
which he used for horse-raising for some years. 
In Linn county he bought a farm of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres, and upon this property 

k charge of his father's cattle for a couple of 

years, at the end of that time returning and 

suming charge of the home farm. March 6, 

», he married Amanda L. Parker, daughter 
of Hon. Samuel and Elizabeth (Sutton) Parker, 
who died at The Dalles en route to Marion 

inty. They crossed the plains to Oregon in 
I&45- Mr. Parker became a very prominent man 
in this state. He was a man of varied gifts, 
much of his time being spent in public service, 
acting as speaker of the house during the first 
territorial legislature of Oregon. He took up a 
claim of six hundred and forty acres' of land. 
where the state penitentiary is now located. One 
daughter, Priscilla, married Perrin Whitman, 
nephew of Dr. Marcus Whitman ; Sarah, wife 

John P>. Jackson (deceased), of Washington 
county; Susan, wife of Capt. George W. Ferrel. 
of Mexican fame; Gideon J., of Idaho; George 
L. Parker, of Portland, and Xewton O. (de- 
ceased) are the pioneer children of this noted 
nan. The ( )regon born children are : Dollie, 
Parker Bonham, Lizzie Parker Bonham, Will R., 
Samuel and Pierce Y. 

In the fall of i860 Mr. Cornelius traded his 

n on the prairie for one of one hundred and 

f acres two and one-half miles south of 

Turner, and this was his home until 1862. He 

then bought a farm of three hundred and twenty 

res, two and a half miles northeast of Turner. 

Hi!-, he cultivated and improved until engaging 

in the livery business in Turner in September, 

\q02. I- our children have been born into the 

■melius family: Ada Estella. who died in 

[879, at the age of seventeen years, while a stu- 



dent in Willamette University; Sophia Lizzie, an 
elocutionist of marked ability, and a prominent 
educator in Oregon, having been principal oi 
several different schools in the smaller towns, and 
a teacher in Portland; Ariadne, wife of C. J. 
Simeral, of Salem; and they have one son, 
Claire Cornelius; and Cassius P., in business 
with his father, who is also interested in the tim- 
ber and mining industries of Oregon and Idaho. 
William Cornelius Parker, a nephew of Mrs. 
Cornelius, is a member of the' family; he is a 
descendant of the Howell family, for whom How- 
ells Prairie was named. Mr. Cornelius is a Re- 
publican in politics, and has served as school 
director for thirty years, resigning when he moved 
into Turner. He held the office of industrial 
teacher on the Indian farm at Chewawa for a year 
and a half. Mr. Cornelius is also identified with 
the Grange, and with various enterprises in which 
his district abounds. 



LEWIS CLINTON POOLER. One hun- 
dred and sixty acres of the old Rice-Dunbar and 
Charles Scribner donation claims, one and a half 
miles east of Pratum, was occupied for many- 
years by Lewis Clinton Pooler, a pioneer of 1852, 
and one of the honored farmers of this section. 
Mr. Pooler came from an old New York family, 
and was born in Oswego, in 1832, the son of 
parents who devoted their active lives to farming. 
As a boy he removed with the rest of the family 
to Fort Wayne, Inch, where he received the 
greater part of his early education, and where 
his parents spent their last days. 

The ancestral records of the Pooler family, for- 
merly spelled Poolleer, prove them of English 
extraction. George Poolleer, the first of the name 
to settle in the Lmited States, was born in Eng- 
land, in 1733, and died in 1837, in Oswego, N. Y. 
He came to the United States in 1774, and served 
as a captain in the Revolutionary war. His wife 
was also English by birth, and of their union six 
children were born, of whom Joshua, the father 
of Lewis Clinton, was born in 1792, and died in 
1842. in Indiana. He married Mary Stafford, an 
Italian, her birth having occurred in 1793. and 
her death in 1857. Of their nine children only 
two are now living, Mrs. Mary Peck, of Gypsum 
City, Kans., and Emory Pooler, of Topeka, same 
state. At the age of twenty years Mr. Pooler 
started out to make an independent living, having 
secured a position as driver with a party crossing 
the plains. This was in 1852, and though the 
year brought much disaster to many who were 
westward bound, this especial train escaped all 
but slight inconveniences. The Indians were not 
particularly troublesome, nor did disease devas- 
tate the ranks of the home-seekers. Mr. Pooler 
lived for a time in Oregon City, and afterward 



418 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



went to the Sound country, remaining for a 
couple of years, then returning to Oregon City, 
where he found employment in the near-by coun- 
try as a teamster. In 1855, he married Adaline 
Stormer, daughter of Isaac and Reasoner 
Stormer. The mother died' when Adaline was a 
child. The father married a second time, this 
union being with Mary A. Cooley, and with his 
family crossed the plains in 1852, in the same 
train with Mr. Pooler. The second wife died on 
the plains in 1852, and Mr. Stormer married a 
third time to Marv Lamb. Nine children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Pooler, the order of their 
birth being as follows : Jefferson A., who mar- 
ried Miss Annette Leonard, and by her had two 
children, Virginia, who died in infancy, and 
Clora, who became the wife of C. H. Lenge ; 
Mary Alice, the wife of William Bowen, located 
near Willard, in the Waldo Hills, and they have 
four sons : Archie, Ernest, Clifford and Adolph ; 
Marian Annette, the wife of William McAllister, 
of Pratum, and the children born to them were 
Guy, Mark, Russell and Lenna, the latter of 
whom is deceased ; Effie Belle, the wife of George 
Bock, of Salem, by a former marriage, with Reu- 
ben Stedman, having two children, Stella and Jay, 
both of whom are deceased ; Ida G., the widow of 
Eugene McAllister, of Kansas City, Kans., her 
one daughter, Eugenia, now living with her 
grandmother; Emory S., who died at the age of 
seventeen years ; Amy Catherine, a school teacher, 
who lives in eastern Oregon ; Earl L., who mar- 
ried Maude Desart, by whom he had two chil- 
dren, E. Lorene and Owen Lewis, this son being 
located near his father's farm ; and W. Ivan, liv- 
ing at home. 

After marriage Mr. Pooler and wife went to 
housekeeping on Drift creek, near Sublimity, 
where they lived for three years, at the end of 
which time they settled upon the farm now occu- 
pied by his widow. This was a discouraging un- 
dertaking at first, heavily timbered, with no mod- 
ern improvements whatever. By sheer force of 
will-power and determination it was transformed 
into a paying investment, and equipped with mod- 
ern buildings. Here Mr. Pooler passed many 
happy and successful years, his death occurring 
September 8, 1901, at the age of sixty-nine years, 
the esteem and confidence of his neighbors having 
been given him for his many fine personal quali- 
ties, for his public-spiritedness, thrift and enter- 
prise. Since his death his widow has ably stepped 
into his place, and assisted by her sons, continues 
the policy of advancement inaugurated by this 
honored and high-minded pioneer. Mrs. Pooler 
has eleven grandchildren living. 

During the Indian wars in 1854-55, Mr. Pooler 
gave himself freely to the service which lay be- 
fore him as a citizen of the Sound country, be- 



coming a volunteer in a service which left him a 
cripple throughout the remainder of his life, from 
the effects of a wound received at that time. 



REV. CHARLES C. POLING, Ph. D. It is 
a widely acknowledged fact that the most im- 
portant work to which man can direct his en- 
ergies is that of teaching, whether it be from the 
pulpit, from the lecture platform or in the school- 
room. Its primary object is ever the same — the 
development of one's latent powers that the 
duties of life may be bravely met and well per- 
formed. The intellectual and moral natures are so 
closely allied that it is difficult to instruct one 
without in a measure influencing the other, and 
certainly the best results are accomplished when 
the work goes hand in hand. Christian instruc- 
tion is having an influence over the world that 
few can estimate, for it is in youth that the life 
of the individual is marked out, the future course 
decided, and the choice as to the good or evil 
made. It is to this work of thus instructing the 
young that Dr. Charles C. Poling devotes his 
time, energies and thought, being now president 
of the Dallas College. 

Dr. Poling was born near Martinsburg, W. 
Va., Februarv 2, 1859. His paternal great- 
grandfather was born in Scotland and, coming to 
America, reared a large family in Virginia. He 
was of Scotch-Irish lineage. His son, Capt. 
John Poling, the grandfather of our subject, 
gained his title through his connection with the 
boating interests, being master of the "Potomac" 
on the Chesapeake and Ohio canals from Cum- 
berland to Martinsburg. He was also engaged in 
ranching in Hampshire county, Va., and, raising 
stock, he drove his cattle to the markets of Balti- 
more, Philadelphia and Boston. He was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Rev. Daniel S. Poling, the father of Dr. 
Poling, was born in Romney, Hampshire county, 
Va., in 1830, and when twenty-one years of 
age was ordained a minister of the Evangelical 
Association. He began work in behalf of the 
church in the Shenandoah valley and afterward 
removed to Ohio. During this period he was 
also a stanch advocate of the abolition cause and 
did much to raise a feeling of indignation to- 
ward slavery. Removing to Pennsylvania, he 
has since continued his work in the ministry, 
never faltering in his labors in behalf of Christi- 
anity. Although now well advanced on life's 
journey he is still active in his church near Johns- 
town, Pa. His wife, who bore the maiden name 
of Susan Pownall, was born in Virginia, a 
daughter of Jonathan Pownall, who owned a 
large plantation near Romney, Va. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Poling were born eight children, of 
whom our subject is the third. His brother, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



41 y 



Rev. D. V. Poling, is a graduate of Central Penu- 
r, and is now pastor of the Con- 
nal Church of The Dalles, ( )re. 

began his education in the 
public schools of \ irginia, continued his studies 
in Ohio, ami afterward entered Greensburg Sem- 
at Greensburg, Ohio. Later he was a 
student in Clarion County Institute of Pennsyl- 
vania and subsequently completed his sophomore 
.r in Mount Union College of Mount Union, 
Ohio. Having determined to devote his life to 
the active work of the ministry, he was licensed 
preach in 1S80 at Johnstown, Pa., and for 
irs was pastor of the church at Brook- 
ville, Pa. He was ordained a deacon in Venango 
raty, Pa., in [882, and for two years was pas- 
of Trinity Church at Johnstown After enter- 
ic ministry he continued his educational 
rork as opportunity afforded, until he completed 
his philosophical course, graduating and receiv- 
ing the degree of Ph. B. from LaFayette 
linary. Since then he has taken a four years' 
course in metaphysics and philosophy at Rich- 
mond College, of Richmond, Ohio, receiving 
therefrom the degree of Ph. D. In the spring of 
xv; 4 he and his wife were appointed to active 
1 ice on the board of missions and assigned 
luty in the Willamette valley. Ore., and April 
i of that year arrived in Portland. Dr. 
Poling established the first English mission of 
the Evangelical Association in the city of Port- 
'. where he continued his labors for three 
years. In 1888 he was elected presiding elder 
•regon Conference of the Willamette dis- 
trict and after serving for seven years in that 
mportant office he resigned to accept the presi- 
dency of LaFayette Seminary in 1895. 

In 1888 Dr. Poling had taken the initia- 
tory step toward founding the seminary, and 
hen the county seat was removed to McMinn- 
e he secured the old county building which 
! removed to its present site and therein La- 
Fayette Seminary was established with Dr. 
'oling as president of the board of trustees. He 
was first elected to the presidency of the institu- 
ion. hut refusing the honor, Dr. W. C. Kantner, 
of Millersburg, Pa., was appointed president, 
li Dr. Bowman as one of the professors. Dr. 
Cantner successfully continued at the head of 
union until 1892. when he resigned and 
r Bowman was elected to the presidency 
the seminary, in which capacity he remained 
U 1895. Dr. Poling was then elected 
sident, conducting the institution for three 
year-, and at the same time officiating as pastor 
the First Union Evangelical Church. In 
1891 President Poling was sent as a delegate to 
the general conference held in Philadelphia. In 
894 the general conference at Naperville, 111., 
organized the United Evangelical Church, with 



which he cast his lot. In 1899 he was again 
elected presiding elder of the Oregon Conference 
and has since been superintendent of the work 
of the denomination in the state. Between the 
years 1895 an d 1900 Dr. Poling sought a 
new location for the seminary, and eventually 
secured one at Dallas, uniting LaFayette Semi- 
nary with LaCreole Academy and incorporating 
the same under the name of Dallas College, with 
himself as president. They retained the old 
charter of the academy, and since the amalgama- 
tion the college has made marked advancement. 
There is, however, a separate board of trustees 
for both the college and academy, with Dr. 
Poling as president of each. The academy fur- 
nishes the preparatory course for entrance into 
the college. Marked improvements have been 
made, including the erection of new buildings 
and there is now a well equipped college build- 
ing, new dormitory and gymnasium. The aca- 
demic work includes a three years' course above 
the eighth grade school work, while the college 
embraces a full college course. Perhaps no bet- 
ter idea of the institution can be given than is 
presented in its catalogue. "LaCreole Academy, 
whose aim, as formerly, shall be 'to prepare stu- 
dents for college and for the active affairs of 
life' ; and Dallas College, successor to LaFavette 
Seminary, will henceforth be conducted under 
the auspices of the Oregon Conference of the 
United Evangelical Church. While the control 
of the school is denominational, its instruction 
shall in no sense be sectarian. The purpose of 
the institution is to furnish to young men and 
women a liberal Christian education, to lay a 
deep and broad foundation in the study of the 
Sciences, Arts and Philosophies, and to build up 
a strong intellectual and moral character. The 
school, therefore, is open to persons of good 
moral character, who are willing to obey the 
rules and regulations adopted for its govern- 
ment." 

Dr. Poling was married in Greensburg, 
Ohio, in 1882. to Miss Sevilla A. Kring. who 
was born in that state, a daughter of the Rev. 
S. B. Kring, a minister of the Evangelical Asso- 
ciation, who died in Kendallville, Ind., in 1893. 
Mrs. Poling is a graduate of the high school of 
Van Wert, Ohio, and prior to her marriage was 
an evangelist for four years, laboring in Penn- 
sylvania, Ohio and Indiana, and has ever been a 
most able assistant to her husband in promoting 
the cause of Christianity and religious education. 
Their marriage has been blessed with seven chil- 
dren : Daniel A., who is now in the junior vear 
in Dallas College: Ethel V., who is pursuing a 
course in the academy ; Laura A. ; Charles S. ; 
Mabel: Rudolph; and Paul Newton. At this 
point it would be superfluous to enter into any 
series of statements as showing Dr. Poluv 



420 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to be a man of broad intelligence and genuine 
public spirit, for these qualities have been set 
forth between the lines of this review. Strong 
in his individuality, he never lacks the courage 
of his convictions ; but there are dominating ele- 
ments in this individuality — a lively human sym- 
pathy and an abiding charity, which, combined 
with his sterling integrity, have naturally gained 
for him the respect and confidence of men. 



JULIUS NEWTON HART. The district 
attorney for the territory comprising Linn, Ma- 
rion, Polk, Yamhill and Tillamook counties, Ore., 
is one of the well known legal practitioners of the 
state, and is discharging his duties with courage, 
fidelity, and with absolute fearlessness. 

Back to Colonial times Mr. Hart traces his 
lineage, and justly cherishes an enviable ances- 
tral record. He was born near Fairfield, Wayne 
county, 111., May 13, 1869, a son of John S. and 
Minerva J. (Neal) Hart, natives respectively of 
Carroll county, Ohio, and Wayne county, 111. 
As far back as 1632 Stephen Hart came from 
Braintree, Essex county, England, settling in 
Massachusetts, and removing in 1635 to Hart- 
ford, Conn., which town he helped to found. He 
became prominent in early governmental affairs 
in Connecticut, and was a member of the general 
court for fifteen terms. From Stephen the line 
of descent is through John, John, John, Silas, 
Julius C, John S., and J. N. The first John, 
with his wife and daughter, became victims of 
the Indians, who burned their house at night, 
and all within. His son, Capt. John Hart, of the 
Connecticut militia, avenged the deaths in his 
family by relentlessly pursuing the red men. The 
first to establish the family outside of Connecticut 
was the great-grandfather, Silas Hart, a farmer 
by occupation, who removed to Wayne county, 
N. Y., where his son, Julius C, the grandfather 
of our subject, was born. Julius C. Hart devoted 
his life to farming and school teaching, which 
he followed for many years in Carroll county, 
Ohio, and afterward in Wayne county, 111., where 
he removed in 1850. His wife was Catherine 
Carl, a native of Pennsylvania, whose father was 
a soldier in the war of 1812. 

John S. Hart was a boy when his parents re- 
moved to Illinois, and he was reared to farming 
on the pioneer property cleared by his father. 
During the Civil war he enlisted in the Fifth 
Illinois Cavalry, and served for more than three 
years. After the war he continued farming and 
filled various political offices. After removing 
to Oregon in 1885 he located on a farm near 
Dallas, Polk county, which has since been his 
home. His wife is a daughter of Isaac Newton 
Neal., who was born in Kentucky. Her ancestors 



emigrated from the north of Ireland to Virginia 
before the Revolutionary war. 

The oldest of the eight children born to his 
parents, Julius Newton Hart was reared on a 
farm, and attended the public schools during the 
winter. After coming to Oregon from Wayne 
county, 111., in 1885, he continued to work on 
the farm for a year, and at the age of seventeen 
began teaching school in Polk county. Realizing 
the necessity of a superior education he increased 
his knowledge while teaching, attending both the 
State Normal School and La Creole Academy, 
graduating from the latter institution in 1889. 
Having decided at an early age to become a law- 
yer he attended the law department of the Uni- 
versity of Oregon at Portland, and was admitted 
to the bar in 1895. In the meantime he had 
acquired an enviable reputation as an educator, 
and in 1896 was elected superintendent of schools 
of Polk county on the Republican ticket, and was 
re-elected in 1898, his term of service extending 
from July, 1896, to July, 1900. While superin- 
tendent of schools he engaged in a limited prac- 
tice of law, and in 1900 was nominated for dis- 
trict attorney. He was elected in June and took 
the oath of office in July, 1900. 

In December, 1890, Mr. Hart married Irene 
Dempsey, a native of Polk county, and daughter 
of James A. Dempsey, a native of Knox county, 
111. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Hart, 
Judge Isaac I. Dempsey, came to Oregon in 1862, 
bringing- with him his family, and settling at 
Rickreall, Polk county, where he filled the office 
of county judge. James A. Dempsey farmed for 
many years in Polk county, and died in Mon- 
mouth in 1893. His wife, Alice (Embree) 
Dempsey, a daughter of C. D. Embree and sister 
of Dr. Embree, represented elsewhere in this 
work, came to Oregon in 1844. Nine children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey, . eight 
daughters and one son, Mrs. Hart being the third 
oldest. Two children have been born unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Hart, Julius Harold and Hallie Ruth. 
Mr. Hart is fraternally connected with Jennings 
Lodge No. 9, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past 
master; with Ainsworth Chapter No. 17, R. A. 
M. ; and Salem Lodge No. 336, B. P. O. E. He 
is also a member of the State Bar Association. 
Mr. Hart is entitled to much credit for the stanch 
support of the cause of education and for the 
standard of excellence which he was largely in- 
strumental in inaugurating and maintaining. He 
has been uniformly successful as a lawyer, and 
is a broad-minded, cultured, liberal and enterpris- 



FRANK M. SMITH. Many years ago a lit- 
tle town of Jackson county, Mo., was the scene 
of what would now be called strange happen- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



423 



gs, tin.' congregating of white-topped wagons 
I meek, slow-plodding oxen, with men and 
mien in the picturesque costumes of the early 
neer, with somber determination showing 
through the eagerness oi their faces. These men 
and women were the products out of which the 
uu west hu> grown. This little city was Inde- 
pendence, the starting point lor the great emi- 
grant trains that took their way into the west. 
In the midst oi these stirring scenes, Frank M. 
iiith was horn July jo. 1831. near Indepen- 
dence, the son of Doctor and Nancy (Scott; 
Smith, natives oi North Carolina and Ken- 
tucky, respectively, and here the family 
remained until Frank M. was sixteen years 
Id. Living among these scenes it fol- 
lowed as a natural consequence that they, 
. should he imbued with the spirit of the 
times, and in 1847 they started from Holt 
inty with two ox-teams to put the width of 
ntinent between them and their old home. 
The journey occupied three days less than five 
lonths, during which time Doctor Smith was 
ieized with his last illness. By the time they 
:hed Green river they left a mound of up- 
turned earth to mark their pathway, and the 
bereaved family went the remainder of the jour- 
alone. By a strange decree of Providence 
were unmolested by the Indians, reaching 
n City safely, going from there to North 
nhill, where they remained until the spring 
^48. In the last named year they went to 
the Waldo Hills. Marion county, making this 
their permanent home by taking up a donation 
im of three hundred and twenty acres, putting 
nto the improvement of the claim the strength 
f the seven young people who blessed the lonely 
nother with their presence. In 1876 occurred 
the death of this devoted mother. 

The chiidren born to Doctor Smith and his 

•ife are as follows : Mandana, who was married 

1 Mi-souri to Duff Kimsey, and died in Oregon; 

M"ses I., died in Salem, aged about seventy 

years: Frank M., subject of this sketch; Eliza'- 

heth. who became the wife of George Hunt, and 

lied in Salem. Sarah A., widow of Daniel Dur- 

1. now a resident of Salem; Harriett E., died 

unmarried. Doctor, Jr., died on the farm now 

owned by Frank M. 

rank M. Smith remained on the home farm 
tor seven years. At the age of twenty-three he 
went to Salem, where he was soon engaged suc- 
essfully in the livery business. For ten of the 
twenty years which he devoted to this enterprise 
the Durbin brothers were his partners. In 1881 
he purchased a farm of two hundred and sixty 
acres located three and a quarter miles south- 
east of Salem, where he has sifice resided. He has 
made many improvements to the place and has 
the greater part under cultivation, devoting the 



estate to the raising of stock and to general farm- 
ing. In 1855-56 he enlisted in Capt. Charles Ben- 
nett's Company F, First Regiment, (Jregon 
Mounted Volunteers, for the Yakima expedition, 
Col. J. W. Xesmith commanding. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Smith is a Dem- 
ocrat, hut he has never been ambitious for public 
office, preferring to give his time to his own per- 
sonal affairs. He is one of the representative 
men of his section of the county, and is always 
ready to lend his assistance to the furtherance 
of those enterprises intended to benefit the com- 
munity 



ALBION J. RICHARDSON. Numbered 
among the prominent and successful business 
men of Polk county is A. J. Richardson, who is 
living retired from active pursuits at his pleas- 
ant home in Buena Vista. A man of courageous 
industry, sound judgment, and keen New England 
foresight, he came to Oregon when the country 
was new, and by persistent effort and steadfast- 
ness of purpose succeeded in the various under- 
takings with which he has since been identified, 
and is now one of the most extensive landholders 
of the county, and a person of affluence and in- 
fluence. A native of Maine, he was born at 
Mount Desert, Hancock county, May 11, 1835. 
He is of Scotch descent, and his father, Abraham 
Richardson, Jr., and his grandfather, Abraham 
Richardson, Sr., were both born and reared on 
that picturesque Maine island that is now a fa- 
mous summer resort. 

Abraham Richardson, Jr., followed the sea dur- 
ing his early life, shipping before the mast when 
a boy, subsequently sailing as master of a vessel. 
He was afterwards employed for many years in 
shipbuilding, being successful, and accumulating 
considerable property for those days. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Deborah Burnham, was 
also born on Mount Desert Island, and like her 
husband, spent her entire life in Maine. Seven 
boys and three girls were born of their union, and 
of these Albion J., the second child in order of 
birth, is the only survivor. 

Receiving excellent educational advantages. A. 
J. Richardson attended first the public schools 
of Tremont, Me., afterwards continuing his 
studies at the Bucksport Academy. Working 
with his father as a shipbuilder, he became fa- 
miliar with the trade, and followed it for two 
years in Rockland, Me. Leaving Boston in lune, 
1855, be came to San Francisco by way of Cape 
Horn, landing in that city in December, after 
a voyage of one hundred and thirty-two days. 
Going to Amador county, he was there engaged 
in mining two years, being quite successful^ in 
his operations. Starting then for the Eraser 
river, at the time of the gold excitement there, 
he changed his mind before arriving at his point 



424 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of destination, and located in Portland, Ore., 
where he followed his trade. Coming from there 
to Polk county in the summer of 1859, Mr. Rich- 
ardson worked at his trade until 1862, when he 
went to Florence, Idaho, where he was engaged 
in mining about six months. After spending 
the winter of 1862-63 in Oregon, he again went 
to the mining region of Idaho, making the jour- 
ney with a pack train laden with merchandise for 
the mines, and remaining two years. Returning 
to Polk county, he was actively engaged in deal- 
ing in land for several years. From 1892 until 
1898 he was a resident of Portland, Ore., but 
has since made his home in Buena Vista. One of 
the largest real estate owners in this section of 
the state, Mr. Richardson has about twelve hun- 
dred acres of land in the Willamette valley, two 
farms lying in Marion county, east of Buena 
Vista, two farms west of Buena Vista, and is 
the owner of considerable city property of value. 
His land is all rented, about twenty-five acres of 
it being devoted to hops. Since 1875 he has 
carried on a profitable business as a grain dealer, 
having a warehouse in Buena Vista, for eighteen 
years has been the leading grain merchant of this 
locality. 

In 1862 Mr. Richardson married Hannah J. 
Linnville, who was born in Missouri, in October, 
1845. Her father, the late Harrison Linnville, 
came from Missouri to Oregon in 1846, and took 
up a donation claim at what is now Parker's Sta- 
tion. He subsequently spent his last years in 
Corvallis. Of the four children born of the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, but one is now 
living, Lillian, wife of C. A. Gray, of Salem, Ore. 
Politically, Mr. Richardson is a stanch Repub- 
lican, and fraternally he is a member of Lyons 
Lodge No. 29, A. F. & A. M., of Independence ; 
Oregon Consistory No. 1, of Portland, and Al 
Kader Temple, N. M. S., of Portland. 



TRENTON R. HIBBARD. The soldier on 
the field of battle is called upon for no greater 
heroism than is the pioneer who makes his way 
into the wilderness, far from other men and the 
comforts of an older civilization in order to es- 
tablish homes and to reclaim the wild district for 
the uses of himself and his race. The conditions 
which he meets are very hard and oftentimes 
discouraging. Nature may be bountiful in her 
gifts to man, but she also realizes the value of 
work in the development of character. She has 
therefore simply bestowed upon him the mate- 
rials from which he is to gain through labor 
that which brings him comforts and wealth. One 
always looks with interest upon the pioneer 
people who were brave enough to face the dan- 
gers and difficulties that awaited them on the 
Pacific coast. So far were they from the old 



homes of the Mississippi valley or the east that 
communication was almost entirely cut off, and 
yet with unflinching courage they undertook the 
work of reclamation here. Mr. Hibbard is 
among the number whose labors have been of 
great benefit to Oregon, and few indeed are the 
settlers of the state at the present time who can 
claim residence here from 1847. While he is 
now living a retired life, he is to some extent 
engaged in making loans and in renting prop- 
erty. He resides in Silverton, where he is an 
honored and respected citizen. 

Mr. Hibbard was born near Pekin, Tazewell 
county, 111., April 2, 1836. His father, King 
Hibbard, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., January 
31, 1806, a son of Samuel P. Hibbard, whose 
birth occurred in Vermont, whence he removed 
to Buffalo. He was a teamster in the army of 
the war of 181 2, and his family heard the firing 
of the guns of Perry during the famous naval bat- 
tle on Lake Erie, which occurred only about six 
miles from their home. The grandfather of our 
subject became a resident of Oregon in 1848, 
locating near North Yamhill, Yamhill county, 
where he lived with his son until his death. In 
the year 1827 King Hibbard removed from Ohio 
to Illinois, stopping first where the city of Chi- 
cago now stands. One of his sisters gave birth 
to a boy there, the first born in Chicago. His 
name is Levi Reed, and he is now living a re- 
tired life in Portland, Ore. 

On the 7th of April, 1847, King Hibbard 
left his home in Pekin, 111., and started for the 
northwest, crossing the Missouri river at St. 
Joseph on the 3rd of May. He then proceeded 
by way of the Platte river and the Oregon route 
to the northwest. He saw thousands of buffalo 
upon the plains, and Indians were almost as 
numerous. There were no bridges across the 
streams, and neither had the ferry boats been 
put in operation. On one occasion the Indians 
stole the horses of the party, but they managed 
to recover them. They crossed the Cascades, 
and on the 17th of September arrived at the 
Foster place in Clackamas county. The Hibbard 
family located amid the Waldo Hills, and the 
father of our subject took a donation land claim 
of six hundred and forty acres, which he entered 
on the 25th of September. He was a typical 
pioneer settler, brave, self-reliant and deter- 
mined, willing to cope with the hardships and 
difficulties incident to life on the frontier in order 
to establish a home for his family. With char- 
acteristic energy he began the development of 
his place and continued to work there until his 
death, which occurred on the 30th of June, i860. 
He left everything in the hands of his son, Tren- 
ton R., administrator of the estate. His wife, 
who bore the maiden name of Nancy C. Brisbin, 
was born in Center county, Pa. Her death oc- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAI'II ICAL RECORD. 



425 



CUITed in the Waldo Hills in January. 18O4. 
Her father, John Brisbin, was a native of Penn- 
1. whence he removed to Kentucky, be- 
naing an influential and prominent citizen 
there. He served as judge, and took an active 
-; in public affairs, contributing largeh to 
the improvement and progress of his community. 
lie was a very successful educator, and was also 
fine penman. In the early '20s he removed to 
Illinois, locating near Jacksonville, and subse- 
quently he took up his abode near Pekin, that 
ite. In [846 he made the trip to Oregon 
- the plains with an ox team, and died in 
the Cow Creek canyon. They had lost all of 
their stock and were coming on foot when Mr. 
Brisbin sickened and died. He was at that time 
ne with his son, who buried him, digging a 
ive with his hands. It had been necessary for 
them to wade through the water, and in this way 
Mr. Brisbin had become ill. The remainder of 
the train proceeded on their way, while the 
father and son stopped for what they believed 
would be but a brief period, thinking that the 
father would be better soon. After burying his 
father, the son hastened on and joined the rest 
of the party, hut in the meantime nearly starved, 
the supply of food giving out. On reaching their 
destination a settlement was made by the Bris- 
bin family in Marion county. 

In the Hibbard family were eight children, 
four sons and four daughters, of whom Trenton 
R. Hibbard was the eldest. He obtained a com- 
lon school education and in early life engaged 
in farming with his father. Upon the latter 's 
death he remained upon the old homestead, and 
educated and cared for the family until the 
younger children of the household were able to 
care for themselves. When all had grown to 
mature years he sold the property, in March, 
1. S74, and divided the proceeds among the heirs, 
administering the estate satisfactorily to all. In 
the fall of 1874 he removed to Silverton and 
established a general mercantile store, which he 
conducted with success for several y^ears, or 
until 1892. when he retired. Since that time he 
has been engaged in loaning money and in rent- 
ing farms and other property, but to a large ex- 
tent is resting from arduous labor. He also 
owns a stock ranch of one hundred and sixty 
cres in the mountains, on which he pastures 
cattle for others. He also has two hundred acres 
the original donation claim, and he purchased 
fifty acres adjoining, so that that farm comprises 
two hundred and fifty acres, a portion of which 
s in orchard. Mr. Hibbard also owns town prop- 
erty, and has improved residence property in Sil- 
verton. He likewise has a store and house in 
Silverton and several lots in East Portland, Al- 
bina and Piedmont, which are unimproved. 

In 1878 Mr. Hibbard was appointed postmas- 



ter, ami filled that office for six years. He was 
also the first mayor of Silverton, and acted in 
that capacity for three terms. Politically he is 
a Republican. He takes a very active interest in 
the welfare of the party and does all in his power 
for its growth. He has served as constable of 
the precinct, and in that position, as in other 
offices which he has filled, he has ever been found 
faithful and reliable in the discharge of his du- 
ties. A prominent Odd Fellow, he belongs to 
the lodge, encampment and the Rebekah degree. 
He is also a member of the Masonic Lodge. Mr. 
Hibbard is a man of striking appearance, stand- 
ing six feet and four inches in height and weigh- 
ing two hundred pounds. He is said to resemble 
Abraham Lincoln, and he possesses many of the 
sterling traits of character of that great states- 
man. 



WILLIAM M. POWERS and his wife are 
one of the most interesting couples in Linn 
county, who have grown old in the service of 
Oregon, and their many experiences in the 
early days would fill an interesting volume. 
Having the advantages of admirable ances- 
tors, of parents who cherished high ideals for 
their children, and of Christian training in 
their youth, they have carried their zeal and 
nobility of character through the unsettled 
and of times trying conditions in the north- 
west, stamping their business and social con- 
nections with the seal of sincerity and success. 
William Powers is a descendant of a New 
England family which traces its American 
lineage back two hundred years, its members 
located for the greater part in the state of Ver- 
mont, where was born the paternal grand- 
father, George Powers. Ezekiel Powers, the 
father of AVilliam, was also born in Vermont, 
and subsequently became a contractor and 
builder in Batavia, N. Y. He died when Will- 
iam was four years old, and about the same 
time his wife, Esther (Van Ness) Powers, 
followed him to the silent bourne. The Van 
Ness family have been distinguished for many 
years in New York, and claim to be of old 
Hudson river Knickerbocker stock. William 
M. is the only child living of this union, Cor- 
nelius, the oldest son, a shipbuilder, having 
died in Osage, Iowa ; Joseph, an engineer, 
died in the south, and Daniel W. died after 
amassing a fortune in Rochester, N. Y. 

Until his tenth year, William Powers lived 
in his native town of Batavia, N. Y., where he 
was born August 12, 1827. He was then sent 
to a farm in Mount Vernon township, Knox 
county, Ohio, and while working hard for his 
board and clothes, had absolutely no oppor- 
tunity to attend school. In 1842' he went to 



420 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Iowa with his uncle, Colonel Hall, settling on 
a farm in Mount Pleasant township, Henry 
county, where he was busily engaged in farm- 
ing when the Mexican war broke out. This 
seemed an opportunity indeed to be of service 
to his country, and regretfully he returned to 
the monotony of farm life after having his ap- 
plication rejected on account of age and dis- 
ability. The following year, 1847, a chance 
came his way in the guise of the famous Dan 
Rice circus, an enterprise which opened up 
wonderful vistas for boys with large ambi- 
tions and little money. The "great and only 
show on earth" was then being transported 
from place to place along the Ohio and Mis- 
sissippi rivers by a steamer owned by the 
Company, and William began as cabin boy on 
this steamer in 1847, an d gradually worked 
his way through the aggregation of mysteries 
which have dazzled audiences these many 
years. His circus experiences were varied, 
and comprised the gamut run by the most re- 
sourceful in those days, and he became a per- 
former who won thunders of applause from 
admiring onlookers. He could do the most 
daring tricks known to tumblers of that time, 
and in time he became a horseback performer, 
excelling particularly in ring work. The fine 
mare "Fashion" and he were for months asso- 
ciated together in the minds of an anxious 
public, and were coupled together in glaring 
letters on the ingenious posters. Hundreds of 
times he made his entrance into the sawdust 
ring, performed his daring and skillful act, 
and, with the graceful Fashion, acknowledged 
the plaudits of the audience. These days are 
recalled by Mr. Powers with much satisfac- 
tion, and possibly a little regret, for who does 
not miss vociferous appreciation when once it 
has rewarded our efforts, of whatever nature? 
In 1849 Mr. Powers became imbued with 
the gold fever, and with a pack train started 
across the plains in a company of fifty-two 
men. At Fort Laramie differences of opinion 
arose, and with three of his companions he 
left the tran and proceeded alone the rest of 
the way. The small party were strangely at 
the mercy of whatever danger lurked on the 
plains, and each night two of the party were 
obliged to mount guard during the entire 
night. The trip from Omaha to Hangtown, 
now Placerville, Cal., was made in sixty days, 
a remarkably short time, considering the 
means of travel. Here the men sold their 
horses and engaged in mining, and in the fall 
of that year went to Oregon canyon near 
Georgetown, going later to the Yankee Jim 
Diggings, and still later to the Humbug can- 
yon on the north fork of the American river. 
Mr. Powers was successful as a miner, but, 



owing to failing health while on the American 
river, he was obliged to think about returning 
home. Arriving at San Francisco, he found 
that there would be no steamer for fifteen 
days, so he concluded to return to mining, 
which he did on the Salmon river. Here he 
lost eight thousand dollars in the stream, and 
though he tried to dam it and regain his 
money, succeeded in getting back just 
eight dollars. Determined to hold on to the 
rest of his money, he took a small train of 
mules to Eureka and engaged in freighting to 
Reddings Springs, now Shasta, and then con- 
cluded to buy up a herd of cattle in Oregon 
and take them clown to California. Making 
his purchases at Oregon City in December, 
1851, he went to Eugene, and then drove the 
cattle over the mountains, having on the way 
a great deal of trouble with the Indians. 
However, with comparatively small loss, he 
reached his destination in Scott's valley, Cal., 
disposed of his stock, and returned to the 
Willamette valley, with which he had been 
much impressed while passing through it with 
his herd. 

In 1852 Mr. Powers took up a donation 
claim at what is now Shedds Station, but this 
proved to be ( school land, and he was obliged 
to pay five dollars an acre for it. He after- 
ward bought one hundred and twenty acres 
nearby, and at present has two hundred and 
eighty acres, which has been improved from 
raw and unprofitable land, into good cattle- 
raising and wheat property. In 1853, he en- 
gaged in blacksmithing and merchandising at 
Burlington, Linn county. Naturally Mr. Pow- 
ers suffered greatly from the depredations of 
the Indians, and like the other settlers, did his 
duty in subduing them. In 1855-56 he served 
as packmaster in the Rogue River war, pre- 
vious to which he had left his farm in other 
hands and had engaged in freighting flour, 
coffee, groceries and general provisions over 
the mountains to California. His permanent 
location on the farm, in 1854, was temporarily 
interrupted by the Indian wars, but after the 
service he devoted himself exclusively to im- 
proving his land and raising high-grade cattle. 
In i860 he located three miles from The Dalles 
on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, 
where he engaged in stock-raising, making a 
specialty of trading horses and cattle until 
1862. He then went to Baker City and with a 
partner built and operated a ferry across the 
Snake river below the mouth of Powder river, 
and at the same time was interested in the 
mining business in the Bannock mines near 
Idaho City. Here he made considerable 
money in mining, but unfortunately fell ill 
with mountain fever. His illness was taken 






&S? /3. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



4-2!) 



advantage of bj his partner, for during his ab- 
ce he sold the ferry and disappeared, leav- 
ing Mr. Powers rich in experience, but poorer in 
money to the extent of $7,000. The loss 
through the ferry was much more than made 
up by the gain in mining', and he settled down 
Oil his farm contentedly, charging np the mis- 
fortune to the inevitable profit and loss in life. 
In October, [900, Mr. Powers rented his farm 
ami located in Albany, where he has since 
lived retired, his home the center of large- 
hearted hospitality and invariable goodfellow- 
ship. 

In Linn county, Ore., July 19, 1854, Mr. 
Powers married Mary A. Rogue, who was 
born in Monmouth, 111., a daughter of James 
P., born near Knoxville, Tenn., and Sarah M. 
( Finney) Hogue, born near Louisville, Ky., 
and daughter ot James Finney. Mr. Hogue 
was a carpenter and builder in Monmouth, 
11!., and afterward settled on a farm in Mc- 
Donough county, where he lived until 1853. 
He then crossed the plains with his family, 
being rive months on the way, and located on 
a claim in Linn county, Ore. His wife, who 
died in Albany in 1899, bore him eight chil- 
dren, of whom Harvey A., a lumberman of 
Portland, died in Boston, Mass., August 15, 
1902; Frances J., the wife of Silas B. Story, 
died in Umatilla county ; Mrs. Powers, Emily 
M.. deceased, the wife of David Layton, the 
latter a major and veteran of the Indian wars; 
Kliza died in Linn county in 1857; Charles P. 
is a saw-mill man of Sellwood, Ore. ; Inez, 
widow of John M. Irving, lives at 545 Rodney 
avenue, Portland ; and George M. died at the 
age of seventeen years. 

Four children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Powers: Izzie M., the wife of H. B. 
Springer, of Linn county ; Stiles Burr, a farmer 
of Linn county; Guy M., engaged in horticul- 
ture near Missoula, Mont., and Frank H, a 
salesman for Woodard & Clarke, of Portland. 
In 1852 Mr. Powers was made a Mason in 
Salem Lodge Xo. 4. He was a charter mem- 
ber of Shedds Lodge Xo. 79, A. F. & A. M., 
and charter member and served as master sev- 
eral times of Shedds Grange. In 1873 ^ r - and 
Mrs. Powers assisted in the organization of 
the State Grange. Mrs. Powers is also a mem- 
ber of the Eastern Star. Formerly a stanch 
Republican, the silver question materially 
changed the attitude of Mr. Powers regarding 
his party, and he is now independent of any 
party. With his wife, he is a member of the 
( )regon Pioneer Association, and of the State 
Historical Society. He is also a member of 
the Indian War Veterans' Association. 

Kindly in manner, courteous and consider- 
ate towards all with whom he comes in con- 



tact, Mr. Powers is honored for the unswerv- 
ing integrity which has characterized all of 
his transactions in the west, and for that pub- 
lic-Spiritedness which has dictated an interest 
in all that pertains to the upbuilding of his 
adopted state. 



REV. AEfELHELM ODERMATT, ( ). S. 
B., the founder of Mount Angel, by far the 
strongest moral influence in this part of the 
state, and the instigator of every good work 
which has for its object the upbuilding of his 
people, was born in Stanz, the capital city of 
Canton Unterwalden, Switzerland, December 
10, 1844. His ecclesiastical training was re- 
ceived at the Benedictine Abbey of Mount 
Angel, Switzerland, which he entered in 1865, 
and from which he was sent as a missionary 
to the United States in 1873. Until 1881 he 
was located at Maryville, Mo., and August 2 of 
that year he arrived in Portland to found a 
Benedictine priory. In search of a desirable 
location he traveled extensively over the north- 
west for six months, and subsequently as- 
sumed charge of the parishes of Gervais, Fill- 
more, and Sublimity. May 9, 1882, Father 
Odermatt left for Switzerland, and after hav- 
ing been appointed prior by the Right Rev. 
Abbot Anselm, O. S. B., of the mother house 
of Mount Angel, he returned to America October 
29 of the same year, to found the Benedictine 
priory at Gervais. 

The priory of Gervais consisted of five 
fathers, one lay brother, and five candidates 
for the monastery, in connection with which 
was maintained the St. Scholastica Convent, 
with ten sisters, of which Rev. Mother Ber- 
nardine, O. S. B., was the head. July 14, 1884, 
Father Odermatt moved the monastery to 
what was then called Fillmore, where he 
erected a new building and church and called 
the place and railway station Mount Angel, 
after the mother house in Switzerland. In 
1886 the Benedictine sisters also removed their 
mother house to Mount Angel. In 1888 the 
Benedictine fathers built a new college, and 
the following year a seminary was erected for 
ecclesiastical students. So well founded was 
this enterprise, and so prosperous did it be- 
come, that in 1889 the fathers were obliged to 
build a new college, 150x50 feet, ground dimen- 
sions, and four stories high. The new build- 
ing was modern in construction, and admir- 
ably filled the needs for which it was intended, 
and no more promising religious center existed 
in the state. However, a great disappointment 
was in store for those who had so zealously 
labored in the cause of humanity, for May 3, 
1892, between the hours of two and four in the 



430 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



afternoon, the entire monastery, church, old 
college and seminary, as well as carpenter shop, 
flour mill, and engine house, were reduced to 
ashes, but one building remaining of the splen- 
did work of years. Nevertheless, neither the 
founder nor his co-laborers were utterly cast 
down, but continued their school in the only 
building available to them. 

Characteristic of the energy and resource 
which have dominated his career was the 
course of Father Odermatt in the face of this 
crushing calamity. He at once left for the east 
to engage in missionary work, and collect 
funds for the re-building of the institution, 
which was to represent in its completion and 
great opportunity for usefulness, the most am- 
bitious project of a well directed life. Father 
Odermatt preached throughout the entire east, 
visiting all the large cities, and availing him- 
self of any pulpit at his disposal. In spite of 
the general depression of the times, and the 
remoteness of the enterprise to which the 
easterners were asked to contribute, he suc- 
ceeded beyond his expectations, the result of 
his six years' tour being eminently satisfac- 
tory. June 21, 1899, the cornerstone of the 
new monastery was laid by Archbishop Alex- 
ander Christie, D. D., of Portland, Ore., and 
by New Year's day, 1902, the monastery proper 
was roofed. At the present time there are 
seventeen fathers, three scholastics and thirty- 
four professed lay brothers in the monastery, 
and the good accomplished by them as a body 
is beyond calculation. The premises contain 
about one thousand acres of land, much of 
which is excellent farming land, while timber 
abounds, and pasturage permits the raising of 
large quantities of stock. The institution in- 
cludes a dairy farm of extensive acreage in the 
foothills of the Cascade mountains, where the 
cattle are pastured in summer. Innumerable 
departments of industry are represented in this 
religious community, and the visitor who is 
permitted to observe them is impressed with 
the neatness, thrift and industry everywhere 
apparent, as well as by the Old World courtesy 
which he receives at the hands of those in 
authority. It is not strange that Father Oder- 
matt ranks with the great material and relig- 
ious upbuilders of the northwest, nor that his 
life work is typical, in its extent, of what may 
be accomplished in the face of great obstacles, 
and by the light of a supreme and unalterable 
guidance. 



• CONRAD MEYER. Among the many 
earnest and reliable citizens which Germany 
has contributed to the upbuilding of the Amer- 
ican statehood is to be named Conrad Meyer, 



who is now a successful grocer of the city of 
Albany, Linn county, Ore., his residence in 
this country having dated from 1866, and in 
this city from September, 1872. Like the 
many other emigrants to the great northwest, 
Mr. Meyer came with only his determination 
to win in the battle of life to encourage him 
to put forth his best efforts, but it has proven 
amply sufficient when viewed in the light of re- 
sults. 

Both the grandfather, Mathias, and father, 
Andreas Meyer, were born in Alberschweiler, 
Bavaria, and there engaged in farming, though 
the father combined the work of a carpenter 
with that along agricultural lines, and there 
his death occurred. The military life held for 
the family more or less interest, as Mathias 
Meyer served in the German army. The 
mother of our Mr. Meyer, formerly Katherine 
Sinner, died when he was still in infancy, and 
of the four children born to her only two are 
now living, Conrad Meyer being the only one in 
America. He was born in the same location 
as his forefathers, the date of his birth being 
December 4, 1845, and he was reared to the 
age of thirteen years on his father's farm. 
Until that age the privileges of the common 
school were his, and through his attendance 
of them he gained the foundation for the struc- 
ture which he has reared in the later years, 
For three years following the close of his 
school days he served an apprenticeship at the 
baker and confectioner's trade, and thereafter, 
for about five years, he traveled throughout 
Germany as a journeyman. In full confidence 
that his prospects would be brighter on this 
side of the Atlantic he sailed in 1866 for the 
United States, and on his arrival spent some 
time in Williamsburg and Brooklyn, and from 
that location journeyed to New England. 

After five months in Providence, R. I., he re- 
moved to Boston, and remained there until 
1867, when he came to Oregon, led to do so 
by the fact of having an uncle in Corvallis, 
Benton county. He sailed from New York 
City to Panama, and thence to San Francisco 
and Portland by water. Upon his arrival in 
the latter city he entered the employ of Alisky 
& Heggle. bakers and confectioners, and re- 
mained there for three years, holding the re- 
sponsible position of foreman. In 1870 he 
had acquired sufficient means to justify an in- 
dependent venture in the commercial world, 
and he bought out Fisher, located on Front 
street, near Morrison's bakery and restaurant, 
and conducted a business under the firm name 
of Stolte & Meyer, which was later changed to 
Smeer & Meyer. For two years he continued 
there with lucrative returns, but at that time 
he met with the misfortune of losing all he 



POR rR \1 r WD IIUH'.UAIMIK Al. REC< >RD. 



431 



hud in the business through a iirc, and through 
having no insurance he was somewhat dis- 
llc came to Corvallis at that pe- 
. nil the intention of making this visit 
his last one, as he intended then to return east 
: locate once more in Providence, ilis 
incle, George Gerhard, used his influence to 
induce another decision, as he plainly foresaw 
or Mr. .Meyer in the west if he per- 
. in his efforts. Yielding to Mr. Ger- 
hard's persuasions he decided to remain yet 
:ttle longer here, and in September, 1872, 
he became bookkeeper for the firm of Meyei 
& tiauck, in Albany, and in 1876 he was again 
financially able to conduct a business for him- 
In that year he purchased the business 
A illiam Strong, who was then in the pres- 
ent location of Mr. Meyer, and began again a 
forward march toward independence, combin- 
ing the grocery business with that of a baker. 
In the twenty-seven years which have elapsed 
since the date of his purchase Mr. Meyer has 
risen to a place of prominence in the commer- 
cial life of the city, through the returns of a 
lucrative custom, which has been built up by 
hi;- undivided efforts along such lines, making 
many material changes in the appearance of 
the place. In his first location, at the corner 
of First and Broadalbin streets, he owns sixty- 
seven hundred square feet, and upon it has 
erected a handsome building of three stores, 
of which he occupies the corner store, and in 
addition to this he has several residence prop- 
erties in the city. His bakery is large and 
well furnished, the oven having a capacity of 
about a thousand loaves, and in this business, 
the most extensive of its kind in the city, he 
always keeps from two to three helpers. 

The marriage of Mr. Meyer occurred in Al- 
bany, Ore., and united him with Miss Katie 
Rademacher, a native of Prussia and the 
daughter of Mrs. Philip Phile, of Corvallis, 
by her first husband, John Rademacher, an 
early settler in Corvallis. Three sons have 
been born of the union, Charles, Lorenz and 
Conrad, all of whom find employment with 
their father. 

In his fraternal relations Mr. Meyer is asso- 
ciated with various orders, having been made 
a member of the Odd Fellows in Portland, 
and is now a member of the lodge at Albany, 
in which he is serving as past officer; of the 
Kncampment he is also past officer. He be- 
longs also to the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen and the Order of Pendo. Relig- 
iously, Mr. Meyer is a member of St. Mary'? 
Roman Catholic Church, and politically is a 
Republican. Through his long residence in 
Albany, Mr. Meyer has come to be a highly 
appreciated citizen, his worth and integrity 



fully proved in his business and social life, 
and he now enjoys the esteem of a large circle 
of friends. 



EL1AS B. PENLAND. Among the real es- 
tate men of Albany, E. B. Penland occupies a 
prominent place, and his successful career re- 
flects undisputed credit upon his native state of 
Oregon. Born in Philomath, Benton county, 
September 9, 1855, he represents the third gen- 
eration of his family to contribute to the upbuild- 
ing of the northwest, the first and second gen- 
erations being represented respectively by his 
grandfather, Levi Elsa, and his father, Henry. 
For many years Levi Penland was a large land- 
owner and extensive stock-raiser in his native 
state of Kentucky, where his son Henry was 
born in 1833, at Lexington, and whence he re- 
moved when the latter was twelve years old to 
Missouri. Eight years later, in 1852, the family 
crossed the plains with ox teams, the grandfather 
bringing with him a fine stallion called Rifle 
Stock, one of the first blooded horses to be in- 
troduced in the state, and from whom was sired 
many valuable thoroughbreds. Levi Penland set- 
tled on a claim six miles south of Philomath, and 
there passed the balance of his life, raising stock 
and farming. Henry Penland located on a claim 
of half a section one-half mile east of the town 
site of Philomath, and in 1858 sold his farm and 
located on another near Halsey. He was very 
successful as a stock dealer and raiser, and at the 
time of his death in 1889, at trie a g e of fifty- 
seven, owned six hundred and forty acres of 
land, a large part of which was under cultiva- 
tion. He was a Republican in politics, was fra- 
ternally allied with the Masons, and found a 
religious home in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

His wife, formerly Martha J. Brown, was 
born in Indiana in 1840, a daughter of Elias 
Brown, a farmer of that state, who started to 
cross the plains in 1847, an d died on the way. 
His wife continued the journey with her child 
and took up a claim on Mary's river, where she 
married a Mr. Allen, and after his death be- 
came the wife of Mr. Spencer. Mr. and Mrs. 
Spencer finally took up their residence in Cor- 
vallis, where both died. Mrs. Penland, who 
became the wife of Mr. Quick of Halsey, had 
four children by her first marriage, the oldest 
of whom is Elias B. Levi Elsa, named after his 
grandfather, is living at Pendleton. Ore. ; Clara 
is the wife of H. C. Davis of Eugene ; and Fan- 
nie is the wife of Dr. P. T. Starr of Eugene. 

While on the home farm near Halsey, Elias 
B. Penland attended the district schools, and for 
one winter studied at the Willamette University. 
At the age of eighteen he began farming inde- 



432 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pendently on a part of the old farm, and in 1883 
settled near Moro, Sherman county, and engaged 
in the cattle business for three years. He soon 
found that his land was particularly adapted to 
wheat raising, and discarded cattle for wheat. 
He became one of the successful growers in his 
vicinity. He pre-empted a large claim, later 
bought jone hundred and sixty acres of railroad 
land, and the same amount of school land, as 
well as three-fourths of a section from his neigh- 
bors. His entire ranch consisted of eleven hun- 
dred and twenty acres, nine hundred of which 
was devoted to raising wheat. He was unusually 
successful, and still owns the property which 
gave him such a forceful start in life. Locating 
in Halsey in 1893, he added to his land holdings 
by purchasing two farms of four hundred acres 
each, and in 1901 he permanently located in Al- 
bany. Although a comparative newcomer in the 
real estate business, much valuable property has 
already passed through his hands, and he is 
among the most successful of those in the coun- 
ty similarly engaged. He is sole representative 
of the Page Fence Company of Adrian, Mich. 

A Prohibitionist in political affiliation, Mir. 
Penland has exerted an influence for temperance 
as generally understood, but the term may be 
taken as an index of his character, and is ap- 
plicable to all of his relations in life. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
one of the board of deacons He married in Hal- 
sey, Ore., Lizzie Hopkins, who was born near 
Cleveland, Ohio, in 1856, and who is the mother 
of two children, one of whom, Dr. Hugh E., a 
graduate of the Oregon Agricultural School and 
a medical school of Kirksville, Mo., is practicing 
medicine in Eugene, while Mabel is living at 
home. 



NELSON H. ALLEN. Since there must 
come a time to all men to put aside the instru- 
ments of material advancement and go to face a 
great Unknown it is well to labor in the passing 
years to leave behind a record of success, not 
alone as far as worldly wealth and social honors 
are concerned, though these also have their place, 
but rather a memory of integrity. Such was the 
apparent aim of Nelson H. Allen, one of the suc- 
cessful citizens of Albany, Linn county, whose 
death occurred September 3, 1897, in the six- 
tieth year of his life. 

Nelson H. Allen, born September 9, 1837, in 
New York state, was the representative of an 
eastern family, rich in native virtues of frank 
integrity and trust in their fellow citizens, which 
trust proved their ruin financially, for the grand- 
sire gave his money into the hands of a man 
whom he had called a friend, and who, proving 
false to the trust, left them with but little of 



their once substantial fortune. The father, 
Stephen, also a native of New York state, was 
early a settler of Wisconsin, engaging in farming 
near Madison. In 1849 ne started for the gold 
fields of California, his death occurring upon the 
plains, while en route for the west. His wife, 
formerly Rhoda Jenung, a native of New Jersey, 
where she was born of French descent, died in 
Wisconsin, leaving two sons, one of whom is 
still living in Wisconsin. During the Civil war 
he served in the cause of his country, and was one 
of the many prisoners who suffered the horrors of 
Andersonville. The other, Nelson H., of this re- 
view, came west from his birthplace near Lake 
Ontario, and grew to manhood in Wisconsin, 
receiving his education principally in the Spencer 
Business College, William Spencer of that insti- 
tution being the originator of the Spencerian 
system of penmanship. After the completion of 
his school course Mr. Allen engaged in the hotel 
business at Racine, Wis., and later conducted the 
Jeneau House, in Chicago. He engaged in 
various lines of business afterward, at one time 
being a railroad employe, and later entering the 
mercantile business in Agency, Iowa, where he 
remained until 1875, when he changed his resi- 
dence to Oregon. He came in July of that year, 
the journey being made via San Francisco and 
Portland. On his arrival in the northwest he 
settled in Albany, where he engaged in the man- 
ufacture of lumber in partnersip with a Mr. 
Robinson, and later with a Mr. Mortin. He 
owned several tracts of land along the Calapooia 
creek, which he later sold, after which he en- 
gaged in the mercantile business, the firm being 
known first as Allen & Mortin and later as N. H. 
Allen & Co. Until 1886 he was connected with 
this business, and at that date he again disposed 
of his interests and organized the electric light 
plant, this being the third plant in the state. 
This was one of his most successful ventures 
and reflected much honor upon Mr. Allen, for his 
executive skill and management had much to 
do with the ultimate incorporation of the busi- 
ness, under the title of Albany Electric & Tele- 
phone Co. Mr. Allen was president of the com- 
pany previous to his death. 

The marriage of Mr. Allen occurred at 
Agency, Iowa, his wife being formerly Miss 
Mary Hanawalt, who was born near Agency. 
Iowa. She died September 23, 1898, when forty- 
four years of age. She was a member of the 
Baptist Church. Her father was Samuel Hana- 
walt, a native of Pennsylvania, who was one of 
the first settlers of Iowa. He there engaged ex- 
tensively in agricultural pursuits, and became one 
of the most prominent men of that section of the 
state. Public spirited and in every way desirous 
of the general welfare he gave liberally of his 
time and means toward progressive movements, 




ALBERT WHITFIELD LUCAS. 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



436 



quite a portion of his land having been given for 
school purposes. His wife was in maidenhood 
therine Courtney, a descendant of an old Vir- 
ginia familv. which was originally founded by 
t' three brothers who came from Germany 
Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hanawall is still living. 
Mr. and Mrs. Allen have boon born four 
children, namely : Edna V. ; Mamie L.; Francis 
Kelson, located in Seattle. Wash.; and Alma. 
I'lie daughters are prominent in the social circles 
of VIbany, and as members of the Baptist Church 
tlu\ are lending their best efforts to advance 
its inter* 

In his fraternal relations Air. Allen was a 
Knight Templar in Masonry and also a member 
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and 
Knights oi Pythias. He was buried with Ma- 
sonic honors. Politically he was a strong Repub- 
lican. In connection with his convictions and 
patriotism a curious incident in the life of Mr. 
Allen occurred at the opening of the Civil war, 
when he was in the state of Mississippi for the 
benefit of his health. He was conscripted by 
southern law and would have been forced into 
the ranks but for a timely escape, made after pass- 
ing through many and hazardous experiences. 
He finally reached the north, where he would 
have entered the ranks of the army but for the 
condition of his health. 



MRS. ELIZABETH F. LUCAS. In a com- 
fortable little home on College avenue in Mon- 
mouth lives Mrs. Elizabeth F. Lucas, widow of 
Albert Whitfield Lucas, and one of the pioneer 
w. mien of Oregon around whom still clings traces 
of the heroism which, more than the physical toil 
of men, had to do with the creating of homes and 
the upbuilding of industries in the very early days. 
Before her marriage Mrs. Lucas was a Miss E. 
F. Murphey, daughter of Rev. J. F. Murphey, 
granddaughter of William Murphey, and great- 
granddaughter of a soldier of the war of 1812. 
William Murphey was born in Tennessee, and as 
a boy removed with his parents to Kentucky, 
eventually removing to his last earthly home in 
Illinois, of which state he was a very early set- 
tler. He married in Kentucky, and in that state 
was born, in 1807, his son, Rev. J. E., who mar- 
ried Frances W. Doughty, a native of Kentucky, 
and daughter of Preston Doughty, a native farmer 
and large slave owner of Kentucky. Rev. J. E. 
Murphey removed to Illinois about 1830, locating 
with his father on an unimproved farm in the 
wilderness, in time contributing his share towards 
its development, and at the same time accpiiring 
what was considered in those days an excellent 
education. He became a minister in the Chris- 
tian Church, and after removing to Oregon in 
1852 was prominently connected with the Chris- 



tian College at Monmouth, of which he was the 
financial agent and a trustee. As time went on 
he became a profound student, and took a great 
interest in educational matters, exerting a broad 
influence lor good in the community in which he 
lived. His death, June 7, iSjo, removed one of 
the most worthy members of the ministry of 
pioneer distinction. Although in moderate cir- 
cumstances, he reared to ways of usefulness and 
honor twelve children, five sons and seven daugh- 
ters, nine of whom are living. Mrs. Lucas being 
the third oldest. 

The foundation laid at the district schools has 
been utilized by Mrs. Lucas as a basis for further 
study, and during her entire life she has been a 
voluminous reader, keeping well posted on cur- 
rent events, and in touch with the literature of 
the day. In 1851 she was united in marriage with 
Albert Whitfield Lucas, who was born in Hardin 
county, Ky., in 1827, and who was of German- 
French ancestry. His forefathers were very early 
settlers in Kentucky, in which state his father, 
Marsham Lucas, was born September 5, 1801. 
In 1823 he married Cynthia Ann Whitman, 
daughter of Thomas Whitman, and in 1830 re- 
moved to Illinois, where, two years later, he par- 
ticipated in the Black Hawk war. Those were 
very trying times, for his family were obliged 
to make their escape from their home in order 
to save their lives, returning at the expiration 
of hostilities. His faithful wife died in 1837, 
and he eventually gave up farming and settled 
in Abingdon, 111., where he died June 24, 1898, 
when nearly ninety-seven years of age. In early 
life he was a Baptist, but afterward became a 
member of the Christian Church. 

Albert Whitfield Lucas was reared in Illinois, 
to which state he went with his parents when 
three years of age. After completing his educa- 
tion at Galesburg, he started to earn his living 
on a small tract of land near that town, and 
March 13, 185 1, was united in marriage. The 
following year, April 13, 1852, he started from 
Monmouth, 111., across the plains, being accom- 
panied by his wife, her father and his family and 
a company composed of thirty wagons and nearly 
as many families, under the capable leadership 
of a Mr. Mason. At Grand Island the company 
divided, one of the trains being known as the 
Murphey train, of which Rev. J. E. Murphey was 
the gallant captain. Ox teams, horses and mules 
carried the emigrants and their possessions, and 
the journey was a pleasant one, the travelers 
experiencing but little of the annoyance or in- 
convenience which fretted the westward course 
of many of the homeseekers of the early days. 
More fortunate than many, Mr. Lucas had a few 
hundred dollars in his possession, and with this 
he purchased land which formed the nucleus of 
the whole section owned by him in later years, 



4^6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and of a still later possession of eight hundred 
and thirty-three acres. For housekeeping pur- 
poses they had the barest necessities in the way 
of furnishings, but the little house was a pleasant 
place to live in. In connection with the tilling of 
his land he engaged in school teaching to some 
extent, and was at one time engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits. 

In all his undertakings Mr. Lucas was suc- 
cessful, possessing sound business judgment and 
capacity for hard work. He was one of the stock- 
holders in the Polk County Bank, and was_ a 
warm friend and financial supporter of the Chris- 
tian College, serving in the capacities of trustee 
and clerk of the board for twenty years. Previous 
to 1887 he was allied with the Republican party, 
but at that time joined his forces with the Pro- 
hibitionists. This latter move proved to his dis- 
advantage from an official standpoint, for the 
whisky element frustrated his election as senator 
and representative. For twenty years he was an 
elder in the Christian Church, having joined that 
organization in early life. His influence and 
money were at the disposal of all practical efforts 
at improving the general conditions among which 
he lived, and after locating in Monmouth in 1874, 
he took a keen interest in the welfare of the town. 
In the center of beautiful and well kept grounds, 
and surrounded by trees, shrubs and flowers, he 
built the little home now occupied by his faithful 
widow, and there enjoyed a life comparatively 
free from care up to the time of his death, April 
6, 1893. Of the ten children born into his family, 
Ella Ann, deceased, was born November 16, 185 1 ; 
Ada L., a resident of Portland, was born Septem- 
ber 2, 1853; Jay Prentice, for four years a regis- 
trar of the land office at The Dalles, was born 
June 3, 1856; Mary Alice, deceased, was born 
May 26, 1858; Katie L., the wife of W. D. Fen- 
ton, of Portland, was born July 6, 1859; Susie > 
deceased, was born November 4, 1861 ; Al- 
bert Lincoln, an engineer on the Southern 
Pacific Railroad at Portland, was born Feb- 
ruary 13, 1865 ; Nellie, deceased, was born 
June 12, 1867 ; Frank, for five years postmaster 
of Monmouth, was born September 25, 1868; 
and Fred, deceased, was born April 14, 187 1. 
Frank Lucas, one of the well known citizens of 
this town, who lives near his mother, is a grad- 
uate of the State Normal, and before locating in 
town farmed for a number of years. In 1896 
he started up a general drug business in- Mon- 
mouth, but was unfortunately burned out the 
next year. He married Lorena Mulkey, a native 
of this county, and daughter of William Mulkey. 
One child has been born of this union, Bernice. 
Mrs. Lucas is known as a philanthropist and 
most charitable woman, and her visits to the sick 
and needy have brightened many a household in 



the town and county. She is active in the Chris- 
tian Church, and takes an interest in all social 
and literary matters. 



JOHN ROBERT HINKLE. It is a pleasant 
thing to be able to trace one's family record 
through long years of change and struggle. One 
of the oldest families of Oregon, whose history 
is closely interwoven with that section of the 
country, is the Hinkle family, and among its 
more prominent members is the subject of this 
sketch, John Robert Hinkle, who has a handsome 
residence in Hubbard, and who is one of the most 
esteemed retired citizens of Marion county. 

Mr. Hinkle has been a resident of Oregon since 
1852. He was born in Perry county, Mo., June 
30, 1843, a son °f Alexander and Fanny (Hinkle) 
Hinkle. Alexander Hinkle, the father, was born 
in Pennsylvania, and when grown to manhood, 
he drifted to Indiana and later to Missouri, and 
engaged in agricultural pursuits in Perry county, 
of the latter state, until 1852. Like many of his 
friends and neighbors he desired to take advant- 
age of the new laws made to stimulate immigra- 
tion into Oregon, and conceiving the idea of 
going to the Far West, in 1852 he began the 
perilous journey. He crossed the plains by the 
Platte River route, and the journey consumed 
nine months. He located on the Elliott Prairie 
in Clackamas county, where he took up a donation 
land claim of three hundred and twenty acres 
Later his claim was approved and he obtained a 
clear title to the land upon which the closing 
years of his life were spent. He died in 1882 
in his eighty-second year. He was joined in 
marriage with Fannie Hinkle, who was however, 
no blood relation, as the name might indicate. 
This worthy lady also passed away on the home 
place in Clackamas county, when about fifty-seven 
years of age. Nine children were born to these 
pioneer settlers, five being sons and four 
daughters. 

John Robert Hinkle was the youngest of the 
family, and he obtained but a limited education 
in the common schools. When eighteen years old, 
he took charge of the home place, which he con- 
ducted for many years. This farm has been in- 
creased to three hundred and fifty acres and our 
subject is the proud owner of the entire farm, 
which he leases out, but still oversees its man- 
agement. In 1888, he purchased a livery stable 
in Hiibbard, in connection with a partner whose 
interest he afterward purchased. He conducted 
a successful business until 1900, when he sold 
out and retired from active business pursuits. 

Mr. Hinkle's marriage was celebrated at Salem, 
Ore., in 1866, when he was joined in wedlock 
with Mary Elmira Thomas, who was born near 
Silverton, Ore., August 12, 1850. Her father, 



PORTRAIT AND lilt HiRAl'I IKAL RKCokl). 



437 



Lorau Thomas, located near Silverton in 1842, 
having come from the east. He died in Clacka- 
unty, at the home of our subject aged 
! \ years. Mr. and Mrs. llinklc have two 
children, Eliza, wife of O. L. Darling, of Salem. 
and they have one son Lloyd; and Harvey A., 
successful commission merchant of Hubbard, 
whose biography is found elsewhere in this vol- 
who has one daughter. Lona. 
In social circles our subject is a worthy mem- 
ber of the Odd Fellow-' Lodge. In politics he is 
independent, and at one time served as supervisor 
Clackamas county. He is also largely inter- 
d in the cause of education, as his twenty 
rs' service on the school board in Clackamas 
nty will testify. 



CHARLES KIEFER. The German element, 
which is both substantial and progressive, and is 
at the bottom of many of the strongest and most 
influential business organizations in nearly all of 
the cities and towns of the country, is represented 
in Albany by Charles Kiefer, at present retired, 
but formerly connected for fifteen years as owner 
and manager of the Albany brewery of this city. 
Mr. Kiefer comes of a family indefinitely associ- 
ated with the city of Pirmasens, a walled town on 
the Vosges, in Rhenish Bavaria, Germanv, where 
he was born April 17, 1837. His father, Adam, 
and his mother, Magdalene (Arnold) Kiefer, 
were born in the same locality, and the former 
was for many years engaged in the meat market 
business. 

The only one of his father's nine children to 
come to the Pacific coast, Mr. Kiefer was four- 
teen years of age when he boarded a sailing ves- 
sel at Havre, France, bound for Pittsburg, Pa., 
where his uncle was already well established in 
business. He was thirty days on the ocean, and 
arrived at his destination in Pittsburg just before 
Christmas, 185 1. Under his relative he gained a 
mastery of the tanner's trade, and after four years 
in the tannery he went to Philadelphia, and from 
there to Wilmington, Del., where he engaged for 
five and a half years in dressing morocco. In 
i860 he came to the Pacific coast by way of the 
Isthmus of Panama, and from San Francisco 
went to the placer mining region around Big 
Oak. Cal. Not as successful as he had hoped to 
be, he started out on a tour of the state, investi- 
gating the prospects for permanent location, and 
mally arriving at the "John Dav" countrv, on 
ne Powder river, in 1862. Still intent 'upon 
making money in mining, he went horseback over 
the mountains from Walla Walla to the Columbia 
district, and later on arrived at Jacksonville, Ore., 
where he combined mining and brewing until 
1865. He then removed to Corvallis and engaged 



in the butchering business for a year; in 1866 
located in Albany, starting the first brewing con- 
cern there, and operated it most successfully for 
fifteen years. During that time he gained the 
reputation for fair dealing and business sagacity 
which has since clung to him, and also for the 
public-spirited interest which he has manifested 
in the social, musical, theatrical and general af- 
fairs by which he is surrounded. 

The first wife of Mr. Kiefer was formerly 
Margaret Smith, who died a year after her mar- 
riage, in Wilmington, Del. In 1863 he married, 
in Jacksonville, a Miss Louisa Sage, who was 
born in Baden, Germany, and who died December 
30, 1894. Of the children of this second union, 
Clara M. is the wife of Harry Noel, of Morenci, 
Ariz. ; Bertha G. married William Warner, of 
Albany; Rosa M. died in Albany; Caroline L. is 
the wife of Stephen Riley, of Pendleton; and 
Carl is deceased. In Wilmington, Del, Mr. 
Kiefer became identified with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, and is now a member of 
the Albany Lodge, and with the Encampment, of 
which he is past chief patriarch. He is also a 
member of the Ancient Order United Workmen. 
Politically he is identified with the Democratic 
party, but aside from the formality of casting his 
vote has never been heard of in local or state un- 
dertakings of his party. The expression regard- 
ing the similarity between a man's word and his 
bond is applicable to Mr. Kiefer, whose business 
transactions have always been above reproach, 
and whose private life is worthy of emulation. 
He was one of the organizers of No. 1 Albany 
Fire Company, and is now No. 5 of the exempts. 



ROBERT GLENN. Among the well-de- 
veloped farms in the vicinity of Salem none pre- 
sents a neater or more painstaking appearance 
than does that of Robert Glenn. One hundred and 
ten acres in extent, eighty acres are available 
for general farming, and their clearing is due 
entirely to the energy and perseverance of the 
present owner. Many fine improvements have 
followed in the wake of years of industry, in- 
cluding a pleasant residence, convenient barns and 
outhouses, and those agricultural implements 
which denote the modern and progressive tiller of 
the soil, the man who keeps abreast of the times. 

Of Scotch descent, on the maternal side. Mr. 
Glenn is the second oldest of the three sons and 
three daughters born to his parents, Caswell and 
Jane (Smith) Glenn, and his birth occurred in 
Cole county, Mo., April 13, 1853. The other 
living children are: Missouri, wife of John Mc- 
Kee Roberts: Annie, wife of John Stephenson; 
and Emma, widow of Asa Forman. The father 
and mother were born in Cumberland county, 
Tenn., the former January 28, 1826, and the lat- 



438 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ter June I, 1828. With their respective parents 
they moved to Missouri as children, and there 
met, and married, in 1850, and spent many years 
of their lives. Robert was reared on the farm in 
Cole county, and during the winter months at- 
tended the district schools, eventually remaining 
at home to be of great practical assistance to his 
father. He was nineteen years of age when the 
family outfitted with ox, teams and crossed the 
plains in 1872, leaving the old farm behind in 
April, and arriving at their destination in Salem 
November 28, 1872. They located on the farm 
now owned and operated by Robert Glenn. Here 
the elder Glenn took a great deal of comfort, and 
experienced the greatest satisfaction in his adopt- 
ed state, making money -rapidly, and was firmly 
launched in the" good will of his equally enter- 
prising neighbors. His death occurred on the 
old homestead January 8, 1899, after twenty-six 
years in his northwestern home, and he was sur- 
vived by his wife who still makes her home with 
her son. Mr. Glenn is a Democrat in politics, 
and has been a road supervisor for some years. 
He is a genial and obliging man to meet, success- 
ful in his farming and stock-raising, and alert to 
the many opportunities which come his way to be 
of general use in a constantly growing com- 
munity. 



FRANCIS MARION COOK. Of the sixty- 
four years of Mr. Cook's life all but six have been 
spent in Oregon, to which state his father immi- 
grated in the earliest pioneer days. He was born 
near Springfield, Mo., March 8, 1839, a son of 
Isaac and Sarah (Robertson) Cook. In 1845 
his parents, having decided to found a new home 
in the then comparatively unknown Oregon coun- 
try, started from their Missouri home with two 
wagons, forty-fcur oxen and ninety-seven head 
of cattle. After a journey of six months they 
arrived at their destination without the loss of 
any of their stock, an experience very rare in 
those days as many of the immigrant trains suf- 
fered heavy losses through the depredations of 
the Indians. Locating in Marion county Isaac 
Cook took up a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres three miles south of the present site 
of Turner, upon which he immediately erected 
a small log cabin containing but one room. Upon 
this claim, the development of which was begun 
as soon as the family had become established in 
their new home, he resided until 1872. In that 
vear they removed to eastern Oregon, locating 
at Camp' Watson, where the father died in 1876 
at the age of eighty-four years. His wife's death 
had occurred some time before. The children born 
to this couple were as follows : George, William 
and Thomas, all deceased ; Delilah, wife of Will- 



iam Frazier, of San JoSe, Cal. ; Francis Marion, 
of this review; and one who died in infancy. 

Isaac Cook's life was a useful and most hon- 
orable one. He was a man who was alwa) s 
ready to assist in all movements for the better- 
ment of the community's interests. He assisted 
materially in the construction of the early roads 
of Marion county, and was specially active in the 
promotion of the educational interests of the 
community, helping to build the first school house 
in his district. He was an earnest member of the 
Baptist Church, became one of the organizers of 
the first church of this denomination in the neigh- 
borhood, and devoted considerable of his time 
and means toward the construction of the house 
of worship. He was a large-hearted, public- 
spirited, liberal man, whose integrity was never 
brought into question. His name deserves a con- 
spicuous place among the pioneers of the Willam- 
ette valley. 

Francis Marion Cook was six years of age 
when the long journey from Missouri to the Pa- 
cific coast was made. Upon his father's farm in 
Marion county he spent all the years of his youth 
and young manhood, assuming the management 
of the farm a short time prior to 1872. In that 
year he accompanied his father to Camp Watson, 
where he engaged extensively in the business of 
raising cattle, sheep and horses. The period 
of his residence at that place covered seven years. 
Soon after the death of his father he returned 
to the homestead and engaged in stock-raising 
and general farming. Success has attended his 
efforts. He is now the owner of the original 
donation ciaim of six hundred and forty acres, 
four hundred acres of which is fine bottom land, 
which he has brought to the high state of cultiva- 
tion, and which is exceedingly productive. This 
farm is one of the best in Marion county. 

On September 26, 1857, Mr. Cook was united 
in marriage with Mary J. Edgar, a native of 
P>oone county, Ind.. and a daughter of Moses and 
Susan (Markey) Edgar. She died March 26, 
1903, leaving six children : Martha E., wife of 
Motier Howe, of Roseburg, Ore. ; Isaac N., re- 
siding near Marion ; Francis M., of Grant's 
Pass, Ore.; Nellie D., wife of A. J. Miller, of 
Turner ; Susan, wife of F. J. Neal, who resides 
with Mr. Cook ; and Thomas M., who is located 
at Kent, Sherman county, Ore. 

Though Mr. Cook has never sought political 
office he has followed closely in the steps of his 
father in his interest in good roads and good 
schools. He has served as road supervisor, and 
at various times has filled offices connected with 
educational work in his district. He takes an 
active interest in all those projects which appear 
to him to have been inspired by a desire to im- 
prove the moral, educational or commercial inter- 
ests of his section, and never hesitates to take 





( -t {Ljui ^ (xL^ c 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



441 



the initiative whin he becomes convinced that 

- put -nt.) effect, will result in the better- 

• i the condition oi affairs generally, lie is 

- a man dominated by high public 
. of liberal and progressive views and a gen- 
heart. On many occasions during the long 
I his residence in Oregon he has had op- 
portunities to demonstrate the better qualities of 
heart and mind which have given him the high 
place lie occupies in the esteem of his fellow men 
who have learned to respect and honor him as 
ful man. His integrity is unquestioned, and 
his unselfish devotion to the best interests of the 
community at large entitle him to a permanent 
place in the historical literature of the Willam- 
ette valley. 



REUBEN LEE, of Aumsville, occupies an 
Enviable place among the pioneers of Marion 

inty. His successful encounter with early dif- 
ficulties, his correct appreciation of the many ad- 
vantages bv which he has been surrounded, and 
his untiring perseverance and unflagging in- 
dustry, entitle him to more than casual notice on 
the part of all who seek inspiration and support. 
As far back as any existing records show, the 
ancestors of Mr. Lee found their greatest field 
of usefulness among the tillers of the soil, an 
ipation followed by his paternal grandfather, 
John Lee, one of the earliest settlers of Macou- 
pin county, 111., and courageous soldier during 
. the Revolutionary war. His son, also named 
John, the father of Reuben, was born on a farm 
in Ohio, and married Rebecca Beschers, with 
whom he removed to St. Louis, Mo., where he 
lived for two years. His last home was on the 
Indian reserve in Franklin county, that state, 
where his death occurred in 1841. His wife 
died the year before. 

Reuben Lee is one of a family of six sons, 
and was born in Macoupin county, 111., November 
25. 1827. As death deprived him of his father's 
guidance and support when he was fourteen years 
of age, he was compelled to solve the problem of 
-elf-support from that time forward. His first 
occupation was with Senator Hirsch, from whom 
he received S80 for his first year's labor and $85 
each for the second and third years. FFe then 
went to Franklin county, Mo., and contracted to 
work a farm for one-fourth of the proceeds. In 
connection with this undertaking he conducted 
a small store with fair success. 

In the spring of 1850 he crossed the plains 
with one wagon and four yoke of oxen. Upon 
reaching the Grand Ronde valley he sold his 
cattle and proceeded on horseback to The Dalles. 
Arriving in Portland be camped beside the river: 
and worthy of mention in this connection 
is the fact that at that time the city 



could hardly be dignified 1>\ the Dame 
of hamlet, its real estate being valued at 
From $8 to $12 per lot. Alter spending a short 
time in the embryo town he settled upon a farm 
near Silverton, Marion county. While on the 
plains he suffered a severe attack of measles, 
which left him nearly blind for about two years. 
This depleted his finances very materially, for 
when he arrived in 1850 he had $1,500, and this 
had dwindled to almost nothing three years later. 

In the fall of 1852 Mr. Lee entered three hun- 
dred and twenty acres of land near Silverton, 
and in a little log cabin kept bachelor quarters 
for three years. March 6. 1855, ne married 
Frances Drinkwater, who helped to add cheer to 
the crude home, and materially aided him with 
her sympathy and thrifty ways. ' This helpful 
pioneer wife died January 17, 1872, leaving eight 
children, named as follows : Lawrence C, in the 
livery business near Pomeroy, Idaho ; Ellinora. 
the wife of James Witzel, and residing near Tur- 
ner, Ore. ; William Henry, living in Linn county ; 
Warner L., living on a farm, a part of the old 
Craft donation claim, one and one-half miles 
west of Shaw; Isaac Howard, on a farm in Linn 
county, near Waterloo ; Bertha, who died un- 
married in October, 1882, when twenty-seven 
vears of age ; Clara Belle, wife of Lewis Camp- 
bell, of Portland, Ore.; and N. Evaline, wife of 
Elmer Brody. of Rampart, Alaska, where he is 
an attorney at law. 

In September, 1876, Mr. Lee married for a 
second wife Elizabeth Hyett, who died in 1894, 
and in January, 1897, he was again married, this 
time to Mrs. Martha Ennis, who was born in 
Warren county, Ky., and has been a resident of 
Oregon since 1893. Mr. Ennis died in this 
state. 

About i860 Mr. Lee moved upon a farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres located seven miles 
below Salem, and in 1861 traded his farm prop- 
erty near Silverton for three hundred and sev- 
entv-five acres adjoining his one hundred and 
sixty acres. Here misfortune befell him be- 
cause of the heavy rains which occurred during 
1861-62, and not only his house and farm im- 
plements were destroyed, but his clothing and 
that of all his family. Nothing daunted, he built 
another home and remained on the premises 
until 1864. when he traded part of the land for a 
farm on the hill adjoining, upon which he lived 
until 1872. The next farm owned and improved 
and occupied by Mr. Lee was located near 
Brooks, and consisted of two hundred and thirty- 
seven acres, bearing no improvements. This he 
sold in 1875, and immediately purchased four 
hundred and eighty acres one and one-half miles 
west of Shaw, where he resided until the fall of 
1902. On all of these farms Mr. Lee carried 
on general farming, and also dealt in cattle on 



442 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



an extensive scale, making a specialty of sheep 
and hogs. 

Although now living retired in Aumsville, Mr. 
Lee still owns his large farm near the town, 
besides two hundred and eighty-seven acres in 
Linn county. He has always taken an active in- 
terest in the cause of education, has been a mem- 
ber of the school board for twenty years, clerk of 
the board for a part of that time, and has served 
as road supervisor for several terms. Although 
voting the Republican ticket, he has broad and 
liberal views as to politics. He is a member of 
the Oregon Pioneers' Association, and has an 
extensive acquaintance among the older residents 
of the Willamette valley now living. 

Mr. Lee is one of the most striking examples 
o'f the selfmade man in Marion county. During 
his career many obstacles, seemingly insurmount- 
able, have arisen in his pathway, but his indomi- 
table perseverance, his energy and his industry 
have enabled him to reach the goal of every 
man's ambition — a competency in temporal goods, 
and the good-will and esteem of his fellow-men. 
It is to such men as he that posterity owes a debt 
of gratitude, not alone for the pioneer work of 
development they have accomplished, but for 
the excellent example they have set for the youth 
of the rising generation by reason of the traits 
of character which stand out so conspicuously 
in the personality of Reuben Lee. 



JAMES SHELTON. Notable among the 
pioneer settlers of Linn county is James Shelton, 
who is now living retired from the activities of 
life in Albauv. Coming here when the country 
was in its original wildness, he met with priva- 
tions and obstacles hitherto undreamed of. Set- 
tlers were few in number and far between, and 
the Indians were a constant source of terror to 
the brave pioneers. None of the luxuries of life 
were to be had at any price, and many things 
deemed necessities east of the Rockies had to be 
dispensed with here. The forests, however, were 
filled with an abundance of game of all kinds, 
which furnished the chief subsistence of the in- 
habitants, grouse being their only summer meat. 
Pork was an unknown quantity for many years, 
and their nearest approach to coffee was a drink 
made from browned peas. Clothes were made from 
deer skins, which the men themselves dressed, and 
hats were manufactured at home from wheat 
straw. Little can the people of this day and gen- 
eration realize the trials and tribulations that beset 
the courageous men and women who, by persist- 
ent toil and wondrous self-sacrifice, made the 
homes and lives of their immediate descendants 
so pleasant and joyful. 

A Virginian by birth, James Shelton was born 
March 2, 1828, in Patrick county, which was also 



the birthplace of his father, Hainan Shelton. His 
grandfather, Clayborn Shelton, a farmer by oc- 
cupation, served in the war of 181 2, and after- 
wards moved to Jackson county, Mo., where he 
spent the remainder of his life. 

Hainan Shelton removed with his family to 
Oregon at an early period, crossing the plains 
with his wife and twelve children in 1847. Lo- 
cating in Linn county, he took up a donation claim 
of six hundred and forty acres, and was there 
engaged in farming until his death. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Priscilla Fitzgerald, was 
born in Virginia, a daughter of Harvey Lee Fitz- 
gerald. She died on the home farm, in Linn 
county. Of the twelve children born of their 
union, all came to Oregon, but only eight are now 
living. 

Moving with his parents to Missouri when 
about five years old, James Shelton acquired his 
early education in the typical log school-house of 
his day, with its dirt floor, and rude benches. 
Coming with his parents to Linn county in 1847, 
in a train composed of three wagons, each one 
drawn by three yoke of oxen, he had charge of 
one of the teams during the journey of five 
months, starting in April and arriving September 
15, the trip being made along Barlow route. Re- 
maining at home a few years he assisted his 
father in clearing a farm. At the age of twenty- 
one years he began life for himself by taking up 
a donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres at the forks of the Santiam. With char- 
acteristic zeal he at once began its improvement, 
breaking up the sod with a rude plow of his own 
manufacture, drawn by five yoke of oxen. He 
subsequently bought adjoining land, and on his 
fine ranch of four hundred acres was engaged in 
general farming, including stock-raising, until 
1894. He raised grain of all kinds, but made a 
specialty of wheat, and was very successful, his 
farm being one of the most fertile and productive 
in the neighborhood. 

Mr. Shelton was also engaged to some extent 
in the mining operations of earlier days, going to 
California during the excitement of 1849, and re- 
maining on the north bank of the American river 
a few months as a prospector and miner. Being 
taken ill, he returned to Oregon, .resuming his 
agricultural labors. In 1862 he spent a few 
months at the Florence mines, and in 1863 mined 
in the Boise Basin, on each trip to Idaho going 
by pack train. Since 1894, Mr. Shelton has 
rented his farm, and made his home in Albany. 

Mr. Shelton married, in Linn county. Ore., Miss 
Theresa J. Melholland, who was born in Illinois, 
and came across the plains with her brothers in 
1852, with ox-teams. Mr. and Mrs. Shelton have 
two children, namely : Haman, who is successfully 
engaged in agricultural pursuits on the farm ad- 
joining his father s ; and Mrs. Rufina Follis, of 



P( m i'uai r and mi (graphic \i. rec< >rd. 



■l i:: 



Linn county. Politically Mr. Shelton is inde- 
, -it, voting for such men and measures as in 
pinion will best advance the interests of the 

community. Mr. Shelton is a member of the Bap- 

v liurch. 



SIDNEY SMITH. One of the distinguished 
Beers of 1839, whose residence in Oregon ex- 

through a period of over forty years, 

ney Smith was a man whose life was filled 
with kindly deeds, whose highest ambition was 
to help bis fellow man and to assist in the estab- 
lishment of a commonwealth, to which he gave 
the best years of his life. He was a descendant 

■Id Revolutionary stock, his great-grandfather 
being a powder manufacturer in Vermont near 
the New York line during" that memorable strug- 

t'or independence. The grandfather was a 
commissioned officer in the Continental army. 
The father of Sidney, Capt. John Smith, was 
a native of Vermont and served as captain 

a company engaged in quelling the whis- 
key insurrection in Pennsylvania in 1/99- 
Sidney Smith was born at Amsterdam, in 
the Mohawk valley of Xew York, on Oc- 
tober 2. 1809. He was reared at Johnstown, N. 
Y., and when a young man went to Ohio, where 
for three years he studied medicine, but never en- 
Ejed in practice. In 1839, ms interest in Ore- 
was awakened by the reports of the Lewis 
and Clark expedition ; accordingly he resolved to 
journey to the northwest, and with that object in 
view joined a company of sixteen young men 
who were similarly minded, among them being 
P. K. Fletcher, Amos Cook, Mr. Shortless and 
Mr. Farnham. They left Peoria, 111., in the spring 
of 1839. and were the first to cross the plains with 
the intention of making permanent settlement. 
They intended to supply their larder with wild 
game and fish, so started with very little provis- 
ions, but not finding the food supply they had 
expected along the way, they reached the verge 
of starvation, living for sixteen days upon a bis- 
cuit apiece each day and upon dog meat, which 
they purchased from the Indians. Dissensions 
also arose in the party and they quarreled among 
themselves almost to the point of separating into 
two companies, but eventually they continued on 
their way together. Mr. Smith was less fortun- 
ate in one respect, for he accidentally shot him- 
self. which deprived him of three of his ribs. He 
was carried on a stretcher resting on the backs 
of two mules, but after three weeks of suffering 
he finally recovered. At one time the Indians 
Mole their horses and Mr. Smith, with another 
man, went to their camps and demanded of the 



chief that the horses be returned. At first the 
Indians refused, but with drawn guns the demand 
was repeated, and at length the chief promised 
to return the stolen animals by sundown of the 
following day, which he did. 

At Fort Boise the company divided and Mr. 
Smith with a few companions started for Ore- 
gon. Others dropped out one by one until there 
were but two who completed the journey and ar- 
rived safely in Oregon. On October 2d Mr. 
Smith assisted in building a house at The 
Dalles. He was deeply interested in the new 
country to which he had come to establish his 
home and in his diary he speaks of the effect 
produced upon him when he first viewed Mt. 
Hood. He also mentions his first meeting with a 
white woman in this far-off land. 

He was employed by the Hudson Bay company, 
working barefooted in the rain for seventy cents 
a day. He was afterwards employed by the Meth- 
odist Episcopal mission at Salem, rafting up and 
down the Willamette river, and during this time 
he boarded with Gustavus Hines, one of the first 
pioneers of the northwest. 

He next, found employment with Ewing Young, 
of Yamhill county, who had brought a large band 
of Mexican cattle from California, settling in the 
Chehalem valley, to which he supposed that he 
could lay claim. Mr. Young had the reputation 
of being a hard man to serve, but he found his 
equal in Sidney Smith, who stood up for his own 
rights and usually got them. When Mr. Young 
died, our subject was his only companion. He 
left a large herd of cattle, and having no known 
heirs this led to the organization of the provincial 
government for the purpose of disposing of his 
estate. Mr. Young had often said that when he 
died he w 7 anted Sidney Smith to have his prop- 
erty : this the latter refused to accept, but when 
the auction was held he purchased the brand and 
the right to the stock that had not been rounded 
up, also the right to the land, and continued on 
the claim in the cattle business for several years. 

When the donation claim act went into effect 
Mr. Smith found he was entitled to but six hun- 
dred and forty acres of land, and there he lived 
with but few comforts and many hardships, hav- 
ing considerable trouble with the Indians from 
time to time, and no white neighbors. The ex- 
periences and episodes of that period of his ca- 
reer would make an interesting volume if written 
in detail. With some of the Indians he formed 
warm and lasting friendships. 

There was no man who figured in the earlv his- 
tory of the state who did more for the emigrants 
than did he. A large-hearted man, of kindly na- 
ture, no one ever sought his aid and did not re- 
ceive it. He frequently would kill a beef to fur- 
nish food for the travelers, and his house was the 
shelter for many an emigrant party. He was in- 



444 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



deed liberal, helping the needy, feeding the poor 
and assisting the widows and orphans in many 
ways. 

In 1845" Daniel Bayley, who was en route with 
his family to Oregon, obtained permission from 
Mr. Smith to remain upon his place for the win- 
ter. This was an eventful day for Mr. Smith. 
During the long dreary winter days Cupid was 
acting his silent part, and Mr. Smith married 
Mr. Bayley's daughter, Mianda, in the fall of 
'46. During their courtship they planted an 
acorn upon the grave of Ewing Young, which 
has grown to a large tree and still stands. 

It was about this time that the Hudson Bay 
Company tried to persuade Mr. Smith to declare 
himself a British subject, as he was an actual 
settler, and the British wished to lay claim to this 
section of the country. Though they offered 
him much land he refused, saying that the com- 
pany had not land enough to buy him. 

In 1849 he went to California, and returned 
with considerable gold. Wheat and oats were 
selling very high in those days, and in his busi- 
ness undertakings Mr. Smith was very prosper- 
ous. In 1856 he located in LaFayette, Yamhill 
county, Ore., and the following year engaged in 
merchandising, which he followed for about ten 
years, when he retired to his farm. As the years 
passed he accumulated land until he was the 
owner of one thousand two hundred and eighty 
acres. 

Mrs. Smith was born in Ohio, May 6, 1829, and 
was the daughter of Daniel Bayley, who was 
born in 1802, and died when about ninety-two 
years of age. He married Elizabeth Munson, 
who was a lineal descendant in the seventh gener- 
ation from Thomas Munson, of England, who 
afterward lived in Hartford and New Haven, 
Conn., and served as a sergeant in the war against 
the Pequod Indians. The ancestry of the Mun- 
son family dates from Thomas Munson, who 
came to America in about 1634, and settled in 
Hartford, Conn., where he became prominently 
identified with the early history of that city. 
Timothy Bayley, father of Daniel Bayley, was a 
captain in the Revolutionary war, and like many 
other barefooted patriots at Valley Forge, suf- 
fered all the hardships of that memorable winter. 
Jared Munson, the father of Mrs. Bayley, was a 
physician. Mrs. Bayley was a woman of wonder- 
ful resources and ability, and after coming to 
Oregon acted as physician to the entire country- 
side for miles around. Mrs. Smith is still living, 
a fine Shakespearian scholar and a lady of marked 
refinement and culture. She resides in LaFayette, 
and is the mother of five children : Irene, now 
the wife of Dr. J. F. Calbreath, of Salem ; Mrs. 
Almira Hurley, of Independence, Ore. ; Mrs. Mi- 
nnda Kimberlin, of LaFayette; Gustavus Hines, 
who is a graduate of the medical department of 



the Willamette University, and was practicing 
medicine at Enterprise, Ore., at the time of his 
death ; and John U., an attorney at Hilo. 
Hawaiian Islands. 

Mr. Smith was a Democrat in politics, but cast 
his vote for Lincoln and took an active part in 
the establishment of the first school in Oregon. 
He was a friend of every enterprise tending to 
improve social and political conditions in the 
state. He lived to see Oregon become possessed 
of all the comforts and evidences of civilization 
known to the older east, and to see it enter state- 
hood of the Union. He looked with pride upon 
what was accomplished, assuming no credit for 
the part he bore in the attainment of this end ; 
but history acknowledges its indebtedness to him, 
and many of the pioneers remember with grati- 
tude the great and unselfish interest he exhibited 
in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the 
community in the territorial days. Since his 
death, which occurred September 18, 1880, his 
memory has been enshrined in their hearts. 

He was among the one hundred and two men 
who met at Champoeg to decide whether Oregon 
should become British or American territory, and 
when Joe Meek, who was in favor of British 
sovereignty, drew an imaginary line upon the 
ground, one side representing the United States 
and the other Great Britain, Mr. Smith was the 
first man to step upon the side representing the 
United States, and thus declare himself in favor 
of American sovereignty. 



RICHARD CLAXTON. As illustrating the 
adaptability of the land in Marion county to 
horticultural purposes, it is interesting to know 
that the farm of Richard Claxton yielded, in 1901, 
three thousand, four hundred and fifty bushels of 
prunes from fifteen acres. Other kinds of fruit 
are grown in correspondingly large quantities, 
proving that this successful fruit grower has a 
thorough understanding of his interesting occu- 
pation, and also that he realizes its possibilities 
in this particular part of the state. 

In November, 1890, Mr. Claxton came to the 
Waldo Hills, Marion county, and purchased fifty 
acres of land two miles from Shaw. This land 
was entirely unimproved, and therefore available 
only after much painstaking application. The 
first year he set out three acres of Italian prunes 
and other fruit, and to this he has since added, 
year by year, until at the present time he has 
thirty acres of orchard, all bearing, twenty-nine 
acres being under prunes. Of this fruit he pro- 
duces two varieties, the Petite and the Italian. 
To accommodate his large and increasing indus- 
try he erected a drier in 1896, the first of its 
kind in the neighborhood or district. The drier 
is 52x64 feet in ground dimensions, and he has 





■M.&t 







PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RED >RD. 



4 17 



made a trout addition of [6x20 feet. This appli- 
ance enables him to handle not only his own 

production. !>nt that oi his neighbors as well. In 
190a Mr. Claxton, desiring to increase the pro- 
duction of fruit, in which he had become very 
successful, purchased forty acres adjoining his 
ginal property, twenty-four of which arc de- 
ed to prune culture. It will thus be seen that 
he is one of the most extensive producers of this 
Staple in the Willamette valley. 

The Claxton farm presents, in its entirety, a 
typical instance oi the possibilities of agricultural 
and horticultural development in the state of 
i )regon. No improvement calculated to facili- 
tate work or add permanently to the value of the 
property is allowed to remain unpurchased by the 
thrifty and far-sighted owner. The house is a 
modern and comfortable structure, and the barns 
and out-houses are in keeping with the progress- 
ive spirit of the owner. 

Mr. Claxton's wife, to whose help and sym- 
pathy be owes a great deal of his success in life, 
was formerly Ida C. Towle, a daughter of George 
Towle, a sketch of whose career appears else- 
where in this volume. Their marriage was sol- 
emnized in 1886. They have two interesting and 
promising boys, George and Robert. 

A Republican in political affiliation, Mr. Clax- 
ton has always been deeply interested in the x wel- 
fare of his party, though be has never aspired to 
public office. He has evinced a deep interest in 
educational matters in his community, and for 
nine years has served as a member of the local 
school board. He believes in providing for the 
public schools the best equipment, both as to 
apparatus and in the personnel of the instructors, 
which money can procure ; and his enlightened, 
modern ideas in this direction have accomplished 
much toward elevating the standard of the school 
in his district. Fraternally he is connected with 
the Grange. Although not a member of the 
church, he is a liberal contributor to the support 
of religious institutions, and is always ready, 
with practical assistance, in any movement tend- 
ing to benefit general, social, moral or intellectual 
conditions. Thoroughly honorable in all his 
dealings, he is highly esteemed for those desirable 
traits which underlie the western citizenship. 



JOHN HENRY HAWLEY. The president 
of the Polk County Bank at Monmouth is num- 
bered among the early pathfinders and home 
builders, who, in the stern, heroic days that tried 
the fiber of the manhood of men, amid almost 
incredible hardships and dangers, blazed the first 
narrow winding trails of progress through green 
wilds, and laid a sure foundation for the state 
whose heraldic ensign is now numbered among 
the sisterhood of states. Collectively the knights 



of the plains, upon whom a strong duty was im- 
posed, constitute one of the most imposing 
pageants in the history of the world, beside which 
the Crusaders of old, with their perfumed clothes 
and high sounding titles, their charges and re- 
tainers, pale into insignificance because of the 
futility and subsequent uselessness of their mis- 
sion. Not so the Oregon pioneer, in whose path 
has grown up the civilization of this part of the 
northwest, and many of whom possess to-day a 
memory which runs the gamut from primeval 
simplicity to cosmopolitan and strenuous activity. 
To an exceptional degree, John Henry Hawley 
represents the class of men of whom we speak, 
and he came a long way with his father in the 
early days. He was born in London, Canada, 
March 10, 1835, and was but ten years of age at 
the time of the overland trip. 

Cyrus B. Hawley, the instigator of the family 
emigration in 1844, was born in the state of New 
York, and about 1820 removed with his people 
to the vicinity of London, Canada. Here the 
parents lived on a farm, while the young man 
worked at whatever he could find to do, eventually- 
engaging in building and contracting in London, 
many of his constructions still standing in the 
quaint old town. In 1836 he removed to Detroit, 
Mich., and worked at his trade, and two years 
later located oil a little farm near Farmington, 
Iowa, where he combined contracting and agri- 
cultural pursuits for about two years. He then 
moved to Andrew county, Mo., locating near the 
town of Sparta. While working at building and 
gathering his harvests, be heard glowing accounts 
of the far west. Not being satisfied with the 
prospects of Andrew county, he determined to 
join an emigrant train in the hazardous journey 
over the prairies. Disposing of his farm, he 
equipped with ox teams and wagons, his faithful 
wife, Elizabeth (Smith) Hawley, whom he mar- 
ried in the east, assisting him in every possible 
way. On the journey many pleasant incidents 
enlivened the company, and although the train 
was among the first to penetrate the wilds, they 
encountered very little opposition from the In- 
dians, and suffered comparatively little from chol- 
era, small-pox or mountain fever. Gen. Cornelius 
Gilliam was captain of the train, and he proved 
a very genial and competent guide, but after 
awhile the party divided into several sections, each 
going its separate way. Mr. Hawley located on 
a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres 
three miles east of McMinnville, and here he 
erected a log house for the accommodation of his 
family, cleared his land of brush and timber, and 
was soon living in comparative comfort. At best 
his farm yielded not more than was required for 
the maintenance of his four sons and three daugh- 
ters, and the mining chances in the surrounding 
states appealed to him as worthv of attention. 



us 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 






Accordingly he left his farm in charge of his 
oldest sons, and in the spring of 1862 went to 
the Boise Basin, Idaho, intending to add to his 
fortune from the gold mines. His dreams were 
not destined for fulfillment, for the following 
year, in 1863, he was stricken with mountain 
fever, and died in November at the age of fifty- 
four years. He was a man of resource and am- 
bition, and cherished a just pride of birth, his 
ancestors having been among the early emigrants 
from England to settle in the United States, and 
their descendants have filled many positions of 
trust and responsibility. 

John Henry Hawley built up a strong consti- 
tution while working on the donation claim near 
McMinnville, and his want of educational chances 
in the early days was realized as he approached 
maturity. At the age of twenty-one he took a 
two years' course at the Bethel Academy, and, 
having qualified as a teacher, he taught school in 
both Polk and Yamhill counties. With the money 
thus earned he bought a little farm of ten acres 
in 1858, and in 1861 went to the gold mines of 
Idaho. Although moderately successful, he spent 
only one year in the mines, and then returned 
home. The next year he engaged with his 
brother-in-law, Jonathan Atterbury, in packing 
provisions to the Idaho camps. In 1864 he em- 
barked in the mercantile business in Bethel, Polk 
county, and in the meantime purchased four hun- 
dred acres of land upon which he began to engage 
in farming in 1875. Beginning with 1892 he 
spent a year in Salem, Ore., and then came to 
Monmouth, where he invested heavily in the 
stock of the Polk County Bank, of which institu- 
tion he has since been president. Much of the 
success of the bank is due to the financial acumen 
of this tried and trusted official, whose name rep- 
resents strength, integrity and absolute control 
of his business affairs. At the same time he con- 
tinues to be interested in his farm, where he 
raises grain to a considerable extent, and makes 
a specialty of registered Lincoln sheep, and other 
high grade stock. 

In 1858 Mr. Hawley was united in marriage 
with Eliza Mulkey, who was born in Missouri, a 
daughter of Luke Mulkey, a native of Kentucky. 
As a young man Mr. Mulkey removed from 
Kentucky to Missouri, and after crossing the 
plains in 1847, located near Corvallis, in Benton 
county, where his death occurred in 1895. Seven 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hawley, of 
whom Horace G. and May I. are deceased; 
William H. is a merchant of Pendleton, Ore.; 
Curtis L. is living on the old farm ; Constance is 
the wife of B. F. Mulkey, of Ashland, Ore.; 
Luke M. is in the mercantile business with his 
brother in Pendleton, Ore. ; and Maude E. is 
living at home. Since attaining his majority Mr. 
Hawley has taken a keen interest in local and gen- 



eral politics and lias allied himself with the Re- 
publican party. He has filled many positions of 
trust and responsibility in the community, and is 
at present the chief executive of the city of Mon- 
mouth. During the session of 1882 he was a 
member of the state legislature from Polk county, 
serving on the committee for the enrollment of 
bills. At one time he was justice of the peace 
of Bethel, Ore. An elder and trustee of the 
Christian Church, Mr. Hawley is a teacher of 
the bible class in the Sunday school, and con- 
tributes generously towards the maintenance of 
the church. His two story frame home on Col- 
lege avenue is one of the hospitable and delight- 
ful centers in the town, and here one of the stal- 
wart founders of the present prosperity of Polk 
county spends the hours between his arduous po- 
litical and business responsibilities. 



THOMAS COCKRELL. Since January 1, 
1896, Thomas Cockrell has been connected with 
the Corvallis & Eastern Railroad, and on Febru- 
ary 1, 1903, he accepted the position as agent at 
Albany, Linn county, and in his work has met 
with the commendation of employers and the 
good feeling of fellow employes and passengers, 
thus proving his capability for work where he is 
constantly thrown into association with the pub- 
lic. Mr. Cockrell is truly spoken of as one of 
the rising young men of the community, and it is 
through the avenue which has led many a man 
to fortune that he will seek the zenith of his 
ambitions — an evidence of the estimation in 
which he is held being in the fact that he was 
promoted to the Albany office, which is one of 
the responsible positions on the road. 

The Cockrell family came originally from Vir- 
ginia, where Mortimer J. Cockrell, the grand- 
father of Thomas Cockrell was born, and from 
which state he removed to Ohio, where he 
followed farming and conducted a cooper 
shop. His death occurred in Medina county. His 
son, Robert J., was born near Burbank, 
Wayne county, Ohio, and for many years was a 
grain dealer in that state. In 1890 he removed 
to Corvallis, Ore., where he now makes his 
home. He married Sarah J. Shoup, a native of 
Center county, Pa., and a daughter of George 
Washington Shoup, also of that state, who later 
became a millwright in Ohio. Mrs. Cockrell is 
the mother of four children, all of whom are liv- 
ing, the second oldest of them being Thomas 
Cockrell, who was born near Burbank, Wayne 
county, Ohio, December 23. 1875. In 1890 he 
accompanied his parents to Oregon, being at the 
time but fifteen years of age. He completed his 
education in the public schools of Lebanon, con- 
tinuing at his studies until he was eighteen years 
of age, when he began the study of telegraphy. 



PORTR \l r \\"h BK >GR \Nlic.\i. RED >ki>. 



ii:' 



He commenced Januan 1. 1S90, at Yaquina Bay, 

and lul\ i. of the same year, he took a position 

ir at Morrison, Ore., and soon after 

came to Albany as assistant agent, remaining 

one month at the latter place, alter which he 
I as agent to Mill City. Three months 

• he was again in Albany, where he remained 
for one year. After eight months spent in Gates, 
and nearh five years in Mill City as agent he ac- 
cepted the position which he now holds, and 
which his excellent service in the past fully -war- 
ranted. 

In fraternal orders Mr. Cockrell is prominent, 
holding membership in Laurel Lodge No. 7, 
Knights oi Pythias, of Albany; past grand of 
the "independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Mill 
City : and is a member of the Benevolent Protec- 
tive ( >rder oi Elks Xo. 359, also of Albany. Po- 
litically he casts his ballot with the Republican 
party. 



GEORGE W. BURKHART. The owner and 
proprietor of the flourishing blacksmith business 
at 418 West Second street, Albany, is deserving 
more than passing mention among the suc- 
- ful politicians and public-spirited men of the 
town. He was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, 
October 18, 1845, tne youngest of the eleven 
children born to his parents, John and Rebecca 
(Baltzell) Burkhart, natives respectively of Tenn- 
nessee and Pennsylvania. While still living in 
his native state the father enlisted for the war 
of 181 2, and he afterward removed to a farm 
in Iowa, where he lived 'for many years. His 
children were all ambitious and on the lookout 
for better things, and it is not surprising that at 
least one of them should venture across the plains 
while yet the undertaking was a hazardous ex- 
periment. This one happened to be C. D., one of 
the older sons, who crossed the country as early 
as 1845, ar, d sent back favorable report* of con- 
ditions as he found them in Oregon. Yielding to 
the entreaties of the other children, the father 
sold his farm in Iowa in 1847, an d, outfitting 
with oxen and prairie wagons, brought the rest 
of his family to the northwest. He took up a 
claim two miles southeast of Albany, where his 
death occurred in 1855, at the age of seventy 
years, his wife surviving him until she was 
eighty-two years of age. 

Two years of age when he came with his pa- 
rents to Oregon, George W. passed his boyhood 
days among surroundings which would have 
seemed strange indeed to his little playfellows 
back in Iowa. Aside from his brothers and sisters, 
all of whom were older than himself, he had no 
one to play with but Indian boys, and he readilv 
adapted himself to the strange looking chaps. As 
he grew older he learned the Chinook language. 



and came to think well of the much-painted red 
boys, who nevertheless showed great kindness of 
heart, and often pronounced generosity and grat- 
itude. At the little log school of the district he 
received his educational start, and when old 
enough to iook out for himself went to Albany 
and learned the blacksmith trade. In those days 
many-sided work was required of the mechanic, 
for industrial conditions had not as yet limited a 
man to the exercise of but one talent as a means 
of livelihood. He therefore applied himself to 
carpentering and building, afterward engaging in 
a large truck and dray business in Albany. He 
was successful from the start, and ran three teams 
to accommodate his many customers. In 1897 
he engaged in his present blacksmithing and 
horseshoeing business on Second street, and has 
since had a trade in keeping with his position 
among the master workmen of his line. 

The first presidential vote of Mr. Burkhart was 
cast for a Republican candidate, and he has since 
given that party his stanchest support. That he 
possesses claims for leadership is recognized by 
his fellow politicians, and by the community at 
large, for he has served for nine years as deputy 
United States marshal, under both Kearney and 
Kelly, and has also been city marshal two terms, 
and constable two terms. With his wife, who. 
was formerly Nancy Cooper, a native of Mis- 
souri, he attends the United Presbyterian Church. 
Hettie, the only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Burk- 
hart, is living with her parents. Mr. Burkhart 
has been prominently before the public in other 
than political capacities, for he is public-spirited, 
generous, and capable, and uses his resources 
often in promoting some worthy effort in behalf 
of the community interests. He is one of the 
brave and gallant members of the fire depart- 
ment, having associated himself with the same 
as long ago as October, 1875. For several years 
he was foreman of the department, and many 
times risked life and limb for the safety of 
imperiled households. He is highly respected in 
the community of Albany, and his industrv and 
success are worthy of emulation and all-around 
approval. 



PETER RUETTNER. Prominently identified 
with the building interests of Linn county Peter 
Ruettner, of Albany, is carrying on a prosperous 
business as a contractor, builder, and house- 
mover. A man of sterling worth and honesty 
of purpose, possessing great physical and mental 
vigor, he holds a fine position among the fore- 
most residents of the city, and by his upright 
conduct in the varied relations of life has gained 
the respect and esteem of all with whom he has 
come in contact, either in a business or social 
way. A native of Switzerland, he was born 



450 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



April 4, 1852, in Ragatz, Canton of Saint Gallen, 
which was also the birthplace of his father, Frank 
Rnettner. His grandfather, who was born in 
Switzerland, of French ancestry, was a carpenter 
and builder by occupation, and a man of some in- 
fluence in his community. 

Frank Ruettner married Amantia Buehler, who 
was born, reared and married in Saint Gallen 
canton, and they became the parents of nine 
children, seven of whom grew to years of ma- 
turity, and five, three boys and two girls, are 
now living. In 1871 he migrated to America, 
starting from Ragatz with his wife and seven 
children. In Germany, at Frankfort-on-the- 
Main, his wife was taken sick, and died at the 
Holy Ghost Hospital, where he left her in the 
care of their youngest son, Peter, the special 
subject of this sketch. 

Having completed his early education in the 
common schools of his native land, Peter Ruett- 
ner at the age of twelve years began herding cat- 
tle and goats in the Alps, and during the three 
years that he was thus employed grew strong 
and large. He subsequently worked with his 
father at the carpenter's trade until 1871, when 
he started for the United States with the fam- 
ily. Remaining, however, in Frankfort-on-the 
Main until after the death and burial of his 
mother, he worked at his trade in that city dur- 
ing the five weeks of his stay. Coming then via 
Bremen to New York, he landed in that city 
with but a single gold dollar in his pocket. Join- 
ing the remainder of the family in Chicago, 111., 
as soon as possible, he witnessed the burning of 
that noble city, and with his hammer and saw 
added his little mite toward its rebuilding. In 
1874, during the hard times that nearly paralyzed 
business, he secured a position as driver on the 
street cars, and continued thus occupied two and 
one-half years. Times becoming better, Mr. 
Ruettner followed the carpenter's trade for a 
few years, and then worked as a millwright about 
six years. 

In 1887, finding that he had an uncle, Sebas- 
tian Ruettner, who had come to Oregon as a pio- 
neer in 1845, living in Kings valley, he made 
up his mind to visit his kinsman. Coming here, 
accordingly, in 1888, Mr. Ruettner was so pleased 
with the country that he decided to make Oregon 
his permanent residence. Locating with his fam- 
ily in Albany, he embarked in business as a con- 
tractor and builder, and has met with eminent 
success. Since 1892 he has made house-moving 
a specialty, paying attention to that line of in- 
dustry in conjunction with his other work. En- 
terprising, energetic and a sagacious manager, he 
has accumulated considerable wealth. In addi- 
tion to his own residence, at the corner of Third 
and Main streets, he owns two most desirable 
houses, and other property of value. 



While living in Chicago, 111., Mr. Ruettner 
married Miss Minna Brandt, who was born in 
Des Plaines, Cook county, 111. Her father, Will- 
iam Brandt, emigrated from Hanover, Germany, 
his native place, to Illinois, and was for many 
years engaged in farming in Des Plaines. He 
subsequently removed to Fillmore county, Minn., 
and there spent his last years, and died" in 1880 
at the age of sixty-five years, seven months and 
seven days. Mrs. Ruettner 's mother died in Chi- 
cago, August 13, 1902, at the age of eighty years, 
five months and five days. Mr. and Mrs. Ruett- 
ner are both members of the Lutheran Church, 
and contribute generously toward its support. In 
politics, Mr. Ruettner is a stanch Republican. 



HON. N. B. HUMPHREYS. Among the 
influential and respected citizens of Albany no 
man stood higher in the estimation of the people 
than Hon. N. B. Humphreys, who during the 
Civil war fought most gallantly for the preserva- 
tion of the nation, and who has since faithfully 
performed the duties devolving upon him in his 
home, his town, his county, and his state. In 
all respects a worthy representative of the enter- 
prise, industry and intelligence of Linn county, 
he has been prominently identified with the ad- 
vancement of its highest interests. A son of the 
late George Humphreys, Jr., he was born in 
Louisa county, Iowa, December 30, 1840. He 
comes of substantial Scotch-Irish ancestry, his 
great-grandfather, David Humphreys, having 
been a life-long resident of the North of Ireland, 
and the descendant of one of the old Covenanters 
who emigrated to that country from Scotland. 

George Humphreys, Sr., the grandfather of 
Hon. N. B. Humphreys, was born and reared 
near Belfast, Ireland. Emigrating to the United 
States when a young man, he settled in Ohio as 
a pioneer, and there cleared and improved a 
homestead, on which he spent the remainder of 
his life. 

Born in Jefferson county, Ohio, on the 
parental homestead, George Humphreys, Jr., re- 
sided in his native state until 1836, when he set- 
tled on a farm in Louisa county, Iowa. Fol- 
lowing the march of civilization westward, he 
crossed the plains to Oregon in 1865, and took 
up his residence in Albany, where he lived re- 
tired until his death. He married Elizabeth Mc- 
Cleary, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, 
and died in Oregon. Her father, Robert Mc- 
Cleary, was born in New England, of substantial 
Scotch ancestry, and died in Jefferson county, 
Ohio. Of the twelve children born to George 
and Elizabeth Humphreys six are now living, of 
whom George is an attornev in Portland, and 
Ross is a lumberman in Washington. 

N. B. Humphreys, the ninth child in order of 



P0RTRA1 r \\n BK (GRAPHICAL RED >RD. 



i:,:; 



birth, obtained his early education in the pioneer 
schoolhouse of his native state, and remained 
the home farm until eighteen years of age. 
Beginning the study oi law in the office of T. 
B. Perry, in Albia, Iowa, he was admitted to the 
bar in the spring oi 1861. The following year, 
relinquishing the practice of his profession, Mr. 
Humphreys enlisted as a private, July 26, 1862, 
in Company D, Twenty-second Iowa Infantry, 
and was mustered into service at Iowa City. He 
subsequently participated in many of the more 
important engagements of the conflict, and for 
bravery in action was frequently rewarded by 
promotion. At Port Gibson, on May 1, 1863, 
he was wounded in the left knee by a piece of a 
shell, being then sergeant of his company. He 
was afterwards in the Battle of Champion Hills, 
on May 16, 1863. and the following day, during 
the engagement at Big Black River, received a 
bullet wound in the left shoulder. On May 21, 
;, he was promoted to the rank of first lieu- 
tenant, and on May 22. while assisting in the 
Ije of Yicksburg, he received a bayonet wound 
in the left arm. On June 21, 1863, Lieutenant 
Humphreys was commissioned captain of Com- 
pany D, and with his regiment was subsequently 
transferred to the Department of the Gulf, 
thence sent by transports to Bermuda Hundred. 
As a part of the Nineteenth Army Corps, under 
( ieneral Sheridan, he was actively engaged in 
the battles at "Winchester. Fisher's Hill, and 
Cedar Creek. At the close of the Shenandoah 
campaign. Captain Humphreys was located for 
awhile in Savannah. Ga., then in Raleigh. N. C, 
remaining on duty in that state and in Georgia 
until the close of the war. The regiment, which 
was mustered out of service July 22, 1865, dis- 
banded, at Davenport, Iowa, August 3, 1865. 

Resuming the practice of his profession, Cap- 
tain Humphreys was elected county judge of 
Monroe county, Iowa, in 1865, and served until 
the spring of 1866, when he came to Oregon. 
The train in which he crossed the plains con- 
d of fifty-four men, with wagons and mule 
teams to accommodate the entire party, which 
was four months on the journey. Locating in Al- 
bany, Lmn county, he built up an extensive and 
lucrative practice, becoming one of the leading 
attorneys of this part of Oregon. In 1872 he 
was elected district attorney of the Third Judicial 
District, which contains five counties, and served 
for one term. From 1880 until 1882 he was 
state senator, serving as chairman of the com- 
mittees on enrolled bills and on military affairs, 
and as a member of the judiciary committee. He 
introduced into the legislature the bill that has 
since become a law making the wife equal to 
the husband in regard to the custody of children ; 
also introduced the bill regarding the building 
of a state insane asylum ; and was instrumental 



in the passage of many other bills of minor im- 
portance, lie later tilled the mayor's chair in 
Albany one term, and in June, njo2, was elected 
justice of the peace, serving in that capacitv at 
the time of his death, April 17, 1903. 

In Polk county. Ore., Mr. Humphreys mar- 
ried Miss R. M. Smith, who was born in Polk 
county, of pioneer parents. Their only child, 
Saxon Humphreys, a graduate of the Monmouth 
state normal school, is a resident of Monmouth, 
and a teacher. Politically Mr. Humphreys was 
a stanch Republican. Fraternally he was made 
a Mason at Albia Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 76, 
in Iowa, and was a member of St. John's Lodge, 
F. & A. M., No. 62, of which he was past mas- 
ter, and also belonged to Bayley Chapter, R. A. 
M., No. 8. He was also a charter member of 
McPherson Post, G. A. R. In his religious 
views he was a Presbvterian. 



JUSTINIAN WILLIAMS KIRKLAND. A 
resident of Independence, Ore., for the past 
twenty years, Justinian Williams Kirkland has 
played no unimportant part in the affairs of the 
city. By his judgment and excellent management 
of his business affairs he has made himself a 
worthy factor in the progressive movements of the 
community. His life has been full of the varied 
experiences that befall the man who has visited 
the different sections of country at a time when 
some unusual happening has drawn the attention 
of the world to that location, and of the past 
years he recalls many pleasant memories of oc- 
currences which have marked his wanderings in 
the seventy-five years which he has lived. 

The father of Mr. Kirkland was Abraham 
Kirkland, who was born in Mercer county, Ky., 
and after his marriage with Miss Elizabeth 
McGee, also a native of that state, he removed 
in 1812 to Boonville. Cooper county, and later 
to Monroe county, Mo. In 1843, while assist- 
ing at a house-raising, he was killed by a large 
log falling upon him. The mother also died in 
her Missouri home in 1883. Of the five sons 
and two daughters born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirk- 
land, Justinian Williams Kirkland was next to 
the youngest, his birth occurring at Boonville, 
Mo., February 15, 1828. With a rather limited 
education received in the common schools of Mis- 
souri, he began life for himself, the first occupa- 
tion being that of farming, and later he engaged 
in buying stock and disposing of the same in 
the St. Louis market. In this he met with good 
financial returns. In 1850 he joined a party 
bound for the new El Dorado, the trip being 
made with the customary ox-teams, and was of 
brief duration compared with the length of time 
considered necessary for a Californian journey 
They started March 15 and reached their des- 



4rA 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tination October i, their stock of supplies having 
fallen so low that they had been on half rations 
for some time. Mr. Kirkland's first experience 
in California was a two months' illness, and 
upon his recovery he at once entered the mines 
near Rough and Ready. A two years' residence 
among these scenes netted him moderate returns, 
and in 1852 he went to San Francisco and 
shipped for New Orleans, via Panama and 
Havana, Cuba. His trip across the Isthmus of 
Panama was one of interest, being made on foot, 
a skiff used to convey him down the Chagres 
river a distance of sixty miles to Aspinwall. 
Upon his arrival at New Orleans he ascended 
the Mississippi river to St. Louis, where he was 
once more welcomed back to his home. With a 
desire to try his fortunes in the business world 
he engaged in the grocery business, in which he 
met with success until he had the misfortune to 
lose his property by fire, upon which he returned 
to the cultivation of the soil. In 1862 he re- 
sponded to the call of the South in which he 
had been born and reared, and became a captain 
in the Confederate army, serving for three years 
in the Fourth Missouri Cavalry. Upon Lee's sur- 
render he returned to private life, and with the 
changed conditions of Missouri he chose again 
to emigrate to newer fields of endeavor. In the 
spring of 1865 he crossed the plains to Montana 
by ox-team and located at Helena, where he en- 
gaged in mining and freighting, and in 1869 he 
continued his journey westward and arrived in 
Polk county, Ore. He engaged in farming for 
four years near Independence, and at the close 
of that period purchased three hundred and 
twenty acres near Rickreall, making his home 
in that vicinity for fifteen years, engaged in gen- 
eral farming. In 1885 he removed to Indepen- 
dence, where he engaged in the real-estate busi- 
ness. Upon the corner of Second and B streets 
he built a handsome little cottage where he now 
makes his home. Among the other town prop- 
erty which he owns is a forty foot lot on First 
street. 

Mr. Kirkland's first wife was Miss Katherine 
M. Johnson, a native of Kentucky, whose death 
occurred in Independence in 1891, at the age of 
sixty-two years. His second union was with 
Mrs. Sarah Douty, who was born in the state 
of New York. Four sons were born unto J. 
W. and Katherine M. (Johnson) Kirkland : A. 
P., of Wallowa county; W. J., of Arlington; 
P. M., a druggist in this city, and John E., of 
Independence. During his residence in this city 
Mr. Kirkland has taken a prominent place in its 
affairs, having served two terms as mayor, as 
councilman many terms, also as county commis- 
sioner of Polk county for one term. His offices 
have been held through Democratic influence, of 
which party he is a consistent supporter. He 



has also been president of the board of trade of 
Independence. Fraternally Mr. Kirkland is as- 
sociated with the Masons, in which he has taken 
the chapter -degree ; Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows ; and Knights of Pythias. 



MADISON SCOTT. As the descendant of a 
family successful for many generations, Madison 
Scott is upholding the standard of excellence set 
in the eastern states many years ago, through 
the display of evident business ability and quick, 
unerring judgment making his citizenship of 
great value to the community in which he makes 
his home. He has met with a much merited suc- 
cess in both his business and political relations, 
in the former devoting himself entirely to the 
raising of stock, and in the latter being often 
called upon to serve in some public capacity, al- 
ways proving his worth and ability when so 
doing. 

Mr. Scott is a member of a prominent New 
York family, the grandfather, Solomon, and 
father, Edward L., both owing their birth to that 
community of the east, where they both followed 
the occupations of farmer and stockman. In 
1845 the latter removed to Lee county, Iowa, 
and, locating near Keokuk, he continued in the 
same business, becoming one of the noticeably 
successful men of the middle west. Attracted by 
the glowing accounts from the Pacific coast he 
decided to try his fortunes beyond the Rockies, 
and accordingly crossed the plains in 1850, 
traveling alone with his ox teams until he reached 
California. There he engaged in mining for 
the ensuing three years, enjoying each year a 
more complete success, which compensated for 
the long absence from his home and family, 
since his return would mean greater comforts for 
the coming years. At the close of this period he 
prepared for the return trip via the Isthmus of 
Panama, and the loved ones at home were wait- 
ing and watching since they knew when he would 
sail from San Francisco. The news that he ex- 
pected to sail on a certain date was the last that 
was ever received from him, for he disappeared 
from human knowledge as completely as though 
the earth had opened and swallowed him. It 
was known that he carried $50,000, the result of 
his self-denying years of toil, and it is supposed 
that this was the incentive for some cowardly 
work that robbed a home of the father and the 
children of the competence which had certainly 
been hardly gained. He had married Charity 
Sorter, who was born in New York state, the 
descendant of Dutch ancestry. Her father, 
Zebulon Sorter, was a native of New Jersey, but 
had spent much of his life in New York, Iowa, 
and later in Clark county, Mo., where he died. 
Some time after the failure of her husband to 



PORTR \rr KHD BI( (GRAPHICAL RED >RD. 



455 



return to then home Mrs- Scott removed to Sul- 

■i county, Mo., where she reared her family 

and where she now makes her home at the age 

ju years. She makes her religious 

home in the Methodist Episcopal Church. She 

- the mother of six children, five sons and one 
.• whom there are four sons living 
. n, Zebulon, was a lieutenant in the 

ghteenth Missouri Regiment, and at the battle 
•h was taken prisoner and sent to Libby 
l, where he died in 1863. 

1 Ik- oldest of the children now living, and the 

e on the Pacific coast, Madison Scott 

•1 October _>S, 1842, in Allegany county, 

V Y.. and was live years old when the family 

tunes were shifted to the state of Iowa. He 
was there reared to manhood, attending the dis- 
trict schools for his education, and when his 
mother removed to Sullivan county, Mo., he went 
with her. During the Civil war he served in the 
Twelfth Missouri Militia, and later in the Six- 
tieth, his period of service lasting about a year, 
when he was called out several times. After 
the war he engaged in farming, and in 1869 he 
removed to McKinney. Tex., and there com- 
menced the breeding of horses. In 1871 he re- 
turned to Missouri and spent the ensuing two 
years there, after which he came west and pur- 
chased a farm in Linn county, Ore., located 
twelve miles southeast of Albany. He engaged 
extensively in the stock business, upon his own 
and rented lands nearby, raising full-blooded 
Shropshire sheep, Shorthorn cattle and other 
stock. He ships cattle and hogs principally to 
the Puget Sound country and through good judg- 
ment and executive ability is making good 
profits. 

The marriage of Mr. Scott occurred in Mis- 

ri, in 1866. and united him with Miss Jane 
Terrell, a native of Monroe county, Iowa, the 
daughter of Horace Jefferson Terrell. The lat- 
ter was born in Connecticut. After a brief resi- 
dence in Lorain county, Ohio, he became an early 
settler in Monroe county, Iowa, from which place 
he removed to Sullivan county, Mo. He married 
Minerva McXeal, also a native of Connecticut, 
and a daughter of Alexander McNeal, who 
died in Ohio, to which state he had removed. 
Mrs. Terrell, who passed away in her Iowa 
home, was the mother of thirteen children, of 
whom two sons, Lemuel and Burt, died while 
serving in Iowa regiments during the Civil war. 
Three of her children are residents of the state 
of Oregon, of whom Mrs. Scott is one. She was 
reared in Iowa, where she began teaching school 
at the a.fje of seventeen years, and continued in 
the work for about three years. She is the 
mother of the following children : Charles E., 
located in Benton county ; A. I., who is at pres- 
ent engaged with his father in the stock busi- 



ness; Eva, the wife of Elmer Conn, of Albany; 
Leva, wife of J. II. Coe, of Shaniko, Ore. ; Wal- 
ter O., Nellie, Grace and Roxy Erances. Mrs. 
Scott is a member of the Baptist Church. 

A stanch Democrat in politics, Mr. Scott has 
often heen called upon to fill some position at the 
disposal of this party. In 1890 ht was nomi- 
nated on that ticket for the office of sheriff, to 
which he was elected by a majority of seven hun- 
dred votes. He took the oath of office July, 1890, 
and held the position until 1892, having removed 
in the first named year to the city of Albany, 
wdiere he now makes his home. On retiring from 
office Mr. Scott again engaged in the stock busi- 
ness, and still finds lucrative returns from his 
work. Fraternally Mr. Scott affiliates with Leba- 
non Lodge No. 47, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, being a member of the Encampment, 
and also with Safety Lodge Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. 



A. MONROE MILLER is a retired farmer 
living in Dallas, but still owns the old dona- 
tion claim of six hundred and forty acres 
which he secured from the government not 
long after his arrival in the northwest in 
1847. Few are the residents of the state who 
arrived at that early date, but with the pio- 
neer history Mr. Miller has long been identi- 
fied. He has watched the progress of the 
coast country from the time it was inhabited 
largely by those who sought to make for- 
tunes, but did not care to make homes in 
this district. He has watched with interest 
the upbuilding and substantial development 
of the state, and in as far as possible he has 
contributed to its improvement. 

Mr. Miller was born in Cole county, Mo., 
about ten miles west of Jefferson City, No- 
vember 9, 1827. His father, Richard Miller, 
was a native of Virginia and the grandfather, 
James Miller, removed from the Old Dominion 
to Kentucky and in 1820 became identified 
with farming interests of Cole county, Mo. 
He was of Scotch descent and many of the 
sterling traits of his Scotch ancestry were 
manifested in his life. The father of our sub- 
ject followed farming in Missouri until 1847, 
when he crossed the plains with an ox-train, 
accompanied by his wife and six children. 
One child of the family had died in Missouri. 
They started with three wagons, fifteen yoke 
of oxen and seventy-five head of cattle, leav- 
ing their old home on the 12th of April. They 
crossed the Missouri river about twelve miles 
above St. Joseph and forded both South and 
North Platte in their wagon-beds, swimming 
the cattle. At times the Sioux Indians threat- 
ened, but caused no serious disturbance. 



456 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



However, when they reached the Columbia 
river, Indians attempted to rob them and 
they had to keep men continually on guard 
so as not to allow the red men in their camp, 
and in due course of time the journey was 
completed in safety, arriving in the Willam- 
ette valley on the ist of October. The 
father secured a donation claim of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres four miles west of Mc- 
Minnville, Yamhill county. He entered an 
entire section of land, but because he went to 
California for his wife's health and voted in 
that state he had to lose three hundred and 
twenty acres of his claim. In 1849 he took 
his family by water to California, this being 
a year later than our subject and his brother 
made an overland trip. Mr. Miller engaged 
in gardening near Martinez for eighteen 
months and then returned by the water route 
to his farm, where he lived until he retired 
from business life. His wife died in 1863 and 
in 1865 he went to live with his children, his 
death occurring at Turner, Ore., when he was 
eighty-two years of age. For many years he 
was connected with the Baptist Church as. a 
minister and did everything in his power to 
promote the cause of the gospel. His wife 
bore the maiden name of Nancy L. Fulker- 
son, of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born 
in Virginia, a daughter of James Fulkerson, 
who at an early day went to Tennessee and 
afterward to Missouri, where he carried on 
farming until his death. He served in the 
Indian wars and passed away at the age of 
seventy-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Miller be- 
came the parents of six sons and one daughter 
and with the exception of one son all came 
to Oregon. Alexis N. died in Lane county, 
Ore., in November, 1902. The others of the 
family are Andrew Monroe, William T., a 
farmer of Turner, Ore.; Mrs. Elizabeth J. 
Husicker, of North Yamhill, Ore.; John W., 
who died in California in 1900; and R. Jack- 
son, who died in eastern Oregon. 

A. M. Miller was reared on the old family 
homestead in Missouri until nineteen years of 
age, and during the winter months he pur- 
sued his studies in a subscription school which 
was held in one of the old-time pioneer log 
school houses, furnished with slab seats, 
while a desk was made by placing a board 
upon pins driven into the wall. The chil- 
dren used quill pens and the text-books were 
of a primitive nature. At the age of nineteen 
Mr. Miller accompanied the family on their 
emigration to Oregon, driving a five-yoked 
ox-team across the plains. From actual ex- 
perience he is familiar with the events of 
such a trip, its hardships and its trials. On 
the nth of September, 1848, he and his 



brother Alexis started over the mountains to 
California with ox-teams, they being of the 
first party to travel in this way. There were 
eight men in their party and they arrived in 
California on the 4th of November, making 
their way to the gold fields. Mr. Miller was 
then engaged in mining on Feather river until 
1849, when on account of the scourge which 
broke out there he went to Contra Costa 
county. There he and his brother and two 
other men engaged in sawing lumber with a 
whip-saw, receiving a big price for their prod- 
uct. They spent two years there, during 
which time Mr. Miller built a hotel of sixteen 
rooms at Martinez. The nails, paint and car- 
penters' work for this building cost $2,200. 
The town, however, did not grow to be a 
San Francisco, as was anticipated, and three 
years later Mr. Miller sold the property for 
eight hundred dollars. 

In the meantime he had returned to Ore- 
gon by way ot the water route on the steamer 
California. This was in 1850 and he spent 
about a year in Yamhill county. In 1851 he 
located in Polk county, four miles north of 
Dixie, securing a donation claim of six hun- 
dred and forty acres. He built a frame house, 
cleared and improved his. farm and engaged 
in the raising of grain and stock. In 1861-2 
he made trips to the Florence mines with 
pack horses. During the greater part of the 
time since securing his claim he has carried 
on farming and still owns the original dona- 
tion claim of six hundred and forty acres, be- 
sides having added to it an adjoining tract of 
seventy-five acres. His farm is now a valua- 
ble property and returns to him a good in- 
come from rental. In 1884 he took up his 
abode in Dallas where he has since lived. 

Mr. Miller was married in Polk county, 
Ore., to Margaret A. Crowley, who was born 
in Holt county, Mo., a daughter of Thomas 
Crowley, who in 1846 made the journey 
across the plains with an ox-train by way of 
the southern route and the Rogue river pass. 
He died in Umpqua, as did one son and two 
of his daughters. His wife and seven chil- 
dren came on to the Willamette valley and 
another son died the following year. Mrs. 
Crowley reared her remaining children in the 
valley, Mrs. Miller being fourteen vears of 
age at the time of the emigration to the 
northwest. Her married life, however, was 
of short duration, for she died seven months 
after becoming a bride. 

In Yamhill county Mr. Miller was again 
married, bis second union being with Mrs. 
Lucinda V. (Fulkerson) Logan, who was 
born in Virginia, but was reared in Cooper 
county, Mo. There she married Mr. Logan 




sJ<rLuJy9ci^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



45!> 



and with him crossed the plains in 1852, but 

he died soon after their arrival in the valley. 

lu-r tirst marriage she had two children: 

Mary C., who became the wife of Judge Mey- 

both oi whom are now deceased; and 

S F., who died in Polk county. I'nto 

Mr. and Mrs. Miller wore born three chil- 

i, two of whom are living: Jasper R., of 

rtland; and Nellie E., the wife of Q. S. ('.rant 
Dallas. Mrs. Miller died January 5, 1887. at 
tlu age of sixty-one years. Mr. Miller is a mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church and served on the 
hoard oi trustees for several years. 

In politics Mr. Miller is a Democrat. He 
belongs to the Polk County Pioneers' Asso- 
ciation. The days of chivalry can furnish no 
more interesting tales than are told by the 
pioneers of the northwest, and Mr. Miller is 
one whose life has been closely connected 
with its development and progress. There is 
therefore particular satisfaction in reverting 
to the life history of the honored and vener- 
able gentleman whose name initiates this arti- 
cle, since his mind bears the impress of the 
historical annals of the state of Oregon from 
the early pioneer clays and from the fact that 
he has been a loyal son of the Republic and 
has attained to a position of distinctive prom- 
inence in the thriving little city where he has 
retained his residence for so many years. 



JOHN NATHANIEL DAVIS. One of the 
many worthy citizens and capable and thrifty 
agriculturists of Marion county is John N. Davis, 
who has resided on his present farm in the 
Waldo Hills for upwards of thirty years. Dur- 
ing this long period of time he has gained for 
himself an enviable reputation as an honest man 
and a good citizen, and as one who has per- 
formed his full share in the advancement and de- 
velopment of one of the finest counties of the 
state. He came of New England ancestry, and 
of patriotic Revolutionary stock, his grand- 
father, John Davis, a resident of Rhode Island, 
having served his country as a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war, and the steel which he then 
carried and used to make a fire with instead of 
matches is now in the possession of his grandson, 
John N. Davis. 

A native of Gainesville, Wyoming county, New 
York, John N. Davis was born June 27, 1824. a 
son of John XV. Davis. His father w-as born in 
Rhode Island in 1783, and was there educated. 
Running away from home when a boy, he en- 
gaged in seafaring pursuits for many years. He 
sailed along the northwest Pacific coast three 
years, and in 181 1 visited the mouth of the Co- 
lumbia river. He had the distinction of being cap- 
tain of the first steamboat run on Lake Erie. He 



subsequent!) took an active part in the war of 
1812, participating in the battle of Black Rock, 
Erie county, N. Y., later in life locating perma- 
nently on a farm in Wyoming county. In 1839 
he removed to Illinois, trading his New York 
farm for one in Sangamon county, and there he 
spent his remaining days, dying at the venerable 
age of eighty-seven years. John W. Davis was 
married three times. His first wife was Saman- 
tha Flower, who was born in New York state 
May 3, 1803, and died in 1828. They had two 
daughters and three sons, of whom" John N. 
Davis is the third child and the sole survivor. 
For a second wife he chose Abigail Flint, who 
became the mother of two sons," both deceased. 
His third wife was Martha Taylor, who had six 
daughters and one son by a former marriage, all 
of whom are deceased. 

Until twenty-three years of age John N. Davis 
remained at home, attending the district school 
as a boy, and assisting in the care of his father's 
farm. Thinking then to improve his chances of 
making a fortune, he went to Illinois, where he 
worked until 1851. The money thus earned he 
invested in oxen and wagons, and entered the 
employ of Joseph Williams, a widower with six 
children, who was about to start for the Pacific 
coast. His team being one-third of the outfit, 
he was hired as a driver on the expedition, re- 
ceiving $15 per month for his services and the 
use of his team. Crossing the plains, Messrs. 
Williams and Davis came direct to Marion 
county, Ore., but after stopping here a short time 
Mr. Davis proceeded to California, where he 
was engaged in mining for a few months. Re- 
turning then to this state, Mr. Williams 
went to southern Oregon, where he was 
killed by the Indians in 1853. After taking the 
orphaned children of his former companion and 
employer back to their Illinois friends, Mr. Davis 
returned to Marion county in 1854, and for sev- 
eral years thereafter worked as a farm laborer, 
accumulating some money. After his marriage 
he went to housekeeping near Scott's Mills, and 
four years later, about 1870, purchased one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of his present homestead. 
He has since made improvements of an excellent 
character, added forty more acres of land by 
purchase, having now one of the best and most 
desirable farming estates in the neighborhood. 

Mr. Davis was married September 22, 1866, 
to Martha Whitlock, a native of Marion county, 
and the daughter of Mitchell and Malvina 
(Engle) Whitlock, her parents having made the 
tedious journey across the plains in 1845. Four 
children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Davis, as follows : John F., who lives on the 
home farm; George William, deceased; Brayton 
H., living near Silverton ; and James, deceased. 



4:60 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mrs. Davis was born May I, 1847, an d ner death 
occurred December 18, 1894. Mr. Davis has 
always taken an active part in political matters, 
and has rendered valuable service to his fellow- 
citizens as county commissioner for four years, 
as road supervisor for seventeen terms, and as a 
member of the school board. Fraternally he has 
been a Mason since 1850, and has assisted in 
organizing three different lodges, besides which 
he had the pleasure of helping to initiate Gen- 
erals Sheridan and McClellan into the order in 
Portland, Ore., in 1853. 



EDWARD S. PORTER. In the annals of 
Marion county no name stands higher for indus- 
try and integrity than that of Porter, and no 
family in the Willamette valley is held in higher 
respect and esteem. Among the courageous pio- 
neers of Silverton and vicinity, who put forth 
their highest efforts toward the upbuilding of 
the place in which they had located, were Ed- 
ward Porter, the grandfather of E. S. Porter, 
born in 1803, and his son John, the father of the 
subject of this sketch. Coming here when the 
country round about was in its virgin wildness, 
they were interested witnesses of the rapid trans- 
formation of the heavily timbered land into a 
rich and productive agricultural region, and by 
every means within their power aided its growth 
and advancement. 

Removing from Ohio to Illinois with his fam- 
ily in 1835, Edward Porter settled in Fulton 
county, where he engaged in farming for nearly 
a score of years. Starting for the far-off west 
in 1853, he crossed the intervening country with 
teams, which were then the only means of land 
transportation, and with his wife and children 
came direct to Marion county, and located about 
five miles southeast of Silverton, on what is 
known as the Porter donation claim. In com- 
mon with other pioneers, he labored with untir- 
ing energy to improve his land, and as the years 
rolled by found himself possessed of a comfort- 
able home, wherein he lived until after the death 
of his wife, Anna (Anderson) Porter, who was 
born in 1805. His remaining years he spent at 
the home of his youngest son, living to be over 
seventy years of age. 

A native of Vermilion township, Richland 
county, Ohio, John Porter was born October 6, 
1830, and in that state spent the first five years 
of his life. Going then with his parents to In- 
diana, and thence to Fulton county, 111., he was 
there reared and educated, remaining in that 
location until 1853, when, with his parents, he 
made another journey westward, coming to Ore- 
gon across the plains. They were nearly six 
months journeying with the plodding ox teams, 
but had no serious adventures en route. Being 
young and unmarried, he remained at home, as- 



sisting in the clearing of the land taken up by 
his father until about twenty-five years old, when 
he took unto himself a wife, and established him- 
self as a householder on the old Porter donation 
claim, living there until 1859. Locating then 
near Fairfield, on the French Prairie, he re- 
mained there until 1864, when he removed to 
the White donation claim, residing there until 
the death of his wife, in 1897. Since then he has 
made his home with his children. 

A man of unusual energy and ability, John 
Porter has met with almost . unprecedented suc- 
cess in his life occupation. Since beginning life 
for himself he has accumulated a large amount 
of land, aggregating about sixteen hundred acres, 
a large part of which is in a good state of culti- 
vation, and yielding him a handsome annual 
income. Straightforward and honest in all his 
dealings, he enjoys in a marked degree the con- 
fidence and good will of all who know him. He 
is liberal and public-spirited, and takes an active 
part in political matters. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Annis White, was born in Indiana, 
and came with her parents from Missouri to Sil- 
verton, in 1852, settling about five miles south- 
east of Silverton, on the White donation claim. 
Of the ten children born of their union, one died 
in infancy, the others being as follows : Allen, 
of Grant county, Ore. ; Rene, wife of F. M. 
Remington, of Idaho; E. S., the subject of this 
sketch ; Charlotte, wife of E. W. Ross, living 
near Silverton; Anna, wife of R. N. Harrison, 
of Washington ; John H., lndng not far from the 
old homestead ; Josie, wife of L. D. Leonard, of 
Idaho ; Ai, living on the home farm ; and Lena, 
wife of B. H. Davis, of Silverton. 

Edward S. Porter "was born June 3, i860, near 
Parkersville, Ore., and acquired his early educa- 
tion in the district schools and the Silverton High 
School. Having obtained a practical knowledge 
of the many branches of agriculture under the 
wise instruction of his father, he chose farming 
as his life work, and after his marriage settled 
on the Charles Miller donation claim, five miles 
from Silverton. Thorough and systematic in 
his methods, and wise and judicious in the ex- 
penditure of his money, he has made an unques- 
tioned success in his agricultural labors, and is 
now the owner of fourteen hundred acres of val- 
uable land, all but one hundred and sixty acres 
being in one piece. On this he carries on general 
farming on a large scale, and is extensively en- 
gaged in stock-raising, dealing principally in 
Short-horn cattle. Mr. Porter is also identified 
with other interests, being junior member of the 
firm of Kinney & Porter, general merchants at 
Silverton, where he owns several pieces of town 
property ; and is also largely interested in the 
breeding of Belgian horses in the Willamette 
valley. Taking a lively interest in all that con- 
cerns the public affairs of town and county, Mr. 



POR fRAIT AND BU GRAPHICAL KK('< >ttl). 



461 



Porter has exerted a decided influence in ad- 
vancing the various enterprises inaugurated to 
develop their resources and promote their pros- 
He has served in various town offices, 
and for twenty years lias been clerk of the school 
In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and 
vrnallv is an Odd Fellow, active in the lodge 
ing passed all the chairs in the order. 
Porter was married, December 24, [883, 
Miss Lou Hubbard, a native of Oregon. She 
April [6, [893, leaving four children, 
namely: Grover S., Lora, Glenn E. and Lena L. 
Mr. Porter married for his second wife Mrs. 
Mice Sherfy Loron, of Johnson City, Tenn. At 
her death. December 14.' 1902, she left one child 
bv her first marriage, Ira P., who makes his home 
with his foster father. 



WILLIAM L. VANCE. The life-history of 
William L. Vance, a well known resident of 
Albany, may well be likened to a romance of 
olden "times, being filled with tales of poverty and 
riches, with thrilling experiences of pioneer life 
in an uncivilized country, telling of narrow es- 
capes from the dusky savages, and eventually 
settling him in a comfortable home, with a sub- 
stantial fortune, accumulated through his own 
minus efforts, at his command. A son of 
Bradlev Vance, he was born near Jacksonville, in 
Morgan county, 111., in 1831. He is of sturdy 
:ch ancestry, his paternal grandfather having 
emigrated from Scotland, his native country, to 
Kentucky, where he fought in the Indian wars 
with Daniel Boone. 

A native of Kentucky, Bradley Vance was born 
and bred near the city of Louisville. He was a 
farmer by occupation, and became an early settler 
Morgan county, 111., wdiere he died, in 1833, of 
the cholera. He married Nancy, daughter of 
John Jewett, a farmer in Kentucky. She died 
of the cholera within nine hours of the time of 
her husband's death. Three children were born 
of their union, one of whom died when young, 
the two survivors being John, who came to the 
Pacific coast in 1852, and is now a prominent 
stockman, of Malheur county, Ore., and William 
L., the subject of this brief sketch. 

Left an orphan in his second year, William 
L. Vance was brought up on a farm, living with 
his grandfather and uncles, and receiving very 
meagre educational advantages, his school life 
averaging less than a month a year. Beginning 
the battle of life for himself at the age of six- 
teen years, he worked in a saw-mill run by horse 
power, and being industrious, thrifty and prudent 
in his expenditures, he had accumulated the snug 
little some of $400 by the time he reached his 
majority. In 1853, ambitious to seek gold in its 
native soil, he started for California. Leaving 



Jacksonville, 111., he crossed the plains with the 
ox-train commanded by Batchelder and Carter. 
At Sail Lake City, finding the company de- 
termined to winter there, Mr. Vance and a com- 
rade purchased mules and came to the coast with 
a small pack-train, being six months and sixteen 
days on the way to Placerville, Cal. At once en- 
gaging in mining, he was very successful, making 
$7,000 the first three months, doing to other 
mines he lost and made money, sometimes being 
without funds, and sometimes rolling in wealth. 
At the end of seven years, however, he left the 
mining region with a capital of over $8,000 in 
cash. During the time he suffered all the priva- 
tions and hardships of the early miners, and 
came in contact with people of all kinds and con- 
ditions, including some of the most noble men he 
ever knew, and some of the most daring desper- 
adoes. 

The ensuing two years Mr. Vance was engaged 
in the cattle business at Yreka, Cal., going from 
there, in 1862, to the Salmon river valley, where 
he cleared $5,000 in packing from there to east- 
ern points in one season ; thence to Walla Walla, 
Wash., where he completed a successful wood 
contract. In 1863 he ran a pack train from the 
Humboldt river to Rogue River, Ore., and Chico, 
Cal., and at the same time also successfully 
engaged in mining, remaining in that locality 
over two years. In 1866 he attended school at 
Jefferson, Ore. Locating then in Umatilla, he 
drove a pack train from that city to Boise, Idaho, 
for three years, carrying on a very large and 
successful business in freighting. In his labors 
he employed seventy-five mules, finding them 
best adapted for travel, and although the life was 
hard, he enjoyed it. He oftentimes found the 
roads almost impassable, sometimes nearly per- 
ishing in the severe snowstorms of the plains and 
mountains, at one time becoming snow blind. 
Hostile Indians were frequently seen, his life be- 
ing seriously endangered on more than one occa- 
sion. Disposing of his outfit in 1869, he made 
a trip east, going by way of the Isthmus of Pan- 
ama, spending eight months in Illinois recuperat- 
ing. 

Returning to the Willamette valley by way of 
Panama in 1869, Mr. Vance purchased two farms 
in Tangent, Linn county, and was there actively 
engaged in agricultural pursuits for thirteen 
years, when he took up his residence in Albany. 
He has achieved distinguished success in his 
labors, and is now the owner of eight farms, 
containing from one hundred and sixty to three 
hundred and fifty acres each, aggregating in all 
nearlv two thousand acres of good improved 
farming land. These farms he rents, receiving 
a good annual income from each. He likewise 
owns valuable business and residence property 
in other counties and towns, and is everywhere 



4(52 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



recognized as a man of great executive and finan- 
cial ability. His farms are finely located, some 
being quite near railway stations, the most dis- 
tant one being but two miles from a station. 
He has built two business blocks 44x100 and 
40x100 feet, respectively. He was one of the 
directors of the Albany Woolen Mills, in which 
he was a large stockholder until he sold his inter- 
est in 1903. 

Mr. Vance married, in Marion county, Ore., 
Martha Duncan, a daughter of James Duncan. 
She was born near Fayetteville, Ark., and died 
in Albany, Ore., January 30, 1903. Her father, 
James Duncan, the son of a farmer, was born 
in West Virginia. In 1841 he settled as a farmer 
in Arkansas, and lived there twenty years. 
Crossing the plains with ox-teams, in 1861, he 
came to Jefferson, Marion county, with his wife 
and five children. Purchasing a farm near 
Turner, he resided there until his death, January 
30, 1899. He was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Sarah Ann Brickey, was born in West Vir- 
ginia, and died at Turner, Ore., December 30, 
1898. She bore her husband eight children, 
seven of whom grew to years of maturity, as 
follows: Mrs. C. M. Morgan, of Albany; M. J. 
Duncan, of Idaho; J. N. Duncan, an attorney in 
Albany; W. C. Duncan, who lives on the old 
homestead in Turner; Mrs. Brown, who died 
in Washington in 1873; Mrs. Vance; and Rob- 
ert Duncan, whose death occurred, in 1865, in 
East Oregon. 

Mr. and Mrs. Vance became the parents of 
two children, namely : Lora, living with her 
father; and Mrs. Nancy Pearl Peacock, of 
Portland, Ore. Mr. Vance affiliates with the 
Republican party, and is one of its stanchest sup- 
porters, but has never sought political preferment. 



LEWELLYN CLAY MARSHALL. The 
steady rise to prominence in the business and 
social world of Lewellyn Clay Marshall, in 
charge of the grocery department in the store 
of S. E. Young, at Albany, has been entirely 
the result of 'perseverance and determination, 
augmented by a correct estimate of his own 
abilities. Mr. Marshall is a pioneer, a Mason 
of high degree, and his many interesting ex- 
periences in the early days would fill a volume 
of interesting reading matter. Born on a 
farm near Springfield, 111., October 12, 1843, 
be removed at an early age with his father, 
James Marshall, to Washington county, Iowa, 
locating on a farm in the then unsettled coun- 
try. His five brothers and sisters were born 
in Illinois and Iowa, and in January, 1852, the 
entire family started on the long journey 
across the plains. They outfitted with ox- 
teams and ^prairie-schooners, and Lewellyn, 



then nine years of age, was an active boy and, 
though the youngest in the family, made him- 
self useful driving stock and bringing water 
from near-by springs and rivers. The days 
and weeks and months passed uneventfully 
until reaching Round valley, the oxen plod- 
ding patiently, and the Indians keeping to 
themselves. In the valley the father injured 
his hand, and, blood poisoning resulting, oc- 
casioned his death at the Umatilla Agency in 
October, 1852, at the age of forty-five. The 
mother was prostrated with grief, two chil- 
dren, Samantha J. and Anson, were ill with 
fever, and it was a desolate and heart-sick 
little party that continued its way, leaving its 
strong and resourceful leader in a lonely way- 
side grave. The mother took up a claim of 
one hundred and sixty acres on Sand Ridge, 
and later traded for one of the same size on 
the Santiam, where she lived until her death 
in 1867. Like her husband, she was a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church, and reared her 
children to a fearless reliance upon goodness 
and industry. Alfred, the oldest, died in 
Idaho ; Arthur G., a veteran of the Indian 
wars, died in Linn county November 25, 1901 ; 
and Samantha J. became the wife of J. M. 
Archibald, and finally died in Linn county. 

Realizing the dependence of the family 
caused by the death of his father, Lewellyn 
started out to work as a farmhand in Linn 
county at a very early age, and in 1862 went 
to the mines on the Powder river. After 
thoroughly investigating the possibilities of 
success in this region he turned his attention 
to freighting rather than mining, and from 
1863 until 1869 carried provisions and miners' 
supplies from The Dalles to the Idaho mines 
with ox-teams. Returning to the valley in 
the latter part of 1869 he purchased a farm 
of one hundred and thirty-four acres six miles 
east of Albany, which property he improved 
to some extent, and lived thereon for seven 
years. Locating in Albany in 1876, he was 
employed by the Albany Farmers' Company 
for ten years, and while thus receiving and 
selling grain, owned a controlling interest 
with Simpson & Mansfield. In 1886 he re- 
signed from the Farmers' Company and began 
clerking for Mr. Simpson, dry-goods mer- 
chant, in 1892 associating himself with his 
present employer, S. E. Young. At present 
other responsibilities are being assumed by 
him, he being president of the Albany Butter 
& Produce Company, and the Creamery & 
Cold Storage Plant. Mr. Marshall owns the 
old farm upon which his mother moved in 
1853 in her lonely widowhood, and at times 
visits it for relaxation from business cares. 

Mr. Marshall is one of the popular and in- 




ROBERT ADDISON. 



I, I 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



405 



Ruential men of the state He is past master 
51 John's Lodge N T o. 62, A. I". & A. M., 
.; high priest of Bayley Chapter Xo. 8 

.il Arch Mason.-; past master of Adoni- 
ram Council No. 4. R- and S. M.: past erai- 
■ mmainler of the Temple Commander}' 
K. T.. and was elected grand com- 
inder of the Grand Commandery of Oregon 
898 He is also connected with the Order 
the High Priesthood j the Eastern S. tar ; 
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. 
• a member of the board of trustees and 
as president ot the Masonic Building 
sociation. The Pioneer Association of 
Ore| well as the Alco Club, profit by 

his helpful and genial membership. Politi- 
cally he is allied with the gold standard Dem- 
ocrats. 

December 31. 1868. Mr. Marshall was 
united in marriage with Virginia Lines, who 
was born February 4, 1851, near Fort Madi- 
. Lee county, Iowa, and is a daughter of 
John II. Lines, of whom extended mention 
may be found in another part of this work. 
Like her husband. Mrs. Marshall is prominent 
in the social circles of Albany, and is a mem- 
ber of the Eastern Star. 



ROBERT ADDISOX. Among the pioneers 
of Yamhill county whose departure from ac- 
customed haunts left a void in the hearts of his 
friends, and a place not easily filled in the com- 
munity, was Robert Addison, a popular, influ- 
ential and honored farmer, and a veteran of the 
Rogue River war. In his character Mr. Addison 
embodied the best of English traits, fostered by 
ancestors living for many years near Xewcastle- 
on-Tyne, England, where he was born on a farm 
April 2, 1831. His parents came to America 
when he was seven years of age, or in 1838, bring- 
ing with them their nine children. This was 
destined to be a sorrowful family, for on the 
way to Wisconsin, up the Mississippi river, the 
mother fell overboard and was drowned, and 
the father was left alone with almost an over- 
whelming responsibility. 

Locating in Lancaster. Wis., the Addison chil- 
dren were reared on a farm, and each and all were 
obliged to perform their share towards the family 
maintenance. Robert Addison remained at home 
with his father until about eighteen years old, 
and then started out to earn his own living Xo 
better opportunity presenting itself, he accepted 
a position as driver across the plains with a 
small party, and reached his destination without 
any serious mishap or trouble with the Indians. 
From Portland he made his way to Idaho and 
followed mining and prospecting for three years, 
and after his return to Portland in 1852 worked 



at whatever he could find to do. In tSM> he 
bought a farm of three hundred ami twenty 
acres three miles south of Dayton, on the Dayton 
& Salem road, there being at the time but few 
acres under cultivation. His industry and good 
management accomplished wonders, however, 
and at the time of his death, March 1^, 1898, he 
left to his widow and children a farm of three 
hundred and twenty acres, two hundred and 
forty being available for crops. 

Xovember 7, 1870. Mr. Addison married Mar- 
tha Scott, a native of Indiana and daughter of 
William and Sarah A. Scott, who crossed the 
plains in an early day. settling in Spring valley, 
Polk county. Ore. The Scott family lived in 
Polk county for about four years, and afterward 
experimented in different parts of Polk county up 
to the time of their death. After his marriage 
Mr. Addison took his wife to the farm where 
she now lives, but on account of impaired health 
located in Dayton in 1897. After a year he went 
to live on the farm with his son, and after his 
death his widow again went to Dayton, remain- 
ing there until October 1, 1901. when she and her 
sons returned to the farm as a permanent home. 
Mrs. Addison has proved an excellent manager, 
and with the assistance of her sons is maintain- 
ing the admirable farming standard established 
by her husband, which caused him to be regarded 
as one of the best managers and most resourceful 
agriculturists in A'amhill county. He was one 
of the pillars of the Christian Church of Dayton, 
and generously contributed towards the support 
of the same, at all times being active in church 
and Sunday school work. He was a man of high 
moral standards, and was thorough and cautious 
in the extreme, believing that if anything was 
worth doing at all, it was worth doing well. Four 
children were born to himself and wife, of whom 
Anna L. is the wife of George Foster, of Yam- 
hill county ; Charles W. is a resident of Day- 
ton ; Otheniel is at home, as is also Tohn R. 



M. LOREXCE. In all but birth, M. Lorence 
is an American, for he was but five years of age 
when he left his native land of Germany, where 
he was born February 14. 1863. He was one of 
two children born to his parents. After the 
death of his father, the mother courageously took 
up the burden of self-support and brought her 
children to America. They came by sailing ves- 
sel and were a loner time on the water, and after 
reaching X'ew York removed immediately to 
Wisconsin, where they lived for nine years. In 
1877. the family located in Oregon, where they 
settled in Sublimity, but eventually purchased a 
farm six miles north of the town, where the 
mother died at the age of fifty-two years. She 
married a second time and had seven children. 

After completing his education in the district 



46C 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



schools, M. Lorence lived on the home farm until 
about nineteen years of age, and then started out 
to make his own way in the world. He was a 
good farmer, and conscientious, industrious man, 
and found no difficulty in getting desirable work 
in the country around his home. He married 
into one of the well-known families of this sec- 
tion, his wife, Ethel Schindler, daughter of L. 
Schindler, having been born on the farm upon 
which the young couple went to housekeeping, 
and where they are still living. 

The old Schindler place is one of the land- 
marks of this part of the county, and is located 
four and a half miles south of' Silverton. The 
part of the old claim owned by Mr. Lorence con- 
sists of two hundred acres, of which about thirty- 
five acres have been placed under cultivation by 
the present occupant. Mr. Lorence is a prac- 
tical, thrifty farmer, and his farm has been fitted 
with many desirable modern improvements. He 
is engaged in general farming and stock-raising 
and devotes considerable of his land to gram. 
Four interesting and promising children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lorence: Andrew, 
Elmer, May and Maggie Pearl. In politics a 
Republican, Mr. Lorence has served on the 
school board, and he is fraternally associated 
with the Woodmen of the World. He is one of 
the reliable and progressive farmers of Marion 
county, and enjoys the confidence of all who 
have had dealings with him. 



STRAUDER FROMAN. A typical repre- 
sentative of the pioneer farmers of Oregon, 
Strauder Froman has long been identified 
with the agricultural interests of Linn county 
as proprietor of a well kept and finely im- 
proved ranch in Albany township. Possess- 
ing an unlimited amount of energy and push 
asa young man, be labored intelligently and 
diligently, by thrift and good management 
acquiring a competency, and is now living re- 
tired from active pursuits, enjoying the re- 
ward of his early toil and self-sacrifice. He 
was born in Danville, 111., May 2, 1832. His 
grandfather, Jacob Froman, was for many 
years a farmer in Kentucky, but subsequently 
removed to Indiana, where he remained until 
his death. 

AVhen a boy of twelve years Thomas Fro- 
man, the father of Strauder, left his Kentucky 
home, going with his parents to Indiana, 
where he grew to man's estate. Ambitious 
and enterprising, he subsequently engaged in 
business in Danville, 111., and in partnership 
with his brother Isaac made money in river 
trading. One of his earliest ventures in this 
line was the taking of one hundred head of 
beef steers, and two hundred and fifty hogs. 



with sufficient hay and corn to feed the same, 
to New Orleans, going on a flat-boat down 
the Vermilion river to the Wabash, thence 
down the Ohio river to the Mississippi, which 
he followed to his point of destination. Being 
successful in this venture, he afterward did 
considerable trading in cattle, hay and grain, 
shipping to the gulf ports. Disposing of his 
Illinois farm in 1854, he removed to Ne- 
braska, going with horse teams to Richard- 
son county. Two years later, Thomas Fro- 
man, whose son Isaac and daughter America, 
now Mrs. Price, had settled near Albany, 
Ore., in 1851, conceived the idea of joining 
them. Starting with his wife and seven chil- 
dren in an ox-train, he followed the old Ore- 
gon trail for a time, but on account of the In- 
dian troubles in Oregon and Washington he 
pursued the California trail from Soda 
Springs, the thirty men of the train with their 
families proceeding to Chico, Cal, arriving 
there in August, 1856. The journey had con- 
sumed four months. Leaving his son Strauder, 
the special subject of this sketch, in charge 
of the loose cattle, one hundred head of them, 
Thomas Froman went with the remainder of 
his family to San Francisco, thence by boat 
to Oregon City, and from there came to Al- 
bany by team. Immediately purchasing land 
in this locality he engaged in farming, his 
ranch containing three hundred and twenty 
acres, on which he resided until his death, in 
1880, at the age of eighty-two years. At the 
same time he bought an adjoining farm 
equally large for his son Strauder, purchasing 
both pieces of land from Judd Ness Robin- 
son. He was a member of the Baptist Church 
and in his early life was a Whig, but after- 
wards became identified with the Republican 
party. He served in the Black Hawk war 
while a resident of Illinois. 

Thomas Froman married Elizabeth Rand, 
who was born in Ohio. Her father, James 
Rand, a native of Ireland, emigrated to this 
country when a boy of seventeen years, and 
subsequently served as a soldier throughout 
the Revolutionary war. Settling then in Vir- 
ginia, he married Miss Carder, and after- 
wards removed to Ohio, where he lived for 
a few years. Going from there to Indiana, he 
continued his agricultural pursuits until his 
death. Of the union of Thomas and Eliza- 
beth (Rand) Froman twelve children were 
born, eleven of whom grew to years of ma- 
turity, namely : Frances died in Oregon ; 
America, now Mrs. Price, of Albany, came 
here in 1851, settling on a donation claim; 
Louisa, who died in Illinois in 1853 ; Isaac, 
who came to Albany in 1851, resides on the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



467 



nation claim which he then purchased; 
Strauder, the subject oi this sketch"; Minerva 
died in Nebraska; Mrs. Hannah Foster, who 
ilied in Oregon; Mrs. Elizabeth Pate, of Al- 
bany; Mrs. Mary Logsdon, of Albany; 
I nomas, who resides on the old homestead; 
and Mrs. Martha W'yatt, of San hrancisco, 
The mother died on the home farm, in 
I Oregon, at the advanced age of eighty-four 
...rs. 

Brought up on an Illinois farm, Strauder 
Froman obtained his education at a subscrip- 
tion school in a rude log school-house, the 
teacher hoarding around among the families 
during the annual term of three months. 
Going with his parents to Nebraska in 1854, 
he remained there two years, then, as pre- 
viously stated, started in April, 1856, for Cali- 
fornia, arriving in August at Chico. Being 
left in charge of the cattle at that place, he 
stayed there until 1857, when he sold the stock 
and came to Oregon, locating on the ranch 
which his father had purchased for him in 
July of that year. Taking a drove of cattle 
across the mountains to California in 1859, he 
disposed of them at an advantage, and re- 
mained in the Sacramento valley until 1861. 
Returning to Oregon, he subsequently en- 
gaged in mining for three or more years, first 
at the Oraphino mines, then at the Powder 
river mines, near the present site of Baker 
City, thence to the Idaho City mines. Com- 
ing back to the Willamette valley in 1864, 
Mr. Froman resumed charge of his farm of 
three hundred and twenty acres, which is 
finely located about three and one-half miles 
southeast of Albany, and for more than a 
score of years was prosperously engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. Since 
1885 he has rented his ranch and resided in 
Albany. He was one of the organizers of the 
Albany Creamery Association, of which he 
has been president from the time of its incep- 
tion, managing its affairs most successfully 
and satisfactorily. 

On November 11, 1868, Mr. Froman mar- 
ried, in Albany. Ophelia C. Moore, who was 
born near Middletown, N. Y., a daughter of 
Henry Moore. Her grandfather, Jacob 
Moore, was born of Scotch ancestors, in the 
North of Ireland, -and emigrated to this coun- 
try from there, locating as a farmer in Orange 
county. X. Y. Henry Moore, a native of 
Orange county, N. Y., was a farmer by oc- 
cupation, and removed from his native town 
to Illinois, purchasing a farm at Whig Hill, 
near Rockford, where he engaged in farming 
until his death. He married Frances Slaugh- 
ter, who was born in Orange county, N. Y., 
of German ancestry, being the daughter of 



Isaac Slaughter, a farmer. She survived her 
husband, and, in 1864, started across the 
plains with her six children, three boys and 
three girls, in the train commanded by Cap- 
tain Medorum Crawford, the train consisting 
of three wagons, each drawn by four horses. 
At Fort Laramie she was taken sick and died. 
The children continued with the company, 
and after spending a year at Walla Walla, 
Wash., came, in 1865, to Linn county. Three 
of the children are still living, Mrs. Froman 
being the eldest. Politically Mr. Froman is 
an uncompromising Republican, ever loyal to 
the interests of his party and his community. 
Fraternally he was made a Mason in Chico, 
Cal., and is now a member of Corinthian 
Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He likewise belongs to 
the Albany Grange, which he has served as 
master. Mrs. Froman is a member of the 
Eastern Star Lodse. 



ARTHUR L. SIMPSON. The importance 
of model laundry facilities in a thriving and 
growing community can hardly be over-esti- 
mated, and in Albany this want is fully met 
by the Magnolia Steam Laundry, which, 
through successive stages of growth, has ad- 
vanced to a place among the substantial busi- 
ness enterprises of the town. The rise of this 
concern is synonymous with that of its owner 
and manager, A. L. Simpson, who is one of 
the most capable and promising of the 
younger generation of business men of this 
community, and who is deserving of great 
credit for his successful handling of a large 
opportunity. Born in New York City in 
1875, M f - Simpson is of Scotch-Irish descent, 
his paternal grandfather, Robert, having been 
born in the North of Ireland, whither had set- 
tled his forefathers in the days of Scotch re- 
ligious persecution. Robert Simpson came to 
New York City at an early day, and there 
engaged for many years in the grocery busi- . 
ness. Flis son, Robert G., born in New York 
City, and the father of A. L., learned the gro- 
cery business in his youth, but in after years 
served an apprenticeship to a ship carpenter, 
which trade he worked at for several years. 
About i860 he removed to Blackhawk county, 
Iowa, where he farmed for a time, and then 
returned to New York City, remaining there 
until removing to Sibley, Iowa, in 1877. In 
the latter town he engaged in the laundry 
business, and in 1889 located in Albany, Ore., 
where his death occurred in 1900. He is sur- 
vived by his wife, formerly Calista Ashby, a 
native of Ohio, and who was reared in Il- 
linois, and who bore him nine children, five 



4:68 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of whom are living, A. L. being the youngest 
in the family. 

After coming to Albany, Ore., in 1889, A. 
L. Simpson attended the public schools and 
the Albany College, and thereafter learned 
telegraphy in the Corvallis & Eastern Rail- 
road office at Summit. For a time he was with 
the old Oregon & Pacific Railroad, but gave up 
this position in 1894 to engage in the laundry 
business. The enterprise had been started by his 
mother in 1890, and was run as a hand laundry 
until 1899, when the business was greatly en- 
larged and fitted with steam, having the most 
modern and time-saving machinery. At the same 
time a large outside trade was undertaken, 
which at the present time has no equal in 
the county, and few in the valley. From 
twenty-five to thirty hands are required to 
carry on the business, work coming in from 
all along the line of the Corvallis & Eastern 
Railroad, from north and south on the South- 
ern Pacific, and all over Linn county. Mr. 
Simpson became sole owner of the laundry in 
1900, and the capacity of the laundry will be 
materially increased in the future as needed. 
The building is 30x60 feet ground dimensions 
and two stories high and, as heretofore stated, 
is most complete in all of its appointments. 

In Polk county, Ore., Mr. Simpson was 
united in marriage with Altha Pillar, who 
was born in Canada, and of which union there 
have been born two children, Lowell and 
Muriel. Mrs. Simpson is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Simpson has an 
eminently social nature, and is a welcome vis- 
itor at various organizations in which the 
town abounds. He is a member of the Alco 
Club, and is fraternally connected with the 
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the 
Woodmen of the World. In political prefer- 
ment he is a Republican. To a gratifying ex- 
tent he enjoys the confidence of the business 
men of the town, and his sagacity and sound 
judgment have placed him on a par with the 
most ambitious and resourceful of its citizens. 



VICTOR FINK, M. D. After years of suc- 
cessful medical and surgical practice in Illinois 
and Wisconsin, Dr. V. Fink came to Oregon 
in 1889, and in 1890 located on his present farm 
of one hundred and seventy-eight acres near 
Dallas. A more interesting and delightful 
home it were hard to find in Polk county, for 
diversified farming and extensive fruit growing 
affords to the cultured mind infinite possibili- 
ties for research, more especially when the 
work is carried on scientifically, with no 
thought save that of improvement over former 
methods. On this model farm twenty acres 



are in hops, eight acres in prunes. There are 
also olive and English walnut, chestnut and 
bearing fig trees, as well as acres of almost 
every known variety of grapes. One can im- 
agine he has traveled across the mountains to 
California, especially when the sun is shining 
and the fruit is ripening under the glow of an 
ideal Oregon day. An appreciative and warm- 
hearted interest in the beautiful things of life 
dictates the establishment in this sometimes 
cold and desolate region, of a redeeming and 
enchanting occupation, near to the heart of 
nature. 

Of scholarly and martial ancestry, Dr. FinK 
was born in the southern part of Prussia, Ger- 
many, October 23, 1838, his father, William, 
having been born in the same place April 15, 
1797. The elder Fink was above all else mili- 
tary in his tendencies, and as a captain in the 
regular army was one of that hurrying band of 
men under Blucher, who saved the day for the 
English at the battle of Waterloo. For meri- 
torious service in this history-making battle 
he was promoted, and thereafter served his 
country for a number of years, eventually re- 
turning to his father's farm in southern Prus- 
sia. He was forty-one years of age when he 
united his fortunes with another military fam- 
ily of Prussia, his wife, formerly Louiza von 
Bohlen, having been born in his neighborhood 
April 18, 1800, a granddaughter of Ferdinand 
von Bohlen, a personal friend of Frederick the 
Great, and a soldier under that great general 
in all of his important battles. His wife dying 
eight years after their marriage, leaving but 
one child, Victor Fink, William Fink moved 
to west Prussia, where he bought an enormous 
farm, of some twenty-four hundred acres, and 
also engaged in manuiacturing pursuits. His 
forte, however, was in a military rather than 
civilian line, for he lost money continually, his 
manufacturing and farming enterprises netting 
him only bitter experience in return for large 
sums invested. A certain pathos surrounded 
his last years, during which he was dependent 
upon his pension for a livelihood, and his death 
in 1870, was clouded by dismal memories of 
financial defeat. As a soldier, however, he was 
unexcelled for bravery and courage, and it was 
as a follower of the Fatherland flag, on tented 
field and in the heat of battle, that those who 
loved him best like to recall him. 

That keen desire for knowledge which is a 
characteristic of the well-born Teuton, was 
most vehemently felt by Dr. Fink, who, as an 
only child, had every opportunity which his 
father could place in his way. Having decided 
to "devote his life to medicine he took a course 
of lectures at Leipzig, and thereafter practiced 
medicine for a, short time, eventually entering 




jM/Jr* ^efttataf 



t>ORTR UT AND BIOGRAPHICAL REC( »RD. 



•171 



the Homeopathic College Hospital at Cothen, 
i which he was graduated in due time, 
led with this excellent training he came to 
lerica in 1865, locating at Belleville, 111., 
where he practiced medicine four years. In 
\pnl. 1869, he went to Watertown, Wis., and 
for seventeen years made that city his home, 
enjoying an extensive and paying practice 
throughout [efferson county. In 1886 he went 
California, and in Los Angeles county 
ighl a ranch, to which he devoted himself 
three years, laying aside the profession 
which his abilities had adorned, and to the 
ancement oi which he had so largely con- 
tributed. As before stated, he came to Oregon 
1889, purchased his present farm, and has 
since made this his home. Ninety acres of his 
property are under cultivation, and are now 
managed by his sons, the doctor having long 
since retired from active life. 

In Belleville, 111., in 1867, Dr. Fink married 
Catherine Beck, who, like himself, was born in 
the southern part of Germany, October 30. 
1847. Of the children born to the doctor and 
his wife, Mrs. Clara Gede lives in Portland; 
Arthur, who. for two years was deputy county 
assessor, and the only Democrat in the family, 
and Victor are both managing the home farm ; 
and Mrs. Katie Hanson lives on an adjoining 
farm. The doctor is a Republican in politics, 
and in religion a Lutheran. During the years 
of his professional activity Dr. Fink contrib- 
uted profound and painstaking articles to va- 
rious medical periodicals, and is the author of 
the Homeopathic Selbstarzt, a work of large 
dimensions and widely read by German stu- 
dents of this particular school. 



WILLIAM GELDARD. In looking upon 
the lives of great men — great in the achievement 
of wealth, position, or some far-reaching deed 
that leaves its impress upon the progress of civ- 
ilization, the three visible forms of greatness in 
the eyes of the world, — we cannot but admire the 
personality of the man who has molded this per- 
sonality through years of indefatigable toil, self- 
denial, and self-renunciation, with poverty and 
loneliness to fight, and no incentive toward it 
save the inherent greatness of the character, hold- 
ing with dogged determination to the shadow of 
success until the substance could be his. It is 
true, the motive is selfish from one point of view; 
it is also true that a good man could have no 
higher ambition than to become an influential 
citizen, wealthy, since the dollar is the key to the 
actions of the majority of men ; educated, since 
to learning a less number give precedence ; up- 
right, since the whole world unconsciously listens 
when the motive of a man is beyond question. 



Such a character, in all seeming, is that of 
William Geldard, born in Yorkshire, England, 
November 2, 1832, of parents who also owed their 
birth to this locality. The father, Leonard, a 
stone-mason by trade, spent his entire life in 
Yorkshire, until his death, in his seventy-fourth 
year. Three children were born to Mr. Geldard 
and Elizabeth, his first wife, and after her death 
in 1834, he married again, rearing a family of 
eight children. After the death of his mother, 
William remained at home for six years, and at 
the age of eight years, the time when a child 
most needs the tender sympathy and care of a 
mother, he went out to seek work among the 
farmers of their immediate neighborhood. Per- 
haps his peculiarly friendless condition, at so 
youthful an age, won him kindly sympathy from 
those with whom he worked, thus unconsciously 
keeping his life bright, while it was certainly 
hard. With his living to make, there was no time 
to attend school, and all the education he received 
was through the Sunday-school of the Church of 
England. 

In 1854, William, then a young man of twenty- 
two, bade adieu to the scenes of his childhood, 
and set sail for the western world, landing in 
New York City, after a stormy voyage of five 
weeks' duration, when at times it was a matter 
of doubt whether the ship would weather the 
gales and carry her fearful passengers into port. 
After a week spent in New York City, he took 
his way westward, wisely decided that he could 
expect the greater results from his work on the • 
soil, since his early training had been entirely 
along these lines. When he reached Wisconsin 
he had $15 left of the little sum he had put by for 
this emigrating trip, and, friendless and alone, he 
stood in a strange land with only this small 
amount between him and possible trouble and ill- 
ness, when he might be forced to depend on some 
kindly hand for help. Friendless and alone was 
true of him for many years, but never helpless, 
and he went to work at once in Grant county, 
Wis., being employed as a farm hand, in which 
capacity he proved invaluable to his employer. 
However, the latter soon lost him, for, imbued 
with the spirit of independence, he managed to 
get enough land on which to begin farming for 
himself. From this time on his progress was 
steadily and perceptibly upward, and when, 
twenty years after, he came to Oregon, his rough- 
est battles had been fought and won, and he could 
not claim his rise here from a $15 valuation. 

After looking about him, he decided to locate 
permanently in the Sunset state, so he purchased 
a farm near Carlton, Yamhill county, where he 
now makes his home. Originally, there were 
four hundred and eighty-two acres in the place, 
but he has now increased his landed propertv to 
eight hundred and forty-eight acres, seven huh- 



472 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dred being in active cultivation, about nine acres 
used in the cultivation of hops, the remainder 
being devoted to stock-raising and general farm- 
ing. Among his many up-to-date farming im- 
plements he numbers a complete threshing outfit. 
Mr. Geldard's farm is one of the finest in Yam- 
hill county, and all the improvements in the line 
of buildings, etc., are evidence of his good taste 
and judgment, the surroundings, in addition to 
their natural beauty, receiving much from the 
care and attention lavished upon them. It is his 
intention, however, to retire from the active du- 
ties of life, and make his future home in Mc- 
Minnville, where he has purchased a house and 
four lots. 

Mr. Geldard has made himself an honored 
member of the community, and a prominent citi- 
zen, and though not desirous of political honors, 
he still does not refuse the duties offered him 
through Republican influence, that being the 
party whose principles he upholds. He has 
served as road supervisor and school director 
for a number of years, taking much interest in 
educational matters, as he realizes the advantages 
accruing from that foundation for a life's work. 
Through his wide reading and close application, 
he has gained the education and information he 
lacked the opportunity of securing in his youth. 
In 1862, Mr. Geldard and Mrs. Mary Hutchcroft 
were united in marriage, twelve children bless- 
ing this union, of whom the following are living : 
John, of Sumpter, Ore. ; Alice, Mrs. E. G. Free- 
man, of Santa Monica, Cal. ; and Esther and 
Emma, who make their home with their father 
and mother. James Hutchcroft, a son by Mrs. 
Geldard's former marriage, also resides at home. 
As if in gracious memory of the land of his birth, 
Mr. Geldard still clings to the tenets of the 
Church of England, having also another link to 
his early life in the presence of his sister, Mrs. 
James Fletcher, who lives in McMinnville,; Ore. 



HON. WILLIAM WALDO, who is now su- 
perintending his property interests, including 
both city and farm real estate, and makes his 
home in Salem, is one of the honored pioneers 
of this portion of the country. He has also 
been active in moulding the affairs of the state 
and the impress of his individuality is to be 
seen upon its legislative records. He was born 
in Gasconade county, Mo., on April 22, 1832, 
a son of Daniel Waldo and a grandson of Jede- 
diah Waldo, both of whom were natives of 
Virginia and descendants from the old and dis- 
tinguished Waldo family, of Connecticut. The 
grandfather was a Virginia planter, and spent 
his entire life in the Old Dominion. Daniel 
Waldo removed from Virginia to Gasconade 
county, Mo., where he was engaged in the op- 



eration of a saw-mill and the manufacture of 
lumber. Later he went to St. Clair county, 
Mo., where he carried on farming. In 1843 ne 
crossed the plains to the Pacific coast. The 
Applegate family, neighbors in Missouri, ac- 
companied the Waldo family to the west, and 
they journeyed with the first wagon train that 
made the overland trip to The Dalles and the 
Willamette valley. 

On reaching his destination Daniel Waldo 
secured a donation claim, ten miles east of 
Salem, comprising six hundred and forty acres. 
Here he carried on general farming, and to his 
first purchase he added until the place com- 
prised one thousand acres. It is now the prop- 
erty of one of his sons. After a time the father 
left the farm and took up his abode in Salem, 
where he became a stockholder and officer in 
the company that established the first woolen 
mills ever built on the Pacific coast. He was 
interested in that enterprise until the business 
was discontinued. In matters pertaining to 
general progress and to the substantial up- 
building of this portion of the country he was 
always found alert and enterprising, doing 
much for the general good in this way. He 
gave his political support first to the Whig 
party, and afterward to the Republican party. 
He died in 1880, when eighty-one years of age. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Me- 
linda Lunsford, was born in Kentucky and died 
in Salem in 1885, when about eighty-two years 
of age. 

The family of this worthy couple numbered 
seven children : David, who died in Califor- 
nia ; Mrs. Narcissa Brown, who died in Salem ; 
AVilliam ; Averilla, who became Mrs. Bass and 
died in Salem ; Mrs. Mary Logan ; John B., 
who resides on the old home farm, and Ann J., 
who passed away a number of years ago. 

Hon. William Waldo spent his early youth in 
St. Clair county, Mo., and was only eleven years 
of age when the family came to the northwest. 
Though but a boy he rode a horse and assisted 
in driving the stock. The party left Missouri 
in the latter part of April, 1843, proceeded up 
the Platte river, continuing on by way of Fort 
Hall and Sweetwater, crossing the divide and 
afterward fording Greene river. In October, 
after long and weary months of travel, they 
arrived at The Dalles. The elder Waldo and 
his sons took the stock through to Vancouver, 
where they crossed the Columbia river. To 
get the stock across the river it was necessary 
to transport them in bateaux, owned by the 
Hudson Bay Company, an operation requiring 
nine days. From there they continued on to 
Marion county, arriving here in the latter part 
of November, 1843. The first home of the 
family was a little log cabin, and that winter 



PORTRAI I' AND lill KiRAl'l 1 1CAL RECORD. 



4 7:; 



the father and sons put in a crop of wheat. 
IThere wore no schools here for some years, 
and a teacher was employed in the Waldo 
home in order to instruct the children, until at 
igth a public school was opened in one of 
e pioneer log- buildings of this locality. Our 
subject was also a student in the old Salem 
Institute for one winter. Through a varied 
terience, reading, observation and contact 
with the world, he has become a well-informed 
nan of broad and practical knowledge. He 
remained at home until sixteen years of age, 
and then, in 1848, joined a company under 
Captain Pugh and Colonel Waters for service 
■ nst the Cayuse Indians. When the red 
men had been subdued and the company re- 
turned home Mr. Waldo at once started for 
the gold mines of California, journeying over- 
land with pack animals. He engaged in min- 
ing upon the Feather river for a time, and 
afterward around the Moquelumne river, and 
in 1849 ne returned by way of the sea to Ore- 
gon. He was then actively engaged in work 
upon the home farm until 1850, when he made 
a second journey across the country to Califor- 
nia, where, for some time, he engaged in busi- 
ness, being located at Yreka until 1852. In 
that year he once more came to Oregon, and 
then returned to his old home in Missouri, by 
way of the Nicaragua route and New Orleans. 
He remained through the winter in Missouri, 
during which time he collected a herd of cattle 
of over three hundred head, including some 
cows and heifers, and these he drove across 
the plains in the spring of 1853, making up a 
train which made the journey in four months. 
At length, reaching the Willamette valley, Mr. 
Waldo was engaged in the cattle business and 
in farming. 

Many times has our subject crossed and re- 
crossed the plains, first in the primitive man- 
ner of early travel, and later in the enjoyment 
of all the comforts afforded by the palace cars 
of the present day. In 1855 he took the Pa- 
nama route to ^Iissouri, where he remained 
until 1856, and in that year continued his edu- 
cation as a student in the University of Mis- 
souri at Columbia. In the latter year he re- 
traced his steps to Oregon, coming by way of 
the Panama route, and in the same way he 
again went to Missouri in 1859, spending the 
winter at- Kansas City. In i860 he made an- 
other trip across the plains by way of Salt 
Lake, driving a pair of mules and an ambu- 
lance to California. It was impossible to come 
over the Oregon trail that year on account of 
the hostility of the northern Indians. He 
started on that trip in early April, and on July 
4 reached the Sacramento valley, having been 
less than three months upon the way. He 



drove on an average of over twenty miles a 
day, and most of the way he was alone. Upon 
reaching Salt Lake City, he stopped for three 
days for rest and for the repair of his outfit. 
While there he was treated with great consid- 
eration and courtesy by the Mormon settlers, 
and has never forgotten the kindness they 
showed him. From Sacramento he continued 
northward until he arrived at home. Here fit 
once more devoted his energies to the cattle 
industry until 1869, when he once more started 
out upon his travels, this time going by way of 
the Panama route to Independence, Mo., in 
order to superintend his uncle's affairs. In 
1870 he returned to Oregon by way of the Isth- 
mus. His next trip was made in the interest of 
the old Woolen Mills Company, for which he 
went to Australia, that company owning a 
flouring mill and wishing him to investigate 
as to whether Australia afforded a market that 
would make the business of shipping flour to 
that country profitable. He sailed from Port- 
land late in the year 1870, and after eighty 
days, arrived in Sidney, where he spent a 
month. On the same vessel he then returned 
to Honolulu, and from there made his way bv 
steamer to San Francisco, at length arriving 
at Salem, where he reported unfavorably upon 
the market of Australia, for he found that thai 
was a fine wheat country and that there was 
no need of shipping flour to that locality. For 
some time Mr. Waldo continued his connec- 
tion with the milling interests of Salem. More 
recently he has been interested in farming and 
in the supervision of his other property inter- 
ests. He owns two blocks in the city of Salem 
and his farm property is likewise valuable. 
His investments were judiciously placed in an 
early day, and with the rapid growth of the 
country his land has become very valuable. 
About every four or five years Mr. Waldo re- 
turns to the east, and keeps in constant touch 
with the different portions of the country; but 
he feels that there is no better place for resi- 
dence, nor no district offering better business 
opportunities than are to be found in the north- 
west. 

Upon questions of national policy Mr. Waldo 
is a stalwart Republican, and his fitness for 
leadership, his loyalty in citizenship and his 
marked ability have led to his selection for 
various official honors. In 1882 he was chosen 
to represent his district in the state senate, and 
was re-elected in 1884. In 1885 he was chosen 
president of the senate, and while a member of 
the upper house of the Oregon legislature he 
aided in electing J. N. Dolph to the United 
States senate. He has since served one term 
as a member of the legislature, during which 
he was instrumental in securing the establish- 



4?4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ment of the state insane asylum at Salem. He 
has been a close and earnest student of the 
conditions of the northwest, of its possibilities 
and its interests, and whether in or out of 
office he has labored eftectively for the material 
development of this section of the country and 
for the interests of the state. Socially he is 
connected with Salem Lodge and the encamp- 
ment of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows ; in the former is a past noble grand, and 
in the latter a past chief patriarch. A man of 
great natural ability, his success in business 
has been uniform and rapid. His lifework has 
brought him into close connection with the 
west and with its history. There are few men 
now living in Salem who can claim residence 
here for a period of sixty years, and Mr. Waldo 
well deserves to be numbered among the hon- 
ored pioneers whose efforts have laid the foun- 
dation for the present prosperity and progress 
of Oregon. In whatever relations of life we 
find him, in the public service, in political cir- 
cles, in business or in social relations, he is 
always the same honorable and honored gen- 
tleman, and his worth well merits the high re- 
gard which is uniformly given him. 



A. G. PERKINS. From a Revolutionary 
ancestry A. G. Perkins inherits the stable traits 
of character which are so well appreciated by 
his fellow townsmen in Marion county. He 
was born in Bangor, Me., June 16, 1831, and is 
a son of Nathaniel and Olive (Patton) Perkins, 
both natives of Maine, the former born in Old- 
town in 1804. They lived on a farm in Maine, 
and there reared their nine children, the father 
dying at the age of seventy-eight, and the 
mother at the age of seventy-five. The ances- 
tors on both sides of the family were Univer- 
salists. 

Ordinary educational facilities were at the 
disposal of A. G. Perkins, and at a compara- 
tively early age he proved that he possessed 
both studious and industrious characteristics. 
At the age of twenty-two he removed from his 
home in Maine to Minnesota, where he en- 
gaged in the lumber business, and lived until 
i860. Having outfitted for crossing the plains 
he tarried in Colorado for a couple of years, 
and there mined and prospected, but, not real- 
izing his expectations, he again started west 
with ox teams, eventually arriving in Baker 
City, Ore., where he mined with varying suc- 
cess until the spring of 1863. Upon the discov- 
ery of gold at Boise City, Mr. Perkins endeav- 
ored to make a fortune in Idaho, and after 
nearly two years of experiment located in 
Salem, Marion county, Ore., in 1864. Shortly 
after his arrival he purchased the old Lewis 



Pettijohn claim, twelve miles south of Salem, 
and hither brought his wife, formerly Hannah 
Barcaw, whom he had married in February, 
1863. The young people located on a farm 
south of Salem, and in 187 1 bought a farm o[ 
five hundred acres six miles north of Salem, 
where they lived until purchasing a farm ad- 
joining their present home, six miles north of 
Salem, on the old Salem and Oregon City road. 
The present Perkins home was purchased 
in 1892, and consists of four hundred acres, 
all in one body. Mr. Perkins is a prac- 
tical and enterprising farmer, and all manner 
of modern improvements are to be found on 
his property. He is engaged in farming, prin- 
cipally making a specialty of Jersey cattle and 
Cotswold sheep. Mr. Perkins is a Republican 
in politics, but he has never cared to work for 
or hold public office. In his family have been 
born thirteen children, of whom the first six, 
Thomas, Ada, Ella, Willard W., Julia, and 
Vina, as well as the eighth, Clyde, are de- 
ceased, while Edna is the wife of Elton Shaw, 
of Salem ; Iva is the wife of Elam Shaw, of 
Salem, and Ray and Rex, twins, and Floyd 
and Alonzo, are living at home. For several 
years the family has lived in the town of 
Salem, the object being to give the children 
better educational advantages. Mr. Perkins is 
one of the most substantial and honored farm- 
ers of Marion County, his approachable and 
genial nature, and thoroughly reliable business 
methods, commanding the lasting regard of all 
who know him. 



JOHN ELLIS. The sojourner in Polk 
county, and more especially around Dallas, 
hears innumerable kindly expressions of opin- 
ion in regard to Uncle John Ellis, who was 
one of the most highly honored residents of 
Dallas. The capacity to permanently ingrati- 
ate himself in the hearts of many friends and 
well-wishers denoted personal characteristics 
of an enviable nature. 

This interesting pioneer of 1865 was born 
in Vermilion county, 111., March 7, 1829, and 
is the fourth of the ten children born to 
Wright and Sarah (Williams) Ellis. Wright 
Ellis was born in east Tennessee, and came to 
Illinois with his father, Shubal, also a native 
of Tennessee, who settled first in Ohio. The 
Ellis farm, ten miles south of Danville, Ver- 
milion county, 111., continued to be the home 
of Wright Ellis up to the time of his death, 
and here the ten children were reared and 
educated in the little pioneer subscription 
school near the old homestead. Illinois at 
that time was in a very primitive state of de- 
velopment, yet the family made the most of 








.0$ 



Zfl-^^ 




E>( m l R \l i \XI> BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ITT 



their opportunities, and continued to live on 

the homestead for several years after the death 
he father. John Ellis was sixteen years old 
when he removed with his mother and the rest 
of the children to Iowa in 1845, settling in Dal- 
las county, where they lived on a farm for 
twenty years. Here the mother died, and here 
John married in October, 1850, Julia Ann 
Stump, who was horn in Indiana, and who 
bore him live children in Iowa. 

With his little family Mr. Ellis started across 
the plains in May, 1865, there being one hun- 
dred wagons in the train. He outfitted with 
horse teams, and arrived in Oregon October 1, 
;. without any untoward incident marring a 
ssful and uneventful journey. The first 
winter was spent in Sheridan, where they re- 
mained one year, when Mr. Ellis engaged in 
farming in Polk county for two years. He then 
went to Lake county, southeast Oregon, re- 
turning the following year to Polk county. 
Here he engaged in farming on eighty-two 
acres of land adjacent to the town of Dallas, 
until his death, July 5, 1903. He left a well- 
improved and profitable property, and his 
home, in which he spent his declining years, 
was renowned for its hospitality and good-fel j 
lowship. Mr. Ellis was engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising, and experienced 
success in the greater part of his undertakings. 
Xo more familiar figure was seen on the high- 
ways, at political gatherings, or in the meeting 
places of Dallas than that of Uncle John, for 
whom everyone had a kindly smile in recogni- 
tion of his pleasing nature, and goodness of 
heart. Seven children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Ellis, of whom Sarah J. died near Dallas; 
Mary Ann is the wife of William Bogue, of 
•vallis; Martha E. is now Mrs. H. Plummer ; 
William is a farmer near Falls City ; Marquis 
lives in Dallas and owns the electric light plant; 
Philander died in Xew Mexico, and Leander, of 
R< 'sehurg, is an engineer for the Southern Pacific 
Company. 



JAMES OSCAR BEARDSLEY. .No name 
in Marion county is more indicative of the best 
that can be accomplished in general farming, 
stock-raising and fruit and hop culture, than that 
of J. O. Beardsley, who owns and operates a 
farm of four hundred and eighty-eight acres. 
Mr. Beardsley is a descendant of forefathers who 
were successful farmers in Ohio. He was born 
in Gallia county, Ohio, January 14, 1852, and was 
one of a large family of children. His mother, 
Harriett Evaline Cassel, died at the age of thirty- 
five years, when James O. was but five weeks 
old. His father, Henry Judson Beardsley, com- 
bined farming with steamboating on the Ohio 



river, and was captain 011 a merchandise craft, 
and also owned interests in other boats, lie lived 
on the old home place in Ohio, enjoying a well- 
earned rest until his death, at the age of eighty- 
two years, March 30, 1903. Notwithstanding his 
advanced age, he was in full possession of all his 
faculties up to time of his death. 

Until his twenty-second year J. O. .Beardsley 
worked on the home farm in Ohio. In the mean- 
time he acquired his education in the public 
schools and at the Gallipolis Academy. Follow- 
ing a prearranged plan, he came to Oregon in 
1875, arriving June 6. Having but little money, 
he began work as a farm hand in Marion county, 
but soon after was enabled to rent a place on 
shares, and was so successful that after three 
years he was able to buy a small farm in the 
Missions Bottoms, where he lived and prospered 
until 1886. 

In the meantime, in 1878, he married Miss 
Emma Gorsline, who was born August 8, 1853, 
a native of New York state ; she has borne him 
six children, the order of their birth being as 
follows : Effie A., Walter W., Mary A., Arthur 
F., Elmer O., and Harry J. Of these, Walter, 
who married Miss Alice Potter, of Malvern, 
Iowa, is engaged independently in farming in 
Marion county. The others reside at home. 

In 1886 Mr. Beardsley came to his present 
farm, which was partially improved, though 
merely incidental to the more extensive arrange- 
ments of the present owner. He has a well- 
appointed home, up-to-date outbuildings, and two 
Allen fruit-driers, each having a capacity of two 
hundred bushels for each drying of twenty-four 
hours. Twenty-five acres of this land is devoted 
to prune culture, and sixteen acres to hops. Dur- 
ing the year 1902 he raised twenty-one hundred 
pounds of hops. Of this farm, four hundred acres 
are under cultivation, the balance being devoted 
to stock-raising, making a specialty of Durham 
cattle and Poland-China hogs. 

In politics Mr. Beardsley is a Republican, and 
has taken an active interest in local affairs. He 
has always warmly advocated advanced ideas in 
the education of the youth of the land, and has 
served for many years on the local school board. 
He has also devoted considerable of his time to 
the duties of the office of road supervisor. Aside 
from these, he has never been an aspirant for 
political office, though frequently besought by his 
friends to allow his name to be presented before 
the conventions of his party. He is a member 
of and liberal contributor to the support of the 
Methodist Episcopll Church. 

Mr. Beardsley is highly esteemed by his numer- 
ous friends for his devotion to the highest in- 
terests of the community, for he has exhibited an 
unselfish and broad-minded spirit in his participa- 
tion in all movements calculated to advance the 



478 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



public welfare. He is recognized as a man pos- 
sessing fine business qualifications, and his in- 
tegrity has never been brought into question, even 
by those who have had occasion to differ radically 
from him as to the ways and means to be adopted 
toward the common end sought. 



DANIEL P. STOUFFER, city auditor and 
police judge of Dallas since 1892, and also 
engaged in the insurance and real estate busi- 
ness, is a native son of Oregon and was born 
near Ballston, Polk county, January 20, 1856. 
His father, Hon. Jonathan Stouffer, was born 
in Chambersburg, Pa., and in his youth learned 
the blacksmith trade. As a young man, he 
removed to Indiana, and the next year, in 1851, 
came to Oregon as driver of an ox team for 
James McCain. Arriving in LaFayette he 
worked at his trade for a year, and then mar- 
ried Agnes McCain, a native of Indiana, a 
daughter of James McCain and sister of James 
McCain, ex-district attorney, whose sketch ap- 
pears in another part of this volume. After his 
marriage Mr. Stouffer settled on a claim of one 
hundred and sixty acres near Ballston, which 
he improved, and upon which he built his 
home. His wife died in 1861, when her son, 
Daniel, was five years of age. Mr. Stouffer 
entered the government employ as head agri- 
culturist for the Indian reservation at Grande 
Ronde Agency, and after many years thus 
spent, retired to his farm near Ballston. His 
death occurred November 30, 1902, at the age 
of seventy-seven years and six months. He 
was a man of leading charactertistics, and as a 
stanch upholder of Republicanism served as 
county judge from 1888 until 1892, and a mem- 
ber of the legislature in 1866. Fraternally he 
was identified with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, and in religion was a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The only one living of the three children 
born to his parents, Daniel P. Stouffer was 
reared in Polk and Yamhill counties, living for 
the greater part with his uncle and grand- 
father. After completing the course at the dis- 
trict schools he entered Willamette University 
in 1874, and was graduated therefrom in 1878, 
with the degree of A. B. His preliminary pro- 
fessional training was acquired under the law 
firm of Boise & Stratton, during the university 
course, but just before his admission to the bar 
he was taken ill, and was obliged to repair to 
the country in order to regain his health. In 
order to derive the benefits of outdoor exercise 
he purchased a farm of two hundred and forty- 
three acres, adjoining that of his father, and for 
fifteen years engaged with fair success in farm- 
ing and stock-raising. During all these years 



he was justice of the peace, and on many occa- 
sions acted as mediator in the disputes that 
arose between his agricultural neighbors. 

In 1889 Mr. Stouffer moved into Dallas and 
engaged in insurance and real estate, and in 
1892 was elected city auditor and police judge, 
to which combined offices he has since been 
continuously re-elected every two years. He 
is also ex-officio city clerk, and at the same 
time continues to deal in insurance and real 
estate. As a relaxation from political and busi- 
ness problems Mr. Stouffer still retains an in- 
terest in his farm, which he has increased to 
five hundred and seventy-four acres, four hun- 
dred of which consists of tillable land. This 
farm is admirably situated and well watered 
from springs, and fifteen acres are devoted to 
the culture of prunes. 

In Polk county Mr. Stouffer was united in 
marriage with Ella Richter, who was born in 
Indiana, and came to Oregon with her parents 
in 1871, her father being Christian Richter, of 
whom mention is made in the sketch of John- 
son E. Richter. Lina Stouffer, the only child 
in the family, is a graduate of the Dallas Col- 
lege. With his wife Mr. Stouffer is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is presi- 
dent of the board of trustees, and ex-superin- 
tendent of the Sunday school. He is one of 
the Native Sons of Oregon, and in political 
affiliation is identified with the Republican 
party. 



HON. JOHN JAY DALY. The passing of 
Hon. John Jay Daly, at the age of fifty-six 
years, closed the career of a brilliant lawyer 
and capable man of affairs. Judge Daly occu- 
pied an altogether unique position among the 
men who have been identified with the juris- 
prudence of Polk county, not only because of 
special natural gifts, but because it was his 
good fortune to start out in life under particu- 
larly auspicious circumstances. Of Irish de- 
scent, he was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 
March, 1846, a son of Michael and Jane Daly, 
and brother of Charles H. Jay Daly, a promi- 
nent physician of New York City. As a youth, 
Judge Daly was reared in an atmosphere of cul- 
ture and refinement, his family being one of 
the most prominent in the state of New York. 
His early environment was reflected in his ma- 
ture years, and found expression in an elegance 
of manner altogether charming, and a courtesy, 
tact, and consideration which made him the 
most delightful of friends and companions. 

After graduating from the classical course of 
St. John's Catholic College, Fordham, a suburb 
of New York City, Jndge Daly read law, and 
was finally admitted to the New York bar. 



PORTR \1T WD BIOGRAPHICAL REC( >RD. 



I Tii 



\\ uli the clear sighted intuition which was one 
oi his strongest points, he decided on settling 
in the west, and arrived in Polk county, Ore., 
in 1870. After engaging in school teaching for 
,i couple oi years in Buena Vista, he came to 
Pallas and opened a law office, and so intelli- 

itly ami persistently applied himself to his 
ssion that his early and subsequent suc- 

3 was .! logical resultant. He soon became 
interested in politics, and as a stanch defender 

Democracy represented Polk county in the 

lower house of the Oregon legislature in 1885, 

in [892 was a delegate to the national 

Democratic convention held in Chicago. In 

14 he was nominated for circuit judge of the 
Third Judicial district, but was defeated by his 
opponent on the Republican ticket, Hon. H. H. 
Hewitt, of Albany. 

In the practice of his profession Judge Daly 
found his broad general knowledge, his capac- 
ity for reading character, and his marvelous 
faculties of enormous benefit. He was recog- 
nized as a strong advocate and strenuous 
fighter, guarding well the interests of his client 
at every point, and quick to seize and persist- 
ent in holding the point of vantage. A line of 
attack or defense, as the case required, once 
laid down, the correctness of his position be- 
came a conviction, and naught swerved him 
from his position. Nevertheless, generosity 
often characterized his attitude towards his 
opponent, and he was ever ready to grant such 
concessions as proved non-injurious to his cli- 
ent. For years he was attorney for the South-, 
crn Pacific Railroad Company, and also for 
many years attended to the legal complications 
of the old Scotch Company. 

The plan of fraternal life insurance received 
substantial support from Judge Daly, and at 
the time of his death he held membership in 
three different organizations. As one of the 
chief upbuilders of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen in the northwest, he served as grand 
naster workman for the jurisdiction of Ore- 
gon, Washington and British Columbia from 
)8qx> until 1891, inclusive, and during the latter 
year delivered before the lodge at Victoria, 
B. C, one of the most scholarly and brilliant 
addresses on the work of fraternal insurance 
ever heard in the west. For many years he 
was a member of the judiciary committee of 
the Oregon Grand Lodge, and in 1892 was a 
• lelegate to the Supreme Lodge of Helena, 

nt., and in '93 to Toronto, Ontario. 
Judge Daly possessed an optimistic and de- 
lightful personality. The doing of a favor, or 
the lending of a helping hand to friend or 
Granger was spontaneous, and seemed never 
to be recalled by him. A competence rewarded 
his well applied energy, but money he regarded 



as the means to an end, and that end the better- 
ing of the conditions by which he was sur- 
rounded. Like many strong and highly pol- 
ished natures, Judge Daly was eccentric, but 
the study ot these peculiarities rendered him 
the more interesting, and never interfered with 
the balance and splendid equipoise of the man. 
This learned judge is enrolled among the students 
of legal science who have reflected dignity and 
brilliancy upon the professional history of Ore- 
gon, and his death is regretted by hundreds who 
knew, loved and admired him. 

In Salem, Ore., in 1878, Judge Daly mar- 
ried Phya Burns, who was born near Dallas, 
Polk county, and was educated at the Notre 
Dame Convent in Salem and at San Jose, Cal. 
The family claims kinship with Robert Burns, 
the poet, after whom the paternal grandfather 
was named. The grandfather was the emigrat- 
ing ancestor, coming from Scotland with his 
wife and children, settling presumably in Lex- 
ington, Ky. Here was born William Burns, 
the father of Mrs. Daly, who removed to Taze- 
well county, 111., at an early day, and, crossing 
the plains in 1848, took up a donation claim 
near Bridgeport, Polk county, Ore. In 1849 
he took advantage of the gold excitement and 
crossed the mountains into California, after 
which he returned to Illinois, settled up his 
business affairs and returned to Oregon again 
in 1853. The donation claim of six hundred 
and forty acres is still in the family, and is 
owned by his three children. He was exten- 
sively engaged in stock-raising, both in Polk 
county and in eastern Oregon, and at the time 
of his death, while on a trip to California, in 
1877, was the possessor of a large and valuable 
estate. He was a Republican in politics, and 
a member of the Presbyterian Church. His 
wife, Rachel (Ford) Burns, who was born in 
Illinois, and died in Oregon at the age of sixty, 
was the mother of eleven children, six of whom 
attained maturity, Mrs. Daly being the young- 
est. The oldest son, Robert, died in the mines 
of California ; John died on his farm in Polk 
county ; William is a farmer in Polk county ; 
James is a farmer near Dallas, and Rachel is 
the wife of Mr. B. F. Smith, of Lewisville, Polk 
county. 

Mrs. Daly is one of the popular and well 
known women of Dallas, and has one of the 
most attractive homes in the little city, sur- 
rounded by beautiful grounds in which flowers, 
trees and shrubs abound. Her share of the old 
donation claim is three hundred acres, which 
is under a fine state of cultivation, about sev- 
enty acres being devoted to hops. This farm 
is watered by the Little Luckiamute river, and 
is equipped with all modern improvements. 
Mrs. Daly is a member of the Shakespeare 



480 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Club, and in political preference Is a Repub- 
lican. Her son, L. F., is a graduate of Mount 
Angel College, class of 1901. 



HENRY C. PORTER. Closely allied with 
the pioneer touch that has shaped the current of 
events in Oregon is Henry C. Porter, whose 
father gave no little of a worthy life to the de- 
velopment of the natural resources of this great 
state, linking with these the influences of a citi- 
zenship of intelligence and high integrity. The 
family traces its lineage back to the state of 
Virginia, the grandfather, David Porter, having 
been born in that state March 8, 1780, and emi- 
grating from there to Tennessee. He was mar- 
ried at the time of his emigration from his native 
state, and was accompanied upon the trip by his 
wife' and three children, Mary Rebecca, Alex- 
ander and Robert. In 181 2 he took his family 
into Missouri, locating at Licking, having passed 
the preceding three years in Kennedy Fort, to 
which he had been driven by the depredations of 
the Indians. 

William Porter, the father of Henry C, was 
born in Missouri, December 14, 1812, one of a 
family of ten children. He passed the years of 
childhood on the paternal farm. Feeling that 
he could not be satisfied with the education 
obtainable in the district schools of his' native 
state he left home at the age of eighteen years, 
and going to Jacksonville, 111., entered the college 
at that place, where he remained four years. 
His first intention had been to study medicine, 
but abandoning the idea he entered upon the 
more congenial life of teaching, the scene of his 
early labors being Pike county, 111., where he 
remained until 1846, a decade of his life being 
passed among these surroundings. In 1840 he 
married Miss Sarah Coffey, a native of like 
county, and with a wife no less courageous than 
himself, he ventured in the spring of 1848 to set 
out on the journev with the great northwest for 
its termination. After six months of travel with 
ox-teams Oregon was reached by the emigrants. 
In the spring of 1849 they left Aumsville, Marion 
county where thev had passed the preceding 
winder and Mr. Porter took up a donation claim 
of six hundred and forty acres located two and 
one-half miles southeast of Aumsville. Upon 
this farm a little log cabin was erected to shelter 
the pioneer familv, and nothing daunted by the 
vears of toil and hardships which he knew must 
He between this humble beginning and the suc- 
cess which he hoped to win, he gave the strength 
of his manhood to the task of cultivating the 
broad acres. And not only in his personal plans 
has Mr. Porter met with succes, but in the pub- 
lic affairs of his adopted state he was ever found 



ready to lend his best efforts toward any move- 
ment that had for its end the upbuilding of the 
common welfare, being actively interested in the 
early days of his community in the laying out of 
roads and the organization of schools, serving 
as teacher in the latter for many years. In the 
first legislative body of Oregon, the date of 
assembling being July, 1849, it was the distinc- 
tion of Mr. Porter to serve as chief clerk, later 
being elected to the state legislature, where he 
remained one term. For four years he served 
as assessor of Marion county, and as county com- 
missioner for one term. His political offices 
were held through the influences of the Republican 
party, of which he was a stanch adherent. Re- 
ligiously, Mr. Porter was a member of the Chris- 
tian Church. His death, which occurred March 
30, 1899, was a source of regret to the entire 
community. 

Mr. Porter had been twice married, his first 
wife having died of mountain fever soon after 
their arrival in Oregon. In 1849 ne married her 
sister, Martha Coffey. The children of the first 
marriage are as follows : William G., who 
served three years in Company B, of the First 
Oregon Cavalry, the first stationed on the fron- 
tier, and whose death occurred in January, 1880, 
on his farm, one and one-half miles east or 
Turner; Nancy E., the wife of C. K. Reed, 
now located on the old homestead ; John H., a 
farmer at the state penitentiary ; and Sydney 
R., of Kent, Sherman county. Three children 
were born of the second union, of whom Henry 
C. is the subject of this sketch; Sarah L 
died in 1892; and Mary J. is the wife of Henry 
C. Von Behren, living near Aumsville. Mrs. 
Martha C. Porter died May 17, 1903, in her nine- 
tieth year. 

Upon the donation claim linked to the Porter 
name through long years of association Henry 
C. Porter was born November 24, 1850, and 
there he grew to manhood, receiving his 
early education in the district school in the 
vicinity of his home. Upon attaining manhood 
he married Miss Minnie F. Welch, a native of 
Ontario, Canada, born in 1858, who came to 
Oregon with her grandfather, J. T. Welch, in 
1869. I n : 88o Mr. Porter built the house which 
he now occupies, part of his farm being formerly 
owned by T. C. Coffey, who took up a donation 
claim in 1852. The father of the Coffey family 
was born in North Carolina, in 1790, and with 
his family of eight children came to Oregon at 
the same time that Mr. Porter's father made the 
trip, and took np land in this vicinity. Mr. 
Porter now owns three hundred and twentv acres, 
upon which he is engaged in general farming 
nnd stock-raising, being principally interested in 
Hereford cattle. The location is two miles from 
Aumsville. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have one child, 




PETER FELLER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



183 



Minnie Maude, who is the wife of Otto G. 
\\ eaver, of Berlin, Linn county. 

In various ways Mr. Porter has served the 
public, having been justice of the peace for 
? and also notary public for some time, 
'raternally he is associated with the Ancient 
ler <>t" United Workmen, being a member of 
Aumsville Lodge No. 90. lie is a devoted 
member of the Christian Church, in the Sunday 
school of which lie has served for twenty years 
superintendent, a striking example of faith- 
fulness to duty. He is supported in his religious 
affiliation by his wife and daughter, both of 
whom are members of the same church. 



PETER FELLER. In 1847 there came 
from the province of Lorraine, where he was 
born March 6, 1822, a pioneer of Oregon who 
was destined materially to promote the agri- 
cultural prestige of the state, and to maintain 
a type of citizenship as useful as it is influ- 
ential and worthy. This ocean voy-age from 
Europe was accomplished in a sailing vessel 
which was delayed by storms and calms, and 
which put into the port of New Orleans sixty- 
two days after embarking from the other side. 
With his few worldly possessions Peter Feller, 
then twenty-five years of age, took another 
boat up the Mississippi river, eventually' arriv- 
ing at Galena, 111., where he found employ- 
ment on farms in the neighborhood of the 
town. Among the fellow pasengers on the in- 
coming vessel was a bright and attractive Ger- 
man girl by T the name of Anna Notum, also 
a native of Lorraine, and from subsequent 
events it would seem that they- became very 
warm friends before the vessel arrived in port, 
for they were married the following year. Aug- 
ust 1, 1848, and thus an orphan girl found a 
home, and a stranger in a strange land a help- 
mate. Three children were born to the couple 
in Illinois : John ; Barbara, deceased ; and Peter. 
As time passed fortune favored them moder- 
ately, leaving them at least contented minds 
and bright hopes for the future. 

In 1853 ^ r - Feller, alert for greater oppor- 
tunities than he found in Illinois, embraced 
the opportunity to drive some ox-teams across 
the plains in return for board and accommoda- 
tions. After five months of experience more 
or less interesting, he arrived in Oregon City, 
where he looked around for a suitable perma- 
nent location, and where, in the meantime, he 
drove dray wagons as a means of support. 
Later he came to Butteville, and worked at 
various occupations, in 1857 returning to Illi- 
nois, to the wife and children who awaited him 
with so much anxiety. In May, 1857, he re- 



turned to Oregon with his family by way of 
Panama, and settled for a time near I'.utteville, 
soon after purchasing fifty acres of land upon 
which the present home now stands, and of 
which fifteen acres had been cleared. Other 
improvements consisted of a log stable and 
frame house, and in the latter the family lived 
for many years, although there was but one 
room for all purposes. 

At the time of his death, October 2, 1896, Mr. 
Feller had transformed his crude possessions 
into a splendidly improved farm, with modern 
buildings and all manner of agricultural im- 
plements. At the last he owned four hundred 
acres, having added to his original purchase 
on several occasions. Advantageously lo- 
cated on the renowned French Prairie, he en- 
gaged for years in general farming and stock- 
raising, and in the meantime took a keen in- 
terest in developing the conditions by which 
he was surrounded. He was a member of the 
Catholic Church, as is all his family, and he 
held various local offices, among them that 
of school director. Of the eight children born 
to himself and wife two, Barbara and Francis, 
died in infancy ; John is a carpenter of Wood- 
burn ; Peter, Jr., farmed with his father until 
his death, and then assumed complete control 
of the property ; he was married February 6, 
1898, to Christina Haag, and four children have 
been born into his family: Mabel E. ; Lillian 
M. ; Lucille J., deceased; and Harley Laverne. 
Of the other children, Mary is the wife of J. 
J. Ryan of Butteville; Annie is the wife of 
John Whitney, residing near Woodburn ; 
Clara is the wife of George W. Case, residing 
near Champoeg; Lizzie is the wife of D. H. 
Bomhofr", a merchant of Woodburn ; she had 
a daughter, Mabel Edith, by her first husband, 
Charles Scheurer ; and Annie, Grace and 
Harry by her second marriage. Peter Feller, 
Jr., owns eighty-two acres of land near Hub- 
bard, and in addition to general farming has ten 
acres under hops. 



JOHN McCHESNEY. Many of the finest 
residences and public buildings in Albany owe 
their construction to the skill of John McChes- 
ney, who, previous to locating here in 1888 had 
acquired extensive experience along general 
building lines. This prominent and successful 
member of a thriving community was born in 
( hitario, Canada, where had settled his father, 
Hugh, and his mother, Hannah (Dole) McChes- 
nev, upon their arrival from their native Scot- 
land. From Canada the father moved to Moore- 
head. Minn., and later to Taconia, Wash., where 
he died at the age of eighty-six. Pic was stir- 



484 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



vived by his wife, who came to Oregon and 
spent the remainder of her life with her son, 
John. 

The sixth oldest of the nine children in his 
father's family, and the only one in Oregon, 
John McChesney was born November 17, 1853, 
and was primarily educated in the Canadian pub- 
lic schools. He was twenty years of age when 
he learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1873 re- 
moved to Detroit, Mich., where he worked for a 
time at carriage making. At Fargo, N. Dak., he 
engaged in a blacksmith and carriage making 
business with his brother, but afterward sold 
out and removed to Grand Forks, Dak., where 
he manufactured and contracted for brick. As 
before stated, he came to Albany in 1888, and 
has since made himself a necessary adjunct to 
the prosperity of the town. In all of its depart- 
ments Mr. McChesney has a comprehensive 
understanding of his chosen occupation, and that 
it is the work for which he is particularly fitted, 
and which he finds most congenial, is undoubt- 
edly the secret of his success. He has a correct 
appreciation of the substantial and lasting, as 
well as artistic and pleasing, and with almost no 
exceptions his work has been satisfactory in all 
of its details. 

In Albany Mr. McChesney married Nancy 
Candis Conn, a native of Indiana, and sister of 
Perry Conn. Two children have been born of this 
union, Arthur Carmine and Esther May. As a 
Republican Mr. McChesney has been promi- 
nently before the public on various occasions. 
In religion he is a member and steward of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. The most desirable 
traits of the typical northwestern business man 
are embodied in Mr. McChesney, among which 
are enthusiasm for and active participation in all 
undertakings which have for their object the up- 
lifting and development of his adopted com- 
munity. 



JUDGE HIRAM M. PALMER. Entering 
upon his responsible duties as county judge of 
Linn county with a sincere desire to perform the 
obligations of his office to the satisfaction of his 
supporters and the general public, Judge Palmer 
of Albany has proved himself eminently worthy 
of the trust reposed in him, and has served the 
people with ability and fidelity. Practical, pro- 
gressive and whole-hearted, he is an esteemed 
and popular citizen, and since becoming a resi- 
dent of this section of the state has contributed 
his full share towards advancing its educational, 
political and agricultural interests. A son of 
A. F. Palmer, he was born near Batavia, Genesee 
county, N. Y., in 1849. He is a descendant of 
one of the early families of western New York, 
where his paternal grandfather, James Palmer, 



was a well-to-do lumber manufacturer and 
dealer. 

Educated for the bar, A. F. Palmer practiced 
law as a young man, but was afterwards en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits in Genesee county, 
N. Y., until 1853, when he removed to Iowa. 
Locating near the present site of the town of 
Malcom, he purchased land, and was there suc- 
cessfully engaged in general farming until his 
retirement in 1895, and is now seventy-eight 
years of age. He married Sarah J. Milliman. 
She was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., which 
was also the birthplace of her husband, being 
the daughter of Hiram Milliman, who removed 
from the Empire state to Ohio, and there spent 
his last years. Of the nine children born of 
their union, four sons and four daughters are 
living". 

The oldest child of the parental household, 
H. M. Palmer obtained his elementary education 
in the district schools, afterwards completing a 
course of study at Grinnell College, in Iowa. 
Choosing for himself the independent occupation 
to which he had been reared, he took up a home- 
stead and a tree claim, near Hastings, Adams 
county, Neb., in 1873, and subsequently added 
to his acreage by the purchase of railroad land 
until he became the owner of four hundred and 
eighty acres, which he devoted to general farm- 
ing and stock-raising. Disposing of his Ne 
braska property in 1891, Mr. Palmer came with 
his family to Oregon, locating near Albany. 
Linn county. Purchasing two hundred acres of 
land about four and one-half miles southwest of 
Albany, he has since carried on a successful busi- 
ness as a stock-raiser and dairyman, and has 
met with satisfactory results as a fruit-grower, 
having about twenty-five acres of his ranch de- 
voted to the culture of prunes. 

Taking a warm interest in the affairs of his 
adopted state and county, Mr. Palmer represented 
his district in the state legislature during the spe- 
cial session of 1898 and the regular session of 
1899, rendering excellent service. As one of the 
committee of five appointed by the legislature of 
1898 to revise the new school laws, he did much 
to advance the cause of education in this state. 
He was also active in trying to pass better and 
more stringent game laws, and although not suc- 
cessful at that time, the more important parts of 
the bill which he championed are incorporated in 
the present game laws of Oregon. Declining a 
re-election, he was nominated by the Fusionists 
for county judge, in 1900, and was elected by a 
majority of six hundred votes, running far ahead 
of his ticket, his term of office being for four 
years. Judge Palmer has since resided in Al- 
bany, among its residents attaining to a place of 
prominence.' 

Judge Palmer married, in Iowa, Miss Electa 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



485 



native of Illinois, and they arc the 

tg of six children, namely: Leslie M.: Mrs. 

Small, of Albanj : Mrs. Lola K. Junkin, 

llbam : Mrs. Nevada Alice Medin, also of 

Vrthur L. ; and Jay B. In politics 

Palmer was a Republican until after the 

I Garfield in 1880, luit has since been 

led with the Democratic party. He is an 

•itial member of the local (.range, and is 

s ut of the district council. Belonging 

to the Presbyterian Church, the judge is ruling 

elder, and was for eight years superintendent of 

the Sunday school in Riverside district. 



PETER C. ANDERSEN. Engaged in the 
lucrative business of blacksniithing and horse- 
eing, of the latter making a specialty, Peter 
\ndersen is a prominent and successful citi- 
zen of Albany, Linn county. He is not a native 
the west, nor yet of the national government 
of which he has chosen to become a citizen, for 
he was born in Denmark, in the town of Ham- 
nielev. October 17, 1857, a son of Andrus, a 
farmer in that vicinity, and Elizabeth (Petersen) 
Andersen, the latter of whom is still living. Un- 
til he was sixteen years old he remained with 
parents, engaging in the duties which such 
a life affords, and also attending the national 
school, and at that age he was apprenticed to a 
blacksmith, with whom he remained for five 
years. After one year in journeyman work he 
came, in 1879, to America, confident as to his 
ability to cope with the difficulties which he 
might encounter. 

On landing, Mr. Andersen started at once for 
1? west, stopping in the city of Chicago, 111., 
where he worked successfully at his trade for 
two years. Changing his location to Manistee, 
Mich., he spent sixteen months working at his 
trade there, before deciding to make his home on 
the Pacific slope. In 1884 he settled at The 
Dalles, Ore., and in 1885 went back to Portland, 
the next year finding him located in Linn county, 
engaged in a successful prosecution of his trade 
at Halsey. He remained there but one year, 
however, residing for a time in both Corvallis 
and Lebanon before taking up a permanent lo- 
cation in Albany, where he now makes his home, 
the date of his removal here being 1887. F° r 
three months following his settlement in Albany 
he worked at his trade alone, after which he went 
into partnership with a Mr. Huston. After buy- 
ing out the interest of his partner he erected in 
1893 his present commodious shop at the corner 
of Second and Montgomery streets, where he 
now engages in the manufacture of wagons, car- 
riages, etc.. and carries on all kinds of work per- 
taining to the duties of a blacksmith. He has 



built up a splendid trade among the farmers of 
the vicinity, and even numbers among his cus- 
tomers those at a distance of forty miles. In 
addition to bis industrial interests he has also an 
interest in the Poorman's .Mining Company, the 
mine being located at Blue River. 

The marriage of Mr. Andersen occurred in 
Albany, and united him with Miss Laura Ches- 
well, a native of England, and four children have 
been born to them, who are as follows : William 
H. ; Lloyd C. ; Edmond (1 ; and Wallace C. 
Politically Mr. Andersen is a Republican, and 
religiously is a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. Fraternally he is prominent, being 
a member of Corinthian Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is 
past noble grand and ex-representative; he is 
also a member of the Encampment, in which 
he is past chief patriarch and ex-representative ; 
and has membership with the Rebekahs, Knights 
of the Maccabees; and the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. 



WILLIAM THOMAS COLEMAN. On his 
father's donation claim near Bellevue, Yamhill 
county, Ore., William Thomas Coleman was born 
February 4, 1855, and was reared to the useful 
and fundamental occupation in which he is at 
present engaged. His father, James Coleman, 
mentioned at length in another part of this work, 
was one of the pioneers of Oregon, and during 
the many years of his active life in the west con- 
tributed his share towards its best development. 
The son accompanied his parents to Marion 
county in 1861, locating near St. Paul, where 
he was educated in the public schools, and where 
he attained twenty-three years of age. 

In the meantime Mr. Coleman had purchased 
one hundred and fifty-four acres of land near 
Champoeg, and hither took his young wife, for- 
merly Callie Orton, with whom he was united 
in marriage November 5, 1876. She is a daugh- 
ter of Ira and Martha (Burton) Orton, both de- 
ceased, who came from Gentry county, Mo., in 
1853, locating in the Chehalem valley, in Yamhill 
county. After living on this farm for a year he 
sold it and bought the one hundred and sixty 
acres which comprise his present home, and 
which had at the time sixty-five acres cleared. 
His industry has accomplished the clearing of 
one hundred and thirty acres in all, and lie is 
engaged in genera! farming and stock-raising, 
devoting fifteen acres of his land to hop culture. 
In 1891 he moved his family into one of the 
finest rural homes in this section, and his barns 
and outbuildings are in keeping with the ideas 
of a practical and very progressive agriculturist. 

Air. Coleman is a Democrat in politics, but 



48G 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



has never taken an interest in the political agi- 
tations of his neighborhood further than to cast 
his vote. He is wide-awake to all the general 
affairs by which he is surrounded, and may be 
counted on to aid financially and otherwise all 
wise efforts at improving the general welfare of 
the community. By his marriage Mr. Coleman 
became the father of one son, Raleigh, who was 
born February 4, 1881. The latter was united in 
marriage November 26, 1900, with Annie Haas, 
daughter of Joseph and Mary (Prager) Haas. 
She is a native of Melrose, Minn., and came to 
Oregon with her parents in 1893. Mr. Coleman 
bears an enviable reputation in Marion county, 
his many excellent traits of character having 
made him many friends, and surrounded him 
with well wishers. 



JOHN W. ROLAND. Marion county fig- 
ures as one of the most attractive, progressive 
and prosperous divisions of the state of Oregon, 
justly claiming a high order of citizenship and 
a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve 
consecutive development and marked advance- 
ment in the material upbuilding of the section. 
The county has been and is singularly favored 
in the class of men who have controlled its af- 
fairs in official capacity, and in this connection 
the subject of this review demands representa- 
tion as one who has served the county faithfully 
and well in positions of trust and responsibility! 
He is now serving as county clerk, to which posi- 
tion he was elected upon the Republican ticket 
in 1902. 

Mr. Roland was born in Danville, Vermilion 
county, 111., September 1, 1848, and comes of a 
family of Germa.n lineage that was established 
in Virginia many generations ago. The paternal 
grandfather was a farmer by occupation and 
died in Kentucky. David Roland, the father 
of our subject, was born in Cynthiana, Harrison 
county, Ky., and in early life became familiar 
with commercial methods in merchandising. At 
a very early date he removed to Vermilion coun- 
ty, 111., and served in the Black Hawk war of 
1832. He followed merchant tailoring in Dan- 
ville until 1852. when he brought his family, con- 
sisting of his wife and eight children, to Oregon, 
having outfitted with an ox team and other 
necessaries for the overland trip across the 
plains. They were six months upon the way, 
and while in the Cascades their stock was driven 
off and stolen, so that on their arrival in Port- 
land Mr. Roland had nothing with which to 
begin life in the northwest. Through the suc- 
ceeding winter he worked at his trade for A. 
B. Roberts, of Portland, and in 1853 he came 
to Marion county, Ore., securing a donation 
claim of three hundred and .twenty acres of wild 



timber land. After building a log cabin for 
the shelter of his family he turned his attention 
to the stock business and also to some extent fol- 
lowed his trade, making clothing for the early 
settlers. He had a good range and his attention 
was chiefly devoted to his cattle interests. In 
1871 he removed to Jefferson where he lived re- 
tired until his death, which occurred in March 
of that year, when he was seventy-one years of 
age. He was an old line Democrat, a well-in- 
formed man and a true Christian, and his upright 
life gained for him the respect and genuine re- 
gard of all with whom he was associated. He 
married Eliza Barnes, a native of Harrison 
county, Ky., and of Scotch-Irish descent. Her 
death occurred in 1889, at seventy-nine years of 
age. In their family were eight children : C. B., 
who served in the Rogue River Indian war of 
1856, and was a lieutenant in the First Oregon Vol- 
unteer Infantry in the Civil war. He carried 
on merchandising in Jefferson, Ore., was a mem- 
ber of the state legislature for one term and 
died in Marion county in 1894. Jacob resides in 
Multnomah county. Mrs. Pauline Phillips, the 
third of the family, is living in Lincoln. Wash. 
David S. died in Portland. George follows 
mining in Jackson county, Ore. Mrs. Melvina 
Worick is living in Portland. Esther is a resi- 
dent of Jefferson, and John W. completes the 
family. 

When three years of age, John W. Roland 
accompanied his parents on their removal to the 
northwest. He lived with the family upon the 
home farm, one mile from Jefferson, and pur- 
sued his education in the district school. When 
eighteen years of age he was apprenticed to 
learn the harness and saddler's trade in Salem, 
and when he had served for a term of three 
years he began business on his own account in 
Jefferson, continuing alone for a few years. In 
1878 he was joined by his brother, Charles B. 
Roland, under the firm name of C. B. Roland & 
Co., and abandoning the harness trade they es- 
tablished a general store in Jefferson. There 
our subject also served as deputy postmaster 
under his brother for twelve years, and when his 
brother died he became postmaster and continued 
in that capacity until 1895, when he resigned, 
preparatory to his removal to Salem. August 
1 of that year he was appointed chief accountant 
in the Oregon State Asylum by its board and 
under Governor Lord he held that position 
acceptably until January, 1900. He then be- 
came a fire insurance agent, representing the 
United States Fidelity & Guaranty Company of 
Baltimore, Md. In 1902 he was nominated on 
the Republican ticket for the office of county 
clerk and was elected by a majority of fifteen 
hundred, taking the oath of office on the 7th of 
July, of the same year. He is also clerk of de- 




^ 




POR I'KAI T AND I'.U IGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I Mi 



irtments numbers one and two of the circuit 

lit, and clerk oi the probate conn, in the dis- 

cha his official duties being systematic, 

' c .' and accurate, so that his course has 
won high commendation. 

Mr. Roland was married in Jefferson to Miss 
ma Reeves, who was born in California and 
1 in |efferson, Ore. They had two children: 
Iwilda, who is attending Willamette L ni- 
and Tracy. Mr. Roland was again mar- 
1 in Jefferson, his second union being with 
Miss Carrie S. Shumaker. who was born in 
Schoharie county, X. V.. a daughter of Jacob 
and Margaret (Burnett) Shumaker. who were 
also natives of the Empire state. Her parents 
moved to La Crosse county, Wis., where her 
father was engaged in building until 1888, when 
he brought his family to Oregon, settling in Jef- 
ferson. Mrs. Roland is a graduate of the high 
school and a most estimable lady, who shares 
with her husband the regard of many friends. 
She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Since 1870 Mr. Roland has been a 
member of the Odd Fellows society, having been 
initiated in Jefferson Lodge, of which he is a 
past noble grand. He is connected with the En- 
campment of Salem, of which he is past chief 
patriarch, and with the Rebekah degree, to which 
Mrs. Roland also belongs. His fraternal rela- 
tions also connect him with both the lodge and 
uniformed rank of the Knights of Pythias, and 
of the latter he has served as treasurer. He is 
a charter member of the Illihee Club, of which 
he served as secretary for three years. In poli- 
tics he has always been an active Republican. 
In his private life he is distinguished by all that 
marks a true gentleman and an upright character, 
one that subordinates personal ambition to pub- 
lic good and seeks rather to benefit his fellow- 
men than the aggrandizement of self. 



WILLIAM J. JERMAN. A very pleasant 
home just outside of Silverton is occupied by 
William J. Jerman, who has been a resident of 
Oregon since 1867, and who was formerly an 
extensive farmer and stock-raiser of Marion 
county. Mr. Jerman was born in Boone county, 
Mo., August 6, 1830. his father, Edward 
Jerman, having settled in Boone county on a 
farm formerly owned by his father-in-law, 
Thomas Turner. Edward Jerman was born in 
Madison county, Ky. Later in life he emigrated 
uri, and in 1838 returned to his native 
state, remaining there for three years. The 
western fever again overtaking him, he returned 
to Missouri, locating on a farm in Audrain 
county, where he died in 1843. at the age of 
thirty-five. He was very successful as a farmer 
an 1 stock-raiser, and though young at the time 



of his death, had accumulated six hundred acres 
of land. His wife, Lurane Turner, was also 
a native of Kentucky, and was born at Crab 
Orchard, Madison county. She became the 
mother of six children , three sons and three 
daughters, and died in Boone county, Mo., at the 
age of eighty years. 

The oldest of the children in his father's 
family, William J. Jerman was educated in the 
public schools of Missouri, and in time became 
an independent landowner in that state, pur- 
chasing a farm in 1850. He was extensively en- 
gaged in buying and selling stock, and in the 
early days used to drive cattle down to the market 
in St. Louis. Lured by the tales of gold which 
came from the coast he became interested in 
mining, and in 1863, went to California, locat- 
ing in Nevada county. After two years of fitful 
success as a miner he came to Oregon, in 1865, 
taking up land in Jackson county, where he en- 
gaged in teaming, farming, and mining. In 
1867 he removed to Lane county, Ore., and 
the following spring came to Silverton, soon 
afterward buying a farm on Howell's Prairie, con- 
sisting of one hundred acres. To this he added 
from time to time, until he had one hundred and 
fifty-eight acres, which he finally sold, buying 
another farm. This was also disposed of in due 
time, and Mr. Jerman again came to Silverton 
in 1892, with the intention of making this his 
permanent home. He bought his present home 
in Brown's addition, in 1902, and is most pleas- 
antly and conveniently located. 

In Howard county, Mo., in 1850, Mr. Jer- 
man married Martha Hilton , who was born 
August 22, 1832, in Huntsville, Randolph 
county, Mo., and daughter of Jonathan Hilton 
who was born in Madison county, Ky., and went 
to Missouri at a very early day. He was a carpen- 
ter by trade, and died in Howard county at a com- 
paratively early age. Eleven children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Jerman, the order of their birth 
being as follows : George Thomas, of Union 
county, Ore. ; Allen G., a farmer on Howell's 
Prairie; Margaret Lurane, the wife of Edward 
Adcock, of La Grande, Union county. Ore. ; 
Mary E., the wife of W. Gervis of Silverton, 
Ore. : James E., in California ; Ida and Madi- 
son B., both deceased; David Franklin and Will- 
iam LaFayette, both of Salem, Ore. : Isaac 
Newton and Samuel Wellington of Silverton. 
Mr. Jerman has also reared a grandchild, Edna, 
who is the wife of Burt Brown of Portland. 
Mr. Jerman is a man of high principle, and en- 
viable standing in the community, and has iden- 
tified himself with all forward measures requir- 
ing his support. For more than fifty years he 
has been a member and active worker in the 
Christian Church, and in political affiliation he 
belongs to the Prohibition party. 



490 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 






ISAAC STEVENS. The Stevens family is 
numerously represented in Oregon, and especial- 
ly in Marion county, where they own fine large 
farms, and represent the progress and enlighten- 
ment of western life. Every year a family re- 
union is held, thus binding more closely the ties 
of good will and uninterrupted friendship which 
are distinguishing features of the brothers and 
sisters. 

Isaac Stevens, one of the best known repre- 
sentatives of his family in Yamhill county, was 
born in Indiana March 12, 1840, a son of Hanson 
and Lavina (Wickard) Stevens, natives of In- 
diana, the former born in 1818. The family re- 
moved from the Hoosier state to Iowa in 1846, 
and in 1852, made arrangements to cross the 
plains with ox teams and wagons. Starting out 
with three wagons and twelve yoke of oxen they 
crossed the plains without any particular mis- 
hap, the Indians even causing them very little 
trouble. After six months they landed at Howell 
Prairie, in the fall of 1852, and here Mr. Stevens 
took up a donation claim of three hundred and 
eight acres about a mile and a half southwest of 
Mount Angel. After a short time, however, the 
family located for a time in Washington, from 
which state the father eventually returned to 
Marion county, where he died in 1880. His wife 
died when forty years of age, Of the nine chil- 
dren born to himself and wife all are living but 
one. 

In an effort to earn an independent livelihood 
Isaac Stevens left home when of age, working as 
a farm hand by the month. For two years also 
he followed mining and prospecting in Idaho. 
Upon again settling in Marion county, he was 
married November 9, 1865, to Catherine Ann 
McAlfresh, a native of Ohio, who came to 
Oregon with her parents in 1852. Soon after the 
couple went to live on a rented farm on Howell 
Prairie, and after three years, in 1868, bought a 
portion of his father's old donation claim, con- 
sisting of one hundred and fifty-four acres. At 
present he owns all of the claim with the ex- 
ception of the fifty acres presented to his son, 
and is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. Many modern improvements attest the 
enterprise and thrift of this well-to-do agricul- 
turist, and his home is one of the pleasantest and 
most convenient in the county. 

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Stevens, the order of their birth being as fol- 
lows : Ellis, a farmer of this county ; Vina, de 1 - 
ceased ; Ermie, the wife of Edward Bateson of 
Crook county ; Willard, a creameryman of the vi- 
cinity of Lyons ; and Millie, who is living at 
home. Although independent in politics, Mr. 
Stevens has promoted all good political conditions 
in his neighborhood, and has acceptably served as 
school director and clerk, the latter for eleven 
years. He has also been road supervisor, and 



has held other local offices within the gift of his 
fellow townsmen. As a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church Mr. Stevens has been an 
active worker for about thirty years, and is trus- 
tee of the church, also one of its most generous 
financial supporters. His farm, his character, 
and his general standing in the community, are 
consistent with reliability and substantial west- 
ern citizenship. 



HON. C. D. HARTMAN. Among the many 
men who are successfully following the vocation 
of farming in Marion county, the name of C. D. 
Hartman is entitled to especial mention. Mr. 
Hartman is known as one of the most public- 
spirited citizens of Marion county. He served 
for one term as representative in the Oregon 
state legislature, and for twelve years has been a 
member of the school board of Scott's Mills, his 
place of residence. Besides carrying on general 
farming and stock-raising, he owned and oper- 
ated a threshing machine for a number of years, 
and also at one time conducted a saw-mill. 

Mr. Hartman is a native of Marion county, 
having been born November 23, 1863, on the 
farm which is still his home, and which is a part 
of the donation claim located by his parents. He 
is a son of John and Mary (Moser) Hartman, 
the former a North Carolinian by birth, and the 
latter a native of Indiana. 

John Hartman was one of the most prominent 
men of his day in the Willamette valley. While 
still a young man he married and settled in Mis- 
souri, where he followed the plasterer's trade 
for some time at St. Joseph. In 1852 he decided 
to locate in Oregon, and accordingly crossed the 
plains in an emigrant wagon, drawn by an ox 
team, being six months on the way. On this 
trip the party of which he was a member experi- 
enced some trouble with the Indians, who at 
one time stole their cattle, which, however, they 
eventually succeeded in recovering. 

Arriving in Oregon they proceeded at once to 
Marion county, where Mr. Hartman took up a 
donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres, about six and a half miles northeast of 
the present site of Silverton, on the Silverton and 
Scott's Mills road. Upon this farm, which was 
entirely undeveloped, Mr. Hartman built a log 
hut for the use of his family. This was replaced 
later on by a more modern and substantial house, 
which he also built. For a number of years he 
engaged principally in stock-raising. Gradually, 
however, he cultivated a little more land, and 
finally carried on general farming, to which he 
devoted the later years of his life. 

John Hartman was well-known throughout 
the valley, and to know him was to be his friend. 
His popularity was attested by the fact that he 
was elected to each and every office to which he 



PORTRAIT AM) L'.KKIKAI'Llk'AL RECORD. 



491 



red, and at different times held all the minor 

within the gift of the people. He was one 

rganizers of the Grange, and for many 

ed much of his time to furthering its 

sts. He was extremely charitable, and took 

iart in the work of the church, never 

shirking his religious unties. 

[ohn Hartman and his wife became the par- 
ents of ten children. Of these, three died in in- 
fancy. Those living are the following: E. M., 
• ent of Wapinitia, Ore.; Barbara E., wife 
ph .Moore: I. V., wife of John Scott; 
lenitie: Addie, of Portland; C. D., the subject of 
'this biograph) : and H. C. The latter w^as born 
in iS< «>. and continued to reside on the home 
place until his marriage to Erne Prather. He 
then settled on the east half of the donation 
m. His farm consists of one hundred ami 
enty-four acres, and he has over one hundred 
acres under cultivation. A tract of fifteen acres 
- levoted to the production of hops, the yield 
of which in 1902 was about seventeen thousand 
pounds. Three children have been born to him 
and his wife : Floy. Rowland, deceased ; and 
Bernice. Their farm contains many fine im- 
provements, including a comfortable dwelling, 
and the family have many friends in the com- 
munity. 

G. D. Hartman received but a limited educa- 
tion, obtained by attendance at the district 
ols. He was united in marriage with Josie 
bb, a native of Illinois, who came to Oregon 
in [892. Soon after their marriage the young 
people went to housekeeping on the home place, 
where they still reside, the beloved and aged 
mother of our subject residing with them. Mr. 
Hartman has added to the home place until he 
now owns three hundred and fifty acres, one 
hundred and thirty acres of which are under 
cultivation. He carries on general farming and 
:k-raising, making a specialty of Short-horn 
cattle. A tract of about thirty acres is devoted 
to hop culture, the yield in this line alone in 1902 
being thirty-eight thousand pounds. Many mod- 
ern improvements have been added to his farm, 
which contains a convenient modern dwelling, 
with complete farm buildings. 

Fraternally Mr. Hartman affiliates with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having 
se 1 all the chairs in his lodge, and is also 
identified with the Knights of Pythias and the 
Modern Woodmen of America. He has one son, 
Earl < ;. 

Mr. Hartman has always been a Republican, 
and from the time he cast his first vote he has 
taken a more than ordinarily active interest in the 
workings of the party in Oregon. As a nominee 
of that party he was elected as representative to 
the ( )regon state legislature, and served in the 
office for one term, with distinct credit to him- 
self and his constituents. He has alwavs exhib- 



ited a keen interest in those movements which 
have been intended to promote the general wel- 
fare of the community, giving freelj of his time 
and money toward their success. Though a com- 
paratively young man. he has become widely 
known throughout the Willamette valley, chiefly 
by reason of the success which has attended his 
farming operations and the public-spirit which 
has characterized him in all his undertakings 
which were not of a private nature. He is re- 
garded as one of the most substantial and worthy 
citizens of Marion county, and his selection for 
further high public office probably will be deter- 
mined entirely by his own desires in the matter. 



NEELY J. JUDAH, who is now serving for 
the third term as city recorder of Salem, was born 
in San Francisco, December 24, 1856. The an- 
cestry of the family can be traced back through 
many generations to France, whence representa- 
tives of the name came to America. The paternal 
great-grandfather of the judge was a Jewish 
rabbi. His grandfather, Rev. Henry Judah, a 
man of broad learning and strong men- 
tality, embraced the Christian faith and be- 
came an Episcopal minister. For many years 
he resided in New York City, and there 
died. Charles D. Judah, the father of the judge, 
was born in Bridgeport, Conn., and after com- 
pleting a college course was admitted to the bar 
in New York. In that state he married Miss 
Elmira Elizabeth Smith, a native of New York 
City and a daughter of Floyd Smith, who for 
many years was vice-president of the Man- 
hattan Gas Light Company. He was a member 
of a prominent old New York family, and mar- 
ried Katherine Ritter, of Knickerbocker stock. 

In 1849, Charles D. Judah came, with his little 
family, to the Pacific coast, making the journey 
by way of Panama to San Francisco, where he 
entered upon the practice of law in partnership 
with John K. Hackett. They constituted one of 
the old and distinguished law firms of that city, 
and for many years Mr. Judah continued in suc- 
cessful practice there, but ultimately retired from 
his profession and returned to Delaware, where 
his last days were passed. He was a musician of 
exceptional ability, and was instrumental in hav- 
ing shipped around Cape Horn the first grand 
organ ever brought to the coast. This was 
erected under his supervision in Trinity Episco- 
pal Church, and for many years he served as its 
organist. Later he became organist in St. Mary's 
Catholic Cathedral, having been converted to the 
Catholic faith. 

In the family of Charles D. and Elmira E. 
(Smith) Judah were nine children, of whom 
three are living, namely: Henry R., who is 
assistant general passenger agent of the South- 



4U2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ern Pacific Railroad Company, at San Francisco ; 
Neely J., of this review, and Mrs. Florence Til- 
ton, of Victoria, British Columbia. 

Judge Judah, of this review, spent the days of 
his youth in San Francisco, and there completed 
the high school course. In boyhood he had great 
love of the sea, and in his youth he made many 
trips upon the ocean. In 1873 he entered the 
United States navy as a member of the crew of 
the Saranac, doing duty in the waters of the 
north and south Pacific. After two years' service 
he was honorably discharged, and then going 
east he again joined the navy for special duty, 
responding to a call for volunteers to aid in the 
care of yellow fever sufferers at Pensacola, Fla., 
in 1875. He was located there for over one year, 
and rose through the ranks to an official position. 
In 1876 he was again honorably discharged, and 
in that year he visited the Centennial Exposition 
in Philadelphia.' Subsequently he made his way 
southward, and at Charlotte's Harbor, Fla., he 
entered the merchant service as master of the 
schooner Richard Morgan, plying between Char- 
lotte's Harbor and Havana. This vessel was 
wrecked in the gulf, during a severe storm, the 
accident resulting largely from the faulty rigging 
of the schooner, and not from bad seamanship. 
His crew of seven men entered the life-boat with 
him and rowed sixty-eight miles to Charlotte's 
Harbor. 

Mr. Judah then passed into western Texas 
for a time, and was married, while at Sweet- 
water, to Miss Ella H. Sloper. In 1884 Mr. Ju- 
dah was elected county clerk of Nolan county, 
Tex., and after serving for two years, was re- 
elected in 1886, acting in that capacity until July, 
1887, when he resigned and removed to Los An- 
geles, Cal. While there he acted as notary public 
and searcher of records for four years. In Sep- 
tember, 1891, he arrived in Salem, acting as 
searcher of records, under Col. Harry Waters, 
for the Salem Land & Abstract Company. Later 
he resigned and became a clerk in the insurance 
office of the firm of Mitchell & Lunn, and after- 
ward became connected with the Statesman,, as its 
advertising agent ; subsequently he was a member 
of the reportorial staff, his connection with the 
journal covering six years in all. He then re- 
signed to enter upon the duties of the office of 
city recorder, to which he had been elected in 
December, 1898, on the Citizens' ticket. He was 
given an excellent majority, and that he mani- 
fested marked fidelity and capability in the dis- 
charge of the duties of the office is indicated by 
the fact that in 1900, and again in 1902, he was 
re-elected, entering upon his third term January 
6, 1903. He is also ex-officio justice of the peace 
and police judge for Salem city. 

In politics Mr. Judah is independent, with 



socialistic tendencies. He is a man fearless in 
defense of his honest convictions, unequivocal in 
his position, and no one has occasion to question 
upon which side he is to be found. While re- 
siding in Sweetwater, Tex., he was made a 
Mason in Sweetwater Lodge No. 571, A. F. & 
A. M., and by affiliation is now connected with 
Pacific Lodge No. 50, of Salem. He also holds 
relations with the Woodmen of the World, with 
the Knights of the Maccabees and the Salem 
Press Club, the Order of Lions, and formerly 
belonged to Ramona Parlor, Native Sons of the 
Golden West, of Los Angeles. He is also the 
secretary of the Greater Salem Commercial Club. 
Under the auspices of the latter club the Greater 
Salem Mid- Summer Carnival was conducted, 
lasting from June 29 to July 4, 1903. It was pro- 
nounced a thorough success, no little credit being 
due to the general manager, Mr. Judah. An en- 
terprising citizen, liberal and progressive, Mr. 
Judah is well known in his adopted city, and the 
circle of his friends is extensive. His has been 
an eventful and interesting career, and the rem- 
iniscences of his travels and experiences make 
him an entertaining conversationalist. 



NANCY W. HARRIS. The daughter and 
granddaughter of pioneers, it was natural that 
Mrs. Nancy W. Harris should have the same 
courage that made her ancestors leave their 
homes in the land of their birth, and start away 
into the wilderness to aid in the upbuilding of 
a new territory and grapple with the greater 
opportunities of a new country. Her grand- 
father, Francis Hodge, of English blood, made 
his home in North Carolina, where he married 
Miss Nancy Walker, who was of Scotch-Irish 
descent. Their son, William H. Hodge, the 
father of Mrs. Harris of this review, was born 
in Wentworth, Rockingham county, N. C, 
January 14, 1794. In 1820, he settled in San- 
gamon county, 111., having previously spent 
some time in Tennessee and Kentucky. In 
Kentucky he married Miss Rachel Wall, a na- 
tive of that state, born in Warren county, 
March 9, 1799. Their marriage occurred in 
1814, the couple being very youthful. Mr. 
Hodge spent his years engaged in tilling the 
soil, though for four years, from 1827 to 1831, 
he served as sheriff of Tazewell county, 111. 
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Hodge, of whom Margaret Robinson is de- 
ceased; Nancy W. Harris is the subject of 
this review, and was born in Sangamon 
county, 111., November 26, 1821 ; Andrew met 
his death in the Mexican war; Newton lives 
in McLean county, 111. ; Mary J. Hill makes 
her home in California ; William lives in Mc- 



V 




c&^^y. //^k2^^ 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RED >RD. 



4U5 



I can county, 111.: James resides in the same 
•i : and Harriot Woodworth lives in 
ington, III. The father and mother both 
ed in McLean county, to which they had 
at an early day, mention being made of 
them as among the first settlors of that county. 
cy VV. Hodge married Hugh C. Harris, 
\vh>> was horn in Athens county, Ohio, December 
1S1S. the son of Francis Harris. The Har- 
- family settled early in Delaware county, 
Ind., and there Hugh C. grew to manhood and 
1 in farming. When twenty-one years 
he left home, and coming to Illinois, 
he settled in McLean county in the neighbor- 
hood oi the Hodge farm, where he engaged in 
farming for himself. April 7, 1840, occurred 
the marriage of Nancy W. Hodge and Hugh 
Harris, the two making their home in Illi- 
nois until 1853. when they decided to try their 
unes on the western slope of the Lnited 
both having the pioneer principles firm- 
ly implanted in their lives. They commenced 
the journey March 18, 1853, from the home 
place in McLean county, bound for Oregon. 
They started with twenty-two head of cattle, . 
but on their arrival at Eola September 18 of 
the same year they had but eleven. The same 
winter they bought a farm near Rickreall, 
Polk county, where they continued to live 
for five years, at the end of which time they 
traded for their present place, a farm of one 
hundred and ninety acres located at Oak 
e. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Harris are as follows: William H.. deceased; 
dariam Allen, of Salem ; Emmeline Hannah, 
of Salem ; Charles, deceased ; Elizabeth Heise, 
on an adjoining farm ; Scott, of Spokane, 
Wash.: Belle Putnam, of Gilliam county; 
Mary Chitwood, deceased; Emerson, at home; 
)llie Goodnough, of Portland ; and Andrew, of 
ifornia. Five of the children were born in 
their Illinois home. 

The death of Mr. Harris. April 27, 1888, was 
a much regretted occurrence, he being acciden- 
tally killed while on the road to Rickreall with 
a load of produce. He had always been a 
prominent man in the community, taking an 
intelligent interest in the affairs of the day, 
serving as road supervisor and in various school 
offices for several years. He was a Republi- 
can in politics. Religiously he belonged to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Oak Grove, 
where Mrs. Harris still holds membership. 



EDWARD HIRSCH. one of the representa- 
tive citizens of Oregon, has held manv offices of 
public trust and has been found loyal and efficient 
because he is an honorable business man and be- 



cause of a social, genial nature which is quick 
to recognize true worth in others. Everywhere 
these qualities have won for him warm regard, 
ami it is safe to say that lew nun in I Iregon have 
111. >re friends than has Edward Flirsch, who is 
now postmaster at Salem. He has been a resi- 
dent of this state since 1858. His father was 
Sampson Flirsch and in the family were ten 
children, who came to the new world, while six 
of the number became residents of Oregon. In 
the year 1854 Leopold -Hirsch arrived in this 
state and after engaging in merchandising in 
Portland for a time, followed a similar pursuit 
in Salem, where his death occurred. In 1856 
J. B. Hirsch arrived in Salem, where he carried 
on merchandising until his death. In 1856 Mayer 
Hirsch likewise arrived in this city and was an 
enterprising merchant here until his life's labors 
were ended. In 1858 Solomon and Edward 
Hirsch came to this state, the former settling 
in Portland. In 1864, Mrs. Herman, a sister, 
also arrived in Portland. 

Edward Hirsch was born May 3, 1836, in 
Hohebach, Wurtemberg, Germany, and when 
only nine years of age was left an orphan. He 
then left his native village and went to Esslingen, 
where he resided for five years, during that time 
acquiring a good common-school education. At 
the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to a mer- 
chant in Giebelstadt, Bavaria, where he remained 
for four years, and in 1855 he sailed for America, 
attracted by the business possibilities and oppor- 
tunities of the new world. Manassa and Bern- 
hard Hirsch, his brothers, had previouslv located 
in New York, where they were engaged in mer- 
chandising. As a passenger on the sailing- ves- 
sel Splendid, Edward Hirsch left Havre, France, 
in 1855 and after a vovage of fortv-two davs 
reached Xew York City. Soon afterward, how- 
ever, he went to Sheakleyville. Mercer county. 
Pa., where he was engaged in clerking, receiving 
about $75 per year in remuneration for his serv- 
ices. He then went to Griffin, Ga., where he ob- 
tained a salary of $200 per vear. and later at 
Macon, Ga., he was paid $300 per vear. In 1858 
he accompanied his brother Solomon to Oregon 
by way of the Xew York route and the Isthmus 
of Panama, the fare being $200. They left Xew 
York in March as passengers in the Star of the 
West, which took them to Aspinwall. and from 
there they sailed on the Golden Age to San Fran- 
cisco, where, upon the steamer Pacific, they came 
to Portland and in April, 1858, Mr. Flirsch, of 
this review, arrived in Salem. * He had practically 
no capital, but he had good credit, and under 
the firm name and style of E. & S. Hirsch he and 
his brother Solomon opened a general mercantile 
store at Dallas. Polk county, the place then con- 
taining a population of about one hundred. 
After two years spent at that place the brothers 



4'.KJ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



returned to Silverton, Marion county, where they 
opened a general mercantile store and remained 
there four years, at the end of which time they 
disposed of their enterprise and dissolved the 
partnership. Solomon Hirsch then went to Port- 
land, while Edward Hirsch came to Salem. In 
1863 he formed a business connection whereby 
he acted as a salesman for his brothers until 
1866. In the meantime he had become interested 
in the Eagle Woolen Mills Company at Browns- 
ville, and in that year removed to Brownsville 
in order to become manager of the mills, which 
he conducted until 1868. 

In that year Mr. Hirsch was married in Salem 
and returned to this city to make his home. Here 
he engaged in general merchandising as a mem- 
ber of the firm of Herman & Hirsch, a connec- 
tion that was maintained continuously and suc- 
cessfully for ten years, or until his election to the 
office of state treasurer in 1878. He was nom- 
inated upon the Republican ticket and elected by 
a majority of eleven hundred, the highest major- 
ity given to any candidate on the ticket ; in fact, 
the candidate for governor was defeated, but Mr. 
Hirsch's election was the beginning of Repub- 
lican successes in the state and many a victory 
has his party since enjoyed. He took the oath 
of office in September, 1878, and filled the posi- 
tion so acceptably and honorably that in 1882 
he was re-nominated and re-elected, receiving a 
greatly increased majority, numbering about five 
thousand. He then served until January, 1887, 
a law having been passed to end the term of office 
in that month. He left the position not only 
with the confidence and respect which was given 
him when he entered it, but also with the com- 
mendation of the public. When he took the oath 
of office the state was $1,000,000 in debt and the 
taxes were seven mills on the dollar. At the 
close of his second term, owing to his capable 
control of the finances, the state was not only 
free from all indebtedness, but had met all cur- 
rent expenses, had erected a number of public 
buildings, including the state capitol and the 
insane asylum, the taxes had been reduced to less 
than two mills on the dollar and he turned over 
to his successor one-half million dollars in gold 
coin. This is the best record in the financial his- 
tory of Oregon. 

Mr. Hirsch subsequently retired to private life, 
but his fellow citizens were not content that he 
should remain out of office and in 1890 he was 
chosen state senator, serving in the sessions of 
1 89 1 and 1893. During that time he was in- 
strumental in securing the passage of the bill 
for the completion of the state capitol and for in- 
stituting its heating and plumbing systems. His 
efforts resulted in the passage of other measures 
which proved of great public benefit, and in 1893 
he was chairman of the important ways and 



means committee. In August, 1898, Edward 
Hirsch was appointed by President McKinley to 
the position of postmaster of Salem, taking the 
office August 15 of that year. In July, 1902, he 
was reappointed by President Roosevelt, so that 
he is now serving his second term. In March. 
1903, the postal department of Salem was es- 
tablished in new offices. Under the adminis- 
tration of Mr. Hirsch, which has been practical 
and progressive, the postoffice receipts have been 
greatly increased, the business of the office has 
been systematized and extended and there are 
now nine different rural routes delivered from 
this office and five city delivery routes. In other 
local affairs Mr. Hirsch has been prominent and 
for three terms he has served as a member of the 
city council of Salem. In 1876 he was chairman 
of the Republican County Central Committee and 
throughout the years of his residence here he has 
been untiring in his efforts to promote the growth 
and insure the success of Republican principles. 
In 1868 Mr. Hirsch was married to Miss Nettie 
Davis, who was born in Prussia, and in 18C7, 
with her parents, became a resident of Browns- 
ville, Linn county, Ore. To Mr. and Mrs. Hirsch 
were born seven children : Ella E. ; Lulu, now 
Mrs. Byron Loomis ; Guy; Maude, Mrs. Edwin 
McMahill, of Dayton, Ohio; Gertrude; Meyer, 
and Leona, all residents of Salem. Mr. Hirsch 
belongs to Chemeketa Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F., 
of which he is past noble grand, and to Willam- 
ette Encampment, of which he is the past chief 
patriarch. He is also a member of Illihee Club. 
His record is indeed an honorable one and re- 
flects credit upon his native land and his adopted 
country. The pursuit of wealth has not been 
his sole object in life and, though he has pros- 
pered, he has yet found time and opportunity 
to aid his state to faithfully discharge the duties 
of high official positions and to throw around 
him much of the sunshine of life which comes 
from a genial nature, a kindly disposition, from 
deference for the opinion of others and from a 
recognition of the worth of those with whom he 
has been brought in contact. 



WILLIAM M. HILLEARY, one of the influ- 
ential and public-spirited farmers of the vicinity 
of Turner, Marion county, was born in Des 
Moines county, Iowa, February 21, 1840, and 
was reared on a typical middle west farm. His 
father, James Hilleary, was born near Winches- 
ter, Va., in 1814, and was reared principally in 
Kentucky, to which state his father, Francis, 
removed from his native state of Maryland at a 
very early day. When eighteen years of age, 
James Hilleary removed with his parents to San- 
gamon county, 111., settling on a farm, from 
which they removed the next year, in 1833, locat- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



4!»; 



near Burlington, Iowa. There the grand- 
er look up government land, and spent the 
ler of his life, dying in 1844. In [837, 

Hilleary married Nanc) .Morris, who was 
- North Carolina January 1. 1819. and 
s >till living on the old farm near Burling- 
Twelve children were horn to this couple, 
order of their birth being as follows: James 
- Moines county, Iowa; William M., of 
•1; Mary J., wife of VV. P. Perry, residing 
11 the vicinity of Burlington, Iowa; George, liv- 
1:1 Des Moines county. Iowa: Thomas, de- 
Sarah, who died when young; Lydia, 
. ceased : Irene, the wife of James O. Beebe, 
1 Des Moines county, Iowa; Margaret E.. liv- 
:h her mother; Roger W., living on a farm 
- London. Iowa; Etta, the deceased wife of 
tarles Moffit, of Los Angeles, Cal., and Henry 
M.. who carries on farming near the old home 
in Iowa. Mr. Hilleary was seventy-five years 
old at the time of his death, and for many years 
he had been a member of the Baptist Church, 
contributing liberally towards its support. 

In his youth William M. Hilleary worked hard 
on the paternal farm, yet managed to acquire a 
fair common school education. That he started 
out in life practically without means was evident 
from the fact that he worked his way across the 
plain> in 1861, driving ox teams and making 
mself generally useful. Arriving in Nevada, 
he went from there to California, reaching Ore- 
in the fall of 1861. In the meantime his 
uncle, William Morris, had located on a farm 
near Turner, Marion county, and hither the 
youth repaired and remained for the winter, 
-ting his relative with the work around the 
farm. In the spring of 1862 he went to the 
nines around Florence. Idaho, returning to 
Marion county in August, 1862. The following 
r he rented his uncle's ranch near Turner, 
and n 1863 helped to build a flouring mill at 
ille. Realizing his lack of educational op- 
portunity in the earlier days, he began to study 
and improve himself generally, and after taking 
a course at the Santiam Academy at Lebanon, 
1 in school teaching in Linn county in the 
summer of 1864. 

In December. 1864. Mr. Hilleary enlisted in 
lpany 1". First Oregon Infantry, for frontier 
service, and after six months spent at Camp Hos- 
kins. was ordered to Vancouver, Wash., and 
was afterward stationed in the barracks at Walla 
Walla. Wash., and Boise City, Idaho. In May, 
i8f>f>. he returned to Walla Walla, and was dis- 
charged at Vancouver, July 21. 1866, having 
been in the service nineteen months, and having 
attained to the rank of corporal. Returning to 
Linn county. Ore., he taught school until the 
spring of 1868, and that year bought the farm 
upon which he has since lived. In August, 1867, 



he was united in marriage with Irene L. Cor- 
nelius, who was horn November 13, 1847, a 
daughter of (ieorge Cornelius, one of the early 
pioneers of Oregon. The father of the latter, 
Absalom Cornelius, had a good common school 
education, was of a progressive mind, and was 
noted for his honesty and uprightness of charac- 
ter. He was chosen by the Indians as arbitrator 
in their difficulties in Oregon, and his decision 
was always abided by. He never had an enemy, 
and was temperate in his habits. Owning a good 
farm, and meeting with success in his undertak- 
ings, he was enabled to give all his children a 
start in life. Three children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Hilleary, of whom Clara A., born 
August 24, 1868, became the wife of H. L. Earl, 
a hardware merchant of Turner. Mrs. Earl, 
who died May 14, 1903, was an influential mem- 
ber of the local Grange and of the Presbyterian 
Church, and was an artist of no mean merit. She 
was universally beloved and her death was deeply- 
mourned. Homer E., born July 14, 1870, is a 
locomotive engineer of the Southern Pacific 
Railway, and a resident of Ashland, Ore. ; and 
Lloyd E., born April 12, 1885, is living at home. 
For four years Mrs. Hilleary was editor of the 
Oregon department of the Pacific Rural Press, 
the official organ of the Grange, and was the 
first to memorize the master's work and lectures 
of the local Grange. For several years she served 
as an officer in the State Grange, as well as in 
the local organization. Her religious affiliation 
is with the Christian Scientists. 

The Hilleary farm consists of two hundred 
acres of bottom land, splendidly improved, and 
adapted to various purposes. An extensive gen- 
eral farming, stock-raising and dairy business is 
carried on, all of which departments net their 
enterprising owner a good yearly income. As a 
promoter of Republican politics in Marion count\ 
Mr. Hilleary has had few more active contempo- 
raries. He has been on the school board for 
many vears, has served as justice of the peace 
for twelve years, and has been judge of elections. 
The present prosperity of the Turner Grange is 
largely due to his interest in its welfare in the 
earlv davs, and to his continued effort to enlarge 
its sphere of usefulness since he became a char- 
ter member in 1873. At present he is identified 
with Surprise Grange No. 233, and was master 
of the State Grange from 1896 until 1900. having 
previously served as assistant steward of the 
same, as steward, master and secretary. He was 
also a member of the state legislative committee 
of the State Grange. In his official capacity with 
the State Grange, he and his wife have visited 
all parts of the country, as delegates to the na- 
tional body. He served as regent of Oregon 
Agricultural College of Corvallis four years. He 



498 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



is also a member of Sedgwick Post No. 10, G. A. 
R., of Salem. 

The entire career of Mr. Hilleary has been 
characterized by strict attention to the many du- 
ties which have entered into his daily life, and 
his success is due to his unflagging energy, enter- 
prise and integrity. Those who know him best 
acknowledge him to possess a character above re- 
proach. On numerous occasions he has exhib- 
ited a high public spirit and an earnest desire to 
do all in his power for the promotion of those 
movements calculated to advance the best inter- 
ests of Marion county. He takes broad views of 
affairs in general, and has become firmly estab- 
lished as a useful and progressive man of affairs. 
The record of his life should prove a source of 
inspiration to the youth of the present generation 
who start upon their careers no better equipped 
than he, as well as a source of great pride to the 
members of his family. 



JOHN SAPPINGFIELD. In the death of 
John Sappingfield, which occurred on his farm 
eight miles east of Salem, March 8, 1903, Mar- 
ion county lost one of its oldest and most 
highly esteemed pioneer inhabitants. Mr. 
Sappingfield was born in Davis county, N. C , 
November 25, 1809, when even the eastern 
states were in their infancy, and at a period 
when the great " Oregon country " was a wil- 
derness practically unknown to the civilized 
world. When he was a year old his parents, 
George and Catherine (Myers) Sappingfield, 
moved to southern Indiana, then regarded as 
far " out west," settling in Harrison county, 
where they lived upon a farm most of the 
time. In the course of time they removed to 
Parke county, that state, and about 1833 moved 
still further westward into Iowa. In the latter 
state they devoted their energies to farming in 
Des Moines and Monroe counties until 1847, 
when they removed to Davis county and took 
up a tract of land under the homestead laws of 
the country. 

John Sappingfield had remained with the 
family in their various locations until they 
decided to settle in Davis county, Iowa, when 
he determined to seek his own fortune inde- 
pendently. May 27, 1838, he married Mary 
Hagey, a native of the same county in North 
Carolina which witnessed his own birth, and 
who had been brought by her parents to Des 
Moines county, Iowa. The young people felt 
the spirit of their fathers strongly exercised 
within themselves, and when the parents of 
Mr. Sappingfield finally decided to make Davis 
county their home, he and his bride concluded 
to seek an improvement in their fortunes in 
the great northwest, of whose wonderful re- 



sources they had heard so many tales from the 
lips of travelers who had visited Oregon Ter- 
ritory. 

With their hearts fired by a most laudable 
ambition, they therefore set forth, in 1847, 
leaving the associations of their childhood and 
youth behind them, but with their minds fully 
made up to brave any and all dangers which 
might confront them, and to remain true to 
their purpose of assisting in laying the founda- 
tion of a great commonwealth in the land be- 
yond the mountains. They started across the 
plains with two wagons, three yoke of oxen 
to each, accompanied by their family of three 
children, following the trail known in those 
days as the " middle route." After a long and 
wearisome journey of six months they arrived 
in Oregon, coming at once to Marion county, 
the destination of many of the far-seeing farm- 
ers who had emigrated from the east. Here 
Mr. Sappingfield almost immediately rented 
some land on the old Edmundson claim. This 
was in the fall of 1847. Subsequently he pur- 
chased the right to a donation claim located 
about eight miles east of Salem, which he re- 
garded as the most fertile of the available land 
in the county. In the spring of 1848, he erect- 
ed on this property a log house of one room, 
its site being the same plot of ground where 
he afterward built one of the most commodious 
homes of the day. Without any unnecessary 
delay he began the improvement of the land, 
and in the fall of that year brought his family 
to their new home, where he spent the re- 
mainder of his life. 

From time to time Mr. Sappingfield was able, 
with the accumulation of years, to increase his 
landed possessions. His first step in this di- 
rection consisted of taking up six hundred and 
forty acres, about eighty acres of which was 
in prairie and the remainder in timber and 
small brush. To clear this land and prepare it 
for the fruits of the harvest time presented a 
herculean task, but it was not gigantic enough 
to daunt the sturdy and determined owner, 
who at once applied himself to the work with 
energy. During the years he devoted himself 
to the undertaking, he succeeded in making it 
one of the finest and most productive pieces 
of property in Marion county, and, indeed, in 
the entire Willamette valley. At the time of 
his death Mr. Sappingfield was the possessor 
of three hundred and twenty acres of the orig- 
inal donation claim, upon which they settled in 
1848, and on which he erected three substan- 
tial houses. To his honor it is to be said that 
he assisted materially in the construction of 
nearly all the roads in the neighborhood of 
his home. 

Side by side with this venerable man stood 













/u^t^ ~^3^ 



rORTK \l r \M> I'-lt (GRAPHICAL REC< >\<\h 



Mil 



his equally faithful wife, now in her eighty- 
fourth year, the couple forming, during the lat- 
ter years of their lives together, almost the last 
link with a historic and romantic past. Their 
k>ng ami useful life together was peculiarly 
I'hev accumulated an abundance of 
worldly goods and innumerable friends, and 
their recollections of more than a half century 
<>f life in the northwest enriched every passing 
Their union has been blessed with the 
g children: William, a prominent resi- 

I of the state of Washington ; Louisa, de- 
George, deeeased; Amanda, wife of J. 
r. King, a resident of Marion county; John W., 
deeeased : Henry A., a farmer of Marion county; 
and 1'harles. The last-named son married 
Mary E. Given, in September, 1892, and the 
young couple make their home on the farm oc- 
cupied for so many years by their parents, the 
same having been given over to their manage- 
ment. 

Thus is told, though necessarily in brief outline, 
the story of the career of one of the worthy found- 

>f tlie empire of the northwest. His business 

.city, his integrity of character, and his splen- 
did personality, supplemented by his appreciation 
of the early possibilities of this region of the 
country, render his record one that will endure 

1 monument to the important part he bore 
in the development of one of the most favored 
agricultural localities in the whole world. 



URIAH WHITNEY. Various enterprises 
in Marion county have enlisted the interest of 
Uriah Whitney, a pioneer of 1858, and at pres- 
ent living on a finely cultivated and profitable 
farm near Stayton. Mr. Whitney was born on 
a farm near Lewiston, Androscoggin county, 
Me., March 23, 1834, a son of Thomas and 
Naomi (Eaton) Whitney. When six years of 
age he was taken by his parents to St. Clair 
county. 111., where his father combined his 
trade of brick mason with general farming. 
After the death of his mother in 1842, he was 
taken to the home of Robert Higgins, a pros- 
perous and prominent farmer residing in St. 
Clair county, with whom he found a pleasant 
home and excellent guardianship. Upon at- 
taining the age of twenty-one years he received 
from Mr. Higgins the sum of $150. Thereafter 
he remained with his friend, who was almost 
a tather to him, for two years, receiving in re- 
turn for services rendered Si 10 per year. This 
seemed a large amount to the farmer youth of 
that day, and young Whitney was no exception 
to the rule in this respect. After leaving the 
employ of Mr. Higgins he worked for various 
other farmers in the neighborhood, and by 1858 



had quite a sum of money saved up. In the 
meantime he had determined to better lus con- 
dition, if possible, by taking an early advantage 
of the wellnigh boundless opportunities of- 
fered by the great west and its almost fabulous 
resources. Therefore, in 1858, he started upon 
his journey for Oregon, going by way of 
New York City, where he embarked aboard the 
ship Washington, bound for Graytown, and 
thence to Aspinwall. Crossing the Isthmus 
of Panama, he re-embarked on another steamer 
bound for San Francisco. But in order to do 
so, he was obliged to borrow $50 to pay for 
his ticket, the preceding stages of the voyage 
having used up about all his money. 

December 24, 1858, he arrived in Marion 
county, with practically no capital excepting 
his health, energy and ambition to succeed in 
life. The first year he worked in a sawmill 
and gristmill, for which he received the sum 
of $330. After working on a farm for W. M. 
McKinney for a year he was employed by 
other farmers. In 1861 he drove a herd of cat- 
tle across the mountains to Umatilla, for stock- 
dealers, and in 1862 embarked in a mining ven- 
ture near Florence, Idaho, to which region he 
traveled with two pack-horses. The extent of 
his success in this venture may be judged 
when it is stated that instead of driving that 
team home he was compelled to make his way 
back afoot, a sadder and wiser man. 

Upon returning to Marion county Mr. 
Whitney sought to recoup his losses by work- 
ing upon farms. After saving some money in 
this way, he embarked in a general merchandis- 
ing business in Aumsville with W. H. Darby, 
continuing thus for five years, and making a 
success of the business. After disposing of his 
interest to E. E. McKinney in the spring of 
1871, he bought his present farm of four hun- 
dred and twenty acres for $10 per acre. Hav- 
ing thus assured himself of a home, he re- 
turned the same year to Maine, where he was 
married to Martha T. Whitney. Returning 
with his young wife to the farm just pur- 
chased, he resided there for two years, and 
then engaged in the mercantile business with 
the Hon. W. H. Hobson at Stayton. Upon 
selling his interest in this business he estab- 
lished a store at Aumsville with the same part- 
ner. After disposing of that he removed to 
Stayton and erected the property now known 
as the Gardner Flouring Mills. At the same 
time he started another general merchandise 
store at Stayton, and ,while managing both 
these enterprises became prominently identi- 
fied in other ways with the best interests of 
the community. Misfortune overtook him in 
1878, when the store wes destroyed by fire. 
Soon afterward he traded the flouring mills for 



^02 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



six hundred and forty acres of land situated in 
the Waldo Hills. After living on the new 
property for a year, he took his family on a 
visit of four months to Maine, spending a 
most delightful time among the scenes of his 
childhood. Returning to his farm in the Waldo 
Hills, he lived there for another year, and 
then returned to his original farm of four hun- 
dred and twenty acres, purchased at the time 
of his marriage in 1871, and upon which he is 
now making his home. Since locating there 
he has spent about eight years in Stay ton, 
where he owned and operated a general store 
with W. W. Elder; but in 1899 he took up his 
permanent abode where he now resides, and 
here he is conducting general farming and 
stock-raising. 

Five children have been born into the family 
of Mr. and Mrs. Whitney. Lillie is the wife 
of Thomas E. Worley of Albany, Ore., and is 
the mother of four children : Byron Uriah, 
Sherman, Augusta and Frederick ; Lena C. is 
the wife of Frank Sylhaven of Stayton, and 
has a daughter, Pearl Naomi Shafer ; Martha 
N., Laura and Henrietta are deceased. 

Mr. Whitney cast his first presidential vote 
for James Buchanan, and ever since has been 
a staunch supporter of the Democratic party. 
He has never sought for public office though 
he served fox two years as mayor of Stayton, 
for one year was councilman, and for one year 
was treasurer. Fraternally he was originally 
associated with Pearl Lodge, A. F. & A. M., 
of Turner, of which he was a charter member, 
and is now a member of Santiam Lodge No. 
25, at Stayton. To him is due the distinction 
of having been treasurer of the Masonic lodge 
for twenty-five consecutive years. 

No man in Marion county has a more en- 
viable reputation for personal worth, probity 
and sound business judgment than Mr. Whit- 
ney. At all times he has striven to make his 
daily life an exemplification of the Golden 
Rule, which has been the cardinal principle of 
his religion. He has found many opportunities 
to benefit his fellowmen by sound advice and 
offers .of assistance of a more practical and 
substantial nature, and he has never been 
known to oppose the progress of any project 
intended to develop the resources of the Wil- 
lamette valley or to enhance its standing as 
one of the most desirable places of residence 
in the world. His long years of residence in 
the state and the success which has attended 
his efforts in many lines of endeavor consti- 
tute a career worthy of appreciation and emu- 
lation. The young men of the present gener- 
ation may well regard the brief record of his 
life here presented as a model for their guid- 
ance ; for honesty of purpose, integrity of 



character, perseverance, industry and a single- 
ness of determination toward the goal of hon- 
orable success have been the principles which 
have formed the foundation of his entire 
career. 



CHARLES H. BURCH. No history' of 
Yamhill county would be complete without 
mention of Charles H. Burch, who is a vener- 
able and honored citizen and has resided in 
this state since 1844. Great have been the 
changes which have occurred in this period and 
wonderful the development, and Mr. Burch has 
ever manifested a deep and active interest in 
public progress and improvement. He was 
born in Sheridan county, Mo., and was but two 
years of age at the time of his mother's death. 
His father was a physician and in the family 
were five children. Our subject remained at 
home until ten years of age, when his father 
died, and from that time until his sixteenth 
year he resided with his father's parents, ac- 
quiring his early education in the district school 
and afterward pursuing a course of study in 
the high school at Keytesville, Mo. At the 
age of sixteen he made a long and difficult 
journey across the plains, joining an emigrant 
train. He rode a mule and continued with the 
train until he reached Fort Bridger, Wyo., 
when he left the party with which he had trav- 
eled and came on into Oregon, being the first 
white emigrant to land in Oregon City. Set- 
tling first at Salem, he remained until 1846, 
when he went to California, and while there 
he enlisted in Company A, of the California 
Mounted Riflemen, under command of Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel John C. Fremont, later General, 
for service upon the frontier. While in Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Fremont's Company, at San 
Miguel, Cal., he was detailed with another 
man, named Ryan, to arrest a spy, and Mr. 
Burch made the arrest alone at Mission San 
Miguel. The spy was tried by court martial, 
found guilty and shot by Colonel Fremont's 
order. Mr. Burch was mustered in at Sacra- 
mento and with his regiment went to Old 
Monterey and afterward to Los Angeles, where 
he was mustered out, having served for sev- 
eral months. He then returned to Sacramento, 
where he followed mining and prospecting and 
for some time in connection with another man 
he made all of the saddles used by General 
Kearney. About 1840 he purchased a farm in 
the vicinity of Marysville, Cal., on which he 
lived for about two years and then sold that 
property, returning to Yamhill county, Ore., 
where he took up a donation claim of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres. He still owns a part of 



PORTRAIT \\'l> BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



>03 



this and tlio property is conveniently and pleas- 
ated about two miles east of Amity. 
In 1S51 Mr. Burch was united in marriage 
ss Phebe Buffum, a native of Illinois, 
ne with her parents to the northwest in 
Mr. and Mrs. Burch began their domes- 
life upon the donation claim and here they 
sided continuously since. They had thir- 
n children: Hiram, who is living in Crook 
it\ . ( 're. ; Jane, at home : Clay, who makes his 
me in McMinnville ; Charles H., who resides 
in Amity; Ann. who is living- in Newburg; 
>rgia, a resident of Dayton, Ore.; Idress, 
Louisa and Victoria, all at home; and four 
who died in infancy. 

At the present time Mr. Burch owns and 
operates two hundred and eighty-five acres of 
rich and arable land and is carrying on general 
farming and stock-raising, making a specialty 
of Durham cattle. He has made all of the 
improvements upon his place and now has a 
well developed farm equipped with good build- 
ings and all modern accessories, and for sev- 
eral years in connection with his farm work 
he followed the carpenter's trade. 

In his political views Mr. Burch has been 
a stalwart Democrat since casting his first 
presidential vote. He is regarded as one of 
the prominent and influential residents of this 
portion of Oregon and at one time he was one 
of the most extensive farmers of Yamhill 
county. His capability and his fitness for lead- 
ership led to his selection for legislative hon- 
and in 1878 he was chosen to represent his 
district in the state senate. In 1884 he was 
elected for a second term, at both times over- 
coming a large Republican majority, a fact 
which indicates his personal popularity and 
the confidence and trust reposed in him by 
those with whom he has long been associated. 
Few men can claim the distinction of having 
arrived in Oregon in 1844. but this honor is 
due Mr. Burch, and since that time he has 
spent the greater part of his life in this state, 
-ting in the work which has brought Yam- 
hill county forth from its pioneer environment 
to its present state of progress and importance. 
He is a man whose intrinsic worth of character 
is widely recognized, and with pleasure we 
present to our readers this record of his career. 



COL. A. B. GILLIS. M. D.. surgeon-general 
of the Oregon National Guard, and one of the 
most distinguished specialists in the treatment 
iseases of the eye. ear. nose and throat in 
the state, now makes his home in Salem, where 
he has been engaged in the practice of his pro- 
fession since 1893. He was born in Strathal- 
byn, May 15, 1854. a son of Malcolm and Hat- 



tie (Mathison) (iillis. His father was bom in 
Rothsay, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, a son of 
Col. Malcolm (iillis, who was an officer in the 
British army ami saw service in India and on 
the continent. I pon leaving his native coun- 
try Malcolm Gillis, Jr., became a resident of 
Prince Edward Island, where he followed the oc- 
cupation of farming. In his religion he was a 
devoted member of the Presbyterian faith, fol- 
lowing the inclination of his forefathers for 
many preceding generations. His wife was 
born on the island of Arran, off the coast of 
Scotland. Her father occupied official posts 
under the government for several years, and 
spent his entire life in Scotland, where his 
death occurred. Malcolm Gillis, father of Col. 
A. B. Gillis, died in Charlottetown in 1884, and 
his widow is still living there. They were the 
parents of six sons and two daughters. 

The subject of this review, the second 
youngest child in the family, is the only one 
residing in the United States. After being 
graduated from the Charlottetown normal 
school his inclination led him to ship aboard a 
merchant vessel, and for two years he was en- 
gaged in the East Indian trade. He signed in 
the capacity of supercargo, sailing under Cap- 
tain Steward. During his voyages he visited 
Calcutta, Madras and the most important ports 
of China and Japan. Upon the expiration of 
his two years' service upon the sea he engaged 
in educational Avork in Ontario, continuing to 
follow the profession of teaching for several 
years. In the meantime he began the study 
of medicine under the direction of Dr. Hark- 
ness of Dundas, Ontario, and afterward entered 
the literary department of Victoria University 
at Coburg. Subsequently he matriculated in 
the Royal Medical College, from which he re- 
ceived the degrees of M. D. and C. M. in 1888. 

In the meantime, in 1885, his studies had 
been interrupted by the outbreak of the dis- 
turbances in the Canadian northwest known 
in history as the Louis Riel Rebellion, in 
which he served as second lieutenant in com- 
pany D, P. W. R.. until the close of the insur- 
rection. After having received an honorable 
discharge he resumed his preparation for a 
medical career. From 1885 to l &&7 he occu- 
pied the position of demonstrator of anatomy 
in the Royal Medical College and graduated 
with the highest honors a surgeon in the 
Kingston General Hospital in 1888. In the 
winter of 1891 he occupied the post of house 
surgeon in the Royal London Ophthalmic Hos- 
pital. In 1892 he pursued a soccial course of 
study in the Xew York Post Graduate School, 
devoting his researches there to diseases of 
the eye, ear, nose and throat. In 1898 he pur- 
sued studies along the same lines in the Chi- 



504 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College, lie 
also studied in Vienna under Professors Polit- 
zer and Schnitzler. 

Dr. Gillis maintained an office in Truro, 
Nova Scotia, until 1890. After his return, in 
1893, from his studies in the principal medical 
centers of Europe, he located in Salem, where 
he has been continuously engaged in practice 
for ten years, devoting especial attention to 
those diseases for which he has thoroughly 
prepared himself. He is located in the Bush 
building, and has an extensive and lucrative 
practice, which is constantly growing in im- 
portance. 

In 1890 Dr. Gillis .married Anna Marie 
Krebs, cousin of the famous concert pianiste, 
Marie Krebs. Like her cousin, Mrs. Gillis has de- 
voted her entire life to music, her musical edu- 
cation being completed abroad. While in Ber- 
lin she studied under Karl Klindworth. In 
Vienna she had the distinguished honor of 
being accepted by Theodore Leschetizky. 

At their home Dr. and Mrs. Gillis dispense a 
lavish hospitality, both having a large and ap- 
preciative circle of friends in Salem. Dr. Gillis 
is popular in the Masonic fraternity. He was 
made a member of the craft in Arcadia Lodge 
No. 4, and is now identified with Salem Lodge 
No. 4, A. F. & A. M.; Royal Arch Chapter 
No. 7, of Salem; De Molay Commandery No. 5, 
of which he is Past Eminent Commander ; Al 
Kader Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of 
Portland, and has taken all the Scottish Rite 
degrees up to and including the thirty-second. 
He was made an Odd Fellow in Ontario, and 
is a charter member of the Benevolent Pro- 
tective. Order of Elks. He is also connected 
with the Illihee Club and the Greater Salem 
Commercial Club. 

In 1897 Dr. Gillis was appointed by the pen- 
sion department to the position of expert pen- 
sion examiner. He is also a member of the 
State Board of Medical Examiners, having 
been appointed by Governor Lord and reap- 
pointed by Governors Geer and Chamberlain. 
He holds membership in the Marion County 
Medical Society, and for some time has occu- 
pied the chair of ophthalmology and laryngology 
in the medical department of Willamette Uni- 
versity. On the nth of July, 1898, he received 
from Governor Lord the appointment as sur- 
geon-general of the Oregon National Guard 
with the rank of Colonel, and was reappointed 
by Governor Geer, and still holds the office. 

During the years of his practice in Salem 
Dr. Gillis has come -to be recognized by his 
professional contemporaries as one of the most 
highly qualified practitioners in his specialty 
in the state. His scientific labors have been 
rewarded with a great measure of success, 



which has come to him as the logical result of 
close application, a strong intellect and marked 
devotion to his chosen calling. He is still as 
great a student as ever, and keeps constantly 
abreast of the most advanced thought in medi- 
cal science. Dr. Gillis is a man of fine phy- 
sique, pleasing presence and an engaging per- 
sonality, and is honored and respected by all 
who know him. 



JAMES K. CHARLTON. Occupying a 
place of distinction among the most respected 
residents of Albany is James K. Charlton, a 
retired agriculturist, and an ex-sheriff of Linn 
county. He is a typical representative of the 
self-made men of our state, beginning life with 
no other equipments than the energetic ambi- 
tion and force of character natural to him. 
Without a query as to whether or no life was 
worth living, he has done his best from youth 
up to make it so, and by sheer force of an 
active spirit and an indomitable will, guided 
by sound sense and high principles, he has 
met with grand success in his business career. 
A Virginian by birth, he was born in Monroe, 
W. Va., May 30, 1824, a son of John Charlton. 
His Grandfather Charlton, a life-long farmer 
of Monroe, W. Va., was a direct descendant of 
one of the early Scotch settlers of the Old 
Dominion and inherited in a marked degree the 
thrift and industrious habits of his ancestors. 

Born on a farm in Monroe, W. Va., John 
Charlton lived in his native town until 1826, 
when he removed with his family to Greenbrier 
county, W. Va., locating on a farm where he 
remained until 1848. He then removed to Jef- 
ferson county, Iowa, and later moved to Davis 
county, same state, where he died. He mar- 
ried Charlotte Kyle, who was born in West 
Virginia, and died in Oregon. Her father, John 
Kyle, who was born in Ireland, emigrated to 
this country when sixteen years of age, and 
settled in West Virginia, where he was for 
many years a noted school teacher. Of the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. John Charlton ten chil- 
dren were born, five of whom came from Iowa 
to Oregon, namely: Charles, now residing in 
Ellensburg, AVash. ; James K., the special sub- 
ject of this sketch ; Madison, who died in 
Sprague, Wash. ; Allen, who lives near Ellens- 
burg, Wash. ; and Mrs. William Cyrus, of 
Salem, Ore. 

Obtaining a limited education in the sub- 
scription schools of his native town, James K. 
Charlton struck out for himself in 1846. Walk- 
ing to Charleston, W. Va., a distance of one 
hundred and ten miles, he then proceeded by 
boat down the Big Kanawha river to the Ohio 
river, then down that stream, and up the Mis- 





^t^cJy 



PORTRAIT AM) r.UHik.U'llk'AI. KFx'ORI). 



507 



ppi river to Keokuk. Iowa. Continuing his 
irnej on fool he walked sixty miles before 
iching liis point oi destination, Fairfield, Jef- 
5011 county. Although the rich prairie land 
through which he passed could be bought Eor 
$1.25 per acre, lie had not money enough to 
obtain title to a little bit o\ it. Going to work 
on a farm for $10.00 a month, he remained in 
that locality until the fall of the year, when he 
went to the Wisconsin pineries, where he re- 
mained during the winter season. Returning 
to ['airfield, Iowa, in the spring of 1847, he 
married and settled on a farm, which he con- 
ducted with fair success a number of years. 
Being stricken with the gold fever in 1850, he 
with two of his brothers crossed the Missouri 
river at Council Bluffs and started for Cali- 
fornia with ox-teams, taking the old California 
trail. On account of the prevalence of cholera 
along that route Mr. Charlton decided while 
at Fort Bridger, Wyo., to change his plans and 
come to Oregon. Arriving in the Willamette 
valley on September 8, 1850, he and his broth- 
ers spent the winter in a logging camp, then 
went to California, where they were engaged 
in prospecting a short time. 

Soon afterward Mr. Charlton sailed from 
San Francisco for Panama and, having crossed 
the Isthmus on foot, took the ship Cherokee 
hound for Xew York City, from there returning 
to Fairfield, Iowa, by way of Chicago. Re- 
suming his farming operations he resided there 
until 1853, when he moved with his family to 
Putnam county. Mo., where he was engaged in 
tilling the soil until 1866. Rigging up two 
wagons, one drawn by horses and the other by 
mules, he started. May 2, of that year, for 
( >regon, and arrived in Harrisburg, Linn 
county, July 28, 1866. Buying two hundred 
acres of land on the forks of the Santiam river, 
about eight miles east of Lebanon, he was 
there successfully engaged in farming and 
-tock-raising until 1893, when he disposed of 
his property and moved to the village of 
Lebanon. Since the death of his wife, which 
occurred at Lebanon in 1893, Mr. Charlton has 
resided in Albany, where he is retired from 
the active cares of business. 

In Iowa, in 1847, ^I r - Charlton married Mar- 
tha Keltner, a native of Illinois, and they be- 
came the parents of five children, namely An- 
drew, a farmer in Nevada ; Mrs. Elizabeth 
Martin, who died in Albany ; Henry, who is en- 
gaged in the stock and lumber business near 
Pendleton ; Charles, who is guard in the state 
penitentiary at Salem, Ore. ; and James. James 
Charlton, a finely educated young man, was 
first graduated from Albany College, afterward' 
receiving his diploma from Princeton Uni- 
versity, N. J., and then entered Columbia Law 



School, in New York City, where he was grad- 
uated. Returning from .Yew York to Oregon 
he opened a law office in Albany. Three 
months later a severe attack of lung fever so 
prostrated him that he was forced to leave the 
country for the benefit of his health. Going to 
Denver, Colo., he was there successfully en- 
gaged in the practice of his profession until 
his death, January 31, 1903. Mr. Charlton is 
actively identified with the Democratic party 
and has served with fidelity and ability in pub- 
lic office. In 1884 he was elected sheriff of 
Linn county and held the position two years. 
He was also county commissioner for two 
years, performing the duties devolving upon 
him in that capacity with the utmost satisfac- 
tion to all concerned. Pie is a practical Chris- 
tian and a valued member of the Baptist 
church. 



JOHN A. HUNT. The Hunt family is de- 
serving of especial prominence in a record of 
the lives of the men who have shed lustre upon 
the history of Oregon for many reasons, not 
the least of which are the facts that it is one 
of the oldest English families to be founded in 
America, as well as one of the earliest pioneer 
families of the state of Oregon. Its representa- 
tives have won fame on the field of battle, in 
the legal arena, in statecraft, in literature and in 
various other honorable fields of endeavor. Prob- 
ably no other family has furnished to the country 
a greater number of men and women of distinc- 
tion. 

John A. Hunt inherits from his Quaker an- 
cestors sterling traits of character and the thrift 
and industry which have enabled him to win a 
place among the most successful and honored 
citizens of the Willamette valley. He was born 
near Liberty, Ind., November 28, 1836, and is 
a son of John S. Hunt, a native of Smithfield, 
Ind. The latter emigrated to La Porte county, 
Ind., in 1835, erected the first house in the 
town of Byron, and became prominent and influ- 
ential in the early undertakings of that com- 
munity. After a few years' residence in that state 
he commenced to make preparations to cross the 
plains, and in March, 1847, started for Oregon, 
arriving at his destination with his family in 
the fall of that year. In the Waldo Hills, Marion 
county, he took up a claim, built a -home, and 
soon afterward erected the first school-house in 
the vicinitv. He also erected a building which 
he made the headquarters for his blacksmithing 
and gun shop, the first in the Waldo Hills. 
There was no lack of demand for his handiwork, 
and he prospered until selling out his interests 
in 1854. For many years thereafter he con- 



508 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ducted a hotel in Salem, his little hostelry becom- 
ing" a popular meeting ground for all who desired 
to learn of important local happenings. Here 
he died at the age of fifty-seven years, leaving 
behind him the legacy of a good name and a 
considerable property. His first wife, Temper- 
ance Estep, to whom he was married May 8, 
1823, dying in 1851, he married for a second wife 
Mrs. Nancy Smith, widow of Dr. Smith, who 
died July I, 1847, on his way to Oregon. (For 
further family history, the reader is referred to 
the sketch of Jeptha T. Hunt, which appears 
elswhere in this volume.) 

Although but eleven years of age when he 
arrived in Oregon, John A. Hunt retains a vivid 
recollection of his experiences on the plains, and 
of the part he bore in assisting in the establish- 
ment of the family in their new quarters. Nat- 
urally he spent a good deal of time about his 
father's shop, and he inherited the latter's me- 
chanical ability to a great extent. At the age of 
twenty he began to work at the wagon-maker's 
trade in Salem. In 1858 he moved upon a part 
of his father's donation claim, which he pro- 
ceeded to improve, and upon which he resided 
until 1877. His next place of residence was 
southern Oregon, where, in the vicinity of Oak- 
land, he purchased four hundred and fifty acres 
of land, and lived there until 1882. Being better 
satisfied with Marion county, he then located on 
the farm where he now lives, and which consists 
of two hundred and twenty acres. He also owns 
three hundred and twenty acres of his father's 
old place, making his total holdings five hundred 
and forty acres. He carries on general farming 
and stock-raising, making a specialty of Short- 
horn cattle and Cotswold sheep. Located twelve 
miles from Salem, on the state road, this prop- 
erty is valuable and finely developed, and Mr. 
Hunt is to be congratulated upon the happy 
chance which directed the footsteps of his father 
in this direction ; also upon the wise manage- 
ment and business ability which has enabled him 
to accomplish so much toward the improvement 
of the agricultural interests of Marion county. 

Through his marriage with Mary E. Amon, 
which occurred on July 9, 1858, five children 
were born into the family of Mr. Hunt. Of 
these Mary Caroline is deceased ; Elizabeth G. 
is the wife of Franklin G. Albaugh of Ashland, 
Ore.; Matilda A. lives at home; and the others 
are Howard B. and Nancy C, deceased, and an 
infant, deceased. 

In politics independent, Mr. Hunt has exhib- 
ited a keen interest in public affairs of his neigh- 
borhood. While a resident of southern Oregon he 
served as a representative in the state legislature, 
and held numerous local offices. He was school 
director for many years, and school clerk during 
a portion of that period. He is a member of 



the Baptist Church, and has done much to further 
the interests of that denomination wherever he 
has resided. Mr. Hunt's life has been charac- 
terized by strict integrity and a devotion to the 
best interests of the public. Whenever the op- 
portunity to assist in the furtherance of any 
worthy enterprises has presented itself to him, 
he has been found a liberal contributor toward 
that end. In all respects he is acknowledged to 
be a man of public spirit, with broad and lib- 
eral ideas regarding questions of public policy. 
With the history and traditions of his ancient 
and honored family behind him, it is hardly to 
be wondered at that he has always been actuated 
by an ambition to do nothing to bring the name 
into disrepute, but, on the contrary, to add to its 
prestige by his own good works. 



REV. SAMUEL GLASGOW IRVINE, 
D. D. Phillips Brooks once said " Great is he 
who in some special location does 'good and 
helpful work for his fellowmen. Greater still 
is he who, doing good work in his special oc- 
cupation, carries within his devotion to it a 
human nature so rich and true that it breaks 
through his profession and claims the love and 
honor of his fellow-men simply and truly as 
a man." These words emphasize the position 
which the late Rev. Samuel G. Irvine, D. D., 
occupied during his long and useful pastorate 
in the United Presbyterian Church of Albany, 
Ore. A man of deep religious convictions, the 
dominant forces of his character were sin- 
cerity of purpose and absolute fidelity to the 
higher interests of his parish and people. A 
certain inspiration or fervor marked his spir- 
itual labors, and his wonderful personality at- 
tracted to him persons of all kinds and condi- 
tions, rendering his ministrations beneficial 
not only to those under his immediate charge 
but to the entire community. A descendant on 
both sides of the house of Scotch divines, he 
was born August 14, 1826, in Wooster, Ohio, 
and died October 31, 1895, in Albany, Ore. His 
father, Rev. Samuel Irvine, D. D., was born in 
County Tyrone, Ireland, of pure Scotch an- 
cestry. Coming to America with his parents 
when young, he was brought up in Hunting- 
don county, Pa., where he received his ele- 
mentary education. After his graduation from 
Jefferson College he assumed charge of the 
Associate Presbyterian Church at Wooster, 
Ohio, and subsequently preached in different 
localities in that state, remaining there until 
his death, in 1861. He married Maria Glas- 
gow, who was born in Pennsylvania, being a 
descendant of an honored Scotch family that 
produced several ministers of note. 

Receiving his early education in the public 



PORTRAIT AM) RlOGRArillCAL RFA OKI). 



509 



schools of Wooster and Fredericksburg, Ohio, 
mel G. Irvine subsequentlj worked Eor 
te time as a dork in a general store, there 
uiring such business knowledge and habits 
were ever afterward oi great value to him. 
Desirous, however, of continuing his studies, 
he entered Franklin College, at New Athens, 
where lie was graduated with the degrees of 
A. B. and A. M. in 1845. Afterward he studied 
theology ;it Canonsburg, Pa., for two years, 
college before graduation to accept the 
presidency of Muskingum College at Xew 
icord, Ohio, and while there completed his 
studies under private tutors. On July 9, 1850, 
h< was licensed to preach by the Muskingum 
Presbytery, by which he was ordained as a 
ninister March 12, 1851. Subsequently preach- 
ing as opportunity afforded he had charge of 
mission church in Xew York City from May, 
1851, until the following August, when the As- 
ate Synod appointed him as missionary in 
the wilds of Oregon. 

Leaving Xew York City in August, 1851, Dr. 
Irvine and his wife came by way of Panama to 
San Francisco and after spending a few weeks 
in that city arrived at Willamette, Ore., in 
( >ctober of that year. Preaching his first ser- 
mon in Oregon City on November 9, 1851, he 
came up the valley the next week to Albany, 
where he soon after laid the foundation for his 
future work. Taking up a donation claim ten 
miles south of Albany and about a half mile 
of the Willamette, he there established his 
home and began his ministerial labors. In 
common with his few neighbors he endured 
all the privations and hardships of pioneer life 
ourageously, by his cheerful bravery, manli- 
ness and hearty sympathy, helping others to 
wisely bear their heavy burdens. His salary 
being meagre and educators few, he taught in 
a district school for a time, and for a year was 
an instructor in Albany College. In 1856 he 
was largely instrumental in merging the Asso- 
ciate Presbyterian Church and the Associate 
Reformed Church with the United Presby- 
terian Church, and for a number of years there- 
after had charge of the Willamette and Albany 
churches. His influence in both organizations 
proved rich and salutary, his services being 
highly appreciated by the intelligent people 
that made up his congregations. As the 
churches grew in size and power, his time was 
wholly taken up by one society, so that, in 
1874, he resigned his Willamette charge, from 
that time until the fall of 1893 devoting his 
work to the Albany church, his labors in the 
Master's vineyard, with the exception of two 
years spent in the east, being almost contin- 
uous for more than four decades. In i860 he 
journeyed east with his family, going by way 



of the isthmus, and returning in [86l, In 1869 

he made another visit to bis eastern home and 
in 1878 he spent a short time in Ohio, while 
there being honored by his alma mater with 
the degree of D. 1). lie likewise had' the dis- 
tinction of serving as moderator of the Gen- 
eral Assembly which met that year in Cam- 
bridge, Ohio. For a number of years Dr. Irv- 
ine served most faithfully as one of the trus- 
tees of Albany College, and for two terms was 
identified with the educational progress of the 
state as superintendent of the Linn county 
schools. Fie was a staunch Republican in poli- 
tics, and took a keen interest in local affairs. 

The doctor's last illness was long and pain- 
ful, but he bore all of his afflictions without 
murmur, cheerfully submitting to God's will, 
trusting that, as the poet says, "somehow, 
good will be the final goal of ill." Troubled 
with rheumatism for many years, even to the 
extent of losing the sight of one eye and being 
threatened with total blindness, he neverthe- 
less retained the full mental vigor for which 
his youth was distinguished, and continued in 
active service until compelled to take to his 
bed in August, 1892. In January, 1893, his 
life was brought very near to its close by an 
aggravated attack of pneumonia. He rallied, 
however, and for awhile there were bright 
hopes of his complete recovery. A relapse oc- 
curred in the summer, and in October, 1893, he 
sent in his resignation as pastor of the Albany 
church. The congregation, while feeling sorry 
to be obliged to accept the resignation of their 
faithful pastor and beloved friend, requested 
that the doctor might remain with them as pas- 
tor emeritus, which was conceded, with the 
provision that it should go into effect the fol- 
lowing June. This delay gave Dr. Irvine an 
opportunity to act as host to the General As- 
sembly, which was to convene in Albany at its 
next annual meeting. Though filled with 
physical suffering, his last days were filled 
with joy and brightness, and he passed away 
peacefully and quietly, as one who lies down 
to pleasant slumber. 

"His youth was innocent; his riper age 
Marked with some acts of goodness every day; 
And watched by eyes that loved him, calm and 

sage, 
Faded his late declining years away; 
Cheerful he gave his being up and went 
To share the holy rest that waits a life well 

spent." 

Dr. Irvine married first, March 27, 1851, in 
Cambridge, Ohio, Mary Rainey, who was born 
in Ireland, and came to America with her 
father, William Rainey, for many years a 
prominent merchant of Cambridge. She was 



510 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a woman of culture and a graduate of Steuben- 
ville Seminary, Ohio. She died in the spring 
of 1869, leaving four children, namely: Maria, 
a graduate of Albany College, married W. H. 
Gaston, and died in Tacoma, Wash., in 1896; 
Mrs. Cora J. Stewart, of Albany, who was 
also graduated from Albany College ; Eliza- 
beth, of Albany, was graduated from Musk- 
ingum College, New Concord, Ohio ; and O. H., 
formerly an attorney at McMinnville, Ore., 
died in 1901. The doctor married for his sec- 
ond Avife, December 6, 1871, Mrs. Margaret M. 
Osburn, of Peoria, Ore. Mrs. Irvine was born 
in Warren county, 111., near Little York. Her 
father, James Martin, a native of Cambridge, 
Ohio, and of thrifty Scotch-Irish ancestry, was 
an early settler of Illinois, and one of its pio- 
neer farmers. Starting for Oregon in 1852 he 
left Missouri in April, crossing the plains with 
mule and horse teams, and arrived in Peoria, 
Linn county, Ore., in September, 1852, bring- 
ing with him his wife and child. Purchasing 
land, he cleared a good farm, and was here en- 
gaged in his chosen occupation during his re- 
maining years. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Nancy Smith, was born in Pennsylvania 
and died in Linn county, Ore., in 1894. Both 
were members of the United Presbyterian 
Church. Margaret M. Martin, their only child, 
married first Alfred H. Osburn, a native of 
Pennsylvania, and for many years a teacher in 
Linn county schools. He died in manhood's 
prime, leaving one child, Nancy Temperance, 
wife of J. W. Blain, of Oakland, Cal. Dr. and 
Mrs. Irvine became the parents of two chil- 
dren, namely : Samuel E. and J. Clement. 
Samuel E. Irvine, who was graduated from 
both the Albany and the Monmouth colleges, 
studied theology at Allegheny Seminary, and 
is now pastor of the United Presbyterian 
Church at Etna, Pa. J. Clement Irvine, a 
graduate of Albany College, is now assistant 
cashier of the First National Bank of Albany. 



PETER RILEY. Representing the agri- 
cultural interests of Linn county as one of its 
best and most favorably known farmers and 
stock-raisers is Peter Riley, of Albany, who 
has won an extended reputation as a breeder 
of fine horses, in that special branch of indus- 
try being one of the most prominent men of 
the Willamette valley. Beginning the battle 
of life for himself when but a boy, he has stead- 
ily trod the pathway of success, advancing step 
by step, and now occupies a firm position 
among the most prosperous citizens of the 
town or county, being highly esteemed for his 
many fine traits of character. A son of Ed- 
ward Riley he was born April 15, 1846, in 



County Kildare, Ireland, the home of his an- 
cestors for many generations. His paternal 
grandfather, John Riley, emigrated from the 
Emerald Isle to the United States and settled 
in St. Louis, Mo., where he followed his trade 
of a merchant tailor until his death. 

Born and brought up in Ireland, Edward 
Riley first came to the United States when 
about twenty-three years of age. A merchant 
tailor by trade, he followed it first in Chicago, 
111., then in St. Louis, Mo., where he was made 
a citizen of the United States. Subsequently 
returning to the scenes of his childhood, he 
married a fair Irish maiden, Catherine Swords, 
and settled in County Kildare, where he re- 
mained until after the death of his wife. Com- 
ing again to America with his motherless chil- 
dren he settled in Jamaica, 'Long Island, where 
he followed his former trade with good suc- 
cess. Of his nine children seven survive, Peter, 
the special subject of this sketch, being the 
fourth child in succession of birth. 

Being but twelve years of age when he 
crossed the ocean with his father in 1858, Peter 
Riley completed his early education in the pub- 
lic schools of Jamaica, Long Island, studying 
three years. Beginning life as a wage-earner 
in 1861, he was tow boy on the Lehigh canal 
for a short time. Anxious to see more of his 
adopted country, he started for California in 
1865, taking the Panama route from New York 
City to San Francisco. Arriving on the coast 
he worked on a farm a short time, afterward 
being brakeman on the Central Pacific Rail- 
road for a year. Subsequently locating in 
Wheatland, Cal., he worked on a farm, and 
then resumed railroad work, being first em- 
ployed on the San Joaquin Railway, afterward 
being on the Sacramento and Vallejo Railroad, 
and on the branch road extending to Marys- 
ville. Crossing the mountains with a mule 
train in 1869 Mr. Rilev came to Oregon as an 
employe of the construction company that had 
charge of the building of that part of what is 
now the Southern Pacific Railroad, extending 
from Salem, Ore., to Roseburg. Continuing 
with the same company he subsequently as- 
sisted in building the branch of the Northern 
Pacific Railway that extends from Kalama, 
Wash., to Tacoma, Wash., being foreman and 
having charge of the teams. 

On the completion of the road, Mr. Riley 
located in Linn county, Ore., where he pur- 
chased two hundred acres of land lying two 
miles north of Albany along the river. Em- 
barking in the wool business he has met with 
signal success, keeping a fine grade of Angora 
goats, which have proved profitable in this 
locality. In addition he is extensively inter- 
ested in breeding draft horses, making a spe- 







^2^Z^ 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



513 



cialt) oi the Clydesdale and Percheron, also 

g a choice stock oi French and Belgian 

-. He formerly owned a noted Percheron 

stallion. Desires, imported by Dunham, and 

uus a fine stallion. Don, imported from 

ini. and the registered Clydesdale stal- 

[unius. Among the younger stallions that 

raising are Percherons, Clydesdales and 

ans, all of superior stock and breed. Mr. 

Riley is an extensive landholder, owning the 

entire block bounded by Jackson, Railroad, 

Third and Fourth streets, and here has his fine 

residence, his large barns and woodyard. He 

carries on general farming on a large scale. 

In Marion county. Ore.. Mr. Riley marrieu 
Mary Hunt, who was born in that county, a 
daughter oi Thomas Hunt, a pioneer settler. 
located there in 1847. Five children have 
been born to their union, namely: Thomas Ed- 
ward, with the Corvallis & Eastern Railway 
Company ; James Valentine, a horseman, en- 
I in business with his father: Katie, who 
died at the age of twelve years ; Nellie M., wife 
of John Scott, of Albany ; and William. Po- 
litically Mr. Riley supports the principles of 
the Democratic party by voice and vote, and 
ormerly a member of the County Central 
Committee. Fraternally he is a member of 
the Knights of the Maccabees. 



CHARLES CARROLL STRATTOX. A. M., 
D. D.. was born in Tioga county, Pa., of Xew 
England ancestry, his mother, Lavinia Fitch, 
being from Vermont, and his father, Curtis P. 
Stratton. from Hartford county, Conn. Through 
his paternal grandmother, whose maiden name 
was Hannah Adams, he was related to the Con- 
necticut branch of the Adams family. His father's 
anc run back in Xew England to the first 

half of the seventeenth century, and thence to 
London, where the family emerges into recorded 
recognition as early as 1520. 

In 1837 Curtis P. and Lavinia Stratton, with 
their young children, removed from Pennsyl- 
vania to Jefferson county, Ind., and settled 
a short distance back of Madison, on the Ohio 
river. About the same time also Myron Strat- 
a younger brother, came west from Pennsyl- 
vania and settled in Jeffersonville. Ind. This 
was the father of Winfield Scott Stratton, well 
noun as the owner of the Independence mine, 
Jut to be known hereafter much better and longer 
he munificent founder of the Myron Stratton 
Home in Colorado Springs, for the aged and 
infirm. In 1852 the father and oldest brother. 
Riley E. Stratton, afterwards of the Oregon bar 
and bench, came to the Pacific coast around 
C ape Florn. After stopping for a time in Cali- 
da they came on to Oregon, for which they 



had originally started, and after looking over the 
country for a time wrote for the remaining mem- 
bers of the family to sell their belongings in 
Indiana and meet them in Oregon. This was 
effected and the journey across the plains with 
ox teams was accomplished with the usual priva- 
tions, hardships and dangers, but without anv 
serious disaster. The family at this time con- 
sisted of the father and mother, then fiftv-four 
and fifty-one years of age, respectively, and ten 
children — five sons and five daughters. The 
parents were truthful, honest, plain people of 
good antecedents and blood, who desired to give 
their children the best education in their power, 
and train them to habits of truthfulness, industry 
and thrift. 

The eldest son. Riley Evans Stratton, was 
then thirty-two years of age, a classical graduate 
of Farmers' College (Ohio), a junior member 
of the Madison (Indiana) bar, and married to 
Sarah M. Dearborn, of an old family in that city, 
a woman of many attractions of mind and per- 
son. After the death of Judge Stratton she mar- 
ried Smith Kearney, a well known Portland 
capitalist. 

Soon after settling in southern Oregon Mr. 
Stratton was elected prosecuting attorney and 
on the admission of Oregon into the Union as a 
state he was elected to the bench of his circuit 
and became ex officio a justice of the Supreme 
Court of the state. He was an easy, graceful 
and lucid public speaker and upright judge, and 
his early death at the age of forty-four years 
cut short a promising career. The next sur- 
viving member of the family was Delia C, then 
the wife of James I. Patton, who, with their 
young family, were among the early settlers of 
the Umpqua valley. Following her was Sarah 
Victoria, afterwards wife and widow of Harvey 
Gordon, editor and proprietor of the Oregon 
Statesman, after A. Bush, and his successor as 
state printer, a man of brilliant gifts and great 
promise, whose career was terminated by a 
premature death when but little over thirty 
years of age. The next of the family in 
order of age was Charles Carroll, the subject of 
this sketch, the leading incidents of whose life 
will follow later. After him came Horace Fitch, 
at one time a member of the lower house of the 
Oregon legislature and later a member and pres- 
ident of the council in the Washington legis- 
lature. Milton Adams, the first of the family 
born in Indiana, was well known in business 
circles in Salem, Oregon City and Portland. He 
served a term as mayor in Oregon City and was 
president of the First X'ational Bank of East 
Portland at the time of his death, in 1895. All of 
the remaining members of the family were born 
in Indiana. Lura Melvina married Archibald 
Simmons and lived and died in Springfield, near 



514 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Eugene, where her children and grandchildren 
still reside. Augusta Josephine married Dr. 
Samuel Whittemore, at the time assistant sur- 
geon in the navy, and later in the United States 
army. He died in 1898 and his family reside in 
Washington. Judge Julius Augustin has chosen 
Seattle for his home. He began life as a printer 
in Salem, Ore. This enabled him to make his 
way through the classical course of Willamette 
University. By the same means he studied law 
and was admitted to the bar in Salem. After 
several years of successful practice there, during 
which time he was reporter for the Supreme 
Court, he removed to Seattle, where he ■ ac- 
quired a large and lucrative practice, was for a 
term on the bench 'of the Superior Court, and 
now lives in comfortable retirement. Irene Has- 
seltine is the youngest daughter and child. She 
married Parrish L. Willis, a well known and 
wealthy attorney of Portland, Ore. He has rep- 
resented his district as a member of the state 
senate and been an efficient promoter of many 
local enterprises by which the welfare of the 
city has been advanced. 

Of this large family of twelve children — -for 
two sleep in Indiana — Charles Carroll was the 
sixth. Stimulated by the example of his older 
brother, reinforced by his own tastes, he resolved 
early in life to become a scholar, as that term 
was then understood, and moved by his moral 
convictions to become a minister. His plans 
were postponed and somewhat marred by the 
unwillingness of his mother to go to the Pacific 
coast without him, as money which he had begun 
to lay aside was spent in the journey to the Pa- 
cific and he had to make the best of the imperfect 
educational advantages of the young state. His 
first season was spent with his brothers Horace 
and Milton in aiding his father on the 
new farm in the Umpqua valley where the family 
first settled. Then he joined a surveying party 
in the mountains for several months. The net 
proceeds of this service were less than $200, but 
with this he started for Salem, the seat of the 
newly chartered Willamette University, at that 
time the most promising of the two or three in- 
stitutions, of large name and hope but slender 
facilities, within reach. Being an expert penman 
he was able to supplement his inadequate means 
by writing one-half of each day in the adjutant- 
general's office and by this means remained in 
school. This continued until the sophomore 
year, in 1858. His classmates at this time were 
J. A. Odell, T. L. Davidson, Roswell L. Lamson 
and James Carey. For different reasons these 
young men had to leave the institution and he, 
being left alone, was advised by President F. S. 
Hoyt to leave the school for the present, enter 
the Oregon conference for which he was pre- 
paring, bring up his studies g.s he best could, 



and graduate later. This advice he pursued, and 
took his final examinations and received the de- 
gree of A. B. from the university in 1869, at 
thirty-six years of age. Meantime he had been 
pastor in Dallas, Roseburg, Jacksonville, Oregon 
City, Olympia and Portland and was at that 
time pastor in Salem. 

In i860, while pastor in Roseburg, he had 
married Julia Elenor Waller, daughter of Rev. 
A. F. Waller, one of the early missionaries sent 
out to evangelize the Indians of Oregon. Those 
who knew the sterling qualities of Father Waller 
during his lifetime, and the equally sterling qual- 
ities of Elepha Waller, his wife, will not need 
to be assured that Dr. Stratton found in his wife 
a worthy helpmate. To them have been born 
two children, Mary Elepha and Harvey Gordon, 
who are still with them. 

The year following his graduation Dr. Strat- 
ton was elected to the chair of natural science in 
his alma mater, but was dissuaded by Bishop 
Ames from accepting, and received the appoint- 
ment of presiding elder of the Portland district. 
Up to this time he had been for six years secre- 
tary of the conference, but this appointment for- 
bade his re-election. In the fall of 1871 he was 
selected by his conference to represent them in 
the general conference, which met in Brooklyn 
in 1872. This was the first general conference 
wherein lay delegates were admitted, and as the 
episcopate was to be strengthened and it was 
finally decided to elect eight additional bishops, 
the session was. of more than ordinary interest. 
He has been a member of two general confer- 
ences since, in 1880 and 1892, but thinks this one 
altogether the most interesting in his experience. 

On the way to and from the general confer- 
ence Dr. Stratton stopped off at Salt Lake City, 
and soon after returning to Salem, where he now 
lived, a telegram was received from Bishop Fos- 
ter appointing him to the First Methodist Episco- 
pal Church in that place. The three years which 
followed were years of great activity and de- 
voted especially to completing the building of 
the First Church there and setting forward its 
religious interests. This was the third promi- 
nent church enterprise with which he had been 
identified, viz., the First Church of Portland, 
still the hive of Methodism there; the First 
Church, Salem, toward which he had secured 
over $20,000 on subscription, laid the corner- 
stone and begun the superstructure, and now the 
Salt Lake City Church. At the end of his pas- 
torate there he transferred to the California con- 
ference and was appointed to the pastorate of 
the First Church in San Jose. Here were spent 
two quiet and useful years. Before the end of 
the second year he was elected president of the 
University of the Pacific, many of the students 
and most of the faculty of which had been his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



15 



parishioners during the two years of his pas- 
there. The nexl ten years wore full of 
sibilit) and services, with some degree of 
- as well. The year following his election 
presidency of the university he was reo- 
rganize and load the Chautauqua 
n the Pacific coast. On the death- 
Bishop E. O. Haven he designated Dr. 
n as his literary executor, to edit and com- 
• autobiography, at that time about half 
and to publish, if the demand should justify, 
ns from his sermons and university lec- 
tures. The autobiography was completed and 
blished at once: the sermons and lectures await 
encouraging market. Meantime the uni- 
and the Chautauqua associations made 
idy progress; and the university buildings, 
gues and financial statements of that period 
hear testimony to its substantial improvement. 
At this time Dr. Stratton's excessive overwork 
gan to tell upon his health and symptoms of 
paralysis led him to listen to the advice of his 
physician. Dr. Wythe, to resign both as presi- 
dent of the university and as leader of the Chau- 
tauqua movement. Every reasonable induce- 
ment was held out for him to remain, especially 
in the university, and these inducements were 
renewed after the retirement of Dr. Hirst, his 
• >r there, and after his own return to 
n, but considerations on the other side 
rbalanced them and he persisted in his 
".ution. During this period of educational 
work Dr. Stratton was especially remembered 
by fellow educators, the degree of D. D. hav- 
ing been conferred by the Willamette, Ohio 
Wesleyan and Northwestern Universities. He is 
o a life director of the National Educational 
- iciation. Soon after this overtures began 
coming from his friends in Oregon, and espe- 
cially from President Van Scoy of Willamette 
University, looking to his return to his early 
field as chancellor of that institution. All of 
these letters contained .information that a plan 
was on foot which had taken definite shape at 
the last session of the Oregon conference, by the 
appointment of a large committee of influential. 
members to confer with a similar committee to 
be designated by the trustees of the university 
; to the selection of a more suitable point and 
r the institution. In this correspondence 
Portland was the point generally favored, espe- 
cially by Dr. Van Scoy. All of this preceded 
Dr. Stratton's return to Oregon and was in- 
tended to pave the w^ay therefor. His selection 
as head of Willamette University ; his return to 
Oregon : the action of the joint committee above 
referred to in selecting Portland as the point for 
the building of what was intended to be a great 
university: the ratification of this action by an 
overwhelming majority of the Oregon confer- 



ence and (he refusal of the trustees of Wil- 
lamette to accept the report of their own com- 
mittee are matters of history. 

It was not in contemplation that Willamette 
University should cease to be an educational 
center or that its property should be interfered 
with, but that its grade should be changed, that 
it should be affiliated with the larger and better 
located central institutions, in common with 
other institutions to be located in different parts 
of the state and northwest was proposed. 

The organization of Portland University, the 
selection of trustees to represent the business lay 
element of the northwest, the alumni of the in- 
stitution, and the Oregon, Puget Sound, Colum- 
bia river and Idaho conferences, the election of 
H. W. Scott as president of the board, and, not- 
withstanding his many engagements, his accept- 
ance of the trust with "his accustomed public 
spirit, the election of Dr. Stratton as president 
of the institution, the selection of the site at 
University Park, the purchase of the land, the 
organization of the Portland Guarantee Com- 
pany to endorse the bonds by which the lands 
were to be paid for, the early promise 
of the school, the failure of its finances undei 
the collapse of 1894-5 and 6 are known to 
all. But it is not so well known that the sales 
of University Park property during the years 
1892-3 and 4 were sufficient to provide for the 
interest on the total indebtedness, the redemption 
of the bonds at maturity and leave a large sur- 
plus in land for permanent endowment. The 
lands were sold on contracts and were to be paid 
for in one, two and three years. On account of 
the pressure of the times and the decline of 
prices, payments on these purchases defaulted 
in shoals. After a time this general defaulting 
of purchasers of property resulted in the stop- 
page of interest payments on bonds. Then fol- 
lowed legal complications and the property finally 
passed into the hands of one of the religious 
orders of the Catholic Church. The influences 
which operated against the payments for the 
lands sold at University Park tended to stop 
the collection of subscriptions toward the Uni- 
versity building fund. Many thousands of dollars 
in pledges which had been depended on 
to meet payments on contracts with build- 
ers defaulted. In order to protect the credit 
of the University, President Stratton drew 
on private funds while they lasted and then used 
his credit until it became necessary for him to 
retire from the University and look after the wel- 
fare of his family. All of these matters have 
been dwelt upon with so much detail because 
they were so intimately related to the life of our 
subject. The fate of Portland University lie 
sometimes speaks of as his crucifixion. It has in 



516 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



n ! 



a measure turned him aside from his chosen call- 
ing and shadowed the closing years of his life. 

Dr. Stratton's family still reside at University 
Park, while most of his time is spent in Chicago, 
until he can complete his plans and retire to 
the rest befitting his years and to the home 
circle for which he longs. 



EUGENE LINCOLN REMINGTON. One 
of the most expert machinists as well as large 
property owners of Woodburn is Eugene Lin- 
coln Remington, owner and proprietor of Rem- 
ington's bicycle and gun store, recognized as, one 
of the reliable and necessary adjuncts of the 
city. This oldest resident of the first town of 
Woodburn is a native son of the golden west, and 
was born east of Silvertpn, Ore., March 24, 1867. 
His father, Marquis de LaFayette Remington, 
and his grandfather, Col. Virgillius E., a phy- 
sician who was born June 6, 1805, in Greenville, 
Hampden county, Mass., were identified with 
the old Mormon town of Nauvoo, Hancock 
county, 111., where the former was born February 
2, 1847, on Laharp Prairie, and where the latter 
participated in the Mormon troubles which will 
ever be a blot upon the fair name of the little 
Mississippi river city. Nauvoo, founded by the 
Mormons in 1840, became an eyesore to the rep- 
utable citizens of the state, and the sect was 
driven out through the capture, and subsequent 
shooting at Carthage, of the chief Mormon agi- 
tator, Joe Smith. Col. Virgillius E. Remington 
had the honor of capturing this noted disciple of 
the church, but he was averse to shooting him, 
although he ever after got the credit for securing 
his ignominious end. Somewhat fearful of his 
fate at the hands of the accusing Mormons, and 
also because of a progressive nature which rec- 
ognized superior advantages in the west, the 
grandfather crossed the plains with his family 
in '49 with ox teams, locating at Roseville 
Junction, Cal. He was very successful in min- 
ing, and became a well known figure there, and 
he now sleeps under an old oak tree on the out- 
skirts of the town. Colonel Remington was a 
Master Mason. The marriage of Colonel Rem- 
ington united him with Esther E. Doud, who 
was born May 3, 1808, in Canton, Hartford 
county, Conn., and died in Silverton, Ore., Sep- 
tember 14, 1884. Of this union were born the 
following children: Virgillius D.. born Novem- 
ber 26, 1826, in Fowler, Trumbull county, Ohio, 
died August 29. 1898, at Whiteson, Yamhill 
county, Ore. ; Esther M., born September 4, 
1829, and died October 26, 1829, in Fowler, 
Trumbull county, Ohio; Lucius C, born May 
31, 1 83 1, in Fowler, Trumbull county, Ohio, and 
died September 28, 1858, in Placer county, Cal. ; 
Elmore S.> born May 13, 1833, in Mecca, Trum- 



bull county, Ohio, and is living in Whiteson. 
Yamhill county, Ore. ; Juliett L., born July 7, 
1836, in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, and 
died October 13, 1889. She married Peter 
Ranch, who is living in Silverton. Evaline E., 
born September 5, 1839, in Macomb, 111., and 
married J. H. Hadley, now deceased ; she is liv- 
ing in Silverton, Ore. ; John J. B., born August 
3, 1841, in Mills, McDonough county, 111., died 
September 8, 1858, in Placer county, Cal. ; Jose- 
phine M., born March 4, 1844, ni Mills, 111., and 
died September 3, 1846; Marquis de LaFayette, 
the father of Eugene Lincoln Remington ; Fran- 
cis M., born August 16, 1849, on Macomb Prai- 
rie, 111., and is now a hardware merchant in Cul- 
desac, Idaho. 

Marquis de LaFayette Remington was seven 
years of age when he crossed the plains with his 
father. He was reared at Roseville Junction, 
Cal., until after the death of his father, January 
14, 1858, in Placer county. With his mother 
and two brothers he came to Beaverton, Ore., in 
1854, and on rented land engaged in farming 
until about 1863. He then moved near Silver- 
ton. There he bought one hundred and twenty- 
five acres of land, working this until 1870, when 
he located in Woodburn and engaged in black- 
smithing. About 1882 he started a foundry and 
general machine shop, the successful operation 
of which netted him a fair income up to the time 
of his death at the age of fifty-one years. Mr. 
Remington was a mechanical genius, and was 
at the head of that business in his city, contrib- 
uting a remarkable inventive talent towards the 
advancement of mechanical ideas. He invented 
and patented the Remington traction engine, the 
patent of which was sold to the Best Manufac- 
turing Company, of San Leandro, Cal., and is 
still being manufactured by them. Other pat- 
ents of labor-saving machinery and appliances 
are also attributable to his ingenuity. His plant 
sustained a severe loss in the fire of 1886, when 
he lost about $10,000 in building and machinery. 
Mr. Remington married Helen Elmyra Welch, 
who was born January 14, 1850, in St. Marys, 
Hancock county, 111., and died in Woodburn, 
Ore., November 25, 1893. May 5, 1855, the 
Welch family started for California, going by 
rail to New York and then by steamer to the 
Isthmus of Panama, crossing by rail. The 
steamer Golden Gate landed them in San Fran- 
cisco May 31, 1855. In 1859 they started 
for Oregon with teams. The Welch fam- 
ily lived near the Remingtons in California, 
and they were not divided in Oregon, for 
Thomas Welch settled on a farm northeast of 
Silverton, where he died September 1, 1899, at 
the age of sixty-five years. He was a native of 
Kentucky, while his wife, Lucinda C. (Tyrrell) 
Welch, was born in Tyrrell Hill, Trumbull 





Oiy^LcC <^f 




PORTP \l r AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



519 



ntj Ohio, December, j. 1826, and died in 

. , n . \ P nl jo. 1901, at the age of 

four vears. Mrs. Remington, who died 

, n i n ,893. at the ago ot torty-one, was 
the mother of four children, two sons and two 
s i whom three are living, Eugene 
n being the oldest. The oldest daughter 
familv, Ella Atlanta, horn .September 8, 
was the wife oi Timothy M. Hicks, and 
. veinber 7, 1887; Zella Esther, born Aug- 
x- . is the wife of F. M. Hardcastle, ot 
odburn; and Laverne Thomas, born June 14, 
; . is living with his brother, Eugene Lincoln. 
The necessity for assisting with the family 
maintenance at a very early age interfered with 
• education of Eugene Lincoln Remington, 
his knowledge has therefore been self ac- 
quired. As a lad of thirteen he was busily en- 
d in his father's machine shop, and after 
learning the business he continued with his sire, 
becoming a partner in the firm in 1888, at the age 
of twenty-one. After the fire he engaged in the 
sporting goods business, carrying a complete 
k of bicycles, guns, and general parapherna- 
lia, in [900 moving into the new store building 
which has supplanted the original machine shop, 
lie has been very successful in disposing of his 
lerior brand of wheels, and is well versed as 
the respective merits of the wheels that come 
- his observation. No one in the county 
lit more satisfactory repair work, and the 
line of guns, ammunition, and general sporting 
accessories is complete and up-to-date in every 
respect. 

In [89] Mr. Remington was united in mar- 
iage with Ida May Bancroft, a native of Lodi, 
Wis., who came to' Oregon in 1889, locating at 
Woodburn. Her father. Henry L. Bancroft, is 
in retirement in Woodburn, and has to his 
credit a meritorious record as a soldier during 
the Civil war. Three children have blessed the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Remington, two sons and 
one daughter, namely: Charles Adrian, born 
March 10. 1894; Ferris Herbert, born August 
4. 1895; and Mildred Myrtle, born September 
|D, 1902. Since casting his first presidential 
vote Mr. Remington has been allied with the 
Republican party, and has taken an active part 
in local politics' of his city. He is fraternally 
connected with Woodburn Lodge No. 102, I. O. 
O. F., and is very active in that organization, 
being past grand, and has been twice representa- 
tive to the Grand Lodge. With his wife he is 
also a member of Home Lodge No. 58, of the 
Rebekahs, Mrs. Remington having passed all 
the chairs of same. With his brother Mr. Rem- 
ington owns the Remington Hall, and with their 
»ter two residences; he built the one in which 
he lives. He is progressive, is anxious to in- 



crease his business knowledge, and has a keen 
interest in all that pertains to the general wel- 
fare of bis community. 



DAVID McCULLY. At his home in Salem, 
David McCully is now spending the evening of 
his life in retirement, having given the strength 
of his manhood for nearly a quarter of a century 
to the upbuilding of this commonwealth before 
he laid clown the burdens and responsibilities of 
active life. He came to Oregon in 1852, a man 
of middle age, with the better part of his future 
still before him, and has since become one of 
the most prominent men in the Willamette val- 
ley, having been for many years identified with 
the commercial activity of the state. 

David' McCully was born in Sussexvale, New 
Brunswick, Canada, September 15, 1814, and 
comes of sturdy Scotch ancestry. His father, 
John McCully, was born in Nova Scotia in 1785. 
He was married in. Maine to Mary Kopp, a native 
of that state, born in Eastport in 1788. They 
located in New Brunswick, where he engaged in 
business as a farmer, an occupation to which he 
devoted his entire life. In 1822 he removed with 
his familv to Jefferson county, Ohio, where his 
death occurred in 1830. Six years after the 
death of Mr. McCully, his widow married John 
McPherson. In 1844 they removed to Iowa, 
settling in Henry county. Thence they emigrated 
to Oregon and there, in the home which she had 
helped to establish, in Linn county, Mrs. Mary 
(Kopp) McPherson died in 1872, at the advanced 
age of eighty-four years. Of the five sons and 
one daughter born to John and Mary McCully, 
by the latter 's first marriage, the subject of this 
brief memoir was the second in the order of 
birth. Fie has one brother living — William H., 
the youngest of the familv, now a resident of 
Brownsville. Ore. 

In 1849 David McCully and his brother Asa 
had crossed the plains to California, where they 
were successfully engaged in mining until No- 
vember 20 of that year. They then returned to 
their home by the water route. Less than three 
years later they again made the journey across 
the plains in company with the familv, arriving 
in Salem August 17, 1852. From this city they 
continued on to Harrisburg, Linn county, and 
spent their first winter there, erecting the first 
house in that town and establishing the first gen- 
eral merchandise business there. Until March, 
1858, they remained in that place, when Mr. 
McCully and his brother took up a donation claim 
of six hundred and forty acres adjacent to Har- 
risburg. Later in that year they located in Salem. 
In T859 Mr. McCully and J. L. Starkey bought 
the business of Cohn & Fish, a dry goods and 
grocery firm of Salem. In i860 Mr. Starkey 



520 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



disposed of his interest to Wall Smith, and the 
firm of Smith & McCully continued the business 
until 1864. Mr. McCully then sold a third of 
his interest in the store and engaged in river 
transportation. The company formed was known 
as the People's Transportation Company, and op- 
erated on the Columbia and Willamette rivers. 
Mr. McCully succeeded Stephen Coffin as presi- 
dent of this corporation. In the meantime finan- 
cial troubles had overtaken the company, which 
of necessity was reorganized, paid its indebted- 
ness and elected Mr. McCully to the presidency. 
One year later he resigned the post, and his 
brother Asa was elected as his successor. 

The interests of the two McCully brothers 
continued to be centered in this important under- 
taking for eight years ; and with ten steam- 
boats on the Willamette and the Columbia rivers, 
the returns were remunerative enough amply to 
satisfy their desires. Through their direct ef- 
forts a business which had been a losing venture 
for some time was almost at once place on a 
paying basis, and the great concern with which 
their name will always be indelibly associated 
accomplished as much, if not more, toward the 
development of the resources of the Willamette 
vallev, the most important section of the state, 
than "any other influence of the early days. 

After relinquishing his interest in the transpor- 
tation business, Mr. McCully engaged once more 
in general merchandising in Salem. In 1875 he 
disposed permanently of his share of the business 
and retired to private life. Though not now 
actively identified with any of the undertakings 
of Salem, he holds an interest in the bank and 
water-works system of Joseph, Wallowa county. 

May 7, 1840, Mr. McCully was united in mar- 
riage with Mary N. Scott, who. was born in Jef- 
ferson couYity, Ohio, October 16, 1821, and died 
in Salem November 21, 1895. They became the 
parents of seven children, of whom five are liv- 
ing, as follows : Mary J., widow of John 
Creighton of Salem; John W., a resident of 
Union county, Ore. ; Alfred, an engineer on the 
steamer Gray Eagle, and a resident of Clacka- 
mas county, Ore. ; Estella Ann, wife of A. N. 
Gilbert of Salem ; and Frank D., a resident of 
Joseph, Wallowa county. 

A Republican in politics, Mr. McCully has ex- 
hibited a keen interest in municipal affairs, and 
has never tried to evade his duty in any public 
service. In 1874-75 ne served as a member 
of the Salem city council, where his in- 
fluence was exerted toward the advancement of 
the general welfare. In closing this brief out- 
line of the career of one of the most worthy citi- 
zens of Oregon, it is but just to make a perma- 
nent record of the high esteem in which Mr. 
McCully is held by those who, during the half 
century of his residence in the state, have learned 



to appreciate the many traits of character which 
have caused him to be loved and honored. Per- 
haps the first and highest of these characteristics 
has been his unselfish devotion to those manly 
principles which actuate men to do everything 
in their power toward elevating the moral and 
social standing of their own communities. His 
splendid personality in itself has been a potent 
factor in giving him an influential position among 
men, and the fine principles which have guided 
him through life have served as a silent precept 
and example for others. The history of his life 
should be a source of inspiration to the young 
men of the present generation, as well as of justi- 
fiable pride to his family and his friends. 

It is with genuine pleasure that those respon- 
sible for this publication give to him a permanent 
and prominent place among the honored, influ- 
ential, generous-hearted and public-spirited men 
of the Willamette valley. The engraving which 
appears in this volume was made from a photo- 
graph taken especially for the purpose, in July. 
1903, and preserves his likeness as he will be 
best remembered by his numerous friends in 
Salem and elsewhere. 



SAMUEL CO AD. Typical of the safe, solid, 
and substantial element which has contributed 
to the upbuilding of Oregon is Samuel Coad, 
a pioneer of 1853, and at times interested in 
many of the enterprises represented on the coast. 
For some years he has been a resident of Dallas, 
where he is engaged principally in the real es- 
tate business, and where he owns considerable 
valuable property. Mr. Coad was born in 
Westmoreland county, Pa., February 19, 1833, 
a son of John and Jane (Jeffrey) Coad, natives 
of England, the latter dying in Minnesota. John 
Coad entered the English army at the age of 
nineteen, and in the war with France was taken 
prisoner and retained until exchanged. Some of 
his children were born in England, and accom- 
panied him to America, settling in Westmore- 
land, Pa., where he engaged in farming and 
canal boating. In 1842 he removed to near 
Burlinoton, Iowa, where he lived on a farm for 
some years. His death occurred in Allegheny, 
Pa., at the age of eighty years. The original 
spelling of the name was Coade, but for con- 
venience the terminating letter has been abol- 
ished. 

The second of the eleven children born to his 
parents, Samuel Coad is the only one of his fam- 
ily to come to Oregon. He was nine years old 
when he went to live near Burlington. Iowa, and 
he there attended the public schools and served 
an apprenticeship to a carpenter. In 1853 he 
joined the overland train which had as fellow- 
travelers John Wolverton and Mr. Nealy, and 



PORTRA] r AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



521 



•'u w.i\ drove an ox team, five months elaps- 

ween the start and. the arrival at Foster's, 
riving in due time at Salem he worked at his 
le, but the same fall located in Spring Valley, 

unty, where he built and contracted for 
iuple of years. Afterward he continued his 

upation on the Luckiamute, and also tried his 

tune at prospecting for gold in the Rogue 

, v r district. Not being very successful, he re- 

urned to carpentering as a surer means of liveli- 

and about this time the government was 

■ erect blockhouses for protection in 

ith the Indians. Mr. Coad helped to 

build these primitive defenses, and in 1855 be- 

■e an active participator in the great Indian 
\> a soldier in Company B, First Ore- 
lunteer Infantry under command of Cap- 
tain Burch he served for about four months, 
and during that time participated in the engage- 
ment on Snake river, and was also disabled by 
an accident. Later he built more defenses for 
the government, among them being the fort in 
King's Valley. 

( hi the Luckiamute Mr. Coad worked at car- 
pentering after the war, and in 1853 married 
Henrietta (iilliam, youngest daughter of General 
Gilliam, recalled as one of the intrepid pioneers 
and Indian fighters of Oregon, and mentioned at 
length in another part of this work. After mar- 
riage he settled on a farm on the Peetlee for about 

n years, and then, having sold his property, 
bought another farm three and one-half miles 
east of Dallas. However, he rented out his farm 
and engaged in building in Dallas, and also built 
the woolen mills at Ellendale, returning after a 
couple of years to the farm. Three years later 
he sold his farm and came to Dallas, the better 
to educate his children, and that he might start 
a drug business on Main street, in partnership 
with his brother-in-law. B. F. Nichols. His 
health failing at the end of a year, he sold his 
interest in the store and clerked for a year in the 
dry goods store of W. C. Brown, thereafter pur- 
chasing four hundred acres of sheep land west 
of Dallas, which he traded at the end of three 
months for a farm containing the same amount 
of land. At the end of a year this also was sold, 
and Mr. Coad returned to clerking in the town, 
where his life was saddened by the death of his 
wife in April. 1875. The following year he mar- 
1 Anna McXeal. who was born in Dodge 
county, Neb., a daughter of Abram McNeal, who 
removed from his native state of New York 
to Michigan, and from there to Dodge county, 
Neb., of which he was an early settler. His 
farm was located on the military road, and here 
Mrs. Coad and her twin sister were born, the 
first white children of the county. In i860 Mr. 
McXeal crossed the plains with a four horse team 
to San Francisco, and the following year came 



to Salem, where he built and contracted until 
removing to Tacoma, Wash., where he died at 
the age of sixty. His wife was Annie Heche, 
who was born in Michigan, a daughter of Wal- 
ter Beebe, who was accidentally killed on the 
way to the coast, his wife surviving him until 
ninety-two years of age. Mrs. McNeal died in 
Nebraska in 1858, and her daughter, Mrs. Coad, 
was reared by Mrs. E. G. Emmens from her 
fifth year, or from 1862. Mrs. Emmens proved 
a mother indeed to the young girl, and the asso- 
ciation begun thus early has" gained in intimacy 
and affection to the present time. Mrs. Coad 
was educated in the public schools and at La 
Creole Academy, and when very young evinced 
that decided talent for oil painting which has 
placed her among the foremost artists of this 
class in the county. She is the mother of two 
sons, of whom J. E. is a resident of Portland, 
and George R. is in Dallas. 

After his second marriage Mr. Coad settled on 
a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, and 
after a year he purchased a drug store in the 
town, of which he was manager and proprietor 
for two years. For the following seven years he 
lived on the old Grant place, since disposing of 
which he has lived in Dallas, and has in the 
meantime managed a great deal of town and city 
property. He is the owner of large real estate 
interests, including both business and residence 
property, and is the owner of the Odd Fellows 
Building. He is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, and for more than thirty years has been 
a welcome member of various lodges. Political- 
ly he has ever espoused the Republican cause, 
and was one of the organizers of the party in 
this county. He is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church and of the Oregon Pioneers' Association. 
Mrs. Coad is a member of the home chapter of 
the Eastern Star. Five children were born of 
the first marriage of Mr. Coad, and of these, 
Frank J. is engaged in the sash and door manu- 
facturing business ; C. G. is postmaster of this 
town ; Maggie is the deceased wife of T. B. 
Rowell ; Mary is the wife of J. B. Stamp of 
Monmouth ; and Henrietta died at the age of 
seventeen. 



WILLIAM GRANT. Four years ago Wil- 
liam Grant retired from active business in Dallas, 
after contributing towards the development of 
the city to the extent of erecting the majority of 
her residences and public buildings. This hon- 
ored citizen is entitled to a place par excellence 
among the pioneers of this locality, as he was 
only three years of age when he came to Oregon 
in 1 8_i j. locating on a claim immediately adjoin- 
ing the present city of Dallas. No one now 
living within the borders of the flourishing little 



522 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



municipality can more authoritatively speak of 
the early days, nor have any at their command 
more interesting" anecdotes of the struggles and 
successes of those who were responsible for the 
first impetus forward. 

To go to the beginning of authentic knowledge 
concerning the family of Mr. Grant, one learns 
that his ancestors lived in Scotland, and were 
first represented in America by the paternal great- 
great-grandfather, who left the seat of religious 
and political, persecution in his native land and 
settled presumably in Virginia. At any rate, 
some of his descendants found their way to the 
old Dominion state, for here was born the pater- 
nal grandfather, Richard Grant, who removed to 
Tennessee, and finally died in Platte county, Mo. 
His son, David, the father of William, was born 
in Cocke county, -Tenn., in 1810, and in his 
youth was a farmer in both Tennessee and Mis- 
souri. In the latter state he married America, 
daughter of Gen. Cornelius Gilliam, a record of 
whose life may be found elsewhere in this work. 
Two children were born of this union in Mis- 
souri, one of whom, William, was born in Jack- 
son county, July 10, 1841. The father crossed 
the plains with his little family in 1844, and took 
up a claim of six hundred and forty acres ad- 
joining Dallas on the east, which he found to be 
exceedingly wild, and upon whicii he erected a 
little log cabin for the temporary accommodation 
of his family. His home in the wilderness soon 
took on a semblance of order, and the passing 
years found him a successful and well contented 
man, than whom no more honest or public-spirited 
lived hereabouts. He was highly esteemed, and 
invariably affectionately called Uncle Dave 
Grant. Everyone had a pleasant word for him, 
and everyone in the neighborhood revered him 
for his sincerity and extreme temperance 
in all directions. He lived on the pioneer farm 
until 1879, and that year built himself a home in 
Dallas, where he lived in retirement until his 
death in 1880 at the age of seventy years. Wil- 
liam is the only one of the four children in his 
father's family now living, Mary A., the other 
one who crossed the plains in '44, having died 
soon after coming to Oregon, at the age of three. 
Margaret, who was born in Oregon, and who 
became Mrs. Elkins, died in Redlands, Cal. ; and 
Martha Ellen, also born in Oregon, married 
Monroe Burford and died in Clatskanie, Colum- 
bia county, Ore. 

William Grant distinctly recalls the first log 
schoolhouse erected in the neighborhood of Dal- 
las, and in fact the first in Polk county, which 
was just inside of what constitutes the present 
corporation of Dallas City. It had a dirt floor, 
with puncheon seats, and was located among 
the stately and beautiful oaks. That the diminu- 
tive William might not be lost on the way to and 



from school the father plowed a furrow from his 
home westerly to the schoolhouse and in this 
furrow the little fellow walked to receive his 
first instruction at the hands of the pioneer school- 
master, William Snyder. Having imbibed all of 
the knowledge possible at the primitive school 
he attended the opening of La Creole Academy, 
of which his father was one of the organizers, 
trustees and upbuilders, and where he continued 
to be a student for several years. During 1861- 
2 he tried his fortunes in the mines at Florence, 
Idaho, and in the latter part of '62 married Beat- 
rice Aurelia Robertson, born in Missouri, and 
who came to Oregon, via Panama with her 
father, William Robertson, in 1852. William 
Robertson was a miller by trade and settled near 
Bollston, finally removing to Springfield, Lane 
county, where he conducted a mill, until his 
death in 1874. 

In 1864 Mr. Grant enlisted as a soldier in 
Company A, First Oregon Infantry, U. S. V., 
and served on the frontier against the invading 
red men. So commendable were his services, 
that he was made a lieutenant in February, 1865, 
and thereafter continued to serve until June 19, 
1866, when he resigned and was mustered out 
in Salem. The following year he engaged in the 
hotel business in Dallas. He then removed to 
Springfield, Linn county, where he engaged in 
building and contracting for seven years, fol- 
lowing which, he continued the same occupation 
in Lebanon, Linn county, for four years. He be- 
came permanently identified with building inter- 
ests in Dallas in 1879, and during the following 
years put up about all of the important buildings 
in the city. At present he owns one hundred 
acres of the old donation claim settled by his 
father in 1844, and here he has a fine orchard of 
ten acres, devoted mostly to prune culture. 

Mr. Grant has identified himself with the 
most progressive enterprises in Dallas and vicin- 
ity, and has been especially active in Repub- 
lican politics. Although rocked in the cradle of 
Democracy, he has always applauded Republican 
principles, and he has been called upon to fill 
many offices of trust and responsibility in his 
neighborhood. He served as deputy county 
sheriff and clerk, and was elected county treas- 
urer in June, 1864. The following June he took 
the oath of office, but in November resigned to 
enter the Civil war. He is a member of the Polk 
County Pioneer Association, and the Dallas 
Post G. A. R., of which he is past commander. 
Fraternally Mr. Grant is identified with the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religion 
is a member of the Christian Church. Five chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Grant: 
U. S., engaged in raising fine goats, and in- 
spector of the American Angora Association ; 
Glen Oscar, who is following in his father's foot- 



P( iR IK \i I \\D BIOGRAPHICAL RED >RD. 



fi9,*i 



steps, .is builder and contractor in Dallas; Mc- 
Coy, who is living on the old farm; Belden 11., 
a merchant at The Dalles; and Viola 
at home, who has become well known 
. writer of temperance stories for the " Search 
: " and other magazipes. 
Thus is told all too briefly the story of a man 
tinnh launched in the good will of all with whom 
ever had to do, and whose well directed 
lite has redounded to the advantage of his fam- 
ily, friends, and adopted state. 

DAVID SMITH. An early settler of Linn 

inty and a veteran agriculturist, David 

Smith, of Tallman, has been intimately asso- 

ed with the industrial interests of this part 

the state for fully half a century, and by his 
own exertions has acquired a handsome com- 
petency. In common with his pioneer neigh- 
bors he labored with unremitting zeal through- 
out his earlier years, toiling early and late to 

iblish in an uncivilized region a home for 
himself and family, and in course of time met 
with a happy reward, becoming the owner of 
a large, well stocked farm, which, with its sub- 
stantial improvements, indicates the general 
prosperity of its worthy proprietor. Now, in 
the declining years of a long and useful life, he 
is living in peace and plenty, happy in the love 
and affectionate care of his numerous descend- 
ants, having seven daughters, five sons, forty 
grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 

A native of east Tennessee, Mr. Smith was 
born March 18, 1828. When six years of age 
he accompanied his parents to Missouri, where 
he grew to manhood on a farm. Subsequently 
engaging in agricultural pursuits for himself, 
he lived in that state a number of years, ac- 
quiring some property. In hopes of bettering 
his financial condition he made up his mind to 
try life on the frontier. Accordingly, in 1852, 
he started across the plains with one wagon, 
four yoke of oxen, and three cows. He lost all 
of the cows on the way, and a part of the oxen. 
After arriving in Oregon, he bought two yoke 
of oxen, and that fall located with his family 
near Scio, in Linn county. Taking up a dona- 
tion claim of one hundred and sixty acres, sit- 
uated about four miles east of Scio, he lived 
there twelve years. Purchasing then the Chris- 
tian Clymer claim of one hundred and seventy- 
one acres, he carried on farming and stock- 
raising for seven years successfully. Adding 
then to his property by the purchase of a farm 
of three hundred and six acres, lying nearer 
Lebanon, he continued his chosen occupation 
there for seven years. Returning at the ex- 
piration of that period to the old Clymer plac«% 
he resided on it until 1892. In addition to gen- 
eral farming he was employed to some extent 



in the lumber business and stock-raising. In 
1SS7 he built a warehouse at Tallman Station, 
and operated it until 1900, when he sold out, 
but still owns considerable interest in the farm- 
ers' warehouses. Removing to his present fine 
farm, in 1892, Mr. Smith has since been num- 
bered with the extensive and prosperous agri- 
culturists of this section of the county, and is 
held in high regard as a citizen of worth and 
stability. Having recently sold much real es- 
tate, he now owns but five hundred and eighty- 
five acres of land. 

While living in Missouri, Mr. Smith married 
for his first wife Sarah Ripertoe. She died 
September 18, 1852, leaving two children, 
namely : Percy, a resident of Umatilla county , 
Ore., and Thomas, who assists in the manage- 
ment of the home farm. 

In September, 1854, Mr. Smith married 
Sarah J. Montgomery, who was born and 
reared in Hickman county, Ky., a daughter of 
Samuel and Julia (Grimes) Montgomery. In 
1847 M r - Montgomery, accompanied by his 
wife, five sons and only daughter, started for 
Oregon, with three' wagons, four yoke of oxen 
and four cows. After journeying eight months 
he arrived in Linn county in October, 1847, 
and at once took up a donation claim of six 
hundred and forty acres on the North Santiam 
river. In the spring of 1848, he took his family 
to California, and was there employed in pros- 
pecting and mining for two years. Returning 
east in 1850, by way of the Isthmus, he stayed 
at his old home in Kentucky a short time. Fit- 
ting himself out with ox teams and a drove of 
cows, he came back to Oregon in 1851, and 
lived in Linn county the ensuing eight years. 
Disposing then of his property in this section, 
he was engaged in stock business in southern 
Oregon for a time, and then removed to Cali- 
fornia, where he remained until his death, in 
1876, at the age of sixty-six years. His wife 
survived him, dying eighteen months later. 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of 
eleven children, all of whom grew to years of 
maturity, there being eight daughters and 
three sons, as follows : Julia Ann, wife of 
George Peebler, of Umatilla county, Ore.; 
Sarah, deceased wife of Frank Burkhart ; An- 
drew J., of Lebanon ; George S., of Gilliam 
county, Ore. ; Mary Frances, wife of James 
Brannon ; Jessie D., of Lebanon ; Eliza Jane, 
wife of William Long; Celia Bell, wife of 
Charles Scott; Martha Ellen, wife of William 
Yank ; Susan C, wife of Charles Ensley, and 
Ida M., wife of George Yank. 



E. L. D'LASHMUTT, now deceased, was for 
many years an enterprising agriculturist of Polk 
county and afterward a respected and valued 



52 f> 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



citizen of Dallas, and his loss in the community 
was deeply mourned. He was born in Franklin 
county, Ohio, a son of Elias D'Lashmutt, who 
was a merchant of the Buckeye state and there 
died. As the name indicates the family is of 
French lineage. The subject of this review was 
reared in the county of his nativity and after 
attaining his majority carried on farming until 
1853, when he removed to Iowa, settling near 
Oskaloosa. He became one of the extensive 
farmers and successful stock-raisers of that lo- 
cality, where he continued to make his home until 
the 1 8th of April, i860, when he started for the 
northwest, believing that this district offered bet- 
ter opportunities for business advancement. He 
traveled with an ox and horse train, being cap- 
tain of the company which included thirty-five 
wagons. They made the journey by way of Coun- 
cil Bluffs, Fort Hall and the old Oregon trail. Mr. 
D'Lashmutt was accompanied by his wife and 
five children and after long and weary weeks of 
travel they were cheered and gladdened by the 
sight of the beautiful Willamette valley, where 
they arrived on the 13th of September. Mr. 
D'Lashmutt settled first on Salt Creek. After- 
ward he became the owner of the old Frederick 
place in Polk county, a large farm of three hun- 
dred and ninety acres, which he continued to cul- 
tivate and improve in a successful manner until 
1880, when he located in Dallas, spending his re- 
maining days in this city. 

On the 5th of February, 1849, Mr. D'Lashmutt 
was married in Columbus, Ohio, to Miss Lydia 
Morris, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, 
a daughter of Asa Morris, a native of that state 
and a grand-daughter of Solomon Morris, who 
was born in Virginia and served his country in 
the Revolutionary war. Asa Morris carried on 
agricultural pursuits in Ohio until his death. He 
had married Phoebe Ward, who was born in 
Ohio, and in i860 she came to Oregon with Mr. 
and Mrs. D'Lashmutt and was afterward mar- 
ried to Jonathan Dyer of Polk county, where 
she died in 1886. Mrs. D'Lashmutt was one of 
five children, four of whom are still living : 
William, deceased ; Mrs. Eliza Ruffner, of San- 
oma, California ; Mrs. D'Lashmutt ; Mrs. E. A. 
Graham, of Salem ; and John Morris of Salem, 
whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. 
Mrs. D'Lashmutt was reared in Columbus, Ohio. 
Her husband was twice married and by his first 
union had one daughter, Ann E., the wife of E. 
A. Stevens, of Washington county. Ore. By the 
second marriage there are four children : Mrs. 
Emma Campbell, of Dallas ; Ella, the wife of 
M. M. Ellis, of Dallas, Mary Violet, the wife of 
Dr. H. F. Smith, of Seattle ; and Ida, the wife 
of W. H. Percival of Independence. 

Mr. D'Lashmutt was a Republican in his po- 
litical views. He lived a quiet, unassuming life, 



yet there was in his career those qualities of man- 
hood which awaken respect and confidence among 
his fellowmen. He was a loyal citizen, honor- 
able in business and wherever known he won 
the high esteem of those with whom he was as- 
sociated. He died in 1888 at the age of seventy- 
four years and thus was called hence one of 
the worthy pioneers whose names are deeply 
engraved on the pages of Oregon's history. 
Since her husband's death Mrs. D'Lashmutt has 
resided in Dallas, where she is much esteemed 
for her many 'good qualities. She is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, belongs to the 
Ladies' Aid Society and takes a deep interest in 
the spread of Christianity. 



GEN. CORNELIUS GILLIAM, maternal 
grandfather of William Grant, and whose grand- 
children are among the most honored citizens of 
Oregon, was born in North Carolina, and at 
an early day settled in Missouri. While re- 
siding there he became prominent in military 
affairs, attained to the rank of captain in the 
Black Hawk war, and was present at the sur- 
render of Osceola. He also assisted in ex- 
pelling the Mormons from Missouri, and he was 
colonel of the Missouri State Militia, a position 
resigned that he might take up his residence in 
the west. In 1844 he crossed the plains with 
his own and the Grant families, and they took the 
old Oregon trail, on the way encountering every 
known obstacle which impeded the progress of 
the early tourists of the plains. Arriving at the 
Tualatin Plains December 25, 1844, the little 
band started for The Dalles, and found that their 
troubles had really just begun. But one party 
had preceded them, and that was in 1843, an d 
there were practically no roads, and for hundreds 
of miles they were obliged to break their own 
roads. It was a weary and footsore little band 
that finally arrived at their destination, yet all 
were hopeful, and willing to do all in their power 
to improve their forlorn condition. 

Gen. Gilliam took up a donation claim upon a 
portion of which Dallas has since been built, but 
this was soon after sold, and he bought a claim 
of six hundred and forty acres on a branch of 
the Luckiamute. His rank of general was ac- 
quired as general in command of the Oregon 
troops during the Cayuse war, and he fearlessly 
led the soldiers in the dreaded and dangerous 
Cayuse country on both sides of the Columbia, 
until the war was over and peace declared. This 
last noble service was destined to be his undoing, 
for on the way home he happened to go to the 
end of a wagon to get a piece of rope, and a 
soldier stepping up, offered to get it for him. 
By mistake a loaded gun, with the ramrod left 
in had been left in .the wagon, and it was accident- 



POK \'K \IT \M> BIOGRAPHICAL RE( I >RD. 



62? 



ally discharged, the ramrod hitting the colonel 
in die forehead, and killing him instantly. This 

- in [848, and he was tenderly brought to 
Dallas ami given a soldier's burial, and no man 
of In* time and place was more deeply mourned 

his fellow-soldiers in the field. At the time 
if his death he hold an honored military posi- 
tst, and no name in Oregon was 
truly typical of courage and fidelity, 
lien. Gilliam had other claims to distinction 
than that vested in his military service. He was 
quite a politician in his day. and in Jackson 
county, Mo., served for several terms as sheriff, 
and was also a member of the Missouri legisla- 
ture, was a Mason of high standing and his grave 

lecorated by the fraternity up to this time. 
He was also an ordained minister in the Baptist 
Church, and an earnest expounder of the doc- 
trines oi that denomination. Through his mar- 
riage with Mary Crawford, a native of Missouri, 
and who died in Oregon, the following children 
were born to them : America, who became Mrs. 
David Grant; Hon. W. S. Gilliam of Walla 
Walla. Wash. : Mrs. Louise Gage, who died in 
Oregon; Mrs. Rebecca Gage, who also died in 
( 're^. m ; Mrs. Sarah Nichols, who died in Wash- 
ington ; Marcus D.. who was a farmer and died 
on the old donation claim of his father; Eliza- 
beth, who is the wife of Frank M. Collins of 
Dallas ; and Henrietta, who was Mrs. Samuel 

I, of Dallas, but is now deceased. 



JOHN DAVID SMITH. Both John David 
Smith and his wife are members of families in- 
timately connected with the early pioneer days 
of Oregon, and both are justified in regarding 
the uncivilized red man in anything but a favor- 
able light. Mr. Smith is one of the many sons 
of Missouri who have transferred their citizen- 
ship to Marion county, and in the fertile vallev 
of their adoption have impressed their worth as 
agriculturists and men. He was born in Ray 
county. Mo., November 23, 1843, an d came of a 
family of decidedly southern characteristics. 

Daniel Smith, the father of J. D., was born 
in Lincoln county. Term.. September 2, 1809, and 
when a small boy removed with his parents to 
Missouri, remaining there until 1851. In Mis- 

iri he married Emily Ringo, who was born in 
Kentucky, October 5, 1819, and whose parents 
came to Missouri at a very early day. In the 
spring of 1851 Mr. Smith outfitted and crossed 
the plains, arriving at their destination in Ore- 
at the expiration of six months. The first 
winter was spent near Parkersville, Marion 
county. The following spring he took up a dona- 
tion claim ten miles north of Salem, which was 
all in timber and extremely wild. Here he was 
living at the outbreak of the Indian war in 1855, 



known as the kin.se war. and lu- was one of the 
first to enlist in Company K, under command of 

Captain Goff. Very near the beginning of hos- 
tilities he was killed while performing picket 
duty. After his death his widow continued to 
live on the old place, and three years later mar- 
ried Samuel Simpson, removing to his home in 
Garfield, Wash., where her death occurred at the 
age of seventy-nine years in 1898. She was the 
mother of four children, of whom Mary J. is the 
witlow of Francis Manning, of Marion county ; 
Madison C. lives in Boise City, Idaho; Sarah 
A. is the wife of Peter J. Pe'fly, of Lewiston. 
Idaho, and J. D., the subject of this review. 

At the age of sixteen Mr. Smith started out 
to make his own living, equipped with an edu- 
cation received in the public schools and at 
the University at Salem. With his brother he 
took a drove of cattle to Boise City, Idaho, in- 
tending to reap a considerable sum from their 
sale, but was doomed to disappointment, for the 
cattle all died, and the boys were forced to hustle 
for a living. Until 1870 he worked as a general 
laborer, and then took charge of the home place 
until his marriage, February 4, 1874, to Iphigenia 
Masterson, a native of Springfield, Ore., and 
daughter of J. A. and Valinda (Campbell) Mas- 
terson, pioneers of '53, who settled in Linn coun- 
ty. Mr. Smith took his bride to the old Smith 
donation claim, and there lived and farmed until 
January 1, 1891, when they removed to their 
present farm of two hundred and forty-two acres, 
one mile south of Gervais. Mr. Smith has one 
hundred and fifty acres of his property under cul- 
tivation, and in addition to general farming, de- 
rives a substantial income from raising Cotswold 
sheep. In addition to this farm he still owns 
half of his father's old donation claim of two 
hundred and forty-two acres. 

In political affiliation Mr. Smith is independ- 
ent, and believes in voting for the best man. He 
takes a great interest in education, and his in- 
fluence on the school board has been a progres- 
sive and helpful one. For many years he has 
been identified with the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, Fraternity Lodge No. 9, and the 
United Artisans, Gervais Lodge No. 79, in both 
of which organizations he has passed all the 
chairs. He is esteemed by all who know him, 
and his position in the community is that of a 
broad-minded, progressive, and exceedingly well 
informed man. Five children have been born to 
this family : Roy, Nellie, Kittie, Maud M., and 
Madison Clarence. 

The parents of Airs. Smith are worthy of 
mention among the early settlers of Oregon. 
J. A. Masterson was born in Kentucky, and when 
a boy removed with his parents to Missouri. 
There he married Valinda Campbell, a native of 
Missouri. They lived in the state until 1853. 



528 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The Mastersons then outfitted with ox teams and 
crossed the plains in a large train, comprising 
the sisters of Mr. Masterson and their families, 
one of which was named Ward. All went well, 
and the members of the train were congratu- 
lating themselves upon their immunity from ill- 
ness and disaster, when, arriving at Fort Boise 
on the Snake river, the party were attacked by 
Indians, and all murdered but four. Mr. and 
Mrs. Masterson happened to have gone on ahead 
to look for a camping ground, and so missed 
the terrible fate meted out to their friends and 
relatives ; and the two Ward boys, at first sup- 
posed to be dead, were revived and were able 
to resume their journey. It can be imagined 
with what heavy hearts the survivors buried their 
loved ones on the desolate plains, this being one 
of the worst massacres in the early days, and 
afterward known as the Ward massacre. Mr. 
Masterson took up a donation claim in Marion 
county, where his wife died at the age of thirty- 
three. Mr. Masterson is making his home with 
a son in Malheur county. He is a blacksmith 
by trade as well as a farmer, and during his active 
life has combined these two occupations advan- 
tageously. Eight children were born to himself 
and wife : Gilky is deceased ; Mrs. J. D. Smith ; 
Mary W., the widow of W. F. Cauthorn of 
Marion county; Henry, deceased; Givens, a 
resident of Washington ; Clayborn, deceased ; 
Alfred, a resident of Malheur county, Ore. ; and 
Elizabeth, the wife of Robert Mann, of Coeur 
d'Alene, Idaho. 



W. R. BROWN is a well known blacksmith 
of Amity and by earnest, persevering labor 
has acquired a handsome competence. He was 
born July 4, 1837, in New Brunswick on the 
Richibucto river. His father was a farmer by 
occupation and in the family were twelve chil- 
dren, who were educated in the district schools. 
It was thus that our subject obtained his men- 
tal discipline and upon the home farm he re- 
mained until fifteen years of age, when he en- 
tered upon an apprenticeship at the black- 
smith's trade, remaining in Richibucto until 
twenty-one years of age, when he left his home 
locality and took up his abode in St. Johns^ 
New Brunswick. There he followed black- 
smithing for about three months, after which 
he went to Boston, Mass., and worked at his 
trade for about a year. On the expiration of 
that period he removed to Taunton, Mass., 
where he spent two years, after which he re- 
turned to his native country. He next went 
to Sackville, New Brunswick, where he spent 
one year in the Academy, after which he re- 
turned to Taunton, Mass., where he again fol- 
lowed blacksmithing for a year. At the end 



of that time Mr. Brown started for the Pacific 
coast, going by way of the Fall River Line 
to New York, where he took passage on a 
steamer bound for Aspinwall, and after cross- 
ing the isthmus of Panama he boarded another 
steamer whose destination was San Francisco. 
There he arrived in 1863 and for a short time 
he followed his trade in that city. Later he 
went to Sacramento, where for some time he 
was engaged by a railroad construction com- 
pany, after which he returned to San Francis- 
co and later went to Victoria. Subsequently 
he proceeded up the Frazier river to Caribou, 
B. C., and in 1864 he arrived in Portland, Ore., 
where he resided for about two years. In 1866 
he established his home in Amity, where he 
purchased a shop and has since engaged in 
the blacksmith's trade. His thorough under- 
standing of the trade and his expert work- 
manship have enabled him to secure a good 
patronage. He owns several pieces of prop- 
erty in the village, besides his home place, and 
his possessions are the visible evidence of his 
life of thrift and industry. 

Mr. Brown was united in marriage July 19, 
1887, to Miss Martha E. Stephens, a native of 
Missouri, and their union has been blessed 
with five sons : William J., Paul, Robert, Ivan 
and Elden, all of whom are at home. 

Mr. Brown is recognized as one of the lead- 
ing and influential citizens of Amity and was 
one of the first members of the town council 
and for two years he served as its chairman. 
He is an exemplary member of the Masonic 
fraternity and has held all of the chairs in the 
local lodge, including that of worshipful mas- 
ter. In politics he has always been a stalwart 
Republican, believing firmly in the principles 
of the party, and his progressive and- public 
spirit are manifest in the co-operation which 
he gives in all measures which are intended 
for the public welfare and improvement. 



REBECCA CALHOON. That efficient 
farmer managers are by no means confined to 
the male persuasion has been repeatedly dem- 
onstrated in various parts of the country, but 
more especially in the extreme west, where 
women enter intelligently and enthusiastically 
ill departments of agricultural undertakings 
being as much at home at the business end of 
the line as they are in the manipulation of 
household affairs. To this class belongs Mrs. 
Rebecca Calhoon, whose pleasant home and 
well tilled farm constitute one of the fine prop- 
erties and hospitable centers in Yamhill 
county. 

Before her first marriage Rebecca Lemas- 
ters, Mrs. Calhoon was born in Morgan 



PORTRAIT AND BIl )GR VPHIC \I. RECORD. 



531 



county, Ky., January 14. [836, and when four 
,»t' age was taken by her family to Mis- 
souri, locating in Andrew county. Her father, 
Lemasters, was horn in Ohio, February 
11, 1S04. and died December 5, [888. Her 
mother, Nancy I Elam) Lemasters, was horn 
in Virginia and died at \>h Hollow, wesl of 
th< Rocky mountains, in 1852, on the way 
across the plains, at the age of forty-one years. 
In 1850 Mr. Lemasters moved from Andrew 
county, Mo., to Gentry county, and remained 
there until starting across the plains in March 
i^i 1852. The train left Council Bluffs, Iowa. 
and at the expiration of six months of varied 
and interesting experience landed in Lafay- 
ette. Vainhill county, in November, 1852. 

Miss Lemasters had the usual bringing up 
of the pioneer daughters, and in her youth was 
instructed in household work, attending at ir- 
regular intervals the district schools. Her first 
marriage. May 18. 1853, was with Charles 
Berry, who was born in far-off Maine, March 
15. 1820. and died August 1, 1865. Mr. Berry 
came around the Horn to California in the 
year of gold, '49. and after a year's experiment 
in the mines of that state removed to Oregon 
in 1850. He took up three hundred and twenty 
acres of land in Yamhill county upon which 
his wife now lives, and there engaged in gen- 
eral farming and carpentering, a trade learned 
in his native state of Maine. To this dav are 
standing many of the old residences and barns 
which he built during his residence in the state, 
for so good a workman was he that his ser- 
vices found ready recognition among patrons 
of substantial building. As a result of the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Berry four children were 
horn, three sons and one daughter: Charles 
A. Berry lives on an adjoining farm ; John 
also lives on an adjoining farm ; Mrs. Ann 
Willis lives near by her mother; and Maine 
Berry lives on an adjoining farm. 

For a second husband Mrs. Berry married, 
September 27, 1866, J. J. Calhoon. who was 
born in Holmes county. Ohio, and who came 
to California via the plains in 1854. Mr. Cal- 
hoon became a resident of Oregon in 1858, and 
after a three years' residence in Tillamook 
county located in Yamhill county, where he 
engaged in farming until his death, September 
29. 1902. He was a man of enterprise and 
public spirit, and achieved considerable suc- 
cess after removing to the west. He was a 
member of the Christian Church, in which he 
served as elder, and during his active life pro- 
moted the financial and other interests of the 
church, and is a member of the Pioneers' As- 
sociation of Yamhill county. Mrs. Calhoon 
has been a member of the Christian Church 
since 1853. 



JAMES W. MARTIN. Ever since his 
twenty-third year, James \Y. Martin has earned 
an independent livelihood as an agriculturist in 

Yamhill county, and at present he is the owner 
of three hundred acres of land, seventy of which 
are under cultivation. Large numbers of fine 
stock graze upon his fertile meadows, and he- 
sides general crops he is devoting considerable 
time and attention to hop cultivation, twenty- 
three and a half acres being at present under the 
latter named commodity. A survey of the va- 
rious departments represented on the well-devel- 
oped Martin farm convinces the beholder that a 
master hand is at the helm, and well understands 
the science which is at the bottom of all-around 
supremacy in this or any country. Modern labor- 
saving appliances, finely constructed barns and 
outhouses, and an all-pervading air of neatness 
and thrift indicate a superiority of management 
consistent with the best interests of the county. 

A native son of Yamhill county, Mr. Martin 
was born August 20, 1853, on the paternal farm, 
located one mile southeast of Lafayette, near 
where the locks are now constructed. His father, 
Franklin Martin, was born in Howard county, 
Mo.. April 15, 1824, and his mother, Anna M. 
(Burnett) Martin, was born in Clay county, Mo., 
August 28, 1835. He is the third oldest in a 
family of thirteen children, five sons and eight 
daughters, three of whom died in infancy. The 
paternal grandfather was born in North Caro- 
lina, and died on a large farm near Liberty, Mo., 
of which locality he was a very early pioneer. 
Franklin Martin crossed the plains in a train of 
one hundred and fifty wagons in the spring of 
1846, and, after a six-months trip, landed in 
Yamhill county, Ore., in the fall, after an ex- 
tremely precarious and danger-infested journey. 
During the entire route the travelers were obliged 
to hew their way through bands of savages, and 
other inconveniences arose in the shape of 
swollen streams and illness among those com- 
prising the train. In 1848, the father bought six 
hundred acres of a Frenchman by the name of 
Sharlotte, and having settled his little family 
thereon, betook himself to the mines of California 
the following year. After a moderately success- 
ful year in Humboldt county, he returned to his 
new and heavily-timbered farm in Yamhill 
county, where his death occurred January 24. 
1882. He was exceedingly industrious, and 
made the most of his western opportunities, and 
out of the four hundred and twenty-five and a 
half acres owned during the latter part of his 
life, about three hundred had been placed under 
cultivation. This represented an enormous 
amount of muscle and energy, yet from his sub- 
sequent large harvests, and fine aggregation of 
high-bred cattle, Mr. Martin reaped ample com- 
pensation for his pains. 



532 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



At the age of twenty-three, James W. Martin, 
who had been educated in the public schools, and 
thoroughly drilled in things agricultural, bought 
of his mother one hundred and two acres of the 
original donation claim taken up by his father. 
Although still holding on to his land, he has 
branched out considerably into other occupations, 
and from 1890 until 1900 conducted a livery 
business in Lafayette anil Independence, Ore. 
Gradually he has added to his original purchase 
until he now owns three hundred acres. In 1876 
he married Alice L. Palmer, daughter of Gen. 
Joel Palmer, the latter of whom died at Dayton, 
Ore., in 1881. General Palmer was an early set- 
tler in Oregon, having arrived in the state as 
early as 1845. The following year he returned 
to the east, and after again settling in Oregon, 
in 1847, identified himself largely with Indian 
affairs. He was superintendent of Indian affairs 
for the state of Oregon, and was Indian agent at 
the Slitz Agency. Two children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Martin, Roy P. and Lilith A., 
both of whom are living with their parents. A 
Democrat in politics, Mr. Martin has actively 
promoted the interests of his party in this county, 
and was nominated for sheriff of Yamhill in 
1890. He is a welcome member of various fra- 
ternal organizations in the state, notably the An- 
cient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen 
of the World, and the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, the latter of Lafayette. With the Odd 
Fellows he has passed through all the chairs, is 
noble grand, and has represented the lodge at the 
Grand Lodge for eight years. 



MRS. ELIZA G. EMMENS was born Oc- 
tober 14, 1817. in Logan county, Ohio, and is a 
descendant of an old English family that had 
early made America their home. Her grand- 
father, John Garwood, had originally settled in 
Virginia, but in 1805 had removed to Logan coun- 
ty, Ohio, where he reared his family, his trade be- 
ing that of a miller, building his own mill in which 
to work. His son, Lott, the father of Mrs. Em- 
riiens of this review, was born in Virginia, in 
1792, taking up farming for his life occupation, 
remaining at it until his death at the age of 
seventy-five years in 1857, in Logan county, 
Ohio, whither his father had removed. He mar- 
ried Ruth Branson, who died in Ohio, the daugh- 
ter of William Branson, both natives of Virginia, 
and of this union three children were born, Mrs, 
Emmens being the second child and only one 
living. 

Having already attained a ripe old age and 
yet with the promise of many years before her, 
Mrs. Emmens recalls vividly the great changes 
which have come within her range of vision. 
Her earliest recollections go back to a little log 



schoolhouse in the Ohio wilds, where to-day 
the land blossoms with the easily cultivated har- 
vest yields, when she sat upon the puncheon 
benches with the light upon her book falling 
through greased paper windows, her quill pen 
carefully laid away until the hour for writing 
came. When the bitter days of winter came in 
good earnest the room was heated by a roaring 
fire in the big, open fire-place. In 1835, at the 
age of eighteen, she married John H. Robb, a 
native of Pennsylvania, born near Burgettstown, 
and at this time a farmer in her native count}-. 
Becoming interested in the tales of the golden 
lands of the west — for the farmer as well as the 
miner — Mr. Robb, with the hearty co-operation 
of his ambitious wife, prepared to take the long 
journey necessary in order to reach the desired 
location. Having secured their outfit at St. Joe, 
they set out May 5, 1852, members of an ox train 
on the old Oregon trail, reaching their destina- 
tion September 20. Coming at once to Polk 
county, they located on a donation claim near 
Bethel, but later returned to Dallas, where they 
had stopped previous to the settlement on the 
claim. After another effort at farming, this time 
a short distance south of Dallas, Mr. Robb took 
a trip to California. In the fall of 1861 he passed 
away at his home in Dallas, at the age of forty- 
seven years. 

On June 18, 1862, Mrs. Robb was again 
united in marriage to Johannes Emmens, the son 
of Jacobus Emmens, the New York representa- 
tive of an old Holland family. In. Gravesend, N. 
Y. Johannes Emmens was born and reared, tak- 
ing up his residence later in Illinois, where he 
carried on farming. In 1852 he crossed the plains, 
reaching Willamette valley in August of the 
same year. After his settlement of a donation 
claim in Polk county, he removed to Dallas, 
where as a Republican, he held several political 
offices, among them being that of deputy county 
clerk and county treasurer, while under the ad- 
ministration of Lincoln he served as postmaster 
of Dallas. He was also at one time engaged in 
the dry goods business in Dallas, but soon after 
returned to his farm two miles east of Dallas. 
He lived to be nearly eighty-two years old, dy- 
ing June 16, 1902. 

Though nearly eighty-six years old, Mrs. Em- 
mens' mind is still unimpaired. The past is still 
as vivid in her memory as though it had hap- 
pened but yesterday, and she enjoys talking of 
the time when she and her husband were among 
the first pioneers in Polk county. She recalls 
distinctly the meteoric shower of November 13, 
1833, being then a girl of sixteen in her Ohio 
home. Of the children born to her father and 
mother she is the only one living, her splendid 
constitution and. health carrying her far beyond 
three score years and ten, and leaving her practi- 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



533 



. alone, but with her courage and good cheer 

- bright even hour of the evening of 

She is a member of the Methodist 

.il Church, and perhaps the secret of her 

. life is the every-day use of her religion. 



LEVI BENNETT is a native of Illinois, 
m in Tazewell county, in March. 1834, and 

;.nv living in Yamhill county. Ore., near 
Whiteson. He was one oi a family of four 
children whose parents were farming people. 
His father died when the son was thirteen 

irs of age and for two years thereafter he 
lived with a neighbor. The educational privi- 
leges which he enjoyed were received prior to 
that time in the district schools near his home. 
When a youth of fifteen he joined a company 
of people who started across the plains to the 
northwest in 1848. He went as one of the 
drivers of an ox team and for six months trav- 

I with the party, walking the entire dis- 
tance. Progress was slow and hardships were 
many, for not only did they have to endure 
the trials incident to the journey across the 
hot, sandy plains and through the mountain 
passes, but there was also danger of attacks 
from the Indians, the latter stealing some of 
their horses near the Platte river. They 
crossed the Cascade mountains about fifteen 
miles from The Dalles and Mr. Bennett spent 
his first winter in Oregon upon a farm near 
Salem, which is now the site of the state peni- 
tentiary. In the spring of 1849 be went to 
French Prairie in Marion county, where he 
was employed as a farm hand until his re- 
moval to Yamhill county. Here he followed 

ging in Moore's valley for about three years 
and for about two years he made his home 
upon a farm at Whiteson. In 1854 he went to 
south Oregon, where he was engaged in min- 
ing and prospecting, but in the following year 
he returned to Yamhill county. 

Mr. Bennett was then married to Miss Mary 
M. Stephens, who had traveled overland to 
the northwest in 1845 with her parents, who 

led in Portland. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett 
after their marriage located upon the farm 
where he now lives. He had purchased one 
hundred acres of land, most of which was 
prairie, and here he has resided continuously 
since, with the exception of a period of four 
years, which was spent upon a farm within 
four miles of the old homestead. All of the 
improvements upon his place are his work, and 
these include a good set of farm buildings and 
machinery and all modern equipments for fa- 
cilitating the work of field and meadow. At 
the present time he owns one hundred acres 
of good land and in connection with the cul- 



tivation of cereals best adapted to the soil and 
climate, he is also extensively engaged in rais- 
ing hops, having in 1902 a crop of about five 
thousand pounds, the sale of which has been 
profitable: 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett has been 
blessed with five children: Cyrus M., who is 
with his parents ; John II.. in Whiteson; Lil- 
lian R., the wife of E. G. Murphy, of Whiteson; 
Rosamond J., at home; and Maryetta, de- 
ceased. Mr. Bennett is independent in his po- 
litical views. He has served as a member of 
the school board for about twenty years and 
the cause of education finds in him a warm 
friend. Fraternally he is connected with the 
Masonic Lodge of Amity, in which he has 
filled all of the chairs. 



JAMES REID. Too much cannot be said 
of the enterprise and thrift, the business sagac- 
ity and honorable personal characteristics 
which have placed James Reid among the most 
influential and successful farmers of the vicin- 
ity of McMinnville. Descended from rugged 
and profoundly religious Scottish ancestors, 
he was born in the county of Halton, On- 
tario, Canada, May 31, 1843, his parents being 
natives of that deeply indented, ocean-swept 
portion of western Scotland known as Argyl- 
shire, where are raised some of the finest stock 
in the world. Of the thirteen children born to 
the parents in Scotland and Canada, but one 
is deceased, and the living members are so 
widely separated as to suggest from the start 
ambitious and resourceful tendencies. Two of 
the brothers are in Africa, one is in Australia, 
one in Manitoba, one in Oregon, and the re- 
mainder in Canada. 

Principally in Canada Mr. Reid received his 
education, and his youth gained considerable 
assurance from having to learn the rule of 
three and the principles of parsing while oc- 
cupying a backless and very hard wooden seat 
in a primitive log school house. At his father's 
death he was a strong young fellow of twenty, 
morally, mentally and physically able to cope 
with whatever the future might have in store 
for him. With the skill born of experience he 
managed the old homestead until 1873. and 
then came to Oregon, where he was variously 
employed for about a year. In 1874 he located 
on his present farm of two hundred and thirty- 
six acres, four miles east of McMinnville. and 
August 25, 1875, married Mary A. Fletcher, 
born near LaFayette, Yamhill county, October 
4. 1850. The Fletcher parents came to Oregon 
as early as 1840, and a complete record of these 
early and remarkably successful pioneers is 
to be found in another part of this work. 



534: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Since his marriage Mr. Reid has labored to in- 
vest his property with all the improvements 
known to modern agricultural science, and few 
properties in the county evince greater re- 
gard for advanced methods in all departments 
of farming. At the present time he owns three 
hundred and four acres of land, the greater 
part of which is devoted to stock-raising, in- 
cluding Berkshire and Poland-China hogs, 
Cotswold sheep, Jerseys and Short-horns. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reid have been born four 
children : Ytol Viola ; Lottie Lorene, who 
died February 19, 1902 ; Clifford Fletcher, and 
Clair James. 

In political affiliations a Republican, Mr. 
Reid has never identified himself to any ex- 
tent with political undertakings, but has never- 
theless served his county as supervisor for a 
couple of years, and he has rendered efficient 
service for a number of years as a member of 
the school board. He is a welcome member of 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and 
with his wife is an active member of the Cum- 
berland "Presbyterian Church, contributing 
generously towards its maintenance and chari- 
ties. 



HON. JOHN F. CALBREATH, one of the 
distinguished physicians of the state of Ore- 
gon, now serving as superintendent of the 
Oregon State Insane Asylum at Salem, was 
born in Weston, W. Va., June I, 1854. His 
father, John Calbreath, was a native of Augusta 
county, Va., born near Stanton, and his pa- 
ternal grandfather was a planter of the Shen- 
andoah valley. He was of Scotch descent, his 
ancestors having been members of one of the 
ancient Highland clans. John Calbreath fol- 
lowed farming near Weston, W. Va., until the 
time of the Civil war, when his property was 
practically destroyed by the contending ar- 
mies. He removed to Iowa in 1864 and for a 
year resided at Cincinnati in that state. In 
1865 he brought his family across the plains, 
traveling with a party of two hundred through 
the Indian country, the trip consuming six 
months. He located at Philomath, Benton 
county, Ore., where he leased land and began 
farming. Later he moved to eastern Oregon 
to engage in the cattle business, but died soon 
afterward, in 'the fall of 1872. In his religious 
faith he was a Presbyterian. ■ His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Nancy Christ, was 
also a native of Augusta county, Va., a daugh- 
ter of Daniel Christ, who was born in that 
state and was the owner of an extensive plant- 
ation. He died in the early '70s, having at- 
tained the age of over one hundred years. His 



daughter, Mrs. Calbreath, the mother of our 
subject, died in 1872. Pier children were: 
Thomas W., a farmer of Wasco county, Ore. ; 
Daniel M., of Polk county, Ore. ; Mrs. Janet 
Brown, who died in Harney county, Ore. ; 
and J. F. 

When but ten years of age Dr. Calbreath ac- 
companied his parents to Iowa, and the fol- 
lowing year came with them to Oregon. On 
account of the war, which interfered with the 
conduct of the schools of the south, his educa- 
tion in youth was limited, but after arriving in 
Oregon he attended school, including a course 
in Philomath College. He did not go to eastern 
Oregon with the family, but remained in Philo- 
math College for a time, and since leaving that 
institution has made his own way in the world. 
At the age of sixteen he rented a farm, which 
he operated for two years, having one hundred 
and ten acres planted to wheat. He then 
began studying medicine, having determined to 
make the medical profession his field of labor. 
At the age of seventeen he had begun' teach- 
ing, and that profession, combined with farm- 
ing, enabled him to gain sufficient means to 
pay the expenses of a course in medicine. In 
1872 he began study under the direction of Dr. 
J. R. Bayley, of Corvallis, and the following 
year entered the medical department of Wil- 
lamette University, where he remained for one 
term. He next became a student in Toland Medi- 
cal College, San Francisco, from which he was 
graduated in 1875 with the degree of M. D. 

Locating in La Fayette, Yamhill county, 
Ore., Dr. Calbreath then engaged in the prac- 
tice of medicine with Dr. Littlefield, an asso- 
ciation which was maintained until 1886, when 
Dr. Calbreath moved to McMinnville. There 
he became a partner of Dr. E. E. Goucher, 
under the firm name of Calbreath & Goucher, 
and in his chosen field of labor he met with 
gratifying success, working his way upward to 
a position of prominence. In 1896 he went to 
New York City and took a course in the New 
York Post-Graduate College, after which he 
returned to Oregon and continued the active 
practice of his profession until appointed su- 
perintendent of the Oregon State Insane 
Asylum, in January, 1900. He then moved to 
Salem. 

Dr. Calbreath's administration of the affairs 
of the asylum has been one of lasting benefit 
to the institution and has won for him the 
highest approval of his contemporaries. He 
has gradually made a number of much-needed 
improvements in connection with the estab- 
lishment, having added five new wards, be- 
sides two more in the course of construction. 
There are one thousand acres in the asylum 




c£ 



CL^t^o^a 



.^U 



t?^XH^<-L^CS)^ 



PORfRA] 1' \ Nl) BIOGRAPHICAL REG >RD. 



539 



(arm which is located five miles from Salem, 

while the main buildings of the institution are 

ted on a tract of two hundred acres, [Tiere 

an orchard of thirty acres at the asylum 

,r pr "calbreath has made a close study of the 
needs of the institution and its inmates, and 
t only carefullv performed his duties as 
physician, but has also given special attention 
to sanitary conditions, to outdoor and indoor 
exercise and to the minutest details hearing 
upon the health and general condition of the 
thirteen hundred unfortunate persons under 
his charge. His administration has demon- 
strated the fact that he is highly qualified for 
the work which he is now so ably performing. 
In a profession where advancement depends 
upon merit and skill he has steadily progressed 
until he stands to-day among the most able 
phvsicians of the state. 

In Corvallis. in 1874, Dr. Calbreath was mar- 
ried to Miss Irene Smith, a native of Yamhill 
county, and a daughter of Sidney Smith, who 
came 'from Ohio to Oregon in 1839. Mrs. Lai- 
breath is a ladv of superior culture and refine- 
ment She is a graduate of St. Mary's Acad- 
emy of Portland, and prior to her marriage 
she was a member of'the faculty of the Oregon 
Agricultural College at Corvallis. To Dr. and 
Mrs. Calbreath have been born two daughters, 
Helen and Evelene. 

\ pronounced Republican and prominent in 
political circles. Dr. Calbreath was elected m 
1894, as his partv's nominee from Yamhill 
county to the state senate, receiving a large 
majority. He served in the sessions of 1895 
and 1897, and was a member of the Ways and 
Means Committee and chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Medicine during both sessions. He 
was not a candidate for the second term, and 
returning home he resumed the practice of his 
profession. In 1896 he was a delegate to the 
Republican national convention at St. Louis, 
and was made vice-president of the Oregon 
delegation. 

Socially Dr. Calbreath is past master ot 
La Fayette Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M. ; past 
high priest of McMinnville Chapter, R. A. M. ; 
has taken all the degrees in the Scottish Rite 
tip to and including the Consistory, and is 
a member of Al Kader Temple, N. M. S , of 
Portland. He is also a member of the Uni- 
formed Rank, K. P., and is now serving his 
second term as a member of the board of re- 
gents of the State Normal School at Mon- 
mouth. 

Besides has other interests, he is the owner 
of a fine prune orchard and farming properties 
in Yamhill county. His life record is com- 



mendable and honorable, and Ins professional 
career shows the result of close application and 
a strong mentality. 



ABSALOM H. CORNELIUS. Coming in 
childhood to the state of Oregon, the son of 
a pioneer, Absalom H. Cornelius scarcely re- 
members any other home than the one he has 
known here for so many years. He was born 
in Henry county, Iowa, near the city of Bur- 
lington, January 2, 1839, and crossed the 
plains with his parents in 1845. He remained 
on the homestead taken up by his father in 
Marion county, Ore., until he was twenty-one 
years of age." Then going to southern Ore- 
gon, he followed mining in Josephine county 
for about one year and then followed the same 
calling in Florence, Idaho. Somewhat dissatis- 
fied with the miner's life, he returned to 
Marion county after a trial of six months, 
and located on a part of his father's farm, 
about two and a half miles southwest of Tur- 
ner, where he continued to live for ten years, 
actively engaged in the cultivation of the soil. 
By his marriage, September 20, 1868, Mr. 
Cornelius allied himself with a pioneer fam- 
ily of Oregon, his wife being Lavina Powell, 
the daughter of Elder Noah Powell, who was 
well known throughout the Willamette val- 
ley as a minister in the Christian Church. He 
was born in Greene county, Ohio. From Il- 
linois, in 1851, he crossed the plains with his 
family by means of two wagons drawn by ox- 
teams, being on the journey about six months. 
He first located in Marion county, near Sil- 
yerton, where he took up a donation claim of 
six hundred and forty acres, but not being en- 
tirely satisfied he removed to Howell Prairie. 
\fter a residence of a few years there he lo- 
cated near Amity, Yamhill county, and later 
made his home in Linn county for six years. 
From that location he removed to a farm in 
Marion county, where he died at the age ot 
sixty-six year's. His wife also died there at 
the 'age of eighty years. The five children 
who blessed their union are in order ot birth 
as follows: William; Josiah and John p., 
who are both deceased; Theresa A., who died 
in 1901, the wife of John Shafer; and La- 
vina, Mrs. Cornelius. 

Mr Cornelius formerly owned two hun- 
dred and twenty-five acres of land, located 
one mile from Marion village, the same being 
the property which Elder Powell owned in 
Marion county. In March. 1903, he sold his 
farm and retired to Jefferson, where he in- 
vested in real estate and remodeled a com- 
fortable home, and with his wife is living in 
comfort after years of hard work. For thirty 



54(1 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



years he was engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising, making a specialty of jersey 
cattle. A Republican in politics, Mr. Cor- 
nelius has served as county commissioner for 
two years and as assessor for four, in addition 
to his services as a member of the school 
board for ten years. Fraternally he has been 
a member of the Masonic order for twenty- 
two years. Of the children born to himself 
and wife, Flora is the wife of F. L. George, 
of Salem, and they have three children ; Emily 
is the wife of C. O. Green, of Oakland, Ore., 
and they have six children ; Annie, the wife 
of J. W. Cardwell, is the mother of three chil- 
dren and the family live on a farm three miles 
north of Salem ; Nettie is the wife of George 
Van Buren, station agent at Comstock for the 
Southern Pacific Radroad, and they have 
three children ; Maude is the wife of J. S. 
Roberts and they have three children and live 
in Portland ; Rodney, the only son, is a tele- 
graph operator at Drain, Ore., in the employ 
of the Southern Pacific Railway Company; 
and Nora is deceased. Mrs. Cornelius is a 
member of the Christian Church. 



EDWARD F. SOX. Though a prominent 
and enterprising business man of Albany, Linn 
county, Ore., Edward F. Sox has not confined 
his mental grasp to opportunities leading to 
this avenue, but with a praiseworthy ambition 
encouraged by exceptional executive ability he 
has widened his line of advancement, adding 
both mental and moral culture to his manhood, 
making in his community a place and name for 
himself as scholar, Christian and business man. 
During a residence of more than thirty years 
Mr Sox has clearly demonstrated his ability 
to lead where judgment and enterprise are es- 
sential to success, and as a man of this caliber 
he has stamped his personality in his adopted 
state. 

Born in Palmyra, Lee county, 111., January 
25, 1846, Edward F. Sox is the son of Herman 
and Margaret (Owens) Sox, both of whom were 
born November 14, 1814, the father in Ger- 
many, the mother in Wilkesbarre, Pa. As a 
young man Herman Sox emigrated to the 
United States, a land where talent and oppor- 
tunity were parallel. For some years he was a 
railroad builder in Pennsylvania, and there he 
met and married Margaret Owens, December 
27, 1838, and the next year they went to St. 
Louis, Mo., where they made their home for 
some time. In 1840, becoming interested in 
the farming capabilities of the prairie lands of 
Illinois, though at that date wild and unculti- 
vated, he purchased a number of acres in 
Whiteside county which he proceeded to im- 



prove. His death occurred in that state near 
Sterling, March 24, 1888, his wife surviving 
him until June, 1902, when she also died at the 
home of her son, L. N. Sox, in Sterling. Fra- 
ternally he was associated with the Masons. 

Of the nine children born to his parents, all 
of whom are living except a sister, Mary, who 
married Ira Compton, of Dixon, 111., Mr. Sox 
is the fourth in order of birth and the only one 
who lives in Oregon. He received his pre- 
liminary education in the public schools and 
prepared for college in the Prairieville Union 
schools, being deterred, however, from enter- 
ing by enlisting May 30, 1864, in Company D, 
One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry. He was mustered in at Dixon and sent 
south, his service being principally in Tennes- 
see and Missouri. He was mustered out Octo- 
ber 29, 1864, being then not yet nineteen years 
old, and in 1865 he entered Wheaton College, 
where he remained for two years, at the close 
of that time entering the University of Michi- 
gan. Though at the time of entering he had 
expected to graduate in the class of 1870, he 
attended but one year, after which he became 
a teacher in the public schools of Whiteside 
county, 111., continuing in his position for two 
years. In 1871 he changed his residence to 
Portland, Ore., and taught in the public schools 
until the fall of the same year, when he was 
elected to the chair of mathematics in Albany 
College, a position which he maintained for 
three years, resigning at that date to return to 
Illinois, and with his brother assisted in the 
management of his father's affairs. In 1877 he 
again made his home in Albany, Ore., and was 
made principal of the city schools for one year. 
From this date is reckoned his business career, 
for he then entered the hardware business in 
partnership with W. S. Peters, the firm being 
known for two years as Peters & Sox. In 
1882 Mr. Sox changed his location to Seattle, 
Wash., where he was one of the organizers of 
the firm known as Ballard & Sox, hardware 
dealers, which two years later was enlarged 
and incorporated under the title of the Seattle 
Hardware Company, which to-day is one of 
the largest of its kind in the city of Seattle. 
Mr. Sox served for some time as treasurer of 
the company, but in 1886 he sold his interest 
and returned to Albany and engaged in the 
same business with C. H. Stewart. The year 
1896 witnessed the organization and incorpora- 
tion of a stock company, under the title of the 
Stewart & Sox Hardware Company, of which 
Mr. Sox was elected president, continuing to 
hold that office to the present time. In the 
spring of 1903 Mr. Sox purchased Mr. Stew- 
art's interest. This is now one of the best- 
equipped and most extensive hardware busi- 



PORTRAJ r AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



.Ml 



m interests of Albany, in connection with 

which carrying a full line of Studebaker 

- and buggies; Parlin and Orendorff 

nton clippers and Moline plows and culti- 

>rs. Piano harvesters and cutting machin- 

Russell threshers, etc. In 1893 Mr. Sox 

irected the building, which is 50x100 feet and 

stories in height, a creditable addition to 

the business blocks of Albany. In addition to 

his interests in the city, Air. Sox also has farra- 

nterests in Linn county. 

The marriage ceremony which, united Mr. 

}ox with Miss Weltha M. Young was per- 
forraed ir Albany, January 27, 1874. She was 
horn in Benton county, Ore., January 16, 1855, 
the daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Young and 
er of S. E. Young, whose sketch appears 
elsewhere in this volume. She was a member 
of the first class that graduated from Albany 
College. Of this union two children have been 
born : Carleton E. and Emma Rebecca. The 
son graduated from Albany College in 1891 and 
from Leland Stanford University, California, 
in 1S94. and is now a practicing attorney of 
the firm of Hewitt & Sox. He is also a mem- 
ber of the board of trustees of Albany Col- 
lege and stockholder and director of the Stew- 
art & Sox Hardware Company. The daughter 
graduated from Albany College in the class of 
1902. While in Seattle Mr. Sox interested him- 
self in municipal affairs, serving in the inter- 
1" the Republican party as alderman for 
one term, and was also president of the Young 
Men's Christian Association for two years. He 
was superintendent of the Sunday School of 
Plymouth Congregational Church, though 
he is now a member of the United Presby- 
terian Church, in which he officiates as ruling 
elder, and occupied the position of superin- 
tendent of the Sunday School for ten years, a 
position he maintained with credit in every 
particular. He has always been interested in 

II educational movements. In the social life 
of the city he has been prominent, being a 
member of the Alco Club and a charter mem- 
ber of McPherson Post No. 5, G. A. R., of which 
he is past commander. 



HON. STEWART McKINDRA PENING- 
f 'N. Hardship, privation and toil were the 
daily diet of the pioneers of the early days, but 
it was one which made true, earnest men, upon 
whose worth and conscientious effort depended 
the future of the west. That was a time, in 
both middle and extreme west, when the fight- 
ing spirit of the Spartans was once more called 
into life and utilized in the following of peace- 
ful pursuits under warlike conditions, for such 
was certainly the case among the tangled paths 



familiar only to the feet of the Indian, who used 
his knowledge as a lure lor the men in the 
van of western civilization. To lion. S. M. 
Penington, of Albany, Linn county, the mem- 
ory ol the time when he made the journey into 
the west, alone and on his own responsibility, 
recurs with vivid force, since it is illustrated 
by the innumerable changes which have char- 
acterized the growth of Oregon, and which 
he has helped to bring about through his asso- 
ciation as a pioneer with the development of 
the resources of the state. For more than a 
half century he has been connected with the 
progress of the west, liberally contributing to 
every enterprise which he considered worthy of 
his support and he is now a worthy member of 
the generation which pauses to look with deep 
interest upon the work of the years, before 
surrendering the heritage to the guardianship 
of the ones who are to follow. 

The entire life of Stewart McKindra Pening- 
ton has been one of stirring activity and changing 
scene. He was born in Monroe county, Ky., 
August 5, 1824, the eighth in order of birth of 
thirteen children that blessed the home of his 
parents, John Stewart and Jemima (Houser) 
Penington, natives respectively of Virginia and 
Pennsylvania. They were both early settlers 
of Kentucky, the father being a farmer there, 
and ihe mother having emigrated with her 
parents. In 1831 they removed to Illinois, set- 
tling at Pennington Point, McDonough county, 
where Mr. Penington improved a farm. He 
died there at the age of seventy-six years, and 
his wife also died in the same state when she 
was sixty-five years old. They were both 
members of the Christian Church, and it was 
the privilege of Mr. Penington to enlist in 
1815 for service in the war of 1812. Of the 
twelve children who attained maturity the old- 
est, Thomas J., served in the Black Hawk war, 
and the youngest, William T., was a soldier 
during the Civil war, and S. M. Penington was 
the only one who sought a home on the Pacific 
coast. When seven years old Mr. Penington 
removed with his parents to Illinois, where he 
was reared to manhood upon his father's farm, 
receiving a practical agricultural training. Fol- 
lowing the custom of the early settlers he at- 
tended the common school in the vicinity of 
his home, a very primitive affair, a little log 
building built in the midst of field or forest, 
in the very early times having for windows 
nothing but oiled paper and for heating pur- 
poses a great fireplace. The materials with 
which the young students sought to advance 
their stock of knowledge were also primitive, 
the quill pen being one of the treasured articles 
of the pupil. When eighteen Mr. Penington 
started out in the world to seek his own liveli- 



542 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hood, engaging in farming, and a short time 
after he bought a farm, which consisted of un- 
improved prairie land, the first plowing of which 
requiring six yoke of oxen. For some years he 
remained in that location, industriously occu- 
pied with his farming interests, but having 
read and heard much of the brilliant oppor- 
tunities to be found in the Oregon territory 
he decided in 1847 to emigrate to the west. 
In company with a few friends he hired out 
to drive an ox-team across the plains, deter- 
mining at least to see Oregon whether he 
chose afterward to make it his home or not. 
His trip to the west was one of the most ex- 
citing periods in Mr. Penington's life, for ad- 
venture followed them from the beginning to 
the end of the journey. It was soon very evi- 
dent that he was more than an ordinary driver, 
as he never met with an accident of any kind, 
while the others experienced various troubles ; 
thus he was selected to lead. At Fort Hall 
the train ran short of provisions and several 
of the young men decided to complete the 
journey by pack horses and riding ponies, the 
price for the pony which Mr. Penington pur- 
chased from the Indians being two hickory 
shirts, though it afterward transpired that they 
had hoped to follow up the party and steal 
back their former property. For one hundred 
and fifty miles the Indians followed the six 
boys, three of whom stood guard every night 
and kept the enemy off by shooting at them 
as they were creeping up. 

After leaving Fort Hall the journey was 
completed quite rapidly, September 15 finding 
them in the desired location. Mr. Penington 
at once engaged in boating as a means of liveli- 
hood, remaining at this work on the Columbia 
river for a short time, when he entered the 
Oregon City saw mill owned by Governor 
Abernathy. In the summer of 1848 he engaged 
to conduct a farm on Tualatin plains for R. D. 
Torney, and that same summer he located a 
donation claim four miles north of Lebanon, 
Linn county, in the Santiam bottoms. In 1849 
he journeyed by water to California; after 
landing at San Francisco he at once went to 
the Spanish Bar of the American river, where 
he engaged for nearly two years in mining. 
He was successful the first year, but not meet- 
ing with like returns the second he returned 
to Oregon in the fall of 1850 by pack train, and 
settling upon his claim he began to make im- 
provements. Until 1871 he remained there en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising; at 
the expiration of this period he rented the land 
and going to eastern Oregon he became ex- 
tensively interested in the stock business, rais- 
ing principally cattle and horses and meeting 
with gratifying success in this venture. He 



was located six miles from the mouth of Butter 
creek, Umatilla county, his residence being for 
the last ten years in Pendleton. In 1885 he 
sold out his interests in that part of the state, 
returned to Linn county and purchased and 
remodeled a comfortable residence in the city 
of Albany, where he has since made his home. 
He still owns his claim, which has developed 
into a prosperous, well appointed farm. 

The marriage of Mr. Penington occurred in 
Linn county, February 28, 1850, Miss Abigail 
Cooper, a native of Ohio, becoming his wife. 
She had crossed the plains in the same train 
with Mr. Penington, her father, Samuel 
Cooper, having at that time brought his family 
to Oregon, where he located upon a donation 
claim in the Santiam valley. The children born 
to them are as follows : Mary, who became 
the wife of Dr. J. L. Hill and died in 1898 in 
Albany ; Jemima, who married John H. Clay- 
pool and died in Linn county; Idella, who died 
in Umatilla county unmarried ; Charles Clyde, 
a resident of Union county, Ore., where as 
sheriff and farmer he performs the duties of 
a citizen ; Anna, who died in Umatilla county ; 
Alice P., the widow of Freeland Richards, of 
Albany; and Celia B., who died in Albany, 
February 23, 1903, unmarried. While inter- 
ested in making a success of his business af- 
fairs Mr. Penington has never forgotten to 
lend his aid in the upbuilding of the country, 
as a Democrat ably representing Umatilla 
county in the state senate in 1878, where he 
helped elect James H. Slater to the United 
States senate, and again in 1882 he was called 
upon to serve in the same office. Altogether 
he served in four regular and one special ses- 
sion, being actively interested in all that per- 
tained to the welfare of the community which 
had honored him with its support. In local pol- 
itics he is guided by the character of the candi- 
date for a position, but in national affairs sup- 
ports the Democratic party. He was made a 
Mason in Corinthian Lodge No. 17, A. F. & A. 
M., of Albany, in which he served as master. 
Both himself and wife are members of the Bap- 
tist Church, he having officiated as trustee of the 
same. He has always been active in advancing 
the work of the church, both here and in Pen- 
dleton, where he made his home for nearly 
fifteen years, being liberal with both time and 
money and sparing no effort toward the moral 
elevation of the new country. 



ALEXANDER ESSON, an extensive 
farmer near Gervais, may be said to have no 
native land, for he was born at sea, off the 
east coast of Scotland, July 10, 1829. His 
father, an officer in the British army, died 



PORTRAIT AND P.h u IRAPIIICAL RFCoUh. 



5 1 5 



when his son was thirteen and a half years of 

e, his mother having died when he was but 

ven months old. Left thus comparatively 

e in the world, he found a home with an 

aunt until a short time after the death oi his 

father, after which he was thrown upon his 

ii resources, working on the farms in the 

surrounding locality. 

ge of sixteen Mr. Esson enlisted for 
military service in the Seventy-ninth Regi- 
. ( Jueen's ( )wn Cameron Highlanders, and 
- ransferred to Quebec, Canada. He served 
\ ears in the army. In 1852 lie removed 
ivingston county. N. Y., where he Eol- 
: earning- and farming until 1857. After 
trying his fortunes in Wisconsin for a year he 
went to west Canada and in the fall of 1858 
rted for California by way of the Isthmus 
Panama. Not realizing his mining expecta- 
tions in California he came to Oregon in June, 
1851). and after a year spent in Silverton lo- 
u a farm on Howell Prairie which he 
ued and worked for about four years. De- 
cember 24, 1862, he married Christina Stevens, 
who was born in Indiana, December 28, 1844, 
her family having crossed the plains in 1852. 
They began housekeeping on the farm on 
I Unveil Prairie. In 1863 he bought a farm of 
three hundred and twenty acres, to which he 
removed the following year and has since made 
this his home. Of this farm twenty-seven 
acres was cleared. This property is located 
two miles west of Mount Angel and under the 
management of the present owner has greatly 
increased its tillable surface, about one hun- 
dred acres being now under cultivation. Air. 
sson is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising, making a specialty of the latter, which 
includes Shorthorn and Holstein cattle, Cotswold 
sheep and Poland-China hogs. 

In political affiliations Mr. Esson is a Pro- 
hibitionist, and with his family is identified 
giously with the Christian Church. He has 
served for several terms as road supervisor, and 
for years has been a member of the school 
board. To himself and wife have been born 
twelve children : Inez, deceased, formerly the 
wife of G. Simmons, became the mother of 
three sons and one daughter; Albyn is a min- 
ister of the Christian Church, residing in Port- 
land with his family; Alfred M. is an attorney, 
located in Seattle. Wash.; Ida died at the age 
wenty-one years ; Florence is the widow of 
P. I). Smith, and with her son, L. D., makes 
her home with her father: A. S. is a dentist by 
profession and is located with his family at 
The Dalles; Hugh B. is principal of the Clat- 
skanic high school; Ronald is attending the 
Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis ; 
Leroy A. is living at home; C. Elizabeth is a 



student at the University of Oregon, at 
Eugene; Mary Mabel and Isabella are also liv- 
ing with their parents. 



GEORGE THOMSON, a successful and 
worthy representative of the farming interests 
of Yamhill county, was born in Lanark county, 
Ontario, Canada, January 17, 1833. His father, 
Henry Thomson, was a native of Edinburgh, 
Scotland, and in that country was emploved in 
cotton and woolen factories, becoming a carder 
and spinner. Emigrating to the new world he 
took up his abode in Ontario, Canada, where he 
again became employed in woolen factories, but 
the last fifteen years of his life were devoted 
to agricultural pursuits. He died in the province 
of Ontario when about sixty-five years of age, 
in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, of which 
he was a devoted and consistent member. His 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Agnes Mac- 
Connal, was born near Edinburgh and died at 
the birth of her son George, of this review. After 
four years the father married again, his second 
union being with Jennie Twiddle, who was born 
near Edinburgh and survived her husband for 
a number of years, passing away when about 
ninety years of age. By the first marriage there 
were three children : James and Douglas, both of 
whom died in Ontario; and George. The chil- 
dren of the second marriage are: Archie, Mrs. 
Agnes Murray, Mrs. Jane Calvert and Mrs. 
Mary Calvert, all deceased: Margaret and 
Henry. By another marriage Mr. Thomson also 
had the following children : Mamie, Robert, 
Elizabeth, Archie and Thomas, all of whom have 
passed away ; and three who died in infancy. 
Plis children altogether numbered seventeen. 

George Thomson received very limited educa- 
tional advantages, having little or no opportunity 
of attending school, and his knowledge has been 
acquired mostly in the school of experience, read- 
ing and observation, having made him a well-in- 
formed man. He began to earn his own living 
in a woolen factor}- in Canada when but seven 
years of age and afterward he went upon the 
home farm with his father, there remaining until 
twenty-two years of age. At that time he re- 
moved to Port Sarnia, in the western part of the 
province of Ontario, and soon afterward he re- 
moved to Michigan, being employed in the log- 
ging camps near Port Huron. For five vears he 
following that business and then returned to On- 
tario, Canada, where with the proceeds of his 
labors he purchased a farm and engaged in gen- 
eral agricultural pursuits until 1883, when he sold 
his property and made his way westward to Pon- 
homme county, S. Dak. There he purchased a 
farm and devoted his energies to its cultivation 
until 1890, making a specialty of the raising of 



5-10 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



corn, also raising of hogs. Following his sale 
of his South Dakota property he came to Oregon, 
establishing his home near McMinnville. He pur- 
chased eighty-eight acres of land two and a half 
miles northeast of the town and of this thirty- 
five acres are under a high state of cultivation. 
He has twenty acres planted to hops, which is a 
very productive and profitable crop in Oregon, 
?nd he likewise follows general farming, his 
efforts being attended with a fair degree of suc- 
cess. 

In 1859 occurred the marriage of Mr. Thom- 
son and Miss Jean McMillan, and unto them 
were born two sons and two daughters : J. J., 
a resident of Lincoln county, Ore. ; Archibald 
S., of the same county; Mrs. Agnes McFee, who 
is deceased, and Elizabeth, who has also passed 
away. For his second wife, Mr. Thomson chose 
Lydia B. Rogers, who was born near Danville, 
Iowa, a daughter of Rev. D. B. Nichols, a min- 
ister of the Congregational Church, who was 
living at Mission Hill, S. Dak., and while resi- 
dents of that state Mr. and Mrs. Thomson be- 
came acquainted and were married. He belongs 
to the Grange of McMinnville, of which he is 
now serving as chaplain, and his religious faith 
is indicated by his membership in the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church of that town. 



SAMUEL S. TRAIN. As postmaster of 
Albany and proprietor and editor of the Albany 
Daily Herald, Samuel S. Train holds a posi- 
tion of prominence in the life of this thriving, 
wide-awake city. Becoming well known and 
popular through the columns of his well-con- 
ducted and enterprising paper, he is enabled 
not only to spread to a large territory the news 
of city, county, state and nation, but to arouse 
in the minds of the many readers of his pages 
a spirit of local pride and patriotism and a 
strong desire for the improvement of educa- 
tional, moral and social conditions. A son of 
Thomas Train, he was born August 6, 1841, at 
Port Henry, Essex county, N. Y., near the 
shores of Lake Champlain. He comes of sub- 
stantial colonial stock, being a direct descend- 
ant of one of three brothers who emigrated 
from Wales to New England in the early part 
of the seventeenth century. Two of these 
brothers married and reared families, their de- 
scendants becoming scattered throughout the 
Union Asel Train, the grandfather of Samuel 
S., was' born and reared in Vermont, but re- 
moved to New York state when a young man, 
and there engaged in agricultural pursuits 
until his death. 

A native of Essex county, N. Y., Thomas 
Train learned the trade of carpenter and 



builder, and also worked as a millwright, erect- 
ing mills on different streams in New York 
state. Crossing the state to Buffalo with his 
family in 1852 he there took passage on a 
steamer for Detroit, thence proceeding by rail 
to Chicago. Continuing his journey to 
Stephenson county, 111., he located near Lena, 
on a farm which he had purchased the previous 
year, when he had visited Freeport and the ad- 
joining towns with a view of settling perma- 
nently in the Prairie state. Clearing and im- 
proving a homestead he was there employed in 
general farming until his death in 1871, at the 
age of seventy-one years. He was an uncom- 
promising^ Republican in politics and an active 
member of the Congregational Church. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Barber, 
was born in Essex county, N. Y., of Holland 
Dutch descent, her ancestors having been 
among the pioneers of the Mohawk valley. She 
died in Stephenson county, 111., in 1877, aged 
seventy years. She bore her husband eight 
children, four of whom grew to years of ma- 
turity, namely: Leonard R., who served in 
the Civil war as a member of the Forty-sixth 
Illinois Infantry, and as a retired publisher re- 
sides in Cowlitz county, Wash. ; Joseph B., 
living in Ventura, Cal., served in the Civil 
war as a corporal in the Ninety-second Illinois 
Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of 
Shiloh ; Samuel S., the special subject of this 
sketch ; and Malenda B., who married Alonzo 
Fowler, died in 1899, in Illinois. 

Coming with his parents to Illinois in 1852 
Samuel S. Train was reared on the home farm, 
obtaining his elementary education in the dis- 
trict schools, this being supplemented by a 
course of study at the Presbyterian Collegiate 
Institute at Mendota, 111. He subsequently 
learned the carpenter's trade with his father, 
but gave it up to begin his journalistic career 
on the Illinois Sons of Temperance, a paper 
published at Lebanon, 111. Enlisting in 1862 
in Company G, Ninety-second Illinois Infan- 
try, at Rockford, under Col. Smith Datkins, he 
served until honorably discharged on account 
of physical disability. Going then to Boscobel, 
Wis., Mr. Train secured employment in the 
office of one of the leading papers of that place, 
the Boscobel Broadaxe, of which he was sub- 
sequently the proprietor and editor. Selling 
that paper he returned to Illinois, locating on 
the parental homestead, where he worked at 
general farming for a number of years at the 
same time teaching school during' the winter 
terms. Going to Nebraska in 1872 he taught 
school at Mission Creek, Pawnee county, and 
also bought one hundred and sixty acres of 
land, on which he made many excellent im- 
provements, and while making his home on 



PORTRAIT AND Uh 'GRAPHICAL RECORD. 



.VI 7 



i.inn taught school in Marshall county. Kans., 

in.- term. 
In 1876 Mr. Train came to Oregon, locating 

Astoria, where he worked as a car- 
penter for awhile, afterward being employed 
the printing office of the Astorian for three 
Dths. At the close of that period he came 
Linn county to help start the Nucleus at 
Harrisburg, and was connected with it during 
jcistence of two years, at the same time 
- principal of the Harrisburg schools, 
a position which he retained six years. In 
(78 Mr. Train bought the plant of the defunct 
irnal and established the Harrisburg Dis- 
inatot, a weekly, seven-column folio, which 
• afterward, in company with .Mr. Whitney, 
changed to a six-column quarto. In 1884 Mr. 
Train purchased the Albany Herald, a weekly, 
-column quarto, which he successfully 
ited and published. In 1885, with charac- 
teristic enterprise, he established the Albany 
Daily Herald, an undertaking that proved stre- 
ssful beyond his expectations, the circulation 
having greatly increased from year to year, it 
being now the leading daily of the county. In 
connection with the publishing of his paper, 
Mr. Train had a job printing office which he 
managed most profitably, carrying on a good 
business in that line of industry. 

In December, 1898, Mr. Train was ap- 
pointed by President McKinley postmaster of 
Albany, and was reappointed to the same office 
March 18, 1903, by President Roosevelt. Since 
lining charge of the postoffice. February 
15, 1899, he has devoted his entire time and at- 
tention to the interests of its patrons. Changes 
of importance to all concerned have been in- 
augurated ; the receipts of the office have 
largely incrased ; free delivery service was es- 
tablished June 1, 1903; and the office was 
changed from a third-class to a second-class 
office. 

At Prairie dti Chien, Wis.. Mr. Train mar- 
ried Mary J. Ricks, who was born in Alle- 
gheny county. N. Y., of English parentage, but 
was brought up and educated in Wisconsin, 
where her parents settled in 1853. Three of 
her brothers served in a Wisconsin regiment 
in the Civil war. Mrs. Train is a woman of 
much culture and refinement and at the age of 
fourteen years began teaching school in Wis- 
consin. She subsequently taught in Illinois 
and Nebraska, and after coming to Oregon 
was a teacher for seven years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Train have had two children, namely: Minnie, 
who died in Harrisburg. Ore., at the age of 
seventeen years: and Arlene. who is attending 
Albany College. Politically Mr. Train has al- 
ways been a staunch Republican, and since the 
great debate at Freeport, 111., between Lincoln 



and Douglas, he has been an active worker in 
party ranks, from [886 until [888 serving as 
chairman of the Linn County Republican Com- 
mittee. Fraternally he was made a Mason at 
Lena, TIL, afterward joining Thurston Lodge 
No 28, A. F. & A. M..'of Harrisburg, of which 
he is past master. He is a member and past 
commander of McPherson Tost, G. A. R., is 
also a member of Grand Prairie Grange, P. 
of H., and of the Alco Club. 



PERRY W. SPINK. After many years of 
hazardous and uncertain fortune Mr. Spink is 
now enjoying a well-earned rest among the 
peaceful arid prosperous conditions which are 
typical of the changes which the years have 
brought to the western states. In the beauti- 
ful home recently erected on plans suggested 
by his talented wife, he looks out into the 
wealth and worth of the commonwealth built 
by the strokes of the axe and the upturning 
plow, to both of which he gave the strength 
of his young manhood. The qualities which 
made him successful among the Indians of 
Rogue river and afterward insured the protec- 
tion of his life when men and women were 
suffering the depredations of the savages have 
followed him into the later years of his life, and 
the esteem of a community in which he has 
lived so many years is freely accorded him. 

Benjamin Spink, the father of Perry W. 
Spink, was born in Washington county, N. Y., 
near the town of Hampton, his Scotch-Irish 
ancestry discernible in his patient, sturdy farm- 
ing, which he continued until his death in the 
same state. He married Lucy Wood, a native 
of Rutland, Vt., and she also died in New 
York state. She was the mother of two sons 
and three daughters, of whom the third oldest 
was P. W. Spink. He was born in the same 
location as his father, September 24, 1829, and 
there remained until he was twenty-one years 
old, engaged in the practical duties of a farmer. 
His education consisted of an attendance of 
three months each year of the public schools, 
the remainder of the year being devoted to the 
arduous duties of his home life. Shortly after 
attaining his majority, the date being October 
2, 1850, he came as far west as Kane county, 
111., where his brother Alonzo had previously 
settled, and there he engaged for a year and 
a half in farming. At this time he also became 
a victim to the spirit of unrest which pervaded 
the middle west, caused by the glowing tales 
of the riches to be attained beyond the Rockies, 
and March 23, 1852, joined the tide of emigra- 
tion setting toward the Pacific slope. He left 
Kane county at this date, and with horse teams 
set out for the long and dangerous journcv 



5iS 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



across the plains. He was in company with a 
train, and after crossing the Missouri river at 
St. Joseph, April 23, they traveled up the 
Platte, remaining on the west side until they 
came to the fork of the trail, one road leading 
to California and the other to Oregon. There 
they paused and a vote was taken as to 
whether they should take the trail to California 
or to Oregon, for to many it was simply a 
change and one locality was as desirable as 
another. The majority decided in favor of 
Oregon and at once came over this trail to 
The Dalles. There the party were compelled 
to ship the wagons down the river. Mr. Spink 
and another young man brought the horses to 
Cascades, and from there to the mouth of the 
Sandy river, finally ending the trip at Oregon 
City in September, 1852. 

Upon his arrival at Oregon City Mr. Spink 
began to earn his livelihood by cutting cord- 
wood at the mouth of the Clackamas river, 
where he remained for only a month, when he 
drove on to Jacksonville, intending to go into 
the mines of southern Oregon. After prospect- 
ing for a short time he became employed in 
conducting a pack train between the valley and 
the mines. In this work he remained until the 
Rogue River war, from 1853 to 1856, during 
which he was a volunteer in a small company 
that rescued several people. He had had vari- 
ous dealings with the Indians during his years 
among the mountains, and through many little 
favors he had won their friendship, and thus he 
was a peculiarly favored personage in those 
trying times, coming and going at will among 
the people that were raiding the entire coun- 
try. In the winter of 1856 he discontinued his 
pack train, and coming to Albany has since 
made that city his home, with the exception of 
the spring of 1857, when he took a herd of 
cattle to Sacramento valley, Cal. In this city 
he first engaged in. teaming, hauling merchan- 
dise from Portland, and continued this until 
the fall of 1857, when he rented a farm near 
Albany and successfully -conducted the same 
for three years. A like period was spent on 
another farm in the same neighborhood, after 
which he again located in Albany, in 1863 en- 
gaging once more in teaming and trucking. 
He soon conducted three teams in the work 
and shortly had all the business of this nature 
in the city, successfully holding it for about 
twenty years. But the work was exceedingly 
heavy and Mr. Spink was advised by physi- 
cians to. give it up, therefore in 1882 he sold 
out and endeavored to interest himself along 
other lines. He took up the wood business, 
furnishing wood to the citizens of Albany until 
1887, when he engaged in the lumber business, 
establishing a yard at the corner of Ferry and 



Water streets, dealing extensively in all build- 
ing materials. In this work he remained until 
1902, so successfully that, though he sold out 
in that year, he took it up once more in 1903, 
the immense business which he had built up 
demanding his return. That Mr. Spink has 
been very successful is a self-evident fact, for 
with nothing but courage and energy he has 
made for himself a strong position financially 
in the community, his lumber yards being one 
of the sound industries of the city, while he 
now owns a finely improved farm of three hun- 
dred and sixty-eight acres, located two and a 
half miles southeast of Harrisburg. 

The wife whom Mr. Spink chose in 1857 to 
share his fortunes was formerly Miss Rebecca 
J. Rankin, another of the faithful pioneer 
women of the early days, having come from 
her birthplace in Illinois to Oregon in 1853. 
Her father, John Rankin, brought his wife and 
children west in that year and settled upon a 
donation claim. Of the children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Spink, Ira died at the age of eight 
years ; Ernest died at the age of thirty-one 
years ; Lucy died at the age of eight years ; 
and Ida is the wife of A. C. Stellmacher, who 
is located upon the farm owned by Mr. Spink. 
January 8, 1871, Mrs. Spink died and Mr. Spink 
was again married, December 10, 1872, to Mary 
E. Armstrong, who was born in Wabash 
county, Ind., and came to Oregon in 1872. In 
his politics Mr. Spink has been a stanch and 
earnest Republican since the war, though he 
has never sought official recognition in any 
form. 



JOHN J. GRAHAM. A man of great in- 
telligence, enterprise, and rare business and 
executive ability, J. J. Graham, of Albany, oc- 
cupies a place of prominence among the 
active and progressive agriculturists of Linn 
county. A farmer by birth and breeding, he 
has profited by his early knowledge and ex- 
perience, and possessing those inherent quali- 
ties that are sure to command success at all 
times and in all places, he has been unusually 
prosperous in the work to which he has de- 
voted his time and attention since the days of 
his youth. He was born April 23, 1843, in 
County Tyrone, Ireland, on the same farm that 
Ids father. William Graham, was born, lived, 
and died. His paternal grandfather, John Gra- 
ham, was born in Scotland, but removed to 
County Tyrone, Ireland, when a young man, 
and there spent the remainder of his life as a 
farmer. 

William Graham inherited the habits of in- 
dustry and thrift of his Scotch ancestors, and 
succeeded to the occupation in which he was 





i^LCe^^ 






P< >R IT \1T AND BIOGRAPHICAL RF.t'i >rd. 



reared, being engaged as a tiller of the soil 

during his entire life, lie married Frances 

.1 daughter oi John Given. She was 

n in County Tyrone, and after the death of 

husband emigrated to America, and died 
in Ontario. Of the nine children born of their 
union, seven survive, five girls and two boys. 
The sons both reside in the northwest, J. J., 

special subject of this sketch, living in 
. and Samuel being a resident of Fernie, 
British Columbia. 

The oldest member of the parental house- 
hold, J. J. Graham, spent his childhood on the 
ral homestead, acquiring- his education 
n the national schools. Emigrating to Canada 
when twenty years of age, he worked for wages 

i farmer and dairyman in Oxford county, 

ario. for awhile, and then embarked in 

cultural pursuits on his own account. In- 
strious, thrifty and economical, he accumu- 
lated some money, and desiring to invest it 
where he could secure the best returns he came 

)regon in 1876 as an investor. Locating at 
Waldo Hills, Marion county, he purchased one 
hundred and forty acres of land, which he de- 
vote .1 to general farming and stock-raising 
until 1884, meeting with satisfactory results. 

ling then to Linn county Mr. Graham as- 
sumed charge of the nine hundred acres of land 
owned by the East of Scotland Investment 
tnpany, and had the superintendency of this 
large tract for sixteen consecutive years. Clos- 
ing out the company's business in 1902 he pur- 
chased two hundred and eighty acres of the 
land himself, selling the remainder to different 

■pie. and has since been prosperously en- 
| gcd in raising grain and stock, carrying on 
an extensive business. He also owns the ad- 
joining farm of two hundred and twelve acres, 
lying six miles north of Albany, where he owns 
considerable property, and has resided since 
1894. In addition to managing his own prop- 
erty. Mr. Graham is superintendent of the four 
farms in Linn countA^ belonging to the Old 
Scotch Company, performing the duties thus 
devolving upon him with characteristic fidelitv 
and ability. 

While a resident of Ontario, Mr. Graham 
married Margaret Shaw, who was born in 
1 mtario, a daughter of Angus Shaw and sister 

John A. Shaw, in whose sketch, which ap- 
pears elsewhere in this work, further ancestral 
history may be found. Mr. and Mrs. Graham 
are the parents of six children, namely : Angus, 
a graduate of Albany College, is bookkeeper at 
Merrell's, in Portland: Mrs. Rachel Bronson 
resides in Portland; Frances was graduated 
from Albany College in the class of 1903 ; 
Mary. John, and Donald complete the family. 
Cordially endorsing the principles of the Re- 



publican party, Mr. Graham has never shirked 
the responsibilities of public office, but has 
served as county commissioner, and for one 
term was a member of the city council, repre- 
senting the Third ward, lie is a member of 
St. John's Lodge, F. & A. .M., of Albany, and 
is a member and past officer of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. Both he and his 
wife belong to the First Presbyterian Church. 



HENRY ALLEN. No state can boast of 
a more heroic band of pioneers than Oregon. 
They were not adventurers and mere fortune 
seekers who came to the northwest, but men 
and women who desired to establish homes 
here and to provide for their families by tak- 
ing advantage of the natural conditions of the 
country, and while promoting their individual 
success also do the best they could for the 
communities in which they resided and for 
the commonwealth. Mr. Allen became one 
of the early settlers of Oregon and is now 
living retired in Silverton amid a host of 
warm friends gained through a genial man- 
ner and social disposition. His residence in 
the state covers more than a half century, 
for he arrived m Oregon in 1852. 

A native of Tennessee, Mr. Allen was born 
June 1, 182S. His father, Abner Allen, was 
born in North Carolina and when quite young 
removed to Tennessee, and in 1830 became a 
resident of Illinois, locating at Perry, Pike 
county, where he purchased two hundred and 
forty acres of land from the government. 
There he carried on general farming until 
1852, when he made his way across the plains 
with ox-teams to California, spending four 
months on the long journey. He located 
three miles south of what is now Silverton, 
Ore., securing a donation claim of eighty- 
acres, and engaged in the stock business. He 
also had money which he loaned and thus he 
added to his income. During the latter part 
of his life he engaged in travel to a large ex- 
tent, spending about half of his time in Cali- 
fornia, as he believed the climate of that state 
was more beneficial to his health. Pie died, 
however, at his home in Silverton in 1891, at 
the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Well 
and worthily did he win the proud American 
title of a self-made man. Throughout his en- 
tire life he was energetic and untiring in his 
labors and thus won success. Without any 
extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages 
to aid him at the outset of his career, he 
started out to make his own way in the world 
and his capable control of his business oppor- 
tunities enabled him to gradually advance 
until he was the possessor of a handsome 



552 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



competence. In early manhood he wedded 
Susan Aiken, who was born in North Caro- 
lina and died of mountain fever on the Sweet- 
water river while they were crossing the 
« plains in 1852. 

Henry Allen is the eldest of the six chil- 
dren, two sons and four daughters, of this 
worthy couple. His educational privileges 
were extremely limited. He attended school 
for only about three months in his life, for, 
as he lived in pioneer districts, school privi- 
leges were not easily obtained. He was 
twenty-one years of age when, in 1849, ne 
left the Mississippi valley and with an ox- 
team started for the Pacific coast. By that 
slow method of travel he proceeded by way 
of the Platte river and the Oregon route, 
crossing long stretches of land where nothing 
but sage brush grew and at other times forc- 
ing his way over the mountains where there 
was almost no trail. At length, however, he 
reached the mining districts of California, and 
for two years was engaged in searching for 
the precious metal, being moderately success- 
ful in his work. He then invested his money 
in a pack train, which he purchased for $4,000, 
and started from Trinity county to Shasta 
county, Cal., carrying with him all kinds of 
provisions and tools. On the Trinity river, 
however, Indians came upon the camp at 
supper time and took from him nearly every- 
thing that he possessed, and then killed his 
mules. After he had recovered somewhat 
from his losses he returned to Illinois in 1851. 
The following year, accompanied by his 
father and his family, he once more made the 
long and difficult journey overland to the Pa- 
cific coast. While in Illinois he had married 
and was accompanied by his bride on the 
second journey, which was terminated on the 
2d of September. They located near Silver- 
ton, where Mr. Allen purchased one hundred 
and sixty acres of land ; and as the years have 
passed he has added to this until he now 
owns a valuable farm of five hundred acres all 
under cultivation. This property is now 
rented and he is living retired in Silverton, 
where he has purchased a cottage on Water 
street. For three years, from 1895 to 1898, he 
was engaged in the cattle business in the Des 
Chutes valley, in Crook county, where he 
owned one hundred and sixty acres. 

In Pike county, 111., February 14, 1852, Mr. 
Allen was married to Miss Frances Rock- 
wood, who was born in that state, a daughter 
of Roderick Rockwood, who was born in 
Paris, France, and was brought to New York 
state by his parents at the age of three years. 
At an early day Mr. Rockwood went to 
Illinois, settling first in Brown county and 



afterward in Pike county. Throughout his 
entire life he followed blacksmithing. In 
1866 he removed to Kansas, where he died 
when about eighty years of age. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Allen have been born three sons 
and two daughters, namely: Timothy 1)., 
who is engaged in the operation of his father's 
farm ; Roderick D., who is a clerk in the in- 
sane asylum at Salem, Ore. ; Harvey L., who 
is now an undertaker at Lewiston, Idaho; Al- 
wilda Josephine, the wife of L.'F. Mascher, a 
farmer and hop producer of Marion county ; 
and Adell Gertrude, at home. 

Mr. Allen votes with the Republican party, 
and has served as road supervisor for four 
terms, while for ten years he has been a 
school director. That he has lived peaceably 
with all men is shown by the fact that he has 
never been engaged in a law-suit. He has 
never had a fight ,nor a fire, has paid his 
debts promptly, has fulfilled other obligations 
and has been true to every trust reposed in 
him. Such a life record is well worthy of 
emulation, and with pleasure we present his 
history to the readers of this volume. 



ABSALOM BYERLEY. A pioneer entitled 
to great credit for his part in the development 
of Oregon, who is enumerated among the pioneers 
of 185 1, and among those courageous Indian 
fighters who brought about the pacification of the 
northwest, is Absalom Byerley, formerly an ex ; 
tensive farmer and miller, but since 1901 a retired 
citizen of Dallas. As his name indicates, Mr. 
Byerley is of German extraction, and is a native 
of Polk county, Inch, where he was born Febru- 
ary 27, 1833, a son of Martin and Elizabeth 
(Sears) Byerley; the latter, a daughter of Henry 
Sears, of Indiana, died in 1852. The family were 
numerously represented in the southern states, 
especially in North Carolina, where the paternal 
grandfather died, and where he owned consider- 
able land. 

Martin Byerley settled in Indiana and in 1835 
removed to Knox county, 111., where he engaged 
in farming, and also ran a distillery. About 
1840 he took up his residence in the vicinity of 
Fairfield, Jefferson county, Iowa, where he 
farmed on land for which he paid but $1.25 an 
acre. In common with other agriculturists in 
that thinly settled region, he planned to better 
his condition by removing to the west, and after 
selling his farm at a reasonable profit, crossed 
the plains with his wife and six children. The 
journey was not without its adventures or sor- 
rows, for one of the children died just before 
reaching - Portland. The father settled on a farm 
of one hundred and sixty acres on Salt creek, 
improved his property to the best of his ability. 



PORTRAIT \.\D BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



55 .'5 



entualh he lived for twelve wars in Dallas. 
leatti occurred at Kewport, at the age of 
three years, iii the children horn to this 
tipie Henry is a fanner at Perrydale; 
i, tiu subj< el of this sketch : Jane, the 
fohn \'ernon, of Polk county; Michael, 
ed in 1852; Jefferson, who lives at Xew- 
;; and Adelaide, who is the wife of Mr. Pow- 
• I rant's pass. Ore. 
The \outh oi Absalom Byerley contained much 
hard work and responsibility, especially in 
owa, where he helped to break prairie and to es- 
tablish a paying farming industry. In both 
• and Iowa the acquiring of an education 
it-; disadvantages, for the early subscription 
s were far apart, and the roads almost im- 
le during certain seasons of the year. The 
really interesting happening in his life was 
when the family got together their possessions 
pared to emigrate to the west. They had 
a two-horse carriage, twelve yoke of cattle and 
three wagons, and May 10 left their home, arriv- 
at Council Bluffs on May 27th. They came 
by the old Oregon trail, arriving in Dallas Sep- 
tember 15th. and on the way had light loads and 
made good time. Mr. Byerley remained at home 
with his family until his twenty-sixth year, but 
m to work on surrounding farms when quite 
•mil boy. He bought a farm of one hundred 
■ I sixty acres on Salt creek, which he improved 
and fanned, and in 1853 went down into Siskiyou 
inty, Cal., where he planned to mine. How- 
ever, the Indians soon cleared him out, and he 
returned overland to Oregon. As an Indian 
fighter he is known to possess unusual courage, 
1 to have participated in about all of the bouts 
of his time in this section. He was in the Ya- 
kima war of 1855-56, as a soldier in Company B, 
Oregon National Guard, under Captain 
Hurt, and after the end of the war returned to his 
home, a little later purchasing two hundred acres 
land at Eola. This land proving unsatisfactory 
he sold it and bought a farm of four hundred 
acres on the Luckiamute, where he engaged ex- 
tensively in stock-raising. To his original land 
he added and in time had four hundred and 
hty acres, a portion of which was heavily 
ed. This condition suggested an additional 
source of revenue, and he built a steam saw-mill, 
d engaged in the manufacture of lumber for 
about nine years. Having used up all the tim- 
ber around him, he sold his property in the spring 
[901, and, locating in Dallas, bought his pres- 
ent pleasant and comfortable home. 

In Polk county, Ore.. Mr. Byerley married 
Mary Florence Allen, who was born in Iowa, 
and died in Oregon, leaving ten children, nine of 
whom attained maturity. Of the children. Henry 
is in Perry ville: Lerov is in Arlie ; Arabella is 
now Mrs. Blake, of Dallas : Frank, Otto and Eu- 



geiu arc in Dallas; Edward and William are de- 
ceased; Maude is a resident of Salem; and Mary 
died in Oregon. For a second wife Mr. Byerley 
married, in Polk county, Mrs. Dolly Crow, widow 
of Mack ('row, who came to Oregon in 1872. 
Politically, Mr. Byerley is a Democrat, but 
Further than the formality of casting his vote 
has never identified himself with local political 
affairs, lie is a member of the War Veterans 
Association, and in his religious life is a member 
of the Christian Church, his wife being identified 
with the Evangelical Association. 



T. L. BONNEY. Those who are interested 
in the growth and progress of Oregon, and who 
have studied the causes which have led up there- 
to, will readily recognize the fact that the men 
who have come here and laid the foundation for 
her success and development have been men of 
versatility, men of enterprise and men who can 
not only till the soil, thus inducing nature to bring 
forth her richest gifts, but who can also turn their 
hands to many industries, taking part in manu- 
facturing the different articles of commercial use 
which are very necessary in a new country and 
which when brought from a distance become very 
expensive. 

Numbered among the men who have aided 
substantially in the upbuilding of Marion countv 
is T. L. Bonney, who has followed the coopering 
business practically all his life, and who is now 
living somewhat retired, following his trade dur- 
ing the winter season and leaving the supervis- 
ion of a large farm, which he owns, to his sons. 
Mr. Bonney was born February 14, 1835, in Ash- 
tabula county, Ohio, and is a son of Jarius Bon- 
ney, a native of Canada, who removed to Ohio 
with his people when a young man and learned 
the cooper's trade in the latter state. In that 
state also Mr. Bonney became acquainted with 
Miss Larned and made her his wife. Four 
children were born unto them, all of whom are 
now deceased. After the death of his first wife 
Mr. Bonney married Jane Elkins, a native of 
New York. They made their home in Ohio until 
1836, when they removed to Illinois, settling in 
Fulton county, where they continued to live until 
1845. Mr Bonney then decided to bring his fam- 
ily to the northwest. They therefore started 
across the plains, joining a company under the 
conduct of Captain Welch, of Oregon City. At 
that time the country was very wild and Indians 
were numerous, and very often hostile, but the 
company were unmolested during this journey, 
which occupied six months. Arriving on the 
Pacific coast the Bonney family first took up their 
abode in California, where they remained through 
the following winter and spring. Tn 1846 they 
came by pack train to Oregon, taking up a do- 



554 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nation claim on French Prairie, two miles east 
of Hubbard. This tract consisted of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres, mostly of wild and unim- 
proved land. Mr. Bonney, senior, made many 
improvements upon this farm, building a large 
and substantial log house, in which he lived until 
his death, in 1856." In addition to his agricultural 
pursuits he followed the cooper's trade for about 
thirty years, and was the first cooper on French 
Prairie, making the first barrels and kegs ever 
made in this vicinity. After the father's death 
the mother took up her residence with Mr. Bon- 
ney, of this review, with whom she lived for 
several years, removing thence to the home _ of 
her daughter in eastern Oregon, where she died 
at the age of seventy-eight years. 

T. L. Bonney received his education in the dis- 
trict schools and in the early years of his man- 
hood took up the cooper's trade, assisting his 
father and remaining upon the farm until his mar- 
riage in i860, the lady of his choice being Ten- 
nessee Baker. She was born in Missouri and with 
her parents came to Oregon in 1852, settling in 
Clackamas county. Her brothers are now living 
in Albany. Mr! Bonney and his bride began 
their housekeeping on the old home farm, she 
proving a faithful helpmate to her husband,_ and 
as the years have gone by has aided in acquiring 
a competency through her industry and economy. 
Mr. Bonnev,' too, has spent his life in an energetic 
and painstaking way, making varied improve- 
ments and adding all" modern equipments and ac- 
cessories to his farm until it is now one of the 
most attractive and highly cultivated in the vicin- 
ity. It comprises seventy-five acres, forty acres 
of which is under cultivation and used in raising 
grain, while fourteen acres are devoted to the 
growing of hops. 

Mr. Bonnev has left the care and management 
of his farm to his sons, who, having been reared 
upon the home farm have become fitted for its 
conduct and supervision. On the home place are 
found good frame dwellings, comfortably and 
commodiously built, as well as other out-build- 
ings necessary for the protection of grain and 
stock, and the home of Mr. Bonney and his family 
has every appearance of comfort and happiness. 
He has been blessed with the following children : 
Preston L. and Edward L., now deceased ; Mary 
E., wife of M. H. Lee, of Canby ; William H., 
of'Redland: Jane O., the wife , of M. Pulley, a 
resident of Marion county, in the vicinity _ of 
Hubbard ; Lawrence, now residing in Oak Point, 
Wash. ; Ira A. and Albert E., of Hubbard ; and 
Charles, at home. 

Although Mr. Bonney has ever been a busy 
man, he has yet found time to be of public service 
to the community in which he resides. As a mem- 
ber of the school board for many years, his in- 
fluence has always been extended in behalf of ed- 



ucation, while his religious views are shown by 
his membership since i860 with the United 
Brethren Church, in which he is trustee. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican. A man of integrity and 
honor, the life record of T. L. Bonney forms an 
interesting chapter in the annals of Marion 
county, and the methods by which he has achieved 
success are well worthy of emulation. 



EMMANUEL NORTHUP, A. B., B. D., 
who is dean of McMinnville College and 
also occupies the chair of mathematics and 
Greek, has been a representative of edu- 
cational interests of the northwest since 
1882. He was born in West Oneonta, Ot- 
sego county, N. Y., July 3, 1851, the eldest liv- 
ing of the seven children of Isaac G. and Phoebe 
Elizabeth (Saunders) Northup. The family is 
of English descent and was established at an 
early epoch in American history in the colony 
of Rhode Island, and later was planted on Con- 
necticut soil. The grandfather, Josiah Northup 
was born in Connecticut and removing to Ot- 
sego county, N. Y., there carried on farming 
and also served as a justice of the peace for 
many years. His father was the Rev. Emman- 
uel Northup, a Baptist minister, who was born 
in New England and removed from Connecticut 
to New York, where he did missionary work, 
preaching without financial remuneration, while 
in order to support his family he carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits. 

Isaac G. Northup, the father of Professor 
Northup of McMinnville, was born in Otsego 
county, N. Y., and throughout his life followed 
farming. He wedded Phoebe Elizabeth Saun- 
ders, who was born in Unadilla, Otsego county, 
N. Y., in 1819, a daughter of Ziba Saunders, 
who was a mason and builder, and died in Owe- 
go, Tioga county, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Northup 
became the parents of seven children, five of 
whom reached adult age and three are yet liv- 
ing. The parents held membership in the Bap- 
tist Church. The father died at the age of sixty- 
seven years, but the mother is still living at 
the old homestead in New York. 

On the home farm Professor Northup re- 
mained through the period of his minority, at- 
tending the district schools in his youth. In 
1872 he entered Colgate Academy, at Hamilton, 
N. Y., and after three years there became a 
student in Colgate University, in which he was 
graduated in 1879, with the degree of Bachelor 
of Arts. The same year he was ordained to the 
ministry of the Baptist church and accepted the 
pastorate of the church at Lake Mills, Wis., 
where he remained for a year. In 1880 he went 
to Chicago, 111., where he entered the Baptist 
Union Theological Seminary, and was therein 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



graduated in 1883, with the degree of Bachelor 
oi Divinit) IK' then returned to the old home 
in [slew York and was pastor of the Bap- 
hurch in West Oneonta until July, 1888. 
n lie came to Oregon, having been elected to 
chair ot" mathematics in McMinnville Col- 
and on arriving here he was also assigned 
the chair of Greek. He has since been La- 
in both of these departments and for 
si five years has been dean of the faculty, 
while VNX he has been librarian of the 

institution. Throughout the years of his resi- 
a lure he has continued his pastoral labors 
g extent, preaching in many different 
churches in Yamhill county and vicinity and also 
rupving different pastorates here. 
Professor Xorthup was married in West 
.a. X. Y.. in 1S86, to Miss Maud Galer, 
ttive of that place and a daughter of James 
1 laler. a builder there. They had seven chil- 
dren, but Frederick, the third, died at the age 
of nine months. The others are : Truman, 
Charlotte E., Fleeta, Lucy Maud, Emmanuel 
am! I 

About 1897 Professor Northup became a 

member of the Oregon Fire Relief Association, 

• 1 was made one of its directors, and upon 

the death of President O. H. Irvine, he was 

■lected president and has since been an active 

in the successful control of the enterprise 

which is now, a most important business concern 

of the state. Although Professor Xorthup has 

a resident of McMinnville for little more 

than twelve years, he has been so closely and 

minently connected with the educational and 

"al interests of the city and state that it is 

imperative that he be represented in this history. 

Christian instruction is having an influence over 

rid that few can estimate, for it is in youth 

that the life of the man is marked out, his future 

course decided and his choice as to the good 

vil made. It is to the work of instructing 

mng that Professor Xorthup devotes his 

time, energies and thought and the result of his 

'labors is far-reaching. 



AUGUSTUS YERGEX. It was a merry 
golden wedding celebration that took place 

•he farm of Augustus Yergen, three miles 
from Aurora. March 28. 1902. for he and his 
companionable wife were held in high esteem 
in the neighborhood, and many came with 

- and heartfelt wishes to speed them 
upon the second half century of wedded hap- 
piness. May 24. 1902, the scene took on a dif- 
ferent aspect, for the fine old pioneer, whose 
industry had laid low the surrounding tim- 
ber, and caused the land to produce in abund- 



ance, was stricken with death at the age of 
three score and ten years. 

Horn in Meilheim, Germany, November 28, 
1831, Mr. Yergen was ten years of age when 
his father secured passage on an outgoing 
sailing vessel, thereafter spending many 
weeks on the waste of waters with his little 
family. Arriving in Xew Y'ork, he came at 
once to St. Clair county, 111., where the son 
grew to manhood, and was reared on a farm 
of moderate size. As opportunity permitted 
he attended the public schools and, in St. 
Louis, March 28, 1852, was united in mar- 
riage with Elizabeth Griffin, a native of St. 
Clair county, and daughter of an Illinois pio- 
neer, George A. Griffin. After two weeks the 
young couple carried out their long-planned 
trip across the plains, the details of which 
they had talked over during the winter 
months by the fire glow, and for which they 
had prepared on an elaborate scale. They 
had two yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows 
to one wagon, and were about six months in 
making the trip, having on the way a fairly 
pleasant time. The first winter was spent 
near Washougal. Wash., and this was a try- 
ing time, indeed, for feed of all kinds was 
scarce, and in consequence they lost all of 
their stock. The next spring Mr. Yergen took 
up a donation claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres on the line between Marion and 
Clackamas counties, and here the new owner 
erected a little log house containing but one 
room, and in this started up housekeeping on 
a small scale, enduring many hardships ere 
their land was rendered productive. With 
slight exception the property was covered 
with a heavy growth of timber, and much ef- 
fort was required to clear even a small space. 
X'evertheless, this early pioneer prospered ex- 
ceedingly, and left to his heirs a valuable and 
productive farm. Of the six children born to 
himself and wife, Adelbert is a resident of 
Butteville ; George W. is a hop-grower of 
Marion county; Mary E. is the wife of John 
A". Swan of Portland ; Frank E. lives on a 
farm near Aurora, Marion county; Frederick 
also lives near Aurora ; and Henry F. is oper- 
ating the old homestead. Mr. Yergen was an 
extensive hop-grower and general farmer, and 
his methods of work were progressive and 
practical. He was also interested especially 
in horticulture, and during the early years of 
his career in Oregon accumulated considera- 
ble money as the result of his prosecution of 
this branch of agriculture. In politics a Dem- 
ocrat, he never took an active interest in the 
political agitations of his neighborhood, but 
rather chose the quiet and retired life of the 
unostentatious agriculturist. He was a mem- 



558 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ber of the Lutheran Church, and contributed 
generously of his means towards the support 
of that organization. No more honored man 
tilled the soil of this well-favored locality, 
and his death was deeply deplored. 



HON. MARION B. HENDRICK. Among 
the pioneers of '52 who have worked their way 
up from comparative obscurity to prominence 
in the business and political affairs of Yamhill 
county, may be mentioned Hon. Marion B. Hen- 
drick, extensive grain merchant and member of 
the furniture and undertaking firm of Hendrick 
& Briedwell of McMinnville. The Hendrick 
family was established in Virginia long before 
the Revolutionary war, and members bearing the 
name participated in the memorable struggle for 
independence. In Virginia was born the pater- 
nal grandfather, Benjamin, who removed with 
his family to Barren county, Ky., where William 
A. Hendrick, the father of Marion B., was born. 
The family is of German descent, and the most 
desirable traits of that industrious and frugal 
nation have not been lost through transmittance. 

William A. Hendrick was a farmer for the 
greater part of his active life, and about 1832 
removed from his native state of Kentucky to 
Marshall county, 111., of which he was one of 
the pioneer settlers. The region was wild and 
frontier at the time, and as a means of safety 
he lived in the fort until purchasing his farm in 
the wilderness. Eventually he removed to Iowa, 
and his death occurred on his farm in the vicin- 
ity of Osceola. In his young manhood he mar- 
ried Maria Bird, who was born in Kentucky, a 
daughter of Robert Bird, a native of Virginia, 
and pioneer of both Kentucky and Illinois. In 
the latter state Mr. Bird settled in Marshall 
county, from where he removed in 1847 to Ore- 
gon, coming by way of the plains with his own 
family and the families of his three sons. 
Settling within a few miles of Oregon City, he 
improved a farm of large dimensions, where his 
death occurred, and also that of his wife, who 
was a Miss Mary Haley of Kentucky. Four 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick, 
of whom Marion B. is the oldest. Rachel. 
Sarah and Martha died in Illinois. 

Born near Glasgow, Barren county, Ky., Au- 
gust 14, 1828, Mr. Hendrick was educated in 
the public schools of Marshall, and at the acad- 
emy of Eureka. Having accumulated a keen 
interest in the far west, he was glad of the oppor- 
tunity to hire out as driver in crossing the 
plains in 1852, but this arrangement seems not 
to have been entirely satisfactory, for upon arriv- 
ing at Salmon Falls on the Snake river, himself 
and a companion left the emigrant train and 
started out afoot, accomplishing the rest of their 



journey per shank's express. Notwithstanding 
this slow means of locomotion, he made good 
time, for, having started out April 15th, he 
arrived at the Dalles August 20, being six weeks 
ahead of the train. For some time Mr. Hen- 
drick worked at odd jobs around Oregon City, 
and even tried his luck in the mines in the 
southern part of the state. Convinced that he 
was not among the elect in the latter calling, he 
returned to Yamhill county and engaged in rais- 
ing wheat, which proved a profitable venture, 
for the land produced about forty bushels to 
the acre and sold at ninety-five cents per bushel. 
As he had twelve hundred bushels to sell the 
profit was considerable to a youth with depleted 
finances, and permitted him to carry out the long- 
considered project of becoming a land owner. 
Going to Marion county, Ore., he took up a 
quarter section of land in the Mission Bottom, 
and after cultivating it for three years, disposed 
of it at a profit. Returning to Yamhill county, 
he bought a store in Wheatland and engaged in 
a general merchandise business, and also began 
to deal in wheat, which proved so successful that 
in 1862 he put up the first warehouse at Wheat- 
land. In the vicinity also he. built a flouring mill, 
which, after many years of prosperity, burned 
to the ground, entailing heavy loss. 

About this time Mr ; Hendrick increased his 
responsibilities by purchasing land and engag- 
ing in hop culture. He also leased a warehouse 
at Independence, and in 1888, with his son, 
Miles, he started a general store at Amity. The 
great flood of 1890 destroyed the Wheatland 
warehouse, containing- twenty-five thousand 
bushels of wheat, but, nothing daunted, he re- 
built, and proceeded with as great courage as 
before. For thirty-one years he engaged in the 
general merchandise business, and at the same 
time was continually increasing his wheat busi- 
ness, which finally assumed very large propor- 
tions. After locating in Amity in 1893, he con- 
tinued the warehouse business, and at the same 
time had warehouses along different points of 
the railroad. His store at Amity, of which his 
son had charge, was run under the firm name 
of M. E. Hendrick & Company until 1897, when 
they sold out, and in 1899 opened a store in 
McMinnville under the same firm name, and that 
as well as the furniture and undertaking busi- 
ness of Hendrick & Briedwell are sources of 
gratifying profit, and reflect the sagacity and far- 
sighted business judgment of their founder. 

Ever since he was old enough to appreciate 
the distinctions in politics, Mr. Hendrick has 
nllied his forces with the Democratic partv. He 
has served for one term as county assessor, and 
in 1878 was elected to the state legislature, serv- 
ing in session of 1878-79. He was active in 
workins: for the election of United States Sen- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



559 



ater. Mr. Hendrick has been a member 
the county committee, and was chairman of 
v in 1900. He is a member of the County 
- ite Pioneer Associations. In Wheatland, 
die laying out of which town was duo to his 
rprise, Mr. Hendrick was united in mar- 
Vpril to,, 1855, with Ellis Sawyer, who 
rn in Marshall county. 111., a daughter of 
i Sawyer, a native oi North Carolina. Mr. 
\er removed to Marshall county, 111., with 
tather, Jesse, and in 1847 crossed the plains 
- settling after a six months' jaunt 
on a donation claim of six hundred and forty 
ne-half mile north of Wheatland. Here 
he lived for many years, but finally retired to 
McMinnville, where his death occurred. He 
married Susan James, a native of Tennessee, who 
I to Illinois with her parents in the early 
>f the twelve children in the family ten 
attained maturity, and nine are living, Mrs. 
Hendrick being the oldest in the family, and 
nine years of age when she crossed the plains. 
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Hendrick— Miles E.. of the firm of M. E. Hen- 
drick & Co.: Ella, living with her parents; 
mora, now Mrs. Briedwell of McMinnville; 
and Lovie, now Mrs. Arlington Watt of Amity. 
Mr. Hendrick is a member of the United Evan- 
:il Association, while his wife is identified 
with the I nited Brethren Church. He is pos- 
>ed of unquestioned integrity, oft-evinced 
blic spiritedness, and the faculty to grasp op- 
tunitv by the forelock. Mr. Hendrick enjoys 
the fullest confidence of the communities which 
have benefited by his upbuilding ability, and he 
an unusual extent, one of those large souled, 
s pioneers whom it is always a pleasure 
to meet. 



A. F. ARTHUR, who is a well-known 
and successful contractor and builder of 
McMinnville. is one of the native sons of the 
len West, his birth having occurred in this 
city May 23. 1865. That seemed an early epoch 
in the history of this section of the country, and 
yet. twenty-two years before that time, his 
father. William Arthur, had come to the Sunset 
state. He was born in Missouri and is a brother 

Mrs. Mahala Cozine of this place. It was in 
the year 1843 that William Arthur crossed the 
plains, accompanying his parents. In earlv life 
he learned the carpenter's trade and for many 
years ^ followed the building business. In the 
early '60s he was a farmer in Clackamas county, 
.. and then came to McMinnville. where lie 
began contracting and building, and many of the 
substantia] structures of the city are the visible 
evidence of his life of thrift and industry. He 
is now living retired in McMinnville, enjoving 



a rot which he has truly earned. His wife bore 
the maiden name of Margaret Easton and died 
when A. F. Arthur was but a year old, leaving 
two children, the elder being Milton, who is a 
carpenter of [one, Ore. The father is a member 
of the Baptist Church and his Christian faith 
has been manifest throughout his upright career. 
As an honored pioneer he certainly deserves 
mention in this volume for he belongs to that 
class of heroic early settlers who laid broad and 
deep the foundation for the present prosperity 
and development of this section of the country. 
In the public schools, A. F. Arthur actjuired 
his early education and afterward spent a short 
time as a student in McMinnville College. From 
early youth he worked at the carpenter's trade, 
which he learned under the direction of his 
father, and he has always followed this pur- 
suit, with the exception of a few years spent 
in farming. He owned a place of four hundred 
and eight}' acres four miles west of McMinnville 
and thereon engaged in the raising of stock, 
making a specialty of sheep and cattle. In 1894 
he returned to McMinnville and rented his farm, 
which in 1899 he sold. Upon again locating in 
his native city he began contracting and building 
and has erected many fine residences here. He 
is now in partnership with J. W. Cook, under 
the firm style of Cook & Arthur, and they rank 
among the leading builders of this part of the 
state, having a liberal patronage, which is in- 
dicative of their excellent workmanship and 
their enterprise. They live faithfully up to the 
spirit as well as to the letter of the contract and 
in the execution of the work entrusted to them 
they show that thev are masters of the building: 
art. 

Mr. Arthur is a man of resourceful business 
ability, who has not confined his attention alone 
to one line, for in the summer seasons he is en- 
gaged in threshing, being a partner of C. J. Skin- 
ner in that enterprise. They operate the Russell 
thresher, which is run by steam, Mr. Arthur 
having been in this business for fifteen years. 
In all branches of his work he is progressive, 
keeping abreast with the latest improvements. 

In this county Mr. Arthur was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Emma Huguelett. a native of Vir- 
ginia City. Xev., and unto them have been born 
five children — Austin, Roy. Clara. Walter and 
Ernest. Fraternally Mr. Arthur is connected 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
with the Woodmen of the World, and he be- 
longs to the Baptist Church. His political sup- 
port is given to the Democracy and be has served 
as a member of the Democratic county central 
committee, doing everything in his power to 
advance the growth and success of the principles 
in which he believes. In business he has 
achieved success through honorable effort, un- 



500 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tiring energy and capable management, while in 
social life he has gained friendship and favor 
because of qualities which everywhere command 
respect — a genial disposition, and deference for 
the opinions of others. 






FREDERICK J. J. HURST. More than 
forty years have passed since Mr. Hurst came 
to Oregon, and within this time he has risen to 
success in the business world, at the same time 
gaining an untarnished reputation. He was 
born in Pommern, Prussia, Germany, March 29, 
1842, a son of Christian and Caroline (Kingriin) 
Hurst. The father was also a native of Prus- 
sia and belonged to one of the old families of 
that kingdom. By trade he was a wagon-maker 
and followed that pursuit throughout his entire 
life, which was passed in Germany. His wife 
was a daughter of Jacob Kingriin, a native of 
Sweden, who removed to Prussia and there fol- 
lowed farming. Mrs. Hurst, however, was 
born in Germany, and after the death of her first 
husband she married again and spent her last 
days in the United States. Mr. Hurst of this 
review was one of a family of four sons and 
two daughters. His brother, John D. Hurst, 
made his way across the plains with him and 
followed the miller's trade in Oregon. How- 
ever, he did not confine his attention alone to 
milling, for he became recognized as the best 
stone dresser in Oregon and his activity along 
that line contributed to his success. He died 
in Aurora, this state, in 1900. 

Frederick J. J. Hurst spent his boyhood days 
in his native country, and in accordance with 
the laws of that land attended school between 
the ages of six and fourteen years. He after- 
ward obtained practical training in business life 
by working upon a farm and in a mill. He was 
a youth of fifteen when he crossed the briny deep 
to America, sailing in 1857 on the vessel Ocean 
Home, which left Hamburg bound for New 
York. After a voyage of one hundred and two 
days, anchor was dropped in the American port 
and Mr. Hurst made his way from the eastern 
metropolis to Bureau county, 111. In that local- 
ity he secured employment on a farm and later 
he worked in the old Tiskilwa mill for his brother 
in order to learn the trade. Subsequently he be- 
came a resident of Blue Grass, Iowa, where he 
followed the miller's trade and later was em- 
ployed in the same capacity in Davenport. He 
next removed to Lyons, Iowa, where he rented 
and operated a mill until 1862, but in that year, 
attracted by the growing west with its varied 
opportunities and business openings, he came to 
Oregon, making the journey with a horse team 
and wagon. In the month of April he left his 
old home, crossed the Missouri river at Council 



Bluffs, followed the Oregon trail and came by 
way of the Landis cutoff. The Indians at that 
time were a constant menace to the emigrants, 
causing much trouble and annoyance. Subse- 
quently the party with which Mr. Hurst traveled 
served as a target for the guns of the red men, 
but the party returned the fire and kept the sav- 
ages at a distance. Eventually they were glad- 
dened by the sight of the fertile fields of Oregon, 
reaching their destination in October. Mr. 
Hurst went to the mines on the Powder river 
and afterward to the Boise basin, which was 
then a part of Utah. Subsequently he was 
engaged in mining in Montana, and in this way 
he gained a start. In 1869 he located in the 
Willamette valley and in partnership with his 
brother purchased the Corvallis Mill and turned 
his attention to the manufacture of flour. They 
had sold the mill, but before turning it over it 
was burned down and they rebuilt the plant. 
The new mill was then operated by the brothers 
until they sold to the firm of Gray & Kouthauer. 
At that time they purchased the Champoeg Mill, 
and this was conducted by Mr. Hurst until he 
disposed of it and purchased the North Salem 
Mill. Later he became a member of the Capital 
Milling Company, in which he was associated 
with William Reed and others. His brother was 
manager while Mr. Hurst of this review was 
head miller. Finally he sold his interest in this 
concern and removed to Lincoln, where he con- 
ducted a saw and grist mill for five years. Hav- 
ing opportunity to sell to an advantage he then 
returned to Salem where he began speculating, 
and since 1893 he has been engaged in real estate 
operations in this city. He both buys and sells 
real estate, and has a comprehensive knowledge 
of realty values and of good business opportun- 
ities in this direction. He laid out the Hurst 
Addition to North Salem, comprising three 
acres, and upon this he has built a number of 
good residences. He also owns the North Salem 
brick store and other buildings, including the one 
in which the steam laundry is conducted. 

Mr. Hurst was married in Clackamas county 
to Miss Emma Daue, who was born in Wiscon- 
sin, and they now have four children— Albert, 
of Salem, and Carrie, Stella and Fred, who are 
yet under the parental roof. Since becoming an 
American citizen Mr. Hurst has given his polit- 
ical support to the Republican party, and socially 
he is identified with the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, while his wife is a member of the 
Unitarian Church. In 1873 ne made a trip to 
his old home in Germany, visiting the scenes of 
his boyhood and renewing the acquaintances of 
his youth. He was content to return to America, 
however, for he has much love and admiration 
for the land of his adoption. Fie has never been 
disappointed in this country, nor had occasion 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



5G3 



jret his determination to cast in his lot with 

s, for here he lias found good business 

opportunities and through the improvement of 

he has become a successful man of good 

finan cial standing in Salem. He has justly won 

the proud American title of a self-made man, 

for his advancement is the direct outcome of 

it labor. 



THOMAS J. GRAVES. To be a native 
. of one of the most productive counties in 
t Oregon presupposes a more than ordinary in- 
iu its affairs, and when the expecta- 
kms are justified and maintained for many 
ITS with indefatigable industry, upright liv- 
ind practical progressiveness, the com- 
munity's well being may be said to rest in 
d hands. This is the case with Thomas J. 
:s, around whom is centered a thrifty 
icultural enterprise, and from whom 
manates a world of good-fellowship and 
practical participation in the general advance- 
lent of the county. Born upon the farm upon 
which he now lives while his parents were on 
a visit to his maternal grandfather, Glenn O. 
Burnett, October 24, 1855, Mr. Graves is a 
son of Charles B. and Mary H. (Burnett) 
ves, natives of Kentucky, and the former 
born January 28, 1824. Mr. Burnett was of 
inch descent, and was born in the state of 
Virginia, whence he started across the plains 
early as 1845. He was a minister of the 
'istian Church, and after locating on the 
claim of six hundred and forty acres spent his 
lays in farming and preaching, in time be- 
oming noted for his good works throughout 
the entire Willamette valley. He engaged in 
ck-raising, as the care of the same required 
time than general farming, and his la- 
borious and well-directed career resulted in 
l health becoming impaired in 1861. In the 
iope of benefiting by the genial climate and 
nspiring surroundings of California he moved 
there, intending, however, to remain for a 
me only, but was so charmed with life 
mong the sunshine and roses that he re- 
mained there until his death in 1888. 

Grandfather James B. Graves was born in 
Kentucky and crossed the plains with his 
lily in 1847. taking up a large claim near 
Sheridan. Yamhill county, Ore. He became 
wominent in Republican politics, and among 
ther honors conferred upon him by his fel- 
low-townsmen was that of legislator, which 
! maintained with great credit to himself 
and benefit to those who had placed him in 
unver. He died on his claim near Sheridan 
i 1 1 88 1, at the age of seventy-eight vears. 
His son, Charles B., the father of Thomas J., 
23 



was a young man when he moved with his 
family to Woodruff county, -Mo., and he was 
one of the most enthusiastic of the party that 
crossed the plains in 1846. Like his father 
he took up a donation claim of a section near 
Sheridan, settled thereon, and proceeded to 
make it profitable and home-like. In 1849 ne 
went over the mountains to the California 
mines, an expedition which had its happy 
side, for he returned about $2,000 richer than 
when he departed. In 185 1 he wedded Mary 
H. Burnett, and in 1864 he bought the old 
Burnett homestead, and lived thereon until a 
short time before his death in Monmouth, 
January 23, 1892, in the sixty-ninth year of 
his age. 

The oldest of the three sons and ten daugh- 
ters born to his parents, Thomas J. Graves, 
was educated in the public schools, at Bethel 
Academy, and at the Christan College at 
Monmouth, from which latter institution he 
was graduated in 1874 with the degree of 
B. S. His student life over, he returned to 
the old place, and has since devoted his ener- 
gies to improving it. Two hundred and 
eighty acres of the original property belongs 
to his brother in Portland, but he operates 
the whole farm, besides renting forty acres 
for hop culture, which he runs independent 
of his brother. He is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising, and his property io 
equipped with the modern aids which facili- 
tate not only scientific but extensive opera- 
tions. In 1878 Mr. Graves married Martha 
E. Shelton, who was born in Yamhill county 
in 1854. She was the daughter of John W. 
Shelton, who crossed the plains in 1846, lo- 
cating on a claim near Carlton, Yamhill 
county, but who is now living in Sherman 
county, Ore. Mrs. Graves died on the farm 
near Bethel, July 7, 1881, the mother of one 
son, Herbert Garfield, who was a soldier in 
the Spanish-American war, serving through- 
out as a private in Company A, Second Ore- 
gon Volunteer Infantry, from McMinnville, 
and he now resides in California. In 1885 Mr. 
Graves married Mrs. Mary E. AVilcox, born 
in Polk county, June 21, 1861, and daughter 
of Jesse Newbill, who crossed the plains in 
the early days and located at Ballston. By 
her first marriage Mrs. Graves became the 
mother of two children, of whom Belle is the 
wife of E. E. Shields, of Perrydale, and Mat- 
tie is a teacher in the public schools of Balls- 
ton. Three children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Graves, Edith, Cecil and Glenn. 

Like his forefathers, Mr. Graves is a stanch 
supporter of Republicanism, and has held 
many positions of trust and responsibility in 
his neighborhood. From 1880 until 1882 he 



561 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



served as assessor of Polk county and besides 
has officiated as justice of the peace, as school 
clerk for ten years, and as school director for 
nine years. Fraternally he is one of the most 
widely known men in the county, being asso- 
ciated with the Blue Lodge of Masons at 
Amity; Ainsworth Chapter No. 17, R. A. M., 
at Dallas; the Woodmen of the World of the 
same place ; the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows; and the Rebekahs of McCoy, of 
which he has been secretary of the subordi- 
nates for twelve years. He is a broad-minded, 
well-informed and more than ordinarily pro- 
gressive man, in touch with general happen- 
ings beyond his immediate borders. All ef- 
forts at improvement of his locality receive 
his substantial support, and his opinion is 
sought on all important questions which arise 
from time to time. 



NELS C. CHRISTENSON. No more ca- 
pable official ever occupied the position of mayor 
of Newberg than its present incumbent, Nels C. 
Christenson. Not only has he labored for the 
material progress of the city, but also for its 
moral advancement, and the impress of his in- 
dividuality upon the town has been one for good. 
He has established and controlled many im- 
portant and extensive successful business enter- 
prises in this locality and his labors have ever 
been effective, not only in securing his own pros- 
perity, but also in promoting commercial activity 
whereon rests the growth and upbuilding of 
every community. 

Mr. Christenson has been a resident of Oregon 
since 1874. His birth occurred August 19, i860, 
in Waushara county, Wis. His father, Hans 
Christenson, was a native of Denmark, and in the 
'50s crossed the broad Atlantic to the United 
States, settling in Waushara county, Wis., where 
he purchased two hundred acres of land, con- 
tinuing its cultivation until 1867, when he sold 
that property and removed to Iowa, settling in 
Grundy county. There he purchased eighty acres 
of land, and in 1874 he resumed his westward 
journey, traveling until he had reached the Sun- 
set state. Here he took up his abode near Carl- 
ton, Yamhill county, where he remained for two 
years, and then located at Lafayette. About that 
time he purchased land four miles northwest of 
Newberg, although the town had not been estab- 
lished at that time. He became the owner of 
three hundred and twenty acres of improved 
land and for a number of years he was actively 
engaged in farming pursuits, his richly cultivated 
fields winning for him prosperity. At the present 
time he is living a retired life in Newberg and 
his rest is well merited. He married Stena An- 
derson, a native of Denmark, and with her hus- 



band she came to the United States. Seven chil- 
dren were born of this union, of whom rive are 
living, the subject of this review being the young- 
est son. 

Nels C. Christenson is indebted to the public 
school system of Iowa and Oregon for the earl}' 
educational privileges which he enjoyed, and for 
a short period he was a student in McMinnville 
College, after which he entered the Portland Busi- 
ness College, from which he was graduated May 
3, 1887. Thus well equipped for the duties of a 
business career, he secured the position of a 
bookkeeper in the grain warehouse in Carlton, 
Ore., there remaining for two seasons. In 1889, 
in company with his brother, George Christen- 
son, he purchased the grain elevator in Newberg 
and later he became sole proprietor. With the 
exception of a period of two years he has been 
continuously connected with the warehouse in- 
terests of this place since he left school. He also 
owns a third interest in the Chehalem Valley 
Mills, which were erected in 1901, and are the 
best equipped mills in this portion of the county, 
being supplied with all modern accessories, in- 
cluding the latest improved machinery. The mills 
have a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour 
per day and the product is of such an excellent 
quality that it finds a ready sale upon the market. 

In Newberg Mr. Christenson was united in 
marriage to Miss Josephine Larkin, a native of 
Minnesota. Her father, John S. Larkin, was born 
in Maine, and removing westward took up his 
abode in Wisconsin, whence he afterward went 
to Minnesota. Throughout his entire business 
career he carried on agricultural pursuits, but at 
the present time he is living retired at his pleas- 
ant ' home in Newberg. He owns an orchard a 
quarter of a mile northwest of this town and is 
the possessor of a comfortable competence, which 
was gained through his labors in former years. 
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Christenson has 
been blessed with two daughters and a son : 
Alice, Harold and Mildred. Mr. Christenson 
holds membership with the Woodmen of the 
World, the United Artisans and the Knights of 
the Maccabees, and he belongs to the regular 
Missionary Baptist Church, to the support of 
which he contributes liberally, and in its work- 
he is active and influential. He is now serving 
as one of the deacons of the church and does 
everything in his power to promote its growth 
and insure its welfare. His political support is 
given to the Prohibition party and he has been 
honored with several local offices, having served 
as school clerk, trustee and as city treasurer for 
one term. In January, 1902, he was elected mayor 
of Newberg and no more capable officer could 
have been chosen for this office. There are no 
saloons in the town, and he has exercised his 
official prerogatives to suppress gambling, law- 



POR IK \l f AND BK (GRAPHICAL REG >U1). 



,005 



. ind vice of every character; in fact, his 
nistration has been so practical and beneficial 
g ina\ well be regarded as an ideal 
In the field of political life and commer- 
md industrial activity, Mr. Christenson has 
si nction and to-day is numbered among 
eading, influential and honored citizens of 
■ill county. A young man, he possesses the 
enterprising spirit oi the west, which lias been 
linant factor in producing the wonderful 
•pment oi this section of the country. 
cing no obstacles that honest effort could 
•me, he has steadily worked his way up- 
ward, and having long since left the ranks of the 
many he to-day stands among the successful few. 



GIDEON STOLZ. The manufacturing inter- 
- oi Salem are well represented by Gideon 
- .7., who has risen to the enviable position of 
president of the Gideon Stolz Company of Salem. 
He was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, De- 
cember i), 1844, being one of the ten children of 
Jacob and Mary Stolz. Both parents were na- 
tives of Germany, the father born in Wurtem- 
near Stuttgart, in 1832. He came to Amer- 
ica and followed farming in Columbiana county, 
Ohio. He afterward secured government land 
in Scioto valley, residing thereon for a few years 
and subsequently he took up his abode in Mont- 
xry county, Ohio, near Dayton, where his re- 
maining days were passed. He died at the 
of eighty-six years and his wife died in Day- 
ton at the age of seventy-eight years. Both were 
members of the Lutheran Church. Of their 
family five sons and one daughter reached mature 
years. Dr. John Stolz, the eldest, was a surgeon 
of die Ninety-second Ohio Regiment during the 
Civil war and is now a practicing physician of 
Reading, Pa. Jacob, who was a member of the 
Ninety-third Ohio Infantry, was killed at the 
battle of Murfreesboro. David, who joined the 
Fifteenth United States Infantry for three years' 
service, was captured at the time of Rosecrans' 
retreat at Chickamauga and after eleven months' 
imprisonment in Andersonville died and was 
buried there. Gideon is the next of the family. 
William G. is now a retired dairyman of Day- 
ton. Ohio, and Mrs. Mary Kuhn is residing at 
Gallion, Ohio. 

Reared in Dayton, Gideon Stolz pursued a 
common-school education and in May, 1864. 
when nineteen vears of age, he volunteered for 
service in the Union army, becoming a member 
of Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-first 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in 
at Columbus. Ohio, stationed at Baltimore, and 
was honorably discharged in the following Sep- 
tember. In October of the same year he re- 
enlisted in the quartermaster's department and 



did duty principally in the viciniu of Memphis, 
Tenn., until alter the cessation of hostilities, when 
he was mustered out in 1865 and returned to 
his home. 

For a few years following bis military ser- 
vice Mr. Stolz was engaged in the dairy busi- 
ness at Dayton and in 1873 he disposed of bis 
business interests in Ohio in order to come to the 
northwest, establishing his home in Salem. His 
capital was limited to $100 at that time, and, 
looking about for a business opportunity that 
would yield him a good living, he turned his 
attention to gardening, conducting the old Dick- 
enson Seed Garden under contract for six vears. 
In 1879 h e began dealing in cider and vinegar at 
the corner of Trade and Cottage streets and 
within a short period he built up a good business 
there. In 1886 he incorporated the business 
under the name of the Pacific Vinegar & Pickle 
Company and became the president. The enter- 
prise was conducted in Salem until 1891, when, 
on account of the majority of the stockholders 
being residents of Portland, the plant was re- 
moved to East Portland. Mr. Stolz, however, 
continued to reside in Salem and in 1894 sold his 
interest in the Portland business and lived re- 
tired here until after the inauguration of Presi- 
dent McKinley, when he recognized the change 
in times, believing that a period of prosperity was 
dawning upon the country. Accordingly, in the 
spring of 1897, he began the business of manu- 
facturing cider and cider vinegar and extended 
the enterprise until it reached a very important 
industry in the city. 

In February, 1903, Mr. Stolz perfected a plan 
whereby his business was incorporated under the 
laws of Oregon, as The Gideon Stolz Company. 
Realizing that the most successful business enter- 
prises of to-day are managed by young men, with 
possibly a few older men, having had years of 
experience, at the helm, Mr. Stolz gathered 
around him, in perfecting the corporation, a corps 
of young men who had long served him in vari- 
ous capacities, such as John B. Hileman, who 
is vice-president and general manager of the fac- 
tory ; W. T. Stolz, his son, who is secretary ; 
C. D. and E. W. Purvine. both of whom are 
young men of excellent qualities, constituting the 
balance of the stockholders. 

The new company starts with a well-equipped 
factory, modern machinery appliances, and a ca- 
pacity of double their former output, and we feel 
safe in predicting that, as the years roll on, this 
company will rank among the foremost of its 
kind in the northwest. The firm does a large bot- 
tling business, bottling mineral water, root beer 
and all kinds of soda, and also manufacture and 
prepare for the market cider, cider vinegar, fruit 
butter, jellies and pickles of all kinds. The busi- 
ness is profitable in all the departments and the 



5GG 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



trade is gradually growing. They now manufac- 
ture over $50,000 worth of cider vinegar each 
year, and in 1902 utilized more than five hundred 
tons of apples. They also used the product of 
fifteen acres of land for pickles and seventy-five 
tons of cabbage were manufactured into kraut. 
The enterprise is the second in point of import- 
ance in the manufacture of raw materials in Sa- 
lem. The company contracts for all its raw 
material locally and this furnishes an excellent 
market to the producer in this section. For the 
soda he has a local trade, but for other outputs 
of the plant there is a large foreign demand, his 
goods being shipped all over the coast and to 
Alaska. They employ a number of men and 
women throughout the year at the Salem plant, 
which is located at the corner of Mill and Sum- 
mer streets, the factory and warehouse covering 
a quarter of a block. ' The building is supplied 
with steam power and modern machinery of im- 
proved workmanship, while system, neatness and 
cleanliness are marked characteristics of the en- 
tire establishment. 

Mr. Stolz was married in Dayton, Ohio, in 
1868, to Miss Margaret Whittinger, who was 
born in Chillicothe, Ohio, and they have two 
children : Walter T., a wholesale and retail con- 
fectioner of Salem; and Lenta D., the widow of 
W. G. Westacott. Mrs. Westacott conducts a res- 
taurant in Salem. Mr. Stolz is a valued and pop- 
ular member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, in which he has held office ; the Wood- 
men of the World ; and the Knights of the Mac- 
cabees. In his political views, especially on state 
and national questions, he gives an earnest and 
unfaltering support to the Republican party. In 
December, 1901, be was the nominee on both the 
Republican and Citizens' tickets for the office of 
councilman from the Third ward and was elected 
by a very larg-e and flattering majority. He is 
now serving as a member and chairman of the 
committee on health and police and is a mem- 
ber of the accounts and current expense com- 
mittee and the fire and water committee. He 
belongs to the Greater Salem Commercial Club 
and is one of the leaders of the Civic Improve- 
ment Society, having for its object the improve- 
ment of Salem in its municipal affairs and its 
substantial upbuilding. Mr. Stolz is a very 
pleasant man, always approachable and willing 
to accord to any the courtesy of an interview. 
In manner he is kindly and genial and in all 
life's relations he commands the respect and re- 
gard of those with whom he has been associated. 
In his treatment of bis employes he has always 
been fair and just and in trade circles the house 
of which he is the head sustains an unimpeach- 
able reputation. 



HERMAN POHLE, one of the influential 
and representative citizens of Salem now serving 
as a member of the city council, was born in 
Germany near Bende, October 29, 1849. His 
father, Henry Pohle, was a farmer of that coun- 
try and married a Miss Kemper, by whom he had 
five children, the subject of this review being the 
second in order of birth. Four of the number 
are still living, and three are residents of Amer- 
ica, while the other is living at tbe old borne 
in Germany. 

Herman Pohle was reared in the Fatherland 
and continued his education there until twelve 
years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn 
the blacksmith's trade near the old home, serv- 
ing for a term of two years. He then came to 
America in company with his cousin, Kemper 
Pohle, who had previously been to the new world 
and had returned to Germany on a visit. Mr. 
Pohle arrived in the United States in 1865 and 
took up bis abode in Aurora, Ind., where he was 
employed at blacksmithing. Subsequently be 
engaged in conducting a blacksmith and carriage 
shop on his own account near that place, and 
later, thinking that the rapidly growing west 
would furnish him a better field of labor, he 
came to Oregon in 1879 and has since been a 
resident of Salem. He worked at his trade until 
1882 and then established a carriage business of 
his own on Commerce street. Subsequently he 
removed to the corner of State and Front streets, 
and in 1901 he purchased a lot at the corner of 
Liberty and Ferry streets and built for himself 
a fine shop 48x82 feet, and three stories in height 
together with a basement. This entire build- 
ing is utilized by Mr. Pohle in his business. Tbe 
basement and the first floor are used for the 
manufacture of carriages and for the black- 
smithing business and the upper floors consti- 
tute the painting departments. He carries the 
Moline and Bain wagons and carriages, and 
has built up a growing business, which has long 
since reached profitable proportions. 

In Indiana occurred the marriage of Mr. Pohle 
and Miss Mary E. Tekeneier, a native of that 
state, and their union has been blessed with six 
children, namely : Ella, wife of William Mc- 
Gowan, of Portland, who is assistant cashier in 
the Wells-Fargo Bank; Mrs. Grace Atwood, of 
Salem ; Warren, who is in the railway mail 
service ; and Alma, Edna and Frances, who 
are at home. The parents hold membership with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Pohle 
is a member of the board of trustees. His po- 
litical support is given to the Republican party 
and he is unfaltering in his adherence to its 
principles, for he believes that in their adoption 
lies the safety and perpetuation of the American 
government. In 1901 he was nominated on the 
Citizens' ticket for councilman of the second 




Jl^nn fyi&Jt-^-u^- 



portra! i wn Biographic \i. rec< >rd. 



5UU 



and was elected to the position. He is now 

■! the committee on streets and public 

.'ii ways anil means and is chairman 

- committee. Socially ho is identi- 

Vncient Order of the United Work- 

ind the Knights oi the Maccabees. -Mr. 

■ man of much influence and prominence 

and in matters relating to the city's welfare 

1 himself practical and helpful. 

the years of his residence in America he 

had occasion to regret his determina- 

e to the new world, for he has found 

the business opportunities he sought and 

blished a good home and gained 

arm friends. 



,.\ McCROW. To the inheritance of 
qualities, coupled with patient deter- 
mination and energy, John McCrow owes the 
- which has crowned his efforts since 
ming to Oregon, December 17, 1873. His 
parents were both natives of Scotland, the 
lather, Hugh, and the mother, Margaret 
(Richardson) .McCrow, being born near 
inburgh. The father was a man of energy 
and ability and chose to leave his native land 
for the sake of the broad opportunities of the 
-tern world. He emigrated to America 
when about thirty years old, settling in Can- 
la, where he engaged in farming until his 
death in 1881. His wife died in the Canadian 
me in 1884. Of the children born of this 
union, William is located in Canada ; John is 
the subject of this review; Eliza, the wife of 
James Richardson, and Mary are residents of 
rd county, Canada. 
John McCrow was born in Oxford county, 
ada, August 2, 1842, remaining on his 
father's farm until twenty-three years of age. 
He received a limited education in the old log 
olhouse in the vicinity of his home until 
he was fourteen years of age, at which time 
he began work on his father's farm. On 
reaching his majority he began farming for 
himself on rented land. In 1866 he was united 
in marriage with Catherine Ferguson, a native 
rd county. Canada, and they continued 
-eside on their farm until 1873, when they 
removed to the United States, settling in the 
Waldo Hills, in Marion county, Ore. Here 
he purchased a farm of three hundred and 
forty-five acres and entered upon its cultiva- 
tion, where he remained until 1898. In the 
meantime, in 1887. he entered into the butcher- 
business in Salem, conducting this en- 
terprise in conjunction with his farm until 
1898, when he traded his farm in the Waldo 
Hills for stock in the Capital Xational Bank 
of Salem. Tn that year also he disposed of 



the butcher business in Salem and moved to 
his farm one and a half miles southwest of 
McCoy, which he had previously purchased 
in 1890. Here he owns a farm of three hun- 
dred and forty acres all in cultivation and is 
engaged extensively in general farming and 
stock-raising. 

-Mr. McCrow has erected one of the finest 
residences in this section of the county, situ- 
ated on a hill near the center of his farm, com- 
manding an excellent view of his entire pos- 
sessions and the country for miles around. 

Airs. Catherine McCrow died in Marion 
county in 1878, leaving four children: Hugh. 
who died one month later at the age of twelve 
years; Christina; Robert, a butcher in Gold- 
endale, Wash., who married Delia B. Hasey, 
by whom he has one child, Hughretta X. ; and 
Margaret, the wife of Joseph Fischer of Stay- 
ton, and they have one son, John Norval. 
In 1880 Mr. McCrow married for his sec- 
ond wife, Mrs. Jane (Law) Anderson, daugh- 
ter of James Law, of Scotland. Mrs. Mc- 
Crow has one daughter by r her first marriage, 
Violet A. A. by name, and of the second three 
children were born, Hughretta I., Garnet E., 
and Clarence A. 

Mr. McCrow is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church of McCoy and politically he 
votes with the Republican party. He has always 
been a stanch advocate of those measures calcu- 
lated to advance the material interests of the 
community in which he has long been a resident, 
and is known by his fellow-men as a broad- 
gauged, liberal man of affairs and his life has 
been an exemplification of the Golden Rule. 



JOHN F. COOK, M. D., a botanical special- 
ist who has been most successful in the work 
of alleviating human suffering, is now practicing 
in Salem, where he has resided for six years. 
He was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Ger- 
many, December 5, 1843, a son °f John Koch, 
who was also a native of that locality. In 1854 
he brought his family to America, settling at 
Williamsburg, since included within the cor- 
porate limits of New York City. He was a fresco 
painter and gardener. In 1865 he removed to 
Minnesota, settling in Dakota county, where he 
carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. 
He held membership in the Baptist Church and 
was a man of marked strength of character. He 
married Catherine Bonschier. who was born in 
Frankfort. Germany, but was of French descent, 
and they became the parents of five children, of 
whom two are now living. The doctor, who is 
the youngest of the family, was eleven vears of 
age when his parents crossed the Atlantic to the 
Xew World, sailing on the Robert Caley from 



570 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Havre and reaching New York after a voyage of 
thirty-six clays. He attended the public schools 
of Williamsburg until twenty-one years of age, 
and while in that city he also learned the business 
of manufacturing musical instruments. In 1865 
he went with the family to Dakota county, Minn., 
where he further continued his education in an 
academy. Several members of the Cook family 
had been physicians, and the doctor became inter- 
ested in the subject of medical science and deter- 
mined to prepare for the practice of the profes- 
sion. He accordingly began studying under a 
physician of Dakota county, and later continued 
his reading in St. Croix county, Wis., under the 
direction of Dr. Gilliman. 

Dr. Cook began the practice of medicine in 
Pierce county, Wis., as early as 1875, and, in 
1896, was graduated in the Chicago Independent 
Medical College and Health University with the 
degree of M. D. He practiced in Wisconsin until 
1887, when he removed to Omaha, Neb., where 
he continued in practice for ten years, meeting 
with splendid success. In fact his practice be- 
came so extensive that it made too heavy demands 
upon his strength, and he came to Salem, hoping 
that a change of climate would enable him rapidly 
to recuperate. Here he opened his office, and 
during the six years of his residence here he has 
gained a very extensive patronage. The doctor 
has a broad knowledge of medical principles, 
but has always made a specialty of botanical 
practice and does not believe in the use of the 
knife. As a specialist in the treatment of chronic 
diseases he has been remarkably successful and 
particularly so in the treatment of cancer. His 
office is located at No. 301 Liberty street and 
many come to him there not only from Salem, 
but from other parts of the country, demanding 
his services in the cure of long standing diseases. 
That the doctor has accomplished many remark- 
able cures is indicated by the large number of tes- 
timonials which have come to him unsolicited 
from grateful patients who feel that they owe 
to him health and life. 

In Dakota county, Minn., the doctor was united 
in marriage to Miss Henrietta Sittkus, who was 
born in Germany and was brought to America 
when nine year's of age. She has deep sympathy 
with the doctor in his work and has been of much 
assistance to him. • They attend the Baptist 
Church, in which they hold membership, and the 
doctor is now serving as chairman of its board of 
trustees. He is a man of fine physique, with an 
intellectual forehead, a firm mouth and honest 
eyes, and moreover a kindly expression which in- 
dicates his broad humanitarian spirit. 



of the northwest. Mr. Bible comes from Ten- 
nessee, his birth having occurred near Warrens- 
burg, in Greene county, that state, March 16, 
1834. There he was reared upon a farm and the 
common schools of his home neighborhood pro- 
vided him with his educational privileges. When 
twenty-one years of age he started out in life 
on his own account and whatever success he has 
achieved is the direct result of his enterprising 
efforts. He followed farming in his native state 
until the fall of 1862, when he enlisted as a 
private in the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry and par- 
ticipated in the campaign from Knoxville to 
Cumberland Gap. For a year longer he con- 
tinued in the service and was then taken ill with 
typhoid fever, which unfitted him for further 
military duty during the remainder of the war. 

Soon after the close of hostilities Mr. Bible 
began merchandising in Warrensburg, Tenn., 
carrying on business in that vicinity until 1879, 
when, believing that the opportunities of the 
northwest exceeded those of his native state, he 
came to Oregon, settling in Sheridan. Here he 
again established a store and continued in mer- 
chandising until 1898, when he sold out. For one 
year he also conducted a store in Willamina. 
Soon after his arrival in the northwest he began 
dealing in cattle and now owns a ranch of four 
hundred and forty acres together with other 
land. Aside from the supervision of his invested 
interests, Mr. Bible is now retired from active 
business cares. 

On the 10th of April, 1865, occurred the mar- 
riage of Mr. Bible and Miss Mary J. Mendenhall, 
of Jefferson county, Tenn. They have no chil- 
dren. Mr. Bible votes with the Democracy and 
believes in the gold standard. He has firm faith 
in the northwest and its future possibilities and 
has allied his interests with this section of the 
state, becoming a valued factor in the work of 
progress and improvement here. 



A. S. BIBLE. Almost every state of the Union 
has furnished a quota of citizens to Oregon who 
have aided in the settlement and improvement 



RILEY Y. FEND ALL. A native son of Ore- 
gon, Riley Y. Fendall has improved the oppor- 
tunities which were his from the earliest years 
of his boyhood, making a success for himself 
through the cultivation of the soil, being the life 
to which he was reared. He was born on the old 
donation land claim taken up by his father in the 
pioneer days of Oregon, September 17, 1852, and 
was there reared to a practical and useful life, 
interspersing his home duties with an attendance 
at the common schools. Later he attended the 
public schools at Willamina, a considerable dis- 
tance from his home, sometimes riding, but 
oftener walking to and fro in his efforts to add 
to his knowledge of the life of a farmer the edu- 
cation that enables a farmer to be an exception 
to the general average. 

When twenty-two years of age he and his 



POP ru \1 r WD BIOGRAPHICAL REG )RD. 



.-.7 1 



bought a pan of the land adjoining that 

Mr. Fendall now lives, and two .wars 

nber 6, 1876, he married Miss Susie 

II, the daughter of Peter and Sophronia 

For two years after his marriage he 

n the home place, at the close of that 

,ving upon a part of his present prop- 

- ater he removed to his present 

■u. this having been his home since. Mr. 

all ha- put upon his property nearly all of 

mprovements oi which it boasts, and has 

;,> the cultivation careful thought and an 

effort to excel in that to which he has 

his time and attention. He now owns 

three hundred and twenty-seven acres, principally 

.jed in the valley, and is at present engaged 

irning on general farming ami stock-raising. 

and for twelve years was interested in hop cul- 

< (f the children which blessed the union of Mr. 

Mrs. Fendall, Roxie M. is now the wife of 

". Mendenhall; and Cn\y H., Claude S., Car- 

*.. Lucia E. and Cullie make their home with 

r parents. Politically Mr. Fendall adheres to 

the principles advocated in the platform of the 

cratic party. 



MERRITT McKINLEY is a native son and 
jsful farmer of Yamhill county. He was 
Ix.rn near Wheatland. September 18, 1853, and is 
1" James McKinley, whose birdi occurred 
on the 2d of March, 1827, in Indiana. When a 
he father accompanied his parents to Mis- 
ri and in 1S45 he crossed the plains to the 
St, driving an ox team. The succeeding year 
he returned b\ water route to his home in the 
st, but in 1847. accompanied by his father. 
Alexander McKinley, he again made the trip. 
There were six sons and four daughters in the 
■id father's family and all of the boys and one 
the 'laughters came at that time. The grand- 
father secured a donation claim in Yamhill coun- 
near where our subject was born. He then 
became the owner of two hundred and forty acres 
ieh he developed into a good farm and thereon 
n't his remaining days, passing away at an ad- 
vanced age. 

James McKinley was married in Yamhill 
ounty in 1845 to Charlotte Johnson, who was 
"rn in Germany, and the same year he secured 
a donation claim near McMinnville, while in 1847 
he became the owner of another donation claim 
me hundred and twenty acres near Wheat- 
land. It was upon the latter farm that the birth 
ot In- son Merritt occurred. James McKinley 
remained upon that farm until 1874. when he re- 
lieved to Perrydale and in 1877 he came to the 
place upon which our subject is now living in 
the Gopher valley. In 1892, however, he" re- 



moved to Sheridan, where he died in June. [893. 
1 le was a member of the United Brethren Church 

and was a man of strong character, .sterling pur- 
poses ami of honorable life. His wife passed 
away upon the farm upon which her son Merritt 
is now living, her death occurring in the year 
1885. They were the parents of five children: 
Angeline, the deceased wife of Calvin Miller; 
Merritt: Mark, who died in childhood: Mary, 
the wife of A. J. Sawyer; and Henry, who died 
at the age of eighteen months. 

_ Mr. McKinley of this review was reared in 
Yamhill county and after attending the common 
schools near his home he further continued his 
studies in the public schools of Salem. In his 
youth he assisted his father in the work of the 
home farm and when his education was completed 
he became his father's associate in agricultural 
pursuits, the business relation between them be- 
ing maintained until the death of James McKin- 
ley. In 1895 .Air. McKinley returned to the 
farm upon which he is now living. He owns 
here six hundred and seventy-four acres of val- 
uable land, pleasantly located on Deer creek, 
about two miles northeast of Sheridan. Here he 
carries on general farming and stock-raising, 
keeping on hand large herds of cattle, sheep and 
goats. He has a fine ranch well equipped for 
the purposes used and his thorough and prac- 
tical understanding of his business has made him 
one of the prosperous citizens of his community. 
On the 28th of October, 1886. Mr. McKinley 
was united in marriage to Miss Emma Cox, who 
was born in Giehalis county. AYash., a daughter 
of William A. Cox. one of the pioneer settlers of 
that state. They had four children ; Hilda, An- 
drew. Laurin and one that died in infancv. In 
his political views Mr. McKinley is a Democrat, 
but has never been a politician' in the sense of 
office seeking, preferring to devote his energies 
to his business affairs, which, having been capably- 
conducted, have brought to him" a gratifying 
financial return. 



ARIEL H. LEIGHTON. One of the most 
handsomely improved and best cultivated farms 
in Yamhill county, Ore., is the one known as 
Highland Lodge, consisting of four hundred and 
eighty-five acres, and located four miles from 
Willamina on the Willamina creek. The place 
is supplied with a handsome residence and 
good barns and outbuildings of all de- 
scriptions, all furnished with running water, 
supplied by pipes which connect with 
springs. The ranch was originallv owned and 
improved by Lord Oswald Grosser, a German 
nobleman, who disposed of his interests here in 
[899 to Mr. Leighton. Much of the land is de- 
voted to an apple and prune orchard, three thou- 



572 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sand prune trees yielding a large harvest each 
year, the cost of preparing for market being 
greatly lessened by his owning a prune dryer. 
He is also largely engaged in stock-raising, be- 
ing principally interested in cattle, sheep and 
hogs. 

The birth of Mr. Leighton occurred in Hyde- 
park, Vt., September 29, 1834, and in that state 
he was reared to manhood, with the exception of 
a few years spent in Massachusetts, receiving 
his education in the public schools and academies 
of these two states. At the age of fifteen years 
he began working at the trade of tinning, in which 
he continued until 1861, when he enlisted as a 
private in Company I, First Vermont Cavalry, 
for a term of three years in the service of the 
Union army. After serving a little over one 
year, while with General Banks in the Shenan- 
doah Valley, he was wounded while on horse 
guard by the accidental discharge of his own 
pistol, which entailed his discharge on account 
of disability. Returning to Vermont he re- 
mained there until 1866, when he removed to 
Iowa, and settled upon a farm near Fort Dodge, 
making a purchase of the land, and for two years 
engaged in tilling the soil. At the close of that 
period he changed his location to the town of 
Fort Dodge, where for three years he followed 
his trade, making such a success of the business 
that he was enabled to open a hardware store, 
in connection with which he carried on plumbing. 
For twenty years he carried on this business, 
receiving sufficient remuneration to warrant his 
continuing in the work. At the close of that 
time he again moved to a farm near Fort Dodge, 
but six years later, in 1899, he came to Oregon, 
in search of more pleasant surroundings, being 
more than ordinarily successful in his selection 
of Highland Lodge. 

Mr. Leighton has been married three times, 
and has had twelve children, seven of whom 
are living: Dora, the wife of J. W. Leighton; 
Carrie B., the wife of Thomas Adams ; Lee, re- 
siding in Ogden, Iowa ; Bessie, a teacher in North 
Dakota ; and Robert, Almyra and Dixie, the three 
latter at home. Mr. Leighton is a Republican, 
and fraternally has been a member of the Ma- 
sonic order for thirty years. 



JAMES McCAIN, who has attained distinc- 
tion in both the civil and criminal departments of 
law practice, and is now a member of the well- 
known law firm of McCain & Vinton, was born 
March 30, 1844, in Delphi, Carroll county, Ind. 
His father, James McCain, Sr., was born in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. 
The paternal grandfather was a soldier of the 
war of 181 2 and a prominent land owner and 
farmer of the vicinitv of Cincinnati, and his old 



homestead has been divided into town lots, and 
is now incorporated within the limits of the city. 
His death occurred in the Buckeye state. 

In 1851, after residing in Delphi, Ind., for a 
number of years, James McCain brought his 
family to Oregon, his eldest son, Paris, having 
preceded him to the northwest in 1847. With 
oxen and horse teams the family made the jour- 
new overland, and in Iowa the father purchased 
some fine stock, which he drove to Oregon. He 
traveled with a large and well-equipped train, 
all the men being armed, and having left Indiana 
in early April, they arrived in the Willamette 
valley early in November. Mr. McCain secured 
a donation land claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres on the boundary line of Polk and 
Yamhill counties, three miles east of Sheridan, 
and this he cultivated and improved, making it a 
valuable tract, upon which he lived until his 
death, which occurred in 1874. His political 
allegiance was given the Republican party, and 
he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
In early manhood he had wedded Miss Sarah 
Earnest, who was born and married near Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, and was of Scotch descent. Her 
death occurred when she was seventy years of 
age. In the family were ten children, of whom 
nine came to Oregon : Paris, who died in Seat- 
tle, Wash. ; William, who died in Linn county, 
Ore. ; Mrs. Maria Martin, of McMinnville ; Mrs. 
Clarissa Foster, who died in California ; Mrs. 
Agnes Stauffer, who died in Polk county, this 
state; Mrs. Ellen Graves, of Yamhill county; 
John, a resident of southern Oregon ; Mrs. Sarah 
A. Osborne, who died in Polk county, and James. 

Judge McCain was but seven years of age 
when the family came to the northwest, and upon 
the home farm he was reared, while in the dis- 
trict schools he pursued his education, which was 
supplemented by a short period of study in Mc- 
Minnville College, and Willamette University, 
but though he resumed his studies several times, 
each time illness or accident forced him to put 
aside his books. Later he went to Dallas, and 
spent over two years in La Creole Academy, and 
subsequently he began the study of law under 
the direction of P. C. Sullivan, and was admitted 
to the bar in 1868. He then began practice at 
Dallas, and later entered into partnership with 
Mr. Sullivan, continuing the relation with him 
until June, 1871, when he located in La Fayette, 
Yamhill county, where he remained until 1889, 
when the county seat was removed to McMinn- 
ville, and here he has since made his home. In 
1892 he was elected district attorney for the third 
judicial district, embracing Marion, Linn, Yam- 
hill, Polk and Tillamook counties, and in 1894 
he was re-elected, each time on the Republican 
ticket. From the beginning of his professional 
career he enjoyed considerable distinction as an 



go* 


1 




fl$i 


'/ 




" fr 





< ^^ 7 ^xJtA^yt^^J 7 ^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



o i o 



able criminal lawyer, and since 1SS5 he has won 
equal tame as a practitioner of civil law. He has 
only practiced successfully in various coun- 
i m i >regon, but has also been entrusted with 
mi litigation in Idaho and other states. 
He is strong in argument, forceful in his prcsen- 
:i of a cause, and his deductions follow in 
sequence. 1 le is now the senior member 
[ the firm of McCain & Vinton, which is re- 
garded as one of the strong legal combinations at 
the Yamhill county bar. In May, 1898, he be 
u postmaster of McMinnville, to which posi- 
tion he had been appointed by President McKin- 
and for four years lie acceptably filled the 

office. 

In Dallas, Ore., Mr. McCain married Miss 
Electa C. Sullivan, a native of Michigan, and a 
daughter of P. C. Sullivan, who came to this 

t< in 1862, and here successfully practiced law. 
They now have three children : Mrs. Mabel 
Parker, Mrs. Ivaline Wells and Mrs. Ethel Grin- 
nold, all of McMinnville. Mr. McCain belongs 
to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, to the Elks 
Lulge of Salem and to the State Bar Associa- 
tion. Since attaining his majority he has given 
his support to the Republican party, and since 
locating in McMinnville has served as a mem- 
ber of the state central committee, and was chair- 
man of the county central committee of his party- 
In his law practice he has been very successful, 
and enjoys a high reputation as a representative 
of the legal fraternity of the county. 



JOHN GEISENDORFER. Through his 
own efforts, entirely, has John Geisendorfer 
made himself a position of prominence among 
the prosperous farmers of Linn county, Ore., 
coming empty handed from his native land, 
1 iermany, into a strange country, where a 
-trange language was spoken and entirely dif- 
ferent customs prevailed, with no promise of 
his future success save in his own sturdy char- 
acteristics, inherited from his German fore- 
fathers. With the prosperity of the country 
before him, as evidenced in the thriving cities 
and well tilled farms, Mr. Geisendorfer recalls 
the days of privation and inconveniences of 
Oregon, his first impressions of the now busy 
and populous city of Portland being of three 
cabins on the banks of the river, in one of 
which he secured board and lodging, paying 
for the former at the rate of $1 a meal, and in 
the latter furnishing his own blankets. 

John Geisendorfer was born in Bavaria, Ger- 
many, November 19, 1826, and started for 
America in 1845, the sailing vessel on which he 
took passage being forty-five days in making 
the trip. Landing at Baltimore, Md., he later 
settled at Pittsfield, 111., engaging as a farm 



hand in that locality, with a remuneration of 
$90 per year, his pay, however, not being in 
money, receiving instead, articles from the 
store, and live stock as well, consisting of 
cows. He remained at this employment for 
four years, and in the spring of 1849 ne started 
with ox-teams for California, going by way of 
Oregon. After five months he arrived in Ore- 
gon City, where he was ill for some time with 
Oregon fever. Upon his recovery he went to 
work in a saw-mill at Milwaukee, this being 
his first employment in the west. In the fall 
of 1849 ' ie continued the interrupted journey, 
finishing the trip to California by water. On 
his arrival he went to the mines at Hangtown, 
now called Placerville, and in partnership with 
another man, he mined there for five weeks. 
Having had an opportunity to see both the 
southern and northwestern portions of the Pa- 
cific slope, Mr. Geisendorfer chose the latter in 
which to make his permanent residence, and, 
returning to Oregon, he spent the first winter 
there at Milton, Columbia county. In the 
spring of 1851 he took up a claim near Oak- 
point, Wash., which consisted of three hundred 
and twenty acres of timber land, and there en- 
gaged in the timber business for twelve years. 
In 1862 he returned to Oregon, and the follow- 
ing year he bought his present farm of one 
hundred and eighty acres, located near Albany, 
Linn county, and upon which he has since re- 
mained. He has since added to his property, 
until he now owns three hundred acres, the 
well cultivated fields, upon which he carries on 
general farming and stock-raising, and the 
many handsome improvements which he has 
made, being indisputable evidence of the suc- 
cess which has crowned his unceasing efforts. 

The marriage of Mr. Geisendorfer occurred 
May 1, 1854, and united him with Mary Crook 
Creecy, who was born near Pulaski, Gales 
county, Tenn., daughter of Bennett and Mar- 
tha (Brown) Creecy, January 9, 1827, and died 
at her home near Albany, Ore., June 22, 1903, 
aged seventy-six years. She crossed the plains 
with her parents (who had resided in Illinois 
since 1830), in 1853, coming by way of the 
South Pass, Fort Boise and the Columbia river 
route. Mrs. Geisendorfer was a lifelong mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church. Her family his- 
tory contains some things of unusual interest. 
Her parents were natives of Buckingham 
county, Va. Her maternal great-great-grand- 
father was Peter Brown, who came over in the 
Mayflower, and her maternal grandfather, 
Isham Brown, was a Revolutionary soldier of 
the American army. Pier paternal great-great- 
grandmother, Tabitha Pledge, daughter of a 
Scottish chieftain, was sentenced, according to 
the custom of the time, to transportation to the 



57G 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



colonies for taking a windfallen apple. On her 
arrival in America a Mr. McKinney paid her 
passage fare with four hundred pounds of to- 
bacco, secured her release from the ship master 
and married her. 

Mrs. Geisendorfer was highly respected and 
greatly beloved. She became the mother of 
seven children : George, who is located at 
Cascadia ; Anna, who is the wife of Prof. W. C. 
Hawley, of Salem ; Emily, wife of H. D. Burk- 
hart, living near Albany, and to whom have 
been born Leander K., John G. and Verna K. ; 
Margaret, living at home; Elizabeth, wedded 
to Frank Lyons, and residing near Albany, 
Ore., who are the parents of five children, Don- 
ald J., Mary J., Ruth J., George L. and Rachel 
B., all born in Oregon ; John, who is practic- 
ing medicine at The Dalles, and Daisy, who ifc 
the wife of John M. Davis, Kansas City, Mo., 
to whom have been born two children, Morton 
O, who died when eight months of age, and 
Nelson H. 

Mr. Geisendorfer has in his possession a 
number of chairs which were the first made in 
Oregon, and also a table which was made of 
native wild cherry very early in the history of 
the territory. In his early pioneer days Mr. 
Geisendorfer was associated in a business way 
with Governor Abernethy and the latter's 
brother, Alexander ; and also with John Mc- 
Loughlin and Senator Mitchell. 



JOSEPH F. SCOTT, one of the very success- 
ful farmer of Yamhill county, has been a resident 
of the state since one year old. He was born 
in Tennessee, February 10, 1869, and comes of 
farming ancestry identified with the south for 
many years. His father, James Hervey Scott, 
born in Sullivan county, Tenn., was reared in 
his native state, and conducted farming there 
during his early manhood. He married Eliza- 
beth J. McCauley, and there were born to them 
but two children, of whom Walter F., the 
younger, is a resident of Sheridan, and a me- 
chanic by trade. 

The Scott family removed from Tennessee to 
Oregon in 1870, settling near Salem, where they 
farmed for three years. The father then bought 
land near Grand Ronde and in 1883 moved to 
Gopher Valley, where he lived for two years. 
His next home was on the farm now occupied 
by his son, Joseph F., and a portion of which is 
owned by the other son and wife. Here Mr. 
Scott died January 23, 1897, a ^ the age of seventy 
years. He was successful as a farmer and stock- 
raiser, and left to his family a well improved and 
valuable farm. 

Until the death of the older man Joseph F. 
Scott remained with his father, profiting by the 



experience of his sire, and attending the public 
schools as opportunity offered. In 1899 he was 
united in marriage with Mary Jane Ivy and of 
this union there has been born one son, Robert 
E. On his two hundred and twenty-five acres 
of rented land Mr. Scott carries on general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, in which he is very success- 
ful, and at the same time his efforts give promise 
of future prominent participation in the general 
affairs of his neighborhood. He also owns two 
hundred and seventy acres in Yamhill count}-, 
near the Highlands. He is a Democrat in poli- 
tics, and is fraternally connected with the Wood- 
men of the World. Like his father, Mr. Scott 
bears an honored name in the community, and 
his tact and agreeable nature have won him many 
friends. 



WILLIAM PAUL BABCOCK, who is agent 
for the Salem Flouring Mills Company, was born 
in Salem, January 17, 1876. His father, Free- 
land Jesse Babcock, was a native of Burlington, 
Vt., and was of an old New England family of 
Puritan ancestry. He was reared in Burlington, 
but in 1861, when a mere lad, he ran away from 
home in order to enter the army, joining a Ver- 
mont regiment of infantry, with which he val- 
iantly served for four years. Three times he 
was wounded, but each time he returned to active 
duty as soon as his injuries permitted, and he 
rose from the ranks to a captaincy, being com- 
mander of his company at the time the war closed, 
and receiving an honorable discharge. Although 
but a boy when he entered the army the hardships 
of war soon developed in him the spirit of a man 
and no veteran of twice his years excelled him in 
patriotism and bravery. 

After visiting his old home in the Green Moun- 
tain state Captain Babcock came to Oregon, by 
way of the Panama route to Salem. He was a 
cabinetmaker by trade, and soon he engaged in 
the manufacture of furniture and the undertak- 
ing business here. In 1888 he was elected county 
clerk of Marion county, entering upon the duties 
of his office in July of that year, and in 1890 he 
was re-elected, serving in that capacity until his 
death, which occurred November 2, 1891. Prom- 
inent and honored in public and private life, he 
was also a distinguished member of the Masonic 
fraternity of Oregon, holding membership in 
Pacific Lodge No. 50, A. F. & A. M., in which 
he was past master. He was also the grand sec- 
retary of the Grand Lodge of Oregon from 1880 
until 1888. when he resigned in order to enter 
upon the duties of the political office to which he 
had been chosen. He likewise held membership 
in Salem Chapter No. 3, R. A. M., and DeMolay 
Commandery No. 5, K. T., while in the Scottish 
Rite he took all of the degrees up to and includ- 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RED >RD. 



.->(7 



the thirty-second in the consistory at Port- 
| In the Grand Army of the Republic he was 
nt and honored, and he also belonged to 
egion. In politics he was an unfal- 
Republican, standing by the party which 
support oi the Union during the dark 
: the Civil war. His religious faith was 
.1 by his membership in the Congrega- 
Church. 
In Salem. Ore.. Captain Babcock married Ida 
If. Pratt, who was born in Rhode Island, a 
r of Lucian E. Pratt, a member of an old 
RhtHle Island family, who came to Oregon in 
the pioneer days of the state. He was captain 
i riwr steamer on the Willamette and under 
tain Babcock he served as deputy county 
clerk. Fraternally he was connected with the 
Independent ( >rder of Odd Fellows. His daugh- 
ter. Mrs. Babcock. is still living and resides in 
m. She had four children: Pratt, who died 
at the age of five years ; William Paul, of this 
review : and Grace N. and Mary, at home. 

William P. Babcock was reared in Salem and 
after attending the public schools here continued 
his education in Willamette University for three 
years. He is a graduate of the Capital Business 
illege, of Salem, in the class of 1895, and after 
his education was completed he acted as book- 
eeper for different firms of this city. In 1899 
became bookkeeper for the Salem Flouring 
Mills Company, and September 1, 1902, was made 
n of the mills, having charge of the Salem 
nills, for which his business capacity and enter- 
prise well qualify him. 

In Salem. October 20, 1897. Mr. Babcock was 
married to Miss Rose Woodruff, who was born 
and educated in Indiana. They have one child, 
.melia. They are members of the Christian 
Church. Mr. Babcock was made a Mason in 
Pacific Lodge Xo. 50, A. F. & A. M. In politics 
he is an earnest Republican and he served as 
deputy sheriff under F. T. Wrightman for two 
years and as deputy county clerk under William 
V\ . Hall. A wide awake and enterprising young 
man. and a representative of prominent families 
of the northwest, he is destined for a successful 
career, if the signs of the times speak truly. 



MRS. MARY TERESA SCHOETTLE, D. 
O. One of the most important discoveries of 
the scientific world in recent years is the value 
• pathy, and its practice is steadily and 
rapidly increasing as its value is recognized by 
the public. The lady whose name introduces this 
review is a graduated osteopatbist and is now 
enjoying a good practice in Salem where she has 
a large circle of friends. She was born in De- 
Witt. Clinton county, Iowa, a daughter of J. G. 
Barr, whose birth occurred in Baden. Germanv, 



in which country he learned the trade of a watch 
and clock-maker and was engaged in the manu- 
facture of the large time-piece, known as the 
" grandfathers' " clocks. Crossing the Atlantic 
to America when seventeen years of age, lie took 
Up his abode in West Virginia and afterward re- 
moved to ( )hio, where he followed his trade. 
Subsequently he became a resident of DeWitt, 
Iowa, where he was engaged in business for 
nearly thirty years as a jeweler and watch- 
maker. In 1885 he came to Oregon, locating in 
Salem, where he again established a jewelry 
store, which he conducted with success until his 
death, which occurred September 13, 1899. He 
was a man of excellent business and executive 
ability and in the control of his interests he man- 
ifested perseverance, diligence and laudable am- 
bition. He married Miss Margaret L. Stenger, 
who was born in Bavaria, Germany, a daughter 
of Sebastian Stenger, who was also a native of 
that locality and on emigrating to America took 
up his abode in Ohio. He was a miller by trade 
and followed that pursuit in the Buckeye state 
until his death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barr were 
born thirteen children. Further record of the 
family is given in connection with the sketch of 
Herman W. Barr on another page of this work. 
The parents were both communicants of the 
Catholic Church. 

Mrs. Schoettle, the eldest of the family, was 
educated in a convent at DeWitt, Iowa, and in 
1885 came to Oregon with her parents. She as- 
sisted her father in the store until she was mar- 
ried in Salem, July 19, 1887, to Emil Schoettle, 
a native of Baden. He was a merchant tailor who 
located in Salem in 1885 and began business here 
in the line of his chosen trade. Soon he gained 
a liberal patronage which was accorded him up to 
the time of his death. He died in Texas while 
on a business trip in 1894, and his loss was deep- 
ly mourned not only by his immediate family, 
but also by many friends, for he was a man pos- 
sessing many excellent traits of character that 
had gained for him the warm regard of those 
with whom he had been associated. 

Mrs. Schoettle has continued to reside in 
Salem. In 1899 she became interested in os- 
teopathy. In February, 1900, she went to Kirks- 
ville. Mo., where she entered the American School 
of Osteopathy and was graduated therefrom in 
January, 1902, with the degree of D. O. Return- 
ing at once to Salem she began practice here and 
has now a good patronage. Osteopathv has 
made rapid strides into favor with the public. 
Judged by its results it has certainly accomplished 
much toward alleviating human suffering and 
Mrs. Schoettle is well qualified for the practice 
of the science. She had two children, Mary T. 
and M. Josephine, the latter of whom died 
May 22. 1903. Mrs. Schoettle attends the 



578 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



St. Joseph Catholic Church, of which she is a 
member. She is also identified with the Altar 
Society. A lady of superior culture and intelli- 
gence, of refinement and genuine worth, she occu- 
pies a leading position socially and is rapidly 
winning her way to a foremost place in profes- 
sional ranks. 



JAMES H. BROWN. No more enterprising 
farmer is maintaining the excellent standard es- 
tablished by a piorfeer father than James H. 
Brown, one of the three sons occupying the 
original donation claim of their father, the elder 
James H. Brown. The latter was born in Vir- 
ginia November 10, 1796, his remote ancestors 
having pursued their various occupations in the 
German empire. From Virginia Mr. Brown re- 
moved to Illinois, where he engaged in farming, 
and where he married Sophia Hussey, a native 
of that state. Pie was an ambitious man and 
readily absorbed the glowing accounts of su- 
perior chance in the west, and finally sold his 
Illinois farm and outfitted for the transportation 
of his wife and children to the coast. The jour- 
ney was accomplished with three wagons and six 
yoke of oxen, a team of horses and a spring 
wagon for the family, and the train moved along 
leisurely and without incident until after the 
Missouri river was crossed. About that time 
cholera broke out in the hopeful little party, and 
Mr. Brown was sorely afflicted, barely coming- 
through the ordeal alive. Their misfortunes 
were further added to by one of their children, 
James PL, having both legs broken, but as far as 
the Indians were concerned there was no par- 
ticular trouble from them. 

For a short time Mr. Brown lived in Gopher 
valley, but the first winter in the state was spent 
with Nathan Hussey, one of the very early set- 
tlers' in the west. In the spring Mr. Brown 
bought the donation claim upon which he spent 
the remainder of his life, and which consists 
of six hundred and forty acres along the Yam- 
hill river. So successful was he that in time his 
interests demanded more property, and by fre- 
quent purchases he increased his possessions to 
seventeen hundred acres. His death, May 30, 
1875, removed a useful and capable citizen, one 
devoted to the Methodist Church and to the 
Republican party. Originally a Whig, he natur- 
ally stepped into Republican ranks and among 
the offices held by him with distinct credit was 
that of county commissioner, which he held for 
two years. He is buried in the little cemetery 
in Willamina, as is also his wife, who died No- 
vember 8, 1894. 

Coming to Yamhill at the age of eight, James 
H. Brown remembers but little of his father's 
farm in Illinois, where he was born, near Spring- 



field, Sangamon county, June 14, 1842. He early 
evinced habits of industry and thrift, and as op- 
portunity offered he attended the district schools. 
November 30, 1865, he was united in marriage 
with Evelyn Yocom, daughter of Franklin 
Yocom, and soon after came into his share of the 
family claim, which has since been his home. 
In addition to the one hundred and forty-five 
acres of the home place he has seventy-five acres 
adjoining, besides eight hundred acres in another 
place, and enough more land to make up fifteen 
hundred acres. The entire donation claim is 
owned by the three brothers, all of whom are en- 
terprising and prosperous members of the com- 
munity. Mr. Brown has extensive interests both 
as to general farming and stock-raising, and in 
the latter capacity has Cotswold sheep, Hereford 
cattle and horses. The farm is located three miles 
west of Sheridan, and the improvements thereon 
are of the most modern kind, both as to build- 
ings and implements. For many years the owner 
has derived a substantial income from the pur- 
chase and sale of all kinds of stock, and is one 
of the best judges and experienced men in the 
business in Yamhill county. 

A chief avenue of interest to Mr. Brown has 
been the promoting of the educational oppor- 
tunities of his district, and in this capacity he has 
been a member of the school board for twenty 
years. Like his father and brothers he is a Re- 
publican. His family consists of his wife and 
the following children : Wilbur N., Minnie, 
Plenry H., Franklin Y., Dudley (deceased), Al- 
thea, Bertha, Lloyd L., and Pearl. Lloyd L. and 
Pearl were twins, but the latter died in infancy. 



WILLIAM R. ELLIS. That popular and 
successful merchant, William R. Ellis, has been 
a resident of Oregon since his thirteenth year, 
and in the meantime has assisted in the upbuild- 
ing of more than one part of the state. From 
ancestors represented among the trades and 
tillers of the soil, Mr. Ellis inherits thrift and 
industry, traits fostered in an orderly home at- 
mosphere, where there were also seven other chil- 
dren. His father, Henry Ellis, was born in Ohio, 
and in his youth married Henrietta Rowell, the 
latter at present a resident of Salem, and seventy- 
five years of age. Henry Ellis was a tailor and 
farmer by occupation, and whatever he acquired 
of success in life was due to his untiring devo- 
tion and ability to overcome the obstacles of his 
youth. At the age of nine years he was appren- 
ticed to a tailor, and, having completed his trade, 
worked thereat for many years in Ohio and con- 
tinuing in the same after taking up his residence 
in Iowa. From the latter state he brought his 
family to Oregon in 1865, settling at first near 
McMinnville, Yamhill county, but finally locat- 






PORTRAIT AND r.UHlK M'lUCAL RECORD. 



581 



a farm near Perrydale. where Ins death 

i, at tin- age of seventy-six years. 
- .1 Democrat in political preference, 
ternallv connected with the Masons. 
Like most of the npbnilders of this stale. Wil- 
llis gained his first impressions of life 
rk on a farm, hi time he became of prac- 
sistance to his father, and remained under 
roof until his twenty-first year. For a 
\ears he rented land in Polk county, 
which he went down into California 
n iged in manipulating a threshing ma- 
it the same time profiting somewhat by the 
a possibilities of that great state. At the ex- 
n ,^i a year he returned to Oregon and 
at Grand Ronde, where he ran a sawmill 
tour years, and then engaged in the stock 
- near the town for eight years. Thus 
established in two lines of activity. Mr. 
ranched out into the mercantile business, 
ictivity for which he was especially 
and in which he achieved marked success. 
After twelve years of catering to a general mer- 
cantile trade, he sold out his interests in May, 
ml purchased the store of J. R. Menden- 
hall. "i Sheridan, which business he is now build- 
ing np and improving, and which is being con- 
noted under the firm name of Ellis Brothers. 

i politics a Republican, Mr. Ellis has taken 
i keen interest in promoting the welfare of his 
rtv, and has held many minor offices in the com- 
nities in which he has lived. Like his father 
well known among the Masons, and a 
member of the Lodge at Sheridan. Through his 
larriage. March 26, 1890, with Ella J. Elgin. 
rhildren have been born into the Ellis fam- 
ily, Henrietta T. and Mildred J. Though a com- 
parativelv recent acquisition to the mercantile 
ranks of Sheridan. Air. Ellis has already im- 
his worth upon the community, and his 
former extended success is bound to be dupli- 
cated in his adopted town. 



L( >RENZO ROOT. With the thrifty blood 
of Xew England coursing through his veins and 
the broad training of the middle west to incite 
him to wider thought and action, there can be no 
surprise expressed at the success achieved in the 
life of I>orenzo Root. His parents and grand- 
parents, both paternal and maternal, owe their 
nativity to that part of the United States noted 
for the habits of thrift and industry inculcated 
in the lives of its sons and daughters. The Root 
family came originally from England, and lo- 
cating in Xew England, cast in their lot with this 
struggling country, several of the name serving 
in the Revolutionary war. John Root, the father 
of Lorenzo, was born August 3, 1796, being 



raised to the life of a farmer, and in young man- 
hood went to ( )hio where he met a pioneer family 
with whom he became united by the ties of 
marriage, Sylvia Wilbur, daughter of Reed Wil- 
bur, horn in Vermont, September 11, 1798, be- 
coming the wife of John Root. Of this union 
eight children were horn, three of whom arc 
now living : Sidney, a farmer of West Chehalcm ; 
Lucinda, of Dysart, Iowa; and Lorenzo, who 
was horn in Trumbull county, Ohio, October 19, 
1825. 

John Root, in his desire to find a more suitable 
home, left Ohio in 1837, locating in Iowa, and 
later in Whiteside county. 111., remaining in the 
latter place the rest of his life, and thus giving 
the educational advantages of three states to 
young Lorenzo. At twenty years of age he left 
home, finding work among the farmers of the 
neighborhood, and by economy and thrift he was 
able to purchase a little land two years later, 
upon which he farmed for himself. In 1850 he 
married Miss Martha Bedder, who was born in 
St. Lawrence county, N. Y., November 15, 1829, 
the second oldest of thirteen children born to 
Ven Ylack and Maria (Heaton) Bedder. The 
father was born in Mohawk county, N. Y., in 
April, 1800; and the mother was a native of 
Yermont. After two years of quiet and profitable 
farming, the young people decided to emigrate, 
not to the land where gold was the inducement, 
but where the land itself held out hopes of speedy 
riches. With four yoke of oxen drawing a 
wagon containing their worldly store, they set 
out on the long journey, reaching Portland, Ore., 
safely October 1, 1852. From Portland they 
went to Astoria, where Mr. Root secured work in 
a sawmill, and there remained for a year and a 
half, spending the next four and a half years in 
keeping a boarding house, in which business he 
was very successful. But with his early train- 
ing strong upon him, he wished to possess him- 
self of some of the broad lands of Oregon, and 
he now left the town, going to West Chehalem, 
where he invested in four hundred acres of 
land, remaining upon this property from 1858 
to 1879. 

In the last named year Mr. Root removed to 
McMinnville, Yamhill county, and in 1882 again 
tested his ability in the business world, entering 
the list as a grocer, and meeting with the same 
success that has rewarded his efforts in other 
fields. After five years he retired from this busi- 
ness on account of ill health, continuing since 
in this retirement in a pleasant home, located on 
First and C streets, of this city, where he takes 
the part of an intelligent and interested citizen, 
being the possessor of four dwellings, and consid- 
erable other city property. He casts his ballot 
with the Republican party, and finds in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church his religious home. 



5^2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



SYLVESTER POTTER. The present stand- 
ing of Sheridan among the foremost and most 
promising towns in Yamhill county is due as 
much to the pioneer and later efforts of Sylvester 
Potter, as to that of any other of its honored citi- 
zens. Mr. Potter was born in Cortland county, 
N. Y., April 3, 1836, a son of Erastus Potter, also 
born in New York state, and grandson of Hardin 
Potter, a native of Rhode Island, and of English 
descent. 

Erastus Potter lived in his native state until 
1844, and then took his family to the vicinity of 
Waukesha, Wis., where he took up government 
land, and where he lived for three years. He 
then removed to near Oshkosh, the same state, 
and upon one hundred and sixty acres of very 
wild land erected a little log cabin, and proceeded 
to make a home and competence. He was one 
of the very early pioneers of Wisconsin, and he 
became one of the upbuilding factors in his neigh- 
borhood, where he lived continuously until 1892. 
He then made his home in Sheridan, Ore., for 
three years, returning eventually to Oshkosh 
county, Wis., where his death occurred at the 
age of eighty-three. Through his marriage with 
Martha Durkee, a native of Vermont, the fol- 
lowing children were born : Sylvester ; Lester, 
living at Gopher, Ore. ; Lavina, the wife of Henry 
Dolton, who was killed in the war; and Jane, 
the wife of Andrew Ripple, of Oshkosh. His 
wife survives him and is at present ninety years 
of age. 

Although early inured to hard work on his 
father's farm in Wisconsin, Sylvester Potter 
realized the necessity of a good education, and 
such leisure as came his way was utilized for the 
acquiring of the same. Having gone as far as 
the district schools permitted he attended the 
academy at Oshkosh, and, having qualified for 
educational work was thus engaged at the be- 
ginning of his nineteenth year. In 1859 ne took 
advantage of the Pike's Peak excitement and 
journeyed thither with ox-teams, but not realiz- 
ing his expectations, tarried but a short time and 
then continued his jaunt across the plains to 
Oregon, arriving in Portland October 1, 1859. 
At once he became associated with the means of 
livelihood which has started many a pioneer upon 
the road to wealth and which has had more to do 
in the upbuilding of the state than any other re- 
source here represented. He began to saw logs 
during the winter season, and then turned his at- 
tention to hauling wood for the steamers, for this 
purpose having his own teams. That the industry 
was a paying one is evidenced by the fact that 
Mr. Potter continued thereat for seven years, 
and at the expiration of that time was able to 
buy a farm in Gopher valley, where he and his 
brother owned eleven hundred acres. For ten 
years the brothers conducted extensive stock- 



raising operations, and their combined energy 
and business ability resulted in large financial 
returns. 

Following on his stock-raising experience 
Mr. Potter engaged in the warehouse business 
in Sheridan with which he is still connected, and 
some years later he also became interested in a 
mercantile business in the same town. In the 
meantime he has been foremost in promoting all 
worthy attempts at general improvement, and has 
given liberally of his stock of good advice and 
financial support to the charities and other in- 
stitutions here represented. A stanch Republi- 
can, and a devoted admirer of Abraham Lincoln, 
Mr. Potter cast his first presidential vote for the 
great emancipator, and has since taken a keen 
interest in local and other undertakings of his 
party. In his home district he has been mayor 
of Sheridan for four years, has several times 
served as a member of the city council, and for 
many years has promoted the cause of education 
as a member of the school board. He is a mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church, which he has 
attended regularly for many years, and to which 
he contributes generously of his honestly gotten 
means. Fraternally he is connected with the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has 
been financier of his lodge for many years. 

Through his marriage, June 26, 1862, with 
Mrs. Ailcy Southmayd, widow of D. S. South- 
mayd, and daughter of Dr. William Caples, Mr. 
Potter became identified with a prominent pio- 
neer family of Oregon, and one intimately con- 
nected with its fundamental growth. Dr. Caples 
was born in Baltimore, Md., March 5, 1806, and 
when six years of age was taken by his parents to 
Tuscarawas county, Ohio. >His paternal grand- 
father was a large slave owner in the early days, 
but evidently a humane one, for at his death he 
gave all under him their freedom, and provided 
them with separate homes. Dr. Caples was 
reared on the Ohio farm, and in his youth received 
a common school education. He married Har- 
riet Tracey, and seven children were born to 
them, the order of their birth being as follows : 
Nancy is the deceased wife of John Ward ; Mrs. 
Potter is next ; Hiantha married Seldon Mur- 
ray, now deceased ; Harriet is the deceased wife 
of Jacob French ; La Fayette lives in St. John ; 
and Susan is the wife of M. Roberts, of St. John. 
Mrs. Caples dying in 1845, the doctor married 
for a second wife Nancy Nowel, of which union 
there were born eleven children, of whom men- 
tion is made of Jane, the wife of Marion Dodge ; 
Elizabeth, who lives in Vancouver, Wash. ; 
Robert, who is a farmer of Marion county ; and 
Ollie, who is the wife of Harry Hemlow, of Brit- 
ish Columbia. 

Dr. Caples was a merchant and farmer in Ohio, 
and in 1838 moved to Savannah, Mo., where he 



P( >R I R \l ! AND BIOGRAPHIC \L RED >kl). 



583 



.•in a long intended project of studying 
ik. Under the instruction of a brother 
remained in Savannah uiuil [849, 
came west with his family. The outfit 
sted of two wagons and ox-teams, and it 
e intention to go to California in search of 
However, the doctor changed his mind en 
as did so many others who heard adverse 
gold while on the plains. The doctor 
tunateh succumbed to mountain fever, and 
me his life was despaired of. Had it not 
n for his plucky daughter the party might 
•ne to grief. Miss Caples was a very 
tractive woman, and one of the young men of 
rtj became much enamored of her. He 
I a rascal of deepest dye, for, knowing they 
..pendent upon him as guide and driver 
the doctor was taken down with fever., he 
lized bis advantage by attempting to make the 
daughter promise to marry him when they should 
ch Portland. For his answer he received the 
iint of a heavy whip across his face, and thus 
vinced of the futility of tiis effort left the 
travelers to their own devices. The responsibil- 
■ proved not too great for the courageous 
daughter, for she bravely set to the task of driv- 
n over the mountains, a difficult task 
n for a strong man in those days. From 
'ortland the party went to Columbia City, and in 
the spring of 1850 Dr. Caples began practicing 
medicine in Portland. He was one of the best 
sown of the early practitioners, and in his efforts 
1) relieve the physical woes of his patients trav- 
led many hundreds of miles on horseback, his 
territory extending into the remote mountains, 
d over vast areas of country. In 1854 he took 
ip a donation claim where St. John's is now situ- 
ed, and. moving his family there, continued his 
hard and but slightly remunerative practice in 
district. This popular and efficient pioneer 
practitioner died in 1893, at the age of eighty- 
n. leaving behind him a record of hundreds 
of worthy deeds, and innumerable unrewarded 
services. In early life he was a rabid Democrat, 
but in after years became more tolerant in his 
views, both as to religion and politics. In fact he 
an active church worker, and his moral in- 
fluence was unquestioned. Mrs. Potter inherits 
many of the sterling characteristics of her well- 
remembered father, as evidenced particularly in 
her children, who were trained in household and 
ther arts, and taught to be useful and moral men 
and women. Marvin, the oldest of the sons, lives 
in Sheridan : Walter died in 1894; Ida is the wife 
Edward Church, of Astoria: and Ada is the 
wife of Alfred Street, of San Francisco. 



STEPHEN L. SCROGGIX. Though young 
in years, Stephen L. Scroggin has attained no 
small degree of success in the business affairs of 



Sheridan, Yamhill county, Ore., as manager of 
the Scroggin & Wormian hanking firm, which 
has recently been changed to Scroggin Broth- 
ers, Mr. Wortman having disposed of his inter- 
ests to Charles C. Scroggin. Since his entrance 
into the business world Stephen L. Scroggin has 
devoted his time and attention to the upbuilding 
of the interest with which he immediately became 
attached, proving an exceptional ability and rare 
judgment in his methods. 

The father of Stephen L. Scroggin, P. M., was 
born in Logan county, 111., in 1830, and was there 
reared on a farm and educated in the common 
schools. When a young man he removed to 
Iowa, where he engaged in farming, there marry- 
ing Sarah E. Howard, a native of that state, and 
until 1870 they made their home there, leaving at 
that date for ( )regon. ( )n arriving in the west 
Mr. Scroggin settled near McMinnville, Yam- 
hill county, and after five months he purchased a 
farm of three hundred and twenty acres ad- 
joining the town of Sheridan, where he passed 
the remainder of his life, dying here April 18, 
1894. As a Democrat he served for two terms as 
county commissioner of Yamhill county. Frater- 
nally he was a member of the Masonic order, 
having affiliated with them for many years. His 
wife survived him until 1895, dying then at the 
age of sixty-four years. Of the nine children 
born to them, seven are now living. Charles C. 
lives near Willamina ; Mary died at the age of 
fourteen years; Stephen L., the subject of this 
review, makes his home in Sheridan ; Ella is the 
wife of Clarence Jones, of Portland ; Alice is the 
wife of G. A. Epperly, of Portland; Ida died at 
the age of twenty years ; P. M., Jr., lives in Le- 
banon, Ore. ; T. J. makes his home in Sheridan ; 
and May is the wife of Clarence Irvin, of Port- 
land. 

Stephen L. Scroggin was born near Marshall- 
town, Iowa, August 21, 1865, and was but five 
years old at the time of the removal to Oregon 
and seven when his home was near enough to 
Sheridan to profit by the public schools of that 
city. As he grew to manhood he engaged with 
his father in farming, Until 1893, when he went 
to McMinnville and worked in the First National 
Bank of that city, the next year returning to 
Sheridan to become a part of a banking firm 
here, which was established in the spring of 1894, 
under the firm name of Scroggin & Wortman, 
and of which he became manager. The banking 
interests are now controlled by Mr. Scroggin and 
his brother, Charles C. Mr. Scroggin is also 
interested in farming and stock-raising. He was 
married January 29, 1902, to Lena M. Keyt, a 
native of Polk county, Ore. Though interested 
in the welfare of his city, state and country, Mr. 
Scroggin is not a party man, nor does he as- 



581 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pire to political honors, satisfied, to lead a suc- 
cessful business life and cast his ballot independ- 
ent of party restrictions. 



HON. W. A. CUSICK, M. D., who has rep- 
resented his district in the state legislature, and 
has gained prestige in the practice of medicine 
and surgery in Oregon, now makes his home in 
Salem, while for half a century he has resided in 
the state. His life history began in Illinois, his 
birth having occurred near Ouincy, in that state, 
March 21, 1839. His parents were Solomon and 
Maria (Hollembeak) Cusick, the former of Irish 
and the latter of German descent. Representa- 
tives of the Cusick family came from the Em- 
erald Isle to America during the colonial period, 
settling in New York, and Dr. Cusick's grand- 
father removed from the Empire state to eastern 
Illinois, where his death occurred. His wife was 
a Miss Conkling, of New York, a member of the 
family which produced Roscoe Conkling, for 
many years United States senator from New 
York. 

Solomon Cusick was born in New York, and 
was a farmer by occupation. After engaging in 
the tilling of the soil near Quincy, 111., he crossed 
the plains with an ox train, being exactly six 
months on the way. Soon after reaching Oregon 
he purchased a farm in Linn county, near Scio, 
and seven years later he sold it and purchased 
land in Marion county, where he resided until 
his retirement from business cares. In religious 
faith he was a Baptist. His wife died on the old 
homestead. She was born in Kentucky, a daugh- 
ter of Harry and Hannah Hollembeak, who re- 
moved from that state to Illinois, where he en- 
gaged in farming. He served as a soldier in the 
war of 1 81 2. Unto Solomon and Maria Cusick 
were born four daughters and five sons. One of 
these, Harry, enlisted in the Fiftieth Illinois In- 
fantry, served throughout the Civil war, and 
rose from the rank of lieutenant to that of cap- 
tain. He died in Missouri. Seven of the chil- 
dren came to Oregon, and three sons and a 
daughter are yet living : J. W., a banker, of 
Albany, Ore. ; W. A. ; J. H., a stockman, of 
Washington, and Mrs. M. L. Trask, of Linn 
county, Ore. Another brother, G. W., who died 
in Washington county, Ore., was a graduate of 
the medical department of the University of Ore- 
gon. 

Reared on the home farm in Illinois, during 
that period Dr. Cusick spent the winter months 
in the 'district schools, resuming farm work with 
the return of spring. In 1853 he came with the 
family to the northwest, he and his brothers driv- 
ing the loose stock. They crossed the Missouri 
river at St. Joseph, proceeding up the Platte and 
over the Oregon trail. After reaching this state 



he remained with his father for two years, and 
then started out in life for himself. He attended 
the district schools and worked upon the farms 
of the locality; and in 1859, being desirous of ob- 
taining a better education, he entered Dallas 
Academy. In i860 he matriculated in Bethel 
College, in Bethel, Polk county, Ore. Later he 
engaged in teaching for eighteen months, after 
which he spent a similar period in the mines of 
Baker county, Ore. In 1864, having determined 
to make the practice of medicine his life work, 
he began studying under the direction of Dr. Mc- 
Afee, of Salem, with whom he remained for two 
years, and then entered the Toland Medical Col- 
lege at San Francisco, the course in which he 
completed in 1867. He then became a member 
of the first class in the medical department of 
Willamette University, being graduated in the 
fall of 1867, with the degree of Doctor of Medi- 
cine. There were but three members in the class 
of that year, and the name of Dr. Cusick appears 
first in the book of graduates in medicine in Ore- 
gon. Soon after the completion of his studies, 
he received an appointment as acting assistant 
surgeon and post-surgeon at Camp Lyon. Idaho, 
where he remained two years, after which he 
located at Gervais, or Waconda, where he was 
engaged continuously in the practice of his pro- 
fession until 1882. In the latter year he located 
in Salem, where he has since maintained an office, 
enjoying a large and constantly increasing prac- 
tice, which now makes heavy demands upon his 
time. He has had other business interests, to 
some extent. He was identified with the Capital 
National Bank for about ten years, and was its 
president for some time, but eventually disposed 
of his interest in that institution. 

Dr. Cusick was married in Marion county to 
Miss Marcia L. Williams, a native of Illinois, 
who, in 1864, came to Oregon with her father, 
J. J. Williams, who followed farming. He and 
his wife have a daughter, Ethel E., who is now 
the wife of Dr. Willis B. Morse, a promising 
physician of Salem. His father, W. B. Morse, 
was born in Massachusetts, became a sea-faring 
man, and when twenty-one years of age was mas- 
ter of a vessel. In 1844 he made his first trip to 
the Columbia river, and settled permanently on 
the Pacific coast in 1849. His death occurred at 
St. Helens. On the maternal side Dr. Morse is 
a grandson of Dr. James McBride, who brought 
his family across the plains to Oregon in 1840, 
and became one of the most distinguished of the 
early physicians of the state. Dr. Morse is a 
graduate of the medical department of Willam- 
ette University, class of 1891, and of the Post- 
Graduate College of New York, class of 1893. 

Dr. Cusick has long been recognized as an 
earnest and active Republican. In 1884 he was 
elected to the state legislature, in which he served 





%^- 



PORTRAIT AND I'.U >< ikAI'UK'Al. kbrokl). 



587 



sjular session of that year, and the 
of 1885. During the regular ses- 
ihe first attempt was made to enact a law 
t; the practice of medicine in the state, 
s several who were interested in the mcas- 
called home about the time it was 
kote, it did not become a law. Dr. 
- instrumental in defeating certain 
-.res which would have worked great detri- 
; 10 the state, and he labored earnestly and 
for the general good of the common- 
dth. For four years he served on the United 
- Pension Hoard, for two years was visiting 
.111 to the state asylum, and for four years 
the attending physician to the state 
He is a member of the Marion County 
Society, and for several years he was a 
r oi the board of directors of the public 
Is :' Salem. For a time he served as presi- 
t the board, and was acting in that capacity 
when the East Salem school was erected. He 
nade a Mason in Fidelity Lodge No. 54. 
A. F. & A. M., at Gervais, with which he is still 
identified, and he took the Royal Arch degree m 
Salem. His wife is a member of the Order of 
rn Star. 
The contemporaries of Dr. Cusick freely ac- 
cord him a place among the most distinguished 
nents of the science of medicine in the Pa- 
cific northwest. His splendid equipment for the 
n and the long years of his active prac- 
ce. with its attendant success, naturally entitle 
o a position of eminence. He has not rested 
it with the foundation of his early prepara- 
m, but has been a constant student in his chosen 
^nce. and has kept fully abreast of the best 
Jit in the world of medicine and surgery. 
Among the laity he is recognized as a gentleman 
■ling character, possessed of many of those 
al attributes which endear a man most 
ely to thoughtful and discriminating judges 
if human nature. His position in the community 
nan. as well as a physician, is unassailable, 
and from any viewpoint he is entitled to a per- 
nent and prominent place in the historical lit- 
erature of the Willamette vallev. 



HON. THOMAS B. KAY. The most im- 

rtant of the manufacturing institutions of 
Salem, Ore., is the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill, 

hich stands as an industrial monument to 
the business ability, zeal and energy which 
laracterized the elder man of that name in 
its organization and management, and the 
younger man in the executive talent and abil- 
ity which have placed him in the position so 
long occupied by his father. 

Thomas Kay. father of Hon. Thomas B. 
Kay, was born in Shipley, near Leeds, York- 



shire, England, in 1837. Having been kit 
fatherless at the age of nine years, he was early 
forced into the industrial life which charac- 
terizes that country. Entering the woolen 

mills in the vicinity of his home, he thor- 
oughly learned the business. When nineteen 
years of age he came to the United States, 
locating in Trenton, N. J., where he became 
boss weaver in a mill. In 1863 he came to 
Oregon and occupied a similar position in 
the Brownsville mill, remaining in that ca- 
pacity until the loss of the mill by fire. He 
then went to Salem for a short time, after 
which he returned to Brownsville and worked 
in the woolen mills until they were closed 
down. He then took charge of the Ashland 
Woolen Mills, conducting them successfully 
for three years, when he returned again to 
Salem for about eight months. He then 
leased the Brownsville mills in connection 
with Darbish & Croft, and after conducting 
it for two years they organized a company 
known as the Brownsville Woolen Mill Com- 
pany and purchased the property and as superin- 
tendent conducted the concern successfully for 
sixteen years. 

Disposing of his interest in that institu- 
tion, he came to Salem in 1889 and founded 
the mill which is known by his name, the 
building then erected being about half the 
size of the present property, containing four- 
teen rooms. The business was incorporated 
under the name of The Thomas Kay Woolen 
Mills Company, and Mr. Kay was made pres- 
ident and manager, serving in that capacity 
until the mill was destroyed by fire in 1895. 
Xothing daunted by what to many men would 
have meant an irremediable misfortune, Mr. 
Kay at once set about the reconstruction of 
the plant. Within a year a modern brick 
building had arisen to replace the old one. 
It had an initial capacity of twenty looms, 
this number being shortly increased to its 
present capacity of thirty-two looms in con- 
stant operation. The present output is being 
constantly increased by the addition of new 
machinery each year. The entire mill was 
equipped with the most approved modern 
machinery, and a sprinkler system was in- 
stalled- as a means of protection against fire. 
The motive power of the mill is water. A 
new forty-eight-inch Left'el wheel was recently 
placed within the works, which has increased 
the capacity to the extent of about twenty- 
five-horse power. The product includes cas- 
simeres, tweeds, blankets, flannels and robes. 
all the cloths manufactured being of the finest 
quality, and a considerable percentage of the 
output finding its way to the leading foreign 
markets of the world. The concern is capi- 



5S8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



talized at $100,000. The present president 
and manager is Thomas B. Kay, the vice- 
president is Squire Farrar, and the secretary 
and treasurer is Robert H. Coshow. The 
board of directors consists of Thomas B. Kay, 
Squire Farrar and T. L. Davidson of Salem ; 
J. K. Weatherford of Albany, and O. P. Cos- 
how of Roseburg. 

Thomas Kay was also interested in what 
was known as the the Waterloo Develop- 
ment Company, of which he was president 
and manager. In 1892 this company built a 
woolen mill at Waterloo, Linn county, Ore., 
which Mr. Kay operated until it was burned 
in 1898. For four years previous to this time 
it had been in the possession of the Thomas 
Kay Woolen Mill Company. 

The death of Mr. Kay, which occurred 
April 28, 1899, while he was in his sixty-third 
year, removed from the best citizenship of 
Salem a staunch and public-spirited man, who 
had always devoted his best efforts toward 
the promotion of all worthy enterprises, 
whether of a private or public nature. He 
was a member of the Baptist Church of Sa- 
lem, to the maintenance of which he contrib- 
uted liberally. His beneficences were nu- 
merous, but in the giving of money or aid of 
any nature he was invariably unostentatious. 
Many a needy man of Salem can look back to 
the happy day when the kindly hand of this 
noble man was freely extended to him with 
the relief which was vital to the beneficiary, 
in politics a Republican, he served in the city 
council, in which body he employed his best 
efforts toward the conservation of the high- 
best interests of the municipality. In Ma- 
sonry he was a member of the chapter and 
the commandery. He also affiliated with the 
Odd Fellows. 

He was united in marriage in 1856 to Ann 
Slingsby, a native of Shipley, England, who 
survives him, making her home in Salem. Of 
the ten children born unto this estimable 
couple, five only are now living, namely: 
Fannie, wife of Charles P. Bishop, of Salem ; 
Thomas B., of this review; Libbie, wife of 
O. P. Coshow, of Roseburg, Ore. ; Leonora, 
wife of C. T. Roberts, of Portland ; and Ber- 
tha, who resides with her mother. 

Thomas B. Kay was born in Trenton, N. J., 
February 28, 1864. During the first year of 
his life he was brought to Oregon by his 
mother, who, with the other children in the 
family, joined his father in Brownsville. 
They made the journey hither by way of the 
Isthmus of Panama. He was educated in the 
public schools of Brownsville, though the 
years of his schooling were few. At the age 
of nine years he entered the Brownsville 



Woolen Mills as a spooler, literally grew up 
in the business, and, like his father, learned 
the art of weaving in all its intricacies. When 
fourteen years of age he was taken from the 
mills and sent to the Baptist College at Mc- 
Minnville, where he remained for three years, 
devoting his vacations to work in the mills. 
When nineteen years old he entered the 
Brownsville Woolen Mills store of Portland, 
where he remained for one year. In 1884 he 
went to McMinnville and engaged in the 
clothing business as a member of the firm of 
Bishop & Kay. Four years later Mr. Bishop 
disposed of his interest, and the firm became 
known as Kay & Todd. In 1898 Mr. Kay 
sold his interest in the concern. In the mean- 
time he had become connected with the 
Thomas Kay Woolen Mill, for which he became 
salesman in 1895, a short time before the 
burning of the mill. In 1897, after it had 
been rebuilt, he went to New York as the 
eastern representative of the company, where 
he remained for one season. L T pon his return 
to the west he located in Salem and became 
salesman and assistant manager of the mill. 
Upon the death of his father two years later 
he assumed his present important place as 
manager of the concern. 

The marriage of Mr. Kay occurred in Mc- 
Minnville January 15, 1888, 'and united him 
with Cora AVallace, who was born near the 
latter city, a daughter of C. A. Wallace, an 
extended reference to whose identification 
with Oregon appears elsewhere in this vol- 
ume. They are the parents of three children, 
Ercel W. and Marjory and an infant who died 
at the age of three months. 

While a resident of McMinnville Mr. Kay 
served as a member of the city council for 
one term and as a member of the school board 
for a similar period. He is a stanch adher- 
ent of the principles of the Republican party. 
In 1902 he was the nominee of that party for 
representative in the Twenty-second biennial 
session of the Oregon state legislature, and 
was elected by a large majority. In the per- 
formance of the labors devolving upon him 
in connection with this office, he upheld the 
prime interests of his constituents, and dem- 
onstrated his fitness for such a post, where 
integrity means so much to the welfare of 
the state and the community. He is a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church, in which he of- 
ficiates as deacon. In his fraternal relations 
he is a member of Pacific Lodge No. 50, A. F. 
& A. M., of Salem; Chapter, R. A. M., of 
Salem, and of DeMolay Commandery K. T., 
of Salem. He is also a member of the Illihee 
Club, of which he is one of the board of man- 
agers, and of the Salem Commercial Club. 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



5N9 



Ik- is likewise identified with the Portland 
. s Association, and is now on its 
rate, 
ough Mr. Kay is a comparatively young 
i conspicuous success which has at- 
his business career has caused him to 
; by the discriminating citizens of 
»ne of the most capable factors in 
the "commercial world of the northwest. His 
client business judgment undoubtedly has 
l o inherited to a degree from his father, 
Ji it has been developed in a great meas- 
son of his varied experience in the 
liberal atmosphere of the west and among the 
more conservative influences of the east. He 
- taken a deep interest in the welfare of the 
cities in which he has spent most of his 
both important commercial centers of 
the Willamette valley, and has shown him- 
to be a firm friend of such public move- 
ments or private enterprises as are calculated 
promote the prosperity of the community 
or to elevate its moral or social status. It 
A-ith pleasure that the compilers of this 
work give a prominent place in the annals of 
humanity's best endeavor in the Willamette 
valley to this sapient son of an honored sire, 
the name of Kay will always stand as the 
builder of one of the greatest monuments to 
industrv in the northwest. 



HON. JACOB WORTMAN. As chief ex- 
ecutive of McMinnville, founder and president 
of the First National Bank of this city, and a 

neer of 1852, Hon. Jacob Wortman is one of 
the most virile and resourceful personalities who 
have contributed to the upbuilding of this sec- 

. of Yamhill county. As the name implies, 
the- Wortman forefathers pursued their vocations 
among the more conservative and history re- 

ndent conditions of the Fatherland, and in 
< icrmany was born the paternal grandfather. 
Jacob, the establisher of the family in Xew 
Brunswick. From Xew Brunswick the elder 
Jacob removed to Ohio, and was numbered among 
the very early pioneers of the then wild and 
uninhabited region of Harrison county, which 
he reached with his family in 1828. There he 
farmed and raised stock, clearing his land from 
almost primeval uselessness, and rearing in com- 
parative comfort his several children. 

John Wortman, the father of Hon. Jacob, was 
born in St. Johns. Xew Brunswick, and event- 
ually succeeded to independent farming in Ohio. 
In 1838 he removed to Iowa, via the Ohio and 
Mississippi rivers, conveying his familv and pos- 

jions in wagons and locating about a hundred 
miles west of Keokuk, in Van Buren county, of 
which he was one of the very first settlers. 



With his neighbors remote, and surrounded with 
deprivations incident to all pioneer life, he made 
many improvements upon his wild land, but lived 
only live years to profit by his new acquisitions, 
his death occurring in [843. The wife, who died 
in Iowa in 1838, just after their arrival in that 
state, was a native of England, and before her 
marriage was Martha Cain. Of the five chil- 
dren born to her, the subject of this sketch is 
the only one living. Another son, Charles, died 
on his farm in Ohio. Through a second mar- 
riage of the father were born three sons, of 
whom Martin, a twin brother of John, is still 
living in Ohio. All three sons served in Ohio 
regiments during the Civil war. Henry died in 
Ohio in 1895, from wounds received at the bat- 
tle of Antietam ; and John still lives in Law r rence 
county, Mo. 

Born near Cadiz, Harrison county. Ohio, 
March 19, 1826, Hon. Jacob Wortman received 
his principal training after the family removal 
to Iowa in 1838. In this wild Indian country 
he attended the pioneer school as opportunity 
offered, and after his father's death found him- 
self entirely dependent on his own efforts. As a 
farm hand he received $8 a month, or Si 00 a 
year, yet with this small allowance he managed 
to save sufficient money to enable him to embark 
in housekeeping in 1850, his marriage occurring 
in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and uniting him with Eliza 
Ann Stumbo. In the spring of 1852, with his 
wife and infant son, John, he started out to con- 
quer fate in the west, outfitting at Oskaloosa 
with ox teams and wagons. April 20, 1852. they 
crossed the Missouri river at Council Bluffs, 
where they had trouble with the Indians. As a 
matter of safety they formed themselves into a 
military company, Henry Evans being elected 
to the responsible position of captain. Thus 
equipped the company of fort}" wagons pushed 
on over the old Oregon trail via Fort Hall. Much 
danger was warded off owing to the constant 
guard maintained throughout the night, but the 
ravages of cholera desolated the little band, and 
many newly-made graves along the trail filled 
with grief those left to pursue their weary jour- 
ney alone. Arriving at The Dalles the last of Sep- 
tember, Mr. Wortman went in a flatboat down 
the river to the Cascades, and then arrived at 
Portland. In what is now one of the finest cities 
in the country, were illy defined streets filled 
with trees and stumps, and with very few evi- 
dences of present or future prosperity. During 
the first winter Mr. Wortman found employment 
in a livery stable at very fair wag-es, a most 
fortunate occurrence, for the expensive trip over 
the plains had made serious inroads in the family 
assets. In the spring of 1853 he took up a do- 
nation claim seven miles above Oregon Citv in 
what is now Clackanias county, and on the west 



590 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



banks of the Willamette, a place still known as 
Wortman's Landing. He improved his three 
hundred and twenty acres of land, and in the 
meantime started out the first fall in the steam- 
boating business on the Willamette, first as deck- 
hand and then as foreman, and finally as master 
of the Franklin. At a later period he became 
one of the owners of the Clinton, running be- 
tween Oregon City and Dayton, yet all the time 
his home continued to be on the claim, where 
his leisure from steamboating was actively em- 
ployed. In that early day the boats were run 
only during the winter season, for their crude 
and heavy construction rendered them unavail- 
able for the more shallow waters in the summer. 
Thus it happened that the pleasantest part of 
the year found the crew busily employed in 
hewing timber on the donation claim, and two 
occupations were harmoniously and profitably 
blended. 

In 1865 Mr. Wormian sold his farm and boat 
interests and bought a small grocery and mer- 
chandise store in Oregon City, conducting the 
same successfully for ten years. This interest 
also was disposed of in 1875, and during that 
year Mr. Wortman, his wife and four sons es- 
tablished a partnership in a general merchandise 
business at Junction City, Lane county. The 
same year they started a similar business at 
Monroe, Benton county, conducting the two 
stores, ten miles apart, under the firm name of 
Jacob Wortman & Sons. With years of practical 
experience behind him, and an intuitive knowl- 
edge of the demands of all growing localities, 
he came to McMinnville in 1883, and established 
the Bank of McMinnville, incorporated in 1885 
as the First National Bank, the first bank in 
Yamhill county. Ever since Mr. Wortman has 
been the honored president of this financially 
strong and reliable institution, which has proved 
one of the greatest upbuilding factors in this 
county. All of his sons are interested in the 
bank, and this aggregation of business ability 
and integrity has resulted in really formidable 
influence. In the meantime he has accumulated 
large bank, real estate and country holdings, 
and was one of the chief stockholders in the 
Union Block, one of the first, substantial build- 
ings erected in McMinnville. 

Ever since its organization Mr. Wortman has 
identified his political fortunes with the Repub- 
lican party, and during the Civil war his sym- 
pathies were pronouncedly on the side of 
northern tolerance and humanity. Though never 
working for or desiring official recognition, his 
particular fitness for organization and municipal 
management resulted in the election of Mr. 
Wortman to the position of mayor of McMinn- 
ville, filling his first term in that office in 1887- 
88, and in November, 1901, he was again elected, 



creditably maintaining the position up to the 
present time, for five terms. He cast his first 
presidential vote for Zachary Taylor in 1848. 
A welcome member to the ranks of Masonry, he 
inaugurated his active service in this organiza- 
tion in 1856, as a member of Multnomah Lodge 
No. 1. While at Junction City he was identified 
with the lodge of that town and its treasurer, 
and is now a member of McMinnville Lodge No. 
42, of which he has been treasurer for nineteen 
years. Also he was a member of the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1900 Mr. and 
Mrs. Wortman celebrated the golden anniver- 
sary of their wedding, and from near and far 
friends assembled to bid them God-speed upon 
the remainder of their life journey. No higher 
tribute to admirable personal characteristics, 
noble citizenship, or popular and helpful social 
attributes were required than the all-around good 
will evidenced on this memorable occasion. 

Of the four sons born into this family of typi- 
cal western enterprise, John is cashier of the 
First National Bank ; Frank died in 1883, having 
qualified as a physician and surgeon at the Jef- 
ferson Medical College (Philadelphia), later en- 
gaging in post-graduate work for one year in 
London and one in Vienna ; Jacob L. is a gradu- 
ate of the University of Oregon, is a well known 
scientist, and fills the chair of Paleontology at 
Yale University, and H. C. is secretary and 
treasurer of the firm of Olds, Wortman & King, 
of Portland, Ore. The success of their sons has 
invested the life of these honored pioneers with 
a great deal of satisfaction and joy, and reflects 
vast credit upon the splendid home training in 
the early days, which inspired the best possible 
in their respective undertakings, and laid the 
foundation for strong and capable manhood. In 
1893 Mr. and Mrs. Wortman made their first 
trip back to the old home in the east, and also 
visited the World's Fair, their journey being 
of a vastly different order because of latter day 
enterprise and accomplishment. Serenely they 
gazed at the splendidly developed farms and 
prosperous cities from the windows of a Pullman 
palace car, and it is surmised that many con- 
trasts were drawn, and many references made 
to the ox trains of the very long ago. In 1895 
also another trip was undertaken back to the old 
haunts so familiar in his experience of forty- 
five years before. Mr. Wortman represents the 
integrity and substantial growth of the west, and 
his is a kind of citizenship as ennobling as it is 
inspiring and helpful. 



E. E. GOUCHER, M. D., is the pioneer physi- 
cian" and surgeon of McMinnville, having located 
here in 1883. No professional name in Yamhill 
county carries with it greater weight, or suggests 







(Ztr£esU~ fcrk 



P( >R IK \l r \\1> BI( >GR M'MICAL RECORJD. 



693 



more conscientious application oi the highest ten- 

<i medical and surgical science. A son of the 
countr) bordering on the western sea. Dr. Gou- 
cher was born near Healdsburg, Sonoma county, 
Cal., March 12, 1858, and from a vcr\ successful 
physician sire received his first inspiration to- 
wards his life calling. 

Of fine OKI Dominion stock, G. \Y., the father 
loucher, was horn in Virginia, and 
practiced medicine for many years in the south. 
Reports of golden fortunes on the coast led him 
to temporarily abandon his profession in 1849 
in favor oi prospecting and mining in California, 
to which state he journeyed via Panama, and 
where he experienced the success of the average 
rather than the exceptional miner. Fortified with 
a calling for which there is invariable demand, he 
lived at times in Alameda, Santa Clara, and 
Sonoma comities, and in 1864 identified his for- 
tunes with Yamhill county, ( )re., where he com- 
bined practice and ministerial labors in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church south for some years. 
Eventually he located in Amity, where a success- 
ful practice was interrupted by his death in 1893. 
He was a stanch member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church south, as was also his wife, Delilah 
Ann ( Morrison) Goucher, who was born in In- 
diana, and came to California with her brothers 
at an early day. Of the five children born to these 
parents but two are living, the pioneer physician 
of McMinnville being the second oldest child in 
the family, and Mrs. Norah Springer. 

At a very early age Dr. Goucher became in- 
terested in his father's profession, and from this 
reliable source received his first practical instruc- 
tion. Primarily his education was received in 
the public schools of California and Yamhill 
county, and he eventually entered Willamette 
University, from which he was duly graduated 
from the medical department in 1882. After a 
year's practice in Yamhill county he located in 
McMinnville, as heretofore stated, and aside from 
a general practice of medicine has identified him- 
self with horticulture, owning one of the very 
fine and productive fruit farms of the county. 
Since its establishment he has been a member of 
the pension board of Yamhill county. Frater- 
nally the doctor is associated with the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past 
noble grand ; the Encampment of McMinnville ; 
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of 
Salem ; and the Odd Fellows lodge of McMinn- 
ville. The family of Dr. Goucher consists of his 
wife, Hattie M. (Sherman) Goucher, a native of 
Minnesota, and two children, Rua and Norma. 



REV. ROBERT ROBE. To the mission- 
ary of the early days Oregon owes a debt of 
gratitude which can never be repaid. Diamet- 
rically opposed to the hundreds who staked all 



on the possibility of acquiring a fortune, his 
object in life has been the saving of souls and 
the building up of moral character in the rising 
generations. Like a benediction, his face and 
voice have recalled the miner, the tiller of the 
soil and the merchant to the teachings of his 
youth, and caused him to pause in the midst 
of his mad struggle for the smile of mammon. 
Thus a few honored names are associated with 
peace and tranquility, rather than the strife of 
pioneer days, and among these that of Rev. 
Robert Robe is one of the best known and 
most worthy. 

That Mr. Robe should associate his minis- 
terial labors with the Presbyterian Church was 
a foregone conclusion, for on both sides of his 
family there were stanch adherents to the ec- 
clesiastical rule of presbyters. His grand- 
father, William, was a strict churchman of 
Scotch ancestry, and became a very early set- 
tler at Morgantown, Ya. His father, Josiah, 
was born in Virginia, and established his fam- 
ily in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1809. He be- 
came a large land owner, and took an active 
part in the church, was an elder therein, and 
reared his children to follow his worthy ex- 
ample. At the time of his death, on his farm 
in 1845, he was seventy-five years old, and left 
behind him a record as a business man and up- 
right, influential citizen. In his youth he mar- 
ried Jane Frame, who was born in Pennsylva- 
nia and died in Ohio, and who was a daughter 
of David Frame, one of the early settlers of 
Ohio. Mr. Frame was an elder in the Presby- 
terian Church. Robert was the youngest of 
the three sons and five daughters born to his 
parents, and he was educated primarily in the 
public. schools. In 1845, shortly after the death 
of his father, he entered Muskingum College at 
Xew Concord. He had previously received 
some training at a college in Antrim, Ohio, 
and in 1846 entered Washington College, at 
Washington, Pa., from which he was duly 
graduated in 1847. Returning to his home he 
commenced studying for the ministry, and, in 
the fall of 1848, entered the Western Theolog- 
ical Seminary at Pittsburg, the following two 
years being devoted to ministerial labors in the 
state of Ohio. 

As a missionary Mr. Robe came to Oregon 
in 1851, crossing the plains in an ox-train, and 
being on the road from the first of April until 
the latter part of August. For three months he 
taught a pioneer school in the wilderness, and 
then, finding that Lane county had no spiritual 
advisor, he removed to Eugene, making that 
his headquarters for the whole county. He 
organized the first Presbyterian Church in Eu- 
gene, and was one of three to organize the 
Presbytery of the Willamette in 1851. This 



i94 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was the first presbytery north of California 
and west of the Rocky Mountains, and its im- 
portance in the history of the church in the 
state cannot be over-estimated. Rev. Robe 
assisted in the organization of the first synod 
in San Francisco, out of which grew the pres- 
bytery in the north. He has been a member 
ever since. During his ten years of residence 
in Lane county Mr. Robe accomplished a 
world of good, stimulating right living and 
gentle judging, and in a strong, forceful man- 
ner promoting the cause of education. For 
some time he was county superintendent of 
schools, and assisted in laying out the school 
districts of that county. 

After his recall to Brownsville Mr. Robe had 
charge of the Brownsville Church until he was 
superannuated in 1895. He has since lived a 
practically retired life, although his interest in 
moral and educational promotion continues 
unabated. Since coming to Brownsville he has 
organized the church at Crawfordsville, and 
his voice has been heard in exhortation in 
many pulpits throughout the county. He is a 
stanch Prohibitionist, and his own life best 
illustrates his uncompromising belief in tem- 
perate living. At present he is a resident of 
Brownsville, but during certain portions of his 
life he has lived on a farm, and engaged in 
stock and grain-raising. At times his remu- 
neration for services rendered has been small, 
and would have seemed entirely inadequate to 
one less devoted to the cause of humanity. Dur- 
ing the Civil war, especially, his salary was cut 
very low, and the prevailing high prices aug- 
mented the financial discomfort of this worker 
for the betterment of the world. His cour- 
ageous spirit has been the wonder of all who 
have labored with him, and his life of self- 
sacrifice undoubtedly has inspired many a 
weary toiler in other fields. 

July 18, 1854, Mr. Robe was united in mar- 
riage with Eliza A. Walker, who was born in 
Murray county, Ga., February 4, 1835, a daugh- 
ter of William Walker, a carpenter by trade. 
Mr. Walker removed to Tennessee in 1841, 
and, in 1843, located on a farm in Missouri, his 
emigration to Oregon taking place by way of 
the plains, in 1853. After locating in Eugene 
he worked at his trade for many years, his 
death occurring in Springfield, Ore., at the age 
of eighty years. Eleven children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Robe, the order of their 
birth being as follows: William W., residing 
in Brownsville ; Maria J., the wife of Mr. Mar- 
sters, of this place ; Mary Bell ; Emma Annella, 
Ida Augusta and Robert, deceased ; Herman 
L. ; Charles, deceased ; Stella, who died in in- 
fancy, and Elbert S., a bookkeeper in the mill 
at Albany. 



JAMES H. OLDS. October 18, 1902, there 
was celebrated in Lafayette the golden wedding 
of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Olds, who are among 
the most honored and well known of the pioneers 
of '52. An element of more than usual romance 
is connected with this couple, whose association 
has been characterized by that fine sympathy and 
helpfulness engendered by necessary concessions 
and companionship in the very hard days of pio- 
neer Oregon. As cousins Mr. and Mrs. Olds 
were married while crossing the plains near Fort 
Boise, Idaho, the ceremony being performed by 
Rev. Mr. Reasoner, a Methodist Episcopal 
clergyman, the principal witnesses being Wilson 
Cook and Mrs. N. A. Jacobs. At the golden 
wedding were present ninety relatives, a showing 
rarely found on occasions of this kind. The many 
beautiful gifts, the enthusiastic good wishes of 
many friends, and the general air of rejoicing, 
but slightly indicated the esteem in which are 
held these high minded and very prosperous 
early settlers. 

The career of Mr. Olds should furnish en- 
couragement to all desirous of rearing a structure 
solely upon their own merit. He was born near 
Sandusky, Seneca county, Ohio, May 29, 1830, 
and on both sides of his family cherishes a just 
pride of ancestry. His father, Martin, was born 
in Boston, Mass., in 1799, and lived until 1877; 
while his paternal grandfather, Timothy, was 
born and partially reared in England, and came 
to the colonies in America when a youth. At 
the age of nineteen the grandfather enlisted in 
the Revolutionary war as a private, and after 
participating in many of the best known battles 
was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. 
After the war he was ordained a Baptist minis- 
ter, and during his ministry took part in the 
stirring events which have made his time mem- 
orable for its hideous religious intolerance. In 
accordance with the Massachusetts decree : 
" Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live," he was 
present at the hanging of a number of supposed 
witches, but just what attitude he assumed in 
regard to this travesty of justice is not clearly 
defined. From Massachusetts he removed to 
New York state, and later to Seneca county, 
Ohio, where he died. 

Martin Olds followed farming during his 
entire active life, and wherever he lived took an 
active interest in politics. In his youth he had 
limited educational chances, but he learned much 
from observation and life-long investigation and 
was always accounted a well informed and pro- 
gressive man. He was one of the very early 
settlers of Branch county, Mich., where he at- 
tained to great prominence, not only serving as 
the first county judge, but being elected to the 
state legislature of 1843-44. Mr. Olds crossed the 



PORTRAIT AND P.li u IRA PI 1ICAL RECORD. 



5!) 6 



[851, and located on a donation claim of 
hundred and twent) acres at the head of the 
Chehaleni waters, where lie lived until [860. He 
k up a claim three miles west of Middle- 
in Washington county, where his last days 
n -pent. As in Michigan, his special fitness 
tor office was soon recognized, and after tilling 
offices with extreme credit he was made 
ntv judge of Yamhill county. From 1854 
- he was a member of the constitutional 
invention of ( >regon, and he was postmaster 
t Lafayette for many years. In his youth he 
•ried Temperance Parker, whose grandfather, 
1 Parker, was a Free Will Baptist preacher, 
1 who settled on a farm in New York state 
r where his granddaughter was born in 1809. 
5he died in North Yamhill, Yamhill county, in 
( )f the children born of this union we make 
the following mention: Green is a farmer in 
Idendale, Ore.; George died in Washington 
mtv in i8<>2; Martin is in Michigan; James 
II. is next in order; Xancy H. Jacobs lives in 
McMinnville: and Mrs. Sarah Cook also lives 
in McMinnville. 

antes H. Olds engaged in independent farm- 
ing in Washington county in 1853, but after- 
ward disposed of this property to his father, and 
settled on the old homestead on the Chehalem. 
In 1868 he removed to Lafayette to educate his 
ldren, and in 1872 engaged in the warehouse 
business in St. Joseph. He also became inter- 
ed in managing a hotel, and for seven years 
experienced considerable success in this venture. 
[880 Mr. Olds built his present residence in 
Lafayette, and has since made this his headquar- 
The year 1882 found him in the hotel 
business, from which he retired October 1, 1902. 
Mr. ( )lds lived in Clackamas county between 
- 5. Like his father, he has been active in 
promoting the interests of the Republican party, 
and has almost continuously served as a mem- 
bcr of the school board, a part of the time as 
clerk. From 1866 until 1870 he served as 
deputy sheriff, and was justice of the peace for 
fourteen years, and bailiff of the circuit court for 
twelve years. As road supervisor he has ma- 
terially impressed upon the community the ne- 
»ity for good thoroughfares. 
In 1852 Mr. Olds married Nancy A. Parker, 
om which union there were born three sons 
and three daughters, the order of their birth be- 
follows : Mrs. Elberta E. Gates, deceased ; 
• V., a resident of Lafayette ; E. M., also liv- 
ing in Lafayette: Mrs. Delia Klosterman, of the 
vicinity of Lafayette ; Mrs. Kate Ferguson, of 
Lafayette, and P. P., who also resides here. Mr. 
( )lds possesses personal characteristics in keeping 
with the opportunities of this great common- 
wealth, and has left his sterling worth impressed 
upon many departments of its activity. Tn re- 



ligion he is a Materialist, but never antagonizes 

his neighbor with his belief. A man of limited 

education, he is nevertheless exceptionally well 
read. 



JOHN NEWELL, who is engaged in the liv- 
ery business in McMinnville, has been a resident 
of Oregon for a quarter of a century. He was 
born September 12, 1847, m Meigs county, Ohio, 
a son of Alonzo and Fannie (Dyke) Newell. 
The grandfather, John Newell, was a native of 
Massachusetts and a representative of an old 
New England family, whose loyal sons served in 
the Revolutionary war. He settled in Meigs 
county, Ohio, at a very early day, and there 
Alonzo Newell was born and reared, becoming 
a farmer by occupation. Removing to Wayne 
county, 111., he there engaged in milling, and in 
1876 he came to Oregon, carrying on business 
as a farmer and stock-raiser in Yamhill county 
until his death, which occurred in 1892, when he 
was sixty-five years of age. His wife, a native 
of Ohio, was a daughter of John Dyke, also born 
in that state. She died in Oregon. Her four 
children reached years of maturity and three 
came to Oregon. John ; Mrs. Denica Felner, now 
of California ; and Samuel, of Polk county, this 
state. 

When ten years of age John Newell became 
a resident of Illinois, where be pursued his educa- 
tion in the district schools, and on attaining his 
majority he began farming and stock-raising in 
Wayne county. In 1876, however, he sold his in- 
terests there and with the family came to Oregon, 
devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits in 
Marion county until 1878, when he came to Yam- 
hill county, purchasing a farm near Sheridan. 
The purchase comprised two hundred and forty 
acres of wild land, from which some of the tim- 
ber had been cut, but the stumps still remained. 
This he improved and in addition to the cultiva- 
tion of the fields he raised stock there until June, 
1896, when he sold that property and came to 
McMinnville, where in connection with Mr. De 
Haven he purchased the livery business of Mr. 
Yocum, and under the firm name of DeHaven 
& Newell the barn was conducted for two years. 
The senior partner then sold his interest to James 
Henry and the firm of Henry & Newell was or- 
ganized. They have a large livery, feed and sale 
stable, 100 x 100 feet, containing all kinds of car- 
riages and vehicles, and in addition to the rental 
of these they buy and sell horses, shipping them 
to the Sound country. They keep very fine horses 
and have the largest livery business in the county. 

Tn Wayne county, 111., Mr. Newell was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth Ake, a native of that 
county, and they have five children : Frank, 
Grace, William, Add and Fannie, all of McMinn- 



590 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ville. Mr. Newell belongs to the Knights of 
Pythias fraternity and is a Republican in poli- 
tics. He has served as a member of the city 
board of aldermen and was a member of the new 
charter committee. In matters of citizenship he 
is liberal and progressive, and in business affairs 
has met with gratifying success. 



SMITH STEPHENS. The owner of one of 
the attractive homes and fine farms of Yamhill 
county is Smith Stephens, who, throughout his 
entire life, has devoted his energies to agricul- 
tural pursuits, with the result that excellent suc- 
cess has attended his efforts. He was born No- 
vember 15, 1851, in Appanoose county, Iowa, a 
son of Aaron Stephens, whose birth occurred in 
Pennsylvania in 1828. During his boyhood the 
father accompanied his parents to Virginia, and 
at an early date in the history of Iowa they be- 
came residents of the latter state, arriving there 
about 1850. Aaron Stephens afterward married 
Miss Mary McGarvey, a native of Virginia, and 
they resided in Iowa until 1862, when they, too, 
joined the emigrants who were in those years 
continually crossing the plains in order to reclaim 
the wild district of the far west for the purposes 
of civilization. In addition to the difficulties in- 
cident to a long journey across the stretches of 
hot sand and over the mountains, almost impas- 
sable, they had trouble with the Indians, and were 
continually on their guard for fear of being mo- 
lested by the savages. When six months had 
passed, however, they arrived at Portland, and 
Mr. and Mrs. Stephens came on at once to the 
Willamette valley, settling upon a tract of land 
adjoining Hopewell. Mr. Stephens purchased 
one hundred and sixty acres of land, and upon 
the place made all of the improvements, including 
the erection of substantial buildings and the 
transformation of the wild land into productive 
fields. Both he and his wife continued to live 
upon that farm until called to the home beyond, 
he passing away at the age of seventy years, 
while his wife lived to be sixty-nine years of age. 
They were life-long members of the Baptist 
Church, and their upright characters won for 
them the warm regard of those with whom they 
came in contact. They became the parents of 
five children : Malissa, the wife of Enoch Cooper, 
who resides upon a part of the old home place ; 
Smith, of this review; Frank S., a resident of 
Hopewell; Leila, the wife of Isaac Lynch, of 
Hopewell, and one that died at the age of two 
years. 

Smith Stephens spent the first ten years of his 
life in the state of his nativity, and then accom- 
panied his parents on their removal to Oregon, 
remaining upon the old homestead farm until the 
time of his marriage. During the period of his 



boyhood he had obtained a good education in the 
district schools and in the Salem Academy. He 
wedded Miss Emily Allison, a native of Canada, 
and they took up their abode upon a part of the 
old homestead, living there for about ten years, 
when Mr. Stephens purchased what is known as 
the Richardson donation claim. Upon the tract 
which thus came into his possession he made all 
of the improvements, and he now has splendid 
modern buildings and a fine farm. At the present 
time he is in possession of eight hundred acres 
of land, and he carries on general farming and 
stock-raising, both branches of his business prov- 
ing profitable. During the year 1892 he raised 
fourteen thousand pounds of hops — a crop which 
has become an important one in the northwest, 
and brings a good financial return. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stephens were born five 
children, but they lost their first child, Myrtle. 
The others, Mabel, Charles, Howard and Ina. 
are all at home. Mr. Stephens belongs to the 
United Brethren Church, of which he is serving 
as a director. As every true American citizen 
should do, he keeps well informed on the political 
questions and issues of the day, and his support 
is given to the Republican party. He is now 
serving as school clerk, and has been road super- 
visor, and for many years has been judge of elec- 
tions. His success is well merited, because it has 
come to him through legitimate channels of busi- 
ness. He realized that there is no royal road to 
wealth, and that the surest foundation upon 
which to build prosperity is industry and integ- 
rity. Upon this, therefore, he has placed his de- 
pendence, and as the years have passed his care- 
ful management and energy have been the means 
of winning for him a leading position among the 
substantial citizens of his community. 



RICHARD W. PHILLIPS. Among the pio- 
neer settlers of Yamhill county Richard W. Phil- 
lips occupies an altogether unique place, his char- 
acter, his farm and his career being as familiar 
to the old-time residents as are his genial face 
and kindly manner. Mr. Phillips was born in 
Limestone county, Ala., January 1, 1832, and as 
far back as is known his forefathers were farm- 
ers and large land owners in the south. His pa- 
ternal grandfather, William E. Phillips, followed 
the martial forces of Washington during the 
Revolutionary war, gaining distinction because 
of his courageous and meritorious services. 

The parental family comprised thirteen chil- 
dren, who were given a fair education in the dis- 
trict schools. When their son, Richard W., was 
seven years old the family removed to Louisiana, 
and from that age until he was twenty he re- 
mained at home with his parents. At the latter 
as;e, however, he started out on his own responsi- 



PORTR \I f AXM BI( >GRAPHI< \l. REC( iRD. 



599 



bilils. and in 1853 crossed the plains with ox 
He was accompanied on the journey by 
ther, Ceorge \\ .. and they both sustained 
ss, owing to the depredations of the ln- 
thereby losing sonic of their horses. After 
-oiiio journey of over seven months they 
reached Amity, Yamhill county, where 
mained for some time. At the end of the 
Richard \V. was possessed of just $5 in 
rrency, with which to begin life in the west, 
may well be imagined, it did not carry 
1 vcr\ tar. Soon after his arrival, however, 
as fortunate enough to secure employment 
farm work, and in 1855 went to The Dalles, 
where for nine months he was employed by a 
pack train, under the supervision of the govern- 
ment. In the meantime his brother had enlisted 
1 the Indian war of 1855-56, being under the 
imand of Captain Emery, and acquitting him- 
creditably as a preserver of the peace in the 

From The Dalles Mr. Phillips removed to 
Yamhill county in 1857, and the same year started 
for California with a bunch of cattle. As this 
proved a paying venture he made similar expe- 
ditions for several years thereafter. For a time 
I he was employed at farm work, but the 
e year returned to Wasco county, Ore., where 
alt quite extensively in cattle, and remained 
there until 1873. While a resident of the latter 
inty, in January, 1862, he married Mary Haw- 
icy, who was born on the Boise river, Idaho, in 
After his marriage he removed to the 
farm which has since been his home, and which 
• had purchased in 1861, it being located one- 
f mile south of Whiteson. That Mr. Phillips 
s utilized the chances by which he has been 
nrrounded in the northwest is proved by the 
t that he now owns eleven hundred and eight- 
1 acres of land, a truly wonderful increase over 
original $5. About five hundred acres are 
under cultivation, and no farm in this county is 
.•tter equipped or more extensive in its. various 
nues of activity. The past season witnessed 
■ gathering of sixteen thousand pounds of 
an item of commerce which is accounted 
of the specialties of the Phillips farm, which 
known as Peach Hill Farm. The five hundred 
head of stock include Shorthorn cattle, Cots- 
wold sheep. Berkshire and Poland-China hogs, 
Angora goats. An air of substantiality and 
- hni ss, also of extreme neatness and thrift, 
pervades this splendid old farm, as reliable and 
ubstantial as is the honored owner, everywhere 
known as Uncle Dick. 

The first wife of Mr. Phillips died in 1875, 
leaving three children : Richard W., Jr., of Cou- 
lee City, Wash. ; Anna E., the wife of F. Fergu- 
son, of Amity; and Carrie C, wife of George 
Hancock, of Cornelius. Some time after the 



death of his wife Air. Phillips married Elizabeth 
Frazer, who was born in Woodford county, Ky., 
and this union resulted in the birth of four chil- 
dren : George E., at home; Homer C, a resident 
of eastern Oregon; one child, who died in in- 
fancy, and Curry S., who died at the age of six 
years, liver since his voting days Mr. Phillips 
has taken a keen interest in politics, and has al- 
ways espoused the cause of the Democratic party. 
He is a welcome member and visitor at various 
fraternal lodges in the county, notably the Ma- 
sonic, of which he has been a member for over 
forty years ; the Eastern Star, and the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, of which he is a 
charter member of twenty-six years' standing. 
Mr. Phillips has been- to the fore in all move- 
ments of a social or public nature in his neighbor- 
hood, and though extremely careful and con- 
servative, has wielded a great influence in all 
matters of importance. His farm is the head- 
quarters for several large industries, and friends 
come from far and near to partake of his hospi- 
tality. He is not only one of the largest hop and 
stock raisers, but is known as by far the most 
extensive mule raiser in Yamhill county. 



JAMES SHEPARD HUGHES. The town 
of Lebanon, favored because of the high char- 
acter of its citizens, the extent and multiplicity 
of its interests, and its clean municipal admin- 
istrations, has additional cause for congratula- 
tion in possessing what is conceded, by those in 
a position to judge, the best electric lighting 
system on the Pacific coast. This distinction 
is directly traceable to the earnest and capable 
efforts of James Shepard Hughes, owner and 
operator of the electric light and waterworks 
of this city, and a man of extended and practical 
experience in his chosen calling. Additional 
interest centers around Mr. Hughes because his 
electrical knowledge is almost entirely self- 
gained, and because he has enlisted the ser- 
vices of his exceedingly capable and studious 
wife, herself an electrician of more than ordinary 
merit. 

On both sides of his family Mr. Hughes 
claims an ancestry connected with the education- 
al and war history of the country, his paternal 
forefathers living for many years in the state of 
Pennsylvania, his grandfather, Joseph, being a 
distant relative of William Penn. His father, 
James, also born in Pennsylvania, became 
a very early settler in Monroe county, Ohio, 
reaching there about 181 8. In many ways this 
pioneer was a unique and unusual character, and 
he represented a class of men fast receding into 
the shadows of history, in fact scarcely repre- 
sented at all at the present time. He was a min- 
ister of the Protestant Methodist Church, and 
for many vears was a circuit rider in Ohio, lead- 



600 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



, ! :. 



ing one of those strenuous and self-sacrificing 
lives to which the clergy of today are strangers. 
A school teacher also, he spent his entire life in 
the realms of religion and knowledge, was a 
close student and practical teacher, more es- 
pecially during the latter part of his life. A 
farmer and preacher when he first moved to 
Ohio, an accident turned his attention to teach- 
ing, for while crossing the Ohio river he was 
thrown overboard, chilled to the bone, and took 
a cold which settled in his lower limbs, incapaci- 
tating him for severe physical labor. He lived 
a comparatively short time, his death occurring 
in 1854, at the age of forty-five years. His wife, 
Sarah (Lucas) Hughes, was born in Ohio, mar- 
ried there, and spent her last days in the Buck- 
eye state. Mrs. Hughes was a daughter of 
Samuel Lucas, born in Ohio, and member of a 
family noted for its longevity. His grandfather, 
Samuel, served with distinction in the Revolu- 
tionary war, and his great-grandmother lived to 
be one hundred and twelve years old, and she 
nursed James Shepard Hughes when he was an 
infant in arms. 

His position as the oldest child and son 
in his father's family of six children necessi- 
tated an early assumption of responsibility on the 
part of James Shepard Hughes. He was born 
in Monroe county, Ohio, November 25, 1838, 
and was therefore eight years of age when his 
good father went to the silent bourne. The 
many duties to be performed at home interfered 
sadly with his early education, and as soon as 
possible he began to earn money that his broth- 
ers and sisters might fare better than it had been 
possible for him to do. From the age of sev- 
enteen he assumed the management of a large 
Ohio farm, and when he had accomplished all 
possible for his home people he married in his 
native state, Louise W. Gatten, born on section 
16, Monroe county, June 26, 1842. Like her 
husband, Mrs. Hughes claims a learned and mar- 
tial ancestry, from the ranks of which have come 
educators of merit and influence. James R. Gat- 
ten, the father of Mrs. Hughes, was born in 
Maryland, and for more than a quarter of a cen- 
tury was a teacher of more than local repute in 
Ohio, to which state he was brought a baby in 
arms, and where he died at an advanced age 
His father, Thomas, and his grandfather, Rich- 
ard Ellis, were born in the North of Ireland, 
and the latter was indeed a patriot. That he 
might espouse the cause of the down-trodden 
colonies he placed his ample fortune in the bank 
of England, and with his family emigrated to 
America, where he enlisted in the Colonial 
army, serving under the banner of Washington 
for several years. His son, Thomas, a youth 
when he came to America, learned the shoe- 
maker's trade, an occupation followed during his 



entire active life in Ohio. He married Frances 
Vaughn, born either in Virginia or Ohio, and ' 
whose grandfather, Vincent, established his 
family in the United States in time to serve in 
the war of 1812. At an early day the grand- 
father removed to Ohio, and died in Guernsey 
county after accumulating a competence. 

Mr. Hughes' association with the west began 
in 1876, when he settled with his family at 
Redwood, Cal., and entered upon his duties as 
superintendent of the waterworks. That he 
maintained this position for the long period of 
twenty years is the best guarantee of his fitness, 
and that he in many ways identified himself 
with the general affairs of the town shows a 
capacity for public service in any community. 
In keeping with his natural stability and faith- 
fulness was his occupancy of the office of street 
superintendent for seventeen years, notwithstand- 
ing that he was elected on the Republican ticket, 
and that there were many intervening Demo- 
cratic administrations. For one term also he was 
deputy tax collector. Desiring a change, Mr. 
Hughes came to Lebanon and purchased the elec- 
tric light plant, and also the water power and a 
half interest in the old Foly and O'Neal ditch, 
and has since managed the same with the as- 
sistance of his wife, who has trodden with him 
the intricate and fascinating regions of electricity, 
and is quite capable of taking her husband's 
place in an emergency. 

It is not surprising that all of the children 
of Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have developed in- 
tellectual superiority, and at least two are rep- 
resentative of the best class of educators on the 
coast. James B., a graduate of the Yale Uni- 
versity with the degrees of M. A. and B. A., and 
also a graduate of the Indiana State Univer- 
sity and the Hopkins Academy of Oakland, Ind., 
is principal of the high school at Merced, Cal. ; 
Ada, the widow of D. R. Caldwell, is a teacher 
of drawing in the public schools of Alameda, 
Cal., and is a painter of merit, having supple- 
mented her art training in this country by a year 
of study in Europe ; Charles C, who served two 
terms as superintendent of the public schools of 
Alameda, Cal., having graduated in the pioneer 
class of Stanford University ; Frances H. is the 
wife of A. B. Milsap, a traveling salesman of 
Centralia, Wash. ; Thomas Dewey was acciden- 
tal!}' killed by falling from a building in 1880; 
and E. M. F. Hughes is foreman of a shipyard 
at Manila, Philippine Islands. Mr. Hughes is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and is fra- 
ternally connected with the Blue Lodge of 
Masons. The career of Mr. Hughes speaks for 
itself, and superfluous would be praise of a man 
whose life efforts have been so unchangeably on 
the side of stability, thoroughness, and absolute 
devotion to principle and conscience. 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



601 



5EPH B. PERKINS. Among those cour- 
ageous pioneers who slowly moved over the 
tig before the emissaries of gold rendered 
us the vastness of the western coun- 
. as they carried civilization with 
them, were obliged to fight nature at every step, 
invent untold dangers, and over their 
fires indulged in ghastly prophecies of de- 
n at the hands of murderous savages, 
- messengers of peace and prosperity 
idi I in Oregon in 1844. Already the 

A hitman had paved the way for others 
ambitious, and the embryo town called in 
r was suggestive of a semblance of awak- 
ictivity. Thither came John Perkins, the 
father of Joseph B., the latter a farmer of Yam- 
hill county, and born in Tippecanoe county, Ind., 
January 5. 1841. 

fohn Perkins was born in Genesee county, 
N. V., August 21, 181 1, and married Sarah Felix, 
who was born in Union county, Pa., December 6, 
181 5. Mrs. Perkins, who is now living with her 
daughter, Mrs. H. F. Bedwell, was reared in 
( Hmo, and removed to Indiana when nineteen 
years of age. Here she met her .husband, who 
- a carpenter, millwright and blacksmith by 
trade, and with whom she crossed the plains in 
4. The first winter in the northwest Mr. Per- 
kin- passed at Whitman station, and there ran a 
-t-mill for the man for whom the station was 
named. In March, 1845, ne t0 °k U P a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres, adjoining 
and constituting a part of that now owned by his 
-eph B., and there remained for the bal- 
ance of his life. He was unusually prosperous, 
and admirably succeeded in controlling and utiliz- 
the opportunities by which he was sur- 
inded. At the last he owned two thousand and 
nine hundred acres of land, all of which w r as 
divided among his nine children and wife, the 
latter holding a dower right on three hundred 
ami twenty acres. He was a Democrat in politics, 
and was a consistent and active member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Reared among strictly agricultural surround- 
ings. Joseph B. Perkins left home at the age of 
< en, but soon returned and worked on the 
paternal farm until about twenty-five. After his 
marriage he went into the saw-mill business in 
\\ ashington for a year, and then began to farm 
me hundred and forty-seven acres of land six 
miles north of McMinnville. This propertv was 
afterward disposed of to Clem Scott, and Mr. 
Perkins made his home in Gaston for six vears. 
After living j n McMinnville for a year he made 
his home on a farm in Klickitat county. Wash., 
for nine years, and on the latter property en- 
gaged principally in the sheep business. He 
also ran a steam ferry across the Colum- 
bia river for two years. Upon returning to 



( >regon he ran a saw-mill for a year, and then 
had charge of an electric light plant in McMinn- 
ville for six months. He then settled on his pres- 
ent farm, which adjoins his father's estate, and 
of which he has disposed of all but twenty-three 
acres. Eleven acres of this are under hops, of 
which the present owner has made a great suc- 
cess, and the present year he had to show for his 
pains sixty-six bales of this marketable article. 
Mr. Perkins is a notable addition to the agricul- 
tural captains of industry of Yamhill county, and 
is well known socially and otherwise. He has 
been a member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen for over twenty-four years, and has 
passed through all of the chairs. In politics he 
is independent, but has often taken an active in- 
terest in supporting worthy friends. In religion 
he is a member and deacon of the Christian Ad- 
vent Church. 

The family of Mr. Perkins consists of his wife, 
Ellen E. (Gaunt) Perkins, who was born near 
St. Louis, Mo., August 31, 1850, and whose 
father, G. D. Gaunt, crossed the plains in 1853. 
Of this union there have been born the following 
children : Mrs. Eleanor Force, wife of T. D. 
Force, living three and a half miles south of her 
father's farm ; John S. ; Fred F., living five miles 
east of the home farm ; Mrs. Rose Helmer, of 
Portland ; Claude C, living with his parents ; and 
Floyd F., also living at home. 



HOX. CHARLES V. GALLOWAY has the 
distinction of being the youngest member of the 
state legislature of Oregon. He is one of the 
native sons of the golden west, and his record is 
a credit to the locality in which he has always 
made his home, for his life has been upright, hon- 
orable and worthy of the respect which is uni- 
formly accorded him. He was born January 6, 
1878, in Bellevue, Yamhill county, and is a son 
of William Galloway, a native of Juneau, Dodge 
county. Wis. The paternal grandparents of our 
subject both lived to an advanced age. the grand- 
father dying at the home of his son, William, 
while the grandmother passed away at the home 
of her daughter in St. Paul, Marion county. Ore. 
William Galloway became a resident of Yamhill 
county in 1852, at which time he accompanied his 
parents on their emigration to the far west. No 
railroad then spanned the country, and the long 
and difficult journey was made with ox teams, 
crossing the plains and through the mountain 
passes. That was the year of the great cholera 
scourge, when many emigrants died of the dread 
disease. The party with which the Galloways 
traveled was upon the road for seven months, 
but at length they were gladdened by the sight 
of the green hills and fertile fields of ( >regon. 
The grandparents took up their abode on Salt 



(502 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



creek, in Yamhill county, near the present site of 
Amity, securing a donation claim, whereon they 
lived for several years. 

William Galloway remained under the parental 
roof until he had attained early manhood, ex- 
periencing the hardships and trials of pioneer life 
and also enjoying its pleasures and privileges. 
After leaving home he and his brother conducted 
pack trains in eastern Oregon and Idaho, thus 
gaining a start in the business world. As a com- 
pan ion and helpmate for life's journey he chose 
Miss Emma Baker, a native of Wisconsin, and 
they began housekeeping in Bellevue upon a 
farm. 

William Galloway had obtained his more ad- 
vanced education in Willamette University and 
was graduated in that institution. For some time 
he engaged in teaching school, and left the im- 
press of his individuality upon the intellectual 
development of his community. For ten years 
after his marriage he and his wife resided at 
Bellevue and then removed to McMinnville, 
where he was engaged in the warehouse business 
for three years. On the expiration of that period 
he was elected to the position of county judge in 
1890, and served upon the bench in a most 
capable manner for four years, retiring from the 
office as he had entered it — with the confidence 
and good will of the public. 

After his term of office had expired he con- 
tinued to reside in McMinnville until 1896, when 
he removed to Oregon City and was appointed 
receiver of the United States land office, holding 
that position until 1902. At the present time he 
is practicing law there and is a capable member 
of the bar, having broad and comprehensive 
knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, 
while in the preparation of his cases he is careful 
and precise, and in their presentation forceful 
and strong. That he is one of the distinguished 
residents of the state is widely acknowledged, 
and as a leader in political circles he is well 
known. Three times he represented Yamhill 
county in the state legislature, and in 1894 he was 
the candidate of his party for governor of Ore- 
gon, but was defeated. His influence, however, 
is widely felt, and his patriotism and loyalty to 
the public good are beyond question. In his fam- 
ily are three children: Zilpha, Charles V., of 
this review, and Francis V., the eldest and young- 
est being at home. 

C. V. Galloway having acquired his prelimi- 
nary education in the public schools, continued 
his studies in McMinnville College and in the 
University of Oregon. He remained at home 
until 1899, when he took charge of a farm of 
three hundred acres, of which he owns one hun- 
dred and fifty acres. Flere he carries on general 
farming and fruit-raising, and upon his farm he 
has seven thousand prune and apple trees. This 



is one of the best fruit farms in his portion of the 
state, and Mr. Galloway is regarded as a leading 
agriculturist, whose practical and progressive 
methods are bringing to him good returns. The 
place is pleasantly located about four miles north- 
west of McMinnville, and is supplied with all 
modern equipments found upon a model farm of 
the twentieth century. 

Socially Mr. Galloway is connected with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the 
United Artisans, and he exercises his right of 
franchise in support of the men and measures of 
the Democracy. In June, 1902, he was elected 
upon the Democratic ticket to represent his dis- 
trict in the state legislature, and is now the 
youngest member of that body, but his ability is 
not limited by his years, and his interest in the 
welfare of his state is deep and sincere. Such, in 
brief, is his life history. In whatever relation of 
life we find him, in the government service, in 
political circles, in business or in social relations 
he is always the same honorable and honored 
gentleman, whose worth well merits the high re- 
gard which is uniformly extended him. 



FRANK WILSON SETTLEMIER. Among 
the representative young men of Woodburn, F. 
W. Settlemier stands among the leaders, both in 
business and social affairs. He is the son of a 
much respected pioneer, J. H. Settlemier, the 
founder of Woodburn, and grandson of George 
Settlemier, a pioneer of 1847, wno started the first 
nursery in Marion county. Though young in 
years the subject of this review has established a 
reputation for his ability to carry on the business 
established by his father, and since his early 
youth has grown into the business, working with 
his father until January 1, 1892, at which time 
he succeeded to the entire business. Since as- 
suming control he has established a department 
of landscape gardening, excelled by few in the 
state. A native son, Mr. Settlemier was born 
August 18, 1873, and educated in the common 
schools of Marion county, after which he entered 
and was graduated from the Portland Business 
College, in 1890. As a boy, he impressed his 
father and others with his natural thrift and busi- 
ness methods ; that he has more than merited 
this confidence is apparent to all who are familiar 
with the steady growth of the business, and who 
appreciate the value of the stock sent out from 
the nurseries conducted by him. This, the oldest 
nursery in the state of Oregon, does a large 
wholesale business with all points west of the 
Mississippi river, and as far south as Texas. 
Mr. Settlemier takes orders for landscape gar- 
dening in all parts of the northwest. Some of 
his work is shown in his native county, a notice- 
able example being the grounds of the capitol at 




ff.&fUxSK 



P< >R IK AIT AND BI< (GRAPHICAL REG >UD. 



005 



which were laid out by him. He lias also 
^reat demand for his work in the city of 
!. Aside from hi> occupation and busi- 
res, he takes an active interest in the up- 
Iding of liis native city, and is accounted one 
~ niblic-spirited citizens. In politics a Re- 
n, he lias held several local offices. He lias 
,r been an aspirant for official recognition, 
dtions he has filled have been tendered 
Ins wortn as a citizen. He is a stock- 
der and director of the Bank of YVoodburn, 
cted cashier, serving for two years, 
During the Spanish-American war he 
as recruiting officer, and took an active 
•est in (he advancement of the canse. March 
8 B he became second lieutenant of 
npany 11. Second Regiment, Oregon Xa- 
jonal Guard, and upon the organization of 
npany D, Fourth Regiment. Oregon Xa- 
il Guard, was elected second lieuten- 
ant, and December 13. 1902, was elected first 
lieutenant of same. He was a charter member of 
both Company H and Company D : is a member 
dbum Lodge Xo. 106, A. F. & A. M., of 
which he i- secretary ; high priest of \V00dburn 
Chapter Xo. 29. R. A. M. ; De Molay Command- 
Salem Xo. 5 ; Oregon Consistory, A. A. 
R., of Portland': Al Kader Temple, Mystic 
Shrine. A. A. O. X. M. S.. and member of B. P. 
' >. F.. Salem Lodge Xo. 336. 

May 11, 1896. in Salem. Ore., he was united 

in marriage with Miss Mabel Janes, who was 

born in Humboldt. Cal.. and a daughter of Jo- 

h T. and Caroline (Geer) Janes, the latter a 

ative of Oregon and a sister of ex-Gov. T. T. 

r. Mr. Janes came to Oregon at an earlv 

day. and is now serving as warden at the state 

penitentiary at Salem. 



WILLIAM PORTER ELMORE. Xo one 
nan wields a greater financial, social and moral 
influence in the city of Brownsville, Linn 
county, than William Porter Elmore, now in- 
dependent -through many years of successful 
application in the stock business, now the pres- 
ident of the Bank of Brownsville, a minister 
i the Baptist Church, and a prominent and 
successful man in the Prohibition party. The 
advance of Mr. Elmore along the lines that 
have made him one of the first men of his city 
lue solely to his own efforts, and he has 
won the esteem and confidence of all with 
whom he has come in contact. William Porter 
Elmore was born in Jefferson countv. Term., 
February 4, 1850. the "youngest child 'and on!v 
s-.n of the two children which blessed the 
union of his parents. Calvin, a native of the 
same locality in which AYilliam P. was born, 
and Sarah, also of Tennessee. The mother 



was a daughter of Andrew (lalbraith, a native 
01' the south, who engaged in farming in Ten- 
nessee. IK' was a member ai the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and was very active in the 
work, being a class leader and local preacher. 
I le died in Tennessee in [86l, over eighty years 
old. 

His father being a farmer, William Forter 
Elmore was reared to that life, engaging at ten 
years of age in heavy work, on account of the 
death of his father in 1854, at thirty-four years 
of age. I Lis education was received in the 
common schools of his native state, and Maurv 
Academy at Dandridge, Tenn., at the age of 
eighteen years giving his youth and strength 
to the support of his mother and sister, on his 
mother's farm. In 1873 be became a fireman 
on what is now known as the Southern Rail- 
way, but not caring for the roving life of a 
trainman he returned to Dandridge after three 
years and entered upon a clerkship in a general 
merchandise establishment in that city. In the 
spring of 1878 this employment was given up 
and he came west, settling three miles west of 
Brownsville, Linn county, Ore., where he 
worked on a farm. dAvo years later he rented 
a farm two miles east of the city, and there re- 
mained until 1882, when he changed his loca- 
tion to eastern Oregon, there engaging in 
sheep-raising, which proved a profitable em- 
ployment for his energy and industry. In 1888 
he returned to Brownsville and engaged in 
farming for two years, when he located in the 
city, purchasing the controlling interest in the 
Bank of Brownsville. He became very influ- 
ential in the affairs of the communitv. In 1894 
he was elected a director of the bank, which 
was followed by his election as president in 
1900. In addition to this interest he is also 
manager of the lands entrusted to the Security- 
Savings & Trust Company. 

Mr. Elmore was married in Brownsville to 
Vis. Louisa (Brown") Carolin, who was born 
near here, the daughter of Hugh Leper Brown. 
The latter was a native of Tennessee, wdio 
crossed the plains in 1846 and located near the 
present location of Brownsville, in which he 
was the first merchant, and from which the 
town has taken its name. In addition to being 
a successful man in business affairs, Mr. Brown 
was a prominent man in politics. As a Demo- 
crat he served two terms in the state legisla- 
ture, where he ably represented the people 
who had honored him with their support. A 
great misfortune marred the enjoyment of his 
later days, he having been afflicted with blind- 
ness for ten years before his death, though his 
sight had been failing for twenty years. He 
died in January, 1888. lacking but a few days 
of being seventy-eight years old. Mr. Elmore 



6U6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was appointed administrator of the estate of 
Mr. Brown. To Mr. and Mrs. Elmore have 
been born two children, William Calvin, who 
is still at home with his parents ; Libby Mover, 
who is now deceased. A stepson, Matthew C. 
Carolin, is a farmer near Brownsville. Frater- 
nally, Mr. Elmore is a member of the Society 
of United Artisans. Politically he is a stanch 
adherent of Prohibition principles, and has 
served his party in many ways. He has served 
two terms as mayor of the city, during the sec- 
ond, in 1896, making the town non-license, his 
greatest effort having been given to the ad- 
ministration of public affairs without the reve- 
nue derived from saloons. He was successful, 
and at the end of his term had $400 in the city 
treasury, and the town was in excellent condi- 
tion. He has also been a member of the city 
council several years, lending his intelligence 
and earnestness of purpose to the carrying out 
of all worthy movements in the best interest of 
the public. In 1892 he was elected to the state 
legislature, where he served one term, during 
which session he served on the engrossing 
committee, manufacturing committee, and the 
committee to visit and report on the public 
works of the state. He is a member of the 
national committee of the Prohibition party, 
having been a delegate to the national conven- 
tion. At the regular election of 1900 and at 
the special election in June, 1903, he was his 
party's candidate for member of congress, and 
in 1902 he was a joint candidate for senator. 
In religion Mr. Elmore is a Baptist, and in 
1897 was ordained a minister in the Missionary 
Baptist Church, and is now pastor of the 
churches located at Holley and Providence. 
He is moderator of the Central Baptist Asso- 
ciation, also vice-president of the Baptist State 
Convention, and a member of the board of 
managers of the state convention. Much of 
Mr. Elmore's wealth finds its way into the 
channels of the church, giving constantly to 
the demands and needs of the religious organ- 
ization of which he is a member, and he has 
also given much toward the upbuilding and 
growth of the various colleges of the Willa- 
mette valley, making his name one to be re- 
membered as that of a great factor in the 
march of progress in the west. 



FRANK SULLY. Though his ancestry is 
traced back to a little island country where great 
farms are not the possessions of the many, Frank 
Sully has shown by his success in the farming 
line that nature would have been disappointed 
had he not turned his attention to agricultural 
lines. Born in Nottingham, England, January 
II, 1806, James Sully, the father, spent thirty- 



four years of his life among English sights and 
sounds, engaged for some time in the hosiery 
business, to which he had been apprenticed in his 
youth. Some years after his marriage with Miss 
Ann Moss, who was born in Derbyshire, Eng- 
land; December 31, 1814, he gave up the old life 
that was necessarily very dear to him, and for the 
sake of his family he emigrated to the United 
States, landing in New York city, where he made 
his home for some time, his first move in the new 
country being to Elizabethtown, N. J. Here he 
secured employment as a bookkeeper, caring for 
his little family in the generous way to which 
they were accustomed. In 1846 the family re- 
moved to Canton, 111., and here Frank Sully was 
born August 12 of the same year. In that city 
his father remained for nine years, entering suc- 
cessfully the mercantile life, but in 1855 going to 
the city of Minneapolis, Minn., engaging again 
as a bookkeeper, in which work he was more than 
ordinarily successful. In that city he passed the 
remainder of his life, gaining a prominent place 
among the citizens of the city, through his in- 
terest and activity in public affairs. For eight 
years he had charge of the Board of County Com- 
missioners as chairman, discharging his duties 
intelligently and ably, and when he at last retired 
from active life he was missed in the circles 
where his associates had been wont to call upon 
him, sure of his support. He died in 1877, his 
wife outliving him by seventeen years. Eight 
children were born to them : James, deceased ; 
Ellen M., wife of Lucius Babcock ; Annie, Mrs. 
Fillmore ; Sophia, deceased ; Frank ; Mary, de- 
ceased ; Elizabeth, who died in infancy ; and Hat- 
tie, Mrs. Crafts. 

Though his earliest recollections of his father 
are those connected with his mercantile life, and 
every year of his youth being spent in a city, all 
combined could not take from Frank his intense 
love of broad fields and deep, green forests, and 
when he started out in the world for himself he 
instinctively turned his footsteps toward the 
country lands. His early education had been re- 
ceived in the common schools of Minnesota, and 
with his quick, bright intellect he could soon have 
earned a high place in the city where he was 
reared, but preferred, instead, to win it through 
the medium of the farming ways. At fifteen 
years he was almost entirely self-supporting, 
working at lumbering along the Mississippi and 
St. Croix rivers. In 1869 he was able to pur- 
chase land, with a view to farming for himself, 
and he settled upon a farm near Glencoe, McLeod 
county, Minn., where he remained for twelve 
years. At the close of this period he was at- 
tracted by the glowing tales of the west to go to 
Oregon, settling in Yamhill county,, where he 
engaged in teaming in McMinnville. After one 
year of this business he went back to the country, 



PORTRAIT WD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i;o7 



.i farm two nub cast of McMinnville, 
c for two years, and going from there 
Ik county, where lie spent another two 
- n rented property near tin town of McCoy. 
to Vamhill county lie located four 
of McMinnville. having seen enough 
know the wisdom of his choice of a 
•r a permanent home. 
Sull\ now owns two hundred and fifteen 
: finely improved property just out of 
McMinnville, in which town he has built a beau- 
- dence, where lie makes his home, super- 
ing the farm, enjoying thereby the joys of 
ntry life and tlie conveniences of the city. 
ember 19, 1867, occurred his marriage with 
a Peck, who was horn near Jackson, .Mich., 
March [3, 1849, and of this union four children 
rn, two son- and two daughters, three of 
whom are living: Marian, wife of H. C. Patty; 
fames, deceased; Guy L.. and Hope. A Repub- 
n in politics, Mr. Sully does not aspire to po- 
,il honors, though he does his duty as a citi- 
having served as road supervisor and in va- 
school offices, and with his wide thought 
the deep spirit of patriotism that controls his 
in, he is a much-valued member of the com- 
munity. 



W. S. HOUCK, who is controlling an exten- 
sive and profitable warehouse business, and is 
ged in shipping grain and potatoes, 
e to the northwest from the Mississippi val- 
ley, his birth having occurred in Buckley, Iro- 
tinty. 111., June 19. 1873. His father, 
y Houck, is a native of Ohio, and the 
grandfather, John Houck. was born in that state, 
whence he removed to Illinois, where he spent 
-: days. The father engaged in farming in 
lis county until 1875, when he came to ( )re- 
on, settling in McMinnville. He now has a 
farm one mile east of the city, where he is suc- 
illy engaged in carrying on agricultural pur- 
suits. He is a member of the board of trustees 
the < 'regon Fire Relief Association. His wife. 
\vh<, bore the maiden name of Ella Snapp. was 
iiorn in Iroquois county. 111., and at a very early- 
age was left an orphan. By her marriage she 
ecame the mother of five children, and the fam- 
y circle still remains unbroken by the hand of 
death. 

W. S. Iloijck, the second in order of birth and 
the only son. was but two years of age when the 
family came to Oregon, and here he was reared, 
beginning his education at the usual age of six 
and completing it by a high school course, 
being graduated in the class of 1890. His school 
days ended, he then entered business life as an 
employe in the warehouse of M. B. Hendricks. 
He worked at the humble duty of sewing sacks, 



but gradually he was advanced until he became 
the bookkeeper. lie remained with that house 
Until June. [899, when he started in the ware- 
house business for himself, becoming a member 
of the linn of Christenson & Houck. They pur- 
chased the old Grange warehouse and engaged in 
the grain and commission business, dealing in 
grain and also in hay, potatoes and wool. The 
partnership was maintained until ujoo. when Mr. 
Houck purchased Mr. Christenson's interest and 
continued alone until the following year, when he 
admitted A. J. Houck to a partnership under the 
firm style of Houck & Houck. They have one 
large building, 100x80 feet, on the line of the 
Southern Pacific railroad, and a river warehouse, 
40x60 feet. They also rent the old Hendricks 
warehouse, which is 60x80 feet, and is completely 
filled with hay. They likewise utilize the old 
Methodist Episcopal Church, which has been con- 
verted into a warehouse, and is 20x40 feet. The 
firm buys and ships wheat, oats, ha)' and pota- 
toes on an extensive scale, the last-named product 
being largely sent to the south. In 1901 their 
shipment to El Paso, Tex., amounted to thirty- 
seven carloads, while seventeen carloads were 
sent to Phoenix, Ariz., and large shipments to 
other places. They buy all over their state, and 
their business furnishes an excellent market to 
the producers. They also do a large and profit- 
able business in the shipment of hay and straw, 
and annually make extensive purchases of wool, 
which they ship to Portland. Thus the business 
has constantly grown until it has taken a place in 
the front rank of similar enterprises in this por- 
tion of the country. 

In McMinnville, in 1893, Mr. Houck was 
united in marriage to Miss Sophia Okerson, a 
native of Michigan, and they now have one child, 
Elvin. Mrs. Houck is a most estimable lady, 
and holds membership with the Baptist Church. 
Fraternally, Mr. Houck is a representative of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, has held all 
of the offices of the local lodge, and has been sent 
as a delegate to the Grand Lodge. His political 
support is given to the Republican party, and as 
every true American citizen should do, he keeps 
Well informed on the issues of the day, but has 
never sought office as a reward for party fealty, 
his attention being given to his commercial in- 
terests. Although yet a young man, he has at- 
tained success that many an older man might well 
envy, and in the control of his affairs has mani- 
fested keen discrimination, sound judgment and 
unfaltering diligence. 



SAMUEL ROBERTS. Five hundred and 
eighty acres of the most desirable farming land 
in Yamhill count}- is owned and managed by 
Samuel Roberts, upon whose meadows graze in 



608 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



contentment all manner of fine stock. Six acres 
are devoted to hops, and besides many marketable 
commodities are raised in large amounts. Two 
hundred acres are under cultivation, and the gen- 
eral aspect of things around the farm indicates a 
continuous effort for the best in agricultural ad- 
vancement. Mr. Roberts was born in Tippecanoe 
county, Ind., February 16, 1837, and is a son of 
Henry and' Diana (De Hart) Roberts, who had 
also the following children : Vincent, a miner in 
the state of Washington ; Jacob, a farmer of The 
Dalles ; Phoebe, the wife of William Laughlin, of 
North Yamhill ; Christopher, a farmer of Idaho ; 
Erastus, deceased, and Albert. Through a for- 
mer marriage with a Miss Harrison, Henry Rob- 
erts had two children, of whom Abraham is de- 
ceased, and William lives near North Yamhill. 
Mr. Roberts came to Oregon in the train of Capt. 
Joe Watts in 1848, and the following year went 
down into California to work in the mines. After 
a year's rather unsuccessful effort he determined 
to go back to farming, and thereupon took up the 
donation claim upon which his son is now con- 
ducting large operations. Here the balance of his 
life was spent, and he had the satisfaction of real- 
izing that his adopted state had yielded him fair 
returns for industry and sober business judg- 
ment. 

A year after starting out on his own respon- 
sibility, at the age of eighteen, Samuel Roberts 
enlisted in the Cayuse war as a private, and 
served with credit and courage during this mo- 
mentous conflict. After the war he worked for 
three months as a teamster, and thereafter was 
variously employed until settling, at the age of 
twenty-four, on the claim formerly owned by his 
father. The farm was not a gift, but was bought 
from his sire, and to the improvement of it he has 
devoted all the intervening years. In 1858 Mr. 
Roberts married Sarah Griffin, and of this union 
there have been born three children : Cyrenus, 
living near his father ; Pierce, living at home ; 
and H. W., also at home. Mr. Roberts is a Dem- 
ocrat in politics, and has served as road super- 
visor for one term, and as school director for a 
number of years. He is one of the intelligently 
progressive and substantial farmers of Yamhill 
county, and his personal characteristics have won 
the respect and confidence of all who know him. 



GEORGE R. JOHNSON. The family of 
which George R. Johnson is a worthy representa- 
tive is enrolled among the pioneer arrivals of 
1852, that terrible year made memorable by the 
cholera scourge which devastated the plains, and 
laid low the hopes and ambitions of many a hardy 
traveler. In the success with which he is con- 
ducting his agricultural and stock-raising enter- 
prise in Yamhill county, Mr. Johnson emulates 



the example of his emigrating father, William K. 
Johnson, familiarly known as Black Hawk John- 
son. 

William R. Johnson was born in Ohio, April 2, 
1824, his father, Richard Johnson, of Irish par- 
entage, having been born on the ocean while his 
parents were emigrating to America. Richard 
Johnson was reared in Ohio, and through his 
marriage with Milbrey Graves, a native of North 
Carolina, reared seven children, five of whom arc 
living, and of whom William R. was the third 
oldest. This son was reared in the wilds of In- 
diana, to which his parents removed at an early 
day, and after his removal to Arkansas married 
Delphine D. Steward, daughter of John Steward, 
an old-time resident of the Hoosier state. They 
had ten children, five of whom are now living : 
Mrs. Alice G. Stallcop, Mrs. L. H. Messinger, 
Agnes, George R., and Katherine. March 24, 
1852, Mr. Johnson, with his family and mother, 
started across the plains with the usual equip- 
ment of ox teams and wagons, and though trav- 
eling most of the way alone with his family, 
escaped much of the deprivation and disaster 
which overtook many searchers after western 
advantages. Arriving in Yamhill county after a 
comparatively pleasant journey, in which hunt- 
ing and fishing furnished the principal diversions, 
Mr. Johnson settled on a claim of three hundred 
and twenty acres near Carlton, a portion of which 
is now owned by his son, George R. There was 
no village of McMinnville at that time, but there 
were a few ambitious settlers, among them Dr. 
McBride, W. L. Adams, James McGinnis, Dr. 
Sitton, and Zebediah Shelton. Having no money 
with which to start in the west, he borrowed 
money at three per cent, and by industry and 
close application to business was soon able to 
clear any indebtedness encountered in the early 
days. At first the family kept house in a small 
log cabin, but this was eventually replaced by 
one of the best houses in the county. In time Mr. 
Johnson became one of the very large land own- 
ers in Yamhill county, his home farm compris- 
ing seven hundred acres of the best land any- 
where around, besides several large tracts in dif- 
ferent parts of the state. 

On a portion of the claim of Mr. Johnson was 
erected the first school-house in this section, 
around which clustered many memories of the 
old days, and which at present presents a patri- 
archal and solemn appearance. Where now the 
nocturnal owl rears his young and mournfully 
salutes the night, some of the most prominent up- 
builders of the county met daily after long jour- 
neys from their respective homes, to devour such 
knowledge as was dispensed in the rudely con- 
structed school. Mr. Johnson and his neighbors 
met in the early part of 1861 and hewed and split 
the logs for the school-house, and the first teacher 





^*-^e^ /f, { 




PORTRAIT WD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



611 



aws n, afterward a practicing law- 

i. Among the pupil.-- about this time 

ami Franklin Stout, John Bunn, the 

loghs, former United States Senator Mc- 

Judge Thomas McBride, Jason Peters, 

• ns, the Sittons, the three oldest daugh- 

O. II. Adams, and enough more to make 

ag< of sixty-five pupils. In the 

- >f time the old building became inadequate 

its needs and a new school was constructed 

t a mile to the north. Xo longer an eduea- 

1 institution, the log house became a shelter 

families, among them Nathaniel Win- 

. who lived there with his wife ami four 

children. The wife falling ill unto death, the 

i became discouraged and lost his mind, 

ami. imagining that all sorts of danger hung over 

mitted suicide by hanging himself in 

ik grove nearby. Investigation proved that 

« ran in his family, his brother and mother 

having been committed for mental derangement. 

Thus the peaceful old school-house was the scene 

of a tragedy, with which its history will ever be 

nnected. 

The first wife of Mr. Johnson died in 1869, 
in 1882 he was united in marriage with 
Mary Shumway. a native of Wasco county, Ore., 
and daughter of Aurora Shumway, a highly re- 
nted Oregon pioneer. By this union two 
ers. Lulu and Willie, were born. Mr. 
1 was a Republican in politics, but aside 
11 the formality of casting his vote, took no 
particular interest in politics. He took a keen 
terest in die Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
f which he was a member in good stand- 
r many years. He died on the old home- 
S ptember 10. 1901. 
I 1 irge R. Johnson is a native son of Yamhill 
ountv. and was born on the paternal claim May 
1865, the second youngest of the children of 
s father's first marriage. At the age of twenty- 
be started out to farm on his own responsi- 
bility, and in 1893 went to Jackson county, Ore., 
Iiere he became interested in mining and pros- 
pecting. At the expiration of four years, during 
which time he became the possessor of large min- 
ing interests, he returned to Yamhill county, and 
n 1898 availed himself of the mining chances in 
-ka. near White Horse Rapids. He took a 
? claims in this region, but soon after sold 
them, and while in the far north worked as a 
driver on a tramway, and also broke in horses for 
the tramway company. Returning to Yamhill 
county in 1898. somewhat disenchanted with the 
north . he located on the home place, and has since 
made this his home. He owns fifty acres of the 
final donation claim, and makes his home in 
the old house. Twenty-five acres are under cul- 
tivation, and general farming and stock-raising 
are engaged in. Mr. Johnson is variously inter- 



ested in affairs in the county, and like his father, 
is a Republican in politics, although he is inter- 
ested only SO far as securing the election of good 
men is concerned. Formerly he was associated 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but 
has been demitted. He is one of the substantial 
and reliable Oregonians who may be depended on 
to further the best interests of their community, 
and a continuation of his present success is be- 
yond the question of doubt. 



JAMES McKAY. Though the old pioneers 
are surely passing away from the scenes of their 
earl}- labors in Oregon, their memory is one 
that will outlast the passage of time. Deeds, 
not words, was the heritage which they left to 
the present generation, the evidence of their 
earnest, self-sacrificing lives scattered through- 
out the length and breadth of the state and in- 
suring them a place in the hearts of those who 
live and profit by the success of their efforts. 
James McKay, a man to be named among the 
first pioneers of the state, is remembered as one 
who came to the west with earnest purpose and 
realized his object of making a personal success 
and as well gave his best efforts toward the up- 
building of a commonwealth. Morally strong, 
honest, energetic and persevering, his was an 
influence which made a deep impression in all 
communities where he made his home, and to 
him and others of like calibre is owed a debt 
incalculable, since it affects the moral worth as 
well as financial and commercial interest of the 
country. 

James McKay was of Irish extraction, having 
been born near Belfast, April 15, 1818, the 
youngest of three children born to his parents, 
John Niel and Catherine (McKusker) McKay, 
both of whom were also natives of Ireland. The 
death of each occurred in the old home there. 
Of the children, John, Elizabeth and James, the 
last named was the only one who sought a home 
in America. He was educated in the national 
schools of Glasgow, Scotland, whence his parents 
removed shortly after his birth, and on attaining 
sufficient age he learned the trades of carpenter 
and miller. While in Dundee, working at his 
trade of ship carpenter, he was married in 1840 
to Cecelia Lawson, a native of that place, born 
November 9, 1822. She was a daughter of 
William Lawson, a prominent manufacturer of 
Dundee, and the representative of one of the old 
families of the country. Shortly after their mar- 
riage Mr. McKay brought his wife to America, 
locating first in Albany, N. Y., where he con- 
tinued to work at his trade of ship carpenter. 
Becoming interested in the pioneer possibilities 
of the middle west he -became a resident of Illi- 
nois, and locating in Joliet was soon employed 



612 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



on the canal. While in their Illinois home two 
sons, William and James, were horn to Mr. and 
Mrs. McKay. Early in 1847 Mr - McKay de- 
cided to cast in his lot with the vanguard of 
civilization in the northwest, and accordingly 
outfitted with ox-teams and various necessities 
for the long journey across the plains. While 
coming down the Columbia river from The 
Dalles the two children were taken ill with 
measles and died. 

On reaching Portland Mr. McKay and his 
wife remained a few days, when he went up the 
valley to St. Paul and purchased mill property 
known as the Old Mission Mill, agreeing to 
pay $8,000, a sum of money he had yet to make 
in his new home. He also became the owner of 
a section of land, a timbered tract, which fur- 
nished him with material for his saw-mill, which 
he conducted in conjunction with a flour-mill. 
The same year he went to California at the 
height of the gold excitement, and conducted a 
tavern at Sacramento until December, when he 
returned to the northwest and paid for his Ore- 
gon property with the result of his successful 
summer's work. He then entered upon an in- 
dustrious prosecution of his milling interests, 
in which occupation he remained for many years. 
While so occupied he also became interested in 
other lines, investing his surplus means prin- 
cipally in real estate, in Portland erecting the 
McKay Building, one of the modern structures 
of the city. He also owned residence properties, 
and at one time had in his possession the south- 
west corner of Yamhill and Fourth streets. 
That Mr. McKay was successful in the accom- 
plishment of his personal object is shown in 
the quantity and quality of the property which 
he accumulated. He owned at the time of his 
death three farms, business and residence prop- 
erty in Portland, and business property at The 
Dalles, the whole being the result of his own 
earnest application and persevering efforts. 

After becoming residents of Oregon eight 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McKay, 
of whom two, twins in birth, died in early in- 
fancy, unnamed. Those remaining are as fol- 
lows : William R., now living near St. Paul ; 
Mary, who resides in Portland; John N., who 
owns the old home at St. Paul ; Kate, wife of 
John McCormick, living near Woodburn ; James, 
who died in early childhood ; and Cecelia, wife 
of John Kirk, of St. Paul, Ore. The wife of 
Mr. McKay died upon the old home place, June 
13, 1870. As a Christian mother, wife and friend 
she possessed in a remarkable degree those at- 
tributes which endeared her to all who knew 
her and made her an honor and an ornament 
to society. Mr. McKay . remained there until 
1886, when he gave up his lifework in St. Paul 



and removed to Portland, where his death oc- 
curred August 29, 1898. 

With the passing away of Mr. McKay was 
lost to Oregon a man of unusual worth. Though 
of a retiring disposition and always inclined to 
spend his leisure at home, he was still a broad- 
minded citizen, interested in the welfare of citv 
and state. He gave his vote and support to the 
Democratic party, though he was never active 
in political affairs. In religion he was a mem- 
ber of the Roman Catholic Church, and was al- 
ways a liberal contributor to church and all 
charitable enterprises, as well as giving a hearty 
support to the schools of the country. Upright 
and honorable, with a clean record, it is just that 
his memory should live to those for whom he 
helped to form the commonwealth of Oregon. 



LEWIS S. HUTT, living on a farm one and 
a half miles east of North Yamhill, is a native son 
of this county, was was born November 2, 1865. 
His father, Thomas B. Hutt, was born in Pike 
county, Mo., September 12, 1821, his mother, 
Rachel (Laughlin) Hutt, being also a native of 
Pike county, and born December 26, 1826. The 
parents were married in Missouri, and soon after, 
in 1847, started over the plains with ox teams, 
and by a mere providential chance escaped being 
members of the ill-fated Whitman party. With- 
out particular incident they accomplished the 
long and tedious journey, and in 1848 the father 
took up a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres of land, where he farmed and raised 
stock for the remainder of his life, his death 
occurring on the home place, July 13, 1876. His 
wife, who died in Walla Walla, Wash., July 12, 
1 90 1, having in the meantime married H. Bar- 
ney, was the mother of ten children, three of 
whom are living. Of these, Jane is the wife of 
Frank M. Bridgefarmer, a farmer of Idaho ; and 
Sarah, Mrs. Flett, resides in Wapato. Thomas 
B. Hutt was a very successful man, and among 
the pioneer troubles with which he had to con- 
tend were the Indian wars, in which he par- 
ticipated in a most creditable manner as lieuten- 
ant. Under Captain Hembree, later killed by the 
Indians, and supplanted by Captain Lee, he 
served throughout the war of 1855-56. 

At the age of eighteen Lewis S. Hutt removed 
from the paternal farm near Yamhill to Walla 
Walla, Wash., his mother and step-father accom- 
panying him. In North Yamhill, November 4. 
1 891, he married Frances Blackburn, a native of 
Marion county, whose father, A. Blackburn, was 
born in England. Mr. Hutt continued to live 
near Walla Walla until 1897, and then returned 
to the home taken up by his father, which has 
since been his special charge. He owns three 
hundred and twenty acres near Walla Walla, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



613 



. anil one hundred acres in North Yamhill, 
he engages in general farming, raising 
. i stent, and carries on dairying on 
Hie old homo occupied by his 
. ■■ the long ago still shelters his interest- 
family, comprising his wife and four 
l\, \ erle R., Sylvia 1'., ami Le- 
Mr. I hut is interested in educational 
means of progress, and as a school 
- contributed his share towards im- 
he prevailing school conditions. Ever 
• 'ir>t voting days ho has affiliated with 
blican party. Inn the honors of office 
never justified him in neglecting his home 
triving tor their conference on him- 



CHRISTIAN OBYE. Near North Yamhill 
seen the tine farm of Christian Obye. who 
■ rn in Norway seven miles from Chris- 
lia, his natal day being February 13, 1835. 
- father. Lars ( )bye, was also a native of that 
ditv, and throughout his entire life he carried 
cultural pursuits. In the year 1845 lie 
> \merica. induced to this step by the 
rable reports which he had heard concerning 
l new world and its opportunities. He took 
■ m a sailing vessel, and after a calm voy- 
\eeks landed in New York City. He 
did not tarry long in the east, however, but at 
e made his way into the interior of the coun- 
try, locating in Jo Daviess county, 111. There he 
purchased a tract of land and engaged in farming 
1 his life's labors were ended in death. He 
married Miss Katherine Washburn, who was also 
a native of Norway, and they became the parents 
Ive children, nine sons and three daugh- 
5, but the only ones now living are Benjamin, 
a resident of Lake City, Iowa ; and Chris- 
tian, who is the youngest of the family. The par- 
1 mbers of the Lutheran Church and 
k a very active part in church work, doing all 
in their power to promote the cause of Chris- 
tianity. The father died in 1854, at the age of 
eventy-four years, and the mother survived him 
for but a brief period, passing away in 1855, at 
the age of sixty-eight years. 

When thirteen years of age Christian Obye 
:t home and has since been dependent upon his 
for a livelihood. He began earning his 
own living by working as a farm hand, and after 
t time his educational privileges were very- 
meager. He had previously attended the com- 
mon schools of Illinois, but later the knowledge 
hat he acquired came to him through the school 
of experience. He continued to serve as a farm 
hand in Illinois until 1855, when, attracted by 
the business possibilities of the far west, he went 
to California by way of the isthmus route, land- 



ing at San Francisco in the fall of that year. Me 

then resumed his journey overland until he 

reached Shasta county, where he engaged in 
placer mining, but he was not very successful, 
and in consequence turned his attention to other 
interests. In 1X58 he started for the Fraser river, 
proceeding as far as Olympia, Wash. There his 
supply of money became exhausted, and because 
of his lack of funds he returned to Yamhill 
county, Ore., and soon after purchased his pres- 
ent place, comprising three hundred and thirty- 
acres of land in the Pike valley. It was then a 
tract wild and unimproved, but with character- 
istic energv he began developing it into fields 
ready for cultivation, and to-day he has one hun- 
dred and seventy-five acres under the plow. 
Thirty acres are planted to hops, for the produc- 
tion of this product is becoming one of the lead- 
ing industries of Oregon. He carries on general 
farming and stock-raising, and in his business is 
meeting with a fair degree of success. 

In i860 Mr. Obye was united in marriage to 
Miss Lucretia Turner, a daughter of Samuel 
Turner, who crossed the plains in 1853. He was 
born in De Kalb county, Mo., and became one of 
the pioneers of the northwest. The marriage of 
Mr. and Mrs. Obye was blessed with the follow- 
ing children: Lewis S., who is on the home 
farm ; J. E. and S. R, who operate an adjoining 
farm ; Mrs. Mary A. Driscoll, who is in the Klon- 
dike ; H. C, Emma V., and Nancy C, who are 
under the parental roof. The parents hold mem- 
bership in the Lutheran Church of Norway. Mr. 
Obye is a Republican in his political views, and 
has served as road supervisor, as school director, 
as clerk, and for twenty-seven years has been 
judge of elections. In all these offices he has 
been found prompt, capable and reliable, and he 
has the national characteristic of fidelity to duty 
and unflinching honesty in all relations. 



JOHN PERKINS, who came to Oregon in 
the year 1844, was born in Greene county, N. Y., 
August 21, 181 1, and in 181 7 was taken 
by his parents to Cattaraugus county, N. Y., 
where he resided continuously until 1832. In 
that year the family removed to Tippecanoe 
county. Inch, where, in 1836, John Perkins was 
united in marriage to Miss Sarah Felix. Subse- 
quently they moved to Benton county, Ind., 
where they lived until 1844, when they deter- 
mined to establish a home in the far northwest, 
thinking that by taking advantage of its pioneer 
conditions they might eventually secure a good 
home and comfortable competence. Accordingly 
they crossed the plains, accompanied by the fam- 
ilv of Mr. Perkins' father. They were upon the 
road for about six months, and endured many 
hardships, trials and difficulties during that long 



614 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



journey, which led across the hot, sanely plains 
of the middle west, and over mountains which 
hardly afforded a trail. In November, 1844, 
however, they reached Walla Walla. Mr. Per- 
kins there separated from the others of the train 
and assisted Dr. Whitman in repairing his mills 
and grinding grain for the emigrants. Mr. Per- 
kins conducted a grist-mill until the fall of 1844, 
and in the spring of 1845 came to the Willamette 
valley, locating on a farm near North Yamhill, 
where, with the exception of the time spent in a 
trip to California in 1849, ne resided continuously 
until his death. On his return to Oregon, how- 
ever, he and his father erected a saw and grist- 
mill, the first in Yamhill county.- Shortly after- 
ward Mr. Perkins purchased the property and 
ran the mills several years. In 1853 he furnished 
flour to the Spanish packers, who took the same 
to the Yreka mines of California. 

Unto Mr. Perkins and his wife were born nine 
children, of whom eight are yet living. Mr. Per- 
kins reached the age of seventy-five years, while 
his wife has attained the advanced age of eighty- 
seven years, and now resides with her daughter, 
Mrs. Bedwell. He served as county commis- 
sioner, and was a leading and influential citizen 
of his community. Local progress and improve- 
ment were causes dear to his heart, and he co- 
operated earnestly and effectively in the efforts 
to reclaim this district for civilization, and to 
carry forward the work of improvement and ad- 
vancement here. 



H. F. BEDWELL is extensively and success- 
fully engaged in general farming and hop-grow- 
ing, being a well known representative of the 
latter industry, which has become an important 
one in Oregon. He was born January 21, 1842, 
at Lone Jack, in Jackson county, Mo. His father, 
Elisha Bedwell, was born September 9, 1819, in 
Lafayette county, Mo., and April 12, 1847, before 
the discovery of gold had attracted to the Pacific 
coast so many emigrants, he made the long and 
tedious journey across the plains with ox teams, 
arriving in the northern part of Yamhill county, 
October 12, after five months spent upon the way. 
In 1848 he went to the mines of California, and 
was engaged in mining and prospecting for a 
time, but in 1849 ne returned to Oregon and 
secured a donation claim near North Yamhill, 
where he resided until 1874, when he sold tiiat 
property and removed to Monmouth, there living 
in retirement from further business cares until 
his death. He was twice married, his first union 
being with Miss S. A. Davis, by whom he had 
two children : H. F., and one that died in in- 
fancy. The mother died in Texas in 1844, and 
June 19, 1850, Mr. Bedwell was again married. 



his second union being with Miss A. M. Shelton, 
who was one of the pioneer women of the north- 
west, coming to Oregon from Missouri in 1846. 
They became the parents of ten children, two 
sons and two daughters still living. By trade 
the father was a blacksmith, and for many years 
he followed that pursuit, at the same time con- 
ducting his farm. On the 14th of April, 184S. 
he joined the Christian Church, and thereafter 
lived a life in consistent harmony with its teach- 
ings. He was a well known and popular citizen 
and an honored pioneer who took an active and 
helpful part in the work of development and 
progress here. He died at the age of seventy-six 
years, and his widow is still living in Monmouth. 

H. F. Bedwell was two years of age when his 
mother died, and he then became a member of the 
household of his maternal grandparents, who, in 
1852, also started' for Oregon, and with an ox 
team crossed the plains, being about six months 
upon the way. They first settled near North 
Yamhill, and after they came to this state our 
subject went to live with his father, with whom 
he remained until twenty-two years of age. In 
the meantime he acquired his education in the 
district schools. 

On the 31st of January, 1864, was celebrated 
the marriage of H. F. Bedwell and Miss Eliza- 
beth A. Perkins, a daughter of John and Sarah 
Perkins, who were pioneers of 1844. They began 
housekeeping upon a farm near North Yamhill, 
where they lived for fifteen years, and on the 
expiration of that period they removed to North 
Yamhill. Here Mr. Bedwell first engaged in the 
butchering business, but after a year he opened a 
general mercantile store, which he conducted for 
twenty-one years, his wife assisting him in the 
store for fifteen- years. In 1891 he retired from 
that business, and is now engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising, carrying on agricul- 
tural pursuits with excellent success. In the sea- 
son of 1902 he raised twenty-six thousand 
pounds of hops, and this brought to him a good 
financial return. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bedwell have had no children of 
their own, but the kindness of their hearts and 
their sympathetic natures have prompted them 
to care for a number of orphan children. Mr. 
Bedwell belongs to the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, and has served as treasurer of his 
lodge. More than half a century has passed 
since he became a resident of Oregon, and the 
history of the northwest is therefore largely fa- 
miliar to him, for he has seen it emerge from the 
wild forests to take its place amid the ranks of 
the states, whose development covers a much 
longer period. He has seen the giant trees cut 
down to give way to fields of waving grain or 
the rich pasture lands, has seen the establishment 
of industries and of commercial enterprises, and 





'^Z^&^JL^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



017 



in the work of progress he has borne his full 
that he is now known as a valued citi- 
s ,. ell .i> an honored pioneer. 



COL I. UNSEY H11-1-. M. D., Ph. D., one 

51 eminent physicians, surgeons and 
al writers oi the Willamette valley, has 
n a resident of Oregon since 1853, and since 
as been continuously engaged in the prac- 
of his profession in Albany, Linn county. 
torn m McNairy county. Tenn., February 
-4;. Dr. Hill inherits his love for medi- 
cine an.l surgery from his father, Dr. Reuben 
Coleman Hill. The latter was a native of Ten- 
and a descendant from an old and hon- 
I family oi the Old Dominion. He was a 
iracticing physician and a minister in the Bap- 
hurch, both of which callings he followed 
during most of his long and useful life. From 
Kentucky he removed to Tennessee when a 
roung man, and there married Margaret Gra- 
ham Lair, a native of Kentucky. Thereafter he 
continued to preach and to practice medicine for 
manv years. Eventually he removed overland 
Berrj county, Mo., where he lived for seven 
years, continuing his useful and meritorious 
labors. 

Leaving his wife and nine children, he gave 
evidence of his courage and determination bu- 
ssing the plains on the back of a mule in 1850. 
After devoting a year to mining and to preach- 
and practicing medicine in California he 
canu across the mountains to Oregon. He was 
well impressed with the conditions which he 
found in Oregon that he resolved to make it 
his home. Pending his return to his family he 
located in Albany, taught the first school estab- 
lished there, and likewise became the first phy- 
sician of the place. To the traveler of to-day, 
the distance already covered by this enterprising 
pioneer would seem quite sufficient for one life- 
time, especially when the means employed are 
considered; yet in 1852 he returned to Missouri 
in this primitive manner. 

In 1853 Dr. Hill outfitted with ox-teams and 
wagons and started overland for Oregon with 
his wife and children. After a journey of about 
six months they arrived in the Willamette val- 
lev. and soon afterward settled upon a farm in 
Benton county. For seven years he made this 
s home, practicing medicine and preaching the 
spel. Almost from the first day of his resi- 
dence in Benton county he wielded a beneficent 
influence upon the community, which spread year 
by year until, upon his location in Albany in 
i860, he had become personally known to every 
family within a radius of many miles, and was 
greatly beloved by all. He was intensely inter- 
d in McMinnville College, of which he was 



one of the founders and For many years a trus- 
tee, lie traveled extensive!} in behalf of the in- 
stitution, making one trip to the east, raising 
Funds for the furtherance of the work of the 
school. Lie founded four permanent scholar- 
ships for the benefit of his own descendants and 
worthy young men who desired to fit themselves 
for ministry in the Baptist Church. The work 
which he inaugurated has been carried on since 
his death by his son, Dr. J. L. Hill, in accord- 
ance with the wishes of his father. 

When he removed to Albany Dr. Hill took 
up his residence in the old octagonal house now 
occupied by his daughter, where he spent the 
remainder of his life in devotion to the manifold 
duties which he had imposed upon himself. He 
took an active and important part in the political 
undertakings of the county and the state, and for 
three terms, between 1850 and i860, represented 
Benton county in the state legislature. In poli- 
tics he was a Democrat, but viewed all public 
affairs with a liberal and unprejudiced eye. He 
belonged to that class of men possessed of an in- 
finite capacity for hard work, and thought noth- 
ing of riding long distances at any hour of the 
day or night, or in any kind of weather, to min- 
ister to the physical or spiritual necessities of 
the inhabitants of the valley, all of whom were 
his friends. In many respects he was of that 
type of " doctor of the old school " immortalized 
by Ian McLaren in his stories of Scotch life — 
" Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush." The great 
northwest, with its multitude of rugged, sincere, 
gracious, unselfish, useful men in all walks of 
life, probably never numbered among its pioneers 
a man who became more closely endeared to the 
people of all classes than he ; and his death at 
the age of eighty-three years, which occurred 
December 31, 1890, was as deeply deplored as 
that of any citizen of the Willamette valley. The 
record of his noble life is eminently entitled to 
a permanent and conspicuous place in the annals 
of Oregon, and, besides being a source of pro- 
found pride to his descendants, should prove an 
inspiration to representatives of the present and 
future generations. 

Of the six sons and three daughters born to 
the union of Reuben Coleman and Margaret 
(Lair) Hill, four sons and one daughter sur- 
vive, as follows: W. Lair Hill, an attorney-at- 
law, now of Oakland, Cal., who compiled the 
codes of Oregon and Washington ; George Al- 
fred Hill, an attorney-at-law of Seattle ; Dr. J. 
Linsey Hill ; H. Taylor Hill, a stock-raiser of 
Washington county, Ore. ; Margaret Adeline 
wife of Rev. Rufus Thompson, of Albany. 

Dr. J. Linsey Hill was eight years of age when 
his father returned to his eastern home from 
his first journey to the west for the purpose of 
bringing his family to Oregon with him. His- 



CIS 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



elementary education was received in the public 
schools of Albany. As a boy he had become 
familiar with typesetting and other features of 
the printer's trade, and subsequently was asso- 
ciated for a short time with T. B. Odcneal in 
the publication of the Corvallis Gazette. In 1865 
he began the study of medicine under the super- 
vision of his father, who carefully assisted him 
in laying a foundation of scientific knowledge 
which has proven an important factor in his pro- 
fessional career. In 1869 he entered the medical 
department of Willamette University, from 
which he was graduated in the spring of 1871 
with the degree of M. D. In 1900 he took a 
post-graduate course in the New York School of 
Clinical Medicine. McMinnville College con- 
ferred upon him the degree of B. A. and the 
degree of Ph D. was conferred by an eastern 
school in recognition of his contributions to the 
medical literature of the day. 

For thirty-two years Dr. Hill has been en- 
gaged in a general medical and surgical practice, 
though he has also made a specialty of mental 
and nervous diseases. He has been a frequent 
contributor to scientific journals, setting forth the 
results of his research in and experience with 
mental disorders, and his work in this direction 
has received marked attention from the profes-. 
sion in all parts of the country. He has also 
contributed profusely to local periodicals, dealing 
with subjects of immediate interest to the public. 

Since 1895 Dr. Hill has occupied the chair of 
genito-urinary diseases in the medical depart- 
ment of Willamette University, and he is sur- 
geon-general of the Uniformed Rank of the 
Knights of Pythias. During the administration 
of Governor Moody he served upon the official 
staff of the latter with the rank of colonel, his 
post being that of surgeon-general of the Oregon 
National Guard. He is past grand chancellor of 
the Knights of Pythias of the Grand Domain of 
Oregon. He was made a Mason in Lyon Lodge 
No. 27, A. F. & A. M., of Independence, and is 
a charter member of St. John's Lodge, No. 4, of 
Albany. He is also identified with the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows. 

It is doubtful if any resident of Albany has 
contributed more extensively to its development 
and its practical upbuilding than has Dr. Hill. 
The Hill Block, a fine two-story business struc- 
ture 56x100 feet in ground dimensions, is one 
of his most important undertakings in this direc- 
tion. He has erected a large number of resi- 
dences in Albany, and is the owner of several 
of the older buildings in the city, about which 
cluster historical associations of nearly half a 
century ago. Among his landed possessions are 
a farm of two hundred and fifty acres in Ben- 
ton countv, and real estate in Portland and 
Yaquina Bay. He is an enthusiastic student of 



ornithology, and has a fine collection of mounted 
birds from, ail parts of the world. He is also the 
owner of the finest museum in the Willamette 
valley, including a most complete collection of 
Indian relics and curios. 

Dr. Hill was united in marriage on December 
30, 1870, with Mary E. Penington, daughter of 
S. M. and Abigail (Cooper) Penington, pioneers 
of Oregon. (For family history see sketch of 
S. M. Penington, which appears elsewhere in 
this work.) She died on December 28, 1895, 
leaving three children. Of these Clyde L., the 
eldest son, is a doctor of dental surgery and is 
practicing in Wasco, Ore. ; Gale S. is an attor- 
ney-at-law of Albany ; and Emily G. resides 
with her father 

Dr. Hill has always led a strenuous life. In- 
heriting the characteristics which made his father 
one of the most remarkable of the pioneer in- 
habitants of Oregon, among which is a rare ca- 
pacity for work, he has made each day of his 
life one of activity and usefulness. He has 
always exhibited a deep and unselfish interest in 
all movements which have appealed to him as 
well-considered efforts to advance the material in- 
terests of the community, and by the inhabitants 
of Albany has come to be regarded as one of the 
most enterprising, discreet and public-spirited 
men of the city. No man enjoys to a greater 
extent the confidence of all classes in the com- 
munity where he has spent the better portion of 
his life, and no one deserves in a greater degree 
the appreciation of thoughtful people for that 
sympathy and help in every movement calculated 
to elevate the social, intellectual, moral and com- 
mercial standards of the city. In an eminent de- 
gree he is entitled to rank among the best class 
of thoroughly representative men of the Willam- 
ette valley. 

JOHN F. COOK, one of the great army of 
pioneers who have helped to develop the agri- 
cultural resources of Yamhill county, and who 
rose to prominence and wealth solely upon his 
own merits and indefatigable energy, was born in 
Tennessee, January 22, 1828, and died on his 
farm near McMinnville, March 30, 1899. The 
paternal grandfather, Thomas Cook, was a sol- 
died in the Revolutionary war, and spent many 
years of his life in Georgia, where his son, James, 
the father of John F., was born February 11, 
1786. He married Rhoda Faulkner, daughter of 
a soldier of the Revolution, and who bore him 
twelve children, all of whom attained maturity, 
John F. being the tenth oldest. 

Reared on his father's farm in Tennessee, 
John F. Cook in time branched out into inde- 
pendent farming, and before starting for the 
west, March 6, 1852, had a little farm to sell, 
which defrayed his expenses over the plains. 



PORTRAIT AND BI( (GRAPHICAL RED iRD. 



619 



irlier than any other trains that year, 

managed to escape the ravages of 

■a which rendered hideous the route of 

5 ekers, and he arrived in safety at 

tion in Oregon City, August i6, [852. 

jchausted his finances in outfitting and 

himself on the outward trip, he was 

seek employment with the fanners in 

unty, and during the first winter worked 

rm hand in Yamhill county. For a year he 

his luck in the mines of Eureka. Cal., and 

ik he did not strike it rich, he returned with 

.it replenished finances. For the follow- 

rs he earned about S40 per month at 

11 work in Marion county, and after returning 

1 Yamhill county, continued to lay up money 

farm work wages. In time he was in a 

n to purchase a farm of three hundred 

I twenty acres six miles southwest of Mc- 

dinnville. where he engaged in grain and 

Jc-raising. Being a good manager, and hav- 

( xcellent business judgment, he from time 

time added to his land and increased the 

lume of business, so that he left to his heirs 

more than twelve hundred acres of desirable farm 

perty. The better to educate his children he 

ought a farm of one hundred and thirty-eight 

acres near McMinnville, with the active man- 

ment of which he was engaged at the time of 

eath. 
The practical assistance of Mr. Cook was en- 
listed in all efforts to better the condition of the 
nmunity in which he lived, and he was es- 
pecially alive to the benefits of education. In 
this connection he contributed the land upon 
which the Cook school house w-as erected, and 
which has ever since borne his name. He was 
a Republican in politics, but was inclined to es- 
ouse the Prohibition platform, so earnestly did 
believe in the tenets of that party. With 
his wife he was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. December 11, i860, Mr. 
Took was united in marriage to Esther A. Pros- 
who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the daugh- 
ter of Henry Prosser. of whom more extended 
mention is made in another part of this work. 
( )f the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cook, 
Mary, the oldest daughter, is deceased ; James, 
1 graduate of McMinnville College, and of the 
Medical Department of the University of Ore- 
ion, is practicing medicine in McMinnville; 
Rhoda died at the age of three years : Wilbur is a 
fanner near McMinnville ; Etta is the wife of Rev. 
H. 1!. Blood, and lives in Xew York state; 
Royce is living with her mother; and Cora is also 
living at home. 



MRS. E. A. COOK. Among the pioneer 
women of Yamhill county whose timely assist- 
ance and unfailing spirit of courage have 



Smoothed over many rough places and helped 

to place home life in the west on a footing of 
permanency may be mentioned Mrs. E. A. Cook, 
wife of Thomas T. Cook, brother of her former 
husband, John F. Cook. 

Mrs. Cook was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and 
was reared in Iowa and Illinois until her tenth 
year, when she crossed the plains with her 
family. Her father, Henry Prosser, was born in 
Xew York state, where had settled his father, 
Philip, after coming to America from his na- 
tive England. The grandfather established the 
family in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in 
business for many years, and where his last davs 
were spent. Henry Prosser was well fortified 
with trades, having in his youth mastered both 
the tailor and painter's trades. After leaving 
Ohio he lived for five years in Burlington, Iowa, 
going then to Abingdon, 111., in both of which 
places he plied his trades. He was ambitious 
and unsettled in the middle west, and readily 
absorbed all news concerning the more prolific 
opportunities in the far northwest. Accordingly 
he outfitted with wagons and horse teams, and 
without any particular incident during the fore 
part of his journey across the plains arrived at 
Fort Laramie. There the party were enjoying 
a peaceful camp life and were partaking of an 
appetizing dinner, when they were surprised by 
the appearance on the scene of about three hun- 
dred Indians. Consternation spread among the 
travelers, for they expected to be massacred 
forthwith, but the red men proved to be upon a 
peaceful mission, and intended no harm. By 
the time they reached Fort Hall winter had set 
in, so Mr. Prosser decided to stay there until 
spring, and in the meantime worked at his trade, 
making many clothes for both Indians and whites, 
and for the people connected with the Hudson 
Bay Company. 

In the spring of 1853 Mr. Prosser brought his 
family on to Milwaukee, and June 4 bought a 
a place in Powell's valley, where he lived for 
two years. His next farm was located two miles 
from Oswego, and consisted of one hundred and 
sixtv acres, upon which he farmed and raised 
stock most successfully. Chi this claim was dis- 
covered the first iron ore found in the state of 
Oregon, and it proved to be of a particularly 
rich quality. Mr. Prosser sought relaxation from 
the cares of his farm in a trip back to his old 
home in Ohio, going by way of Panama, and 
while there he died, leaving three children to 
the care of his wife, who was formerly Mary 
Hecock, a native of Ireland. Mrs. Prosser 
who came to America with her brother, settling 
in Ohio, died in Tillamook, Ore. Of the children. 
William died in the Friendlv Islands ; Esther A. 



620 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



married Air. Cook; and George W. is postmaster 
at Oswego, Ore. 

Mrs. Cook was educated principally in the 
public schools and at Oregon City Seminary, and 
her first marriage occurred December 1 1 , 1 860, 
with John F. Cook. Mr. Cook became a large land 
owner in Yamhill county, and at the time of 
his death owned a property consisting of twelve 
hundred acres. Seven children were born 
of this marriage : Mary, who died in Yamhill 
count) - ; James, a practicing physician of Mc- 
Minnville, and a graduate of McMinnville Col- 
lege and the Medical Department of the Univer- 
sity of Oregon ; Rhoda, who died at the age of 
three years; Wilbur, who is engaged in farming 
near his mother's place ; Etta, who is the wife of 
Rev. H. B. Blood, of New York state ; Royce, 
who is living at home ; and Cora, who is also 
living with her mother. The second marriage 
of Mrs. Cook was with Thomas T. Cook, brother 
of her former husband, and who also was born 
in Tennessee. Thomas T. Cook crossed the 
plains with the rest of his family in 1852, and at 
once went to the mines of California, gradually 
making his way to the southern part of the state, 
where he became interested in horticulture. He 
improved a number of Orange groves in Cali- 
fornia, and at the time of his marriage in Feb- 
ruary, 1902, was living on an orange grove west 
of Highlands. Mrs. Cook is a member of the 
Methodist Church, and is president of the Ladies' 
Aid Society. Also she is identified with the 
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and has 
been evangelistic superintendent for many years. 
She is a woman of resource and much ability, 
and her popularity in the vicinity of McMinn- 
ville is based upon admirable traits of character, 
and fine social attributes. 



H. C. BURNS, who is engaged in the fur- 
niture and undertaking business in McMinnville, 
dates his residence in this city from 1866. He 
was born in Missouri January 26, 1851, a son of 
Harrison G. Burns, a native of West Virginia. 
The paternal grandfather died in West Virginia, 
where for many years he had practiced law and 
was well known. The father became a farmer 
and, removing to Kentucky, was there married 
to Miss Jane K. Ball, a native of that state and 
a daughter of William Ball, who was born in 
Kentucky and belonged to one of its old fam- 
ilies. Mr. and Mrs. Burns afterward removed 
to Andrew county, Mo., settling upon the farm 
which he cultivated and improved until the coun- 
try became involved in Civil war, when the troops 
invaded his place. He was a Union man and 
had sons and sons-in-law in the northern army. 
On one occasion he and his son-in-law, George 
Henry, were sitting at home when a party of 



rebels entered the house, saying that they were 
federal soldiers off guard. They then drew their 
guns and shot the son-in-law dead and severely 
wounded the father, but he managed to make his 
escape into a hemp field, where he lay in hiding 
for some time. He eventually recovered from 
his wounds and, disposing of his large landed 
interests in Missouri, came to Oregon in 1866, 
accompanied by his family. Settling in .Mc- 
Minnville he established a general mercantile 
store here which he conducted successfully for 
some time, but his last eight years were spent in 
retirement from labor. His death occurred in 
Salem October 19, 1894, and his wife died in 
McMinnville in 1884. In their family were thir- 
teen children, nine of whom reached adult age, 
while three are still living. H. C. Burns, how- 
ever, is the only one now upon the coast. His 
brother, Harrison G., died in Oregon when a 
young man. Another brother, David D. Burns, 
who was a member of the Thirteenth Missouri 
in the Civil war, was captured at Lexington, Ky., 
by General Price. He afterward escaped but was 
captured a second time at Glasgow by the same 
rebel leader. He was in active service until the 
time of his second capture, but he was never 
exchanged. Mr. Burns also had three brothers- 
in-law who were in the army. 

For fifteen years H. C. Burns remained upon 
the home farm in the state of his nativity, re- 
ceiving but limited educational privileges, be- 
cause of the war which made the continuance 
of schools in his locality impossible. In 1866 
the family came to Oregon by way of the Pana- 
ma route, San Francisco and Portland, arriving 
in McMinnville in May. The son afterward had 
the privilege of attending the Baptist College at 
McMinnville for a few years, and at the same 
time, during his leisure hours and the periods 
of vacations, he assisted his father in the store. 
In 1872 he was married and then began farming 
ten miles south of McMinnville, where he carried 
on the work of tilling the soil until 1890, when he 
sold out and located in the city. He then pur- 
chased the furniture and undertaking stock of 
Mrs. Fellows and has since engaged in this line 
of business. In 1899 he erected a fine two-story 
brick building 30x125 feet. He now deals quite 
extensively in furniture of all grades and is also 
an embalmer and funeral director and has the 
oldest business of the kind in the county. In 
the furniture department he has an extensive 
and well-selected stock and his earnest desire to 
please his patrons, combined with straightfor- 
ward business methods, has secured to him a 
large and growing trade. 

Mr. Burns was married in McMinnville in 1872 
to Miss Mary L. Payne, who was born in Yam- 
hill county, a daughter of Caleb J. Payne, who 
came from the Mississippi valley to Oregon in 



POP IK \i f WD BIOGRAPHICAL REG IRD. 



623 



days ami began fanning here in [849. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bums were born three chil- 

Annie, the wife of II. R. Bills, of Union 

Ore.; Jennie, who died at the age of 

LMi years; and William Hollis, who is with 

father in business. 

Burns is now serving for the second term 
1 member of the cit) council of McMinnville 
- a member of the committee that drew 
p the now city charter in 1902. He has always 
n an earnest Democrat and has long been 
ember oi the county committee, while for 
uccessive years he was its chairman, lie 
- to the hoard of trade, is connected with 
Ige and endowment rank of the Knights of 
Pythias, holds membership with the Woodmen 
the World and belongs to the Methodist Epis- 
opal Church. His is a well rounded character. 
IK 5 g od practical common sense, add- 

ed to keen business ability, a pleasant manner 
and cordial disposition. Such qualities have made 
him popular and Mr. Burns is well liked by young 
ami old, rich and poor. 



PETER HUME. For a great many years 
the name of Peter Hume has been identified 
with the commercial and political development 
oi Brownsville and Linn county, and for the 

- thirty-five years he has been a prominent 
and familiar figure at Republican conventions. 
The early life of this prosperous northwest- 
erner was spent in Nova Scotia, where he was 
lorn on the Isle of Cape Breton, August 16, 

. >. and where his family name was asso- 
ciated with large lumbering and ship-building 
His paternal great-grandfather, 
Peter, of Scotch descent, lived at one time in 
Maine, where was born the grandfather, Peter, 
the founder of the family in New Brunswick 
and Nova Scotia. Reaching the latter country 
ibout 1815. he engaged in lumbering and ship- 
building, and in his clay was a veritable lumber 
king, owning much timber land and many 
ships. In an unfortunate hour he built a ship, 
loaded it with lumber for the English market, 
but after setting sail nothing was ever hear.] 
of sbip or crew or owner. The lumber king 
had left his business in good hands, however, 
for. while yet a youth, his son George, the 
father of Peter, had been trained in the various 
departments of the trade, and for several years 
before the departure upon the sea of the old 
ship-builder. George Hume had practically 
managed the enterprise. He was born in either 
Maine or New Hampshire, and was engaged 
in lumbering and ship-building almost up to 
the time of his death, at the age of sixty'. Pie 
married Christy McKay, who was born in 



Scotland, daughter of Donald McKay, and 
who bore him the following children: Cassic 
deceased ; John, living in Australia; Mary, liv- 
ing at Reading, near Boston, Mass.; Peter; 
George, in New York City; Annie, living in 
Nova Scotia; David, engaged in mining in 
Alaska; Donald, a sea-faring man; Sarah, liv- 
ing in Oakland, Cal. ; Joseph, a resident of 
Brownsville, and Maggie, living in Olympia. 

In Nova Scotia Peter Hume had small op- 
portunity for acquiring an education, for as 
early as fourteen years of age he apprenticed 
to a carriagemaker for four years, and, in 1858, 
began a similar apprenticeship to a house- 
painter. In 1862 he came to Oregon via New 
York, the Isthmus of Panama and San Fran- 
cisco, and the following year, in 1862, he went 
to British Columbia, located at Nanaimo, 
where he worked in the mines, and at house- 
painting and paper-hanging. The year 1863 
found him seeking for gold in the great Cari- 
boo mines in northern British Columbia, and, 
in 1867, he returned to Oregon, locating at 
Brownsville. For some time he worked at his 
trade and became much interested in the po- 
litical agitations then rife throughout the 
northwest, little realizing at the time the prom- 
inence he was to attain in the community. In 
1872 he engaged in the general merchandise 
business with the late W. R. Kirk, but sold his 
interest in 1876, and engaged in farming on a 
farm of three hundred and sixty acres near 
Brownsville. In the meantime, in 1873, with 
Thomas Kay and others, he re-established the 
Brownsville Woolen mills and was elected 
president of the company, an enterprise in 
which he was interested for many years, and 
which he was largely instrumental in keeping 
in Brownsville, for, in 1887, parties in Albany 
offered a bonus of $25,000 if the mills would 
move to that city but Mr. Hume stepped in, 
organized a new company, bought the mills, 
and they have since been a means of employing 
labor and stimulating the business life of the 
town. In 1887, with J, M. Mover and W. R. 
Kirk, he organized the Bank of Brownsville, 
and. in 1892, he removed to Roseburg, where 
he became cashier of the Douglas County 
Bank, remaining in that capacity for five years. 
During that time the bank passed through the 
financial panic that wrecked many institutions 
throughout the country, and, during this panic, 
the bank's deposits diminished over eighty-five 
per cent. Returning to Brownsville directly 
after the presidential election of 1896, he re- 
sumed his former association with the Bank of 
Brownsville, retiring from the presidency two 
years later, in 1898. Tn 1899 ne returned to 
farming again, but, in 1902, he took charge of 
the planing-mill, which he managed and put on 



624 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a good paying basis ; but, finding tbe duties too 
heavy, he retired from the business in 1903. 

Like a sentinel, Mr. Hume has stood by the 
Republican party in this state, backing it finan- 
cially and with his own personal efforts, during 
the trying days of its rising supremacy in the 
west. He was president of the first city coun- 
cil of Brownsville, and served his first term as 
postmaster in 1873, being appointed to the 
same office again in 1881. Pie was the first 
recorder of this city, serving two terms, and he 
has been school clerk three or four terms. 
Fraternally, he is associated with Brownsville 
Lodge No*. 36, A. F. & A. M., and Lynn Chap- 
ter No. 19, R. A. M. 

September 9, 1879, Mr. Hume was united in 
marriage with Mary Walter, daughter of Elias 
and Naomi J. Walter. Mr. Walter was one 
of the early settlers of the Willamette valley, 
and located near Brownsville about the same 
time as Hon. H. L. Brown, Alexander Kirk 
and James Blakely, the latter being the only 
survivor of this, at one time, well known quar- 
tette. Mr. Walter took a prominent part in 
the early politics of his neighborhood, was 
justice of the peace in his precinct for many 
years and was elected county treasurer in 1861. 
He was also a member of the territorial 
legislature which sat in Oregon City in 
1849. His death occurred in 1867. In early 
manhood he married Naomi Williams, whose 
mother was born in Ontario county, N. 
Y., in 1825, and who moved to Michigan with 
her parents when four years of age, six years 
later moving to Illinois, her father having 
died in the meantime. Eleven years later the 
Williams family settled in Scott county, Iowa, 
and, in 1845, Naomi crossed the plains to Ore- 
gon with her brothers, Charles Austin and 
Enos C. Williams, Mr. Walter being also one 
of the party under command of Captain Holli- 
day. Arriving at the south fork of the Platte 
river they were surrounded by about five hun- 
dred Pawnee Indians who tried to stampede 
their stock, and who held them there during 
one whole and the part of another night. 
Knowing that United States troops were 
within a day's march from them they managed 
to hold off the Indians with threats and the 
promise of a cow or two, and were thus al- 
lowed to proceed with their stock. Neverthe- 
less, the red men raided their camp and plun- 
dered their wagons of considerable provisions, 
but further than that they had no trouble up to 
the time of their arrival in Oregon, November 
I, 1845. Miss Williams was married at the 
home of her brother, Enos Williams, in Amity, 
Ore., October 10, 1846, to Elias L. Walter, and 
thus the courtship begun on the plains had a 
happy termination. The young people came 



to their claim on the Calapooya, fording the 
Willamette with their ox-teams, and improv- 
ing the property which is still in the possession 
of Mrs. Walter's heirs. This pioneer woman 
(Mrs. Walter) became well known among the 
early settlers, and in honor of her courageous 
and fearless life in the midst of danger and ad- 
versity, the local cabin of the Native Daugh- 
ters of Oregon was named in her honor. Two 
daughters survive her, Mrs. Hume and Ellen, 
the wife of G. W. McHargue, late sheriff of 
Linn county. Of the children born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Hume six are living: Maude, the wife of 
C. P. Snyder ; Clair Austin ; Percy E. ; Christy 
J. ; Anna I., and Alice L. Mr. Hume is now 
perfecting a plan to establish a reservoir on 
Powell Hill, three hundred feet above the 
town, and thus furnish to the city of Browns- 
ville a water system for domestic use and for 
fire protection. 



GEORGE W. HENDERSHOTT is an hon- 
ored veteran of the Civil war, and back of him is 
an ancestry honorable and distinguished because 
of loyal service in behalf of the country upon its 
battlefields. He was born in Lenawee county, 
Mich., October 5, 1848, the youngest of the four 
children of George and Mahala (Westcott) Hen- 
dershott. The father was born in Pennsylvania 
and was a son of William Hendershott, who was 
also a native of the Keystone state, and served 
his country in the war of 1812. Removing to 
Lenawee county, Mich., in pioneer times, he set- 
tled near Tecumseh, where he followed farming 
until his death. He was of German descent. 
George Hendershott was a loyal defender of the 
United States in the Mexican war, and of the 
same family is Robert Hendershott, the hero of 
the Rappahannock. George Hendershott died 
during the infancy of our subject, and the 
mother, who was born in Lenawee county, Mich., 
and was of New England descent, passed away 
when her youngest son was but five years of age. 
In the family were three boys and one girl, and 
two brothers are still living, these being James 
and George. William, the eldest, was a member 
of the Fourth. Regiment of Michigan Infantry 
during the Civil war, was held for seven months 
in Libby prison, and died in Michigan. James, 
who served in the Third Michigan Cavalry, is 
now a resident of Russell county, Kans. 

Left an orphan at the early age of five years, 
George W. Hendershott lived with strangers 
through the period of his youth, receiving a lim- 
ited education in the district schools, and ample 
training at farm labor, as he worked in field and 
meadows for those with whom he resided. He 
permanently put aside his text-books when fif- 
teen years of age, and in February, 1863, he vol- 



POR IK \l I WD BIOGRAPHICAL RED >RD. 



625 



5< rvice in the Civil war as a de- 

the L'nion cause, becoming a member 

in\ P. riiircl Michigan Cavalry, which 

,,1 to the Sixteenth Army Corps of 

i the West, lie served in Missouri, 

tlic Banks expedition up the Reel river, 

i part in various engagements in Arkansas, 

anil Louisiana, and following the 

i Mobile, assisted in the capture of Fort 

and Spanish Fort. While at Little 

\rk.. in 18(4, he voted tor Abraham Lin- 

r the presidency, tor though not yet of 

the privilege of voting was granted to all 

- in the field. 1 le was mustered out at 

a 1 Orleans, and honorablv discharged in the 

fall of t8 

Mr. Hendershott then returned to Michigan, 
and soon afterward began working in the lumber 
- of Wisconsin. Lie also spent three years 
n the lumber mills of ( )shkosh, Wis., after which 
e went to the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, 
mployed in mills for five or six years. 
to < hnro, Wis., he was there married, and 
purchasing a small tract of land in that locality, 
engaged in farming until 1872, when he 
1 to Russell. Kans.. where he conducted a 
lOtel and livery barn, also had a mail and stage 
route. He was in charge of the mail route for 
me hundred and fifty miles north of Red Cloud, 
.. and fifty miles south of Great Bend, Kans. 
In 1886. he sold his livery business and engaged 
1 the cattle business, and his enterprise made 
n well known in his portion of Kansas, while 
is capability led to his selection for a number of 
1 iffices. He served as a member of the city coun- 
il of Russell, Kans., was marshal for six years, 
deputy sheriff for four years, and sheriff of that 
runty for four years, and in the discharge of his 
duties was ever found prompt and faithful. A 
Republican in politics, he attended the state con- 
ventions and had considerable influence in public 
affairs. 

In 1893 Mr. Hendershott came to Oregon, 
ling in Stayton, Marion county, where he 
lucted a hotel for a year, and then went to 
1 urner. where he continued in the hotel business 
until 1895. when he came to McMinnville. and 
has since been proprietor of the Commercial 
House. He is a popular host, for he puts forth 
every effort to promote the comfort of his guests, 
and has the faculty of meeting people in a man- 
ner that indicates a friendly, cordial and genuine 
spirit. 

When in Wisconsin, Mr. Hendershott was 
married to Miss Delia A. Wiles, who was born 
in Xew York, and they have three children : 
Jesse, a farmer of Yamhill county; Clarence, 
who is with his father, and Mabel, at home. Mr. 
Hendershott was made a Mason in Russell. 
Kans., and is now a member of Union Lodge 



No. 43. F. & A. M. lie also took the chapter 
degree of Royal Arch Masonry in Russell, Kans.. 
and he belongs to the lodge and uniformed ranks 
of the Knights of Pythias of McMinnville, and 

to Custer 1'ost, (i. A. R., of McMinnville, of 
which he is a past commander. He is identified 
with the Hoard of Trade, and is well known as 
an earnest Republican, who has served as a 
member of the county central committee of his 
party. In matters of .citizenship he has fully up- 
held the splendid family record for patriotism, 
and is as true and loyal to his country as he was 
when he followed the nation's starry banner upon 
the battlefields of the south. 



JOHN T. WOOD. Pleasantly located near 
Amity, Ore., John T. Wood is successfully car- 
rying on general farming and stock-raising. He 
was born November 1. 1853, in Sullivan county, 
Mo., a son of Henry Wood, a native of Monroe 
county, that state, born in 1825 and a farmer 
by occupation. He married Ara Smith, also a 
native of that state, and they resided upon a 
farm near Sullivan postoffice until 1864. when 
desiring to establish a home in the far west and 
take advantage of its better opportunities, they 
started on the long and difficult journev across 
the plains, their wagon being drawn by a team 
of oxen. The train was known as the Big Mis- 
souri train, and Eli Watson was chosen as its 
captain. They were upon the road six months, 
and though there were hardships and difficul- 
ties to be met, they had no trouble with the Indi- 
ans, being unmolested by the savages, who had 
perpetrated so many horrors upon many other 
emigrants. They made their way direct to Port- 
land and the W^ood family came on to Yamhill 
county, the father of our subject establishing his 
home upon a farm near Amity. Here both he 
and his wife lived until called to their final rest, 
the former dying at the age of seventy-one years 
and the latter when seventy-four years of age. 
They had ten children, all of whom are now 
living: Hester A., the wife of F. Wood, of Mc- 
Minnville; W r illard H, a resident of Salem; 
Robert F., who is living near Amity; Mary D., 
the widow of Thomas T. Cooper, of Hopewell ; 
Benjamin F., who makes his home in Idaho; 
Susan E., the wife of J. Michael, of Corvallis. 
Ore.; John T., Nancy J., the wife of Frank 
Stephens, of Hopewell, ( )re. : William LI., who 
is living near Whiteson, and Ella, the wife of 
Charles Cooper, of Hopewell. The parents were 
valued members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, with which Mr. Wood was identified 
from the age of twelve years. He was a very 
prominent and influential man who probably had 



62«J 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



not an enemy in the world and all who knew him 
esteemed him for his genuine worth. 

John T. Wood remained under the parental 
roof until the time of his marriage, and in the 
district schools he obtained his education. He 
wedded Dullcenia Cooper, who was born in Iowa 
and with her people came to Oregon in 1865. 
Mr. and Mrs. Wood began housekeeping on the 
Richardson donation claim about two miles north 
of Hopewell, and their home was blessed with 
four children : Thomas A., now deceased; George 
W., Charles E. and Henry C, who are still un- 
der the parental roof. In 1896 the wife and 
mother died and Mr. Wood afterward married 
Miss Rebecca J. Potter, a native of Tennessee, 
daughter of D. W. and Mary (Simmerly) Pot- 
ter, by whom he has one daughter, Myrtle E. 

Mr. Wood is the owner of one hundred and 
seventy acres of land and in connection with gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising he conducts a 
thresher and is engaged in sawing wood. He 
has ten acres of land planted to hops and upon 
his farm is a fine bunch of Jersey cattle. All of 
the improvements upon his place stand there as 
monuments to his thrift and enterprise and he 
has one of the fine country homes of Yamhill 
county. Neatness and thrift characterize every- 
thing about his farm and the place is now a very 
valuable one, giving evidence of the careful su- 
pervision of the owner. 

Mr. Wood takes quite an active part in politics 
and keeps well informed on the issues of the 
day, giving his support to the Democracy because 
its platform contains the best elements of good 
government. He is now serving as road super- 
visor and has been a member of the school board. 
He belongs to the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen and is one. of the promoters of the 
rural free delivery route No 1 out of Amity. He 
deserves great credit for his interest in this 
matter, and in it, as in all matters of citizenship, 
he has been progressive and public spirited. 



JOHN W. COOVERT. A resume of the 
men who have been important factors in the de- 
velopment of Yamhill county would be incom- 
plete were no mention to be made of John W. 
Coovert, a valiant soldier during the Civil war, 
and at present the owner of two hundred and 
fourteen acres of land in one of the most fertile 
parts of the county. Mr. Coovert was born in 
Preble county, Ohio, February 5, 1845, an d was 
one of a family of six children born to his parents, 
who were farmers. As his parents died when 
he was an infant, he was bound out to an uncle, 
with whom he remained until fifteen years of age. 
For two years after leaving his uncle's home he 
was employed at farm worK- in the neighborhood, 
but as at that time the Civil war was in full 
swing, he threw aside the shackles of the peace- 



ful occupation and enlisted in his country's serv- 
ice. 

In August, 1862, Mr. Coovert became a mem- 
ber of Company I, Sixty-seventh Indiana Volun- 
teer Infantry, and after being mustered in at 
Madison, was sent to Louisville, Ky. From 
there they went to Mumfordville, Ky., where they 
were captured, and being paroled the next day, 
were sent back to Indiana. After remaining in 
camp in Indianapolis for some time, they were 
exchanged and sent to Cairo and Memphis and 
different parts of the south, and finally partici- 
pated in the Vicksburg campaign, during which 
Mr. Coovert was captured with about four thous- 
and others at the battle of Carrion Crow, and 
held for fifty-two days near Alexandria. After 
being paroled he was sent to New Orleans and 
held until June 1, 1864, and after being ex- 
changed, went to Baton Rouge, and there re- 
joined his regiment. The next engagement in 
which he participated was at Dauphin Island, 
and from there he went to Ft. Morgan, where 
the siege lasted twenty-three days. Returning to 
New Orleans, from there he proceeded up the 
river, going into camp near Ft. Pickens, and re- 
maining there until March, 1865. He next par- 
ticipated in the siege of Ft. Blakely, from there 
went to Selma, Ala., then to Mobile, remaining 
until June 1, 1865, and finally, with his regiment, 
was mustered out at Galveston, Tex. 

For a year after the war Mr. Coovert remained 
in Ohio, and then went to Elkhart county, Ind., 
where he married Miss Marguerite Fudge, a na- 
tive of Ohio, and thereafter lived in the same 
locality for about three years. In 1869, Mr. 
Coovert went to San Francisco, and from there 
came to Oregon by water, and after stopping in 
Portland one day, he settled upon his present 
farm in Yamhill county. When he purchased the 
farm there were about twelve acres cleared, but 
he now has one hundred and fifteen acres cleared, 
and has made many valuable improvements in 
other ways. November 2, 1873, Mrs. Marguerite 
Coovert died, leaving three children, of whom 
Letha E. is the wife of M. M. Banister, of Van- 
couver, Wash. ; W. A. lives in Centralia, Wash. ; 
and Asher resides in Salem, Ore. For his second 
wife Mr. Coovert married Hannah E. Sargent, 
a, native of Iowa. Mr. Coovert is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising, a mixed breed 
of Jerseys being his principal brand. He takes 
an active interest in all matters pertaining to the 
general upbuilding of his neighborhood, and is 
especially prominent in fraternal circles, being 
past master of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, in which he has passed all of the 
chairs. He is also a member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic. In politics he is a Republican, 
and in religion is identified with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 









1 


J 


, V 


N — ^ 






PORTRAIT AND P.U HiRAPHICAL RECORD. 



029 



ABEL A LEONARD, M. 1'.. whose resi- 

n covers a period from 1852 down 

sent time, was born in Kingston, Cald- 

;i county. Mo., March 10. [852. He was, 

therefore, but an infant when brought to the 

His father, Leicester Upham Leon- 

w.in born in Pennsylvania, March 23, 1809, 

son oi Abel Leonard, whose birth 

urred at West Springfield, Mass. 

Leonard, Sr., was a son of Austin Leon- 
name of Massachusetts, and of either 
sh or Scotch descent. Abel Leonard mar- 
I Abi Leonard in Massachusetts, and after- 
ward removed to Pennsylvania, locating in 
Springfield township, Bradford county, in 1804. 
Hi was a tanner by trade, and was engaged in 
business for many years at Leonard's Hollow, 
which is now Leona, Bradford county, Pa. In 
1829 he removed to Ohio, and with his son 
Leicester (J. engaged in shoemaking. He died 
at Richmond Center, that state, when about 
seventy-seven years of age. In 1828 Leicester 
I". Leonard had removed to Ohio and located 
near Richmond Center, where he followed shoe- 
making and was later joined by his father. At 
the age of twenty-six years he was married in 
Richmond Center to Miss Cynthia (Lapham) 
Blanchard, who died in Oregon. About 1839 
they removed from Ohio to Missouri, settling 
in Kingston, Caldwell county, where the father 
studied medicine. 

In 1852 he brought his family to Oregon, 
ettling about four miles south of Silverton, 
where he secured a donation claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres. After three years 
e sold this and bought another farm southwest 
of the town. In 1856, in partnership with Ralph 
leer, he engaged in the nursery business in 
the Waldo hills, following that pursuit for two 
years, after which he turned his attention to 
farming and also engaged in shoemaking. He 
- at one time the owner of an orchard which 
rated as the most splendidly cultivated in the 
valley. Mr. Leonard took great pride in its 
care, and its output was awarded prizes at the 
state fairs. It contained six acres planted to all 
kinds of fruits of the best qualities. Mr. Leonard 
died in the Waldo hills March 20, 1869, respected 
by all who knew him. His wife was a native of 
Xew York and a daughter of John Blanchard, 
who removed from the Empire state to Ohio, 
where he carried on farming. Later he took 
up his abode seventeen miles from Detroit, Mich., 
at a little town called Farmington, and there he 
died when about eighty years of age. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Leonard were born three sons and a 
daughter : Yolney, who follows farming and re- 
sides at Silverton at the age of sixty-six years; 
Ellen Sylvania, who is the wife of Calvin' Geer, 



a ranchman of Burns, ( >re.; Abel A. ; and I torace 
Wade, who is a stenographer in Portland, Ore. 
Dr. Abel A. Leonard obtained his early edu- 
cation in the public schools oi the Waldo hills 
and afterward continued his studies in Silverton 
until he had prepared lor entrance in the Willam- 
ette University in the fall of 1872. He spent 
six months as a student there at that time and 
afterward returned to the same school in 1876. 
Not long afterward he went to Utah, and for six 
months was a student in the University of 
Deseret at Salt Lake City. Between the years 
1 87 1 and 1876 Dr. Leonard was successfully en- 
gaged in teaching school in Marion county in 
order to secure the means necessary for the" ac- 
quirement of further education. He also* worked 
upon a farm during a part of the time. In 1877 
he was employed as teacher of a school near 
Salt Lake City, where he remained until the 
spring of 1878, and then went to Montana. Dur- 
ing the winter of 1878-9 he was principal of the 
public schools of Virginia City, Mont., and in 
the latter year he returned to Salt Lake City, 
Utah, where he was again engaged in teaching. 
In the spring of 1880 he was appointed to the 
position of census enumerator of Salt Lake City, 
and in the summer of that year he was appointed 
special enumerator for the manufacturing indus- 
tries of that place. In the winter of 1881 he en- 
tered a wholesale and retail hardware and grocery 
house owned by the firm of Kimball & Lawrence 
at Salt Lake City, in the capacity of clerk and 
bookkeeper, filling this position until 1883, when 
the firm sold out. Dr. Leonard was afterward 
connected with different business interests and on 
February 1, 1884, as corresponding clerk in the 
central office, he entered the employ of the Singer 
Manufacturing Company, with which he re- 
mained for five years. In 1889 he was promoted 
to the position of chief clerk and acted in that 
capacity for a year and a half, when he resigned 
in the fall of 1890. 

Dr. Leonard then went to St. Louis, Mo., and 
entered the St. Louis Hygienic College of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons, in which he completed a full 
course of study and was then graduated in the 
spring of 1893. He next took post-graduate 
work in Chicago in the summer of 1893, and then 
went to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he was en- 
gaged in practice for a year. In 1894 he was 
placed in charge of the Brewster Sanitarium at 
Oneonta, Cal. In the fall of 1896 he removed to 
Oregon, establishing his home at Huntington, 
where he became railroad surgeon for the Oregon 
Railroad & Navigation and the Oregon Short 
Line Railroad Companies. He also conducted a 
general practice there until the fall of 1897, when 
he removed to Silverton, where he has since re- 
mained. In the intervening years he has built 
up a splendid practice, receiving patronage from 



630 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a large number of the best homes of the city. In 
1899 the doctor built a fine residence on Main 
street and he also has a splendidly equipped office. 

On the nth of May, 1881, Dr. Leonard was 
married in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Miss Nellie 
M. Van Dam, who was born in Holland, a daugh- 
ter of Cornelius and Catherine Van Dam, also 
natives of the same country. Cornelius Van Dam 
died while en route to Salt Lake City in 1864. 
Unto the doctor and his wife have been born two 
children, Lyman Austin, who was born March 
22, 1882, and is now a sophomore in the Oregon 
State Agricultural College at Corvallis ; and 
Leicester Thurston, who was born March 9, 1889, 
and died on the 21st of June of that year. 

Dr. Leonard is connected with the lodge, en- 
campment and Rebekah degree of the Odd Fel- 
lows, the Woodmen of the World, the Fraternal 
Circle and the United Artisans. In his political 
views he is a Republican but is very liberal on 
such questions. His religious belief is indicated 
by a creed of his own framing: "So live today 
that tomorrow will bring no regrets." That he 
exemplifies this creed in his life is well known to 
all who are acquainted with him. There is no 
resident of Silverton more worthy of the regard 
of his fellow-men than Dr. Leonard. He de- 
serves great credit for what he has accomplished. 
Beginning life in a very humble capacity he re- 
solved to work his way upward, and directed his 
efforts into the channels calling for strong in- 
tellectuality and marked business ability. Stead- 
ily he has advanced and today he occupies an 
honored and prominent position among his fel- 
low-men. 



JAMES R. DERBY. The lamented death of 
James R. Derby on his well-improved farm, one 
mile west of McMinnville, January 10, 1902, re- 
called to his many friends and associates the very 
creditable career of this prominent upbuilder of 
Yamhill county. Mr. Derby was one of the many 
sons of New York who have found their way to 
the extreme west, bringing with them the stable 
traits of the more conservative east, and applying 
them with satisfactory results to the unsettled 
conditions which characterized their new home. 
He was born in" New York August 26, 1826, his 
parents, grand-parents, and more remote fore- 
fathers having been engaged in farming "during 
their entire active lives. 

There were eleven children in the family of 
Mr. Derby, and in 1831 the parents and children 
removed to Michigan, where the children worked 
hard on the paternal farm, and where they irregu- 
larly attended the early subscription school in 
their neighborhood. His services no longer re- 
quired on the- home farm, J. R. Derby started out 
to make an independent living, and for about two 



years gained a good deal of practical experience 
among the timber lands in the northern part of 
the state of Michigan. After his marriage, in 
1 85 1, to Lucy A. Olds, a native of St. Joseph 
county, Mich., he lived for about six months in 
Hillsdale, Mich., and during that time formulated 
plans for emigration to the west in the spring. 
This move meant a great deal to the aspiring 
young man, yet his wife was hopeful as himself, 
and together they settled their affairs and planned 
to leave all they held dear behind them. With a 
wagon and two yoke of oxen they joined a train 
under command of James H. Olds, who safely 
conducted the pioneers to Oregon, the journey 
taking the greater part of eight months. At 
once Mr. Derby came to Yamhill county and took 
up a donation claim, six miles north of Lafayette, 
where he lived for five years, and thereafter en- 
gaged in the grocery business in Lafayette for 
about two years. The next home, and the one 
upon which this honored pioneer passed nine 
years, was advantageously located on Deer creek, 
and from there, in 1869, he removed to the farm 
now occupied by his widow and son. Of the two 
hundred and forty-nine acres in this farm, the 
entire amount is under cultivation, and the 
amount of work entailed in this operation ap- 
peals to all who have taken up timber land in 
Oregon. Mr. Derby was a practical and success- 
ful farmer, in connection with which work he 
associated many outside interests, and many ef- 
forts to secure a stable and progressive state of 
affairs in the county. His political preference lay 
with the Republican party, and he always took an 
active interest in local political undertakings. Al- 
though not an office seeker, he held many posi- 
tions of trust and responsibility in the commu- 
nity, among them being that of school trustee and 
clerk, road supervisor, and councilman. Of the 
five children born to himself and wife, Eliza J. is 
the wife of Joseph Garrison, of Idaho ; Jerome is 
engaged in the feed business in McMinnville ; 
William is engaged in business in Gresham ; Mary 
is the wife of Jesse High, of McMinnville, and 
James D. is living with his mother. Mrs. Derby 
has proved herself an excellent manager since the 
death of her husband, and with her son maintains 
the progressive policy adopted and always in- 
sisted on by her estimable husband. 



A. C. CHANDLER, of McMinnville, has 
been prominent in the establishment and 
control of one of the leading enterprises 
of Oregon, the Oregon Fire Relief Asso- 
ciation, of which he is now the secretary. He 
was born in Clackamas county, this state, Julv 
26, 1856, and comes of an old New England 
family. His paternal grandfather was born, lived 
and died in Vermont. His father, the Rev. George 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



681 



indler, \\a> a native of Chester, \ t., and 
I his education in Rochester College, of 
V Y.. in which he was graduated, 
hi the Green Mountain state he was ordained to 
nistr) of the Baptist Church, and at an 
■!v day in the development oi Indiana he went 
■ state, where for several years he served 
sident of Franklin College. The rapidly 
west with its opportunities for min- 
.! labor, however, attracted him and in 1852 
lie came t" * >regon accompanied by his wife and 
three children. They made the long journey 
• the plains with an ox team, traveling with 
train, and on reaching their destination Rev. 
Mr. Chandler secured a donation land claim on 
Mill creek, fourteen miles east of Oregon City. 
only diil he give his attention to the develop- 
ment of his farm, hut to some extent he engaged 
in teaching in ( )regon City, and in 1858 he came 
t<> Yamhill county and aided in the organization 
and became the first president of McMinnville 
which was formed under the auspices of 
the Baptist denomination. In i860 he returned 
I "lackamas county, but in 1862 he again came 
McMinnville as president of the college, and 
ed in that capacity for four or five years, when 
he resigned. He was a pioneer minister of Ore- 
and labored most earnestly, zealously and 
effectively for the spread of the gospel. He took 
tost active part in organizing the Baptist 
lutrch here, and remained a resident of McMinn- 
ville until 1873. In that year he accepted a call 
lie pastorate of the Baptist Church in Forest 
< irove, where he died in 1883. His wife, Persis 
W. Heald. was born in Chester, Yt., and still 
surviving her husband, is now living in Forest 
In the family were six children : Ed- 
ward K-, who is a graduate of the Madison Uni- 
versity of New York, and is now professor in 
e theological department in Ottawa College, in 
fetawa, Kan. ; Julia C. who is the wife of Judge 
W Lair Hill, a distinguished jurist of Berkeley. 
Cal., and the author of Hill's Code ; Mrs. Sarah 
Roberts, of Forest Grove; Airs. Mary Clark, of 
Berkeley, Cal. : A. C. of this review, and William 
T... who died in Forest Grove in 1887. 

Throughout the greater part of his life A. C. 
Chandler has resided in McMinnville, and after 
attending the public schools for a time he con- 
tinued his education in McMinnville College. He 
then engaged in farming for ten or twelve years, 
Mowed by several years' service as a bookkeeper 
n the employ of different firms in McMinnville. 
n 1896 he accepted the position with the Oregon 
Fire Relief Association, and in 1900 was elected 
secretary. This was established as a county 
mutual fire association, but a year or two later 
was extended to cover four adjoining counties. 
A year thus passed and it was increased to take 
m the Willamette valley, and when another year 



had gone by the scope of the enterprise was ex- 
tended until it embraced the entire state. The 
growth of the business has been almost phenom- 
enal, the company having entered upon an era 
of continued progress. Now there are twenty 
thousand members representing every county in 
the state and over $13,000,000 of insurance i- 
now theirs, this being more than one-eighth of 
the entire fire insurance carried in the state. This 
is all the more remarkable when it is known the 
company takes no mercantile risks. There is a 
branch office at No. 719 Marquam Building, in 
Portland, but all policies are issued from the 
main office at McMinnville. This is strictly a 
mutual association and the average cost is less 
than forty per cent of the regular stock insurance 
companies' rates. The busmess has been most 
capably and successfully managed and the loss 
ratio is only about twenty-five" per cent of the 
regular stock companies. 

Mr. Chandler chose as a companion and help- 
mate for life's journey Miss Mollie Lynch, who 
was born in Yamhill county, a daughter of one 
of the pioneers of the county. They have one 
child, George C. Mr. Chandler holds mem- 
bership with the Woodmen of the World and is 
a Prohibitionist in his political views, and at 
different times has served as a nominee of the 
party for county offices. He belongs to the 
Baptist Church, in which he is acting on the 
board of trustees, and for fifteen vears he has 
been one of its deacons. He has' also been a 
member of the board of trustees and secretary of 
McMinnville College since 1886, and in 1898 
he was active in the re-incorporation of the col- 
lege. Although his life is a busy one. largely 
taken up by the onerous duties of his business, 
he yet finds time and opportunity to aid in the 
moral development of the county and is a very 
influential and honored man. 



MERRITT MILLER. As one of the enter- 
prising farmers of Yamhill county Merritt Miller 
is entitled to mention among the reliable and 
progressive members of a thrifty community, He 
was born in Bureau county. III, March 25, 1849, 
and on the paternal side is of Revolutionary an- 
cestry, his grandfather, a millwright and farmer 
by occupation, having served with courage and 
distinction under the banner of the immortal 
Washington. 

In Yirginia, where he was born Januarv 25, 
1800, George Miller, the father of Merritt,' was 
reared on a farm and in time married and reared 
four children. With his wife he removed to In- 
diana, where his first wife died, and where he 
married Tobatha Curren. a native of the Hoosier 
state. From 1845 t° 1854 the family fortunes 
were located in Illinois, and from then until 1862 



G32 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 






in the state of Iowa. Desiring to improve his 
prospects Mr. Miller outfitted and prepared to 
cross the plains to Oregon, the means of locomo- 
tion being wagons, ox and horse teams, and the 
journey consumed the greater part of the usual 
six months. The party experienced practically 
no trouble with the Indians, a happy state of 
affairs due to the more settled condition of the 
plains. Arriving at The Dalles Mr. Miller took 
a boat to Portland, and from there moved direct 
to the farm south of Dayton, which remained 
his home for three years. He then purchased 
the place of one hundred and sixty acres now 
owned and occupied by his son, Merritt, where 
he carried on general farming, and where he 
lived to be over eighty years of age. His wife, 
who died at the age of sixty-nine, was the mother 
of five children: Calvin, deceased; Jefferson, a 
farmer of Polk county, Ore. ; Jane, the widow of 
M. Morrison, of Eugene, Ore.; Etta, the wife 
of D. M. Hewitt, of Polk county ; and Merritt. 

After ah uneventful childhood on his father's 
farm, in which he combined farming and attend- 
ance at the district schools, Merritt Miller mar- 
ried Julia Peery, who was born in Missouri, and 
forthwith assumed the management of the home 
property. He is engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising, and many graded Jerseys browse 
on his meadows. Mr. Miller has taken an active 
interest in general affairs in his neighborhood, 
especially in education, having been a member of 
the school board for over twenty years. Inde- 
pendent in politics, he has zealously labored for 
the betterment of politics in general, and has 
served as supervisor of roads for one term. The 
wife of Mr. Miller, who died in 1895, was the 
mother of five children, enumerated as follows : 
Lena, wife of L. Hewitt, of this vicinity; 
Ethel, deceased; Pearl, the wife of Fred Kirk- 
wood, of Yamhill county ; Grace, the wife of 
Ray Nash, of San Francisco ; and Elva, living at 
home and attending school. Mr. Miller is a mem- 
ber of the Evangelical Church, and contributes 
generously toward its maintenance. He bears 
an excellent reputation in the community of Yam- 
hill county, and has many friends among appre- 
ciators of sterling worth and unquestioned in- 
tegrity. 



FRANCIS M. YORK. Near LeRoy, Mc- 
Lean county, 111., July 18, 1855, occurred the 
birth of Francis M. York, who carries on gen- 
eral farming and dairying in Yamhill county, 
near Carlton. He comes of a family of English 
descent that was established in an early day in 
Tennessee, where his grandfather, Pleasant 
York, was born. James M. York, the father, 
first opened his eyes to the light of day near 
Knoxville, Tenn., April 17, 1829, and was trained 



to farm work, which he followed throughout his 
business career. He wedded Sarah Ingle, who 
was born in Tennessee in 183 1, a daughter of 
Robert Ingle, also a native of that state. At the 
time of the Mexican war James M. York entered 
the service as a private and fought for his coun- 
try's interest in 1847 an( l 1848. He then re- 
turned to Tennessee, and the following year, 
1849, removed to Illinois. He was married in 
that state, the Ingle family having previously 
emigrated from Tennessee to Illinois, Mrs. York 
owning a farm, and at the time of their marriage 
the father of our subject settled upon that prop- 
erty and carried on general agricultural pursuits 
for many years. In 1891 he disposed of his 
farming interests in the Prairie state and re- 
moved to Kansas, locating near Mount Hope, in 
Sedgwick county, where he purchased a tract of 
land and there engaged in general farming until 
his death, June 13, 1896. His wife passed away 
in 1877, and of their thirteen children, eleven 
sons and two daughters, ten are yet living, Fran- 
cis M. being the third in order of birth. After 
the death of his first wife Mr. York was again 
married in Illinois, his second union being with 
Mrs. Julia Doyle, by whom he had one son, 
Clyde Fisher York. His second wife died about 
1890 and in 1893 Mr. York was again married. 
His third wife still survives him and is now liv- 
ing in Wichita, Kans. 

When twenty-one years of age Francis M. 
York started out to make his own living. He 
determined to seek a home in Oregon and trav- 
eled by way of San Francisco to Portland, whence 
he journeyed onward to North Yamhill. He 
had acquired a good education in his native state, 
his early school privileges being supplemented 
by iwo years' study in the Wesleyan University 
at Bloomington, 111. He then engaged in teach- 
ing for twelve years, following this profession 
throughout the entire period in Yamhill county, 
and for seven years he was a popular, capable 
and successful teacher in District No. 17. In 
connection with his educational work he also 
carried on farming east of North Yamhill, where 
he owned eighty acres of land. Eventually, how- 
ever, he sold that property and came to McMinn- 
ville in order to enter upon the duties of the 
office of county assessor, to which position he 
had been elected in 1888, serving therein until 
1894. In 1895 he purchased a farm a quarter 
of a mile south of Carlton, in Yamhill county, 
here having two hundred acres of good land, 
of which one hundred and seventy acres are 
under cultivation. In addition to general farming 
he carries on stock-raising and the dairy busi- 
ness, keeping ten cows for the last named pur- 
pose, and in the departments of his business ac- 
tivity he is meeting with excellent success. 

In 1882 occurred the marriage of Mr. York 






~Mc^1XJ 




&yv^- zjy£^6r 




JOHN WEST. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



037 



and Miss Martini Rowland, who was born in 
lill count} . a daughter of ( ireen 1 .. Rowland, 

I the pioneer settlers who located three 
northeast oi Carlton. Five children have 
born of this union: Dottie, Lloyd, James 
M.. Francis M., Jr., and Nina O., all at home. 

Mr. York exercises his right of franchise in 
support of the men and measures of the Repub- 
lican party and has served as county assessor, 
• *>1 direetor and as school clerk for a lium- 
l years. He holds membership relations 
with the Woodmen of the World at McMinn- 
\ille. where he is a past master, and belongs to 
e Christian Church. In all of his business deal- 
he is upright and straightforward and to 
his honest work and his industry he owes his 
sperity. 



MRS. ANN SCOTT. Among the honored 
pioneers oi Oregon are women, too, to be mim- 
ed, women who have not faltered when duty 
called them to follow their loved ones into the 
far west, away from friends and old associations, 
o the dangers and perils of the unsettled wil- 
derness, there to do and live for the sake of the 
coming generations. Their narhe is legion, but 
often their courage and sacrifices are passed 
over to give room to the men whose hands were 
upheld by some woman's goodness. In the little 
of Woodburn, Marion county, Ore., there 
is "ue of these women with many about her to 
and honor her for the good works she has 
lone in her pioneer home. Born near Quebec, 
.'anaila. May 22, 1835, she is the daughter of a 
Scotch emigrant, John West, a millwright, who 
ttled at St. Thomas, where he continued to 
c at his trade. In 1848 he emigrated to 
lifornia, coming from there to Oregon and 
tling in Astoria, where he remained for eight 
years, at which time he brought his family to 
share what had been his solitude. In the eight 
years lie had built many mills in Oregon, the 
t being at Westport. 'Mr. W^est enjoyed the 
Unction of being the pioneer millwright of 
recoil, and lived to enjoy his pleasant western 
home until his death. December 27, 1888. 

The wife who shared the trials and troubles of 

pioneer life was a bonny Scotchwoman, 

Wargaret West, a cousin of the man whom she 

arried. She passed away at Marquam, Clacka- 

s county, (Ire., and is buried at Westport. 

the six children of this union, four daughters 

two sons. Mrs. Scott was the eldest. 'After 

tnpleting her education in the common schools 

Canada she was married at St. Fov, at the 

J of twenty years, to Robert Half Scott, a 

native oi the land to which her parents owed 

their nativity, having been born at Samiston, Scot- 



land, October 22, 1826. When a young man he 
came to Canada, locating at Beauport, where he 
secured employment as miller with a man by the 
name of Henderson. In 185(1 lie and his wife 
followed Mr. West and his family into Oregon, 
locating at Westport, where he engaged with his 
father-in-law in building mills, their first mill 
put up in partnership being a t Oak Point. After 
four years at that place lie went to Westport, 
building a sawmill in partnership with four 
others, remaining here for six years, and work- 
ing it with a liberal profit for each of those in- 
terested. In 1866 Mr. Scott came to the Nolen 
donation claim, building both a grist and a saw- 
mill, which later gave the place the name of 
Scott's Mills. With a view to bettering his 
condition lie came to Woodburn in 1892, building 
the grist mill which is still operated by his son. 
This mill is a three story structure, called the 
Woodburn Roller Mills. As the name would 
indicate, the roller process is used in the manu- 
facture of flour, two brands of which are pro- 
duced, the White Rose and Snowdrop, both fa- 
mous throughout the country. This mill uses 
all the home production of wheat and much of 
this cereal is imported. Mr. Scott lived to be 
seventv-one years old, passing away October 11, 
1897. 

To Robert H. Scott and his wife were born 
ten children, four sons and six daughters, of 
whom we mention the following : Margaret, de- 
ceased, married Wade Thompson, and they had 
one son, Carl R. ; her second marriage was to 
William Loveridge. John, living in Tygh valley, 
eastern Oregon, engaged in milling; Lizzie, de- 
ceased, was married to Preston Wood ; Jane was 
married to William Ross, now deceased, and had 
two children, Ralph and Nellie ; her second mar- 
riage united her with John Adams ; she con- 
ducts the hotel at Brownsville, Ore. Charles 
is written of more fully elsewhere in the volume ; 
Lydia, unmarried, lives with her mother; Ellen 
is the wife of John Korb of Scott's Mills ; Eva, 
deceased, was married to John Steelhammer, of 
Salem, Ore. ; a sketch of Robert Hall, Jr., ap- 
pears elsewhere in this volume ; Walter is still 
at home. 

Through the strong personality of Mrs. Scott 
those about her have accomplished their objects 
in life really unconscious of the deep influence 
exercised by this quiet woman, filled with the 
spirit of three good nationalities, Scotch, Canad- 
ian and American, and cheerfully upholding their 
hands by the broad optimism of her own nature. 
Airs. Scott has suffered a stroke of paralysis and 
is, in consequence, unable to give her presence 
at the social gatherings of the city, in which 
those of her name have assisted so materially in 
directing the business interests, and the loss is 



638 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



much regretted, though her absence does not 
make her any the less remembered as an honored 
pioneer of Woodburn. 



CHRISTOPHER C. PATRICK. New York 
state has contributed many of her industrious 
sons for the agricultural upbuilding of Polk 
county, and among these Christopher C. Patrick 
occupies an honored place in the vicinity of 
Salem. His farm consists of two hundred acres, 
twenty of which have been cleared by the pres- 
ent owner, and one hundred of which are under 
cultivation. Long since past the age where in- 
clination or health dictated a continuance of 
arduous labor, Mr. Patrick is enjoying a respite 
from work in the field and participation in stock 
deals, and has handed over the management of 
his property to his son-in-law, Harvey Coyle. 
Needless to say, he is still interested in watch- 
ing the progress of things begun by himself in 
the early days, and will undoubtedly fill his days 
for many years to come with little happenings 
around the place, both helpful and interesting. 

As the name implies, the Patrick family comes 
from Ireland, the emigrating ancestor being the 
paternal grandfather, who settled in New York 
state at a very early day, where was born his 
son, James, the father of Christopher. James 
spent his active life in farming in Cayuga county, 
where Christopher was born July 28, 1828. The 
father died in 1832, at the age of fifty, and was 
survived by his wife, formerly Lucy Preston, 
who also was born in New York, and died at the 
age of sixty-five years. Christopher is the young- 
est of the six sons and three daughters born to his 
parents, only two of whom are now living, the 
other being Elvira, the widow of Emmons Ham- 
lin, inventor of the Mason & Hamlin organ. He 
was but five years old when his father died. 
Such education as his busy life in youth permit- 
ted was acquired in the public schools, and he 
continued to live on the home farm until re- 
moving to Michigan in 1848. Locating in Cass 
county, he engaged in farming and stock-raising 
with considerable success, his life passing un- 
eventfully, until the breaking out of the Civil 
war turned men's thoughts from peace to strife 
and practically incapacitated them for labor on 
farm or in shop. September 7, 1863, he enlisted 
in the Fourteenth Michigan Battery under Cap- 
tain Heiney, and forthwith relieved the heavv 
artillery at Washington, D. C, and afterward 
performed the same service for the Sixth Massa- 
chusetts Regiment of twelve hundred and fifty 
men. There were one hundred and sixty-five 
men in Captain Heiney's company, and they per- 
formed valiant service wherever sent, Mr. Pat- 
rick serving as sergeant. After being mustered 
out of the service July 4, 1865, Mr - Patrick re- 



turned to Michigan, incapacitated for a time 
from the effects of a sunstroke sustained at 
Camp Berry. He entered again upon agricul- 
tural labor and from then on continued to farm 
until coming to Oregon in 1881. He came direct 
to Polk county, purchased his present farm, and 
has lived thereon ever since. 

While in Michigan, Mr. Patrick married, July 
28, 1850, Harriet Savage, who was born in Ohio, 
November 27, 1832, and whose father, John 
Savage, moved to Michigan when his daughter 
was a child. Twelve children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Patrick, of whom two sons 
and three daughters are living : Kate, wife of 
A. H. Coyle; William P., of Tillamook county; 
Edith, wife of Joseph Bixby, of Tillamook ; 
Albert M ; and Hattie, wife of L. D. Gibson 
Mr. Patrick is identified with the Grand Army 
of the Republic, holding membership in Salem 
Post No. 10, and with his wife is a member of 
the Presbyterian Church at Zena, of which he 
is a trustee, and a liberal contributor toward its 
support. He is enterprising and successful, and 
has many friends among his fellow agriculturists 
in the neighborhood. 



AUGUST R. FORD. One of the native 
sons of Yamhill county is August R. Ford, his 
birth having occurred in McMinnville, July 7, 
1872. His father, Francis A. Ford, was born 
in the year 1837 in Sparta, Wis., and died in 
the year 1877, when forty years of age. Pie was 
both a photographer and musician and had ac- 
quired a comprehensive knowledge of both in- 
strumental and vocal music. He taught in both 
lines in McMinnville and also engaged in farm- 
ing. In 1862 he made the long journey across 
the plains to Oregon, his wagon being drawn by 
oxen, and upon reaching this section of the state 
he pre-empted a homestead. On this tract he 
built a house and barn and carried on general 
farming and stock-raising until his land was 
transferred into well-developed fields, while in 
his pastures were seen good grades of cattle, 
horses and hogs. An earnest Republican in 
politics, he was active in behalf of the party and 
he received the nomination for county treasurer. 
He served as road supervisor and in school 
offices, and was ever loyal to the welfare and 
progress of his community. A prominent Mason 
of McMinnville, he served as master of its lodge 
for a number of years and was instrumental in 
extending its influence and inculcating its help- 
ful and brotherly spirit among his fellow-men. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah 
C. Martin, was born in Yamhill county, & 
daughter of Nehemiah Martin, who came to 
Oregon in 1844. It was here in McMinnville 
that Mr, and Mrs. Ford were married and their 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



639 



onion was blessed with three children: Lois 
u living in Portland ; August K.. 
of this review; and Mrs. Adele I L. Lambert, of 
Portland. 

Upon the home farm August R. Ford spent 

the davs of his youth, his life being unmarked 

nj event of special importance. He ac- 

a good public school education and worked 

in the fields and meadows, thus gaining a prac- 

nowledge of farm life. He to-day has one 

dred and seventy-rive acres of rich and pro- 

ive land, of which ninety acres are under 

a high state of cultivation and the fields of grain 

annually return to him golden harvests. He is 

likewise extensively engaged in the raising of 

cattle, and now has upon his place one hundred 

head of graded cattle. 

occurred the marriage of Mr. Ford and 
Mi>s fessie M. Rush, a native of Illinois, and 
their union has been blessed with a little daughter, 
Ruth M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ford are highly 
led in the community, where they have 
many friends and he is a valued representative 
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at 
McMinnville. In politics he is a stalwart Re- 
publican. 



HENRY GEE. The history of the mercan- 
tile enterprises of McMinnville demands men- 
tion of Henry Gee, who is now engaged in deal- 
ing in agricultural implements and who is a self- 
made man, owing his prosperity and creditable 
business position to his energy and his deter- 
nination in conquering all obstacles in his path- 
way. During thirty-seven years he has been a 
resident of Oregon, having arrived in this state 
when only nineteen years of age. His birth 
occurred February 8, 1846, near what is now 
Moberly, Randolph county, Mo. His paternal 
^reat-grandfather, who was a native of Germany, 
became one of the pioneers who penetrated into 
the interior of Kentucky, there to establish a 
home, at which time his son, the grandfather of 
Henry, was but two years old. Amid the wild 
sc< nes of pioneer life he was reared and event- 
ually he was married and established a home of 
bis own in Kentucky. His eldest son, William 
ice, was with General Jackson at the battle of 
New Orleans in the war of 1812. 

Levi Gee, the father of our subject, was born 
in Kentucky, whence he removed to Randolph 
county, Mo., where he carried on agricultural 
pursuits until his demise. He wedded Mary E. 
Grimes, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of 
Cummingham Grimes, who was born in the Old 
Dominion, afterward resided in Kentucky, and 
subsequently moved to Randolph county. Mo., 
and was killed while on his way back to visit 
friends in Kentucky. From the age of six years 



until her death, Mrs. Gee resided in Randolph 
county. Mo. She was a member of the Chris- 
tian Church and passed away May 10, 1900, her 
remains being interred in Antioch cemetery. By 
her marriage she had become the mother of six 
children, of whom three are now living, but 
Flenr.y is the only one now on the Pacific coast. 

Mr. Gee was but nine years of age at the 
time of his father's death, but for a long period 
he continued to remain upon the home farm and 
assist his mother. His school privileges were 
extremely limited but through study in private, 
through reading and observation he has become 
a well-informed man. In his youth he was bound 
out to a farmer, but after two years he left his 
employer and secured work elsewhere as a farm 
hand. He continued to follow that pursuit until 
1865, when he joined the company under the 
command of Granville Baker, which started for 
the Pacific coast. At Nebraska City, however, 
he abandoned that company and joined the 
wagon train of Radford Angel. Mr. Gee rode 
horseback to Fort Hall and afterward drove a 
team of four yoke of oxen for Dade Seers to 
Marion county, coming by way of Hams Fork 
cutoff. He left the Mississippi valley on the 
28th of March and arrived in Marion county 
on the 15th of October, 1865. Indians manifest- 
ed much hostility and travelers were in constant 
danger because of this. The trip was a very 
hard one and was accompanied with many diffi- 
culties, but at length Mr. Gee arrived safely at 
his destination. 

He was penniless, however, and the first 
money which he ever made in Oregon he earned 
at Milwaukee, where he was engaged in sawing 
logs for a half day, receiving but fifty cents for 
his work. He then began working on the farm 
of John Johnson in Marion county, with whom 
he remained for four years, when he rented a 
farm near Wheatland, Yamhill county, and on 
the 15th of September, 1869, took up his abode 
thereon and began the raising of grain. In 
1872 he purchased a farm which he continued 
to cultivate until 1877, when he sold that prop- 
erty and removed to a place near Belleville, Yam- 
hill county, where two years before he had pur- 
chased two hundred acres of land. At that place 
he continued his farming operations until 1892, 
when he rented his farm to which he had added 
until the place now comprises four hundred and 
eighty-six acres. At the time he leased the prop- 
erty he came to McMinnville, where he em- 
barked in business as a dealer in monuments, 
continuing in that line until 1902. when he be- 
gan dealing in agricultural implements as a 
member of the firm of Gee & Houser, his partner 
being S. P. Flouser. They engaged in the sale 
of various kinds of farm implements, including 
Piano harvesters, the South Bend plows and 



610 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



other machines, and they likewise deal in the 
Old Hickory wagons and Perry & DeMar bug- 
gies. Mr. Gee was also one of the organizers 
of the Oregon Fire Relief Association, which 
was formed January 15, 1894, and he became 
one of the first board of trustees. This organ- 
ization at first embraced only Yamhill county, 
but has since been extended until it takes in the 
whole state and there are twenty thousand mem- 
bers. With the exception of one year, Mr. Gee 
has served continuously upon the board and is 
now acting in that capacity. 

In Marion county, Ore., occurred the mar- 
riage of Mr. Gee and Miss Mary J. Lebold, who 
was born in Illinois and came to this state with 
her parents in 1859, the family being established 
in Lafayette. There is one child by this mar- 
riage, Mrs. Anna M. Davis ; of McMinnville. 

In his political views Mr. Gee is a stalwart 
Democrat and has served as a member of the 
county committee, of which he was at one time 
chairman. For a number of years he has been 
a member of the school board and he is now 
serving his third term of the city council and is 
chairman of the fire committee. In 1902 he 
was a member of the charter committee, which 
framed the new city charter of McMinnville. He 
is likewise connected with the board of trade 
here and has been an officer in the Woodmen of 
the World to which he belongs. He is also a 
member of the Catholic Church. Since coming 
to Oregon Mr. Gee has attained very creditable 
success. Arriving here without capital he ac- 
cepted any employment that would yield him an 
honest living until he could gain a better start. 
His enterprise, industry and economy at length 
enabled him to become a factor in agricultural 
circles and eventually to win a prominent place 
among the representatives of commercial inter- 
ests and his course has ever been such as to 
commend him to the confidence and good will 
of those with whom he has been associated. 



PROF. H.-L. BOARDMAN, who for seven 
years, from 1896 to 1903, filled the honor- 
able position of president of McMinnville 
College, is a man whose career may well 
be worthy of emulation, and his capa- 
ble fulfillment of the duties devolving upon him 
has won for him the esteem and regard of all 
with whom he has been associated. He was born 
June 23, 1866, in Dover, Ohio, and is a son of T. 
W. Boardman, who was a native of Vermont. 
His father, Amos Boardman, was also born in 
the Granite state and was an honored pioneer 
of that commonwealth, who followed the occu- 
pation of farming. 

The family is of English descent and the or- 
iginal founders of the name in America became 



early settlers of Cambridge, Mass. From there the 
great-grandfather of Professor Boardman re- 
moved to Vermont, where Amos Boardman was 
born. His son, T. W. Boardman, was there born 
and reared, and on arriving at early manhood 
moved to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where he be- 
came a prominent farmer and tradesman. In 1870 
he moved to Johnson county, Kans., where he re- 
mained until 1874, when he moved with his fam- 
ily to Oregon, settling in McMinnville. Here he 
remained until 1886, following the wagonmak- 
ing trade in connection with general farming. In 
the year last mentioned he removed to the eastern 
part of Washington, settling in Colfax. He was 
a faithful and consistent member of the Baptist 
Church both in Oregon and Washington, and 
while living in those states the cause of Christi- 
anity found in him a warm supporter and friend. 
He was for years a member of the board of 
trustees of McMinnville College, and his influ- 
ence was ever given toward higher education. 
In politics he was an earnest Republican, and in 
him the temperance cause found a stanch sup- 
porter. His death occurred in the fall of 1897. 
His wife was Delia Ann Hanford, who was born 
in Dover, Ohio, a daughter of Harry Hanford. 
Her parents were of English descent and were 
early pioneers of the Buckeye state. Mrs. 
Boardman now makes her home with her son, 
Professor Boardman. By her marriage she be- 
came the mother of five children, but only two 
grew to years of maturity : Alfred E., now liv- 
ing in Boston, Mass., and H. L., the subject of 
this review. 

In his youth the latter was brought by his pa- 
rents to Oregon and in the public schools of Mc- 
Minnville he received his early education, later 
taking a course in the preparatory department 
of McMinnville College. On the removal of his 
parents to Colfax, Wash., he attended Colfax 
College, from which he graduated in 1889, with 
the degree of Bachelor of Arts, later receiving 
the degree of Master of Arts. In 1890 he at- 
tended the School of Divinity in the University 
of Chicago, where he remained until 1893, when 
he returned to Washington and in Colfax was 
ordained a minister in the Baptist Church. 
Later he was assistant to the pastor of the First 
Baptist Church of Tacoma, Wash. He was after- 
ward pastor of the church of that denomination 
at Eugene, Ore., until 1896, when he was elected 
president of McMinnville College. Under the 
capable management of Professor Boardman 
the scope and usefulness of the college has been 
greatly increased and extended, and he has organ- 
ized a conservatory of music and business col- 
lege as departments of the institution. The col- 
lege was incorporated in 1858, under the name 
of the Baptist College of McMinnville, and in 
1897 it was re-incorporated and became the Mc- 



Portrait and biographical record. 



04J 



ville College. It now has a membership of 
hundred and fifty pupils. In the work 
ssor Boardman took a lead- 
and to his efforts is largely due the suc- 
llcge. The excellent work of this 
widely recognized and its patrons 
best families oi the great north- 
essor Boardman is a member of the 
livision oi the State Teachers Associa- 
i member of the American Historical 
•i. of Washington, D. C, and 
of the Oregon Historical Society; is pro- 
i history and philosophy in con- 
u with his college duties. He is a 
•narked ability, and his understand- 
t the educational requirements of the 
t country in which he lives is broad and 
>. so that the service which he is able to ren- 
B this respect is of a lasting character, ben- 
not only to the present, but to the future 
th and development of education in Oregon 
surrounding states. 
In Colfax, Wash., in 1891, occurred the mar- 
>! Professor Boardman and Miss Myrtle 
A. Jackson, a native of Kansas. She died in 
< >f this marriage two children were born: 
M. and Faith G. For his second wife the 
hose Miss Alice Dorris, who was born 
in California and is a graduate of the University 
0, at Eugene. This union has been 
1 with two children : Katharine H. and 
e Dorris. In his political affiliations the pro- 
is independent, endorsing the men and 
leasures best fitted in his opinion to insure the 
: welfare. A man possessing the highest 
f heart and mind. Professor Boardman 
cannot fail to be a power for good in the com- 
munity in which he lives, and in which he is 
numbered among the most progressive and pub- 
lic-spirited citizens. 



JOHN CRAWFORD. An Irish- American 
elm possessed the most desirable of Celtic na- 
tional traits and utilized them for the perma- 
nent betterment of his adopted state of Oregon, 
was John Crawford, whose death in 1901, accen- 
uated the esteem with which he had ever been 
[ed in the community. Mr. Crawford was 
>rn in County Fermanagh. Ireland. May 12, 
and in the locality of his birthplace his 
parents had followed farming for many vears. 
J861 they came to Canada with most of their 
children, and there the father died. Subse- 
quently, in 1870. the mother removed to Cali- 
fornia with a portion of the family and later still 
came to Oregon. The mother died at the 
home of her son John at Pleasantdale 
soon after her arrival in Oregon, leaving 
four children: Robert, who lives in Ne- 



halem; Thomas, a resident of Coos Bay; 
Anna, the widow of H. Osborn and a resident 
of Cincinnati. Ohio; and Jane, the wife of X. 

Nelson, of Clackamas county. 

The oldest oi eight children born to his parents, 
John Crawford left home when quite young 
and went to Scotland, where he embarked on a 
sailing vessel bound for America. After spend- 
ing a few years in New r York City, during which 
time he was variously engaged, he found his 
way to Kansas, where, in addition to running a 
farm which he had purchased, he also engaged 
in trading to a considerable extent. At the ex- 
piration of two years in Kansas he returned to 
Xew York and shipped for San Francisco via 
Panama. In the vicinity of Placerville, Cal., 
he engaged in mining for a time, but later went 
to Florence, Idaho, still interested in searching 
for gold. For several years he experienced the 
usual ups and downs incident to the average 
miner's life, but by exercising economy and bus- 
iness judgment managed to lay by a small store 
of worldly possessions. Returning to Oregon in 
1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth 
Savage, a native of Salem, and thereafter went 
to Polk county, and near Lincoln purchased a 
farm upon which he made his home for about 
six years. He then located on French Prairie, 
near St. Louis, and after six years settled on the 
Gilmore donation claim near Hopewell, remain- 
ing there also for six years. For the following 
six years he lived on a farm on Pleasantdale 
Prairie, and bought the fine property now occu- 
pied by his widow on the Salem and Portland 
road. The farm is finely improved and one of 
the pleasantest homes in the county, representing 
in every detail the arduous effort of this erst- 
while ambitious and enterprising owner. 

Mrs. Elizabeth (Savage) Crawford died in 
December, 1894, having become the mother of 
eight children, as follows : Sherman, of Hope- 
well : Belle, the wife oi Sim McCamey ; Tillie, 
who resides in Salem ; Frederick, of Pleasant- 
dale Prairie ; John, deceased ; Dora, wife of Van 
Robinson, of Salem ; Lulu, deceased : and Will- 
iam, a resident of Amity. At Niagara. Canada, 
September 27, 1897, Mr. Crawford was united 
in marriage with Nancy Peer, a native of Can- 
ada, and one in a family of eight children, whose 
parents were farmers by occupation. When 
Mrs. Crawford was a mere child her father died, 
but her mother was spared until 1900. Mr. 
Crawford took a prominent part in many of the 
affairs in his neighborhood, especially in politics, 
which he endeavored in every way possible to 
elevate and keep in accord with moralitv and 
high citizenship. He was a consistent member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, toward the 
maintenance of which he contributed libcrallv 
at all times, and he was also active as a Sunday 



642 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



school teacher and all round worker. For 
many years he served in the capacities of road 
supervisor and member of the school board. An 
excellent manager and thrifty farmer, he 
amassed quite a large estate and was enabled 
to keep his family in all the comforts and many 
of the luxuries of life. Always a stanch be- 
liever in the value of a good education, he made 
it a point to give his children the best opportun- 
ities it was in his power to bestow, and by his 
private example guided them in the paths of cor- 
rect living and general uprightness. 



CALEB J. PAYNE. The finest rural dwell- 
ing between McMinnville and Sheridan has just 
been completed by Caleb J. Payne, owner of one 
of the best stocked, best equipped and most 
thoroughly cultivated farms in Yamhill county. 
This farm possesses more than an ordinary in- 
terest for its fortunate owner and represents not 
only the field of his mature and successful activ- 
ity, but is as well the playground of his child- 
hood and the scene of his birth, which occurred 
December 21, 1858. The inspiration derived 
from all worthy ancestors has had its effect in 
forming the character of Mr. Payne, and fur- 
thermore it is to his credit that he so well main- 
tains the reputation of one of the noble, capable 
and resourceful pioneers of the county. 

The Payne family was early represented 
in America, the paternal great-grandfather 
holding large landed possessions in Penn- 
sylvania. There in 1789 was born his 
son, Aaron, the intrepid Oregonian pio- 
neer, a man destined to fill a broad niche in 
the affairs of his time and place. A farmer and 
local preacher of the Christian Church by occu- 
pation, Aaron Payne was also a courageous sol- 
dier in the war of 18 12, and was later a soldier 
in the Blackhawk war in Illinois, to which latter 
service he was prompted by the massacre of his 
brother, one of the first to fall before the murder- 
ous vengeance of the Indians. In the war of 
1812 he was with Jackson at New Orleans, and 
in the Blackhawk war was a member of the 
Light Horse Dragoons. He was wounded near 
the place where the great Blackhawk was taken 
prisoner, but not seriously, and finally located 
on a farm in Illinois, a stanch advocate of peace 
won at the expense of Indian extermination. 
He married a Miss Murphy, who bore him thir- 
teen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity. 
Her death occurred in 1846, and the following 
year he joined a caravan bound for the extreme 
west, and without particular incident arrived at 
his destination in Yamhill county, Ore. Here 
he took up a donation land claim, cleared it of 
timber to a certain extent, and made his home 
among the crude conditions then prevailing in 



the state. Leaving his farm to the care of his 
children he took advantage of the gold rush to 
California in 1849, tmt. on the way enlisted in 
the Rogue River war, participating in many of 
the important skirmishes. The need of his mili- 
tary services over, he resumed his journey to 
California, where he followed mining and pros- 
pecting for about a year, returning then 
to his donation claim, where he worked at its im- 
provement for many years. He became promi- 
nent in politics and represented his county in 
the state legislature, all the while continuing to 
preach and run his farm, doing all the good that 
lay in his power to accomplish. His life was 
fashioned on self-sacrificing lines, and while di- 
recting the lives of hundreds into channels of 
usefulness and peace, received no remuneration 
save that conferred by an approving conscience. 
It was against his principles to receive money 
for preaching, but his farm netted him a fair in- 
come and he was what might be termed a finan- 
cially successful man. When he was about 
eighty he retired from agricultural and minis- 
terial work, thereafter living in retirement at 
North Yamhill until his death, in 1883, at the 
age of ninety-four years. 

While Aaron Payne was living on his farm in 
Sangamon county, 111., his son, Caleb J., Sr., 
the father of our subject, was born May 24, 
1 82 1. In time he left the paternal farm and 
learned the butcher's trade in Illinois, and his 
search for opportunity was rewarded in 1845, 
when he was employed by a man by the name 
of Ramage to drive ox-teams, and make himself 
generally useful in a trip across the plains. This 
was two years before the father came west, and 
at the end of his journey he settled on the farm 
on the Sheridan and McMinnville pike, near 
where the son now lives, eleven miles southwest 
of McMinnville and three and a half miles east 
of Sheridan, and which is now occupied by his 
son. At the time of the Cayuse war he was 
endeavoring to utilize his six hundred and forty 
acres in general farming and stock-raising, but 
he responded to his country's needs and en- 
listed as first orderly sergeant, taking part in 
all the principal engagements of the war. His 
peaceful farming existence was further inter- 
rupted in 1849, when he went to California and 
mined for a few months, but his hoard was con- 
siderably lessened owing to the time he spent 
in caring for an old friend, William Ball, who 
had the misfortune to break his leg. Returning 
to Portland on the Brother Jonathan, he was 
forty-seven days en route, but finally reached 
his claim, the wiser for his various experiences. 

In 1850 Mr. Payne married Malinda Toney, 
who was born in Callaway county, Mo., March 
24, 1829, and who crossed the plains with her 
parents in 1847, settling on a farm in Yamhill 



i'. -k ru \i r \xn BI< >GR \niu \i. RECORD. 



648 



'.joining thai of her future husband. 
nparatively brief married life was per- 
Mr. Payne, for he dial in 1858, leaving 
s children a large properly, but partially de- 
llis widow continued to live on the 
until 1S7J. when she married J. J. Butler 
ved i" a farm in the vicinity. Her sec- 
ond husband died a few years later, ami she her- 
in McMinnville in 1898, at the age 
j -nine years. Five children were born of 
■ narriage, of whom Amanda is the wife 
of W. 1- Warren, of McMinnville, and Mary 
- the wife of II. C. Burns, also of McMinnville; 
ed in infancy, and Caleb C, Jr. 
present owner of the Payne property was 
ited in Monmouth and at the Portland Bus- 
He continued to be an integral 
rt of the home farm until his marriage to Mary 
lond, a native of Marion county, and 
uighter of Augusta and Mary Raymond, pio- 
[' 1841. The young people lived in Mc- 
Minnville for a short time, and thereafter lived 
on a farm in Marion county for two years. He 
I on the old home place in 1888, and the 
majority of the tine improvements now facilitat- 
extensive general farming and stock-rais- 
terprise have been of his own making and 
are the result of his enterprise and progressive- 
He makes a specialty of fine cattle and 
old sheep, and derives a substantial income 
1 his fertile and productive property, which 
comprises three hundred and fifteen acres. Of 
le three children born into the Payne home Ethel 
deceased ; and Rita and Raymond are living 
at home with their parents. Mr. Payne is a 
prominent Democrat in his neighborhood, and 
; an active interest in promoting the inter- 
:s of his party. For several years he has been 
a member of the school board, at times serving 
clerk, and at present is one of the directors. 
Fratcmallv he is associated with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Sheridan. Mr. 
Payne is one of the live, progressive forces of 
Yamhill county, his beautiful home, his scientific 
and practical knowledge of farming and his 
genial and optimistic manner, contributing to a 
truly enviable reputation. 



ELI T. BRANSON owns an excellent farm 
pleasantly and conveniently located half a 

file from the courthouse in McMinnville. He 

now practically living retired and his rest is 

well deserved, for he has reached the seventy- 

)ird milestone -on life's journey and through- 
out the greater part of his manhood his career 
has been one of untiring activity and of honorable 
effort. The ancestors of the Branson family 
came from Norfolk, England, in 1733, three 



brothers leaving their native land at that tune, 
Levi, Eli and Thomas. One settled in Ohio, one 
in Philadelphia and one in Indiana, and our sub- 
ject came from the branch of Eli, who settled in 
Ohio in 1733. Eli T. was born in Sangamon 
county, 111., seven miles northwest of the city of 
Springfield, May 13, 1829, where his father Oc- 
cupied a farm for several years, and on leaving 
that country he took up his abode in Ohio, where 
he followed the occupation of farming, and later 
he went from that state to Indiana and after- 
ward to Illinois, settling in Sangamon county, 
where his last days were passed. 

Eli Branson, the father of our subject, was 
born in the Buckeye state in 1775, and after ar- 
riving at years of maturity he wedded Anna Tur- 
ner, who was also a native of Ohio. Her pa- 
rents lived to very advanced ages and died in 
Sangamon county, 111., where they had followed 
agricultural pursuits, her father passing away 
when a centenarian and her mother departing 
this life at the very advanced age of one hun- 
dred and two years. Mrs. Anna Branson, how- 
ever, died in 1829, at the birth of her son, Eli 
T., being at that time about forty years of age, 
Eli Branson, tne father, afterward wedded 
Thankful Montgomery. The children of his first 
marriage -were : Hannah, Sally, John and Will- 
iam, all of whom are deceased ; Mrs. Mary Cad- 
wallader, of Jersey county, 111. ; Calvin, who is 
living in Fulton county, 111. ; Lydia and Nancy, 
who are also deceased ; and Eli. The children of 
the father's second marriage have all departed 
this life, namely: Benjamin, Samuel, Abraham 
and Martha. For his third wife Mr. Branson 
chose Mrs. Wilkins, a widow, who survived him 
for about a year. Pie became a resident of San- 
gamon county, 111., at an early day and there 
carried on agricultural pursuits until called to 
his final rest, his death occurring in 1850, when 
he was seventy-five years of age. 

Under the parental roof Eli T. Branson spent 
the days of his childhood and when eighteen 
years of age he began earning his own liveli- 
hood by working as a farm hand in the locality 
in which he had been reared, but the business 
opportunities of the west attracted him and with 
the desire to embrace the advantages offered upon 
the Pacific coast, he crossed the plains in 185 1, 
and eventually arrived at McMinnville on the 
15th of September. The journey had been made 
with four yoke of oxen and he was accompanied 
by William Hussey, but trouble arose between 
them when they were on the way and they parted 
on the plains, Mr. Branson going on alone from 
Snake river. Pie passed through McMinnville, 
going on to the home of his uncle, William 
Branson, at the fork of the Yamhill and Willam- 
ina streams. For four years thereafter he was 
employed among the settlers and was in govern- 



644 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



merit survey work for a similar time. The 
early experience of pioneer settlers came to him. 
including hardships, trials and difficulties. He 
took part in the Yakima Indian war, which be- 
gan in February, 1855, and lasted for one hun- 
dred and twelve days, during which time he was 
subject to much exposure because the troops 
were not well equipped for military service. 
When the uprising of the Indians had been sup- 
pressed Mr. Branson returned to Polk county 
and in 1859 purchased a farm on Mill creek, the 
tract comprising three hundred and twenty acres, 
which he continued to cultivate and improve 
until 1869. The following year he purchased 
a farm in Yamhill county a mile and a half above 
Sheridan, this being three hundred and ten acres 
in extent. He retained possession of it until 
1897, when he purchased his present farm of 
forty acres conveniently located only half of a 
mile from the courthouse. The land is devoted 
to general farming, but Mr. Branson has practi- 
cally retired from business life, leaving the care 
of his property to others, while he is enjoying 
the fruits of his former toil. 

Unto our subject and his wife were born four 
children, of whom two are yet living: William 
Arthur and Calvin E., both at home. The latter 
has been county surveyor for ten years. Mr. Bran- 
son has taken the second degree of Masonry in 
McMinnville and in politics he is a Republican. 
A half century has passed since his arrival in 
the northwest and wonderful has been the trans- 
formation which has occurred in this period. 
Railroads have been built and the land has been 
made to yield its rich resources and gifts to the 
settlers who have invaded its forests, claimed 
its splendid timber districts and its prairie lands, 
working its mines and establishing all kinds of 
industries known to business life in the east. 
Mr. Branson takes much pride in what has been 
accomplished here and his work in behalf of the 
county has been effective and beneficial, while 
in the supervision of his farming interests he 
has gained the success for which all men are 
striving. 



WILLIAM MERCHANT. If it had required 
money to purchase the men who have put their 
brawn and energy into the cultivation of the 
west, Oregon would owe to many a locality for 
that which they have lost and she has won. A 
descendant of a sturdy Scotchman, William Mer- 
chant claims his nativity in the United States, 
and works for the welfare of the country 
through his good citizenship in the state 
of his adoption. His father, Robert Merchant, 
was born in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland, in 
December of the year 1792, and at the age of 
six years he was apprenticed to a shoemaker 



to learn the trade. Three years later he left 
home, and from that time on made his own way 
in the world. In 1808 he decided to emigrate, 
and after a short visit home, he started for the 
United States, his manner of traveling showing 
his determination of character, for not having 
sufficient money to pay his passage he secreted 
himself on board a vessel bound for New York, 
and after an uneventful voyage, he landed in that 
city, and though penniless and alone he was not 
resourceless for he had an abundance of courage 
and energy, as well as a trade to fall back upon. 
He drifted about from place to place, seeing much 
of this part of the world, but finally settling in 
Elkhart county, Ind., where in 1838 he met and 
married Lucretia Stewart, a native of that state, 
born July 8, 1818. After drifting to various 
places in Ohio, Illinois and Iowa, in the latter 
state taking up government land and farming in 
conjunction with his trade, he decided to try his 
fortunes in the west. Accordingly he sold out 
in 1847, an d crossed the plains, landing in Ore- 
gon City September 27, having taken about six 
months in the journey. After a very few days 
spent in looking about him, he bought the right 
to six hundred and forty acres of land, and here 
he passed the remainder of his life, carrying on 
general farming and also his trade, which latter 
he found very profitable, working at times six- 
teen hours a day, making boots for the miners 
who were going to the mines of California, and 
receiving for each pair the sum of $16. After 
sixty-eight years of strenuous living that 
marked his whole life he passed away, leaving 
behind him the records of his industry and per- 
severance in the well-tilled fields of the great 
farm which he had truly earned in the improve- 
ments put upon it. His life had been full of 
hardships, but with no such word as failure in 
his vocabulary he left his children a rich inheri- 
tance in their western home. The mother out- 
lived her husband many years, dying in Janu- 
ary, 1 89 1. Of the eight children that blessed 
the home, five were born in Oregon, the other 
three experiencing the trip though almost too 
young to recall the happenings. Andrew, the 
eldest, located in Seattle, Wash., where he died 
in 1899; Sarah Jane, the next in age; William; 
Warren, the first native Oregonian of the family, 
now in Vancouver; Mary Maynard, of Colton, 
Wash.; Mariah Hendricks, of Seattle, Wash.; 
and Robert, who is engaged in the commission 
business at the last-named city. 

William was the youngest of the children who 
crossed the plains, having been born in Davis 
county, Iowa, July 12, 1843, being at the time 
of the journey four years of age. The years of 
his boyhood he passed on his father's farm, 
spending a small part of each year in the schools 
of Oregon, going several miles to the de- 



PORTE \l I' \.\l> BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



(5-17 



'.in thai served as a school 
building. At the age of twenty-two years, 
be went to the mines in Idaho, remain- 
there for three months, taking away with 
him several hundred dollars, the result of his 
Returning home, he went to work among 
tlio fanners of his neighborhood, leaving the 
ring on another mining expedition, bound 
at this time for the Blackfoot mines, in company 
with several others, among whom were Lee 
Laughlin and Uncle Benjamin Stewart. Mr. 
Merchant remained in eastern Oregon for three 
months working on a stock ranch. He subse- 
quently engaged in the sheep business and in 
the spring of 1867 took six hundred head to 
Boise City, where he sold them with a liberal 
profit for his work. In the Boise Basin he tried 
the livery business, giving it up later, however, 
as he received at this time his share of his fath- 
er's land, which was seventy-four acres. In 1868 
he married Miss Martha Landess, a native of 
Washington county, Ore., her father having 
crossed the plains in the same train with the 
Merchant family in 1847, settling in this county, 
where he remained until his death. 

From time to time Mr. Merchant has added 
to his property until he now owns seven hundred 
and fifteen acres, four hundred and forty of it 
being land that belonged formerly to his father's 
place. Nearly all of this large farm is in culti- 
vation, being used for general farming and very 
extensive operations in the line of stock-raising. 
.Mr. Merchant has interested himself on all public 
questions, taking an active part in school matters, 
holding through Republican influence the posi- 
tion of road supervisor and various school 
offices. He is a very prominent man in 
the county, giving his energies in the direction 
of general improvement, and with all his worldly 
success remembering the early days of Oregon 
and seeking to perpetuate their memory by his 
interest in the County Pioneer Association, in 
which he has served as president. 



JONAH WISEMAN MOORE. Half way 
up the mountains, and commanding a fine view 
of the city of Brownsville and the surrounding 
county, is the home of Jonah Wiseman Moore, 
around whom still clings those fast disappear- 
ing characteristics with which fiction and im- 
agination surround the old-time miners of the 
west and north. This discoverer, and for years 
partial owner, of the famous Lucky Boy mine 
in the Blue River mining district, is by nature 
fitted for a life on the outskirts of civilization, 
possessing a ruggedness of constitution and a 
fearlessness of thought and conviction particu- 
larly adapted to unsettled regions. 

Born on a farm in Sheridan county, Mo., 



( Ictober 15, [839, he comes of an old Tennessee 
family, established in Missouri by his paternal 
grandfather, Jonah. His father, Robert, was 
a small boy when the family fortunes were 
shifted from Tennessee to Sheridan county, 
and he was reared to farming and educated in 
the district schools. He married Malinda 
Scrivner, a native daughter of Missouri, whose 
father, James Scrivner, served in the war of 
1812. Seven children, six sons and one daugh- 
ter, were born into the Moore family in Mis- 
souri, Jonah being the second. In 1852 the 
father outfitted with ox-teams and wagons and 
started across the plains with his family, Jonah 
being then thirteen years of age, and able to 
make himself useful driving stock and carrying 
water in camp. The journey was a memorable 
one for the homeseekers, for on the way the 
mother succumbed to the strain of travel, and 
was left in a wayside grave on the Big Dry 
Sandy. Mournfully the procession proceeded 
upon its way, the travelers enduring patiently 
the hardships and deprivations incident to the 
times and conditions, rendered doubly dreary 
by a loss which had taken away the wife and 
mother. The father took up a claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres near Harrisburg, 
and, in 1858, moved to Josephine county, Ore., 
the following year removing to Curry county, 
where he engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
ing. In 1873 he bought a small stock ranch in 
Del Norte county, Cal., which he managed for 
several years, and upon which he is now living 
retired, at the age of eighty-six. 

Two years after coming to Oregon with his 
parents, in 1852, Jonah W. Moore started out 
on _ his own responsibility, securing work on 
different farms in Linn county. His mining 
career began in the dry diggings near Grant's 
Pass, in 1859, and when the Salmon river ex- 
citement was at its height he made his way 
thither. After taking an inventory of the situ- 
ation he made up his mind that there was not 
gold enough to go around, and that he stood 
a better chance running a pack train to the 
mines than in trying to work them, and this 
he did with fair success for five years. In 1867 
he began mining again, and the next year came 
to the Willamette valley, and in Clackamas 
county married Elizabeth Garrett, a .native 
daughter of the state. Thereafter he engaged 
in farming for some time, and, in 1887, began 
what proved to be the most satisfactory part 
of his career as a miner. He discovered the 
great Lucky Boy. How great was his good 
fortune may be imagined when it is known 
that upon disposing of his share in the mine, i'i 
1901, to F. C. Sharkey, he realized $20,000. 
Few men in the state are more familiar with 
the mines in the west than is Mr. Moore, who 



648 



FORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



has traveled many hundreds of miles from one 
camp to another, and has feasted in the light 
of many camp-fires. Fortunately he has not 
followed a phantom fortune, idealized by an 
overwrought brain or exaggerated expecta- 
tions, but has made his work count, and placed 
himself beyond the reach of want. 

Five children were born of the first marriage 
of Mr. Moore, and of these, Anna May is the 
wife of C. B. Wilson, of Oregon City ; Ivy is 
the wife of W. W. Waters, of Brownsville ; 
Ettie married S. B. Sawyer, of Brownsville ; R. 
A. owns and manages a grocery store of this 
town, and Richard Irvin is deceased. The pres- 
ent Mrs. Moore was formerly Mrs. J. W. Han- 
ley, a native of Washington, and daughter of 
Marcus McMillen, a native of Ohio. Mr. Mc- 
Millen crossed the plains from his home in 
Michigan, in 1852, locating in the state of 
Washington, where he eventually died. 
Through her marriage with John W. Hanley 
four children were born: William H. and Er- 
nest F., deceased ; Lennie L. and Leo W. Mr. 
Moore has always subscribed to the principles 
of the Republican party, but his time has been 
too much taken up in out-of-the-way places to 
permit of any political service. For many 
years he has been identified with the Encamp- 
ment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 
religion he is a Baptist. Mr. Moore has the 
sincerity and straightforwardness of a large- 
hearted and tolerant miner, augmented by gen- 
erous and admirable traits of character. He 
has found many opportunities to do kindly and 
disinterested acts, in consequence of which 
there are many living in different parts of the 
northwest who gladly acknowledge their obli- 
gations to him. Mr. Moore has recently pur- 
chased 16,000 shares in the Lucky Boy mine, 
and still keeps up his interest in mining circles. 



M. S. PEERY. Four miles southeast of Day- 
ton is the farm of two hundred and fifty-seven 
acres belonging to M. S. Peery, recognized as one 
of the stable and reliable members of the agricul- 
tural community of Yamhill county. From an- 
cestors similarly engaged Mr. Peery inherits a 
special aptitude for his chosen work, augmented 
by a practical home training on the paternal farm 
in Missouri, where he was born October 15, 1852. 

Wilson' Peery, the father of M. S., was born in 
Kentucky in 1827, and at a very early date re- 
moved with his parents to Missouri, when that 
state was as yet an undeveloped prairie. As he 
was one of a large family of children it was nec- 
essary for him to assist in the maintenance of the 
family, which he cheerily did, remaining at home 
until his marriage, which united him with Miss 
Maria Compton, who was also a native of Mis- 



souri. For several years they kept house and 
farmed in the vicinity of Pattonsburg, Davuss 
county, in which town they sold their general 
commodities, receiving in exchange sugar and 
other staples. In 1863, Mr. Peery disposed of his 
Missouri land and prepared to come to Oregon 
with ox and horse teams, and during the long 
trip, covering six months, had a comparatively 
fortunate time. The extent of their unpleasant 
experiences was the appropriation of some of 
their stock bv the Indians, but otherwise they 
were unmolested, thanks to the more settled con- 
dition of the country. For a year the family lo- 
cated in Clackamas county, and in 1864, removed 
to Linn county, remaining there for seven years. 
In 1 87 1, Mr. Peery retired from farming and 
took up his residence in Dayton, where his death 
occurred when he was seventy-one years of age. 
His wife died when sixty-eight years old. Both 
were members of the Baptist Church, in which 
they were active workers. Of their eleven chil- 
dren, James is deceased ; Hiram lives in Yamhill 
county ; Archibald is a druggist in McMinnville ; 
Jefferson is deceased ; M. S. is next in order of 
birth ; Amanda is the wife of B. Harris, of 
Dayton ; Eliza, Julia, Rebecca and Martha are 
deceased ; and America is the wife of Alvis 
Gains, of Yamhill county. 

Directly after his marriage, in 1871, to Rachel 
Kimsey, a native of the state and a daughter of 
Alvis Kimsey, represented elsewhere in this 
work, Mr. Peery went to housekeeping on the 
farm which is still his home. He has a pleasant 
rural residence, fine barns and out-buildings, and 
his land is under a high state of cultivation, about 
one hundred and sixty acres being used for gen- 
eral crops. Shorthorn cattle, Cotswold sheep 
and Poland-China hogs are raised in large num- 
bers, and contribute a neat yearly income to the 
owner. Mr. Peery is a Democrat in national 
politics, and he has served officially as a member 
of the school board and as road supervisor. Fra- 
ternally, he is associated with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, and in religion is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. 
Rachel Peery died February 16, 1900, having be- 
come the mother of three children : Nellie be- 
came the wife of Prestoen Lung, of Polk county ; 
Anna is deceased, and Maud became the wife of 
Martin Rhodes, of Seattle. October 1, 1901, Mr. 
Peery married Hattie Dorsey, the daughter of 
George Dorsey, of Yamhill county, and one 
daughter, Mildred, has blessed this union. 






ROBERT N. MAGNESS. A native son of 
Oregon who is reflecting credit upon earlv teach- 
ings and the community in which he lives, is 
Robert N. Magness, owner of one hundred and 
ninety-two acres of land upon which he is en- 



P0RTRA1 r AND BIOGRAPHICA1 RED iRD. 



64y 



gaged in farming and stock and hop raising. 

During the last year he luul twenty thousand 

. of hops, gathered from twelve acres of 

Born near Springfield, Lane county. Ore., 

er 15, 1855, Mr. Magness is a son of 

; and Virginia (Byrd) Magness, natives 

Independence county. Ark., and the former of 

- mentioned at length in the sketch of A. 

brother of K. X. 

— received a public school educa- 
as reared without motherly care, for 
-: friend of any boy died when he was 
. three years oi age. In 1868 he went to 
- with his father and brother, spending 
• test part of his time in Canyon City, Ore. 
While the older men prospected and mined he 
rked as a clerk in a grocery store, and also 
herded sheep, and in this wild and practicably 
untamable region gained considerable business 
and general knowledge. Returning to Marion 
inty in 1871. he continued to make that his 
home until 1876, when he came to Yamhill 
inty and worked on a farm by the month. 
He also became interested in logging and a gen- 
eral lumber business, and in 1885 determined 
settle down and become permanently identi- 
with Yamhill county. After his marriage 
with Ollie Barndrick, a native of McMinnville, 
and of Holland descent. Mr. Magness lived for 
rive years on a farm near "Wheatland, and then 
bought the farm upon which he has since ex- 
pended so much well-directed effort. The im- 
provements are entirely of his own making, and 
include one of the pleasantest and most modern 
'.ciice- in this part of the county. Mr. Mag- 
>s also has fine barns, implements and out- 
houses, and is well equipped for what he intends 
shall be an extensive and practical farming enter- 
prise. 

In political affiliations Mr. Magness is inde- 
pendent, and has never evinced a desire to reap 
political honors. Fraternally he is a member of 
the Knights of the Maccabees, and a welcome 
visitor in the lodge at Amity. His wife, who is 
a member of the Evangelical Church, is the 
mother of eight children, in order of birth being 
'.Hows : Mabel, who is attending school at 
m : Carrie, Josie. Bertha, John, Nettie, Vir- 
ginia and Adeline, all of whom are at home with" 
their parents. 



SAMUEL R. BAXTER. One of the prom- 
inent and influential machinists and blacksmiths 
of Yamhill county is Samuel R. Baxter, owner 
and manager of an enterprising business in Dav- 
ton. and also extensivelv identified with Repub- 
lican political affairs. Mr. Baxter was born in 
Jefferson county, Ind., March 31, 1830, his 
father, James, having been born in Montgomery 



county. Ohio, where Dayton now stands, April 
5, iSlo, and died in Dayton, Ore., February 27, 
1903. The paternal grandfather, James, was 
born in Ireland, and emigrated to America in 
time to participate in the Revolutionary war, 
some of his brothers also taking part in the same 
momentous struggle for independence. James 
Baxter married Martha M. Stott, affectionately 
called by her friends Patsy, a name which clung 
to her up to the time of her death on the home 
place in 1892. at the age of eighty-one years. 
She was born near Frankfort, Ky., and was the 
daughter of a farmer who emigrated to Indiana 
from Kentucky, and there married and died. 
Mrs. Baxter was the mother of nine children, 
four sons and five daughters, Samuel R' being 
the oldest of those living. Of the other children, 
Rebecca Long lives in Iowa ; Mrs. Sarah Perkins 
lives in Indiana ; Mrs. Nancy Jones lives in Day- 
ton, Ore. ; and Raleigh is a farmer of Indiana. 

Samuel R. Baxter received his preliminary 
education in Jefferson county, Ind., and in 185 1 
crossed the plains with his brother, William, 
there being twenty wagons in the train, under 
command of Captain Bob Hariford. At the ex- 
piration of six months the party landed in Ore- 
gon City, September 10, and from there Mr. 
Baxter went into Columbia county and located 
near St. Helens, there becoming identified with 
the firm of Crosby & Smith, builders of saw 
mills. He w r as well qualified for this work, hav- 
ing in his younger days learned the blacksmith's 
trade in Indiana, and for a year took an active 
interest in the erection of saw mills for the com- 
pany. Following this employment he took up 
a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres 
near Troutdale, and at one time engaged in 
blacksmith work on the corner of Second and 
Morrison streets, Portland. Here he was obliged 
to cut dowm fir trees in order to erect his shop, 
but the effort was worth wdiile, for during his 
three years' stay in the then small town of Port- 
land he managed to work up quite a paying trade. 
In 1858 he engaged in blacksmithing in Dayton, 
Ore., and has since been an integral part of this 
town's steady growth. At present he has a 
machine shop in connection, and at all times of 
the year he has about all the work that he can 
turn out. 

In i860 Mr. Baxter was united in marriage 
with Xancy Comegys, of Polk county. Ore., and 
a native of St. Charles county. Mo. Mrs. Bax- 
ter, who died in 1888, at the age of fifty-six 
years, was the mother of two daughters, Mrs. 
Delia Converse, of Eugene, Ore., and Edna, who 
is living at home. As a Republican Mr. Baxter 
has taken an active interest in his adopted town, 
and in fact with the various locations in which 
he has lived since his voting davs. His first 
active service was inaugurated in Yamhill county 



(550 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I! 



during 1878-79-80, when he was serving as a 
commissioner of Yamhill. For many years he 
has been a member of the school board, and has 
also been mayor of Dayton on two occasions. For 
twenty-five years he has been justice of the peace 
of Dayton. Mr. Baxter is popular and well 
known fraternally, being a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows for thirty years. 
He has passed through all of the chairs of the 
order, and has been a member of the Grand 
Lodge. In 1880 the Baxter family was aug- 
mented by the parents of Mr. Baxter, who came 
from their home in the middle west. This con- 
genial and very hospitable household was sad- 
dened by the death of the senior Mr. Baxter Feb- 
ruary 27, 1903. Mr. Baxter is a man whose 
word receives the same consideration as would 
his bond, and who exemplifies in his personality 
and life a high order of western citizenship. 



JUDGE L. FLINN. The cautious, thought- 
ful and conservative elements so well known in 
New England towns, but which is less widely 
diffused west of the Mississippi, have been ad- 
vantageously utilized in the upbuilding of Al- 
bany by Judge L. Flinn, judge of Linn county 
from 1880 until 1884, and for many years a prom- 
inent legal practitioner, banker, and general man 
of affairs. Born in Ireland in 1837, and arriving 
in America with his parents while yet a boy, 
Judge Flinn was reared on a farm in Sudbury, 
Rutland county, Vt., and was educated in the 
public schools and Middlebury College. As was 
the custom in those days, the colleges gave long 
Vacations during the winter season to enable the 
students to engage in teaching, and Mr. Flinn 
availed himself of this opportunity. Soon after 
his graduation in 1863, he removed to Elizabeth- 
town, N. Y., and studied law in the office of Rob- 
ert S. Hale. In the meantime having determined 
to spend his future among surroundings offering 
greater opportunities, he started west via Pana- 
ma and arrived in San Francisco in November, 
1864. Fie continued his journey northward and 
spent the first winter in Linn county, and the fol- 
lowing: summer taught school in Polk county. In 



and S. E. Young he purchased of John Conner 
the First National Bank, Mr. Flinn becoming 
president, Mr. Chamberlain cashier, and !\Ir. 
Young vice president. The bank's charter ex- 
pired, and was renewed April 2, 1903, but in the 
meantime it has known a remarkably successful 
era, having increased the capital stock from $50,- 
000 to $80,000, and erected in 1889 the present 
building, with a frontage of sixty-six feet, ll 
weathered the financial panic of 1893, when so 
many similar institutions throughout the country 
were wrecked. Among other interests which 
have profited by the sagacious counsel and prac- 
tical co-operation of Judge Flinn may be men- 
tioned the Albany Woolen Mills Company, the 
Albany Water Company, in which he is a stock- 
holder and of which company he was formerly 
treasurer, and the Albany College, of which he 
was a member of the board of trustees for many 
years. Besides the judgeship, to which he was 
elected by his Republican constituents, he has 
served as mayor of Albany for one term, and has 
been a member of the school board for several 
years. 

Judge Flinn married in Salem, Cynthia S. 
Church, who was born in Pennsylvania, and is a 
sister of Stephen and C. P. Church, of Salem. 
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Flinn, of whom Stephen, the only son, died in 
his junior year at Princeton College ; Anna W., 
a graduate of Albany College and the Leland 
Stanford University, is living- at home; Orpha J., 
also a graduate of Albany College and Leland 
Stanford University, is now the wife of A. C. 
Schmett of Corvallis, Ore. ; and Ruth, a grad- 
uate of the Albany College, is living at home. 






W. W. NICKELL. The various occupa- 
tions which have filled the busy life of W. W. 
Nickell, in all of which he . has achieved com- 
mendable success, entitle him to the consideration 
which he at present receives from the agricultural 
and business community of Yamhill county. He 
became an occupant of his present farm in 1891, 
and his location, eight and a half miles south of 



McMinnville, and four and a half miles west of 

1865 he removed to Albany and began teaching Amity, is most advantageous from many stand- 

a small school held in one room, but which grew points, being among the most productive soil in 

in attendance until in 1868 it required three the county. The place is known as the old Robert 

rooms. His school duties had been combined Flenderson donation claim, and Mr. Nickell is 

with further professional researches, and in 1865 engaged in general farming and stock-raising, 

he was admitted to practice at the bar at Salem, being an extensive raiser of Cotswold sheep and 

in 1868 forming a partnership with J. C. Powell. Shorthorns. He is also interested in a threshing- 



At the end of ten years he severed his connection 
with Mr. Powell and practiced alone for a year. 
He then entered into partnership with George 
E. Chamberlain, under the firm name of Flinn & 
Chamberlain. This association continued until 
when in connection with Mr. Chamberlain 



machine, and his farm is fitted with machinery 
for public feed chopping-. 

A native of Henry county, Iowa, Mr. Nickell 
was born June 27, 1859, a son °f James McD. 
and Elizabeth (McClure) Nickell, natives of 
Jackson county, Ohio, and born, respectively, De- 





CHsisi 



oil <kl Jtc^ftt 







PORTRAIT AND l'.K )t iRAPl IICAL RECORD. 



(>. r )3 



- 1822, and Apnl iS. [818. They were 
I in Ohio, September 21, 1843, and re- 
wa about 1844. there taking up crude 
which the) improved, and which continued 
their home for the remainder of their lives. 
•her lived to be forty-two years old, and 
sixty-two. There were but three chil- 
li the family, of whom .Mary J. and Ben- 
■ F. are deceased. 
Vs opportunity offered W. W. Nickel! at- 
the public schools of Wayland, although 
n'cation was curtailed at the age of fourteen, 
when lie applied himself to learning the mill- 
gj ' s trade. Thereafter he worked at his 
• for many years, and. being frugal and 
t'tv. managed to save quite a little money. 
er 1, [879, he married, at Mount Pleasant, 
[owa, Mary L. Martin, a native of Iowa, with 
whom he continued to live in Iowa for a couple 
rs. His next place of residence was Win- 
!. Iowa, where he engaged in the mercantile 
ir three years, and afterward followed 
ade for a couple of years. In 1885, Mr. 
Nickel! came to Oregon and settled for a couple 
rears in McMinnville, and, as heretofore 
stated, located on his present farm in 1891. Five 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nickell, 
Martin McD.. Wellman D., Blanche M., Ina E. 
and Franklin D. Mr. Nickell is a Republican in 
deal affiliation, and is at present serving as 
lerk of the school board. Fraternally, he is as- 
ated with the Woodmen of the World and the 
\ncient ( >rder of United Workmen, in which 
latter organization he has taken the degree of 
honor. In his adopted state, Mr. Nickell has a 
firmly established reputation for integrity, cau- 
m, sterling business methods and progressive- 
s as an agriculturist. 



ROBERT HALL SCOTT, manager of the 
Iburn Roller Mills, is one of the men who 
have been closely identified with the best in- 
terests of the Willamette valley for a long period, 
Mid occupies a prominent place among the pro- 
5sive enterprising men who are certain mate- 
rially to impress their worth upon any commun- 
Heredity and early environment had much 
d do with fashioning the career of Mr. Scott, 
Mid so closely has he always been allied with 
the milling industry that any other occupation 
would now be foreign to him. 

Mr. Scott was horn January 5, 1875, m the 
center of a thriving industry at Scott's Mills, 
Marion county. Ore., a beautiful hamlet founded 
by his father, and comes of sturdy Scotch ances- 
try. His father, Robert H. Scott. Sr., was born 
in Samiston, Roxburyshire, Scotland, October 
22. 1826. and was reared and educated in his 
native land. At an early age he learned the 



miller's trade. In 1849 he emigrated to Canada 
where he engaged in milling with considerable 
success until 1850, and in that year came to Ore- 
gon, locating in Westport, where he engaged in 
the operation of a .sawmill until [866. He then es- 
tablished the mills at the point which has since 
been inseparably associated with his name, and 
where, from 1866 to 1892, he bent all his ener- 
gies to building up a community of interests 
which he might leave as a heritage to his chil- 
dren, lie established an exceptional reputation 
lor good fellowship and business integrity, and 
accomplished more toward developing the re- 
sources of that locality and fostering its various 
important enterprises than any other individual 
who ever participated in the erection of the' great 
industrial and commercial fabric of the Pacific 
northwest. In the latter part of the year 1892 
he removed to Woodburn and erected the Wood- 
burn Roller Mills, which are devoted to the man- 
ufacture of a high grade of flour; and in con- 
nection with this industry built a large ware- 
house. To this mill and its operation Mr. Scott 
gave the same careful attention which he bad 
bestowed upon his previous undertakings, and 
his work in this direction proved to be one of 
the most important features in the industrial life 
of Marion county. He lived to be seventy-one 
years, eleven months and twenty days of age, 
and is recalled as one of the best business men 
of the county, and as the possessor of sterling 
personal characteristics. April 11, 1855, he was 
united in marriage with Ann West, who was 
born near Quebec, Canada, May 22, 1835, and 
whose father, John West, was a native of Scot- 
land. John West came to America in early life, 
and after an extended and successful business 
career in the Dominion located at Westport, Ore., 
of which he was the founder, and which bears 
his name. He built a canning establishment, 
and was among the first to can fish in Oregon, 
and was the inventor of useful appliances used 
in this connection. He died in Westport in 1888, 
at the age of eighty-six years. 

Immediately after the completion of his course 
in the public schools, Robert H. Scott, Jr., at- 
tended the Portland Business College in Port- 
land, and thus, equipped with his milling ex- 
perience dating from the early years of his life, 
was prepared for any emergency which the fu- 
ture might present. He succeeded to the man- 
agement of the mill now owned bv his mother 
and brother, and which is equipped with modern 
machinery. It has three stories and a basement, 
and the roller process is used. The principal 
brands produced are White Rose and Snowdrop, 
both of which have an extensive sale throughout 
the northwest and are shipped in large quantities 
to foreign markets. The mills consume nearlv 
all the wheat produced in their vicinity, and the 



654 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



management also imports from other sections 
large quantities of this cereal. 

June i, 1898, Mr. Scott was married, in Eu- 
gene, Ore., to Maud M. Bonney, a native of 
Monmouth, Ore., and a daughter of Charles Reu- 
ben Bonney. The latter is also a native of Ore- 
gon, and at the present time is engaged in the 
harness trade at Portland, Ore. Mr. Scott is 
a member of several fraternal and social or- 
ganizations in Woodburn, but the one to which 
he devotes the' most of his attention is Wood- 
burn Lodge No. 102, I. O. O. F. In politics he 
is a Democrat, and has served as city treasurer 
of Woodburn for one term. He is one of the 
careful, progressive and honored younger citi- 
zens of Marion county, and unquestionably will 
continue to exert a wide influence in business 
and social circles. With the traditions of his 
family to encourage and inspire him, a success- 
ful future seems doubly assured. Mr. Scott and 
his wife have one daughter, Rowena, born May 
21, 1903. 

EDMUND WOOD. A worthy representative 
of a pioneer family of Yamhill county is Edmund 
Wood, born back in the hills of Tennessee, in 
Campbell county, January 1, 1836, the son of 
John P. and Amy (Witt) Wood. When this 
son was but nine years old the family moved to 
Missouri, remaining there for two years and then 
setting out for the great west, to endure all the 
privations, hardships and perils of a seven 
months' journey across the plains for the sake 
of the home they hoped to make at the journey's 
end. Besides Edmund there were four other chil- 
dren who crossed the plains at the same time, 
1847, namely: Joseph, now deceased; Henry; 
Sarah Lady, deceased; and Mary E., wife of G. 
W. Branson. Upon reaching Oregon the family 
located in Yamhill county on a donation claim 
of six hundred and forty acres, two miles west 
of Sheridan. Here Mr. Wood's father lived for 
twenty-one years, giving the strength of his 
early manhood to the hard proposition of Ore- 
gon forests and fastnesses, clearing the one and 
conquering the other until, in 1868, the year he 
left the place for a retired life, his farm presented 
the appearance of a well-kept eastern farm, with 
the difference of the many broad acres stretching 
away on every side evidencing the plenty of this 
western land. The death of Mr. Wood's mother 
occurred on the home place five years after they 
reached Oregon. Mr. Wood, Sr., moved to Mc- 
Minnville when he left the farm, where he died 
in 1892, being eighty years old. 

At eighteen years of age Edmund left home, 
not from necessity but from choice, going to 
Polk county, where he secured work with Mr. 
Savage, with whom he remained for eight years, 



evidently doing justice to the good opinion of 
his employer. But with the restlessness of a 
young man who has seen but little of the world 
he left Mr. Savage at the expiration of this time, 
going to Walla Walla, Wash., remaining there 
just one year. After this comparatively brief 
period of wandering, he came back to the county 
chosen by his father for their early home, and 
as if to anchor himself there, he bought one hun- 
dred and sixty acres in Yamhill county, five miles 
north of Willamina, where he has since spent the 
greater part of his life. Later he increased his 
farm to two hundred and seventy-six acres on 
which he is actively engaged in sheep-raising and 
general farming. 

Mr. Wood has been quite active in local politics, 
holding through Democratic influence the posi- 
tion of road supervisor, also serving as school 
director for sixteen years, a period of faithful- 
ness not often met with in rural districts. He 
also received the appointment as superintendent 
of the farm of the state penitentiary from Gov- 
ernors Grover and Thayer, which position he held 
creditably for eight years. Fraternally he is 
connected with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows of Sheridan. In 1882 he was married 
to Miss Matilda Shook and their union was 
blessed with four children, the eldest of whom, 
John, died in infancy. The three living are Let- 
tie, Grover and Andrew. 



GEORGE F. EARHART. Among the sons 
of Ohio who have contributed to the agricultural 
development of Oregon may be mentioned George 
F. Earhart, for many years an expert sawmill 
man, and since 1886 the owner of a farm of 
ninety-two acres three miles northeast of Mc- 
Minnville. A native of Darke county, Ohio, 
Mr. Earhart was born December 22, 1836, a son 
of Samuel and Elizabeth (Scribner) Earhart, 
and grandson of George Earhart, a very early 
settler in Darke county. 

Samuel and Elizabeth Earhart were reared 
on near-by farms in Darke county, and as chil- 
dren enjoyed the same pastimes and attended 
the same little school house. Samuel was born 
in .Virginia and his wife in Connecticut, and both 
removed to Darke county with their parents when 
very young. The maternal grandfather, Azer 
Scribner, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and 
paid the price of his life for patriotism, as he 
was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. After 
the death of Samuel Earhart, the support of the 
family naturally fell upon the shoulders of the 
children, of whom there were six boys and five 
girls, George F. being the fifth oldest, and at 
that time sixteen years of age. With his brother 
William he undertook the principal management 
of the farm, and before leaving home at the age 



PORTRAIT AND P,H l( ,K \PH1CAL RECOR I ). 



65.' 



twenty-two. managed between times to serve 

an apprenticeship of three years to a carpenter. 

ears he followed his trade in Darke 

unty, in connection with which he bought and 

■ i a sawmill for four years, lie then took 
dence in Polk county, Iowa, where he 
in the sawmill business for about nine 1 
ir-. The sawmill disposed of, he located 
in Vernon county. Mo., and after two years, in 
located in Oregon. After looking around 
a desirable location, he finally decided tipon 
the farm upon which he has since spent the most 
useful and profitable years of his life. His prop- 
equipped with a comfortable residence, 
tod barns and outhouses, and with all needful 
iltural implements. He is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising, and is one of 
e practical and successful farmers of this lo- 
cality. 

In 1861 Mr. Earhart was united in marriage 

with Minerva G. Powell, a native of Darke 

county, Ohio, who is the mother of three sons and 

• daughters, of whom Hattie is the wife of 

William McConkey, of McMinnville ; the other 

children being: Ira, Leonard. Charles and Mary 

Kate. Mr. Earhart is a Republican in politics, 

and has held the offices of school director and 

school supervisor. He was elected countv road 

master in January. 1902. Fraternally he is as- 

ited with the Masons of Lafayette, and is 

treasurer of the organization. In religion he is 

1 member and trustee of the Evangelical Church 

I I.afavette. 



PHILIP R. FENDALL. Upon the farm 
which is now his home and which has been in 
the possession of the family since 1845. Philip 
l\. Fendall was born February 5, 1857. This 
ownership, considered short in the east, is long 
for the west, and like instances are comparatively 
few in Oregon. His father, Charles E. Fendall, 
one of the best known of the pioneers of Oregon, 
was born in Baltimore. Md., in 1822, and was 
reared and educated in his native state. In 1841 
he became a resident of Missouri, and during his 
two years there accumulated a great deal of en- 
thusiasm and information concerning the land 
beyond the Rocky mountains. His trip to the 
west was accomplished after much preparation 
and was undertaken in the spring of 1843, under 
the guidance of Captain Xcsbeth. The greater 
part of the journey he rode astride a horse, and he 
was one of the hunters of the party, his skill with 
the gun resulting in the replenishment of many 
empty larders. He brought in game of all kinds 
to cheer the weary travelers assembled around 
camp fires, and made himself generally useful 
as only a hale and decidedly good tempered bov 
is capable of doing. 



C. F. Fendall landed in Yamhill county and 
with an old friend, N. K. Sitton, lived on a ranch 
on Panther creek for two years. In [845 he took 

up a donation claim of six hundred and forty 
acres on the Yamhill river in Polk county, now 
owned by the Scroggin brothers, and here he 
erected a log cabin to which he brought his newly 
wedded wife. Amanda (Rogers) Fendall, a na- 
tive of Iowa, and whose father crossed the plains 
in 1845. Here Mr. Fendall spent a few years 
when he traded for the farm. on the Willamina, 
now occupied by his son, P. R., and here his 
seventy-three years were rounded out amid the 
prosperity brought about through his own un- 
flagging zeal. After coming to Oregon he con- 
tinued to hunt as on the plains, and this consti- 
tuted his chief source of diversion. In 1849 ne 
availed himself of the mining chances of Cali- 
fornia, and for two years was fairly successful 
along the American river. In 1857 he. started out 
to re-stock his farm, and in order to secure the 
best on the market, made a trip back to Kentucky 
via the plains, and brought back with him a band 
of Durham cattle. The severe, winter of 1861-62 
was disastrous to the cattle, and he lost them all. 
Again he went to California in 1869-70, so in 
change his life had its compensations and was 
relieved" from the monotony felt by the average 
agriculturist. Of the thirteen children born to 
himself and wife Oscar is deceased; George F. 
lives in Ashland; Reilly Y. lives in Yamhill 
county ; William E. is a resident of Lane county ; 
P. R. is next in order ; Alice became the wife of 
Lawson Maddux, now deceased; Elbridge G. 
lives in the vicinity of Newberg; Charles L. is 
deceased. Laura is the wife of O. E. Highland, 
of Yamhill county ; Annie K. is the wife of Mart 
High of Salem; Nathan K. is deceased; Frank 
lives at Seattle ; and Fred was accidentally killed. 
-Mrs. Fendall is still living and is seventy-three 
years of age. Her married life extended over 
many years, and started in when she was four- 
teen. 

Until his marriage, January 12, 1881, with 
Laura Savage. Philip R. Fendall lived on his 
father's farm, but thereafter removed to Wash- 
ington, where he engaged in the stock business 
for two years. He then returned to the old home 
farm on the Willamina. three miles from the vil- 
lage of that name, where he has since lived, and 
where he now owns five hundred and eighty 
acres, three hundred and fifty acres being in 
bottom land. He is engaged in general farming, 
stock, hog and sheep raising, and has been very 
successful in the various departments of activity 
represented on his farm. His property is 
equipped with modern buildings and machinery, 
and the evidences of good management are every- 
where apparent. Five children are being reared 
in a practical home atmosphere and receiving 



650 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



such educational advantages as their ambitious 
parents can provide for them, and are named as 
follows : Alvie, Kate, Lottie, Richard and Ulric. 
Willie died at the age of two years. In political 
affiliation Mr. Fendall is a Democrat. His wife 
is a member of the Baptist Church. 



LESTER POTTER, who is identified with 
agricultural interests in Yamhill county, was 
born in Cortland county, N. Y., January 23.. 1839, 
so that almost the width of the continent 
separates him from the place of his nativity. His 
parents removed to Wisconsin when he was 
but five years of age and he was reared to man- 
hood near Oshkosh, that state. In 1859, at tne 
age of twenty years, he crossed the plains with 
an ox team, the spirit of adventure and the hope 
of entering upon a successful career leading to 
this step. He left the train at Umatilla, where he 
secured a position to carry a chain on a govern- 
ment survey, this work occupying his attention 
for six weeks. On the expiration of that period 
he went to Oregon City, where he was employed 
for a time and then made his Way into southern 
Oregon, where he was engaged in prospecting 
and mining through the winter. In the spring 
he returned to Oregon City, where he again be- 
came connected with a surveying party, spend- 
ing the summer in Washington. In the fall he 
went to Portland and worked in a logging camp 
for a few weeks, while during the winter season 
he was employed as an assistant in the peniten- 
tiary for four months. When spring again came 
Mr. Potter went to the mines of Idaho, where he 
prospected until fall, at which time he made his 
way to Florence, Idaho. For a year he worked 
in the mines at that place, making considerable 
money during the period there passed. 

Mr. Potter next returned to his home in Wis- 
consin by way of the Panama and New York- 
route. He remained for a year with his people 
in the Badger state and then again came to Ore- 
gon, making his way by water to Portland. 
When he had passed a few months in that city 
he began placer mining in the Boise basin, where 
he continued for two years, his labors there re- 
sulting in a good financial return. He then went 
back to Portland and drove stock from the Wil- 
lamette valley to Victoria, British Columbia, his 
time being thus occupied for eight months. He 
then determined to marry and establish a home of 
his own. 

It was in 1867 that Mr. Potter was joined in 
wedlock to Miss Sarah H. Southmayed and in 
the fall of that year he settled upon the farm 
where he has since resided with the exception of 
a period of three and a half years which were 
passed in the mines in Sumpter, Ore., where he 
owned one-quarter interest and was treasurer of 



the Sumpter Stage and Transfer Company for 
one year. He also owned considerable property. 
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Potter has been blessed 
with four children : Milton W., who has a ranch 
in Gopher valley; Minnie, the wife of J. B. 
Fryer, of Sumpter, Ore. ; Daisy, who is at home ; 
and Flora, the wife of L. Swiggett of Sump- 
ter, who is interested in mines. 

Mr. Potter is the owner of a rich and valuable 
tract of land, comprising five hundred and thirty- 
seven acres in the Gopher valley, seven miles 
north of Sheridan. It is located on Deer creek, 
so that there is a water supply and he is engaged 
extensively in the raising of cattle, goats and 
sheep. He makes a specialty of Cotswold sheep 
and has a number of fine registered animals. 
He thoroughly understands the needs of stock, 
follows progressive methods in his work and is 
now a leading as well as prosperous representa- 
tive of his line of business in this part of Oregon. 
In politics an earnest Republican, he has been 
elected and served in a number of local offices, 
including that of school clerk, school director 
and road supervisor. He filled the' latter position 
for many years and has been largely instrumental 
in improving the roads in this portion of the 
county. Through the traits that go to make up 
honorable manhood he has gained the friendship 
and favor of many with whom he has come in 
contact. 



WILLIAM SAVAGE, father of Mrs. P. R. 
Fendall, the latter of whom is one of the promi- 
nent pioneer women of Yamhill county, was born 
in Mexico, N. Y., September 18, 1826, and lived 
in his native city until his seventeenth year. He 
then removed to Indiana, where he taught school 
for a couple of winters, and where he engaged 
in farming until his removal to Missouri in 1844. 

In the spring of 1845 M f - Savage joined the 
few who were then seeking to make their home 
in the west, and with John Ramage crossed the 
plains with ox teams, in Yamhill county working 
for Mr. Ramage for two years. He then removed 
to Polk county where he took up a donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres, and was 
fairly established as an agriculturist when the 
cry of gold began to agitate everyone within ear- 
shot of California. After a year's trial in the 
mines along the American river he returned to 
his claim and farmed until 1867, and that year 
went to Texas with Richard Perkins, who as- 
sisted him in bringing eight hundred steers from 
the great southern cattle state. These cattle were 
disposed of on the ranges of Montana, and here 
Mr. Savage went into extensive cattle interests, 
which netted him a substantial fortune. In 1891 
he entered the arena of finance in Oregon, and 
with his hard earned money established the Dal- 




SYLVESTER CANNON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



65'J 



City Bank, of which he was president up to 
the time of his death. September 20, 1896. He 
was a man of leading characteristics, and his 
strict integrity, truly western grit and enterprise, 
and unusual resourcefulness, made themselves 
felt in the communities in which he lived in the 

From the organization of the party Mr. Savage 
was identified with its most 'progressive prin- 
iples, and his fitness for official recognition was 
repeatedly demonstrated. He attended the first 
Republican meeting in Oregon, and during his 
two years' service in the legislature, ably fur- 
thered the best interests of those who had hon- 
ored him with their support. He was chiefly in- 
strumental in securing the erection of the Ore- 
Insane Asylum, now one of the best insti- 
tutions of its kind in the state. Also he was one 
oi the organizers of the Grange in Oregon, and 
was master of it for five years. 

In 1852 Mr. Savage married Sarah Brown, 
a native of Illinois, and daughter of James H. 
Brown, a pioneer of 1850. Ten children were 
Ixirn of this union, of whom Charley is deceased; 
Edson lives in eastern Washington ; Gibson is 
a rancher in the same locality in Washington ; 
James lives in Polk county; Eugene is deceased; 
Mrs. Fendall is next in order; William lives in 
Tacoma ; Sarah is the wife of J. B. Stone, of 
Polk county; Daniel lives at Willamina ; and 
Bud is a member of the livery firm of Savage & 
Stewart of Sheridan. Mrs. Savage survives her 
husband, and is living in Sheridan, at the age of 
sixty-eight. 



SYLVESTER CANNON. Since coming to 
Oregon in 185 1 Sylvester Cannon has engaged 
in various occupations peculiar to the west, and 
lias experienced many of the adventures which 
he came prepared to meet. Nineteen years of 
age when the opportunity came to leave the Ver- 
milion county farm in Illinois, where he was born 
May 14, 1833, he welcomed a change from the 
monotony of farming, and joyfully anticipated 
the success which he has realized. Across the 
plains he drove a team of five yoke of oxen for 
Martin Payne, thus earning his food and lodging 
from day to day, an expediency to which many 
ambitious men resorted in the very early days. 

Arriving in Clackamas county after six months 
of comparatively pleasant travel, Mr. Cannon 
found employment in a lumber camp for a few 
months, and then came to Linn county, where he 
associated himself with a surveying party which 
was engaged in laying out township and section 
lines. Beginning in an humble capacity, he 
remained with the party about four years, in 
time becoming a practical surveyor. This occu- 
pation was interrupted by the outbreak of the 



Indian war in 1855, when he volunteered in the 
fall in Company H, First Mounted Oregon Regi- 
ment, under Captain Leighton, and served until 
May, 1856. During the greater part of the 
service he was in Washington along the Upper 
Columbia, taking part in the terrible four (lays' 
fight at Walla Walla. After the war he pur- 
chased three hundred and twenty acres of land 
four miles east of Albany. He was married in 
June, 1856, to Johanna Cox, and brought his 
newly wedded wife to his promising farm. Seven 
years later he sold his farm and bought land 
near Salem, but not finding it satisfactory he re- 
turned at the end of a year to Linn county, and 
bought four hundred and eighty acres of land 
partially improved. In 1891 he settled on his 
present farm, where he has made many improve- 
ments, and where he has a comfortable and 
pleasant home. 

By his first marriage five children were born 
into the family of Mr. Cannon, of whom Nellie 
is the wife of George Maston of Albany, and the 
mother of two children, Vida and George W. ; 
Minnie is the wife of Dr. Cornelius ; Malisa, de- 
ceased, was the wife of Jess Enyart ; Jennie is 
the wife of S. G. Marvin, to whom have been 
born two children, Donald and Lucille ; and An- 
derson M. is engaged in the practice of law at 
Medford, and married Miss Vesta Mason, daugh- 
ter of D. P. Mason of Albany. She died leaving 
one child, Carolyn. 

March 28, 1886, Mr. Cannon married Martha 
A. Hunter, widow of Aaron Hunter, and daugh- 
ter of George Huston, who was born in Mc- 
Donough county, 111., and crossed the plains in 
1853. Mr. Huston settled on a claim in Linn 
county,, and afterward married Lizzie Phipps, 
vvho came across the plains with her parents in 
1852. He served in the Indian wars, and pros- 
pered in the west, his death occurring on his well 
improved farm in July, 1900, at the age of sixty- 
nine years. Four children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Hunter, of whom George H. is deceased ; 
Lizzie is engaged in the millinery business in 
Brownsville; Charles L. is a graduate of the 
Portland Business College ; and Glenn O. The 
only child of Mr. Cannon's second marriage is 
Arletha G. 

P'or the past sixteen vears Mr. Cannon has 
been a director of the Farmers' Warehouse Asso- 
ciation, and has been instrumental in greatly in- 
creasing its efficiency and its capacity for aiding 
in the disposal of the products of the community. 
He is a charter member of the Tangent Grange, 
and in politics is identified with the Republican 
party. Possessing great capacity for industry, 
practical business judgment, and unswerving in- 
tegrity, it is not surprising that Mr. Cannon can 
lay claim to the consideration and respect of his 
many friends and associates in the west. 



660 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



WILLIAM M. RUSSELL. Not always 
does it happen that the immigrant, passing from 
the associations and relations of his native coun- 
try, finds in the one to which he goes those 
pleasing attributes that characterized his early 
recollections, for the dual reason that if the sur- 
roundings are similar one is inclined to contrast 
this similarity, with an unconscious disparage- 
ment toward the latter ; if different, the old ways 
naturally seem the best. William M. Russell 
might almost be said to have escaped an inherited 
tendency along these lines, for it has been his 
fortune to be an emigrant as well as a pioneer, 
following in the steps of his paternal grand- 
father, who emigrated from England in the 
eighteenth century, settling in Virginia, and 
meeting with that unhappy fate of an immigrant, 
in that he never forgot the land of his birth. He 
did not continue to live in a country that grew 
more and more distasteful as the war of inde- 
pendence continued unabated and the ardent feel- 
ings of those about him made it impossible to 
remain neutral in the struggle and in 1777 he 
returned to England, leaving, however, a touch 
of American independence in the blood of his 
family, which responded to the call of the coun- 
try in later years against the flag the early Rus- 
sells served. Henry Russell, his son, born near 
Richmond, Va., served in the war of 1812, be- 
ginning as a private and later rising to the rank 
of a sergeant, bearing away with him a slight 
evidence of the marksmanship of his English 
brethren in the shape of a wound in the leg, 
which, however, did not incapacitate him for 
good work in the peaceful times that followed. 
While in Virginia he worked at his trade, which 
was that of a carpenter and joiner, but after his 
marriage he went to Ohio investing in land, where 
he carried on general farming in connection with 
his trade. Eight children were born to himself and 
wife, two daughters and six sons, the youngest 
of whom was William M., born near Chillicothe, 
July 2, 1832, his mother dying when he was but 
two weeks old. In 1836 the family removed to 
Indiana, locating in Tippecanoe county, where 
they remained on a purchase of sixty acres until 
Mr. Russell's death in 1848, in his sixty- fourth 
year. Through all his life Mr. Russell was 
strong in the faith of the principles of the Dem- 
ocratic party. 

After the death of his mother, William was 
reared by his elder brothers and sisters until his 
father's second marriage, when he found a 
mother's love and care in the good woman who 
filled the vacant place. He continued to make 
his home with his father until the latter's death, 
passing the years in the common schools of In- 
diana. Realizing the necessity for striking out 
in the world for himself, he commenced farming 
at the age of sixteen years, in which occupation 



he continued until 1852, leaving then for the far 
west. With six wagons drawn by ox-teams, the 
party made the trip, starting March 1, and ar- 
riving in North Yamhill, Ore., October 20, 
where the heart of the young traveler was glad- 
dened by the sight of a boyhood friend, Sam 
Roberts, who had previously left his eastern 
home, settling in this location. The ensuing 
winter William worked for John Perkins in a 
flour mill, following in the summer with farm 
work for the same man. During the Indian 
troubles in 1855, this young emigrant, with no 
trace of the trait that distinguished his grand- 
father — love for the land of his birth rather than 
solicitude for the country of his adoption — en- 
listed with the troops that went into the tangled 
wildernesses of the west, serving in eastern Ore- 
gon and Washington in Company E, First Ore- 
gon Regiment, under the command of Captain 
Hembree. At the close of the war he returned 
to Yamhill county, where, in September, 1858, 
he married Miss Elvira Perkins, born in Mont- 
gomery county, Ind., and whose parents crossed 
the plains in 1844. Four children were born to 
them, John H., Norris G., Lizzie Prine, all of 
North Yamhill, and Lucretia, deceased. 

In 1866 Mr. Russell bought the farm of two 
hundred and fifty acres in the Pike valley, where 
he now makes his home. He first bought nine 
hundred and fifty acres, the greater part of 
which he divided among his children, selling the 
remainder. Mr. Russell is engaged in general 
farming, hop cultivation and stock-raising, forty 
acres of the farm in cultivation, and fourteen de- 
voted to hops. In the active life that Mr. Rus- 
sell has led in the west, always lending himself 
to every movement that had for its end the wel- 
fare of his community, giving up personal ease 
and comfort to serve the public at its demand, 
he has proven himself a pioneer in nature as in 
name a patriot and one of the many men of sterl- 
ing qualities, without whom Oregon would not 
be to-day the flourishing commonwealth that 
commands the admiration of her sister states. 
As a Republican Mr. Russell has served his com- 
munity as road supervisor, school director and 
school clerk. 



ALFRED SMITH. Though recollection can- 
not carry him back, oft repeated tales have made 
very clear the long, long trip, comprising more 
than one third, the distance around the globe, 
which Alfred Smith had made before he reached 
the location where he now makes his home. Born 
in the city of Birmingham, Warwickshire, Eng- 
land, May 21, 1836, he crossed the ocean at the 
age of four years, his father also a native of this 
shire, emigrating to the United States in the 
hope of bettering himself in regard to his worldly 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



661 



affairs, a hope that met with fulfillment in the 
latter years of his life. On their arrival in New 
York they went at once to Racine county. Wis., 
locating on a farm, though previous to this time 
he had been engaged in the prosecution of his 
trade, which was that of a hatter. He took up 
one hundred and sixty acres of government land 
and continued in this location for twenty years, 
after which he moved to Juneau county, of the 
same state, amply able to afford the life of re- 
tirement to which his inclinations led him. He 
lived to be eighty-four years old, becoming an 
American citizen in the same sense of the word 
that he was once an English, taking an active in- 
terest in the events of the day and lending himself 
to all movements that contributed to the general 
welfare. He was in entire sympathy with the 
emancipation movement, being a strong Repub- 
lican in his political convictions. In his religious 
views he found his church home with the Con- 
gregational denomination. He reared a large 
family and lived to see them all well settled in 
life : ' Samuel W., of Mauston, Wis. ; Joseph, a 
farmer of the same place; Alfred, the subject of 
this sketch; Philip, who gave his life in active 
service in the Twenty-second Wisconsin, Com- 
pany H, during the Civil war; Eliza Fluno, of 
Juneau county, whose husband is a miller; and 
Marv Palmerton, who is now a widow engaged 
in the millinery business in Chicago, 111. 

After the days of his youth were passed — days 
spent, during the summer time upon the farm, 
in the winter in the primitive school of Racine 
county — Alfred left home engaging in work for 
himself, turning naturally to the cultivation of 
the soil. Until 1864 he worked among the farm- 
ers of the neighborhood, going in the last-named 
year to join an emigrant train bound for the 
west. After six months of tedious journeying 
the party arrived safely in Boise City, Idaho, 
having been singularly fortunate in escaping 
the depredations of the Indians while on the 
trip. For twelve months after his arrival in 
Idaho, Mr. Smith worked in the mines, going 
in the fall of 1865 to a farm near Portland, Ore., 
which he worked for one year. He then bought 
a farm in Multnomah county, situated on the 
Columbia river, making this his home for the 
next four years, his next venture being in Yam- 
hill county, where he invested in nine hundred 
and ninety-six acres of land located in Moor's 
valley, about four hundred of which are in active 
cultivation. For the same number of years that 
his father had spent on the place tha-t gave him 
his competency — twenty years — he remained here, 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising, 
in 1900 retiring from active life, giving over the 
duties to his sons. 

Mr. Smith was married in 1863 to Miss Sarah 
Miller, a native of New York, and the children 



born to them are as follows: Mary E., at home; 
Charles L., of The Dalles ; William B., of Carl- 
ton; Samuel P., a veterinary surgeon of North 
Dakota; Alfred, on the home farm; Arthur C, 
of McMinnville ; and Emma Alexander, of 
Moore's valley. In his political convictions Mr. 
Smith follows the example of his father, up- 
holding the principles of the "Republican party, 
and serving in the same as road supervisor and 
various school offices. 



LEVI HAGEY. As one may inherit the color 
of one's eyes and hair, a peculiarity of disposi- 
tion, a distaste of certain things, a love of others, 
so the pioneer instinct is transmitted from gen- 
eration to generation, giving evidence of its 
existence in the restlessness of the various mem- 
bers of a family. So true is this pioneer instinct 
and so forcible in its results, that these men make 
the best inhabitants of an unsettled country, go- 
ing out to the congenial work with the inner 
consciousness in complete accord with the work 
of the hands. This theory may account for the 
fact that those of the name of Hagey have always 
been successful in the work they came to do. 

August 15, 1825, Levi Hagey was born in 
Davie county, N. C, the son of Andrew Hagey, 
born at the same place in 1800. The father was 
a farmer, and a few years after his marriage 
with Catherine Grimes, a native of North Caro- 
lina, he emigrated to Indiana, taking land there 
after the laws of that day, in Putnam county, 
where he remained for six years. The son, Levi, 
was then eight years of age, and he recalls quite 
vividly the trip into Des Moines county, Iowa, 
where his father purchased land, engaging in 
general farming. In 1848, dissatisfied with their 
location, the old people followed their son across 
the plains, settling in Oregon, where Mrs. 
Hagey outlived her husband by thirty years, 
his death occurring in 1851, hers in 1881. 

Levi Hagey received his education in the log 
schools of Iowa, gathering with the schooling 
process the general information and independence 
that characterized the pioneer schoolboy, and 
with his pioneer inheritance coming to the front, 
he was not long in breaking his old associations 
and starting for the land of the setting sun, 
where he felt his ability great enough to over- 
come the thousand and one obstacles in the way 
of the success of the young man who came 
empty-handed into the wilderness. It was liter- 
ally empty-handed with this young man, who 
went to St. Joseph, Mo., in 1847, joining an emi- 
grant train of one hundred and twenty wagons, 
one of which he drove on the seven months' trip 
to pay for his passage. In the fall of 1847 the 
train reached Chehalem valley, each man hasten- 



662 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing to find a suitable location for his future 
home. Mr. Hagey took up a donation land claim 
of six hundred and forty acres adjoining the town 
of Dundee, Yamhill county, Ore., and on this 
location he has ever since remained, finding in 
those uncultivated fields an outlet for his strong 
pioneer desires. In March, 1900, he removed 
to McMinnville, intending to pass the remainder 
of his days here, having divided his farm among 
his children, and retaining only seventy-four 
acres in his own name. March 18, 1847, Mr. 
Hagey was married to Elizabeth Shuck, a native 
of Indiana, born in that state March 11, 1826. 
In 1888 Mrs. Hagey died, leaving a family of 
seven children : Susan Parrot and Anne Robert- 
son, located on their shares of the old donation 
claim ; Andrew, in Newberg ; Jacob, farming 
on his inheritance ; Eliza Grames, in Newberg , 
Henry, on property acquired through his own 
efforts, also that of his inheritance ; and Peter, 
who is also farming his share of the old home- 
stead. Mr. Hagey's second marriage occurred 
August 13, 1891, his wife, Mrs. Emily Chaney, 
being a native of Polk county, Mo., _ born March 
30, 1834, of the union of David and Mary (Hall) 
Stockton, natives respectively of Tennessee and 
Kentucky. 

Mr. Hagey has served the public in various 
ways, holding, through Democratic influence, 
the position of constable, road supervisor and 
school director at various times. In his religious 
views, though not a member of the Lutheran 
Church, is in sympathy with its teachings, as he 
was brought up in it and it naturally means 
more to him than any other. He now makes his 
home in McMinnville, retired from the active 
duties of life. 



D. B. KINGERY. Among the California ar- 
gonauts who left their homes in the Mississippi 
valley in search of the golden fleece was D. B. 
Kingery, and his life history, if written in de- 
tail, would present a picture of early conditions 
upon the Pacific coast following the discovery 
of gold. The incidents and events which are to 
most people matters of history were to him a 
matter of memory, because he participated in 
the work of development here, lived through the 
era when lawlessness reigned to a large extent 
and gladly welcomed in the period when frontier 
conditions gave way to those of an advanced 
civilization. Mr. Kingery was born in Dauphin 
county, Pa., which was also the birthplace of 
his father, Daniel Kingerv, and of his grand- 
father. The family is of German descent. The 
father was a farmer and in 1844 removed with 
his family to Illinois, proceeding down the Ohio 
and up the Mississippi rivers. ' He first located 
at Albany, 111., later removed to Union Grove, 



that state, and then settled near Mount Morris, 
Ogle county. He was a farmer by occupation 
and died in Polo, 111. His wife, who in her 
maidenhood was Susan Hoover, was born in 
Pennsylvania and died in Iowa. In their family 
were twelve children, ten of whom reached years 
of maturity. John died in McMinnville, Ore. ; 
Andrew J., David and Ephraim all served 
throughout the Civil war and the last-named was 
an officer. 

D. B. Kingery was the fourth of those who 
reached adult age and was born February 22, 
1835. He remained in the Keystone state until 
the removal of the family to Illinois, where he 
attended the pioneer schools. He was reared 
to farm life, and when quite young was employed 
in the neighborhood as a farm hand. In 1852 
he suffered an attack of gold fever and joined 
a company that outfitted at Dixon, 111., securing 
oxen, wagon and supplies, with which they 
started in February for the Pacific coast, crossing 
the Mississippi river at Albany and the Missouri 
at Council Bluffs, in March. There they had to 
wait until the grass grew on the California trail 
in order that there might be feed for the oxen 
and stock. While en route they had trouble with 
ihe Pawnee Indians, who were determined to 
have some of their possessions, but they success- 
fully disputed the question with them and were 
allowed to proceed up the North Platte. Chol- 
era also broke out among the party and several 
died of the disease. They proceeded by way of 
Sublett's cutoff and the Humboldt river, going 
one hundred and twenty-five miles into the coun- 
try and making their own road into northern 
California. 

On the 22nd of August, 1852, Mr. Kingery 
reached his destination, and at intervals for 
twenty years he engaged in prospecting and min- 
ing, but his time was principally devoted to 
packing and freighting, to the hotel business and 
to merchandising. He remained at Shasta City 
until 1854, when he removel to Trinity county, 
where he engaged in merchandising and mining. 
In 1856 he removed to Siskiyou county, Cal., 
locating on the south fork of Scott river, where 
he carried on mercantile pursuits for a year. In 
1857 he made his first trip to Oregon, riding on 
a mule over the mountains to Willamette. He 
purchased cattle in Yamhill county and drove 
them back over the mountains to Siskiyou county, 
Cal., to his stock ranch. That fall he sold his 
stock and returned to Illinois by way of the 
Panama route and New York, arriving in Febru- 
ary, 1858, at the home of his parents, who were 
then living in Freeport, 111. In May of the same 
year he again came to California and once more 
located on his ranch, comprising two hundred and 
fortv acres. He engaged in the cattle business, 
in general farming and in mining and freighting. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



663 



In the latter business he drove teams of from 
- \ to eight horses from Red Bluffs to Yreka, 
using a toll wagon after the road was built, while 
prior to that time he had done his packing with 
mules. Thus various business interests claimed 
the attention of Mr. Kingerv and w-ere success- 
fully conducted by him. 

In the regular session of 1880 and the special 

ision of 1881 he was assistant sergeant-at-arms 
in the California senate, and in die fall of the 
latter year he returned to Siskiyou county, lo- 
cating in Xapa City, where he resided until 
188^. when he located permanently in Oregon 
and purchased a farm of three hundred and forty- 
seven acres, seven miles southwest of McMinn- 
yille. This was but partially improved and he 
continued the work of clearing and improving it, 
devoting his energies to the cultivation of grain 
the raising of hogs, cattle and sheep. In 
; he rented his land, but continued to live 
on the farm until 1899. He spent that winter 
in California and upon his return he purchased 
a residence in McMinnville. In 1901 he engaged 
in the real-estate and insurance business as a 
member of the firm of Odell & Kingerv, handling 
both city and farm property. 

Mr. Kingerv was twice married. In Siskiyou 
county, Cal., he wedded Miss Catherine Hay, 
who was born in the north of Ireland and died 
in the Golden state. They were the parents of 
the following children: George W., who died 
at the age of tw r enty-one years; Frederick T., 
Henry Hoover. Alfred L. of Yamhill county, and 
Daniel B., all of Siskiyou county, the last named 
being engaged in mining; Willie Hay, who is 
principal of the schools in Butte, Mont., and 
Mrs. Mary Andrews, of Heppner, Ore. In 
Sacramento, Cal., Mr. Kingerv wedded Miss 
Mary Stoner, a native of Pennsylvania, and they 
had one son, Clarence Stoner, who is in the 
L "nited States Navy. 

In public affairs Mr. Kingerv was quite promi- 
nent and from 1888 to 1892 he served as county 
commissioner, this being the period when the 
question of the removal of the county seat was 
agitated, and during the same period the fine 
new courthouse was built. For about forty years 
he served as school director and the cause ever 
found in him a warm friend. In politics he was 
an unfaltering Republican from the organization 
of the partv. He was a member of the board of 
trade of McMinnville and belonged to both the 
lodge and encampment of the Odd Fellows' so- 
ciety. He was made a member in Yreka, Cal., 
but his membership was latterly at Fort Jones, 
that state. During his residence of over fifty 
years in the west he made two trips back to the 
east, first in 1879 an d again in 1882, but his in- 
terests were centered in the west, and there he 
labored earnestly for improvement and progress. 



May 25, 1903, at the residence of his daughter, 
Airs. Andrews, at Heppner, Ore., Mr. Kingery 
died, and his remains were taken to Fort Jones, 
Cal., for burial. He was buried by the Odd Fel- 
lows lodge at Fort Jones, of which he had been 
a member for over forty years. 



LOUIS LACHMUND. hop merchant, was 
born in New York City, December 29, 1870, son 
of Henry and Louise (Meyer) Lachmund. His 
father was a native of Bremen, Germany, where 
he acquired a liberal education. In early life he 
removed to New- York City, and engaged in 
manufacturing. Upon the outbreak of the Civil 
w'ar he enlisted in a New Jersey regiment of ar- 
tillery, and served until the close of the war. In 
recognition of his bravery and meritorious con- 
duct on the field of battle, he was promoted to a 
first-lieutenancy. Fraternally, he was a Master 
Mason, who, in his daily life, exemplified the 
beneficent spirit of the order. He died in 1885, 
leaving a widow and four children, the subject 
of this sketch being the only son. 

Louis Lachmund, after graduating from the 
public schools of his native city, secured a clerk- 
ship in the private banking house of Knauth, 
Nachod & Kuehne, of New^ York. His emplovers 
soon recognized his ability, and promoted him to 
the position of bookkeeper. In 1889 he entered the 
employ of Horst Brothers, as bookkeeper in their 
New York office, and in 1890 he was sent as their 
representative to the state of Washington, locat- 
ing in Puyallup, wdiere he remained for six years. 
Here he studied the details of the hop business, 
and familiarized himself with the conditions on 
the entire Pacific coast. In 1895 the firm of 
Horst Brothers was dissolved, and the business 
was incorporated under the present stvle of the 
Paul R. G. Horst & Lachmund Company. Mr. 
Lachmund was elected secretary and treasurer of 
the company, and made general manager of the 
business on the Pacific coast. He removed to 
Salem, where he has resided since. Mr. Lach- 
mund can justly feel proud of the fact that he is 
part of this company, wmich buys and sells about 
fifteen thousand bales of hops annually, distribut- 
ing them in all parts of the world. A well-known 
biographer has well said: "Mr. Lachmund is a 
strong man, mentally and physically. He never 
does anything by halves. He never rests as long- 
as there is any improvement to be made. He has 
an intuitive knowledge of men, and therefore his 
agents are always the best for accomplishing the 
purposes for w-hich he selects them. In the or- 
ganization and conduct of the large enterprise 
with which his name is associated, he has ac- 
quired the habits of thought peculiar to all suc- 
cessful men. Broad, but accurate ; diligent, but 



664 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



deliberate ; patient, but prompt ; kind, but firm ; 
fearing no weight of responsibility, yet not care- 
less of it, he always meets and overcomes diffi- 
culties." 



JOHN T. FORD. As sheriff of Polk county, 
John T. B'ord is looking well to the best interests 
of the community which has honored him with 
their confidences, and is proving an efficient and 
conscientious adjuster of the complications by 
which he is surrounded. For many of the sub- 
stantial traits of character which have brought 
about his success he is indebted to an ancestry 
traced to that self-sacrificing and morally high 
Huguenot element which was forced to seek for- 
eign shores for the exercise of religious liberty. 
Remote members of the family signed their 
marriage and birth certificates "Fore," but for 
convenience the American representatives 
have adopted "Ford." James Ford, the paternal 
great-grandfather, served with distinction in the 
war of Independence, and as a member of a 
Colonial regiment was present at the surrender 
of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He was a large 
planter in Virginia, and at the time of his death 
left a well improved plantation in Westmoreland 
county, where his son, Col. Nathaniel Ford, the 
grandfather of John T., was born. 

Col. Nathaniel Ford was reared in Virginia, 
and as a young man removed to Howard county, 
Mo., where he became prominent in political and 
other affairs. He was sheriff of the county for 
four years, and served for an equal length of time 
as county clerk. His rank was conferred because 
of meritorious service during the Black Hawk 
war, and lie was further connected with the mili- 
tary affairs of the state when helping to drive the 
Mormons from Missouri. As early as 1844 he 
outfitted and brought his family across the plains, 
arriving in Polk county in November, and settling 
on a donation claim four miles east of Dallas, on 
the Rickreall or La Creole river, and which com- 
prised six hundred and forty acres. As in Mis- 
souri, he immediately identified himself with the 
all-around growth of his adopted locality, and 
became one of the most prominent and influential 
men in his county. For several terms he repre- 
sented his county in the territorial legislature, 
and he was also county assessor for one term. 
Needless to say, his sympathies were with the 
south, for he was a southerner by descent and 
birth. He was a master Mason, a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church South, and was fore- 
most in his district in promoting education. In 
his young manhood he married Lucinda D. Em- 
bree, a native of Kentucky, who died in 1874, at 
the age of seventy-four years. 

Though born in Howard county, Mo., Marcus 
A. Ford, the father of John T., was educated in 



Lexington, Ky., where he took the classical 
course, and distinguished himself for brilliant 
scholarship. In Howard county he studied law 
under Ex-Governor Reynolds, and thereafter 
practiced his profession for some time in his na- 
tive state. He was one of the courageous band 
who crossed the plains in 1844, and upon arriv- 
ing in Polk county he undertook the practice of 
law, and was the first law partner of Colonel Nes- 
mith. Like his father and grandfather, he was 
devoted to things military, and has had the oppor- 
tunity to show his prowess in the Cayuse war 
under that noble pioneer and famous soldier, 
General Gilliam. He was the first district at- 
torney of his district, and possessed personal char- 
acteristics and pronounced abilities which pres- 
aged uninterrupted success. However, when re- 
turning from San Francisco in 1853, the ship 
became becalmed off the coast of Mt. Columbus, 
and in order to save time he and Mr. Stevens and 
two sailors started for the shore, but, meeting 
with a gale, were swamped and lost. Mr. Ford 
was twenty-six years of age at the time of his 
death, and left but one child, the present sheriff 
of Polk county. His wife, who died in 1848, 
was formerly Amanda Thorp, a native of Mis- 
souri, and daughter of Maj. John Thorp, who 
was born in Kentucky, and settled in Missouri. 
Major Thorp was a large land owner in Mis- 
souri, and enlisted in that state for the Black 
Hawk war, in which he. won the rank of major. 
He came across the plains in 1845, settling on a 
donation claim four miles south of Independence, 
on the Willamette river. In 1849 ne became in- 
terested in mining in California, speculating to a 
considerable extent. He was a member of the 
territorial legislature, and lived to be .eighty-one 
years of age. 

Born on the old homestead in Polk county 
November 17, 1847, John T. Ford was left an 
orphan at the age of six years, and was reared 
by Col. Nathaniel Ford. As a youth he was 
trained in farming, and attended the district 
schools of his district. When grown he moved 
to Independence and was identified at times with 
several business houses of that town, at the same 
time taking an active interest in politics. Here 
he married Mattie J. Irvine, a native of Marion 
county, Ore., and daughter of Samuel Irvine, who 
came from Missouri in 1852, and died in 1862. 
Two sons have been born of this union, of whom 
Marcus A. is a clerk in Dallas, and Walter I. is 
attending Dallas College. Mr. Ford filled the 
office of postmaster of Independence from 1885 
to 1889 inclusive, and he was also .city recorder 
for two terms. In 1898 he was appointed deputy 
sheriff, and at the expiration of four years, in 
1902, was nominated and elected sheriff on the 
Democratic ticket, assuming control of his office 
in July, 1902. Though the precedent is unusual, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



605 



he keeps all the records of the sheriff's office, 
and in this way keeps in immediate touch with the 

illest details of the work. He is well fitted 
for his responsible position, has a keen knowledge 

human nature in all its workings, is not easily 
influenced, and under no circumstances can 

swerved from what he considers fair and right. 

] 1 1 is a man of culture and broad general knowl- 

y idenced particularly during his newspaper 

er in Independence, where he was editor of the 

for tour years. Mr. Ford is an hon- 

d member of the Polk County Pioneers' Asso- 
ciation, and is one of the many leading citizens 
oi the present time who have traveled the long 
distance from a crude pioneer log cabin to posi- 
tions of trust and responsibility. 



SALMON WHITE CROWDER. Another 
of those hardy pioneers of the early '50's whose 
bravery, valor and undaunted spirit prepared the 
way for those who now profit by the prevailing 
prosperity, is Salmon White Crowder, developer 
of several fine farming properties in Oregon, and 
an Indian veteran of whom his adopted state has 
cause to be proud. A man of fine personal char- 
acteristics and extreme liberality of thought and 
heart. Mr. Crowder has arrived at the age where 
men appreciate the peaceful rather than the 
money-getting side of life, and in his home in 
Albany is exempt from business cares, and his 
environment is all that is pleasant and artistic. 

Patriotism may be said to be a leading trait 
of the Crowder family, for soldiers bearing the 
name have fought in all of the important wars 
of this country. The paternal grandfather, 
Archie, stacked his musket upon the battlefields 
of the Revolution, and for several years slept 
in the tents of the Colonial army. He was born 
in Virginia and lived some years in Kentucky, 
his death occurring on his farm in Champaign 
county, Ohio. His son, John, the father of Sal- 
mon White, also was born in Virginia, and when 
the call to arms was issued in 181 2, he enlisted 
and gave valiant service. He eventually settled 
on a farm near Lewisburg, Ohio, where he died 
at the age of eighty-two years, having been pre- 
ceded several years by his wife, formerly Eliza- 
beth (Browder) Crowder, who was born in Ver- 
mont, and lived to be sixty years old. Fourteen 
children were born into this family, all but one 
of whom attained maturity, and four of whom 
are living. The veteran father had the satisfac- 
tion of seeing five of his sons enlist in the Civil 
war, participate in the majority of the memorable 
battles, and return to their respective homes. 
These sons were named John H., Thomas, Har- 
rison, William, and Sanford, only one of whom, 
John H., was wounded during the service. 



The little log school-house near the Crowder 
farm was the only means of education available 
to the large family of children, and they attended 
irregularly, and principally during the leisure of 
the winter months. Salmon White remained 
under the paternal roof until he became of age, 
and afterward engaged in farming independently 
until coming to Oregon in 1853. With friends 
he traveled by boat to Burlington, and there the 
eight men comprising the party outfitted with 
ox-teams and wagons, having brought with them 
one hundred and sixty head of cattle and some 
horses. This courageous party left Ohio March 
6, 1853, and arrived in the Willamette valley in 
October of the same year. It is not recorded 
that their trip was in any way out of the ordi- 
nary, or that their limited number inspired attacks 
on the part of the red men. Mr. Crowder re- 
luctantly parted from the men with whom he had 
been so long and so intimately associated, and 
after some time spent in investigating the condi- 
tions by which he found himself surrounded, lo- 
cated on a claim of one hundred and sixty acres 
ten miles south of Albany. Even then the Indi- 
ans were rendering almost intolerable the life 
of the settlers, and each regarded it as his per- 
sonal duty to help restore order, and make possi- 
ble the tilling of their land. During 1855-56 Mr. 
Crowder was a member of Company H, First 
Oregon Volunteer Infantry, and in this capacity 
took part in the battle of Walla Walla or Whit- 
man station, which covered four days of hard 
fighting, and was one of the notable contests of 
the Yakima war, as well as many other battles 
and skirmishes. After being mustered out he re- 
turned to his farm, a large portion of which he 
cleared and improved. 

While located at Sand Ridge Mr. Crowder mar- 
ried Lucinda Wishard, who was born in Indiana, 
and crossed the plains in 1852 with her father, 
Archie, settling on a farm in Linn county. Of 
this union there have been born six children, the 
order of their birth being as follows : Emma, 
now Mrs. Parish, of Albany; Henry, a carpenter, 
of Los Angeles, Cal. ; Charles, foreman of the 
round house of the Corvallis & Eastern Railroad 
in Albany ; Salmon A., a carpenter, of Albany ; 
Ada, the wife of John Simpson, an engineer on 
the Corvallis & Eastern Railroad ; and George, 
engaged in the hotel business in Portland. Soon 
after his marriage Mr. Crowder sold his farm and 
moved on a large stock farm at Butte Disappoint- 
ment, Lane county, where he lived four years. 
He then bought a farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres eight miles southeast of Albany, but after- 
ward sold this property and bought three hun- 
dred acres south of Lebanon. Eight years later 
he removed to a farm near Miller's station, and 
after that lived on several farms, all of which 



G66 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he disposed of upon coming permanently to Al- 
bany. 

In Lane county Mr. Crowder served four years 
as justice of the peace, elected to the office by his 
Republican constituents. He is a member of the 
Christain Church, and of the Indan War Veter- 
ans' Association. To an exceptional degree he 
has the confidence of the country and town com- 
munities in which he has lived, and his agricul- 
tural, as well as political, war, and general efforts, 
have always redounded to the credit of his 
adopted state. 



HON. SYLVANDER A. DAWSON. A 
pioneer of 1861, and for many years connected 
with the agricultural and political development 
of Linn county, Hon. S. A. Dawson has been 
a resident of Albany since 1897, and maintains 
one of the fine and hospitable homes of the city. 
Of Scotch descent, he was born in Marion county, 
Ind., December 4, 1841, and was reared on a farm 
seven miles north of Indianapolis. His father, 
John R., was born in Jefferson county, Ky., 
whither had come the paternal grandfather, Will- 
iam, who emigrated from Scotland. The latter 
was an extensive farmer and stock-raiser, and 
lived to an advanced age in Kentucky. John R. 
Dawson moved as a young man to Marion county, 
lnd., and there married Juliette Morgan, who 
was born in Morgan county, Va., a daughter of 
James Morgan, who spent his entire life in Vir- 
ginia. Three daughters and three sons were 
born in Indiana, and accompanied their parents 
across the plains in 1861, settling on a farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres five miles east of 
Albany. Here the father farmed until his death 
in 1873, he being survived by his wife, who died 
in February, 1901, at the age of eighty-five years. 
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John 
R. Dawson : Lucinda Jane, married J. W. Swank, 
of Portland ; Sylvander A. ; Ann Z., died in early 
childhood in Indiana; Millard F. lives on a farm 
five miles east of Albany ; Sylvester N. died at 
age of eighteen years and six months, near Al- 
bany ; Sarah J., wife of J. B. Haight, of Port- 
land; Ida I., wife of Ed. R. M. Carter, of Port- 
land. 

In addition to the public schools of Indiana, 
S. A. Dawson had the advantage for a year of a 
school in Danville, 111., and with this nucleus for 
his present well stored mind, was obliged to con- 
tent himself at that time. On the trip across the 
plains in 1861 he drove one of the ox-teams, 
while his father drove another, and the hired 
man a third. They brought considerable loose 
stock, most of which stood the long jaunt fairly 
well, the party arriving in Albany six months to 
a day from the time they left Danville, 111. For- 
tunately, half of the farm purchased by the father 



was broken, and therefore cost him $15.50 per 
acre. S. A. Dawson remained at home for two 
years, and the following two years he spent in 
mining and packing in Idaho and Montana. Re- 
turning to Albany, he bought a farm near the old 
home and engaged in farming and stock-raising, 
and after the death of his father in 1873 came 
into possession of the old place of one hundred 
and sixty acres. From then until taking up his 
residence in Albany in 1897 he farmed success- 
fully, adding many improvements to the home 
stead, and so operating the property as to bring 
him in a comfortable profit. 

Beginning r with 1878 Mr. Dawson became 
prominently identified with Republican politics 
in Linn county, and that year was nominated for 
sheriff of the county, but was defeated. In 1880 
he was elected a member of the legislature, serv- 
ing in the session of that year, creditably repre- 
senting the best interests of .his constituency. In 
1886 he was elected to the state senate, served in 
the session of 1887, assisting in the election of 
Senator Dolph, and also served in 1889. Again 
elected to the senate in 1894, he served in the ses- 
sions of 1895-7, but has not been a candidate 
since. At the present time he is serving his sec- 
ond term in the Albany City Council, representing 
the Second ward ; was formerly a member of 
both the State Central and County Committees. 
He has been one of the stanch supporters of his 
party in the state, and his political service has 
been characterized by the highest honor and never 
at the sacrifice of principle. 

In Linn county Mr. Dawson was united in mar- 
riage in 1873 with Sarah L. Haight, who was 
born in Linn county in 1849, an d whose father, 
Silas Haight, a native of New York state, crossed 
the plains in 1844. Georgia C, the only child of 
Mr. and Mrs. Dawson, is attending the Albany 
College and will graduate in the class of 1904. 

Mr. Dawson was made a Mason in Albany in 
1874, and is a member of Corinthian Lodge No. 
17, A. F. & A. M.; Bayley Chapter No. 8, R. A. 
M. Is also a member of Safety Lodge No. 13, 
A. O. U. W., and was an active member of Har- 
mony Grange No. 23. He has always evinced an 
interest in all matters that he deemed worthy of 
his consideration. 



U. SCOTT LOUGHARY, a native son, and 
the present clerk of Polk county, was born on a 
farm six miles from Dallas, July 25, 1863. His 
father, L. W. Loughary, owner of a well devel- 
oped farm in the county, was born in Illinois, 
but removed as a boy with his father, David, to 
Des Moines county, Iowa. After coming to Polk 
county in 1852, he continued to farm and build, 
occupations to which his entire active life has 
been devoted. Eliza Simpson, whom he married 



:: 











J^cvf^ji^ fytyl&nsvxM^ 



TORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



669 



after coming to the west, and who is still living 
with him on the old donation claim, was born 
in Tennessee, and came across the plains with her 
father, 1. M. Simpson, in the latter '40s. .Mr. 
Simpson settled on a claim on the Luckiamute, 
was ven successful, ami added greatly to his 
original land, now occupied by his wife. Martha. 
Besides U. Scott, the third child of the family, 
there were horn to L. \Y. Loughary and his wife, 
three other children, of whom Rosa is now Mrs. 
O. A. Wolverton, of Monmouth; Rachel is Mrs. 

. L. Hirshner, of the Hood River district; and 
Frank is living at home. 

After attending a course at the State Normal 
School at Monmouth. U. Scott Loughary taught 
school for a year, and then attended the State 
Agricnltural College. Following another period 
of teaching, he engaged in clerking in Independ- 
ence for five years for Shilling & Van Dyne and 
their successors, and for two years with the firm 
of James Meyers & Son. Owing to impaired 
health he went back and worked on the home 
farm for a year, and in 1900 was nominated 
county clerk on the Republican ticket, being elect- 
ed by a majority of thirty-two over the fusion 
candidate. In July, 1900, he took the oath of 
office, and, having most acceptably filled the re- 
sponsiblity, was re-elected in 1902 bv a majority 
of over five hundred and ninety-six, his term of 
office to continue until July, 1904. 

In Spokane, Wash., Mr. Loughary married 
Arminda Shupp, daughter of Rev. N. Shupp, the 
presiding elder of the Evangelical Association. 
( >f this union there have been born three chil- 
dren, Gladys, Helen and Lucile. Mr. Loughary 

s well known in fraternal and social circles of 
this county, and is identified with Jennings Lodge 

No. 9, A. F. & A. M., Friendship Lodge No/6, 

I. O. O. F.. and Woodmen of the World. For- 
merly he was active in the Knights of Pythias, 
and was past chancellor of Homer Lodge "of In- 
dependence for two terms. Mr. Loughary is one 
of the exceedingly progressive and popular men 
of the county, and the ability to be an efficient 
'public servant, added to personal characteristics 
of a high order, have won him a host of friends. 



JAMES COLEMAN. That James Cole- 
man is indebted solely to his own pluck and 
good management for his success in life is 
evident from the fact that at the age of thir- 
teen he was supporting himself by working 
in a tan yard in Johnson county, Inch, whither 
he removed with his parents when five years old. 
He was born in Franklin, Warren county, Ohio, 
July 21. 1821, and was the son of parents who 
were but indifferently successful in life. From 
Johnson county, Ind., he drove a team in 1839 



to Louisa comity, Iowa, and was so well 
pleased with the stale that he remained and 
found work on farms in the vicinity. Frugal 
and industrious, he saved enough money to 
justify him in marrying Frances Murray June 
5, 1845, an( l thereafter he continued to farm 
for others for a couple of years. 

In 1847 -^' r - Coleman followed the prompt- 
ings of his good judgment and prepared for 
the long journey across the plains, in a corn- 
pan}- commanded by Captain Davidson and 
Uaptain Mendenhall, four yoke of oxen being 
sufficient to convey the family possessions in 
one wagon. He had purchased some stock 
with which to begin farming enterprises in 
the west, but of some of this he was unfor- 
tunately relieved by the Indians, who, it will 
be recalled, entertained a profound admiration 
for the cattle of the emigrating "pale faces" 
in the early days. The train came by way of 
Fort Hall, and they arrived at their destina- 
tion none the worse for the danger and de- 
privation which they had experienced. Mr. 
Coleman found an opportunity for liveli- 
hood at St. Paul, Ore., where he operated the 
Mission sawmill during the first winter. The 
next spring he took up a donation claim of 
six hundred and forty acres seven miles above 
McMinnville, all of which was wild timber 
land. In the midst of this desolation he hewed 
trees and built a little log house, his neighbors 
being few and far between and many miles 
distant. This log house continued to be the 
abode of the family for twelve years, and in 
the meantime the land was yielding fair re- 
turns for the labor which had been expended 
upon it. During the historic year 1849, Mr. 
Coleman made his way with pack horses to 
California and mined on the American river 
for six weeks, afterward trying his luck on 
Angel's creek. He was successful in a way, 
and in the fall of the same year returned to 
Oregon by way of the ocean, going direct to 
his donation claim. 

In i860 Mr. Coleman sold his claim and 
came to Marion county, and bought three 
hundred and twenty acres, which, however, 
he has never occupied. In the fall of 1862 he 
bought nine hundred acres, of which he owns 
five hundred and eighty acres at the present 
time. His land is under a high state of culti- 
vation, and besides general farming and stock- 
raising, he has twenty-four acres under hops. 
A large family of children have been reared in 
Oregon, six sons and five daughters, all of 
whom are living and possess sound constitu- 
tions. They are named as follows, in the 
order of their birth : Annie Catharine, wife 
of W. F. Davidson, of St. Paul; John, of Port- 
land; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Charles O. Pel- 



6?0 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



land, of St. Paul ; James R., of Salem ; William 
Thomas, of Champoeg ; Elizabeth Jane, wife 
of F. C. Hammond, of Juneau, Alaska ; Stephen 
Henry, on the home place ; Charles D., of 
Juneau, Alaska ; Emily Frances, wife of Wil- 
liam Murphy, of St. Paul ; Helen Louise, wife 
of John J. Casey, of Portland; Frank N., of 
St. Paul. Mrs. Davidson, Mrs. Pelland and 
Mrs. Hammond attended St. Mary's Academy 
in Portland ; all the sons except Frank at- 
tended Willamette University, and he at- 
tended Mt. Angel College; Mrs. Murphy and 
Mrs. Casey attended St. Paul's Academy, at 
St. Paul. Ten are married and have homes 
of their own, all being active and well to do 
citizens of Oregon. 

Mrs. Coleman died April 26, 1896, aged 
seventy-two years. She was born in Ireland, 
and in infancy crossed the ocean to America 
with her father, Barney Murray. 

The record of the life of Mr. Coleman should 
prove a source of gratification to his family 
and friends, as well as of justifiable pride to 
himself. In every sense a self-made man, he 
has looked with a charitable and indulgent eye 
upon the struggles of the younger men of the 
present generation, who have been able to ex- 
tract from their knowledge of his continuous 
success no small measure of inspiration in 
their own undertakings. He has always 
evinced an interest in the public welfare, and 
co-operates willingly with his friends and 
neighbors in all efforts put forth to better the 
condition of humanity. Such men as he are 
thoroughly representative of the best and 
highest interests of the communities in which 
they reside. The high esteem in which Mr. 
Coleman is held by all who know him is 
abundant testimony to the sterling traits in 
his character and his manifest spirit of fair- 
ness and liberality of thought and action in 
dealing with matters that are of interest to 
others than himself. 



A. P. MAGNESS. Continuously for twenty- 
two years A. P. Magness has been a school clerk 
in Yamhill county, and during that time has 
materially advanced the cause of education in 
which he takes so keen an interest. He has also 
served as justice of the peace for a few terms, 
and has otherwise maintained the prestige of 
Democracy in a prosperous and progressive 
region. For many years identified with farming 
hereabouts, Mr. Magness is now living near 
the village of Wheatland, and in addition to gen- 
eral farming- and stock-raising, derives a sub- 
stantial revenue from hop culture, to which he 
devotes ten acres of his well-cultivated farm. 
During the last year he raised ten thousand 



pounds, and he is contemplating an increase of 
this amount in the near future. 

Mr. Magness represents one of the pioneer 
families of Yamhill county, having arrived here 
in 1854. He was born in Independence county, 
Ark., January 3, 1847, ms father, John R., hav- 
ing been born in the same state and county in 
1822. The elder Magness was a farmer and 
stock-raiser in Arkansas, and while living there 
married as a young man Virginia Byrd, a native 
of the same state. The parents lived on this 
farm until 1854, when, having disposed of their 
Arkansas possessions, they outfitted and pre- 
pared for the long and dreary journey across the 
plains. There were about thirty teams in the 
caravan of home and fortune seekers, and owing 
to the more settled conditions of the country, the 
little band missed some of the terrifying experi- 
ences which befell earlier emigrants. The father 
started with about one hundred and fifty head 
of cattle, and owing to the depredations of the 
Indians, was relieved of his responsibility to the 
extent of about eighty head. He first settled 
near Springfield, Ore., where he bought and 
lived on a farm until 1859, i n which year the 
faithful mother died, leaving her husband and 
children disconsolate. Thereafter the family re- 
moved to a farm upon which is now built the 
town of Fairfield, Marion county, and where he 
farmed with average success until 1864. Mr. 
Magness then went into eastern Oregon on a 
mining and prospecting tour, and for three years 
experienced varying good and bad luck. He 
afterward made a couple of trips back to Ar- 
kansas, and on the last trip was taken ill and 
one of his sons, Robert N., went and brought 
him back to his home. Here he lived until his 
death, July 29, 1893, having lived a very active 
and worth-while life. An otherwise meritorious 
career was made more interesting by valorous 
service in the Mexican war, during which service 
he encountered many of the vicissitudes incident 
to a time of adventure and rapid happenings. 
Before the battle of Buena Vista he was taken 
prisoner and imprisoned for nine months, and 
during that time had marched one thousand miles 
to the City of Mexico. Four sons and one daugh- 
ter were born into his family, of whom A. P. 
is the oldest ; Perry G. is a resident of Portland ; 
David A. lives in California ; R. N. is the next in 
order of birth ; and Josephine is deceased. 

At the age of seventeen years A. P. Magness 
went into the mines of eastern Oregon, and 
until his twenty-second year was engaged in 
mining and prospecting. He received a fair 
education in the district schools, and this begin- 
ning has been added to in later years, so that 
at the present time Mr. Magness is a well-in- 
formed man on current events and knowledge 
in general. After his marriage, September 29, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



07 1 



i860, with Amelia Davidson, a native of Dayton, 
Yamhill county, and daughter of Green C. and 
Nancy Davidson, he lived in Fairfield for a 
couple of years, and for two years on a farm near 
where he now lives. His present farm has proved 
• pleasant and profitable, and the fortunate 

ner correctly estimates that he has one of 
the most desirable farms in his neighborhood, 
i ){ the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mag- 

ss, lohn is deceased; Virginia is the wife of 
T. T. Parker, of Roseburg; David Austin is jus- 
tice of the peace in St. Paul, Marion county, and 
is in the hard-wood business on the Willamette 
river near St. Paul; Gertrude is the wife of 
Samuel Whitmore, of Dayton; the next child 
died in infancy and the following complete the 
family : William B., Maud M., Green Clay and 
Edna. The last named four children are living 
with their parents. Mr. Magness bears an hon- 
ored name in the community and his efforts have 
ever been for its permanent betterment. 



GEORGE MORRISON. Born in the sea- 
washed isle of Scotland, George Morrison grew 
up with the frugal and temperate ideas that go 
hand in hand with the common life of that 
little country, and bringing them with him across 
the sea. virtually insured his success in a land 
where plenty, carefully nurtured, means riches 
by-and-by. 

Samuel Watson, the maternal grandfather, 
followed farming as his life calling. His daugh- 
ter. Barbara, who married Alexander Mor- 
rison, is living now in that distant land 
in her seventy-fifth year, a widow, her husband 
having died January 16, 1900, at the age of 
seventy-six years. Banff, Scotland, was the 
birth-place of father, mother, and the nine chil- 
dren that were born to them, five of whom are 
still in Scotland, William, Charles, and John 
farming in the locality of their childhood home , 
Alexander, the second oldest, being a laborer ; 
Barbara, the one daughter, remaining at home 
to brighten the iife of their aging mother ; 
and two beyond the seas in the land of the 
setting sun, James, the third, and George, the 
fifth oldest, the latter of whom is reviewed in 
this sketch. 

November 19, 1863, is the date of his birth, 
in the county before mentioned. At twelve 
and a half years he was hired to a farmer to 
work for the consideration of his board and $25 
for the first six months. He had attended 
the common schools of Scotland previous to 
this and from now on he engaged in farming, 
working in the rich lowlands of this maritime 
county, and by the time he was twenty-three 
years old he had managed to save fifty pounds, 
his economy and thrift in all these years being 



for the purpose of having money for his pass- 
age to America. With no friends or relatives 
to welcome him, he came as many another 
young man did, with only his courage and de- 
termination to sustain him in the loneliness of his 
position. From Boston he came direct to 
Aurora, 111., where he engaged in farming for 
two years, the profits accruing very much more 
rapidly than in the country of his birth. At the 
close of the two years he came to Oregon, locat- 
ing near Amity, Yamhill county, where he 
worked as a farm-hand for Ladd and Reed for 
the period of two years and nine months, invest- 
ing then his savings in a farm of thirty acres 
near Dundee, having as his partner, his brother 
James. There were no improvements on the 
place and they recognized the hardships that 
barred their opportunity, but with their inherited 
industry and thrift set to work to bring cultiva- 
tion to the barren fields. They have a fine 
orchard of nine-year-old prune trees in full bear- 
ing, and with their Italian prune-dryer they pre- 
pare splendid crops for the market. When the 
trees were five years old they had a crop of 
three tons of dried prunes ; when eight years 
old, twenty tons ; when nine years old, thirteen 
tons. In the winter of 1903, Mr. Morrison 
bought a ten-acre eleven-year-old prune orchard 
which makes him forty acres in all. Prune- 
raising has been the only industry of the farm, 
and it has proven very successful. In his 
political views, Mr. Morrison is a Democrat. 



GEORGE K. BRYANT is a member of 
the firm of Bryant & Pennell, owners and 
operators of a milling plant which is con- 
ducted under the name of the Capital City 
Mills. Mr. Bryant has resided in Oregon only 
since 1894, but has become an active factor in 
industrial circles here. He was born in Grand 
Rapids, Mich., April 6, 1862, and was the third 
in order of birth in a family of three sons and 
a daughter born unto John and Rachel (Lumby) 
Bryant. The father, a native of England, 
crossed the Atlantic to Ontario, Canada, and 
afterward removed to Grand Rapids, Mich., 
where he became purchasing agent for the Chi- 
cago & Grand Trunk Railroad. He is still living 
in that city. His wife passed away during the 
early boyhood of their son, G. K. Her father, 
George Lumby, was a native of Connecticut and 
after his removal to Michigan followed the oc- 
cupation of farming. 

Mr. Bryant of this review spent his youthful 
days in Grand Rapids, Mich., and to it's public 
school system is indebted for the educational 
privileges he enjoyed. His mother died when 
he was but four years of age and soon after- 
ward he was bound out to a miller, J. Wolf. 



672 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



When very young he assisted in the work of 
the mill as his age and strength permitted, and 
in 1876 he regularly entered the mill and com- 
pleted his trade in the Glohe Mills under Mr. 
Wolf. This mill -was operated with the old burr 
process and subsequently Mr. Wolf purchased 
another mill at Tallmadge Center. Mr. Bryant 
remained v/ith him until six months after he had 
attained his majority, when he removed to Ra- 
venna, Muskegon county, Mich., where he 
accepted the position of head miller in the 
Ravenna Mills. Later he was made manager, 
and while serving in that capacity he put in a 
roller process. Eventually he leased the mill and 
for five years was its proprietor, his connection 
with that industry covering twelve years. This, 
however, was terminated in 1894, when he came 
to the northwest. 

On arriving in Salem Mr. Bryant looked 
about for a business opening and leased the 
Aumsville Mill twelve miles from this city. He 
was its proprietor for four years and then went 
to California, spending five months at different 
places in that state. He next proceeded to Port- 
land and eastern Oregon, but in 1900 he re- 
turned to Salem and as a member of the firm 
of Bryant & Reeves purchased the mill which 
he now owns. It is a steam mill with a fifty-six 
horse power engine and a capacity of one hun- 
dred barrels per day. The milling plant con- 
sists of a building four stories in height and is 
supplied with a Case system of roller process. 
The firm is now Bryant'& Pennell and the busi- 
ness is carried on under the name of the Capital 
City Mills, an engraving of the state capitol 
being stamped upon each sack of flour as its 
trade mark. Various kinds of flour and break- 
fast foods are manufactured, one of the main 
brands being the "Perfection Flour," which, be- 
cause of its superior excellence and quality, finds 
a ready sale, upon the market. Mr. Bryant has 
worked up an excellent business and the output 
of the enterprise is continually being increased 
to meet the growing demands of the trade. 

In Coopersville, Mich., occurred the marriage 
of G. K. Bryant and Miss Alice Burton, who 
was born in Ohio, and they have one child, Mil- 
dred W. Mr. Bryant was made a Mason in 
Lisbon, Mich., and an Odd Fellow at Ravenna, 
that state, and he is also connected with the 
Knights of the Maccabees, while his political 
support is given to the Republican party. 



WILLIAM CAMPBELL. From early pioneer 
times William Campbell has been a resident of 
Yamhill county and his efforts have been far- 
reaching and effective in the upbuilding and de- 
velopment of this portion of the state. He was 



born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and his 
father, William Campbell, Sr., was a native of 
Scotland. Crossing the Atlantic to America he 
took up his abode in the Empire state, where 
he engaged in farming until his death. His wife 
was a Miss Logan, and the subject of this re- 
view is their only living child and the only one 
that came to Oregon. His birth occurred on 
the 4th of September, 1827, so that he has now 
passed the Psalmist's span of three score years 
and ten, but he is still an active factor in the 
business circles of McMinnville, where he is en- 
gaged in real estate operations. When sixteen 
years of age he was apprenticed to learn the 
blacksmith's trade, which he followed until 1855, 
and then started for California by way of the 
Nicaragua route on the steamer The Golden 
West. After crossing that Central American 
country he again took passage on a steamer bound 
for San Francisco, and on reaching the Golden 
Gate, made his way at once to the mines. In 
Yuba county he engaged in blacksmithing for 
three months, and afterwards took up his abode 
in Marysville, Cal., where he also established a 
shop. In 1858, the year of the Frazier river ex- 
citement in British Columbia, he was attracted 
northward and proceeded as far as Victoria when 
he met the prospectors and miners returning. Mr. 
Campbell then made his way to Portland and 
thence went to Lafayette, while two months later 
he arrived in McMinnville. 

There was only one store and a few houses 
here when Mr. Campbell became a resident of 
the city. He purchased a blacksmith shop on 
Third street between B and C streets and there 
he conducted business along the line of his trade 
for many years, also devoting his attention to 
wagon and carriage making. He built the first 
carriage ever manufactured here and continued 
working at his trade for about ten years, since 
which time he has devoted his energies to real- 
estate operations. Through this avenue of busi- 
ness activity Mr. Campbell has contributed in 
a large measure to the improvement of McMinn- 
ville. He erected the Campbell block, which is 
a brick structure two stories in height, 68x100 
feet. He also built another building 60x100 feet 
opposite the Campbell block and still others has 
he erected in the business district, while in the 
residence district he has put up a number of 
cottages. Mr. Campbell has done not a little 
for his fellow men by giving people an oppor- 
tunity to own their own homes by allowing them 
to pay for them upon the installment plan. He 
has built more than any other one resident of the 
city, and when the railroad was comtemplated 
he was a generous contributor to a subscription 
list that was raised in order to secure the ex- 
tension of the line to this place. The road had 
been terminated at St. Joseph, and Mr. Campbell 



PORTRAIT WD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



t;7. r > 



led in securing the right of way from 
ce to Amity. He realized how important 
il,| be railroad connection with outlying points 
I put forth every effort in his power to secure 
the building of the road, which has proven of 
st possible benefit to McMinnville. A 
g .it' citizens was held at which Mr. Camp- 
was appointed chairman of the committee 
ure the right of way and the depot site. 
and when he had accomplished this important 
the growth of the town received a new 
npetus that is still felt. Exclusive of time and 
jfforts he gave over $3,000 in money to carry 
his enterprise. Mr. Campbell has also im- 
proved a number of farms in this portion of the 
te and owns about one thousand acres of land 
• McMinnville. most of which is under cul- 
tivation, and he may well be termed a captain of 
lustry, for certainly his life is an exemplifica- 
tion oi earnest labor and its force as a factor in 
the business world. He has also been the pro- 
moter of a number of enterprises which have 
been of value to the city as well as to the indi- 
vidual owners. He established the first fruit- 
drying factory of the county and became presi- 
dent of the company having this in charge. He 
built the first creamery here and was president 
of the company owning and controlling this en- 
terprise. He became one of the organizers of 
• McMinnville National Bank and a member 
of its first board of directors, and in that same 
connection he is still associated with the insti- 
tution. 

Mr. Campbell was married in McMinnville 
April 20. 1880, to Miss Hattie L. Loughary, who 
was born in Iowa and came to McMinnville in 
1864 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. VV. J. 
Loughary, who still reside here. Unto our sub- 
ject and his wife have been born two children : 
Fuchia Pearl and William Chester. In his po- 
itical faith Mr. Campbell is a Republican, hav- 
ing been identified with the party since its organ- 
ization. He has done everything in his power 
promote its growth and insure its success and 
has ever been an active factor in the political in- 
terests of McMinnville. 

For fifteen years he served as a member of 
the city council and was the promoter of meas- 
ures of benefit to the city. He belongs to 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Mc- 
Minnville. in which he is a past noble grand; 
is also connected with the Encampment and with 
the Rebekah degree and has membership relations 
with the Muscovites. In 1865 he returned to the 
east by way of the Nicaragua route, and in 1868 
he again visited the east, going by way of the 
Panama route, but since coming to McMinnville 
his deepest interests have centered here and he 
has had firm faith in the country and its future. 



ALFRED WILSON. Few men are more 
familiar with western history than Alfred Wil- 
son. What to most of the present generation 
is a matter of reading is to him a matter of 
memory. He has been a participant in many 
of the advances connected with early travel 
over the plains and with the settlement of the 
west, and is thus very familiar with life upon 
the great stretches of country that lie between 
the Mississippi valley and the ocean. He 
served in the Mexican war, and is among the 
few survivors to-day of that struggle. He bore 
his part in the work of improvement and devel- 
opment as the tide of emigration steadily 
flowed westward, and to-day he is one of the 
respected, honored and successful agricultur- 
ists of Yamhill county, where he owns a valu- 
able tract of land of thirteen hundred and sixty 
acres. 

Alfred Wilson was born in Tennessee. April 
2, 1826, and two years later his parents re- 
moved to Howard county, Mo., where he was 
reared upon a farm. There he became ac- 
quainted with Kit Carson and there sprung up 
between them a friendship which existed until 
the death of the latter. In 1846, with the noted 
explorer, hunter and guide, he went to the 
Rocky Mountains on horseback, starting from 
Fort Leavenworth. He made this trip in the 
hope of benefiting his health, and afterward he 
traveled with Kit Carson, piloting people 
across the country. Often he slept with Mr. 
Carson under the same blanket and shared 
with him in all the experiences, encounters and 
hardships which went to make up the life his- 
tory of that famous man. Mr. Wilson has 
killed many a bear with his hunting knife, thus 
coming into close contact with the animals. 
With Mr. Carson he acted as pilot to Steven- 
son, a trader who went from St. Louis to New 
Mexico. Mr. Wilson was engaged to drive a 
six-mule team across the plains, starting from 
Mann's Fort on the Arkansas river. After 
being out five days they were attacked by the 
Indians, and at that time Mr. Wilson killed his 
first red man, a Comanche. He narrowly es- 
caped death, for five arrows penetrated his 
clothing. Five days later there was another 
attack by the Indians, but day after day some 
progress was made, until finally the party- 
reached the last mountain, when he left the 
train and returned. 

In 1848 Mr. Wilson enlisted for service in 
the Mexican war as a teamster, and after 
reaching the land of the Montezumas he en- 
listed as a scout in advance of the army, or, as 
they were called, a ranger. He was at the 
battle and in the siege of Santa Cruz, Mexico, 
where the troops surrounded the town, and for 
six days they subsisted upon one meal a day. 



676 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mr. Wilson was one of those chosen to throw 
bombs into the town, and did his full share in 
winning American victories there. After the 
close of the Mexican war he returned north- 
ward and several times crossed the plains, 
making a trip in 1849 and another in 1850. In 
the latter year he was captain of a company 
that came to Oregon with an ox-team, journey- 
ing from Fort Hall westward. He and his 
brother also came along to Oregon and on the 
trip killed three Indians. They proceeded to 
the vicinity of McMinnville, and Mr. Wilson 
put in a crop for Dr. Sutton, operating the lat- 
ter's land on shares for a year. In the summer 
of 185 1 he secured a donation claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres where Riley Fendall 
now resides. In the fall of that year he was 
crippled while in the woods by a man hitting 
him back of the knee with an ax. The injury 
proved so serious that for eighteen months he 
was unable to engage in any labor. About that 
time news came that emigrants crossing the 
plains were in a starving condition, and Mr. 
Wilson then busied himself in taking up a 
collection wherewith to secure provisions to 
take to the travelers. He raised nearly $800 
for that purpose, and it may well be supposed 
that he was hailed with gratitude as a bene- 
factor to 3 those who were suffering great hard- 
ships for lack of food as they- journeyed west- 
ward. At another time Mr. Wilson suffered a 
second accident, having a leg broken by the 
falling of his horse when near McMinnville. 
However, his life altogether has been a pros- 
perous one and has been filled with many in- 
cidents which have made his history eventful, 
and left to him many pleasant memories. In 
1852 he secured a donation claim where he is 
now living, becoming the owner of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres in this way. He has 
made all of the improvements- upon the prop- 
erty, and substantial buildings now stand as 
monuments to his enterprise, while well tilled 
fields indicate his careful supervision. As the 
years have passed he has added to his property 
until he now has thirteen hundred and sixty 
acres of land in one body. He is largely en- 
gaged in raising horses upon his ranch, and 
has some very fine animals which bring a good 
price in the markets. 

Mr. Wilson has been twice married. In 
1854 he wedded Miss Mary Sailing, and unto 
them were born ten children, eight of whom are 
now living: Melicia, wife of Ira Stevens; 
Ludy, wife of James Le Masters ; Melvina, 
wife of John Lady ; Minnie, wife of Andrew 
Lady ; Lillie, wife of George Ball ; Bay, wife of 
William Briddle ; Edward and Harley. Mrs. 
Wilson died in 1890, and in 1894 Mr. Wilson 
was again married, his second union being 



with Miss Rebecca Bryan. In his political 
views he is a Republican, having supported the 
party since its organization. His life history, 
if written in detail, would furnish more thrill- 
ing chapters than are usually found upon the 
pages of fiction. He knows what it is to en- 
dure hardships, incident to a journey across 
the plains before the advent of railroads. He 
also knows what it is to fear the skulking foe 
and to meet him in battle in the methods of 
warfare employed by the red men. He has 
also been a participant in his nation's battles, 
and he has likewise performed the no less im- 
portant work of reclaiming a wild district for 
the purposes of civilization, that nature may 
yield of its rich resources for the support, of 
men. 



ROSWELL L. CONNER, who is en- 
gaged in the practice of law in Mc- 
Minnville, was born in Polk county, Ore., 
near Dallas, September 18, 1866. He traces his 
ancestry back through several generations to the 
Emerald Isle and the name was originally O'Con- 
ner. The story goes that Robert O'Conner, a 
native of Ireland, was a son of wealthy parents. 
When twelve years of age he became imbued with 
an irresistible desire to come to America, and 
knowing that he could never win the consent of 
his parents, he ran away and went to a sea cap- 
tain, to whom he represented himself as an or- 
phan and obtained permission from the captain 
to come to America on his ship. In due time 
with a little bundle he went aboard the ship 
which soon afterward set sail. But the boy was 
missed at home and the father getting some track 
of him chartered another boat and overtook the 
one on which his son had sailed. The captain, 
however, in order to have no trouble, hid the boy 
in a hogshead, and the last time the boy saw his 
father was from the hold of a vessel as he peeped 
through the bunghole of the hogshead. The cap- 
tain brought him to this country on condition that 
he would work for the captain for three years 
in this country, and this Robert Conner did. He 
was also allowed to attend school and he learned 
a trade in his youth. After he attained his ma- 
jority he wrote home to his parents, and his 
father then offered to start him in any business 
he might select if he would return to Ireland. 
This he refused to do. Here he changed his 
name by dropping the prefix and the family have 
since had the patronymic of Conner. Robert 
Conner married and among his children was a 
son William, who also married and reared a fam- 
ily, including Robert Conner, the grandfather of 
our subject. 

This Robert Conner was born in New York 
and became a farmer of Ohio, whence in 1847 



PORTRAIT AND I'.H xiRAPHICAL RECORD. 



(177 



he started with his family across the plains with 
an coc-team and eventuall) reached Oregon. His 
wife had died in the cast and his death occurred 

i Polk county, this state, in 1S05. All of his 

children came with him to the northwest, namely: 

William, a tanner, who died in Polk county; 

n. who died in California; Nathan, who died 

• Polk county; Job, the father of our subject; 
Mrs. Sarah Franklin, who died in Multnomah 
ut\ ; Mrs. Klizabeth Hewitt and Mrs. Ann 
Allawav. who died in the east ; Mrs. Mary Metz- 
ker. who died in Lake county, Ore. ; Mrs. Han- 
nah Dexter, who passed away in Polk county, as 
did Mrs. Rachel Syron. 

lob Conner was born in Ohio, December 3, 
1827, and when twenty years of age came with 
the family to Oregon. For two vears he engaged 
lumbering in Oregon City, and in 1849 ne 
went over the mountains to California, where he 
spent one year in placer mining. Upon his re- 
turn be settled in Polk county, where he pur- 
chased the right of a party to a section of land, 
but could hold only three hundred and twenty 
acres. This he improved and farmed, living there 
until his death in 1886. He was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and a Republican 
in bis political belief. In early manhood he had 
married Polly Ann Riggs, who was born in 
Scott county, 111., April 13, 1834, a daughter of 
Zadoc Riggs and a granddaughter of Scott Adams 
Riggs. who settled near Exeter, 111., where he 
followed farming until his death. Zadoc Riggs 
was a farmer of Illinois until 1850, when he 
-tarred with his wife and five children for Ore- 
gon, but he died while on the way, near the last 
crossing of the Sweetwater and was there buried. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane 
Leib, was born in eastern Tennessee and with 
her father, John Lieb, went to Scott county, 111., • 
where she became the wife of Mr. Riggs. After 
her husband's death she continued the journey 
to ( )regon, where she spent her remaining days. 
Her brother-in-law, James B. Riggs, had settled 
in Polk county in 1845, an d to that locality she 
went. She secured a donation land claim eight 
miles north of Dallas and there reared her fam- 
ily, her death occurring in 1872. It was on the 
29th of March. 1855, that Polly Ann Riggs be- 
came the wife of Job Conner, and she died 
April 13, 1871, when our subject was four years 
old. She had seven children: Robert S., of 
San Jose, Cal. ; Thomas E., a farmer of Yamhill 
county; Mrs. Jane Baxter, of Polk countv ; Le- 
ander, a farmer of that countv; Roswell L. ; Mrs. 
Louisa Morrison, of Redlands, Cal., and Mrs. 
Nancy Berdan. of Spokane, Wash. 

( in the home farm Roswell L. Conner remained 
until twenty-one years of age, and after attend- 
ing the common schools, spent one year in Mc- 
Mmnville College. On attaining his majority 



he entered Willamette University, at Salem, 
where he remained two years. In 1889 he went 
to Sheridan and bought on interest with bis 
brother, Robert S., in the Sheridan flouring mills, 
which they remodeled into roller mills and con- 
ducted under the name of Conner Brothers until 
1891, when R. L. Conner sold bis interest. He 
was then appointed deputy sheriff under W. L. 
Warren, serving until 1896. In the meantime 
be bad taken up the study of law, and under the 
direction and in the office of Judge J. E. Magers 
he continued his reading until admitted to the 
bar, at Salem, in June, 1897. Since that time he 
has engaged in general practice in McMinnville 
and now has a large and distinctively representa- 
tive clientage. In 1900 he was appointed deputy 
district attorney for Yamhill county, under J. N. 
Hart, of Dallas, and in his law practice he has 
shown marked ability in coping with the intricate 
and involved questions of jurisprudence. 

Mr. Conner was married in McMinnville to 
Miss Myrtie Apperson, who was born in Oregon 
City. He is a very prominent Mason, having 
become a member of the order in Sheridan Lodge 
No. 64, while now he is connected with Union 
Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M., of which he is a past 
master. He was exalted in Ainsworth Chapter, 
No. 17, R. A. M., at Dallas, and now belongs to 
Taylor Chapter, No. 16, of which he is a past 
high priest. His membership is likewise with 
Hodson Council, No. 1, R. & A. M., of which 
he was thrice illustrious master; the Order of 
High Priesthood; DeMolay Commandery, No. 5, 
K. T., having been a knight since 1894; Oregon 
Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, Ainsworth Chapter, 
No. 1, Rose Croix; Multnomah Council of Ko- 
dosh, No. 1, and Al Kader Temple, N. M. S. Mr. 
Conner also belongs to the Commerce Club, of 
which he is a member of the board of directors, 
and he belongs to the Christian Church and gives 
his political support to the Republican party. 

In 1897 Mr. Conner married Miss Apperson, a 
daughter of Albert Jefferson and Eloise Au- 
gusta (Cook) Apperson, the latter a native of 
Batavia, Mich. Mrs. Conner's grandfather, Bev- 
erly Apperson, was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth 
Apperson. Her father is now living retired at 
No. 472 Yamhill street, Portland, and at one 
time he was receiver in the United States land 
office at Sitka, Alaska. 



PLEASANT COZINE, extensively en- 
gaged in building and contracting in Mc- 
Minnville, is a native son of Oregon, and was 
born in Yamhill county, on the site of McMinn- 
ville College, January 28, 1849. He was edu- 
cated in the public schools of McMinnville, and 
at the age of thirteen had his horizon materially 
enlarged while on a trip with his father to the 
Powder river mines in the Boise Basin, Idaho. 



678 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In the fall of 1863 he returned to this valley, 
continued his education for several years, and 
in connection therewith fanned on his father's 
large claim. Finally he prepared for future in- 
dependence by learning the carpenter and build- 
er's trade, in which he has since been engaged 
most successfully. In the fall of 1882 he re- 
moved to Sprague, Wash., and worked at his 
trade, spending some time also in Seattle, and 
locating permanently in McMinnville in 1898. 
To his skill in construction are due many of 
the finest buildings of recent date in the town. 
When Samuel Cozine, the father of Pleasant, 
came to Oregon in 1843, tms state was a stranger 
to all manner of civilization, and was the haunt 
of wild beasts and many kinds of Indians. This 
intrepid pioneer was born in Kentucky and re- 
moved with his family to Missouri, from where 
he started across the plains in 1843. He was 
full of enthusiasm for the almost unknown west, 
and, having nothing particular to bind him to 
any place, gladly set out in a caravan composed 
of many wagons, and many hopeful searchers 
after homes and fortunes. He had a happy, 
buoyant spirit, and made many friends among 
the members of the party. Not the least im- 
portant of the families represented in this band 
of pilgrims was that to which Mahala Arthur 
belonged, whose youthful beauty inspired a last- 
ing regard in the heart of the young emigrant, 
who at once began to think of the advantages 
of a pretty and interesting helpmate. That the 
attachment was reciprocated was a fact apparent 
to all the members of the train, and substantiated 
to the satisfaction of all after their arrival at 
their destination, the marriage ceremony taking 
place March 29, 1845. This emigrant train was 
the first to come to the Willamette valley, and 
on its arrival the young man, Samuel Cozine, 
bought the right of Thomas Owens to a claim 
of six hundred and forty acres, upon a portion 
of which McMinnville College now stands. The 
country roundabout was extremely wild, with 
only an occasional cabin like their own dotting 
the landscape, and here Mr. Cozine erected also 
a little blacksmith shop, to follow the trade 
which he had learned in Missouri. Needless to 
say this young couple started under the happiest 
auspices, notwithstanding they had little money, 
and almost no friends in the wilderness. 

In 1849 M r - Cozine left his wife and children 
for a time while he went down into the mines 
of California and endeavored to replenish their 
finances. The first gold he found was made into 
the ring now worn by the wife who remained 
behind at the mercy of the Indians. Mr. Cozine 
was very successful in his mining deals, return- 
ing to his family about $6,000 richer than when 
he departed. He ever afterward retained an 
interest in mining, and in 1862 went into the 



Powder river mines, Idaho, two years later visit- 
ing the mines with satisfactory results. In time 
he had numerous claims to his credit throughout 
the west, man)' of which have since proved of 
great value, but have unfortunately been dis- 
posed of. Up to his death, in 1897, he still con- 
tinued to manipulate the forge, in the meantime 
taking a lively interest in the town of McMinn- 
ville, the growth of which he had watched from 
its infancy. Both himself and wife took great 
interest in the college in the town, and the for- 
mer contributed the twenty acres comprising the 
college grounds. Also they contributed gener- 
ously towards its upbuilding, and Mr. Cozine 
was for many years a trustee of the college. 
This very early settler was known for many 
years as Uncle Sam, and his figure on the streets 
and on the country roads was one of the most 
familiar in the county. Generous and open- 
hearted, he gave to everything that pointed to 
the substantial upbuilding of his locality, and 
his sound business advice and practical sugges- 
tions were invariably sought at times of stress 
and moment. From time to time this worthy 
couple converted portions of their land into city 
property, and at the last Mrs. Cozine had a hun- 
dred acres left, while her husband had but forty. 
At the present time Mrs. Cozine is living in her 
pleasant home in McMinnville, where she owns 
considerable property, and is among the most 
esteemed of the brave pioneer women of this 
state. She was born in Jackson county, Mo., 
near Independence, her father, William, having 
located there after coming from his native state 
of Kentucky. As before intimated, Mr. Arthur 
brought his wife, Millie (Malone) Arthur, a 
native of Kentucky, and his eight children to 
^regon in the same train with Mr. Cozine, and 
his daughter, Mahala, who had learned to shoot 
a gun, had ample opportunity to test her prow- 
ess on the plains. Of these children born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur, David died in Clackamas 
county, Ore. ; Richard died near Hillsboro ; 
Brazilla died near Hillsboro ; Robert lives in 
McMinnville ; Mahala is next in order ; William 
is a resident of McMinnville, and Mary died in 
California. There were eight children born to 
Samuel Cozine and his wife, those living being 
Mrs. Lucretia Storey, of McMinnville ; Mrs. 
Auburn L. Linn, of Portland ; and Pleasant. 
Mrs. Cozine was one of the organizers and a 
charter member of the Baptist church of Mc- 
Minnville, is a member of the Aid Society, and 
has been identified with the Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union for more than thirty years. 
Her son, Pleasant, the builder and contractor of 
McMinnville, is also a member of the Baptist 
Church, and in political affiliation is a Repub- 
lican. He is an enterprising and progressive 
man, and reflects great credit upon the honored 




^Siw /^<^^ur7^ 



PORTRAIT AND UIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



681 



name of his father, upon the teachings of his 
gifted pioneer mother, and upon the community 
which regards him as one of its most substantial 
and helpful citizens. 



BENJAMIN WINDSOR. A worthy citi- 
of I'oik county. Ore., who, through years 
of vigorous prosecution of the natural advan- 
afforded in the west, has won and re- 
tained the confidence and esteem of all with 
whom he has come in contact, is Benjamin 
Windsor, the subject of this brief sketch. Mr. 
Windsor was born in Buckinghamshire, Eng- 
land. April 23. 1832, the son of William 
Windsor, a native of the same shire, where he 
died in 1845 at tne a & e °f seventy-five years. 
He was a carpenter by trade, and served in 
that capacity in the British navy under Ad- 
miral Xelson. His wife bore the maiden name 
of Leah Robinson; she was a native of the 
same shire, dying there at the age of eighty- 
five years. She was the mother of nine chil- 
dren, five sons and four daughters, of whom 
Benjamin was the fourth in order of birth, — 
and the only one in the United States. 

Up to the time he was ten years of age Mr. 
Windsor attended the common schools of Eng- 
land. At that time he was compelled to depend 
upon his own resources, and accordingly he 
sought employment among the farmers in the 
vicinity of. his home, his remuneration being 
>ix cents per day, out of which he had to pro- 
vide his own living. When he was nineteen 
years of age he went to London, where for 
nine months he worked as a milk carrier. On 
June 9. 1852, he took passage on the American 
ship Masonic and after fifty-seven days landed 
in Xew York City. Soon afterward he located 
in Knox county, 111., where he farmed until 
February, 1856. He then went to St. Louis, 
where he took passage for Panama, continuing 
on his journey to California. He first located 
in Sierra county, where he engaged in mining 
on the middle Yuba, near Downieville. There 
he met with gratifying success, the amount 
of the gold nuggets reaching as high as $25. 
From one crevice in thfe rock he took out 
thirty-six ounces of gold, which netted con- 
siderable money. He soon tired of a miner's 
life, so he went to San Jose, where he spent 
but a short time, and from there went to 
various cities of California, spending thirteen 
months at Los Angeles. In 1859 he set sail 
from San Francisco for Portland, Ore., going 
from there to Lincoln, Polk county, where he 
entered the employ of Major W. M. AValker. 
On the boat which brought him from Portland 
to Lincoln, was the finishing lumber for the 
Spring Yalley Presbyterian Church. Having 
28 



been saving with his money and being pos- 
sessed with a spirit of thriftiness. he soon began 
to invest his earnings in land. His first pur- 
chase was one-half of the McLench claim, for 
which he paid $2.50 per acre. He next pur- 
chased one hundred and sixty acres of the 
Swift claim, for which he also paid $2.50 per 
acre. In addition to this property he bought 
one hundred and sixty acres near Lincoln, upon 
which he at once began farming for himself, 
making a steady upward climb until he has 
reached a substantial place among the progres- 
sive citizens of the community. He has made 
other purchases from time to time, until he is 
now the owner of between thirteen and four- 
teen hundred acres of as good land as can be 
found in any part of Oregon. His land is de- 
voted to general farming, and in the raising 
of grain he has been particularly successful, 
having raised as high as five thousand bushels 
in one year, besides devoting considerable at- 
tention to raising Cotswold sheep and draft 
horses. 

Mr. Windsor was married April 10, 1872, to 
Miss Mary Caroline Allison, who was born in 
Canada, February 28, 1843. Unto this Avorthy 
couple were born five children, as follows : 
John Allison, who died at the age of seventeen 
years; Caroline, who is now Mrs. John W. 
Childers ; William, Frank, and Anne, who 
make their home with their parents. 

Politically Mr. Windsor is independent in 
his views, but by no means indifferent to pub- 
lic affairs. He has always been deeply inter- 
ested in the cause of education, and was road 
supervisor of his district several times. The 
first railroad laid in Oregon received the ma- 
terial assistance and co-operation of Mr. 
Windsor, he having contributed $10 toward 
the first survey of the same. One of the oldest 
residents of this section of the county, through- 
out his entire life Mr. Windsor has been 
known as a man of thought and action, who 
has the best interest of the community at heart, 
and whose life is a worthy example of the 
possibilities to be attained in this great north- 
west. He is known as a friend of progress 
and cheerfully lends his influence to any pub- 
lic enterprise for the betterment of the com- 
munity, whether social, political or religious, 
and these qualities have won for him the high- 
est regard of his fellow men. 



GEORGE W. JONES. McMinnville owes 
much to the enterprising efforts and business 
ability of George W. Jones, who has done as 
much, if not more, than any other man for the 
promotion of commercial and industrial activity 
here. He has seen this portion of the state when 



6S2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



much of it was still in its primitive condition, 
when the work of progress and improvement had 
scarcely been begun. He was born in Montgom- 
ery county, N. Y., April 19, 1835, and his father, 
Ahijah Jones, was also a native of that county. 
The grandfather, Lynds Jones, was of Welsh pa- 
rentage and engaged extensively in the manu- 
facture of flour on Cayadutta creek, in Montgom- 
ery county. Ahijah Jones became one of the 
leading factors in industrial circles there, own- 
ing and operating cotton and woolen mills and 
also engaging in the manufacture of flour and 
lumber, at what is now Berryville, N. Y. In 
the fall of i860 he went to the south to engage 
in manufacturing but the hard times accompa- 
nying the war came on and he suffered heavy 
losses. He died in Macon, Ga., in 1863. He 
married Catherine Veeder, who was born in 
Tribes Hill, N. Y., a daughter of Col. John S. 
i/eeder, who was of Holland Dutch descent and 
won his title by valorous service in the war of 
1812. He took part in the battle of Sackett's 
Harbor and was in other engagements, and after 
his military life was ended he carried on farming 
in Montgomery county. Mrs. Jones died when 
her son, George W., was but seven years old. 

George W. Jones was the only one of the four 
children of the family who reached mature years. 
Reared in New York, he attended the public 
schools and the State Normal at Albany, where 
he was a student from 1854 until 1856. In his 
senior year, however, he left school and joined 
his father, who had removed to New York City. 
In his youth he had learned the trade of a mill- 
wright and miller. For two years he was en- 
gaged in the wholesale produce business in New 
York City and in 1859 he left the Atlantic coast 
for the Pacific, making his way to San Francisco 
and thence to Crescent City, Cal., where for two 
years he was manager of a saw and flouring 
mill. In 1861, at the time of the Salmon river 
excitement, he came to Portland, making the 
journey on foot along the Columbia river. It 
was an arduous trip, fraught with hardship and 
even dangers. The snow lay so thick upon the 
ground that sometimes he was able to cover only 
six miles per day. At night he lay down in the 
snow and he lived upon crackers and cold bacon 
for days, but at length he reached his destina- 
tion. 

In 1864 Mr. Jones went to Grande Ronde val- 
ley, where he conducted a sawmill for Stephen 
Coffin, and in the spring of 1865 returned to Boise, 
Idaho, where he engaged in mining until August. 
At that time he returned to Portland, there con- 
ducting a sawmill for William L. Adams, on 
Panther creek, and in 1866, in connection with 
O. H. Adams, he bought out his employer, the 
business being continued under the name of O. H. 
Adams & Company, manufacturing lumber and 



also conducting a sash and door factory in the 
city. When Mr. Adams sold his interest to E. J. 
Crawford, the firm style of Jones & Crawford was 
assumed, and later Mr. Crawford sold to Mr. 
Hill, and Mr. Adams again became became inter- 
ested in the business. When the partners were 
Mr. Adams, H. A. Reasoner, Mr. Hill and Mr. 
Jones, the enterprise was conducted under the 
name of Jones & Company, thus continuing until 
1884, when Mr. Reasoner sold, and the follow- 
ing year Mr. Hill disposed of his interest, the 
firm then becoming Jones & Adams. In the 
meantime O. H. Adams had transferred his in- 
terest to his son, Frank G. Adams, and the busi- 
ness has since been continued as Jones & Adams. 
They have a sawmill at the south fork of North 
Yamhill river and are extensively and success- 
fully engaged in the manufacture of lumber. 
They also conduct a planing mill for the manu- 
facture of sash, doors, blinds and mouldings, and 
both branches of their business are profitably con- 
ducted, and a large trade is enjoyed. On the 9th . 
of July, 1891, the firm suffered severely in the 
fire which swept over the city, causing them a 
loss of more than $20,000. May 31, 1892, a sec- 
ond disaster occurred to their store building, 
which with its stock of hardware, paints and oils 
was burned out, causing a loss of $5,000. Dis- 
aster again overtook the firm on the 26th of Au- 
gust, 1896, in a third disastrous conflagration, 
destroying their mill and other property in the 
mountains, with a loss of $5,000. but. with char- 
acteristic energy the firm rebuilt the mill and 
began business anew with an energy and deter- 
mination that have been marked characteristics 
of the house. Mr. Jones had done more build- 
ing in McMinnville than any other one man. 
He was the pioneer builder here and has con- 
tinued the work as the years have advanced until 
the city is now largely indebted to him in this 
direction for substantial improvement. He erected 
a brick block in the business district, and in the 
face of adverse circumstances he has pushed for- 
ward, displaying fortitude and energy which have 
commanded the respect and admiration of all. 

Mr. Jones has been twice married. In Fonda, 
N. Y., he wedded Miss Rachel Young, who was 
born, reared and died *there, and their only child 
also died in the Empire state. In Oregon Mr. 
Jones was a second time married, this union being 
with Miss Emma E. Adams, who was born in 
Galesburg, 111., and was three years of age when 
brought by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. O. H. 
Adams, to the northwest. This marriage has 
been blessed with seven children : Georgia May, 
of Portland ; Lynds W., who is with Fleischner, 
Mayer & Co., of Portland ; Katie V., also of that 
city ; Mary, who was graduated in the high school 
of McMinnville and is now a student in McMinn- 
yjlle College; Frank, Willard and Ellen, at home. 



PORTRA] r AND I'.k ^GRAPHICAL REG IRD. 



683 



That Mr. [ones is regarded as one of the valued 

ns of McMinnville is shown by 

t | u : for twelve years, b\ popular ballot, 

s retained as a member oi the citj council, 

on many important committees and was 

in of the committee on ways and means 

C nuts and current expenses. He was 

ember of the charter revision committee, 

for one term he served as mayor of the city, 

administration being beneficial because it was 

sslike and practical. He has also been 

rk of the school board for several terms. He 

n an earnest Republican, with firm 

in the party and the ultimate triumph of its 

principles for the good of the country. Fra- 

ternallv, Mr. Jones is connected with Union 

No. 4,;. F. & A. M., of which he is a past 

r, and is a charter member of the Ancient 

ler of United Workmen. His wife belongs 

the Christian Church, and both have many 

friends in the city where they make their home. 

Mr. lones has labored so consecutively along 

hues ni general progress and improvement that 

McMinnville 's history would be incomplete w'ere 

his life record omitted. 



MITCHELL MONTGOMERY ELLIS. The 
intimate identification of Mitchell Montgomery 
Lllis. of Dallas, Polk county, with the important 
interests of the Willamette valley — which, broadlv 
iking, means the state of Oregon — is well 
illustrated by the fact that he has been for many 
years extensively engaged in mercantile pursuits 
in that city; is the organizer, vice-president and 
director of the Dallas City Bank; is the ownei 
and operator of the largest prune orchard planted 
by an individual in the state ; is one of the oper- 
rs of the best flouring-mill outside of the city 
I 'ortland ; was one of the organizers and prin- 
cipal upbuilders of the Presbyterian Church of 
Dallas, and is now serving his second term as 
mayor of that city. These essential features of 
his career in Oregon form, in themselves, an in- 
tegral chapter in the history of the development 
of the commonwealth. 

Mr. Ellis was born near Zanesville, Ohio, Janu- 
ary io. 1846, and is the son of Henry and Henri- 
etta (Rowell) Ellis. Henry Ellis was born in 
Pennsylvania, and in early manhood became a 
merchant tailor, following his trade near Zanes- 
.ille. Ohio, and in Ottumwa and Decatur, Iowa. 
In 1855 he purchased three different tracts of raw 
prairie land near Decatur, where he engaged ex- 
tensively in farming and stock-raising until 1865. 
Having disposed of his Iowa propcty. he came 
across the plait- s to Oregon, settling on a farm 
near Ballston, Polk county, in the latter year. 
The journey across the plains was a memorable 
one. The equipment consisted of mule and horse 



teams. During the trip the emigrants were 
stopped three miles east of Kearney, Neb., and 
held until a company of one hundred men could 
be assembled, when the government sent a mus- 
tering officer to organize them into a military 
company for the protection of the train, and drill 
them. They continued as an organized company 
along the Platte river until- the mouth of the 
Cache la Poudre river was reached, which they 
crossed with the main body of the train. Though 
the number had diminished to less than one hun- 
dred, they then elected a new captain, and con- 
tinued on their journey to Salt Lake City. Here 
the Ellis family separated from the rest of the 
train, and with eleven teams came over the new 
stage road four hundred miles to Boise City. 
From this point they continued down the Snake 
river without accident, until reaching the Cas- 
cade mountains, where they felt themselves to be 
in comparative safetv. They arrived in Salem Sep- 
tember 14, 1865. The first winter they passed 
in Yamhill county, and in the spring of 1866 set- 
tled on a farm near Ballston, as before stated. 

In politics Henry Ellis was a stanch Democrat. 
Fraternally he was a Mason, affiliating with 
Amity Lodge No. 20, A. F. & A. M. In religion 
he was a Universalist. He died on the home farm 
in 1900, at the age of seventy-two years. 

Henrietta Row r ell Ellis was born in Jackson 
county, Ohio, November 18, 1829, and was the 
daughter of William Rowell, a descendant of a 
distinguished family in Virginia. Her Grand- 
father Row-ell followed the martial forces of 
Washington during the Revolutionary war. Mrs. 
Ellis is now residing in Salem, at the age of sev- 
enty-five years. Through her marriage she be- 
came the mother of eight children, of whom 
Mitchell Montgomery is the eldest. The others 
are : Elizabeth, wife of Judge N. L. Butler, of 
Dallas, Ore. ; W. R., of Sheridan ; Sarah, wife 
of W. H. Kuykendall, of Lewiston, Ore. ; H. J., 
of Enterprise, Ore. : Mabel, wife of Judge C. A. 
Johns, of Baker City, Ore. ; Martha, deceased 
wife of Dr. J. N. Smith, of Salem ; and J. C. 
Sheridan, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this 
work. 

Mitchell Montgomery Ellis was reared on his 
father's farm in Iowa, and received his rudimen- 
tary education in the public schools of that state. 
Upon the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted 
in Company I, Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteer In- 
fantry, but was rejected on account of his age. 
In 1864 he re-enlisted in Company A. Thirty- 
fourth Iowa Mounted Infantry, but his regiment 
was never mustered into active service. In 
1865 he crossed the plains in company with bis 
parents, and since 186C has resided continuously 
in Polk county. 

In the fall of 1867 he entered the Baptist Col- 



684 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lege at McMinnville, where he remained for one 
year. The following year he was engaged in 
teaching school in Polk county, after which he 
re-entered the Baptist College, where he com- 
pleted his education. In 1869 he went to Port- 
land, and was employed as a clerk for Arnold & 
Faim and later with Masters & Pratzman, until 
the fall of 1872, when he engaged in business for 
himself near where Ballston is now located, and 
removed to Dallas and engaged in the general 
merchandising business on his own account. 

In the meantime Mr. Ellis had become inter- 
ested in the political situation in Oregon, and in 
1880 was elected county clerk of Polk county, 
and was re-elected in 1882. The duties thus de- 
volving upon him forced him to dispose of his 
mercantile interests, in order that he might de- 
vote his entire attention to the duties of his office. 

After retiring from office in 1884 he purchased 
the mercantile business of W. C. Brown, and 
after four years of successful management sold 
the business to its former owner. In 1888, with 
the assistance of William Savage, he organized a 
private concern known as the William Savage 
Banking Company, and in 1892 assisted likewise 
in the organization of the Dallas City Bank, suc- 
cessor to the first-named institution, with a cap 
ital of $50,000. He became the first president of 
the concern, serving until 1898, when he resigned 
in order to devote his attention to the manage- 
ment of his prune orchard. He is now vice-pres- 
ident of the banking company. During the finan- 
cial panic of 1893 Mr. Ellis, as president of the 
bank, established for himself a reputation as a 
man of resources, sagacity and financial integ- 
rity, his keen judgment being the most important 
factor in enabling that institution to weather the 
storm which wrecked so many similar enterprises 
throughout the country. 

In 1889 he began to set out a prune orchard 
adjoining the city of Dallas, and at the present 
time has sixty acres in bearing trees, this con- 
stituting the largest orchard of its kind set out 
and owned by an individual in the state of Ore- 
gon. Evervthing pertaining to this enterprise is 
on an extensive and modern scale, including well- 
equipped warehouse, packing-house and the 
largest drier in the state. The well known brand, 
"K. & W.," is familiar to consumers of fine fruits 
throughout the northwest, and in 1902 a consign- 
ment of six carloads of the choicest of the product 
of his orchard found its way to the markets of 
London, Eng. 

In 1902 Mr. Ellis added to his responsibilities 
by re-purchasing the mercantile business of W. 

C. Brown, forming a partnership with Alonzo 
Brown, and the business was conducted under the 
style of Brown & Ellis until January, 1903, when 
Mr. Brown's heirs disposed of their interests to 

D. L. Keyt, of Perrydale, and the firm is now 



Ellis & Keyt. In connection with Frank Gibson, 
Mr. Ellis is the owner and operator of the Rick- 
reall Flouring Mills, where is manufactured the 
celebrated "White Lily'' flour, which is recog- 
nized throughout the entire northwest as the fin- 
est flour made in Oregon, outside of the city of 
Portland. The mill has a capacity of one hun- 
dred and fifty barrels per day, and its production 
finds its way to many foreign ports, large quan- 
tities being shipped annually to China and other 
Oriental countries. 

In his political affiliation a Democrat, Mr. Ellis 
has served as chairman of the Democratic County 
Central Committee and as a member of the Dem- 
ocratic State Central Committee. Upon the in- 
corporation of Dallas as a city, he was made its 
first mayor, and in 1901 was again elected to the 
office of chief executive on the Reform ticket, 
being the only successful candidate on that ticket. 
Fraternally he is a member of Jennings Lodge 
No. 9, A. F. & A. M., of which he was master for 
two terms. Without his financial and moral as- 
sistance it is doubtful if the Presbyterian Church 
of Dallas would have been organized or built. He 
has been one of its chief supporters, contributing 
largely to its upbuilding, and is now treasurer 
of its board of trustees and superintendent of its 
Sunday school. 

In 1871 Mr. Ellis was united in marriage with 
Ella D'Lashmutt, who was born in Columbus, 
Ohio, a daughter of Edward L. and Lydia (Mor- 
ris) D'Lashmutt, also natives of Ohio. The 
former died in Polk county in 1888. A sketch 
of his life appears in another part of this review. 

Thus is told, all too briefly, the story of the 
career of M. M. Ellis, one of the stalwart found- 
ers of the commercial fabric of the northwest, 
upon whose shoulders rest lightly great responsi- 
bilities. He has freely disseminated his views 
relative to important business undertakings in 
this region, whenever his advice has been sought, 
and his judgment has been deferred to by the 
promoters of many local enterprises. His sagacity, 
his integrity and his keen appreciation of the pos- 
sibilities afforded by this country of wonderful 
resources have done much to inspire others to 
their best endeavors, and the record of his career, 
with its attendant success, will stand an- enduring 
monument to the important part this man of 
affairs has borne in the development of this yet 
comparatively new region. 



GEORGE J. WOLFER. Occupying a posi- 
tion of importance among the wide-awake, en- 
terprising business men of Hubbard, George J. 
Wolfer is actively identified with the mercantile 
interests of the city, and is also proprietor of the 
far-famed Wolfer's Mineral Springs. A man 
of energy and decision, public-spirited and am- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



§85 



is done much to improve and ad- 
the place in which he resides, and is well 
: the confidence reposed in him by his 
fell 

A nativ< rrison county, hid., he was 

•:i March 25, 1842, a son of Rudolph W'olfer. 
her. who was born, reared and educated 
in I • ania, went with his father about 1835 
rrison county. End. In 1846, with his wife 
children, he removed to Bethel, Shelby coun- 
Mn. and joined Dr. Kyle's colony, and was 
in agricultural pursuits there for 
:i years. In 1863 with this colony he 
gon, and crossed the plains in an 
iking with him his family and house- 
The entire train, consisting of forty- 
tw , -. was six months on the trip, and suf- 
! untold hardships, not the least unbearable 
ng that o\ hunger. Locating in Aurora, he 
tinned 111 the independent calling in which he 
was reared, successfully carrying on general 
farming until his retirement from active pursuits, 
- -:il! living there, a venerable and respected 
man of ninety-two years. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Katherine Yoght, was born in Ger- 
many, and came to the United States with her 
parents. She lived to an advanced age. dving 
•he home farm, in Aurora, Ore., in 1887. Of 
the eleven children born of their union, seven 
wer and four girls, George J. being the 

urth child in order of birth. 
As a boy and a youth George J. Wolfer attend- 
the district schools of Shelby county. Mo., 
whither his parents located when he was about 
four years of age. during the time obtaining a 
practical knowledge of farming pursuits. Cross- 
ing the plains with his parents in 1863, he drove 
one of the teams in the long train, and on arriv- 
ing in Aurora began farming with the colonv. 
In 1878 he engaged in business for himself by 
ning a cooper's shop in Hubbard, Marion 
inty, managing it for five years. From 1883 
until 1890, he was successfully engaged in the 
nanufacture of brick and tile, but since that 
time has carried on an extensive and lucrative 
business in general merchandise, owning the 
building occupied by his residence and store, and 
carrying a varied stock of goods valued at $4,000. 
About one-fourth of a mile from the city, Mr. 
Wolfer owns seventy-five acres of land, on'which 
his celebrated mineral springs are situated, and 
his bottling works are erected. From a correct 
anaylsis of the water obtained from these springs 
the following matter in solution is found, proving 
it to be of great value for both medicinal and 
bathing purposes : 

Chloride of sodium and potassium. . . 29.74 

Bi-carbonate of lime 6.82 

Bi-carbonate of soda 16.10 



Bi-carbonate i^i magnesia 4.20 

Bi-carbonate of iron 2.10 

Silicia , ,,. 

Sulphate of soda ^g 

Manganese Trace 

These springs are for sale on easy terms b> 
the present proprietor. 

Mr. W'olfer married, in Aurora, Ore., Miss Ot 
tillia Will, a native of Shelby countv, Mo., and 
into their household four children' have been 
born, namely: Edward I., a resident of Med- 
ford. Ore. # ; Alfred D., of Hubbard; Sadie, wife 
of Lawrence Scholl, of Hubbard ; and Henrietta, 
living at home. Politically Mr. Wolfer has long 
been actively identified with the best interests of 
county, town and state, and has uniformlv cast 
his vote with the Republicans. While living in 
Aurora he served as constable two terms; has 
been school clerk and school director in Hub- 
bard several years; road superintendent one 
term ; and served as member of the Hubbard City 
Council. 



GEORGE W. OLDS, a retired farmer, 
living in McMinnville, and a pioneer of 
Oregon of 185 1, was born in Hillsdale, 
Mich., July 16, 1831, and is of English 
descent. His paternal great-grandfather was a 
native of England and on emigrating to the new 
world settled in Maine. The grandfather of our 
subject was Timothy Olds, the father, Abel Olds. 
The latter was born in Ohio and at an early 
age was left an orphan. Locating in Hillsdale 
county, Mich., he there followed farming for a 
time and afterward removed to the vicinity of 
Coldwater, Branch county, where he improved 
a farm upon which he spent his remaining days 
dying in 1850. He was a Universalis! in re- 
ligious faith and a man of sterling worth and 
integrity. He married Anna Thurston, who was 
born in Lisle, Broome county, N. Y., a daughter 
of Blakeley Thurston, who, on removing to the 
west, settled in St. Joseph countv, Mich. The 
parents of Mr. Olds were the first couple mar- 
ried in St. Joseph county. The wife died in 
1846 and four years later the husband passed 
away. They were the parents of six children, 
one son and five daughters, and the living are 
George W. and Mrs. Derby, of McMinnville. 

Lpon a farm in his native state the subject 
of this review was reared, earlv becoming famil- 
iar with the work of field and "meadow, while in 
the subscription school he pursued his education. 
He remained at home until after his father's 
death and in 185 1 he started for Oregon, with 
his uncle. Martin Olds. With horse teams they 
left Branch county. Mich., and journeved west- 
ward, crossing the Mississippi at Galena, 111., 



686 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and the Missouri at Kanesville, their destination 
being Oregon City. It was on the ioth of April 
that they left their Michigan home, and on the 
31st of October they arrived in Oregon City, 
where Mr. Olds soon secured work, being in 
the employ of others until 1857, when he pur- 
chased a farm. 

In October, 1855, however, he had volunteered 
in an Oregon regiment for service in the Yakima 
Indian war and served on the Snake river, in 
Yakima and Walla Walla counties, and took 
part in the battles of Fort Simcoe in Yakima 
valley, remaining with his command until the 
close of the war, being mustered out May 10, 
1856. In 1861 he located on his farm of one 
hundred and sixty acres, eight miles southwest 
of McMinnville. This he fenced and improved, 
devoting his energies to the production of grain 
and the raising of stock. He erected good build- 
ings there and for forty years he carried on 
agricultural pursuits, after which he rented the 
place in 1901, and in July, 1902, he sold that 
property. Upon leasing his farm he removed 
to McMinnville and purchased a residence in 
which he has since lived retired. 

On the ioth of November, 1859, i n Lafayette, 
Mr. Olds was married to Miss Nancy Ellen 
Shuck, who was born near Burlington, Iowa. 
Her father was born near Crawfordsville, Ind., 
June 19, 181 5, and the grandfather, Jacob Shuck, 
was born in Pennsylvania, whence he removed 
to Indiana, locating upon a farm. Later he 
became a farmer of Iowa and in 1847 ne crossed 
the plains, spending his last days in Yamhill 
county near Dundee. He had served his coun- 
try in the war of 1812 and was present at the 
battle of Tippecanoe. Andrew J. Shuck was 
reared in Indiana, afterwards becoming a resi- 
dent of Iowa, and near Burlington, that state, 
followed farming until 1847. I n tne meantime 
he had wedded Mary Conlee, who was born in 
Byron county, Ky., March 15, 1818, a daughter 
of Reuben Conlee, who was an agriculturist and 
a native of the Blue Grass state. He removed 
to Greene county, 111., among its early settlers, 
and served in the Black Hawk war. After his 
military service had ended he became a resident 
of Des Moines county, Iowa, settling near Bur- 
lington, where his death occurred. He was a 
leading and influential citizen of that state at 
an early day and was serving as a member of 
the Iowa legislature at the time of his death, 
which occurred while he was in Des Moines 
attending the sessions of the general assembly. 
Isaac Conlee, the grandfather of Mrs. Olds, was 
a farmer of Kentucky and died there in the year 

l8 47- 

Andrew J. Shuck, with his wife and six chil- 
dren, started on the long journey across the 
plains in a slow moving ox train, having been 



nearly seven months upon the way ere they 
reached the fertile valley of the Willamette. Mr. 
Shuck secured a donation claim of six hundred 
and forty acres near North Yamhill and there 
he developed his land, providing a good home 
for his family. At the time of the Indian war 
he made guns for the use. of the volunteers. He 
was the first sheriff of Yamhill county and 
served in that position for two terms, after 
which he represented his district in the legis- 
lature for three terms. He assisted in building 
the first schoolhouse of his locality and took an 
active part in establishing civilization in this 
wild and unimproved region. Finally he located 
in McMinnville, where he built a residence. He 
was serving as school director at the time of the 
erection of tne fine schoolhouse here and he 
died in 1894, his death being lamented by all 
who knew him, because he was a valued citizen 
and earnest Christian man. In politics he was a 
Democrat and was a warm friend of the cause 
of temperance. Mrs. Shuck still survives her 
husband and now makes her home with Mrs. 
C. A. Wallace. By her marriage she became the 
mother of seven children, Mrs. C. A. Wallace 
being the eldest. Of the others we mention the 
following : Mrs. Susan M. Openhoff, of Dawson, 
and Nancy Ellen, the wife of our subject, are 
twins ; Mrs. Matilda Wood is a resident of Yam- 
hill county; William is next in order; Reuben 
owns the old donation land claim; and Mrs. 
Anna Fendall resides in Ashland. Unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Olds were born three children, but 
Minnie died at the age of sixteen years and 
Augusta at the age of two and one-half years, 
the surviving daughter being Ella, the wife of 
J. E. Durham, of Portland. 

Mr. Olds belongs to the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen and he and his family are 
connected with the Grange and Mrs. Olds with 
the Degree of Honor. In politics Mr. Olds is a 
Democrat and he belongs to the Indian War 
Veterans' Association. He is also a member 
of the County Pioneers' Association and both 
he and his wife are members of the State Pio- 
neers' Association, whose meetings they have 
attended each year for the past eighteen years. 



J. B. LAYSON. A well known farmer and 
native son of Yamhill county is J. B. Lavson, 
representative of one of the pioneer families of 
this district, and during almost his entire life as- 
sociated with this locality. He was born near 
Hopewell, December 31, 1846, a son of Aaron M. 
and Sarah J. (Matheny) Layson, natives of Illi- 
nois, and farmers by occupation. 

Aaron M. Layson was also the son of farmers, 
and was reared to that useful pursuit. In 1842 
he removed with his parents from Illinois to Mis- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



687 



rf, where he lived on the home farm until his 
ge with Sarah J. Matheny, and then con- 
ducted farming independently until 1843. At 
this early day a journey across the plains was a 
truly hazardous undertaking, and required an 
courage and determination hardly 
lized by those who to-day observe the thrifty 
-. through the windows of a Pullman palace 
Nevertheless, Mr. Layson disposed of his 
Missouri interests, gathered together his few 
rldh possessions, and joined an ox train under 
nmand oi Capt. William Burnett, one of the 
intrepid leaders to western opportunity. With- 
t any particular misfortunes the party arrived 
> in ( )regon, where Mr. Layson took up a 
donation claim, but failed to prove up on it. Not 
realizing his expectations here the family moved 
n into California during the gold excitement 
of '49, where the father prospected and mined, 
and also spent considerable time 1 in freighting. 
In 1851 he returned to Yamhill county, and set- 
tled on a farm where Hopewell now stands, and 
after two or three years bought a place known as 
the D. li. Matheny donation claim, three miles 
north of Wheatland. Here he was fairly pros- 
perous, and here died, his wife having pre-de- 
I him during their residence in California. 
At the age of nineteen J. B. Layson started 
away from home to make his own living, 
equipped with an extended farming experience, 
and with a fair common-school education. With 
the exception of eight years spent east of the 
mountains in the stock-raising business, he has 
since been a resident of this vicinity, where he 
married Sarah C. Layson, widow of John Lay- 
son. With his wife he started in at housekeeping 
on his present farm, half a mile north of Hope- 
will, known as the Rachel Matheny donation 
claim, and on his property has made many im- 
provements, including a pleasant home, fine barns 
and outbuildings, and general agricultural imple- 
ments. At the present time he is the owner of 
about five hundred and ninety-seven acres of 
land, a large portion of which is under cultiva- 
tion, and where he is engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising. One child was born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Layson, whom they christened Howard, 
and whose early death caused intense grief in the 
little household. Mr. Layson is not a politician, 
as the word is usually understood, although he 
maintains a keen interest in the workings of the 
Republican party. He is enterprising and thrifty, 
and commands the respect and good-will of all 
who are privileged to know him. 



J. T. GOWDY. Among the sons contributed 
by Illinois for the upbuilding of Yamhill county, 
and who, through the force of their own charac- 
ter and determination to succeed have risen to 



enviable influence in agricultural and other cir- 
cles, may be mentioned J. T. Gowdy, extensively 
engaged in the raising of Shorthorn cattle and 
Cotswold sheep. Of practical farming ancestry, 
Mr. Gowdy was born in Tazewell county, 111., 
November 21, 1835, and when a very small lad 
was deprived by death of the affectionate care of 
his parents. Left thus practically alone in the 
world, his education and general training were 
naturally restricted, and the fact that at present 
he is one of the best informed and most progress- 
ive men in his neighborhood argues most praise- 
worthy application during the maturer years of 
his life. Until his fourteenth year he made his 
home with relatives, and thereafter found em- 
ployment with one J. T. Scott, an uncle and 
father of the present editor of the Oregoniaii. 
In the family of Mr. Scott he found a home and 
interested friends, and although hard work was 
the order of the day on the farm owned by his 
benefactor, Mr. Gowdy made great progress 
physically and mentally, early evincing habits of 
thrift and industry. 

A man of keen insight and much ambition, Mr. 
Scott determined to follow the tide of emigration 
westward, and March 4, 1852, started on the long 
journey across the plains, accompanied by his 
seventeen-year-old charge, J. T. Gowdy, one of 
the most enthusiastic and determined of the little 
band. There were ten wagons in the train, and 
the youth made himself useful in many directions, 
particularly as a driver of oxen and cattle. Ar- 
riving in Marion county September 27, 1852, his 
first winter was spent witii Mr. Hall at Wood- 
burn, and he afterward entered the employ of a 
Mr. Brown, with whom he remained for eight 
years. February 4, 1861, he married Anna Kemp, 
who was born in Pettis county, Mo., November 
23, 1843, an d who crossed trie plains with her 
parents many years ago, her father dying on the 
way to his new home in the west. 

After his marriage, Mr. Gowdy located on one 
hundred acres, purchased some time previously, 
and there lived for about three years. In the 
meantime, he prospected and mined in the Cari- 
bou country on the Salmon river, near Florence. 
Idaho. In the fall of 1868 he bought the hun- 
dred acres of land in Yamhill county, which has 
since been his home, and on which he has made 
many improvements. He is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising, his stock including 
Shorthorn cattle and Cotswold sheep. Four chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gowdy, of 
whom Arthur lives in Portland, while Hattie G., 
Lillian, and Elizabeth live at home. A Repub- 
lican in politics, it was the good fortune of Mr. 
Gowdy to cast his first presidential vote for Abra- 
ham Lincoln. However, though a stanch adher- 
ent of his party, he has never worked for or been 
willing to receive official recognition. Mr. Gowdy 



G8S 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lives three miles southwest of Dayton and five 
miles from McMinnville, and his home is the 
typical residence of a hospitable, successful, and 
very popular westerner. 



WALTER J. SARGEANT. The popular 
postmaster and merchant of Bellevue has con- 
tributed his share towards the agricultural devel- 
opment of Yamhill county and is accounted one 
of the most enterprising and successful members 
of the pioneer families of '51. He was born near 
Springfield, 111., March 10, 1847, a son of Philip 
and Nancy Ann (Wilson) Sargeant, natives, re- 
spectively, of Ohio and Illinois, the former born 
March 10, 1820. 

As a young man Philip Sargeant went away 
from his father's farm in Ohio to Illinois, where, 
about 1845, ne married, and where he lived until 
1 85 1. He then undertook the trip across the 
plains with ox teams, meeting with few encoun- 
ters with the Indians, and having in all a fairly 
successful trip. He took up a donation claim 
near Grand Ronde, where he lived for three 
years, and after selling the same, bought a farm 
near Ballston, Polk county, and there spent the 
remainder of his life, his death occurring when 
he was only forty years of age. Ten children 
were born into this family, of whom Walter J. is 
the second oldest ; Nancy J., the first-born, is de- 
ceased ; William resides near the old home place ; 
Mary A. became the wife of William Thornton, 
of Sheridan; Lewis C* and John are deceased; 
Constantine is a resident of this state; George 
resides near Ballston; Martha is the wife of D. 
C. Coleman, of Sheridan; and Frank lives near 
the old homestead. 

While living on the paternal farm Walter J. 
Sargeant attended the district schools, and also 
the high school at Salem. At the age of seven- 
teen he began to work at outside employment, 
and November 1, 1864, enlisted in Company A, 
First Oregon Volunteer Infantry, and was mus- 
tered in at Salem. The regiment was first sent 
to Vancouver and then to Grand Ronde, after 
which they participated in a winter campaign east 
of the mountains, and subsequently returned to 
Grand Ronde, where they were mustered out. 
Returning to his home in Yamhill county, Mr. 
Sargeant worked at farm work until his mar- 
riage, in November, 1870, with Martha A. Gant, 
a daughter of Reuben Gant, whose career is men- 
tioned in another part of this work. Mr. and 
Mrs. Sargeant went to housekeeping on the old 
Gant homestead, which they still own, and which 
contains about two hundred acres. Here they 
engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1892, 
in which year Mr. Sargeant relinquished farming 
in favor of a general merchandise business in 
Bellevue, which he has since conducted in con- 



nection with his duties as postmaster. He has an 
up-to-date little store, where the residents of the 
town and county may procure in their best qual- 
ity the commodities most in demand, and which 
is one of the busy centers of activity in the town. 
Mr. Sargeant takes a keen interest in Republican 
politics, and is foremost in all efforts at general 
improvement in his town and county. He is va- 
riously associated with the social organizations 
in which his community abounds, and is a mem- 
ber of Donaldson Post No. 55, G. A. R., and is 
past post commander. 



FRANK CAMPBELL. Two generations of 
the Campbell family have been represented in 
Yamhill county, and the example of industry and 
progressiveness set by the father is shared in like 
measure by the son, Frank Campbell, a native son 
of this county, born northeast of Hopewell July 
2, 1873. 

The father, John Campbell, was born in Can- 
ada in 1839, whither the grandfather had settled 
many years before. John was reared to farming 
and a general knowledge of business, and after 
attaining his majority engaged in saw-milling on 
a rapid Canadian stream. He married Martha J. 
Davis, also a native of Canada, and in 1871, dis- 
posed of his milling interests and brought his 
little family to Oregon, remaining in Dayton for 
about three months. In the meantime he had 
Been looking around for desirable agricultural 
property, and decided upon a farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres, one mile north of Hopewell, 
upon which he settled and farmed for several 
years. He was ambitious and a good manager, 
and so used the opportunities by which he was 
surrounded in the west, that at the time of his 
death he owned thirteen hundred acres of land. 
Of the six children born to himself and wife, 
Nellie is deceased ; Robert is living on the old 
home place ; Frank, the subject of this article, is 
the next in order of birth ; Cora is the wife of 
George Nash, and they make their home in Hope- 
well ; Elmer makes his home in this vicinity, and 
Jennie is living at home, and attending school in 
Salem. John Campbell raised considerable stock, 
and was sixty-three years of ■ age at the time of 
his death. His wife died in 1887, when about 
forty years of age. 

Until his marriage with Ruth Nash, a native of 
Minnesota, Frank Campbell remained upon his 
father's farm, and under the capable direction of 
the elder man, developed habits of thrift and in- 
dustry. He then started housekeeping on the 
farm where he now lives, which was his father's 
home the last years of his life. Mr. Campbell's 
home is one of the pleasantest and most con- 
venient rural homes in this vicinity, adding to 
the value of his farm, as do also the barns and 




J/a-vK^f <^4X&<^~ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



691 



outbuildings, all of which are according to late 
and improved plans. Of the two hundred and 
thirtv acres owned by this energetic agriculturist 
two hundred are under cultivation, and besides 
general farming he is engaged in stock-raising on 
a moderate scale, making a specialty of Cotswold 
sheep. Besides the features already mentioned 
.Mr. Campbell has four acres devoted to hops, in 
the cultivation of which he is very successful. 
Although independent in politics, Mr. Campbell 
takes a keen interest in all political undertakings 
in the neighborhood, and he may be depended 
upon to further any effort at general improve- 
ment in the community. One child has been born 
to himself and wife, Bessie, who is living at 
home. 



JAMES HOUCK. Few men in the state of 
Oregon are more interestingly reminiscent of the 
very early days of the west than is James Houck, 
at present a farmer of Yamhill county, and one 
of its most venerable and honored residents. On 
both sides of his family Mr. Houck is descended 
from Revolutionary heroes, his grandfathers hav- 
ing left their plows and families to follow the 
martial fortunes of Washington. Longevity is 
a condition which Mr. Houck may reasonably 
expect in his own case, for his paternal grand- 
father lived to be one hundred and four years 
old, and his mother's father attained the unusual 
age of one hundred and seven. His father, an- 
other James, was the establisher of the family 
m Licking county, Ohio, having removed there 
at a very early age. He was born in 1801, and 
like his sire lived far beyond the biblical allot- 
ment, his life extending up to the century mark. 

James Houck was born in Knox county, Ohio, 
February 14, 1819, and was six years of age 
when he accompanied his parents to Licking 
county, Ohio. Possessing excessive vitality and 
energy as a boy, he felt the limitations by which 
he was surrounded on the home farm, and like 
many another youth left the family fireside with- 
out due notice, at the time being seventeen years 
of age. His experience at South Bend, Ind., was 
not entirely successful, so at the end of a year he 
returned to his father's farm, and was received 
with joy by his overanxious family. However, 
having tasted the joys of independence he again 
went away, and took up land in Washington 
county, Iowa, upon which he lived for three 
years. On the lookout for anything that held 
out superior inducements he naturally heard much 
of the possibilities of the far west, and as early 
as 1843 started overland with a train of emigrants 
consisting of many families and two hundred 
wagons. Arriving in Oregon without any par- 
ticular adventure, Mr. Houck engaged in getting 
out logs for the Hudson Bay Company in Ore- 



gon City, and in 1845 he joined a party con- 
sisting of forty other men, one woman and three 
children, all destined for the state of California. 
The California memories of Mr. Houck are 
interesting in the extreme, and may be taken as 
typical of all who ventured thus early into one 
of the most ideal portions of the United States. 
Yet so little was the climate and resources appre- 
ciated or known, that at the time of his arrival 
in San Franciscq a small Spanish settlement was 
drowsing in the sun, its citizens appallingly ig- 
norant of any particular advantages, or any re- 
sources to develop . The real estate in the town 
was available for. $15 an acre, $4 down, and 
everything was in proportion. No one was busy 
in those days and the old Spanish way of putting 
everything off until to-morrow prevailed through 
the breadth and length of the state. The settlers 
ied a free and careless life, their hospitality being 
unbounded, and their larder free as long as it 
lasted. Mr. Houck traveled around the state 
with little expense to himself, for he was wel- 
come everywhere, and could stay as long as he 
liked. 

The breaking out of the Mexican war offered 
a chance in the money-making line, and, anticipat- 
ing a demand, Mr. Houck started out with three 
hundred head of horses to meet the oncoming 
emigrants, his partner in business being a man 
by the name of Walker. At Fort Bridges they 
came across the searchers after homes in the 
west, informed them of the state of war in Mex- 
ico, and forthwith traded their horses for Amer- 
ican mules, which they took to Mexico and sold. 
In the Mexican war Mr. Houck served for three 
months under Colonel Donaldson, and afterwards 
engaged in mule-trading with the Navajo In- 
dians, giving them a certain kind of beads and 
$12 a head. The mules were taken to Santa Fe, 
N. M., and sold to the government, and the sale 
of this hardy animal netted a fair income to far- 
sighted traders. With another pack of mules 
Mr. Houck went to Missouri in 1848, and. having 
disposed of them, visited his old "home in Ohio. 
For the following year he traveled extensively 
over the country, and in 1849 again crossed the 
plains, this time with a six-mule team. Arriving 
m California he made money in various ways, one 
being in purchasing Spanish prisoners taken by 
the Indians, and re-selling them to their parents 
or friends in Mexico. Rich children were the 
special prey of these sagacious Indians, and the 
money which passed hands before their ransom 
was accomplished mounted up into the thousands 
of dollars. 

During his first visit to California Mr. Houck 
and a couple of friends started up the mountain 
of Chester Butte, and on the way shot the only 
white deer he has ever seen. Coming down from 
the mountain and pausing to drink at a spring, 



692 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tliey saw what they thought yellow rock, and, 
thinking it pretty, filled their pockets with it. 
Arriving in camp there was not one of the party 
who knew that it was gold, and thinking it 
worthless, threw it away. Later when gold had 
been discovered by more knowing ones, and the 
announcement thrilled the whole country, two of 
the party returned to the spot and got the nug- 
gets, which netted them $6,000. In the mean- 
time Mr. Houck had made money, but had the 
misfortune to go security for many people whom 
he thought reliable, but who eventually proved 
his undoing. In this way he lost about $4,700, 
and, somewhat discouraged, returned to Ohio, 
where he bought a farm and married Mary Jones. 
He continued to farm in Ohio until 1875, and 
then came to Oregon, locating on the farm which 
has since been his home. He has two hundred 
and twenty-five acres of land five and a half 
miles southwest of McMinnville, upon which he 
has made many fine improvements, and where 
he has been successful. His first wife dying a 
year and ten days after their marriage, he mar- 
ried for a second wife Adelaine White, who 
has borne him five children, of whom two are 
living: Frances is the wife of John Rohrer, of 
McMinnville, and has four children, Ada, Bert, 
Dolly and Charley ; and Albert manages a ware- 
house in McMinnville, and has two children, 
James and Nettie. Mr. Houck is a Democrat in 
politics, but has never identified himself with 
office-seeking. He has been and still is one of 
the substantial men of the west, and one around 
whom cluster an unusual number of pioneer ex- 
periences. Worthy of mention is the fact that 
he was a passenger on the first railroad train 
in the United States, and which extended from 
Washington to Baltimore. This pioneer attempt 
at transporting the public was crude in the ex- 
treme, the cars being propelled over wooden rails 
bv horse teams. 



COL. JACOB C. COOPER. The career of 
Col. Jacob C. Cooper is typical of all that is re- 
sourceful, substantial, intellectual and progressive 
in northwestern citizenship. Mr. Cooper arrived 
in Oregon afoot in 1866, and following upon 
this indication of depleted finances has engaged 
successivelv in freighting, school teaching, mer- 
chandising, grain dealing, building and contract- 
ing, and surveying, in the meantime rising from 
almost complete obscurity to his present position 
as one of the most influential men in the state. 
To his credit is a splendid war record, and his 
immediate responsibilities include those in con- 
nection with his position as a member of the 
board of directors of the Lewis and Clark Cen- 
tennial, the American Pacific Exposition, and 
the Oriental Fair of 1905. He is a member of 



the Oregon Chapter Sons of the American Revo- 
lution, and is an author and writer of more than 
local reputation, having written several stories, 
among them the "Yamhills," and he has con- 
tributed voluminously to such leading periodicals 
as the Oregonian, the New York Journal and the 
San Francisco Examiner. 

A descendant of the German family of Keifer, 
whose early representatives in America trans- 
lated the name to suit their adopted environment, 
Colonel Cooper was born in Lawrence county, 
Mo., January 16, 1845. His paternal great-grand- 
father was born in Pennsylvania, near the town 
of York, and from that state enlisted at four dif- 
ferent times in the Revohitionary war. The 
first enlistment was under Captain Larch, and 
after removing to the state of North Carolina, he 
served with Marion's men, and participated in 
the battles of Cowpens, Eutaw Springs, and the 
siege of 1796, in time witnessing the surrender 
of Cornwallis at Yorktown. When the Boones 
went to Kentucky the great-grandfather was one 
of their party, and he died in Wayne county, 
that state, at an advanced age. His son, Henry, 
the paternal grandfather, was born, reared, en- 
gaged in farming, and eventually died in Wayne 
county, Ky., where also was born Elbert Emer- 
son Cooper, the father of Jacob C. 

Elbert Emerson was the oldest of the children 
born to his parents, and the only one to settle in 
Missouri. In Lawrence county he took up a 
farm in the wilderness, improved it, and thereon 
reared seven sons and five daughters. He was 
a minister in the old school Baptist Church, and 
though he labored long and faithfully for the 
uplifting of humanity, received absolutely no 
compensation for his services. Owing to the 
prevalence of the Rebel army in his district life 
became almost unbearable, and he therefore gath- 
ered together . his family and possessions and 
crossed the plains in 1863, settling on a claim 
near Salem, where he died in 1880, at the age 
of sixty-eight years. His wife, formerly Nancy 
Wann, who was born in Kentucky and died at 
Independence, Ore., at the age of seventv-six, 
was the daughter of William Wann, a native of 
the south, and an early settler in Missouri. Dur- 
ing his former residence in Tennessee Mr. Wann 
was a member of the legislature with Andrew 
Johnson, whose intimate friend he was, and in 
Missouri he was county judge, as was also his 
son, Daniel, the latter of whom served in the 
Mexican war. Of the seven sons and five' daugh- 
ters born to Elbert Emerson Cooper and his wife, 
William H. was regiment saddler and a member 
of Company E., Ninth Kansas Cavalry during 
the Civil war, came to Oregon in 1868, and is now 
living at Slayton, Ore. ; Daniel J. was an officer 
in the Missouri State Militia, came to Oregon in 
T863, and is now engaged in farming near The 
Dalles ; Elizabeth is the deceased wife of Mr. 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



003 



Mann, of Polk county. Ore. ; James S. is presi- 
dent of the First National Hank at Independence; 
Lydia died in infancy ; Jacob C. ; Sarah J. is now 
Mrs. Gildow, of Silverton, Ore.; Riley D. is a 
hop grower and lives at Independence, his twin 
■r having' died in infancy; John E. and Elbert 
\\ . are twins, the former living at Ashland, Ore., 
and the latter at Independence, Ore. ; and Pa- 
tience lives in Independence. 

A tier the war broke up the activity of the little 
school house near the Cooper home in Law- 
rence county, Mo., there was additional induce- 
ment for the youth of that district to shoulder 
arms in defense of the union. At the age of sev- 
enteen, April 3, 1862, Jacob C. Cooper enlisted 
in the Fourteenth Missouri State Militia, and 
(hiring his vear of service participated in the bat- 
tles of Springfield, Neosho, Prairie Grove and 
several others, and February 22, 1863, his regi- 
ment was consolidated with the Fourth Missouri 
Militia, and Companies L and G, Volunteer Cav- 
alry, and mustered into the United States service. 
The new regiment took part in the battle of Mine 
Creek, or Big Blue, as the bodyguard for General 
Pleasanton, and was afterward engaged in the 
battles of Jefferson City and many guerrilla 
fights. After driving General Price out of the 
state they were stationed at Jefferson and Mar- 
shall, Mo., until the close of the war, and were 
mustered out at Warrensburg, Mo., April 3, 
1865. While with the Fourteenth Mr. Cooper 
was delegated to carry an important dispatch 
from near Neosho to Fort Scott, Kan., and to 
return to Mount Vernon with reply, and while 
carrying out this order disguised as a country 
youth without arms, he was captured and de- 
tained. The same night he managed to jump the 
pickets, and two days later succeeded in rejoin- 
ing his regiment. 

After the war Mr. Cooper lived for a time in 
Fort Scott, and then spent the winter in Lawrence 
county, Mo. Many thrilling experiences during 
the war had not dimmed his ardor for adven- 
ture or change, and he welcomed the opportunity 
to cross the plains in 1866 as the driver of a six- 
mule team for Hugh Kirkendall, the noted 
freighter. There was plenty of excitement aboard 
during this trip, for the Indians gave them a 
great deal of unsolicited attention, even to the 
point of exterminating a number of the party. 
Arriving at Helena, Mont., Mr. Cooper walked 
the five hundred miles between that town and 
Walla Walla, Wash., and then drove a six-horse 
team for three days to get money enough to pay 
his boat fare to Portland. He arrived at Salem 
October 17, 1866, having left Leavenworth May 
25, 1866. In the meantime his family had settled 
in Spring Valley, and after visiting them he 
engaged in school teaching during the first win- 
ter, and then engaged in the merchandise business 



at Lincoln. At Zena and Perrydale he built 
stores which he ran with fair success, and at the 
same time became rather heavily interested in 
buying and selling grain. For a time he was sec- 
retary of a steamboat company, and afterward 
was for fourteen years identified with contract- 
ing, building, and architecture in McMinnville. 
After taking up surveying Mr. Cooper became 
identified with the United States survey in 1881, 
and while thus employed established government 
lines of importance. In time he was elected sur- 
veyor of Yamhill county, from which position he 
resigned to assume the postmastership of Mc- 
Minnville, to which he was appointed by Presi- 
dent Harrison in 1889. A change of administra- 
tion affecting this office in 1894, he turned his 
attention to his former occupation of surveying, 
which he has since combined with literary work. 

Until 1896 Mr. Cooper was a stanch advo- 
cate of Republicanism as a whole, but, favoring 
silver, has since ranged himself on the side of 
this issue. He was chairman of the Oregon dele- 
gation at the National Convention in St. Louis 
in 1896, and also chairman of the committee on 
order of business. In 1901 he was the author 
of a bill creating a commission of seven to go to 
Washington and make an appeal before congress, 
the senate, and president, for pensions for Indian 
war veterans. He himself was appointed a mem- 
ber of this commission by Governor Geer in 1901, 
and it is universally conceded that the successful 
outcome of this mission was largely due to the 
strenuous and altogether satisfactory work of the 
commission from Oregon. An ardent admirer 
of the much beloved William McKinley, it was 
eminently fitting that an orator like Colonel 
Cooper should deliver the memorial address at 
McMinnville on September 19, 1901. 

In Amity, Ore., Mr. Cooper became identified 
with the Masons, and is now a member of the 
Union Lodge, No. 43, of which he is past master ; 
Taylor Chapter, R. A. M., of McMinnville, of 
wdiich he is past high priest ,and Hbdson Coun- 
cil, No. 1. He is a member and past commander 
of Custer Post, No. 9, G. A. R* and was com- 
mander of the Department of Oregon during 
1893-4, with the rank of major-general. From 
1883 until 1886 he was assistant adjutant-gen- 
eral of the Oregon State Militia under Governor 
Moody, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and 
in 1 89 1 was a delegate to the National Encamp- 
ment which was held at Detroit, Mich. In 1898 
Colonel Cooper organized and drilled a Manila 
Guard, consisting of forty girls of McMinnville. 
a venture which proved highly satisfactory, 
for the girls proved splendid soldiers, and 
were so well drilled that they drew encom- 
iums of praise at Astoria, Portland and many 
other points in the state. The trip to Astoria was 
particularly interesting, thousands turning out 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



691 

to welcome the handsomely uniformed and mar- 
tial appearing Manila Guard. 

For several years Colonel Cooper was presi- 
dent of the Board of Trade, and during this 
time, as well as during the greater part of his 
life here, he has been an important factor in 
stimulating an interest in the town and county, 
d^ng particular attention to its multiplicity 
of resources, and its advantages as a home budd- 
ing center. Much of the success of the local af- 
fairs of McMinnville are traceable to his enthu- 
siastic support, and his recognition of their de- 
sirability has made of the state encampment a 
ovful meeting place for war scarred veteran . 
In 1868 Colonel Cooper made a trip back to Mis 
souri via Panama, and while in his native state 
married Melzena P. Spillman, who was born m 
Lawrence county, Mo November 29, 1850 
daughter of Judge Nathan C. Spillman, and a 
£ter of Prof. William J. Spillman, governmen 
agriculturist of Washington, D. C. . Of the ^chil 
dren born of this union seven are living, the order 
of their birth being as follows: Nora J is ^the 
wife of R. W. Doane, in charge : of the expen 

Los Angles, Cal. ; Wells C.,. living in Chicago, 
Bl and a member of Company A Second Oregon 
Volunteer Infantry ^ring the Phdippme ca m - 
paion: Nellie, captain of the Manila Guards a 
stenographer and at present private secretary to 
he president of the State Normal School in 
Washington; Paul B., a soldier in Company A, 
S^nd Oregon Volunteer infantry a graduate 
of Pullman College, a pharmacist at Olympia, 
Wash. ; and Frederick Goss an artist and car- 
toonist in San Francisco. Lewis J., the oldest 
son in the family, died from injury at the age of 
seventeen. Mrs. Cooper is a member of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church, and is prominent 
in the Woman's Relief Corps, of which she is ex- 
oresident. She is socially well known, and has 
many friends among the most exclusive people 
He state, and past matron of the Chapter ^ the 
Eastern Star. In October, 1902 Colonel Cooper 
was appointed a member of the Board of Direc- 
tors of the Lewis and Clark Centennial, a posi- 
tion for which his vast experience in various de- 
partments of western activity has eminently fitted 
him, and in 1903 was appointed chairman of the 
special committee having entire charge ot 
woman's work and woman's participation in the 
exposition, through whose efforts the Lewis and 
Clark Woman's Clubs are now being so exten- 
sively organized throughout the state, and_ will 
prove an important factor to the exposition. 



Colonel Cooper is also performing important 
work on the committees of Legislation and Agri- 
culture. 



HIRAM. SIMKINS. As one of the pioneers' 
of 1847 Hiram Simkins has been identified with 
the very early as well as later development of 
Yamhill county, and to no one have the early 
trials and deprivations brought more satisfactory 
returns both as to character and personal posses- 
sions. Mr. Simkins was reared in a family in 
which there were nine other children, his earliest 
recollections going back to the paternal farm in 
Greene county, Pa., where he was born Novem- 
ber 25, 1826. His leisure as a boy was very lim- 
ited, and his schooling opportunities suffered in 
consequence. Nevertheless, he gained much 
solid training while working early and late, and 
started forth in the world with a fair idea of 
its responsibilities and opportunities. 

When his services were no longer required on 
the home farm Mr. Simkins applied himself to 
learning the blacksmith's trade in Knox county, 
111., whither his parents had removed in 1836, 
and where his parents died at the ages respective- 
ly of sixty-two and ninety-eight. In 1847 he 
started across the plains with ox teams and 
wagons as a driver for Ralph Geer, and after a 
seven months' journey reached Oregon City, 
under the able command of General Palmer. 
Very soon Mr. Simkins made his way to Cham- 
poeg, Marion county, Ore., where the breaking 
out of the Cayuse war found him busily working 
at his trade. With commendable appreciation of 
the straits of his adopted state he enlisted in 
Company H, First Rifle Corps Oregon Volun- 
teers, as a private, and during his service par- 
ticipated in many of the important Indian en- 
gagements. After this glimpse of the seamy side 
of life he returned to Champoeg, Marion county, 
and there worked at blacksmithing until 
the country was worked up into a fer- 
ment in 1849. To test his ability and luck as a 
miner he went down into California, but not 
realizing his expectations returned to his former 
home in Champoeg, where he found employment 
in the McLoughlin warehouse for about five 
years. During three years of this time he was 
a yard laborer. 

In 1857 Mr. Simkins married Mary Ann Gay, 
a native of Yamhill county, Ore., and daughter 
of an English whaler. Mr. Gay retired to Ore- 
gon after many years in pursuit of the wily 
whale, locating in Yamhill county as early as 
1836. After his marriage Mr. Simkins under- 
took housekeeping on what was known as the 
William Crozier donation claim four miles north 
of Hopewell, and this continued to be his home 




HENRY HELMICK. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



697 



for the long period of twenty-five years. He 
then bought the farm upon which he has since 
lived, which consists of two hundred and sev- 
enty-two acres two miles south of Hopewell, 
on the Polk and Yamhill county line. He is 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising, 
and it is needless to say that his reputation as 
an agriculturist is in keeping with his firmly 
established name as a progressive and well-in- 
formed citizen. 

To Mr. Simkins and his wife were born six- 
teen children, the order of their birth being as 
follows: Newton, living at home; Frederick, 
living in this vicinity ; John, living near his 
father : Andrew, a resident of Hoquiam, Wash. ; 
Jesse, living with his parents; Mary and Jane, 
both living in Oregon City ; Isabelle, residing in 
Portland; Rosa, a resident of Oregon City; 
Anna and Etta, both of whom are living at 
home : Florence, a resident of this vicinity ; and 
May, living near her parents. Three of the 
children died in infancy : George, Alice and Lor- 
raine. Mrs. Simkins died in 1891, leaving be- 
hind her many mourning friends, as well as dis- 
consolate children. As a member of an old 
Democratic family Mr. Simkins has never de- 
parted from the teachings of his youth, but has 
rather strengthened his regard for the politics of 
the south. He is fraternally identified with 
Amity Lodge, F. & A. M., having been a mem- 
ber ever since 1870. With his children he is a 
member of the Evangelical Church. As a re- 
minder of the very early days of Oregon Mr. 
Simkins has in his possession the trowel used 
in the construction of the first brick house in 
Oregon, which mansion was none other than that 
belonging to George Gays of Hopewell. 



MRS. SARAH HELMICK. Not to the 
sterner sex alone can be given the glory and 
reverence due the founders of a state, for from 
the lives, the hearts and homes of women have 
come the strength that made possible the sac- 
rifices necessary to succeed .in the herculean 
task of leveling forest and upturning field, and 
following this with the modern movements 
which characterize the advance of this western 
section. A most worthy and representative 
member of these brave products of a western 
life is Mrs. Sarah Helmick, who bore her 
share of the burden in pioneer days as the 
wife of Henry Helmick, with whom she had 
come on her wedding tour to become a factor 
in the growth of the west. 

Mrs. Helmick was in maidenhood Sarah 
Stepro, who was born in Harrison county, 
Ind.. July 4. 1824, her parents being Harvey 
and Catherine (Shuck) Stepro, both natives 
of Pennsylvania. The father had become an 



early settler in Harrison county, where he 
engaged in farming and where his death oc- 
curred. The widow then took her family of 
eight children to Iowa, where she passed the 
remainder of her days. Of this large family, 
all grew to maturity and are all now living, 
with the exception of one or two, and Sarah 
is the fourth youngest. She made her home 
in Indiana until 1833, when she became a resi- 
dent of Iowa. There she engaged in spinning 
and weaving, manufacturing from the raw ma- 
terial. On account of straitened circumstances 
she was allowed to attend school but three 
months in her life. In February, 1845, she 
married Henry Helmick, a native of Germany, 
who had come from the Fatherland with his 
parents and settled in Des Moines county, 
Iowa, where he was employed at farming, and 
also engaged as wagonmaker and blacksmith. 
The following April found them en route for 
Oregon, with tour yoke of oxen and one 
wagon, the extent of their worldly wealth. 
They came over the old Oregon trail, fording 
the streams, facing the depredations of the 
Indians, and patiently enduring the hard- 
ships, privations and dangers of the journev 
for the sake of the home they hoped to make 
among the splendid conditions of the new 
west. Six months and three days after leav- 
ing the Mississippi valley found the young 
pioneers at Cascade Falls, Ore. After coming 
safely through the dangers of the trip they 
here experienced the bitter misfortune of 
losing everything they had through their raft 
being swept over the falls. Undaunted, how- 
ever, by their hardships, they continued their 
journey as best they could, arriving at the 
Tualatin Plains in October, where they re- 
mained until Christmas. They then removed 
to Salem and spent the balance of the winter. 
In the spring of 1846 they took up a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres located 
on the Big Luckiamute, four miles from Mon- 
mouth, Polk county, which remained their 
home for many years. Affluence and conse- 
quent ease is now the portion of this family, 
but the beginning of their career was that cf 
a crucial nature, for with absolutely nothing 
they took up the work of farmers in this loca- 
tion. The first year was one of especial hard- 
ship, not even three pounds of meat being 
brought into the house, their entire diet con- 
sisting of boiled wheat and peas, upon which 
they carried on steady, earnest labor. Mrs. 
Helmick continued her old occupation of 
spinning, making stocking yarn, and giving 
the help of a brave, patient woman to the up- 
building and improvement of their own par- 
ticular part of the state. The farm was im- 
proved and cultivated in every- possible way, 



6<J8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and is still retained in the family. It is now 
rented, for after the death of her husband in 
1878 Mrs. Helmick removed to Albany, Linn 
county, and located upon East Seventh street, 
where she has built a comfortable home. 

Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Helmick, James is located in Polk county, 
and is engaged in farming on the home prop- 
erty ; Lewis died in Polk county in 1899, at 
the age of fifty-three years ; and Mary is the 
wife of James Tedrow of Polk county. Mr. 
Helmick was identified with the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church, of which Mrs. Helmick 
is a member. The political affiliations of the 
family have always been Republican, that being 
tne party with which Mr. Helmick cast his vote 
during his years of citizenship. 



W. T. MACY. Among the young men of 
Yamhill county who are recognized as active 
and valued factors in business and public life 
is W. T. Macy, who is popular with a large circle 
of friends, not only in McMinnville, where he 
makes his home, but also throughout the sur- 
rounding district. He was born in Greenville, 
Clay county, Iowa, March 19, 1872. His father, 
Paul Macy, was a native of Indiana, born near 
Richmond, while the grandfather, Thomas Macy, 
was born in North Carolina, removing thence to 
Ohio and afterward to Indiana. He was a shoe- 
maker by trade and followed that pursuit in the 
localities in which he made his home. He be- 
came one of the pioneers of the Hoosier state 
and subsequently he went to Iowa, where he 
spent his remaining days. The Macy family is 
of English descent. Paul Macy was but a boy 
when his parents removed to Iowa and was 
reared in Winneshiek county, where he became 
acquainted with and married Miss Dosha Painter, 
who was born in Indiana, although her parents 
were natives of North Carolina. Her father, 
Edwin Painter, became a farmer of the Hoosier 
state, dying there at an early day. From Win- 
neshiek county Mr. and Mrs. Macy removed 
to Clay county, casting in their lot with its pio- 
neer settlers, and there the father developed a 
good farm. In 1889, however, he left the Mis- 
sissippi valley and came to Oregon, settling in 
Newburg, where he is now engaged in general 
farming and in horticultural pursuits. He and 
his wife are members of the Friends Society, and 
he is a trustee of Pacific College at Newburg. 
The children of this worthy couple are W. T., 
of this review; Mrs. Effie M. Votaw, who re- 
sides in Ashland, Ore. ; Walter, who is with the 
Southern Pacific Railway Company at Newburg ; 
Perry D. and Orie, both at home. 

W. T. Macv spent his vouth upon the home 
farm, and after attending the public schools con- 



tinued his studies in Newburg. He entered Pa- 
cific College at that place, remaining there as 
one of the students in that institution for three 
years. At the end of that time, in 1892, in Sher- 
idan, he married Miss Mary M. Stowe, a native 
of Oregon and a daughter of one of the pioneers 
of the state. 

The same year Mr. Macy established a furni- 
ture store in Newburg, which he conducted suc- 
cessfully for three years, and in 1896 he was nom- 
inated for the position of county recorder upon 
the Union ticket, being elected to that office over 
the Republican candidate by a majority of three 
hundred and eighty. He filled the position so 
acceptably that in 1898 he was re-elected, being 
the only one on the ticket who was successful 
in that year. He received a majority of fifty- 
five and was thus continued in the office from 
July, 1896, until July, 1900. No higher testi- 
monial of his capability or of the confidence re- 
posed in him by his fellow-townsmen could be 
given than the fact of his re-election. At the 
same time he held local office in McMinnville, for 
in November, 1899, he was elected to the city 
council, but after three months he resigned. On 
his retirement from the office of county recorder 
he entered upon a business connection with the 
Spaulding Logging Company and established 
their lumber yard in McMinnville, conducting it 
for a year. In January, 1902, however, he re- 
signed, and accepted the agency of the Oregon 
City Transportation Company at this place. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Macy has been 
blessed with two children : Glen and Evelyn V. 
Mr. Macy was a charter member of the Com- 
mercial Club of McMinnville and for a number 
of years has been its secretary. He also belongs 
to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to 
the Woodmen of the World, and for four years 
has served as clerk in the camp of the latter fra- 
ternity. He votes with the democracy and his 
religious belief is indicated by his membership 
in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
Macy is a young man possessed of the typical 
spirit of the west, a spirit of marked enterprise 
and progress and of adaptability and it is through 
the united efforts of such men that the upbuild- 
ing and progress of this section of the country 
have been assured. 



HUNDLEY SEVIER MALONEY is one 
of the honored veterans of the Civil war 
who fought for the preservation of the 
Union and who in times of peace has 
ever been loyal to the best interests of his 
country, laboring for the advancement and up- 
building of his home localitv, along material, 
social, intellectual and moral lines. He has been 
a resident of Oregon since 1873, his birth occur- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



699 



ring in Warrensburg, Tenn., February 28, 1849. 
His paternal grandfather, Hugh Conway Ma- 
loney, was a native of Ireland, and on emigrat- 
ing to America took up his abode in Tennessee, 
where he followed farming. He there married 
a Mrs. Susannah (Conway) Sevier, the widow 
of lohn Sevier, first cousin of Governor John 
Sevier, of Tennessee. William Conway Maloney, 
the father of our subject, was born in Tennessee 
and followed farming and surveying near War- 
rensburg, operating - his land with the aid of 
slaves that he owned. He died in 1882, at the 
of sixty-nine years. His wife, who in her 
maidenhood had been Louisa Cureton, was like- 
wise born in Tennessee, and was a daughter of 
Richard Cureton, of German descent, one of the 
heroes of the war of 1812. He, too, followed 
farming in Tennessee, and iff was in that state 
that his daughter, Mrs. Maloney, died, upon the 
old family homestead. L T nto the parents of our 
subject were born ten children, but only two are 
now living, Thomas being an attorney at law 
in Ogden, Utah. Enlisting in the Civil war June 
1. 1863, he served first as a member of Company 
L Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry, and afterward as 
a member of Company M, Ninth Regiment of 
Tennessee Cavalry, with the Federal army, and 
was discharged September 11, 1865, at Knox- 
ville. Tenn. i\nother brother, Hugh D. Maloney, 
was sergeant-major in the Fifth Tennessee Con- 
federate Cavalry under General Joe Wheeler. 

Hundley S. Maloney, named after Ambrose 
Hundley Sevier, United States senator from 
Arkansas, was reared upon his father's farm 
and attended a private school. During the 
progress of the war, although but a boy, he 
joined the Eighth Tennessee Regiment and 
served for a month, but on account of his age and 
size could not be mustered in. On the 1st of 
January, 1864, however, he volunteered as a 
member of Company D ; Fourth Tennessee 
Infantry, in defense of the Union, and was mus- 
tered in at Loudon, Tenn., serving until the close 
of hostilities. His regiment was engaged in 
guerrilla warfare against Morgan's Cavalrv in 
East Tennessee, and Mr. Maloney thus took' part 
in numerous skirmishes and battles. The regi- 
ment was housed altogether in tents, save when 
they slept out of doors. In 1865 Mr. Maloney 
was made a corporal and August 2, 1865, he was 
mustered out at Nashville, Tenn. He was then 
but sixteen years of age, yet he had rendered to 
the country valiant service, and he displayed 
bravery equal to that of many a veteran of twice 
his years. - 

After the close of the war Mr. Maloney became 
a student in Tusculum College at Greeneville, 
Tenn., where he remained until 1867. On the 
22d of July of that year he was commissioned 
second lieutenant in" the Thirty-third United 



States Infantry by President Johnson, on the 
recommendation of Colonel Reeves, for faithful 
and meritorious service in the Rebellion. He 
served in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina 
during the reconstruction period and at the time 
of the Ku Klux trouble. Remaining in the south 
until September 6, 1870, Mr. Maloney then car- 
ried on farming, and in the spring of 1873 came 
to the west, making his way to San Francisco 
and on to Portland, where he arrived April 30, 
1873. He first located near Harrisburg, in Linn 
county, and then went to southern Oregon in 
October of that year. He began farming in Uma- 
tilla county, where he carried on agricultural pur- 
suits until 1876. His father had been a surveyor 
and Mr. Maloney had studied surveying under 
him and practiced it to some extent while in his 
native state. In 1876 he was elected county sur- 
veyor of Umatilla county over Lee Moorehouse, 
but did not qualify. He afterward spent one sea- 
son teaching in Linn county, and in October, 
1877, he purchased a farm near Sheridan, car- 
rying on agricultural pursuits and surveying 
until 1880. In that year he was elected county 
surveyor of Yamhill county and served for three 
years while from 1887 until 1889 he was' deputy 
United States surveyor and surveyed the Grande 
Ronde Indian reservation. 

Legislative honors were conferred upon him 
in 1892, when he was chosen to represent Yam- 
hill county in the general assembly. He served 
during the session of 1893 and was a member of 
the committee on enrolled bills and other im- 
portant committees. He took an active interest 
in the work of the house, giving each question 
which came up for settlement his earnest consid- 
eration and his influence was felt in legislative 
measures enacted during his term. He was, 
much interested in the passage of the Soldiers' 
Home bill, providing for the establishment of a 
home for the soldiers at Roseburg, and his efforts 
in this and other directions for the benefit of the 
state were not without result. In 1896 Mr. Ma- 
loney was elected county surveyor of Yamhill 
county for a two years' "term, and in February, 
1902, he was appointed city recorder of McMinn- 
ville. On the 3d of November following he was 
elected to that office, his name being placed upon 
both tickets. In connection with the duties of 
the position he is also practicing surveying. He 
laid out the original town of Newburg, also Will- 
amina and several additions to Sheridan. In 
1897 he located in McMinnville and in 1898-99 
was mayor of the city. He has also been notary 
public since 1880. 

Mr. Maloney has been thrice married. His 
first wife, Laura F. Hale, died November 2, 1872, 
leaving no children. In Umatilla conntv, in 
1873, he married Miss Mary Metzger, who' was 
born in Tennessee, and died in 1893, leaving 



700 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



seven children, who are still living, namely : Mrs. 
Lillie Scott, of Sheridan; Louisa M., of McMinn- 
ville ; Nannie, wife of Charles Nelson, of Clover- 
dale, Ore.; Hugh, of McMinnville; Carl; John, 
who is a student in McMinnville College, and 
Ray. Mr. Maloney's third marriage occurred 
in Tennessee, Miss Lucy Scruggs, a native of 
that state, becoming his wife. They have two 
children, Flora and Emma. Mr. Maloney was 
made an Odd Fellow in Morristown, Tenn., in 
1873 and became a charter member of Sheridan 
Lodge No. 87, I. O. O. F. He now belongs to 
Occidental Lodge No. 30, of McMinnville, of 
which he is noble grand. He retains pleasant re- 
lationship with his old army comrades through 
his membership in Custer Post No. 9, G. A. R. 
He served for three terms as commander of Don- 
nelson Post No. 55 while living at Sheridan, and 
he was a delegate to the national encampment 
at Louisville, Ky., in 1895, and was present at the 
dedication of the national park comprising the 
battlefield of Chickamauga. He served as aide on 
the staff of the national commander, General 
Clarkson, and has a number of times been aide 
on the staff of the state department commander. 
His wife belongs to the Women's Relief Corps 
and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Mr. Maloney also visited the south to 
attend the Cotton States Exposition at Atlanta 
in 1895. In 1864, when but fifteen years of age, 
he cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln under the 
rule of allowing soldiers to vote, but since that 
time he has given his support to the Democracy. 
Mr. Maloney has led a busy and useful life and 
one of his most noticeable characteristics has 
been his loyalty to duty, whether duty to his 
office he has been prompt and faithful and he is 
a man of pleasant manner, kindly disposition, of 
strong integrity and of marked liberality. 



MILTON S. CHAPIN. Starting out in life 
with assets consisting solely of his own per- 
severance and good common sense, Milton S. 
Chapin has so adjusted his opportunities as to 
be numbered among the most substantial up- 
builders of Yamhill county. A courageous sol- 
dier during the Civil war, for many years a 
successful farmer and stock-raiser, and at all 
times a broad-minded and enterprising citizen, 
Mr. Chapin has earned the right to the com- 
parative immunity from active business cares 
which he now enjoys. 

A native of Branch county, Mich., Mr. Chapin 
was born April 28, 1837, and is the oldest of 
the three children born to his parents, one son 
being deceased, while Nelson is a farmer of 
Polk county, Ore. His father, who was a con- 
tractor and builder for the greater part of his 
active life, died in Michigan at the age of forty- 



five years, and was survived by his wife — for 
many years a school teacher — until her death 
in Yamhill county in 1878, she having been a 
resident of this state for ten years. In his youth 
Milton S. Chapin attended the district schools 
of Michigan, and when sixteen years of age de- 
termined to henceforth make his own living. 
Removing to Lagrange county, Ind., he remained 
there until 1861, in August of which year he 
enlisted as a private in Company G, Thirtieth 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After being mus- 
tered in at Fort Wayne he was sent to Inde- 
pendence, and from there to Louisville, Ky ; , 
later to Nashville, Tenn., being under command 
of Colonel Lawton, who subsequently met his 
death in the Philippines. Besides many minor 
engagements he participated in the battles of 
Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga, and 
the Atlantic campaign, and though subjected to I 
the thickest of the fight fortunately escaped in- 
jury sufficiently serious to incapacitate him 
for fighting. Not more than thirty per cent, of 
the brave Thirtieth returned to Indiana, and it 
was said that no regiment was subjected to 
greater danger or hardship, or more courageous- 
ly stood by their leader and colors. 

After his discharge from the service Septem- 
ber 24, 1864, at Indianapolis, Mr. Chapin en- 
gaged i-n farming near Springfield, 111., and Sep- 
tember 1, 1866, he married Mrs. Jane (Crum) 
Arthington, a native of Illinois. Thereafter he 
continued to live in Illinois for nineteen years, 
and was known in his neighborhood as one, of 
its most reliable and successful agriculturists. 
Four children were born in Illinois, of whom 
Jennie is deceased ; Charles is a farmer in this 
locality ; Pratt is deceased ; and Harry is a resi- 
dent of Sherman county, Ore. 

In 1884 Mr. Chapin disposed of his Illinois in- 
terests and, removing to Oregon, settled on what 
was known as the Galloway farm, three and a 
half miles east of Sheridan, where he lived for 
sixteen years. In 1900 he built a delightful 
little home on a small portion of his property, 
and this is all that remains to him of the three 
hundred and sixty-four acres which he once 
owned in this fertile section. The rest of the 
property has been divided among the children of 
Mr. Chapin. In politics decidedly, independent, 
Mr. Chapin has never taken an active interest in 
the political agitation by which he has been sur- 
rounded, but has rather chosen the quiet and 
unobtrusive life of the high-minded, .popular and 
unostentatious country gentleman. For more 
than fifty years he has been a member of the 
Christian church, and during that time has ex- 
erted his emphatic energies toward its upbuilding 
and general support. He is a welcome member 
of Custer Post No. 55, G. A. R., and has passed 
all of the chairs in connection with that organi- 




ISAAC LEVENS. 



PORTRAIT AXJ) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



7<J3 



zation. To an exceptional degree Mr. Cliapin en- 
- the confidence of his fellow townsmen, and 
his fine personal characteristics have won and 
retained for many years the most desirable of 
friendships. 

ISAAC LEVENS. Although years have 
elapsed since the death of Isaac Levens, in 1892, 
he is still recalled by his friends and associates 
a whole-souled and public-spirited citizen, 
whose efforts were invariably directed towards 
the betterment of the conditions around him. 
Mr. Levens was born in southern Illinois, and 
was reared on the farm of his father, Otho Lev- 
ens. one of the very early settlers of that state. 
The rumors of gold penetrated into the district 
of which the Levens family was an upbuilding 
factor, and the sons determined to give up farm- 
ing operations in Illinois and seek their fortune 
in the west. Besides Isaac, Thomas and Zacha- 
riah. there was a cousin, Henry Levens, who 
joined the little party in their trip across the 
plains, in 1848. and of these Thomas died in 
Amity. Ore., and Zachariah died on the Cmpqua 
river. 

Isaac Levens stood the journey well across the 
plains, and. after arriving at his destination, trav- 
eled around considerably in search of a desirable 
location. A part of the donation claim which he 
purchased constituted what is now the western 
part of the city of Dallas, and was six hundred 
and forty acres in extent. Here he commenced to 
clear his land, and prepare for the reception of 
crops. He prospered in his adopted state, and 
at the time of his death, at the age of seventy- 
one, was the possessor of as fine a property as one 
could desire. For a while he was interested in 
the butchering business, and was for some years 
a partner in the Ellendale Woolen Mill Company. 
He laid out a portion of his property into city 
lots, the sale of which brought him good financial 
returns. He was progressive and quick to see an 
opportunity among the complexity of interests by 
which he was surrounded. A Democrat in poli- 
tics, he served as county coroner for several 
terms, and also acceptably filled other positions of 
trust and responsibility in the neighborhood. He 
was a member of the Christian Church. 

Xear the town of Monmouth. Ore.. Mr. Levens 
married, in 1850, Eleanor S. Whiteaker, who was 
born in Old Virginia, near Abingdon, a daughter 
of Benjamin Whiteaker, a native of Tennessee. 
Mr. Whiteaker was of English descent, and a son 
ot Richard Whiteaker. a native of Virginia, and 
an extensive planter. At an earlv age Mr. White- 
aker settled near Dixon, Lee county, 111., where 
he conducted a hotel for about twelve vears, 
and in this capacity had an opportunity to hear 
29 



much about the prospects of the west. Accord- 
ingly, outfitting with ox teams, he brought his 
wife and nine children across the plains in 1848. 
being five months on the journey. From Oregon 
City he went to Independence, Polk county, and 
there bought the claim of Dr. Boyle, consisting 
of six hundred and forty acres. In this home he 
spent the remainder of his days, and died at the 
age of seventy-seven years. He was a Demo- 
crat in politics, and came out fearlessly for the 
principles of his party. In religion he was iden- 
tified with the Baptist Church. Mr. Whiteaker 
married Mary Hayter, who was born in Tennes- 
see, a daughter of Esau Hayter, who was born 
and died in Virginia. Mrs. Whiteaker lived to be 
seventy-five years of age, and died on the old 
homestead. Nine of her children attained ma- 
turity : David, a soldier in the Indian war, and 
who died in Independence in 1902 ; William, who 
died several years ago in Washington; Rachel. 
now deceased, was the wife of Mr. McGee, of 
Washington; Mrs. Levens; James, who died in 
Washington: Benjamin, who lives in Polk 
county; Maria, a resident of Los Angeles; Mrs. 
Mirah Ogden : Mary, who died in Polk county, 
and George W., of Independence. 

Mrs. Levens was born in Tennessee, November 
3, 1832, and was fifteen years of age when she 
came with her parents to Oregon. She had for- 
tunately attended the public schools in Illinois, 
otherwise her education would have been very 
limited, as there was no school in the vicinity of 
her father's home, after their arrival in Oregon. 
She was a capable and willing girl, and readily set 
about helping to make the wilderness home as 
pleasant and attractive as possible. She was well 
schooled in household arts, and her husband 
found in her an invaluable assistant in hewing out 
his fortune in the west. She came immediately 
to the farm, upon which she lived for so many 
years, and for which Mr. Levens paid Si, 600. 
After her husband's death she built her present 
residence in Dallas, although she still retains 
eighty acres of the original claim, and has pur- 
chased ten acres adjoining, which includes a hop- 
yard. Mrs. Levens is possessed of excellent busi- 
ness ability, and shows rare discretion and judg- 
ment in her many charities. She is a typical 
member of that noble band of pioneer women to 
whom their husbands were indebted for the 
greater part of their success, and from her early 
struggle with adversity has evolved a strong and 
self-reliant character, inspiring to all who are 
associated with her in whatsoever capacity. She 
is a member of the Christian Church, and con- 
tributes liberally towards its charities and general 
support. Of her two daughters, Nellie is the 
wife of Frank Rowell, of Dallas. Ore., and Annie 
is now Mrs. James Dougan, of Tacoma, Wash. 



704: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



JUDGE BENJAMIN F. RHODES, who is 
serving upon the bench of Yamhill county and 
has for a number of years maintained a position 
among the leading representatives of the bar in 
this section of the state, came to Oregon in 1873. 
He was born in Madison county near Frederick- 
town, Mo., January 15, i860. His father, John 
Rhodes, was also a native of that county and the 
grandfather, John Rhodes, Sr., was born in North 
Carolina, whence he emigrated at an early day 
to Missouri, becoming one of the pioneer farm- 
ers of that state, where his remaining days were 
passed. The great-grandfather was a resident 
of Pennsylvania and removed from the Keystone 
state to North Carolina, where be became a 
planter. He was of German descent. 

John Rhodes, the father of the judge, was 
reared as a farmer boy and also became a me- 
chanic and builder. He remained a resident of 
his native county until 1873, when he brought 
his family to Oregon, coming by way of San 
Francisco and Portland. He made his way to 
Salem, but a few weeks later settled at Mon- 
mouth, Polk county, and after another two 
months had passed he went to Portland, where 
he was engaged in the building business. 
Eighteen, months later, however, he was obliged 
to abandon that pursuit on account of failing 
health and removed to a farm in Polk county, 
whence, in the fall of 1879, he came to McMinn- 
ville. Here he again resumed work at his trade 
and was identified with the building interests of 
this place until he retired on account of a stroke 
of paralysis. He died thirteen years later, in 
August, 1900, and McMinnville thus lost one 
of its representative and worthy citizens. He 
was a Master Mason and his life exemplified the 
helpful and beneficent spirit of the fraternity 
In religious faith a Baptist, he was always loyal 
to the teachings of his church and for twelve 
years he served as a trustee of the Baptist Col- 
lege at McMinnville. His wife, who in her 
maidenhood was Eliza Graham, was born in 
Madison county, Mo., and died in 1890. She 
was a daughter of the Rev. Carter T. Graham, a 
native of Kentucky, who became an early settler 
of Madison county, Mo., where he followed 
farming in order to provide for his family, but 
on Sundays he engaged in preaching. He did 
not, however, accept any recompense for his 
services as a minister of the Baptist Church. 
He was of Scotch descent so that the judge 
comes of German and Scotch ancestry. Unto 
John and Eliza Rhodes were born three children 
— Benjamin Franklin, Josephine S., who died 
in childhood, and M. D. L.. who is an attorney 
in Seattle, Wash. 

The judge spent the first thirteen years of his 
life in the county of his nativity and then ac- 
companied his parents to Oregon, where he fur- 



ther continued his education in the schools of 
Portland and of Polk county. In September; 
1879, ne entered McMinnville College, where he 
remained as a student for four years. In the 
meantime he had begun teaching, taking up that 
work in 1883. He followed the profession for a 
year in Yamhill county, after which he again 
spent a year as a student in McMinnville Col- 
lege. He was afterward connected with mercan- 
tile life for a year, followed by three years spent 
as a teacher, and during the last two years of 
that time he also pursued the study of law un- 
der the direction of William D. Fenton. In 
February, 1890, his mother died and about that 
time he and his brother began in the insurance 
and real estate business in McMinnville, which 
they carried on until Benjamin F. had completed 
his law course. In June, 1896, he was admitted to 
the bar in Salem and at once opened an office 
in McMinnville, where he has since been known 
as a leading representative of his chosen calling. 
Wealth and influence avail little or naught in 
the legal profession. One does not trust impor- 
tant litigated interests to unskilled hands and it 
is the man of broad learning, who correctly ap- 
plies his knowledge to the point in litigation, 
that secures the legal business of a district. 
Judge Rhodes manifested skill and ability that 
soon won for him recognition as one of the lead- 
ing lawyers at the Yamhill county bar and in 
the spring of 1902 he received the Democratic 
nomination for county judge, being elected by 
a majority of two hundred and forty-two in a 
county which usually gives a Republican ma- 
jority of more than five hundred. He thus won 
a noble victory and in July he took his seat upon 
the bench where he is now serving in a most 
capable manner. His decisions indicated absolute 
fairness and freedom from judicial bias, broad 
learning and a thorough understanding of the 
points in evidence and already his course has won 
the warm approval of the members of the legal 
profession in McMinnville. 

The judge was married in McMinnville to 
Miss Mary I. Collard, who was born in Yamhill 
county, a daughter of John J. Collard, who in 
pioneer times came to Oregon from Illinois and 
settled in Clackamas county. He crossed the 
plains when a boy with his parents and subse- 
quently he came to Yamhill county and now re- 
sides in McMinnville. The home of the judge 
and his wife has been blessed with three children 
— Veda Ethelyn, Dada Althea and John Alvin. 

The judge was made a Mason in Union Lodge, 
No. 43 A. F. & A. M., of McMinnville, and 
has twice served as its master. He is also con- 
nected with the Woodmen of the World and the 
Knights of the Maccabees, and in politics he 
has been a stalwart Democrat since attaining his 
majority, In 1892 he was appointed justice of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



70* 



the peace and was afterward elected for a two 
years' term and was then re-elected, continuing 
in the office until elevation to the bench in 1896. 
He belongs to the Baptist Church of McMinn- 
ville and since 1894 he has been an active and 
valued member of the board of trustees of Mc- 
Minnville College. He is a man of strong in- 
tellectuality, of keen foresight and practical judg- 
ment and his co-operation with any measure 
therefore becomes a forceful factor in winning 
for it success. His influence is ever on the side 
of progress, reform and improvement and he is 
to-day recognized as one of the influential and 
prominent residents of the adopted city. 



J. C. MICHAUX, M. D. As a leading ex- 
ponent of medical and surgical science Dr. J. 
C. Michaux is catering to a constantly increasing 
patronage in McMinnville and Yamhill county, 
and is besides winning many friends because of 
stable and admirable personal characteristics. 
The doctor is a transplanted easterner who did 
not have to become acclimated in the west, but 
rather brought with him a breeziness and enter- 
prise which instantly adjusted him to the vigor- 
ous opportunities here represented. While ap- 
preciating and utilizing the best that his profes- 
sion holds, his versatility invades various social 
and other strata, a particularly pleasing trait be- 
ing his fondness for that noble friend of man, 
the horse. In the well-equipped stable of Dr. 
Michaux the horse is seen at his best, both as to 
appearance and speed, and when he travels upon 
town thoroughfares or country roads one may 
be sure that he encounters in his equine life such 
treatment as is dictated by an innately humani- 
tarian instinct. 

The old-time ancestors of Dr. Michaux emi- 
grated from France, with other religiously per- 
secuted Huguenots, and after various migrations 
settled in America in time to participate in the 
Revolutionary war. His paternal grandfather, 
J. E. Michaux. was a planter in Virginia, the 
paternal great-grandfather having been a very 
early pioneer of that state. Here was born J. G. 
Michaux, the father of the physician of "Mc- 
Minnville,- who also was a physician, and who 
practiced for about half a century in Newport, 
Tenn. The elder Michaux was a man of reso- 
lute character and uncompromising ideas of 
honor, and during his lifetime claimed many dis- 
tinguished friendships, among them being that 
of Andrew Johnson. He lived to be seventy-six 
years of age, and was survived by his wife, for- 
merly M. J. Wells, daughter of ' Robert Wells, 
a native of North Carolina, and who at present 
lives with her son in McMinnville. 

The third oldest of the five children in his 
father's family, Dr. Michaux, was born in New- 



port, east Tennessee, September 13, 1858, and 
in his youth was favored with exceptional edu- 
cational advantages. After graduating from 
Nashville College in 1878 he attended Yander- 
bilt University for a couple of years, and then 
entered upon his professional training at the 
Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, 
graduating therefrom in 1889. After practicing 
for five years in his home town of Newport he 
removed to Lafayette, Yamhill county, in 1886, 
and for thirteen years devoted his energies to 
ameliorating the physical ills of that community, 
taking also an active interest in the social and 
other life of the town. He became associated 
with McMinnville in 1899, and it is to be hoped 
that his enthusiastic reception by a large con- 
tingent of the town and country will inspire a 
permanent residence within these hospitable and 
profitable borders. 

With him from Tennessee came the wife of 
Dr. Michaux, formerly Miss M. E. Easterly, a 
native also of east Tennessee, and the mother 
of one son, Carl. The doctor is a Democrat in 
political affiliation, and is fraternallv associated 
with the Independent Order of Odd' Fellows of 
Lafayette, Ore; the Encampment of Dayton; 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen;' and 
the Knights of the Maccabees. Genial, opti- 
mistic, alert to the pleasures as well as the dis- 
advantages of living ; whole souled and generous 
and thoroughly honorable, the doctor is indeed 
an acquisition to his adopted town and county. 



OLIVER H. ADAMS. More clearly than that 
of any other inhabitant of McMinnville the name 
of Oliver H. Adams is outlined against the back- 
ground of its history and substantial interests, 
its moral, intellectual and industrial growth, and 
its just claims to distinction among the thriv- 
ing communities of Yamhill county. No other 
kind of existence could be expected of Mr. 
Adams, through whose veins flows the blood of 
two illustrious servants of this government, John 
and John Quincy Adams, both of whom filled 
the popular eye and ear in the highest office 
within the gift of the xAnerican people. The em- 
igrating ancestor was a Protestant of Scotch 
origin who came from the north of Ireland, and 
settled in Massachusetts while yet the banner of 
England waved over increasing discord in the 
colonies. The paternal grandfather of Oliver 
H. Adams was a soklier of 1776. 

A native of Painesville, Geauga county, Ohio, 
Mr. Adams was born March 25, 1819, a son of 
Sebastian and Eunice (Harmon) Adams, natives 
of Vermont, and born respectively in Salisbury. 
August 3, 1789, and in Rutland, October 24, 1798. 
The parents were married in Painesville, Ohio. 
May 6, 1818, and of their three sons and five 



706 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



daughters three sons and two daughters are pio- 
neer residents of Oregon, Oliver H. being the old- 
est. Of the children, William L. is a practicing 
physician on the Hood river and crossed the plains 
in 1848; Sarah J. is the deceased wife of A. N. 
Phelph, of Illinois ; S. C. died in Salem ; Mary 
P., Mrs. Skinner, resides in Kansas City, Mo. ; 
Eunice M. is now Mrs. McBride, of Portland ; 
Charlotte Ann is the deceased wife of W. H. 
Hardman, of Oregon; and Caroline E. is the de- 
ceased wife of A. Dunney, of Montana. Sebas- 
tian Adams was a prominent farmer of Geauga 
county, and for years was county sheriff. After- 
ward he owned a large farm in Huron county; 
and subsequently engaged in lumbering and farm- 
ing in Jonesville, Mich. After removing to 
Galesburg, 111., he built the first hotel in that 
place, and died in the little town destined to be- 
come an educational center, March 8, 1847. 
Some time after his wife married a Mr. Goodale, 
with whom she started across the plains in 1852, 
Mr. Goodale succumbing on the way to the pre- 
vailing cholera of that year. Continuing her 
journey with her children, Mrs. Goodale located 
in McMinnville and died in Eugene City, De- 
cember 4, 1883, at the age of eighty-six years. 
She was a remarkable pioneer mother, possess- 
ing exceptional mental alertness, retained with 
exuberant health to almost the end of her life. 

An uneventful home life in Ohio on the part 
of Oliver H. Adams was broken into by his at- 
tendance at the Huron County Academy, of 
which he was still a student when the family 
fortunes were shifted to Michigan. Overcome 
with homesickness he left the academy and 
joined his parents in Michigan, and with them 
removed to Galesburg in 1840. Here he mar- 
ried, October 20, 1846, Sophia Hills, a native of 
Connecticut, and daughter of Walter Hills, born 
also in Connecticut, and the descendant of an old 
New England family. After his marriage Mr. 
Adams began to farm and team, and eventually 
drifted into freighting between Galesburg and 
Chicago, a distance of over two hundred miles. 
The round trip consumed the greater part of 
two weeks, and during the winter time fhe winds 
of the prairies were frightfully cold. Going up 
to Chicago and meeting people from all around 
that section Mr. Adams heard considerable about 
the prospects of the far west, and March 9, 1852. 
he started from Galesburg with his wife and 
three children, Alice, Emma and Mary, his 
mother and stepfather, and two sisters, for Ore- 
gon, the family equipment being ox and cow 
teams, and three wagons. The party came along 
the old Oregon trail, and this being the year of 
the terrible cholera epidemic, they were horrified 
by many evidences of departed travelers, who, 
like themselves, had started forth with high 
hopes for the future, Accidents also marred 



the pleasure of the journey, one being the break- 
ing of a wheel which was first successfully re- 
paired, but which came to pieces a second time 
with altogether dire results. In consequence, 
Mr. Adams was obliged to resort to a mongrel 
two wheeled cart for the conveyance of the uten- 
sils, and thus crippled they started on their way. 
October 1, 1852, the party arrived at Panther 
creek, where lived Dr. Adams, the brother of 
Oliver H., and the latter bought a claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres for $200, and was 
soon comfortably settled with his family. He 
was not slow in recognizing milling possibilities 
on the rapid little creek, and so constructed the 
first mill in that neighborhood. A little later he 
took in a partner in the milling business who 
was none other than G. W. Jones, a practical 
miller, and later one of the chief upbuilders of 
McMinnville, and with this addition to his re- 
sources bought another mill, for many years 
operated in connection with the original. The 
combination of pioneer energy and business judg- 
ment accomplished much toward building up the 
section in which their milling was conducted, 
and the two men represented all that was sub- 
stantial and of good report in the county. 

In 1872 the mills were sold out and Mr. Adams 
and his partner moved into McMinnville and 
built a factory in the heart of the then small 
town. As the population and interests increased 
they moved out on Third street, and there the 
sash and door factory of Jones & Adams entered 
upon an era of continuous prosperity. Even- 
tually the business was handed over to the son 
of Mr. Adams, who still continues to maintain 
the financial prestige of the pioneer industry. 
Probably no man in McMinnville has built more 
than has Mr. Adams, especially deserving of 
mention being a large brick building on Main 
street ; the brick building of Jones & Adams : 
numerous residences besides his own commodi- 
ous home, and several stores and warehouses. 

After coming to Oregon nine children were 
added to the family of Mr. Adams, and of the 
entire number eleven have attained maturity : 
Inez lone is living with her father; Carrie Cor- 
nelia is the wife of C. C. Scott, of Portland ; 
Austin Hill is a sash and door manufacturer of 
Astoria ; Frank Grant is a member of the firm 
'of Jones & Adams; Lillie May died at the age 
of fifteen; Alice Amelia is now Mrs. Crawford, 
of Eugene, Ore. ; Emma Ellen is the wife of G. 
W. Jones, of McMinnville; Mary Maria is the 
wife of W.. G. Henderson, of McMinnville ; John 
Quincy died in this town at the age of three 
years ; Ida Irene is now Mrs. H. A. Reasoner, 
of Washington; Eva Ellen is now Mrs. Simons, 
of Washington ; and Ada Ann is the wife of W. 
A. Hill, of McMinnville. Mrs. Adams died in 
McMinnville March 3, 1902, at the age of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



7U7 



Seventy-four years. She was a stanch adherent 
of the Presbyterian Church, in which both she 
and her husband labored for many years. 

A Republican in national politics, Mr. xAdams 
has ever maintained that character rather than 
party should prevail in local offices especially, 
and has therefore voted impartially on many oc- 
casions. In his youth he labored zealously for 
his friends, but has been somewhat averse to 
lining official responsibility himself. How- 
ever, he has been councilman for several years, 
and his services as a member of the school board 
have been of lasting benefit to the community. 
He assisted in the building of the first log school 
house which offered educational advantages to 
the rising generation hereabouts, and has been 
the chief instigator of the larger and more mod- 
ern institutions which have supplanted the prim- 
itive effort. Possessing the potent character- 
istics best appreciated and developed in this man- 
making region, Mr. Adams has adjusted his life 
to high principle and large accomplishments, and 
his name will be enrolled among the foremost 
promoters of the peace and prosperity of Yam- 
hill county. 



H. Z. FOSTER, the treasurer of Yam- 
hill county, a resident of Oregon since his 
tenth year, and formerly an educator and agri- 
culturist, was born twenty miles north of Keo- 
kuk. Lee county, Iowa, October 8, 1843. At a 
very early age his paternal grandfather removed 
from Indiana to Tennessee, in which latter state 
his father, Harrison Foster, was born in 1801. 

Harrison Foster emigrated to Illinois about 
1822, and lived in that then wild and inhospi- 
table region until his removal to Lee county in 
1838. In Illinois he married his first wife, a 
Miss Barber, of that state, and the five children 
of this union were born in Illinois and Iowa. Of 
these, four are living, James Barber being a min- 
ister of the Baptist Church in Boise City, Idaho ; 
Jesse D., a Congregational clergyman in Cali- 
fornia, and Mrs. Sarah J. Death and Mrs. Mar- 
garet V. McComas, both residents of California. 
In Lee county, Iowa, Mr. Foster married his 
second wife, Sarah Booth, a native of England, 
and daughter of John Booth, who emigrated 
from England to New York state. The second 
Mrs. Foster died at the old home in Oregon at 
the age of eighty-three years, leaving two chil- 
dren, the present treasurer of Yamhill county, 
and Mrs. Mary E. Wood, of Tillamook county. 
With his wife and children Harrison Foster un- 
dertook the journey across the plains in 1853, 
starting out from Council Bluffs, Iowa, in April, 
and proceeding up the Platte and Sweetwater 



rivers and down the Snake river to Umatilla, 
then down the Umatilla. On the way they over- 
took many other emigrants from Iowa, and the 
six months' journey passed off without any par- 
ticular incident, or any of the harrowing details 
incident to the plain travel in the early davs. 
The father took up a claim in the hills, and in 
the spring of 1854 bought the right to a claim 
of three hundred and twenty acres on the Will- 
amina, where he lived and worked for many 
years, and where his death occurred in 1876, at 
the age of seventy-five years. He was a quiet, 
unostentatious man, but successful withal, and 
in his adopted county made many friends. He 
was a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

For some years after crossing the plains with 
his parents H. Z. Foster had no educational op- 
portunities, for the neighborhood in which he 
lived had not yet risen to the dignity of main- 
taining a log school house, or a teacher to dis- 
tribute knowledge to the rising generation. The 
advent of the first school house was heralded 
with delight by both pupils and parents, and 
among the first to assemble in the little log en- 
closure was the youngest son of Harrison Fos- 
ter. At the age of sixteen the youth spent 
a year in the old McMinnville College, and then 
studied for a year with Professor Johnson, of the 
same institution. In 1872 he entered the Willam- 
ette University at Salem, from which he was 
duly graduated with the degree of B. S., in the 
class of 1875. The same summer he returned 
to the parental farm, and in 1878 located in Sher- 
idan, where he taught school, worked in a ware- 
house, and finally engaged in clerking. In Sher- 
idan he married Edith LaFollette in 1885, a na- 
tive of Dallas, Ore., and daughter of Capt. 
Charles LaFollette, born in Indiana, and an early 
pioneer of Oregon. 

In 1890 Mr. Foster returned to the old farm 
and lived there until locating in McMinnville 
in September, 1900. He has already accumu- 
lated property in the town, and the sale of his 
farm presupposed a permanent residence in this 
thriving community of interests. His capacity 
for public services found recognition in October, 
1901, when, upon the resignation of County 
Treasurer Rood he was appointed to take his 
place by the county court. So satisfactory were 
his services that he was duly elected county 
treasurer by one of the largest majorities on the 
Republican ticket in July, 1902, and thereupon 
took the oath of office for two years. He has affil- 
iated with the Republican party ever since cast- 
ing his first presidential vote for Abraham Lin- 
coln. Fraternally he is allied with the Masons of 
Sheridan, and has been past master of that lodge. 
Since 1873 he has been a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, and has been very active 



708 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in both church and Sunday-school work. Three 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Foster : 
Charles, Robert and Mary. 



ALVIS KIMSEY. Although many years 
have elapsed since the death of Alvis Kimsey, 
there are many in Yamhill county who recall his 
worthwhile endeavors while making a home for 
his family in this then wild section of country. 
Mr. Kimsey was born in Missouri May 26, 1816, 
and owing to the death of his father when he 
was but thirteen years old he was early obliged 
to assist in the maintenance of the family. His 
mother eventually married a second time, and 
when his services were no longer needed on the 
home farm he also married, taking for his wife 
a Miss Simpson, who was born in Missouri. 
The death of his wife temporarily shadowed his 
life and left him with one small child, with no 
guiding hand at the hearthstone. 

Joining a band of west-bound emigrants in 
1846 Mr. Kimsey reached his destination in Cal- 
ifornia without any particular difficulty, and 
once arrived at his new destination he had the 
opportunity of serving in the Mexican war. Dur- 
ing a part of his service he was a commissioned 
officer, and his soldier days were marked by par- 
ticular courage and devotion to the cause. In 
1848 he removed from California to Oregon and 
took up a donation land claim of six hundred 
and forty acres on what is now called the Middle 
Salem and Dayton road, about four and one- 
half miles southeast of Dayton. In September of 
the same year, 1848, he married Mrs. Elizabeth 
Fulkerson Dorris, who was born in Missouri, 
and whose husband died while crossing the plains 
in 1847. When Mr. Kimsey purchased his claim 
there was a small log house upon it and this 
continued to shelter the family for a few years, 
but subsequently he put up a more comfortable 
and commodious residence. The discovery of 
gold in California about this time enticed him 
thither, but his stay was of short duration, and 
upon his return home resumed his agricultural 
duties. In 1855 he retired from active labor and 
took up his residence in The Dalles, the change 
being necessitated by overwork and responsibil- 
ity. His death occurred in the latter home Sep- 
tember 14, 1865, and was mourned by all who 
had known him. At one time he took a promi- 
nent part in politics, and served as sheriff of 
Yamhill county, an office which he was com- 
pelled to resign on account of impaired health. 

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Kimsey : Mary J., born on the old home- 
stead, where she now lives, in 1849; Rachel 
E., deceased ; and Wiley A., a resident of 
Albany, Ore. Some years after the death of 



her husband Mrs. Kimsey was united in mar- 
riage with Willis Gains, who crossed the plains 
in 1852. After their marriage they took up 
their residence in Linn county, where Mrs. 
Gains died at the age of sixty-seven. Two 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gains : 
Holt is deceased and Anna became the wife of 
John A. South, and resides in Linn county. Mary 
J. Kimsey became the wife of R. W. Powell, 
who crossed the plains in 1852 with his parents. 
One child blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Powell : Addie, now the wife of A. A. Launer, 
and they make their home in Dallas. Four years 
after his marriage Mr. Powell died, and two 
years later Mrs. Powell became the wife of H. 
W. Peery. Seven children were born of this 
marriage, of whom we make the following men- 
tion : Minnie E., the wife of W. L. Jackson, of 
Albany; Edward C, a resident of Linn county; 
Edith, the wife of Ed Hoffman, of Oregon City ; 
Amy C. and Claud C, twins, who are at school, 
as is also Willie. One child died in infancy. 
Mrs. Peery still owns one hundred and eighty- 
nine acres of the old donation claim settled by 
her father, and this property is classed among 
the most desirable in Yamhill county. The family 
have one of the finest rural homes in the neigh- 
borhood and have many friends and well-wishers 
in the community in which they reside. 



J. L. HOSKINS. In an effort to maintain 
the prestige of a fine old southern family re- 
ligiously associated with the Society of Friends, 
and in civic life identified with pioneering and 
other substantial occupations ennobled by sterling 
English worth, J. L. Hoskins, recorder of Yam- 
hill county, has mapped out a career in harmony 
with agricultural, educational and general ideals. 
In accord with the workings of the twentieth cen- 
tury philanthropic mind, institutions of learning 
have come to be regarded as the medium through 
which the good of the world is to be derived, and 
this being the generally accepted theory, promo- 
ters of education must needs be the chief factors 
of civilization. It is perhaps in this connection 
that Mr. Hoskins will be longest remembered, for 
he has been one of the advance guard of the Pa- 
cific College at Newberg, and has earnestly and 
disinterestedly labored for the betterment of this 
well-equipped institution of learning. 

A native of the vicinity of Wellington, Clinton 
county, Ohio, Mr. Hoskins was born March 20, 
1846, a son of Joseph, and grandson of George 
Hoskins, the latter of whom was born in North 
Carolina, and removed with his parents to Clinton 
county, Ohio, when a mere boy. The grand- 
father later improved a farm in Clinton county 
on his own responsibility, and there was passed 
his long and meritorious life. Joseph Hoskins 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



70U 



was born in Ohio, and from there removed to 
Rush county, lnd.. where he farmed for many 
ears prior to spending his last days with his son 
in Yamhill count v. He married Sarah Ann Hod- 
son a native of Clinton county, Ohio, and sister 
of I. M. Hodson, of Portland, represented at 
length in another part of this work. Mrs. Hos- 
kins also died in Oregon, leaving four sons, her 
only daughter, Carrie M., having died in Indiana. 
Cyrus E.. the oldest of the sons, is a farmer at 
Gold Hill, Ore.; A. M. is engaged in mining in 
fackson county, Ore.; and Cyrus E. served in 
the Thirteenth Ohio Cavalry during the Civil 
war, with his brother, J. L. 

As has been the case in the lives of many 
worthwhile men in this country the Civil war pre- 
sented itself as a developing factor in the imma- 
ture youth of Mr. Hoskins, and when not yet 
seventeen, he enlisted in the Fourth Ohio Cav- 
alrv. later consolidated with the Thirteenth Vol- 
unteer Cavalry. He. was mustered in during 
March. 1863, and was mustered out in Virginia, 
in September. 1865. being later discharged in 
Columbus, Ohio. During the time of his service 
he participated in many of the important battles 
of the war. including the Wilderness, Cold Har- 
bor, the sieges of Richmond and Petersburg, Ap- 
pomattox, and many others. The siege of Peters- 
burg, on July 2d, proved most disastrous for the 
regiment, for a roll-call revealed the death of at 
least half of its members. Mr. Hoskins marched 
up Pennsylvania avenue, Washington, when 
peace had been declared, and this grand review 
terminated his association with affairs military. 

Saddened by his experiences on the battle field, 
but with clearer defined ideas of life and its re- 
sponsibilities, Mr. Hoskins returned to Ohio only 
to find that his parents had removed to Indiana, 
and were living on a farm in Rush county. He 
joined them, and while assisting his father, taught 
school for a couple of years, during the winter 
season, working in the harvestfield in the summer 
time. In 1&79, he came west to San -Francisco, 
and from there by steamer to Portland, soon after 
purchasing a little farm of fifty-six acres in the 
brush near Newberg. This he proceeded to im- 
prove and develop, and while engaging in gen- 
eral fanning, has reaped a liberal income from an 
orchard and small fruits, also considerable stock. 

A stanch Republican ever since casting his first 
presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864, 
Mr. Hoskins was not particularly active until 
1900, when he was nominated county recorder in 
June, and elected by a large majority. So satis- 
factory were his services that in 1902 he was re- 
nominated, and re-elected by a majority of five 
hundred and five, leading the ticket. His as- 
sumption of office began in July, 1900, and will 
continue until July, 1904. He is an ex-member 
of the countv committee, and has attended many 



conventions during his residence in Oregon. 
Fraternally, Mr. Hoskins is identified with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having 
joined that organization in the early '70s. He is 
now past officer and past grand representative of 
Willamette Lodge of Newberg ; a member of the 
Encampment at McMinnville, and member of the 
Woodmen of the World. He is also connected 
with Shiloh Post, G. A. R., of Newberg. In 
religion, Mr. Hoskins adheres to the faith of his 
forefathers, that of the beautiful and impressive 
Society of Friends. 



JACOB GRAUER. At the age of ten years 
Jacob Grauer came to America with his parents, 
having spent his previous life in Germany, where 
he was born January 31, 1856. His father, an- 
other Jacob, was born in Germany in T823, and 
was by trade a weaver, which trade he followed 
for many years in his native land. He married 
Catharine Grauer, a native of the same part of 
the kingdom, and with her came to America in 
1866, settling on a farm in Iowa. Here the 
father enjoyed moderate prosperity, and here he 
died at the age of sixty, his wife surviving him 
until sixty-nine years of age. There were eight 
children in the family, the order of their birth 
being as follows : Mary, a resident of Iowa ; 
George, also living in Iowa; Christ, a farmer in 
Iowa; Lizzie, living with her brother, Jacob; 
Jacob ; Kate, a farmer's wife in Iowa ; Adam, a 
farmer of Iowa ; and Anna, deceased. 

Until his twenty-first year, Jacob Grauer lived 
on the paternal farm in Iowa, contributing his 
share towards the support of the large family. 
He attended the district schools as opportunity 
offered, and his pastimes and diversions were 
those of the average farm-reared youth. For ten 
years after his marriage with Rosa Gutbrod, a 
native of Germany, he continued to farm inde- 
pendently in Iowa, and, in 1891, brought his 
family to Yamhill county, Ore., settling near 
Newberg on a small farm. At the expiration of 
two years, Mr. Grauer bought a farm of M. S. 
Sheridan, but after a year removed to the Raleigh 
place, three and a half miles northeast of Sheri- 
dan. In 1899 Mr. Grauer bought the farm of 
one hundred and seventy acres which has since 
been his home, and to which he has in the mean- 
time added, so that he now owns five hundred 
acres in all. Many fine improvements are the re- 
sult of the good management and industry of this 
enterprising farmer, his buildings, agricultural 
implements and general farm furnishings being 
the best known to the model, up-to-date farmer. 
Mr. Grauer is independent in politics, although 
he usually votes the Republican ticket. Office- 
holding has never held any charm for him, as he 
prefers to devote his time to his farm and family. 



710 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



He is a member of the Lutheran Church. The 
following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Grauer : Louis, Anna, George, Jacob, Frederick, 
Adam, Edgar and William, at home, and Carl, 
deceased. 



ABRAM COOVERT. Though at present 
living a retired life in Dayton, Abram Coovert is 
known as one of the broad-minded and energetic 
developers of Yamhill county, and has been 
closely allied with its agricultural, milling, edu- 
cational and religious affairs. An additional dis- 
tinction is attached to Mr. Coovert, growing out 
of the fact that he and his wife, who died March 
31, 1903, were undoubtedly the oldest married 
couple in this county, and one of the oldest in this 
part of the state. The parents of Mr. Coovert 
were farmers during their active lives, and lived 
for many years in Butler county, Ohio, where he 
was born April 24, 1819. As his mother died when 
he was ten years old, leaving six other children, 
he was bound out to a family to remain until his 
twenty-first year, at the expiration of which time 
he was to receive $100 and a suit of clothes. The 
consideration was fulfilled according to contract, 
the youth in the meantime developing thrifty and 
industrious traits of character. 

Left to fashion his career as suited him best, 
Mr. Coovert went to Indiana in 1840, and for five 
years made himself useful to one of the wealthy 
and appreciative farmers of the Hoosier state. 
In 1845, ne married Martha A. Odell, a native of 
Wayne county, Ind., and thereafter he made his 
home in that state until 1851. He then prepared 
to seek a home in the far west, and with two 
wagons, six yoke of oxen and two horses, joined 
a train under command of Captain Elder, and 
spent six months on the way to Oregon, arriving 
at Wheatland October 4, 1851. That same year 
he bought a squatter's right to the farm which he 
now possesses, located four miles southeast of 
Dayton, and which was originally three hundred 
and twenty acres in extent. Every improvement 
on the place is due to the energy and progressive 
spirit of the owner, who has kept abreast of the 
times and equipped his place with all known de- 
vices of a labor-saving and improving character. 
Much of this property has now passed into other 
hands, but Mr. Coovert still owns ninety acres 
of about the finest farm land in the state of Ore- 
gon. In 1857 he erected the first grist-mill in this 
vicinity, and for many years this picturesque old 
mill ground out flour and feed for the agricultur- 
ists for many miles around. Located as it was on 
the Dayton & Salem road, it was easy of access, 
and became a common meeting place in which to 
discuss the important happenings of the county. 

An active politician during his years of great- 
est activity, Mr. Coovert has at times labored 



faithfully for the political advancement of his 
worthy friends, although he himself has never 
desired office of any kind. However, his active 
interest in educational matters resulted in his 
acceptance of a position on the school board, and 
he has also served as road supervisor, thus filling 
two of the most important and far-reaching 
offices in the community. Mrs. Coovert had been 
a member of the church ever since her fourteenth 
year, and he has been similarly connected for 
more than half a century, being still a trustee in 
the church. In 1899 Mr. Coovert left his farm to 
the care of younger hands, and retired, making 
his home on the farm, and is now enjoying the 
rest from care and responsibility which he has so 
richly earned. Seven children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Coovert, named in the order of their 
birth, as follows : John Q., deceased ; Sarah C, 
the widow of W. D. Nichols, of this neighbor- 
hood ; Mary E., the wife of John Lambert, of 
Yamhill county ; Wilbur L., deceased ; Ida, wife 
of N. Harris, and who resides at home with her 
father ; and Henrietta and Ora, both of whom 
are deceased. 



CHARLES MITCHELL. When Charles 
Mitchell landed in the United States, in 1884, he 
brought with him a silver medal, which indicated 
that he had come out first in a plowing contest. 
This reward of merit was conferred in his native 
country of Scotland, where he was born Septem- 
ber 10, i860, and where thoroughness is the na- 
tional watchword in all lines of activity. In 
Banffshire, Scotland, the Mitchell forefathers had 
tilled the soil for several generations, and here 
the father of Mr. Mitchell owned a large farm, 
and in Banffshire his mother is still living, at the 
age of four score years. There were seven chil- 
dren, who were left practically on their own re- 
sources when the father died, at the age of forty- 
six, but all had been reared to industry and fru- 
gality, and their assumption of responsibility was 
therefore less difficult than it would otherwise 
have been. 

Having arrived at the age of sixteen Mr. 
Mitchell started out to make his living as a farm 
hand, and for eight years was in great demand, 
because of his excellent workmanship and con- 
scientious application to business. Arriving in 
America in 1884, he came at once to Oregon, and 
soon after entered the employ of Duncan Ross, 
near McMinnville, and afterward had charge of 
the Ladd place, near Portland, for about nine 
years. In 1894 he purchased the farm upon 
which he now lives, and to the one hundred and 
eleven acres has added by more recent purchase, 
and now has two hundred and fifty-seven acres. 
His industry and enterprise have resulted in the 
equipment of the farm with a modern dwelling, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



713 



convenient barns and outhouses, and the most 
modern oi agricultural implements. He is en- 
red in general farming and stock-raising, but 
ins chief source of revenue is the raising of An- 
gora goats. The year 1895 is recalled by Mr. 
Mitchell as most disastrous to his prospects, for 
he had the misfortune to burn out, and for a time 
felt the weight of this loss. However, he has 
mere than made up for the loss, and is to-day an 
independent and comparatively well-to-do agri- 
culturist. 

In 1888 Mr. Mitchell married Ellen Crim- 
mins. a native of Oregon, daughter of John and 
Jane Crimmins, and of this union there were 
born six children : Robert, Raymond, Jeanette, 
Cari, Lillian, and one child who died in infancy. 
Mr. Mitchell is independent in politics, and be- 
lieves in voting for the man best qualified to 
serve the public interests. He has served as a 
member and clerk of the school board, and as 
road supervisor. The Mitchell farm is located 
four and a half miles southwest of Amity, on the 
Amitv and Ballston roads. 



DUDLEY G. HENRY. Since coming to his 
present farm near Salem, in Polk county, in 1878, 
Dudley G. Henry has successfully engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising, and now has 
three hundred of his three hundred and forty 
acres under cultivation. His property and its 
appointments are worthy the progressive spirit 
and practical insight of the owner, and speak 
volumes for the untiring industry and thrift 
which has characterized his entire active life. 
Many of the present large landowners of Oregon 
received their first impressions of life and work in 
Pike county, Mo., and here Mr. Henry was born 
September 20, 1843, a son °f John D. and grand- 
son of Alexander, the latter of whom was born 
in Yorktown, S. C. The grandfather was a sol- 
dier in the war of 1812, and participated in the 
battle of New Orleans, his death occurring in 
Pike county, Mo., whither he removed at a very 
early day, at the advanced age of eighty-nine 
years. His son, John D., was born on a farm near 
Xashville, Tenn., and as a child accompanied his 
parents to Pike county, where he grew to matur- 
ity, and wdiere he married Nancy Walker, a native 
of Virginia. The parents eventually removed to 
Red Lodge, Mont., where the father died in 
1896 at the age of eighty-six, and the mother in 
1900, at the age of seventy-eight. Dudley G. 
is the third oldest in the family of four sons 
and four daughters. His brother, W. A., an 
extensive stock-raiser of the vicinity of Spokane, 
Wash., is an ex-member of the Washington leg- 
islature, and a prominent man in his district. 

For about three months during the year Dud- 
ley G. Henry attended the public schools in 



Pike county, Mo., and at the breaking out of the 
Civil war he was busily employed on the home 
farm, being then eighteen years of age. In July, 
1861, he enlisted in Company C, Fifth Missouri 
Volunteer Infantry, and served for six months 
as a private under Colonel Anderson in the home 
guard. This service expired, he became a pri- 
vate in Company D, Thirty-third Missouri Vol- 
unteer Infantry, under command of Col. Clinton 
B. Fisk, and went to St. Louis as a member of 
Gen. A. J. Smith's Sixteenth Army Corps. In 
this capacity he participated in many of the 
notable engagements of the war, principally in 
the battle of Vicksburg, the Red River campaign 
and the campaign against Price, and he was dis- 
charged August 23, 1864, and sent back to St. 
Louis. Returning to Pike county, Mo., he again 
engaged in farming on the old place, and re- 
mained there until 186S. 

The long water journey around the Horn was 
chosen by Mr. Henry as the most desirable 
way of reaching Oregon, and from Portland he 
went over the mountains to California, where he 
mined and engaged in the cattle business on 
Feather river for about a year. He then re- 
turned to Portland and went into Klickitat 
county, Wash., where he engaged in farming 
and stock-raising until 1876, when he returned 
to me Willamette valley. February 22, 1876, he 
was united in marriage with Nancy Walker, 
who was born in Polk county, November 18, 
1852, and whose father, Major W. M. Walker 
crossed the plains in 1848. Her mother, Jane 
(Mackey) Walker, is at present living in Salem, 
Ore., and is eighty-four years old. Soon after 
his marriage Mr. Henry took his wife to Seattle, 
Wash., where he engaged in street contracting 
and grading for a couple of years, and in 1878 
returned to Oregon and purchased his present 
farm of three hundred and forty acres. He has 
taken a keen interest in the all around improve- 
ment of his neighborhood, has been prominent 
in local politics, and among other positions held 
that of school director for man) 7 years. Hie is 
a member of the Presbyterian Church at Zena, 
and is an officer in the same, towards the main- 
tenance of which he contributes generously. His 
oldest son, Clyde, is a druggist at Evanston, 
Wyo. ; Wayne is living at home ; and Worth is 
a student at the Oregon Agricultural College at 
Corvallis. Mr. Henry has excellent business 
ability, broad-minded views of general happen- 
ings, and bears a reputation for unswerving in- 
tegrity in all his undertakings. 



R. M. WOOLWORTH. A hop-raiser and' 
farmer entitled to special mention among the 
developers of Yamhill county is R. M. Wool- 
worth, one of the types of men who have hewed 



714 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



their way through the world without much as- 
sistance, either financial or influential, and who 
are accountable only to themselves for their suc- 
cess in a given line of activity. Mr. Woolworth 
was born in Cortland county, N. Y., August 9, 
1847, an( l comes of English ancestry authentically 
traced back to the paternal great-great-great- 
grandfather, Richard first, who was born in Eng- 
land in 1600. 

Calvin W. Woolworth, the father of R. M., 
was born in Stratton, N. Y., his wife, Phoebe 
(Lovell) Woolworth, being a native of the same 
state. Through his entire active life the elder 
Mr. Woolworth was a carpenter, and in 1854 
crossed the plains to California, engaging in 
mining for about three years. He then returned 
to New York and worked at his trade until 1872, 
in which year he removed to Michigan, and died 
in Tustin, that state, in 1887. Of the two 
daughters and eight sons born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Woolworth, four sons are living, R. M. being 
the fourth oldest. Randolph is a resident of 
Butteville, Marion county, Ore. ; Albert lives in 
Silverton, Mich. ; and Dwight lives in Mt. Angel, 
Ore. 

A disagreement with his father when seven- 
teen years of age resulted in the departure from 
his home of R. M. Woolworth, who forthwith 
removed to Schuyler county, N. Y., and lived 
there for a couple of years. While there he 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-first 
New York Volunteer Infantry, Company H, but 
was naturally too late in the service to participate 
in any of the history-making battles. However, 
he was sent south under General Grant, and was 
eventually changed to Company C, Sixty-fifth 
New York Volunteer Infantry. After being 
mustered out in 1865 he returned to Rochester, 
N. Y., lived there a year, and in 1867 went to 
Michigan, thereafter engaging in farming and 
logging in several counties in the northern part 
of the state. In all he lived there for about 
sixteen years, and, rich in experience, came to 
Oregon in 1886, determined to henceforth exert 
his abilities in the wonderfully prolific west. Mr. 
Woolworth purchased his present farm of thirty 
acres near Dayton, Ore., and has since cleared 
one-half of it, seven acres being at present under 
hops. Also he is engaged in general farming, 
and his land has yielded him a fair income for 
labor expended. 

In 1867 Mr. Woolworth married Eunice Doud, 
who was born in Michigan, and who became the 
mother of the following children : Mrs. Lena 
Wade, of McMinnville ; Charles, a resident of 
Dayton ; Grace, deceased ; Mrs. Mary Abdill, 
of Dayton ; Hugh, living at home ; and Maudie 
also living with her parents. A Republican in 
political affiliations, Mr. Woolworth has been 



school director for nine years in Oregon, and in 
his old home in Michigan he served as constable 
and school director. Fraternally he is identified 
with the Ancient Order of IJnited Workmen of 
Dayton, in which he has taken the degree of 
honor; and with Upton Post No. 75, G. A. R., 
of Dayton. 



MONTGOMERY M. McDONALD, who was 
born in Ohio in 1821, departed this life in 1876 
and in Yamhill county, where he was living, his 
death was deeply mourned. His father, Hugh 
McDonald, was born amid the highlands of Scot- 
land, and the grandfather left the land of hills 
and heather with his grandson, M. M. McDonald. 
The latter was in early life employed as a sales- 
man in a dry goods house in Missouri and also 
held a similar position in Kentucky. In his early 
manhood he engaged in teaching school to some 
extent. As a companion and helpmate for life's 
journey he chose Miss Mary A. Hayes, who was 
born in Westmoreland county, Pa., May 18, 
1833, a daughter of J. L. Hayes, who was also 
a native of Westmoreland county, and who fol- 
lowed the occupation of farming. His wife, 
Mrs. Julia Hayes, was a native of Maryland. 

Mr. McDonald removed from Ohio to Ken- 
tucky and afterward to Missouri. Later he took 
up his abode in Iowa and began business in 
Hollyville, Taylor county, in connection with 
Nave & McCord. His wife removed from Penn- 
sylvania to Iowa and it was in Taylor county that 
they became acquainted and were married, the 
wedding being celebrated in the year 1857. They 
began their domestic life there and remained 
residents of Taylor county for about five years, 
when, on account of the failing health of Mr. 
McDonald, they removed to Missouri, where he 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1866 
they left that state for the far northwest, taking 
a circuitous route, which led them by way of 
New York, making the Isthmus of Panama, 
thence over the waters of the Pacific to Portland. 
On reaching the last-named place they at once 
started for McMinnville, Ore., and in the suc- 
ceeding spring Mr. McDonald purchased three 
hundred and sixty acres of rich land about four 
and one-half miles from the town. Taking up 
his abode thereon he began its further cultiva- 
tion and improvement, continuing to develop 
that property through the succeeding ten years 
of his life. In 1880 his widow and sons pur- 
chased the farm of two hundred and twenty acres 
upon which the former now resides. 

Unto this worthy couple were born four sons : 
William Douglas, who makes his home in Mc- 
Minnville ; Robert, who is living with his 
mother ; George and Henry, both deceased. Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



715 



McDonald was a prominent Mason of McMinn- 
ville and in his life exemplified the beneficent and 

helpful spirit of the craft. In politics he was a 
Democrat, and his career was that of a good, 
industrious, honorable man, who in all life's re- 
lations was found true to duty. He passed away 
in 1870, at the age of fifty-five years, and the 
community lost a valuable citizen; his friends 
one whose faithfulness was above question and 
his family a devoted husband and father. 



CATHERINE ELIZABETH STUMP. One 
of the oldest living pioneers of Polk county, 
Ore., is .Mrs. Catherine Elizabeth Stump, who 
crossed the plains with her parents in 1844, en- 
during with a pioneer's courage and patience 
the trials and privations incident to the life of 
the early settlers, and proving with the passing 
oi the years her title to citizenship of this great 
western commonwealth. 

The father of Mrs. Stump, Aaron Chamber- 
lin, was born in New York, July 4, 1809, and 
removed to Michigan with his parents when a 
young man, his father having settled near De- 
troit. On attaining his majority he married 
Catherine Mies, a native of New Jersey, and 
after a time spent in Iowa, they removed to Mis- 
souri, locating near St. Joseph. This city was 
in the pathway of the western emigrants, and 
it was only a short time until Mr. Chamberlin 
was imbued with the idea of the advantages and 
opportunities of the west, and after two and 
a half years they joined an emigrant train drawn 
by oxen, and started upon their journey. Dur- 
ing the six months before they reached Oregon 
City their greatest difficulty lay in their limited 
provisions, but without other incident they ar- 
rived at their destination a week before Christ- 
mas, having left their home May 10. As soon 
as the donation act went into effect, Mr. Cham- 
berlin at once took up a donation claim of six 
hundred and forty acres, located south of Luck- 
iamute, Polk county, upon which' he remained 
until 1868, making a success of his western ven- 
ture. In the last named year he went to Sonora, 
Mexico, to visit a son, and while there he was 
taken ill with the fever and died, March 4, 1869, 
in his sixty-first year. His wife died on the 
home place in Oregon October 20, 1883. She 
was the mother of six children, four of whom 
are now living, two daughters and four sons, 
Joseph Chamberlin, Catherine, Ann and Enoch, 
the third being Catherine, who was born in 
Michigan, near Detroit, February 23, 1835. 

Though but nine years old when the journey 
was made to their new home, Mrs. Stump was 
old enough to realize the trials and privations 
which they necessarily experienced, and she 
continued to bear with patience whatever fell 



to her lot during the years in which her father 
was making his competency. A very limited 
education was received through the medium of 
the early schools located in the vicinity of their 
home, after which she was married March 10, 
185c, to David Stump, who was born in Ohio, 
October 29, 1819, and who, in 1845, when 
twenty-one years old, crossed the plains alone 
by cx-team and after his marriage settled on a 
donation claim near Luckiamute, Polk county, 
and engaged in farming and cattle-raising. In 
his combined interests he met with most grati- 
fying success, at his death owning in the county 
twenty-three hundred acres of land. Not satis- 
fied to be alone a financial success, Mr. Stump 
gave much of his time to public works of va- 
rious description, being actively interested in 
the Christian College, which was organized in 
1865, and also other notable movements, whose 
aim was toward the upbuilding of the town of 
Monmouth. As a Republican he ably represent- 
ed his party in the state legislature for one term. 
Religiously he was a member of the Christian 
Church. His death occurred February 20, 1886, 
at the age of sixty-six years. Of the four chil- 
dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Stump, Mary S. is 
the widow of Rev. T. F. Campbell, a professor 
in the Christian College and for thirteen years 
its president ; since his death his widow has 
made her home with her mother ; Joseph Solo- 
mon, a mining man of Nome, Alaska ; Cather- 
ine B. also makes her home with her mother, 
and John B. is located on a farm of six hun- 
dred acres in this county. Mr. Stump had built 
a handsome residence in Monmouth, on the 
corner of Jackson street and College avenue, and 
in 1878 had occupied it, giving to his children 
the advantages of the college at Monmouth, 
now the Oregon State Normal School, while the 
two daughters took a post-graduate course at 
Welleslev, Mass. 



GEORGE T. CARY. A descendant of a de- 
scendant of a pioneer is George T. Cary, his 
father, Job Cary, being born in Yamhill county, 
February 14, 1855, the son of Miles Cary, who 
crossed the plains in 1843, m die interests of the 
Hudson's Bay Company, settling in Yamhill 
county, Ore., where he took up a donation land 
claim of six hundred and forty acres near the 
town of St. Joseph. Upon this claim he lived 
for many years, rearing his family here, and 
putting into the broad acres the strength of his 
manhood that the tangled wilderness demanded 
should a harvest time be desired. His son Job 
worked with him until he was twenty years old, 
going at that age to make a home for himself. 
He first bought a farm north of Lafayette, which 
he worked for some time, but becoming dissatis- 



710 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fied he sold it, investing the money in the land 
where his son now lives. He married Miss 
Sarah Perkins, a native of the eastern state, and 
of this union three children were born : Elm a. 
Doney, of Lafayette; Edward, engaged in the 
dairy business in Tillamook county; and the 
youngest, George T., who was born December 
29 of the Centennial year, and died February 13, 
1903. 

At nineteen years of age, George T. left home 
to engage in the teaming business over the coun- 
try, a business which at that time, though full of 
hardships, still meant a great change from the 
humdrum existence of life on a farm, he being 
just at the age when he could most enjoy the 
adventures incident to such a life in a new coun- 
try. But having been reared with the broad 
acres of harvest promise about him, the hills 
covered with the life for which he must care, it 
was impossible to keep away from the joys of 
tilling the soil, consequently he came back and 
occupied the farm which h'is father had bought 
and which the latter now left, purchasing another 
in the near neighborhood. Of one hundred acres 
in the homeplace, forty-five are in active cultiva- 
tion. Twelve, acres are devoted to the cultiva- 
tion of hops, the remainder being utilized for 
stock-raising. 

December 5, 1895, Mr. Cary married Miss 
Sarah Rogers, a native of Cowlitz county, Wash., 
and three children share the home, Luvern, Leon- 
ard and Sirene. Mr. Cary took pride in the fact 
that he was independent of any political party, 
voting rather for the man than the platform, be- 
lieving that the greatest good will result for his 
country in a ballot so cast. 



R. W. McCALL. On the old farm in Mont- 
gomery countv, Tenn., around which clustered 
memories of his father and grandfather, R. W. 
McCall was born February 21, 1851, his father 
having been born on the same old landmark De- 
cember 11, 1825. His mother, Martha A. Mc- 
Call, was also a native of Montgomery county, 
her natal day being January 22, 1825. She was 
the mother of nine children, four daughters and 
five sons, R. W. being the second oldest. 

Although fairlv successful in Tennessee, D. 
W. McCall realized the larger opportunities 
which awaited the sojourner to the west, and in 
1 85 1 emigrated with his family to Hancock 
county, 111., where he bought a farm and con- 
tinued to improve the same until 1865. Gather- 
ing together the needful possessions he then 
joined a caravan of one hundred and twenty 
wagons bound for the Pacific coast, his own 
wagons being drawn with horse rather than 
ox teams. Dr. Goodwin, the amiable and help- 
ful captain of the train, proved equal to his large 



responsibility, and safely piloted his numerous 
charges over the plains, arriving in eastern Ore- 
gon September 17, having started out April 25. 
Mr. McCall located in Union county for a year, 
and engaged in ferrying on the Grand Ronde 
river. In 1866 he came to Yamhill county, 
locating on a farm of two hundred acres three 
miles southwest of McMinnville, where he 
farmed and raised stock until 1870. During that 
year he became the possessor of a farm upon 
which his son is now living. A few years before 
his death, which occurred September 11, 1899, 
he moved into McMinnville, and thereafter lived 
in comparative retirement, his life rendered 
lonely and purposeless because of the death of 
his wife on the home farm in November, 1886. 

Notwithstanding the excellent training which 
R. W. McCall received under his father, he at- 
tended the agricultural college at Corvallis for 
a couple of years, and there learned of the prog- 
ress attained in this most useful of sciences. 
That this knowledge has been well applied is 
evidenced to all who are privileged to visit his 
well appointed farm, which consists of three hun- 
dred and fifty acres, and which he inherited from 
his father in 1899. Following close upon his 
marriage^ in December, 1875, with Melissa J 
Michael, born in Linn county, Ore., June 14, 
1858, Mr. McCall remained on the home place 
four years, and in 1 881 bought one hundred and 
sixty acres of land near his present home, where 
he lived until 1889. For the following six years 
he rented land from his father, and then moved 
onto a farm near by, where he worked and pros- 
pered until coming into his present inheritance. 
Mr. McCall is especially interested' in stock- 
raising, and during the many years of his agri- 
cultural independence has bought and sold many 
head of valuable cattle, horses, hogs, and sheep. 
Although not interested in politics aside . from 
the formality of casting his vote, he is a stanch 
supporter of Democracy. Mr. McCall has for 
many years been an active member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church South, is stew- 
ard and trustee, and is at present doing excel- 
lent work as superintendent of the Sunday- 
school. The utmost respect and good-will is 
evidenced towards Mr. McCall by all his asso- 
ciates and his worth-while career is worthy of 
emulation from many standpoints. 



WILLIAM WESS, substantially identified 
with farming interests in Yamhill county, was 
born in Germany, February 19, 1847, his parents, 
John and Kate Wess, being also natives of the 
Fatherland. John Wess was a cabinetmaker bv 
trade, and came to America when his son Wil- 
liam was very young. After spending some time 
in New York Citv he came on to Wisconsin, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



71!) 



worked at his trade in Milwaukee for the balance 
of his life, his death occurring in 1852. There 
were but throe children in his family, two sons 
and <me daughter. 

After the death of his father William Wess 
lived with his mother and brother and sister, and 
although they were in somewhat straitened 
:ircumstances, he managed to receive a fair edu- 
cation at the public schools of Milwaukee, and 
to gain a slight knowledge of general business. 
At the age of seventeen he availed himself of 
the opportunity to serve his country as a soldier, 
and in 1864 enlisted in Company E, Thirty- 
eighth 'Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, as a pri- 
vate, and was sent to Madison, then to Washing- 
ton, and later to the front as a member of the 
Army of the Potomac. He participated in the 
battle of the Wilderness, Petersburg, Spottsyl- 
vania, Appomattox Court House, Richmond and 
mam- others, and was mustered out in August, 
1865, thereafter returning to his former home in 
Wisconsin. After attending school for a year and 
a half Mr. Wess repaired to northern Wisconsin 
and worked for several years in the sawmills, 
afterward continuing in that line of activity in 
Menominee county, Mich. . 

In 1875 Mr. Wess came to Oregon, and in 
Yamhill county bought eighty acres of land, to 
which he has added by more recent purchase. 
Out of one hundred and twenty acres in his 
present farm forty acres are under cultivation, 
and many improvements add to convenience and 
profit of a general farming enterprise. There is 
also an orchard of nearly five thousand fruit 
trees, including both apples and prunes. In 1871 
Mr. Wess married Sarah A. Coates, who was 
horn in Xew York, and who is the mother of 
three children, of whom Ira J. is a resident of 
eastern Oregon ; Hugh E. is living at home ; and 
( iertrude O. also is living with her parents. Mr. 
Wess is interested in various fraternal and other 
organizations in which Yamhill county abounds. 
A Republican in politics, he has served as school 
director and clerk for a number of years, and is 
also road supervisor. He is a welcome member 
of Custer Post, No. 9, G. A. R., and is past 
grand commander. In religion he is identified 
with the Christian Church and was its clerk for 
several vears. 



JESSE W. PUGH. The value of temperate 
living and of upright business methods finds il- 
lustration in the life of Jesse W. Pugh. who, 
though eighty-five years old, still retains his 
normal faculties, and manages his splendid farm 
with as much skill as he did half a century ago. 
The life of this honored pioneer, than whom 
there is none more popular or influential in this 
part of the county, began in Kentucky, October 



26, 1818, and as a small boy he moved with his 
parents to Illinois, soon afterward going to the 
state of Iowa. The father was a farmer in 
Kentucky, Illinois and Iowa, and led the strenu- 
ous life of those clays. He was killed by light- 
ning in 1822, his son Jesse being then four vears 
old. 

While on the home farm in Iowa Jesse Pugh 
conceived the idea of joining the pioneers of the 
western slope, and in 1846 joined a party bound 
for the coast. With him came his wife, formerly 
Sarah Ransom, who was born in England, and 
who came to Iowa with her parents when she 
was three years old. The emigrants met with 
little trouble from the Indians, although one of 
the men of the party, by name Edward Trimble, 
was killed by a murderous red man. Mr. Pugh 
and his wife spent the first winter in the west 
at Whitman's Station, and in the spring of 1847 
came to Washington county, Ore., where he 
bought a squatter's claim and upon which he 
lived for about five years. He became a resident 
of Linn county in 1852, taking up the claim of 
six hundred and forty acres upon which he has 
since lived, and which is located eleven miles 
south of Albany, and six miles west of Shedds. 
Practically all of the improvements have been 
made by the present owner, who has availed 
himself of all known devices for conducting a 
model scientific agricultural enterprise. More 
land has been purchased by him at different 
times, and once he owned eight hundred and 
forty acres. His ranch is most complete in all 
of its arrangements, and bears evidence of the 
years of patient care which have been expended 
on it. He raises large numbers of Shorthorn 
cattle and Cctswold sheep, besides fine horses, 
and grain. It is one of the model farms in the 
county, and is exceptionally valuable from a 
monetary standpoint. 

From time to time Mr. Pugh has taken a keen 
interest in politics, but has never been willing 
that his name should appear as a candidate for 
office. For many years himself and wife have 
been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and have attended regularly when the weather 
and their health permitted. The little church 
has been maintained largely through the gener- 
osity of Mr. Pugh, whose influence for good has 
been further felt in the educational matters of 
the county. He is a stanch believer in educa- 
tion, and in all that is progressive and helpful. 
Seven children have been born to himself ana 
wife, of whom Emma is the wife of D. Jenkins 
of eastern Oregon ; James lives on a farm near 
his father ; Alice is the widow of H. Wright of 
Albany : Adelaide is the wife of H. Jackson of 
the vicinity of Tangent : and Anna is the wife 
of A. M. Kendell. near Shedds. Kindly in man- 
ner and generous in his judgment of all with 



720 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



whom he has to deal, Mr. Pugh has always 
maintained the most friendly relations with his 
friends and associates, and no man in the neigh- 
borhood more forcibly represents the substantial 
and thoroughly reliable western farmer. 



J. T. FRYER, who owns and operates one 
hundred and forty acres of land in Yamhill 
county, near Carlton, was born in Washington 
county, near Hillsboro, May 6, 1858. His father. 
John L. Fryer, was a native of Green county, 
Ky., born June 30, 1823, and when a young man 
he became a general tradesman and later he en- 
gaged in farming. With his parents he went to 
Missouri and then gave his attention to freight- 
ing, making trips from St. Louis, Mo., to Santa 
Fe, New Mexico. That was in the early days, 
before the building of the railroads across the 
plains, and such a life brought many hardships 
and oftentimes was very dangerous. In these 
pioneer times William Fryer, the grandfather of 
our subject, also crossed the plains, making the 
trip in 1852. He started with his wife and four 
sons and three daughters. The three sons be- 
sides John L. were Alex, James M. and Joseph, 
Alex being the only one now living. John L. 
Fryer was married to Mrs. Diana (Decker) 
Landess, the daughter of John Decker, and was 
born in Indiana, July 9, 1823. By her first hus- 
band, Abram Landess, she had four daughters 
and one son : Ellen, Mary Jane, Adeline, Martha 
and George W., of Lafayette. Mr. and Mrs. 
Fryer became the parents of three daughters and 
one son, namely : Sarah, deceased ; J. T., of this 
review; Mrs. Angeline Edson, of Carlton; and 
Mrs. Nettie May Edson, now deceased. Mrs. 
Fryer's father and Abram Landess crossed the 
plains from Illinois in 1847, locating in Wash- 
ington county, near Hillsboro. When John L. 
Fryer came to Oregon he took up his abode in 
Yamhill county and in 1854 removed to Wash- 
ington county, where he resided until 1863. He 
then returned to Yamhill county and purchased 
the farm upon which his son J. T. is now re- 
siding. There he lived until his death, devoting 
his energies to agricultural pursuits. He passed 
away January 23, 1877, and his wife's death 
occurred in April, 1882. 

J. T. Fryer spent the days of his boyhood and 
youth in his parent's home and when nineteen 
years of age entered upon an independent busi- 
ness career, taking charge of his father's farm. 
He received his education in the common schools 
and in the State University at Eugene, where he 
spent a year and a half, being one of the first 
students in that institution. Throughout his en- 
tire career he has carried on farm work and hi? 



careful management and supervision of his place 
has led to the development of a highly improved 
property. 

In 1879 occurred the marriage of Mr. Fryer 
and Miss Sarah E. Hutchcroft, who was born in 
Wisconsin on the 7th of August, 1862. In their 
family were four children, but one died in in- 
fancy. The others are Harry L., Millard J. and 
Robert L., who are at home. The farm com- 
prises one hundred and forty acres of rich land, 
of which one hundred and ten acres are under 
cultivation. Mr. Fryer is now making a specialty 
of the raising of hops, having twenty-five acres 
planted to that crop. In his political views he is 
a Democrat and has filled several local offices, 
serving as road supervisor, justice of the peace 
and in school offices. He belongs to the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen at Carlton, also to 
the Artisans of that place, and is connected with 
the Woodmen of the World at North Yamhill. 
His entire life has been passed in Oregon and he 
has therefore been a witness of much of its de- 
velopment as it has left behind the conditions of 
frontier life and advanced to a leading place 
among the great states of the west. 



P. A. BATES. Since his eighteenth year, 
Mr. Bates has seen more even than the average 
emigrant, of the boundless west, his life from 
the time of his leaving his Michigan home being 
full of incident and replete with interest. He was 
born in Wayne county, Mich., April 26, 1832, 
his father, Allen Bates, being a native of Ver- 
mont, born in Spring-field, Windsor county, May 
5, 1788, his wife, Anna, being a native of the 
same place, born December 17, 1790. In 1830 
the family removed to Wayne county, Mich., 
where the father engaged at his trade, which 
was that of a carpenter, until his death January 
21, 1862, with the exception of a few years in 
the mercantile business, shortly before his demise. 
Of the ten children born to them, four are now 
living, all at a distance from the home of their 
childhood. Joseph D. is a farmer in Washington 
county, Ore. ; Lydia A. is the wife of J. S. 
Fisher, a farmer of Livingston county, Mo. ; 
Ellen S. Kinney resides in Brown county, Kans., 
and it was with this daughter that the widowed 
mother made her home until her death in 1870; 
the next to the youngest of the family is P. A. 
Bates. 

In addition to the education P. A. received in 
the common schools of Michigan, he picked up 
with unerring instinct the carpenter trade. At- 
tracted by the reports from the west, with a 
boy's intense enthusiasm he set out in 1850, for 
California, going by way of the Isthmus of Pan- 
ama. On reaching New York City he set sail 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



721 



[or the isthmus, and on arriving he decided there 
was opportunity in that little country, so he re- 
mained for a year and a half, working- at his 
trade. From the isthmus he came to San Fran- 
cisco as ship carpenter, settling in Sacramento, 
and during the prosecution of his trade it was his 
unique fortune to measure the hives of the first 
of bees ever brought west from eastern states. 
Not yel satisfied as to his location for a home, 
lie left California, coming by water to Portland, 
and from there to Oregon City, where he took 
up a homestead claim, leaving it, however, in a 
short time for a farm near Forest Grove, Wash- 
ington county, where he passed ten years of his 
life, meeting with unbroken prosperity in the 
union of bis trade with the tilling of the soil. 
In 1863 he sold out, moving to Yamhill county, 
settling' in Chehalem vallev, where he bought six 
hundred and twenty acres, six miles west of 
Newberg, remaining in this location for twenty- 
seven vears, giving his industry and energy in 
the improvement of one of the fine farms of the 
county. With the proceeds of the sale of this 
property he invested in a flour mill in Lafayette, 
making good profits until 1899, when the loss 
of the mill by fire induced him to again follow 
agricultural pursuits. Near the city of Lafayette 
he now owns four hundred acres of land the 
farming of which he superintends, being also 
engaged in conducting a warehouse in the city. 

Mr. Bates was married April 22, 1855, to Miss 
Nancy Bird, of Forest Grove, and two daughters 
were born of this union : Anna S., deceased, and 
Mary A., wife of P. A. Smith, of North Yam- 
hill. After the death of his wife, March 9, 
1859, Mr. Bates remained alone for nineteen 
years, marrying the second time February 27, 
1878, Olive E. Stout, a native of Kansas. One 
son, Albert T., was born of this union. In his 
political convictions Mr. Bates is a Republican, 
serving as road supervisor and various school 
offices through this influence. He is quite active 
in church work, being a steward and. trustee of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church of Lafayette, 
and in his fraternal relations he is connected 
with the Grange of Chehalem valley. 



B. F. KAUFFMAN. For a number of years 
Mr. Kauffman was a respected and worthy 
citizen of Yamhill county and when called to 
his final rest his death was deeply regretted 
by many friends. A native of Pennsylvania, 
he was born near Millerstown, in Perry coun- 
ty. June 28, 1829, one of a family of five chil- 
dren. His father was a farmer and in his youth 
the son became familiar with all of the duties 
and labors that fall to the lot of the agricul- 
turist. He remained at home until seventeen 



years of age, when he started out to make his 
own way in the world. He had pursued his 
education in the district schools and for many 
winter seasons he engaged in teaching vocal 
music, possessing splendid natural ability in 
that direction. When a young man he was 
engaged in the stock business, and to him was 
due the credit of establishing the Nekoda post- 
office. At that place he opened the first mer- 
cantile store and also engaged in dealing in 
farm implements. 

Having made some progress toward the ac- 
quirement of a comfortable competence and 
feeling that he was justified in maintaining a 
home of his own, Mr. Kauffman was united in 
marriage to Miss Elizabeth Stewart, a native 
of Pennsylvania. Unto them were born five 
children, of whom James S., Clara E. and Al- 
bert are all living in the Keystone state, and 
William and Julius are deceased. While still 
living in Pennsylvania the wife and mother 
died, and in 1867 Mr. Kauffman was again 
married, his second union being with Mary 
Merideth, a native of Pennsylvania. They 
continued to live in that state until 1880, when 
they removed to Kansas and Mr. Kauffman 
engaged in the stock business near Columbus. 
There they lived until 1885, when they came 
to Oregon and here he purchased a farm of 
two hundred and fifteen acres, two miles east of 
McMinnville. Upon this tract he placed all of 
the improvements, building the largest house in 
the locality and also a very extensive barn, in fact, 
he owned one of the best equipped farms in 
the neighborhood, it being one of the attrac- 
tive features of the landscape and at the same 
time the richly cultivated fields returned to 
him a good income. 

Unto the second marriage of Mr. Kauffman 
three children were born, Herbert J., Cora B. 
and Howard B., who are still living on the 
old home place. The parents were devoted 
members of the United Brethren Church and 
their lives were in consistent harmony with 
their professions. On May 29, 1899, Mr. Kauff- 
man'^ labors were ended by death, but he left 
to his family not only a comfortable compe- 
tence, but also the priceless heritage of an 
untarnished name. His widow and sons then 
conducted the old homestead until March 11, 
1901, when Mrs. Kauffman also passed away 
and the sons are now managing the property 
which has come into their possession. They 
are extensive dealers in stock. and raise annu- 
ally large numbers of Shorthorn cattle, Pol- 
and-China hogs and Cotswold sheep. They 
have recently engaged in the dairy business, 
which they have instituted on an extensive 
scale and their farm through their able man- 



722 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



agement has remained a paying investment as 
it was in their father's time. 

Herbert J. Kauffman is a member of the An- 
cient Order of United Workmen, of the For- 
esters of America, and has served as trustee 
of the latter lodge. Howard B. Kauffman is 
also connected with the same fraternal or- 
ganizations and is secretary of the Foresters. 
Both brothers are independent in politics and 
are well known business men, progressive, far- 
sighted and energetic. Their business meth- 
ods are such as commend them to the confi- 
dence of the public and all who know them 
esteem them for their genuine worth. 



FIELDING D. STOTT, one of the pioneers 
of Oregon who crossed the plains in 1851, and 
creditably identified himself with farming and 
other undertakings in Yamhill county until his 
death, December 23, 1889, is recalled by all who 
knew him as one of the most honorable and am- 
bitious upbuilders of this part of the state. A 
native son of the' Hoosier state, Mr. Stott was 
born October 1, 1842, a son of Samuel R. and 
Lucy (Denny) Stott, the former born in the 
state of Kentucky. 

Samuel R. Stott moved from Kentucky when 
a young man, and was a farmer for many years 
in Indiana. In 185 1 he started over the plains 
with ox teams, and arrived at his destination in 
Oregon without any out-of-the-ordinary experi- 
ences enlivening his journey. Near Beaverton 
he bought six hundred and forty acres of land, 
which he occupied until 1861, and then traded 
the same for an equally large farm on the shores 
of Wapato Lake. Here he lived until his death 
at an advanced age. Eight children were born 
to himself and wife, four sons and four daugh- 
ters. Of these, Mary J., Mrs. Myers, is de- 
ceased ; Mrs. Avarilla Thompson is a resident of 
East Portland ; Fielding D. is the next in order 
of birth ; Raleigh and Frank are deceased ; Mrs. 
Rebecca Ball is also deceased ; Samuel is a 
farmer of Sumpter, Ore. ; and Frances is de- 
ceased. 

On his father's farm Fielding D. Stott was 
reared to hard work and large responsibility, and 
acquired his education in the public schools. 
Upon starting out to earn an independent liveli- 
hood he moved onto a farm near Wapato sta- 
tion, and there farmed for about nine years, after- 
ward removing onto his father-in-law Perry's 
place, where he engaged in dairying and farming. 
In August of 1878 he assumed charge of the 
station at North Yamhill and for the balance of 
his life acted as agent. He was a Republican in 
politics, and was much interested in the cause of 
education, his offices as school director and clerk 



enabling him to exert a broadening influence in 
regard to the schools of his locality. He was a 
practical and successful farmer, and took his 
place among the progressive and adaptive element 
of Yamhill county. 

In Washington county, October 1, 1866, Mr. 
Stott married Mary Ellen Perry, a native of 
Worcester, Wayne county, Ohio, and born Au- 
gust 18, 1842. Mrs. Stott is a daughter of 
Robert and Martha (Rossiter) Perry, natives 
of Somersetshire, England. Mr. Perry emigrated 
to America as a young man, settling in Ohio, 
from which state he removed to Oregon via the 
plains in 1852. He located on three hundred and 
twenty acres of land five miles northwest of 
Yamhill, and in 1855 bought a place near North 
Yamhill station of about the same amount of 
land. For the balance of his life he engaged in 
farming and stock-raising, and was fairly suc- 
cessful both as a farmer and business man. In 
his family were two sons and one daughter, Mrs. 
Stott being the youngest child and only daughter. 
Thomas W. Perry is a farmer near North Yam- 
hill ; and Johnson O. H. Perry is deceased. Mrs. 
Stott still lives on the old homestead, and is one 
of the highly respected and well known pioneer 
women of this county. She has been agent for 
the Southern Pacific Railroad at North Yamhill 
for twenty-five years, and gives every depart- 
ment her personal attention besides overseeing 
two farms. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stott were born 
five children : Hazzard Stott, a farmer of Yam- 
hill county and chairman of the Republican 
County Committee ; Daisy M., wife of Everett 
Bullock, of Portland ; Madge, deceased ; Olive 
P., wife of Adolph Gabriel, of New York City, 
and a graduate of the New York law school, 
and in active practice in New York City ; and 
Becca, wife of W. J. Partlow, residing with her 
mother. 



G. C. MORGAREIDGE. The Morgareidge 
family has been represented in Oregon since 
1875, and is associated with substantial efforts 
along general farming and stock-raising lines. 
The present chief bearer of the name was born in 
Morgan county, Ohio, October 9, 1838, his strong 
constitution and capacity for work having been 
inherited from forefathers long engaged in till- 
ing farms in different parts of the middle west. 
To his worth)'- parents were born twelve chil- 
dren, being evenly divided, six sons and six 
daughters, and of this number eight are liv- 
ing. About 1856 the family moved to Iowa, 
and there heard a great deal about the prospects 
of the west, of which they decided to avail them- 
selves. Accordingly, in 1875, directly after the 
marriage of G. C. Morgareidge and Elizabeth 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



725 



Harper, arrangements were made to join one 
of the numerous caravans bound for the fertile 
plains and valleys along the western coast. 

Soon atler arriving in Oregon Mr. Morga- 
reidge purchased his present farm, which orig- 
inally comprised three hundred and ten acres, 
and "then lived for a year in Portland, there- 
after returning and settling permanently on 
his farm. Practically no improvements what- 
ever had been made on the tract at the time 
it came into his possession, and the well-tilled 
acres, fine residence and well constructed barns 
and outhouses are the resnlt of unremitting en- 
deavor on the part of a thoroughly practical 
agriculturist and business man. About sev- 
entv-five acres out of his hnndred and five are 
under cultivation, and general commodities are 
raised, as well as considerable stock. Six 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morga- 
reidge, of whom Oden is deceased; Anna is the 
wife of C. O. Baxter; Raymond lives on an 
adjoining farm ; and Dell, Nora and Wesley 
are living at home. Mr. Morgareidge is a Re- 
publican in politics, and in religion is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



MILES LEWIS. Prominent among the many 
residents of Marion county, who are industri- 
ously engaged in the prosecution of a calling 
upon which the support and wealth of the nation 
greatly depends, is Miles Lewis, a progressive 
and prosperous agriculturist, carrying on general 
farming and stock-raising on one of the largest 
and finest equipped farms in the vicinity of Sil- 
verton. He is a descendant of distinguished Co- 
lonial stock, his paternal grandfather, James 
Lewis, having been a second cousin of Daniel 
Boone, and a son-in-law of John Couch, who 
fought with Gen. George Washington, and had 
the distinction of being the largest man in the 
American army, at his death weighing upwards 
of five hundred pounds. 

Miles Lewis was born June 23, 1837, in Perry 
county, Ky., a son of Daniel Lewis, one of the 
early settlers of Marion county, Ore. Daniel 
Lewis, born in North Carolina, January 23, 1807, 
went with his parents to Kentucky in" 1810, and 
was there reared and educated. ' Learning the 
trade of a stone mason when young, he followed 
it in Kentucky until 1840, when he moved with 
his family to Piatt countv, Mo. Eleven years 
later, in 1851, he started with his family for Ore- 
gon, making the long journey with ox teams, 
being one hundred and thirty days on the way, 
and bravely daring all the hardships and priva- 
tions incidental to life in an undeveloped coun- 
try in order that his children and their descend- 
ants might enjoy the comforts, and even the luxu 
nes. of life without the labor and toil in which 



his life was spent. Taking up a donation claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres in township 
seven, eight miles southeast of Silverton, on the 
Waldo Hills, he first built a small log cabin, and 
as the years passed by and fortune smiled upon 
his labors, that was replaced by a frame house of 
more modern construction. Here he worked at 
his trade, also carrying on the various branches 
of agriculture, until his death, at the venerable 
age of eighty years. He was a Democrat in poli- 
tics, and a trustworthy citizen. When but sev- 
enteen years of age, on November 18, 1824, he 
married Margaret Spurlock, who was born in 
Virginia, January 9, 1808, and then a girl of six- 
teen years. They trod life's pathway together for 
nearly sixty-three years, she surviving him a num- 
ber of years, and dying at the age of ninety-one 
years. They were the parents of ten children, 
two of whom are now living, namely : Jesse H., 
of Whitman county, Wash. ; and Miles, the sub- 
ject of this review. 

Coming with his parents to Marion county in 
1 85 1, Miles Lewis has since resided here, and 
has been actively identified with the agricultural 
interests of the place. As a young man he taught 
school for a number of terms in Marion county, 
and has since evinced great interest in educa- 
tional matters. Remaining beneath the parental 
roof until after his marriage, he ably assisted his 
father in improving the homestead, on which he 
subsequently lived with his wife for nineteen 
years, carrying it on with profitable results. Pur- 
chasing then four hundred acres of the H. Jones 
donation claim, about one-half mile west of his 
father's old farm, he has added to its improve- 
ments, and secured excellent results from his 
labors, the land being rich, and under his man- 
agement yielding good crops each year. In addi- 
tion to general farming, Mr. Lewis makes a spe- 
cialty of raising Durham cattle, Berkshire hogs, 
and Shropshire sheep, meeting with good success 
in this branch of rndustry. He invariably casts 
his vote with the Democratic party, and is a 
member of the Primitive Baptist Church. 

On January 1, 1882, Mr. Lewis married Nancy 
Jane Dillon, a native of the White river country, 
Indiana, having been born June 15, 1855, and into 
their household three children have been born, 
namely, Isaac M., Lulu M. and Mary E. 



DR. GEORGE W. ODELL. Although at 
present living retired on a small place at Chase, 
Yamhill county, Dr. Odel! has ministered for 
many years to the physical woes of humanity, 
and but for his own failing health would un- 
doubtedly still be applying a science which he 
adorned with erudition and true appreciation. 
Dr. Odell is one of the many Hoosier citizens 
who have swelled the ranks of home and fortune 



726 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



seekers in Oregon, and his birth occurred in 
Carroll county, Ind., October 3, 1838. His 
father, John Odell, was born in South Carolina 
in 1800, and died in 1869; while his mother, 
Sarah (Holman) Odell, was born in Kentucky 
in 1803, and died in January, 1887. John Odell 
was a farmer during his entire active life. As a 
young man he emigrated to Ohio at an early 
day, but spent his last days in Indiana, where he 
owned a farm of considerable size. 

The third youngest in his father's family of 
six sons and five daughters, Dr. Odell spent his 
earliest youth in Indiana, and in 185 1, when thir- 
teen years of age, started across the plains with 
his parents, and a company consisting of the 
owners of twelve wagons and their families. 
The future follower of ^Esculapius entered 
heartily into the novelty and zest of this expedi- 
tion, and made himself useful in divers ways, as 
only a sturdy and inquiring boy can. His father 
was captain of the train during a portion of the 
trip, and his place was afterward taken by one 
Captain Allen. All went well as far as serious 
trouble with the Indians or large loss of cattle 
was concerned, and upon arriving near the vicin- 
ity of Dayton, Ore., the father took up a dona- 
tion claim of three hundred and twenty acres, 
upon which he passed the balance of his life. 

When twenty-two years of age Dr. Odell be- 
gan a self supporting existence by driving stock 
to southern Oregon, after which hardening occu- 
pation he began to study medicine at Salem, and 
later at San Francisco. The medical diploma of 
the doctor came from Willamette University in 
1872, and soon after he took up his residence in 
Lebanon, where he practiced with increasing 
success for seven years. For the following seven 
years he was a professional member of the com- 
munity of Eugene, Ore., and then removed to 
within four miles of Dayton, where large pro- 
fessional responsibilities undermined his health, 
and compelled retirement to a higher altitude. 
Accordingly, the doctor removed to his present 
home of forty acres near Chase, where he lives 
with an older sister. The doctor is a Republican 
in politics, and is fraternally connected with the 
Masons of Dayton, of which he is past master. 
Also he is the owner of a farm of one hundred 
and eightv-two acres near Dayton, which he 
rents, and which is devoted to general farming 
and stock-raising. In 1870 Dr. Odell married 
Mary Biddle. Dr. Odell is well known in his 
vicinity, and bears a name identified with public 
spiritedness. generosity, professional excellence, 
and unquestioned personal integrity. 



DUNCAN ROSS. Were one in search of 
ideal general farming and stock-raising inter- 
ests it were not necessary to go further than 



the splendidly equipped farm of Duncan Ross, 
situated four and one-half miles east of Mc- 
Minnville, and containing in all seven hundred 
and fifteen acres. Since coming under the 
present management this property has under- 
gone such vital changes as to bear scarcely any 
resemblance to its former state, rebuilding and 
additions having been unstintingly and con- 
tinuously made. Six hundred acres are under 
cultivation, and Mr. Ross farms about five 
hundred and fifty acres. General farming is 
maintained on a large scale, but the farm might 
properly be spoken of as a stock farm, for this 
department furnishes the greatest source of 
revenue. In cattle a preference is given to 
Shorthorns, and in sheep the Cotswold brand 
is found the most profitable. That Mr. Ross 
contemplates enlarging upon his present herd 
of two hundred sheep is evidenced by the fact 
that he has recently paid $165 for an imported 
Cotswold buck. In horses, the ponderous and 
finely fashioned Clydesdale yields a handsome 
yearly income, and but recently a team weighing 
thirty-five hundred and twelve pounds brought 
their owner $475. Considering the fact that 
Mr. Ross came to Oregon with a very small 
capital his well deserved success and promi- 
nence in the community are well worthy of 
emulation. 

Born among the hardy peasantry of Ros- 
shire, Scotland, in November, 1847, Duncan 
Ross was one of ten children whose father 
was a blacksmith and carpenter. The lad was 
reared in a practical home atmosphere, and 
plenty of muscular exercise, wholesome food 
and ordinary branches of study contributed to 
a mental and physical soundness. At the 
age of twenty-five he migrated to Canada and 
managed the farm of Andrew Allen, of the 
ship company lines, for about six years, and 
in 1877 came to Oregon, where he bought part 
of the Armstrong donation claim seven miles 
south of McMinnville. Four years later he 
engaged in farming on land on which the town 
of Dundee now stands, and after remaining 
there three years, purchased part of the White 
donation claim four miles east of McMinnville, 
where he lived four years. The present farm 
of Mr. Ross came into his possession in 1889, 
and of course at that comparatively late day 
he was able to profit beyond the early set- 
tlers, who were obliged to clear their land 
from the timber. 

An important factor in the success of Mr. 
Ross has been the sympathy and encourage- 
ment given by his wife, formerly Anna Mc- 
Clennan, who was born in Scotland, and whom 
he married in 1875. Mrs. Ross became the 
mother of the following children : Duncan R., 
deceased; Lizzie, the wife of James Cruick- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



727 



shank, living on an adjoining farm ; Emily, 
the wife of Fred McMikee, of Portland; 
Rhoda, attending college in Portland: Lottie; 
Anna; Alexander; Flora and Kittie. Mr. 
Ross is identified with the Masons and Eastern 
Star, and in religion is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. To an exceptional degree 
Mr. Ross occupies an honored place in the 
community and he is recognized as one of the 
best authorities on stock-raising and scientific 
farming in Yamhill county. 



F. M. GLOVER, who owns and operates 
five hundred and seventy-seven acres of valu- 
able land in Yamhill county, was born March 
20, 1840, in Grundy county, Mo., one of a fam- 
i!v of seven children, and a son of John Glover, 
a merchant of Albany, Mo. The son obtained 
his education in the district schools near his 
home and remained under the parental roof 
until he was fifteen years of age, when he 
started out to make his own way in the world, 
being first employed as a farm hand, which 
occupation he followed in Missouri until 1864, 
when he started to cross the plains. This was 
long prior to the era of railroad travel in the 
distant west and he made the journey after the 
usual manner of the times — with ox-teams — 
joining a train of about thirty-five wagons 
which was upon the road for six months. He 
first stopped at Virginia City, Mont., where 
he remained for about a month and from there 
made his way to The Dalles as passenger in 
another wagon. From that place he proceed- 
ed to Portland by boat, arriving at his desti- 
nation with only ten cents in his pocket. He 
came direct to Yamhill county and spent the 
first winter with George Phillips, being prin- 
cipally engaged in that season in hunting and 
catching wild hogs. For a few years he was a 
general laborer, but industry and economy en- 
abled him to eventually become a landowner, 
and he is now one of the prosperous farmers 
of Yamhill county. 

In 1869 as a companion and helpmate for 
life's journey Mr. Glover chose Mrs. Sarah 
J. Monroe and they settled upon a farm about 
three miles west of Whiteson. Unto them 
were born three children : Nettie, who is now 
deceased; James A., who makes his home on 
the old homestead : and Thomas H., of Hono- 
lulu, Hayti. who is a member of the Sixty- 
seventh Regiment Coast Artillery, United 
States Army, having spent two years in the 
Hawaiian Islands. In 1876 the wife and 
mother died. Mr. Glover, however, continued 
to reside on the old home place until 1897, 
when he removed to his present place of resi- 
dence in Whiteson, For his second wife he 



chose Jennie N. Mills, a native of Kansas, and 
they have one child, Mary Beatrice, who is 
at home. 

Mr. Glover owns four lots in the village of 
Whiteson in addition to his valuable farming 
property comprising five hundred and seventy- 
seven acres of rich and arable land. He is now 
living a retired life, his investments yielding 
him a good income. From a very humble finan- 
cial position he has steadilv worked his way 
upward and may well be termed a self-made 
man. His life history proves how potent in- 
dustry, enterprise and careful management are 
in the acquirement of success. His political 
support is given to the Democracy. 



JAMES MONROE CROWLEY, M. D. 
The medical and surgical practice of Dr. James 
Monroe Crowley was inaugurated in Monmouth 
in 1 89 1. The doctor has many claims upon 
the consideration of the community, among 
them being the fact that he is a native son, and 
representative of an influential pioneer * family. 
He was born at what is now Crowley Station, 
four miles north of Dixie, May 27, 1859, n ^ s u ^ e 
beginning under conditions directly the reverse 
of those of the remote forefathers, one of whom 
settled in the extreme east long before the Revo- 
lution, and participated with the colonies in the 
effort to shake off English rule. The paternal 
grandfather, John Crowley, was born in Ten- 
nessee, September 27, 1810, and married Nancy 
Jane Curtis, a native of Missouri, and daughter 
of Elijah Curtis, member of an old Tennessee 
family. Of this union were born three children, 
among whom was Solomon Kimsey Crowley, 
the founder of the family in Oregon in 1852. 
The latter came west in 1864, locating first in 
Polk county, and later in Benton county, his 
death occurring at the home of his son at the 
age of sixty-eight years. 

Solomon Kimsey Crowley was born in Ray 
county, northwestern Missouri, November 1, 
1833, and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Until 
his nineteenth year he lived in his native state, 
spending a somewhat unsatisfactory youth, and 
looking always for chances to better his condi- 
tion. His mother had died when he was a child, 
and his father, when approached, at first re- 
fused to sanction his emigration to the west. 
Eventually he was persuaded, and the youth, 
having a chance to drive a team across, started 
out, encountering on the way many difficulties. 
The year 1852 was prolific of disaster on the 
plains, cholera and smallpox vieing with each 
other in destructiveness. The smallpox was es- 
pecially virulent, and the way of the train in 
which young Crowley traveled was often blocked 
by travelers burying their dead. Strong men 



723 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



were bowed beneath the terrible sorrow of losing 
all that they held dear in life, and mothers were 
left with large families of children, or else ut- 
terly alone in the world. The party crossed the 
Missouri river May 10, and reached The Dalles 
August 1 6th, having stopped nine days on the 
way to nurse a sick child, and always rested 
from their labors on the Sabbath, that the ani- 
mals might have time to recuperate. Reaching 
the Snake river, the cholera broke out, and the 
camp was thrown into a panic because of the 
death of three people within the short space of 
five hours. Solomon Crowley, however, suf- 
fered from none of the vicissitudes which over- 
came the others, but was able to eat three square 
meals a day, and had never a touch of cholera, 
smallpox or mountain fever. He finally met 
with a man engaged in packing to the mines of 
California, and accompanied him thither, where 
he increased his little hoard to the extent of 
about $1,000. Mr. Crowley reached Oregon in 
1852, and bought land in Fulkerson Gap, four 
miles north of Dixie, and where Crowley Station 
is now located. From time to time large tracts 
of land passed through his hands, and he finally 
became the possessor of a thousand acres. He 
here lived and prospered, and in 1876 retired 
from active life, his home at the present time 
being in Oak Grove. Mr. Crowley is a fine 
type of the early pioneer, and is a broad-minded 
and liberal man, and has accumulated an exten- 
sive and valuable property. In 1876 he took his 
entire family to the Sandwich Islands, returning 
in August of the same year, after having a most 
delightful and instructive trip. 

His wife was Hannah Rebecca Fulkerson, 
whose father, Judge J. M. Fulkerson, was born 
in Missouri, and crossed the plains in the early 
'40s, settling in Oregon. He finally removed to 
the Fulkerson Gap, named in his honor, where 
he died in 1881, at the age of eighty-three years. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Crowley were born nine chil- 
dren, four sons and five daughters, of whom the 
doctor of Monmouth is the second child ; Mary 
V. is Mrs. W. Faulk' of Oak Grove ; J. F. lives 
in Seattle ; Nancy Jane is the wife of Milton 
Taylor of Crowley Station ; S. H. lives near 
Crowley Station; and Ada B., Effie L. and Ora 
P. are living at home. Mr. Crowley is a Demo- 
crat in politics, and with his wife is a membei 
of the Baptist church, of which he has been a 
deacon for many years. 

In the fall of 1875 Dr. Crowley entered Mc- 
Minnville College, which he attended for one 
year. He then turned his attention to farming, 
but having had from earliest youth an admira- 
tion for and leaning towards medical science, 
he began to study in 1884 under Dr. Lee of In- 
dependence, in 1888 entering the Missouri Medi- 
cal College at St. Louis, from which he was 



graduated in 1891. The same year he came to 
Monmouth, and, in order to keep abreast of the 
times in his chosen profession, took a post-grad- 
uate course at the Chicago Policlinic in 1898. 
While living at Oak Grove, Ore., the doctor 
was united in marriage with Emma King, who 
was born in Missouri, a daughter of Andrew 
King, who was born in the east and came to 
Oregon in 1880. Mr. King located at Crowley 
Station, of which he was postmaster and station 
agent up to the time of his death in 1893, at 
the age of seventy-two years. Seven children 
have been born to Dr. Crowley and his wife, 
the order of their birth being as follows : Es- 
tella Katura, a student at the Monmouth Normal 
school ; Azilla Emma, a student also at the Nor- 
mal ; Graves F., also a student at the Nor- 
mal; Douglas S., Wendell T., Norman G, and 
James I. Dr. Crowley is a Democrat in politics, 
and is a member of the Baptist church. He is 
popular and enterprising, and his kindness of 
heart, skill as a physician and surgeon, and 
his many humanitarian and charitable acts are 
well known throughout that locality. 



SAMUEL M. DANIEL. In the estimation 
of all who know him Samuel M. Daniel is a 
typical captain of industry of the western slope, 
his mercantile business in Monmouth contribut- 
ing in no small measure to the financial sound- 
ness of the town. No more familiar or wel- 
come figure is seen on the streets of this thriv- 
ing community, nor does any one represent in 
greater degree the whole-souled interest which, 
also, is suggestive of the west. A native son 
of Oregon, he was born near Scio, Linn county, 
May 14, 1865, and in his younger days laid 
the foundation for his present sound physique 
while rising early and laboring long on the 
paternal farm. 

Francis M. Daniel, the father of Samuel M., 
was born in Crittenden, Ky., March 10, 1826, 
and as a young man removed to Missouri, 
whence started so many thousands of emigrants 
for the coast in the early days. In 1852 he 
joined a train bound for the other side of the 
plains, and upon arriving at his destination in 
this state, located on a farm near Dallas, after 
three years removing to Scio, Linn county. In 
time he disposed of his land and located in the 
town, where he engaged in the general mer- 
chandise business during 1864-5, under the firm 
name of Daniel & Curl. Eventually he retired 
from active business, and made his home on a 
farm near Scio, where he remained until his 
death, which occurred March 3, 1901. John T., 
the grandfather, came from farming stock, and 
lived on a farm in Kentucky for the greater 
part of his life and lived to the remarkable age 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



729 



of one hundred and two years. Mary Elizabeth 
Daniel, the mother of Samuel M., was born in 
Missouri, and was a daughter of Willis Gaines, 
born in the east and an early resident of Mis- 
souri. .Mr. Gaines crossed the plains in 1852, 
his equipment being the old-time ox-teams, and 
upon arriving in Oregon located on a donation 
claim eight miles southeast of Scio. Here he 
cleared his land and prospered as the years went 
by, accumulating quite a competence for those 
dependent upon his care. He lived to be more 
than seventy years old, and during his most 
active years was prominent in town affairs. 

Besides Samuel M., there were five other chil- 
dren in his father's family, only two of whom 
are living, one being a daughter. Samuel M. 
is the oldest of the children, and was educated 
in the district schools, entering the Christian 
College at Monmouth in 1881, and graduating 
therefrom in 1885, with the degree of B. S. Be- 
ginning with 1888 he engaged in the mercantile 
business in Scio, which he continued until April, 
1899, when he transferred his interests to Mon- 
mouth, which has since been his home. He car- 
ries a mercantile stock valued at $14,000, and 
besides owns stock in the Monmouth Improve- 
ment Company. An additional source of reve- 
nue is a farm of two hundred and thirteen acres 
half a mile east of Scio, a portion of which is 
improved, and which serves as relaxation from 
business to the fortunate owner. Other property 
in the family is a forty-five acre farm four miles 
west of Monmouth, belonging to Mrs. Daniel. 
In Eugene, Ore., Mr. Daniel was united in mar- 
riage with Verona F. Peek, a native of Junc- 
tion, Ore., and daughter of Henry Peek, who 
was killed in the mines when she was an in- 
fant. Five children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Daniel: Norma E., Luella E., Lorena, 
Clarence, and Edward Gail. In politics Mr. 
Daniel is a Prohibitionist, and he has served as 
councilman four or five terms. 



JOHN DICKINSON. Though not long a 
resident of Oregon Mr. Dickinson has already 
made for himself a prominent place in the af- 
fairs of the city in which he now makes his 
home. His parents, William and Elizabeth 
(Scarborough) Dickinson, were both natives of 
Lincolnshire, England, who with their four sons 
and one daughter emigrated to the United States 
in 1 841, locating in Jackson county, Iowa, where 
the father took up government land to the 
amount of four hundred and eighty acres, upon 
which he engaged in farming. Politically he 
adhered to the principles advocated by the Re- 
publican party. His death occurred upon his 
farm in 1879, at the age of seventy-three years, 



his wife afterward dying in Bridgewater, S. 
Dak. 

The fourth of the family of children was 
John Dickinson, born in Lincolnshire, England, 
March 16, 1838, and coming with the family 
to America when but three years of age. His 
early education was principally received at home 
from the busy father and mother, with the as- 
sistance of his brothers and sister ; at the age 
of twenty-six years engaging in the work to 
which his early training had inclined him, for 
six years remaining in Jackson county, Iowa, 
tilling the soil. Later he found remunerative 
employment in conducting a grist-mill on Beaver 
creek of the same county, and for sixteen years 
he continued in this business. In 1881 he re- 
moved to South Dakota, where he took a home- 
stead of one hundred and sixty acres near 
Marion, two years later disposing of his mill 
in Iowa. For three years, 1877-79, Mr- Dick- 
inson managed the grain elevator for the Inter- 
state Elevator Company of Winona, Minn. In 
1901 he moved his family to Oregon, where he 
bought three hundred and twenty-seven acres 
located six miles southwest of Independence, 
Polk county, upon which he is now engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. He has since 
purchased property near the city, comprising 
four acres of well cultivated ground, with a 
beautiful residence and fine surroundings. Here 
he now makes his home. 

The first marriage of Mr. Dickinson united 
him with Miss Elizabeth Chafer, a native of 
England, who died in Sabula, Iowa. Six chil- 
dren were born of this union, who are as fol- 
lows : Mary, living in Iowa ; Harvey ; Percy, 
and Don, of Oregon; Aloie and Elizabeth, de- 
ceased. His second marriage also occurred in 
Sabula, Iowa, Miss Minnie Cleveland, also of 
England, becoming his wife. Two sons and 
three daughters blessed this union, all of whom 
are still at home, and are named in order of 
birth as follows : George, Henry, Gertrude, 
Belle and Queen. Mr. Dickinson is identified 
with the Masons, being a member of the Blue 
Lodge, the Royal Arch Chapter and Eastern 
Star. Politically he is a Populist and has often 
been called upon to serve in public offices. In 
McCook county, S. Dak., he was county com- 
missioner for a term of three years, and has also 
served as school director and road supervisor. 



LYMAN DAMON. To have lived so well, 
so successfully, and so agreeably as to have one's 
name spoken with terms of warmest commenda- 
tion and even affection by hosts of friends and 
associates, is an achievement of Lyman Damon, 
one of the pioneer upbuilders of Polk county, 
and at present the owner of a little fruit and 



730 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hop ranch of twenty-five acres across the river 
from Independence, in Marion county. Mr. 
Damon comes of farming ancestry, and he him- 
self was reared on a farm in McHenry county, 
111., where he was born February 20, 1849. His 
paternal grandfather, Hosier, was probably born 
in the state of Ohio, and at an early day located 
in the then wilderness of Illinois, where he farmed 
and prospered, living to a good old age. His son, 
George W., the father of Lyman, was born in 
Grundy county, Ohio, and with his parents 
moved to Illinois when very young. After his 
marriage he located on a farm in McHenry 
county, near Marengo, and in i860 took up his 
abode in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he 
became the owner of five hundred acres of land. 
For .sixteen years he was a factor in the devel- 
opment of Winneshiek county, and, after dis- 
posing of his land at a profit in 1876, he located 
two miles south of Monmouth, Ore., where 
he engaged in farming upon three hundred acres 
of land until his demise in 1884 at the age of 
sixty-five years, his death being caused by an 
accident while harrowing in his fields. Through 
his marriage with Charlotte Levens, a native of 
Pennsylvania, and who died in Oregon in 1886, 
at the age of sixty-three years, seven children 
were born, five sons and two daughters, Lyman 
being the third. 

Of an eminently ambitious nature, the youth- 
ful Lyman began to realize his limitations on 
the Iowa farm, and looked around for a broader 
field. With a friend, Edward Snell, he preceded 
his parents to Oregon in 1873, locating for a 
year in Salem, Marion county, where he engaged 
for a year in farming and trucking. Beginning 
with 1874 he held the position of superintendent 
of the Malheur Indian Reservation, and so suc- 
cessful was he that his salary was raised from 
$20 per month to $100 per month in less than 
a year. After serving in this capacity for three 
years, during three different administrations, he 
came to Monmouth in 1877, and bought a farm 
of one hundred and fifty acres of his father. 
Here he lived and improved his property until 
disposing of it in 1890, after which he located 
in Independence, and engaged in the truck and 
dray business for a year. He then purchased 
a farm of forty acres one mile south of Inde- 
pendence, cleared the land of timber and planted 
hops, finally devoting sixteen acres to this hardy 
growth. This farm 'continued in his possession 
until 1902, when he sold out and bought his 
present little property across the river from In- 
dependence in Marion county. 

In Salem, Ore., Mr. Damon married Nellie 
Mitchell, a native daughter of Scotland, and 
whose father, William, came to America about 
1870. Mr. Mitchell located on a farm near 
Dayton, Ore., soon after emigrating from his 



native land, and here died at an advanced age. 
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Damon, of whom Jessie is the wife of Oliver 
Locke, clerk in a dry goods store in Salem ; 
Grace is a telegraph operator at Salem ; Samuel 
is a student in the freshman class at Corvallis, 
Ore. ; and Nellie is at home. Mr. Damon is a 
Republican in political affiliation, and for one 
term served as school director of Monmouth. 
Fraternally he is variously connected with the 
lodges in which the town and county abound, 
being a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows ; the Rebekahs ; the United Work- 
men, in which he has taken the degree of honor ; 
and the Knights of Maccabees. Aside from his 
position as an agriculturist and general business 
man Mr. Damon has been identified with certain 
upbuilding agencies of a pioneer nature in this 
county, notably in the early days when farmers 
were struggling with the problem of rendering 
their grain marketable. At this crisis he pur- 
chased a threshing machine, which soon attained 
popularity, and was very useful in facilitating 
the handling of the enormous grain crops for the 
following fifteen years. 



JAMES A. GRIGSBY. One of the many 
worthy citizens and capable and progressive 
agriculturists of Polk county is Mr. Grigsby, 
proprietor of a highly improved and attractive 
farming estate two miles north of Independence. 
A farmer by choice, he has acquired skill by 
experience in the various branches of this im- 
portant industry, and is meeting with deserved 
success in his extensive operations. A son of 
the late Benjamin F. Grigsby, he was born in 
Meigs county, Tenn., December 23, 1848, of 
Irish ancestry. His paternal grandfather, 
Samuel Grigsby, was a native of Virginia, but 
became a pioneer settler of Tennessee. Benjamin 
F. Grigsby was born in Tennessee in the early 
part of the nineteenth century, his birth occurring 
in 1816. He has been a life-long resident of his 
native state, and during his active carreer was 
engaged in general farming, but is now living 
retired in Meigs county. He married first Re- 
becca King, who was born in Bradley county, 
Tenn. She died in 1849, leaving three children, 
of whom James A. is the youngest. The father 
married for his second wife, Polly A. Owen, and 
they have nine children. 

After finishing his studies in the district school 
James A. Grigsby attended Athens College, in 
Athens, Tenn., for a time. At the age of twenty- 
one years be began the battle of life on his own 
account, becoming a farmer in his native state. 
Emigrating in 1875 to Oregon, he located first 
in Polk county, near Independence, and was 
there prosperously engaged in agricultural pur- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



731 



suits for fifteen or more years. Purchasing his 
sent t'urm in 1891. Mr. Grigsby has since suc- 

isfull) pursued his pleasant and profitable 
■pat ion here, making improvements of an 
i xcellent character, and rendering the estate 
of the most productive and desirable pieces 
of property in the neighborhood. In addition to 
managing his own farm, he also has control of 
the Hurshburg farm of four hundred acres. He 
devotes his attention to general agriculture, 
making a specialty, however, of stock-raising, 
rearing Cotswold sheep. 

Mr. Grigsby married, in 1871, Miss Mary J. 
Jordan, a native of Meigs county, Tenn., and a 
daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Grigsby) 
Jordan. Six children have been born of their 
"union, four of whom are living, as follows: 
Adra B., wife of Albert Dockster ; Robert C. ; 
Savannah T. ; and Martha Jane. Politically 
Mr. Grigsby is identified with the Republican 
partv. and fraternally he is a member of Inde- 
pendence Lodge No. 29, Ancient Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons. 



HENRY FLICKINGER. For an example 
of the prosperous farmer of the northwest one 
need go no further than Henry Flickinger, whose 
manv vears of good management have resulted 
in substantial gains, and enabled him to live in 
retirement with his daughter and son-in-law. 
This honored pioneer of 1850 comes of an old- 
time family of Lancaster county, Pa., where he 
was born on a farm, January 27, 1830, his father. 
Henry, having been born there in 1801. The 
paternal grandfather, another Henry, was born 
near Reading, Pa., and was of German descent. 
The younger Henry was a tanner by trade, and 
through his marriage with Annie Schnader, a 
native daughter of Lancaster county, and also of 
German ancestry, he reared a family of sixteen 
children, four daughters and twelve sons, of 
whom Henry is fourth, and the third in the fam- 
ily to bear the name. In 1855 the father moved 
from Pennsylvania to Stephenson county, 111., 
where he bought a farm and remained for many 
years, locating in the town of Freeport, 111., two 
years before his death, in 1874. His wife sur- 
vived him until 1893. attaining the age of eighty- 
five years. She was born in 1808. 

His father removing from Lancaster to Center 
county, Pa., Henry Flickinger attended the dis- 
trict schools as opportunity offered, and at an 
early age learned the tanner's trade of his sire. 
He was a strong and industrious lad, and am- 
bitious withal, for w'hen twenty years old he 
left home and started out to battle with the world 
independent, of either money or influence. The 
little which he had earned on the home farm was 
expended for a ticket from New York to San 



Francisco via Panama, and the trip thither had 
all of the charm and novelty usual to one who 
had seen little of the world. Arriving in San 
Francisco May 8, 1850, he went at once to the 
mines of Eldorado county, Cal., and met with 
better success than falls to the majority who 
stake their all on the prospects of mining. In 
the fall of 185 1 he came by pack-horses over the 
mountains from Yreka to Salem, Ore., reaching 
the latter town October 18. Observing the ab- 
sence of fresh meat in the mines, he thought that 
to take cattle down there would be a paying in- 
vestment. Having purchased his cattle, he re- 
turned to California, and was so successful in 
disposing of them that he continued in the bus- 
iness for three or four years. 

In 1856 Mr. Flickinger married Martha N. 
Pyburn, a native of Jackson county, Mo., and 
daughter of Edwin Pyburn, who crossed the 
plains in 1852. With his wife, Mr. Flickinger 
located on his present farm of two hundred and 
nine acres, where he engaged in general farm- 
ing, stock and grain-raising, and succeeded be- 
yond the average farmer. Some time ago he 
handed the management of the firm over to his 
son-in-law, H. Maxfield, who married his third 
child. Lilie. Of the other four children, Caro- 
line is the widow of Lyman Maxfield, of Cor- 
vallis, Ore. ; Annie is the wife of Frank Brown, 
of Airlie, Polk county ; and Elizabeth is the wife 
of James Dalton, of Burns, Harney county, and 
the eldest, Alfred, resides near Suver. Mrs. 
Flickinger died at the family home on December 
24, 1873, at the age of thirty-three years. Mr. 
Flickinger cast his first presidential vote for a 
Republican candidate, and has since given that 
party his stanch support. Although in no sense 
an office-seeker, he has served as school director 
and road supervisor, and worked for the ad- 
vancement of his friends. The Flickinger family 
w T as well represented in the Civil war, for Oliver, 
Charles and William, brothers of Henry, served 
all through the contest, and as a result of wounds 
received Oliver died in Linn county, Ore., in 
1898. Mr. Flickinger has the respect and good 
will of the community, towards the development 
of which he has earnestly striven, and in his 
character, attainments and general substantiality 
is worth}- of emulation by younger generations. 



MARTIN PARIS FRUIT. Although com- 
paratively speaking the livery business of M. P. 
Fruit is a recent venture in Corvallis, having been 
started in 1900, the size of the patronage ac- 
corded it, and the many-sided excellence of its 
equipment and management would suggest an 
enterprise of many years' standing. The Brick 
Stables are the result of the consolidation of the 



"32 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Egglin stables, bought by Mr. Fruit, and the 
stables of Mr. McMahan, at present the partner 
and half-owner of the livery business, and they 
are maintaining one of the finest livery establish- 
ments to be found anywhere in the country. 

A native son of the Golden West, Mr. Fruit 
was born at Hellsboro, Sonoma count}". Cal., 
February 13, 1862, and is of German- Scotch 
descent. His father, Peter, was born in Indiana, 
where he lived on a farm, and from where he 
came to California in the historic year of '49. 
After experimenting in the mines of California 
for a time he settled down to horticulture near 
the Red Bluff, and he was the first in his vicinity 
to set out peaches, apricots and small fruits. He 
had a fine orchard, which he eventually disposed 
of, and engaged in the wholesale fruit business 
in Hellsboro. In 1867 he removed to Oregon, 
and for some time engaged in the stock business 
at Brownsville, at present making his home on a 
farm three miles from Crawfordsville, where he 
is living, at the age of seventy-seven years. Dur- 
ing the Rogue river war he acted in the capacity 
of guard at the fort. His wife, formerly [Martha 
Teeters, was born in Scotland, a daughter of 
Henry Teeters, who settled in Oregon City in 
1849. ^ r - Teeters was a stock man in this 
state, an occupation which he continued after 
removing to California, and settling at Red 
Bluff. His death was a tragic one, and resulted 
from falling from a horse. He is survived by his 
wife, who is the mother of eleven children, six 
of whom are living. 

The third in his father's fa m ily, the liveryman 
of Corvallis lived in California until 1867, and 
then accompanied the family to Oregon, driv- 
ing with horses over the mountains. He at- 
tended the public schools at Brownsville, Linn 
county, and when fifteen years of age found em- 
ployment in the warehouse at Halsey, the same 
county. For seven years he was associated in a 
business capacity with T. J. Black, and finally 
re^irned his position to engage in farming on 
the old Wilson place near Halsey. Here he re- 
mained for seven years, making quite a profit 
out of the fertile farm, and at the expiration 
of that time bought a farm of two hundred and 
thirteen acres five miles south of Brownsville, 
and at the foot of the Twin Buttes. Here he 
lived and prospered until 1900, when he rented 
his farm, moved to Corvallis, and engaged in his 
present lucrative and successful livery business. 
In Linn county. Mr. Fruit was united in mar- 
riage with Emiline Michaels, a native of the 
county, and who has become the mother of 
three children: Eli Victor. George Henry and 
Glenn. Mr. Fruit is a member of the Grangers 
and the United Artisans, while the family is 
identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church 
South. 



HENDERSON SIMPSOX. Another name 
to be mentioned among those of the early 
pioneers from the Mississippi valley is Hender- 
son Simpson, who came to Oregon in 1845, m 
company with his parents, growing to manhood 
among the privations incident to the life of 
the first settlers in a new country. He is now 
retired from the active duties of fife and makes 
his home upon the ranch which he purck 
near Airlie, Polk county. 

The father of Henderson Simpson, Rice W., 
was born in Tennessee, reared in Alabama, and 
on attaining manhood he removed to Arkansas. 
In 1845 he followed the example of the many 
other inhabitants of the Mississippi valley and 
sought a home in the west, crossing the plains 
by the route known as the Meeks cut-off, the 
greatest difficulty experienced on the journey 
being the lack of water. During the winter of 
1845-6 he made a home for his family on Tuala- 
tin plains, after which he located near Luckia- 
mute, Polk county, where he remained for one 
year. In 1847 he removed to Washington, lo- 
cating seventeen miles above Vancouver, on the 
Columbia river, his removal from this place be- 
ing brought about by the report of the discov- 
ery of gold in Cahfornia, whither he repaired in 
1849 an( i engaged in the life of a miner. Re- 
turning in the fall of the same year he pur- 
chased, in the spring of 1850, a ranch of six 
hundred and forty acres on the Luckiamute and 
near Airlie, Polk county, for the sum of S200. 
On this land he established a comfortable home, 
and as the years have passed by and land in- 
creased in worth it has become a valuable piece 
of property". The remain in g years of his life 
were spent upon this farm, his death occurring 
in 1882 at the age of seventy-five years. His 
wife. Rebecca, also a native of Tennessee, died 
here in 1863, at the age of fifty-four years. She 
was the mother of nine children, six sons and 
three daughters. 

The second oldest of this family of children 
was Henderson Simpson, who was born in 
Franklin county-. Ark., January 30, 1841, and 
made the trip across the plains at the youthful 
age of four vears. To the extent permitted by 
circumstances he attended the district schools 
in the neighborhood of his home, in his boyhood 
vears, being trained to the useful and practical 
life of a farmer. Some time previous to his 
twentieth birthday he was engaged in farming 
and stock-raising, and at that age he went to 
Montana and was employed as a miner, after 
which he tried life in the sunny clime of Cali- 
fornia. For a brief period of his life he lived 
in Lmpqua valley, and for one year in Tilla- 
mook county. In 1883 he went into the logging 
business, on Luckiamute river, from which he 
has reaped the fruits of a laborious life, being 





/>' /^OHnfn^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



t:;;, 



interested in log contracting. In addition to his 
home ranch he owns eighty acres located on 
Ritner creek, which has not, however, been im- 
proved. 

Mr. Simpson was married in Airlie to Miss 
Martha Faulkenberry, a native of Arkansas, 
whose father, Hugh, of Tennessee, started from 
Arkansas in 1853 to Oregon, and died while on 
the way. He was buried near the present site 
of Denver. Mrs. Simpson's mother was Sarah 
Estes, also of Tennessee, and she ended her 
widowhood by becoming the wife of William 
Scoring, who is now deceased. He was born in 
Ohio and crossed the plains in 1844 and located 
in the Willamette valley. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Simpson were born the following children: 
Jefferson and Hugh, deceased; Phy, a sketch 
of whose life appears elsewhere in this work ; 
David H., engaged in farming and logging near 
Pedee, Ore. ; Lelia now Mrs. Hugh Hanna, of 
Independence, Ore. ; Fain, engaged in the log- 
ging camp ; and one child who died in infancy. 
Mr. Simpson is a Democrat as to his political 
preferment, and religiously is a member of the 
Evangelical Church at Pedee. 



JOHN REDMOND. Few men in Oregon 
have done as much for the development of the 
stock-raising industry as has John Redmond, and 
for this he deserves credit, as the man who im- 
proves the grade of stock thereby advances prices 
and the entire agricultural community profits in 
consequence. More than forty years have passed 
since Mr. Redmond came to this state, and he has 
therefore been a witness of the greater part of 
its growth and development. He was born in 
Ontario, Canada, August 26, 1839, upon the fam- 
ily homestead, about twelve miles southwest of 
Hamilton. He is descended from a prominent 
family of Ireland, and the two Redmonds who 
are members of parliament from the Emerald 
Isle, are own cousins of our subject. His grand- 
father. John Redmond, was a farmer, and spent 
his entire life in Ireland. William Redmond, the 
father, was born in Wexford, Ireland, and he, 
too, followed agricultural pursuits. When a 
young man he went to Canada, settling first in 
Goderich, but afterward purchasing his farm near 
Hamilton. That was then a new country, and in 
the midst of the forests he hewed out his home. 
He assisted in erecting the first three houses in 
Hamilton, and devoted his energies to the culti- 
vation of the land, which he had secured from 
the government, until he had transformed it into 
a fine farm. He wedded Margaret Buckley, who 
was born in Newfoundland, a daughter of Daniel 
Buckley, whose birth occurred in Dublin, Ire- 
land, and who served in the English army. On 



crossing the Atlantic to Canada, the vessel in 
which he sailed was shipwrecked off the coast of 
Newfoundland. For a time he remained in that 
country, and then took up his abode near Hamil- 
ton. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Redmond was 
blessed 'with four sons and two daughters, and 
with the exception of one son, all are living. 
These are John; Daniel, who came to Oregon, 
but of whom nothing has been heard for some 
time; Francis William, of McMinnville ; Charles 
Wesley, of Hillsboro, this state, and Margaret 
and Mary Ann Smith. The father passed away 
in the year 1865, and the mother's death occurred 
in McMinnville. They held membership in the 
Episcopal Church. 

John Redmond, of this review, early mani- 
fested the trait of character which has shaped his 
business career — his love of horses. He was 
reared upon the home farm in his native country, 
and when not engaged with the duties of the 
school, assisted in the labors of the fields, or the 
care of the stock. In 1862, when twenty-three 
years of age, he started for Oregon, making his 
way to New York, where he took passage on the 
vessel North Star, bound for Panama. Thence 
he sailed on the San Diego de Cuba to San Fran- 
cisco, and from there proceeded by steamer to 
Portland, where he took up his abode. In Can- 
ada he had learned the carpenter's trade, which 
he followed in Portland for a year, after which 
he made his way to the mines in the Boise basin 
of Idaho, engaging in prospecting and mining 
for five years. In 1867 he returned to Canada 
by w r ay of the Nicaragua route to New York, 
and thence to his old home. He purchased a 
farm in the vicinity of the old family home near 
Hamilton, where he carried on agricultural pur- 
suits for five years, but he had become attached 
to the west, and about 1873 he sold his property 
in the Dominion and returned to Oregon, going 
by rail to San Francisco. For a time he followed 
the carpenter's trade in Portland, and in 1874 
came to Yamhill county and purchased his pres- 
ent farm of three hundred and twenty acres, 
three miles southwest of McMinnville. He now 
has three hundred and forty acres, and for almost 
thirty years he has continuously carried on gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising here. He was the 
first man to raise standard-bred horses. In 1878 
he returned to Goshen, Orange county, N. Y., 
where he purchased three stallions, which he 
shipped to the coast, being among the first 
standard-bred stallions brought to Oregon. 
They were Kisbar, sired by Rysdeck Hamble- 
tonian ; Durock Prince, by Messenger Durock 
Hambletonian ; and Rockwood, by Truesdall 
Hambletonian. Mr. Redmond owned these stal- 
lions several years, and he has done much to im- 
prove the grade of stock in Oregon, raising many 
fine horses here. In 1899. however, he left his 



736 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



farm, and took up his abode in McMinnville, 
where he now makes his home. 

Mrs. Redmond was born in Scotland, and died 
in Yamhill county, leaving three children : Wes- 
ley, Mina and Roy. In his fraternal relations 
Mr. Redmond is a Mason, belonging to Union 
Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M., of which he is a' past 
master; Taylor Chapter No. 16, R. A. M., of 
which he is a past high priest; Hodson Council 
No. i, R. & S. M. ; Oregon Commanderv No. i, 
K. T. ; Al Kader Temple, N. M. S. ; and the Ore- 
gon Order of the High Priesthood. He is like- 
wise connected with the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. For forty years he was a member of 
the Episcopal Church, but as there was no con- 
gregation of that denomination in McMinnville 
he is now connected with the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian Church. His political support is given 
to the Republican party. Mr. Redmond is a 
high-minded and liberal man, prominent in pub- 
lic affairs, and all recognize his devotion to the 
best interests of his adopted county and state. 



ALPHONSO WEBSTER STANARD. 
Owning and occupying one of the pleasantest 
and most desirable homesteads of Linn county 
is A. W. Stanard, of Brownsville, who is dis- 
tinguished not only as one of the original set- 
tlers of this section of the county, but as a vet- 
eran of the Rogue River Indian war. His land 
is under a high state of cultivation, and, with 
its comfortable and convenient farm buildings 
and their neat and tasteful surroundings, in- 
variably attracts the attention of the passer-by, 
and bears speaking evidence of the thrift and 
good management of the proprietor. He comes 
of a New England family of worth and sta- 
bility, and was born April 24, 1829, in New- 
port, N. H, the home of many of his ancestors. 

Removing with his parents to Van Buren 
county, Iowa, when a lad of seven years, Mr. 
Stanard was brought up on the farm which his 
father bought, and was educated in the common 
schools. During the winter of 185 1 and 1852 
he taught school near the town of Bonaparte, 
Iowa. In the spring, impelled by the restless 
American spirit that led so many to seek new lo- 
cations in the wild lands of this section of the 
Union, he started for Oregon. Joining Clay- 
bourn Hill's train, he drove an ox-team across 
the plains, being six months on the way, be- 
fore he reached Linn county. The trip was an 
eventful one for him, as during the journey he 
fell in love with Mr. Hill's daughter, Eliza J. 
Hill, wooing her so earnestly that he won her 
love in return, and. having gained the consent 
of her father, married her in the fall of 1852, 
soon after their arrival in Oregon. Taking up 
a donation claim of three hundred and twenty 



acres in November, 1852, Mr. Stanard erected 
a one-room log house, in which he and his bride 
set up housekeeping. Clearing and improving 
a homestead, he carried on general farming most 
successfully, in the course of time erecting his 
present residence, and other necessary build- 
ings. With the exception of two years, from 
1866 until 1868, when he served as county clerk 
of Linn county, and the following three years, 
when he was engaged in mercantile business in 
Albany, and where, in 1868, he was elected' rep- 
resentative to the state legislature as the nomi- 
nee of the Democratic party, and in 1870 re- 
elected, serving two terms, Mr. Stanard has de- 
voted his entire attention to agricultural pur- 
suits, becoming exceedingly prosperous in his 
operations. A man of practical judgment and 
executive ability, he served as mayor of Albany 
during two of the five years that he resided in 
that city, rendering efficient service while filling 
that office. 

During the Indian troubles of 1855 an d l ^>5^> 
Mr. Stanard enlisted, in the fall of 1855, in 
Captain Keeney's company, Second Regiment 
of the Oregon Mounted Volunteers, and was 
elected first lieutenant of his company by his 
comrades. After serving three months in the 
Rogue River campaign, he was discharged, and 
returned to his home. Re-enlisting in the spring 
of 1856 in the same regiment, he was made 
orderly sergeant of Captain Blakeley's com- 
pany, and again spent three months in the Rogue 
River country, serving as long as his services 
were needed. 

In 1854 Mr. Stanard's first wife died, leav- 
ing his hearthstone desolate. Two years later, 
in the fall of 1856, Mr. Stanard married Eliza- 
beth Hill, a sister of his first wife. Of his first 
union one child was born, named Melissa, who 
is deceased. By his second marriage there were 
ten children, three of whom have passed away : 
Clara, Frederick and Bert. Those living are 
William Obed, Charles Edwin, George Clay- 
bourn, Harvey Alfred, Frank Coleman, Idilla, 
wife of A. S. McDonald of The Dalles, and Min- 
nie, living at home. Politically Mr. Stanard 
was for many years an adherent of the Demo- 
cratic party, but is now a sturdy supporter of 
the principles of the Prohibition party, which in 
1902 nominated him for the state legislature. 
He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, 
with which he has been identified for fifty-one 
years, and in which he has served as clerk and 
deacon for many years. Mr. Stanard is a 
brother of E. -O. Stanard of St. Louis, who was 
at one time lieutenant governor of Missouri and 
served as representative in congress from that 
state. He is one of the best known residents 
of St. Louis, where he has extensive milling in- 
terests. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



737 



ADDISON P. BLACKBURN. Two and a 
half miles cast of Plainview lives Addison P. 
Blackburn, owner of a farm of four hundred 
acres in the valley, and of four hundred acres 
in the mountains. An inspection of this proper- 
ty is both interesting and instructive, for the 
owner, a self-made man in the truest and fullest 
sense of the word, is a keen appreciator of 
country life, and brings to his aid those scien- 
tific and modern devices which distinguish the 
successful and progressive from the conserva- 
tive and less ambitious farmer. 

Born in Clinton, Monroe county, Mo., May 
i j, 1844, a son of Robert and Salissa (Pollard) 
Blackburn Mr. Blackburn was educated in the 
public schools, and was reared in a family where 
industry and moral rectitude were of prime im- 
portance. His uneventful youth welcomed the 
outbreak of the Civil war as an opportunity in 
which to try his mettle, and with the first call to 
amis he enlisted in September, 1861, under Gen- 
eral Price, with whom he afterward served as 
orderly, and whose banner he followed until 
defeat overcame the brave little band. After 
six months in the field Mr. Blackburn located 
on a farm in Hancock county, 111., where he 
met and married, July 3, 1864, Arabella Wood- 
worth, daughter of Hiram and Polly (Glenn) 
Woodworth. Two years later he moved back 
to Missouri and settled in Saline county, pur- 
chasing the farm upon which he lived until 
1877. The same year he came to Oregon and 
spent several months in investigating different 
parts of the state, finally settling on a farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres in Linn county. 
Purchasing his present home farm in 1883 he 
lived thereon until 1898, in which year he moved 
to Lebanon, remained four years, and then re- 
turned to the old place. On his home and 
mountain farm he raises large numbers of high- 
grade cattle and sheep, and is unquestionably 
one of the best judges of stock in the county. 

Executive ability has made of Mr. Blackburn 
a welcome addition to the social, political and 
business element of the county, and few efforts 
at advancement but receive his stamp of ap- 
proval or are aided by his practical assistance. 
For many years he has been prominent among 
the Odd Fellows, and is a member of Lebanon 
Lodge No. 47, Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, of which he is nobie grand and treasurer, 
and which he represented at the Grand Lodge 
in 1902. Mr. Blackburn has been a member of 
the Presbyterian church since his youth, has in- 
variably supported it with his means and active 
interest, and has been an elder in the church 
for many years. He is a man of strict integrity 
and upright character, and his place among the 
upbuilders of this section is an assured one. 
To him and his wife ten children have been 



born, named as follows in the order of their 
birth: Luella, deceased, wife of H. E. Heller 
of Pendleton, Ore. ; Lester, of Umatilla county, 
Ore. ; Jennie, wife of Edgar Nichols of Leban- 
on, Ore. ; Horace Eli, of Brownsville, Ore. ; 
Minnie, wife of L. H. Fletcher of Lebanon, 
Ore. ; Charles, deceased ; John, of Pilot Rock, 
Umatilla county, Ore. ; Walter, Edith and 
Ethel, all residing with their parents. 



WILLIAM M. DAVIDSON. The landed 
possessions of William M. Davidson in Linn 
county include the home farm of three hundred 
and seventy acres, where he is engaged in gen- 
eral farming, and a foot-hill farm of four hun- 
dred and eighty acres where he raises large 
numbers of stock. The home farm has all those 
aids to scientific and modern farming and to 
up-to-date and comfortable living, which dis- 
tinguish the progressive farmer. His dwelling, 
barns, fences, shrubbery, plants, trees, and gen- 
eral adornments, constitute a beautiful as well 
as productive possession. 

The early life of this substantial and popu- 
lar farmer was passed in Fulton county, Ind., 
where he was born April 8, 1845, a son OI 
Henry and Sarah (Montgomery) Davidson, 
natives of Ohio, and born respectively May 28, 
1818, and December 27, 1824. Of Scotch-Irish 
descent, Henry Davidson inherited the thrift and 
resource of this combined ancestry, and made a 
corresponding success of his life. As a young 
man twenty-one years of age he left home and 
went to Fulton county, Ind., where he began 
farming for himself, and married in 1841 and 
remained there until 1852, when he came to 
Oregon, thereafter settling the first winter on 
a donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres three miles north of Halsey. In 1876 he 
moved into the town of Halsey, retired per- 
manently from active life, and died in 1894, be- 
ing survived by his wife, who still makes Hal- 
sey her home. William M. is the second in 
order of birth of the four children in the family, 
Mrs. H. M. Murphy, the oldest daughter, being 
a resident of Independence, Ore. ; Theodora, 
living near Eugene in Lane county ; and Mary, 
the wife of R. Cunningham, living in Lebanon, 
Linn county. 

His father's success and his own industry 
permitted of more than the average education 
for William Davidson, and from the public 
schools he went to the Christian College at 
Monmouth, which he attended during the sea- 
sons of 1863-64. Leaving college he went 
to eastern Oregon and engaged in stock-raising. 
In 1866 he returned to Linn county and the 
following year bought a place two miles and a 
half east of Harrisburg, remaining thereon un- 



738 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



til the fall of 1874. He then sold his farm and 
bought his present home five miles east of Har- 
risburg, which he has since converted into one 
of the very valuable and desirable properties in 
this county. In June, 1867, Mr. Davidson mar- 
ried Rosetta Morris, who was born in Missouri, 
October 24, 1848, a daughter of George G. Mor- 
ris, who crossed the plains in 1853, and settled 
two miles southwest of Harrisburg. Of the 
eight children born of this union six are living, 
Clara, the oldest daughter, being the wife of 
Clyde McCoy of Harrisburg; Bruce H. is liv- 
ing at home; Elsie is the wife of George Pugh 
of Brownsville, Ore.; John H. is a resident of 
Rowland, Ore. ; Oril E. is a citizen of Cor- 
vallis, Ore. ; and Lydia is living at home. Mr. 
Davidson is a Republican in political affiliation, 
and has served acceptably as school director and 
clerk for a number of years. He is a member 
and active worker in the Christian Church ,and 
is at present a deacon. He is one of the broad- 
minded and liberal farmers of this vicinity, and 
numbers his friends and well-wishers by the 
score. 



WINFIELD S. GARDNER. The old-time 
photographer, with his genius for exact imita- 
tion, and his appalling ignorance of light, shade 
and color effects, has long since been relegated 
to the limbo of things obsolete. In his place has 
arisen a successor who, in his best form, is some- 
thing more than a reproducer, and who ofttimes 
has at his command more resources than has the 
painter or sculptor. More and more is photog- 
raphy regarded as an all-important and distinct 
art in itself, and its proper and most successful 
practice demands of its devotees a spirit and 
ability in harmony with its own infinite possi- 
bilities. W. S. Gardner, of Corvallis, is credited 
with being an especially keen appreciator of his 
art, and the work so zealously prosecuted in his 
modern and well-equipped studios bespeaks the 
mind and heart not entirely given over to the 
money-making phase of his calling. Though 
making a specialty of his college trade, which 
in itself constitutes a liberal yearly income, Mr. 
Gardner has done much to perpetuate the 
beauties of nature found in this valley, and his 
photographs and views find their way to all 
parts of the world, and are admired as specimens 
of 'the highest development in photographic re- 
production. 

A native of Tioga county, Pa., Mr. Gardner 
was born November 30, 1863, his father, Thomas, 
being a native of New York state. A carpenter 
and builder by trade, the father brought his 
family to Oregon in the fall of 1876, settling in 
Salem, where he plied his trade up to the time 
of his death, June 10, 1885. His wife, formerly 



Sarah Cornelia Cole, and who is now living 
in California, is the mother of five children, all 
of whom are living, three being in California 
and two in Oregon, W. S. being the second child; 
Arthur is a plumber, in Sebastapol, Cal. ; Capitola 
is the wife of John Hulburt, of Benton county; 
Van Ness lives in the vicinity of Santa Rosa, 
Cal., and is engaged in horticulture ; and May 
is Mrs. Homer Donten, of Woodland, Cal. 

Thirteen years of age when the family fortunes 
were shifted to the northwest, W. S. Gardner 
had the advantages of the public schools of both 
Pennsylvania and Oregon, and when fifteen 
years of age, in 1878, began to look around for 
a means of livelihood. Realizing that congenial 
work means successful, and having an artistic 
and high-strung nature, he seemed to see in a 
dim sort of way the possibilities which opened 
before the student of photography. Accord- 
ingly, he began to study with W. P. Johnson, 
of Salem, and in the capacity of apprentice and 
assistant remained with this prominent artist 
for about nine years. As may be imagined, he 
was a real student of the art, constantly seeking 
development in his chosen calling, and became 
an expert in his profession, devoting all of his 
time to improving himself and keeping pace with 
the times. Coming to Corvallis in 1887, he in- 
augurated the business in which he has since 
been engaged, and for the accommodation of 
which and to house his family, he has built one 
of the really fine residences in the town. The 
second floor is devoted to the studio, and a large 
suite of rooms constitutes the gallery and re- 
ception rooms. 

In Corvallis Mr. Gardner married Louisa I. 
Hurlburt, a native of Benton county, and a 
daughter of Riley A. Hurlburt, a native of- 
Huron county, Ohio. Mr. Hurlburt was born 
November 26, 1830, a son of Abel Hurlburt, 
the latter born in New York state. The grand- 
father, Abel, was a blacksmith by trade, and 
at an early day settled in Huron county, Ohio, 
moving later to Kalamazoo county, Mich. Still 
later he settled in Chariton county, Mo., where 
he worked at coopering and blacksmithing. In 
185 1 he brought his family to Oregon, settling 
first on a donation claim in Benton county, 
where he farmed, and from where he removed 
to near Sheridan, Yamhill county. Here his 
death occurred at an advanced age, his wife, 
Anna (Reed) Hurlburt, having died in Benton 
county. Of their seven children but two are 
livings With Abel Hurlburt to Oregon came 
his son, Riley A., then twenty-one years of 
age, and very useful in helping to drive the 
oxen and care for the loose stock. Riley A. lo- 
cated on a claim of one hundred and sixty acres 
in Benton county, where he lived for four years, 
and then bought a farm on the river. From 





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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



741 



time to time he added to his land, and now 
owns eleven hundred acres, all in Benton county. 
He was successful in the west, and reared in 
com fort his large family of nine children. In 
Benton county he married Sophia Whittaker, 
who was horn in Ohio, a daughter of Jacob 
Whittaker, a stonemason by trade, who brought 
his wife and children overland in 1852. He 
settled on a farm in Benton comity, but eventu- 
ally retired to Corvallis, where his death oc- 
curred, being survived by his wife. Of the 
children born to Riley A. Hurlburt and wife, 
Mary Ann is now Mrs. Wrenn, of California; 
John T. is living on the old home farm; George 
F. is in Utah, and engaged in mining; Louisa 
is Airs. Gardner, of Corvallis ; Jane is Mrs. 
Caton, of eastern Oregon ; Seth is engaged in 
mining in Utah ; Margaret is now Mrs. Smith, 
of St. Louis, Mo. ; Fannie is Mrs. James Mace, 
of Portland ; and Jacob is a farmer in Benton 
county. 

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Gardner, Edna and Viola. Fraternally Mr. 
Gardner holds membership with the Woodmen 
of the World. Mr. Gardner is a member and 
deacon of the Baptist Church, and is ex-supefin- 
tendent of the Sunday school. He is a man of 
high moral principle and pronounced public- 
spiritedness, and his place in the business and 
social world of Corvallis is an enviable one. 



AMOS SMITH GLEASON. The agricul- 
tural interests of Marion county are well rep- 
resented by Amos S. Gleason, who is the owner 
of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres 
situated one and one-half miles south of Hub- 
bard, one hundred and thirty acres being under 
cultivation and the balance used for pasturage. 
Aside from general farming Mr. Gleason makes 
a specialty of Shorthorn cattle, and of these he 
has some" of the finest on the Pacific coast. He 
also conducts a dairy and is very successful in 
this line. From his youth up Mr. Gleason has 
had a predilection for the occupation he has al- 
ways followed, and at the age of twenty he start- 
ed out to make his own way in the world. That 
he has achieved success is indicated by the pros- 
perous condition of his farm, the many improve- 
ments he has added to it, and the fact that he 
has acquired an independent fortune. All this 
is due to the fact that his aim was high, that 
whatever he undertook he carried forward to 
completion, and that he considered anything he 
did worth doing well. 

The early history of Amos S. Gleason is that 
of the average farmer lad. His birthplace was 
Ripley county, Ind., near Milan, the date of his 
birth October 13, 1832. He is a son of Parson 
and Mary A. (Smith) Gleason, the former a 



native of Vermont, born August 2, 1799; the 
latter born in Connecticut in the year 1798. The 
parents started housekeeping in Indiana, making 
that state their home until 185 1. The father 
had removed from Vermont to Indiana when he 
was twenty-one, and through frugality and 
economy had accumulated sufficient money to 
purchase a farm, on which he lived with his 
family until the year above mentioned, when 
they crossed the plains, coming direct to Clack- 
amas county. They were five months on the 
way, and the journey was made with ox-teams, 
without anything of importance occurring on 
the way except that they could not fail to be im- 
pressed with the grandeur of the scenery, when 
they reached the mountains, and the broad, al- 
most interminable stretch of the plains with 
scarcely anything to relieve the eye over that 
vast territory. Mr. Gleason, Sr., took up a dona- 
tion claim of three hundred and twenty acres 
01 land on the present site of the town of Needy. 
The Gleasons were pioneers in this locality, the 
work of civilization having been scarcely begun 
at that time. The land was all wild and unim- 
proved, and Mr. Gleason set about making a 
home for himself and family. He built a hewed 
log house in which the family resided for about 
four years, when they removed to a farm on 
Pudding river, three miles east of Hubbard, re- 
maining there until the death of the parents. 
In this family were twelve children, of whom 
three are now living: Aaron B., of Hubbard; 
Amos S., of this review; and Irving E., of 
Benton county, Ore. The father of this family 
lived to be over ninety years of age, while the 
mother passed away at the age of eighty-three. 
They were faithful and earnest members of the 
United Brethren church and were the principal 
promoters and builders of Hopewell Church. 
Mr. Gleason was an ardent and active politician, 
taking an active part in political matters, and 
ever voting with the Republican party. He was 
a farmer all his life and also conducted a dairy. 
Amos S. Gleason received his preliminary ed- 
ucation in the district schools of his native 
county, and later pursued a course in the uni- 
versity at Salem, afterward teaching school for 
about seven years. December 29, 1859, ne was 
married to Jane Amanda Johnson, who was born 
in Illinois and came with her parents, Mr. and 
Mrs. Neil Johnson, to Oregon in 185 1, settling 
near Woodburn. After their marriage the young 
couple established their first home on Butte creek, 
six miles north of Siiverton. One child was 
born of their union, Jane Amanda, the wife of 
Herod Choate, of Clackamas county. In 1861 
Mr. Gleason was called upon to mourn the loss 
of his wife. He afterward married Miss Eliza- 
beth J. White, who was born in Callaway county, 
Mo., and with her parents came to Oregon in 



7L2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1852. Her family history is given elsewhere in 
this volume, in connection with the life record 
of her brother. Mr. and Mrs. Gleason continued 
to reside on Butte creek until they removed to 
their present home. In the meantime he was 
engaged in the sawmill business in Marion and 
Yamhill counties for about eight years. The 
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gleason has been 
blessed with four children : Erne, wife' of H. C. 
Moon, of Woodburn; Sarah V., wife of S. T. 
Loudon, of Aumsville; Nina A., at home; and 
Arthur A., deceased. 

February 22, 1856, Mr. Gleason enlisted in 
Company E, First Regiment Oregon Mounted 
Volunteers, under Capt. William A. Cason, and 
was mustered in at Oregon City for service in 
the Indian wars. The troops were sent east of 
the mountains to protect the emigrants -from 
the Indians and outlaws which infested the re- 
gion at that period. Mr. Gleason served for 
one hundred days, during which time his com- 
pany had no severe engagement. His duty hav- 
ing' been performed, he returned to his home 
and took up the work of the home farm ; He 
has also served as road supervisor, justice of 
the peace and as a member of the school board. 
In every respect his public service has met with 
the approval of the people, and he stands high 
in his community as an advocate of good roads, 
good schools, and law and order. In politics he 
is an earnest Republican, while his religious 
views are indicated by his membership in the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

To say that Mr. Gleason is a man of practical 
ideas, broad-minded and liberal in his views, 
and of the highest integrity of character, is but 
doing him simple justice. He takes pleasure in 
fulfilling the duties of his daily life, and casts 
his influence on the side of progress and general 
advancement. 



MOSES PARKER. No pioneer resident of 
Linn county has more substantially aided in the 
development of its agricultural and other re- 
sources than Moses Parker, who has been a resi- 
dent of this portion of Oregon ever since 1852, 
and who, in 1855, bought the second threshing- 
machine in the county, and has ever since op- 
erated some one of these necessary machines. 
True, the old time lumbering, wheezing, and 
unreliable thresher has been many times sup- 
planted by more modern innovations, steam has 
taken the place of horse power, and expediency 
in the disposal of the grain has left far in ar- 
rears the slow and laborious pioneer methods. 
While his fellow-agriculturists were struggling 
with the old-time cradle, gathering the golden 
grain into small bundles, and depositing it at 
intervals in rows in the field, this energetic and 



progressive tiller of the soil brought a reaper 
into the county, the first to arouse the curiosity 
of field laborers here, and a subject of endless 
investigation and discussion. Criticism soon 
gave way to praise, and others followed the 
example of progress set by their honored com- 
patriot. To equal extent but in different direc- 
tions Mr. Parker has fostered advancement in 
other fields, supporting with his influence and 
practical assistance schools, road building, good 
government, and humanitarian projects for the 
uplifting of the people. 

The earliest years of Mr. Parker were spent 
on a farm in Ross county, Ohio, where he was 
born November 4, 1830, remaining there until 
the family removal to Burlington, Iowa, in 1845. 
The ambitious lad saw beyond the borders of 
the paternal farm, with its ceaseless drudgery 
and small remuneration, and at the age of sev- 
enteen, in 1847, ne went to Burlington and 
learned the carpenter's trade. Becoming a jour- 
neyman carpenter, he worked faithfully and lived 
economically, hoping all the time for better 
things, and finally coming to believe that he 
would find them in the west of which he had 
heard so much. In 1852 the opportunity came 
to him, and with his brother Allen he outfitted 
with a wagon and four yoke of oxen, crossing 
the plains without any extraordinary happening. 

In the fall of 1852 Mr. Parker took up a dona- 
tion claim of one hundred and sixty acres on the 
Santiam river, in Linn county, Ore., three miles 
north of Lebanon, and while his summers were 
devoted to his trade, for which he found great 
demand, his winters were spent on the farm. 
After living alone until 1856, he married Mary 
C. Humphreys, and thereafter continued on the 
farm until selling out in 1858. Mr. Parker then 
bought his present farm of three hundred and 
twenty acres, and with the exception of three 
years in Sweet Home valley, he has since made 
this his home, and not only farmed and raised 
stock, but has assisted neighboring farmers with 
his threshing machine with the coming of every 
harvest. He has added to his land and now 
owns four hundred and eighty acres, all in the 
valley, wheat and stock comprising his principal 
source of revenue. In the early days he met 
many obstructions to his progress, the Indians 
proving at times very troublesome. During the 
war of 1856 he enlisted in the Second Oregon 
Mounted Cavalry, and saw service in the Walla 
Walla country, taking part in many of the prin- 
cipal battles and skirmishes in that memorable 
contest. 

In political affiliation Mr. Parker is a Demo- 
crat, but he has never desired office. He is so- 
ciable in the extreme, a very pleasant and genial 
man to meet, and one who is inclined to look 
on the bright side of life. He is connected with 



PORTRAIT AND 1UOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



743 



the Grange, and has greatly advanced the best 
interests of that helpful institution, and is also 
a member of the Ancient ( )n!er of United Work- 
men. Right children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Parker, of whom the oldest son, Perry 
1'.. lives near his father; Lewis T. is a resi- 
dent of Portland; Hiram is a farmer in this 
vicinity; William E. lives in the vicinity of the 
home place and is operating a threshing ma- 
chine; while Annie, Mary A., John and Allen 
are deceased. 



GEORGE R. FARRA, M. D. In 1877 Dr. 
George R. Farra came to Corvallis, established 
an office in a modest and unassuming way, and 
from a small beginning long ago became an im- 
portant figure in professional circles in Benton 
count v. Nor have his efforts been confined to 
a large practice, for his pronounced business and 
executive ability have resulted in a position of 
equal prominence as a promoter and financier. 
From a childhood containing little of the joy 
or expectancy of life the doctor has evolved 
single-handed his present success. He was born 
on a farm in Woodford county, Ky., September 
13. 1843, a son °f J orm R- an d Martha J. Farra, 
natives of the Blue Grass state, and of German 
and Scotch ancestry, respectively. The parents 
were married July 30, 1840, thereafter continu- 
ing to live in their native state until 1847. re_ 
moving then to Platte county, Mo., where the 
father died September 9, 1852, his wife after- 
ward re-marrying. 

Dr. Farra was nine years of age when his 
father died, and this loss in the family was a se- 
vere blow to the growing and ambitious boy. He 
was required to work hard to promote the gen- 
eral support, and his education was sadly neg- 
lected, a deficiency which he was not slow to 
realize after reaching years of discretion. His 
first insight into regular business was acquired 
in a grocery store in Humboldt, Allen county, 
Kans., where he remained for two years, and 
for the following two years' was interested in the 
drug business in Platte county, Mo. In the 
meantime he had been reading medicine under 
a well known physician and surgeon of Platte 
county. Dr. W. P. Moore, and during 1875 en- 
tered the medical department of the University 
of Louisville, from which he was duly graduated 
in 1877. having completed the course in a re- 
markablv short time. After a short practice in 
Louisville he came to Corvallis, where he has 
since rendered himself indispensable to hun- 
dreds of families in this county. Many things 
have contributed to his successful practice, not 
the least of which is an agreeable and optimistic 
manner, and the ability to keep abreast of the 
progress of medical and surgical science. In 



this connection he has for many years been a 
member of the Oregon State Medical Society. 

The doctor is not only a large stock-holder 
in many of the important enterprises of Corvallis 
and vicinity, but has been the chief promoter and 
instigator of many of them. From the time of 
its incorporation in 1885, he has taken a keen 
interest in the Corvallis Water Company, of 
which he is the president and chief stockholder, 
and which owes its present prosperity to his far- 
sighted management and progressive methods. 
He is a director of the old Oregon & Pacific 
Railroad Company, now the Corvallis & Eastern, 
and of the Willamette Land & Loan Association, 
the latter incorporated in 1889. While living in 
Corvallis Dr. Farra has built two residences, the 
latter, built in 1903, being by far the finest in 
the town. He married in Platte county, Mo., 
February 9, 1873, Amna Hamilton, a native of 
Missouri, who became the mother of two chil- 
dren, both of whom are deceased. Dr. Farra 
is a stanch upholder of the Democratic party, 
but has never worked for or desired official po- 
sitions. However, he has been a member of the 
city council, and has served as county physician'. 
He was for several terms a member of the pen- 
sion board. He is fraternally connected with the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which 
he was examining physician for many years ; 
the Woodmen of the World, of which he is a 
charter member and the examining physician. 
He is also a member of the Blue Lodge of Ma- 
sons. 



FRED BENTS. One of three brothers who 
have made a signal success in the cultivation of 
hops in the state of Oregon is Fred Bents, whose 
birth occurred in Platte county, Kans., April 
13, 1855. His parents were natives of Switzer- 
land, his father, Henry, being born on a farm in 
that country, where he was reared, and in man- 
hood married Anna Bosshard, with whom he 
emigrated to the United States in 1854. The 
journey was not an uneventful one to this young 
Swiss family, their first venture into the world 
being shadowed by a perilous sea-voyage, the 
sailing vessel on which the}' came springing a 
leak in mid-ocean ; and the sad death of their 
first child, which occurred upon the trip. Six 
weeks from the date of sailing the vessel an- 
chored in New York harbor, but the voung 
people were not satisfied to make this their 
home, having heard many glowing accounts of 
the rich "farming lands of the Mississippi valley, 
and toward that location they continued their 
journey. 

Settling in the eastern part of Kansas, Mr. 
Bents took up a homestead, where he remained 
farming until 1863, at that time losing his home 



744: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and all the improvements which he had put upon, 
it through a defective title. Nothing daunted 
by the misfortunes which had attended him he 
decided to seek a home still farther in the west, 
starting in this last-named year for Oregon, 
with four oxen drawing the wagon which con- 
tained his worldlv possessions. Six months later 
the little party reached their destination, settling 
first in Marion county on the claim of Barney 
Eberhard, where they 'remained until 1864, when 
Mr. Bents bought the farm of three hundred 
acres which is now in the hands of his children. 
He paid but $500 for the entire tract, which at 
that time was a wilderness of brush and timber. 
He bought the land of John Scheurer,_ giving 
him $100 for the first payment, in addition to 
the remaining ox of the four with which he had 
commenced 'the journey. In later days Mr. 
Scheurer proved a valuable friend to this pioneer 
family, assisting the father in many ways to 
gain a competency for his family. Upon his 
farm Mr. Bents at once built a cabin of hewed 
logs, which consisted of two rooms, the entire 
building being onlv 16x16 feet, and in this the 
family found shelter for many years, going out 
from this humble home each morning with the 
pioneer's determination to win an honorable 
place in this new state. Mr. Bents died June 
20, 1869, at the early age of forty years; a suc- 
cessful man, financially and socially, and his 
death meant a personal loss to the community 
His wife survived him many years, her death 
occurring February 20, 1890, at the age of sixty- 
four years. Thev were both consistent members 
of the Lutheran' Church. Of their children all 
but one were born in the United States, those 
living being as follows: Fred, of this review; 
Edward, located in Salem; William, a farmer 
. and hop-grower on a part of the home farm; 
and Henry L., also on a part of the home farm. 
On the death of his father, Fred Bents, the 
oldest of the sons and then only fifteen years of 
age, took entire charge of the farm, which he 
conducted with remarkable skill until 1881, when 
he left the conservative lines of the general 
farmer and undertook the cultivation of a five- 
acre field of hops. Meeting with gratifying suc- 
cess he gradually increased the number of acres 
until, with the interests of his two brothers, 
William and Henry L., he has nearly seventy 
acres devoted to its cultivation. In 1902 he 
alone raised twenty-seven thousand, four hun- 
dred and fifty-three' pounds of hops. In partner- 
ship with these same brothers Fred Bents owns 
the original three hundred acres purchased by 
their father, and upon his share of the same in 
1887 he put some handsome improvements in 
the line of buildings, etc., and moved to the pres- 
ent location of his home. He has a finely im- 



proved farm one and one-half miles from Butte- 
ville, Marion county. 

The marriage of Mr. Bents occurred April 3, 
1885, and united him with Minnie Byland, a na- 
tive of Linn county, Ore. Four children have 
been born of this union, named as follows : Mary, 
William, Clarence and Hattie. 

In politics Mr. Bents is a Republican. Fra- 
ternally he is a member of Champoeg Lodge 
No. 27, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 
and of the United Artisans. He is known as one 
of the liberal-minded, progressive citizens of 
the county, and actively interested in promot- 
ing its welfare whenever the opportunity to do 
so presents itself. 



WALTER HUSTON. It is a far step from 
the educational life in the early days of Virginia 
to agricultural pursuits in the lands of Oregon, 
but it is not an exaggerated one, and it may be 
possible that Walter Huston owes his intelligent 
and progressive labors to that ancestor, Archi- 
bald Huston, who was one of the educators in 
the state upon the Atlantic coast, where the 
grandfather, Walter Huston, was born, his Irish 
ancestry transmitting sturdy, steady virtues 
which have made their influence felt among 
various scenes and at different crises of the 
country's history. A well known member of 
this family and one whose history is indelibly 
associated with that of the country to the south- 
west, is Gen. Sam. Houston, the cousin of the 
grandfather of Walter Huston. 

The father, J. B. Huston, was born near 
Nashville, Tenn., December 2.2, 1810, and when 
a young man went to Henderson county, 111., 
there engaging in farming as one of the early 
settlers of that part of the country. A 3'ear 
after his settlement there he returned to his 
home in Tennessee, and while there married 
Katherine Huston, who was born in 181 1, near 
the same location in which Mr. Huston first saw 
the light of day. They removed to Illinois, 
where they remained pleasantly located until 
1853, when, with their ten children, they crossed 
the plains to Oregon, ox-teams being used in 
the traveling and the journey occupying six 
months of the year. The first winter was spent 
in Linn county, where the father bought the right 
to a claim twelve miles south of Albany, to which 
they at once removed and engaged in cultivating 
and improving the same. The death of Mr. Hus- 
ton occurred in 1879, upon the farm selected 
upon their first arrival here. The mother sur- 
vived him until 1893, when she died in the same 
location. Politically he was a Democrat and 
religiously he was a member of the Christian 
Church at Sand Ridge. Ore. 

Of the twelve children which blessed the 




e.p 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



747 



union of his parents Walter Huston was the 
fifth in order of birth, and was born in Hen- 
derson countv, 111., March i, 1839. and there 
lived until he was fourteen years old, attending 
the district school in the vicinity of his home in 
the intervals of his home duties, which early 
training, and a brief attendance in Linn county, 
Ore., constituted his education. He removed 
with his parents to Oregon in 1853, and re- 
mained with them for the ensuing seven years. 
When he reached his majority he left home 
and sought livelihood and independence by 
prospecting east of the mountains, and later 
extending "his operations throughout the entire 
northwest. Satisfied with the returns after 
about four years of this kind of work, he bought 
a farm located eight miles from Brownsville, 
where he engaged in fanning for about ten 
years. Industry, energy and perseverance are 
never without their reward, and in 1874 he was 
able to make a purchase of one hundred and 
sixty acres which now make up his present 
farm. This is located one and a half miles east 
of Harrisburg, Linn county, where his time is 
largely devoted to stock-raising, as he has for 
the present retired from active farming. 

The marriage of Mr. Huston occurred in 
1868, upon his father's place, and united him 
with Susan E. Smith, a native of Missouri, 
whose death occurred in 1876. In 1878 he mar- 
ried Lodemma A. Shelley, who was born in Lane 
county. October, 1855,. the daughter of Michael 
Shelley, who crossed the plains in 1848 and lo- 
cated in the county where his daughter was 
born. By his first marriage he was the father 
of the following children: Rosa B., the wife 
of Alfred Huelat, of Seattle, Wash. ; and Es- 
tella. the wife of Roy A. Reed, of Walla Walla, 
Wash. By the second marriage the following 
children have been born : R. C, now located 
in Seattle, Wash. ; Raymond ; Ethel ; Veda ; 
and Blanche. In his religious views Mr. Hus- 
ton follows his father's convictions and holds 
membership with the Christian Church, Harris- 
burg, where he officiates as deacon. His wife 
is a member of the same church. Politically he 
casts his ballot with the Democratic party. 



E. P. WALKER, who is serving his third 
term as a member of the city council of Salem, 
has made for himself a record as a public of- 
ficial that is above condemnation or criticism. 
He has been a resident of this city since 1880, 
coming from the Mississippi valley. He was 
born in Shelby county. 111., the son of Jesse 
D. and Sarah (Calvin) Walker, both natives of 
Kentucky, and the former of Scotch descent. 
Removing to Illinois, the father settled in Shelby 
county, where he carried on farming until his 



death in 1852, while his wife passed away in 
the same state in 1844. They were the parents 
of eight children, of whom two sons and two 
daughters are now living, the brother of our 
subject being Harvey Walker, represented 
elsewhere in this work. The daughters are Mrs. 
Pauline Bankson, of Bethany, 111., and Mrs. 
Martha Moore, of Moultrie county, 111. 

Mr. Walker of this review was born April 
13, 1832, and was reared upon the home farm 
in Shelby county until nineteen years of age. 
During that time he pursued his studies in a 
log schoolhouse which was seated with pun- 
cheon benches and had other primitive furnish- 
ings. Quill pens were used and the text books 
w r ere very crude as compared with those used 
at the present time. He spent but three months 
during the winter seasons in school and the 
rest of the year worked in the fields. When 
nineteen years of age he went to Van Buren 
county, Iowa, where he spent the summer and 
then returned to Illinois, having in the mean- 
time been employed as a farm hand for $12.50 
per month. After he again located in his na- 
tive state he entered the employ of an English- 
man who gave him $25 per month for feeding 
and caring for the stock. That he was faith- 
ful to the work intrusted to him was shown 
bv the fact that he remained in the English- 
man's service for seven years and during that 
time he saved his money until he was enabled 
to purchase a land warrant, for which he paid 
$160. This entitled him to secure one hundred 
and sixty acres of land in Moultrie county and 
at different times he made purchases and 
trades. In 1865 he removed to Tazewell coun- 
ty, 111., settling near Pekin, where he secured a 
farm of two hundred and forty acres which he 
successfully cultivated until 1880. when he 
came to Salem, Ore. He had visited this coun- 
try in 1875, his object being to ascertain what 
prospects the country afforded, and at that 
time he made his way to the Rogue river. 
That he carried away with him favorable im- 
pressions is shown by the fact that he returned 
in 1880 and two weeks after his arrival pur- 
chased a farm of one hundred and eighty acres 
for which he gave $16,000. This is one of the 
finest farms in the valley, located four miles 
northeast of Salem on the Silverton road. 
Subsequently he extended the boundaries of 
this property until the farm now comprises 
three hundred and eighty acres in one body, 
his land being operated by his two sons. Since 
1893 Mr. Walker has lived retired from the 
active duties of farm life. Two years of this 
period have been spent in Pasadena. Cal., but 
at the end of that time he returned to Salem. 
where he has resided continuously since. 

Mr. Walker was married in Tazewell county. 



'48 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



111., to Miss Clary M. Davis, a native of that 
locality and a daughter of one of the early 
pioneer farmers of the state. Seven children 
were born of this marriage : Thomas F., who 
is living on the home farm ; Mrs. Sarah Sav- 
age, who died in Salem ; Mrs. Annie Martin, 
who also passed away in this city; Mrs. Emma 
Savage, of Brooks, Ore. ; Harvey, who is liv- 
ing on the home farm, and two who died in 
infancy. 

Since 1877 Mr. Walker has been a valued 
member of Chemeketa Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. 
F. and is identified with the encampment of 
Salem. On questions of national importance 
he gives an earnest support to the Democracy 
and in 1898 he was nominated on the Citizens' 
ticket for the office of councilman from the 
first ward. Having been elected he was ap- 
pointed a member of the ways and means com- 
mittee, also of the committee on accounts and 
current expenses and chairman of the printing 
committee. The duties of the office he re- 
garded as a sacred obligation which he fully 
met, giving to every subject which came up 
for settlement his earnest consideration. He 
was very active in reducing the city debt from 
$85,000 to $65,000 and in funding the latter 
amount with four per cent bonds in place of 
eight per cent bonds and these were sold as 
popular loans. He was also instrumental in 
reducing the expense of the electric light of 
the city to one-half the former amount. His 
fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and 
value in office, re-elected him on the Citizens' 
ticket in 1900 by a large majority and during 
the second term he was a member of the fire 
and water committee, of the committee on ac- 
counts and current expenses and chairman of 
the ordinance committee. In 1.902, against his 
wishes, however, he consented to again become 
a candidate and is now serving for the third 
term of two years. Over the record of his 
public career and private life there falls no 
shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He is 
a man of much worth and high standing and 
is also classed among the wealthy residents of 
Salem. This fact is due to a life of industry 
carefully directed. He started out for him- 
self without means, but was determined to win 
success if it could be gained through honorable 
methods and persistency of purpose and to- 
day he is one of the substantial men of his 
adopted country. Mr. Walker is entirely 
self-made and out of debt. No man can say that 
he ever presented any obligation to him that was 
not promptly met. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN CHUTE. Although 
comparatively a newcomer in Monmouth, Mr. 
Chute is well known, and wherever known i§ 



respected. Great interest in all of the local en- 
teprises is maintained by him, and he does all 
within his power to promote the general pros- 
perity of his adopted city. The birth of Mr. 
Chute occurred in Faribault county, Minn., Sep- 
tember 22, 1863, and his parents were William 
E. and Mary Ann (Hill) Chute, both of Canad- 
ian birth. Shortly before the birth of the son 
the parents had left their home in Canada and 
settled on a quarter section of land in Fari- 
bault county, Minn., which from that time until 
1 90 1 continued to be the family home. In the 
year last mentioned, however, the father re- 
tired from active cares and made his home with 
his son, who in the meantime had removed to 
Chicago, 111., and there the father's death oc- 
curred in 1902, at sixty-five years of age. The 
maternal grandfather, Walter Hill, was also a 
Canadian by birth, and upon emigrating to the 
United States located on a farm near Eagle 
Lake, Minn, where the remainder of his life 
was spent. 

Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
William E. Chute, four sons and one daughter, 
Abraham L. was the oldest son and second 
child. His education was received in the ex- 
cellent schools for which Canada is famous, and 
in getting an education he worked with the 
same energy that has characterized all his ef- 
forts in life, doing with a will and determina- 
tion whatever he set his hand or mind to do. 
At twenty years of age^ he felt himself suffi- 
ciently equipped to take up the affairs of life on 
his own account, and forthwith took from the 
government a grant of land in South Dakota 
which he improved and cultivated for seven 
years, but in 1890 he sold the land and went to 
the Northwest Territory, where he also filed on 
a piece of land and engaged in farming. It 
was in the year 1894 that he cast in his lot with 
the citizens of Oregon, and at once became 
identified with her immense lumber interests. 
One winter at this, however, sufficed to prove 
that it was not a line that he cared to continue 
permanently, and in June, 1895, took up his 
abode in Monmouth, Polk county, and here he 
expects to make his home continuously. 

It is said nothing which we learn in life can 
be wasted, but on the other hand can always 
be turned to good account, and so it has proved 
in the case of Mr. Chute. It was while he was 
in Canada that he learned the blacksmith's trade, 
and ever since his identification with the city of 
Monmouth he has followed the latter calling, 
for which he seems to have a special aptitude, 
and is meeting with gratifying returns from a 
monetary standpoint. His faith in the city of 
Monmouth as a desirable place of residence has 
been further indicated by the fact that in the 
southeastern part of the city he has erected a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



74 9 



fine residence, which is not only a credit to the 
owner, but to the city as well. In addition to 
this property he also owns nine acres of land 
within the city limits. 

It was while in South Dakota that Mr. Chute 
and Miss Maggie Connor, a native of Canada, 
were united in marriage. Three children were 
born to them and all are still at home, their 
names being as follows : Ray William. Blanch 
Victoria and Stella May. Mrs. Maggie Chute 
lied May I, 1896, at Monmouth, and in 1897 
Mr. Chute was married to Annie Henson. a 
native of Missouri, and three children have been 
horn to then. Lora Anna, Mary Elizabeth and 
lohn Lincoln, all being at home with their 
parents. 

Private interests have not consumed the en- 
tire attention and time of Mr. Chute, as his two 
terms of valuable service as a member of the 
city council will testify, and in behalf of the 
Prohibition party he has done all that has been 
possible within his power to further the cause 
of the party. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Woodmen of the World and the Fraternal 
Union of America. The family are members of 
the Evangelical Church, liberally assisting in 
its support. 



JOHN M. McCARTXEY. Countless as 
were the number of men who cheerfully accept- 
ed the hard conditions incident to life among 
the undeveloped regions of Oregon in pioneer 
davs, there is scarcely the name of one lost 
from the history of the country. Although 
nearly a scorce of years has passed since John 
M. )dcCartney died, he is still remembered 
among the people with whom he mingled as a 
pioneer of the Willamette valley, there giving 
his energy to the upbuilding of the country as 
a cultivator of the broad fields of the generous 
western land. 

Mr. McCartney came with his parents to Ore- 
gon in 1852. when he was only fifteen years 
old, having been born November 18, 1837. He 
was a native of Gibson county, Ind.. and a son 
of Henry A. McCartney, who was born in Ten- 
nessee, a descendant of Scotch ancestry. The 
mother was Margaret A. Finney, of English 
descent. When but one year old his parents 
removed from Indiana, locating in Monmouth, 
111., being there among the early settlers, after 
which they spent six months in crossing the 
plains, the journey's end finding them in Linn 
county. Ore. There they passed the first win- 
ter, after which the father took up a donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres lo- 
cated on the banks of the river and upon the 
present site of Peoria, and of this little town 
Mr. McCartney was one of the benefactors. 



He also served two years in the Oregon legis- 
lature. The mother died August 12, 1862, at 
Peoria, and in 1881 Mr. McCartney sold his 
property and removed to Sodaville, where he 
died January 15, 1893. 

The early education of Mr. McCartney was 
received in the common schools of Linn county, 
where he remained until attaining his majority, 
when he left home and bought one hundred 
and sixty acres of land located one and a half 
miles west of Shedds, where he took up farm- 
ing. After eight years' residence there he re- 
moved to his father's old claim in 1872, and 
continued there for four years, at the expira- 
tion of that .time becoming the owner of the 
two hundred and twenty acres which his widow 
now r has in her possession. This is located two 
and a half miles north of Harrisburg, and con- 
sists of two acres more than was included in 
the original purchase. From the time of the 
purchase until his death, which occurred Feb- 
ruary 2, 1885, Mr. McCartney remained here 
engaged in farming. The wife of Mr. McCart- 
ney was in maidenhood Melinda J. Porter, a 
native of Boone county, Ind., having been born 
there December 1, 1844. She was the daugh- 
ter of James A. Porter, who was born in Rus- 
sell county, Va., June 15, 1816, and died in 
Harrisburg, Linn county. Ore., in 1880. He 
had married Nancy S. Knott, a native of White- 
water, Ind.. who died in 1862 near Halsey, Ore., 
when forty-seven years old. In 1853 Mr. Porter 
brought his family across the plains, September 
11 finding them in the Willamette valley, where 
he bought the right to a donation claim located 
four miles northwest of Halsey, where Mrs. 
McCartney w-as reared. After her education 
was finished she married November 14. 1861, 
and became the mother of four children, name- 
ly : Asburv A., w T ho now r lives at home and 
conducts the farm; Nancy A., the wife of A. 
J. Basey, of Salem; Edgar I., deceased; and 
Guv M., at home. Since the death of her hus- 
band Mrs. McCartney makes her home upon 
the farm, where general farming is now carried 
on. Mr. McCartney was a Republican in poli- 
tics. Mrs. McCartney is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church of Harrisburg, in which 
she officiates as trustee, and has held that posi- 
tion for the past five years. 



JAMES S. BUCHANAN. Among the 
prominent men of Polk county, Ore., is to be 
named James S. Buchanan, wdiose success in life 
has been entirely the result of excellent busi- 
ness judgment and the abilitv to execute his 
plans, combined with a quickness of decision 
bv which he has taken advantage of many an 
opportunity which would have escaped a less 



750 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



astute man. Mr. Buchanan is now a merchant 
of Airlie in a building which he erected in 
1902, his business comprising no small item 
among the mercantile interests of the city. 

The father of James S. Buchanan, Thomas, 
was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and on com- 
ing to Canada at an early day he became em- 
ployed at Montreal in building the docks. Later 
he was engaged at Carryall Rapids in building 
a canal, his business being that of a civil en- 
gineer. Later in life he became the owner of 
a large farm, where he was engaged in farm- 
ing and breeding fine horses, meeting his death 
while at this latter business in 1849 by the run- 
ning away of a horse attached to a sleigh. He 
was a finely educated, popular man, and was 
very prominent in the local politics of his com- 
munity and exercised no little influence in pub- 
lic affairs. His business ability was indicated 
by the fortune which he had acquired at the 
time of his death. He married Floranda Hutch- 
ins, a native of New York City, whose father 
was a lumber merchant at the Lake of Two 
Mountains, and was very successful in his busi- 
ness, exporting large quantities of lumber. He 
came to his death at a comparatively early age 
while running a raft at Power's bridge at La- 
chute. 

Of the eight children born to his father and 
mother, five sons and three daughters, James S. 
Buchanan was the seventh child and the young- 
est son, and was born on the Lake of the Two 
Mountains. May 24, 1836. After his education 
in the common schools was complete he and his 
brother Paul were sent to the Ray school in 
Newark, N. J., from which they graduated at 
an early age. After serving an apprenticeship 
at the boot and shoe trade he engaged in the 
manufacture of these articles at the age of nine- 
teen years, locating in Upper Canada, Huron 
county. Until the Civil war broke out in the 
United States he carried on a splendid business, 
having ten men employed. Taking advantage 
of the need in the neighboring country, he be- 
gan importing horses into the United States to 
sell to the government, and continued at this 
with handsome profits until the close of the war. 
In 1866 he decided to make his home in the 
United States, locating first in Roscoe, 111., where 
he engaged in broom manufacturing. After a 
year there he sold his interests and removed to 
Sheridan county, Mo., making a purchase of 
eight hundred acres of land upon which he re- 
mained engaged in farming until 1873, when 
he again changed his residence, taking up a 
homestead in Graham county, Kans., near Hill 
City. Pie proved up on his property and paid 
out, but not meeting with the success which he 
bad hoped to find in stock-raising he came to 
Oregon in 1887, purchasing a mercantile estab- 



lishment at Wren, Benton county. For three 
years he made this his sole interest, building 
up a fine custom, and at the expiration of that 
time he bought a store at Summit, conducting 
the two for some time. In 1892 he disposed of 
this second interest at a comfortable profit. 
Leaving his son, Orville, to conduct his interests 
at Wren he came to Airlie and engaged with his 
son-in-law, A. D. McKisson, in a general mer- 
chandise establishment, the partnership later be- 
ing dissolved by Mr. McKisson leaving the coun- 
try for Nome, Alaska, when Mr. Buchanan be- 
came sole owner of the business. The business in 
Airlie having grown to larger proportions than 
Mr. Buchanan cared to handle alone, he sold his 
interests in 1901 in Wren and gave his son em- 
ployment in this city, in 1902 putting up the 
building now occupied by his business. 

Mr. Buchanan was married in Goderich, On- 
tario, to Miss Eliza Dickson, a native of Brock- 
ville, Canada, the daughter of a lumber mer- 
chant, who died in that country when quite 
young. Of the children born of this union 
Floranda is now the wife of F. P. O'Neil of 
Washington; Annie is Mrs. D. M. Collop, of 
Fairhaven, Wash. ; Kate, deceased, was the 
wife of M. Sexton ; Rosena is the wife of A. D. 
McKisson of Montavilla, Ore. ; Orville makes 
his home in Airlie, engaged in business with his 
father, with whom he has always worked, be- 
ing business manager of the mercantile estab- 
lishment. He was born in Missouri, and is mar- 
ried ; Mrs. Fay Glassford, who has three chil- 
dren living — two sons and a daughter — Paul, 
Neal and Gay; Evy, the wife of W. J. Newton, 
a farmer located near Colfax, Wash. ; John and 
Samuel, deceased, and buried in Blueville, Can- 
ada; and two daughters who died in infancy 
and were buried in Missouri. Mr. Buchanan is 
a Democrat of the Jacksonian type. His wife 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 



HENRY H. BRINKLEY. A meritorious 
war record preceded the coming of Henry H. 
Brinkley to Oregon in the fall of 1866, and he 
has since lived on a well improved farm of three 
hundred and three acres in Polk county. Born 
in Paducah, McCracken county, Ky., April 18, 
1838, he is a son of William W., and grandson 
of Timothv Brinkley, both of whom were natives 
of North Carolina, and of English descent. Spe- 
cial mention is due William W. Brinkley, who 
was a cripple, and notwithstanding this discour- 
aging circumstance, accomplished much during 
his active life, acquired a good education in his 
vouth, and also prepared for the future by learn- 
ing the shoemaker's trade. For many years he 
was a school teacher, and in connection therewith 
made shoes, and also managed a farm. When 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



751 



his son, Henry H was a mere boy he removed 
Illinois, locating on a farm in Gallatin county, 
subsequently residing on farms in Hardin and 
Hamilton counties. He was a stanch Democrat, 
and served for many years as justice of the 
peace, ami about 1850 represented Hamilton 
county in the state legislature for a couple of 
terms. In Gallatin county he was united in 
rriage with Mar} Hall, a native of Gallatin 
unty, and whose grandfather was a soldier 
in the war of 1812. Mrs. Brinkley died in 
Hamilton county at the age of forty, leaving five 
children, three sons and two daughters. Her 
husband survived her until 1870, and died in 
Hamilton county at the age of seventy. 

With the other members of his family Henry 
II. Brinkley moved around a great deal in Illi- 
nois, and at irregular intervals attended the 
early subscription schools. He was living on a 
farm in Gallatin county when the war broke out, 
and September 16, 1862, enlisted in Company E, 
Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry as a private, and 
served as first duty sergeant. The regiment was 
stationed at Peoria, 111., for five months, and 
afterward sent to Louisville, from which head- 
quarters it scoured the state under the command 
of General Hobson. In the spring of 1863 it 
- sent in search of General Morgan under 
command of General Shackleford, returning to 
Glasgow, Ky., at the expiration of five weeks. 
In September, 1863, the regiment was sent across 
country under General Burnside to Knoxville, 
Tenn.. and was later with Sherman in the Atlanta 
campaign, eventually falling back and joining 
I leneral Thomas in the fight at Nashville. 
During the last mentioned battle Mr. Brinkley 
received a slight wound on the left hand from a 
sabre, and also was hit in the face with a shell. 
After being mustered out at Pulaski, Tenn., 
July 31, 1865, he returned to Gallatin county, 
111., and remained there until coming to Oregon 
in i860. He took steamer at New York city, 
crossed the Isthmus of Panama, and arrived in 
San Francisco, from which port he -sailed for 
Portland. 

The Brinkley farm is valuable and well im- 
proved, and is devoted to farming and stock- 
raising, a specialty being made of Cotswold 
sheep. A comfortable and commodious resi- 
dence, good barns and the latest implements 
contribute to the pleasure and profit of one of 
the most peaceful and satisfactory occupations 
in the world. In 1871 Mr. Brinkley married 
Annie Wilds, a native of Benton county, and 
born on Soap creek, upon which her father, John 
W ilds, settled after crossing the plains in 1846. 
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Brinkley: Mary, the wife of A. J. Bagley of 
Athens, Ore. ; John, living in Boise City ; Jessie, 
the wife of Fred Koomtz, of Athens, Ore.; 



Walter, at home; Annie, living at Salem, Ore.; 
and Thomas, at home. Mr. Brinkley is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and has been road supervisor 
and school director. He is fraternally associ- 
ated with the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men of Corvallis, and the Grand Army of the 
Republic of Independence. 



JOSEPH ELMER HAMILTON. The pio- 
neers who came to Oregon before the rush for 
gold sent countless numbers out upon the plains, 
thus minimizing the danger of travel, are deserv- 
ing of more than passing mention, exhibiting as 
they did a courage almost beyond the belief of 
those who today occupy palace cars, and gaze 
upon the farms which have supplanted the haunts 
of the Indian from one ocean to the other. Among 
the class of men who were influenced rather by 
the fertility of the soil than the contents of the 
mines, and who swelled the emigration west- 
ward of 1847, must be mentioned Joseph Ham- 
ilton, former agriculturist, merchant, state legis- 
lator, and promoter of Linn county. This hon- 
ored pioneer was the father of Joseph* E. Hamil- 
ton, occupant of the old homestead at the present 
time, and who was born thereon, June 17, 1862. 

Joseph Hamilton was born on a small farm 
near Londonderry, Ireland, March 25, 1819, and 
came to the United States with his parents in 
1826, settling on a farm in Ohio, where he grew 
to manhood. He was married, in 1846, to Caro- 
line Owens, born near Richmond, N. C, and after 
his marriage continued his occupation of thresh- 
ing in Iowa, to which state he had in the mean- 
time removed. In 1847 he outfitted with ox- 
teams and a prairie schooner, joined a train of 
people bound for Oregon, and was on the road 
six months. The party had several skirmishes 
with the Indians, and one of the men was killed ; 
they also had a number of cattle stolen. The 
first winter was spent near Salem, and in the 
spring of 1848 Mr. Hamilton came to Linn 
county and took up a donation claim of six hun- 
dred and forty acres eight miles southwest of 
Albany, which property is now occupied by his 
namesake son, Joseph E. The elder Joseph 
built a little log cabin, as all the settlers were 
obliged to do, and the substitution of this by a 
more modern dwelling was an event of special 
significance, indicating, as it did, the success 
achieved by the father in clearing and cultivating 
his land. A large part of his property was 
prairie land, and this he devoted to general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, in time starting a general 
merchandise store on his land, the first place in 
the vicinity to sell goods. This little store was 
quite a curiosity in its way, and people came 
from far and near to purchase household necessi- 



752 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ties, and incidentally to meet their friends and 
talk over important happenings among the 
settlers. The stock of the store was necessarily 
limited, owing to the difficulty of transporting 
goods from Portland, but it paved the way for 
other and larger undertakings, and filled a long- 
felt want among the pioneers. 

In 1850 Mr. "Hamilton left his store and farm 
to other hands and went to the mining districts 
of California, and here, as elsewhere, he showed 
his shrewd business sagacity. Realizing that 
many were called but few chosen to succeed 
as miners, he avoided being one of the latter 
class by engaging in merchandising and freight- 
ing rather than mining, and so wise proved this 
decision, that he returned to his farm in Oregon 
the richer by several hundreds of dollars. He took 
an active part in politics from the time of attain- 
ing his majority, filling a number of prominent 
positions, representing Linn county in the state 
legislature, and serving as county commissioner. 
Even as a boy he was much interested in the 
Presbyterian Church, and the older he grew the 
more he appreciated church associations. Him- 
self and wife were among the organizers of the 
First Presbyterian Church in their vicinity, and 
from year to year contributed to the best of 
their ability towards its maintenance and chari- 
ties. Even now at the age of seventy-seven years, 
the wife who survives him is a regular attendant 
at Sunday services. He was actively identified 
with the organization of what is now the Cor- 
vallis & Eastern Railroad Company and the con- 
struction of its line and served on the committee 
which endeavored to acquire the right of way 
and the necessary legislation. He became one 
of the stockholders in the company and was in- 
terested in the project for many years. He had 
previously been interested in the construction of 
the first wagon road from Corvallis to Yaquina 
Bay. In later years he was associated with other 
leading men in the promotion of the County 
Agricultural Society, and from its inception he 
was one of the chief promoters of the State 
Fair held at Salem, which he annually attended 
in an official capacity. He and his brothers 
brought with them, in 1847, the castings for the 
first threshing machine ever operated in the 
Willamette valley. This machine they made in 
Ohio, and operated it in that state and Iowa. 
After reaching Oregon they put the parts 
together and operated it for several years, the 
only implement of the kind in the valley. Mr. 
Hamilton lived to be sixty-five years old, and 
he left a finely improved property to his wife 
and children. He was a man for whom all enter- 
tained the most profound respect, and his death, 
September 12, 1884, was mourned by a host of 
friends and associates. He left six children, of 
whom Joseph E. is the fifth. Angelina, the 



oldest daughter, is the wife of George Riddell of 
The Dalles ; Josephine is the wife of George 
Henderson of Baker City; Jennie is the wife 
of Rev. A. M. Acheson, of Pennsylvania ; Nellie 
is the wife of G. T. Hamill of Idaho ; and Will- 
iam B. is a physician practicing in Portland. 

In his youth Joseph E. Hamilton had the ad- 
vantages of the public schools and Albany Col- 
lege, and has always lived on the home farm. 
Since his father's death he has managed the farm 
for his mother, with whom he is part owner, and 
that he has made a success of it is not questioned 
by anyone who visits the place, and inspects the 
modern facilities for conducting an extensive 
general farming and stock-raising enterprise. At 
present he and his mother own eight hundred 
acres, quite an increase over the father's original 
purchase, and one hundred and fifty acres are 
under cultivation. The family have a comfort- 
able and pleasant home, and the barns and out- 
houses are of the best. September 8, 1891, Mr. 
Hamilton married Anna E. Greenlee, who was 
born near Joliet, 111., and reared in Kansas. Of 
this union there have been born four children, 
Robert Bruce, Joseph Allen, Mary Isabella and 
Amna Irene. Like his father, Mr. Hamilton is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, in which 
he is an elder. In political faith he is a Repub- 
lican, with a strong leaning towards prohibition. 
No family in the county represents in greater 
degree moral and agricultural excellence, con- 
servative growth and reliability, than does the 
pioneer and prosperous family of Hamilton. 



AI PORTER. A worthy representative of 
one of the finest and most influential families 
of the Willamette Valley is Ai Porter, the for- 
tunate owner of six hundred and fifty acres of 
land six miles southeast of Silverton. This 
farm, and especially the house, has a two-fold 
interest for Mr. Porter, for it represents the 
place of his birth, December 31, 1873, the scene 
of his childish pastimes and small labors, and 
the surroundings among which developed his 
rugged ancestral characteristics. At present he 
is engaged in general farming and stock-raising 
under the most favorable circumstances, his 
barns, outhouses, implements and general im- 
provements keeping pace with agricultural ad- 
vancement as understood by practical and sci- 
entific toilers of the soil. 

The Porter family was established in Oregon 
by Edward S. Porter, who removed from Ohio 
to a location in Fulton county, 111., about 1835, 
and there worked at his trade of blacksmith for 
about twenty years. He came to Oregon in 
1853 with ox-teams, and in Marion county lo- 
cated with his wife and children on what is now 
known as the Porter donation claim, five miles 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



753 



southeast oi Silverton. He lived to a good old 
and after the death of his wife, Anna 
(Anderson) Porter, made his home with his 
youngest son. His son John, the father of Ai, 
was born in Richland county, Ohio, October 6, 
[830, and when rive years of age removed with 
his parents to Fulton county, 111., where he was 

tred and educated. He was twenty-three 
of age when he came across the plains 
with the rest of the family, and two years later, 
on his father's donation claim near Silverton, he 
married Annis White, who was born in Mis- 
ri, and who came across the plains with her 
parents in 1852, settling on the White donation 
claim five miles southeast of Silverton. Mr. 
Porter is possessed of marked business ability, 
and to the farm upon which he first located 
he added materially, and at present owns nearly 
sixteen hundred acres of land. Two years after 
his marriage he located near Fairfield, and in 
[864 located on the White donation claim, re- 
maining there until after the death of his wife 
in iSe)7. Since then he has made his home with 
his children, at whose homes he is a welcome 
guest at all times. To an exceptional degree 
.Mr. Porter enjoys the confidence of his fellow- 
townsmen, and his services in behalf of the up- 
building of this county have been appreciated. 

Ai Porter was educated in the district schools, 
and has always taken kindly and even enthusi- 
astically to farming, for which occupation he 
was prepared b\ r his wise and sagacious father. 
October 22, 1901, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Josie Bailer, a native daughter of 
Oregon and, like her husband, educated in the 
public schools. Her parents were Rosie and 
Abraham Bailer. To Mr. and Mrs. Porter there 
was born July 29, 1903, a son, whom they call 
Clarence. In politics Mr. Porter is a Republican. 



HENDERSON W. MURPHY. The head 
of the Murphy family, Rev. John E. Murphy, 
brought with him into the wilderness several 
families to swell the growth of the western ter- 
ritory, being accompanied on the journey by 
his own immediate children, sons-in-law and 
their families and several other relatives. The 
train was known as the Murphy train, so many 
of that name and blood did it contain, in fact, 
by the time their destination was reached being 
alone, as they had parted company with the other 
emigrants long before. 

Rev. Tohn E. Murphy was born in Barren 
county, Ky., in 1806, and was the son of Will- 
iam Murphy, also a native of that state, having 
been born there of Irish ancestry. The elder 
man was a farmer by profession, and brought 
his children up to this life. In religion he was 



a member of the Christian Church, and the 
moral instruction which accompanied that of daily 
duty bore great and good fruit in the person 
of his son, John E. At an early day Mr. Mur- 
phy took his family into Illinois, where they 
located in Warren county, John E. Murphy 
engaging then in the Christian ministry as well 
as following agricultural pursuits. In Ken- 
tuck)' he was married to Frances W. Daughty, 
who was born in Barren county, in 1810, and 
in 1852 they had quite a large family, many of 
the children being married and having homes of 
their own. When the trip to the west was talked 
over they were nearly all in accord, and at once 
began making preparations to leave the Miss- 
issippi valley in the spring of 1852, four wagons 
drawn by oxen conveying the possessions of Mr. 
Murphy. There were about thirty wagons in 
the train when it left Monmouth, 111., April 13, 
1852, but as before mentioned they broke up 
into smaller parties before the journey was 
ended. Five months after the time of starting 
their destination was reached, and their first 
winter was spent where Crowley is now located, 
the next spring finding them upon a claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres to which Mr. 
Murphy had bought the right. This was located 
near Airlie, and they remained for two years, 
when he sold the farm and removed to Mon- 
mouth, Polk county, engaging in farming and 
stock-raising near that city. In addition to his 
agricultural pursuits was the ministerial life 
of Mr. Murphy, for as he had made that his 
principal occupation in the Mississippi valley he 
made it so here, and no small debt is owed to 
him by the congregations of the Christian 
Churches of Oregon. For many years he gave 
himself almost entirely to the establishment of 
churches and evangelistic meetings, both in 
Oregon and Washington, and he met with great 
success, for he was a speaker of unusual ability 
and strong personality. He was also interested 
in all educational movements and was active in 
the organization of the Christian College at 
Monmouth, which has since become the state 
normal school. This was established in 1856, 
and he became a trustee and financial agent, 
discharging his duties with the admirable faith- 
fulness which characterized his entire life. 

Many incidents in the life of Mr. Murphy are 
characteristic of his strong sense of right, which 
was his, partly through inheritance, as his 
father was also a Christian in the truest sense 
of the word. The family was of southern blood, 
and was well-to-do in every way, and like many 
other Kentucky families its wealth consisted of 
negroes, inherited from an estate in Virginia, 
the former home of the Murphys. Opposed to 
slavery in every thought and principle, though 
every year up to the time of manhood had been 



754 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



spent among these conditions, Air. Murphy used 
his influence toward the liberation of the slaves 
held by his father, and was successful both with 
father and an uncle, who also owned quite a 
number of negroes. During the Civil war he 
was strong and earnest in using his influence 
for the defense of the Union, as he had been in 
the case of the two plantations. During a too 
brief life he made many friends by the kind- 
ness and Christian charity which he ever gave 
to those about him, and his death, which 
occurred in Monmouth, in 1876, was a loss 
felt by the entire community. His wife, who 
had faithfully assisted him through the long 
years of their married life, survived him until 
December 30, 1891, when she died in the eighty- 
first year of her age. 

Of the twelve children which blessed the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Murphy, Henderson W. 
Murphy was the fourth, and was born in War- 
ren county, 111., February 3, 1835, and received 
his principal common school education in the 
schools of Illinois. After settling in Oregon he 
attended the Christian College at Monmouth for 
some time, and when his education was con- 
sidered complete he went into the stock business 
in Polk county, later removing to Klickitat 
county, Wash., where he continued the work. 
Until 1882 he remained in that location, when 
he purchased the property which he now owns 
and upon which he makes his home. After five 
or six years here he returned to Klickitat county 
and engaged in the sheep business, having at 
one time forty-five hundred head. He was very 
successful, and after four years there he once 
more settled upon his farm and "for the last 
sixteen years he has been interested in general 
farming and stock-raising, having at present 
one hundred head of cattle and seventy sheep. 
He is also interested in dairying and hop-rais- 
ing, having twenty-two and a half acres devoted 
to the cultivation of this plant. Altogther he 
has nine hundred and forty-three acres, six 
hundred of which is in active cultivation. 

In 1862 Mr. Murphy was married to Rebecca 
L. Davidson, a native of Indiana, born there in 
1842, and the daughter of Henry Davidson, who 
crossed the plains in 1852 and located in Linn 
county. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Murphy, Sarah is the wife of W. L. Wells; 
John D. ; Omer is located in Independence ; Nel- 
lie is the wife of A. M. Rayburn of Adams 
county, Wash.; Kate is the wife of Wilmer 
Cooper, of Klondike, Sherman county, Ore. ; 
Carrie is the wife of Charles Dickman, of Monk- 
land, Sherman county; and Claud is still at 
home. Politically Mr. Murphy is a Republican, 
and in religion both himself and wife belong to 
the Christian Church at Monmouth. Some years 
aero he served as his father had done in the 



capacity of trustee for the Christian College at 
Monmouth, and has also served as school 
director and road supervisor. 



WILLIAM M. PORTER. Not even second 
to the thought that one is numbered among the 
pioneers of this great commonwealth of Oregon 
is the pleasure to be gained from the fact that 
one is the son of a worthy man among them, 
and the native son of the state which has been 
an asylum and refuge for so many homeless 
wanderers. The grandfather of W. M. Porter, 
Samuel Porter, after his removal to Missouri 
from Tennessee, followed this up with a trip 
to the Sunset state, where his last days were 
spent. The father, John, was born in Tennes- 
see, and removed with his parents to Missouri, 
from which he emigrated to Oregon in 1848, 
in company with his wife and child and two 
brothers. They went over the Barlow route in 
an ox-train, the journey occupying six months. 
Upon their arrival in Oregon Mr. Porter took 
up a donation claim of six hundred and forty 
acres ten miles south of Corvallis, Benton 
county, where was located the town which at 
that time was called Marysville. Upon this 
farm he remained for some time, engaged in 
active farming and improving his property, 
later removing to Lane county, and, with the 
proceeds of his sale 'of his Benton county prop- 
erty, investing in another farm in this section. 
And once more, before being entirely satisfied 
with his surroundings, he made a sale, settling 
in Harrisburg, Linn county, in the latter place 
remaining until his death. His wife was for- 
merly Mary Winkle, a native of Alabama, whose 
father, Isaac, moved to Missouri at an early 
day, crossing the plains in 1848, taking up a 
donation claim of six hundred and forty acres 
at Winkle Butte, nine miles south of Corvallis, 
making this his home until his death. Mrs. 
Porter is also deceased. 

Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Porter, five are now living, the fourth oldest 
W. M., who was born in Benton county, Ore ; , 
January 3, 1861, being brought up on the farm 
in Linn county. His educational advantages 
consisted of a very irregular attendance upon 
the common schools in the vicinity of his home 
the three months of the year in which they 
were in session. He remained with his parents 
until he was twenty-four years of age, at that 
time commencing an apprenticeship under a 
blacksmith to learn that trade. These years were 
not disagreeable ones to the young man, his 
business relations being with his brother, Thur- 
ston, who was a blacksmith in Harrisburg. 
When his education in this line was completed 
he left his brother and opened a business for 




raa^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



757 



himself in Corvallis, of his native county. This 
event was in the year 1893, and since that time 
his business lias grown to splendid proportions, 
through the manner in which he has served the 
public. Not only a good blacksmith, he is pat- 
ronized by all who have horseshoeing to be done, 
as he has made a specialty of this branch of 
the business, and is an acknowledged leader in 
tin- .section of the community. 

In llarrisburg occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Porter which united him with Miss Marie 
Pierce, a native of that place, and daughter of 
iames Fierce, who came to Oregon in 1847 an( i 
settled in Linn county. One daughter, bearing 
the name of Mildred, has blessed the union. 
Fraternally Mr. Porter is past master of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belongs to 
the encampment, and is also a member of the 
Rebekahs. He is also identified with the Wood- 
men of the World. As to his political affilia- 
tions he votes the Democratic ticket and in re- 
ligion is a member of the Christian Church, in 
which he now serves as deacon. 



EDWIN A. ALDERMAN. A native son of 
Yamhill county, who has done much to increase 
its agricultural prestige, is Edwdn A. Alderman, 
born on his father's farm November 30, 1866, a 
son of Albert and Charlotte (Odell) Alderman. 
Albert Alderman was born in Old Bedford, 
Conn., December 16, 1820, and in his youth 
learned the cooper's trade. From his native state 
of Connecticut he moved to New York when a 
young man, and from there to Michigan, in both 
states being engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
ing. In 1846, with ox teams, he crossed the 
plains to Oregon, Captain Dunbar being captain 
of the party. In Y r amhill county, Mr. Alderman 
took up a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres the following year, located near Day- 
ton, the same on which he now resides, and which 
has been brought to a high state of cultivation. 

Mr. Alderman's first wife was Mary "J. Burns, 
and at her death left four children, of whom 
Margaret is now Mrs. Hubbard, of Polk county; 
William is also a resident of that county ; Marita, 
Mrs. McCowan, is also a resident of Polk county, 
and Medorem was the youngest child. The sec- 
ond marriage of Mr. Alderman occurred in 1866, 
with Charlotte Odell, a native of Carroll county, 
Ind., and daughter of John R. Odell, the latter of 
whom was born in Indiana and crossed the plains 
in 1 85 1, locating in Yamhill county. By his sec- 
ond marriage the family of Mr. Alderman was 
increased by four sons and one daughter, Edwin 
A. being the eldest. Ennis resides south of Day- 
ton ; Lewis R. is principal of the schools of Mc- 
Minnville; George is deceased, and Eva E. is the 
youngest member of the family. 



Until the paternal donation claim was divided 
among the children Edwin A. Alderman re- 
mained at home with his father, receiving a thor- 
ough agricultural and common-school education, 
and evincing from the earliest youth, habits of 
thrift and economy. In 1896 he received his 
share of the home farm, which amounted to one 
hundred and fifty acres, of which he has one 
hundred acres under cultivation. While Mr. Al- 
derman has derived considerable profit from gen- 
eral farming, he also enjoys a substantial income 
from his stock enterprises, in connection with 
which he conducts a good-sized dairy. 

On the first day of the year 1897, Mr. Alder- 
man was united in marriage with Mary Bliss, 
daughter of John and Rose (Hubbard) Bliss, 
both of whom were natives of Lewis county, N. 
Y. One son has blessed the marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. Alderman, who bears the name of Dwight 
E. Private affairs have not consumed all of the 
time and talents of Mr. Alderman, and his public 
life has been above reproach. For several years 
he was a member of the city council, and it was 
his privilege to be the first chief executive of 
Dayton. Political matters have always been of 
interest to Mr. Alderman, and he has been a 
stanch defender of the principles of the Repub- 
lican party from young manhood. He is usually 
a delegate to the county - conventions, and has 
served as recorder of Dayton. School matters 
have likewise been benefited by his abilities, his 
service in the cause of education being felt while 
he was school director. Fraternally, he is iden- 
tified with the Woodmen of the World and the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Day- 
ton Grange also claims Mr. Alderman as one of 
its members. All in all, Mr. Alderman is one of 
the rising young men of Yamhill county, to 
whom the younger generation may look as an 
example of honorable, upright living. 



WILLIAM SHEPHERD. After one has 
achieved a success in life there is a pleasure in 
taking a retrospective view of one's career and 
following the various steps which have led to 
the place now r honorably occupied, and many 
things serve as reminders, especially in a country 
like Oregon, justly proud of the rapid advance- 
ment which has characterized the growth of the 
state. To William Shepherd, a pioneer of '47, 
the past is recalled by a few old blacksmith tools, 
which helped him to earn a livelihood during his 
early days in the west, and by the broad acres of 
his original donation claim, upon which stands 
an old building of hewed logs, the first house 
of worship put up in the country of the early 
times. By a long, prosperous and helpful life 
in this vicinity Mr. Shepherd has come to be 
known among the people as one who helped to 



7.">8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lay the corner stone of Oregon's greatness, the 
esteem in which he is held being evidence of 
his worth. 

The life of Mr. Shepherd has been full of in- 
teresting events, patriotism, a love of adventure 
and a spirit of justice inducing him to give his 
aid in various causes. He hails from the Em- 
erald Isle, being born near Belfast, County 
Down, November 26, 1821, and having lost 
his father when he was nine years old he was 
thrown upon his own resources. When only 
sixteen years old he came with his mother and 
sisters to make a new home among the more 
hopeful conditions of the United States ; and 
after a voyage of two months they landed and 
became residents of Catskill, Greene county, 
N. Y. In that city Mr. Shepherd served an 
apprenticeship with a blacksmith, after which, 
in 1842, he removed to Illinois. In the same year 
he enlisted under Captain Stevenson for services 
in the war between Texas and Mexico, where he 
remained for about six months, during which 
time he took part in the battle of Matamoras. 
His remuneration for this period of service in 
the cause of Texas was three hundred and 
twenty acres of land, the value of which is shown 
in the fact that he traded the entire tract for a 
horse. After a siege of sickness which kept him 
in Texas more than a year Mr. Shepherd crossed 
the United States to Canada, and after a short 
time there he visited his old home in New York, 
and then located in Pittsburg, Pa. Afterward 
he returned to Illinois, where he remained until 
1847, when he started across the plains with ox- 
teams, his brother-in-law being in the same train. 
The- journey occupied six months, during which 
they encountered no difficulties, and upon their 
arrival in Linn county Mr. Shepherd at once 
took up a donation claim, which he eventually 
lost by enlisting again in the army. From that 
location he came to Oregon City and worked at 
his trade until he enlisted in Phil Thompson's 
company for services in the Cayuse war, remain- 
ing in Thompson's command for six months, 
and was then under Captain Martin for three 
months. It was his fortune to serve in every 
engagement of this war, after which he was 
mustered out, and returning to Linn county, he 
again took up a donation claim of three hundred 
and twenty acres located four miles south of 
Peoria. He here built the log cabin before men- 
tioned as the first place of worship in this coun- 
try. In 1849 hi s spirit of adventure was aroused 
by the gold excitement of California, and with 
ox-teams he journeyed thither and successfully 
followed mining and prospecting for four months. 
Returning north he engaged earnestly in the 
cultivation of his donation claim, transforming 
the wilderness into a farm of fine, well kept ap- 
pearance, a comfortable dwelling and modern 



out-buildings testifying to the prosperity which 
has followed the well directed efforts of Mr. 
Shepherd. In addition to his farming Mr. 
Shepherd has always been employed at his trade, 
the first blacksmith shop in this country being 
his, many of the tools being still in his pos- 
session. 

In 1 85 1 Mr. Shepherd made a trip back to New 
York state, via the Isthmus of Panama, and on 
December 25, of the same year, he married 
Mary F. Palmer, a native of that state, and in 
the spring of 1852 they crossed the plains to- 
gether with horse-teams, after six months reach- 
ing the claim where their home was henceforth 
to be. Of the children born to them, William 
H. is located in the vicinity ; George B. is at 
home ; Sarah A. is now Mrs. Williams, of Har- 
risburg; Ida B. is Mrs. Bromwell, and Margaret 
is Mrs. Allenham both of this vicinity. Mrs. 
Shepherd having died in 1890, Mr. Shepherd 
now makes his home with his son. In politics 
Mr. Shepherd has always voted the Republican 
ticket, though he has never been actively identi- 
fied with any political movement, nor has he as- 
pired to political office, satisfied with the honor 
which his own sturdy efforts have brought to 
him, the position among his neighbors and 
friends as a worthy pioneer of Oregon. 



C. H. PIOAG. On a farm in St. Lawrence 
county, N. Y., where he was born September 
15, 1 84 1, C. H. Hoag was reared to habits of 
thrift and industry, and laid the foundation for 
the strong constitution and natural aptitude which 
have been so advantageously used during his 
residence in Oregon. His father, Daniel Hoag, 
was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., and by 
trade was a carpenter, although his entire active 
life was devoted to farming as well. As a young 
man he married Eliza Barlow, who was born in 
England in 1823, and when twelve years of age 
came to New York state with her parents, lo- 
cating on a farm. Seven children, three boys 
and four girls, were born to Daniel and Eliza 
Hoag, and all were reared in New York, where 
the parents lived until about 1890, when they 
came west to visit their children. The)' were 
an unusually well mated and happy couple, and 
even in death they were not long divided, for 
both died in Chehalis county, Wash., in 1897, 
the father at the age of seventy-seven and the 
mother at the age of seventy-four. 

During his youth C. H. Hoag worked on his 
father's farm in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., 
and irregularly attended the near-by district 
school. Arriving at his majority, he desired to 
depend solely upon his own efforts, so engaged 
in farming on his own responsibility. He was 
fairly successful, and in 1872, when thirty-one 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



75!) 



ira of age, came west by way of New York, 
Panama ami San Francisco, and for a year en- 
red in teaming in Santa Cruz. In 1873 ne 
came to Marion county, and at Jefferson became 
manager for a saw-mill for a year and a half. 
While thus employed he met his future wife, 
ra Tcrhune, who was a native daughter of 
Marion county, and born in December, 1852. Her 
father. Jahez, crossed the plains at a very early 
dav, locating on a donation claim near Jefferson, 
Marion county. Two children have been born 
Mr. and Mrs. Hoag, Dwight, of Chehalis 
county, Wash., and Artie Gertrude, deceased. 

In 1875 Mr. Hoag went to eastern Oregon, 
anil in Wasco county engaged in the cattle and 
sheep husiness for two years. Returning to 
Marion county he soon after came to Polk 
county, and in 1878 bought his present farm of 
one hundred and twenty-five acres, one hundred 
of which are under cultivation. Mr. Hoag is 
engaged in stock-raising and general farming, 
and he has a well-improved place, with com- 
modious residence and barns, good fences and 
modern agricultural implements. He is a Re- 
publican in politics, and has served as road super- 
ir and school trustee. With his wife he is 
a member of the Evangelical Church, of which 
he is at present a steward. Genial and kindly 
in his manner, enterprising and thrifty, Mr. 
Hoag commands the respect and good will of a 
host of friends and associates. 



COL. JOHN KELSAY. High on the roll 
of fame in Oregon appears the name of Col. 
John Kelsay, and his influence has been felt far 
beyond the limits of the locality in which he 
made his home. He was long regarded as one 
of the most learned lawyers of the state and 
was not only a leading representative of the legal 
fraternity, but was a student of the questions 
relating to the social conditions, the labor in- 
terests and the citizenship of this country. In 
fact, his reading compassed almost every sub- 
ject affecting the weal or woe of the nation and 
his voice was raised in defense or opposition to 
measures advanced, as he believed in their 
utility or felt that they would prove detrimental 
to the country. None doubted his patriotism, 
all admired his wisdom and even those hold- 
ing different views acknowledged his honesty of 
purpose and honored him therefor. 

Colonel Kelsay was born in Wayne county, 
Ky., October 23, 1819, his parents being Alex- 
ander and Jane (Kelley) Kelsay. He came of 
Scotch-Irish ancestry, and was ten years of age 
when in 1829 his parents removed from Ken- 
tucky to Cooter, Mo., afterward locating in Mor- 
gan county, that state. The educational privi- 
leges in Missouri were then extremelv limited, 



but his mother was a lady of rare intellectual 
attainments and his early knowledge of books 
was gained at her knee. She not only instilled 
into his mind lessons that proved a foundation 
for broad literary learning, but also planted in 
his mind lessons of truth and uprightness which 
developed into a character that has ever com- 
manded the highest respect. Early in life his 
mind seemed to possess, an analytical turn and 
when he had attained his majority it seemed but 
natural that he should take up the study of law. 
In July, 1845, having read quite extensively, he 
was admitted to the bar and licensed to practice 
in the courts of Missouri. He remained a mem- 
ber of the legal profession of that state until 
1853 and in the meantime met in forensic com- 
bat some men of ability who were forced to 
acknowledge his skill. At the age of eighteen 
he had been commissioned a captain of militia 
and two years later he was promoted to the rank 
of major, but not only military honors awaited 
him, but political as well, for in 1844 he was 
elected to represent his district in the legislature. 
While Colonel Kelsay won distinction as a 
legislator and lawyer in Missouri the far west 
attracted him. He believed that amid the natural 
resources and great opportunities of Oregon he 
might find a broad field of labor, and therefore 
in 1853 he crossed the plains, arriving in Ben- 
ton county in September of that year. Immedi- 
ately afterward he entered upon his practice, 
opening an office in Corvallis, and while he won 
distinction in that way, he was ever alive to the 
best interests of the county and state and co- 
operated in many measures for the general good. 
On the breaking out of the Rogue river war he 
organized a company with which he went to the 
south and took an active part in the contest 
against the Indians. He then resumed his legal 
business and his clientage constantly grew and 
became of a nature distinctively representative. 
His knowledge of the law, his fitness for leader- 
ship and his marked ability led to his selection 
for honors somewhat outside of the strict path 
of his profession and yet having close connec- 
tion with the welfare of the territory. In 1857 
he served as chairman of the military committee 
on forming the state constitution. Again in 
1868 he was called to public office, being elected 
a judge of the supreme court of the state, and 
upon the bench he showed himself the peer of 
the ablest men who have ever graced the higher 
court. While upon the bench he carefully lifted 
the judicial ermine above the mire of parties. 
Devotedly attached to his profession, systematic 
and methodical in habit, sober and discreet in 
judgment, calm in temper, diligent in research, 
conscientious in the discharge of every duty, 
courteous and kind in demeanor and inflexibly 
just on all occasions, these qualities enable Judge 



760 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Kelsay to take first rank among those who have 
held the highest judicial office in the state and 
made him the conservator of that justice wherein 
lies the safeguard of individual liberty and hap- 
piness and the defense of our national institu- 
tions. 

While residing in Missouri in December, 1846, 
Judge Kelsay was united in marriage to Miss 
Martha C. Monroe, a daughter of General Mon- 
roe, one of the distinguished and eminent cit- 
izens of that state. Her death occurred No- 
vember 20, 1854, and for his second wife the 
judge wedded Miss Countner, by whom he had 
two children, Annie and Lyman P., the latter 
dying in the Philippine Islands. 

Judge Kelsay was a man of broad mind and 
liberal views, strong in his convictions and thor- 
oughly in earnest in whatever work he under- 
took. He gained a high place in his profession 
by hard work, and few lawyers have made a 
more lasting impression upon the bar of the 
state, both for legal ability of a high order and 
for the intellectuality which impresses itself upon 
a community. 



JOSEPH M. NOLAN. Where the sons of 
Erin are found, there are also found good citi- 
zens and enterprising business men. Versatil- 
ity energy and adaptability are the characteris- 
tics of the men that Ireland has sent to the new 
world, and J. M. Nolan of this review is a 
worthy scion of his race. He is now a leading 
merchant in Corvallis, and widely known in the 
valley His birth occurred in Dublin, Ireland, 
in December, 1842, his parents being Matthew 
and Judith (Tiernan) Nolan, who were also 
natives of the Emerald Isle. The father was a 
farmer bv occupation and came of a family that 
through 'generations had followed agricultural 
pursuits. By his marriage he had eight children 
of whom our subject is the seventh in order of 
birth and the only one in America. 

Reared upon his father's farm until sixteen 
years of age J. M. Nolan during that time 
acquired a good practical education in the 
national schools. He then entered upon an 
apprenticeship in a general mercantile store in 
Tullow County Carlow, Ireland, where he served 
for a term of five years, and afterward contin- 
ued in the emplov of the same house for nine 
consecutive years— a fact which indicates unmis- 
takably his fidelity to the interests of his 
employers and his absolute trustworthiness. He 
afterward went to the city of Dublin, where he 
was employed as a clerk in a large dry goods 
store until 1872, when he resolved to come to 
the United States. He made the voyage across 
the Atlantic to Ouebec and thence crossed the 
continent to San Francisco, where he secured a 



clerkship in a dry goods establishment, remain- 
ing there until 1877, when he came to Oregon, 
settling in Albany. There he started in business 
on his own account, having a capital of a few 
hundred dollars which he had accumulated in 
San Francisco. He prospered in his new under- 
taking and in May, 1884, seeking a broader field 
of labor, he moved his stock to Corvallis, where 
he is now conducting a large dry goods and 
clothing business. He has built up an excellent 
trade through honorable methods, and in all his 
dealings he closely adheres to the strictest com- 
mercial rectitude, so that his business career is 
alike honorable and commendable. Today he 
occupies the central section of the First Nat- 
ional Bank building, having a room twenty-five 
by one hundred feet, with an annex 25x25 feet, 
and around the whole is a broad gallery. Six 
years ago the firm of Nolan & Callahan was 
formed, the junior partner having learned the 
business while in the employ of Mr. Nolan 
as clerk. 

Mr. Nolan has been twice married. He first 
wedded Miss Mary Callahan, who was born in 
Vancouver, Wash., her parents having been 
pioneers of the northwest. She died in Cor- 
vallis, leaving two children : Thomas Joseph, 
who is a graduate of the Mount Angel Business 
College and is now in his father's store ; and 
Mary Kate, who is a student in St. Mary's 
Academy, Portland, Ore. For his second wife 
Mr. Nolan chose Miss Kate Thompson, a native 
of Oregon, and their marriage was celebrated 
here. There are two children by this union, 
Edward Victor and Gertrude. In national poli- 
tics Mr. Nolan is a gold Democrat, but at local 
elections votes independently, regarding the 
capability of the candidate without reference to 
party ties. He has served for one term as coun- 
cilman of Corvallis. For twenty-two years he 
has been a member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. His residence in America 
covers a period of thirty-one years, during which 
time he has worked his way steadily upward 
and bv honorable methods has achieved success. 



WESTON McLANE. The descendant of 
Scotch ancestry, Weston McLane has brought 
with him into the west those traits which dis- 
tinguish the natives of that country, winning 
through perseverance and industry a prominent 
place in the business affairs of a community, 
and the esteem of those with whom he mingles. 
With no capital but an indomitable will, he 
broke away from the associations of his boy- 
hood and set his face steadily toward the setting 
sun. becoming an emigrant in 1853. 

The father" of Weston McLane, Milton, was 
born in Scotland, the son of Maylord McLane. 



PORTRAIT AND HlOGRAPHlCAL RECORD. 



763 



also a native of that country, where lie combined 
the two interests of tailoring and farming-. 
Induced to cross the water to America he brought 
his famih and located in Mason county, in what 
was then Virginia but is now included in West 
\ irginia. There he made his home until his 
death. In that location Milton McLane grew to 
manhood, and was there married to Mary 
Summerville, a native of Mason county, and of 
the three children born to them, two sons and 
one daughter, the only one now living is Weston 
McLane, the oldest, who was born in Mason 
county, W. Va., May 30, 1833. The father 
afterward became a resident of Indiana, engag- 
ing in farming and stock-raising, and dying 
there in 1865, at the age of eighty-seven years. 

Six months of the life of Weston McLane 
was spent inside the four walls of a school- 
room, this being in West Virginia, during which 
he acquired, necessarily, but little knowledge, 
and not content with this he has bent every 
effort toward self-improvement in the years that 
followed that short attendance of a public 
school, and through this perseverance and energy 
he has become a well informed man, keeping in 
touch with the events of the day. Early forced 
to seek his own living, he left West Virginia 
when only a boy, and going to Missouri, he 
located in Pike county, where he engaged in 
farm work on his uncle's plantation, acting as 
overseer of the negroes. In the spring of 1853 
he outfitted for the trip across the plains, intent 
on seeking the gold mines of California, and 
after five months and four days he arrived safely 
with his wagon and five y r oke of oxen, locating 
near Volcano, Amador county. Alternating his 
work for others with independent action be 
engaged in mining until 1878, when he came to 
Oregon by water and located the same year 
near Suver, Polk county. After two years in 
which he engaged in farming he followed team- 
ing, soon, however, ending that to accept the 
position of agent for the Southern Pacific 
Railroad at Suver, in which employment he has 
since remained. While in California he com- 
bined the management of the Amador Sulphur 
works, with his mining ventures, continuing in 
that position seven years. 

Just previous to taking his trip across the 
plains Mr. McLane married in Pike county, 
Mo., Sarah Yeater, who was born there, March 
31, 1833. She was the daughter of Henry 
Yeater, an emigrant from Germany. Mr. and 
Mrs. McLane have had three children, of whom 
Edward is in the warehouse business at Suver, 
and is named as one of the prominent men of 
the town; and Francis and Martha deceased. 
Mr. McLane is independent in his political 
views, preferring to be free to exercise his judg- 
ment in the matter of voting, though he inclines 



to the principles of the Republican party. 
Being interested in educational matters, he has 
served for eight years as school clerk. In relig- 
ion, he is a member of the Evangelical Church 
at Suver. 



AMON SHADDEN. It was on December 
20, 1853, on the farm where he yet lives near 
McMinnville, that Anion Shadden was born, 1 
representative of an honored pioneer family. 
Pie is a son of T. J. Shadden, one of the pioneer 
settlers of this portion of the state. The days 
of chivalry and knighthood in Europe cannot 
furnish more interesting or romantic tales than 
our own western history. Into the wild moun- 
tain fastnesses of the unexplored west went 
brave men, whose courage was often called 
forth in encounters with hostile savages. The 
land was rich in all natural resources, in gold 
and silver, in agricultural and commercial pos- 
sibilities, and awaited the demands of man to 
yield up its treasures, but its mountain heights 
were hard to climb, its forests difficult to pene- 
trate, and the magnificent trees, the dense 
bushes or the jagged rocks often sheltered the 
skulking foe, who resented the encroachment 
of the pale face upon these "hunting grounds." 
The establishment of homes in this beautiful 
region therefore meant sacrifices, hardships, 
and oftimes death, but there were some men, 
however, brave enough to meet the red man 
in his own familiar haunts and undertake the 
task of reclaiming the district for civilization. 
The rich mineral stores of this vast region 
were thus added to the wealth of the nation; 
its magnificent forests contributed to the lum- 
ber industries and its fertile valleys added to 
the opportunities of the farmer and stock- 
raiser, and to-day the northwest is one of the 
most productive sections of the entire country. 
That this is so is due to such men as T. J. 
Shadden, whose name is inseparably inter- 
woven with the history of the region. He was 
born February 26, 1809, near Nashville, Tenn. 
Plis parents were farmers by occupation, and 
when he was but a small boy his father was 
accidentally killed in a sparring match in which 
he was engaged for exercise. The son then 
remained at home with his mother until about 
fifteen or sixteen years of age, when he startec 
out to make his own way in the world, going 
first to Mississippi, and afterward to Arkansas, 
where he worked as a general laborer. In 
early manhood he married Martha Sumler, a 
native of Arkansas, and in 1842 they joined a 
small colony of emigrants for the northwest. 
Their outfit consisted of a wagon drawn by 
oxen, and they carried with them a few house- 
hold effects, Long was the journey and diffi- 



7G4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cult the way, but eventually they reached 
Green river, Idaho. There they abandoned 
their wagons and came on by pack trains to 
Oregon as far as The Dalles, proceeding thence 
by skiff to Portland, while the cattle were 
driven across the country. Mr. Shadden and 
his wife first settled in Tualatin plain, where 
they remained until the spring of 1844, at 
which time they started for California, also 
journeying by pack train at that time. They 
became residents of Sacramento, where they 
resided until 1850, and there Mr. Shadden fol- 
lowed prospecting and mining. He also en- 
gaged in speculating to some extent, and con- 
ducted a large ranch and trading post, bravely 
meeting the difficulties and hardships incident 
to frontier life. In 1850, however, he returned 
by boat to Portland, after a successful sojourn 
in California, bringing with him $180,000 in 
gold dust. He took up a donation claim on 
Beaver creek, about two and a half miles wesc 
of McMinnville, and there he continued to 
make his home until his death. His labors re- 
sulted in the transformation of his land from 
a wild tract to one of rich fertility. He placed 
many improvements upon his farm, and at one 
time he owned two thousand acres of rich land 
in this vicinity. Extensively engaged in rais- 
ing and dealing in stock he found it profitable, 
and as the years passed he added continually 
to his possessions. Mr. Shadden was a self- 
made man who deserved great credit for what 
he accomplished. He carried forward to suc- 
cessful completion whatever he undertook. He 
had no advantages, but with determined pur- 
pose and unfaltering energy he worked his 
way upward, and all that he acquired was the 
direct result and merited reward of his own 
labor. He was also a popular and prominent 
citizen, deeply interested in the welfare and 
prosperity of his community, and was a liberal 
contributor to school and church enterprises. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shadden were born thir- 
teen children : Lucilla, Madison, Jasper, 
Thomas, Henry, Mary, Eliza and Riley, all of 
whom are deceased; Amon, of this review, and 
four, who died in infancy. The father passed 
away in 1894, at the age of eighty-five years, 
and the mother, when eighty-six years of age, 
and both were laid to rest in McMinnville 
cemetery. 

Amon Shadden, whose name introduces this 
record, began his education in the district 
schools and afterward attended high school 
and McMinnville College. He married Mag- 
gie Mitchell, a native of New York City, and 
they went to the home of Mr. Shadden's par- 
ents, whom they cared for in their declining 
years. Both became helpless and had to be 
wheeled around in invalid chairs for a number 



of years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Amon Shadden 
was born one son, Granville, who is now living 
upon a part of the old donation claim. For his 
second wife, Amon Shadden chose Emma 
Stewart, a native of Minnesota, and their only 
child, Emma, is now deceased. His third wife 
bore the maiden name of Docia Gillum, and is 
still living with him upon his farm in Yamhill 
county. 

Throughout his entire life Mr. Shadden has 
carried on general agricultural pursuits and 
stock-raising, making a specialty of Jersey cat- 
tle, Berkshire hogs and of draft and trotting 
horses. He owns about two hundred and sixty- 
four acres of land, most of which is the old 
donation claim. He has placed his fields under 
a high state of cultivation and has done not a 
little to improve the grade of stock in this 
locality by introducing valuable animals. In 
recent years he has discovered gold upon his 
place. -He has found large quantities of blue 
quartz encased in silver coating, besides lead, 
silver and gold indications, and he is confident 
that the mineral deposits will give him a rich 
yield. His life has been one of untiring in- 
dustry and his energy has been a large factor 
in his success. In his political views Mr. Shad- 
den is a Democrat, and his religious faith is 
indicated by his membership in the Christian 
Church. For a half century he has lived upon 
the farm which is now his home, and this 
period covers his entire earthly pilgrimage. 
There have been no exciting chapters in his 
career or startling incidents, but probably no 
sketch given in this volume proves more con- 
clusively the force of industry and honesty as 
factors in winning success. 



JOHN H. GLASS. Among the prominent 
business men of Brownsville, Linn county, must 
be named John Hamilton Glass and Wilson 
Blaine Glass, who have been influential factors 
in the financial progress of this city and com- 
munity. Through the display of exceptional 
business sagacity they have won an enviable 
place in the ranks of the progressive men of the 
Williamette valley. The business life of John 
H. Glass is so closely interwoven with that of 
his brother that a history of one would scarcely 
be complete without that of the other. 

The first representative of the Glass family 
on American soil was John Glass, a native of 
County Antrim, Ireland, who came to the United 
States in 1818. He first located in Philadelphia, 
Pa., remaining for only a short time before he 
went on to Ohio, where his son, Robert, the 
father of the Glass brothers, was born, July 28, 
1823, in the town of Steubenville. In 1831 the 
family removed to Illinois, settling in Warren 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



705 



county, locating' six miles from the town of 
Monmouth, and there engaged in farming. 
I Hiring the gold excitement of 1849 Robert Glass 
was so imbued with the spirit of adventure and 
prolit lukl out by a trip to the west that be 
determined to make the journey across the 
He found a gratifying success at 
Feather river, near Marysville, and several other 
id localities famous in the early history of 
California. Satisfied with the result of his min- 
ing, be ventured north, in 1850 taking up a do- 
nation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, 
located in Linn county, on the present site of 
the town of Crawfordsville. For some time he 
was located in the city, engaged in a general 
merchandise business, but soon returned to the 
farm, where he died July 13, 1903, at the age 
oi nearly eighty years, active in the business of 
stock-raising and general farming up to the 
time of his death. He recently celebrated the 
golden anniversary of his wedding, having been 
married February 8, 1853, to Jane Gray, a native 
of Ohio. Her father was John Gray, born in 
Kentucky, and who went to Ohio in an early 
day, and followed that with a trip across the 
plains to Oregon in 1852. He located three 
miles southwest of Brownsville, on a donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres which 
occupied the .present site of Twin Buttes. He 
met his death in 1889, at the age of seventy-six 
years, being the victim of confidence men while 
passing through Portland from a visit at Prine- 
ville, eastern Oregon. The children which 
ssed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Glass are five 
in number, four Sons and one daughter, of 
whom John H. and W. B. reside in Browns- 
ville ; D. H. is assistant city engineer of Seattle, 
Wash. ; J. W. is a farmer in this locality ; and 
Ivy J. resides on the old home. After his son's 
settlement in the west John Glass came to Ore- 
gon, via the Isthmus of Panama, and made his 
borne with the family, dying here May 26, 1870, 
over eighty-eight years old. He was a sturdy 
member of a good old Scotch family of whom 
the eldest son had been given the name of John 
for many generations, a complete history of the 
genealogy of the family being in the possession 
of a relative in Corvallis, Lillian Glass by name. 
Religiously he was a Presbyterian. 

John Hamilton Glass, the eldest son, was born 
on his father's donation claim at Crawfordsville, 
June 12, 1855, and was there reared to manhood, 
receiving his education in the common schools 
of Oregon, until he was nineteen y r ears old, when 
he spent the winter of 1874-5 in the Oregon Ag- 
ricultural College of Corvallis. In 1880 he be- 
came interested in a planing mill, conducting the 
same for several years, when the business was 
transferred to Cottage Grove. Later, Mr. Glass 
and his brother, W, B., invested in the Great 



Northern Mill & Mining Company, for a half 
of which the two put in a four-stamp mill. The 
claim is located in the Blue river mining district, 
one and one half miles northeast of the Lucky 
Boy mine, and has been splendidly improved in 
every way, tunnels, mills, etc., making it a very 
valuable property. The company is now incor- 
porated with a capital of $120,000, $100,000 of 
which is paid up, and Mr. Glass is its president 
and business manager. In 1896 he entered the 
bank of Brownsville as cashier, in which posi- 
tion he remained until January, 1903, when he 
became vice president of the institution. 

Mr. Glass' first wife was Bessie Trigg. She 
was a native of Kentucky and while there on a 
visit in 1885 with her husband she died, leaving 
one son, Robert. Several years afterward Mr. 
Glass was married in Crawfordsville to Althea 
Chance, a native of Ohio, and who died in 1899. 
Two daughters were born of the second mar- 
riage, Ava and Hazel, who make their home with 
their father. Fraternally Mr. Glass is a member 
of the Blue Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; 
Knights of Pythias; and Rathbone Sisters. In 
his religious views he follows the convictions of 
his ancestors and belongs to the Presbyterian 
Church. As a Republican he has been of no 
little service to his city, serving as city recorder 
for one year and since that time as city treasurer 
for some time. He has also been school clerk 
since 1896. 

The brother with whom Mr. Glass has been 
so closely associated is Wilson Blaine Glass, 
next to himself in age, having been born six 
miles east of Crawfordsville August 30, 1858, 
spending a large part of his youth upon the 
paternal farm. He was educated in the common 
schools in the vicinity of his home, later attend- 
ing a private school, from which he received 
a diploma for a business course. In 1883 he 
engaged with his brother John in the planing 
mills of Crawfordsville. In 1897 be came to 
Brownsville and assumed the position of secre- 
tary of the Eagle Woolen Mills Company, 
three years later going to Cottage Grove to look 
after the interests of the planing mills, which 
which had been removed to that city. In June, 
1902, he sold his interest in Cottage Grove 
and returned to Brownsville, where he took 
the position of assistant cashier in the bank of 
Brownsville, and in January, 1903, was elected 
cashier, a position which he has creditably 
maintained up to the present time. As previ- 
ously mentioned he is interested in the Great 
Northern Mill & Mining Company, being a part- 
ner with his brother in that concern. 

The marriage which united W. B. Glass to 
Vina E. Ramsey took place in Halsey, she also 
being a native of Oregon, having been born in 



766 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Lane county. Fraternally, Mr. Glass is associ- 
ated with the Woodmen of the World, Ancient 
Order of United Workmen and Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously he is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church at Craw- 
fordsville, and is a Republican in politics, now 
serving as clerk of school district No. 3, Linn 
county. 



WILLIAM P. IRELAND. At the present 
time William P. Ireland is the owner of twelve 
hundred acres of land in different parts of Ore- 
gon, the greater portion being in Polk county. 
A native of Jackson county, Irid., he was born 
April 16, 1846, his father, David, having been 
born in Ohio in 18 19. His mother, formerly 
Mary A. Sanderson, was also born in Jackson 
county, in 1825, and was reared on her father's 
farm, remaining at home until her marriage. 
David Ireland removed with his family from 
Indiana to Illinois in 1853, locating on a farm 
in Effingham county, where he remained for one 
year. Next be located in Iowa for a year, and 
in 1864 crossed the plains with mule-teams, 
which they found a great improvement over the 
old-time oxen. Six months were consumed on 
the trip, and upon arriving in Oregon Mr. Ire- 
land purchased a farm of six hundred and forty 
acres adjoining the one now occupied by his 
son, and here he spent many happy and success- 
ful years, attaining to a prominent and influen- 
tial place in the community. 

William P. Ireland was educated in the com- 
mon schools of Lucas county, Iowa, and was 
eighteen years of age when he came to Oregon. 
At the age of twenty-three he started out on 
his own responsibility, and from then until the 
present time has had no help in carving out his 
fortune. With his earnings he bought a portion 
of his father's donation claim, which formed 
the nucleus for his present large landed possess- 
ions, and forthwith inaugurated large general 
farming and stock-raising enterprises, a prefer- 
ence being given to the latter. He is an excellent 
judge of stock, but inclines to the reliable and 
substantial ratber than fancy breeds. February 
9, 1869, Mr. Ireland was united in marriage 
with Cornelia Staats, who was born in Yamhill 
county, January 11, 185 1, a daughter of Stephen 
Staats, one of the foremost pioneers and up- 
builders of this county. Eight children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ireland, of whom 
Ora D. is a dentist of Portland ; Anna L. is 
the wife of C. M. Tetherow of Lewisville ; Clar- 
ence E. is at Independence ; Glenn O., Willard 
W., Fred M., and Bessie F., are living at home. 
Mrs. Ireland is a member of the Rebekahs, and 
with her husband is active in the Christian 
Church. Mr. Ireland has always subscribed to 



the principles of the Democratic party, but has 
never directed his efforts towards office-holding. 
He is a broad-minded and progressive citizen, 
devoted to his farm, his home and his friends, 
and one in whom the community at large places 
the utmost confidence. 

The Staats family was very early represented 
in the state of New York, where settled the first 
German emigrants. Stephen Staats, the father 
of Mrs. Ireland, was born in Albany, N. Y., 
July 21, 1 82 1, a son of Isaac W. Staats, who 
also was born in New . York, and who was a 
merchant for many years of his life. The grand- 
father came west on a visit around the Horn, 
and died in Polk county at the age of seventy- 
six years. He married Jane Ann Crowlins, 
also born in New York, and who bore him ten 
children, few of whom are living. Mr. Staats 
was reared in Albany until fifteen years of age, 
and then went across the country to Kansas 
where he secured a position as clerk in a store 
at Leavenworth. With his father he removed 
after two years to Platte county, Mo., of which 
county they were the very first settlers, and the 
.first white people to whom the Indians sold 
land. The father put up the first house in the 
county, and lived there for eight years, or until 
1845. That year Isaac and Stephen Staats 
crossed the plains in an ox-train, one of the 
members of the train being John M. Forest, 
whose daughter, Cordelia, afterward became 
Mrs. Staats. The journey was a pleasant one, 
rendered so no doubt by the presence of a win- 
some face, which he decided should henceforth 
brighten his fireside. Arriving in Oregon the 
Staats brothers each located a section of land 
on the Luckiamute, and built log cabins in which 
they lived until the marriage of Stephen, March 
29, 1846. The following year the young people, 
with Mr. Forest and his family and Isaac Staats 
went over the mountain with pack mules, to 
California. Locating in Santa Clara county, 
Stephen Staats secured work in the redwoods, 
and was at Sutter's Fort when gold was dis- 
covered. Afterward he clerked for Sam Brannan 
on Mormon's Island, the stock in trade being 
blankets and general provisions for the Indians 
and early settlers. The Indians had to pay ten 
dollars apiece for blankets, the price being paid 
in gold dust, determined by placing ten dollars 
in silver on one side of the scales, and balancing 
it on the other side with gold dust. In this way 
a great deal of gold was taken into the crude 
little store, and Mr. Staats came to regard the 
precious metal as a very common and easily 
gotten commodity. 

In 1848 the same party wended their way 
northward to Oregon, Mr. Staats having made 
up his mind that gold was so common it would 
no longer have great value. The ocean voyage 







t, <* % f 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



769 



for himself and wife cost three hundred dollars, 
and ujKin arriving in Portland they decided to 
spend the winter there. In the spring they 
returned to the claim in Polk county, which the 
er afterward traded for a rifle, and purchased 
hundred and forty acres adjoining, upon 
which he lived until his death, April 7, 1898. 
Ten children were born to himself and wife, 
the son, John H., being the first white child born 
between the Luckiamute and La Creole. Mr. 
Staats was an enterprising and progressive man, 
and took an active part in promoting the inter- 
5 of the Democratic party in his adopted 
state. A fluent speaker, he assisted in many a 
campaign, and his eloquence was equally appre- 
ciated in the Grange, of which he was a lecturer 
for many years. He was a justice of the peace 
for many years, and represented his county 
in the territorial legislature in 1876. He was 
president of the County Pioneer Society. 



WASHINGTON R. TOWNSEND. The suc- 
cess of W. R. Townsend, one of the most enter- 
prising farmers in Marion county, should serve 
as an example to all who are willing to travel the 
path of industry, business integrity, and progress. 
Mr. Townsend is a representative of one of the 
prominent pioneer families of the state, and on 
his maternal side traces his descent from a Revo- 
lutionary forefather named Sampson. W. R. 
Townsend was born in Fulton county, 111., 
November 27. 1846. and is a son of G. G. Town- 
send, who was born in New York state August 
12. 1803. 

G. G. Townsend was one of the men who 
builded solely upon his own energies, and with 
tactically no assistance from outside sources. 
His father died when he was a small bov, and 
afterward he was put out to work, his earnings 
going towards the support of his mother. While 
still a boy he removed with his mother to Ohio, 
where he grew to manhood, and married Mariam 
Sampson, a native of Ohio, whose father served 
six years and six months in the Revolutionary 
war. Mr. Townsend eventually removed with 
his wife and children to Illinois, and in 1850 
started across the plains with ox teams, six 
months being required for the journey. The fam- 
ily came direct to Marion county and took up a 
donation claim of six hundred and forty acres 
two and a half miles southeast of Woodburn, 
which consisted entirely of wild land. In this 
wilderness a little log house was built for the 
accommodation of the family, and the desolation 
of their situation may best be understood when 
it is known that their nearest neighbor was four 
miles distant. In time golden harvests rewarded 
the industry of the father and children, a new 



house took the place of the rough hewed log 
structure, and many blessings came the way of 
the industrious and thrifty family. On this same 
farm sixteen children received their start in life, 
and here the father lived to be eighty-one and 
the mother eighty-two years of age. Of the 
three children living of this large family Ebenezer 
Leonard is living with his brother W. R., and 
Jonathan Rockwell lives on a farm near Trout- 
dale. 

It is interesting to note the religious enthusiasm 
accredited to the father, who was devoted to the 
welfare of the Christian Church, going regularly 
to a meeting-house ten miles distant from his 
home. In politics he was a Republican. 

In spite of the disadvantages attending his ac- 
quirement of an education, W. R. Townsend man- 
aged to qualify as a teacher, and was thus en- 
gaged for a couple of years. At the same time 
he continued to make the old donation claim his 
headquarters, but after his marriage with Nancy 
Emeline Stephens, wTio was born December 21, 
1857, an d whose parents crossed the plains in 
1852, settling near Needy, Clackamas county, he 
went to live on the farm which has since been his 
home, and which consists of ninety acres. The 
most modern of improvements, practical man- 
agement, and up-to-date methods have contrib- 
uted to make the Townsend farm one of the most 
desirable in Marion county. The owner has just 
completed a modern two-story frame dwelling, 
and his barns and out-buildings are substantially 
constructed. He is engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising, twenty-eight acres being de- 
voted to hops. Six children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Townsend, of whom Delbert H. is de- 
ceased ; May, deceased, was married to Nathan 
Jones : they had one daughter, Cecil, who lives . 
with her grandparents ; Clyde S. is living at 
home ; Winona G. is the wife of Grover Todd, of 
Woodburn : Ammi Rockwell and Ada are living 
with their parents. 

A Republican in politics. Mr. Townsend has 
taken an active interest in local affairs, and has 
served as road supervisor, member of the school 
board and as justice of the peace. He is a mem- 
ber of the Woodburn Grange No. 79, and in re- 
ligion is connected with the Christian Church. 



WILLIAM R. McKAY. One and a half 
miles from Champoeg is a farm which, from the 
standpoint of equipment, cultivation and general 
productiveness, is unexcelled in Marion county 
or in the entire Willamette valley. That its 
owner. William R. McKay, is a master in his line 
and an agriculturist who works along scientific 
lines, is evident to all who are permitted to avail 
themselves of the hospitality of this ideal rural 



770 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



home, and to visit the various departments which 
contribute to his large annual income. 

Much may be accomplished on seven hundred 
acres of land located in the center of one of the 
most fertile valleys in the world; and this fact 
has not been lost upon Mr. McKay, who has 
the keen and far-sighted judgment of the typical 
northwestern business man. Three hundred 
and fifty acres of his estate are under cultivation, 
and the balance is devoted to timber and pastur- 
age. During the year 1902 the yield from 
his forty-acre hop-yard was fifty-two thousand 
pounds, and for the proper care of this pro- 
duct he maintains three large hop-houses. The 
barns, outhouses, implements and general im- 
provements are on the most extensive scale, 
in keeping with similar enterprises in the oldest 
and most advanced. centers of agricultural activ- 
ity. Upon the fertile pastures graze large 
numbers of Shorthorn cattle and other high- 
orade stock, and general farming is conducted 
on a large scale. 

The knowledge of such marked success natur- 
ally presupposes years of exertion and struggle 
with adversity, which are emphasized in the 
career of Mr.' McKay. He is a native son of 
Oregon, having been born near St. Paul, Marion 
county, December 30, 1849. His father, James 
McKay, was born in Ireland and came to Amer- 
ica in young manhood where after various loca- 
tions he made his way to Oregon and from that 
time until his death was actively interested in 
the growth and upbuilding of the state. For 
more complete details, refer to the sketch of 
James McKay, which appears on another page 
of this work. William R. McKay was favored 
with an education in the public schools and Santa 
Clara College, Santa Clara, Cal. In 1873 he 
became foreman of the Glynn ranch at Jacinto, 
Cal. For about five years he resided in Califor- 
nia, spending most of the time in Sacramento 
and San Francisco. Upon his return to Oregon 
he first assisted his brother, John N., in the man- 
agement of his father's ranch, where general 
farming and stock-raising was carried on on 
an extensive scale. 

January 13, 1885, Mr. McKay was united in 
marriage with Anna Kavanaugh, a native of St. 
Louis, Marion county, Ore., and a daughter of 
Daniel and Catherine (Doyle) Kavanaugh, both 
of whom were natives of Ireland, came to Amer- 
ica in youth, were married in Illinois and settled 
in Oregon about 1861. In that year he arid his 
brother severed their partnership, William R. 
McKay removing to the farm upon which he 
has since accomplished such splendid results. 
He and his wife are the parents of five children : 
Stanley J., Arthur W., Estelle C, Justin L. and 
Albert J. 

Mr. McKay is a Democrat in politics and with 



his family he finds a religious home in the Roman 
Catholic Church. To an exceptional degree he 
enjoys the esteem and confidence of all wbo 
know him, and his personal characteristics are 
such as to render him a popular member of the 
community. Though he has never been a seeker 
after political honors, he has been actively identi- 
fied with most of the movements of a public 
nature calculated to benefit the moral, educa- 
tional or industrial standing of Marion county. 
The indefatigable energy, the industry and busi- 
nesslike methods he has displayed in the devel- 
opment of his magnificent farm have naturally 
resulted in placing him in a conspicuous position 
among his fellowmen, and the younger men of 
the present generation feel that, in him, they have 
an example well worthy of emulation. Few 
agriculturists have done so much as Mr. McKay 
to illustrate the possibilities of the soil of the 
Willamette valley, and for this reason, if no other 
existed, he is entitled to rank among the repre- 
sentative men of the valley. 



HENRY S. SMITH. In a little log cabin 
still standing, on what is now known as the 
James Haggard place, Henry S. Smith was born 
April 8, 1854, two miles northeast of Lewisville, 
Polk county, Ore., the son of John H. Smith, a 
pioneer of 1849. The latter was born in Mont- 
gomery county, Mo., the son of James Smith, 
who came to Oregon in the early days of her 
history, dying at Lewisville at a ripe old age. 

In the course of time John H. Smith grew to 
manhood and married Martha J. Lewis, a native 
of Kentucky, and with the courage born in the 
American pioneer the two outfitted with ox- 
teams and other articles necessary for such a 
trip and in 1849 started across the plains for the 
great northwest, regardless of the dangers and 
months of weary travel that lay between them 
and their destination. During the six months 
which their trip occupied they had many en- 
counters with the Indians, but managed to come 
through safely, and on arriving in Polk county, 
Ore., Mr. Smith at once took up a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres, where 
Mrs. Smith now makes her home, the land hav- 
ing been retained in the family through the pass- 
ing years. As a farmer Mr. Smith occupied all 
his time, though for many years prior to his 
death, which occurred January 13, 1893, at the 
age of sixtv-eight years, ten months and twenty- 
five days, he had been disabled through a spinal 
affection, caused through exposure during ser- 
vice in the Cayuse war in 1855-6. He was a 
member of the Christian Church at Lewisville, 
and one of the organizers of the congregation 
at that place. Politically he was a Democrat. 

Of the nine children born to his parents, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



771 



thru- daughters and six sons, Henry S. Smith 
was the second, and on his father's farm, which 
was located three miles northeast of Lewisville, 
he grew to manhood, receiving his first knowl- 
edge of books at the little log school-house in 
the vicinity of his home. When his education 
was considered complete he went to work for 
his father in the farm duties to which he had 
been trained from his earliest boyhood, and when 
twentv-three years of age he entered upon the 
business himself. 

June 4. 1879, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Kate Yeater, a native of Benton county, 
Ore., born March 5, 1855. Of the three chil- 
dren born to them Lulu A. is deceased ; Ray L. 
lives in Falls City, Ore.; and Myrnie F. makes 
her home with her parents. Politically Mr. 
Smith is a Republican, and has served as school 
director. His wife is a member of the Evan- 
gelical Church of Lewisville. 

Mr. Smith has met with a modest success. 
Mrs. Smith owns sixty-four acres of land, thirty- 
six of which her husband is busy cultivating, 
and which is principally in hay. In addition to 
his farm he also has a small store at Lewisville, 
and acts as postmaster of that town. Before 
settling steadily to his farm work he acted as 
traveling salesman for a large implement house, 
gaining an insight into the commercial world, 
which has been of great benefit to him. 

OREN D. RIDER. Among the extensive 
and well-to-do agriculturists of Polk county, 
Mr. Rider is prosperously engaged in his chosen 
vocation on one of the pleasantest and most 
desirable homesteads in the town of Independ- 
ence. He also owns considerable city property, 
one of his buildings being now rented for mer- 
cantile purposes, and not far from the city lim- 
its he has a small but valuable farm of thirty- 
four acres, fourteen of which are devoted to the 
raising of hops, while five acres are planted with 
prune trees. 

A native of New York, Mr. Rider was born, 
in April, 1839, at Lawrence, Otsego county, of 
English ancestry. His father, Abraham Rider, 
was born at Leeds, Yorkshire England, about 
1803. After learning the trade of a moulder 
he emigrated to America in search of fortune, 
coming here in 1823. Settling in New York, 
he followed his trade at West Point, and in 
different parts of the state, for many years, be- 
ing successful in his labors as a foundryman. 
He subsequently removed to La Salle county, 
111., and from there to Palo Alto county, Iowa, 
where he resided until his death, in 1876. He 
married Sarah M. Harrison, who was born in 
the western part of Connecticut, not many miles 
from Poughkeepsie, N. Y. She came from dis- 
tinguished ancestry, being a descendant of Gen- 



eral Harrison, at one time governor of the 
Northwestern territory. She is still living, mak- 
ing her home with her son, W. S. Rider, in 
Oregon City. Three children were born of their 
union, namely: Oren D., the subject of this 
sketch; W. S., of Oregon City; and Mrs. Sarah 
A. Laurie, who died in Kansas. 

Receiving such educational advantages as 
were offered by the public schools of New York 
state, Oren D. Rider remained at home during 
his early manhood, subsequently working with 
his father and brother until permanently settled 
in Oregon. Removing from Illinois to Iowa, 
he was there engaged in his independent occu- 
pation of farming until 1875, when he became 
a resident of Oregon City, Ore., where he re- 
mained eight years as an agriculturist. Coming 
to Polk county in 1883, Mr. Rider purchased 
his present home farm of seventeen acres, on 
which he has made valuable improvements. He 
has erected a substantial dwelling-house, built 
necessary barns and outbuildings, and has all 
the implements and machinery essential to a 
well equipped farming estate. He carries on gen- 
eral agriculture, making somewhat of a specialty 
of the culture of hops, to which nine acres of this 
farm is devoted. For twelve years he also had 
the management of the Hurschburger farm of 
twelve hundred acres. In his agricultural 
labors he has been prosperous, his practical and 
systematic methods, excellent judgment and his 
skill being conducive to success. 

In 1861 Mr. Rider married Mary E. Newell, 
who was born in Ashtabula, Ohio. Eight chil- 
dren blessed their union, six of whom are liv- 
ing, namely : Fred, a resident of Washington ; 
Mrs. Hattie E. Clark, of Salem, Ore.; Mrs. 
Lena O. Jones, of Independence ; Mrs. Cora E. 
Edwards, of Washington ; Frank, at home ; and 
Netta, wife of Frank Buckley, of Washington. 
In local affairs Mr. Rider evinces a deep inter- 
est, keeping well informed on current events, 
and contributing generously towards all enter- 
prises calculated to promote the prosperity of 
town and county. He is a Republican in poli- 
tics, and has served as road supervisor and as 
school director. While living in Illinois he be- 
came a Mason. 

JAMES H. MULKEY. A man whose sus- 
tained efforts have been productive of many re- 
turns is James H. Mulkey, born in Benton 
county, Ore., four miles west of Corvallis, No- 
vember 24, 1848, the son of Luke Mulkey, one 
of the early settlers of this state. The father 
was born in Kentucky, May 9, 1810, the son of 
a farmer, who died when Luke Mulkey was 
quite a young man. With his remaining parent 
he went to Missouri, and there met and married 
Miss Ruth Allison, born in that state in 18 16. 



772 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The father was one of nine children, several of 
whom crossed the plains to Oregon, Johnson 
Mulkey being the first. He made several trips, 
the first one being in 1845, his return to the 
east the next year being followed by his emi- 
gration to Benton county, Ore., in 1847. 
Thomas Mulkey, another brother, followed after 
his father located in Yamhill county, but died 
three days after his arrival. Luke Mulkey 
crossed the plains with his family in 1847 with 
ox-teams, and after six months on the trip they 
arrived in Benton county, where they passed the 
winter. In Benton county Mr. Mulkey took 
up a donation claim of six hundred and forty 
acres, remaining upon it until 1858, when he 
sold the place and removed to a farm near Mon- 
mouth, Polk county. His farm here consisted 
of four hundred and seventy acres, upon which 
he remained until his death, which occurred at 
the age of eight-four years in 1893. His first 
wife having died in 1859 ne married Mrs. Nar- 
cissa Brents, who died in 1865. The third part- 
ner of his joys and sorrows was Mrs. Sarah 
Caton, who departed this life in 1894. Mr. 
Mulkey was an eminently successful man among 
the farmers of this county, whose competency 
came through his own well directed efforts, and 
nothing could tempt him to depart from his 
ways and engage in the worrying cares of pub- 
lic life. 

James H. Mulkey was one of six children, 
the others being as follows : Rachel Waller ; 
Eliza Hawley ; W. J., of Monmouth ; F. Y., also 
of the same city ; and Renna Boney, of Port- 
land. At the age of seventeen years, and after 
his education in the schools of Monmouth had 
been completed, James H. left home, going to 
California, where he remained for sixteen 
months. On his return to Oregon with the 
substantial returns of his trip, he located in 
Wasco county. Here he took up a ranch of 
one hundred and sixty acres and engaged in 
stock-raising, meeting with a success broken 
only by one misfortune. On a trip to Colorado 
with a drove of cattle the mercury fell so low 
that he lost nearly all his stock. In 1881 he re- 
turned to Polk county and located on the place 
where he now makes his home. The farm con- 
tains four hundred acres of land, three hundred 
and fifty of which is tillable. He is now en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising, and 
is also interested in an apple orchard, eleven 
acres being devoted to its cultivation. Mr. 
Mulkey's property in Monmouth consists of two . 
brick store-buildings. 

In 1871 Mr. Mulkey married Miss Emily J. 
Porter, born in Linn county, Ore., her father, 
Samuel Porter, having crossed the plains in 
1852. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Mulkey, eight of whom are now living. They 



are as follows: Frank H., at home; May M. 
McGowan, of Sherman county; Alice G. Hol- 
raan, of Josephine county; and Augusta, 
Blanche, Zona, Edna and Myrle, all at home 
with their parents. Being a public-spirited man 
and one interested in the affairs of his city and 
county, Mr. Mulkey has been selected by the 
Democratic party, of which he is a strong ad- 
herent, to act as road supervisor and school 
director of his district, having held the former 
for many years. In religion he is a member of 
the Christian Church, of which he is a deacon. 



REV. I. N. MULKEY. From a long line of 
ancestry has been transmitted to Rev. I. N. 
Mulkey those traits which have distinguished 
his useful life, though not yet having passed the 
three score and ten years allotted to man. His 
forefathers have been men of God, in whose 
service in pioneer fields they have left the im- 
press of their strong and capable personality 
in the upbuilding of commonwealths. John 
Mulkey, the grandfather, was born in Fairfor- 
est, Spartanburg county, S. C, in the year 1773, 
and as a young man served as a minister of the 
Baptist Church, but was early identified with the 
Christian Church, in November, 1809, organiz- 
ing a church of this denomination. The father 
of I. N. Mulkey, Jonathan, was born in Ken- 
tucky, in September, 1795, whither his parents 
had removed from their South Carolina home, 
and in that state he grew to manhood, engaged 
in the cultivation of the soil. In Kentucky he 
married Tealitha Hardin, born in North Caro- 
lina, in the year 1800, and together they removed 
to Franklin county, 111., where he purchased a 
farm and spent the greater part of the remainder 
of his life engaged in its cultivation. His death 
occurred in Williamson county, 111., in February, 
i860, his life having been spent rather for the 
benefit of those about him than for the accumu- 
lation of wealth. Of the fourteen children born 
of their union, five are now living: Lucinda, 
now Mrs. Harlin of Iowa ; Jacob, of St. Joseph ; 
Rev. I. N., of this review; W. J., who is con- 
ducting a hotel in Eugene, Ore. ; and Rev. A. 
H., of Coquille, a minister of the Christian 
Church. 

In Monroe county, Ky., February 9, 1840, 
occurred the birth of I. N. Mulkey, and after 
a very limited education received in the primi- 
tive schools of Illinois, he was apprenticed to a 
blacksmith, with whom he remained for three 
and a half years. Upon the close of his appren- 
ticeship in "1866 he moved to Missouri, settling 
in Worth county, and continued his trade. In 
1868 he went to Nebraska, settling in Lancaster 
county, where he took up a homestead claim. 




JCMUtz^t 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I i o 



From the combined industries of farming and 
blacksmithing he derived a good income. With 
the hope of broadening his capabilities he re- 
moved to Oregon in 1871, locating at Pleasant 
Hill. Lane county, where he engaged at his 
trade, and soon began to take an active part in 
religious work, preparing himself by a close 
study of the Bible, and finally took permanent 
charge of pastorates throughout the country as 
a minister of the Christian Church. In Octo- 
ber, 1898, Mr. Mulkey was appointed pastor 
of the church at Bethel, Polk county, where in 
addition to pastorate work he engaged in gar- 
dening upon the six and a half acres of land 
which he had purchased. 

In September, 1861, Mr. Mulkey was united 
in marriage with Miss Sarah F. Randolph, a 
native of Posey county, Ind., born July 12, 1846. 
Her father, James Randolph, died in 1854, in 
Williamson county, 111. Her mother, Margaret 
(Williams) Randolph, also died in Williamson 
county, 111., in 1856. Of the nine children born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Mulkey seven are now living. 
They are as follows : B. F., ex-state senator 
from Polk county and now president of the state 
normal school at Ashland ; Luella, now Mrs. 
Parks, of Pleasant Hill ; P. J., principal of 
the schools at Arlington; J. E., of Palouse, 
Wash. ; J. R., of Colfax, Wash. ; Charles, of 
Ashland, Ore. ; and Veda, still at home. As a 
Republican in politics Mr. Mulkey has always 
stood for the best interests of the county. Fra- 
ternally he is identified with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, of Springfield, Ore. 



MATHIAS W. STEWART. Five hundred 
acres of the most desirable farming land in 
Polk county is owned and operated by Mathias 
W. Stewart, an enthusiastic appreciator of 
the many advantages of this great state, and 
one of the most enterprising and resourceful 
of the sons of New York to seek a home in the 
northwest. Mr. Stewart was born at Auburn, 
Cayuga county, N. Y., August 2, 1832, and 
from his father, David C, inherits the traits 
of perseverance and business ability which 
have encompassed his success. The father 
spent his entire life in New York state, where 
he was born in 1806, and died in 1856. Dur- 
ing the greater part of his active life he was 
engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which he 
achieved great success, and accumulated quite 
a competence. He was prominently identified 
with county affairs, and was treasurer thereof 
for at least twelve years, during his term of 
sendee faithfully serving the best interests of 
Cayuga county. A Democrat in politics, he 
was a stanch supporter of his party, and filled 



many positions of trust besides that of county 
treasurer. In religion he was a Presbyterian, 
as was also his wife, formerly Elizabeth Hoff- 
man, a native of New York state. Mrs. Stew- 
art died in New York in 1869, having borne' 
him four children, three sons and one daughter. 
Catherine is deceased. The oldest son ; 
Charles, sailed around the Horn in 1848, and 
after mining and prospecting returned to his 
home by way of Panama in 1852. The follow- 
ing year he again came west, returning to New 
York in 1856. During the Civil war he at- 
tained the rank of colonel in a New York regi- 
ment, while his brother, David, the youngest 
of the children, became a lieutenant during 
the same momentous struggle, and eventually 
died in New York. 

While attending the academy at Auburn, N. 
Y., Mathias W. Stewart was a companion of 
the late Roscoe Conkling, who now sleeps in a 
graveyard at Utica, N. Y. He was also ac- 
quainted with that distinguished secretary of 
state under Lincoln, William H. Seward, who 
came from the same town, and wdth whom he 
played as a youth. After leaving the academy 
Mr. Stewart entered his father's store, remain- 
ing there until 1853. Becoming interested in 
• mining, he then came west via Nicaragua, and 
for eight years tempted fortune with varying 
success and failure in the northern part of 
California. In 1861 he located in Salem, Mar- 
ion county, Ore., and in 1862 went to 
Idaho, engaging in various occupations until 
1864. Returning to Salem, he engaged as 
clerk in the general merchandise store of R. 
M. Wade for five years, in 1868 removing to 
his present farm near Independence. A large 
portion of his land is under cultivation, and 
he has a fine rural residence, commodious 
barns, convenient outhouses, and all necessary 
agricultural implements. He is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising, besides rais- 
ing some fruit, and his scientific and practical 
methods have resulted in gratifying returns. 

In 1868, in Polk county. Mr. Stewart mar- 
ried Elizabeth Davis, who was born in Kane 
county, 111.. January 26, 1839. a daughter of 
James Davis, who was born in Kentucky May 
5, 1805, and died January 28, 1848. Mr. Davis 
married in his young manhood Lavisa Law- 
rence, born in Kentucky July 6. 1808, and died 
April 1, 1879. She was the mother of two sons 
and three daughters, of whom Mrs. Stewart 
is second youngest. Mr. Davis started across 
the plains in 1847, Dut died on reaching St. 
Joseph, Mo., in January, 1848. The same year 
his wife and children came over the plains to 
Oregon. The mother took up a donation claim 
of three hundred and twenty acres near Inde- 



776 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pendence, and in 1850 married Joseph Car- 
mack, her death occurring on the old donation 
claim as before stated. Mr. Stewart is a Dem- 
ocrat in politics, and is fraternally associated 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
at Independence. He was one of the first 
stockholders in the Independence National 
Bank, and for several years was a director. 
Mr. Stewart is a man of sterling integrity and 
forceful personal characteristics, coupled with 
determination and good business judgment. 



MATHIAS GAULET. Worthy of mention 
among the upbuilders of Marion county is Ma- 
thias Gaulet, at present living a retired life in 
Gervais, but formerly extensively engaged in 
farming, and in plying his trade as carpenter. 
Mr. Gaulet was born in the district of Three 
Rivers, Canada, July 15, 1827, and is the son of 
Peter and Madeline (Vannas) Gaulet, natives 
also of Canada, the former born in Quebec. As 
the name indicates, the remote ancestors came 
from France, and settled in Canada at a very 
early day. Peter Gaulet was a blacksmith by 
s trade, and followed his chosen occupation for 
many years in Canada, and in 1848 engaged in 
the grocery business in Montreal, which he fol- 
lowed until his death in 1862, at the age of eighty- 
two years. His wife, who lived to be eighty 
years of age, died in 1863 ; she bore him eleven 
children, three of whom are living, of whom 
Mathias is the second child. Antoine, born in 
181 5, lives in Gervais, Marion county, and Vir- 
ginia, born in 1831, lives in Montreal, Canada. 

Following upon his completion of the public 
school training in Canada, Mr. Gaulet learned 
the carpenter's trade, for which he showed very 
early aptitude. At the age of fourteen he started 
out to make his own way in the world, and in 
1848 settled in Monroe, Mich., where he learned 
his trade, later returning to his old home in Can- 
ada. In 1 85 1 he was again a resident of Monroe, 
and the following year he and his brother An- 
toine outfitted and crossed the plains with a 
horse team, being about six months on the way. 
For a short time he followed his trade in San 
Francisco, Cal., and then in May, 1852, came to 
Marion county, Ore., where he soon after bought 
a farm about three miles northwest of Gervais. 
In 1855 he was united in marriage with Nancy 
Baker, a native of Virginia, born in 1840, who 
with two sisters crossed the plains in 1843. 

Until 1892 Mr. Gaulet lived on the farm, which 
he improved to the best of his ability, and made 
of it a fine home and paying venture. Realizing 
that his powers were waning as far as physical 
endurance was concerned, and believing himself 
entitled to a few years of relaxation from ardu- 
ous duties, he located in a pleasant home in Ger- 



vais in 1892, and has since made that his perma- 
nent place of abode. Mr. Gaulet also owns other 
town property, and taken all in all, is the pos- 
sessor of a very fair competency. 

In political affiliation Mr. Gaulet is a Demo- 
crat, and among the offices held by him with 
credit is that of treasurer of Gervais. He is a 
member of the Catholic Church, as are also the 
other members of his family. His wife died in 
1880, leaving one son, George, born in 1858, 
who is engaged in mining in Alaska, is married 
and lives in British Columbia. Four children 
died in early childhood. 
In 1 89 1 Mr. Gaulet married- Mrs. Philomena 
(Piett) Campbell, who had four children by 
her former husband. Mr. Gaulet is a man of 
strict integrity, and his many desirable personal 
characteristics entitle him to the esteem and con- 
sideration of all. 



DAVID WRIGHT GRIERSON. To that 
honored pioneer, David W. Grierson, is due the 
distinction of having imported the first Clydes- 
dale horses into the state of Oregon. Although 
deceased in 1895, Mr. Grierson is recalled as one 
of the best farmers and most progressive men 
in Marion county, as indicated principally by 
the farm now occupied by his widow, which has 
few superiors from the standpoint of equipment 
and fine cultivation. 

A native of Durfrieshire, Scotland, Mr. Grier- 
son was born February 28, 1833, and was reared 
on the farm owned and occupied by his father, 
who was a mason by trade, and quite a success- 
ful man. At the age of seventeen the son started 
out to make his own living, and, after landing 
in America made his way to the gold fields of 
California. That this was a congenial and suc- 
cessful occupation was proven by the fact that he 
remained at it for seventeen years in the Chero- 
kee mines. He then took a trip back to Scotland, 
and brought back with him some of the Clydes- 
dale horses for which that country is famous, 
and engaged in their sale in Salem, where he 
located in 1873. He was fortunate in this ven- 
ture, for the strong and beautiful animals won 
friends wherever they were sold, and their prac- 
tical worth was soon demonstrated to the satis- 
faction of all who appreciated the fine points of 
a horse. 

In 1875 Mr. Grierson married at Salem, Mar- 
cella Hensley, who was born in Marion county, 
111., March 5, 1854. There were four children 
born to them : Thomas, who died in infancy ; 
Florence B., the wife of Henry Frank, of Salem ; 
they have one daughter, Helen A. ; Mary M., 
living at home; Frank C, also living with his 
mother. Ten months after his marriage, Mr. 
Grierson left Salem and settled on a farm three 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



783 



Hooker and Meade, and took an active part m 
„nnv of the more important battles of that time, 
among others being the Seven Days' Fight, when 
he reaived a bayonet wound in the hand; Gaines 
Mills. South Mountain, Antietam, and Gettys- 
burg During the latter engagement he served 
at General .Meade's headquarters as a courier. 
On March J, 1804. at Rapidan, Va., he received 
his honorable discharge, and left the army in 
\pril. [864, going directly to New York City. 

A short time later Mr. Strong went to South 
Carolina in search of contraband cotton, returning 
the following year to New York. Removing to 
McLean county. 111., in 1867, he engaged in ag- 
ricultural pursuits, continuing there until Sep- 
tember 3, 1888. meeting with unquestioned suc- 
cess in his operations. Coming then to Oregon, 
he spent six months in Salem, then settled at 
McCoy, taking possession of his farm on March 
4. 1889. He has ninety-one acres of land, on 
which he has added many substantial improve- 
ments. He managed it himself with most satis- 
factory results for several years, but is now liv- 
ing retired, enjoying a well deserved leisure. 

Mr. Strong married, in 1873, Mary E. Sim- 
kins, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, 
August 28, 1846. Her father, Jeremiah Simkins, 
was born January 22, 1822, in New Jersey, while 
her mother, Margaret Rhodes, was a native of 
Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Strong have one 
child. William L. Strong, who operates a saw- 
mill about five miles from McCoy, but lives with 
his parents. Mr. Strong is a Republican in poli- 
tics, and has served as school director at McCoy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Strong removed in August, 
1003. to McMinnville, Yamhill county, where 
they intend to reside permanently. 



ELIJAH BAILEY. So well has Elijah Bailey 
made use of the opportunities which have come 
his way in the northwest that he is today one of 
the foremost farmers and largest landowners in 
his neighborhood in Polk county. Mr. Bailey's 
ri-e in life may be studied with profit by any 
who desire to overcome obstacles and slowly but 
surely make their way to the front, for in his 
make-up he has the traits of character most need- 
ful for the well-being of substantial communities. 
Born in Adair county, Ky., March 6, 1834, he is 
a son of Robert and Ailsey (Hendricks) Bailey, 
natives of Virginia. His grandfather, Lewis 
Bailey, was also born in Virginia of Irish descent, 
while his maternal grandfather, William Hen- 
dricks, was of English descent, and by occu- 
pation was an old-time school teacher. Robert 
Bailey served in both the Creek and Cherokee 
wars, but died comparatively young in 1835, 
when his son Elijah was but a small boy. 

Of the thirteen children, nine sons and four 



daughters, in his father's family, Elijah and Cyn- 
thia Larkin, of Sonoma, Cal., are the only sur- 
vivors. When a year and twenty days old Elijah 
moved with the rest of the family to Sangamon 
county, III, and was there reared on a farm. He 
was educated in a limited degree at the early 
subscription school of his neighborhood. In 1849 
the family moved to Greene county, Mo., and 
settled on a productive farm, raised general farm 
produce, and remained there until coming to 
California in 1854. 

Mr. Bailey contracted to accompany a herd 
of cattle en route to California in that year, for 
which he was paid $10 per month. He brought 
his family with him. They were fairly success- 
ful as miners, and returned to Greene county 
via the Isthmus in 1858, remaining there until 
Mr. Bailey again crossed the plains with ox 
teams in i860. He located a place twenty-five 
miles above Stockton, Cal., and in 1862 went 
down to the Pajaro Valley, which place he sold 
two years later, and came overland to Oregon. 

Locating in Polk county, Mr. Bailey bought 
a farm of one hundred and three acres in Spring 
Valley, where he lived eight years, engaged prin- 
cipally in a flourishing dairy business, and in the 
buying and selling of stock. In 1872 he bought 
his present farm of six hundred acres, of which 
three hundred and fifty acres are cleared, and 
where he raises sheep and goats, besides general 
farming. He has been successful, being an ex- 
cellent business manager as well as a practical 
and scientific agriculturist. The household of 
Mr. Bailey is presided over by his wife, who was 
formerly America Mann, born in Indiana in 1837, 
and whose father, John Mann, emigrated to Law- 
rence county, Ind., at a very early day. Of the 
four sons and three daughters born of this union 
five are living: Loren W., of British Columbia; 
Melvin, living at home ; Elijah, living on a dona- 
tion claim near Salem ; Mrs. Olive Tilley, of In- 
dependence ; and Leona Burden, of Oregon City. 
A Prohibitionist in politics, Mr. Bailey has held 
many positions of trust in the communities in 
which he has lived, including those of school 
director and road supervisor. He is a member of 
the Christian Church of Salem. 



THEODORE JEFFRIES. The name of 
Jeffries is an honored one in Polk county, and 
the second generation, represented in Oregon by 
Theodore Jeffries, maintains the reputation for 
industry and personal honor established by that 
old pioneer, Thomas S. Jeffries. The latter was 
born in the state of Ohio, and as a young man 
removed to Missouri, where he married a native 
daughter, Susan R. Nichols, born in the vicinity 
of St. Louis. The following year he outfitted 
and crossed the plains, locating in Marion county, 



784 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



five miles south of Salem, where he remained 
until he came to Bethel, Ore., where he engaged 
in the mercantile business for several years. In 
1867 he shifted his mercantile interests to the 
center of mining activity in Canyon City, Wasco 
county, Wash., freezing his feet on the way, 
necessitating amputation, and seven years later 
returned to Polk county. He purchased the right 
to a donation claim now occupied by his son, and 
only living child, and one other child in the fam- 
ily having died in infancy. He was successful 
in his general farming and stock-raising, suc- 
ceeded in paying for his entire farm, and left a 
highly improved and valuable property. His 
death occurred in 1895 at the age of seventy- 
seven years, his wife having preceded him in 
1882. 

Better educational advantages than fall to the 
lot of the average farm-reared youth facilitate the 
life-work of Theodore Jeffries, and his conse- 
quent breadth of mind and capacity for business 
are apparent in the manner of conducting his 
large property. From the public schools he 
passed to the Bethel Academy, from which he 
was duly graduated, after which he completed 
the business course at the Portland Business Col- 
lege. He then returned to the farm near Mc- 
Coy, upon which his father had in the meantime 
settled, and which has since been his home. He 
has two hundred and forty acres of the original 
claim, one hundred and sixty of which are under 
cultivation. General farming and stock-raising 
net him a fair yearly income, and he is thus en- 
abled to maintain his family in comfort, and 
educate his children according to his well known 
high ideas of citizenship. A commodious and 
modern residence, well arranged barns, good 
fences, and late agricultural implements, combine 
to make one of the desirable and profitable farm- 
ing enterprises of Polk county. 

Near Amity, Yamhill county, in 1881, Mr. Jef- 
fries married Susan E., daughter of Isaac Robin- 
son, who was born on a farm near Amity, May 1, 
1855, and whose father crossed the plains at an 
early day, and died at Amity in 1897, aged sev- 
enty years. Elsie, the only child of this union, 
is living at home. Mr. Jeffries is a Republican 
in politics, but aside from the formality of cast- 
ing his vote, has never interested himself in the 
local undertakings of his party. Fraternally he 
is identified with the Amity Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, and at one time was financier 
of the organization. He is progressive and up- 
right, well informed and agreeable, and has many 
friends among the best families of his native 
county. . 

WILLIAM GORDON EVANS. One of the 
best known men of the thriving little town of 
Brooks is the genial and popular postmaster, 



groceryman, and farmer, W. G. Evans, a resident 
of the place since 1894, and of the state since 
1865. Mr. Evans has gained a diversified idea 
of life and work in Oregon, and is one of those 
men who deserve great credit for their successful 
circumvention of early hindrances, and wise dis- 
position of later opportunities. He was born in 
the state of Tennessee January 21, 1833, his 
mother, a native of Tennessee, was Miss Rebecca 
Keyton before her marriage, and his father was 
William Evans, a native of Virginia. 

When a small boy Mr. Evans was deprived by 
death of the care and affectionate solicitude of 
his mother, and the family soon after removed 
to Kentucky, where they lived until taking up 
their residence in Arkansas in 1843. Here the 
father died about sixty years of age, and the 
eight children thereafter conducted the farm, and 
succeeded as best they could. When about twen- 
ty-four W. G. saw an opportunity to go to Cali- 
fornia to assist in driving five hundred head of 
cattle, and his experiences while crossing the 
plains with his numerous charges are recalled 
most vividly at the present time. Arrhdng in 
California August 2, 1857, he followed various 
kinds of employment until 1865, working both 
on farms and in the mines of the great western 
state. In 1865 he came to Oregon and settled 
near Brooks, and for the four following years 
worked on different farms, in the meantime man- 
aging to save considerable money. 

In 1869 Mr. Evans married Letitia Savage, 
who was born November 3, 1852, and reared in 
Oregon, her people having crossed the plains 
in 1845. The couple went to housekeeping about 
three miles west of where the town of Brooks is 
now located, and remained there until they re- 
moved to Brooks in 1894. Seven children have 
been born of this union, of whom Hugh C. lives 
on a farm near the town, is married and has 
three children : Nellie A., deceased, was married 
to George Dodge and had one daughter ; Threasa 
is the wife of James Fruit, of Salem, and has two 
sons ; B. Frank lives in Brooks, is married and 
has two daughters ; Minnie is the wife of Fred 
Neusom ; Lena Estelle, deceased ; and John C. is 
living with his parents. Although his store and 
post-office duties consume the greater part of his 
time, Mr. Evans still manages his farm, and the 
family spend a portion of each summer there. 

A stanch Republican, and an active promoter 
of the best interests of his party, Mr. Evans has 
been influential in local affairs of a political na- 
ture, and besides serving as postmaster for sev- 
eral years, having been appointed by Grover 
Cleveland during his first term, he has been clerk 
of the school board in his district for many years, 
road supervisor for several terms, and justice of 
the peace for twelve years. He- and his family 
are members of the United Evangelical Church, 




Qr£ <UC>ZU™f 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



787 



and contribute to the support of the same. Mr. 
Evans enjoys an enviable reputation in the neigh- 
borhood for sobriety, enterprise and honesty. His 
tactful management of the post-office interests, 
his business sagacity and an accommodating and 
genial spirit, have secured him a substantial place 
among the upbuilders of Marion county. 



ternally he is identified with Salem Camp, No. 
118, W. O. W., and Fraternity Lodge, No. 9, 
A. O. U. W. He is a member of the Bankers' 
Life Association of Des Moines, Iowa, and with 
his family is a member of the Catholic Church. 



HENRY MEIRING. Although not a land 
owner in Marion county, Henry Meiring is one 
of the very successful and prosperous fanners 
around Gervais, where he is operating five hun- 
dred and seventy acres of land comprising the 
Landet donation' claim. He is engaged in gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising, having at his 
direct disposal three hundred and seventy acres 
oi cultivated land. An additional source of in- 
come is derived from operating a threshing ma- 
chine, in which he has been interested for the 
past fifteen years. Mr. Meiring has further 
added to his responsibilities by purchasing a flour- 
ing mill at Gervais, which is proving a paying 
and successful enterprise. 

In Hanover, Germany, where he was born 
September 15, 1849. Mn Meiring was reared on 
his father's farm, and educated in the public 
schools. His father died when he was twenty- 
one, and his mother when he was six years of 
age. and thereafter he lived with his brothers and 
sisters. At the age of twenty he was drafted 
into the German army, participating in the 
Franco-Prussian war, and was in the front of 
many of the notable combats of that memorable 
time, culminating with the battle of Sedan. In 
1876 he was united in marriage with Mary T. 
Klene, who was born December 10, 1855, and 
reared in Germany. Directly after their mar- 
riage they came to America, settling near Buena 
Vista, Ore. For about ten years this continued 
to be their home, and in 1886 Mr. Meiring came 
to Marion county, locating on the farm upon 
which he has since lived. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Meiring six children have 
been born. Annie K. is the wife of George H. 
Finney of Gervais, where the latter is operating 
the mill owned by Mr. Meiring ; they have two 
daughters and one son. Helena is the wife of 
Edward A. Finney, residing on a farm in Mar- 
ion county ; they have one son and one daugh- 
ter. Mary, Kate. Herman and Adaline are at 
home. 

In politics Mr. Meiring has been a Republican 
ever since he came to this country, and he has 
held some local offices, including those of road 
supervisor four years and school trustee and 
clerk. He takes an active interest in all up- 
building enterprises in the county, and is a stanch 
advocate of the agricultural and other advan- 
tages which exist in this well favored state. Fra- 



JOHN KNIGHT, until April, 1903, a promi- 
nent farmer and politician of Marion county, 
was born in Shelby county, Mo., January 25, 
1849, a son OI Joseph and Catherine (Achticer) 
Knight, the latter a native of Beride, Bavaria. 

Joseph Knight was born in the state of Penn- 
sylvania January 15, 1799, and by trade was an 
iron-worker, in which method of livelihood he 
excelled. About 1838 he located in Shelby coun- 
ty, Mo., and in that comparatively wild section 
built a home and cultivated a farm. In 1853 he 
crossed the plains with ox-teams, and his train 
was the first to cross the Cascade Mountains to 
Steilacoom, Wash., from the old Ft. Walla Walla. 
For about a year he lived in Shoal Water Bay, 
Wash., and then came on to the Cascades, where 
he found employment with the Portage railroad, 
and was thus engaged when the Cayuse war de- 
manded all the able-bodied men in the state. For 
several days the people were surrounded and con- 
fined in blockhouses, and suffered other inconven- 
iences due to those troublesome times. About fif- 
teen persons were killed before they were able to 
reach the blockhouses. In 1856 Mr. Knight re- 
turned to Missouri, and in 1863 prepared to 
again cross the plains, this time taking with him 
his family, and such possessions as were required 
for housekeeping in the far west. As before, 
he took up his residence in Shoal Water Bay, 
Wash., and after two and a half years came to 
Marion county, Ore., remaining here for three 
years. His last home in the state was on a farm 
in Clackamas county, where he died in 1872, his 
wife surviving him until 1876. He was an in- 
dustrious and successful man, and of the four- 
teen children born into his family and reared to 
years of usefulness and honor, but four survive. 
George and William live in Canby ; Mary is the 
wife of S. Burchem, of Cottage Grove, Ore. ; 
and John is living retired in Salem. The elder 
Knight was a stanch Republican, and delighted 
in discussing the principles and issues of his 
party. He took an active interest in politics from 
his first voting days, but was always averse to 
filling local offices. 

For twenty years of his life John Knight re- 
mained with his father, and then served an ap- 
prenticeship to a blacksmith at Aurora, Ore. 
During the three years spent in qualifying as a 
knight of the forge and bellows, he received in 
compensation board and clothing, and at the end 
of his apprenticeship was not in a position to 
start either a bank account or a business of his 



788 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



own. For a year he followed his trade in Port- 
land, and in 1875 located in Salem, in and near 
which he has since resided. For the first eighteen 
months in Salem he worked for an established 
blacksmith here, and then started a business of 
his own, uninterruptedly conducted until 1892. 
In the meantime his interest in Republican poli- 
tics resulted in his becoming well known in the 
community, and in 1892 his fitness for official re- 
sponsibility was recognized by his fellow towns- 
men by his election as sheriff of Marion county, 
an office maintained with distinct credit for two 
terms. 

In Salem Mr. Knight was united in marriage 
with Angeline Snyder, a native of Sullivan 
county, Pa., who was born in 1855. He later 
purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy- 
six acres five miles north of Salem, on the old 
territorial road. This land comprised a part of 
the old William Stevens donation claim, and on 
it Mr. Knight conducted general farming and 
stock-raising. He makes a specialty of onions, 
and during 1902 raised about four thousand bush- 
els of this much-demanded vegetable. Three 
children have been born into the Knight family, 
of whom Edna A. is living at home ; and Claude 
S., an accountant, is employed at The Dalles; 
Benjamin W. met an accidental death when about 
eleven years of age. Mr. Knight is one of the 
most influential and popular men in his neigh- 
borhood, and one of the best known men in 
Marion county. For a term he served as alder- 
man of Salem for the Second ward, and he is 
associated with various fraternal and social or- 
ganizations throughout the county. He was one 
of the promoters of the first lodge of Elks organ- 
ized in Salem, Ore., was the first exalted ruler 
of Salem Lodge, No. 336, and has actively in- 
terested himself in the welfare and growth of 
the order. He is also a member of the Ancient 
Order United Workmen, Valley Lodge No. 18. 
In the spring of 1903 he disposed of his farm and 
removed to Salem, where he is enjoying a well 
earned rest. 



CATHERINE S . BASKETT. The life his- 
tory of Catherine S. Baskett is deserving of_ a 
place in this work, although not filled with stir- 
ring events. Her influence and position in the 
social and business world is important. Pos- 
sessed of strong individuality, combined with a 
charming personality, Mrs. Baskett is well and 
favorably known. She was born in Macoupin 
county, III, September 21, 1828. Her father, 
Elijah Bristow, was born in Washington county, 
Va., and her mother, Susan Gabbert, in Overton 
county, near Nashville, Term. Her father's fam- 
ily emigrated to Tennessee, where Mr. Bristow 
served as apprentice at the hatter's trade, but 



he did not engage in it. Afterwards he removed 
with his family to Cumberland county, Ky., where 
he engaged in farming. In 181 2 the family again 
removed to Illinois, locating first in Macoupin 
county, where they lived for two years, and 
then took up their abode in McDonough county, 
where Mr. Bristow engaged in farming until 
1846, when he crossed the plains to California. 
In 1848 his family removed to Oregon, crossing 
the Missouri river at St. Joseph, April 21, 1848, 
and the Cascade mountains at Barlow Gate. Thev 
located at Pleasant Hill, where Mr. Bristow took 
up a donation land claim of six hundred and forty 
acres of land twelve miles south of Eugene. He 
built the first house in Lane county and petitioned 
the territorial legislature to have his claim named 
Pleasant Hill, which was done. Mr. Bristow lived 
there until his death, in his eighty-fourth year. 

Mrs. Baskett's husband, George J. Baskett, 
was born in Shelby county, Ky., February 25, 
1818. His father was William Baskett of Vir- 
ginia, who, with his wife and son, aged ten, 
moved to Missouri, locating in Howard county, 
remaining there until 1848, when George crossed 
the plains. On his trip across, he met his future 
wife. He located first in Rickreall, but soon went 
to California, where, during the gold excitement, 
he was quite successful. In 1852 he returned to 
Oregon and married Catherine S. Bristow. The 
young couple settled in Polk county, buying the 
right to their present place of six hundred and 
forty acres. They lived there, engaging in farm- 
ing and stock-raising until Mr. Baskett's death 
in 1883. His family consisted of eight children, 
but two of whom are now living — Josephine, wife 
of Henry Clay Fox, of Rickreall, and George La 
Fayette Lee, of Elk City, Idaho. The family 
own all of the original place. Mr. Baskett was 
a Democrat in politics, and with his wife held 
membership in the Christian Church of Salem. 



JOHN BLANTON. One of the extensive 
hop raisers of the vicinity of Brooks is John 
Blanton, who bought seventeen acres of land 
in 1 87 1, and has since devoted fourteen acres to 
hops. That he has improved his land to the best 
possible extent would seem apparent from the 
fact that 1902 netted him seventeen thousand 
pounds of hops. 

The paternal great-grandfather, John Blan- 
ton, served under Washington in the Revolu- 
tionary war, and his descendants located in dif- 
ferent parts of the east and middle west. Mr. 
Blanton himself located in Ray county, Mo. Here 
Joseph Blanton, the father of John, was born. 
He learned the cooper's trade, and here married 
Jane Muncus, also a native of Missouri. The 
father followed his trade near St. Louis until 
1844, and then started across the plains with 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



7HU 



seven yoke of oxen, hoping to improve his for- 
tunes alter reaching the northwest. He died 
near Council Bluffs, Iowa, en route to Oregon, 
aged thirty-nine years, leaving his widow and 

.-fnklren dependent upon their own resources. 

e mother turned back to Andrew county. Mo., 
and three years later married Samuel Hackwith, 

| continued to live in Missouri for the re- 

inder of her life. She died aged about sixty- 
n years. 

John Blanton was born in Jackson county, Mo., 
April _'o. 1833, and with his parents started to 
cross the plains in 1844. He lived with his 
mother in Missouri until nineteen years of age, 
and attended the district schools as opportunity 
offered. For about three years he was employed 
as a farm hand. In 1853 he had an opportunity 
to come west as a driver of oxen, a chance which 
he very readily accepted. The train was on the 
road for three months and eleven days. Mr. 
Blanton stopped for a short time at Big Sandy, 
then went to live with an uncle, Isaac Blanton, 
eight miles south of Salem. In 1861 he went to 
the mines of southern Oregon, where he met 
with fair success. In 1865 he married Catherine 
Shephard, born in 1846 in Crawford county, Ark. 
Mrs. Blanton crossed the plains with her parents 
in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Blanton went to house- 
keeping on a farm near Eugene, in Lane county, 
and after five years moved to Jackson county, 
where Mr. Blanton engaged in the stock business 
for a couple of years. He afterward lived in 
Polk county for four years, and for a year in 
the Waldo Hills, Marion county. In 1871 he 
purchased his present home. 

Twelve children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Blanton: James M. died aged twenty-one; 
Ida May, the wife of Charles Van Ausdell, a 
railroad man of Nebraska ; Hannah J., the wife 
of Alexander Yeach, of Salem ; Mary E., the 
wife of William Raney, of Salem; William, a 
resident of Eugene ; John, died in 1900, leaving 
two children; Marion, who is living -in Brooks; 
Rose died at age of nineteen years ; Raymond, 
living in Brooks ; Pearl, at home with her pa- 
rents ; Franklin, died in infancy ; and Alice, the 
wife of Enos Waite, of Salem. Mr. Blanton is 
a Democrat and a member of the United Evan- 
gelical Church. His many fine traits of char- 
acter, and unquestioned devotion to the general 
welfare of his adopted locality, have won him 
the lasting regard of all with whom he is asso- 
ciated. He has served as school director in his 
district and as supervisor of roads. 



FRANCIS XAVIER MOISAN. On the farm 
upon which he is still living in Marion county, 
F. Xavier Moisan was born December 16, 1845, 
and comes of one of the prominent pioneer fam- 



ilies of the northwest. Up in Canada the Moisans 
were known for many years as merchants and 
tradespeople, the French blood of remote ances- 
tors contributing the national thrift and resource- 
fulness. Near Montreal, Canada, in 1810 was 
born Thomas Moisan, the father of F. Xavier, 
who was reared and educated in his native land, 
and was the only one of ten children to come 
to the United States. 

Before attaining his majority, Thomas Moisan 
had started in upon a paying lumber business in 
Canada, and was also interested in furs and trap- 
ping, in which he dealt extensively. When 
twenty-two years of age, in 1838, he made a 
trip through the United States on horseback, 
bringing up in New Orleans, where he found a 
ready market for his furs. About 1840 he started 
to make a trip across the plains, and for some 
time was located in Vancouver, Wash., removing 
later to Marion county, where he took up a claim 
of six hundred and forty acres eight miles north 
of Salem, on French Prairie. Half of this prop- 
erty was prairie land. Here he erected a small 
log house, the following year taking to himself 
a wife named Harriet Longtrain. Miss Long- 
train was born in Vancouver, Wash., May 16, 
1824, a daughter of Andrew Longtrain, a famous 
trapper in the employ of the Hudson Bay Com- 
pany. Thomas Moisan lived on his claim until 
his death, and there reared the three children 
born to himself and wife, of whom F. Xavier is 
the oldest. Philomena married F. J. Baiter, of 
Salem, and Alexander lives on a farm adjoining 
that of his brother. Mr. Moisan was a man of 
pronounced characteristics and the most scrupu- 
lous honor, and during his life in the west ma- 
terially promoted the interests of religion and 
education. He was a devoted member of the 
Catholic Church, and was the means of securing 
the erection of several churches throughout the 
county. His widow, who still survives him, has 
uninterruptedly made her home on a part of the 
old donation claim. 

September 30, 1872, Francis Xavier Moisan 
married Mary V. Manning, a native of Perry 
county, Mo., born July 11, 1854, who came to 
Oregon in 1865 by way of the Isthmus, with her 
parents, and they are living near St. Louis, Ore. 
Her parents, G. A. and Caroline Manning, were 
born in Missouri, and there farmed for many 
years before coming to the west. All of the 
modern improvements on this old donation claim 
have been inaugurated by the present owner, who 
has a fine large frame dwelling, a good barn, 
and modern agricultural implements. He is en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising, and 
in the meantime has taken an active interest in 
the general affairs of his neighborhood. In poli- 
tics a Republican, he has filled the offices of school 
director and road supervisor, and since his first 



790 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



voting days has taken a keen interest in all mat- 
ters political. Fraternally he is connected with 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Brooks 
Lodge, No. 137, and in religion is a member of 
the Catholic Church. Fourteen children have 
been born into the family: Thomas, who is 
farming in Marion county; Caroline, deceased, 
wife of John Roach ; Gustave, living in Gervais ; 
Lewis, an attendant in the Insane Asylum ; Al- 
bert, Rose, Tercilla, Agnes, Charles, Francis, 
Winnie, Frederick, Hubert and Joseph. 

Andrew Longtrain, one of the famous trappers 
of the northwest, was born in Canada about 
1791, and came west to Spokane, Wash., when 
a young man. Here he married and engaged in 
trapping for many years, selling his furs to the 
Hudson Bay Company. After a time he took 
up his residence in Vancouver, and at that time 
there were very few white people in this part 
of the country. He lived to be about eighty- 
seven, while his wife died at the age of seventy- 
six. He was a typical rugged pioneer of the far 
west, and his name was known from one end to 
the other of this trapper's paradise. The monu- 
ment erected at Champoeg in 1902 in com- 
memoration of the American purchase of the ter- 
ritory stands on the claim originally owned by 
Mr. Longtrain. 



GEORGE W. YOUNG. Among the veteran 
pioneers of Linn county who have spent the better 
part of their lives within its precincts, aiding in 
every possible way its growth and development, 
G. W. Young, now living retired in Albany, 
stands pre-eminent, having a good record for 
length of days, and for long-continued and useful 
activity. After his marriage he migrated to this 
state, bravely daring all dangers and privations 
incidental to life in an undeveloped country in 
order to pave the way for those who followed, 
and to establish a home where his children and 
their descendants might enjoy the comforts, and 
even the luxuries, of this world without the labor 
and toil in which his earlier years were spent, 
Wild animals of all kinds were then numerous 
and destructive, and the majority of the resi- 
dents lived in log cabins of the typical pioneer 
style. These have long since been replaced by 
substantial modern structures, and the land, 
having been brought to a high state of cultivation, 
yields abundantly of the grains and fruits com- 
mon to this region. The small hamlets have 
grown into thriving towns, villages and cities, 
and prosperity smiles on every side. A native 
of Ohio, George W. Young was born in Richland 
county, November 4, 1828, a son of Benjamin 
Young. 

Of stanch New England ancestry, Benjamin 
Young was born and reared in Connecticut. Re- 



moving to Ohio when a young man, he worked 
at the cooper's trade until 1837, when he settled 
in Knox county, 111., where he was actively en- 
gaged in coopering and farming until his death. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Mes- 
more, was born in Ohio, and died in Illinois. 
Of their large family of children, ten grew to 
years of maturity, and eight, five girls and three 
boys, survive. One son, John Young, went to the 
front during the Civil war as a volunteer in an 
Illinois regiment, and died while in service. 

The second son of the parental household, G. 
W. Young, was brought up and educated in Illi- 
nois, attending school in the old log schoolhouse. 
While yet a lad he acquired a good knowledge of 
agriculture, also becoming familiar with the 
cooper's trade by working in the shop with his 
father in bad weather. He subsequently learned 
the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for 
awhile, remaining at home until reaching his 
majority. The following six years he was en- 
gaged in farming for himself, first in Knox 
county, 111., then in Peoria county, and again in 
Knox county. In the spring of 1853, influenced 
partly by love of travel, and partly by a desire to 
try the "hazard of new fortunes" he started for 
the Pacific coast. Leaving Illinois in March, with 
one wagon, which was drawn by four yoke of 
oxen, he, with his wife and one child, crossed the 
Missouri river at Council Bluffs on April 6, 
and there took the old Oregon trail, coming along 
the Barlow route, and arriving in Linn county 
in October. 

Locating in Sweet Home valley, Mr. Young 
took up a donation land claim of one hundred and 
sixty acres and later purchased one hundred and 
sixty acres on Sand Ridge, about fourteen 
miles from Albany, and at once began the 
establishment of a homestead. Clearing and im- 
proving a large tract, he met with good success 
in his agricultural labors, and has since owned 
many different estates, buying and selling at a 
profit, at one time having a clear title to seven 
hundred acres of fine land. In 1866 he removed 
to Albany, where he has since resided, a prosper- 
ous and highly esteemed citizen. For eight or 
ten years he carried on a good business as a 
contractor and builder, being especially interested 
in bridge contracting, and doing a great deal of 
work for the county, having charge of the con- 
struction of many of the bridges in Linn county. 
Although he has lived in Oregon a full half cen- 
tury, Mr. Young has never lost interest in the 
home and friends of his youth, but on two occa- 
sions has visited the east, going first in 1872, 
and again in 1883. 

While living in Illinois, Mr. Young married 
for his first wife Clarinda Simons, who was 
born in New York state, and died in Lebanon, 
Ore. Of the children born of their union, one 







, /^<s^£. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



793. 



daughter is living, namely : Malinda, wife of 
Mm H. Clelen, of Albany. To John H. Clelen 
and win, have been born four children — three of 
whom are living: Otto, an engineer of Albany, 
married Anna Reninger and has two children, 
fohn and Grace; Edna, wife of Charles G. Rawl- 

K oi Albany ; they have two daughters, Mada- 
line and Ruth ; Benjamin, resides in Albany ; 
rgiana died at the age of one year. 

Mr. Young's second wife was Miss Rose Clark, 
who was born in Princeton, 111., of New England 
ana-tors. Her father, Joseph S. Clark, was born 
and reared in Xew Hampshire, where he learned 
the trade of a brick mason. Subsequently re- 
moving to Illinois he lived for awhile in Prince- 
ton, then came to Oregon, locating in Albany in 
1874, where he followed his trade for many years ; 
living in this city until his death. He married 
Harriet Richards, a native of Medina county, 
Ohio, and they became the parents of eleven 
children, nine of whom grew to years of matur- 
itv. and seven of whom are now living. 

Mr. Young has had a busy life as well as a 
prosperous one, his success in the accumulation 
of property being entirely due to his own energy, 
perseverance, good judgment and honest business 
principles. Politically he is a sound Democrat. 
Fraternally he is a member, and past officer, of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which 
he joined in 1855 ; of the Encampment and of 
the Oregon Pioneer Association. 



FRAXKLIX S. POWELL. On a well de- 
veloped farm in Sangamon county, 111., Frank- 
lin S. Powell, one of the foremost pioneers of 
Polk county, was born March 20, 1830. As one 
of the many hundreds who crossed the plains 
in 1851 he has entered heartily into the de- 
velopment of many northwestern enterprises, 
benefiting all with his business ability, and 
conveying to them his peculiar and con- 
tagious enthusiasm. On both sides of his 
family the ancestors were very early settlers 
in America, and patriotism found expression 
in the paternal grandfather, Joseph Powell, a 
native of Kentucky, and a soldier in the war 
of 1812 ; and the maternal great-grandfather, 
Peter Borders, followed the martial fortunes of 
Washington. 

John A. Powell, the father of Franklin S., 
was born on a farm near Dayton, Ohio, Febru- 
ary 10, 1807, and in 1825 removed with his 
parents to Sangamon county, 111., and was there 
reared and educated, eventually taking as his 
wife Savilla Smith, born in Ohio, September 
10, 1812. At a comparatively early age Mr. 
Powell entered the ministry of the Christian 
Church, and during almost his entire active life 
he combined the cultivation of the soil with the 



preaching of the gospel. For some time after 
his marriage he lived in Menard county, 111., 
and in April, 185 1, outfitted and crossed the 
plains to Oregon. With him came his wife 
and nine children, among them Theresa, wife 
of Wm. McFaden, whose death after leaving 
the Blue mountains, at the age of twenty-two, 
was the only sad or unfortunate occurrence 
during the entire trip. Mr. Powell settled with 
his family on a donation claim on the Santiam 
in Linn county, and there lived until retiring 
to Albany in 1870, in which town his death oc- 
curred in 1880. He was a unique and in some 
ways remarkable man, and during his active 
life accomplished much good. An earnest 
worker in the church, an eloquent and forceful 
speaker, a sound reasoner, and thorough bible 
student, his voice was heard in earnest ex- 
hortation in many places in Oregon and Wash- 
ington, and especially was he known and ap- 
preciated in the Willamette valley. Mr. 
Powell was a fine specimen of physical man- 
hood, weighing two hundred and twenty-five 
pounds. He was a Republican in politics, 
and was a man of influence, personal magnet- 
ism, and broad humanitarian views of life. 
Eight years after his death, in 1888, the wife 
who had shared his trials and joys, reared his 
children to men and women of usefulness, and 
been his chief consoler and sympathizer, died 
at the home of her son near Monmouth, at the 
age of seventy-eight. 

Franklin S. Powell was the oldest of the four 
sons and five daughters born to his parents. 
Before leaving for the west he married, March 
20, 1851, Louise J. Peeler, who was born in 
Illinois, a daughter of Rev. Abner Peeler, a 
native of Maine, and a minister in the Chris- 
tian Church. Upon arriving in Oregon Mr. 
Powell located on a donation claim eight miles 
east of Albany in Linn county, where he built 
a little house, and began the improvement of 
his land. In time abundant harvests rewarded 
his tilling of the soil, a larger house took the 
place of the primitive structure, and twenty- 
one years rolled by with ever increasing pros- 
perity. During the Civil war he served two 
terms as justice of the peace for Lebanon pre- 
cinct. In 1874 he came to Monmouth, Ore., 
built the home in which he now lives, and has 
since identified himself with this community. 
In 1898 he sold the farm near Albany, and now 
owns a farm of three hundred and twenty-six 
acres two and a half miles northwest of Mon- 
mouth, during the bright summer months liv- 
ing in his rural retreat, and in the winter time 
availing himself of the advantages of the town. 

At all times Air. Powell has held himself 
in readiness to aid in the development of his 



794 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



adopted locality, and many enterprises have 
reached completion through his energy and 
practical assistance. He is one of the organ- 
izers and stock-holders of the Polk County 
Bank, and is also one of the founders and a 
stockholder in the Independence and Mon- 
mouth Railroad. He also aided in the con- 
struction of a warehouse at Albany and one at 
Independence, and is one of the chief upbuild- 
ers of Christian College, with which he has 
been identified as trustee and member of the 
executive board for many years. In fact his 
removal to Monmouth was practically dictated 
by a desire to be near and assist in every pos- 
sible way this very admirable educational in- 
stitution. In Republican politics he has taken 
an active part, in 1888 being elected to the 
state legislature, and serving during the ses- 
sion as chairman of the agricultural commit- 
tee. This was about the time of the great 
county-seat contest between Independence and 
Dallas, and Mr. Powell entered into the thickest 
of the fight. While a member of the legisla- 
ture, in 1889, he introduced a bill to convert the 
Christian College at Monmouth into a State 
Normal School, and. while the bill was defeated 
by only one vote, yet it laid the foundation for 
the accomplishment of the same object by the 
succeeding legislature in 1891. 

Eight children have been born into the fam- 
ily of Mr. Powell, of whom James M. is a phy- 
sician of Spokane, Wash.; Cyrus is deceased; 
John H. is a farmer near Farmington, Wash. ; 
Lavina is deceased ; Marinthia is the wife of 
A. M. Arant, a fruit rancher west of Mon- 
mouth ; P. O. is a teacher of mathematics, 
commercial law and literature in the Normal 
School at Monmouth ; Ira C. is represented in 
this work ; J. F. is living at home. In March, 
1901, Mr. and Mrs. Powell celebrated their 
golden wedding at their home in Monmouth, 
where over one hundred friends came from far 
and wide to wish them many years of happi- 
ness. In the estimation of his hosts of friends 
there is no more worthy man in this county than 
Mr. Powell, whose well known business in- 
tegrity, conservative yet progressive judgment, 
and capacity for large undertaking have made 
him a power in a cosmopolitan community. 



GEORGE C. SMITH. The advantage of 
learning a trade, and thereby having something 
in the way of making a living upon which he 
could always depend, was one of the teachings 
which found practical expression in the life of 
George C. Smith, one of the successful farmers 
and stock-raisers of Polk county. Were Mr. 
Smith to dispose of his farm and locate in some 
of the busy marts of the country, he could un- 



doubtedly command good wages as a practical 
brick and stone mason, a trade to which he de- 
voted three years of his life as an apprentice, 
and which he plied for some little time. 

For many years the family of Mr. Smith was 
identified with farming interests in Virginia, in 
which state he was born in Jackson county, Feb- 
ruary 14, 1833. His father, John, was born in 
Virginia in 1788, and spent his entire life in the 
Old Dominion state. Left alone in the world 
when a small boy, the elder Smith was con- 
fronted by the responsibility of his own support, 
and proved himself capable of coping with the 
difficulty. For some time he worked on boats on 
the Ohio river, and when quite young started 
in to farm for himself, eventually purchasing 
with his earnings about a hundred acres of land. 
He never had any desire to desert his old south- 
ern state, and lived contentedly and in compara- 
tive comfort there until his death in 1878 at the 
advanced age of ninety years. In his young 
manhood he married a native daughter of Vir- 
ginia, Julia A. Cummins, born in 1800, and who 
died in 1855. Of this union were born fourteen 
children, seven sons and seven daughters, of 
whom six are now living : Conrad, George C, 
John, David ; Julia, wife of Freeman Shower- 
man ; Levina, wife of A. J. Moffit. 

So large a family taxed the resources of the 
Virginia farm, and of necessity the children were 
forced to take themselves into outside fields of 
activity when quite young. Thus it happened 
that the sixth child, George C, resolutely turned 
his face towards an independent livelihood, work- 
ing at such occupations as came his way. At 
the age of twenty-four he removed to Ray coun- 
ty, Mo., and apprenticed himself to a brick and 
stone mason for three years, and after working 
for a while at his trade decided that he liked 
farming better, and so found a position on a farm 
in Ray county. He was not insensible of his lim- 
itations in Missouri, and in 1865 hailed the op- 
portunity to cross the plains with ox teams. 
In the meantime he had married Eliza A. Craven 
in 1859, sne being a native of Ray county. Mo., 
and the daughter of a large land owner. His 
wife and children therefore accompanied him 
across the plains, their outfit consisting of four 
yoke of oxen. The train had one hundred and 
nine wagons to start with, but the party eventu- 
ally separated, according to the desired destina- 
tion of its many members. They were five 
months and five days on the way, and Mr. Smith 
located in the Eola hills, where he rented land 
for five years. Frugal and industrious, he man- 
aged to save considerable money while farming 
his rented land, and in 1870 bought his present 
farm, which consists of one hundred and twenty- 
two acres, and is a portion of the old Babcock 
donation claim. In addition to general farming 



PORTRAIT AND LUOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



705 



and stock-raising, he has ten acres under hops, 
and is contemplating devoting more land in the 
future to this important and marketable com- 
modity. 

The wife oi Mr. Smith survived the journey 
across the plains, and the hardship of pioneer 
conditions for but three years, her death occur- 
ring in 1869. She was faithful to her trust as 
a mother and wife, and left to the care of her 
husband three children. Laura, wife of S. H. 

iwley; David Ackley and Charles Jackson. 
In 1874 Mr. Smith married Sarah M. Coulter, 

which union there have been born the follow- 
ing children : Rosetta, wife of Sam T. Smith : 
Stella M. : Elsie, wife of C. B. Whaley ; Seth ; 
Lavina: George C, Jr.. and Lanora Alice. 

Mr. Smith adheres to the principles of the 
Democratic party, and he has served the com- 
munity as road supervisor and school director. 
He is a liberal and enterprising man. and a suc- 
ss as a farmer and promoter of general pros- 
perity. 



WILLIAM. FRY. A venerable and very 
highly esteemed citizen who was formerly closely 
identified with the colony at Bethel, Mo., and later 
at Aurora, and who is still a resident of this 
favored city, is William Fry, a blacksmith by 
trade, and a man of sterling characteristics. Mr. 
Fry passed the first years of his life in Hunt 
ington county, Pa., where he was born Septem- 
ber 16. 1835. About 1845 ne removed with his 
parents to Bethel. Mo., and at a later period 
moved to Adair county, Mo., where he plied his 
trade as blacksmith, and also engaged in farm- 
ing. 

In 1863 Mr. Fry became a resident of Aurora, 
Ore., having crossed the plains with ox teams, 
and taking five months for the journey. His 
experiences on the plains were of a more peace- 
ful nature than those which characterized the 
journeyings of earlier emigrants, and he arrived 
at his destination in good health and spirits. He 
at once started up a little blacksmith shop, the 
first in the city, and he has never had a com- 
petitor in the business. Needless to say he has 
a flourishing business, and is known as a master 
workman throughout the surrounding country. 
He is the owner of a ten-acre home near the town, 
where he raises staple commodities, and has a 
pleasant and home-like residence. Here live his 
wife, formerlv Anna Miller, a native of Columbi- 
ana county, Ohio, born in 1841 ; and four children. 
Andrew M.. George W., Matilda, and Walter O. 

A Republican in politics, Mr. Fry has held 
numerous offices of trust and responsibility in the 
city, including that of councilman for nine terms, 
an office which he still occupies with great credit. 
He has alwavs taken an interest in the cause of 



education, and has served for three terms as a 
member of the school board. Some military ex- 
perience has enlivened the career of Mr. Fry, 
who enlisted in Company E, Missouri Home 
Guards, at Kirksville, Mo., and was elected Sec- 
ond lieutenant and served until his leave of ab- 
sence in order to come to Oregon. Mr. Fry 
is a natural mechanic, and a large share of his 
success along this line is due to the fact that 
congenial work makes the successful workman. 
His business methods are above reproach, and 
his name stands for integritv and reliabilitv. 



GEORGE W. L. VINTON. Of fine old Co- 
lonial ancestry, George W. L. Vinton, one of the 
foremost farmers of Marion county, was born in 
Boston, Mass., December 25. 1823. From an 
industrious and worthy sire he inherited traits 
of industry and thrift, his father being a cooper 
by trade, and a fairly successful man. The elder 
Vinton was not unmindful of his duties as a citi- 
zen of a grief-stricken republic, and in 18 12 re- 
sponded to the call for soldiers, serving the 
American cause as became a strong and rugged 
personality. He was three times married, and 
his useful life extended beyond the biblical al- 
lotment of seventy years. 

The advantages of the public schools felf to 
the lot of George W. L. Vinton, and he naturally 
connected the future with some one of the useful 
trades, finally selecting that of the painter, for 
which he served an apprenticeship of three vears. 
Thereafter he plied his trade for about five 
years. In 1848 he removed to Illinois, locating 
on a farm in Bureau county. In 1853 he was 
united in marriage with Alfreda Wilbur, who 
was born in Pennsylvania. They resided 
in Illinois until 1861, when they removed 
to Iowa, where they remained until 1864. Of 
ambitious tendencies, Mr. Vinton foresaw in the 
far west opportunities not found in Iowa, and 
therefore emigrated to Oregon in 1864. being 
one of a train of one hundred and twenty-four 
wagons under command of Captain Hulbert. Mr. 
Vinton himself had eight yoke of oxen, and was 
on the way about seven months. 

In Marion county Mr. Vinton settled on a claim 
twelve miles east of Salem, and at the expiration 
of eighteen months rented a place on Howell 
prairie for about a year. Following this he 
worked at his trade for about four years, and in 
1870 bought his present home of three hundred 
acres fourteen miles from Salem, on the Howell 
Prairie road. The clearing of his land presented 
a large labor problem, but the present owner has 
succeeded to the extent of about fifty acres, which 
is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. 
A well appointed home, substantial barns and out- 
buildings, and up-to-date agricultural implements 



79G 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



are among the additions inaugurated by the en- 
terprise and thrift of this successful farmer. 

Politics have not escaped the attention of Mr. 
Vinton, who is a stanch upholder of Repub- 
lican principles, and who has acceptably served 
as supervisor and school clerk. Eight children 
have been born into this family, of whom Charles 
W. is a resident of Albino ; Cora A. was married 
to William Ramsdon, but is now deceased ; Mary 
B. is the wife of John Waltman of this vicinity; 
H. Almina is the wife of C. McElwain, of Fruit- 
land ; Anna Eva became the wife of E. Stevens, 
but is now deceased ; George W. L., Jr., lives at 
his father's ; Walter Augustus lives on North 
Howell prairie ; and Arthur G. is still at home. 



clerk of the school board. Fraternally he is con- 
nected with the Knights of Pythias and the Rath- 
bone Sisters. Mr. Miller is unmarried and lives 
with his parents. 



HENRY J. MILLER is one of the young 
men of Aurora who, recognizing an opportunity, 
has taken advantage of it, and by sheer force of 
will power and business judgment has dignified 
his undertakings with large success. Ten years 
ago Mr. Miller started, with a capital consisting 
of brains and determination, to buy hops on a 
small scale, and so well has he succeeded that he 
is to-day a large property owner, and one of the 
most substantial men in the town. The adapta- 
tions of the surrounding country to the raising 
of hops has been his great opportunity, and he 
buys in large quantities, and ships to the mar- 
kets of New York and London. He is one of 
the best judges of this commodity in the county, 
and his operations influence the price of hops 
to a material extent. 

Mr. Miller is a native son of Aurora, of whom 
his fellow-townsmen are justly proud. He was 
born here January 14, 1873, his father, Joseph 
Miller, having been born in Bethel, Mo. The 
elder Miller came to Oregon in 1863 with a col- 
ony, bringing his possessions with ox teams, 
and experiencing the usual number of adventures 
on the way. He located with his family near 
Aurora, and is at present a resident of the town, 
being sixty-three years of age. His wife, Gert- 
rude (Schuele) Miller, was born in Missouri, 
and crossed the plains in 1863. She is the mother 
of a son and five daughters. 

Henry J. Miller was educated in the public 
schools, and at the age of twenty began his ac- 
tive business career. In Aurora he owns the 
property upon which the postoffice is erected, and 
he also owns property on the corner of Washing- 
ton and Twelfth streets, Portland. This prop- 
erty has all been bought with the money earned 
from his hop enterprises, and certainly reflects 
vast credit upon this enterprising and popular 
young man. 

In politics Mr. Miller is a Republican, but as 
yet he has taken no special interest in the local 
undertakings of his party, aside from serving as 



ELMER W. FINZER, D. D. S. A lucrative 
practice is always the aim of the professional 
man, and the subject of this review has attained 
a position in Woodburn, Ore., of which many 
men of maturer years and time of service might 
well be proud. A member of an old and much 
respected family, the ancestral history is covered 
in the review of a brother, Capt. W. E. Finzer. 
The name of Finzer retains in a marked degree 
the business and moral worth so characteristic 
of the children of Switzerland. 

Dr. Finzer is the third of nine children born 
to Benjamin and Elizabeth (Hostettler) Finzer, 
and was born near Shanesville, Tuscarawas coun- 
ty, Ohio, June 22, 1871. While his father was 
engaged in working at his trade of carpenter, 
Fjlmer Finzer was attending the public schools 
of that place, preparing himself for the future. 
In 1888 he accompanied the family to Oregon. 
They settled in Woodburn, and here he com- 
pleted his education, and was employed as a 
clerk in a general merchandise store where he 
gained a practical business education. He was 
one of those enterprising lads who have the 
ability to succeed in the face of many obstacles, 
and after due consideration of the lucrative pro- 
fessions, the possibilities of dentistry appealed 
to him. In 1894 he began as assistant to Dr. 
George L. Fox of Woodburn, remaining for two 
years, then with Dr. G. H. Marker of this city, 
where he remained three years, and in June, 1899, 
successfully passed the examination before the 
State Board of Dental Examiners. Upon receiv- 
ing his certificate he at once opened an office in 
Woodburn, where he has built up a practice in 
a short time far beyond his expectations. To 
keep in touch with the advanced methods he 
took a post-graduate course during May and 
June, 1902, at the Northwestern University of 
Dental Surgery at Chicago, 111. 

Dr. Finzer was married in Woodburn May 5, 
1898, to Miss Minnie Tasker, an estimable young 
lady, who was born in Mitchell, Canada, Octo- 
ber 10, 1875, a daughter of William Tasker, a 
native of Yorkshire, England. He emigrated to 
Ohio at an early day, and located in Akron, 
where he was engaged as machinist. Some time 
later he removed to Canada, and while there his 
daughter was born. Returning to Akron, she 
was reared and educated in the public schools. 
Mrs. Finzer completed her education in Salem, 
and at the age of seventeen began teaching 
school, and continued until her marriage. In 
.t886 Mr. Tasker and his family removed to Ore- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



797 



and conducted a general merchandise store 
i Salem for a time. For a long time Mr. Tasker 
had been deeply interested in Socialism. In order 
to study social conditions under a regime of this 
character, he went to New Zealand in January, 
■. and. with his wife is now making that 
their home. His son, Charles, is living in Peoria, 
111.: Walter in Denver, Col.. 

( )ne child has been born to Dr. Finzer and his 
wife. Beatrice Irene, born March 9, 1899. In 
his fraternal relations Dr. Finzer is a member 
f Woodburn Lodge Xo. 102, I. O. O. F., and, 
with his wife, is a member of Daughters of Re- 
bekah, Woodburn Camp. No. 47, W. O. W., and 
Woodburn Lodge No. 106, A. F. & A. M. He is 
a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in 
politics is a Democrat. He is very conscientious 
in his work, and has set a high standard of pro- 
mal ethics for his own guidance. 



JOHN J. FINN. Immediately identified with 
the agricultural interests of Polk county, Mr. 
Finn is carrying on general farming with signal 
success at McCoy. An active, enterprising man, 
he has won his way in the world by his own 
efforts, and has made a good record as an in- 
dustrious, intelligent citizen, and as a business 
man of ability. A. son of the late John Finn, he 
was born June 27, 1852, at Canton, Mass. 

John Finn, the father of John J., was born in 
County Limerick, Ireland, about 1788, and spent 
the earlier part of his life in the Emerald Isle. 
Crossing the Atlantic in 1847, he located in Massa- 
chusetts, where he was successfully employed in 
agricultural pursuits until his death, which oc- 
curred in the town of Stoughton, Mass., in 1864. 
He married Mrs. Annie (Dunn) Fitzpatrick, who 
was born in Queens county, Ireland, in 1816, and 
is now living in Massachusetts, a venerable 
woman of eighty-seven years. Of the five sons 
and four daughters born of their marriage, John 
J., the second child, and his brother William, are 
the only survivors. 

Leaving the district school at the age of eleven 
years, John J. Finn worked for a year in a 
woolen mill, remaining meamvhile with his wid- 
owed mother. The following year he left home, 
and from that time until twenty years old wan- 
dered around through New England, working 
at whatever he found to do. Enlisting in 1872 
in the Fourth United States Cavalry, he served 
in Texas and the Indian Territory until dis- 
abled by injuries received by being thrown from 
a horse, when, in 1876, he was honorably dis- 
charged from the service. After making a short 
visit in Massachusetts. Mr. Finn came to Polk 
county, Ore., locating on Mill creek, where he 
worked for wages for a number of years. Being 
prudent and thrifty, he saved his money, bought 



a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on Mill 
creek, sixty acres of it being timber land, where 
he remained until 1882. He then took passage 
from Portland on the vessel "Ivy," and went 
around the cape to Queenstown, Ireland. Re- 
turning via Boston, Mass., he visited his mother 
at Stoughton, reaching Oregon again in the 
spring of 1883. 

In 1884 lie married Mrs. Julia A. (Rider) Da- 
vis, and moved onto her farm of one hundred and 
forty-eight acres near McCoy. Mrs. Finn's 
father, Dr. James Rider, moved in 1876 from 
Minnesota to Oregon, locating in Polk county, 
where he resided until his death on May 30th, 
1900. 

By her first marriage, Mrs. Finn has three 
children, namely: Capt. Milton F. Davis, U. S. 
A., a graduate of West Point, who served with 
the first cavalry in the Cuban campaign, after- 
wards was assistant adjutant general on the staff 
of Brigadier General Bell in the Philippine Isl- 
ands, and now stationed at Fort Leavenworth; 
Myrtle, living at home; and Richard, who en- 
listed as a private in the Fourth United States 
Infantry, rising from the ranks to a first lieu- 
tenancy in charge of a company of Filipino scouts. 
Mr. and Mrs. Finn have one child, J. Waldo Finn. 

Mr. Finn is independent in politics, voting for 
the best men and measures regardless of party 
restrictions, and has served as road supervisor. 
Fraternally he is a member of Amity Lodge 
No. 20, A. F. & A. M., Oregon Consistorv No. 
1, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites, and Mc- 
Coy Lodge, I. O. O. F. 



WILLIAM A. WENGENROTH. The 
standing and importance of the Wengenroth 
family in Germany is best understood wdien one 
recalls the picturesque little town of that name 
on the Rhine, wdiere for several generations mem- 
bers of the house pursued their various occupa- 
tions, principally as merchants and manufac- 
turers. At Wengenroth was born the manager 
and proprietor of the Valley Manufacturing Com- 
pany of Woodburn, May 26, 1845, an <3 there 
also was born his father, Daniel, a wagon and 
carriage manufacturer of his native town. The 
father amassed quite a fortune by reason of 
well applied industry, and the frugality charac- 
teristic of his people, and his name stood for all 
that was honorable and of good report. He was 
actively engaged in business almost up to the time 
of his death in 1897, at the age of seventy-eight 
years. His wife, Margaret (Schuster) Wengen- 
roth, was a native of the Rhine province, born 
at Stalhofen, and her death occurred in Germany 
in 1870, at the age of forty-five. 

The eldest of the six children born to his 
parents, William A. Wengenroth received a prac- 



798 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tical home training, and was educated in the 
public schools. At an early age he began to 
learn his father's business, in time taking a re- 
sponsible position with a large wagon manufac- 
turing concern. He emigrated to America in 
1879, locating at Champoeg, on the Willamette 
river, where he engaged in wagon making for 
two years. After a short time in Portland he 
worked in Buena Vista, Independence and Wood- 
burn, and in April, 1902, started an ax handle 
manufactory under the firm name of the Valley 
Manufacturing Company. Though compara- 
tively in its infancy, this enterprise bids fair to 
become one of the solid upbuilding forces of 
Woodburn, location, available material, and mar- 
ket conspiring in favor of this ambitious new 
arrival. In addition to ax handles the firm turns 
out many other kinds of handles, including 
sledge, adz, auger, hammer, hatchet, and broom 
handles, as well as neck-yokes. 

With him from Germany Mr. Wengenroth 
brought his wife, formerly Emma Hoefer, a na- 
tive of the Rhine province, and whose father, 
Martin, was a blacksmith in Germany. Three 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wen- 
genroth, of whom William is with his father in 
business ; Johanna, deceased, was the wife of 
S. H. Brown of Gervais, Ore., and left one 
daughter, Gertrude; and Walter is living with 
his parents. 

Mr. Wengenroth in politics is a Republican, 
and is a member of the Champoeg Lodge No. 
27, A. F. & A. M. He is a master workman, 
and his many years of practical experience here 
and in Germany have placed him among the 
most expert in his chosen occupation. 



JOHN J. HILL. It is doubtful if any enter- 
prise in McCoy has contributed more materially 
to the upbuilding of the town than has the ware- 
house business of John J. Hill. Since 1892 he 
has been handling large quantities of grain, wool, 
hops, and other commodities which flourish in 
this locality, and by his stanch support of the 
agriculturists has fostered and encouraged their 
efforts along these lines. During the year he 
has handled no less than sixty-thousand bushels 
of wheat and thirty thousand bushels of oats. 

Mr. Hill came to McCoy with a great deal of 
practical experience behind him, gained in sev- 
eral busy marts of trade. He was born in Platte 
county, Mo., November 17, 1839, his grand- 
father, Spencer, and his father, Archibald, hav- 
ing been born in Virginia, the latter in January, 
1804. Archibald Hill was a man of prominence, 
especially after removing to Missouri in 1836. 
Although his entire life was spent on a farm, he 
filled positions quite remote from that kind of 
life, and was postmaster of Ridgely, Platte 



county, under the administration of thirteen post- 
master generals. He was successful in farming, 
and lived until 1876. His wife, Eleanor Mc- 
Manamy, was also a native of Virginia, and was 
born February 13, 1807, her marriage occurring 
in her native state, where her husband was at 
that time engaged in a general merchandise busi- 



ness. 



Having completed the training of the public 
schools John J. Hill attended Columbia Univer- 
sity for a year, and thereafter lived for some 
time on his father's farm. In 1861 he enlisted 
as a private in Company E, Thirty-ninth Regu- 
lar Militia, and was employed in guerilla war- 
fare in the state of Missouri, eventually attain- 
ing to the rank of sergeant. October 16, 1863, 
he enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Kansas 
Cavalry, and served under Generals Curtis, Pope 
and Scofield. In 1865 he was sent to fight In- 
dians in the Yellowstone Park, Montana, Wyom- 
ing and the Dakotas, and in December of the 
same year brought up at Fort Leavenworth, 
where he received his discharge. Returning to 
his home he engaged in farming on his own 
responsibility, and between 1866 and 1870 en- 
gaged in mail contracting. After completing his 
mail services he continued to farm in Missouri 
until 1876, when he came to Oregon, locating 
near Bethel in Polk county. His farm consisted 
of two hundred and eight acres, and this he 
brought to a high state of cultivation, living 
thereon until taking up his residence in McCoy 
in 1892. 

In Missouri, in 1863, Mr. Hill was united 
in marriage with Mrs. Jemima Packwood, who 
was born in Indiana, February 13, 1836. Of this 
union there have been born two children, Effie 
and Mattie, the latter being the wife of George 
Richards, of Portland. 

Mr. Hill is a Republican in politics, has been 
school director and held other offices. Because 
of services during the Civil war he is identified 
with Custer Post No. 9, G. A. R., of McMinn- 
ville. Possessed of sound business judgment and 
unquestioned integrity, Mr. Hill commands the 
respect of all with whom he is associated, and 
it is to be hoped will long continue to be an im- 
portant factor in the community of McCoy. 



FREDERICK W. WILL. A hostelry in Au- 
rora to which weary and travel-stained tourists 
are glad to repair, is that owned and managed 
by Fred W. Will, a native son of Oregon, and 
who was born in Portland, January 29, 1875. 
Like many of the present population of the town, 
Mr. Will owes his principal interest here to his 
father's pioneer association with the sister colony 
of Bethel, Shelby county, Mo., from which he 
emigrated with the other colonists in 1863. The 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



79!) 



elder Will was born in the Bethel colony, and 
after crossing the plains and locating in Aurora, 
took up his residence tor a time in Portland, 
where he followed his trade as a wood-turner. 
In 1883 he again became a citizen of Aurora, 
and in partnership with A. Kocher, started a 
1 ral merchandise store. This was a com- 
paratively short-lived venture, for at the end of 
;i year he bought out his partner and ran the 
business alone until disposing of it to his son, 
Allen H. Will, in 1902. He married Henrietta 
Miller, who was born in Missouri, and who came 
to Oregon in 1865, settling with her parents in 
\ ir the eight children born of this union 

three are deceased, Frederick W. being the oldest 
of the three sons and two daughters now living. 

After completing his education in the public 
schools of Portland, and graduating from the 
Portland Business College in 1901, Frederick 
\Y. Will engaged in the general merchandise 
business at Needy, Ore., for six months, selling 
out at that time to his partner. In Aurora he 
afterward worked for his father in the general 
merchandise store, and in January, 1902, bought 
the hotel which has since been his greatest care. 
A bar is maintained in connection with the hotel, 
and the appointments of the entire enterprise are 
modern, and in accord with successful entertain- 
ment of the traveling public. Mr. Will has iden- 
tified himself with important affairs in Aurora, 
and that he has served as city treasurer argues 
that his standing in the community is an honor- 
able and worthy one. He is a Republican in poli- 
tics, and fraternally is a member of Hermes 
Lodge, Xo. 56, Knights of Pythias. 

In Needy, Ore.. December 25. 1900, Mr. Will 
married Lettie M. Thompson, who was born in 
Missouri, and whose father, William Thompson, 
is an old settler and prominent farmer near 
Needy. Mr. Will is energetic and prosperous, 
and his natural qualifications of tact, good na- 
ture and knowdedge of human nature, are such 
as are most required of the up-to-date hotel 
man. 



HENRY A. SNYDER. Possessed of a ver- 
satility which would make him an important fac- 
tor in any community. Henry A. Snyder has 
found a prolific field of activity in Aurora, where 
he has many financial irons in the fire, all of 
which are followed by unquestioned success. Mr. 
Snyder is a young man to have found his rightful 
place in the world, he having been born in this 
town March 10. 1872. the son of Charles Snyder, 
a pioneer of 1848. 

Charles Snyder was born near Canton, Ohio. 
and is the son of Henry Schneider, a native of 
Germany, and who came to the United States 
when twelve years old, settling in Ohio. When 



Charles Snyder was a year and a half old his 
mother died, leaving six other children to the care 
of her husband, who lived to be sixty-five years 
old. The father came to Oregon in 1848, and at 
that time Charles was eleven years old. In 1869 
he married Christian Schuele, who was born in 
Bethel, Mo., and whose parents became members 
of the Aurora colony. At the time of the disrup- 
tion of the colony he was working at his trade 
as carpenter, and he received for his share of 
the property fifty-seven acres of timberland near 
the town, while his wife received a house and lot 
in Aurora. Mr. Snyder has been industrious, 
thrifty and thoroughly honorable in all his deal- 
ings, and at present owns a farm much larger 
than his original grant, besides considerable prop- 
erty in the town. Nine children have been born 
to himself and wife, the order of their birth be- 
ing as follows: Andrew C, Henry A., twin 
boys who died in infancy ; Amelia and Augusta, 
twins; Ernest and Ida (deceased) twins; and 
Lawrence J. Mr. Snyder is a Republican in poli- 
tics, but has never added his name to the mem- 
bership of secret organizations. He is one of the 
solid, substantial and thoroughly reliable citizens 
of this part of the county, and the farm which 
he is now conducting is a credit to the agricul- 
tural standing of his section. 

Henry A. Snyder received his education in the 
public schools, and at the age of fifteen embarked 
upon his first business experience as a clerk in 
the general merchandise store of F. & J. Giesy. 
Lnder these well known merchants he was also 
assistant postmaster, and after severing this asso- 
ciation was employed by the Willamette Trading 
Company, of Aurora. March 3, 1898, he was 
appointed postmaster of the town, an office which 
he still holds. He is a stanch defender of the 
Republican party, and various positions have 
come his way because of special fitness, among 
them being that of school clerk, city recorder for 
three years, and president of the town council for 
one rear. He has been a delegate to county and 
state conventions, and has been a prominent and 
influential political figure in this part of the 
county. 

In connection with the management of the 
post-office, Mr. Snyder is running a confectionery 
and tobacco store, and he also has an undertaking 
establishment, and in partnership with W. S. 
Hurst handles a large amount of real estate. He 
has branched out into journalistic prominence as 
half owner of a local paper known as the Aurora 
Borealis. Mr. Snyder is social and genial, trah> 
of character which have made him a welcome 
member at various lodges in the county, includ- 
ing Champoeg Lodge. No. 27, A. F. & A. M. : 
the Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed 
many of the chairs : the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all of the 



800 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



chairs ; the Woodmen of the World, and the Na- 
tive Sons of Oregon. 

July I, 1903, Mr. Snyder was united in mar- 
riage with Diana Vandeleur, daughter of John 
Scott Vandeleur. 



B. F. BRIDGES. It may truly be said that 
the character of B. F. Bridges has been 
strengthened and developed in the hard places 
of life, and it is doubtful if he can recall many 
instances of money coming to him without most 
arduous effort on his part. The average man who 
spends much time in the lumber camps of north- 
ern Michigan gains physically, and in the case 
of Mr. Bridges, his mental, moral and physical 
powers were quickened into useful and rugged 
growth. His patriotism was tested by a long and 
meritorious service in the Civil war, and his later 
years have been enriched with most successful re- 
sults by his present mercantile business in Albany. 
Years before the oppression of the colonists 
culminated in historic strife, those bearing the 
name of Bridges came from Scotland and pre- 
sumably located in Massachusetts. Here was 
born the paternal grandfather, who served in 
the Revolutionary war under Washington, 
settling after peace was restored, in Livingston 
county, N. Y. On a farm he reared several sons 
and daughters, among whom was Marchus, the 
father of B. F. The father was engaged in 
farming and stock-raising in Livingston county 
for many years, finally settling in Breedsville, 
Van Buren county, Mich., where he died in 1852 
at the age of sixty-six years. He married Fara- 
zine Kelley, a native of Geneseo, N. Y., where 
she also died, leaving three children, of whom 
B. F., the youngest, was born in Geneseo, in 
March 1840. 

Eight years of age when his family moved to 
Van Buren county, Mich., B. F. was reared in 
an unsettled and desolate region, the nearest 
school-house being two miles away. In the heart 
of a lumbering region, he naturally became in- 
terested in sawmilling, a trade which he learned 
in South Haven, and at which he was working 
when the country was convulsed by the declara- 
tion of war in 1861. He volunteered for service 
in 1 86 1, in Company A., Third Michigan Caval- 
ry, was mustered in at Allegan, and participated 
first in the battle of Corinth, afterward march- 
ing through Missouri and taking part in the 
battles of Island No. 10, Iuka, Second Corinth, 
Tallahoochie, and a minor skirmish with For- 
rest's men. The regiment was finally brigaded 
with the Seventh Kansas and kept fighting Gen- 
eral Forrest, but was later sent to Arkansas, and 
took part in the battles of Little Rock and Du- 
val's Bluffs. They then went to Mobile, were 
present at the surrender, and afterward went to 



Baton Rouge and Shreveport. From the latter 
town the regiment marched a distance of five 
hundred and fifty miles to San Antonio, Tex., 
where they were mustered out in March, 1866, 
Mr. Bridges having been four years and seven 
months in the service. He began as bugler of 
his company, and for the last three years of the 
service was in the regimental band. He was 
singularly fortunate as far as the disasters of 
war were concerned, for he was injured only on 
one occasion, when, during a guerrilla fight, he 
received a charge of buckshot in his left leg. 

Returning to Michigan after the war, Mr. 
Bridges became a sawyer in a mill and liked the 
business so well that in 1870 he and Andrew 
Green bought a mill in Allegan county, Mich., 
and ran it for eight years. Then they set their 
mill up near Macosta, on Mud Lake, and at a 
still later period moved it to Lumberton, nine 
miles west of Big Rapids. This proved the best 
place in which they had operated, and during 
twenty-six months' time they cut twenty-seven 
million feet of timber. In Delta county, at Ma- 
sonville, twelve miles above Escanaba, Mr. 
Bridges repaired at the end of three years and 
became an important factor in the upbuilding of 
the little town. He started a general merchan- 
dise store and built piers out into the lake at an 
expense of $11,000. Hopeful as the situation 
seemed, he was doomed to disappointment, for 
the pier which was to bring trade to the town, 
was rendered useless owing to the falling of the 
water of the lake, and all his plans for a many- 
sided little center of activity were as though they 
had never been. Having nothing further to re- 
tain him in this locality, he left in 1898, and be- 
came foreman of the Metropolitan Lumber Com- 
pany, at Metropolitan, Mich., remaining with the 
company for eight years, until all of their work 
was completed. His last years in Michigan were 
spent at Rapid River, and while there he duplicat- 
ed the success which had attended all of his 
lumbering interests, his experience at Masonville 
being the only unpleasant and discouraging prop- 
osition with which he had to contend. 

In April, 1899, Mr. Bridges transferred his 
residence and business interests to Albany, Ore., 
and at the same time located a timber claim of 
a quarter section near Cascades, in the eastern 
part of Linn county. He sold the same at the 
end of a year, and at present owns a timber claim 
in Klamath county, this state. In 1892 he started 
his present merchandising business in the town, 
under the firm name of Bridges & Lemke, pur- 
chasing the store originally occupied by Mr. 
Chandler, on the corner of Main and Salem 
streets. He carries a general line of the com- 
modities in demand at such stores, and judging 
by the results so far achieved, his permanent suc- 
cess is not to be questioned. 



PORTRAIT A XL) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



803 



In South Haven, Mich., Mr. Bridges was 
united in marriage with Helen Briggs, a native 
ot Van Buren county, Mich., and who died in 
Masonville, Mich., leaving one daughter Belle, 
now the wife of D. B. Adams, of Seattle, Wash. 
His second marriage, in Escanaba, Mich., was 
with Edla Nygren, born in Stockholm, Sweden. 
Mr. Bridges is independent in politics, but aside 
from serving as postmaster of Masonville for 
eight years, he has never been willing to accept 
official recognition. He is fraternally connected 
with the South Haven Lodge, A. F. & A. M., 
which he joined in 1867, and with the Knights 
of Pythias of Kalamazoo, Mich. He is a mem- 
ber of the Grand Army Post of Seattle. 



HARVEY WALKER. Among the vener- 
able and highly honored agriculturists of Polk 
county who are enjoying immunity from labor 
after years of successful striving is Harvey 
Walker, occupying his finely developed farm of 
three hundred and fifty-five acres near McCoy. 
The Walker family is of Irish descent, and was 
presumably established in America by the pa- 
ternal grandfather, Thomas, who settled in 
North Carolina, where was born Jesse D., the 
father of Harvey. As a young man Jesse D. 
moved with his parents to Kentucky, settling 
in Christian county, where he married Sarah 
Calvin, and settled down to farming. His son 
Harvey was born September 16, 1826, and four 
years later he removed to Shelby county, 111., 
remained there about five years, and then set- 
tled in Moultrie county, the same state, where 
his death occurred in 1852, at the age of fifty- 
five years. He was the father of eight chil- 
dren, five daughters and three sons, Harvey 
and his twin brother, Madison, being fourth 
and fifth in order of birth. Madison attained 
maturity, but died at the age of twenty-five 
years. 

The many tasks to be performed on the 
Moultrie county farm left but little leisure for 
the Walker children, and their attendance at 
the public school in the neighborhood was at 
best irregular. At the age of twenty-two Har- 
vey started out on his own responsibility and 
located on a farm in Tazewell county, 111., 
where he worked by the month for a couple of 
years, and thus managed to save a little money. 
For the following two years he lived on the 
home farm in Moultrie county, returning there- 
after to Tazewell county, where he took up 
farm land for himself. In 1850 he married 
Hannah Davis, a native daughter of Tazewell 
county, who was born March 7, 1843. Her 
father, William Davis, was born in Tennessee 
in 1801, while her mother, Jane (Eads) Davis, 
was born in Gardner county, Mo., in 1806. 



After his marriage Mr. Walker engaged in 
farming in Moultrie county, in 1852 returned 
to Tazewell county, and three years later in 
1855, bought a farm in Logan county. In the 
latter county he was fairly successful, became 
well and favorably known, and made it his 
home until 1882. 

Arriving in Oregon with his wife and chil- 
dren, Mr. Walker located on a farm near 
Salem, where he lived seven years, and then 
sold out and purchased his present farm, ad- 
vantageously located near McCoy. His pains- 
taking methods and unfailing industry have 
accomplished much for the place, and although 
it was a valuable property at the time of pur- 
chase, it has increased many fold since passing 
into the possession of the present owner. In 
1895 he took up his residence in McMinnville, 
remained there until 1901, and then came to 
spend the remainder of his life on the old farm. 
He is passing his days in comparative rest, for 
the farm is rented to others, who still carry 
on the work so carefully planned and system- 
atized by him. In his younger days Mr. Walk- 
er took quite an interest in Republican poli- 
tics, but of late has been seen at the polls only, 
and never at any time has desired or worked 
for public honors. For many years he has 
been identified with the Masonic fraternity, 
and is now connected with the lodge at Amity. 
Seven of the children born to himself and 
wife are living, and of these, Adelaine, wife of 
John Shields, lives in Washington; Alice 
Walker lives in McMinnville; Hettie, the 
wife of George Shields, lives on the home 
place ; Fannie is at home ; Mrs. Jennie Stairs 
lives in Washington ; Lewis is also in Wash- 
ington ; and Clafa Bewley is in Salem. 
Though not one of the pioneers of Oregon, 
but a comparatively brief period of his life hav- 
ing been spent in the northwest, Mr. Walker 
has a firmly established place in the hearts 
of his fellow townsmen, and the business con- 
tingent regards him as one of its thoroughly 
reliable and upright members. 



LAWRENCE M. SCHOLL. Among the 
prosperous young business men of the present 
day. in Hubbard, Marion county, who are leading 
industrious and useful lives, the name of Law- 
rence M. Scholl must not be overlooked. Mr. 
Scholl was appointed postmaster of that place 
April 26. 1900, in addition to which he owns a 
half-interest in a drug store in the same city. He 
is a son of John and Mary (Warner) Scholl and 
grandson of George F. and Dora Scholl. His 
birth occurred in Aurora November 1, 1875. 

George F. Scholl, the grandfather, a native of 
Wurtemberg, Germany, emigrated to the United 



804 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



States in 1832. He located for a time in New 
York and later near Shoustown, in Pennsylvania. 
He afterward went to Missouri, settling at Bethel. 
In 1865 he went to the far west and found a 
permanent home in Aurora, Ore. He attained 
the age of seventy-two years. His widow sur- 
vived him many years, her demise having taken 
place in 1896, at the great age of eighty-two 
years. Three sons and two daughters were born 
to this worthy couple, the second youngest being 
John, the father of our subject. 

John Scholl was born at Bethel, Shelby county, 
Mo., February 15, 1847. He accompanied his 
parents to Oregon and in 1881 engaged in car- 
penter work. Later he followed farming between 
Aurora and Hubbard for a brief period, and 
then purchased a quarter section of land, which 
he cultivated until 1898, removing to Hubbard 
at that date to re-engage in carpenter work. 
In 1903 he entered the implement house of 
Mr. Fry, where he purchased an interest. 

While a resident of Aurora he married Mary 
Warner, a native of Ohio, born in 1845, anc ' f° ur 
sons were born to them. Henry F., who is mar- 
ried, and George F., the oldest two, conduct the 
farm, while Lawrence M., the third son, is the 
subject of this writing, and David J., the young- 
est son is serving as assistant postmaster. John 
Scholl is a Republican in politics, and has served 
his party as a member of the city council He 
has also served as school director for twelve 
years and socially he is allied with the Odd Fel- 
lows. He has a nice residence in Hubbard 
and is one of her most straight-forward citizens. 

Lawrence M. Scholl had exceptional educa- 
tional advantages. His common school educa- 
tion was supplemented by a thorough course in 
the Portland Business College, from which he 
was graduated in 1896. After leaving college, 
he spent one year clerking for the Marks Shoe 
Company, in Portland', and later filled a similar 
position with the Bebee Merchandise Store in 
Hubbard. In 1898 he was appointed assistant 
postmaster under J. L. Calvert, and served as 
such until 1900, when he was appointed post- 
master of Hubbard, which position he is now 
filling. 

In July, 1901, Mr. Scholl was joined in the 
holy bonds of matrimony with Sadie Wolfer, 
wbo is a native of Oregon. Like his father, 
our subject affiliates with the Republican party. 
He is an active politician and is now serving his 
fourth term in the council. Socially, he is a 
valued member of Hermes Lodge No. 56, K. P. 



JENNINGS -BELLINGER COMLEY. For 
many years a prominent lumber manufacturer, 
and a well known business man Jennings B. 
Comley, now living retired from active pursuits 



in Albany, is numbered among those energetic 
and enterprising pioneers who have contributed 
largely toward the development of the industrial 
prosperity of Linn county. Coming to this state 
fifty years ago, he made the long and tedious 
journey overland, with an ox-team, the popular 
mode of traveling in those days. Settlements 
in this part of the county were few and far be- 
tween, and the people hereabout realized in no 
small measure the hardships and privations that 
had to be endured in a new and undeveloped 
region. Neither railways, telegraph nor telephone 
lines spanned these broad acres, and few eviden- 
ces of civilization then existed. Through the stren- 
uous efforts of the courageous pioneers, wonderful 
changes have occurred, flourishing towns, villages 
and cities have sprung up, and fertile farms 
yielding an abundance of grain and fruit have 
usurped the forests and plains, in the transforma- 
tion Mr. Comley performing his part. He was 
born September 21, 1823, in Lancaster, Ky., a 
son of John Comley. His grandfather, David 
Comley, a native of Manchester, England, settled 
first in Virginia, and served as a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war. Subsequently, following in 
the footsteps of Daniel Boone, the famous back 
woodsman and trapper, he settled in the then 
almost unknown country of Kentucky, and there 
spent the remainder of his long life. 

John Comley, a life-long resident of Kentucky, 
died on his farm at the advanced age of eighty 
years. Inheriting the patriotism and bravery 
of his father, he took part in the war of 1812, on 
January 8, 181 5, serving in the battle of New 
Orleans. He married Martha McFadden. who 
was born, and died in Kentucky, whither her 
father, James McFadden, had removed from 
Virginia. Of their family of twelve children, 
Jennings B., the ninth child in order of birth, 
is the only one residing in Oregon. 

Brought up on a Kentucky farm, Jennings B 
Comley left borne in early manhood, and subse- 
quently learned the carpenter's trade in Prince- 
ton, Ky., and at Lexington, Ky., became familiar 
with the trade of a stair builder, which he fol- 
lowed in connection with carpentering until 1853 
In that year taking advantage of the opportunities 
afforded to builders in a new region, Mr. Comley 
came with his wife to Oregon, crossing the plains 
with ox-teams, being six months and ten day? 
en route from the Missouri river. Following the 
old Oregon trail, he stood guard one-half of each 
night while passing through the Indian country, 
coming through safely. Spending the first winter 
in Benton county, he went in the spring of 1854 
to Astoria, where he built the stairway in the 
old lighthouse. Returning then to Benton county, 
he purchased a residence in Corvallis, and having 
there established his family went to California, 
where he was engaged as a prospector and miner 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



SOi 



in Siskiyou county, Scotts river, Indian creek, 

Greenhorn and Deadwood. While at the latter 

he Indians cut oft" all trails so that he was 

reed to abandon mining. Going, therefore, to 

tts valley, he built a flour mill, putting in 

■ burr-stones, and helped run it for awhile. 

In 1856 Mr. Comley returned to Oregon with a 

nrade, coming across the mountains on 

horseback, and while passing through the 

Indian country, at the close of the Rogue river 

r, had several narrow escapes from the wily 

-. Purchasing a ranch in Corvallis, he 

rented that and worked at his trade for a few 

years. 

In 1859 Mr. Comley removed to Albany, which 
has since been his home, and from that time to 
the present day has taken a keen interest in ad- 
vancing its welfare. Erecting the first steam 
mill in this locality, and the first sash and door 
f actor v, he ran them both for seventeen years. 
Selling out his mill and factory in 1876, he, in 
company with Messrs. Comstock and Heard, em- 
barked in the lumber business, hauling a mill 
to Pass creek, Douglas county, with horse and 
cattle teams. The mill, which had a capacity of 

snty thousand feet per day, he continued to 
operate until good timber in that vicinity became 
scarce. Then, with Henry Miller and Mr. Com- 
k, he was engaged in the manufacture of 
lumber on Myrtle creek for awhile. Going from 
there to Wolf creek, Douglas county, he built 
a mill for Abramson & Willis, after which he 
engaged with Mr. Comstock, and was engineer 
of a mill on Gray creek until 1883. Returning to 
Albany in February, of that year, Mr. Comley 
remained here a short time, and then went to the 
Selilz reservation, where he built a sawmill for 
the Indians. He subsequently spent a brief time 
at Yaquina bay, but since that time has resided 
in Albany, being Sadly afflicted with rheumatism. 
Mr. Comley married, in Mississippi, Dorinda 
D. McFadden, who was born in Louisiana. She 
died in 1893. leaving three children, namely: 
Georgie, now Mrs. Walling, of Idaho ; ' Adrian, 
who is successfully engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness in Washington ; and Edward, superintend- 
ent of the electric light plant at Spokane, 
Wash. Politically. Mr. Comley is identified 
with the Democratic party, and has served four 
terms as a member of the city council. Fra- 
ternally he belongs to the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. 



JACOB GIESY. The name of Jacob Giesy 
is known to even- man. woman and child in Au- 
rora and possibly to most inhabitants of Marion 
county. Ever since T870 he has conducted a 
hotel and restaurant business in the town, and 
for manv vears trains arriving at this station 



have depended upon his viands to appease the 
hunger of thousands of passengers. At first Mr. 
Giesy ran his hotel in the interests of the colony, 
but after its dissolution he proceeded independ- 
ently, and in the meantime has won a reputation 
as one of the successful hotel men in the county. 
The Aurora Hotel is a large and roomy structure, 
with airy rooms well furnished, and all modern 
improvements. Under the present ownership 
many changes and additions have been made, in- 
cluding wide porches, which extend the entire 
length of the front of the house. Arrangements 
for satisfying the inner man are in accord with 
the broad knowledge of human nature possessed 
by the genial proprietor, who realizes that a well 
fed man is usually an agreeable one, and there- 
fore easy to get along with. 

Mr. Giesy has enjoyed many years of success- 
ful activity, and is still a leader in the affairs of 
his adopted town. He was born in Pittsburg, 
Pa., March 20, 1827, and to an unusual degree 
inherits the substantial traits of his Teutonic an- 
cestors. His father, Andrew, was born in Basel, 
northern Switzerland, near Baden, Germany, and 
came to the United States in 1827. Near Alle- 
gheny, Pa., he lived on a farm for many years, 
and in 1845 removed to Shelby county, ' Mo., 
settling in the Bethel colony. In 1855 he came 
to Washington with a small colony, and there 
died in i860, at the age of sixty-nine years. He 
married Barbara Giesy, no relation, and also a 
native of Basel, who died in Aurora, to which 
town she removed after the death of her husband, 
at the age of seventy-four years. This pioneer 
woman was faithful to trusts imposed, and care- 
fully and conscientiously reared ten sons and 
four daughters, all of whom came with her to 
Washington from the colony at Bethel, Mo. 

In the public schools of Pennsylvania, Jacob 
Giesy received his preliminary education, and he 
accompanied the family to Missouri in 1847. 
Here he engaged as a clerk in a general merchan- 
dise store, and came to Oregon via the Isthmus 
in 1855, living for a time in Portland, and com- 
ing to Aurora in 1856. In i860 he made a trip 
back to Missouri, where he enlisted in the Home 
Guards, and remained there until the fall of 1862. 
Via Panama he then returned to Oregon and 
soon inaugurated his hotel and restaurant busi- 
ness. In connection with the hotel he maintains 
a well equipped livery stable, and he owns thirty 
acres of land near the town, as well as other town 
property, including the Lutheran Church build- 
ing. Mr. Giesy is a Republican in politics, and 
has been constable and school clerk. He is a 
member of the Pioneer Association, and of var- 
ious social organizations which abound in this 
vicinity. Through his marriage with Caroline 
Fry, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in 
Missouri, one child was born, Sarah, who is now 



806 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the wife of Emanuel Keil, of Aurora. Mr. Giesy 
is very popular in this community, and it is doubt- 
ful if any upbuilding agency in the town has 
exerted a greater influence than has his well 
conducted and paying hostelry. 



GEORGE M. FRY. Every community has 
its quota of business men who are more or less 
successful. The gentleman whose name heads 
this sketch has had a wide experience in the 
mercantile world, being at the present time en- 
gaged in handling all kinds of agricultural imple- 
ments, farm machinery, etc., at Hubbard in Mar- 
ion county. He has been a resident of Oregon 

since 1863. p 

Mr Fry was born near Shoustown, la, 
Tanuary 31, 1842, and is a son of John and Sarah 
(Gates) Frv, both of whom were also natives ot 
the Keystone state. The father was born Oc- 
tober 11, 1801, was married in 1828, and went 
to Missouri with a colony, settling at Bethel, 
Shelby county. He followed various occupations 
for a livelihood and was finally cut off by death 
January 4, 1854- The mother of our subject was 
t,orn April 6, 181 1. and she passed to her final 
rest five years prior to the death of her husband, 
November 22, 1849. ,,.,,, 1 • 

Georo-e M Fry is the seventh child born to nis 
parents^the family consisting of eight children- 
four sons and four daughters. He was educated 
in the public schools of Missouri and in 1863 he 
crossed the plains in company with a colony on 
their way to Oregon. He located with the colony 
at Aurora, where he opened a jeweler's store, and 
carried on a successful business in that line for 
raanv years. In 1887, he moved to Hubbard and 
enraged in similar business for a period of twelve 
years. In 1890 he sold out to advantage and 
spent about six vears in general merchandising; 
again selling he engaged in handling agricultural 
implements, farm machinery, and all kinds ot 
farm supplies, which is his business today, in 
company with John Scholl, who purchased an 
interest 'in the business in the spring of 1903. 

Mr. Fry has met with success in his business 
ventures and owns a fine residence in the heart 
of Hubbard. He also acts as agent for his sister, 
having control of her large estate in Marion 
county, which contains eight hundred acres on 
which Mr. Fry carries on general farming, has 
twenty acres in hops, and leases out a part of 
the land. While a resident of Aurora, he was 
joined in matrimony with Caroline Scholl, who 
was born in 1845, near Shoustown, Pa. They 
have two children, Sarah A., now wife of 
Harvey A. Hinkle, and Frank W., who married 
Nellie Dimick. Sarah A. was born June 5, 1871, 
and Frank W., November 15, 1873. 

Mr. Fry is a Republican in his political prefer- 



ence, and at the present time he is a member of 
the city council. He is also greatly interested in 
educational matters, having served on the school 
board for nine consecutive years. In fraternal 
circles he is a valued member of the Odd Fel- 
lows. The sister above referred to, in whose 
behalf Mr. Fry acts as agent, is Mrs. Elizabeth 
Preobstel, who was born in Pennsylvania, assist- 
ed in colonizing Oregon, and whose husband died 
in Albina, this state. Mr. Fry deserves great 
credit for his successful endeavors and the rich 
fruitage they have borne, and he ranks among 
the substantial business men of his community. 



CHARITY J. LUPER. Both as daughter and 
wife, Mrs. Charity J. Luper, a worthy member of 
the society of Tangent, Linn county, Ore., has 
experienced the trials of pioneer life, having 
crossed the plains in 1852 with her parents, and 
a few years later married John Luper, another of 
the sturdy and reliable citizens of the new terri- 
tory. Mrs. Luper was in maidenhood Charity 
J. Fanning, born in Morgan county, 111., Novem- 
ber 30, 1840, her parents being Levi and Nancy 
(James) Fanning. The birth of her father oc- 
curred in Virginia, February 8, 1810, and that 
of her mother in Kentucky, November 18, 1806, 
their marriage following in Illinois, whither they 
had removed. In Morgan county they made their 
home until the spring of 1852, April 1 of that 
year finding them upon the plains with two 
wagons and eight yoke of oxen to each, bound 
for the broad lands of Oregon. While on the 
journey the mother died on Snake river, August 
2, 1852, leaving one son and two daughters. The 
family continued their way into the west, where 
the father took up a donation claim of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres located three miles south- 
east of Tangent, remaining there for many years. 
A few years previous to his death, which took 
place June 5, 1888, he removed to a farm three- 
quarters of a mile south of Albany and engaged 
in farming. In August, 1853, he had married 
Jane Gilliland, who is also now deceased. 

Of her father's family Mrs. Luper was next 
to the youngest in age, and the principal part 
of her life has been passed among the scenes 
of Oregon. She was married April 23, 1857, 
near Tangent, to John Luper, who was born 
in Crawford county, Pa., November 10, 1824. 
He crossed the plains in 1853 and took up a do- 
nation claim one mile northeast of Tangent, 
where he engaged in farming for nearly forty 
years, after which he removed to Tangent and 
died there March 29, 1902. His widow, now a 
resident of Tangent, has a life lease on the farm 
of two hundred and twenty acres, and also owns 
forty-one lots in this city. Of the children born 
to them, Commodore P. is deceased ; Ella Flor- 




F. W. YANNKE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



80!) 



ence is the wife of John McFarland, located 
near Albany : and Lola Charity is the wife of J. E. 
Ownbey, located two and a half miles southeast 
of Tangent. Another member of the family is 
Loren B. Luper, an adopted son, who now lives 
on the old homestead. Mr. Luper was a stanch 
supporter oi the Prohibition principles in the 
uo':. and fraternally was a member of the 
ange. Me was a liberal supporter, member 
and class leader of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which Mrs. Luper and her family 
are members. 



CHARLES W. YANNKE. Upon the ranch 
where he now lives, not far from Salem, in 
Marion county, Ore., Charles W. Yannke was 
horn April 2. 1872. His father, Frederick Will- 
iam Yannke, was a native of Germany, born June 
2. 1826. and while still in the Fatherland he 
served in the German army for three years. 
About 1847 be bade adieu to his native country 
and sailed for America, the journey being made in 
a sailing vessel and occupying about four months. 
He established his home in Belleville, St. Clair 
county. 111., where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. 
Peter Yannke, had settled two years before. With 
his father and his family Frederick Yannke came 
across the plains in 1852, making the journey in 
the primitive manner of the times with an ox- 
team. They had no trouble with the Indians, 
hut six months had elapsed before their eyes 
were gladdened by the sight of the green fields 
of Oregon. The first winter they spent at the 
mouth of the Columbia river and in the succeed- 
ing spring Frederick W. Yannke came to Salem, 
lie was in limited financial circumstances, and 
in order to earn a living he drove an ox-team 
and hauled logs for a sawmill, following- that 
pursuit for some time. In the summer months, 
however, he was employed on ranches and also 
worked in the fields during the harvest season, 
swinging a cradle. He was married February 
29. 1871 , to Elizabeth Frolich, who was also a 
native of Germany, and this worthy couple be- 
came the parents of six children : Charles W. ; 
Emma, who became the wife of Frank Feely 
and died at the age of twenty-four years ; Mary, 
who died at the age of six years; Frederick, 
whose death occurred when he was two months 
old ; Louise, who died at the age of four years ; 
and Frank J., who is employed by the Oregon 
Shoe Company, of Salem. 

In the spring of 1862 Frederick Yannke pur- 
chased the farm of two hundred and fifty acres 
upon which his son Charles made his home until 
recently. In the fall of that year he removed 
his family to that place and hereon spent his 
remaining days. He made all of the fine im- 
provements upon the farm, cleared the land, 



placed the fields under a high state of cultiva- 
tion and erected excellent modern buildings. 
He devoted his energies to general farming and 
stock-raising with good success throughout the 
remainder of bis life, and September 29, 1895, 
his life's labors were ended in death. He was a 
zealous member of the Catholic Church and a 
man who deserved great credit for what he had 
accomplished, for he entered upon his business 
career empty handed. When he purchased his 
property near Salem it was all unimproved land, 
with the exception of about thirty acres ; and 
its development was entirely due to his own 
energy and perseverance. His widow still sur- 
vives him and is now living in Salem at the age 
of sixty-three years. 

Charles W. Yannke, whose name introduces 
this review, was born and reared upon the home 
farm and in the public schools of Salem he pur- 
sued his education. In early boyhood he assisted 
his father as much as his age and strength per- 
mitted, and when he had completed his school 
life he became his father's assistant and partner, 
their work being carried on together until the 
death of F. W. Yannke, when the son assumed 
the entire charge of the home place. He to-day 
carries on general farming and stock-raising with 
good success. He has fine horses upon his place 
and is engaged in the raising of cereals best 
adapted to the soil and climate. To some extent 
he is also engaged in the dairy business. The 
old home is pleasantly located two miles from 
Salem, near the penitentiary. On July 1, 1903, 
in partnership with Albert A. Disque he pur- 
chased the well-known Club Stables in Salem, 
and in the fall of that year removed his family to 
the city. 

September 29, 1897, Mr. Yannke was married 
to Miss Helena Neibert, and they have an in- 
teresting little daughter, Genevieve Louise. The 
family are identified with the Catholic Church. 
In his political affiliation Mr. Yannke is a Demo- 
crat. For one term he served as road supervisor 
in his district. 



PLEASANT MARION SCROGGIN. Con- 
nected with the banking business of Lebanon, 
Linn county, Ore., Mr. Scroggin is lending him- 
self heartily to the forward march of the enter- 
prises of this city in a way which has thoroughly 
won the commendation of his fellow townsmen. 
In 1899 he established the banking firm of P. M. 
Scroggin & Co., with a capital of $25,000 and 
a surplus of $5,000. His able management has 
since advanced it among the business enterprises 
of Linn county until it ranks first with institu- 
tions of like character. His energetic yet con- 
servative methods have proven his executive 
ability and clear judgment, and there is every 



810 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



prospect of a steady advancement and a gratify- 
ing success in the many years of life which, in 
all probability, Mr. Scroggin has before him. 

Pleasant Marion Scroggin was born near Sher- 
idan, Yamhill county, Ore., May 9, 1872, the son 
of P. M. Scroggin. The latter was born in Logan 
county, 111., in 1830, and on attaining manhood 
he followed the life of an agriculturist, to which 
he had early been trained. From Mount Pulaski, 
111., he removed to Iowa, and from that state 
emigrated about 1863 to Oregon, settling first 
near McMinnville and later near Sheridan, where 
he became the owner of a thousand acres ad- 
joining the city on the south. He died there 
April 18, 1894, at the age of sixty-four years. 
As a Democrat he had been popular in his own 
party, and had served for two terms as county 
commissioner. Pie was married in Iowa to Sarah 
Howard, a native of that state, who crossed the 
plains with her husband and died in the same 
year in which the latter 's death occurred. Of 
the eight children who are now living P. M. 
Scroggin is the eighth in order of birth, and re- 
ceived his preliminary education in the com- 
mon schools of Oregon, after which he attended 
the Portland Business College for one year, 
graduating in 1894 in the banking and business 
course. In the same year he engaged in the 
hardware business in Sheridan, the next year 
finding him in Lebanon in his present business 
enterprise. 

The marriage of Mr. Scroggin occurred in 
Ashland, Ore., and united him with Lydia W. 
Washburn, a native of Iowa. Two children now 
add to the happiness of the home, namely : Sey- 
mour Ralph and La Verne. Mr. Scroggin is a 
member of the Christian Church, and politically 
he adheres to the principles advocated in the 
platform of the Republican party. 



JESSE L. McKINNEY. One of the most 
pleasantly situated and highly cultivated farms 
in the vicinity of Hubbard is that owned by J. 
L. McKinney, situated one mile north of the 
city. Its owner is noted throughout Marion 
county as a progressive agriculturist, and for 
years he has been prominently identified with 
the advancement of general farming and hop- 
growing interests. 

Ohio claims Mr. McKinney as a native son, 
his birth having occurred in Highland county, 
that state, July i, 1862. His father, Hardin 
McKinney, was a native of North Carolina, born 
May I, 1829. At a very early date in the his- 
tory of Ohio the latter settled in Highland 
county, where he worked by the month on a 
farm until his marriage in 1858 to Louisa Mc- 
Kinney. The lady whom he made his wife was 



born February 6, 1836, and reared in Highland 
county, Ohio, and the young couple began their 
married life on a farm there, remaining in that 
locality until 1876, when they removed to Marion 
county, Iowa. There they made their home 
during the winter of that year. They then de- 
cided to try their fortune in the northwest. 
Journeying to Marion county, Ore., they pur- 
chased the farm which is now the home of Jesse 
L. McKinney. They were pioneers of this lo- 
cality, as the land was then wild and unim- 
proved, giving little evidence of the present well 
cultivated fields. Hardin McKinney immediate- 
ly set to work to make a comfortable home for 
his family. He cleared twenty-five acres of the 
land, built a home and carried on general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, providing comfortably for 
his family, consisting o'f his wife and three chil- 
dren : Sarah E., the wife of E. C. Churchill, 
of Salem, Ore. ; Jesse L., of this review ; and 
William H., who lives in the vicinity of Hub- 
bard. The father of this family took an active 
part in politics and cast his ballot for the Re- 
publican party. His death occurred in his sixty- 
third year, March 13, 1891. His wife still sur- 
vives and makes her home with her son Jesse L. 
The life history of J. L. McKinney is worthy 
of mention from many standpoints, but the prin- 
cipal one which we will name is the fact that he, 
like the great majority of those who represent 
the farming interests of the country, is one of 
those substantial, quiet, unassuming men who 
perform their duties in life without ostentation, 
and leave the world better and the community 
more prosperous for their having lived. Suc- 
cess, fairly and impartially considered, is not so 
much owing to the fact that a man has achieved 
a great name, that he has accumulated vast 
riches, or has donated large amounts to chari- 
table institutions, as that he has found the voca- 
tion best suited to him in life, that he has filled 
that vocation honorably and well, has developed 
the very best talent that is in him, and has used 
that talent for the benefit of himself and man- 
kind. All this may be said of Mr. McKinney. 
As a youth he pursued his education in the dis- 
trict schools, remaining at home and assisting 
his father in the cultivation of the farm, during 
the seasons of vacation and after he had left 
school. Thus he grew to man's estate, when, 
October 2, 1892, he wedded Anna Clausen, who 
was a native of Valparaiso, Ind. Mr. McKinney 
brought his bride to the family homestead, 
where their lives have since been passed, and 
where they have reared their family of three 
children, namely : Louis Melvin, Elmer Clau- 
sen and Harold Hardin, all at home. Mr. Mc- 
Kinney is an acknowledge authority on the best 
farming methods, and has eight acres devoted to 
the cultivation of hops. He has been very sue- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



811 



-ml in the raising of this staple product and 
icome is annually increasing therefrom. 

Mr. McKinney takes a deep interest in the 

cause of education, and has ever been in favor 

of good sell' >ols and good teachers. For several 

ved as a member of the school board. 

politics he is a Republican. Influential and 

nent in the community in which he resides, 

McKinney has gained popularity and friends 

M "his excellent traits of character. 



.MARSHALL W. CANTER. Twenty acres 
of land adjoining Harrisburg on the east, four 
valuable town lots, his own residence property, 
and a well equipped, carpenter shop in which 
I., ply his useful trade, is an accumulation re- 
sulting from the well applied industry of Mar- 
shall W. Canter, who came here a poor man in 
3 ■. and is now one of the town's successful 
and honored citizens. Born near Nashville, 
IVnn.. January 17, 1836, Mr. Canter comes of 
old family of the south, his father, James H., 
and his mother, Anna (Fuqua) Canter, having 
nub been born in Tennessee, the former in 1808. 
The family moved to Missouri about 1838, lo- 
tting first in Piatt and afterward in Buchanan 
county, and engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
The father, who died in 1888, at the age 
eighty years, was a Democrat, and he was 
verv active in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
His wife also died in Missouri, leaving ten 
children, six sons and four daughters, of whom 
Marshall W. is the second. 

At the age of twenty Marshall W. Canter 
left home and learned the carpenter's trade, 
thereafter plying the same as a means of live- 
lihood until 1864. For a couple of years he 
nined and prospected in the Dwight region, 
Idaho, made quite a sum of money, and in 1866 
came to Oregon to investigate the prospects for 
an industrious and capable carpenter. Pleased 
with the people and surroundings of Browns- 
ville, he located there in 1867, one year later 
taking up his residence in Harrisburg, which 
has since been his home. Much of the best work 
in the town is due to his knowledge of his trade, 
and his little shop is never out of material await- 
ing his attention. The start he got at the mines 
while comparativeh' inconsequent, enabled him 
to invest in town lots, all of which have increased 
in value, with the result that he is today in a 
more than comfortable financial position. 

Although not an office-seeker, Mr. Canter has 
been induced to exert his activity in promoting 
the local wellbeing of the Democratic party, and 
to serve as mayor of the town for three terms in 
succession, to be a member of the council for 
eighteen years, and to fill other positions of 
trust and responsibility. He is fraternally con- 



nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, and the Rebekahs, of which latter organiza- 
tion he is an official. In Lane county, Ore., in 
[868, Mr. Canter married Margaret Gage, who 
was born in Benton county, Ore"., near Corvallis, 
a daughter of Samuel Gage, who crossed the 
plains with his family at an early day, locating 
near Corvallis. Mr. Gage later removed to Lane 
county, but his death occurred near Rosalia, 
Wash., where he had engaged in mining for 
eight or ten years. Two children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Canter, of whom Charles, 
the oldest and only son, is a brakeman on the 
Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company's road 
with headquarters at Portland; and Lillian is 
the wife of Lewis B. Maxon, and lives on a 
farm near her father. Mr. Canter is popular 
in his adopted town, and his influence has al- 
ways been exerted in favor of education and all- 
around advancement. 



RICHARD C. SHISLER. Though a com- 
parative newcomer to this town, having arrived 
in 1903, Richard C. Shisler has already demon- 
strated his ability- to entertain the traveling pub- 
lic in comfort, if his management of the Har- 
risburg Hotel can be taken as a criterion. The 
hostelry in question is the only place of the kind 
in this flourishing community, and as such it 
takes high rank among other hotels in the 
county, being modern in construction and fur- 
nishings, and having thirty-two rooms. Mr. 
Shisler understands among other things regard- 
ing the hotel business that an excellent cuisine is 
not to be despised, and he therefore lays par- 
ticular stress upon this department of his well 
conducted house. 

Prior to going into the hotel business Mr. 
Shisler farmed for many years, that being the 
occupation to which he was reared in his youth 
on the paternal farm in Ontario, Canada, where 
he was born April 10, 1858. His father, Con- 
rad, and his mother, Mary Ann (Flagg) Shis- 
ler, were also born in Canada, and his grand- 
father, John, a native of Lancaster county, Pa., 
settled in Ontario at a very early day. The 
grandfather took up a large farm, and in time 
enlisted in the war of 1812. his death occurring 
in his adopted country. The ninth child in his 
father's family of four sons and six daughters, 
Richard C. received his preliminary education 
in the public schools, and at the age of fourteen 
began to make his own way in the world by 
working as a farm hand in the vicinity of Buf- 
falo, N. Y. The same kind of work was pur- 
sued near Albany, 111., in 1873, and in 1877 ne 
went to Whiteside county. 111., continuing to 
work on a farm for several years. 

Mr. Shisler invested his earnings in land near 



812 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Hiawatha, Brown county, Kans., in 1880, and 
two years later bought a farm near Falls City, 
Neb. In 1896 he removed to Missouri and lo- 
cated on a farm of one hundred and forty acres 
near Meadville, and in March, 1903, came to 
Oregon and purchased the Harrisburg Hotel, 
which had been built in 1902. In Illinois, Mr. 
Shisler was united in marriage with Minerva 
J. Sharer, who was born in Pennsylvania, and 
who is the mother of five children : Lulu M., 
Ralph E., Milo G., Lloyd W. and Hoy. A Re- 
publican in political affiliation, he took a promi- 
nent part in political affairs in Nebraska, and 
served many terms on the school board. He is 
fraternally connected with the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, and is prominent in the Pres- 
byterian Church, of which he was an elder while 
living in Missouri. As becomes a hotel man, 
Mr. Shisler is affable and genial, possessing a 
fund of good spirits and good will, and the tact 
to deal with all with whom he comes in contact 
in a most satisfactory manner. 



DANIEL J. YODER. Perhaps no part of 
Marion county is better adapted to general farm- 
ing, stock-raising and hop-growing purposes 
than that portion surrounding Hubbard. In the 
midst of this rich agricultural region the thriv- 
ing town appears as a gem in an emerald setting, 
and the cultivated fields which may be seen on 
every side are an indication of the prosperity 
and industry of the farming people who are resi- 
dents of the community. A worthy representa- 
tive of this class is D. J. Yoder, who resides 
on a good farm of twenty-five acres situated two 
miles east of Hubbard. Here he carries on gen- 
eral farming and hop-growing and also, since 
coming to Oregon, has followed the carpenter's 
trade continuously, meeting with excellent suc- 
cess in both occupations. 

Mr. Yoder was born in Pennsylvania, Septem- 
ber 9, 1850, and is descended from honest, in- 
dustrious farming people. He was one of six 
children born unto his parents, who removed 
from Pennsylvania to Indiana, where the father 
is still living at the age of seventy-eight years. 
The mother was called to the home beyond at 
the age of fifty-seven years. D. J. Yoder spent 
the days of his boyhood and youth upon the 
home farm in Indiana, receiving his education 
in the district schools and remaining at home 
until he grew to manhood and prepared for 
having a home of his own by his marriage with 
Louisa Miller, a native of Indiana. The young 
couple remained in Indiana until the year 1881, 
when Mr. Yoder, becoming impressed with the 
opportunities for advancement offered by the 
Pacific coast, decided to bring his family and 



establish a home in the Willamette valley. Ac- 
cordingly he purchased the farm which is now 
his home. At this time the work of improve- 
ment in this vicinity had been scarcely begun. 
Mr. Yoder has since developed and cultivated 
his farm until it is one of the best in the county. 
He has erected a good home and other buildings, 
and everything that can conduce to the comfort 
of the family and to the conduct of the farm is 
supplied. In the summer of 1903 he erected a 
commodious new house. In coming to a com- 
paratively new country such as Marion county 
was when he settled here, Mr. Yoder has found 
the trade of carpenter to be a very useful and 
remunerative one, not only in constructing his 
own dwellings, but many others, and he has thus 
added substantially to his income as the years 
have gone by. Five acres of his farm is devoted 
to hop-growing. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Yoder have been born six- 
teen children, twelve of whom are now living, 
as follows : Laura, now the wife of D. Ramage, 
of Hubbard ; Clyde, who is at home with his 
parents ; Rose, of Albany, Ore. ; Clara, Jamie, 
Harvey, Wilme, Grant, Minnie, Grace, Willis, 
and Raymond. Mr. Yoder has always felt that 
it was his duty to be informed on the issues of 
the day. He casts his ballot for the Republican 
party. The fraternal relations of life are 
also maintained through his membership with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen. Wherever 
known, Mr. Yoder is accorded the friendship 
and respect which he deserves, as his life has 
been one of active indvastry, casting an influ- 
ence for good among his fellow-men. 



DAVID S. BUSEY. A career identified with 
the mining and agricultural development of 
Oregon since 1852 is that of David S. Busey, 
who arrived in the state with a strong consti- 
tution when a man of twenty-two. Mr. Busey, 
who is now living retired in Harrisburg, is a 
native son of Indiana, and was born in Putnam 
county, November 14, 1830. Four years later 
his father, L. W., also a native of Indiana, re- 
moved to Illinois and in 1839 located in Mount 
Pleasant, Iowa. The elder Busey was a brick- 
layer by trade, in connection with which he 
farmed during his active life, his last home be- 
ing a large tract of land near Fayettsville, Ark., 
to which he removed in 1872. He was success- 
ful in both his occupations, although the Arkan- 
sas farm netted him the largest returns, and 
enabled him to leave his family well provided 
for at the time of his death in 1877, at the age 
of sixty-nine years. As a young man he mar- 
ried Jane Penney, also born in the Hoosier state, 
who died in Iowa when David S., the second 








{Q&1L 



t+c^t 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



815 



child of her three sons and three daughters, 
u;h nine years of age. 

The little log school-house near the Busey farm 
in Indiana at best furnished hut scanty opportuni- 
t\ for a practical education, and as one of the 
oldest and strongest in his father's family, David 
S found little chance to escape from his home 
duties long enough to attend school even irregu- 
In 1851 he left home and worked on a 
farm in Henry county, and while there became 
interested in a projected trip across the plains 
which was being agitated in the neighborhood. 
As a driver he secured the chance to accom- 
pany the party, which w-as headed by Captain 
McCulIey. Without any particularly dangerous 
experiences he drove his team of oxen during 
the six months required for the passage, and 
upon reaching his destination at Foster's, Ore., 
August 11, 185 1, went at once to Milwaukee, 
where he remained until the next spring. In the 
fall of 1852 he went to the mines of eastern 
( )regon. and upon returning to the western part 
of the state in 1854 took up a donation claim 
of one hundred and twenty acres one mile east 
of Harrisburg. This he sold in 1862 and bought 
three hundred and twenty acres three miles 
north of the town, but eventually sold all but 
eighty acres, which he still ow r ns. He also has a 
farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres near 
Sodaville, Ore., both of which properties are 
under fine cultivation, and available for stock 
and general produce. 

In Linn county, Mr. Busey married Nancy 
Porter, born in Indiana, and daughter of W. 
D. Porter, a native of Virginia who crossed 
the plains in 1853, an d who located near Har- 
risburg, where his death occurred. Six children 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Busey : Oscar 
L., the oldest son, lives in Canfield, Wash. ; W. 
D. lives in Sodaville, Ore. ; Mary is the wife of 
W. R. McDanial of Los Angeles, Cal. ; Laura is 
deceased ; Florence is the wife of J. H. Butler 
of Medford, Ore. ; and Annie is deceased. As 
a Democrat Mr. Busey has served in the Har- 
risburg council about four years, and for many 
years he has been a school director and road 
supervisor. Fraternally he is connected with the 
Blue Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. 
\\ ith his family he is a member and active 
worker in the Christian Church. Mr. Busey has 
invariably proved himself a broad-minded and 
liberal farmer, a sincere and amiable gentleman, 
and an enthusiastic advocate of the many ad- 
vantages to be found in the great northwest. 



WILLIAM BAILEY DONACA. The vivid 
'lay-dreams of the sixteen-year-old boy who 
trudged barefoot across the plains in 1852 have 
been more than realized by William Bailey 



Donaca, for in financial standing, public spirit 
and personal integrity, he occupies a high po- 
sition among the developers of Linn county. 
A native of Knox county, 111., Mr. Donaca was 
born May 4, 1836, his parents, Samuel and 
Elizabeth (Cook) Donaca, being natives, re- 
spectively, of Virginia and Ohio. Samuel Don- 
aca. came to Ohio at an early day, and in that 
state enlisted in the war of 181 2 as a private. 
He married in the Buckeye state, and, in 1830, 
located in Illinois, purchasing a farm of three 
hundred acres in Knox county. His associa- 
tion with Oregon began in the fall of 1852; 
after a long and tedious journey acrass the 
plains, he having started April 4, and pro- 
ceeded via the Platte river route. Locating in 
Marion county, near Sublimity, he lived until 
1862 upon his farm of one hundred and sixty- 
acres, removing then to Lebanon, where he 
lived in retirement until his death at the age of 
eighty. His wife, who died in Knox county, 
111., was the mother of nine children, six of 
whom were sons. 

The only educational advantages in Illinois 
available for the Donaca children were the 
early subscription schools, invariably held in 
log houses, and located more or less remote 
from the farm houses. At best, William, the 
seventh of the children, attended school irregu- 
larly, for he had to work hard on a farm which 
scarcely supplied a living for the family. His 
father's available resources were consumed in 
the equipment for crossing the plains, and 
William walked the entire way, barefooted, 
but with the spring of youth and strength in 
his step, hopefully looking forward to accom- 
plishing great things in the region for which 
he was headed. He continued to live on the 
home farm until 1870, and then engaged in the 
livery business in Lebanon, in the meantime 
running the stage between Lebanon and Al- 
banv. He made a great success of the line, and 
he brought the first mail to Lebanon, there- 
after securing the mail route in this direction. 
Between 1880 and 1890 he engaged in the gro- 
cery business in Lebanon, and, in 1890, began 
speculating in stock, real estate and grain, 
meeting with marked success, and continuing 
thus until his retirement from active life in 
1900. 

As proof of his confidence in the future of 
Linn countv, Mr. Donaca has invested heavily 
in town and country properties, and at present 
owns three farms, one of one hundred and 
eighty-eight acres on Crabtree creek, one near 
Lebanon of one hundred acres, and one of 
sixty-five acres one mile north of the town. 
He was one of the incorporators of the town, 
has served in the council many terms, and has 
been mayor one term, besides holding the ma- 



st 



816 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



jority of the minor offices within the gift of his 
Republican townsmen. In 1883 he built the 
first brick block in the town, and still owns it, 
and he also constructed the warehouses there, 
as well as other buildings, and his own two- 
story residence. He is identified with the Blue 
Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In 1871 Mr. Donaca 
married Lenora Jane Harbin, a native of Mis- 
souri, and daughter of John Harbin, who 
crossed the plains in 1865, lived first in Yam- 
hill county, and later in Lebanon, and died in 
Washington. Mr. Harbin was a blacksmith by 
trade, and during his active life accumulated a 
competence. 

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Donaca, the order of their birth being as fol- 
lows : John Middleton, a clerk in an Albany 
hardware establishment ; Lizzie Ellen, the wife 
of O. H. Oliver, of Portland, Ore.; William 
Hayes, of Portland ; Charles Walter, of Port- 
land ; Ferrell Coler, of Lebanon, and Morton 
Winford, of Portland. Mr. Donaca has ob- 
served the greatest caution in all of his busi- 
ness undertakings, and they have never par- 
taken of the "wild-cat" order, as is so often the 
case with people speculatively inclined. He 
has a thorough knowledge of general business, 
and an appreciation of values, and is possessed 
of a high public spirit. 



WILLIAM L. JACKSON. It is interesting 
to note the progress and development of our 
present splendid system of public instruction, and 
to compare the numberless facilities of the school 
of today with those of pioneer times. To be 
fitted for the requirements of the position, the 
present day school teacher undergoes far more 
thorough preparation than was ever thought 
necessary in former years, and the position of 
county superintendent of schools presents diffi- 
culties and problems that can only be success- 
fully solved by one who has had experience in 
teaching and whose executive ability is of the 
best. Linn county, Ore., has been particularly 
fortunate in her selection for this office, and in 
the present incumbent, William L. Jackson, 
many excellencies are united. 

Mr. Jackson was born near Hannibal, Mo., 
October 25, 1867, and for nine year following 
was a resident of that vicinitv. His parents 
were Martin and Callie (Blackburn) Jackson, 
the father born near Nashville, Tenn., and the 
mother a Kentuckian by birth. Martin Jackson 
became an agriculturist and continued in that 
business until he retired. During the terrible 
conflict waged between the north and south he 
saw three years of active service as a soldier in 
the Confederate armv, and at the close of the 
war he left the south for California, where he 



spent two years in mining before returning to 
his old home in Missouri. Mr. Jackson was so 
well pleased with western life and saw so many 
advantages for one who remained as a permanent 
resident that in 1877 he took his family and 
came west to Linn county, Ore., following his 
life occupation there as in Missouri, and in ad- 
dition raising live-stock. This he continued un- 
til he felt that he had accumulated enough to 
support him in his declining years, and he is now 
living in retirement, respected and highly hon- 
ored by all who know him. 

While in Shelby county, Mo., he was united 
in marriage with Callie Blackburn, and their 
three children are as follows : William L. ; Ray 
B., a prominent stock-dealer of eastern Oregon ; 
and Ida M., widow of G. L. Calavan, of Linn 
county. In politics Mr. Jackson was well known 
as a firm Democrat. 

William L. Jackson spent nine years of his 
life in Missouri, and when his father removed to 
Linn county, Ore., he also came with him. His 
early education was attained in the public 
schools of Linn county, where he applied him- 
self earnestly to his books. This training was 
supplemented by a normal course in the Santiam 
Academy at Lebanon, after which he taught in 
the district schools of the county and later be- 
came instructor in the public schools at Browns- 
ville, occupying the principalship in that city. 
All these years were preparing him for the 
greater position he was to occupy. In 1900 he 
was elected county superintendent of Linn 
county schools and has proven efficient in this 
line of work. His special effort during his term 
as superintendent has been to establish a uni- 
formity in the work of the rural schools, and 
he has brought the entire system to conform to 
the state course of study. Through all the trials 
of office he carries himself in a truthful, conscien- 
tious manner as befits his position. 

September 12, 1893, Mr. Jackson was joined 
in marriage with Minnie E. Peery, who was 
born in Yamhill county, Ore., and is a daughter 
of Hiram W. and Mary J. (Kimsey) Peery. 
Hiram W. Peery is one of the solid, substantial 
farmers of Yamhill county and is descended from 
one of the old established families of that coun- 
ty. He and his wife are esteemed citizens of 
worth. 

Mr. Jackson resides in a pleasant, comfortable 
home at No. 906 East Sixth street, Albany. He 
and his wife have but one child, Glenn L. In 
religious affairs they attend the First Presby- 
terian Church, of which Mr. Jackson is a mem- 
ber. In politics he is a Democrat, as was his 
father before him. Fraternally he allies himself 
with the Knights of Pythias and the Maccabees. 
Mr. Jackson has been connected with educational 
work all his life and is a member of the State 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



817 



IV ichers' Association, being particularly iden- 
tified with the count}- superintendent's depart- 
ment of work in the association. 



fOHN C. HASTINGS has been for several 
. s an honored resident of Airlie, and an Ore- 
gon pioneer of 1852. A Southerner in ancestral 
connections and early training, Mr. Hastings 
was horn in west Tennessee, March 18, 1833, 
.1 son of John Hastings, and Annie (Estes) Hast- 
ings, both born in North Carolina. John Hast- 
ings removed as a young man to near Paris, 
Tcnn., and from there came farther w-est to near 
Westport, Ark., where he farmed for many 
\ears. and from where he removed to near 
Batesville, where his death occurred at about 
fifty-two years of age. 

The fourth in a family of seven children, 
five sons and two daughters, John C. Hastings 
received a limited education in the. south, owing 
to the necessity of the children early starting out 
to earn their own living. The sons seem to have 
been ambitious and alert to opportunities for 
improving their prospects, for three of them, 
John C, A. L. and B. L., became interested 
in the glowing reports which reached them from 
the west, and determined to shift their chances 
to the coast. With ox-teams and wagons they 
joined a caravan of home-seekers bound for 
the other side of the Rockies via the Platte 
river route, and after six months arrived in 
Polk county. Ore., having experienced the usual 
number of adventures on the way. The same 
year they went to the mines of California, but 
returned in 1853. locating in Polk county. John 
C. and A. L. then became interested in building 
and contracting, and in this capacity put up a 
great many barns throughout the county. In 
1856 John C. left off building and enlisted for 
the Indian service in Company K, Second Regi- 
ment of Oregon and Washington, and served 
for more than four months, and participating 
in manv skirmishes, and in the battles of Grand 
Round and Walla Walla. 

After being discharged from the service in 
September, 1856, Mr. Hastings returned to Polk 
county and married Melissa Wood, who was 
born in Arkansas, and whose father, Frank 
\\ ood. was a trader and farmer, who crossed 
the plains in 1853. Locating near Eugene, Ore., 
he traded and farmed until his death. Of this 
marriage there have been born eight children, 
the order of their birth being as follows : James 
Francis and Martha Jane, deceased ; Henry 
Greenbury, a farmer near Airlie; B. S., a far- 
mer of this countv ; Joseph L., a conductor on 
the Southern Pacific Railroad, with headquarters 
at Roseburg, Ore. : Mary Alice, the wife of 
Clyde Jackson, of Utah; John Franklin, living 



at Walla Walla, Wash.; and Clara Olive, liv- 
ing at home. For a time after his marriage Mr. 
Hastings lived on a rented farm in Polk county, 
and then went to Walla Walla, intending to make 
that his home. However, he changed his mind 
after eighteen months and came back to Polk 
county, where he bought a farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres on the Willamette river, 
but sold the same in 1871. He then purchased 
his farm of four hundred and forty acres ad- 
joining the town of Airlie, one hundred and sixty 
acres of which is at present under cultivation, 
and all is fenced and improved. His son, Henry 
G., at present has charge of the property, and 
he is enjoying life after many years of arduous 
toil. Mr. Hastings is a Democrat in politics, 
and has served as road supervisor and school 
director, having held the latter office for twelve 
years. He is a member of the Christian Church, 
and has been since his young manhood. Hon- 
orable and upright in all of his dealings, with 
a stern sense of duty and the claims of citizen- 
ship, Mr. Hastings has won the respect and good 
will of all with whom he has come in contact in 
the west, and his success is a matter of pride 
in this progressive community. 



L. ARTHUR CHURCHILL. Not only has 
Mr. Churchill known no other home than Linn 
county, but he has known no other home than 
the farm upon wdiich he now resides, as it was 
here that his birth occurred, March 20, 1857. 
His father, Lewis Churchill, was a Kentuckian 
by birth, born in 1806, and in many respects he 
had an interesting as well as successful career. 
When a young man he removed with his parents 
to Sangamon county, III, which was his home 
until his marriage in 1834, with Miss Mary A. 
Cooper, a native of Tennessee. Shortly after 
their marriage the young people removed to 
Iowa, W'hich was their home until the year 1853, 
when they were seized with an ambition to cross 
the country and try their fortunes in the west. 
They were more fortunate than many another 
pilgrim who traveled- the same path, in that 
they were not molested by the Indians. For 
three years they made their home in Douglas 
county, Ore., but in 1856 came to Linn county, 
and ten miles southeast of Albany purchased 
a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, for- 
merly a part of the John Lineberger donation 
claim. To his credit be it said that all the im- 
provements upon the place were the work of his 
hands, as when he assumed ownership of the 
land it was wholly uncultivated. Success at- 
tended his efforts, and in time he was enabled 
to purchase two hundred and forty acres of ad- 
ditional land. Stock-raising was his specialtv, 
and in this department of agriculture he met 



818 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with more than average success. In the course 
of his career he accumulated quite a large prop- 
erty. His political sympathies were in accord 
with the principles laid down by the Republican 
party. At the time of the Black Hawk war he 
was still a resident of Illinois, and he took a 
hand in quelling the Indian uprisings, his ex- 
perience in those days furnishing topics of con- 
versation in after years. It was in 1847 tnat Mr. 
Churchill crossed the plains to California and 
Oregon for the first time, making the journey 
on horseback, but his return to Iowa followed 
soon afterward, where he remained until the final 
trip to the west in 1853. 

To Lewis and Mary A. (Cooper) Churchill 
were born eight children, and of those living 
we make the following mention : James Madison 
is a resident of Plainview ; Eliza A., wife of 
Amos Dunham, makes her home in Prineville ; 
Elizabeth, wife of M. Lafayette Wilmott, re- 
sides in Albany; Winfield Scott lives near Plain- 
view ; Emma A., widow of William T. Jordan, 
resides with her brother, L. Arthur. The father 
lived to reach his sixty-fourth year, and the 
mother was eighty-two years of age at the time 
of her death. Both were devout and faithful 
members of the Christian Church. 

L. Arthur Churchill attended the district 
schools in the vicinity of his home during his 
boyhood, and early in his career took an interest 
in things agricultural. After his father's death 
in 1869 he continued the work begun by the lat- 
ter, and still has charge of the old home place, 
which has been improved and kept in an up- 
to-date condition. The dwelling and barns on 
this estate are not excelled by any in the vicinity. 
Mr. Churchill owns two hundred and fourteen 
acres of the old home farm, of which one hun- 
dred and fifty are under cultivation, general 
farming and stock-raising forming his chief in- 
dustries. Mr. Churchill's interest in fraternal 
affairs is indicated by his affiliation with the 
Knights of the Maccabees. Politically he is a 
Republican. Following the early training of 
his parentSi he is a member of the Christian 
Church, to the support of which he contributes 
liberally. Several times he has been called upon 
to fill positions of trust in his community, and 
the obligations have always been discharged in 
a faithful and painstaking manner. Quiet and un- 
ostentatious, Mr. Churchill bears a reputation 
for honorable and upright living which all might 
envy. 



WILLIAM EDWARD WILLIAMS. One 
need look no further than William Edward 
Williams, of near Airlie, Polk county, for the 
typical agriculturist of the northwest, breezy 
and inspiring of manner, large and rugged of 



physique, shrewd, large-hearted and thoroughly 
progressive. One ought also to say genial and 
companionable, for these enviable traits have 
been predominating ones in the life Of this hon- 
orable native son, and have won and retained a 
host of friends. Born on the farm upon which 
he now lives, March 7, 1852, he represents one 
of the prominent early families of the state, his 
father, James E., having arrived here in 1845. 

James E. Williams was born near Nashville, 
Tenn., in 1803, and in his native state married 
Martha Wicher, who was born in Virginia. 
Seven children were added to the family in the 
east, and with these and his wife, Mr. Williams 
started across the plains in 1845, experiencing 
on the way an aggregation of adventures of a 
more or less novel and dangerous nature. How- 
ever, glad as they were to reach Polk county, 
after the wearisome journey, they were destined 
for still further discomfort, for the first night 
of their arrival, while camping on the banks of 
the Luckiamute a severe storm caused the river 
to rise, and in the darkness they were obliged to 
seek a camp higher up on the bank, a very wet 
and most disgusted little band of home-seekers. 
Mr. ^Williams took up a donation claim of six 
hundred and forty acres of land, and though 
at the time he had little in the world save en- 
ergy and physical strength, he soon managed 
to make a comfortable home for himself and 
family in the wilderness. For many years they 
lived in a log house, but this was afterward re- 
placed by a more modern structure, and barns 
and general improvements added as time went 
on. A very broad-minded and public-spirited 
man, he took an active part in the political un- 
dertakings of the territory, and served two 
terms in the territorial legislature. He also 
helped to form the state laws, and all forward 
movements for his neighborhood received not 
only his sanction but practical support. His 
death occurred in 1865, at the age of sixty-two, 
while his wife, who shared his joys and sorrows, 
and helped to bring about his success, survived 
him until 1888, dying at the age of seventy- 
five. This pioneer couple were very popular in 
their county, and their home was the center of 
much early hospitality. Both were members 
and active workers in the Southern Methodist 
Church, and the itinerant preachers who chanced 
that way were always sure of a warm welcome 
as long as they desired to remain under the Will- 
iams roof. 

In an atmosphere of industry, thrift and good- 
ness, William Edward developed into a useful 
and high-minded lad, and at the age of thirteen 
was more matured than most lads of that age. 
This was fortunate, for his father died at this 
time, and it was necessary for him to be of use 
to his mother, whose older children, numbering 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



819 



sons and hvo daughters, had many of diem 
manage homes of their own. On at- 

ing his majority he received his share of the 
property, which was only fifty-three acres, but 
he was not dismayed, for he had worked hard 
during his minority, and had saved considerable 
In time he bought out the other heirs 
and became sole owner of the large property, 
to the improvement of which he has unceasingly 
It voted himself, and out of which he has made 
a fine living for those dependent on him for sup- 
port. In 1894 he built a modern tw^o-story 
rural residence, one of the best in the county, 
and here is maintained that spirit of hospitality 
and good fellowship for which his parents es- 
tablished a precedent in the pioneer days. 
Mr-. Williams was formerly America Price, a 
native of Polk county. Ore., and whose father, 
Larkin Price, crossed the plains in 1849, locat- 
ing on a claim in Polk county, consisting of six 
hundred and forty acres. Mr. Price accumulated 
a competence in the west, and at the time of 
bis death was a very well-to-do member of the 
community. Five children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Williams, of whom Marcus 
Clyde lives in Independence, Ore. ; Wade Hamp- 
ton is living on the home farm ; Floyd A. is at- 
tending the Oregon Agricultural College at Cor- 
vallis, and is in the junior year; W. E. is on the 
home farm ; and Yern Whitman is also living 
with her parents. 

To enumerate the many public services rend- 
ered by Mr. W r illiams in his capacity of broad- 
minded and progressive citizen were to follow 
the footsteps of a very discerning and practical 
philanthropist. He has helped to bring within 
the range of the farmer many of the conveni- 
ences hitherto enjoyed only by townfolk, among 
them being the rural mail route Xo. 1, twenty- 
three miles long; and the Luckiamute Rural 
Telephone Company, of which he is a stock- 
holder and director. He is also a stockholder in 
the Independence National Bank. A Democrat 
in political affiliation, Mr. Williams has held the 
position of deputy sheriff of Polk county for the 
past eight years, and has been a member of the 
school board for four years. The church to 
which his father ga~ e his earnest support for 
so many years finds favor with the son, who 
is a most generous contributor towards its 
maintenance and charities. 



EDWIN RUTHVIN SEELY. Among the 
prominent pioneer families established in Ore- 
gon in 1850. the one of which Edwin R. Seely is 
a worthy representative takes foremost rank. 
Mr. Seelv was born on his father's farm near 
Boone's Ferry, Clackamas county, Ore., May 13, 
1862, a son of Lucius Alexander and Sophia H. 



(Buckman) Seely, natives of Potsdam, N. Y., 
and born respectively August 10, 1821, and Feb- 
ruary 16, 1825. 

L. A. Seely was the son of a blacksmith, and 
when a young man removed with his people to 
Sangamon county, 111., where he married and 
continued to live until 1850. His neighborhood 
was agitated by reports of land and mining op- 
portunities on the coast, and the young man and 
his wife were among the most eager listeners 
to these tales of returned travelers. On account 
of ill health he took this opportunity to seek a 
more congenial climate. Accordingly they out- 
fitted with ox-teams and wagons, taking with 
them considerable blooded stock, including some 
very fine horses. At a certain stage of the jour- 
ney the stock was transferred to Mormons, much 
to the grief and consternation of the rightful 
owners, who bitterly resented the thieving pro- 
pensities of the so-called religious enthusiasts. 
The train was a large one and represented many 
beliefs and occupations, a curious fact in connec- 
tion with their migration being that, after tak- 
ing a vote as to whether they should travel on 
the Sabbath day, those holding to the negative 
reached their destination a month earlier than 
those who failed to heed the biblical injunction. 
Needless to say, Mr. Seely, throughout his entire 
life a stanch Presbyterian, was among those who 
believed in rest for man and beast on the sacred 
day, and he was therefore among the first to ar- 
rive at his destination in Oregon. The first win- 
ter he stopped at Canemah, and in the spring 
bought a farm on Baker's Prairie, where they 
lived only a year. Again they settled in Cane- 
mah, and later bought the farm near Boone's 
Ferry, where they reared nine children of their 
own and one adopted daughter, and where the 
father died at the age of seventy-five, in 1879, 
while his wife survived him until seventy-six 
years of age, dying in 1901. The children were 
as follows : Jira J. is deceased, leaving a family 
of wife and seven children; George B. is a 
farmer of Clackamas county; Joseph B. also 
lives in Clackamas county; Harriet B., deceased, 
was married to James Whitmore, and left four 
children ; Franklin F. ; Stephen B. ; Judson L. ; 
Robert I., all of Clackamas county; Edwin R. ; 
and Emma, the adopted daughter, deceased. Mr. 
Seely was a stanch supporter of the schools of 
his neighborhood, and he was very active in the 
church, contributing liberally towards its main- 
tenance, and attending the services whenever his 
health permitted. 

Until his marriage with Julia E. Turner. June 
24. 1883, Edwin R. Seely remained on the home 
farm. His wife was born in Pike county, Mo., 
November 24. 1863, and crossed the plains with 
her people in 1865, making the journey with the 
time-honored ox-teams, and bought a farm near 



820 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Oregon City, in Clackamas county. The young 
people went to housekeeping for a couple of 
years near Boone's Ferry, and then purchased a 
farm of one hundred and twenty acres on Butte 
Creek, three miles east of Woodburn. At the 
time of purchase there were thirty-five acres 
under cultivation, and at present there are about 
ninety acres devoted to the raising of the general 
products of this section. To a considerable ex- 
tent Mr. Seely is interested in hop culture, and 
has thirty-five acres devoted to its cultivation. 
He also has two and a half acres in onions, and 
is carrying on general farming and stock-raising. 
Everything about this farm indicates the careful 
and practical manager and agriculturist, and it 
is doubtful if any man in the neighborhood is 
deserving of greater credit for the part he has 
taken in the improvement of his district. So in- 
dustriously has he applied himself to making an 
ideal home for himself and family that he 
has foresworn political aspirations, and all else 
that would interfere with the discharge of his 
primary obligations. He is a Prohibitionist in 
politics, and is a supporter of the same church to 
which his father devoted so many years of his 
life. Nine children have been born into his fam- 
ily, the order of their birth being as follows : 
Harry B. ; Perry W. ; Lucius R. ; Thomas L. ; 
Ruth E. ; Chauncey C, deceased ; Percy H. ; 
Julia E. ; and Ethel A. 



william Mcdonald turner. At 

the age of eighteen, in 1835, William McDonald 
Turner crossed the plains with his parents and 
brothers and sisters, leaving behind the prosper- 
ous little farm in Johnson county, Mo., upon 
which he was born November 3, 1835, an d where 
he had developed into a strong and self-reliant 
youth. His father, Jonas, was born in Tennes- 
see, as was also his mother, Luhettie (Gilliam) 
Turner, although they were married in Mis- 
souri, shortly afterward settling on the farm in 
Johnson county. The long and wearying trip 
across the plains was accomplished without any 
particular incident, wagons, oxen and the vari- 
ous members of the party bearing up well under 
the necessarily severe strain upon their endur- 
ance. Setting out May 3, 1853, they spent the 
first winter in the Washoo valley, Nev., and the 
next spring went on to California, locating in 
Mariposa county for a couple of years. They 
then went to Sonoma county, where the father 
bought land, improved it, and lived thereon until 
the death of both himself and wife. 

Hard work on the home farm interfered some- 
what with the education which William Turner 
desired, and he really saw little of the public 
schools of either Missouri or California. What 
education he has received has been almost en- 



tirely of recent acquisition, and has resulted in 
his becoming a well-informed and liberal- 
minded man. At the age of twenty he started 
out to work among the farmers of Sonoma 
county, CaL, receiving as compensation four 
dollars a week and board. He was frugal and 
had few wants, and by 1861 had saved quite a 
little money, sufficient at any rate to bring him 
to Polk county, Ore. Here he worked on farms 
for a few weeks, and not being satisfied with the 
prospects he went to eastern Oregon and en- 
gaged in the laborious work of packing from 
The Dalles to the Idaho mines. A frontier ex- 
istence was both congenial and profitable, and 
for nearly six years he continued freighting, 
and otherwise interested himself in the occupa- 
tions of the crude and as yet undeveloped 
country. 

In 1867 Mr. Turner returned to Polk county, 
and after living on rented farms in the Willam- 
ette valley for several years bought his present 
farm of one hundred and forty-five acres, ad- 
vantageously located a few miles from Airlie. 
Some of the finest horses in this country have 
been bred upon the well-equipped Turner farm, 
and have brought their owner substantial re- 
turns for his care. Since 1873 Mr. Turner has 
had the companionship and ready sympathy of 
a very helpful and devoted wife, who was for- 
merly Mary J. Waters, born in Iowa, October 
20, 1847. Edward Waters, the father of Mrs. 
Turner, crossed the plains with his family in 
1853, locating on a farm in Polk county, near 
Pedee. Of the eight children born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Turner, Dorsa N., John C, William Troy, 
Andy J., and Emmett live in or near Airlie ; 
Benjamin F., the oldest son, resides near Pedee 
and Emmett and Luhettie, the youngest children, 
are living on the home farm. The Turner home 
is a hospitable and pleasant one, and all of the 
members are popular and well liked in their re- 
spective neighborhoods. Mr. Turner subscribes 
to the principles of the Democratic party, and 
has held various official positions in his adopted 
county, including that of school director and 
road supervisor. He is a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church South, of Lewisville, of 
which both himself and wife are trustees. 



WALTER K. TAYLOR. On October 15. 
1902, the Clover Leaf Dairy was organized and 
is now one of the busiest industries in the thriv- 
ing city of Corvallis, and if the past success of 
the enterprise is any index of its future growth 
and importance, its success is certainly assured. 
The plant is equipped with all the latest devices 
for the proper conduct of an establishment of 
this nature, and the proprietor is ever on the 
alert to acquaint himself with inventions and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



821 



ideas bearing upon his line of endeavor. The 

plant is modem in every respect, and is equipped 
with an aerator, separator, and all the machinery 
required in a first-class dairy. Sixty cows sup- 
ply milk for the plant, and it is the endeavor of 
the proprietor to replace all of them by animals 
of the Jersey breed. 

Walter K. Taylor is a native of Mifflin county, 
Pa., born July 27, 1871, a son of M. P. and 
Rhoda W. (Kearns) Taylor, both of whom were 
also horn in Mifflin county. By occupation the 
father was a farmer and followed that calling in 
Pennsylvania until the removal of the family 
to Kansas in 1878, settlement being made in 
Osborne county. As in Pennsylvania, so in 
Kansas, he followed farming, but in 1889 he 
n changed his abode, this time coming to 
1 >regon and engaging in the dairy business not 
far from Corvallis. When the family left the 
Keystone state it was their intention to locate 
in Washington, but ere they reached their des- 
tination death entered their ranks and at Prine- 
viile. Cook county, they buried their son Her- 
bert. It was while at the latter place that they 
made the acquaintance of Mrs. Sarah Moore, 
whose praise of Benton county as a desirable 
place to locate changed their plans entirely. Of 
the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor 
three are living and Walter is the old- 
est of the number. He was eighteen years old 
when the family came to Oregon, and as soon 
as old enough began to assist his father in the 
duties of the dairy. At the time of the latter's 
death he was thoroughly acquainted with every 
detail of the business, and from that date, May, 
1895, he assumed control of the business, run- 
ning the same until the fall following, when he 
sold out and went to Linn county, engaging in 
farming there until 1898, when he again became 
proprietor of the Corvallis dairy. After running 
the same for two years he sold the plant to Jacob 
Frank. In the meantime, in 1899, he had 
purchased a tract of ninety-two acres adjoining 
the city limits of Corvallis, and here" may be seen 
one of the model homes of the country round- 
about. It is up-to-date in every respect, and is 
supplied with hot and cold water all over the 
house. A windmill supplies a tank of twenty-five 
hundred gallons capacity, from which water is 
piped to the house and barn, the latter of which 
is 60x70 feet ground dimensions. 

In Corvallis October 23, 1895, occurred the 
marriage of Mr. Taylor and Miss Christine Leu- 
ger, the daughter of John Leuger, and a native 
of Eugene, Ore. Four children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, named in order of their 
birth as follows: Hugh, Herbert, Rhoda and 
John. Mr. Taylor's name may be found en- 
rolled among the members of the Odd Fellows, 
in the local lodge, of which he is serving as past 



grand, and is also identified with the Rebekahs 
and Woodmen of the World. The family are 
identified with the First Presbyterian Church 
of Corvallis, which Mr. Taylor is serving as 
deacon. 



OLIVER P. COSHOW. In more than one 
direction has Oliver Perry Coshow made his 
personality felt in the state of Oregon, for 
though a successful business man in the days of 
her prosperity, he crossed the plains in the time 
of danger and desolation and, coming into the 
wilderness of the west, he turned his energies 
along the lines necessary to profit by the multi- 
tude of opportunities presented in the untried 
fields. He is a pioneer of 185 1, and during the 
intervening years he has served his adopted 
land as patriot, farmer, merchant and the leader 
of the woolen industry in the city of Browns- 
ville. 

The ancestry of the Coshow family is traced 
back to Revolutionary times, the great-grand- 
father of Oliver P. Coshow being one of the 
soldiers who accompanied La Fayette through 
the country during his visit in 1824. The grand- 
father, William, was born in the state of Vir- 
ginia, later in life making his home in Ken- 
tucky, where his son, Robert Coshow, the father 
of Oliver P., was born, April 30, 1808, near 
Lexington. At a later date the family fortunes 
were changed to Indian creek, Ohio, and to 
Clermont county, same state, where the grand- 
father died. Being reared to the life of a farmer 
Robert Coshow continued in this occupation, 
removing in manhood to Fayette county, Ind., 
and in 1842 changing his location to Muscatine 
county, Iowa, where he remained for one year. 
After settling in Scott county, Iowa, he combined 
the trade of a carpenter with his agricultural 
pursuits, and remained at this until i860, when 
he came, via the Isthmus of Panama, to Oregon, 
making his home, until his death, at the age of 
eighty-three years, with a daughter, Mrs. Car- 
penter, of Salem. He married Julia Perin, who 
was born near Connersville, Ind., and died in 
Scott county, Iowa. She was the daughter of 
John Perin, a native of Massachusetts, who, with 
his brother Samuel, settled in Indiana, later mak- 
ing his home in Iowa, where he died at the age 
of ninety-four years. The great-grandfather of 
Mrs. Coshow was Lemuel Perin, who was the 
first to change the spelling of the name be- 
queathed to him by his ancestor, John, a native 
of England, who settled in Massachusetts in 
1635. 

Of the ten children born to his parents, three 
sons and seven daughters, all but one of whom 
attained maturity, Oliver Perry Coshow was the 
oldest son and the second child. He was born 



S22 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



July 4, 1 83 1, in Connersville, Ind. Interspersed 
as his home duties permitted he attended the 
public schools intermittently as circumstances 
would allow, growing up to the life of a farmer, 
at which he remained until 1850, when he entered 
a store in Appanoose county, Iowa, as a clerk. 
In 185 1 he decided to try his fortunes in the 
west and accordingly made arrangements with 
the late Hon. R. B. Cochran, of Lane county, 
Ore., whereby he was to have his passage for 
driving an ox-team across the plains. Beyond 
the minor trials incident to life on the plains 
the trip was made without harrowing experi- 
ences, the party arriving safely in Oregon, 
where after helping Mr. Cochran to build a 
cabin on his claim, Mr. Coshow ventured to the 
Rogue river mines. Being prevented by illness 
in the continuance of this work he took up, in 
1853, a donation land claim of one hundred and 
sixty acres, located one and one-half miles north 
of Brownsville, Linn county, where he engaged 
in farming and stock-raising. In 1858 he bought 
two hundred and eighty acres five miles south- 
east of Harrisburg and continued in his work. 
For the better educational advantages of his 
children he removed to Brownsville in 1868, and 
in connection with H. R. Powell bought an in- 
terest in the general merchandise business of 
J. M. Morgan, but after one year Mr. Morgan 
withdrew and Mr. Coshow and Mr. Powell con- 
ducted the business for four years. In 1863 
he traded his merchandise interest for an inter- 
est in the Brownsville woolen mills, but oper- 
ated the store in the interest of the new com- 
pany, being also secretary of the latter. The 
company then erected the business block on 
Main street, for which Mr. Coshow parted with 
his one-fourth interest in the woolen mill, in 
1880, taking as a partner C. H. Cable, a resident 
of this city. In 1888 he sold out to C. E. Stan- 
ard, who has since conducted the business, and 
with the exception of the handling of real estate 
and the duties of a notary public Mr. Coshow 
has retired to private life. As a patriot Mr. 
Coshow enlisted, October 24, 1855, in Company 
C, Second Oregon Regiment, under Captain 
Keeney, and returned home without accident 
after three months' service, as did all but one 
man of the one hundred and twenty engaged. 

The marriage of Mr. Coshow occurred in 
Brownsville, September 23, 1853, uniting him 
with Sarah E. Cochran, who was born in Put- 
nam county, Mo., January 23, 1837, and died 
March 6, 1903. Her father, William Cochran, 
a native of Kentucky, came from Missouri to 
Oregon, crossing the plains in 1847, an d locat- 
ing first in Molalla, Clackamas county, Ore., 
when, after two years, he came to Linn county, 
and took up a donation claim of six hundred 
and forty acres, where he engaged in farming 



and stock-raising. He died near Rowland, of 
this county, in the home of his youngest daughter, 
at the age of eighty-eight years, having lived a 
very successful life. Of the ten children born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Coshow, William Luther is a 
farmer and stock-raiser in Lake county ; Soph- 
ronia Alice is the wife of J. M. Howe, a mer- 
chant of Eugene, Ore. ; Robert Heron is the 
secretary of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mills 
Company, of Salem, Ore. ; James Nelson resides 
in Brownsville ; Mary Ellen is the wife of John 
Franzen, a mechanical engineer, of Portland, 
Ore. ; Oliver Perry, Jr., is an attorney at Rose- 
burg, Ore. ; Sarah Elizabeth is the wife of R. 
H. Chaplain, Seattle, Wash. ; Ida Alva is the 
wife of G. C. Stanard, of Portland; George 
Helm makes his home in Brownsville, where he 
is secretary of the Brownsville woolen mills ; 
and Kate Ethel is the wife of A. B. Cavender, 
the business manager of the Brownsville Times. 
Fraternally Mr. Coshow is a member of the 
Blue Lodge chapter, Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons, and in religion is a Baptist. Politically 
he is a Democrat and has been quite active in 
the affairs of the city. He is a member of the 
council, having been one of the first officers 
elected in the town, and has served in the ca- 
pacity of president. He has also served as city 
recorder for several years. He was appointed 
notary by Governor Lord and has served con- 
tinuously since. 



HENRY M. BERRY. Coming to Oregon 
in such manner that he was obliged to begin 
at the bottom round of the ladder, that well-re- 
membered pioneer, Joseph Berry, accumulated 
an estate of eight hundred acres, all of which 
has since been divided among his children, one of 
the most successful of whom is Henry M. Berry, 
owner of two hundred acres of the original do- 
nation claim. Joseph Berry was born in Chester 
county, Pa., June 17, 1819, and as a young 
man removed to Linn county, Iowa, where he 
was variously employed, and where he married 
Lucinda Osborn, who was born in Iowa, and 
died in 1874, when forty-three years of age. 
Soon after his marriage, in 1853, Mr. Berry 
crossed the plains with ox-teams, and settled 
on a claim of three hundred and twenty acres 
fifteen miles north of Corvallis. His property 
was heavily timbered, and instead of devoting 
his energies to clearing it for crops, he was 
primarily interested in converting the giant 
trees into shingles, an occupation in which he 
engaged about four years. He then traded his 
claim for a farm of sixty acres near Airlie, and 
in 1866 he bought a claim of two hundred and 
twenty acres, which he partially cleared, and 
put in good condition for general farming. His 




(T/7^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



K25 



activities enlarged to such an extent that more 
land was required, and he finally became the 
possessor oi eight hundred acres, a large por- 
tion oi which was valuable farming land. As 
before stated, his children have been the bene- 
ficiaries of his industry and bounty, and all are 
profiting by the start in life which a less kindly 
fate denied their resourceful and very success- 
ful sire. Mr. Berry was never prominent in 
politics, but he took a keen interest in good 
roads, schools and general improvements in the 
county, contributing his share towards any 
measure calculated to add to the peace or wel- 
fare of his fellow-agriculturists. His death oc- 
curred in 1900, at the age of eighty-one years, 
and he left behind a reputation for strength, 
moral courage and great kindliness of character. 

The third of the five sons and three daughters 
in his father's family, Henry M. Berry was born 
May 30, 1855, m Benton count) - , and w r as reared 
to hard work on the home farm. Such education 
as came within his grasp was acquired in the 
public school near the farm, and when he arrived 
at his majority he was given the two hundred 
acres which constitute his present farm. He 
has many fine improvements to facilitate a gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising enterprise, and 
so well managed is his place that he derives a 
large yearly income. Like his father, a Re- 
publican in politics, Mr. Berry has served as 
road supervisor, but has never desired official 
recognition. He is a member of the Grange at 
Lewisville. L T pright in all of his dealings, fair- 
minded and progressive, Mr. Berry commands 
the respect of all with whom he has to do, 
whether in a business or social capacity. 

George E., the youngest brother of H. M. 
Berrv, resides with him, and is also engaged in 
farmingf. 



ELIAM S. MORRIS. The east holds innu- 
merable records of long residence upon a given 
place, but in the comparatively newly developed 
west, to live for half a century among absolutely 
the same surroundings, is an occurrence rarely 
heard of. Yet, such has been the experience of 
Eliam S. Morris, one of the most venerable farm- 
ers of Yamhill county, who settled on his present 
home February 10, 1852. Although ninety-two 
years of age, Mr. Morris retains, unimpaired, 
many of his most useful faculties, and is still 
able to interest himself in the various depart- 
ments conducted on his farm. 

Mr. Morris is one of the many natives of 
Pennsylvania who have found their most pro- 
lific field of activity in the west. He was born 
in Union township, Fayette county, Pa., Novem- 
ber 15, 181 1, his father. William, having been 
born in Berks county, Pa., as was also his 



mother, Priscilla (Springer) Morris. William 
Morris was a shoemaker by trade, and also a 
farmer, and he spent his entire life in his native 
state. Eliam S., the third oldest of the five sons 
and six daughters born to his father, had an un- 
eventful childhood, his educational opportunities 
being confined to the early subscription schools. 
Until twenty-four he remained with his people on 
the home farm, and then removed to within nine 
miles of Mineral Point, which continued to be 
his home for thirteen years. During this time he 
was not only engaged in farming, but was active 
in promoting remunerative lead mines. Hoping 
to improve his prospects, he gathered together 
his possessions in 185 1, and started for Oregon 
with ox teams and wagons, and was six months 
on the journey. The first winter he spent three 
miles from his present place, and the following 
year bought three hundred and twenty acres of 
land, comprising his present home. 

In 1840, Mr. Morris married Susanna Good, 
who was born in Missouri, December 6, 1822, 
and comes of English ancestry. Richard Good, 
the father of Mrs. Morris, was born in England, 
and her mother, Sarah (Adams) Good, was 
born in the Old Dominion. Seven sons and four 
daughters were born into this family, named as 
follows: Sarah P., Mrs. J. D. Phillips; John 
Calvin ; Harriet S., deceased wife of Fred Chat- 
field ; Justin G. ; Charles E. ; Martin Luther ; 
Joann, Mrs. L. C. Triplett ; Jordan D. ; William 
R. ; Morris Good and Elizabeth M. ; and Oliver 
G. Holmes, who has been a member of the house- 
hold from his infancy. Mrs. Morris has also 
reared two grandchildren, a son and a daughter 
of Harriet S. Chatfield. Mr. Morris is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and has been road supervisor and 
school director, as well as justice of the peace, 
in both Oregon and Wisconsin. He is one of the 
honored members of the community for whose 
well-being he has so faithfully labored, and he 
has many true and tried friends among those who 
have lived and struggled with him in the early 
pioneer days. 



JOSEPH LOE. At the time of his death, 
June 9, 1899, Joseph Loe held an honored posi- 
tion in the community around Rickreall, Polk 
county, and was esteemed as one of the best 
farmers and most enterprising men in his 
neighborhood. He came to this section in 1883, 
and bought one hundred and twenty acres of 
land three and a half miles north of Monmouth, 
to the cultivation of which he devoted the most 
mature and las*- years of his well-directed life. 
A native of Wayne county, Ky., he was born 
October 6, 1826, his father, John, being a native 
also of the Bourbon state. On the maternal 
side he was of Welsh descent, for the forefathers 



8VG 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of his mother, Rachel (Gross) Loe, pursued 
their various occupations among the sheltering 
hills of Wales. John Loe removed to Adair 
county, Mo., in 1828, and in this wilderness cre- 
ated a home for himself and little family, re- 
maining there for the remainder of his life, his 
death occurring in 1871, at the age of seventy- 
one years. 

The Missouri farm was productive in a way, 
and John Loe found it a pleasant place upon 
which to live and rear his family, but to the grow- 
ing son, Joseph, it offered scant opportunities 
for the future. It seemed necessary for him 
to seek a wider field if he desired more than the 
necessities of life, and accordingly he set forth at 
a very early age, bent upon the problem of self- 
support. Mr. Loe started across the plains with 
ox-teams, being accompanied by his brother, 
John Loe. The first winter in Oregon was 
spent in Portland, where he helped get out tim- 
ber for ship-building, and the following spring 
he went down into the mines of California, where 
he experienced considerable success as a miner. 
Two years later he returned to Adair county, 
Mo., and purchased a farm with his earnings, 
living thereon for many years. In 1858 he mar- 
ried Mary Kilgore, a native of Adair county, 
Mo., born in 1837, and whose mother, Millie 
Kilgore, is now living in Umatilla county, Ore., 
at the age of one hundred years. In 1861 he 
suffered the loss of his wife, who left a daughter, 
who is now Mrs. Clarissa McNutt, of Forest 
Grove, Ore. 

While still living in Adair county, Mo., Mr. 
Loe married for his second wife, October 25, 
1866, Sarah J. Kirkpatrick, who was born in 
Knox county, Ohio, February 22, 1833. Her 
father, Nathaniel M. Kirkpatrick, was born in 
Knox county, Ohio, October 6, 1808, and her 
grandfather, Alexander, a native of Virginia, 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Her 
mother, Susan (Correll) Kirkpatrick, was born 
in the town of York, Pa., May 19, 1810. Na- 
thaniel M. Kirkpatrick was a farmer during the 
greater part of his active life, and in 1839 re- 
moved from Ohio to Pulaski county, Ark., where 
he lived until 1846. His final place of residence 
was a farm in Polk county, Mo., where he died 
at the age of fifty-four years. After his second 
marriage Mr. Loe continued to live on the farm 
in Adair county until 1873, i n which year he 
came to Oregon and bought a farm ten miles 
northwest of Hillsboro, Washington county, 
where he lived until removing to the farm now 
occupied by his widow, in 1883. He took an 
active part in the general undertakings of his 
neighborhood, and was especially prominent as 
a churchman, being a member and steward of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Dallas. Po- 
litically he was a Republican, but, being of a 



quiet and unostentatious disposition, he never 
sought an office or actively identified himself 
with local or other affairs of his party. He 
served during the Civil war first as home guard, 
later as member of the Missouri state enrolled 
militia, and later in the regular United States 
service, serving with the western division, under 
Capt. Dudley Brown. At the present time the 
entire one hundred and twenty acres of his farm 
are under cultivation, and in this pleasant rural 
home live his widow and two sons, John S. and 
Robert F. 



SAMUEL T. HILLMAN. The many 
rich and productive homesteads in the agri- 
cultural section of Marion county have largely 
been brought to their present state of per- 
fection through the strenuous efforts of practical 
farmers who ha\$ come here from older states, 
noteworthy among them being S. T. Hillman, 
who emigrated to Silverton from Kansas a few 
years ago. He was born February 5, 1849, m 
Center, Des Moines county, Iowa. His father, 
a native of Ohio, removed to Iowa when a young 
man, and there followed the carpenter's trade 
for many years. He married Mary Ann Chap- 
man, a native of England, and of the eleven 
children born of their union seven survive. 

Samuel T. Hillman acquired his elementary 
education in the district schools, and after com- 
pleting his studies at a high school was em- 
ployed as a teacher for a number of terms. Sub- 
sequently becoming proficient in the carpenter's 
trade, he followed it for a while in Kansas, then 
returned to Iowa and was there married, but 
began housekeeping in Kansas, living there, with 
the exception of a few years spent in Missouri, 
until 1889. Removing then with his family to 
Oregon, he settled eight miles southeast of Sil- 
verton, on a farm owned by Miles Lewis, re- 
maining there two years. Moving then to a place 
somewhat nearer Silverton, he lived there a short 
time, then purchased his present home farm, 
lying eight miles from Silverton. Mr. Hillman 
has seventy-three acres of land, well improved 
and judiciously cultivated, constituting one of 
the most attractive farms of the neighborhood, 
and is engaged in stock-raising and mixed farm- 
ing, finding his work profitable and pleasant. 

On September 20, 1873, Mr. Hillman mar- 
ried Elizabeth Beard, who was born and edu- 
cated in Iowa. Of their union nine children 
have been born, namely : Mary C, living in 
Montana; Samuel W.. of Washington; Thomas 
A., deceased ; Charles H., of Washington ; Vic- 
toria E., deceased ; Theodore F. ; Elizabeth A. ; 
Daniel H, and Violet E. The four last-named 
children reside with their parents. Mr. Hill- 
man is an earnest Democrat, ever sustaining the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



827 



principles of that party by voice and vote, and 
has served his district as school director. Fra- 
ternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. 



SAMUEL AMES. Among the well known 

merchants of Silverton is Samuel Ames, one 

the leading hardware dealers, who has been 

intimately associated with the business inter- 

- of tliis thriving city for upwards of a quar- 
ter of a century, and has contributed his full 
share in promoting its advancement and pros- 
perity. Thrown upon his own resources when 
but a' bov. he has proved himself courageous and 
brave, overcoming all the difficulties that have 

set him in his varied career, and achieving 
success by his industry, thrift and good business 
management. Of substantial Scotch stock, Mr. 
Ames" was born in Ohio, July 24, 1855, being 
the youngest of a family of four children, all 
boys, born of the union of Jacob and Charlotte 
(Ccle) Ames, the three older sons being Jacob, 
John and Louis. The father, a native of Scot- 
land, emigrated to the United States when a 
young man, and settled in Richland county, 
Ohio, where he followed the trade of a stone 
cutter until his death, at the age of fifty-three 
years, in January, 1869, outliving his wife but 
a few months, her death having occurred the 
preceding April. 

At the age of thirteen years, being left an 
orphan. Samuel Ames began the battle of life on 
his own account, his only equipment being the 
meagre store of knowledge acquired in a few 
years' attendance at the district school. After 
working a short time in a tobacco store in Mans- 
field, Ohio, he entered a machine shop, and later 
served an apprenticeship as a carriage painter, a 
trade that he followed a few years. Going west 
in 1874, he spent a short time in Iowa, then 
proceeded to Colorado, where he was for a 
time engaged in silver mining. Coming to the 
Pacific coast in 1877, he located first in eastern 
Washington, then settled, the same year, in 
Silverton, Ore., where has since resided. Es- 
tablishing himself in business as a sash and 
door manufacturer, he operated the factory for 
several years most successfully, in partnership 
with his brother Louis, and still retains his in- 
terest, renting it for manufacturing purposes. 
In 1885 Mr. Ames purchased a half interest in 
the hardware business of John Hicks, with whom 
he is still associated, and later, in 1899, formed 
a partnership with his brother, Louis Ames, in 
the same line of business. In their new store, 
Messrs. Ames have a large supply of everything 
likely to be found in a first-class hardware es- 
tablishment, carrying a large and complete 
stock, and by their enterprise, energy, unfailing 



courtesy and systematic business methods have 
won an extensive and lucrative patronage. Louis 
Ames is also a large landholder, owning three 
or four farms, and devotes a part of his land to 
the raising of hops, a crop which has proved quite 
remunerative in the past few years. 

Mr. Ames married, in Silverton, Ore., Clo- 
rinda A. Davis, who was born in Silverton. 
January 14, 1858, a daughter of the late Leander 
and Mary F. Davis, prosperous members of the 
agricultural community of this locality. Three 
children have been born of the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Ames, namely : Lora May, born Jan- 
uary 10, 1883; Roscoe Davis, born May 3, 1887; 
and Xorris Harold, born July 22, 1889. Polit- 
ically Mr. Ames is a stanch Republican, and 
socially he is a member of the Woodmen of 
the World. 

MAXLY MARTIX. The ancestry of Manly 
Martin is traced back to Germany, a de- 
scendant of which settled in Pennsylvania and 
engaged in farming. There Jacob Martin, his 
father, was born, March 20, 181 2, and following 
the example of his father, he found occupation 
in tilling the soil, a part of his life being spent 
in Iowa, on the line between Iowa and Mis- 
souri. Desirous of obtaining a better place in 
the farming interests than Iowa offered, Mr. 
Martin crossed the plains to Oregon among the 
early pioneers of 1848, the journey being made 
with ox-teams and occupying six months of the 
year. Upon his arrival he took up a donation 
land claim of six hundred and forty acres, locat- 
ed in Benton county, twelve miles southwest of 
Corvallis. For twenty years he remained upon 
this farm, putting into its cultivation the strength 
and energy of his manhood, and bringing it to 
a state of fertility and consequent beauty. In 
1868 he parted with the scenes of his early labor, 
trading the property for a farm in a better loca- 
tion. This was located near Independence, Polk 
county, and there was nothing lost in the ex- 
change. Mr. Martin died April 13, 1882. His 
wife was Miss Evaline Parks, born in Iowa. 
She was the mother of twelve children, seven 
sons and five daughters, nine of whom are now 
living. Mrs. Martin died at the home of her son, 
Manly, in July, 1903, at the age of eighty-eight 
years. 

Manly Martin was the eighth of the chil 
dren born to his father and mother, his birth 
occurring April 22, 1851, three years after their 
removal to Oregon. It was therefore his privi- 
lege to assist in the cultivation of the first farm 
owned by his father and later be of great service 
on the farm for which his father traded. In the 
winter seasons he profited by the advantages 
offered in the schools of Benton and Polk 
counties. Upon the death of his father he as- 



828 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sumed control of the farm, conducting it for 
some time with good judgment and manage- 
ment, but after his marriage in 1885 with Miss 
Maggie Link he bought a farm near Eola, Polk 
county, and continued to live there until 1900. 
In this last-named year he returned to his child- 
hood's home, and purchasing one hundred and 
eighty acres of the estate, engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. The children born 
of his. marriage are five in number and are 
named as follows: Ralph, Clara, Iva, Roy and 
Frank, all of whom are at home with their pa- 
rents. Republican in his political affiliations, he 
has held the positions of road supervisor and 
school director. 



JUDGE OLIVER P. GOODALL. One of 
the foremost agriculturists of Linn county, Judge 
Oliver P. Goodall is numbered among the enter- 
prising, progressive and skillful farmers who 
thoroughly understand the vocation which they 
follow, and are carrying it on with pleasure and 
profit. In the many places in which the judge 
has resided, and the different industries in which 
he has been interested, he has ever been regarded 
as a man of integrity and honor, and is held in 
high esteem by the community in which he now 
resides, and to promote whose advancement 
and prosperity he is always ready to lend a 
helping hand. 

Oliver P. Goodall was born August 1, 1828, 
in Jefferson City, Mo. Receiving excellent edu- 
cational advantages in his native place, he was 
subsequently sent to St. Louis to finish his 
studies, but while at school in that city, at the 
age of seventeen years, ran away to enlist as 
a soldier in the Mexican war. Joining Price's 
regiment, he served with that gallant com- 
mander in Kearney's division, throughout the 
conflict. Returning home, he was subsequently 
sent to a school in Luray, Va., where he con- 
tinued his studies nine months. He afterwards 
resided in his native city until 1852, when he 
came across the plains to Oregon, driving cattle 
all the way for Hiram Smith. Arriving at Har- 
risburg, Linn county, Mr. Goodall spent a few 
months in this locality, in the summer of 1853 
locating a donation claim in Washington 
county, where he lived four years. Removing 
then to The Dalles, he was engaged in mercan- 
tile pursuits two years, and the following two 
years carried on a good business as general 
merchant in Middleton, Idaho. Settling then 
in the Grand Ronde valley, Union county, Ore., 
the judge was extensively engaged in stock-rais- 
ing for thirty-six consecutive years in that local- 
ity, becoming one of the most prominent and 
prosperous stock-raisers of eastern Oregon. Sell- 
ing out his property in Union county in 1899, he 



came to Linn county to settle permanently. 
Purchasing four hundred and fifty-seven acres 
of land on the Callapooia river, about two and 
one-half miles east, of Crawfordsville, he is con- 
tinuing his former occupation with characteristic 
energy and success. 

In October, 1853, Judge Goodall married 
Louisa Bell, who bore him three children, 
namely : Brooks W., of North Dakota ; John 
W., also living in North Dakota ; and Ada, wife 
of John Brown, of Spokane, Wash. The judge 
married a second time, in 1864, Grace Gray, by 
whom he has had nine children, namely : Kitty 
C, Scott W., Mary, wife of Stephen C. Cun- 
ningham ; George O., of LaGrange, Ore. ; Lynn 
W., of LaGrange; Perry P., of LaGrange; 
Byron, of Brownsville, Ore. ; Grace, in school 
at Brownsville ; and Fanny, living at home. 
While a resident of Union county Judge Goodall 
was very prominent in public affairs, and filled 
many offices of trust and responsibility. For 
four years he was county assessor ; for four 
years served as county judge, and was subse- 
quently for four years a member of the State 
Board of Equalization. In politics he is a 
Populist, uniformly casting his vote in favor of 
that party. The judge was one of the organizers 
of the local Grange, which he served as master 
a number of years, and is now an active member, 
and master, of Holley Grange, No. 325. 



JAY E. WINEGAR. Born in St. Charles, 
Minn., January 29, 1879, Mr. Winegar's earlier 
years were passed similarly to those of all far- 
mer boys, giving his father the benefit of his 
services until he reached his twenty-first year. 
In the meantime, however, he had laid a good 
educational foundation by attending the public 
schools in the neighborhood of his home. He is 
a son of Meltire and Mary (Coulson) Wine- 
gar, the former a native of New York state and 
the latter a native of England." From New York 
the parents removed to the west, settling in 
St. Charles, Minn., in the vicinity of which the 
father carried on farming. The extreme west, 
however, held out more glowing prospects, and 
in 1895 the family wended their way across the 
country, with Oregon as their destination. Set- 
tling on a farm near McMinnville, he at once 
set about to put his land in condition for culti- 
vation, and that he has not failed in his efforts 
is evidenced by the fine farm which he has today. 
Of the eight children born to the parents six 
are living. 

As previously stated, J. E. Winegar remained 
at home with his parents until he had reached 
his majority. After having charge of his father's 
farm for several years, in October, 1901, he 





ctr?n-— 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



831 



changed the scene of his labors as well as his 
upation, and in Corvallis bought the livery 
and feed business of F. Elgin, which is now con- 
ducted as a feed stable. With the same energy 
which characterized all his undertakings lie at 
ced his .--tables with a fine lot of su- 
perior animals and has successfully followed 
the livery business ever since. In addition to 
d stable on Third street he also con- 
ducts a livery and sales stable at the corner 
I [efferson and Third streets, and here as well 
in the first-mentioned stable he is meeting 
with the success which he merits for his good 
business qualities and perseverance. Recently 
Mr. Winegar has taken a partner in the person 
of Thomas Yidito, the firm name now being 
Winegar & Yidito. 

In McMinnville, September, 1900, Mr. Wine- 
married Miss Hattie Hodge, a native of 
Kansas, and of this union one child has been 
born, to whom the parents have given the name 
of Clair. In fraternal matters Mr. Winegar 
takes an interest to the extent of allying himself 
with, the Modern Woodmen of the World, and 
politically votes with the Republican party. The 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a 
member, receives his support, and all measures 
set on foot tending to benefit his fellow-men 
receive his aid unstintingly. 



FRANKLIN YOCOM. After many years of 
agricultural activity in Yamhill county, Franklin 
Yocom is now enjoying the fruits of his labor in 
retirement in Sheridan, where he is honored for 
bis many fine traits of character, and for his gen- 
erally substantial accomplishment in the west. 
P.orn in Montgomery county, Ky., July 30, 1820, 
when seven years of age, he was taken by his 
parents to Illinois, where they entered six hun- 
dred and forty acres of land in Sangamon county. 
Here Franklin grew to manhood among the 
crude and pioneer conditions then "existing in 
Illinois, and his education was received in the 
little log subscription school-house in the vicinity 
of the paternal farm. The property was located 
near Springfield, and at the time that the elder 
Yocom allied his fortunes with that section, there 
was just one little store to prophesy the capital 
and flourishing city of to-day. 

In 1842, Franklin Yocom was united in mar- 
riage with Nancy J. Darnell, and of the ten chil- 
dren born of this union, Allen is a farmer near 
Sheridan ; Evelyn is the wife of James H. Brown, 
of Yamhill county; Marilla J. is the wife of 
David Carter, of Washington county ; Eliza is 
the wife of Allen Bradford, of California; Re- 
becca is deceased ; the others are : Tillie, Loretta, 
Harvey, Lonah, and an infant, deceased. Mrs. 
Yocom died June 29, 1897. With his family Mr. 



Yocom prepared to emigrate to Oregon in 1851, 
and, equipped with three yoke of oxen, crossed 
the plains in six months. The party was exceed- 
ingly fortunate during their entire journey, and 
with the exception of having one ox stolen, suf- 
fered no inconvenience at the hands of the In- 
dians. The farm upon which Mr. Yocom lo- 
cated, and which is still in his possession, is in 
Polk county, just across the line from Yamhill 
county, and four miles west of Sheridan. Three 
hundred and twenty acres comprise this donation 
claim, and about half of it is bottom land, lying 
along the Yamhill river. At first the owner 
erected a little log cabin, 16x20 feet, ground di- 
mensions, and there lived with his family and 
improved his property until 1876. Somewhat 
weary of strenuous farming life, he then moved 
into Salem, where for fourteen years he engaged 
in the slab-wood business, made possible by the 
large number of mills in the neighborhood. He 
was very successful in this effort, following 
which he returned to his farm and lived there 
four years. From the farm he came to Sheridan, 
and has since lived a retired life. Mr. Yocom is 
a very large land owner, and besides his home 
ranch, increased to seven hundred acres, owns 
also two thousand in another body. 

While carrying on general farming and stock- 
raising, Mr. Yocom has variously interested him- 
self in the affairs of his community, and has been 
especially active in promoting the interests of the 
Republican party. However, locally, he votes 
for the man best qualified to serve the interests 
of the people, regardless of party, and this 
breadth of thought has characterized his entire 
career in the west. For nearly sixty years he was 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
but is nOw identified with the Christian Sci- 
entists. He is one of the highly-esteemed pioneer 
residents of Yamhill county, and his moral, agri- 
cultural and general influence has been of the 
best. 



WILLIAM L. WELLS. Identified with 
both the political and agricultural pursuits of his 
county, William L. Wells has won a place of no 
little consideration in the esteem of his fellow- 
citizens who have, in the past, favored him with 
their support for various offices for which the 
Republican party has nominated him. He is a 
native of Oregon, his father, George A. Wells, 
having emigrated in 1853 to the west, where he 
passed the remainder of his life. 

George A. Wells was born in Pike county, 
Mo., January 14, 1830, the son of R. F. Wells, 
who was of English and Welsh descent, and 
when eighteen years old had followed his pa- 
rents into Pike county. 111. There George mar- 
ried in 1850 Henrietta Turner, who was born in 



S32 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Virginia, December 4, 1831, and had come to 
Illinois with her parents. In 1853 tne two P re " 
pared to cross the plains. With the customary 
ox-teams they made the journey in six months, 
and first settled in Benton county, where Mr. 
Wells took up a donation claim of one hundred 
and sixty acres near Philomath, and there re- 
mained for four years. At the close of that 
period he sold out and removed to Marion 
county, where he purchased three hundred and 
twenty acres of land near the present site of 
Hubbard, and he there continued until March 
14, 1867, when he again disposed of his property 
and invested his money in a farm located one 
mile north of Buena Vista, Polk county. Here 
his death occurred April 25, 1891, his widow 
still surviving him, and now making her home 
with her daughter, Mary S. Bevens, who is 
located in the same vicinity. The children born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Wells are as follows: R. F., 
of San Francisco; Mary S., now the wife of 
W. P. Bevens, of Buena Vista; Sarah E., the 
wife of Alexander Collins, of Dallas; Margaret, 
now deceased; William L., of this review; C. 
P., of Independence; George A., of Buena 
Vista; Emma J., the wife of F. P. Ground, of 
Buena Vista, and John E., of Buena Vista. 

The fifth of this family of children was Will- 
iam L. Wells, who was born January 6, 1859, 
upon his father's farm in Marion county, though 
his education was received principally in the 
public schools of Buena Vista. Upon the com- 
pletion of the school course he engaged in farm 
work with his father, remaining so employed 
until 1886, when he was elected county assessor 
upon the Republican ticket. After a two-years 
service he returned to the farm and continued 
there until 1890, and was then called to public 
office once more, for two terms serving as county 
sheriff. On again returning to private life he 
engaged in business in Dallas from 1894 to 1896, 
and in the last-named year was elected county 
judge, in which position he remained until 1900. 
He was then nominated joint representative for 
Polk and Lincoln counties on the Republican 
ticket, and was defeated by but forty votes. Re- 
turning to his farm he has since engaged in 
general farming and hop-raising, leasing one 
hundred and ninety-five acres for the former and 
twenty-two and a half for the cultivation of the 
latter, and meeting with gratifying success in 
the work. He owns a homestead of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres in Lincoln county, Ore. 

The marriage of Mr. Wells occurred Decem- 
ber, 1887, and united him with Miss Sarah F. 
Murphy, who was born in Linn county, Ore., 
January 5, 1865, and was the daughter of H. W. 
Murphy, a pioneer of 1852. Five children have 
been born of the union, who are as follows: 
Leroy G., Albert, Goldie R., Gladys and Leon- 



ard, all of whom are at home. Fraternally Mr. 
Wells is a very prominent man, being a member 
of the United Artisans of Dallas ; past noble 
grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows ; Ancient Order of United Workmen of 
Dallas ; and the Native Sons of Oregon, holding 
membership in Nesmith Camp of Dallas. In 
religion he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of Buena Vista. 



JAMES WINSTANLEY. There have been 
developed within the last few years in Oregon 
many industries and enterprises which have 
contributed in a large measure to the pros- 
perity of the state and of its citizens. Among 
the various businesses developed is that of hop- 
growing, and of this James Winstanley is a 
prominent representative, being now the sec- 
retary of the Oregon Hop Growers' Associa- 
tion. He is a man of keen discernment, quick 
in recognizing opportunities and accurate in 
his judgment of the difficulties and the obsta- 
cles which are to be found in all lines of busi- 
ness. While laboring earnestly for his own 
financial advancement, his efforts have at the 
same time been of value to the state, and in 
his present position his labors are proving of 
marked benefit to Oregon in the development 
of one of her important industries. 

Mr. Winstanley was born in Warrington, 
Lancashire, England, September 12, 1847, an 'T 
is the second in order of birth in a family of 
six children, of whom three sons and a daugh- 
ter are now living. His father, Peter Winstan- 
ley, was born at Winstanley Hall in Lanca- 
shire, and became the owner of extensive ware- 
house interests in Warrington. In religious 
faith he was a Wesleyan Methodist, and he 
died at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, 
Hannah Walker, was born in Cheshire, Eng- 
land, a daughter of William Walker, who was 
engaged in the transportation business between 
Liverpool and Manchester. She, too, died in 
her native country. 

James Winstanley, of this review, is the only 
representative of the family in America. He 
was reared in Warrington and pursued his edu- 
cation in the national schools of England until 
ten years of age, when he was apprenticed to 
learn the stair-builder's trade in his native 
town, entering upon a seven-years' term of 
service. He followed that pursuit, and also 
the trade of pattern-making, and later he began 
conducting business on his own account, doing 
contracting and building, and being thus en- 
gaged until he came to the new world. Mr. 
Winstanley arrived in Oregon in 1888. Taking 
up his abode in Salem, he secured employment 
in a sash and door factory, where he remained 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



833 



for a year. He afterward spent three years as 

a pattern-maker in Drake's foundry, but in the 

meantime he became interested in other lines 

of business. Upon his arrival in Oregon he 

had purchased a farm a mile and a half from 

Salem, comprising forty-four acres, which was 

covered with stumps. With characteristic en- 

, he began to clear and improve this tract, 

which lie planted to fruit and hops. . He now 

large prune orchard, having fourteen 

planted to fruit and ten acres in hops. 

1 [e has made splendid improvements upon the 

iperty, including the erection of a comfort- 
• residence, substantial barns, a hop house 
and fruit and prune dryer. He uses the Allen 
Iryer, having a capacity of two hundred and 
-i\tv-rive bushels. After four years devoted to 
his trade he abandoned that pursuit in order 

give his entire time and attention to horti- 
cultural interests and to the hop industry. In 

8 he assisted in organizing the Oregon Hop 
i irowers' Association, was elected its secretary 
and manager and has since served in that ca- 
pacity. The object of this association is to 
encourage and promote the industry of hop- 
growing and to disseminate knowledge con- 
cerning the best methods of producing hops. 

Mr. VYinstanley was married in Warrington, 
England, to Eleanor Barlow, a native of Che- 
shire, that country. They have three children : 
John B., who is a graduate of the State Uni- 
versity, and is now a student in Capitol Busi- 
ness College ; Edith Eleanor, and James Henry. 
The parents attend the Baptist Church, and 
Mr. Winstanley gives his political support to 
the Republican party. He is a man of excel- 
lent business ability, and the enterprise and 
sound judgment which he has brought to bear 
upon the development of his fine farm has 
made it a valuable property, whereby he is 
classed among the substantial citizens of his 
community. 



HEXRY MILLER ROBERTS. The way- 
farer who chances to pass by the farm of Henry 
Miller Roberts, adjoining Harrisburg on the 
east, is delighted with the prevailing order and 
thrift, and the many evidences of a prosperous 
farming enterprise. If fortunate enough to per- 
sonally know the man who has made this his 
home since 1881, and whose energy and good 
management are responsible for the well kept 
buildings, orderly fences, and modern labor-sav- 
ing devices, he has undoubtedly listened to many 
interesting accounts of hairbreadth escapes in 
the early days, and of divers encounters with 
the resentful red men of the plains. In fact 
the experiences of Mr. Roberts have been of a 
most thrilling nature, and when recounted in his 



eloquent and enthusiastic manner, are not only 
diverting, but of historical moment. 

To Harrison county, Ind., William Roberts 
removed from his native state of Kentucky, and 
in the comparative wilderness worked at his 
trade of turner in the winter time, devoting his 
summers to running flat-boats down the Ohio 
river. Here his son, Henry Miller Roberts, was 
born October 22, 1835, he being the third child 
in a family of six sons and three daughters. 
The mother, Mary Jane (Miller) Roberts, was 
born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Henry Mil- 
ler, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in 
Indiana. The turner and boatman succeeded 
well in Indiana, but the family harmony was 
upset by his son Henry, who became disccjn- 
tented with the quiet life by which he was sur- 
rounded, and who unceremoniously took leave 
of the household at the age of fourteen. The 
youth made his way to McDonough county, 111., 
where he found employment on the farm of his 
uncle, John K. Roberts, with whom he remained 
for two years before knowing the relation that 
existed between them. At the end of that time 
he returned home and was received with the 
greatest kindness, and in 1851 returned to Illi- 
nois with his parents, who were influenced by 
his elowing accounts of the state. His father 
later removed to Nebraska with his family, and 
near Brownsville engaged in cattle raising until 
starting across the plains in the spring of 1857. 
The journey extended from May until Septem- 
ber 17th, and at Angeles Camp, Cal., the elder 
Roberts engaged in stock-raising until 1869. He 
then removed to Sonoma county, of which he 
was one of the early settlers, and in 1864 took 
up his residence in Watsonville, then a small 
aggregation of houses. He was a pioneer of 
that locality. His shrewd mind anticipating the 
increase in land values, he bought up property 
and speculated with more than expected results. 
He possessed strong characteristics, and while 
inducing settlers to locate on his land, naturally 
formed a wide acquaintance, many of his pur 
chasers becoming his warmest friends. He was 
energetic and shrewd, while he adhered to prin- 
ciples of fairness and honesty. His death oc- 
curred at the age of eighty-eight, and he left 
behind him a name which is treasured and hon- 
ored by his children, and respected by all who 
were associated with him. 

The spirit of adventure and rebellion at re- 
straining influences which caused Henry M. 
Roberts to desert his home as a boy, has fol- 
lowed him through life. It has led him into 
the dangers and excitement of the west, and re- 
sulted in his investigating the many typical in- 
dustries here represented. From his father's 
farm near Angel's Camp he went forth to earn 
his own living at whatever presented itself, and 



834 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in i860 found his way across the mountains to 
Canyon City, eastern Oregon. He was one of 
the first to reach the gold mines of that section, 
but he was not particularly successful, and so 
came in 1862 to near Readville, Washington 
county. In 1881 he purchased his present farm 
of one hundred and eighty-one acres, where he 
has one of the ideal rural homes of the county, 
and is engaged principally in raising cereals. 

At Hillsboro, Washington county, Ore., Mr. 
Roberts married Elizabeth Jane Stewart, a na- 
tive of that town, and the first white child born 
there. Mrs. Roberts' father, Thomas, was born 
in Missouri, and came overland with ox-teams 
in 1847, taking up a donation claim of six hun- 
dred and forty acres near Hillsboro. He was a 
blacksmith by trade, and a hard-working man, 
accumulating, during his thirteen years in the 
west, quite a competence. Ida, the eldest child 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, is living at home, 
while Myrtle is the wife of E. J. Hern ; S. P. is 
a railway agent at Harrisburg; and Edward is 
at home. Mr. Roberts is a Republican in politi- 
cal affiliation, and has served the community as 
recorder, and member of the council many terms. 
Of strong and forceful characteristics, he has 
exerted an influence for good in the town, and 
has especially worked for the suppression of the 
vicious element. In this he is fearless and de- 
termined. As a reminder of the numerous en- 
counters with the Indians in Oregon and Wash- 
ington Mr. Roberts has an arrow mark on the 
pit of his stomach, and other healed wounds in- 
dicate the extent of his operations among the 
Indians who so bitterly resented the encroaching 
civilization. The arrow mark was received on 
the Piatt river in 1862, and about this time this 
intrepid investigator escaped many times from 
places of imminent danger. He never partici- 
pated in organized fights against the Indians, his 
services being purely voluntary, and rendered 
according to the exigencies of the situations in 
which he found himself. Mr. Roberts is fra- 
ternally connected with the Blue Lodge, Ancient 
Free and Accepted Masons, and in religion he 
is a member of the Christian Church. 



ISAAC W. STARR, M. D. An eminent 
physician of Linn county, whose years of success- 
ful practice have won him the lasting apprecia- 
tion and good will of the community, is Dr. Isaac 
W. Starr, of Brownsville. A native son of Ore- 
gon, he was born on his father's donation claim 
near Monroe, in Benton county, November 28, 
1853, shortly after the arrival of the family in 
the west. He comes of an ancestry which must 
necessarily have inspired an ambitious lad to 
endeavor, for his father, Philip M.,and his grand- 
father, John Wesley Starr, were ministers in the 



Methodist Episcopal Church, and were renowned 
for their self-sacrificing characters. John Wes- 
ley Starr was born in the east, and crossed the 
plains to Oregon in 1850, locating on a claim in 
Benton county, where his farm was headquarters 
for church services for a period of between 
twenty and thirty years. He was an earnest and 
noble man, giving unstintingly of his time and 
substance for the furtherance of the cause which 
he represented. In connection with preaching 
he managed his farm, and died at the age of 
seventy-five, leaving behind him a record unsur- 
passed for nobility of heart. 

Philip M. Starr was born in the state of Ohio, 
April 18, 1825, and was reared on his father's 
farm in Guernsey county, until the family re- 
moval to Iowa in 1833. Under the inspiration 
of his father's Christian life he also resolved to 
devote his life to the ministry, and at a com- 
paratively early age prepared for his lifew'ork 
under the father's direction. He was ambitious 
and in 1849 took advantage of the tide of emi- 
gration wending its way to the coast, hoping to 
find broader fields for his life's labors. He re- 
turned to his home in Iowa via Panama in 1852, 
and there married Ann Maria Rambo, who was 
born in Elkhart county, Ind., February 14, 
183 1. The following year, in 1853, Mr Starr 
brought his family to Oregon, making his sec- 
ond trip across the plains with ox-teams. Locat- 
ing near Monroe, Benton county, on a large claim 
he made this his home for many years, and like 
his father, combined the management of his 
property with an active ministry in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. He was twenty-five years 
in the church in Oregon, and during that time he 
served for one term as presiding elder of the 
Portland district, and in 1878 was delegate to 
the general conference at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 
1890 he retired from active life, and his death 
occurred in Brownsville, Ore., October 22, 1900. 
His first wife died at the age of twenty-four years, 
leaving one son, Isaac W. He afterward mar- 
ried a second wife, who bore him two sons and 
two daughters, two of whom are living, Ann 
Maria Leper and Edward D. Starr. 

After completing his education in the public 
schools, Isaac W. Starr entered Philomath Col- 
lege, where he remained for two years. In 1874 
he entered the medical department of the Willam- 
ette University, graduating therefrom in the class 
of June, 1877. After a short practice in Mon- 
roe, Ore., he located in Halsey in 1879, and the 
same fall came to Brownsville, taking up the 
practice of Dr. S. C. Stone, now located in 
Salem. During the intervening years the doctor 
has made himself an integral part of the com- 
munity, contributing to its sanitary and physical 
well-being, and evidencing at all times an ap- 
preciation of the magnitude and possibilities of 




^ n^ 



ff\ 's\ ryfacsJU^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



8^7 



lu> noble profession. For twenty-five years he 
was part owner of a drug store in the town. 

disposing oi the same to Osborne & Hume in 
the fall of 1903. In Brownsville, Dr. Starr 
married, in 1882, Clara L. Bishop, who was horn 
in Oregon, a daughter of Rev. W. R. Bishop. 
Chester 1 larvard, the only son in the family, born 
October 23, i88_\ will graduate from the classical 
course at Eugene in 1906; and Georgie, the 
only daughter, was born March 16, 1892. On 
account of educating the children, the family of 
the doctor made their home in Eugene, and in 
the fall of 1903 the doctor removed his family to 
Salem for a permanent home. The doctor is a 
Republican in political affiliation, and fraternally 
is associated with the Blue Lodge, Xo. 36, 
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Royal 
Arch Chapter, Xo. 19. of Brownsville; with the 
Knights of Pythias : the Woodmen of the World ; 
the Artisans; and the Independent Order of For- 
resters of Albany. Genial, tactful and optimistic, 
the doctor makes friends wmerever he goes, and 
nowhere more than in the sick room. 



HENRY FRED FISCHER. For many 
years the name of Henry Fred Fischer was a 
power in milling circles in Benton county, 
although for several years before his death, 
September 23, 1902, he was practically retired, 
his son. Lewis Henry, assuming the greater 
part of the responsibility, and in 1900 took 
entire charge of the Fischer Flouring Mill at 
Silverton. 

As his name implies, Mr. Fischer was of Ger- 
man ancestry, and his birth occurred in Han- 
over. Germany, March 25, 1838. His father, 
Fred, was also a native of Hanover, and by oc- 
cupation was a farmer, wdio brought his family 
to the United States in 1842, locating on the 
farm in Du Page county, 111., where the bal- 
ance of his life was spent. Henry Fred Fischer 
was about four years old when he came to 
America, and his youth and early manhood 
were spent on the farm near Elmhurst, a very 
undulating part of the state, the house being 
located on a hill thirty feet high. At an early 
age he evinced decided business ability, and 
when barely twenty-two years old, built a mill 
in the neighborhood of his home, which had 
many years ot uninterrupted success, and 
which is even now standing, and is used for the 
manufacture of flour. The old mill was built on 
a stone foundation and was of the Holland 
order, the entire structure being one hundred 
and sixty feet across, while the main shaft was 
14x14 feet, and the tower reared into the air 
one hundred and seventy-five feet. The mill 
was arranged with sails for motive power, and 
had a capacity of forty barrels a day, origi- 



nally, but it was later equipped with steam ap- 
paratus, which greatly increased its capacity. 
Thus Mr. Fischer became an influence in the 
commercial world of Du Page county, 111., and 
in time acquired a competence through his 
milling business. 

Having disposed of his Du Page property, 
Mr. Fischer came to Oregon in 1877, and, in 
Corvallis, bought a third interest in the Co'r- 
vallis Mills, owned by Gray, Corthaeur & Co. 
This mill was a small affair, having a capacity' 
of only thirty-five barrels per day, and had 
been built about four vears. Mr. Fischer as- 
sumed the active management thereof, and, as 
may be imagined, after his long independent 
milling experience, he did not particularly rel- 
ish the partnership feature of the business. 
Almost immediately he decided that he would 
either sell his share or buy the others out, and 
it happened that at the end of three years 
he was sole possessor of the Corvallis mill, 
with ambitious projects for its future. The 
capacity was greatly increased by the addition 
of modern machinery, the dam was enlarged, 
and three large crib warehouses erected, each 
having three floors, 36x130 feet in dimensions, 
the combined capacity being one hundred and 
sixty thousand bushels of wheat. In time the 
capacity of the mill became two hundred and 
twenty-five barrels a day, being one hundred- 
horse (water) power, and the steam plant an 
eighty-horse engine. Mr. Fischer also built a 
warehouse at Peoria with a capacity of eighty 
thousand bushels. 

In 1899 Mr. Fischer bought the Oregon Mill- 
ing Company's mill at Silverton, enlarged and 
remodeled it. and made of it a sifter mill with a 
capacity of two hundred and twenty-five bar- 
rels a day. The combined milling interests 
were then under his control, although by that 
time the infirmities of age began to tell upon 
his powers, and he naturally/ adjusted his af- 
fairs accordingly^. His son, Lewis Henry r , had 
been trained with special reference to sup- 
planting his father as a miller, and his knowl- 
edge of milling interests has resulted in his 
prominence as the manager of the Silverton 
mill, of which he assumed control in 1900, and 
which he has greatly improved in the mean- 
time, increasing its capacity^ to two hundred 
and fifty barrels per day. The flour turned 
out of these mills has a reputation far beyond 
the borders of Oregon, and its merit is best in- 
dicated when it is known that it took medals 
at the Trans-Mississippi Fair at Omaha, the 
Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, and the 
Charleston Fair. The product was also exhibited 
at the Osaki. Japan, exposition. Willamette 
vallev wheat is used exclusively in the manu- 
facture of the flour, and such well known brands 



838 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



as Corvallis and Pride of the Waldo Hills finds 
its way to the markets of California, South 
America, Alaska, Havana, the Philippines, and 
the ports of the Orient. 

In his young manhood Mr. Fischer married 
Sophia Rathjc, who also was a native of Ger- 
many, and who came with her parents to 
America, locating among the pioneers of Du 
Page county, 111. Mrs. Fischer, who, at the 
age of sixty, is living in Corvallis, is the 
mother of eight children, of whom six are liv- 
ing. In the order of their birth the children are 
as follows : Emma, the deceased wife of Will- 
iam Rotermund, of Addison, 111. ; William was 
bookkeeper for the mills, and died in 1899, at 
the age of thirty-five years ; August W., man- 
ager for the Corvallis mill ; Lewis Henry, man- 
ager of the Silverton mills ; Ernest, employed 
in the Corvallis mill; Lousie, the wife of Rich- 
ard Kiger, of Benton county ; Martha and 
Frederick, living at home. A Republican in 
politics, Mr. Fischer never identified himself 
with political undertakings further than the 
formality of casting his vote. In religion, he 
was a member of the Lutheran Church. At the 
time of his death he was sixty-four years of age. 
He was buried in the churchyard at Corvallis, 
and was mourned by the hosts of friends won by 
his sterling personal traits, his unquestioned in- 
tegrity, and his great services in behalf of the 
upbuilding of Marion and Benton counties. 



JAMES WILLIAMS COMPTON. Since 
1889 James Williams Compton has made his 
home in Scio, Linn county, where he bought 
property at that date, and is now enjoying a rest 
after an active life of well directed effort toward 
a successful utilization of the advantages which 
the state offered in its pioneer days. He was born 
in Washington county, Mo., November 17, 1831, 
the son of John Compton, who was born in 
Woodford county, Ky., in 1794, and the grand- 
son of Richard Compton, also a native of Ken- 
tucky. The latter spent the greater part of his 
life in his native state, and later moved to Mis- 
souri, where he located near Jackson, and en- 
gaged in farming, living to a ripe old age. The 
father, John Compton, married in Kentucky 
Margaret Schoffner, a native of that state, and 
from there he moved to Missouri in 181 8, in 
which state his wife later died. He located 
first on the Merrimac river, and removed to 
Washington county, in the neighborhood of the 
county-seat, and there engaged in farming and 
lead-mining. In 1849 ne made the trip which 
was then so attractive to the inhabitants of the 
Mississippi valley, and after a time in California, 
where he met with some success, he returned to 
Missouri, in March, 1850, and died in April of 



the same year, having made the dangerous trip 
across the plains with ox-teams, returning home 
by way of the isthmus of Panama. 

Of the twelve children, nine sons and three 
daughters, born to his parents, James William 
Compton was the tenth child. His education was 
received through the medium of the subscription 
schools of his native state, the amount of in- 
struction and the worth of it being somewhat 
limited, as was often the case among the ham- 
pering conditions of those early times. In 1852 
he engaged in farm work on his father's farm, 
until the fall of that year, when he took up a 
claim, remaining until March 27, of the next 
year, when he followed the example of his father, 
and with ox-teams, started across the plains for 
the west. He chose the route along the Platte 
river, and August 20, 1853, ne arrived at his 
destination, in the Willamette valley, Ore., reach- 
ing at this date what is known as Foster's place. 
He first located in Benton county, where he split 
rails and did a little farming, and in November 
of the same year he took a donation claim four- 
teen miles south of Corvallis, purchasing the 
squatter's right to a tract of three hundred and 
twenty acres. He remained there for four years. 
In March, 1857, l"> e purchased a farm in Linn 
county consisting of three hundred and twenty 
acres, four and a half miles southeast of Scio, 
and in February, 1858, moved upon it. Here 
he engaged in farming, and later added one hun- 
dred and seventy acres, and again a small tract 
of four and a half acres, making the entire 
amount four hundred and ninety-four and one- 
half acres, which he sold May 14, 1902, at $20 
per acre. His residence has since been in the 
town of Scio, and his principal occupation the 
loaning of the money which he derived from the 
sale of his land. 

Mr. Compton was married in Missouri to Me- 
linda Sumpter, a native of that state. She was 
the daughter of Alexander Sumpter, who was 
born in east Tenessee, May 6, 1810, and was 
but four years old when he removed with his 
parents to Indiana, where, near Greencastle, he 
followed the vocation of farming. In manhood 
he removed as an early settler to Missouri, locat- 
ing about ninety miles below St. Louis, on Black 
river, where he continued to farm. In 1849 ne 
journeyed to California, and, though taken sick 
en route, he recovered and entered the mines, 
finding employment in the Santa Clara valley. 
In 1 85 1 he returned to Missouri, and two years 
later came to Oregon across the plains, bringing 
his family with him, and located six miles south 
of Scio, Linn county, where he bought a dona- 
tion claim of three hundred and twenty acres, 
upon which he lived until 1872. In the last- 
named year he removed to Crook county, Ore., 
and later traveled oyer many different counties 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



839 



of the state, and Idaho, in October, 1896, making 
his home with Mr. Compton, with whom he has 
since lived. The fourteen children which blessed 
the union of Mr. and .Mrs. Compton are: George 
\Y.. a tanner in Linn county; John E., a farmer 
in Polk county. Ore.; Margaret Jane, the wife 
E. A. Bishop, a farmer in Willow county, 
Ore.; Henry Clay, located in Linn county; 
lames Silas, who is in Lebanon, Ore.; Charles 
Dudley, in Scio; Riley, who is deceased; Albert 
Lee, who is located southeast of Spokane, Wash. ; 
Emma May. the wife of Henry Kinser, of Linn 
county ; Thomas Jefferson, in Whitman county, 
Wash. : Martha Alice, the wife of J. J. Arkison, 
of Baker City, Ore. ; Nancy Ella, who is de- 
ceased ; Larkin Lafayette, also deceased ; and 
Otto William, who is in Whitman county, Wash. 
Mr. Compton is a member of the Baptist Church, 
and politically is a Democrat, and for many years 
has served as road supervisor and school di- 
rector. 



WILLIAM E. OWEN. Though a resident 
of Oregon but nine years, William E. Owen has 
built up a substantial and lucrative business in 
Monitor, Marion county, in the accomplishment 
of which he has won the good will and esteem of 
the citizens of this community through the many 
good qualities which have distinguished his life 
in the west. He was one of two children in an 
Iowa family, whose occupation was that of till- 
ing the soil, and after his birth in Monroe county, 
May i. 1866, his parents, John E. and Elvira J. 
(Berry) Owen, continued in this occupation, 
rearing him to the same life. His education was 
received through the medium of the district 
schools, which he attended for some time. Upon 
attaining manhood he remained with his father 
engaged in farming until 1894, when he left 
home and, coming to Oregon, located at Mon- 
itor, Marion county, where he now makes his 
home. 

In this village Mr. Owen soon found employ- 
ment with the Monitor Mills, where he remained 
for eight years, giving the best of satisfaction 
to his employers and winning the respect of all 
by his application to business and his energetic 
efforts toward success. Upon his resignation 
from this position he took charge of the Monitor 
Trading Company, a mercantile establishment 
in which he has been a partner ever since 1897. 
Under his management a large business is con- 
ducted, the principal stockholder being Mr. Owen. 
Since his connection with the establishment the 
business has improved in many ways and has 
shown a steady increase in volume. 

Mr. Owen was united in marriage, January 30, 
1901, to Emma McKee. a daughter of David 
and Caroline McKee, who was born and reared 



in the state of Oregon. They at once went to 
housekeeping in the house in which they still 
make their home. Through Republican 'influ- 
ence, of which party Mr. Owen is a strong ad- 
herent, he was appointed postmaster of Monitor, 
August 25, 1902, by President McKinley. He 
has also served as judge of election. Fraternally 
he is quite prominent, being a member of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, at his old home 
in Iowa, to which he has belonged since his 
twenty-first birthday; Woodmen of the World, 
French Prairie Camp No. 47 ; and Modern Wood- 
men of America, Monitor Camp No. 8281. Mr. 
Owen owns his home in the village, and is also 
owner of the building in which the mercantile 
business is conducted. He has always taken an 
active interest in school matters, and is chairman 
of the board of Harmony District No. 70. 



CHARLES FRANKLIN MOIST. Through 
his association with the agricultural interests in 
this section of the state Charles Franklin Moist 
has become known in Linn county, and as a 
successful farmer he has added much to the 
importance of the industries of the state. He is 
a native son, having been born on his father's 
donation claim, three miles north of Lebanon, 
Linn county, January 13, 1851. His father, 
Joseph Moist, a native of Pennsylvania, settled 
first in Iowa, from which state he crossed the 
plains by ox-teams in 1845, an d became the 
owner of six hundred and forty acres of land. 
The remainder of his life was spent upon his 
farm, where he died in 1893, at the age of seven- 
ty years. He married Elizabeth Jane Ralston, 
who was born in the east and crossed the plains 
with her parents, and she now makes her home in 
Albany, at the age of seventy-five years. Her 
father was Jeremiah Ralston, who came from 
Iowa to Oregon across the plains in 1847, ar >d 
took up a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres upon the present site of the city of 
Lebanon. In the establishment of the town he- 
gave much earnest help, being the first merchant, 
and later conducting' a sreneral merchandise bus- 

o o 

iness. On his farm property he engaged in 
stock-raising, and met with gratifying success. 
His death occurred in this city. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Moist were born four sons, of whom Charles 
Franklin was the eldest. 

Mr. Moist was reared upon the paternal farm, 
and received his education in the common schools 
of the county. In 1877 he undertook the man- 
agement of his father's farm, and in 1882 he 
bought fifty acres west of Lebanon, upon which 
he engaged in farming until 1890. At that date 
he became the owner of one hundred and thirty- 
seven acres of what is known as the Morgan 
Kees donation claim, and upon which he is now 



840 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



engaged in stock-raising, buying and selling 
stock. He has his farm well improved, his dwell- 
ing being a handsome, two-story building, well 
located in the midst of his broad acres. In ad- 
dition to this property he also owns one hundred 
and forty acres west of the town. 

The marriage of Mr. Moist occurred in Le- 
banon and united him with Mary Wassom, a 
native of Oregon, and whose father, Jonathan, 
came from Iowa to Oregon in 1846, and took a 
donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, 
five miles north of Lebanon, and died in 1899 
upon this place, at the age of seventy-three years. 
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Moist are: 
Joseph ; Frank, deceased ; Carrie, also deceased ; 
Ruth and Charles, who are at home with their 
parents. Politically, Mr. Moist is a Democrat. 



JOSEPH THOMAS ROSS. The Ross 
family was established in Oregon as early as 
1852, the leader of the exodus from Morgan 
county, Ohio, being Thomas Ross, an expert car- 
penter and builder, and experienced farmer. 
Thomas Ross was born in Pennsylvania in 1807, 
and was reared on a farm, receiving a limited 
education in the public schools. As a young man 
he removed with his parents to Ohio, settling in 
Morgan county, where he learned the carpen- 
ter's trade, to the application of which he de- 
voted many years of his life. In Ohio he mar- 
ried Margaret Van Horn, a native of the Buck- 
eye state, with whom he went to housekeeping 
on a farm, thereafter combining farming and 
carpentering with some success. In 1852 he 
outfitted and crossed the plains with ox-teams, 
and during the six months' journey encountered 
many difficulties with the Indians, besides ill- 
ness and bad roads, but nevertheless the party 
managed to reach its destination in fairly good 
health and spirits. In Clackamas county Mr. 
Ross took up a donation claim of two hundred 
and eighty acres near Marquam, and the re- 
mainder of his life was devoted to rendering 
profitable this fine property. He lived to be 
sixty-six years of age, dying in 1873. His wife 
died in 1879, at the age of sixty-four years. To 
their credit was the rearing of a family of nine 
children, of whom the following are living : 
Robert, of Dayton, Wash. ; George, of Palouse 
City, Ore. ; Olive, wife of D. Wilcox, living five 
miles from Palouse City, Ore. ; Mary, wife of 
James Marquam ; Clara, wife of George Foster, 
of Portland ; and Joseph T. Mr. Ross became 
very prominent in his adopted locality in Ore- 
gon, and probably accomplished more carpenter 
work and building in this vicinity than any other 
one man. He took an active interest in politics, 
and from his first voting days was a stanch ad- 
herent of the Republican party. In the Metho- 



dist Episcopal Church he worked for many years, 
and contributed of his means towards its general 
support. Honorable and straightforward in all 
his dealings, he not only won the confidence of 
the business public, but by his kindly and sympa- 
thetic manner made and retained many friends. 

Reared on his father's farm, J. T. Ross was 
educated in the public schools, and under his 
father's practical guidance learned to be an ex- 
cellent farmer. Just before leaving home he 
married America Ouals White, who was born in 
Callaway county, Mo., in June, 1849, an d a 
complete history of whose family may be found 
elsewhere in this work. The young couple went 
to housekeeping on the White donation claim, 
and then located on the farm upon which Mr. 
Ross now lives, one and a half miles northwest 
of Marquam. The farm was all wild land at the 
time of the purchase, and at the present time 
the owner has accomplished the clearing of fifty 
of his one hundred and forty-seven acres. Butte 
creek runs through the property, and the other 
watering facilities are admirable. A comfortable 
residence, good barns and outhouses, and plenty 
of agricultural implements of modern make, 
facilitate a general farming enterprise, and give 
an impression of substantiality and thrift. A 
Republican in politics, Mr. Ross takes a keen in- 
terest in local affairs, and has served as school 
director, road supervisor and for two terms as 
constable. Fraternally he is associated with Mar- 
quam Tent, Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. 
Ross maintains the prestige accorded the family 
name, which was established by his father, both 
as to work accomplished and fine personal char- 
acteristics. His career has been marked by strict 
integrity, splendid business qualifications, broad- 
mindedness and liberality of heart, together with 
other qualities which combine to render a man 
dear to his friends and a factor in the prosecution 
of the affairs of life. Mr. Ross' family consists 
of one child : Vert, who was born January 18, 
1879, an d was married in October, 1901, to Miss 
Alta Winslow, and they reside with the father, 
J. T. Ross. 



JOSEPH MAYER. A successful young 
blacksmith of Lebanon, Linn county, Ore., is 
Joseph Mayer, whose birth occurred in Sauk 
City, Sauk county, Wis., June 2, 1861, his pa- 
rents being John and Katherine (Lycum) Mayer. 
The father was born in Prussia, and came to the 
United States in 1847, locating at once in Sauk 
City, Wis., where he followed his trade of black- 
smithing. After a thirty-years residence in that 
part of the Union he came to Oregon, and 
bought seventy acres of land five miles east of 
Lebanon, Linn county, and there he died in 1882, 
at the age of sixty years. Through constant ap- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



841 



plication and industry he had met with success 
in ins efforts to gain a livelihood, making a com- 
petency for his family before he was called upon 
surrender life. He was a member of the 
gelical Church, and was always active in 
its work. Mrs. Mayer was born in Luxemburg, 
rmany, and when about ten years of age she 
crossed the ocean with her parents, and with 
them made her home near Sauk City, at which 
place she was married. Her death occurred in 
Lebanon. Ore., in 1893. She was the mother of 
five sous and daughters, of whom Joseph Mayer 
was the fourth. 

foseph Mayer received his education in the 
common schools of Sauk City, and there made 
his home with his parents until he was sixteen 
years old, when he accompanied them to Ore- 
gon in 1876. Having learned the trade of a black- 
smith he engaged in 1883 at that work, investing 
his earnings in a shop in Lebanon, in which he 
has since pursued his vocation. He now requires 
the help of another man in the shop, where he 
does general blacksmith work and horseshoe- 
ing. An evidence of Mr. Mayer's prosperity is 
found in the handsome little cottage which he 
has built in his adopted city, and where he now 
makes his home. 

The marriage of Mr. Mayer occurred near 
Lebanon, and united him with Ida Willard, a 
native of Idaho, and who now shares his pleas- 
ant home. The one child born of the union is 
Maysel, a daughter. In fraternity circles Mr. 
Mayer is exceedingly prominent, being active in 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen ; Knights 
of the Maccabees ; Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica : Knights of Pythias and Fraternal Order of 
Reindeer. He adheres to the principles, of the 
Republican party, taking an active interest in 
movements toward a betterment of municipal 
affairs, and lending his best efforts in this direc- 
tion. At the behest of his party he has served 
as city marshal for one year. 



CHARLES LEVI BLAKESLEE. The de- 
scendant of Xew England stock by both paternal 
and maternal ancestry, Charles Levi Blakeslee 
has brought with him into the west the thrift 
and steadiness which characterize the people 
of that section of country. He was born in 
Battle Creek, Mich., in 1848, the son of Lafay- 
ette and the grandson of Levi Blakeslee. The 
grandfather was born in Connecticut, near Hart- 
ford, and early settled in New York, where his 
son was born in New Berlin of that state. Later 
he took up his residence in Michigan, and en- 
gaged in farming, his New England birth com- 
bining with his Scotch-Irish blood in his quiet, 
steady pursuit of a competency. Lpon attain- 
ing manhood Lafayette Blakeslee also engaged 
in farming in Michigan, where he remained 



throughout his entire life, dying there at the age 
of seventy-eight years, in ' 1902. He married 
Sarah Mills, who was born in Cooperstown, 
N. \., also a descendant of an old New 
England family, and of the union six children 
were born, five of whom are now living. Mrs. 
Blakeslee still survives her husband and makes 
her home near Battle Creek, Mich. 

The eldest of this family of children was 
Charles Levi Blakeslee, and upon his father's 
farm he grew to manhood, engaging in the duties 
that fell to his lot in his position. It was his 
fortune to receive a good education, as, after his 
days of attendance in the common schools was 
over, he attended the Kalamazoo College. At 
the age of twenty-one years he removed to the 
state of Kansas, where he bought land on the 
Delaware reservation and proceeded to put im- 
provements upon it, and intelligently cultivate 
it. After just having made a start which en- 
couraged him to persevere in his efforts, there 
came the year of the great disaster caused by the 
grasshoppers, and he was left again at the be- 
ginning of his career. Until 1875 he remained 
in Kansas and upon this farm, but feeling that 
the disadvantages were far greater than the 
wealth the land might in time bring, he left in 
this last-named year, and for the ensuing two 
years was engaged in farming near Bedford, 
Iowa. In 1882 he came to Oregon, and settling 
m Roseburg, continued in the same occupation 
for five years, 1887 being the date of his settle- 
ment in Corvallis. Upon locating here Mr. 
Blakeslee furnished himself with a modern 
equipment for house-moving, and since that year 
he has found his business lucrative. In 1897 he 
also became interested in fruit drying, building 
a dryer, which has added much to his income, 
it having a capacity of two hundred bushels per 
day. 

Mr. Blakeslee was united in marriage in Kan- 
sas with Miss Zeporah Burge, a native of St. 
Joseph, Mo., and the daughter of James Burge, 
who settled in Douglas county, Ore., in 1879! 
and whose death occurred in 'Roseburg. Mrs. 
Blakeslee is the mother of seven children, named 
in order of birth as follows: Sarah, now Mrs. 
James V. Brown, of Sellwood, Ore. ; Adella, now 
Mrs. Frank Porter, of Portland; Clara, now 
Mrs. C. R. Franklin, of Anacortes, Wash. ; 
Lafayette, Ethel, Ernest and Birdie. Mrs. 
Blakeslee is a member of the United Evangelical 
Church. In his political associations Mr. Blakes- 
lee affiliates with the Socialists. 



JAMES MONROE CAMERON. As his 
name indicates, Mr. Cameron is a descendant 
of a Scottish family who, though not forgetful of 
the land of their nativity, have still imbibed the 
spirit of patriotism which characterizes the citi- 



842 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 






zens of this country, an outward expression of 
the feeling being typified by the cognomen which 
this representative bears. The great grand- 
father of Mr. Cameron first settled in Bucks 
county, Pa., upon his emigration from Scotland, 
later removing to Ohio, where his family was 
reared. The grandfather, William, was born in 
this last-named state and in the course of his 
life proved the sincerity of his patriotism by 
serving in the war of 1812. He was a carpenter 
by trade, and spent his entire life in this state 
engaged in the pursuit of this employment, lo- 
cated principally in Hamilton county. He mar- 
ried Miss Mary Robinson, a native of Phila- 
delphia, Pa., whose father participated in the 
hardships and glories of the Revolutionary war. 
Of this marriage was born Daniel Cameron, 
father of James Monroe Cameron. 

Daniel Cameron was born in 181 1, and was 
early instructed in the trade of his father, mak- 
ing this and farming his occupation. His first 
move from the paternal roof was into Clinton 
county, Iowa, where he settled at Dewitt, later 
following farming in the same state. Dis- 
satisfied with his prospects in the latter state, 
he decided to try his fortunes in the west, locat- 
ing in Chico, Cal., in 1870, where he remained 
for one year engaged in agricultural lines, at the 
close of which time he came to Oregon, spending 
eighteen months in Jackson county. His home 
was eventually in Clark county, Wash., where he 
was employed in a saw-mill in addition to the 
farming which he continued in whatever loca- 
tion he found himself. His death occurred in 
his Washington home. His wife was in maiden- 
hood Jane Abger, born in White House, N. J., 
in 1827, a daughter of Isaac Abger, who was 
of German parentage, the last days of the father 
being spent in Ohio, where he had removed from 
his New Jersey home. Mrs. Cameron survived 
her husband until March 9, 1903, when she 
passed away, in Corvallis, Benton county, Ore. 
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cameron 
are as follows : William, who was a soldier in 
the Eighth Iowa Infantry and served through 
the Civil war, and is now engaged in the cattle 
business in Little Medicine, Wyo. ; Mary, now 
Mrs. Samuel Gaudy, living in Iowa ; Daniel, a 
confectioner, in Portland ; James Monroe, of 
this review ; Annie, who died in Corvallis ; E. 
G., engaged in the harness business in Union, 
Ore. ; Ambrose S., employed by his brother, 
James Monroe Cameron ; Ellsworth, a confec- 
tioner, in Portland ; and Nellie, who makes her 
home with her brother, Ambrose S. 

James Monroe Cameron was born March 17, 
1858, in his home in the Mississippi valley, and 
though only twelve years old at the time of his 
father's removal to California, he sought and 
found employment on a ranch in the vicinity of 



their home, where he worked for $1.00 per day, 
giving his first earnings to assist in the support 
of the family. Up to the time of his father's 
death he continued to work on the surrounding 
ranches, but was then called back home, and 
being the eldest of the family at home he took 
entire charge of the farm, conducting it with 
great energy and success until affairs were in 
such a condition that he could leave and begin 
work for himself. In 1877 he came to Oregon, 
locating in Dayton, where he continued at his 
old occupation of farming for one year, at the 
end of that time becoming interested in the har- 
ness manufacturing in the employ of his brother, 
at Hillsboro, and later working for his brother's 
successor. In 1880 he came to Corvallis and 
was employed by Mr. Hemphill, a harnessmaker 
of this city, continuing with him for one year, 
after which he engaged with Mr. Briggs, and 
when he bought him out, twelve years later, em- 
ployer and employe parted with the remarkable 
record of having never having had an unpleas- 
ant experience in all their association. Since 
his purchase of the property Mr. Cameron 
has enlarged the business in every possible way, 
carrying a general line of harness of all de- 
scriptions, which he manufactures, having the 
largest establishment of its kind west of the city 
of Portland. He uses in his business Land's 
leather manufacturing machine. 

The marriage of Mr. Cameron occurred in 
Salem and united him with Miss Melissa Graves, 
a native of that city. Seven were born of the 
union and are as follows : Thomas, Winnie, 
Clinton, Jennie, Mildred, Eva Linton and Don- 
ald. Mr. Cameron is fraternally connected with 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the 
Woodmen of the World. As a Republican he 
was nominated by acclamation for sheriff in 1900, 
and of all the men who had run for this office in 
the past sixteen years he received the largest 
ballot, being defeated by only sixty votes. In 
religion Mr. Cameron is a member of the Chris- 
tian Church, in which he officiates as elder and 
trustee. In addition to the property which Mr. 
Cameron owns in the west he, with other mem- 
bers of his family, is heir to a large and valuable 
tract of land located near Philadelphia, Pa., the 
original place of settlement of the first Cameron 
who came to the United States. 



WILLIAM BOGUE. During a residence 
of thirty-seven years in the northwest, William 
Bogue has been actively and prominently identi- 
fied with agricultural and mercantile interests 
and is now engaged in the hardware business 
in Corvallis, while at the same time he has im- 
portant farming and stock-raising interests in 
Linn county. He was born near Indianola. 



PORTRAIT AND IUOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



843 



Warren county, Iowa, April 3, 1853. His father, 
Amos Bogue, was a native of Ohio and removing 
stward settled in Illinois, where he was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary Hayworth, a native of that 
Mate, and a daughter of William Hayworth, who 
became one of the early settlers of that state 
and afterward removed to Iowa. His family 
were of the Society of Friends or Quakers. 
After his marriage Amos Bogue removed to a 
farm in Iowa and in 1866 crossed the plains, 
accompanied by his wife and their four sons 
and two daughters. Their destination was Ore- 
gon, and on May 10 they crossed the Missouri 
river, making the journey with horse and mule- 
teams. Alter traveling for three months they 
reached the Willamette valley and on August 
1 8. 1 8( >(>. located in Polk county. The father be- 
gan the operation of a sawmill on the Little Luck- 
iamute, purchasing the mill which he conducted 
tor two years. In 1869 he went to the Goose lake 
country, where he entered land and engaged in 
the raising and herding of cattle. He followed 
that business for three years and then went to 
Linn county, settling three miles east of Cor- 
vallis. He purchased a farm there, and made 
it his home throughout his remaining days, his 
death occurring in 1900, when he was seventy- 
three years of age. His wife had passed away 
in eastern Oregon in 1871. Both were Quakers 
in religious faith. In their family were four 
sons and two daughters that reached adult age, 
and three sons and a daughter are yet living. 
The family record is as follows : Job is a cattle- 
man on Crooked Creek in eastern Oregon. Will- 
iam is the second of the family ; Mahala died in 
Multnomah county ; Ami died in eastern Ore- 
gon ; George is engaged in the raising of cattle 
in southeastern Oregon ; and Mrs. Luzetta 
White resides in Portland. 

William Bogue spent the first thirteen years 
of his life in Iowa and when crossing the plains 
to Oregon with his parents he took his turn 
in standing guard all along the way. He con- 
tinued his education in Dallas, Ore., and after- 
ward went with his father to the Goose lake 
country. In 1872, however, he returned to Linn 
county and, with his father, purchased three 
hundred and six acres of land, which he im- 
proved and cultivated, making a specialty of 
raising wheat. He was thus engaged until 1890, 
and in the meantime he extended the boundaries 
of his farm by the purchase of additional land. 
He now has more than four hundred acres in 
Linn county, three miles east of Corvallis, and is 
engaged in the stock business, raising cattle and 
fine Cotswold sheep. 

In 1890 Mr-. Bogue removed to Corvallis, and, 
purchasing an interest in a hardware store, en- 
gaged in that business as a member of the firm 
of Simpson & Bogue. After a year, however, 



he sold out and resumed farming, to which he 
gave his attention exclusively until 1899, when, 
with Mr. Huston, he became the owner of the 
store of which he had formerly been half-owner, 
and which was conducted under the firm name 
of Huston & Bogue. They improved the storej 
enlarged the stock and carried a large line of 
shelf and heavy hardware. Their storeroom 
was 25x100 feet, and their warehouse 50x50 
feet. Accurate and reliable, their business 
methods required no disguise, but were always 
open to rigid investigation. The enterprise 
met with deserved success, and Mr. Bogue's mer- 
cantile as well as farming interests returned 
to him a desirable income. July 1, 1903, Mr. 
Bogue disposed of his interest in the business 
and is now devoting his entire attention to the 
management of his farming interests. 

In Polk county, Ore., Mr. Bogue was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary A. Ellis, a daughter of John 
Ellis, of Dallas, and they now have a son, Floyd, 
who is attending the Oregon Agricultural Col- 
lege. Socially Mr. Bogue is connected with 
Barnum Lodge, No. 7, Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, of which he is a past noble grand, 
and he also belongs to the encampment, while 
he and his wife are connected with the Rebekah 
degree. Mrs. Bogue belongs to the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and is a most estimable lady. 
In politics Mr. Bogue is an unfaltering Repub- 
lican, and for one term he served as a member 
of the city council, giving his support to many 
measures for the benefit of Corvallis. 



ENOCH CHAMBERLIN. Among the prom- 
inent farmers of Polk county, Ore., is to be 
named Enoch Chamberlin, who is located upon a 
farm taken up by his father in the spring of 
1845, having altogether two hundred and eighty- 
four acres of land, eighty-four of which is util- 
ized in general farming, while the remainder is 
in pasture, upon which he raises cattle. 

The father, Aaron Chamberlin, was born in 
New York state, in 18 10, and he married Cath- 
erine Viles, a native of New Jersey, born in 1806. 
After a short residence in Missouri Mr. Cham- 
berlin gathered together his worldly wealth, and 
with his wife and children, joined an emigrant 
train bound for the great northwest. The train 
was commanded by Captain Gilliam, and the 
trip was one which was never forgotten by those 
who experienced the trials and troubles of their 
nine-months' journey. At the beginning they 
were continually delayed by storms, and a large 
number grew discouraged and despaired of ever 
seeing the land which they were seeking. A 
Mr. Mudgett canvassed the party and found 
thirty who were willing to endure the hard- 
ships which they foresaw before the journey 



844 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was ended, and, electing this man captain of the 
divided train, they continued upon their journey, 
arriving safely in Oregon in 1844, Captain Mud- 
gett having proven a worthy man for the posi- 
tion to which he was chosen. Though fairly 
well equipped at the beginning of the journey, 
Mr. Chamberlin had but one yoke of oxen upon 
his arrival at Salem, Ore. After the first winter, 
which was spent at Salem, he took up a donation 
claim in the spring of 1845, consisting of six 
hundred and forty acres, upon which he lived 
until October, 1867. In that year he took a trip 
to Mexico in the hope of recovering his health, 
and died in Sonora, in March, 1868. His wife 
survived him until 1883, her death occurring 
upon the home place. The entire width of the 
continent had been traversed by these two pio- 
neers, from the scene of their marriage, which 
occurred in the state of New York, to the then 
western state of Michigan, Iowa and Missouri, 
leaving St. Joseph, a city of the latter state, for 
the two thousand-mile journey which meant a 
separation from all that associations had made 
dear. Worthily they proved their citizenship in 
the western state, Mr. Chamberlin doing his 
part toward its upbuilding by the industrious 
tilling of the soil. Of the four sons and two 
daughters born to them Joseph is a stock-raiser, 
of Arizona; Catherine E. makes her home in 
Monmouth, Ore.; Sally Ann is the wife of J. 
L. Coombs, of Grass Valley, Cal. ; and Enoch, 
of this review, is the youngest child; Andrew 
J. and Aaron are deceased. 

Enoch Chamberlin was born near Suver, Polk 
county, Ore., October 10, 1851, and through his 
ancestry, English on the maternal side, and Ger- 
man on the paternal side. The grandfather, 
Enoch Chamberlin, was a near descendant of an 
emigrant from the latter country, his home be- 
ing in the state of New York, where as a farm- 
er, he lived and died, and thus Enoch Chamber- 
lin inherited the traits which distinguish natives 
of the two great European countries. He re- 
ceived his early education in the common schools 
of Polk county, and at sixteen years of age had 
completed the course. He then engaged in farm- 
ing, assisting his elder brother in conducting 
the home farm, his father having died the pre- 
ceding year. Nine years later he took entire 
charge of the farm, and continued the care of 
his mother, which he had begun at the age of 
twenty, taking her to Arizona, where they re- 
mained for nearly five years, and then returned 
to the old home farm in Polk county. This has 
been his home ever since, and he has continued 
the success which he has always enjoyed as a 
farmer. He now has two hundred and eighty- 
four acres. 

Mr. Chamberlin married, February 15, 1885, 
Miss Ellen Christian, a native of Polk county, 



and a daughter of Henry Christian, who came 
to Oregon via Cape Horn from his home in the 
Isle of Man. They are the parents of one child, 
Ross L., who makes his home with his father 
and mother. As a Democrat Mr. Chamberlin 
has served as road supervisor and school director 
for a number of years. Fraternally he affiliates 
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen of 
Independence, and with the Artisans of Wells, 
Benton countv. 



HARRY H. CRONISE, the agent for the 
Corvallis & Eastern Railroad, at Corvallis, has 
been continuously in the service of the company 
for a longer period than any other man, enter- 
ing the employ of the road when it was known 
as the Oregon-Pacific Railroad. He has arrived 
at a minute knowledge of its affairs through 
successive stages of promotion, and is now one 
of its most trusted and all around useful repre- 
sentatives. 

The characteristics of the Teuton, so produc- 
tive of order and strength in any community, 
are possessed by Mr. Cronise in marked degree. 
From Germany, many years ago, came his pa- 
ternal grandfather, Henry, who settled in Fred- 
ericksburg, Md., where he engaged in a mercan- 
tile business. Later he removed his business 
to Tiffin, Ohio, where he became prominent in 
mercantile and agricultural affairs, amassing a 
fortune and becoming possessed of landed pos- 
sessions. His son, Henry, the father of H. H, 
was born in Fredericksburg, and with his father 
engaged in the merchandise business in Tiffin, 
where he married Louise Hosmer, a native of 
Seville, Ohio, and daughter of Henry Hosmer. 
Mr. Hosmer was born in Connecticut and settled 
in Medinah county, Ohio, where he farmed and 
owned many acres of land. He came of an old 
New England family, and was a soldier in the 
war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Cronise started 
housekeeping in Tiffin, and there was born their 
son, H. H, July 10, 185 1. One year later the 
family fortunes were shifted to Peru, LaSalle 
county, 111., where the elder Cronise engaged 
in a mercantile venture, but after about twelve 
years he returned to Tiffin, where his death 
occurred. His wife died in Seville, Ohio, leav- 
ing four children, of whom H. H. is the second ; 
Estella, the oldest daughter, is the wife of S. R. 
Graves, of Seville, Ohio; Thomas is a photog- 
rapher, of Salem, Ore. ; and Amma is the wife of 
Mr. Trover, a photographer, of Salem. 

After completing his education in the public 
schools, H. H. Cronise attended the Hildeberg 
College at Tiffin, Ohio, until his senior year, 
and then quit to come to Oregon, in 1875. He 
was the first member of his family to venture 
so far away from home, but his subsequent en- 




U\T(R. ol(yLe^-uiyv , 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



847 



thnsiastic advocacy of the west inspired his 
brothers and sisters to do likewise, lie located 
first in Josephine county, and the next spring 
went to Junction, Lane county, where he found 
employment on a farm. In 1877 he became as- 
sociated ;b brakeman with the Oregon & Cali- 
fornia Railroad Company, and six months later 
became a clerk in Junction. Going to southern 
i >regon. he became bookkeeper for E. J. Jeffrey, 
builder of tunnels, and was thus employed for 
about one year. Arriving in Portland in 1882, 
he engaged in the mercantile business for a year, 
and in the fall of 1883 went east, visiting his 
friends and relatives in Ohio. In the summer 
of 1884 he was again in Oregon, and in October 
of the same year entered the employ of the old 
Oregon-Pacific Railroad, now the Corvallis & 
Eastern, which at that time had just been opened 
to business. From the position of clerk under 
William M. Hoag, general manager, in the gen- 
eral offices in Corvallis, he advanced to the posi- 
tion of agent in 1885, and has ever since been 
agent and purser. He was located at different 
times at Chitwood, Wren and Harris, as agent, 
and as purser was on the steamers William M. 
Hoag, N. S. Bentley, Three Sisters and Albany, 
plying between Corvallis and Portland for three 
years. From 1890 until 1893 he represented 
the company in Portland, and was then agent at 
Philomath for about two years. For the follow- 
ing year he was purser on a boat belonging to 
the company running between Portland and 
Corvallis, and in 1897 assumed his present posi- 
tion as agent at Corvallis. 

Politically a Republican, Mr. Cronise has never 
taken an active interest in politics. He is socially 
popular, and is identified fraternally with Bar- 
num Lodge Xo. 7, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, and is ex-representative to the grand 
lodge, and past noble grand. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Artisans, and is connected with the 
Corvallis Improvement Company. The wife of 
Mr. Cronise was formerly Luclora, daughter of 
Valentine Kratz, extensively engaged in the mill- 
ing business in the west for many years. Mr. 
Kratz was at one time located at Junction, Lane 
county, and then at McMinnville, and is at pres- 
ent living in Los Angeles, where he is engaged 
in horticultural pursuits. His industry and good 
business judgment have brought him a goodly 
share of this world's goods, including property 
at Mabelville and in Dunne, additions to Port- 
land. Two children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Cronise, Harrv Kratz and Mabel Estella. 



WILLIAM RILEY SCHEURER. On the 
old donation claim near Butteville, Marion 
county, Ore., upon which his father located many 
years ago, W. R. Scheurer was born January 



26, 1N54, and he has since grown to manhood, 
and attained to a prominent place in the business 
world of his immediate native vicinity. 

John Scheurer, the father of W. R. Scheurer, 
was born in the walled and historic town of 
Darmstadt, Germany, August 25, 1825, and in 
the quaint Hessian city, with its museums and 
churches, its splendid educational institutions and 
palaces of the princes, learned in his younger 
days the trade of wagon maker. In 1844 he came 
to America in a sailing vessel and located in 
Illinois. At the outbreak of the Mexican war he 
was carrying on quite a wagon-making industry. 
Nevertheless, with that patriotism which char- 
acterizes the German born in any country he 
chances to call home., he enlisted' in the war, 
and after a meritorious service returned in the 
fall of 1848 to his trade in the Illinois town. 
Soon afterward, August 26, 1849, ne married 
Elizabeth Yergen, who was born in Germany, 
June 6, 1833, and in 1852 brought his wife across 
the plains with four yoke of oxen and a wagon, 
six months being consumed in the long and ar- 
duous journey. They arrived in Oregon in Sep- 
tember of that year. After remaining in Port- 
land for three months Mr. Scheurer removed 
with his wife to Butteville, where he lived until 
1870. His property consisted of two farms of 
three hundred acres each, which are at present 
in one farm. Five hundred acres are cleared and 
one hundred acres are still in brush. In 1870 
Mr. Scheurer returned to Portland, where he 
resided until his death, which occurred June 7, 
1887. His wife and five children are still living. 

W. R. Scheurer was educated in the public 
schools and at the Portland Academy, terminat- 
ing his school fife at the age of nineteen. At 
the age of twenty-two he assumed the manage- 
ment of the paternal farm with his brother 
Joseph, and after a year removed to Butteville 
and built the warehouse which has proved the 
basis of his subsequent large produce business. 
At the present time he is hauling enormous 
quantities of feed, grain and hops, and at the 
same time is agent for the Oregon Railroad 
and Navigation Company, which has a line of 
boats operating on the Willamette river. He is 
also the owner of a hop ranch of fifteen acres, 
and has some valuable town and county holdings 
in real estate. 

As a stanch Republican Mr. Scheurer has been 
before the public in various capacities, princi- 
pally as treasurer of Butteville for several terms. 
He is fraternally connected with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, and the Grange, being 
treasurer of the latter. He is also treasurer and 
a member of the Native Sons of Oregon. Mr. 
Scheurer has pronounced business abilitv, un- 
questioned integrity, and great capacity for utiliz- 
ing successfully the opportunities by which he is 



84S 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



surrounded. Mr. Scheurer has two sons by his 
first marriage, Fred W. and John J. In Sep- 
tember, 1899, he married his second wife, Mrs. 
Mary Usborne Geer, an Englishwoman. 

Fred Scheurer is married and has one daugh- 
ter, Violet. Mr. Scheurer was a grandfather 
when forty-five years of age. 



WILLIAM H. CURRIN. Conspicuous 
among the foremost business men of Corvallis 
is Mr. Currin, manager of the house of R. M. 
Wade & Co., one of the best-known and finest- 
stocked hardware establishments in* Benton 
county, and one in which Mr. Currin is also 
financially interested. During the twelve years 
that have elapsed since he came to this city he 
has identified himself with its highest interests, 
heartily endorsing all worthy enterprises to pro- 
mote its industrial, educational and moral ad- 
vancement, proving himself in every respect a 
valued member of the community. 

Fie comes of Virginian stock, and was born 
May 15, 1864, at Currinsville, Clackamas county, 
Ore., a son of George Currin. The father, a 
native of Virginia, came to Oregon prior to his 
marriage, and settled on a farm of three hundred 
and twenty acres in Clackamas county, at Cur- 
rinsville, where he was subsequently engaged 
in mixed husbandry, including stock-raising, 
until his death, in 1879. Having crossed the 
plains in 1845, ne was truly a pioneer settler of 
that part of the state, performing his full share 
of the labor of improving it. On his long jour- 
ney he was accompanied by three of his brothers, 
namely : Hugh, who died in Clackamas county ; 
John, now a resident of Lane county; and Will- 
iam, whose death occurred in Lane county. 
George Currin married, in Clackamas county, 
Lydia Wade, who was born in Missouri, and 
came to Oregon in 1852, with her brother, R. M. 
Wade, of Portland, Ore. Ten children were born 
of their union, of whom six daughters and two 
sons are now living, the eldest son, and fourth 
child, being William H. Currin, while the other 
son, Robert Currin, is a farmer in Clackamas 
county. The mother survived her first husband, - 
and is now the wife of L. F. Marrs, of Salem, 
Ore. 

Acquiring his early education in the old 
school-house near his home, William H. Currin 
assisted in the labors incidental to farm life 
until twenty-two years of age, when he entered 
the employ of Knopp, Burrill & Co., in Portland, 
remaining with that firm four years, gradually 
working his way up from the lowest office to the 
highest position in their store, in the meantime 
advancing his education by taking an evening 
course at Armstrong's Business College, from 



which he was graduated in 1888. Continuing 
his connection with the same firm, Mr. Currin 
went to Spokane Falls, Wash., in 1888, as book- 
keeper, later to Tacoma as their salesman and 
collector. Coming in the spring of 1891 to Cor- 
vallis he established the branch house of R. M. 
Wade & Co., of which he has since had control 
as manager, and has here built up an immense 
and lucrative business in his line of merchandise, 
consisting of hardware of every description and 
agricultural implements of all kinds, from the 
smallest tool to the largest piece of machinery. 

Mr. Currin married, in Corvallis, Miss Jennie 
Buchanan, who was born in Benton county, Ore., 
a daughter of Robert Buchanan, and a sister of 
W. A. Buchanan, whose sketch may be found 
elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Currin 
have one child living, namely, Margaret Currin. 
Mr. Currin is a stanch Republican in his political 
affiliations, and is prominently identified with 
the Odd Fellows, belonging to Barnum Lodge, 
No. 7, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of 
which he is a past officer, and which he has rep- 
resented at the grand lodge ; to the Qui Vive 
Encampment, of which he is past chief patriarch ; 
and to the Rebekah Lodge. 



EDWARD C. HERREN. Opportunity en- 
compasses the whole human race, but the suc- 
cessful man is he who can recognize and utilize 
this opportunity. The name of Herren is closely 
associated with the development of what has be- 
come a very important industry in this region — 
hop-growing. It is to the production and sale of 
this commodity that Edward C. Herren gives his 
attention, and almost from the beginning of the 
hop industry in this state he has been actively 
and successfully identified with the business. 

" To know something of a man we must know 
something of his ancestry," wrote a famous his- 
torian. Edward C. Herren is descended from 
good old Revolutionary stock. His great-grand- 
father, a resident of the Old Dominion, fought 
for the independence of the colonies as a member 
of the Virginia troops. His grandfather, John 
Herren, was also born in Virginia, where his 
ancestors had lived for many generations. The 
family is of English and Welsh descent. John 
Flerren became a farmer of Kentucky, afterward 
removing to Indiana, and later carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits near St. Joseph, Mo., until 
1845, when he crossed the plains to Oregon. 
He was in the Meeks cut-off, and suffered the 
hardships of a long and perilous journey. At 
length, however, he reached his destination, set- 
tling near Turner, Marion count}', where he se- 
cured a donation claim of six hundred and forty 
acres. This he brought to a high state of cul- 



PORTRAIT AND I'.K )( iRAl'l I ICAL RECORD. 



*49 



tivatioii. Hero his life's labors were finally ended 
in death. 

(.'apt. William J. Herren, father of Edward 
C. Herren, was born in Lexington, Ky., in Janu- 
ary, iS-'-i. and accompanied his parents on their 
various removals, including their journey across 
the plains in 1845. During that memorable ex- 
pedition the water supply became exhausted. 
On horseback Captain Herren started in search 
of water, and discovered the Blue Bucket spring. 
He also found some shining lumps of metal, 
which he took back with him and exhibited to 
the members of the party. They were encamped 
in that location for three days, and, seeking 
these bright lumps, piled them all in one place. 
But they did not recognize the value of their 
find. 

Captain Herren went through all the experi- 
ences of a pioneer in the northwest, when the 
country was being won from the domination 
of the red men. In 1847 ne married and secured 
a donation claim of a section of land located on 
Salem prairie, four miles east of Salem. This 
he cultivated for some time ; but, wishing to 
afford his children better educational advantages, 
he moved to Salem, where he spent his remain- 
ing days, dying at the age of sixty-nine years. 
He was captain of a company in Colonel Ne- 
smith's regiment in the Rogue River Indian 
war, his commission from Governor George L. 
Curry dating September 28, 1854. He went to 
the mines of California in the fall of 1848, being 
among the first who sought wealth there after 
the discovery of gold. In the spring of 1849 ^ e 
returned, but made a second trip to California 
a few weeks later, returning home in the spring 
of 1850. He served as sheriff of Marion county 
during the territorial days, filling the position for 
two terms, his appointment being signed by 
Acting Governor Hintzing Pritchette, dated June 
1. 1850. In 1872 he organized the Salem Ship- 
ping and Trading Company, and built the 
Grangers' Warehouse, which he conducted for 
many years. He finally consolidated his business 
with milling interests under the name of the 
Salem Flouring Mills, of which he was manager 
for three years. In 1886 he was appointed by 
Governor Moody commissioner on the Board of 
Assessment and Taxation to fill the vacancy 
caused by the death of his brother-in-law, Dan- 
iel Clark. He also served as a member of the 
old state Railroad Commission. 

He was a man of affairs, alert and progressive 
in business, and was the father of the hop in- 
dustry in this state. It was he who induced 
William Wells of Buena Vista and Ralph Geer 
to set out the first hop yards in Oregon — about 
1873. But the settlers were slow in taking up 
this work, and even by 1880 only about seven 
thousand bales of hops were grown in the entire 



stale. There was not much increase until 1882, 
when the price reached $1.15 per pound. This 
stimulated the business, which thereafter stead- 
ily increased until, in 1890, the crop amounted to 
over twenty-seven thousand bales, and in 1895 
there were one hundred and three thousand bales 
— the largest crop ever produced in the state. In 
1895 the price was so low that many yards were 
ploughed up, but during the past two years the in- 
dustry has again assumed considerable importance 
Captain Herren was very prominent, a man of 
forceful individuality, and wielded a wide influ- 
ence in business and social circles. He held 
membership in the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. His wife, Eveline (Hall) Herren, was 
born near St. Joseph, Mo., in 1830, a daughter 
of James and Cynthia Hall, who came to Ore- 
gon in 1845, an d were in the Meeks cut-off. 
Mrs. Herren is now living in Oregon. 

In the family were five sons and one daughter, 
the latter being deceased. The sons are : David 
A., a stockman of Heppner, Ore. ; Albert W., a 
grain merchant of Independence, Ore. ; George, 
a commission merchant of Portland ; Willard H., 
who is also a stockman of Heppner ; and Ed- 
ward C. 

Edward C. Herren was born in Salem April 
27, 1863. He obtained his education in the pub- 
lic schools of that city and Willamette Univer- 
sity. In 1881 he became associated with his 
father in the hop business, but continuing his 
education, he nad graduated from the Portland 
Business College in 1880. He then went to 
Heppner, where for two years he was engaged 
in general merchandising. Upon his return to 
Salem he was again associated with his father 
in the hop, grain and wool trade, this business 
connection being maintained until the latter's 
death in 1891, since which time he has been 
alone. In years of activity he is the oldest hop 
merchant in the city. He is also engaged in the 
production of hops, owning a yard of thirty acres 
six miles south of Salem, besides leasing other 
yards. The product of his own yards and that 
obtained by purchase is shipped to eastern and 
foreign markets. In 1901 Mr. Herren, with his 
brothers, and with George Conser, the banker at 
Heppner, and E. C. Redfield, an attorney of that 
city, organized the Heppner Coal and Railway 
Company, which has begun the development of 
what promises to be an extensive coal minirfg 
property located principally on D. A. Herren's 
ranch twenty miles southeast of Heppner. The 
plans of this company contemplate the construc- 
tion of a branch railway line from the mines to 
Heppner, and it is expected that the work of 
shipment will begin within the next two years. 
Experts who have examined the product, which 
has been tested on various parts of the Pacific 
coast, state that it is a fine quality of cannel coal, 



850 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



containing about nineteen per cent of fixed car- 
bon, which is higher than any other coal pro- 
duced on the coast. 

Mr. Herren was married in Salem April 4, 
1898, to Lizzie V. Holman, who was born in 
California, a daughter of Richard D. and Carrie 
(Whitney) Holman, formerly of London, On- 
tario. They were of English descent, and moved 
from Canada to California. Mrs. Herren is a 
member of the Unitarian Church. Mr. Herren 
is identified with the Modern Woodmen of Am- 
erica, the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks, the Oregon Hop Buyers' Association, the 
Oregon Hop Growers' Association, and Daniel 
Waldo Cabin, Native Sons of Oregon. In his 
political affiliations he is a Democrat. Having 
spent his entire life in Marion county, he has 
become thoroughly imbued with the progressive 
spirit which dominates this section of the coun- 
try, and in his business career his close applica- 
tion and keen discrimination have put him in 
control of enterprises that bring to him good re- 
turns. 



CONRAD A. GERHARD. A book and sta- 
tionery store to which it is a delight to go, is 
that owned and managed by Conrad A. Gerhard, 
a native son of Corvallis, and representative of 
one of the very old and prominent families of 
Benton county. Already the larger cities of 
Oregon have their commercial aristocracy, their 
citizen names which typify sound and permanent 
growth, and stand for integrity and fair dealing. 
To this class of men the Gerhards belong, and 
as such are enrolled among the upbuilders of the 
great northwest. 

" Joseph Gerhard, the founder of the family in 
America, and the father of Conrad, was born 
in the city of Alberschweiler, Bavaria, in the 
Palatinate, in 1825, a son of Johann and Anna 
Maria (Webber) Gerhard, natives of Germany, 
and the former a tradesman by occupation. 
Joseph learned the blacksmith's trade when 
young, and, as was the custom, enlisted for 
service in the army, his term covering six years, 
and including the war of 1848. He came to 
America in 1852, and after a short time in New 
York city moved to Boston, his brother, Lorenzo, 
corning to Oregon, where he eventually died. 
In Boston Joseph married Elizabeth Dorr, born 
in Martinza, Bavaria, in 1835, daughter of Peter 
and Elizabeth (Reischman) Dorr, born, reared 
and died in Bavaria. Mrs. Gerhard is one in a 
family of eight children, seven of whom are liv- 
ing, five being in America. She was educated 
in^the public schools of Germany, and in 1853 
came to Boston from Havre in a sailing vessel. 
After several vears of happy married life in 
Boston Joseph Gerhard prepared to emigrate to 



Oregon, the start being made March 5, 1858, 
and the way being via the Isthmus of Panama. 
One month later they reached San Francisco, 
and from there embarked for Portland, coming 
almost immediately to Corvallis. The first sum- 
mer Mr. Gerhard worked at his trade near Mon- 
roe, this county, and in the fall of 1858 came to 
Corvallis, but located across the river at Or- 
leans, Linn county, where he bought a house 
and shop and started up a nice little business. 
The flood of 1861-2 convinced him that he had 
chosen a very undesirable location, so he came 
over to Corvallis and bought a piece of land 
fifty by one hundred feet on the corner of Sec- 
ond and Madison streets. Here he built a resi- 
dence and shop and engaged in the blacksmith 
business for many years. He prospered exceed- 
ingly, and his busy little shop was the center of 
a flourishing and popular trade. A fire which 
laid low the shop did not discourage him in 
the least, for he soon rebuilt and proceeded as 
before, confident that the west' Tiad only ultimate 
good for him. As proof of his faith in his 
chosen town he invested his hard-earned money 
in town property, and among others owned four 
lots on First street. Finally, weary of the anvil 
and hammer, he bought a farm of one hundred 
and ninety-three acres on old Palmer island, 
and there moved with his wife and sons. The 
island afterward became known as Gerhard 
island, a name which it still retains. Farm- 
ing and stock-raising filled the later life of this 
pioneer blacksmith, and his death, July 5, 1886, 
at the age of sixty-two years, found him the 
possessor of a comfortable home in an ideal part 
of the county. He was a Republican in politics, 
and a stanch member of the Catholic Church. 
The wife who survives him profits by his many 
years of industry, having a nice home in Cor- 
vallis, but spends her summers on the island 
farm. Of her six children, George is a civil 
engineer, of Fairhaven, Wash. ; Henry is living 
on and managing the island farm; Leopold died 
in Roseburg, Ore. ; Mary and Kate are at home ; 
and Conrad is engaged in the book and sta- 
tionery business in Corvallis. 

The youngest in his father's family, Conrad 
A. Gerhard was born in Corvallis, February 20, 
1876, and was educated at Mount Angel Col- 
lege, Marion county, from which he graduated 
June 22, 1891, with the degree of Master of 
Accounts. He was an unusually apt scholar, 
and from the first of his school life appreciated 
the great advantage of a thorough and syste- 
matic education. This was demonstrated partic- 
ularly by his post-graduate work. He after- 
ward spent a couple of years on the farm, and 
in 1898 bought the book and stationery store 
to the improvement and enlarging of which he 
has since devoted his attention. He is now 






f? 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sf>:j 



located in the Occidental block, and has the larg- 
csl business of the kind in Benton county. lie 
makes a specially of school supplies, and of the 
incidentals which a cosmopolitan community 
expect to find iii a modern and up-to-date store. 
In Corvallis Mr. Gerhard married Adelaide 
Morton Fullington, a native of Harrisburg, 
( )re.. and daughter of H. S. Horton, an old 
settler of this county, now residing in Corvallis. 
Mr. Gerhard is a member of the Corvallis Im- 
provement Association, and in politics is affili- 
ated with the Republican party. Fraternally he 
: member of the Woodmen of the World. 
Like his father, himself and family are members 
of the Catholic Church. This popular stationer 
stands high in the public esteem of his native 
town, and is accounted one of the most successful 
and promising young business men. 



GEORGE FRANKLIN CRAW. To a far 
greater extent than the average man, George F. 
Craw has realized his painstaking and well di- 
rected expectations. Just as the pent-up enthusi- 
asm of twenty-one found expression in a meri- 
torious war service, so the mature and public- 
spirited plans of later years have resulted in his 
election to every office to which he has been nom- 
inated by his fellow-townsmen, as well as in a 
financial standing merited by marked business 
ability and fearless adherence to high moral prin- 
ciples. The present manager of the Postal Tele- 
graph Company, he is also the treasurer of Lane 
county, and was for six or seven years city treas- 
urer of Eugene. At the present time he is serv- 
ing his twelfth appointment as notary public, and 
in November, 1903, rounded out his twenty- 
four years in this capacity. Notable among his 
achievements in behalf of the town of his adop- 
tion have been his whole-souled and practical 
efforts to improve the educational facilities 
of the town. With his resignation as school 
clerk in May, 1902, ended fifteen years of truly 
remarkable educational advancement, - nearly all 
of the school buildings in Eugene having been 
erected within that time, the sole exception be- 
ing the oldest school house in the city limits. 
Shortly after his election as county treasurer in 
June, 1902, he was stricken with creeping paraly- 
sis, but the disorder yielding to treatment at the 
end of five months he was able to assume the re- 
sponsibilities of office, to the joy of his many 
friends, his election being a credit to the com- 
munity which has honored him with its un- 
bounded confidence. 

^ The youngest in a family of nine children, Mr. 
Craw was born in the center of eastern conserva- 
tism, Hartford, Conn., November 10, 1841, 
and was reared on the farm of his parents, 
Abial and Rhoda (Belknap) Craw, natives of 
Connecticut, and of Scotch ancestry. Both the 



paternal and maternal families were established 
in Connecticut by the grandfathers, the former 
coming from Aberdeen, Scotland, and locating 
on a farm in Hartford township. Abial Craw in- 
clined to his father's occupation, and he and his 
wife died on the farm which had been their care 
for so many years, and where they had reared 
their large family of children. George F. was 
not the only member of the family whom ambi- 
tion beckoned to the west, for his brother, Ed- 
ward, crossed the plains in an ox-train in 1850, 
and, after varied experiences in the mines on the 
coast, died in San Bernardino, Cal. 

The well worn farm in Hartford township fail- 
ing to provide for its many occupants, each set 
about early in life earning his own living. George 
F. Craw has received practically no assistance 
from any source since he started in to work in 
a woolen mill at the age of twelve. His summers 
were spent in the mill and his. winters were de- 
voted to attending the public schools. At the 
age of sixteen he began to clerk in a store in 
East Hartford, and was thus employed when the 
long-smouldering hostility between the north and 
south culminated in the Civil war. August 7, 
1862, he enlisted in Company D, Twentieth Con- 
necticut Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered 
into service at New Haven, Conn. After par- 
ticipating in the battles of Antietam, Chancellors- 
ville, and some minor skirmishes, he was stricken 
with sun-stroke at four o'clock in the afternoon 
while on the march to Gettysburg in June, 1863, 
and failed to recover consciousness until mid- 
night of the same day. Opening his eyes in a 
little Fairfax Station church, he realized that his 
war experience was practically ended, although 
after being sent to a hospital in Alexander he 
was anxious to rejoin his regiment, being pre- 
vented only by his commanding physician. Un- 
able to stand the rays of the sun or exposure to 
heat, he was relegated to hospital duty for the 
. remainder of the war, and was mustered out July 
23, 1865. . 

Returning to Portland, Conn., Mr. Craw 
clerked in a dry-goods store in the town, and at 
the same time devoted his leisure to learning 
telegraphy. His first telegraphic charge was 
with the Connecticut River Valley Telegraph 
Company, in the affairs of which he afterward 
became prominent, being advanced to the posi- 
tion of superintendent of construction. In 1869, 
about three weeks after the completion of the 
Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroads, 
he made his way to the coast on one of the new 
lines, arriving in Portland, Ore., in August, 1869. 
Going to Salem, he found employment in the 
woolen mills for two weeks, and for the following 
year was employed as a clerk in the book and 
stationery store of J. K. Gill of Salem. For 
six months he clerked in the grocery store of 



854 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Logan Adams, of Salem, and in 1871 secured the 
position as agent and operator under Ben Holli- 
day, at the Portland car shops of the Oregon & 
California Railroad. Six months later he was 
transferred to Harrisburg, where the bridge was 
being built, and remained there until the com- 
pletion of the road to Eugene. At Jefferson he 
was agent and operator for a period of two years, 
and after a visit of three months to his old home 
in Connecticut, was agent at Aurora for two 
weeks. At Junction City he remained agent and 
operator for seven years to a day, resigning his 
position January 12, 1879, to come to Eugene as 
agent for the Wells-Fargo Express Company. 
Six or seven years later, when the Postal Tele- 
graph Company opened an office in Eugene, he 
became its general manager, holding the com- 
bined positions until 1893, when he resigned from 
the express company, and devoted his entire time 
to the telegraph company. For fifteen years he 
was agent at this point for the Oregonian, re- 
signing therefrom June 1, 1903, on account of 
impaired health, and an excess of outside work. 
For the past seven years he has been interested 
in the sale of pianos and organs, managing this 
line of business with the same business acumen 
and success which has characterized all of his 
undertakings. 

In Portland, Conn., in 1867, Mr. Craw married 
Emma Griswold, a native of that town, who died 
in May, 1895, leaving two children. Of these, 
Nellie,' the wife of E. E. Awbrey, of Irving, 
Ore., has four children; and Mabel is the wife 
of Elmer Roberts, of Eugene. In Portland, 
Conn., Mr. Craw became identified with the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, and in Salem ex-Governor Chad- 
wick conferred upon him the Scottish Rite de- 
grees. Pie is at present a member of Eugene 
Lodge No. 11, A. F. & A. M. He is also con- 
nected with the Oregon Consistory No. 1, of 
Portland, and with the J. W. Geary Post No. 7, 
G. A. R., being past commander. Mr. Craw is 
not unmindful of the moral and social advantages 
of church membership, as well as its great oppor- 
tunities for well-doing. For many years he has 
been an active worker in the Episcopal Church, 
has served as junior warden, vestryman and 
treasurer, maintaining at the present time the 
first two offices. He is a man of broad and tol- 
erant sympathies, of great generosity towards 
public benefactions, and intense and vitalizing 
zeal in promoting educational and general town 
interests. His friends are many, and his business 
standing and personal reputation such as any 
man might do well to emulate. 



LUTHER WHITE. Not the least among 
the brave pioneers who left home and friends 
and with their few belongings undertook the 



long, perilous journey across the western 
plains, were Luther White and his wife, who 
in 1847, l e ft their home in Piatt county, Mo., 
for new and untried fields. After the usual six- 
months journey they dismounted and unpacked 
their household goods, the first location being 
upon a donation claim eight miles south of 
Brownsville, Linn county, and comprising six 
hundred and forty acres. For many years, until 
1872, this continued to be the home center, but 
at that time Mr. White retired from the active 
duties of farm life and took up his abode in 
Brownsville, and has found his time sufficiently 
occupied in looking after his property. 

In referring to the personal history of Luther 
White we find that his birth occurred in Ohio, 
near the shores of Lake Erie, January 20, 181 5. 
His father, John White, a native of Connecticut, 
had located in Ohio in an early day, but in 
181 5, shortly after the birth of his son, moved 
to Wabash county, 111., settling at what was 
known in that day as Barney Fort, but is now 
called Friendsville, about eight miles north of 
Mount Carmel. The Indians in those days 
were anything but friendly, and in order to pro- 
tect themselves from their depredations the 
settlers were compelled to unite their efforts in 
the matter of safety, hence the founding of Bar- 
ney Fort. As a soldier in the Revolutionary war 
the father did his part in protecting and fight- 
ing for the cause of the colonists. His death 
occurred on his farm in Wabash county when 
in his sixty-ninth year. His wife, who in her 
maidenhood was Sarah Knapp, was born in 
Massachusetts, and she, too, died on the home 
farm in Illinois. 

Of the seven children born to these worthy 
pioneer parents Luther was next to the eldest. 
His education had been sadly neglected, owing 
to the fact that his help was necessary in the 
management of the home farm, and his father's 
death occurring when he was eighteen years old, 
ended all thought of future education for the 
time-being. For one year he worked at any 
honorable employment that presented itself, and 
finally it was his good fortune to meet a Mr. 
Smith, who was engaged in surveying public 
lands. Mr. White was an apt pupil, and it was 
not long before he, too, could handle the com- 
pass and line. Subsequently he went to Louisi- 
ana with another surveying party, and for six 
months was engaged in this southern state. The 
lack of opportunity in his earlier days for gain- 
ing an education was made up for in his later 
life, and when he returned to Illinois he took a 
position as teacher in the house in which he 
had been reared, but which at that time had been 
devoted to school purposes. In 1833 he re- 
moved to Piatt county, Mo., where for one year 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



855 



he taught school, but in the meantime having 
pared himself for the ministry, he accepted 
[large as paster, having charge of a circuit 
in Grundy county, for one year in the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church. 

In [843 Mr. White resumed farming opera- 
tions, and it was about this time that he was 
in marriage with Miss .Martha Ann Mans- 
a native of Kentucky. Her death oc- 
irred in Brownsville, Ore., January 4, 1894, at 
the age of seventy years. Eleven children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. White, but only two of 
the number are living. In order of birth they 
are as follows: Sarah Elizabeth, John H., Eliza 
Eleanor, Silas H., Mary Adeline, Samuel 
Thurston and Finis E., all of whom are de- 
ceased; Rose B., who is at home with her father; 
Martha and Marguerite, both deceased; and Rob- 
in, who resides on the old donation claim taken 
up by his parents in 1847, anc ' which was their 
irst home in the west. As a public official Mr. 
White served as a member of the state legis- 
lature for one term in 1852, and at one time filled 
the office of city recorder for two terms. In 
school matters he takes a keen interest, and as 
school director and clerk his services have been 
of 'great value to the community. He makes his 
church home in the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, and in political affairs gives his influ- 
ence and vote to the candidates of the Prohibi- 
tion party, whose platform he believes best cal- 
culated for the ultimate highest good of the 
nation. 



JAMES HILTIBRAND. As an able and 
successful farmer of Polk county, Ore., James 
1 liltibrand has followed in the footsteps of his 
father, who gave to the growth and upbuilding 
of the statehood of Oregon the strength of his 
manhood. The name has been well and worthily 
known in the northwest since 1845, the father, 
Paul Hiltibrand, coming at that early date to 
make one of the many pioneers who made the 
state. 

Paul Hiltibrand was born in Ohio, June 7, 
1822, the son of John, who was a native of 
Germany, and had come to the United States 
in 1798 with his father, Jacob, and settled in 
Pennsylvania. While serving in the war of 1812 
he was wounded in the wrist by a gunshot in 
the battle of New Orleans. From his home in 
Ohio he later removed to Kentucky, where he 
spent the remainder of his life, dying November 
7. 1S67, having lived a worthy and useful life 
in the country of his adoption. When only six- 
teen years of age Paul Hiltibrand left home and, 
going to Missouri, he remained there until 1845, 
when he joined an emigrant train, under the 
command of Solomon Tetherow, and bound for 



Oregon. The journey was made in seven 
months and sixteen days, counting the time from 
St. Joseph, Mo., to which city Mr. Hiltibrand 
had gone from his farm in Clay county to join 
the train, until their arrival in Polk county, 
Ore. With an interval of but three weeks' in- 
action Mr. Hiltibrand took up the land which 
is now owned by his children, six hundred and 
forty acres in all, and commenced the improve- 
ments which were necessary to make the farm 
what it is today. In time he added four hundred 
and sixty-six acres to his original farm, and 
then owned considerably over a thousand acres. 
He engaged for many years in stock-raising and 
general farming, and lived the remainder of 
his life upon tnis claim. He died September 29, 
1 895, in the home wherein he had spent so many 
worthy and useful years. 

In the trip across the plains was the begin- 
ning of the romance which gave Mr. Hiltibrand 
his wife, for Captain Tetherow had his family 
with him, and his daughter, Evaline, was mar- 
ried in 1846 to her fellow-traveler. For a 
fuller account of the life of Captain Tetherow 
refer to the sketch of James P. Tetherow, which 
appears on another page of this work. The 
children which blessed the union of Paul Hilti- 
brand and Evaline Tetherow are as follows : Le- 
vina, who became the wife of Charles Cottell ; 
Elizabeth, now Mrs. Marshall Scafford ; James, 
of this review ; and John W., of Suver. As 
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church of Luckiamute, Mr. and Mrs. Hiltibrand 
added much to the moral life of the community, 
giving freely of time and means in the growth of 
the church. For many years Mr. Hiltibrand was 
elder and clerk in this church and his death 
was a loss felt by many. Fraternally he be- 
longed to the Grange. 

James Hiltibrand was born in Polk county, 
Ore., November 12, 1850, being reared on the 
paternal farm, and alternating his home duties 
with an attendance at the district school in the 
vicinity of his home. When eighteen years old 
he left school and went to work on a neighbor- 
ing farm, and at twenty-one he began farming 
for himself, and has since continued in this 
occupation with entire credit for the judgment 
and energy which controls his actions. He now 
owns two hundred and eleven acres of land, a 
part of the original claim taken up by his father, 
and upon which he has put all the improve- 
ments, consisting of a house, well situated on a 
hillside, barn and other outbuildings, making a 
comfortable home. He carries on general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, being principally interested 
in goats and sheep. 

In 1870 Mr. Hiltibrand married Lavina J. 
Fuqua, who was born in Jackson county, Mo., 
July 30, 1850. Her father, Richard J. Fuqua, 



856 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



crossed the plains in 1864, and died at Parker's 
Station in 1882, the farm in Polk county being 
now occupied by the son, William Fuqua. The 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hiltibrand are 
four in number, of whom John B. is in Inde- 
pendence, Ore. ; Pauline is the wife of Frank 
Skinner, a drayman, of Independence ; Ernest 
E. and Clarence G. make their home with their 
parents. Like his father in politics, Mr. Hilti- 
brand is a stanch Democrat, and through his in- 
fluence has served as road supervisor and school 
director, holding the latter position for five 
years. Fraternally he is a member of the Grange 
of Suver and Modern Woodmen of America. 



ADELBERT YERGEN. On his father's 
farm, three miles east of Butteville, Marion 
county, Adelbert Yergen was born November 
28, 1854, and, as his name indicates, is of Ger- 
man ancestry. His father, Augustus Yergen, 
was born in Meilheim, Germany, November 28, 
183 1, and at ten years of age came across the 
ocean in a sailing vessel, many weeks being spent 
upon the deep. With his parents he located in 
Belleville, 111. At the time his father was very 
poor, having barely enough to bring his family 
to the United States. Nevertheless, the fertile 
soil and desirable conditions of Illinois enabled 
the elder Yergen to prosper in a modest way, 
and make a comfortable home in a fertile and 
resourceful state. However, he was doomed to 
meet with misfortune, for his wife died a few 
years after crossing the ocean,, and he was left 
comparatively alone in the world. Augustus 
Yergen was married, March 28, 1852, to Eliza- 
beth Griffin, and a few clays later crossed the 
plains with ox-teams, taking six months to ac- 
complish the journey. For two years Mr. Yer- 
gen lived in Washougal, Wash., and then came 
to Marion county, Ore., where he purchased a 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres three miles 
from Aurora. Here he prospered and reared 
his children, and here his death occurred May 
24, 1902. Of his six children, Adelbert was the 
oldest, and next is George, who is living on the 
home place; Mary E., the wife of J. V. Swan, of 
Portland, Ore. ; Frank, living on a farm near 
Aurora ; Frederick, also near Aurora ; and 
Henry, working the home place. The wife is 
still living on the old homestead, and though in 
her seventy-first year, still retains her interest in 
the farm and the doings of her children. 

The education of Adelbert Yergen was ac- 
quired in the country schools and in those of 
Portland. His youth was uneventful, as is that 
of the average farm-reared boy. November 9, 
1880, he was united in marriage with Ida J. 
Carter, who was born in Yamhill county, »a 
daughter of Benjamin and Jane (Lee) Carter, 



the latter of whom was a daughter of James 
Lee, who crossed the plains in 1852. Mr. Lee 
came from Springfield, 111., and after a six- 
months trip located on a farm of three hundred 
and twenty acres near Gaston, Yamhill county, 
upon which his son now lives. Benjamin Carter 
was born February 22, 1826, in Hagerstown, 
Md., in a house located exactly on the boundary 
line between Maryland and Pennsylvania, and 
from the Keystone state enlisted in the Mexican 
war, serving for two years. He then went to 
Iowa, whither his family had in the meantime 
removed, and where he lived until 1852. He 
crossed the plains in that year with ox-teams 
and the usual outfit, locating near Hillsboro, 
Ore., where he worked at his trade of millwright. 
He was a practical mill builder and operator, 
and during his life in the west erected many 
mills in different parts of Oregon. After his mar- 
riage with Jane Lee, September 1, 1863, he 
bought what is known as Graham's Ferry across 
the Willamette, and operated it continuously 
until the year before his death, May 26, 1882. 
He was survived by his wife until July 21, 
1886, and of his two children Mrs. Yergen is 
the oldest, Irvin Lee being a resident of Ta- 
coma, Wash. It is a noteworthy fact that Mrs. 
Yergen's parents and Mr. Yergen's father are 
buried in the Butteville cemetery, which will 
be the last resting place of all four parents. 

Soon after his marriage Mr. Yergen came to 
Butteville and engaged in the butcher business 
for three years. He then went to Portland, and 
for another three years had a very large dairy- 
ing business. At times he milked sixty-five 
cows, and supplied a large trade in the city and 
suburbs. Returning to Butteville, he engaged 
in the butcher business for six years, and has 
since turned his attention to hop-growing on a 
farm two miles south of Aurora. He has 
twenty-six acres under this paying commodity, 
and is contemplating an extension of his present 
output. He has a pleasant rural home, and has 
two children, Leonard G. and Martin D. He 
is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the 
Maccabees, while his family is represented in 
the Congregational Church by his wife and sons. 
His interest in educational matters is shown by 
the fact that he served for nine years continu- 
ously as school director in his district. 



KERSEY C. ELDRIDGE. The creamery 
business, as understood and operated by Kersey 
C. Eldridge, of Independence, constitutes one 
of the most profitable sources of income in this 
part of the county. An expert in his line, Mr. 
Eldridge invests his enterprise with the vim 
and progressiveness of a genuine enthusiast, 
with the result that his commodities are sought 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



859 



in all marketable centers along the coast, and 
haw a reputation for excellence unexcelled. He 
came to Oregon in 1897, and, having success- 
t"ull\ started and maintained a creamery plant 
in Xcwberg, came to Independence in 1899, his 
efforts here being attended with equal good 
fortune. To such an extent has the business 
increased that he has established a plant at Jef- 
ferson. Marion county, in connection with the 
one at Independence. He has a capacity of 
twenty-five thousand gallons of milk per day, 
and makes one thousand pounds of butter a day. 
Hie most modern machinery known to dairymen 
has been introduced in his plants, and he is con- 
templating even more extensive operations in 
the near future. 

A native of Lawrence, Kans., Mr. Eldridge 
was born March 4, 1863, and in his youth had 
the advantages of the public schools of Law- 
rence and New York city. His father, Edwin 
S. Eldridge, is a mining expert, and a constant 
traveler from one mining section to another, 
visiting from time to time such mining centers 
- Colorado, California and Mexico. He was 
born in Pittsfield, Mass., January 18, 1831, and 
located in Kansas City, Mo., about 1856. Dur- 
ing the Civil war he lived in Lawrence, Kans., 
and in 1879 took his family to New York City. 
Eventually, however, he returned to Kansas 
City, which has since been his headquarters, 
and the center of his extensive mining opera- 
tions. He is a well-known mining promoter, 
and his opinion is sought by those who desire 
> invest in this most precarious of ventures. 
His wife, formerly Augusta Spicer, was born in 
Yates county, N. Y., and died in Lawrence, 
Kans.. in 1867, leaving a son and daughter, of 
whom Kersey C. is the youngest. 

Previous to coming to Oregon Mr. Eldridge en- 
gaged, in 1880, in the dry goods business with J. 
H. Diggles,of New York, and in 1883 he returned 
Lawrence, Kans., and traveled with his father 
in his mining business. In 1886 he was employed 
as traveling salesman by a large grocery firm, 
and in this capacity visited principally New 
Mexico. In 1891 he went to Utah, near Ogden, 
and engaged in the creamery business, and being 
successful he determined to try his fortune in 
Oregon. That this decision was a wise and 
far-sighted one has been repeatedly demon- 
strated, and unquestionably Mr. Eldridge con- 
ratulates himself upon his happy choice of a 
location, having established the creamery at 
Xewberg in 1897, Independence in 1899, and at 
Jefferson in March, 1903. 

He was married in Placerville, Cal., to Ruth 
A. King, daughter of Charles King, who was 
born in Vermont, and came to California in 
1848-9. Four sons have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Eldridge: Neville, Kersey C, Jr.; Shalor 



and Lawrence. Mr. Eldridge is by no means 
confined to the limits of his business, but has 
a public-spiritedness which concerns itself with 
social and other business interests of the town. 
He is fraternally connected with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the 
World, and the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men, in all of which lodges he is a welcome vis- 
itor. Politically he is arrayed on the side of 
Republicanism, although he has never sought or 
accepted official positions. He is a man of 
shrewd business ability and unquestioned integ- 
rity. At the present time Mr. Eldridge is 
erecting a plant at Portland for manufacture 
of butter and ice cream. 



WILLIAM EDWARD FINZER. Imong 
the many claims to distinction which make Adju- 
tant General Finzer, of Woodburn, one of the 
most popular and highly appreciated men of the 
state is a military career of a particularly stir- 
ring nature, excellent business ability, and com- 
mendable service as an executive. He was born 
in Shanesville, Ohio, September 25, 1867, and 
comes of ancestors long connected with the Re- 
public of Switzerland. His paternal grandfather, 
Benjamin, was born in Berne, Switzerland, and 
in hi^ native land was a farmer and stock-raiser, 
an occupation which he continued after locating 
in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on a farm of one 
hundred and sixty acres. He was one of the 
early settlers of that region, arriving in 1845, and 
he lived to the advanced age of eighty-nine years. 
His son, Benjamin, the father of W. E. Finzer, 
came with him from Berne, where he was born 
May 5, 1835, and in his youth was apprenticed 
to learn the carpenter's trade in Shanesville. He 
came to Oregon in 1888 and located near Hub- 
bard, where he worked at his trade, made money, 
and advantageously invested in town property. 
He died in April, 1889. A Democrat in politics, 
he became prominent in the local affairs of his 
party, and served the community as constable 
and road supervisor, while in Ohio. He married 
Elizabeth Hostetter, a native of Ohio, who was 
born April 7, 1847, an d died in February, 1890. 
Her father, Isaac, came from Pennsylvania and 
spent the rest of his life in Ohio, owning over a 
thousand acres, which was considered a very 
large farm. 

The oldest of the five sons and four daughters 
born to his parents, General Finzer was educated 
in the public schools. In Shanesville and New 
Philadelphia he clerked in mercantile establish- 
ments. He came to Oregon in 1889, and in 1891 
engaged in the grocery business in Woodburn. 
That he had considerable enterprise and ability 
is evidenced by the fact that at the end of three 
vears he owned the business and continued it in- 
dependently . until 1897. In 1891 he was ap- 



860 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pointed postmaster of the city, and filled the obli- 
gations of this office in connection with his suc- 
cessful store. The dry-goods business, in which 
he is now engaged, was started in 1897, and the 
following year he responded to the call for 
soldiers to participate in the Spanish-American 
war. As first lieutenant in Company M, Second 
Oregon Regiment, he served for one and a half 
years, and during that time he took part in the 
battles of Malabon, Polo, Marilao, Tay-Tay, Mo- 
rong and others of equal interest. He was hon- 
orably discharged from service in San Fran- 
cisco, in August, 1899. During his absence in 
the Philippines, General Finzer made a practical 
study of the people and conditions, and his de- 
scriptions and observations have proved of vital 
interest to the friends and associates who re- 
mained behind. He has been further connected 
with military affairs as captain of Company D, 
Fourth Regiment, O. N. G, and his experience 
on the field is apparent in the high state of 
efficiency to which he has brought the company. 
The appointment of Captain Finzer to his present 
position, that of adjutant general of the state of 
Oregon, is of recent occurrence, he having taken 
charge of the office September 1, 1903, in the 
discharge of the duties bringing to bear the attri- 
butes of the typical soldier, an endowment of 
courage, resourcefulness and coolness. His 
adopted town is justly proud of his soldierly bear- 
ing and gallant service. 

After returning from the Philippines General 
Finzer engaged in the dry-goods business with 
E. A. Austin, and at present has a well equipped 
establishment which caters to a flourishing trade, 
by far the largest in the community. Before leav- 
ing for the war, General Finzer was elected 
mayor of Woodburn, but resigned to go to the 
front. He has served as school clerk and city 
treasurer, and in all his political associations has 
proven himself broad-minded, enterprising and 
thoroughly in accord with municipal well-being. 

In Portland, Ore., in 1892, General Finzer 
was united in marriage with Louise Roberts, who 
was born in Canada, January 7, 1872, and whose 
father, Robert Roberts, was also born there and 
came to the United States in 1887. Mr. Robert? 
located in Butteville, Ore., and engaged in farm- 
ing, and his death occurred on the day that Pres- 
ident McKinley was shot, at the age of seventy 
years. William Marvin Finzer, who was born 
July 23, 1900, is the only child of the general 
and his wife, and is a bright and interesting lad. 
General Finzer is well known fraternally, being 
a member of Woodburn Lodge No. 106, A. F. & 
A. M. ; Woodburn Lodge, R. A. M. ; Hermes 
Lodge No. 56, K. P., of Aurora; Woodburn 
Lodge No. 37, A. O. U. W., and French Prairie 
Camp No. 47, W. O. W., in the three orders last 
named having passed ah the chairs.' 



MARSHALL SCRAFFORD. As a prom- 
inent and successful agriculturist of Suver, and 
as a pioneer, and the son of a pioneer of Polk 
county, Marshall Scrafford is well worthy of 
representation in this biographical volume. He 
was born in Delavan, Walworth county, Wis., 
June 5, 1845, a son °f John J. Scrafford, com- 
ing of German ancestry. His paternal grand- 
father, Adam Scrafford, was born in Schoharie 
county, N. Y., and there spent the greater part 
of his life. 

Born on the ancestral homestead, in Scho- 
harie county, N. Y., August 3, 1817, John J. 
Scrafford lived there until after his marriage, 
and then, in 1843, emigrated with his family to 
Wisconsin. Locating in Walworth county, he 
took up land near Delavan, and was there en- 
gaged in general farming for many years. Re- 
moving to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1861, he there 
continued his independent occupation for about 
five years, when he again followed the tide of 
emigration westward. Joining Captain Bean's 
company, he crossed the plains with horse-teams, 
there being thirty armed men in the train. Ar- 
riving in Benton county, Ore., in the fall of 
i860, he purchased one hundred and sixty 
acres of land on Soap creek, and there improved 
a farm, on which he resided until after the death 
of his wife. Removing then to Corvallis, he 
still makes his home in that city. He married, 
in New York state, Martha Richardson, who 
was born in Schoharie county, February 22, 
1819, and died, in Benton county, Ore., Jan- 
uary 2, 1873. Her father, James Richardson, 
a farmer by occupation, was born in the Empire 
state, of Irish ancestry. He was a private in the 
war of 1812, and took part in the engagement 
at Sackett's Harbor. Seven children were born of 
the union of John J. and Martha (Richardson) 
Scrafford, four of whom are living, namely: 
James B., of Walla Walla, Wash.; Marshall, 
the subject of this sketch; Mary, wife of Ira A. 
Miller, of Newport, Ore.; and E. A., wife of 
J. K. Morrison, of Monmouth, Ore. 

Obtaining his first knowledge of books in the 
district schools of his native state, Marshall 
Scrafford subsequently attended a public school 
in Iowa, and for seven months was a student at 
Cornell College, in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Leav- 
ing that institution, he enlisted, December 30, 
1863, in Company D, Twenty-second Wisconsin 
Infantry, in the same company to which his 
brother, James B. Scrafford, belonged, being a 
sergeant. Joining his regiment at Murfrees- 
boro, Tenn., he spent the winter in camp at 
Nashville, and in the spring of 1864 joined 
Sherman in his memorable march to the sea. 
Arriving in Savannah, Ga., he started with his 
comrades through the Carolinas in pursuit of 
General Johnston, whom they captured at 



PORTRAIT AND I'.lOGRAPHlCAL RECORD. 



8G1 



Raleigh, X. C. Being mustered out of service. 
i Louisville, Ky.. July 8. 1865, with the rank of 
corporal, Mr. Scrafford proceeded with his regi- 
ment to Madison. Wis., and a short time later 
returned to the home of his parents. Entering 
the academy at Tipton, Iowa, he continued his 

iies there until the spring of 1866, when 
he came with his parents to Oregon. While on 
the way the company to which he belonged was 
frequently troubled by men who attempted to 

1 their horses and cattle, and on one occa- 
sion Mr. Scrafford distinguished himself by 
shooting one of three horse thieves that were 
disguised as Indians. 

Arriving in Benton county, Mr. Scrafford 
spent the first winter there, in 1867 locating in 
Polk county, where he taught school in Dis- 
trict Twenty-eight, for a term of five months. 
He subsequently taught three months in Ben- 
ton county, then returned to Polk county, and 
the following year married, and set up house- 
keeping on a farm near the Luckiamute, where 
he resided two years. The following year he 
spent in eastern Oregon. Afterwards buying 
one hundred acres of land near Buena Vista, 
Polk county, he carried on general farming until 
1881. when he was completely washed out by the 
overflowing of the Willamette. The next eleven 
wars he was employed in farming on the Luck- 
iamute. and then assumed possession of his pres- 
ent fine ranch, which contains two hundred and 
ten acres of land, one hundred and twenty- 
eight acres of it being adapted to the raising of 
grain and fruits, while the remainder is used 
for grazing purposes. He carries on general 
farming, devoting eleven acres of his land to 
hops, and in his various undertakings is meet- 
ing with well merited success. 

In 1868, on the farm which he now occupies, 
Mr. Scrafford married Elizabeth Hiltibrand, 
who was born in Polk county, Ore., October 11, 
1848. Her father, Paul Hiltibrand, born near 
Maysville, Ky., crossed the plains in 1845, an d 
located on the present homestead of Mr. Scraf- 
ford, and was here engaged in agricultural pur- 
tit- until his death, in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. 
Scrafford have one child. Kirk Scrafford, who 
was horn April 30, 1878, and is now living with 
his parents, assisting in the management of the 
ranch. Politically Mr. Scrafford is a strong 
Republican, and has never shirked the responsi- 
hili'.ies of public office. He has served as road 
supervisor, and for twenty-eight years served 
as school clerk. In 1898 lie was elected repre- 
sentative to the state legislature. The court 
house being burned at that time, and all of the 
ballots destroyed, his election could not be con- 
tested, and the legislature decided that his elec- 



tion was legal. Fraternally Mr. Scrafford is a 
member and a trustee of Gibson Post, No. 64, 
G. A. R., of Independence. 



MARSHALL N. SUVER. The youngest 
of the family of children in the home of Joseph 
W. Suver was Marshall N. Suver, who is now 
a prominent farmer in Polk county, Ore., in the 
neighborhood of the town of Suver, which was 
named in honor of the father, who was a pioneer 
of 1844. In the effort to establish for himself 
a position of comparative financial importance 
the elder Mr. Suver traversed the entire con- 
tinent, from Virginia, where he was born, April 
14, 1814, to the Pacific slope, and from the time 
of his emigration to his death, August 26, 1890, 
he was one of the notably successful men in this 
part of the state. 

On his arrival in Oregon Joseph W. Suver 
took up a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres located in Polk county, and after two 
trips made to California he settled down on this 
farm, having married, in 1850, Delilah Pyburn, 
a native of Missouri, and the daughter of Amos 
Pyburn, who brought his family across the plains 
in the same train with Mr. Suver. Mr. Pyburn 
located on Soap creek, near the claim selected 
by. Mr. Suver. For about fifty-six years Mr. 
Suver made this claim his home, engaging in 
general farming and stock-raising, until his 
death. The mother also died on the home place, 
the date of her death being March, i860. For 
a complete account of the lives of these pioneers 
refer to the sketch of Green B. Suver, appear- 
ing on another page of this work. 

Marshall N. Suver was born five miles south 
of Monmouth, Polk county, Ore., April 1, 1858, 
and was reared upon his father's farm. His 
education was received in the common school 
in the vicinity of his home, though his attend- 
ance was more or less limited on account of the 
various obstacles which impeded the acquisi- 
tion of knowledge in the early days. At sixteen 
he le.ft school, but, more fortunate than many, he 
was well informed through instruction given by 
his . father, outside of school sessions. He at 
once began work upon his father's farm, with 
whom he remained until the land was divided, 
about one thousand acres being given to the 
heirs at the death of the old pioneer. Mr. 
Suver now has four hundred acres, two hundred 
and fifty of which is tillable, and upon this he is 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising. 

The marriage of Mr. Suver occurred June, 
1884, and united him with Hettie Patterson, the 
daughter of John H. Patterson, who crossed 
the plains in an early clay, and now makes his 
home in Jefferson, Marion county. Two chil- 
dren were born of the union, Fred and Nora, 



802 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



both of whom are at home. Politically Mr. 
Suver follows the convictions of his father, and 
adheres to the principles of the Democratic 
party, and through this influence has served as 
school director for a number of vears. 



WILLIAM H. MURPHEY. One of the 
many worthy citizens and capable and indus- 
trious agriculturists of Polk county is William 
H. Murphey, who is engaged in his independent 
vocation on one of the finest and most desirable 
homesteads near the town of Buena Vista. A 
native of Oregon, he was born May 13, 1855, 
in Marion county, a son of William Murphey. 
His grandfather, Charles Murphey, was born, 
of Irish ancestors, in Salem county, N. J., and 
there spent his entire life, dying in 1824, on his 
farm. His wife, whose maiden name was Mar- 
garet McCasson, was a life-long resident of 
Salem county, N. J., her birth occurring Decem- 
ber 1, 1779, and her death in 1835. She bore 
her husband five children, four sons and one 
daughter, and of these one child only, William, 
is living. 

Born in Salem county, N. J., June 28, 1818, 
William Murphey was left fatherless when six 
years of age. When a boy of twelve years he 
went with his widowed mother and her family 
to Wilmington, Del., where all of the children 
began working in the factories. Three years 
later the entire family removed to Philadelphia, 
and the boys sought employment as they could 
find it in order to help support their mother 
and sister, William Murphey securing work in 
a brickyard. Returning to New Jersey in 1832, 
the boys found employment as farm laborers, 
and the family remained together until the death 
of the mother, in 1835, but after that event the 
cnildren became separated. Going to Ohio in 
1838 William Murphey worked in various sec- 
tions of the state, including Warren and Green 
counties. Migrating from there to Illinois, he 
located near Quincy, where he rented land for a 
few years, and when the Black Hawk purchase 
was thrown open, went there. Going thence to 
Eddyville, Iowa, he remained there engaged in 
agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1847. 
Starting then for Oregon, he bought an outfit, 
crossed the river at St. Joseph, Mo., and after 
a long and wearisome journey of six months 
arrived in Marion county, Ore., September 20, 
1847. Locating in Lane county, he remained 
there until 1849, when he joined the gold-seek- 
ers in California, where he was successfully 
engaged in mining on the American river for 
about six months. Returning to Oregon in the 
fall of 1849, he purchased a claim on Howell's 
Prairie, Marion county, and in the spring again 
took up mining in California, remaining in. 



Trinity county until the next fall. Then assum- 
ing possession of his farm of three hundred 
and twenty acres, situated in Howell, about 
seven miles from Salem, he afterwards devoted 
his entire time and attention to the care of his 
homestead property, developing and improving 
a valuable and productive ranch. 

In 1852 William Murphey married Elvira 
Ann Griffith, who was born in Pike county, 
Mo., February 27, 1829, and died July 9, 1869, 
in Marion county, Ore., leaving five children: 
W. H., Margaret Ann, Charles, Walter W., and 
Edward Grant. Her father, John W. Griffith, 
came to Oregon from Missouri in 1852, and 
bought a claim near Buena Vista, where he 
spent the remainder of his life. In 1880 Mr. 
Murphey married for his second wife Mrs. 
Jane (Nelson) Ward. She bore him one child, 
Mary Murphey. 

One of a family of five children, four boys 
and one girl, William H. Murphey grew to 
man's estate beneath the parental roof-tree, 
receiving his education in the pioneer school- 
house on Howell Prairie. Becoming familiar 
with the various branches of agriculture under 
the wise instruction of his father, he chose 
farming as his life occupation, after his mar- 
riage settling on a ranch in the Silverton hills. 
Subsequently purchasing land near the old home 
farm, in Howell, he resided there until 1883, 
when, in March, he disposed of that property, 
and bought his present farm near Buena Vista. 
His ranch contains two hundred acres, mostly 
farming land, which he cultivates with most 
satisfactory results, in addition to general farm- 
ing raising a good deal of stock. 

On January 14, 1879, Mr. Murphey married, 
on Howell Prairie, Elmira Kays, who was 
born in that place, October 29, 1859. Her 
father, James Kays, born in Illinois, October 30, 
1832, came to Oregon in 1852, and settled first 
in Howell Prairie, but is now living in Oregon 
City. He married Sarah Headrick, who was 
born in Pike county, Mo., May 29, 1840, and 
died in Oregon, January 17, 1889. Mr. and 
Mrs. Murphey have one child, William Lester 
Murphey. Mr. Murphey is a Republican in 
politics, and fraternally is a member of Homer 
Lodge No. 5, K. of P., of Independence, and of 
the Buena Vista Lodge, W. O. W., in which 
he has passed all the chairs. 



JOHNSON E. RICHTER. Not always is 
it years that make the man, nor yet years that 
make the opportunity. Some very young men 
have attained a splendid manhood, becoming a 
power in their community, lending the strength 
of their character and the command of their 
intellect for the upbuilding of that part of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



8G3 



world with which they are in touch. To such 
men. old or young- — if old, a product of the 
times that laid the foundation of a country; if 
young, their age making them hut the begin- 
ning of a bulwark of defense and honor for a 
country where men are counted man by man, 
rather than in the masses — the western lands 
now owe the debt that the east once owed its 
pioneers, and which the latter is paying by 
ssing on some of her brightest lights and 
noblest blood to transmit their virtues through 
orations to come to the development of the 
northwest. 
Comparatively early in the history of our 
stern states, among the emigrants from Eu- 
ropean shores, came the grandfather of J. E. 
Richter. John Christian Richter, born in Dres- 
den. Germany, who took up his home near 
Staunton, Ya., where he remained for some 
time, working at the trade learned in the 
Fatherland, that of a millwright and miller. 
In the Virginia home his son, Christian Rich- 
ter. was born in 1826, and in 1836 the family 
emigrated to Carroll county, Ind., where the 
elder man continued in the prosecution of his 
trade, training his son in a similar one, that of 
a carpenter and builder. In 1871 Christian 
Richter brought his young family across the 
continent, which, though not the perilous jour- 
ney that it had once been, still meant the sep- 
aration from friends and kindred associations, 
the breaking of ties formed in the happy years 
spent in the pastoral scenes of the well tilled 
middle west, to a country comparatively new, 
with hills to traverse and forests to thread be- 
fore their eyes could be gladdened by the sight 
of the broad lands glowing with the harvest 
yields. After eight years spent in residence 
near Perrydale, Ore., where Mr. Richter en- 
gaged in farming, the family removed to Yam- 
hill county, purchasing a farm near Sheridan, 
where he remained up to the time of his death, 
which occurred in October of the year 1891, 
having been a resident of Oregon for twenty 
years. The wife who shared this western home 
was. in maidenhood, Catherine Earnist. born 
in Indiana, the daughter of Johnson Earnist, 
the latter a native of Ohio, born near Cincin- 
nati. He was a tanner by trade, and ran a tan- 
nery in Carroll county, Ind. The three chil- 
dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Richter were : Au- 
gusta, who died in Yamhill county in 1887; 
Ella, now the wife of Dan P. Stauffer, of Dal- 
las, and Johnson E. 

J. E. Richter was born near Camden, Carroll 
county, Ind., February 17, 1864, and was seven 
years old at the time of the removal of the fam- 
ily to Oregon. He attended the public schools 
in the vicinity of his home during the winter 
season, the summers being spent on his father's 



farm. When he attained manhood he con- 
tinued with his parents, working the home 
farm, and after the death of his father, assum- 
ing entire control, managing affairs with an 
efficiency inherited from his German ancestry. 
He now owns one hundred and thirty acres of 
land adjoining Sheridan, which is rented at 
present, while he makes his home in Dallas, t"> 
which he removed in 1897. In 1900 he built 
the comfortable residence now occupied by 
himself and mother. Mr. Richter is quite a 
prominent man in his fraternal associations, 
having been a member of Sheridan Lodge No. 
87, I. O. O. F., since 1887, of which he is past 
noble grand. He is also a member of Rebekah 
Lodge at Dallas^ and in his political affiliations 
supports the Democratic party. 



GREEN B. SUVER. The name which ap- 
pears at the beginning of this sketch is well 
known in Polk county, Ore., being that of one 
of the earliest settlers of Oregon, and the first 
man to hold a donation claim on the banks of 
the Luckiamute. Of the land that came into 
the possession of Joseph W. Suver, father of 
Green B. Suver, have been made several fine 
farms, adding greatly to the commercial value 
of property in the neighborhood, and to the 
prestige of the pioneer who hewed his path- 
way through the forest and first upturned the 
soil. 

Joseph W. Suver was born in Virginia, April 
14, 1814, the son of John Suver, who was a near 
descendant of a French ancestor, and whose wife 
was of German descent. From his farming in- 
terests in Pennsylvania, where he was born, 
John Silver removed to Virginia, and when 
Joseph W. was a young lad the family settled 
in Ohio, where his father died in 1844. In 1830 
Joseph W. Suver left Ohio and passed the next 
few years in the state of Illinois, Iowa and 
Missouri. When only a boy he herded cattle 
on the plains of Illinois and other states, and 
afterward bought and sold cattle. In 1844 he 
decided to take the western trip, since that 
promised more for him than farming in the 
middle west could ever do. On arriving in 
Oregon Mr. Suver left the train and coming 
on to Luckiamute he settled upon the claim 
which is now in the possession of his heirs, 
trading for the same a pair of blankets which 
secured the land from the Indian owner. With 
his ox-team and a few head of cattle, which he 
had brought safely through the six months' 
journey across the plains, Mr. Suver equipped 
his farm in the fall of 1849, having left the 
other emigrants on Tualatin plains. Before de- 
ciding to remain in Oregon, however, he had 
made a trip to California, going overland, where 



8u4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he engaged in mining, and meeting with success 
he returned to Oregon in the fall of the same 
year, 1847, an & m ^4^ to0 ^ back wlt ^ *" m a 
large party. On account of sickness he did 
not then engage in mining and in the fall he 
returned to Oregon and settled upon his farm 
of six hundred and forty acres. Here he con- 
tinued to live for many years, being principally 
occupied in stock-raising, taking cattle into 
Idaho, Montana and the eastern states, and 
meeting with success in every line. He married 
in 1850 Delilah Pyburn, a native of Missouri, 
daughter of Amos Pyburn, who crossed the 
plains in 1847. Delilah Pyburn was born in 
1837, and she died in February, i860, on the 
home place. They had five children, four of 
whom are now living, and in order of birth are 
as follows: Caroline, the wife of William M. 
Fuqua, of Parker; Lena, the wife of John T. 
James, located near Suver ; Green B., of this re- 
view ; and Marshall N. Politically, Mr. Suver 
has been a Democrat all his life. At the time 
of his death, August 26, 1890, he was making 
his home with Green B. Suver, having suffered 
a stroke of paralysis, and had been tenderly 
cared for for ten years by his son's family. 

The birth of Green B. Suver occurred in 
Polk county, Ore., five miles south of Mon- 
mouth, September 1, 1856, and he received his 
education in the common schools in the vicinity 
of his home, though his time of attendance was 
exceedingly limited, being in all about six 
months. When he left school he engaged with 
his father on the farm, and has ever since been 
interested in farming and stock-raising. He 
now has six hundred and thirteen acres of land, 
all a part of the original claim taken in '49, and 
the greater number of acres is devoted to gen- 
eral farming, being tillable land. 

Mr. Suver was married March 16, 1898, to 
Grace Pyburn, a daughter of Edward Pyburn, 
who crossed the plains in 1853, and now lives 
in Benton county, near Rand's station. They 
have one child, whose name is Joseph W., in 
affectionate remembrance of the sturdy old 
pioneer, who once lived here. In his political 
convictions Mr. Suver prefers to remain inde- 
pendent, casting his vote regardless of party 
restrictions. Before the station of Suver was 
built the elder Mr. Suver bought the section of 
land owned by George Pyburn, and when the 
railroad was put through in December, 1879, 
the place was named in honor of the owner, and 
quite a little town has grown up on the site. 



would be incomplete without due mention of 
John O. Fry, who was born on the farm of his 
pioneer father, Olney Fry, November 2, 1859. 
In his youth Mr. Fry worked hard on the home 
farm, but at the same time was not unmindful 
of the many advantages of a good education, 
which he earnestly strove to acquire at the 
ptiblic schools. Later he attended Albany Col- 
lege for a year, and the impetus thus given has 
remained with him unceasingly and inspired 
him to further research along general lines. 

At the age of twenty-one Mr. Fry left home 
and engaged in farming on his own responsi- 
bility, achieving considerable success by virtue 
of well-directed industry and good manage- 
ment. March 9, 1897, he married Gertrude 
Holloway, and to their family has been added 
a daughter, Zelma M. In 1902 Mr. Fry came 
to his present farm, which comprises one hun- 
dred and ninety acres, devoted to general farm- 
ing, cattle and sheep-raising and dairying. In 
addition to the home farm he has one hundred 
and ninety-six acres, well improved, located a 
short distance from the home place, besides 
eighty-seven acres of the old homestead, which 
was given him by his father about one year 
ago. He has progressive and practical ideas of 
farming, and a thorough knowledge of stock. 
Since casting his first presidential vote for a 
Democratic candidate he has adhered to the 
principles of Democracy, although, in local 
matters, he believes that character and ability, 
rather than party, should count. He is frater- 
nally connected with the Grange No. 10, of 
Grand Prairie, in which organization he is 
popular and well liked. 



JOHN O. FRY. An enumeration of the 
native sons of Linn county, who are profiting 
by the worthy example of their sires, and main- 
taining an excellent agricultural standard, 



JOHN D. PARSONS. Five miles east of 
Albany is to be seen one of the finest and best- 
managed farms of Linn county, and here, in 
addition to carrying on general farming and 
dairying, Mr. Parsons conducts an orchard of 
three thousand trees, divided among prunes, 
apples and pears. An air of thrift pervades the 
place, and it is an easy matter to discern the 
owner to be a man of intelligence, and one who 
thoroughly understands the work which he has 
in hand. 

A native of England, Mr. Parsons was born 
in Devonshire, June 24, 1840, and, until eight- 
een years of age, lived under English skies. It 
was at the latter age that he severed home ties 
and boarded a vessel which, in due season, 
landed him in Ontario, Canada. For a time he 
was in the employ of his brother, who was 
conducting a mercantile establishment twenty- 
five miles from New London. In 1859, by way 
of the Isthmus, he went to California, and in 
Nevada county was engaged in mining for the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



865 



follow ing year and a half. By this time he was 
sfied that the returns for his lahor were not 
as remunerative as his efforts would warrant, 
and decided to embark in something that would 
secure to him a more regular income. In 
freighting supplies to the mines he received sat- 
isfactory returns, and after continuing this line 
of endeavor for one summer, he went to the Ca- 
ribou country, in 1862, remaining there one 
season. From the latter place he was attracted 
to the Puget Sound country, and for two years 
was engaged in lumbering, meeting with good 
success in his undertakings. 

From Washington Mr. Parsons returned to 
Canada, remaining there for a short time, and, 
upon his return to Oregon, purchased eight) - 
acres of land, which he improved, and upon 
which he resided for one year. It was at this 
point in his career that good fortune led him 
to select his present farm, which comprises 
two hundred and twenty-two acres of as fine 
land as is to be found in the county. He has 
not made his home here continuously since, 
however, for, in 1873, he removed to a farm on 
Oak creek, and for the ten years following im- 
proved a farm there. From the latter year 
until the present time he has made his home 
upon the farm where he is now residing, and 
where he expects to round out his life. 

Mr. Parsons was united in marriage with 
Miss Matilda Payne, the daughter of Martin 
Payne, who, in 1852, came to Oregon and took 
up the donation claim upon which Mr. Parsons 
now resides. All matters which tend to up- 
build his community have the hearty support 
and co-operation of Air. Parsons. He is iden- 
tified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



JUDGE JOHN H. SCOTT, now serving as 
county judge of Marion county, and residing in 
Salem, was born near Mount Angel, Marion 
county, September 10, 1865. His father, Alex- 
ander D. Scott, was a native of Canandaigua, 
N. Y., and the grandparents were natives of 
Scotland, from which country they crossed the 
Atlantic to the United States, settling in New 
York. When seven years of age, however, 
Alexander D. Scott was left an orphan. He 
was reared upon a farm, and about 1852 the 
gold excitement drew him to the Pacific coast. 
He came to Oregon, making his way across the 
plains, and thence proceeded to the gold mines 
of California. In 1855, however, he returned 
to Oregon and was married in Marion county 
to Mrs. Ellen (Morris) Miller, a native of Mis- 
souri, who came with her mother, two brothers 
and two sisters, to the northwest. They, too, 
made the overland journey and arrived in 
Marion county in 1853, settling near what is 



now Mount Angel. Mrs. Scott's first husband 
was Bluford Miller, who came here in pioneer 
days and followed farming. When a young 
man he served as captain in the First Oregon 
Regiment in the Yakima Indian war of 1855-56, 
and in the struggle he was wounded. Fie then 
returned to his home, and as typhoid fever set 
in, this disease, together with his wound, 
caused his death. He left one child, Bluford 
Miller, who died at the age of seven years. At 
the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Scott 
settled near Mount Angel upon a farm where 
he carried on agricultural pursuits until July, 
1876, when he was accidentally killed by a run- 
away team. His widow continued to reside 
upon the old farm, and there reared her family 
until 1891, when she located in Salem, where 
her death occurred in 1895. From early girl- 
hood she had been a devoted member of the 
Christian Church, and to her family she was a 
most loyal and tender mother. She had nine 
children : Charles, of Montana ; William H., 
of Marion county ; Lewis H., of Wasco county ; 
John H., of. this review ; Mary E., of Salem ; 
Clara G., who is a teacher in the same city; 
Elmer H. and Alexander D., who reside in 
eastern Oregon, and Alwilda, who died in 
Salem. 

In the county of his nativity and of his pres- 
ent residence Judge Scott was reared, remain- 
ing upon the home farm until twenty years of 
age. In the meantime he had acquired a good 
education in the district schools, and in the 
Silverton High School. He then entered Wil- 
lamette University, where he remained as a 
student for a year. Through the succeeding 
year he taught school and then spent another 
year as a student in the university, followed by 
two more years of teaching. In 1892 he re- 
moved to Portland, where he engaged in the 
real estate business, and while there he became 
interested in law and began the study of the 
profession. Entering the Portland Law School 
he completed a year in that institution, and 
was then called to Salem on account of his 
mother's death. Here he continued his studies, 
and in 1895 was admitted to the bar. It was in 
the fall of that year that he became a senior in 
the law department of the University of Mich- 
igan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in 
1896 with the degree of Bachelor of Law. He 
then returned to Oregon, making the trip on 
his bicycle through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 
Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming. 
He left Michigan on the 30th of June and was 
four months upon the road, during which time 
he covered about five thousand miles. The 
trip was a very enjoyable one and gave him an 
excellent opportunity of seeing the country. 

Upon his return Judge Scott began the prac- 



866 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tice of law in Salem, and soon secured a good 
clientele of a distinctively representative char- 
acter. His ability was soon recognized, and in 
June, 1900, he was nominated for the position 
of county judge on the Republican ticket, being 
elected by a good majority. In July of the 
same year he entered upon the duties of the 
office for a four-years' term, and upon the 
bench his course has been in harmony with his 
record as a man and a lawyer, characterized by 
unwavering fidelity to duty. He has a com- 
prehensive knowledge of the principles of juris- 
prudence, weighs carefully any point of evi- 
dence and the law bearing upon it, and in his 
decisions is strictly fair and impartial, neither 
fear nor favor swerving him in the slightest 
degree from the course of an upright jurist. 
He is a member of the county commissioners' 
court, and, aside from his legal duties, is inter- 
ested in lands, and finds recreation, pleasure 
and profit in farming and horticulture. He has 
an orchard near Marion and makes a specialty 
of the production of prunes. 

December 18, 1901, in Salem, occurred the 
marriage of Judge Scott and Miss Maude Alice 
Martin, who was born in this city, a daughter 
of James Martin, a pioneer settler of Salem 
and one of the superintendents of the Salem 
city waterworks. The judge is past chan- 
cellor in the Knights of Pythias fraternity, a 
member of the Fraternal Union and the Native 
Sons of the Golden West. He is also identified 
with the Christian Church, and is now serving 
as a member and secretary of its board of dea- 
cons. In politics he is a Republican, and while 
deeply interested in the success of his party, 
he has allowed political labor in no way to in- 
terfere with the faithful and impartial perform- 
ance of his judicial duties. 



SAMUEL NENIAN STEELE. Occupying 
a position of influence and prominence among 
the foremost citizens of Albany, Samuel N. 
Steele is held in high regard as a man of in- 
tegrity and ability, and is well known through- 
out this section of the county as an extensive 
and successful dealer in real estate. Coming 
here in 1889, he has since identified himself 
with the best interests of the community, and 
has always been the encourager and supporter 
of everything calculated to advance the intel- 
lectual, moral and social welfare of the people. 
A son of the late Samuel Steele, he was born 
and bred in Montgomery county, Ind., com- 
ing from sound old Revolutionary stock, both 
of his great grandfathers, Andrew Evans and 
Col. Samuel Newell, having fought in the Revo- 
tionary war, both being in the thickest of the 
fight at King's Mountain. His paternal grand- 



father, James A. Steele, was a Kentuckian by 
birth, but settled as a farmer in Indiana, where 
all of his children were born. 

Samuel Steele, a life-long resident of Indiana, 
was engaged in agricultural pursuits, includ- 
ing stock-raising, until his death, which 
occurred in August, 1861. He was for forty- 
seven years a member of the Odd Fellows or- 
der, in which he took an active interest. Pie 
married Harriet Evans, a native of Indiana. 
Her father, Jesse Evans, who removed from 
Kentucky to Indiana at an early day, was a 
soldier in the war of 1812. She was born 
in March, 1823, and lived in Indiana several 
years after the death of her husband. Remov- 
ing, in 1868, to Iola, Allen county, Kans., she 
resided there until 1891, when she came to 
Albany to make her home with her son, Samuel 
N. Steele, with whom she now resides. She 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church, with 
which she has been identified for many years. 
Of her family of five sons and three daughters, 
five children are still living, namely : Theo- 
dore C, a talented artist, now residing in In- 
dianapolis, Ind., pursued his art studies in 
Munich, Germany, for five years ; Charles A., 
of Wichita, Kans., is a successful farmer and 
merchant ; William J. is a resident of Jefferson, 
Ore. ; Altice Howe is engaged in mining in 
Jacksonville, Ore., and Samuel N. 

Removing from his Indiana home to Iola, 
Kans., with his mother, in 1868, Samuel N. 
Steele there completed his early education, 
graduating from the Iola High School. He 
subsequently assisted in the management of 
the farm for awhile, and then went to Junction 
City, Kans., where he learned the trade of a 
harnessmaker, which he afterwards followed 
in Moran, Allen county, until 1886. Locating 
then in Burlington, Kans., he was there engaged 
in the abstract business three years. Coming 
then to Oregon, Mr. Steele was associated with 
the Jarvis Conklin Mortgage Trust Company, 
in Portland, for a year. Establishing himself 
in the real estate business at Albany in the 
spring of 1890, he has since resided here, and 
as head of the enterprising firm of S. N. Steele 
& Co., has been one of the largest real estate 
operators in this section of the state. He is 
the owner of farming and city property, includ- 
ing a fine orchard about four miles northeast 
of the city. 

While living in Moran, Kans., Mr. Steele mar- 
ried Abbie M. Southard, who was born in West 
Salem, Wis., of New England ancestry, and 
of Revolutionary stock, her great-grandfather 
Southworth, as it was then spelled, having 
served in the Revolution. Her grandfather, 
Jonathan Southard, a native of New England, 
changed the family name from Southworth, as 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



869 



it was originally spelled, to its present form of 
Southard. Mrs. Steele's father, Newell South- 
ard, was born and reared in Fairfax, Vt." Be- 
coming a pioneer settler of Wisconsin, he en- 
gaged in business as a miller at La Crosse, 
then at West Salem, after which he lived for 
awhile in Logansport, Ind., where he was 
superintendent of a railway company. Re- 
turning to La Crosse, he resided there until 
1890, then settled in Allen county, Kans., com- 
ing from there to Albany, where his death 
occurred, at the age of seventy-nine years. He 
married Wealthy Pierce, who was born in 
Vermont, the daughter of Helkiah Pierce, of 
that state, and the granddaughter of a soldier 
of the Continental army. She died in Indiana, 
leaving four children, namely: Mrs. W. A. 
Ross, of Pasadena, Cal. ; Mrs. D. C. Wads- 
worth, of Tacoma, Wash. ; Mrs. Frank G. Nor- 
ton, of Massachusetts, and Mrs. Samuel N. 
Steele. 

Mr. and Mrs. Steele are the parents of three 
children, namely: Horace Newell, Medora 
Wealthy, and Leighton Howe. In politics Mr. 
Steele is a sound Republican, and though not 
an office-seeker, takes a genuine interest in 
local and national affairs. He belongs to var- 
ious fraternal and social organizations, includ- 
ing the Woodmen of the World, the Modern 
Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen and the Alco Club. He is 
also a member of the Real Estate Exchange. 
For many years he was chorister in the Pres- 
byterian Church, of which he is now ruling 
elder, and at the present time is serving his 
second term as one of the board of trustees of 
Albany College. 



J. C. AVERY. History recounts the deeds 
and records the indebtedness of the state to J. C. 
Avery — one of the honored and prominent pio- 
neers of the Willamette valley, whose efforts for 
the upbuilding of the state were of the most 
helpful character. Tales of heroism have been 
the theme of song and story throughout the ages, 
and there is no greater heroism shown than that 
of the men who, reared in comfortable homes, 
accustomed to all the privileges and conveniences 
of life, have come to the wild western districts 
and braved hardships untold. They have also 
been menaced by the danger of death at the hand 
of the treacherous Indian. Volumes have been 
written, yet the story of the pioneers has never 
been adequately told. They deserve all praise 
and honor, and the mighty states of the west, with 
their splendid improvements, enterprises and 
tokens of civilization, are monuments to their 
memory. 



Corvallis owes its existence to the efforts and 
labors of J. C. Avery, who laid broad and deep 
the foundation for the present prosperity and 
progress of the city. Mr. Avery was a native of 
Pennsylvania, born in Luzerne county, June 9, 
181 7. His father, Cyrus Avery, was a native of 
Connecticut and removed to the Wyoming val- 
ley of the Keystone state, where he followed 
farming. He died at Tunkhannock, Pa. His 
son, J. C. Avery, was educated in the schools of 
Wilkesbarre, Pa., and when a young man re- 
moved to Stark county, 111., where he engaged in 
surveying, and was also a real estate and loan 
agent. He was married March 13, 1841, near 
Wyoming, Pa., to Miss Martha Marsh, who 
was born in Kingston, Luzerne county, January 
14, 1824, a daughter of Daniel C. Marsh, who 
was a native of Connecticut and removed to 
Kingston, where he engaged in teaching. He 
wedded Esther Pettebone, also a native of Con- 
necticut, and in their early married life they 
removed to New York, and afterward to the 
Wyoming valley. Mrs. Marsh was a daughter 
of Oliver Pettebone, who was a pioneer of Penn- 
sylvania, and lived there throughout the period 
of the Indian troubles. His brother was killed 
in the Wyoming massacre. Mr. Avery removed 
to Illinois in 1834, not long after the Black Hawk 
war, when the state was wild, unbroken prairie. 
There Mr. Avery carried on farming until 1845, 
when he made the long and hazardous journey 
across the plains to Oregon and secured a claim 
at the junction of the Willamette and Marys 
rivers. In 1846 he moved onto this and built 
a log cabin, thus establishing a home for his 
family. In the following year he was joined 
by his wife and children. They had traveled 
with a company commanded by Captain Saw- 
yer, who had come with Mr. Avery to Oregon in 
1845. Captain Sawyer then returned to Illinois 
for his family, and Mr. Avery arranged that his 
wife and children should travel with the captain's 
party when he again made the journey. It would 
have taken Mr. Avery eighteen months to go to 
Illinois and return with his family and he was 
afraid his claim might be forfeited in that time. 
Mrs. Avery had an outfit consisting of a five- 
yoke ox-team and a wagon filled with provisions. 
She also brought two milch cows and was ex- 
actly six months upon the way, being met in 
eastern Oregon by her husband, who then guided 
the party by way of the Barlow route over the 
Cascade mountains to his claim at Corvallis. 
They had started April 2, from Stark county, 
111., had crossed the Mississippi at Burlington, 
Iowa ; the Missouri river at St. Joseph, and had 
proceeded up the Platte river to the Oregon trail. 
After crossing the Missouri the train numbered 
eighty wagons, but from Independence Rock only 



870 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



six wagons came on to Benton county, arriving 
here on October 2, 1847. 

In the fall of 1848, following the discovery of 
gold, Mr. Avery went to California, where he 
engaged in mining. He spent the succeeding win- 
ter at home, but in the spring of 1849 returned to 
the mines, where he remained until the autumn 
of that year, making a few thousand dollars. 
He then returned, bringing with him a stock of 
general merchandise which he had purchased in 
San Francisco and shipped to Portland, thence 
up the Willamette to where Corvallis now stands. 
This was the first store of the place. The fol- 
lowing year Mr. Avery laid out the town and 
called it Marysville, but because of there being 
a town in California of the same name some 
confusion was occasioned and the Oregon town 
changed its name to Corvallis — the core or cen- 
ter of the valley. He was instrumental in secur- 
ing the establishment of the postoffice and served 
as the first postmaster. He was also the general 
postal agent for Oregon and Washington. 

Mr. Avery continued to engage in merchan- 
dising at Corvallis until within four or five 
years of his death. He rented his land and 
laid out additions to the town, which have become 
the principal part of the city. He also built 
several stores and was always active in the im- 
provement of the city which he founded and 
which owes much of its early progress to his 
practical efforts. He was greatly interested in 
the building of the Corvallis & Eastern Railroad, 
but died before its completion. He was chosen, 
together with J. F. Miller and B. F. Doughet, 
to make the selection of a site for the Oregon 
Agricultural College, and their choice fell largely 
upon the broad meadows of Lake county, the best 
lands then in the state open for selection. He 
took a very active part in the building up of the 
college, and his efforts were not without result. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Avery were born eight 
children, of whom six are living, Charles and 
James C. having died in Corvallis. The others 
are Punderson, a prominent citizen here ; Na- 
poleon ; George ; Mrs. Florence Jones ; Mrs. 
Frances Helm ; and Gertrude, the wife of J. B. 
Irvine. 

Mr. Avery was a Master Mason and his life 
was in harmony with the beneficent spirit of the 
craft. In politics he was always a Democrat, 
and he was twice elected to represent his dis- 
trict in the state legislature, where he served with 
ability, and during that time he had the name 
of Marysville changed to Corvallis. He figured 
prominently in the politics of the county for a 
quarter of a century, and he had many warm 
and true friends and few enemies. He died June 
16, 1876, but though a quarter of a century has 
since come and gone he is yet remembered by 
many who knew him and his memory will ever 



be revered as the founder of Corvallis. He was 
a man of noble and generous impulses and a 
warm heart, noted for his deeds of charity, his 
acts of kindness and hospitality so freely ex- 
tended to the suffering emigrants in an early 
day. Mrs. Avery still survives her husband and 
lives at the old home. She is a member of the 
Baptist Church and is one of the brave pioneer 
women who shared with the husbands and fath- 
ers in the hardships and trials incident to the 
settlement of the northwest. 



DANIEL H. BODINE. The farm upon 
which Daniel H. Bodine now makes his home 
and upon which he carries on general farming 
and stock-raising is located four miles east of 
Albany, Linn county, Ore., and is the old do- 
nation claim of Stephen D. Haley, which his 
father, Daniel H., Sr., purchased when he 
came to the northwest as a pioneer of 1854. 
The father was born in Indiana, and was there 
reared to manhood, where he learned the trade 
of a carpenter. Subsequently he joined the 
tide of emigration which was setting toward 
the west, crossing the plains in company with 
Nelson Wright. On his arrival here he bought 
of Stephen D. Haley the right to a claim of 
one hundred and sixty acres of land in the 
location above mentioned, and one hundred 
and eight acres of school lands. Soon after 
his arrival in Oregon he was united in mar- 
riage with Margaret Foster. His death 
occurred upon this farm, September 9, 1869, 
when he was forty-seven years old. His wife 
survived him until 1899, dying then at the age 
of seventy-two years on the home farm. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Bodine were members of the 
United Presbyterian Church of Albany, in 
which he had always been very active, at the 
time of his death officiating as elder. Of the 
six children born to these worthy pioneers, 
Albert A. resides near Albany ; Oscar T. is 
deceased ; Matilda I., a teacher, makes her 
home with her brother, D. H., on the home 
place ; Samuel S. is also near Albany ; Daniel 
H., of this review, is on the home place, and 
James A. is in San Francisco, Cal. 

The birth of Daniel H. Bodine occurred upon 
his father's farm in Linn county, Ore., Decem- 
ber 21, 1865, and with the exception of a few 
years passed in attendance of various schools 
he has always lived here. His education was re- 
ceived in the common school in the vicinity 
of his home and the Oregon Agricultural Col- 
lege of Corvallis, after the completion of wdiich 
he assumed charge of the home farm, being 
then but nineteen years of age. He has since 
remained in the work there, industry, perse- 
verance and intelligence aiding- him to make 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



8? 



a success along agricultural lines. He has be- 
come a man of influence in his locality, and 
has served his party as school clerk for four 
years. In politics he is a Republican. In fra- 
ternal orders he also occupies a prominent po- 
sition as member of the Grand Prairie Grange, 
No. 10, serving in 1893 and again in 1898, as 
master. He is also a member of Corinthian 
Lodge, No. 17, A. F. & A. M., of Albany, in 
which he has passed all the chairs. 



EDWARD BELL. Prominent among the 
native sons of Polk county is Edward Bell, 
who was born on the paternal ranch near 
Bethel, January 4, i860, and is now one of 
four heirs to a farm of four hundred acres 
left by his father, George C, the founder of 
the family in Oregon, who was born in Mor- 
gan county, Ohio, May 20, 1825, and in his 
youth learned the carpenter's trade. March 
30, 1851, he was united in marriage with Mary 
A. Delong, born in Morgan county, Ohio, De- 
cember 28, 1828, and the day after the wedding 
started on the long and perilous journey across 
the plains. This strange way of spending the 
honeymoon seems to have been adopted by 
many in the early days, and the courage in- 
volved in the undertaking can hardly be ap- 
preciated by united hearts who today have 
their way paved with every comfort. Nothing 
out of the ordinary befell the young people 
during their four months' travel with ox-teams, 
and after arriving in Oregon, they spent the 
first winter in the city of Portland. Having 
ascertained the whereabouts of several desir- 
able farming properties, Mr. Bell investigated 
their respective merits, and in the spring of 
1852 located on a claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres near Bethel, to which he later 
added eighty acres. There were practically no 
improvements on the place, and in time he 
substituted a more pretentious .modern resi- 
dence for the little log house. About this time 
his carpenter's trade proved useful, for the 
settlers were arriving in the neighborhood, and 
he secured the building of many of their homes. 
He was a good workman and his work con- 
stantly became more remunerative, so that be- 
tween farming and his trade he managed to 
get along better than the majority of the 
settlers of that time. He made a specialty of 
fine stock, and as time went on inaugurated 
many changes on his place, making of it a 
valuable and desirable farm. He was a Re- 
publican in political preferment, and held many 
of the minor local offices in his neighborhood, 
including that of justice of the peace and school 
trustee. He was a member of the Grange, and 
of the Baptist Church. Mr. Bell met a tragic 



death August 7, 1893, being run over by a train 
while crossing the . railroad track between 
McCoy and Amity. He was survived by his 
wife until June 19, 1902. 

The only son and fourth of the six children 
born to his parents, Edward Bell was educated 
in the public schools and at Bethel Academy, 
from which institution he was duly graduated 
in the class of 1878. Thereafter he engaged 
in farming with his father, and in 1882 went 
into Gilliam county, eastern Oregon, and en- 
gaged in sheep-raising. He was fairly success- 
ful in this line of activity, and upon returning 
to Polk county in 1893, came to McCoy and 
has since made this his home. He at present 
rents the farm of four hundred acres, and de- 
votes himself to managing the farm in Lincoln 
county. Mr. Bell is independent in politics, 
but has never been active in local undertakings 
connected with any party. Lie is fraternally 
connected with the Woodmen of the World of 
Salem ; the Masons of Rickreall, and the 
Grange of Oak Grove. He is one of four sur- 
vivors in his father's family, his sisters being- 
Mrs. Julia Jones, of Portland; Mrs. Agnes 
Bean, of Bethel, and Mrs. Olive Raddeway, of 
Oregon City. Public-spirited and enterprising, 
Mr. Bell commands the esteem and considera- 
tion of the thoughtful and appreciative com- 
munity in which he lives, and which numbers 
him among its successful and substantial land 
owners. 



ALBERT CAMPBELL was born August 
29, 1862, the son of William and Margaret 
(Simpson) Campbell, the father being of 
Scotch descent. Mrs. Campbell's father, Rob- 
ert Simpson, emigrated from Scotland and took 
up his residence in the northern part of Canada 
where she was born. 

At a youthful age Albert left Port Huron, 
Mich., where he was born, and went to West- 
branch, Ogemaw county, Mich., where he 
worked in the lumbering camps in the winter 
and at the carpenter trade in the summer. In 
1884 he came to Oregon, stopping at Dallas, 
where he remained for a short time, taking up 
ranching for his employment the first year, 
following that up with a year of various kinds 
of work and in 1886 going into the employ of 
Riley & Coad, contractors and millmen. After 
two years of building in the city he went into 
the planing-mill, continuing at this until 1890, 
when he commenced contracting and building 
on his own account, at which business he has 
remained since. There is a certain satisfaction 
to Mr. Campbell in the fact that he has con- 
tributed largely to the general appearance of 
the little city of Dallas in the erection of some 



872 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the finest buildings, of which the town can 
boast, and also the most useful, having just 
finished the round-house of the Salem, Falls 
City and Western Radroad, from King's Val- 
ley to a distance seven miles below Salem. He 
enjoys an enviable reputation, and from his 
humble beginning he has advanced to his pres- 
ent success by integrity and constant applica- 
tion to his work. 



E. C. KIRKPATRICK, one of the promi- 
nent and influential men of Dallas, a Mason of 
high degree, and one of the largest and most 
successful hop-growers in Polk county, was 
born in Camp Point, Adams county, 111., Feb- 
ruary 24, 1867. His family was established in 
the middle west by the paternal grandfather, 
David, who came from Scotland with his par- 
ents when a boy, settling first in Tennessee 
and afterward in McDonough county, 111., near 
Table Grove. 

Dr. J. E. Kirkpatrick, the father of E. C, 
was born on his father's farm near Knoxville, 
Tenn. At an early age an appreciation of 
medicine and surgery influenced him to strain 
every nerve to acquire the best possible train- 
ing in this direction, and eventually he grad- 
uated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, 
New York City. His early practice was in 
Quincy, 111., and Camp Point, the same county, 
and in 1877 he located in Scio, Linn county, 
Ore., where he practiced for six years. After 
coming to Dallas in 1883 he became well known 
in the surrounding country, and successfully 
ministered to the physical maladies of a large 
and appreciative patronage. For two terms he 
served as county coroner, and held other offices 
of a local nature. Taking with him the good 
will of all with whom he had to do in Dallas 
and vicinity Dr. Kirkpatrick retired from prac- 
tice in Los Angeles, Cal., in 1898, and will 
doubtless spend the remainder of his life in the 
restful and beautiful city of the angels. In 
early manhood he married Mary Griggsby, 
who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Ben- 
jamin Griggsby, who was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, and early removed to near Quincy, 111., 
where he conducted a distillery for many years. 

The second of the eight living children in 
his father's family, and the only one on the 
coast, save Mrs. G. M. Hyland, of Portland, 
E. C. Kirkpatrick was ten years of age when 
his father brought him to Oregon, and he at 
once began to attend school at Scio, Linn 
county. In 1884 he entered La Creole Acad- 
emy, remaining there until undertaking an 
apprenticeship at the printer's trade. For a 
year he worked on the Polk County Itemiser, 
and for the following year on the Salem States- 



man, under General W. H. Odell and W. H. 
Byers, after which he became foreman on the 
Benton Leader. In 1890 he returned to Dallas 
to engage in hop-growing, and the first year 
of this experiment set out five acres of hops 
one-half mile from Dallas. So successful was 
the yield that the next year he increased his 
acreage to forty-five, an average maintained 
up to the present time. In 1894 Mr. Kirkpat- 
rick formed a partnership with Mr. Williams, 
the firm now operating under the name of Kirk- 
patrick & Williams. The firm now has about 
one hundred and sixty-four acres under culti- 
vation, divided into fifteen and fifty-acre yards, 
located six miles from Dallas. They are also 
engaged in buying and selling hops throughout 
the county, and in 1902 they led the market, 
paid the highest prices and bought in all four 
thousand bales, the lowest price paid being 
twenty-one cents. 

In political affiliation Mr. Kirkpatrick is a 
Republican, and is active in local and state 
undertakings. He is fraternally one of the best 
known men in the county, being especially 
prominent as a Mason, being the present mas- 
ter of Jennings Lodge, No. 9, A. F. & A. M. ; 
a member of Ainsworth Chapter, No. 17, R. 
A. M., Oregon Consistory No. 1, of the Scot- 
tish Rite, and the Al Kader Temple, N. M. S. 
Also he is a member of the Woodmen of the 
World, and has attended every convention 
since the local organization, and served as 
chairman of the district convention. He is a 
member of the Benevolent Protective Order 
of Elks. In Dallas, Mr. Kirkpatrick married 
Mary V., youngest daughter of Henry Hagood, 
the latter born in Henry county, Va., and be- 
came one of the pioneers of Oregon. Mr. Kirk- 
patrick is variously interested in city and 
county affairs aside from the hop industry and 
has dealt largely in real estate. He is a pro- 
gressive factor in the community, and is pos- 
sessed of resource and business ability, with- 
out which little can be accomplished in the 
northwest. 



TIMOTHY DARIUS ALLEN. On the 
farm near Silverton, adjoining the one where 
he now lives, T. D. Allen was born, February 
21, 1854, a representative of one of the pioneer 
families of 1852. His father, Henry Allen, one 
of the self-made men who have contributed to 
the upbuilding of this part of the state, was born 
in Tennessee, in December, 1827, and when a 
small boy removed with his parents to Illinois. 
He was reared on a farm, and was an indus- 
trious, ambitious lad, who kept his eyes and ears 
open, and impatiently awaited an opportunity to 
better his condition. He managed to save enough 




JAMES HAYES. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



875 



money to go to California in 1848, via the Isth- 
mus of Panama, and there followed mining and 
prospecting' for a couple of years. Returning to 
Illinois, he married Frances Rockwood, a native 
of Illinois, who had been reared and educated 
near the home of her husband. Together this 
couple came to Oregon in 1852. outfitting with 
ox-teams for travel across the plains, and ac- 
complishing the journey without any special in- 
cident. At first they conducted a hotel at Salem, 
but the limited population and the generally pio- 
neer conditions rendered this enterprise imprac- 
ticable, and Mr. Allen located on a donation 
claim of one hundred and twenty-six acres in the 
Waldo hills. After a short time he bought part 
of the Leonard farm, upon which he farmed for 
some years, and in 1866 bought the place now 
occupied by his son, T. D., three miles south of 
Silverton, upon which he lived until 1902. At 
present he is living retired in Silverton, en- 
joying the competence which has rewarded 
his years of industrious application. Besides 
Timothy D., who is the oldest of the chil- 
dren, there is R. D., a resident of Salem; H. L., 
a resident of Baker City ; Allie, the wife of L. F. 
Mascher, of this vicinity ; and Adelle, living with 
her parents in Silverton. Though possessing 
limited educational facilities in his youth, Mr. 
Allen became a well read and well informed man, 
and always took a keen interest in the schools of 
his district. 

Until his marriage, January 4, 1881, with 
Geneva Aramatha Wolfard, T. D. Allen remained 
on his father's farm, and thereafter went to 
housekeeping on a place near Silverton. Mrs. 
Allen is a daughter of Erhardt Wolfard and was 
reared near Silverton, her parents having crossed 
the plains in 1853, locating in the Waldo hills. 
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Allen, of whom Reber Glenn lives in Silverton ; 
Lowell Clay lives with his parents ; Floyd Wol- 
fard ; Wynola Frances ; Dewey Rockwood ; and 
Fay Anita. In 1902 Mr. Allen came to the old 
home place, where he manages five hundred acres 
of land, and is engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. Ten acres are devoted to hop cul- 
ture. Mr. Allen has never been active in politics, 
although he is a stanch supporter of Republican 
interests. He has been road supervisor and 
school trustee, and like his father has taken a 
great interest in the cause of education. He is 
a member of the Woodmen of the World, and is 
sociable in his tastes, having many warm friends 
among the surrounding farmers. 



JAMES HAYES. During the two score or 
more years that James Hayes, late of Benton 
county, resided in this state, he held a position 
of prominence among the leading agriculturists 



of his community, and was a distinguished pio- 
neer of Oregon, a veteran of the early Indian 
wars, and the discoverer Gold Hill Mine, 
in Jackson county. Possessing excellent business 
capacity, sound judgment, and an integrity that 
was never questioned, he met with deserved suc- 
cess in the various enterprises with which he was 
identified. An upright man, a good citizen, a 
kind husband, indulgent father, and a firm friend, 
his loss will long be felt, and his memory cher- 
ished by all who enjoyed 'his acquaintance or 
friendship. A native of New York, he was 
born May 20, 1833, and died January 8, 1903, on 
his farm near Oak creek, Benton county, Ore. 

Reared on a farm, he went with his parents 
from the Empire state to Illinois when a boy, and 
resided there until 1852. Hoping in the far west 
to improve his financial condition, he then joined 
a party coming across the plains with ox-teams, 
and as a passenger paid $100 for his transpor- 
tation. Coming directly to Oregon, he located 
in Jackson county, where he resided about 
eleven years, in the meantime having varied ex- 
periences in pioneer life. While working for 
Mr. Chavner, in April, 1859, Mr. Hayes went 
out one morning on horseback to assist a man 
named Wilson in the finding of a blind mule, 
which had strayed away. In going down the 
side of the mountain near Rogue river, his 
saddle became loosened, and he was thrown to 
the ground, much to the amusement of Mr. Wil- 
son. In recinching his saddle, Mr. Hayes picked 
up a piece of brownish quartz which he saw shin- 
ing on the ground, and showed it to his com- 
panion, who pronounced it of no value. After 
the finding of the poor old mule, Mr. Wilson 
left for California. Mr. Hayes subsequently 
showed the rock which he had found to a man 
named Ish, who spent the night at his cabin, and 
he declared there was gold in the specimen. 

Two weeks later Mr. Ish returned to the cabin, 
bringing with him an emigrant, and the three 
men at once proceeded to the mountain side 
where the quartz had been picked up. Reaching 
the point where he had been unhorsed, Mr. Hayes 
at once picked up another rock that seemed to be 
half gold, and soon saw that the ground round- 
about was thickly strewn with similar pieces of 
quartz for a distance of two hundred yards or 
so, the place having since then been known as 
Gold Hill. Continuing along the gold-lined path- 
way until a rock of steel-gray color was reached, 
Mr. Hayes there applied the pick which he had 
brought with him, and discovered it to be liter- 
ally filled with the golden metal. The three 
men were nearly wild with excitement, and sat 
down to consider what had best be done under 
the circumstances. Not being willing to trust Ish 
to go alone to Jacksonville, as he had proposed, 
his proclivity for drink being known, the emi- 



876 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



grant was left to guard the gold plant, while 
Mr. Hayes went with Ish to secure filing papers, 
which were prepared by Mr. Huffman, clerk of 
the court. 

Ish, as expected, was soon under the influence 
of poor whiskey, and Mr. Hayes returned alone. 
Stopping at his cabin to get a grub stake, he 
proceeded to Gold Hill, where he and the emi- 
grant tented that night. Ish having given away 
the secret of the discovery while drunk, at least 
one hundred and fifty men were on the ground 
the next morning, and within three days Gold 
Hill was swarming with miners of all kinds and 
conditions, crowding about so thickly that no 
further investigations could be made for a week. 
Small pieces of quartz were given away, and 
these proved rich with the shiny metal, one small 
piece given to a man named Bill Ballard netting 
him $120. Spreading their blanket over the rich 
specimens which they picked up from time to 
time, Mr. Hayes and the emigrant slept each 
night on the rocky bed, but even then could not 
prevent the miners from stealing valuable speci- 
mens from under their heads. Ish, as one of the 
three partners who had secured the claim, gave 
Messrs. Long and Miller, two notorious gam- 
blers, an interest in the mine, and Mr. Hayes, 
with characteristic generosity, made his friend, 
Tom Chavner, a stockholder, likewise. The emi- 
grant sold one third of his interest for $5,000. 
Mr. Hayes deposited $3,000 which he had picked 
up with Murray & Davis, in Jacksonville, and, 
being a tenderfoot, easily imposed upon, and with 
no idea of the immense value of his find, sold his 
Gold Hill interests to Charles Williams & Co., 
for $4,000. These men subsequently persuaded 
him that the money he had already taken from the 
mine rightfully belonged to them, so he lost 
his $3,000 also. The gold pocket which Mr. 
Hayes discovered, and from which he realized 
such an insignificant sum was in reality worth 
$300,000. 

Removing to Polk county in 1863, Mr. Hayes 
followed farming for four or five years, then 
located in Benton county, buying a farm about 
eight miles south of Corvallis. In 1872 he re- 
moved to the city of Corvallis, where he carried 
on an extensive business as a money broker, 
amassing a valuable estate. He subsequently 
purchased five hundred acres of land near Oak 
Creek, and was there living at the time of his 
death, which came without warning. In addi- 
tion to his farm he owned other valuable pieces 
of real estate, including considerable town prop- 
erty. Beginning life poor in pocket, but rich 
in courage and strength, he was in truth a self- 
made man and the architect of his own fortunes, 
his prosperity being due solely to his own earnest 
efforts. 

On October 20, 1861, Mr. Hayes married 



Caroline Henkle, who crossed the plains with her 
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henkle, in 1853, an d set- 
tled in Jackson county, Ore. Of the seven chil- 
dren born of their union, five are now living, 
namely: Sarah B., wife of Thomas Bell, of 
Corvallis ; Cora A., wife of I. Hunter, of Water- 
ville, Wash. ; Nancy B., wife of E. Phillips, of 
Corvallis ; John William, of Corvallis ; and Clyde, 
who assists his mother in the management of the 
home farm. Although interested in local, state 
and national affairs, Mr. Hayes never aspired to 
public office. He was a Republican in politics, 
invariably supporting the principles of his party 
at the polls. 



JACOB AMSTUTZ. The highly improved 
and prosperous condition of Marion county is in 
a large degree due to its farming population, 
which is for the most part composed of men who 
are strong in character, energetic in disposition, 
sensible in judgment and prompt to see and take 
advantage of every opportunity that presents 
itself. Among this class of citizens it is but just 
to mention the name and give a short resume of 
the life of Jacob Amstutz. In the province of 
Alsace, then a part of France, but since 1871 
under the protection of the German empire, his 
parents were born and there received their edu- 
cation and early training. At a very early day 
the father came to our hospitable shores, unac- 
companied by any of his kinsmen, and at once 
sought work at his trade, wagonmaking. This 
remunerative employment he continued to fol- 
low until he retired from business life. In the 
early days he went to New Orleans, and thence 
traveled extensively through various parts of the 
country, finally locating in Allen county, Ohio. 
He lived to enjoy a peaceful old age, passing 
away in his eighty-first year. He was preceded 
many years by his faithful wife, who at the time 
of her death was fifty-five years of age. 

Twelve children were born to the parents of 
Jacob Amstutz, and of the six who are now liv- 
ing he is the only one who resides on the Pacific 
coast. His birth occurred at Bluffton, Allen 
county, Ohio, November 27, 1854. In the dis- 
trict schools in the neighborhood of his early 
home he received his first knowledge of books. 
To prepare himself for an independent life he 
learned the carpenter's trade, and for twenty 
years, more or less, followed this calling^ Not 
content with the limited possibilities of his home 
surroundings, in 1877, when twenty-three years 
of age, he crossed the country, with Oregon as 
his goal. Work at his trade he found awaiting 
him in Polk county, and after carrying on the 
same there for two years he located on Howell's 
prairie, Marion county. It was in the latter 
place, in 1880, that he took as his life companion 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



877 



Miss Rosina Biery, who was born in Wayne 
county, Ohio. The young people at once took 
up their abode in the Waldo hills, where they 
have since resided, with the exception of two 
years spent in Salem, Mr. Amstutz in the mean- 
time following his trade. 

Mr. Amstutz's landed possessions aggregate 
one hundred and eight and one-half acres, fifty 
of which have been improved and are under cul- 
tivation. Great credit is due the enterprising 
owner, as when he came into possession of the 
tract it was but partly improved, and all the im- 
provements now to be seen are due to his untir- 
ing efforts. General farming and stock-raising 
form his principal industries. Into the home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Amstutz seven children were born, 
and of these four died in infancy. Of those who 
were reared, Elizabeth died at the age of twelve 
years, and Melvina, aged eighteen, and Theo- 
dore E., aged one year, are at home with their 
parents. Aside from his personal interests Mr. 
Amstutz finds time to assist in matters of public 
concern, as is shown by his seven years' service 
as clerk of the school board. He has also ren- 
dered valuable service in the capacity of road 
supervisor. In politics he is independent, prin- 
ciple, not party, gaining his vote. 



D. W. GIBSON. In this age when so much 
is heard of public corruption in places of official 
preferment, it is interesting and gratifying to 
find a man who regards a public office as a public 
trust, and who brings to the discharge of his 
duties the same loyalty and earnest attention 
which he would give to the conduct of individ- 
ual business interests. Such an official is D. W. 
Gibson, the efficient chief of police of Salem. 

Mr. Gibson was born in Pike county, 111., near 
Pittsfield. The grandfather, Samuel Gibson, who 
was of Scoth-Irish descent and for many years 
followed farming in Missouri, spent his last 
\ear in Illinois. His son, Guoyan Gibson, the 
father of D. W. Gibson, was born in Pike county, 
Mo., and afterward resided in Pike county, 111. 
In 1850 he started for the northwest on the 
overland trip, which seemed of much greater 
distance at that time than at the present, when 
the railroad has bridged over space and practi- 
cally annihilated time. He was accompanied by 
his wife and five children, two daughters and 
three sons, and they traveled with a four-horse 
wagon upon the six-months' trip, being a part of 
the wagon train commanded by Captain Ball. 
While en route the Indians stole their stock, but 
perhaps they were fortunate in escaping with 
their lives, as many of the emigrants met death 
at the hands of the treacherous red men. Arriv- 
ing in Oregon in the fall, the father settled upon 
a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres 



twelve miles southeast of Salem, in the Mill creek 
bottom, there establishing a pioneer home in 
which the family lived while he broke his land 
and brought his farm to a high state of improve- 
ment. He died there about 1894, at the age of 
seventy-two, but his wife is still living at the 
age of eighty-one. He was long an exemplary 
Mason and one of the valued frontiersmen of his 
locality. His wife bore the maiden name of, 
Sarah Ann Taylor and was born in Kentucky, a 
daughter of William Taylor, who settled in Illi- 
nois at an early day. In the Gibson family were 
three sons and four daughters, and six of the 
family are yet living. An uncle of our subject, 
Davis Gibson, first crossed the plains in 1845, 
after which he returned to Illinois, but in 1852 
he came again to the northwest, settling in Polk 
county. Other uncles — George and Albert Gib- 
son — also came in 1852, and thus the family 
contributed in no small degree to the development 
and upbuilding of Oregon. D. W. Gibson is the 
eldest of his father's family, the others being 
Henry, who resides on the old home farm ; Mrs. 
Mary McHaley, of Heppner, Ore.; Mrs. Ellen 
Hobson, who died in Marion county ; Mrs. Mattie 
Lucas, who also passed away in this county ; 
George, of Salem ; and Mrs. Frankie. Putnam, 
of Walla Walla, Wash. 

The natal day of D. W. Gibson was September 
5, 1846, and therefore he was only about six years 
of age when the family arrived in this state. 
Upon the home farm he was reared and in the 
district schools he pursued his studies until 
eighteen years of age, when he began earning 
his own living by working as a farm hand. In 
1866 he went to the mines in the Boise basin of 
Idaho, where he remained for two years, mining 
and prospecting, when there occurred an acci- 
dent that covered him with loose dirt up to the 
neck and his head was under water. A friend 
however, discovered him, and held his head up 
until the water had washed the dirt away and he 
was rescued. For two weeks, however, he was 
ill and then returned to Oregon to recuperate on 
the home farm. In 1869 he made his way to the 
Grande Ronde valley in eastern Oregon, where 
he was engaged in breaking horses on a large 
horse ranch for a year, when he returned home, 
and for three years thereafter was engaged in 
clerking in Stayton. He also spent two years in 
Sacramento, Cal. 

About that time Mr. Gibson was married and 
located on a farm near Stayton, and later he 
removed to Grant county, Ore., where for two 
years he was engaged in raising sheep. In 1887 
he became a resident of Salem and accepting the 
position of superintendent of the farming depart- 
ment of the penitentiary, acted in that capacity 
for over two years, when in 1890 he was 
appointed to a position on the police force of 



878 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Salem, acting as night policeman for seven years. 
During this period he served for one year as 
deputy sheriff. In the December election of 
1898 he was chosen by popular suffrage on the 
Citizens' ticket for the office of city marshal, was 
re-elected in 1900 and again in 1902 and is thus 
head of the police force. Under his administra- 
tion radical changes and improvements have been 
made in the police system of the city and his 
course inspires the confidence of all law-abiding 
citizens and is a menace to evil-doers. 

Mr. Gibson was married in Stayton to Miss 
Ora A. Wilcox, a native of this state and a 
daughter of Thomas Wilcox, who came to Ore- 
gon in the period of its early development. Mrs. 
Gibson died in Portland and their son, Eugene, 
died in 1901, at the age of twenty-six years, 
while Grace, now Mrs. Eves, is a resident of 
Portland. For his second wife Mr. Gibson chose 
Miss Minnie Daniels, who was born in the east. 
They were married in Salem in 1898, and they 
now have a daughter, Ruth. Mr. Gibson has 
always been a stalwart Republican, interested in 
the welfare and success of his party, but never 
allowing party bias to influence him in the faith- 
ful performance of his duty. Socially he is 
identified with the Odd Fellows lodge here. 
Without fear or favor, he has discharged the 
duties of his office promptly and capably and has 
supervision over the members of the city police 
force in a way that results in loyalty in all who 
represent this department of the city government. 



H. W. KAUPISCH. Among the business 
men of Corvallis who have made a success work- 
ing along the line of their own methods is H. 
W. Kaupisch, proprietor of the two large cream- 
eries, the Corvallis and Halsey, which consume 
the greater part of the milk produced in this 
section of the country. Upon the purchase of 
the Corvallis creamery, Mr. Kaupisch put in 
the latest and most approved machinery, steam 
being the motive power, this purchase in 1901 
being followed by that of the Halsey creamery 
in 1902, it also using the same motive power. 
In the latter the simplex churn is used. The 
production from the Corvallis creamery is im- 
mense as to the quantity, and the fame of its 
quality has reached all the adjacent cities, and 
the demand far exceeds the supply. The butter 
is sent direct to the retail dealers in Portland, 
and in that city principally, has won its just 
renown. 

The congeniality which this employment has 
for Mr. Kaupisch has been the growth of years, 
his father, J. C. Kaupisch, having followed this 
business for many years. The latter, a native of 
Saxony, Germany, gave up his employment of 
this nature to emigrate to the United States, 



where, with the broader opportunities and less 
crowded living, he hoped to accomplish greater 
things in his work. He first settled in Elgin, 
111., where for twelve years he was employed by 
John Newman & Co., as superintendent of their 
creameries there. Later he ventured to Califor- 
nia, following the business on his own account 
in that state ; from California to Carson City, 
Nev., then to Vancouver, Wash., and Portland, 
Ore., in each place spending some time in his 
chosen work. A veteran in the business he 
assists very materially in his son's affairs, the 
home of the older man also being in Corvallis. 

H. W. Kaupisch was born in Saxony, Ger- 
many, the oldest child in his father's family, 
which followed him to America in 1886, where 
they made their home in Elgin, the young lad 
gaining his education in the public schools of 
that city. At thirteen years of age, however, he 
left school to assist in his father's business. 
He was capable and bright, and early gave 
promise of the success which is now making him 
prosperous among the citizens of Corvallis. After 
assisting in California he followed his father to 
Vancouver, and in 189 1 took charge of the 
creamery there, where he remained for four 
years. In Portland he had charge of the butter- 
making department of F. C. Barnes' creamery, 
later taking a more important position in the 
Kaupisch creamery, after which he returned to 
California, and engaged in the Bakersfield 
creamery, where he remained for one year. 
After his return to Oregon he managed the Cor- 
vallis branch of the Hazelwood creamery of 
Portland, in 1900, in 1901 inaugurating the busi- 
ness which has grown to such splendid propor- 
tions. 

Not only one of the most successful men in 
the creamery business in the Willamette val- 
ley and one who thoroughly understands from 
long experience every detail of the management 
that makes for success, Mr. Kaupisch has made 
himself a popular man in the city of Corvallis 
were his exceptional ability is widely known 
and appreciated. Fraternally he is identified 
with the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. 



JOHN ENGLISH. For nearly four decades 
the life and work of John English have been 
closely interwoven with the history of the devel- 
opment of the agricultural interests of the Will- 
amette valley. He was born near Washington, 
Daviess county, Ind., March 7, 1837, and is the 
only son born to John and Sarah (Smiley) 
English. Sarah (Smiley) English removed to 
Oregon with her son, and spent the remainder 
of her life with him. She was born in Sullivan 
county, Tenn., October 15, 1812, and died at 







Ji t H4te*^f 









PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



881 



tin- honk' of her son in Silverton, Ore, March 
_\ [900. Her husband died October 16, 1854, 
in Daviess county, lnd. His parents emigrated 
from Tennessee during the pioneer days of 
Indiana, in which state they continued in their 
occupation of farming, rearing their son in this 
vocation. He received his education in the dis- 
trict schools maintained in the vicinity of his 
home. Until he arrived at the age of twenty- 
eight years he remained with his parents, assist- 
ing in the operation of the farm. At that time, 
believing the prospects for a successful career 
were better on the Pacific coast than at his 
home, he decided to come to Oregon. He made 
the journey hence in 1865. and soon after his 
arrival purchased the farm in Marion county 
upon which he has since resided. During the 
thirty-eight years of his residence upon it, the 
place has so changed as to be unrecognizable as 
the tract he selected at that time. The farm con- 
sists of one hundred and thirty acres, and is 
pleasantly situated three and one-half miles north- 
west of Silverton. Sixty acres are under culti- 
vation, eighteen acres of which are devoted to 
hops. Mr. English is engaged at present in 
general farming and stock-raising, in which he 
has met with uniform success. 

On January 1, 1871, Mr. English was united 
in marriage with Alice Hendricks, a native of 
Marion county. Ore., and the daughter of Samuel 
and Sarah (Morrison) Hendricks, who crossed 
the plains about 1850 and took up land in this 
county. Mrs. English was left an orphan at a 
very early age. The married life of this couple 
began on the place where they are now spend- 
ing the evening of their life contentedly together. 
Seven children have blessed their union, all of 
whom are living. In the order of their birth they 
are named as follows : Willard and Willis, who 
are located in the vicinity of their birthplace ; 
Linnie. wife of Leroy Simeral of Macleay, Ore. ; 
John ; Osa. wife of Norris J. Thomas, residing 
on a part of the home farm ; Elvin. who resides 
at home; and Sadie, at home. The family 
have all enjoyed good educational facilities, and 
Mr. English's sons are becoming good, worthv 
citizens. 

Mr. English has been a useful man in his com- 
munity. He has taken a deep and unselfish inter- 
est in public affairs, and does all in his power to 
advance the material welfare of Marion county. 
His interest in the cause of education is illustrated 
by the fact that he has served for fifteen years 
as clerk of the school board, and has always 
advocated securing the best possible teachers 
for the school in his district. In religion he is 
a member of the Christian Church, to the support 
of which he is a liberal contributor. In politics 
he is independent, preferring to keep himself 
free from allegiance to any particular party, and 



casting his ballot for the men, who, in his opin- 
ion, will administer affairs for the best general 
interests of the state and country. Personally 
he is a man who is held in the highest esteem by 
those who have been favored with his acquaint- 
ance and thereby have learned to appreciate the 
numerous fine qualities which go to make up his 
character. 



LUTHER ELKINS was born of English 
stock in Cornville, Me., in 1809, the youngest of 
nine children. His father, Samuel Elkins, was 
one of the first settlers in Somerset county and 
was granted a quarter section of land for hav- 
ing the first white child born in that county — his 
eldest son, Smith Elkins, who after growing to 
manhood was a captain of a company of volun- 
teers at the battle of Plattsburg, under Col. 
Winfield Scott in General Brown's command in 
18 12, became a practicing lawyer in New York 
City, and died at an advanced age in Missouri, 
an ex-judge. 

At the age of thirteen Luther Elkins was left 
an orphan in the state of Indiana, whence his 
father had moved. He grew to be a tall, strong 
man, taking jobs of labor as he could secure, 
being at one time in company with mischievous 
Jo Wright at Bloomington on a contract for pul- 
verizing sandstone for brick making. This 
same Jo Wright in after years became the dis- 
tinguished statesman and jurist, and died while 
United States minister, at the Court of Berlin. 

Mr. Elkins was married in 1830 to Miss Philo- 
theta Williams in the city of Wheeling, where 
he worked at his trade of wagon and carriage 
making. Thence they moved to Mt. Pleasant, 
Ohio. Mr. Elkins made a permanent settlement 
in Belmont county of that state, entering into 
the merchandise and milling business, connect- 
ing the same with wholesale buying of leaf to- 
bacco, in which his operations were successful ; 
however, for having, as justice of the peace, 
fined one of his own hands for disturbing a tem- 
perance meeting when drunk, the fellow set fire 
to the great tobacco houses for revenge, and 
their entire loss almost financially ruined Mr. 
Elkins. He therefore resolved to cast his lot 
in Oregon, and on May 1. 1852, crossed the 
Missouri river above St. Joseph, entering upon 
the great plains of Nebraska, with two teams of 
four yoke of oxen each, with his two eldest 
sons, James, aged twenty, and Joseph, aged 
eighteen, at the helm, hauling their " little all," 
with the wife and their eight children, of whom. 
besides those named, were Louisa, Elizabeth, 
William S., Clara. Julia and Chas. W. After a 
tedious journey of five months they landed, Sep- 
tember 26, at " Foster's, " east of Oregon City, 
on the mountain overlooking the " land of 



882 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



promise," with one team only. Their journey 
was without incident of note, beyond the usual 
privations and hardships over a journey of two 
thousand miles, except that which came near 
stranding the little train after three days out on 
the wild plains. Near sundown, the cattle hav- 
ing fed over a bluff, out of hearing from the 
bells, alarm was given that three Pawnee In- 
dians were seen whooping with flying blankets 
driving the band of cattle southward. With the 
only horse in camp, which Mr. Elkins mounted, 
he gave pursuit with desperation, realizing all 
was lost if the cattle were not recovered. He 
overhauled the stock after a chase of four miles, 
the Indians scudding out of sight, and he re- 
turned with the entire drove after dark, to the 
great joy of all concerned, whose settlement in 
Oregon came so nearly being indefinitely post- 
poned. 

Settling first upon a claim in the Santiam val- 
ley, he subsequently was a general merchant in 
Lebanon, Linn county, from 1858 to 1865. He 
became prominently identified with the upbuild- 
ing of this section of the state, being a projector 
and liberal supporter of nearly every enterprise 
inaugurated to benefit the county. He, with 
Jason Wheeler, Abram Hackleman, William Ral- 
ston, C. P. Burkhart, M. Luper, Andrew Cowan 
and Jacky Settle, was one of the promoters of 
the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountains 
wagon road, four hundred miles in length, ex- 
tending to the eastern boundary of the state. 
The road company was inaugurated by this en- 
terprising merchant and his farmer co-operators 
for the sole purpose of enabling emigrants and 
stock to cross the great Cascade mountains, that 
settlement of central Oregon could be more 
speedily brought about, avoiding what, at that 
day, was the exorbitant expense of traveling 
around by way of the Columbia river. The road 
was to be kept open by reasonable tolls. The 
company had no forethought at the time, nor 
until much work had been done, to apply for a 
land grant, which was afterwards obtained from 
the government. The travel became immense 
over this road and continued so until closed by 
winter, exceeding that of any other mountain 
route, being materiallv improved by a subsequent 
company. The enterprise has proved the wis- 
dom of the originators, in creating a direct con- 
venience to the public and an improvement to 
central Oregon. 

Mr. Elkins, with several of his old co-oper- 
ators, constructed the Albany and Santiam 
Canal at a cost of $65,000, including terminal 
lands, which has been of inestimable value to the 
growth of the city. This property, however, 
was entirely lost to the original builders, from 
a forced sale of the property by outside influ- 
ences — unnecessarily so, as Mr. Elkins had se- 



cured the promise of abundant means to relieve 
the financial situation. But this was thwarted, 
and his answer to a sympathizer was : " Yes, 
it has ruined us, but saved the town." 

Mr. Elkins was likewise a prime mover, with 
enterprising men in Albany and Lebanon, in in- 
fluencing the Southern Pacific Railroad man- 
agers, Villard and Kohler, to construct the 
twelve miles of railway between Albany and 
Lebanon, and to the question propounded to him 
personally by Villard — " Will this piece of road 
pay?"— he replied: "Yes, better than any 
feeder you can have." This settled the construc- 
tion of the road, and the result was assured, 
and a great boon to Lebanon and Albany ac- 
complished. 

Being a man of force and strong views, he 
readily attracted prominent notice, and twice 
represented in part his county in the territorial 
legislature. He was a member of the constitu- 
tional convention and also served as state sen- 
ator after the granting of statehood. Being 
president of that body, he had the honor, on the 
thirty-fifth ballot, of casting the vote that elected 
General Nesmith and Col. E. D. Baker, two 
loyal men, to the United States senate, in i860. 
Mr. Elkins had endeavored by his influence to 
elect Nesmith and Judge George H. Williams, 
or Nesmith and Delazon Smith, determined that 
Oregon should be represented by two loyal union 
senators in Washington. Seeing the approach- 
ing storm of secession, he warned O'Meara and 
other leading Democrats of the Lane faction 
that he would not be responsible much longer 
for a non-election of United States senators, 
when it depended upon his vote, and he was com- 
pelled to give his casting vote on the last ballot 
for Colonel Baker, a man of national fame, to 
accomplish that result, thereby making certain 
the election of General Nesmith. By doing this 
Mr. Elkins received the plaudits of the war 
Democrats and Republicans, but incurred the 
enmity of very many of his old Democratic 
friends in his county, and was accused of being 
" bought " ; when in truth Colonel Baker and 
his friends did not expect Mr. Elkins' support, 
relying upon Amery Holbroke to eventually cast 
the requisite vote. Mr. Elkins had avoided 
Colonel Baker's pressing invitations and social 
intercourse, and no man who should offer to 
bribe him could escape his denunciation. He 
w3s high-minded, and dealt not in any dishonor- 
able means or secret plans. From that time on 
Mr. Elkins ceased to be held a leader. While 
still being classed as a Democrat, he frequently 
acted independently. 

Luther Elkins was a firm believer in the doc- 
trines of Christianity. He led a busy and active 
life, was warm-hearted, brave and forgiving, and 
true to hig friends, and well calculated to be a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



883 



pioneer. Though amassing small fortunes at 
various times in his eventful life, he died at the 
age oi seventy-eight a poor man. The last few 
years of his life were spent with his son Joseph 
at Lebanon, in retirement, suffering in his old 
age from a general breaking down of his physi- 
cal and mental powers. He left a large number 
oi friends to remember the industry of a man to 
whom Linn county is more indebted for her 
material prosperity than to any other one indi- 
vidual. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Philotheta Williams, was born in Chenango 
county, N. Y., and preceded him in her demise in 
Lebanon, Ore., in 1881, at the age of seventy- 
four. She was a helpmate indeed, and a com- 
forter in her husband's trials — a fond mother, 
beloved by all. 

The oldest child of the parental household, 
James Elkins was - educated in Belmont county, 
Ohio, and as a young man was first a clerk in 
the auditor's office there, and afterwards in his 
father's store. Coming with his parents to Linn 
county in 1852, Mr. Elkins took up a donation, 
claim of one hundred and sixty acres near the 
property of his father, which he improved. For 
two terms he taught school, being the first 
teacher employed south of Crabtree creek. In 
1855 and 1856 he was clerk in the Quartermaster 
General's office at Salem, Ore., during the Indian 
war of those years. His brother, Joseph, going 
out with the volunteers to fight the Indians, 
James was afterwards appointed clerk in the 
Surveyor General's office, under General Zieber. 
At his father's request, Mr. Elkins gave up his 
clerkship in 1858 to become a partner with him 
in the mercantile business at Lebanon, remain- 
ing there until 1862. Being then elected county 
clerk of Linn county, Mr. Elkins removed to 
Albany, and in 1864 was re-elected to the same 
office for the ensuing two years. Becoming sec- 
retary of the Wagon Road Company, he served 
from 1866 until the road was sold in 1869 to 
Colonel Hogg, after which he dealt in real estate 
for a time. In 1870 he was a candidate for sec- 
retary of state, against Judge Chadwick, but with 
the rest of his ticket — General Palmer for gov- 
ernor, Myer Hirsch for treasurer and Joseph 
Wilson for congress— was defeated by the small 
vote of three hundred and fifty. He was ap- 
pointed by Benjamin Holliday as the first rail- 
road agent at Albany, serving from 1870 until 
1871, when, on account of ill health, he was 
forced to resign. Going to eastern Oregon, he 
was engaged in the cattle business in Crook 
county, near Prineville, for awhile, then re- 
moved to Beaver creek, where he enlarged his 
operations, carrying on an extensive business 
for a number of years as a stock-raiser and 
dealer. His sons wishing a change of occupa- 
tion, he sold his property and returned to Al- 



bany, where he has since resided. In June, 
1902, Mr. Elkins was elected county treasurer, 
and assumed the duties of his responsible office 
July 7, 1902. 

In i860 Mr. Elkins married Miss Helen Mil- 
lard, who was born in Burlington, Iowa, in 
October, 1842, and came across the plains to 
Oregon in 1851 with her widowed mother, 
Amelia Millard (who afterward became the wife 
of Rev. Edward Fisher). Mrs. Elkins died in 
1899, leaving six children, namely: Charles 
M., a general merchant in Prineville, Ore. ; Col- 
lins W., a merchant in Lyle, Wash.; Luther, 
an attorney in San Francisco, Cal. ; Frank, a 
mechanic in Prineville, Ore. ; Helen and James, 
Jr., at home Politically Mr. Elkins is a stanch 
supporter of the principles of the Republican 
party, and fraternally he is a member of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
is one of its board of trustees. 



WILLIAM HAGER. One of the most promi- 
nent merchants and leading business men of 
Marion county is William Hager, who has been 
engaged in mercantile pursuits from his youth. 
In that line he has achieved success and has be- 
come well known as a man of integrity and 
honor. He meets promptly all obligations, his 
word being as good as his bond, and in the com- 
mercial world he is recognized as a keen and 
sagacious business man, thoroughly up to date 
and alive to the requirements of his patrons. 
Mr. Hager is now at the head of a large estab- 
lishment in Fairfield, conducts a general mer- 
cantile business, and also has a large ware- 
house and deals extensively in grain. He has 
made good use of his business opportunities 
and owns five hundred acres of valuable land, 
including real estate in Portland and Salem, 
Ore., besides a very nice residence and store 
building in Fairfield. This prosperity has come 
to Mr. Hager through his own well directed 
efforts. He comes from Switzerland, that 
little independent country which nestles among 
the Alps, and whose sons are as familiar with 
the word "Freedom" as are our own American 
born citizens. It is an acknowledged fact that 
emigrants from that country have ever been 
thrifty, upright and self-supporting, and on 
coming to America have always acquired a 
competence for themselves, at the same time 
advancing the prosperity of the land of their 
adoption. Mr. Hager has been no exception 
to this rule. He has established a home and a 
name for himself in the new world, of which 
any one may well be proud. As a private citi- 
zen, he is highlv honored, while in public life 
his record is alike commendable, he having 



884: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



served as postmaster of Fairfield for twenty- 
two years. 

In St. Gall, Switzerland, May 28, 1850, 
Mr. Hager was born. There he acquired his 
education and entered into the mercantile 
business, serving as an apprentice for three 
years and receiving nothing for his services 
except the experience which he gained. This, 
however, was good capital for a bright lad 
such as he was, and proved to be an excellent 
foundation for the future success which 
awaited him in America. The family history 
of Mr. Hager is of tragic character, owing to 
the death of his beloved mother at the hands 
of an assassin, and the demise of the father a 
year later, which resulted from the shock at 
the loss of his wife. John Hager, the father, 
was born in St. Gall, Switzerland, in 1824, and 
in that land followed the occupation of farm- 
ing. In the home of his youth he was married 
to Barbara Klingler, a native of the same 
place, born in 1825. The family resided in 
Switzerland until 1865, when Mr. Hager, hear- 
ing of the great opportunities to be found in 
America, crossed the broad Atlantic, settling 
in Minnesota, where he resided until 1869, 
at which time he removed to Portland, Ore. 
In 1871 the wife and children came to America, 
joining the father who immediately rented a 
farm near Oregon City, and here they lived 
very happily until Mrs. Hager was murdered. 
She had received an inheritance from her 
native land and the murderers probably 
thought the money from the inheritance was 
in her possession, and, although it is known 
who did the deed, the perpetrators have never 
been brought to justice, yet this great crime 
is not hidden from Him who sees all hearts 
and knows all things. As has been stated, 
her husband survived only a year after her 
death, she living to be fifty-five years of age 
and her husband fifty-six. Three children 
were born unto this couple: William, of this 
review ; Mary, the wife of Charles Hickethier, 
of Cedar Mills, Ore.; and Matilda, who is 
deceased. 

The .life history of a man who from a small 
beginning has made his way upward in the 
world, is always of interest to others, as it 
indicates the amount of vim and energy which 
has culminated in success, and to those who 
have come to America from other countries, 
bringing with them the very life-blood with 
which to form a new and great nation, is due 
the marvelous growth and progress of this 
great land. In this connection the career of 
Mr. Hager is an eminent example. On arriv- 
ing in America in 1871, he made his way to 
Portland, remaining in that city for about six 
months, then proceeding to Fairfield, in 1872. 



In the latter place he was engaged as a clerk, 
serving in that capacity until 1879, when he 
purchased a one-half interest in the business. 
Thus was his progress toward success made 
step by step. In 1880 he became sole owner 
and proprietor of the general mercantile busi- 
ness which he now conducts and through his 
fair and honorable dealings Mr. Hager has 
gained the good will and patronage of the 
public. 

In 1887 Cordelia Byrd became the wife of 
William Hager, the marriage taking place in 
Fairfield. Her parents were L. A. and Martha 
Byrd, who came to the Pacific coast in 1849. 
The present home of Mr. and Mrs. Hager is 
the place where they first began housekeep- 
ing. Four children have been born to them, 
but only one, Harold B., is now living. He 
makes his home with his parents. As post- 
master for twenty-two years, as school clerk 
for several years, Mr. Hager has contributed 
with his best efforts to the advancement and 
prosperity of his adopted city. In politics Mr. 
Hager has always, allied himself with the 
Republican party. 



CAPT. S. B, ORMSBY. The family of which 
Capt. S. B. Ormsby of Salem is a representative 
was founded in America in the early colonial 
days by descendants of the head of the ancient 
Scottish clan Ormsby, who fought under Robert 
Bruce for the freedom of Scotland. They were 
of the Scotch nobility, possessed of a coat of 
arms, were sturdy, brave lovers of freedom, 
stern in their dispensation of justice, with a 
large body of retainers who were ever ready 
with sword and lance to defend the honored name 
and person of their powerful chief. Through 
many generations and the admixture of other 
blood, these prime characteristics still remain 
dominant in representatives of the family, evi- 
dence of which may be found by study of the life, 
the work and personality of the subject of this 
brief memoir. 

Joseph Ormsby, the grandfather of Captain 
Ormsby, was a young man when the Revolution- 
ary war began, and during the early days of the 
struggle offered his services to the cause of the 
colonists. Enlisting in the Continental army as 
a member of the Third Regiment of the Penn- 
sylvania Reserve, commanded by Gen. Anthony 
Wayne, he served throughout the war with dis- 
tinction. He was placed on guard at the door 
of the room in which was held the court-martial 
which resulted in the conviction of Major Andre, 
the British spy, and witnessed his execution. 
In the war of 1812 he served as guide to General 
Hampton in his Canadian invasion, and was cap- 
tured by the British. While held as prisoner along 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



885 



the St. Laurence river, he was sent out to fish in 
company with a boy. and while on his mission 
succeeded in making his escape. He made his 
way to the American lines, and eventually reached 
Ubans, Vt., where he decided to locate and 
establish a home. At this place he engaged in 
farming for several years, finally removing to 
Parishville, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where 
he spent the remainder of his life. He died at 

g lensburg, N. Y., at the age of eighty-eight 
years. 

Lyman Ormsby, father of the captain, was 
born and reared at St. Albans. With his parents 
lie subsequently settled in St. Lawrence county, 
N". Y.. where he became a farmer. Later in life 
ue moved to Jackson county, Wis., settling near 
Black River Falls, where he died at the age of 
eighty-six vears. Throughout his life he car- 
ried on agricultural pursuits. A devoted member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he was its 
class leader for sixty years, taking a very active 
part in the work of the church. He voted at 
everv presidential election from the time he cast 
his first baiiot for John Quincy Adams until and 
including the election of Benjamin Harrison. He 
married Laura Bell, who was born near Burling- 
ton, Yt. She was of English descent, and died 
in Xew York state. Of this marriage there 
were born two children — Mrs. Delia Howard of 
Lincoln, Neb., and S. B. Ormsby, subject of this 
sketch. 

Captain Ormsby was born at Parishville, N. 
Y.. October 18, 1835, and was dependent upon 
his own resources from the age of eight years, 
at which time his mother died. After acquiring 
his rudimentary education in the public schools, 
by working for his board among the farmers 
he became qualified to teach and in this way he 
gained sufficient means to enter St. Lawrence 
Academy at Pottsdam. N. Y., where his studies 
were completed. In 1856 he moved to Michigan, 
traveling by boat to Detroit, whence he pro- 
ceeded to Montcalm county. For a time he 
taught school near Greenville, after which exper- 
ience he entered the Michigan State Normal 
School at Ypsilanti. He continued to teach at in- 
tervals in order to meet the expenses of his normal 
course, being thus engaged until the fall of i860, 
when, because of failing health, he went to Mis- 
souri. At Versailles and Tipton, in that state, 
he continued to teach school until the outbreak 
of the Civil war. Being a stanch Union man, 
and taking part in the election of delegates to the 
state convention, he made himself obnoxious to 
the Confederate leaders and was ordered to 
leave the state. Upon his refusal to do so he 
was arrested and held as a prisoner for a time; 
but managing to escape he made his way to St. 
Louis, thence to Michigan, where he again 



entered the Ypsilanti Normal School, from which 
he was graduated in March, 1862. 

Immediately after leaving school he enlisted 
in Company K, Fifth Michigan Cavalry Volun- 
teers, and was mustered in as a private in August, 
1862, in Detroit. His command was assigned to 
duty with the Army of the Potomac. He re- 
mained with this regiment until June, 1864, and 
with it participated in the Gettysburg campaign 
and the operations immediately following it. In 
June, 1864, he was commissioned first lieutenant 
of Company C, One Hundred and Eighth United 
States Colored Infantry. In 1865 he. was pro- 
moted to the captaincy of Company A. and held 
that rank when he was mustered out in March, 
1866. After receiving his commission he served 
in Kentucky, and for about six months guarded 
Confederate prisoners at Rock Island, 111. The 
remainder of his service was in Mississippi. 

Returning to Michigan upon the close of the 
war, Captain Ormsby resumed teaching in Wash- 
tenaw county. In August, 1868, he removed to 
Carthage, Jasper county, Mo., where he became 
principal of the high school. Later he was 
elected superintendent of the public schools of 
Joplin, in that county, a position he filled until 
May. 1882, when he resigned and returned to 
Michigan on a visit. In January, 1883, he started 
for the Pacific coast, arriving in Marion county, 
Ore., in June. For seventeen years continuously 
he was engaged in stock-raising in the mountains 
of Marion county. He homesteaded one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land twenty-seven miles 
northeast of Salem, improved this, and bought 
two hundred and forty acres adjoining, all of 
which he operated with success. 

While in Missouri Captain Ormsby had taken 
an active interest in politics as a stanch supporter 
of the Republican party, having cast his first vote 
for John C. Fremont in 1856. Upon coming to 
Oregon he at once became interested in the polit- 
ical situation in this state, laboring diligently for 
Republican success. In 1892 he was the candi- 
date of his party for the state legislature, and 
was elected, serving in the session of 1893. He 
was the father of the bill resulting in the estab- 
lishment of the Soldiers' Home at Roseburg, and 
promoted other legislative measures of import- 
ance. In 1894 the governor appointed him 
member of the board of trustees of the Soldiers' 
Home, and he served as its president until Julv, 
1897, when he resigned to take charge of the 
office of superintendent of Forest Reserve in 
Oregon, having been appointed Julv 1 bv Secre- 
tary Bliss. This office he filled until it was abol- 
ished January 1, 1903. Captain Ormsby's duties 
included the protection of the forests from fire 
and from timber trespassers, and the manage- 
ment of stock-grazing upon the range. The total 
area of the reserves in his charge was 4,548,640 



886 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



acres, and is included in the Cascade, the Bull 
Run, and the Ashland reservations. These 
ranges were a feeding ground for from two to 
three hundred thousand head of sheep and 
about five thousand head of cattle. His ad- 
ministration of the affairs of the office gave 
entire satisfaction, not only to the government, 
but to the men who occupied the ranges. 

Captain Ormsby has disposed of his cattle 
interests and now rents his ranch. He has, how- 
ever, considerable private business interests, 
having acquired mining interests in Coos county, 
Ore., where he .is actively engaged in mining 
and where he is developing several gold claims, 
which promise to become the leading mines of 
southern Oregon. 

In Ypsilanti, Mich., in 1862, Captain Ormsby 
was married to Adelia Merritt, who was born 
in Ontario, ' Canada, a daughter of Jefferson 
Merritt, a native of Vermont. The Merritt fam- 
ily came originally from France, settling in Cana- 
da, and Mrs. Orsmby's father became a resident 
of Michigan, following the wheelwright's trade 
in Ypsilanti for many years. He died in Ionia, 
Mich. Unto Captain and Mrs. Ormsby has 
been born one son, Lyman Merritt, who is a grad- 
uate of the School of Mines at Scranton, Pa., 
and is now engaged with his father in develop- 
ing their mines in Coos county, Ore. 

Fraternally a Mason, Captain Ormsby was ini- 
tiated into the craft at Ypsilanti and afterward 
joined the lodge at Carthage, Mo. He is a mem- 
ber of Sedgwick Post No. 10, G. A. R., and was 
Commander of the Department of Oregon in 
1894-95. He also served as an aide on the staff 
of Grand Commander-in-Chief Adams. He is 
a member of Oregon Commandery of the Loyal 
Legion, and has always exhibited a deep interest 
in military matters and the condition of the veter- 
ans of the Civil war. He served for a time as 
justice of the peace for Silver Falls precinct, but 
otherwise has held no local office. In the state 
and federal positions he has filled he has dis- 
charged his manifold duties in a manner which 
reflects credit not only upon himself but on the 
appointing power. A man of strong mentality, 
of an engaging personality, of culture and refine- 
ment, he commands the respect of his fellow-men 
who find him an entertaining and agreeable com- 
panion. His life record, a brief outline of which 
is here preserved for future generations, shows 
him to have been a thoroughly representative 
man, and an honorable, patriotic citizen. 



WILLIAM C. JACKSON. As a blacksmith 
and a dealer in all kinds of hardware, buggies and 
wagons, William C. Jackson supports both com- 
mercial and industrial lines of business in Shedds, 



Linn county. His business probity and sterling 
character have made him one of the most popular 
men in the town and one deserving the confidence 
and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. Mr. Jackson 
was born March 6, 1862, in Whiteside county, 
111., the son of Barney K. and Malinda (Constant) 
Jackson, the former being born in Mount Vernon, 
Ohio, December 21, 1827, and the latter being a 
native of Illinois. When only a boy B. K. Jack- 
son removed with his parents to Illinois, and there 
grew to manhood and married, following teach- 
ing and clerking until the breaking out of the 
Civil war, when he enlisted in Company E, 
Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 
which he served about sixteen months. He then 
returned to Illinois, where he lived until 1866, 
when he removed to Franklin county, Iowa, and 
there followed farming for twenty years. In the 
year 1886 he came to Linn county, Ore., locating 
near Brownsville, where he lived retired until 
his death at the age of sixty-nine years. Both 
himself and wife were members of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church. After the death of 
his wife, which occurred at the age of fifty-one 
years, Mr. Jackson married a Mrs. Wilson, who 
still survives him. Besides William C. Jackson 
of this review, there were the following children : 
Charles L. located in the home place ; Mary, the 
wife of Charles Sickle, of Topeka, Kans ; and 
Anna, wife of Charles Manas, located in Porto 
Rico. Her husband served as a lieutenant in the 
regular army during the war with Spain. 

In tracing the life of William C. Jackson we 
find that it has been very much like that of 
many other early Oregon pioneers. He enjoyed 
a comparatively brief time of school attendance 
in his home district, after which, at the age of 
nineteen years, he took up the blacksmith trade, 
in 1883 taking up his residence in California, 
where he earned his livelihood by the prosecution 
of his trade. At the close of eight successful 
years in this locality he changed his location to 
Shedds, Ore., succeeding E. Becker in a black- 
smith shop of this place. Having met with a 
success in his work he felt financially able in 
1902 to enter into a hardware business, now 
handling all kinds of farm implements, buggies, 
wagons, etc. He owns both his business and 
residence property here, and is enjoying a well 
earned prosperity. 

In California in 1885, Laura Brummett, a 
native of Missouri, became the wife of Mr. Jack- 
son, and they now have three children, all of 
whom are at home — Gladys, Ellsworth and Mil- 
dred. In his fraternal relations Mr. Jackson has 
held all the chairs in the Woodmen of the World, 
in which he is past consul. In religion he is a 
member of the United Presbyterian Church, and 
in politics cast his vote with the Republican 
party. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



887 



GARY E. LAWRENCE. A paying mercan- 
tile business is being conducted at Scott's Mills 
by G. E. Lawrence, who has succeeded so well 
that he owns his store building and a fine resi- 
dence, and is substantially identified with the 
upbuilding of his adopted town. He comes from 
farming ancestors, later members of which were 
ited in the state of Iowa, where he was born 
at .Magnolia, May 24, 1870. His father owns a 
large farm in Iowa, but at present is living 
retired, at Battle Creek, Iowa, after a life of 
unusual activity and usefulness. His success 
has been reflected in the lives of his four chil- 
dren, all of whom profited by a liberal education, 
and had advantages not enjoyed by the average 
farm-reared youth. 

G. E. Lawrence attended the public schools 
and concluded his studies at the Normal School 
at Woodbine, Iowa, remaining at home until he 
was about eighteen. In search of greater oppor- 
tunities he went to Nebraska, where he found 
employment in a general store at Pender, and at 
the expiration of four years had saved sufficient 
means to negotiate the purchase of a grocery 
and queensware store in the same town. In 
1890 he disposed of comparatively flourishing 
interests to come to Scott's Mills, Ore., where 
a year later he started out in the business in 
which he is at present engaged. He carries a 
complete line of general necessities, and his cor- 
rect business methods, genial and considerate 
manner, and personal popularity, insure a con- 
tinuation of present prosperity. 

October 19, 1898, Mr. Lawrence married Lisa 

M. Lint, a native of Richland Center, Wis., who 

became the mother of one child, Irene E. In 

politics Mr. Lawrence is a Republican, and in 

religion is a member of the Christian Church. 



REUBEN A. HASTINGS. The owner of 
a finely improved farm lying two miles east of 
Pedee, Reuben A. Hastings occupies an assured 
position among the more intelligent, enterprising 
and active citizens of Polk county. He is carry- 
ing on general farming with success, year by 
year adding to his wealth, and, having the 
respect and confidence of his neighbors and 
friends, is regarded as a valuable member of the 
community. Native and to the manor born, 
his birth occurred. January 26, 1857, on Soap 
creek, Polk county, near Suver Station, on the 
homestead which his father, Burres L. Hastings, 
took up from the government. 

His paternal grandfather, John W. Hastings, 
was born April 15, 1798, in Orange county, N. 
C. Emigrating to Tennessee with his bride, just 
after his marriage, he lived in Henry county 
until 1840. being engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. He subsequently continued his independ- 



ent vocation in Fulton county, Ark., until his 
death, April 2, 1847. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Anna Estes, was born in Orange 
county, N. C, and died, in 1850, in Arkansas. 
They reared five sons and two daughters, Burres 
L. being their third child. 

Born April 2, 1832, in Henry county, Tenn., 
Burres L. Hastings obtained the rudiments of 
his education in his native town, completing 
his studies in the common schools of Arkansas. 
In 1852, in company with his brothers, John 
and Archibald, he came to Polk county, Ore., 
where all three located, and one of the brothers, 
John Hastings, now resides in Airlie. Leaving 
Arkansas on April 7, 1852, the brothers were a 
little more than four months on the road, arriv- 
ing in Portland, Ore., August 26. They remained 
on the Luckiamute, Polk county, about two 
weeks, and then proceeded to California, where 
they were engaged in mining on Weaver creek 
for some time. Having poor luck, Burres L. 
Hastings returned to Oregon in the summer of 
1853, an d took up a donation claim on Soap 
creek, near Suver, and on his farm of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres engaged in mixed hus- 
bandry, including stockraising, for four years. 
Selling out, he purchased a ranch containing one 
hundred and sixty acres, about two miles north 
from his present home, and lived there a year 
and a half. Disposing of that estate, he settled 
on the Luckiamute, near Airlie, renting a farm 
for three years, and then buying a ranch, which 
he occupied until 1871. Renting that farm, he 
moved into Tillamook county for the benefit of 
his own and family's health, and lived there 
fifteen months. He subsequently lived for a 
time on his Airlie ranch, then carried on farming 
on his Tillamook county ranch for a year. Re- 
turning then to Airlie, he resided there until 
1875, when he sold his farm, and moved to his 
present homestead, in the vicinity of Pedee. He 
has a well improved estate of three hundred and 
seventy-nine acres, seventy five of which are in 
a good state of cultivation, and he is carrying on 
general farming and stock-raising with good 
results. 

Burres L. Hastings married, in 1854, Sophia 
Simpson, who was born in Fulton county, Ark., 
April 5, 1837, and of their union four children 
have been born, namely : Rebecca Alice, de- 
ceased ; Reuben A., the special subject of this 
sketch ; Hannah J., wife of William Elkins, of 
Dallas ; and R. W., of Cottage Grove, Ore. Mr. 
Hastings is a Democrat in politics, and has served 
as road supervisor and school director. Both he 
and his wife are members of the Evangelical 
Church at Pedee. 

Born near Suver, Reuben A. Hastings, ob- 
tained his early education in the common schools 
of Polk count}-, and when yet a boy moved with 



888 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his parents to the mountains near Pedee. As 
soon as old enough to be of use, he began assist- 
ing his father on the farm, and as early as prac- 
ticable engaged in agricultural pursuits on his 
own account. Locating on his present ranch, 
not far from Pedee, he has one hundred and 
twenty-nine acres of land, forty of which are in 
cultivation, yielding excellent crops. In addition 
to general farming he carries on a substantial 
business as a stock-raiser. He also has charge 
of his father's large ranch, managing it ably 
and satisfactorily. 

Mr. Hastings has been married three times. 
He married first, October 12, 1879, Ella Price, 
daughter of Fantley Price, who crossed the plains 
in 1852, and located near Salt creek. She died, 
at Pedee, in 1884. His second marriage, which 
occurred August 3, 1890, united him with Etta 
Johnson, daughter of John Johnson, who crossed 
the plains in 1844, and settled near Lewisville, 
on the farm now occupied by his widow. She 
died on the home farm, February 20, 1895. Mr. 
Hastings married for the third time, November 
4, 1901, Tena Waters, a daughter of John 
Waters, an early settler of Pedee. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hastings have one child, Grace Rowena. Politi- 
cally Mr. Hastings is .actively identified with 
the Democratic party, and has served his fellow- 
citizens as school director, and as road supervisor. 



JOHN N. McKAY. For more than twelve 
years John N. McKay has successfully com- 
bined agriculture with business interests in Port- 
land connected with his father's estate, and 
thereby has led a varied and by no means monot- 
onous existence. Nevertheless he is a farmer 
by inheritance and early training, and takes 
great pride and delight in maintaining the high 
standard established by his father on the old 
homestead. He is the owner of six hundred 
and twenty acres of the old donation claim, 
the greater part of which is improved, and is 
carrying on stock-raising and hop-growing, 
having thirty-five acres under the vine. 

On the farm which he now owns Mr. McKay 
was born March 7, 1855, a son of James and 
Cecelia (Lawson) McKay, natives respectively 
of Ireland and Scotland, who came to America 
early in life and settled at Albany, N. Y. After 
various changes of location he crossed the plains 
to Oregon in 1849 and subsequently purchased 
the right to a donation claim in Marion county, 
developing the farm now occupied by his son, 
John N. McKay. Later in life he became exten- 
sively connected with real estate operations in 
Portland, in which city he spent his last days. 
For more complete details of his life refer to his 
sketch which appears elsewhere in this work. 
John N. McKay was educated in the public 



schools of Marion county and Portland. At the 
age of twenty-five years he assumed the manage- 
ment of his father's farm with his brother, 
William R., continuing this association until the 
marriage of the latter in 1885. His brother 
sought a new location at that time, but the sub- 
ject of this review remained on the homestead 
until 1891, in which year he went to Portland 
to assume charge of his father's city property. 
He remained a resident of Portland for six 
years, devoting practically all his time to the 
management of his father's estate. Since that 
time he has divided his time between the farm 
and city property, discharging with exactitude 
and rare business judgment the many obligations 
devolving upon him by reason of his twofold 
responsibility. 

He was united in marriage November 26, 
1900, to Caroline Bochsler, a native of Switzer- 
land and a daughter of Joseph and Mary Bochs- 
ler. Mary A., the eldest child of this union, 
was born September 11, 1901, and the youngest 
daughter, Cecilia Florence, was born August 
IP, 1903. Mr. McKay is highly esteemed by the 
citizens of Marion county and Portland for the 
many admirable traits of character which he 
possesses. Though he has taken no active part 
in the political life of the community he has 
always evinced a disposition to assist in further- 
ing the best interests of the county, and in various 
ways has shown himself to be the possessor of a 
liberal mind and public spirit. He is regarded 
as one of the most substantial men of the county, 
and his probity and consideration for the rights 
and privileges of his fellow-men have never been 
brought into question. In religion he is a mem- 
ber of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Paul. 



MRS. PHOEBE A. JOHNSON. The farm 
of one hundred and fifty-one acres now owned 
and occupied by Mrs. Phoebe A. Johnson, is a 
portion of the old homestead taken up by her 
husband, John Johnson, as early as 1845. Many 
of its improvements, and more especially the 
pioneer clearing of the land, and the establishing 
of a varied agricultural enterprise, are traceable 
to this very early settler, whose death July 13, 
1877, cut short a very useful and well balanced 
career. Mr. Johnson was born in Worcester, 
Tompkins county, N. Y., July 29, 1816, and 
came to Oregon in 1845, making the long trip 
with ox-teams in a train containing many other 
home-seekers. He took up the donation claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres since divided 
between his- wife and 'children, and in 1850 
returned to the east, via Panama, remained in 
Michigan for a year, and again crossed the plains 
in 1 85 1. To the average traveler, however am- 
bitious, these two jaunts would seem quite suf- 




JOHN STEWART. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



891 



firient, but .Mr. Johnson again returned to Michi- 
gan in 1851. and in 1852 outfitted with ox-teams 
for his third tramp across the plains. In this party 
was James Taylor and his family, one of whom 
was Phoebe A. Taylor, of whose many charms 
oi person and character Mr. Johnson was fully 
conscious. March 19, 1854, .near Pedee, he mar- 
ried Miss Taylor, who proved a sympathetic and 
helpful wife, and bore him three children, of 
whom Alcida is the wife of Nicholas Tarter, of 
Corvallis; Esther is deceased; and Fred is 
working his mother's farm. After his marriage, 
Mr. Johnson settled on the farm he had taken 
up in 1845, and from then until the end of his 
life engaged in general farming and stock-raising, 
making a success of both occupations, and bring- 
ing his land up to a high state of cultivation. 
He was a man of high honor, and his upright 
and well directed life was a credit to the promis- 
ing community of which he was one of the most 
respected members. 

Mrs. Johnson, now living on the old home- 
stead, was born in Erie county, N. Y., September 
11, 1829, her father James Taylor previously 
mentioned, having been born in Kennebec county, 
Me., September 24, 1794. James Taylor was a 
blacksmith, carpenter, and farmer, and in the 
east married for his first wife, Esther Aldrich, 
who was born in Rhode Island, in Smithfield 
township, and died in Erie county, N. Y., July 
19, 1833, at the age of about thirty. Of the 
children of this union Mrs. Phoebe Johnson is 
the oldest, while Esther is the wife of W. S. 
Gilliam, of "Walla Walla, and Alcida died in 
infancy. With his first wife Mr. Taylor moved 
to New York, located on the farm in Erie 
county, and worked at his trade for several years. 
In 1835. hoping to find a more desirable place 
of residence, he went to Michigan, leaving his 
two motherless children with his mother in 
New York. In Michigan he married in 1836, 
Margaret Johnson, who bore him four children : 
Anderson, deceased; John, living near Lewis- 
ville : James, deceased ; and Persis, deceased. 
In 1837 Mr. Taylor w r ent back east for his chil- 
dren and brought them to Michigan overland in 
a wagon, and in 1852 outfitted and crossed the 
plains in the same party with his future son-in- 
law, Mr. Johnson. Mr. Taylor reached Polk 
county. Ore., November 26, 1852, and the follow- 
ing spring bought the right to the farm upon 
which he lived until his death, January 19, 1858. 
He was taken with his final illness while in 
Dallas, whither he had gone to build the county 
jail, which he did not live to complete. He w r as 
a prominent man in this county, and took a great 
interest in Democratic politics, serving as judge 
of Polk county from 1853 unt ^ l &5&- a position 
he was holding at the time of his death. 

Mrs. Johnson was educated in the public 



schools, and has always been a great reader, 
keeping well posted on current events, and having 
a wide knowledge of the most progressive agri- 
cultural methods. She lives with her son, Fred, 
who is manager of the farm, and who is, like 
herself, in favor of modern improvements, and 
the many inventions which at present make farm- 
ing life as admirable as it is comfortable and 
congenial. 



JOHN STEWART. An unusual amount of 
pioneer interest is centered around the lives of 
John and Mary (Scott) Stewart, the former of 
whom died in Corvallis in 1885, at the age of 
eighty-five years, and the latter of whom still 
occupies the home in this town to which she 
and her husband retired from active life in 1881. 
These courageous homeseekers of '45 lived close 
to the deprivation and discouraging conditions 
of the very early days, and undertook with stout 
hands and hearts the conquering of a great ad- 
versity. Mrs. Stewart was the first woman to 
live on the land upon a portion of which Cor- 
vallis is built, and she, more than any other, has 
stored up in her mind innumerable reminiscences 
while this section was being awakened to a sense 
of its possibilities as an agricultural region. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart come from Revolution- 
ary ancestors. John Stewart was born in the Old 
Dominion state in 1800, his father, George Wash- 
ington Stew T art, and his grandfather, being na- 
tives of the same state. The grandfather stacked 
his musket on many of the battlefields of the 
war of Independence, and his son served in the 
":ar of 1812. George Washington Stewart re- 
moved from Virginia to Indiana, and from there 
to Missouri, and finally died on his farm in Ore- 
gon. He married Mary Smith, who was born 
in Virginia, and came to Oregon in 1851, where 
her death occurred. John Stewart was fourteen 
years old when the family removed to Missouri, 
and his life was uneventfully passed on the pa- 
ternal farm. In Switzerland county, Ind., Janu- 
ary 7, 1842, he married Mary Scott, a native of 
that part of Indiana, and daughter of William 
Scott, who was born in old Virginia. The pater- 
nal grandfather Scott was a Revolutionary sol- 
dier, and passed his entire life in Virginia. 
William Scott removed from Virginia to Ken- 
tucky, and afterward became one of the very 
early settlers of Indiana, arriving in time to par- 
ticipate in the Indian difficulties which for a time 
made life hazardous in the Hoosier state. His 
wife, Rachel (Mounce) Scott, was born in New 
Jersey, a daughter of Thomas J. Mounce, also 
born in New Jersey, and who was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary and Indian wars. Mr. Mounce 
died in Indiana, as did also his wife. He was 
the parent of nine children, two of whom are liv- 



S!>2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing. Two sons and one daughter succeeded in 
reaching Oregon, where one of the sons served 
in the Cayuse war ; and one of the sons died 
on the plains. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart farmed for some time 
in Holt county, Mo., and in the spring of 1845 
prepared for the hazardous journey over the 
plains. One child had been born in the meantime, 
and accompanied its parents, who were outfitted 
with two wagons and eight yoke of oxen, besides 
having one hundred head of loose cattle. There 
were one hundred wagons in the train, and they 
started from Missouri May first, all going well 
until they reached Boise City. One of the party 
by the name of Meeks thought to shorten the 
course by striking out from the main road, but 
he got lost on the desert, and the rest had to 
proceed without him. Without any particular 
incident they arrived at Sheets, and then came 
down to The Dalles, arriving in the valley in 
November, 1845. O n the way they had lost near- 
ly all of their loose cattle, but otherwise they 
were in fairly good condition, at least possessing 
fair health. After wintering at Tualatin Plains, 
they stopped near Rickreall and raised one hun- 
dred bushels of wheat, and in March, 1846, took 
up a donation claim of six hundred and forty 
acres just north of Corvallis. Here their troubles 
began in earnest, for at first they were obliged to 
subsist almost entirely on boiled wheat and peas, 
but finally they discovered that there was an 
abundance of wild game, a most welcome addi- 
tion to their limited menu. On the banks of 
the Willamette Mr. Stewart built a comfortable 
"little log house, and this same house proved a 
blessing indeed to that uncivilized neighborhood. 
The faithful wife made the clothes for the fam- 
ily out of buckskin, and she was obliged to make 
about six pairs of moccasins a week, so fast did 
they wear out. They were of course intimately 
associated with the Indians, who readily recog- 
nized the friendship of the white settlers, and 
displayed no animosity towards them. 

Of importance in connection with these early 
days was the organization of the first Methodist 
Church in Benton county, which took place at 
the Stewart home, and there received its first 
impetus towards usefulness. The first pastor 
was Rev. Leander Ballew, who crossed the 
plains with Mr. Meeks. For three years the 
services were held in the hospitable home of the 
Stewarts, the people coming from many miles 
around with ox-teams, and invariably staying 
over night. They also partook of the boiled 
wheat and game, and left refreshed materially 
and spiritually. After three years a log school- 
house was erected where Mrs. Stewart's house 
is built in Corvallis, and thereafter the services 
were held there, thus relieving these earnest pio- 
neers of their courageously borne responsibility. 



In time Mr. Stewart cleared considerable of his 
land and was rewarded with golden harvests, and 
still later fences enclosed the property, and ag- 
ricultural devices of a modern nature facilitated 
the large enterprises he had inaugurated. In 
1850 he took a run down into California, spent 
the summer in the mines, and experienced fair 
success. He engaged during his active life in 
the west in general farming, although he de- 
voted considerable time to stock-raising and de- 
pended for the larger part of his revenue upon 
cattle and hogs. Before his death he disposed 
of one hundred acres of his land, and in January, 
1881, retired to a well earned rest in his pleasant 
and comfortable home in the town. Mr. Stewart 
was a Republican in politics, and although he 
was not active therein in the west, had served 
as probate judge in Missouri. 

Since her husband's death Mrs. Stewart has 
continued to live in the town home, where she 
is honored not only for her brave and helpful 
life in the past, but for those enduring qualities 
of sympathy, humanity, and womanliness, which 
have made her so conspicuous among the pioneer 
women of Benton county. Mrs. Stewart still 
owns five hundred and forty acres of the original 
donation claim, which is being managed by her 
son-in-law, Miner M. Swick, husband of her 
second oldest child, Cerenda. Her oldest child, 
and only son, John, was born in Missouri, is 
married, has one child, Lenora, and lives near 
Tacoma, Wash. Mrs. Stewart has been a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church since her girlhood 
days, and is a member of the Pioneer Associa- 
tion. 



BARTHOLOMEW WIESNER. On the 
Parkersville and Aumsville road, ten miles 
northeast of Salem and five miles west of Sil- 
verton, Marion county, Ore., is located the farm 
of Bartholomew Wiesner, presenting a fair 
picture of rural comfort. The house, barns and 
outbuildings are all substantial and up-to-date, 
and the farm itself is well stocked with Angora 
goats, horses, Jersey cattle, Brown Leghorn 
and Barred Plymouth Rock chickens, the fowls 
having taken first prize at the Oregon State 
Fair, where they are exhibited each year. 

The birth of Mr. Wiesner occurred near 
Zunderbach, Germany, March 7, 1835. His 
father, Adam Wiesner, born in 1799, was a 
manufacturer of tile and brick and also engaged 
in farming up to the time of his death, which 
occurred at the age of sixty years, in the year 
i860, the mother, Margaret Happ, born in 
1809, having died when about fifty years old. 
Bartholomew Wiesner was one of eight chil- 
dren, and the large family prevented him re- 
ceiving as many advantages as would other- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



S'j:; 



wise have been accorded him. His school days 
were ended at the age of twelve years, at which 
time he started for America. Having his own 
livelihood to earn, he sought with remarkable 
judgment the best field wherein to spend his 
energy. It was in the year 1847 th at he came 
to the United States and settled in Buffalo, 
X. Y., where he served as an apprentice to his 
uncle, who was a tailor. After a period of three 
years spent in that city, Mr. Wiesner removed 
to Lanada West, locating in what is now On- 
tario, where he secured employment on a farm, 
and remained until 1862. In the last-named 
year he came to Oregon, via New York, Isth- 
mus of Panama and San Francisco, and after 
a stop in British Columbia of a few months, 
he came to Marion county and settled on a 
farm on French Prairie, where his management 
and industry resulted in sufficient means to 
enable him to purchase land in 1864. This 
first purchase was located on the Prairie, and 
there he bought the farm which he now owns, 
consisting of one hundred and seventy-two 
acres, though since his purchase he has added 
twenty more. One hundred and twenty acres 
of his land is under cultivation. Mr. Wiesner 
has put all the improvements on this place 
and has brought it to the present high state 
of cultivation. 

April 6, 1868, Mr. Wiesner was united in 
marriage with Miss Louise Jane Cawood, who 
was born in Daviess county, Ind., and with her 
parents crossed the plains with mule teams in 
1865. They took up their residence on the 
farm on French Prairie, and in 1870 removed 
to their present location. Eight children were 
born of the union, of whom Emma is the wife 
of Edward Baughton, a contractor of Portland, 
and they have two children, Ralph and Mamie ; 
Philip is in Mesa, Ariz., engaged in bee cul- 
ture ; Ephraim G. and Ernest C. are at home ; 
Opha is the wife of AVarren Gray, of Mar- 
quam ; Bertha and Archie B. also make their 
home with their parents, and Oso died in in- 
fancy. One of the most important events in 
the life of Mr. Wiesner was obtaining his mar- 
riage license and teacher's certificate on the 
same day. He taught school one term, organ- 
ized a new district, there having previously 
been no building, the pupils meeting in a room 
of his own house. Politically Mr. Wiesner 
is a Socialist and is a member of the Christian 
Scientists. He has served in public offices at 
different times, being elected justice of the 
peace, serving four years, and school director 
from 1870 to 1890. Mr. Wiesner is influential 
in the Grange, and is now overseer in the Pa- 
mona Grange and master of North Howell 
Grange, No. 274, having passed all the chairs 
of the subordinate Grange. 



WILLIAM D. CLAGGETT, whose fifty-one 
years of residence in Oregon covers almost the 
v entire period of development and improvements 
here, was for many years extensively engaged in 
farming and stock-raising and still supervises 
his interests in those directions from his home 
in Salem, where he has resided since 1880. 

A native of Missouri, William D. Claggett 
was born near Albany, Gentry county, November 
28, 1840, a son of Charles Claggett, who was 
born in Woodford county, Ky., October 13, 1813. 
The latter 's father died in Kentucky when Charles 
Claggett was an infant. Charles Claggett was 
reared in that state, and after attaining his major- 
ity began farming on his own account in Gentry 
county. In 1852 he left the Mississippi valley for 
the coast, making the long and tedious journev 
across the sands and through the mountain passes 
until he reached Marion county. He settled four 
miles north of Salem, where he secured about 
three hundred and twenty acres of land covered 
with a heavy growth of timber. He at once began 
to improve the property, and in those early davs 
he burned charcoal. His pits were long enough 
to take in logs of seventy-five feet, and would 
contain two thousand bushels of charcoal. Each 
pit would be left to burn for three months, before 
the product was considered ready for the mar- 
ket. In this Mr. Claggett was quite successful, 
although the early years of residence here were 
a period of hardship to the family. The father 
had but a single dollar at the time of his arrival, 
and the first home of the family was a log cabin, 
16x16 feet, and without a floor of any kind, or 
a stove or a fireplace. Through many years, how- 
ever. Charles Claggett successfully engaged in 
the raising of stock and grain, and added to his 
original purchase the adjoining farm. His death 
occurred October 7, 1902, and thus passed away 
one of the honored pioneer settlers. He had a 
brother, Mason Claggett, who w r as a soldier in the 
Mexican war. 

The mother of William D., Mrs. Mary 
(Irvine) Claggett, was a native of Kentucky and 
a daughter of Jesse Irvine, who removed to Mis- 
souri, where he engaged in farming until his 
death in 1842. Mrs. Claggett passed away in 
Salem in 1891. In the family were ten children, 
of whom only four reached adult age : Mrs. 
Margaret McNary, who died near Salem ; Mrs. 
Sallie A. Pugh. who also died near Salem ; Will- 
iam D., and Mrs. Martha Savage, who was 
accidentally killed in Marion county. 

When but eleven years of age William D. Clag- 
gett came with his parents to Oregon. Thev left 
their Missouri home on the 1st of April, with two 
wagons drawn by oxen, and some loose cattle. 
The boy William drove an ox-team of four yoke, 
and in the lead had a pair of three-vear-old oxen 
which he had broken from calves, and had made 



804 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



so tractable that he could stand on the wagon 
tongue and guide them simply by speaking to 
them. The party crossed the Platte river where 
it was three miles wide. Mr. Claggett had his 
three-year-olds in the lead of seven yoke of cattle, 
and had they stopped swimming the wagons 
would have sunk. This yoke of oxen crossed the 
Platte seven times in one day, leading the other 
big teams. At length they reached the old Ore- 
gon trail and proceeded slowly until they arrived 
at Fort Hall, when they quickened their pace 
and passed every team which they overtoook 
upon the road. On July 4 they reached the 
North pass and came on toward Oregon, arriving 
at The Dalles, September 13, and proceeding 
down the Columbia on a flatboat, while the cattle 
were brought by the trail. 

Mr. Claggett arrived at Salem October 13, 
1852, and proceeded to make himself useful on the 
home farm. In the winter months, when his 
services were not needed at home, he attended 
the district schools, and between the years 1852 
and 1862 he was a student in the Willamette 
University. For some time he continued with 
his father, assisting in the operation of the home 
farm. Soon after reaching maturity he bought 
one hundred acres, to which he added another 
hundred, then three hundred and forty and subse- 
quently other tracts, until he now owns over 
nine hundreed acres in Marion county. His farm 
is devoted principally to the production of grain 
and the raising of stock. He has made a specialty 
of fine Angora goats and now has a large and 
valuable herd. He is one of the pioneers in this 
industry in Oregon, and has the largest herd, 
and has taken many prizes with his goats at the. 
state fairs. He has also owned many fine horses, 
including registered Clydesdales and some fine 
trotting stock, on which he has also won first 
premiums, and has raised fine sheep. Mr. Clag- 
gett has always been a lover of high grade stock 
and has ever kept on hand animals of superior 
excellence. One of his horses, Homdell, has a 
race record of 2:18, and has a half mile time 
record of 1 :o8. 

Mr. Claggett married Miss Ella Hennis, who 
was born in Iowa and died in Marion county, 
Ore., leaving two children: Mrs. Annie Cosper, 
of Salem ; and Mrs. Ellen Welch, who is living 
on the old homestead. For his second wife Mr. 
Clago-ett chose Miss Eliza "Parrish, who was 
born in Iowa and died in Oregon. There were 
eight children of that union : Amelia, of New 
\ork; Charles W., of Salem; Archie, who is 
on one of the father's farms : Thomas of Wash- 
ington ; Clyde, who is also on one of his father's 
farm; Benjamin, Margaret and Harriet at home. 
Mr. Claggett's third marriage was to Miss Lizzie 
Jacobs, who was born in Marion county, her 



father having been one of the first settlers of 
that state, arriving here in the earliest pioneer 
days. 

Since 1880 Mr. Claggett has been a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
has held office in the lodge and encampment. In 
politics he is an active Republican. As the 
years have passed, through the careful conduct 
of his business interests, through judicious invest- 
ment and unflagging industry, he has prospered, 
and is today one of the substantial citizens of 
Salem, having extensive and valuable property 
holdings in Marion county. Soon after his arriv- 
al in the county he was ill for a short time with 
mountain fever, but has since enjoyed remarkable 
health, for the past fifty years never missing a 
meal a single day. He is familiar with pioneer 
history, and has witnessed the development of the 
county, as early conditions have been replaced by 
those of an advanced civilization, making Oregon 
one of the most promising commonwealths in this 
great country. 

MAJOR MATTHEW H. ELLIS, M. D. 
One of the prominent physicians and sur- 
geons of Linn county is Major M. H. Ellis, 
M. D., who has met with noteworthy success 
in his professional career, and attained an en- 
viable position among the foremost citizens 
of Albany. A native of Ontario, he was born 
near Owen Sound, being the oldest of the 
eleven children of John Ellis. His grandfather, 
Thomas Ellis, was born in the North of Ire- 
land, of Scotch ancestry. When a young man 
he emigrated to Ontario, where he was en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. 
He was held in high esteem as a citizen, and 
was an active member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 

John Ellis was born and educated in On- 
tario, and was subsequently engaged in tht> 
hotel business in Rochester, N. Y. Removing 
from there to Port Hope, Ont., where he re- 
sided several years, he then removed to Minne- 
apolis, Minn., where he lived retired from ac- 
tive pursuits until his death, in 1902. He mar- 
ried, at Port Hope, Eliza Dean, who was born 
in the North of Ireland, of Scotch ancestors. 
Her father, the Rev. Matthew Dean, came to 
Canada with his family, and settled in County 
Durham, Ont., where he engaged in general 
farming, and for some time preached in the 
Methodist Church. John Ellis and his wife 
were both members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Mrs. Ellis died in 1898. Seven of 
their children are still living, two of them, the 
doctor and his sister, Mrs. C. E. Sox, being 
residents of Albany. 

After his graduation from the Collegiate In- 
stitute at Port Hope, Ont., Matthew H. Ellis 




(^Cuc^i^ o>^z^2^n. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



897 



entered the medical department of the Uni- 
versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which 
he was graduated with the degree of M. D. 
m [879. Beginning the practice of medicine 
in Belmont county, Ohio, he remained in 
facobsburg two years, when, in 1882, he re- 
turned to Minneapolis, and there followed his 
profession until coming to Oregon in 1884, and 
located in Albany, where he has gained an ex- 
tended reputation as a skillful physician and 
surgeon, and has met with merited success in 
his special work of treating diseases of the 
eve and ear. Progressive in his methods, ever 
aiming to keep himself well informed in regard 
to the advances of medical and surgical sci- 
ence, the doctor is still a close student, and in 
1895 took a special course at the Post Gradu- 
ate College in Chicago, 111. 

In 1887 Dr. Ellis was appointed regimental 
surgeon of the Oregon National Guards, a 
position which he filled until the breaking out 
of the Spanish-American war. In 1898 he was 
commissioned, by Gov. T. T. Geer, surgeon 
of the Second Oregon Infantry, with the rank 
of major. Going with his regiment to the 
Philippine Islands, he took part in various en- 
gagements, and at the Battle of Norzagaray, 
was wounded by a shot in the right leg, but 
by riding a horse he remained with his regi- 
ment, heroically performing his duties. During 
the Malolos campaign Major Ellis was brigade 
surgeon of the Staff of Brigadier-General Lloyd 
Wheaton. Returning home with his regiment, 
the major was mustered out of service at San 
Francisco in August, 1899, returned to his 
home and resumed the practice of his profes- 
sion. He was subsequently re-appointed ma- 
jor and surgeon in the Oregon National Guard 
and still holds the position. He is likewise 
United States Pension Examiner. 

Politically Dr. Ellis is one of the leading Re- 
publicans of the Willamette valley, having 
served as delegate to the state conventions of 
his party. In 1895 he was a delegate to the 
National Convention of the Republican League 
held in Cleveland, Ohio. For four years he 
was a member of the State Central Committee, 
representing Linn county. Fraternally the 
doctor was made an Odd Fellow in Ohio, and 
is a member of Albany Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. 
F., and is a member and Past Chief Patriarch 
of the Albany Encampment, I. O. O. F. He 
is also a member of Albany Camp, M. W. A. ; 
the Independent Order of Foresters ; the Knights 
of the Maccabees, and of the Oregon State 
Medical Association. 



NEWTON HOUSTON. A commodious 
residence, excellent out-buildings, good fences 
and the most modern of agricultural implements 



help to make the farming property of Newton 
Houston one of the most valuable and desirable 
in Linn county. Located four miles east of 
Albany, and in extent five hundred and ten acres, 
it is principally devoted to stock and grain-rais- 
ing, and the most scientific and successful kind 
of general farming. As one of the very early 
pioneers of Oregon Mr. Houston has accom- 
plished much for his adopted state, and has been 
unceasing in his efforts to improve the condi- 
tions among which he has found himself. Born 
in Miami county, Ohio, near Piqua, Septem- 
ber 27, 1828, his father, Robert Houston, had a 
large farm in the interior of the county, where 
he married Mary Brown, and where he reared 
a family of five sons and three daughters. An 
ambitious man, he gave ready credence to the 
reports of greater fertility in the northwest, and 
in the spring of 1848 prepared for the long jour- 
ney across the plains. For the transportation 
of the husband, wife and eight children they 
had two wagons with three yoke of oxen on each, 
and another with five yoke, and they also took 
with them three cows and two horses. Seven 
months of travel brought them to Linn county, 
this state, where the father took up a claim 
just outside of Albany, and where he died at 
the age of eighty-five years. 

Ten years of age when he came to Oregon 
in 1848, Newton Houston went into the mines 
of California in 1850, accompanied by his 
brother, Milton, with whom he drove across 
the mountains. For six months he alternated 
between success and failure, and after return- 
ing to this county he continued to farm on the 
home place. In 1852 he married Louisa Parish, 
soon after purchasing a claim of three hundred 
and twenty acres, to which he has added and now 
owns five hundred and ten acres. Having a 
thorough understanding of farming, and a fine 
knowledge of stock-raising, he has succeeded 
in his adopted county and is one of its most con- 
scientious and painstaking agriculturists. Five 
sons and three daughters have been born into 
his family, all of whom have been accorded the 
best educational opportunities in their neighbor- 
hood. Robert E. resides on a farm near the 
home place, having married Aurelia Marshall, 
a native of Oregon ; they have two children, 
Ala E. and Robert L. ; Katherine, wife of W. 
W. Phillippi of Walla Walla, Wash., and they 
have four girls, Delia, Laura. Amy and Elsie ; 
Charles W., who resides at the home place,, and 
married Rose Wilson, to whom have been born 
three children, Chester, Van and Ilda; Brown 
J. and Leroy reside in Portland, Ore. ; Minnie 
(now deceased) was the wife of Preston B. 
Marshall, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere 
in this volume ; Calista C, wife of A. B. Cus- 
ter of Linn county; they have one child, Ira 



898 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



N. ; Edward P. resides in Boise City, married 
Nora Mills and has one child, Robert E. 

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Houston was 
prominent in the early days, and at times has 
been school director and road supervisor. He 
is a member of the Grange, and his stanch 
support has greatly facilitated the growth of 
this institution. Although so many years have 
passed over his head, Mr. Houston is still active, 
and not only still performs his share of the labor 
of life, but heartily enters into its joys and di- 
versions. Honored by all who know him, he 
has a cheery home, to which his many friends 
like to go, and where they invariably receive a 
warm and convincing welcome. 



WILLIAM R. BILYEU. A judicial mind 
and temperament, excellent business ability, 
and a capacity for hard work well developed, 
has placed Hon. William R. Bilyeu among the 
foremost legal practitioners • in Linn county. 
Of French origin, he represents a family the 
earliest emigrants of which settled in Virginia, 
and from the Old Dominion state branched out 
into various parts of the south and east. His 
paternal grandfather was the establisher of the 
name in Tennessee, where was born Joseph 
Bilyeu, the father of Hon. William R., the lat- 
ter of whom settled at an early day in Miller 
county, Mo. Joseph Bilyeu cleared a wilder- 
ness farm in Miller county and married Anna 
Osborn, who was born in Sangamon county, 
111., a daughter of William Osborn, a farmer 
who died in Illinois. In Missouri were born 
six of the ten children reared by these parents, 
of whom William R., the oldest, was born 
March 19, 1847. ^ n 1 ^ 2 tne father outfitted 
with wagons and ox and horse-teams and 
brought his family across the plains, on the 
way escaping many of the unfortunate experi- 
ences which rendered terrifying and uncertain 
the way of the earlier immigrants. Leaving 
Missouri May 5, 1862, the party arrived at its 
destination in Portland October 7, of the same 
year, William and his brother driving the stock 
down the old Columbia river trail, arriving a 
few days later. Mr. Bilyeu settled on a claim 
in Linn county, and the same winter removed 
to Polk county, where he bought the farm 
which he improved, and upon which he lived 
for many years. A later place of residence was 
a farm near Turner, Marion county, from 
where he moved to Albany, where his death 
occurred May 29, 1902, at the age of seventy- 
nine years. From early manhood he was a 
member of the Christian Church, as was also 
his wife, who died in Marion county in 1899. 
Of the large family of children, the following 
seven attained maturity : William R. ; Larkin, 



an attorney at Eugene, and representative for 
several terms ; James, an educajtor at Scio ; 
Lydia, now Mrs. Ennis, of Eureka, Cal. ; Tab- 
itha, now Mrs. Vaughan, of Salem, Ore. ; 
John, who died in Linn county, Ore., at the 
age of twenty-seven, and Joseph, who died in 
Linn county at the age of twenty, and who 
was the only one born in Oregon. 

The education of Hon. William R. Bilyeu 
was acquired under difficulties, for, as the old- 
est son in the family, he was early confronted 
by large responsibility, the fulfillment of which 
crowded out many opportunities. He was fif- 
teen when the family came to the west, and on 
the way he made himself useful by driving a 
team of three horses. On the western posses- 
sion he performed his share towards clearing 
off the timber and rendering the land profit- 
able, and through the exercise of great econ- 
omy gained admission to the Tualatin Acad- 
emy when he was twenty. This institution 
afterward became the Pacific University, and 
his tuition was met from the proceeds of his 
several years of teaching in Washington, Linn 
and Marion counties, thus enabling him to take 
a six years' course, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1873 with the degree of Bachelor of 
Science. In conformity with a long-thought- 
out determination, he began the study of law 
in the office of Mallory & Shaw, of Salem, and 
after being duly admitted to the bar in 1875, 
engaged in practice in Albany, where his entire 
professional life has been centered. He is 
known as an astute and most capable lawyer, 
and has received his share of the legal patron- 
age of Albany and Linn county. 

A stanch upholder of Democracy, Mr. Bil- 
yeu has rendered signal service in state affairs, 
but has never been induced to hold local office. 
He was elected to the state senate in 1878, and 
re-elected in 1882, and in 1902 was elected to 
the house of representatives in the twenty-third 
biennial session. While in the latter body he 
drew up and was instrumental in securing the 
passage of the mortgage tax law, which was 
litigated in the courts, but finally sustained by 
the United States Supreme Court. This ses- 
sion also passed the Indian veteran bill, which 
gave an appropriation of $100,000 for the vet- 
eran fighters of '55-'56. In 1888 he was nomi- 
nated presidential elector on the Democratic 
ticket, and has attended many conventions, but 
never as a candidate. For several terms he 
was chairman of the County Central Commit- 
tee, and he is an ex-member of the State Cen- 
tral Committee. Fraternally he is associated 
with St. John's Lodge, No. 62, of which he is 
past master; Bayley Chapter, No. 8, R. A. M., 
of Albany ; Temple Commandery, K. T., No. 
3, and the Benevolent Protective Order of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



890 



Elks. He married, in Corvallis, Mary Gold- 
son, a native of Mississippi, and who has borne 
him two children, Charles and Walter. Mr. 
Bilyeu ranks among the foremost legal expon- 
ents in the Willamette valley and personally 
he embodies those strong' and admirable char- 
acteristics which win respect and command at- 
tention. 

WILEY NORTON. Among the keen, pro- 
gressive, and substantial agriculturists of Polk 
county, conspicuous for their ability and worth, 
is Wiley Norton, whose father, Lucius C. Nor- 
ton, and maternal grandfather, Nahum King, 
were Oregon pioneers. An important factor in 
promoting the industrial interests of this section 
of the state, he is actively and prosperously 
engaged in his free and independent calling near 
Lewisville, his home farm being one and one- 
half miles from the village. A native of Mis- 
souri, he was born at Big Bend, Carroll county, 
March 27, 1844, and was but a year old when he 
was brought to Oregon. 

Horn in Illinois. December 26, 1818, Lucius 
C. Norton subsequently settled in Carroll county, 
Mo., where on October 7, 1839, ne married 
Hopestill King, who was born February 7, 1816. 
Her father, Nahum King, an early settler of 
Missouri, was born in New York state. In 1845 
Mr. Norton and Nahum King, with their fam- 
ilies, crossed the dreary plains, coming to Ore- 
gon with ox-teams. Losing the trail at Meeks' 
cutoff, they were nine months on the way, and 
endured terrible hardships and privations, their 
provisions giving out just as they reached The 
Dalles. After spending the first winter on the 
Tualatin plains, in Washington county, they pro- 
ceeded to Benton county, where both men took 
up donation claims of six hundred and forty 
acres each. The town thus founded, was after- 
wards named Kings Valley in honor of Mr. 
King, who became one of the leading men of 
the place. He was a tanner by- trade, but 
engaged in general farming from the time he 
came to Benton county until his death, in 1853. 
Mr. Norton's farm adjoined that of his father- 
in-law, and he was there successfully engaged 
in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of 
his active career, dying at Kings Valley, May 
6, 1859. His wife survived him many years, 
dying November 16. 1893. at Norton's Station, 
Lincoln county. Ore. Four boys and four girls 
were born of their union, six of whom are now 
living, namely* Isaac, a resident of Benton 
county : Wiley, the subject of this brief sketch ; 
Ashnah. wife of James Plunkett. of Kings 
A alley ; Sereptah, wife of Willard L. Price, of 
Kings Valley; Nahum, residing at Blodgett, 
Benton county; and Lucius C, of Lincoln 
county. 



After completing his studies in the district 
school, Wiley Norton assisted his brothers for 
a while in the care of the home farm, after their 
father's death. On coming of age he married, 
and began housekeeping on a homestead farm 
of one hundred and sixty acres in Blodgett's 
valley. He continued there as one of the most 
successful farmers of the vicinity until 1900, 
when he assumed possession of his present farm, 
near Lewisville, Polk county, it being a part of 
the donation claim which Mrs. Norton's father 
took up from the government. He has ninety- 
three acres of land, the greater part of which 
is in a high state of cultivation, twelve acres 
being especially devoted to the cultivation of 
hops. 

On May 18, 1865, on the farm which he now 
owns and occupies, Mr. Norton married Nancy 
A. Zumwalt, who was born on Tualatin plains, 
Washington county, Ore., May 25, 1847. Her 
father, the late Isaac Zumwalt, was born in St. 
Charles county, Mo., May 29, 181 5. Coming 
to Oregon as a pioneer in 1846, he took up a 
donation claim near Lewisville, in Polk county, 
and was here engaged in mixed husbandry until 
his death, March 21, 1891. He married Sarah 
Crow, who was born in Missouri, June 13, 1815, 
and died on the home farm, in Polk county, 
June 8, 1885. Twelve children, seven boys and 
five girls, were born into their household, Mrs. 
Norton being the sixth child in succession of 
birth. Mr. and Mrs. Norton have six children 
living, namely : Arthur, residing in eastern 
Oregon ; Warren, of Benton county ; Le Roy, 
of Benton county ; Walter, at home ; Serena, a 
stenographer, in Idaho ; and James Emmett, 
at home. Mr. Norton is a strong Republican in 
politics, and has served as road supervisor, and 
school director and clerk. 



MRS. MARGARITE BECK. The business 
interests of Salem find a worthy representative 
in Mrs. Margarite Beck, who was for some 
time the owner of the Capital Brewery. She 
is the widow of Seirphein Beck, who was born 
in Alsace and came to America when nineteen 
years of age. He made his way into Illinois 
where he learned the brewing business, and in 
1878 he came to Salem in the employ of Mr. 
Adolph, who was the owner of the old Salem 
Brewery on Trade street. Mr. Beck served as 
head brewer and subsequently he removed to 
Portland to act in the same capacity for Mr. 
Weinhard, filling that position until he was 
taken ill, when he returned to Salem. Later 
he again entered the employ of Mr. Adolph and 
because of his business ability and thorough 
understanding of the brewing industry he was 
admitted into partnership under the firm name 



900 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Adolph, Klinger & Beck. This relationship 
was maintained for three years, when Mr. Adolph 
sold out to his partners, Messrs. Klinger & 
Beck continuing together in the conduct of 
the old Salem Brewery. Later they purchased 
a new site and built a new brewing plant, con- 
ducting it under the name of the Capital Brew- 
ery until the death of Mr. Beck, on April 25, 
1899. 

In Salem, in 1879, Mr. Beck had been united 
in marriage to Miss Margarite Neibirt, who 
was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of Paulus 
Neibirt, whose birth occurred in Germany. 
He wedded Annie Frizholtz, also a native of 
the Fatherland, and soon after their marriage 
they came to the United States, settling in 
Wisconsin, where Mr. Neibirt followed farm- 
ing. In 1871 he came to Oregon, settling in 
Benton county, and in 1872 removed to Sub- 
limity. There he purchased a farm, but was 
not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for 
he became ill and died about 1876. His wife 
also passed away in Marion county in October, 
1897. In their family were seven children, of 
whom four are yet living. One son, George, 
is a resident of Stayton, Marion county ; Lizzie 
Schutt, a daughter, died in Sublimity ; Mrs. 
Barbara Clasp, another daughter, is living in 
San Francisco, and Mrs. Mary Wolf now lives 
in Salem ; another son, Conrad, was murdered 
while defending his house against an attack by 
robbers. 

Mrs. Beck is the youngest of her father's 
family, and was born in Wisconsin. She at- 
tended German schools of that state and is a 
lady of culture and refinement, who possesses 
marked business ability and keen discrimina- 
tion in matters of trade. After her husband's 
death she assumed the management of his 
business affairs, and, in 1901, she bought out 
the interest of Mr. Klinger's heirs and was the 
sole owner of the Capital Brewery until 1903, 
when she sold out. She remodeled the entire 
plant, and new machinery of the most modern 
kind and improvements was installed. In this 
connection she also operated an ice plant, en- 
gaged in the manufacture of pure ice, besides 
operating an extensive malt plant. While Mr. 
Beck and Mr. Klinger were associated in busi- 
ness they built the Klinger & Beck building on 
Commercial street, which has since passed into 
other hands. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beck were born three 
children: Joseph Seirphein, Mary Leona and 
Louie Conrad, who died at the age of ten years. 
Mr. and Mrs. Beck belonged to the St. Joseph 
Catholic Church, in which faith Mr. Beck died, 
and was laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery. 
Mrs. Beck is still identified with the church, 
and is a liberal contributor to its support. 



THOMAS LINCOLN AMBLER. The 
present postmaster of Mount Angel was for- 
merly a well known educator. He was born in 
Pike county, Ohio, June 14, 1864, a son of 
Thomas and Catherine (Brill) Ambler, natives 
respectively of Guernsey and Pike counties, 
Ohio, and the former born July 7, 1831. 

Thomas Ambler married Catherine Brill, 
whose father was born in Pennsylvania, and 
became an early settler of Pike county. He 
served in the war of 1812 as a private, and 
when the Civil war occurred he again entered 
the military service, enlisting in the Ninety- 
first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, and was 
with the Army of the Potomac. While on 
picket duty he was taken prisoner by the reb- 
els, and that they might not secure possession 
of a whole gun, he broke it over a log. He was 
confined in Libby prison, and was honorably 
discharged in Virginia, in 1865. Mr. Ambler 
was an active Republican. His death occurred 
at the home of his son in Illinois, at the age of 
eighty-four. In 1866 Mr. Ambler removed to 
Champaign county, 111., where he settled on a 
small farm, and remained there until 1878. He 
(hen took up his residence near Fredonia, Wil- 
son county, Kans., and. ten years later removed 
to a farm near Bentonville, Ark., where his 
death occurred at the age of sixty-three years. 
Of the seven children born into his family, 
those beside Thomas Lincoln Ambler, of this 
review, are : William H., deceased ; Sarah C, 
deceased; one child, deceased in infancy; Jo- 
siah E., engaged in the bakery business in Kan- 
sas City, Mo. ; Effie V., the wife of E. D. 
Wright, of Portland, Ore., and Arietta M., the 
wife of Z. Briggs, their home being in Iowa. 

The third of the children in his father's fam- 
ily, Thomas Lincoln Ambler received his ele- 
mentary education in the public schools of 
Kansas, and eventually took a course in the 
Fredonia High school. At the age of fifteen he 
began to make his own way in the world, de- 
voting his summers to hard manual labor and 
his winters to hard study. His efforts were 
not in vain. In his twenty-second year he 
began a most successful record as a teacher, 
which terminated sixteen years later. He 
taught for five years in the schools of Ne- 
braska. He then removed to Oregon, where he 
soon won a reputation which placed him in the 
front ranks of his profession. In 1892 he lo- 
cated at Mount Angel, and for four years 
taught in the public schools at this place. He 
then devoted the last six years of what we may 
term a successftil life to the welfare of Hazel 
Dell district, which adjoins Mount Angel on 
the south, and while thus employed, in 1898, 
was appointed postmaster of Mount Angel. 
His discharge of the duties of this office has 







^y> *^2 t so <xf^<^£>s£0-v-? 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



901 



necessitated his withdrawal from educational 
work, and it is a well-known fact that the strict 
attention to duty on the part of Mr. Ambler 
has brought the service in the city to a high 
state of efficiency. The office is now third- 
class, and under the administration of the pres- 
ent incumbent, and principally through his en- 
terprise and public-spiritedness, the present 
postoffice building has been erected. This, a 
two-story building, is adequate for all present 
demands, and the system maintained has been 
prolific of good results. Fraternally Mr. Am- 
bler is a member of Silverton Pine Camp No. 
[98, W. O. W., and politically has always been 
active in the Republican party. 

In Salem, Ore., March 17, 1892, Mr. Ambler 
married Flora Wolf, who was born in Illinois, 
December 20, 1858. Her father was Daniel 
Wolf, a native of Preble county, Ohio, and was 
born February 9, 1835. Mr. Wolf removed 
from his native state to Illinois, thence to Mis- 
souri, and from there to Nebraska, locating 
near Lincoln. In 1892 he came to Oregon, but 
was not long permitted to enjoy the west, for 
his death occurred in 1896. The wife, who sur- 
vives him, makes her home with her two sons 
on a farm near Silverton. 

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Ambler, Eda May and A. Dewey, the latter of 
whom was named by special request of his 
mother just a few moments before her death, 
which occurred June 18, 1899. The loss of this 
clear and sympathetic companion and wife has 
been a severe trial to Mr. Ambler, and he has 
found it difficult to take up alone the tasks that 
confront him from day to day. 



JOHN D. HAMPTON. The roll call of the 
early plains emigrants, who struggled day after 
day and month after month in the effort to reach 
their northwestern goal, and who afterward lent 
an unwavering courage and dignity to Oregon's 
agricultural upbuilding, would be sadly incom- 
plete without mention of John D. Hampton, a 
pioneer of 1845, wno came to the state at the 
age of fourteen, and continued to make this his 
home until his lamented death, in March, 1899, 
at the age of sixty-seven years. Mr. Hampton 
bore himself well among the trials and dangers 
which beset the pioneer settlers, and though only 
a boy, seemed to realize the immensity of the 
task which rested on the shoulders of the fore- 
runners of western civilization. He not only ac- 
complished his individual mission as he saw it 
in his most ambitious moments, but left behind 
him six sturdy sons to perpetuate his fine personal 
characteristics and to become progressive and 
influential factors of a latter-day development. 

Of a fine old southern family, Mr. Hampton 



was born in Lexington, Mo., in 1831, a son of 
Jacob Hampton, who was born in Kentucky, and 
grandson of a native of Virginia, who became 
an early resident of Kentucky. For many years 
Jacob Hampton built and contracted in Lexing- 
ton, Mo., and in 1845 brought his family to Ore- 
gon, crossing the plains with ox-teams, and set- 
tling first on the Tualatin plains, Washington 
county. Afterward he took up a donation claim 
of six hundred and forty acres in Yamhill county, 
resided here until 1852, and then removed to a 
farm near Goshen, Lane county, where he en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising for 
three years. Returning to his- Yamhill county 
farm he lived there many years, and for several 
years also lived on a farm in Lake county. His 
last years were spent with his son, John D., near 
Goshen, and he died rich in experience, and 
with a moderate share of this world's posses- 
sions. 

Following his father's footsteps, John D. 
Hampton became early interested in stock-rais- 
ing, and when a comparatively young man took 
up a three hundred and twenty acre donation 
claim near Goshen. To this farm he brought his 
newly wedded wife, whom he married October 
26, 1854, and who was formerly Mary Eleanore 
Moore. Husband and wife "put their shoulders 
to the wheel" to improve the crude property, and 
render it not only a profitable but a pleasant 
place in Avhich to live. Harvests rewarded their 
efforts in well-doing, and soon more land was re- 
quired for carrying on the large plans of the 
owner. Accordingly he increased his possessions 
to six hundred and fifty acres, all of which is 
still owned bv his widow, one of the representa- 
tive pioneer women of Lane county. Some time 
before his death, Mr. Hampton moved into 
Eugene and retired from active life, his last days 
being spent among friends whom he had long 
known, and by whom he was held in the highest 
esteem. Throughout his life he cherished high 
ideals, and instinctively impressed others with 
his absolute sincerity and truth. His business 
and private life was above reproach, and his 
steady, calm temperament, enabled him to pursue 
unflinchingly a course once marked out and 
clearly defined. He was a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church from his sixteenth year, 
and during his life contributed generously to- 
wards its support. 

Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Hamp- 
ton has lived in the home in Eugene, and draws 
a liberal income from the farm. Born near 
Montezuma, Vermilion county, Ind.. January 31, 
1836, she is a daughter of William Moore, who 
was born in Pennsylvania, and who moved with 
his father, Jonathan, also a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, to Ohio, at a very early clay. The family 
was established in Indiana in 1832, and there 



902 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



William Moore owned a large farm and prospered 
as a farmer and stock-raiser. He was a discern- 
ing and ambitious man, and though cautious and 
conservative, readily grasped the full significance 
of the favorable reports which reached him from 
the west. Being well-to-do, he fared better on 
the plains than many of his neighbors, for he was 
able to purchase every comfort for his wife and 
four children, and to go well supplied with horses 
and cattle, as well as ox-teams. Although they 
suffered small inconvenience from the Indians 
or cholera, the alkali water of the desert killed 
many of their cattle, and they were obliged to 
replenish their stock by purchasing of other 
emigrants. The survivors of the long, six- 
months expedition still recall the details of the 
trip, and Mrs. Hampton, who was then twenty 
years of age, vividly remembers the trials and 
hardships endured by those brave pioneers who 
bore the brunt of the journey with Spartan 
courage. Mr. Moore took up a claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres near Goshen, and died 
there at the age of seventy-five, his wife, who 
was formerly Eleanor Limerick, of Pennsylvania, 
surviving him until seventy-seven years of age. 
Mrs. Moore came of the famous old Limerick 
family, of Ireland, and her father rendered valu- 
able service in the war of 1812. Jonathan L., 
one of the older sons of William Moore, was a 
first lieutenant in the Rogue river war, and died 
from drowning in Fall creek; about thirty years 
ago. Mrs. Hampton is the third child of her 
father's family, and although she has reached 
her seventy-first year she has a heart and mind 
in tune with the beneficent present. She is a 
believer in high living and high thinking, in 
courtesy and absolute fairness in all the little 
ways of life, and all who come in contact with 
her feel the charm of goodness and ideal sympa- 
thy. She is justly proud of her six sturdy sons 
and one daughter, and hopes to watch their suc- 
cessful careers for many years to come. Frank, 
the oldest son, is a member of the mercantile firm 
of Hampton Brothers ; Horace lives on and farms 
the old home place ; Hugh is a farmer near Eu- 
gene ; Alton and John are at the head of Hamp- 
ton Brothers, merchants ; Austin lives in Eugene ; 
and Nellie is at home. 



W. E. CRESSY. As an educator of many 
years' experience, W. E. Cressy came to Ore- 
gon in 1881, and, in 1883, located in Independ- 
ence, where he lived retired for many years. 
A man of more than ordinary endowments, he 
was a linguist and scholar, a brilliant per- 
former on the violin, and a keen appreciator of 
things artistic and beautiful. Therefore, his 
influence was rather in the intellectual than the 
business world, and in this regard he filled a 



nook hitherto unoccupied to a great extent. A 
native of New Hampshire, Mr. Cressy was 
born September 23, 1846, and was reared on a 
farm, receiving his preliminary education in 
the public schools. Into an otherwise unevent- 
ful youth came the opportunity to serve his 
country during the Civil war, and at the age of 
seventeen he enlisted in Company H, First 
Regiment, New Hampshire Cavalry, serving 
for three months, or until a severe case of 
measles compelled his retirement. The bent 
of his mind is shown by his subsequent dispo- 
sition of his bounty money, for he used it to 
pay his way through a New Hampshire col- 
lege, from which he was duly graduated with 
honors. 

In 1870 Mr. Cressy removed from New 
Hampshire to Henry county, 111., where he 
engaged in teaching, and while there married 
and had two children, of whom Warren P. is 
a resident of South Bend, Wash., and Jessie 
is deceased. In 1873 Mr. Cressy located in 
Chico, Cal., and taught in the public schools of 
that city, winning praise for his thorough and 
practical methods of imparting knowledge. 
Desiring a change, he brought his family to 
Oregon in 1881, as heretofore stated, and here 
his first wife died in 1886. He entered heartily 
into various phases of northwestern life, his 
personality and gifts winning for him many 
admiring friends. After retiring from teach- 
ing he retained his interest in the languages, 
which he spoke with fluency, and also derived 
much comfort and satisfaction from composing 
music, of which he was unusually fond. On 
the violin he played with expression and deli- 
cacy, and in order to further an interest in 
music in Independence he organized an orches- 
tra which he drilled, and of which he thought 
much. He was well posted on current events, 
was in touch with the political situation, and in 
conversation was most interesting and instruc- 
tive. Although caring nothing for office, he 
served for a time as councilman. In religion 
he was a member of the Unitarian Church. 

In 1889 Mr. Cressy married his second wife, 
Mary T. Turner, a native of Rock Island, 111., 
and daughter of Elihu Turner, a native of New 
York City. Mr. Turner came from a mercan- 
tile rather than agricultural family, and that 
bis parents were in moderate circumstances 
was perhaps the best for the strong young 
boy. At the age of twelve he apprenticed to a 
shoemaker, and, having mastered his trade, 
worked thereat until removing to Rock Island, 
111., in 1837. Rock Island was then but an 
embryo hamlet, so small that the industries 
represented did not include a shoemaking es- 
tablishment. Mr. Turner therefore filled a 
waiting and necessary nook, and from a very 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



903 



small beginning worked up a trade which ren- 
dered him a comparatively wealthy man. He 
was influential in other lines than business, 
took a deep interest in political and other af- 
fairs, and was prominent and honored in the 
community, where his death occurred June 18, 
1888, at the age of seventy-three years. He 
married Ann Tracy, who was born in Lim- 
erick, Ireland, and who came to Canada with 
her parents when six years of age. The family 
of Tracy moved to Rock Island in 1838.. one 
year after the arrival ot Mr. Turner. Six chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner, three 
sons and three daughters, of whom Mrs. Cressy 
is the fourth. The latter was educated in the 
public schools of Rock Island, but in youth 
was not favored with a very robust constitu- 
tion. In order to improve her health she re- 
moved to Denver, Colo., and later to Leadville 
and Cheyenne. She came to Oregon in 1889,, 
and the same year occurred her marriage with 
Mr. Cressy. Mrs. Cressy is a woman of broad 
and liberal ideas, and during her husband's 
life was his most sincere appreciator and his 
unfailing sympathizer and helper. She is a 
member of the Presbvterian Church. 



LORENZO A. BYRD. The story of the early 
experiences of the pioneers of the northwest is 
always of more or less interest, and particularly 
so when the journey w r as made overland, compell- 
ing the pioneer parties of the '40s frequently to 
endure hardships and sufferings which no pen 
will ever be able to describe. The reminiscences 
of such a man as Lorenzo A. Byrd, who is now 
living retired at No. 209 Union street, in Sa- 
lem, w r ould make a volume of intensely inter- 
esting narrative, from beginning to end. Sur- 
rounding him is that absorbing interest which 
is inseparably associated with the hardy fore- 
runners of northwestern civilization, to whom 
danger was a spur, and deprivation an accepted 
heritage. 

Lorenzo A. Byrd was born on a farm near 
Batesville, Independence county, Ark., Decem- 
ber 10, 1822, a son of John and Mary (Wise; 
Byrd, both natives of Kentucky. Mr. Byrd 
was but two years of age when his father's 
death occurred. His mother afterward became 
the wife of Reuben Millsaps, an officer in the 
American army during the war of 1812, who 
commanded a portion of the forces under Gen- 
eral Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. To 
John and Mary Byrd were born three children : 
Micajah Luther, who died in Oregon ; Virginia, 
also deceased, who became the wife of John 
Magnes, and Lorenzo A. 

The first twenty-four years of the life of the 
subject of this sketch were spent upon the home 



farm in Arkansas, and it is safe to assume that 
he lost nothing from close association with the 
soil, correct living, and exercise which de- 
veloped an already strong constitution. In his 
boyhood he knew no relatives excepting his 
mother and a first cousin. Like the other 
farmer lads of his neighborhood, life did not 
pass by unobserved by him, for he was keenly 
alert to all that the future might have in store 
for him. Accordingly, when the opportunity 
to cross the plains came to him in 1846, he wel- 
comed it as a special dispensation of Provi- 
dence, believing that the chance thus offered 
him reflected all that he had thought and 
dreamed regarding his future. The party of 
which he was a member was under the guid- 
ance of the Rev. Josephus Cornwall, the train 
consisting of eighty wagons. Starting out 
April 15, 1846, with a large number of oxen, 
the man for whom young Byrd drove found 
his resources dwindled down to two yoke of 
oxen before the journey was completed. Dur- 
ing the journey many great hardships were ex- 
perienced by the travelers, but the greatest of 
these were met with in the Applegate cutoff, 
where they suffered untold agonies of mind 
and body, nearly dying of starvation. If the 
members of the party had not been possessed 
of marvelous physical endurance fatalities must 
have ensued as the result of this most trying 
experience. The relief of the members of the 
party upon their arrival in Polk county hi 
January, 1847, can scarcely be appreciated by 
modern tourists, who travel amid all the com- 
forts, even luxuries, of the twentieth century. 

In the month of April, 1847, Mr. Byrd lo- 
cated on land in the Waldo Hills, Marion 
county, fifteen miles east of Salem, but failed 
to prove up on the three hundred and twenty 
acres he intended to occupy. In the fall of 
1848 he traveled overland to California, and 
after mining near Redding's Fort, on the Sac- 
ramento river, and on the American river, re- 
turned to Marion county in the spring of 1849. 
During the fall of the latter year he again visit- 
ed California, where he remained until Janu- 
ary, 1851. He made his way back to his home 
by water, and in 1852 bought the right to a 
donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres fifteen miles north of Salem, on French 
Prairie. Wild and destitute of all improve- 
ments, this land underwent a great transforma- 
tion at the hands of as earnest and hopeful a pio- 
neer as ever turned a sod in the west. In the 
course of time this property, naturally ver}' 
fertile, approached a cultivated and valuable 
state, supplying not only general farm produce, 
but large numbers of high-grade stock. In 
order to better educate his children, Mr. Byrd 
left the farm and made his home in Salem in 



doi 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1890. Though still owning his farm, he rents 
it to others, and is now enjoying a well-earned 
rest from the cares and responsibilities of a 
long and very active life. Two hundred and 
ninety-two and a half acres still remain to him 
of the original claim. 

January 1, 1854, after being thoroughly es- 
tablished on his claim, Mr. Byrd was united in 
marriage with Martha C. Savage, who was 
born in Missouri, December 3, 1836, and 
crossed the plains with her parents in 1850. 
Her father, Dr. John Savage, was for many 
years a very popular physician and farmer in 
Marion county, and left a large property at the 
time of his death. Eight children have been 
born unto Mr. and Mrs. Byrd, as follows : Wil- 
liam H., a prominent physician of Salem, an 
extended sketch of whose life appears else- 
where in this volume ; J. C, a hardware mer- 
chant of Spokane, Wash. ; E. F., also a resi- 
dent of Spokane ; Cordelia J., wife of William 
Hager of Fairfield, Marion county ; Lorenzo 
A., who lives in Fairfield ; Virginia, who is an 
employe in the United States Land Office at 
Roseburg; Bertha C, who is engaged in edu- 
cational work in the public schools of Salem, 
and Roy, who resides with his parents, and is 
now a student in the medical department of 
Willamette University. 

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Byrd has served 
as school director for many years, but has not 
otherwise been actively interested in official 
life. Though past four score years of age, he 
still retains his mental and physical alertness 
to a remarkable degree, and exhibits a keen 
interest in the affairs of his family, his friends 
and the community in which he is a venerable 
and honored acquisition. He is a striking type 
of the better class of pioneers who founded the 
commonwealth, and the record of no man's 
life is more worthy of a place in the historical 
literature of the Willamette valley. 



BENJAMIN C. MILES, a captain of indus- 
try of whom Oregon may well be proud, and 
who has been variously interested in the in- 
dustrial, commercial, educational and political 
upbuilding of Newberg and vicinity, was born 
in Westbranch, Cedar county, Iowa, January 
3, 1865, and is of English descent. The great- 
grandfather Miles came from England and 
settled in North Carolina, in which state his 
son, AVilliam, the paternal grandfather, was 
born, and whence he removed to Ohio, his last 
place of residence. 

Benjamin Miles, the father of Benjamin C, 
was born in Miami county, Ohio, and was a 
farmer by occupation. During the early '50s 
he located in Cedar county, Iowa, where he 



engaged in farming, but later entered the In- 
dian work, being appointed superintendent of 
the Osage Agency schools, a position main- 
tained for six years. Mr. Miles became promi- 
nent in promoting the best interests of the In- 
dians, and among his other attempts to amel- 
iorate the condition of these wards of the na- 
tion was the establishment of the Manual La- 
bor Institute, near Salem, Iowa, of which he 
was superintendent and manager for four 
years. This institution was run by contract 
with the government, Mr. Miles receiving so 
much per capita for educating the pupils under 
his charge. He accomplished a great and last- 
ing work, and is enrolled among the noble and 
disinterested men who have labored for the 
uplifting of a race fast receding into the back- 
ground of American history. Mr. Miles be- 
came associated with Oregon in 1887, and 
settled in Newberg, finally locating on sixty- 
five acres of land adjacent to the city of New- 
berg. Here he lived in comparative retirement 
up to the time of his death in 1890. His wife, 
Elizabeth R. (Bean) Miles, was born in New 
Hampshire, a daughter of a farmer and woolen 
manufacturer. 

The youngest in his father's family of three 
sons and two daughters, Benjamin C. Miles 
was educated in the public schools and at Penn 
College, Iowa, from which latter institution he 
was graduated in the spring of 1886, with the 
degree of B. S. He came to Oregon in 1886, 
at the age of twenty-one years, and for a year 
engaged in educational work in the Friends' 
Pacific Academy, located at Newberg. He 
then became interested in a general merchan- 
dise business with F. A. Morris, and in 1893 
became cashier of the bank of Newberg, which 
position he maintained until 1897. At the pres- 
ent time he occupies the responsible position 
of president of the bank of Newberg, and he 
is also secretary and treasurer and a large 
stockholder of the Charles K. Spaulding Log- 
ging Company. Near the town Mr. Miles 
owns sixty acres of land on the river, which he 
rents and which is devoted to general farming. 

As a stanch adherent of the Republican 
party, Mr. Miles has filled many positions of 
trust and responsibility in the community, his 
active service being inaugurated in 1888, when 
he began a term of four years in the city coun- 
cil. In 1902 he was nominated and elected 
state representative from this district, and is 
ably and conscientiously advancing the inter- 
ests of those Avho placed him in power. He is 
a member of the Friends' Church, and is fra- 
ternally associated with the Woodmen of the 
World. 

In Newberg, Ore., Mr. Miles was united in 
marriage with Anna E. Bell, who was born in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



VOC 



Iowa, and whose father, Martin Cook, a native 
of Indiana, was one of the early settlers of 
Iowa. Mr. Cook came to Oregon in 1887, after 
years of farming and successful service as a 
railway agent; he is now living a retired life 
in Newberg. Three children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Miles, Lyra B., Ross C. and 
Eva, all of whom are living with their parents. 
Mr. Miles is typical of that class of men who 
invade the undeveloped regions of the world, 
leaving them better and more advanced, and 
indeliblv stamped with their strong personal- 
ity. 



JACOB G. MILLER. A citizen who owns 
one of the finest residences in Aurora, and 
occupies an honored place in the business and 
social world of the town, is Jacob G. Miller, a 
wheelwright by trade, who was formerly 
prominently connected with the colony found- 
ed by Dr. Keil. A native of Mahoning county, 
Ohio, Mr. Miller was born April 23, 1837, and 
is the fourth of the eight children born to Sam- 
uel and Sarah (Betts) Miller. The family was 
established in Ohio by the paternal grand- 
father, George, who was born in Pennsylvania, 
January 18, 1773, and Avho died in Mahoning 
county, Ohio. He married Mary Koup, who 
was born December 31, 1783, and who died in 
Oregon, to wdiich state she came with her son 
in 1863, at the age of ninety-two years. She 
was the mother of eleven children, of whom 
Samuel, the father of Jacob G., was the oldest, 
he being born in Berks county, Pa., August 
26, 1801, and moved with his parents to Ohio 
when quite a young man, and engaged in farm- 
ing. 

Jacob was a mere youth when he became 
interested in the colony at Bethel, with which 
he took up his abode in 1845. He subsequently 
became prominent in the affairs of the colony. 
His death occurred in Aurora in 1886. 

The youth of Jacob G. Miller was character- 
ized by hard work and little recreation, and 
still less opportunity for acquiring an educa- 
tion. He developed early a strong and wiry 
constitution, so that when very young he could 
accomplish almost a man's labor during the 
day. In 1863 he came to the branch colony 
in Aurora, and during his father's absence in 
Bethel, he took the place of the elder man as 
one of the lieutenants of Dr. Keil. When the 
father returned to the west the son went to 
Bethel and took his place at that end of the 
line, becoming in time president of the colony, 
and filling that position until the dissolution of 
the colony in 1880. Thereupon he took up his 
residence in Marion county, where he pur- 
chased a farm and lived thereon until cominsr 



to Aurora in 1899. Here he built a modern 
and comfortable residence which is a distinct 
credit to the architectural appearance of the 
town, and at the same time continues to own 
his farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres. 
He is also the possessor of three hundred acres 
of unimproved land in Clackamas county. In 
his youth in Missouri, Mr. Miller learned the 
trade of wheelwright, and devoted considerable 
time to the making of wagons and spinning- 
wheels. On his property in Aurora he has 
built a cabinet shop, and passes some of his 
leisure time in working at his trade. In 1882 
he rented and ran a saw-mill from the fall 
until the summer of 1883, but did not make of 
it the success which he had anticipated. 

In politics Mr. Miller has upheld the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party, and has held 
some prominent positions within the gift of 
his fellow-citizens, among others being that of 
recorder, to which he was elected in 1900. He 
has been road supervisor, and is now serving 
as councilman. Mr. Miller cast his first presi- 
dential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is a 
Christian, but does not affiliate with any par- 
ticular church. When he came from Missouri 
Mr. Miller brought with him five people, to 
all of whom he gave a home for the remainder 
of their lives. Of late he has been appointed 
guardian for Morton L. and Frederick A. 
Giesy, both of whom are living with him at 
the present time. Mr. Miller is a man of broad 
humanitarian tendencies, and a great deal of 
the good that he has accomplished during his 
life is of the unostentatious kind, the sole re- 
ward of which is found in an approving con- 
science and in the gratitude of individual 
hearts. 



LEVI M. HERREN. A substantial and 
prominent farmer of Marion county, Ore., Levi 
M. Herren, who was born in Decatur county, 
Ind., September 7, 1835, is the son of John 
Herren, a Kentuckian, who, after his mar- 
riage in that state to D. Robbins, removed 
to Indiana, where he engaged in farming. In 
1838 he took his family to what was then 
known as the Piatt Purchase, near Arkansas 
City, Kas., where they made their home until 
the spring of 1845, when, with three wagons 
and three yoke of oxen to each wagon, they 
started across the plains. AVhile on the wav 
they fell in with Stephen Meeks, a brother of 
Joe Meeks, who attempted to pilot the party 
by a nearer route, but failed. The trip was 
made memorable, aside from the various in- 
cidents which made interesting the journey 
across the plains, by a dearth of provisions, 
the company being entirely out of flour at the 



906 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



time of their arrival at The Dalles, Ore. There 
Mr. Herren built a flatboat and with his family 
floated down the river to Cascade, Wash., and 
from there went to Whiteson, Yamhill county, 
Ore., where lived an uncle of the family. After 
one month spent there, they moved upon a 
farm on Salem Prairie, in March, 1846, and 
located four miles east of Salem, Ore., pur- 
chasing the right to six hundred and forty acres 
of a Mr. Gobin. A cabin having been erected 
there, the family at once found shelter. In 
1848, Mr. Herren was attracted to California 
in the hope of sharing in the rich profits of 
mining, and after an absence of about five 
months, returned to Oregon with $2,000 in 
gold dust. He was thirty-nine days making 
the voyage from San Francisco to the mouth 
of the Columbia river, a fierce storm having 
driven them about on the ocean. 

In 1849 Mr. Herren took up a donation claim 
of six hundred and thirty-five acres, located on 
Mill creek, six miles southeast of Salem, and 
near which the State Reform School has since 
been built. He remained here until his death 
in 1864, at the age of sixty-four years. Re- 
ligiously he was a member of the Christian 
Church. His wife also died here when seventy- 
seven years old. Of the thirteen children born 
to them, all attained maturity, seven sons and 
six daughters, seven of whom are still living. 
Of these, Susanna is the wife of W. T. Wal- 
lace, of Josephine county, Ore. ; Mary J., the 
wife of John Kiser, of Salem ; Martha, the 
wife of Judge N. T. Katin, of Sprague, Wash. ; 
Sarilda, the wife of T. S. Leonard, of Dayton, 
Wash. ; N. F., located in Salem ; and Levi M., 
of this review. Those now deceased are as 
follows : William, John, Daniel S., James R., 
Perry L., Bertha and Elizabeth H. 

But ten years of age when his parents came 
to Oregon, Levi M. Herren has spent prac- 
tically all his life in this state. He was reared 
on the paternal farm, engaging in home duties 
until 1859, when he located on a hundred-acre 
farm on Salem Prairie, where he followed farm- 
ing until his father's death, at which time he 
returned to take charge of the home place and 
care for his mother, which he did until her 
death. He was married November 15, i860, 
to Martha E. Mathews, a native of Missouri, 
who started across the plains with her parents 
in 1852, and met with the loss of both parents 
while on the journey. • Three children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Herren, of whom 
Thomas is still at home ; Ida is the wife of 
R. N. Morris, of Oregon City, and Flora is the 
wife of George Bailey, of Portland. Mr. Her- 
ren now owns three hundred and eight acres, 
upon which he carries on general farming and 
stock-raising. In politics Mr. Herren is a 



Democrat. Though not a seeker after political 
preferment, he has filled local offices, and has 
always exhibited a deep interest in the welfare 
of his party. Fraternally he is identified with 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen and 
of the Turner Grange, and has been master of 
the latter bod)'- for several years. 

Mr. Herren occupies a high place in the es- 
teem of his fellow citizens in Marion county. 
He is known as a man possessed of a public 
spirit, always willing to assist in the promo- 
tion of all enterprises intended to enhance the 
material advantages of the community in 
which he resides, by the contribution of both 
time and money. He takes a broad-minded 
view of affairs in general, and in all ways has 
shown himself to be a useful citizen, meriting 
the respect of all with whom he comes in con- 
tact. 



ALVIN A. BURTON, who has the repu- 
tation of making the best brick in the Willam- 
ette valley, was born near Rochester, N. Y., 
October 8, 1852, and from his father, Alvin A., 
Sr., acquired an appreciation of the merits of 
brick manufacturing. The elder Burton was 
born in Vermont, and came from an old and 
honored family. He learned brickmaking in 
early life, and eventually had a large plant at 
Brighton, N. Y., whence he removed, in 1853, 
to Princeton, 111. Here, for many years he was 
the foremost brick manufacturer in the county, 
and, in 1866, removed to Marseilles, La Salle 
county, 111., where his death occurred in 1877. 
He was a member of the Baptist Church, and 
in politics was a Republican. Mr. Burton mar- 
ried Harriet M. Baker, a native of Greenville, 
Greene county, N. Y., and daughter of David 
Baker, a farmer and miller by occupation. Mrs. 
Burton, who died in Illinois, was the mother 
of ten children, all of whom attained maturity, 
seven of whom are living, and four of whom 
are engaged in the brick business in Oregon. 

In Princeton and Marseilles, 111., Alvin A. 
Burton, Jr., received his education, and as a 
boy, learned brickmaking under the instruc- 
tions of his father. He realized the advantage 
in dealing in a commodity for which there 
must always be a demand, and he was the first 
in his family to transfer his allegiance to Ore- 
gon, which promised such splendid results. In 
December, 1874, he made his way to this state, 
and in order to get a start, engaged as a clerk 
in a grocery store for three or four years. He 
was then employed by the Oregon Railway & 
Navigation Company as foreman of their 
woodyard at Celilo, and at the end of two 
years returned to Salem and became foreman 
of the State Penitentiary brickyard. This po- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



90" 



sition was maintained by him for five yearo, 
and during that time the yards turned out an 
enormous number of brick, among other con- 
tracts making the brick used in the construc- 
tion of the State Asylum for the Insane. The 
yearly output was two and a half million brick, 
and the quality was unsurpassed up to that 
time. Luman Burton, one of the brothers of 
the superintendent, came to Oregon in 1878, 
and filled a position in the yard with his 
brother, and some years later two other broth- 
ers, Edwin and Percy, arrived in the state, 
eventually making up the firm of Burton 
Brothers. 

Upon severing his connection with the peni- 
tentiary, in 1883, Mr. Burton took charge of 
the brickyards of George Collins, of Salem, for 
five years, and of Theodore Jensen, of Port- 
land, for three years. In the meantime, in 
1890, with his brothers, he had purchased the 
Salem yards of Mr. Collins, and the following 
year came here to superintend their manage- 
ment, conducting his business under the firm 
name of Burton Brothers. In 1894 he became 
sole owner of the yards, and has since con- 
ducted them independently. He owns twenty 
acres of clay land on State street, also three 
and a half acres on Twenty-fourth street, be- 
tween State and Asylum avenue. The capac- 
ity of the yards is sixteen thousand a day, or 
more than two million a year, and abundant 
facilities for shipping are furnished by a switch 
run into the yards from the Southern Pacific 
Railroad. Aside from the 'numerous contracts 
fined in Salem, Mr. Burton has furnished the 
brick for the construction of the State Univer- 
sity at Eugene, and for the government Indian 
school at Shewawa. In Salem he has supplied 
brick for the Odd Fellows' building, the city 
hall, the Bayne building, the Schriber building, 
and many others of equal importance. The 
brick are manufactured with horse power ma- 
chinery. 

The beautiful brick residence built by Mr. 
Burton on East State street, between Twenty- 
first and Twenty-second streets, is presided 
over by his wife, who was formerly Daisy G. 
Colwell, a native of Comanche, Iowa, and 
daughter of C. H. Colwell, a native of Dela- 
ware. Mr. Colwell was a builder and contrac- 
tor, and an early settler in Iowa, where he 
lived for many years in Moingona, Boone 
county. In 1875 he came to Salem and con- 
tinued his occupation up to the time of his 
death, in March, 1884, at the age of sixty years. 
He was a member of the Baptist Church, as is 
also his wife, Hannah (Howard) Colwell, a 
native of Greenville, N. Y., and who still lives 
in Salem at the age of seventy-three years. 
Three of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. 



Colwell are living, Mrs. Burton being the sec- 
ond. She is the mother of two children, of 
whom Roy, a graduate of the Capitol Business 
College, is bookkeeper for the banking firm of 
Ladd & Bush, and Delbert is living at home. 
Mr. Burton is a Republican in politics, and 
finds a religious home in the Baptist Church. 
He is fraternally connected with the Knights 
of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World and 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 



JAMES STARR VAN WINKLE. The de- 
scendent of an old Knickerbocker family, 
James Starr Van Winkle has well kept up the 
traditions of the early Hollanders in New 
York state, both in personal characteristics and 
public prominence, becoming in this western 
state, of which he is a native son, a man of 
wide popularity and gratifying success through 
the many admirable traits which distinguish 
him. Chiefly by his own efforts has Mr. Van 
Winkle won the position he holds today in Al- 
bany, one of social prominence and intellectual 
equality. 

The grandfather of Mr. Winkle, Isaac, 
spent the greater part of his life in the middle 
west, living in Kentucky and Tennessee, and 
from the latter state emigrating to Oregon in 
1859, where he died in Linn county soon after 
his arrival. He was a worthy representative 
of an old Dutch family that had made New 
York its home at an early date in the history 
of our country, fighting for national honor both 
in the war of 18 12 and the Mexican war. His 
son, Isaac N., was born in Kentucky and reared 
in east Tennessee, among the Cumberland 
mountains of Morgan county, engaging in ag- 
ricultural labor on the paternal farm, and 
crossed the plains of Oregon with his father's 
family in 1859, where he located in Linn 
county. He went first to the mines of Bannock 
City, Idaho, where he remained for several 
seasons, at the close of that period returning, 
and with the fruits of his labor purchasing a 
farm near Halsey, where he is now engaged 
in farming. Religiously he is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is 
an ordained minister. Fraternally he affiliates 
with the Masons. He married Elizabeth Pearl, 
a native of Missouri, and daughter of James 
Pearl. The latter was born in Ohio, and on 
attaining manhood settled in Missouri, from 
which state he emigrated in 1852 to Oregon, 
crossing the plains and locating first in Linn 
county, near Jefferson, and later taking up a 
donation claim east of Harrisburg, upon which 
he lived for many years. Upon retiring from 
the active cares of life he located in Halsey, 
where his death occurred in 1898. The chil- 



$08 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Winkle are as 
follows: James Starr, of this review; I. H., 
an attorney of Salem; J. O., a student in the 
medical department of Willamette University, 
of Salem; J. F., of the United States Hydro- 
graphic office in Portland ; Charles W., on the 
home farm, and Sarah C, now the wife of J. G. 
Patterson, of Salem. 

James Starr Van Winkle was born near Hal- 
sey, Linn county, Ore., December 30, 1866, and 
was reared upon the paternal farm until he 
was seventeen years old. At that age, having 
acquired a fair education through application 
and attendance at the district school in the 
vicinity of his home, he began teaching in the 
common schools of his native county, with the 
view to appropriating the funds so acquired 
for a collegiate course. Energy and persever- 
ance succeeded, and he later entered Willam- 
ette University, where he remaind for three 
years. For some time after leaving college he 
engaged in the drug business in Silverton, Ore., 
and in 1888 located in Albany, where he has 
since made his home, being then interested in 
the abstract of title business, and later one 
of the founders of the Linn County Abstract 
Company, of which he was manager for some 
time. In 1898 he was appointed chief clerk of 
the Albany postoffice, and in 1899 was elected 
city recorder of Albany, and was re-elected in 
1901. He is now justice of the police court, 
justice of the peace, and city recorder. 

December 19, 1888, Mr. Van Winkle was 
married in Marion county to Miss Lida B. 
Hayes, a native of Marion county, and daugh- 
ter of John C. Hayes, a druggist of Silverton, 
and of the union three children have been born, 
being named in order of birth as follows: J. 
Stanley, V. Keith and James Hayes. Frater- 
nally, Mr. Van Winkle is prominent. In the 
Knights of Pythias he is past chancellor, and 
was representative to the State Grand Lodge; 
as a member of the Knights of the Maccabees 
he is past officer and for six years served as 
state commander, and is now serving as past 
commander; he is ex-president of Delazon 
Smith Cabin, No. 9, Native Sons of Oregon; 
consul of the Woodmen of the World; 
past workman of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen; and a member of the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks. He is also secretary 
of the Alco Club, having held this position 
since its organization. 



ELISHA P. MORCOM. As an exponent of 
legal science Elisha P. Morcom ranks high in 
professional circles in Marion county, for al- 
though Woodburn claims him as her pioneer and 
foremost attorney, his skill in adjusting compli- 



cations touching the law has created a demand 
for his services far beyond the borders of his 
promising little town. Mr. Morcom was born in 
Dodgeville, Wis., February 6, i860, his father, 
John, having been born near Sunny Corners, 
England. His grandfather, Captain John Mor- 
com, was captain of the Bodmonic (Wis.) mines, 
and was sent by an English company to Eagle 
Harbor, Mich., where he opened the first copper 
mines of that vicinity. These mines proved a 
source of great profit to their promoters, and so 
practically exhaustless are they that they are 
being worked at the present time. The grand- 
father died in Michigan before his grandson was 
born, leaving behind him an example of industry 
and correct living. His son, John, eventually lo- 
cated at Dodgeville, where he combined mining 
and farming, and where he died at the early age 
of thirty years. His wife, Lucy (Scourick) Mor- 
com, was born in St. Ives, England, of Cornish 
descent. Some years after the death of John 
Morcom, she married James Pratt, a native of 
Yorkshire, England, who came to the United 
States with his parents when twelve years of age. 
He is engaged in mining in Wisconsin, making 
his home in Dodgeville. 

The only child in his father's family, Elisha 
P. Morcom was left to the sole care of his 
mother when six months of age. He was edu- 
cated in the public schools, graduating from the 
high school in 1883. At a very early age he be- 
came interested in the study of law, and it was 
practically no trouble for him to decide upon 
devoting his life to this interesting profession. 
At the age of sixteen he began to study law with 
the firm of Briggs & Jenks, of Dodgeville, and 
thereafter devoted his leisure to increasing his 
knowledge in this direction. For four years he 
was assistant postmaster of Dodgeville, and in 
1887 took up his residence in Tower, Minn., 
where he was admitted to the bar in 1891, and 
formed a co-partnership with W. H. Johnson, of 
Tower, an association amicably continued until 
1893. He practiced law for three months in the 
Marquam building at Portland and in January, 
1892, came to Woodburn and the next year he 
removed to Silverton. Having better opportun- 
ities in Woodburn he returned in 1894, and took 
up his practice under very favorable conditions, 
as he had no competitor in the profession, and 
there was a large field for a substantial and relia- 
ble man in the community. For seven years he 
has acceptably served as city attorney of Wood- 
burn, and at the same time has had in charge the 
greater part of the important cases in the neigh- 
borhood. He has a profound understanding of 
law, is lucid and clear in his expositions, and 
eloquent and convincing in his argument. 

In Dodgeville, Wis., Mr. Morcom was united 
in marriage with Libbie Hooper, who was born 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



909 



in Dodgeville, October 23, i860, and whose 
father, William Hooper, was born in England 
and emigrated to America when a boy of twelve. 
Mr. Hooper was for many years identified 
with a flourishing merchandise business in 
Dodgeville, but is now retired from active life. 
The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Morcom, Lucy 
A., is in the second year of the preparatory de- 
partment of Willamette University at Salem. Mr. 
Morcom is a Republican in politics, and is frater- 
nally connected with Lodge No. 102, I. O. O. F., 
and Knights of the Maccabees, Tent No. 8. He 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
is superintendent of the Sunday school, and has 
had charge of the senior Bible class since coming 
to Woodburn. 



ALEXANDER SEAVEY. If any man is 
able to appreciate the peace and tranquillity of an 
agricultural existence it seems as if that man 
might be Alexander Seavey, now engaged in a 
large stock-raising and hop business on his farm 
of eleven hundred acres, near Eugene. The early 
life of Mr. Seavey was sufficiently crowded with 
daring and eventful happenings to please the 
most ambitious seeker after adventure, and many 
a boy whose ideas of life are gained from books 
of travel and imagination might well envy him 
his early experiences in the midst of danger and 
hair-breadth escapes. As a lad he played in the 
sands of Penobscot bay, on the west shore, and 
ten miles from the ocean, in front of the town of 
Rockland, Me., where he was born April 1, 1824. 
As he thus played, his thought was centered more 
on the outgoing than the incoming boats, and he 
wondered whither they were going and what their 
errand across the deep. As he grew older he 
used to go out in fishing-boats, and his joy and 
sorrow was gauged by the size of the catch which 
he sold as a means of livelihood. Gradually the 
shore limits grew tiresome, and to. realize his 
dreams he embarked in a sailing vessel in the 
West Indian trade, in 1849 shipping as mate on 
the bark Challenge. The Challenge was destined 
for a dreary ending of its career, for off the . 
Brazilian coast, South America, it burned, the 
crew making their escape in boats. For three 
days the faithful mariners wandered around the 
open sea, and after reaching land remained on 
Brazilian territory until the following July. 

Taking passage on a Scotch ship, Oughtertyre, 
from Aberdeen, Scotland, Mr. Seavey was cer- 
tainly risking his life, for he was regaled with 
the cheerful information that the former crew, 
with the exception of the captain and cook, had 
died of yellow fever. This boat was destined 
for San Francisco, and one hundred and seventy- 
three days were required to round the Horn, 
severe storms impeding the progress of the 



stanch little craft. Once in California, Mr. 
Seavey went to the mines of Trinidad, and there 
embraced a waiting opportunity by purchasing 
mules and running a pack-train.' Accustomed to 
the life of a land-dweller, and liking it quite 
as well as the sea, he started a little store on 
Althouse creek, Josephine county, Ore., in part- 
nership with George O. Collins. ' This little store 
proved a decided success, and was continued un- 
interruptedly for five years, at the end of which 
time Mr. Seavey sold out to his partner and went 
on a mining expedition to the Rogue river. In 
1855 he came to Lane county and took up one 
hundred and sixty acres of land in the hills, three 
miles north of Springfield, and there engaged in 
stock-raising on a large scale, starting with a band 
of three hundred and fifty cows and calves. With 
the money made from this successful enterprise 
he purchased his present farm of eleven hundred 
acres, and in 1883 started hop-raising on a small 
scale, gradually increasing until his one hun- 
dred acres are invaded by an army of pickers 
every fall and reap for their employer a hand- 
some fortune. 

Through his marriage with Sarah A. Blachly 
the following children have been born to Mr. 
Seavey : W r illiam C. is a farmer of Lane county ; 
James, John and Jess are at home; Anna is the 
wife of Ed Bushnell ; Alwilda is the wife of Jas- 
per Wilkins ; and Sophronia is deceased. It will 
be seen that perseverance and industry have been 
leading factors in the life of Mr. Seavey, and 
that the humble sailor starting away from the 
coast of Maine had the heart and brain and good 
judgment to put to practical use the abilities and 
opportunities which were his by natural right. 



BENJAMIN F. GIESY, M. D. A promis- 
ing young medical practitioner, destined to re- 
flect great credit upon his native town of Aurora, 
Benjamin F. Giesy, born here February 15, 1875, 
is the reprsentative of a family numerously repre- 
sented in the medical profession. 

Martin Giesy, from whom his son inherits a 
keen appreciation of the importance of medical 
science, was born in Pennsylvania, and came as a 
child with his parents to Bethel, Mo., whence 
he came with the other members of his family 
to Oregon in 1855, across the plains. He was a 
very warm friend of Dr. Keil, the founder of the 
Aurora Colony, and through him became inter- 
ested in medicine, for the practice of which he 
qualified in the state, and thereafter entered upon 
a practice covering many years. In the earlv 
days he experienced all of the discomforts of a 
laborious and extensive country practice, and 
used to ride long and weary distances to patients 
who placed implicit faith in him. and hesitated 
to call anyone else. He was very popular with 



910 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



all classes, and, added to a profound knowledge 
of his chosen calling, possessed a genial and 
optimistic disposition, which not only made but 
retained friends. His very presence in a sick 
room seemed to be an antidote for many of the 
ills to which flesh is heir, and his retirement from 
practice was deeply regretted by his many hun- 
dreds of patients. As his practice increased he 
saw the necessity of a drug store in the place, 
and at present owns the only one in the town. 
Through his marriage with Martha Miller, 
seven children have been born into his family, 
five boys and two daughters, of whom three sons 
and one daughter are living. 

The preliminary education of Benjamin F. 
Giesy was received in the public schools of Au- 
rora, Ore., after which he studied Greek, Ger- 
man and Latin with a private tutor. In 1892 he 
entered the State Medical College, from which 
he was graduated in 1896, and thereafter, from 
1896 to 1897, served as house surgeon in the 
Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland. He was 
also graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 
Philadelphia, Pa., in 1900 ; and entered upon the 
active practice of medicine in Aurora in 1897. 
He is filling his father's place to an extent hardly 
prophesied by the most sanguine, and has won 
a popularity and good will which presages unin- 
terrupted success. Dr. Giesy is well known fra- 
ternally, and is identified with the Masons, the 
Woodmen of the World, the Knights of Pythias, 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Knights of the Maccabees. He is examining 
physician for all the local orders that have insur- 
ance privileges except the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. 



JAMES L. ATWATER. One of the many 
enterprising men engaged in farming in the rich 
and fertile lands of Polk county is James L. At- 
water, residing near Lewisville, who has brought 
to his chosen calling good business methods, and 
is meeting with deserved success in his labors. 
A son of Miles L. Atwater, he was born Febru- 
ary 4, 1852, in Fulton county, 111. His paternal 
grandfather, Lyman Atwater, was born in Con- 
necticut in 1798, and died in Illinois in 1863. 
Migrating westward from his New England 
home he located first in Ohio, afterwards settling 
in Illinois as a pioneer of Fulton county. He 
was a man of great activity, fully interested in 
the welfare of his county and state, and after 
serving in the Blackhawk war assisted in driv- 
ing the Mormons from the Nauvoo settlement 
in Illinois. 

A native of Ohio, M. L. Atwater was born 
October 20, 1825, in Ashtabula county, but was 
reared in Fulton county, 111., where he learned 
the cooper's trade. On the breaking out of the 



Civil war, he enlisted in the Sixth Iowa Infantry, 
but after serving six months had the measles, 
and was subsequently discharged on account of 
physical disability. Re-enlisting in the Eighty- 
fifth Illinois Infantry, in Company G, he served 
throughout the remainder of the war, being with 
Sherman on his march to the sea. Passing 
through various engagements without being 
wounded, he was mustered out of service and 
returned to Illinois, where he turned his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits. In 1891 he came 
to Oregon and purchased a farm near Lewisville 
and afterwards lived with his son, James L. At- 
water, near Lewisville, until his death, April 20, 
1898. His wife, whose maiden name was Har- 
riet Baldwin, was born in Coshocton county, 
Ohio, December 8, 1832, and now resides in 
Portland, Ore., making her home with her 
daughter, Mrs. Hollister. She bore her husband 
four children, namely : L. H., who lives at Hills- 
boro, Ore.; James L., the subject of this sketch; 
Emma J., wife of Thomas Hollister, living at 
University Park, Portland, Ore. ; and William, 
also of Portland. 

Leaving school when thirteen years of age, 
James L. Atwater worked as a farm laborer for 
about six years. The following twelve years he 
was employed on the Wabash railroad as a stone- 
mason, in the meantime learning the trade of a 
carpenter and bridge-builder. Going to Minne- 
sota in 1880, he was engaged in carpentering in 
Minneapolis for four years. From there he went 
to Idaho in the spring of 1884, and until August 
of that year was engaged in mining in the Coeur 
d'Alene district. Not meeting with success, Mr. 
Atwater continued westward to Polk county, 
and located on his present farm, near Lewis- 
ville. He has seventy-three acres of land, which 
were formerly a part of the donation claim taken 
up by his father-in-law, Mr. I. Zumwalt. In 
addition to general farming he pays much at- 
tention to stockraising, and is carrying on a sub- 
stantial business, each year adding materially to 
his income. 

In 1895 Mr. Atwater married Amelia Zum- 
walt, a native of Polk county, and they have 
three children, namely : Essie, Hattie and 
Mamie. A stanch supporter of the principles of 
the Republican party, Mr. Atwater takes an in- 
telligent interest in public affairs, and since 1888 
has served as school director. He is a member of 
the South Methodist Episcopal Church of Lewis- 
ville, of which he has been one of the board of 
trustees since its organization. Mrs. Atwater 
belongs to the Evangelical Church of Lewisville. 



SARAH C. PRICE. Previous to their mar- 
riage in Ohio, Edward B. Waters and Sarah 
Griffith had moved with their parents from their 
respective homes in Frederick county, Maryland, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



911 



and Pennsylvania, and from Ohio moved to Por- 
ter county, Ind., where Sarah, the future Mrs. 
Price was born, the third in a family of two 
suns and three daughters. The children were 
roared in the public schools of Indiana, and the 
parents, having heard much about the superior 
agricultural and other advantages in the far 
northwest, determined to see ' for themselves if 
these reports could be verified. Accordingly, 
they disposed of die Indiana farm in 1852, and 
in the fall of the same year went to Iowa, re- 
maining in that state until the following spring. 
In Iowa they made the necessary preparations 
for crossing the plains, outfitting with ox-teams 
and loose cattle, and their journey extended from 
May until October. They encountered many 
Indians on the way, but were able to hold their 
own. and arrived at their destination in Polk 
county in fairly good condition. In the spring of 
1854 the father took up a claim of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres near Pedee, but in 1859 
disposed of it and settled on a farm in Klickitat 
county, Wash. In 1865 they came to Polk 
county, Ore., and settled on a farm near where 
Mrs. Price now lives, but in later life they lived 
in retirement in Dallas, where the father died at 
an advanced age. The mother at present lives 
with W. D. Turner, of Airlie, Ore. 

Sarah Waters remained at home with her 
parents until her marriage, in 1859, with Marcus 
D. L. Gilliam, son of that splendid old pioneer 
and Indian fighter, Cornelius Gilliam, around 
whom centers a world of adventure and romance, 
and whose name will be connected with the 
earliest civilization of Oregon as long as history 
endures. Marcus Gilliam was born in Platte 
county, Mo., and crossed the plains with his 
father in 1844, settling temporarily on the farm 
of his father near Dallas. He afterward took 
up the claim upon which Mrs. Price now lives, 
and where the father and mother spent several 
years of harmonious married life. Mr. Gilliam 
was not destined for long life, for he died on 
this place, March 27, 1868, at the age of thirty- 
four years, two months and eleven days. His 
life was ennobled by a self-sacrificing service in 
the Yakima war of 1855-6, and it is said of him 
that he was an excellent farmer, a kind husband, 
and a good friend. Three children were born 
to himself and wife, and of these, Frank, the 
oldest, is managing the home farm ; Alice A. is 
the wife of W. D. Mohney, of Salem, Ore. ; and 
Esther is deceased. 

About 1883 Mrs. Gilliam was united in mar- 
riage with Larkin Price, who was born in Vir- 
ginia. Mrs. Price owns two hundred and seven- 
teen acres of land, which is proving productive 
and remunerative under the excellent manage- 
ment of her son Frank. She is one of the highly 
respected and broad-minded women of her neigh- 



borhood, and many friends delight to visit her 
hospitable and comfortable home. General 
farming and stock-raising are carried on exten- 
sively, and fine improvements are combined with 
modern and scientific methods. 



PHILIP T. AND CPIARLES F. HICKS. 
In the vicinity of Silverton are to be found many 
rich and productive farming estates, and among 
the energetic and self-reliant men who are con- 
ducting its agricultural interests the subjects of 
this sketch occupy no unimportant place. They 
are numbered among the brave pioneers of this 
section of Marion county, and are still living' on 
the farm on which they settled with their parents 
in 1866, their property being situated on Silver 
Creek road, about two and one-half miles south- 
east of Silverton. 

Coming from excellent New England ancestry, 
they are sons of Frisby Hicks, who was born 
July 27, 1806, in Vermont, but was reared and 
educated in New York state, and in Indiana, his 
parents having lived in both states. As a boy of 
sixteen years, Frisby Hicks determined to make 
his own way in life, and with that object in view 
began flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi 
rivers. A few years afterward he had made such 
progress in his new occupation that he found 
himself the owner of a line of steamboats plying 
between St. Louis and New Orleans. He made 
his home, however, in Indiana until 1846, when 
he removed with his family to St. Louis, where 
he lived a year. Giving up his boats at that time, 
he located in Iowa, and was there successfully 
engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1866, 
when, lured by the prospects of cheap land in a 
new country, he came to Marion county, making 
the five months' journey by team across the 
plains, and having but little trouble with the 
Indians on the way. Buying the four hundred 
and eighty acres of land comprised in the present 
homestead of his sons, he labored, with the help 
of his children, to redeem a farm from the wilder- 
ness, and by dint of hard labor, thrift and good 
management succeeded well, rendering it one of 
the finest estates in the vicinity. He lived to the 
ripe old age of four score and four years, honored 
and respected by all. He took an intelligent in- 
terest in public affairs, and while a resident of 
Iowa served a number of terms as justice of the 
peace. In 1839 he married Catherine Taylor, who 
was born in Pennsylvania, and died at the age of 
seventy-two years, on the home farm in Silver- 
ton. Of the children born of their union, six 
are living, namely : Philip T. ; Charles F. ; Mary 
E., wife of John Maulding, of Yamhill county; 
John, of Silverton ; E. Pitt, and Harry P., who 
live near Silverton. 

Philip T. Hicks was born March 22, 1844, in 



!)12 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Patriot, Switzerland county, Ind. He received 
excellent educational advantages, and in his 
younger days taught school several terms. Dur- 
ing the Civil war he gave evidence of his pa- 
triotism by enlisting May 16, 1864, in Company 
H, Forty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, being 
mustered into service at Keokuk. With his regi- 
ment he was sent first to Memphis, Tenn., and 
assigned to garrison duty during the four months 
prior to the expiration of his term of enlistment. 
On returning from the scene of conflict, he re- 
mained at home until 1866, when he crossed the 
plains with his parents, and from that time until 
the present has resided on the homestead which 
he ably assisted his father in clearing and im- 
proving, and is now successfully employed in 
general farming and stock-raising. He is a 
stanch Republican in politics, and has served on 
the school board, and as road supervisor. He 
is an active member of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, in which he takes great interest. Philip 
T. Flicks married, December 22, 1881, Nettie 
Morley, a native of Silverton, and a daughter of 
John Morley, and into their household six chil- 
dren have been born, namely: Alma, Morton, 
Audrey, Tero, and Avery M. and Avis M., twins. 
Charles F. Hicks was born in Patriot, Inch, 
December 26, 1841, and was educated in the dis- 
trict schools of Iowa. In 1863 he offered his 
services to his country, enlisting in Company B, 
Fourth Iowa Independent Battery. After being 
mustered in at Davenport, he went to New Or- 
leans, where he assisted in protecting railroad 
property, being on guard duty a large part of 
the time that he was in service. At the close of 
the war he returned to the parental homestead, 
and the following year, accompanied his parents 
and their family in the long trip across the plains. 
He labored with characteristic energy in the 
clearing and improving of the farm on which his 
parents settled, and where, with 1 the exception of 
five years that he had charge of a grist-mill in 
Silverton, he has since resided. He is actively 
engaged in farming, being associated with his 
brother Philip, with whom he makes his home, 
and is deservedly prosperous in his undertak- 
ings. He is a member of the Grand Army of the 
Republic and is a stanch Republican in politics, 
being a leader in party affairs. He has served 
to the satisfaction of his constituents in various 
public offices, and represented his county in the 
state legislature one term, having been elected to 
the office in June, if" 



JOHN C. McCREA, commissioner of Yam- 
hill county, represents a type of citizen in 
whom is blended enthusiasm for whatever he 
has to do, a healthy mind and sterling integ- 
rity, and that most precious of possessions- 



hard common sense. In the hard school of 
self-culture Mr. McCrea learned all his lessons 
of life, his affiliation with the serious and re- 
sponsible side of life having been inaugurated 
at a very early age. He was born in Branch 
county, Mich., September 16, 1847, and at the 
age of five years lost his father, John McCrea. 
The elder McCrea was a native of Ireland, 
and in his native land was engaged in farming 
and saw-milling. He came to the United 
States with his parents, settling in Crawford 
county, Ohio, from where he removed to the 
farm in Michigan, where his death occurred at 
the age of fifty years. He was a practical 
farmer and expert lumberman, and managed 
by industry and frugality, to lay up quite a 
little property. His wife, Rachel (Eberhard) 
McCrea, was born in Pennsylvania, and came 
to Ohio with her parents when a child. Her 
great-grandfather served in the war of 1812. 
Mrs. McCrea had nine children, four sons and 
five daughters, John C. being the youngest son 
and eighth child. 

Left fatherless, at the age of five, John C. 
at nine, was leading a horse that was working 
a stump puller, and from this minor occupa- 
tion graduated into work requiring muscular 
development and business ability. Childish di- 
versions were almost unknown to the lad, who 
in 1871, departed from his native surroundings, 
having acquired considerable experience while 
managing comparatively large interests. In 
search of a favorable permanent location, he 
lived for a year in Freemont county, Iowa, and. 
one year in Clay county, Mo., 1873 finding him 
again in Freemont county. In 1874 he located 
in Republic county, Kans., on the state line, 
and, in 1875, removed to California, locating 
forty miles southeast of San Francisco. Here 
he drove a six-mule team, and also farmed and 
worked in a brickyard. In 1876 he investigated 
conditions up in the Sound country, and in 
March, 1877, located on a farm of two hundred 
and fifty acres on the Willamette river in 
Marion county, to which he added later by 
purchase, one hundred and sixty acres. This 
property was improved to a large extent by 
Mr. McCrea, and disposed of in 1901, although 
he had taken up his residence in Newberg in 
1899. The McCrea residence is one of the most 
beautiful in the town, situated in the midst of 
five acres of orchard land on the banks of the 
Willamette. The members of the family are 
popular and well known, and the hospitality 
and good fellowship dispensed are proverbial. 

A stanch Independent, Mr. McCrea has 
taken an active interest in the political under- 
takings of this county, and has variously 
served the interests of the communities in 
which he has lived. In Marion county he was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



913 



road commissioner for several terms, and in 

uliill and Marion counties he has been a 

member oi the school board. On the Populist 

ticket lie was elected county commissioner in 
[Q02, and is acceptably rilling this important 
responsibility. Among the many outside in- 
terests which claim the attention of Mr. Mc- 

a may be mentioned the vice-presidency of 
the Chehalem Valley Bank, of which he is a 

'kholder, and of which he has been a direc- 
tor for seven years. He is also interested in 
oil wells in California, and in mines, being a 

•kholder in the Little Giant Gold Mining 
Company, the prospects of which look very 
encouraging. Mr. McCrea is fraternally asso- 
ciated with the Blue Lodge of Masons, the 
Knights and Ladies of Security, and the United 
Artisans. 

At Burr Oak. St. Joseph county, Mich., on 
December 25, 1867, Mr. McCrea married Altha 
Eleanor Baldwin, whose father, Daniel, was 
born in Connecticut and died in Michigan, at 
the age of fifty-five. Six children have been 
born into the McCrea home: Frederick L., 
born in Branch county, Mich., May 16. 1869, 
resides in Umatilla county, Ore. ; Willis J., 
born in Clay county, Mo., January 15, 1873, 
died December 28, 1873 ; Elsie C, born in 
Branch County, Mich., December 12, 1874, died 
April 25, 1902 ; Edith A., born in Marion 
county, Ore., October 2, 1882 ; John C, born in 
Marion county, Ore., August 2, 1885; Archie 
E.. born in Yamhill county, Ore., November 
23, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. McCrea have five 
grandchildren, four boys and one girl. 



JAMES N. B. FULLER. Foremost among 
the men of large capacity who are developing 
the giant lumber industry of Oregon is James 
X. B. Fuller, partner of J- B. Hopkins, in the 
Eugene Lumber Company, and a man of forceful 
characteristics and practical upbuilding tenden- 
cies. In common with all of the captains of 
industry who have achieved success in the state, 
the early life and environment of this merchant 
are of interest to an onlooking public, for un- 
questionably the majority who are struggling for 
a competency may profit by a knowledge of the 
means pursued by those high in public esteem. 

The Fuller ancestry is an interesting one. and 
reaches far back into dim colonial davs to one 
Thomas Fuller, whose desire for larger oppor- 
tunity inspired him to embark from English 
shores in 1632, and assume the life of self-sacri- 
fice and small compensation to which the earliest 
settlers of Massachusetts were heir. The next in 
order of succession of whom record has been kept 
is Israel Fuller, the paternal grandfather of 
James N. B., and who represented the sixth gen- 



eration in the United States. This sire was born 
in the stronghold of conservatism in Danvers, 
Mass., and in time established his family in New 
Hampshire, where he owned and operated a large 
farm for the balance of his life. At one time 
he lived in Amherst, N. H, where his son, 
Samuel, the father of James X. B., was born, 
in 1807. and who continued to spend his days in 
Hillsboro county, his death occurring two miles 
from where he was born, at the age of eighty-five 
years. He married into the Hastings family, 
which also had its representatives among the 
colonists. Mrs. Fuller was born and reared in 
Shirley, a post township of Middlesex county, 
Mass. Four of the six children born to Samuel 
Fuller and his wife are living, James N. B., the 
only son in the family, dating his birth from 
October 9, 1850. 

Educated in the public schools and at the New 
Ipswich Academy, James N. B. Fuller applied 
himself to the mastery of civil engineering when 
he was eighteen years old, eventually following 
the same in Hillsboro county, N. H.. for three 
or four years. After coming to Oregon in 1877 
he spent the first winter in McMinnville, and in 
the spring of 1878 engaged in the planing-mill 
business in Crawfordsville, Linn county, with 
Mr. Crawford, after whom the town was named. 
In 1884 the partners extended their operations 
to the banks of the Mohawk, where they built 
a water-power sawmill, operated it for a year, 
and then built a steam-mill at the mouth of' the 
Mohawk. This mill was not long after removed 
to McGowan Creek, and operated until Mr. Ful- 
ler came to Eugene in 1890 to help start on its 
successful career the Eugene Lumber Companv. 
With his partner he built the mill by the bridge, 
which in 1900 was burned to the ground, and 
which calamity necessitated the building of the 
present modern structure. 

In Baldwin, Kans., in April, 1893. Mr. Fuller 
married Mamie Carman, a native of Omaha, 
Neb., being born in August, 1862. Mrs. Fuller 
is the daughter of John and Mary (Lynde) Car- 
man, now residents of Eugene, the former born in 
England and the latter in New York. One son, 
James Carman, a bright and interesting child, 
has blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fuller. 
Mr. Fuller is a Republican in political affiliation, 
and is variously connected with fraternal and 
social organizations in the county. He possesses 
the elements of popularity and success, and to 
an exceptional degree enjoys the confidence of 
the communitv in which he dwells. 



JOHN T. JAMES. Diversified farming, 
stock and hop-raising are being successfully con- 
ducted on the three hundred and ten acre farm 
of John T. James, in the vicinity of Stiver, Polk 



914 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



county. Mr. James has been a resident of this 
county for so many years that he is considered 
an important part of its development, and a 
typical representative of its prosperity. From a 
middle-west farm in Cumberland county, 111., 
where he was born January 17, 1848, he crossed 
the plains in 1866 with his parents, Samuel 
M. and Julia A. (Troxel) James, the latter a 
native of Indiana, and the former born in 1818. 
On the maternal side Mr. James is of German 
descent, his mother's family having been repre- 
sented in America for many years. Samuel M. 
James was a shoemaker by trade, and also 
farmed during the greater part of his active life, 
devoting himself exclusively to the latter occu- 
pation after locating on his farm in Douglas 
county, Ore., in the fall of 1866. He was not 
destined to long enjoy his life in the west, for 
his death occurred in 1868. He was survived 
by his wife until 1888, when she died at the 
age of sixty-seven years. Besides John T., the 
youngest of the three children, there is J. H., 
the oldest son, living in Coquille, Coos county, 
Ore., and Mary Jane, the wife of George Hall 
of Ashland, Ore. 

The farm-reared youth of today can hardly 
realize the difficulty which John T. James had 
in acquiring an education, for his father's ill 
health in both Illinois and Oregon made it 
imperative that the sons assume the entire re- 
sponsibility on the farm, a fact which gave them 
little opportunity to attend the schools of their 
neighborhood. That Mr. James is today a well 
informed and well educated man is due entirely 
to later application, and to his appreciation of 
books and periodicals. He was eighteen years 
of age when he came to Oregon, and three years 
later, in 1870, he moved to Polk county, and 
near Suver engaged in the pork-packing busi- 
ness. Afterward he engaged in other occupa- 
tions in the neighborhood, remaining there 
about four years. Later he returned to Douglas 
county, and near Oakland went into the stock- 
raising business, being thus employed until 
1 891. He then sold out and returned to Polk 
county, locating on a farm formerly owned by 
J. W. Suver, near Suver, eighteen acres of 
which are under hops. 

Notwithstanding his busy agricultural life 
Mr. James has found time to interest himself 
in politics and social diversions, thus placing 
himself in touch with all phases of life in this 
county. On the Democratic ticket he -has been 
elected school director and clerk, and has also 
served as road supervisor. Fraternally he is 
connected with the United Artisans of Wells, 
and the Masons of Oakland, Douglas county. 
March 15, 1873, ^ e married Carolene Suver, 
who was born in Polk county. December 9, 1854, 
and in honor of whose father the town of Suver 



was named. Seven children have been born 
of this union, the order of their birth being as 
follows: Joseph H., of Washington,; Julia 
Ann, at home; Mary Alice, the wife of A. E. 
Harper, of Springfield, Lane county, Ore. ; John 
E., at home; Carolene, the wife of O. M. Allen, 
of Suver, Ore.; Harriett Elizabeth, at home; 
and Lenora Belle, also at home. Mr. James 
is a practical and scientific farmer, and his 
buildings, fences, and general improvements 
give evidence of a progressive and resourceful 
mind. He is appreciated for his many fine 
traits of character, and especially for his sin- 
cerity and public spiritedness. 



THERON A. IRELAND. As fine and pro- 
ductive a farm as one would care to own is 
that occupied by Theron A. Ireland, one of the 
successful stock-raisers and farmers of Polk 
county. Of Scotch-Irish descent, Mr. Ireland 
claims Jackson county, Ind., as the place of his 
nativity, the date thereof being December 10, 
1842. His parents were David and Mary A. 
(Sanderson) Ireland, and his grandparents were 
James and Sarah (Burnell) Ireland, the grand- 
father being a native of Pennsylvania. 

Near the paternal farm in the vicinity of 
Sheridan, Lucas county, Iowa, to which the 
family had removed from Indiana, was a little 
log schoolhouse where knowledge was dis- 
pensed according to old-time methods, and 
hither went Theron A. when the work on the 
farm permitted. At the age of twenty he began 
to devote all of his time to farming, assisting 
his father with the management of the property 
and drawing his regular income from the sale 
of grain and other commodities. In the mean- 
time he was thinking of broader opportunities 
than those by which he was surrounded and 
decided to cast his lot among the emigrants to 
the unknown west. Nancy L. Brummett was 
born in Brown county, Ind., December 15, 1845, 
and her marriage with Mr. Ireland took place 
March 17, 1864. Thereafter the young people 
devoted their time to outfitting for crossing the 
plains with mule-teams, and made the start from 
the home farm April 4, 1864, less than a month 
after their marriage. Their long and tedious 
journey was accomplished without mishap and 
they arrived at The Dalles, September 26, 1864. 
The first winter was spent near Monmouth, and 
the following spring Mr. Ireland rented a farm 
of eighty acres two miles south of the town, 
where they lived for one year. The farm 
proved undesirable, and he removed to his pres- 
ent farm, which consists of three hundred acres,' 
a large portion of which is under cultivation. In 
addition to general farming the owner is engaged 
extensively in stock-raising, and while making 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



915 



no attempt at registered or fancy breeds he 
keeps a substantial and generally high grade of 
eattie. lie is successful in his chosen occupa- 
tion, and attributes his good fortune to industry, 
I business judgment, economy, and strict 
integrity. 

\ Socialist in politics, Mr. Ireland has held 
several offices of responsibility in his neighbor- 
hood, including that of road supervisor and 
school director. He is a member of the Chris- 
tian Church of Monmouth, Ore., and since 
young manhood has supported, as his means 
permitted, his chosen denomination. Six chil- 
dren have been reared in his home to make useful 
members of the community : William H., living 
on the Mackenzie river in Lane county ; Frank 
V. lives on a ranch near Santa Ana, Orange 
county, Cal. ; Mary B. is at home; Effie M. is 
the wife of Sam Tetherow of Lewisville ; Mellie 
M. is the wife of G. W. Girard of Independence; 
and Clara E. is living- at home. 



J. EARL HOSMER. Among the wideawake 
and progressive young journalists who are help- 
ing to mould public opinion in Marion county is 
J. Earl Hosmer, editor of the Silverton Appeal, 
a weekly, seven-column, eight-page newspaper, 
devoted to promoting the best interests of this 
wonderfully fertile valley. The Silverton Appeal 
has a large circulation throughout the entire 
county, and its pages are filled with valuable 
suggestions on all departments of living, it be- 
ing a stanch advocate of fundamental things, 
such as hygiene, diet, education, agriculture and 
home-building. It is the effort of the manage- 
ment to obliterate such information as tends to 
lower the standard of a progressive and inquiring 
community,, and to place all in touch with clean, 
optimistic views of life. A live paper in every 
ML-nse of the word, the Appeal is destined for a 
long era of prosperity, and is not likely to fail 
through advocacy of issues or principles not 
founded on common sense, and the individual 
rights of man. 

Mr. Hosmer was born in Durand, Pepin 
county, Wis., February 17, 1862, and is the 
son of Albert M. and Cynthia (Earl) Hosmer. 
natives respectively of Vermont and Canada. 
Albert M. Hosmer removed from Vermont to 
Xew York state when eleven years of age, and 
before the Civil war settled in the colony at Du- 
rand, Wis., where he died at the age of sixty- 
four years. As an early settler of that region, 
he was identified with various pioneer industries, 
among them hotel keeping, ferrying, stage driv- 
ing, farming and carpentering. His wife removed 
to New York with her parents when a child, and 
was reared in St. Lawrence county. She was the 
mother of five children, four sons and one daugh- 



ter, of whom the editor of the Appeal is the third 
child. 

J. Earl Hosmer acquired his preliminary edu- 
cation in the public schools of Durand, and the 
Oregon State Normal School, from which he 
was graduated in 1893, with the degree of B. S. 
D. This training was supplemented by a course 
at the Western University of Chicago, 111., from 
which he was graduated in 1897, with the de- 
gree of Ph. D. His youth contained somewhat 
of hardship and responsibility, for at the age of 
twelve he began to drive a team for his father, 
and afterward engaged in active farm work. 
In 1901 he bought the Silverton Appeal, installed 
the plant with modern water-power machinery, 
and has increased the subscription list one hun- 
dred per cent. Aside from his journalistic work 
Mr. Hosmer is interested in real estate, and is 
president of the Cascade Real Estate Company, 
which has at its disposal vast areas of timber 
lands, improved farms, stock ranches, saw-mill 
property, and city property. This company has 
done much in promoting the well-being of Marion 
county, and in placing its many merits before 
prospective purchasers. 

September 1, 1885, Mr. Hosmer was united in 
marriage with Minnie Page, who was born in 
Minnesota, March 30, 1867, and removed when 
young to Durand, Wis., with her parents. She 
was educated in the high school of the latter 
town, eventually engaging in educational work, 
locating in Oregon in 1890 with her husband. 
The pre-empted claim of one hundred and sixty 
acres taken up at that time by Mr. Hosmer in 
Tillamook county was sold by him in 1903. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hosmer were among the founders of 
the Liberal University at Silverton, and reluct- 
antly resigned from the association because of 
their inability to coincide with certain beliefs 
which crept into the university. Mrs. Hosmer 
died February 1, 1901, and August 4, 1902, Mr. 
Hosmer married Frances Rauch, a native of Ma- 
rion county. Mrs. Hosmer is the capable assist- 
ant of her husband in his newspaper work. 



A. M. CLOUGH, who is engaged in the un- 
dertaking business in Salem, has been a resident 
of the city since 1876. He was born in St. 
Johnsbury, Vt., September 4, 1850, being one 
of a family of seven children born unto Gardner 
and Laura (Joslin) Clough. The father was a 
native of Massachusetts and the family is of 
Scotch lineage, for the grandfather, Jabez 
Clough, was a native of Scotland, whence he 
emigrated to the new world, establishing his 
home in the Bay state. A few years later he 
removed to Vermont, where he carried on farm- 
ing and at the time of the war of 1812 he aided 
his adopted country. Gardner Clough was a pat- 



916 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ternmaker and millwright and followed his trade 
in Vermont until 1856, when he removed to 
New York, and in 1857 to northeastern Iowa, 
settling in Winneshiek county. He built some of 
the first grist-mills in that part of the state and 
was thus instrumental in establishing a new in- 
dustry there. He resided near Bluffton until 
September, 1861, when he volunteered for ser- 
vice as a defender of the Union cause, enlisting 
m Company I, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry. 
At the end of his term of enlistment he re-en- 
listed and served until the close of the war, but 
his health became impaired from the effects of 
his long and arduous service, and he never fully 
recovered. Upon his return in 1865 he secured 
a homestead farm in Buena Vista county, Iowa, 
where he died about five years later. In politics 
he was a stanch Republican and held the office of 
county commissioner and county recorder in 
Buena Vista county. His wife, who was born 
in Kirby, Vt., was a daughter of Sylvanus Jos- 
lin, also a native of that locality and a farmer by 
occupation. He belonged to one of the old Puri- 
tan families of New England, held membership 
with the Congregational Church and died at the 
age of eighty-nine years. Mrs. Clough survived 
her husband for many years and passed away in 
Iowa at the age of seventy-eight. In their fam- 
ily were seven children, of whom five are 
yet living. Fernando, the eldest, who was a 
member of Company B, Ninth Iowa Cavalry, 
served for two years and four months in the 
Union army and" was taken prisoner at Little 
Rock, Ark., while carrying dispatches. After- 
ward he was exchanged, and he now resides at 
Elk Falls, Kans. The next member of the fam- 
ily is A. M. Clough of this review. The others 
are Fred M., John O., and William L., all resi- 
dents of Iowa. 

A. M. Clough was seven years of age when he 
accompanied his parents to Iowa and took up 
his abode upon a farm in Bluffton township, 
Winneshiek county. He spent his boyhood days 
in the usual manner of farm lads of that period, 
and the public schools afforded him his educa- 
tional privileges. When the Civil war broke out 
his mother removed to Waukon, Iowa,, where the 
family resided during the period of hostilities, the 
father being absent, serving in the army. In 
the spring of 1865 A. M. Clough ran away from 
home to McGregory and enlisted, but after thir- 
teen days with the troops he was rejected on 
account of his age and size. In the same year, 
after the close of the war, the family removed 
to Buena Vista county, Iowa, settling near Sioux 
Rapids, and our subject resided upon the home 
farm until 1866, when he took up his abode in 
Waukon and for three years was engaged in 
driving stage. He then went to Bluffton. Iowa, 
where he engaged in farming and also learned 



the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about 
three or four years. 

In 1876 Mr. Clough arrived in Oregon and 
secured a situation in the Babcock cabinet shop, 
working in their undertaking establishment until 
1884, when Mr. Babcock was elected county 
clerk. In that year Mr. Clough purchased his 
undertaking business and has since continued as 
undertaker and funeral director. He is a gradu- 
ate of three different schools of embalming, of 
which he makes a specialty. He is very success- 
ful in his chosen field of labor. 

In Cresco, Howard county, Iowa, in 1873, Mr. 
Clough was united in marriage to Adella Rider, 
who was born in Woodstock, 111., and with her 
parents came to Oregon in 1876. Her father is 
now deceased, but her mother is still living. In 
Mr. Clough's family are three children : Bertha 
L., Mona M. and Alice L. The parents hold 
membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
of which Mr. Clough is a trustee. He has al- 
ways been a stanch Republican, attending the 
county and state conventions, and his influence 
carries weight in the councils of the party. In 
1894 he was elected county coroner, and so capa- 
bly did he serve that he was re-elected in 1896 
and 1898. On the expiration of his third term 
in 1900 he retired, but in 1902 he was again 
elected and will continue in the position until 
July, 1904. He belongs to the Greater Salem 
Commercial Club, to the lodge and Rebekah de- 
gree of the Odd Fellows society, to the Union 
Artisans, and is past master and member of the 
Woodmen of the World. 



GEORGE W. KNIGHT. The best mercan- 
tile interests of Hubbard, Ore., are being main- 
tained by George W. Knight, who, in partner- 
ship with Peter Susbauer, who owns the build- 
ing, is conducting an up-to-date store. The stock, 
valued at $13,000, comprises such necessities and 
luxuries as would be required in any cosmopoli- 
tan community. It is the policy of the partners 
to observe the greatest courtesy and consideration 
for patrons, and this, combined with cleanliness, 
and absolute business integrity, has assured to 
the firm of Knight & Susbauer many years of 
uninterrupted success. 

Mr. Knight comes of an honored old pioneer 
family of the state of which he is a native son. 
He was born in Canby, Clackamas county, April 
14, 1874. His father. Dr. Charles Knight, for 
many years a practicing physician of Canby, was 
born in Harrisburg, Pa., December 10, 1828, and 
moved with his parents to Pittsburg, Pa., in 183 1. 
He became an employe in a foundry in that city, 
and at the age of eighteen found a less strenu- 
ous position, which enabled him at the same time 
to study medicine. In 1845 ne removed to Mis- 





r 7?^? 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



917 



souri, ami made that state his home until coming 
to Oregon in 1S71. He was the first to settle in 
Canb) . the first to map out the future of the 
town, the pioneer dwelling of the embryo village 
being due to his constructive ability. He was 
known throughout the entire surrounding coun- 
try, and in connection with a large and lucrative 
practice conducted a drug store for many years. 
His death, July 22, 1893, removed a man whom 
all delighted to honor, and who had an enviable 
reputation as man and physician. He married 
Catherine Schriver, who was born in Frankfort, 
Ohio, in 1834, married in 1862, and died October 
16, 1898. She was the mother of nine children, 
five sons and four daughters, of whom George 
W. is the eighth child. Those living are : Louisa, 
Henry. George W. and Esther. 

George W. Knight was educated in the public 
schools, and his youth did not differ materially 
from that of the average boy of his town. He 
was employed for some time in his father's drug 
store, and while still living in Canby became 
interested in Republican politics and served on the 
town council for four years. At the age of 
eighteen he went into the employ of Carlton and 
Rosecrans, remaining for seven years. He went 
to Hubbard, February 2j, 1899, bought out the 
general merchandise business of George H. 
Beebe, and converted it into the present reliable 
and progressive business. After settling there 
he married Minnie Whitney, a native of Oregon, 
born November 19, 1884. and daughter of John 
and Anna (Feller) Whitney, formerly prominent 
farmers in the vicinity of Woodburn, but now lin- 
ing retired near that city. Mr. Knight has served 
in the council of Hubbard, and has otherwise 
identified himself with the upbuilding of the city. 
He still owns a one-third interest, twenty-four 
acres of his father's original donation claim ad- 
joining Canby, ten acres of which are devoted to 
hops, and the remainder to general farming. 
Though one of the younger generation of busi- 
ness men in this county, Mr. Knight is esteemed 
for his general business qualifications, and for 
many estimable traits of character. He is a mem- 
ber of Hermes Lodge K. of P. No. 57 ; passed 
the chairs and represented the local to Grand 
Lodge three times. Is a member of Hubbard 
Lodge I. O. O. F. No. 76. Passed the chairs of 
Columbia Lodge No. 47 A. O. U. W. 



GEORGE N. FRAZER. Outside of Port- 
land, the Eugene Iron Works is the largest en- 
terprise of the kind in the Willamette valley. 
George N. Frazer, the owner and proprietor, is 
unquestionably one of the most experienced in 
all kinds of iron manufacturing on the western 
coast, and as such enjoys a prestige commensurate 
with the worthy and far-reaching industrial re- 
39 



suits of which he is the chief incentive. Born 
in Brockport, Monroe county, N. Y., June 12, 
1851, he is of English ancestry, his parents, 
James Scott and Sarah Ann (Ken worthy) Fra- 
zer, having been born in Oldham, Lancashire, 
England, where had lived many generations of 
his grandfathers. Upon emigrating to America, 
the father settled in Monroe county, N. Y., 
where he worked at the moulder's trade, and 
in time practically started the town of Brockport, 
by establishing the first store and butcher shop. 
Meeting with financial reverses in 1858, he dis- 
posed of his interests and removed to San Fran- 
cisco, where he followed his trade until 1870, 
removing then to the city of Portland, Ore. His 
death occurred by drowning in the Willamette 
river in 1872. 

The necessity for early self-support over- 
shadowed the diversions and even education of 
George N. Frazer, for at the age of twelve he 
learned the moulder's trade from his father. 
While serving his apprenticeship in the San Fran- 
cisco Iron Works he came to a realization of the 
possibilities of his trade and applied himself with 
zest to learning all that his superiors had to teach 
him. From the San Francisco Iron Works he 
went to the Oregon Iron Works, and in 1871 
went into business with his father, operating the 
Eagle Iron Works of Portland. Encouraged 
by a contract for the iron work for the construc- 
tion of the Clackamas river railroad bridge be- 
low Oregon City, the business progressed rapidly, 
many notable and paying contracts being filled 
under the able leadership of father and son. Mr. 
Frazer afterward started the Pioneer Brass 
Foundry in Portland, and after its destruction 
during the great fire, he entered into partnership 
with W. J. Zimmerman in an iron business which 
was later operated under the same management 
in Ashland and Roseburg. 

Disposing of his business in 1886, Mr. Frazer 
came to Eugene and started the Eugene Iron 
Works in partnership with J. C. Land, the latter 
retiring at the end of the first year, and leaving 
the business to the sole supervision of the senior 
member of the firm. That the iron works have 
more work than can be accomplished at present, 
and in fact are six months behind with their or- 
ders, may be taken as a fair indication of their 
standing in the community. The most modern 
of machinery facilitates the conduct of a bus- 
iness which embraces the most delicate as well 
as the heaviest of iron productions, ranging from 
donkev engines to structural iron work, sawmill 
machinery and engines weighing many tons. The 
machine shop proper is two stories high and 
36x50 feet ground dimensions, the foundry is 
40x70 feet, and the blacksmith and boiler shop 
is 50x40 feet. Needless to say, Mr. Frazer is at 
home in any department of his business, having 



918 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



mastered the minutest details, and is therefore 
able to command the best possible effort from his 
men. Having no competition south of Eugene 
in the state, his trade is drawn from a wide ter- 
ritory, orders coming in from all along the coast, 
and from the principal cities of the surrounding 
states. 

The agencies inaugurated for the improvement 
of Eugene have invariably received the stanch 
support of Mr. Frazer. He is the friend of edu- 
cation, of municipal purity and political upright- 
ness. As a Republican he has served on the 
county committee for several years, although of- 
fice-holding has never appealed to him, or been 
in accord with his otherwise busy life. An en- 
thusiastic advocate of the climate, resources and 
general advantages of Lane county, he has shown 
his faith in its future by investing heavily in 
town and country property, his own residence 
being one of the finest and most hospitable in the 
town. He is interested in the Eugene Opera 
House Company, and various substantial enter- 
prises of public character, and his social asso- 
ciates include the cultured and progressive ele- 
ment of the town. Fraternally Mr. Frazer is 
identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows of Eugene, in which he has thrice been 
noble grand ; with the Encampment, in which he 
is past chief patriarch, and the Woodmen of the 
World. He is a member of the Congregational 
Church of Eugene. In Ashland, in 1877, he was 
united in marriage with Ella E. Jackson, who 
was born in California, and who is the mother 
of two children : George N., Jr., who is inter- 
ested in business with his father; and Arthur L., 
instructor of the piano at the University of 
Oregon. 

LAFAYETTE F. HALL, of Newberg, identi- 
fied principally with loans and insurance, is a 
worthy representative of one of the best-known 
pioneer families of Yamhill county, and one most 
intimately connected with its growth. Mr. Hall 
was born in Carlinville, Macoupin county, 111., 
January 17, 1846, his father being a native of 
North Carolina, and born February 5, 1798, while 
his mother, Malinda, was born in Tennessee. 

Mathew Hall was one of those strong and rug- 
ged personalities which stands out vividly from 
the pioneer ranks of Yamhill county. As a youth 
in his native state he learned the blacksmith trade, 
and as a young man grown he settled in Ma- 
coupin county, 111., where he plied his trade for 
a number of years. He was one of those cou- 
rageous men who braved the dangers of the plains 
before the craze for gold made the expedition one 
of comparative safety, and in 1847 se t ou t with a 
party, eventually arriving at his chosen desti- 
nation in Clackamas county. The first winter was 
spent in Molajla, and in the spring he engaged 



in ranching near Astoria, on the Columbia river. 
Not being favorably impressed with that farming 
section he went to Portland and worked at his 
trade, and the quality of his work may be esti- 
mated when it is known that when he took his 
departure in 1849, tne P e °pl e of Portland offered 
to give him a house and lot and place to put his 
shop if he would remain. Notwithstanding this 
tempting offer he decided to settle on a farm near 
where Newberg now stands, and, having com- 
fortably installed his family, he went down into 
California and struggled for a year among the 
mines in that state. Although fairly successful 
he was not forcibly impressed with mining as a 
means of livelihood, his practical and shrewd 
mind detecting easily the chances in favor of the 
few rather than the many. Returning to Oregon 
he settled on his farm of six hundred and twenty 
acres, a portion of which he improved, and where 
he died in 1869, at the age of seventy-one years. 
He was known far and near as Squire Hall, as 
he filled the office of justice of the peace for be- 
tween twelve and fourteen years. In his rulings 
he was invariably just and impartial, and rarely 
were his decisions questioned. 

The youngest of three sons and four daughters 
born to his parents, Lafayette F. Hall was edu- 
cated in the public schools, supplemented by one 
term at McMinnville College. During six years 
of his life he was an educator, and during that 
time was also manager of his father's farm. In 
1875 he abandoned teaching and divided his at- 
tention between farming and outside business. He 
has since been engaged in a general business, and 
in connection therewith handles collections and 
insurance, and a little real estate. He is a notary 
public, and has been justice of the peace for two 
terms. Mr. Hall is theowner of considerable 
town and country property, including two lots 
on Columbia Heights, two lots upon which his 
residence is erected, an additional lot elsewhere 
in the town, and three hundred and twenty acres 
of the home place, now being managed by his. 
son, W. L. 

The first Mrs. Hall was formerly Amanda S. 
Ellison, who was born in Virginia, and died in 
Yamhill county in 1879, leaving four sons : Will- 
iam L., on the home farm ; O. E., in Washington ; 
Elmer C, engaged in mining near Gratz Pass; 
and Ellis, also engaged in mining near Sumpter. 
For a second wife Mr. Hall married in Novem- 
ber, 1885, Frances M. Rowland, who was born 
in Tennessee, as was also her father, R. P. Row- 
land. Mr. Rowland came to Oregon in 1885, lo- 
cated for a time on the Lewis river, and is now 
conducting a dairy farm near Mount Tabor. Of 
this second union there has been born one daugh- 
ter. Ethel, living with her parents. In political 
affiliation Mr. Hall is a Democrat, although he 
is decidedly averse to the silver platform. 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



919 



IT'NDERSON AVERY is a capitalist and 
\erv successful man who is uniformly spoken 
of in terms of praise, commendation and good 
will. He is an extensive and successful manu- 
facturer of flour and is the leader in this re- 
gard in the state. He is now serving as presi- 
dent of the city council of Corvallis, and Ben- 
ton county has profited by his efforts in her 
behalf along many lines. It is, therefore, well 
that he should be mentioned among the repre- 
sentative citizens of the Willamette valley and 
it is with pleasure that we present to our read- 
ers this record of his career. 

Mr. Avery is a native of Stark county, 111., 
born in 1843, an d is a son of J. C. Avery, who 
was the founder of Corvallis and is represented 
elsewhere in this work. In the year 1847 Mrs. 
Avery came to the northwest to join the father, 
who had crossed the plains in 1843. She was 
accompanied by her three children, Charles, 
Punderson and Florence, and they were met 
in eastern Oregon by the husband and father, 
who conducted them by way of the Barlow 
route over the Cascade Mountains to the old 
town of Marysville, now Corvallis. Mr. Avery 
had secured a donation claim of six hundred 
and forty acres and upon this the city of Cor- 
vallis was established. 

On the old family homestead Punderson 
Avery of this review was reared and in early 
life became connected with merchandising. He 
pursued his preliminary education in the dis- 
trict schools and afterward became a student 
in the Baptist College at McMinnville. Later 
he spent eight years in his father's store and 
in 1872 he removed to Lake county, Ore., 
where he was engaged in the cattle business, 
having a large range on which he herded his 
cattle and also put up hay and feed for the 
market. His father, together with John F. 
Miller and B. F. Dougthet, was selected by the 
state to choose a site for the Agricultural Col- 
lege, and made choice of the meadow lands 
of Lake county. They gained considerable 
knowledge of the state while endeavoring to 
make a location and Punderson Avery, hearing 
favorable reports of the Lake county land, con- 
cluded that he would remove to that district 
and engage in the cattle business. According- 
ly, he located there in 1872 and purchased 
one thousand acres of the college land which 
lie fenced and improved. For fifteen years he 
remained there, being extensively engaged in 
the cattle business, and success attended his 
efforts. At the time of the Modoc war he and 
other residents of that locality built Fort Che- 
waucan which they occupied for four months 
during the Indian troubles. In 1887 he dis- 
posed of his business interests in Lake county 
and returned to Corvallis. In 1889 he began 



the milling business here, forming the present 
company in connection with Mr. Smith and 
Mr. Rickard. They built the Benton county 
mills and five years later incorporated the busi- 
ness under the name of the Benton County 
Flouring Mills Company, of which Mr. Avery 
has since been the president. The mill was 
erected in 1889 and has since been operated by 
steam power. The plant has a capacity of two 
hundred and twenty barrels daily and manu- 
factures flour which is unexcelled in the state. 
In fact, the firm received the highest award at 
the Oregon state fair in 1902 and again in 
1903 on the Benton and Snowfall brands. 
Other premiums have been awarded to the 
firm which not only manufacture wheat flour, 
but also place upon the market graham flour 
and cereals. The business was begun with a 
capacity of one hundred barrels, but in order 
to meet the increased demand of the trade the 
capacity was increased to two hundred and 
twenty barrels per day in 1899. The Wagner 
roller system is used and the plant is equipped 
with all modern facilities, the mill being one 
of the best in the northwest. It is a four-story 
structure and the power is supplied by a 
seventy-five-horse-power engine. The product 
is shipped to California, South America and 
the American possessions in the Pacific and 
to the Orient. In addition to his milling prop- 
erty Mr. Avery owns two fine farms in Benton 
county devoted to the raising of grain and 
stock. One of these farms comprises four 
hundred acres and is situated a mile and a 
half south of Corvallis, while the other com- 
prises three hundred and twenty acres and is 
about twelve miles south of the city. Mr. Av- 
ery and his brother laid out two additions to 
Corvallis, most of which has since been sold 
and improved by the erection of good build- 
ings. 

In Corvallis Mr. Avery was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Elizabeth Mobley, who was born 
in Missouri and went with her parents to Cali- 
fornia in early life, coming thence to Benton 
county, Ore., in i860. Her father, William 
Mobley was a farmer by occupation. Unto 
this marriage have been born five children : 
Chester, who is engaged in the cattle business 
in Lake county ; Clarence W., who is a gradu- 
ate of the Oregon Agricultural College and is 
now engaged in the stock business and is also 
manager of the Bingham Spring, near Pendle- 
ton ; Mattie, who is now the wife of Professor 
Fulton of Corvallis ; Grover and Virgil, who 
are at home. 

In 1870 Mr. Avery was elected county treas- 
urer of Benton county and served for one term, 
while for many years he has been a member of 
the city council of Corvallis and is now its 



920 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



president. He has always been a Democrat in 
politics and for many years was chairman of 
the county committee, and was also a member 
of the state committee. He belongs to the 
Oregon Pioneer Association and to the Cor- 
vallis Business Men's League and his wife is 
a member of the Presbyterian church. He 
stands today among the prominent business 
men of the Willamette valley. Keen and clear- 
headed, always busy, always careful and con- 
servative in financial matters, moving slowly 
but surely in every transaction, he has few 
superiors in the steady progress which invari- 
ably reaches the objective point. 



DELAVAN S. SMITH. Born on the home- 
stead which he now owns and occupies, February 
1 6, 1858, Delavan S. Smith is distinguished not 
only for his enterprise, ability and honesty of 
purpose, but as the worthy representative of one 
of the most honored pioneers of Linn county. 
He comes of excellent New England stock, the 
blood of many of the early families of that part 
of the Union flowing through his veins. Promi- 
nent among his more immediate ancestry are 
several families of distinction in the annals of 
Rhode Island and Massachusetts, among others 
that may be mentioned being those of Hopkins, 
Briggs, Harris and Wilkinson. Stephen Hop- 
kins, a signer of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, was descended from the same immigrant 
ancestor. A direct descendant in the fifth gen- 
eration from John Smith, of Rhode Island, his 
lineage is as follows : John, Capt. Jonathan, 
Archibald, Delazon, Delavan S. 

John Smith, a resident of Scituate, R. I., and 
a citizen of influence, reared seven children, six 
stalwart sons and one daughter, namely : Rich- 
ard, Joseph, Jonathan, Oziel, Thomas, Hope and 
Sarah. Richard served in the old French and 
Indian war. Joseph was one of those brave 
Green Mountain Boys that stormed the breast- 
work in the battle of Bennington, while his son, 
a lad of fifteen years, took part in that famous 
engagement. Jonathan and Thomas were sol- 
diers in the Revolution, the latter losing his life 
while in service. 

• Capt. Jonathan Smith was lieutenant of a com- 
pany that responded to the Lexington Alarm 
call, on April 19, 1775, and marched with his 
company as far as Cambridge. He subsequently 
served throughout the war, afterwards receiving 
a bounty for his services while in the army. 

Archibald Smith settled in New Berlin, N. Y., 
where he was engaged during his active career 
as a mechanic. He married Miss Briggs, a 
woman of much culture and force of character. 
Her father, Joseph Briggs, was born in Massa- 
chusetts, but subsequently removed to Vermont, 



He took an active part in the grand struggle 
for independence, being captain of a company, 
and took a prominent part in the battle of Bunker 
Hill, the battle of Bennington, witnessing Bur- 
goyne's surrender at Saratoga, and being in the 
midst of the conflict at Monmouth. Archibald 
Smith's wife died in early womanhood- — in 1825 
— leaving five young sons, one of whom subse- 
quently lost his life on the battlefield during the 
Mexican war. 

Delazon Smith, the fourth son of his parents, 
was born in New Berlin, Chenango county, N. 
Y., October 5, 1816. Left motherless at the ten- 
der age of nine years, he secured such education 
as his limited opportunities afforded. In 1831, 
taking all of his worldly effects in a small pack- 
age under his arm, he joined an elder brother 
in the western part of his native state, and re- 
mained there two years, continuing his studies as 
best he might. Hearing that at the manual-labor 
college in Ohio he could pursue the higher 
branches of learning, and at the same time find 
employment to defray his expenses, he entered, in 
the spring of 1834, the Collegiate Institute, at 
Oberlin, and remained two years, withdrawing 
then, as he was not in sympathy with the anti- 
slavery movements of the school and the ptace. 
Going from there to Cleveland, he studied law, 
and was a frequent contributor to the leading 
newspapers of that day. In 1838, being urged 
to assist in establishing a paper in Rochester, 
N. Y., he accepted the invitation, and for two 
years thereafter edited the New York Watch- 
man. Prior to that time this embryo attorney 
had taken active part in state and national poli- 
tics, and during the stirring campaign of 1840 
edited and published a paper called the True Jef- 
fersonian. He also did able work throughout 
New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, taking the 
stump for Van Bttren and Johnson. He after- 
wards published the Western Herald a short 
time, but was not successful. Returning to Ohio, 
he established a paper devoted to the inter- 
ests of the Democratic party, naming it the West- 
ern Empire, which remained in existence several 
years. In 1844 Mr. Smith supported the Demo- 
cratic candidate for presidency, James K. Polk, 
and at the close of the campaign was appointed 
by President Taylor a special commissioner to 
Ecuador, S. A., being given full power to treat 
with that government. After staying a while at 
Quito, he found that on account of an internal 
quarrel he could not accomplish his mission, so 
returned home. 

Removing to the territory of Iowa in the 
spring of 1846, Delazon Smith settled on a farm, 
which he carried on a few years, also practicing 
his profession to some extent. He became promi- 
nently identified with the political issues of the 
time and place, supporting the Democratic prin- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



«J21 



s and candidates with vigor and ability. In 
the campaign of 1848 he edited the Iowa Demo- 
and stumped the state for Cass and Butler. 
The climate of Iowa proving unhealthful to him- 
self and family, he came to Oregon in the spring 
of 1852, being five months making the trip from 
the Missouri river to The Dalles. Losing all of 
his cattle while on the way, he came to Linn 
county almost penniless. With brave courage, 
he set about retrieving his fortunes. Taking up 
a donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
s, lving about six miles southeast of Albany, 
he cleared and improved a good homestead. In 
the meantime he opened a law office in Albany, 
where he built up a substantial practice, becoming 
widclv known. Being nominated in the spring 
of 1854 for the state legislature, he was elected 
on the Democratic ticket by a majority of two 
hundred votes. The following year he was re- 
elected as a representative to the legislature, this 
time his majority being doubled, and when the 
Assembly met he had the honor of being chosen 
speaker of the house. In 1856 he was again re- 
elected to the house of representatives, and in 
1857 was made a delegate to the constitutional 
convention. In July, 1858, by a four-fifths vote 
of the legislature, he was chosen one of the 
first United States senators from Oregon, and 
in casting lots drew the short term. Soon after 
his return from Washington, where he had ren- 
dered efficient service in the national congress, 
he passed to the great life beyond, dying in Port- 
land November 18, i860. 

Delazon Smith was twice married. His first 
wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Yoke, died 
in early life, leaving one child, Volney V., now 
deceased. He married for his second wife Mary 
Shepherd, by whom he had five children, four 
of whom have passed away, namely : Ianthe, 
who married P. C. Harper; Viola; Elizabeth; 
and Delazon D. The only survivor of the paren- 
tal family is Delavan S. Smith, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother died on the home farm 
in 1 87 1. The father was a charter member and 
the first master of Corinthian Lodge, F. & A. M., 
of Albany. 

Delavan S. Smith grew to manhood on the 
parental homestead, acquiring the rudiments of 
his education in the common schools, and at- 
tended Albany College for two years. At the 
age of twenty-one years he was made deputy 
sheriff under I. C. Dickey, and afterwards served 
in the same capacity under Sheriffs George 
Humphrey and J. K. Charlton. In 1886 he suc- 
ceeded Sheriff Charlton, and for two years was 
sheriff of Linn county. He was subsequently 
deputy sheriff under John Smallman and Matt 
Scott for a year, and again under C. C. Jackson 
for one term. In 1895 Mr. Smith returned to the 
old homestead, of which he owns . two hundred 



acres, and has since carried on general farming 
and stock-raising. 

On December 14, 1881, Mr. Smith married 
Carrie M. Clark, daughter of J. S. Clark, and 
they have six children, namely : Ina M., Volena, 
Delazon, Merrill, Mary and Ianthe. Politically, 
Mr. Smith, following in the footsteps of his hon- 
ored father, is a stanch Democrat, and fraternally 
he is a Knight of Pythias. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 



ISAAC M. SIMPSON. As a native-born 
citizen of Polk county, an extensive and pro- 
gressive agriculturist and stock-raiser, and as a 
worthy representative of one of the most widely 
and favorably known families of the Willamette 
Valley, Isaac M. Simpson is entitled to honorable 
mention in this biographical work. A son of 
the late I. M. Simpson, he was born April 23, 
1857, at Simpson's Station, on the farm where he 
has since resided. His paternal grandfather, 
Malachi Simpson, was born of Scotch ancestry, 
in Georgia, and lived there until about 181 5, 
when he removed with his family to Franklin 
county, Tenn., settling about three miles from 
Nashville, being a pioneer of that place. 

Born on the Georgia homestead in 1812, I. M. 
Simpson was but a small child of three years 
when he accompanied his parents to Tennessee, 
where he grew to man's estate. Choosing the 
vocation of a farmer, he migrated to Arkansas 
in 1835, settling in Lawrence county, where he 
lived ten years. Leaving there early in 1845, 
he stopped a short time in Jackson county, Mo., 
then crossed the plains to Oregon, making the 
journey with wagons drawn by four yokes of 
oxen, coming by way of Meeks' cut-off, and be- 
ing six months on the way. At once locating in 
Polk county, he took up a donation claim of 
six hundred and forty , acres at what is now 
Simpson's Station, in the fall of 1845, ar »d at 
once began the improvement of a farm. During 
the gold excitement of 1849, he went to the Cal- 
ifornia mines, but soon returned on account of 
ill health. Resuming his agricultural labors, he 
resided on the farm which he cleared, until his 
death, July 11, 1887. He was a man of un- 
blemished character, deeply respected by all who 
knew him, and was a member of the Baptist 
Church. In his political affiliations he was a 
Democrat. At Lawrence county, Ark., in 1836, 
he married Martha Jackson, who was born No- 
vember 8, 181 5, in Franklin county, Tenn. She 
was a daughter of Thomas Jackson, who emi- 
grated from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1835, at 
the time that Mr. Simpson went there with his 
parents. Four children were born of their union, 
namely : Amos C, deceased ; Marshall W., of 



922 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Elk City, Ore. ; Eliza, wife of L. W. Loughary ; 
and Isaac M., the special subject of this brief 
sketch. 

Receiving a practical education in the public 
schools of his district, Isaac M. Simpson as- 
sumed the management of the home farm when 
nineteen years old, and has since had sole charge 
of the estate. He has seven hundred acres of 
productive land, and is extensively and profit- 
ably engaged in general agriculture, including 
dairying, stock-raising, hop-growing, and the 
culture of fruit. He keeps Cotswold sheep, Dur- 
ham cows, and Angora goats, and has forty acres 
of land planted to hops, which do well in this 
climate, and yield excellent returns for the time 
and money expended in their culture. 

Mr. Simpson married, in Lincoln county, Ore., 
Tabitha Morrison, who was born in Dallas coun- 
ty, Iowa, June 3, 1861. Her father, Barney 
Morrison, who comes of Irish ancestry, was born 
in Lincoln county, Tenn. Crossing the plains 
in 1862, he settled first in Yamhill county, Ore., 
removing from there to Polk county, and now 
resides in Lincoln county, this state. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Jemima Stone, is of 
German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have 
one child, Otto Simpson, who is a student at the 
Oregon Agricultural College, in Corvallis. A 
stanch Democrat in politics, Mr. Simpson served 
as county commissioner four years, being elected 
on the Democratic ticket in 1880. In 1890 he 
represented Polk and Lincoln counties in the 
state legislature, and is now a school director. 
He is a member of Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons, of Independence, and of Royal Arch 
Masons. He also belongs to Valley Lodge, In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, of Independ- 
ence, and to the Woodmen of the World, of 
Airlie, in which he has served as council com- 
mander for two terms. 



JOHN W. PROPST. For forty-two years 
John W. Propst has lived on his farm four and 
u a half miles east of Albany, and during that time 
the once timbered property has undergone many 
changes, new buildings taking the place of their 
worn-out predecessors, and modern machinery 
making light tasks that were once arduous. But 
it is not only as an agriculturist and stock-raiser 
that Mr. Propst has contributed to the upbuild- 
ing of his neighborhood, for he has exerted a 
moral and educational influence as well, promot- 
ing to the extent of his power the schools of 
the district, and generously contributing to the 
advancement of the Christian Church, of which 
he is one of the substantial and honored mem- 
bers, and in which he has been an elder for 
twenty-five years. The Ancient Order of United 
Workmen has profited by his membership for 



many years, and during the latter part of* his 
life he has furthered the interests of the Repub- 
lican party. 

The early life of Mr. Propst was uneventfully 
passed in Maynard county, 111., on the farm 
where his birth occurred April 12, 1837. In 
1852, when he was fifteen years of age, he took 
an active part in completing arrangements to 
cross the plains, his father desiring to settle in 
the west, where he hoped to make more money 
with less of the hard work to which he had 
been accustomed from his boyhood days. With 
ox-teams and prairie schooners, cattle and house- 
hold goods, the little party set out, arriving at 
their destination in Marion county at the end 
of the usual six months. Lucinda (Powell) 
Propst, the mother, died in eastern Oregon on 
Butter creek en route, and Anthony Propst, the 
father, died just after crossing the Cascade moun- 
tains at Foster. John W. Propst lived for a 
year on a farm near Parkersville, and after that 
went to the farm of his uncle, Noah Powell, in 
Yamhill county, making that his home until 1855. 
He then came to Linn county and lived with 
another uncle, John A. Powell, who had been ap- 
pointed his guardian after the death of his pa- 
rents, and remained there until he was twenty- 
four years of age. Still making his home with 
his uncle, he worked on surrounding farms until 
twenty-four years of age, when, having saved 
considerable money, he married Margaret J. Cole, 
November 1, i860. For the following year he 
lived on a farm on the Santiam, and in the fall 
of 1861 came to his present farm, where he has 
lived ever since. To himself and wife have been 
born three children, of whom Quincy E. is living 
in Albany, married and has two children, Leona 
and Elmer. Frank W. died at the age of twenty- 
nine years in Albany; Leona died at the age of 
twenty-one years, at home. A practical farmer 
and an earnest, conscientious man, Mr. Propst 
does credit to this garden spot of Oregon, where 
he is so well known and so highly respected. He 
is a member of Harmony Grange. He served as 
school director and clerk for twenty-five years, 
and two years as constable. His farm of one 
hundred and ninety-seven and one-half acres has 
all been improved by his own efforts. In con- 
nection with his farming he has run threshing 
machines, reapers, headers, etc., among the farm- 
ers in his locality for the past thirty years. 



ISAAC MEEKER. As a farmer in the broad 
fields of Oregon, Isaac Meeker is giving the 
strength and intelligence of his manhood toward 
the growth and upbuilding of state citizenship, 
and especially in the county of his father's adop- 
tion. He was born in Rock Island county, 111., 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



923 



March 1. 1S47, the son oi " John Meeker. The 
latter was a native of Butler county, Ohio, hav- 
ing been horn there September 6, 1822, and was 
there married to Lydia Miller. In the fall of 
1S47 Mr. Meeker went to St. Joseph, Mo., with 
the intention of emigrating from that location to 
the west. In the spring of the next year he 
crossed the plains, his worldly wealth embodied 
in one wagon and an ox-team. After six months 
of journeying the party arrived in Oregon, and 
the first winter found them located in the San- 
tiam valley, Linn county. 

Being driven from their first settlement in 
Linn county by high water, Mr. Meeker took his 
family farther west in the county, where he be- 
came the owner of a donation claim of six hun- 
dred and forty acres, situated three miles from 
the town of Jefferson. This consisted principal- 
is- of prairie land. After the erection of a log 
cabin they made this their home, remaining here 
until 1880, when he removed to a location upon 
the banks of the Willamette river, directly oppo- 
site the city of Albany. His death occurred in 
that place in 1883, his wife surviving him three 
years. Like the lives of many early settlers, Mr. 
Meeker's was full of varied experiences, one be- 
ing a prospecting trip to the gold mines of Cali- 
fornia in 1849, from which he returned on a sail- 
ing vessel which landed him at Astoria thirty 
days from the date of sailing from San Francisco. 
In 1855-6, during the Rogue River war, he hauled 
supplies to the soldiers in the southern part 
of Oregon. Of six children born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Meeker, Elizabeth is the wife of Samuel 
Smith, of Washington ; Isaac is the subject of 
this review ; William was drowned February 
17, 1903; Mary is the wife of William Bowman; 
Martha was the wife of H. Butcher, and died in 
1864 ; and Edward, the youngest child, is located 
on a part of the old claim. 

Practically the entire life of Isaac Meeker has 
been spent in Oregon, for he was but one year 
old when the trip was begun, and he remained at 
home until he was thirty-one years old. He was 
reared to the duties of a farmer. Upon begin- 
ning work for himself he followed his early train- 
ing, now being located upon one hundred and 
sixty-eight acres of his father's claim, and is en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising. He 
first married, January 20, 1878, Melvina Hale, 
who was born in Oregon, the daughter of Will- 
iam Hale. Three children were born of this 
union, the one now living being Clyde. Mrs. 
Meeker died January 15, 1898, and October 24, 
1900, Mr. Meeker married Mrs. Mary Wilson, 
who was born in Marion county, Ore., the daugh- 
ter of Joseph J. Groshong.' Politically, Mr. 
Meeker is a Democrat, and fraternally belongs to 
the Grange. 



MART V. MILLER. To the very early and 
widely scattered settlers of Linn county the 
building of the first log school-house was quite 
an undertaking, and established the community 
as progressive and enterprising. Of hewed logs, 
and with slab benches and desks, it was innocent 
of glass at the openings called windows, nor was 
there a door to keep out the rain or snow. But 
the pupils gathered there when their home duties 
permitted. Among these original pupils was 
Mart V. Miller, who was ten years of age when 
he came to the state with his parents, and who 
plodded in all kinds of weather to the primitive 
school-house near Albany. The lessons there 
learned have proved of immense value to him in 
later life, and served as a nucleus for later study. 
Since 1850 he has lived on his present farm, two 
hundred and seventy-five acres in extent, and lo- 
cated five miles from Albany. He is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising, and is suc- 
cessful and prosperous, enjoying to an unusual 
extent the confidence of his fellow-agriculturists. 

Born near Jamestown, Boone county, Ind., 
February 28, 1837, Mr. Miller is a son of Chris- 
tian and Mary A. (Coddington) Miller, natives 
respectively of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 
Christian Miller located in Indiana when a young 
man, lived there many years, and in 1847 went 
to Huntsville, Mo., to outfit for crossing the 
plains. In the spring of 1848 he started out with 
two wagons, in a train of forty others, the trip 
across covering about four months. With him, 
besides his wife and children, was his brother 
Isaac, who subsequently acquired distinction as 
an Indian fighter, serving in both the Modoc war 
and the war of 1855-6. Christian Miller settled 
on a section of land half a mile south of Albany, 
and in the spring of 1850 sold his property for 
$500. Near Knox's Butte he bought a squatter's 
right to another section of land, and in the fall 
of 1851 came to the farm now occupied by his 
son Mart. A cow was the price paid for the 
three hundred and twenty acres, and Edward 
Strcitheoff was the man who received the cow 
in lieu of his land. Mr. Miller's death occurred 
in 1874, at the age of sixty-five years. During 
his life in the west he seemed to have a happy 
faculty for making the best of things, and suc- 
cess rewarded his untiring industry and wise 
management. A change from farming came in 
the golden year of 1849, when he went to Cali- 
fornia and ran a pack train from Sacramento 
City to the mines on the American river. His 
wife, who died September 8, 1892, at the age of 
eighty-six years, was the mother of six children. 
They were : Maria, who died in 1897, having 
married Eli Miller; Moses, living on a farm 
near Albany; Nelson, who died young; Mart 
V. ; John, who died in youth ; and Enoch, who 
lives on a farm near Scio, Linn county. Christian 



924 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Miller deserved great credit for his rise in life, 
for he was- a man of little education, and there- 
fore dependent upon his innate shrewdness and 
common sense. The first winter in Oregon him- 
self and family lived on boiled wheat and New 
Orleans molasses, and in after years, when suc- 
cess came, and the luxuries of life were possible 
to him, he used to recall, with thankfulness for 
present blessings, the dark days wherein depriva- 
tion and poverty played so large a part. 

March 15, i860, Mart V. Miller was united in 
marriage to Mary C. Cunningham, of which 
union there were born four children : Alonzo, a 
resident of Albany; Elam, also a resident of 
Albany; Wayne, in California, and identified 
with the railroad; and Homer B., deceased. 
Mrs. Miller died in 1875; and April 26, 1878, 
Mr. Miller married Maria Propst, who is the 
mother of seven children : Iona B., wife of 
Frank Warner; Ray F. ; Eunice M. ; Ernest 
C, who has been a helpless cripple for nine 
years, unable to move a limb or any part of the 
body ; Roma D. ; Victor V. ; and Fay. Mr. Mil- 
ler is a man of high moral character, and for 
twenty-five years has been an active worker and 
elder of the Christian Church. 



FRANK M. MILLER. Among the industri- 
ous and deservedly successful farmers of Linn 
county Frank M. Miller holds a recognized 
place, having been for many years an agricultur- 
ist of this section of the state. He now owns 
three hundred and fifty acres of rich, productive 
land, which land was once a part of the donation 
claim taken up by Jacob L. Miller, the brother of 
Frank M., in the year 1847, immediately after 
crossing the plains with his wife. The entire 
claim amounted to six hundred and forty acres. 
Though rich in land he desired something more, 
and in 1849 he followed the current setting to- 
ward the gold mines of California, before his 
father, Abraham Miller, had brought his family 
into the west. 

Abraham Miller was born in Tennessee in 
1789, and when a young man he removed to In- 
diana, where he met and married Mary Little. 
He subsequently removed to Mercer county, 111., 
and founded the village of Millersburg, and in 
the spring of 1850 they followed their oldest son, 
Jacob L., across the plains. Their worldly wealth 
consisted of four wagons with four yoke of oxen 
to each, and after a six months' trip he arrived 
with his wife and six children in the country 
wherein they were to make a new home. 
The first fall found them located near 
Jefferson, Marion county, but across the 
county line in Linn county, on a dona- 
tion claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres, the right to which had been purchased 



from Ashby Pierce. A one-story log house of- 
fered the family shelter and into this they moved, 
ambitious to make from this wilderness a fertile 
farm, and the productive valley land promised 
them speedy returns for the springtime sowing. 
Here the family remained for a great many 
years, the father reaching the ripe old age of 
eighty-six before meeting his death, December 
29, 1875, when he was killed by the cars, his 
deafness preventing him hearing the approach 
of the train. His wife died February 15, 1879, 
aged seventy-two years. She was born in Wayne 
county, Ind., January 1, 1807. They were the 
parents of eleven children, ten of whom attained 
maturity, though the only' two now living arc 
Frank M. and Betsey, the latter of whom is the 
wife of Samuel Brown, and now makes her 
home in Galesburg, Knox county, 111. 

Frank M. Miller was born November 20, 1843, 
in Millersburg, Mercer county, 111., and was 
seven years old when the trip was made across 
the plains. He was reared upon the paternal 
farm and educated in the common school in the 
vicinity of his home, where the most primitive 
conditions prevailed, slab benches being used 
for seats. When grown he engaged with his 
father in carrying on the duties of the home 
farm until his marriage, which occurred May 15, 
1873, Nancy E. Bowman becoming his wife. 
She is the daughter of Preston H. and America 
(Allphin) Bowman, who came to Oregon from 
Missouri in 1847, an d were married in Linn 
county October 11, 1850. After his marriage 
Mr. Miller changed his location, coming to the 
farm which has ever since occupied his atten- 
tion. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of 
two children, of whom Nora is the wife of Arthur 
Holt, of Albany, and Albert A. is located in 
Jefferson. Mr. Miller is now engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising and has eighteen acres 
devoted to the cultivation of hops. Politically he 
is a Democrat and fraternally belongs to the 
Grange. 



EDWARD MEEKER. Many agriculturists 
whose intelligence, enterprise and progressive 
spirit are a benefit to any community in which 
their lot may be cast, are to be found in Linn 
county, one of the open gateways to the east. 
Among them is Edward Meeker, the youngest 
son of one of the sturdy pioneers who early 
sought the western life for the sake of the multi- 
fold opportunities awaiting the perseverance and 
energy of such men as himself. 

His father, John Meeker, was born in Butler 
county, Ohio, September 6, 1822, and in the 
spring of 1848 he left the city of St. Joseph, 
Mo., with one wagon and an ox-team, for 
the six months' journey across the plains. 





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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



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Mr. Meeker first located in the Santiam 
valley but was driven out by the high water, 
whereupon he removed to another part of the 
county and took up a claim of six hundred and 
fortv acres very near the dividing line between 
the counties of Linn and Marion, within three 
miles of the town of Jefferson of the latter coun- 
ty. He later became a resident of a location di- 
rectly opposite the city of Albany, and there his 
death occurred in 1883, followed by that of his 
wife, formerly Lydia Miller, in 1886. The elder 
Mr. Meeker was variously interested in the af- 
fairs of his adopted state, and took part in many 
of the movements for her welfare, a fuller ac- 
count of which can be found in the sketch of 
Isaac Meeker, the oldest son of this worthy 
pioneer. 

Edward Meeker was born on his father's old 
donation claim in Linn county, July 17, 1858, 
and was there reared to manhood, receiving his 
education in the common schools of the county. 
He remained at home until his marriage, March 
14, 1880, to Miss Ollie A. Allphin, when he 
moved upon the part of the farm where he now 
lives. He owns at present one hundred and 
fifty-four acres of land, upon which he carries 
on general farming and stock-raising. In addi- 
tion to his farming interests he has always taken 
an active part in politics, being a stanch Demo- 
crat. In 1900 he was elected on that ticket as 
county recorder of Linn county, which office he 
maintained for two years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Meeker are the parents of one 
child, whose name is Stacey. Fraternally Mr. 
Meeker affiliates with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, holding membership with Santiam 
Lodge, of Jefferson. 



PRESLEY COMEGYS. The name of Pres- 
ley Comegys is familiar to most of the residents 
of Lane county and carries with it an impression 
of influence and unquestioned integrity, his life 
as a farmer in this section of the country evi- 
dencing those qualities which win popularity. Mr. 
Comegys was born in St. Charles county, Mo., 
July 2, 1830, the son of Benjamin and the grand- 
son of Abraham Comegys, both owing their na- 
tivity to the state of Maryland. The family is 
of German ancestry, the members of which have 
followed agricultural pursuits for many genera- 
tions, which in a measure accounts for the ex- 
cellence of the work of this citizen of Oregon. 
The grandfather removed to St. Charles county, 
Mo., about 1819, and the father became a farmer 
in that state, where he died in 1844. He married 
Lucinda Scott, who was born in Monongahela 
county, W. Va. She was the daughter of Felix 
Scott, a native of Virginia, who became a farmer 
in West Virginia and later settled in Missouri, 



where he continued to follow that occupation. 
In 1845 ne made the journey to California and 
wintered there, the year following crossing the 
mountains on the old pack trail to Oregon. He 
first settled in Yamhill county and later removed 
to Lane county, where he became a farmer and 
stock-raiser. In the winter of 1859 ne wcnt 
east via the Isthmus of Panama, and in Ken- 
tucky purchased several fine horses, with which 
he started across the plains, taking the southern 
Oregon route. On this return trip in i860 he and 
his men were murdered in the Modoc country 
by the Indians, and the horses entirely disap- 
peared. Mrs. Comegys died in Oregon, the 
mother of three children, the two besides Pres- 
ley being Wilmer, who died in southeastern Ore- 
gon, and Nimrod, now located in Burns, Ore. 

Presley Comegys was reared in Missouri until 
he reached his fifteenth birthday, when, with his 
mother and family, he removed to Magnolia, Put- 
nam county, 111. With but a very limited dis- 
trict school education he was compelled to go to 
work on a farm, as that had been all of his 
early training. In 1850 he and his brother Wil- 
mer joined an uncle and with ox-teams crossed 
the plains to California, where they remained 
in the mines until 1851, when they came to Port- 
land, Ore., and thence made their way into Lane 
county. The same year Mr. Comegys took up a 
donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres 
located three miles northeast of Springfield, and 
there began the improvement and cultivation 
which was to make that one of the substantial 
farming enterprises of the county. Thirty-seven 
years passed away before he removed from that 
location, during which time his well merited suc- 
cess enabled him to purchase more land. He 
now owns two hundred and thirty acres. 

Mr. Comegys has been married twice, the first 
ceremony being performed near Springfied, Ore., 
in 1863, uniting him with Melzena Duncan, a 
native of Iowa, and the daughter of Warren S. 
Duncan, who came to Oregon in 1862, and en- 
gaged in farming in Lane county. Mrs. Comegys 
died on the home farm, April 30, 1868. The two 
children born to them are Viola, widow of W. 
W. Withers, whose sketch appears elsewhere in 
this work ; and Melzena, wife of O. A. Camp- 
bell, of Camp creek valley, Lane county. The 
second marriage of Mr. Comegys occurred in 
1872, Malinda J. Clearwater, of Indiana, be- 
coming his wife. She was the daughter of 
Martin W. Clearwater, a native of Ohio, who 
settled in Putnam county, Ind., removed in 1851 
to Marion county, Iowa, and in 1864 brought his 
family across the plains, locating near Spring- 
field, Ore., where he engaged in farming and re- 
mained there until his death, which occurred 
in 1898, at the age of eighty-three years. Mr. 
Clearwater married Elizabeth J. Evans, a native 



926 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Tennessee, and of the seven children born to 
them only three are now living, the third being 
Mrs. Comegys. Mr. and Mrs. Comegys have one 
child, Arthur, who is a telegraph operator in 
the employ of the Southern Pacific Company, in 
Grant's Pass. Fraternally Mr. Comegys is a 
member of the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. He and his wife belong to the Christian 
Church, in which Mr. Comegys is both elder and 
trustee. He also belongs to the Oregon Pioneer 
Society. In politics Mr. Comegys is a Demo- 
crat, and at various times he has served in the 
interests of his party, for one term acting as 
county commissioner. His first vote was cast 
in 185 1, in Lane county. He came from Colorado 
August 12 Of that year to the city of Portland, 
which had then a population of three hundred 
inhabitants. Mr. Comegys served on the first 
grand jury impaneled in Lane county, in March, 
1852, and of the sixteen men he is the only one 
now living. 

MATHEW C. CHAMBERS. Four miles 
east of Albany is a farm which, for value and 
actual productiveness, has few equals in Linn 
county. Associated with its earliest develop- 
ment,' with its timber and log-house days, and 
with its later prosperity, is the name of one of 
the very early settlers of the northwest, and one 
who represented in his character and attainments 
all that was best among early pioneers. Mathew 
C. Chambers was born in Bridgeport, Vt., in 
1817, and was reared on a sterile and mountain- 
ous farm which held out small inducements for 
an ambitious and physically robust boy. As a 
youth he appreciated the advantages of a good 
education, and he so disposed of his home work 
that all possible time could be spent at the early 
subscription school of his neighborhood. This 
desire for knowledge followed him on the long 
overland trip from Vermont to Galesburg, 111., 
whither he went at the age of about twenty-one. 

Having no ties to hold him in the middle west, 
Mr. Chambers heard with every manifestation of 
interest of the superior land and mining induce- 
ments in the west, and in 1847 crossed the plains 
with an ox-train which included among its home- 
seekers Ashby Pierce. The two men became 
warm friends, and many a night was spent side 
by side over the camp fires, discussing their 
plans for the future, when they should arrive at 
the New Eldorado in Oregon. The tramp across 
the plains was not particularly eventful, and no 
serious trouble seems to have been experienced 
with the Indians, nor did illness lessen the ranks 
of the band. Mr. Chambers spent the first win- 
ter in Linn county, and in the spring of 1848 took 
up the donation claim of six hundred and forty 
acres now owned by his heirs, four miles from 



Albany. He was in time to participate in all of 
the excitement centering around the early days, 
and his first important experience was during the 
gold craze of '49. With pack mules he crossed 
the mountains to California, and mined and pros- 
pected with fair results. Like many of the set- 
tlers he had a great deal of trouble with the In- 
dians, and his little log cabin was often visited 
by bands of red men intent upon appropnating 
whatever of value suited their fancy. Later on he 
took part in the Indian wars, principally that of 
1855-6, and gladly contributed both time and 
money to secure a more settled state of affairs. 

Through his marriage with Margaret M. 
Knox, he became associated with a family which 
had crossed the plains earlier than himself, hav- 
ing arrived here in 1845. Eleven children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, of whom Robert 
lives at Toledo, Ore. ; William is a resident of 
San Francisco, Cal. ; Martha is the wife of Will- 
iam Stevens, of Crook county, Ore. ; Mathew is 
a farmer in Gilliam county, Ore. ; Lettie is liv- 
ing at home ; Edward is mining in Idaho ; John 
is on the home farm ; Lillian is the wife of Jer- 
ome Williams of Albany ; Thomas lives in As- 
toria ; Jacob W. is on the home ranch ; and 
Cordelia, wife of J. J. Brown, of Douglass coun- 
ty. Mr. Chambers became prominent politically 
in Linn county, and was the first county judge, 
discharging his duties with rare discretion and 
satisfaction. He continually improved his farm, 
adding new buildings from year to year, and 
more extensively raising all kinds of stock. 
Since his death, in 1898, his son Jacob W. has 
carried on the farm, and in his management 
evidences the same superior judgment and far- 
sightedness which marked the progress of his 
lamented father. Mr. Chambers is survived by 
his wife, now very aged, who serenely contem- 
plates the things around her, and retains to a 
gratifying extent her sight, hearing, and other 
useful faculties. 



JAMES B. DAVIS. Four miles west of Jef- 
ferson, Marion county, just across the line into 
Linn county, is situated the finely improved farm 
of James B. Davis, upon which he is engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising. He now owns 
one hundred and sixty acres once embodied in 
the farm where he first saw the light of day, for 
he is a native son of Oregon, and the son of a 
pioneer of 1852. 

The birth of James B. Davis occurred in Linn 
county, December 22, 1856, his father being 
James J. Davis, a native of Indiana. The father 
was also reared to a farmer's life, and on at- 
taining manhood he removed to Lovilia, Iowa, 
where he remained until crossing the plains in 
1849. With the customary ox-teams he jour- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



927 



neyed to California and spent the ensuing three 
years in prospecting and mining. At the close 
of that period he came to Oregon, in 1852 set- 
tling in Santiam City, Linn county, where he 
conducted a ferry and a small store. He was 
there married to Mary A. Miller, and soon after 
bis marriage he removed to the farm now owned 
by his children, making many excellent improve- 
ments on the four hundred and eighty acres 
which comprised the property. He carried on 
general farming and stock-raising until his death, 
March 8, 1890, at the age of sixty years. His 
wife had died in April, 1875. Besides James B. 
of this review they were the parents of the fol- 
lowing children : Delia, wife of Henry Long of 
Marion county; Florence, the wife of George 
W. Birtchet, on the old home place; Dalleson, 
deceased ; and Mary R., deceased wife of George 
Connor. 

James B. Davis was reared upon his father's 
farm, and was trained to the duties of a farmer, 
receiving his education in the common schools 
of Jefferson. Upon growing to manhood he re- 
moved to a farm of two hundred and fifty acres, 
which he proceeded to cultivate for a few years, 
but at the death of his father he was compelled 
to return to the home farm and take charge of 
the management there, where he remained for 
three years. In 1893 ne moved to his present 
location. Mr. Davis was married November 9, 
1880, to Rosa Lewis, and four children have 
blessed the union, who are as follows : Jessie, 
Cleveland, Nora and Paulina. In addition to 
his farming interests Mr. Davis also owns prop- 
erty in the city of Albany. In politics Mr. Davis 
is a Democrat and fraternally he belongs to the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding 
membership with Santiam Lodge of Jefferson. 



CHARLES P. GLOVER. In Lincoln county, 
Mo., Philip and Sarah (Koentz) Glover lived 
on a large farm which yielded sufficient liveli- 
hood for their ten children, among whom was 
Charles P., now one of the prosperous farmers 
of Linn county, Ore., whose birth occurred June 
7, 1840, in Lincoln county, Mo. To the quiet and 
uneventful farming locality came rumors of gold 
and fertile lands on the coast, and to the elder 
Glover this seemed an opportunity to improve 
the condition of his family, an opinion in which 
his wife and the oldest children heartily con- 
curred. The farm being disposed of, the prepara- 
tions for removal proceeded rapidly, and for the 
accommodation of the family three wagons were 
required, having three yoke of oxen each, and 
enough loose stock to furnish milk and meat for 
the travelers. The train consisted of thirty-six 
wagons. Charles P., then a youth of nine, rode 
one mare and led another owned by a Mr. Gib- 



son, one of whose colts sold at $600 and the other 
at $550 in Marion county. For this trouble- 
some service the lad received a pair of shoes, a 
remuneration which would scarcely appeal to the 
youth of today. 

The Glover family met with few adventures on 
the way across the plains, and once in Oregon the 
father took up a donation claim of six hundred 
and seven acres in the Waldo Hills. His chil- 
dren helped to clear the land and put in the 
crops, and all in all the emigration to the west 
proved a decided benefit to all the members of 
the family. Chas. P. left home in 1862, at the 
age of twenty-two, and tried his fortunes in the 
mines on the Salmon river, six months convinc- 
ing him that he was not a born miner, and was 
much better adapted to work on a farm. Return- 
ing to the old home farm he remained until 1892, 
and then came to his present farm of two hun- 
dred and thirteen acres six miles east of Albany. 
His farm is well improved, and many years of 
industry and economy. have placed him in a posi- 
tion of independence and thrift. In 1865 Mr. 
Glover married Clarissa Palmer, who proved a 
helpmate and a ready sympathizer in the vicissi- 
tudes which have come into the life of her hus- 
band, and died in February, 1886. In an at- 
mosphere of kindliness and goodness eleven chil- 
dren have been reared, five sons and six daugh- 
ters, all of whom are living. Lenora, at home ; 
Laura C, the wife of George U. Ashby, a mer- 
chant of Weizer, Idaho ; Samuel, near Antelope, 
Ore., a rancher. ; Orange, of Portland, Ore. ; 
Narcissa, the wife of Harvey S. Taylor, of 
Macleay, Ore. ; Wallace, of Goldendale, Wash. ; 
Edith, at home ; Matilda, the wife of Clarence 
Turner, confectioner of Lebanon, Ore. ; Ralph, 
of Salem, bookkeeper ; Ronald, at home ; Mable, 
also at home. These children were born in the 
Waldo Hills and educated in the common schools, 
and schools of Monmouth and Salem. 

In political belief Mr. Glover is a Republican, 
but he has chosen rather his own farm and 
fireside to the excitement and always doubtful 
success of the politician. Fraternally he is con- 
nected with the Ancient order of United Work- 
men. A good manager, excellent business man, 
and unquestionably reliable in all his dealings, 
Mr. Glover commands the respect of all who 
know him and is deserving of the success which 
has come his wav. 



JOSEPH A. JONES. Located upon a farm 
of three hundred and thirty acres in Linn county, 
Ore., Joseph A. Jones is engaged in carrying on 
general farming and stock-raising, one hundred 
and twenty-five acres being devoted to cultivation 
and the remainder used as pasture. He has fol- 
lowed the early training received from his father 



•J28 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



along agricultural lines, and has certainly made 
a success of his work since taking it up for him- 
self. 

The birth of Joseph A. Jones occurred in 
Linn county, Ore., December 3, 1857, u P on the 
old homestead. He is the son of Samuel T. 
Jones, a native of Illinois. The father emigrated 
from his native state in 1849, crossing the plains 
into California, where he engaged in mining, 
but, later returning to Illinois, he again made the 
journey west, in 1852 coming to Oregon and 
settling in Linn county. He here bought the 
right to a donation claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres from Jackson Allphin, and at once 
moved into the little log cabin which had already 
been erected upon the place. The remainder of 
his life was passed upon the property, convert- 
ing it from an uncultivated wilderness into a 
fruitful farm by energy and perseverance. At 
his death he owned four hundred and eighty 
acres of land. Politically he was a Republican. 
Mrs. Jones also died in their western home. She 
was the mother of two children, of whom Mary, 
the wife of Perry Miller, is deceased ; and Joseph 
A. is the subject of this review. 

Joseph A. Jones was born and reared upon his 
father's farm, growing into manhood there, his 
earliest remembrances being those of farming 
duties. He was educated in the common schools 
of the county, and was married December 3, 
1882, to Mary E. Rainey, and they have five 
children, being named in order of birth as fol- 
lows : Fred, Nellie, Frank, Myrtle and Charles. 
Like his father, Mr. Jones adheres to the prin- 
ciples advocated in the platform of the Repub- 
lican party. He has served for seventeen years 
as school clerk in the district where his home 
is located, five miles west of Jefferson, Marion 
county. Fraternally he affiliates with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member 
of Santiam Lodge No. 27, of Jefferson. 



SMITH COX. On his father's donation claim, 
eight miles southeast of Albany, Smith Cox was 
born February 2, 1859, and was there reared to 
a practical agricultural life. Although his fam- 
ily was comparatively poor, and the children 
were obliged to work hard, he managed to se- 
cure a fair education in the district school, which 
he attended at irregular intervals, and mostly 
during the winter season. In 1888, at the age of 
twenty-nine, he left the home farm and moved 
upon his present claim, which consists of one 
hundred and sixty acres, all but twenty of which 
are under cultivation. Seventy acres of this land 
is in the bottoms and is unusually fertile, well 
adapted to wheat and general grain-raising, of 
which the owner makes a specialty. Mr. Cox 



owns one hundred and sixty acres of timber land 
in Douglas county. 

Two years after starting out to farm on his 
own responsibility, Mr. Cox tired of keeping 
bachelor quarters, and married, March 5, 1890, 
Annie Archibald, a native daughter of Linn coun- 
ty, who is the mother of two interesting children, 
Roya and Edna. Mr. Cox is a Democrat in polit- 
ical affiliation, and though not an office seeker, 
has served both as school director and road su- 
pervisor. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Modern Woodmen of America. Thrifty, and 
with great capacity for industry, Mr. Cox well 
deserves the reputation of being one of the 
worthy and successful farmers of Linn county. 



EDWIN G. COX. As a general farmer and 
stock-raiser Edwin G. Cox reflects credit upon 
Linn county, Ore., where he was born on a large 
donation claim eight miles east of Albany, No- 
vember 22, 1852. For many years his father, 
Lewis Cox, was known as a successful farmer 
in Ohio,, in which state he was born near Dayton, 
May 11, 1818, and from where he moved at the 
age of seventeen to Wabash county, Ind. About 
1845 ne took up his residence on a farm in 
Iowa, and there he married his first wife, a Miss 
Castor, who bore him one child, Cynthia, now 
Mrs. Thompson of Denver, Colo. His second 
wife, Elizabeth (Trites) Cox, was born in New 
Brunswick, and with her Mr. Cox crossed the 
plains in the spring of 1850, outfitted with one 
wagon, three yoke of oxen, and two cows. They 
were on the way some four months, meeting 
with few unpleasant experiences. Mr. Cox pur- 
chased the right of six hundred and forty acres 
of land of Lud Maxwell, which contained a log 
cabin and a sawmill. He was obliged to go in 
debt to the amount of $3,000 on his property, 
but so well did he succeed that bv 1856 he had 
cancelled this indebtedness and had $3,000 clear 
profit. In the meantime he had thought always 
of returning to Iowa and spending his last days 
there, so he took his little hoard, all in gold, and 
made his way back to the scene of his earlier 
efforts. Like the majority who return after years 
to old and familiar surroundings, he experienced 
a keen sense of disappointment, and made up his 
mind that Oregon, after all, held far superior 
inducements. Thus it happened that the little 
fortune was re-invested in Oregon, to which state 
he returned by way of Cape Horn, being six 
months on the way. Locating on the farm which 
is now owned by his son, he remained there until 
his death, February 20, 1884, at the age of sixty- 
six. Fie attained considerable prominence in 
political circles, serving as county commissioner 
one term. Twelve children were born of his 
second marriage, four of whom died young. 




MR. AND MRS. GODFREY DENTEL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



929 



Mary I., the oldest daughter, is the wife of Elias 
Maxwell of Linn county; Anderson is deceased; 
Edwin G. is the third; Smith lives near Albany; 
Vallalio lives at Coos Bay : Ira is a farmer in 
Linn county; Lewis lives with his mother on 
the home farm ; and Agnes is the wife of Alex- 
ander McXabb of Centralia. Wash. 

The youth of Edwin G. Cox was not unlike 
that of other farm-reared boys in the northwest, 
and he had the average number of advantages 
and diversions. He was a diligent student at 
the public schools, and as a boy and man has 
been industrious and painstaking. He located 
on his present farm at the age of twenty-one, 
and has since made many fine improvements on 
his property. Of his four hundred and eighty 
acres of land, one hundred and sixty are under 
cultivation, and the greater part of his property 
is in the valley. He raises a high grade of stock, 
and the general produce of a farm increases his 
yearly income to a considerable extent. He is 
a Democrat in politics, and in religion is a mem- 
ber of the Christian church. In 1875 he mar- 
ried Clarissa Morgan, of which union there have 
been born seven children : Annie, wife of W. H. 
Schiller of The Dalles ; Plessie died at the age 
of eighteen ; Lewis G. : Clarence ; Archie ; and 
two deceased. Mr. Cox is popular and well 
liked, responding generously to all appeals for 
assistance in the community, and in his farming 
maintaining the high standard established in one 
of the most fertile and resourceful parts of the 
state. 



^ GODFREY DENTEL was born in Saxony, 
Germany, December 17, 1844. He was brought 
by his parents to America in 1847, the family 
making their home in Monroe county, Mich., on 
a farm eight miles west of Monroe, Avhere God- 
frey Dentel grew to manhood. At the age of 
twenty-two he located in Sangamon county, 111., 
and began working on a farm near Springfield, 
that county. He continued working by the 
month for three years, and was then married to 
Miss Elizabeth Buirgy, December 23, 1869. 
Mrs. Dentel was a native of Clermont county, 
( )hio, and after her marriage she ably assisted 
her husband, performing the duties of the house- 
hold in an exemplary manner. They continued 
to reside in Sangamon county for about twelve 
years. In 1877 they removed" to Portland, Ore., 
remaining there for a period of three months. 
The duration of their stay in Clackamas county 
covered a period of two years, at the end of which 
time they settled in Marion county, near Aurora, 
on their present farm, which comprises one hun- 
dred and sixty acres. When Mr. Dentel 
took up the work of improvement upon this place 
there had been nothing whatever done in that 



direction, but with determined zeal he went to 
work, and placing his standard high, he has 
reached a degree of excellence in the cultivation 
and management of his property, which is not 
excelled by any, and is equaled by few. When 
he purchased this farm it contained no buildings, 
but Mr. Dentel has built a comfortable and com- 
modious residence and all necessary out-build- 
ings for the shelter of grain and stock, and the 
appearance of thrift and neatness is everywhere 
apparent. Mr. Dentel is an experienced hop- 
grower, having been engaged in that enterprise 
for the past eighteen years, and at present he has 
fourteen acres under hops. Llis attention has 
also been given to general agricultural pursuits, 
and as he is a man who never fails in anything 
he undertakes, his efforts have resulted in his 
becoming well-to-do and prosperous in a marked 
degree. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dentel have been 
born eight children, seven of whom are now liv- 
ing : Arbon, of Marion county ; Mattie, the wife 
of A. H. Giesy, a merchant of Aurora ; Clara, the 
wife of Chris F. Siegler, a resident of Marion 
county ; Fred, also of Marion county ; Ruth, Liz- 
zie and William, who make their home with their 
parents. 

It will easily be understook that a man who can 
ably conduct a large farm, thus advancing the 
agricultural interests of the community in which 
he lives, must necessarily be broad-minded and 
public-spirited, and it comes as a matter of course 
that Mr. Dentel should take a prominent part in 
promoting the general progress of his county. 
He has ever favored good schools and good 
roads, realizing that both are essential to the ulti- 
mate success of any section, and has served both 
as road supervisor and as school director. He 
favors the platform of the Republican party and 
votes accordingly, while his fraternal relations 
connect him with the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. His religious views are expressed by 
his membership in the Presbyterian Church. 

The history of Mr. Dentel may be read with 
interest by those who have their own way to 
make in the world, and who start out in life wish- 
ing to gain, through the experience of others, 
the key-note to success. Reading between the 
lines of this record, it would appear that the 
causes of Mr. Dentel's success have been his un- 
tiring energy, his indomitable will, which has 
overcome all obstacles, and his inherent integrity, 
which is unquestionable. 



EDWIN McGREW. Under the able admin- 
istration of Edwin McGrew the Pacific College at 
Newberg has undergone a transformation ex- 
tremely gratifying to interested spectators of ed- 
ucational advancement in Oregon. Although 



( 



930 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



young in years for so important a responsibility, 
Professor McGrew has long since passed the ex- 
perimental stage of his career, and possesses to 
an unusual degree that financial and executive 
ability which, combined with scholarly attain- 
ments, meets the requirements of latter-day edu- 
cational standards. The management of the col- 
lege, which is under the auspices of the Friends 
Church, was undertaken by Mr. McGrew in 
1900, and at the time was deeply in debt. Due 
partially to funds solicited in the east by the pres- 
ident, who made a special trip for that purpose, 
the indebtedness has been completely wiped out, 
and the scholarship roll has been increased. The 
college is well equipped for scientific and other 
research, and the thoroughness of the training 
possible in its various departments precludes 
any reasonable possibility of its usefulness wan- 
ing or its present prestige being diminished as 
one of the important educational factors of Ore- 
gon. 

A native of the vicinity of Marshalltown, Mar- 
shall county, Iowa, Mr. McGrew was born March 
4, 1868, a son of David D. and Alpha (Pierson) 
McGrew, natives of Ohio, and the latter a daugh- 
ter of John Pierson, of Ohio. The paternal 
grandfather, Jacob B., was born in Pennsylvania, 
and from there removed at an early day to Ohio, 
where his death occurred several years after his 
retirement. Like his father, David D. McGrew 
was a farmer during the greater part of his 
life, and his death occurrred in Marshall county, 
Iowa, at the age of sixty-five years. Of the 
three children born to David D. and Alpha (Pier- 
son) McGrew, Edwin is the only son, and sec- 
ond child. 

The education of Mr. McGrew was acquired 
in the public schools and at the Friends Academy 
at LeGrand, Iowa, from which latter institution 
he was duly graduated in 1887. In 1890 he 
graduated from the Capitol City Commercial Col- 
lege, and in 1895 from the Penn College at Oska- 
loosa, Iowa, with the degree of B. S., receiving 
from the same institution the degree of M. S. in 
1898. Besides being a student at the college Mr. 
McGrew was also an educator, and in the capac- 
ity of principal was identified with the prepar- 
atory department from 1895 to 1897. In 1895 
he was recorded as a minister in the Friends 
Church at Oskaloosa, Iowa, and though still oc- 
cupying this position does very little preaching 
at the present time. In the fall of 1897 Mr. Mc- 
Grew assumed charge of the Friends Church at 
Earlham, Madison county, Iowa, and in 1900 un- 
dertook his present responsibility as president 
of the Pacific College at Newberg. 

In New Providence. Iowa, Mr. McGrew was 
united in marriage with Edith Ware, a native 
of Indiana, a daughter of Talbot Ware. Talbot 
Ware is still a resident of Indiana, where he is 



engaged in farming and the mercantile business 
and is also interested in building and contracting. 
To Mr. and Mrs. McGrew has been born one 
child, Marion Edwina. 



JULIUS C. HODSON. The men's clothing 
house, owned and managed by Julius C. and C. A. 
Hodson, is one of the substantial and upbuilding 
business enterprises of Newberg. Julius C. Hod- 
son, one of the most prominent men of the town, 
was born in Spiceland, Henry county, Ind., No- 
vember 11, i860, and is a son of Caleb Hodson, 
a native of North Carolina. The family was 
established in America by the paternal great- 
grandfather, Robert, who left his ancestral home 
in England to profit by the less trying conditions 
in the New England colonies. He eventually 
found his way to North Carolina, where was 
born his son, Jesse, the paternal grandfather of 
Julius C, the founder of the family in Henry 
county, Ind. As a young man Caleb Hod- 
son removed with his father to Indiana, where he 
in time bought a farm, and after the death of his 
father purchased the old homestead in the Hoosier 
state. 

The sixth of the nine sons born to his father, 
Julius C. Hodson was educated at the public 
schools and at an academy, and, having qualified 
as an educator, was thus employed after his re- 
moval to Yamhill county in 1879. His mother 
purchasing property near Newberg, he made this 
farm his headquarters, and until 1891 was en- 
gaged in teaching in Washington and Yamhill 
counties, and in eastern Oregon. In 1891 he 
located in Newberg, and for nine years had 
charge as principal of the public schools of the 
town, in the meantime materially advancing the 
standard of education in the county. In 1897 he 
started the present clothing business with his 
brother, C. A. Hodson, and two years later re- 
linquished his educational work to assume entire 
control of the clothing business. 

In Fountain City, Ind., Mr. Hodson was 
united in marriage with Lorena Townsend, a na- 
tive of Indiana, as was also her father, James 
Townsend. Mr. Townsend was a farmer for 
the greater part of his active life, owning farms 
in both Iowa and Indiana, but finally settled in 
Fountain City, Wayne county, Ind. Two chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hodson : 
Esther L. and James L., both of whom are living 
at home. Mr. Hodson is a welcome member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He 
is a Republican in politics, and for some time has 
been president of the Republican Club of New- 
berg. He was a candidate for county superin- 
tendent of schools in 1896, and has served on the 
city council. Mr. Hodson has given evidence 
of his faith in the continued prosperity of this 



\ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



931 



section by investing in considerable town and 
country property. He is one of the most helpful 
citizens, and broad-minded cultured men who 
have invaded Yamhill county to the advantage of 
the large community. 



LEWIS RITXER. Among the native sons 
of Polk count v who have spent their entire lives 
upon farms where they were born in the pioneer 
days of the state, is Lewis Ritner, whose birth 
occurred November 2. 1857. He is a son of 
Sebastian and Sarah (Woodling) Ritner, and is 
the second of three children born of the sec- 
ond marriage of his mother. Mrs. Ritner was 
born in Northampton county, Pa., August 5, 
181 7, and before her marriage was Sarah Wood- 
ling, daughter of Peter and Mary (Houghner) 
Woodling, the former born in England, and a 
farmer during his entire active life. In her 
native state Miss Woodling married for her 
first husband, in 1833, John Ritner, who was 
born in Switzerland, and came to the United 
States at an early day, locating in Missouri, 
Platte county. He was a mechanic by trade, and 
combined that with farming during nearly all 
of his working life. Hearing favorable reports 
of the agricultural prospects in the far west, he 
sold his farm, and left to others his little busi- 
ness, outfitting in 1852 to cross the plains with 
ox-teams. He was not destined to reach the 
Mecca of his desires, for on the plains he suc- 
cumbed to illness, died, and was buried in a 
lonely wayside grave. His wife and four chil- 
dren' finished the journey to the coast, and the 
mother took up a donation claim of two hundred 
and thirty acres, which is the present home of 
the family. In 1854 Mrs. Ritner married Sebas- 
tion Ritner, brother of her former husband, who 
was also born in Switzerland, the date of his 
birth being 181 5. 

Sebastian Ritner crossed the plains as early as 
1845, but it is not on record that he experienced 
any particular adventures. He farmed for a 
time in Oregon, and in 1847 went to tne mmes 
of California, returning at the end of a year 
considerably richer than when he went. With 
his earnings he took up a donation claim of three 
hundred acres, and so successfully operated it 
that he was able to add to his possessions, and 
at the time of his death owned nine hundred 
acres. He engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising, although in his youth he had 
worked as a mechanic, and had a wide range of 
knowledge bearing upon mechanical subjects. 
He was a thoroughly reliable man, upright and 
considerate in all of his dealings, and of more 
than ordinary business shrewdness. He died 
at his home near Pedee, September 10. 1887. 

The children of the first marriage of Mrs. Rit- 



ner who are now living are : Mary E., the wife 
of Lew Hannam, of Lewisville ; Missouri Anna, 
the wife of Joe Edwards, of Pedee ; Anna, the 
wife of Richard Dunn, of King's Valley; and 
Flora, the wife of John Waters, of McTimmons 
Valley. By the second marriage there were four 
children : John Ritner ; Lewis ; Sophrona, wife 
of James Grant ; and Frank Ritner, deceased. 

Lewis Ritner spent an uneventful youth on 
his father's farm, and was so thoroughly trained 
in the science of farming that he took charge of 
the whole property at the age of eighteen years. 
This responsibility came to him because of the 
marriage of his brother and his removal to a 
farm of his own. In April, 1883, Mr. Ritner 
married Corinda, daughter of James Edelman, 
Mrs. Ritner being a native of Benton county, 
Ore. The father was born in the state of Penn- 
sylvania, and located on a farm in Benton 
county, where he died at the age of sixty-two 
years. Mr. Ritner is farming five hundred acres 
of his father's claim, and has large numbers of 
fine stock, including thoroughbred horses, red 
and roan Shires, Cotswold sheep, and dairy cat- 
tle. An additional source of revenue is a log- 
ging business in which he engages for a por- 
tion of each year. He also has sixteen acres 
under hops, and considerable fruit. He is very 
successful, and is regarded as one of the most 
scientific and practical farmers in the county. 
He is a Republican in politics, and with his wife 
is a member of the Evangelical Church of Pedee, 
in which he is a steward and active worker. Mr. 
Ritner has the sterling and reliable traits of char- 
acter which brought about his father's success, 
and which have brought him many stanch 
friends, as well as»the esteem of the entire com- 
munity. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ritner have been 
born three children : Ella, wife of Frank 
Sheythe; Annie and Martin P. Ritner, at home. 



CHARLES FRANCIS DE GUIRE (Da 
Guera, French spelling). Born September 12, 
1846, among the quiet scenes of Fredericktown, 
Madison county, Mo., Mr. De Guire still recalls 
his first great journey in the world taken in 1854 
over the wild, uncultivated lands that lay be- 
tween the Father of Waters and the peaceful 
waves of the Pacific ocean. It was not the first 
journey into the west, made by members of his 
family, as his father, Francis B., who was born 
March 30, 1818, in Ste. Genevieve county, Mo., 
had gone to California in 1849, having fallen a 
victim to the gold craze. Returning after about 
two years of prospecting and mining he again 
made the perilous journey, in company with his 
family, traveling by ox-team, and arriving safely 
at their destination with the usual experiences 



932 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



incident to the life on the plains by which they 
recall their long trip of six months. 

After one winter spent in that state, another 
journey was taken, the family coming by horse- 
teams over the mountains to settle near St. Paul, 
Marion county, Ore. In this location Mr. De 
Guire again followed the occupation of his fore- 
fathers, engaging for three years in agriculture, 
and at the end of that time removed to a farm 
six miles southeast of Silverton. In his Missouri 
home he had married Eleanor St. Geme, a native 
of the same state, and after her death in 1862 
he made his home with his son, C. F. The re- 
maining children that blessed the union were as 
follows : John, who makes his home with C. F. ; 
Mary C, wife of D. R. Hubbard, of Marquam, 
Clackamas county, Ore. ; Louisa, and Clotilda, 
of Salem ; James L., deceased ; and Henry, of 
southern California. Personally, the elder Mr. 
De Guire is energetic and lively, bearing his 
eighty-six years lightly, his unimpaired memory 
recalling days of his struggles in the west with 
genial satisfaction. He had given up a lucrative 
position in his home community, being then deal- 
ing in lead mining stock, and enjoying the popu- 
larity and esteem of a successful man, to try his 
fortunes in the west, and through the trying 
years of his pioneer life he had been confident 
of the fruition he now enjoys. Another incen- 
tive to his removal to Oregon was the fact that 
his brother, J. B. De Guire, having made the 
journey in 1840 in the interests of the American 
Fur Company, had taken up a donation claim 
near Rays Landing, being one of the first settlers 
of Oregon. It was his distinction to come west 
in company with Captain Sublett. Fifteen years 
of his life were spent in the 'Rocky mountains, 
where he hunted and trapped, gaining a wide 
reputation as a furrier. 

C. F. De Guire was reared in Oregon, where 
he attended the public schools when occasion of- 
fered, which was but little of the time, so that 
his wide knowledge and general information are 
due largely to his own efforts, made through the 
years in which he has been gaining his livelihood. 
At the age of fourteen he started out into the 
world to make his own way, going first into 
woolen mills where he learned weaving, in which 
business he continued for six years. On May 
13, 1873, he married Miss Arlena Brown, a na- 
tive of Silverton, Ore., and the daughter of 
James Brown, who crossed the plains in 1846. 
After a year of married life in Salem, the young 
people moved to their present location, being a 
part of the Brown donation claim, of which there 
is left in the family about one hundred and fif- 
teen acres. Upon his farm Mr. De Guire has put 
almost all the improvements of which it boasts, 
and is now busily engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising. The death of his wife oc- 



curred in October, 1885. In January, 1893, Mr. 
De Guire married a native of England, Miss 
Julia Brydge. He has four children, of whom 
Murton E., a son by his first wife, is a dentist 
in Silverton ; the other three, Olfan, Alvis H. 
and Vada being born of the second union, and 
all at home. 

Mr. De Guire is well known and a very popu- 
lar man in his community, having been in the 
jewelry business in Silverton for ten years, also 
dealing in city and farming property for several 
years. While in that city he served for some 
time as deputy postmaster, being politically in- 
dependent. He was delegate to the first Prohi- 
bition convention held at Salem. He has also 
seen military service, having enlisted December 
9, 1864, in Company C, First Oregon Infantry, 
mustered in at Salem. The regiment was first 
sent to Vancouver, later to Ft. Stillicom, where 
they did garrison duty, and received his dis- 
charge in October, 1865. He was one of the or- 
ganizers and a charter member of Geo. H. 
Thomas Post G. A. R. of Silverton. 



GEORGE CUSITER. To an appreciable ex- 
tent Silverton has profited by the shrewd busi- 
ness ability of George Cusiter, one of those 
rugged and honest Scotchmen whose thrift and 
industry have been the making of many a com- 
munity in the United States. The early life of 
George Cusiter was passed in the vicinity of 
Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was born August 
18, i860, and where he received a practical home 
training in a typical Scotch family. His father, 
George Cusiter, was born in the Orkney Islands, 
off the north coast of Scotland, and spent the 
greater part of his boyhood and young manhood 
among these rather bleak and cheerless Scottish 
possessions. His ancestors had long tilled the 
soil of the unprofitable lands, and his grand- 
father and great-grandfather spent their entire 
lives where the mists hung heavy for the greater 
part of the year, and where the crops were back- 
ward and limited to few varieties. George Cusi- 
ter was an educator of prominence at Dalke, his 
education having been received at that school, 
and he was also a man of science, having made a 
particular study of coal gas. At frequent inter- 
vals he contributed articles on chemistry and 
science to the leading journals throughout the 
United Kingdom, and withal was a profound 
and conscientious student. His death occurred 
in 1874. He was survived by his wife, formerly 
Miss Mary Young, a native of Selkirk, Scotland, 
who is now sixty-six years of age. 

The only son, and the oldest of the four chil- 
dren born to his parents, George Cusiter had the 
inspiration to study which his father's scholarly 
life furnished, and he had the advantage both of 




fe 



'^^K^OL 




X^F 




d ' £WAu*- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



933 



common school education, and of a course in 
the George Watson College at Edinburgh, from 
which he was duly graduated in 1876. The year 
of his graduation he embarked upon a business 
life as a clerk in the office department of a whole- 
sale grocery concern, and there laid the founda- 
tion for the practical life in which he has since 
engaged. The thoroughness required of em- 
ployes in all departments of activity in Scotland 
had its effect, as did the upright methods every- 
where recognized as a shining characteristic of 
Scottish national life. 

Armed with his experience and with great 
hope in the future of America, Mr. Cusiter came 
to the United States in 1885, and after crossing 
the continent to Portland, Ore., remained there 
for a couple of months. Not being particularly 
well impressed with the northern city he found 
his way to Silverton, where he secured a position 
as bookkeeper for the flouring mills of this city. 
Five years' association in this capacity convinced 
him that he had found a good place in which to 
live, and one which held out a helping hand to 
all who were industrious and capable. Desiring 
to engage in business on his own responsibilitv, 
he bought out a merchandise business with a 
partner, and thus continued to cater to the needs 
of the community for several years. In 1902 he 
bought out his partner, and has since conducted 
the business alone. His store contains a stock 
valued at $8,000, and his goods are selected with 
reference to supplying a large and exacting 
trade. The greatest consideration is shown pa- 
trons of this well managed enterprise, the pro- 
prietor encouraging in his assistants, tact and 
patience, and the greatest order and neatness. 

In Salem, Ore., in 1893, Mr. Cusiter married 
Nettie Ridings, a native of Clackamas county, 
Ore., near Marquam. Mr. Cusiter is a Democrat 
in political affiliation, and among the positions 
of trust held by him during his residence here 
may be mentioned that of mayor of the city for 
three terms, and member of the council for two 
terms. He is fraternally connected with Silver- 
ton Lodge No. 45, A. F. & A. M., and Home 
Lodge No. 35 Knights of Pythias. The friends 
and associates of Mr. Cusiter speak of him as a 
whole-souled, honorable and public-spirited gen- 
tleman, and one in whom his adopted city may 
well repose the greatest confidence. 



MARION J. AND JOHN R. WHITE. As 
small and irresponsible lads, M. J- and J. R. 
White came across the plains in 1852: but as 
strong, courageous and resourceful men, they 
occupy an important position in the agri- 
cultural world of the Willamette valley. Side 
by side, they have worked and progressed along 
natural lines of development, until to-day the 



farm operated by the two brothers, and the hop 
business conducted by M. J. & J. R. White & 
Son, represent all that is substantial and reliable, 
both as to the extent and scope of their operations 
and the character and attainments of the men 
conducting them. 

On a farm in Callaway county, Mo., Marion J. 
White was born September 17, 1845, while his 
brother, John R. White, was born November 17, 
1846. Peter White, their father, whose first wife 
had lived but a short time after their marriage, 
was borrf in Pennsylvania in 18 10, and in young 
manhood removed to the far-off state of Mis- 
souri. There he learned the trade of silversmith, 
and was employed at the same until his second 
marriage, in 1843, with Virginia Q. Foster, who 
was born in Virginia in 1813. Subsequently, he 
settled upon a farm in Callaway county, Mo. 
Upon the outbreak of the Black Hawk war he 
left his duties on the farm and enlisted in a Mis- 
souri regiment, serving three years in this mem- 
orable conflict. His military experiences were 
interesting. He was attached to the escort of 
General Fremont during the latter's expedition to 
the Rocky mountains, and participated in numer- 
ous important engagements. After being mus- 
tered out, he returned to the farm and pursued 
the even tenor of his way until 1852. In the 
meantime, four children had been born into his 
family, named in the order of their birth, as 
follows: Elizabeth J., wife of A. S. Gleason, of 
Hubbard, Ore. ; M. J. ; J. R., and America Q., 
wife of J. T. Ross, who resides near Monitor, 
Ore., on part of the White homestead. 

In the spring of 1852, Mr. White disposed of 
his Missouri property and outfitted for a journey 
over the plains, M. J. and J. R. then being six 
and five years of age, respectively. Always full 
of lurking dangers, and uncertain of accomplish- 
ment, this journey, as did many in those perilous 
times, proved the futility of the plans of man- 
kind. All went well until Fort Laramie was 
reached. There the father was stricken with the 
cholera, and died while the party was stopping on 
Deer creek. The disconsolate widow buried her 
greatest treasure at that lonely spot, and for- 
tified herself to bear, unaided, the greatest blow 
that had ever befallen her. Wearily she traveled 
the rest of the distance with her little family, and 
with a heavy heart and little hope for the future. 
took up a donation claim of one hundred and 
sixty acres on Butte creek, two and a half miles 
southeast of Monitor, in Marion county. The 
land was a wilderness, and the immediate re- 
sources must have been pitifully small ; but good 
fortune came her way from the start, for her sad 
story touched the hearts of the neighboring set- 
tlers, who. one and all, put their shoulders to the 
task of building her a little log cabin, in which 
she might at least find shelter from the inclement 



934 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



weather. Food and other necessities were also 
forthcoming, and, being one of those courageous 
and dauntless pioneer women of whom one reads 
with feelings of the most profound admiration, 
she succeeded, in spite of adversity, in rearing 
her children and in making them a comparatively 
comfortable home. When the boys were old 
enough to do so, they erected a more pretentious 
modern structure, and the farm began to take on 
the aspect of an up-to-date and enterprising cen- 
ter of activity. This pioneer mother continued to 
guide the affairs of her household for many years, 
and lived to be sixty-nine years of age, dying 
April 6, 1883. 

Of the sons who have attained prominence in 
Marion county, Marion J. lived at home until 
1874. In that year he made his home with his 
brother, with whom he has since resided. He 
has never married. He received his education in 
the public schools, as did also his brother, John 
R., both also attending the high school at Silver- 
ton. John R. finally engaged in educational work 
for a few terms. He was united in marriage, 
October 3, 1872, to Mary A. Birtchet, a native 
of Yamhill county, Ore., born December 1, 1853. 
Her parents, George and Elizabeth (Haughn) 
Birtchet, came from Missouri to Oregon in 1853, 
crossing the plains and locating near Wilsonville. 
Mr. and Mrs. White began housekeeping 
on the farm which is still their home, 
and where, with his brother, John R. 
is laying by a competence. Of the farm 
of four hundred and ninety-six acres, two hun- 
dred and fifty are under cultivation, fifty-six acres 
being devoted to the culture of hops. In 1902, 
the hop harvest yielded fifty-four thousand 
pounds. All of the improvements on the White 
farm have been made by the brothers, for they 
had to deal with wild land from the beginning, 
and much arduous labor was required before the 
seed could be placed in the ground, or any hope 
of gain indulged in. At present large numbers 
of Shorthorn cattle browse in the fertile mead- 
ows, and other high-grade stock contribute to a 
substantial income. While the farm in general 
is managed by the brothers, the hop industry, 
which entails additional responsibility, is under 
the care of George Gasner, son of J. R" White. To 
Mr. and Mrs. J. R. White were born nine chil- 
dren ; Lulu P. became the wife of A. L. Briggs, 
of Cottage Grove, Ore., and they have two sons, 
Merl and Verne; Marion P., who resides in 
Clackamas county, married Hattie Taylor, and 
they have one son, Drexel ; Euphe M. died at the 
age of twenty years ; George Gasner, who lives 
on the home farm, married 'Mary Pursifull; Vir- 
ginia Elizabeth became the wife of R. Scheurer, 
a resident of Plaza, Wash. ; America R., Volney 
J. R., Rosetta and Merton O. are living at home. 

The White brothers occupy an enviable place 



in their neighborhood, where both are regarded 
as public-spirited and progressive men. Politi- 
cally both view public affairs from an independent 
standpoint, and John R. White has been promi- 
nently identified with local matters. Both broth- 
ers are members of the Butte Creek Grange. Mr. 
and Mrs. J. R. White are members of the Chris- 
tian Church, in which Mr. White is a trustee, 
and for twenty-five years he has served as clerk 
of the school board. 



HOMER C. DAVENPORT. Perhaps no 
other newspaper artist in the United States has 
been the subject of so many " write ups " as the 
person whose name heads this article. His ap- 
pearance among the foremost cartoonists was 
so sudden and unheralded that writers of all de- 
grees were tempted to try their descriptive and 
analytic powers upon him. Of necessity, they 
had not much data to draw from, for he had no 
diploma from any American art school ; had not 
been in England, Germany, Italy or France ; in 
fact, had hot been educated in art anywhere ; and 
as he was not a lineal descendant from artists, 
as any one knew, it was not strange that many 
of the " interviews " were as grotesque as the 
artist himself could wish. He never claimed 
to be an artist, and so when questioned as to the 
employment of his youth, he generally gave such 
facts as would make a humorous picture, such as 
firing on a steamboat, wiping locomotives, breed- 
ing and fighting game chickens, playing clown 
for a circus, feeding lions and tigers in a men- 
agerie, clog dancing in a minstrel show, um- 
piring base ball games, or any other of the 
thousand and one things boys attempt in the 
rattle-brain period of existence. As such things 
made up the greater part of his antecedents, 
upon which his interviewers delighted to dwell, 
the opinion became prevalent that his case lies 
outside of heredity and that early art training 
is unimportant. If from such vagaries, and 
without previous training, a green Oregon boy 
could enter the field of art and carry off high 
honors and emoluments, why not others do the 
same ? Hence, all over the Pacific coast, boys 
who had never taken a thought of how pictures 
are made, began to draw cartoons, full of enthu- 
siastic purpose, to become famous like Homer. 

Young men just beginning to encounter the 
earnest tug of existence and wanting to find an 
easier way of making a living ; and boys who had 
seen Davenport's pictures in the Examiner and 
Journal and were stirred with emulation, these 
brought samples of their art yearnings to be ex- 
amined by the celebrated cartoonist, during his 
short visit in Salem two years ago. One hope- 
ful woman desired him to leave the train and go 
six miles into the country to see the work of her 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



935 



darling boy, who had been drawing for only 
three months, and never made a line until he was 
twelve years old. One of Homer's early com- 
panions, now editor of a Seattle paper, said, " It 
is too bad, so many young people should abandon 
pursuits in which they can make a living, and 
spend their precious early years in drawing 
hideous pictures and dreaming of brilliant suc- 
- in art." To satisfy his regret of such a con- 
dition, he proposed to publish his opinion that 
Homer's success is the worst calamity that ever 
befell the boys of the Pacific coast. 

Such a statement, however emphatic, will not 
deter any ambitious boy, for has not everybody 
seen the catchy write-ups of Homer, who was 
pictured in spicy phrase as a queer, jolly fellow ; 
a veritable freak of nature, given to all sorts of 
vagaries, and having a disrelish of book learn- 
ing, as well as any remunerative employment, 
and that his present success is the result of one 
or two lucky incidents? 

One, that he painted, on the outside of a hen 
house, a game cock so life-like that his bull dog 
thought it a veritable live cock and bristled for 
a fight every time he passed that way ; another, 
that a friend having confidence in the sagacity 
of the dog, suggested to Homer that he had 
better work at art for a living. There is plenty 
in all this to rattle the boys and make them 
believe there is an easy way to fame and fortune, 
such as Homer had found or strayed into. 

But the dear school of experience is a very 
effective teacher, and tw T o years of experiment- 
ing and cartooning has convinced most of the 
boys that the hill of art is as hard to climb as 
the hill of science which they abandoned to loiter 
in the royal road to fame. 

Only here and there an art scribbler is left, 
punishing himself in the vain endeavor to evoke 
a faculty too weak for self-assertion ; very much 
like making something out of nothing. The 
plain, unvarnished truth, as respects Homer's 
early years, would have saved the boys from the 
unlucky diversion, but his interviewers were not 
informed thereof. In fact Homer himself at- 
tached no importance to his early habits, nor 
had he considered the controlling impulse which 
prompted them. It is doubtful if he could have 
given as good a reason for himself, as Topsv did, 
that he " just grow'd." 

The common mind everywhere takes but little 
account of what is most influential in the form- 
ative period of human character. Unless a per- 
son has received an academic education, he says 
at once, " I am uneducated," and considers as 
unworthy of mention the early, constant, and un- 
aided exercise of his mental faculties, the only 
true and reliable education. And it is owing to 
the omission of the basic conditions, the absolute- 
ly essential antecedents, from the biographical 



sketches, that make of Homer an inexplicable 
personage. Very creditable accounts, however, 
have been written within a year by Allan Dale, 
Julian Hawthorne and Arthur McEwan, but 
they contain no antidote to the irrational intoxi- 
cation which possessed the young would-be art- 
ists of Oregon. If they could have been as- 
sured, for a fact, that although Homer never 
attended an art school or had an art teacher, he 
had spent his whole life in the daily and almost 
hourly practices of art, not as technically under- 
stood, but of drawing such pictures as suited his 
fancy, not because any one else was an artist, 
or to satisfy an ambition to be an artist, for he 
was void of purpose, but from an inherited en- 
dowment of special faculties and an irrepress- 
ible desire to exercise them, they would have 
dropped their pencils in utter amazement, to 
think of following in the track of such a being. 
He didn't wait until he was twelve years old 
before he began to trace his mental pictures on 
paper. Before he was three years old he was 
observing and drawing, rudely but continuously, 
subject to such intermissions of play as chil- 
dren take. It is nothing uncommon for young 
children to draw, but it is very rare to see one 
absorbed in the work hour after hour, putting his 
observations to paper as though it were a de- 
votion. His extraordinary love for animals, and 
especially of birds, was exhibited when only a 
few months old. Unlike other babies, toys af- 
forded him but little amusement. Shaking rat- 
tle boxes and blowing whistles only fretted him, 
and his wearied looks and moans seemed to say 
that he was already tired of existence. Carry- 
ing him around into the various rooms and show- 
ing pictures soon became irksome, and in quest 
of something to relieve the monotony of in- 
door life, his paternal grandmother found a 
continuous solace for his fretful moods in the 
chickens. It was worth the time of a philoso- 
pher to observe the child drink in every motion 
of the fowds and witness the thrill of joy that 
went through his being when the cock crew or 
flapped his wings. Such a picture is worth re- 
producing. Old grandmother in her easy chair 
upon the veranda ; baby sitting upon the floor by 
her side ; his little hands tossing wheat, at inter- 
vals, to the clucking hen and her brood, the lat- 
ter venturing into baby's lap and picking grains 
therefrom, despite the warnings of the shy old 
cock and anxious mother. This lesson, with all 
its conceivable variations learned, ceased to be 
entertaining, and a broader field was needed. So 
grandma, or her substitute, carried baby to the 
barnyard, and there, sitting under the wagon 
shed, acquaintance was made with the other 
domestic animals, which afforded him daily di- 
version. At first their forms and quiet attitudes 
w r ere of sufficient interest, but as these became 



936 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



familiar, more active exhibitions were required, 
and the dog perceiving his opportunity, turned 
the barnyard into a circus of animals. 

Whether this was the cause and beginning of 
Homer's extravagant love for dogs, is probably 
not material, but unlike Madame DeStael, who 
said, " The more I see of men the better I like 
dogs," he has love enough to go all around. All 
this seems very commonplace, as any child would 
be likewise entertained, but it is a very rare infant 
to whom such scenes and acquaintances are a 
necessity. And that the forms and actions of his 
speechless friends were being photographed up- 
on his brain, was shown by the fact that as soon 
as he could use a pencil he began to sketch them, 
very imperfect in proportions and form, but ex- 
hibiting them in action with sufficient accuracy 
before long to label one as untamed, another 
mad, and another frolicksome. After his moth- 
er's death from smallpox, on the 20th of No- 
vember, 1870, the family was subjected to sev- 
eral months of social isolation, during the rainy 
season, when Homer, just recovered from the 
dread disease, was kept in doors. During these 
dull months he worked more assiduously at draw- 
ing than ever since for pay. Sitting at the desk 
or lying prone upon the floor, it was draw, draw, 
draw. Fearing the effect of such intense appli- 
cation upon the slimsy fellow, his grandmother 
tried various diversions without much success. 
She could interest with Indian or ghost stories, 
but such gave him no bodily exercise and only 
set him to drawing how granny looked when 
telling ghost stories. 

Plainly observable, even thus early, was his 
love of the dramatic in everything having life. 
Though much attracted by beautiful specimens of 
the animal kingdom, his chief satisfaction came 
from representing them in their moods. His 
pictures were all doing something. Horses, dogs, 
monkeys, chickens, ducks, pigeons, were exhibit- 
ing their peculiar characteristics and so fitted 
to the occasion as to awaken the supposition that 
the artist must be " en rapport " with all ani- 
mated nature. Of course, his artistic creations 
were wide of the mark, as respects conformity to 
natural proportions, which his visiting critics 
unfailingly pointed out. " Homer ! this horse's 
legs are too long for his body ; his back is too 
short and his neck too long. And this dog, 
chasing the horse, is too long bodied and too 
short legged. Nobody ever saw a dog like that." 
His reply was, " That is a bench-leg dog and the 
horse can't kick him." The real excellence of 
the disproportioned animals, which the volun- 
tary critics did not see, lay in the fact that they 
were truly acting out their natures, under the 
circumstances, and exhibiting the same con- 
trolling animal desires in every limb and feature. 
A mad horse was mad all over, and an ardent 



dog showed it in every part, regardless of pro- 
portions. 

It may be said that these are a fond parent's 
after-thoughts, or the result of his own sug- 
gestions at the time, but neither of these sus- 
picions can be true. The suggestion as to har- 
mony in dramatic composition and co-ordination 
of details might be elaborated to a student a thou- 
sand times, and yet, without natural faculty to 
perceive, without the sympathy with nature, the 
suggestions would result in a mere artificiality as 
devoid of life as " a painted ship upon a painted 
ocean." Art education at the highest schools can- 
not supply an artist's natural deficiency in me- 
chanical aptitude or give him a receptive sym- 
pathy with life. 

A highly accomplished Parisian artist, work- 
ing on the Examiner, saw a cartoon by Homer, 
representing the havoc created among the ani- 
mals of a barnyard, by the passing of the first 
railroad train through it, and remarked, " No 
man who was not born in a barnyard could do. 
that." Evidently that artist was off in his casu- 
istry, for he, too, had seen ducks and geese, cows 
and calves, goats and sheep, horses and mules, 
all of them in action, and while he could repre- 
sent them in action with far more accuracy as 
to proportion of parts, his animals in such a 
scene would be doing some very poor acting, in 
fact, not looking and acting like themselves. If 
an early acquaintance and continuous existence 
with domestic animals could make an artist 
then all farmers' boys would be artists. The 
poor Irish who raise pigs and chickens in the 
house, and the Arabs who tent their horses and 
children together from birth, should be artists. 
Such incidents do not make artists ; they merely 
furnish opportunity for the exercise of birth 
endowments. 

And Homer's early method of work, if an im- 
pulsive employment may be dignified by the term 
method, was "sui generis " and probably unique 
if not wonderful. Coincident with the drawing 
of a mad horse, was the acting by himself. The 
work would be arrested at times, seemingly for 
want of appreciation or mental image of a horse 
in that state of feeling, and then he took to the 
floor. After viciously stamping, kicking, snort- 
ing and switching an improvised tail which he 
held in his hand, behind his back, until his feel- 
ing or fancy became satisfied, the picture was 
completed and referred to me with the question, 
"Is that the way a mad horse looks?" Yes, 
he appears to be mad through and through. 

Granting that the importance of harmony in 
a composition was frequently spoken of in his 
vouth, I lay no claim to being his teacher, for 
he was moved by an impulse that paid but slight 
regard to the technical restrictions of scribe and 
rule, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



03? 



And although it has been said by a writer in 
the New York World that he " has a robust con- 
tempt of art," his natural ability and aptitudes 
for accomplishing such results as the critic would 
call artistic are unsurpassed. The mechanical aids 
and dilatory processes of the schooled artists 
arc never resorted to by him. He does not use 
a snap-shot camera or wait for a dead-rest pose, 
but sketches on the spur of the moment, and 
" shoots folly as it flies." Under such circum- 
stances, faultless art is out of the question, nor 
does a daily newspaper need it. During the 
Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1892, a 
famous horse race occurred and all the great 
newspapers sent artists to sketch the winning 
horse. Homer's picture for the Chicago Herald 
easily surpassed all competitors. What other 
artist in America can study a man's features 
for a minute or two, then walk a mile to his 
studio and draw a better likeness of him than 
was ever done by any artist having a pose ? Sam 
Rainy s picture was taken in this way and he was 
so pleased with it that he procured the original 
from the Examiner and has it framed in his 
office. And still Homer makes no pretensions 
to serious art, as taught at the schools. His 
forte is caricature, though Clara Morris says it 
is not, but that he is a great actor. He fell in 
love with the beautiful beasts and birds at first 
sight, and the attachment continues unabated. 
His fondness for dramatic scenes, first noticed 
in connection with them, did not end there. Very 
early, even at three years of age, he was experi- 
menting with his playmates, for no observable 
reason, except that he desired to see them act. 
People said he was a hector, a tease, and few of 
them discovered the cause, as there seemed to 
be no connection with anger or ill will. Many 
a delightful play ended in a rumpus, which he 
eagerly eyed, the only placid and sweet-tempered 
one of the company. One woman said she be- 
lieved Homer loved to see children .quarrel and 
cut up. Indeed, she had come very close to the 
truth, but the motive she had not divined. 
Likely, he was probing human nature and as- 
similating its moods. I do not take him to be a 
philosopher. His peculiarities in this respect are 
referred to his mother, who was the most con- 
summate reproducer of social scenes. No per- 
son, however odd in feature, form, voice or 
gesture, was beyond her powers of imitation. 
And it was all so natural that I did not call it 
acting. Rather, it was being. I asked her once 
how she could do this, and she said, " I feel like 
them." I have often thought, when seeing Ho- 
mer immersed in his work, that he. too, feels like 
his subjects. 

All through his boyhood days he was fond of 
pictures and spent much time in poring over il- 
lustrated books and papers and in visiting art 



galleries, but he was never known to copy from 
them. His innate desire and tendency, as well 
as my advice, was to illustrate his own concep- 
tions and fancies. His first observations, as be- 
fore narrated, were at home in his father's barn- 
yard, but as he grew he began to roam in quest 
of something new, and when he heard of any 
strange breed or any extraordinary specimen of 
the animal creation, he was at once seized of 
what ordinary people would call an irrational 
desire to see it. And to see, in his case, meant 
the most intense study, not for a few minutes 
or an hour, but continuously until the subject 
became a part of him. Of scores of pigeons he 
knew every individual and discovered that the 
old story of their marital faithfulness is a myth ; 
that they have their little jealousies and love in- 
trigues like human beings. Of his visits over 
the country, people said they were idle, purpose- 
less ; that he was sowing wild oats, a mere pleas- 
ure seeker, but I noticed that he came home full, 
not of book learning, but of the only kind of 
acquisitions for which he cared, new birds and 
beasts, new men and their character manifesta- 
tions, as he could prove with his ever ready 
pencil. They were as much voyages of dis- 
covery as Columbus undertook in 1492. Unlike 
the great navigator, his cruisings were not for 
wealth or power or the introduction of religion 
to heathen lands ; they had no ulterior purpose 
of financial gain, for the thought had never 
crossed his brain that he was in this spontaneous 
and almost unconscious way preparing himself 
for a gainful occupation. But he was approach- 
ing manhood and I occasionally remarked to him 
that he had so far been acting as though life here 
were a holiday or a visit, when in fact it is a 
very serious matter and requires earnest effort 
to get a good living. He did not dissent from 
my view of it, but seemed at a loss in deciding 
for what he was best fitted. 

We had a general merchandise store and he 
had experimented enough in selling goods to 
know that his mind could not be tied to the busi- 
ness. Customers buying tobacco got it at their 
own price and shopping women objected to his 
habit of stretching elastic tape when selling it 
by the yard. There was fun in such things but 
no perceptible profit. He opened the store in 
the morning while I was at breakfast and took 
his afterwards, and upon going in one morn- 
ing and finding the floor unswept, I soon saw 
what had engaged his attention during the half 
hour. A magnificent carrier pigeon on the wing, 
and aboVe it in colored letters, this legend, " How 
glorious the flight of a bird must be ! " 

My mind was made up ; Homer is an artist 
or nothing ; he shall fly. As a preparatory step, 
he was sent to the Commercial College in Port- 
land, which was of great advantage to him, al- 



938 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



though he spent considerable time in his life-long 
habit. The principal reported him bright, but 
not sufficiently studious of the works in vogue, 
and mildly suggested that bookkeeping by 
double entry was not, as a rule, illustrated by 
animals, wild or tame. Receiving a letter from 
me, containing a reprimand for his want of 
earnestness, he, no doubt, gave an hour or two 
to retrospection, and passed in review his various 
attempts at the employments which afford other 
men a living, and wisely regarding them as hope- 
less for him, he turned to the only thing he could 
do and applied for a position on the West Shore, 
an illustrated monthly published in Portland. 
The publisher sent him to the head artist, a Mr. 
Smith, who eyed the young man rather con- 
temptuously. " Then you think, Mr. Davenport, 
that you have a natural talent for drawing ? " 
Mr. Davenport, somewhat withered, thought he 
had some. " Do you see that man across the 
street, leaning against a drygoods box? Draw 
him," and the artist went down stairs and across 
the street to where the leaning individual was, 
thinking, as he went, that one egotistical green- 
horn was effectually disposed of. He was sur- 
prised, upon his return, to find the green-horn 
had finished two pictures, the leaning person and 
Mr. Smith: " Where did you take lessons in art?" 
" I never took any," said Davenport. Thinking 
there was a misunderstanding, he asked, " What 
art school did you attend?" "I never attended 
an art school." Mr. Smith slowly and musingly 
ejaculated, " Well, young man, you are either a 
liar or a fool." Homer felt let down at such 
abuse, but I consqled him by saying it was the 
only genuine compliment he had ever received 
from a professional, though couched in rough 
language. 

Shortly afterwards I said, " Homer, the Fates 
are against us, we must separate; here is some 
money, go to San Francisco, and recollect, it 
is art from this on." We had supposed that the 
head of an art school would be glad to wel- 
come a young man with such decided predilec- 
tions as Homer had shown, and be willing, as 
well as able, to add improvement and give dis- 
cipline without attempting to destroy his indi- 
viduality, but in this we were completely in 
error. Homer was soon informed that his art 
was not art at all, but an uncouth vagary which 
must be forthwith abandoned. Henceforth he 
must drop his fancies and draw by scribe and 
rule ; everything must exist in natural and there- 
fore proper proportion; expression without it is 
a veritable nightmare, and the boy who would 
undertake to draw a figure without, in the first 
place, blocking it in proportion, is a fool from 
whom nothing excellent can be expected. This 
lesson was dinned, with so much rudeness and 



so continuously, that the benefit hoped for was 
impracticable. 

Homer was too long for the teacher's Pro- 
crustean bed, and, therefore, spent very little 
time in that school. As before, the city with 
its zoological garden and heterogenous popula- 
tion became his school, at which he was not 
laggard in attendance. 

A siege of la grippe sent him home, and soon 
after he got a position on the Portland Mercury, 
and worked several months for that paper, using 
star plates, the abomination of all artists. While 
working there he was sent to New Orleans to 
sketch the Dempsy-Fitzsimmons fight, and 
made some very clever drawings of the com- 
batants. 

The short time he was in the south was very 
valuable, as it introduced him to a new world, 
and one rich in that unrestrained and exuberant 
abondon of the negro race. He returned with 
his head and heart full of it and for several days 
was oblivious to all surroundings, until he had put 
into form the queer characters he had observed 
away down in Louisiana. He has never pro- 
duced anything better than the darkey preacher, 
traveling on the train through Texas, engaged in 
his pastoral work. It was equal to anything 
from A. B. Frost and with the addition of Ho- 
mer's humor, which is extravagant enough for 
any darkey, was superb. In sanctimonious swell, 
the negro divine far exceeded the Rainsfords 
and. Talmages of the north. Though his plug 
hat was somewhat battered by long and rough 
usage, his clothes seedy and threadbare, and his 
patent leather shoes really spurning his ample 
feet and grinning with more teeth than a shark, 
they did not prevent a lugubrious flow of re- 
ligious unction all impossible to the thin-lipped 
Caucasian. 

If I were inclined, like some of Homer's inter- 
viewers, to distrust the force and persistency of 
inherited genius, I might say that if he had not 
made that picture, he would not have obtained 
his present place upon the New York Journal, 
and the conclusion would not be as violent an 
assault upon human nature as much that is 
written about him. That picture was an evidence 
of his ability to go up much higher, and I thought 
so well of it that I sent it with some others to C. 
W. Smith and Wm. Henry Smith, our cousins 
living in Chicago, who received them in the 
presence of the head of the art department of the 
San Francisco Examiner, and by the aid of those 
gentlemen, Homer was forthwith employed upon 
the great daily. But that was only an oppor- 
tunity and one so hedged about with unobserv- 
ing control that his expressed desire to begin 
the work to which he is by nature best adapted, 
was unheeded. He is a humorist and caricatur- 
ist, but at that time Mr. Hearst was absent in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



931) 



Europe and his art manager had either not made 
the discovery or was doubtful of that sort of 
work being a paying investment. Being tied 
up rather "sternly and his pet yearnings often 
rebuked, he went to the San Francisco Chronicle, 
where he was allowed more liberty and was fair- 
ly beginning to show how the world of humanity 
looks" when stretched in the line of its tend- 
encies, when the desire to see the World's Fair 
took him to Chicago. At its close, he returned 
to the Chronicle, and the Mid- Winter Fair com- 
ing on soon after, he found therein an ample 
field for the use of his faculties, and exercised 
them with but little hindrance from the kind and 
appreciative art manager of that paper. At that 
time he was getting but $35 a week, and when 
\Y. R. Hearst returned from Europe and took 
in the situation by personal inspection, he saw 
what all others, managers and artists alike, had 
failed to see, viz. : that a caricaturist so affluent 
in imagination, so overflowing with distinctively 
American humor, so fertile in artistic expedients 
and withal so rapid in execution, could be put to 
a higher and more extended use than merely 
making people laugh. The result of Mr. Hearst's 
discovery was the employment of Homer upon 
the Examiner at $100 a week. Everybody knows 
the rest. The purchase of the New York Jour- 
nal by Hearst, the transferrence of Davenport 
to that paper in which the unschooled Oregon 
boy has proved himself equal to the ambition of 
his employer. 

Anvone visiting him at his home in New 
Jersey will readily see that although he is no 
longer a resident of the Webfoot state, in re- 
spect of character there has been no change. He 
works from the small hours in the afternoon 
until near midnight at the New York Journal 
office in the Tribune building, New York City, 
and after breakfast in the morning he and his 
two children live in his barn-yard, that has a 
larger assortment of choice animals than his 
father's had. His rest, relaxation and inspiration 
are with his earliest idols. Game chickens with 
long pedigrees, from the parks of United States 
senators and foreign noblemen, aristocratic bull 
dogs with immaculate hides and no taint of cold 
blood, a beautiful Arab steed, Koubishan by 
name, and a real child of the desert with a grace 
and style worthy his lineage of a thousand 
years ; a Kentucky thoroughbred carriage horse ; 
numerous parks of native and foreign pheasants ; 
quails from the Pacific coast, and carrier pigeons 
suggestive of the legends of his youth. To be 
with these and of these, is his only dissipation. 
Every room in his house is ornamented with 
pictures by Nast, Remington, Frost, besides his 
own pen pictures of distinguished men, odd 
characters by nature, and the abnormal or ex- 
cruciating shapes of humanity, the products of 



social environment, religious mendicants of 
Rome, cockneys of London, colored southern 
gentlemen, unscrupulous political bosses and less 
heartless thieves. 

It may be said that he is not a user of tobacco, 
opium or stimulating drink of any kind, not even 
of tea or coffee. While most artists are frequently 
incapacitated for work by reason of intemperate 
habits and are subject to spells of mental de- 
jection or irrational stimulation, he is compe- 
tent every day to get the best output of his 
faculties. Young people desirous of succeed- 
ing should think of this, and also that something 
more is needed to attain success than a " pull." 
A " pull " at the right time may bring an oppor- 
tunity, but the main thing is the inside " push " 
which does not wait for a " pull." And again, 
Homer's mental and physical make-up is not an 
accident, as people say; he comes by it honestly. 
With controlling art and dramatic tendencies 
on both sides of the ancestral house, there is 
no need of exploiting the regions of fancy to 
account for outcroppings of similar tendencies 
in the children. And inherited tendencies, what- 
ever they may be, do not lie dormant all through 
childhood and all at once spring into prominence, 
creating geniuses and prodigies. They show 
from the first, and it is from the early and con- 
tinuous discipline of such birth endowments that 
excellence comes. Great poets begin very earlv 
to lisp in numbers and great inventors to con- 
jure with mechanical tools. It is well enough for 
young people to aspire to high places in the 
line of human endeavor, but it must be in ac- 
cordance with their natural aptitudes and tend- 
encies or they cannot rise. A great amount of 
time is lost and the lives of many people ren- 
dered fruitless, by a wrong direction of their 
energies, and it is to aid in preventing such oc- 
currences that this brief sketch is written. 

[The foregoing sketch of Homer Davenport 
was written by the noted cartoonist's father, 
Hon. T. W. Davenport.] 



JAMES P. G. HENDERSON. Four miles 
south of Philomath, and not far from the village 
of Fern, is located the finely cultivated farm of 
two hundred and seventy-six acres owned and 
operated by Mr. Henderson. Here he carries 
on general fanning and stock-raising, making, a 
specialty of Jersey cattle, two hundred and fifty 
acres of the tract being under active cultivation. 
Mr. Henderson was born October 17, 1848, in 
Buchanan county, Mo., the son of Perman Hen- 
derson, who was born September 19, 1801, near 
Knoxville, Tenn. With his parents, who were 
farmers, he remained at home until he was 
eighteen years of age, when he started out in 
the world on his own account, going direct to 



940 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Missouri. His first employment was on a farm, 
but he later became interested in the saw and grist 
mill business, and with the proceeds of his labor 
purchased land, at one time owning property 
which is now the site of Kansas City, Mo. 

It was in Kansas City that Perman Hender- 
son and Miss Sarah Trapp were united in mar- 
riage. Mrs. Henderson was born in Tennessee 
August 27, 1805. Until 1852 the young people 
resided in Missouri, when they outfitted for the 
west; but before they had gone very far they 
deemed it wise to retrace their steps on account 
of the cholera scourge that broke out at that 
time. In the spring of the following year they 
resumed the journey, and by means of ox- 
teams made the trip in five months, experiencing 
no serious difficulty with the Indians. About one 
mile from Wren and twelve miles from Cor- 
vallis, in Benton county, they took up a dona- 
tion claim on which they resided about four 
years, and then bought a tract three hundred and 
twenty acres in extent, located three and one- 
half miles south of Philomath, a part of which 
is now owned and occupied by his son James. 
The father made all the improvements to be 
seen upon the place at the time he lived upon it, 
and in addition owned other property, at one 
time being the possessor of thirteen hundred 
acres in this vicinity. The parental family orig- 
inally comprised thirteen children, but with the 
exception of five all are deceased. Martin re- 
sides in Californa ; W. J. lives near Wren ; L. M. 
resides eight miles southwest of Philomath ; 
Keziah is the wife of W. S. Gibbs, and resides 
in Linn county, and James is the youngest of 
the family. The father was a very public-spir- 
ited man, popular with all who knew him and 
very successful in all his busness undertakings. 
He served two terms as county commissioner, 
and in politics was a stanch Democrat. In the 
work of the Christian Church he took a keen 
and active interest, and during his membership 
of about sixty-five years in that denomination took 
a part in all its avenues of usefulness. He lived 
to reach the unusual age of ninety-three years, 
and his wife died when over eighty-two years of 
age. 

When his parents crossed the plains to Oregon 
James was a child only four years old, so that 
he recalls little or nothing of his birthplace. His 
education was received in the district schools 
and in the State Agricultural College at Cor- 
vallis, he in the meantime making his home on 
the parental farm. His marriage united him 
with Miss Emma Frances Baumgartner, a na- 
tive of Oregon, the young people at once settling 
on their present homestead. Their neat two- 
story frame dwelling is modern in every respect 
and is a credit to the owner, as well as to the lo- 
cality. Five children blessed the marriage of 



Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, all of whom are at 
home, whose names are as follows : Earl B., 
Mary F., Esther P., Catherine L. and Grace W. 
Politically Mr. Henderson takes an active in- 
terest in matters which affect the Democratic 
party, and always votes for its candidates. As 
was his father, he is a member of the Christian 
Church. 



CHARLES P. McCORMICK. The McCor- 
mick farm located three and one-half miles 
northwest of Woodburn, Marion county, has 
attained about the highest state of productiveness 
known to modern agricultural science. With its 
pioneer development is associated the name of 
one of the most potential of the early settlers 
of Oregon — Mathew McCormick — whose land 
holdings have steadily increased to the posses- 
sion of six hundred and forty acres, and whose 
name is honored and respected wherever it is 
known. For many years assisting in the man- 
agement of the farm, his son, Charles P. Mc- 
Cormick, has been in almost entire control since 
1897, and may be said to have inaugurated the 
splendid enterprise of the latter day which has 
helped to establish the farming and stock-raising 
prestige of the county and the Willamette val- 
lev. Mathew McCormick was born in County 
Meath, Ireland, December 12, 1825, and was 
seven years of age when his family boarded a 
sailing vessel for America. Arriving in Genesee 
county, N. Y., his father, Patrick McCormick, 
bought a farm. Mathew McCormick spent his 
youth on this farm with his brother, John. 
There was need for the boys in the family to 
embark upon self-supporting careers as soon as 
their physical and mental powers were developed. 
At the age of fifteen Mathew McCormick went 
to Rochester, N. Y., and was apprenticed to a 
carriage-maker, and while thus employed was 
interrupted in his work by the demand for his 
services in the Mexican war. In 1844 ne enlisted 
in the Fourth United States Infantry. At the 
battle of Monterey, he was wounded above the 
left knee while charging to take a battery, and 
was laid up for some time in a hospital. He was 
afterward sent on a furlough to New Orleans, 
where he was discharged from the service. 
Going to St. Louis, Mo., he became a member 
of the police force, on which he served for a 
year. For another year he was engaged in 
blacksmithing and wagon-manufacturing, and in 
the meantime was looking about for a permanent 
outlet for his ambitions. Hearing about the 
men who were seeking new homes in the far 
west, he determined to cast his lines with these 
heroic and daring investigators. Outfitting with 
five yoke of oxen to a wagon, he set forth 
upon his mission as a miner and fortune-hunter. 




WILLIAM J. HUMPHREYS 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1)41 



After six months of varying adventures, he 
reached California in October, 1849, an d pros- 
pected and mined on the Feather river until 
late that year, in the meantime finding living 
very expensive, being compelled at times to pay 
$1.25 per pound for flour. 

Upon the conclusion of his mining experi- 
ences, Mr. McCormick embarked on a schooner 
for Portland, and was three weeks on the jour- 
ney, encountering severe storms on the way. 
Arriving at Milwaukee, Ore., he remained there 
for some time, but finally decided to settle in 
Marion county. His first location was on French 
Prairie. In the fall of 1850 he settled on his 
present farm of six hundred and forty acres, 
known as the La Rock donation claim. Incredi- 
ble as it may seem, he purchased this entire pro- 
perty for $1,000. At the time there were but 
a few acres cleared, and a log cabin had been 
erected. With this small encouragement he set 
about to make himself and his family comfort- 
able, and in time his labors were rewarded with 
abundant harvests and fine cattle. 

In 1846 Mr. McCormick married Johannah 
Clancey, and of the seven children born to this 
couple but two survive — John and Charles — 
both of whom are engaged in farming in Marion 
county. Mr. McCormick is a Democrat in poli- 
tics and in religion is a member of the Roman 
Catholic Church. For about twelve years he 
served as school director. He is a man of sterl- 
ing worth, and the value of his services in behalf 
of the upbuilding of his adopted state can 
hardly be estimated, nor can it be in the cases 
of any of the noble and self-sacrificing men who 
came in the early days to conquer the wilderness. 

Charles P. McCormick, manager of the pater- 
nal farm, was born within speaking distance of 
his present home March 25, 1857, and has always 
resided upon the farm. He was educated in the 
public schools and in St. Lawrence. College, 
Montreal, Canada, and at an early age was 
taught to assist in all departments of farm work. 
Together father and son operated the broad ex- 
panse of fertile land until 1897, in which year 
the son assumed complete charge, and is now 
responsible for the success of the enterprise. 
Beginning with 1890, hop-raising was inaugur- 
ated with the planting of thirteen acres in that 
plant. This area has since been continually 
enlarged, until at the present time he has sixty- 
five acres under this product. In 1902 the yield 
from his vines was seventy-five thousand pounds. 

On October 24, 1888,' Mr. McCormick was 
united in marriage with Mary Van Wessenhove, 
daughter of Frank and Ellen (Coyle) Van Wes- 
senhove, of which union seven children have been 
born, the order of their birth being as follows : 
John T., Josephine C, Caroline E., Zeta A., 
Rosa, Nellie, and Grace Irene. 



Like his father, Mr. McCormick is a Democrat 
in politics, and in religion a Roman Catholic. 
He is a man of enterprise and energy, is practical 
and progressive, and his farm is one of the most 
neat and well cultivated in Marion county. He 
is highly respected by those who know him, 
for he has always taken an active interest in 
those affairs tending toward the promotion of 
the best interests of his community, and makes 
good fellowship one of the cardinal principles 
of his dailv life. 



WILLIAM J. HUMPHREYS. The Hum- 
phreys brothers, both of whom are large land 
owners and very successful farmers, stock-raisers 
and miners, are men of solid worth, and have 
materially contributed to the well being of Marion 
county. William J., the oldest in a family of 
eleven children, five sons and six daughters, was 
born in Monroe county, Tenn., December 4, 
1828, a son of Thomas M. and Jane (Harrison) 
Humphreys, farmers for many years in Tennes- 
see. 

On the Tennessee farm Mr. Humphreys re- 
ceived a substantial home training, and his edu- 
cational opportunities were those of the early sub- 
scription schools of his district. In his neigh- 
borhood was a family by the name of Wilson, 
who had two interesting daughters, with one of 
whom Mr. Humphreys became much impressed, 
his brother, John P., entertaining an equal re- 
gard for the other sister. A double wedding, 
celebrated July 21, 1852, united the four hopeful 
young people who had shared each other's joys 
and sorrows since earliest childhood, and the 
following September, the two brothers and their 
wives, Mr. Humphreys, Sr., and his family, be- 
sides others from the same neighborhood, started 
overland for Missouri, where they spent the win- 
ter. The following spring they outfitted for 
crossing the plains, and without any particular 
misfortunes succeeded in reaching their destina- 
tion in Oregon, having lived well on the way, 
game and fish contributing towards a varied and 
by no means undesirable diet. Mr. Humphreys 
located in the Waldo Hills, and in the fall of 
1854 bought the right to one hundred and sixty 
acres of land of John Greenstreet, the property 
having a little log house of one room ready for 
occupancy. Otherwise there were no improve- 
ments on the place, and the new owner at once 
began to clear his land and prepare the way for 
planting. This farm, comprising three hundred 
and seventy acres, is one of the best in the county, 
and the visitor is impressed with the innumerable 
evidences of neatness, thrift and practical man- 
agement. 

In the spring of 1854 Mr. Humphreys bought 
a claim in Jackson county. Ore., and operated it 



942 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



for several months. Since then, however, he 
has been interested in mining from time to time, 
at present owning a number of valuable claims. 
Though living a very busy life, he has invariably 
evinced a keen interest in general affairs in 
Marion county, and as a stanch upholder of 
the Republican party has filled local positions of 
trust, though he has never aspired to political 
offices. He is identified with the Grange, and 
is a member of and liberal contributor towards, 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of the large 
family of children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hum- 
phreys, Margaret is deceased; John M. lives 
near Heppner, Ore. ; Augustus lives in Portland ; 
Texanna B. is the wife of Joseph Rogers, of 
Portland; Sarah J. is the wife of Grant Ashby, 
-of Antelope, Ore. ; Mary L. is the wife of J. B. 
Ashby, of East Salem ; William lives in East 
Salem ; the next child, a son, died in infancy ; 
Carrie P. is the wife of C. L. Rogers, of Rose- 
dale, Marion county, Ore. ; Minnie C. died at the 
age of eleven years ; and Harrison H. is man- 
aging his father's farm. Mr. Humphreys is suc- 
cessful and popular in his neighborhood, and has 
made many warm friends during the years of 
his residence in the northwest. He is a man of 
marked integrity of character, has given frequent 
evidence of the possession of a high public spirit, 
and is always ready to assist in the promotion of 
enterprises tending to advance the best inter- 
ests of the county. 



HON. TIMOTHY WOODBRIDGE DAV- 
ENPORT. The family which in the present 
generation claims Homer C. Davenport, the fa- 
mous cartoonist, as one of its most gifted rep- 
resentatives, is one which has ever treasured high 
ideals, and numbers among its members, both in 
the present and past generations, eminent 
scholars, litterateurs, artists, sculptors, musicians 
and scientists — all of whom have striven to at- 
tain the greatest heights in their chosen fields 
of endeavor. Creditably maintaining the prece- 
dent long since established by his family is the 
Hon. Timothy Woodbridge Davenport, one of 
the most erudite scholars of the west, a prolific 
writer on educational and scientific topics, phy- 
sician, lawyer, ex-member of the state legislature, 
surveyor and stockman. 

Mr. Davenport was born on a farm in Colum- 
bia county, N. Y., July 30, 1826, a son of Dr. 
Benjamin Davenport, a grandson of Jonathan 
Davenport, a great-grandson of Benjamin Daven- 
port, and great-great-grandson of Thomas Dav- 
enport. The latter, the founder of the family in 
America, emigrated from England prior to 1640, 
locating at Dorchester, Mass. His son, Benja- 
min, was born in Boston, Mass. Jonathan Dav- 
enport, of the third generation, was born in 



Rhode Island, and eventually became a farmer of 
Columbia county, N. Y. His death occurred at 
Spencertown, in that county. 

Dr. Benjamin Davenport, great-great-grand- 
son of the founder of the family and the father 
of the subject of this review, was born on a farm 
in Columbia county, N. Y., June 24, 1799. He 
was educated in the Pittsfield Medical College, at 
Pittsfield, Mass., from which he was graduated 
either in 1824 or 1826. In 183 1 he engaged in 
the practice of medicine in Lucerne county, Pa., 
removed to Union county, Ohio, in 1836, and ul- 
timately located in Champaign county, continu- 
ing his professional labors in both localities. In 
1850 he went to Newark, Mo., and in the spring 
of 185 1 outfitted for the journey across the plains. 
Arriving in Oregon in the fall of that year, 
he settled upon a donation claim of three hundred 
and twenty acres in the Waldo Hills, Marion 
county, where his death occurred in February, 
1857, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. He 
married Sarah R. Gott, a native of Columbia 
county, N. Y., where she was born in 1803. Her 
father, Story Gott, was born in New York state, 
and held a commission in a New York regiment 
during the Revolutionary war, in which he 
served with distinction. He was an extensive 
land-owner and cattle trader, amassing great 
wealth through this occupation. In keeping with 
a genial and hospitable nature, he spent his 
money lavishly, supplying his table from a well 
filled wine cellar and a larder which indicated his 
fastidious and epicurean tastes. He lived to an 
advanced age, his death occurring in Columbia 
county in 1842. He was possessed of an im- 
pressive personality, and he commanded great 
popular attention during the many years of his 
active life. 

Four sons and one daughter were born to Dr. 
Benjamin Davenport and his wife, of whom Hon. 
Timothy Woodbridge Davenport is the eldest. 
The remaining members of the family were : 
John C, of Aberdeen, Wash. ; Joseph W., de- 
ceased ; Lucinda, wife of Judge Orange Jacobs, 
of Seattle; Benjamin Franklin, who resides on 
a part of the donation claim in the Waldo Hills. 

Dr. Davenport took an active interest in pol- 
itics, and in his younger days was an ardent 
Abolitionist. During his residence in Ohio, his 
home was one of the stations of the famous 
"undergrotind railway," and he assisted many 
slaves to freedom. Upon the organization of the 
Republican party in 1856 he identified himself 
with that body, and was one of five who attended 
the first meeting for its organization in Marion 
county. Of profound wisdom and excellent 
judgment, combined with unimpeachable integ- 
rity and a nobility of character which made him 
a conspicuous figure wherever he lived, he was 
also firm, quick to arrive at a decision, and gen- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



943 



erally right beyond question. Through the pos- 
session of these marked characteristics, he left 
the stamp of his individuality upon the com- 
munity. He was also gifted as an artist and 
musician. It is not to be marvelled at that the 
many talents he possessed have been inherited by 
representatives of the family in later generations, 
with their broader opportunities for study and 
contact with the world in a more cosmopolitan 

a 8 e - 

After completing his elementary studies in 

the public schools, the Hon. Timothy Wood- 
bridge Davenport was graduated from the acad- 
emy at Woodstock, Ohio, and attended a course 
of medical lectures at the Starling Medical In- 
stitute, at Columbus, Ohio. From the fall of 1846 
until the spring of 1847 ne was engaged as an 
instructor in Wilson's Academy at Woodstock, 
Ohio, after which he devoted another year to 
study in the Starling Medical Institute. In the fall 
of 1848 he returned to Ohio, and engaged in the 
practice of his profession at Woodstock. In 1850 
he removed with his parents to Missouri, and in 
185 1 crossed the plains with the rest of the 
family, locating on a tract of three hundred and 
twenty acres adjoining that taken up by his 
father, which he had purchased. There he en- 
gaged in farming and surveying. It was not 
long before he became interested in the political 
undertakings of his neighborhood, and in 1864 
was elected county surveyor, and was re-elected 
in 1866, filling the office for four years. In 1868 
he was elected representative to die state legis- 
lature, was re-elected in 1870, and in 1882 was 
elected to the state senate. In 1895 Governor 
Lord appointed him state land agent, and he oc- 
cupied that office four years. 

In Marion county, November 17, 1854, Mr. 
Davenport was .united in marriage with Flora 
Geer, a native of Madison county, Ohio, and a 
daughter of Ralph C. Geer. She was a cousin 
of the Hon. T. T. Geer, formerly governor of 
Oregon. Mrs. Davenport was an unusually 
gifted woman, an artist of more than local re- 
nown, and possessed of rare histrionic ability. 
She died of smallpox November 20, 1870. She 
became the mother of four children, of whom 
Olive died at the age of four years ; John died 
in infancy; Orla is the wife of John D. Renshaw, 
a farmer and rancher on the Pend d'Oreille 
river, and Homer C, the cartoonist, is a resident 
of New York. (A more extended sketch of 
the latter appears elsewhere in this work.) 

October 1, 1872, Mr. Davenport married Mrs. 
Elizabeth Wisner, a native of Hancock county, 
111., and a daughter of John W. Gilmour. Her 
father was born in Kentucky, September 13, 
1813, and came to Oregon in 1851, locating on a 
ranch in Linn county. For several years he has 
resided for a portion of the time in Silverton, 



but spends considerable of his time with his 
children. Five children were born of this mar- 
riage. Of these, Timothy Clyde is deceased; 
Adda is a sculptor and musician; Alice is also 
a sculptor and musician, and assistant manager 
of the Barnard Concert Tour Bureau, of San 
Francisco, Cal. ; Georgia is a well known and 
talented contralto soloist; and Mary Delle is a 
talented young musician. 

Throughout his life Mr. Davenport has been 
a profound student, and it is doubtful if any man 
on the entire Pacific coast has better trained men- 
tal faculties or a more comprehensive knowl- 
edge. His erudition is recognized by scholars 
and educational institutions in the east, and he 
is frequently consulted on those subjects pertain- 
ing to the foundation of modern knowledge, es- 
pecially in regard to the law, mathematics and 
medicine, all of which sciences he has mastered. 
He has been a frequent contributor to leading 
periodicals published in the east, and has pre- 
pared monographs on subjects pertaining to med- 
ical science. A recent contribution which has 
evoked widespread comment was an article on 
" An Object Lesson in Paternalism," published 
in the March number of the Oregon Historical 
Quarterly. 

Thus is recorded, in outline, those events in 
the life of Timothy Woodbridge Davenport which 
illustrate his identification with the world of let- 
ters, of science, and of politics. It is seldom that 
a man of such strong mentality and splendid 
equipments is to be found spending his life amid 
pastoral scenes; but the environments of Mr. 
Davenport have not adversely affected his useful- 
ness to the world, which, for many years, has 
benefited by his published writings and his cor- 
respondence with other brilliant leaders in the 
advanced thought of the day. The example he 
has set for his children has been a magnificent 
one, and they have been inspired to the utmost 
development of their inherent talents. An il- 
lustration of this faculty of Mr. Davenport is 
the following tribute to his gifted son, Homer 
Davenport, which was written by James Mon- 
tague : 

"Homer Davenport, of all successful Ameri- 
cans, is the least puffed up by his achievements. 
He is entitled to no credit whatever, he says ; 
it all belongs to his father. And out on the 
cartoonist's remarkable menagerie-farm, at 
Morris Plains, N. J., may be seen a quiet old 
gentleman, feeding the flocks or watching the 
many birds that enliven the landscape, who is 
not at all willing to shoulder the glory thus 
thrust upon him, but asserts with equal positive- 
ness, that the boy has grown from a lank coun- 
try youth to a world-famous cartoonist, unaided 
by any parental word or hand. Yet, whatever 
may have been the influence of the older Daven- 



944 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



port upon the younger, there is just one man in 
all the world who thoroughly understands the 
mixture of high purpose and utter irresponsibil- 
ity which make up the character of Homer 
Davenport, and that one man is his father. From 
babyhood to boyhood, on up through an un- 
promising youth to a remarkable manhood he has 
followed the career of this nature lover, and has 
noted, as if with a register, every step in his de- 
velopment. Fond, but unbiased, he has dis- 
covered how and why his son succeeded, and 
what he has written here will be worth while 
not only to such youth as aspire to fill four col- 
umns on the first page of the great dailies with 
masterpieces of satire that shall make one-half 
of the world laugh while the other half squirms, 
but to every boy who is honestly and solidly in- 
terested in making something of himself." 



REUBEN GANT. A pioneer of pioneers is 
Reuben Gant, one of the j oiliest of the daring 
venturers who left peaceful homes in the east and 
ventured, across the trackless plains in 1845. R 
is doubtful if in the length and breath of this 
state there may be found one whose memory is 
so stored with incident, so interestingly reminis- 
cent of the days when law and order were as yet 
unestablished, and when all was new and at the 
disposal of whomsoever might arrive with his 
humble ox-teams and limited possessions. Dur- 
ing the intervening years Mr. Gant has taken 
his place enthusiastically and helpfully, all the 
while smoothing the way of his friends with his 
optimistic and genial views, with his jest and 
merry-making, and his encouragement which 
follows in the wake of all who make the best of 
their opportunities, however meager and diffi- 
cult. 

May 16, 1818, Mr. Gant was born in Franklin 
county, Ind., in which state and county his pa- 
ternal grandfather, Tyrra, had settled upon re- 
moval from his native state of North Carolina. 
In Franklin county was reared Cador Gant, who 
was born in North Carolina, and came with his 
parents overland to Indiana. About 1820 he re- 
moved to Bartholomew county, Ind., bought a 
farm and improved it, and there died in 1844. 
He was a Democrat in politics, but was never 
active or an office-seeker. Through his marriage 
with Katherine Jones, also a native of North 
Carolina, he became connected with Revolution- 
ary stock, for Samuel Jones, the grandfather of 
Mrs. Gant, came from England long before the 
Revolution, and participated in the effort to es- 
tablish independence for the colonies. Tyrra 
Gant was the parent of twelve children, eight 
sons and four daughters, of whom Reuben is the 
second child. 

In a little log school-house, with puncheon 



floors and benches, Reuben Gant learned the rule 
of three, and incidentally was included in the 
discipline which figured conspicuously in the 
early school teachers' methods of imparting in- 
formation. With these pioneer conditions went 
also the fever and ague, prevalent in low lands, 
and superinduced by inefficient drainage. This 
distressing ailment afflicted Reuben to such an ex- 
tent, that in 1840 he removed to Missouri, and 
in the vicinity of Springfield hunted and trapped 
for a few years. The country thereabouts was 
wild and undeveloped, and the free spirit of the 
youth found great pleasure in thus exposing him- 
self to danger, and bringing down the game 
which abounded in that section. While out with 
his gun he was in a position to hear a great deal 
about the west, and having nothing to hold him 
in any one place, he determined to avail him- 
self of the opportunities as yet but imperfectly 
understood on the coast. April 17, 1845, he 
cracked his whip over the backs of well fed and 
sleek oxen, and slowly started on a journey which 
in those days meant everything or nothing to the 
adventurer. His well loaded wagon was the 
first to cross the Cascade mountains into the 
Willamette valley, a feat accomplished at the ex- 
piration of about eight months, he arriving at 
his destination November 17, 1845. I n July, 
1846, he arrived in Oregon City, having come 
via the Mount Hood route. Locating in Yamhill 
county near Bellevue, he took up a donation claim 
of six hundred and forty acres, January 8, 1848, 
and his farm, with its innumerable reminders of 
struggle, privation, loneliness, and hard work, 
is still in his possession. He built a small log 
cabin, and made a home for himself and family. 
Thus he advanced step by step, interesting him- 
self in the progress of the neighbors who began 
to settle at rather remote distances, all the while 
keeping up his reputation as a whole-souled, hon- 
est and royally jolly companion, the casual meet- 
ing with whom put every one in a comfortable 
frame of mind. 

It is a well known fact that many romances 
began and developed on the vast expanse of the 
plains, the long days, the slow-moving train, and 
the opportunities for social intercourse in the 
camp being ideal for the framing of united for- 
tunes. Reuben Gant drove the oxen of one 
Carmi Goodrich, who was born in the east, and 
who located on a claim near Dayton, Ore. Mr. 
Gant and Mr. Goodrich became very warm 
friends, and sat many a night talking over the 
camp fires. Incidentally the daughter of Mr. 
Goodrich, a bright-eyed girl called Nancy, be- 
came an earnest participant in these communings, 
and so impressed was Mr. Gant with her woman- 
ly and fine qualities of mind and heart, that the 
couple were married in Yamhill county. Mrs. 
Gant did not live long- enough to rear her entire 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



915 



family, for she died when only thirty-eight years 
of age, leaving seven of her eight children to the 
care o\ her husband. These were John Wesley, 
who makes his home on the old farm; Martha is 
the wife of W. J. Sargeant, merchant and post- 
master of Bcllevue; Carmi, deceased; Ithigena, 
now the wife of George Sawyer of Idaho; Sarah 
lane, the wife of Ben Mitchell of Washington; 
Mary Ellen, the wife of John Hinkle of East 
Portland, and engaged in the real estate business ; 
Albert, deceased in infancy ; and Henry, living 
in Idaho. For a second wife Mr. Gant married 
Mrs. Elizabeth (Speedie) Finlayson, born in 
Perthshire. Scotland, and who came to the United 
States with her brother in 1884, locating in For- 
est Grove. The father of Mrs. Gant, Peter 
Speedie, was born in Scotland, was reared there, 
and married and died in his native land. In 
politics Mr. Gant is a Prohibitionist. He is a 
liberal-minded, humane, and very intelligent 
pioneer, brim full of good nature, and bearing 
malice towards none. He has lived retired in 
Philomath since 1892, for he found that good 
men were scarce to work his farm, and so rented 
his land to avoid all further responsibility. He 
is one of the familiar figures on the streets of the 
town, and he always has something genial and 
witty to say to any who stop to speak with him. 



WILTON LEROY SIMERAL. March 22, 
1896, Wilton Leroy Simeral was appointed stew- 
ard and head farmer of the Oregon State Reform 
School by Governor Lord, and with the exception 
of a nine-months leave of absence, he has since 
held this large responsibility. In the estimation 
of those who are privileged to witness the many 
improvements inaugurated by the present stew- 
ard, no better man could have been found for the 
position, his many years of association with va- 
rious lines of activity in the west having fitted 
him for most tactful and satisfactory dealings 
with trustees and others interested in state insti- 
tutions. There are six hundred acres in the 
school farm, all of which land is under his direct 
supervision, and the operation of which involves 
a large amount of calculation and good business 
judgment. He also has charge of the purchasing 
of the cattle and other stock. 

The many claims to consideration acknowl- 
edged by all who know him, are by no means 
based solely upon his good work with the reform 
school, for Mr. Simeral has been a resident of 
Oregon since 1865. He was born near Maquo- 
keta, Jackson county, Iowa, March 9, 1855, the 
son of John H.. a veterinary surgeon, and the 
grandson of another follower of the same calling. 
The father came of German ancestry, and was 
born in Indiana, where he was there reared to 
manhood, removing thence to Iowa, In 1864 he 



outfitted with wagons, provisions and horse teams 
and crossed the plains, settling near Boise City, 
Idaho, soon after removing to Pendleton, Ore., 
then a small hamlet containing a hotel and black- 
smith shop. In September of 1865 he came to 
Marion county by team, locating near Salem for 
two years, and then moved upon leased land in 
the Waldo Hills. In 1871 he bought three hun- 
dred and twenty acres of timber land in Clacka- 
mas county, which he occupied for two years, 
when he sold that and bought one hundred and 
twenty acres near Silverton, where he lived until 
1890. Some months later he died in Macleay, at 
the age of sixty-six years, the date of his death 
being December 21, 1891. He is survived by his 
wife, who was in maidenhood Elmira E. Crane, 
and who was born in New York, October 28, 
1832. W. L. is the oldest of a family of five chil- 
dren, the second oldest of whom is A. Frank, a 
boot and shoe merchant at Silverton ; he married 
Elsie Riches, and they have six chidren : Vernie, 
Ada, Wayne, Frank, Manley and Elsie. Carrie 
is the wife of H. S. Hicks, of Silverton, their one 
daughter being Florence. Newell L. died in 
1864, at the age of three and a half ) r ears ; and 
Clarence John is a traveling inspector for the San 
Francisco machine firm of Baker & Hamilton ; 
he married Ariadne Cornelius, and they have one 
son, Claire, and make their home in Salem. 

At the age of twenty-one years, W. L. Simeral 
started out into the world to make his own way, 
and was married November 29, 1876, Emma 
Catherine Anderson becoming his wife. She was 
the daughter of John Franklin and Lucinda 
(Jarvis) Anderson, the father being a farmer on 
Howell Prairie, and justly famed 'for his neat, 
practical methods in the pursuit of his agricul- 
tural labors. He also served as county commis- 
sioner in Marion county. Of the other children 
of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson we mention the fol- 
lowing: Solomon F., a successful farmer in the 
Waldo Hills, married Amanda Stormer, by whom 
he has one son, Carl; George S., engaged in farm- 
ing on his father's place, married Elizabeth Lim- 
beck, and they have one daughter, Ruth ; Eliza- 
beth M. became the wife of Robert Florer, who 
is located near Des Moines, Iowa, their five chil- 
dren being as follows : Jennie, Margery, Max- 
well, Maurice and Dorothy. Carrie is the wife of 
Frank Bowers, the cartoonist, living in Indian- 
apolis, Ind. Both parents are still living, and 
make their home on Howell Prairie, the father 
being sixty-nine and the mother seventy-one years 
of age. For a year after his marriage Mr. Sime- 
ral rented the Hubbard farm, four miles from 
Salem, with his father, then removed to Howell 
Prairie, and with his father-in-law farmed one 
vear, and then moved three miles southeast of 
Turner and rented a farm of three hundred and 
twentv acres of W. C. Morris. After six vears 



946 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of successful management of this large property 
he felt justified in branching out into land owner- 
ship, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres 
in the Waldo Hills, ten miles east of Salem. In 
1899 he removed with his family to the Governor 
Geer farm, and now owns in all two hundred and 
five acres of land. An aid to Mr. Simeral in his 
farming and stock-raising enterprises has been 
his knowledge of veterinary surgery, learned 
from, his father and grandfather, and which he 
has had occasion to use extensively since engag- 
ing in independent farming. He was appointed 
county stock inspector, serving for nine years, 
and was associated for some time as local inspec- 
tor with State Veterinary Surgeon James Whit- 
comb. This was carried on in connection with 
general farming, and was not abandoned until the 
appointment to his present position with the re- 
form school. For nine years he served as chief 
marshal of the Oregon State Fair. 

A Republican in politics, Mr. Simeral has never 
aspired to office, though solicited many times by 
his friends. Fraternally, he is a member of Pearl 
Lodge No. 66, A. F. & A. M. ; Macleay Lodge 
No. 50, A. O. U. W. ; Degree of Honor No. 84 ; 
charter member of Salem Camp, M. W. A. ; Capi- 
tal City Lodge No. 34, I. O. L., and member of 
the Macleay Grange. Four children have been 
born into the Simeral home : Leroy J., who was 
educated at the Oregon Agricultural College, 
married Linnie English, resides in Macleay, and 
is rural mail carrier ; Raymond W., a page in the 
state senate in 1894, when twelve years old, and 
is now operating the home farm ; George F., who 
graduated from District No. 100, of the public 
schools, at the age of sixteen years ; and Myrtle 
C, at home. The two older sons are members of 
Macleay Lodge No. 50, A. O. U. W., in which 
Raymond acts as recorder, and Mrs. Simeral is a 
member of the Degree of Honor and has passed 
all the chairs of the same. George is also a mem- 
ber of the Degree of Honor and holds the position 
of recorder. Mr. Simeral is capable and re- 
sourceful, and keeps abreast of the times on agri- 
culture and general business. He is upright and 
progressive, and in his relations with his subordi- 
nates maintains the first principles of considera- 
tion, tact and humanity. 



HENRY T. BRISTOW. The birth of 
Henry T. Bristow occurred September 13, 
1852, in Macon county, Mo., he being a son 
of Wesley O. and Sarah (Cherry) Bristow, 
natives respectively of Virginia and Illinois, 
the former born April 15, 1815. The father's 
family, who were of English descent moved 
from the Old Dominion when their son was 
a mere youth and settled in Illinois in the early 
days of that state's history. It was while re- 



siding there that he met and married the future 
sharer of his joys and sorrows, Sarah Cherry. 
Some years after their marriage, in 1839, they 
removed to Missouri, which was their home 
thenceforth until their death, Mr. Bristow pass- 
ing away when seventy-two years of age, and 
his wife when comparatively a young woman, 
at the age of forty-one. 

Of the twelve children who comprised the 
parental family, Henry T. Bristow was the 
eleventh in order of birth. His earliest knowl- 
edge of books was obtained in the district 
schools in the vicinity of his home in Macon 
county, Mo., and subsequently it was his good 
fortune to attend the state normal at Kirks- 
ville, Adair county, Mo. Upon graduating 
from the latter institution he began teaching 
school, and for the following ten years was 
engaged in this vocation, a portion of the time 
in Missouri and the remainder in Oregon. It 
was in 1874 that he became identified with this 
growing state in the west, settlement being 
made in Lane county. There in 1884 he was 
united in marriage with Joycy Laird, a native 
of that county, and there the young people 
made their home for five years, or until 1889, 
when they located in Polk county. His identi- 
fication with Benton county dates from the 
year 1890,. when he purchased his present farm 
of five hundred and sixty acres, conveniently 
located one and one-half miles west of 
Bellfountain. Many improvements have been 
made since the property came into Mr. 
Bristow's possession, and he now has 
one hundred acres planted to prunes, and fifty 
acres to apples and pears. In order to properly 
prepare the fruit for the market Mr. .Bristow 
has erected a large modern drying house, 
equipped with all the latest improvements and 
devices that can be utilized in the business. 

To the marriage of Henry T. and Joycy 
(Laird) Bristow four children were born, and 
all of them are at home with their parents, their 
names being as follows : Gretta E., Floyd O., 
Hazel D. and Dorothy R. Although Mr. Bris- 
tow has resided here but a comparatively short 
time, the improvements he has caused to be 
made and the regard in which he is held by his 
fellow-citizens might represent a much longer 
residence. In addition to his fine fruit ranch 
he also raises stock quite extensively, and from 
this branch alone realizes a good income. 

Mr. Bristow and his family are identified 
with the Church of Christ, and are ever to be 
found on the side of all measures that have for 
their object the betterment of mankind. Fra- 
ternally he himself is identified with the Fra- 
ternal Union of America, and in politics is a 
stanch believer in the principles laid down by 
the Republican party. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



947 



FRANK BUSKEY. The great fertility of 
Marion county has furnished a competence to 
Frank Buskey, owner of a farm of three hun- 
dred and eight acres, about two hundred of 
which are under cultivation. The watering 
facilities could hardly be excelled, and the im- 
provements are of the most modern kind 
known to agriculturists in the northwest. 
S lock-raising, general farming and hop-grow- 
ing represent the three distinct departments of 
activity on the farm, seventeen acres being 
under hops. 

Of French-Canadian ancestry, Mr. Buskey 
was born in Michigan, and at a very early age 
was thrown on his own resources. In 1859 
he had the opportunity to come to Oregon with 
a Samuel Gouley, and in Marion county 
worked on a farm for Mathias Gouley until 
1861. Hoping to find a short road to fortune, 
Mr. Buskey went to Idaho in 1861, and after 
two seasons of experience as a miner, re- 
turned to Oregon, and was glad of a position 
on a farm. With the money thus earned he 
bought some mining claims near Boise, Idaho, 
and this time was more fortunate, making con- 
siderable money. His total experience as a 
miner covers a space of six years. 

In Marion county, Ore., he married, in 1871, 
Elizabeth Bauer, who was born in Missouri 
in 1848, and came with her parents to Marion 
county, Ore. Her father, Andrew Bauer, was 
born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1810, and came 
to America with his wife in 1837, settling in 
Indiana. Later he removed to Missouri, and 
from there came to Oregon over the plains, six 
months being consumed in reaching The 
Dalles. From there he came to Portland in a 
skiff, and thence to Champoeg, arriving in the 
latter town with a wife, three children and five 
dollars in money. Fortunately he soon found 
friends, for he was allowed to live in a small 
house on the Kennedy farm, but the. same year 
made arrangements to buy the right to a do- 
nation claim of two hundred and forty acres. 
Soon after he started a blacksmith shop on his 
place. In the spring of 1849 he went to Sutter 
Mills, Cal., where he mined with considerable 
success until fall. Returning, he joined his wife 
on their place, and made that his home until 
his death in 1884. For many years he con- 
ducted his little shop, and was well known in 
his neighborhood as a skilled workman and 
honorable man. His last years were compara- 
tively lonely for his wife died in 1869, having 
reared nine children, three of whom are living, 
these are Mrs. Buskey; Fred, who is a resi- 
dent of Woodburn ; and Katie, the wife of Wil- 
liam Chambers, of Portland. 

After his marriage Mr. Buskey rented Mr. 
Bauer's farm until the death of the latter, and 



he then purchased the right of the other heirs, 
thus owning the entire farm. Four children 
have been born to himself and wife, of whom 
Mary E. is a teacher; Elsie was educated in St. 
Paul convent ; Theresa was educated at Mount 
Angel Convent ; and Frank is a graduate of the 
Mount Angel College. Mr. Buskey is a Re- 
publican in politics, and his wife and children 
are members of the Catholic Church. He is in- 
dustrious and prosperous, and in his commun- 
ity is esteemed for his thrift and success. He 
is entirely a self-made man, having been 
thrown upon his own resources in his youth 
by the death of his father. 



BARNEY KENNEDY. Although so many 
years have elapsed since the death of Barney 
Kennedy, December 28, 1865, there are many 
old settlers in Marion county who recall this 
earnest pioneer, who crossed the plains in 
1847, bringing with him a rich Irish nature and 
capacity for hard work, and in time becoming 
the possessor of twelve hundred acres of land. 

Born at Blown Rock, County Donegal, Ire- 
land, in 181 1, Mr. Kennedy remained on the 
small and unproductive farm until his youth 
was passed, and then made his way across the 
sea to Canada, where he lived for a few years. 
Coming from Canada to the United States, he 
located in Joliet, 111., and there met and mar- 
ried, in February, 1839, Arah Underwood, who 
was born in Orange county, Ind., February 
10, 1819, and of which union there have been 
born the following children : Charles, de- 
ceased ; John, now living in Woodburn ; Wil- 
liam, living on the home place ; Thomas, de- 
ceased ; Hugh, deceased ; Mary, and Sarah, 
both on the home farm. After his marriage 
Mr. Kennedy removed to Louisa county, Iowa, 
where he remained until 1847, an d that year 
outfitted with his brother, John, for the journey 
over the plains. Each of the brothers had a 
wagon with three yoke of oxen, and on the 
way they crossed the Missouri river at St. 
Joseph, taking the usual six months for the 
trip. 

Arriving in Oregon, Mr. Kennedy purchased 
the right of Mr. Doughran to six hundred and 
forty acres of land, upon which had already 
been erected a small round-log cabin, into 
which the family moved and began to make 
themselves comfortable. In time the cabin was 
supplanted by a hewed-log house. The farm 
was improved to a considerable extent during 
the life-time of Mr. Kennedy, whose start in 
life may be ascribed partially to mining, in 
which he engaged in California during 1849. 
He crossed the mountains with pack mules in 
the spring, was successful as a miner and pros- 



948 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pector, and returned in the fall considerably 
richer than when he left Oregon. In his day 
agricultural improvements had not attained 
their present perfection, but as far as possible, 
he kept pace with those around him, and made 
of his property a valuable and paying one. His 
large farm is still in the possession of his 
family, and Sarah, his youngest daughter, has 
the superintending of nine hundred acres. She 
has a hop-yard of fourteen acres, and is con- 
ducting general farming and stock-raising. 
She is a woman of good business and general 
judgment, as evidenced by her wise disposition 
of her land, and its large yearly profits. Mrs. 
Kennedy is still residing on the homestead, in 
good health and quite active in spite of the 
eighty-four years of her life. 



GUILFORD BARNARD. Prominent today 
as a man of sterling worth, Guilford Barnard 
has won his position in Benton county through 
a half century of the strenuous living which 
characterized the pioneers in the state of Oregon 
in the days when men's lives were counted small 
in the balance with the statehood which sagacious 
minds foresaw for this section of the country. 
It was in 1852 that Mr. Barnard was first num- 
bered among the citizens of the west, and since 
that date he has lived a strong, influential life, 
now occupying an enviable place in the esteem 
of all those with whom he has come in con- 
tact, as a financial, social and moral power, un- 
selfishly given for the growth of the community. 

A native of Bourbon county, Ky., Guilford 
Barnard was born February 9, 1825, the son of 
a farmer, who, in 1834, removed to Missouri 
and in 1844 to Illinois. In the latter state the 
father and mother spent the remaining years of 
their lives, dying there in the sixty-sixth year of 
their ages. Mr. Barnard was one of seven chil- 
dren, and he was educated principally in the 
district schools of Missouri, at the age of 
twenty-one leaving the home which was then in 
the state of Illinois to make his own way in the 
world. With no capital but energy and industry 
he began working as a farm hand in Adams 
county, 111., following the training which fod 
been his from earliest childhood. Until The 
spring of 1852 he continued in that work, but 
was then impelled to undertake the journey into 
the west for the sake of the opportunities of- 
fered in the new lands. Outfitting with ox- 
teams and the necessary articles for such a trip 
he started with his family across the plains that 
year, and though during the six months no 
trouble was experienced from the Indians, the 
dread disease of -cholera claimed many victims 
among the emigrants to the west. Fortunately 
Mr. Barnard suffered but a mild attack of the 



disease and came through safely, spending his 
first winter in Clackamas county, Ore., in the 
spring of 1853 locating on a donation claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres, situated seven 
miles east of Harrisburg, Linn county. For four 
years this was the home of the Barnard family, 
after which they removed to another place in the 
same neighborhood, where they remained until 
1869. In the last named year Mr. Barnard came 
into Benton county and purchased six hundred 
acres, located one mile east of Bellfountain, and 
a part of which purchase now forms their farm 
of the present day. Immediately after invest- 
ing in the land, Mr. Barnard set to work to 
improve the farm, now boasting the best build- 
ings in the way of dwelling, barns, etc., in the 
vicinity. The house is situated on an elevation 
which gives an outlook over the broad sweep of 
the valley, making an ideal location for a home. 
Mr. Barnard now owns four hundred and sixty- 
five acres, upon which he carries on general 
farming and stock-raising, and excelling in every 
line which he attempts. 

The marriage of Mr. Barnard occurred April 
1, 1849, an( i united him with Catherine Wigle, 
who was born in Adams county, 111., April 2, 
1832. Of the six children born to them two 
now survive and are named as follows : Mary 
M. and Francis M. The former is the wife of 
S. C. Starr, of this vicinity, and the latter makes 
his home with his parents. Landa W., the old- 
est child, died of cholera while crossing the 
plains with his parents. In politics Mr. Barnard 
is a Republican, and has filled many minor of- 
fices in the interests of that party. Though not 
affiliating with any church organization, Mr. 
Barnard has certainly taken for his guide in life 
the precepts taught by the golden rule, for he 
has let pass no opportunity to extend a helping 
hand to another weaker than himself and to 
remember with kindness the helpless. In addi- 
tion to his own children four others owe to him 
the care and attention which they missed from a 
parent's hand, remembering gratefully the happy 
years spent in Mr. Barnard's home. In public 
affairs ever broad-minded and open-hearted, he 
was a moving power in the establishment of the 
United Brethren College at Philomath, on the 
board of which he served for many years. 



ADAM RADIR. The successful farmers of 
Benton county include Adam Radir, one of the 
man}' sons of the German empire to cast their 
lot with the fertility and bounty 'of Oregon. In 
his youth in the fatherland, where he was born 
July 29, 1830, he learned the blacksmith trade 
of his father, and practiced the same for several 
years in his home locality. His work was inter- 
rupted however, by the national demand for his 





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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



941) 



military services, and he served three years in 
barracks and on the field ere he resumed work 
at his trade. He was successful as a master 
mechanic ; and, being able to command corres- 
pondingly good wages, managed to get ahead 
financially- 
Thinking to widen his prospects, Mr. Radir 
disposed of his shop in Germany and came to 
the United States in a sailing vessel in 1852, and 
in Pittsburg found work at his trade until 1876. 
The same year he married Margaret Lieson, a 
native of Ireland, and with her came to the west, 
purchasing soon afterward the farm of one hun- 
dred and eighty-one acres upon which he now 
lives, and which is located one and a half miles 
east of Corvallis. From time to time he has 
added to his land, and now has two hundred and 
ninety-three acres. It is no exaggeration to say 
that this is one of the finest properties in the 
neighborhood, for Mr. Radir has wide-awake 
ideas of farming and things in general, and 
means to avail himself of modern inventions 
insofar as they appeal to his common sense and 
practicability. His home is modern, his barns 
large and convenient, his fences kept in good 
repair, and there is a general air of neatness 
which suggests a master hand at the helm of 
affairs. 

Politically Mr. Radir is a Republican, but no 
office-seeker, and fraternally he is associated with 
the Free and Accepted Masons. To himself 
and wife have been born four children : Mary 
is living in Corvallis ; Sadie is in Pennsylvania ; 
Permilla is at home ; and William T. is deceased. 
This part of Oregon has no more substantial 
advocate than this very successful agriculturist, 
who has made many friends, and in innumerable 
ways shown a degree of public-spiritedness con- 
sistent with the continued prosperity of this 
county. 



EDGAR O. TOBEY. One of the' most ex- 
tensive and prosperous wheat growers of Ore- 
gon is E. O. Tobey, a resident of Eugene, who 
owns and operates a large wheat ranch in 
Gilliam county. Possessing keen business 
ability and excellent judgment, he has been 
unusually fortunate in his agricultural opera- 
tions, and through his own strenuous efforts 
has accumulated a competency. He was born 
in Tuscola, Mich.. December 31, 1852, a de- 
scendant of an old New England family, his 
grandfather, Samuel Tobey, having been a 
life-long resident of Eliot, Me., and his father, 
Oliver P. Tobey, a native of the same place. 

Born in Eliot, Me., February 26, 1826, Oliver 
P. Tobey was there reared and educated. Fol- 
lowing the tide of emigration westward, he 
went to Tuscola, Mich., in early manhood, 



and there began life for himself with no other 
means than stout hands and a willing heart. 
Energetic and persevering, he accumulated 
money, and in course of time became the 
owner of a well improved farm. Removing to 
Oregon in 1884, he engaged in farming in 
Gilliam county for eight years, then went back 
to his Michigan home, where he remained 
eight years. Returning again to Oregon, in 
1900, he lived retired from the activities of 
life, in Eugene, until his death, April 14, 1903, 
at the age of seventy-seven years. He was a 
strong Republican in politics, and a member 
of the Baptist Church. He married Augusta 
M. Slafter, who was born in Norwich, Vt., and 
who now resides in Eugene, Ore. Her father, 
William Slafter, removed from Vermont to 
Michigan, where he spent his last years. Five 
children were born of the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Oliver P. Tobey, four sons and one 
daughter, and of these the sons are living, 
namely: E. O., the special subject of this 
sketch ; F. W., a wealthy grain farmer, living 
at The Dalles, and W. L. and F. L., merchants 
and farmers in Olex, Gilliam county, Ore. 

Brought up on the home farm in Michigan 
E. O. Tobey obtained his early education in 
the district schools, and was well trained in 
agricultural lore while yet young. Hearing 
through a friend, who settled in Oregon in 

1878, of the fine chances for a young man of 
industry in this fertile country, he and his 
brother, F. W. Tobey, came to this state in 

1879, taking a boat at San Francisco, and from 
The Dalles proceeding by horseback to Gill- 
iam county. After working for wages three 
years, he and his brother invested their earn- 
ings in a bunch of sheep, intending to embark 
in business as sheep raisers. In the spring of 
1883, they purchased forty acres of land, and 
in the fall each of them filed on one hundred 
and sixty acres of near-by land. Fearful of 
risking their sheep on the range in the winter 
season, they sold out their stock the next fall, 
intending to purchase more in the spring. 
Having a horse, they began plowing their land 
that fall, and as sheep were very high in price 
the following spring they gave up their plan 
of buying more, and continued to work their 
land, putting in eight acres of wheat, which 
yielded well, averaging forty bushels an acre. 
Succeeding so much better than they had ex- 
pected, Mr. Tobey and his brother continued 
their agricultural operations as wheat-raisers, 
and have been exceedingly prosperous. Both 
have become extensive land owners, having 
four hundred and eighty acres of tillable land 
in partnership, besides which Mr. Tobey has 
three thousand, one hundred and fifty-seven 
acres in one body, and another wheat ranch of 



-!■ 



950 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nine hundred acres. His land lies thirteen 
miles south of Arlington, in Gilliam county, 
and is especially adapted for wheat-raising, 
producing from twenty-five thousand to thirty 
thousand bushels each year. In cultivating 
his land, he uses four large three-bottom, four- 
teen-inch plows, and employs forty horses. In 
harvesting their wheat, he and his brother 
have a steam thresher and header, and stack 
their grain. 

Desirous of making a home for himself and 
family in the valley, Mr. Tobey purchased a 
house in Eugene in 1898, and has since re- 
sided in this city, visiting his ranch three times 
a year. He owns considerable property of 
value in Eugene, and is also interested to some 
extent in timber lands and mines. He is a 
true type of the self-made man of this state, 
having made such judicious use of the sev- 
enty-five dollars that he had when he arrived 
at The Dalles that the small sum has devel- 
oped into a fortune, which he is using wisely 
and well. 

Mr. Tobey married, in Halsey, Linn county, 
Ore., in 1892, Miss Iness Cummings, who was 
born in that city, of pioneer parents, Berry- 
man and Hannah (Bond) Cummings. Mr. 
and Mrs. Tobey have three children, namely: 
Frank E., Myrtle G and Ralph B. In politics 
Mr. Tobey is a straightforward Republican, 
and does all that he can to advance the inter- 
ests of his party. He was made an Odd Fel- 
low in Michigan, and now belongs to Spencer 
Butte Lodge No. 9, I. O. O. F. He is also a 
member of the Woodmen of the World, and of 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He 
is prominent in social circles, and belongs to 
the Commercial Club of Eugene. Mrs. Tobey 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 



MRS. ANNE BURNS SYLVESTER. In 
the establishment of a commonwealth in the 
northwest there were probably as many women 
who gave their strength and intelligence to the 
cause as there were men. In Polk county, Ore., 
is located the home of one of these self-sacrific- 
ing and courageous women, Mrs. Anne Burns 
Sylvester, but who came to the west as the wife 
of Lambert McTimmonds, the two being pio- 
neers of 1845, an d together they worked side by 
side toward the fulfillment of the promises which 
bespoke the future of Oregon. The valley in 
which Mrs. Sylvester now lives is known by the 
name of McTimmonds, as their donation claim 
of six hundred and forty acres was here taken 
up when there were no other inhabitants, and 
when wild animals were their only companions, an 
experience of Mrs, Sylvester's being the picking 



of blackberries on one side of a log while a huge 
bear rested against the other. The conditions 
changed with the passing years, and from hard- 
ship and privations the family came to that pros- 
perity which distinguishes the early settler of 
determination and energy, their labor having 
brought them ample returns. 

Mrs. Sylvester is not a native of the country 
wherein she has become a citizen of such long 
standing, having been born in County Donegal, 
Ireland, in May, 1817. When fourteen years old 
she came to America, following her parents, 
Michael and Anne (Scandlin) Burns, both of 
Irish birth, who had emigrated two years before 
with one of the children of the family. Michael 
Burns had located in Wilmington, Del. He was 
a stone mason by trade and later removed to Phil- 
adelphia, Pa., where his death occurred in 1833. 
After the death of her father Anne left home 
and went to live with a married sister, who had 
preceded Anne to America, and who lived in 
Quincy, 111., later locating in McDonough coun- 
ty. When eighteen years old she married Lam- 
bert McTimmonds, who was born in Worcester 
county, Md., September 10, 1797. When a young 
man Mr. McTimmonds had removed to Ohio, 
becoming a pioneer of that state, from which he 
later located in Quincy, 111., where he followed 
farming and also helped to survey the first rail- 
road that came into that little city. There the 
young people made their home for two years, 
while they conducted a boarding-house, when 
they removed to Missouri and lived in various 
places, at one time being residents of St. Louis. 
Early following the westward trend of civiliza- 
tion they crossed the plains in 1845, leaving May 
1 and arriving in Portland in October, all the 
perils and weariness of a journey across the 
plains with ox-teams being theirs. Their first 
winter in the west was spent upon Tualatin 
plains, Washington county, and the following 
spring they located in Polk county, where Mr. 
McTimmonds took up his claim in May. Here 
he engaged in farming and stock-raising being 
principally interested in the latter, which he con- 
tinued until his death on the old home place in 
June, 1878, after an active and useful career as 
a hardy and practical pioneer. 

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. McTim- 
monds are as follows : Henry C, of Linn coun- 
ty ; Alexander, located in California ; Erastus 
C., on the home place; Joseph, also at home; 
and Charles, in eastern Oregon. There were six 
other children who are not now living. The 
number of acres in the farm had been increased 
to seven hundred and thirteen before the death 
of the father, and the work of this farm is now 
conducted by the two sons, Erastus C. and Jo- 
seph, cultivating one hundred and seventy-five 
acres, while they are extensively engaged in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1<51 



raising of goats, sheep and general stock. Mr. 
McTimmonds was a worthy member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church of Dallas, where his 
wife now holds membership. In politics he was 
a Republican. 

In Corvallis, in 1879, Mrs. McTimmonds be- 
came the wife of John Sylvester, a native of 
Maryland. Mr. Sylvester crossed the plains in 
1845 and located in Benton county, taking part 
in many of the defenses of the country in the 
early times, and serving valiantly in the Cayuse 
war' in the neighborhood of Snake river. He 
died in 1890, in Corvallis, and his widow, now in 
her eight-fifth year is cared for by her two 
sons, Erastus C. and Joseph, her home being upon 
the old home place. 



HERMANN STOLLE. It is a well known 
fact that the greater part of Oregon is arable, 
and large crops are now raised on lands formerly 
used for grazing or supposed to be unfruitful. 
It is the cultivation of this land that occupies 
the attention of H. Stolle, the subject of this 
biography, who resides on a fine fifty-seven acre 
farm near Silverton, in Marion county, having 
been a resident of this state for the past quarter 
of a century. 

Mr. Stolle is a native of Oldenburg, Germany, 
and he was born November 9, 1853. In choos- 
ing the occupation of a farmer, he but followed 
in the footsteps of his forefathers. He attended 
school in his native country and his education 
was further supplemented by his attending dis- 
trict school after coming to the United States. 
'When fifteen years old he accompanied a brother 
to this country, and they settled in Wisconsin, 
where young Stolle found employment as farm- 
hand by the month, continuing to work in that 
capacity for a few years. He subsequently spent 
five years in Nebraska at similar work, and in 
1878 came to Oregon. 

Mr. Stolle followed farm work in the vicinity 
of Silverton until his marriage, December 2, 
1881, with Lena Schnackenberg, daughter of 
John and Gesche (Schnackenberg) Schnacken- 
berg. Mrs. Stolle is of German descent but was 
born in Minnesota. Immediately after marriage, 
the young folks went to housekeeping on a farm 
near Mehama, where they lived four years. The 
following year they lived on Salem Prairie. Af- 
terward they moved to Salem and later to Sil- 
verton. Mr. Stolle was engaged as teamster for 
some time, but subsequently followed agricul- 
tural pursuits on a farm south of Salem for a 
brief period, previous to locating permanently 
on his present farm near Silverton, which he 
purchased in the fall of 1900. 

He carries on general farming and stock-rais- 
ing, having about twelve acres of hops. Many 



modern improvements have been made on his 
farm, which is located about two miles north of 
Silverton. Mr. and Mrs. Stolle have five chil- 
dren, namely : Rena, Jessie, Elda, Violet and 
Omar. Politically, our subject is a stanch sup- 
porter of the Republican party and in fraternal 
circles ranks among the members of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows and Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. 



ROBERT GLASS. A prominent name 
among those of the original settlers of Craw- 
fordsville is that of Robert Glass, who, until his 
death July 13, 1903, was closely connected with 
the development and advancement of this part 
of Linn county. During the fifty or more years 
which he passed here he was influential in pro- 
moting its agricultural and mercantile industries, 
and was a prime mover in establishing many 
beneficial enterprises. When he first came to 
this locality the country was but thinly popu- 
lated, wild beasts roamed the wilds, Indians were 
numerous, and, as there were no markets near, 
the pioneers subsisted chiefly on farm products 
or game. He lived to see populous cities and 
towns spring up in the wilderness, finely cul- 
tivated, well stocked farms on every hand, and 
the luxuries of the seasons grace the farmers' 
tables. A native of Ohio, he was born January 
28, 1823, in Jefferson county, near Steubenville, 
and lived there until eleven years old. In 1834 
he removed with his parents to Warren county, 
111., near Monmouth, and there grew to man's 
estate. 

In 1849, fired with enthusiasm by the reported 
discovery of gold in California, Mr. Glass de- 
termined to try his fortune in the land of glow- 
ing promise. Therefore, in partnership with 
three Hanna brothers, he purchased an outfit 
consisting of two wagons and four yoke of oxen, 
and on April 1, 1849, started for the Pacific 
coast. Arriving in California August 12, after 
a safe and comparatively short journey, he was 
engaged in mining on Bear river for awhile, but 
was not very successful. He subsequently made 
some money hauling freight from Sacramento to 
the mines, where he sold flour at $1.00 per pound, 
but in his next venture, which was that of hiring 
men to make shingles, he lost money. In the 
spring of 1850 he spent a few months in buying 
gold claims opposite Nevada City, and at Gold 
Run, but did not find his transactions very profit- 
able. In June, 1850, Mr. Glass came to Oregon, 
crossing the mountains with a pack train, con- 
sisting of nine horses, journeying through the 
Rogue river Indian country. Settling in Linn 
county he looked about for a favorable location, 
and in the fall took up three hundred and twenty 
acres of land at Crawfordsville, lying mostly 



952 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in the valley, and improved a fine homestead. 
Succeeding well in his agricultural labors he 
invested his surplus in other lands, and became 
the owner of seven hundred acres of valuable 
land. In addition to general farming he was 
prosperously engaged in stock-raising and deal- 
ing, a profitable industry in this country. In 
1875 he embarked in mercantile pursuits, open- 
ing the first store in Crawfordsville, and for 
thirteen years was postmaster of the town. 

In 1853 Mr. Glass married Jane Gray, who 
came across the plains to Oregon in 1852, and 
five children were born to them : John H., of 
Brownsville, Ore. ; W. B., also of Brownsville ; 
David H., who is living at Seattle, Wash., where 
he is in the employ of the city engineer; Joseph 
W., a farmer of Crawfordsille ; and Ivy J., 
living at home. Mr. Glass warmly upheld the 
principles of the Republican party, and filled 
various public offices with credit to himself, and 
to the eminent satisfaction of his constituents. 
For a number of years he was justice of the 
peace and school clerk, and served in the .state 
legislature in 1864, and in the extra session of 
1865. He was an active member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, in which he served as elder 
from 1870 until his death. 



RICHARD CARTWRIGHT, M. D. One of 
the most distinguished physicians and surgeons 
of the Willamette Valley is Dr. Richard Cart- 
wright, who for thirteen years has been engaged 
in the practice of his profession in Salem. A 
native of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, he was born 
July 9, 1 85 1, a son of Edmund and Jane (Clarke) 
Cartwright. His great-grandfather, the Rev. 
Edmund Cartwright, was a minister in the 
Church of England. While his life was devoted 
chiefly to the work of the church in England, he 
also possessed marked mechanical ingenuity and 
invented and perfected the first power loom ever 
used in the manufacture of cloth. His son, 
Richard, grandfather of the subject of this re- 
view, was a manufacturer of Leicester, England, 
and it was in that city that Dr. Edmund Cart- 
wright was born and reared. He was provided 
with excellent educational privileges. Upon the 
completion of his classical course he was grad- 
uated from King's College, London. The foun- 
dation of his medical knowledge was gained in 
the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
London, from which he received the degree of 
doctor of medicine. In young manhood he came 
to America and became a practitioner at Ham- 
ilton, Ontario, where he remained until 1857. 
In the latter year he removed to Iowa, and con- 
tinued the practice of his profession in Charles 
City, Waukon and Decorah. His death occurred 
in the latter city in 1900, he having attained the 



age of eighty-one years. He possessed marked 
skill and ability in the practice of medicine and 
surgery. He married Jane Clarke, a native of 
Lincolnshire, England, who is still living in 
Iowa. Of the six children born to Dr. Edmund 
Cartwright and his wife, five survive. 

Dr. Richard Cartwright, the second child in 
the family, was reared in Iowa, where he received 
his preliminary education. After leaving the high 
school of Waukon he devoted his attention to 
farm work for some time, and also served as 
builders' clerk. When he finally determined to 
enter the ranks of the medical profession, he dis- 
played the strength of his character by provid- 
ing the means for his own education. In 1873 ne 
entered the Detroit Medical College, from which 
he was graduated in 1875 with the degree of M. 
D. He began practice in Fayette, Fayette county, 
Iowa, where he remained for two years. Upon 
the expiration of that period he located in West 
Union, Fayette county, Iowa, where he remained 
in practice until 1879. While a resident of West 
Union, Dr. Cartwright married Miss Cora Aiken, 
a native of Iowa, but after two years of happy 
married life she passed away. 

Leaving the Mississippi valley in 1883, Dr. 
Cartwright came to Oregon, but soon afterward 
located in Grass Valley, Nevada county, Cal., 
where he was engaged in general practice until 
1890. In that year he returned to Oregon, and 
at once opened an office in Salem, where he has 
since remained continuously in practice. In June, 
1900, he erected the Florence Sanatorium, a pri- 
vate hospital, one of the most perfectly equipped 
on the entire Pacific coast. He makes a specialty 
of chronic and surgical cases, and has become 
well known in Salem and throughout the sur- 
rounding country, by reason of the great suc- 
cess which has attended his professional labors. 

Dr. Cartwright's preparation for his chosen 
work was very thorough. Not content with the 
foundation of medical knowledge obtained in the 
school which conferred upon him his first degree, 
he took a full course in the Chicago Homoeo- 
pathic Medical College, from which he received 
the degree of M. D. in 1882. He made a special 
study of clinical gynecology in the medical de- 
partment of Willamette University, pursued a 
course in the Post-Graduate College in New 
York, and took a post-graduate course in Chi- 
cago in 1893. He is continually broadening his 
knowledge by individual research and investiga- 
. tion. Since 1895 he has given special attention 
to gynecology, and occupies a place among the 
foremost representatives of this important branch 
of medical practice in the Pacific northwest. 

Dr. Cartwright was married a second time in 
Portland, Ore., to Miss Florence Byrne, a native 
of Illinois, who was reared in California. They 
are the parents of three children : Gladys L., 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



i»6a 



Constance and Florence Elizabeth. The doctor 
and his wife occupy an enviable position in social 
circles, and their own pleasant home is celebrated 
for its gracious hospitality. He has always 
been an earnest Republican, though never a seeker 
for political honors. He is well known in Ma- 
sonic circles in Oregon, being a member of .Salem 
Lodge Xo. 4, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 
in which he is past master; and of Multnomah 
Chapter Xo. i, Royal Arch Masons, of Salem. 
He was one of the organizers and a member of 
the board of directors of the Illihee Club, of which 
he is now the president. His wife is a member 
of the Unitarian Church. In connection with 
his profession he is a member of the Marion 
County Medical Association. 

Dr. Cartwright is constantly overburdened by 
the demands upon his time, both professionally 
and socially. He leads a strenuous life ; any- 
thing that rends to bring to man the key to that 
complex mystery which we call life elicits his 
earnest attention ; and in the alleviation of human 
suffering his labors have been far-reaching and 
successful. During the years of his residence in 
Salem he has proven himself a useful citizen and 
man of affairs, always not only willing, but anx- 
ious, to assist in the promotion of all worthy 
enterprises, and especially all those movements 
calculated to advance the material interests of 
the community in which he resides. It is to such 
men as Dr. Cartwright that the northwest is in- 
debted for the inculcation into the minds and 
hearts of the present generation of its manifest 
spirit of progress ; for he is a man of most ad- 
vanced ideas, wide-awake to the manifold oppor- 
tunities of the state of Oregon, of whose future 
greatness he feels assured. 



JOHN WATERS. Upon his farm of one 
hundred and seventy-three acres, located two and 
a half miles west of Lewisville, Polk county, 
John Waters has spent thirty-six useful years, 
indicated now by the substantial appearance of 
his property, on which he has made all the im- 
provements, beginning in the pioneer days of 
the country. Out of a wilderness of shrubs and 
brush he has brought forty-five acres under 
cultivation, which he devotes to general farm- 
ing, and is also largely engaged in raising sheep, 
goats and cattle. 

Mr. Waters is of Scotch descent, his great- 
grandfather, Zachariah Waters, having emi- 
grated from Scotland and settled as a farmer in 
Maryland, where the descendants of the family 
passed many years. Joseph, the grandfather, 
was born in Frederick county, Md., and like- 
wise Edward B., the father of John Waters, his 
birth occurring in 1807, and it was there he died 
in 1816, after a life of industry and energy as 



a carpenter and joiner. Being but nine years 
old when his father died, Edward B. Waters 
went to live with an uncle, and while making 
his home there he served an apprenticeship of 
three years with a blacksmith at Fredericks- 
burg. In 183 1 he came as far west as Ohio 
and located in Perry county, where he worked 
at his trade, combining it with the interests of 
a farm. He there married, in 1836, Sarah Grif- 
fith, who was born in Greene county, Pa., Jan- 
uary 18, 1813, of German descent, and from 
which location she had removed with her pa- 
rents to Ohio, where her father engaged in 
farming. For five years they continued to make 
their home in Ohio, and in 1841 Mr. Waters 
took his family to Laporte county, Ind., where 
he engaged in farming until the fall of 1852, 
when he went to Clinton county, Iowa, the fol- 
lowing spring finding them en route for Ore- 
gon. The trip across the plains occupied six 
months, and at the end of the journey they lo- 
cated for the first winter at Ritners, near King's 
valley, to which they had come on their arrival on 
the Luckiamute. The next spring they went 
up Edward's creek and took up a donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres, upon 
which they remained for six years, engaged in 
general farming and stock-raising, after which, 
in 1859, Mr. Waters sold out, and going to 
Klickitat county, Wash., he took up a home- 
stead of one hundred and sixty acres. Until 
1865 he followed the business of stock-raising, 
when he returned to Polk county and bought six 
hundred and forty acres of land located on Pe- 
dee creek, where he continued to live for five 
years. In 1870 he retired from the active cares 
of life, his choice of location for the remainder 
of his days being Dallas, Polk county, where 
his death occurred June 23, 1879, after which 
Mrs. Waters went to live with her daughter, 
Mary Jane Turner, located near Airlie. Mr. 
Waters was a radical Republican in politics, hav- 
ing been so since the Civil war, and in religion 
he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, having joined that denomination in the 
east. Besides John Waters, his parents had the 
following children : William, of Wheeler county, 
eastern Oregon ; Sarah C, now Mrs. Price, of 
Pedee, Ore. ; Mary J., now Mrs. Turner, near 
Airlie; and Martha A., the wife of Nathaniel 
Holman, of Dallas, Ore. 

John Waters was born in Perry county, Ohio, 
May 5, 1839, the second of his father's family. 
He received his education through the medium 
of the common schools of Indiana, after which he 
went to the farm with his father and engaged un- 
til his twenty-first birthday in working for him, 
after which he became independent, though he re- 
mained at home. He was married June 19, 1867, 
to Flora A. Ritner, who was born December 



954 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



7, 1850, in Platte City, Mo., the daughter of 
John Ritner, who died on the plains en route 
to Oregon, in 1852. Of this union ten children 
were born, eight of whom are living, namely : 
Sarah J., the wife of R. A. Hastings; Mary A., 
the wife of C. J. Pugh, of Falls City; Francis 
M., who is employed by I. M. Simpson; Delia 
M., attending school at Monmouth; Ida A., at 
home; Chester D., also at home; Flora E., a 
student at Monmouth ; and Gertrude E. at home. 
After his marriage Mr. Waters bought the farm 
on which he now makes his home. 

In his political relations Mr. Waters is, like 
his father, a stanch Republican, and as such 
has served in the interests of his party in vari- 
ous minor offices, among them being road super- 
visor and school director, the latter office having 
been faithfully filled by Mr. Waters for twenty- 
seven years. In his fraternal affiliations he is 
a member of the Grange of Lewisville, and in 
religion both himself and wife are members of 
the Evangelical Church, of Lewisville, in which 
he has officiated as steward.' 



THOMAS WILLIAMS. When Thomas 
Williams came to Lewisville, Polk county, Ore., 
he had but $17 in money, and a family to rear 
and educate, and in face of such an outlook 
a less courageous, energetic, determined man 
might have faltered and lost the battle when 
success was just within his grasp. He came here 
December 13, 1893, and at once started a little 
blacksmith shop, that being his trade, and after 
two years he was able financially to purchase 
thirty-five acres of land, located three-quarters 
of a mile south of the city, upon which he erected 
a shop and began to clear his property; at the 
present time he conducts a general blacksmith 
and wagon shop and a chopping-feed mill, and 
has built a fine residence and many other valua- 
ble improvements which indicate the prosperity 
which is the fruit of his industry and perse- 
verance. 

Mr. Williams was the third of a family of 
fourteen children, ten sons and four daughters, 
and was born in Denbighshire, Wales, July 14, 
1 85 1. His father was William Williams, a 
native of the same locality, and who died in 
Shropshire, England, in 1896, when seventy- 
three years old. He had been occupied through- 
out his life in a manufactory of woolen goods. 
His wife was Elizabeth (Edwards) Williams, 
who was born in Merionethshire, Wales, and is 
now living in her native country, over ■ eighty 
years old. On account of limited means, Mr. 
Williams was unable to attend school, being ap- 
prenticed to learn the trade of a woolen worker 
when only eight years old, and after seven years 
devoted to this he was apprenticed to a black- 



smith, where he served for six years. He was 
then twenty-one years old, and after his marriage 
in 1872 with Eleanor Roberts, a native of Meri- 
onethshire, Wales, born there January 3, 1852, he 
emigrated to the United States, confident, though 
he could neither read nor write, that determina- 
tion and will power were as potent factors in 
winning the battle of life as education, and that 
he could succeed where these qualities were 
recognized and appreciated. He landed at New 
York City, thence to Laporte City, Iowa, where 
he remained four years, two of which he gave 
in the work of his trade to pay his passage to 
America. In 1878 he located in Madison county, 
Neb., where he engaged for himself in the work 
of a blacksmith, finding employment on the 
Union Pacific Railroad in every section of the 
middle west. In 1892 he left the Mississippi 
valley and coming west, he located first in Kitsap 
county, Wash., and a year later found him in 
Corvallis, Benton county, Ore., where he re- 
mained for nine months. His next move was to 
Lewisville, from which he removed to his pres- 
ent location, at Maple Grove, which village he 
founded. In addition to his interests in his 
business, he owns a farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres two miles west of Lewisville, which 
is utilized for stock-raising, the stock being cat- 
tle, goats and sheep, also carrying on a little 
farming. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born thirteen 
children, twelve sons and one daughter, and the 
seven sons now living are as follows : William 
C, T. Henry, John L., Albert E., Ira S., Arthur 
B. and Kenneth L., all of whom are at home. 
In his political relations Mr. Williams is a Re- 
publican and in the interests of his party he is 
at present serving as school director. Fra- 
ternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen of Dallas, and both himself 
and wife are members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church South, of Lewisville, in which he 
officiates as trustee. 



JAMES E. EDWARDS. A prosperous and 
worthy life has been that of James E. Edwards, 
a prominent citizen of Benton county, who, 
though now in his eighty-seventh year, enjoys 
remarkably good health and lively spirits, which 
are evidenced in his animation as he recalls the 
days when Oregon was a wilderness of un- 
threaded forests and fallow fields, and he was 
numbered among the hardy men who gave their 
youth and strength of purpose to the formation 
of the western statehood. He first settled in 
Benton county in 1853, and has made this his 
home ever since, ably profiting by the many op- 
portunities presented in the early days, and now 
enjoying the evening of his life amid the changes 
which the years have brought. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



955 



The birth of James E. Edwards occurred in 
Fayette county, Pa., May 2, 1817, his father 
being- a farmer in that section. When only a 
child he lost this parent, and the widow and her 
children then removed to a piece of land which 
had been taken up by the father in Ohio in an 
early day. Their removal was made in 1823, and 
there the mother married a second time, making 
her home upon this property until her death, at 
the age of fifty years. The early education of 
Mr. Edwards was received in the district school 
in the vicinity of his Ohio home, remaining in 
the latter until his mother's death, when he 
sought employment among the neighboring 
fanners. He was then twenty-one years old, 
his residence in that state continuing until 1853, 
when he decided to change his location to the 
western slope of the country, whither so many 
people were taking their course. The first step 
in this direction was made by water as far as St. 
Louis, in that city purchasing the oxen and nec- 
essary outfit for the trip across the plains. May 
7, 1853, found them started upon their journey, 
and after six months of uneventful travel the 
party reached Oregon, where Mr. Edwards took 
up a donation claim in the Alsea valley, Benton 
county, and there remained for four years, at the 
close of that time purchasing property located 
northwest of Dusty. Until about 1863 this was 
the home of the Edwards family, Mr. Edwards, 
at that date, purchasing the farm upon which 
they now live. This consists of three hundred 
and twenty acres of land, located fifteen miles 
southwest of Corvallis and one and one-half 
miles from Bellfountain, and upon which Mr. 
Edwards has put all the improvements, even to 
the doing of the carpenter work himself. He 
has a fine location for a home, the outlook taking 
in the wide sweep of the productive valley and 
well-improved farms about. 

The marriage of Mr. Edwards and Mary 
Longsworth, the latter a native of Maryland, 
was solemnized in 1844, the trials arid hardships 
of the memorable journey across the plains and 
the long years of patient toil in the new land 
having been shared by his wife, who lived to be 
sixt\>five years old. Of the nine children which 
blessed this union six are now living, of whom 
Lucinda is the wife of Nathan Wheland, of The 
Dalles ; Isaac is located in Lane county ; William 
is in Douglas ; Lewis is in the vicinity ; James F. 
is in Indiana, and Joseph Harold is still on the 
home place. As a Republican, Mr. Edwards has 
been active in the affairs of the county, having 
served for fourteen years as county commis- 
sioner, ten years as school clerk, and a great 
many years as school director. For over fifty 
years he has been a faithful member of the 
United Brethren Church. Though now at a ripe 
old age, the mental and physical faculties seem 



not to have suffered a loss in activity and Mr. 
Edwards is still actively interested in the affairs 
of his community. 



CHARLES LEONARD STARR, superin- 
tendent of schools of Polk county, and one of 
the successful and promising educators in the 
state, was born near Santa Clara, Cal., February 
13, 1877, a son of J. P., and grandson of Llewel- 
lyn Starr, who came from England and lived in 
the south before locating in New Jersey. 

J. P. Starr was born in Rahway, N. J., and 
reared in Columbia and Washington counties, 
N. Y. In early manhood he learned the black- 
smith trade, and for a time, near New York City, 
engaged in buying and selling stock. Upon lo- 
cating in Santa Clara county, Cal., he worked at 
his trade from 1870 until 1878, and then removed 
to Oregon, residing for six months in Dayton, 
five years in McMinnville, a number of years in 
Sheridan and Falls City, industriously plying 
his trade in all of these places. Since 1898 he 
has lived a retired life in Dallas. Mr. Starr mar- 
ried Adeline Crawford, who was born in Rhine- 
beck, N. Y., a daughter of John Crawford, a 
native of Erie county, Pa., and a member of an 
old Pennsylvania family. Five children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Starr, of whom Charles 
Leonard is the third. The oldest son, Arthur P., 
is engaged in the hotel and stage business at 
Falls City ; Harry E. is a farmer near Falls City ; 
Marianna is a resident of Dallas, and William 
died September 11, 1903. 

The education of Professor Starr was acquired 
in the public schools of McMinnville, Dallas and 
Falls City, and under private tutorships, covering 
four or five years. He entered upon his educa- 
tional career in 1894, as a teacher in the district 
schools. In 1900 he was nominated for superin- 
tendent of schools of Polk county on the Repub- 
lican ticket, and was elected by a majority of 
one hundred and eighty, the largest majority of 
any candidate on the county ticket, save that of 
senator. Upon the resignation of County Super- 
intendent of Schools J. N. Hart, July 1, 1900, to 
assume the office of district attorney, Mr. Starr 
was appointed to fill the unexpired term by the 
county commissioner, and was thus prominently 
brought to the notice of the public. His term of 
office dates from August, 1900, until August, 
1904, and already Mr. Starr has demonstrated 
his particular fitness for his large responsibility. 
The present educational administration is uni- 
versally conceded to be the best in the history of 
Polk county, and is directly traceable to certain 
innovations suggested by the practical fore- 
thought of Professor Starr. The teachers' insti- 
tute forms an important part in the educational 
system, and through this medium the teachers 



956 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



are kept in touch with the plans of their adviser, 
and are continually stimulated to greater and 
more advanced effort. Monthly reports sent in 
by the teachers have proved advantageous, and 
the schools are visited by the superintendent at 
least once a year. Superintendent Starr lays 
great stress upon the "practical" in education, 
and it is his wish to place students in a position 
to meet the every-day issues of life. He is a 
member of the State Teachers' Association, presi- 
dent department of superintendents. In political 
affiliation he is a Republican, and fraternally is 
identified with, and a charter member of, the 
Falls City Lodge, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. 



WILLIAM J. WILLBANKS. A typical 
southerner who has transferred his allegiance 
to the bountiful northwest and materially as- 
sisted in promoting its agricultural and other 
interests is W. J. Willbanks, a large land 
owner of Benton county, but now living re- 
tired in Corvallis. Mr. Willbanks came to 
Oregon in 1874, and in Linn county bought a 
farm of two hundred and ninety-two acres one 
mile east of Corvallis Ferry, where he con- 
ducted a very successful wheat and sheep- 
raising enterprise. The large profit from the 
sale of these commodities enabled him to 
branch out as a land owner, and to his original 
purchase he added an adjoining two hundred 
and fifty acres. At the present time he owns 
five hundred and forty-two acres of improved 
land in one of the garden sections of Oregon, 
and which is more valuable because in one 
body. Here he farmed until 1891, and then 
left his son with the management of the large 
property, he himself taking up his residence 
in Corvallis. 

The boyhood of Mr. Willbanks was spent in 
the Anderson district, South Carolina, where 
he was born August 22, 1834, the sixth in the 
family of eight children, of whom two sons 
and one daughter are living. His father, Eli- 
jah, was also born in the Anderson district, 
where his emigrating ancestor presumably set- 
tled after coming from Scotland. From South 
Carolina he removed to Carroll county, Miss., 
where he farmed, and where he married Nancy 
Presley, a native of Carroll county, and 
daughter of David Presley, also of Scotch de- 
scent. In Carroll county Elijah Willbanks 
passed his last years, as did also the wife who 
so faithfully and practically reared her large 
family. Of the sons, W. J. attended the early 
subscription school held in a log cabin in the 
Anderson district, and he remained on the 
home farm until twenty-three years of age. 
He was first married to Eleanor J. Mecklin, a 



native of the Abbeyville district, South Caro- 
lina, and in 1857 removed to Carroll county, 
Miss., where he bought a farm and engaged in 
raising cotton. In time he had one hundred 
and sixty acres under cotton cultivation, and 
at the time of the culmination of hostilities be- 
tween the north and south in 1861, had a very 
profitable source of livelihood. He wisely 
scented danger owing to the unsettled condi- 
tion of the south, and the uncertainty as to the 
outcome of the Confederacy, and disposed of 
the greater part of his cotton. However, he 
had four bales left, amounting to two thousand 
pounds, or one ton, and this he left on the 
barn floor covered up with cotton seed. 

Enlisting in Captain Barns' company, Var- 
den Artillery, of Carroll county, Mr. Will- 
banks started for the war, and served four 
years and four months. He participated in the 
battles of Shiloh, Corinth, and the siege of 
Vicksburg, and three months later was cap- 
tured and exchanged and sent to Mobile, Ala. 
After the evacuation of the latter city he was 
sent to Demopolis, Ala., and remained until 
the surrender of the city, thereafter serving 
as assistant to the regiment surgeon, Allison. 
In the latter capacity he had charge of the 
tents and hospital appliances, and was also 
hospital steward until the close of the war. 
Returning to his home in Carroll county, 
Miss., he found the four bales of cotton un- 
molested on the barn floor, notwithstanding 
the fact that the county was raided several 
times, and he himself was otherwise almost 
impoverished thereby. Nevertheless, the cot- 
ton served as a nucleus for a new beginning, 
for he sold it for forty-five cents a pound, and 
thus had a nest egg of $900. Continuing on 
the old farm after the war he found things 
sadly changed, and by 1874 had sold his pro- 
perty and prepared to take up his residence in 
the west. 

Two weeks after his arrival in Oregon, Mr. 
Willbanks lost his wife by death, and five 
children were left to his care. Of these, Katie 
is the wife of Mr. Adler of Gilliam county, 
Ore. ; Nettie is the wife of W. A. Buchannan 
of Corvallis ; Josephine is now Mrs. Bogue 
of Paisley, Ore ; James is a farmer in Benton 
county; and John is on the home farm. The 
second marriage of Mr. Willbanks occurred 
in Portland, Ore., and was with Margaret C. 
Mecklin, April 21, 1875, the second wife being 
a sister of the first. Her father, David Meck- 
lin, was born in South Carolina, and his 
father came from the north of Ireland. David 
farmed in South Carolina, but eventually re- 
moved to Mississippi, where he died, as did 
also his wife, Elizabeth (Caldwell) Mecklin. 
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



95? 



Mecklin, three of whom are living. Pearl, the 
only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Willbanks, 
is now the wife of Clarence Hout of Corvallis. 
A Democrat ever since his first voting days, 
Mr. Willbanks has been prominently before 
the public of Benton county, and in 1899 was 
appointed councilman of the third ward to fill • 
an unexpired term of one year. So satis- 
factory were his services that he was regu- 
larly elected in 1900 for a period of three years, 
and during that time was chairman of the 
street committee. He is a member and deacon 
of the Congregational Church, and contributes 
generously toward the maintenance of the 
same. An excellent business man, progressive 
in his ideas and abreast of the times, Mr. Will- 
banks is a notable acquisition to the general 
life of Corvallis, and has made many friends 
bv reason of his public-spiritedness and admirable 
personal characteristics. 



WILLIAM M. SHERER. The farming 
lands of Linn county comprise its most val- 
uable property, and the men who have re- 
deemed the wilderness from its primitive con- 
dition occupy no unimportant position among 
a vast and intelligent population. William M. 
Sherer properly belongs to this class, and as a 
reward of his efforts, he is the possessor of one 
of the best and most fertile farms in the entire 
county. General farming and stock-raising 
form his chief occupation, and in the latter 
department he makes a specialty of raising 
Percheron horses, Durham and Holstein cat- 
tle. Modern buildings adorn the place, promi- 
nent among which is noticeable the family 
residence, a fine structure recently erected. 
Commodious and well arranged outhouses en- 
hance the appearance of the place, and facili- 
tate the labors incident to managing a large 
farm. 

In Columbiana county, Ohio, whither his 
parents had settled about 1826, William M. 
Sherer was born July 29, 1828. That he him- 
self is an agriculturist of no inferior order is a 
natural sequence, as he is descended from a 
long line of tillers of the soil. His father, 
David Sherer, was a native of Pennsylvania, 
born in Beaver county in 1797. The Keystone 
state was also the birthplace of the mother, in 
1800, who was known in her girlhood as Sarah 
Miller. It was about the year 1826 that the 
parents took up their abode in Columbiana 
county. From Ohio the family removed to 
Henderson county, 111., in 1838, and for the 
following fourteen years made their home in 
the latter state, carrying on general farming. 
The belief that larger opportunities awaited 
him in the newer western countrv induced the 



father, in 1852, to seek a home there, and, ac- 
cordingly, he started with his family and house- 
hold belongings, the wagons being drawn by 
the slow-moving ox-teams. Ere they had 
reached their destination, however, the father 
was stricken with cholera, from which sick- 
ness he never recovered. He died and is 
buried on the Loup, fork of the Platte river, 
and thus the little party was left without a 
leader. With true pioneer courage the mother 
assumed the responsibility which was thus put 
upon her shoulders, and after nursing her son 
William back to health, he, too, having fallen 
a victim to the disease, she proceeded to Linn 
county, Ore., one redeeming feature of the 
journey being that the Indians gave them no 
trouble whatever. Seven months had expired 
before they finally reached Linn county, but 
the mother at once took up a donation claim of 
one hundred and sixty acres, about four miles 
from Shedds, to the improvement of which she 
set about immediately. This tract of land was 
at the time in its primeval condition, but. 
through her efforts it was transformed and all 
the improvements were due to her indomitable 
persistence. Here her death occurred at the age 
of sixty-four years. The family comprised five 
children, but of the number only two are now 
living, William M. and Elizabeth, the widow of 
William Millhollen, of Albany. 

William M. Sherer received his education in 
the district schools of Illinois, principally, and 
at the time the family removed to Oregon was 
about twenty-four years of age. Owing to the 
death of his father much of the care and re- 
sponsibility of the family naturally fell upon 
him, and he was not reluctant in discharging 
the duties. Until his mother's death he made 
his home with her on the old donation claim, 
which she took up on coming to Oregon in 
1852, and subsequently he took up an adjoining 
claim, on which he now resides, and upon 
which he expects to pass the remainder of his 
life. As the greater part of his life has been 
spent in the confines of Linn county it is but 
natural that he should take an abiding interest 
in its progress and development, and none will 
dispute the fact that he has done his full share 
in making it the magnificent farming region 
that it now is. In politics Mr. Sherer takes a 
keen interest, and Republican candidates are 
sure of his vote and support. 



NORRIS P. NEWTOX. To his numerous 
friends and associates in Philomath it would 
seem that Norris P. Newton has cause to con- 
gratulate himself upon his fortunate disposal of 
western opportunities. The owner of a flourish- 
ing little harness shop and store, of a comfort- 



958 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



able residence, two stores, and a farm of one 
hundred and seventeen acres adjoining the town 
on the northeast, he certainly has much to show 
for years of patient attention to business, and for 
that eternal vigilance which establishes a repu- 
tation for sobriety, honesty and enterprise. 

Born on a farm within sixteen miles of Co- 
lumbus, Ohio, April 18, 1830, Mr. Newton comes 
of ancestors located for many years in the state 
of Massachusetts, in which seat of Puritanism 
his father, Abiathar, was born in 1806. The 
elder Newton went to Kentucky at a very early 
day, locating in Louisville, where he worked at 
his trade of blacksmith and boilermaker. While 
that state was young in enterprise he removed to 
Ohio, and near Columbus bought and lived on 
government land until 1841. A later place of 
residence was Van Buren county, Iowa, where 
he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of 
land, and improved the same into a paying prop- 
erty. Ambitious and resourceful, he was one of 
the first in his neighborhood to give credence to 
the stories of fertility which reached them from 
the coast, and in 1848 he sold his land and out- 
fitted for the long and tiresome journey over the 
plains. No experiences of a thrilling or unusual 
nature are recorded of this trip, and it is sup- 
posed the train of home-seekers arrived at their 
destination in fairly good health and spirits. Mr. 
Newton took up a donation claim of six hundred 
and forty acres near Corvallis, in Benton county, 
where he farmed exclusively, no longer paying 
attention to his trades. He lived to the advanced 
age of eighty-six years, his wife, formerly Rachel 
Garlinghouse, born in the east in 1806, also 
attaining to and beyond the biblical allotment. 
Of the eight children there were four sons and 
four daughters, Norris P. being the second child 
and oldest son. 

As a boy Norris P. Newton had the advan- 
tages of the public schools of Ohio and Iowa, and 
was of course reared 'on the paternal farms in 
these states. He was just eighten when the 
family preparations were made for crossing the 
plains, just the age to appreciate the situation, 
and profit largely by the all around change. 
Near his father's farm he took up a claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres, lived thereon 
until 1890, and then engaged in the livery busi- 
ness in Philomath for about seven years. Seven 
years later, in 1897, he embarked in the harness 
business, which he has since followed with suc- 
cessful results. He is a practical harness maker, 
and besides catering to a large retail purchase 
trade, makes a specialty of repairing old harness. 

Near Corvallis Mr. Newton was united in mar- 
riage with Justina Knotts, who was born in Ohio, 
and who has borne him nine children : Cynthia, 
Mrs. Hinkle, resides near Corvallis ; the others 
are Abiathar and Walter, both of Philomath; 



Edwin, deceased; Harvey, residing in eastern 
Oregon; Laura, now Mrs. William Haynes of 
Forest Grove, Ore. ; Ernest, of eastern Oregon ; 
and twb children who died in infancy. As a 
stanch Republican Mr. Newton has been active 
in local affairs, and has served as school director 
and as a member of the city council. He is prom- 
inent in fraternal affairs, and is identified with 
the Corvallis Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and the 
Chapter ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and the Rebekahs. With his family he is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



LOUIS HENRY FISCHER, who is now 
manager of the Fischer Flouring Mill at Silver- 
ton, was born in DuPage county, 111., September 
14, 1870, and was but seven years of age when 
he came to Oregon. His father, Henry Fred 
Fischer, was born in Hamburg, Germany, March 
4, 1838, and was a son of Fred Fischer, who 
was also a native of Hamburg, and brought his 
family to the United States about 1842, locating 
in DuPage county, 111. There he followed farm- 
ing throughout his remaining days. The father 
of the subject of this biography was only four 
years of age at the time of the emigration to 
the new world. He built a flour-mill near Ad- 
dison, 111., being the first built there, fourteen 
miles west of Chicago, when twenty-one years 
of age and was thus identified with industrial in- 
terests in that locality. In 1877 he came to Ore- 
gon, locating in Corvallis and there he purchased 
the Corvallis Flouring Mill, which he conducted 
up to the time of his death, September 25, 1902. 
He had learned the miller's trade in Illinois and 
was an expert in that work. He married Sophia 
Rathje, who was born in Germany and came, to 
the United States when but three years of age 
with her parents, the family locating in DuPage 
county, 111. Her father was Fred Rathje, who 
was also a native of Germany and was a farmer 
by occupation. He prospered in his undertakings 
after coming to the new world and was worth 
about $50,000, when he died in Illinois at the 
age of eighty-four years. His sons are William 
and Louis, who are bankers in the Englewood 
National Bank of Chicago, 111. His daughter, 
Mrs. Fischer, still survives and is now residing 
in Corvallis. She is actively connected with 
the Fischer Flouring Mill. Unto the parents of 
Louis Henry Fischer were born eight children, 
five sons and three daughters. 

Louis Henry Fischer, the third in order of 
birth, acquired his early education in the public 
schools and afterward entered the Portland Busi- 
ness College, where he was graduated in the 
class of 1891. From early youth he was famil- 
iar with the milling business as he assisted his 
father in the mill and in 1900 he became man- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



959 



ager of the Fischer Flouring Mill of Silverton. 
Coder his control the business has grown to 
very extensive and profitable proportions. He 
lias overhauled all of the machinery and the 
plant is now equipped with a full roller process 
and has a capacity of two hundred and fifty bar- 
rels per day. The mill is operated by water power 
and the product is shipped to Portland, San 
Francisco and also sells to the home trade. Mr. 
Fischer has a thorough understanding of the 
business in every detail, and his capable man- 
agement has been a valued factor in the success- 
ful conduct of the business. 

In Corvallis, Ore., Mr. Fischer was united 
in marriage to Miss Lida McDaniel, who was 
born in Independence, Polk county, Ore., a 
daughter of Joseph McDaniel, of Polk county, 
who is now connected with mining interests in 
Alaska. Mr. and Mrs. Fischer have two inter- 
esting children, Harvey and Raymond, both of 
whom are at home. In politics Mr. Fischer is a 
Republican. 



THOMAS SKAIFE. In Silverton are many 
men who have won undoubted success in the 
business world by sheer persistency and force 
of will, prominent among the number being Mr. 
Skaife, who has been an important factor in de- 
veloping the lumber, manufacturing and agri- 
cultural resources of both eastern and western 
Oregon. 

Mr. Skaife is a native of Wisconsin, his birth 
occurring September 8, 1847, m Grant county. 
He comes of English ancestry, his father, Robert 
Skaife, having been born October 26, 1818, in 
Yorkshire, England, the life-long residence of 
John Skaife, the father of Robert, and grand- 
father of Thomas Skaife. (For a more extended 
account of the life of Robert Skaife, see biog- 
raphy of Michael Skaife.) In 1857 Robert 
Skaife located in Jackson county, Iowa, and was 
there engaged in milling for nine years, owning 
and operating a grist-mill. In 1866 he journeyed 
by way of the Isthmus and San Francisco to Ore- 
gon, and located in Salem, going from there 
to Lincoln, this state, where he bought a farm 
of one hundred and eighty-three acres, which 
he managed successfully until his retirement 
from active pursuits. 

Thomas Skaife acquired his early education 
in the district schools of Iowa, where his youth- 
ful days were spent. Coming to Oregon with 
his father and arriving June 13, 1867, he and his 
brother, Michael Skaife, were first employed in 
a flour-mill in Salem, remaining there until 1872. 
when they purchased a saw-mill in the near-by 
town of Lincoln, and at once erected a flouring- 
mill to operate in conjunction, their property ad- 
joining the farm which their father subsequently 



bought. They afterward exchanged their mills 
for the farm of J. D. Cooper, later trading the 
farm for a half interest in a Silverton flour-mill, 
which they operated in partnership with the 
Mackintosh Brothers, and another brother, Jas- 
per Skaife, for four years, when they bought out 
their partners, subsequently running the mill 
alone for two years, when it was known as 
Skaife Brothers Milling Company, then dispos- 
ing of the property to the Oregon Milling Com- 
pany. From that time until 1887 Mr. Skaife 
was connected with a flour-mill in Salem, then 
went to Summerville, where he was successfully 
engaged in business for fourteen years. Return- 
ing to his former home, he remained in Silver- 
ton a brief time, then assumed charge of the 
La Grande Flouring Mills, formerly known as 
Alliance Flouring Mills, retaining that position 
until 1902, when he settled at his present home 
in Silverton. He now owns considerable real 
estate in this vicinity, including a house and some 
lots in the city, and a valuable farm on the Abaqua 
river, about one hundred acres of which is in 
a good state of cultivation, nine acres of it being 
devoted to the raising of hops. 

Mr. Skaife married, in Summerville, Ore., 
Lenona May Settlemier, who was born in Al- 
bany, July 17, 1872, daughter of Alexander and 
Linnie (Allen) Settlemier, the former a native 
of Illinois, who came to Oregon across the 
plains in 1852, and located on the Pudding river, 
becoming a pioneer settler of that part of the 
state. Politically Mr. Skaifie strongly advocates 
the principles promulgated by the Republican 
party, and fraternally he is a member of Silver- 
ton Lodge, No. 45, Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons, and with his wife is a member of the 
Eastern Star. 



MICHAEL SKAIFE. A farm that never 
fails to attract the attention of the passerby is 
one located three miles south of Silverton, Marion 
county, Ore., belonging to Michael Skaife, into 
the improvement of which he has put the un- 
wearied strength and eager effort of a man who 
tills the soil from a love of it, and not from 
necessity. He was reared to the life of a miller, 
that being the trade of his father, Robert Skaife, 
a native of Yorkshire, England, born October 
26, 1 818. Emigrating to the United States in 
1840, the father settled near Dubuque, Iowa, 
where he engaged in farming till about 1846, 
after which he removed to Grant county, Wis. 
In the spring of 1850 he removed again to his 
farm near Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1857 removed 
to Jackson county, Iowa, where he engaged in 
the milling business. In 1867 he came to Ore- 
gon, sailing from New York to the Isthmus of 
Panama, and on the Pacific side stopping at 



960 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



San Francisco on his way to Portland. He 
first settled at Salem, where he worked at his 
trade for a short time, soon, howevei, changing 
his residence to Polk county. After a period of 
twelve or thirteen years spent in this county, he 
removed to Silverton, Marion county, where he 
passed the remainder of his life. His wife, Jane 
Skaife, also a native of Yorkshire, England, horn 
June 9, 1818, had borne him eight children, 
named in order of birth as follows : Joseph, 
born August 22, 1841 ; Emma, born June 6, 1839, 
and John G., deceased, born December 29, 1842, 
the latter dying while serving in Company I, 
Twenty-fourth Iowa Regiment during the Civil 
war; Michael, of this review; Thomas, of Sil- 
verton ; Jennie, born July 25, 1850, and Mary A., 
born June 1, 1855, also deceased; and Jasper, 
born December 19, 1861, now living in Colfax, 
Wash. Mr. and Mrs. Skaife were devoted mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being 
very active in church work. The death of these 
old people, occurring to each in their eightieth 
year, was a loss mourned by many. 

Michael Skaife was born April 18, 1845, in 
Dubuque county, Iowa. He received his early 
education in the district schools, later attending 
a high school and a business college. From his 
father he learned the milling business, following 
it steadily from 1867 to 1885. The last eight 
years in which he was engaged in this business 
he spent at Silverton, where with his brothers, 
Thomas and Jasper, he conducted the mills of 
that place. There h§ 1878 he married Miss Anna 
Schnackenberg, a native of- Missouri, born Au- 
gust 28, 1858, who had come with her parents 
to Oregon in 1876. Four children blessed their 
union, their names in order of birth being as 
follows: Roy A., Bennie M., Robert Guy and 
Mary J. The two last named are now deceased. 

In 1887 Mr. Skaife moved his family to the 
farm where he now lives, three miles south of Sil- 
verton, the place containing three hundred and 
twenty acres, one hundred and ninety of which 
are under cultivation. Here he carries on general 
farming and stock-raising. He is also interested 
in hop cultivation, having twenty-six acres de- 
voted to this plant, which in 1902 produced nearly 
seven tons. Mr. Skaife further improved his 
property by erecting a handsome, modern house. 

In public affairs Mr. Skaife has always taken 
a prominent place, serving as mayor of Silverton 
and in minor offices, also as- school clerk and 
member of the board of education. Politically 
he is a Republican, and fraternally is associated 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and with the Daughters of Rebekah, having 
passed all the chairs, and also filled one appointive 
office in the grand lodge. Mr. Skaife has proven 
himself an able and earnest citizen whose broad- 
est aim is to assist in the upbuilding of the 



country's prosperity. His success is seen, not 
only in the well tilled fields of his farm, but also 
in the general esteem in which he is held by the 
men with whom his associations have lain for 
so many years. When the brothers located in 
Silverton there were but two hundred and fifty 
inhabitants, and they built up the milling busi- 
ness and also extended the railroad to their mill, 
and in other ways liberally contributed to all 
movements that advanced the interests of the city 
and people. 



ANDREW G. STEELHAMMER. Many of 
the most thriving and enterprising agriculturists 
and business men of Marion county have come 
from the land beyond the sea, and of this number 
Mr. Steelhammer is a worthy representative. The 
second child in a family consisting of two sons 
and a daughter, he was born in Carlstadt, 
Sweden, January 6, 1847, an d was there reared 
and educated. After leaving school, he worked 
as a puddler in the iron works of his native town 
until 1869, when he emigrated to America, a 
land supposed to be flowing with milk and honey. 

Arriving in the United States, Mr. Steelham- 
mer located first near New Boston, 111., where he 
worked as a farm hand about three months, 
when he joined a harvesting gang, which he fol- 
lowed through northern Illinois, Minnesota and 
Iowa. The ensuing year he was employed in 
the construction department of the Milwaukee & 
St. Paul Railway Company, laying rails for a 
year. Settling in Winona, Minn., in 1871, he 
served as an apprentice at the carriagemaker's 
trade, which he followed in that place for ten 
years. Going then, in 1881, to North Dakota, 
he was there engaged in blacksmithing for ten 
years, when he followed the tide of emigration 
westward to the state of Washington, where he 
stayed about two months. Early in 1892, Mr. 
Steelhammer came to Silverton, Ore., and at 
once established himself as a blacksmith, meet- 
ing with signal success from the first. He has 
since purchased twenty-eight acres of land, one 
half of it adjoining city property, and has ma- 
terially improved his purchase by the erection 
of a fine residence on the hill overlooking the 
city of Silverton. He has further utilized his 
land by devoting three acres of it to the raising 
of prunes, and eight acres to the raising of hops. 

At Winona, Minn., in 1871, Mr. Steelhammer 
was united in marriage with Miss Christina An- 
derson, who was born and reared in Norway, 
living there until 1869, when she came to the 
United States, settling in Winona, Minn. Of 
their union the following named children have 
been born: John F., a resident of Salem, Ore.; 
Carl G., deceased ; Helma, wife of A. P. Allen, 
San Francisco, Cal. ; Oscar Adolph, connected 




FRANK VAN WESSENHOVE 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



961 



with the .Military Rand at Salem, Ore.; Louie R., 
oi Salem. Ore.: Artie E., living at home; 
George W .. at home; and William H., living 
with his parents, plays in the Silverton band. 

Mr. Steelhammer is a stanch adherent of the 
Republican party, and takes an active interest in 
political affairs, attending all local and county 
conventions. He is prominent in fraternal cir- 
cles, being a member and past master of Silver- 
ton Lodge Xo. 45, A. F. & A. M. ; Ramona 
Chapter Xo. 58, Eastern Star : past grand of the 
Silver Lodge Xo. 21, I. O. O. F. ; and past chief 
in the Ridgley Encampment. 



FRANK VAX WESSEXHOVE. Farm- 
ing and mining have been followed by Frank 
Van YVessenhove with equal success, al- 
though he undoubtedly would give the prefer- 
ence to farming, in which he has been con- 
tinuously engaged since 1859. This indus- 
trious and exemplary farmer is one of the 
many who have come from the little country 
of Belgium and identified their special abil- 
ities with the upbuilding of this fortunate 
nook of the world. He was born on a farm 
not far from Brussels, March 8, 1841, and 
was but three years of age when his parents 
embarked in a sailing vessel for American 
shores, reaching their destination after many 
weeks of storm and calm. The parents 
located in Monroe county, Mich., where the 
son Frank grew to manhood, and where he 
secured a fair education in the public schools. 

Of all the youth in the farmer families of 
Monroe county r none listened more attentivelv 
to the accounts of wealth in the west than did 
Frank Van Wessenhove, then approaching 
eighteen years of age. Accordingly r , he made 
preparation to cross the plains in a train of 
emigrants in 1859, and located the first winter 
in Portland. In the spring of i860 he came to 
the French Prairie, in Marion county, and 
after living on a farm for a year tried his luck 
in the mines of Idaho. He was fairly success- 
ful in the latter enterprise, and upon returning 
to Marion county located on a rented farm 
near Gervais, where he lived until 1867. In 
the meantime, in 1863, he had married Ellen 
Coyle, a native of Minnesota and a daughter 
of James Coyle, who came to Oregon in 1853, 
locating in Yamhill count\ r , whence he moved 
to St. Paul. He married Charlotte Scott, a 
native of Wisconsin, who died on the Platte 
river while crossing the plains. Mr. Coyle 
died at the home of Mr. \ r an Wessenhove' in 
1897. In 1867 Mr. Van Wessenhove and his 
wife located on the farm which has since been 
the family home, and which is located one 
mile from Champoeg. Of this first marriage 



there were born six children, of whom four 
are living; Mary, the wife of Charles P. Mc- 
Cormick ; Josephine, wife of Thomas Kerr, of St. 
Paul; Alexander J., of Portland; and Eliza, 
wife of John Kerr, of Washington county, 
Ore. June 1, 1898, Mr. Van Wessenhove's 
first wife died, and February 5, 1901, he was 
united in marriage with Mrs. Ellen Ramsey. She 
was reared in Boston, a daughter of William and 
Mary (McArthur) Walsh. She is a niece of 
Archbishop Walsh of Ireland, and a sister of 
Rev. James Walsh, a priest now located in 
Queenstown, Ireland. She was united in mar- 
riage with Patrick .Ferguson, and they became 
the parents of two children, George and Agnes. 
Her second marriage united her with Edward 
Ramsey, and they had one daughter, Henri- 
etta. All now reside at home. Mrs. Van 
Wessenhove has been a resident of Oregon 
eleven years. 

The Van Wessenhove farm consists of 
four hundred and sixty-five acres, upon which 
is conducted general farming and stock- 
raising. An additional source of revenue is a 
hop yard of forty-seven acres, with which 
the owner has had great success. In politi- 
cal affiliation Mr. Van Wessenhove is a Re- 
publican, and fraternally he is associated with 
Hubbard Lodge No. 76, I. O. O. F., and the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen. In re- 
ligion he is identified with the Roman Catho- 
lic Church. He is thrifty, enterprising, thor- 
oughly honorable and popular, and his worthy 
career has added materially to the upbuilding 
of the agricultural interests in Marion county. 



SAMUEL CLIXTOX BROWXE, M. D. In 
the extent of its breadth and activity the life 
of Dr. Samuel Clinton Browne has exceeded by 
far that of the average medical and surgical prac- 
titioner. A resident of Scio since 1898, the 
doctor has w^on a large and appreciative practice 
in the town and surrounding country, devoting 
himself to general practice of medicine and sur- 
gery. 

The family to which Dr. Browne belongs was 
established in Pennsylvania by his paternal 
grandfather, Hugh Browne, who came from Lon- 
donderry, Ireland, at an early day, and engaged 
in the manufacture of brick. He was success- 
ful in his chosen occupation, and at the time of 
his death at the age of sixty left those dependent 
on him in comfortable circumstances. A mili- 
tary strain runs through the family, remote an- 
cestors having been distinguished for their 
knowledge of warfare and their bravery on the 
field of battle. This patriotic tendency was ap- 
parent in at least three of the sons of the grand- 
father, two of whom, Edward and Hugh, served 



962 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



all through the Mexican war, while Andrew, the 
father of Dr. Browne, devoted nearly all of his 
active life to military service. This father was 
born near Lebanon, Pa., and married Sarah Clin- 
ton, and they had three children, two of whom 
died in early childhood, Samuel Clinton Browne 
being the only survivor. 

Born on a farm bordering on the Susquehanna 
river, near Harrisburg, Pa., January 13, 1856, 
Dr. Browne went from the public schools to 
Palmyra Academy in 1874, and in 1875 began 
a two-years' course at the Lebanon Valley Col- 
lege at Annville, Pa. In 1877 he went to Dick- 
inson county, Kans., and e/igaged in teaching 
school for a couple of years, and from 1879 un ~ 
til 1883 combined teaching with studying med- 
icine under Dr. A. S. Gish, of Abilene, Kans. 
At the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, 
Ohio, which he entered in 1884, and from which 
he was graduated in 1890, he took a special 
course in the eye and ear department, receiving 
a diploma for proficiency therein. In the mean- 
time, in 1887, he had taken his mother to Ore- 
gon for her health, and had been much impressed 
with the climate and apparent resources of the 
country. After graduating, he returned to Ore- 
gon, and opened his initial practice in Mill City, 
remaining there for two years. In 1894 he 
changed his location to Salem, in 1896 moved 
to Fall City, and from the latter town, to Scio, 
in 1898. 

Through his marriage in Salem, Ore., with 
Ida R. Bunn, a native of Pennsylvania, Dr. 
Browne became identified with a family splendid- 
ly honored by the remarkable professional ser- 
vices of Mrs. Browne's father, Prof. James M. 
Bunn, M. D., who also was born in the Quaker 
state. Dr. Bunn was a graduate of the Jefferson 
Medical College of Philadelphia, Pa., and was a 
scholar of wide scientific research. The asso- 
ciate of many of the most learned men of the 
country, and the fellow of the most prominent 
and time-honored medical and scientific associa- 
tions in America and Europe, he received inter- 
national attention as one of the finest bacteriolo- 
gists which this country has produced. Few 
have accomplished so much in this particular 
line. He was the founder, and up to the time 
of his death, December 15, 1896, the president, of 
the National Bacteriological Society, and as such 
contributed many notable papers on the subject. 
For many years he made his home in Altoona, 
Pa., where his demise was brought about through 
neuralgia of the heart. Fifty years of profes- 
sional activity had made him a power in the 
Quaker state, and the loss sustained by the scien- 
tific world at large, especially that part devoted 
to the sudy of organisms, was greatly felt. 

Dr. S. C. Browne is a member of the Oregon 
Eclectic Medical Association and the National 



Eclectic Medical Association. Since coming to 
Oregon Dr. Browne has by no means confined 
himself to professional undertakings but has en- 
tered heartily into the promotion of the civic, 
social and military development of his respective 
localities. In 1893 he was appointed on the hos- 
pital staff of the Second Regiment Ohio National 
Guards and surgeon of Southern Veterans United 
States of America, of which he was captain of 
a cavalry company at Camp Sumpter and later 
at the dedication of the Soldiers' Home at Rose- 
burg, May 9-10, 1894. He was elected and com- 
missioned lieutenant-colonel and served one year 
as such. He is a military man in his bearing 
and character, being of particularly forceful na- 
ture and feels at home on tented field. 



DAVID H. JOHNSTON. In the community 
of Scio David H. Johnston is regarded as an 
excellent business man, a wide-awake and pro- 
gressive citizen, and a loyal and high-minded 
friend. Many admirable characteristics have 
contributed to his success, not the least of which 
are common-sense indefatigable industry, and 
unswerving integrity. At present the bookkeeper 
and business manager of a planing mill which he 
bought for his sons in 1900, Mr. Johnston has 
been identified with agricultural and stock-rais- 
ing interests in Oregon ever since coming here 
in 1873, and it is from these reliable sources that 
his present ample fortune has been derived. The 
farm upon which he lived for twenty-seven years 
in Marion county, and which he still owns, is lo- 
cated near Stayton, and is five hundred and fifty 
acres in extent. Needless to say, every known 
aid to scientific farming has been introduced on 
this modern property, and during the residence 
of the family there, they were surrounded with 
all the comforts and many luxuries of life. 

A native of Fifeshire, Scotland, Mr. Johnston 
was born November 8, 1838, and in his youth had 
the advantages of the public schools. His father, 
George Johnston, also a native of Scotland, was 
a linen manufacturer, and owned and operated 
a mill of three hundred looms at Wemyss. He 
was successful in his chosen occupation, and 
amassed a competence, making a name for him- 
self as one of the foremost and influential men 
in the community. His entire life was passed in 
Scotland, and his death occurred at the age of 
sixty-five, his wife, Jane (Sibbald) Johnston, also 
dying in her native land, after rearing a fam- 
ily of seven children. David Henry, being the 
oldest in the family, naturally became interested 
in his father's linen business, and as a youth 
began at the bottom and learned to be a practical 
linen weaver. In time he assumed partial respon- 
sibility in the management of the manufactory, 
and was thus employed until coming to America 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



963 



in 1S73. With him to America came his wife, 
formerly Alice Christie, who died in Scio in 1900, 
at the age of sixty years, leaving two sons, 
rge G. and Harry S., who are now in busi- 
ness with their father. Mr. Johnston is a Re- 
publican in politics and has taken a keen interest 
111 local affairs, serving for several years as 
school director and road supervisor. Resource- 
ful and ambitious, Mr. Johnston lias demon- 
strated the worth of conservative and cautious 
business methods, of a temperate and equable 
disposition, and tact and consideration. He has 
many friends in Scio, as well as in the locality 
where so many successful years of his life were 
passed. 



NICHOLAS GOODING. Born in Prussia, 
fanuary 18, 1832, Nicholas Gooding was a very 
early emigrant to the United States, having 
come with his parents to this country in 1844, 
his first home being in Vernon, Jennings county, 
Ind., where his father purchased a farm and be- 
came interested in the cultivation of the soil. 
L'pon this farm the boyhood days of Nicholas 
Gooding were spent, his training being princi- 
pally along agricultural lines, though he received 
a substantial education in the common schools 
of the neighborhood. 

L'pon attaining manhood Mr. Gooding de- 
parted from his early training, and after a thor- 
ough apprenticeship with a blacksmith passed 
the twelve years following his seventeenth birth- 
day in that business, acquiring sufficient means 
to launch him well in farming which, after all, 
proved more congenial. After engaging in this 
work for twenty- eight years in the middle west, 
be concluded to test the opportunities of the 
lands of the Pacific coast. In 1889 he came to 
Oregon and invested the proceeds of his many 
years' work in the farm known as the Gratton 
farm, and which included seventy-five acres of 
land located southeast of his present farm. In 
that location he remained until 1895, engaged in 
general farming and hop-raising, having fifteen 
acres devoted to this plant. In the last-named 
year he made the purchase of the farm which he 
now owns, formerly known as the Clary place, 
consisting of one hundred and seventy-one acres, 
and located three-quarters of a mile from St. 
Paul, Marion county. At the present time he is 
interested in general farming and hop-raising, 
eighteen acres of the farm being utilized in hop- 
cultivation. 

In i860 Mr. Gooding was united in marriage 
with Mary Erbsland, daughter of Joseph and 
Tracy (Lang) Erbsland. To this union eleven 
children have been born, eight of whom are now 
living. They are as follows : George, at home ; 
Lizzie, wife of John Glatt, of Jennings county, 



Ind. ; John and Charles, in Marion county ; Law- 
rence, located near St. Paul ; Annie, wife of 
Fred Davidson, living on a farm south of St. 
Paul ; Joseph, a merchant of St. Paul ; and Will- 
iam L., at home. Those deceased are Tracy, 
and Peter and Jacob, twins, who died in infancy. 
In politics Mr. Gooding is a Democrat, though 
he has never been a seeker after official life. In 
religion he is a devoted member of the Catholic 
Church. He has never shirked any responsi- 
bility which has been placed upon his shoulders, 
and has always accomplished all in his power 
toward the improvement of educational, moral 
and social conditions in Marion county. He is 
widely known as a good citizen in the highest 
sense of the word, being possessed of a disposi- 
tion to assist in the promotion of all worthy enter- 
prises. 



JAMES M. HERRON. On the farm now 
occupied by James Martin, in Benton county, 
James M. Herron was born October 9, 1863, ms 
parents, Robert and Mary W. (Neil) Herron, 
having moved there in 1861. Robert Herron 
was born in Ireland, and came to the Umited 
States in 185 1, passing through Illinois, where 
his future wife was living with her parents. He 
came on to Oregon via the Isthmus of Panama, 
and in Oregon took up a claim of one hundred 
and sixty acres five miles northeast of Mon- 
roe. Ten years later, in 1861, he returned to 
Illinois and married Miss Neil, with whom he 
returned to the west and settled on his donation 
claim, and where he lived to be fifty-five years 
old. He was a soldier in the Rogue river war, 
and was a worthy man and helpful citizen. His 
wife married for her second husband James 
Barclay, who was born in Missouri, and crossed 
the plains in 1851. He took up a farm of three 
hundred and twenty acres, the location being 
twelve miles from Corvallis, where he lived until 
his death in 1892. At present his widow is occu- 
pying this property, and is managing successfully 
a large general farming and stock-raising en- 
terprise. 

James M. Herrcn was educated in the public 
schools, and remained on the home farm until 
twenty-seven years of age. He then purchased 
three hundred and eighty-five acres of the Aaron 
C. Richardson donation claim fourteen miles 
south of Corvallis on the old Territorial road, 
and for two years kept desolate bachelor 
quarters. Realizing that to best succeed in life 
he needed the assistance of a discerning and 
svmpathetic wife, he married, March 21, 1894, 
Ella Montgomery, who was born in Linn county, 
Ore., but spent most of her maidenhood in Lane 
county, Ore., and with whom he went to 
housekeeping under a little more cheerful aus- 



964: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pices. He has prospered exceedingly, has a 
variety of interests on his farm, and is equally 
successful in all of its departments. A substantial 
revenue is derived each year from Cotswold 
sheep and Jersey cows, and he has twenty acres 
under hops. He has been particularly success- 
ful with his hop culture, the last year netting 
him eighteen thousand pounds. Mr. Herron is a 
Democrat in politics, and among other offices 
has held that of road supervisor and school di- 
rector. Fraternally he is identified with the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen and the 
Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Herron is 
not only a successful and scientific agriculturist, 
but he exerts a broad influence in the community 
because of sterling personal characteristics. He 
is a power in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, in which he is a trustee, steward and 
Sunday school superintendent. 



THOMPSON D. HINTON. Though not 
one of the very large land-owners of Benton 
county, Thompson D. Hinton is one of its most 
successful farmers, and most popular and influ- 
ential residents. His name is a well known one 
hereabouts, and was established in the west by 
his father, R. B. Hinton, a pioneer of 1846. The 
elder Hinton was a typical forerunner of civil- 
ization, and his career in the west, productive 
of such advancement in Benton county, has else- 
where received the extended mention due him. 
Two of his sons, Wesley and Thompson, are 
maintaining the prestige established by their 
father, and of these, Thompson was born in 
Franklin county, Mo., July 31, 1840, and was 
therefore six years of age when he accompanied 
the family across the plains. On the large dona- 
tion claim near Monroe, Mr. Hinton was reared 
to farming, and his education was acquired in 
the near-by district school, augmented by further 
study in the town schools. At the age of twenty- 
one he followed out a long-intended plan, and in 
the mines on the Salmon river sought to multi- 
ply his gains in short order. The fact that he 
remained but a year would suggest comparative 
failure of his expectations, and his return to 
farming indicates an appreciation of that peace- 
ful and sure means of livelihood. After a couple 
of years on the farm he again engaged in min- 
ing, this time on the John Day river, but after 
several months returned to the old claim settled 
by his father in the early days. February 12, 
1865, Mr. Hinton married Margaret Barclay, 
a native of Missouri, and who crossed the plains 
with her people in 1850. For a year after the 
wedding the young people kept house on the old 
claim, and then moved to the J. E. Barclay place, 
remaining thereon for about three years. Mr. 
Hinton then bought the home where he now 



lives, and which consists of ninety-three acres, in 
the vicinity of Bruce. He is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising, and has so wisely dis- 
posed of his property that his profits are large 
and enable his family to live in comfort. 

At all times quiet and unostentatious, Mr. 
Hinton has never been associated with political 
matters in his neighborhood other than as a 
voter, nor does he allow outside interests of any 
kind to interfere with the even and very industri- 
ous tenor of his way. Nine children have been 
born into his family, and of these, Henry C. 
lives in Linn county; R. W. lives near his 
brother in Benton county; Amy E. is one of the 
industrious members of the household; George 
E. assists his father with the home farm ; Fred 
also is one of his father's main-stays; Minnie 
C. is the wife of C. Sickles, of Linn county; 
Ivan lives near his father; Wade is at home; 
and Eddie F. met a tragic death by drowning. 
Mr. Hinton is a member of the American Guild. 
He possesses the same regard for business in- 
tegrity which characterized the dealings of his 
honored sire, and as a father, husband and agri- 
culturist, reflects credit upon his prosperous 
home district. 



_ WILLIAM D. BARCLAY. A prominent 
farmer of Benton county, Ore., is William D. 
Barclay, the son of William Barclay, deceased, 
the latter of whom was a pioneer to the west in 
1850. The Barclay family came originally from 
Scotland, the emigrants to the United States 
being the parents of William Barclay, and their 
first settlement was made in North Carolina. 
They later became residents of Missouri, in the 
latter state making their home until their death. 
There William Barclay was born, in 1805, and 
reared to manhood, following for a livelihood 
surveying and school teaching, and there marry- 
ing Mary Ann Brown, a native of Tennessee. 
They continued to make their home in Missouri 
until 1850, when they were induced to join the 
pioneers of the Pacific slope. With the usual 
ox-teams they started upon their journey, reach- 
ing without incident the South Platte, where 
Mrs. Barclay died from the effects of the dread 
disease, cholera. There was nothing left but to 
continue the journey with saddened hearts, and 
on arriving in Oregon they first settled in Yam- 
hill county, where they spent the winter follow- 
ing the trip. In the spring of 1851 they came 
to Benton county, where Mr. Barclay took up a 
donation claim, located twelve and one-half 
miles south of Corvallis, on which he lived until 
his death. He was the father of seven children, 
of whom Robert S. is located in Alsea valley ; 
Mary E. is the widow of Andrew Rickard ; 
James is also in Alsea valley ; Margaret is the 




MRS. ELIZABETH ISOM. 





%. d!u^) 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



0(39 



wife of T. D. Hinton, of this vicinity; Winnie 
the wife of William LeYaugh, of Linn 
count v : and William is the subject of this review. 
Mr. Barclay lived to be eighty-three years old, 
the many years which he spent in this com- 
munity being filled with the practice of good citi- 
zenship, winning thereby the esteem and confi- 
dence of all with whom he came in contact. He 
filled many minor offices, among them being that 
of justice of the peace. At his death he was 
a very wealthy man, his years of earnest effort 
toward the fulfillment of the many promises of 
Oregon's early opportunities bringing him rich 
returns. 

William D. Barclay was born in Missouri, 
March 21, 1850, and in the same year was 
brought across the plains. He has therefore 
spent practically his entire life in this state. He 
grew to manhood on the paternal farm, engaging 
in the various duties which his home life 
afforded, attending the district school in pur- 
suit of an education. He remained at home until 
his marriage to Eliza Reeves. She was a native 
of Oregon, her parents having crossed the 
plains in 1844 and settled in Benton county. The 
young people went to housekeeping on the place 
where they now live, which was a part of the 
old home place. He has made the greater part 
of the improvements which have so much en- 
hanced the value of the property, having good 
barns, out-buildings, and a commodious dwell- 
ing. He now owns two hundred and eighty- 
seven acres, one hundred and thirty acres of 
which are under cultivation. He is engaged at 
present in general farming and stock-raising, 
making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Barclay has been 
blessed by the birth of three children, of whom 
Ina is the wife of Edward Bryan, of Ontario, 
Ore. : Chauncey is located in the vicinity ; and 
Iva is at home. Fraternally Mr. Barclay is a 
member of the Masonic order and Ancient Order 
of United Workmen. Politically he is a Dem- 
ocrat. 



JEFFERSOX D. ISOM. Beyond any con- 
sideration of money-making the farm of Jef- 
ferson D. Isom is a valued possession, for on 
this same land he was born July 4, 1861, and 
here passed his childhood days, developed into 
manhood, and still lives, a successful and pop- 
ular member of a thriving community. His 
father, John Isom. was born in Grayson coun- 
ty. Va., October 7. 1827. and while still a youth 
removed to Jefferson City. Mo., where he ap- 
prenticed himself to a blacksmith. He mar- 
ried a widow by the name of Elizabeth 
(Smith) Duncan, and in 1853 crossed the 



plains with ox-teams, accompanied by his 
wife, her brothers and her father, and numer- 
ous emigrants from his neighborhood. The 
journey was uneventful, and after six months 
they arrived in Linn county, where Mr. Isom 
took up a claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres upon which he lived for a short time. Ho 
then purchased the present farm now occupied 
by his son and engaged in stock-raising until 
1884, when he went to Albany and bought the 
Parker & Morris warehouse. This large struc- 
ture he converted into the Red Crown Flour- 
ing Mill, which he operated until 1895, and after 
that made his home with his son until his 
death March 14, 1903, at the age of seventy-six 
years. He was prominent as a Democrat, and 
took a keen interest in local affairs, serving 
among other capacities as county commission- 
er. The widow is still living, making her home 
with a daughter in Albany. She was born Ifl 
1824. 

With his seven sisters and two brothers Jef- 
ferson Isom was reared on the Linn county 
farm, and all of the children received a prac- 
tical education in the public schools of the 
country and Albany. He was' thrifty and in- 
dustrious as a youth, characteristics which are 
apparent to all who visit his well kept and 
highly developed property. In 1883 he mar- 
ried Mabel Woolen, who died after ten months 
of wedded life. For a second wife Mr. Isom 
married in 1885, Jane Arehart, who was born 
in Linn county, a daughter of George and 
Minerva (Matthews) Arehart, both now liv- 
ing in Junction City, Lowe county. Ore. Of 
this union there have been born three children, 
of whom Hugh and Jefferson are living, while 
one, Ira, is deceased. Mr. Isom at present 
owns six hundred acres of land, and makes a 
specialty of high-grade stock. Shorthorn cattle 
and Cotswold sheep, many of which are regis- 
tered. His farm is also devoted to a model 
dairy business, his butter and dairy products 
taking high rank in the local market. The farm 
is located fifteen miles southeast of Albany, 
and in its general aspect shows the many years 
of good management to which it has been sub- 
jected. Like his father, Mr. Isom favors the 
Democracy, but he has never taken an active 
interest in local party affairs, other than cast- 
ing his vote. He is fraternally a Knight of 
Pythias, and is a member of Do\vdell Lodge 
Xo. 16. of Brownsville. Industrious and ca- 
pable, Mr. Isom maintains the most friendly 
relations Avith his neighbors and associates, 
and that he is honored and esteemed by all 
argues well for his personal integrity and gen- 
eral characteristics, for his entire life has been 
an open book to those, who, like himself, have 
lived many years in this community. 



970 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



COLUMBIA READ. Personal character- 
istics of a high order, a life of devotion to the 
responsibilities imposed upon him, as well as the 
fact that he is a native son and representative of 
one of the old pioneer families of the state, en- 
title Columbia Read to mention among the up- 
builders of this well favored nook of the world. 
Although a resident of Corvallis only since 1892, 
he was born on the old donation claim seven 
miles north of this town, December 29, 1852, a 
son of Thomas, and grandson of a soldier of the 
war of 1812, who died when a very young man. 
The family is of English descent. He is now 
practically retired from active life, but still over- 
sees his productive farming property, and rejoices 
in the possession of some of the finest Shorthorn 
cattle and Cotswold sheep this side of the 
Rockies. 

To all old settlers, and in fact to all who have 
kept pace with the progress of Oregon from a 
wilderness to its present prosperous condition, 
the- name of Thomas M. Read is a familiar one. 
Because of brains and perseverance he emerged 
from poverty and obscurity to the possession of 
three thousand acres of land, and great in- 
fluence in his community. Born in New Hamp- 
shire he early settled in Iowa and engaged in 
steamboating on the Mississippi river, also turn- 
ing his attention to the manufacture of brick at 
Fort Madison. In 1845, while still a young and 
unmarried man, he crossed the plains with ox- 
teams to Oregon, and after a six months' trip 
located on a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres in Benton county. Having very lit- 
tle capital with which to start out, he had some 
difficulty in getting along at first, and used to 
resort to various devices for making a liveli- 
hood while his land was being cleared for crops. 
He used to go to Oregon City and assist in the 
manufacture of brick in order to get a little 
money ahead. During 1849-50 he tried his luck 
in the mines of. California, but it would not seem 
that he materially improved his prospects by this 
venture. At different times between 1862 and 
1868 he drove stock to the mines of Idaho, sold 
his cattle for big money, and always returned 
richer in hope and finances. It is not surprising 
that one of such resource and many-sidedness 
should prosper, or that he should add to his 
lands, and render them valuable through culti- 
vation. He made his money chiefly through 
grain-raising and stock manipulations, and at the 
time of his death in September, 1892, was one 
of the well-to-do men of Benton county. For 
two years he was survived by his wife, whom he 
married in Benton county, and who was formerly 
Nancy White, a native of Iowa. Nancy White 
married for her first husband a Mr. Hawkins, 
with whom she started across the plains in 1845. 
He was not destined, however, to profit by his 



chances in the west, for he was overtaken with 
disease on the plains, and died on the Snake 
river. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Read, five are living, four sons and one daughter. 
Of these, Theresa, was the deceased wife of John 
Benson, of Benton county; Perry is a stockman 
in Crook county, Ore.; Columbia; Sumner is a 
business man of Tacoma, Wash.; Charles is 
living in Oregon City; and Clara is the wife of 
Tolbert Norton, of Corvallis. 

Until his twenty-first year Columbia Read 
lived with his father, and from him learned to be 
a successful farmer and stock-raiser. Upon start- 
ing out to farm independently he bought a ranch 
two miles from his old home, and now owns a 
farm of four hundred and eighty acres near 
Wells Station. Needless to say, his property is 
finely improved, is all under cultivation, and for 
many years has been devoted principally to grain 
and stock-raising. Having amassed a compe- 
tency, Mr. Read moved to Corvallis in 1892, 
bought a piece of property, and built his present 
large and modern home. In Benton county he 
married Tillie Dudley, who was born in Illinois, 
near Rock Island, a daughter of Gustavus Dud- 
ley, who brought his family to Oregon in 1868. 
William and Bert, the two children in the family, 
are living in Corvallis. Mr. Read is a Republican 
in politics, and is fraternally connected with the 
Knights of the Maccabees and the Artisans. 
Mrs. Read is a member of the Baptist Church. 
Mr. Read is a genial and popular man, and has 
many friends in the town and county. 



THOMAS LEESE. Though a young man 
and a new-comer to the state, Mr. Leese is nev- 
ertheless much interested in Oregon, and dur- 
ing his short residence in Corvallis he has proved 
his worth as a substantial citizen of the place bv 
his straightforward business methods. Mr. Leese 
is manager of the Willamette Valley Banking 
Company, which carries on a general banking 
business, and he has had wide experience as a 
banker, being interested at the present time in 
no less than four banking houses. An English- 
man by birth, with Crewe, Cheshire, as his birth- 
place, he is a descendant of an old and honored 
English family. He obtained a good education 
in his native land, where he attended college. 
His father, Isaac Leese, was a farmer by occu- 
pation, as was also his grandfather, Abraham 
Leese. His mother was a native of Stafford- 
shire, England, and was before marriage, Sarah 
Wood, a daughter of John Wood, a prominent 
stockman. She died in her native land and Isaac 
afterward crossed the ocean and sought a home 
in America. 

Thomas Leese was born December 16, 1862, 
and was the only son of his parents. After 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



971 



leaving an agricultural college he served three 
years as surveyor and civil engineer at Capes- 
thorne. In 1883 he emigrated to America and 
engaged in farming with his father in Manitoba, 
Dominion of Canada. They improved the land 
and farmed on a large scale, meeting with un- 
limited success in that line. He was elected 
county treasurer of Birtle county, Manitoba, in 
[890, serving until 1900. He was also engaged 
in exporting fine cattle to England and Scotland, 
from Manitoba and Northwest Canada, shipping 
direct to Liverpool, London and Glasgow. 

In 1894 Mr. Leese first engaged in the banking 
business by establishing a bank at Birtle, and 
later an associate bank at Russell. In this ven- 
ture he had two partners, J. C. Dudley and Will- 
iam Scarth. The partnership then formed is 
still in force, and although Mr. Leese has left 
that section of the country, he still retains his 
interests in both banks. In 1900 Mr. Leese left 
Manitoba and the following year came to Ore- 
gon, opening the Lincoln County Bank of To- 
ledo, and served as active manager for one year. 
In July. 1902, he opened the Willamette Valley 
Bank in Corvallis, of which he is now manager, 
leaving the Lincoln County Bank in charge of 
Mr. Scarth. 

Mr. Leese was united in marriage with Emma 
Fields, of Ontario, that happy event taking place 
in Wisconsin, and they unite in worshiping at the 
Episcopal Church. In fraternal circles, Mr. 
Leese holds a membership with the Knights of 
Pythias and he is a valued member of the Amer- 
ican Bankers' Association. 



BUSHROD W. WILSON. There are few 
men whose lives are crowned with the honor and 
respect which was uniformly accorded Bush- 
rod Wilson, but through many long years of 
connection with Oregon's history his was an 
unblemished character. With him success in life 
was reached by his sterling qualities of mind and 
heart. True to every manly principle he never 
deviated from what his judgment would indi- 
cate to be right and honorable between his fellow- 
men and himself ; he never swerved from the 
path of duty, and in the evening of a long and 
eventful career he could look back over the past 
with pride and without regret for any unworthy 
action done. In fact, he had the right to enjoy 
the consciousness of having gained for himself 
by his honorable, straightforward career the con- 
fidence and respect of the entire community in 
which he lived. He stands high in the history of 
the state, in that he filled the position of a county 
clerk for a longer period than any other man who 
has ever resided in Oregon. His life record pre- 
sents many exemplary traits of character and 
may well prove of great benefit to others, if they 



will but heed the obvious lessons which it con- 
tains. 

In pioneer times Mr. Wilson became a resident 
of Oregon. He was born in the far-off state of 
Maine, his natal year being 1824 and his birth 
place Columbia Falls. On the paternal side he 
comes of Anglo-Saxon lineage and on the ma- 
ternal side he was of French Huguenot descent. 
Perhaps the early trials of his mother's family, 
who had been exiled from Arcadia, were some- 
what responsible for the intense love which he 
always manifested for our American free insti- 
tutions and for the country in which man can 
worship according to the dictates of his own 
conscience. However this may be, Mr. Wilson 
always displayed the utmost fidelity to the coun- 
try, and' in matters of citizenship he was most 
loyal and progressive. He was also a bitter op- 
ponent of anything that seemed to him out of 
harmony with the keeping of the American spirit 
of freedom and protection for all, and thus it 
was that in early life, he became a free-soil Whig 
and afterward a stanch abolitionist, ever known 
as the champion and friend of the cause of the 
oppressed. 

When but nine years of age Mr. Wilson ac- 
companied his parents on their removal to New 
York, and to some extent attended the public 
schools of that city, but his educational privi- 
leges were somewhat limited. In later years, 
however, reading, experience and observation 
brought to him broad knowledge and he became 
a well informed man. Especially did he keep 
in touch with everything pertaining to his coun- 
try and her interests. His independent spirit and 
self-reliance were early manifested, for from a 
very youthful age he depended upon his own re- 
sources and by the time he had reached the age 
of seventeen he had gained much skill in various 
pursuits that brought to him a substantial re- 
turn. He worked at the printer's trade with 
Horace Greeley, and when nothing better offered 
he would run errands and thus add to his weekly 
income. It was not necessity that forced Mr. 
Wilson to do this, for his father was in rather 
comfortable circumstances, but an innate spirit 
of independence was his and he was in no way 
afraid to work. In fact, throughout his entire 
life indolence and idleness were utterly foreign 
to his nature, and he was ever busy either with 
his own private interests or in furthering meas- 
ures and movements for the general good. 

In the year 1840 Mr. Wilson's father removed 
to Illinois when the greater part of that state 
was an unbroken prairie and the city of Chicago 
was open fields. The mother of Bushrod Wilson 
had died some years previously, and after moving 
west the father married again. After a time, 
being of an adventurous disposition, Bushrod 
Wilson, desiring to see more of the world, made 



972 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his way to the Atlantic coast and took passage 
upon a whaling vessel, bound for the Pacific 
waters, on a three-years' cruise. He sailed under 
Captain Taber on the bark Harvest, and experi- 
enced the hardships and difficulties incident to 
such a trip at that time. Whaling at that time 
was also attended with various dangers and it 
was necessary that the men should become ex- 
pert swimmers, as they were often thrown into 
the water. He related that when out in the 
middle of the Pacific with the boat crew he was 
several times in the water for the greater part 
of a day. When the voyage was over Mr. Wil- 
son paid a visit to his father and brothers in the 
west and then again went to sea, making several 
voyages up the Mediterranean, and subsequently 
acted as pilot on the lakes, in which capacity he 
was employed for five years. On the expiration 
of that penod he made a trip around Cape Horn 
in the ship William Gray, arriving in San 
Francisco in time to participate in the celebration 
of July 4, 1850. The present populous city was 
then scarcely more than a mining camp. After 
spending one season in the mines on the Yuba 
and American rivers Mr. Wilson started for 
Umpqua as a passenger on the schooner Rein- 
deer. He was induced to take this step through 
reports which had been circulated by the trans- 
portation people concerning the richness of the 
mines of the Umpqua district, but he was doomed 
to disappointment on reaching his destination, 
as the reports had been entirely wrong. He then 
started up the Umpqua river in a canoe, leaving 
at the landing his chest of ship-carpenter's tools 
valued at $300, and when he returned these were 
nowhere to be found. Proceeding up the coast 
to the Willamette valley he arrived at the site 
of Marysville, Wash., late in the fall of 1850. 
Although his advent into Oregon seemed un- 
profitable, it after all worked for his good, for he 
was pleased with the Willamette district and 
eventually became a resident of this portion of 
the state. Taking up a claim, he afterward gave 
this away and secured another one, which in 
turn he traded for a saw-mill property at Pe- 
oria. There he engaged in the manufacture of 
lumber, the splendid forests of the state offering 
ample opportunity for the prosecution of this 
business, but there was no market for the product 
and he lost all that he had invested. After some 
ten years employed in carpenter work and min- 
ing, Mr. Wilson secured employment in the 
office of Eugene Perham. county clerk of Ben- 
ton county, and at the election in 1864, having 
been nominated by his party for that office, 
he was chosen by the popular vote for the posi- 
tion wherein be continually served through re- 
election, for thirty years. He then declined 
further nomination and voluntarily retired from 
the position as he had entered it — with the con- 



fidence and good will of the entire public. His 
official record is certainly commendable, for over 
it there fell no shadow of wrong-doing or sus- 
picion of evil. He was prompt, methodical and 
systematic in the execution of his duties. He 
was ever willing to aid all who came to him in 
Connection with the business of the office, and 
it is said that the only enemies that he ever had 
were certain lawyers who felt that he infringed 
upon their rights by giving freely information to 
those who sought it in the office of the county 
clerk. Mr. Wilson made one other investment 
aside from his saw-mill, which did not prove 
entirely profitable, and yet became of the utmost 
value to the state. He was one of the founders 
of the Oregon & Pacific Railroad, his idea be- 
ing to build the road to Yaquina, and thus afford 
direct shipping facilities for Europe, that the 
grain producers might ship their wheat direct to 
the different parts of the old world. Mr. Wilson 
induced other men to join him in the enterprise, 
and he became a secretary and trustee of the 
company, and also one of its directors until his 
health failed. The road was completed, put in 
running order and met the needs of the com- 
munity in the direction which Mr. Wilson had 
indicated. He did not realize, however, from his 
investment, in fact, lost heavily, but his work has 
proved of the greatest benefit to the people of 
the state. 

Whatever tended to advance the welfare and 
progress of Benton county or of Oregon awak- 
ened the interested attention and helpful efforts 
of Bushrod Wilson. To enumerate in detail 
what he has done would be to overstep the bounds 
of history. In the early days he was more than 
usually active in the establishment and up-build- 
ing of the State Agricultural College, and for 
many years he gave substantial support to the 
Gazette, assisting it over many difficult places in 
its early career. He took from his funds only 
enough to enable him to meet his obligations and 
to provide a comfortable home for his family and 
the" remainder of his income went in benevolent 
and charitable work or in co-operation in move- 
ments for the general good. 

In 1856 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to 
Miss Priscilla O. Yantis, who was born in Mis- 
souri in 1838, and in 1850 crossed the plains with 
her parents, James M. and Sarah A. Yantis, who 
located on a donation claim in Linn county, two 
miles from Shedds Station. There her father 
improved a fine farm upon which he spent his 
remaining days, passing away in 1879. His wife 
bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Hamilton 
and is also deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wil- 
son were born nine children : Lafayette Y., 
who is engaged in mining in Alaska ; E. Belle, 
the wife of J. B. Walker, who is on the editorial 
staff of the Scientific American in New York 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



973 



City ; James O., who follows iarming near 
Corvallis; J. H., an attorney of Corvallis; 
Robert J., a practicing physician of New 
York City and is now serving on the New 
York board of health and is an instructor 
in Bellevue .Medical College and the Univer- 
sity of New York and sanitary inspector of 
greater New York; Thomas E., who is an 
attorney in California ; Minnie A., who is 
employed in the First National Bank of Cor- 
vallis; Cara H. M. and Bushrod W., who re- 
side in Corvallis. 

Mr. Wilson, the father of this family, passed 
away March 4, 1900, and is still survived by his 
widow, who yet resides on the old homestead. 
His life was devoted to his family, his friends 
and his country, and his unswerving purpose, 
his unquestioned fidelity, his unfailing honesty, 
and his unchanging will commanded the high- 
est respect of all. He was a leader in the 
cause of liberty, of freedom and of progress 
and his hearty co-operation was ever given to 
that which tended to elevate mankind. Mr. 
Wilson was made a Mason in Corvallis Lodge 
over forty years ago. He attained the thirty- 
second degree Scottish Rite and was also a 
member of the Noble Mystic Shrine. He 
passed all the chairs in the subordinate lodges. 
Four of his sons are Master Masons. 



JOHN W. RANSOM, M. D. A resident of 
Marion county since 1887, Dr. John W. Ran- 
som has, during the past fifteen years, endeared 
himself closely to the inhabitants of Turner and 
vicinity, where he has been engaged in a la- 
borious professional practice, in connection with 
the management of an extensive general mer- 
chandise business. 

Dr. Ransom was born near West Bedford, 
Coshocton county, Ohio, August 18, 1841, and 
is a son of Robert and Nancy Ransom, of Penn- 
sylvania. In 1850 his parents moved to Hart- 
ford City, Blackford county, Ind., where they 
located on a farm. There Dr. Ransom was 
reared, receiving his rudimentary education in 
the public schools. His early studies were sup- 
plemented by a course in Tiber College, located 
at Portland, Ind., after the completion of which 
he returned to the farm and continued to render 
his father such assistance in its management as 
was demanded of him. In i860 he was united 
in marriage with Elizabeth Anderson, daughter 
of William Anderson and a native of Indiana. 

Having determined to prosecute the practice 
of medicine, Dr. Ransom entered the medical 
department of the University of Michigan at 
Ann Arbor in 1863, where he remained a year. 
He then continued his studies for four years 
under the supervision of Dr. Mills of Hartford 



City, Ind. After having qualified for his chosen 
field of labor, he engaged in practice for two 
years with his preceptor, at the end of which 
period he opened an office in Tustin, Osceola 
county, Mich., where he conducted a successful 
practice for fourteen years. Finding this field 
too limited for a man of more than ordinary 
capabilities, he decided to remove to the far 
west, and in 1887 came to Oregon. Locating 
at Turner, he has since made that town his 
professional and business headquarters, and has 
never had cause to regret the happy inspiration 
which directed his footsteps toward the region 
beyond the Rocky mountains. Eleven years 
after settling in Turner Dr. Ransom established 
a general merchandise store, in company with 
his son, and is now transacting a business which 
has assumed satisfactory proportions. 

In 1861 Dr. Ransom's first wife died, and in 
1862 he married Tabitha C. Anderson, of which 
union there were born ten children, as follows : 
Rhoda, deceased; Susan, deceased; Effie, wife 
of W. A. McGovern, a resident of Tustin, Mich. ; 
Thomas, living in Tustin, Mich. ; Charles, a part- 
ner with his father in the mercantile business in 
Turner, Ore.; Mary, wife of B. J. Oiler, of 
Portland, Ore.; Alice, residing at Cadillac, 
Mich. ; John, a resident of Omer, Mich. ; Harvey, 
of Tustin, Mich. ; and Clayton, a graduate of 
the medical department of Willamette Univer- 
sity, of Salem, Ore., and now practicing in part- 
nership with his father. In 1889 Dr. Ransom 
married Olive M. Gulvin, with whom he is now 
living. 

Since 1866 Dr. Ransom has been identified 
with the Masonic fraternity, and is now a mem- 
ber of Jefferson Lodge No. 33, of Oregon. He 
has been a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows since 1875, an d is now a mem- 
ber of Fidelity Lodge No. 36 of Oregon. Dr. 
Ransom possesses an exceedingly social dispo- 
sition, and his optimistic temperament undoubt- 
edly has contributed largely to his success as a 
medical practitioner. By his numerous friends 
he is highly esteemed for the many splendid 
traits in his character, and for the unselfish in- 
terest he has taken in those projects which are 
intended to benefit the community in which he 
resides. 



L. F. MASCHER. Not alone for its beau- 
tiful surroundings and fine improvements is the 
farm of Fred Mascher noted, but for the fact 
that its owner is the only man in the vicinity 
who can boast that every year of his life of 
over half a century has been spent upon the 
location where he first saw the light of day. 
Time has not diminished his attachment for his 



974 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



birthplace, as is shown in the care and attention 
which he gives to every detail that tends toward 
the improvement of his home; each recurrence 
of the seedtime and harvest yields recalling the 
days of boyhood and young manhood spent on 
the farm from where he looks forward to a 
happy old age among the same pleasant scenes. 

The father of L. F. Mascher, Christ F., was 
born December 29, 181 1, in Germany, and emi- 
grated in 1836 to the United States, settling in 
Baltimore, Md., where he engaged in the iron 
works as a puddler. Soon after his arrival in 
America he married Sarah Eisenhardt, also a 
native of Germany. In 1844 the family removed 
to Missouri, where the father engaged in farm- 
ing, remaining, however, but eight years, the 
next venture taking them to the Pacific coast, 
the journey being made by means of ox- teams 
and lasting seven months. The only trouble 
experienced from the Indians on the trip was 
the loss of some of their cattle. On reaching 
Oregon, they came direct to Marion county, 
where Mr. Mascher bought the squatter's right 
to six hundred and forty acres located in the 
Waldo hills, three miles south of Silverton, en- 
gaging in general farming and stock-raising. 
Here Mr. and Mrs. Mascher passed the re- 
mainder of their days, living to the ages of 
eighty-seven and seventy-five, respectively. Mr. 
Mascher was actively interested in politics and 
in all public affairs, taking an intelligent inter- 
est in matters of educational advancement and 
giving a strong support in church movements, 
and in all matters tending to morality. 

Of the six children born to his parents, L. F. 
Mascher is the only one now living. His birth 
occurred December 6, 1850, the same year in 
which his parents made the trip from the middle 
west, and on the farm where he now makes his 
home. In his youth he attended the district 
schools in the vicinity, and on attaining man- 
hood engaged with his father in farming, which 
occupation he has continued his entire life. In 
1875 he married Allie J. Allen, also an Ore- 
gonian, the daughter of Henry Allen, whose 
sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Three 
daughters were born to them, of whom the 
eldest, Lillian M., is the wife of L. J. Burnham, 
of Tacoma. The two remaining daughters, 
Grace and Minnie, are still at home with their 
parents. 

In the farm of Mr. Mascher are included three 
hundred and fifty-five acres of the old donation 
claim taken by his father, upon which stands the 
house in which he and his wife first began 
housekeeping and where they now live. The 
land is devoted to general farming and stock- 
raising, Mr. Mascher making a specialty of 
hops and Shropshire sheep. From thirty-three 
acres of hops the crop produced amounted to 



thirty-six thousand pounds in 1903. Mr. 
Mascher has given his entire thought to agri- 
culture, and in the last twenty-five years has 
demonstrated his ability to get the best returns 
possible from the cultivation of the soil. Po- 
litically he is a Republican and in religion he 
and all the members of his family are members 
of the Christian Church. 



ASBURY PEARNE STARR. With the ex- 
ception of three years spent in Salem educating 
his son, Asbury P. Starr has lived all his life 
on the farm one mile southwest of Bellfountain, 
where he was born April 22, 1853. He comes 
of one of the fine old pioneer families of this 
section, and in his youth had the advantage of 
a Christian home, presided over by a father 
whose life was devoted to the welfare of those 
around him, and who, as pioneer preacher in 
this county, accomplished a world of good for 
the early settlers. As one in a numerous family 
dependent upon the poorly paid services of the 
father, Asbury P., was reared to habits of thrift 
and industry, and remained under the paternal 
roof until his marriage, December 22, 1878, with 
Carrie Tharp, who was born in Kansas and came 
to Oregon in 1864. One son has been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Starr, Philip Ray, who is living 
with his parents. 

After his marriage Mr. Starr located on his 
part of the home ranch, which consists of three 
hundred and forty-four acres, fifty of which 
are under cultivation. The finest of modern 
improvements facilitate a general farming and 
stock-raising industry, a specialty being made of 
high-grade stock, including Jersey cattle, Cots- 
wold sheep and fine horses. The farm is one of 
the most desirable and valuable in Benton county, 
and the methods employed in conducting it are 
those of the intelligent, well informed, and scien- 
tific student of ways and means, who surrounds 
himself with the comforts and luxuries, which 
mark the difference between the successful and 
the unsuccessful landsman. As an upholder of 
Republicanism, Mr. Starr has filled many local 
positions in the county, but always reluctantly, 
as he has never sought or worked for official 
distinction. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

Rev. John W. Starr, father of Asbury P., was 
born in Maryland, April 22, 1794, and as a boy 
moved with his parents to Virginia, and in after 
years to Ohio, where the old people died. The 
son remained on the home farm in Ohio until 
attaining his majority, and then studied for the 
ministry, to which he devoted his entire active 
life. His first wife, a Mrs. McWilliams, bore him 
five children, of whom Mrs. Nancy Belknap of 
California, and J. W. Starr of Junction City, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



975 



Ore., are living. Mrs. Starr lived but a few 
wars, and alter her death in Ohio her husband 
married Eliza A. Lucas, with whom he removed 
to Iowa in 1840, and who bore him twelve chil- 
dren, of whom the following are living: Mrs. 
Precious Shedd of Corvallis ; S. E. of The 
Dalles; M. L. of Bellfountain ; L. H. of Albany; 
Mrs. E. A. Burlingame of Sheridan; S. C. ; 
A. P. of Bellfountain ; and Mrs. M. E. Tharp 
of Hell fountain. In 1848 Rev. Starr disposed 
of his interests in Iowa and crossed the plains 
with his wife and children, outfitting with ox- 
teams, and being the usual time, six months, 
on the way. The little party was not seriously 
disturbed by the Indians, , and Capt. J. Belknap 
was their competent guide to the far-off north- 
western country. The journey was saddened 
by the death of one of the children, but other- 
wise all went well, and upon arriving at his 
destination Mr. Starr took up the donation 
claim near Bellfountain, upon a portion of which 
his son is now living, and which consisted of 
six hundred and forty acres of land. 

Rev. Starr is entitled to more than passing 
mention among the early settlers of Benton 
county, for his influence was a broad and human- 
itarian one, and was not only exerted in favor 
of agriculture and stock-raising, but extended 
to educational and moral development. He was 
known as " Uncle John," and his home was 
always open to whomsoever might come that 
way, no matter what his need or mission. He 
was the first local preacher in Benton county, 
or indeed anywhere around this section, and he 
was never too weary to go on a long journey to 
perform marriage ceremonies, to bury the dead, 
or comfort the living. Strong, sincere and fear- 
less, he was an inspiration in the early and 
lawless days, and many a discouraged pioneer 
has been turned towards more hopeful things by 
the force of his eloquence, and the honesty of 
his convictions. He was one of the promoters 
and builders of Simpson's chapel, the first place 
of worship in this vicinity. Rev. Starr lived to 
be seventy-four years old, and the wife who 
had shared his lifework for so many years, and 
who had so faithfully reared her large family 
of children to be noble and helpful men and 
women, survived him until eighty-three vears 
old. 



CAPT. MELANCTHON W. HUNT. Af- 
ter many years of arduous professional labor 
as one of the leading representatives of the bar 
of Oregon, Capt. M. W. Hunt retired in the 
spring of 1902, to his farm of two hundred and 
sixty acres near Whitaker, Marion county, where 
he contemplates devoting the remainder of his 
life to the less strenuous occupation of agricul- 



ture. Though still a comparatively young man, 
Captain Hunt had risen to a position of distinc- 
tion at the bar before deciding to lay down the 
cares his practice imposed upon him', and those 
most familiar with his character and ability, in- 
herent and cultivated, express the opinion that 
his attainment of high political office would have 
been dependent solely upon his own desires in 
the matter, had he cared to remain in professional 
and public life. 

Capt. M. W. Hunt was born on a farm in the 
Waldo hills, Marion county, April 14, i860, and 
is a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Smith) 
Hunt, pioneer settlers of the Willamette Val- 
ley. (An extended sketch of the Hunt family 
will be found elsewhere in this work.) His 
elementary education was acquired in the public 
schools in his neighborhood. At the age of 
seventeen years he entered Willamette Univer- 
sity, remaining a student in that institution from 
the fall of 1877 to the spring of 1880, when he 
returned to his home upon the farm. Soon after 
leaving college Captain Hunt decided to enter 
upon a military career, and enlisted as a private 
in the United States Heavy Artillery. He was 
assigned for duty with Battery B, First United 
States Artillery, and was stationed at Fort Point, 
San Francisco, for about a year. At this station 
the accidental discharge of a gun disabled his 
left hand, incapacitating him for further duty, 
and he was honorably discharged and permitted 
to return to his home. October 8, 1883, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Minnie G. Mc- 
Monies, the daughter of John and Marv J. (Ros- 
siter) McMonies, all natives of Canada. Mrs. 
Hunt's parents are now residents of Portland. 
Two years later, in 1886, Captain Hunt re- 
moved to Salem for the purpose of qualifying 
himself for the practice of law, a profession for 
which he had for some time entertained a prefer- 
ence. For two years he studied in the office of 
S. T. Richardson, and after being admitted to 
the bar in 1888, entered into partnership with 
S. L. Hayden. Six months later he entered into 
a similar relationship with W. H. Pratt, now of 
Kansas, and subsequently this firm consolidated 
its interests with those of the Hon. J. J. Shaw, 
under the firm name of Shaw, Pratt & Hunt. 
For several years thereafter this firm was recog- 
nized as one of the strongest in Oregon, and 
conducted many cases which became celebrated 
in the annals of jurisprudence in the Willamette 
Valley. 

In recognition of his profound knowledge of 
the law and his excellent judgment in the appli- 
cation of its principles to the cases intrusted to 
his charge during the years of his practice, Cap- 
tain Hunt was appointed attorney for the Oregon 
State Land Board in 1891, filling the post with 
credit to himself and conserving the best in- 



976 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



terests of his client, the people, until his resigna- 
tion and retirement from practice in 1902. Prior 
to this period he had received from President 
McKinley, in July, 1889, an appointment as a 
member of the board of United States commis- 
sioners for Alaska, there being three other mem- 
bers of the body. After serving in this capacity 
for three months he resigned. For two terms 
he served as a member of the Salem city council, 
taking an active interest in the promotion of 
those projects calculated to enhance the ma- 
terial advantages of the city. He was also deep- 
ly interested in the military organization of the 
state. In 1884 he enlisted as a member of Com- 
pany C, First Regiment of the Oregon State 
Militia, and was elected captain of that company. 
Upon the reorganization of the militia, in July, 
1884, as the National Guard, he was commis- 
sioned captain of Company C, Second Regiment, 
serving until 1886, when he resigned and went 
to Salem. In July, 1887, he was commissioned 
second lieutenant of Company B, Second Regi- 
ment, O. N. G., and on August 2, 1887, was pro- 
moted first lieutenant and adjutant Second Regi- 
ment, O. N. G., and on November 29, 1889, was 
commissioned captain of Company B, Second 
Regiment, O." N. G, and on April 29, 1890, to the 
position of lieutenant colonel of the same regi- 
ment. In December, 1893, he resigned and went 
back to the ranks, and on February 21, 1894, was 
commissioned second lieutenant of Company B, 
Second Regiment, O. N. G., and in March, 1894, 
was promoted to a lieutenant colonecy on the 
staff of Governor Lord, remaining in this capac- 
ity throughout the terms of Governors Lord 
and Geer, a period of nine years. 

Captain Hunt has always been a Republican, 
and has been actively interested in the success 
of his party in the local, state and national elec- 
tions. Fraternally he is identified with Salem 
Lodge, No. 4, A. F. & A. M., and with Mult- 
nomah Chapter No. 1, R. A. M. 

The decision of Captain Hunt to retire from 
the practice of law brought with it a distinct 
loss to the bar of the state. Few men of his 
years have been so successful in their profes- 
sional labors, and none had a higher standing 
among his contemporaries or with the laity than 
he. Unquestioned integrity marked his con- 
duct of all causes which he espoused, and no 
charge of questionable tactics was ever laid 
against him, even by innuendo. He is a man 
possessed of a masterful mind, quick to grasp 
the essential points, pro and con, in any case, 
a forcible pleader, never resorting to those tricks 
in practice which are too common among the 
exponents of this branch of science. Though 
now permanently retired from active practice 
his work has not been forgotten, as he is still 
spoken of as one of the brilliant minds which 



have adorned the bar of Oregon. Captain Hunt's 
family consists of his wife and four children, 
the names of the children being as follows : 
George M. ; Percy C. ; Homer and Gertrude E., 
all of whom are at home with their parents. 



M. P. BURNETT. The present sheriff of 
Benton county comes of a family of whom 
much is expected, a precedent for great accom- 
plishment having been established many years 
ago, and faithfully maintained by successive 
bearers of the name. From their firmly knit 
and substantially endowed ranks has stepped 
forth Peter H. Burnett, the first governor of 
California, who undertook the responsibilities 
of his position under the most unfavorable and 
trying circumstances, but who, with the help 
of able men around him, managed to weather 
the storm of opposition and enmity created by 
jealousies and to overcome the difficulties en- 
countered because of an empty exchequer. As 
is well known, the state of California began 
administrative business without a cent in its 
treasury, and at the time owned neither ink- 
stand, pen, nor yet a ream of paper. That the 
financial stringency was lifted, and appropria- 
tions forthcoming, was due largely to the tact 
and forbearance, as well as financial and ex- 
ecutive ability of the pioneer occupant of the 
gubernatorial chair. 

Several of the brothers of Governor Burnett 
came to the coast, nearly all of them having 
been born in Clay county, Mo. Among the 
brothers was James White Burnett, the father 
of M. P., the sheriff of Benton county ; Thomas, 
who died in California ; William, who died in 
McMinnville, and who was the father of Judge 
George Burnett; Glen O., and Horace, who 
died in California. James White Burnett, a 
native of Clay county, Mo., crossed the plains 
in '49, engaged in mining for some time, and 
then operated a farm in Colusa county, Cal. 
He came to Oregon in 1867, settling in the 
Chehalem valley, Washington county, where 
he engaged in farming, and from where he 
removed to near Bethel, Polk county. At a 
later period he lived at The Dalles, but re- 
turned to near Bethel, Polk county, where he 
died at the age of sixty-five years. He was a 
member of the Christian Church, and a Demo- 
crat in political affiliation. In his young man- 
hood he married Sarah J. Turner, who was 
born in Fayette, Mo., January 4, 1828, and 
now lives in Corvallis, and whose father, 
Thomas Turner, was born at Lexington, Ky., 
in 1797, and was an early settler in the state 
of Missouri. Mrs. Burnett is the mother of 
four sons and seven daughters, of whom three 
sons and three daughters are living, M. P. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



977 



being the second son. Of the daughters, Flor- 
ence is living in Crook county, Ore. ; Lulu is 
living in California ; and Mattie is a resident 
of Corvallis. 

M. P. Burnett, sheriff of Benton county, was 
born in Colusa county, Cal., August II, 1861, 
and when seven years of age came over the 
mountains with his parents to Oregon, travel- 
ing by means of ox-teams. Although he has 
made his own way in the world since twelve 
years of age, he has succeeded in acquiring an 
excellent education, studying not only in the 
public schools but at the academies at Bethel 
and La Creole. At first his remuneration from 
a business standpoint was extremely meagre, 
working on a farm until the age of twenty-one, 
when he began as clerk in McCoy, receiving 
$10 per month, out of which he had to board 
himself. Six months later the merchant with 
whom he was employed came to Corvallis, and 
his competent clerk accompanied him, making 
no arrangement, however, in regard to wages. 
At the end of the year he was presented with 
S50 per month, and as time went on he became 
practically the head of the establishment, man- 
aging its affairs and doing the entire buying. 
At the expiration of four or five years he sev- 
ered his relations to engage in business for 
himself, and after successfully conducting a 
cigar store for some time he was offered the 
position of managing a store closed out by the 
administrator. Later he engaged as clerk for 
Jacobs & Nugos for a year, and then for J. M. 
Nolan, and finally became identified perma- 
nently with Z. H. Davis, with whom he re- 
mained for six years, making a splendid record 
as a business man and faithful employe. 

In 1890 Mr. Burnett was elected county 
treasurer by a large majority, and re-elected in 
1892, serving until July, 1894. In July. 1896, 
he became deputy sheriff under Peter Rickard, 
and after serving thus for four years was 
elected sheriff by a majority of one hundred 
and twenty-six. In 1902 he was re-elected by 
a majority of three hundred and seventeen, the 
county at that time having a Republican ma- 
jority of two hundred. In order to have his 
affairs in perfect order, and that he may un- 
derstand about everything connected with his 
responsibility, Mr. Burnett keeps his own 
books, and attends to all of the business him-' 
self. He is well equipped to serve as sheriff, 
having a keen knowledge of human nature, a 
great fund of good nature, perfect command 
of himself at all times and under all circum- 
stances/and absoiute fearlessness. 

Since living in Corvallis Mr. Burnett has 
married Minnie Huffman, who was born in 
Benton county, Ore., and who is the mother 
of two children, Leo, aged fourteen years, and 



a baby unnamed. At the age of twenty-one 
Mr. Burnett became a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Bethel, and 
he is now a member of Corvallis Lodge No. 7. 
He is also identified with the Woodmen of 
the World, the Knights of the Maccabees and 
the Knights of Pythias. 



FRANK J. MILLER. Albany is the home of 
many of the leading enterprises that are building 
up and adding to the importance of Linn county 
as an industrial center, and among the men that 
are actively identified with the establishment 
and development of these industries Frank J. 
Miller, secretary of the Albany Iron Works, oc- 
cupies a position of influence. A man of ener- 
getic ability and keen foresight, he has met with 
much success in his various undertakings, and is 
one of the popular and esteemed residents of 
Albany. A native of Ohio, he was born Septem- 
ber 6, 1857, in Dallas, now Ansonia, Darke 
county, a son of Albert S. Miller. 

Born in Massachusetts, Albert S. Miller comes 
from sturdy Puritan stock. Remaining in the 
old Bay state until twenty-three years of age, he 
there learned the trade of bridge building, and 
then removed to Ohio, where he was for a num- 
ber of years superintendent of bridge building on 
different railways. During the Civil war he of- 
fered his services to his country, but on being ex- 
amined, was rejected. Coming to Oregon in 
1873, he lived first in Lebanon, Linn county, then 
in Eugene, Lane county, engaged as a bridge 
builder and contractor. When the first railway 
was built through the valley, he accepted the con- 
tract for building the bridges between Roseburg 
and the Rogue River valley. He subsequently 
had charge of the construction of the bridges, east 
of Portland, for the Oregon Railroad & Naviga- 
tion Company, and on the completion of the road 
embarked in mercantile business in Portland, in 
which he continued until his retirement from ac- 
tive pursuits. He is now living at Grant's Pass, 
Josephine count)', a hale and hearty man, eighty- 
two years old. He is an honored member of the 
Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the de- 
gree of R. A. M. He married Cecilia Harris, 
who was born in Ohio, in 1821, of French an- 
cestry, and the daughter of an early settler of that 
state. She died in Portland, Ore., in December, 
Five children were born of their union, 



namely : Mrs. Nellie Burgess, who died in Sa- 
lem, Ore. ; Harry B., formerly a manufacturer 
and merchant at Grant's Pass, is now United 
States Consul at Niuchwang, China ; Frank J., 
the subject of this review; Leroy, who died in 
Ohio ; and Albert, who passed away in Portland. 
Obtaining his elementary education in the pub- 
lic schools of Ohio, Frank J. Miller remained in 



978 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Toledo until he came with his parents to Oregon. 
On the opening of the University of Oregon, he 
entered the first class, and there continued his 
studies three years, leaving the institution during 
his senior year on account of the removal of the 
family to Salem. Becoming familiar with the 
trade of bridge building when young, he assisted 
his father in the construction of many of the 
bridges on the O. & C. Railroad. In the fall of 
1883, Mr. Miller entered into business as a bridge 
contractor on his own account, and during the 
two years that he was thus engaged, built bridges 
for counties and cities in ' >regon, Washington 
and Idaho. The ensuing two years he acted as 
agent for the San Francisco Bridge Company, 
which he represented throughout the northwest, 
from 1885 until 1887. He was subsequently as- 
sociated with bridge constructing on the C. & E. 
Railroad for a while, and then became superin- 
tendent of bridges and buildings on the O. P. 
R. R., a position that he retained three years. 
After working at bridge building for a short time, 
he then accepted the appointment of secretary of 
the Oregon State Board of Railroad Commission- 
ers, which he held two years, from 1891 to 1893, 
his headquarters being in Salem. 

During the year 1892-93, he was supervising 
engineer for Albany for the building of the Al- 
bany steel bridge, which, with approaches, reaches 
nearly one-half mile in length. 

Purchasing an interest in the Albany Iron 
Works in 1892, Mr. Miller served as president of 
the company several years, and is now its secre- 
tary and treasurer. When he entered the firm, its 
business was comparatively unimportant, but has 
rapidly increased, and has now control of all the 
iron work required on the C. & E. R. R., and on 
the Oregon & Southeastern Railway. The com- 
pany also makes a specialty of manufacturing 
heavy saw-mill machinery, carrying on an excep- 
tionally large business in that line, furnishing 
many of the mills in Oregon with machinery and 
supplies. The buildings connected with the 
works cover four full lots, and in the shops 
twenty-five men are kept constantly employed. 
Mr. Miller has also other interests, with his 
brother owning, at Grant's Pass, a thirteen hun- 
dred acre ranch, which is devoted to agriculture 
and horticulture, much hay, grain and fruit being 
produced each year. 

Mr. Miller was married in Eugene, Ore., De- 
cember 1, 1880, to Miss Maggie Gray, who was 
born, reared and educated in Eugene. Her 
father, Hon. J. G. Gray, for many years a promi- 
nent merchant in that city, was for sixteen years 
county treasurer of Lane county. Mr. and 
Mrs. Miller are the parents of three children, 
Lena, Inez and Nellie Gray, students at Albany 
College, and J. Franklin. Mr. Miller is promi- 
nent in Masonic circles, and is a member and 



past master of St. John's Lodge No. 62, A. F. & 
A. M. ; past high priest of Bayley Chapter No. 8, 
R. A. M. ; illustrious master of Adoniram Coun- 
cil No. 4, R. & S. M. ; past eminent commander of 
Temple Commandery No. 3, K. T. ; is grand 
master of Third Vail in the Grand Chapter of 
Oregon; is grand junior warden of the Grand 
Commandery of Oregon ; is a member of Al 
Kader Temple, N. M. S., of Portland; and is an 
officer in the Order of High Priesthood. Socially 
he is a member of the Alco Club. He is an active 
member of the First Presbyterian Church, and 
for many years has been one of its trustees, serv- 
ing two terms as chairman of the board, and is 
now serving as president of the board of trustees 
of Albany College. He is actively and promi- 
nently identified with the Republican party, and 
has rendered good service as a delegate to county 
and state conventions. 



MRS. MAHALA F. TURNER. Continuing 
in the work which her husband laid down at the 
summons of death Mrs. M. F. Turner is carry- 
ing on the routine of a general farm and stock- 
raising business with the success which always 
characterizes the methods and plans of one who 
has made a thorough and far-reaching study of 
agricultural pursuits. She is located upon a farm 
of two hundred and twenty acres six miles north- 
east of Harrisburg, Linn county, this being a part 
of the donation claim which her husband's father 
made in the early history of the country, and 
which became the property of her son, G. H. 
Turner, through her husband's purchase of his 
childhood's home. 

Mrs. Turner was before marriage Mahala F. 
Cochran, her father being William Cochran, who 
was born in Madison county, Ky., November 20, 
1813, his principal occupation on attaining man- 
hood being that of stock-raising. He married 
Ollie Johnson, a native of Putnam county, Mo., 
having been born there September 6, 1813, of 
Scotch-Irish ancestry, and in 1847 they outfitted 
for the trip across the plains, bringing their 
worldly wealth to Oregon in a six months' jour- 
ney with ox -teams. In the fall of the same year 
they located on Molalla river in Clackamas coun- 
ty, where they remained for two years, after 
which, in 1849, they became residents of Linn 
bounty. Here Mr. Cochran took up a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres, located one 
mile north of Brownsville, which remained the 
home of the family for many years. In 1889 Mr. 
Cochran removed to San Jose, Cal., near which 
he lived retired until 1898, when he returned 
north and located permanently in Albany, in 
which city he lived until January 24, 1900, when 
he went to the home of Mrs. M. F. Turner, where 
he remained until his death, which occurred Au- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



979 



gust 4, 1901, and his last resting place is in Al- 
bany cemetery beside his last wife, who died 
January 7, 1900. He was married four times, 
"his first wife having died September 12, 1854, 
in their home near Brownsville. They were 
the parents of ten children, of whom the ninth 
in order of birth was Mahala F., born in Putnam 
county, Mo., July 14, 1846. 

The early education of Mahala F. Cochran was 
received in the common schools at Brownsville, 
beyond which she has no recollection, as she was 
bnt one year old when the journey was made 
to their new home. When only seventeen years 
old she became the wife of Francis M. Rice, who 
had crossed the plains in 1852 and located three 
miles west of Brownsville. After her marriage 
her home was eight miles southeast of Harris- 
burg for a period of three years, after which, 
in 1866, they moved to a farm adjoining that on 
which she now lives, where her husband's death 
occurred in 1880. In this same location Mrs. 
Rice remained until her second marriage, which 
occurred October 12, 1887, uniting her with 
Thomas Turner. Mr. Turner was born in Indi- 
ana, January 16, 1835, and when he was seven- 
teen years old crossed the plains with his father, 
the latter of whom took up the donation claim 
before mentioned in 1852. This Thomas Turner 
bought of his father and made it the home for 
his wife and son George, at the time of his 
death owning three hundred and sixty acres. 
He died February 7, 1900, at the home place. 
Mr. Turner's life had been one of active interests, 
eight years of which, between 1854 and 1862, he 
passed in the gold mines of southern Oregon, 
and as a Democrat in politics he had always 
taken an active interest in every movement cal- 
culated to advance the tide of civilization and im- 
prove the conditions of his own community. He 
served variously as road supervisor and school 
director. He was a member of the Christian 
Church at Harrisburg, where his wife now holds 
membership. 

Of the seven children born to Mrs. Turner, six 
by the first union and one by the last, Farmer J. 
is located on the adjoining farm ; Rettie is de- 
ceased ; Archer is at lone, Morrow county, Ore. ; 
William is at Northport, Wash. ; Mahala is the 
wife of T. J. Rogers, of Harrisburg ; Frances M. 
is the wife of C. D. Bucknum, of Junction City ; 
and George H., the son by the last marriage, is 
still at home with his mother. 



CASPER ZIEROLF. The name of Ziefolf is 
a well known one in Oregon, its two representa- 
tives being men of the highest moral character, 
supplemented by good business ability and pro- 
nounced capacity for industry. Peter Zierolf, 
a resident of Corvallis, is the youngest, and 



Casper, of whom this sketch makes men- 
tion, is the oldest of the six children in his 
father's family. His birth occurred in Boston, 
Mass., December 8, 1840, his parents having 
settled there after coming from their na- 
tive land of Bavaria, Germany. The family later 
removed to Medina county, Ohio, and from there 
to Henry county, where the father lived to be 
sixty-five and the mother sixty-three years of 
age. Both are buried in a little Ohio churchyard, 
where they were laid to rest by their well loved 
children, who honored them for the practical 
and conscientious training which they had given 
them. The father was a rope-maker by trade, 
but, though he followed that in Bavaria, he de- 
voted his energies entirely to farming in his 
adopted country. Besides Peter and Casper, al- 
ready mentioned, are Mary, who is the wife of 
John Whitaker of this vicinity, and William, who 
is living in Ohio. 

In his youth Casper Zierolf had ambitions not 
entirely centered in farming, for while still quite 
young he served an apprenticeship to a brewer, 
and followed that business for about four years. 
The breaking out of the Civil war offered an 
opportunity for action which was thoroughly ap- 
preciated in a hitherto uneventful existence, and 
April 13, 1 861, he enlisted in Company D, Four- 
teenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and 
was mustered in at Defiance, Ohio. The regi- 
ment was first sent to Virginia, and in their order 
took part in the battles of Philippi, Laurel Hill, 
Cheat Mountain and Carrick's Ford, in which 
last engagement Mr. Zierolf was wounded and 
forthwith returned to his home, his term of serv- 
ice having expired. Not satisfied with his com- 
paratively short service he re-enlisted in Com- 
pany E, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry, and after being mustered in at 
Toledo was sent to Harper's Ferry to join the 
Ninth Army Corps. After the memorable battle 
at the Ferry he was transferred to the Twenty- 
third Army Corps of the Western Army, sent to 
Louisville, Ky., Bowling Green and Murfrees- 
boro, and later to Frankfort, Ky. From east 
Tennessee he went to join Sherman in his march 
to the sea, and at Atlanta Mr. Zierolf was wound- 
ed and sent to the hospital. Later he was sent 
to Camp Dennison and mustered out, immediately 
returning to his home in Ohio, where he rested, 
and then continued his association with the brew- 
ery. 

In 1869 Mr. Zierolf married Mary Hauck, who 
was born in Ohio, and in the fall of 1870 the 
young people came to Oregon and settled near 
their present home. In 1871 he bought his pres- 
ent farm of two hundred and sixty acres, twelve 
and a half miles south of Corvallis on the old 
Territorial road. He has made all of the im- 
provements which go to make it a valuable and 



980 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



productive property, including a fine rural house, 
large and commodious barn, and the latest in 
agricultural implements. To his original purchase 
he has added and now has two hundred and nine- 
ty-six acres, one hundred and seventy-five of 
which are under cultivation, and devoted to gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising. By no means 
narrow in his views or circumscribed in his in- 
terests, Mr. Zierolf takes a keen interest in the 
political and other developments in his neigh- 
borhood, and as a stanch Republican has ma- 
terially influenced party undertakings. He has 
served as road supervisor, school clerk and is at 
present director, and in these capacities has in- 
variably worked for the best good of the com- 
munity. Eleven children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Zierolf, the order of their birth being 
as follows : Albert, living in this vicinity ; Eva, 
the wife of C. Dennis, of Monroe, this county; 
Lorenzo, conducting general farming near Bruce ; 
Cora, living at home ; Irena, making her home 
in Pendleton ; Judd and Jay, twins, living at 
home ; Ada, the wife of J. Hurlburt, of the vicin- 
ity of Corvallis ; Florence, living at home ; Isaac, 
and Ida. 

The wife of Mr. Zierolf died in Portland on 
April 19, 1903, after a short sickness. She was a 
devoted wife and a kind and loving mother. 
She was a devout member of the Roman 
Catholic Church and is buried in the cemetery at 
Monroe, Benton county. She was fifty-nine years 
of age at the time of death. 



ABRAHAM B. B. LEWIS. In the days of 
his buoyant youth, and when teaching school or 
farming, or risking his life on the battlefields of 
the Mexican or Civil wars, Abraham B. B. Lewis 
was as fine a specimen of physical manhood as 
one could find in the length and breadth of this 
great country of ours. Six feet two inches in 
height, broad chested, perfectly proportioned, 
and erect as an arrow, he was the cynosure of all 
eyes wherever he went, and the admiration of 
all who were permitted to note the harmonious 
blending of his material and mental endowments. 
At present Mr. Lewis is a very old man, four 
score and two years, and paralysis has caused his 
shoulders to stoop, and his hardihood to vanish, 
but his mind is clear and rich in memory, and 
he is still a comfort to his many friends in Phil- 
omath. 

For centuries the Lewis ancestors pursued their 
various occupations in the snug little country of 
Wales, the first to think seriously of departing 
from accustomed haunts being the paternal grand- 
father, John, who came to America at the age 
of fourteen. He settled presumably in the state 
of Kentucky, where he farmed for the rest of his 
life, and from where he enlisted in the Colonial 



army during the Revolutionary war. In Ken- 
tucky was born his son, Thomas S., the father of 
Abraham B. B., and who in 1819 removed to near 
Madison, Ind., later taking up his residence on 
a farm near Indianapolis, Ind., where Abraham 
B. B. was born June 3, 1821. Thomas S. Lewis 
removed to Schuyler county, Mo., and in 1855 
to near Humboldt, Kan., where he died in 1858. 
He was a successful farmer, and to an otherwise 
creditable life added valuable service as a non- 
commissioned officer during the war of 1812. 
Through his marriage with Margaret Ellen 
Bayle, a native of Scotland, and who died near 
Indianapolis, eight children were born, five sons 
and three daughters, Abraham being the second 
oldest. 

Educated in the common schools and at Frank- 
lin College, Indiana, Abraham Lewis began teach- 
ing school in the Hoosier state in 1844, and in 
1854 shifted his educational field to Higginsville, 
111. In 1874 he removed to St. Clair, Mo., and 
after teaching a term engaged in general farm- 
ing and stock-raising for about twelve years. 
Coming to Oregon in 1887, he took up a home- 
stead near Vernonia, Columbia county, and suc- 
cessfully improved his one hundred and twenty 
acres, remaining thereon until retiring from active 
life in Philomath in 1895. Interspersed prin- 
cipally with his teaching has been the military 
service of Mr. Lewis, which began in May, 1846, 
when he enlisted as a private in Company H, 
First Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and went to 
the front in Mexico, remaining away from home 
until the following January. He then re-enlisted 
in Company D, Fourth Indiana Volunteer Infan- 
try as first lieutenant, and served until his dis- 
charge in July, 1848. During the service he 
participated in the battle of Huamantla, Mexico, 
a town located two days' march from Pueblo, 
and where the Mexicans were defeated by the 
Americans October 9, 1847. He also took part 
in innumerable skirmishes of a more or less seri- 
ous nature, during the first part of his service 
being in the Taylor line, and during the latter 
part in the Scott line. During the Civil war Mr. 
Lewis enlisted July 3, 1861, in Company I, Thir- 
ty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry as captain, 
and at St. Louis was under General Fremont, 
and later under General Buell. He took part in 
many minor battles and skirmishes, and in 1862 
found himself in Louisville, Ky. Here he was 
overtaken by a severe attack of rheumatism, in 
consequence of which his service was curtailed, 
and his discharge took place in Louisville in 1863. 

Near Williamsport, Warren county, Ind., Mr. 
Lewis was united in marriage with Artemisa 
Harris, a native of Marion county, Ind., and 
daughter of Benjamin Harris, who came from 
Kentucky to Indiana, locating in Marion county, 
and afterward removing to Boone and Warren 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



981 



counties. Mr. Harris was a Baptist preacher 
and a farmer, and died in Park county, Ind. Of 
the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis two 
are deceased. The oldest son, Willis Oscar, is 
living in Missouri; William Wallace is a resi- 
dent of Oregon ; Milton Douglas ; Benton Edgar; 
Minnie Agnes is the wife of J. K. Atkison, of 
Gaston, Ore.; Effie Estella is now Mrs. William 
H. Dark, of Portland, Ore. ; Orphia Nina is the 
wife of Robert A. Clark, of Philomath; and 
Louise E. is the wife of S. O. Watkins, the 
latter, a professor in the Philomath College. 
In politics thoroughly independent, Mr. Lewis 
has served as justice of the peace in Missouri 
and Oregon for about eleven years, and he 
was a school director in Columbia county, Ore. 
He is a member of the Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church, and during his life has contrib- 
uted unstintingly toward its maintenance. A 
man of fine principle, great capacity for indus- 
try, and unflagging zeal in whatever he under- 
took to do, he furnishes a worthy example of 
the transported easterner who soon becomes at 
home and at ease in his new and more purposeful 
surroundings. 



LEWIS ABRAMS. Among the men first 
connected with the business enterprises of Lin- 
coln, Polk county, Ore., is Lewis Abrams, the 
pioneer merchant and warehouseman of this 
city. He is not a native of the west, having been 
born in Monmouth county, N. J., February 29, 
1824, the son of Stephen Abrams, also a native 
of that locality, and died in Scott county, 111., in 
1862, at the age of sixty-two years. The fam- 
ily of this name was first located on American 
soil in the state of New Jersey, the grandfather 
having also been born there, of English parents, 
and on attaining manhood proving his loyalty to 
his country by serving as a colonel in the Revo- 
lutionary war, under Washington. The grand- 
mother was of German parentage, giving to her 
descendants the sturdy qualities which character- 
ize the people of that country. In 1833 the father 
brought his family to Morgan county. III, though 
afterward, through a division of the counties, 
he found himself located in Scott county, and 
there he engaged in farming and milling, meet- 
ing with excellent success. Religiously he was 
a Methodist. His first wife was Letitia Conover, 
a native of the same state ; she died in Illinois in 
1835. having become the mother of six children, 
of whom Lewis Abrams is the only one living. 
Mr. Abrams afterward married Anne Tavlor, 
and three children were born of this marriage. 

Lewis Abrams was nine years of age when the 
family fortunes were changed to Illinois, and 
he was there educated in the primitive log school 
houses of Scott countv. When sixteen vears of 



age his education was considered finished and he 
started out into the world to make his own way, 
as was the custom in those early days, and he 
secured employment on the Illinois river. Meet- 
ing with success he invested his earnings in a 
boat, running it from St. Louis up the river, and 
continuing thus employed for about four years. 
In 1849 ne g ay e up these interests to make the 
journey to the gold fields, crossing the plains in 
an ox train under the command of Captain Pope, 
of Booneville, Mo. Beyond minor incidents the 
trip was uneventful, and on arriving at his des- 
tination he went at once to the mines at the 
American river, and though not finding a fortune 
in the mining venture he left the mines in 1861 
with considerable money. Still interested in the 
precarious life of a miner he started with a pack 
train for the Fraser river, but stopped at Colville, 
Stevens county. Wash., where he engaged in a 
general merchandise business, packing his sup- 
plies from Portland. Meeting with considerable 
success he remained there until the spring of 1868, 
when he sold out and came to Polk county, Ore., 
locating at Lincoln in the spring of 1869. having 
previously lost about $30,000 in the mines of 
British Columbia. He at first entered into part- 
nership with J. D. Walling, but the death of the 
latter occurring soon afterward he became sole 
proprietor of the mercantile business, remaining 
in the same since, with entire success. In addi- 
tion to his mercantile business he has been en- 
gaged for many years in the buying, storing and 
shipping of grain. His store and warehouse are 
situated on the banks of the Willamette river, af- 
fording convenient transportation to Portland. 
He has handled as much as one hundred thousand 
bushels of grain per annum, and is still conduct- 
ing a large and lucrative business. He is the 
owner of a fine residence in Lincoln, which he 
built in 1869 

Mr. Abrams was married in 1864, in Scott 
county. III, to Mary Shea, a native of that state, 
who died in Lincoln in 1869. Five years later 
he married Phosia Witten, a native of Portland, 
Ore., the daughter of Joshua Witten, a native 
of Tennessee, and a pioneer of 1852. By his 
first marriage Mr. Abrams has one daughter, 
Lois, now Mrs. L. Rea Green, a music teacher in 
Philomath, Benton county, Ore., and three chil- 
dren by his later marriage, Letitia E., a teacher of 
elocution at Philomath College, Benton county ; 
W. Carleton, a reporter on the Statesman, of 
Salem, and who served in the Philippine Islands 
with the Second Oregon Regiment as sergeant 
in Company K ; and Chester W., now in his sec- 
ond year in Corvallis College. Politically Mr. 
Abrams is a Republican and has held several 
offices through this influence, among them being 
that of postmaster, to which he was appointed in 
1870, and several terms thereafter; road super- 



982 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



visor and many school offices. Religiously both 
himself and wife are members of Lincoln Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, which they assisted mate- 
rially in building and in many other ways since 
its organization. Mr. Abrams is a steward and 
trustee., filling the offices in a manner which has 
won and retained the confidence of the citizens 
of the community. Throughout his entire busi- 
ness career, he has been known as a man of 
honor and integrity, whose name is above re- 
proach. 



VICTOR P. MOSES. Benton county's 
leading citizens find a worthy representative 
in Victor P. Moses. The qualities essential to 
honorable and strong manhood are his — dili- 
gence, intelligence, reliability — and he has for 
a number of years been regarded as one of 
the most popular and prominent citizens of 
this portion of the state. He is a leader in 
musical circles and in public office his course 
has awakened the commendation and good 
will of even those opposed to him politically. 

Mr. Moses is a native of Quitman, Ark., and 
has back of him an ancestry honorable and 
distinguished. His father, the Rev. P. A. 
Moses, has in his possession the ancestral his- 
tory of the family back to the time when repre- 
sentatives of the name left their homes in 
Amsterdam, Holland, and crossed the Atlan- 
tic to the new world, settling in Pennsylvania, 
at an early epoch in the seventeenth century. 
Prior to the Revolutionary war the family was 
founded in Virginia and when the colonies be- 
came involved in war with England the family 
was represented in the Continental army by 
loyal patriots. Samuel Moses, the grand- 
father of our subject, was born in Virginia 
and there engaged in surveying. His son, 
Rev. P. A. Moses, was also a native of the 
Old Dominion and was graduated in Ran- 
dolph-Macon College, of Lynchburg, Virginia, 
with second honors of the class of 1855. He 
became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South, and removed to Arkansas, 
where he became prominent as a divine and 
educator. He served for a time as president of 
Quitman College and during the Civil war 
he for three years filled the position of chap- 
lain, with the rank of major, in the Thirty- 
fourth Arkansas Regiment Confederate Volun- 
teers. In 1875 ne came to Oregon, settling in 
Linn county, and for one term served as 
county superintendent of- schools there. He 
was also principal of the schools of Albany 
and principal of the Lebanon Academy for 
several years, and throughout this time he 
also continued his labors in the Methodist 
ministry. He is now living a retired life in 



Corvallis, and well does he deserve the rest 
which has been vouchsafed to him, as his has 
been a most useful life, his labors proving of 
marked benefit and helpfulness to his fellow- 
men. He married Miss Lucy Howell, who was 
born in Arkansas of Scotch descent and who 
has been to him for many years a faithful com- 
panion and helpmate on life's journey. They 
have six children : R. J., a merchant of Philo- 
math, Ore. ; A. W., who is connected with 
the Indian service department at Chilocco, 
Okla. ; S. H., who is also engaged in mer- 
chandising in Philomath ; Mrs. Susie Jenks, 
of Tangent, Ore. ; Josie, now Mrs. S. E. Trask 
of Corvallis ; and Victor P. 

The last named was born September 20, 
1875, i n Quitman, Ark., and the lullowing year 
the family joined the father in this place, Rev. 
Moses being at that time principal of the 
Brownsville school. The son pursued his edu- 
cation in Albany, completed the high school 
course in 1892 and in the fall of the same year 
he entered Albany College, where he remained 
until the spring of 1893, after which he en- 
gaged in teaching in Douglas county. In the 
fall of the latter year he came to Corvallis and 
matriculated in the Oregon Agricultural Col- 
lege, where he continued the work until he had 
reached the senior year. He was leader of the 
band while in Albany College, and was also 
leader and instructor of the band of the Ore- 
gon Agricultural College and under his guid- 
ance it attained a high degree of proficiency 
and became one of the attractive features of 
the school. 

In 1896 Mr. Moses accepted the position of 
deputy county clerk under Virgil E. Watters 
and acted in that capacity for nearly six years, 
when, without his solicitation he was nomi- 
nated by the Democratic party, in 1902, for 
the position of county clerk and was elected 
by a majority of twenty-three. He took the 
oath of office on July 7, of the same year, to 
serve for two years, and his previous experi- 
ence in the position of deputy having made 
him familiar with the duties of the office, he is 
now proving a most capable official. He is 
methodical, accurate and reliable in the dis- 
charge of the duties which devolve upon him 
and his course is winning for him unqualified 
commendation. He is also clerk of the county 
commissioners and probate courts. 

Fraternally Mr. Moses is connected with the 
Woodmen of the World, is consul commander 
and served for five years as clerk. He is also 
a member of the Uniformed Rank of the same 
order and is past chancellor of the Knights of 
Pythias Lodge at Corvallis and chaplain of 
the Knights of the Maccabees. While inter- 
ested in political and social work, he never • 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



983 



neglects the higher, holier duties of life, being 
a Faithful and active member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South. He is serving as 
a member of its board of trustees and since he 
attained the age of twenty years has been 
superintendent of the Sunday School, putting 
forth strenuous effort for the promotion of the 
cause. He is a charter member of the Jeffer- 
sonian Society of the Oregon Agricultural 
College and was at one time its president. In 
musical circles Mr. Moses is very prominent 
and has done much to promote the musical 
culture of the city in which he makes his home. 
He possesses a fine tenor voice, has a broad 
knowledge of the art and has done much to 
cultivate a taste for both vocal and instru- 
mental music in his city. He has been a 
teacher of both and is also active in the music- 
al development of the college and vicinity, 
taking an important part in the musical fes- 
tivals of the college and the Willamette Valley 
Choral Association. Other interests of Cor- 
vallis also claim his time and attention. He 
belongs to Hose Company No. 2, of the Cor- 
vallis Fire Department, of which he has been 
captain and for two terms he was its president. 
His is a finely balanced mind and a well 
rounded character, enabling Him to view the 
various departments of activity which consti- 
tute life in their true portions and to give due 
attention to each. His splendid qualities, -his 
ready smile, his kindly nature and his unfail- 
ing courtesy render him very popular and have 
gained for him a host of warm and sincere 
friends. 



CHARLES BRUCE MONTAGUE. With a 
wide knowledge of the advantageous locations of 
various parts of the world, Charles Bruce Mon- 
tague selected Lebanon, Linn county, Ore., 
as a place of residence. There he has be- 
come an important factor in the business 
and political affairs of the community. Previous 
to his retirement from the active cares of life, 
in 1892, he had been engaged in the mercantile 
business, for twenty-five years having success- 
fully conducted a store. He has held various 
political offices, his broad-minded, earnest thought 
and effort being calculated to elevate the char- 
acter of both state and municipal government. 

Mr. Montague is the representative of an old 
Scottish family, his ancestors having figured in 
various political warlike movements associated 
with the fortunes of England. His grandfather, 
Andrew Montague, a native of Scotland, and 
the son of another Andrew, whose birth. and 
death occurred in that country, held the rank of 
major at the battle of Waterloo. He died in 
Scotland, when fifty vears old. The father of 



Mr. Montague, Thomas, was born in Scotland 
and came to the United States about 1847, ar >d 
as a contractor he was employed by the Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad Company. After spending four 
years in different sections of the Union, and 
seeing the greater part of the western country, 
he returned to Scotland in 1853. His wife, Kath- 
erine De Courcey, likewise a native of Scotland, 
where she died, was the mother of four sons and 
three daughters, of whom Charles Bruce was 
the fourth. He was born in Argyll, Scotland, 
January 4. 1833. He came with his parents to 
America in 1847, when he was sixteen years old. 
His education was obtained in private schools in 
his native land. Having an uncle, John De 
Courcey by name, located in San Francisco, Cal.. 
Mr. Montague passed a part of the year 1852 
with him, working in his uncle's mercantile estab- 
lishment. Returning to Scotland, he enlisted 
in 1854 for service in the Crimean war, and 
served until the fall of 1856, with the commission 
of lieutenant. After the close of his service he 
returned to London, England, from which city 
he made trips to various parts of Europe, jour- 
neying through Ireland, Scotland, France, Egypt, 
and Greece, spending some time in Athens. In 
185S Mr. Montague returned to the United 
States, and after a short time spent in San Fran- 
cisco he came to Oregon. Soon after he started 
for the mines of the Fraser river, but changed 
his mind when he reached Salem, and began 
teaching school in the Waldo Hills. Three 
years later he joined the First Oregon Cavalry, 
became first sergeant in Company B, and freely 
gave his services to his adopted country in her 
time of need. He remained in the service from 
1 86 1 to 1864, in the last-named year being mus- 
tered out at Vancouver, Wash. In the same 
year he became chief clerk, under Captain Hop- 
kins, of the United States quartermaster depot, 
stationed at Vancouver. In 1866 he was ordered 
to San Francisco. The next year found him 
located in Sitka, Alaska, by order of the govern- 
ment. Three years later he resigned his office 
as chief clerk and, coming to Lebanon, Linn 
county, Ore., he was there engaged in the mer- 
cantile business for twenty-five years. 

Mr. Montague was married in Marion county. 
Ore., in i860 to Martha Peebler, a native of 
Iowa, who died in Lebanon. She was the 
daughter of David Peebler. a pioneer of 1852, 
who died in Lebanon at the age of ninety-six 
years. The six children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Montague, three sons and three daughters, are 
named in order of birth as follows: Elmer E., 
of Albany, Ore. ; Clara N. ; Mary, the wife of 
G. AV. Giboney, D. D.. pastor of the First Pres- 
byterian Church of Spokane, Wash. ; Charles 
D., a member of the board of examiners in the 
United States custom service in Portland, Ore. ; 



984 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ida M., wife of Dr. J. S. Courtney, of Dayton, 
Ore. ; and Robert B., who is engaged in the real 
estate business in Albany. In 1879 he was united 
in marriage with Mrs. Priscilla C. Redpath of 
Albany, Ore. She is a native of Saline county, 
Mo., the daughter of Dr. Nathaniel Ostrander, 
deceased. He was a native of the Hudson valley 
in New York state, removed to Missouri in 
young manhood, and in 1852 came to the Pacific 
coast, locating on the Cowlitz river. For about 
forty years he was continually engaged in the 
practice of medicine, being located for over a 
quarter of a century in Olympia, Wash., where his 
death occurred in 1901. Mrs. Montague's uncle, 
J. L. Yantis, D. D., a native of Kentucky, became 
a pioneer minister of the Presbyterian Church in 
Oregon, and founded the First Presbyterian 
Church of Portland in 1852. In 1853 he removed 
to Linn county and took up a donation claim 
located near the site of the town of Shedds. The 
latter years of his life were spent in Missouri. 

In addition to the property upon which Mr. 
Montague makes his home, a large and hand- 
some dwelling, which he built in 1890, he owns 
other residence and business property in Lebanon 
and also farming land near Vancouver, Wash. 
In his political associations a Democrat, in 1891 
he ably represented his party in the state legis- 
lature, as a member of the house of representa- 
tives, and there exercised no little influence 
through his associations upon various important 
committees. He has been active in municipal 
affairs, having served as mayor of the city for 
many terms, and also as a member of the council. 
In 1896 he became county clerk for Linn county, 
a position he filled for two years. Fraternally 
Mr. Montague is a Mason. He belongs to the 
Presbyterian Church. 



ABNER DAVIS GARDNER. A man whose 
business career has contributed materially to the 
prestige of Stayton, Marion county, is A. D. 
Gardner, the character of whose work has ex- 
tended beyond the narrow confines of that little 
city, reaching two-thirds of the way to the At- 
lantic coast, the section of country which has 
found it hard to believe all that is said of the 
great resources of this part of the northwest. 
The flour produced by the mills of the Gardner 
Brothers has been awarded two prizes for its 
excellence, the first being at the World's Colum- 
bian Exposition at Chicago, in 1893, and the sec- 
ond at the Trans-Mississippi Exposition at 
Omaha, in 1898 ; and the awards are emphatic- 
ally indorsed by thousands of consumers through- 
out the west. 

The father of the subject of this sketch, A. D. 
Gardner, Sr., was born in Ohio in 1819; subse- 
quently removed to Osage county, Mo., and in 



that state was united in marriage with Sarah P. 
Johnson, in 1842. Immediately thereafter he re- 
moved to a location near Des Moines, Iowa, fol- 
lowing the occupations of farming and preach- 
ing, the latter in the local way so popular in the 
earlier days. Not realizing a sufficient remunera- 
tion from his combined efforts, he decided to emi- 
grate to a more western state, following up his 
intention in the spring of 1852 by heading a 
party bound for Oregon. Mules and ox teams 
were employed in the expedition, and Mr. Gard- 
ner was chosen to command the train. After a 
wearisome trip of several months the caravan 
arrived in Oregon. Mr. Gardner and his family 
spent their first winter here near Salem, where 
he made as careful an investigation of the re- 
sources of various sections of the Willamette 
valley as was possible under the circumstances. 
As the result of his inquiries he decided to locate 
in Linn county, where he took up a donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres the fol- 
lowing spring. The house erected on the claim, 
though constructed of roughly hewn logs, was 
regarded as a very fine one in those days, since 
it possessed two rooms, where most settlers were 
content, or appeared to be, with but one room. 
Most of his farm was bottom lands at Fox Val- 
ley, on the Santiam river, and was provided with 
excellent natural advantages for general farming 
and stock-raising. The remaining years of his 
life were passed upon this estate, with the excep- 
tion of a few years, during which he conducted 
a hotel at Scio, to which town he removed for 
better school advantages. He died in 1885, at 
the age of sixty-six years. 

Mr. Gardner was the father of eight children, 
named in the order of their birth as follows : 
Mary L., widow of Dr. L. S. Skiff, of Salem, 
Ore. ; Isaac W., living on the homestead ; Sarah, 
wife of James Berry, residing near Mill City, 
Ore. ; Electa J., wife of J. I. Crabtree, of Stay- 
ton, Ore. ; Abner D., of this review ; Elizabeth 
E., deceased ; Marilla, wife of James Gardner, of 
Baker City, Ore., and Etta, wife of Charles Mills, 
who resides in Fox Valley. 

Abner D. Gardner was born in Fox Valley, 
Linn county, Ore., March 27, 1855. He was 
reared on the homestead, receiving every advan- 
tage in the educational line which the public 
schools of Scio afforded, in addition to private 
schools. When twenty-one years of age, he pur- 
chased a drug store at Stayton, in partnership 
with Dr. McCauley, and six months later bought 
the interest of his partner. It is not necessary to 
enlarge upon his success in this undertaking, for 
in a country where opportunities are so plentiful 
that they tempt men to try another than their 
own established business, success is reasonably 
sure to follow. 

In 1 89 1 Mr. Gardner purchased the Stayton 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



985 



(louring mills, which are now operated under the 
firm name of Gardner Brothers. Upon his pur- 
chase of this industry he reconstructed the mill, 
putting in the most improved modern machinery, 
including" that necessary for the roller process. 
The capacity of the mill is about eighty barrels 
per day. The location is very advantageous, 
being upon the Santiam river, which furnishes 
the motive power. In 1899 he disposed of his 
drug store in order that he might give his undi- 
vided attention to his milling interests, which 
have increased, year by year, as the territory he 
supplies becomes more thickly populated. 

In 1878, Mr. Gardner was united in marriage 
with Minnie Schneider, a native of Iowa, and a 
daughter of Albert and Mary (Mohr) Schneider, 
who were born in Switzerland and Germany, re- 
spectively. Mr. Schneider was one of the young- 
est soldiers in the Mexican war. Four children 
have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Gardner: Ethel E. and Veva A., graduates of 
Willamette University, and Norma and Abner 
Davis, Jr. Mr. Gardner has an interesting fam- 
ily, and is giving to his children every possible 
educational advantage, realizing that a good 
mental equipment will have a greater bearing 
upon their future lives than a liberal heritage of 
worldly goods. In 1901, Mr. Gardner embarked 
in the dairy business, and has eight hundred acres 
devoted to this industry. 

That Mr. Gardner's good citizenship has not 
been unappreciated is evidenced by the fact that 
in 1876 he was appointed postmaster of Stayton, 
and for thirteen successive years served in this 
office, under both Democratic and Republican 
administrations. As a boy he received training 
that proved helpful to him in this work, his 
father having been postmaster at Fox Valley for 
several years. Though a stanch Democrat in 
his political convictions, he has never exhibited 
a narrow- or offensive partisan spirit, but has 
shown himself to be, first of all, a splendid type 
of the American citizen. He has been a member 
of the town council for two terms, and has 
served for some time on the school board. Fra- 
ternally he is identified with the Masons, being 
a member of Santiam Lodge No. 25, A. F. & A. 
M.. in which he has been secretary for several 
years, as well as filling other positions ; is also 
identified with Aumsville Lodge, A. O. U. W. ; 
Degree of Honor No. 147, Stayton Camp No. 
51. Woodman of the World, and is a charter 
member of Stayton Circle No. 142. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
which he has officiated as class leader, and is 
now trustee and steward. 

Mr. Gardner is in the highest sense a public- 
spirited citizen. He contributes freelv of his 
time and his means toward the success of all 
movements which have for an end the improve- 



ment of the moral, educational, social or indus- 
trial status of the community, and is recognized 
as a man of probity and a high sense of personal 
honor. It is to such men as he that the north- 
west owes much for its advancement, and the 
state of Oregon for the position which it has 
attained among the sisterhood of states in the 
American commonwealth. Those responsible for 
the compilation of this volume take pleasure in 
honoring the request of those who know Mr. 
Gardner best, that he be accorded a place of 
more than passing distinction in the memoirs of 
the men who have taken the lead in the march of 
progress in the Willamette valley. 



PHILIP PETER GOULEY. Born in Mon- 
roe, Mich., September 21, 1845, Philip P. Gou- 
ley carries with him the characteristics which 
are the native gifts of the sons of the middle 
west, as well as those which are his by inherit- 
ance through his Canadian ancestry. His father, 
S. A. Gouley, was born in Canada, March 2, 
1 81 7, being reared to manhood in this country. 
Having learned the trades of carpenter and 
wagon-maker, he left his native cotmtry and, 
coming to the United States, settled in Monroe, 
Mich., where he remained until 1852, engaged in 
the prosecution of his combined business inter- 
ests. In his Michigan residence he met and 
married Marcelles Duval, a native of that state, 
being born near Monroe, in 1821, and in that 
city the young people first made their home. In 
1852 Mr. Gouley took his first western trip, com- 
ing by horse teams across the plains to Califor- 
nia, leaving his family in the home in Michigan 
to await his return. But briefly interested in 
the mining prospects of California, he came 
to Oregon during the same winter, settling 
in Marion county, near Woodburn, where he 
remained until 1856, at that time returning to 
Michigan by water, when he was again united 
with his wife and children. In 1859 he brought 
his family across the plains in the same manner 
in which he had first made the trip. Coming 
directly to his property near Woodburn, which 
he had purchased, they continued to make it 
their home until 1886, then removing to Wood- 
burn for a short time. In 1896 they came to 
their present home in Gervais. where Mr. Gou- 
lev now leads a retired life, himself and wife 
being verv popular in the society of that town. 
Of the five children born to them Philip P. Gou- 
lev, of this review, is the eldest ; Fred is lo- 
cated in Salem : Ellen is the wife of Dennis 
Manning, living east of Parkersville ; Minnie is 
the wife of Michael Murphv of Gervais ; and 
Henrv makes his home in Woodburn. 

The education of P. P. Gouley was received 
in the common schools of both Michigan and 



986 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Oregon, being fourteen years old at the time of 
his father's removal to the latter state. He con- 
tinued to make his home with his parents until 
his marriage, in 1872, with Miss Lydia Lerwill, 
who was born April 3, 1856, and reared on 
French Prairie, Marion county, Ore. Her par- 
ents were William and Sarah (Stanton) Ler- 
will, who crossed the plains in 1852 and settled 
at Parkersville. Mr. Lerwill was a miller, the 
first mill of Salem being under his management. 
Three children were born to them, as follows: 
Lydia, Mrs. Gouley ; Emily, wife of D. W. 
Cross of Los Angeles, Cal. ; and Walter, in 
Pardee, Cal. Neither of the parents are now 
living, the mother having died at the age of 
thirty-three years, and the father was killed at 
the age of sixty-six by the running away of the 
team which he was driving. Mr. Gouley and 
his wife commenced their married life on a part 
of her father's old donation claim, located nine 
miles north of Salem, on the Oregon City and 
Salem road. They have two hundred and 
twenty-seven acres of land, the majority of it 
being under cultivation, and here Mr. Gouley is 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising, 
also having a hop yard of forty-five acres, the 
latter pursuit yielding him a good income. In 
1902 he raised forty-seven thousand pounds, and 
the year before over fifty thousand pounds of 
hops, this amount representing quite a sum of 
money. All the improvements upon the farm 
are the work of Mr. Gouley, the substantial 
dwelling house and good out buildings giving 
indisputable evidence of his success in his chosen 
work. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Gouley two children were 
born. Homer, born December 21, 1874, is mar- 
ried and has one son, Lawrence Homer, farming 
near Brooks ; Romeo, born August 9, 1885, i s 
at home. Both of the sons were given business 
educations. 

Personally Mr. Gouley is a man who has made 
himself useful in the community in which he 
lives, his attitude in regard to national and local 
affairs being always for the broadening influ- 
ences likely to carry the country or community 
to a higher plane of morality. He has never 
swerved in his allegiance to the Republican 
party, his maturer mind following the principles 
endorsed by his youth, and in the service of this 
party he has acted as school director for several 
years. Fraternally he is a member of the An- 
cient Order of United Workmen, being a char- 
ter member of Fraternity Lodge No. 9, but later 
he was transferred to Brooks Lodge No. 137. 



CHARLES MILLER. The son of a pioneer, 
Charles Miller has not depended alone on the 
strength of his father's worth and ability, but has 



built up for himself a position of prominence in 
the affairs of his adopted county and state, as well 
as a place of financial importance among the en- 
terprising men of the community. Principally 
through his own efforts Mr. Miller has acquired 
the title to a farm of five hundred acres of rich 
and productive land, his first purchase being 
made with the fruits of a trip to the gold mines 
of California in 1849. Since that time he has 
made his home upon this property, with the ex- 
ception of the years 186 1-2, when he again visited 
the southern state. Every intelligent effort has 
been put forth in the making of a model farm 
and an ideal residence of the spot selected by his 
father on his first settlement in the west. 

Back beyond the events of the last fifty years, 
when men were following the march of progress 
toward the setting sun, Isaac Miller, the father 
of Charles, sold his farm in Miami county, Ind., 
to which he had removed four years previously, 
from Montgomery county. The sale was made 
with the full intention of emigrating to the west, 
but he met with such opposition from his mother 
that, out of consideration for her affections, he 
changed his plans and remained in the state, pur- 
chasing a farm in Montgomery county, where he 
lived until her death two years later. In the 
fall of 1847 Isaac Miller and his brother, Chris- 
tian, went to Missouri, where they passed the 
winter, outfitting in the spring for the journey, 
across the plains. Mr. Miller had three wagons 
with five yoke of oxen to each wagon, and his 
brother had two. The train of which they com- 
posed a part consisted of thirty wagons, over 
which Mr. Miller was appointed captain, and the 
journey from the Missouri river occupied four 
months and ten days. They were providentially 
spared the depredations of the savages, the only 
encounter being in Nebraska with the Pawnee 
Indians. 

Upon arriving in Oregon Mr. Miller took 
up a donation claim, consisting of six hundred 
and forty acres located in Marion county, and 
after one year's residence he sold the property 
to his two sons, Charles, of this review, and his 
brother, Samuel. He then removed to Clackamas 
county, and later to Linn county, in the latter 
locating near Albany, and later buying land near 
Millers. He continued accumulating property 
embodied in the broad lands of the northwest 
until he owned twelve hundred acres, when he 
sold out and removed to Ashland. There his 
death occurred in 1878, at the age of seventy-two 
years, he having been born February 8, 1806. In 
the early history of the country no one man 
contributed more toward the growth of the state 
than Isaac Miller. He was a member of the 
territorial legislature, and during the Indian war 
he held a commission as major by appointment 
of the governor of the state. He also served 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



987 



in the Rogue River war, 1855-6, during which 
service he was wounded. He also served during 
the troubles of that period on the Snake river. 
Mr. Miller was recognized as a power in his 
own neighborhood, helping to lay out roads, es- 
tablish schools and many other important move- 
ments calculated to establish a successful gov- 
ernment in the new land. He was the father of 
nine children, five sons and four daughters, his 
wife, who was born in Tennessee, in 1805, dying 
on the same day that marked his death. They 
were buried in the same grave at Ashland. They 
were both members of the Christian Church. 

Charles Miller was one of the party who 
crossed the plains, having been born near Craw- 
fordsville, Montgomery county, Ind., February 
23. 1830. His first move was made when he was 
ten years old, his parents then settling in Miami 
county, where they lived four years. His for- 
tunes continued to lie parallel with those of his 
father's family until he was nineteen years old, 
when he went with his brother Samuel to the 
territory of California. The trip was made on 
horseback, with packs containing their outfit and 
supplies, and on their arrival they went to work 
on the American river. The work of a summer 
found them satisfied, and they returned to Ore- 
gon with $1,500 each, and at once invested the 
money in the farm which their father was ready 
to sell. Trained as were the sons of other pio- 
neers. Mr. Miller was able to turn his hand 
to almost anything, and for some time he en- 
gaged in carpentering. As before mentioned, 
Mr. Miller now owns five hundred acres, which 
is finely improved, and upon which he carries 
on general farming and stock-raising. He has 
a large herd of full-blooded Jersey cattle, and 
as one industry of his own farm he has built 
a creamery, thus affording a livelihood for many 
laborers and a ready market for his milk. 

In 1854 Mr. Miller was united in marriage 
with Miss Nancy Vaughn, one of the number of 
heroic women who faced the perils of the plains 
and the privations of the wilderness with the 
courage of the old-time pioneers. She was a 
native of West Virginia, and just previous to 
the western venture she made her home with 
her parents in Platte county, Mo., where her 
father died in 1842. The family joined the 
current of emigration in 1852, and coming 
through safely, they settled near Turner, Marion 
county, where Mrs. Vaughn lived with her son, 
William. Eight children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Miller, of whom Louisa is the eldest; 
Lydia is the wife of J. B. Hoyt, of Jefferson; 
Ada is now deceased ; Charles is located on a 
part of the home place ; Nancy J., now also 
deceased : Ida is the wife of Fred Looney, of 
this county ; Emma makes her home with her 
parents, and the youngest child died in infancy. 



As a member of the Democratic party Mr. Miller 
was elected to the state legislature in 1885, and 
in 1892 he ran for congress on the Populist ticket. 
He has served as justice of the peace for several 
years, and was chairman of the Populist State 
Central Committee during the campaign of 1894. 
Fraternally he has been a Mason since 1864, 
being a member of Jefferson Lodge No. 33, A. 
F. & A. M., and is a charter member of the 
Grange. Mr. Miller was one of the founders of 
Jefferson Institute, established half a century 
ago, and is the only survivor in the neighborhood 
who was actively identified with its upbuilding 
for many years. He served as president of the 
board of directors for several years, and was 
largely instrumental in the construction of the 
school building. His wife belongs to the Chris- 
tian Church, which is situated two miles north 
of Jefferson. , 

A little incident in the life of Mr. Miller in the 
early days of the territory is worthy of mention, 
as showing the dangers and trials which are 
necessarily a part of the lives of those who lay 
the foundation of a great commonwealth. With 
several companions, among them being George 
W. Hunt, Lewis Streidt and Samuel Hart, the 
latter a mountaineer, Mr. Miller camped in 1851 
on the Rogue river, and during the night the 
Indians stole, nineteen of the twenty horses which 
they had. On discovery of the loss Mr. Miller 
with one of the others, started out on the depart- 
ing trail in the hope of overtaking the Indians and 
securing the return of the animals. Though 
finally successful in the recovery of the horses 
they had much trouble and a long hunt, following 
the Indians seven days and nights on one trip 
and eight days on another before finding them, 
as, after going fifteen miles they had separated 
and driven the horses in different directions. 
In the meantime they had captured the two chiefs, 
putting their Indian families under guard, which 
operated in their favor and induced the return 
of the stolen property. 



CLARENCE BUTT. As the standing of 
a community is best illustrated by the character 
and attainments of its legal exponents. Newberg 
is fortunate in being represented by Clarence 
Butt, a self-made man, and one of the most 
promising and brilliant of the younger generation 
of orators as well as lawyers. Born in Colum- 
bia county. Pa., May 27, 1871, Mr. Butt comes 
of reliable English ancestry, and from that source 
inherits not only professional, but business and 
social abilities. The family was first represented 
in America by the paternal great-grandfather, 
William, who came across the sea with his sons, 
Joseph and Zephaniah. Zephaniah became a 
college man and medical graduate, and after 



988 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 






settling in Ocala, Fla., managed to amass quite 
a fortune, being worth at the time of his death, 
$150,000. His son, Joseph, the paternal grand- 
father, was born in 181 2, and in his young man- 
hood settled in the eastern part of Pennsylvania. 
For a time he ran on the canals of that section 
of the state, but in after years turned his attention 
to farming, an occupation engaged in almost up 
to the time of his death at the age of seventy-two 
years. Although but moderately successful finan- 
cially, he yet wielded an important influence in 
his community, especially from a political stand- 
point. He was an almost rabid Republican, and 
did not hesitate to show his colors in the Fishing 
Creek Confederacy. • 

Zephaniah A. Butt, the father of Clarence, 
was born in Pennsylvania, May 18, 1849, an d 
at the present time is one of the leading Repub- 
licans and citizens of his community. He lives 
on the home farm in Yamhill county, and con- 
ducts lumbering in connection with farming, 
and is fairly successful in both occupations. 
Although in a strong Democratic community he 
courageously waves the Republican banner when- 
ever opportunity offers, and in this connection is 
one of the strongest supporters of the party in 
his county, and has many stanch friends among 
those who have known him for a lifetime. When 
comparatively young he married Clara Everhart, 
a native also of Pennsylvania, and daughter of 
Daniel Everhart, born in eastern Pennsylvania, 
and by occupation a lumberman and farmer. Mr. 
Everhart, who was a Democrat in politics, and 
fairly successful from a business standpoint, 
died in his native state at about the age of 
seventy years. Of the two sons and two 
daughters born to Zephaniah A. Butt and his 
wife, the popular lawyer of Newberg is the 
oldest; William lives at Benton, Pa.; Mary is 
an educator in Pennsylvania ; and Anna lives at 
her home in the Quaker state. 

After completing his education in Pennsyl- 
vania, Clarence Butt attended the Bloomsburg 
State Normal, and then entered the law depart- 
ment of the Northern Indiana Law School. At 
the expiration of two years he graduated from 
the latter institution wih the degree of LL. D., 
and after being admitted to the Indiana bar 
removed to Hamilton, Mont., where a residence 
of three months convinced him of its undesira- 
bility as a field for practice. Fairview, Ore., was 
a future field for experiment, and in 1895 he 
came to Newberg, and has since engaged in a 
general practice of law. Since coming here Mr. 
Butt has entered enthusiastically into all Repub- 
lican matters, and has made an honored place for 
himself among the higher ranks of politicians. 
Possessing a ready command of language, and 
concise knowledge of all facts in connection with 
his party, his services have been in great demand 



upon all important occasions. He was a dele- 
gate to the state congressional convention in 
1896, and was chairman of the Republican 
county convention in 1898. The same year he 
was nominated and elected state representative, 
and re-elected again in 1900. During both terms 
he was on the railroad committee, and during the 
first term was on the committee to investigate 
state university affairs. During the second term 
also he was chairman of the banking and busi- 
ness committee, and a member of the special 
committee on the state land board. During his 
second term in the house Mr. Butt caused consid- 
erable excitement by his effort to reduce the rail- 
road fare in the state from four to three cents. 
Although the only one of the committee in favor 
of it, he submitted three minority reports, and 
succeeded in getting the minority reports adopted 
by the balance of the house, an act which led 
eventually to the desired reduction by the rail- 
roads themselves. 

In Fairview, Ore., Mr. Butt was united in 
marriage with Inez Barrett, who was born in 
Elmwood, Peoria county, 111., and whose father, 
George Barrett, was a farmer and stock-raiser 
in Illinois, where his death occurred. Mrs. Butt 
received her education in her native state and 
at the Northern Indiana Normal School at Val- 
paraiso, Ind., and after coming to Oregon a year 
before her husband, she engaged in educational 
work for a couple of years. Two children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Butt, Ralph and 
Dale who are living at home with their parents. 
Mr. Butt is fraternally associated with the Blue 
Lodge of Masons, with the Eastern Star, and 
the Artisans. In the Methodist Church, of which 
he is treasurer and trustee, he is active in pro- 
moting its charities and general work, and con- 
tributes generously towards its financial necessi- 
ties. Mr. Butt possesses a judicial mind and 
temperament, excellent business ability and judg- 
ment, and a capacity for hard work well devel- 
oped. A minute comprehension of the theory 
and practice of the law, supplemented by those 
admirable characteristics, faithfulness and energy, 
assure him not only a continuation but an 
increase of his present professional prominence. 



CAPT. JULIUS HOWD. A large portion 
of the six hundred acres of land purchased by 
Capt. Julius Howd in 1869 was covered with 
dense timber, and necessitated arduous labors 
before the clearing and cultivation of the same 
was completed. That three hundred acres are 
now available for general crops is in itself an 
index to the industry and enterprise of the suc- 
cessful owner. Many fine improvements increase 
the value of the property, the residence, barns, 
outhouses and implements being such as to facili- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



B89 



tate an extensive and remunerative farming and 
stock-raising enterprise. Located in the Waldo 
Hills, about eight miles east and three miles south 
Salem, the land is adapted to the culture of 
grain and general produce. Captain Howd has 
made a specialty, for many years, of high- 
grade sheep, many of those sent out from his 
place being registered. 

For his start in life Captain Howd was not 
indebted to any especial mark of good fortune, 
for Ins parents were not prepared to lend him 
any material assistance toward a successful 
career. He was born in Onondaga county, N. 
Y.. December 6, 1829, the son of Isaac C. Howd. 
At the age of six years he was taken by his 
parents to the vicinity of Carthage, 111., and was 
there reared on a farm, eventually succeeding to 
the management thereof. In 1852, when twenty- 
three years of age, he started across the plains 
with an ox-train. After six months of varied 
adventure he reached Silverton, Ore., where he 
spent the first winter splitting rails. Afterward 
he worked on a farm for several months. In 
1855 he went to California with a herd of cattle, 
assisting the owner in getting them safely over 
the mountains. Lpon returning to Silverton the 
same fall he volunteered for service in the Cayuse 
Indian war, under Captain Bennett. During the 
six months of his service he engaged in the cam- 
paign in the eastern part of the state, participat- 
ing in the battle of the Yakima, and afterward 
taking part in the battle of Walla Walla, Wash. 

Soon after the close of the war Captain Howd 
went to Salem, where he was employed in a 
livery barn for one year. He then returned to 
his old home in Illinois, by way of the Isthmus 
of Panama and the Mississippi river. A year 
later he came back to Oregon, and soon went to 
work upon a farm. Subsequently he rented a farm 
for four years. In the meantime he had saved 
some money through his frugality and thrift, and 
in time he purchased one hundred and thirty 
acres near the State Insane Asylum, nearly all 
of which was timbered. He cleared a consider- 
able portion of this property and resided upon it 
for six years, for the first four years keeping 
bachelor quarters. November 7, 1865, ne mar- 
ried Mary Baker, who was born in Iowa, a 
daughter of W. Harrison Baker. Of this union 
there have been born five children, the eldest of 
whom, Eva, is the wife of Henry King, residing 
in the vicinity of Shaw, Ore. ; Elizabeth is the 
wife of Andrew Smith, who resides at Cottage 
Grove, Ore. ; William H. operates the home 
farm ; May is the wife of J. L. Patton of Cottage 
Grove, Ore. ; and Maude is the wife of W. J. 
Haberly. who resides near Willard, Ore. 

Two years after his marriage, in 1867, Captain 
Howd moved upon a farm of two hundred acres, 
now owned by Reuben Lee, where he resided for 



two years. This property he then traded for the 
farm which has since been his home. 

Captain Howd became a charter member of 
the Salem Grange, and has since transferred his 
membership to the Grange at Macleay. In re- 
ligion he is identified with the Christian Church. 
Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party, 
but he has never aspired to or been willing to 
accept political office. Notwithstanding his own 
large family he has added to the responsibilities 
of his household by adopting a homeless boy 
named John Ulrich, who is still living with him, 
and who came to his home when eight years of 
age. 

The benefactions of Captain Howd are always 
quietly and unostentatiously conducted, and rarely 
reach the ears of the public. The record of his 
life is free from blemish — that of an upright, 
honorable man. No man in the county is more 
fully entitled to a permanent place among the 
representative men of the Willamette valley than 
he, and the careers of few afford a greater inspir- 
ation to the youth of today. 



WILLIAM L. CUMMINGS, formerly princi- 
pal of the Oregon State Reform School for Boys, 
is eminently qualified for responsibilities of 
that character, his experience for many years as 
an educator having given him a thorough knowl- 
edge of human nature, and a patience and wis- 
dom in dealing with children. During his resi- 
dence in Oregon Mr. Cummings has touched 
upon various phases of endeavor in the north- 
west, has been successful as an agriculturist and 
horticulturist, and has served his community with 
distinction in the legislature. 

A native of the vicinity of Racine, Walworth 
county, Wis., Mr. Cummings was born Septem- 
ber 7, 1848, and when five years of age moved 
with his parents to Berlin, in the same state. His 
youth was a somewhat migratory one, for his 
father was a lumberman, and prosecuted his 
business in several lumbering localities in the 
state, finally locating on a farm in Clark county 
in 1862. The son was educated in the public 
schools and at Galesville University, and at the 
age of nineteen began a period of teaching in the 
graded schools of Trempealeau county covering 
sixteen years. In 1884 he was elected county 
superintendent of schools in Trempealeau county, 
and while serving thus for eight years, materially 
elevated the standard of education in the district 
over which he had control. In 1893 he removed 
to Oregon, purchased near Shaw five acres of 
land, and made thereon many fine improvements. 
He now owns forty-five acres. At first he set out 
five acres in Italian prunes, and at the present 
time he has nine acres under this favorite fruit, 
and five acres under apples, pears, and cherries. 



990 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 






Refreshed by a year of experience in the 
country, Mr. Cummings returned to his former 
occupation, and after teaching for a year at 
Turner, acted as assignee for a bankrupt store 
at Shaw for a year. In the meantime he had 
become active in politics, and in 1898 was elected 
to the legislature on the Republican ticket, serv- 
ing in the special and regular sessions. In the 
spring of 1899 he was appointed principal of 
the Oregon State Reform School for Boys, a 
position maintained by him with great satisfac- 
tion to all concerned. 

In 1872 Mr. Cummings was united in marriage 
with Adelaide Bunn, of which union there have 
been born the following children: Florence, a 
teacher; Carroll, for some time a teacher in 
the public schools of Oregon and Washington; 
Susie, the wife of Otis Bates ; Sybil, a graduate 
of the State Agricultural College at Corvallis, 
class of 1903 ; Alson, attending the Salem Busi- 
ness College; Arthur and Laura. The Cum- 
mings family are members of the Methodist 
Church. Mr. Cummings retired from the prin- 
cipalship of the Reform School April 1, 1903, and 
since then has devoted his time to the culture of 
fruit. 



MARY E. HUNT. A woman who, herself a 
success financially, gives generously of her 
abundance, contributes in countless ways to the 
happiness and well-being of those around her. 
Such an one is Mary E. Hunt, of Scio, known to 
all, and lovingly called " Aunt Mary." There is 
no more popular residence in the town than that 
owned and occupied by this earnest and kind- 
hearted business woman, who loans money, looks 
after her large property interests, and is a stanch 
supporter of the Missionary Baptist Church. 

Before her marriage Mrs. Hunt was Mary E. 
Shelton, and she was born in Jackson county, 
Mo., April 2, 1837. Her father, Hayman Shel- 
ton, was born in the Old Dominion state, and 
there married Priscilla Fitzgerald, also a native 
of Virginia, who died at the home of her son in 
Linn county in 1876, at the age of seventy-seven 
years. After his marriage, Mr. Shelton removed 
to North Carolina, thence going to Missouri, 
locating on a farm in Jackson county. This he 
afterward sold, and bought a farm in Andrew 
county, near St. Joseph, which continued to be 
his home until crossing the plains in 1847. ^ n 
the meantime twelve children had been born into 
the family, seven sons and five daughters, of 
whom four sons and four daughters are living. 
The children were all members of the little party 
' which set out on its perilous journey, and, from 
May until October, endured the hardships of 
travel by day, and precarious camping at night. 
Mr. Shelton looked around him in Oregon for a 



desirable location, and finally selected a claim 
six miles east of Scio on Thomas creek, where 
he lived until his death, March 8, 1876, seven 
months before the death of his wife. 

The children were reared to habits of thrift 
and industry, and each was obliged to perform 
his or her share towards the general support. 
Mary E. was no exception, and the discipline 
was beneficial, for she grew into a strong and 
self-reliant woman, learning her lessons of life 
from her immediate surroundings, rather than 
from the country school which she attended ir- 
regularly. After coming to Oregon she lived 
on the home farm, making herself useful in its 
management, and each year developing the lov- 
able and generous traits of character which are 
the delight of her friends of today. In 1857 Enoch 
Hunt, who had been in California, and was on a 
visit to his brother in Oregon, became acquainted 
with Miss Shelton, admired her character and at- 
tainments, and finally persuaded her to share 
his life fortunes. They were married in the fall 
of 1864, and their united life proved a very happy 
one. 

Enoch Hunt was born in North Carolina, July 
25, 1825, his father, Nathan, being a native of 
the same state. The family moved to Missouri 
at a very early day, and at Lone Jack the father 
owned a farm, distillery and flouring mill, which 
he operated with considerable success. The re- 
mainder of his life was spent in Missouri, where 
he lived to an advanced age, honored and 
esteemed by all who knew him. Enoch came 
to California across the plains in 1852, by 
means of slow-moving oxen, the journey last- 
ing about six months. He was fairly 
successful in the mines, and when he came 
to Oregon had no intention of remaining. A year 
after his marriage he took his wife to California, 
and in Napa county they lived on a beautiful 
ranch devoted to deciduous fruits and general 
farming, and where the rest of their married life 
was spent. Here Mr. Hunt died in 1887, leav- 
ing a very comfortable fortune to the wife who 
had been his companion and sympathizer. He 
was a quiet, unassuming man, and after he came 
to California thought it the garden spot of the 
world. He was a Democrat in politics, but chose 
rather the quiet of home life than the strife and 
uncertainty of political office-seeking. 

After her husband's death Mrs. Hunt came to 
Scio, and she has since been the promoter of 
multitudinous good works, and many business in- 
terests. Her sympathetic ear is always attentive 
to the woes of others, and she invariably has 
good cheer and practical counsel with which to 
dispel discouragement and hopelessness. Truly 
" Aunt Mary " occupies an enviable place in the 
hearts of those who comprise the community of 
Scio. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



991 



COLLIN AUSTIN WALLACE. No state 
can boast of a more heroic band of pioneers 
than Oregon. There came to the northwest men 
who were not adventurers or fortune seekers, but 
were intent upon establishing homes for them- 
selves and families and of founding a commun- 
itv of law-abiding citizens who wished to 
take advantage of the natural resources of this 
portion of the country. Mr. Wallace was a 
representative of this class, and in the years of 
his business career he has gained success. He 
is thoroughly familiar with the early history 
of the state, his memory forming a connecting 
link between the primitive past and the pro- 
gressive present. He arrived in Oregon in 
[852, coming to this state from the Mississippi 
valley. His birth occurred in Branch county, 
near Coldwater, Mich., January 17, 1834, his 
parents being Timothy and Roxy (Thurston) 
Wallace. The father was born in Connecticut 
and the grandfather, Payne Wallace, died in 
that state. The family is of Scotch descent 
and was established in New England in colon- 
ial days. Timothy Wallace removed from 
Connecticut to Branch county, Mich., where 
he improved a good farm upon which he spent 
the remainder of his life. His wife was a 
native of Sandusky, Ohio, and a daughter of 
Jason Thurston, who was born in Ohio and 
became a farmer of Burr Oak, Mich. Mrs. 
Wallace also passed away in the Wolverine 
state. By her marriage she became the mother 
of six children : Edward P., who came to 
Oregon in 1852 and now resides in Amity; 
Lewis K., who arrived in the same year and 
died in 1886; Collin A.; David, who came in 
1861 and resides in Yamhill county; Roxelane, 
the wife of Dr. Woodard, of Olympia, Wash., 
a resident of the state since 1852 ; and Will- 
iam, who died at the age of four years. 

Collin Austin Wallace was reared in the 
usual manner of farmer lads. His father died 
when he was but fourteen years of age and his 
mother the following year, and thus he was 
early thrown upon his own resources. In his 
youth he attended the subscription schools. 
After his parents' death he was employed in 
teaming at the time of the building of the Lake 
Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. In 
1852, he and his two brothers, Edward P. 
and Lewis K., came to Oregon, starting 
from Branch county, Mich., on the 25th day of 
March with an ox-team and some cows. They 
traveled by the Avay of Chicago, crossing the 
Mississippi river at Galena and the Missouri 
at Council Bluffs and by the way of Fort 
Hall continued the journey arriving at The 
Dalles on the 17th of October. Collin A. Wall- 
ace continued on his way to Portland, where 
he remained for a short time, but the same fall 



took up his abode in Lafayette, Yamhill county, 
where he spent the winter. In June, 1853, he 
went to Olympia, Wash., where he remained 
for five years, acting as mail carrier and 
express messenger for Governor I. I. Stevens 
of Washington Territory. At various times 
there were outbreaks among the Indians and 
Mr. Wallace volunteered for three months' 
service in the Indian war, joining the First 
Washington Regiment under Captain Eaton. 
About twenty-one days later Governor Stevens 
detailed him to act as express messenger, and 
he carried the express from Olympia to Van- 
couver and Snake river points for a year. This 
was oftentimes a hazardous undertaking, but 
the duty was always faithfully performed. 
While in the military service he took part in 
the battle of Walla Walla valley, being with 
a company of volunteers who engaged the 
Indians there. In 1856 he secured the mail 
contract in Washington, but later sold out and 
turned his attention to farming. 

In 1858 Mr. Wallace came again to the Will- 
amette valley and through the succeeding 
winter conducted a butcher shop. In 1859 rie 
resumed farming and in 1861 purchased a 
tract of land six miles southwest of McMinn- 
ville. He at once began the cultivation and 
improvement of this land, and in 1865 sold it 
and purchased a farm of two hundred and fifty 
acres two and a half miles from McMinnville, 
upon which he developed a splendid farm, 
pleasantly located on the Sheridan road south- 
west of the city. There he carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits with good success until 1878, 
when he removed to McMinnville and estab- 
lished a grocery store, but later retired from 
mercantile life and devoted his energies to the 
supervision of his farming property until April, 
1903, when he moved to Salem. He sold his 
original farm and now owns the old fair 
grounds at McMinnville, comprising ninety 
acres, on which there is a fine track a 
mile in extent, and which is unsurpassed by 
any in the state. Here he has a nice park, 
and he also owns other lands in Yamhill county 
devoted to farming purposes. He has raised 
fine standard-bred horses, owning some very 
valuable stock, including Alta Dell, who at 
three years made a record of 2:16. In 1888 
Mr. Wallace went east and brought out a carload 
of full-blooded Holstein cattle. These he pur- 
chased from Captain Wales, of Iowa, and they 
were among the first blooded cattle brought 
into the state. Mr. Wallace was one of the 
organizers of the Oregon Fire Relief Association 
of McMinnville, and served on its first board of 
trustees, filling the position for several years. 

In North Yamhill in 1857 occurred the mar- 
riage of Mr. Wallace and Miss Eliza J. Shuck, 



992 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 






who was born near Burlington, Iowa, a 
daughter of Hon. Andrew J. and Mary (Con- 
lee) Shuck. Her father was born near Craw- 
fordsville, Ind., June 19, 1815 and her grand- 
father, Jacob Shuck, was born in Pennsylva- 
nia, whence he removed to Indiana, locating 
upon a farm. Later he became a farmer of 
Iowa and in 1847 crossed the plains, spending 
his last days in Yamhill county near Dundee. 
He had served his country in the war of 1812 
and was present at the battle of Tippecanoe. 
/\ndrew J. Shuck was reared in Indiana and 
afterward became a resident of Iowa. He 
there followed farming near Burlington, until 
1847. I n the meantime he had wedded Mary 
Conlee, who was born in Byron county, Ky., 
March 15, 1818, a daughter of Reuben Conlee, 
who was an agriculturist and a native of the 
Blue Grass state. He removed to Greene 
county, 111., among its early settlers and served 
in the Black Hawk war. After his military 
service had ended he became a resident of 
Des Moines county, Iowa, settling near Bur- 
lington, where his death occurred. He was a 
leading and influential citizen of that state 
and was serving as a member of the Iowa 
legislature at the time of his death, which 
occurred while he was in Des Moines attending 
the sessions of the general assembly. Isaac 
Conlee, the grandfather of Mrs. Shuck, was a 
farmer in Kentucky and died there in the year 
1847. Andrew J. Shuck with his wife and six 
children started on the long journey across the 
plains in a slow-moving ox-train, having been 
nearly seven months upon the way ere they 
reached the fertile valley of the Willamette. 
Mr. Shuck secured a donation claim of six 
hundred and forty acres near North Yamhill, 
and there he developed his land, providing 
a good home for his family. At the time of 
the Indian war he made guns for the use of 
the volunteers. He was the first sheriff of 
Yamhill county and served in that position for 
two terms, after which he represented his 
district in the territorial legislature for two 
terms and was a member of the first state 
legislature. He assisted in building the first 
schoolhouse in his locality and took an active 
part in establishing civilization in this wild 
and unimproved region. Finally he located in 
McMinnville, where he built a residence. He 
was serving as school director at the time of 
the erection of the present fine schoolhouse, 
and he died in 1894, his death being lamented 
by all who knew him. In politics he was a 
Democrat and was a warm friend of the cause 
of temperance. Mrs. Shuck still survives her 
husband and now makes her home with Mr. 
and Mrs. Wallace. By her marriage she 
became the mother of seven children, of whom 



Mrs. Wallace is the eldest. The others are Mrs. 
Susan M. Oppenhoff, of Dawson City, Alaska; 
Mrs. Nancy Ellen Olds, of McMinnville ; Mrs. 
Matilda Wood, of Yamhill county; William 
and Reuben, who own the old donation claim ; 
and Mrs. Ann Fendall, of Ashland. 

Mrs. Wallace was born in Iowa in 1839 an( l 
in her youth attended a subscription school 
held in a log building. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace 
have three children: Edward West, who for 
fourteen years was a grocery merchant of 
McMinnville, but is now living upon his 
father's farm ; Mrs. Anne Todd, wife of Joseph 
Todd of Napa, Cal. ; and Cora, the wife of T. 
B. Kay, who is president of the Salem Woolen 
Mills of Salem. 

Mr. Wallace has always been honored and 
respected by his fellow-citizens, and was twice 
elected to the McMinnville city council, serv- 
ing as president for one term. Both he and 
his wife hold membership in the Christian 
Church, in which they take an active interest. 
He was a member of the board of elders and 
was superintendent of the Sunday school for 
a number of years, while Mrs. Wallace was 
president of the Ladies' Aid Society. In poli- 
tics Mr. Wallace is independent and is a strong 
temperance man. He belongs to the Indian 
War Veterans Association and was captain for 
a number of years. It is not difficult to deter- 
mine upon what side of a question C. A. 
Wallace will be found, for he is outspoken and 
fearless in the defense of his honest convic- 
tions. He has been not only a witness of the 
development of Oregon for a half century, but 
also a participant therein. He has done much 
effective work for Yamhill county and well 
deserves mention in this volume. 



FRANKLIN PROPST. Seven miles east 
of Albany is the one hundred and ninety-three- 
acre farm of Franklin Propst, a well known and 
successful farmer of Linn county. Born on a 
farm in Fayette county, W. Va., April 10, 
1832, Mr. Probst removed with his parents 
near Petersburg, 111., in 1842, and there grew 
to manhood, receiving his education in the 
public schools. His youth was uneventful, 
and he gladly welcomed the opportunity to 
come west which presented itself in 1852. 
With his uncle, Anthony Propst, and his fam- 
ily, he started across the plains with ox- 
teams. On the way the uncle and aunt died, 
leaving the youth entirely dependent upon 
his own resources. Five months and ten days 
from the time of starting he reached his desti- 
nation in Linn county, and there found em- 
ployment in the saw-mill of Mr. Lewis Cox, 




'O'^asn^Us j6 J6V^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



993 



an occupation to which he readily adapted 
himself. 

In 1853 Mr. Propst went to southern Oregon, 
and on Althouse creek worked for about six 
months, at placer mining; but this was such 
a wild and desolate region, and so infested with 
Indians, that he was obliged to seek employ- 
ment in safer quarters. Returning to the saw- 
mill of Mr. Cox in Linn county, he worked for 
several months, and in July, 1854, went into 
partnership with Frank Powell and rented 
the Powell mill. This association was amic- 
ably continued for about nine months, when 
Mr. Propst was married, in 1855, to Mary 
Powell, and with her removed to a farm 
near by, which he had bought. There have 
been born seven children of this union : John 
Henry, of eastern Oregon ; Marion, a farmer of 
Linn county ; Maria A., Avife of Martin Miller, 
of Linn county ; Zidana, wife of F. C. Butler, 
of Linn county ; Anthony G., who resides on 
the home farm ; Layton B. residing near Leb- 
anon on a farm ; Mary S., wife of Thomas 
Reilly. a railroad man of Albany. 

In 1872 Mr. Propst sold his farm and moved 
to his present home, which he has greatly im- 
proved, and made valuable and productive. 
( Hitside interests have contributed to a sub- 
stantial yearly income, and have served to 
bring into play the many abilities of this popu- 
lar farmer. In 1893 he added to his respon- 
sibilities by starting a tile factory, which he 
successfully managed for about seven years. 
He has never taken a more than passing inter- 
est in politics, but is nevertheless a stanch 
supporter of the Republican party, for whose 
candidate he cast his first presidential vote 
in 1853. Mr. Propst is highly esteemed in his 
neighborhood, is enterprising and thrifty, and 
his farm is a model of neatness and good 
managment. 



FRANCIS M. DODGE. In his pioneer ven- 
ture into the west Francis M. Dodge was not 
alone, having the support" of his parents, who 
came with the courage of youth to add their 
touch to the growing civilization when the sun 
of their lives was well in its zenith. The 
father, John Dodge, was born in Susquehanna 
county, N. Y., in 1810, the son of a farmer, 
and to this training he added the trades of 
a brick mason and plasterer. His early dis- 
cipline was calculated to foster the traits of 
independence and self-reliance, as he was 
forced by the death of his parents into the 
struggles of life at a very youthful age, and 
his course throughout his career has evidenced 
his good judgment and earnestness of purpose. 
He married Sarah Ives, a native of Middleton, 



Conn. In Pennsylvania they made their home 
until 1844, when they removed to Stark county, 
111., leaving the latter home in 1853 f° r tne 
long and dangerous journey across the plains, 
made with the slow-plodding oxen, and in the 
tight most pleasant months of the year. There 
was no serious trouble with the Indians to 
mar the pleasure of the trip, nor in any way 
was their progress impeded. 

Coming direct to Salem, Ore., Mr. Dodge 
was satisfied to make a home there for his 
family, and ten years passed before they again 
made a move. In 1863 they went to the Puget 
Sound country, locating fourteen miles from 
Olympia on Miami Prairie, and after residing 
there for some time, returned to Marion coun- 
ty, Ore., but later making the former place 
their permanent home. The death of both of 
the parents occurred at Mud Bay, the father 
dying at the age of eighty-two years, the 
mother at seventy-six. Of the children born 
to them Bruce, Desdemona and Samuel make 
their home near Olympia ; and Francis M., of 
this review, is a resident of Marion county, 
Ore. At all times a Republican, Mr. Dodge 
served for some time as Indian agent on the 
Black river, through this influence. Though 
not a member of any church he was a believer 
in Christianity, and practiced it to the extent 
of his ability. 

Francis M. Dodge was born in Crawford 
county, Pa., October 29, 1835, and was thus 
seventeen years old at the time of his father's 
removal to Oregon, nine years having been 
spent in the state of his birth. His early edu- 
cation was received in the common schools of 
the last named states and in the schools of 
Salem, though he left home soon after the re- 
moval to the west. Going to Miami Prairie, 
Wash., he enlisted in 1855 in the company 
commanded by Capt. Gilmore Hayes, for ser- 
vice in the Cayuse Indian war, during which 
he took part in numerous engagements, among 
them being those at White river, South Prai- 
rie, Connell Prairie and Walla Walla, and was 
a member of Shaw's train at the time it was 
captured. On being mustered out a year later 
he returned to Miami Prairie, where he had 
previously taken up a donation claim, and 
upon this property he remained until 1861, at 
that time removing to Oregon. After a few 
years spent as a teacher in this state, Mr. 
Dodge invested his earnings in land near Port- 
land, and remained upon the same for a year, 
at that time purchasing the one hundred and 
sixty acres upon which he now makes his 
home. This is located on Butte creek, three 
and a half miles east of Woodburn, and at the 
time of the purchase was wild land with the 



994: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



exception of six or seven acres. Through his 
own efforts he now has one hundred acres 
under cultivation, all of the improvements be- 
ing a credit to his energy and an evidence of 
his prosperity. He is engaged at present in 
general farming and stock-raising. 

In 1865 Mr. Dodge was united in marriage 
with Jane Caples, a native of Andrew county, 
Mo., having been born there November 2, 1847. 
In 1849 s he crossed the plains with her parents, 
William and Nancy (Nowell) Caples. Mrs. 
Dodge is a cousin of Judge John F. Caples, 
whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this 
volume. To this union of Mr. and Mrs. Dodge 
were born six children, of whom Robert Bruce 
died at the age of eighteen years. Elmer John, 
unmarried, makes his home with his parents; 
Edgar is located in Eugene and has one son, 
Ray ; Lizzie Willema is the wife of A. Pugh 
of eastern Oregon ; Walter S. is at home ; and 
Oscar died at eight years of age. Like his 
father Mr. Dodge is a Republican in politics 
and has always taken an intelligent and active 
interest in the movements of this party. Mr. 
and Mrs. Dodge are members of the Oregon 
Pioneer Association, and both are living true, 
Christian lives, in word as well as in deed. 



ABNER LEWIS. The family to which Abner 
Lewis belongs is one of the oldest in Oregon, his 
father, Reuben, having been a member of the 
first train of emigrants to cross the plains in 
1842. This heroic traveler was born in the 
state of New York in 1814, was reared on a farm, 
and with a very meager education began to make 
his living on the canal at the age of sixteen 
years. Gradually vistas of usefulness opened 
before him further west, and he finally located 
in Iowa, where he worked at whatever he found 
to do. There was no shadow of hesitancy or any 
want of courage in his character and when the 
projected trip across the plains began to take 
definite shape he prepared like a Spartan for a 
plunge into the unknown region, which of neces- 
sity held the possibility of death in every step of 
the way. This, the first emigrant train to brave 
the dangers of the plains, consisted of sixteen 
wagons. As the trials of the early home-seekers 
have been told in romance and history innumer- 
able times, it is hardly necessary to go into the 
details of their daily life, or follow their progress 
too closely, as they overcame obstacles undreamed 
of by the tourist of today. Mr. Lewis contributed 
his services as a hunter in return for accommo- 
dations on the plains, and much large and small 
game and fish were brought into camp for the 
relief of hunger stricken travelers by this intrepid 
hunter. Arriving at Fort Hall the party aband- 
oned their wagons, and with packs strapped to 



their backs, proceeded on foot to their destination 
in Oregon City. 

In the primitive community of Oregon City 
Reuben Lewis helped build a mill, and February 
14, 1844, married Polly Frazier, who, with her 
mother and step-father, John McHaley, had 
crossed the plains in 1843. With his newly 
wedded wife he took up a donation claim of six 
hundred and forty acres one and a half miles 
northwest of Aumsville, and erected a rude log 
house 16x16 feet, ground dimensions. In this 
primitive house Abner Lewis was born Decem- 
ber 10, 1846, the second of the nine children born 
to his parents. His older brother, William H., 
resides in Ohio; Newton lives at Gates, Ore; 
John is a farmer near Aumsville; Melinda is the 
widow of J. Chambers of Turner, Ore; Nelson 
died when quite young; Mary A., deceased, was 
the wife of Charles Bowie; Frank is a resident 
of Pendleton ; and Sarah died September 10, 
1881. 

In the early days his father took a keen inter- 
est in his crude surroundings, and while cutting 
down his timber and getting his land in shape 
for the seed looked out also for the general im- 
provement of the locality. He took a special 
interest in laying out roads, in establishing 
schools, and erecting churches, and he was a man 
of untiring industry and great business judg- 
ment. Necessarily he had to contend with the 
encroaching Indians, and he took an active part 
in the early efforts to exterminate the murderous 
red men. At the age of seventy-five years, April 
6, 1886, this pioneer of pioneers passed quietly 
from life, leaving behind a fair competency for 
those dear to him, and the legacy of a good name 
earned by industry and integrity. His wife had 
preceded him to the unknown Jury 14, 1862, at 
the comparatively early age of thirty-five. Both 
were members of the Christian Church. Mr. 
Lewis took no very active interest in politics, 
probably because there was little political agita- 
tion in his neighborhood. He favored statehood 
for Oregon, and used his influence and vote 
in behalf of the movement toward that end. 

The success of his father enabled Abner Lewis 
to start out in life with a better education than 
falls to the lot of the average farm-reared youth, 
for he not only studied at the district schools, 
but received supplementary training at the Will- 
amette University. He remained at home until 
his marriage, December 12, 1869, with Margaret 
A. Baker, a native of the vicinity of Turner, 
Marion county, Ore. Soon after he purchased 
a part of the farm upon which he has lived 
most of the time since, and which is now 
increased to two hundred and forty acres of 
land in the home farm. Mr. Lewis is also the 
owner of eighty acres near Aumsville, and one 
hundred and five acres seven miles south of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



995 



Salem. He is engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising, and has some of the finest and best- 
improved property in Marion county. A practi- 
cal and -scientific farmer, he stands at the head of 
his calling in his neighborhood, keeping abreast 
of the time in agricultural and general matters, 
and contributing in every way in his power to 
the stability and upbuilding of his district. Of 
the children born to himself and wife, Emma 
was born December 8, 1870, and died October 3, 
1 883 : Albert is a resident of Portland, and 
was born April 2J, 1872; Elmer was born Feb- 
ruary 7, 1874, and lives in Idaho; Oren Edwin, 
was born January 7, 1876, and lives south of 
Salem; Julius was born July 1, 1877, and lives 
in southern Oregon; Carl was born April 28, 
1879, and is deceased; Clifford, a school teacher, 
was born April 6, 1881 ; and Floyd was born 
August 3, 1885. 

Mr. Lewis has been a member of the school 
board for many years, and his appreciation of the 
value of a good education has made him an earn- 
est advocate of a high standard of intellectual 
training. Mr. Lewis has always been a supporter 
of the principles of the Republican party -and 
active in the councils of that party. In June, 
1897, he was elected to the state legislature 
representing Marion county and serving in the 
special session of October, 1897, when he sup- 
ported Hon. Joseph Simon for the United States 
senate. He also served in the regular session 
following and was appointed a member of the 
committees on assessment and taxation, roads and 
highways, public library, and was chairman of 
the committee to examine the accounts of the 
secretarv of state. 



HON. J. H. ACKERMAN is now serving for 
the second term as State Superintendent of Pub- 
lic Instruction in Oregon, and the fact that he 
was re-elected by an increased majority stands as 
incontrovertible evidence of his capability and his 
effective labors in behalf of education. He was 
born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, Novem- 
ber 7, 1854, and is of German lineage. His pa- 
ternal grandfather spent his entire life in Ger- 
many, and his father, John Ackerman, was born 
in Wurtemberg, Germany. In early life he 
learned the blacksmith's trade and when a young 
man, prior to his marriage, he emigrated to the 
new world, settling in Warren, Ohio, where he 
engaged in blacksmithing until 1855. In that 
year he removed to Toronto, Clinton county, 
Iowa, where as a pioneer blacksmith of the place 
he carried on business with success until 1900. 
He then established his home in Hale, Mo., 
where he is now living a retired life. Twice he 
volunteered for service in the Civil war, but 
each time was rejected on account of disability. 



In religious faith both he and his wife are Luth- 
erans, and in political belief he is a Republican. 
He wedded Caroline Hartman, a native of Trum- 
bull county, Ohio, and a daughter of Philip Hart- 
man, who came from Germany and settled upon 
a farm in Trumbull county. Subsequently he 
took up his abode at Arcadia, Trempealeau 
county, Wis., where he carried on agricultural 
pursuits. Mrs. Ackerman, the mother of our 
subject, died in Iowa, leaving four children: 
J. H., of this review; George, a farmer of Mis- 
souri ; Frank, a merchant of Black Hawk county, 
Iowa, and Mrs. Virginia Sennett, of Missouri. 

Professor Ackerman was reared in Toronto, 
Iowa, and in his youth acquired a public school 
education. From the age of sixteen years he 
has made his own way in the world and is truly 
a self-made man. At that time he began work 
upon a farm and between the ages of seventeen 
and twenty he followed carpenter work on rail- 
roads in Iowa and Illinois. Then came the finan- 
cial panic of 1873, and his employer, who had 
just taken a contract for building a section of 
the Northern Pacific Railroad, found that the 
company had failed and the work was abandoned. 
Accordingly Professor Ackerman lost his position 
and in 1874 he went to Arcadia, Wis., where he 
had an uncle engaged in contracting and build- 
ing. While there his uncle advised him to go to 
school and his teacher suggested to him that he 
should teach. The county superintendent per- 
suaded 'him to take an examination and he did 
so, thereby receiving a certificate in the spring 
of 1875. He became a district school teacher at 
a salary of $25 per month and thus he entered 
upon what has been his lifework— a profession in 
which he has attained distinction, while his labors 
have been a great benefit to the localities in which 
he has lived. He continued to teach in the dis- 
trict schools near Arcadia, Wis., and afterward 
in Minnesota and Iowa until 1888 and during 
that period was principal of the high school at 
Arcadia for six years. Wishing to receive better 
instruction himself, he then took an examination 
for entrance into the State Normal School at 
Milwaukee, Wis. His knowledge had been sup- 
plemented by reading, observation and study, but 
previous to this time he had received no mental 
training, save that of a district school course. 
However, he was graduated from the Wisconsin 
State Normal in 1889 and in that year he came 
to Oregon, locating first in Portland, where he 
accepted the principalship of the Holladay school. 
For a year he thus served and was then elected 
city superintendent of the schools for East Port- 
land. After a year the schools were consolidated 
with those of the main city of Portland and he 
was made assistant superintendent. In 1892 he 
was nominated on the Republican ticket for the 
office of county superintendent of schools of 



996 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Multnomah county and was elected by a good 
majority. In 1894 he was re-elected, receiving 
the highest vote on the ticket and from 1894 until 
1896 he not only served as county superintendent 
but also as principal of the Harrison Street 
school, and continued to act in that capacity until 
1898. He was then nominated on the Republican 
ticket for state superintendent at the Astoria con- 
vention and was elected by a plurality of about 
ten thousand. In January, 1899, he took the oath 
of office and removed to Salem, where he is now 
living. Throughout the state he received the 
endorsement of leading educators and public men 
of all classes, and in 1902 he was re-nominated 
and re-elected by a majority of nearly fifteen 
thousand, his term of office continuing until 
January, 1907. 

Since becoming state superintendent Professor 
Ackerman has re-organized the State Teachers' 
Association and divided it into the eastern and 
western divisions, each having its individual or- 
ganization and officers, while before there had 
been but one society, with the superintendent of 
public instruction as its president. He originated 
the preparation of a state course of study for 
all of the schools of Oregon, so that there is now 
a uniform course from the introduction into the 
schools until the completion of the high school 
work. During his administration he has also 
been instrumental in obtaining a thorough revis- 
ion of the school laws of the state. He is a mem- 
ber of the National Educational Association, and 
has served as representative from Oregon to its 
conventions and was one of its trustees. He is 
a member of the State Historical Society, of 
which he is a trustee. By virtue of his position 
he is ex-officio member of the board of regents 
of the State Normal schools at Monmouth, Drain 
and Ashland; also of the State Agricultural Col- 
lege of Corvallis. He is likewise ex-officio mem- 
ber of the board of trustees of the State School 
for the Blind at Salem, and of the State School 
for the Deaf at Salem. During his incumbency 
in office Professor Ackerman has twice visited 
every county in the state, except Curry, has done 
much to infuse his own enthusiasm and deep in- 
terest in the work into those who are promoters 
of educational work and advancement through- 
out the state. 

In Arcadia, Wis., occurred the marriage of 
Professor Ackerman and Miss Ellen Boorman, a 
native of that state, while her parents were from 
Illinois. They have three children: Lilian, who 
was graduated from the University of Oregon 
with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and is now 
Mrs. Carlton, of Albany, Ore. ; Mrs. Caroline 
Burton, who is a graduate of the Portland high 
school, and is serving as chief clerk in the office 
of the state superintendent of public instruction ; 
and Isabella. Fraternally, Mr. Ackerman was 



for some time connected with Arcadia Lodge, No. 
45, A. F. & A. M., but now holds membership 
in Washington Lodge, No. 46, of Portland, of 
which he is a past master. He took the royal 
arch degree in Washington Chapter R. A. M. of 
Portland. Both he and Mrs. Ackerman are mem- 
bers of the Eastern Star, of which he is past 
worthy patron of Martha Washington Chapter. 
They hold membership in the Unitarian Church. 
Professor Ackerman has always given his po- 
litical endorsement to the Republican party. 
There is no interest which is more closely allied 
to every household than that of public education, 
and it is therefore of the greatest moment that 
he who stands at the head of the educational sys- 
tem of the state shall be a man of high scholar- 
ship, of strong mentality and of irreproachable 
character. Such a one is Professor Ackerman, 
whose advancement to the prominent position 
which he now occupies has been steady and well 
merited. He has ever been a student, thorough 
and painstaking, and is' not only ready to 
quickly follow every idea or improvement ad- 
vanced by others for the improvement of schools, 
but is also instituting many methods of reform 
and improvement of his own, and under his 
guidance the schools of Oregon have taken rank 
with those of the older states, and the citizens 
of Oregon have every reason to be proud of their 
educational system. 



HARRY B. CLOUGH, M. D. Probably 
every state in the Union has sent representatives 
to Oregon, and among those that Vermont has 
furnished to the Sunset state is Dr. Harry B. 
Clough, who is now practicing his profession in 
Newberg. He was born near Montpelier, Vt., 
May 4, 1864, and is a son of Storrs S. Clough, 
also a native of the same state. His grand- 
father on the paternal side, Thaddeus Clough, 
was likewise born in the Green Mountain state, 
and throughout his entire life he followed agri- 
cultural pursuits. He represented an old New 
England family of Scotch descent that was 
founded in America by the great-grandparents of 
the doctor. In the control of his farming inter- 
ests Thaddeus Clough manifested perseverance, 
diligence and sagacity and as the years passed 
became the possessor of a very desirable compe- 
tence. He died at the age of seventy-two years. 

Storrs S. Clough likewise turned his attention 
to farming, and in connection with the raising of 
the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate 
he also established a nursery upon his farm and 
to some extent he dealt in dairy products. He 
became the owner of a large and valuable tract 
of land and was a successful agriculturist. He 
married Jane Snyder, who was born in Hunting- 
ton, Vt., a daughter of John Snyder, whose birth 




/^Z/ty^rr- 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



997 



occurred in Now England and who in early life 
conducted a flouring-mill, while later he engaged 
in tanning. He, too, enjoyed a fair degree of 
prosperity, and he lived to be seventy-eight years 
oi age. When his country became involved in 
hostilities with England a second time he joined 
the American army, thus serving in the war of 
1812. 

Dr. Clough, of this review, was the youngest 
of a family of five children, three sons and two 
daughters. His boyhood days were spent in the 
Green Mountain state and he acquired his early 
education in the common schools, while later he 
was a student in the Vermont Methodist Semi- 
nary of Montpelier, being graduated in that in- 
stitution with the class of 1887. Going thence 
to Hanover, N. H., he was apprenticed to a 
pharmacist for two years, devoting his attention 
to the mastery of the business with such good re- 
sults that he was advanced from time to time by 
his employer until he became the head of the 
house. Such friendship did his employer enter- 
tain for him that he released him from his three 
vears' contract and encouraged him to pursue a 
course in medicine. x\cting upon this advice Dr. 
Clough entered the medical college at Dartmouth, 
where for six months he attended a course of 
lectures. At the end of that time he went to Bos- 
ton, Mass., where he entered the city hospital in 
order that he might earn the money which would 
enable him to resume his own studies. Owing to 
over-work there which undermined his constitu- 
tion he suffered from an attack of grip, and this 
changed his plans. 

In the year 1 891 Dr. Clough arrived upon the 
Pacific coast, locating first in Portland, where he 
remained for a few" months, when he went to 
Moscow, Idaho, spending three years in that 
city. There he took up medical work again and 
afterward went to Louisville, Ky\, entering the 
medical college of that city, in which he was 
graduated in 1897 with the degree of M. D. He 
also won the gold medal in the line of obstetrics 
and returned to Oregon with a comprehensive 
and thorough knowledge of the principles of the 
medical science. Making his way direct to Port- 
land he there passed the examination before the 
state medical board and in the spring of 1897 
he located in Yoncalla, Douglas county. Ore. 
where he engaged in practice for two years. In 
1898 he removed to Whitman county, Wash., 
where he was engaged in practice for four years, 
and in August, 1902, he arrived in Xewberg, 
where he opened an office and is now located. 

Dr. Clough was married in Xewberg, in 1893, 
to Miss Anise Brown, a native of Champaign 
countv. 111., and a daughter of John Brown, who 
was likewise born in Illinois, and came to Ore- 
gon in one of the first trains that crossed the con- 
tinent. He settled in the vicinity of Newberg and 



has been a resident of the city for about thirty- 
nine years — classed among the honored pioneers 
who have been instrumental in developing their 
localities. Three children have been born to the 
doctor and his wife, but only one is now living, 
Dorothy, who is still with her parents. The 
doctor "belongs to the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, holds membership in the Presbyterian 
Church, and gives his political support to the Re- 
publican party He has a comfortable residence 
in Xewberg. Xear it is his office, which is cen- 
trally located on the main street of the city. In 
addition to his practice he owns a sixteenth in- 
terest in the Orient Gold & Copper Mining Com- 
pany, which was incorporated for $1,000,000, and 
which is a paying investment. His attention, 
however, is largely given to his practice and al- 
ready he has gained in X T ewberg a liberal patron- 
age, accorded him in recognition of his skill and 
ability. He has always been a close and discrim- 
inating student and his knowledge of the princi- 
ples of medicine is good. 

Dr. Clough is a member of the Whitman 
County (Wash.) Medical Society, Washington 
State Medical Society, Yamhill County and the 
Oregon State Medical societies, and the Amer- 
ican Medical Association. 



JOHX LICHTY. Prominently identified with 
the lumber interests of Marion county is Mr. 
Lichty, who owns and operates a large and 
finely equipped manufacturing plant on Silver 
creek, in Silverton, where he carries on an exten- 
sive and prosperous business. During the many 
years in wdiich he has been engaged in this indus- 
try he has labored unceasingly, gaining wisdom 
by practical experience, and has now reached 
the point where every effort put forth brings 
him in rich reward for the time and money so 
lavishly expended. 

A native of Switzerland, Mr. Lichty was born 
December 21, 1852, in the canton of Berne, and 
was there reared and educated. His father, 
also named John Lichty. spent his entire life in 
the same canton, being a successful farmer and 
stock-raiser and one of the active members of the 
Mennonite Church. To him and his wife, whose 
maiden name was Mar}' Ann Lark, eight chil- 
dren were born, John, with whom this brief 
sketch is principally concerned, being the second 
in order of birth. Neither of the parents are now 
living, the father having passed away at the age 
of sixty-five years, and the mother when sixtv- 
three years of age. 

Tohn Lichty became familiar with agricultural 
pursuits in his youthful days, remaining at home 
and assisting his father in the farm labors until 
about nineteen years old. Filled then with an 
ambitious desire to try his fortune in a newer 



998 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



country, he emigrated, in 1872, to the United 
States, and located first in Wayne county, Ohio, 
where he served an apprenticeship at the car- 
penter's trade, which he followed for four years. 
Making another move westward in 1876, Mr. 
Lichty came to Oregon in that year, and being 
impressed with the desirability of Howells 
Prairie as a place of location, he there purchased 
ninety acres of timberland, from which he im- 
proved and cleared a good farm. As an agricul- 
turist he has been unusually successful, from 
time to time adding to his original purchase, 
his farm now aggregating three hundred and 
sixty acres, and being one of the most valuable 
and well kept in its vicinity. Here he and his 
family have a most attractive home. In 1890, 
Mr. Lichty, with characteristic enterprise, erected 
a sawmill on Pudding river, and for twelve years 
was there engaged in the manufacture of lumber. 
Disposing then of that property, he immediately 
transferred his business interests to the city of 
Silverton, locating on Silver creek, where he has 
built one of the largest lumber mills in the Wil- 
lamette valley. The plant which includes a saw- 
mill, a planing mill, a dryer, etc., is fully equipped 
with the most approved modern machinery, the 
total cost being $20,000, and the capacity of the 
plant being 25,000 feet of lumber per day. He has 
also been fortunate in so fixing the dams in Silver 
creek that he can at any time, no matter how 
low the water, so manipulate the gates as to 
float his logs down to his mill, the damming 
expenses amounting to $7,000. He also owns 
sixteen hundred acres of timber land nearby, 
from this cutting much of the material used in 
his plant, the output of which he sells princi- 
pally in the local markets. 

Mr. Lichty married at Wooster, Ohio, Eliza- 
beth Stefen, who was born in Wayne county, 
Ohio, May 1, 1856, and died June 24, 1899. 
Eleven children were born of the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Lichty, namely : Minnie, the wife of 
Gideon Welty, the family residing on the home 
farm ; William, Henry, Matilda, Alexander, 
Bertha, Josephine, Lillian, Lida, Ruth and John. 
In politics Mr. Lichty has always been a 
Republican. 



HEZEKIAH H. WINSLOW. Preceded by 
many years of activity as a merchant, farmer, 
dentist and politician, Hezekiah H. Winslow 
came to Oregon in 1886, and though agricultur- 
ally successful during several of the following 
years, is now living retired on one of the finest 
little places in Newberg. Mr. Winslow has ten 
acres of land on the outskirts of the town, made 
attractive and homelike with a two-story, com- 
fortable-looking dwelling, surrounded with trees, 
shrubs and flowers. 



The Oregon career of Mr. Winslow gives but 
a faint conception of the large accomplishment 
which has characterized his active life. He was 
reared in three middle western states, and was 
born in Randolph county, N. C, November 15, 
1838. His father, John Winslow, preferred farm- 
ing as an occupation, and conducted the same 
for many years in his native state of North Caro- 
lina, removing in 1841 to Grant county, Ind., of 
which he was one of the very early settlers. "In 
1852 he took up his residence in Howard county, 
Ind., where he engaged in the merchandising 
business until 1870. At a later day he returned 
to Grant county, where he lived retired and 
eventually died, at the age of seventy-four years. 
His wife, Elizabeth (Henley) Winslow, was also 
a native of North Carolina, and died when her 
son Hezekiah was four years of age, be being 
the youngest of the five sons and three daughters 
in the family. 

The first business experience of Hezekiah H. 
Winslow was acquired in Indianapolis, whither 
he removed at the age of seventeen, and where 
he was identified as a clerk with the firm of J. 
M. Tolbott & Co., wholesale dry goods merchants, 
from 1856 until 1859. Upon returning to How- 
ard county, Ind., in the latter part of '59, he was 
appointed deputy sheriff, a position creditably 
maintained until the breaking out of the Civil 
war. In 1861 Mr. Winslow enlisted in Com- 
pany D, Sixth Indiana Infantry, and for three 
months served as corporal of his company. After 
being mustered out he again enlisted, in August, 
1862, in Company F, Eighty-ninth Indiana In- 
fantry, and upon the organization of the regiment 
was made sergeant-major. In the spring of 1863 
he was promoted to the rank of second lieuten- 
ant, and for the greater part of the service was 
detailed at brigade headquarters as aid-de-camp. 
In 1864 he was promoted to the rank of first 
lieutenant of Company F, but still remained on 
detail service. He participated in the Red river 
campaign under Gen. A. J. Smith, and was in the 
battle of Nashville, later going down the river 
to New Orleans and around to Mobile, Ala., 
where he was finally discharged, at the close of 
the war. 

After the war Mr. Winslow returned to Indi- 
ana, and upon locating in Kokomo, studied 
dentistry with his brother, at the same time be- 
coming vitally interested in Republican politics. 
In 1866 he was defeated for the nomination for 
treasurer of .Howard county by one vote, but 
was elected to the office of county clerk in 1867, 
t a position creditably held for four years. He was 
elected a second time without opposition, and 
during his occupancy of this office for eight 
consecutive years gave a very satisfactory service. 
In 1876 he was appointed postmaster at Kokomo 
under Grant's last administration, and in 1879 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



999 



resigned in order to remove to a farm near In- 
dependence, Montgomery county, Kans. After 
\ears oi successful farming he went to the vicin- 
ltv of Liberty. Mo., and four years later, in the 
spring of 1886, came to Oregon to investigate the 
country with a view to future residence. Con- 
vinced that he had found a desirable location, 
one promising the largest financial and home- 
building returns, he went back to Missouri for 
bis family, with whom he located on a farm in 
the Waldo hills the following fall. In 1887 he 
settled on a farm near Sheridan, Yamhill county, 
and in 1898 came to his present home, for which 
he traded bis Yamhill county farm. 

While living in Kokomo, Ind., Mr. Winslow 
married Angelina Fenton, who was born in Trum- 
bull county, Ohio, and whose father, Jesse, a 
farmer and merchant of Indiana, moved from 
there to Kansas and engaged in farming. Mr. 
Fenton finally removed to Missouri, and then 
about the time his son-in-law came to Oregon, 
located in Jacksonville, 111. Four children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Winslow, of whom 
Jessie is the wife of J. W. Bewley, of Salem ; 
Ralph F. is engaged in the jewelry business at 
Roseburg, Ore. ; Glenn is engaged in the jewelry 
business at Pendleton, Ore. ; and Sadie is now 
the wife of William H. Manning, and they re- 
side upon a farm. Since the beginning of his 
voting days Mr. Winslow has been identified with 
the Republican party, although he is extremely 
liberal in his political tendencies. He is fra- 
ternally identified with the Grand Army of the 
Republic. 

Since the foregoing was written Mr. and Mrs. 
Winslow have sold their home in Newberg and 
have bought back their old home near Sheridan 
and now reside there. 



HON. JOSIAH C. NELSON. Were one to 
search the state of Oregon over for a -narrator 
of happenings in the early pioneer days, one 
could hardly find one more interestingly remin- 
iscent than is Hon. Josiah C. Nelson, for many 
years associated with agricultural, mercantile, 
and political affairs in Yamhill county, and now 
living in retirement in Newberg. Mr. Nelson 
was born in Jackson county, Mo., May 25, 1827, 
his ancestors having arrived from England prior 
to the Revolution, in which momentous struggle 
they fought on the side of the colonies. 

George S. Nelson, the father of Hon. Josiah, 
was born in east Tennessee, July 20, 1801, and 
was a farmer during the greater part of his life. 
He was a very capable and ingenious man, me- 
chanical in his bent, and able to build almost any- 
thing. At the age of sixteen years he removed 
to Missouri, and this being 1817 there were prac- 
tically few settlers in his district. Nevertheless, 



he succeeded in developing a paying farm in the 
wilderness, but, after his marriage, sold this and 
located on one hundred and sixty acres of land 
in Jackson county, purchased at $1.25 per acre. 
Afterward he lived both in LaFayette and An- 
drew counties, and in the latter was obliged to 
give up some of his land when it was surveyed. 
Thereafter he sold out and removed to two miles 
east in the same county, remaining there until 
preparing to cross the plains in 1844. The family 
started May 1, and on the way encountered many 
obstacles, owing chiefly to overflows of the rivers, 
and depredations on the part of the Indians, who 
stole six head of valuable cattle on the Nemaha 
river. One of the children died of mountain 
fever at Vancouver. They settled on a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty-five acres near 
what is now Newberg, and for some time lived in 
a little log house, built the previous year by a man 
who had sowed and harvested a little wheat and 
planted some potatoes. These commodities served 
for food for the parents and four children during 
the long cold winter, and as may well be imagined 
they endured many hardships while waiting for 
the spring sunshine to warm the earth. Upon 
arriving here there were but eight families in the 
valley, in six of which were Indian or half-breed 
wives. Here Mr. Nelson farmed and prospered 
until his sixty-fifth year, when he sold his farm, 
and for a few years lived with his son in Kings 
Valley. He then removed to LaFayette, Ore., 
where his death occurred December 31, 1884, at 
the age of eighty-three years, five months and 
nine days. His wife, whom he married in 1825, 
was formerly Margaret Crawford, a native of 
Tennessee, and her death occurred April 15, 
1886. Of the six children born to this couple, 
renowned for their hospitality and cheerfulness 
under trying pioneer conditions, five grew up, 
the eldest having .died in infancy. Of these, 
Josiah is the oldest ; William died at Vancouver, 
Wash., on the way to Oregon ; Mary Jane is the 
deceased wife of Clark Rogers, of Portland; 
Cornelius G. died at the age of four in Grass 
Valley, Baker county, Ore. ; and Thomas H. is 
a resident of LaFayette. Mrs. Nelson was left 
an orphan at the age of three years, and was in- 
debted for her early training to a cousin with 
whom she remained until her marriage. 

Owing to the unsettled state of both Missouri 
and Oregon, the early education of Josiah C. 
Nelson was most fragmentary, and was irreg- 
ularly acquired at the little frontier log schools, 
sparsely furnished, always a long distance from 
home. At the age of twenty-three he was united 
in marriage with Mary E. Bird, who was born 
in Illinois, and of which union there were born 
two children : Nancy Jane, the wife of Charles 
T. Belcher, of the St. Charles Hotel, Portland; 
and William W., of Newberg. Directly after 



1000 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his marriage Mr. Nelson bought out a claim 
from a man whom he came across, giving in pay- 
ment of the right a mule and a cow for five 
hundred and one and three-fourths acres. Some 
time after the death of his first wife, Mr. Nelson 
married Sarah C. Cummins, who was born in 
Indiana, and who bore him five children : Cora 
Alice, deceased ; Cornelia Mary, now Mrs. A. P. 
Fletcher, whose husband owns two hundred acres 
of land in La Fayette, Ore. ; Mary Estella, wife 
of T. H. Bryant, who lives on the Nelson farm; 
Maggie L., the widow of Dr. Littlefield, who 
died recently; and Walter Hugh, of Newberg, 
Ore. 

In 1898 Mr. Nelson moved into Newberg, 
built himself a comfortable and commodious res- 
idence, and has been living in retirement ever 
since. From time to time he has been before the 
public in the capacity of a politician, his interest 
in politics dating from the time when he cast his 
first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. 
In 1858 he was elected to the first Oregon state 
legislature ; was re-elected in 1882-4, and in 
1885 served in a called session of the legislature. 
After embarking upon a general merchandise 
business in La Fayette, Ore., in 1875, he served 
as member of the council of the town during his 
seven years' residence there. He has also been 
a school director almost the entire time of his 
stay in Oregon, and for many years was clerk 
and road supervisor. While using his farm for 
a headquarters, Mr. Nelson has not been obliv- 
ious to other opportunities in the west, and be- 
sides his mercantile venture, engaged also in 
mining in California from October, 1849, to 
April, 1850. He was fairly successful as a 
miner, and was successful as a merchant. As a 
soldier in 1848 he performed his part in sup- 
pressing the Indians, and served in this capacity 
under Captain Thompson for about three months. 
Mr. Nelson is typical of the broad prairies, the 
generosity engendered among pioneers of what- 
ever region, and the strength and stamina devel- 
oped while laboriously striving for the best that 
the west has to offer. 



ALBERT B. BOND. The pioneer annals of 
Oregon must needs contain the name of Nathan 
W. Bond, who twice crossed the plains to the 
west, and whose son, Albert B., is at present the 
part owner of his original donation claim. Na- 
than Bond was born in Tennessee, and as a boy 
moved with his parents to Illinois, and from there 
to Iowa, in which latter state he married Eliza- 
beth J. Trailer. Leaving his wife and children 
on a farm he crossed the plains with ox-teams in 
1850. and after a few months in the gold fields 
of California returned by way of the Isthmus 



of Panama. The ship in which he sailed was 
becalmed, and for forty days the anxious crew 
and passengers looked in vain for a breeze to fill 
their sails and bear them away. Provisions be- 
came scarce, and water low, and their successful 
landing became problematical. Eventually reach- 
ing his Iowa farm, he remained there until the 
spring of 1853, and then packed together his 
household goods, laid in a store of provisions, 
and started several teams of plodding oxen across 
the plains. The first winter was spent in the 
Looney settlement, and in the spring of 1854 the 
father bought the right to a three hundred acre 
claim. So successful was he, and so confident 
of the ultimate development of this entire part of 
the country, that in 1856 he bought three hun- 
dred and thirty acres more. For twenty-nine 
years he labored successfully in his adopted state, 
his death occurring in 1889, at the age of seventy- 
three years. The wife who had shared his joys 
and sorrows, and who had materially aided in 
bringing about success, survived him until 1896, 
or until seventy-three years of age. Caroline, 
the oldest of their children, is the wife of Lewis 
Cox, of Washington ; Annie is the wife of John 
Reed, of Lebanon; Benjamin F. died in the midst 
of a successful medical practice at Dallas, in 
1 87 1 ; and Susanna died in Iowa at seven years 
of age. 

The youngest in his father's family, and three 
years of age when he came across the plains, 
Albert B. Bond was reared on the home farm, 
and at irregular intervals attended the district 
schools. He assisted with the management of 
the entire farm until his marriage with Cornelia 
J. Beeler, at the age of twenty-three, after which 
he purchased one hundred and thirty acres of 
farm land near Scio, and there he farmed for 
eight years, and then went to eastern Oregon, 
where he remained two years, and in 1882 he 
moved upon his present farm of two hundred and 
eightv acres, the same being a part of the old 
donation claim. He has made those modern im- 
provements upon which the latter-day farmer 
prides himself, and for many years has engaged 
in general farming, stock and grain-raising. Six 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bond, 
of whom the oldest son, William B., was a soldier 
in the Spanish-American war, and as a member 
of the Fourth Infantry was present at El Caney 
and Santiago, afterward being under command 
of General Lawton in the Philippines. Clora E., 
Benjamin Franklin, Archie T., Looney C, and 
Loren are living at home with their parents Mr. 
Bond is devoted to his farm and home, and has 
never found time or inclination to step out into 
the glare of political or other publicity. He is 
honest in all of his dealings, kindly and consider- 
ate in his association with those around him ; and 
inclined to look on the better side of life. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1001 



JOHN WESLEY RICHARDSON. Illinois 
has furnished no more substantial acquisition to 
the agricultural element of Linn county, Ore., 
than fohn W. Richardson, whose farm of three 
hundred acres, located six mile's southeast of the 
village of Scio, is one of the most remunerative 
tracts in the vicinity. While to a certain 
extent he follows general farming, stock-raising 
is more to his taste, Poland-China hogs and Here- 
ford cattle being his specialty. 

As previously intimated, Mr. Richardson is a 
native of Illinois, born in Adams county, twenty- 
five miles east of Quincy, January i, 1832. His 
father, John Richardson, was a native of the 
same state, born in Monroe county in October, 
1798, and descended from good fighting stock, 
his father, George Richardson, who was of Irish 
descent, having served valiantly in the Revolu- 
tionary war and later in the war of 181 2. At 
the time of the latter conflict John Richardson 
was a mere youth. His enthusiasm was great, 
and though only fourteen years old he enlisted 
as a private, and participated in the battle of 
the Narrows, now Quincy. His uncle, John 
Belts, was killed by the Indians during the 
engagement on the island in the Mississippi at 
that point. John Richardson continued to make 
his home in his native state until 185 1, when 
with his family, he crossed the plains with ox- 
teams, and was six months in reaching Linn 
county. The year following his arrival he took 
up a donation claim six miles southeast of Scio, 
upon which he engaged in farming the remainder 
of his life, his death occurring April 14, 1873. 
His wife was in maidenhood Miss Orpha Thomp- 
son, a native of South Carolina. She lived to 
reach her sixty-seventh year, passing away in 
Linn county in 1863. The twelve children of 
John and Orpha (Thompson) Richardson were 
named as follows in the order of their birth : 
Milton Empson, who died in infancy; Thomas 
Jefferson, who died at Jefferson, Ore., in 1894; 
William Winston, who died at Scio, Ore., in 
1900; George Washington who died at Salem 
m 1880: Lewis Clark, who died on his father's 
farm in Linn county in 1870 ; Elijah Thompson, 
now living at Spokane, Wash. ; Obadiah Waddle, 
of Wasco, Ore. ; John Wesley, of this review ; 
Andrew Jackson, of Stayton, Ore. ; Enoch Num- 
bers, who died in infancy; Dr. James Asher 
Richardson, of Salem: and Rebecca Jane, 
deceased, wife of James Ennis, deceased, of 
Shelburn, Linn county. All were natives of 
Illinois, and all who grew to maturity became 
pioneers of Oregon, settling in Linn county. 
" Richardson Gap," a picturesque canon south- 
east of Scio, was named for the family, who oc- 
cupied nearly all the land in that vicinity in the 
early days of the county's historv. 

Of the children born to his parents, all of whom 



were boys with one exception, John W. Richard- 
son was the eighth in order of birth. His life 
upon his father's farm was devoid of any unusual 
experiences, and when not attending the district 
school was helping with the chores about the 
farm. When twenty years of age, in 1852, he 
assumed the responsibility of carrying on a farm 
of his own, taking up a donation claim of one 
hundred and sixty acres adjoining his father's 
farm. It is safe to conjecture that he met with 
success in his agricultural venture, for two years 
iater, July 23, 1854, followed his marriage, which 
united him with Miss Mary A. Conkrite, 
born in Pike county. 111., October 14, 1836, 
daughter of Jacob and Mary (Hill) Conkrite. 
She had crossed the plains with her mother in 
1853, settling in Linn county. Mr. and Mrs. 
John W. Richardson became the parents of six 
children, of whom we make the following men- 
tion : Melvina is the wife of Peter Brenner and 
resides near Heppner, Ore. ; Almira became the 
wife of James Curl and makes her home in 
Spangle, Wash. ; Melissa, Mrs. John Turner, 
resides in Waterville, Wash. : Wallace is de- 
ceased ; Wilson is at home with his parents, and 
Truman B. is a resident of Washington, where 
he is actively engaged in the sheep industry. 

Mr. Richardson takes a commendable pride 
in Linn county, and especially in that portion 
of it in which he resides, and every movement 
looking" to its material advancement meets his 
encouragement and active support. Educational 
affairs have always had a stanch ally in Mr. 
Richardson, who for thirty years has been school 
director and clerk of his district. His services 
in the capacity of county thistle commissioner 
for the past four years have also been of material 
benefit. The Christian Church of Scio numbers 
Mr. Richardson among its worshippers and for 
many years he officiated as deacon. The Repub- 
lican party is sure of his vote at elections. He was 
one of the charter members of Santiam Grange 
and for manv vears was identified with that order. 



JOHN R. COOPER. Three great common- 
wealths have contributed to the admirable char- 
acter of one of the representative men of Polk 
county, these being the states of Kentucky, Illi- 
nois and Oregon ; the first through inheritance, 
it being the land of his father's birth ; the second 
the scene of his own ; and last, that which has 
become the home of his mature years. Without 
the advantages which are the birthright of the 
youth of our times Mr. Cooper has elevated him- 
self by his own unaided efforts to a position 
with the first men of the count}', both as regards 
erudition and finance. His wide reading and 
ready assimilation have made him a master of 
past events, while his broad mind and heart}' 



1002 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



benevolence keep him in touch with every public 
movement, whether political or charitable. His 
courage has been tested in the years gone by, 
and his acts of courtesy and kindliness extend 
not only to his neighbors but to the " beasts of 
the field and the birds of the air." 

John R. Cooper was born in Sangamon county, 
111., November 5, 1836, the state being that to 
which his father, Louis L., had moved at a very 
early day. The father was born in Kentucky, 
in 1796, and after his removal to Illinois he 
engaged in farming. In 1839 he took his family 
to Missouri, locating near Sheridan, where he 
became interested in the raising of cattle and 
hogs. Missouri was then giving many pioneers 
to the great west, and Mr. Cooper early caught 
the emigration spirit, and in 1852 he again bade 
farewell to the home which he had established 
there, and set out across the plains with the cus- 
tomary ox-teams and wagons. After a journey 
without any special incident his party arrived 
in Oregon, spending the first winter in Marion 
county, the spring finding them located seven 
miles from Independence, Polk county, on a 
farm of three hundred and twenty acres which 
Mr. Cooper purchased. Upon this property he 
remained until his death in 1875, at the age of 
seventy-nine years. His wife was formerly Miss 
Mary Linzie,, also a native of Kentucky, and' 
whose death occurred in Oregon in 1853, one 
year after their removal from Missouri. She 
was the mother of seven children, four sons and 
three daughters, of whom John R. Cooper was 
the youngest son and next to the youngest child. 

Being sixteen years of age when the trip was 
made from the east, John R. Cooper recalls viv- 
idly the long, tiresome months of the journey 
and especially that part which intimately concerns 
himself. The cholera broke out in the train, and 
though Mr. Cooper also experienced an attack 
of the disease he was not seriously ill, and soon 
recovered. With the exception of about six 
months' attendance at the common schools he 
gave all the years of his boyhood and manhood 
to the cultivation of his father's broad fields. 
During the Indian uprising of 1855 Mr. Cooper 
enlisted in the company commanded by Miles 
F. Elkhorn, November 10 of that year and con- 
tinued in the service until May, 1856, in which 
time he was in the engagements at Deer creek, 
Rogue river, Murphy's creek and Big Meadows. 
With the cessation of hostilities he became inter- 
ested in the mining possibilities of Jackson creek 
and remained there for three years, at that time 
returning home where he again found employ- 
ment on his father's ranch. In 1864 he engaged 
in farming for himself, renting land until 1869, 
when he bought seven hundred and fifty acres, 
two miles west of Monmouth, upon which he 
remained for five vears, He then sold his farm 



and came to Independence, and has since been 
extensively engaged in brick manufacturing, his 
factory furnishing bricks for almost every busi- 
ness house in Independence. For many years 
his was the only successful factory of its kind 
in this section of the country, and therefore 
his business was markedly successful. Just 
across the river in Marion county, Mr. Cooper 
owns a seventy acre farm, forty acres of which is 
cleared, and upon this he is engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits. Much of the hop-raising industry 
in this country is due to his judgment, his farm 
having been the first to be devoted to its cultiva- 
tion, in the year 1882. Thirty-six acres of hops 
now yield him a handsome income. In addition to 
these interests he is also connected with the lum- 
bering interests of Oregon, owning a logging 
camp which is thoroughly equipped for carrying 
on the business, six men being required for its 
management. 

April 3, 1864, was the date upon which he was 
united in marriage with Miss Lavilla Williams, 
born near Independence, Ore., the daughter of 
Leonard Williams, who crossed the plains in 1847 
and took up a donation claim in this part of the 
country, and by his integrity and public spirit 
winning a prominent place in the affairs of the 
community. For some time he served as post- 
master of Independence. His death, which oc- 
curred in this city, was regretted by many. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were born seven children, of 
whom Roselia is now the wife of O. F. Dixon, of 
Washington ; Lillian is the wife of Dr. F. B. 
Eaton, of Berkeley, Cal. ; John A., of Montana ; 
Pearl is at home ; Earl is deceased ; and Ivy 
and La Villa are at home. As to his political affil- 
iation Mr. Cooper casts his ballot with the 
Republican party. 



THOMAS B. CUMMINGS. So thoroughly 
has Thomas B. Cummings become identified with 
the reliable business interests of Newberg that he 
is regarded as an integral part of the town's 
present and future prosperity. Although a resi- 
dent of the town only since 1891 he has accom- 
plished as much as would many in a decade, 
a showing traceable to his sound business judg- 
ment, and thorough mastery of his chosen occu- 
pation. As a builder and contractor his many 
years of experience have fitted him for the 
successful conduct of so large a business as now 
claims his attention, an additional distinct advan- 
tage of the town being that he is able to give 
employment to many people. Besides building 
and contracting he owns and manages an under- 
taking and furniture store, and carries quite a 
stock of goods for which he receives liberal 
patronage from the town and surrounding 
country. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



loo:', 



Much oi the push and energy which is char- 
acterizing the career of Mr. Cummings is inher- 
ited from a father whose ambition was boundless, 
and who was many things in the communities in 
which he lived. John M. Cummings was born 
in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., in which town 
his father, Thomas, conducted a large and profit- 
able brewery. The grandfather claimed Scotch 
descent, and in truth possessed sufficient Scotch 
perseverance to make an entire success of his 
business, his fortune at the time of his death 
being quite considerable for those days. John 
M.. his son, became a merchant tailor in early 
life, but in after years departed somewhat from 
his early teachings and invaded other avenues of 
activity. At the age of thirty he moved to Cam- 
bridge. Wayne county, Ind., where he plied his 
trade, and also read and practiced law. He 
became a prominent man in the community, 
and was elected to the legislature of Indiana for 
two terms. He was an uncompromising Demo- 
crat, and tolerance of the opposite party was 
not one of his strong points. During the Civil 
war he became captain of the Sixty-ninth In- 
diana Volunteer Infantry, and served his cause 
with courage and distinction. His death occurred 
near Anderson, Madison county, Ind. His wife, 
formerly Elizabeth Chapel, died in Fayette 
county, Ind. Of the three children born of this 
union, one son and two daughters, Thomas B. 
is the oldest. 

Equipped with a common school and academ- 
ical education. Mr. Cummings entered upon a 
building apprenticeship in Indianapolis directly 
after his graduation from the Academy at 
Knightstown, Ind., at which time he was twenty- 
one years old. Having qualified as a builder he 
worked in Indianapolis and the surrounding 
country and towns for some time, and in 1876 
went to Junction City, Kans., and there worked 
for what is now the Union Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany. He was employed by the railroad- com- 
pany all along their line from Kansas City to 
Brookville, Kans., and during his association 
with the company lived for two years in Junction 
City, about the same length of time in Topeka, 
and for several years in Newton, Kans. In 1891 
he came to Newberg, Ore., as before stated, and 
has had no cause to regret the happy circum- 
stance which dictated so advantageous a loca- 
tion. 

In Indiana Mr. Cummings was united in mar- 
riage with Capitola M. Hoskins, who was born 
in Iowa, and whose father, Ely, was a native of 
Ohio. A shoe manufacturer by trade, Mr. Hos- 
kins lived for many years in Iowa, and then re- 
turned to bis native state, where his last years 
were spent, and where he lived to be fifty years 
of age. Three children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Cummings, of whom Claude is a part- 



ner in his father's business ; Pearl is living at 
home, as is also Thomas L. Disregarding the 
parental example, Mr. Cummings is as stanch a 
Republican as his father was a Democrat, and he 
has been initiated into public office through the 
confidence of his fellow-townsmen. For two 
terms he was coroner of Yamhill • county, and 
while in Newton, Kans., was a member of the 
city council from the first ward. Fraternally he 
is identified with the Knights Templar of Mason- 
ry, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, 
in which he carries $2,000 insurance. 



GEORGE TOWLE. Though a resident of 
Oregon for but thirteen years, Mr. Towle has 
become closely and prominently identified with 
one of its most important interests — that of 
prune culture. Previous to the year 1890, 
when he took up his residence in Oregon, he 
had lived in various parts of the United 
States. At the present time he is known as 
one of the most extensive and successful prune 
growers in Marion county. Upon locating 
near Aumsville in 1890 he purchased a farm of 
fifty acres, one mile from the town and to this 
he has added by the purchase of twenty-two 
and one-half acres. Soon after establishing 
himself at this point he began to set out Italian 
prune trees, and twenty acres are now devoted 
to the culture of this fruit. About five acres 
more are under other fruits. So greatly did 
Mr. Towle's business increase after it was once 
established that in 1897 he erected a prune 
drier for the preparation of his own fruit for 
the market and the accommodation of his neigh- 
bors ; but as the years went by its capacity 
proved wholly inadequate, and in 1902 he 
built one of the largest and most completely 
equipped driers in the Willamette valley. This 
drier covers a space 62x62 feet, and is equipped 
with the most modern machinery for the use 
of horticulturists. It has a capacity of five 
hundred bushels for each drying. 

Of rugged English ancestry, Mr. Towle was 
born near Montreal, Canada, October 4, 1836, 
a son of William and Mary (Abbott) Towle. 
His father was a native of Lincolnshire, Eng- 
land, and his mother of Montpelier, Vt. AVhile 
he was yet a youth his parents removed to 
County Oxford, Ontario, Canada, and there he 
was reared on a farm and educated in the public 
schools. At the age of twenty years he went to 
Prescott, Wis., where he engaged with friends in 
the manufacture of brick ; but not finding, this 
occupation satisfactory, he returned to his 
former home in Canada, where he soon after- 
ward engaged in farming and stock-raising. 
In 1875 he removed further west in Canada, 
locating near Lake Superior, where he resided 



1004 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



until 1880. North Dakota became his next 
field of activity, and near Park river, Walsh 
county, in that state, he homesteaded a claim 
of six hundred and seventy-two acres. For 
the succeeding ten years he experienced vary- 
ing successes and failures as an extensive 
grain producer. In 1890, having become imbued 
with a desire to devote the rest of his life to a 
region of country where the climate and nat- 
ural advantages were more satisfactory, he 
decided to remove to Oregon, and since that 
year he has been continuously engaged in the 
scientific culture of prunes and other small 
fruits. He has made his farm one of the land- 
marks of Marion county, a place attractive to 
the eye, as well as a venture which has proven 
pleasing and profitable. 

Mr. Towle was married in October, 1859, to 
Mary J. Service, a native of Ontario. They are 
the parents of the following children : • Ida, 
wife of Richard Claxton, a well known fruit 
grower residing on a farm adjoining that of 
Mr. Towle; George E., cashier of the First 
National Bank of Park River, N. D. ; Edward 
A., one of the foremost citizens and best- 
known ranchers of the vicinity of Park River, 
who has twice served as a member of the 
North Dakota legislature ; and James E., a 
teacher, a graduate of the Monmouth Normal 
School, class of 1893, residing with his parents. 

During the years of his residence in Marion 
county, Mr. Towle's fellow-citizens have come 
to regard him as a man of sterling worth — pro- 
gressive, enterprising, broad-minded in his 
view of affairs and a warm friend of the cause 
of education and of good roads. His attitude 
on all questions of local interest has been such 
as to win for him the regard and esteem of all. 



W. W. WALKER. At the present day it 
means but a short, pleasant trip to pass from the 
extreme northeastern part of the United States 
to its opposite on the Pacific coast, with the 
thousands of miles marked by straight, true lines, 
over a peaceful, pastoral country, in elegant 
coaches, and ready service at every stopping 
place. But in the days gone by a jottrney from 
Maine to Oregon meant many months of danger 
from the depredations of the Indians who har- 
assed the trail of the emigrant train, and hard- 
ships and trials and troubles without number. 

From Maine to Oregon William W. Walker 
has come, making the journey, however, in not a 
few months, but in many years, as his life has 
been full of the adventures incident to the history 
of a man who was thrown upon his own resour- 
ces in the early days of our country. Born in 
Washington county, Me., April 14, 1836, he was 
the son of John S, and Ellen (O'Neil) Walker, 



natives respectively of Oldtown, Penobscot 
county, Me., and County Cork, Ireland. When 
a young man the father had joined a party of 
men going to Canada, near Quebec, there to work 
in a logging camp, in which employment he 
remained for some years. It was while thus 
engaged he met and married Ellen O'Neil. He 
then brought his family back to Washington 
county, where he engaged in the saw-mill busi- 
ness, continuing in this occupation up to the 
present time. 

The early education of W r illiam W. Walker 
was necessarily rather limited, as school facili- 
ties were very meager, but he put in the years 
in the common schools of Maine, and after he 
left home at the age of nineteen years, he took up 
a work in which discipline is not the least requi- 
site for its success. He shipped from Millbridge, 
a city on the coast of Maine, in a square-rigged 
brig, under two masters, its trade being that of 
a coaster. For nine years he remained in this 
business, acting as mate after two years' service. 
Later, he was captain of the brig, the May Hand, 
on a voyage from New York to Africa, going 
as far south as the equator, a trip which was 
full of adventure and varied experience, as well 
as success financially. In 1858 he went to Cal- 
ifornia, locating in San Francisco, where he 
remained for two months, but with the restless 
spirit incited by, a sea-faring life, he was soon off 
again, having shipped for the Fraser river in 
British Columbia. For some time after that he was 
engaged in boating on the waters of Puget Sound, 
going to Portland in i860, where he remained for 
one year steamboating on the Columbia river. 
With wide experience in the waters of the world 
he now sought a knowledge of the bowels of 
the earth, giving up the roving life of a seaman 
for the alluring prospects of a miner. At Pierce 
City, Idaho, he first took up this employment, 
working with notable perseverance until March, 
1870, when he returned to Portland. In the 
varied positions in which he found himself in his 
adventurous life he had acquired a knowledge 
of some trades which proved to be exceedingly 
useful to him as a landsman, now putting into 
practice one of them, that of a carpenter, working 
for two years at this before he decided to change 
his residence. In 1872 he came to Yamhill 
county, inclined now to settle down for life and 
choosing the tilling of the soil as the most con- 
genial labor, being that at which . he had first 
turned a hand, in the long-past days of his boy- 
hood in the old Pine Tree state. After a year 
and a half spent in emplovment under R. R. 
Thompson, he engaged in farming for himself, 
locating in 1876 on his present property, and now 
owns one hundred and thirty-three acres, fifty 
of which is in active cultivation, being utilized 
for general farming. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1005 



Mr. Walker securely anchored himself to the 
land by his marriage with Miss Lucretia Per- 
kins, in 1873. She is a native of North Yam- 
lull. Ore., born in 1848. In their pleasant home 
there are five children now to make bright the 
quiet years that might otherwise become monoto- 
nous to the seaman whose life has been so filled 
with exciting changes — Jennie M., G. L., W. O., 
!•". X., and John P. — F. N. being the only one 
who is not a member of the household, his em- 
ployraent being in Washington. In his political 
convictions, Mr. Walker is a Democrat, serving 
as road supervisor and school director through 
the influence of this party. In his fraternal rela- 
tions he is identified with the Masons, being a 
member of Lodge No. 3 of La Fayette, and also 
of Lodge No. 29, I. O. O. F. 



JESSE W. LOONEY. When only four years 
of age Jesse W. Looney became a resident of 
Oregon, having crossed the plains in company 
with his parents, who were seeking a home in 
the west, not so much for the wealth they fore- 
saw in the possibilities of the new land as to 
make a link in the chain which was to bind the 
great northwest to the middle and eastern states. 
A perusal of the history of the lives of these 
pioneers, setting forth the conditions and priva- 
tions which tried their souls, will clearly show 
the moral stamina which laid the groundwork 
for the statehood. 

The father of Jesse W. Looney, also named 
Jesse, was a native of Knoxville, Tenn., having 
been born there in 1801, and reared to manhood 
on a plantation. When a young man he went to 
Alabama, and for several years thereafter he 
traveled about in the states of the middle west, 
spending some time in Illinois, Wisconsin and 
Missouri, in the latter state feeling more strongly 
than ever before the current setting toward the 
western lands. Impelled through an intense 
hatred of the condition of slavery to seek a 
home in a different section of the country, he 
looked favorably upon the western movement, 
in 1843 going to St. Joseph, Mo., where he out- 
fitted for the trip. He bought four wagons and 
a large number of oxen, planning to have from 
three to five yoke for each wagon, twenty head 
of fine cows, five mares, and a great quantity 
of fruit seeds, intending to establish a model 
home beyond the wide prairies. The journey 
was safely made, the fall finding them at Whit- 
man's station, and in the spring of 1844 he came 
by water on the Hudson Bay boat to Oregon 
City, after which he settled three miles south of 
Salem. He there erected a small log cabin, but 
remained only a short time, when he took tip a 
donation claim of six hundred and forty acres 
at the foot of what is now known as Looney 's 



Butte, and upon this property his sons, N. H. 
and David now make their homes. This was 
principally prairie land located in the valley and 
was rich and productive. 

The marriage of Mr. Looney occurred in 
Alabama, in 1827, and united with him Ruby 
Bond, a native of Knoxville, Ky., but who had 
removed to Alabama when she was but nine 
years old. Through their long years of pioneer 
life in Oregon she was in entire sympathy with 
her husband, giving him the help of a brave, 
tender woman in his battle in the wilderness. 
She, too, had been anxious to leave the south, 
and to bring their children, of whom there were 
six at the time of their removal to the west, to 
a free country. Until the railroad was built 
through his section of country these pioneers 
kept the overland stage station, where all pass- 
engers stopped for meals, and the coaches to 
change horses. During the early days of the 
community Mr. Looney gave much thought and 
effort to the upbuilding of the country, helping 
to lay out roads, organize schools, etc. He was 
a member of the first provisional government, 
and was instrumental in many progressive move- 
ments, taking an active interest in the welfare of 
his adopted state. He had also the distinction of 
being the first settler in the Santiam valley, the 
first schoolhouse of which being built upon his 
land. At his death, March 25, 1869, he owned 
over two thousand acres. His wife survived him 
many years, living to the age of ninety-two years, 
her death occurring May 7, 1901. She was the 
mother of thirteen children, ten of whom are 
now living, and are given in order of birth as 
follows : Susan, the wife of Fred Stivers, of 
Salem; John B.. of Jefferson; Ellen, the wife 
of Abner Gaines, of Portland ; Jesse W, of this 
review; Benjamin F., in the Looney settlement; 
Pauline, of Jefferson; David and Norris H., 
who are located on a part of the home farm; 
Frankie, the wife of Wilbur Connell, of Salem; 
and Ada, the wife of Augustus Fairbanks, of 
California. 

Jesse W. Looney was born in Springfield, Mo., 
August 2.J, 1839, and the greater part of his 
life has been spent in the state of Oregon. He 
grew to manhood on the farm which his father 
had chosen for a home on his first settlement 
in the west, and on attaining manhood he farmed 
a part of his father's property for two years. At 
the close of that period he decided to change his 
location, and he then settled upon a farm <n the 
neighborhood of Jefferson, where he remained 
until his retirement, in 1898, when he made his 
home in Jefferson, Marion county, where he now 
lives. He now owns four hundred and fifty 
acres embodied in two farms, upon which is car- 
ried on general farming- and stock-raising. 

The marriage of Jesse W. Looney occurred in 



1006 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 86 1, Miss Mary Gunsaulus, of Illinois, becoming 
his wife. She had emigrated to Oregon in 1853. 
Of three children born to them Fred is a farmer 
in Marion county ; Frank is located in Jeffer- 
son ; and Walton is on the home farm. Though 
a Republican in politics Mr. Looney has never 
sought political preferment, as he has always 
inclined to the quiet, industrious life of a country 
gentleman. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the 
Grange. 



JOHN A. SHAW. Among the well known 
business men of Linn and Marion counties is 
John A. Shaw, general manager of the Curtis 
Lumber Mills at Lake City, and a prominent 
resident of Albany. Enterprising and capable, 
with a remarkable degree of push and energy, 
he has been especially active in advancing the 
lumber interests of this section of the state, and 
has likewise taken a noteworthy part in promot- 
ing the general prosperity of town and county. 
He was born December 2, 1849, on a farm near 
Lakeside, Oxford county, Ontario, Canada. 

John A. Shaw obtained a practical education 
in the district schools of Lakeside, Ont, and 
worked on the old home farm until after attaining 
his majority. During winters of the following 
two years, from 1869 until 1871, he was employed 
in the lumber regions of Michigan, and was en- 
gaged in logging. Coming to Oregon in 1875, he 
carried on general farming near Salem for awhile. 
In 1878, with Thomas Sims, he purchased the 
Stayton saw-mill, and for five years was success- 
fully employed as a lumber manufacturer and 
dealer. Forming a partnership with W. H. 
Hobson & Company in 1883, Mr. Shaw embarked 
in the mercantile business in Stayton, Marion 
county, and for many years had an extensive and 
lucrative trade. Organizing the Santiam Lum- 
ber Company in 1887, he was made secretary and 
manager. Erecting the first and only saw-mill 
in Mill City, the company engaged in the manu- 
facture of lumber on an extensive scale, their 
plant having a capacity of 35,000 feet per day. 
In 1899 the company dissolved, selling the mill 
property to the Curtis Lumber Company, of 
which Mr. Shaw was made general manager, a 
position that he has since ably and satisfactorily 
filled, his wide experience in the lumber business 
particularly qualifying him for the office. The 
plant has since been enlarged, having now a 
capacity of 80,000 feet per day, and the two 
hundred employes are kept busy in supplying 
the coast markets with its products. Taking up 
his residence in Albany in 1896, Mr. Shaw is 
numbered among its most progressive citizens. 
After an absence of more than a quarter of a 
century, he, accompanied by his wife and son, 



Angus, in June, 1901, visited his old home in 
Ontario, being away two months, the trip being 
in every way most enjoyable. 

Mr. Shaw married, July 3, 1873, i n Ontario, 
Canada, Elizabeth Quinn, who was born in 
Thamesford, Ontario. Four children blessed their 
union, namely: Robert S., who was educated in 
Albany College, the State Normal School at 
Monmouth, and a graduate of the Salem Busi- 
ness College, and is now a merchant in Mill City, 
Ore. ; Angus Albert, who was graduated from 
Albany College, is engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits at Gates, Ore. ; Daniel O., a student at 
Albany College, died in August, 1900, aged 
seventeen years; and James Royal is a student 
at Albany College. Politically Mr. Shaw is a 
firm Republican. Fraternally he was made a 
Mason in Pearl Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Turner, 
and now belongs to Santiam Lodge, at Stayton ; 
he joined the Scio Chapter, R. A. M. and is 
now a member of Bayley Chapter, R. A. M. ; is a 
member of Temple Commandery No. 3, K. T. ; 
and belongs to the Mill City Lodge, I. O. O. F. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are members of the 
Presbyterian Church at Mill City. 



WILLIAM C. KRUGER. Prior to entering 
upon a retired life in Newberg in 1902, William 
C. Kruger had an extended experience as an 
agriculturist and business man, and that he was 
successful in both departments of activity is 
shown by his present affluent and thoroughly 
comfortable circumstances. Mr. Kruger has 
erected a commodious house in a pleasant part of 
the town, and, because of ill health, is con- 
templating spending the coming winter in the 
milder climate of California. This esteemed and 
well known German- American was born in West- 
phalia, Germany, December 20, 1847, ms father, 
Fred, being a native of the same part of the 
country. 

The Kruger family came to America in 1868, 
locating on a farm in Manitowoc county, Wis., 
from where they removed to Iowa in 18^6. The 
father purchased a large farm in Adair county, 
and farmed and raised stock almost up to the 
time of his death in 1900. His wife, Fredericka, 
was a native of the same part of Germany, and 
though dying at the comparatively early age of 
forty-six years, seven months and seven days, was 
the mother of ten children, five of whom attained 
maturity, three sons and two daughters, of whom 
William C. is the third. 

Soon after coming to the United States in 
1866, William C. Kruger found employment near 
Newton, Jasper county, Iowa, and in time saved 
sufficient money to purchase one hundred and 
twenty acres of land. This he»improved to the 
best of his ability, and in 1877 came to Oregon, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1007 



spending- one year in Portland. Not entirely 
content with the prospects in the northwest he 
returned to Cherokee county, Iowa, but soon had 
a return of the western fever, and determined 
to again try his luck in the great timber state. 
In 1887 he bought a hardware and implement 
business in Newberg, and from a comparatively 
small beginning increased his business from time 
td time, and finally gained the greater part of 
the patronage of his section. His health being 
undermined, he was advised to step out of busi- 
ness entirely, and in 1902 sold out to A. R. Moo- 
maw & Son, and in Newberg built his present 
residence on First street. 

For his first wife Mr. Kruger married Lizzie 
Grauer, also a native of Germany, and whose 
father, Jacob, came to America in 1866, locating 
in Iowa, where his death occurred. Two children 
were born to them, Rosa and Leland. Mr. Kru- 
ger married for a second time Mrs. Ida May, 
daughter of Lewis Piatt of Newberg. They have 
one child, Gladys. Mr. Kruger is a Republican 
in politics, and has twice been a member of the 
town council. Fraternally he is associated with 
the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, and the Artisans. He is 
well known in Yamhill county, and in all his 
dealings has won the respect and confidence of 
the community at large. 



FRANCIS A. MORRIS is one of the most 
energetic and capable real estate, insurance and 
loan men in Yamhill county. Equipped with a 
common school education, excellent home train- 
ing, and considerable mercantile experience, he 
came to Newberg about sixteen years ago, and 
has since been active in mercantile and real estate 
circles. Boone county, Ind., where Mr. Morris 
was born October 10, 1852, was the home of his 
father, William E., who became identified with 
the town of Thorntown, as a young -man, and 
in time was one of the most prominent men in 
the community. He was born in North Carolina, 
where his father, Zachariah, was also born, the 
latter being a planter and land owner in his native 
state. 

William E. Morris married Ella Binford, 
she being a native of Virginia, and whose par- 
ents were pioneers of Montgomery county, 
Ind. Soon after he removed to Bloomingdale, 
Park county, where he engaged in a general 
merchandise business, and also ran a grist-mill. 
These combined industries proved most profit- 
able and netted their owner at least a comfortable 
fortune. He has reached the age of seventy-five 
years and is still enjoying the respect and appre- 
ciation of his fellowmen. Five children were 
born to himself and wife, one son and four 
daughters, of whom Francis A. is the oldest; 



Mrs. Stanton Newlin, living near Bloomingdale, 
Ind. ; Mrs. Fred M. Davis of Minneapolis, Minn. ; 
Mrs. Edgar Palm, also of Minneapolis, Minn. ; 
and Alice, who died at the age of fourteen years. 

The first actual business experience of Mr. 
Morris was acquired as a clerk in a dry goods 
house in Indianapolis, Ind., with which he was 
connected in increasingly responsible capacities 
for about ten years, at the time of his resignation 
being assistant manager. After coming to New- 
berg he engaged in a general merchandise busi- 
ness for about twelve years in partnership with 
B. C. Miles, an outline of whose career may be 
found elsewhere in this work. Upon disposing 
of his store interests Mr. Morris embarked upon 
his present undertakings in real estate, loans and 
insurance, and much valuable town and country 
property has in the meantime passed through 
his hands. Nor have his abilities been confined 
entirely to mercantile and real estate concerns, 
for so public-spirited a man must needs fill many 
niches in a wide-awake community. For two 
years he was president of the Chehalem Valley 
Bank, and he has taken an active interest in 
promoting the erection of modern and substan- 
tial buildings. The firm of Morris & Mills was 
responsible for the first brick building in the old 
town of Newberg. As a Republican Mr. Morris 
has contributed his share towards filling import- 
ant offices, and aside from being councilman for 
many terms, he has served as mayor of the town 
for two terms. He is a welcome member of 
various fraternal organizations, including the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Woodmen of the World, in both of which he is 
extremely active. 

At his old home in Indiana Mr. Morris was 
united in marriage with A. M. Maris, who was 
born in Park county, Ind., a daughter of Jon- 
athan Maris, a native of North Carolina. Mr. 
Maris was a farmer for many years in Indiana, 
of which state he was a very early pioneer. He 
came to Oregon to visit his daughter and son- 
in-law, and died here at an advanced age. Mr. 
Morris is a member of the Society of Friends. 
A peculiarity in connection with the family of 
Mr. Morris is that there has been established for 
many years a circular letter system, put into 
effect periodically, and by means of which inform- 
ation concerning every member is passed around 
with the greatest regularity, no stoppage being 
allowed for more than four days. This custom 
is a very old one, and is so interesting and admir- 
able that one wonders why it is not oftener 
utilized to preserve an interest in members of 
a given family. , 

JOHN S. LARKIN. With his family, John 
S. Larkin represents the highest type of western 
development. One of the honored and influen- 



1008 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tial citizens of Newberg, he has a meritorious 
record as a farmer and large landowner in Wis- 
consin, Minnesota and Oregon, in which states 
he has promoted in no small measure agricul- 
tural, educational, moral and general growth. 

The fine and substantial traits of character 
which have made the canny Scotchman a wel- 
come settler in any country under the sun are 
inherited by Mr. Larkin from a long line of 
Scottish ancestors, first represented in America 
by his paternal grandfather, John Larkin, who 
was a sailor and died at a comparatively early 
age. John Larkin, son of the mariner, was born 
in Portsmouth, N. H., and when a young man 
engaged in the restaurant business in Boston, 
Mass. In 1846 he located among the pioneers of 
Wayne county, N. Y., where he bought ninety- 
six acres of land near Massadon, and lived there 
until his retirement in 1856 to a couple of acres 
of land at East Marshfield, Mass. The last years 
of his life were spent in Michigan, where he 
bought one hundred acres of land, and where 
he lived until his death at the age of seventy- 
five years. He had quite an interesting life, and 
was fairly successful as a farmer, his youth 
having been enlivened by service in the war of 
181 2, when, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted 
as a privateersman with his father. He married 
Lydia Quimby, who was born in Maine, and 
whose father, Dr. Samuel Quimby, was a prac- 
ticing physician during the greater part of his 
active life. Seven children were born of this 
union, two daughters and five sons, of whom 
John S. is the oldest living. 

At the age of eighteen John S. Larkin began 
to clerk in a store at Liberty Square, Boston, 
Mass., and in 1855 removed to Wisconsin, set- 
tling on one hundred and sixty acres of govern- 
ment land in Adams county. He improved his 
land and raised general produce, and in 1863 lo- 
cated in Blue Earth county, Minn., and took up 
six hundred acres of land. This continued to 
be his home until 1887, when he came to Oregon 
and near Newberg purchased one hundred and 
twenty-eight acres of land. At first he engaged 
in general farming, but later planted an orchard 
of prunes, pears and apples, the products of 
which constituted his principal source of reve- 
nue. 

In Blue Earth county, Minn, January 22, 1866, 
Mr. Larkin was united in marriage with Eliza 
Jarman, who was born in St. Clair county, Mich.. 
a daughter of a Michigan farmer who removed 
to Minnesota and then to Iowa, in which latter 
state his death occurred. Seven children were 
born of this union, of whom six are living : The 
children in the order of their birth are as fol- 
lows : Charles; Josephine, wife of N. C. Chris- 
tenson; John; Elizabeth, who died in Minneso- 
ta; George; Nellie, now Mrs. Hugh Nelson, 



of Newberg; and Jennie, living at home. Mr. 
Larkin has reason to be proud of his bright and 
enterprising sons, who inherit his adaptability 
and business capacity. George Larkin, a prac- 
ticing and very successful young dentist of this 
town, was educated in the commercial and com- 
mon schools of Minnesota and Oregon, and also 
spent three years at the Pacific College of New- 
berg, and three years at the North Pacific Den- 
tal College, at Portland, from which latter in- 
stitution he graduated with honors in May of 
1902. Formerly a member of the Omega Dental 
Fraternity, he is now associated with the State 
Dental Society. Although but a short time out 
of college, he is making rapid strides towards 
the best that his profession holds, and he will 
undoubtedly rank among the best of his profes- 
sion ere many years have elapsed. John Larkin, 
no less ambitious and successful than his brother, 
has ability of a mercantile order, and owns a 
half interest in the largest mercantile establish- 
ment in Newberg, the firm of Porter & Larkin. 
The sons are both living with their parents, and 
both are unmarried. 

Mr. Larkin is a Democrat in national poli- 
tics, and has been prominently before the pub- 
lic in support of his party. In Minnesota he 
was chairman of the board of supervisors during 
four or five terms, and was also member of the 
Minnesota legislature. He is fraternally con- 
nected with the Blue Lodge of Masons and the 
Eastern Star. Mr. Larkin has an enviable repu- 
tation in the community of Newberg, his ster- 
ling honesty, progressiveness, and all around 
worth having met with the deserved appreciation 
of his fellow-townsmen-. 



JAMES SIMPSON. Another one of the 
family names connected with the pioneer days 
of Oregon is that to which James Simpson is 
heir, a prominent citizen and farmer now living 
on a portion of the original donation claim upon 
which his father settled in 1847. The latter, 
William Simpson, was born on an old cotton 
plantation in North Carolina in 1794, his father 
being a member of a family long connected with 
the south. When ten years of age he went with 
his parents to another farm in Tennessee, and 
here grew to manhood, and in time married Mary 
Kimsey, settling on a farm of his own in the 
neighborhood. Outfitting with teams and wagons 
he took his wife to Howard county, and later to 
Johnson county, Mo., and in 1837 removed to 
Piatt county, on the Platte purchase, where he 
took up government land and lived thereon until 
April, 1846. In Johnson county was born the 
son, James, December 23, 1833, the paternal farm 
being near Warrensburg, and in a very fertile tract 
of land. At one time there was a great deal of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1009 



dissatisfaction in the Platte Purchase, as there 
was throughout the whole middle western sec- 
tion, and William Simpson was one of the first 
to seriously consider the proposition of uprooting 
entirely and removing to the far west. Having 
decided to do so. he packed together such pos- 
sions as would be required for housekeeping 
in the new country, and with two wagons, one 
with four, and the other with three yoke of oxen, 
he set forth with his wife and eight children 
for the hopeful country beyond the mountains. 
Behind him remained one child who was old 
enough to look out for himself, and one child 
lay in its grave in a little Missouri churchyard. 
Leaving home April 18, 1846, they arrived in 
Yamhill county. Ore., in September, and spent 
the first year in North Yamhill. 

In the fall of 1847 ^ r - Simpson located on 
the farm upon a portion of which his son James 
now lives in the Waldo Hills. Two and a half 
miles from Aumsville he took up six hundred 
and forty acres, upon which he built a rude log 
house 16x16 feet, and containing but one room. 
In these circumscribed quarters this large family 
lived contentedly and even happily. Fortunately 
game was plentiful, and the head of the family 
was a good shot, and in the creeks was an abund- 
ance of fish. Several of the children were old 
enough to make themselves useful in clearing 
the land, and the good work grew apace until a 
semblance of civilization took the place of pri- 
meval stillness and inactivity. Mr. Simpson 
was a great church man, and he organized and 
helped to build the first Baptist Regular Church 
in this section of the country. He also had much 
to do with building and improving the schools, 
and in the making of roads. In 1858, the year in 
which he died, occurred also the death of his 
faithful wife, and thus even in death this well- 
mated and always helpful couple were not 
divided. Of the children, Ellen married James 
Anderson ; Thomas K., deceased, came to Oregon 
in 1851 ; Benjamin lives in Portland; Harriet, 
deceased, was the wife of Larkin Price : Mary 
A., deceased, was the wife of William Macklin ; 
Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of N. B. Wis- 
dom : David is a resident of Salem: Martha J., 
deceased, was the wife of N. Ford : James and 
W. B., who live in Salem. 

To a boy of thirteen the journey across the 
plains was invariably a most interesting pro- 
ceeding, and James Simpson was no exception to 
the rule. He helped to drive the cattle and make 
himself generally useful, and after locating on 
the donation claim with his parents and brothers 
and sisters, found time during the winter season 
to attend the early subscription school held in a 
little log house in the neighborhood. At the 
age of nineteen he rented land and engaged 
independently in farming, and in 1853 married 



Mary C. Havens, who was born in Missouri, 
and came to Oregon in 1852. In 1854 Mr. Simp- 
son brought his voting wife to the farm which is 
still their home, and which consists of two hun- 
dred and thirty acres, one hundred and fifty of 
which are part of the old donation claim. He is 
engaged in general farming, and upon his fertile 
meadows graze large numbers of fine stock. 
He is progressive and popular, and his farm pre- 
sents a scene of activity, thrift and neatness. 
He is a Democrat in political affiliation, but has 
never sought or desired official recognition. Ten 
children have been born into the family, of whom 
Gilbert died at the age of three years ; Cassie is 
the widow of Hiram H. Hicks ; Melissa Ann 
is deceased : Nancy J. is deceased ; Rosa is at 
home ; William ; James ; Frank ; John E. is 
deceased ; and Barnett, deceased. 



PHILIP PHILE. For many years a familiar 
and interesting figure in the river life of Cor- 
vallis, Ore., Mr. Phile has won by his genial and 
whole-souled manner a host of friends among 
the people whom he has ferried across the Will- 
amette river. Not a native son of this state, nor 
yet of the nation, Mr. Phile has, however, grown 
strongly attached to the land of his adoption and 
in proportion as it has given him prosperity he 
has returned an earnest patriotism and hearty 
interest in public events, a characteristic of 
value in the citizens of a country. 

The forefathers of Philip Phile have long 
been natives of the grand duchy of Baden, Ger- 
many, where they have engaged in the cultiva- 
tion of the soil, his father, Christopher Phile, 
passing his entire life in that location, his wife, 
Magdalene also giving to her children, of whom 
there were five sons and one daughter, an 
inheritance of the qualities of this section 6f 
Germany. Philip was the fourth child in the 
family, and was born August 31, 1825, in Baden- 
Baden, near Carlsruhe, and under his father's 
instruction was reared to the life of a farmer. 
His early education was received in the German 
schools. Upon attaining manhood he decided to 
try his fortunes in the great land of the western 
world of which he had heard so much, whose 
only drawback was the change of language and 
the loneliness which must necessarily follow the 
wanderer from home and friends. To alleviate 
this latter burden his sister, the one daughter of 
the familv, took upon herself the hardships of 
the pioneer, and together the young people 
boarded the sailer, Havre, at the city of that name 
in France, and after the remarkably short voyage 
of twenty-one days they arrived in New York 
city, the trip having been made on the best 
clipper of the ocean. 

Having an uncle by the name of Fred K. Zim- 



1010 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



merman living near Wheeling, 111., Mr. Phile at 
once sought the middle west, coming by the way 
of Chicago, and though there were opportunities 
in plenty in that city he did not care to make 
it his home, as at that time Chicago seemed to 
be somewhat precariously located in the mud 
and water about Lake Michigan, without any 
clear distinction as to where the lake ended and 
the land began. Hunting up his uncle he went 
to work on a farm in the vicinity of Wheeling, 
remaining there for five years, at the end of 
that time coming still farther west, a corruption 
of Horace Greeley's advice being " Go as far 
west as you can." With a party of ox-teams he 
left Illinois early in March over the old Oregon 
trail, crossing the Mississippi river at Rock 
Island and striking the Missouri river in almost 
a direct line west of that place, crossing the 
latter where the town of Council Bluffs is 
located. The trip was a long and tedious one, 
not differing greatly from the many others made 
in that early day. The party was never left 
without a guard, day or night, each man's duty 
being a half of the night. After an eight months 
journey the party arrived safely in the Will- 
amette valley, and Mr. Phile went at once to 
Linn county to Lushman's place, and in passing 
through Corvallis he was offered work at the 
ferry, but did not then accept. After spending 
the winter in King's valley hauling rails he 
returned to Corvallis and accepted the offer 
made him in November, going to work for Isaac 
Moore, the ferryman. Later Mr. Moore built 
a new boat, following the suggestions of Mr. 
Phile, who had in mind for a model a boat which 
plied upon the river Rhine. The boat was a 
great success, and Mr. Phile made himself of so 
much value, not only through his suggestions 
but by his steady, trustworthy work, that the 
ferry company, which had now become a firm 
of two under the firm name of Moore & St. 
Clair, employed him to conduct the ferry. Orig- 
inally a rope ferry was used in the conveyance 
of people at this point, the buoy ferry later 
taking the place of the more primitive affair, 
this also being at the suggestion of Mr. Phile. 
For twenty-one years Mr. Phile served in the 
capacity of ferryman for Corvallis, and the few 
moment's talk as the little boat swung out into 
the stream sent many a traveler on his way 
with a lighter heart, for a merry word and a 
genial smile were as truly a part of this man's 
life as the daily work which was given him to 
do. In storm and sunshine his boat plied upon 
the river, and he recalls many times when the 
tide was running high and peril was imminent, 
but no accident ever came to him to mar the 
enjoyment of the life which he followed. For 
ten years he bore the responsibility of conveying 
the overland mail across the river in the night, 



the one from Portland coming in at eleven p. m., 
followed by the San Francisco mail at two a. 
m. In 1874 Mr. .Phile retired from his duties, 
erecting a house in Corvallis, where he has 
since made his home. 

February 10, 1875, Mr. Phile allied himself 
by marriage with a descendant of a German 
family, Mrs. Catherine (Rodemocher) Tideman, 
who had removed to Corvallis in 1863. She was 
born in Germany, on the estate of Hanover, her 
grandfather, John, and father, Biern, both being 
natives of the same place, where they engaged 
in farming. Her mother, Margaret Gossen, was 
also born in that locality, and was the daughter 
of a farmer. Of the eight children born to her 
father and mother six came to r the United States 
and settled in Oregon, four of whom are now 
living, and are as follows : Lucy, now Mrs. 
Tideman of Portland; Annie, Mrs. Schlosser 
of Albany ; Carsten, of Corvallis, now a retired 
farmer ; and Catherine, now the wife of Mr. 
Phile of this review. In i860 Mrs. Tideman 
commenced the journey toward Oregon, coming 
from New York city to Aspinwall, and after 
crossing the Isthmus of Panama she took pass- 
age on a steamer bound for San Francisco and 
from there to Portland, the remainder of the trip 
to Corvallis being made by stage. She was 
married in San Francisco in i860 to Matthias 
Tideman, also a native of Hanover, and who had 
come to the Californian mines in 1850. In Linn 
county Mr. Tideman took up a claim located 
three miles east of Corvallis, where he engaged 
in farming. In 1871 Mr. and Mrs. Tideman 
took a pleasure trip back to their German home, 
returning in 1872, when Mr. Tideman died of 
smallpox in a hospital in New York city, the 
widow finishing the journey alone. The three 
children born of the union, Caroline, Mary and 
Henry, all died in youth. 

Mr. Phile takes an intelligent interest in the 
affairs of his adopted town, and is always ready 
to assist in any worthy movement toward the 
development of its resources. Politically he has 
been a stanch Republican since the Civil war, 
and through this influence has served as council- 
man for one term. He is a member of the 
Lutheran Church. 



J. B. SHANKS. The Shanks family in 
Oregon is associated with successful agricul- 
tural enterprises, and with an earnest and 
hopeful ministry in the old school Baptist 
Church. J. B. Shanks, representing the second 
generation in the northwest, and the owner 
of a farm near Monitor, Marion county, was 
born on a farm in Carroll county, Ind., March 
11, 1839, and is the son of Abner and Anna 
(Lenon) Shanks, natives of Ohio, and the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1011 



former born in Miami county, December 27, 
1810. 

Abner Shanks, the founder of the family in 
Oregon, moved with his parents from Ohio to 
Indiana as early as 1829, and there settled on 
a farm in a comparatively wild section of 
country. His father was a minister in the 
Baptist Church, and from him the son un- 
doubtedly inherited his ability as a preacher 
and humanitarian. About 1853 the family 
removed to Iowa, where Abner Shanks followed 
tanning and preaching, and also for a time 
engaged in the general merchandise business. 
In 1865 he outfitted for the long journey 
across the plains, and during the passage 
encountered numerous difficidties with the 
Jndians, although his family stood the trip 
with great courage, reaching their destination 
in Marion county in comparatively good health 
and spirits. For seven or eight years Mr. 
Shanks lived on a farm in the Waldo Hills, 
and then purchased a farm on Howell's Prairie, 
which continued to be his home until 1882. In 
the meantime he had continuously preached the 
gospel, and in this way accomplished much 
good, filling many hearts with hope and en- 
couragement. Eventually he took up his resi- 
dence in Turner, but after the death of his 
second wife, who was formerly Elizabeth 
Ewing, he lived with his children, his death 
occurring at Stayton, November 26, 1902, at 
the age of ninety-two years. He was a genial, 
kindly man, very public-spirited and liberal, 
and during his helpful earthly pilgrimage 
made many friends. Of the children born of 
his first marriage five are living: J. B., of 
University Park, Portland ; N. J., of North 
Yakima county, Wash. ; Henry, of Weston, 
Ore. ; J. S., of Turner, Ore. ; and Elizabeth, 
widow of J. M. Hosier, of Mt. Angel. Mr. 
Shanks' first wife died in Indiana, and of the 
second union there were born six children, of 
whom five are now living: Levi, of Portland; 
Benjamin, of Palouse, Wash ; Martha, wife 
of H. Anderson, of Stayton ; Maggie, wife of 
M. Anderson, of Oregon City ; and Anna, wife 
of F. Cook of Grant's Pass. 

With a common school education at his 
command, and with the mental balance ac- 
quired in a Christian and very orderly home, 
J. B. Shanks started out to make his way in 
the world when twenty-two years of age, and 
after engaging in teaming for one year went 
to Montana and mined and prospected for a 
couple of years. In 1865 he met his people at 
Boise City and came with them to Marion 
county, where he resumed teaming up to the 
time of his marriage. His wife was formerly 
Sarah Lenon, a native of Indiana, who crossed 
the plains in the same train with her husband, 



settling with her parents on a farm in Marion 
county. The young people went to house-keep- 
ing in the Waldo Hills for a couple of years, and 
then removed to Monitor, remaining in that town 
for twelve years. Mr. Shanks then purchased 
his present home of one hundred and twenty 
acres one and a fourth miles southeast of 
Monitor, three miles from a railroad and here 
he has since engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. At present he has fifty acres 
under cultivation, and his buildings and general 
improvements are in accordance with scientific 
and intelligent farming. Eight children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shanks, of whom 
Luella is the wife of Charles McKee, of Mc- 
Kee, Ore. ; Anna is the wife of F. M. Girard, 
of Monitor, Ore. ; L. S., Jr., of Monitor ; and 
Misses Mary and Maggie, of Portland. Three 
of the children died in infancy. 

Mr. Shanks is one of the very prominent 
men of this community, and to an exceptional 
degree enjoys the confidence of his fellow 
townsmen. He has abundant opportunities 
to display his public spirit and broad-minded- 
ness, and has demonstrated in various ways 
his possession of those characteristics which 
go to make up the acknowledged man of 
affairs. No worthy movement toward the pro- 
motion of the public welfare is allowed to pass 
unnoticed by him. He has elways exhibited 
a desire to witness the highest possible im- 
provement in the moral, intellectual and spirit- 
ual condition of those surrounding him. It 
is to such men as Mr. Shanks that the state 
of Oregon owes a debt that it can never pay, 
for the high and unselfish spirit which has 
actuated all his actions in dealing with matters 
outside of his own domestic circles. He is 
entitled to rank with the most thoroughly 
representative men of the Willamette valley, 
and to occupy a position of prominence in a 
record of this character. 



B. A. CATHEY, M. D. The world instinc- 
tively pays deference to the man whose success 
has been worthily achieved, who has attained 
wealth by honorable business methods, acquired 
the highest reputation in his chosen calling by 
merit, and whose social prominence is not the 
less the result of an irreproachable life than of 
recognized natural gifts. We pay the highest 
tribute to the heroes who on battlefields win vic- 
tories and display a valor that is the admiration 
of the world. Why should the tribute be with- 
held from those who wage the bloodless battles 
of civil life, who are conquerors in Hie world 
of business? Greater than in almost any line 
of work is the responsibility which rests upon 
the physician. The issues of life and death are 



1012 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in his hands. An incorrect prescription, an un- 
skilled operation may take from man that which 
he prizes above all else — life. The physician's 
power must be his own ; not by purchase, by 
gift or by influence can he gain it. He must 
commence at the very beginning, learn the very 
rudiments of medicine and surgery, continually 
add to his knowledge by close study and earnest 
application and gain reputation by merit. If he 
would gain the highest prominence it must come 
as the result of superior skill, knowledge and 
ability, and these qualifications are possessed in 
an eminent degree by Dr. Cathey. He is known 
as one of the most eminent members of the pro- 
fession in the Willamette valley and his opinions 
are largely recognized as authority throughout 
this section of the state. 

Dr. Cathey was born near Gresham, Multno- 
mah county, Ore., on the 17th of February, 1854, 
and is a son of W. G. and Thersa J. (Cornutt) 
Cathey. The father was a native of Johnson 
county, Mo., and the grandfather, Andrew 
Cathey, died in that state. W. G. Cathey was 
reared as a farmer boy and in the fall of 1853 
he came to Oregon, making the overland trip 
with ox-teams. He settled near what is now 
Gresham in Powells valley and purchased a do- 
nation claim of three hundred and twenty acres 
of land, after which he turned his attention to 
agricultural pursuits. He now resides on the 
old homestead, retaining possession of eighty 
acres of land. His farm is along the street car 
line from Portland. His wife, also a native of 
Missouri, is a daughter of Alfred Cornutt, who 
was born in Virginia, whence he emigrated west- 
ward, becoming a Missouri farmer. In 1853 he 
made the journey by ox-team to Oregon and 
here followed farming near Gresham for a period 
of ten years. He then removed to Douglas 
county where he purchased a farm and carried 
on agricultural pursuits until his death. He was 
a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Cathey, the doctor's father, is now 
living at the age of seventy years, but the 
mother passed away in 1888. In their family 
were eleven children, of whom six yet survive. 

The doctor spent the days of his boyhood and 
youth upon the home farm. If the roll of suc- 
cessful and prominent business men were called 
to determine what were their early surroundings 
it would be found that a large majority had been 
reared amid rural scenes, gaining there strength 
for the duties of later life. The doctor attended 
the district schools and for a short time was a 
student in the Portland high school. He en- 
gaged in teaching for six months and then en- 
tered the Albany College, where he remained for 
a period of six months. He then accepted the 
position of principal of the North Brownsville 
school, where he served for four terms, after 



which he again spent a year in Albany College. 
Thus he worked his way through, meeting the 
expenses of his course by teaching in the public 
schools and also by teaching vocal music. For 
one year he was the principal of the Halsey 
school and he afterward taught in Canyonville 
and in Riddles. He was principal of the Rose- 
burg school for three years and then returned 
to Canyonville as principal of the schools of that 
place. During four years of this time he was 
also engaged in reading medicine, for he had de- 
termined to engage in the practice of the profes- 
sion as a lifework. Soon after his return to 
Canyonville he had to dismiss his school on ac- 
count of an epidemic of diphtheria. Some dif- 
ficulty arising, the local physician had to leave 
the town and his patrons came to Dr. Cathey for 
medical assistance, knowing that he had for some 
time been studying. It was thus that he began 
practice and the doctor said that his early work 
in that direction was the hardest he had ever 
done in connection with his professional career. 
It was not his desire to engage in practice before 
he had completed his medical studies, but he 
finally assented to the wishes of the people of the 
community and was very successful in his work. 
He lost only three cases out of thirty and two of 
these had been treated by others before his serv- 
ices were called upon. The disease had reached 
its last stages when he attempted to render as- 
sistance, so that in reality he lost but one case 
out of twenty-eight. A year later another physi- 
cian located in the town and began practice. Dr. 
Cathey then proposed to discontinue his own 
labors in the profession, but those who had em- 
ployed him opposed this step and he therefore 
continued in practice at that place for four and 
a half years. He sold out his drug store in order 
to give his entire attention to the alleviation of 
human suffering, and his success indicated that 
nature certainly intended him for that line of 
activity. 

In the fall of 1888 Dr. Cathey entered the med- 
ical department of Willamette University, which 
was then located in Portland, and was graduated 
in that institution in 1890 with the degree of 
M. D. He then located in Woodburn, where he 
practiced until 1899, when the medical college 
was transferred from Portland to Salem and in 
that school he was elected professor of physi- 
ology, filling the chair for four years, when he 
resigned in order to establish his home in Cor- 
vallis. Since coming to this city he has built 
up a very extensive practice, in fact, is regarded 
as one of the leading physicians in the valley. 
As a medical and also as a surgical practitioner 
he has been extremely successful and has the 
largest surgical practice in the city and county. 

Dr. Cathey was married in Brownsville, Ore., 
to Miss Lucinda Elizabeth McFeron, who was 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1013 



born in Missouri, and their marriage has been 
blessed with five children : Cecil C, George A.. 
Collins F.. Alice Marie and Evelyn. The second 
son is now a student in the medical department 
of the Willamette University. The doctor be- 
came a Mason in Canyonville, became a charter 
member of the lodge at YVoodburn and is now 
affiliated with Corvallis Lodge. Xo. 14. A. F. & 
A. M. He is also connected with the Order of 
the Eastern Star and the Woodmen of the 
World. His religious faith is indicated by his 
membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, 
in which he is serving as a trustee. Profession- 
ally he is connected with the State Medical So- 
ciety and he is continually reading and studying 
in order to promote his skill and efficiency in the 
line of a profession which by many is regarded 
as the most important to which man can direct 
his energies. His knowledge is broad and com- 
prehensive, and not only has he a love of his 
calling because of his scientific interests, but also 
because of his broad humanitarian spirit. Dr. 
Cathey today stands among the most eminent 
members of the profession in the Willamette val- 
ley and is possessed of marked ability and com- 
prehensive professional learning. 



MARTI X WOODCOCK. There is some- 
thing in the story of the life of the pioneer that 
is always of keenest interest. This is perhaps 
because it displays bravery such as is manifested 
by the soldier on the field of battle. It requires 
no little heroism and strength of purpose to 
meet the conditions which existed on a frontier 
region, and it is well that we preserve the his- 
tory of those who met those conditions and made 
their portion of the country habitable, rich in 
fruitage and pleasing to the eye. Martin Wood- 
cock was one of the distinguished early settlers 
of Oregon who became a prominent factor in 
the business life of Benton county. Wherever 
he went he commanded the respect and confi- 
dence of those with whom he was associated 
and his life history contains many elements 
which are worthy of emulation and should serve 
as a source of inspiration to others. 

Mr. Woodcock was born in Schoharie county. 
X. Y.. July 20, 1824, and passed away in the 
early morning of March 22. 1884. his life record 
therefore covering almost sixty years. He was 
a son of William and Catherine Woodcock. His 
ancestors, as far back as is known, were from 
Holland, whence they went to England and from 
the latter country three brothers of the name 
crossed the Atlantic to the Empire state. From 
one of these the subject of this review was de- 
scended. On his mother's side the first ances- 
tors, as far as is now known, were Peter Cooper, 
Martin Cooper, Catherine Hamm and Regina 



Krum, all of whom were born in the town of 
Westerwald, Prussia. Coming to America they 
settled in Livingstone Manor in Dutchess county, 
X. \ .. in 1761. From the marriage of Peter 
Cooper and Catherine Hamm there sprung two 
children, one of whom was given the name of 
Peter and was born July 6. 1775. By the mar- 
riage of Martin Cooper and Regina Krum there 
were seven children, one of whom was named 
Regina Cooper. In 1796 Peter C. Cooper, the 
son of Peter Cooper, and Regina, the daughter 
of Martin Cooper, were married and unto them 
were born nine children, including Catherine, 
who on August 12, 1821, gave her hand in mar- 
riage to William Woodcock. Mr. and Mrs. 
Woodcock, accompanied by six of their children, 
including Martin, who was then fourteen vears 
of age. left New York in 1838 and settled in 
what was then the wilderness of Woodland in 
Wisconsin, about eight miles from where now 
stands the city of Milwaukee. There the father, 
with the assistance of his sons, Horace and Mar- 
tin, hewed out a farm in the midst of the hereto- 
fore unbroken forests, earning the means with 
which to pay for the homestead by cutting cord 
wood. From that time on Martin Woodcock- 
assisted in the work of the home farm and was 
there reared to manhood. He lived under the 
parental roof until twenty-four years of age 
and on August 28. 1848. he was united in mar- 
riage to Amanda J. White. They became the 
parents of one son and two daughters. The son. 
M. S. Woodcock, is now president of the First 
X'ational Bank and is ex-mayor of Corvallis. One 
daughter. Mrs. Eva L. Stannus. born Februarv 
7. 1855. resides in Idaho. The other daughter. 
Carrie L., was born July 2. 1865. When gold 
was discovered in California the news of the "find 
spread like wildfire throughout the country. It 
reached the ears of Mr. Woodcock and others 
in Wisconsin and, being attracted by the mam- 
advantages then offered on the far-off Pacific 
coast, Mr. Woodcock resolved to seek his fortune 
in the west, and. with his wife and son. accom- 
panied by his older brother. Horace, with the 
latter 's wife, and a younger brother. W. C. Wood- 
cock, and his sister, Rena A. Dayton and her 
husband, H. C. Dayton, started for Oregon on 
February 24. 1853. It was mid-winter, and in 
wagons drawn by oxen they loaded all that thev 
possessed and turned their faces toward the 
setting sun in search of the land of promise — 
the then but little known Oregon. After a long 
and tiresome journey across the plains thev 
arrived at their destination on September 24. 
and after looking over various parts of the Will- 
amette valley for land subject to location under 
the donation act Mr. Woodcock and his brother. 
W. C. settled upon adjoining farms about four- 
teen miles west of Eugene City in Lane countv. 



1014 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



This land was wild and unimproved, but with 
characteristic energy Mr. Woodcock began its 
development and there lived for about four years, 
during which time he built a new home and 
made good improvements upon his property. 
During the succeeding two years he was engaged 
in learning the wagonmaker's trade of a neigh- 
bor, Jacob H. Wellsher and in the fall of 1859 
Martin Woodcock and his brother Horace joined 
Mr. Wellsher in forming a partnership for the 
purpose of engaging in the manufacture of 
wagons and carriages. They all removed to 
Monroe, Benton county, where they continued 
in that business until the winter of 1863, during 
which time they built up a large trade. Their 
wagons found favor with the public because 
of their neatness, durability, light draft and the, 
evident care with which they were constructed. 
They thus had many purchasers, some of whom 
came from long distances. 

About the time of his removal to Monroe, 
Martin Woodcock also entered into partnership 
with his brother, W. C. Woodcock, for the pur- 
pose of conducting a general mercantile business 
at that place. They established their store and 
conducted it with success until the winter of 
1869. In the spring of 1874 Mr. Woodcock, 
with his wife and daughter, removed to east 
Portland and in the succeeding fall he purchased 
a part of the William Herron farm near Salem, 
whereon he resided for some time. He built 
another home there and devoted his energies to 
the supervision of his farming interests until the 
spring of 1882, when he sold that property. 
During the following summer, accompanied by 
his wife and youngest daughter, he visited the 
old home in Wisconsin where his aged mother 
was still living on the land he had helped to clear 
for her and his father in his early boyhood days. 
She was then seventy-eight years of age. Return- 
ing to Oregon, Mr. Woodcock then removed in 
April, 1883, to the farm about a mile east of 
Salem, which continued to be his place of abode 
until his demise. There he once more commenced 
to build a home for his old age in which he hoped 
to rest from hard work and care, but after an 
illness of a few weeks he died surrounded by 
his loved ones and many friends. He passed 
away at the age of fifty-nine years, eight months 
and two days. In February, 1884, he had been 
summoned to serve on the county jury. The 
weather at that time was very cold and there 
was a deep snow. During the first week of his 
jury services Mr. Woodcock contracted a severe 
cold, but instead of asking to be excused by the 
court he continued to act on the jury nnd at the 
end of the two weeks his cold had developed into 
a severe attack of pneumonia, which resulted in 
his death. Thus closed the life of another hon- 
ored pioneer, whose best years were closely iden- 



tified with the growth and prosperity of his 
beloved Oregon. His life was characteristic of 
untiring energy and unswerving integrity. He 
was often heard to say that his whole aim in life 
was to do to others as he would wish others to 
do unto him, and this motto was not lightly 
regarded by him, but had a broad significance 
which made it enter into every detail of his 
daily life, and to be his rule and guide in all trans- 
actions with his fellow-men. When he neared the 
end and the shadows of death were falling across 
his path, almost his last words were that he could 
look back over every act of his life with satisfac- 
tion. This was because he had never taken ad- 
vantage of the necessities of his fellow-men, but 
had lived honorably with them and therefore he 
was not afraid to die. One who knew him paid 
the following tribute to his memory : " His scru- 
pulous exactness in performing all he promised 
and his straight- forward course in whatever path 
duty called, regardless of all else, had gained 
him the respect of all who came in contact with 
him and the esteem and warmest affection of 
those who knew him best. Many will mourn 
him as a friend gone and his memory will be 
cherished long after his form is returned to 
dust from whence it came. May his fidelity to 
his favorite motto exemplified in his whole life 
give it new and nobler meaning to his friends 
who survive him." 



AUGUST HODES is a very successful gro- 
cery merchant of Corvallis and therefore a lead- 
ing representative of commercial interests in the 
city. He is one of the worthy citizens that 
Germany has furnished to the new world, his 
birth having occurred in Herstelle, Westphalia. 
His paternal grandfather, Cornelius Hodes, 
was also a native of that country and was 
engaged in the canal-boat business. Becoming a 
member of the German army, he served in one of 
the wars in that country. His religious faith 
was that of the Catholic Church. Henry Hodes, 
the father of our subject, was also born and 
reared in Westphalia and became a mason and 
builder, while later he was superintendent of 
large stone quarries at Herstelle. There he 
died in the year 1880, and his community mourned 
the loss of one of its representative business men. 
He married Miss Julia Hodes, who was born 
in Westphalia, • but although of the same name 
belonged to a different family. She died in 1863 
when our subject was nine years of age, and the 
father was afterward again married. By the first 
union there were four children, three of whom 
are still living, namely : Amelia, now Mrs. Zier- 
olf, of Corvallis; August; and Mrs. Mina Wus- 
terfeldt, of Corvallis. Of the second marriage 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1015 



there are four living children, one of whom, Carl, 
is a resident of Albany, Ore. 

The birth of August Hodes occurred on March 
27, 1853, and in his parents' home the days of 
his youth were passed, while in the common 
schools he pursued his education. From boy- 
hood he followed canal boating until seventeen 
years of age and then in 1871, thinking that he 
might have better opportunities in the new world, 
he came to America, sailing from Bremen to 
New York: He then made his way across the 
country to San Francisco, Cal., and thence trav- 
eled to Portland, Ore. In May, 1871, he arrived 
in Corvallis, where he has since made his home 
with exception of a short time passed in Eugene, 
where he was employed in a hotel and afterward 
by a dentist, being thus engaged until December, 
1872, when he returned to Corvallis. He then 
entered the service of Henry Warrior, a mer- 
chant of Corvallis, with whom he remained until 
May, 1881, when, with the capital he had acquired 
through his own efforts, he engaged in the 
grocery business as the senior member of the 
firm of A. Hodes & Company. In 1888 he pur- 
chased his partner's interest and has since con- 
tinued alone in the business. He has a fine 
store on Main street in the center of the city in 
which he carries a full line of staple and fancy 
groceries. The store is characterized by neat- 
ness and cleanliness and is most attractive in its 
appearance, so that it has a liberal patronage. 

In Corvallis Mr. Hodes was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Louise Bamberger, who was born 
in San Francisco, and is a daughter of Adam 
Bamberger, who came from Alsace, France, to 
the Pacific coast and was one of the early settlers 
of San Francisco. Later he engaged in the bak- 
ing business in Corvallis and he now resides in 
Portland. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hodes were born 
four children : Clemens and Carl G., who are 
with their father in the store; and Frances and 
Earl, at home. 

Mr. Hodes is now serving for the third year 
as a member of the city council, and is on the fire 
and water committee. For a number of years 
he was a member of the fire department, belong- 
ing to the Big Six Engine Company. Fratern- 
ally he is connected with the Knights of the 
Maccabees and politically is a Democrat. He 
is a very progressive and enterprising man, is 
liberal in matters of citizenship and endorses 
every movement for the welfare of Corvallis and 
gives to public measures for the general good 
his hearty co-operation. 



MILTON S. WOODCOCK. A man's repu- 
tation is the property of the world. The laws 
of nature have forbidden isolation. Every human 
being submits to the controlling influence of 



others, or as a master spirit wields a power 
either for good or evil on the masses of man- 
kind. There can be no impropriety in justly 
scanning the acts of any man as they affect his 
public and business relations. If he is honest 
and eminent in his chosen field of labor investi- 
gation will brighten his fame and point the path 
that others may follow with like success. From 
among the ranks of quiet, persevering yet promi- 
nent citizens — prominent on account of what he 
has done in commercial circles — there is no one 
more deserving of mention in a volume of this 
character than Milton S. Woodcock, who is ex- 
mayor of Corvallis and president of the First 
National Bank. 

Hon. Milton S. Woodcock is a native of Wis- 
consin and has been a resident of Oregon since 
1853. He was born in Wisconsin, near Green- 
field, eight miles from Milwaukee, May 9, 1849, 
and is a son of Martin Woodcock a native of 
New York. The paternal grandfather, William 
Woodcock, removed from New York to Wis- 
consin, settling near Milwaukee at a pioneer 
epoch in the development of that state. The 
father of Milton S. became a farmer by occupa- 
tion and in 1853 brought his family across the 
plains with ox-teams. In the same party traveled 
his older brother, Horace Woodcock and his 
family, his younger brother, William, who was 
then a single man, and his sister and brother-in- 
law, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Dayton. Martin Wood- 
cock brought with him his wife and only son, 
the subject of this review, and settled fourteen 
miles west of Eugene on a donation claim, where 
he lived for four or five years. Removing then 
to Monroe, Benton county, he there engaged in 
merchandising with his younger brother, and 
was associated with his older brother in the 
manufacture of wagons. Subsequently he took 
up his abode in the vicinity of Salem, Marion 
county, where he resided until his death, which 
occurred when he was fifty-nine years of age. 
He married Amanda J. White, a native of the 
Empire state, who went with her parents to 
Wisconsin. She still survives, and is now living 
near Salem. In the family were three children, 
these being Milton S. ; Mrs. Stannus, of Idaho ; 
and Mrs. Savage, who is living near Salem. 

Milton S. Woodcock, the eldest and the onlv 
son, was but a small lad when brought by his 
parents to the northwest. He is indebted to the 
public school system for the educational privi- 
leges he received in his youth. In his boyhood 
he was employed in his father's store, earlv 
becoming familiar with mercantile methods. In 
1869 he began general merchandising on his own 
account in Monroe, conducting his business with 
a fair degree of success until 1874, when he sold 
his store there and sought a broader field of 
labor in Corvallis. In the meantime he had taken 



1016 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



up the study of law under the direction of Col- 
onel Kelsay and after completing his preliminary 
reading he was admitted to the bar in Salem in 
1875. Mr. Woodcock then began the practice 
of his chosen profession in Corvallis and has 
since been identified with the legal profession, 
although many other interests have also claimed 
his attention. He was for a time engaged in 
the general hardware and implement business 
as a member of the firm of Woodcock & Bald- 
win, this association being maintained for four- 
teen years. In 1887 he established a private bank 
under the name of the Benton County Bank, 
which was opened for business in June, 1887. 
In 1890 he organized the First National Bank 
with a capital stock of $150,000 which was incor- 
porated and from the beginning Mr. Woodcock 
has served as its president. After a time he dis- 
posed of his hardware business in order to devote 
his entire attention to his banking interests. 
Prosperity has come to him as the natural con- 
sequence of industry and close application, and 
his splendid success bears testimony to his mature 
judgment in business affairs. Whatever he has 
undertaken he has accomplished. He was not 
yet twenty years of age when he began mer- 
chandising on his own account, and he had a 
capital of less than $1,000, but he agreed to pay 
for the stock of goods which he purchased within 
a year. He worked hard, in fact, unremittingly, 
and through his business career, as at the outset 
he has fully met every obligation. Mr. Wood- 
cock is a self-made man and, in a country where 
merit must win, Mr. Woodcock has achieved 
success. Wealth may secure a start, but it 
cannot maintain one in a position where brains 
and executive ability are required, and Mr. 
Woodcock did not have wealth to aid him in the 
beginning of his business career. His reliance 
has been placed on the more substantial quali- 
ties of perseverance, untiring enterprise, resolute 
purpose and commendable zeal, and withal his 
actions have been guided by an honesty of pur- 
pose. He is a true type of western progress and 
enterprise, the leading spirit which has produced 
the phenomenal growth of Oregon. His energy, 
prudent business methods and sagacity have all 
combined to make him one of the foremost busi- 
ness men of the great northwest. 

Mr. Woodcock was married in Corvallis to 
Miss Emma J. Simpson, who was born in Phila- 
delphia, Pa., a daughter of the Rev. Anthony 
Simpson, a native of Manchester, England, and 
on crossing the Atlantic took up his abode in 
Philadelphia. He was educated for the Presby- 
terian ministry and became an active factor in 
the work of that denomination. At the time of 
the Civil war he served as a chaplain, bemg 
sent into Virginia by the Young Men's Christian 
Association. In 1865 he came to Oregon by 



way of Panama, accompanied by his wife and 
four children. They sailed on the old boat 
Golden Rule, which was wrecked in the Car- 
ibbean sea in June, 1865. The ship went down 
but the passengers all escaped, and ten days later 
they were taken by a United States man-of-war 
to Aspinwall and on to Panama, where the Simp- 
son family took passage on the steamer America 
for San Francisco. At the latter place they 
boarded the vessel Brother Jonathan, for Port- 
land and safely reached their destination, but on 
its return trip that vessel was also wrecked. 
Rev. Simpson lived in Albany for some time, 
and afterward went to Olympia, Wash., acting 
as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church there 
for two years. In 1867 he removed to Corval- 
lis to accept the pastorate of the church here 
and later he removed to a farm in Benton county 
upon which he afterward continued agricultural 
pursuits for some time. He also continued his 
ministerial work, and while there it was through 
his efforts that the First Presbyterian Church 
at Independence was built, and he served as 
pastor of this congregation for many years. He 
later returned to Philadelphia, Pa., where he 
died soon afterward. He was a man of marked 
influence, most zealous in his labors for the 
church and his efforts were productive of great 
good among his fellow-men. In his social rela- 
tions he was a Mason. Mr. Simpson was united 
in marriage in early manhood to Miss Helen 
Crawford, who was born in County Antrim, Ire- 
land, and was of Scotch-Irish lineage. She 
died in Albany, Ore. In their family were four 
children, of whom three are living: John H., 
who is a hardware merchant in Corvallis ; Emma, 
the wife of M. S. Woodcock, of Corvallis ; and 
George, of Seattle, Wash. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock have been born 
three children : A. R., who is a graduate of the 
Oregon Agricultural College, is an ornithologist 
and stands at the head of that science in the state 
of Oregon ; C. H. is connected with the 
First National Bank of Corvallis ; and E. M. is 
the youngest of the family. 

In his political views Mr. Woodcock is an 
earnest Republican and wields a wide influence 
in the councils of his party. In 1901 he was 
elected mayor of the city and his administration 
was one that gave entire satisfaction to the pub- 
lic because it was business-like, progressive and 
beneficial. A very prominent Mason, he was 
initiated into the order in Monroe Lodge No. 
49, and is now connected with Corvallis Lodge 
No. 14. He likewise belongs to Ferguson Chap- 
ter, R. A. M., of Corvallis, of which he is the 
past high priest and he holds membership in Ore- 
gon Council of Corvallis, of which he is a past 
officer and is the past grand master of the Grand 
Council of Oregon. He is also a member of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



K»l!t 



Order of High Priesthood and he and his wife 
are connected with the Eastern Star. Air. Wood- 
cock was the organizer of the Eastern Star lodge 
in Corvallis and served as its first worthy patron, 
acting in that capacity for several years. He 
is also identified with the State Pioneer Associ- 
ation and the American Bankers' xA.ssociation. He 
is a man of enterprise, positive character, indom- 
itable energy, strict integrity and liberal views, 
and has been fully identified with the growth 
and prosperity of the state of his adoption. He 
has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent pur- 
pose and gained a most satisfactory reward. He 
is a man of fine personal appearance, and his 
kindliness, sympathy and generosity beam forth 
in his eye and are substantially manifest in his 
actions. His life is exemplary in many respects 
and he has the esteem of his friends and the 
confidence of those who have had business rela- 
tions with him. 



JUDGE JOSHUA J. WALTON. In the 
annals of Lane county no man occupies a 
more honorable and eminent position than 
Judge Joshua J. Walton, of Eugene. A man 
of undoubted integrity, superior ability and 
judgment, energetic and public-spirited, he 
has been an important factor in the upbuilding 
of the city in which he resides, uniformly ad- 
vocating and working for the supremacy of 
those plans and measures which shall be of 
perpetual benefit to the community. In the 
establishment of the University of Oregon at 
Eugene, he was one of the prime movers, 
working hard to secure the necessary funds 
for its location there, and giving with an un- 
stinting hand from his own private purse to- 
wards its erection. A son of Joshua J. Wal- 
ton, he was born April 6, 1838, in Rushville, 
Ind. Of English ancestry, he is descended 
from one of three brothers who emigrated 
from England to America in colonial days, 
and settled in New England. His paternal 
grandfather, Capt. Thomas Walton, a resident 
of Connecticut, sailed the seas as master of his 
vessel, and while on one of his vovages was 
lost at sea with all his crew. 

A native of Wethersfield. Conn.. J. J. Wal- 
ton, the elder, there grew to manhood, and 
learned the shoemaker's trade. Emigrating 
from Xew England to Indiana, he was there 
engaged in mercantile pursuits for a few 
years. In 1839 ne removed to Illinois, locat- 
ing near Springfield, and subsequently lived 
in St. Louis, Mo., and in Keosauqua, Iowa. 
In the spring of 1849 ne again took up his 
march westward, coming with his family to 
Fremont, Cal.. thence to Yreka, where he 
spent the winter. Locating in the Rogue river 

45 



valley in the spring, he took up a donation claim 
near Ashland, on Wagner creek, being one of 
the original pioneers of that vicinity. Erect- 
ing a small log house, he commenced the im- 
provement of a farm, in addition being engaged 
in packing and freighting from Scottsburg and 
the Willamette valley to Yreka, Cal. In 1853 
he and his son, J. J., assisted in building the 
blockhouse at Fort Wagner, and were on guard 
there for nearly six months. On leaving the 
fort, he disposed of his ranch, and moved to 
Green valley, on the Umpqua river, where he 
carried on general farming and stock-raising 
for five years. Locating in Eugene City in 1858, 
he opened a general merchandise store which he 
managed several years. The following three 
years he and his son, J. J. Walton, were em- 
ployed in mining, being at the Salmon river 
mines the first year, at Boise mines, near Idaho 
City, the second year, and at the Oyhee mines 
the third year. Returning then to Eugene, he 
was employed as a clerk until his retirement 
from active pursuits. He attained a venerable 
age, dying in Eugene at the age of four score 
and four years, in 1896. He had the distinction 
of voting for the constitutions of three states, 
of Iowa in 1846, of California in 1850, and of 
Oregon in 1858. 

J. J. Walton married Ann M. Shockley, of 
Rushville, Ind. She was born near Flemings- 
burg, Ky.. the birthplace of her father, William 
Shockley, who removed from Kentucky to 
Rushville, and there spent his declining years. 
She survived her husband, dying at the age 
of eighty-three years in 1901. She was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of 
their union nine children were born, namely : 
Mrs. Harriet E. Wilson, who died in Washing- 
ton ; Joshua, the special subject of this sketch; 
Mrs. Phebe Hughes, residing at Creswell, Ore : 
Mrs. Mary E. Coleman, of Coburg, Ore ; C. 
Wesley, a resident of Spokane, Wash. ; Amanda 
J., wife of St. John Skinner, of Wardner, Idaho; 
Ira D., of Springfield, Ore. ; Henry E., who 
died at Salem Ore. ; and Mrs. Iula Cole, of 
Spokane, Wash. 

After living in Indiana, Illinois. Missouri and 
Iowa, Joshua J. Walton crossed the plains. with 
his parents when a boy of eleven years, going 
with ox-teams to California in 1849, following 
the trail up the Platte river, and coming by way 
of Salt Lake, where the jaded cattle were ex- 
changed for fresh ones. Thence they proceeded 
down the Humboldt, across the desert to Truc- 
kee, and on to Fremont, Cal., being from April 
until October making the trip. In 185 1 they 
moved to Yreka, in the spring of 1852 to the 
Rogue river valley, and in the fall of the fol- 
lowing year he came with the remainder of 
the familv to Green valley, Ore., and subse- 



1020 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



quently assisted his father in packing and 
freighting between Oregon and California, and 
helped build Fort Wagner, as previously men- 
tioned. Upon coming with the family to Eu- 
gene, in 1858, he attended the old Columbia 
college until the building was burned. Com- 
pleting his education at Union University, 
under Professor Cornelius, he was afterwards 
engaged with his father in various mining en- 
terprises, at the Salmon river mines, in 1862, 
making considerable money, but being unsuccess- 
ful at Boise Basin in the summer of 1863, and 
at the Oyhee mines in 1864. While at home, 
in the intervals of mining, he read law with 
Judge Riley E. Stratton, and after his admis- 
sion to the bar, in 1863, began the practice of 
his profession in Eugene, where he has since 
continued most successfully, sometimes being in 
partnership with others, and sometimes alone. 
In 1868 he was elected county judge and served 
four years. In 1875 he was appointed to the 
office by Governor Grover and in 1876 was 
elected to the office for a term of four years. 
Judge Walton also served as deputy district at- 
torney four years, and has been United States 
commissioner since his first appointment, in 1884, 
by Judge Deady, having been reappointed by 
Judge Bellinger. 

Taking a keen interest in educational matters, 
Judge Walton was one of the five men present 
at the meeting held in the old schoolhouse, in 
July, 1872, to consult in regard to plans for 
having a university located in Eugene, the 
others present being B. F. Dorris, the late John 
M. Thompson, the late John C. Arnold, and the 
late S. H. Spencer. The first thought of these 
gentlemen had simply been to have a higher 
grade school established here, but on Mr. 
Thompson's proposition to try arid secure the 
university for this place, the meeting adjourned 
until some future time in order that more defi- 
nite action might be taken. Subsequently the 
Union University Association was organized for 
the purpose of securing the incorporation of a 
university, Judge Walton being elected one of 
the directors, and secretary of the board. Draft- 
ing a bill, he presented it to the state legislature, 
offering the grounds, and buildings worth $50,- 
000, if the state would locate the university in 
Eugene. The bill passed, and the association 
was given until the fall of 1874 to secure a site, 
and complete the building. The first bill pro- 
vided that $30,000 should be raised by county 
taxes, the citizens of Eugene to contribute the 
remaining $20,000. Some of the taxpayers were 
dissatisfied and having threatened to enjoin the 
collection of the $30,000 the matter was pre- 
sented to the county court, where every objec- 
tion was heard, Judge Walton representing the 
interests of the Union University Association, 



while J. M. Thompson, president of the associa- 
tion, was county judge. Fearing that the tax, 
if raised, would involve tne county in a heavy 
debt, the order was revoked by the county com- 
missioners, and Judge Thompson resigned as 
president of the association, being succeeded by 
Judge Walton, T. G. Hendricks being elected 
secretary. After meeting many discourage- 
ments, the association, largely through the stren- 
uous efforts of its president, raised the entire 
$50,000 by subscription, and after the building 
was completed the deed was made out, and ac- 
cepted by the state. Although the brave pro- 
moters of the university had a hard struggle in 
its establishment and building, they now take 
great pride and pleasure in the result of their 
labors. 

In April, 1873, the board of regents was 
organized with Judge Matthew P. Deady as 
president, and Judge Walton, who was one of 
the three regents elected by the Union Univer- 
sity Association, as secretary of the board, a 
position to which he has been continuously re- 
elected ever since. During the first thirteen 
years of the university's existence the judge 
served as both regent and secretary, but has 
since that time acted as secretary only. 

Judge J. J. Walton was married, first, in 
Eugene, to Elizabeth Gale, who was born near 
Galesburg, 111. She died in 1873, leaving three 
children, namely : Ada Osie, who was graduated 
from the University of Oregon, and is now 
living in Seattle, Wash. ; Clara D. died in 
Eugene ; and Hattie E., a trained nurse at the 
General Hospital in Seattle, Wash. The judge 
was married a second time in 1876, in Eugene, 
to Miss Emma Fisher, a native of Richmond, 
Ind., and a daughter of Robert Fisher, who 
spent his last years in Minnesota. The only 
child of Judge and Mrs. Walton, Pauline E. 
Walton, is attending the University of Oregon, 
being a member of the class of 1904. Judge 
Walton owns considerable property in Eugene, 
having erected the Walton block, which is 46x60 
feet, two stories in height, and having a fine 
farm of four acres, lying on Mill street, between 
Eighth and Ninth streets. This he devotes to 
black walnuts and fruits of various kinds, having 
sixty different kinds of trees in his orchards. 

Politically Judge Walton is a stanch Demo- 
crat, and has filled many public offices of trust 
and responsibility, including those of council- 
man and school director, at the present time 
being a member of the city school board. 
He was formerly a member of the county 
central committee, which he served as chair-' 
man, and of the state central and congres- 
sional committees. Fraternally, he is promi- 
nently connected with the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, being past noble grand of Eugene 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 02 1 



Lodge, with which he united in 1861 ; past 
grand master and past grand representative of 
the Grand Lodge of Oregon, which he repre- 
sented at the Sovereign Grand Lodge, in Bal- 
timore, in 1878 and in 1879 ; a member, and past 
chief patriarch, of the Encampment ; and since 
1S64, has belonged to the Grand Encampment, 
which he represented at the meeting of the Sov- 
ereign Grand Lodge, which met in Milwaukee, 
Wis., in 1893, and in Chattanooga, Term., in 
1894. He is also a past master workman of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, which he 
represented at the Grand Lodge twice. He is 
also a member of the State Historical Society. 
He takes a deep interest in religious affairs, and 
is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which he has been one of the trustees 
for many years, for a long while serving as 
chairman of the board. For a number of years 
he was also superintendent of the Sunday school. 



HUGH HERRON. In Hugh Herron the 
agricultural community around Bruce has a prac- 
tical and thorough farmer, and a substantial and 
helpful citizen. Like the majority of his country- 
men who have crossed the water, he has been 
pleased to look on the happy side of things in his 
adopted land, and in consequence has met with 
a warm reception in return, and realized gener- 
ous financial returns from labor invested. Born 
in County Down, Ireland, in September, 1839, 
he was reared on a small Irish farm from which 
little profit could be derived, the family main- 
tenance being principally dependent upon the 
trade occupation of the father, who was a 
weaver of fine linen. The elder Herron mar- 
ried Mary Cleland, who also was born in Ire- 
land, and who, after the death of her husband 
in 1849, wisely concluded that the old country 
held little of prospect for her eight children. 
Accordingly, she secured passage for her family 
in a sailing vessel in 1850, locating in Mahoning 
county, Ohio, from where she later removed to 
Illnois. Here she lived to be sixty-five years 
old, an honored, well loved mother, who had the 
courage of her own convictions, and the strength 
of will and endurance to carry them to execution. 
Of her children, David is in Illnois ; William is 
a farmer in Missouri ; Sarah also is in Illinois ; 
Jane is in Missouri ; and Hugh, the youngest 
is in Oregon. 

Little is recalled by Hugh Herron of the trip 
across the ocean in the slow-moving sailer, for 
he was but eleven years of age at the time, and 
that was many years ago. Needless to say he 
had to start out to make his own living at as 
early an age as possible, and when fourteen began 
to work on the surrounding farms by the month. 



In 1862 he started across the plains with a mule 
team, and on the way found little difficulty of 
any kind, the Indians by that time having become 
used to the homeseeking paleface. Arriving in 
Benton county he rented a farm for three or four 
years, and then purchased a place of two hun- 
dred and fifteen acres five miles northwest of 
Monroe, and which constitutes a portion of the 
old Harlow Bundy donation claim. Immediately 
preceding this purchase he had married, in 1867, 
Nicy Winn, a native of Tennessee who crossed 
the plains with her brothers in 1865. 

To his first land Mr. Herron has added from 
time to time, and now owns eight hundred acres, 
half of which are under cultivation. He car- 
ries on general farming and stock-raising, and 
makes a specialty of Durham cattle. Everything 
around his farm indicates the careful and pains- 
taking agriculturist, the thrifty and resourceful 
husbandman. Residence, barns, outhouses, and 
implements are in accord with progressive 
ideas, and are intended to facilitate labor and 
add to the satisfaction of existence. In politics 
a Democrat, Mr. Herron is one of his party's 
most enthusiastic advocates, and his appreciation 
of the principles and issues of Democracy have 
met with generous response from his fellow 
townsmen. He has held various minor offices 
of a local nature, and has been commissioner 
of Benton county for some time. He is popular 
and influential, and his advice and practical 
assistance lend worth to any proposed public 
enterprise. Six children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Herron : William E. is in Washington ; 
Elizabeth is deceased ; Robert lives and farms 
near his father ; Clayton is at home ; Margaret 
is living at home ; and Hattie is the wife of 
C. Bushnell of Washington. Mr. Herron is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
with which organization he has been associated 
since his young manhood. 



LEE MOXOM TRAVIS. With thirty years 
behind him L. M. Travis has made for himself 
a record of will, courage and purposeful living 
that has written his name above the heads of 
many older men and set his feet firmly on the 
ladder of success. He is a rising young attor- 
ney, successful in his profession and in business 
enterprises, clear, logical and convincing in 
thought and expression, the developed resources 
of a native ability, having spent several years 
in preparation for the work which he has chosen 
for his vocation. That he will succeed in the 
years yet to come none who know him doubt, 
and it has been his fortune to become well 
known through his connection with various 
political movements wherein he has taken a 
very active part, being nominated in June, 1902, 



1022 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



by the Democratic convention as candidate for 
state senator. Though defeated, he made a 
splendid showing, running much ahead of the 
remainder of the ticket, in a county which had 
always given a thousand Republican majority, 
lacking but two hundred and seventy votes of 
success. In the first congressional convention 
in 1903, in Albany, he placed A. E. Reames in 
nomination for member of congress, and he was 
afterward nominated by the party. 

Not only a success himself, L. M. Travis has 
the example of his father before him to spur 
him to greater efforts to support the honor of a 
family which has certainly deserved the com- 
mendation of fellow-citizens. The family came 
originally from New York state, the father, 
Gould J. Travis, having been born in Pough- 
keepsie, while the grandfather, Alexander Tra- 
vis, was a farmer in Dutchess county. He was 
a patriot in the war of 1812. G. J. Travis was 
educated in a theological seminary of Roches- 
ter, N. Y., from which he was in time graduated, 
and became a minister in the Baptist Church. 
In pursuit of this vocation he traveled over 
many states, preaching in New York, Michigan, 
Iowa, the Dakotas, Nebraska, California, and 
finally in Oregon where his last days were 
passed. A patriot, true and earnest, as was his 
father, he served as chaplain, with the rank of 
captain, in the Forty-fourth New York Volun- 
teer Infantry, in the Civil war, after which he 
returned to his chosen lifework. He came to 
California in 1884, settling in San Diego, and 
four years later he came to Oregon, locating at 
Eugene, where for three years he served as 
pastor of the Baptist Church. He then felt 
impelled to retire from the active life which had 
so long engrossed his attention, and thus lived 
until his death in 1893. He was a Republican 
in politics, and fraternally belonged to the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and was a 
Knight Templar in the Masonic order. He was 
also a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic. He married Ella Ford, who was born in 
Hornellsville, N. Y., the daughter of Lyman 
Ford, a farmer in that state. She is still living 
and now makes her home in Eugene, the mother 
of three sons and two daughters, all of whom 
are living. 

The eldest of his father's children, L. M. 
Travis was born in Hornellsville, N. Y., June 
20, 1874, and with his parents he removed to 
various states in his youth. His education was, 
however,, in no wise neglected, for he kept up 
with his studies, attending both public and high 
schools. He was fourteen years old when he 
became a resident of Eugene, Lane county, and 
in 1890 he entered the preparatory department 
of the University of Oregon, becoming a fresh- 



man in 1893. His graduation occurred in 1897, 
with the degree of B. A. He has acted as one 
of the representatives of his college in the 
famous oratorical contest of the schools of the 
state in 1896, and stood second in the state. He 
was also prominent in athletics, being manager 
of the football team in 1896, and manager of 
the track team in the following year. 

In 1898 this son and grandson of patriots 
responded to the call of the nation and the name 
of L. H. Travis was enrolled as a member of 
Company C, Second Oregon Regiment, and later 
accepted the work laid out for the regiment, 
going to the Philippine islands. It was not his 
fortune, however, to serve in that distant land, 
for he was taken dangerously ill in Cavite with 
typhoid fever. When able he was granted a fur- 
lough and sent home on the hospital ship Rio 
Janeiro, and he was mustered out but a few days 
before the mustering out of the entire regiment. 
The year previous to his enlistment he had 
begun the study of law in Eugene, and in 1899 
he was admitted to the bar and at once began 
practice. In the fall of the same year he en- 
tered the department of law of the University 
of Michigan in the senior class and in 1900 was 
graduated with the degree of L.L. B. Again 
locating in Eugene he began a practice which he 
has since continued, being interrupted only for 
the political movements with which Mr. Travis 
is so heartily in sympathy. 

Mr. Travis is a charter member of the Com- 
mercial Club, and fraternally he is a Mason, 
having been made a member in Eugene Lodge 
No. 11, there acting as junior warden, and also 
belongs to Eugene Chapter No. 10, R. A. M. 
In addition to this he is a member of the Benev- 
olent and Protective Order of Elks, Order of 
Eagles, in which he is worthy president, and 
Woodmen of the World. 



WILLIAM T. COCHRAN. Among the 
native-born citizens of Linn county notable 
for their ability and worth stands William T. 
Cochran, whose birth occurred on the farm 
which he noAv owns and occupies, May, 6, 
1851. During his more than half century of 
life in this vicinity, he has won for himself an 
enviable reputation as an honest man and a 
good citizen, and as one who has contributed 
his full quota toward the advancement and 
development of one of the finest agricultural 
regions in this section of Oregon. 

William Cochran, the father of William T., 
was born in Kentucky, November 20, 1813. Re- 
moving as a young man to Missouri, he mar- 
ried Polly Johnson, who was born September 
6, 1813. In the spring of 1847, ne left Missouri, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1023 



starting across the plains with his wife and 
seven children, bringing his family and his 
household effects in two wagons drawn by ox- 
teams. Taking up a donation claim in Linn 
countv, he cleared and improved a farm, on 
which he resided until his death, which oc- 
curred at the home of his daughter, Mahala F., 
wife of Thomas Turner, August 17, 1901. 
Two more children were born in their pioneer 
home, one being William T., as stated above, 
the other a daughter, Delilah, who died in 
childhood. One son. Nelson J., now residing 
in Brownsville, was born in Missouri. The 
first Mrs. Cochran's death occurred on the 
home farm April 12, 1854. For a second wife 
Mr. Cochran married Cynthia, widow of Rev. 
William Sperry, a pioneer minister of the Bap- 
tist Church and father of Rev. Carpus Sperry. 
After her death he married Mrs. Kerns, who 
died a few years after her marriage. His last 
wife was the widow of Henry Warren, and is 
also deceased. 

William Cochran's success in life may be 
estimated by a statement of the fact that one 
time he was the heaviest taxpayer in the 
county. He was one of the organizers of the 
Brownsville Woolen Mills, and for many years 
was the heaviest stockholder in the concern. 

Reared on the home farm, William T. Coch- 
ran obtained his early knowledge of books in 
the district school, subsequently completing 
his education at the Oregon Agricultural Col- 
lege in Corvallis. After leaving college he car- 
ried on the home farm for a few years, but in 
1878 and 1879 was engaged in the drug busi- 
ness at Brownsville. Coming into possession 
of the homestead, which is located about one 
and three-fourths miles from Brownsville, Mr. 
Cochran has nine hundred and thirteen acres 
of land all in one body, constituting one of 
the most valuable and attractive farms in the 
locality. He carries on general farming on an 
extensive scale, raising cattle and horses, and 
keeping a choice dairy of thirty cows. He 
deals in stock, buying and selling cattle, and 
among his horses is an imported stallion of the 
Clydesdale breed, and also one of trotting 
stock. 

In 1881 Mr. Cochran married Lucy J. Phil- 
pott, daughter of William J. Philpott. She 



Woodmen of the World. Pie is a member 
of the Baptist Church, in which he is an active 
worker, and for a number of years has been 
superintendent of the Sunday School. 



died June 25, 1 



leaving two children, 



namely: Ethel, who is studying music at 
Portland, Ore. ; and W. Earl, living at home. 
On March 9, 1890, Mr. Cochran married a 
second time, Sarah Swank, daughter of James 
Swank, and of this marriage three children 
have been born, namely: Leroy T., Mabel F., 
and Frederick W. Fraternally Mr. Cochran 
belongs to Brownsville Lodge No. 36, A. F. & 
A. M., of which he is past master, and of the 



HON. EDWARD MARION CROISAN. The 
life history of the Hon. Edward Marion Croisan, 
now serving in the Oregon state senate from 
Salem, forms an interesting chapter in the annals 
of Oregon. His career has been closely inter- 
woven with the progress of the state during 
the past score of years, and at the present time 
he is recognized as one of the most thoroughly 
representative men of affairs in the Willamette 
valley, whose future preferment for high pub- 
lic honors lies practically within his own control. 

Senator Croisan is a native son of Oregon, his 
birth having occurred upon the old homestead 
in Marion county, three miles southwest of 
Salem, March 27, 1855. His father, Henry 
Croisan, was born in Munich, Bavaria, but came 
of French ancestry, the name being originally 
Croissant, meaning " growing." There were 
three brothers of the name who, at the time of 
the Huguenot massacre in France, fled to Ger- 
many. At the time of the revocation of the Edict 
of Nantes representatives of the family again 
were compelled to flee for safety, making their 
way across the Franco-German frontier in their 
night clothing. These were the grandfather and 
grandmother of the father of Senator Croisan, 
all of whom settled in Bavaria, where they might 
enjoy their religious privileges unmolested. 

Senator Croisan's grandfather came to the 
United States in 1839, landing at New Orleans. 
It had been his intention to locate somewhere in 
the west, but while coming up the Mississippi 
river he was taken ill with yellow fever and was 
buried along the banks of the " father of waters." 
Henry Croisan had remained in Germany in order 
to settle up some business, after the completion of 
which he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. 
Not long after his arrival he took up his abode 
in Illinois, the family settling at Peru, that state, 
in 1839. Henry Croisan had acquired a good 
education in Munich. In Illinois he followed 
farming until 1846, when, attracted by the oppor- 
tunities of the west, he started across the plains, 
traveling in a wagon drawn by ox-teams. He 
secured his outfit at Independence, Mo., and 
joined Capt. Rice Dunbar, who commanded a 
wagon train. They came through the Applegate 
cut-off, suffering many trials and hardships, and 
were continually on the alert for fear of attacks 
by the Indians. At Tulare lake they had a battle 
with the Indians, three of the company being 
shot and two of the number afterward dying from 
the effects of their wounds. Starvation also 
stared them in the face, for their supply of pro- 



1024 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



visions gave out, and it seemed as if they must 
meet death in this way. Upon this trip, however, 
Henry Croisan met his future wife, who was a 
member of Captain Dunbar's company, and they 
were married near Ogden in 1846. At the same 
time Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Savage, now of Sum- 
mit, Benton county, Ore., were also joined in 
wedlock. It will thus be seen that there were 
some pleasant occasions as well as hardships 
connected with the trip. 

By the time the party reached Rogue river 
the supply of provisions had become exhausted, 
and in the month of December Henry Croisan 
and Jesse Boone were selected to make their way 
to Oregon City in order to purchase flour for the 
party. This was a trip attended by great danger, 
for the Indians of southern Oregon were at that 
time so hostile that death at their hands was to 
be feared at any time. Both the men slept with 
their horses' reins in their hands, knowing that 
the approach of their savage enemies would 
startle the horses and thus awaken the men. 
They traveled almost night and day, and finally 
returned in safety, although, when on their way 
back with their load of flour, and but one day's 
journey from the camp upon Rogue river, they 
came upon a band of Indians who were seated 
upon the bluffs and blockading their way. Boone 
said, " They will kill us," and advised that the 
two turn back and pursue a different course. 
But Mr. Croisan replied, " We must put on a 
bold front and proceed; for if we turn back 
we will be killed anyhow." He therefore started 
in the lead with his gun lying across his arm 
ready for immediate action, but the Indians, see- 
ing that the men were apparently fearless, moved 
out of their way and did not molest them. After 
passing the Indians, darkness soon came upon 
them and they lost their way. They wandered 
around, believing that the camp must be very 
near, and late at night they heard the bells 
upon the animals of their own camp. With 
this sound as a guide they reached their desti- 
nation in safety, though thoroughly exhausted. 
They had obtained from Dr. McLaughlin all 
the flour they needed, and were hailed with 
every manifestation of joy by the party for 
whose succor they had made this dangerous 
and memorable trip. Upon leaving the Rogue 
river, the party left their cooking utensils, 
wagons and other supplies which they thought 
they might possibly get along without. A 
few months later, in 1847, Mr. Croisan re- 
turned to the site of the camp with an ox-team, 
but all that he found there was a couple of 
wagons, the rest of the articles having been 
carried away. His friend and companion, 
Jesse Boone, with whom he made the trip for 
the flour, was a distant relation of Daniel 



Boone, and afterwards established Boone's 
Ferry, on the Willamette river. 

It would be impossible, in a work of this 
nature, to give a detailed account of the pio- 
neer experiences endured by the Croisans and 
others who lived in Oregon as early as 1846. 
Every day brought with it new and trying 
experiences, and slow progress was made 
toward the ultimate destination. While they 
were slowly and laboriously proceeding north- 
ward, Mr. Goff formed a small party of Polk 
county settlers and drove out some beef cattle 
for the relief of the company, which finally 
arrived in the Willamette valley in February, 
1847. 

Henry Croisan took up some land and 
engaged in farming near Buena Vista for a 
year, but in the spring of 1849 he started over- 
land for California, where for a time he was 
successfully engaged in placer mining in the 
Feather river district. Early in 1850 he re- 
turned to Oregon, and on March 2 of that year 
secured a donation claim three miles southwest 
of the site of Salem, where he established his 
home and reared his family. There he spent 
the remainder of his life, a full quarter cen- 
tury, passing away September 14, 1875, in the 
fifty-ninth year of his age. 

Mr. Croisan's wife, who bore the maiden 
name of Mary A. Hall, was born in Illinois. 
She is one of the brave pioneer women yet 
remaining to tell the tale of the early days in 
Oregon. Her father, Reason B. Hall, who 
was born in Kentucky, removed to Ilinois in 
early manhood and followed farming near 
Peru. In 1846 he started for Oregon as a 
member of the same party which included the 
Croisan family, and upon reaching the terri- 
tory settled upon a donation claim on the 
present site of Buena Vista. He laid out the 
town, and named it after the city of Buena 
Vista, Mexico, which he had visited while 
serving in the American army during the 
war with Mexico. In his new Oregon home he 
spent the remainder of his life, his death oc- 
curring in the town which he had founded. 
Mrs. Croisan, his daughter, who is now sev- 
enty-three years of age, is no less deserving 
of prominent and honorable mention in the 
annals of Oregon than is her husband, for the 
pioneer women bore fully as important a part 
in the early development of the country as 
did their husbands and fathers, although their 
work was of a more quiet nature. 

Unto Henry and Mary (Hall) Croisan were 
born six children, namely: Mrs. Martha A. 
Wilson, who is now living near Peru, 111. ; 
George H., a farmer living upon a part of the 
old homestead; Mrs. Caroline Bushnell of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1025 



Salem ; Edward M., the subject of this review; 
Henrietta, who died in childhood ; and Clara 
E. Farmer of Salem. 

Edward M. Croisan was reared amid the wild 
scenes of frontier life upon the homestead of 
his father. The earlier days were a period 
of hardship, to a considerable extent, but as 
the country became more thickly populated 
and the work of progress and improvement 
was carried on, conditions gradually improved. 
He attended the public schools of Salem until 
well along toward manhood, when he took up 
the work upon the farm. Here he remained 
until twenty-eight years of age, carrying on 
the work in company with his brother until 
his entry into official life. In the summer 01 
1892 he established himself in business in 
Salem as a dealer in agricultural implements, 
and conducted the business successfully until 
May, 1900, when he sold his store to F. A. 
Wiggins in order to give his attention in a 
more undivided manner to the cultivation of 
hops, an industry which he is carrying on at 
the present time with success. His ranch in 
Marion county consists of three hundred and 
seven acres, on which he also carries on gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising to some extent. 
But he makes a specialty of the cultivation of 
hops, which in recent years has grown to be 
a very important and profitable industry in 
Oregon. In 1902 he erected the large Capital 
Stables in Salem, which he leases. He has 
built a fine residence on Church street, and is 
largely interested in real estate in Salem and 
vicinity, while his wife also has large landed 
interests in Polk and Marion counties. Mr. 
Croisan is likewise a representative of financial 
interests, being the vice president of and a 
director in the Capital National Bank. Fra- 
ternally he occupies a high place in Masonry. 
He is a member of Salem Lodge No. 4, A. F. 
& A. M., of Multnomah Chapter No. 2, of De 
Molay Cornmandery No. 5, K. T., of Salem, 
and of Al Kader Temple, Nobles of the Mystic 
Shrine, of Portland. He is also identified with 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the 
Modern Woodmen of America, and with 
Daniel Waldo Cabin, Native Sons of Oregon, 
of which he is financial secretary. 

Mr. Croisan was married in Salem in 1886 
to Miss Ella S. McNary, who was born at 
The Dalles and 'is a daughter of A. W. Mc- 
Nary, who came to Oregon in 1845. She was 
educated in the Sacred Heart Academy of 
Salem, from which she was graduated in 
1882. She became the mother of one daughter, 
Helen S. Croisan. The greatest blow that 
ever befell the household was the loss of this 
daughter, who died at the age of sixteen 
months. Mrs. Croisan is a member of the 



First Presbyterian Church of Salem, and is 
widely and favorably known in the social cir- 
cles of the capital city. 

Senator Croisan's political record has been 
one which has not only reflected great credit 
upon him as a broad-minded and public-spir- 
ited citizen, placing him in a distinguished 
position among his fellow-men, but also one 
which has been so well considered in its every 
feature as to add honor and prestige to his 
constituency. For four years — from 1884 to 
1888— he served as deputy sheriff of Marion 
county under John W. Minto. In 1888 he 
was nominated for the office of sheriff by the 
Republicans of the county and elected. Upon 
the expiration of his two-year term he was re- 
elected by a largely increased majority, and 
retired from office in July, 1892, with the 
entire confidence, good will and approval of 
the citizens of the county. He was chairman 
of the Republican county central committee 
in 1894, was a member of the state central 
committee in 1896 and of the executive com- 
mittee of the state committee in 1897. Gov- 
ernor Lord appointed him superintendent of 
the State Reform School in 1897, a position he 
filled with distinct credit until 1899. Further 
political honors were conferred upon him in 
1902, when he was elected to represent his 
district in the Oregon state senate, his major- 
ity being about seven hundred votes. 

Although reared in the faith of Democracy, 
Senator Croisan has been an advocate of Re- 
publican principles since attaining manhood, 
and is now recognized as one of the most po- 
tential leaders of his party in the state. He 
commands the respect and confidence of 
thoughtful men of both great political parties, 
the leaders of the opposition recognizing his 
loyalty, devotion to what he believes to be 
right, and his deep interest in the welfare of 
his community and the state at large. In mat- 
ters of business he possesses sound judgment, 
powers of keen discrimination, and unflagging 
enterprise — qualities which have enabled him 
to work his way upward until he is an influen- 
tial factor in business circles. He puts forth 
every effort in his power to advance the mater- 
ial upbuilding, the social and the intellectual 
progress of the state and its political status. 
Moreover, he is a man of such pleasing per- 
sonal qualities that the circle of his friends is 
almost co-extensive with the circle of his ac- 
quaintances. Not only because of his con- 
nection with one of the oldest and most highly 
honored pioneer families of Oregon, but also 
because of his personal worth and his efforts 
in behalf of the commonwealth, is he entitled 
to distinctive representation in this volume. 



1026 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



THOMAS C. MACKEY, M. D. The life of 
Dr. Thomas C. Mackey has been characterized 
by a sturdy faithfulness to his duty, the good 
Scotch blood which is his by right of lineage 
giving him the courage to act in the face of 
disaster or temporary ruin, and it was this, 
coupled with a love for that section of the 
country wherein his people had become resi- 
dents, that made him take up arms for the cause 
of the south, in September 1861. Passing from 
the common schools to private tutor, and thence 
to the University of Virginia, he studied classics 
until 1 86 1, when his studies were cheerfully put 
aside at the call of duty. He served in the Con- 
federate Hospital service until he was mustered 
out at Greensboro, N. C, April 14, 1865. He 
had previously studied medicine under a pre- 
ceptor, and had attended lectures at Philadelphia 
and the University of Virginia, and he was given 
the degree of M. D. in 1864. 

The first of the name of Mackey to come 
from their home in Scotland was John, the 
grandfather, who came to the United States in 
18 14. In his native country he was a linen 
manufacturer in Perth, the business which he 
then established continuing to the present day. 
On settling on this side of the water he first 
engaged in farming, and during the latter pari 
of his life he became extensively connected with 
the tobacco interests of the state of Virginia. 
He met with extremely gratifying results in his 
work, some of the largest warehouses in Rich- 
mond belonging to him. His death occurred 
at the age of sixty-nine years, upon his plantation 
in Albemarle county. His son, Cyrus, the father 
of Dr. Mackey, was born in Virginia, and like his 
father first interested himself in agriculture, con- 
bining it with the business of stock-raising on the 
large plantation which he owned, and dealing in 
fine stock. For twenty years of his life he was 
connected with government positions, being 
postoffice inspector. He died on his plantation 
when seventy-two years old, after a very suc- 
cessful career. His property was directly in the 
path of the many Virginia campaigns, and he suf- 
fered heavily. The wife of Mr. Mackey was in 
maidenhood Elizabeth Caldwell, a native of Vir- 
ginia, and the daughter of Richard Caldwell, 
who came from Scotland at an early day, and 
located upon a plantation in Virginia, where his 
death occurred at an advanced age. Mrs. 
Mackey died in 1848, when thirty-nine years 
old. She was the mother of two sons and one 
daughter, the only one of whom is now living 
being Thomas C, who was born in Albemarle 
county, May 14, 1842, the youngest of his father's 
family. 

Upon the return of Dr. Mackey from the days 
and nights of hospital service he began the 
practice of medicine in his own neighborhood, 



continuing there until 1872, when he decided to 
change his location to the western states, be- 
lieving there would be a better and broader 
opportunity there than in the war-ruined section, 
and he therefore became a resident of California, 
locating in 1872 in Healdsburg, where he engaged 
in general practice until 1875, after which he 
removed to the northwest, and has since made 
this section his home. In the last-named year 
he took charge of the Marine Hospital at Coos 
bay, and after a creditable maintenance of this 
position for five years he was transferred to Ft. 
Umpqua, receiving the appointment of state 
health officer from Governor Fair. This posi- 
tion he held for twelve years, and at the close of 
this period of faithful service he removed to 
Albany, Linn county, and engaged in general 
practice for one year, but not satisfied with the 
location he then became a resident of Harris- 
burg, where he has since resided, enjoying the 
same success in his work here that has charac- 
terized his faithful and persevering efforts 
throughout his entire professional career. He is 
now the only resident physician of Harrisburg, 
a position which has been his for nearly a 
decade. Also successful in the accumulation of 
property, Dr. Mackey is now the owner of one 
hundred and sixty acres of timberland located in 
Linn county. 

The marriage of Mr. Mackey united him with 
Ada May Sacry, a native of California, and 
one daughter, Edna, now adds to the happiness 
of the home. In his fraternal relations Dr. 
Mackey occupies several prominent positions, 
being a master Mason ; in the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen having served for fifteen 
months as grandmaster ; and in the Artisans he 
holds the degree of honor. In religion he is a 
member of the First Baptist Church, and poli- 
tically is a Democrat, through the influence of 
this party being given the appointment of post- 
master at Gardner, Ore., under Cleveland's first 
administration and held the office for six years. 



LEWIS P. SWAN. The flouring mill of 
Lewis P. Swan at Champoeg is a credit to the 
little town of which it is an integral part, and 
its output of sixty barrels of flour a day finds a 
ready market in Woodburn and other towns. 
Mr. Swan is a practical miller of many years 
experience, his first memories in connection 
therewith dating back into his childhood, and 
to his native land of Sweden, where he was born 
July 8, 1845. I" the neighborhood of his Swed- 
ish home his father owned and operated a mill 
for many years, this being his life's chief occu- 
pation. Naturally the son followed in his foot- 
steps, and from his sire learned the business, 
becoming in time an expert in his line. 




tf&dwte' 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1029 



Equipped with the knowledge of a paying 
trade. Mr. Swan emigrated to America in 1869, 
and tor a few months worked in Chicago. He 
then removed to Lansing, Iowa, and two 
years later to La Crosse, Wis., where he engaged 
in Hour manufacturing for about eighteen years. 
Going to Vernon county, Wis., for sixteen years 
he operated a mill at Coom Valley, becoming 
prominent in the affairs of his neighborhood, and 
identifying himself with all efforts at improving 
his adopted locality. Desiring a change of sur- 
roundings, he disposed of his mill about 1889, 
and, coming to Oregon, bought a mill near Cham- 
poeg on Mill Creek. In 1890 the mill was washed 
away by the swollen stream, and the same year 
was replaced by the present mill, which is 
equipped with modern roller machinery, and is 
netting its owner a handsome income. Under- 
standing as he does every detail of modern and 
scientific milling, Mr. Swan is destined to take 
an important part in the milling enterprises of 
this county, and will doubtless in time greatlv 
increase his capacity. He is possessed of shrewd 
business ability and strict integrity, and during 
his residence here has won the confidence of 
the business and social world. 

In 1875 Mr. Swan was united in marriage with 
Sina Xeprud, of which union there have been 
born five children : Augustus, Annie, Amanda, 
Lawrence and Eva. From a political standpoint 
Mr. Swan is not a party man, but believes rather 
in voting for the candidate best qualified to serve 
the public welfare. He is fraternally connected 
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen 
and the Knights of the Maccabees, and in reli- 
gion is a member of the Lutheran Church. 



\\ 1LLIAM F. SMITH. As an agriculturist 
William F. Smith has assisted in the develop- 
ment of the resources of Lane county. At the 
time of the emigration he was old enough to 
appreciate the difficulties and dangers which lay 
in the path of western progress undertaken by 
those hardy men of the middle west, princi- 
pally, though all states and nations have con- 
tributed a large quota of intellect and practical 
ideas to which the commonwealth owes her 
growth. 

The father of Mr. Smith, John, was born in 
Kentucky, in 1815, and there married Martha 
Looney, born in 1817, and by this marriage he 
had five children, namely: William F., of this 
review, who was born in Missouri, October 
2 5' T 835; Jesse H., whose sketch appears else- 
where in this work ; Alfred R., located near 
Coburg; E. Looney, whose sketch also appears 
elsewhere in this work ; and John C. died in 
1844. After the death of his first wife the 
father married her sister, Nancy, and they had 



one child, Margaret J., now deceased. The 
family were living in the state of Missouri at 
that time and in the spring of 1849 they crossed 
the plains with two wagons, six yoke of oxen 
and one horse. Upon arriving in Oregon they 
located near Jefferson, Marion county, where 
they spent the first winter. In 1850 they put 
in a crop in Marion county and in the fall of the 
year they removed to Lane county, where they 
took up a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres five miles southeast of Springfield, 
along the Willamette river, their first shelter 
being a round-log house of one room. The 
elder man did not live to see the fruit of the 
heroism of the early pioneers, as his death oc- 
curred April 4, 1859. 

Soon after coming to Oregon William F. 
Smith went to live with John H. Bellinger, who 
was located near Jefferson, and he remained 
with him until the death of his father, when he 
went back to the old home place and has never 
left it since. In 1874 he married Mrs. Mary S. 
Powers, the widow of Thaddeus, and the 
daughter of C. J. Hills. She was born near 
Pleasant Hill, Lane county, Ore., April 3, 1852, 
her father being a native of Syracuse, N. Y., 
who located first in Wisconsin and in 1847 
crossed the plains to this state and became a 
resident of Lane county, in the vicinity of Jas- 
per station. Four children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith of whom Lena is the wife 
of James Taliafero, located on a part of this 
farm ; Loretta and Charles B. are at home and 
Pearl is deceased. Mr. Smith now owns three 
hundred and seventeen acres of his father's do- 
nation claim and a ranch of two hundred and 
fifteen acres. He is engaged in carrying on 
general farming and stock-raising. In politics 
a Republican, he has served in various minor 
offices in the interests of his party, for eleven 
years acting as school director and for fourteen 
as school clerk, delegate to the county conven- 
tion once, and was road supervisor for two terms. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and was one of the organizers of the 
Lane Countv Pioneer Society. 



JOHN L. JOHNSON. A resident of Oregon 
for more than a half century, John L. Johnson 
has contributed no small share to the prosperity 
which is now apparent on every hand in this 
great and growing state. That the life history 
of this worthy pioneer will be of interest to our 
readers we have no doubt, for the residents of 
Marion county are not unmindful of or ungrate- 
ful to those who have laid the foundation of 
success here, through their untiring and well 
directed efforts. 

Tazewell county, 111., is the birthplace of Mr. 



1030 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Johnson, the date of his birth being November 
15, 1830. His father, Neill Johnson, was a 
native of North Carolina, born September 7, 
1802. When a child his parents removed to 
Kentucky, where they resided until he was a 
young man, when they removed to Illinois, 
making that state their home. In the latter 
state Neill Johnson was married, in 1828, to 
Esther Roelofson, a native of Kentucky, and 
for twenty years, or until 1848, they remained 
in Illinois. Mr. Johnson had taken up the work 
of the ministry in early manhood, and the privi- 
lege of preaching the gospel was to him a sacred 
mission. In 1848 he brought his family to Henry 
county, Iowa, residing there until 1851, at which 
time they removed to Oregon, crossing the 
plains with ox-teams, the journey consuming six 
months. Although they lost some stock through 
the depredations of the Indians, their lives were 
not endangered, and they met with no serious 
encounters. 

Arriving in Marion county Mr. Johnson pur- 
chased a squatter's claim about one mile south- 
east of Woodburn, consisting of three hundred 
and twenty acres of land, which is now owned 
by P. L. Kennedy. The Johnson family resided 
upon this place for about twelve years, when 
they removed to east Oregon. Mr. Johnson fol- 
lowed the ministry all his life, and was a man 
of the deepest Christian spirit and principles, 
whom nothing could shake from his firm faith 
in the immortality of the soul and the divine 
teachings of Christianity. He became prominent 
in the upbuilding, morally and spiritually, of 
eastern Oregon. As an indication of his high 
standing among the people, he was elected pro- 
bate judge of Baker county, the first who ever 
sat upon the probate bench in that county. The 
family remained in eastern Oregon until 1865, 
when they removed to McMinnville, Yamhill 
county, where the father passed away at the 
age of eighty-seven, and the mother at the age 
of sixty-six years. Twelve children were born 
unto them, those surviving being as follows: 
Mary A., the wife of B. F. Hall, of Woodburn; 
Sarah, the wife of P. J. Jack, of Gresham, Ore ; 
Anderson F., a resident of Multnomah county, 
Ore. ; Joel H., of Portland ; and J. L., of this 
review. The father of this family led a life of 
usefulness to others. As pastor of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church his efforts were untir- 
ing in behalf of the spiritual welfare of his 
flock. He established the first nursery in Ore- 
gon, and was a Republican in his political affili- 
ations. He was an intimate friend of Abraham 
Lincoln. 

J. L. Johnson spent the days of his boyhood 
and youth at home, receiving his education in 
the district schools. Upon reaching maturity 
he was married to Viletta Kennedy, who was 



born in Pike county, 111., in 1842, and in 1853 
came with her parents to Oregon. After their 
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Johnson took up their 
home on part of an old donation claim, where 
they resided for three years. At the end of 
that time they settled in Grande Ronde valley, 
making their home in this fertile region for three 
years, when they returned to Marion county, and 
lived in several places before finally settling 
on their present place of abode two miles east of 
Woodburn. Mr. Johnson's farm of fifty acres is 
well cultivated, and is one of the best improved 
farms of the neighborhood, owing all its improve- 
ments to Mr. Johnson, who has made a specialty 
of agriculture and well knows how to conduct 
a farm in all its details. He has a fine five-acre 
orchard planted in winter apples of the best 
grade and quality to be produced. In politics 
Mr. Johnson is a Republican, like his father. 
He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, in which he has served as elder tor over 
sixty years. By their marriage Mr. Johnson and 
his wife became the parents of but one child, 
Iona, now deceased. They have two adopted 
children, Olive, now the wife of D. J. Wilcox, 
of Palouse, Wash., and Florence, at home. 

Mr. Johnson has ever been known as a man 
who takes a deep and abiding interest in the wel- 
fare of his community, and he has never missed 
an opportunity to advance the interests of the 
state in matters of education and moral and tem- 
poral growth. He has served as justice of the 
peace in Lane county, also as school clerk and 
director and road supervisor. As a young man 
he enlisted in 1856 in Company K, Washington 
Territory Mounted Volunteers under the com- 
mand of Captain Goff, serving under Governor 
Stevens. He served for six months, being mus- 
tered in at Portland, and was first sent to The 
Dalles. He encountered no serious engagements, 
and on being mustered out returned to his home, 
where he resumed the peaceful vocation of his 
youth, agriculture. 

It is easy to read the character of the man, 
through a long life spent in usefulness and in 
doing what he has considered to be right and 
just. It may seem a small thing to say of a 
man, " Fie has always done his duty," but when 
we remember that the path of duty is not always 
the easiest one to tread, that there are tempta- 
tions on everv hand to draw a man from the 
straight and narrow way, we must admire and 
honor those who have never faltered or turned 
back but have kept persevering through all diffi- 
culties. Such a man is J. L. Johnson, and his 
name does credit to this record. 



TOSEPH J. RYAN. In that • undulating 
country known as Norfolk, England, washed 
bv the North Sea, and containing an abundance 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1031 



of game which renders it the huntsman's para- 
dise, Joseph J. Ryan was born March 9, 1851, 
and was reared on a farm for many years in the 
possession of his English ancestors. On this 
staid English farm, with the slight chances for 
advancement it offered, owing to the peculiar 
land laws prevailing in the country, the youth 
dreamed of broader opportunities beyond the 
borders of English supremacy. Accordingly, he 
welcomed with delight the opportunity which 
came when he was sixteen to engage as a seaman 
on a merchant vessel plying between Liverpool 
and London. Eventually he found his way on 
board vessels engaged in trade with the Orient, 
and in this capacity visited the ports of India 
and China, even coming as far as Vancouver, 
Wash. Four years he followed the uncertain 
yet fascinating life upon the deep, and in 187 1 
determined to henceforth identify his fortunes 
with the land. The same year he found his way 
to Oregon, and in Butteville engaged in a gen- 
eral mercantile business from 1872 to 1876. In 
1876 he settled upon a Marion county farm, and 
after occupying it until 1883 returned to the 
store, at the same time keeping the farm of two 
hundred and eighty-two acres in his possession. 

For twenty-seven years Mr. Ryan has been 
identified with mercantile affairs in Butteville, 
and to say that he is the arbiter in this line in the 
town is no exaggeration. Besides conducting 
his store he returns occasionally to his farm, 
where he finds relaxation from business worries, 
and which nets him a handsome income. Gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising have been engaged 
in extensively, and formerly twenty acres were 
devoted to hops, although at present there are 
but ten acres. 

December 24, 1.876, Mr. Ryan was united in 
marriage with Mary Feller, daughter of Peter 
Feller, one of the foremost pioneers of Marion 
county. Mr. Feller was born March 6, 1822, 
in Lorraine, then a French province, npw belong- 
ing to Germany, and came to the United States 
in 1847, landing after a twenty-six-days voy- 
age in New Orleans, from which town he went 
up the Mississippi river to Galena, 111. The 
following year he married a sailing companion, 
Annie Notum, also born in Lorraine, and of this 
union there were born two children in the state 
of Illinois. Mr. Feller came to Oregon alone in 
1853, his object being to select a home for his 
family more in keeping with his ambitions in the 
new world. In 1857 he returned and brought 
his wife and children to join him on a farm in 
Marion county, where he spent the remainder of 
his life, firm in the assurance of profound 
esteem on the part of all with whom he was 
associated in the west. Four children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Ryan : William, Josie, 
James and Lizzie. Mr. Ryan is a Democrat in 



politics, and is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. He is a broad-minded and enterpris- 
ing citizen, and has contributed materially to the 
upbuilding of this prosperous little town. 



LORENZO HARVEY LASSELL. The 
present mayor of Harrisburg, Lorenzo Harvey 
Lassell, is numbered among the prominent and 
influential citizens of the community, through the 
many qualities which make him a useful factor 
in the growth and upbuilding of the western 
state. His position as mayor has been creditably 
maintained for four years, previous to which he 
served in the city council for many terms, using 
his influence to advance the cause of the Repub- 
lican party, of which he is a faithful adherent. 
In addition to his connection with municipal 
affairs Mr. Lassell has given substantial aid to 
the advancement of the commercial interests 
of the city through his connection with the mer- 
cantile business of Harrisburg. 

The birth of Mr. Lassell occurred in Platts- 
burg, Clinton county, N. Y., April 28, 1838, 
the son of Harris Lassell, a native of Vermont 
who had settled as a young man in the Empire 
state, where he engaged in getting out marble 
slabs in Dekalb, St. Lawrence county. In 1832 
he removed to Plattsburg, and there followed the 
life of a saw-mill operator, until his last removal 
in 1854, which left him a permanent resident 
of Decatur, Green county, Wis., where he 
engaged in farming until his death at the age 
of eighty-two years. His wife was in maiden- 
hood Lydia Fisk, a native of New Jersey, and 
who became a resident of New York state 
with her parents. She died in Wisconsin when 
seventy-eight years old, the mother of three sons 
and three daughters, of whom Lorenzo Harvey 
Lassell is the fourth child. Mr. Lassell was 
given every advantage in securing a good edu- 
cation in his youth. After attending the com- 
mon schools he took the preparatory course at 
the college at Beloit, Wis., after which, in 1859, 
he came to California with his brothers, Luther 
and William, and with them he located at Placer- 
ville and engaged in mining. Quite a number of 
years following were spent in this line of work, 
his success being sufficient to warrant a continu- 
ance. He passed the winter of 1862 in Oregon, 
and following this he located in the Boise Basin, 
Idaho, engaging in mining, the winters of 1863- 
64-65 being passed in Marion county. In the 
last named year he made the trip back to Wis- 
consin, and while in the middle west he visited 
Kansas and later engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness in Iowa, in which he remained until 1889, 
since which date he has been a resident of Ore- 
gon. For the first six months he located in 
Portland, after which he engaged until 1902 in 



1032 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the conduct of a sawmill at Harrisburg, in 
which he owned a one-third interest. This mill 
was burned and rebuilt in 1896. He shortly after 
closed out his milling interests and purchased 
with his sons the merchandise establishment in 
Harrisburg. Mr. Lassell has met with entire 
success in all his efforts and has accumulated 
quite a large fortune, owning among other 
pieces of property seven lots in the city of 
Portland, and five at University Park. He has 
also built a handsome residence in this city, well 
located and commodious, the whole occupying 
an entire block of twelve lots, and adding greatly 
to the appearance of the town, and does credit 
to the judgment of its prosperous owner. 

Mr. Lassell was married in Wisconsin in June, 
1874, to Emma Lyman, who was born near 
Whitewater, that state. Her father was Dwight 
Lyman, a native of New York, who after his 
removal to Wisconsin became a farmer, and in 
later years loaned the money which had been 
the fruit of his years of earnest effort. He died 
in Brodhead, Wis., in 1878. Of the three chil- 
dren which blessed this union Lyman G., the 
eldest and Robert B., the youngest, are connected 
with the mercantile interests of their father. 
The one daughter, Anna M., is now deceased. 
In his fraternal relations Mr. Lassell is promi- 
nent among the Masons belonging to Blue 
Lodge, Royal Arch chapter and Knights Temp- 
lars. 



GREAR STORTS. During the year 1902 
Grear Storts gathered forty thousand pounds of 
hops from thirty acres of land, in addition to 
which he derived a substantial income from var- 
ious other products which mature upon his well 
improved farm. Though not one of the very 
large farms of Marion county, containing but 
seventy-three acres, all of it has been placed 
under cultivation, forty acres having been cleared 
by the former owner. Located three and a half 
miles east of Woodburn, and comprising a por- 
tion of the Major Magoon donation claim, the 
operation of this farm has brought prosperity to 
Mr. Storts, who has reason to congratulate him- 
self upon his wise choice of a home. 

A native of Washington county, Ohio, Mr. 
Storts was born March 2, 1847, and was reared 
on the farm of his parents, both of whom came 
from farmer stock, and devoted all of their 
lives to this means of livelihood. As the Ohio 
farm was not a large one, and as there were 
ten children to feed and clothe, the children 
were early taught to depend upon themselves, 
and were thoroughly drilled in agriculture and 
general business. Grear remained with his 
parents until his twenty-fourth year, and then 
made his wav to Nebraska, where he farmed in 



Holt county, and where he married Emma Car- 
penter, a native of Marietta, Ohio. Directly 
after his marriage he took his wife to Marion 
county, S. D., where they took up land, and 
lived for about eight years. Not realizing their 
expectations in the northern state they returned 
to Nebraska and lived for eight years, and 
in 1888 came to Oregon, settling in Clackamas 
county. After four years they removed to the 
present Stort's farm, to the improvement of 
which the enterprising and practical owner is 
devoting all .of his attention. Two interesting 
children contribute to the happiness and hope of 
their parents, Katie M. and Ray C. Mr. Storts 
is a Democrat in politics, but has never shown 
any inclination to enter the uncertain field of 
official life. He is successful and popular, and 
is appreciated for his honesty of purpose and 
breadth of mind. 



GEN. MARTIN VAN BUREN BROWN. 
Nearly a quarter of a century has passed away 
since the death of Gen. Martin Van Buren 
Brown, but he is still remembered as one of the 
men most closely identified with the early history 
of Oregon. A strong, earnest and forceful per- 
sonality was his, and it was through his ex- 
cellent newspaper work that he impressed this 
personality upon the growth of his adopted state 
in the brief sixteen years which he passed within 
her borders, and through his association with 
the Oregon press that he is best remembered 
and his efforts appreciated. Beyond the fact 
that he was an able and forceful writer in his 
chosen work, General Brown was a patriot and 
faithful to the country which gave him citizen- 
ship, responding to the first call of President 
Lincoln in the time of the country's need and 
serving until incapacitated, when he was honor- 
ably discharged and returned to the work for 
which he was eminently fitted. 

In Winchester, Ind., March 15, 1843, occurred 
the birth of Martin V. Brown, shortly after which 
event his parents removed to Oskaloosa, Iowa. 
Early introduced to the practical duties of life, 
as a lad of twelve years he was apprenticed to 
learn the work of a printer, in the office of the 
Oskaloosa Herald, remaining therewith for sev- 
eral years. Desiring to broaden his education 
with experience, he left Oskaloosa, and for some 
time after was identified with various papers of 
the middle west, among them being the St. Louis 
Republican and Democrat, the Memphis Ava- 
lanche, Louisville Courier and Quincy Whig. 
It was after his return to the Oskaloosa Herald 
that a call for volunteers was made by the pres- 
ident, and, in company with many others of the 
printing office force, this lad of eighteen enlisted 
for service, his name appearing sixth upon the 




/2tf/W</PPUdLu*0 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1035 



volunteer roll in Mahaska county. He became 
a member of Company H. Third Iowa Regiment, 
ami served in all the early Missouri campaigns 
of the first year; after about nine months he 
was honorably discharged from the army on 
account of failing health. His father and two 
brothers likewise enlisted for service in the Union 
army and served faithfully until the* close of 
the war or until removed by death. 

Returning to Iowa, General Brown made that 
his home for some time, after his recovery to 
health becoming city editor and business man- 
ager of the Albia Union, in which work he con- 
tinued profitably for some time. After his mar- 
riage. March 28. 1865, to Miss Henrietta Stew- 
rrt. he started. May 2, for Oregon, in company 
with the family of his father-in-law, Dr. W. Q. 
Stewart, arriving at The Dalles October 2, of 
the same year. During his first winter in the 
west General Brown made his home in Port- 
land, and, being an expert printer, he found no 
difficulty in obtaining employment in that city, 
being engaged on the Oregonian and various 
ether papers until August of the following year, 
when he went to Albany and was there associated 
with M. H. Abbott, in the purchase and publi- 
cation of the State Rights Democrat. Up to 
within a few months of his death the work of 
this paper continued to engross his attention, and 
his able pen was ever wielded in the effort to 
advance and elevate the civilization of the west, 
and fulfill the law of duty. His death occurred 
at the age of thirty-eight years, August 3, 1881, 
passing away at Lower Soda Springs. Ore.. 
from which place his body was conveyed to Al- 
bany for interment. 

In politics General Brown was a Democrat 
and was always active in the work of promoting 
the principles of his party, and as a strong man 
of his party was often called upon to serve in 
positions of trust and responsibility. He was 
elected in 1874 state printer, and two years later 
was made a delegate to the national Democratic 
convention which nominated Samuel J. Tilden 
for president, and was at one time chairman of 
the Democratic state central committee. Com- 
missioned by Governor Grover brigadier general 
of the Oregon State Militia, he commanded the 
troops in the campaign against the Bannock In- 
dians in 1877, the settlers of Grant and Wasco 
county having cause for grateful remembrance 
of him for his efficient service. As a resident 
of Albany he exerted every influence in his 
power to promote the general welfare of the 
citv and was universally recognized as a man 
faithful to duty, earnest and energetic in the 
discharge of the work which became his as a 
public officer, and he was chosen at different 
times to represent the interests of the city as 
mavor. recorder and councilman. He was a 



charter member of the old Albany Engine Com- 
pany Xo. i, and for many years was its president, 
his last term ending in June, 1881. Fraternally 
he was identified with Corinthian Lodge No. 
17. A. F. & A. M., was also a Royal Arch Mason 
and a Knight Templar, and had united with 
Willamette Lodge, A. O. U. W., soon after 
its organization in Albany. The first named 
order had charge of the funeral services of 
General Brown, the imposing ceremonies being 
conducted by Past Grand Commander R. ^ 
Earhart. 



WILLIAM W. WITHERS. In the faithful 
discharge of his duty as sheriff of Lane county, 
William W. AYithers was mortally wounded at 
seven o'clock, Thursday evening,' February 5, 
1903, his death following Saturday morning, at 
half past eleven o'clock. In reply to a telegram 
from the sheriff of Jackson county Mr. Withers 
had gone to arrest L. E. Lyons," a horse-thief, 
who had broken jail, and the man wanted dis- 
charged his weapon and the shot took effect in 
the windpipe of the sheriff. Mr. Withers was a 
man universally respected and much beloved bv 
those who knew him best, for the many noble 
qualities which distinguished him. among his 
associates, and though only forty-five years old 
he had made for himself a record of worldly 
success and moral triumph that numbered him 
among the first men of the countv. 

J. E. P. Withers, the father of William W., 
and the pioneer of the family, was born in Jes- 
samine county, Ky., of Scotch ancestry, and 
early removed with his parents to Illinois, 
locating near Springfield, where he was left 
an orphan. He then went to Missouri and in 
1 85 1 brought stock across the plains to Oregon, 
first settling in Benton county, and later remov- 
ing to Lookingglass valley, Douglas county. 
There he engaged as a stockman, but remained 
but a comparatively short time until locating 
on a farm near Eugene, Lane county, here com- 
bining his interests with agricultural pursuits. 
He now makes his home on a farm near Thurs- 
ton, Lane county. He served one term in the 
state legislature. He married Margaret Gilles- 
pie, a native of Missouri, and she is now living 
at the age of sixty-eight years, while Mr. 
Withers is seventy-two. The father of Mrs. 
Withers was the Rev. Jacob Gillespie, a pioneer 
of 1852, and a minister in the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian Church, which he founded in Eugene. 
With the practical ideas of the ministers of 
early times he combined farming with his preach- 
ing, thus making the support of a church an 
easy matter for the people in moderate circum- 
stances. He died in Eugene at the age of eightv- 



1036 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



five years. Of the eight children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Withers, Mary is the eldest and is the 
wife of William Van Duyn of Eugene ; Mabel is 
the wife of A. G. Bogart, of Eugene; William 
W., of this review, was born in Benton county, 
Ore., January 31, 1858; Alice is the wife of 
J. H. Hawley of Lane county ; Price is located 
in Harney City, Ore. ; Anna is the wife of W. 
T. Emery, of Coles valley, Douglas county ; 
Emma is the wife of N. L. Cornelius, of Helena, 
Mont. ; and Jessie is the wife of W. W. Edmis- 
tbn, of Thurston, Ore. 

William W. Withers was reared in Looking- 
glass valley, Douglas county, and was still a 
youth when his parents removed to Lane county. 
His educational advantages consisted of the dis- 
trict school and an attendance at the University 
of Oregon, after which he engaged in farming 
and stock-raising near Thurston, his last ranch, 
located five miles east of Springfield, consisting 
of seven hundred acres. In 1898 he was elected 
sheriff of the county on the Democratic and 
Populist ticket, his majority being but twenty- 
five votes. That he met with the popular favor is 
indicated by the fact that, at his re-election in 1900 
his majority was eight hundred, and his election 
to a third term was by a majority of one thous- 
and and twenty-one. Earnest and conscientious 
in his work, he carried his principles into public 
offices, and, unlike many, kept them with him, and 
applied them to his daily life. Upon his election 
in 1898 he had removed with his family to 
Eugene, there to assume the office. His remains 
now rest in the Masonic cemetery, the highest 
honors having been accorded him in burial as 
a citizen. Fraternally he was a member of 
Knights of the Maccabees ; Knights of Pythias ; 
Woodmen of the World ; Elks, and Native Sons. 
In his religious views he belonged to the Chris- 
tian Church. 

Mr. Withers was married, December 18, 1884, 
to Miss Viola Comegys, who was born near 
Springfield, Lane county, the daughter of Pres- 
ley Comegys, a sketch of whose life appears 
elsewhere. She was reared in this vicinity and 
educated in the University of Oregon. The one 
son born of their union is Frank. She still owns 
and conducts the ranch which belonged to her 
husband, and like him is a member of the Chris- 
tian Church. 



MATTHEW COOPER GILL. An early 
settler and one who has been identified with much 
of the progress of Scio, Linn county, is Matthew 
Cooper Gill, who was born in Giles county, 
Tenn.. January 23, 1842, the son of Samuel H. 
and Millie (Usery) Gill. The parents _ were 
both of southern birth, the father a native of 
Tennessee and the mother of Georgia. In the 



fall of 1856 the elder man located as a farmer 
in Appanoose county, Iowa, and later settled in 
Kansas, from which state, after the death of his 
wife near New Albany, he removed to Missouri 
with his children, and there remained until his 
death at a ripe old age. 

The fourth of six sons and six daughters which 
were born in the family of his father, Matthew 
Cooper Gill early acquired the self-reliance and 
independence of the youth of those early days, 
and after the completion of his education in the 
common schools of Tennessee and a brief period 
with his parents in the state of Iowa, he started 
with ox-teams for the west. Six months of the 
year 1864 was consumed in this journey, which 
must certainly have left a strong impression on 
the mind of Mr. Gill, on account of the various 
dangers and hardships which he then experi- 
enced, the principal difficulty being the Indians. 
Near Deer Creek Station, on the Platte river, 
they were attacked by the Indians, who succeeded 
in stealing some of the stock, in the defense of 
which three men were killed and Mr. Gill re- 
ceived a wound in the arm from an arrow. On 
his arrival in Oregon Mr. Gill located first on 
Mill Creek, spending the winter there, and in 
1865 he came direct to Scio, Linn county, and 
has since been a resident of the town, with the 
exception of two years which he spent in eastern 
Washington for the benefit of his wife's health. 
The blacksmith shop which he then bought 
remained in his possession for twenty consecu- 
tive years, and, with his trade of tinner, he was 
able to build up a good business. That it was 
lucrative is indicated by the fact that he was 
justified in establishing a hardware business in 
1889, which though small in the beginning, has 
now grown to very remunerative proportions. 
He nows owns his own home here, and though 
having disposed of a half interest in the hard- 
ware business, it is still retained in the family, 
his son, William Franklin Gill, being the partner. 
March 16, 1903, the Mercantile and Produce 
Company of Oregon was incorporated with Mr. 
Gill and his son as stockholders with houses at 
Grant's Pass, Cottage Grove and Scio. 

Mr. Gill was married in Linn county to Miss 
Nancy Elizabeth Howell, who was born on 
Howell Prairie, Ore., in 1848. She was the 
daughter of William B. Howell, a pioneer of 
1843, an d for whom the location of his daughter's 
birth was named. The children born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Gill are as follows : William Franklin, 
who, in addition to his hardware interests, is 
postmaster of Scio; Lillie May, the wife of 
Ross Hibler, of Scio; Ralph W., also of Scio; 
Roy R., of Portland, in the employ of Honey- 
man Hardware Company; Grace A., a teacher 
in the schools of Washington ; Archie Laflin, 
deceased ; John G., a student in the Dental 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1037 



School of Portland; Imogene, at home; Mary 
and Mark, both deceased. Fraternally Mr. Gill 
s a member of the blue lodge and chapter 
of the Masonic order; Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. In religion he is a member of the 
Christian Church, in which he officiates as an 
elder. In addition to his business interests of 
the city, Mr. Gill has always been active in the 
municipal government, as a Republican serving 
as mayor of the city for one term, as councilman 
for many years, and as school director for one 
term. He has always proven his interest in 
public welfare by his disinterested and broad- 
minded action, and as a man of integrity and 
capability the community depends upon him to 
help sustain the honor and prosperity of their 
city. 



JOSEPH R. KEEBLER. Now retired from 
the active cares of life Joseph R. Keebler makes 
his home in Lebanon, Linn county, Ore., near 
which city over a quarter of a century of his life 
has been passed, his energy, industry and perse- 
verance given to an intelligent cultivation of the 
soil. He came to Oregon in 1875 and has since 
resided in this state, becoming a sturdy and trust- 
worthy citizen of the western commonwealth, and 
in connection with his accumulation of a compe- 
tency he has fulfilled the duties that have come 
to him as a member of the community in which 
he made his home. 

The Keebler family came originally from the 
Middle Atlantic states, the grandfather, James, 
having been born in Virginia, from which state 
he removed to Tennessee, and died there while 
engaged in farming. The father of Mr. Keebler, 
another James, was born in Tennessee, and in 
1849 ne crossed the plains with ox-teams, and 
located in California, where he became connected 
with a stage line between Sacramento and Placer- 
ville, which was then called by the significant 
name of Hangtown. He drove a stage for some 
time over this route, his last trip being made 
in the year 1852, when he drove in at the end 
of the line and some time later was found dead 
on a mound of hay near, cholera having claimed 
him for its victim. His wife, formerly Katherine 
Crouch, a native of east Tennessee, was again 
married, after the death of her first husband, 
and then removed to Illinois in 1856, from which 
state she crossed to California in 1861. She 
later made her home in Oregon, where her death 
occurred. Her second husband, Allen Range, is 
also deceased. 

Of the two sons and one daughter born to his 
parents, Joseph R. Keebler was the eldest, and 
was born in east Tennessee. May 14, 1840, 
where he lived until he reached the age of four- 



teen years. During these years of childhood he 
attended the common schools of his native state, 
gleaning what little knowledge he could under 
the adverse conditions of those early times. On 
going to Illinois he found employment on a 
farm until 1871, and at that date he crossed the 
plains to California and located in Yolo county. 
After four years spent as a farmer in that loca- 
tion Mr. Keebler came north to Oregon, and 
with the proceeds of his previous years of labor 
he bought two hundred and fifty acres of land 
one mile north of Lebanon, Linn county. Later 
he parted with a portion of this purchase, and at 
the present time owns but one hundred and 
sixty acres, which he rents. In September, 1902, 
he removed to Lebanon, and has since made this 
his home. 

The marriage of Mr. Keebler occurred in Illi- 
nois. Lucinda Melvin, a native of that state, 
becoming his wife. Her death occurred in Ore- 
gon. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Keebler, John Allen is now deceased ; James 
V. is located upon the home farm ; Elbert E. 
is also in this county ; Katie is the wife of S. 
G. Keefhaver, of Linn county, Ore. ; William 
Henry is deceased ; Anna is the wife of D. Hil- 
dreth, living in this county; Bell is the wife of 
Frank Lutz, of Linn county ; Myrtle is Mrs. 
Frank Parrish. of Linn county ; Mary Narcissus 
is deceased; Joseph Benjamin is located in this 
county ; and T. E. is engaged in logging in 
Washington. In his fraternal relations Mr. 
Keebler is a master Mason, and also belongs to 
the F. O. R. Politically he is a Democrat and 
has served as road supervisor and school director. 



ANDREW V. LANE. Although several 
years have elapsed since Andrew V. Lane went 
from the scenes of his activities in Lake county, 
he is still recalled by those who survive him, 
and who met him at the home, in the church, 
or in public life, as the embodiment of virile 
manhood. Born in Vermilion county, 111., De- 
cember 5, 1852. Mr. Lane was a son of Horace 
and Margaret (Earner) Lane, natives of Ohio. 
The parents were married in the Buckeye state, 
and from there removed at an early day to 
Vermilion county. 111. The year after Andrew's 
birth, in 1853, the parents crossed the plains, the 
father taking up a donation claim of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres upon the present site of 
Rowland Station. Here he succeeded fairly well 
as a farmer and stockman, and reared his fam- 
ily in comparative comfort, giving his children 
such advantages as were in his power. His 
wife dying in Colfax. Wash., in 1885, he con- 
tinued for a time to live on the home farm ; 
but his last days were spent at the. home of his 



1038 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



daughter, Mrs. Joel Huston, where his death 
occurred in October, 1896. 

Andrew V. was the third of the children born 
to his parents, and his youth was uneventfully 
passed on the home farm. Although he at- 
tended the public school with comparative regu- 
larity, he learned more from observation than 
books, and in later life especially, kept abreast 
of the times, becoming a well informed man on 
current events. In 1868 he left the home place 
and went to Big Valley, Cal., where he engaged 
in stock-raising until 1873, and then moved 
to Silver Lake, Ore., and dealt in stock until 
his death, which occurred December 13, 1896. 
His wife, formerly Martha Small, was born 
in Lane county, February 23, 1857, a daugh- 
ter of George Small, the latter born in Ten- 
nessee, January 6, 1802, and who died in 
California, March 13, 1862. Mr. Small was a 
farmer during his entire active life, and crossed 
the plains with the emigrants of 1853, locating 
in Lane county on three hundred and twenty 
acres of land adjoining Cottage Grove. Here 
he farmed until removing his family to Califor- 
nia in i860. His wife, Malinda (Hinch) Small, 
was born in Cape Girardeau county, Mo., Aug- 
ust 25, 1813, and died at Cottage Grove, Ore., 
March 13, 1893, leaving five children, of whom 
Mrs. Lane is the youngest. 

Mr. Lane was a very successful man, and at- 
tained to great prominence in the community 
which he adorned with his exemplary character 
and well directed industry. He was a stock man 
in every sense of the word, and understood more 
about his occupation than the average man thus 
interested. He was a Democrat in politics, and 
though never seeking office, consented to fill un- 
important local offices, as well as that of com- 
missioner of Lake county for six years, or from 
1890 to 1896. After his death his widow con- 
tinued to live on the old place until 1899, and 
then moved onto her present farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres, four and a half miles east 
of Harrisburg. She is the owner of a stock 
ranch of seventeen hundred acres in Lake 
county, the proceeds from which net her a hand- 
some yearly income. In her general farming in- 
dustry she is assisted by her second son, William 
G, her oldest son James H., residing in Salem; 
while her youngest daughter, Bernice, is also liv- 
ing at home. 



FRANKLIN A. LINK. An industrious and 
well-to-do agriculturist of Polk county, Frank- 
lin A. Link is proprietor of a fine homestead, 
located two and one-half miles southwest of 
Lewisville, which in regard to its appointments 
and improvements compares favorably with any 
in the neighborhood. The neatness and orderly 



appearance of the property manifest to the most 
casual observer, the thrift and care of the owner, 
all show conclusively that he has a thorough 
knowledge of his business and exercises good 
judgment in its management. A German by 
birth, he was born in Bavaria, October 23, 1832. 
on the paternal side being of French extraction, 
his Grandfather Link, who came into Germany 
during the reign of Napoleon, having at that 
time changed his original name of De Linn to 
Link to avoid trouble with the French. 

George Link, father of Franklin A., was born 
in Bavaria, Germany, in 1798, and while living 
in the fatherland was extensively engaged in 
farming. Emigrating to America in 1846 with 
his family, he had a stormy voyage of fifty-two 
days before reaching New York. Locating first 
in Wheeling, W. Va., he lived there two years, 
then spent eight years on a farm in Washington 
county, Pa. Removing to Iowa in 1856, he pur- 
chased land in Dubuque county, and was there 
successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits 
until his death, in November, 1878. He was a 
skilfuJ farmer, a trustworthy citizen, and a man 
of strict integrity, in every way worthy of the 
respect accorded him by his neighbors and 
friends. He married Mary A. Linbach, who 
was born in the Rhine valley, Germany, and 
died, in July, 1878, in Dubuque county, Iowa, 
aged seventy-three years, her birth having oc- 
curred in 1805. Of their family of three sons 
and two daughters, Franklin A., the subject of 
this sketch, was the third child. 

Acquiring his early education in Germany, 
Franklin A. Link came to this country with his 
parents in 1846, and a few years later studied 
for three months at an academy in Pennsylvania. 
While living in Wheeling, W. Va., he served an 
apprenticeship of two and one-half years at the 
tailor's trade, afterwards going to Pennsylvania, 
where he assisted his father in farming until 
1856. In June of that year, he emigrated to 
Ohio, and for ten years was engaged in farm 
work in Belmont county, in the meantime taking 
unto himself a wife. Removing with his family 
to Missouri in 1866, he carried on general farm- 
ing in Bates county ten years. Following the 
march of civilization westward, he came to 
Oregon in 1876, settling with his family in Polk 
county. Renting the farm of Benjamin Hayden, 
in Independence, he managed it for seven years, 
subsequently renting the farm of Pierce Riggs for 
nine years. In 1891 Mr. Link purchased his 
present farm of five hundred and fifteen acres. 
lying about two and one-half miles southwest of 
Lewisville, and, moving on it in 1896, has since 
resided here. He has made various and substan- 
tial improvements on the place, and is exten- 
sively engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. He makes a specialty of breeding and 




(E.cMUe&s^ 






(Ji^yu^nata^ <(jhyub&u**/ wJuQWu 



PORTRAIT ANT) BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1041 



raising goats and sheep, having thoroughbred, 
registered Angora goats, keeping about one hun- 
dred and forty in his herd, and has an equally 
large herd of Cotswold sheep. 

In Washington county, Pa., in 1856, Mr. Link 
married Margaret Craig, who was born in that 
count) . She died in Harrison county, Ohio, in 
1802, leaving two sons, Harrington R., deceased, 
and "George C, of Allegheny county, Pa. Mr. 
Link married again in 1864, Mary L. Frazier, who 
was born in Belmont count}', Ohio, in March, 
1844. Mr. and Mrs. Link are the parents of 
five children, namely: Margaret, wife of Man- 
ley Martin, of Independence. Ore. ; Mary E., 
living at home; Lizzie M., a twin sister of Mary 
E., is. the wife of Andrew Hannam, who lives 
near Pedee, Ore. ; Homer, at home ; and Nellie, 
at home. In his political views Mr. Link is 
independent, using his own best judgment in 
casting his ballot, instead of blindly following 
any political leader, or giving an unqualified ad- 
herence to any part}-. While living in Ohio, 
Missouri and Oregon, he was road supervisor, 
serving in that capacity twelve years in all, and 
since 1896 has been school clerk in District No: 
39. Fraternally he belongs to Independence 
Lodge. A. F. & A. M. 



JEDEDIAH WHEELER. When his day's 
work is over and he sits down to enjoy the peace 
and happiness of his home, the reflections of 
Jedediah Wheeler must be tinged with satisfac- 
tion. The prominence which is his in Lane 
county is of the solid and well founded kind, 
painstakingly and laboriously acquired, as is also 
the competence which placed him among the 
financial successes of his neighborhood. The 
boy wrestling with limitations might well draw 
encouragement from the upward path of this 
honored pioneer, for his life-story is that of the 
poor boy who had to look within rather than 
without for his help in time of need. His father 
<lying when he was two years old, his mother 
joined the great majority when he was twenty, 
and the home in Illinois, where he was born 
January 30, 1832. was thus sadly uprooted, the 
five children being thrown upon their own re- 
sources, the subject of this review being the 
youngest. 

Beginning with his tenth year, Mr. Wheeler 
found employment in a house as a servant in 
Illinois, and when he was fifteen he made his 
way to within fifty miles east of St. Louis, 
where he worked in a sawmilling and logging 
camp and a grist mill. This occupation opened 
up a possibility in a tavern, to the management 
of which he finally succeeded, and in 1850 he 
started in to serve an apprenticeship to a car- 
penter and cabinetmaker. To his youthful mind, 



to master a trade was the personification of in- 
dependence, and with this feeling of certainty 
regarding the future, he crossed the . plains in 

1853 as a driver of an ox-team, spending about 
six months on the way. In the Sacramento 'val- 
ley he made his living at teaming for a few 
months during the winter, and in the spring of 

1854 went to the mines, where he labored for a 
time with alternate success and failure. Having 
heard of the possibilities of Oregon, and not 
having made a success of his mining venture, 
and desiring to reach that state, he walked the 
entire distance of three hundred and fifty miles. 
In Eugene he worked at his trade as carpenter 
for about five years. In 1859 he was united in 
marriage with Amanda E. Walker, a native 
daughter of Oregon, with whom he established 
a home, purchased with his earnings as a car- 
penter. In 1864 he disposed of his city property 
for a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, 
twelve miles east of Eugene, which comprised 
the whole of the Pingree donation claim, where 
he lived a couple of years and then sold it. 
Again in Eugene, he started and conducted a 
tinshop for a year, and then bought a farm of 
three hundred and twenty acres on the Coast 
Fork, where he lived until 1889. Following his 
farming experience, Mr. Wheeler settled in 
Pleasant Hill and engaged in a general mer- 
chandise business for ten years, identifying him- 
self with political and other means of advance- 
ment and becoming an important factor in busi- 
ness circles. The old appreciation of farming 
and the quiet and peace of country life re-assert- 
ing itself, he disposed of his store in 1899 and 
bought the one hundred and fourteen acres of 
land on Pleasant Hill which is now his home, 
and where he is engaged in general farming. 

Since young manhood a Whig, and later a 
supporter of the Republican party, Mr. Wheeler 
has been variously honored by his fellow-towns- 
men at different stages of his career, having 
served with equal satisfaction as postmaster, 
deputy sheriff, constable of Eugene, and for 
many years school director. His first wife dying 
in 1880, he married the following year Elizabeth 
Davis, a native of Indiana. By the first mar- 
riage there were eight children, of whom five 
survive, Allie E., Halvor C. and William L., liv- 
ing in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill, while Les- 
ter A. is a resident of California, and Walter B. 
lives in Coburg. Emma J. married Edgar C. 
Baxter, both now deceased. During his lifetime 
Mr. Wheeler has laid up a store of useful and 
interesting information, has cultivated the graces 
of honesty and fair dealing, and has made many 
true and tried friends in the places which he 
has called home. Mr. Wheeler and his family 
are members of the Christian Church at Pleas- 
ant Hill. 



1042 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



WILLIAM FIRMAN HENDRICSON, a re- 
tired agriculturist of Albany, has spent a long 
and busy life, actively engaged the greater part 
of the time in tilling the soil. Emigrating from 
Pleasant Grove, Iowa, in 1845, he took up land 
near Albany, where he had much pioneer work to 
perform, contributing his part, toward the de- 
velopment of this fine agricultural region. When 
he came to Oregon the red man roamed the coun- 
try at will, wild animals were plentiful, not in- 
frequently making their appearance near the hum- 
ble cabins of the newcomers. There being no 
near-by markets the family provisions were usu- 
ally supplied from the products of the land, or 
obtained by gun or rod. In the wonderful and 
rapid changes of conditions that have since taken 
place he has been a gratified observer and partici- 
pant. 

A son of John Henricson, he was born January 
26, 1824, in Lewis county, Ky., a descendant of 
English ancestry, his paternal grandfather, Daniel 
Hendricson, having been born in England, al- 
though he died in Kentucky, on a homestead 
which he had cleared from the wilderness. John 
Hendricson, a life-long farmer of Kentucky, died 
in 1824, and his wife, whose maiden name was 
Agnes Wilson, died eight years later. 

Knowing nothing of a father's care, and be- 
ing left motherless when but eight years of age, 
W. F. Hendricson had a lonely childhood. At 
the age of twelve years he left his old Kentucky 
home, going to Rush county, Ind., and later to 
Yorktown, Ind. In 1840 he removed to Pleasant 
Grove, Iowa, and five years later drove across 
the plains to Oregon, coming with the Hackle- 
man train of ox-teams by way of the Tualitin 
plains. He took up land on the Santiam river, 
and soon after, in 1847, returned to Iowa, cross- 
ing the plains with pack animals, calculating to 
return to Oregon early in 1848, but failing to do 
this he lost his claim. In 1850 he made another 
journey across the plains with ox-teams, locating 
in California, where he was engaged in mining 
for a year. Returning then to Iowa by way of 
the Isthmus, Mr. Hendricson staid but a short 
time, when, in 1852, he started with his family 
and all his worldly effects for Oregon, coming via 
the Barlow route ; with ox-teams, and being from 
March until August 9, en route. Taking up a 
donation claim six miles south of Albany, he 
cleared a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, 
adding substantial improvements, and was there 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising 
until 1887. He met with most satisfactory re- 
sults from his labors, his industrious toil bringing 
him good returns. Renting his farm, he has 
since resided in Albany, where he is held in high 
respect as a man of honest integrity and worth. 

Mr. Hendricson married first, in Iowa, in 1848, 
Sarah Jackson, who .was born in Rushville, Ind., 



January 29, 1827, a daughter of Omar Jackson, 
a native of 'Virginia, who was first engaged as a 
tiller of the soil in Indiana, and afterwards in 
Iowa. Mrs. Hendricson died at Albany, Ore., 
October 23, 1891. She was a woman of ex- 
emplary character, widely known and esteemed, 
and a member of the Christian Church. Seven 
children were born of their union, namely : Leona, 
the wife of John Huston, of Albany ; Lavinia, 
who died in Albany ; Morvin, residing in Ore- 
gon, near The Dalles ; Omar P., who was deputy 
sheriff at Colfax, Wash. ; Mary, who became 
Mrs. Bellshaw, living in St. Paul ; Frank, who 
died in Albanv ; and Willie, a painter in Lebanon, 
Ore. 

On July 18, 1893, Mr. Hendricson married Mrs. 
Mary E. Fronk, who was born in Goshen, Orange 
county, N. Y.,a daughter of Alexander S. Brown, 
and granddaughter of Thomas Brown. Alex- 
ander S. Brown, who spent his earlier life in 
Orange county, N. Y., was a shoe dealer first 
in Goshen, and then in Mechanicstown. In 1845 
he removed to Elkhorn, Wis., where he continued 
his former business. He was elected judge of 
the county court of Walworth county and served 
for a few years. In 1853, accompanied by his 
wife and four children, he came across the plains 
to California, Mrs. Hendricson, then a girl of 
fourteen years, driving one of the ox-teams dur- 
ing the trip of six months. Settling in Yuba 
City, he was engaged in the hotel business there 
a year, then purchased a ranch in Sutter county, 
on which he resided until his death, at the age 
of seventy-eight years. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Mary Brundage, was born in Orange 
county, N. Y., a daughter of Gilbert Brundage, 
and died in 1859, in Sutter county, Cal., aged 
fifty-nine years. Of the four children, two sons 
and two daughters, born of their marriage, 
Mary E., now Mrs. Hendricson, is the only sur- 
vivor. Mary E. Brown was educated in the pub- 
lic schools of Wisconsin and California. In 1853 
she married, at Yuba City, Cal., John M. Fronk, 
a native of Vincennes, Ind. As a young man, 
Mr. Fronk was a boatman on the Ohio river. 
Emigrating to California in 1850, he established 
a ferry across the Feather river. In 1871 he 
took charge of Love's Hotel, in Portland, Ore., 
and managed it six months. He subsequently 
conducted the St. Charles Hotel in Albany, Ore., 
for a time, and went afterwards to Eugene, Ore., 
where he conducted the St. Charles Hotel until 
1884, then engaged in farming in Lane county 
for a few years. Returning from there to Eugene, 
he resided there until his death, November 30, 
1890, at the age of sixty-four years and ten 
months. He was a Republican in politics, a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and had 
taken the Knight Templar degree of Masonry. 
Of the nine children born of the union of Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1043 



and Mrs. Fronk, four grew to years of maturity, 
namely : C. K. Fronk, agent of the Southern 
Pacific Railroad Company at Albany; Margaret, 
wife of Alan J. Goodman, of Independence, Ore.; 
Henry E.. of Albany; and Edwin A., who is in 
the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad 
Company. 

Mrs. Hendncson is a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hendricson is a 
member, and one of the deacons, of the Chris- 
tian Church. Politically he is an uncompromis- 
ing Republican. 



THOMAS FRANKLIN MILLER. The 
successful sheep-raisers in Linn county include 
Thomas Franklin Miller, who owns considerable 
valuable property in Lebanon, and has a ranch 
of one hundred acres one mile south of the town. 
Mr. Miller comes of an old southern family rep- 
resented for many years in Virginia, where he 
was born in Rockingham county, June 21, 1835. 
His father, Thomas Miller, and his mother, Anna 
(Spotts) Miller, were also natives of Virginia. 
Thomas Miller was the only child born to his 
parents. He located in Saline county, Mo., in 
1839, and while living on a tract of land com- 
prising seven hundred acres, engaged in brick- 
making quite extensively. He was a very suc- 
cessful man, prominent and influential, and left 
a valuable property to his heirs at the time of 
his death in December, 1870, at the age of sixty- 
nine years. His wife survived him and died in 
Waverly. Mo., leaving two sons and three daugh- 
ters, of whom Thomas F. is the youngest. 

At the time of his father's death Thomas F. 
Miller assumed entire management of the large 
Missouri farm which had been willed him by 
his sire, and retained possession of it until 1880. 
He then came to Oregon and located near Scio, 
where he bought two hundred and seventy acres 
of land, remaining there until disposing of it in 
1899. His next purchase was a farm of one 
hundred and eighty-six acres two and a half 
miles south of Lebanon, which he sold in 1902, 
and took up his residence in the town. His home 
property consists of five acres, under a high state 
of cultivation, and he has an attractive cottage, 
surrounded by shrubs, trees and flowering plants. 
On his farm of one hundred acres a mile from 
town he is extensively engaged in raising sheep, 
making a specialty of the Cotswold breed, many 
of his animals being registered. 

The first marriage of Mr. Miller occurred in 
Missouri, and was with Sarah E. Yager, who 
was born in Missouri, and died there, leaving 
three children : Ella, the wife of L. J. Wiltfong 
of Washington; L. Edwin, a resident of Scio; 
and Cora, the wife of Grant Hawley of Grass 
\ alley, eastern Oregon, For a second wife he 



married a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, 
born near Zanesville, May 18, 1847. Riley Brat- 
•ton, the father of Mrs. Miller, was of Scotch 
ancestry, and was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, 
He crossed the plains to California in the spring 
of 1850, but returned and settled with his family 
in Iowa in 185 1, taking up a homestead near 
Oskaloosa, whence he moved to Linn county, 
near Brownsville, in 1867. Mr. Bratton was a 
farmer and a potter by trade, and came to Ore- 
gon in 1 88 1, living for a time with his son-in-law, 
but eventually settling on a homestead in west- 
ern Oregon, where he died at the age of seventy- 
two years. Of the four children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Miller, Howard lives in Franklin 
county, Wash., and Roland is at home, Walter 
E. and Lester being deceased. 

A Republican in politics, Mr. Miller has held 
a number of offices in the places where he has 
lived, principally in eastern Oregon and Mis- 
souri, in both of which places he served as 
notary public, road supervisor and school di- 
rector. He is a member of the Grand Army of 
the Republic, having earned the right thereto 
by a service of three years and one month in the 
Civil war. for which he enlisted in Company F, 
Seventh Regular Cavalry, serving in the western 
department under Col. John F. Phillips, of Kan- 
sas City. For injuries sustained while in the 
service Mr. Miller draws a pension. He is a 
whole-souled and generous man, agreeable to 
meet, sincere and loyal to friends and trusts im- 
posed, and of unquestioned integrity. 



JOSEPH ERBSLAND. The vicinity of 
Aurora is well adapted for general farming, 
hop-growing and other agricultural pursuits, 
and to those who assiduously apply themselves 
to this vocation, success is assured. One of the 
most prosperous men in this line of activity is 
Joseph Erbsland, who has a fine farm near 
Aurora, devoted to the above named industries. 
To say that Mr. Erbsland's farm is well con- 
ducted, improved and cultivated is but simple 
truth. The progressive owner has brought 
about this state of affairs through his own in- 
dustry and enterprise. 

The history of Joseph Erbsland does not differ 
in many respects from that of the most of our 
substantial western men. who. born in eastern 
and central states, seek homes farther away from 
the close touch of civilization, knowing that the 
tide of empire westward winds its wav, and 
that the best chances are for the one who ar- 
rives first. Mr. Erbsland is a native of Indiana, 
having been born in Jennings county, that state, 
near North Vernon, October n, 1850. receiving 
his education in the common schools of the 
neighborhood and living upon a farm, thus be- 



1044 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



coming acquainted in early youth with the work 
of tilling the soil. At the age of nineteen he 
began working at the stone cutter's trade, fol-. 
lowing this occupation until 1887, when he came 
to Oregon and began working on a farm in 
Marion county. He saved enough to purchase a 
farm of his own, which he did soon after his mar- 
riage in January, 1890, with Miss Louisa Beck, 
a daughter of Charles Beck. On the home farm 
Mr. Erbsland has made improvements which 
render it very valuable and make it one of the at- 
tractive and prosperous-looking places of the vi- 
cinity. He has seven acres planted in hops, and 
the raising of this herb proves a great source of 
income. There are few farms in Marion county 
that yield a better return for the care and labor 
bestowed upon them than does that of M'r. 
Erbsland, and he may well look upon his fields 
with pride, knowing that through his well di- 
rected efforts has come the success which he en- 
joys. Fraternally he is a member of Aurora 
Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen, 
while in politics he affiliates with the Democracy. 
A consistent and earnest member of the Luth- 
eran church, Mr. Erbsland in his own life fol- 
lows the teachings of his religion. He is a sub- 
stantial, well balanced and thoroughly up-to- 
date, plain, every-day farmer, one who does 
credit to his county and who has the good will 
of all who know him. 



HON. J. A. RICHARDSON, M. D., the 
oldest practicing physician of Salem, and for- 
mer member of the state legislature, was born 
in Adams county, 111., November 15, 1840, and 
is of English and Scotch-Irish descent. His 
paternal grandfather, George, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, came to Illinois in 1793, settling at 
Kaskaskia, the first capital of Illinois territory. 
He was a trapper, hunter and Indian fighter, 
and is believed to have served in the Revolution- 
ary war. At any rate, he took an active part in 
scattering the Indian forces around Kaskaskia 
directly after the war of Independence, and was 
present at Horner's defeat. He served also in 
the war of 1812, and soon after settled on the 
American bottoms, five miles from East St. 
Louis. Here he farmed for many years, but was 
finally drowned, while trying to ford a stream 
in Greene county, 111. John Belcher, who came 
with the Lewis and Clark expedition as far as the 
Mandan country and in the following spring 
was returned to St. Louis with dispatches and a 
report of the expedition to that point, and who 
was killed at the battle of the Narrows, near 
the present site of Quincy, 111., during the war 
of 1812, was a cousin of Dr. Richardson's father, 
John G. Richardson, and held a lieutenant's 



commission in the army at the time of his 
death. 

John G. Richardson, the father of the doctor, 
was born on his father's farm near East St. 
Louis, and he, also, served in the war of 1812. 
Soon afterward he removed to Greene county, 
111., and from there to Adams county, and in 
1 85 1 brought his wife and children to Oregon, 
settling on a donation claim near Scio, Linn 
county, where he died in 1871. He married 
Orpha Thompson, who was born in South Caro- 
lina, and who removed as a child with her pa- 
rents to Illinois. Mrs. Richardson, who died in 
1866, was the mother of nine sons and one 
daughter, the order of their birth being as fol- 
lows : Thomas J., who came to Oregon in 1853 
and died at Jefferson ; William Winston, who 
came west in 1851 and died in Scio, in 1901 ; 
George W., who also came west in 185 1 and who 
died in Salem, in 1883; Lewis Clark, who came 
to Oregon in 1847 an( i died in 1869; Elijah T., 
who came to California in 1849, t0 Oregon in 
1856, and is now living in Spokane, Wash.; 
Obediah W., who came to California in 1849, to 
Oregon in 1858, and lives at present in Sherman 
county, Ore.; John W., who came west in 1851 
and is near Scio; Andrew J., a pioneer of 1851, 
and now living at Stayton, Ore. ; James Asher, 
the subject of this sketch; and Rebecca, who 
married James Enos and died near Scio, in 1881. 

Although but ten years of age when he came 
with his family to Oregon Dr. Richardson vivid- 
ly recalls the many incidents which enlivened 
the long journey across the plains. Much of his 
time was devoted to helping to drive the loose 
horses and cows. They crossed the Missouri 
river at Council Bluffs, but owing to the swollen 
condition of the Elkhorn river they were de- 
tained for over a month. At Goose creek, near 
the Snake river, they were attacked by Indians. 
The fight lasted until after dark and was re- 
sumed in the morning. About ten o'clock they 
succeeded in making their escape through front 
and rear guards, taking with them their wagons, 
twenty-one in number. The train came down the 
Columbia river in a body, and the Richardsons 
settled on their claim in the fall of 185 1. The 
doctor was educated in the district schools near 
his father's claim, at Bethel College, in Polk 
county, then the leading college in the state, and 
Lebanon Academy, which he attended for a year. 
For several years he engaged in educational work 
and during a part of that time studied medicine 
under the direction of Dr. Ballard, of Lebanon. 
In 1864 he entered the Toland Medical College, 
of San Francisco, now the medical department 
of the University of the Pacific, and after grad- 
uating in 1866 engaged in practice at Amity, 
Yamhill county, Ore., for about a year. There- 
after he lived "and practiced in McMinnville, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1045 



in 1S69 entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical 
College, of New York City, from which he was 
graduated in 1870. The same year he returned 
to Oregon and located in Salem, where he prac- 
ticed successfully until going to The Dalles, in 
\$jq. In 1887 he took a post-graduate course in 
the New York Post-Graduate School, returning 
then to Salem, which has since been his home. 
The doctor has never allowed himself to get be- 
hind the times in his profession, in proof of 
which he returned to New York City in 1895 for 
an additional post-graduate course. 

Aside from a general medical and surgical 
practice Dr. Richardson has filled many posi- 
tions of trust and responsibility in the commun- 
ity. As early as 1872 he became identified with 
the medical department of the Willamette Uni- 
versity, filling the chairs of obstetrics, diseases 
of women, hygiene and materia medica up to the 
time when the school was removed to Portland. 
When the school was again located in Salem 
he was appointed to the chair of diseases of 
children. For about twelve years he served as 
a member of the pension board ; has been con- 
nected professionally with the Oregon Insane 
Asylum for three years ; with the Oregon State 
Penitentiary ; with the Oregon Reform School 
for nine years ; as well as with the Blind and Deaf 
schools. He is a member of the County Medi- 
cal Society, a charter member of the State Med- 
ical Society, of the Historical Society and the 
Pioneer Association. 

Much of Dr. Richardson's prominence is due 
to his exceptional political service, he being a 
stanch exponent of Republicanism, and at all 
times incorruptible and broad-minded when in 
office. He was a member of the state senate from 
1872 to 1876, was mayor of Salem for one term, 
and is an ex-member of the state central com- 
mittee and the county committee. Fraternally 
he is one of the best known men of the county, 
being formerly identified with Amity Lodge No. 
20, A. F. & A. M., of Amity ; Union Lodge No. 
46, of which he was master ; Pacific Lodge of 
Salem, of which he was master ; and Wasco 
Lodge at The Dalles, of which he is past master. 
He is also associated with The Dalles Chapter, 
R. A. M., of which he was high priest for one 
term ; De Molay Commandery No. 5 ; Oregon 
Consistory No. 1 ; the Eastern Star, of which 
he organized the Second Chapter in Oregon at 
McMinnville. 

In Salem, Ore., Dr. Richardson married Fannie 
Boyd, who was born in Yamhill county, Ore., in 
1852, the daughter of John and Lodowiska 
(Adams) Boyd, her parents having arrived in 
the state in the early forties. Two children have 
been born to the doctor and his wife, of whom 
Frankie is a graduate of the law department of 
Willamette Yallev ; and Bovd is a graduate of 



the medical department of the same university, 
and is now with the hospital staff in Manila. Dr. 
Richardson is a splendid example of the sub- 
stantial and well balanced physician who is also 
the man of affairs, and vitally interested in the 
moving world around him. To no one in the 
county is the medical profession more indebted 
for the maintenance of sound and practical the- 
ories, or for that spirit of humanity, tolerance 
and kindliness which the world at large has come 
to associate with its foremost disciples of yEscu- 
lapius. 



JAMES W. MILLER. The prosperous 
owner of four hundred and seventeen acres, one 
hundred and sixty of which comprise a part of 
the old donation claim taken up by his father in 
October, 1850, James W. Miller is one of the 
enterprising farmers of Linn county, now en- 
gaging in general farming and stock-raising, 
meeting with the returns which follow persever- 
ing and intelligent industry. Through the efforts 
of himself and a family of exceptional ability 
Mr. Miller has contributed in no small measure 
to the growth of this part of the Willamette 
valley in which he makes his home, his position 
of prominence being the result of praiseworthy 
ambition along the lines of state advancement. 

James W. Miller was born in Bridgeport, 
Nova Scotia, August 17, 1833, the son of Mal- 
colm Miller, for a fuller account of whose life 
refer to the sketch of Gabriel Miller, which ap- 
pears elsewhere in this work. When ten years 
old he removed with his parents to Pennsylvania, 
and after seven years' residence in that state, the 
family crossed the plains in the spring of 1850, 
landing in Linn county safely after the long and 
trying journey. In December, 1851, he went 
with his father and brothers George and An- 
drew to California with pack animals, and there 
worked in the mines for the ensuing winter. In 
the fall following this he began to conduct a 
pack-train from Portland to the Yreka mines, at 
which work he continued until the spring of 
1853, when he went to the Coos Bay country and 
there opened up cove mines. He afterward be- 
gan buying and selling cattle, which he drove 
through from Linn county into southern Ore- 
gon and California, reaping returns that justified 
a continuance in the work until 1859. Still inter- 
ested in mining Mr. Miller went in 1862 to the 
Salmon river mines in Idaho, but after a few 
months he returned to Linn county, and has since 
that time devoted his energies entirely to farm- 
ing and stock-raising. 

The marriage of Mr. Miller occurred Janu- 
ary 25, 1874, and united him with Mrs. Rosa A. 
Baker, a daughter of Peter S. Brenner, who 
came to Oregon in 1853 from La Fayette, Ind., 



1046 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and bought Dr. Warren's right to a donation 
claim near Scio, where he died in 1899. The 
children of this union are as follows : Malcolm 
B., located on an adjoining farm; J. W., Jr., who, 
after securing an education in Monmouth, has 
devoted his talents to instruction in the school 
room for the past six years ; Kate B., also edu- 
cated in that city, has become a teacher ; Rosa 
L., also a teacher; and Nona P. Mr. Miller 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church, re- 
ligiously, and though not a politician, in his pub- 
lic life he has always demonstrated his willing- 
ness to aid in the government of the community 
to the best of his ability by serving in various 
offices. 



HON. SYLVESTER PENNOYER. One of 
the most forceful and earnest men to be named 
in connection with the early history of Oregon 
is the Hon. Sylvester Pennoyer, whose term of 
office as governor of the state was characteristic 
of the qualities which distinguished this pioneer. 
He was born in Groton, Tompkins county, N. Y., 
July 6, 1831, the son of Justus Powers and Eliza- 
beth (Howland) Pennoyer, both of whom were 
representatives of fine eastern families which 
transmitted to their descendants the good charac- 
teristics of natives of several European countries. 
Justus Powers Pennoyer was one of the largest 
farmers in Groton and one of the foremost men 
of the town in all public enterprises, and at one 
time he represented his county in the New York 
assembly, though he was not at all a politician in 
the common acceptance of the term. 

The boyhood of Mr. Pennoyer was much like 
that of any other farm-bred youth, consisting of 
alternate work and school, until he had attained 
a sufficient age to become a student of Homer 
Academy, New York, where he took a full course 
of study. Later he attended the Dane Law 
School, Harvard University, from which he re- 
ceived his diploma in the summer of 1854. The 
following year he left his home and came west, 
arriving in Portland, Ore., about the 10th of 
July, 1855. Shortly after his arrival in the state 
he engaged in teaching in the public schools, in 
which occupation he remained for five or six 
years. It was about the year 1862 that Mr. Pen- 
noyer became interested in the lumber business in 
Portland, this remaining the subject of his busi- 
ness activity throughout the greater part of his 
life. With his intellectual capacity he naturally 
became connected with the papers of the west, 
from 1868 to the year 1 871 serving for the 
greater part of the time as editor of the Oregon 
^Herald. He became well and favorably known 
as a political writer of the day; though his arti- 
cles were always forcible and pungent they sel- 
dom aroused animosity, both on account of the 



infusion of a warm humor and the entire absence 
of any manifestation of malice in all his writings. 
Though a strong Democrat and always active in 
the promotion of the principles which he es- 
poused, he neither sought nor cared for political 
recognition, and it was not until 1886 that his 
name was brought up as that of a candidate for 
public office. He was then nominated for gov- 
ernor of the state on the Democratic ticket, the 
action being entirely without effort on his part, 
as he declined to do more than to promise to ac- 
cept the nomination if given him. He had be- 
come a very prominent man in the state, however, 
through his espousal of the cause of the Anti- 
Chinese party, the agitation of which question 
had recently caused bitter feeling. Following 
his nomination Mr. Pennoyer canvassed the state 
with, that determination and energy characteristic 
of him in all his efforts, whether personal or 
public, and in his speeches proved a logical and 
forceful advocate. His inaugural address was 
faultless as a literary production, though it 
aroused much sharp criticism on account of the 
position which the governor took in regard to 
the right of the courts to nullify a law of the 
state. During his administration he maintained 
the same direct, positive manner in dealing with 
whatever came under discussion and won recog- 
nition as a man fearless and determined in the 
maintenance of his principles. 

The marriage of Mr. Pennoyer occurred in 
1856, and united him with Mrs. Mary A. Allen, 
by whom he had five children, two of whom are 
still living. 



LA FAYETTE GROVER. The name which 
heads this review is one that is widely known 
throughout the state of Oregon, and the man 
who bears it is one honored in the early history 
of the northwest. In all early political move- 
ments, progressive in their trend, he was officially 
connected and gave substantial aid, rising suc- 
cessively, step by step, until he attained the posi- 
tion of fourth governor of Oregon. 

He was born in Bethel, Me., November 29, 
1823, of ancestry on both sides distinguished in 
the early history of Massachusetts. His educa- 
tion was received in the Classical Academy at 
Bethel and in-Bowdoin College, after which he 
studied law in Philadelphia, under the instruction 
of the late Asa I. Fish. He was admitted to the 
bar in March, 1850, shortly after which event he 
put aside his bright prospects in the east and 
went to California, arriving in July, 185 1, and 
in the next month reached Portland via the old 
steamer Columbia. He at once proceeded to 
Salem, where he established himself as a lawyer. 
He was shortly appointed clerk of the First Ju- 
dicial district, from which office he resigned to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1047 



become a law partner of Benjamin F. Harding, 
afterwards United States district attorney, sec- 
retaf) oi the territory of Oregon and United 
States senator. In 1852 Mr. Grover was elected 
prosecuting attorney of the second judicial dis- 
trict, and the year following was elected and 
served as a member of the territorial legislature 
for three terms, the last two terms being a repre- 
sentative from Marion county. In 1857 he was 
chosen a member of the state constitutional con- 
vention and was elected first congressman for 
Oregon in 1858, taking his seat February 15, 

( )n his return to Oregon Mr. Grover devoted 
his time to professional and business pursuits, 
besides a practice of his profession in partnership 
with Hon. Joseph S. Smith and Judge W. W. 
Page, taking an active part in various enterprises. 
In 1856 he took an active part in the organization 
of the Willamette Woolen Manufacturing Com- 
pany, at Salem, and four years later became a 
one-third owner of all the mills and water-power 
of the city, and during his management of the 
company's interest the Salem Flouring Mills were 
completed and became an industrial success of 
the valley. In 1866 he presided over the Demo- 
cratic state convention of that year, and by the 
convention was elected chairman of the Demo- 
cratic state central committee, which position he 
held for four years. At the close of that period 
he was elected governor of Oregon on the Demo- 
cratic ticket, and was re-elected and served until 
1877, when he resigned to accept the position of 
United States senator, to which he had been 
elected. He served in the senate until 1883, 
when he retired permanently from public and 
professional life and devoted his time to private 
affairs. 

Mr. Grover was married, in 1865, to Miss 
Elizabeth Carter, daughter of Thomas Carter, 
well known as an early resident of Portland, and 
they have one son, John Cuvier Grover. 



HEXRY STEWART. Since the latter part 
of the '80s Henry Stewart has been known 
around Albany as an enterprising and successful 
dairyman-farmer. He came to the state in 1885, 
engaged at various occupations in Albany for a 
couple of years, for two years conducted a small 
ranch near the city and finally settled upon his 
present farm, four and a half miles southwest of 
Albany. He has one hundred acres of land, a 
large part of it in pasture, and his general im- 
provements are modern and consistent with an 
ideal dairying enterprise. 

Born in Ashe county, N. C, February 9, i860, 
Mr. Stewart is a son of Jackson and Hila ( Fran- 
cis) Stewart, natives of North Carolina, and the 
former born 'in Surrey county, N. C, February 



29, 1 819. Jackson Stewart was formerly a farm- 
er, who left his large southern property to enlist 
in the Civil war, during which service he con- 
tracted an illness which has since resulted in total 
blindness. He was a member of the Home 
Guard, and was never afterward able to work as 
well as before the fortunes of war left him with 
weakened faculties. Many years ago his wife 
died at the age of sixty-four, and he, himself, is 
eighty-four, a philosopher in his affliction, and 
inclined to view the world after better fashion 
than it has treated him. Thirteen children have 
been born into his family, and of this large num- 
ber the following are living: Casper, of Eu- 
gene ; Eli, of Albany ; John, of North Carolina ; 
Jacob, also of North Carolina ; Margaret, New- 
ell, Henry, Lowry and Lular. 

At the age of twenty-one Henry Stewart left 
the old farm in North Carolina and went to Vir- 
ginia, where he followed farming for a couple 
of years. For a year, also, he farmed in Ne- 
braska, but not being particularly well pleased 
with the middle west came to the coast and set- 
tled in Albany in 1885. With him came his wife, 
who was formerly Celia V. Testermon, a native 
of Virginia, and who is now the mother of five 
children, the order of their birth being as fol- 
lows : Maggie E., Ella L., Dent F., Roy C. and 
Dora B. While not an office-seeker, Mr. Stew- 
art is a stanch upholder of Republicanism, and 
has served for one term on the school board. He 
is fraternally connected with the Knights of the 
Maccabees. As a farmer and promoter of the 
wellbeing of Linn county, Mr. Stewart takes 
high rank, and he has many friends in the county. 
His dairy products have reached the highest 
standard of excellence, and he has as high grade 
Jersey cattle as will be found in Linn county. 



GILBERT L. WORKINGER. Enviable 
prominence in Linn county has followed as the 
result of many years of agricultural and other 
activity on the part of Gilbert L. Workinger, 
whose ninety-acre farm, though a comparatively 
small one, is one of the finest in this vicinity. 
Located four miles northwest of Sheclds, and 
fourteen miles southwest of Albany, it is a part 
of the old Jacob Miller donation claim, and is 
indebted to its present owner for the greater part 
of its improvements. A fine modern dwelling 
and unquestionably the largest and finest barn in 
the neighborhood, as well as the most modern 
of agricultural implements, facilitate the carry- 
ing on of as scientific and practical a general 
fanning enterprise as may be found in this 
county. A model dairy contributes a consider- 
able share of the income from this splendidly de- 
veloped farm. 

That congenial work means successful work 



1048 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



is undoubtedly the secret of Mr. Workinger's 
success, for he expresses the greatest enthusiasm 
for the free and beautiful life of the country, and 
for the infinite possibilities of the soil and climate 
to be found in this fertile region. As far back as 
is known, his ancestors were tillers of the soil in 
the state of Pennsylvania, where his birth oc- 
curred September 5, 1862. His father was a car- 
penter and millwright by trade, as well as a 
farmer, and, until the time of his death, at the 
age of forty-six, he combined these occupations 
with moderate success. He was survived for 
many years by his wife, who lived to be seventy- 
nine, and who reared a family of eleven children. 
Like his brothers and sisters, Gilbert L. attended 
the public schools irregularly, but there were 
many mouths to feed, and the children were 
obliged to support themselves as early as pos- 
sible. He started away from home at the age of 
eleven, and for the following five years worked 
as a farm hand in his native county of Indiana, 
receiving as compensation for services his clothes 
and board and schooling. His five years ended, 
he continued with his employer for nine months, 
and for the latter period received the — to him — 
large sum of $60. 

At the age of seventeen Mr. Workinger went 
to Johnstown, Pa., and was employed in the Cam- 
bria Iron Works for a couple of years, and when 
nineteen went to Kansas and worked on a farm 
for about two years. His path then led to Mon- 
tana, where he found employment in a hardware 
store until the fall of 1884, when he returned to 
Pennsylvania, and farmed until 1885. In his 
native state he married Jennie N. Gibson, born in 
the Quaker state, and with whom he came to 
Oregon in the spring of 1886. At that time he 
purchased his present farm, and has since de- 
voted his energies to improving it, and to making 
a name for himself among the most honored and 
influential citizens of this county. He is the only 
one of his family who has come to the west, and 
his exertions here have certainly reflected credit 
upon those responsible for his training in the 
east. There is not a man hereabouts who is more 
universally commended, both for accomplish- 
ment and character, or one who more nearly typi- 
fies the representative northwestern farmer. He 
is a Republican in politics, and is a member of 
the United Brethren Church. In his family have 
been born six children, the order of their birth 
being as follows : Tillie Margaret, Clata Mae, 
George William, Gilbert Frank, Edith Jane and 
Gerald Lowry. 



GEORGE W. CLINE. Among the native sons 
of Marion county, none are more typical of the 
successful and progressive northwestern farmer 
and stock-raiser than George W. Cline, at present 



owning and living on a farm formerly owned by 
his father. He was born on a farm near Salem, 
May 6, 1849, hi s father, George Cline, being one 
of the foremost of the early settlers of Oregon. 
The elder Cline was born in Indiana, March 5, 
1799, and came of German parentage, his an- 
cestors, as far back as is known, having been 
tillers of the soil in different parts of the east. 
He was thrice married, his last wife, formerly 
Jane Oliver, and the mother of George W., 
having been born in Ohio. 

The Cline family lived an uneventful life in 
Indiana for many years, and in their neighbor- 
hood were known as exceptionally thrifty and 
successful people. George Cline was no ordi- 
nary plodding farmer, but forged his way to the 
front, and improved a farm that brought a good 
price when he decided to sell. This he did in 
1846, for he had long heard glowing reports from 
the west, and determined to see for himself if 
there was any truth in them. His success in life 
permitted him to outfit much more completely 
than the average emigrant, and he not only had 
plenty of substantial wagons and strong oxen, 
but brought along a large drove of horses and 
cattle. The party of which his family were mem- 
bers had little trouble with the Indians, and 
were not laid low by illness, as was the case 
with so many during the long journey of those 
days. Mr. Cline started away from home with 
three thousand dollars, and by the time he 
reached The Dalles he had just twenty dollars. 
This decrease in his finances was largely due to 
his generosity, for there were many very poor 
people in the train, to many of whom he gave 
practical assistance. He spent the first winter 
with his family on the present site of Portland, 
and in the spring settled in Marion county, near 
Salem, purchasing a squatter's right to which 
he afterward proved up. The next spring he 
settled in Linn county, where he took up six 
hundred and forty-three acres adjoining Albany, 
where he spent the remainder of his life. At the 
time of his death, at the age of sixty-four, he 
was apparently strong and robust, and seemed to 
be destined for many years more of useful citizen- 
ship. In both the east and west he took an 
active part in local politics, in Porter county, Ind., 
and in Linn county, Ore., serving as sheriff 
of the respective counties, besides holding many 
local offices. He erected one of the first sawmills 
in the vicinity of Albany, and operated the same 
for some time in connection with his general 
farming. He was a very successful man, and he 
was also very honorable and reliable. 

The only one living of his father's last fam- 
ily of five children, George W. Cline received his 
education in the country schools and the public 
schools of Albany, his father's success permitting 
him to devote more time to educational matters 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1051 



than fell to the lot of many of his neighbors. 
He .-taxed at home uninterruptedly until his 
marriage, in 1879. with Xellie Smith, who was 
horn in Clackamas county, Ore., in 1863, and 
after the ceremony went to housekeeping on 
a portion of the old farm, which he has man- 
aged since his father's death, and now owns. 
There were comparatively few improvements 
here at first, but at present he has good buildings 
and modern facilities for conducting a practical 
general farming enterprise, besides one hundred 
acres cleared and available for general crops. He 
lias a fine dairy in connection with the farm, and 
makes a specialty of Jersey cattle, standard breed. 
He is a director and vice president of the Albany 
Creamery Association, of Albany, Ore. Like 
his father he is an active Democrat, but as yet 
lie has shown no disposition to leave the quiet 
of his home to participate in the excitement of 
office-getting. Fraternally he is connected with 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Of the 
three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cline, Nina 
M. is the wife of H. B. Cusick, of Albany, and 
Margaret and Charles O. are living at home. 
Mr. Cline is prominent in his locality, and may 
be counted on to further any enterprise for the 
betterment of his home district. 



EDWARD H. HAWKINS. The name of 
Edward H. Hawkins is associated with a prac- 
tical farming enterprise in Lane county, his farm 
being one of the many finely improved proper- 
ties in which this locality abounds, and his meth- 
ods are those which have elevated the agricul- 
tural standard to a par with that in any part of 
the country. When Mr. Hawkins crossed the 
plains in 1845 ne represented the third genera- 
tion of his family to journey westward at the 
same time, his father Zachariah, and his grand- 
father. Henry, looking forward with equal en- 
thusiasm to a life under different auspices in 
the new country. On this journey Zachariah 
died ere he had reached his destination, but the 
grandfather, Henry Hawkins, lived to settle on 
a claim in Polk county, where he farmed for the 
remainder of his life. He was of Irish descent, 
and was fairly successful as a farmer and stock- 
raiser. Edward H. was three years old when 
his parents crossed the plains, having been born 
in Lee county, Iowa, February xy, 1842. His 
mother, formerly Nancy White, was born in 
Indiana, reared a family of two sons and three 
daughters, of whom' Edward is the fourth child. 
Mrs. Hawkins died on the old homestead in 
Benton county in 1900. For the first winter in 
Oregon she lived in Polk county, and the next 
spring went to Benton county, where she mar- 
ried T. M. Reed. Mr. Reed took up a donation 



claim of six hundred and forty acres, and there 
the children were reared and educated. 

At the age of sixteen Edward H. Hawkins 
grew weary of his life on the home farm and 
went to eastern Oregon, where he was engaged 
with stock for some time. Industrious and sav- 
ing, he managed to save quite a little money, 
and in 1865 bought a farm nine miles east of 
Harrisburg, in Linn county, which he sold after 
three years of profitable farming. He next 
took up two hundred and seventy acres near 
Monroe, Benton county. He lived thereon un- 
til disposing of it in 1889, when he pur- 
chased four hundred acres on Spencer creek. 
Three years later he sold out and bought three 
hundred and seventy-eight acres, comprising his 
present farm, about three miles southwest of 
Eugene. For his first wife Mr. Hawkins mar- 
ried, in 1865, Susan Norton, who was born in 
Missouri, and died in 1880, leaving three chil- 
dren, of whom Clarence is deceased, and Clara 
and Clayton are at home. The second marriage 
of Mr. Hawkins occurred in 1882, and was with 
Nancy Taylor, who was born in Virginia, Jan- 
uary 1, 1862, and who is the mother of three 
children, Virgil, Ruth H., and Edward Herbert. 
A Republican in political preference, Mr. Haw- 
kins is liberal-minded as regards office seekers, 
and believes in voting rather for principle than 
party. At the time of his removal from Benton 
to Lane county, in 1889, he was obliged to re- 
sign the office of county commissioner, and in 
this county he has served many terms as county 
supervisyr and school director. He is a wide- 
awake and progressive man, favoring all move- 
ments that have to do with the development of 
the resources of the locality or its improvement 
along educational, moral or industrial lines. 



JOSEPHUS J. BEARD. The position of 
agent of the Southern Pacific Railroad at Tan- 
gent, Linn county, Ore., is now held by Josephus 
J. Beard, his continuance in the office having 
been from 1873, and during the intervening years 
he has never lost a day's time from the faithful 
discharge of duty. Mr. Beard was born October 
13, 1844, in Vigo county, Ind., the son of Zach- 
ariah Beard, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 
1804, and emigrated with his parents to Indiana, 
in 1808. The grandfather was a miller by trade 
and he built one of the first grist mills on the 
banks of the Wabash river, and there Zachariah 
took up this work and followed it until he came 
to Oregon in 1873. He first married Ludicy 
Ferguson, a native of Indiana, and they had ten 
children, Josephus J. Beard, of this review, being 
the only one now living. The mother died in 
1848, after which Mr. Beard again married, and 



1052 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



this wife died within a year, leaving him one 
child, who is now deceased. 

Josephus J. Beard and his father came together 
to Oregon in 1873, tne former securing the posi- 
tion previously mentioned, that of agent for the 
Southern Pacific Railroad, which he has since 
held. In 1874 he married Callie Spangler, a na- 
tive of California, and of the children which 
have blessed the union, Maude M. is the wife of 
M. C. Jenks, in the vicinity of Tangent; M. 
Claude is now deceased ; Harry L. is located in 
Chemawa, Marion county; Joseph Ivan is at 
home ; and Roy B. is deceased. Mrs. Beard died 
in 1884, and for a second wife Mr. Beard married 
Mrs. Mary E. Morgan, and in their home the 
father of Mr. Beard passed away at the advanced 
age of eighty-one years. In his fraternal rela- 
tions Mr. Beard is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows ; and is past commander 
in the Knights of the Maccabees. He belongs 
to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 
politics Mr. Beard is a stanch Democrat and has 
faithfully served his party in various offices since 
his residence in Oregon, being for eight years 
justice of the peace, and for fourteen years post- 
master of Tangent. Mr. Beard has certainly 
made a success of his life since coming west, 
accumulating property located in this city, tak- 
ing an advanced place in the affairs of the com- 
munity and interesting himself generally with all 
movements calculated to promote the general 
welfare and increase the importance of the state 
which so many eastern emigrants have made their 
own by adoption. 



NICHOLAS MICKEL. Many changes of 
scene have come to N. Mickel, whose first recol- 
lections go back to the place where he was born, 
December 14, 1844, in Saxony, the son of George 
and Mary Mickel. He was one of seven children, 
six of whom are living and settled in the United 
States. In 1855 the family set out on the jour- 
ney that was to end when they had crossed an 
ocean and a continent. They first setled in Du- 
page county, 111., where they remained for two 
years, going from there by ox-team to Nicollet 
county, Minn., spending the ensuing twelve 
years in that location before continuing the jour- 
ney across the continent. The reports from the 
west growing more favorable as the years went 
on, and the prospects being bright for the suc- 
cess of the energetic and persevering, the father 
once more made up his mind to go still farther. 
In the year 1869 the family came to Oregon, 
settling one and a half miles north of Mount 
Angel, but later removing to Polk county, where 
the father died in 1880, at the age of sixty-five 
years. His widow survived him for about 
twenty years, her death occurring in Gervais, 



Marion county, January 1, 1900, in her seventy- 
fifth year. Besides the subject of this sketch, 
the children in the family are George, of Ger- 
vais ; Michael, of eastern Oregon ; Agnes Inhover, 
of Nicollet county, Minn.; Mary Schreiber, re- 
siding near The Dalles; Lena Bowers, of Vic- 
toria, and Peter, who is now deceased. 

N. Mickel received his education in the dis- 
trict schools of Minnesota, remaining at home 
with his parents until he enlisted, at seventeen 
years of age, in Company L, First Mounted 
Rangers of Minnesota. The company was mus- 
tered in at St. Peter, Nicollet county, where it 
was assigned to garrison duty, being principally 
occupied in guarding the frontier. After having 
served fourteen months, he was mustered out at 
Fort Snelling, and returning home he took up 
the brickmason trade, following that until he 
came to Oregon, via New York, the Isthmus of 
Panama and San Francisco. Coming direct to 
Marion county, he bought the farm where he 
now lives. At that time it consisted of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of virgin land. He now has 
one hundred and thirty acres under cultivation, 
upon which he is engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising, being also interested in the 
cultivation of hops. In 1902 he produced about 
fifteen thousand pounds of the latter from six- 
teen acres. Since its purchase he has greatly im- 
proved the place by the erection of a modern 
house upon the location of the one in which 
he first went to housekeeping upon his marriage 
to Miss Anna Mary Koler, a native of Bavaria, 
born in 1842. Four children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Mickel, of whom the eldest, Mary 
Ann, is the wife of F. E. Moore of Ball Butte, 
Mont., has one son, Ernest W. ; the three re- 
maining at home are Mary, Nicholas George, 
and Maggie. 

Mr. Mickel has served as road supervisor and 
on the school board of the district in which fie 
lives. In politics he is a Democrat. The family 
is identified with the Roman Catholic Church. 



ALBERT BROWNELL. The Albany Nur- 
series constitute one of the finest and largest en- 
terprises of the kind in the state of Oregon. In 
keeping with its reputation for the propagation of 
the fruits and flowers of a remarkably fertile 
region, is the career of its manager and owner, Al- 
bert Brownell, to whom is accorded well merited 
praise for the success which he has wrought out 
by his own unaided exertions. In tracing the 
life of Mr. Brownell it is important to note the 
early connection of his family with the history 
of America, his emigrating ancestors having fol- 
lowed close in the wake of that historic craft — ■ 
the Mayflower — and launched their various en- 
terprises in the midst of primitive colonial con- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1053 



ditions. It is supposed that the family was rep- 
resented in the Revolutionary war, and the pa- 
ternal grandfather of Albert Brownell had the 
satisfaction of seeing four of his sons depart for 
the Civil war, only one of whom, however, re- 
turned to his family and friends. Another son, 
the father of Albert, was a merchant in Evans, 
X. V. for the greater part of his active life, and 
here he married Priscilla Southwick for his first 
urife, who bore him six children. Of a second 
union there were born three children, and the sec- 
ond wife still survives her husband, who died at 
about the age of seventy. He was born in Massa- 
chusetts, and settled as a young man in New 
York, where he made a success of merchandising, 
and was an influential man in his town. 

Albert Brownell was born near Buffalo, N. Y., 
April 24, 1854, and is one of the children of his 
father's first marriage, his mother dying at the 
age of forty-five. He was educated in the public 
schools and remained at home until he was of 
age. when he went to Iowa, and during the win- 
ter taught school, working in the harvest fields 
during the summer time for about five years. 
While there he was married, April 17, 1870, to 
Xettie M. Read, a native of Iowa, and thereafter 
continued to live in the state until removing 
to Missouri in the fall of 1870. Continuing to 
farm and teach until 1884, he came to Oregon 
and bought a place near Wells Station, Benton 
county, where he lived about four years. He 
then came to Albany and purchased the Cline 
homestead and established the Albany Xursery, 
conducting the same under the firm name of Hy- 
man & Brownell until he succeeded to the entire 
business, of which he has since been owner and 
general manager. The nursery has seventy-five 
acres under cultivation just outside of the city 
limits, and, besides, Mr. Brownell has other prop- 
erties in different parts of the county devoted to 
nursery stock. The size of the enterprise may be 
estimated when it is known that from fifty to 
seventy-five men are required in the different 
departments at certain seasons of the year, while 
from twenty to fifty are employed all the year 
round. Most of the improvements have been 
made by the present owner, who has a thorough 
understanding of his interesting calling, and con- 
templates even more extensive operations in the 
near future. 

A Republican in political affiliation, Mr. Brow- 
nell has held most of the minor local offices in 
his neighborhood, and has taken an active part 
in promoting the best interests of his party. He 
is fraternally connected with the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, and finds a religious home 
in the Congregational Church, in which he is a 
deacon. Five children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Brownell, of whom Joyce B. is the wife 
of Rev. H. Hopkins, of Chicago: Carl R. is de- 



ceased; Clara and Dorothy are living at home; 
and William S. is deceased. 

Mr. Brownell is a broad-minded and cultured 
gentleman, genial and agreeable to meet, and 
sincere and earnest in the conduct of the various 
activities for which nature and inclination have 
richlv endowed him. 



GEORGE W. DIMICK. General farming is 
the occupation to which G. W. Dimick is devot- 
ing his energies. That he has achieved success 
in his chosen line of work is evidenced by his 
well cultivated farm of one hundred acres situ- 
ated one and one-half miles east of Hubbard, 
on which he has a splendid orchard of sixty 
acres, nearly all of which is planted in apples. 
' Mr, Dimick is also well known as a dealer in 
fine cattle, having been at one time the largest 
individual breeder and raiser of Short-horn and 
Aberdeen cattle in the state. Perhaps his work 
as an agriculturist has been secondary to what 
he has accomplished for Oregon in elevating its 
educational and political standard, as well as im- 
proving the country in the way of good roads 
and all that it means in commercial advance- 
ment, for he has faithfully served as road super- 
visor and as a member of the school board, and 
in politics he has for years been an acknowledged 
power. He is a member of the Democratic 
party, but favors prohibition, and was the or- 
ganizer of the Prohibition party in the state, be- 
ing chairman of the first state central committee 
and manager of St. John's campaign in Ore- 
gon at the time when that great Prohibition 
leader was making his memorable fight in the 
cause of temperance. Under the management 
of Mr. Dimick as chairman of the state central 
committee, the largest vote that Oregon ever 
cast for the Prohibition party was polled. Mr. 
Dimick was the first candidate for congress on 
that ticket, and his efforts have been of great 
value in cleansing and purifying the politics of 
Oregon. The part he has taken in political life 
has ever been an active and prominent one, and 
he is among the most influential men of the state 
in that respect. 

G. W. Dimick was born April 28, 1837, in 
Boone county. 111., and is a son of Augustus R. 
Dimick. who was born April 10. 1790, in Con- 
necticut. His parents having died when he was 
a child, he was reared to manhood by his brother. 
From Connecticut he removed to New York 
state, thence to Ohio, and early started out in 
life to make his own way in the world. On leav- 
ing Ohio he took up a claim in Illinois, camp- 
ing on the present site of Chicago. Before 
coming to Illinois he was united in marriage to 
Laura Pangburn. the wedding taking place in 
Ohio. Mr. Dimick and his family resided in II- 



1054 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



linois until 1846, when they started for Oregon, 
but stopped in Missouri for the first winter. In 
1847 they crossed the plains with a company 
under command of General Palmer. Ox-teams 
were used in making the journey, there being 
one hundred wagons in the train, which was 
afterward divided. The journey was made in 
seven months, and the party encountered no 
serious trouble with the Indians. On arriving 
in Oregon Mr. Dimick came direct to Marion 
county, taking up a donation claim of six hun- 
dred and forty acres one and one-half miles 
east of Hubbard, on a part of which the home of 
G. W. Dimick now stands. This land was all 
wild and unimproved and the father built a log 
house upon it for his family, residing therein 
until 1856, when the present dwelling was con- 
structed. Four children were born unto himself 
and wife, the subject of this review being the 
eldest, the other living child being John B., who 
resides on the east half of his father's donation 
claim. A. R. Dimick lived to be seventy-three 
years of age, while his wife passed away at the 
age of forty-eight years. He had been married 
twice prior to his marriage with Miss Pang- 
burn, and the children born of those marriages 
are now deceased. He served as justice of the 
peace for a number of years and was a promi- 
nent man in the communities in which he lived. 

G. W. Dimick received his early education in 
the district schools near his home, and remained 
with his parents until his marriage, which oc- 
curred November 17, 1859, the lady °f his choice 
being Minerva Gleason, daughter of Parson 
Gleason. She was born in Indiana and came to 
Oregon with her people in 1851. The young 
couple took up their abode on the old claim 
which had been taken up by the elder Dimick, 
where they have since made their home, living 
with the parents until the death of the latter. 
Six children were born unto them, of whom the 
following survive : G. Douglas, a resident of 
Washington ; John A., who resides in the vi- 
cinity of Hubbard ; Lottie May, of Idaho ; Par- 
son Gleason and Augustus, of Portland. His 
first wife dying, Mr. Dimick was married Oc- 
tober 24, 1878, to Rhoda Gleason, a niece of his 
first wife, who bore him four children. Of these 
Walter A., now of eastern Washington, sur- 
vives. June 11, 1890, he married Mrs. Sadie 
McCraw. Their children are Orrin R., Harri- 
son Roy H., Ada V., Harold A., and Raymond 
E., all at home. 

It will be seen that for nearly half a century 
the best energies of Mr. Dimick have been ex- 
pended in Oregon. He was but ten years of 
age when his parents emigrated here, and from 
his youth up he has been interested in the growth 
and progress that has taken place, transforming 
the state from a vast wilderness into a land that 



can hardly be excelled for agricultural resources. 
During his residence in Oregon he has cleared 
over two hundred acres of land. In the ques- 
tions and issues that have been before the people 
he has taken a prominent part, and his influence 
has been widely felt throughout the state. A 
man of the highest integrity, Mr. Dimick has the 
respect of all who know him, and in the history 
of the county his name will be ever regarded 
by posterity as that of an honored pioneer. 



HIRAM HENRY STARR. The early life 
of Mr. Starr is interesting. His father, Jeremiah 
Starr, was one of the foremost and earliest 
settlers of the state, and was born in Virginia 
in 1794, as was also his father, Samuel. The 
latter took his family to Ohio in 1799, locating 
in Scioto county. Here Jeremiah Starr married 
Elizabeth Beavers, who bore him one daughter 
and one son, soon thereafter dying, and was 
buried in Ohio. A few years afterward Mr. 
Starr was again married, his second wife be- 
ing Sarah Scott, by whom he became the father 
of five sons, Hiram Henry, of this article, 
being the oldest. In 1828 Jeremiah Starr set- 
tled in Vermilion county, 111., but not liking 
it very well sold out, and in 1843 took U P a 
donation claim in Wapello county. This farm also 
had its drawbacks, and the owner looked around 
for ways of improving his condition and that of 
his family. April 27, 1847, he started out with 
ox-teams and wagons to make the long journey 
across the plains, and without any unfortunate 
happenings arrived on the south bank of the 
Columbia, south of Vancouver, November 27, 
of the same year. The first winter in the strange 
country they spent on the Clatsop plains, at the 
mouth of the Columbia, and in the spring of 
1848 Mr. Starr took a donation claim near Amity, 
Yamhill county. This was not altogether satis- 
factory, and in the spring of 1850 he went to 
Benton county, and took up a claim of six hun- 
dred and forty acres, which he improved and 
occupied, and which he disposed of at a profit 
in 1865. He then took up his abode in the 
Alsea valley, west of Monroe, Ore., and there 
lived until the death of his wife, formerly Sarah 
Scott, a native of Monongahela county, Va., 
whose father died when she was a small child. 
In July, 1866, shortly after burying his beloved 
helpmate he went to live with his daughter in 
Monroe, Ore., and there died at the age of ninety 
years. He was a man of fine personal traits 
and his industry and thrift residted in a substan- 
tial property, acquired solely through his own 
efforts. He was stronglv in favor of education 
and all advancement, and gave to his daughter 
and five sons every advantage within his power 
to confer. 




ZILPHA AND SAMUEL McCOLLUM. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1057 



Hiram Starr was born in Ohio, December 19. 
1826. With his brothers and sisters he attended 
the early subscription schools near the paternal 
farm in Illinois, where the family had located 
when he was two years of age. As the oldest in 
the family he early assisted his father in man- 
aging the farm, and was one of the most enthu- 
siastic concerning the plans to emigrate to the 
west. At that time he was little past twenty, 
just the age to appreciate the chances by which 
he was to be surrounded, and he entered with 
into the preparations for the six months' 
journey. In 1840 he left the donation claim in 
< )regon and in Oregon City undertook to learn 
the coopers trade, having completed which he 
returned to Yamhill county and, with his father, 
engaged in saddle manufacturing. In 1850 he 
engaged in the saddle business in La Fayette, but 
a year later gave up his business to go to the 
mines of California. Returning in 1855, he 
soon thereafter started for the mines in Colville, 
and this trip resulted in his enlisting in the 
Oregon Cavalry, and fighting against the Indians. 
The next year found him working at saddle 
making in Corvallis, Benton county. 

In 1865 Mr. Starr went to the Alsea valley and 
took up one hundred and sixty acres of land, 
which proved so profitable, and was so con- 
genially located, that he remained on it for over 
twenty years. He improved his land and raised 
general commodities and stock, and at the time 
of disposing of it in 1887, had made of it a 
valuable and paying property. His next home 
was on a farm near Falls City, where he pros- 
pered until 1902, and then retired from active 
life within the borders of the town. He is con- 
templating building a pleasant little home in 
which to spend his declining years, and where 
he may enjoy many of the pleasant things of life 
which have hitherto been debarred owing to his 
unflagging industry. He is a Prohibitionist in 
political preferment, and has served as school 
director and clerk for several years. In religion 
he is identified with the Free Methodist Church. 
In i860 Mr. Starr was licensed as a local 
preacher and since has done much towards the 
spread of the gospel and is at present assisting 
the pastor of the Falls City church. 



McCOLLUM BROTHERS. The McCollum 
family is represented in Lane county by several 
members of a rugged and capable second gen- 
eration, of which two of the best known are 
Perry and William, occupying a farm of one 
hundred and eighty acres near Eugene. Will- 
iam McCollum. the senior of the two, was born 
on the paternal farm in Kentucky in April, 1841, 
his father, Samuel, one of the Oregon pioneers 
of 1850, being a native of the same state. His 



mother, Zilpha Callahan, was also born in Ken- 
tucky, and died on the old donation claim in 
Lane county in 1897, at -the age of eighty-four, 
her husband living to be two years older. There 
were five children in the family, William being 
the oldest of all. 

A boy of nine years when the family fortunes 
were shifted to the west, William attended the 
public schools as opportunity offered, although 
hard work on the home farm interfered mate- 
rially with both diversions and education. He 
remained at home until thirty years of age, and 
then purchased his present farm with his brother 
Perry, since then engaging in general farming 
and stock-raising. Mr. McCollum is a quiet, 
unassuming gentleman, loyal to his friends and 
interests, and heartily in touch with the work 
to which he is devoting his life. He is a Demo- 
crat in politics, but has never worked for or de- 
sired official recognition. Mr. McCollum is un- 
married. 

Perry McCollum was born after his father 
and older brother had crossed the plains to Ore- 
gon, January 1, 1855, and he was educated in a 
little log school-house on Spencer creek, being 
reared to an appreciation of farming and a gen- 
erally industrious life. Always most congenial 
in their relations to each other, it seemed emi- 
nently fitting that Mr. McCollum should engage 
in farming in partnership with his brother Will- 
iam, with whom he has since lived. Mr. McCol- 
lum married, in 1897, Frances Gearhart, and one 
son, Frank, has been born of this union. Like 
his brother, he is a Democrat in political affili 
ation, and has served as judge of elections. Pro- 
gressive and enterprising, Mr. McCollum main- 
tains a high standard of agricultural excellence 
on his farm, and his improvements are modern 
and extensive. He enjoys the confidence and 
good will of the community, which regards him 
as one of its most worthv native sons. 



ANDREW J. BLEVINS. A prominent pio- 
neer family of 1850 is represented by Andrew J. 
Blevins, one of the venerable and highly hon- 
ored agriculturists of Linn county. Mr. Blevins 
is one of the very successful farmers and agri- 
culturists of his neighborhood, and his farm of 
two hundred and ten acres, a part of the old do- 
nation claim settled by his father, has every evi- 
dence of being managed by a painstaking and 
progressive tiller of the soil, and one who has 
thoroughly appreciated the possibilities of the 
country in which his lot has been cast. A con- 
siderable revenue is derived from the raising of 
Clvdesdale and Percheron horses. Shorthorn cat- 
tle and Cotswold sheep. These high-grade ani- 
mals have for years been an interesting study to 
Mr. Blevins, who is thoroughly conversant with 



1058 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



their good points, and possesses the best of facil- 
ities for rearing and caring for them. 

The early life of Mr. Blevins was passed in 
Clay county, Ky., where his father, Isaac, was 
known as a large landowner and blacksmith. 
Isaac Blevins was born in Tennessee, January 12, 
1799, and there learned the trade to which he 
devoted many years of his life, remaining in his 
native state until his sixteenth year. He then 
went to Kentucky, and there married, in 1833, 
Eliza Maupin, who was born in the Bourbon 
state January 18, 1809. Seven years after his 
marriage, in 1840, Mr. Blevins took his wife and 
children overland to Missouri, and for ten years 
engaged in farming with fair success. In 1850 
he sold his farm and purchased the required outfit 
for joining an emigrant train across the plains, 
his son, Andrew J., being at that time fifteen 
years of age, and therefore of practical assistance 
in driving the oxen and caring for the loose 
stock. A great deal of this stock passed into the 
possession of the Indians, notwithstanding the 
care exercised in keeping it together. Otherwise 
the travelers had few adventures out of the ordin- 
ary, and reached Linn county, Ore., weary enough 
to appreciate almost any permanent abiding place. 
Mr. Blevins took up a section of land eight miles 
southwest of Albany, a portion of which is now 
occupied by his son, Andrew J., and which is 
located on the old Albany and Harrisburg road. 
In the lonely forests, with neighbors many miles 
remote, and with few financial or other resources 
at his disposal, he laboriously hewed out timber 
for a little log cabin, his family in the mean- 
time continuing to live in the prairie schooner 
which had housed them so many nights on the 
plains. It may be imagined with what speed the 
land was prepared for crops, and how impatiently 
the wife and children waited for the maturing of 
the grain and other commodities which should 
furnish them the necessary food for subsistence. 
The father was successful, soil and climate con- 
spiring for the comfort and even enjoyment of 
himself and family. He was a genial and whole- 
souled man, and as the district became settled, 
and the homes separated by fewer miles, he made 
many friends among his neighbors, all of whom 
admired his strength of character and upright- 
ness. He took an active part in political affairs 
in the county, and was equally active in the 
church, which he attended regularly, and taught 
his children to do the same. He lived to be 
eighty-five years old. One of the cherished mem- 
ories of his younger days was that he met Lewis 
and Clark, now famous as discoverers of Ore- 
gon. Mr. Blevins was survived by his wife until 
her ninety-first year. In his young days in Ten- 
nessee Mr. Blevins offered his services to General 
Jackson in the war of 1812, but owing to his 
size and age they were not accepted. Besides 



Andrew J., who is the second of the five children, 
there was Pendleton, now of Crook county ; Al- 
fred, living in this vicinity ; John, a resident of 
Whatcom, Wash. ; and Isaac C, deceased. 

As a young man Andrew J. Blevins, who was 
born in Clay county, Ky., December 17, 1835, fol- 
lowed mining in California, British Columbia and 
Idaho, for several years. His educational oppor- 
tunities were comparatively limited, owing to the 
unsettled condition of the country. In 1859 ne 
was united in marriage with Alvilda Miller, a 
native of Iowa, with whom he went to house- 
keeping in Linn county, and in 1863 settled on 
his present farm, a part of his father's donation 
claim, and has since uninterruptedly devoted him- 
self to its cultivation. His wife, who lived to be 
only twenty-eight years old, left him three chil- 
dren, of whom Edward A. lives near his father ; 
Mary is the wife of Asa Lewelling, of this 
county ; and George S. is on the old homestead. 
Like his father, Mr. Blevins has taken an active 
interest in politics ever since arriving at years 
of discretion, and he has been a member of the 
Grange for many years. Like his sire, also, he 
has made many friends as he pursued the even 
tenor of a useful life, and no name in the com- 
munity carries with it more of respect and good 
will on the part of his fellow agriculturists. 



HON. ALFRED BLEVINS. As a farmer 
and cattle-raiser, Indian fighter, miner and state 
legislator, Hon. Alfred Blevins has filled an im- 
portant niche in the development of Oregon, and 
especially of Linn county. He is a member of a 
prominent pioneer family of this state, and his 
birth occurred in Rockcastle, Trigg county, Ky., 
October 24, 1837, a son of Isaac Blevins, of 
whom extended mention is made in the sketch of 
his son, Andrew J. Blevins. 

Educated in the district schools of his home 
township, Mr. Blevins early came to realize the 
limitations by which he was surrounded, and 
when twenty-one years of age left his home and 
came to California in search of a fortune in the 
mines. After a short time spent in mining and 
prospecting he came to the conclusion that he 
was not one of the elect, so turned his attention to 
mining and cattle-raising in Jackson county, Ore. 
His operations were necessarily retarded by the 
precarious condition of the country at that time, 
for the Indians were constantly harassing the 
white men and resenting the encroachment upon 
the land hitherto their sole possession. To sup- 
press the rising rebellion, Mr. Blevins enlisted 
in Company C, Second Oregon Mounted Volun- 
teers, and served for one hundred and three days, 
mostly on guard duty. He also served as guard 
for freighters between the Willamette valley and 
southern Oregon, but it must not be understood 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1059 



that he escaped active duty, for in the capacity of 
private he came to a full realization of the barbar- 
ous warfare of the supplanted red men. 

Returning to his home ranch, Mr. Blevins took 
advantage of the Salmon river excitement in 
Idaho, and was so successful that he remained 
'here about six years. In 1869 he returned to 
'us old home place, and the following year, in 
1870, was united in marriage with Lucina Maxie, 
who was born in Missouri, June 8, 1852, and with 
whom he went to housekeeping on a farm he 
purchased that fall and which is still their home, 
< 'lie and a half miles west of Tangent, the same 
being a part of the old James Cochran donation 
claim. The farm consists of two hundred and 
seventeen and a half acres, one hundred and sev- 
enty-five of which are under cultivation. The 
majority of the improvements are due to the en- 
terprise and progress of the present owner, who 
has a comfortable dwelling, good barns, out- 
houses and fences, and who is extensively engag- 
ing in general farming and the raising of fine 
stock, principally Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Blevins 
possesses pronounced business ability, and for 
fourteen years managed the Albany Farmers 
Company Elevator at Tangent. Other business 
projects have benefited by his far-sighted judg- 
ment, and, taken all in all, his active life has 
been diverse, interesting, and above all useful, 
and productive of general excellence. A Socialist 
in political affiliation, he has held many minor 
local offices, and has twice represented his dis- 
trict in the state legislature. He is a member of 
the Grange at Tangent, and is identified with 
Corinthian Lodge No. 17, A. F. &. A. M. Nine 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Blevins, 
of whom Lillie died in infancy ; Laura also died 
at the age of seventeen years ; Wade H. lives in 
Douglas county, Ore. ; Clara, Alfred, Georgia, 
Edna. Hattie and Glenn are at home. Mr. Blev- 
ins is one of the representative men of this coun- 
ty, and to an unusual extent enjoys the confidence 
and good will of his fellow agriculturists. 



ALANSON BRIDGEFARMER. A worthy 
representative of an honored pioneer family of 
Oregon, and one of the most highly esteemed 
residents of Linn county, Alanson Bridgefarmer, 
of Tangent, for the past thirty years has been 
prominently identified with the development and 
progress of this section of the state, and, as op- 
portunity has occurred, he has given his influ- 
ence to encourage the establishment of enterprises 
conducive to the public welfare. A son of the 
late David Bridgefarmer, he was born January 
13, 1832, in Warren county, 111., of German 
ancestry. 

A native of North Carolina, David Bridge- 
farmer was born in 1796, and was reared to 



man's estate on his father's farm. Shortly after 
his marriage he removed to Kentucky, going 
from there to Indiana, thence following the emi- 
grant's pathway to Illinois, where he resided a 
year. Again continuing his march towards 
the west, he moved with his family to Ben- 
ton county, Mo., where he lived and labored 
a number of years. In 1847 ne an d one of 
his neighbors, with their families, came to 
Oregon, crossing the plains with ox-teams, 
and being six months on the trip. They had 
no serious trouble on the way, but lost some 
of their stock, which was stolen by the Indians. 
After spending the first winter about nine miles 
south of Vancouver, David Bridgefarmer located 
in Yamhill county, in the spring of 1848, taking 
up a donation claim on the west side of Wapato 
lake, his land adjoining the present site of Gas- 
ton. Improving a productive ranch, he resided 
there until his death, at the age of sixty-eight 
years. A man of intelligence and ability, he 
became one of the leading citizens of his locality, 
and was active in the establishment of schools 
and churches, being one of the organizers of the 
first Methodist Episcopal Church formed in that 
vicinity. He married, in North Carolina, Nancy 
A. Hall, a native of that state. She came with 
him to Oregon, and died on the homestead, in 
Yamhill county. Of their twelve children, six 
are now living, namely : Christian, residing at The 
Dalles; Alanson, the subject of this sketch; Will- 
iam, of Bridgeport, Wash. ; Francis M., of Wash- 
ington ; David McD., of Washington ; and Adam 
S., now a resident of Seattle. 

After leaving the district school, Alanson 
Bridgefarmer assisted in the care of the home 
farm until twenty-two years of age, becoming 
thoroughly acquainted with the various branches 
of agriculture. Selecting farming for his occu- 
pation, he came then to Linn county, and took 
up a donation claim at the forks of the Santiam 
river. A few years later he bought his present 
farm a mile southeast of Tangent, where he has 
for over forty years been prosperously engaged 
in general farming and stock-raising. During 
his residence here he has diligently improved his 
property, continually adding to its value, his 
beautiful homestead, with its substantial and con- 
venient buildings, giving ample evidence of his 
skill as a practical farmer. He was formerly 
extensively engaged in the raising of fine horses, 
but of late years has paid less attention to that 
branch of industry. During the Rogue River In- 
dian war he enlisted, in 1855, under Capt. Jon- 
athan Keeney, who commanded Company C, and 
after serving on guard duty for one hundred and 
one days, was mustered out of service. 

October 6., 1872, Mr. Bridgefarmer married 
Susan A. Bond, a native of Iowa, and brought 
her as a bride to his present homestead of one 



1060 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hundred and fifty-five and one-half acres of land, 
and here they established their household. Mrs. 
Bridgefarmer died December 2, 1886, leaving five 
children, namely: Huldah I., wife of George 
Kuthe, of Jefferson; David S., living in Wash- 
ington; Anna M.; Ella F. ; and William A. In 
politics Mr. Bridgefarmer is a strong Prohibition- 
ist. He belongs to Tangent Grange, of which 
he is a trustee, and is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. . 

Adam S. Bridgefarmer, youngest brother of 
Alanson, was born August 24, 1838, in Benton 
county, Mo. Coming to Oregon with his parents 
when seven years of age, he received his educa- 
tion in the district schools. On August 15, 1856, 
he enlisted in Company B, Oregon Mountain 
Rangers, under Capt. Hiram Wilbur and First 
Lieut. W. H. H. Myers, and served in the Ya- 
kima Indian war one hundred and ten days, tak- 
ing an active part in several fierce skirmishes. 
He then remained at home until twenty-two years 
of age, working on the home farm, and also 
learned the carpenter's trade, which he has since 
followed, and is now a member of the Carpenter's 
Union. At the present time he makes his home 
in Seattle. He is a Prohibitionist in politics, and 
a member of the Salvation Army. While serving 
in the Yakima war he was at one time, with his 
comrades, surrounded by Indians, and for five 
days and nights was without food or water. .He 
married Mary E. Holmes, a native of Missouri, 
and of their union four children were born, 
namely: Cora A., deceased; Sarah M. E., resid- 
ing in Washington ; Minnie E. M., living in Iowa ; 
and Martha E., of Halsey, Ore. 



SCOTT TAYLOR HOBART. A fine repre- 
sentative of the many enterprising and energetic 
men who are extensively engaged in farming and 
stock-raising in Marion county is S. T. Hobart, 
of Silverton, who has attained success in his in- 
dependent calling by wise foresight, excellent 
management, and sheer persistency in one line of 
effort. Coming of sturdy New England ances- 
try, he has inherited in a marked degree those 
sterling qualities of heart and mind that go to- 
ward the making of a good citizen, and through 
his influence many projects of benefit to the gen- 
eral public have been successfully inaugurated 
and established. 

A native of Illinois, S. T. Hobart was born 
December 26, 1845, U1 Hancock county, a son of 
Anson and Jane (Lincoln) Hobart. His father 
was born and reared in Vermont, living among 
the green hills of that state until his removal, 
with his parents, to the state of New York, thence 
to the more fertile lands of Illinois. When young 
he learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he 
followed in Illinois until 1850, when he sought 



the gold fields of California, crossing the plains 
to that far-off country with a team of horses. 
After working at his trade, instead of mining, on 
the Pacific coast for two years, he returned, via 
the water way, to- Illinois, and, with his family, 
crossed the plains again, in 1853, going this time 
by ox-team. Going farther north than before, 
he located in Oregon, taking up a donation claim 
of three hundred and twenty acres, about four 
miles southeast of Silverton. In 1857 he located 
on the farm now occupied by his son, Scott T., 
about a mile east of Silverton, where he cleared 
a homestead, on which he was prosperously en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising until his 
death, in February, 1890, at the ripe old age of 
eighty-one years. He was married three times, 
his first wife, Carolina Towne, who died in Han- 
cock county, 111., leaving one child, a daughter, 
Edna R., who is the widow of R. E. Libby, of 
Silverton. She now resides at Tualatin. Ore. 
While living in Illinois he married Jane Lincoln, 
a native of New York state. She started with 
him for their new home in Oregon, but was un- 
able to accomplish the journey, and died on the 
way, near La Grande, Ore. The four children 
born of their union were : George Washington, 
deceased ; Charles Wilbur, who resides near Sil- 
verton ; Scott T., with whom this brief sketch is 
principally concerned, and Josiah W., residing 
near Silverton. The father subsequently, mar- 
ried, for his third wife, Loraine M. Horrell-, who 
died in 1869. 

After leaving the district school, Scott T. Ho- 
bart pursued his studies for a year in the high 
school at Portland, Ore., after which he taught 
school with much success for a number of terms. 
Choosing agriculture as his lifework, he settled 
about a mile east of Silverton on the farm he now 
owns and occupies, which is known as the "Ho- 
bart place," and has here made many and sub- 
stantial improvements, including a neat and con- 
veniently arranged dwelling-house, and good 
barn and outbuildings. Of the two hundred and 
thirty acres of land contained in his farm, one 
hundred and .five acres are in a good state of cul- 
tivation, and he carries on stock-raising on an 
extensive scale, besides general farming, meeting 
with signal success in both branches of agricul- 
ture. He devotes his time principally, however, 
to stock-raising. 

Everywhere respected and esteemed for his 
sterling integrity and manly traits of character, 
Mr. Hobart holds a place of importance in the 
community in which he resides, and is often 
called to positions of responsibility, serving as 
administrator of estates, or as guardian of 
minors, in all cases faithfully performing the du- 
ties thus devolving upon him. For six years he 
has been an active member of the school board, 
serving when the new school building was erected 





/ dS&rtdJ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1063 



in Silverton, and was also one of the trustees of 
the Methodist Church when the new edifice was 
built. Fraternally, he is a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Foresters, and politically 
affiliates with the Republican party, for the past 
ten years representing his district at the Repub- 
lican county conventions. 

Mr. Hobart was married in Silverton, Octo- 
ber 2$, 1870, to Emeline Fletcher, who was born 
in Illinois, but came to Oregon with her parents, 
Benjamin F. and Eliza (Turner) Fletcher, when 
a child, crossing the plains in 1863. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hobart have four children, namely: Arthur 
F. ; Meda, wife of Helmuth A. Brandt, of Silver- 
ton ; Daisy A., and Edgar L. 



SAMUEL LINCOLN BOND. As a mer- 
chant of Irving, Lane county, Samuel Lincoln 
Bond occupies a prominent and influential posi- 
tion in this section of the community. He is a 
native of this state, having been born on his 
father's donation claim one mile west of Irving, 
February 27, 1861, his father, Allen Bond, be- 
ing a pioneer of 1853. He was born in Shenan- 
doah county Ya., December 5, 1833, and was 
taken to Indiana at the age of three years. 
There he married Rachel Robinson, and shortly 
after their marriage the young people crossed 
the plains with ox-teams. During the passage 
Mr. Bond met with the misfortune of losing his 
team, and was thus compelled to complete the 
trip with the assistance of his brother. He at 
once took up a donation claim of three hundred 
and twenty acres upon his arrival in Lane coun- 
ty. Ore., and here he erected the first log cabin 
in the neighborhood, and remained an active 
citizen of this locality until 1898, when he re- 
moved to Irving and died here, October 22, 
1902, his wife having passed away in 1901. He 
was a Republican in politics and always took an 
active part in the promotion of the principles 
which he so heartily endorsed. As a member of 
the state legislature he ably represented his party 
in 1876, and as a patriot he was a member of 
the home guard during the Indian troubles of 
the early days. His wife was a member of the 
Christian Church. Eleven children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Bond, of whom four sons and 
five daughters are now living. 

S. Lincoln Bond was reared upon his father's 
farm and educated in Clear Lake, Lane county, 
and in Portland Business College, in the latter 
receiving a thorough course in business train- 
ing. On returning to the farm he engaged in 
agricultural pursuits and carried to the work 
the advantages of his business training, remain- 
ing so employed until the fall of 1882, when he 
came to Irving and entered upon a mercantile 
life in partnership with his father. This part- 



nership was continued until the death of the lat- 
ter, and since then Mr. Bond has continued the 
work alone, having a complete line of merchan- 
dise such as usually found in a general store. 
He has also a lumber-yard, and deals as well in 
grain, hogs, etc. At the death of his father he 
was appointed one of the administrators of the 
estate and sole administrator of the firms of A. 
Bond & Son. 

December 24, 1884, Mr. Bond was united in 
marriage with Miss Belle Bushnell, the daughter 
of G. E. Bushnell, and they have the following- 
children : Livia, now attending the academy at 
Philomath, a young lady of excellent attainments, 
having just completed a four-years course in 
music ; Franklin L., and Samuel C. Like his 
father, Mr. Bond has always been public-spir- 
ited, and takes an active interest in the affairs 
of the community, and as such he holds a position 
on the board of trustees of Philomath College, 
and in the United Brethren Church, of which he 
is a member, he is also trustee, having previous- 
lv served for three years as steward. 



EMIL KOPPE. The woolen mills at 
Brownsville, of which Emil Koppe was manager 
and superintendent, as well as equal partner 
during a part of 1902 and 1903, do a large busi- 
ness in weaving blankets, flannels of all kinds, 
cloths and robes, and employs in its various de- 
partments fifty people. The mills are run by 
water-power, although many improvements are 
being inaugurated, and modern machinery will 
soon replace that which is worn, but which, nev- 
ertheless, has so far proved satisfactory. The 
trade of the mills extends all along the coast, and 
the commodities sent out have the reputation of 
being of excellent quality. Many years of prac- 
tical experience have fitted Mr. Koppe for any 
position in connection with the woolen industry, 
and he is probably as competent a judge of wool 
as any man engaged in the business in the west. 

As his name implies, Mr. Koppe is of German 
descent, and was born in Saxony, southern Ger- 
many, February 16, i860. His father, Karl, was 
born in the same part of the empire, and came to 
the United States in 1882, settling on a farm 
near Ashley, N. D. In 1892 he sold his land 
and came to Oregon, remaining, at the home of 
his son, Emil, until his death, in 1894, at the age 
of sixty-nine years. The wife, who was born in 
Altenburg, Germany, and was formerly Johanna 
Winter, died in her native land after rearing a 
family of seven children, five sons and two 
daughters. Emil, the fourth in the family, came 
to the United States in 1879, when nineteen years 
of age, and was employed in the weaving estab- 
lishment of Weil & Son, of Philadelphia, Pa., 
four years. In 1884 he located in Brownsville, 



1064: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ore., and engaged in weaving in the Brownsville 
Mills. In 1890, taking up his residence in Salem, 
he became foreman of a weaving department in 
the Thomas Kay Woolen Mills. Again coming 
to Brownsville, in 1902, he identified himself 
with the same concern as before, this time as 
superintendent and business manager. 

While living in Philadelphia Mr. Koppe was 
united in marriage with Augusta Harzer, a native 
of Saxony, Germany, and she is the mother of 
eight children : Clara F., Paul, Lewis, Hattie, 
Otto, Nellie, Carl and Tilly. Mr. Koppe is a 
Republican in political affiliation, and is frater- 
nally connected with the Modern Woodmen of 
America. With his wife and children he is a 
member of the Lutheran Church. He has the 
substantial traits, rugged integrity, and adapta- 
bility of his countrymen, and his business ability 
is materially promoting the wellbeing of Browns- 
ville. In September, 1903, Mr. Koppe sold his 
interests in the woolen mills and retired from its 
management. 



SAMPSON D. ADKINS. In a beautiful 
location, adjacent to the town of Scotts Mills, 
Marion county, stands a handsome modern resi- 
dence, the home of S. D. Adkins, the efficient 
postmaster of that town, who is now serving his 
second term in that capacity, having formerly 
been a successful merchant there. 

A native of Morgan county, Ky., his birth 
dates back to April 18, 1846. He had the mis- 
fortune to lose both parents early in life, being 
only six years old when his father, a miller by 
trade, passed to his final rest. A few years after- 
ward his mother removed with the balance of 
the. family to Grant county, Wis., and she died a 
few days after reaching their destination. After 
her death, young Adkins made his home with an 
uncle until the breaking out of the Civil war. 
Responding to his country's call for men, he 
enlisted February 9, 1862, as a private in Com- 
pany B, Fifth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer 
Infantry, and was mustered into service at Lan- 
caster, Wis., while yet in his sixteenth year. He 
served three years and four months, and was off 
duty only three weeks, during which time he 
was ill in New York City. He was sent first to 
Alexandria, Va., and saw a great deal of active 
service. He participated in all the principal bat- 
tles of the army of the Potomac, besides a great 
many minor engagements, in all about fifty. The 
most prominent battles in which he took part 
were second Bull Run, first and second Fred- 
ericksburg, Antietam, The Wilderness, Gettys- 
burg and Petersburg. He was honorably dis- 
charged from service and was mustered out at 
Madison, Wis., July 19, 1865. 

Returning from the war, Mr. Adkins took up 



his abode with a sister in Iowa county, Wis., and 
about two years later went to Lyons county, 
Iowa, where he followed agricultural pursuits 
uninterruptedly until 1895, removing at that time 
to Scotts Mills, Ore., which has been his home 
ever since. Here he first engaged in mercantile 
business, but after a brief but prosperous career, 
his establishment was burned and the business 
was discontinued. In August, 1897, Mr. Adkins 
received his commission and became postmaster 
of Scotts Mills, and in 1901 was re-appointed to 
the same position, which he ably fills at the 
present writing. 

In 1869, while a resident of Wisconsin, Mr. 
Adkins was united in marriage with Eliza J. 
Clark, a native of New York, born August 9, 
1850. Fourteen children have been born to this 
union, as follows : S. Leonora, wife of W. F. 
Leeds, of Portland ; Carrie L., wife of G. S. Hull, 
of Scotts Mills ; Braman C, of Pipestone, Minn. ; 
Gertrude M., wife of John Haugh, of Portland; 
Nellie, wife of William Cable, also of Portland; 
Guy D., of the same city; Olive, who is still at 
home ; Arthur E., Samuel Eugene and Harry, 
who reside in Scotts Mills; and Margie, Bessie 
D. and Stella G, who also brighten the home 
with their presence. One son, Edwin S., died in 
Iowa, aged two years. 

Mr. Adkins' home place contains twenty-two 
acres of land, adjoining the town, and he devotes 
a part of his time to fruit-raising. He has a fine 
orchard of about twenty acres, and raises many 
choice varieties of fruits, mostly prunes. His 
political views coincide with Republican doc- 
trines, and he takes a fitting interest in affairs in 
his locality. Fraternally, he is a member of 
Butte Lodge, No 126. Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, and also of Silver Encampment. He 
has been delegate to county and state conven- 
tions, but never an aspirant for office. 



HENRY B. SPRENGER One of the most 
enthusiastic admirers of Clydesdale and driving 
horses and fine stock, generally, in Linn county 
is Henry B. Sprenger, a worthy representative 
of a fine old pioneer family of this state, and son 
of Nicholas Sprenger, mentioned at length in 
another part of this work. Born in Morgan 
county, Ohio, January 12, 1850, he was two years 
old when his father started with his wife and 
children for Oregon, and he was reared on the 
home farm, and educated in the public schools. 

May 28, 1873, Mr. Sprenger married Izzie M. 
Powers, daughter of William Powers, one of 
the pioneers of this vicinity. The young people 
went to housekeeping on a part of the old dona- 
tion claim, where Mr. Sprenger has since en- 
gaged in stock-raising. He owns two hundred 
and ninety-two acres of land, two hundred and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1065 



thirty-five of which are under cultivation. His 
enterprise and progressive spirit are apparent to 
all who are privileged to visit him in his pleasant 
home. He is engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. He owns property in Shedds, 
which is proof of his faith in the continued well- 
being of this favored part of the state. 

In politics a Republican. Mr. Sprenger has 
come to the front as a representative man of 
more than ordinary usefulness, and his public 
spirit and absolute integrity have been apparent 
to those watching his administration of the of- 
fices intrusted to his care. At the present time 
he is serving as county commissioner, having 
been elected on the fusion ticket. He is promi- 
nent fraternally, and in Shedds Lodge No. 79, 
A. F. & A. M., has passed all of the chairs, as 
well as all of the chairs in the Grange, except 
that of treasurer. Five children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Sprenger, of whom Alida is the 
wife of Charles E. Powers, of Tangent ; Lenna 
V. is deceased ; Sarah L. is the wife of Charles 
A. Pugh. of Shedds, and Frederick J. and Harry 
G. are living at home. Mr. Sprenger is one of 
the substantial and reliable men of his township, 
his life and success reflecting great credit upon 
a community which cherishes high standards of 
excellence. 



GEORGE W. COCHRAN. No farm in the 
vicinity of Albany has finer improvements, or is 
conducted on a more practical or scientific basis 
than that of George W. Cochran. Near by the 
comfortable and commodious house occupied by 
the present owner is a log house around which 
are clustered many memories of the old days, 
and which was built by James Cochran, the father 
of George, who established the family in the 
northwest in 1851. 

Tames Cochran was born in the state of Iowa, 
and as a boy removed with his parents to .Mis- 
souri, where he received his start in life, and 
lived for many years. His first wife, formerly 
a Miss Morris, lived but a few years after her 
marriage, leaving to the care of her husband 
two children, of whom James is in Idaho, and 
Paula Anna is deceased. The second wife, Ruth 
A. ( Boggs) Cochran, was born in Virginia, and 
bore her husband six children. Of these, An- 
drew is at Arlington. Ore. ; Eleanor, wife of J. 
H. Settlemier, of Woodburn, is deceased ; Vir- 
ginia died in childhood, while crossing the plains ; 
George W. is living on a part of the old home- 
stead : Emma K. is the wife of Lewis Simpson, 
of Idaho, and Pearne Alexander is a resident of 
Woodburn. 

About 185 1 James Cochran became dissatisfied 
with his prospects in Missouri, and, disposing of 
his farm, purchased the necessary outfit for 



bringing his wife and children across the plains. 
They were but a comparatively short distance 
from home, when George W. was born in De 
Kalb county, Mo., May 17, 1851, and his infancy 
was therefore passed in constant journeying. As 
the coming of a little child gladdened the hearts 
of the home-seeking parents, the death of another 
child during the journey, filled them with sadness 
and a sense of loss. The Indians, fortunatelv, 
caused them little trouble, but the}" were, never- 
theless, a weary and travel-worn company, glad 
to rest even among the crude and uninviting con- 
ditions among which they found themselves in 
Oregon. The father took up a donation claim of 
a section six miles south of Albany, nearly all of 
which was prairie land. The western boundary 
of this claim was marked by the Calapooia creek, 
which cut off a small section in the northwest 
corner of the claim. Mr. Cochran at first erected 
the log house before referred to, and which is 
being jealously preserved by his devoted chil- 
dren. As he prospered on his land, and got a 
fair start in the new country, he built a larger 
and more modern house, in which he spent the 
balance of his life, his death occurring July 26, 
1863, at the age of forty-two years. He is sur- 
vived by his widow, who has since made her 
home principally in Woodburn. 

George W. Cochran was twenty-five years of 
age when, on October 1, 1874, he married Eu- 
genia K. Couch, a native of Scotland county, 
Mo., who crossed the plains with her parents at 
an early day. She is a daughter of P. Henry 
and Rebecca Ann (Morris) Couch, who came to 
Oregon from Scotland county. Mo., in 1865, lo- 
cating in Harrisburg. They have resided in 
Linn county since that time with the exception 
of one year spent in Lane county. The young 
people went to housekeeping on a part of the old 
claim, and together have created as happy and 
comfortable a home as one would wish to see. 
They have two children, Ernest C. and James C, 
the latter at home, and both assist the father in 
caring for his splendidly improved and produc- 
tive farm. Ernest C, the oldest son, was united 
in marriage in June, 1901, with Vivian Starr, 
daughter of Stephen C. Starr, of Tangent. They 
at once went to housekeeping in the first frame 
house erected by his grandfather, the founder of 
the family in Oregon. Mr. Cochran has all of 
the facilities for carrying on the most modern of 
general farming, and his dairy is equipped with 
all that is needful to conduct an ideal enterprise. 
He has a large number of Jersey cattle, besides 
other stock, some of it high-grade, including 
some fine blooded horses. He is a Democrat in 
politics, and is a broad-minded, liberal and popu- 
lar man, contributing generously of his time and 
monev for anv cause destined for the wellbeinsr 
of the communitv. 



1066 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



JOHN ALBERT LAMBERSON, M. D. 
Those who blazed the western trail are pioneers 
well worthy of the country which they have made 
their own, and which gives them honor for the 
dangers and hardships borne in those early 
times. Numbered among these pioneers is Dr. 
John A. Lamberson, whose message has been 
one of welcome ministry, his life having been 
given over to the profession which means amel- 
ioration of the ills of suffering humanity. He is 
both the son and grandson of pioneers, the 
grandfather, Timothy Lamberson, a native of 
Bolivar, Ohio, having crossed the plains in 1845, 
and located in Oregon. The trip was made with 
ox-teams, and upon the arrival at their destination 
Mr. Lamberson took up a donation claim of six 
hundred and forty acres located on Scappoose 
plains, Columbia county, which was the home of 
the family for some years. In 1846 he went to 
California, where he remained for eighteen 
months in the pursuit of agriculture and stock- 
raising, at the expiration of this period return- 
ing to Oregon. Hardly had he returned when 
the gold excitement in the former state again 
attracted him, and in 1849 ne made the trip to 
California and engaged in mining upon a tribu- 
tary of the Sacramento river, where he met with 
a gratifying success. In 1850 he returned to his 
claim in Columbia county, and there built the 
first sawmill in the locality, a tiny cabin on 
Scappoose creek, from which he shipped lumber 
to many parts of the country. In 1859 ne ven " 
tured to Sonora, Mexico, where he engaged in 
farming and stock-raising, and in i860 he located 
permanently in Arizona, where he established 
the town of Walnut Grove. He built the first 
grist-mill in the place, most of it being the work 
of his own hands, his burrs being made from 
granite, his trade having been that of a stone- 
cutter, and the belts being made from rawhide. 
Connected with his milling interests he also en- 
gaged in mining and farming, the combination 
of lucrative work affording him quite a fortune. 
His death occurred in Walnut Grove, Ariz., in 
189 1, at the age of seventy-six years. Mr. Lam- 
berson was a Whig, and later a strong Abolition- 
ist. During the later years of his life he was a 
Republican. Possessed of a lively, energetic tem- 
perament, his real worth won for him many 
friends. He bore the privations and hardships 
of a pioneer life with an optimism characteristic 
of the pioneer settler of Oregon, California and 
Arizona. Timothy Lamberson's son, Daniel, was 
tortured to death by the Apache Indians near 
Tucson, Ariz., about 1865. His body was riddled 
by arrows and hanged among the chaparral. 
The eldest son, Samuel, the father of Dr. Lam- 
berson, was also a native of Bolivar, Ohio. 
He crossed the plains with his parents in 
1845, at the age of fourteen years, being 



old enough, however, to appreciate the trials 
and dangers which such a journey meant. He 
became a stockman and farmer in Oregon, 
remaining for some years upon the pa- 
ternal homestead. In 1876 he disposed of this 
property and removed to Gilliam county, Ore., 
where he continued in the stock business, making 
his home there the remainder of his life. While 
preparing to join the family reunion at Condon, 
Gilliam county, December 24, 1901, he died of 
heart disease on the prairie near Condon, at the 
age of seventy-three years. His loss was not 
felt alone by the family, for his years of peaceful, 
kindly living had endeared him to many. He 
had married Mary Jane Armstrong, a native of 
La Harpe, Hancock county, 111., who started 
across the plains with her parents in 1852. The 
journey was one which can never be effaced 
from her memory on account of the misfortunes 
that accompanied the party. Her mother, Mary 
Jane Armstrong, died of the cholera and was 
buried on the banks of the Platte river, and 
her father, John Armstrong, a native of Indiana, 
passed away the latter part of the year 1852, 
near Baker City, Ore., a victim of mountain 
fever. To Mr. and Mrs. Lamberson were born 
sixteen children, four sons and twelve daughters. 
The oldest of his father's children, John Albert 
Lamberson was born in Columbia county, Ore., 
June 16, 1854, and received his preliminary edu- 
cation in the common schools of his native 
county. In 1872, at the age of eighteen years, 
he entered the academy of Prof. George W. Cur- 
tis, at Vancouver, Wash., and through appli- 
cation and hard work secured an excellent foun- 
dation for higher studies in the three years which 
he spent there. After leaving the academy he 
went to Arizona, where he found employment 
in the Hassayampa mines, where he met with a 
fair return for his labor. In 1876 he settled in 
eastern Oregon, engaging in the stock business 
at Fossil, remaining there for six years, three of 
which were spent in the study of medicine under 
the tutelage of Dr. W. W. Oglesby, now of 
Cottage Grove. At the expiration of this period 
in 1882, he removed to Lebanon, Linn county, 
and began practicing with Dr. D. W. Ballard, 
an old resident physician, who had been ap- 
pointed in an early day by President Grant as 
governor of Idaho territory. Their professional 
interests continued together until the death of 
Dr. Ballard. In 1890 Dr. Lamberson became 
interested in the sale of cascara sagrada bark, 
and from a small beginning he is now under 
contract to collect all of that product to be found 
in the states of Oregon and Washington, as it 
is grown only in the Pacific northwest. When 
he first began the business there were only about 
twenty tons consumed annually, but the annual 
consumption is now two hundred tons. In addi- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1067 



lion to this business he is also interested in ship- 
piny balsam rir, principally to New York markets, 
having begun this in connection with Capt. 
George Pope, of Portland, Ore., who has since 
left the business entirely to the doctor. Leading 
up to this business was his help in promoting the 
establishment of the Essential Oil Company for 
the manufacture of cedar, hemlock and pepper- 
mint oils. 

Though interested along various lines. Dr. 
Lamberson has never forgotten that his practice 
means more to him than any other work, and he 
has neglected no opportunity to become profi- 
cient therein. In 1891 he passed an exhaustive 
examination before the State Board of Medical 
Examiners, his clear, practical knowledge and 
judgment winning words of commendation from 
the board, accompanied by the much-valued med- 
ical certificate. He then continued his practice, 
and in 1900. with Dr. J. Linsey Hill, of Albany, 
Ore., as companion, he took a special course in 
surgery in the New York School of Clinical 
Medicine. Upon his return from New York 
City he worked for a month each spring under 
the instruction of Dr. A. E. Rockey, of St. Vin- 
cent's Hospital, Portland, Ore., and a warm 
friendship exists between the two men. Through 
intense application to his work, which has char- 
acterized every effort of Dr. Lamberson, he suf- 
fered a paralytic stroke, January 25, 1902, which 
has partly incapacitated him, leaving him able to 
attend to the office practice only. 

The marriage of Dr. Lamberson occurred in 
Lebanon, in 1882, and united him with 
Mahala Mossholder, a native of Ohio, and the 
daughter of Joseph Mossholder, who emigrated 
to Oregon in 1863 and, locating in Lebanon, 
built the first hotel in that town. The one child 
born to them is Norman Vivian, who was born 
May 22, 1885, and is now attending Santiam 
Academy. Inheriting more than ordinary talent, 
this representative of the pioneer family of Lam- 
berson displays it in the writing of excellent 
poetry, having begun its composition at the age 
of thirteen years. Another member of the house- 
hold of Dr. Lamberson is an adopted daughter, 
Hazel May, who is also unusually talented, being 
a contralto singer of no little ability. As a Re- 
publican in politics Dr. Lamberson is very much 
interested in the movements of his party, local or 
national, and lends his best efforts toward ad- 
vancing what he considers the broadest prin- 
ciples of government. His busy life admitting 
of no room for political honors, he has neverthe- 
less given his time in various ways, serving for 
several terms as committeeman. In 1896 he 
edited a Republican paper called the Lebanon 
Truth, which met with success under his able 
management, though he discontinued the publi- 
cation at the close of the political campaign of 



that year. Fraternally he belongs to a number of 
different orders, being tent physician of the 
Knights of the Maccabees, in which he has served 
as commander for eight terms. He was ap- 
pointed state physician in 1899 for one term, 
consisting of one year. In the Woodmen of the 
World he is a member of Lamberson Camp, 
No. 507, which was named in honor of himself, 
and in which he serves as presiding officer; he 
is also associated with the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen and the Order of Pendo, for 
which he is general examiner. He is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Lebanon. 



WILLIAM O. HUDSON. To the student of 
nature the nurseryman's occupation opens up fas- 
cinating vistas of investigation, and he has the 
added satisfaction of seeing his products sent 
forth to beautify and gladden the world about 
him. No humdrum life is his, but one fraught 
with never-ending interest, that interest felt while 
watching growth from seed to perfection, and 
in working always near to the heart of nature. 
A particularly appreciative disciple of horticul- 
ture is William O. Hudson, whose many years 
of practical experience with flower and shrub, 
fruit and vine, has entitled him to rank among 
the most cultured of those who plant, train and 
develop. 

All of the active life of Mr. Hudson has been 
devoted to horticulture, his first interest therein 
having been aroused on his father's farm in Alle- 
gan county, Mich., where he was born July 28, 
1846. The four other children in his father's 
family spent their youth as did he, in assisting 
with the wcrk around the home, and in attending 
the public schools. As a young man he took 
up the nursery business, and from the beginning 
strove to learn all that his teachers had to tell 
him. At the age of twenty he started out on his 
own responsibility, went to Missouri, and worked 
in a nursery in that state for about two years. 
With this experience he then returned to Michi- 
gan and started the Allegan County Nursery, a 
venture which proved successful, and to which 
he devoted nineteen years of the best part of 
his life. In Michigan he married, December 13, 
1870, Anna Donaldson, who was born in Ohio, 
and of which union there have been born three 
children : Cora L., the wife of H. H. White, of 
Wasco City ; Albert D., of Tangent ; and Flor- 
ence A., of Eugene. 

In 1891 Mr. Hudson disposed of the Allegan 
County Nursery and, having heard favorable 
reports of the soil possibilities of Oregon, 
brought his wife and children to Tangent. For 
three years he served as foreman of the Settle- 
mier Nurseries, and in 1893 became identified 
with the Pacific Nursery Company, now owned 



1068 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



by himself and son. Father and son have proved 
of great help to each other, are most congen- 
ially associated, and do one of the largest busi- 
nesses in this county. They own one hundred 
and fifty-two acres of land, about sixty of which 
is under nursery cultivation. A visit to this 
nursery reveals many interesting sights, and the 
•visitor is impressed with the many-sided knowl- 
edge of things that grow, as shown by the many 
kinds of plants, the neatness and compactness 
of arrangement, and the modern facilities for 
watering, wintering, and general care. Mr. Hud- 
son is past master of his calling, and his plants 
seem to understand and appreciate his interest, 
and to respond with dutiful alacrity to his expec- 
tations. He is well and favorably known 
throughout the entire county, and his products 
find a ready market in the surrounding states, 
and in towns all along the coast. Mr. Hudson 
has never taken any special interest in politics, 
and generally votes for the man best qualified to 
fill the office. He is fraternally connected with 
the Knights of the Maccabees, and is a member 
and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

Albert D. Hudson, the son and partner of 
William O., was born in Michigan, September 
17, 1874, and came to the west with his father in 
1 89 1. As a lad he became versed in the work 
around the nursery, and has steadily advanced to 
the fore, so that he is today a remarkably well 
informed nurseryman. He married Golden 
Knighten, a native daughter of Oregon, and an 
earnest sympathizer with her husband's busi- 
ness. Mr. Hudson is independent in politics, is 
fraternally a Knight of the Maccabees, and is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
is a young man of great promise, and should his 
father retire from his present responsibility as 
general manager of the nurseries, he will leave 
the business in most capable and business like 
hands. 



ENOCH D. SLOAN. Conspicuous among 
the older residents of Albany is Enoch D. Sloan, 
who has attained distinction as one of the brave 
and courageous pioneer settlers of Linn county, 
and is deserving of honored mention in this bio- 
graphical volume as a veteran of the early Indian 
wars. Coming here when the country was but 
sparsely populated, he took up land that was 
in its pristine wildness, and while clearing his 
claim was also actively identified with the estab- 
lishment of the great lumber industry of the Pa- 
cific coast by the erection of a saw-mill. At the 
present time he is carrying on a substantial bus- 
iness as a wagon and carriagemaker, his shop 
being located on West Second street, Albany. A 
son of the late William Sloan, he was born June 



12, 183 1, in Montgomery county, Ohio, seven 
miles north of the thriving city of Dayton. 

A Pennsylvanian by birth, William Sloan re- 
moved to Montgomery county, Ohio, when 
young, and was there engaged in agricultural 
pursuits several years. Removing with his fam- 
ily to Covington, Ind., he resided there until 
!853, when he came with his family to Oregon, 
making the journey across the dreary plains with 
bull-teams. He located first in the Umpqua val- 
ley, but afterwards took up land in Linn county, 
about eight miles from Albany, and there car- 
ried on general farming until his death. He 
married Mary Dunkereley, who emigrated with 
her parents from England, her native country, 
to Ohio, when a girl of ten years. Of their fam- 
ily nine children, eight sons and one daughter, 
six sons survive, three of them being residents 
of Oregon. 

Being but a small child when his parents left 
Ohio, E. D. Sloan was brought up and educated 
in Indiana, on the home farm. Learning the car- 
penter's trade when eighteen years of age, he 
subsequently worked at that occupation until 
1853, when he came with his parents to Oregon, 
driving five yokes of bulls all the way across the 
plains. Settling in Linn county soon after his ar- 
rival, he began work as a carpenter, and took up 
a donation claim about three miles from the 
village of Albany. He cleared the land, bringing 
a large part of it under cultivation, and erected a 
saw-mill on the Callapooia river. Thus well start- 
ed in business, he carried on general agriculture 
and lumbering quite successfully for awhile. En- 
listing in 1855 in Company D, First Regiment 
of Oregon Volunteers, he took an active part in 
the various engagements with the Indians of the 
northwest, remaining in Walla Walla county, 
Wash., until June, 1856, when he was honorably 
discharged from service. 

Returning then to Linn county, Ore., Mr. 
Sloan resumed work at the carpenter's trade, and 
did considerable building, hewing the timber from 
the forests, and putting up houses, confining his 
operations as a contractor and builder to Albany 
and vicinity. Becoming well known as a skillful 
mechanic, he was for five years employed by the 
government, being for two years carpenter at the 
Warm Springs Indian reservation, and for three 
years at the Klamath Indian reservation. Com- 
ing back to Albany, Mr. Sloan followed his for- 
mer trade until 1897, when he removed to Pen- 
dleton, where he was engaged in business with 
his brother for five years. Since the fall of 1902 
he has resided in Albany, where he is prosper- 
ously employed as a wagon and carriage manu- 
facturer, as previously mentioned. 

Mr. Sloan married, while living near Albany, 
Emily Haley, who was born in Illinois, and came 
to Oregon with her parents in 1847. Their only 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1060 



child, Burr M. Sloan, is employed as a govern- 
ment carpenter at an Indian reservation in North 
Dakota. Politically Mr. Sloan is an adherent 
oi the Democratic party, and fraternally he is a 
member of the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men, and of the Indian War Veterans' Associa- 
tion. Mrs. Sloan is a valued member of the 
Congregational Church. 



JOHN R. SMITH. A pioneer who has met 
with most gratifying returns for the days of 
bardships and privations which he passed when 
the country was new, for the dangers he faced 
in the unsettled wilderness, for the strength of 
youth which he gave to the upbuilding of the 
commonwealth, is J. R. Smith, the postmaster of 
Lebanon, Linn county, Ore. He came to Ore- 
gon in 1852, and has spent most of the interven- 
ing years within the borders of the state, where 
he has won more than local renown through the 
display of characteristics which have contributed 
to the country's greatness. 

The father of J. R. Smith, Dr. Elijah Smith, 
was also a pioneer, emigrating from his native 
state of Ohio to Iowa in 1837, where he remained 
until he settled permanently on the Pacific slope. 
His father was John J. Smith, a native of Ken- 
tucky, who came to Ohio in an early day and 
located in Madison county, his land being that 
upon which the town of Mount Sterling was 
afterward built, and toward which he helped very 
materially. His occupation was primarily that 
of a millwright, though he combined the inter- 
ests of farming with his trade. He owned both 
a saw and a gristmill. In 1838 he removed to Jef- 
ferson county, Iowa, and there engaged in farm- 
ing, his death occurring there at the age of 
eighty-six years. Elijah Smith removed to Iowa, 
in 1837, and located in Jefferson county, where, 
with his farming, he combined the practice of 
medicine. He had made a special study of can- 
cer, and it was in this line that he really made 
his greatest successes. He soon became well 
known throughout the state through his evident 
knowledge and practical treatment of the dis- 
ease. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, 
and entered the mines at Placerville, and two 
years later he came north and located in Oregon. 
He took a donation claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres in Marion county, near the town 
of Sublimity, and, combining farming with the 
practice of medicine, he soon became as thor- 
oughly known in Oregon as he was in the middle 
west, people coming to him for relief from every 
part of the northwest. Later in life he removed 
to Macleay and passed a few years in retirement, 
where he died in 1885, at the age of eighty-six 
years. Pie had married Annie Riddle, a native of 
Ohio, who died in Salem, Ore., in 1880, when 



seventy-five years old. She was the daughter of 
John Riddle, who was born in Ohio, and spent the 
greater part of his life there, engaged in the 
cultivation of the soil. His death occurred in his 
native state. 

Of the eleven children born to Dr. and Mrs. 
Smith, six sons and five daughters, J. R. Smith 
is the oldest, and was born in Madison county, 
Ohio, September 23, 1830, and remained at home 
with his parents for many years. He received 
his education in the primitive schools, and when 
about twenty years old he crossed the plains with 
his parents and became a resident of Placerville, 
Cal., where he engaged in mining, in which he 
enjoyed a fair degree of success. In the fall of 
the same year he returned to Iowa with his pa- 
rents, arriving in the state which had so long 
been their home, in January, 185 1. The next year 
found them again upon the plains, this time 
bound for the great northwest. This son soon 
became independent, and engaged in work in 
which he hoped to reap substantial returns. 
In the Waldo Hills, Marion county, he engaged 
in buying and selling cattle and following the car- 
penter's trade, and a few years later, through 
energy and industry, he was able to make a pur- 
chase of land, the first being near Sublimity, and 
consisted of three hundred and twenty acres, upon 
which he remained for two years. At the close 
of that period he sold this property and bought 
two hundred acres in the same iocality, upon 
which he engaged in farming and stock-raising, 
until 1865, when he became the owner of land 
in the neighborhood of Lebanon. Thirty years 
passed away while he made this place his home 
and many changes came to the sturdy pioneers 
of this one-time wilderness. In 1895 he removed 
to his present home, a pleasant, well improved 
residence on Bridge avenue, Lebanon, and with 
two acres of rich land to cultivate. On his first 
residence in the city he engaged with his son 
in the drug business. Mr. Smith still owns a 
farm in the vicinity of this place, comprising 
three hundred and fifty acres of land. 

The marriage of Mr. Smith took place in Ma- 
rion county, Ore., Ann E. Peebler, a native of 
Iowa, becoming his wife. The five children which 
blessed their union are : Mary M. is the wife of 
D. V. S. Reed, a professor in the high school 
of Heppner, Ore. ; Flora M. is the wife of George 
N. Bolton, of Moro, Ore. ; I. M. is a physician 
at Tillamook, Ore. ; Addie is the wife of W. S. 
Mayberry, an educator of Milton, Ore. ; and N. 
W. is assistant postmaster under his father. 
Through the influence of the Republican party, 
of which he is a stanch and active partisan, Mr. 
Smith was appointed, in 1899, postmaster at Leb- 
anon. He has also been a delegate to various 
state and county conventions, and a school di- 
rector for many terms. During the Rogue River 



1070 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



war of 1855-6 he was first lieutenant in a minute 
company, stationed at Sublimity, but they were 
never called out to active service. In religion 
Mr. Smith is a member of the Baptist Church of 
Lebanon. 



VALENTINE H. CALDWELL. Living on 
his pleasant and well appointed homestead, four 
miles southwest of Albany, Valentine H. Cald- 
well is numbered among the most extensive land- 
holders, and successful agriculturists of Linn 
county. Beginning life for himself on a low rung 
of the ladder, his worldly capital being $7.50, he 
has since made diligent use of his faculties and 
opportunities, and has proved himself a useful 
and worthy citizen, well meriting the confidence 
and esteem in which he is held throughout the 
community. He is a son of John Caldwell, and 
was born in Kentucky. His father was born of 
Irish ancestors in Kentucky, but from the age of 
six years until his death, at the age of four 
score and six years, he was a resident of Mis- 
souri. He married Mary Stockton, a native of 
Kentucky, and she survived him, living to a very 
advanced age. 

The oldest of a family of five children, Valen- 
tine H. Caldwell received his knowledge of books 
in the subscription schools of his native state, 
and remained beneath the paternal roof-tree 
until attaining his majority. In the spring of 
1852 he started across the plains, driving an ox- 
team for his uncle, who was captain of the train. 
While on the way several members of the party, 
including his uncle, died from cholera. Arriving 
in Oregon, Mr. Caldwell spent a short time near 
Monroe, Benton county, after which he engaged 
in mining near Jacksonville, Jackson county. 
Settling then in Marion county, he took up a do- 
nation claim near Sublimity, and subsequently 
lived there and in that locality until 1868. Com- 
ing then to Linn county, he purchased one hun- 
dred and forty acres of land, which are now in- 
cluded in his present homestead. He has since 
made extensive purchases of land, being now the 
possessor of twelve hundred acres, more than 
one-half of which are in a good state of cultiva- 
tion, being devoted to general farming and stock- 
raising. In the latter industry he has met with 
excellent success, chiefly breeding and rearing 
Red Durham cattle. On this homestead Mr. 
Caldwell has made marked improvements, hav- 
ing erected new buildings of modern character, 
his barns and outbuildings being commodious and 
convenient, and his farm amply supplied with the 
necessary tools, machinery and appliances for 
successfully carrying on agricultural operations. 

With the exception of six years, Mr. Caldwell 
has been engaged in agricultural labor since com- 
ing to Oregon. During the Yakima Indian war 



he enlisted, in 1856, and served one hundred and 
six days under Captain Hardin, being on guard 
duty the greater part of the time. Although tak- 
ing an earnest interest in public affairs, he has 
never been an aspirant for official honors, but has 
warmly supported the principles of the Prohibi- 
tion party. He is identified with the Oregon 
Pioneer Association as a member, and belongs 
to the society organized by the Indian War Vet- 
erans. 

In 1863 Mr. Caldwell married Sarah Grier, a 
native of Ohio, and into their home seventeen 
children have been born, namely : John H, now 
deceased ; Mrs. Mary S. Kantz, of Roseburg, 
Ore. ; George, residing in Portland ; Seth, de- 
ceased ; Jackson, living in Washington ; Mrs. 
Nellie Hughs, of Pendleton, Ore. ; Charles, of 
Walla Walla, Wash. ; Fannie, at home ; Mrs. 
Martha Marsh, of Odessa, Wash. ; Lydia, of 
Roseburg ; William, living near Albany ; Frank 
and Fred, twins, living at home ; Jane, at home ; 
James ; Media, at home ; and Almetia, twin sis- 
ter of Media, deceased. In these days when so 
much is said about the small families of native 
Americans, it is refreshing to come upon a house- 
hold such as Mr. Caldwell's. Mr. Caldwell united 
with the Baptist Church in 1851, and has 
served many years as one of its deacons. Mrs. 
Caldwell is also a member of the same church, 
having joined in 1871. 



WILLIAM B. HENDERSON. The sense of 
security and substantiality one feels when speak- 
ing with William B. Henderson is borne out in 
his character and attainments, and he is known 
today among the chief developers of the sections 
in which he has lived. Mr. Henderson comes of 
a family which came to the fore in the early emer- 
gencies of the country, its members filling many 
positions of trust and responsibility, and his 
grandfather on the paternal side serving with 
distinction in the war of 1812. As far back as is 
known his people were tillers of the soil, an occu- 
pation followed by his parents in Guernsey 
county, Ohio, where he himself was born, Octo- 
ber 9, 1839. He comes of long-lived ancestry on 
both sides of the family, his father living to be 
eighty-six, and his mother eighty-eight years of 
age. 

Mr. Henderson had eleven brothers and sisters, 
all of whom were reared on the Guernsey county 
farm, and were taught to be practical agricul- 
turists, as well as upright and useful citizens. 
William B. was studious as a lad, and made the 
most of his opportunities at the public school in 
his neighborhood, eventually qualifying as a 
teacher, an occupation to which he devoted several 
years of his life. Beginning at the age of nine- 




Kj!,L£f\AU.OL- rfo yJl^jd'ff*' 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1073 



toon, he taught tor five or six years in Ohio. His 
advent into a more strenuous activity began in 
iSo_\ when he joined his brother, A. C, in the 
necos^ary preparations for coming to the coast. 
Via the Isthmus of Panama and San Francisco 
they finally arrived in Portland, and Mr. Hen- 
derson lived for the first three years in Polk 
and Marion counties, where he taught school 
for three years. Following this he taught for 
two years in Linn county. In the year 1867 
lie was united in marriage with N. Jane 
Deckard, a native of Missouri, who crossed 
the plains with her parents in 1853. Her 
parents, Anderson and Lydia Deckard, settled 
on a donation claim ten miles south of Albany, 
where they lived for the balance of their lives. 
After his marriage Mr. Henderson farmed for a 
time, and in 1870 purchased a drove of cattle and 
took them to Crook county, where he engaged in 
stock-raising for a couple of years. In 1872 he 
purchased a place of three hundred and forty-one 
acres two miles southwest of Albany, comprising 
a portion of the old Jarvis Briggs donation claim. 
Two years later he sold part of this farm, and in 
1878 moved to Umatilla county, with the best 
development of which he was connected for about 
twenty years. He was one of the largest wheat 
raisers in the county, his last crop being ten 
thousand bushels. He owned three quarter-sec- 
tions of land, and also extensively raised cattle, 
sheep and horses. He was one of the chief pro- 
moters and organizers of the town of Helix, 
and was instrumental in getting the postoffice 
there, also in laying out precincts and town- 
sites. At the present time he is a large property 
owner of Adams, Umatilla county. Although 
never active in politics, he held the office of 
justice of the peace for several years, and, taken 
all in all, was as prominent and progressive and 
forceful a man as the country had known in its 
history. 

From Umatilla county Mr. Henderson came to 
Albany and bought five acres adjoining the town, 
where he is still living, and upon which he has 
made extensive improvements. He also owns 
two hundred and seventy-three acres near Albany, 
which he himself manages, and he also owns a 
farm of three hundred and forty-four acres in 
Benton county. He is extensively engaged in 
raising Cotswold sheep and fine cattle, and, need- 
less to say, his farms are valuable and very pro- 
ductive. Since 1869 he has been comparatively 
alone, for his wife died that year, leaving to his 
care two children, of whom E. Maud is living 
with her father, while Guy S. until recently lived 
in New York city, where he gained quite a rep- 
utation as an artist and designer. He is now 
connected with the Holmes Business College of 
Portland, having charge of the penmanship and 
art department. 



Since his seventeenth year Mr. Henderson has 
been a member of the Christian Church, and has 
ever since been active in church work, contribut- 
ing generously of his means towards its main- 
tenance and general charities. No one in this 
or Umatilla county bears a more enviable repu- 
tation for absolute fair dealing and personal in- 
tegrity, nor has any been more successful in 
turning to good account the advantages by which 
they were surrounded in a new and strange 
country. 



STEPHEN RIGDON. Wherever men have 
gone in the pursuit of wealth, no matter how 
remote the location, how lonely or unpromising 
the conditions by which they are surrounded, it 
invariably necessitates self-sacrifice combined 
with all the ennobling influences which are em- 
bodied in human make-up. Of such character 
was John Rigdon, father of Stephen Rigdon, the 
latter one of the most prominent and influential 
farmers of Lane county. 

John Rigdon was born in Pennsylvania, Oc- 
tober 15, 1796, and was reared on a farm, re- 
ceiving his preliminary education in the district 
schools. As a young man he left home and 
started for the west, locating in Ohio, where he 
entered the ministry and preached in connection 
with farming. December 8, 1818, he married 
Catherine Logan, who was born in the Buckeye 
state June 12, 1798. They continued to live in 
Ohio until removing to Illinois in 1832. It was 
while living in Iowa, to which he removed in 
1848, that he became interested in the far west, 
and as the numbers westward bound increased 
every year, he was more and more convinced that 
his best and broadest opportunity lay the other 
side of the Rockies. Starting out in March, 
1852, he had rather an uneventful trip across 
the plains, and in Oregon settled in Polk county, 
remaining there about two years. Mr. Rigdon 
then came to Lane county and took up a claim 
five miles southeast of Pleasant Hill, in a place 
known as Rattle Snake valley, where he farmed 
for the remainder of his life, although his 
preaching took him from home for many months 
during the year. He was one of the organizers 
of the first church in this part of the county, and 
he was one of the first ministers in this part of 
the state. Those familiar with his life and work 
unhesitatingly credit him with accomplishing 
more good than did any other similarly engaged 
in the county, although the scope of his activity 
was by no means a local one. It were impos- 
sible to even estimate the number of miles trav- 
eled by this pioneer preacher in his more than 
ordinarily busy life, for he counted no effort too 
great providing some soul was benefited there- 
by. Probably no man of his time could lav 



1074 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



claim to greater familiarity with both well 
known and out of the way places in Oregon and 
Washington, for he visited both states with im- 
partial spirit, going wherever there was demand 
for his services, and performing them regard- 
less of financial remuneration. Few students of 
the bible saw so clearly through the mazes that 
perplex, vex and discourage travelers on the 
highway of life, and his sermons were as clear 
and convincing as his mind and heart were 
bright and true. His eloquence, humanity and 
goodness drew to him many fine and distin- 
guished friends, and no home in the county was 
better known, more eagerly sought, Or more hos- 
pitable. Mr. Rigdon retired from active life a 
few years before his death, which occurred in 
March, 1859, at the age of eighty-two years, his 
wife living to be eighty years of age. His first 
wife dying June 15, 1834, Mr. Rigdon married 
in Illinois a Miss Laughlin, who was born _ in 
Kentucky. They had one child, who died in in- 
fancy. For a third wife he married Mary Bell, 
a native of Ohio, and of this union there were 
born several children, of whom Mrs. Phoebe 
Parker lives in Lane county ; George lives in 
Union county; and Addie lives near the old 
place. 

Stephen Rigdon was reared on the old farm 
in the middle west and preceded his father to 
the coast in 1850. He also came with ox-teams, 
but stopped in California after a journey of four 
months and a half, and remained there until 
1853. He was fairly successful, and joined his 
people in their new home in Lane county the 
richer by a few hundred dollars. After a short 
visit he left for Marion and Clackamas counties, 
looking for a desirable permanent location, and 
in the spring of 1854 located in Lane county. 
The same year he was united in marriage with 
Zilphia Bristow, who was born in McDonough 
county, 111., in 1834, and crossed the plains 
with her parents in 1848. The young people 
went to housekeeping on a part of the father- 
in-law's donation claim, Elijah Bristow being 
one of the foremost pioneers of his time and the 
owner of a large tract of land. He was the first 
white man to take up land within the limits of 
Lane county, and is credited with building the 
first house in the county. The two hundred and 
seventy-five acres now owned by Mr. Rigdon 
have been improved under his direction. His 
barns and out-buildings are of modern and con- 
venient construction. He is engaged in stock- 
raising and small farming, and is one of the suc- 
cessful and prominent men of his vicinity. Bear- 
ing an honored name owing partly to the ex- 
emplary life of his father, his own character 
and attainments are in keeping with what one 
might expect from so noble and kindly a source. 
The elder Rigdon was a Whig of intense convic- 



tions, and his son is a Republican, the majority 
of the local offices in the community having 
fallen to his share during the recent years. Hav- 
ing no children of his own, he has adopted a son, 
Paul L. Bristow, who has lived with the family 
for forty-two years. This adopted son is a 
nephew of Mrs. Rigdon, and is married and has 
four children, Jeannie W., Clarence R., Lillie, 
and Edith. Mr. Bristow is now conducting the 
home farm. He was the son of E. L. Bristow, 
one of the pioneers of the Willamette valley and 
a man of literary attainments. Mrs. Rigdon 
died at the home where she and her husband 
had lived for so many years May 1 1, 1903, leav- 
ing behind her a multitude of friends and a void 
that is impossible to fill. She was one who al- 
ways took the lead in charitable matters in her 
neighborhood. 



ANDREW EDGAR WRIGHTMAN, M.D. 
Among the more recent arrivals in Oregon is 
Andrew Edgar Wrightman, of Silverton, who 
since September 20, 1902, has practiced his pro- 
fession here. He is a young man of strong in- 
tellectuality, marked individuality and keen en- 
terprising spirit and the future promises him suc- 
cess. He was born in Bowmanville, Canada, 
October 8, 1876, a son of John Wrightman, 
whose birth occurred in St. Ignace, Mich. His 
grandfather was a native of England and when 
a young man came to the United States, locating 
first in St. Ignace, Mich., where he engaged in 
'the lumber business. At the time of his. death 
his son John took the business and conducted it 
for some time. He subsequently removed to 
Canada, where he had mills on the river Trent. 
He was recognized as one of the leading repre- 
sentatives of the lumber trade of his day, own- 
ing between thirty and forty different mills, to- 
gether with a large number of logging camps 
and employing hundreds of men. His business 
grew until it had reached extensive proportions, 
making him one of the leaders in the entire 
country. He was also a prominent Orangeman, 
and while entertaining his employes one night at 
one of his lumber camps five miles south of 
Chatham, Canada, the Catholics, who disliked 
him because of his connection with the Orange- 
men and because he would not employ them as 
laborers, came to the camp and with clubs and 
knives began fighting the employes of Mr. 
Wrightman. He displayed great valor in at- 
tempting to restore peace, but he and two of his 
men were killed and a number of others were 
injured. This occurred in 1879. Mr. Wright- 
man had also been connected with the Fenian 
Raid. He was a very wealthy man, whose large 
and important business interests had been built 
up through his own efforts, and returned to him 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1075 



splendid success. At the time of his death his 
family were living in Chatham. In early man- 
hood he had wedded Mary Gould, a native of 
Canada, who now resides in Bowmanville, On- 
tario. She was a distant relative of Jay Gould. 
1 lei" lather came to Canada at an early day from 
England. He was a farmer and an Indian fighter 
and for many years lived in Toronto, where his 
death ultimately occurred. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Wrightman were born two sons and five daugh- 
ters. 

The doctor is the youngest of the family, and 
acquired his early education in the public 
schools of his native town. When but nine years 
of age he went to Tidioute, Pa., where he se- 
cured a position as landscape painter in a chair 
manufactory. After a short time in that position 
he went to Jamestown, N. Y., where he was 
employed at his trade and then started a business 
of his own as a painter and landscape artist. 
In 1889 he removed to New York City, where he 
was employed in landscape painting of opera 
scenery for John Coe & Company. He possessed 
natural artistic ability and produced some very 
creditable work. In 1890 he took up his abode 
in Toronto, Canada, where he established the 
Toronto Portrait Company for enlarging pic- 
tures, thus instituting a business which is still 
in existence. In 1891 the doctor withdrew and 
went to Minneapolis, Minn., and in the fall of 
the same year he again went to Jamestown, N. 
Y., where he took charge of the chair manu- 
factory business of the firm of Curtis & Page., 
continuing in that capacity until 1893. 

In the year mentioned Dr. Wrightman became 
a student in Dwight L. Moody's School at Mount 
Hermon, Mass., where he pursued a literary 
course for two years and in 1895 he became a 
student in Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, 
where he pursued a theological course. He went 
to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1896, and entered upon 
a four years' course in the Eclectic Medical In- 
stitute, and in 1899 he went to Baltimore, Md., 
where he pursued a special course in the medical 
department of Johns Hopkins University, mak- 
ing a specialty of the diseases of the blood and 
skin. He also took a special course on the dis- 
eases of women and children in Child's Hospital, 
and in 1901 he returned to Cincinnati, where he 
completed his studies in the Eclectic Medical 
Institute. Then locating at Mansfield, Ohio, he 
practiced there for four months and on Septem- 
ber 20, 1902, he arrived in Oregon, locating at 
Silverton, where he has since engaged in prac- 
tice with growing success. . He also owns a half 
interest in the drug business of Lewis Johnson 
& Company, Mr. Johnson being his brother-in- 
law. 

Julv 9, 1902, in Jamestown, N. Y., the doctor 
was united in marriage with Miss Helen Marie 



Johnson, a daughter of J. W. Johnson, who was 
born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and came to 
the United States in 1886, at which time he es- 
tablished his home at Jamestown, N. Y., and 
there engaged in dealing in ice. He had a 
monopoly of the trade at that place for twenty- 
seven years and did a very extensive and pros- 
perous business. He was also proprietor of the 
Buffalo House in that city, and he is now a well 
known and prosperous real estate man of James- 
town. 

The doctor and his wife have already won 
many warm friends in the leading social circles 
in Silverton. He is a most pleasant, genial gen- 
tleman, popular wherever he goes. He belongs 
to the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, and to the Congregational Church. 
In his profession he is giving evidence of ability, 
which promises well for a successful future. 
Few men have talent along as many lines as has 
Dr. Wrightman. He not only possesses much 
natural artistic ability, but is a fluent and force- 
ful writer and has considerable poetic talent. 
One of the beautiful little gems which he has 
written is "Night Thoughts," and we here give 
it as a specimen of his literary ability : 

When the winds are sadly moaning 

Thro' the trees so tall and bare, 
And the moon's rays gently gleaming 

Making night seem soft and fair ; 
Then my thoughts go slowly stealing 

To the shores of long ago, 
Where the sun of childhood shining 

Kept away all care and woe. 

On the shores are loved ones standing, 

Who were dear as life to me ; 
But they're now beyond the billows 

Breaking on life's troubled sea. 
Shall I know them up in Heaven 

Where the gates are open wide? 
Will they happily be standing 

Close to my dear Savior's side? 

When the angels softly singing 

Fill the hills with welcome song, 
Shall I hear their voices ringing 

Sweetly from the angel throng? 
Will they, when the harps of Heaven 

Send their music out afar, 
Lead me by the hand so gently 

Thro' the golden gates ajar? 

From the wind now softly sighing 

Comes a voice both clear and sweet, 
And it says, "Yes, up in Heaven 

You will all your loved ones greet." 
Now the voice is lowly pleading 

That I tread earth's path aright, 
So at last I'll live in glory 

Where there's no more wind of night. 



DR. JOHN McLOUGHLIN. The name 
most early connected with the pioneer history of 
Oregon is that of Dr. John McLoughlin, who 



10?6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



came to Oregon in 1823, as director for the Hud- 
son Bay Company, acting under authority of the 
British government. For twenty years there- 
after he was called governor of Oregon, by cour- 
tesy and authority of the company with which he 
was identified, the territory over which he exer- 
cised control extending from the Rocky Moun- 
tains to the Pacific ocean and from California to 
Alaska. It was a dangerous and lonely life, but 
that earnest and unfaltering courage demanded 
in the pioneer was fully met by the character of 
Dr. McLoughlin; no better man, no truer pio- 
neer could have been chosen to prepare the way 
for those who were to come after and live in the 
prosperous conditions which to-day make of Ore- 
gon a state equal to any in the Union. It is no 
less a pleasure than a duty to recall the lives of 
such men. 

Dr. John McLoughlin was born in Quebec, in 
1784, and received his education in France. He 
was the representative of Scotch ancestry and 
many of the strong traits which distinguished this 
people made up the character of the man who 
proved so potent a factor in the early life of the 
northwest. That he was earnest in purpose, en- 
ergetic in action and indomitable in will all the 
records of his life show, and as a mere lad he 
entered the service of the old North-West Fur 
Company and put to practical use his native char- 
acteristics. For about twenty-four years he saw 
much of the hardships and dangers which made 
up the life of the traders, and in that time he 
labored patiently, passing, step by step, from the 
lowest to the highest position that could be given 
him. When the object of the Northwest Fur 
Company was attained and they were admitted 
to the privileges of the Hudson Bay Company, 
whose name they assumed, Dr. McLoughlin came 
to Astoria and accepted the responsibilities of 
the first governor of Oregon. Beyond the official 
duties which the position entailed upon him the 
doctor put forth his most earnest efforts toward 
advancing the interests of the territory over 
which he had assumed control, and for which 
he foresaw a great future. He it was who first 
brought wheat, oats, barley, corn, potatoes and 
tame grass seeds to Oregon, and it was through 
his indefatigable efforts that to agriculture was 
devoted so much time and attention in those early 
days. Soon after coming to Astoria he moved 
the post to Vancouver, Wash., and in every pos- 
sible way encouraged settlement, as well as meet- 
ing with success in his official capacity. Through 
a kindly benevolence and wide charity he en- 
deared himself to all with whom he came in con- 
tact, winning the regard of all nationalities, al- 
though he stoutly maintained the interests of the 
Hudson Bay Company. 

With the coming of the American pioneers into 
the country made habitable by Dr. McLoughlin. 



conditions were changed and there came a time 
of trouble into the life of this truly noble man. 
From 1840 to 1847 ne witnessed the gradual de- 
cline of his personal authority, the falling away 
of those who had been his stanch adherents, and 
the shadow of an almost universal condemnation 
which well nigh obscured his life of service in 
Oregon. His was a peculiar position. In Eng- 
lish employ for many years, he labored zealously 
for the interests of his native country upon dis- 
puted territory ; with the coming of the American 
pioneers he gave to them the humane and cour- 
teous treatment which was a part of his charac- 
ter, gaining inevitably the condemnation of his 
own government and not the friendship of the 
other, since he had so long been considered un- 
friendly to American colonization. He, there- 
fore, stood alone. Later in life he absolved al- 
legiance to the British government and became 
a citizen of the United States, but through relig- 
ious opponents he lost his fortune, and at his 
death, in 1857, was a P oor man. In religion Dr. 
McLoughlin was a member of the Roman Cath- 
olic Church, but was broad and liberal in his 
views in the matter of religious beliefs, as well 
as in all that pertained to his daily life among 
the pioneer condition of early Oregon. 



CHARLIE LONG. Much attention is paid 
to fruit-raising in western Oregon, and the fruits 
are of fine quality and flavor. Apples, pears, 
cherries, plums, prunes, grapes, and various other 
fruits grow in abundance. Mr. Long, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, has a delightful little farm 
of twenty-three acres in the vicinity of Silverton 
and raises fruit quite extensively. An Ohioan 
by birth, he was born in Washington county, 
March 13, i860. He is a son of Martin S. and 
Martha A. (Carroll) Long. 

Martin S. Long was born April 6, 1820, in 
Belmont county, Ohio, and was left an orphan at 
the tender age of three years. He was cared for, 
however, by a Belmont county family, with whom 
he lived until he attained the age of eighteen 
years, when he began to make his own way in 
the world. He went to Louisville, Ky., where 
he learned the trade of a ship-carpenter. Dur- 
ing the Mexican war, he went to sea in pursuit 
of his chosen calling, but subsequently returned 
to Washington county, Ohio, where he married 
a Miss Pinkerton. Four children blessed this 
union, two being now deceased. Those living 
are Mrs. Susan Miller, of Harmer, Ohio, and 
Mrs. Mary E. Randell, of Seattle, Wash. The 
mother of these children died in Washington 
county, Ohio. Some time later, Mr. Long con- 
tracted a second matrimonial alliance in Morgan 
county, Ohio, where he was united with Martha 
A. Carroll, of Maryland. After marriage, they 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1077 



made their residence in Washington county, 
Ohio, until 1874, when they came to Oregon. 
They took up their abode near Gervais for about 
a year and a half, and then purchased a two 
hundred and eighty-acre farm, about two and 
one-half miles north of Silverton. They reared 
six children, as follows: Emma, of Linn county; 
Charlie, the subject of this biography 7 ; Clara, 
deceased; James C, of Polk county; Amos W., 
of The Dalles ; and Minnie, who resides near 
Salem. Both parents lived to a good old age, 
the father being seventy-five and the mother 
seventy-one years of age at the time of her 
demise. The former was prominently connected 
with the Odd Fellows. 

Charlie Long obtained his education in the 
district schools and assisted his father on the 
farm until he reached his majority. He then 
went to Walla Walla, Wash., where he spent 
two or three years at various occupations, and, 
after a brief trip through California, he spent 
the five years following in southern Oregon. He 
afterward returned to his home, where he was 
married and settled down on a part of the home 
place, where he still resides. He was united 
in marriage, November 5, 1892, with Frances 
Prouty. who was born in Nebraska, but came to 
Oregon in 1888. She is a daughter of Willard 
and Leonora (Sykes) Prouty. Mr. Long is a 
man of good principles and his name is respected 
throughout his community. In politics he is a 
stanch Republican. 



THOMAS E. MILES. In spite of reverses 
which have often impeded a nevertheless success- 
ful career, T. E. Miles has firmly established 
himself as a business man of Scott's Mills, and 
was engaged in a paying and quite extensive 
mercantile enterprise, known as Miles & White, 
until 1898, when he purchased the entire inter- 
ests. A devastating fire in 1897 temporarily 7 
crippled his prospects, but he has since recouped 
his losses, and not only owns his store and resi- 
dence, the latter of which is one of the finest in 
the town, but is the possessor of considerable 
other valuable property. 

Had Mr. Miles followed the teachings of his 
youth he would always have been a farmer, for 
his people reared him to this occupation on the 
farm in Wabash county, Ind., where he was 
born March 2, 1857. His father was the owner 
of a farm in that county, upon which he lived 
for some years, then removed to Wayne county 
and lived there until his death, at the age of 
seventy-two years. He is survived by his wife, 
aged seventy-six years, now living in Wayne 
county, Ind., and who is the mother of six chil- 
dren. Until his twenty-sixth vear T. E. Miles 
remained on the home farm, but after his mar- 



riage, in 1883, with Sarah C. White, a native of 
the Hoosier state, he went to housekeeping in 
Dickey county, N. D., in 1883, an d lived in that 
state until 1894, coming then to his present home 
in Scott's Mills. 

Three children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Miles, of whom Walter R., the oldest son, 
is at college ; while William L. and Mary E. are 
living at home. Mr. Miles is a Prohibitionist 
in politics, and is a member of the Society of 
Friends. Though never desiring official recogni- 
tion, he has filled local offices, and is at present 
clerk of the school board, and a notary public. 
Fraternally he is identified with the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. Mr. Miles is typical 
of all that is honorable and reliable, traits which 
are not only appreciated in his business connec- 
tions, but from a social standpoint render him a 
proper man. He is successful and well favored 
with this world's goods, and has many friends in 
the town of his adoption. June 14, 1903, he sold 
his mercantile business interests and invested 
in timber land, which he intends developing. 



WASHINGTON L. COON. Both as an 
educator and breeder of high-grade stock, Wash- 
ington L. Coon won praise because of his thor- 
oughness, reliability and adherence to the best 
possible methods in his chosen occupations. He 
is recalled as a man of whom his adopted state 
had reason to be proud, and whose adaptive and 
pleasing personal traits won him many friends 
among his pupils and business associates. Born 
in Jefferson county, Ky., March 10, 1825, he was 
of English and Dutch ancestry, and came of par- 
ents who devoted their entire lives to farming. At 
the age of six he moved with the rest of his fam- 
ily to Warren county, 111., and when eighteen 
years old removed to Pike county, Mo., remaining 
there until the spring of 1850. 

After a journey covering the usual six months, 
Mr. Coon arrived in Oregon, September 19, 1850, 
and settled upon the farm now occupied by his 
wife, and located fifteen miles southeast of Al- 
bany on the Willamette river. Having studiously 
availed himself of the opportunities of the early 
subscription schools in Illinois and Missouri, he 
applied himself to teaching school in this neigh- 
borhood for several winters, working on his 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres in the 
summer. He was engaged in packing to the 
mines for several years', and in taking several 
droves of cattle to California. In 1864 he re- 
turned to Illinois, via Central America, the next 
year locating and teaching school in Montgomery 
county, Ind., for one year. He then returned 
to Mercer county, 111., and taught until 1870, and 
also took a course in the State Normal in Illinois, 
gradually working his way eastward, through 



1078 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and re- 
turning to Washington county, Pa., where he re- 
mained for a time. Here good fortune came to 
him, inasmuch as he met and won Mrs. Susan 
A. Bane, who was born in Pittsburg, Pa., Janu- 
ary 17, 1840, arid whose father, George Speer, 
died when she was a child. Her mother, Mar- 
garet (Leadwith) Speer, was of Scotch descent, 
and was born in the state of Maryland. The 
marriage of Mr. Coon and Mrs. Bane occurred 
March 15, 1875, and the same spring they came 
to Oregon and began housekeeping on the claim 
taken up by the husband in the early days. 

Mr. Coon was an extensile raiser of high- 
grade stock, making a specialty of fine draft 
horses. He was a good business manager, was 
thrifty and economical, and both made and 
saved money. From time to time extensive im- 
provements were made on the claim, and today it 
is one of the best improved properties in this sec- 
tion. The same house built by the husband in 
the early days is still occupied by his wife, al- 
though modern improvements have changed its 
character somewhat. Mrs. Coon also owns one 
of the finest timber tracts on the Willamette. Mr. 
Coon never interested himself in politics aside 
from the formality of casting his vote for Re- 
publican nominees, but he was very active in the 
United Presbyterian Church of Oakville, of 
which he was one of the first members in this 
district. To himself and wife were born the two 
children who live at home, Michael S. and Sarah 
Margaret, the former of whom manages the farm 
for his mother. Mr. Coon died on his farm 
March 28, 1901. He was sincere in all his be- 
liefs and a Christian from principle. 



WILLIAM J. FISHER. One of the most 
popular and promising members of the later gen- 
eration around Albany is William J. Fisher, su- 
perintendent and manager of the county poor 
farm, and owner and manager of a large wood- 
yard in Albany. Should Mr. Fisher weary of 
farming or general business he could turn his at- 
tention to engineering with reasonable chances of 
success, for in his younger days in Canada, where 
he was born in Ontario, October 25, 1873, he 
learned the trade of engineering, but has never 
practiced it for purposes of livelihood. John 
Fisher, the father of William, was also a native 
of Ontario, and was born May 10, 1836. In his 
young manhood he married Margaret Orr, a na- 
tive of Ireland, and in 1892 brought his family 
to Linn county, Ore., settling on the farm which 
is still his home near Albany. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and is a member of the United 
Presbyterian Church. William J. is the third of 
the five children, the others being Sarah J., of 



Canada ; Jeanett, also living in Canada ; James, 
deceased ; and Robert, at home. 

Educated in the public schools of Ontario and 
Albany, William J. left the school room to learn 
engineering, but continued to live at home until 
his marriage with Winnie Sprenger, a native of 
Oregon. The young people went to housekeep- 
ing on the county poor farm, of which Mr. Fisher 
had been appointed superintendent and manager, 
and where they have since lived. The poor farm 
comprises one hundred and twenty acres of fertile 
land, and has good improvements, including fa- 
cilities for carrying on the kind of general farm- 
ing required at such an institution. The wood- 
yard at Albany, started some time since, has 
proved a profitable source of revenue, and, taken 
in connection with the farm, is about all that 
Mr. Fisher has time to attend to. Like his father, 
he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, 
and he is one of the most influential members of 
the Grange. He has an interesting household, and 
one in which hospitality and good fellowship 
abound, two bright children, Lawrence and Vio- 
let, contributing to the beauty of his home. Pub- 
lic-spirited to a marked degree, Mr. Fisher may 
be depended on to promote any wise undertaking 
which has for its object the improvement of the 
town or county, and of one thing his friends may 
be sure : he will advance steadily and surely to 
the front, his efforts being based always on the 
substantial and worthy. 



HON. AUGUSTUS C. JENNINGS. Ear- 
nest and faithful in whatever he undertakes, 
with that inherent force and wide understanding 
which characterizes the typical American, the 
Hon. Augustus C. Jennings has become one of 
the most prominent men in Oregon during the 
last twenty-five years, a position won by personal 
application and a close adherence to those prin- 
ciples which constitute the loyalty and honor of 
manhood. He has never been found lacking in 
those qualities needful in party or personal friend, 
and he has come to be recognized as a substan- 
tial factor in affairs of state or community. He 
also interests himself intelligently in stock-breed- 
ing, having a thousand head of Cotswold sheep, 
which he puts out on shares. In the time of 
our country's need, as a boy of eighteen years, 
he gave his youth and strength in the cause of 
national union, and is now numbered among the 
veterans who claim a nation's gratitude. 

The Jennings family is of English ancestry, 
though long associated with the progress of the 
western world, the father, Charles M. Jennings, 
being a native of Pennsylvania. Animated by 
the same spirit which prompted his forefathers 
to become citizens of the colonies, he removed to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1079 



Davis county, Iowa, at an early day, being num- 
bered among the pioneers. In connection with 
the improvement and cultivation of a farm, he 
conducted a mercantile establishment in Drakes- 
ville, Iowa, his interests remaining so identified 
until his death, which occurred in that location. 
His wife was formerly Hannah Glover, a native 
of New Jersey, and her death occurred in her 
home in Iowa. Of the eleven children who 
blessed this union four are now living, and of 
these Thomas, who served in Company B, Thir- 
tieth Iowa Regiment, is located as a practicing 
physician in Drakesville, Iowa, and Joseph C. is 
a resident of Lane county, Ore., where he is en- 
gaged in farming ; Adda is the wife of Charles 
W. Wilson of Moulton, Iowa. 

The second youngest of the children is A. C. 
Jennings, his birth occurring in Drakesville, 
Davis county, Iowa, January 16, 1845. His boy- 
hood years were passed in the location of his 
birth. While receiving a good education in the 
common schools of the state he gained an in- 
sight into commercial life that was of great ben- 
efit to him. He was carrying the mails between 
Drakesville and Centerville in 1863, when he en- 
listed in Company M, Ninth Iowa Cavalry, be- 
ing mustered in at Davenport, Iowa. He was 
sent to Benton Barracks, at St. Louis, after which 
he participated in many engagements in Arkan- 
sas, among them being Grand Prairie. He con- 
tinued in the service until the close of the war, 
when he was mustered out in February, 1866, then 
returning to his home in Iowa. After some 
work in his father's store and an attendance at 
the high school, he engaged in teaching in the 
public schools, and later became one of the sub- 
stantial merchants of Drakesville, where he re- 
mained until 1875. His brother, Joseph C. Jen- 
nings, having located in Lane county, Ore., in 
1854, Mr. Jennings decided to also settle in the 
west. He first rented a farm near Irving, upon 
which he engaged extensively in the cultivation 
of grain. Combining with this employment a 
broad political interest, he remained in that lo- 
cation until 1894, when he removed to Eugene. 

A Republican whose loyal maintenance of 
principles has won him the confidence of party 
leaders, Mr. Jennings was chosen in 1889 to rep- 
resent his district in the state legislature, and 
was re-elected in 1891, a large majority attest- 
ing the popularity of the candidate. During the 
second term it was his privilege to help elect 
John H. Mitchell to the United States senate. 
In June, 1894. Mr. Jennings was elected county 
clerk, and took the oath of office in July. He 
was re-elected to this office in 1896, and during 
the four years in which he served the plans for 
the new court house were drawn up and the 
building nearly completed. At five different 
times he has been called upon to serve as chief 



clerk of the house of representatives, the first 
being in 1887. In 1893 he was employed in the 
office of the secretary of state, in 1898 was chief 
clerk of a special session of the legislature and 
followed this with a similar service in the ses- 
sions of 1899, 1 90 1 and 1903. 

Mr. Jennings was married in Iowa to Miss 
Rhoda Burks, a native of Indiana, who died in 
Oregon. Of the thirteen children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Jennings, eleven are now living, and 
all make their home with their father with the 
exception of the following: Mildred, wife of 
Samuel Flint, located near Irving; Mattie, wife 
of E. L. McPherson, of Eugene; Helen, the 
wife of C. P. Sylvester, of Eugene; Elbert, of 
Portland; and Hetty, the wife of J. G. Robin- 
son, of New York. August, 1900, Mr. Jennings 
was again married to Mary Van Duyn, who was 
reared in Bloomfield, Iowa, and there married. 
Socially Mr. Jennings is a member of the Com- 
mercial Club, and fraternally belongs to the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he 
is past grand ; the Woodmen of the World ; and 
J. W. Geary Post No. 7, G. A. R., of which 
he is past commander. He is a member of the 
Christian church, in which he officiates as trus- 
tee and chairman of the official board. 



MRS. MARTHA BARNES. Since her ninth 
year the life history of Mrs. Martha Barnes has 
been interwoven with the changing conditions 
of Oregon, ranging in extent from the pioneer 
desolation and crudeness of '45 to the surprising 
development of the present time. A resident of 
Albany since the death of her husband in 1885, 
Mrs. Barnes is one of the pioneer women around 
whom gathers a world of good will and social 
prominence, and whose many fine personal char- 
acteristics bind to her indefinitely a host of 
worthy friends. Born on a farm near Weston, 
W. Va., she is the seventh of the ten children 
born to her parents, Henry J. and Eliza (Allen) 
Peterson, natives respectively of Virginia and 
Massachusetts. Distinction is conferred on the 
maternal family by the war record of Ethan 
Allen, the famous colonel of the Colonial army 
during the Revolutionary war, and the paternal 
side of the house has no less a worthy represen- 
tative in the Rev. Peterson, a minister of the 
Methodist Episcopal church whose era of great- 
est usefulness centers around the strenuous times 
culminating in the Civil war. Mr. Peterson led 
the useful and self-sacrificing life of the earlv 
clergvman, and though a southerner in character, 
chivalry and manner, he vigorously espoused the 
cause of the down-trodden slave, freeing those 
upon his own plantation as soon as he became 
convinced that slavery was wrong. 

Henry J. Peterson was reared in West Vir- 



1080 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ginia, and as a young man made many moves in 
search of a desirable location. From Indiana he 
removed to Medina county, Ohio, afterward to 
Illinois for one winter, and still later to Henry 
county, Iowa, his last home in the middle west. 
In 1845 he prepared for a journey across the 
plains which, in the extent of its adventure, de- 
privation and suffering, equaled that of any un- 
dertaken at that very early time. Five sons and 
five daughters had been added to his family, and 
for their transportation to the coast he had five 
wagons, each with from three to five yoke of 
oxen, as well as a yoke of oxen on the wagon 
used to transport their provisions. The In- 
dians proved very troublesome, and constant vig- 
ilance was required on the part of the emigrants 
to preserve their ownership of the stock. They 
came by way of the ill-fated Meek's cut-off, one 
of the most troublesome routes presented to early 
emigrants to the west, and it is doubtful if any 
aggregation of men, women and children arrived 
at The Dalles at any time in the emigration days, 
more weary, discouraged, or hopeless. For many 
days and weeks food had been scarce, and to- 
wards the latter part of the journey starvation 
stared them in the face. One son two years old 
died on the Green river cut-off, and was left in 
a grave beside the river. The father stopped the 
first winter on the Tualatin plains, and in the 
spring of 1846 moved to Howell's Prairie, and 
later to Santiam. In 1848 he took up a claim at 
Peterson Butte, twelve miles southeast of Al- 
bany. He was a natural mechanic, and applied 
his ability to the construction of a home more 
comfortable than that of many less skilled in the 
art of construction, and around him established 
a large stock-raising enterprise, probably the 
most successful in his vicinity. He was influen- 
tial as a politician, and was a member of the 
First Territorial Legislature, which convened at 
Oregon City. His children followed his ex- 
ample and took up farms of their own, many of 
them settling around him as neighbors, often vis- 
iting the old home, with its memories of strug- 
gle and adversity. The wife died in 1861, and 
the husband in 1864, both firm believers in the 
tenets of the Methodist Episcopal church. Asa, 
the oldest of their children, died in Lebanon, 
Ore. ; William died in Albany ; Marshall, a vet- 
eran of the Rogue River war, lives in eastern 
Oregon; Henry lives at Plainview ; Granville 
died on the plains ; Lydia, the wife of Mr. Par- 
ish, died in Linn county: Sarah is the deceased 
wife of Mr. Brooks of The Dalles ; Laura, now 
Mrs. Ketcham, lives in Pomeroy, Wash.; Mar- 
tha, now Mrs. Barnes; and Eliza, now Mrs. 
Walker of Athena, Ore. 

Mrs. Barnes celebrated her ninth birthday on 
the plains, and after reaching Oregon lived with 
her parents, attending irregularly the early pub- 



lic schools. She learned to speak the language 
of the Chinook Indians, and thus was called to 
maintain amicable relations with these untutored 
neighbors. Her marriage at Peterson Butte, 
December 24, 1862, was one of the notable events 
of the neighborhood, her husband, Charles 
Barnes, being well and favorably known as a 
successful stockman. Mr. Barnes was left an 
orphan in his native state of New York when a 
boy of seventeen, and his life was uneventful 
until the opportunity came to cross the plains in 
an ox-train in 1853. He worked his way to the 
coast driving oxen and loose stock, and, arriv- 
ing at his destination, found employment in 
southern Oregon and California, both as a far- 
mer and miner. Laden with more than the or- 
dinary returns from the mines, he came to the 
Willamette Valley and was married, afterward 
purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres, which he farmed five years. He added 
materially to his possessions, in time owning 
four hundred acres near Plainview. He was al- 
ways an enthusiast on the subject of fine stock, 
and his land was invariably devoted to its rais- 
ing, little attention being paid to general farm- 
ing. After renting out his farm he devoted some 
time to driving horses over the mountains to 
California, and on his return located in Albany, 
where he engaged exclusively in the stock busi- 
ness. He had many fine horses and secured high 
prices for them, being an excellent judge of 
thoroughbreds, and dealing only in the best. 
Mr. Barnes accumulated a comfortable fortune, 
and at the time of his death, December 9, 1885, 
at the age of forty-eight, left his wife and chil- 
dren in good circumstances. 

At 238 East Fifth street Mrs. Barnes has a 
new and commodious home, where is exercised 
unstinted hospitality, and where her friends de- 
light to gather. She is the owner of the four- 
hundred-acre farm in this county, with the ex- 
ception of the town site of Plainview, and she 
also owns another farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres in the same neighborhood. Three children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, of whom 
but one attained maturity, Loella, now Mrs. La- 
Forest. In political preference, Mrs. Barnes is 
a Republican. 



JOHN W. WRITSMAN. To be the pos- 
sessor of twelve hundred acres of land 
in one body in one of the most fertile 
parts of Benton county must needs carry 
with it a sense of security and satisfac- 
tion which the most independent might 
envy- Such is the good fortune of John W. 
Writsman, whose industry and good manage- 
ment has enabled him to purchase all but the six 
hundred and forty acres inherited from his 




ALFRED WILSON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1083 



father. That he is an excellent agriculturist, 
in touch with modern and scientific methods 
utilized in older and more stable farming com- 
munities, is apparent to all who visit him in 
the midst of his activity, and note his commodi- 
ous residence, convenient and modern barns, 
and general up-to-date improvements. This 
farm is located two and a half miles from Wells 
Station, and is devoted principally to stock-rais- 
ing, sheep, goats and cattle bringing a large 
yearly revenue. 

The fifth of the seven children of Francis 
and Lucinda (Office) Writsman. John W. was 
horn December 29, 1840, in Andrew county, 
Mo., and in 1847, when seven years of age, he 
crossed the plains with his parents. The father 
took up a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres, erected a small log cabin for the 
temporary accommodation of his family, and 
proceeded to clear his land and put in the seed. 
This small cabin is still standing, and, with its 
infinite reminders of the peril, deprivation and 
loneliness of the pioneer days, is a prized pos- 
session of its owner. In those times neighbors 
were few and far between, provisions were often 
scarce, and toil from early morning until sunset 
precluded much of the joy or recreation of life. 
Francis Writsman succeeded well in his adopted 
state, and at his death in 1877, at the age of 
seventy-six years, left a large and valuable prop- 
erty to his heirs. The wife who shared his up- 
hill road to prosperity survived him until 1901, 
being then ninety years old. Mary J., the oldest 
daughter in the family, is the wife of James 
Horn, of Grant county ; Julia is the wife of 
Joseph Chamberlain ; Susan is the widow of 
Mr. Perrin; Caroline is the deceased wife of 
Mr. Williams; John W. was the next born; 
Josephine is the wife of J. H. Parsons, and 
James lives in Los Angeles. 

John W. Writsman availed himself of such 
educational chances as were possible in his 
youth, and is today a well informed and very 
progressive man. He bears an honored name 
in the community, and a continuation of his 
present success is the wish of all who are priv- 
ileged to know him. 



ALFRED WILSON. Few men are more 
familiar with western history than Alfred Wil- 
son. What to most of the present generation is 
a matter of reading is to him a matter of mem- 
ory. He has been a participant in many of the 
advances connected with early travel over the 
plains and with the settlement of the west, and 
is thus very familiar with life upon the great 
stretches of country that lie between the Missis- 
sippi valley and the ocean. He served in the 
Mexican war, and is among the few survivors 



to-day of that struggle. He bore his part in the 
work of improvement and development as the 
tide of emigration steadily flowed westward, 
and to-day he is one of the respected, honored 
and successful agriculturists of Yamhill county, 
where he owns a valuable tract of land of thir- 
teen hundred and sixty acres. 

Alfred Wilson was born in Tennessee, April 2, 
1826, and two years later his parents removed 
to Howard county, Mo., where he was reared 
upon a farm. There he became acquainted with 
Kit Carson and there sprung up between them 
a friendship which existed until the death of the 
latter. In 1846, with the noted explorer, hunter 
and guide, he went to the Rocky Mountains on 
horseback, starting from Fort Leavenworth. He 
made this trip in the hope of benefiting his 
health, and afterward he traveled with Kit Car- 
son, piloting people across the country. Often 
he slept with Mr. Carson under the same blanket 
and shared with him in all the experiences, en- 
counters and hardships which went to make up 
the life history of that famous man. Mr. Wilson 
has killed many a bear with his hunting knife, 
thus coming into close contact with the animals. 
With Mr. Carson he acted as pilot to Stevenson, 
a trader who went from St. Louis to New Mex- 
ico. Mr. Wilson was engaged to drive a six- 
mule team across the plains, starting from 
Mann's Fort on the Arkansas river. After be- 
ing out five days they were attacked by the 
Indians, and at that time Mr. Wilson killed his 
first red man, a Comanche. He narrowly es- 
caped death, for five arrows penetrated' his 
clothing. Five days later there was another 
attack by the Indians, but day after day some 
progress was made, until finally the party 
reached the last mountain, when he left the train 
and returned. 

In 1848 Mr. Wilson enlisted for service in the 
Mexican war as a teamster, and after reaching 
the land of the Montezumas he enlisted as a 
scout in advance of the army, or, as they were 
called, a ranger. He was at the battle and in 
the siege of Santa Cruz, Mexico, where the 
troops surrounded the town, and for six days 
they subsisted upon one meal a day. Mr. Wilson 
was one of those chosen to throw bombs into the 
town, and did his full share in winning Amer- 
ican victories there. After the close of the Mex- 
ican war he returned northward and several 
times crossed the plains, making a trip in 1849 
and another in 1850. In the latter year he was 
captain of a company that came to Oregon with 
an ox-team, journeying from Fort Hall west- 
ward. He and his brother also came along to 
Oregon and on the trip killed three Indians. 
They proceeded to the vicinity of McMinnville, 
and Mr. Wilson put in a crop for Dr. Sutton, 
operating the latter's land on shares for a year. 



1084 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In the summer of 1851 he secured a donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres where 
Riley Fendall now resides. In the fall of that 
year he was crippled while in the woods by a 
man hitting him back of the knee with an ax. 
The injury proved so serious that for eighteen 
months he was unable to engage in any labor. 
About that time news came that emigrants 
crossing the plains were in a starving condition, 
and Mr. Wilson then busied himself in taking 
up a collection wherewith to secure provisions 
to take to the travelers. He raised nearly $800 
for that purpose, and it may well be supposed 
that he was hailed with gratitude as a benefac- 
tor to those who were suffering great hardships 
for lack of food as they journeyed westward. 
At another time Mr. Wilson suffered a second 
accident, having a leg broken by the falling of 
his horse when near McMinnville. However, 
his life altogether has been a prosperous one 
and has been filled with many incidents which 
have made his history eventful, and left to him 
many pleasant memories. In 1852 he secured 
a donation claim where he is now living, becom- 
ing the owner of three hundred and twenty 
acres in this way. He has made all of the im- 
provements upon the property, and substantial 
buildings now stand as monuments to his enter- 
prise, while well tilled fields indicate his careful 
supervision. As the years have passed he has 
added to his property until he now has thirteen 
hundred and sixty acres of land in one body. 
He is largely engaged in raising horses upon his 
ranch, and has some very fine animals which 
bring a good price in the markets. 

Mr. Wilson has been twice married. In 1854 
he wedded Miss Mary Sailing, and unto them 
were born ten children, eight of whom are now 
living : Melissa, wife of Ira Stephens ; Lovina, 
wife of John Lady ; Minnie, wife of Leander 
Lady ; Lilly, wife of George Ball ; Meluda, wife 
of James Le Masters ; Lucinda, wife of William 
Bridwell ; Edward Nazzard ; and Col. Harley 
Murphy Wilson. Mrs. Wilson died in 1890, 
and in 1894 Mr. Wilson was again married, his 
second union being with Miss Rebecca Bryan. 
In his political views he is a Republican, having 
supported the party since its organization. His 
life history, if written in detail, would furnish 
more thrilling chapters than are usually found 
upon the pages of fiction. He knows what it 
is to endure hardships, incident to a journey 
across the plains before the advent of railroads. 
He also knows what it is to fear the skulking 
foe and to meet him in battle in the methods of 
warfare employed by the red men. He has also 
been a participant in his nation's battles, and he 
has likewise performed the no less important 



work of reclaiming a wild district for the pur- , 
poses of civilization, that nature may yield of 
its rich resources for the support of men. 



JAMES P. WILSON. Not far from Wells 
Station is the two-hundred-acre farm of James 
P. Wilson, a man who stands high in the estima- 
tion of his fellow-men, and who has materially 
advanced farming interests in this county. Born 
in Kentucky, near the Virginia line, September 
15, 1823, he was seven years of age when 
his parents took him to Vermilion count}', 
111., where he helped to improve a crude farm, 
and worked hard from morning until night. At 
the age of fourteen, in 1837, he accompanied 
an older brother to Iowa, and near Keokuk, 
took up government land in the wilderness. 
The land was wild and partially timbered, and 
the desolation was increased by the absence of 
other settlers, few having as yet arrived to assist 
in the development of a very promising stretch 
of country. 

The Wilson boys succeeded in Iowa, and 
James P. took unto himself a wife who was 
Theresa Kilgore, an interesting girl living in 
the neighborhood. Of this union one child was 
born — a son, named Albert. His wife dying, 
Mr. Wilson later married Mrs. Lucy Rowe, 
who bore him three children — Rebecca, Robert 
and Edward W. Robert still lives on the home 
place, with his family, consisting of his wife, 
who was Miss Lillie Dixon, and their three in- 
teresting children, Clement, Ray and Vera. 
By her first marriage Mrs. Wilson had one son, 
Ira Rowe, who is still living. 

With his wife Mr. Wilson crossed the plains 
to California with ox-teams in 1852, and after 
five months of comparatively pleasant associa- 
tion with other home and fortune seekers ar- 
rived in Sacramento City, where he followed 
gardening for a couple of years. He then took 
up three hundred and twenty acres of land in 
Sacramento valley, remained thereon until 1867, 
and then came to Benton county, Ore. After 
living on a farm near Philomath for a couple 
of years he bought a farm near the Mountain 
View schoolhouse, consisting of three hundred 
and sixty acres, and upon which he made his 
home for some years. He then bought his pres- 
ent farm near Wells Station, where he is en- 
gaging in general farming and stock-raising. 
Ever since his first ambitious voting days he 
has been a stanch defender of the Democratic 
party, and in his present neighborhood has 
served as school director and road supervisor. 
He is a member of the Evangelical Church, and 
in his daily life conveys the impression of moral 
strength and uprightness attributed to the fol- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1085 



lowers of that denomination. A successful 
farmer and genial man, Mr. Wilson commands 
the respect and good will of all who know him. 



WILLIAM CREES. Occupying a position 
of prominence among the respected and highly 
esteemed citizens of Corvallis is the gentleman 
whose name appears at the head of this sketch. 
A man of progressive enterprise and much force 
of character, possessing excellent judgment and 
good business ability, Mr. Crees has met with 
undoubted success both in his agricultural labors 
anci in his investments, by judicious toil and 
wise economy accumulating a handsome prop- 
erty. For a quarter of a century or more, he 
lived and labored on the farm which he still 
owns, but of more recent years he has rented 
his homestead property, and he and his good 
wife are living at ease in their comfortable home 
in the city of Corvallis. 

Of excellent German ancestry, Mr. Crees was 
born January 2, 1836, in Allegheny county, Pa., 
about fourteen miles below Pittsburg, a son of 
John Crees, Jr. His grandfather, John Crees, 
Sr., was born and educated in Germany. Leav- 
ing the fatherland when a boy -of sixteen years, 
he came alone to New York city. He remained 
in New York state a few years, serving an ap- 
prenticeship at the millwright's trade, then pur- 
chased a mill in Berks county. Pa., where he 
lived for awhile. Disposing of his property 
there he removed, in 1802, to Allegheny county, 
crossing the river at Fort Pitt on a ferry boat, 
and from that time until his death, at an ad- 
vanced age. was profitably engaged in general 
farming. He became an extensive landholder, 
and bequeathed to each of his children, five sons 
and one daughter, a farm. 

John Crees, Jr., was born in 1785 in Penn's 
Valley, Berks county. Pa., but spent the larger 
part of his life in Allegheny county, being en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits. He married 
Mary Gunsollis, who was born in Allegheny 
county, a daughter of Samuel Gunsollis, a sol- 
dier in the Revolutionary war, and a prosperous 
farmer, who spent his declining years in Mercer 
county, Pa. Of the eleven children born of 
their union, one son and three daughters sur- 
vive, William, being the only one residing in 
the extreme western part of the Union. 

Gleaning his early education in the district 
schools of his native place, and working hard 
on the farm from boyhood, William Crees re- 
mained on the parental homestead until thirty- 
five years old, from the age of sixteen years hav- 
ing sole management of the farm of two hun- 
dred acres. Coming to the Willamette Valley 
in 1871, he located in Benton county, buying a 



farm of two hundred and twenty acres, about 
one and one-half miles northwest "of Corvallis. 
This he has improved, and brought to a very 
high state of cultivation, until it is now known 
as one of the most desirable and attractive es- 
tates in the county. For many years he made 
a specialty of butter-making, being a leader in 
that industry, and of cutting hay for market, 
raising large quantities of the latter. He used 
modern machinery in manufacturing butter, in 
1873 introducing into the state the first endless 
chain dog-power for churning, later bringing 
in the Cooley automatic creamer, in which the 
cream is raised while immersed in water, thus 
preventing contamination from anything in the 
atmosphere. Mrs. Crees proved herself an able 
coadjutor by formulating a method of her own 
for mixing and working the butter, and ere long 
had won for herself an enviable reputation as 
a butter-maker, the president of the Oregon 
Agricultural College, B. L. Arnold, when he 
tested it, pronouncing it the best country butter 
he had ever seen. Making ninety pounds of 
butter a week, Mr. Crees sold it at his own price, 
thus ruling the market. He subsequently sold 
his milk, supplying Corvallis. In addition to 
dairying, and raising hay, he made fruit-raising 
somewhat a specialty, having excellent orchards 
on his farm. The past few years he has rented 
his farm and now lives, as before mentioned, in 
the city. 

Mr. Crees married first, Miss Catherine Trim- 
mer, who was born in Pennsylvania, and died 
in that state, leaving five children, namely : Har- 
ris W., a farmer in Washington ; Mrs. Sarah 
Ellen Mays, of Elk City, Ore.; Mrs. Clarissa 
Irene Young, of Oregon City; Mrs. Celesta J. 
Scrafford, of Corvallis ; and Mrs. Kate C. Gragg, 
of Corvallis. He married for his second wife, 
Sarah J. Brooks, of Pennsylvania, who came 
to Oregon with Mr. Crees, but only lived two 
months after reaching this place. His third 
marriage took place in Allegheny, Pa., April 
10, 1873, w i tn M rs - Louisa (Blair) Rishaberger, 
daughter of Frederick and Augusta (Owelen- 
der) Blair, both of whom were born in Germanv, 
and died in Pittsburg, Pa. Mrs. Crees' first 
husband, John Rishaberger, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, was in business for many years in Al- 
legheny City, but on account of ill health moved 
to a farm in Alliance, Ohio, where his death 
occurred six months later. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Crees has been born one child, Gussie B., now 
the wife of M. E. Grausbeck, of Portland, Ore. 

Mr. Crees takes an active interest in public 
affairs, and is now serving his second term as a 
member of the city council. He was formerlv 
a Republican in his political affiliations, voting 
for Abraham Lincoln in i860 and 1864, but is 



1086 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



now a Prohibitionist, and a member of the State 
Temperance Alliance, and Mrs. Crees belongs 
to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. 



ARTHUR C. MILLER. Among the men 
who have quickly risen to a financial promi- 
nence is Arthur C. Miller, who has been num- 
bered as a citizen of Oregon only since 1879, 
through industry, perseverance and business 
judgment having acquired a handsome fortune 
since that date. In addition to his farming in- 
terests, which may well be considered to take 
considerable of his time, as he now has one 
thousand acres in his home place, he is active 
in several business enterprises, being part owner 
of a store at King's Valley, and since 1902 hav- 
ing a one- third interest in a $10,000 mercantile 
establishment at Airlie, Polk county. 

Arthur C. Miller was born in Chickasaw coun- 
ty, Iowa, September 10, 1857, and in 1865 his 
parents returned to their native place of Schuy- 
ler county, N. Y., and he remained with them 
there until his twenty-first birthday. After work- 
ing for a short time on a farm he decided to 
try his fortunes in the west and in 1879 he 
came to Oregon, and at once became employed 
in farming in King's valley. After four years 
he rented land and became independent in his 
work, this proving so successful that in a few 
years he was enabled to purchase a farm of 
eighty-six acres, out of which has grown his 
present affluence. He has also three hundred 
and twenty acres of timber land, and now holds 
a contract to take out three million feet of lum- 
ber. Among his interests is the raising of Perch- 
eron horses. In 1892 he bought out the Cham- 
bers Brothers, a mercantile establishment in 
King's Valley, and after two years in which he 
conducted the business alone he took in, as a 
partner, W. S. Alcorn. Since 1892 he has served 
as postmaster. 

In 1883 Mr. Miller married Miss Hettie Allen, 
and they are now the parents of three children, 
Curtis, Paul and Algy. In his political convic- 
tions Mr. Miller casts his vote with the Repub- 
lican party. 



JAMES LYMAN LOMBARD. In his 
younger days James L. Lombard learned three 
distinct trades, to any one of which he might 
be applying himself at the present time with 
reasonable assurance of laying by a little each 
year. Instead, his ambition has led him into 
broader channels, and he is today one of the 
most successful and prosperous contractors in 
the city of Eugene. With his advancement in 
the business world have come the ' social and 



other prerogatives of wealth, including one of 
the fine homes of the city, and distinction and 
prominence in the fraternal organizations of the 
county. Around him on all sides are evidences 
of his participation in the upbuilding of the city, 
for as a contracting plasterer he has done the 
work on Science Hall, one of the university 
buildings, Cbrisman, McClung, Eugene Loan 
and Savings bank, and Gross Hotel buildings, 
besides scores of the largest and finest residences 
in the city and surrounding country. His own 
residence at 227 West Eighth street is a model 
of comfort and modern elegance, and is besides 
the center of an unstinted and genial hospitality. 
At one time Mr. Lombard owned two hundred 
and forty acres of land seven miles south of the 
city, on fifteen of which he raised large quan- 
tities of fruit, and derived a substantial income 
from its shipment. Later, the stress of business 
necessitated the sale of the fruit ranch, but the 
little property contributed greatly to his health 
and enjoyment, and its cultivation is recalled as 
one of the most congenial and satisfactory ef- 
forts of his life. 

Patriot sires and model dames were included 
in the early family of which Mr. Lombard is a 
member, and his maternal great-grandfather 
Hobbs .slept on his knapsack for a pillow upon 
many of the battlefields of the Revolutionary 
war. His paternal great-grandfather made his 
home for some time at Cape Cod, where Cor- 
nelius Lombard, the paternal grandfather, was 
born. Cornelius Lombard settled at Bangor, 
Me., at a very early day, drawn there by the 
opportunities for lumbering, which at that time 
were not exceeded in any part of the United 
States. His son, James A. Lombard, the father 
of James L., was born at Bradford, near Bangor, 
and not only followed his father's example as a 
lumberman, but branched out into general build- 
ing and contracting in Boston, Mass., removing 
at a later day to Fall River, the same state, where 
he died at the comparatively early age of fifty- 
one years. He married Martha Hobbs, who was 
born in Bradford, Me., her father and grand- 
father both being natives of the northern state. 
Mrs. Lombard survives her husband, and is 
making her home in Otter Tail county, Minn. 

The eldest of the three children living in his 
father's family, James L. Lombard was born in 
Bradford, Me., October 15, 1858, and was edu- 
cated principally in the public schools of Bos- 
ton, finishing at the high school of Fall River. 
At the age of sixteen he began work which 
eventually led up to his present trade of a plas- 
terer. In 1879 he located in Sioux City, Iowa, 
and learned the stone mason's trade, at which 
he worked for about nine years, in connection 
with contract plastering. In 1888 he came west 
to Eugene, Ore,, stepping at once into a fair 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1087 



business, and advancing as his ability and busi- 
ness sagacity began to be appreciated. With 
him to the west came the wife whom he had 
married in Battle Creek, Iowa, and who was 
formerly Sarah E. Bowser, a native of Argyle, 
Wis. Nine children have been born to Mr. and 
.Mrs. Lombard, Naomi I., James B., Richard S., 
Grace, Sarah, Belle, Harry, Ruth and Christine, 
and all make their home with their parents. Mrs. 
Lombard died in October, 1897. 

Politically Mr. Lombard is devoted to Repub- 
lican principles, but has never actively partici- 
pated in the affairs of his party. He is a mem- 
ber of the Commercial Club, and active in pro- 
moting social and other undertakings in the city. 
While in Danbury, Iowa, he became a member 
of the Danbury Masonic Lodge, and is now 
identified with Eugene Lodge No. 11, A. F. & 
A. M., Eugene Chapter No. 10, R. A. M., Ivan- 
hoe Commandery No. 2, K. T. ; the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks ; the Foresters ; Eagles ; 
Woodmen of the World ; and Modern Wood- 
men of America. Mr. Lombard is One of the 
progressive and enthusiastic men who are bound 
to inspire others with a keen relish of life, and 
who look instinctively on the bright side of 
things. Success tarries with him because it en- 
joys his company, and because it feels that it 
has been fairly won, and is estimated at its cor- 
rect valuation. 



SOLOMON KING. A history of the sub- 
stantial men of Benton county were sadly in- 
complete without due mention of Solomon King, 
who has been a resident of Oregon since his 
twelfth year, and who has in the meantime 
been identified with its business, political and 
agricultural upbuilding. Distinguishing feat- 
ures have characterized the western career of 
this honored citizen, chief among which is the 
fact that he has served as sheriff of Benton 
county for a longer time than has any other 
man who has held the office. Born in Madison 
county, Ohio, near Columbus, February 26, 
1833, he is a son of Naham King, who was born 
in New York state, and there married Serepta 
Norton. 

Naham King was a man of resource, and 
withal was an interesting personality, achieving 
success in the greater part of his undertakings. 
Soon after his marriage he removed with horse 
teams from New York state to Ohio, where he 
settled on a farm, and from where he enlisted 
in the war of 1812. At a later period he moved 
from Madison to Franklin county, Ohio, and 
from there to Carroll county, Mo., in 1841. His 
farm was a fertile one, well improved and profit- 
able, and he made money through the sale of 
general farm commodities. Eight children were 



born into his family, and these were educated 
to the best of his ability, and in time some of 
them married and had homes of their own. 
There was a strong community of interest exist- 
ing between the various members of this large 
family, and all relied upon the superior judg- 
ment of Naham King, whose strength of charac- 
ter and success inspired confidence. It was not 
surprising therefore that when the father made 
up his mind to cross the plains all of the children 
should accompany him, share in his enthusiasm, 
and aid him by every means in their power. 
In 1845 the family band started out as well 
equipped as any which undertook the hazardous 
venture, having five wagons with from three to 
five yoke of oxen each, and thirty-five head of 
fine Durham cattle. The entire party consisted 
of sixty-five wagons, under command of Captain 
Tevalt and Stephen Meeks, and they were more 
than six months on the way. From Boise City 
they went by what was known as the Meeks 
cut-off, and in consequence lost their way and 
had to retrace their steps a long way. This un- 
necessary delay entailed severe hardship in more 
ways than one, for they ran short of provisions, 
and wearied their cattle exceedingly. From 
The Dalles the party came down to the Cascade 
Falls on a raft, and here transpired the first real 
sorrow in the family, for John King, the oldest 
son in the family, together with his wife and two 
children, died on this trip down the Columbia 
on a raft of pine logs. The rest of the band 
came from the falls to Linton by boat, the cattle 
being driven over the trail, and on to Washing- 
ton county. All wintered on Gale creek, near 
Forest Grove, and in the spring of 1846 Naham 
King went on a tour of investigation, finally 
setfling in the valley in Benton county which has 
ever since borne his name, and of which he was 
the first settler. This valley is six miles long 
and from a mile to a mile and a half wide, and 
is all open and fertile land, and here Mr. King 
took up a claim of six hundred and forty acres, 
while his son-in-law, Lucius Norton, took up a 
similar amount, and another son-in-law, Rowland 
Chambers, took up the same amoiint. Two of 
the sons later took up six hundred and forty 
acres each, and Stephen, one of the sons, and 
Mr. Chambers, put up a grist mill. 

In the spring of 1849 Mr. King moved to 
Portland for a year, and then settled on a claim 
of six hundred and forty acres near Wren's 
Station, where he lived until his death in 1857, 
at the age of seventy-three years. He became 
prominent in political and 1 other affairs, and 
helped to elect the first senator to congress. 
His wife, who survived him until 1863, dying 
at the age of seventy, was the mother of four- 
teen children. Of these, John died coming 
down the Columbia ; Stephen, who helped to 



1088 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



erect the grist mill and served throughout the 
Cayuse war, died in November, 1854; Isaac 
died in the fall of 1866; Amos N. died in Port- 
land in 1902, having been interested for many 
years in a tannery, and also in building and 
contracting ; Solomon ; Rhoda married Eli 
Summers and lives in Heppner, Ore. ; Lydia 
married John Williams of Portland; Abigail 
married B. Fuller, now deceased; Eliza married 
Rowland Chambers ; and Hope married Lucian 
Norton. The other children died young. 

Twelve years old when his father and the 
rest of the family crossed the plains, Solomon 
made himself useful during the trip by driving 
his brother-in-law's ox-team for more than half 
the way, and in other ways contributed to the 
comfort of the homeseekers as only a young, 
strong and enthusiastic boy is capable of doing. 
"W.hen he first arrived in King's valley there 
was no sign of a schoolhouse, and when plans 
were finally made for the education of the rising 
generation he helped to hew the logs and put in 
the slab benches. He himself imbibed some 
knowledge at this primitive educational center, 
but for the greater part was dependent on his 
own resources for his practical all-around educa- 
tion. He worked hard to improve the land and 
place it on a paying basis, and when twenty-one 
years of age had saved enough money, and had 
bright enough prospects to justify him in 
taking a wife in the person of Maria King. 
Thereafter he assumed the management of his 
father's farm until 1872, and then moved to Cor- 
vallis, where he engaged in the livery business 
for fourteen years. While there he became 
greatly interested in politics, and was elected 
sheriff of Benton county on the Republican 
ticket in 1876, being successively re-elected five 
times, and serving in all ten years, the longest 
time any incumbent has held that office. 

His term as sheriff expiring, Mr. King soon 
after bought a farm near where the college is 
now located, and lived thereon until 1891. He 
then came to his present farm one and a half 
miles from Corvallis, where he has prospered 
exceedingly, and added to his original purchase. 
Until recently he owned a thousand acres of 
land, but the greater part of this has been divided 
among his children. His money has been made 
with Short-horn cattle and general farming, and 
he has also conducted a very successful dairy 
business for several years. Of the six children 
born to himself and wife, Annie is the deceased 
wife of W. B. Kinder, the latter living near 
Lebanon; Eli married Miss Tomkins and lives 
on the home farm; William G. married Alice 
Bird and runs a sawmill at Burns, Ore.; Abra- 
ham married C. Bussey and lives near Corvallis ; 
and Scott is with his 'father. Mr. King is well 
known fraternally, and is identified with the 



Ancient Order of United Workmen. Of un- 
questioned integrity, great common sense in all 
of his dealings, and of indefatigable energy, Mr. 
King commands the respect and good will of all 
who know him, and is richly deserving of the 
financial success which has come his way. 



THOMAS J. PHILPOTT. On an average 
sized farm in middle Missouri William J. Phil- 
pott farmed for many years, having settled 
there after removing from his native state of 
Virginia, where he was born February 22, 1822. 
When a young man he married Sarah Darby, 
and with her crossed the plains to Oregon in 
1 85 1, his outfit consisting of four yoke of oxen, 
plenty of clothing and provisions, and several 
milch cows. On the way he was attacked by 
Indians, some of his cattle were stolen, and one 
of his party was killed. Otherwise his trip to 
the west was uneventful, and he arrived at his 
destination in this county with sufficient means 
to start life under favorable conditions. He 
took up a claim two miles north of Holley, where 
he farmed for many years, and where his son, 
Thomas J., was born June 14, 1854. The elder 
Mr. Philpott finally retired from active life, and 
his death occurred in Oakville in December, 
1900. 

Reared on his father's farm, and educated 
in the public schools, Thomas J. Philpott devel- 
oped habits of thrift and industry, and consider- 
able sagacity as a business manager. He re- 
mained at home until twenty-eight years of age, 
and then moved to the A. R. Breeden donation 
claim, of which he now owns two hundred and 
sixty-six acres, under a high state of cultivation. 
He is engaged principally in stock-raising, and 
upon his fertile meadows graze Short-horns, 
Durhams, Cotswold and Merino sheep, and fine 
horses. He understands and likes stock, and 
makes it a rule to have only the best on his 
farm. His general improvements are in accord 
with modern ideas of farming and stock-rearing, 
his home is comfortable and commodious, and 
he is to be congratulated upon the many evi- 
dences of good management to be found upon 
his paying and valuable farm. 

Through his marriage, in 1882, with Sarah 
R. Rice, a native of Linn county, six children 
have been born into the family of Mr. Philpott : 
Tracy, Cleveland, Justin, Vera, Franklin and 
Landis. As a Democrat Mr. Philpott has been 
quite active in the county, although he has never 
worked for office, holding with credit, however, 
those of school director and road supervisor. 
He is a member of trie Grange at Halsey, has been 
treasurer of the same for some time, and in his 
religious inclinations is identified with the Chris- 
tian Church. Mr. Philpott is a scientific and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1089 



successful farmer and stock-raiser, broad minded 
and liberal promoter of the general well being 
oi his neighborhood, and a man in whom his 
friends and associates place the most implicit 
confidence. 



WILLIAM PRESTON. The harness, sad- 
dlery, paints and oils establishment of Preston & 
Hales lias a reputation in keeping with the high 
character of the men directing its management. 
William Preston, the senior member of the firm, 
who is a Mason of high degree, and one of the 
prominent men of Eugene, is a practical harness- 
maker, having fortified himself with the trade 
when he first started to make his own living. 
His life has practically been spent in handling 
leather goods, and no better judge of fine work- 
manship is known in the state. The present 
headquarters of the firm are in the building 
which was erected in 1902, and constructed with 
particular reference to the manufacture of har- 
ness and saddles, and to the handling of a com- 
plete assortment of paints, oils, and glass. The 
ground dimensions are 30x114 feet, and two 
floors are occupied by the company, which caters 
to a large trade by no means local in extent. 

Born in Picton, Prince Edward county, On- 
tario, Canada, in 1844. Mr. Preston is the 
youngest of the five children born to his parents, 
George and Isabella (Beatty) Preston, farmers 
by occupation, and both of whom died in On- 
tario. George Preston came from Ireland as 
a young man, and after living for a short time 
in New York City proceeded to Ontario, with 
his wife, locating on a farm. William remained 
at home until about twenty years old, in the 
meantime, at the age of seventeen, serving an 
apprenticeship to a harnessmaker in Picton. In 
the fall of 1864 he went to Oswego, N. Y., and 
worked at his trade, and in 1868 invested his 
earnings in transportation to California by way 
of Panama. At Calusa, Cal., he worked at his 
trade for three years, and in April, 187 1, made 
his way to Oregon, and worked as a journeyman 
for a couple of years. Feeling amply qualified 
to conduct an independent harness business he 
bought out Sam Ashley's harness shop on East 
Ninth street, but later sold out and bought a 
harness shop in partnership with L. T. Bragg 
on Willamette street, north of where he is located 
at present. A year later he bought his partner's 
interest and continued alone for five years, at 
the end of that time taking C. H. Hales into 
the business under the firm name of Preston 
& Hales. 

In Eugene Mr. Preston married for his first 
wife, Iola Bristow, daughter of W. W. Bristow, 
one of the pioneers of Oregon. Mrs. Preston, 
who was born in Lane county, died not long 



after her marriage, leaving a daughter, Etta V., 
now the wife of Emerson L. Fisher of Eugene. 
For a second wife Mr. Preston married Miss 
Emma C. Hunsacker, also born in Lane county, 
and daughter of Daniel Hunsacker, a retired 
pioneer of the state living in Eugene. Three 
children have been born of this second marriage, 
Vera, who died in infancy, and Donald and 
Guerold are living. Mr. Preston's activities 
have extended to political life, and he has always 
maintained the interests of the Republican party. 
For six years he served as councilman of Eu- 
gene, and has been a member of the school 
board for three years. He is prominent frater- 
nally, and is a member and past master of Eugene 
Lodge No. 11, A. F. & A. M.; Eugene Chapter 
No. 11, Royal Arch Masons; Ivanhoe Com- 
mandery No. 2, of which he is past eminent 
commander; and ex-officer of the Grand Com- 
mandery of Oregon ; also a member of the Al 
Kader Temple, N. M. S. He is a man of broad 
sympathies, intense public spiritedness, and may 
be counted on to further financially and other- 
wise, all efforts for the general improvement 
of the city. 



MRS. SAMANTHA ANN HUDDLESTON. 
The early days of territorial development and the 
birth and growth of a statehood is often recalled 
to the present generation by Mrs. S. A. Huddle- 
ston, one of the old members of the society of 
Lane county, her home having been in the 
vicinity of Eugene since 1847. She came as a 
child to the west, settling here when the primi- 
tive conditions which prevailed entailed the 
greatest hardships and privations upon the pio- 
neers, and with but a vague promise of the fu- 
ture which awaited the country to give them 
courage and cheer amidst their efforts. Passing 
years have brought the changes which required 
great faith to foresee, and her home is now among 
the affluent ones of the state of Oregon as it 
exists today. 

There is more than a passing interest attached 
to those sturdy products of the middle west and 
a deep and absorbing pleasure in going over the 
events of their lives. Mrs. Huddleston was 
in maidenhood Samantha Ann Davis, the 
daughter of Benjamin Davis, who was a 
native of Ohio. He was a tailor by trade, and 
when a young man he removed to Plymouth, 
Ind., and in 1847 outfitted with ox-teams and 
wagons and prepared to bring his family into 
the west. The trip occupied six months and was 
full of the dangers and hardships incident to the 
life of the early travelers. They came by the 
southern route, the only firearm which the father 
had being an old flintlock gun, and though they 
arrived safely in Oregon, September, 1847, two 



1090 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 






years later it was impossible to come by that 
passage. With his wife and six children he lo- 
cated on a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres two miles from the present site of 
Eugene, though at that time there was no city 
in the vicinity and the subject of this sketch rode 
on horseback in this region when the grass grew 
to the pony's back. Their first year in the west 
was one of untold hardships, for they were penni- 
less, with the exception of seventy-five cents 
which the father had. They built a log house 
for a temporary shelter and though wheat sold at 
$5 per bushel, they lived on boiled wheat, served 
without salt or milk. The first soda was made 
from ashes, and the first soap from balsam 
drawn by the mother from the fir trees and made 
with lye, and vinegar was produced from the 
Oregon grape until they began to use the crab- 
apple. Salt-rising bread was another of their 
homely products. The first dress which Mrs. 
Huddleston had made for her in her western 
home was from an old wagon cover, washed, 
and dyed with alder bark, and the first dress pur- 
chased being English calico and costing seventy- 
five cents a yard. Wild animals of all kinds 
roamed the country, and made hunting a com- 
mon and much-enjoyed sport. 

As the finances of Mr. Davis increased, the 
second year in Oregon finding him among the 
wheat-growers, which brought them an income, 
he added a frame a'ddition to his log house, the 
first of the kind in Lane county, and the frame 
house which finally took its place was also the 
first of its kind. This latter is still standing, a 
landmark of those early times. All the pro- 
visions of the- family were brought from Van- 
couver, Wash., at that time their nearest mer- 
cantile point. Mr. Davis became a successful 
marl in the country, accumulating property which 
he proceeded to improve, and taking a strong 
and active interest in all that concerned the wel- 
fare of the growing state. He had the confi- 
dence and esteem of all his fellow-citizens, who 
respected him for the many sterling qualities 
which distinguished his character and made him 
valuable as a member of their community. His 
death occurred upon his claim in 1856, at the 
age of forty-nine years. He had married Cath- 
erine Slater, a native of Pennsylvania, whose 
father died in Ohio, at the advanced age of one 
hundred and two years. The mother made her 
home with her daughter, Mrs. Huddleston, un- 
til her death at the age of eighty-seven years, in 
1897. Besides Mrs. Huddleston, she was the 
mother of the following children: Lemuel E., 
located in Yaquina Bay, Ore. ; Iantha Jane, who 
became the wife of F. Castleman, and died in 
Portland ; Lycurgus, located on a part of the old 
claim ; William Lewis, in Summit, Ore. ; Caroline, 
who became the wife of Edward Davis and died 



in California; and Melancthon M., in the steam- 
boat business at Yaquina. 

Mrs. Huddleston was educated in a subscrip- 
tion school in Yamhill county in her girlhood, 
her marriage to James Huddleston occurring in 
Lane county, in 1853. Mr. Huddleston was 
born in West Virginia and was left an orphan 
at a very early age, after which he made his 
home with an uncle, who resided on a farm. 
When about twenty-three years old, in 1851, he 
crossed the plains with ox-teams and the next 
spring engaged in placer mining in California. 
After a short time he returned to the Willamette 
valley, and engaged in the mercantile business in 
Eugene in partnership with A. P. Ankeney, this 
store being the first in Lane county. The build- 
ing utilized for the purpose was a shed, or " lean- 
to," belonging to the house of E. Skinner. Later 
they erected a store building at the point where 
the bridge now enters the city and still later built 
at the corner of Ninth and Oak streets a frame 
structure which was considered at that time to 
be exceedingly large. For a time the two men 
were connected in this business, and then Mr. 
Huddleston became sole proprietor. When Mr. 
Huddleston first came to Eugene he took up a 
donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres which is now a part of the land upon which 
the city is situated, only one hundred and sixty 
acres being left in the estate. He made his home 
upon this farm, engaging in agricultural pur- 
suits in connection with his mercantile interests 
until he disposed of the latter in 1856 and de- 
voted his energies to the improvement and culti- 
vation of his farm. His death occurred Novem- 
ber 27, 1 89 1. Politically he was a Democrat 
and had served his party for one term as county 
treasurer. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow 
and a member of the Encampment. 

Since her husband's death Mrs. Huddleston 
has laid out an addition to the city of Eugene, 
in the spring of 1903 apportioning thirty acres 
on the west side to city lots. She has one son, 
Henry C. Huddleston, a native of Eugene, who 
was formerly in business here, but now combines 
his interests with those of his mother. He is, 
like his father, of Democratic convictions. 



JOHN C. CHURCH. Long associated with 
the commercial activity of Eugene, Lane county, 
John C. Church is not forgotten in business cir- 
cles, though several years have passed since he 
came to his death through a fall from the top 
of the electric light building. Not only an im- 
portant factor in the business world, Mr. Church 
also stood high as a man of integrity and ear- 
nestness of purpose, the esteem given to an hon- 
orable and upright citizen being his throughout 
his residence in Eugene. Previous to his re- 




woa£*a sXzoMliM'W 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1093 



moval to the west he was located in various 
states of the middle west, where he served as a 
soldier in the Civil war. 

.Mr. Church was born in Genesee county, N. 
V.. June 22, 1834, and was left an orphan at a 
ver\ early age. His father having been a farm- 
er, he was more or less trained in agricultural 
pursuits, and especially so in those frugal and 
industrious habits which foretell success in life. 
Coming toward the west, he first located in Tif- 
tin, Seneca county, Ohio, where he remained 
until 1852, when he crossed the plains to Cali- 
fornia and engaged in mining for the ensuing 
six years. Satisfied with his returns, he went 
back to Ohio, traveling by way of the Isthmus 
of Panama, and after a brief period in that state 
he removed to Iowa, where he engaged in clerk- 
ing in a mercantile establishment. At the break- 
ing out of the Civil war he enlisted in the Sec- 
ond Iowa Regiment of cavalry and served for 
four years, during which time he became orderly 
sergeant of Company C, and was afterward pro- 
moted to the rank of second lieutenant. Soon 
after the close of the war he removed to Macon, 
Mo., where he engaged as a clerk in a hardware 
establishment, where he remained until 1872, 
when he came to Eugene, Ore. In connection 
with J. F. Robinson he established a hardware 
store, the firm name being Robinson & Church, 
and together they built up a large and lucrative 
business, which was successfully continued for 
many years. Disposing of his interests to Brown 
& Griffin, he engaged in the electric light busi- 
ness with Mr. Robinson, the concern being 
known as the Eugene Electric Light Company, 
of which Mr. Church became president. When 
the building was nearing completion Mr. Church 
came to his tragic death, the date being August 
3. 1897. 

In politics Mr. Church was a Republican, and 
was active in the work of establishing the prin- 
ciples of this party in his adopted city. For one 
term he served as county judge of Lane county, 
and was a member of the city council for two 
years. He was a member of J. W. Gearv Post, 
G. A. R., and fraternally he was an Odd Fellow 
and a Mason of the Knights Templar degree. 

The marriage of Mr. Church occurred in 
Macon, Mo., November 16, 1869, an d united him 
with Adaline Greene. She was born in Rich- 
mond county, Ky., the youngest of seven chil- 
dren born to her parents, H. M. and Adeline 
(Campbell) Greene, both of whom also owed 
their nativity to the state of Kentucky. The 
father of the former came from Ireland and set- 
tled there, bringing with him the traits of an 
English, Scotch and Irish ancestry. Mrs. 
Church's father was a farmer, and became a 
resident of Macon county, Mo., where he died. 
All of the children of that family are now liv- 



ing, though the only one in Oregon is Mrs. 
Church, who was reared in Missouri and re- 
ceived her education in the public schools and 
Huntsville College. She has the following chil- 
dren : Lee W., chief engineer of the Lane Coun- 
ty Electric Light Company ; Earl H., a graduate 
of the University of Oregon, and served in the 
Philippine Islands under General Summers in 
the Second Oregon Regiment; Erminie E., and 
Curtis H. Since her husband's death Mrs. 
Church has made her home in Eugene, where 
she owns considerable property. 



ROBERT CALLISON. In the neighbor- 
hood where he has grown old in the service of 
agriculture and general advancement, Robert 
Callison is universally associated with the wife 
who has traveled the uphill road with him, and 
whose economy, bravery and unfailing sympathy 
have never wandered or forsaken him. At pres- 
ent retired from active life, these pioneers of 
1848, these Kentuckians so far from the sur- 
roundings of their birth and childhood, are one 
of the most delightful and interesting couples 
to be found in Lane county. The oldest married 
people in this part of Oregon, their minds are 
stored with valuable facts personally noted 
during their long residence here, and their wit 
in conversation might well be envied by the 
rising generation. 

A hard struggle for existence characterized 
the youth of Mr. Callison, who was born in 
Adair county, Ky., June 5, 1818. His parents 
dying when he was a small boy, he started away 
from home to make his own living at the age of 
fifteen, his first work bringing him in $6 a 
month and board. In 1833 he made his way 
overland with teams to Illinois, accompanied 
by his uncle and family, and inspired in his 
journey by the fact that four brothers had pre- 
ceded him to Illinois. He lived and worked with 
his uncle and brothers until his marriage, De- 
cember s, 1839, w i tn Polly Bristow, who was 
born in Kentucky, October 28, 1820, her father, 
Elijah Bristow, having been born in the Old 
Dominion state in 1786. The Bristows emi- 
grated to Illinois in 1827, and Elijah came over- 
land to California in 1845, then to Oregon, his 
family following in 1848. All of the members 
took up claims in Lane county, and the father 
lived to be eighty-five, and the mother eighty- 
three years of age. A brother of Mrs. Callison 
taught the first school in Lane county. The fam- 
ily became identified with political, church and 
social advancement. Elijah Bristow was a 
soldier in the war of 181 2. In his family were 
fifteen children, two besides Mrs. Callison being 
alive at the present time. 

After his marriage Mr. Callison located on 



1094 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a farm in McDonough county, 111., remaining 
there and prospering for nine years. His out- 
fit for crossing the plains in 1848 consisted of 
a wagon with two yoke of oxen, and one of 
cows to furnish milk during the journey. Fear- 
lessly they joined the band of fifty wagons 
which ventured forth into the practically un- 
known, and, overcome with weariness each night, 
pitched their tent only to face the incessant 
march of the following day. It is not remem- 
bered that anything out of the ordinary hap- 
pened on this mission to the west, and at the 
end of seven months the various members of the 
cavalcade dispersed to their respective claims, 
Mr. and Mrs. Callison coming directly to Lane 
county, and settling on a claim of a section of 
land on what is now known as Pleasant Hill. 
Several years later they bought their present 
farm of six hundred and forty acres, comprising 
the W. W. Bristow donation claim, made the 
extensive improvements which have increased 
its value from year to year, and which now 
forms one of the most modern and productive 
properties in Lane county. As early settlers on 
their farm Mr. and Mrs. Callison had but two 
neighbors, and their long drives over the new 
country revealed few signs of activity, agri- 
cultural or otherwise. Long since they have 
deeded their large farm to their only son, 
Josiah T., and their daughter, Lucetta, widow 
of W. H. Baughman, their respective portions. 
This venerable couple have two granddaughters, 
ten grandsons and thirteen great grandchildren. 
Mr. and Mrs. Callison live on one hundred and 
twenty-five acres which they reserved for their 
home. 

A large share of the influence of this worthy 
family is due to the uprightness of their lives, 
and to their participation in church and edu- 
cational advancement. Mrs. Callison was thir- 
teen and her husband fifteen years of age when 
they joined the Christian Church, and their al- 
legiance has never wandered from the denom- 
ination thus early espoused. They, and the 
father of Mrs. Callison, were the chief promot- 
ers of the Christian Church on Pleasant Hill, 
and they are two of the three charter members 
of the church which have survived the changes 
of all these years. A Republican in politics, Mr. 
Callison cast his first vote for the first President 
Harrison, and though working at times for the 
recognition of his friends, he himself has never 
desired to hold office. Broad-minded, generous, 
practical and well abreast of the times in which 
he lives, Mr. Callison commands the best thought 
of his neighbors and friends, his life work plac- 
ing him among the foremost of the noble band 
whose courage and nobility have accomplished 
the redemption of Oregon. 



MRS. ROSALIA BAUSCH. Floriculture 
and women seem such a natural combination that 
one scarcely requires a practical demonstration 
of their ability in this direction. In no other 
country in the world have women given the sub- 
ject such profound and serious consideration, or 
have so well succeeded in carrying out ambitious 
projects of catering to large and exacting trades, 
in direct competition with men of larger means 
and infinitely greater resources. The greatest 
opportunities of the kind are by no means con- 
fined to our sister state of California, for one 
has but to call attention to such successful flor- 
ists as Mrs. Rosalia Bausch of Eugene, in sub- 
stantiation of Oregon's claim of supremacy. 
Mrs. Bausch has by far the largest floral estab- 
lishment in the town, and its conduct has been 
and still is characterized by shrewdness, tact, and 
good judgment. 

Mrs. Bausch possesses the home-loving and 
practical traits of the typical women of her na- 
tive land, Germany, where she was born at 
Wieselburg, on the Danube, in Bavaria, and 
where her father, Joseph Auman, was a well 
known blacksmith. The latter married Monica 
Kuchler. In the Fatherland eight children were 
born into his family, all of whom he brought to 
America in 1854, Mrs. Bausch being at that time 
thirteen years old. Settling in Manitowoc, Wis., 
Mr. Bausch worked at his trade until retiring 
from active life, his death occurring at the age 
of seventy-seven years. Prior to coming to 
America Mrs. Bausch had received a practical 
education in the Gymnasium at Regen, and no 
member of the family was more delighted than 
she when the family boarded the sailer Beta, at 
Bremen, and spent six weeks of storm and calm 
ere they landed at Baltimore, Md. Stopping at 
Pittsburg and Chicago on the way to Wisconsin, 
she completed her education in the latter city 
and grew into a graceful and attractive woman, 
making many friends among her schoolmates 
and members of the German colony. August 5, 
1856, she was united in marriage with Peter 
Zimmer, a native of Dolheim, Luxemburg, Ger- 
many, and who was engaged in building and con- 
tracting in Manitowoc, Wis. Mr. Zimmer died 
in Dakota. His wife afterward went to St. Paul, 
Minn., and in 1876 came to San Francisco with 
friends. 

Soon after her arrival in the west, in April, 
1876, she was united in marriage with Peter 
Bausch, a native of Bayford, Luxemburg, Ger- 
many, who in his youth learned the shoe- 
maker's trade in the neighborhood of his home. 
He was more than an ordinarily fine workman 
when he came to America in 1876, eighteen years 
of practical experience in the finest shops in 
Paris having fitted him for the most delicate and 
artistic work in his line. He settled first in Al- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1095 



bany, Ore, and in the fall of the same year took 
up his residence in Eugene, where he engaged at 
his trade for two years before retiring from 
active life. His death, September 17, 1894, left 
a void in the hearts of many friends who had 
been attracted to him in the west, for he was a 
genial and kindly man, large of heart and gentle 
in his judgment of humanity at large. Polit- 
ically he was a Democrat, and in religion was a 
member of the Roman Catholic Church. 

In taking up the burden of life after the death 
of her second husband. Mrs. Bausch displayed 
a great deal of courage and determination, for 
she had little to depend on for immediate sup- 
port, and had never qualified for earning her own 
living. In 1893 she started a florist and green- 
house enterprise, which from the first grew 
apace and encouraged her with more than ex- 
pected returns. A natural lover of flowers, she 
studied the nature and peculiarities of the blooms 
which developed under her watchful care, grow- 
ing more and more familiar with the many mem- 
bers of her interesting family. At present her 
greenhouse measures 16 x 40 feet, and in the 
summer time she has outside gardens of roses 
and other flowers. She supplies the largest trade 
in Eugene, and her collection includes many rare 
and fine specimens of the florist's art, including 
orchids of many varieties. A comfortable home 
is owned and occupied by Mrs. Bausch at 118 
West Seventh street. With every thought for 
their ultimate welfare, she has reared three of 
her five children, all of whom were born of the 
first marriage. Of these, Mary is the wife of 
Frank Kading of Penn, N. Dak., while John and 
Frank are living in Eugene, the latter a master 
carpenter. Mrs. Bausch is a member of the Re- 
bekahs and of the Catholic Church. 



JOSEPH W. STEWART. In Lane county 
are to be found many thorough-going, keen- 
sighted business men who have achieved success 
in life through their own tact, sound judgment, 
and persistent determination. Prominent among 
this number is Joseph W- Stewart, of Spring- 
field, who, in his long and prosperous career, has 
accumulated a sufficiency of this world's goods 
to enable him to pass his remaining years in ease, 
surrounded by not only the comforts but the 
luxuries of life. A man of honest worth, ever 
ready to support all enterprises conducive to the 
best interests of his town and county, he has 
gained in a marked degree the respect and con- 
fidence of his fellow -men, and is held in high 
esteem in the community. A son of the late 
Elias Stewart, he was born September 13, 1835, 
in Macoupin county, 111. His grandfather, Bri- 
son Stewart, was born and reared in Virginia, 
but subsequently moved to Tennessee, thence to 



Illinois, and in 1839 settled in Missouri, where 
he passed the remainder of his years. He was a 
tiller of the soil, and as a pioneer assisted in 
breaking the land in three of the states above 
mentioned. He enlisted as a soldier in the clos- 
ing years of the war of 1812, but was never 
called into active service. 

The oldest of a family of eight children, six 
of whom grew to years of maturity, Joseph W. 
Stewart received his early education in the dis- 
trict schools of Missouri. Coming to Lane coun- 
ty in 1852, he assisted his father in the' labors 
incidental to life in a new and uncivilized region, 
remaining at home until 1862. Going then to the 
mines of Boise, Idaho, he met with success in his 
search for the golden ore, returning home in 1863 
with $1,200 in gold. For a few months there- 
after he was employed as a clerk in a store at 
Eugene. On November 5, 1863, he moved to 
Springfield, Ore., where, in partnership with his 
brother, John Stewart, and Mier Rosenblatt, he 
embarked in business as a general merchant. In 
1865 Mr. Stewart and his brother bought out the 
interest of the remaining partner of the firm and 
conducted a successful mercantile business until 
1873, when the partnership was dissolved. Tak- 
ing the store, Mr. Stewart continued its manage- 
ment alone until March 26, 1902, when he sold 
out to T. G. Chandler, and has since lived re- 
tired from active pursuits. Mr. Stewart has 
large property interests to look • after, owning 
considerable real estate, a large part of which is 
in town lots. He has twenty-two acres in one 
body adjoining Eugene on the southwest, which 
he has named in honor of his father, the Elias 
Stewart addition, twenty acres of it being plat- 
ted. He is also owner of three blocks on Cottage 
Hill, in Eugene, and in the city of Springfield 
has a fine residence, two store buildings, and 
other property, including twelve city lots. He 
manages his own real estate interests and con- 
ducts an extensive business besides in loaning 
money. 

In 1864, near Eugene, Mr. Stewart married 
Julia Walker, who was born in Greene county, 
Mo. She died August 16, 1874, aged twenty- 
seven years, leaving two children, namely : 
Henry, who is telegraph operator and station 
agent for the Southern Pacific Railway Company 
at Comstock ; and Hattie, wife of A. O. Wheeler, 
an engineer, residing at Portland, Ore. On De- 
cember 2. 1875, Mr- Stewart married Elizabeth 
Evans, who was born in Baltimore, Md., but, 
being left an orphan when young, came to Ore- 
gon, in 1874. to live with her brother. Mr. and 
Mrs. Stewart have three children, namely : James 
E.. a butcher in Springfield; Mary Ethel, wife 
of J. L. Clark, postmaster at Springfield ; and 
Harry M., who is assistant postmaster. Polit- 
ically Mr. Stewart is a stanch supporter of the 



1096 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



principles of the Democratic party. He has 
filled many positions of public trust and respon- 
sibility, having been postmaster at Springfield 
for eight years, serving through President 
Hayes' administration and during the first term 
of President Cleveland ; he was school director 
a number of years ; was a member of the city 
council several terms ; and at the present time is 
serving most efficiently as city treasurer. 



L. W. BROWN, M. D. A profound and 
ever-increasing knowledge of medicine and sur- 
gery, more than ordinary penetration into pos- 
sible business chances, and the requisite executive 
ability, as well as a public spirit wide enough to 
cover all phases of life and activity, have con- 
spired to make the career of Dr. L. W. Brown a 
notable one in Eugene. Today he is unquestion- 
ably the most in demand of any who follow his 
calling in Lane county, and he is the oldest in Eu- 
gene to subscribe to the principle of similia simil- 
ibus curantur. Preceded by twenty years of prac- 
tical professional experience in Philadelphia, he 
came to Eugene in 1887, and, liking the people 
and country, has since made this his home. He 
is especially devoted to surgery, and some of his 
most satisfactory results have been accomplished 
along this line, his success creating a demand 
for his services throughout southern Oregon. 

Of substantial farming stock, Dr. Brown was 
born in Lorain county, Ohio, February 2, 1844, 
the fourth of the seven children born to Lewis and 
Mary (Henninger) Brown, natives respectively 
of Prussia and Ohio. Lewis Brown came to 
America as a young man, and settled in Lorain 
county, where he farmed continuously until his 
death in 1851, when his son L. W. was seven 
years old. The death of his wife had occurred 
the year before. The orphan children were kept 
together during their early years on the Lorain 
county farm in Ohio, and when L. W. Brown 
was still young he went to Cleveland and became 
a clerk in a drug store. While there he became 
interested in medicine, and after two years in the 
store, began to study with Dr. S. R. Beckworth, 
professor of surgery in the Homoeopathic Medi- 
cal College. Having completed his tuition under 
this capable guide he entered the New York 
Homoeopathic Medical College, being gradu- 
ated therefrom in the spring of 1864. The Civil 
war then approaching its end, he became post- 
surgeon of the General Hospital No. 7, of 
Louisville, Ky., with the rank of captain, served 
his time, and, returning to Philadelphia, entered 
upon the practice which covered the long period 
of twenty years. 

In enumerating the business enterprises which 
have profited by the co-operation of Dr. Brown, 
mention should be made of the Eugene Theatre 



Company, of which he is a director and the vice 
president, and which has recently completed a 
$30,000 opera house. He is a director in the 
LeRoy Mining Company, operating in the Bo- 
hemia mining district, and manufacturing steam 
machinery for mining and development. He 
has stock in a number of prominent mines, and, 
taken all in all, is a most successful mining pro- 
moter. Dr. Brown was pension examiner for 
five years, or until the obligations of an exten- 
sive practice obliged him to curtail outside re- 
sponsibilities. He is examiner for the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of the 
Maccabees, and the Lions. Since his first voting 
days he has been in favor of Republican prin- 
ciples, and in many ways has furthered the local 
interests of his party. While still living in Penn- 
sylvania, Dr. Brown married Isabelle Lotridge, 
who was born in La Crosse, Wis., and died in 
Philadelphia in 1878, leaving two children: Isa- 
belle J., a graduate of the University of Oregon, 
now the wife of Prof. R. H. Dearborn of the 
University of Oregon; and Leonard G, also 
educated at the University of Oregon, a grad- 
uate of pharmacy, and at present secretary and 
treasurer of the Erie Copper Mining Company 
of Salt Lake City, Utah. 



FRED FISK. The office of sheriff of Lane 
county has never been more ably maintained 
than by its present incumbent, Fred Fisk, whose 
broad education and earnest intelligence pecu- 
liarly qualify him to hold a position where 
judgment as well as action is required in the 
discharge of duties. Mr. Fisk was .born in Fisk, 
Adair county, Iowa, December 10, 1873, the son 
of Judge A. H. Fisk, a native of Northfield, Vt. 
The latter was the son of Henry Fisk, also a 
native of Vermont, who became an early settler 
of Adair county and passed the remainder of 
his life there as a farmer. A. H. Fisk engaged 
in business in that county as a stockman and 
farmer, making his home in the town of Fisk, 
which received its name from his own. He was 
a prominent and influential man there, serving 
as a member of the board of supervisors, but he 
left his well grounded interests to find a home 
among the interesting conditions of the state of 
Oregon. He first located in Lane county, engag- 
ing in the mercantile business in Eugene, where 
in 1892 he was elected county judge for four 
years, after which he retired from public duties 
and so remained until his death December 2, 
1 901. Politically he was a Democrat and fra- 
ternally he was a Royal Arch Mason. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth Emerson, a native of Vermont. 

Fred Fisk was reared in Iowa and educated 
in the public schools of that state. He was fif- 
teen years old when the family removed to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1097 



Eugene, and he at once entered the high school, 
from which he was graduated in 1891, for a 
short time thereafter serving as a clerk. Eager 
to win in an educational race for which he had 
special ability, he entered the University of Ore- 
gon, and in 1897 was graduated with the degree 
of A. B. In the same year he won the state 
oratorical contest and also the inter-state ora- 
torical contest, open to the states of Oregon, 
Washington and Idaho. Upon leaving the uni- 
versity Mr. Eisk went back to Iowa and passed 
the years of 1897-98, and on his return to Oregon 
was appointed, September 1, 1898, deputy sher- 
iff under Sheriff W. W. Withers, his principal 
duty being the charge of the office. He contin- 
ued in this position until the unfortunate death 
of the sheriff, February 7, 1903, when he was 
appointed by the county commissioners as sheriff 
of the county. He took charge of affairs at 
once, his ability being promptly demonstrated 
by the able manner in which he took up the 
work so suddenly laid down. As a Democrat, 
Mr. Fisk has upheld the interests of the party 
in such a way as to prove the depths of the loy- 
alty with which he adheres to the principles 
advocated. 

Mr. Fisk is also interested in real estate in 
this part of the state, being the owner of timber 
lands in Lane county. In his fraternal relations 
he was made a Mason in Eugene Lodge Xo. 11 
and is now a Royal Arch Mason. He also be- 
longs to the Knights of Pythias and Woodmen 
of the World. He is an active member of the 
Alumni Association of the University of Ore- 
gon, and a member of the Commercial Club. 



PROF. GEORGE COOTE. It is well-nigh 
impossible to overestimate the great progress 
that has been made in scientific agriculture 
during the past half century, more especially 
that made since the establishment by congress 
in each of the states and territories of an agri- 
cultural experiment station. In order that the 
highest possible results shall be obtained in each 
of these stations, it is necessary that the staff 
of instructors must be composed of men of 
ability and education, whose preliminary train- 
ing shall have especially fitted them for the 
work in hand. Noteworthy in the faculty of the 
Oregon Agricultural College is Prof. George 
Coote, who is at the head of the floricultural and 
gardening department, also having supervision 
of the vegetable department at the experiment 
station. 

A native of England, and the descendant of 
an old and respected family. Professor Coote 
was born, February 28, 1842, in Bromley, Kent 
county. His father a life-long resident of Eng- 
land, was successfully engaged in agricultural 



pursuits, the occupation by which his ancestors 
lived and thrived, for many years. He married 
Martha Keeble, who was born in County Essex, 
England, and died in her native land. Three 
children were born of their union, two of whom 
are living, George, the subject of this brief 
sketch, being the only one to cross the Atlantic, 
and settle in a newer country. 

Brought up on the home farm, and educated 
in the national schools, George Coote remained 
with his parents until sixteen years old, when he 
entered tne employ of Mr. Jack, a noted florist 
and gardener, with whom he served an appren- 
ticeship of four years, at Langley Park, Becken- 
ham, County Kent. After working as a garden- 
er for three ensuing years, he had the entire 
charge of laying out seven acres of private 
grounds, arranging the landscape in an artistic 
manner, subsequently having charge of the 
grounds from 1864 until 1868. Assuming then the 
management of a large estate in Down, County 
Kent, he became a neighbor of Darwin, with 
whom he formed an intimate acquaintance, and 
oftentimes helped him in his work, and aided 
him in the various experiments in the fertilizing 
of orchids, and in the development of plants. 
Becoming interested in the Pacific coast through 
a friend, T. E. Hogg, who was connected with 
the Corvallis & Eastern Railway Company, Mr,. 
Coote emigrated to America in 1877, coming 
under the auspices of a London company to take 
charge of seventy thousand acres of land appor- 
tioned to Oregon in 1862, the interest arising 
from the proceeds of said land being devoted to 
the instruction of the industrial classes in such 
branches of learning as relate to agriculture and 
the mechanical arts. The company failing a 
few years later, Mr. Coote purchased land west 
of Corvallis, and was there engaged in general 
farming for five years, later being located at 
Yaquina bay. 

Accepting, in 1888, the appointment as assist- 
ant professor of horticulture at the Oregon Agri- 
cultural College, then just opened, he laid out 
the college grounds, erected the greenhouses, 
and subsequently filled the chair of horticulture. 
A year later he was made superintendent of 
grounds, a position which he ably filled for three 
years, when he accepted his present position as 
professor of floriculture and gardening. The 
professor is a recognized authority on all ques- 
tions pertaining to horticulture, floriculture, 
vegetable and landscape gardening, through his 
wide experience in these branches gaining wis- 
dom and knowledge of great value to himself 
and his students. 

Professor Coote married, at St. George's 
Church, Beckenham, England, Miss Marv Ann 
Harvey, who was born in Ipswich, County Suf- 
folk, England, and they have two children, 



1098 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



namely : Annie, wife of W. Butler, of Santa 
Barbara, Cal. ; and Edith, wife of Prof. E. F. 
Pernot, of Corvallis. Politically Professor Coote 
is a Democrat, and fraternally is a member of 
Corvallis Grange No. 242, in which he is now 
serving his second term as master. He is an 
active member of the Episcopal Church, of which 
he was for a number of years lay reader, senior 
warden, and vestryman. 



HENRY E. PARRISH. On the farm which 
is now his home, Henry E. Parrish was born 
January 18, 1848. In Oregon, a date so remote, 
while not indicating anything beyond a man in 
his prime, carries with it an impression of primi- 
tive and pioneer conditions, which was certainly 
the case, although the grandfather, E. E. Par- 
rish, and the father, Gamaliel Parrish, were 
already well established in the state, they having 
crossed the plains in 1844. The grandfather 
removed at a very early day from his home in the 
east to Ohio, where Gamaliel was born, and 
where he reared several other children, all of 
whom, except one son, accompanied him to Ore- 
gon. He was both a physician and minister of 
the gospel, and in Oregon settled on a claim near 
Jefferson, Marion county, in what was known as 
Parrish Gap. 

Gamaliel Parrish remained at home until 1847, 
and then took up a section of land near Plain- 
view, a portion of which comprises the farm of 
Henry Parrish. He went to the mines of Cali- 
fornia in 1849, making the trip to and fro by 
water, and bringing home with him much more 
money than he had hoped to make in the mines. 
Before settling on his farm, February 25, 1847, 
he married Miss Lydia M. Peterson, and the 
young couple settled down to housekeeping in 
a little round-log house with one room, and here 
made themselves as comfortable as possible for 
some years, eventually replacing the log house 
with one of more modern construction. The 
wife died on the farm May 14, 1876, and was 
survived by her husband until November 12, 
1884. Henry E. is the oldest of their three 
children, and Sarah E., the only daughter in the 
family, is the widow of Alpheus Frum, while 
Granville E. lives in Yakima, Wash. 

Henry E. Parrish remained with his father 
until his twenty-eighth year, and in the meantime 
had acquired a practical education in the public 
schools, receiving from his father a thorough 
agricultural training. Somewhat weary of the 
monotony of farming life, he went to Lebanon 
in 1884 and conducted the St. Charles Hotel for 
eighteen months, afterward managing a restaur- 
ant with fair results for a couple of years in 
the same city. For a year he lived on a farm in 
Benton county, and for a year and a half operated 



a farm near Plainview. He then returned to 
the old homestead, where he has since lived, 
and where he owns two hundred and fifty-six 
acres of the original claim. He is engaged in 
general farming, stock-raising and dairying, and 
on his property has made many improvements 
in addition to those made by his father in the 
early days. July 26, 1876, Mr. Parrish married 
Miss Emma Bates, who was born in Marshall 
county, Iowa, and crossed the plains with her 
parents in 1864. Arnie J., the only child born 
into the Parrish home, died in 1896, at the age 
of six years. Mr. Parrish is a Republican in 
politics, though never seeking official recogni- 
tion, and with his wife is a member of the Bap- 
tist Church. He is honorable and upright in 
all of his dealings, and in his neighborhood is 
regarded as a very successful and public-spirited 
citizen. 



CHARLES PATTISON. Ten miles south 
of Albany is the sixty-five-acre farm of Charles 
Pattison, who, in his younger and more rugged 
days tilled many acres of land in this fertile 
valley. Mr. Pattison belongs to that class of 
successful men who have worked out their own 
destiny, and who, at no stage of his career, has 
received material financial or other aid. His 
father, William, a native of Ireland, was born 
in 1798, and at a very youthful age was left 
an orphan. Thereafter he went to live with his 
paternal relatives, with whom he came to Am- 
erica in 1803, settling on a farm in South Caro- 
lina. In 1818 the entire family removed to the 
state of Illinois, William remaining with his 
friends until his marriage with Mary Mumford, 
a native of South Carolina. Eventually he be- 
came a farmer in Randolph county, where his 
son, Charles, was born December 24, 1833, and 
where he remained until the spring of 1849. The 
father was ambitious of better things, and, hav- 
ing outfitted with ox-teams and wagons, started 
across the plains with his wife and children, ex- 
periencing on the way but little trouble with the 
Indians. They were on the road about nine 
months, and in the late fall reached Multnomah 
county, Ore., where they spent the first winter 
on a farm. In March, 1850, Mr. Pattison moved 
to Oregon City, where he followed laboring until 
the fall, when he took up his residence in Cow- 
litz county, Wash., on a section of land.. This 
continued to be his home for eighteen months, 
and, not being pleased with the location, he 
moved near Olympia, in the Puget Sound re- 
gion. Eight or nine years later he moved to 
Lane county, Ore., where he bought four hun- 
dred acres of land, and where his death occurred 
at the age of seventy-five years. He was sur- 
vived by his wife until her eighty-second year, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1099 



her death occurring at the home of her son, 
Charles, with whom her last years were spent. 
William Pattison was a man of strong character 
and much natural ability, and in the early days 
served faithfully in the Yakima war for three 
months. He was a member and active worker in 
the United Presbyterian Church, which he joined 
as a young man, and was ever afterward de- 
voted to its interests. 

The children of William Pattison numbered 
six. and all were reared on the home farm, start- 
ing out at comparatively early ages to earn their 
own living. Charles chose blacksmithing as a 
means of livelihood, but never plied his trade to 
any extent. At the age of twenty-eight he took 
up an adjoining claim to the old homestead, and 
made that his home until 1880, when he bought 
his present farm of sixty-five acres in the Oak- 
ville vicinity, ten miles southwest of Albany. He 
is interested in general farming and stock, and 
has found his occupation both congenial and re- 
munerative. At no time in his life has Mr. 
Pattison taken more than a passive interest in 
politics, but is ranged on the side of Prohibition. 
Armilda, the first wife of Mr. Pattison, who 
died in 1877, bore him four children, three of 
whom are living: Mrs. Ida Morris, who lives 
in Washington ; Mrs. Agnes Shough, living in 
Albany ; and Mrs. Anna Barton lives at the 
paternal home. For a second wife Mr. Pattison 
married Sarah Redford, a native of Missouri, of 
which union there have been born three children : 
Nellie, of Portland ; Alice, at home ; and John 
W., assisting his father with the home farm. 
Like his father, Mr. Pattison served in the Ya- 
kima Indian war for three months, during 1855- 
6, and he recalls many thrilling experiences 
with the red men in the early days. He also 
is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. 
Upright and honorable in all his dealings, prac- 
tical and public-spirited, Mr. Pattison commands 
in large meaasure the respect of the community 
in which he lives, and towards the improvements 
of which he has so earnesly striven. 



EDWARD ERNEST UPMEYER. A many- 
sided ability and the faculty of not only recog- 
nizing but creating opportunities, has enabled 
Edward Ernest Upmeyer to lead a life of more 
than ordinary interest and usefulness. In fact 
there are few important enterprises in and around 
Harrisburg which have not been influenced by his 
judgment or promoted by his practical assistance. 
At present retired from active participation in 
the interests which are still conducted under his 
name, Mr. Upmeyer has amassed a fortune in 
stock-raising, land speculating, saw-milling, and 
other lines of enterprise, and in his rise is an 
inspiring example of the man who builds upon 



the sure foundation of practical business judg- 
ment and fair dealing. 

Inheriting strong and reliable characteristics 
of his Teutonic ancestors, Mr. Upmeyer was 
born in Baltimore, Md., October 28, 1842, his 
father, Ernest, having settled in the Maryland 
city upon his arrival from Prussia in 1835. A 
carpenter by trade, the elder Upmeyer found 
ready employment during his active life, and, be- 
ing a master workman, commanded good wages. 
His removal with his family to St. Louis, Mo., 
in 1846, resulted in a change for the better, but 
his death, which occurred two years later, in 
1848, cut short a career still promising, although 
he had reached the half century mark. With 
him from Prussia came his wife, Sophia (Hol- 
stein) Upmeyer, and four of their children, five 
more being born in the United States. The 
parents were devoted to each other and to their 
home. The mother also died in 1848, six weeks 
after the death of her husband. 

After his parents' death, when he was five 
years old, Edward Ernest went to live with a 
cousin at Trenton, 111., and remained there until 
the spring of 1868. He then started out to 
farm on his own responsibility, and in 1869 mar- 
ried, in Louisville, Ky., Liza Jane Bain, who 
was born in Manchester, England, and came to 
the United States with her friends at the age 
of eighteen years. Locating in Louisville, Ky., 
Miss Bain taught in the public schools of that 
city for twelve years, or until her marriage. 
The young people settled near Lawrence, Kans., 
and afterward removed to Hutchinson, the same 
state, at the end of a year taking up their resi- 
dence in Salina county. Here Mr. Upmeyer 
owned and managed a threshing machine for 
three years, then with his gains went to Bear 
Valley, Colo., the following year locating on a 
rented farm near Harrisburg, Ore. His actual 
start in life Mr. Upmeyer dates from 1885, when 
he bought two hundred and eighty acres of land 
two miles east of Harrisburg, but still made his 
home on the rented farm, which comprised 
about a thousand acres. He began to buy, sell 
and raise stock on a large scale, and to a greater 
extent than the average newcomer succeeded 
from the first, increasing his business from 
month to month, until at the end of two years 
he stepped down and out, his efforts having 
netted him a tidy little sum. 

Locating in Harrisburg in 1888, he purchased 
a warehouse and stored wheat and oats for three 
years, and in 1890 purchased a saw-mill in the 
town, which he conducted successfully for 
twelve years. In 1894 he became one of the pro- 
moters of the Harrisburg Water Power Canal, 
was the first president of the company, and 
eventually became the sole owner of the con- 
cern. Saw-mill and canal were in a flourishing 



1100 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



condition in 1902, when Mr. Upmeyer had an 
opportunity to dispose of both advantageously, 
which he did to Booth & Kelley Lumber Com- 
pany. Needless to say, the margin from these 
transactions was sufficient to insure him a life of 
ease and independence, a consummation fully 
earned by his years of devotion to the best tenets 
of business. In the meantime, in 1901, he had 
added to his landed possessions, and at the pres- 
ent time he has five hundred acres within two 
miles of Harrisburg, besides a farm of three 
hundred and twenty acres of timber land on the 
Siuslaw river. 

The Republican party in Linn county has 
profited by the substantial support of Mr. Up- 
meyer, who has been mayor of Harrisburg for 
one term, has been a member of the council 
many times, and for nine years has endeavored 
to promote educational excellence in the com- 
munity as a member of the school board. He is 
fraternally connected with the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. Since early manhood he has 
been a member and active worker in the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also 
belonged. Mrs. Upmeyer was an invalid for the 
last six years of her life, and notwithstanding 
the unceasing efforts of her husband in her be- 
half, her death occurred March 19, 1903. No 
children being born to Mr. and Mrs. Upmeyer, 
they adopted Dena Holt, who is now the wife of 
E. J. Nixon, a farmer near Harrisburg. A. B. 
Hulett, a general merchant of Island City, also 
owes his training from thirteen years of age to 
these large-hearted people, who gave him a home 
and a practical education, and started him out 
in life. Mr. Upmeyer has an abiding confidence 
in the slow and sure ways of making a living, 
and anything on the speculative order has never 
appealed to his judgment. His advancement has 
been steady, and dictated by sober thought and 
practical common sense, and has met with tfte 
approval of conservative and painstaking asso- 
ciates in the business world. Mr. Upmeyer is 
one of the organizers and president of the Kla- 
math Lake Navigation Company, which are op- 
erating both freight and passenger boats on the 
Klamath Lakes in southeastern Oregon. 



ALFRED R. LOCKE. Among the well known 
early settlers of Benton county who have con- 
tributed to its agricultural upbuilding is that 
to which Alfred R. Locke belongs, himself a 
native son of the county, and born on the farm 
which is still his home, November 10, 1850. 
Upon the increasingly fertile acres redeemed 
from the wilderness by his father he was reared 
to a life of toil and usefulness, but though en- 
couraged in industry, and in the development of 
his abilities as a whole, fine opportunities were 



his, also, especially in the line of education. He 
was a student at the public schools for many 
years, which training was supplemented by a 
course at that excellent educational center, the 
Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis. 

After his father's death in 1873 Alfred R. 
and Alonzo, his brother, assumed control of the 
old donation claim, and amicably managed the 
same together for about six years. Alfred then 
bought out his brother's interest, and has since 
cqnduqted the whole independently and with 
great success. He owns two hundred and twen- 
ty-seven acres, and carries on general farming 
and stock-raising, and also has a large dairy busi- 
ness. Located five miles north Of Corvallis, on 
the Independence road, the farm is admirably 
adapted for all kinds of farming, and has ac- 
commodations for a large number of stock. 

May 30, 1876, Mr. Locke married Maryetta 
Williams, who was born in Missouri, and whose 
father died when she was a child. The meeting 
between the young people occurred when Mr. 
Locke was making a visit in Missouri, and al- 
most immediately they came to the west, lo- 
cating on the old donation claim, where the 
young wife received a warm welcome from her 
husband's people. Three sons have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Locke, of whom Horace is at 
Corvallis, Ore., while Walter and Otto are liv- 
ing with their father. Mr. Locke is a Demo- 
crat in politics, but has never desired to enter 
the ranks of office-seekers. He is fraternally 
connected with the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, and is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South. He is a bright and 
enterprising man, well posted on current events, 
and above all else is in touch with the agricul- 
tural advancement in his neighborhood. 



ROBERT A. SMITH. The untiring indus- 
try of Robert A. Smith has gained him the pos- 
session of a farm of ninety-eight acres three 
miles from Corvallis, where he has a pleasant 
home, and most congenial occupation. He has 
been a farmer for many years, and during that 
time has kept abreast of the times, and im- 
proved his property with everything calculated 
to facilitate a general farming and stock-raising 
industry. In western Canada, where he was 
born May 17, 1837, Mr. Smith was reared on 
his father's farm, but in his youth had few edu- 
cational advantages. That he has more than 
made up for this deficiency argues his appre- 
ciation of knowledge as a whole, for he is to- 
day a well informed man, and an interesting ob- 
server of the people and happenings around him. 

Starting out to make his own living at the age 
of nineteen, Mr. Smith worked on farms by 




(Z, U) v&^ZZr^&tx*u-j> 




cJr*n_G_-^t.c(__CL. C£ , %S oslzS 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1105 



the month for several years, and upon coming to 
the United States settled near Aurora, 111., where 
the breaking- out of the Civil war found him 
saving money through farm labor. Responding 
to his adopted country's call he enlisted in Com- 
pany 15. One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, and was sent south guard- 
ing government property, serving in this ca- 
pacitv until the close of the war. After the 
restoration of peace he went to the pineries of 
Wisconsin, and from the lumber camps to Dal- 
las county, Iowa, where he found employment 
on a farm. A short time afterward he bought 
a farm, and married Mrs. Janet Wheeler, widow 
of James Wheeler, and daughter of Alexander 
McTaggert, the latter of whom was born in Scot- 
land and died in Iowa. Mrs. Wheeler had two 
children, of whom James A. is living with his 
step-father. Two daughters have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of whom Etta is a grad- 
uate of the Oregon Agricultural College at Cor- 
vallis, and Robena is a graduate of the State 
Normal of Monmouth. 

In 1874 Mr. Smith left Iowa and came to 
Benton county. Ore., living for two years in 
the town of Corvallis, but not liking it as well 
as he thought he should, returned then to Iowa. 
In 1889 he returned to the coast, convinced by 
his experience that after all this was one of 
the garden spots of the country. This time he 
located three miles from Corvallis, which is his 
present farm, and to which he has devoted the 
best years of his life. He is a quiet, unassuming 
man, and averse to office-holding or participation 
in public affairs. He is a Republican in politics. 
Upright and honorable in all of his dealings, 
Mr. Smith has the esteem of his neighbors and 
associates, and his farm and himself are a dis- 
tinct credit to a thriving community of agricul- 
turists. 



A. W. PATTERSON. M. D. That giving, 
not living, is the more important part of life, has 
been demonstrated in the career of Dr. A. W. 
Patterson, one of the pioneer physicians of Ore- 
gon, and a worthy representative of one of the 
noble and unselfish professions that have helped 
to lift the world to a higher plane in its physical, 
social and moral status. In his many ministra- 
tions in the early days of the country he came 
in contact with those whose character was to 
form the foundation of the western common- 
wealth, and with all conditions that tried the souls 
of pioneers and proved their worth ; and not 
until a retrospective glance is taken can one 
realize his forceful personality as an individual 
and his consecrated effort toward the upbuilding 
of the state and the advancement of western 
civilization. It is well to pause in the march of 



progress and review the lives of such men, for 
they are a constant inspiration toward higher 
living, and an example which the vounger gen- 
eration can make no mistake in following. 

The grandfather of Dr. Patterson, John by- 
name, was born in Scotland, came to America 
in the eighteenth century, and became a soldier 
under Washington in the Revolutionary war, 
while in service receiving a slight wound. He 
died during the war, while the army was win- 
tering in New Jersey. His son, Andrew, was 
born in Bucks county. Pa., and was reared to 
manhood in that locality. He became appren- 
ticed to a manufacturer of spinning wheels, and 
after serving his time became connected with 
a carpenter and cabinetmaker. He continued 
in this business for many years and later in life 
engaged in farming in Armstrong county, where 
his death occurred in 1832, at the age of sixty- 
one years. Moral and upright, he lived the 
righteous life of a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. His wife was formerlv Jane Lindsay, 
a native of Shippensburg, Pa., who had been 
left an orphan at an early age. She was reared 
by an uncle who was in business in Jamaica, N. 
Y., and was known as Jamaica Lindsay. Mrs. 
Patterson died in Butler county. Pa., the mother 
of eleven children, of whom five sons and three 
daughters attained maturity. 

The youngest son and the onlv one now in 
Oregon is Dr. A. W. Patterson, who was born 
in Armstrong county. Pa., October 4, 1814, and 
reared upon his father's farm. His education 
was received in Bassingham Academy and the 
Western University of Pennsylvania, at Pitts- 
burg. Upon the completion of his studies he 
took up the study of medicine under the tutelage 
of Dr. Joseph Gazam, and later went to Phila- 
delphia and entered Pennsylvania .College of 
Medicine, then a new school started bv a part 
of the faculty of Jefferson Medical College. 
Previous to his graduation in March, 1841, with 
the degree of M. D., he had practiced for one 
year in what is now Pittsburg, as his first course 
of lectures had been taken in 1839. After his 
graduation he located in Greenfield, Ind., and 
practiced for a time, and then returned to Pitts- 
burg, and after practicing there for some time 
he began to travel through the west as a repre- 
sentative of a surgical instrument manufacturer. 
In April. 1852, he became one of a party of five 
to start on horseback for the more remote west, 
the first part of the journey being in company 
with an emigrant train, which, however, they 
soon left in the rear, arriving at The Dalles 
August 28, being among the first emigrants of 
that year. With the good judgment which has 
unifortulv distinguished the business ventures of 
Dr. Patterson, he took up a donation claim one 
mile west of Eugene, Lane count v, the fulfill - 



«9 



1106 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ment of his expectations being in 1853, when the 
county seat was located in that city. 

Turning his attention to public service, Dr. 
Patterson became a government surveyor, and 
was also awarded the contract by the county 
commissioner to survey the plot of Eugene. In 
1854 he undertook the work of laying out the 
town, forty acres of which was donated by Char- 
nel Mulligan and a like number of acres by Eu- 
gene Skinner, Eighth street forming the division 
line. The work was a success, and met with the 
commendation of those most interested, and he 
felt encouraged to continue his surveying, which 
he did for a couple of years in both Oregon and 
Washington. At the breaking out of the Rogue 
River Indian war he was selected to raise a 
company, but declined to do so, suggesting in- 
stead Captain Buoy, who had served in the Black 
Hawk war, his own inclinations leading him to 
prefer an appointment as a physician. Receiv- 
ing no call, however, in that line, he agreed to 
accept the first lieutenancy in the company, 
which reached the battle ground on the evening 
of the third day of the battle of Hungry Hill. 
He there met the commissary-general, Dr. Joseph 
Grew, who asked him to accept the position of 
surgeon. Notwithstanding the fact that he could 
not offer his resignation until the following day, 
Dr. Patterson went to work immediately dress- 
ing the wounds of the men, and the next morn- 
ing after having resigned his commission as lieu- 
tenant he was commissioned and appointed by 
General Grew as surgeon, in which position he 
remained until April 15, 1856, when he resigned. 
During the Rogue River campaign the service 
was exceedingly strenuous and told upon the 
strength of even the doctor's rugged constitu- 
tion, and as recruits were needed he was appoint- 
ed to return to Eugene to secure enlistments, 
which he immediately did. In the spring of 1857 
he took a contract to survey six townships in 
Lane county, during which service he was much 
in demand, as he was one of the very few phy- 
sicians in the country. Upon the appointment 
of a new surveyor, General Chapman being the 
man selected, Dr. Patterson was offered the posi- 
tion of chief clerk, which he accepted and ably 
maintained until a change of office, when, having 
secured a contract to survey five townships be- 
tween The Dalles and the John Day river, he 
took up surveying once more. In the spring of 
1862 he began the practice of medicine in Eu- 
gene and continued faithful to the interests of 
his profession for thirty-three years, in 1897 
seeking a retirement much needed after a life 
of such arduous labor. Several years previous 
to his retirement he had confined his practice to 
office consultation. 

In the various public movements which were 
vital to the growth of the country, Dr. Patterson 



has ever fulfilled his part as a loyal and intelli- 
gent citizen. In the early educational enterprises 
he exercised a strong influence, for four terms 
serving in his county as superintendent of 
schools, and also as school director, a monu- 
ment reared to the memory of his services being 
the Patterson School, which was named in his 
honor. In connection with Samuel Simpson he 
was engaged for some time in getting up a 
series of school books to be used in the schools 
of the Pacific coast. They wrote five Pacific 
coast series, which were used for a number of 
years, and also wrote three readers and one 
speller, which were published by Bancroft & Co., 
of San Francisco. As a Democrat he served one 
term in the territorial legislature in 1855, and 
as state senator from 1870 to 1874. With all 
these public interests he has not neglected the 
cultivation and improvement of a part of the 
land which forms his adopted county, being one 
of the early hop-growers. His ranch near the 
city was washed away, and he then bought what 
is now Patterson's Island and started a yard. Of 
a farm of seventy acres he devoted forty to the 
cultivation of hops. This land is universally 
conceded to be the best in the world for the 
growth of this plant. He has also spared no 
pains in his work, having sent to England for 
the first hop roots, securing the English varieties. 

In 1847 Dr. Patterson was married in Pitts- 
burg, Pa., to Miss Elizabeth Sovern, the daugh- 
ter of Rev. Levi Sovern of Pittsburg. She died 
in 1848 with her only child, and both were buried 
in the same grave. 

In Eugene, July 4, 1859, Dr. Patterson was 
married to Amanda C. dinger, a native of Iowa, 
and the eldest of six daughters and two sons, of 
whom four daughters and one son are now liv- 
ing, born into the family of her parents. Her 
father, Abraham Olinger, was born in Dayton, 
Ohio, the son of John Olinger, and as a farmer 
he removed to Iowa, from which state he crossed 
the plains in 1843 with ox-teams. He was in 
the first train of emigrants to the Willamette 
valley, which they reached after a journey of 
nine months. He first located in Yamhill county, 
where he engaged in farming for three years, 
when he removed to the Waldo hills, in Marion 
county, settling two and a half miles from Daniel 
Waldo's place and becoming a sturdy and reliable 
citizen. He engaged in agricultural pursuits un- 
til his death, which occurred in that location. 
His wife was Rachel Stout, born in Missouri, 
the daughter of Ephraim Stout, who crossed 
the plains in 1843 ar >d died in 1852. Mrs. Pat- 
terson was reared in Oregon and educated in 
the public schools, and attended Willamette Uni- 
versity for a short time. She is the mother of 
four daughters and one son, all of whom are 
living, of whom Augusta is the wife of Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1107 



Karlstrom, of Point Terrace, Ore. ; Anna is the 
wife of Mr. Potter, of Eugene. She is a gradu- 
ate of the University of Oregon in the class of 
[885. Ida is a graduate of the University of 
Oregon in the class of 1886, and is now principal 
oi the Patterson school ; Clyde Llewellyn is a 
student at the conservatory of music in Ithaca, 
N. V.: and Harriet is a graduate of the Uni- 
versity of Oregon in the class of 1903. The home 
of this_ pioneer family is now located at No. 387 
East Eleventh street, where a beautiful residence 
has been erected. Dr. Patterson is a member of 
the State Medical Society. He was made a 
Mason while in the eastern states, and now be- 
longs to Eugene Lodge No. 11, A. F. & A. M. 
In religion he is a member of the Unitarian 
Church. 



WILLIAM S. HURST. The history of every 
city of progress always includes the biographies 
of certain of its enterprising citizens who have 
been prominent in forwarding the growth and 
development of the place and by their exertions 
have mounted the ladder of success to an envi- 
able position. To this class of citizens we must 
include the name of W. S. Hurst, who is the 
head of the commission house of W. S. Hurst 
& Co., of Aurora, Ore. 

The firm of W. S. Hurst & Co. was established 
in 1893, and began business in a small way. In 
1902, Harvey A. Hinkle, one of the most expert 
hop-buyers on the western coast, was admitted as 
a partner. Besides the main commission house 
in Aurora, the firm has now three branch houses, 
at Aurora, Hubbard and Canby. In addition, 
agents are employed at every point where car- 
load lots can be obtained or handled. The firm 
handles all kinds of grain and produce, but makes 
a specialty of buying and selling hops, potatoes 
and onions. They pay the highest market prices, 
and liberal advances are made on consignments. 
Their produce is marketed in Alaska, California, 
Texas and all western points. The business, 
which was small in the beginning, now aggre- 
gates from $60,000 to $100,000 annually. 

William S. Hurst was born in Wasco county, 
Ore., October 5, 1863, and he is a son of John 
Daniel and Helen (Corlburg) Hurst, the former 
a native of Rheinstadt, Germany, and the latter 
of Sweden. When thirteen years old his father 
crossed the ocean with a brother and located in 
New York, later coming on to Oregon. He and 
his wife reared a family which consisted of four 
sons and one daughter, the eldest of whom was 
William S., the subject of this biography. 

While still a lad he found employment in the 
flouring mill owned by his father and uncle. His 
common school education was broadened by a 
thorough course in the Portland Business Col- 



lege, at Portland, Ore., from which he was grad- 
uated in 1883. The year following his gradu- 
ation he went to Aurora and entered into part- 
nership with his father in the milling business, 
purchasing at that time a third interest in the 
Aurora Mills. In 1893, as mentioned, he estab- 
lished the commission house, besides which he 
handles both fire and life insurance in Aurora 
and surrounding country. 

In 1890 Mr. Hurst was united in marriage 
with Amelia M. Ritter, of Clackamas county, 
Ore. Her father was John Ritter, and was born 
in Austria. Upon coming to this country he lo- 
cated first in Pennsylvania, later in Missouri, 
and finally settled permanently in Clackamas 
county, Ore. He is now retired, a highly re- 
spected citizen of Marion county. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Hurst have been born one son, Reginald 
W., and one daughter, Ruth D., both of whom 
are at home. The family favor the Presbyterian 
Church in their religious worship. 

The foregoing record of Mr. Hurst offers a 
splendid example of what may be accomplished 
by one who allows no obstacle to impede his ad- 
vancement. In addition to his individual busi- 
ness interests, Mr. Hurst has won and retained 
the confidence of the people, and has filled va- 
rious offices of public trust. He has served as 
justice of the peace in Aurora four terms, as 
school director, and as notary public ; and he 
has been active in politics. Fraternally he is a 
valued member of the A. F. &. A. M., the K. of 
P., the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W., and the 
W. O. W. 



ABSALOM C. WOODCOCK. The highest 
tenets of legal science find expression in the 
large professional practice of A. C. Woodcock, 
one of the most courteous and energetic mem- 
bers of the Lane county bar. In his rise from 
obscurity and comparative poverty Mr. Wood- 
cock presents an example of perseverance and 
determination which may well serve as an ex- 
ample to whomsoever rebels at the limitations 
which shut in his youthful horizon. Starting in 
to make his own living at the age of thirteen, he 
demonstrated innate ability and faithfulness, for 
at a time when farm labor was poorly rewarded 
he was able to command $20 a month and board. 
He is the fourth of eleven children born to W. 
D. and Alizina (Cornelius) Woodcock. The 
chief cause of the family's financial stress lay 
in the fact that his father died in 1870, leaving 
his large family dependent upon the output of 
the donation claim on the Molalla upon which 
he had settled in 1845. 

W. D. Woodcock was a native son of Illinois, 
but was reared and educated in Missouri. He 
possessed grit and determination, for he started 



1108 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



across the plains in 1845, an undertaking hazard- 
ous in the extreme, and holding out but one 
chance in a thousand of ever reaching his goal. 
Fellow travelers in the ox-train with him were 
Absalom Cornelius and his family, one member 
being a daughter, Alizina, whose youthful charms 
seriously impressed themselves upon the hopeful 
and ambitious young homeseeker. At the part- 
ing of the ways in Oregon Mr. Cornelius settled 
on a claim near Turner, Marion county, but his 
daughter soon after became mistress of the farm 
on the Molalla, and thus yet another of the 
innumerable romances begun around the camp- 
fires and on the dreary march across the plains, 
was brought to a happy termination. Mr. 
Woodcock died at the age of fifty-two, and his 
wife survived him until 1889. Besides Absalom 
Cornelius, who was born on the Molalla farm 
July 23, 1859, there are living at the present 
time seven other of the eleven children : W. D. 
is a blacksmith in Lake county, Ore. ; W. S. is 
a stockman in Wasco county; T. P. is a large 
commission man of Weiser, Idaho; Newton and 
Jasper are twins, the former living in Weiser, 
Idaho, and the latter in Wasco county, Ore. ; 
Keziah is the wife of E. B. Ramsby of Lake 
county, Ore. ; and Ada is the wife of W. H. 
Harriman of Wasco county, Ore. 

A. C. Woodcock was eleven years of age 
when his father died, and at thirteen he began 
to work on the farm of William Barlow, one of 
the best known of the early pioneers. He saved 
everything possible out of his wages of $20 a 
month, and at the end of a year went into a 
butchering and stock business at The Dalles 
with his brother, T. P. While thus employed 
he made up for a somewhat defective education 
by attending the public schools during the 
winter time, and in 1879 entered the sub-fresh- 
man class of the University of Oregon at Eu- 
gene, from which he was graduated in 1885 
with the degree of B. S. Afterward he was 
appointed a tutor in the university, and at the 
same time took up the classical course, being 
graduated therefrom in 1887 with the degree 
of A. B. In the meantime he had become 
interested in the study of law, and after prelimi- 
nary training under Dolph, Mallory, Bellinger 
& Simon of Portland he was admitted to the bar 
in October, 1887. In partnership with George 
S. Washburn he began practice in Eugene, con- 
tinuing alone after the death of his old friend, 
and in May, 1903, inaugurated a partnership 
with L. T. Harris, under the firm name of 
Woodcock & Harris. The firm is engaged in 
a general practice of law, in addition to which 
they are attorneys for the Booth-Kelley Lumber 
Company, and other representative firms of the 
. county. 

A stanch Republican, Mr. Woodcock has been 



prominently identified with party affairs in the 
town and county, has served as chairman of the 
county central committee, and has been a mem- 
ber of the state committee, and of the state 
board of equalization. He is a member of the 
State Bar Association, of the Eugene Com- 
mercial Club, and of the native sons. Frater- 
nally he is connected with Eugene Lodge No. 
11, A. F. & A. M.; the Royal Arch Masons; 
the Commandery ; the Benevolent Protective 
Order of Elks ; and the Knights of Pythias. 
Mr. Woodcock is held in high esteem by all 
who have the honor of knowing him, and to 
those familiar with his advancement his outlook 
is an unusually gratifying one, fully warranted 
by recognized capability, deserved popularity, 
and thorough adaptation to the requirements and 
amenities of his profession. 



WILLIAM ANGUS McPHERSON. The 
history of Oregon is indelibly stamped with the 
personality of those men who came when the 
country was a wilderness and gave to the mak- 
ing of a state the best part of their lives, in 
the various avenues which go to make up the 
daily routine of life, exerting strength and in- 
tellectual effort toward general advancement. 
A self-evident fact is the potent influence ex- 
erted by the newspapers of the country, and it 
was through this medium that the voice of Will- 
iam Angus McPherson spoke for the uplifting 
of mankind in the pioneer clays now fast pass- 
ing into history, and though he, too, is of the 
past, his influence still lives and ever makes for 
the betterment of the state which he made his 
home as a pioneer of 1852. 

William Angus McPherson was born in Chat- 
ham county, N. C, February 22, 1828, the son 
of William and Margaret W. (McDonald) Mc- 
Pherson, and when a small boy he was brought 
to Iowa by his parents and reared to manhood 
near Keokuk. In 1850 he became interested in 
the possibilities of the west, and the same year 
came to Oregon and spent the winter near Jef- 
ferson, Marion county, and in the spring of the 
following year went overland to California. Dur- 
ing this journey he encountered the Indians in 
southern Oregon, but was successful in making 
his way to the mines of the Golden state, where 
he mined during the summer and met with suc- 
cess. In the fall of 185 1 he returned to Iowa 
via the isthmus and spent that winter in his old 
home. His father having died in 1849, J us t 
prior to the first trip across the plains. Mr. Mc- 
Pherson found himself the principal support of 
the family, and his interest in Oregon being no 
less, because of his success in California, he de- 
cided to locate permanently in the former ter- 
ritory. In company with his mother, brother- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1109 



in-law and the two little children of the latter, 
he crossed the plains in the spring of 1852 and 
upon his arrival bought the right to two hun- 
dred and fifty acres of land located in Linn 
county, near Jefferson, and at once engaged in 
[arming. 

October 7, 1852, Mr. McPherson married 
Nancy Jane Fenn, who was born in Pike county, 
111., May 17, 1840. She was the daughter of 
fohn Fenn, who, in 1847, brought his family 
across the plains by ox-teams, and after a six 
months' journey over the Cascade route they ar- 
rived in Oregon City, Ore., where three weeks 
were passed before attempting to locate per- 
manently. In Oregon City Mr. Fenn married 
Elizabeth Jory, a sister of his first wife, Mary 
Jory, who had died a year before the trip was 
made to the west. But a little later in the fall 
the family went down the Willamette and Co- 
lumbia rivers in a canoe manned by eight Indi- 
ans, and located near William Hobson's dona- 
tion claim on Clatsop plains. In the spring of 
1849 tne f am ily removed to Marion county, and 
the father left them with the Jorys in Salem and 
went to California by water, and mined for a 
short time. He met with success and about 
Christmas of the same year he returned to Ore- 
gon, and in the following spring bought the 
improvements on a donation claim in Linn 
county, located six miles north of Albany, and it 
was in that location that Mrs. McPherson grew 
to womanhood. After marriage Mr. McPherson 
and his wife took up their residence on his farm 
before mentioned, where they lived until 1858 
and then removed to a farm near Scio, same 
county, and passed the ensuing five years. It 
was in 1864 that Mr. McPherson took up news- 
paper work, locating in Albany, where he was 
the editor of the Albany Journal, and was con- 
nected therewith until 1866, when he was 
elected state printer on the Republican ticket. 
Until the expiration of his service as state printer 
he lived in Salem, and from that city he' removed 
to McMinnville and started The Blade, and after 
two years again located in Linn county, in 1871, 
engaging for a short time in farming. After 
a short period of newspaper work in Albany he 
was compelled, through failing health, to change 
his place of residence, and on locating in Rose- 
burg, Douglas county, in 1873, he became the 
editor and proprietor of the Plain-dealer, in the 
publication of which he continued successfully 
for several years. From Roseburg he went to 
Ashland, and was there associated with Oliver 
Applegate in editing the Ashland Tidings, a 
paper which had been established by Mr. Mc- 
Pherson and William Sutton. In 1878 Mr. Mc- 
Pherson withdrew, and after three years spent 
in Jacksonville in the newspaper work, he went 
to Portland and was there connected on various 



papers, among them being the Oregonian and 
Vindicator. His death occurred in that city, in 
the midst of a still busy career, January 28, 
1891. 

With the passing away of Mr. McPherson 
the work with which he had been connected for 
so many years lost a man of no small ability, 
and one who put forth his best efforts to broaden 
and uplift the spirit and standard of this west- 
ern state. He was a loyal, patriotic citizen, who 
never wavered in his allegiance to his native 
land, and at the time of Civil warfare he was 
earnest and faithful in his endeavors to keep 
public opinion in sympathy with the government. 
While in Salem he edited a paper known as the 
Unionist, which was strongly anti-slavery, and 
voiced the principles which he endorsed. ' Politi- 
cally he was a Republican, and had been one 
throughout his entire life. In religion both him- 
self and wife were members of the Presby- 
terian Church, and for the greater part of his 
life he was connected fraternally with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Three weeks 
previous to his death Mr. McPherson voiced 
the thoughts which took possession of him as he 
viewed the grandeur of the accomplishments of 
the quarter century and more since he first cast 
his lot with the Oregon pioneers, in a poem en- 
titled "Portland Heights," which is filled with 
beautiful thoughts and strongly descriptive of 
the changes which the years have brought, and 
speaks eloquently of the talent which he gave 
to the western cause. 

PORTLAND HEIGHTS. 

'Tis forty years since first I stood 

Upon these heights ; 'twas bright spring time. 
Glade, forest, river, lake and wood 

Were vocal only with the chime 
Of nature's melody ; the birds 

Chanted their matin songs while borne 
Upon the zephyr's wings that stirred 

The sweet aroma of the morn. 
Like incense from a censer cast, 

There came the rich perfume of lands 
Where perennial summers last 

And crystal waters lave the sands 
Of limpid lakes. 

Lone, solitude, primeval stood 

Portress at the opening dawn, 
And gladsome nature seemed to brood 

O'er pleasing phantasies, all drawn 
From out the mystic realms where dwell 

The muses, on Boeotia's hight, 
And streams of music ever swell, 

Where scenes celestial greet the sight, 
The pheasant drummed his monotone, 

Deep within the forest shades, 
While the plumed grouse sat perched alone, 

And antlered deer, o'er verdant glades 

Wandered with stately grace. 

The mountains reared their lofty hights, 
Just as they now appear ; old Hood, 



1110 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



In pride, proclaimed her regal rights, 

As like a sentinel she stood 
Athwart Aurora's brow. But come, 

And, with me, nearer view, a scene 
Of sombre hue ; a dreary zone 

Of wilderness ; no glittering sheen 
Of sunlight, no radiant ray 

E'er shone within its shades. Deep, dark 
And fathomless it seemed; bright day 

Recoiled upon itself; the lark 

Soared high above the gloom. 

The river coursed its widening way 

On to the moonmad sea; its tide 
Flowed on unvexed, nor stop, nor stay 

Delayed its onward flow. There plied 
No busy steamers then, to wake 

The echoes of its fir-clad shores, 
No rumbling train to rudely shake 

The pulseless solitude. No oars 
The silvery wavelets cleft, save when 

The Indian, in his light canoe 
Glided the waters o'er to fen 

Or glade, his timid game to woo 
With crafty wiles. 

From where I sat there was no sign 

Of human habitation viewed, 
Save where a rude and homely line 

Of cabins reared their walls, unhewed, 
Along the river's shaded bank; 

There the brave pioneer had spread 
His tent, 'neath the balm trees' dense, dark 

Canopy, where erstwhile no tread 
Nor sound disturbed the quietude 

But the wolf's long howl, or the fierce 
Warwhoop, when the savage, in rude 

And bloody strife, remorseless, pierce 
Each other to the heart. 

Behold what changes time hath wrought ! 

The birds, the timid deer have fled, 
And in some mountain glen have sought 

A safe retreat from sportsmen, led 
Thither, joyous, in the noisy chase. 

Felled is the forest, and where sang 
The feathered warblers not one trace 

Is seen or heard. Silent the twang 
Of bowstring — gone the dusky race 

That ruled, with undisputed sway, 
This empire — boundless, dreary space, 

Where last the radiant light of day 
Bids earth goodnight. 

Transformed are all things, and I gaze, 

Bewildered and perplexed with dread, 
Upon the scene ; one glittering maze 

O'ercomes me, and I seem to tread 
Upon enchanted ground. The past 

Recedes, a panoramic view, 
Fleeting as Orpheus, to the vast, 

Illimitable sea, to strew 
Its piteous pageants on the shore 

Of bleak forgetfulness. A change, 
Mysterious, wondrous, has o'er 

Landscape, stream and mountain range 
Its mantle cast. 



A city, proud in wealth and power, 
Rises like fabled Phcenix, o'er 

The ashes of the past. Dome, tower 
And minaret rear heavenward more 



Than thrice ten thousand gilded spires 

To mark the onward march of art, 
Science — religion's sacred fires 

Illume an ever busy mart, 
Where commerce spreads her purpling wing 

And thronging thousands westward pour, 
One living tide, and hither bring 

Trophies to deck the golden shore 
Of sunset sea. 

Thus have I sang, in numbers rude, 

Of buried years, when buoyant youth 
And high resolve bright flowers strewed 

Along ambition's path ; and truth, 
And hope, best boons to mortals given, 

Guided my wayward steps and led 
Me onward, upward to a haven 

Of blissful rest. But time has fled, 
Unstrung my lyre, my task is o'er. 

Proud city of the west, all hail ! 
And all hail to friends who never more 

Shall greet me, as I homeward sail, 

On life's tempestuous sea. 



AUGUSTUS J. F. VITUS. For various and 
well founded reasons the Vitus family com- 
mands the attention of people in Lane county. 
First and foremost it supplies the comforting 
assurance that obstacles, however great, are by 
no means insurmountable, and that good judg- 
ment, perseverance, and plenty of common 
sense are excellent aids in accomplishing one's 
desires. The law of heredity, however much it 
may be questioned by later day science, is 
convincingly emphasized in this instance, for 
Augustus J. F. Vitus, the founder of the family 
in the far northwest, has handed down his fine 
traits of character, his strong will and un- 
flinching rectitude, to several sons who represent 
collectively and individually the backbone and 
sinews of the commonwealth. 

Born in Prussia, Germany, April 5, 1828, Mr. 
Vitus comes from farming stock, although his 
family was represented among the trades and in- 
dustries of the Fatherland. According to cus- 
tom, he ceased to be dependent upon the support 
of his parents after his fourteenth year, at which 
time he began to work in the silk mills of Prus- 
sia, and was thus employed until coming to 
America in 1852. At this time he was twenty- 
four years old, strong of frame and clear of 
mind, and filled with great enthusiasm for the 
land to which so many of his friends had emi- 
grated. The sailing vessel successfully weath- 
ered calms and storms, landing in New York 
at the end of five weeks. Mr. Vitus looked 
around for work, and not finding it in the silk 
mills, identified himself with a tannery near 
Dunkirk, N. Y., remaining there during the 
winter, and the following spring making his 
way to Philadelphia. Here he entered the 
woolen mills and learned the trade of weaver, 
removing in 1865 to Springfield, 111., where he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1111 



was similarly employed. In 1872 he removed to 
Caldwell count}'. Mo., where he purchased one 
hundred and eighty-one acres of land, and con- 
templated spending many years in its improve- 
ment. His hopes were doomed to disappoint- 
ment, for drought interfered with the maturing 
of the crops, and he not only lost them all, but 
was obliged to sacrifice his farm upon which he 
had intended to pay a large installment that 
year. 

In the face of this first setback in America 
Mr. Vitus decided to come to the far west with 
his family, and arrived in Oregon in the spring 
of 1878. With his sons he found employment 
on farms surrounding the town, and in the 
spring of 1879 rented a farm with his sons in 
Lane county. This venture proved even more 
disastrous than the last, for after renting for 
one year the strugglers found themselves in 
debt about $4,000. Mr. Vitus decided after five 
years of renting to purchase a farm, and for 
this he was obliged to go in debt $12,000. This 
fact alone would discourage the average man 
who had already experienced hard luck, but 
father and sons bravely put their shoulders to 
the wheel, paid off the indebtedness, and es- 
tablished themselves as men possessing business 
judgment of a high order, and more than aver- 
age perseverance. Thus has the father trans- 
planted to the larger opportunities of the states 
the reliable and always welcome Teutonic traits, 
admittedly as strong and upbuilding as any that 
come to us from foreign shores. 

Broad-minded and liberal in all of his tenden- 
cies, Mr. Vitus makes no exception of politics, 
and though inclined towards the Republican 
party believes in voting for the man best quali- 
fied to serve the public good. For a time he 
served as postmaster of Junction City. Through 
his marriage with Minnie Behren in 1851, eight 
children have been born into his family, the five 
sons who are reflecting great credit upon his 
teaching and example, and three daughters. The 
sons are mentioned elsewhere in this work, and 
the daughters, Rosa and Mary, are the wives re- 
spectively of F. H. Miller and Benjamin Frank 
Andrews. Although a comparatively old man, 
Mr. Vitus is still in heart, mind, and physical 
activity the equal of many men twenty years his 
junior. 



JOSEPH PIRONI. The popular manager 
of the Henry Weinhard ice plant and beer depot 
at Eugene is indebted for his success to many 
years of faithful and efficient service, during 
which time he has worked his way from a com- 
paratively humble to a very responsible position. 
Possessing the adaptiveness of the Latin race 
from which he springs, augmented by a practical 



home and business training in the staid and con- 
servative town of Herstelle, Westphalia, north- 
western German)', where he was born May 26, 
1857, Joseph Pironi came to America in 1875, at 
the age of seventeen, well equipped for whatever 
chance might have in store for him. His pater- 
nal grandfather, Joseph Pironi, was born almost 
within the shadow of Vesuvius, near Naples, 
Italy, and came of a family long associated with 
that beautiful and historic region. As a boy he 
learned the tinsmith's trade, and for years trav- 
eled through his vineclad, olivegrown and re- 
splendent country, now visiting an inland town, 
and now a picturesque aggregation of highly 
colored houses basking in the sunshine, on a hill 
lapped by the blue Mediterranean. In time he 
made his way to the north, settling in the less 
romantic kingdom of Westphalia, Germany, 
where he worked at his trade until retiring a 
few years before his death. In Herstelle, West- 
phalia, his son, Henry, the father of the sub- 
ject of this review, was born, and in his youth 
also learned the tinsmith's trade. He married 
a native daughter of Westphalia, Regina Wuste- 
feld, whose father, John Wustefeld, devoted his 
active life as a captain on the boats plying on the 
Weser river. Henry Pironi is now living re- 
tired in Herstelle, Germany, but the wife who 
bore him three sons and three daughters has long 
been deceased. 

Joseph Pironi in common with the custom 
of the country, began to earn his own living 
at the age of fourteen, at which time he was 
apprenticed for three years as clerk in a large 
wholesale and retail commission house. Having 
completed his time of service he clerked in 
another concern for a year, and after arriving 
in America in 1875, located in Baltimore, where 
he hoped to find employment along the line 
for which he was amply qualified. Failing in 
his intention, he did not spend any time in 
bemoaning his fate, but at once applied himself 
to learning the baker's and confectioner's trade, 
following the same until coming to Oregon in 
1879. Encouraged by the outlook in Corvallis 
after working in a bakery for a year, he con- 
tracted a partnership with August Hodes, in a 
bakery and grocery business, under the firm name 
of Hodes & Company, conducting the same until 
disposing of his interest in 1888. 

In Portland Mr. Pironi entered the employ 
of T. Leebe, an old-time and well known baker 
of the city. After two years, he became identi- 
fied in the capacity of shipping clerk with the 
company whose interests he now represents. 
After eight years of close application in the 
various departments in which he was called upon 
to serve, his worth received substantial recog- 
nition through his appointment to his present 
position as manager of the ice plant and beer 



1112 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



depot, in November, 1899. The firm's ice fac- 
tory has a daily capacity of seven tons, and the 
depot has enormous storing capacity, sufficient 
to supply a trade not only local, but extending 
into Douglas county. A retail and wholesale 
business is carried on, and under the present 
management the business has greatly increased, 
system and orderliness being apparent to all. 

The first marriage of Mr. Pironi occurred in 
Corvallis, to Josephine Dubille, a native of Can- 
ada, but reared and educated in Portland. Four 
children were born of this union, of whom Leo, 
the oldest child and only son is employed in 
the carshops of the Southern Pacific Railroad at 
Portland, while Gertrude, Aileen and Marie are 
living at home. For a second wife Mr. Pironi 
married a native daughter of Portland, Mary 
Shelland, and one child, Henry Paul, is the 
result of this union. Fraternally Mr. Pironi is 
connected with the Sons of Hermann, of Port- 
land, in which he has served as president and 
secretary ; and he is also identified with the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the 
Eagles, of Eugene. He has made many friends 
since coming to Eugene, and is rightfully re- 
garded as an important part of its social and 
business structure. 



JAMES CYRUS SABIN. Many years of 
practical experience with stock of all kinds has 
qualified James Cyrus Sabin for the successful 
conduct of his business. He has been associated 
with stock for practically his entire business life, 
and is able to place a correct value upon different 
grades of stock. A speculative spirit has also 
led him into other lines of profit, notably coun- 
try and town properties, in the disposal of which 
he has invariably realized his monetary expec- 
tations. Much of his country land is rented out, 
as are also his town lots and a business block on 
the main street of Harrisburg, Ore. In 1900 
he purchased a farm of eighty acres three miles 
northeast of this town, upon which he has sixty 
head of cattle and three hundred sheep, and to 
which he retires at times to get away from his 
many business responsibilities. 

Born in Medina county, Ohio, August 16, 
1847, Mr. Sabin is a son of Orson, and grand- 
son of Charles Sabin, the latter of whom was 
born in the east and was the founder of the 
family in Medina county. At one time the 
grandfather owned and operated a farm in New 
York state, where his son Orson was born and 
reared. In Ohio Orson farmed and learned the 
carpenter's trade , and in 1868 removed to 
Berrien county, Mich., where he combined farm- 
ing and carpentering with considerable success. 
In March, 1846, he married Ellen Brown, a 



native of Wayne county, Mich., who died in 
Medina county, Ohio, leaving two sons, of whom 
James Cyrus is the oldest. Orson Sabin died 
in November, 1863, at the age of thirty-nine. 

Educated in the public schools of Michigan 
and Ohio, James Cyrus Sabin was reared on his 
father's farms, and welcomed the outbreak of the 
Civil war as an opportunity in which to gratify 
his love of adventure. His youth and home du- 
ties prevented his enlistment at the beginning 
of the strife, but when seventeen years old, in 
February, 1865, he enlisted in Company C, First 
Michigan Cavalry, and became a soldier in the 
Army of the Potomac. His company was con- 
solidated with the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh 
Michigan Cavalry and sent to protect the mail 
route against the Sioux Indians, and on this 
campaign Mr. Sabin was detailed as a teamster 
in the quartermaster's department. After being 
discharged from the service December 7, 1865, 
at Fort Leavenworth, Kans., he returned to 
Michigan, and turned his attention to logging 
in the northern part of the state. He also specu- 
lated in stock and lumber, and with considerable 
success to his credit decided to join the forces 
who were profiting by the superior opportunities 
in the northwest. 

Arriving in Portland February 22, 1877, he 
spent a week in looking around, and then visited 
Salem, Dallas and Albany, in the latter town 
becoming associated in business for a short time 
with J. B. Roberts. He was variously employed 
for twenty-three months, and in 1878 returned 
to his old home in Michigan, remaining there 
until June of the following year. Again in Ore- 
gon, he spent the summer in herding sheep in 
the eastern part of the state, and in the fall came 
to Harrisburg and worked on farms for a couple 
of years. Since coming here in 1881 he has 
taken a prominent part in the advancement of 
the town, and established a home immediately 
after his marriage, October 2, 1881, with Mrs. 
Emma (Scott) White, who was born in Iowa, 
and crossed the plains with her parents in 1853. 
Her father, Samuel R. Scott, was born near 
St. Charles, Ohio, and from there moved to 
Iowa, remaining there until outfitting with ox- 
teams for the long journey over the plains. He 
spent the first winter in the west in Salem, and 
in the spring went to the mines of Josephine 
county, remaining there until 1873. Returning 
to Salem, he engaged in flour milling and after- 
ward farming, and now lives retired in Harris- 
burg-, spending a portion of each year with his 
son-in-law, Mr. Sabin. Clyde E., the oldest 
child and only son born to Mr. and Mrs. Sabin 
is living in Portland, and the daughter, Ethel H., 
is living with her parents. Mr. Sabin cast his 
first presidential vote for a Republican candidate, 
and has since given that party his unswerving 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1115 



allegiance. At present he is a member of 'the 
city council, an office to which he has given 
many terms of service. For the second time he is 
serving as master workman of Harrisburg Lodge 
No. 39, A. O. U. W. With his wife and chil- 
dren he is a member of the Christian Church. 
Mr. Sabin is a typical representative of western 
enterprise and thrift, and his undertakings have 
been characterized by conscientious dealings and 
upright and reliable business principles. 



ROBERT McMURPHEY. The architect of 
his own fortunes, a man of action, possessing 
broad and charitable views, and aiding every 
well considered movement for the advancement 
of education, morality and the general well- 
being of the community, Robert McMurphey, 
president of the Willamette Valley Woolen 
.Manufacturing Company, is one of the most 
enterprising and forceful of the citizens of Eu- 
gene. He is one of the younger generation of 
business men of Lane county, having been borri 
in Pierce county. Wis., February 16, 1866. 
From a noble Scotch ancestry he has inherited 
the thrift and reliability which have proven the 
foundation of his success. Mr. McMurphey 
represents the sixth generation of his family in 
America. The family was founded in this coun- 
try by Robert McMurphey, who came from the 
north of Ireland in colonial days, and arrived 
in Xew York with but sixpence in his pocket. 
His descendants lived principally in the state 
of Delaware, where George Washington Mc- 
Murphey. father of the subject of this review, 
was born. He was the seventh son in a large 
family, and Robert McMurphey is the seventh 
son in his family, which consisted of thirteen 
children. The early life of G. W. McMurphey 
was spent in Delaware, where he was engaged 
in farming and milling. In young manhood he 
removed to Pierce county, Wis., where he pur- 
chased land from the Indians and inaugurated 
a farming interest in the wilderness. His mar- 
riage with Maria A. Rice in 1848 was the first 
wedding ceremony performed in Wisconsin 
territory. The Rice family located in Wiscon- 
sin in 1846, removing thence from Boston, 
Mass., where Mrs. McMurphey was born. Her 
father, James R. Rice, was also a native of that 
city. Mr. McMurphey resided on his farm 
fifty-five years, or until attaining the as^e of 
eighty-two years, and has but recently effected 
the sale of the property. He is now a resident 
of Prescott, Wis. 

Equipped with a high school education and 
subsequent training received at the St. Paul 
(Minn.) Business College, Robert McMurohey 
began his independent career as a clerk in a Wis- 
consin office of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapo- 



lis & Omaha Railroad Company, subsequently be- 
coming a clerk in the office of the general pas- 
senger agent of the Great Northern Railroad 
Company at St. Paul. Being appointed private 
secretary to the superintendent of the Northern 
Pacific Railroad at Livingston, Mont., he re- 
mained there until 1889, when he removed to 
Portland, Ore., as private secretary for George 
H. Andrews, secretary of the Oregon & Cali- 
fornia Railroad Company. July 31, 1893, he 
was united in marriage with Alberta Shelton, a 
native of Salem, Ore., and the only daughter of 
Dr. T. W. Shelton, a prominent physician of 
Salem, who later was identified with business and 
professional affairs in Eugene. Dr. Shelton was 
the founder and first president of the Eugene 
Water Company, and by reason of an active and 
well appointed life accumulated a fortune. Upon 
his death in 1893 hi s son-in-law, Mr. McMur- 
phey, removed to Eugene to look after his 
varied interests, and assumed the management 
of the water works, improving and enlarging 
their capacity, with which enterprise he is still 
connected. 

In December, 1901, Mr. McMurphey incor- 
porated the Willamette Valley Woolen Manu- 
facturing Company, of which he has since been 
president and general manager. For the furth- 
erance of the business the present modern and 
finely equipped mills were erected in that year 
for the manufacture of cloth and woolen goods 
in general, native Oregon wool being utilized. 
The plant is a four-set mill, is operated by 
water power, and gives employment to about 
eight}- persons. For the sale of the output of 
the mills the concern has established branches 
in San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia, and 
the blankets, robes, flannels and other cloths 
manufactured find their way to foreign mar- 
kets, as well as to the principal cities of the 
United States. 

Attractive personal characteristics have 
placed Mr. McMurphey in touch with the most 
exclusive social life of Oregon, and among 
his personal friends are many men of great 
prominence in political, industrial and fraternal 
circles. He was one of the organizers, the first 
vice president and the second president of the 
Eugene Commercial Club, and still fills the lat- 
ter office with dignity and satisfaction. Fra- 
ternally he is connected with Eugene Lodge 
No. 11, A. F. & A. M. ; Eugene Chapter No. 
10, R. A. M. ; Oregon Consistory No. 1, of Port- 
land ; the Knights of Pythias, in which he is past 
chancellor ; the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men ; the Modern Woodmen of America ; the 
Woodmen of the World : the Independent Or- 
der of Red Men, and the Knights of Maccabees. 
In politics he is a Republican. He is a member 
of the Congregational Church, in which he 



1116 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



serves as trustee. Five children have been born 
to him and his wife, named as follows in the 
order of their birth: Lois Alberta, Robert 
Shelton, Adah Antoinette, Elsie Mearle and 
George Winthrop. 

Though a comparatively young man, Mr. Mc- 
Murphey wields a wide and powerful influence 
among the business men of the Willamette val- 
ley. Perhaps the foundation of his strength 
among his fellowmen is the high public spirit 
he has always exhibited. In all those movements 
which have for their aim the elevation of the 
moral tone of the community or the advance- 
ment of the material interests in other depart- 
ments of life, educational, social, religious, com- 
mercial and industrial, he has taken an active 
interest, always exhibiting an unselfish spirit. 
By men of discriminating intelligence he has 
come to be regarded as a high-minded man 
of affairs, whose chief aim is an honorable bus- 
iness success and the elevation of the city of 
Eugene to the highest rank among the cities 
of the northwest which it is possible to attain. 



CLARENCE FREDERICK SOMERS Prac- 
tical and businesslike in all his methods and 
dealings, C. F. Somers has combined with these 
sturdy qualities an enterprising spirit which well 
fits him for citizenship in a comparatively new 
country. He makes his home in Eugene, Lane 
county, and since the fall of 1902 has acted as 
president of the Eugene Planing Mill Company, 
of which he was one of the organizers. The 
vice president is P. J. Olsen, the secretary and 
treasurer being P. Lorenzen. They have erected 
a new mill on Lawrence street, the dimensions 
of which are 44x80 feet, and have equipped it 
with all modern machinery, including a thirty- 
horsepower steam engine and a dry kiln, where 
they turn out all kinds of planing-mill stock. 

There were six children born in the Somers 
family, five of whom are now living, the second 
being C. F. Somers, who was born in St. Johns- 
bury, Vt, April 14, 185 1. His father was Fred- 
erick A. Somers, a native of Barnet, Vt., and 
though a stonecutter by trade he followed farm- 
ing throughout the principal part of his life. 
In 1853 he removed to Lombard, 111., and later 
located in Doniphan, Neb., where his death 
occurred. He married Sarah E. Hardy, a native 
of Bangor, Me., born in 1828, the daughter of 
Capt. Charles Hardy, who followed the sea for 
a livelihood and was thereby lost. Mrs. Somers 
is now living in Doniphan, Neb. C. F. Somers 
was reared in Illinois on his father's farm, and 
interspersed his home duties with an attendance 
at the district school. He remained at home 
until attaining his majority, when he became an 
apprentice at the carpenter's trade, in Wood- 



stock, 111., where he served for two years. From 
that city he settled in Rockford, of the same 
state, and engaged in the prosecution of his 
trade until December, 1877, when he removed 
to Doniphan, Neb. There he became the owner 
of eighty acres of railroad land which he pro- 
ceeded to improve, at the same time engaging 
in contracting and building in that city. Becom- 
ing dissatisfied with the existing conditions of 
Doniphan, he decided to remove to the west, 
and in 1890 he located in Baker City, Ore., 
where he was employed for eleven months in a 
planing mill, and in 1891 he located in Port- 
land and followed his trade until the fall of 
1892. He then purchased nine and a half acres 
of land four miles west of the city of Eugene 
and engaged in contracting and building here, 
which he continued successfully until the fall 
of 1902, when he withdrew from that employ- 
ment to enter upon his present work. This busi- 
ness is rapidly becoming one of the principal 
industries of Eugene and is adding very mater- 
ially to the business prestige and future growth 
of the city. 

In Rockford, 111., Mr. Somers was married to 
Miss Elizabeth Elwick a native of that state, 
and their two children are Daisy and Dorilla. 
In religion Mr. Somers is a member of the 
Christian Church, in which he officiates as a 
deacon, and in politics he has always been a 
stanch and earnest Republican. Personally, he 
is a man of many fine qualities and is liberal 
and enterprising as a citizen, worthy to be 
named among the representative men of Eugene. 



MRS. EMALINE WALLIS. Enjoying the 
affection and esteem of a younger generation 
while occupying the position of honor which 
belongs to her as a pioneer, Mrs. Emaline Wallis 
is one of the connecting links between the early 
days and the present affluence and prosperity 
of Oregon, living and faithfully laboring in the 
one, which service has given her the right to 
ease in the present. 

Mrs. Wallis was in maidenhood Emaline 
Lindley, born in Nashville, Tenn., the daughter 
of Jonathan Lindley, of South Carolina, where 
her grandfather, also Jonathan Lindley, was a 
planter. The father was a farmer and became 
a stock-raiser in Tennessee, when he removed 
to Cedar county, Mo., where his death occurred 
at the age of fifty-five years. His wife was 
formerly Clara Ann Terry, a native of Georgia. 
She died at the age of eighty years, at the home 
of Mrs. Wallis, having crossed the plains with 
her in 1852. Of the nine children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Lindley, seven attained maturity and 
two are now living, Mrs. Wallis being the only 
one in Oregon. She was reared in Missouri 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1117 



from her seventh year, and received her educa- 
tion in a little log schoolhouse, where the dis- 
tribution of knowledge was conducted in a prim- 
itive way. February 18, 1847, sne married 
Matthew Wallis, who was born in North Caro- 
lina and had come to Missouri when quite a 
young man, where he became a farmer and 
stock-raiser. In 1852 this family outfitted with 
ox-teams, two wagons, some loose cattle and 
necessary supplies and set out upon the journey 
which meant so much in those early days. They 
left Missouri Aprii 15 and arrived at Foster's, 
September 13, the trip having been made over 
the old Barlow route, during which they had 
encountered the Indians at Snake river, when 
the further progress of the party was disputed. 
They succeeded, however, in making their es- 
cape, and this was their most serious trouble 
during the journey. 

On their arrival in Oregon, Mr. Wallis took 
up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres located two and a half miles west of 
Eugene, Lane county, and there erected a hewed 
log house which is still standing as a type of 
the early habitations of the country. Into the 
improvement and cultivation of this farm, both 
Mr. and Mrs. Wallis put the strength and energy 
of their young lives, making that their home for 
many years. In 1873 they removed to the city 
of Eugene, but still conducted their farming 
interests, adding to their property by continued 
purchase until the estate numbers besides the 
original claim over a thousand acres, which is- 
now utilized as a modern stock farm and also 
in the cultivation of grain, this property being 
rented at present. A handsome residence was 
built in Eugene, and there Mr. Wallis died July 
17, 1895. He was a member of the Christian 
Church in which he officiated as deacon. In 
politics he was a Democrat. 

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Wallis 
continues to reside in Eugene. Of her family 
of six children Clara married John Duncan and 
resides near Dayton. Wash. ; Alice became the 
wife of John Welch, of Portland ; Margaret 
married Rufus Edmunson, of Eugene ; Web- 
ster is a farmer located near Dayton, Wash. : 
M. Sneed is a clerk in the sheriff's office in this 
county ; and Harris L. is a farmer of Eugene. 
Mrs. Wallis is a member of the Christian Church 
and a Democrat. Through the membership of 
her husband with the Royal Arch Masons she 
belongs to the Eastern Star. 



FRANCIS FELLER. One who desires to 
know the extent of the farming possibilities of 
Marion county need look no further than the 
splendidly equipped farm of Francis Feller, 
which stretches out over eight hundred and sixty 



acres in extent, and is located four miles from 
Butteville. This property is well tiled and 
ditched, has modern barns and outhouses, and 
its fences are kept in good shape by a pains- 
taking and orderly owner. Until 1884 ne car- 
ried on general farming and stock-raising ex- 
clusively, but that year he put out twelve acres 
in hops, and since then from time to time has 
increased his acreage of that product, untif at 
present the hop pickers have to wander over 
seventy acres. This is probably the largest hop 
enterprise in the county. 

Until his fourteenth year Francis Feller was 
reared on a farm in Lorraine, a province which 
at that time belonged to France, but which was 
ceded to Germany in 1871, where he was born 
July 28, 1840, and where his father was exten- 
sively engaged as a horticulturist, and more es- 
pecially a grower of grapes for wine-making, 
in 1855 the ancestral property was disposed of 
and the family embarked for America in a sail- 
ing vessel, forty days later moving slowly into 
the great harbor of New York City. At Galena, 
111., the father bought a farm, and two years 
later, in 1857, Francis Feller came to Oregon 
with Peter Feller, of whom he borrowed the 
money for transportation via the isthmian route. 
From Portland he came to Butteville, June 6, 
1857, an d m the vicinity of the town found work 
on the farm of William Case. For the follow- 
ing few years he tried his luck in the mines of 
Idaho, and upon returning to Oregon felt dissat- 
isfied, so again visited the mines in 1863. This 
time he remained for a year and a half, and was 
so successful that upon his return he was able 
to purchase for cash a farm of four hundred 
and twenty acres, the same being now occupied 
by Jacob M. Miller. He remained on this farm 
and made many improvements, but finally dis- 
posed of it in 1875, and purchased the eight 
hundred and sixty acres upon which he now 
lives, and which is located four miles from 
Butteville. 

March 12, 1865, Mr. Feller was united in 
marriage with Miss Reuamah Whitney, of which 
union there were born nine children, the order 
of their birth being as follows : James P., a 
farmer near Butteville; William, a resident of 
British Columbia; Alfred and Charles, living 
on the home farm ; Elizabeth, wife of Clarence 
Bearinger, of Benton county, Ore.; Nellie, wife 
of Clarence Scheurer of Portland; Hattie; 
Annie ; and Ida. The faithful mother of this 
large family died October 1, 1892, at the age of 
forty-five years. January 8, 1895, Mr. Feller 
married Ida Garrett, who was born in Clackamas 
county, a daughter of Thomas Garrett, who 
crossed the plains in 1852 from Missouri and 
took up a donation claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres near Marquam. One daughter, 



1118 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ivy, was born of the second union of Mr. Fel- 
ler. 

Although his large farm is a wearing respon- 
sibility, Mr. Feller finds ample time to interest 
himself in political and other matters in his 
county, and although he has been defeated in his 
candidacy for the legislature and as county com- 
missioner, his showing has been a good one, con- 
sidering that his political faith is contrary to his 
Republican environment. His liberal and pro- 
gressive, ideas of farming have resulted in a keen 
interest in the welfare of his fellow agricultur- 
ists, and in this connection he was one of the 
organizers of the Farmers' Fire Insurance Com- 
pany, has been president for three years, and is 
still a director. He is also one of the organizers 
and chief promoters of the Hop Growers' Fire 
Insurance Company, and has been a director 
therein for many years. For more than twenty 
years he has been identified with the Masonic 
fraternity, and is now a member of the Cham- 
poeg Lodge No. 27, Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons, and Multnomah Chapter, of Salem. He 
is also a member of Protection Lodge No. 2, An- 
cient Order of United Workmen, of Salem. Mr. 
Feller bears an enviable reputation in the vicini- 
ty of Hubbard, and in fact is known throughout 
the length and breadth of Marion county as one 
of its substantial and thoroughly reliable citi- 
zens. 



WALTER T. WILES. The term " captains 
of industry" is a familiar one of the day and has 
arisen from the conditions existing in the world 
when business activity has replaced the records 
of war and conquest in the world's history. 
The men who awaken public attention and regard 
are those who control the large commercial, in- 
dustrial and financial interests or manage the 
professional labors. Each city has its represen- 
tatives who have worthily won this title, and in 
Corvallis Walter T. Wiles is a representative of 
this class. He is today the cashier of the First 
National Bank of Corvallis, a man of keen dis- 
crimination in business, of sound judgment and 
unflagging industry. 

Born in Benton county, near Wells, June 17, 
i860, he is the fourth in a family of seven 
children whose parents were John and Martha 
Ann (Hughart) Wiles, respected and honored 
pioneer settlers of Oregon, who are represented 
elsewhere in this work. His childhood days 
were passed on the old homestead and his early 
education was acquired in the public schools. 
Subsequently he entered the Oregon Agricult- 
ural College and later he was engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising until May, 1887, when he 
was appointed by President Cleveland to the 
position of inspector of customs under Q. A. 



Brooks, collector for the district of Puget 
Sound, Wash., the custom house being at Port 
Townsend, that state. Mr. Wiles remained in 
charge of his duties for some time and then 
resigned in order to return to Oregon and take 
charge of the home farm. Later he entered the 
pharmacy of Foshay & Mason at Albany, Ore., 
and in due time became prescription clerk. In 
1890 he resigned that position and returned to 
Corvallis, where he became one of the incor- 
porators of the First National Bank. He was 
elected a member of the board of directors and 
assistant cashier and later he was also chosen 
to the position of vice president of the bank, 
holding the two positions until November, 1895, 
when, upon the death of W. T. Peet, the 
cashier, Mr. Wiles was elected his successor and 
since that time has filled the responsible position 
which he now occupies. The success achieved 
and the high standing of the First National 
Bank are due in no small degree to his ability 
as a bank official. His affable manner, cour- 
teous treatment of the clients of the institution, 
his straightforward dealing and his accuracy in 
all transactions with the public — these inspire 
the greatest confidence, and thus in association 
with other officers in the institution, he has 
placed the bank upon the substantial plane which 
it now occupies, ranking it among the most reli- 
able banks of the entire state. Mr. Wiles is 
also largely interested in farming, and owns a 
part of the old family homestead near Wells. 
This is a well improved place in which he is 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising, 
making a specialty of the Aberdeen Polled Angus 
cattle. 

On October 8, 1890, in Linn county, Ore., was 
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wiles and Miss 
Mary Brandon, a native of that county and a 
daughter of Alexander Brandon, who was born 
in Madison county, Ind. Her paternal grand- 
father, Moses Brandon, was a native of Penn- 
sylvania and when a young man removed to 
Madison county, Ind., where he married a Ken- 
tucky lady. Subsequently he took up his abode 
in Minnesota, where his remaining days were 
passed. Alexander Brandon crossed the plains 
to the Willamette valley when a young man, 
the year of his emigration being 185 1. Here 
he married Mrs. Arminda (Whipple) Andrews, 
who was born near Meadville, in Crawford 
county, Pa., a daughter of Albert Whipple, also 
a native of the Keystone state. She first mar- 
ried Harrison Andrews and removed to Asnta- 
bula county, Ohio. About 1863 Mr. and Mrs. 
Andrews started for the northwest by way of 
the Panama route, but a few days after leaving 
Panama Mr. Andrews died. His widow then 
continued her way to Oregon and in the year 
1865 she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1119 



Brandon. By her marriage with Mr. Andrews 
.-he became the mother of one son, C. L. 
Andrews, who is now chief deputy collector of 
customs in Skagway, Alaska. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brandon still reside upon the old donation claim 
at Plainview, Linn county. Ore., which Mr. 
Brandon took up as a home when he came to the 
northwest as a pioneer settler. Five children 
were born of their marriage, namely : Mrs. B. 
W'healdon, of Idaho : Mrs. Wiles ; Alfred, who 
is living on the old homestead; Mrs. O. G. 
Chamberlain, of Athena, Ore. ; and Anna, who 
resides at home. Mrs. Wiles was educated in 
Albany College, and is a most estimable lady. 
Unto our subject and his wife has been born 
but one daughter, a lovely and affectionate 
child named Frances Alberta. Mr. Wiles be- 
longs to the Ancient Order of the United Work- 
men and to Corvallis Cabin of the Native Sons, 
of which he is the treasurer. Although his time 
is largely taken up by extensive and important 
business interests, he never neglects his duty 
as a Christian and is a useful and active mem- 
ber of the First Baptist Church of Corvallis. 
He is now serving on its board of trustees and 
during the building of the house of worship and 
for several years afterward he served as clerk 
of the board. He has also been very active in 
Sunday school work. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat where national issues and questions are 
involved, but at local elections does not con- 
sider himself bound by party ties. His unswerv- 
ing purpose, his unquestioned fidelity, his unfail- 
ing honesty and his unchanging will have com- 
manded the highest respect of all, and there is 
in Corvallis no one held in warmer esteem than 
this native son of Oregon. 



CHARLES O. PETERSON. Few of the 
thousands of people who take advantage of 
the product known as excelsior, in the loose 
meshes of which can be transported in perfect 
safety to the uttermost parts of the earth the 
most costly or fragile articles, realize to what 
extent its manufacture is a money-making and 
employment proposition. A visit to the factory 
and warehouses of the plant of C. O. Peterson 
and W. J. Royse at Eugene, would convince the 
most casual observer that he is in the midst of 
a live, substantial, and far-reaching business, 
based upon sound commercial principles, and 
contributing to an enormous outstanding trade. 
Especially would one gain a complete under- 
standing of the business were one accompanied 
on the tour of Inspection by Mr. Peterson, the 
junior member of the firm, whose many years 
of practical experience in this line qualify him 
to speak authoritatively. The plant has a few 
protected patents not known to others similarly 



equipped, besides the most modern machinery, 
ten machines being operated the year around. 
The exclusive machinery facilitates the manu- 
facture of the product, the capacity being ten 
tons per day of twenty-four hours. This output 
of course necessitates a large amount of wood 
that must be kept on hand, and from two thous- 
and five hundred to six thousand cords are con- 
tinually in process of seasoning, the latter an 
absolute necessity in this department of manu- 
facture. Balmwood alone is used to make the 
thin shavings, and the banks of the Willamette 
yield up many trees in the course of a year. 
Once finished, the product is pressed into bales 
of one hundred and forty pounds each, average 
weight, and shipped to different parts of Ore- 
gon, California, Washington and Utah. The 
two large buildings at the corner of Sixth and 
High streets are supplemented by warehouses 
holding many tons, and the whole enterprise is 
adequately protected from fire by the best 
hydrant and fire system known in the west. 
From sixty to seventy-five hands are employed 
to cut wood for the mill, about five months of 
the year, and many more are required for the 
operation of the plant. 

Mr. Peterson, who embodies in his make-up 
the push, energy and force of the successful 
western business man. is a native of Iowa, and 
was born near Lansing, December 20, 1868. 
Nine years later, about 1877, he accompanied his 
parents to Lacenter, Wash., where his father 
died, and where he was left to support himself 
at the age of twelve years. He had much to 
be thankful for, however, as he was strong- 
limbed and stout-hearted. For two years he 
worked on a farm for his clothes and board and 
the privilege of attending school for a few 
months, and two years also he spent on a farm 
in Benton county. Ore. At the age of sixteen 
he arrived in Portland, and after various at- 
tempts at employment began working for Henry 
Nicholi of the Portland Excelsior Mill, remain- 
ing there for about two years. He seemed to 
take naturally to the work, advanced rapidly, 
and was promoted even further after entering 
the Willamette Falls Excelsior Works at Ore- 
gon City. Here he became foreman of the mill, 
but his work was interrupted by the death of 
his mother and the necessity of temporarily 
withdrawing to settle the estate. Afterward, he 
went to Lebanon and engaged in the excelsior 
manufacturing business for himself, purchasing 
an interest in the concern of O'Neill Brothers, 
which operated under the name of O'Neill 
Brothers & Peterson for six years. While thus 
employed Mr. Rovse, his present partner, pur- 
chased the O'Neill interests and in this manner 
the business was continued in Lebanon until 
September, 1899. Owing to superior facilities 



1120 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



for conducting the business it was removed to 
Eugene, and the present mill and warehouses 
erected. 

In Oregon City Mr. Peterson married Hannah 
Stuart, a native of Iowa, and whose father, Joel 
A. Stuart, a builder by occupation and now living 
retired in Seattle, Ore., came to Oregon with 
his family in 1868. Albert and Myma, the two 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, are 
living at home. Mr. Peterson has taken an 
active interest in Democratic politics, and for 
two terms was a member of the town of Lebanon 
council. He is a member and past officer in the 
Knights of the Maccabees. 



JAMES M. STAFFORD. A member of the 
legislature in 1887, and again in 1889, James 
M. Stafford has also served Lane county in many 
other official capacities, elected thereto by his 
fellow Republican townsmen. Under public 
observation he has proven himself possessed of 
clear judgment, and disinterested devotion to 
the public welfare, at the same time enjoying 
the satisfaction of having been elected without 
canvassing, or any solicitation of votes. A resi- 
dent of Oregon since his tenth year, he was 
reared on the farm which is still his home, and 
which was taken up by his parents, William 
and Priscilla J. (Ramsey) Stafford , in 1852. 
The parents were born and married in Indiana, 
and at an early day removed to Atchison county, 
Mo., where their son, James M., was born May 
18, 1842. Missouri continued to be the home 
of the Staffords until 1852, when the father 
outfitted with three wagons, eleven yoke of oxen, 
fifteen cows and three horses, out of which he 
had, at the end of his journey, fourteen steers 
two cows and two horses. From May until 
November the train moved slowly over the 
plains, the travelers leading for the most part 
an uneventful existence, and meeting with little 
resistance from Indians, weather or illness. In 
the fall the father took the three hundred and 
twenty acres above referred to, and in November 
erected a one-room log cabin, about 18x18 feet 
in ground dimensions. Fortunately the land 
was mostly prairie, and more easy to cultivate 
than the heavily timbered properties. Success 
attended his efforts, and in 1866 he sold out and 
moved to a farm near Halsey, Linn county, still 
later moving to Umatilla county in order to 
engage in extensive wheat-raising. In 1888 he 
took up his residence in Tacoma, Wash., and 
died there June 30 of that year at the age of 
seventv-four years. For the last three years 
of her life his wife lived with her son, James M., 
her death occurring January 23, 1903, at the 
age of eighty four years. Since 1853 she had 



been a member of the Christian Church, during 
which year she joined the church with her hus- 
band, both working zealously thereafter for the 
promotion of the cause of truth and morality. 

The first departure from accustomed grooves 
in the life of James M. Stafford was when he 
went to Idaho, and with the rough and daring 
element in search of fortunes in the mines exper- 
ienced a decided change from the quiet farming 
existence. Fourteen months sufficed to convince 
him of the dignity and usefulness of the life 
he had left behind, and returning to it, he has 
never ceased to pay it the homage of a sincere, 
practical and industrious devotion. In 1866 he 
bought four hundred acres of his father's farm, 
and October 25, 1866, married and brought to 
the old home, Sarah Hardman, daughter of 
Samuel and Mary (Backus) Hardman. Unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Stafford eleven children were 
born : Of these Marion F. is the oldest ; Lina 
F. is the wife of Findley Lena ; Clara M. is the 
wife of John Haines of Eugene ; Geneva M. is 
the wife of Thomas Seavey ; Laura V. ; Pearl ; 
Fred J. died at the age of fourteen years ; Wal- 
ter ; William G. ; Edgar L. ; and Esther B. 

At the present time Mr. Stafford owns five 
hundred acres of land in the Mohawk valley, 
seven miles northeast of Springfield, and carries 
on principally stock-raising, having large num- 
bers of Shorthorn cattle. In addition to his polit- 
ical services he was prominent in the Mohawk 
Grange during its existence, serving as master, 
and in many ways promoted the best interests 
of the association, and for many years was mas- 
ter of the Pomona Grange. Mr. Stafford enjoys 
the prestige arising from a successful career, 
and from the possession of those personal attri- 
butes which win and retain friends, and inspire 
confidence in those with whom he is associated. 






JESSE H. SMITH. A busy, energetic and 
capable life has been that of Jesse H. Smith, who 
has long been a resident of Lane county, his 
home being in the vicinity of Natron. He was 
born in Polk county, Mo., February 20, 1837, and 
came here in 1849 with his parents, for a more 
detailed account of whom refer to the sketch of 
William F. Smith, the oldest son of the family, 
given on another page of this work. The duty of 
this young emigrant while on the trip was to 
guard the cattle, and after his arrival in Ore- 
gon he lived the life of a pioneer's son in his 
father's home until 1854, when he helped to 
build the first courthouse in Eugene, there 
being only four other men detailed on the work. 
In 1856 he went to the mines in southern 
Oregon and located with others on Grave creek, 
where he took out a half cupful of gold every 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1121 



day, but after nine days they were driven out 
by the Indians. Returning to his father's farm 
he remained there until the death of the latter, 
in the meantime purchasing a farm of three 
hundred and thirty-three acres, where he lived 
for a year. This property he sold and invested 
the proceeds in the farm which he now occupies, 
at the present time owning seven hundred acres 
of land, it having been reduced from twelve 
hundred by the distribution of a large amount 
to his children. Throughout his life he has 
carried on general farming and stock-raising, 
and has also been largely interested in the 
dairy business. 

The marriage of Mr. Smith occurred in 1856, 
and united him with Miss Mary Grigsby, and 
of the five children born to them Sadie is the 
wife of John Laird, of Garfield, Whitman 
county. Wash. ; Emma is the wife of James 
Wallace, in this vicinity ; Cora is the wife of 
Xewton Lindley, also in this vicinity; Walter 
is a merchant in Xatron ; and John died at the 
age of twenty-one years. In his political rela- 
tions Mr. Smith has always been a stanch Repub- 
lican, and through the influence of this party 
his son Walter was made postmaster at Xatron. 
In religious views the family are all in accord, 
their membership being in the Christian Church. 



ALBERT S. WALKER. The advancement 
and prosperity of the thriving little city of 
Springfield, Lane county, Ore., is largely due to 
the progressive and energetic captains of indus- 
try, who early perceived its advantages as a 
business center and have been influential in de- 
veloping its resources. Prominent among these 
is Albert S. Walker, now one of its foremost cit- 
izens and a prosperous real estate dealer and in- 
surance agent. A native of Missouri, he was 
born January 11, 1846, in Greene county, a son 
of the late William Walker, an Oregon pioneer. 

William Walker was born in Georgia, but 
spent a large part of his earlier fife in Chatta- 
nooga, Tenn. Going to Greene county. Mo., in 
1843, n e lived there four years, working as a 
millwright and a cabinetmaker. Coming across 
the plains in an ox-team train in 1853, ne located 
first in Lane county, Ore., taking up three hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land near Creswell, where 
he lived four years. Removing to Eugene in 
1857, he established himself in mercantile pur- 
suits, dealing in drugs and general merchandise 
until 1 861. Investing then in land near Eugene, 
he carried on ranching ten years in that location, 
and then, in 1871. purchased a farm at Pleasant 
Hill, where he pursued his independent vocation 
until his retirement. He attained a good old age. 
dving at Springfield, Ore., in 1881, at the age of 
seventy-eight years. One of the representative 



pioneers of this section of the state, he rendered 
material assistance in developing one of the best 
counties in Oregon, and was an important factor 
in advancing its educational, moral and political 
status. In his younger days he was a Whig, and 
afterward affiliated with the Republican party, 
and was in hearty sympathy with the Abolition- 
ists. He married Mary Shields, who was born 
in Georgia, and died, at the age of seventy-six 
years, in Eugene, Ore. Of the nine children 
that blessed their union, Albert S. was the only 
son. 

Having been but seven years of age when he 
came with his parents to Lane county, Albert S. 
Walker obtained the rudiments of his education 
in the common schools, afterwards attending the 
old Columbia College, at Eugene, for two years, 
finally graduating therefrom. Assuming charge 
of the farm which his father owned in the vicin- 
ity of Eugene, he conducted it from 1862 until 
1881. being successful as a farmer. Locating 
then in Springfield, Mr. Walker established him- 
self as a blacksmith, winning a large and lucra- 
tive patronage in this vicinity. Since retiring 
from his trade in the spring of 1903, Mr. Walk- 
er has been actively engaged in the real estate 
and insurance business, in which he is meeting 
with encouraging success, handling both farm 
and town propertv. He has acquired a good 
share of this world's goods, and owns a well 
improved ranch of forty acres, lying about three 
miles southeast of Springfield. 

Mr. Walker married, in Polk county, Ore., in 
1868, Miss Sarah L. Higgins. who was born in 
Massachusetts. Her father, the late Seldon 
Higgins. also a native of Massachusetts, was a 
dyer by trade, and worked for a number of 
years in the mills of Woburn. Mass. Leaving 
his native state in 1851. he came with his family 
by train to the Missouri river, and then across 
the plains with ox-teams, to Oregon. Locating 
in Polk county, he purchased three hundred and 
sixty acres of land in Spring Valley, and was 
there engaged in general farming until his death, 
at a venerable age. in 1898. In common with 
the other pioneers of his county, he labored with 
untiring energy to develop a farm from the 
wild country in which he had settled, and was 
successful in his efforts. Mr. and Mrs. Walker 
are the parents of eight children, all living at 
home, namely: Herbert E., William F.. Mary 
B.. Ralph Gladstone. Jessie May. Grace. Ida 
and Joy. A man of broad and liberal views, 
alive to the important needs of the day. Mr. 
Walker has been influential in educational and 
political circles, and besides serving ten years 
as school director has the distinction of having 
served in 1891 as the first mayor of Spring- 
field. He has likewise served as councilman, 
and is one of the leading Republicans of the 



1122 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



city. For twenty-two years he has been identified 
with the independent Order of Odd Fellows, be- 
ing a charter member and past noble grand of 
the subordinate lodge, and a member of the en- 
campment. He also belongs to the fraternal 
order of Woodmen of the World. He is an active 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which he is a trustee, and also the superintendent 
of its Sunday School. 



BRUNO C. VITUS. The road to success, 
with its innumerable windings, furnishes a never- 
ending theme to the old and young, the latter be- 
cause they desire, and the former because their 
own course still charms with its gain, or endears 
with its sorrow and misfortune. Each suc- 
ceeds in his own way, yet certain underlying 
principles light the careers of the truly suc- 
cessful. These same principles lead more often 
through hard and disappointing ways, as many 
right in our own midst might testify, and were 
One to select an example of the truth of the say- 
ing it were impossible to find a better than that 
furnished by a whole family, banded together and 
working- for their mutual benefit, and that one 
in Lane county. The family referred to is that 
of Augustus J. F. Vitus, himself one of the most 
prominent of the pioneers, and the father of sons 
who would scorn the idea of failure in life. 

Bruno C. Vitus, the second child of the five 
sons and three daughters of Augustus J. F. Vitus, 
was born in Dunkirk, N. Y., December 17, 1852, 
and his removal to Philadelphia, Pa., followed 
not many months later. He was twelve years 
old when the family located in Springfield, 111., 
where he attended school for nine years, and 
then accompanied his parents to Breckenridge, 
Mo., in 1873. Long years before, the 50ns and 
father had established a sort of co-operative 
existence, inspired by peculiarly strong family 
ties, and the harmonious blending of dispositions 
and aspirations. They had not been successful 
in Missouri, and when they arrived in Oregon 
in 1878 tne family assets consisted of thirty-two 
dollars and a wonderful amount of determina- 
tion. A cook-stove was purchased for thirty 
dollars, some tinware for the remaining two 
dollars, and a sack of flour was purchased on 
credit. It was necessary for all hands to start 
out at once to earn money for the necessities of 
life, and father and sons succeeded in finding 
work on the surrounding farms during the first 
summer. That fall thev rented a farm, and went 
in debt for a considerable amount, the following 
vear blasting- their expectations, owing to rust 
on the wheat. They were obliged to borrow 
$4,000. oaving fifteen per cent interest, and the 
drain of such an expenditure, even with the most 
favorable crops, can be imagined, but hardly 



appreciated. Nevertheless, this difficulty was 
overcome by pluck and perseverance, and in time 
the sum of $25,000 was paid in full on the 
farm. After getting started this was compar- 
atively easy, and they often made as high as 
$13,000 a year on grain and stock. For six- 
teen years father and four sons worked together 
on the six hundred and ninety-five acres, their 
name standing for all that was reliable and 
substantial in business, and fine and honorable 
in character. 

In 1894 Mr. Vitus left the home farm and 
witn his earnings bought his present farm of 
three hundred and twenty-seven acres two and 
a half miles northeast Of Springfield. This by 
no means represents the whole of his investments, 
for he owns fifty lots in an addition to the city 
of Eugene on the south and has other property 
scattered over the county. For his first wife 
Mr. Vitus married, in 1894, Theresa Kimmel, 
who lived only six years after her marriage. 
The present Mrs. Vitus was formerly Dorothy 
Blume, daughter of John F. and Henrietta 
(Kriesel) Blume, who was married in 1900, 
and who is the mother of two children, Maurice 
Bruno and Cosima Dorothy. The Vitus home is 
a pleasant and hospitable one, surrounded by 
well kept lawns, and outhouses and fences of 
modern and substantial make. The farm is all 
valley land, and Mr. Vitus devotes the greater 
part to stock and hog raising. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and is fraternally associated 
with the Eugene Lodge of Elks. Personally 
and from a business standpoint, Mr. Vitus ex- 
erts a wide influence in Lane county, his repu- 
tation resting upon his own individual efforts, 
rather than upon any dignity and honor cast by 
his capable and prominent father. He is broad- 
minded, enterprising and public-spirited, foster- 
ing education, morality and integrity. 



AUGUSTUS J. F. VITUS, JR. Yet another 
of the sons who are helping to maintain a stand- 
ard established by an earnest and capable pioneer 
is Augustus J. F. Vitus, Jr., the namesake of his 
sire, and in many respects the counterpart of the 
older man. Mention having been made else- 
where of the ambitious man who brought his 
family to Oregon in 1878, and who has given to 
his adopted state sons of whom she may well 
be proud, it is necessary only to say that in his 
home he enforced obedience, and reared his 
children to improve and use the faculties with 
which they had been endowed. Augustus J. F., 
Jr., was born near Springfield, 111., August 8. 
1867, and was therefore eleven years of age 
when he came to this state. 

After coming to the west Mr. Vitus com- 
pleted the education begun in the public schools 




JAMES M. SPORES. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1125 



of the middle west, and with his brothers and 
father conducted their large stock-jaising and 
milling business. He then identified himself 
with his brother, Robert, leaving his other 
brothers and father sole possessors of the former 
enterprise. The two brothers own about a 
thousand acres of land, six hundred of which 
are given up to grain cultivation, and the bal- 
ance to stock and general farming. No more 
enterprising or successful young men are con- 
tributing to the upbuilding of this section, nor 
are any more enthusiastic in their praise of the 
state which has given them an assured income, 
as well as a pleasant home and genial friends. 
Mr. Vitus was happily married to Laura Wes- 
trope, the ceremony having taken place Novem- 
ber 19, 1902. From her native Sonoma county, 
Cal., Mrs. Vitus seems to have brought a dispo- 
sition and character tinged with the brightness 
and cheerfulness always expected of the daugh- 
ters of California. This young couple are well 
educated and progressive, alert to the happenings 
in the outside world, and by no means confining 
themselves to the borders of their farm. Both 
are members and workers in the Baptist Church, 
and Mr. Vitus is a stanch Republican, although 
he is never troubled with official longings, and 
would in all probability refuse tendered offices. 
He has many friends in the neighborhood and 
county, and is destined to take an important 
part in the development of agriculture and 
stock-raising. 



JAMES M. SPORES. One of the largest 
family gatherings which came to Oregon in 1847 
was that gotten together by Jacob C. Spores, the 
founder of an honored name and a large farm- 
ing and ferrying interest in Lane county. His 
son, James M., to perpetuate whose memory this 
sketch is written, and whose death on his farm 
near Springfield, February 22, 1900, caused 
widespread regret, was born while his parents 
were living in Winnebago county, 111., May 19, 
1835. In 1846 the family removed to Missouri, 
and in the spring of 1847 carried out the object 
which had inspired their emigration, the making 
of a home among the crude but promising con- 
ditions of the northwest. Jacob C. Spores reared 
a large family, some of whom married young 
and had children of their own, all living around 
the old folks, or on nearby farms. These helped 
to swell the number of the party with western 
aspirations, and all lent a helping hand in the 
extensive preparations required for the overland 
jaunt. Many horses and cattle accompanied the 
expedition, and in due time, and with the usual 
number of unpleasant occurrences, the west was 
reached, holding out to the industrious and re- 
sourceful pioneers varied and giant possibilities. 



The grandfather settled on a farm near Coburg, 
and the town afterward springing up on a portion 
of his land, he was the very first thus to identify 
his fortunes with the now prosperous locality. 
At that time a man by the name of Eugene 
Skinner occupied the townsite of Eugene. Jacob 
C. Spores set about making himself comfortable 
in his new surroundings, and on his section of 
land erected a log cabin near where the bridge 
has since been built. He regarded the river from 
the standpoint of utility, and, knowing that manv 
must pass and repass before much had been ac- 
complished in the way of upbuilding the neigh- 
borhood, he started a ferry across, which was as 
useful as it was novel and enterprising. He was 
the architect and builder of the ferry-boat, mak- 
ing it out of rough timber, a strong but unwieldly 
structure, calculated to weather the stress and 
storms of a long and varied career. The boat 
was not erected too soon, for during 1848-9 
hundreds of miners passed that way on their way 
to California, and all were glad to avail them- 
selves of the easy transportation, thus swelling 
the receipts from this pioneer water-craft, and 
giving the ferryman a good start in life. With 
the advent of the bridge the boatman's occupa- 
tion disappeared, and something of the pathetic 
surrounds the thought of the modern innovation, 
for many years had passed since the cumbersome 
craft first glided over the water, and many mem- 
ories had been stored up in the mind of the 
ferryman. It was necessarily a part of his life, 
and as such was hard to part with. He con- 
tinued to make his home on the old place for the 
remainder of his life, both himself and wife living 
to an advanced age. 

While James M. Spores was driving an ox- 
team across the plains for his father he dreamed 
many dreams, and fortunately was able to realize 
more than does the average dreamer in this world 
of chance. A turning point in his life was his 
marriage, March 27, 1853, with Mary C. Thomas, 
member of one of the pioneer families of Ore- 
gon, and a native of Calhoun county, Mich., 
where she was born in 1832. Her parents, Jona- 
than and Jeanette (Simons) Thomas, were born 
in New York state, moved soon after to Michi- 
gan, and from there went to Illinois in 1836. 
In Winnebago county the father took up gov- 
ernment land, and, in the spring of 1852, 
crossed the plains with seven yoke of oxen, 
three cows and a mare, his family at that, time 
consisting of his wife and five children, of 
whom Mrs. Spores is the oldest. Louisa, the 
second daughter, married Frank Powers ; 
Samuel lives near Coburg; Almira married 
John H. Milliron, and lives on the McKenzie 
place, and John lives on the home place near 
Coburg. The family were nine months in ac- 
complishing the journey to Oregon, and their 



50 



1126 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



trip was characterized by all of the horror and 
dread of that great cholera year. At the end 
of the trip Mr. Thomas found that he had just 
two oxen and the mare with which to start 
life in the west, all of the other stock having 
died on the way. The following spring he 
took up a claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres near Coburg, and here the remainder of 
his life was spent, his death occurring in 1876, 
at the age of seventy-seven years. 

Shortly after his marriage Mr. J. M. Spores 
moved near the farm now occupied by his 
widow, and worked in the sawmill for a time, 
afterward returning to his father's farm and 
assisting him with the ferry-boat. In June, 
1857, he located on the farm where his last 
days were spent, and which at the time con- 
sisted of one hundred and sixty acres. Prac- 
tical and progressive, he utilized the most ad- 
vanced ideas in further improving his farm, 
additional land being required as his interests 
increased in variety and extent, and in time he 
accumulated nearly one thousand acres. The 
farm is unrivalled for location, being five 
miles northeast of Springfield, on the McKen- 
zie river, and in the Mohawk valley. Mr. 
Spores was sufficiently public-spirited to ap- 
preciate the duty of every able-bodied ; citizen 
from a political standpoint, and he gladly gave 
his services towards maintaining a high stand- 
ard of excellence in county government. He 
was county commissioner for two terms, and 
served on the jury for sixteen years continu- 
ously. From early manhood he gave his moral 
and financial support to the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and he was fraternally con- 
nected with the United Workmen. Since his 
death, his widow has continued to reside on 
the home place, and, assisted by her sons, ex- 
pects to carry out the plans so well laid by 
her popular and highly respected husband. A 
large family was born to Mr. and Mrs. Spores, 
the oldest daughter, Arminda, being the wife 
of Thomas Jenkins, and living on the home 
place ; John married Emma Drury, and lives 
near his wife's mother ; George married Josie 
Clark ; Mary S. is the wife of George Smith, of 
Coburg; Samuel lives in eastern Oregon; 
Irene is the wife of John Reneger, of this vi- 
cinity ; Frank married Belle Barrett, and lives 
near his mother; Charles is engaged in mining 
at Nome, Alaska ; Daniel married Kate Drury, 
and Leila lives in Portland. Mr. Spores was a 
man of leading characteristics, and he not only 
succeeded from a financial standpoint, but 
made many and true friends, leaving to those 
bearing his name the heritage of a nobly-lived 
and well-directed life. 



HON. JAMES L. COLLINS. Prominent 
among the representative men of Polk county is 
Hon. James L. Collins, known not alone as one 
whose name was among the first to be identified 
with the American settlements in Oregon, but 
rather for his intimate relations with the per- 
manent history of our commonwealth. Begin- 
ning in pioneer days, in the midst of undeveloped 
resources and a rude civilization, he gave himself 
wholly to the western cause, faithful in the pur- 
suit of duty, whether in camp or field, as a sol- 
dier in defense of the settlers or a citizen in the 
material upbuilding of the country ; through 
the changes of time and progression he has ad- 
vanced his own interests and those of his 
adopted state by lifting himself to a position of 
exceptional prominence among the many who 
are entitled to the esteem and admiration of the 
present generation. The interest which attaches to 
the pioneers of Oregon is not inspired by cur- 
iosity, but rather by that affection which centers 
about the lives and deeds of those who blazed 
the trail for the westward march of progress. 
Before touching upon the life of Judge Collins 
we will give a brief outline of the ancestry to 
which he owes those characteristics which have 
enabled him to become a power among many 
hampering conditions. His maternal grandfather 
was a descendant of Thomas Wyatt, a man well 
known in the history of England through his 
opposition to the marriage of Queen Mary to 
Philip of Spain, and who was beheaded by her 
orders for his participation in the rebellion 
which occurred about 1554. Sir Henry Wyatt, 
the father of Thomas Wyatt, was a member of 
the privy council ot Henry the Eighth. His 
maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Sea, was de- 
scended from the Duke of Argyll, while his 
father's mother was Jane Eddings, the repre- 
sentative of an old Virginia family. Smith Col- 
lins, the father of Judge Collins, was born in 
Orange county, Va., in 1804, the son of George 
and the grandson of William, both of whom 
were natives of the. same location. The latter 
was an intimate friend of General Washington 
and served under him in the Revolutionary war. 
He was a Virginia planter and died in the Old 
Dominion. George Collins moved to Montgom- 
ery county, Mo., and later by a division of this 
county he found himself located in the new 
county of Warren, near Warrenton, where he 
owned a large tract of land on Barracks creek, 
and was engaged extensively in the culture of 
tobacco and corn. He served in the war of 
1812, and died in Missouri in 1845. 

Smith Collins was a boy of ten years when 
the British burned the city of Washington, and 
he heard the cannonading and saw the con- 
flagration. His home remained in Virginia for 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1127 



many years, and at the age of eighteen he learned 
the tanner's trade at Port Republic, that state. 
On the completion of his apprenticeship he went 
to Fayetteville, N. C, where he worked as a 
journeyman for a Mr. Prince, and later re- 
moved to Cheraw Hill, S. C, and became fore- 
man for H. G. Nelson. In 1827 he located in 
Missouri, where his father had previously set- 
tled, both being pioneers in this state of the 
middle west. He brought with him a little mare 
for which he was offered forty acres of land now 
in the heart of the city of St. Louis, which was 
then only a little French village with the greater 
part of the land about covered with black-jack. 
When the Collins family left the state, nineteen 
years later, St. Louis had become an important 
city of the south, with flourishing markets and 
substantial business houses. On his arrival in 
Missouri Mr. Collins became superintendent of 
the Stevenson tannery in St. Charles county, 
where he remained until 1829, when he opened a 
tanyard and shop near his father's home on Bar- 
racks creek. He was married the same year and 
shortly afterward his father-in-law, Douglas 
Wyatt, gave his daughter forty acres of land 
located on Chariton creek, where Mr. Collins 
subsequently established a tannery and conducted 
the same in connection with farming. 

In 1846 Mr. Collins outfitted for the trip 
across the plains, having decided to become a 
pioneer of the northwest. Besides ten yoke of 
oxen he brought with him valuable loose cattle 
and horses upon a trip made memorable by in- 
numerable hardships and dangers. They crossed 
the Kansas river, thence followed the Republi- 
can fork, and the Platte river, by Ft. Laramie, 
and on to the Black Hills. They were not mo- 
lested by the Indians until they reached the Hum- 
boldt valley, in Nevada, but from there on they 
encountered considerable difficulties. One week 
was consumed in passing through the Umpqua 
canon, a distance of twelve miles, as they were 
compelled to bridge over the rocks, follow the 
streams, etc. Upon their arrival at the present 
site of Eugene City, they found but one house, 
that having been built by Eugene Skinner, but 
with no occupants. Here the subject of this 
sketch remained with the wagons and ex- 
hausted stock during the winter, while the rest 
of the family proceeded on pack-horses, to the 
settlements on the Luckiamute river, about sixty 
miles further north. 

In the spring of 1847 Mn Collins took up a 
donation claim located between the Luckiamute 
and Soap creek, in Polk county, and entered at 
once upon the work of reclaiming the land from 
its wilderness state. The stock which he had 
brought with him to Oregon he turned upon the 
open range. By energy, perseverance and man- 



agement he acquired a large amount of property, 
in later years trading stock for land in the 
southern part of Polk county, which he retained 
until the time of his death. Mr. Collins had 
brought with him to Oregon several hundred 
dollars' worth of leather, the first brought into 
the state, and on his claim he established a small 
tannery which he conducted for several years. 
Mr. King, the first settler of King's valley em- 
ployed him to finish some leather which he had 
previously tanned, but could not curry and finish. 
Mr. Collins was married in 1829 to Miss 
Eliza Emily Wyatt, who was born near Mount 
Sterling, Ky., in 1812. She was a daughter of 
Douglas Wyatt, a native of Kentucky and pio- 
neer of Warren county, Mo. Twelve children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Collins, namely: 
Jane E., who became the wife of M. M. Neelev, 
and died in Oregon; James Layton, the subject 
of this review; Francis M., of Dallas; George 
Smith, who was killed at the age of six years 
while crossing the plains; Eliza Melvina, of 
Dallas, the widow of William P. Shaw ; Doug- 
las Wyatt, of Klickitat county, Wash. ; William 
Wallace, of Polk county; David Crockett, who 
was drowned in Forest creek in 1875 ; Alex- 
ander H., of Dallas ; Emily A., who became the 
wife of Richard Wells, and died in Polk county ; 
Mary I., the wife of Elvin Carter of Klickitat 
county, Wash. ; and A. S., of Prineville, Ore. 
The eight children first mentioned were born 
in Missouri and accompanied their parents to 
Oregon, while the last four were born in Polk 
county. Mr. Collins died in 1872. 

James Layton Collins was born in Warren 
county, Mo., May 9, 1833, and shortly before his 
thirteenth birthday he was en route for Oregon, 
a member of the first company that ever came 
by way of the Klamath lakes, and across the 
Siskiyou, Umpqua and Calapooia mountains into 
the Willamette valley. He was often detailed 
to drive the foremost team that broke down the 
thick sage brush upon the trackless waste and 
was thus in the van of danger and difficulty 
throughout the greater part of the trip. On 
October 10, the party arrived in the Willamette 
valley at the present site of Eugene City. There 
a great many of the hardships and perils of 
pioneer life fell upon the shoulders of Judge 
Collins, then a mere lad, the necessity of pro- 
viding game in sufficient quantity for the sup- 
port of himself and two sick companions, en- 
forcing him to shoulder his gun, and with its 
breech breaking the ice in the sloughs and 
streams, wade through them in order to reach 
good hunting grounds on the other shore. In 
the spring of the following year he settled with 
his parents in Polk county where he helped to 
erect and improve their pioneer home. For sev- 
eral vears he remained at home, assisting in the 



1128 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



general work of the farm. During this period 
he followed out his natural inclinations and 
began to devote every spare moment to study; 
not being able to procure lights, he pursued 
his studies by the glow of the pitchwood fire 
in the rude fireplace, the foundation for knowl- 
edge having been laid in the subscription schools 
of his native state. After a few years, when the 
family could manage to get along without his 
assistance, he became a student in the old Ore- 
gon Institution at Salem, then conducted by Pro- 
fessor Hoyt, and which has since become Will- 
amette University. Being under the necessity 
of working for his maintenance while attending 
school, he was first employed by Father Waller. 
Professor Hoyt soon recognized the intellectual 
qualities of the ambitious lad, and employed him 
to cut wood and to work in the campus garden, 
for these services paying him twenty-five cents 
per hour. He occupied a room in the upper 
story of the college building, and for two years 
put in many hours of hard labor daily, and soon 
became proficient in Greek and other branches. 
In 1853 Judge Collins went to the mines of 
northern California, where he remained until the 
fall of 1855, when he returned to Oregon. The 
legislature being in session, he secured a posi- 
tion as reporter for the Democrat-Standard, and 
continued as such until the close of the session, 
during which the capital was removed from Cor- 
vallis to Salem. A few days before the adjourn- 
ment of the legislature Capt. B. F. Burch organ- 
ized Company B of the recruiting battalion of 
the first regiment of Oregon Mounted Volun- 
teers, for service in the Yakima Indian war. 
Judge Collins at once enlisted, and after the 
adjournment of the assembly he joined the 
troops in the field on the Columbia river and 
participated in the hardships and perils which" 
followed. He was with Col. Thomas R. Cor- 
nelius throughout his famous " horse-meat cam- 
paign," when the volunteers pursued the In- 
dians for two months, being often reduced to 
the necessity of subsisting upon the horses cap- 
tured from or abandoned by the Indians in their 
flight. He also took an active and honorable 
part in the battle of the Simcoe, which won for 
him the respect of his officers and the confidence 
and esteem of all his comrades in arms. 

After the close of hostilities Judge Collins re- 
turned to Polk county and engaged in teaching 
school, at the same time continuing his studies. 
He had previously studied law under Hon. B. 
F. Harding and Hon. L. F. Grover while a resi- 
dent of Salem, and in 1859 he made application 
for admission to the bar. Judge Wilson, then 
District Attorney, wrote the motion for his 
admission, a committee was appointed, consist- 
ing of Judges J. G. Wilson, George H. Williams 
and Ben Hayden, to examine him, and he was 



admitted November 19, of the same year. Dur- 
ing the session of 1864 and the special session 
of 1865 he was chief clerk of the house of 
representatives. In 1869 he was appointed 
by Gov. Geo. L. Woods county judge of 
Polk county, and the same year was appointed 
by Judge Deady to the office of United States 
commissioner, which he has held up to the 
present time. He has served as deputy prose- 
cuting attorney for several years and has been 
attorney for the state in managing the school 
fund of Polk county for the past fifteen years. 
In politics the judge is a Republican, though he 
had been a Democrat until the breaking out of 
the Civil war. At that time he abandoned that 
party and as a member of the state convention 
at Eugene City aided in organizing the Repub- 
lican party for its first effective campaign in 
Oregon. He has also served as chairman of the 
county central committee, and was a member of 
the state central committee and has served as a 
member of the Dallas city council. As county 
superintendent of schools for two years he was 
active in the promotion of educational matters, 
being instrumental in the organization of Dallas 
College, and takes great interest in all move- 
ments pertaining to the general welfare of the 
community. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and served as trustee. 

The marriage of Judge Collins occurred in 
Polk county in 1861, Miss Mary Whiteaker be- 
coming his wife. She was born in De Kalb 
county, 111., in 1846, the daughter of Benjamin 
Whiteaker, who was one of the pioneers of Polk 
county in 1847, an d a relative of John White- 
aker, the first governor of Oregon. Mrs. Col- 
lins died in 1864, leaving one daughter, Nellie, 
who is a graduate of La Creole Academy, the 
state normal school at Monmouth, and the New 
York state normal college at Oswego, N. Y. 
She is now critic in the state normal school at 
Madison, S. D., which position she has occupied 
for the past ten years. On January 1, 1867, 
Judge Collins married for his second wife Miss 
Mary E. Kimes, a native of De Kalb county, 
Mo., and a daughter of Lewis Ray Kimes, who 
started with his family for Oregon in 1852 and 
was drowned while attempting to cross the Mis- 
souri river. His widow continued her journey 
to Oregon, locating in Yamhill county, where 
was born her son, Lewis Ray Kimes, now a 
prominent farmer of Polk county. To Judge 
and Mrs. Collins were born ten children, name- 
ly : Ray Smith, deceased ; Edgar Layton, of Ka- 
lama, Wash. ; Mary, wife of Prof. E. E. Watts, 
of Washington county, Ore. ; Ednelle, a teacher 
in the public schools of Dallas ; Ben David, de- 
ceased ; Ora ; Frank Wyatt, a mechanical en- 
gineer in the Union Iron" Works of San Fran- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1129 



cisco ; Louise ; James Dean ; and Margaret, de- 
ceased. 

In 1S59 Judge Collins opened an office in In- 
dependence, but since i860 has been continu- 
ously engaged in the practice of law in Dallas. 
By his contemporaries he is regarded as an able 
lawyer, a safe counselor, a strong pleader, well 
grounded in the principles of his chosen profes- 
sion, and equipped with unexcelled ability to 
apply them correctly to the case in hand. A 
young attorney once cast reflections upon the in- 
tegrity of Judge Collins. Governor Gibbs re- 
plied : " He is a man who may safely be trusted 
with uncounted gold." An attempt was once 
made to throw out of court a case in which Judge 
Collins was the attorney. Judge Boise, who pre- 
sided, said : " Judge Collins has practiced before 
me, and has uniformly appeared with the best 
papers ever presented in my court." The mo- 
tion was overruled. 

This brief outline of the life record of Judge 
Collins illustrates what careful and thorough 
preparation, determination and perseverance, 
supplemented by a righteous ambition to attain 
a position of responsibility and honor, will ac- 
complish. Many a young man of the present 
generation, or ot generations yet to come, doubt- 
less will find in the story of his life much that 
will prove an incentive to earnest and conscien- 
tious effort, and without these qualifications no 
man may hope to make a success of his elected 
vocation, regardless of the extent of his mental 
attainments. 



GEORGE EBERHARD. To his apprecia- 
tion of the dignity and usefulness of an agri- 
cultural life George Eberhard owes his finely 
improved farm in Marion county, and the com- 
petence which enables his family to enjoy the 
comforts and many of the luxuries of life. 
As long ago as i860 his good judgment sug- 
gested the purchase of the three hundred and 
twenty acres which have been his home, and 
whereas at that time only sixty acres were 
cleared, his industry has completed the clear- 
ing of one hundred and fifty acres in all. All 
kinds of grain and general produce attain ma- 
turity upon the well tilled acres each year, and 
fine stock graze in contentment under the sum- 
mer sun. This land is a portion of the old 
Peter Burke donation claim, and cost the pres- 
ent owner but Si, 200. That its value has in- 
creased many fold in the meantime is apparent 
to all who visit this hospitable home, and note 
the progressive methods employed by the tact- 
ful, resourceful and diligent owner. 

The state of Ohio has contributed many native 
sons to the upbuilding of Oregon, and to this 



class Mr. Eberhard belongs, he having been 
born near Bucyrus, Crawford county, November 
25, 1832. When he was four years of age his 
parents removed to St. Joseph county, Mich., 
where he grew to manhood on a farm, and was 
educated principally in the public schools. As 
time went on he realized the limitations by 
which he was surrounded on the Michigan farm 
and wisely determined to strike out for himself, 
although in a strange land and with but scant 
available resources. Accordingly, in 1855, when 
about twenty-two years of age, he set forth 
for San Francisco by way of Panama. Arriv- 
ing at his destination, he went at once to the 
mines in Eldorado county. Altogether he spent 
about five years in California, alternating be- 
tween mining and ranching, and in 1859 came 
to Oregon, locating in Marion county. 

In January, 1866, Mr. Eberhard was united 
in marriage with Louise Jones, and of the six 
children born to this union three are living: 
Barbara, the wife of Mr. Austin ; John P. ; 
and George A. David L., Benjamin F. and Wal- 
ter are deceased. Mr. Eberhard is a Democrat 
in politics, and has held the offices of school 
director and supervisor for many years. Fra- 
ternallv he is a member of the Grange. 



CHARLES P. FULLERTON. The ro- 
mance-tinged history of the early days in Ore- 
gon were sadly incomplete without due mention 
of the career of that pioneer of pioneers, C. P. 
Fullerton, at present living in retirement in 
Corvallis. That the mention of a name in the 
owner's locality calls up instinctively the dom- 
inating characteristics which his friends of many 
years have carefully observed is invariably true, 
and in Mr. Fullerton's case the keynote of his 
influence would seem to be an absolute and un- 
questioned integrity. With this admirable trait 
for a foundation, he has traveled the weary 
years since 1846, accomplishing substantially 
and conservatively, and in such way that his posi- 
tion has never been swayed by passing events. 
Born in Troy, Lincoln county, Mo., September 
1, 1830, he comes of Revolutionary stock, for 
his grandfather, Arannah, left his home near 
Pembroke, Mass.. and stacked his musket on 
Revolutionary battlefields. He served from Sep- 
tember 28, 1777, to November 1, 1780, enlisting 
as a private and being mustered out as sergeant. 
On the Massachusetts farm Rufus, the father of 
C. P. Fullerton, was born, and from his native 
state removed to Missouri in 1823 or 1824. He 
was a merchant and farmer, and died in his 
adopted state in 1842. His last years were spent 
alone, for his wife, Janet (Pringle) Fullerton, 
died in 1836, leaving three children, of whom 



1130 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



C. P. is the only one living. Mrs. Fullerton 
was a native of Connecticut, and with her father, 
Norman Pringle, removed to Warren county, 
Mo., in 1820, locating on a large farm at what 
is now Hickory Grove. One of her sons, L. B., 
came to Oregon in 185 1, and died some years later 
in Salem. 

Left an orphan at the age of about eleven, Mr. 
Fullerton was reared on a farm in Missouri, and 
when fifteen years of age had a chance to come 
to the coast with his uncle, V. K. Pringle. Start- 
ing out with ox-teams and provisions April 20, 
1846, he drove nearly all the way across, and on 
the way encountered some sorry experiences. 
He happened to be in the Applegate cut-off, and, 
in company with others similarly placed, nearly 
starved to death. The party reached Salem 
December 25, 1846, and the Fullertons spent the 
winter in the town, the uncle settling on a farm 
near Aumsville, Marion county, the following 
spring. C. P. lived with his relative for a year, 
but much to his disappointment there was no 
school for him to attend, and consequently his 
western education has been entirely of his own 
getting. Soon after reaching the west he be- 
came familiar with the dangers as well as ad- 
vantages of the wilderness country, for duty com- 
pelled him to enlist in the Cayuse war during 
1847-8, first as a private in Capt. W. P. Pugh's 
company, and later in the company of William 
Martin. Having completed his two enlistments 
he returned to his home, and in April, 1849, 
started across the mountains to California, where 
he hoped to make a fortune in the gold mines. 
His expectations were evidently not realized, 
for during September, 1849, he started back 
across the mountains, fully resolved to hence- 
forth rely upon more certain, even if slower, 
means of livelihood. 

In 185 1 Mr. Fullerton took up a donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres south 
of Salem, which he improved, and to which he 
added until he possessed four hundred and 
eighty-two acres. He engaged principally in 
grain and stock-raising, his farm being located 
four miles south of Salem. Success rewarded 
his efforts to clear his land and make it profitable, 
and he became prominent in his locality, promot- 
ing its all-around interests, especially along edu- 
cational lines. Realizing his own want of op- 
portunity upon arriving in the far west, he saw 
to it that the youth of the rising generation had 
better chances, and assisted in establishing the 
first school in his district. He was an officer 
of the school board up to the time of selling his 
farm and removing to Alsea, Benton county, in 
1887. Here Mr. Fullerton bought six hundred 
and forty acres of land, upon which he engaged 
in farming and stock-raising, and where he made 
his home until disposing of the same in 1901. 



December 31, of that year, he located in Cor- 
vallis, and the following year built one of the 
attractive residences of the town, and which is 
surrounded by fifteen acres of land. 

Through his marriage in Yamhill county, in 
1854, with Cornelia M. Lady, a native of Ten- 
nessee, and daughter of William G. Lady, a 
Yamhill pioneer of 1854, eleven children have 
been born : Lucy T., now Mrs. C. J. Bradner, of 
Seattle; Walter, engaged in the stock business 
in Crook county; Mark, a graduate of the 
Willamette University, and an attorney at law, 
in Olympia, and member of the supreme bench 
of Washington ; David, engaged in mining in 
Alaska; Finley, living on a part of the Alsea 
ranch ; Rufus, a merchant in Kennewick, Wash. ; 
Nellie C, now Mrs. D. H. Glass, of Oregon 
City, and an educator by occupation; Juliet at 
home ; Lucian, in Crook county, Ore. ; Josephine, 
a teacher in Corvallis ; and Charles, Jr., attend- 
ing the Oregon Agricultural College. A Re- 
publican in politics, Mr. Fullerton has never had 
any desire for public office, but at one time did 
serve as justice of the peace at Alsea. In re- 
ligion he is a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. In the estimation of his many 
friends in Corvallis and throughout the county, 
Mr. Fullerton is representative of the highest 
western citizenship ; strong of character, upright 
in motive and act, and genial in manner, he com- 
mands the respect and esteem of all who have 
ever been associated with him. 



ADOLPH F. PETERSON. Many of the 
handsomest residences, the most modern and 
practical public buildings, and the most am- 
bitious architectural accomplishments in general 
in Corvallis are due to the skill and artistic ap- 
preciation of Adolph F. Peterson, one of the 
foremost builders and contractors in Benton 
county. The armory of the Oregon Agricultural 
College, and the court houses of Wheeler, Gill- 
iam and Sherman counties may be mentioned 
as fair samples of his excellent and substantial 
construction. Since coming here Mr. Peterson 
has found his way into the front rank of the 
business community, and his very 'successful 
career may be taken as typical of the best and 
most progressive class of Swedish-Americans. 

In Minnesota, whither have settled so many of 
his countrymen, Mr. Peterson was born at Mound 
Prairie, Washington county, August 8, 1858, his 
father, John F., being one of the very earliest 
settlers of that section of the north. John F. 
Peterson was born in Smaalan, southeastern 
Sweden, and when about fourteen years of age 
was apprenticed to a crown tailor of Stockholm. 
In his native land he married Katrina Harden, 
a native of Stockholm, and member of a promi- 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1131 



Bent Swedish family, and three children were 
born to this union in the old country. With his 
wife and children Air. Peterson came to America 
at an early day, and in Xew York city was 
swindled out of considerable money by his sup- 
posed friends. In diis way the savings of many 
years were lost, and it was with difficulty that 
he succeeded in getting his family to St. Paul, 
.Minn. The northern metropolis at that time con- 
M>ted of a few small log cabins occupied by some 
French settlers and Indians, and the new ar- 
rival was probably as ignorant as they of the 
teeming industry and giant enterprises which 
would one day have their birth upon his farm 
of one hundred and sixty acres. Had he fore- 
seen, he would probably have held his land until 
it increased in value, but as it was he saw noth- 
ing beyond rather barren and not particularly 
profitable acres fit for certain kinds of grain and 
general produce. So he disposed of his land 
and removed to Sauk Center, where he engaged 
in farming until the Sioux Indian outbreak in 
1861-2. Thus surrounded by danger, his family 
were obliged to make their escape with ox-teams 
to St. Cloud, and from there to St. Paul, where 
they remained until peace was restored. In the 
meantime the father had taken up the defense of 
the settlers, and was serving as a scout under 
General Sibley, his oldest son standing valiantly 
by his side, and assisting in every way in his 
power to break the sway of the murderous red 
men. Father and son participated in the battle 
of Xew Ulm, and assisted in the capture and 
subsequent hanging of thirty-eight of the ring- 
leaders among the Indians. Xot content with 
his service in the north, Mr. Peterson then en- 
listed for the Civil war, then at its height, in 
Company G, Seventh Minnesota Volunteer In- 
fantry, which company was composed of Swedish 
and German citizens. "With the rest of his com- 
rades he went south, fought bravely upon many 
a field of battle, and finally died of exposure and 
deprivation in Little Rock, Ark. That his valor 
was appreciated, and that his sad end touched 
a sympathetic chord in at least one heart, was 
proven when a comrade-in-arms walked three 
hundred miles to inform the widow of his un- 
timely and tragic death. This faithful wife, who 
had braved the dangers and trials of the early 
pioneer days in the north, finally died in St. 
Paul, mourned by her large family of children, 
nine in all, of Avhom Adolph F. is the eighth. 
One of the sons, John by name, is engaged in the 
real estate business at Grant's Pass, Ore., and 
served as assistant surgeon during the rebellion ; 
and Victor distinguished himself as a second 
lieutenant during the Civil war. 

In St. Paul Adolph F. Peterson received his 
education in the public schools, but quit during 
the junior year at the high school to apprentice 



to a carpenter. In tne meantime his brother had 
come to Oregon and engaged in the sawmill 
business on Yaquina bay, and in 1875 Adolph 
joined him, and unsuccessfully engaged in saw- 
milling. But success came to him when he be- 
came foreman of construction on the United 
States jetties at the mouth of the Columbia 
river. His superior, J. S. Polhemus, gave him 
the most superior recommendations when he left 
his service at the expiration of eight years. Dur- 
ing his service for the government Mr. Peterson 
married Etella Thompson, a native of Corvallis, 
and daughter of R. M. Thompson, a man of 
great prominence in this part of the county, hav- 
ing succeeded as postmaster, merchant and agri- 
culturist. Mr. Thompson was foremost in pub- 
lic affairs in Corvallis, and was an active worker 
in the Republican party. More extended mention 
of this early settler may be found elsewhere in 
this work. 

Owing to the precarious state of his wife's 
health Mr. Peterson removed to Los Angeles, 
Cal., where he built and contracted for a couple 
of years, after which he returned to CorvalliSj 
and has since made this his home. Three chil- 
dren have been born into his family, Ileen, Ray- 
mond George and Agnes Reka. He is a Re- 
publican in politics, and though often urged to 
accept office, has steadfastly refused all honor 
of an official nature. He is fraternally popular 
and well known, and is identified with the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Arti- 
sans, the Knights of Pythias, and the Degree 
of Honor. He is well adapted to his chosen call- 
ing, to which he brings an astute mind, a clear 
conception and a versatility which finds expres- 
sion in delightful, harmonious and practical 
effects. 



JUDGE VIRGIL E. W r ATTERS, who is 
now serving upon the county bench, dates his 
residence in Oregon from 1877 and in Benton 
county from 1884. He was born in Holton, 
Jackson county, Kans., in 1863. His paternal 
grandfather, Dr. James Watters, was a repre- 
sentative of an old Xew England family of 
Scotch-Irish descent. Leaving the east he 
settled in Indiana and afterward removed to 
Wassonville, Iowa, where he engaged in the 
practice of medicine. In 1857 he removed to 
what is now the city of Holton, Kans., where he 
spent his remaining days, dying in 1891, when 
more than ninety years of age. Thomas G. 
Watters. the father of the judge, was born in 
Rockville, Ind., and reared in Iowa, and later 
became one of the pioneers of Kansas, taking a 
very active part in its early development. He 
arrived in that state in 1857, settling first in 
Lawrence, and later took up his abode upon the 



1132 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



prairies of Jackson county, where Holton now 
stands. He was actively interested in the border 
troubles and being a warm friend of the cause 
of freedom, his home became a station on the 
famous underground railroad. He entertained 
John Brown on his last trip over that section of 
the country. He became one of the founders 
of the city of Holton, and was there engaged in 
the jewelry business for a number of years. For 
several terms he served as sheriff of Jackson 
county and at the time of the Civil war he 
joined a Kansas regiment and did duty at the 
front. In 1877 he brought his family to Oregon, 
settling in Ashland, where he again engaged in 
the jewelry business until 1879. In that year 
he removed to East Portland, where he contin- 
ued in the same line of trade in what is now 
Grand avenue. In 1880 he became a resident 
of Hillsboro, where he conducted a jewelry 
store up to the time of his death, which occurred 
March 4, 1885. He belonged to the Knights 
of Pythias fraternity and to the Baptist Church, 
and in early life he gave his political support to 
the Republican party, but at the time Greeley 
made the race for president he joined the Democ- 
racy and was afterward one of its advocates. 
He married Climena Bevens, who was born in 
Indiana, and who went with her parents to 
Iowa at a very early day. The Bevens family 
was of English descent and was represented 
in the patriot army during the Revolutionary 
war. Mrs. Watters survived her husband for 
several years and died in Oakland, Cal., in 1893. 
She was the mother of twelve children, six of 
whom reached years of maturity and became 
residents of Oregon, but all now are living in 
California with the exception of the judge. 

Judge Watters of this review was the third 
in his father's family and was born in Holton, 
Kans., August 8, 1863. There he attended 
school until 1877, when the family removed to 
Ashland, Ore. There he went to work on the 
Ashland Tidings, edited by Captain Applegate, 
a distinguished officer of the Modoc war. The 
judge learned the printer's trade and afterward 
acted as a compositor on the Lakeview Examiner 
until 1879, when he went to East Portland. 
There he worked on the Evening Telegram until 
the fall of 1880, when he came to Hillsboro, 
where he joined his father in the jewelry busi- 
ness, continuing in that line until the spring of 
1884. At the latter date Judge Watters removed 
to Yaquina Bay district and was engaged in the 
jewelry business there until 1885, when he was 
appointed postmaster of Yaquina. In fact, he 
established the office and was the first post- 
master, his appointment being made by Presi- 
dent Cleveland. In 1892 he was nominated on 
the Democratic ticket for the position of county 
recorder of conveyances and was elected by a 



majority of one hundred and thirteen. During 
the legislative session of 1893 the county was 
divided, Summit being made the line, and in 
1894 Judge Watters was re-elected to the office 
of county recorder for Benton county by a 
majority of sixty-eight, serving in that capacity 
until July, 1896. He was then nominated for 
county clerk on the Democratic ticket and was 
elected by the very large and flattering majority 
of five hundred and twenty-six. Again he was 
chosen to the office in 1898, and for a third term 
in 1900, and thus he served until July 7, 1902. 
In that year he was nominated on the Demo- 
cratic ticket for the office of county judge and 
was elected by a majority of thirty-four for a 
term of four years, entering upon the duties of 
the position July 7, 1902. 

The judge was married in Washington 
county, Ore., to Miss Dora A. Wiley, who was 
born there. Her mother, who bore the maiden 
name of Jane Baldra, was the first white woman 
born in Oregon, her birth having occurred on 
Tualatin plains, August 1, 1840. Her father 
was an Englishman who came to this section 
of the country from Hudson Bay in 1839. 
Judge and Mrs. Watters now have three living 
children : Ethel Jane, Alice Marie and Thomas 
Virgil. Their second daughter, Minnie, died 
at the age of four years. 

The judge is an Ancient Odd Fellow and is a 
past officer in both the lodge and encampment. 
He was made a Mason in Corvallis and is a 
past master of the lodge. He is also past master 
workman of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, in which position he served for two 
terms, and he is now grand overseer of the 
grand lodge of Oregon of that organization. 
Judge Watters was converted to the faith of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in Corvallis, and 
for several years he has been president of its 
board of trustees, is president of its board of 
stewards and is superintendent of the Sunday 
school. He is actively interested in everything 
that pertains to municipal reform and the en- 
forcement of law, and his influence is felt on the 
side of improvement and right and advance- 
ment. For some years he was active in the fire 
department of Corvallis and his energies have 
been directed along many lines contributing to 
the general good. During his early boyhood his 
father met with financial reverses in Kansas so 
that the youth of our subject was one of hard- 
ship. During his boyhood he did much toward 
the support of the family and after his father's 
death he conducted the business and took care 
of the younger members of the household. Later 
he sent his mother to California for her health. 
He holds friendship inviolable and regards a 
public office as a public trust. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1135 



EPHRAIM LOOXEY SMITH. Among the 
reliable, substantial and prosperous citizens of 
Lane county there is probably no one who 
stands higher in the estimation of his fellow- 
men than Ephraim L. Smith, of Springfield. 
A man of active enterprise and practical ability 
he has been intimately associated with the agri- 
cultural prosperity of this part of the state, 
and has contributed in a large measure towards 
its development and advancement. For two 
years he has been a resident of Springfield, and 
in the meantime has effected upon the property 
which he owns in this vicinity improvements 
that in their character speak in a forcible manner 
of his skill, wise management and cultivated 
tastes. A son of John Smith, he was born 
in Polk county, Mo., November 24, 1840. 

Spending the larger part of his life in Polk 
county, Mo., John Smith removed from there 
to Oregon, crossing the plains with an ox-team 
train in 1849. Locating in Lane county, he took 
up a donation claim of six hundred and forty 
acres about ten miles southeast of Eugene, and 
having improved a productive ranch, was there 
engaged in general farming until his death, at 
the early age of forty-four years. He married 
Mary Looney, who was born in Alabama, and 
died, while yet a young woman, in Missouri. 
Four sons were born of their union, Ephraim 
L. being the youngest. 

After receiving a limited education in the 
common schools of Missouri, Ephraim L. Smith 
came with his parents to Oregon, and attended 
the district schools of Lane county during the 
winter terms, assisting his father in the farm 
labors during seed time and harvest. At the 
age of seventeen years he began an apprentice- 
ship at the blacksmith's trade, living with his 
cousin, Clint Looney, and later with Henry 
Hill near Lorain. Establishing a blacksmith's 
shop in Eugene, Ore., in 1859, he was there em- 
ployed at his trade two years. Upon his re- 
turn to the donation claim which his father took 
up from the government, Mr. Smith turned his 
attention to agriculture, and was there profit- 
ably engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising until 1 901. He still owns this estate, 
which is one of the finest in its appointments 
and improvements of any in the vicinity. On 
it are three residences, one being a commodious 
house of thirteen rooms, the others being con- 
veniently arranged, but smaller. He has also 
good barns and out buildings, and a railway 
station, store and blacksmith shop are on the 
farm. He is especially interested in stock- 
raising, having a fine herd of one hundred cat- 
tle, Durhams and Shorthorns, and a choice lot 
of Poland-China hogs. In 1901 Mr. Smith re- 
moved to Springfield, buying one of the finest 
residences in town, and has since made his 



home here. In 1902 he purchased one hundred 
acres of land adjoining the town, it being a 
well improved place, with a two-story, modern 
house, and all the necessary buildings for suc- 
cessful farming and fruit-raising. He is a large 
landowner, his acreage, including his farms and 
town property, aggregating over eleven hundred 
and thirty-three acres. 

Mr. Smith was married, in Vancouver, Wash., 
February 14, 1866, to Sarah E. Taylor, who was 
born in 185 1, while her parents were en route 
across the plains. Her father, David M. Taylor, 
a native of Iowa, came to Oregon with his 
family in 1851, and took up a donation claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres near Harris- 
burg, and lived there until i860. Going then to 
San Buena Ventura, Cal., he there spent his 
remaining years and died October 31, 1895. 
Eleven children were born of this union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith, namely : Mrs. Anna Han- 
secker, deceased; Franklin, deceased; Lulu, 
wife of Augustus Sundermann, of Pilot Rock, 
Ore.; Jennie, deceased; Hattie, wife of Clif- 
ford Powers, of Cottage Grove; Dollie and 
Ollie, twins ; Bertie F. ; Myrtle, deceased ; Etta ; 
and Fay. In his political views, Mr. Smith is 
a decided Republican, and has served as road 
supervisor, and as school director. He is pub- 
lic spirited and liberal, ever ready to contribute 
toward beneficial enterprises, and is a valued 
member of the Christian Church of Thurston. 



GEORGE H. MURCH. The record of a 
man who has risen to a position of influence 
and honor in the community possesses much of 
inspiration to the general public, and as an ex- 
ample for members of the rising generation is 
certainly of inestimable value. That prosperity 
is the portion of those not afraid of hard work 
is one of the most forceful lessons derived from 
the careers of men like George H. Murch, who 
has not failed to realize that fortunes, like 
Rome, are not built in a day, and that sooner or 
later honest and well directed effort is bound 
to win recognition. In tracing the career of 
this honored farmer of Lane county one comes 
across many useful lessons, and the following 
facts in regard to him are gladly submitted: 

Mr. Murch was born near Jay, Essex countv, 
N. Y., February 21, 181 7, but 'notwithstanding 
his age enjoys reasonable health, the result of 
his unfailing good humor and many public in- 
terests. At the age of sixteen he left his father's 
farm and began to earn his own living in a 
nail factory, and in 1838 he removed to Hamil- 
ton county, Ohio, and for a time worked on a 
near-by canal for a few months. In 1840 he 
took up government land in Piatt county, Mo., 



1136 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and while tilling that became interested in the 
travelers who were passing his way on the 
overland trip to the west. With a friend, John 
Jones, he made arrangements to follow the west- 
ward emigration in 1846, and, arriving at 
Bridges, visited some friends there until Oc- 
tober of the same year. Four men comprised 
the party which came from Bridges down the 
Snake river, and they traveled with horses as 
far as The Dalles. Two Indians brought them 
down the Columbia river ii; a canoe, and Mr. 
Murch stayed for a time in Oregon City, soon 
after going to Washington county, near Hills- 
boro. For a few months he worked for J. S. 
Griffen, and in the spring of 1847 went to The 
Dalles in a canoe, and there joined the First 
Oregon Regiment of mounted riflemen, for 
service in the Cayuse war. During the summer 
he served in various parts of Oregon, partici- 
pating in two battles at Wells Springs, with 
headquarters later at Whitman's Station, to 
protect the emigrants as they came from the 
east. 

Following his Indian fighting experience Mr. 
Murch settled on land near Hubbard, Marion 
county, and in the spring of 1849 ne went to 
California on a sailing vessel with some com- 
panions, each man taking his own provisions. 
He proved an exceptional rather than average 
miner, for upon returning to Oregon on an- 
other sailing vessel in the fall of 1849, after a 
six weeks' trip, he brought with him the en- 
couraging sum of $4,000. Investing $800 of 
this money in a freighting boat, he ran it be- 
tween Oregon City and Portland. He was suc- 
cessful beyond expectation, and cleared in all 
$7,000. Next he engaged in a general merchan- 
dise business in Oregon City with Ben Simpson 
for a couple of years, and then moved his goods 
to Corvallis, remaining there for a couple of 
years. His goods were next taken to Win- 
chester, southern Oregon, and in the meantime, 
in 1854, he had taken up three hundred and 
. twenty acres of land three miles east of Coburg, 
upon which he settled after finishing up his 
mercantile business. Sixteen years on this farm 
accomplished large results, and a valuable farm 
was developed out of a practically useless prop- 
erty. Locating in Coburg, in 1870, Mr. Murch 
has since made this his home, with the exception 
of five years spent in Eugene to educate his 
children. From time to time he has added to 
his farm, and at present owns two thousand 
five hundred acres of land. His property has 
been devoted principally to stock-raising, and 
his improvements and general appointments are 
up-to-date and superior. 

The first wife of Mr. Murch, who was for- 
merly Barbara A. Cooper, whom he married in 
1854, died in 1859, leaving a son, Horace, now 



mining in Idaho, an older child having died in 
infancy. October 26, 1863, Mr. Murch mar- 
ried Mrs. Mary E. Stone, widow of Edwin 
Stone, and daughter of Robert Henderson, the 
latter of whom was born in Kentucky, and set- 
tled first on a farm in the state of Missouri. 
Mrs. Murch came to the west with her parents 
in 1846, and was nearly nine months crossing 
the plains. They came via the Applegate cut- 
off and suffered great deprivations, running 
short of provisions, and having great trouble 
with the Indians. Mr. Henderson went to Yam- 
hill county in the spring of 1847, taking up a 
donation claim of six hundred and forty acres 
near Amity, where he died in 1890, at the age 
of eighty-two years. He left his claim during 
the gold excitement in 1849 an d made a few 
'thousand dollars in the mines of California. 
By her first marriage Mrs. Murch had one 
daughter, Mary, wife of Thomas N. Strong, a 
prominent attorney of Portland. Eight chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Murch, 
of whom Lucy D. is the wife of F. D. Chamber- 
lin, an attorney of Portland ; Philura E. is a 
teacher of French at the Ann Wright Seminary 
of Tacoma, Wash. ; Jessie E. is a teacher in the 
public schools of Portland; Herbert E. is now 
teaching in Yale College; and four children, 
George, Arthur, Welden and Edward, died 
within ten days of each other of diphtheria. 
Mr. Murch has invariably fostered progress in 
his neighborhood, and has been the friend of 
education, morality and uprightness. That he 
appreciates intellectual training is evidenced by 
the superior advantages which he has given his 
children, all of whom have realized his am- 
bitious hopes for them. He enjoys the confi- 
dence of all with whom he has been associated 
in whatever capacity, and no pioneer of the 
early days has more disinterestedly or faithfully 
contributed to the upbuilding of a prosperous 
region. 



ROBERT A. JAYNE, M. D., of Spring- 
field, Lane county, was born in Washing- 
ton, Iowa, January 27, 1859, the son of 
Daniel and the grandson of Timothy Jayne, 
both natives of Pennsylvania, from which state 
the grandfather served as captain in the Rev- 
olutionary war. The father came as far west 
as Iowa in 1855, locating in Washington county, 
where he engaged in the prosecution of his trade 
of stonemason. At the breaking out of the 
Civil war he enlisted in Company H, Twenty- 
fifth Iowa Infantry, and later became a cor- 
poral, his company forming a part of General 
Grant's army. He died at Napoleon, Ark., in 
April, 1862, at the age of sixty-two years. His 
wife was in maidenhood Martha Ann Young, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1137 



born in Kentucky, and died in Shedds, Ore., 
in 1902, when seventy-eight years old. She 
was the daughter of Alexander Young, also a 
native of Kentucky, and who, after a residence 
in Indiana, moved to Washington county, Iowa, 
in 1849, and took a large claim where he farmed 
until his death at the age of eighty-three years. 
Of the two sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Jayne, 
Dr. Jayne was the older, and his preliminary 
education was received in the common schools 
of his native state. In 1882 he entered the 
Washington Academy, which he attended two 
and a half years. He then accepted a position 
as clerk in a store, where he remained until the 
fall of 1888. Having accumulated sufficient 
means for his immediate needs he once more 
took up his studies, entering the medical de- 
partment of the University of Iowa, from which 
he was graduated three years' later with the 
degree of M. D. He came at once to Oregon, 
and located at Shedds, where he remained until 
November, 1902, when he moved to Springfield, 
where he is now engaged in general practice. 

The marriage of Dr. Jayne occurred in Mil- 
waukee, Wis., on July 2, 1895, and united him 
with Hattie Watkins, a native of that state, 
and their tw r o children are Earl A. and Robert 
Wyeth. In fraternal affiliations the doctor be- 
longs to the Woodmen of the World; Modern 
Woodmen of America and Knights of the Mac- 
cabees, being medical examiner for each of 
them. In politics he casts his ballot with the 
Republican party, and is active in his efforts for 
the advancement of the principles which he 
endorses. For one term, 1896-97, he served as 
coroner of Linn countv. 



MARION WALLACE. Both in the indus- 
trial and agricultural lines of work has Marion 
Wallace contributed his share toward the devel- 
opment of Oregon and her supremacy as a state, 
now being located in Natron, Lane county. He 
is the son of James A. Wallace, who was born 
in 1821, and emigrated to the northwest in 1852, 
crossing the plains with ox-teams and one pony, 
nearly all of which perished upon the journey. 
In the then embryo state the father then took up 
a donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres and made that his home until his death. 
His wife was formerly Irene E. Daniels, and 
she died in 1900, the mother of six children, 
who are as follows : W. D. ; Marion of this re- 
view ; J. C. ; Mary E. ; Lucy A. ; and Emma. 

Marion Wallace was born in Warren county. 
111., in the city of Monmouth, January 1, 1848. 
and was four years old when the journey was 
made across the plains. Since that time he has 
been a constant resident of Lane county, reared 
to manhood upon the paternal farm and trained 



to an agricultural life. He remained at home 
until 1875, engaged in farming with his father, 
when he married Nancy M. Yaughan and 
located upon another portion of the home place, 
where he continued successfully following agri- 
cultural pursuits until 1893. At that date he 
located in Natron and opened a blacksmith shop, 
combined with which work he also repairs 
wagons, and conducts a feed-chopper. He now 
owns two hundred acres of land in addition to 
his interests in the town of Natron. In politics 
he adheres to the principles advocated by the 
Republican party, but has never cared to hold 
office. He is a member of the Order of Lions. 
The children which have blessed the union of 
himself and wife are as follows : Myron L. ; 
Clara May, wife of Levi Castleman; Marion G. 
and Melvin W., who are twins ; James A. ; Dan- 
iel W. ; Nannie E; and Georgia M. 



JAMES C. BRATTAIN. The example of a 
successful, prominent and more than ordinarily 
endowed father is an heritage to be appreciated 
and emulated. The faculty for so doing is ap- 
parent in the lives of James C. and F. M. Brat- 
tain, sons of that honored pioneer, Paul Brattain, 
around whom centers much of interest and im- 
portance in the early history of Lane county. At 
present occupying the donation claim taken up 
by their sire in 1852, these two, the youngest 
in a family of ten children, are fulfilling the 
expectations warranted by their early training 
and character inheritance, taking a foremost 
part in politics and social life, and maintaining 
a standard as progressive farmers not excelled 
in any part of the Willamette valley. In addi- 
tion to the home place of one hundred and sixty 
acres, the brothers own jointly a stock farm of 
a section on the McKenzie river, and three hun- 
dred and twenty acres on Fall creek both of 
w T hich places are given over to extensive stock- 
raising. Both men are in touch with the prog- 
ress in all parts of the world, are well informed 
on current events, and to an exceptional degree 
enjoy the confidence of an enlightened and ex- 
acting agricultural community. 

Paul Brattain was born in North Carolina, 
December 30, 1801, and at an early age went to 
Tennessee, at the age of sixteen making his way 
overland and by river to Hancock and Morgan 
counties, 111., where his forceful personal char- 
acteristics were first recognized and approved. 
Taking up a large tract of land, he entered the 
arena of politics, and in time was elected to the 
constitutional convention of Illinois, where his 
opinions were valued and noted. He married 
Elizabeth Carter, who encouraged and applauded 
his success, and who lived to share and sym- 
pathize with the joys as well as the shadows 



1138 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of his life. He left his home to participate in 
the Black Hawk war, and about 1838 moved to 
Van Buren county, Iowa, where his son, James 
C, . was born November 14, 1844. Taking up 
government land near Birmingham, he contin- 
ued his political career as a member of the con- 
stitutional convention of Iowa, and at a later 
period became treasurer of the board of public 
improvements at Des Moines. This board had 
to do principally with river improvements, and 
at times large sums of money were left in the 
hands of the treasurer. To the intense chagrin 
of all concerned, the safe of the board was 
broken open during Mr. Brattain's administra- 
tion, and several thousand dollars taken out. 

In the spring of 1852 Mr. Brattain followed 
the example of two of his children who had come 
to the west in 1849 and 1850, and outfitted with 
four wagons, fourteen yoke of oxen, and one 
mule team, his wife and eight children being 
members of the party. It is not recalled that 
anything out of the ordinary marred the prog- 
ress of the overland journey, and in fairly good 
condition the travelers spent the first winter 
near Peoria, locating on the donation claim now 
occupied by the two sons, the following spring. 
Here, as heretofore, Mr. Brattain caused his in- 
fluence to be felt, and aside from various politi- 
cal offices of note, he served as county clerk 
from 1854 to 1859, an d was finally a member 
of the constitutional convention of Oregon, 
making the third state in which he had helped 
to frame the laws. This was a record of which 
he was justly proud, for it is given to few men 
to be thus honored in three distinct parts of the 
country. Before the war he was devoted to the 
Democracy, but the wail of the southern slaves 
seemed to ring in his ears, and moved him to 
espouse the cause of the north. His death oc- 
curred August 29, 1882, at the age of four score 
and one years. With his wife he was a member 
of the Baptist Church, towards the support of 
which he generously contributed. John, the 
oldest of his ten children was a pioneer mer- 
chant of Baker City, Ore., and died there in 
1893; Thomas J. is a stockman of Lake county, 
Oregon; Elizabeth, who married James Elbert, 
died July 29, 1902, in Lane county; Alfred is 
a rancher on the McKenzie river; William C. 
is a resident of Spokane, Wash. ; Mary lives 
on the home place; Martha married Robert 
Hadley and died in 1868; Amelia A. is the wife 
of J. F. Smith, a rancher of Jasper, Lane county ; 
Francis M., living on the home place with his 
brothers, and was a member of the legislature of 
1899. 

WILLIAM O. ZEIGLER. Actively- identi- 
fied with many of the leading interests of Eugene 
is William O, Zeigler, an esteemed and respected 



citizen, who is widely known to the traveling 
public as proprietor of the Hoffman House, one 
of the best equipped hotels of Lane county. 
Well educated, enterprising and progressive, he 
is meeting with unquestioned success in his 
present occupation, and is numbered among the 
representative men of the city, alike in busi- 
ness, educational and political circles. A son of 
Richard Zeigler, he was born in Lodi, Wis., 
October J, 1851. His grandfather, Christian 
Zeigler, was a life-long resident of Pennsylvania, 
his home farm being near Carlisle. 

Born and reared near Carlisle, Pa., Richard 
Zeigler located in Indiana when a young man, 
and resided there until after his marriage. 
Going then to Wisconsin, he carried on farm- 
ing near Lodi for nine years, and then returned 
to Indiana, settling in Lafayette, Tippecanoe 
county, where he was employed as a tiller of the 
soil for a number of years. On retiring from 
active pursuits, in 1892, he came to Oregon, and 
has since been a resident of Eugene, and is 
living retired at the age of seventy-six years. 
He is held in respect as a man of Christian 
character, and is a member of the" United 
Brethren Church. He married Deborah Osburn, 
who was born in Chambersburg, Ind., in 1830. 
She is the daughter of the Rev. David Osburn, 
a minister of the Christian Church, who was 
born in New York state, and died in Lodi, Wis. 
Of the seven children, five sons and two 
daughters born of their union, all are living 
with the exception of one son. 

The oldest child of the parental household, 
W. O. Zeigler was reared as a farmer's son, 
living in Lodi, Wis., until nine years old, and 
afterwards on the home farm in Indiana. On 
leaving the district school he, attended Roanoke 
Academy two years, after which he was en- 
gaged in teaching a number of terms. In order 
to better fit himself for his professional labors, 
he then completed the scientific course at the 
Otterbein University, in Ohio. Subsequently 
locating in Tippecanoe county, Ind., he taught 
school near his old home, and at the same time 
owned and managed a farm of considerable 
size. In 1889 Mr. Zeigler migrated to Arling- 
ton, Gilliam county, Ore., where he taught 
school until appointed by President Harrison 
postmaster of that city, a position that he re- 
tained four years. As a teacher he was very 
popular and successful, both in Indiana and 
Oregon, his professional career covering a 
period of fifteen years. 

Coming to Eugene, Lane county, in 1893, Mr. 
Zeigler made an entire change of occupation, 
opening a bakery and confectionery store on 
Willamette street, where he was in business three 
years. Purchasing the Hotel Eugene in 1896, 
he conducted it most successfully until 1899, 



PORTRAIT AND- BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1139 



when he became proprietor of the Hoffman 
House, which is located opposite the First Nat- 
ional Bank. Under his able management this 
house stands second to none in the county as 
a place of public entertainment, and he is recog- 
nized by its numerous patrons as one of the most 
genial and popular of hosts. Mr. Zeigler also 
owns a farm of sixteen and three-fourths acres, 
lving four miles northwest of Eugene, and this 
he devotes entirely to the culture of fruits of 
various kinds, raising and canning all the cher- 
ries, apples, pears, and prunes used in his hotel. 
While a resident of Tippecanoe county, Ind., 
Mr. Zeigler married Miss Jennie Thompson, a 
native of Illinois, and they have two children, 
namely : Zella and Wilma. In politics Mr. 
Zeigler is an uncompromising Republican, and 
served as a member of the county committee. 
While living in Arlington, he served as justice 
of the peace, and, in 1902, was elected a mem- 
ber of the school board of Eugene for a term of 
five years, during which time important work 
is to be done, the board having erected at a cost 
of $35,000 a new high school building, which 
is an ornament to the community as well as a 
practical benefit. He is connected with several 
fraternal orders, including the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks : the American Order 
of United Workmen ; and the Woodmen of the 
World. He is a prominent member of the 
United Brethren Church, the secretary of its 
board of trustees, and was formerly superintend- 
ent of its Sundav school. 



GEORGE CLINTON THOMPSON. A very 
genial and popular purveyor to the public of 
Brownsville is George Clinton Thompson, en- 
gaged in a general merchandise business under 
the nrm name of G. C. Thompson & Son. Mr. 
Thompson is a native of the Hoosier state, and 
was born near Elkhart, Ind., September 11, 1851. 
His paternal grandfather, William, was born 
in the state of Pennsylvania, and served through- 
out the w r ar of 181 2, afterward removing to 
Charleston, still later making his home in the 
pioneer wilderness of Illinois, where his death 
occurred early in 1830. 

Enoch Thompson, the father of George Clin- 
ton, was born in Charlestown, S. C, March 12, 
1808, and was a sturdy little lad of seven when 
his father moved across country to Illinois in 
181 5. He helped to clear the farm in Adams 
county, and eventually learned the trade of car- 
penter and joiner, at which he was working 
when the Black Hawk war broke out. After 
serving with distinction in that conflict he 
farmed and built with moderate success, and 
in 1832 moved to Chicago, 111., where he found 
more ready demand for his skill. August 27, 



1833, he married Mary A. Kinzie, who was born 
in Virginia, as was also her father, and the next 
year, in 1834, the young people removed to 
Galena, 111. The lead mines excitement was then 
at its height, and he profited to some extent by 
tnis opportunity, remaining in Galena until re- 
moving to Elkhart, Ind., in 1848. As hereto- 
fore, he worked at his trade as carpenter and 
joiner, and while in the Indiana town George 
Clinton was born, the seventh in the family of 
nine children. In 1852 Mr. Thompson moved 
to Adel, Iowa, and for ten years worked at his 
trade, in 1862 disposing of his interests and 
crossing the plains with his family to California. 
Two years later, in 1864, he came across the 
mountains to Oregon, locating on a farm near 
Albany, where he lived for a couple of years. 
In 1866 he came to Brownsville and engaged 
in the furniture business, and was thus occupied 
almost up to the time of his death, July 18, 
1883, at the age of seventy-six years. He was 
fairly successful from a financial standpoint, and 
by nature a mechanic, accurate and painstaking 
and very skillful. He was a Democrat, and 
though not an office seeker, served four terms as 
justice of the peace. 

Following the example of his father, George 
Clinton Thompson learned a trade in his youth, 
but instead of that of carpenter and joiner he 
turned his attention to house-painting, and 
papering. In 1882 he began clerking in a gen- 
eral merchandise store, at the same time 
keeping his eyes open, and mastering every 
detail of the business. Out of his compar- 
atively moderate earnings he saved money 
sufficient to purchase, in 1894, the grocery 
store of F. McRa, to which he added from 
time to time, and finally converted into the 
well equipped general merchandise store owned 
and managed by him at the present time. He 
carries a complete line of general commodities 
required in a thrifty community, and pays par- 
ticular attention to the individual requests of his 
customers, ordering such necessities as they 
desire, and treating all with the greatest courtesy 
and consideration. 

In Brownsville Mr. Thompson married, Nov- 
ember 20, 1873, Clara Looney, a native of Lane 
county, Ore., who has become the mother of 
five children, two of whom are living. Walter 
E. Thompson is in the general merchandise store 
with his father, and Frank H. is at home. The 
latter is deserving of special mention as a cour- 
ageous private in the Spanish-American war, 
and as one of those who underwent the depriva- 
tions and dangers in the Philippines, where he 
was shot through the nose and lost his right 
eve at the famous battle of Malabon. Mr. 
Thompson is a Democrat in politics, and is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. Affable, 



1140 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



conscientious, and possessing excellent business 
ability, he commands the respect of the business 
community, and the good will and esteem of a 
host of friends. 



ALBERT D. HALL. The third generation of 
the Hall family in Oregon is ably represented 
by A. D. Hall, one of the progressive and very 
successful agriculturists of the vicinity of Will- 
ard. He was born on the old Benjamin F. Hall 
donation claim near Woodburn, September 6, 
1857, a son of Benjamin F. and Mary Ann 
(Johnson) Hall, natives respectively of Mis- 
souri and Illinois, the former born at Liberty, 
Mo., October 19, 1826. His mother was born 
in Tazewell county, 111., July 2, 1829. 

James E. Hall, the founder of the family in 
the northwest, and the grandfather of A. D., 
was born in Virginia in 1798, and by trade was 
a stonemason. He was reared on a farm and 
educated in the early subscription schools. In 
his native state he married Cynthia Grooms, 
who was born in the Old Dominion state in 
1804. At a very early date these young people 
removed by horse teams to Missouri, the journey 
being a long and tiresome one, but they finally 
found a fertile farm in the wilderness of Clay 
county, where they made a home and lived in 
comparative comfort until crossing the plains 
to Oregon in the spring of 1845. I n tne spring 
of 1846 they settled at Champoeg, Marion 
county, where the grandfather took up a dona- 
tion claim, upon which he lived for many years. 
He was one of the familiar figures in his neigh- 
borhood, a good farmer, excellent man, and the 
personification of industry and frugality. Dur- 
ing the latter years of his life his wife and him- 
self lived with their children, he attaining the 
age of eighty, and she the age of ninety-four 
years. They raised a family of nine children, 
to whom they gave every advantage in their 
power, and whom they taught to lead upright 
and worthy lives. 

Benjamin F. Hall crossed the plains with 
his parents in 1845, an d assisted in clearing 
the pioneer farm near Champoeg. In 1848 he 
went to California, where he prospected and 
mined with indifferent success for a few months. 
Returning to Oregon he took up a claim near 
Woodburn. In 1853 he married Mary Ann 
Johnson, who crossed the plains with her parents 
in 1851, her father, Rev. Neill Johnson, being 
one of the pioneer and best-known ministers in 
Oregon. Mr. Hall has up to the present time 
lived on his Original farm, where he has since 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising. 
From his first voting days he has been a Repub- 
lican, and has taken a keen interest in the under- 
takings of his party in this state. The following 



children have been born to himself and wife: 
A. D. ; Sophrona, wife of G. W. McLaughlin, 
of Buena Vista, Ore. ; Elmer N., of Buena 
Vista; Edwin T., of Salem; William W., of 
Salem; Charles C., of Woodburn; Edith E., 
the wife of John Haller, of Woodburn; and 
James J., of Woodburn. 

The youth of A. D. Hall was uneventfully 
passed on his father's farm, but after his mar- 
riage in 1886 with Julia S. Smith, a native 
of Columbia, Mo., and a daughter of Jacob 
Smith, he located on a farm near Woodburn, 
which continued to be his home for about fif- 
teen years. He then bought his present home 
of two hundred and two acres in the Waldo 
Hills, twelve miles east of Salem, where he has 
more than realized his expectations as a general 
farmer and stock-raiser. For the past fourteen 
or fifteen years he has interested himself exten- 
sively in Jersey cattle, and for many years has 
derived additional income from the management 
of a threshing-machine during the harvest 
season. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are the parents of 
six children: Hubert N., Annie M., Agnes S., 
Oren, Alice, (deceased), and Alma F. Mr. 
Hall is affiliated with the Republican party, and 
has several social connections, among them 
being the Ancient Order of United Workmen, 
in which he has held all of the chairs, and the 
Grange at Macleay. In religion he is a member 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and 
contributes liberally towards its general support. 
Mr. Hall is a broad-minded and well informed 
agriculturist, and keeps abreast of the times 
on all topics which appeal to wide-awake and 
progressive members of the community. 



HON. W. H. HOBSON. The family of 
which Hon. W. H. Hobson of Stayton is a 
representative was established on the Pacific 
coast in 1847, ar >d since 1848 has been closely 
identified with Oregon. His father, Hadley 
Hobson, was born in the state of North Caro- 
lina September 6, 181 1, and was the son of a 
brick manufacturer. In his youth he learned 
the brickmaking business under the direction 
of his father, and was also apprenticed to a 
mason. Until he reached the age of twenty- 
four years he remained at home and worked at 
his trades with his father. Fortified with an 
abundance of practical experience, he then 
went to Missouri, locating in Jackson county, 
where he worked at his trade of brickmaking 
with his brother, who had preceded him there. 
Eventually they entered into a partnership for 
the purpose of conducting a contracting busi- 
ness, in which their efforts met with success. 
They erected some of the important buildings 
of that county and vicinity, including the his- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1141 



toric Chapel Hill Seminary, located in Lafay- 
ette county, Mo. While a resident of Missouri 
he married Emily S. Speinhauer, a native of 
South Carolina, whose parents came to the 
United States from Germany about 1812. 

With his wife and children, and his brothers, 
George and Alfred, Mr. Hobson crossed the 
plains in 1847, with an outfit of ox-teams and 
wagons, bound for Oregon. During the jour- 
ney they encountered many experiences of an 
interesting and not always agreeable nature. 
At times they were subjected to many hard- 
ships. It had been their original intention to 
go to Oregon, but they lost their way and en- 
tered California by mistake. Determined to 
make the best of the situation, Mr. Hobson 
at once engaged in gold-mining in that state, 
to which work he applied himself until the fall 
of 1848, when, with his family, he started for 
Oregon by way of the Pacific, arriving at the 
mouth of the Columbia river after a journey 
of five weeks. Coming to Marion county he 
took up a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres a mile north of the site of Stayton, 
all of which was wild land, densely covered 
with timber for the greater part, and the home 
of game hitherto undisturbed, except by the 
roving Indian. In a little clearing this hardy 
and determined pioneer erected a round-log 
house containing one room. It will surprise 
people unaccustomed to the hardships of the 
early days to know that there was not a nail 
in the entire house. There were puncheon 
floors, and all the finishings were of the most 
crude nature ; but the place was a paradise 
to the little family so far from their old home 
and so pitiable in their utter loneliness. Their 
neighbors were remote and their resources 
most meagre, but they managed to make them- 
selves comfortable and to transform their wil- 
derness home into a semblance of order, peace 
and comfort. 

Soon after seeing his family well established 
in their home, accompanied by William Waldo, 
Henry Smith, Rufus Smith and Frederick 
Taylor, Mr. Hobson returned to the mining 
district of California, succeeded in gathering 
enough gold to pay a goodly percentage of the 
cost of his claim, and returned home. Soon he 
was free from debt, and from that time for- 
ward his possessions increased. From time 
to time he added to his original claim until 
he owned about fifteen hundred acres of land, 
most of which was very fertile and easily cul- 
tivated after the removal of the timber. He 
engaged in cattle and sheep raising and gen- 
eral farming on a large scale, and he took an 
active part in the general improvement of his 
county, aiding in the building of good roads, 
the erection of schools and the promotion of 



all worthy enterprises. He was a man of ster- 
ling traits of character, inherited principally 
from Quaker ancestry, in the principles of 
whose religion he was thoroughly and con- 
scientiously schooled in his youth. The ten 
children in his family were as follows: Mary 
Ann, the widow of John Barker, of Heppner, 
Ore. ; W. H. ; George and Francis M., deceased ; 
Lemuel, a rancher near Mehama; Amanda, 
wife of Dr. John Parker, of Salinas, Cal. ; Emily 
and Amelia, twins, the former of whom is de- 
ceased, and the latter the wife of Eugene War- 
ner, of Ukiah, Cal. ; Jeanette, of San Jose, Cal. ; 
and Hadley, a rancher residing near Mill City, 
Ore. The noble mother of this large family 
of children lived to the age of eighty and one- 
half years, her death occurring at San Jose, 
Cal., in February, 1894. 

Hon. W. H. Hobson, lawyer, merchant and 
distinguished public citizen, was barely two 
years of age when his parents brought him to 
Oregon, and he grew to early manhood on the 
claim upon which he spent many years in hard 
labor. When the duties of home permitted 
he attended the school conducted in the little 
log cabin in the neighborhood, his first and 
best remembered teacher being Samuel Den- 
ney. By the time he had reached his twen- 
tieth yeaf the town of Sublimity had been 
founded. Thither he repaired as the nearest 
and most promising center of activity, and con- 
ducted the store owned by his father for a 
time. Subsequently, in Aumsville, he managed 
the business of Simpson, Hunt & Co., and then 
went to Sublimity and started a small grocery 
store. Upon the expiration of a year he lo- 
cated in Stayton, where he engaged in the 
grocery business until 1871. From that time 
until 1874 he enjoyed a general trade at Stay- 
ton in partnership with Uriah Whitner. After 
disposing of this store he and his former part- 
ner bought another in Aumsville. After dis- 
posing of this in 1876 the partners built the 
Gardner grist-mill at Stayton, and in connec- 
tion therewith operated a general store. Mr. 
Whitney withdrew from the association in 
1883, after many years of amicable and satis- 
factory business, and thereafter Mr. Hobson 
took as his partners Messrs. Shaw and Simms. 
The building was afterward enlarged to meet 
the demands of an increasing trade. In 1888 
the partners and Lee Brown went to Mill 
City and organized the Santiam Lumber Com- 
pany, in connection with which they built a 
large saw-mill and engaged in a flourishing 
business. In keeping with the demands of 
that somewhat isolated section they started a 
general store and logging railway, and their 
combined energies resulted' in the establish- 
ment of a very remunerative industry. In 



1142 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1898 these combined interests were disposed 
of to the Curtis Lumber Company, after which 
Mr. Hobson returned to Stayton and resumed 
the conduct of his merchandising business. In 
1897 he sold out and established a dry goods 
business at Salem, continuing the same for four 
years. Subsequently he started a similar en- 
terprise at Stayton, which concern he still 
owns and manages. 

Mr. Hobson's first marriage united him 
with Ella Gibson, who was a native of Marion 
county, Ore., and a daughter of Hon. Guyan 
Gibson. She died January 10, 1878, leaving 
a daughter, Pearl, now the wife of E. C. Peery, 
of Scio, Ore. December 12, 1880, he married 
Annie Thomas, who was born in East Port- 
land, the daughter of Mrs. Arminda Thomas, 
of Stayton, Ore. She is the mother of two 
children, Alta and Everett. 

A stanch supporter of Republican principles, 
Mr. Hobson has been prominently before the 
public for several years as a promoter of his 
party's interests, and has held important offices 
within the gift of his fellow-townsmen and 
the citizens of the county. In 1894 he was the 
nominee of his party for the state senate, was 
elected, and upon the expiration of his term 
was re-elected joint senator for Linn and 
Marion counties, both terms of service giving 
the greatest satisfaction to all interested. Dur- 
ing the first session he was a member of the 
committees on claims, commerce, navigation 
and federal relations. 

Fraternally Mr. Hobson is a member of 
Santiam Lodge No. 25, A. F. & A. M., of Stay- 
ton, of which he is past master. In the Grand 
Lodge he has filled nearly all the offices, in- 
cluding that of Grand Master in 1897-98. He 
is a member of Multnomah Chapter No. 1, R. 
A. M., and De Molay Commandery, No. 5. He 
is also a member of Stayton Lodge No. 64, 
I. O. O. F., and has passed all the chairs in 
the grand lodge. 

Mr. Hobson has well interpreted and acted 
upon the possibilities at hand in the great 
northwest, and his various commercial enter- 
prises have contributed, beyond the possibility 
of estimating, to the general upbuilding of the 
localities in which he has operated. He is a 
man of strict integrity. No question as to the 
motives which have actuated him in any of 
his undertakings has ever arisen. In his pub- 
lic life he has always aimed to conserve the 
best interests of his constituents and the state 
at large. Probity, broad-mindedness, liberality 
of views, good fellowship, and a sincere and 
unselfish desire to assist in the promotion of 
all enterprises looking to the betterment of the 
public welfare, are the most pronounced traits 
in his character, as understood by those who 



know him best. The record of his life, both 
public and private, has been above reproach. 
The outline of the principal events in his ca- 
reer presented here shows how closely he has 
been identified with the rise and progress of 
the state of Oregon, and forms, in itself, an in- 
teresting chapter in the annals of the north- 
west. 



HENRY AMBLER. Although buying and 
selling town property and farms is a means of 
livelihood with Henry Ambler, and a very remu- 
nerative business, he is at the same time a pro- 
moter of all-around county interests to a greater 
extent than perhaps any other man in Philomath. 
His enthusiastic advocacy of the climate, re- 
sources, and general advantages of Benton 
county have led him to noticeable achievement in 
peopling vacant but productive farms, in placing 
men in fortune-making positions upon stock- 
raising properties on main-traveled roads, and in 
establishing homes in quiet nooks within the 
jurisdiction of the town. People who would oth- 
erwise not have settled here have found the as- 
sistance of this prominent real estate, insurance 
and loan merchant so valuable and convincing 
that they are now a part of the great common- 
wealth of Benton county, one of the garden spots 
of Oregon. 

In appearance and personality Mr. Ambler 
suggests the prosperous Englishman, whose 
mind and abilities have expanded under the ge- 
nial welcome of his adopted country. He was 
born in Yorkshire, the most northern and largest 
county of England, August 2, 1858, his father, 
Thomas, having been born in the same locality, 
in 1836. The family name was a very familiar 
one in Yorkshire for several generations, and 
was bolstered up by the notable achievements of 
some of its members, principally the paternal 
grandfather, Timothy, who was a large paper 
manufacturer, and amassed quite a fortune in 
that way. His business was conducted under 
the firm name of Timothy Ambler & Sons, and 
he probably knew as much about paper as any 
man in the north of England. He was a man of 
high moral character, and died in the faith of the 
English State or Episcopal Church, at the age 
of seventy years. Thomas Ambler was trained 
in paper manufacturing, and after the death of 
his father undertook the management of the 
business, with his brother James. He died in 
1872, while yet a young man, leaving his wife, 
formerly Susanna Illingworth, a native also of 
Yorkshire, and two children, a son and daughter, 
the latter, Emily, being married and a resident 
of Leeds, England. 

After graduating from the grammar school in 
Yorkshire, Henry Ambler engaged in the whole- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1145 



sale paper business in Keighley, England, and, 
in 1 88 1. crossed the ocean to the United States. 
Near Sedalia, Mo., he engaged in farming for 
about eight years, and, in 1890, came to Oregon, 
locating on a ranch in the Waldo hills, Marion 
county. Here he engaged in fruit-raising and 
general ranching, his principal source of revenue 
being prunes. Two years later, in 1892, he lo- 
cated near Philomath and raised fruit upon a 
forty-acre ranch, which he afterward sold at a 
profit, and turned his attention to the real estate 
business. The town had need of so wise and dis- 
criminating a judge of its various properties, 
and he at once stepped into a waiting opportu- 
nity, as much the community's as his own. 

One year before coming to America Mr. Am- 
bler married Georgia Phillips Graves, a native 
of Middlesex, England, and daughter of Chris- 
topher Graves, member of a firm of large ship- 
builders and owners, engaged with the Aus- 
tralian trade. The business of Phillips & Graves 
is still one of the substantial enterprises of Mid- 
dlesex, the firm offices being located at San Dun- 
stans House, Shepperton, London. With his 
wife, Mr. Ambler is a member of the Episcopal 
Church. 



ROBERT PATTISON. An example of 
energy and perseverance is presented in the ca- 
reer of Robert Pattison, who has risen to prom- 
inence as an agriculturist in Lane county, and 
is the owner of four hundred and thirty acres 
of land three and a half miles north of Eugene. 
This is all cultivated land and valuable, and 
since acquiring it the owner has turned it to 
good account, engaging in general farming, 
stock-raising and dairying. Born in Randolph 
county. 111.. January 13, 1828, Mr. Pattison 
is descended from an Irish family long identified 
with that northern portion of the island known 
as County Antrim. His father, William, was 
born in this sea bordering county, with its 
mountains and bogs. When he was just seven 
years of age his mother brought him to Amer- 
ica, his father's death' having occurred in the 
meantime. Locating in South Carolina, the 
youth grew to manhood, and gained a fair edu- 
cation in the public schools, also a general 
knowledge of farming and stock-raising. About 
1820 he started for Illinois, and in Randolph 
county bought a farm, locating thereon with 
his wife, Mary (Montfort) Pattison, who was 
born near Columbia, South Carolina, about 
1800. The gold fever which agitated the coun- 
try in 1849 found Mr. Pattison as amenable to 
its influence as any tiller of the soil in his 
neighborhood. He soon sold his farm and in- 
vested the money in an outfit to cross the plains. 
Six children had in the meantime been born 



into his family, and with these and his wife he 
left home April 4, 1849, arriving at The Dalles, 
November 3, of the same year. The trip was 
an exceedingly hard one, deprivation, illness 
and Indian disturbances rendering the life of 
the travelers a constant vigil. The family had 
twelve yoke of oxen when they hopefully turned 
their faces towards the boundless plains, but at 
the end of the trip all of their cattle were dead. 
A raft furnished the means of transportation 
down the Columbia river to Vancouver, and 
the first winter was spent in that town, the 
family moving the following spring to the 
Puget Sound region, Wash. Locating in 
Thurston county, Mr. Pattison engaged in gen- 
eral farming and lumbering, and in 1858 re- 
moved to a farm on the Mackenzie river. Lane 
county, Ore., where he died at the age of sev- 
enty-eight years. He was survived by his wife, 
who went to live with her son, Charles, in Linn 
county, and there died at the age of seventy-six 
years. Of the nine children, eight of whom 
were sons. Robert and Charles alone survive, 
the latter being a resident of Oakville, Linn 
county. 

Robert Pattison had received a common 
school education in Illinois and Washington, 
and he came to Lane county before his parents 
died, purchasing a farm of one hundred acres 
on the Mackenzie river. Three years later he 
sold out and bought his present farm of one 
hundred and sixty acres, three and a half miles 
northeast of Eugene, to which he has added 
by subsequent purchase, and now has four hun- 
dred and thirty acres in Lane county. He mar- 
ried in 1859 Isabella Eakin, who was born in 
Ireland in July, 1830, and came to Oregon from 
Illinois in 1869. Five children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Pattison, of whom W. T. lives 
on a farm across the river from Eugene ; George 
is deceased ; John is living on the home farm ; 
Maggie is the wife of Mark F. Fleming, of 
Irving; and Belle is at home. Mr. Pattison 
cast his first vote for James G. Birney in 1849, 
and has since been a Republican in politics. He 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Eu- 
gene, and was one of the first to join at the 
organization of the church in 1861. He is con- 
nected with the Grange, and is popular in his 
social, church and business connections. 



HON. WILLIAM A. JOLLY. To the per- 
son who closely applies himself to any occupation 
which he has chosen as his life calling there can 
come only good results — success and a high place 
in the esteem of those among whom his lot is cast. 
Mr. Jolly is no exception to this rule, for it has 
been by industry and strict attention to agricul- 



1146 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tural pursuits only that he has attained to the 
position that he now enjoys. He owns two hun- 
dred and thirty acres adjoining Philomath, 
which was formerly a part of the Abbey donation 
claim, and here he carries on genral farming and 
stock-raising. In addition to his farm he also 
owns his home place of forty acres, located with- 
in the corporate limits of Philomath. 

William A. Jolly was born in Ripley county, 
Ind., March 22, 1851, being one of four children 
born to his parents, who were farmers by occu- 
pation. He can scarcely remember his father, as 
the latter died when William A. was a child four 
years old, and when he was ten years old his 
mother, too, was taken from ; him. After this 
last bereavement he was taken into the home of 
an uncle in Brown county, Ohio, making his 
home with this relative until he reached the age 
of twenty-one, in the meantime receiving valu- 
able instruction in the public schools of the vi- 
cinity. Upon reaching man's estate, however, he 
started out in life on his own account, his first 
venture being his removal to Carroll county, Mo., 
where he followed farming for four years. Not 
content with the results of his efforts there, and 
hearing of the possibilities which awaited the 
energetic young man in the west, he came hither 
in 1875, settling in Benton county, at what was 
then called "Dusty," but has since been changed 
to the more euphonious name of Bellfountain. 
After remaining there for about nine years he 
came to his present farm near Philomath, and at 
once began the improvement and cultivation of 
the property which he then purchased, and that 
his time and efforts have been well expended 
needs but a glance to decide. Subsequently he 
purchased his residence in the village of Philo- 
math,, where he now resides, and which is con- 
ceded to be one of the most commodious in the 
vicinity. 

In the year 1876 was celebrated the marriage 
of William A. Jolly and Miss Nancy Porter, the 
latter a native of Oregon. Two children blessed 
this marriage, one of whom died in infancy, 
while Mary G. is at home with her parents. Mr. 
Jolly's fitness for public office was recognized 
when, in 1898, his fellow-citizens elected him to 
the office of mayor of Philomath, which office he 
filled for two terms. At present he is a member 
of the town council and is also serving efficiently 
as a member of the school board and as county 
commissioner. Fraternal affairs claim a portion 
of Mr. Jolly's attention, as is seen by his mem- 
bership in the organization known as the Wood- 
men of the World. The family are identified 
with the Baptist Church, of which Mr. Jolly is 
serving as trustee. He is also a member of the 
board of trustees of Philomath College, and at 
the present time is president of the board. Po- 
litically, he upholds the tenets of the Republican 



party. A popular man, esteemed for his integ- 
rity and nobleness of purpose, Mr. Jolly ranks 
among the best citizens of Philomath, toward 
whose upbuilding he takes an interested part. 



JACOB WHITAKER. That well-remem- 
bered pioneer, Jacob Whitaker, Sr., a typical Ger- 
man, who brought his enthusiasm and reliability 
to the western coast and made his home among 
the agricultural possibilities of Benton county, 
left the heritage of a good name and honorable 
career to his children, and besides accumulated 
sufficient means to give them a start in life. Of 
these children who are maintaining the prestige 
of their sire, his namesake, Jacob, occupies a 
worthy place in the community, and as a resident 
of a portion of the old Whitaker donation claim 
has long since established a reputation as a con- 
sistent and successful farmer and stock-raiser. 

Born in Richland county, Ohio, September 16, 
1837, the younger Jacob was reared on a farm, 
and received such education as came within reach 
of his childhood years in the early subscription 
schools. With the rest of the family he came to 
Oregon in 1853, his mother having died in the 
meantime, leaving to the care of his father four 
children, of whom he was the oldest, and at that 
time, sixteen years of age. Starting out with 
four to do future credit to the family name, there 
were but three when the little party, consisting 
of six wagons, reached Oregon, one having suc- 
cumbed to disease on the plains. The father 
located on the donation claim ten miles from 
Corvallis, now occupied by his sons; John and 
Jacob, and there followed his trade of stone- 
mason and brickmason, adding to these means of 
livelihood the trade of carpenter. He died in 
Corvallis, June 9, 1883, honored by all who knew 
him, a member of the Catholic Church, and a 
man of high moral character. 

The portion of the old homestead occupied by 
the present Jacob Whitaker consists of two hun- 
dred and sixty-seven acres, eighty of which are 
under cultivation. He carries on general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, and has a well-equipped 
farm, fitted with modern buildings and imple- 
ments, and in every way adapted to the ideas of 
a progressive and purposeful farmer. He took 
possession of his farm directly after his marriage, 
in 1864, with Nancy Housley, who was born in 
Ohio, and at present has about completed a new 
house, built after modern designs, in which his 
family will have all of the conveniences of the 
city and the advantages of the country. Of his 
five children, Eva is the wife of Clifton Gould, of 
Corvallis ; John and Fannie are at home ; Alice 
is the wife of Carl Porter, of Corvallis, and Nel- 
lie is the wife of J. D. Campbell, of Independ- 
ence, Mr. Whitaker is independent in politics, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1147 



and has never worked for either his own or his 
friends' election to office. Like his father and 
brothers, he is a devoted member of the Roman 
Catholic Church. A very public-spirited and 
affable man, he commands the respect of all with 
whom he has to do, and exerts an influence in 
keeping with his practical and helpful personal 
characteristics. 



JUDSON WEED. Although not one of the 
older commercial enterprises of Philomath, the 
grocery business of Judson Weed has become an 
important factor in maintaining the business in- 
tegrity of the town, representing as it does the 
business stability and practical ideas of one of 
its most honored citizens. Born in Jackson 
county, Ohio, April 14, 1847, ^ r - Weed is a son 
of Gilbert and Abigail (Patton) Weed, the lat- 
ter of whom was born in Greenbrier county, W. 
Ya. On the paternal side Mr. Weed claims a 
worth}- ancestor in his grandfather, William, a 
soldier in the war of 1812, and for a portion of 
the service in the quartermaster's department. 
The grandfather was born in the state of Con- 
necticut, and at a very early day located in New 
York, where his son, Gilbert, was born August 
20, 1804. The family removed to Gallia county, 
Ohio, about 181 3, and here he died at the age of 
eighty-four years. 

In Gallia county, Ohio, Gilbert Weed was 
reared on a farm, ana in time learned the stone- 
mason's trade, and also that of the bricklayer. 
In 1836 he removed to Jackson county, Ohio, 
where he combined his trades with farming, and 
where he died in 1888. His wife's father, Will- 
iam Patton, was born in New York state, and as 
a young man removed to Virginia, locating in 
Greenbrier county. He was a farmer during his 
entire active life, and his career was dignified by 
worthy military service, directed for the greater 
part against the Indians. Although his father 
was fairly successful in life, it became necessary 
for Judson Weed to provide for himself at a 
comparatively early age, the farm in Jackson 
county being hardly adequate for the supporting 
of sixteen children, twelve sons and four daugh- 
ters. The tenth of this large family, Judson, 
worked hard on the home farm, but during the 
winter time attended the district schools, where 
he studied arduously, as became a youth who 
early appreciated the advantages of a practical 
education. That he might enjoy further advan- 
tages as a student, he began to work out on the 
farms surrounding that of his father, and while 
thus employed the Civil war broke out, throwing 
the country into a state of turmoil and uncer- 
tainty. He continued to work until 1864, and 
then enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and 
Seventy-second Ohio Infantry, serving four 



months as a private. After his discharge at 
Gallipolis, Ohio, he resumed his work on the 
farm, and continued to save money for his edu- 
cation. During i868-'6o,-'70 he attended the nor- 
mal school at Lebanon, Ohio, and thereafter en- 
gaged in teaching until 1875. 

After coming to Oregon, in the latter part of 
1875, Mr. Weed combined teaching and farming 
in Columbus county, his farm consisting of one 
hundred and sixty acres, which he greatlv im- 
proved and rendered a valuable property. He 
still owns this farm, and rented it out in 1898, 
when he came to Philomath to engage in the 
grocery business. In Columbus county he was 
prominent in the general affairs of his neighbor- 
hood, and was. so successful as an educator that 
he was elected county superintendent of schools 
in 1878, serving for one term, or two years. He 
also became much interested in Republican poli- 
tics, was elected county assessor in 1886, serving 
for one term; and, in 1888, was elected to the 
legislature, and re-elected in 1892. While in the 
legislature he was chairman of the committee on 
counties. Further honor awaited him in 1894, 
when he was elected county clerk, and re-elected 
in 1896, serving up to 1898. 

Since coming to Philomath Mr. Weed has con- 
tinued his interest in politics, and has not only 
been mayor of the town for one term, but has 
served on the school board, and as a member of 
the council for two terms. In Columbia county, 
Ore., he married Emma Van Blaracom, who was 
born in Minnesota, and who is the mother of 
three children : Oscar, taking the scientific 
course at the Philomath College ; Gertrude, tak- 
ing the same course at the college, and Ethel, 
attending the public schools. In religion Mr. 
Weed is identified with the Evangelical Associa- 
tion of North America, at Vernonia, Ore. 



THOMAS K. FAWCETT. The ambitious 
men of the younger generation, who are destined 
to carry on the work begun by their sires in the 
very early days of Oregon, have a worthy repre- 
sentative in Thomas K. Fawcett, formerlv en- 
gaged in extensive mining operations, but at 
present elaborating plans for a large stock-rais- 
ing enterprise on his farm, two miles west of 
Bellfountain. A native son of Oregon, he was 
born at the Myrtle Creek mines, Douglas county, 
July 26, 1874, a son oi George N. Fawcett, of 
Portland, residing at No. 353 Grant street. 

Completing his education in the public schools 
of Portland at the age of sixteen, Thomas K. 
started out in the world on his own responsibility, 
naturally drawn to the mining business, which 
had surrounded his earliest and later years. Suc- 
cess did not come as readily as anticipated, for 
he tried his luck in Oregon, Idaho, Montana and 



1148 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Colorado, before striking the rich claim in Baker 
county, this state, which netted him a handsome 
fortune. After operating the claim for a couple 
of years he disposed of it at a profit and bought 
other claims in the neighborhood, remaining 
thereabouts until 1902, and meeting with varying 
success. He then decided to turn his attention 
to stock-raising, and bought his present farm of 
seven hundred and sixty-one acres on the old 
Corvallis road, and which constitutes a portion 
of the Samuel Haptonstall, Charles McCoy and 
Martin L. Charles donation claims. Two hun- 
dred acres of his property are under cultivation, 
and a new residence is in process of construction 
which promises to be one of the most commo- 
dious and comfortable in the county. This home 
is destined to become one of the centers of hos- 
pitality in the neighborhood, for both Mr. and 
Mrs. Fawcett are possessed of tact and ' cordial- 
ity, and have the faculty of making and retaining 
friends. Mrs. Fawcett was formerly Anna C. 
Kelly, and she was born at Coos Bay, Ore., being 
a member of a prominent family of that section. 
One son has been born of this union, Tolbert K. 
When the Spanish-American war broke out 
Mr. Fawcett was one of the first among his 
friends to enlist for service in the Philippines, 
and as a private in Company G, Second Oregon 
Infantry, he served fifteen months, and partici- 
pated in twenty-six engagements, including the 
battles of Malabon, Pasig and Malinta. For 
meritorious action he was advanced to the rank 
of sergeant, and for a part of the service had 
charge of the military train. While in the orient 
he made a practical study of the people and pre- 
vailing conditions, and upon his return interested 
his friends with accounts of his observations. 
Mr. Fawcett follows the family tradition and is 
a stanch Republican, but has never taken an ac- 
tive interest in office-seeking or holding. He is 
identified with several of the social organizations 
in which the county abounds, and is fraternally 
connected with the Woodmen of the World. 



ROBERT L. HENKLE. One-half mile east 
of Philomath is located the farm owned and op- 
erated by Robert L. Henkle, whose fine, up-to- 
date property at once attracts the notice of the 
passer-by. His acreage comprises one hundred 
and sixty acres, upon which he makes a specialty 
of general farming and stock-raising, sheep 
claiming the most of his attention. Mr. Henkle 
was born October 30, 1849, m L ee county, Iowa, 
the son of Zebadiah Henkle, who was born in old 
Virginia October 26, 1807. With his parents he 
removed to Illinois, and later to Iowa. For his 
life companion he married Miss Mary Wilson, 
a native of Kentucky, the young couple making 
their home in Iowa until 1866, when, by ox and 



horse teams, they came across the plains, landing 
in California about four months from the day of 
starting. The following year, 1867, they came 
to Benton county, Ore., purchasing three hun- 
dred and twenty acres located two and one-half 
miles south of Philomath, there residing until 
his death, at the age of sixty-six years. His 
widow continued to live on the place for several 
years, but later removed to Independence, Polk 
county, making her home with her youngest 
daughter until her death, when seventy-seven 
years old. 

Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Henkle, three of whom are now deceased, and 
the names and residences of those living are as 
follows : Abraham, a resident of Philomath ; 
George, of Corvallis ; Mary, the wife of Samuel 
Davis, of Philomath; Eli, of Independence; 
Sarah, the wife of A. Nelson, of Independence ; 
Etta, who became the wife of W. H. Walker, 
also of Independence ; Robert L. ; Amos, a 
farmer residing north of Philomath, and James, 
of Prineville. While a resident of Iowa the 
father served as county commissioner for several 
years, and was justice of the peace a great many 
years. Politically, he took an active interest in 
the welfare of the Democratic party, and in the 
Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member 
from early manhood, he could always be de- 
pended upon to co-operate in all measures which 
tended toward the betterment of mankind. In 
this, too, he had the support of his wife, who had 
been a member of the church from the age of 
fifteen years. 

Robert L. Henkle was about seventeen years 
old when his parents removed from Iowa and 
made their home in the west. His district school 
education was supplemented by a course in the 
college at Philomath, after completing which he 
returned home, remaining with his parents until 
his twenty-third year. From 1871 until 1874 he 
worked for the neighboring farmers, and in the 
year last mentioned was united in marriage with 
Miss Cynthia Newton, a native of Oregon. 
Their first home was about one and one-half 
miles south of Philomath, but three years later 
they moved to a farm located just east of town, 
which was the family home for the next four- 
teen years. Their next purchase was a tract of 
three hundred and twenty-two acres, formerly a 
part of the Eliza Liggitt donation claim, one- 
half mile east of Philomath. Here he owned 
two hundred and fifty acres, all under cultivation, 
twelve acres being devoted to hops, but has re- 
cently sold all but one hundred and sixty-two 
acres. In addition to carrying on general farm- 
ing he devotes considerable attention to stock- 
raising, making a specialty of raising fine grades 
of sheep. 

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1149 



Eienkle, of whom the eldest, Ora, is a resident of 
Portland. The other children are at home with 
their parents and are named as follows : Roy, 
Chester, Ada, Mamie, Herman and Esther. Fra- 
ternally. Mr. Henkle affiliates with the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically is a 
stanch Democrat. 



JOSEPH PARK. For many years the late 
Joseph Park was prominently identified with the 
agricultural and mercantile interests of Philo- 
math, and in his death, which occurred Decem- 
ber 22, 1902, Benton county lost a valuable and 
highly esteemed citizen. A man of sterling in- 
tegrity and sturdy worth, his life record was a 
praiseworthy one, and his memory will long be 
cherished by the many who were bound to him 
by ties of kinship or friendship. One of a family 
of nine children, he was born in Hamilton 
county, Ohio, December 12, 1812. 

Acquiring his education in the pioneer schools 
of Ohio, Joseph Park remained with his parents 
until he was sixteen years of age. Beginning, 
then, the battle of life for himself, he found his 
first occupation in boating, and for a number of 
years run flatboats down the Wabash, Ohio and 
Mississippi rivers to New Orleans, in the mean- 
time making his home in Indiana. In 1852, 
joining a company of emigrants westward 
bound, he came with a train of ox teams across 
the plains to Sacramento, Cal., during the trip 
of three months having no serious trouble with 
the Indians. Coming from California to Oregon 
by water, Mr. Park settled in Benton county, 
purchasing a farm on Muddy creek, about ten 
miles south of Corvallis. After living there 
eight years, he returned to Indiana, going by 
way of the Isthmus, and on Christmas day, 1861, 
took unto himself a wife. In the spring of 1862, 
accompanied by his bride, he again came west, 
traveling by ox-team train to Nevada, where he 
was engaged in farming and mining for two 
years. Continuing his journey toward the west, 
in 1864, he settled in Oregon, on the land which 
he had previously bought, and lived on it until 
1869. Locating then in Topeka, Kans., Mr. 
Park was there employed in mercantile business 
for sixteen years. In 1885 he again came to Ore- 
gon. Purchasing five hundred and thirty acres 
of land about six miles southwest of Philomath, 
he made substantial improvements on the place, 
and brought a large part of the land into a highly 
productive condition. In 1890, with character- 
istic enterprise, he established a store of general 
merchandise in Philomath, the business being 
conducted by his sons under the firm name of 
Park Brothers. Taking up his residence in Phil- 
omath, he lived there until 1902, when he re- 
turned to his home farm, on which his death oc- 



curred, December 22, 1902, as previously stated. 

On December 25, 1861, Mr. Park married, in 
Indiana, Mary A. Curtis, who was born in that 
state in January, 1839. She survives him, and 
with the assistance of her son, William, is suc- 
cessfully conducting the homestead farm. Mr. 
and Mrs. Park became the parents of four chil- 
dren, namely: William, Joseph A., a child that 
died in infancy, and Harriet E. A strong Re- 
publican in politics, Mr. Park always took a 
warm interest in the welfare of his adopted town 
and county, and watched with genuine pride its 
gradual evolution from a wild country to a su- 
perb agricultural region, whose well cultivated 
and well stocked ranches indicated its general 
prosperity. He was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and for twenty-one years 
served as chorister. 

William Park, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. 
Park, married Edith Conner, a native of Oregon, 
and they have five children, namely : Lawrence, 
Joseph, Mary, Vivian and Theodore. William 
Park resides on the parental homestead, where 
he is carrying on general farming and stock- 
raising in a successful manner. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and a member of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church. 

Joseph A. Park, the second son, resides near 
Corvallis, and is numbered among the prosperous 
and esteemed citizens of that locality. He mar- 
ried Alice Conner, an Oregonian by birth, and 
they are the parents of four children, namely: 
Charlie, Ada, Ida and Winnifred. 



JOSIAH H. HERRON. Among the influ- 
ential young farmers of Benton county none sug- 
gest careers of greater promise than Josiah H. 
Herron, owner of a farm of three hundred and 
twenty acres of land, one hundred of which are 
under cultivation. Mr. Herron comes of one of 
the prominent pioneer families of this county, 
and necessarily feels a great interest in his im- 
mediate surroundings, for he was born in the 
house which is now his home, September 13, 
1870. His father, Robert Herron, an Irish- 
man, lived to be fifty-five years of age, and 
served in the Rogue river war. His wife, 
formerly Mary W. Neil, married for her second 
husband, James Barclay, whom she survives, and 
whose farm of three hundred and forty acres she 
is still occupying. 

Like all of the children in this well regulated 
home, Josiah H. was taught the value of indus- 
try, and schooled in every department of farm- 
ing. At the district school he received a practical 
education, and remained under the paternal roof 
until his marriage with Lettie Edwards, who 
was born in Lane county, and whose father 
crossed the plains with ox-teams in 1853, settling 



1150 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in Benton and afterward removing to Lane 
county. While engaging in general farming and 
stock-raising Mr. Herron devotes twenty-five of 
his three hundred and twenty acres of land to 
fruit, principally prunes, and for the latter he has 
erected a dryer, sufficiently large for public dry- 
ing. His farm is modern in its appointments, 
and fertile in soil, being well adapted to a va- 
riety of interests. That the fortunate owner 
appreciates this fact is evident to all who visit 
him in the midst of his activities, and note the 
neat and painstaking appearance of residence, 
barns and fences. 

Like his brother and father, Mr. Herron is a 
Democrat, and, though one of the youngest farm- 
ers in his neighborhood, has been elected to the 
school board, serving also as school clerk. He is 
fraternally connected with the Woodmen of the 
World, at the lodge of which he is a genial and 
always welcome visitor. Mr. Herron is popular, 
enterprising, and very affable, enters heartily 
into the general undertakings of his neighbor- 
hood, and appreciates his position and responsi- 
bilities as a member of a growing and cosmo- 
politan community. 



JOHN A. BUCHANAN. But a few years 
ago Benton county was called upon to give up 
by death one of the most honored members of 
the community, a man who commanded the re- 
spect and esteem of all with whom he came in 
contact, by his high moral character and the 
many sterling qualities which have made him 
a much-beloved citizen in his adopted state. 
He was the son of a Scotch emigrant who 
brought his family to the United States from 
England, where he had settled some years pre- 
vious, and where John A. Buchanan was born. 
In 1854 he accompanied his brother, Robert L., 
to Oregon, the latter having made a previous 
trip. This brother now resides south of Cor- 
vallis. With the strength of character inher- 
ited from his Scotch ancestors John A. Buch- 
anan soon found a place for himself in this 
growing west. After nine years in the mines in 
Idaho he selected agricultural pursuits for his 
life occupation, and with industry and perse- 
verance through the pioneer years of this state 
' he labored to become recognized as a succss- 
ful farmer, in the process of which he acquired 
the title to many acres of valuable land. At 
his death he owned eight hundred and forty 
acres, a part of which was the old Proctor do- 
nation claim, and upon which he put the best 
and most substantial of improvements until 
now it represents one of the most valuable 
pieces of property in this section of the coun- 
try. Mr. Buchanan engaged principally in 
general farming, being, however, much inter- 



ested in wheat-raising, in which he was very 
successful. Not always a farmer, he owed con- 
siderable of his success to a fortunate venture 
in the Idaho mines, and also to other business 
interests. At the time of his death, which oc- 
curred very suddenly May 3, 1900, while he 
was engaged with the performance of some 
trivial duty, he was serving as county com- 
missioner in the interests of the Republican 
party, of which he was a stanch adherent. He 
was a member of the United Brethren Church. 
The last resting place of this honorable pioneer 
is in Bellfountain Cemetery. 

The marriage of Mr. Buchanan occurred 
January 15, 1873, in Douglas county, and 
united him with the daughter of a pioneer fam- 
ily, Miss Ruth Gardner, who was born in Illi- 
nois. Her father, Isaac M. Gardner, was a 
native of Baltimore, Md., who removed to 
Ohio at an early day, later following this up 
with a venture into the Prairie state. In 1853 
he crossed the plains with his wife and three 
children, and after seven months of slow plod- 
ding of the patient oxen they descended from 
the Cascade mountains into the Willamette 
Valley, settling at Siulaw, where for seven 
years Mr. Gardner engaged in farming. Re- 
moving at this time to a farm on Elk creek, 
near Drain, Douglas county, he continued in 
this occupation, making his home at the pres- 
ent time in this location, being now eighty- 
four years of age. He has been a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church for many 
years. His wife, known in maidenhood as 
Hannah Krewson, was born in Ohio and died 
in Douglas county, Ore., in 1891. Of the 
eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gard- 
ner eight attained maturity, of whom six are 
now living. They are as follows : Ruth, the 
widow of John A. Buchanan ; Susan, now Mrs. 
M. N. Ensley of Drain ; Lucy, Mrs. Jacob 
Sawyer of Elkton ; Emma, still a member of 
her father's home ; Henry, a farmer near 
Drain ; and Isaac, now a retired farmer of 
Drain. 

When first married Mrs. Buchanan and her 
husband lived on his farm, which was lo- 
cated ten miles south of Corvallis, but since 
his death she has removed to Corvallis, mak- 
ing this city her home since 1901, on account 
of the educational advantages for her chil- 
dren, of whom there are seven living. The 
eldest of her children, J. Fred, is engaged in 
farming on three hundred and twenty acres 
of land in this county; Alice, a graduate of 
the Oregon Agricultural College, is the wife 
of R. C. Herron, of Bruce, Benton county; 
Ernest is occupied in the stock business in 
Douglas county; Edith died at the age of sev- 
enteen years while attending the Oregon Agri- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1151 



cultural College ; the remaining children, 
Claude. Mildred, Carrie and Lizzie, are all at 
home, the former being a graduate of the Ore- 
gon Agricultural College, and the three 
younger are attending the public schools. Mrs. 
Buchanan looks after the interests of the home 
farm, upon which the family spend the sum- 
mer months. Like her father, she is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, her polit- 
ical convictions running parallel with those of 
her late husband. 



father in the conduct of the home farm. Re- 
ligiously the family are identified with the 
Presbyterian Church, to whose maintenance 
they contribute, and they may always be found 
in the forefront of all measures tending to 
benefit mankind or upbuild the community. 



JOSEPH GRAY. The labors which have 
resulted in the present high state of develop- 
ment noticeable in Benton county have been 
largely participated in by Mr. Gray, who is 
one of the prominent farmers and stock-raisers 
of the county. A native of Scotland, born June 
30, 1828, his early life was not unlike that of 
many another youth of his acquaintance in the 
home land, but at eighteen years of age he de- 
termined to learn a trade and begin life in 
earnest. Choosing the carpenter's trade as the 
most congenial to his tastes, he at once set 
about to master it in all its details, and there- 
after followed it in his native land until 1850, 
or until he was twenty-two years of age. It 
was in the year last mentioned that he first 
ventured from the scenes with which he had 
hitherto been familiar, going to Australia, and 
for four years was engaged at his trade in Mel- 
bourne. 

The year 1851 was memorable in Australian 
history as the one in which gold was discov- 
ered in that country, and it is not surprising 
that Mr. Gray became enthusiastic in search- 
ing for the yellow dust as did so many thou- 
sands of others equally ambitious. After fol- 
lowing the life of the miner for about six years 
he returned to his native land to visit friends 
and relatives, remaining but a short .time, how- 
ever, for in October of the same year, i86o» 
he landed in California. The following year 
he came to Oregon, settling in Benton county, 
where for four years he carried on farming 
upon rented land. At the expiration of this 
time, in 1865, he removed to his present farm 
of three hundred and thirty acres in the vi- 
cinity of Philomath, which he had purchased 
in 1862, and here he carries on general farm- 
ing and raises stock, meeting with good re- 
turns for the care and labor bestowed. 

It was while a resident of Melbourne, Aus- 
tralia, that Mr. Gray was united in marriage 
with Miss Annie Murray, a native of Scot- 
land. Two children were born to this worthy 
couple, the eldest of whom, Isabelle, is a 
teacher in one of the public schools of Fresno, 
Cal. ; and Alexander M. is interested with his 



ABRAMN. LOCKE. The name of Abram 
N. Locke is worthy of mention among the 
early pioneers of Oregon, for at the youthful 
age of five years he crossed the plains with his 
parents and became an inhabitant of the coun- 
try where primitive conditions reigned su- 
preme, and in the passing years he has added 
his aims and ambitions to the upbuilding in- 
fluences that have made the greatness and 
prosperity of this commonwealth. 

The birth of Abram N. Locke occurred near 
Keytesville, Chariton county, Mo., September 
1, 1842, his parents being A. N. and Harriett 
Sinett, natives respectively of Mississippi and 
Ohio. When a young man the father settled in 
Missouri, and there engaged in farming, re- 
maining until 1847, when he was induced to 
undertake the journey into the west for the 
sake of the opportunities offered in the rich 
and productive lands, the times giving prom- 
ise of rapid settlement. With his wife and 
four children he joined an ox train bound for 
the new settlements over the southern route 
of the old Oregon and California trail, coming 
by way of Canonville and Rogue river, and 
after six months spent in traveling he arrived 
at his destination. He at once took up a do- 
nation land claim of five hundred and fifty- 
four acres five miles north of Corvallis, Ben- 
ton county, Ore., and in the years which fol- 
lowed he never had reason to regret his choice 
of a location. He continued to improve the 
land until his farm became one of the most 
valuable in the county. He remained in this 
location until his death, not too interested in 
his farming to take an active part in the af- 
fairs of his community at a time when men 
of worth and ability were most to be desired. 
Religiously he was a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church South, and politically he 
was a Democrat, holding through this influ- 
ence several important positions, among them 
being that of probate judge, in which he con- 
tinued for six years; deputy sheriff for two 
years ; and sheriff for a like period. Actively 
interested in all that pertained to the welfare 
or material growth of his adopted county, Mr. 
Locke gave liberally of his means toward every 
public movement, one of his donations being 
an acre of land to be devoted to the use of a 
cemetery, which was called by the name of 
the donor, and is now one of the finest burial 



1152 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



grounds in this part of the county. The dona- 
tion was made in 1855. His wife also died 
upon the old homestead. Besides our subject, 
the other children of this pioneer family are 
as follows : Thomas, who died in Oregon ; 
William, residing on a part of the old home- 
stead ; Alonzo, a resident of Linn county, Ore. ; 
Alfred, also on a part of the home farm ; Laura, 
deceased; and Jennie, located in Seattle, Wash., 
is the wife of Samuel Boreland. 

The boyhood of Abram N. Locke was spent 
upon his father's farm, and interspersed with 
his usual home duties was an attendance of 
the public school, his first remembrance of the 
educational advantages of Oregon being of a 
little log house where the children of the 
pioneer settlers gathered for their share in the 
distribution of knowledge. Later he engaged 
with his father in farming, where he remained 
for three years ; after attaining his majority, or 
nearly so, he went in 1862 on a prospecting 
trip to the mines located near Boise City, Ida- 
ho, and the next year, in company with his 
father and brother William, he took pack 
trains to that city and for some time was en- 
gaged in packing in the mines, from which 
labor he realized a considerable amount. On 
returning to Oregon he became the possessor 
of a part of the home place, which he has 
since continued to own, farming upon it for 
the principal part of the time. Four years 
of the time since his purchase he was engaged 
in the cattle business in Crook county, Ore., 
after which he sold his interests there and 
returned to Benton county. He now owns one 
hundred and ninety acres of the original claim, 
upon which he has built a residence and made 
many other improvements, following the ex- 
ample of his father in his endeavor to make a 
successful farmer and a good citizen. His spe- 
cialty in agriculture is the cultivation of grain, 
most of his land lying in a rich and productive 
valley. He also owns two handsome residences 
in Corvallis, to one of which he retired in 1898, 
where with five acres of land he occupies his 
time and takes a well earned rest from 
the active duties of life, enjoying and appre- 
ciating the changes which have come within 
his range of vision, one of the greatest being 
the absence from the hills and forests of the 
wild animals which he hunted in his boyhood 
days. 

In Chariton county, Mo., Mr. Locke was 
united in marriage with Miss Annie Sinnett, 
a native of that state. Adhering to the con- 
victions of his father, Mr. Locke is Demo- 
cratic in his political affiliations, and a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. 



Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, having attained the De- 



gree of Honor. 



NELSON P. CRUME. The Brownsville 
flouring mills, owned and managed by Nelson 
P. Crume since 1901, is one of the substantial 
enterprises of the town, and one which is destined 
to continually enlarge its business. This prophecy 
is based upon the excellent quality of the flour 
produced, and which finds a ready market all 
along the coast. Since coming under the present 
management the old mills have been completely 
overhauled, new and modern machinery intro- 
duced, and a capacity of fifty barrels a day at- 
tained to. The power is water, and the visitor 
to the white interior finds a hive of industry, 
wherein the greatest system and order prevail. 

In Daviess county, Mo., where he was born 
December 9, 1856, Mr. Crume was reared on the 
farm of his father, George W. Crume, who had 
settled there after leaving his native state of 
Illinois. The father left his home interests to 
serve in the Civil war, and became a martyr to 
the cause of the Union. Enlisting as a private 
in the Twenty-third Missouri Volunteer In- 
fantry, in 1861, he took part in several of the first 
battles of the war, but died at Alton of camp 
fever, contracted while exposed to the rigors 
of the service, in 1863. His wife, formerly Ma- 
linda C. Thompson, was born in Kentucky, and 
some months after the death of her husband, 
married Lot S. Harris. The latter brought his 
wife and her children across the plains in 1864, 
locating on a claim near Scio, which he improved 
and lived upon until his death, in 1900. He is 
survived by his wife, who lives with her son, 
Quincy, near Carlton. 

The oldest of the three sons born to his pa- 
rents, Nelson P. Crume, was educated in the 
public schools, and entered the Oregon Agricul- 
tural College, at Corvallis, in 1875. In 1882 he 
engaged in farming near Brownsville, purchas- 
ing one hundred acres of land, which he sold in 
1890, and thereafter engaged in a general mer- 
chandise business at Shedds. Eleven years later 
he sold out and purchased the mills, to the man- 
agement of which he has since devoted his en- 
ergies. A native daughter of this vicinity, Sarah 
Harrison, became the wife of Mr. Crume, since 
his coming to Brownsville, her father, Robert 
Harrison, born in Lincolnshire, England, having 
come to the United States at an early day. Mr. 
Harrison located first in Michigan, from which 
state he crossed the plains in 1853 an d settled 
on his present farm four miles northwest of 
Brownsville. Six children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Crume : George W., on the home 
place; Van A., deceased; Nellie; Bessie; Iris; 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1163 



and Sarah. Politically Air. Grume is a Prohi- 
bitionist, and he is at present serving his first 
term in the council. He is fraternally connected 
with the Blue Lodge No. 36, Free and Accepted 
Masons, of Brownsville, and the Woodmen of the 
World. A man of high moral character and un- 
swerving integrity, he finds a religious home in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is 
a trustee, and towards the support and upbuild- 
ing oi which he has liberally contributed both 
time and money for many years. 



LEMUEL DUNCAN SCARBROUGH, M. 
1). The work which Dr. L. D. Scarbrough has 
done in the community in which he has made his 
home for a lengthy period has been varied in 
nature, but in no instance has its quality suf- 
fered, as thoroughness has been the doctor's 
watchword in all lines of business which he has 
cared to take up. He was born in White Plains, 
Ala., June 14, 185 1, the son of a farmer of 
North Carolina, and the descendant of Scotch 
and English ancestry. The father, Lemuel, 
lived to the age of fifty-two years, while the 
mother, Nancy P. (McRae) Scarbrough, at- 
tained the age of eighty-five years. Of the 
twelve children born to his parents all attained 
maturity and the youngest was Lemuel D., 
of this review, his preliminary education being 
received in the public schools in the vicinity of 
his home. Afterward he attended Oxford Col- 
lege, in the town of Oxford, in his native state, 
and at the age of twenty-one took up the study 
of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Ben- 
jamin S. Evans, of White Plains, graduating 
from Yanderbilt University, Nashville, Term., 
in 1875, being one of the first class to graduate 
from that institution. For a year following his 
graduation he practiced medicine in Alabama, 
at the end of which time he came to Oregon 
and located at Creswell, Lane county, in which 
vicinity he has since remained, becoming one 
of the prominent and successful men of the 
section. Besides carrying on his profession he 
has been extensively engaged in general fruit 
farming, owning a ranch of two hundred acres, 
fifty-five acres of bearing prune and apple trees, 
one hundred and twenty acres of a hundred and 
forty-four-acre farm just set to fruit, and twen- 
ty-three acres adjoining Creswell upon which 
he has built a comfortable cottage, a substantial 
barn and other improvements, and has also a 
fruit dryer, the capacity of which is from five 
to six hundred bushels. In addition to this he 
has been engaged since 1882 in the general 
merchandise business in this town. 

Dr. Scarbrough was first married in 1878 to 
Emma Redford, a native of Oregon, and of the 
three children born to them Marvin M. is a 



student in the medical department of Yale 
University; Eba E. is at home, and the young- 
est died in infancy. Miss Clara Cochran, who 
was born in Cottage Grove, Lane county, became 
his second wife, and their five children, all of 
whom are at home, are named in order of birth 
as follows : Emerson, Carlisle, Dewey, Nancy 
G. and Crystal. In politics a Democrat, Dr. 
Scarbrough has always taken an interested part 
in the local affairs of his party and through 
this influence has held various minor offices in 
the vicinity. For twelve years he has acted as 
postmaster of Creswell. Fraternally he belongs 
to the Masonic order, in which he has passed 
all the chairs, and is also identified with the 
Woodmen of the World, having held all the 
offices in this order, and in which he also acts 
as examining physician. The Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows also profits by his member- 
ship. 



JOHN MORLEY. Closely identified with 
the farming interests of Marion county is John 
Morley, who is pleasantly located about three 
miles northeast of Silverton, where he is pros- 
perously engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, 
He is numbered among the veteran farmers of 
the county who have labored with unceasing 
toil in their chosen vocation, and are now enjoy- 
ing comfortable competencies, acquired chiefly 
by their own efforts. Of good old Virginia 
stock, he was born May 9, 1823, in Jackson 
county, Ohio, a son of Moses Morley. 

Moses Morley, a native of Virginia, born about 
1788, removed with his parents, when a small 
boy, to Ohio, where he lived until after his mar- 
riage to Catherine Wadkins, a native of Mary- 
land, and the birth of several of his children. In 
1850, although then past the prime of manhood, 
he made an overland trip to Oregon, crossing the 
plains with ox-teams, and settled near Sublimity, 
Marion county. Two years later he sent for his 
wife, who crossed the plains to join him, but 
their reunion was of brief duration, his death 
occurring the same year, in 1852. His widow 
spent her remaining days with their son, John, 
the subject of this sketch, passing away at the 
advanced age of eighty-three years. She was 
the mother of thirteen children, John Morley 
being the only survivor of the family. 

Obtaining his early education in the district 
schools, and remaining on the old home farm 
in Ohio until twenty-one years of age, John Mor- 
ley then left the parental roof and began the 
battle of life for himself, working for wages 
the first three years thereafter. In 1847, follow- 
ing the tide of immigration westward, he and 
two boys by the name of Darst started for Ore- 
gon, crossing the plains with an ox-team, and 



1154 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



being four months on the road. They crossed 
the Missouri river at St. Joseph May 5, and 
reached the Willamette valley September 5. Be- 
coming a pioneer of Marion county, he took up 
a claim near Sublimity, about three miles from 
the town, and after his marriage settled to 
housekeeping on property still nearer that place, 
living there about eight years. Removing to 
Silverton in 1862, Mr. Morley turned his atten- 
tion to the milling business, operating a grist- 
mill there for eight years. In 1871 he bought 
a farm nearly three miles northeast of Silver- 
ton, after which he purchased the farm which 
he now own? and occupies. He has one hundred 
and forty-sjx acres of land, which he devotes to 
stock-raising and general farming, twelve acres 
being planted to hops. 

September 20, 1855, Mr. Morley was united 
in marriage with Senah E. Jones, who was born 
in Missouri, and from that state crossed the 
plains in 1852, accompanying her parents, Lewis 
and Polly Ann (McAlpin) Jones. She passed to 
the higher life in 1886. To Mrs. Morley sixteen 
children were born, namely : George W.,who lives 
near Silverton; Jerome, living at home; Levi, 
deceased; Nettie, wife of Philip Hicks, resid- 
ing southwest of Silverton; Joshua M., of Sil- 
verton; Mary Catharine, wife of John C. War- 
nock, residing near Silverton; Laura Alice, wife 
of William S. Jack, of Silverton ; Charles, resid- 
ing near Silverton; Erne, wife of John Hicks; 
Iva B., at home ; Rosa, wife of Howard C. Whit- 
lock ; Ella, wife of Dennis C. McCleary ; John L. ; 
Roy; Rachel, and Ruth. 



JEREMIAH E. HENKLE. In a beautiful 
home in Philomath, erected in 1883, Jeremiah E. 
Henkle is living a practically retired life, the for- 
tunate possessor of large property interests in 
town and county, and of the unbounded good 
will of his fellow townsmen. A resident of Ore- 
gon since his tenth year, he represents one of the 
pioneer families of the state, while not far dis- 
tant, on a farm of three hundred and sixty acres, 
four miles west of the town, there is living his 
father, Ichabod, the possessor of a good name in 
this northwestern country. Ichabod Henkle is 
ninety-three years of age, is feeble in health, and 
as the result of a stroke of paralysis four years 
ago, is deprived of the gift of speech. En- 
shrouded thus in the shadows of life, and ap- 
proaching that bourne whence no traveler ever 
returns, he can contemplate serenely his life- 
work, interspersed as it has been with more than 
ordinary accomplishment. He was born in Pen- 
dleton county, W. Va., October 10, 1810, and, 
when very young, removed with, his parents to 
Fayette county, Ohio, in 1839 locating on a farm 



in Lee county, Iowa. In 1849 ne settled on a 
farm in Appanoose county, Iowa, and there lived 
with his family, working with his father, Jacob, 
who was born in West Virginia, and who moved 
to Ohio, and from there to Iowa with his wife 
and children. Jacob and his son, Ichabod, were 
the prime movers in the proposed emigration 
across the plains in 1853, and Jacob located on 
the farm where Ichabod is still dreaming his 
dreams, and waiting. Jacob lived to be seventy- 
seven years old, his death occurring in 1875. 
Ichabod developed the true western spirit, was 
full of push and energy and resource, and saw 
many ways of promoting the well-being of his 
adopted state. He was one of the original incor- 
porators of the Corvallis, Oregon & Yaquina Bay 
Wagon Road Company, and was a director in the 
Willamette Valley Coast Railroad, predecessor 
of the Oregon Pacific Railroad Company. He 
married Mary A. King, who was born in Dela- 
ware, and who bore him three children, two sons 
and a daughter, of whom Jeremiah and Jessie 
only are living, the former being the second 
child. 

At a very early age Jeremiah E. Henkle started 
in to perform his share of work on the farm, 
attending as opportunity offered the public 
schools of his neighborhood. In 1867 he en- 
gaged in working a saw-mill on the old farm, 
and in 1872 came to Philomath, where he was 
enrolled as one of the first students of the college 
of this town. However, scarcity of funds pre- 
vented his attending the college for more than 
one term, and an opportunity presenting itself to 
engage in business, he started a general mer- 
chandise enterprise in partnership with J. L. 
Shipley. Mr. Shipley dying in 1877, Mr Henkle 
was left to manage the business alone, which he 
did uninterruptedly until 1891, when he sold his 
business and has since been on the retired list. 
In the meantime his interests had accumulated, 
and among other things he had purchased eight 
hundred acres of land, where he engaged in gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising, eventually plac- 
ing thirty acres of his land under hops. He still 
owns the Henkle saw-mill on the south fork of 
the Mary river, with its surrounding two hun- 
dred acres, all of which is rented to his brother. 
He also owns a farm of four hundred and fifty 
acres near the town, as well as the store in which 
the postoffice is located, and a half block adjoin- 
ing, with its three or four buildings. 

Many interesting events have occurred in the 
career of Mr. Henkle, who is above all else pub- 
lic-spirited, and ever on the alert for opportunity. 
In 1859, 'with his father, Ichabod, he made a trip 
down the Yaquina river to the bay, a most excit- 
ing and interesting voyage, for they had to cut 
their way at every turn. In 1863 they undertook 
the same journey in a skiff, and, in 1867, Jere- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1156 



miah went by himself over the same route in a 
steamboat, noting as he went the threat changes 
which had come over the region in die meantime. 
In 1S04 he enlisted for the Indian service in 
Company \, First Oregon Volunteers, and for a 
year was located at the Vancouver barracks. 
For a month the regiment was stationed at Fort 
Yamhill, and then went across the river country 
after Indians, remaining there for about nine 
months. He was discharged from the service 
June 30. 1866, and has always retained in his 
possession the gun and other equipment which 
constituted his war regalia. In 1880 he was 
chosen one of the receivers to make the first trip 
of ten miles down the Oregon & Pacific Railroad, 
and to receive the first ten miles that was com- 
pleted from Toledo to Yaquina City — John 
Minto. of Marion county, and Robert Cohorn, of 
Lane county, being the other receivers. A Re- 
publican in politics, he has taken an active inter- 
est in his party's undertakings in this county, 
has served as councilman for ten years, and was 
postmaster of Philomath for twelve years. It 
will thus be seen that he has been intimately con- 
nected with pioneer as well as later enterprises, 
and has contributed his share towards their up- 
building. 

In Philomath, Mr. Henkle was united in mar- 
riage with Lizzie Mason, daughter of George 
Mason, a native of Illinois, and who crossed the 
plains in 1853. Locating on a claim on Mary's 
river, Mr. Mason lived there for many years, 
but finally moved into the town, where he died 
at an advanced age. His daughter, Mrs. Henkle, 
died here in 1876, leaving a son, Otis C, who is 
now a hardware merchant of Dayton, Wash. In 
1878 Mr. Henkle married Nancy A. Hunt, who 
was born in Oak county, Iowa, February 18, 
1859, an( l whose father, Benjamin J., was born 
in Fleming county, Ky., November 16, 1821. 
The Hunts moved to near Des Moines, Iowa, in 
1847, an d, in 1869, crossed the plains with mule 
teams, making the trip to Washington territory 
in three months. Locating on a farm in the ter- 
ritory Mr. Hunt founded the town of Hunts- 
ville. and also started that educational institution 
known as the Huntsville Seminary, located in 
Columbia county. In 1900 he removed to Day- 
ton, Wash., where he is living in retirement. He 
married Margaret Field, born in White county, 
111., and who also is living. Two children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Henkle, Rodell and 
Beulah, both of whom are living with their par- 
ents. Mr. Henkle is a member of the United 
Brethren Church, the liberal branch, and his wife 
is active in missionary and Women's Christian 
Temperance Union work. Mr. Henkle is one of 
the solid and substantial upbuilders of this part 
of the state, and while traveling his way has 
cemented many friendships of a lasting and beau- 



tiful nature. He is one of those western noble- 
men to whom the coast country owes a great 
debt of gratitude, and whom it will ever honor 
for his character and undertakings. 



SEYMOUR CHIPMAN. A widely known 
and prominent citizen of Corvallis and a veteran 
of the late Civil war, the brief life record of 
Seymour Chipman affords an excellent example 
for young men just entering the field of business 
activity, well illustrating the virtue of patriot- 
ism and showing the success to be attained by 
industry, enterprise and thrift. The representa- 
tive of an old New England family, he was born 
June 30, 1833, in Essex, Chittenden county, Vt., 
a son of John Chipman. On the paternal side 
he comes of English ancestry, his great grand- 
father, Jonathan Chipman, having been born and 
bred in England, where he learned the hatter's 
trade. Subsequently emigrating to this country, 
he purchased land in Essex, Vt., and by stren- 
uous labor cleared a homestead from the wilder- 



ness. 



Thomas Chipman, the grandfather of Sey- 
mour Chipman, spent his entire life in Essex, 
Vt., being industriously engaged in farming 
pursuits. During the war of 1812 he offered 
his services to his country, and at the memorable 
battle of Plattsburg was captain of one of the 
companies in a prominent regiment. He took 
an active part in town affairs, and was a leading 
member of the Baptist Church. 

John Chipman was born in Essex, Vt., in 
1798, and there spent the first half of his long 
life. Coming into possession of a part of the 
ancestral homestead, he carried on general farm- 
ing, and also worked at the carpenter's trade. 
Removing with his family to Illinois in 1843, ne 
lived near Rockford for nine years, then took 
up his residence six miles north of Belvidere. 
In 1852 he migrated to Iowa, locating in Clayton 
county, near Strawberry Point, where he owned 
and operated a saw-mill and a grist-mill. Later, 
in company with his son, Seymour Chipman, he 
settled in Pocahontas county, Iowa, and lived 
there until his death, at the age of eighty-four 
years. His wife, whose maiden name was Har- 
riet Hoadley, was born in Vermont, a daughter 
of Thomas Hoadley. Mr. Hoadley, who was of 
Welsh descent, was born and reared in Vermont. 
In 1843 ne removed to Illinois, but after living 
in the Prairie state a few years he returned to 
his old home in Vermont, and there spent the 
remainder of his life, dying at the advanced age 
of ninetv-seven years. Three boys and four 
girls were born of the union of John and Har- 
riet (Hoadley) Chipman, and with the excep- 
tion of two daughters all are now living. All of 



1156 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the sons served in the late Civil war, LaFayette, 
now a resident of Pocahontas county, Iowa, hav- 
ing served in the First Minnesota Heavy Artil- 
lery, while Horace, who resides in Calhoun 
county, Iowa, served in the Second Minnesota 
Infantry. The mother died at a venerable age 
in Minnesota. 

Seymour Chipman, the oldest son of the par- 
ental household, was a lad of ten years when 
he accompanied his parents to Illinois, making 
the long trip from Vermont by horse-teams. 
After completing his early education in the dis- 
trict schools he assisted his father in improving 
a farm, and during the harvest seasons was em- 
ployed in threshing. Removing to Clayton 
county, Iowa, in 1852, he was at first engaged 
in milling as proprietor of a saw-mill and a 
grist-mill, and subsequently operated a carding- 
mill and a woolen-mill. On August 11, 1862, 
Mr. Chipman enlisted in Company B, Twenty- 
first Iowa Infantry, and on being mustered into 
service at Dubuque, Iowa, was elected fifer of 
the regiment. He took an active part in many 
important engagements, among the more nota- 
ble being the battle at Port Gibson, on May 1, 
1863, and the siege of Vicksburg, which was 
concluded by the capitulation of that city on 
July 4, 1863. The following month Mr. Sey- 
mour was taken seriously ill, and, on his return 
to the army, was transferred to the Veteran Re- 
serve Corps, with which he was actively identi- 
fied until the close of the conflict, serving in the 
commissary department at Camp McClelland, 
Davenport, Iowa. On June 28, 1865, he was 
mustered out of service and returned home. 

Establishing himself in business as a black- 
smith and carriage manufacturer at Strawberry 
Point, Mr. Chipman remained there successfully 
employed until 1881. Going then to Gilmore 
City, Iowa, he was there engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits for four or more years, after which 
he embarked in the hotel business, which he car- 
ried on until 1890. Coming then to Oregon, 
Mr. Chipman located first near Forest Grove, 
where he purchased a claim, on which he resid- 
ed about two years. In 1893 he settled at his 
present home in Corvallis, where he has since 
exerted a marked influence in advancing the va- 
rious enterprises inaugurated to develop its re- 
sources and promote its prosperity. During his 
active career he has accumulated a competency, 
being the owner of much valuable property in 
different parts of Oregon and of a good farm in 
Greenwood county, Kansas. 

On August 14, 1853, at Strawberry Point, 
Iowa, Mr. Chipman married Prudence Maxson, 
who was born in Clark county, Ohio, which was 
likewise the birthplace of her father, Ephraim 
Maxson, and the lifelong residence of her grand- 
father, Jesse Maxson. Ephraim Maxson, a 



farmer by occupation, removed from Ohio to 
Indiana, thence to Michigan, and finally to Iowa, 
locating on a farm in Clayton county, where he 
resided until his death, at the age of fifty-three 
years. He married Mary Smith, whose father, 
Peter Smith, died in Michigan. Ten children 
blessed their union, three of whom are now liv- 
ing. One son, David Maxson, who in the Civil 
war was a member of the regiment to which 
Mr. Chipman belonged, died while in the serv- 
ice of his country. Another son, Christian Max- 
son, is now a merchant in Edgewood, Iowa. 
Mr. and Mrs. Chipman are the parents of five 
children, namely : Mrs. Eva Moyer, of Gilmore 
City, Iowa ; Charles, of Corvallis ; Clarence, pro- 
prietor of a restaurant and bakery in Corvallis; 
Mrs. Lillian Theresa Simpson, of Portland, 
Ore. ; and Vidella, wife of F. L. Miller, of Cor- 
vallis. 

On August 14, 1903, Mr. and Mrs. Chipman 
celebrated their golden wedding. Mr. Chip- 
man met his friends at the door and received 
them with a hearty handshake and word of wel- 
come. They passed into the parlor, where Mrs. 
Chipman, as active and light of heart as a 
girl of sixteen, expressed her pleasure at their 
presence. Here all registered, and, after par- 
taking of the contents of the punch bowl, pre- 
sided over by Mrs. Clarence Chipman, passed 
out onto the lawn where they were served 
with lunch. Mr. and Mrs. Chipman were the 
recipients of many handsome presents. The 
Mystic Shriners presented him and his wife 
with a beautiful loving cup. Upon it was in- 
scribed the names of the donors, S. L. Kline, 
H. W. Hall, W. E. Yates, S. L. Hayes, Rev. 
MacLean, S. N. Wilkins, T. H. Crawford, 
Captain Harding and J. B. Horner. The pre- 
sentation speech was made by Mr. Crawford. 
Mr. and Mrs. Chipman made fitting response 
and each Noble drank to their health from the 
loving cup. 

Politically Mr. Chipman is a stanch Repub- 
lican, and while living in Iowa served sixteen 
years as justice of the peace, and was mayor 
of Gilmore City at the time of his removal 
to Oregon. Fraternally he was made a Mason 
at Strawberry Point, Iowa, in 1862, and is 
past master of Strawberry Point Lodge, F. & 
A. M. ; and past high priest of Ferguson Chap- 
ter, No. 5, R. A. M., of Corvallis, of which 
he is treasurer; he is a member of Corvallis 
Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he is past master; 
a member and thrice illustrious master of Ore- 
gon Council, No. 2, R. & S. M. ; is deputy 
Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal 
and Select Masters of Oregon; and a member 
of Albany Commandery, K. T., while in June, 
1903, he became a member of the Mystic Shrine 
of Oregon. He is a member, and past com- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1157 



mander, of Ellsworth Post, G. A. R., and in 

IQ02 was junior vice commander of the De- 
partment oi Oregon. Mrs. Chipman is a prom- 
inent member of the W. R. C, of which she is 
an ex-president and of the W. C. T. U. 



JAMES C. REED. As an energetic farmer, 
lames C. Reed has passed the years since he 
came to the west, and prosperity has smiled 
upon him in his patient, uncomplaining toil, 
ami blessed him with an abundance as a reward 
for a well spent life. He makes his home upon the 
land which first became his property, in the 
early munificence of Oregon's fields, but each 
passing year has found him able to increase the 
number of acres until he now has a farm of 
nine hundred acres, all in one body, upon which 
is carried on general farming and stock-raising. 

Born October n, 1828, James C. Reed is 
a native of Knox county, Tenn., where his 
father was engaged as a farmer, that being the 
life to which he was reared. He had, however, 
taken up the saddlery trade and later added 
that of millwright. In Tennessee he married 
Elizabeth England, also a native of that state, 
who died in 1840. Two years later the father 
removed to Missouri. Four children had been 
born to them, of whom one other besides James 
C, is located in the west, George being located 
in Dilley. Washington county, Ore. The father 
died when about forty-five years old. After the 
death of his mother James C. Reed left home, 
thus early assuming the burden of self-support, 
but fortunately finding a home with an uncle, 
with whom he remained until attaining his ma- 
jority, their home being also changed to Mis- 
souri soon after he became a member of the 
household. In the winter of 1849 ne followed 
logging and rafting along the Mississippi river, 
and two years later was married, the home of 
himself and wife being in Missouri until 1853. 
With the courage and energy of their pioneer 
forefathers the young people then made the 
six-months trip to Oregon, the mode of con- 
veyance being the slow-plodding oxen, and upon 
their safe arrival Mr. Reed took up a donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty-five acres 
located in Lane county, ten miles south of Eu- 
gene and three miles north of Creswell. The 
passing years have justified the choice of loca- 
tion, for through the now improved and finely 
cultivated farm extends the Southern Pacific 
Railroad, which speaks so eloquently of the 
changes which time has brought to the pioneer 
settlers. Two hundred acres of this property 
is now in active cultivation, this and all the im- 
provements which have kept pace with the 
changes going on being the result of the practical 



and well directed efforts of the worthy pos- 
sessor. 

The wife who shared the trials and troubles 
of the early life and now enjoys the prosperity, 
was formerly Miss r-um E. Dillard, a native 
of Tennessee. She was the daughter of Samuel 
Dillard, of Kentucky, born there May 12, 1810, 
and in Tennessee he married Elizabeth Julian, 
whose birth occurred October 5, 1806. They 
made their home in that state until 1837, when 
they removed to Missouri. In addition to the 
farming interests in which he had always gained 
a livelihood, Mr. Dillard was a minister of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and it was 
both the desire to better his worldly condition 
and to carry the gospel into the new lands that 
led to their emigration in 1853, the entire family 
crossing the plains with ox-teams and settling 
in the vicinity of Lane county. This continued 
to be the home of the family until the death of 
the parents, the father living to be eighty-one 
years old and the mother fifty-two. Of the 
five children who were born to them four are 
now living, namely : Rufus, of Washington ; 
William, also of Washington ; Sarah, who be- 
came the wife of Robert Cochran, and is located 
near Cottage Grove, and Ann Reed. In poli- 
tics Mr. Dillard was a Democrat, and fra- 
ternally he was associated with the Masonic 
order. To Mr. and Mrs. Reed were born the 
following children : Samuel D., who is at home 
with his parents; William P., deceased; Robert 
H., of Harrisburg; George D., also at home; 
Emma, now Mrs. George Jordan, of Washing- 
on ; Joseph A., located west of Eugene ; Lena, 
deceased ; and one who died in infancy. Mr. 
Reed is a Democrat in his political convictions 
and through the influence of this party has held 
various minor offices in this vicinity. 



JOHN M. MOYER. Persistent and pains- 
taking effort, augmented by strong and forceful 
personal characteristics, have won for John M. 
Mover a substantial place among the pioneer 
manufacturers and farmers of Linn county. Like 
the majority who came to the coast in the early 
days, he was not burdened with superfluous be- 
longings or the wherewithal to purchase the 
same, and started out empty-handed to hew out 
his own destiny. His earliest childhood was 
spent in Schuylkill county. Pa., where he was 
born August 21, 1829, a son of Gabriel and 
grandson of Daniel Mover, the latter of whom 
was born in the east and died at a very early day 
in Ohio. Gabriel was born in Pennsylvania, and 
his wife, Hannah Andrews, was of the same 
state, her death occurring in Ohio in 1888. A 
fanner and cooper by occupation, Mr. Mover 
moved to Trumbull county, Ohio, about 1830, 



y 



1158 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



later settling on a farm of ninety-one acres of 
timber land in Mahoning county. A still later 
place of residence was in Medina county, Ohio, 
where his death occurred in 1848, after many 
years of successful farming and work at his 
trade as a cooper. Of his fifteen children, eight 
of whom were sons, John M. is the third. 

Of necessity the early education of John Moyer 
was limited, yet on the Pennsylvania and Ohio 
farms he gleaned a great deal of practical infor- 
mation, above all else learning the invaluable 
lessons of industry and economy. In 1848 he 
learned the carpenter's trade, and while working 
thereat became interested in the accounts of rich 
lands and still richer mines which came from the 
coast. With G. F. Colbert he began to prepare 
for the long trip, and the arrangements showed 
his desire to profit by the experiences of those 
who had gone before. Instead of ox-teams the 
partners bought a wagon, three horses and plenty 
of provisions and grain for their horses ; and 
succeeded in reaching their destination at Fos- 
ter's at the end of three months, a remarkably 
rapid journey, considering the drawbacks which 
they met on their way. After a couple of weeks 
on the Clackamas river as the guests of Mr. 
Arthur, they sold their outfit and started for 
the Calapooia river, meeting there another genial 
and hospitable host in the person of Elias L. 
Walters. Mr. Moyer was pleased with the loca- 
tion and remained for some time, and afterward 
worked at his trade at what was then called Cal- 
apooia postoffice, but which is now known as 
Brownsville. Almost his first undertaking was 
to build a house for H. L. Brown, whose daugh- 
ter, Elizabeth, he married, June 4, 1857. Mr. 
Brown, after whom Brownsville was named, 
was born in the east, and crossed the plains to 
Oregon in 1846. He was a man of leading 
characteristics, and became very prominent in 
the little locality, where he conducted the first 
store, a general merchandise establishment, being 
the busiest center of activity in the locality. He 
was a Democrat in politics, and took a prominent 
part in his party's affairs in Linn county, serv- 
ing as justice of the peace for many years, and 
as a member of the legislature for two terms. A 
man of fine principles and great energy, he was 
genial, approachable and humane. 

Purchasing a herd of cattle in 1855, Mr. Moyer 
started for the mines of California the following 
year, but he returned soon after with illusions 
dispelled, and with an abiding confidence in 
slower but surer means of livelihood. In 1857 
he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of 
land, soon added sixty more, and began to clear 
his property, living the while in the most primi- 
tive manner. His trade proved useful at this 
stage of his career, for he soon made a comfort- 
able home for primitive housekeeping. The 



following spring the town of Brownsville was 
laid out by James Blakeley and others, and Mr. 
Moyer purchased a few lots, built a house, and 
removed his family there, soon thereafter engag- 
ing at his trade. During the Florence gold ex- 
citement in Idaho in 1862, he thought he saw 
an opportunity for making money rapidly by 
packing across the mountains. The severity 
of the weather, and the deep snows which im- 
peded the progress of his wagons had not been 
taken into account, and he became footsore from 
the almost interminable journeys, and almost 
lost his sight from the constant glare of the 
snow. Some weeks later he returned to Browns- 
ville weary at heart and the loser by $800. Re- 
covering his health and spirits Mr. Moyer 
worked at his trade until 1863, when he bought 
the Brownsville Planing Mills, formerly owned 
by William Linville, and which he fitted with 
modern machinery, and worked into a paying and 
extensive business. These mills passed into the 
hands of his son in 1875, and to the present time 
are one of the busy enterprises of the town. In 
1 861 he became interested in the Brownsville 
Woolen Mills, known then as the Linn Woolen 
Mill, which he also rebuilt, and which burned 
down the following year. In 1875 this mill was 
involved in litigation, and was sold at auction and 
passed into the hands of Mr. Moyer, who forth- 
with organized a stock company, and started the 
Brownsville Woolen Mills upon a successful 
career. He was president up to his retirement in 
1889, and during his administration the mill ex- 
tended its sphere of usefulness and sent its com- 
modities into every part of the north and west. 
After its sale in 1889, Mr. Moyer still continued 
as its president and a large stockholder, resign- 
ing from the position in 1896. In 1889 he pur- 
chased stock in the Portland store on the corner 
of First and Alder streets. The Brownsville 
mill was 66x150 feet ground dimensions, was 
equipped with the most modern machinery, and 
turned out tweeds, cassimeres, flannels and 
blankets. In 1888 Mr. Moyer extended his field 
of usefulness to banking, becoming one of the 
incorporators of the Bank of Brownsville, of 
which he was president for many years. In 1890 
he organized the Bank of Woodburn, of which 
he was active vice president for some years. 

Independent in political affiliations, Mr. Moyer 
was the first mayor of Brownsville, and has 
served for many years as school director. It 
is but fitting that so early and ambitious a 
settler should actively participate in its general 
upbuilding, and this he has done uninterruptedly 
ever since coming here. In 1881 he planned 
and built one of the truly beautiful and com- 
modious residences in the town, which he still 
occupies, and which has ever been the scene of 
hospitality and good fellowship. Of his six 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1159 



children, four are deceased, while Edward D. is 
a resident of Portland, and H. Breckenridge is 
running the saw-mill near town. Thus is men- 
tioned all too briefly a man whose far-sighted 
judgment, shrewd business ability, and unques- 
tioned integrity has been of signal and lasting 
use in a progressive and appreciative community. 



ELIAS KEENEY. May 10, 1846, Elias 
Keeney left Holt county, Mo., with ox-teams, 
and. after crossing the plains in about the aver- 
age time, arrived at his destination three miles 
east of Brownsville, September 14; of the same 
year. This early pioneer, who represents the 
prosperous and successful agriculturist of the 
west, came to this state with almost no money, 
his worldly possessions consisting of the clothes 
he wore. An impression of his life and of his 
use of opportunity among strangers among whom 
he came without resources, is best gained by 
visiting his well equipped and modern farm 
three miles west of Brownsville. This property 
became his home a year after coming to Oregon, 
in 1849, an d consists of six hundred and forty 
acres. Many changes have taken place during 
these fifty-six years of residence, and from a 
wilderness in the woods Mr. Keeney has devel- 
oped a paying and valuable property, and one 
which has been a source of great satisfaction to 
its enterprising owner. 

A native of Ray county, Mo., Mr. Keeney 
was born December 18, 1828, his father, 
John, and mother, Mary Ramsey (Buckhaulter) 
Keeney, being natives of Tennessee. The par- 
ents were early settlers in Ray county, where 
the father engaged in farming and stock-raising 
in pre-empted land, and there reared his eight 
sons and one daughter. He removed to Holt 
county, Mo., in 1842, but did not long survive 
his change of location, for his death occurred 
on his farm in 1845. He was survived by his 
wife, who came to Oregon on the second trip 
made by her son, in 1851, and died near 
Brownsville at the age of eighty-nine years. 
Among her children were twins, Elias and Ely, 
who began life upon very unequal footings, for 
Elias was unusually small, while Ely weighed 
eleven pounds. As time went on Elias showed 
the better and stronger constitution, and at the 
present time is not only much the heavier, but 
is the largest and strongest in the family. 

Owing to the extremely wild conditions in 
Holt county, Mo., Elias received a limited edu- 
cation, for the schoolhouse was remote and the 
home duties arduous. To his quiet neighbor- 
hood came the cheering news of gold and fertile 
lands in the west, and though crossing the plains 
in 1846 was as yet a most hazardous and unu- 
sual undertaking, he cheerfully confronted the 



undertaking, although he had practically noth- 
ing with which to start life in the far west. 
Once established upon the farm which he now 
owns, he returned to Missouri in 1850, and 
there married Margaret Jane Hyatt, who died 
in Oregon in 1861, leaving four children. Of 
these, Ely is a resident of Phoenix, Ariz. ; Re- 
becca is deceased ; Emma is the wife of James 
McHargue ; and John. 

The year of his marriage Mr. Keeney again 
started over the plains, bringing with him his 
wife, his mother, and all of the children with the 
exception of one brother and two sisters. Set- 
tling on his claim, he lived there until 1891, and 
then moved into Eugene to educate his children. 
In 1900 he went back to the farm, and in 1901 
located in Brownsville, purchasing a little pro- 
perty on the south side, where he has erected a 
comfortable home. Some time after the death 
of his wife he had married Lucinda Van Winkle, 
who was born in Tennessee, and who died in 
Oregon. Nine children were born of this union, 
the order of their birth being as follows : George 
W., deceased ; Rhoda, the wife of James Vaugh, 
a farmer of Halsey, Ore. ; James M., of east 
Oregon; Edward Elias, deceased; Homer J., 
of Portland ; Clarky, deceased ; Roy J. ; Uena 
J., an educator in Shaniko, Wasco county ; and 
one child, who died in infancy. The third mar- 
riage of Mr. Keeney, which occurred in 1887, 
was with Mrs. Matilda Noffsinger, who was born 
in Missouri, as was also her father, Hiram Lee, 
a native of Cape Girardeau county. Mr. Noff- 
singer farmed for many years in Missouri, and 
crossed the plains in 1863, locating near Cot- 
tage Grove, Lane county, where he bought 
land, and where he died in 1883, at the age 
of eighty-seven years. Four of his children are 
living: Martin H. ; W. N., of Montana; 
Thomas H., of Los Angeles, Cal. ; and Ida 
M., an educator of Eugene, Ore. Mr. Keeney is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
in which he is an officer, and towards the sup- 
port of which he is a liberal contributor. He is 
unquestionably the friend of education, and 
during his residence on the farm served for 
many years as school director. He has also 
served the Republican party as road supervisor 
for two years, but has never sought official 
positions or worked for other interests than 
those of his friends. He has been an interested 
spectator of the development of his section from 
a wilderness to the present agricultural and com- 
mercial prestige, and has contributed his share 
towards its larger and better growth. In the 
early days he had many experiences of a more 
or less unpleasant nature with the Indians, and 
in the war of 1848 enlisted in Company C, Fourth 
Regiment, as a private, under command of 
Captain Maxon. During this war he partici- 



1160 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pated in the battles of De Chutes river, Wells 
Springs and Two Cannon, the latter conflict 
lasting three days. He was discharged in Ore- 
gon City, and thereafter returned to his ranch. 
He also served in the Rogue river war as a 
private, and well remembers the great conflict 
known as the Battle of the Meadows. 



WILLIAM McLEOD. As his name implies, 
William McLeod is a Scotchman, with a faculty 
for making the most of every opportunity. He 
has engaged in several lines of activity since 
coming to the west and north. At present con- 
ducting a tannery business in Brownsville, he 
finds his occupation both successful and con- 
genial, possibly for the reason that he is thor- 
oughly conversant with it, and has inaugurated 
some new departures from the general line of 
tanning. He makes a specialty of saddle and 
skirting leather, and handles about one thous- 
and hides a year. Since 1894 his business has 
been located in Kirk's addition, and his com- 
modities have found a ready market in all of the 
coast towns, as well as in some of the cities of 
the east. 

For many years the McLeod family was well 
known in Invernesshire, a maritime and high- 
land county in Scotland, the largest in the king- 
dom, and extending across the island from sea 
to sea. Mountainous, rugged, and well wooded, 
it is a pastoral county, cattle, sheep, and wool 
being the principal sources of revenue. Trade 
is facilitated by the Caledonian canal, extending 
the whole length of the shire, and the farmers or 
stockmen fortunate enough to dwell within its 
boundaries as a rule are prosperous and fairly 
content. Donald McLeod, the father of Will- 
iam, was no exception, and for twenty years 
of his life he roamed over the rich lands of Inver- 
ness, buying cattle for a stockman of wealth 
and influence. He was not unmindful of oppor- 
tunities beyond the sea, however, and, leaving 
behind the associations of his ancestors, he 
came to America in 1837, locating in Ontario, 
Canada, where he engaged in farming. The 
same year, in October, his son William was 
born, and was reared to an industrious life, 
attending the common schools of the county. 
The paternal farm consisted of one hundred 
acres of land, and here the father lived and pros- 
pered, and here his death occurred in 1855, at 
the age of sixty-seven years. The mother, for- 
merly, Sybella Forbes, also born in Scotland, 
died in Canada, leaving two sons and two 
daughters, two children having died in infancy. 

Four vears after the death of his father, in 
1859, William, then nineteen years of age, came 
to California, having heard glowing reports of 
the mining chances on the coast. In Placer 



county he engaged in gold mining for a couple 
of years, and in 1861 went to the Puget Sound 
country, later still making his way to the mines 
at Orofino, Idaho. In 1862 he located on Sau- 
vie's Island, in the Columbia river, and turned 
his attention to tobacco raising, a venture not 
entirely satisfactory, for we find him in Portland 
in 1864, engaged in getting out wharf timber 
and boat material. In 1866 Mr. McLeod came 
to Brownsville and engaged in the tannery busi- 
ness with A. E. Ellis, and after a year the entire 
business was owned by him, and independently 
conducted until 1877. He then went to Golden- 
dale, Klickitat county, Wash., and farmed and 
conducted a tannery, and in the spring of 1882 
returned to Brownsville, where he re-purchased 
the tannery he owned before and conducted it 
for three years in partnership with a well known 
man of the town. In 1894 he sold out to his 
partner, and the same year built his present 
place of business, in the conduct of which he has 
so well succeeded. 

In Brownsville, Mr. McLeod married Leah 
A. Riggs, born in Missouri, and who came 
across the plains with her mother in 1864, 
shortly after the death of her father, John Riggs. 
The following children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. McLeod : Mrs. Lizzie Roberts, de- 
ceased ; Katie, deceased ; and John and Flor- 
ence, at home. Mr. McLeod is a Republican in 
political preference, and has been a member of 
the city council. He is prominent in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, is a class leader, and 
contributes generously towards the support of 
the church. He is still interested in mines and 
owns considerable stock in the Calapooia Mill 
& Mining Company. Possessing excellent busi- 
ness judgment, tact and consideration for all 
whom he employs, and possessing unswerving 
integrity, he holds an enviable position in the 
business and social world of Brownsville. 



THOMAS H. COOPER. In all save the 
accident of birth Thomas H. Cooper is a 
northwesterner, for he was just one year old 
when his family moved to Oregon, and his 
life since then has been passed within the 
boundaries of his adopted state. Born near 
St. Joseph, Mo., January 9, 1851, he is a son 
of James Cooper, who was born in Virginia, 
and who removed with his parents from Vir- 
ginia to Indiana, and from there to Missouri 
at a very early day. Here James married Sena 
A. Evans, and in the spring of 1852 left be- 
hind him the familiar surroundings and started 
across the vast expanse of plains intervening 
between Missouri and the coast, with his fam- 
ily and a large emigration train.. He had two 
yoke of oxen and two cows, and ere the jour- 




MRS. A. C. BONNEY. 



rORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1101 



nev was completed was obliged to use the 
cows for completing the journey, the oxen 
having given out under the severe strain. Ar- 
riving after six months at Oregon City, they 
spent the first winter on a farm in the vicinity, 
and for a bushel of wheat Mr. Cooper was 
obliged to work six days. In the spring of 
1853 they went as far south as Eugene, looking 
around for a desirable place to settle, and 
finally located near Sublimity, Marion county, 
for two years. In 1855 they came to Benton 
county and took up three hundred and twenty 
acres of land in Kings Valley, where the father 
erected a small cabin, and the family lived in 
it until i860. He then moved two miles west 
of Philomath, where he purchased eight hun- 
dred acres of land and engaged in dairying 
and the stock business. This property was 
disposed of in 1869, and he bought three hun- 
dred and twenty acres two and a half miles 
from Corvallis, where his death occurred No- 
vember 2.7, 1891, at the age of sixty-seven 
years and eight months. He is survived by his 
wife, who is still living on the farm, and who is 
the mother of six children, of whom Thomas 
H. is the oldest ; Nancy A. is the deceased 
wife of Morris Allen ; Francis Marion is de- 
ceased; George W. lives in Benton county; 
Mary F. is the wife of Russell Lowell, and 
lives with her mother; and Robert is deceased. 
Thomas H. Cooper was reared on the farm 
and received his education in the public 
schools. October 10. 1875, he married Mary 
L. Scott, daughter of Prior Scott, of Benton 
county, and herself a native daughter of that 
county. Soon after his marriage he settled on 
his present farm, and has been so successful 
that he has added thereto and now has four 
hundred and eighty acres. He is engaged prin- 
cipally in the dairy business, and is at pres- 
ent milking twenty-five cows, a number of 
which are Jerseys. A Republican in politics, 
he has held various important offices within 
the gift of his fellow-townsmen, and was 
elected to the legislature of 1895. Four chil- 
dren have been born to this successful couple, 
of whom Lewis E. is deceased ; Minnie E. is 
the wife of E. J. Newton, of Benton county, 
and they have one daughter, Gladys ; Fred R. is 
living at home; and George E. is also at 
home. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are members of 
the Congregational Church, and are respected 
and honored members of the community in 
which they live. 



BRADFORD S. BONNEY. A typical pio- 
neer of the very early days is Bradford S. Bon- 
ney, owner of a fine farm of four hundred and 
twenty-two acres adjoining Woodburn, upon 



which he has lived continuously since 1849. 
More than any other of whom we have immediate 
knowledge, Mr. Bonney lives close to the heart 
of nature, and his association with the early days 
of Oregon has permitted that rare and fascinat- 
ing interest in all that pertains to sportsmanship, 
for which this state has been justly famous. A 
resident of Oregon since his fifteenth year, Mr. 
Bonney was born near Sandusky, Ohio, August 
30, 1825, a son of Truman and Plena (Town- 
send) Bonney, and grandson of Geris Bonney, 
the latter of whom was a farmer in Ohio, having 
moved there from his native state of Vermont. 
The grandfather was one of the heroes of '76, 
and for seven weary years lived in tent on the 
field, fighting in all the great battles of the war 
for independence. 

Truman Bonney was born on his father's farm 
in Vermont, April 24, 1796, and as a young man 
accompanied his parents to Ohio, where he lived 
on a farm for many years. As a youth he learned 
the cooper and tanner's trades, which he followed 
at different stages of his career, in Fulton county, 
111., where he removed in 1833. His farm of two 
hundred acres was located twelve miles north of 
Lewiston, and here he prospered exceedingly. 
Notwithstanding his success, however, he became 
dissatisfied w r ith his lot and exhibited the energy 
inherited from his ancestors. He was one of the 
first in his neighborhood to think about emigrat- 
ing to the Pacific coast. In 1845 ne had perfected 
his arrangements for the momentous trip, which 
were carried through without any particular mis- 
hap. Arriving in Sacramento City. Cal., in the 
fall of 1845, h e remained until 1846. when he came 
to Oregon and took up six hundred and forty 
acres of land on French Prairie, Marion county. 
His death occurred in 1867 in Waconda, Ore. In 
early life he was a Whig, but later became a Re- 
publican, upon the organization of the party. His 
life was peculiar in some respects, for he never 
saw a railroad in his travels, being invariably 
ahead of them. He accumulated what was con- 
sidered a large property in those days, and thus 
he was able to give his large family, consisting 
of seven daughters and six sons, a comfortable 
home. Of the children reared in the pioneer 
home. Hannah, who is deceased, became the wife 
of John Sherwood ; George W. is living in Co- 
lumbia Falls, Mont. ; Mary A. is now Mrs. C. O. 
Boynton ; Bradford S. is the subject of this ar- 
ticle ; Alvia is deceased ; Sarah A. is the wife of 
E. Boynton ; Miriam is the wife of F. Hibbler. of 
Santa Rosa, Cal. ; Trumann is deceased ; Lydia, 
formerly wife of Eli C. Cooley, now wife of A. 
Wood, of Woodburn : Laura, deceased, was mar- 
ried to James Strong : Charles R. is a resident of 
Portland ; Wisewell is deceased ; and Reuben, 



52 



1162 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



born in Oregon, is now in the saddle and harness 
business in Portland, Ore. 

As may be imagined, at that early day Mr. 
Bonney had but limited educational advantages 
in Illinois. After coming to California and Ore- 
gon he was too busy framing his future to spend 
much time attending school. His present broad, 
general information is therefore all the more 
creditable, for it suggests a practical application 
in later years. The farm upon which he now 
lives was in its natural state with one-third heav- 
ily timbered in '49, but at present he has about 
three hundred acres under cultivation. In the 
early days as now his chief diversion was hunt- 
ing and fishing, and many interesting stories he 
can tell of the time when game could be sighted 
from his cabin door, and when one always had a 
gun at hand. His record included ten deer in a 
day, when game was most plentiful. He killed 
eleven elk during his lifetime. Bear abounded in 
the region, and many were the skins which he 
brought in from a chase. At the present time his 
admiration for nature and her chances is as keen 
as ever, and he takes frequent trips to the moun- 
tains and rivers, coming back invariably well 
laden and well content. So earnest has been Mr. 
Bonney in cultivating his land that he has had 
little time for politics, especially as he is inde- 
pendent, and in voting is guided solely by the 
personal qualifications of applicants. He is a 
member and elder in the Christian Church, and 
has been active in promoting the spiritual welfare 
of that organization. 

The first wife of Mr. Bonney, to whom he was 
married in 1848, was Alzina C. Dimick, a native 
also of Ohio, born April 2, 1832, and whose 
father, A. P. Dimick, was born in the state of 
Vermont. From Ohio Mr. Dimick went to Boone 
county, 111., where he resided for about twelve 
years, then came to Oregon in 1847, crossing the 
plains with ox teams, and locating on a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres, where he 
died at the age of seventy-eight years. He was 
quite a politician, and a stanch Republican, filling 
the office of justice of the peace for the greater 
part of his life. Ten children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Bonney, four sons and five daughters 
being alive at the present time. Of these, Augus- 
tus A. is living in Hood River, eastern Oregon ; 
George F. is a farmer, three miles east of Wood- 
burn ; Sarah Ellen is the wife of B. F. Hall, of 
Salem, Ore. ; Carrie M. is now Mrs. Young, of 
Woodburn ; Charles T. lives in Woodburn ; John 
Milton Wisewell also lives there ; Esther P. is the 
wife of Elmer Hall, of Buena Vista; Laura is 
the wife of Allen Shaw, of Woodburn ; and Ina 
D., the youngest daughter, also lives in Wood- 
burn. After living together forty-nine years the 
wife and mother died April 2, 1897. The second 
marriage of Mr. Bonney was solemnized in 



Woodburn December 4, 1898, with Mrs. Agnes 
Fisher, who was born in Cable county, W. Va., 
and whose father, Capt. James Flanagan Fisher, 
was born in Clarksburg, W. Va. Captain Fisher 
was eight years captain on the Ohio river boats 
between Pittsburg and New Orleans, and he was 
afterward pilot for the same length of time. Be- 
cause of contagious disease he was taken to the 
pest house in Louisville, where, in a fit of de- 
lirium, occasioned by high fever, he jumped out 
of the window and killed himself. Mrs. Fisher 
had five children by her former husband, of 
whom all are living. In spite of advancing age 
Mr. Bonney retains to a remarkable degree his 
interest in the things around him, and his facul- 
ties are not perceptibly impaired. His life has 
been cast in honorable and industrious mold, and 
his efforts have redounded to the credit of his 
adopted state. Mr. Bonney has thirty-nine grand- 
children and five great-grandchildren. 



JOHN W. BLAND. When five years of age 
John W. Bland became a resident of Oregon, 
being brought here at that age by his parents, 
Moses and Martha (Needham) Bland, who were 
pioneers in 185 1. For a more complete record 
of their lives refer to the sketch of George H. 
Bland, which appears upon another page of this 
work. John W. Bland was born May 4, 1846, 
in Bartholomew county, Ind., but was reared 
upon his father's donation claim in Linn county, 
Ore., remaining upon this farm near Lebanon 
until he had attained manhood, learning many 
practical lessons in agriculture under the direc- 
tion of his father. He also learned the carpen- 
ter trade, and early began to work at this, which 
he continued at intervals for many years. He 
finally located upon the farm where he now lives, 
near Lebanon, upon the Sodaville road, the 
dwelling being about three-quarters of a mile 
from the city. There are one hundred and ninety 
acres in the place, upon which he is engaged in 
carrying on general farming, stock-raising and 
dairying, in all of which he has been successful. 

September 28, 1865, before he was twenty 
years old, Mr. Bland was united in marriage with 
Elizabeth J. Powell, and the children born to 
them are as follows : Lillie, deceased, who mar- 
ried first Dexter Harris and afterward Charles 
Blodgett; Mareda P., who married Miss Laura 
Cornett, and who lives in Linn county; Wesley, 
also a resident of Linn county ; Saloma, the wife 
of Homer Osbourne, of Linn county; Carrie 
the wife of William Calkins ; Lucy, who died 
in Linn county ; Charles and Mae, at home. In 
his political relations Mr. Bland affiliates with 
the Republican party, and, like his father, is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church: 
Fraternally, he is a member of Lebanon Lodge, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1163 



No. 4/, I. O. O. F., having belonged to this 
order for twenty-four years. Mr. Bland has 
always been interested in all public movements, 
ami especially along educational lines, in the in- 
terest of the latter acting as a member of the 
school board and trustee of the Santiam Acad- 
emy, which position he held for several years. 



THOMAS JEFFERSON MUNKERS. A 
worthy representative of a family of Oregon 
pioneers is found in Thomas Jefferson Munkers, 
a native son of the great northwest, in which he 
has proven himself so important a factor, through 
the display of business sagacity and quick de- 
cision taking a position of prominence in the 
affairs of Scio, Linn county. He, with others, 
established in 1892, a banking business in this 
city, and as the holder of considerable stock he 
became the president of the institution, and re- 
mained so for three years. In 1895 he sold his 
interest in the business, but in 1902 he bought it 
back, then converting the bank into a private in- 
stitution, which is now known as the bank of T. 
J. Munkers & Co., with individual resources to 
the amount of $50,000. 

The records of the ancestry of the Munkers 
family have been preserved for many years, the 
grandfather, Benjamin, having been born in 
Georgia, September 17, 1799, and was reared 
in the state of Tennessee, where he became a 
farmer. In 1814 he removed to Jackson county, 
Mo., and from that state he crossed the plains 
with ox-teams in 1846, via the Piatt river. Five 
months from the beginning witnessed the end of 
the journey and Mr. Munkers then took up a 
donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, 
upon which he remained until 1871, when he. 
came to his son's home, near Scio, where his 
death occurred at the age of eighty-five years. 
He was an old school Baptist, and politically was 
a Democrat. As a man who had met with suc- 
cess throughout the course of a long life Mr. 
Munkers was firmly fixed in his ideas and convic- 
tions, believing in no half-way measures in one's 
plans or beliefs. His son, Preston, the father 
of our Mr. Munkers, was born in Jackson county, 
Mo., November 28, 1820, and came with his 
father to Oregon and located on a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres adjoining 
Scio on the north, and lived there until his death, 
at the age of sixty-nine years and eleven months. 
Inheriting a progressive spirit he became the 
owner of eight hundred acres of land, having met 
with the same success which had characterized 
the efforts of his father. With a religious and 
thoughtful temperament, heightened by a physical 
frame where weakness had early set its seal, 
Mr. Munkers combined an earnest and helpful 



spirit which was manifested in many acts of pub- 
lic kindness, and the fulfillment of the duties of 
a citizen. His death was a loss to the com- 
munity. He married Nancy Jane Crank, a na- 
tive of Missouri, having been born there July 
18, 1830, and dying here April 25, 1858, when 
only twenty-eight years old. She was the mother 
of three sons and two daughters, of whom Mary 
Susan was born April 15, 1847, an d died April 
21, 1866; Amanda Melvina was born December 
16, 1849, ar, d died August 18, 1866; John Riley 
was born April 28, 185 1, and died May 7, of the 
same year ; William Madison was born March 
24, 1853, and died December 9, 187 1, in Cali- 
fornia ; the youngest of the children being 
Thomas Jefferson, of this review. 

Thomas Jefferson Munkers was born on his 
father's claim, one-half mile north of Scio, Linn 
county, Ore., July 24, 1855, and was there reared 
to manhood. He attended the common school in 
the vicinity of his home, but the means for acquir- 
ing knowledge in those early times being neces- 
sarily limited, he has since acquired his wide 
fund of information through intelligent contact 
with the world, and through the medium of well 
directed lines of reading. When seventeen years 
of age he engaged in farming upon twenty-five 
acres of land, which he rented. On account of 
ill health he went to western Oregon in 1873, 
and passed much of the time in hunting until 
his return home in the following year. At that 
period he took charge of his father's farm, and 
has since conducted it, now owning eight hun- 
dred and five acres, devoted entirely to stock- 
raising, cattle and sheep forming the greater 
part of the stock. In addition to his banking 
interests he is manager of this large and produc- 
tive farm. 

In Washington county. Ore., Mr. Munkers 
was married to Miss Louise O. McNamer, who 
was born near Forest Grove, Washington county. 
She is now the mother of four daughters, namely : 
Sylvia J. ; Winnifred A. ; Inez C. ; and Opal L., 
all of whom are at home. As a Democrat, inter- 
ested in the progress of his city and community, 
Mr. Munkers has often been called upon to serve 
in various public offices, among these being that 
of mayor, which he has ably filled for three 
years. He is a member of the county central 
committee, and almost every year acts as dele- 
gate to the county convention. He was at one 
time nominated for county commissioner, but 
on account of his many absorbing duties he re- 
fused to accept. For two terms he served as 
road supervisor, and as school director for more 
than ten years. In 1900 Mr. Munkers donated 
the land which is now occupied by the flax mill 
of this city. Fraternally Mr. Munkers has passed 
all the chairs of the Blue Lodge of Masons, and 
has also passed all the chairs of the Knights of 



1164 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Pythias. In religion he follows in the steps of 
his ancestors, being a member of the Missionary 
Baptist Church, in which he officiates as trustee. 



JUSTUS E. HAMMOND. The substantial 
and well-to-do citizens of Silverton are well rep- 
resented by Mr. Hammond, who holds an as- 
sured position in business, social and political 
circles, and at the present time is' faithfully 
serving as recorder of the city of Silverton. He 
is a man of excellent ability and sound judgment, 
and the architect of his own fortunes in the high- 
est sense implied by the term, gaining success 
in life by his own exertions. 

In old colonial days two brothers surnamed 
Hammond migrated from their Massachusetts 
home to the British provinces, locating in Nova 
Scotia, one of them being the great-grandfather 
of Justus E. Hammond, on the paternal side. 
In Nova Scotia, in the town of Cornwallis, lived 
three brothers, Judah, Simon and Lothrop 
Hammond, the latter being Mr. Hammond's 
grandfather, who was born in the year 1765. He 
was a man of deep religious convictions, a min- 
ister of the Baptist denomination, and died in 
1849, in the town of Andover, New Brunswick, 
preaching to his little flock from the pulpit of 
his church in the morning and dying in the 
afternoon of that day. George Franklin Ham- 
mond, father of Justus E., was born at Kings- 
clear, New Brunswick, June 2, 1821. In early 
life he settled in Andover, New Brunswick, 
where he was engaged in farming and black- 
smithing until his death, in 1879, at a compara- 
tively early age. He married Joanna Wright, 
who was born in New Brunswick, a daughter of 
Deacon Justus Earl Wright, a successful lumber- 
man and farmer, and a deacon of the Baptist 
Church. Seven children blessed their union, two 
sons and five daughters. 

Justus E. Hammond, the third child of his pa- 
rents, was born February 16, 1849, m Andover, 
Victoria county, New Brunswick. He spent his 
early life on the parental homestead, becoming 
familiar with the various branches of agriculture 
and obtaining the rudiments of his education in 
the district school. At the age of nineteen years 
he began the battle of life on his own account, 
going westward to Maine, where he was em- 
ployed in the lumber camps for awhile. Proceed- 
ing still farther westward in 1871, he located 
in Benona, Mich., accepting a position as head 
sawyer in a lumber mill, of which he was after- 
ward the manager. Returning to New Bruns- 
wick in 1876, he visited his friends there for a 
month, then crossed the continent to Washing- 
ton, settling near the Sound. Not particularly 
pleased with the country, however, Mr. Ham- 
mond came from there to Oregon the following 



spring, 1877, and became a resident of Silver- 
ton, August 1, of that year, where he has since 
remained. During the first few ensuing years 
he worked at various employments, including 
dairy ranching. In 1888 he bought a drug store 
which he managed with excellent success for 
twelve years, when, on account of impaired 
health, he sold out that business, and has since 
lived retired from active pursuits until accepting 
the office of city recorder. During his business 
career he found time to take up the study of 
law, which he has continued to the present time. 
On August 27, 1890, Mr. Hammond mar- 
ried, in Silverton, Josephine Bodimer, who was 
born in 1866, in Baden, Germany, but came to 
this country with her parents when about a year 
old. She died January 9, 1902, leaving three 
children, namely: Anna, Josephine and Brock. 
Mr. Hammond is a member of Silverton Lodge 
No. 45, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 
and is an earnest supporter of the principles of 
the Republican party, although he takes no con- 
spicuous part in politics. A man of sterling 
integrity, he enjoys in a high degree the respect 
and esteem of his fellow-citizens. 



JOHN D. ARTHURS. From 1865 until 1879 
the blacksmith shop of the Arthurs Brothers was 
one of the chief centers of activity in Browns- 
ville, Ore. All things considered, as much trade 
came to them as fell to the lot of any other 
business in the town, its rise from a very small 
business being steady and substantial, and based 
upon the excellent work which was done, thus 
not only maintaining its earlier but adding to 
its more recent patronage. A stroke of paralysis 
in 1901 practically ended the business career of 
the senior partner, John D. Arthurs, although he 
had ostensibly retired from active participation 
in its affairs in 1897, intending to devote his re- 
maining years to his immediate home circle. 

Not the least encouraging item of interest in 
the life of Mr. Arthurs is the fact that he arrived 
in Oregon with the small sum of twenty-five 
cents, with which to begin his business career. 
He had crossed the plains with ox-teams in 1863, 
taking four months and a half to encompass the 
same distance which he thirty-three years later 
traveled over in three and a half days, sur- 
rounded by every luxury known to modern trans- 
portation. He had dreamed of a fortune easily 
made in the mines of California, but this dream 
seems not to have been realized, for he soon 
after found employment in Stockton and then 
in Visalia, Cal., coming from the latter town to 
Jacksonville, Ore. Through a friend of his 
brother, Jerry Martin, he succeeded in finding 
help, and after six weeks set off for Brownsville, 
a distance of more than two hundred miles, ac- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1165 



complishing the distance in six days and a half, 
in 1865 he started the blacksmith shop with 
his brother, both men being experts in their line. 

Mr. Arthurs became known for his unswerving 
integrity, and for the courtesy and consideration 
which entered into all of his business relations. 
Many years before his retirement from business 
he had won the sincere esteem of the entire 
community, and his retirement, and subsequent 
severe illness, have called forth many expressions 
of regret and good will. 

A southerner by birth and early training, Mr. 
Arthurs was born near Murfreesboro, Tenn., 
December 10, 1841, and comes of English pa- 
ternal and Irish maternal ancestry. His paternal 
great-grandfather came from England and set- 
tled in North Carolina, where his father, Joseph, 
was born, and whence he removed at the age of 
fifteen to near Nashville, Tenn. He married near 
Murfreesboro, Sarah Bingham, who was born 
in Tennessee, and died at the age of forty-five 
years, after rearing five sons and four daughters, 
of whom John D. was the third child. The ma- 
ternal great-grandfather, Bingham, came from 
Ireland at an early day, presumably settling in 
Tennessee, where William, the maternal grand- 
father, was born, reared, and where he married 
and died. Joseph Arthurs served in the Seminole 
war under General Marion, and he removed to 
Missouri in 1842, remaining there until enlist- 
ing in the "last-call" regiment in Missouri in 
1864. His Civil war experience though brief, 
was nevertheless fatal, for he contracted small- 
pox during the service, and died in an isolation 
hospital far from friends or family, in March, 
1864. 

After locating in Brownsville, Ore., Mr. Ar- 
thurs married Sarah Williams, who was born in 
Rock Island, 111., June 15, 1844, and who is the 
daughter of C. A. Williams, one of the pioneers 
of 1845. Mr. Williams was born in New York 
state, but became a very early settler of the farm- 
ing district around Kalamazoo, Mich., whence 
he removed to near Rock Island, 111. Here he 
became interested in the tales which reached 
him from the far west, and in 1845 disposed of 
his interests and with his family crossed the plains 
to Amity, Yamhill county, Ore. Here he took 
up a donation claim which proved unsatisfactory, 
and which he sold in 1846 and took up a claim 
of a section on the Luckiamute river. To him 
is given the credit of starting the first sawmill 
on the Luckiamute, and of improving practically 
the first claim. In 1850 he removed to near 
Wells Station, Benton county, and in i860 traded 
his land for a farm consisting of a section lo- 
cated west of Brownsville, Linn county, where 
his land for a farm consisting of a section lo- 
complished much good in his life, and lived to 
be seventy-one years, seven months and fifteen 



days old. His wife, formerly Mary Barber, was 
born in Pennsylvania, and died after the removal 
of the family to Brownsville. Mr. Arthurs was 
variously identified with affairs in Brownsville, 
and in the earlier days held several local offies, 
including that of councilman for two terms and 
school director for several years. He was a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and the Rebekahs, and his genial manner 
ever made him a welcome visitor at these lodges. 
Mr. Arthurs had a pleasant home in Browns- 
ville, and his years of industry resulted in the 
acquisition of a liberal competence. He died 
at his home April 5, 1903, and was laid to rest 
in the Odd Fellows cemetery, mourned by a large 
circle of friends and missed by those who knew 
him best. The Odd Fellows lodge performed 
the last sad rite over the remains of their brother. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Arthurs were born two chil- 
dren : lone W., the wife of James M. Smith, of 
Little Rock, Wash*; and Warren C, of Browns- 
ville. 



GEORGE H. BLAND. A well located and 
substantially established farmer in the neighbor- 
hood of Lebanon, Linn county, Ore., is George 
H. Bland, who is intelligently engaged in the 
cultivation of his farm of one hundred and 
eighty-five acres. Mr. Bland is the son of Moses 
and Martha Bland, pioneers of 185 1. The for- 
mer left his home in Jennings county, Ind., to 
which state he had removed in a comparatively 
early day, and started across the plains in Feb- 
ruary, 185 1, with five yoke of oxen, one cow and 
a mare, the stock with which to furnish the 
bountiful acres which were promised him be- 
yond the Rockies. In September, 185 1, he ar- 
rived safely with his family in Linn county, in 
which section he remained until his death in 
September, 1873, at the age of fifty-four years. 
He first located on a donation claim of three 
hundred and five acres one and a half miles west 
of Lebanon, but later sold this and removed to 
another farm near Lebanon, where he spent the 
remainder of his days. Besides the effort which 
Mr. Bland made to advance the interests of his 
family, he took great interest in the church work 
of the community, being an active worker in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife was for- 
merly Miss Martha Needham, and of this union 
three children were born, namely : George H., 
of this review, born in Bartholomew county, 
Ind., November 9, 1840; Samantha, the wife of 
A. J. Powell, of Lebanon ; and John W., located 
near this city. The mother died in July, 1895, 
aged eighty-seven years. 

George H. Bland was eleven years old when 
the journey was made into the west, and it was 
in the common schools of Oregon that the 



1166 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



greater part of his education was received. Upon 
attaining manhood he entered heartily into the 
work of farming. He has been married twice, 
his first wife being Barbara A. Leedy, the cere- 
mony performed in May, 1862. One child was 
born of this union, William A., now located in 
Colorado. Mrs. Bland died in December, 1864, 
and in January, 1866, Mr. Bland married Clara 
M. Powell, and the four children born to them 
are : Matilda O., who is the wife of John Miler ; 
Minnie L., the wife of Marion Needham; Sa- 
mantha R., the wife of D. W. Lawrence ; and 
Clara P., at home. Mrs. Bland died in April, 
1897. Like his father, Mr. Bland is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
which he has served as a class leader for many 
years. Interested in all public and educational 
movements, he has served on the school board 
in his vicinity. Fraternally Mr. Bland is promi- 
nent among the Odd Fellows, being a mem- 
ber of Lebanon Lodge No. 47, which he has rep- 
resented in the Grand Lodge at several differ- 
ent times. 



SAMUEL HENRY HORTON. The lessons 
which one gleans from the life of Samuel Henry 
Horton are forceful and practical ones, and are 
entirely destitute of the glamour which surrounds 
the success of many men in the northwest. Noth- 
ing but a hard hand-to-hand struggle with a not 
over-indulgent fate has brought him where he is, 
a representative of the brain and brawn and un- 
tiring perseverance of the working noblemen of 
the coast. To-day his sons are among the promi- 
nent lumber merchants of Lane county, and he, 
himself, is living in comfort in Corvallis, after 
many years' association with crude, pioneer and 
developing forces in the middle north and north- 
western sections of the country. 

It is supposed that the emigrating Horton an- 
cestor settled in New Jersey, at least the paternal 
grandfather, Samuel H., a blacksmith by trade, 
was born there in Sussex county, and in time re- 
moved with his family to the vicinity of London, 
Ontario, Canada. His two brothers, Ezra and 
John, remained in New Jersey. With Samuel H. 
to Canada went his son, Peter, the father of 
Samuel Henry, who also was born in Sussex 
county, and who in time learned the blacksmith 
trade in the little shop on the paternal farm, 
twenty miles south of London. Peter married 
Elizabeth Ramsey, a native of Canada, and 
whose grandfather, Henry, was a farmer and 
large land-owner in Ontario. In the little home 
near the blacksmith shop Samuel Henry was 
born April 5, 1834, the sixth of the three sons 
and five daughters in his father's family, and of 
whom two sons and one daughter are living. Of 
the sons who served their country in the Civil 



war, Thomas E. D. served in the Ninth Minne- 
sota Volunteer Infantry and died in Eastport, 
Miss. ; Peter Horton removed to the states in 
1846, when his son Samuel was twelve years old, 
settling six miles from Rockford, Winnebago 
county, 111., where he began to vote at the end of 
the first year, and where he died at an advanced 
age. 

What schooling Samuel Henry Horton re- 
ceived up to his twelfth year was gained in the 
seclusion of his home on the Canadian farm, for 
the district as yet boasted of no means of edu- 
cating its youth. He was strong of limb and 
stout of heart when the family pulled up stakes in 
Canada and started out with ox-teams for Illi- 
nois, and after arriving in the wilderness of Win- 
nebago county it was well that he had a rugged 
constitution, t It befell him to assist in breaking 
the hard and unyielding Illinois prairie, which 
he accomplished with eight yoke of oxen, and 
after many weary hours of toil with his father 
and brothers. At the age of eighteen he began 
to hire out to the surrounding farmers, and 
about this time became interested in a threshing 
venture, which he conducted for some years. 
Threshing, as then conducted, was decidedly 
primitive, horses being the motive power. 
Threshing must have proved rather profitable, 
however, for February 20, 1854, he married, in 
Rockford, 111., Agnes C. Fertile, a native of St. 
Lawrence, Ont, and daughter of Louis Fertile, 
a native of Paris, France. Mr. Fertile was a 
ship carpenter by trade, and was orphaned in 
early life, being compelled to earn his living when 
very young. After coming to the United States 
he served in the war of 1812, and subsequently 
lived in Oswego and Rockford, 111., where he 
died at an advanced age. He married Julia De- 
rosha, born in Ontario, and daughter of Stephen 
Derosha, of French descent. Of this union there 
were born fourteen children, ten daughters and 
four sons, of whom two daughters and one son 
are deceased. Three of the sons served in the 
Civil war, and of these Louis C. became a ser- 
geant in the Ninth Minnesota Infantry; William 
was a soldier in the Third Minnesota, and 
Charles died from freezing, in the campaign 
against the Kola Indians. The year after his 
marriage, in 1855, Mr. Horton removed to Roch- 
ester, Minn., where he entered one hundred and 
sixty acres of land, which he improved, and 
where he managed to make a fair living. He be- 
came well known in his community, and was 
prospering beyond his expectations, when the 
breaking out of the Civil war turned men's 
thoughts from occupations, however peaceful, 
into channels of carnage and destruction. 

In 1862 Mr. Horton enlisted as a private in 
Company F, Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infan- 
try, and was mustered in at Fort Snelling. The 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1167 



first fifteen months he was engaged in the Indian 
campaign along the frontier, and was then sent 
south to Missouri, remaining there during 
1863-4. He next participated in the Sturgis 
raid, as duty sergeant, and was detailed to act as 
quartermaster sergeant. Everything was cap- 
tured by the enemy but a mule which Mr. Hor- 
ton managed to save, and three men who made 
their escape owing to his assistance, among 
whom was Captain M. J. Daniels, of Riverside, 
Cal. Retreating to Memphis, Tenn., he partici- 
pated in the battle of Tupelo, Miss., and in va- 
rious skirmishes in different parts of that state, 
and afterward went after Price in Missouri. 
Getting back to St. Louis, the regiment was sent 
to Nashville, Tenn., and in time participated in 
the famous battle of that town. Owing to wounds 
received in the right arm, right side and through 
the back, Mr. Horton was laid up in the hospital 
until June 13, 1865, when he returned home, 
after being mustered out in Louisville, Ky. 

After the war Mr. Horton engaged in the ice 
business in Rochester, Minn., for four years, and 
in this town was born his oldest son, Henry 
L.. the first white child born in that vicinity, 
and who is now forty-eight years old. In the 
meantime he had become interested in surveying, 
and as an expert in his line was selected to go to 
North Dakota to locate a colony, which he suc- 
ceeded in doing in the northwestern part of the 
state. Pleased with the locality, he moved there 
himself, and soon after discovered coal on the 
Cheyenne, which he proceeded to develop until 
he had spent about all of his money in that way. 
Thereafter he turned his attention to freighting 
for the government, from Breckenridge, but soon 
returned to Minneapolis in the hope of retrieving 
his depleted finances. For three years he en- 
gaged in pickling tripe and pigs' feet, and, in 
1875, came to Oregon, locating in Harrisburg, 
Linn county, where he engaged in the butchering 
business for three years. In 1879 he came to 
Benton county, and settled on a farm six miles 
west of Monroe, where he built a water saw-mill 
on Napoleon creek. This crude mill proved the 
foundation of the large lumbering business in 
which his sons are now engaged, and in which 
Mr. Horton himself made a small fortune. The 
primitive mill was later transformed into a mod- 
ern steam mill with a capacity of ten thousand 
feet of lumber per day. As success came to him 
he added to his land, and in time had a farm of 
one hundred and twenty acres, one of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres, and one of eighty acres, 
making in all three hundred and sixty acres. He 
finally sold his saw-mills and lumber business to 
his sons, but up to this day retains possession of 
his ranch, which is rented to responsible parties. 

In September, 1902, Mr. Horton moved into 
Corvallis, where he intends spending the balance 



of his life. Although advanced in years, and 
after accomplishing more hard work than falls to 
the lot of the average or even exceptionally busy 
man, he is still hale and hearty, and the personi- 
fication of western enterprise. He is an expert 
mason and carpenter, and during his residence in 
Benton county has built some of the finest and 
largest bridges in the county. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and though devoted to the best 
interests of his party, has never been officially 
connected therewith. Fraternally, he is identi- 
fied with the Masons, and with the Ellsworth 
Post, G. A. R., of Corvallis. Of the four sons 
and five daughters born to this honored pioneer 
and his wife, Henry L. is a farmer and en- 
gineer in Benton county; Everett Jerome is a 
lumber merchant in this county; Belle is now 
Mrs. Enbody of Spokane, Wash.; Julia is now 
Mrs. Robson, of Walla Walla; Agnes is Mrs. 
Kelly, of Spokane, Wash. ; Samuel is a lumber 
manufacturer of Benton county; Adelaide E. is 
Mrs. Conrad Gerhard; John is a lumber mer- 
chant, of this county, and Alice is Mrs. Hauck, of 
Gold Hill, Ore. Everett, Samuel and John com- 
prise the firm of Horton Brothers Lumber Com- 
pany, large lumber manufacturers, with mills 
sixteen miles west of Monroe Junction. 



ELIJAH SKIPTON. The venerable and at 
the same time successful farmers of Benton 
county include Elijah Skipton, whose hand has 
not lost its cunning, or whose judgment has not 
been impaired by long usage. Since coming to 
Oregon, first in 1853, many acres of land have 
been tilled by him, and many harvests gathered 
into his commodious barns, there to await their 
utilization as food for man or beast. Even at 
the present time were Mr. Skipton unable to 
make his living as a farmer he could turn his at- 
tention to coopering with reasonable assurance 
of success, for he learned this trade in Iowa. He 
was born November 17, 1831, in Monroe county, 
Ohio. From the age of seventeen "he has looked 
out for himself, and nothing of any practical 
value has come to him that has not been earned 
by his own industry. A fair common school edu- 
cation was acquired during the winter months of 
his childhood, but it may be said that he has 
learned far more from practical experience and 
keen observation than he ever did from books. 

In 1851 Mr. Skipton removed to Iowa, and, in 
1853, crossed the plains in an ox-train, being six 
months on the way. After six months of inves- 
tigation in Oregon he went to California, and for 
three years mined and prospected with varying 
success. Returning to Iowa in 1856 he married 
Mary Marshall, a native of Ohio, and thereafter 
farmed for six years, or until returning to Ore- 
gon, in 1865. This time he thought to improve 



1168 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



upon his former traveling equipment, and chose 
horses and mules rather than oxen, a change 
which soon demonstrated its advisability. As be- 
fore, he got through without any serious mishap, 
and the first winter in Oregon stopped near 
Philomath, the following spring purchasing one 
hundred and seventy acres of the James Chism 
donation claim, two miles south of Philomath. 
From time to time he added to his land, for he 
was successful in his adopted state, and at one 
time owned six hundred acres. This large prop- 
erty has been divided among his children, and at 
present he owns but one hundred and ninety-one 
acres. He has twenty acres in a prune orchard, 
but otherwise his farm is devoted to general 
farming and stock-raising. A fair sized two- 
story frame dwelling makes a comfortable home 
for his family, and his barns and outbuildings, 
agricultural implements and fences bespeak the 
careful, progressive and painstaking agri- 
culturist. 

A stanch advocate of Democracy, Mr. Skipton 
has been prominently before the public as an 
office-holder, having held many positions of trust 
and responsibility in his county. For two years 
he served as county commissioner, for nine years 
as county assessor.' Seven children have been 
born to himself and wife, of whom Isabelle is the 
wife of Professor Horner, of Corvallis ; Rufus is 
farming in this vicinity; Frank is a resident of 
Albany ; Otis lives near this place ; Virtue is de- 
ceased, as is also Columbia and Archie. Mr. 
Skipton has made the most of his opportunities 
in this northwestern country, and while doing so 
has won the respect and good will of a host of 
friends and associates. 



SCHULTZ BROTHERS. No two men 
living in Albany today are more closely con- 
nected with its substantial growth than the 
Schultz Brothers, owners and managers of one 
of the best meat markets and packing concerns 
this side of Portland in the Willamette valley. 
In the make-up of these two men are the social 
and economic traits which render the firm so 
admirable an adjunct to any community, and 
whose conservatism and practicability temper 
the enthusiasm of less cautious men. However, 
inheritance rather than birth is responsible for 
the characteristics noted in the present instance, 
for both the brothers owe patriotic allegiance 
to this country, Pennsylvania being their 
native state. 

Herman R. Schultz, the senior member of the 
firm, was born in Pittston, Luzerne county, Pa., 
November 4, 1859, his father, Rudolph, having 
settled there when he came to America in 185 1. 
Rudolph Schultz was born on his father's estate 
(Middle Gulmkau) county of Dantzic, West 



Prussia, Germany, and came to the United States 
at the age of twenty, equipped with a college 
education and considerable knowledge of busi- 
ness. With his brother-in-law, Mr. Stunner, he 
engaged in a grocery and meat market business 
at Pittston, Pa. About 1878 Mr. Schultz re- 
moved to Beverly, W. Va., and engaged in the 
hotel business, afterward taking up his resi- 
dence in Omaha, Neb., where he again engaged 
in the meat business, then removed to Al- 
bany, Ore., in 1889 and went into the real 
estate business. He is now living retired in 
Albany, and having been born May 30, 1831, is 
past seventy years of age. He is a Republican 
in politics and is fraternally an Odd Fellow. 
His wife, Annetta (Himmen) Schultz, came with 
her father from Germany and located in Pitts- 
ton, where her father died. Mrs. Schultz died 
in March, 1902, in Albany, Ore. The second of 
the five children in his father's family, Herman 
R. has a sister living in Albany, while his 
brother William is engaged in the meat business 
in Woodburn ; his sister, Louise, is now Mrs. 
Goff of West Virginia ; and his brother Freder- 
ick is his partner in business. From boyhood 
up Herman worked at the butcher's trade and 
at the age of eighteen moved with his father to 
West Virginia and worked in the hotel for four 
years. At the age of twenty-two he went to 
Fort Worth, Tex., but not liking it there came 
west to Omaha in 1884, and ran a meat market 
until 1889. He then came to Albany, Ore., and 
became interested in the real estate business, and 
among other accomplishments connected there- 
with laid out the Schultz addition, covering ten 
acres. In 1891 he became identified with his 
brother Frederick in their present meat market 
and packing business, bought this market, and 
has enlarged and improved it, introducing modern 
machinery for grinding and preparing meats. 
The firm has its slaughter house west of the 
town, and pack bacon and ham, selling at 
wholesale as well as retail, and it fortunately 
has at its head two men who thoroughly under- 
stand their business, and are conscientious and 
fair in dealing with their constantly increasing 
trade. 

The extent of Mr. Schultz's responsibili- 
ties is by no means confined to his meat 
business, for there is scarcely an advance made 
in the general upbuilding of the town in which 
he is not in some way connected. His success 
has enabled him also to proceed independently, 
as evinced by his building the Albany Opera 
House in 1902. This place of entertainment 
would do credit to much larger and older com- 
munities, and by experts is pronounced the 
finest in the valley outside of Portland. The 
building is 50x100 feet, ground dimensions, and 
has a seating capacity of eight hundred. Mod- 







G t /^ / Ol^€iA<^^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1169 



ern in construction and suitable in every way 
to the purpose for which it was intended the 
stage is of such size that almost anything out- 
siile oi grand opera can be produced properly. 
Mr. Schultz is otherwise a property owner in 
Albany, and a part of his property has been 
made through the transference of town and city 
lands. He is fraternally popular, and is con- 
nected with the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men and the Woodmen of the World. He mar- 
ried in Omaha. Neb., Belle Daniels, who was 
born in West Virginia, and who is the mother of 
three children, Irvin, Mabel and Xeta. 

Frederick Schultz, junior partner in the firm 
of Schultz Brothers, was born in Pittston, Lu- 
zerne county, Pa.. April 2, 1866, and with his 
father afterward removed to West Virginia and 
Omaha, in both of which towns he was inter- 
ested in business with his father and brother. 
Like his brother partner, he early learned the 
butcher's trade, and for years profited by the 
business sagacity and ability of his capable and 
very successful father. In 1889 Mr. Schultz 
came to Albany and engaged in the meat busi- 
ness with his brother, William, the latter of 
whom sold his interest to Herman Schultz in 
1891. since which Frederick and Herman have 
amicably and very successfully conducted their 
affairs. 

In Albany Mr. Schultz married Lucy Gann, 
who was born in Illinois, and of which union 
there have been born four children : Earl, Louis, 
Anna and Helen, the last two being twins. Like 
his brother, Mr. Schultz is a Republican, and is 
fraternally associated with the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen and Woodmen of the 
World. A shrewd and practical business man, 
and a genial and large hearted companion, Mr. 
Schultz has many friends in Albany who pre- 
dict a career of unusual financial success. 



ERHARD WOLFARD. One of the most 
venerable and honored of the retired citizens of 
Silverton is E. Wolfard. formerly an extensive 
agriculturist of Marion county, and actively 
identified with its most substantial upbuilding. 
Mr. Wolfard was born in Alsace, December 22, 
18 18, and was just ten years of age when his 
parents came to the United States. His father 
followed the art of weaving for many years in 
France, but after coming to America engaged 
exclusively in farming. The family were sixty- 
four days on the water, the sailing vessel meeting 
with many storms and delaying calms. They 
settled in Stark county, Ohio, near Canton, and 
there lived between the years of 1828 and 183^. 
Their next home was in Scioto county, Ohio, 
where the mother died in 1835, anf l the father 
married a second time. He died at the age of 
sixty-eight years. 



From the public schools E. Wolfard stepped 
into a carpenter's apprenticeship, and at the same 
time learned to be a blacksmith. These combined 
trades he followed for many years in Ohio, in 
which state, September 14, 1839, he married 
Aramatha Shope, a native of Ohio, and with 
whom he continued to live in Scioto county until 
1853. He then outfitted and started across the 
plains with ox-teams, being six months on the 
way, and having a fairly pleasant journey. The 
Indians were not particularly troublesome, nor 
were the ranks of the little party disturbed by 
cholera or other serious illness. The family set- 
tled about five miles south of Silverton, where 
Mr. Wolfard bought a squatter's right, which he 
afterward proved up, and upon which he insti- 
tuted many fine improvements. On his farm he 
had a little blacksmith and wagon shop, which he 
conducted for many years with fair success until 
moving into Silverton in 1887. For a short time 
in this town, he engaged in a mercantile business 
with his son, John, and then bought the ten acres 
of land comprising his present home, just outside 
the corporation of Silverton. He erected on his 
land a modern and comfortable dwelling and 
other buildings, and is pleasantly located and 
apparently enjoying the evening of a useful 
and worthy life. He still owns three hundred and 
sixteen acres of his original claim, which nets 
him a handsome income each year. 

In politics Mr. Wolfard is a Republican, and 
has served as a school director for manv years. 
Since 1849 he has been identified with the 
Masons, having been initiated into the order in 
Western Sun Lodge No. 91, at Wheelersburg, 
Ohio, and is now a member of Silverton Lodge 
No. 45, A. F. & A. M. Twelve children have 
been born to himself and wife, of whom the fol- 
lowing are living: John M., who married Kate 
McCalpin, and is now a resident of Silverton ; 
Mary, living with her parents; Amelia, wife of 
R. W. Carey, of Salem, the parents of three chil- 
dren ; Geneva A., wife of Timothy D. Allen, re- 
siding in this vicinity ; Charles D., who married 
Sarah Ann Small, the daughter of Isaac Small, 
of Turner, a pioneer of 1854, and with his family 
of nine children is living near Silverton ; Eda, 
wife of John H. Riches, of Marion county. Mrs. 
Wolfard died July 13, 1866, aged forty -one 
years, five months and seven days. Mr. Wolfard 
has realized many of his expectations since com- 
ing to this country, and the land of his adoption 
has benefited by his public-spirit and worthy 
undertakings. 



EDWARD BUXTON. As one of the keen, 
enterprising manufacturers of Corvallis, and a 
citizen of sterling worth and character, Mr. 
Buxton is well deserving of honorable mention 
in this biographical work. As junior member 



1170 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of the firm of Sheasgreen & Buxton, he is 
actively identified with one of the largest and 
best known manufacturing establishments of 
the kind in Benton county, and indirectly con- 
nected with the building interests of all parts 
of the country, the products of the Central 
Planing Mills and Box Factory, the plant of 
this firm, being shipped to all sections of the 
United States, although more especially used 
in Oregon and the near-by states. 

A native of Washington county, Ore., Ed- 
ward Buxton was born July 28, 1850, in Forest 
Grove, a son of the late Henry Buxton. His 
Grandfather Buxton, who was born and reared 
in Yorkshire, England, was employed by the 
Hudson Bay Company to come to Manitoba 
with the first colony sent over, the ship in 
which he emigrated being frozen in Hudson 
Bay throughout the winter. Arriving in Man- 
itoba, he operated a grist mill near Winnipeg 
until 1 841, when he came to Oregon, settling 
on Tualatin Plains, taking up land, which he 
improved. Later he began farming about a 
mile west of Forest Grove, still later locating 
in Forest Grove, where he resided until his 
death, at the age of seventy-six years. 

Born in Manitoba, Canada, Henry Buxton 
lived there until twelve years old, when he 
came with his parents to Oregon, coming with 
ox carts as far as the. Rocky Mountains, when 
the country became so rough that the oxen 
and few horses had to be packed with the 
goods and many of the party were forced to 
walk a part of the remaining journey. He as- 
sisted his father in clearing a homestead, and 
on reaching man's estate began farming on 
his own account, buying a right and having it 
recorded. Continuing in his chosen vocation, 
he met with both profit and pleasure in his 
work, carrying on general farming near Forest 
Grove throughout his life. He married Ro- 
sanna Wooley, who was borjn in Ohio, a 
daughter of Jacob Wooley, who crossed the 
plains in 1845 with his family, and settled on 
a farm in Tualatin, Ore., where he spent his 
remaining days. Of the twelve children born 
of their union, Edward is the oldest child of 
the six boys and one girl now living. The 
father and mother both died in Forest Grove 
several years ago. 

Reared on the home farm, Edward Buxton 
remained beneath the parental roof until sev- 
enteen years old, completing his early educa- 
tion at the Tualatin Academy. Having an 
aptitude for mechanical pursuits he learned the 
carpenter's trade in Forest Grove, and was 
there engaged as a carpenter and builder until 
1878. The ensuing two years he was em- 
ployed in the planing mill owned by Adams & 
Jones, in McMinnville, going from there to 



Portland, Ore., where he remained success- 
fully engaged as a contractor and builder for 
ten years. Returning to Forest Grove in 1890, 
he operated a planing mill there for five years, 
then located in Corvallis as a contractor and 
builder. In 1899 Mr. Buxton purchased the 
interest of James Gray in the Central Planing 
Mill and Box Factory, as mentioned in the 
sketch of F. P. Sheasgreen, on another page 
of this volume, becoming junior member of 
one of the most enterprising firms of Benton 
county, and has since carried on a thriving 
business. 

Mr. Buxton married, while living in Forest 
Grove, Elizabeth Roderick, a native of Illinois, 
and into their household four children have 
been born, namely : George H., a machinist 
in the Portland Iron Works ; Daisy A., wife 
of George O. Sloan, proprietor of the Forest 
Grove Hotel ; Harry E., a carpenter in Corval- 
lis ; and Minnie, a nurse in the Good Samaritan 
Hospital, at Portland, Ore. Politically Mr. 
Buxton is a firm believer in the Republican 
party, supporting it by all the means within 
his power, and while a resident of Forest 
Grove served as city recorder two terms. Fra- 
ternally he is a member of Holbrook Lodge, 
No. 30, A. F. & A. M., of Forest Grove; and 
of the Eastern Star Chapter, of Corvallis. He 
is also a member of the Native Sons of Ore- 
gon. 



ROBERT O. LOGGAN, M. D. A very 
prominent man in medical circles and one 
who has well earned his position among his 
professional associates is Dr. Robert O. Log- 
gan, since 1889 a resident of Oregon, previous 
to that date being known in the Mississippi 
valley. His birth occurred in Polk county, 
Iowa, June 23, 1854, his father being Robert 
Loggan, of Scotch-Irish descent, a native of 
Ohio, born in that state October 25, 1820. In 
addition to the life of a farmer, to which he 
had been reared, the father devoted his time 
and attention as much as possible to minis- 
terial work, being a member of the United 
Brethren Church. When but twenty years of 
age he removed to Indiana and located twelve 
miles south of Terre Haute, where he engaged 
in farming and religious work. In 1853 he 
settled in Polk county, Iowa, eighteen miles 
northwest of Des Moines, on government land, 
and continued his double vocation, for many 
years being elder of the church in his locality. 
In 1886 he retired from the active cares of 
life, and after traveling through the country, 
occasionally preaching, for a couple of years, 
made his home in Philomath until his death, 
August 16, 1903. He was a Republican in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1171 



his political principles and was always a strong 
abolitionist. 

The wife who shared the early pioneer life 
of Mr. Loggan was in maidenhood Miss Kath- 
erine Pickard, born in Vigo county, Ind., the 
daughter of John A. Pickard, a native of 
Georgia. In 1817 he removed to Indiana and 
settled in Vigo county, where he successfully 
engaged in farming and carpenter work, and 
where he died in 1863, at the age of eighty- 
three years, having acquired quite a com- 
petency. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Loggan were nine in number, being four sons 
and five daughters, all of whom are living ex- 
cept two. Mrs. Loggan died July 29, 1903, 
nearly eighty-four years of age. 

The fifth of his father's family was Robert 
O. Loggan, and until twenty-one years of age 
he remained at home, interspersing his duties 
with attendance at the public schools. Upon 
attaining his majority he entered Lane Uni- 
versity, located at Le Compton, Kans., and 
continued his studies from the fall of 1875 until 
1881, when he graduated with the degree of 
B. S. In 1892 the same college conferred upon 
him the honorary degree of M. S. Upon leav- 
ing college he began teaching school with a 
view to studying medicine when financially 
able. In the fall of 1884 he entered the Ec- 
lectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 
from which he was graduated in 1886. Set- 
tling in Cuba, Republic county, Kans., he soon 
built up a lucrative practice, remaining, how- 
ever, but three years before coming to Ore- 
gon, where his success has been but the out- 
growth of the energy and intelligence displayed 
throughout the entire business life of Dr. Log- 
gan. In addition to a general practice he has 
become largely interested in the political and 
social life of the city of Philomath. For three 
years he has served as mayor, and has been 
a member of the council for a like number 
of years ; he has served as school director for 
eight years, and is at present chairman of 
the school board, and is also on the county 
central committee. 

Dr. Loggan was married in Le Compton to 
Ellen M. Ferris, a native of Indiana, and the 
daughter of John Ferris, who was born on 
board the vessel on which his parents were 
crossing the Atlantic ocean. He was a farmer 
and spent the last twenty-five years of his life 
in Le Compton, dying there in 1901. He had 
served as justice of the peace for many years 
before his death. Of the union of Dr. and Mrs. 
Loggan has been born one child, Charles F., 
who still makes his home with his parents, and 
is now taking a business course in the college 
of this city. In his fraternal associations Dr. 
Loggan is identified with the Independent Or- 



der of Odd Fellows ; the Rebekahs ; and Wood- 
men of the World, having served as examining 
physician for the last order. In his profession 
Dr. Loggan has attained considerable success 
since coming to the west, having served from 
1898 to 1901 on the board of pension examiners 
of this county, and at present he holds the po- 
sition of secretary of the State Eclectic Med- 
ical Association, and is a prominent member 
of the National Eclectic Medical Association. 



CHARLES H. NEWTH, M. D. With that 
perseverance and dogged determination for 
which his countrymen are famed, Charles H. 
Newth has worked out a well directed destiny 
in the United States, and aside from prose- 
cuting a successful medical and surgical prac- 
tice in Philomath, has engaged in other occu- 
pations of merit in different parts of the coun- 
try. In his native county of Wiltshire, Eng- 
land, where he was born January 22, 1857, he 
received that practical early training accorded 
the average youth in the inland counties, and 
by substantial and correct living laid the foun- 
dation for the good health which has ever been 
an aid to his progress. His father, Alfred 
Bethel Newth, was born in Gloucestershire, 
western England, August 2, 1823, and from his 
native county removed to Wiltshire, where he 
farmed and prospered, and where his death 
occurred at the age of seventy-four years. He 
was the son of Charles Newth, also born in 
England, and like himself a farmer by occu- 
pation. Alfred Newth died about ten years 
after the death of his wife, formerly Mary 
Ann Adkins, who was born in Oxfordshire, 
another inland English county, May 6, 1827. 

The second child and oldest son in the fam- 
ily of two sons and three daughters, Charles 
Newth was educated in the common schools 
of England, and in 1872, when fifteen years 
of age, his uneventful life was broadened by 
a rare opportunity. With some cousins he 
came to the United States, brimful of that 
enthusiasm and expectancy which finds its ma- 
ture expression in the successful careers of 
the noble adopted sons of the western slope. 
Like the majority, his was an humble begin- 
ning, for he secured employment in the meat 
market of his relatives at Harvard, Neb., thus 
saving a little money, and gaining a start in 
the new country. After a year he went to 
work on a farm in the vicinity of Lincoln, 
Neb., and in 1874 engaged as clerk for Dr. 
W. H. Dunning, of Waverly, Neb. This posi- 
tion gave him his real start in life, for while 
with the doctor he studied medicine, and in- 
tended to forthwith complete his course at. 
some well known college. However, his plans 



1172 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



were temporarily postponed owing to the ill- 
ness of his father, on account of which he 
returned to England, and while there clerked 
in a drug store at Horncastle, Lincolnshire, 
for a year. 

Returning to America in 1878, Mr. Newth 
located in Rooks county, Kans., and home- 
steaded a claim near Stockton, which he turned 
to various uses. In time he opened a drug 
store and postoffice, and, after his native town 
in England, called the aggregation of interests 
Minety. His affairs in Kansas prospering, he 
traded some of his cattle for an eighth interest 
in the town site of Nicodemus, Graham county, 
Kans., and this property is still in his posses- 
sion. In 1886 he carried out his determination 
to complete his medical studies and entered 
the Ensworth Medical College at St. Joseph, 
Mo., from which he was duly graduated in 1889. 
Thereafter he engaged in practice in Nico- 
demus until 1891, in which year he migrated 
to the west, locating in Vernonia, Columbia 
county, Ore. In 1898 he abandoned a lucrative 
practice in the northern town and came to 
Philomath, which has since been his home, 
and where he has built up a large and re- 
munerative practice. 

With him from Rooks county, Kans., Dr. 
Newth brought his wife, formerly Mabel A. 
Woodward, a native of Iowa, and who died in 
Philomath in 1902, at the age of forty-three 
years. Three children were born of this union, 
Charles W., Winnifred, and Fay. For his 
second wife Dr. Newth married, in October, 
1902, Amanda Ruble, also born in Iowa. Dr. 
Newth is a Republican in political affiliation, 
and is at present a member of the city council 
and pension examiner. He is examining phy- 
sician for the Ancient Order United Work- 
men and the Modern Woodmen of America, 
and Degree of Honor. In religion he is asso- 
ciated with the liberal branch of the United 
Brethren Church. Skillful in diagnosis and 
treatment, Dr. Newth commands the confi- 
dence of the community of Philomath, his 
public-spirited interest in the general affairs 
of the town increasing his popularity, and 
adding to his prestige as one of the foremost 
citizens of the county. 



JOSEPH DIMMICK. As a pioneer to the 
western state Joseph Dimmick was like many 
others, having attained a good age before he 
ventured into a new land and new conditions, 
among which he must hew out a pathway for 
himself and the children for whom he must also 
win a competence. He was born in Connecticut 
early in the nineteenth century, and when quite 



young he accompanied his parents to the state 
of Ohio, where he remained for many years. 

On attaining manhood Mr. Dimmick married 
Comfort Dean, a native of Virginia, and they 
lived in Ohio until 1828, when they removed to 
Illinois, and there remained for twenty-four years, 
in 1852 being tempted to change their location 
by the glowing narrations of the brilliant oppor- 
tunities to be found beyond the Rocky moun- 
tains. Breaking the ties and associations of 
many pleasant and profitable years they prepared 
for the journey across the plains, making the 
same by means of ox-teams. Beyond the events 
incident to a trip of this nature in the early days 
they met with no mishap and arrived safely at 
their destination, the state of Oregon, the broad, 
rich lands, rather than the wealth of gold, having 
attracted them from the comparative affluence 
of the middle west. Mr. Dimmick at once took 
up a donation claim, located fourteen miles south 
of Corvallis, and which William Porter now owns. 
He here engaged in general farming and re- 
mained until his death, both himself and wife 
living to be over fifty years old. 

Of the children born to them Joseph and Ben- 
jamin are twins, the former now located in Oak- 
land, Cal., and the latter in Grant's Pass, Joseph- 
ine county, Ore. ; John and Samuel are in Spo- 
kane, Wash. ; Athie is now Mrs. Starr, of Cali- 
fornia ; Elizabeth is Mrs. Starr, of Benton county ; 
Mary is in eastern Oregon, and Lucinda is now 
Mrs. Campbell, of Grant's Pass. 



THOMAS D. REEVES. One of the very 
earliest pioneers in Benton county, Ore., was 
Thomas D. Reeves, who took up what is claimed 
to be the first donation claim of land so taken in 
the county. It is located fifteen miles south- 
west of Corvallis, and two miles east of Bell- 
fountain, and consists of six hundred and forty 
acres. The property is variously occupied at the 
present date, a part of it having passed into the 
hands of other parties, James E. Edwards now 
owning the piece upon which Mr. Reeves first 
made his home. 

Mr. Reeves was born in Ohio, March 6, 1814, 
his father being a tanner by trade, to which life 
the son was reared. He remained at home in 
Ohio until 1843, at that date preparing to take 
the long and hazardous journey across the plains. 
His outfit consisted of the usual articles neces- 
sary for the trip, the patient, trusty oxen being 
used to draw the wagons. It was fortunate that 
they met with no trouble from the Indians, for 
they were called upon to endure every sort and 
description of hardship and privation before the 
end of the journey was reached. After several 
months the party arrived in Oregon and Mr. 
Reeves first took up a donation claim on Tualatin 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1173 



plains. Washington county, leaving it shortly, 
however, to come into Benton county and take 
up the claim previously mentioned. 

In 1840 Mr. Reeves married Nancy Lloyd, who 
crossed the plains in 1845, and settled in this 
vicinity, and on this property they continued to 
make their home up to the time of their, deaths 
with the exception of four or five years, he living 
to he seventy-two and she to be thirty-three. Of 
the children horn to them Eliza is now the wife of 
William Barclay, of this vicinity; Louisa is in 
Dayton, Wash.; and Anna is the wife of Edwin 
\. Starr. Mr. Reeves carried on general farming 
and stock-raising, and though interested in his 
work always found time to take an active part 
in the affairs of the community. He was al- 
wavs interested in politics, being a stanch Demo- 
crat, and was also very philanthropical, giving 
freely of means which became his through the 
years of effort, giving' to churches and schools 
and to anyone in need who called upon him for 
assistance. He was a justly popular man, an 
enviable place in the esteem of the people of 
this county being his, and his death was a loss 
felt by many. 



SAMUEL R. CLAYPOOL. More than ordi- 
nary mention is due the family of which Samuel 
R. Claypool is a typical representative, for al- 
though this honored pioneer has lived in retire- 
ment since November, 1902, both himself and his 
father have materially impressed their business 
sagacity and sterling worth upon the develop- 
ment of Linn county. Those fearless men who 
factd unknown dangers and pressed forward in 
spite of Indian attacks, inclement weather and 
dire illness, with a singleness of purpose but 
dimly understood in these days of selfish ease, 
will ever receive the credit for planting the germs 
of modern civilization on the western slope. In 
1846 the Claypool family were living near St. 
Joseph, Mo., whither they had removed from 
Hendricks county, Ind., where Samuel R. had 
been born August 28, 1836. The father, who 
reared a family of eleven children, was called 
David, after a remote ancestor, and his birth oc- 
curred in Virginia in 1797. His father, Reuben, 
born in the eastern part of the country, was of 
Irish descent, and died after establishing his 
family in Virginia. David Claypool left Virginia 
in 1 8 18, and with his brother located in Hen- 
dricks county, Ind., and in 1841 David moved to 
Andrew county, Mo., on the farm near St. Joseph, 
bringing with him his wife, Nancy (Rooker) 
Claypool, who was born in Tennessee, and died 
on the home place in Oregon in 1861, at the age 
of fifty-nine years. John Rooker, the maternal 
grandfather, was born in London, England, and 
came to the United States long before the col- 



onies revolted against English tyranny. During 
the Revolutionary war he served as a butcher in 
the commissary department, and his death oc- 
curred in Indiana at an advanced age. David 
Claypool was an ambitious man, and the pros- 
pects of life in the far west appealed to him with 
irresistible force. So firmly convinced was he 
of the wisdom of his decision that he sold his 
farm in Andrew county, and with his family 
and entire worldly possessions prepared to cross 
the plains in 1846. The present town of Mar- 
quam occupies his first donation claim in the 
state, but he failed to prove up on this property, 
and in January, 1848, he took up a claim at the 
forks of the Santiam river. Lonely and isolated 
from neighbors or signs of civilization, he cleared 
his land, but never fully realized its fertility or 
resourcefulness, for his death occurred in 1857, 
eleven years after his emigration, at the age of 
sixty-one years. He was a Democrat in politics 
and a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and in his general life fulfilled the 
definition of pioneer, as understood by those who 
experienced the years of trials and deprivation. 

Ten years of age when he came to Oregon, 
Samuel R. Claypool had few educational advan- 
tages in the early days, principally for the rea- 
son that there were few schools in his neighbor- 
hood, and also because so large a family neces- 
sitated active effort on the part of all its mem- 
bers. Thus it happened that he worked early 
and late during harvest time, and even dur- 
ing the bleak winters arose early and looked after 
the stock, performing such tasks as made the life 
of pioneer boys at best hard and unsatisfactory. 
The gold fields of California offered a diversion 
in 1856, and after mining with moderate suc- 
cess at Yreka, Siskiyou county, for a couple of 
years, he returned to Oregon and settled on a 
farm near his father. After the death of the 
latter he purchased a portion of the old home- 
stead, but sold out in 1865 and removed to a 
farm five miles north of Lebanon. Here he 
owned three hundred and twenty acres, and for 
thirty-seven years, or until 1902, he tilled his land 
and raised varied crops, meeting with ready 
sales, and accumulating a competency. After 
disposing of his farm Mr. Claypool purchased 
his present home in Lebanon, consisting of fifteen 
acres, and just large enough to keep him from a 
monotonous leisure. The little home, with its 
trees, its flowers and genial air of comfort, is 
presided over by the wife of Mr. Claypool, whom 
he married at the forks of the Santiam river, 
and who was formerly America Crabtree of Mis- 
souri. Isaac Crabtree, the father of Mrs. Clay- 
pool, was born in the Old Dominion, and in 
1853 started across the plains with his family, 
intending to settle in Oregon. Grim death over- 
came him on the western desert, and he was 



1174 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



laid to rest in a grave bordering on Green river. 
Afterward his grief-stricken family pursued 
their lonely way, and carried out the plans of 
the father and husband, locating near Mount 
Angel, Marion county. Of the four children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Claypool, Callie is the 
wife of Edison Young, a farmer of Linn coun- 
ty; Annie is living at home; Mary is the wife 
of John Griggs of this vicinity ; and Vida is the 
wife of James Munsey of this county. 

Eminently public-spirited, Mr. Claypool has 
contributed both time and money when demand 
has been made upon his generosity, and educa- 
tion, morality, and good government have been 
materially fostered by his support. His political 
allegiance has been with the Democratic party, 
and his many public offices have included that of 
member of the state legislature in 1902, during 
which session he served on the committees of 
health, morals and military affairs. He was 
elected county commissioner in 1886, and for 
practically his entire active life he has been 
either a director or clerk of the school board. 
Nor has the career of Mr. Claypool been devoid 
of the excitement and danger incident to the 
early days, for he served in the Indian war of 
1856 as a member of Company D, Second Regi- 
ment, under command of Col. Thomas Cornelius, 
and for one hundred and six days fought against 
the Indians. From the early to the later days 
his life has been marked by sincere devotion to 
whatever duty came his way, his actions being in- 
variably governed by high principle, and the 
utmost consideration for the rights of others. 



AMERICUS TAYLOR McCALLY. Al- 
though a recent recruit to the mercantile ranks 
of Halsey, Americus Taylor McCally has already 
established a paying business, and in connection 
therewith is building up a satisfactory insurance 
business, representing the Glenn Falls and Ger- 
man American companies. Preceded by several 
years of agricultural and general experience he 
came here in 1900, his genial manner and ability 
to adapt himself to new conditions materially 
contributing to his start in this cosmopolitan 
community. With him Mr. McCally brought a 
host of southern traditions, for his ancestors 
labored long and faithfully on cotton plantations, 
establishing themselves in the state of Tennessee. 
Near Knoxville he was born March 5, 1848, 
his father being a native of the same state, as is 
also his mother, formerly Clementine Humphreys. 
Americus was five years of age when his parents 
came to Oregon in 1853, the family having spent 
the previous winter in Missouri, as did so many 
of the early Oregon emigrants. After a com- 
paratively agreeable journey they arrived in 
Linn county, where the father took up three 



hundred and sixty acres of land and engaged 
in stock-raising for six years. The family for- 
tunes were shifted near Lebanon in 1858, and 
this continued to be the home until 1896, when 
the father and mother removed to near Nez 
Perces, Idaho, where they have since lived. 
They are making their home with a son, J. M., 
and the father has attained to seventy-seven 
years. 

The oldest of the seven sons and four 
daughters born to his parents, Americus Mc- 
Cally was educated in the public schools of Ore- 
gon, and soon after arriving in this state began 
to take his part in clearing and improving the 
farm. From 1871 to 1873 he engaged in clerk- 
ing in Scio, Ore., and in 1878 bought three hun- 
dred and sixty-five acres of land in the fork 
of the Santiam river and operated the same, 
engaged in general farming. In 1886 he en- 
gaged in a general merchandise business in 
Jordan, Linn county, and in 1894 settled on a 
farm near Lebanon, purchasing one hundred and 
eighty acres. In 1898 he removed to Albany, 
and, after one year in the grocery business, 
entered upon his present combined interests as 
merchant and insurance agent. 

Through his marriage in Linn county with 
Nancy E. Bryant, five children have been born 
to Mr. McCally, of whom R. A. is living in 
eastern Oregon ; I. G. is clerking in his father's 
store ; Cora E. is engaged in educational work 
and is living at home ; and Claude and Vena 
are living at home. Mr. McCally has decided 
views on all public questions, and has especially 
made his influence felt as a Prohibitionist. His 
executive ability has resulted in various posi- 
tions of honor being tendered him, among them 
being that of school director, road supervisor 
and clerk for many years. With his family 
he finds a religious home in the Christian Church, 
and its charities and general support are mater- 
ially benefited by his generous contributions. 
Tactful and considerate, and with due appre- 
ciation of the rights and duties of the up-to-date 
merchant and business man, Mr. McCally com- 
mands the respect and good will of all who know 
him. 



DAVID MYERS. One of the best known and 
most honored of the retired men of Scio is David 
Myers, a pioneer of 1858, and formerly engaged 
in carpentering, sawmilling, mining, and farm- 
ing. In his long business career Mr. Myers ad- 
hered to the principles of conservatism and re- 
liability, and it thus happens that many years 
were consumed in steadily but surely increasing 
his competency. At the present time he owns 
five hundred and twenty acres of land, three 
miles east of Scio, one hundred and sixty acres 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1175 



of timber land six miles east of the town, and 
eighty acres near Yaquina Bay, Lincoln county. 

The Myers family was established in Medina 
county, Ohio, by Daniel Myers, the paternal 
grandfather of David, who was presumably born 
in Pennsylvania, married there, and reared a 
large family. Among his children was Gabriel, 
the father of David, who was born in Lehigh 
county. Pa., and there married Hannah An- 
drews, a native of the Quaker state, and who 
died in Wayne county, Ohio, at the age of eighty- 
hve years. Gabriel Myers located on a farm in 
Trumbull county, Ohio, about 1828, and there 
engaged in coopering, a trade learned in his 
youth in Pennsylvania, and adhered to nearly all 
of his active life. After removing to Medina 
count v. Ohio, in 1845, he farmed and worked 
at his trade to some extent, but died after several 
years of retirement at the age of sixty-three 
years. 

The fifth in a family of fifteen children, eight 
of whom were sons, David Myers worked very 
hard in his boyhood days, and naturally found 
little time for recreation or education. In fact 
his present knowledge partakes rather of the 
practical and observative kind, the kind that men 
acquire while forging to the front, independent 
of any material help on the part of others. He 
was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, February 
16, 1834, and was therefore twenty years of 
age when he came west to California in 1854, 
making the journey by way of the Isthmus of 
Panama. He was moderately successful in the 
placer mines at Greenwood, Eldorado county, and 
in 1858 transferred his mining interests to the 
Sound country in Washington. In November, 
1858, he located in Portland, Ore., and worked 
at the carpenter trade, the same year removing 
to Marion county, where he managed a sawmill 
near Stayton, on the north Santiam. At the end 
of a year he began to devote his summers to car- 
pentering and his winters to the sawmill, and 
in 1862 located on a farm of two hundred and 
eighty acres three miles east of Scio, Linn coun- 
ty, where he farmed and worked at his trade. 
In 1883 he removed to Scio and engaged in the 
lumber business, operating in connection there- 
with a planing and sawmill, from which he de- 
rived a substantial income until disposing of the 
same in 1895. In the meantime his health had 
caused him serious worry and apprehension, and 
upon locating in Scio he built a fine two-story 
frame residence, and surrounded himself and 
family with the comforts and many of the lux- 
uries of life. The farming property is leased to 
responsible parties, but Mr. Myers often visits it 
to look after the repairs. He is constantly under 
the doctor's care, but otherwise retains the fac- 
ulties which have accomplished his success, and 



manages to get considerable enjoyment out of 
life. 

The wife of Mr. Myers, who was formerly 
Mary P. McDonald, a native of Andrew county, 
Mo., died in Oregon in 1883, at the age of 
forty-two years, leaving twelve children : Jeffer- 
son D. lives in Portland, Ore.; Nathanial Clay 
and Ida are deceased; Laura B. lives in Port- 
land, and is engaged as teacher in the public 
school ; Eva Adella is living at home ; Mary is 
a trained nurse of Portland; Maud and Myrtle, 
twins, the former a teacher in Salem, and the 
latter living at home ; Elizabeth Dora and Flora, 
twins, are nurses in the North Pacific Sanatorium 
of Portland ; Edward D., and Lola Hannah, are 
at home. The family of Mr. Myers is increased 
by the presence of his grand-daughter, Fay Lor- 
raine. Politically Mr. Myers was a Democrat 
for many years, but at present is independent. 
He has never entered especially into the political 
undertakings of his neighborhood, but has served 
as county commissioner from 1884 until 1886. 
He is fraternally a popular and welcome member 
of Scio Lodge No. 39, Ancient Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons, and the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. The history of Linn county would be 
incomplete without more than passing mention 
of this popular and influential citizen, and those 
who are struggling against severe obstacles on 
the way to success may find in his life many 
lessons worthy of emulation. 



HENRY G. EVERETT. The success of H. 
G. Everett as a hardware and agricultural im- 
plement merchant can hardly be ascribed to the 
fact that he has no competitors in business in 
Lebanon, for so well conducted and necessary an 
adjunct to the town and country well-being must 
needs hold its own in any community, however 
large or advanced. Equipped with several years 
of business experience Mr. Everett came to 
Lebanon in 1891, and bought a half interest in 
the hardware business of Neil S. Dalgleish, with 
whom he has since been associated. Under the 
combined management of these two competent 
and resourceful men the enterprise has grown 
apace, and the stock now carried is valued at 
$20,000. As the population of the town in- 
creased, and the surrounding farmers advanced 
in their methods of conducting their affairs, 
various commodities have been added to the regu- 
lation stock, including agricultural implements, 
carpets and wall paper, paints, oils, window glass 
and minor builders' materials. 

The founder of the family in America came 
from England and located in Massachusetts. 
David Allen Everett, the paternal grandfather 
of Henry G., was born in Vermont, while his 
parents were on their way from Massachusetts to 



1176 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Clinton county, N. Y. There Mr. Everett ac- 
quired a homestead which consisted of two hun- 
dred and fifty acres, a large farm for New York 
state, which is still in the possession of the fam- 
ily, and is now occupied by Harvey Everett, the 
father of Henry G., who is seventy-five years old, 
and who was born in the house which is still his 
home. At present retired, he has for years been 
one of the successful farmers of his county, and 
on a large scale has conducted an apiary, which 
is still a source of substantial revenue. For many 
years he has been practically alone ; for his wife, 
formerly Margaret Green, a native of New York, 
died at the age of fifty-five, leaving three sons 
and one daughter. John Green, the father of Mrs. 
Everett, was also of English descent, and is sup- 
posed to have been born in New York state. 
He was a farmer by occupation, and lived to 
an advanced age on the farm to the improvement 
of which he devoted the best years of his life. 

The oldest of the children in his father's fam- 
ily, Henry G. Everett worked hard on the pa- 
ternal farm, in consequence of which his edu- 
cation was limited. However, the deficiency 
was not perceptible a few years later, for like 
the majority of boys with an eye for business, 
he learned more from observation than books, 
and having a keen appreciation of the practical 
and useful in life, learned his lessons from every- 
day contact with his fellow-men. Leaving the 
farm, he started a grocery business in Peru, N. 
Y., in 1885, taking as his partner a schoolmate 
reared in his own neighborhood, and with whom 
he continued in amicable partnership until 1888. 
Disposing of his store, he went to California in 
1890, and the following year took passage on a 
north-bound steamer for Portland, from which 
city he came direct to Lebanon. Since coming 
here Mr. Everett has married Lulu Westfall, a 
native of Baker City, Ore., and who became the 
mother of Eleanor, who is living at home with 
her parents. Mr. Everett is a Democrat in poli- 
tics, and has been a member of the city council 
several terms. Fraternally he is connected with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Modern Woodmen of America. 



EDWARD C. PEERY. The drug business 
of Edward C. Peery, while deriving a certain 
advantage from being the only concern of the 
kind in Scio, bases its successful operations upon 
actual merit, and has the reputation of being one 
of the well managed enterprises in the valley. 
Mr. Peery, who is popular both in the business 
and social life of his adopted city, is a native son 
of Oregon, and was born on a farm four miles 
south of Dayton, Yamhill county, May 3, 1875. 
His father, Hiram Peery, a native of Daviess 
county, Mo., crossed the plains with his parents 



in 1863, at the time being fifteen years of age. 
The family equipment consisted of the time-hon- 
ored ox-teams and prairie schooners, and after a 
six-months' trip the home-seekers arrived in 
safety at Jordan, in Linn county, where the pa- 
rents took up a farm, upon which Hiram re- 
mained until eighteen years of age. He then went 
to the mines of Idaho and had fair success as a 
miner, returning to Oregon at the age of twenty- 
one. In Yamhill county he located a claim near 
Dayton, but afterward sold it and took up an- 
other near McMinnville, where, at the age of 
fifty-five, he is still living. His father, Hiram 
Wilson Peery, was born in Virginia, and before 
locating in Missouri lived in Kentucky, his death 
occurring on the farm near Dayton, Yamhill 
county, Ore. On the maternal side Edward C. 
is connected with the Kimsey family, who were 
early represented in Oregon, locating on a claim 
in Yamhill county, where his mother, Mary Jane 
Kimsey, was born. Alvis Kimsey, her father, 
owned a farm of six hundred and forty acres 
near Dayton, where his death occurred at the age 
of forty-five years. There were six children born 
to Mrs. Peery, of whom three were sons. 

After leaving the public schools of Yamhill 
county, Edward C. began to earn an independent 
livelihood as a clerk in a drug store, at Soda- 
ville, and with the monej' thus earned he entered 
Mineral Springs College, at Sodaville, in 1892, 
graduating therefrom in 1896, with the degree of 
B. S. For the following four years he engaged 
in educational work in this state, three years as 
principal of the Moro High School of Sherman 
county, and during this time, from 1896, he was 
a partner in the drug business of Peery & Peery, 
at Scio. In 1902 he became sole owner and man- 
ager of the store, having registered under the 
law of 1892. He carries all stock required in a 
first-class drug business, as well as stationery, 
and a complete line of toilet articles. 

In Albany, Ore., August 15, 1898, Mr. Peery 
married Pearl Hobson, who was born in Marion 
county, and educated in the public schools of 
her neighborhood. One child has been born of 
this union, Edris lone, a daughter. Mr. Peery 
is fraternally connected with the Knights of 
the Maccabees and the Knights of Pythias. He 
is a Democrat in politics, and has served as clerk 
and trustee on the school board, and as justice of 
the peace for one term. Mr. Peery is prominent 
socially in Scio, and is the leader of the band 
of the city, which he organized April 15, 1903. 
This very popular and entertaining adjunct to the 
pleasure-giving opportunities enjoyed by the citi- 
zens is composed of fourteen pieces, and is a com- 
bination of brass and reed instruments. Under 
the efficient training of its director and general 
manager it has attained to a high state of culti- 
vation, and renders the most popular and most 





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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1177 



classical of selections. Mr. Peery has the admir- 
able and strong characteristics which go to make 
up the honored and progressive northwestern cit- 
izen, and his business and himself are appreciated 
bv the citizens of his community. 



COL. JOHN M. POORMAX. One of the 
representative men of Marion county is Col. John 
M. Poorman, cashier of and a chief stockholder 
in the Bank of Woodburn, and one of the men 
upon whose shoulders rests a large share of the 
financial welfare of the city. The family of 
which he is a representative member was founded 
in America by his paternal grandfather, Hoffman 
Poorman. who came from "YYurtemberg, Ger- 
many, settled in New York, and removed thence 
to Pennsylvania, in both of which states he en- 
gaged in farming. 

His son. John M.. St.. father of Colonel 
Poorman, was born in Chambersburg, Pa., and 
in his youth was apprenticed to a tanner. 
Later he farmed in Fairfield county, Ohio, and 
Sangamon county, 111. In the latter state he 
became a prominent farmer, and owned a sec- 
tion of fine land. He devoted his land prin- 
cipally to stock-raising, raising fine horses and 
Durham cattle, and during his active life han- 
dled thousands of dollars' worth of blooded 
stock. For some years he was connected with 
the quartermaster's department of the United 
States army, during the Civil war, and pur- 
chased horses for the government. His later 
years were spent in retirement. To the end of 
his life he was a devoted admirer of fine horses, 
possessing the keenest appreciation of the 
beauty and usefulness of this noble animal. 
In Lancaster, Ohio, he married Martha S. 
Bush, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, 
and of the seven children born to them, two 
sons and four daughters grew to maturity, the 
subject of this review being the youngest son. 
John M. Poorman. Sr., died at the age of sev- 
enty-five years. To the end of his life Mr. 
Poorman recalled his associations with Abra- 
ham Lincoln as one of the pleasantest features 
of his career, for his farm in Sangamon county 
was but ten miles from Springfield, the home 
of Mr. Lincoln. Mr. Poorman belonged to the 
same hand-ball team as did the martyred presi- 
dent, and was variously associated with him in 
the social and business enterprises which en- 
tered into their respective lives. 

After completing his education in the com- 
mon schools and the Wesley an University at 
Bloomington. 111.. Colonel Poorman. who was 
born in Sangamon county. April 20. 1854. con- 
tinued to live with his father until emigrating 
to California in 1 874. There he found employ- 



ment with the Central Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany at Sacramento for three years. In 1877 
he came to Oregon and secured a position as 
conductor for the Oregon Railroad & Naviga- 
tion Company, in time his runs including all 
the various divisions of the road. Having be- 
come interested in pharmacy while living in 
Illinois, and discovering an opening in Wood- 
burn for a first-class drug store, he established 
what ultimately proved to be one of the finest 
of its kind in the Willamette valley. So im- 
pressed did he become with the business op- 
portunities afforded by that locality that upon 
the expiration of two years he established the 
Bank of Woodburn, of which he has since been 
cashier. He likewise erected the structure in 
which the bank is located. This bank ranks as 
one of the solid financial institutions of the 
Willamette valley. 

Xor have Colonel Poorman's efforts been 
confined to the drug and banking business. 
The cause of education has profited by his 
stanch support, he having served as school 
clerk and director for several years. As a Re- 
publican he has held to the best tenets of his 
party, has been active in local affairs, and has 
served as a member of the state central com- 
mittee. In 1900 he was elected to represent his 
district in the lower house of the Oregon state 
legislature by a large majority, and during the 
term of his service looked w-e'll to the interests 
of his constituents. He is prominently identi- 
fied with Hermes Lodge Xo. 56, Knights of 
Pythias, and in Masonry is a past master of 
Woodburn Lodge Xo. 106, A. F. & A. M. ; past 
high priest of Woodburn Royal Arch Chapter 
Xo. 29, De Molay Commandery Xo. 5 of Salem, 
Ore. : a thirty-second degree Mason in Consistory 
of Scottish Rite of Portland, and Al Kader 
Temple, A. A. O. X. M. S. of Portland, Ore. 

In July, 1903, the National Guard of Oregon 
was reorganized to conform with "the Dick 
bill," placing the X'ational Guard on the same 
basis as the LJnited States army, and he was 
elected lieutenant-colonel of the Third Infan- 
try, the only regiment in the state, receiving 
the unanimous vote of the regiment. He is 
also a member of French Prairie Camp Xo. 47, 
W. O. W., and of Mt. Hood Division Xo. 91, 
Order of Railway Conductors, in which he has 
served as secretary for nine years. This di- 
vision is the largest in the northwest, and the 
mother order. 

As a soldier during the Spanish-American 
war, Colonel Poorman proved himself a gal- 
lant, brave and most determined defender of 
the flag. Upon its organization he was elected 
captain of Company H, Second Regiment, Ore- 
gon Xational Guard, and was subsequently 
chosen lieutenant-colonel of the same regi- 



1178 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ment. At the outbreak of the war Company H 
of Woodburn and Company E of Hubbard 
were merged into Company M, which was 
mustered into the service May 15, 1898, at 
which time Lieutenant-Colonel Poorman was 
appointed captain by Governor Lord. This 
company will go down in history as one of the 
bravest that sailed from western shores, their 
enthusiasm increased, no doubt, by their ad- 
miration and loyalty to their genial com- 
mander. Company M participated in the bat- 
tles of Pasig, Malabon, Polo, Marilao, Tay 
Tay, Morong and others of equal importance, 
and its captain was one of two bearing the 
same rank, who was officially complimented 
by Major Goodale for gallantry and meri- 
torious service. After the war Captain Poor- 
man was elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Fourth Regiment, Oregon National Guard. 

On October 30, 1879, Colonel Poorman was 
united in marriage with Miss Lida McMillen, 
who was born in Multnomah county, Ore., 
December 25, 1859, a daughter of B. F. McMil- 
len, who is reviewed at length in another part 
of this volume. Four sons have been born to 
Colonel and Mrs. Poorman, one of whom, 
Tracy Chandler, accompanied his father to the 
Philippines. Forrest Winfred is a student in 
the Willamette University, Fred, a student and 
Kenneth, still at home. 

Colonel Poorman possesses the fundamental 
traits of character which have ever been re- 
garded as bulwarks of communities. Forceful, 
though unostentatious, extending the hand of 
good-fellowship to all, and entertaining malice 
towards none, he represents the typical citizen of 
the great northwest. 



THOMAS MONTEITH. The name Mon- 
teith is one which the residents of Albany, Linn 
county, will always remember as that of several 
of the first men of the city, whose broad liber- 
ality, enterprise and business ability were the 
foundation upon which a large part of the place 
was built. The western half of the city was 
laid out entirely by Walter and Thomas Mon- 
teith, the land having been the donation claim of 
the former. Many of the public buildings of 
the city also owe to Thomas Monteith a grateful 
remembrance, since he donated the land which 
they occupy. Among them are Albany College, 
of which one brother was trustee for many years 
and another, the Rev. William Monteith, acted 
as president for some time ; and also nearly all 
the churches of the city. The public spirit which 
animated this family has truly left its impress 
upon the community, and the effort which they 
directed along these lines has certainly met with 
a reward in the industrial, commercial and social 



life in the city they assisted so materially in 
creating. 

The Monteith family was founded in America 
by Archibald Monteith, a native of Scotland, 
from which country he emigrated with his wife, 
formerly Mary McLain, and settled in New 
York state as a farmer. Of their family of ten 
children several found homes in the territory of 
the far northwest, added to those already named 
being George and John, both of whom died in 
Albany. William Monteith died in Idaho, and 
Walter, who was born in 181 6, died in Albany 
June 11, 1876. The latter came to Oregon in 
1847, an d located a claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres. He was in every way a man of 
affairs up to the time of his death, taking a prom- 
inent part in all public movements, a leader in 
every business enterprise. He also served his 
adopted state as a soldier in the Cayuse war. 
He is survived by his wife and two sons. 

Thomas Monteith was born near Broadalbin, 
Fulton county, N. Y., April 23, 1824, and re- 
mained there until he had entered his teens, when 
he went to Illinois and resided until 1847. I" 
that year he joined his brother Walter, and the 
two crossed the plains with ox-teams, settling 
in Linn county. He was later attracted to the 
gold fields of California. After spending a short 
time there he returned to Oregon and assisted 
in laying out the western part of Albany, the 
name given to the city being in memory of the 
one by that name in their native state. The in- 
terest of the two brothers continued parallel in 
a milling and merchant business under the 
style of Monteith Bros. They built the Mag- 
nolia mill, in the operation of which they were 
also financially interested. The Albany City 
Mills were also built by Mr. Monteith, and 
were conducted by him for some years, 
after which he again followed the mercan- 
tile business. A few years before his death, 
which occurred July 21, 1889, at the age of sixty- 
five years, he retired from the active cares of life. 
He had earnestly labored for the upbuilding of 
the city, giving freely of his time, money and 
strength, which has certainly been appreciated 
by his fellow-townsmen. As a Republican, 
stanch and earnest, he gave every aid to the ad- 
vancement of the principles which he considered 
for the best interests of the community, in mu- 
nicipal government serving as mayor for one 
term, and also as city councilman. As a sturdy 
and faithful pioneer he did active duty in the 
Cayuse war. In his fraternal relations he affil- 
iated with the Masons and Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. 

The marriage of Mr. Monteith occurred near 
Oskaloosa, Iowa, June 29, 1854, and united him 
with Christine Maria Dunbar, a native of Provi- 
dence, Ind, She was the daughter of Col. But- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1179 



ler Dunbar, who was born in Connecticut, and as 
a young man settled in Indiana, becoming a use- 
ful pioneer of the state. He later removed to 
[owa, locating in Mahaska county, from which 
section he joined the troops which served in the 
Black Hawk war, holding the commission of 
colonel. He married Sarah A. Heaton, who was 
born in Pennsylvania and died in Iowa. She 
was the mother of eight children, seven of whom 
are now living, Mrs. Monteith being the only one 
located in Oregon. She was the fourth of the 
children, and was reared in Iowa, where she re- 
ceived her education in the common schools. Af- 
ter her marriage she came to Oregon via the 
isthmus, from New York city, taking the steamer 
George L. Law, to Panama, and from there to 
San Francisco on the steamer John L. Stevens. 
In December, 1854, she arrived in her new home, 
which was then an embryo town, and she has 
since watched a city spring up in the wilderness. 
She now has four children living, of whom Arch- 
ibald is located in Portland, engaged in insurance 
work ; Charlotte A. is the wife of J. V. Pipe, of 
Albany ; Thomas resides in Portland ; and 
Christine A. is the wife of W. H. Reading, of 
Oskaloosa, Iowa. One child, Montrose D., died 
in Albany at the age of twenty-four years. Mrs. 
Monteith is identified with the auxiliaries of the 
orders to which her husband belonged, being a 
member of the Rebekahs, and a charter member 
of the Eastern Star. She is a member of the 
First Presbvterian Church. 



ABNER R. HALL. Adjoining Lebanon is 
a little property of five acres under a high state 
of cultivation, where various marketable products 
are raised in the season, and where the owner, 
Abner R. Hall, spends a peaceful and congenial 
life. Mr. Hall has some stock, and to facilitate 
his general farming rents forty-eight acres of 
land, a large part of which is heavily timbered. 

Mr. Hall's wife was formerly Theresa Whited, 
a native of Des Moines, Iowa, who came to Ore- 
gon with her parents in 1874. Of the children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall, Estella, Elva and 
Alice, the three youngest, are living at home; 
Hattie, the oldest daughter, is now Mrs. Michael 
Kelly, of Jefferson, Ore., and Walter is engaged 
in ranching in eastern Oregon. 

Near Milan, Sullivan county, Mo., Thomas 
Hall, the father, owned and managed a farm for 
many years, and here was born his ,son, Abner 
R., April 27, 1859. Thomas Hall was born in 
Kentucky, and after attaining his majority moved 
to Missouri, where he ran a grist-mill in con- 
nection with farming, having learned the mill- 
wright's trade in his youth. In i860 he took 
his family to Kansas, and afterward lived in 
both Nebraska and Illinois, From the latter 



state he crossed the plains to Oregon with ox- 
teams during 1875-6. Abner R. Hall was then 
sixteen years of age, and the second of the six 
children born to his mother, Hattie (Inman) 
Hall, a native of New England, and now living 
in Jackson county, Ore., aged sixty-eight years. 
On the way across the plains Mr. Hall halted his 
oxen at Boise City, Idaho, and added to his de- 
pleted finances by burning charcoal. The next 
year he came to Oregon, locating on a claim 
near Browmsville, where he engaged in stock- 
raising for several years. The last years of his 
life were saddened by sickness, but he was a 
fairly successful man, and bore an honored 
name in the community. His son Abner lived 
with him on the home farm until 1887, and then 
farmed independently near Lebanon, taking up 
his residence adjoining the town, in 1894. He is 
a capable farmer and progressive man, devoted 
to his family, his friends and his adopted state. 
In politics he is a Republican. 



WILL E. CHANDLER has been a factor in 
the business life of Lebanon since his arrival 
there in 1894. The Chandler family is doubly 
identified with the growth of the town, and the 
name has become synonymous with fair dealing 
and progressive methods. Mrs. Chandler who, 
before her marriage in Lebanon was Clara Read, 
has a well stocked dry-goods, grocery and gen- 
eral furnishings store, which is not wanting in 
generous patronage from both the town and sur- 
rounding country. With true appreciation of the 
needs of her sex, she makes a specialty of acces- 
sories of the toilet. 

Mr. Chandler, who started a tinning and 
plumbing enterprise when he first located in Leb- 
anon, and who has since derived a substantial 
income from this source, has of late transferred 
his business partially to others, in order to de- 
vote the greater part of his time to buying and 
shipping country produce. He is one of the suc- 
cessful younger business men of the town. He 
was born in Franklin county. 111., January 18, 
1866. His father, Samuel L. Chandler, a native 
of Kentucky, removed at an early day to Frank- 
lin county, where he owned and managed a 
farm, and later ran an agricultural implement 
business in Carbondale, Jackson county. At the 
present time he is sixty years of age, and is liv- 
ing retired at the home of his son, Audv L., in 
Champaign, 111. His wife, Mary (Tate) Chand- 
ler, was born in Franklin county, and died in 
Illinois, after rearing four sons and two daugh- 
ters, of whom Will E. is the third. He received 
a practical education in the public schools, and 
gained a fair knowledge of business in his father's 
implement store. When twenty-two years of 
age he came to Portland, and for several years 



1180 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



lived at Salem and other towns in the Willamette 
valley, finally locating in Lebanon in 1894. 

A Republican in political preference, Mr. 
Chandler has been prominently before the public 
of Linn county for several years, and served as 
deputy sheriff of the county under James A. Mc- 
Ferrin. He has been a member of the city council 
one term, and has held other local offices. Fra- 
ternally he is connected with the Modern Wood- 
men of America, the Knights of the Maccabees, 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the 
Independent Order of Foresters. In all of these 
orders he is active, and he takes a keen 
interest in other social organizations. A shrewd 
and capable buyer, Mr. Chandler is also a con- 
siderate and conscientious one, and the farmers 
who dispose of their products to him are in- 
variably sure of treatment consistent with sound 
and reliable business ethics. 



EDWIN N. STARR. As a successful farmer 
Edwin N. Starr is giving his energies and talents 
toward a cultivation of the broad lands of the 
state of Oregon, now occupying a part of the old 
Reeves donation claim, a link between the days of 
pioneer hardships and the present affluence. Mr. 
Starr is a native son of the west, his father having 
been one of the many men who came into the 
wilderness and by earnestness of purpose laid the 
foundation for the commonwealth which has 
arisen on the western slope. 

The father, George M. Starr, was born in Lo- 
gan county, Ohio, February 18, 1812, and at a 
very early date removed with <his parents to 
Illinois. There the father died at seventy years 
of age, and the mother when George M. was 
but twelve years old, the two being of Irish and 
English descent. On completing his education 
in the public schools of Olney, 111., Mr. Starr 
learned the tinner's trade from his father, and 
followed the same for forty years, at that time 
deciding to remove to the west. In 1852 he 
started with the customary ox-team for the jour- 
ney across the plains, the only trouble experienced 
with the Indians being a hand-to-hand encounter 
with three of them, in which Mr. Starr came off 
victor. He was traveling in Captain Bentley's 
train, which, after six months, arrived safely in 
Oregon, when he left the company and came 
directly to Benton county and located near Bell- 
fountain, where he remained for one winter. In 
the spring of 1853 ne went to California and fol- 
lowed mining and prospecting for a year, and on 
again going north he settled in Monroe and en- 
gaged in the general merchandise business in 
partnership with a man named Bellknap, the firm 
name being Starr & Bellknap. This was the 
first establishment of the kind in the town and it 
was continued for several years, when Mr. Starr 



removed to Idaho after about six years' residence 
in Monroe. In the course of a few years he re- 
turned to the vicinity of Monroe and spent the 
remainder of his life in and near the town. He 
lived to the age of seventy-five years. In Feb- 
ruary, 1854, he married Elizabeth Dimmick, who 
was born in Illinois in 1838, and crossed the 
plains with her parents in 1852, a fuller record 
of whose life is to be found in the sketch of her 
father, Joseph Dimmick, which appears on an- 
other page of this work. Besides Edwin N. 
Starr they had the following children: Georgi- 
ana, the wife of I. Bray, of Lane county; Sarah, 
the wife of O. V. Hurt, of Corvallis ; Oscar and 
Clarence, both located in Corvallis ; Bert, of Port- 
land ; and Samuel, of Seattle, Wash. Mr. Starr 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and had been since boyhood. As a citizen of the 
community he had served in several minor offices, 
among them being that of justice of the peace. 
When quite young he served as a bugler under 
General Price in the Mexican war, being in the 
three principal battles of this war. Since the death 
of her husband, Mrs. Starr has made her home 
with her children, now living with Edwin N. 
Starr, of this review. 

Edwin N. Starr was born in Monroe, Ore., 
July 1, 1856, and was there reared to young man- 
hood. He attended the district schools and re- 
mained at home until he was eighteen years old, 
when he started out to make his own way in the 
world. He followed his early training and 
worked as a farm hand for some time, his first 
venture on his own responsibility being on a 
claim which he had taken up in Lincoln county. 
He remained there for eight years, at the close 
of that period coming to the place which he now 
occupies, previously mentioned as a part of the 
Reeves donation claim. Through energy and 
perserverance Mr. Starr has made many improve- 
ments, in fact, all of those which now make the 
farm most valuable. He has excellent buildings 
of all kinds, good commodious barns and out- 
buildings, and a comfortable dwelling. Out of 
two hundred and sixty acres he is now cultivat- 
ing one hundred and thirty, following the meth- 
ods of his father in carrying on general farming 
and stock-raising, making a specialty of Short- 
horn cattle. 

The marriage of Mr. Starr occurred March 
23, 1879, and united him with Anna Reeves, 
who was born on the place where she now makes 
her home, the daughter of a pioneer, Thomas D 
Reeves, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere 
in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Starr have three 
children, named in order of birth as follows : 
Claude I., Grace E. and Tracy, all of whom are 
still at home with their parents. Politically Mr. 
Starr is a Democrat and has served in the inter- 
est of this party in the capacity of road super- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1181 



visor. Fraternally he is a member of the Wood- 
men of the World. With a good record of ener- 
getic, persevering labor for his past years, Mr. 
Starr has made for himself a place in the com- 
munity, bearing his part in all efforts to im- 
prove the conditions of his native state, and 
winning thereby the esteem of his fellow-citi- 
zens. 



BURTIS W. JOHNSON, who is now serving 
a second term as postmaster of Corvallis, having 
rilled the position continuously since January, 
1898, was born in Ulysses, Potter county, Pa., 
August 30, 1866, a son of Hon. F. M. and Celia 
(Burtis) Johnson. The father was born in New 
York, of an old New England family. The pa- 
ternal grandfather was a shipbuilder and re- 
moved from Connecticut to the Empire state. 
Hon. F. M. Johnson became an attorney and 
practiced law for a number of years in Pennsyl- 
vania. Removing to the west he became a resi- 
dent of Michigan and served with the Third 
Michigan Cavalry in the Civil war. Later he 
went to Nebraska, settling in Tekamah, Burt 
county, where he practiced his profession, being 
widely recognized as a leading member of the 
bar of that locality. He also exerted a wide in- 
fluence in public affairs and twice represented 
his district in the general assembly, leaving the 
impress of his individuality upon the legislation 
enacted during that period. In 1876 he was 
chairman of the Republican state central com- 
mittee and continued an active factor in Nebras- 
ka politics until 1879, when he came to Oregon, 
locating in Corvallis. Here he practiced Taw 
until 1899, when he removed to Portland, where 
he is now engaged in the insurance business. 
He is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- 
public and a man of forceful individuality, whose 
labors have benefited every community with 
which he has been connected. His wife was 
born in Pennsylvania of one of the old families 
of that state and her death occurred in Nebras- 
ka. They were the parents of two children, 
the younger being May, now Mrs. Weigel, of 
Prineville. 

Having completed his literary education by a 
high school course Burtis W. Johnson in 1884 
entered the employ of the Oregon & Pacific 
Railroad Company, as a member of the survey- 
ing corps engaged in locating the road. He 
was afterward with the Oregon Railway & Navi- 
gation Company in the Walla Walla country, 
making the survey along the north bank of the 
Columbia river to Ainsworth. Subsequently 
Mr. Johnson entered his father's office, in charge 
of the insurance business, and in 1894 he en- 
tered the journalistic field, purchasing the Cor- 
vallis Gazette, of which he became the editor as 



well as proprietor. It was the Republican or- 
gan of Benton county and he continued its pub- 
lication until 1898 when he sold it. In the mean- 
time he had enlarged the paper to an eight col- 
umn folio, weekly. When he purchased it, the 
paper was on the decline, but he built up a large 
circulation, established a good job department, 
and, at the cost of much hard labor, made the 
Gazette, one of the best journals published in 
this part of the state. In the meantime Mr. 
Johnson had done another important work for 
Oregon. In the fall of 1891 he had arranged a 
Benton county exhibit for the exposition in 
Portland, where it attracted much attention and 
was highly commended, so much so that C. H. 
Dodd, then president of the board of immigra- 
tion, urged Mr. Johnson to take the management 
and superintendence of the car " Oregon-on- 
Wheels," which toured the United States in 
order to make Oregon and her possibilities 
known throughout the country. For some time 
Mr. Johnson hesitated, but was finally prevailed 
upon to accept the position and the result was 
that a very successful trip was made and its ob- 
ject was attained. The car was filled with ex- 
hibits of Oregon's products of different varie- 
ties, fncluding fruits, grains, minerals and woods. 
The trip covered fifteen thousand miles, Mr. 
Johnson starting in 1891 and returning in 1892. 
He traveled all over different railroads through 
the principal districts of the east and the trip was 
a pleasant one, at the same time proving of value 
to the state. 

In Corvallis Mr. Johnson was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Lillian Hamilton, who was born in 
Minnesota and was educated in the Oregon Ag- 
ricultural College. They are members of the 
Presbyterian Church and Mr. Johnson holds 
membership relations with the Knights of Pyth- 
ias, being a past chancellor in the lodge and 
a member of the finance committee of. the grand 
lodge. In politics he has always been a stalwart 
Republican, and in October, 1897, he was ap- 
pointed by President McKinley to the position 
of postmaster of Corvallis, although there were 
eight applicants for the position. In January, 
1898, he entered upon the duties of the office, 
and on June 30, 1902, he was reappointed with- 
out opposition by President Roosevelt. He is 
one of the leading young men of Corvallis, his 
life typifying the progressive spirit which has 
been the dominating element in the upbuilding 
and rapid development of the northwest. 



IRA F. M. BUTLER. In comparative good 
health there is living in the town of Monmouth 
a venerable and honored citizen aged nearly 
ninety-three years, whose personal characteris- 
tics, accomplishments, and whole-souled public 



1182 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



spiritedness may well serve as an inspiration to 
the youth of today who is handicapped at the 
outset of his life by the absence of influence or 
material resources. Ira F. M. Butler is a 
pioneer of pioneers, not only because he is an 
early settler, but because of the extent of his 
services in connection with the upbuilding of 
Polk county. Long before the Revolutionary 
war his emigrating ancestor came from Eng- 
land, settling among the colonies in the midst of 
which was fermented the compelling spirit of 
independence. The paternal great-grandfather, 
Peter, was born in England. Coming to 
America he located in Barren county, Ky., in 
1710, and died there in 1816, at the age of one 
hundred and six years. The paternal grand- 
father, John, was born in Virginia, removed 
with his father to Barren county, Ky., and died 
near Fairfield, Wayne county, 111., at the age 
of seventy-five. 

Peter Butler, the father of Ira F. M.J was 
born in Pulaski county, Ky., March 9, 1789, 
and in his native state married Rachel Murphy, 
a native of east Tennessee, and whose father, 
John Murphy, was born in the same state, and,^ 
passed his last years in Warren county, Ky. 
Mr. Butler in time located in Barren county, 
where was born, May 20, 1812, his son, Ira F. 
M., the first of a family of ten children, among 
whom were seven sons and three daughters. 
Contemporary with his son's birth, Mr. Butler 
shouldered his musket and served in the war 
of 18 1 2 as major in General Wayne's regiment, 
thereafter continuing to farm in his native state 
until his removal to Illinois in 1829. In Warren 
county, 111., he bought a farm, the interests of 
which he gladly entrusted to the care of others 
while he served in the Black Hawk war, in 
which momentous struggle he won the rank of 
major. He became prominent in political and 
general affairs in Illinois, served in both the leg- 
islature and state senate, and was the first sheriff 
of Warren county. In the meantime he listened 
enthusiastically to the glowing reports of re- 
turned travelers from the west, and in 1853 out- 
fitted with mule teams and wagons, and brought 
his family to Oregon. He was four months on 
the way, and, contrary to the experience of most 
of the early emigrants, had a pleasant and safe 
journey. Arriving in Polk county, he bought 
a donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres of land near Monmouth, where his death 
occurred in 1856. 

In his youth Ira F. M. Butler had meager 
educational chances, and he early appreciated 
what he was missing in that direction. Accord- 
ingly, he set about studying by himself during 
his leisure moments on the farm, and he was 
one of those who learn much from observation, 
and from contact with his fellow-men. He de- 



veloped early aptitude for public service, for 
he was deputy sheriff under his father, and filled 
the position of sheriff of Warren county, 111., 
in 1838. For seven years he was circuit clerk 
in Warren county under Stephen A. Douglas, 
in the meantime making his home in the town 
of Monmouth, 111. With his father he planned 
the trip across the plains, and upon arriving 
at his destination in Oregon he settled on a claim 
of three hundred and twenty acres near his 
father on the Luckiamute. This property he 
sold in 1856, and bought land two miles south- 
west of Monmouth, consisting of six hundred 
and eighty acres. In 1856-7 he helped to lay 
out the town of Monmouth, and, upon being ap- 
pointed one of a committee of five to give the 
infant project a name, called it after the thriv- 
ing community in which he lived and labored in 
Illinois. 

In his determination to be an upbuilding fac- 
tor of Monmouth, M ; r. Butler has traversed 
many avenues of activity, in all of which he 
has been successful. As a stanch Democrat, he 
has repeated his Illinois political services, cred- 
itably and ably representing his coimnunitA 
^the^ legislature during the sessions of a8^6fi8^. 
an^(i862jm 1858, serving as speaker of the 
house! From 1878 to 1882 he was judge of 
Polk county, and until within a few years has 
been justice of the peace since his arrival in 
the west. From time to time he has been inter- 
ested in surveying in the county, and was coun- 
ty surveyor for one term. For eighteen years 
he lived on the large farm which he still owns, 
and during that time engaged in general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, many improvements be- 
ing added to his enterprise as his harvests in- 
creased in size, and large financial gains re- 
warded his arduous labors. From the primi- 
tive log house of the early settler he moved into 
more commodious quarters, and finally, in 1873, 
took up his permanent residence in a pleasantly 
located home in Monmouth. Since 1882 he has 
lived in comparative retirement, having won the 
esteem and appreciation of a large circle of 
friends and associates. A member of the Chris- 
tian church, he was one of the founders of the 
Christian College at Monmouth, and for many 
years was president of its board of trustees, re- 
signing only when the institution was merged 
into the State Normal School. His financial 
ability and integrity found vent as one of the 
organizers of the Polk . county bank at Mon- 
mouth, of which he was for years one of the 
largest stockholders. He is a member of 
Grange No. 258. 

For fifty-three years Mr. Butler enjoyed ari 
ideal married life with the wife whom he mar- 
ried in Illinois, November 5, 1835, and who was 
formerly Mary Ann Davidson, a native of Ken- 



jV-,. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1183 



tacky, and daughter of Elijah Davidson, born 
in North Carolina. November 5, 1885, ^ r - an ^ 
Mrs. Butler celebrated their golden wedding, 
and the love of friends and relatives found ex- 
pression in numerous gifts, and in the shower- 
ing of innumerable good wishes. Three years 
later, in June. 1888, the faithful wife and mother 
passed beyond the ken of those to whom she 
had been a comfort in life, and in the memory 
of all who knew her she is recalled as possess- 
ing many lovable and endearing traits of char- 
acter. Her father removed from North Caro- 
lina to Illinois, and from there came to Oregon 
in 1850, locating on a donation claim of six 
hundred and forty acres near Monmouth, where 
he attained to the age of four score years. Of 
the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Butler, 
Newton H. is deceased ; Paradine is deceased ; 
Asa D. is a fruit grower in Napa, Cal. ; Cyrus 
is deceased ; as are also Mary E. and A. P. Two 
daughters, Margaret and Alice, live with their 
father. Thus is told the life story of an indus- 
trious and capable pioneer of this great com- 
monwealth, who is as great in the sterling quali- 
ties which bring success as is the state in oppor- 
tunities of soil and climate. 



WILLIAM A. CRISELL. Three miles east 
of Butteville and five miles northwest of Aurora, 
on the Willamette river, is the two hundred and 
seventy-five acre farm of William A. Crisell, 
occupied by him since 1868, and one hundred 
and fifty acres of which are cleared. Fifty acres 
of this farm consists of beaver-dam land, thrown 
up by those wonderful little members of the ani- 
mal world who have served as examples of in- 
dustry for centuries past. There is an old hop- 
yard of twenty acres, and a new hop-yard of 
forty acres, the latter planted in 1902, making 
in all sixty acres of hops to be garnered by 
harvesters in the fall. Mr. Crisell is not only 
an excellent agriculturist, but he has a wide 
knowledge of mining, to which he has devoted 
many years of his life. He was born in St. 
Genevieve county, Mo., in February, 1833, an d 
was reared on a farm, attending the public 
schools as opportunity offered. His father 
dying when the son was seventeen years of age, 
he determined to leave home and carve out his 
future in the west, two years later, in 1852, 
making preparation for the long journey. With 
three companions he purchased an outfit of five 
yoke of oxen, one wagon, and two saddle horses, 
all of which the}' finally succeeded in bringing 
over the plains. They were four months mak- 
ing the journey from Missouri to California, 
and once arrived, Mr. Crisell turned his atten- 
tion to mining and prospecting in Eldorado 
county for about ten years. Thereafter he spent 



a number of years mining in Idaho, Washington 
and other mining centers, and eventually bought 
an interest in a four-yoke ox-team with which 
he engaged in freighting between The Dalles 
and the mining districts for three years. 

In 1868 he came to Oregon and settled on his 
present farm. The following year, September 
10, 1869, he was united in marriage with Nancy 
Bird, who was born in Clackamas county in 
1849, a daughter of William and Harriett Bird. 
The union of Mr. Crisell and Nancy Bird has 
been blessed with three sons : Allen A., Millard 
N., and Robert. The sons are all farmers, and 
the two youngest are working with their father. 
Mr. Crisell is a Democrat in politics, and fra- 
ternally is associated with the Grange. He is 
upright and industrious, and richly deserves the 
success which has come to him. In all the un- 
dertakings of his community which are calcu- 
lated to elevate the moral and intellectual 
standard of the people he has exhibited a keen 
and unselfish interest. Those who have had the 
opportunity to gain a knowledge of his character 
freely accord him a position among the thor- 
oughly representative farmers of Marion county 
— a man whose earnest efforts toward the en- 
lightenment of those with whom he comes in 
contact in his daily life are highly appreciated. 
It is with genuine pleasure that the editors of 
this publication make a permanent record of the 
high esteem in which Mr. Crisell is held by his 
fellow-citizens ; and in the years to come the 
three manly sons in his family unquestionably 
will review with great pride and satisfaction the 
history of his career, which has afforded them 
a source of inspiration in their efforts toward 
attaining an equally conspicuous position among 
the leading agriculturists of the Willamette 
vallev. 



MATHIAS COOLEY. Social and political 
position in the United States is not dependent 
on titles or long lines of family ancestry, but 
is based on a man's own achievements. The 
subject of this writing owes his success to his 
individual efforts, and began the battle of life 
at the early age of fourteen years. From a 
humble beginning, he has risen to a place of suc- 
cess and honor, an esteemed resident of his 
community. Mr. Cooley is now living a retired 
life on his farm three miles north of Silverton, 
Marion county, and has the distinction of being 
one of the pioneer settlers of that section. His 
life has been an eventful one and he has followed 
a variety of vocations, being also largely in- 
strumental in the upbuilding of his community. 

Mr. Cooley was born in Platte county, Mo., 
August 26, 1837, and is a son of Cornelius and 
Dolly (White) Cooley, the latter a native of 



1184 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Missouri. Cornelius Cooley was a Kentuckian 
by birth. He settled in Missouri when a young 
man, and it was there his marriage took place. 
Four sons were born to him and his wife. When 
Mathias was but seven years old, the father died, 
and, as he had requested, the lad was placed in 
the care of a family named Wilson. In 1845 
the Wilsons crossed the plains to the far west 
and many incidents of the long and perilous 
journey are still fresh in the mind of Mr. 
Cooley. Upon leaving Council Bluffs, Iowa, the 
emigrants' train consisted of one hundred wag- 
ons, and it required about eight months to make 
the journey to Oregon. Owing to the scarcity 
of food, the suffering was intense. For two 
weeks they lived on dried salmon skins, which 
they obtained by trading with the Indians, hav- 
ing barely enough of this poor food to sustain 
life. They first settled at The Dalles, and Mr. 
Wilson was so nearly starved that he overtaxed 
his stomach and died the morning following his 
arrival at that place. His widow settled on the 
Tualatin plains near Hillsboro, Washington 
county, and some time afterward married David 
Hill, who located in Oregon in 1840. He took 
up a donation claim where Hillsboro now stands, 
and gave half of the town site. He died about 
1850, and his widow continued to reside upon 
the same farm until her death, having previously 
espoused a third husband, whose name was 
Whelock Simmons. 

Mathias Cooley was the recipient of but a 
meager education, which was obtained in the 
district schools. When he attained the age of 
fourteen, he started out to make his own way 
in the world, working by the month as farm 
hand until he reached his majority. At the age 
of twenty-two years, he entered a wagon shop as 
an apprentice, and completely mastered the 
double trade of wagonmaker and carpenter. 
Later he went into business for himself in Wau- 
conda, and it was there that his marriage took 
place. Four or five years later the family re- 
moved to Gervais, and about four years after- 
ward Mr. Cooley purchased the farm which is 
still his home. This farm consists of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land, and upon it general 
farming and stock-raising was carried on until 
Mr. Cooky's retirement. 

December 23, 1868, Mr. Cooley was joined in 
matrimony with Willimina Smith, daughter of 
John W. and Matilda (Elliott) Smith. Mrs. 
Cooley was born in Wayne county, Ohio, crossed 
the plains with her family in 1854, and settled 
in Polk county, Ore. Nine children were born 
of this union ; namely, Cornelius J. ; M. G. ; Mrs. 
Lillian Urdan, of Portland ; Matilda M., of Port- 
land ; Sampson J., of Portland ; Bird Bell ; Jen- 
nie J. ; Wallace B. ; and Willis. They have a 
very pleasant and attractive home, which is 



beautifully located. The residence is con- 
veniently built, the out-buildings substantial, and 
the surrounding ground well kept. 

Mr. Cooley is a loyal and earnest Republican 
and has done a great deal of active service for 
his party. All the members of his family are 
more or less musically inclined and the fame of 
Cooky's orchestra is known throughout that, sec- 
tion. Mr. Cooley himself was at one time one 
of the leading violinists in the far west. 



WILLIAM WILSON is an enterprising and 
highly respected citizen of Yamhill county who 
owns a nice farm on the beautiful Willamette 
river near Dundee. He also has mining inter- 
ests, being one of the owners of a gold mine in 
the Cascade mountains, having a ledge on Wil- 
son creek. The development and progress of the 
coast country is a matter which has long been 
to him of deep interest and he has done every- 
thing in his power to promote its upbuilding. 
His residence in Oregon dates from 1876. He 
was born in Oakland county, Mich., September 
2 9> ^37 > and is a son of George and Harriet 
(Soper) Wilson. The father was born in Lin- 
colnshire, England, and came to the United 
States in 1812. Espousing the cause of his 
adopted country in the second war with Eng- 
land, he did garrison duty during the period of 
hostilities, but was never called into active serv- 
ice. He was then but eighteen years of age. He 
located in Genesee county, N. Y., where he fol- 
lowed farming for a long period and then re- 
moved to Oakland county, Mich., where he en- 
tered a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. 
After the war with the Indians in that state he 
sold a part of his land, but devoted his attention 
to the cultivation of the remainder, and he died 
in Oakland county when seventy-five years of 
age. His wife, who was a native of Greece, 
Genesee county, N. Y., died in Michigan at the 
age of seventy years. Unto this worthy couple 
were born six children, two sons and four 
daughters, of whom five reached years of ma- 
turity, William being the second in order of 
birth. 

To the public school system of his native state 
William Wilson is indebted for the educational 
privileges which he received and upon the home 
farm he obtained practical training in agricul- 
tural work. When twenty years of age he began 
earning his own living at farm work and at 
logging, and after the beginning of the Civil 
war he enlisted for service in the United States 
army as a member of Company A, Third Wis- 
consin Cavalr)'. The company was afterward re- 
organized as Company K, and Mr. Wilson 
served in the southwest part of Missouri, Ar- 
kansas and Texas, under Generals Curtis and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1185 



Blount. He participated in the battles of Little 
Blue. Lexington. Mo., and Fayetteville, Ark. 
He then marched back to Missouri, living on 
onl\ one-fourth rations for a time. He was in 
the service for over two years and was mustered 
out at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. 

Mr. Wilson then returned to his home in Wis- 
consin and in 1866 he purchased one hundred 
and sixty acres of land in Steele county, Minn., 
of which he fenced thirty or forty acres and 
then sold the property. Removing to Michigan, 
he remained there until the fall of 1867, when 
he went to Dallas county, Iowa, and purchased 
one hundred acres of land for which he paid $3 
per acre. After twenty years he sold this for 
$20 per acre, thus realizing a good return from 
his investment. In 1873 he purchased one hun- 
dred and sixty acres for $16 per acre in the 
same county, but after three years he disposed of 
this and in 1876 went to California. Subse- 
quently he took up his abode in Seattle, Wash., 
where he engaged in logging and then came to 
Oregon, but after a year spent in this state he 
returned to California. A few months later, 
however, he once more came to Oregon and has 
resided here continuously since. In 1881 he 
purchased one hundred acres of land for $10 
per acre on the banks of the Willamette river. 
Only a very small part of this had been im- 
proved at the time, but he now has fifty acres 
under cultivation. He carries on general farm- 
ing and he also has eleven acres planted to hops. 
In Wisconsin in 1862 occurred the marriage 
of Mr. Wdson and Miss Viola Kennedy, who 
was born in Hillsdale county, Mich., a daughter 
of J. B. Kennedy, who was a native of New 
York and a farmer by occupation. He removed 
with his parents to Michigan, afterward became 
a resident of Wisconsin, thence sought a home 
in the northwest and after residing in Oregon 
for a time he went to San Diego, Cal., where 
he died at the age of sixty-nine years. During 
the greater part of his business career he had 
carried on agricultural pursuits but in his last 
years he lived retired. His wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Emily Belden, was born in Mas- 
sachusetts, February 28, 1829, and they were 
married in Michigan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wil- 
son have been born five children, three sons and 
two daughters : Joseph, who is engaged in 
farming in Greer county, Okla. ; William and 
Warren, who are engaged in the railway busi- 
ness in eastern Oregon ; and Emily and Zetta, 
at home. 

Mr. Wilson was converted by the Salvation 
Army, with which he is now connected, and in 
his political affiliations he is a Republican. He 
owns a nice residence on the banks of the river 



a mile and a quarter southeast of Dundee and 
his farm is a valuable property, forming one of 
the attractive features of the landscape. 



JOHN MOSER. Among the large landhold- 
ers and extensive stock raisers and dealers who 
are represented in this volume, mention may well 
be made of John Moser, whose finely-improved 
and well-kept homestead about five miles east of 
Silverton bears strong evidence of the thrift and 
enterprise which first established it, and by which 
it has since been carried on. In common with 
those of his day and generation, he suffered the 
hardships of frontier life, but by the aid of strong 
hands, a courageous heart, and a never-failing 
energy, he has been able to cope successfully 
with all difficulties that have beset him, and in 
the past years of faithful toil has accumulated a 
comfortable competency. 

Born August 20, 1827, in Owen county, Ind., 
John Moser is a son of Joseph Moser, one of the 
early settlers of Marion county. Joseph Moser, 
a native of North Carolina, accompanied his par- 
ents to Ohio when he was a small child, and 
later lived in Indiana for several years. In 1844 
he removed with his wife and children to Mis- 
souri, where he remained about eight years. In 
1852 he joined a party westward bound, and for 
six months journeyed by ox-team before he 
reached Marion county, the objective point of 
his destination. Taking up a claim about six 
miles from Silverton, between Butte creek and 
the Abiqua, he was engaged in general farming 
there and in that vicinity until his death, at the 
age of about three score and ten years. He mar- 
ried, while living in Indiana, Isabelle Dunnigan, 
who was born in Kentucky, and died in Marion 
county, Ore., at the age of seventy-eight years. 
Ten children blessed their union, namely : Lu- 
anda, deceased ; John ; Mary, widow of John 
Hartman, living near Silverton ; Tobias, de- 
ceased ; Solomon, residing in eastern Oregon ; 
Joseph, a resident of Washington ; Elizabeth, 
widow of John Whitlock, of Silverton ; Harriet, 
wife of John Stanton, of Clackamas county ; 
Alonzo, of Oregon Citv ; and William, of the 
Waldo Hills. 

After completing his studies in the district 
schools of Indiana, John Moser removed with 
his parents to Missouri, where he subsequently 
learned the wagonmaker's trade, which he fol- 
lowed for a few years. In 1852 he crossed 
the plains with an ox-team, coming to Oregon 
with the train that his parents accompanied, and 
settled in the Waldo Hills, on a half section of 
land, about two and one-half miles south of Sil- 
verton. Two years later he removed with his 
family to Lane county, where he resided two 
years. In 1855 he worked a few months at min- 



1186 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



iftg and farming in Jackson county, Ore. In 
1856 Mr. Moser purchased the farm where he 
now lives, and where he has since resided. It 
contained at that time six hundred and forty 
acres of land, which was in its original wildness. 
Nothing daunted, however, he began the hercu- 
lean task of clearing it, and by wise forethought 
and intense application redeemed a good home- 
stead property, which he has improved by the 
erection of substantial buildings, and equipped 
with the necessary machinery for its cultivation. 
In carrying on his work he pays attention to 
general farming and stock-raising, making a 
specialty in the latter branch of his industry of 
Norman horses and Hereford cattle. One of his 
sons owns a portion of the original estate, but he 
still has in his own possession five hundred and 
sixty acres of it. 

February 18, 1847, Mr. Moser married Sarah 
A. Petree, who was born March 29, 1830, in 
Franklin county, Ind., and died January 8, 1900, 
on the homestead. Of the children that blessed 
their union the following is the record : Joseph 
H, a resident of Silverton ; Isaiah, a resident of 
Washington county; Margaret E., wife of Isaac 
Hinkle; Minerva, wife of William Pendell, of 
Washington; Dr. John F., deceased; Mary, wife 
of Zack Davenport, living on the home farm ; 
Sarah, Icebella, both deceased ; Falista, wife of 
Henry Grazer ; Lemuel, living in California ; Isa- 
belle, wife of Hiram Hartley ; and Stoneman, 
residing on a portion of the homestead. Mr. 
Moser is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and in his political affiliations is a Demo- 
crat. 

HENRY McGUIRE. Far from peaceful or 
uneventful has been the career of Henry Mc- 
Guire, one of the large land owners and success- 
ful farmers of Yamhill county, and one of the 
bravest and most experienced Indian fighters 
which this country has produced. His fighting 
capacity is not surprising when it is known that 
remote McGuire ancestors prided themselves 
upon their prowess on the field of battle, and in 
all their relations to life were fashioned rather 
on the martial order. At any rate, they stood 
out fearlessly in any emergency however great 
and were also men of large business ability and 
unswerving integrity. Most authentic records 
trace the family history to McGuire Island, 
Fermanagh, Ireland, whence some bearing the 
name found their way to France. James and 
Hurley, however, remained in Ireland and be- 
came the greatest grain merchants of that pic- 
turesque old town of Limerick. 

A native of Roscommon town and county, Ire- 
land, Henry McGuire was born October 4, 1846, 
his father, William, being a native of the same 
county. William McGuire was a large stock- 



buyer and seller in his early days, but afterward 
lived in Limerick, where he bought and sold 
enormous quantities of grain, and was both an 
exporter and importer. He was an uneducated 
man, but possessed remarkable financial ability, 
and died in Belfast in 1900, leaving a comforta- 
ble competency to his family. His father, Hur- 
ley McGuire, was also born in Roscommon, and 
by occupation was a farmer and trader, in time 
becoming one of the wealthiest men in his sec- 
tion. In 1798 he fought against the English, 
and although the balance of the family found a 
refuge in France, he and his brother James re- 
mained behind, much to the surprise of their 
friends, who were unaware of the fact until 
some years later. William McGuire married 
Mary Green, born in County Galway, and whose 
father, James, a merchant tailor, died in Ros- 
common. Mrs. McGuire was the mother of 
three sons and three daughters : George, de- 
ceased, was a judge in Wayne county, Mich.; 
Mary Ann is living in Michigan; Agnes died in 
Belfast, Ireland; James is a resident of Port- 
land; Annie is in Belfast, Ireland; and Henry, 
subject of this sketch. 

A spirit of rebellion characterized the early 
youth of Mr. McGuire, which was perhaps typi- 
cal of his future career. At the age of fourteen 
he unceremoniously took leave of his family and 
went to Liverpool, where his surplus energy was 
expended in teaching boxing, and in giving box- 
ing exhibitions. This kind of life was destined 
for interruption, for his family saw to it that he 
returned to his home and applied himself to at- 
tendance at the common school. In 1862 he en- 
gaged as a clerk on the Midland & Great West- 
ern Railway in the construction department, and 
was later a clerk in the mail department of Ros- 
common. At the time of the Fenian raid in 1865 
he came to the United States, and from New 
York City went to Lowell, Mass., and then back 
to New York City. Here he enlisted in the 
United States army, and as a member of Com- 
pany D was sent to a military training school. 
Having successfully stood the examination he 
was offered a commission, but refused, and was 
then ordered with a band of recruits under Gen- 
eral Lord to Angel Island, Marin county, Cal. 
As a member of Company G, Thirty-Second 
United States Infantry, he went to Arizona, 
there meeting with an accident while attempting 
to regain an escaping prisoner, in which he was 
thrown down a cliff. In Arizona he volunteered 
to carry the mail from Goodman to Apache 
Pass, a distance of one hundred and twenty-five 
miles, the entire trip going and coming taking 
usually a week. Mr. McGuire gained a great 
reputation in Arizona for nerve and fearlessness, 
and his name was known throughout the entire 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1187 



territory. His regiment was finally consoli- 
dated with Company G of the Twenty-First 
regiment, but soon after Mr. McGuire was dis- 
charged therefrom, owing to a case of sunstroke 
while on a forced march. Although one of the 
most capable and fearless men in his company, 
he steadily refused promotion, preferring to re- 
main in the ranks. Following close upon his 
disabling sunstroke Mr. McGuire located in 
Portland and found employment at teaming in 
the brickyards of that city. Nevertheless, he 
still continued to have an interest in matters 
military, and in 1872 distinguished himself by 
drawing the medal offered by the governor of 
the state for the best-drilled man in Oregon. 
In 1873 he volunteered to fight the Modock In- 
dians, but the services of the company were not 
accepted owing to the governor's refusal to allow 
them to leave the state. 

In 1874 Mr. McGuire married in Portland, 
Mrs. Rosana (Jones) Twohill, a native of In- 
diana, and whose father, William Jones, was 
born in Kentucky, and moved from there to In- 
diana, finally crossing the plains to Oregon in 
1847. Mr. Jones settled on the William and 
Nancy (Jones) donation claim in Yamhill 
county, where himself and wife farmed six hun- 
dred and forty acres, and where they died at an 
advanced age. After his marriage Mr. McGuire 
settled on his wife's farm, and he subsequently 
bought out two of the Jones heirs, adding still 
more to his land until at present he owns ninety - 
one acres one and a half miles northwest of 
Xewberg. This was long before the town of 
Xewberg was founded and the McGuires have 
been interested spectators of its rise. Of the 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. McGuire William 
is a perfect specimen of physical development, 
and is unusually strong; then there are Henry, 
James, George, Robert, and Josephine. The 
children are all living at home, and all are re- 
ceiving the best education which it is possible 
for their parents to give them. Mr. McGuire is 
a Democrat in politics, and in religion is a mem- 
ber of the Protestant Episcopal Church. 



GEORGE W. KLUM. For more than half 
a century George W. Klum occupied a section 
of land in Linn county, and during that time ef- 
fected a great and creditable change in property 
exceedingly wild and unpromising when he first 
took possession. Like all of the very early set- 
tlers he had obstacles to overcome ere encour- 
agement or profit were in sight, and the tim- 
bered condition of the land necessitated years 
of arduous and exhausting toil. He belongs to 
that noble band of men who thought no labor 
too severe or trying to accomplish their purpose 



in a home-seeking time, and was one of those 
who took the initiative, making their start 
across the plains before the journey had become 
either usual or safe. For several years of his 
life he lived at Rushville, Rush county, Ind., 
where he was born May 8, 1825, his parents 
afterward removing to Illinois and from there 
to Louisa county, Iowa, where they lived on a 
farm until crossing the plains with their two 
sons and two daughters. 

In the meantime, in the spring of 1847, 
George W. Klum had been united in marriage 
with Jane Nye, a native of Louisa county, Iowa, 
and soon after joined with the family in their 
emigration to the west, taking six months to 
accomplish the journey. Nothing out of the 
ordinary happened to this little band of cour- 
ageous people, and they reached their destina- 
tion in this county in fairly good health and 
spirits. In the fall of 1847 Mr. Klum paved 
the way for future success by locating on a sec- 
tion of wild land, to the improvement of which 
he at once applied himself with all of the en- 
thusiasm and hope of his twenty-four years. 
His first home was in a little hewed log house of 
one room, but this his brave wife converted into 
one of comfort, making the best of her limited 
facilities for housekeeping. Game was abundant 
in those days, and the gun of Mr. Klum brought 
down many a deer and other game that fre- 
quented the timber. As the ground yielded of 
its richness, and a market appeared for the 
products of the settlers, advantages came to the 
little family, and a larger house supplanted the 
log one of long ago. Children were added to 
the cares of the mother, five sons and six daugh- 
ters, and all were taught the value of industry 
and the benefit of upright, honorable dives. 
Surely, in 1902, Mr. Klum had earned the right 
to lessen his labors somewhat, and to leave to 
younger and stronger shoulders the work of har- 
vesting and improving. At this time he moved 
into Sodaville, where he has since lived in a 
comfortable and hospitable little home, and is 
identified with the larger life of the community. 
He is widely known as an upholder of the prin- 
ciples of Masonry, of which noble organization 
he has been a member for more than fifty-five 
years. He was the first active sheriff of Linn 
county, serving as a deputy under Jason 
Wheeler, who was incapacitated from labor by 
reason of ill health. He had practically nothing 
when he came to Oregon in 1847, DUt at present 
he is one of the substantial men of a thrifty 
community. 



CHARLES K. SPAULDING is one of the 
most prominent representatives of extensive tim- 
ber interests in the Willamette valley or the state 



1188 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Oregon and belongs to that class of business 
men who, while promoting individual prosperity, 
also contribute largely to the upbuilding and im- 
provement of the localities with which they are 
connected. Mr. Spaulding is a native of Leaven- 
worth, Kans., born January 28, 1865. His father, 
Erastus Spaulding, was born in Milford, N. H., 
August 14, 1832, and received rather limited 
educational privileges. He pursued his studies in 
the common schools until sixteen years of age, 
when he began work as a farm hand. In his 
youth he also learned the blacksmith's trade, 
which he followed for seven years in Westboro, 
Mass. In 1858 he sought a home in the west 
that he might enjoy the better business oppor- 
tunities of new sections of the country, taking 
up his abode in Leavenworth, Kans. He was 
a stanch Abolitionist and as this was the period 
which immediately preceded the Civil war, when 
public feeling ran very high in Kansas, he gave 
the weight of his influence to the Abolition move- 
ment and fearlessly defended his honest convic- 
tions. He followed blacksmithing and also 
worked at the mason's trade and engaged in 
teaming, but during the last six years of his busi- 
ness career he conducted a saw-mill and met 
with a merited degree of success in the enter- 
prise. Cutting a large amount of lumber, he 
sold this to the government at Ft. Leavenworth 
during war times. He never enlisted regularly 
in the army, but was twice drafted and on each 
occasion sent a substitute. He resided in the 
Sunflower state during the time of the raids 
made by Quantrell and his lawless band of bush- 
whackers, and relates many interesting incidents 
of occurrences of those times. In 1872 he de- 
termined to seek his home on the Pacific coast 
and made his way to San Francisco, Cal., where 
he joined his brother in the conduct of the Ex- 
celsior manufacturing plant. He afterward built 
the second fruit-dryer in the state and was en- 
gaged in business in that line in Sonoma. In 
connection with a partner, William Plumber, he 
invented what was afterward known as the 
Plumber dryer, and began the manufacture of 
that device, but because of the great failure in 
the fruit crop of California they removed from 
the Golden state to Oregon in the year 1874, 
locating in Portland, where they established their 
plant for the manufacture of fruit dryers, and 
the output found a ready sale upon the market. 
Three years passed in this way, and then Mr. 
Spaulding disposed of his interest in the busi- 
ness and purchased a farm near Pleasantdale, in 
Yamhill county, Ore. This comprised one hun- 
dred and thirty acres of well improved land, and 
on disposing of his manufacturing interests he 
took up his abode upon his farm, which he con- 
tinued to cultivate and improve until 1896. In 
that year he came to Newberg, where he has 



since lived retired in the enjoyment of a well- 
earned rest, but he still retains possession of the 
farm, and the rental of the property brings to 
him a desirable income. 

Erastus Spaulding was united in marriage to 
Elizabeth Kent, who was born in Canada and is 
now living with her husband in Newberg. They 
had three children, of whom one died in infancy, 
but two sons reached mature years. Frank 
Spaulding, the brother of our subject, however, 
is now deceased. 

In the common schools of Portland Charles K. 
Spaulding pursued his education, having been 
brought to the Pacific coast when only about 
nine years of age. He continued his studies 
until he had gained a good knowledge to serve 
as the foundation upon which to rear the super- 
structure of a successful career. When nine- 
teen years of age he became connected with the 
logging business, which he has since followed, 
beginning operations in that line near Dayton, 
Ore. He had little capital when he embarked 
in business, the entire sum probably amounting 
to about $1,000, but he possessed strong resolu- 
tion and determined energy, and these stood him 
in stead of greater capital. The splendid forest 
districts of the state have made Oregon a lucra- 
tive field for logging and kindred interests and 
Mr. Spaulding decided to engage in this line of 
industrial activity. After two years he came to 
Newberg, Ore., continued in the same business, 
and in 1890 he went to Washington, where he 
established a sawmill, operating it for one year. 
At the end of that time, however, he sold his 
mill and returned to Newberg, where he or- 
ganized the Charles K. Spaulding Logging Com- 
pany, of which he is the president and in which 
he owns a large interest. This business was 
incorporated in 1897 with a paid-up capital of 
$30,000, and the present capital is $150,000, a 
fact which indicates the almost marvelous in- 
crease of the business. The company owns a 
sawmill in Newberg, turning out fifty thousand 
feet of lumber per day, and also has ten thou- 
sand acres of timberland whereon a number of 
crews of men are employed in getting out the 
timber. These number altogether one hundred 
and twenty-five workmen, and the property of 
the company also includes two large river steam- 
boats. They handle about forty million feet of 
logs per year, supplying various extensive lumber 
manufacturing companies situated along the 
Willamette river. The business has reached 
mammoth proportions and the successful control 
of this important and profitable enterprise is 
largely the work of Mr. Spaulding. He is a 
man of excellent business ability, of keen sa- 
gacity, and recognizes quickly every opportunity 
in the line of his chosen pursuit. He is also 
a director in the Bank of Newberg, and aside 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1189 



from his timberlands he owns five hundred acres 
of land ten miles from Newberg, Ore., constitut- 
ing a splendid ranch on which he raises grain 
and stock. In Newberg he owns a beautiful 
residence. 

In Dayton, Ore., was celebrated the marriage 
of Charles K. Spaulding and Miss Lorah Seese, 
who was born in Benton, Ind., a daughter of E. 
Seese, who was a resident of Dayton, Ore. He 
came to this state at a very early day and con- 
ducted a lumber yard at McMinnville, while a 
portion of his time was also given to the super- 
vision of a ranch. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Spauld- 
ing have been born four children : Walter, Beu- 
lah, Clifford and Ila. In his political affiliations 
Mr. Spaulding is a stalwart Republican, and for 
two terms he served as city councilman. To him 
there has come the attainment of a distinguished 
position in connection with the great material 
industries of the state, and his efforts have been 
so discerningly directed along well defined lines 
that he seems to have realized at any one point 
of progress the full measure of his possibilities 
for accomplishment at that point. A man of dis- 
tinct and forceful individuality, of broad men- 
tality and most mature judgment, he has left and 
is leaving his impress upon the industrial world. 
For years he has been an important factor 
in the development of the natural resources of 
the state, in the upbuilding and in the promo- 
tion of the enterprises which add not alone to 
his individual prosperity, but also advance the 
general welfare and prosperity of the city in 
which he makes his home. 



JOHN A. CONSER. The family to which 
John A. Conser belongs was very prominent in 
the early days of Oregon, becoming not only a 
power in the agricultural world, but being rep- 
resented in the first territorial legislature, and 
in the jurisprudence of Marion county. The 
founder of the family in the northwest was Jacob 
Conser, the father of John A., and of nine other 
children who grew to maturity', eight sons and 
two daughters. This early pioneer was born in 
Center county, Pa., of poor parents, who fol- 
lowed the old and often convenient custom of 
binding out their children at an early age. This 
was the fate of Jacob, who rebelled at his bond- 
age, and without bidding farewell to his family or 
master, left his native state and by devious ways 
arrived in Illinois. Here he finished his trade 
and added to it the trade of millwright, proving 
that he was industrious and ambitious. In time 
he ran a saw-mill and otherwise engaged in busi- 
ness in Illinois, and in 1848, with his wife and 
children, made arrangements to cross the plains 
to Oregon. Besides household possessions with 
which to start a home in the far west he had a 



wagon with several yoke of oxen, two cows and 
two steers. A calamity befell him at the Platte 
river, where he lost his oxen in a stampede, and 
was obliged to complete the greater part of his 
journey with the two steers and two cows. For- 
tunately he had slight difficulty with the Indians, 
and his family escaped the physical disorders 
which made the passage of many of the emi- 
grants so distressful. Arriving in Linn county 
Mr. Conser purchased another man's right near 
Scio, remained thereon until 1849, an d then took 
up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres 
near Jefferson, Marion county. He also bought 
the same amount of land, thus making a farm 
of six hundred and forty acres. In 1853 ne 
started a saw-mill near Jefferson, and this proved 
so successful that he erected a flour and grist- 
mill in 1858, running the grist-mill for several 
years. He became prominent in politics, and was 
elected to the first territorial legislature, and was 
again elected in 1855-6. He served his county 
with rare good judgment, possessing those re- 
liable and fundamentally strong traits of char- 
acter of which the state had particular need at 
that time. In the early days he was judge of 
Marion county, and held many other positions 
of trust to which his Democratic supporters 
elected him. The Masonic order profited by his 
membership for many years, and he took many 
of the higher degrees. He was a man of ster- 
ling personal worth, unquestioned integrity and 
large capacity for industry. His farm was de- 
voted to general farming and stock-raising, and 
his far-sightedness recognized the advantages of 
modern improvements, including good buildings, 
fences and implements. In 1885 he moved into 
Eugene to get away from the worry and responsi- 
bility of business, and in retirement his death 
occurred in 1894, at the age of seventy-five years. 
He was of a social nature, enjoying a good story 
or a joke, even at his own expense. 

Seven years of age when he came to Oregon, 
John A. Conser was reared on the farm near 
Jefferson, and naturally became interested in 
his father's grist-mill, entering the same in a 
humble capacity, where he worked for some 
years. When his father moved to the farm near 
Jefferson he accompanied him, and has ever since 
resided on this fine property. In all he owns six 
hundred and twenty-nine acres of land, nearly 
all in the valley, located at Miller station, and six 
miles from Albany. No finer agricultural prop- 
ertv is to be found in the county, nor has any at 
its head a more thoroughly practical and re- 
sourceful farmer. Prosperity, orderliness, econ- 
omv, and, above all, s\ r stem, are the things which 
most impress the visitor to this pleasant home in 
one of the garden spots of Oregon. 

Mr. Conser was married September 27, 1874, 
to Miss Jane Jones, a native of Marion county, 



1190 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ore., the daughter of Lewis Jones, who came 
to Oregon in 1852 from Tennessee. He was a 
farmer, following that occupation until a short 
time before his death, which occurred at Oak- 
land, Ore., at about seventy-five years of age. 

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Conser: Lester Carl, born on the homestead in 
Linn county, is married to Iva Meeker, daughter 
of William" Meeker, of Linn county, having one 
son, and lives on the paternal farm; and Rocky,- 
also born on the Linn county farm. 



MELVIN MARTIN EDWARDS, who is the 
owner of a valuable farming property in Yamhill 
county and has been a resident of Oregon since 
1880, was born in Sangamon county, 111., on the 
site of Springfield, April 29, 1832. His paternal 
grandfather, William Edwards, was a native of 
New York, whence he went to Charleston, S. 
C, on a trading expedition, but he lost his 
money in that venture and moved to North Caro- 
lina, where he was united in marriage to Miss 
Elizabeth Justus. He then went to Overton 
county, Tenn., and afterward to Illinois, where 
he eventually retired from business cares. He 
died in the latter state in 1839 and his wife passed 
away in 1851. Among their children was Amos 
Edwards, the father of our subject, who was 
born in North Carolina and was but two years of 
age when his parents removed to Overton coun- 
ty, Tenn. When a young man he went to Illi- 
nois, settling on the present site of the city of 
Springfield. He helped survey the land and was 
active in pioneer development of that part of 
the state. When he and Abraham Lincoln were 
young men there was a strong friendship formed 
between them and they were companions in many 
of the sports and pleasures of youth. Mr. Ed- 
wards remained a resident of Illinois until about a 
month prior to his death, when he went to Iowa, 
passing away near Cumberland, that state, Aug- 
ust 20, 1876. His wife bore the maiden name of 
Nancy Hash, and was born in Sparta, Tenn., 
a daughter of John Hash, who belonged to one 
of the old and prominent southern families who 
lived upon plantations and owned large numbers 
of slaves. At an early day Mr. Hash moved to 
Illinois, where he died in 1830. 

Melvin Martin Edwards is the eldest of a 
family of five sons and two daughters, and 
was educated in the subscription schools, but 
his advantages in that direction were rather 
limited. In 1855 he began farming on his own 
account and also followed basket-making in Ful- 
ton county. 111. In 1861 he removed to Iowa, 
becoming one of the pioneer settlers of Cass 
county, where he purchased two hundred and 
twenty acres of land, continuing its cultivation 



with success until 1880. On September 20 of 
that year, he arrived in Oregon and took up his 
abode at Dundee, renting the place which is 
now his home. There was no town here at that 
time, however, and the country all about was 
wild and unimproved. Mr. Edwards did not 
make a permanent location here, but roamed over 
different parts of the country for a time, and 
in 1901 he returned to Dundee, where he is now 
located. He has been engaged in railroad con- 
struction, employed in every department of the 
work, including that of teaming. Mr. Edwards 
now owns four acres of land at his present home 
in Dundee and he also has a stock and dairy 
ranch of one hundred and sixty acres at San 
Lake, Tillamook county. This is partially im- 
proved and returns him a good income. He also 
has a block of lots in the city. 

On June 19, 1855, in Fulton county, 111., Mr. 
Edwards wedded Miss Mary E. Bartles, who was 
born in that county, a daughter of Frederick 
Bartles, who was born in Bath, Me., and was a 
distiller and miller. In later years, however, he 
followed farming. About 1832 he sought a home 
in what was then the frontier of Illinois and in 
1866 he went to Iowa, settling upon a tract of 
land which continued to be his home until his 
death on August 10, 1870. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Edwards have been born twelve children, of 
whom three died in infancy. Those still living 
are : Melvin J., a resident of Tillamook county, 
Ore. ; Nancy M., the wife of A. S. Lane, of 
Newberg, Ore. ; James William, at home ; Henry 
Grant, who is living in Polk county; U. Schuy- 
ler, of Dundee; Roy, of Grass Valley, Ore.; 
John Sherman, who is serving as city marshal of 
Dundee ; and Maude D., the wife of Roy Robert- 
son of Dundee. One daughter, Rosa, passed 
away at the age of twenty-six years. 

While in Iowa Mr. Edwards was a member 
of the state militia, and upon its organization in 
1 86 1 he became fourth sergeant, but saw little 
active service. In politics he has ever been a 
stalwart Republican and while in Iowa he served 
as school director, as county sheriff and as con- 
stable. He has also been school director and con- 
stable in Oregon and has ever been interested in 
the progress and advancement of this state dur- 
ing the twenty-three years of his residence here. 
He is now practically living a retired life at his 
home in Dundee. 



ALBERT HERREN, the popular agent of 
the Portland Flouring Mills Company and Ore- 
gon Railway & Navigation Company at Inde- 
pendence, has been a resident of this thriving 
little town since 1895, and during these years 
has been buying wheat of the surrounding farm- 
ers to ship to Portland. He is probably as good 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1191 



a judge of this commodity as any man in the 
county, and his enormous purchases for the firm 
which he represents have had much to do with 
stimulating wheat-growing in this section. A 
native son of Oregon, Mr. Herren was born 
four miles east of Salem, Marion county, Feb- 
ruary 4, 1853. and is the third of five sons and 
one daughter. His father. William J. Herren, 
was born at Greensburg, Ind., and when a small 
boy removed with his parents to Missouri, from 
which state in 1845 he came across the plains to 
Oregon. It is not known that his long journey 
was characterized by any particular adventure 
or interest. He traded a horse and his labor for 
a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres 
near Salem. This he improved to some ex- 
tent, and in 1887 located in the town of Salem, 
where he engaged in the warehouse business. 
He bought hops and wheat on an extensive scale 
and was thus engaged up to the time of his 
death in April. 1891, at the age of sixty-five 
years. His wife, Evelyn (Hall) Herren, who 
survives him, was born in Missouri, and is a 
daughter of James Hall, a pioneer of 1845, wno 
died on bis ranch near Butteville, Marion county. 
The education of the public schools fitted Mr. 
Herren for a general business career, and at the 
age of seventeen he embarked in a stock-raising 
enterprise with his brother, David, in eastern 
Oregon. In the fall of 1876 he sold out his land 
and stock and located in Salem, soon after tak- 
ing charge of his father's ranch in that vicinity, 
and until 1890 engaged extensively in the cattle 
business on the paternal farm. For a time he 
was freight agent at Salem, and in 1892 became 
associated as foreman with the Willamette Val- 
ley Milling Company. Following this in 1895 
he engaged in his present business as agent for 
two well-established Portland firms. The family 
of Mr. Herren consists of his wife, formerly 
Mary E. Smith, and two children, Carl and Lela. 
Mrs. Herren was born on a farm near Turner, 
Ore., and is a daughter of Simeon Smith, who 
crossed the plains in 1845. Mr. Smith located 
on an unimproved farm near Turner, and in 
those early pioneer days contributed his share . 
towards the development of his section, his death 
occurring in 1879. Mr. Herren is a Democrat in 
national politics, but aside from casting his vote 
has never identified himself with the political 
undertakings of his neighborhood. He is an ex- 
cellent business man, and a public-spirited, sub- 
stantial citizen. 



WILLIAM EVEREST. An interestingly 
checkered career has been that of William Ever- 
est, born many thousand miles from the spot 
where he now makes his home, his father being 



Richard Everest, who was born in Kent county, 
England, March 8, 1798. In 1836 his father emi- 
grated to the United States, coming by way of 
Quebec, Canada, and locating at Newark, Ohio, 
where he drove a dray wagon. In 1840 he re- 
moved to Washington 'county, Iowa, investing 
in land advantageously located on a small stream 
called Crooked creek, within one and a half mile 
of Washington, the county seat. Subsequently 
he tried his fortunes in the west, crossing the 
plains in 1847 to Oregon, where he took up a 
donation claim just east of the town of New- 
berg. This claim contained six hundred and 
forty acres, and into the improvement of it he 
put the strength of his years, undiminished by 
the wandering life he had led. Here at the age 
of eighty-four he passed away. The mother of 
William Everest was Miss Jane Cole, also of 
English extraction, having been born in Kent 
county, England, where her marriage to. Rich- 
ard Everest occurred. At the age of eighty-two 
years she died in this faraway land which, how- 
ever, their efforts had made home. Twelve chil- 
dren were born to them, the youngest of whom 
was William. 

This son was born in Kent county, England, 
August 30, 1836. His trip across the plains was 
made at the age of eleven years, and at thirteen 
he accompanied his father to California prospect- 
ing for gold, along the American river, where 
the gold was first discovered at Sutter's mill. 
When the two returned, they took back with them 
$3,000, the result of three months' work. Up 
to the time he was twenty-one years old he 
worked on his father's large farm, taking a quar- 
ter section of the claim and farming it. In 
1861-62 he was engaged in mining in Boise 
Basin, Idaho, following this up with a trip to 
Cariboo, British Columbia, where he worked in 
the mines in 1863. In 1884 during the mining 
excitement at Cceur d'Alene, he passed three 
months in the vicinity, gaining from the time 
spent there some substantial fruits. 

Since that time Mr. Everest has been indus- 
triously employed in farming on a part of the 
old donation claim that belonged to his father. 
He has made a great success of this work, tak- 
ing as much interest in it as in the more exciting 
experiences in mine and camp, it being his boast 
that more camp-fires have been lighted by his 
hand than by that of any other man in the state. 
LTpon his property he has built a homelike little 
cottage back about one hundred and fifty yards 
from the main road leading into Newberg. An- 
other of his improvements has been the setting 
out of fifteen acres to many kinds of fruit and 
English walnuts, and he takes great pleasure in 
showing guests through this Oregon bower of 
plenty. The gentle wife who shares this quie- 



1192 



PORTRAIT- AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tude was Miss Josie Acheson, whom he mar- 
ried in 1892, the children of this union being 
Marguerite Bell and Maud, both at home. In 
her church affiliations Mrs. Everest is of the 
Presbyterian faith, while her husband was chris- 
tened in the Church of England. She was a 
native of Magnolia, Rock county, Wis., her 
father, Alexander Acheson, having gone with his 
parents from Newburgh, Orange county, N. Y., 
to settle in Wisconsin at an early day. In 1899 
he also emigrated, going to Oregon and locating 
at Springbrook, where he bought a farm of 
twenty-five acres. This he sold and removed 
to Newberg, then to Tacoma, Wash., November 
4, 1902, in which latter place he expects to make 
his home. 

Mr. Everest is independent in politics, giving 
his vote to the man rather than the party. 
Among the objects of interest in Mr. Everest's 
possession is a copy of the tenth paper that was 
printed on the Pacific coast, called the Oregon 
City Spectator. 



JOHN H. MORAN. As one who shouldered 
the responsibilities of life when but twelve years 
of age, and who by his own energy has worked 
his way upward to an honored place in the 
world, John H. Moran of Monmouth is eminently 
deserving of mention in a history of this charac- 
ter. Today he is carrying on a real estate busi- 
ness which grew from a small, unpretentious 
beginning in 1890, until he now has two offices, 
tne office in Monmouth being a branch of the 
main office in Independence. Private affairs 
have not consumed all of the time and abilities 
which Mr. Moran has at his disposal, however, 
as will be seen by a short reference to his public 
life : His nomination and election to the highest 
office within the gift of the citizens of Mon- 
mouth shows the confidence which they placed 
in him as a public official, and his term as mayor, 
from 1892 to 1894, was characterized by honesty 
and fair dealing. From 1894 to 1898 he served 
as deputy sheriff under H. B. Plummer, and is 
now filling the office of district constable, to 
which position he was elected in 1894, and is 
still creditably filling the office, having been 
elected to the foregoing offices on the Republi- 
can ticket. 

John H. Moran was born December 24, 1849, 
in Essex county, N. Y., whither his parents, 
Martin and Elizabeth (Fitzmourse) Moran, had 
located upon coming to the United States from 
Ireland, their native land, in 1846. The father 
was a farmer by occupation, and he lost no time 
in finding a suitable location for carrying on his 
chosen work. After a residence of six years 
on his New York farm he moved to northwest- 



ern Missouri in 1852, and for ten years carried 
on farming operations there. In 1862, with his 
wife and six children, he started across the 
plains, with Oregon as his destination, but he 
was not spared to realize his hopes of life in the 
west. When they reached the Green River, 
Wyo., the Cheyenne Indians attacked their train, 
causing havoc among the cattle which they were 
taking to their new home in the west. While 
Mr. Moran was endeavoring to regain his lost 
property the Indians leveled the fatal arrow that 
left the little party without a leader, and the 
date of this sad event, July 18, 1862, is one never 
to be forgotten by the bereaved family. He 
was buried on the west fork of the Green river, 
where stands Mt. Moran. It was with heavy 
hearts that the remnant of the party resumed 
the journey, but finally they reached their desti- 
nation, and locating on a farm in Polk county, 
near Monmouth, engaged in farming. Mrs. 
Moran was familiar with life on a farm, as it 
was amid such surroundings that her early life 
had been passed on her father's farm in Ireland. 
She came to this country with her parents prior 
to her marriage, the family locating in New York 
state, where her father died about 1897. 

As has been said, when John H. Moran was 
but twelve years of age he found the respon- 
sibilities of a much older person resting upon 
his young shoulders. The death of the father had 
left John as the eldest of the family to bear the 
great responsibility which naturally fell to him. 
He successfully conducted the home farm, carry- 
ing on general farming and stock-raising until, by 
carefully saving his earnings, he was enabled to 
purchase a place of his own. When twenty-one 
years of age he changed his occupation and sur- 
roundings, and coming to Monmouth, engaged 
in the real estate business in a small way, but 
which has steadily grown until Tie now manages 
two offices, doing an immense business in the 
handling of all kinds of property, a specialty 
being made of farm lands. Mr. Moran enjoys 
his prosperity alone, as he has never married; 
and resides in the family home on the corner 
of Clay and Warren streets. His interest in 
fraternal societies is limited to the Blue Lodge 
and Chapter of the Ancient, Free and Accepted 
Masons, in which he is serving as past master. 
H. C. Moran, a brother of John H, resides in 
Salem, Ore., where he is extensively engaged in 
buying and selling stock. 



IRA C. POWELL. The representative of a 
prominent pioneer family of Oregon, Ira C. 
Powell, cashier of the Polk County Bank at 
Monmouth, was born in Linn county, Ore., 
November 26, 1865, and is a son of Franklin 





] C^iT^<^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1193 



ind Louise J. (Peeler) Powell, a grandson 
of fohn A. Powell, and great-grandson of Joseph 
Powell, the latter a soldier in the war of 1812. 
Oi the father and grandfather extended mention 
will be found in the sketch of Franklin S. Powell, 
although it is fitting to say that the original 
emigration of the family to the west was due to 
the ambition of the grandsire, John A., one of 
I lie most earnest and forceful of the early minis- 
ters of the Christian Church in the west. A 
man weighing two hundred and twenty pounds, 
this early preacher had a brain and heart in 
keeping with his physical proportions, and his 
influence upon his time and place cannot be 
over-estimated. Franklin S. Powell was in the 
prime of a vigorous young manhood when he 
came across the plains with his parents in 185 1. 
He now lives in the summer on his large farm, 
and in the winter in the town of Monmouth. 
He occupies an enviable position in the com- 
munity. He is one of the chief upbuilders of the 
Christian College, and has contributed much 
time and means to making of this a fitting insti- 
tution for educating the youth of the land. 

Ira C. Powell is the seventh of the eight chil- 
dren born to his parents, of whom five sons and 
one daughter are living. He was educated in 
the public schools and at Monmouth College, 
from which latter institution he was graduated 
in 1887, with the degree of B. S. Beginning 
with 1890, he became cashier of the Polk County 
Bank, capitalized for $30,000, and which is one 
of the solid financial institutions of this and 
surrounding counties. He is the general man- 
ager of the bank, and its entire supervision is 
under his watchful eye. Aside from this respon- 
sibility, he is treasurer of the State Normal 
School of Monmouth, and is often called upon 
to lead in important projects for the general 
improvement of the town and county. A stanch 
Republican, Mr. Powell is very active in polit- 
ical affairs in the town, and served as mayor 
thereof during T899 an< ^ 1900. In Monmouth 
in 1894 he was united in marriage with Lena 
Butler, a native of this town, and daughter of 
Douglas Butler, of California, who crossed the 
plains to Oregon in 1852. Two sons are the 
result of this union. Mr. Powell is fraternally 
associated with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows of which he is past noble grand, and the 
Dallas Encampment, and in religion is a member 
of the Christian Church. 



WILLIAM HENRY DAVIS, M. D. Espe- 
cial interest attaches to the name and work of 
Dr. W. H. Davis of Albany, not only because he 
is one of the best known and most successful 



practitioners of the Willamette valley, but by rea- 
son of the fact that he comes of a pioneer family 
distinguished on account of its numerous devotees 
to the science of medicine and surgery. He is a 
native son of Oregon, having been born in Silver- 
ton, Marion county, October 27, i860, a son of 
Dr. Piatt A. and" Sopha (Wolf) Davis, who 
crossed the plains in 1852. His father practiced 
his profession with great success in Marion 
county for half a century, and at the time of his 
death, April 7, 1902, at the age of seventy-seven 
years, was probably the oldest physician in Ore- 
gon, as well as one of the most widely beloved. 
(See sketch of the life of Dr. Piatt A. Davis, 
which appears elsewhere in this work.) 

After receiving his elementary training in the 
public schools of Silverton, W. H. Davis entered 
Willamette University, where he continued his 
classical studies for one year. The vear follow- 
ing he devoted to a course in the University of 
Oregon at Eugene. In 1881 he entered the 
medical department of Willamette University, 
from which he was graduated with the degree of 
Doctor of Medicine with the class of 1883. In 
April of that year he began practice in Harris- 
burg under the guidance of his uncle, Dr. H. A. 
Davis, and there remained for six years. In 
1889 he located in Albany, where he has since 
been continuously engaged in his professional 
labors. His work has been attended by remark- 
able success. It has been evident since the be- 
ginning of his career that he inherited much of 
the rare ability and love for the science exhibited 
by his father. Not content with the splendid 
foundation of scientific knowledge with which he 
was equipped upon the inauguration of his life's 
work, he has been a constant student, and has 
taken advantage of every opportunity for broad- 
ening his knowledge and developing his powers. 
In 1898 he took a post graduate course in the 
New York Post-Graduate Medical School, and 
is now contemplating further special work in 
this direction. Dr. Davis is engaged in an exten- 
sive general practice. He is chief surgeon for 
the Corvallis & Eastern Railroad Company, and 
is identified with the Oregon State Medical So- 
ciety. 

A Republican in politics. Dr. Davis has found 
the time to interest himself to a considerable ex- 
tent in the local undertakings of his party, and as 
its candidate was elected mayor of Albany in 
1899. He is now serving his second term in that 
office. Fraternallv he is identified with St. John's 
Lodge No. 62, A. F. & A. M., of Albany, in 
which he is past master; Bailey Chapter, R. A. 
M., of Albany; Commandery No. 4. K. T., of 
Albany; and' with the Knights of Pythias and 
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 

The marriage of Dr. Davis occurred April 24, 



1194 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1888, and united him with Dora Brown, a step- 
daughter of Dr. J. F. Hendrex, a practicing 
physician of Harrisburg, Linn county, Ore. 

During the years of his practice in Albany, Dr. 
Davis has become recognized by his professional 
contemporaries as one of the most highly quali- 
fied and successful practitioners in the Willamette 
valley. He is endowed with splendid personal 
characteristics, with finely developed mental pow- 
ers and with entirely harmonious attributes. 
Genial, cultured, gentle, and possessed of a dis- 
position which prompts him to take advantage 
of many opportunities which appeal to the 
humanitarian, he is the ideal physician. In his 
views of public affairs he is broad and liberal, 
with a public spirit which arises to every occa- 
sion which makes a demand upon it. In all his 
relations with his fellow men he appears to be 
actuated by high and unselfish motives, and may 
always be depended upon to assist in the promo- 
tion of those enterprises which are calculated to 
advance the best interests of the community. His 
position in the esteem of the citizens of Linn 
county is secure. It is with pleasure that those 
responsible for the publication of this work make 
a permanent record of these facts, which for the 
greater part simply reflect the opinions of those 
who have watched his career during the years of 
his residence in Albany. 



WILLIAM HENRY PARRISH, M. D. 
Perhaps no professional calling so aptly illus- 
trates the swift advance of science during the 
past quarter of a century as that of medicine, 
and this particular science has no abler represen- 
tative among its workers than Dr. Parrish, of 
]\Jonmouth, Ore. He is broad in his views, 
progressive in his methods, and is constantly 
adding to his medical knowledge by earnest, 
systematic study. 

Of English ancestry, being the descendant of 
one of five brothers that emigrated from Eng- 
land to Canada at an early day, Dr. Parrish was 
born, February 22, 1848, at Cottage Grove, Chi- 
cago, 111. His father, John Gould Parrish, was 
born at Farmersville, Canada West, July 1, 
1805. Coming to the States in 1841, he pur- 
chased one hundred and sixty acres of land at 
Cottage Grove, Chicago, 111., and was there en- 
gaged in farming several years, working also as a 
stone mason and as a blacksmith. In 1849, seized 
with the gold fever, he started for California, 
being captain of his division of the long train then 
crossing the plains with ox-teams. At Council 
Bluffs, Iowa, hearing of the fertility of the 
beautiful valley of the Willamette, in Oregon, 
he changed his mind, deciding then to come to 
this state. Arriving at The Dalles October 11, 



1850, he secured work as a mason being 
employed by Lieutenant Lindsey, agent for the 
government, to do the masonry on the barracks 
at Mill Creek, receiving $5.00 per day for his 
labor. Leaving there on April 15, 185 1, he went, 
via the Barlow road, to Portland, Ore., thence 
to Oregon City, where he was employed in iron- 
ing the steamer Canemah, then in process of 
construction. The following autumn, he went 
to Dayton, Ore., and was there engaged in the 
hotel business for six months. In 1852, pur- 
chasing a section of land four and one-half 
miles south of Dayton, he was there employed in 
farming for a number of years. In 1858 he 
bought the Weston farm, two and one-half 
miles from Dayton Center, and there resided 
until his death, November 10, 1876. He was a 
Quaker in his religious belief, and a philan- 
thropist. He married Margaret Herrington, who 
was born July 29, 1806, in Canada, and died, 
June 29, 1882, at Salem, Ore., their union being 
solemnized March 9, 1823, at Farmersville, 
Canada West. She was educated in her native 
town, and during the first fifteen years of her 
residence in Oregon practiced medicine most suc- 
cessfully. Of the sixteen children born of their 
marriage, Dr. Parrish is the only suvivor. 

Coming to Oregon with his parents when a 
small child, William H. Parrish acquired his 
rudimentary education in the district schools, 
hut obtained his first knowledge of medicine from 
his mother, who was a homeopathist. He subse- 
quently continued his studies with Dr. L. L. 
Rowland, of Salem, at the end of two years, 
in 1882, entering the medical department of 
Willamette University, from which he was 
graduated in 1889, with the degree of M. D. 
Beginning the practice of his profession at 
Turner, Ore., he remained there until 1892, when 
he located in Salem. On March 5, 1896, the 
doctor came to Monmouth, where he has built 
up an extensive and lucrative practice, being 
well and widely known as a physician of skill 
and experience. Still aiming to perfect himself 
in his professional knowledge, he continued his 
studies in 1901, at Chicago, 111., being graduated 
as an osteopathist, afterward taking a course 
in suggestive therapeutics at Parkers Institute, 
Chicago. Dr. Parrish makes a specialty of treat- 
ing chronic diseases and consumption, doing a 
large mail order business in all parts of the 
Union. 

While living on the home farm from the age 
of sixteen years until twenty-one, Dr. Parrish 
made use of his mechanical and inventive ability 
by inventing a combined header and thresher, 
getting out eleven patents, which he sold to L. 
U. Shippe & Co., of Stockton, Cal. He was 
nearly fourteen years in completing his inven- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1195 



tions, and spent $31,000. The machines now 
in use in the northwest are based on his patents. 
He has taken a course of study in chemistry, 
mineralogy and assaying, and has given con- 
siderable time to the study of mining. He has 
an interest in different mines, including one at 
Cripple Creek, Col., one at Yerde Grande, Mex., 
and three in the Thunder Mountain district of 
Idaho, being a stockholder in the Crown Gold 
Mining Company. 

On July 26, 1874, in Polk county, Ore., Dr. 
Parrish married Sarah Angeline Alderman, who 
was born April 4, 1859, near Monmouth, Ore., 
a daughter of Orlando Alderman. Her father 
was born in Ohio, but in early manhood removed 
to Oregon, coming here as a pioneer in 1847, 
and locating in Gervais, where he carried on 
general farming until retiring' from active pur- 
suits. He is now a resident of Polk county. 
Five children were born of the union of Dr. 
and Mrs. Parrish, namely : Ignatius Loyola, 
born July 25, 1876, died October 27, 1879; 
Lilla Yelvetta, born October 7, 1878, is the wife 
of I. H. Van Winkle, an attorney of Salem; 
Lilly Daisy, born October 4, 1881, died February 
18. 1893 ; Effie May, born February 7, 1884, 
died February 15, 1893; and Lady Winnifred, 
born March 22, 1895, is a pupil in the State 
Normal School, at Monmouth. Politically Dr. 
Parrish is a Republican, and fraternally he is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., and the I. O. F. A. 
He is a Spiritualist in belief, but attends the 
Friends Church, while Mrs Parrish belongs to 
the Christian Church. 



FRANCIS A. PATTERSON a well known 
and highly esteemed resident of Independence, 
and a representative of the stock-raising and 
farming interests of the state, as well as a 
prominent factor in the political and legislative 
affairs of Oregon, was born November 1, 1835, 
in St. Clair county, 111. His great-grandfather 
came from Scotland to the new world, locating 
in North Carolina, where his death occurred. 
His grandfather, Greenberry Patterson, was born 
in North Carolina and followed the shoemaker's 
trade in that state and later in Illinois, where 
he also carried on farming. His death occurred 
in St. Clair county. 111., in 1852. 

Herbert Patterson, his son, and the father of 
Francis A., of this review, was born in North 
Carolina, and with his parents moved to St. 
Clair county, 111. In 1848 he conducted a gen- 
eral merchandise store in Freeburg, 111., and in 
1851 removed to Lebanon, where he engaged in 
the hotel business. In 1852 he crossed the 
plains with ox-teams, accompanied by his family. 
The journey occupied six months, starting April 
1st and reaching Placerville, Cal., the last of 



September, 1852. At this place he entered the 
mines and achieved a fair degree of success. In 
1858 he came to Oregon, locating in Hillsboro, 
Washington county, where he engaged in 
the general mercantile business, and there his 
death occurred in 1886, at the age of seventy- 
seven years. His wife was before her marriage 
Jane McClintock, a native of Kentucky, and died 
in Oregon at the age of eighty-three years. 
Her father, Joseph McClintock, was a resident 
of Kentucky, later of Illinois, and conducted a 
tannery in St. Clair county, at which place his 
death occurred. Unto Herbert and' Jane (Mc- 
Clintock) Patterson were born five children, 
four sons and one daughter. 

Francis A. Patterson was the third child in 
his father's family. His early education was 
acquired in the common schools of Illinois and 
in McKinley College. In 1852 he crossed the 
plains with his father and entered the mines of 
California. In 1857 he located in Benton county, 
Ore., and there engaged in farming. In 1861 
he removed to Washington county, but returned 
the same year to Benton county. In 1862 he 
removed to Polk county, locating near Rick- 
reall, where he purchased one hundred and sixty 
acres of land. In 1881 he sold this farm and 
moved to Independence, purchasing a tract of 
three hundred and twenty acres of land adjoin- 
ing the city, and laid out two additions known 
as Patterson's addition and Patterson's second 
addition to Independence, situated on the west 
side of the city. He has a farm of sixty acres 
two and one-half miles south of Independence, 
where he raises large numbers of sheep and 
goats. He owns a nice residence in Independ- 
ence, which he has rebuilt and remodeled, 
making it a commodious and pleasant home, in 
which he is now living retired, enjoying the 
results of a life well spent. 

Mr. Patterson was elected to the lower house 
of the Oregon state legislature for the terms 
of 1880 and 1882, and was appointed by the 
speaker of the house as clfairman of a committee 
to receive President Hayes and wife, on their 
visit to Oregon. During this period he took an 
active and important part in the legislation 
which was enacted in the state, and his stanch 
support of every measure intended for the good 
of the people, won for him the hearty approval 
of his constituents. Mr. Patterson was united 
in marriage in Kings Valley, Benton county, 
Ore., in 1859, to Caroline Tatum, who was born 
in Missouri. Her father, Richard Tatum, a 
native of Tennessee, was a blacksmith by trade. 
He removed to Illinois and later to Cedar 
county, Mo. In 1853 ne removed to Oregon, 
locating at Buena Vista, and later removed to 
Kings Valley, settling on a donation claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres. Subsequentlv 



1196 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



selling this farm he removed to Rickreall, Ore., 
where he died at the age of sixty-seven years, 
having been actively engaged in farming for 
many years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Patter- 
son have been born ten children : Isaac L., col- 
lector of customs, of Portland, Ore. ; Henry R., 
who is acting as weigher in the appraiser's office 
at Portland ; George S., who is engaged in 
mining in Sumpter, Ore. ; Frank S., who is 
proprietor of a hotel at Fassell, Gilliam county, 
Ore. ; William H., who is engaged in the whole- 
sale and retail cigar and tobacco business in North 
Yakima, Ore. ; Pink C, now with W. P. Fuller 
& Co., of Portland; Narcis, a clerk in a general 
merchandise store of Leavenworth, Wash. ; 
Allen D., an employe of the Southern Pacific 
Railroad office at Portland; Dr. D. C. P., who 
is a clerk in a drug store at Cottage Grove, 
Ore. ; and Maude L., who received her educa- 
tion in the State Normal school of Monmouth, 
and is now teaching in North Yakima. 

Mr. Patterson is a member of the Blue Lodge 
and Royal Arch Chapter and De Molay Com- 
mandery No. 5, Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons. In politics he is an active Republican 
and has served as school director in most of the 
places where he has resided. He was the pro- 
moter of the Independence & Monmouth Railway, 
was its president for three years and held equal 
shares with the ten original stockholders. "Mr. 
Patterson has been connected inseparably with 
the growth and progress of the great state of 
Oregon since he first took up his residence with- 
in her borders, and his efforts have resulted both 
advantageously to him personally and to the 
state. 



CHARLES MATTISON. Among the many 
farmers of Polk county who have won rich 
returns from the soil through the cultivation of 
hops is Charles Mattison, who was born in 
Oswego, N. Y., June 7, 1848, the son of Isaac 
and the grandson of Alfred Mattison, both of 
the state of New York. The grandfather was 
a farmer who departed but once from his chosen 
life work, and that was in response to the 
call of his country in time of need, and after 
serving in the war of 18 12 he returned to his 
farm, the state which gave him birth ultimately 
receiving his lifeless form. His son, Isaac, the 
father of Charles Mattison, was born in Oswego 
county, and in addition to his education along 
agricultural lines learned the trade of a cooper. 
In 1865 he broke away from old associations and 
sought a home in the state of Michigan, locating 
in Montcalm county, where he bought one 
hundred and sixty acres of land upon which he 
engaged in farming. - After seventeen years. 



he again decided to make a change, since a better 
opportunity was held out to him from the 
extreme western lands. It was in 1882 that he 
came to Oregon, settling in Marion county, but 
in the vicinity of Independence, Polk county, 
making another purchase of one hundred and 
sixty acres upon which he remained for some 
time engaged in the cultivation of the land, later 
removing to Independence, where he now makes 
his home, having arrived at the ripe age of 
eighty years, and feels the pleasure of inactivity 
worthily earned. His wife was formerly Miss 
Lovina Parker, a Canadian, whose father, 
Charles, was a native farmer of that country, 
and though spending some time in New York 
eventually settled in Independence where his 
death occurred. The children born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Mattison were as follows : Charles, of this 
review ; William, of Astoria, Ore. ; Henry, a 
farmer near Independence; and Richard, of 
Dallas. 

Reared among the progressive conditions of 
New York state, it was the privilege of Charles 
Mattison to attend the public schools, thereby 
gaining a good foundation for the building of 
his future plans, while under his father's instruc- 
tion he acquired a no less important education 
along the lines of judgment and management 
in the practical affairs of life. Accompanying 
his father's family to Michigan in 1865, he 
entered the lumbering camps of that state the 
following year where he worked for wages until 
1874, at that time becoming interested in agri- 
cultural pursuits. This latter business he con- 
tinued until 1880 in the same state, but with the 
prospect which the west afforded for an ambi- 
tious farmer, he made the trip to Oregon and 
here, with the exercise of his usual good judg- 
ment he selected for his purchase a farm of 
one hundred and forty acres, located in Marion 
county. Upon this farm he remained until the 
fall of 1902, the profits of his business being 
a credit to his management and industry. He 
has recently purchased property in Independ- 
ence, where he now makes his home. 

In Michigan occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Mattison to Miss Elnora Wilson, a native of 
New York, whose father had emigrated to the 
former state, and engaged in farming up to the 
time of his death. The marriage has been 
blessed by the birth of five children, of whom 
Lovina, the eldest, is now the wife of W. W. 
Perry, of Independence ; the remaining four 
children, Jessie, William J., Grover and Bertha 
being still with their parents. Fraternally Mr. 
Mattison is associated with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. In his political affili- 
ation he has departed from the faith in which he 
was reared, that of the Republican party, and is 
now independent in his views. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1197 



LAWRENCE S. PERKINS. The well 
equipped drug store of Lawrence S. Perkins in 
Monmouth pursues the even tenor of its way 
minus competition, for it is the only place in 
the town where a full line of drugs may be 
purchased. This advantage, however, does not 
influence the genial proprietor in the conduct 
of his business, for he has an up to date and 
reliable enterprise, similar to those in larger and 
older centers of activity. Besides a general 
supply of patent and general drugs he carries 
a stock of stationery and small notions, his 
thoughtful appreciation of the needs of his many 
patrons resulting in a continually increasing 
trade. 

Mr. Perkins comes from farming ancestors, 
and he himself gained his first impressions of 
life from early rising and a by no means indolent 
life on the farm in Keokuk county, eastern Iowa, 
where he was born July 6, 1862. His father, 
Hiram P. Perkins, was born in Vermont, and 
from his native state removed to Ohio, locating 
near Mount Vernon. In 1850 he settled on a 
farm in Keokuk county, Iowa, and after living 
there for seventeen years located in Benton 
county, Mo., in 1867. Although possessing but 
a small farm of thirty acres, he did fairly well, 
but was not destined to long enjoy the advant- 
ages of his adopted state, for his death occurred 
soon after reaching there at the age of sixty-one. 
He had married Annise Runnels, a native of 
Vermont, and whose father, Samuel, was also 
born in the east. Samuel Runnels was an early 
settler of Iowa, his death occurring at the age 
of sixty-one on the farm in Iowa to which he 
came in 1853. Of the four sons born into the 
Perkins home ail had rugged constitutions, and 
all were endowed with ability and progress- 
iveness. 

The youngest of his father's family, the drug- 
gist of Monmouth attended the public schools 
with his brothers in Iowa, Missouri and Oregon, 
and at the age of fourteen embarked upon a 
career of self-support. For some time he worked 
on various farms in his neighborhood, and after 
coming to Oregon in 1885 embarked imme- 
diately in the drug business in which he is still 
engaged. In Yamhill county, this state, he was 
united in marriage with Emma Parsons, a 
native of Yamhill county. Mr. Perkins is a 
Republican in political affiliation, and is fra- 
ternally identified with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. 
Thus is told all too briefly the life-story so far of 
one of the vast army of the northwest who 
started out in life with physical rather than 
financial assets, and who, from brain and muscle 
and common sense have worked out their career 
along useful and creditable lines. 



ABRAM SAMUEL LOCKE is one of the 
most prominent druggists of Independence, and 
the success which he has achieved in his chosen 
calling is due to his determined energy and his 
close application to business. He is a native 
of Oregon, having been born two and one-half 
miles from Independence, August 6, 1858. His 
father, Harrison P. Locke, was born near Cum- 
berland Gap, Va., October 12, 1812, and in an 
early day removed to Missouri, settling in Char- 
iton county. In 1845 ne crossed the plains to 
Oregon and afterwards was in the service of the 
Hudson Bay Company, on the Columbia river. 
In 1849 ne went to California and entered the 
mines. In 1850 he returned to Oregon and in 
1852 took up a donation claim of six hundred 
and forty acres of land. In 1881 he removed to 
Independence, Ore.', and there his death occurred 
in 1883. He was a successful business man 
and ever commanded the respect of all who 
knew him. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Malissa P. Hardison, was born in Springfield, 
111., and still survives her husband. They were 
the parents of fourteen children, eight boys and 
six girls, A. S. Locke of this review being the 
fourth in order of birth. The mother of this 
family is now the wife of James Masterson, 
who is living retired in Independence. 

A. S. Locke was educated in the common 
schools of Independence. In 1889 he bought 
out a drug business in this city and in 1891 
became a registered druggist. In 1892 he sold 
his business and removed to San Diego, Cal., 
on account of his wife's health. In 1894 he 
returned to Independence and the same year 
purchased a stock of groceries. On November 
6, 1896, he bought a drug business and has 
been successfully conducting the same since. 
He carries a full and complete line of staple 
and fancy articles and the neat and attractive 
appearance of his store has won for him the 
reputation of being one of the best druggists in 
this city. Mr. Locke was married in Independ- 
ence in 1 88 1, to Susan Mary Alexander, who 
was born in Missouri and who crossed the 
plains with her parents in 1865. Her father, 
James Alexander, was born in Kentucky, and is 
now living retired in this city. His active years 
were spent in the occupation of farming, in 
which line of work he was very successful and 
became well-to-do. 

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Locke has been 
blessed with one son, Oliver Perle, aged six- 
teen years, who is still at home with his 
parents. Mr. Locke is a member of the First 
Baptist Church of Independence. In his politi- 
cal views he is a Democrat. He is a prominent 
member of the Ancient, Free and Accepted 
Masons, being past master of the Blue Lodge, 



1198 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, and Ore- 
gon Consistory No. i, of Portland Scottish 
Rite and Al Kader Temple N. M. S. In the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is noble 
grand, and belongs to the Woodmen of the 
World, and to the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. He is now acting as school director 
and is president of the city council. He has an 
elegant two-story, ten-room residence on Fifth 
street which is constructed in a modern and 
beautiful style "of architecture. Mr. Locke is a 
popular and public spirited gentleman who has 
at heart the best interests of the community 
in which he lives, and the high regard of his 
friends and associates. 



OLIF NELSON. Like many of the sons of 
other lands who have come to settle in the Will- 
amette valley Mr. Nelson was drawn to the far 
west by the hope of broader opportunities for 
advancement, and in this respect he has not 
been disappointed, but on the other hand success 
has attended his efforts and he is now enabled 
to live in retirement, enjoying to the fullest 
extent the competency which his years of steady 
application to business have made possible. As 
has been intimated, Mr. Nelson is of foreign 
birth, and was born in Dalarna, Sweden, July 
27, 1829, a son of Henry and Ann Nelson, 
both of whom were also born in the same city. 
With his wife and five children, three daughters 
and two sons, the father emigrated to the United 
States in 1846, locating in Henry county, 111., 
but he was not spared long to enjoy his new 
home, for his death followed shortly after his 
arrival. 

At the time of the removal of the family to 
America Olif was a lad of eighteen years of age. 
It was well for him that while in his native 
land he made the most of the opportunities in 
an educational way, for on account of the death 
of his father it became necessary for him to 
turn his attention towards earning his own 
living, rather than seeking more extended book 
learning. He apprenticed himself to learn the 
harness-maker's trade .in Lafayette, 111., and 
later went to Chicago, 111., ; where he found 
employment in a retail boot and shoe establish- 
ment on Ohio street, remaining there for ten 
years. Going to San Francisco in 1864 he con- 
tinued to follow the retail boot and shoe busi- 
ness for seven years, when he again changed his 
location, and with this came a change of voca- 
tion also. Going to Wahkiakum county, Wash., 
in 1 87 1, he took up one hundred and sixty acres 
of government land, to the cultivation and im- 
provement of which he at once bent all his 
energy. After residing there for twenty-two 



years he decided to make another change of 
location, and the year 1893 marks his advent 
in Monmouth, Ore., where he hopes to spend the 
rest of his days. He bought a farm of ten acres 
one mile northeast of Independence, but three 
years later sold the tract and went to Chicago, 
111., to visit the scenes of his yoUnger days, 
also traveling over the east and north, and 
among other states visited Wisconsin, Minne- 
sota, Iowa and Missouri. After one year of rest 
and travel he returned to his home in Mon- 
mouth, perfectly contented with his surround- 
ings, and with no wish that they might be 
otherwise. 

While a resident of Chicago, 111., Mr. Nelson 
and Miss Charlotte Larson were united in mar- 
riage in July, 1848. Mrs. Nelson was a native of 
Sweden and came to America with her parents, 
locating in Chicago, 111., where her father, 
Andrew Larson, was engaged in the maufacture 
of soda. Both mother and father died in Chi- 
cago. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Nelson, George, who is interested in salmon 
fishing in Astoria, Ore., and Ella, a graduate 
of the state normal school, who is at home with 
her father, dutifully caring for his comfort in 
his declining years. Politically Mr. Nelson is 
independent, and fraternally is associated with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 



WILLIAM R. JONES was born near Gas- 
ton, Yamhill county, September 5, 1849. His 
family, therefore, antedates those of the gold- 
seekers of 1849, an d was established here in 1847 
by Fielding Jones, his father, who was born in 
the state of Kentucky. The elder Jones married, 
in Indiana, Elizabeth Freack, and of this union 
there have been born three children, two older 
than William R., Susan, deceased, and Mary, the 
wife of James Cooley, of Marion county, Ore. 
In 1847 Mr. Jones outfitted and with his wife 
and two children, crossed the plains, experienc- 
ing on the way many of the dangers and depri- 
vations of that early mode of travel, and finding 
in the new country very many discouragements 
before settling down to a successful agricultural 
life. With the advent of the son William, in 1849, 
the home became one of desolation and grief, 
for three days after his birth the devoted mother 
died, and the father was left alone with his chil- 
dren in the strange northern country. He went 
to California and engaged in placer mining with 
varied success. He later came back to Oregon 
and began farming, to which occupation he de- 
voted his later years, on property one mile south 
of Hubbard. He died July 30, 1903, aged eighty- 
six years. 

The little motherless William was taken to the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1199 



home of Andrew Schuck, in the neighborhood, 
and at the age of four years went to live with 
his father, who, in the meantime, had married 
again, this time to Martha Killin. At the age of 
fourteen he went to live with his brother-in-law. 
James Cooley, and in February, 1865, enlisted in 
Company B, First Oregon Volunteer Infantry, 
for a year's service. From Vancouver, Wash., 
he was sent to Camp Lyons, it being the mis- 
sion of his regiment to establish a fort at that 
place. During the service he saw a great deal 
of Indian warfare, and had many narrow es- 
capes, his adventures being confined principally 
to the battles of eastern Oregon. He was 
wounded July 9, 1865, in a battle on the forks 
of the Malheur. After his military experiences 
he returned to Marion county and worked in a 
saw-mill for about four months, and November 
8, 1874, married Susan A. Cooley, daughter of 
Christopher C. Cooley, a native of Christian 
county, Ky., who was born August 6, 1809, and 
died November 14, 1885, and his wife, who 
was born in Tennessee, March 20, 181 1, and 
died August 21. 1880. The parents of Mr. 
Cooley moved from Kentucky to Howard county, 
Mo., in 1812, and there remained until taking 
up their residence in Clay county, of the same 
state, in 1824. He entered unimproved land in 
both counties of Missouri, and while improving 
it participated in the struggles with the Mormons 
and Indians, which characterized those early 
days. In 1845, with his wife and six children, 
he crossed the plains to Oregon in a party led by 
Joe Meeks, which party was the first to try the 
"Meeks' cut," which at first proved not much 
of a saving of time or energy. The little band 
was lost for some time, and only after extreme 
hardship and deprivation arrived at The Dalles. 
Here more trouble confronted them, and the wo- 
men and children were sent down the river in 
the canoes of the Indians, while the- men went 
over the mountains with the cattle. Arriving in 
the Willamette valley in the fall of 1845, Mr. 
Cooley took up a donation claim of six hundred 
and forty acres on the French prairie, and there 
spent his remaining years. Of the eight chil- 
dren born to Mr. Cooley and wife, James H. was 
born in 1835, died in 1837 ; Robert F. lives near 
Woodburn on a portion of the old home place; 
Martha L., born February 22, 1839, died Novem- 
ber 17, 1902, was the wife of F. S. Mattison, of 
Turner, Ore.; Helen M., born February 1, 1841, 
is the wife of Judge W. C. Hubbard ; Mary I., 
born October 15. 1844, now deceased, was married 
to Andrew Meh'in, of Woodburn; Andrew J., 
born February 20, 1848, is a resident of Portland ; 
Susan A., born July 13, 1851, is the wife of the 
subject of this article; Julia A., born July 20, 
1853, an d is the wife of John Uetz, of Ashland. 



, After his marriage Mr. Jones located on a farm 
on the French prairie, and after four years re- 
moved to Clackamas county, where he lived 
for six years. In 1898 he purchased the farm 
where he now lives, and which consists of ninety- 
seven acres, upon which he is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising. Two children have 
been born to himself and wife, of whom Roy A., 
born September 4, 1875, is living in Marion 
county, is married and has one daughter, Lola 
May; and Clarence, born February 20, 1878, is 
living with his parents. Mr. Jones is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and has taken an active part in 
political affairs in his county. As a stanch advo- 
cate of education he has materially advanced the 
cause as a member of the school board, and he 
has also served acceptably as road supervisor. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Silverton 
Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Jones enjoys 
an enviable reputation in his neighborhood, his 
integrity, public-spiritedness and general worth 
appealing to the consideration and esteem of hosts 
of friends and well wishers. 



DAVID JOHNSTON. Among the remaining 
pioneers representing the very early days of 
Oregon is David Johnston, who, though crippled 
and aged, has still not come to useless days. 

The father of David Johnston, John, was also 
the son of a pioneer, his birth occurring in the 
western part of Tennessee before the eighteenth 
century had drawn to a close. He was raised 
to the life of a farmer, but on attaining manhood 
he decided to return to the eastern states to gain 
his livelihood, and acting upon that idea he set- 
tled in Orange county, N. C, where he spent 
the remaining years of his life. His death oc- 
curred there at the age of eighty-four years. 
He married Nancy Roach, a native of North 
Carolina, and she, too, departed this life at the 
age of eighty-four years, and in the same loca- 
tion as her husband. Of the thirteen children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, eight sons and 
five daughters, David Johnston was the third, 
his birth occurring in ' Orange county, N. C, 
December 12, 1815. Following in the steps of 
his father, he became a farmer after his educa- 
tion in the common schools of North Carolina 
was completed, at twenty-one engaging in the 
work for himself in his native state, but in 
1837 removing to the state of his father's birth, 
settling near Nashville, Tenn. In 1844 Mr- 
Johnston decided upon making another change, 
and gathering his worldly goods together he 
started for Oregon, driving the slow-plodding, 
patient oxen across the wide plains and many 
hills that lay between him and the promising 
coast country. The trip was a rare one for that 



1200 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



time, having no horrors of famine or marauding 
Indians to mar the enjoyment of the scenery 
and the exhilarating mountain air. After six 
months of travel the party arrived in Polk coun- 
ty, Ore., and Mr. Johnston took advantage of the 
liberal offer of the government and settled upon 
a donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres. The many years that have passed since 
that time have witnessed great changes, the wild 
land being successfully converted into a valuable 
and fruitful farm. Mr. Johnston has since sought 
a home in Independence, purchasing a residence 
five miles south of Independence, Ore., in which 
to pass the evening of his life, while the large 
farm is leased and managed by his grandson, 
Fred Hooper. 

With Mr. Johnston on the trip across the con- 
tinent came his devoted wife, whom he married 
in Orange county, N. C. She was formerly 
Arrominto Thorp, a native of Kentucky. Mrs. 
Johnston's death occurred in the western 
home. She was the mother of three children, of 
whom Richard is a sheep rancher at Colfax, 
Wash. ; Angeline makes her home in Colfax, 
Wash., the widow of William Tetherow; and 
William is now deceased. Mr. Johnston was 
married again to Loretta Webb, who bore him 
one child : Anne, who married Frank Hooper. 
She died in Independence. 

Mr. Johnston is a member of the Christian 
Church. Politically he follows his father's early 
training and casts his ballot with the Democratic 
party, his father having been a life-long Demo- 
crat. 



MARTIN V. KOONTZ. Prominent among 
the captains of industry who have helped to place 
Linn county upon its present substantial footing 
is Martin V. Koontz, owner and manager of a 
paying general merchandise store in Halsey, es- 
tablished in 1876. During the intervening years 
no man in the town has taken a keener or more 
practical interest in its upbuilding, especially as 
regards municipal government, he having assist- 
ed in framing the ordinances, and in protecting 
them as treasurer of the town for twelve years. 

The rise of Mr. Koontz from comparative pov- 
erty to his present position should furnish en- 
couragement to younger men who possess in 
any measure the characteristics and abilities 
which have been his stock in trade. Born in 
Gallia county, Ohio, May 29, 1837, he comes of 
an old Virginia family, established in Ohio by 
his paternal grandfather, Martin, a native of 
the Old Dominion state. The grandfather was 
a general contractor and bridge-builder in the 
very early days of Gallia county, and followed 
his occupation until the loss of a leg compelled 
retirement from active life. He removed to 



Iowa in 1843, an d to Oregon in 1852, finally 
locating in Vancouver, Wash., where he died 
in the spring of 1853, at the age of seventy 
years. His son, John, the father of Martin V., 
was born in Gallia county, and was trained for 
the medical profession, which he practiced for 
some years. His removal to Wapello county, 
Iowa, in 1841, placed him among the very first 
settlers of that region, and he practiced medicine 
and farmed there until his death in 1850 at the 
age of forty-one years. His wife, formerly 
Elizabeth Wood, was born in Virginia, and 
shortly after the death of her husband crossed 
the plains to Oregon, locating on a claim of one 
hundred and sixty acres in Linn county. Her 
second husband was J. B. Stinson, who crossed 
the plains in the early days and died in Polk 
county. She was the mother of five children, 
three sons and two daughters. Her death oc- 
curred at the home of her daughter in Harris- 
burg. 

The oldest in his father's family, Martin V. 
Koontz was obliged to leave school at the age 
of twelve, and devote himself entirely to farm 
work. At the age of fifteen he accompanied his 
mother across the plains. What might otherwise 
have been a pleasant journey was marred by 
the depredations of the Indians, who encircled 
their camp one night on the banks of the Platte 
river and took away six of their seven horses. 
For the rest of the way to Oregon Martin was 
obliged to walk, and it was a weary youth that 
finally reached his destination in Vancouver, 
Wash. He attended the Santiam Academy for 
a period of six months, finally qualifying as a 
teacher. For nine months he taught the little 
country school, and in 1858 removed to eastern 
Oregon and engaged in logging near The Dalles, 
for J. H. Mosier. In 1859 he took up farming, 
and in i860 went to the mining district on the 
Frazer river, returning to his farm and remain- 
ing there until 1865. He then went to west 
Montana and engaged in a general merchandise 
business and trading with the Indians and trav- 
elers during 1867-8, freighting from Umatilla 
to Silver City, Idaho. 

In 1869 Mr. Koontz came to Linn county, 
via San Francisco, locating in Halsey, where 
in 1 87 1 he began as a clerk for Jacob Thompson, 
a general merchant. In 1876 he started his 
present mercantile business, and now carries a 
stock valued at $15,000. In addition, he buys 
and sells large quantities of grain, and for stor- 
ing the same pending its sale he has two large 
warehouses in the town. Mr. Koontz married 
in Halsey, Mary Conkwright, who was born in 
the state of Michigan, and is the mother of two 
children, Clyde H., in his father's store; and 
Edith, living with her parents. Mr. Koontz is 
energetic and progressive, and as a merchant, 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1201 



city treasurer, and politician, has won the con- 
fidence of the community for which he has pains- 
takingly labored for many years. Few advance- 
ments have been suggested or carried to a suc- 
cessful finish which have not received his hearty 
support, and in many instances he has taken the 
initiative, and inspired in others an enthusiasm 
equal to his own. 



THOMAS SCOTT. Scott's Mills, named 
for their promoters, Robert Hall and Thomas 
Scott, are familiar to the residents of Marion 
county, and constitute a landmark of importance. 
Built 'by Robert H. Scott about 1866, the mills 
were jointly conducted by the brothers until 
1892, when Thomas Scott became the sole owner, 
and has since had their entire management. The 
most modern machinery forms the equipment of 
the mills, the capacity of which is sixty barrels 
per day, the entire wheat crop of the district 
being used in the consumption. At one time 
the brothers were very extensively identified 
with lumbering, and for carrying on their busi- 
ness owned two thousand acres of timber land. 
Both became prominent in the general affairs of 
their neighborhood, and were accounted among 
the most substantial and reliable of its upbuild- 
ers. 

Of sturdy Scotch ancestry, the brothers were 
natives of Bamff's Mills. Roxburyshire, Scot- 
land, Thomas Scott being born December 8, 
1840. He was the son of John Scott, the re- 
mainder of whose family consisted of Robert H. 
Adam, a resident of Manitoba ; John, located in 
upper Canada ; James, deceased, as a soldier in 
the English army for twenty-one years having 
served in the Crimean war and Indian mutiny ; 
Jane, a resident of Scotland ; and Betsy, now 
Mrs. Marshall, also of Scotland. These children 
profited by educational opportunities as their cir- 
cumstances permitted. Thomas Scott was edu- 
cated in the public schools, and in his youth saw 
a great deal of milling in his native land. At the 
age of fifteen he started out to make his own 
living, serving an apprenticeship of three years 
in a grist mill, receiving in return for long hours 
and hard work about S30 for the first year. An 
unfortunate accident in the mills resulted in 
enforced inactivity for a year or so. but after 
recovering he went to work with renewed en- 
erg} - , following his trade until coming to America 
in 1866. He at once became identified with the 
mills erected here by his brother, and which at 
the present time are among the modern and well 
equipped grist mills of the valley. Mr. Scott 
has a fine and paying business, and while cater- 
ing to an extensive and permanent trade has 
made hosts of friends, and laid by a competency 
for himself. He is a self-educated and self- 
made man, his success the result of his own 



efforts, and in the pursuit of his labors he has 
won the esteem and confidence of his fellow 
citizens. In political affiliation he is a Democrat, 
and though never desirous of official recognition 
he has several times been elected to office, serving 
as postmaster for about eight years, justice of 
the peace, and is at present acting as notary 
public. In all matters of public enterprise he 
has been a prominent factor and liberal contribu- 
tor. Mr. Scott is alone in the enjoyment of his 
prosperity, for he has never married. 



PHILIP M. KIRKLAND. One of the hon- 
ored pioneer families of Oregon has a capable 
and typical representative in Philip M. Kirkland, 
a progressive business man of Independence, 
engaged in managing his drug store, and in the 
extensive buying and selling of hops. His 
father, J. W. Kirkland, of whom extended men- 
tion is made elsewhere in this work, set his chil- 
dren an example of fortitude and industry which 
is not only appreciated but emulated. The son 
was born in Monroe county, Mo., May 6, 1854, 
the third in a family of four sons. He was ten 
years of age when he crossed the plains with his 
parents, and from 1864 to 1869 lived with the 
family in Helena, Mont. After removing to Ore- 
gon in 1869 he lived on the paternal farm, and 
in 1879 removed to eastern Oregon, where he 
engaged extensively in the stock and grain bus- 
iness, purchasing land from time to time till 
he became the owner of one thousand one hun- 
dred acres. He also was interested in a drug 
enterprise at Athena, Umatilla county, Ore., for 
four years. 

Mr. Kirkland came to Independence and 
bought the brick building in which his drug store 
is now located, and, profiting by his former ex- 
perience, and utilizing his best knowledge as to 
the requirements along his line, fitted out as 
fine a store as may be found in Polk county, and 
which is the largest of its kind in the county. 
The great hop industry centering around Inde- 
pendence has furnished an opportunity for Mr. 
Kirkland, and he has entered heartily into the 
promotion of this important enterprise. Last 
year he handled about ten thousand bales of the 
product at an average price of twenty-five cents 
per pound. 

In Independence Mr. Kirkland owns a modern 
cottage fitted with up-to-date conveniences. In 
1882 he married Emma J. Turner, who was born 
in Illinois, and who died in Independence in 1901 
at the age of forty-four years. Mrs. Kirkland 
was a daughter of Samuel Turner, a native of 
Maine, and who in early life removed to Illinois. 
From there he came to Montana, in 1869, and 
locating in eastern Oregon in 1878, where he en- 
gaged in farming, his death occurring in 1901, 



1202 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



at the age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Kirkland 
left to the care of her husband one son, Frank M., 
who is living at home. Mr. Kirkland is a Dem- 
crat in politics, although he entertains very lib- 
eral ideas on political questions, believing in vot- 
ing for the man best qualified to serve the com- 
munity interests. He is fraternally connected 
with Lyon Lodge No. 29, Ancient, Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons, of which he is past master, the 
Independence Chapter Royal Arch Masons and 
worthy patron of the order of the Eastern Star; 
also the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Kirkland 
has the esteem of all who are associated with him 
in whatsoever capacity, and his many virtues are 
generally acknowledged. 



ALBERT I. CRANDALL. One of the 
younger generation of successful business men of 
Lebanon is Albert I. Crandall, for several years 
identified with building interests there, and since 
1900 the owner and manager of the Lebanon 
planing mill. He comes of a family well rep- 
resented in the business of that town, for his 
father, John N. Crandall, has been engaged in 
building and contracting there since 1891. John 
Crandall was born in Ohio, September 13, 1836, 
and when quite young removed to Van Buren 
county, Iowa, where he worked at his trade of 
carpentering, and also managed his farm. In 
Iowa he married Charlotte Jane Brown, a native 
of Iowa. They resided on their farm until 1877, 
when they removed to Smith Center, Kans. This 
continued to be their home until 1891, the father 
in the meantime working at his trade with con- 
siderable success. He has succeeded well in 
Lebanon, and some of the finest work in his 
line in the town has been done by him. At 
present Mr. Crandall is sixty-six years old, while 
his wife is two years his junior. Their married 
life has been harmonious and happy, and their 
children have proved a credit to the practical 
training and wholesome occupations to which 
they were reared. 

Albert I. Crandall was born in Van Buren 
county, Iowa, October 19, 1868, and was edu- 
cated in the public schools. As a small boy he 
learned a great deal about tools and woodwork. 
Working constantly with his father, he became 
a practical -builder, and at the age of twenty- 
three, when he came to Oregon, settled down to 
active work at his trade. Working with his 
father and brother Lewis until 1900, he purchased 
the Lebanon planing mill, which is turning out 
large quantities of general building materials. 
April 12, 1899, Mr. Crandall married Nettie 
Amos, a native of Oregon, of which union there 
has been born a daughter, Hilda A. 

A prominent figure in the politics of Lebanon, 
Mr. Crandall is stanchly supporting the Repub- 



lican party, in the ranks of which he has held 
numerous offices. He is a member of the county 
central committee, and has served as deputy coun- 
ty recorder and assessor. The spirit of fair 
play and personal integrity which this rising 
young politician brings to the interests of his 
party, pre-supposes a continuation of his popular- 
ity. Add to this his standing as a business man, 
and his adopted town has cause to regard as 
fortunate the association of himself and family 
with the city of Lebanon. 



MARION PALMER. The son of an early 
settler in Oregon, Marion Palmer was born 
April 1, 1855, upon his father's donation claim, 
known at that time as Lone Butte Hill, the land 
comprising it being that west of which the town 
of Mt. Angel now stands. The college of Mt. 
Angel stands near the spot where he first saw 
the light. His father, John Henry Palmer, was 
born November 2, 18 18, in the state of Ken- 
tucky, but removed early with his parents to 
Lincoln county, Mo., and the years of his early 
manhood were principally spent in the latter 
state. After his school days were over he 
learned the blacksmith's trade, which he car- 
ried on in conjunction with his farming, re- 
maining at home with his parents until his mar- 
riage with Catherine Graves, a native of Vir- 
ginia. In 1853 he brought his family to Oregon, 
crossing the plains with ox-teams and being 
about six months on the journey. On reaching 
their destination, he bought a squatter's right to 
a donation claim located in Marion county, four 
and one-half miles north of Silverton, this being 
the scene of the birth of Marion Palmer of 
this review. 

Mr. Palmer at once began to put improve- 
ments on the place, which at that time was prin- 
cipally wild land, but with the touch of civili- 
zation soon blossomed into the beautiful country 
that now delights the eye of the traveler. 
Though necessarily much engrossed with his 
farming, Mr. Palmer still found time to respond 
to the demand made upon him by his Demo- 
cratic brethren, serving for several years as jus- 
tice of the peace and in other local offices. He 
was a liberal contributor toward all church 
movements, though not a member. He died in 
1894 in his seventy-seventh year, his widow still 
surviving him, making her home in Lebanon, 
Linn county, where she removed soon after her 
husband's death. Twelve children were born 
of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, being 
named in the order of their birth as follows: 
George W., of Washington ; Nixon, who was 
killed in South Africa by the natives while pros- 
pecting for gold ; Lucy J., widow of Frank Mad- 
dock of Washington ; Clarissa, deceased ; 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1203 



Henry, L., of Washington ; Marion, of this re- 
view : Brunette, the wife of Monroe Cleaver, 
of Lebanon, Ore. ; Martha, deceased ; Thomas, 
located in the vicinity of the old home ; Edwin, 
of Portland; Herbert, deceased; and Constan- 
tino B., of Kansas. 

Marion Palmer received his education in the 
district schools of Oregon, engaging with his 
father in farming until his marriage March 5. 
1874. with Miss Josephine Porter, a native of 
Marion county, and a daughter of Stephen Por- 
ter. Mr. Porter was born in Illinois, removed 
with his parents to Missouri in young manhood 
and in 1848 brought his family with him to Ore- 
gon. They located on a donation claim which 
now forms part of the site of the village of 
Stayton. Ten years later he removed to the 
farm now occupied by Marion Palmer, where he 
spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1890. 
His widow still survives him at the age of 
eighty-eight years. Mr. Porter was a stanch 
Republican, and served many years as justice of 
the peace. 

Mr. and Mrs. Palmer took up their married 
life near the old home, where they remained for 
about six years, removing at the end of that pe- 
riod to eastern Oregon. In a short time they 
returned to Marion county, too firmly attached 
to the home of their childhood to care to go 
far away to make another. They are now 
settled upon a farm two and a half miles north- 
west of Silverton, containing two hundred and 
sixty-three acres. One hundred and fifty acres 
are under cultivation, twenty-seven acres of 
which are devoted to hops. Mr. Palmer is also 
interested in the raising of stock, and particularly 
Short-horn cattle, the latter having been a source 
of considerable profit. The appearance of the 
farm is greatly enhanced by the excellent build- 
ings which Mr. Palmer has added to it since he 
took possession. The home has been enriched 
by the birth of four children, of whom Stephen 
Ernest is located in the vicinity, the three daugh- 
ters, Susan Pearl. Clarissa Lillian and Winona 
Marion, being still at home with their parents. 
Like his father, Mr. Palmer has taken a strong 
interest in the events of the day, and being a 
stanch Democrat he has held several positions 
through this influence — clerk of the school dis- 
trict, constable, and other offices. He is asso- 
ciated fraternallv with the Woodmen of the 
World. 



ROBERT ANDERSON RAMPY. An in- 
teresting and successful career has been that of 
Robert Anderson Rampy, who now T makes his 
home in Harrisburg, Linn county, where most 
of his active life has been passed, and to whom 
much of the commercial activitv of the citv is 



due. Through failing health Mr. Rampy has sev- 
eral times withdrawn from active business, but 
the consciousness of his own ability, the strength 
of purpose which has animated his entire life 
has invariably brought him back to add to his 
success and prestige before retiring permanently. 
Faithfulness has been the watchword and motto 
of Mr. Rampy, not only in business but in all the 
avenues of life, preserving the friendships of 
youth as carefully as his business interests are 
guarded. A splendid illustration of this is em- 
bodied in his journey into the northwest. He 
was commissioned to drive a wagon for A. J. 
Wigle, a friend of his boyhood days, and who 
is now located on a farm eight miles northeast 
of this city, and from the home of Mr. Wigle's 
father he drove the team until he brought them 
to the home of the latter's uncle in Oregon 
City, their friendship having withstood the 
strains of those strenuous times and lasting even 
to this day. 

Mr. 'Rampy was not forced to come west to 
better himself financially, as he was the son of 
a successful man of the middle west. His 
father, Phillip Nicholas Rampy, a native of 
South Carolina, came in 1824 to Illinois, being 
then twenty-one years old, his own pluck and en- 
ergy representing the capital from which he 
hoped to make a fortune before he should be 
called upon to lay down the burdens of life. 
He located first at Kaskaskia, thence removed to 
Carlton, De Kalb county, in 1828, in the first lo- 
cation serving in the employ of the state land 
office and in the latter engaging in the general 
merchandise business. Mr. Rampy also enjoyed 
much prominence in public life, being an old- 
line whig and a politician of more than ordi- 
nary ability, having improved his native talents 
through wide and well-directed reading, his edu- 
cation having been entirely acquired through his 
own efforts. He served one term each as clerk 
and recorder of the county, and for eight years 
was postmaster of Carlton. In 1841 he removed 
to Payson, Adams county, 111., where he con- 
tinued his merchandise interests, and in 1849 he 
became a resident of Liberty, where he taught 
school for one term, after which he practically 
retired. He had left behind him, in each place 
where he had made his home, a record for his 
shrewd business judgment and the practical 
manner in which he handled his affairs. He had 
acquired a splendid business education and was 
an expert accountant. His death occurred in 
Carlton at the age of sixty-four years. He 
married Mary Catherine Davis, also a native of 
South Carolina, and a distant relative of Jeffer- 
son Davis, and her death occurred in 1840, in 
the same location where her husband later died. 

Of the three sons and one daughter born to 
his parents, Robert Anderson Rampy was the 



1204 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



third child, and was born in Carlton, 111., July 
22, 1832, receiving his education almost entirely 
in the common schools of his native state. 
When twenty years old Mr. Rampy felt im- 
pelled to try his fortunes among the changing 
scenes of the west, and accordingly he joined 
a train bound for Oregon, starting in 
April, 1852, driving the wagon of his friend, 
A. J. Wigle. There were about sixteen wagons 
in the train and about seventy-five people, and 
during the trip over the old Oregon trail, via 
the Platte river, four were taken ill and died 
with the cholera, which was so prevalent that 
year, but Mr. Rampy came through safely, Sep- 
tember 22 finding him in Oregon City. He first 
found employment in a logging camp, hauling to 
the old sawmill on the Clackamas river, and 
undergoing many hardships and privations, ex- 
posure implanting the seeds of disease which 
resulted shortly in a siege of illness. For sev- 
eral years Mr. Rampy traveled up and down the 
Pacific coast, the spirit of adventure fed with 
the excitement and oftentime peril of those jour- 
neys. In 1855 he decided to locate permanent- 
ly, then taking up a donation claim of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres five miles east of Harris- 
burg, Linn county, upon which he spent the en- 
suing three years. In 1858 he removed to the 
city and engaged in business, at which he con- 
tinued intermittently for ten years, spending the 
principal part of the summers in the mines. 
After the year 1863 he quit the mines entirely 
and devoted his time to his other business in- 
terests, remaining so engaged until 1870. The 
next year found him a student in the Portland 
Business College, where he took a course best 
calculated to aid him in his ambitions, and when 
he graduated he returned to Harrisburg and 
became the owner of a drug store which he 
conducted profitably for several years. A part 
of that time he was also engaged in handling 
grain. In 1881 he met with what to many 
business men would have meant financial ruin 
in the loss of this business by fire, but undis- 
mayed by such misfortune he again embarked 
in the business. In 1882 he was forced to 
put business aside and seek a renewal of health 
in the eastern states, traveling through New 
York and Pennsylvania in his efforts to recover 
from the effects of nervous prostration, which 
made a total blank of six years of his life. In 
1888, however, he was so far recovered as to 
return to his chosen field of operations, and here 
he then established the Harrisburg Bank, in the 
handsome brick building which he had erected 
on the corner of Second and Smith streets in 
1887. From January 18, 1888, he conducted the 
bank until 1892, when he was once more forced 
to retire on account of ill health. Again opening 
the bank in 1898, he closed up the business fin- 



ally July 1, 1901. Having withdrawn from busi- 
ness interests, Mr. Rampy now spends his time 
looking after his stock raised upon his farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres three miles north- 
east of this city. In addition to this property he 
also owns ten town lots and his residence, which 
occupies three lots. 

Mr. Rampy was married in Lane county, Ore., 
in 1866, to Miss Sarah E. Johnson, a native of 
Missouri, who crossed the plains with her parents 
in 1853 an d located in that county. Of the five 
children born to them Cecil Orilda is the only 
one now living, the others being as follows : 
Phillip Nicholas ; Robert Franklin ; Walter Mil- 
lard and Clyde Rockwell, the third son, especially, 
having made for himself in the brief eighteen 
years of his life a record of manliness and Chris- 
tian living which has never been forgotten in 
his birthplace, Harrisburg, where his death oc- 
curred January 18, 1893. Mr. Rampy is a stanch 
Republican in politics, and has served in various 
offices, among them being city treasurer for two 
terms and as a member of the city council many 
times. Not only anxious to build up for himself 
a successful and substantial position among the 
scenes of his adopted state, but with his best 
efforts directed toward the betterment of the 
general conditions of the community, Mr. Rampy 
has exercised no little influence along these lines. 
As a patriot he enlisted in the Rogue river war 
in 1855, serving three months as a private, and 
the summer following acting as steward in the 
quartermaster's department of the carpenter's 
mess in the building of the government barracks. 



JAMES L. ARNOLD. By far the larger 
number of the residents of the west have come 
here from the eastern states, and from foreign 
countries as well, but in Mr. Arnold we find a 
native son of the west, his birth occurring in 
Linn county, near Brownsville, April 2, 1857. 
His parents, Isaac and Precelia Arnold, were na- 
tives of the middle west, coming from Ohio and 
Illinois respectively. Prior to their removal to 
Oregon they had resided in Iowa, but in 1852, 
with ox-teams and wagons, they began the six- 
months journey which was to bring them to 
Oregon, where greater opportunities awaited 
them. Purchasing a farm near Brownsville, the 
parents made this their home for about seven 
years, or until their son was about two years 
old, when they removed to a farm adjacent to 
the village of Scio. 

James L. Arnold passed his boyhood and 
youth upon his father's farm, and attended the 
district school during the short term when it 
was in session. His marriage, January 6, 1881, 
united him with Nancy D. Miller, and for two 
years they made their home on rented land near 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1205 



Scio. At the end of that time he felt himself in 
a position to purchase a farm, and invested in a 
tract of one. hundred and thirty-one acres lo- 
cated two and one-half miles west of the village 
of Scio. . By careful management Mr. Arnold 
was enabled from time to time to extend the 
limits of his farm by the purchase of adjoining 
land, and he now has three hundred and thirty 
acres all in one body and well located. His 
efforts in the line of improvements have not 
been without results, as one who is familiar with 
its appearance at the time he assumed control can 
see at a glance. In addition to general farming 
and stock-raising Mr. Arnold finds considerable 
profit in the dairy business. Besides the farm 
upon which he resides Mr. Arnold also owns 
sixty-six acres of his father's old home place four 
miles east of Scio. 

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Arnold, to whom they have given the names of 
Marion I. C. and Ethel L.„G. Private affairs 
have not consumed all of Mr. Arnold's time and 
thought, for as road supervisor and as a member 
of the school board he has given his services for 
a number of years. He united with the Baptist 
Church June 24, 1875, at Providence, and later 
united with Scio Baptist Church, was elected 
church deacon by that body and served as such, 
and as superintendent of the Sunday school he 
wielded an influence which was far-reaching in 
its scope, his fitness for the office and his tact 
in handling children, to say nothing of his love 
for doing good, making this success inevitable. 
Politically he gives his vote to the Republican 
candidates. In his business dealings Mr. Arnold 
has been very successful, the just reward of up- 
right dealing and faithfulness to duty, and his 
popularity among his fellow-citizens is of a deep 
and lasting nature. 



ELIZABETH GOAN. The business enter- 
prises of Lebanon are by no means confined ex- 
clusively to the control of men, for there, as 
elsewhere in the northwest, women have either 
adopted a practical means of livelihood, or with 
rare tact and adaptability have stepped into 
vacancies not originally intended for them. 
Such a one is Mrs. Elizabeth Goan, who, since 
the death of her husband, August 8, 1895, has 
conducted a large and paying undertaking en- 
terprise. The early life of Mrs. Goan was passed 
near Martinsburg, Pa., where her birth occurred 
December 11, 1842. Formerly Elizabeth Gibson. 
her family was established in Pennsylvania by 
her paternal grandfather, Hugh Gibson, who was 
born in Ohio, and with six of his brothers set- 
tled in the Quaker state at a very early day. His 
son, John H, the father of Mrs. Goan, was born 
on the paternal farm near Martinsburg, April 



24, 1816, and in early life learned the carpenter's 
trade, to which he devoted several years of his 
life. He married Sarah Rogers, who traced her 
ancestry to Scotland, but who was born in the 
north of Ireland, whither had settled her 
father in the days of religious persecution. She 
came to America with her father, Andrew, who 
was a stanch Presbyterian, as have been the mem- 
bers of the family since earliest recollection. 
After his marriage Mr. Gibson gave up his trade 
and settled on a farm in Pennsylvania, where un- 
expected good fortune came to him in the shape 
of the discovery of oil wells on his land, which 
he developed with large profit, and became a 
man of means and influence. He died in 1883, 
firm in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, in 
which he had been an active worker, and had for 
years filled the position of Sunday school super- 
intendent. He was a man of pronounced char- 
acteristics, very determined in his manner, and 
not easily swerved from his point of view. Nine 
children w T ere reared in a rigorous moral, mental 
and industrial atmosphere, of whom Mrs. Goan 
is the third. 

With her brothers and sisters Mrs. Goan at- 
tended the public schools in Pennsylvania, and 
after completing her education continued to live 
at home. A son of the family having removed 
to Oregon and located on a farm near Lebanon, 
she and a sister joined him in the spring of 1884, 
and the same year occurred her marriage with 
Emanuel Goan, a neighbor of the Gibson family 
in Pennsylvania, and an old schoolmate of the 
children. Mr. Goan was born in Armstrong 
county, Pa., June 8, 1836. Being left practically 
alone in the world at an early age, he apprenticed 
to a carpenter after the death of his mother, and 
devoted his entire life to work of which his trade 
was the foundation. In 1857 ne located on a farm 
near Oakland, Cal., where he became an extensive 
wheat raiser. In 1878 Mr. Goan came to Ore- 
gon, and after a season of farming near La 
Comb, on the Farren Ridge, took up his residence 
in Lebanon, and started an undertaking establish- 
ment. This was the beginning of a successful 
business career, and in his undertaking business 
he found his knowledge of cabinet-making all- 
important. He also manufactured furniture, and 
in time branched out even further and became 
interested in a hardware business. The suc- 
cess of these three enterprises encouraged him 
to try yet another western enteprise, and he built 
and operated a planing mill at Lebanon with sat- 
isfactory results. From time to time he invested 
his earnings in real estate, and he became active 
in social "and other undertakings in the com- 
munity. He had the traits of character which 
command attention and win respect, and at the 
time of his death, August 8, 1895, the general 
verdict was that a loyal citizen and high-minded 



1206 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pioneer had passed to his rest, leaving behind him 
a record of which any man might be proud. He 
was a Republican in politics, and a member of 
the United Brethren Church. 

Mrs. Goan has one daughter, Viola Dale, who 
is at present taking the English course at the 
Albany College. The mother is ambitious for 
her daughter's future, and it is her intention to 
supply every advantage suggested by her talents 
and capacity for advancement. Notwithstand- 
ing her arduous responsibilities, Mrs. Goan finds 
time to enjoy society in a general way, and takes 
a keen interest in the Presbyterian Church, con- 
tributing generously towards its charities and 
general support. 



JOHN EDWARD DRUCKS. A prominent 
mill owner of Lebanon, Linn county, Ore., is 
John Edward Drucks, who located in that city 
September 6, 1899, and became the proprietor of 
his present property, which he has since over- 
hauled, putting in new and modern machinery, 
and now, with water as the motive power, he 
turns out one hundred barrels of flour per day. 
He has a large trade, California especially receiv- 
ing much of his product. He also owns a large 
warehouse and buys all the grain which comes 
into the city. 

The father of John E. Drucks, Frank Drucks, 
was born in Austria, November 2, 1822, came to 
the United States in 1856, locating with his fam- 
ily at Manitowoc, Wis., where he followed his 
trade of cooper for one year and a half, after 
which he removed to a farm which he had pur- 
chased there. In 1876 he came west, passing 
through Oregon and settling five miles east of 
Vancouver, Wash., where he bought Hexter's 
flour mill, a remainder of the old Hudson Bay 
possessions. For five years he conducted this 
business with considerable profit, after which he 
located in Portland and engaged in the grocery 
business until 1902. In that year he retired from 
the active cares of life, and coming to Lebanon, 
he now makes his home with his son, a sturdy 
product of a sturdy age and nation. Mr. Drucks 
married Rosa Wartz, a native of the location in 
which he first saw the light of day. She died 
on the farm near Vancouver in 1887, at the age 
of fifty-six years. 

Of the eleven children, nine sons and two 
daughters, born to his parents, of whom five are 
now living, John Edward Drucks is the fourth. 
He was born in Manitowoc, Wis., October 24, 
1857, and received his education in the common 
schools of his native state. He was nineteen 
years of age when his parents settled in Oregon, 
and he soon took charge of his father's mill in 
Washington. In 1879 ne assumed the same po- 
sition in the Star Mills of McMinnville, Ore., 



where he remained until 1884. In that year he 
entered the flour business in Sheridan, Ore., 
where he bought a mill, and in 1885 he located 
for a short time in Portland. He then carried 
his milling interests into Washington, there be- 
coming the owner of a mill at La Camas, which 
he conducted for two years. At the expiration 
of this period he located in San Francisco, Cal., 
there assuming charge of a flour mill until 1888, 
when he returned to Oregon and purchased a 
half interest in a hotel at Medford. The next 
year he leased the property and removed to 
Portland, where he engaged in the real estate 
and brokerage business. In 1894 he returned to 
California and spent one year in Los Angeles, 
after which he again located in Portland and 
continued his former occupation until his return 
to the milling business at Lebanon in 1899. 

The marriage of Mr. Drucks occurred in Mc-. 
Minnville, Ore., in 1881, Anna Sax, a native of 
Portland, becoming his wife. Of the three chil- 
dren born to them, two of whom are living, Ed- 
ward S., who was born in McMinnville in 1883, 
is studying medicine in the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons in San Francisco ; Lenora, also 
born in that city, makes her home with her 
parents ; Zeda, who was born in Medford, Ore., 
in 1888, died at Vancouver, Wash., at the age 
of three years and four months. Mr. Drucks 
has become the owner of a fine residence in 
Lebanon, in addition to which he owns ninety- 
four and a half acres of land near Troutdale, and 
sixteen acres near Portland. In his fraternal 
relations Mr. Drucks is a member of the Modern 
Woodmen of America, and politically is a Re- 
publican. He is at present serving as city coun- 
cilman, having always taken an active and intel- 
ligent interest in municipal affairs. He belongs 
to the Roman Catholic Church. 



ALPHEUS MILLER WILSON. Interested 
in both industrial and municipal affairs of the 
city Alpheus Miller Wilson holds a prominent 
place in Lebanon, Linn county, adding to the 
importance of the former through his connection 
with one of the leading livery stables, and in 
the service of the latter acting as mayor of the 
city. A stanch Republican, he has been chosen 
to fill his present office for a term of two years. 
His anxiety to make his administration one of 
prosperity to all has won for him many friends 
even among his political opponents. 

Alpheus Miller Wilson was born near Bur- 
lington, Iowa, October 10, 1849, tne son °f 
George Washington and Mary Ann (Moore) 
Wilson, the former born in Virginia and the 
latter in Pennsylvania, the daughter of Samuel 
Moore, also a native of that state. The father 
removed to Iowa in 1848 and crossed the plains 



FORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1207 



in 1852, locating first near Dallas, where he 
bought the squatter's right to one hundred and 
sixty acres of land, upon which he engaged in 
farming. In i860 he came to Linn county, and 
locating near Lebanon, combined the interest of 
stock-raising with that of farming, becoming 
the owner of considerable property. He now 
makes his home near Sodaville, Ore., and is 
eighty-seven years old. Of the six sons and six 
daughters which blessed the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Wilson nine are now living, and the second 
child and oldest son is the subject of this re- 
view. He was but three years old when the 
trip was made to Oregon, so he has practically 
passed his whole life in Oregon. He received a 
rather limited education in the common schools 
of the state, the greater part of his information 
having come to him through observation. When 
sixteen years old he became an employe on the 
farm, and as his means increased he felt justified 
in making a purchase of land, which consisted 
of seventy-six acres, located near Lebanon. He 
remained upon this property until 1897, when he 
came to the city of Lebanon and engaged in the 
livery business, also purchasing a half interest in 
a drayage business. 

The wife who shares the pleasant little home 
which Mr. Wilson has bought in the city, was 
formerly Mrs. Ellen Jane Gilson, a native of 
Michigan, and whom he married in this city. 
Two children have been born to them, Mary 
Ellen and Albert Francis, both of whom are at 
home with their parents. Always popular in his 
party Mr. Wilson served for fifteen years as 
school director while living on his farm, and for 
two terms as road supervisor. Fraternally he is 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. 



J. P. WALLACE, M. D. A more than or- 
dinary appreciation of the possibilities of med- 
ical and surgical science, augmented by superior 
elementary training and continuous research en- 
titles Dr. Wallace to the enviable place which 
he occupies in the professional life of Linn 
county. Dr. Wallace was born in Ander- 
sonville, Anderson county, Tenn., July 24, 
1852, of Scotch ancestry. His paternal grand- 
father, James, was born in Virginia, and 
eventually became a planter in Anderson county, 
where he died in 1877, while his father, 
Brice, born in Anderson county, followed 
a similar occupation during his active life. The 
father was a strong Union sympathizer during 
the Civil war. In 1877 he removed to Oregon, 
settling on a farm near Lebanon, where he en- 
gaged in farming for many years. At present 
he is retired from active life and is living with 
his children. He is a Roval Arch Mason. A 



Democrat in politics, he served as treasurer of 
Linn county for one term. With his wife, 
Nancy J. (Hall) Wallace, he attends the Baptist 
Church. Mrs. Wallace died near Albany in 1886 
at the age of fifty-five years. The Hall family 
are of English ancestry, the members of which 
settled first in North Carolina, where Obadiah 
Hall, the father of Mrs. Wallace, was born. He 
was a planter in Tennessee, and died there at 
an advanced age, firm in the faith of the Bap- 
tist Church. 

The impressions most vividly recalled by Dr. 
Wallace of his childhood in the south are those 
centered around the period of the Civil war, 
when his neighborhood was ravaged by the sol- 
diers, and life became hazardous. During that 
time the schools were suspended and his edu- 
cation was retarded. After the war he continued 
his studies at Jacksboro, Tenn., and afterward 
engaged in teaching for a couple of terms in a 
local academy. Following close upon his teach- 
ing he studied medicine with Dr. Charles D. 
Russell of Jacksboro, and after a couple of years 
entered the medical department of the University 
of Tennessee, from which he was graduated with 
first honors in the class of 1880. His scholar- 
ship was distinguished by brilliancy and ex- 
ceptional merit, in recognition of which he re- 
ceived the Paul F. Eve and two other gold 
medals. With this creditable start in life the 
doctor engaged in practice in Anderson, Tenn., 
and four years later, in 1884, located in his pres- 
ent home in Albany, Ore. In order to keep pace 
with the progress in the profession as understood 
by the most advanced minds in the country he 
took a post-graduate course in the New York 
Post-Graduate Medical School, in 1890. 

That Dr. Wallace has been successful beyond 
the average practitioner is evidenced by his large 
land holdings in city and county, and these in- 
vestments indicate also his faith in the future 
of his adopted state. He is the owner of the 
postoffice building in Albany, has built up resi- 
dence and business property, and owns a farm 
of four hundred and forty acres in Linn county. 
While living in Knoxville, Tenn., he was united 
in marriage with Alice Tullock, born in Camp- 
bell county, Tenn., and was educated at the 
Jacksboro Academy. One child has been born 
of this union, Russell, now attending the Al- 
bany College, in the class of 1904. Dr. Wal- 
lace is a member of the State Medical Society 
and from a professional standpoint has held many 
positions of trust in the community, including 
membership on the pension board, a position he 
held for ten or twelve years, when he resigned. 
Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen 
of the World, and socially with the Alco Club. 
The doctor is possessed of strong personal char- 
acteristics, which render him extremely popular 



1208 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with all classes of people. Genial and optimistic, 
he is an ideal practitioner, understanding fully 
the saving grace of tact, humor, and consider- 
ation. 



WILLIAM M. ALLEN. Living retired in 
Halsey is a man who has been connected in a 
most interesting and substantial manner with the 
early history of this section, and who used to 
ride over this prairie when scarcely a human 
habitation indicated the presence of white men. 
While various avenues of activity have been in- 
vaded by him with equally good results, his life 
in the west has been devoted chiefly to buying 
and selling cattle and lands. He consequently 
possesses great familiarity with all parts of the 
county, and is an expert judge of stock. William 
M. Allen is a pioneer of 1852, and was twenty- 
two years of age when he crossed the plains with 
his parents. He was born in Madison, 111., July 
27, 1830, his father, Alfred, and his mother. 
Sarah (Jackson) Allen, being natives respective- 
ly of Kentucky and North Carolina. On the 
maternal side he comes from a family which has 
furnished a president of the United States, his 
mother, who lived between 1767 and 1845, being 
a cousin of General Andrew Jackson, seventh 
president of the country. From his native state 
Alfred Allen moved to Indiana, and from there 
to Illinois at an early day, where he married, 
and from where he set out on the westward 
journey in the spring of 1852. Locating in 
Mohawk, Lane county, Ore., he took up a claim 
of three hundred and twenty acres, sold the same 
in 1858 and went to The Dalles, Washington 
county. In 1862 he located in Linn county, Ore., 
and bought four Imndred acres of land on the 
Muddy river, just about the time they were build- 
ing the railroad through here. His was one of 
the first houses in the locality and he became 
one of the best known men hereabouts, evincing 
at all times a keen interest in the development of 
farming and other enterprises. His last years 
were spent in retirement, he and his wife travel- 
ing their well worn way in harmony and peace, 
and, as seemed consistent with their united lives, 
both died in 1875, the wife three days before 
her husband. 

The fifth of the four sons and two daughters 
in his father's family, William M. was educated 
in the public schools of Illinois, and after coming 
west, took up a donation claim of one hundred 
and sixty acres near Mohawk, Lane county, not 
far from his father's claim. In 1861 he bought 
land in Klickitat county, Wash., and the follow- 
ing year bought and took a drove of cattle to 
British Columbia, disposed of the same, and 
afterward came direct to Linn county. Pur- 
chasing a half section of land near Halsey, he 



raised stock thereon until 1864, then sold it, and 
followed the occupation of buying and selling 
stock, driving herds to Washington and eastern 
Oregon, and supplying markets all over the 
state. For about ten years he has been retired 
from active life, having accumulated a compe- 
tency, a considerable portion of which he loans 
out. He also owns two ranches in Linn county, 
aggregating five hundred acres of land. 

The marriage of Mr. Allen partook of the 
romance which has characterized his somewhat 
adventurous and roving life, for, owing to pa- 
rental opposition, he deliberately ran away with 
Emma Zulliforde, daughter of William Zulliforde, 
and sought the services of Justice of the Peace 
Paul Clover in the foothills of the Cascade moun- 
tains. Mr. Zulliforde lived for many years in Illi- 
nois, where his daughter was born, and from 
where he crossed the plains in 1852, locating on 
the ranch near Mohawk where his death oc- 
curred. Four children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Allen, of whom Arra, the oldest daughter, 
is the wife of Monroe Miller, a farmer of this 
vicinity; Benjamin F., Jr., lives at Grant's Pass, 
Ore. ; W. A. is on his father's farm ; and Lena is 
at home. 

Mr. Allen was the first commissioner of Crook 
county, Ore., elected by the people, and he has 
further promoted the interests of Republicanism 
in this section, serving both as school director and 
clerk, and as a member of the city council for 
many terms. He is a broad-minded and pro- 
gressive man, inspiring the greatest confidence 
in all with whom he has to do, and representing 
in the measure of his solid success the best type 
of northwestern manhood. 



PETER K. JOHNSON was born in the cen- 
tral part of Norway, July 24, 1838, the descend- 
ant of a line of farmers, his father also follow- 
ing this occupation in conjunction with the car- 
penter's trade. After his education in the district 
schools was completed, the son took up the trade 
of his father, which he followed for several years 
in Norway. In 1864 he married Miss Sarah 
Anderson, also a native of that country, and 
there the young couple began their married life. 
After two years they decided to try their for- 
tunes in the faraway western land, of which they 
had heard so much, and accordingly set sail for 
the United States in 1866. Upon their arrival 
they went at once to Illinois. After two years 
they removed to Clinton Junction, Wis., just 
across the state line from their former residence, 
where they passed the ensuing five years, Mr. 
Johnson working at his trade in Chicago the 
principal part of the time. 

In 1873 they ventured still farther west, com- 
ing with hopeful hearts to Oregon, where soon 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1209 



after his arrival Mr. Johnson purchased the 
farm upon which they now make their home. 
This farm is located one and a half miles south 
of Mount Angel. The first piece of land bought 
contained eighty-six acres, but with the profits 
of his industry and management he has been 
enabled to add to the original purchase until he 
now owns one hundred and twenty acres. Upon 
this farm Mr. Johnson himself has made all the 
improvements, including a modern house and 
good buildings of all kinds, which are the best 
in the neighborhood. He has also built a double- 
kiln hop house and storehouse, having twenty- 
two acres devoted to the cultivation of hops, 
from which was produced in 1902 twenty thous- 
and pounds. These he disposed of at a uniform 
price of twenty-six and a half cents per pound. 
Seventy acres of his farm are under cultivation. 
In addition to this he continued to work at his 
trade from the time of his arrival in Oregon to 
1890, thus adding greatly to his income. A large 
family has blessed his marriage, the children be- 
ing as follows : John, of Portland ; Andrew, de- 
ceased ; Frank, of Portland ; Edward, residing 
near Brooks ; Anna, wife of C. Esson, of The 
Dalles ; Albert, of Portland ; x\llen, at home ; 
and Sherman, who is attending Portland Dental 
College. Mr. Johnson has served on the school 
board and as road supervisor. He has always 
taken an active part in political matters, being a 
strong adherent of the policy advocated by the 
Republican party. Having the courage of his 
convictions, he has exercised no little influence 
in the affairs of his neighborhood. 

The mother of Mr. Johnson having died in 
Norway in 1863, his father came seven years 
later to the land that held his son's family, set- 
tling first in Wisconsin, but later going to Min- 
nesota to pass the remainder of his days. There 
he died at the age of seventy-nine years. 



THEOBALD KIRSCH. Like all other land 
in this vicinity the farm belonging to Theobald 
Kirsch was once a wilderness of unfurrowed 
fields and unfelled forests, where it now blossoms 
with harvests and gratifies the eye with the at- 
tractive, modern buildings that have been erected 
upon it. These changes are due to the indefatiga- 
ble energy and management of its thrifty owner, 
who, animated by proper pride as well as self- 
interest, has become noted throughout the neigh- 
borhood as one of the. best farmers of which it 
boasts. The greatest credit is due Mr. Kirsch 
for the praiseworthy efforts that have brought 
him success, for he started in life with nothing to 
help him even to the first round of the ladder 
but his own manliness and determination to make 
something out of his life. That he has succeeded 
is established bevond a doubt, the broad acres 



of his farm testifying to the affluence that has 
come to him in the evening of life. 

Theobald Kirsch was born August 10, 1841, 
in Lorraine, in what was then French territory, 
but in 1 87 1 passed to Germany, and came to the 
United States with his parents in 1855, settling 
in New York, where his father worked at general 
labor for a few years. At the end of this time 
enough money had been accumulated to warrant 
moving into the farming region of Sandusky 
county, Ohio, where they bought land upon 
which they lived until 1870. While in this loca- 
tion Theobald arrived at his twenty-first year, 
and following his inclinations he enlisted in 
Company H, Seventy-second Regiment, Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered into ser- 
vice at Columbus in October, 1862, and went at 
once with the regiment to Memphis, where thev 
did guard duty for some time. Later he was in 
the memorable siege of Vicksburg. In the bat- 
tle of Guntown he was taken prisoner, being 
sent to Andersonville, where he was confined 
until the close of the war. This was a period of 
ten months, after which he was sent to Jackson- 
ville, Fla., and from there to Annapolis, Md., 
thence to Camp Chase near Columbus, Ohio, 
where he was mustered out of service, having 
served two years and nine months. Returning 
to his home near Fremont, Ohio, he remained 
there for a short time, preceding his parents to 
Wisconsin by four years, their removal there 
being made in 1870. The old people later passed 
away in that state, the father at the age of 
eighty years, March 1, 1886, the mother dying 
May 4, 1882, at seventy-two years of age. They 
were the parents of five children, four of whom 
are now living, Theobald being the only one in 
Oregon. 

In 1888 Mr. Kirsch came to this county and 
bought one hundred and ninety-five acres of land, 
which now forms a part of his home. To that 
purchase he has added until he now owns four 
hundred and thirty acres, two hundred and sev- 
enty-five acres of which are under cultivation. 
He has fifty-seven acres devoted to hops, from 
which was produced last year forty thousand 
pounds. He now rents this part of his farm. By 
his union in 1866 to Miss Tracy Von Hatten, born 
January 8, 1849, in Pittsburg, Pa., he became the 
father of eleven children, six of whom are now 
living. The second of the children, Rosa, is the 
only one who is not at home, she having become 
the wife of H. Butch, of British Columbia, where 
they have five children. The remaining children 
are' as follows : Joseph, who is married and on the 
home place; John, Henry, Frank and Frona, all 
unmarried ; Mary, deceased, was married to John 
Camp, and had a son ; Lena, deceased, was mar- 
ried to Martin Preuneg, and had two children ; 
Annie, Annie (the second child bearing the 



1210 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



name), and George, all died in early childhood. 
Politically Mr. Kirsch is a Democrat and served 
at one time as road supervisor. The family are 
members of the Catholic Church. 



ALBERT G. PRILL, M. D. A physician of 
Scio, Linn county, Ore., whose future gives 
promise of an advancement to a high degree of 
excellence and success in his chosen profession, 
Dr. Albert G. Prill was born May 5, 1869, in 
Springville, N. Y., where his father, John 
Prill, a native of Germany, located many years 
ago and engaged in farming. Success is a na- 
tive element in the character of this family, for 
with nothing to encourage John Prill to believe 
in the successful future which was before him 
he began in a strange land and among strange 
surroundings, and became one of the noticeably 
successful men of that section of the state, now 
owning seven hundred and fifty acres of land. 
He makes his home in Springville, living retired 
at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife was 
formerly Mary Tardell, also a native of the 
Fatherland, and who crossed the ocean with him, 
anxious to help in the labor for a home and com- 
petency. As she shared his labor she now enjoys 
the rest, being seventy-three years old. 

Of their six children, three of whom are liv- 
ing, Albert G. Prill is the youngest. He was 
given a good education, after attending the com- 
mon schools completing in the high school of 
Springville, from which he was graduated in 
1886. Intent on entering upon the profession 
he had chosen he became a student in the med- 
ical department of Buffalo University in 1887, 
and after an attendance of three years he was 
graduated with the degree of M. D. In the same 
year, 1890, he came to Oregon, and locating in 
Salem, engaged in a general practice of medi- 
cine. After nine months in that location he re- 
moved to Sodaville, Linn county, and remained 
successfully engaged there until 1896. At that 
date he came to Scio and has since remained in 
this location. Not content with the knowledge 
of medicine gained in his first years in the study, 
Dr. Prill has since devoted much time to re- 
search in his efforts to advance in the profes- 
sion. In 1898 he was graduated from the Na- 
tional Institute of Pharmacy, of Chicago, 111., 
and took a three-months course in electro-thera- 
peutics in Lima, Ohio. In 1900 he attended 
the New York Clinical School of Medicine, tak- 
ing a course in surgery, and especially devoting 
his thought to the amelioration of the ills of 
womankind. His advance in his profession has 
been very noticeable, and is certainly appreciated 
by those among whom he labors. 

Dr. Prill was married in Springville, N. Y., 
in 1889, to Anna C. Satterlee Bates, a native of 



that state, and the two children born of the union 
are now deceased, one having died in infancy, 
and Ariel V. in early childhood. In his fraternal 
relations Dr. Prill is exceedingly active, be- 
ing a member of Scio Lodge No. 39, Ancient 
Free and Accepted Masons ; Leonidas Lodge No. 
36, Knights of Pythias; Dierdorff Lodge No. 
54, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and 
Stewart No. 51, Encampment; Knights of the 
Maccabees ; Modern Woodmen of America ; 
Ancient Order of United Workmen ; and Order 
of Pendo. He is active in all of these, having 
passed all the chairs with the exception of those 
of the Masons. He is a member of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church, and politically casts 
his vote with the Republican party. In the in- 
terests of the public he acts as health officer of 
the city. Dr. Prill owns considerable property 
in the city, in addition to the handsome little 
cottage and three acres of land about it. He 
purchased his office of Dr. E. O. Hyde. 

One of the most engrossing interests of Dr. 
Prill is that of ornithology, of which he is a 
profound student, and in his study he has col- 
lected many and interesting specimens, now own- 
ing one of the finest private collections of birds 
in the state. Never content with anything less 
than the best in whatever line his interests are 
directed, much is expected of such a man as Dr. 
Prill in the advancement of all worthy inter- 
prises, and through him, as a citizen, the future- 
holds fulfillment for the promises of a strong, 
earnest and honest manhood. 



EVALINE SHELTON. At present living 
retired in the town of Jordan, Mrs. Evaline Shel- 
ton has seen a great deal of pioneer life in the 
west, and has been in close touch with its agri- 
cultural development, as have been the wives of 
all the pioneers. Born in the vicinity of Nash- 
ville, Tenn., November 1, 1827, she is a daughter 
of Edward Jones, a native of South Carolina, 
who in early life removed to Tennessee. Later, 
Mr. Jones lived on farms in Illinois and Wis- 
consin, his last years being spent in Andrew 
county, Mo., where he died at the age of seventy- 
five years. He was a farmer by occupation, was 
fairly successful, and was devoted to the Dem- 
ocratic party. 

On her father's farm in Andrew county. Mo., 
Mrs. Shelton met and married her husband, Will- 
iam Shelton, who was born in Virginia, August 
15, 1820. Before locating in Andrew county, Mr. 
Shelton lived in Jackson county, Mo., and after 
his marriage went to housekeeping on his own 
farm, near that of the Sheltons. Believing that 
the west held superior opportunities for agri- 
culturists, he sold his farm in 1853, and out- 
fitted with ox-teams and prairie schooners, tak- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1211 



ing with him several head of loose cattle. He 
was not the first of his family to seek the far 
west, as in 1847 his father, Herman Shelton, who 
was born in Virginia, settled on a section of land 
live miles east of Scio, where he died at the 
age of seventy-seven years. He was a Demo- 
crat in politics, and a member and active worker 
in the Baptist Church. 

In the party of William Shelton was his 
mother-in-law, Mary (Louder) Jones, who, how- 
ever, less strong than her companions, succumbed 
to an attack of cholera and died in Tygh valley, 
eastern Oregon. The party proceeded after this 
sad happening much depressed in spirits, and 
finally arrived in Linn county, where Mr. Shel- 
ton took up a claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres ten miles east of Scio. This he improved 
and lived upon, and made into a valuable and pro- 
ductive property, and here his death occurred 
July 4, 1902. Like his father he was a Demo- 
crat, and was a stanch supporter of the Baptist 
Church: His wife remained on the farm until 
October, 1902, and then removed to Scio, and 
later, October 1, 1903, to Jordan, having earned 
the right to rest for the remainder of her life. 
Of her eight children, three are living, these be- 
ing Lucilla. the wife of Henry Phillips, of Jor- 
dan, Ore.; Andrew J., a conductor on the Cor- 
vallis & Eastern Railroad : and Mary, who is now 
Mrs. Pruitt, of Baker City, Ore. 

Mention is due Lee Shelton. brother-in-law 
of Mrs. Shelton, who is farming in Linn county 
in a small way, and is a man of fine personal 
characteristics. He also was born in Missouri, 
and crossed the plains with his father in 1847, 
thereafter helping him in the improvement of 
his farm. 



JACOB M. STARK, mayor of the city of 
Independence, is one of the most highly respected 
citizens of the place, as well as the proprietor of 
its only hotel. He is, to use the expressive 
western term, a "hustler," and while winning 
success in the hotel business he is also known as a 
speculator, whose winnings in this line have 
been of no small amount. He was born in 
Washington county, Ky., May 15, 1845. His 
father, Benjamin Stark, was also a native of the 
Bluegrass state, and in 1848 removed to Polk 
county. 111., making his home near Golconda, 
where he followed farming and died in 1850. 
In his agricultural pursuits he achieved success. 
In politics he was a Whig. His death occurred 
from cholera, at the age of fifty-one years. His 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Fannie 
Phelps, was born in Indianapolis. Ind.. and also 
died of cholera in 1850. as did two sons and 
one daughter, there being at the time a terrible 
epidemic of that dread disease. In this family 



there were eleven children, five boys and six 
girls, J. M. Stark being the tenth child, and he 
and one sister are the only surviving children. 
At the age of five years he was thrown upon 
his own resources. He received no educational 
privileges, but after drifting here and there for 
a time he finally, in 1855, found a home with 
William Claupet, of Jacksonville, 111., who gave 
him his first instruction in work. When about 
sixteen years of age, in response to his country's 
call, on the 8th of August, 1861, he enlisted 
with Company A, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, 
and marched to the front. In 1862 he received 
an honorable discharge on account of illness and 
disability. He crossed the plains in the same 
year, going as far as the present boundaries of 
Idaho, but very soon returned to Montana. In 
the fall of 1863 ne began freighting- by teams 
from Salt Lake to Virginia City, Montana, con- 
tinuing until 1867, when he went to the vicinity 
of Springfield, 111., and afterward joined a 
brother and sister who were at Pawnee, 111. 
Here he connected himself with the Wabash 
Railroad Company in construction work, remain- 
ing with the company for eighteen years. 

During his residence at PaWnee he conducted 
a general merchandise business and built the 
Pawnee Stub Railway, which runs from Pawnee 
due west, eleven miles to Albany, and is con- 
nected with the Chicago & Alton Railway. He 
sold his interest in the stub railway on March 
13, 1890, to the original stockholders. Besides 
his many other interests he established a paper 
called the Pawnee Enterprise. In 1891 he suf- 
fered considerable loss by fire and decided to 
remove to Oregon. He located at Independence, 
purchased the Little Palace Hotel property of 
the Rev. J. R. N. Bell, and successfully engaged 
in the hotel business. In 1900 he bought a saw- 
mill business and sold it in December, 1902, to 
F. A. Douty, of Independence. In 1900 he also 
purchased the Cottage Hotel and made it his 
place of residence. Mr. Stark was married at 
Eagleville, Mo., to Miss Georgia A. Blanken- 
ship, who was born near Vandalia. 111. Her 
father, Lewis Blankenship, was a native of Illi- 
nois, and a farmer by occupation. He removed 
to Missouri in 1883, and in 1893 located near 
Independence, Ore. His wife having passed 
away, he makes his home with his daughter, 
Mrs. Stark. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stark were 
born seven children, four of whom are now liv- 
ing : Lola, a graduate of Mt. Angel College : 
Inez and John L., twins, and Aliene. 

During the present year Mr. Stark bought the 
merchandise stock of F. A. Douty and moved 
the stock ro Fall City, Polk county, where he 
conducts a large store. Mr. Stark is a member 
of the Grand Army of the Republic and is a 



1212 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



stanch Republican, always interested in the wel- 
fare of his party. He was elected mayor in 
1903. As chief executive of the city, Mr. Stark 
is winning the encomiums of all. He stands firm- 
ly on the side of law and order. His success in 
life has been achieved through his own efforts 
and well does he deserve to be classed among 
the most progressive and enterprising men of 
Oregon. 



HENRY K. LUGGER. Talent, it has been 
said, can be mastered by man, while genius is 
the master of man. This is true to a certain 
extent, for it is the exception to find the man 
of genius a success in a business way, and a 
power in the industrial life of a community. 
It is this which distinguishes Mr. Lugger, the 
present superintendent of the Albany water- 
works, for his fine and accurate knowledge of 
all mechanism has called forth an admiration 
which has given him credit for more than ordi- 
nary ability. The position which he now holds 
was accepted in June, 1902, and even in this 
brief period of time he has won a position of 
prominence and esteem in the business life of 
the city, in keeping with the effort he has put 
forth toward the advancement of his work. 

The birth of Henry K. Lugger occurred in 
Westphalia, Germany, his father, Frederick, 
being also a native of that locality. The latter was 
a stonemason by trade. In i860 he brought his 
family to America, on a sailing vessel, and 
located in New Orleans, La., where he engaged 
as a contractor and mason until his death. He 
married Sophia Mueller, also a native of West- 
phalia, and her death also occurred in New 
Orleans. Of the three sons and one daughter 
born to them all attained maturity, of whom 
three sons are now living. The youngest of this 
family, and the only one who located on the 
Pacific coast, was Henry K. Lugger. He was 
born April 30, 1858, and in New Orleans attended 
a private school until he was fourteen years 
old, when he was apprenticed to learn the trade 
of a machinist. For three years he worked in 
ship and railroad shops in the city, after which 
he went to Galveston, Tex., where during the 
day he worked at his trade and at night attended 
school, his earnestness of purpose and deter- 
mination enabling him to make the sacrifice for 
the sake of future gain. Later he worked at the 
trade of carpenter in Galveston, after which, 
in 1 88 1, he removed to Dennison, Ohio, and soon 
after to Delaware of the same state, where he 
engaged as a machinist, in the latter city remain- 
ing for seven years. In 1889 Mn Lugger came 
to Oregon, locating in Yaquina Bay, as fore- 
man of the car department in the shops of the 
pld Oregon Pacific ? and later occupying the 



same position for the Corvallis & Eastern Rail- 
road. It was from the position of general fore- 
man of the shops that Mr. Lugger resigned in 
1899 to engage in the mercantile business in 
the same city, the firm being known as Lugger 
& Pruett. After eighteen months he removed 
to Baker City and bought an interest in the 
Blue Mountain Iron Works, this firm being 
Gilbert & Lugger. After a year's time he sold 
out to Mr. Gilbert, and coming to Albany he 
accepted his present position, in which he has 
charge of the water supply. In addition to 
this work, Mr. Lugger is also experienced as a 
draughtsman and does much of that work. 

Mr. Lugger was married to Miss Anna Healy, 
a native of Delaware, Ohio, where the cere- 
mony was performed. Three daughters have 
been born to them, namely : Theresa, Catherine 
and Wilhelmina, the first named being a student 
of Albany College. In his fraternal relations 
Mr. Lugger is a member of the Benevolent Pro- 
tective Order of Elks, of Albany, and the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics 
he is a Republican, believing that the principles 
of this party are best calculated to advance the 
prosperity of the country, but in local affairs he 
measures the man as well as the principles and 
casts his vote for the man whose administration 
is governed by patriotism and principle. While 
at Yaquina Bay Mr. Lugger served as president 
of the school board for several years, and took 
a very active part in the work necessary to secure 
good schools. 



JACOB M. MILLER. Since May, 1875, 
Jacob M. Miller has identified his fortunes 
with Marion county, Ore.. That he has suc- 
ceeded as an agriculturist is evidenced by the 
fact that he is the owner of a finely improved 
farm of three hundred acres on the French 
Prairie, about two hundred acres of which are 
under cultivation. Although practically retired 
at the present time, Mr. Miller still maintains 
an interest in his farm, its buildings, implements, 
and crops, and he is the intelligent and mature 
adviser of his son, John H., to whom he has 
turned over the greater part of the responsibility. 

At the age of fifteen years, Mr. Miller left 
Baden, Germany, where he was born February 
24, 1832, and, accompanied by his parents, sailed 
for the distant shores of America. After thirty 
days upon the ocean the stanch craft cast anchor 
in New York harbor, the passengers departing 
inland in various directions, as inclination dic- 
tated. The Miller family settled on a farm 
near Utica, N. Y., and after remaining there 
for twelve years removed to Jo Daviess county, 
111., the father having in the meantime turned 
oyer his business to his sons. In Illinois Jacob 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1213 



M.j and his brother John bought a farm of four 
hundred and twenty acres, a large farm for the 
middle west, and lived thereon together until the 
brother became sole possessor of the prop- 
erty in 1876, and Jacob M. came west in search 
of larger opportunities. Of his brother-in-law, 
Francis Feller, he purchased four hundred and 
twenty acres on French prairie, four miles 
from Butteville, in time disposing of all but the 
three hundred acres which he now owns. 

September 23, 1864, Mr. Miller was united 
in marriage with Elizabeth Feller, sister of 
Francis Feller, and of this union there have 
been born eight children : Mary is the wife of 
Charles Lemky, assessor of Marion county, and 
a resident of Salem ; Carrie is the wife of 
William Scollard, a farmer and hop-raiser near 
Gervais ; Lizzie is the wife of Andrew Walker, 
of Milwaukee, Ore. ; Fred is helping to man- 
age his father's farm ; William is a hop-grower 
near Woodburn ; John H. is managing the home 
farm ; Edward is a resident of Portland ; and 
Minnie is at home. 

For many years Mr. Miller has been a stanch 
upholder of Democracy. He has filled the offices 
of school director and road supervisor. He is 
held in high esteem by those who have been 
associated with him for years, and he has the 
good will of a host of warm friends, who appre- 
ciate his manv fine traits of character. 



CAPT. JAMES BLAKELY. In the lives of 
the tcunders of the northwest we find peculiarly 
effective illustrations of those qualities which 
prepare the way for public prosperity and happi- 
ness. James Blakely is one of those who has 
bravely borne his part in the formation epoch of 
this country, and few there are who are more 
intelligently or interestingly reminiscent of the 
days which tried the fibre of men, and either 
made or ruined them with its parallel hope and 
discouragement. Out of this period Mr. Blake'ly 
has emerged strengthened and hopeful, the pos- 
sessor of a comfortable home earned by the 
sweat of his brow. An evening spent with this 
cheery, early settler would convince the most 
skeptical that the way of the pioneer is thorny, 
although often an adventurous and exciting one, 
and that he who wins success without money or 
influence must needs be the possessor of more 
than ordinary courage and sagacity. 

This pioneer of 1846 was born in Knox 
county, Tenn., November 26, 1812, and in spite 
of the fact that ninety-one years have passed 
over his head, still has youthful sympathies, and 
a heart attuned to the joy and expectancy of 
life. The point of a joke is never lost in the 
meshes of his wary brain, nor are his exceedingly 
humorous accounts of the early days without 



interest to his hearers. His service in the Indian 
wars of the west in 1856 rounds out the third 
generation of his family to shoulder arms in 
defense of this country, the first to thus bring 
honor upon the name being his paternal grand- 
father, Charles Blakely, who came to America 
from Ireland as a small boy, locating with his 
parents in the Old Dominion. The oppressed 
colonists found in him a ready defender, and 
he slept and fought in the tents and battlefields 
of the Revolutionary war. After the war the 
soldier removed to Tennessee, and died on his 
farm in Knox county at the age of four score 
years. His son, Joseph, was born on this old 
Tennessee farm, and, emulating the martial 
spirit of his sire, took part in the less famous 
and lengthy war of 1812. Aside from this his 
life was spent in Knox county, Tenn., until 1838, 
in which year he moved to a farm in Platte 
county, Mo., and engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. His death took place in Nodaway 
county, Mo., at the age of seventy-four. His 
wife, formerly Jensia Browning, was a native 
daughter of Knox county, Tenn., her father, 
James Browning, having been born in North 
Carolina. The maternal family was distinguished 
for the longevity of its members, and Mrs. 
Blakely exceeded her husband in the length of 
her useful life. 

The third of the six sons and six daughters 
born to his parents, James Blakely worked hard 
on the home farm, and at irregular intervals 
attended the remotely located schoolhouse with 
its puncheon floors and greased paper windows. 
He grew up a bare-footed boy, but with splendid 
health, and a superabundance of spirits and 
vitality. His father profited by his services until 
he was twenty-two years old, and at that time he 
hired out to a nearby farmer, as the numerous 
children at home could easily perform all needed 
work on the home place. With the courage of 
the youthful and inexperienced he married early 
in life, his choice falling on a native daughter 
of Jefferson county, Tenn., and whose name was 
Sarah Dick. She was born November 24, 1815, 
and was three years the junior of her husband. 
Her death occurred June 14, 1888, at the age of 
seventy-four years. After his marriage, Mr. 
Blakely rented a piece of land near the home 
place, and in 1838 came overland with his father 
and the rest of the family to Missouri, taking 
up a government farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres. This did not prove particularly profit- 
able, so he soon sold out and leased a place 
for a couple of years. 

To this quiet inland farm came news of awak- 
ing possibilities in the far west, and to Mr. 
Blakely this seemed the opportunity for which 
he had been looking so long. It did not take 
him long to purchase oxen and otherwise equip 



1214 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



for the long journey, and even though emigra- 
tion to the west was as yet in its infancy he 
bravely set forth, armed and provisioned against 
any emergency that might arise. Arriving in 
this county after a comparatively peaceful and 
pleasant journey, he took up a donation claim 
upon a portion of which Brownsville is now 
located, and built a little one-room house in the 
wilderness. He soon observed the mercantile 
chances Which would abound as the country 
should become better settled, and even the 
Indians in the neighborhood offered a trade by 
no means to be despised by an ambitious store- 
keeper. In this connection he was warmly 
assisted by his uncle, Hugh L. Brown, who, 
was one of the sincerest friends, and practically 
life-long helpmate, which have brightened the 
existence of Mr. Blakely. Out of extreme 
appreciation for the character and abilities of 
his friend, Mr. Blakely named Brownsville in 
his honor, and with him started up a general 
store, which became the headquarters for trade 
arid sociability in the neighborhood. These 
early days contained material for a highly inter- 
esting book of narrative, and it is upon this 
adventurous epoch that Mr. Blakely draws most 
freely for the entertainment which his friends so 
much enjoy today. The Indian war coming on, 
he naturally took a part in the effort to insure 
protection to settlers and their possessions, and, 
enlisting in Company D, Second Oregon Regi- 
ment he served as captain in the Rogue river 
campaign, being mustered out at the end of three 
months, on July 4, 1856. 

In connection with his farm Mr. Blakely took 
a prominent part in the early upbuilding of 
Brownsville, and later on aided by his mature 
judgment the more ambitious projects of the 
citizens. In partnership with another man he 
built the first flour mill in the town, and he was 
one of the chief promoters of the Woolen Mills 
of Brownsville, for many years being a stock 
owner therein. The greater part of his success 
has come from stock-raising, in which he has 
engaged nearly all his life, and from his farm 
innumerable heads of fine cattle, horses, and 
hogs have reached the markets. Generous to a 
fault, Mr. Blakely has retained but a small 
portion of his large property for his own use, 
the balance having either been sold or given to 
his children. In a comfortable and homelike 
little cottage he is watching the setting sun of 
a fine and honorable life, surrounded by the love 
of his children, and the good will of a host of 
friends. With him lives his grandson, James 
Blakely Cooley. 

Mr. Blakely has subscribed to the principles 
of the Democratic party during his entire voting 
life, and after coming to the west took quite a 



prominent part in local affairs. For two terms 
he was a member of the city council of Browns- 
ville, and • for many years he served as school 
director and road supervisor. He is fraternally 
connected with the Masons. Of the twelve 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Blakely, Eleanor, 
the oldest child and daughter is the wife of 
Kennedy Montgomery, a stockman and rancher 
of Crook county, Ore. ; Catherine, widow of 
Jeremiah Lewis; William, a farmer of Pendle- 
ton, Ore., and ex-sheriff of Pendleton county; 
Harriet, the wife of G. C. Cooley, a merchant of 
Brownsville ; Henry, a retired farmer of this 
place; Caroline, deceased; Margaret, the widow 
of Mr. Smith, and a resident of Montana; 
James, a stock-raiser of the Willow valley ; 
George, engaged in the drug business at The 
Dalles, and county judge of Wasco county; 
Joseph, the chief of police of Pendleton, Ore. ; 
Sarah, the wife of Henry McFarlin, a farmer 
near Brownsville ; and a daughter deceased in 
infancy.. Mr. Blakely has certainly been one of 
the thrifty and resourceful upbuilders of this 
county, but who, after all, can best tell his story 
in his own strangely interesting manner. 



WILLIAM WATSON PERCIVAL. The 
son of a successful pioneer, William Watson 
Percival has forcibly demonstrated his ability 
to maintain the honorable name of the family 
in his relations to the development of Oregon, 
and has won a place for himself among her 
prominent citizens by his broad-mindedness and 
earnest activity in the promotion of all move- 
ments tending toward the advancement of 
national or local affairs. His father, William 
Percival, was born in England, but came to the 
United States at the age of six years with his 
parents, who settled in Ohio, but soon after 
removed to Sheridan county, Mo. This state 
was one which early responded to the splendid 
opportunities held out "by the west, and William 
Percival caught the spirit of unrest that made 
so many wanderers in those days. In 1852 he 
crossed the plains with ox-teams, locating first 
in Yamhill county, Ore., where he passed the 
first winter. Later he came to Polk county and 
bought a donation claim of three hundred and 
ninety acres, near Monmouth. Upon this farm 
he lived until 1877, when he removed to Mon- 
mouth, there living retired until his death in 
1892, at the age of eighty-two years. He left 
behind him the record of a worthy life, of strong 
deeds for the upbuilding of a new country, 
and an earnest, practical cultivation of the oppor- 
tunities that lay nearest to hand. In Missouri 
he married Miss Zelrilda Mulkey, a native of 
that state. She crossed the plains with her 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1215 



husband, her father, Johnson Mulkey, having 
removed here some years before. Of the seven 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Percival, Mrs. 
J. L. Riggs lives in Salem; M. F., in Mon- 
mouth ; Mrs. M. M. Fryer, in Independence ; 
Mrs. E. L. Ford is deceased ; William Watson, 
of this review, makes his home in Independence ; 
R. M.. of Warner, Idaho ; and Emma, who is 
now deceased. 

William Watson Percival was born in Polk 
county, Ore., November 26, 1857. After his 
education in the common schools was completed 
he was given the added advantages of a course 
in the Christian College of Monmouth, which he 
faithfully improved. At the age of eighteen 
years he engaged in farming. In 1887 he became 
interested in live stock, shipping to all points of 
the state. From a modest beginning he has now 
grown to be one of the most extensive stockmen 
of this section of the country and bears the repu- 
tation of a stockbuyer who thoroughly under- 
stands his business and makes every move in the 
work count to his credit. He spares no pains 
or expense to make the best of his opportunities. 
In addition to his cattle interests, Mr. Percival 
owns considerable real estate, a farm of sixty- 
two acres, twenty-five of which are devoted to 
hop cultivation, being leased at present. His 
home in Independence is a handsome little cot- 
tage at the corner of Sixth and C streets. 

On January 9, 1882, he married Miss Ida M. 
D'Lashmutt, who was a native of Yamhill county, 
Ore., and a daughter of E. L. D'Lashmutt. 
Of the three children born to them, Maude 
D. is now deceased, Pearl and Carl being 
still with their parents. Mr. Percival is a 
firm adherent of the principles of the Re- 
publican party, and with his strong personal- 
ity has exercised no little influence in the affairs 
of the community. He has twice served as a 
member of the city council, and has also been 
chairman of the county central committee as 
well as a member of the state central committee. 
Fraternally he is associated with the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. 



NICHOLAS SPRENGER. Among the sub- 
stantial and worthy pioneers of Linn county none 
more thoroughly realized the advantages which 
they found in the west than did Nicholas 
Sprenger, merchant, millwright, stock-raiser, and 
farmer, and one of the organizers of the first 
Masonic Lodge in Linn county. On the small 
farm in Germany where he was born November 
8, 1802. Mr. Sprenger experienced that discon- 
tent with his surroundings which led him, as a 
boy of seventeen, to leave his family and friends 
and embark upon life in a county across the sea, 
of which he knew naught but by hearsay. In a 



sailing vessel he reached New York, remained 
there a short time, and then made his way to 
Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the merchan- 
dise business. In Philadelphia he met and mar- 
ried Maria Bird, and soon after removed to Mor- 
gan county, Ohio, where he learned the mill- 
wright's trade, and afterward applied himself to 
grist and woolen milling. 

A large family of children came to gladden the 
Sprenger home in Ohio, and the milling and 
merchandising yielded a fair income ; yet the 
same spirit of ambition which had rebelled at the 
limitations of the little German farm saw further 
than millwrighting in Ohio, and, in 1852, the 
father outfitted with ox-teams for crossing the 
plains. Many provisions were required for feed- 
ing so large a family for six months, and an ade- 
quate supply of clothing increased the load to be 
hauled by the plodding oxen. Few adventures 
out of the ordinary disturbed the tranquillity of 
the travelers, the Indians being fairly peaceful, 
and the weather all that could be desired. Nev- 
ertheless, the family pursued their way drearily, 
after burying one of the daughters, Abigail, who 
died of cholera. They arrived at Oregon City 
about October 24, 1852, where the mother and 
children spent the winter. The father, anxious 
to locate on a desirable claim, spent his winter 
looking for fertile land, and selected a donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres, mostly 
prairie lands, one and a half miles north of 
Shedds. Here he erected a hewed log house, 
which still stands, brought his family there with 
the first breath of spring, and settled down to 
conquer the obstacles which impeded the prog- 
ress of all the settlers. 

In Oregon Mr. Sprenger devoted his entire 
time to farming, his useful trade being relegated 
to the past in the middle west. As time went on 
he prospered exceedingly, taking a prominent 
part in the affairs of his township, and exerting 
his influence for progress and good government. 
He was prominent in the Masonic order, and as 
long as he lived took an active interest in Co- 
rinthian Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Albany, of 
which he was one of the organizers. He also 
assisted in the organization of the pioneer Ma- 
sonic lodge at Oregon City. He was always 
prominent in church and Sunday-school work, 
and for many years was a class leader, expound- 
ing the scriptures with intelligence and enthu- 
siasm. He was equally interested in educational 
matters, and not only worked to increase the 
number of schools, but saw to it that an excellent 
standard of instruction was maintained. He was 
a Republican in politics, but never sought official 
recognition. Good old biblical names were given 
his three oldest sons, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, 
all of whom are deceased, as is also Charles. 
Nicholas B. lives in Albany, Ore. ; Henry B. and 



1216 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Thomas live on the old homestead ; Mary Ann 
is deceased; Maria is the wife of Capt. John W. 
Cochran, of Hubbard; Sarah is the widow of 
Major J. J. Fisher, of Oakland, Cal., a veteran 
of the Civil war. Mr. Sprenger was a large- 
hearted and humane man, generous to those less 
fortunate than himself, and willing at all times to 
promote enterprises and plans calculated to im- 
prove the neighborhood in which he made his 
home. His death occurred on the homestead 
November 8, 1871. The death of his wife oc- 
curred at Hubbard in July, 1884. 



STEWART MATEER. The city of Eugene 
is one of those prosperous and promising places 
which can afford to offer a hearty welcome to 
the stranger within her gates, confident that his 
mission will be of mutual benefit, and that close 
contact with her manifold money- making and 
social advantages will win him to the ranks of 
her most enthusiastic advocates and promoters. 
Stewart Mateer came here in February, 1901, 
with years of farming and mercantile experience 
behind him. He purchased a residence, and es- 
tablished himself as a partner with T. H. Gar- 
rett, in well equipped real estate offices at 584 
Willamette street. Both Mr. Mateer and Mr. 
Garrett come from South Dakota, and are pri- 
marily representing lands in the northern middle 
state, having ample facilities for either buying or 
selling. In addition, they are dealing in Eu- 
gene and Willamette Valley property, farm, tim- 
ber, or residence, and they also represent sev- 
eral reliable fire insurance companies, including 
the Caledonia Insurance Company of Scotland. 

Mr. Mateer comes of a family possessing large 
landed estates around Belfast, Ireland. Both 
his father, Thomas, and his grandfather, Alex- 
ander, were born in Belfast, and the grandfather 
especially was very well to do. Thomas Mateer 
married in Pittsburg, Pa., Sarah J. McMasters, a 
native of Belfast, and daughter of William Mc- 
Masters, who early came to America and bought 
a large tract of land at Reeds Landing, Wab- 
asha county, Minn. He was a shoemaker by 
trade, but retired from active life soon after 
coming to America. Thomas Mateer came to 
the United States as a young man, and for a 
time was proprietor of the Eagle Hotel at Pitts- 
burg, Pa. While there he became interested in 
the discovery of gold on the coast, and in 1849 
came to California by way of Panama, and en- 
gaged in mining in the Sacramento Valley for 
three years. Returing to the east the same way 
in 1852, he located in Wabasha county, Minn., 
bought new land and improved it, and became 
a successful farmer. In 1883 he removed to 
South Dakota, and near Pierre, Sully county, 
stocked a large farm upon which he lived until 



his retirement to Monroe, Jasper county, Iowa, 
his present home. He is eighty-three years of 
age. His wife died October 3, 1894. 

In his younger days Stewart Mateer worked 
hard on the paternal farm where he was born 
January 8, 1864. In 1883 he accompanied the 
family from Wabasha county, Minn., to Sully 
county, South Dakota, where' he in time became 
an independent land owner, and engaged in 
stock-raising on a large scale. He had the ad- 
vantages of the public schools of Minnesota, and 
in spite of irregularities and interruptions, man- 
aged to secure a practical business education. In 
1898 he sold his farm and engaged in a mer- 
cantile business at Okobojo, Sully county, S. 
Dak., and at the same time served as postmaster 
under President McKinley. Resigning from the 
postmaster ship in December, 1900, he made ar- 
rangements to represent the vast aggregate of 
available lands in South Dakota in the far west, 
and in February, 1901, established his business 
in Eugene, Ore., as the most likely center of ac- 
tivity. He has taken a keen interest in the or- 
ganization of the Eugene Real Estate Exchange, 
is a charter member thereof, was the first secre- 
tary, and is now serving as its treasurer. He is a 
stanch believer in Republican principles, and 
takes a hearty interest in local and state affairs. 
Various fraternal organizations profit by his 
membership, among them the Woodmen of the 
World, the Modern Woodmen of America, of 
which he is consul, the Women of Woodcraft, 
and the Royal Neighbors. The wife of Mr. Ma- 
teer was formerly Alice Brownlee, and the mar- 
riage occurred in Okobojo, S. Dak. Miss Brown- 
lee was educated in Scotland, although she was 
born in Charleston, 111. One child has been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Mateer, Ruth Marian. 



CHESTER G. COAD, postmaster of Dallas, 
also ex-county clerk and ex-banker, and one of 
the most prominent and influential members of 
pioneer families in Polk county, was born in this 
county, July 27, 1861, and is the second of 
the five children born to Samuel and Henrietta 
(Gilliam) Coad. The Gilliam family, numerous- 
ly represented in Oregon, and established here 
by that well remembered pioneer and soldier, 
General Cornelius Gilliam, whose tragic death 
threw a pall over military and civilian ranks in 
the state, is mentioned elsewhere in this work, 
while Samuel Coad, now retired in Dallas after 
many years of varied activity, and equal success 
as an agriculturist, druggist, builder, Indian 
fighter, and real estate dealer, is also given sepa- 
rate mention. 

The success of his father placed in the way 
of Chester G. Coad advantages not enjoyed by 
the average farm-reared youth, yet in the main 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1217 



he has been the architect of his own fortunes. 
After leaving the public schools of Dallas he 
entered La Creole Academy, which institution 
he left at the age of twenty to learn surveying 
under deputy United States surveyor W. P. 
Wright. He was engaged in this pursuit when 
elected county clerk on the Republican ticket in 
1888. His service in the latter capacity was 
eminently satisfactory, and in 1890 he was re- 
elected by a large majority. Upon the comple- 
tion of his second term in 1892 he became cashier 
of the Dallas City Bank, and resigned in 1895 to 
assume the management of the Rickreall Mills, 
a position maintained until 1899. This position 
was also resigned because of his appointment to 
the position of assistant sergeant-of-arms in the 
United States senate, which he held during the 
sessions of 1899, 1900 and 1901. 

March 4, 1901, Mr. Coad was appointed post- 
master of Dallas by President McKinley, and 
took the oath of office April 1, 1901. He mar- 
ried in Dallas Jennie Rowell, who was born on 
the trip to Oregon in 1862, the daughter of C. 
G. Rowell, a retired citizen of Dallas. Four 
children have been born of this union, Claudia, 
Pauline, Genevieve, and Dorris. Mr. Coad is a 
member of the Native Sons of Oregon, and is 
fraternally connected with the Friendship Lodge 
No. 6, I. O. O. F., of which he is past noble 
grand ; the Encampment, of which he is past 
chief patriarch, and the Woodmen of the World. 
Affable in manner, of acknowledged business and 
political probity, Mr. Coad has won the esteem 
of all with whom he has had to do, and particu- 
larly of his numerous friends and associates in 
the thriving community of Dallas. 



FRANK PATRICK SHEASGREEN. Stand- 
ing high among the wide-awake and progressive 
business men of Corvallis is Mr. Sheasgreen, 
who is actively identified with the manufactur- 
ing interests of the city as one of the proprietors 
of the Central Planing Mills and Box Factory. 
In his extensive operations, lumber of the best 
grade only is used, it being brought here from 
the Cascades by rail, and after passing through 
the mills or factory is shipped in large quanti- 
ties to all parts of the Union, including the north, 
south, east and west. 

Mr. Sheasgreen was born April 11, 1854, at 
Newcastle, New Brunswick, being the youngest 
of a family of fourteen children, all of whom 
grew to years of maturity. His father, Ed- 
ward Sheasgreen, a native of Donegal, Ireland, 
learned the shoemaker's trade when a boy, but 
after his emigration to Newcastle was engaged 
in agricultural pursuits in that place until his 
death. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann 
Collier, was born and reared in Dublin, Ireland, 



removing from there with her parents to New 
Brunswick prior to her marriage. 

Brought up on the home farm, and receiving 
the advantages of a good public school educa- 
tion, Frank P. Sheasgreen remained with his 
parents until becoming of age. In 1875, deem- 
ing the prospects for improving his financial 
condition much better in the west, he went to 
Minneapolis, Minn., where he* secured employ- 
ment with the Red River Lumber Company, in 
the mill managed by T. B. Walker, and while 
thus engaged learned the trade of a millwright. 
Four years later, continuing with the same com- 
pany, he assumed charge of a planing mill in 
Crookston, Minn., remaining there until 1889. 
Becoming then associated with the Michigan 
Lumber Company, he came as shipping agent to 
Vancouver, with headquarters at Portland, 
Ore. After the fire in 1890, he located in Cor- 
vallis, entering the employ of Max Friendly, 
and after assisting him as a millwright in repair- 
ing his mill, he was made superintendent first 
of the planing mill, and later of the whole plant. 
After the failure of Mr. Friendly, he was em- 
ployed in Newberg, by the assignee, N. T. 
Peet, in looking after the interests there of his 
former employer. Returning to Corvallis in 
1892, Mr. Sheasgreen, in partnership with Neal 
Newhouse, purchased the old Hurd mill, and its 
site, rebuilt it, and for five years operated a 
planing mill and box factory. In 1897 James 
Gray, of Minnesota, purchased the interest of 
the junior partner of the Central Planing Mills, 
the following year the firm name being Sheas- 
green & Gray. Mr. Gray then disposed of his 
interest to Edward Buxton, the present junior 
member of the firm of Sheasgreen & Buxton, 
which has since carried on a profitable business 
in mill work of all kinds, including the manu- 
facture of doors, windows, mouldings, screens, 
tables, etc., their plant being one of the finest and 
best-equipped in this section of the country. 

In Stillwater, Minn., in September, 1882, Mr. 
Sheasgreen married Miss Mary Buckley, who 
was born in Newcastle, New Brunswick, and 
of their union eight children have been born, 
namely : Harriet, employed in the Times office, 
at Corvallis ; Lauretta ; Walter, yard agent for 
the Corvallis & Eastern Railroad Company, at 
Blodgett; Mabel; Ernest; Adelaide; Burnetta; 
and Carmel. Mr. Sheasgreen takes an active 
interest in all things pertaining to the welfare 
of the public, never shirking responsible duties, 
and giving generously both his time and his 
money toward the establishment of enterprise 
having for its object the betterment of the com- 
munity. For the past six years he has been con- 
nected with the city fire department, serving as 
foreman for one year, and as chief since 1899. 



1218 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, of which he is past master 
workman, and which he has represented at the 
grand lodge three different times; .of the Ben- 
ton Coutaty Citizens' League; and of the Pacific 
Coast Association of Fire Chiefs. Politically 
he is a stanch Democrat, and in religion is a 
Catholic, both he and his wife being members 
of St. Mary's Church. 



GEN. FRANK REISNER. Personal char- 
acteristics of a high order, a thorough knowl- 
edge of a useful trade, patriotism, political sa- 
gacity, integrity and a clear understanding of 
the rights and prerogatives of citizenship, have 
conspired to make the career of Frank Reisner 
of paramount importance in the community of 
Eugene. Like that universally beloved hero, 
John Halifax, General Reisner knew all about 
the tanning business while his playmates still 
acknowledged allegiance to their teachers, for 
in Frankenhausen, where he was born June 24, 
1839, his father, John Reisner, was a well known 
tanner for many years. The mother dying in her 
native land, the ambitious father brought his 
two sons and daughter to America in 185 1, mak- 
ing the voyage in a sailing vessel and meeting 
with the extremes of calm and storm which usu- 
ally attended the long and tiresome journey be- 
tween Europe and American shores. Ten miles 
east of Indianapolis, Ind., the elder Reisner 
purchased a tannery, and conducted it with the 
success of former years up to the time of his 
death. 

Educated in the public schools to a limited 
extent in both his native and adopted land, 
Frank Reisner served a regular tanner appren- 
ticeship when sixteen years of age, and at the 
end of the required three years worked at his 
trade in various places in Indiana. An unevent- 
ful existence was interrupted by the outbreak 
of the Civil war, and the demand for the services 
of all able-bodied men. Leaving his trade at 
Columbus, Ind., he enlisted April 21, 1861, in 
Company K, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer In- 
fantry, and was mustered in for three years. At 
a later period he veteranized, having served in 
all four years and five months. Participating 
in the battles of Rich Mountain, W. Va., Win- 
chester, Cold Harbor, the siege of Petersburg, 
Fort Fisher and Wilmington, he was wounded 
at the first siege of Petersburg, June 15, 1864, 
by a shell piercing his right groin, and was 
temporarily confined to the hospital. Never- 
theless, he managed to keep with his regiment, 
of which he was orderly sergeant, and remained 
in Goldsburg until September, 1865. He was 
then ordered to Indianapolis, and was discharged 
from the service September 20, 1865. 



After his war experience General Reisner 
worked at his trade in Indianapolis, and at the 
same time sought to make up for a somewhat 
defective education by attending night school at 
the Bryant & Stratton Business College. At a 
later period he built and managed a tannery at 
Taylorsville, Ind., and in 1869 removed to La 
Grange, Iowa, and engaged in farming and 
stock-raising for three years. Returning to 
Indianapolis, he worked at his trade for a couple 
of years, and in 1877 went to California with 
the expectation of making that state his perma- 
nent home. At the end of a year he returned to 
La Grange, disposed of his interests there, and 
came to Douglas county, Ore., in 1879. Success- 
ful as a stock-raiser, he remained on a farm until 
1880, and then came to Eugene, where he was 
employed by Haines & Company, tanners, for 
about five years. During this time he did all 
of the finishing for the firm, and would have re- 
mained longer had not rheumatism incapacitated 
him for that kind of work. In order to escape 
the dampness and general disagreeableness of 
the tannery, he started a grocery store on Will- 
amette street, conducting it for several years, 
and then sold out to become the bookkeeper 
and cashier for the Ax Billy department store, 
with which concern he remained for nine years. 

From his first voting days General Reisner 
has considered it not only the privilege but the 
duty of every citizen to participate in the politi- 
cal undertakings of his neighborhood. In past 
years his special fitness has resulted in his elec- 
tion to local offices of importance. In 1892 he 
was elected county treasurer as the nominee 
of the Republican party, serving one term of 
two years. In 1902 he was elected city treasurer 
of Eugene, and re-elected in 1903. In July, 
1902, he was appointed deputy county treasurer 
under George F. Craw, but the entire duty of 
the office has devolved upon his own shoulders, 
owing to the continued illness of his superior. 
In 1902 he was also elected clerk of school 
district No. 4, and thus at the present time his 
political responsibility is a large and varied one. 
Fraternally General Reisner enjoys a just popu- 
larity, and is associated with various orders in 
which the town and county abounds. At Tay- 
lorsville, Ind., he was past master of the Ma- 
sonic lodge, and is now a member of Eugene 
Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M., and Eugene 
Chapter No. 10, R. A. M. He is also connected 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
having been formerly a member of the Danville 
(Ind.) lodge; and of the Knights of Pythias, 
coining here from the Indianapolis lodge. For 
the past three years he has been commander of 
J. W. Geary Post No. 7, G. A. R., and in 1897 
was elected department commander of the Ore- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1210 



gon Department, Grand Army of the Republic, 
with the rank of general. This important com- 
mand was sustained by Mr. Reisner with dignity 
and great satisfaction for one term, his personal 
popularity, wide knowledge of army affairs, and 
prominent connection with the Civil war en- 
titling him to the grateful appreciation of his 
brother veterans. In his capacity of commander, 
General Reisner tendered the services of the 
Grand Army of the Republic in the absence of 
the militia, at the breaking out of the Spanish- 
American war, and in return received a letter of 
approval from Governor Lord, and also letters 
from his comrades all over the state expressing 
their willingness to serve at a moment's notice. 
It was declared that within twenty-four hours 
almost the entire combined army of veterans 
could have been gotten together for service. 
Some of the comrades, in their enthusiasm to be 
of service, responded to the appeal with tele- 
graphic communication, one and all commending 
the tact and forethought of their genial and 
highly honored commander. 

The marriage of General Reisner was cele- 
brated while he was home on a furlough, Jan- 
uary 15, 1864, at Columbus, Ind., and united him 
with Clementine McGill, who was born in Bar- 
tholomew 7 county, Ind. Of this union there is 
one living child, Nellie, the wife of George 
Price, of Springfield, Ore. General Reisner is 
a member of the Lutheran Church. He is so- 
cially popular, and commands the universal es- 
teem of all who know him. 



CHARLES C. HUFF. As one of the men 
who have risen in the world solely on his own 
merits, Charles C. Huff is entitled to the credit 
universally conceded men of this character. 
He has one of the really fine and valuable farms 
in Benton county, located three miles southwest 
of Corvallis, and constituting a part of the old 
Bithers donation claim. His improvements are 
of the best, residence, barns, outhouses and 
implements conforming to modern and progres- 
sive ideas of agricultural science and rural 
home-making. General farming, stock-raising 
and dairying combine to furnish a congenial 
and profitable enterprise, Jersey cattle being 
raised in large numbers for their rich milk, and 
other stock contributing to a considerable stock 
business. 

• As early as 1830 the parents of Mr. Huff 
came from Germany and settled in Ohio, from 
where they removed to Marshall county, Ind., 
where he was born September 5, 1852. He was 
given a practical training on the home farm, and 
developed a strong constitution while performing 
the tasks which to his boyish mind seemed hard 



and exacting. As opportunity offered he at- 
tended the public schools in the winter time, and 
gained considerable experience through the sale 
of the various commodities grown on the Indiana 
farm. After his marriage with Mary E. Larkin 
he farmed independently for a time, and in 1880 
came to Oregon, soon after purchasing a farm 
in Polk county, which he improved and lived 
upon until 1892. Disposing of his farm he 
bought his present farm of one hundred and 
forty-one acres, which has since been his home, 
and where he achieved signal success. Four 
children have been born to himself and wife, of 
whom Lulu Grace is engaged in educational 
work at Brownsville ; Lucian Claude is at home ; 
J. Floyd is at home; as is also Mabel F. Mr. 
Huff has taken a keen interest in local politics 
ever since his first voting days, and has ever ad- 
hered to the principles of the Democratic party. 
Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen 
of the World. Well informed on current events, 
in touch with the progress made in his line of 
occupation in different centers of activity, Mr. 
Huff is one of the honored and influential mem- 
bers of the community around Corvallis, and to 
an enviable extent enjoys the good will and 
friendship of his fellow agriculturists. 



UEL L. FRAZER. The pride which all 
thriving and growing communities feel in their 
capable and cultured young men extends in large 
measure to Uel L. Frazer, a prominent hardware 
merchant, of Independence. Aside from consid- 
erations of a personal nature, Mr. Frazer is en- 
titled to mention because of his association with 
one of the pioneer families of Yamhill and Polk 
counties, and because he is a native son of Ore- 
gon, having been born near Bethel, Polk county, 
February 18, 1871. His father, Lucien B. 
Frazer, was born at Versailles, Ky., and at twen- 
ty-one years of age, in 1852, crossed the plains 
with ox teams, locating with his brother, George, 
at Willamina, Yamhill county. Here he bought 
a large claim upon which he engaged in stock- 
raising, an occupation to which he devoted the 
greater part of his life. He finally sold his orig- 
inal claim and bought land on Salt Creek, Polk 
county, still later locating on a farm near Bethel, 
Polk county, where he secured a large tract and 
engaged in general farming and dealing in vari- 
ous kinds of fine stock. At the time of his death 
in 1900 he was sixty-seven years old, and was 
survived by his wife, formerly Elizabeth A. 
Campbell, a native of Iowa, and who is living 
in Independence. In the Campbells another pio- 
neer family is represented, for James A. Campbell 
came west in 1853, crossing the plains with ox- 
teams, and locating on a claim near Salt Creek, 



1220 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



where the balance of his life was spent in success- 
ful farming and stock-raising. 

The eighth in a family of thirteen children, six 
sons and seven daughters, the successful hard- 
ware merchant of Independence was educated 
primarily in the public schools, afterward at- 
tending the State Normal, at Monmouth, from 
which he was graduated in 1892, with the degree 
of B. S. D. The same year he engaged in the 
hardware business in Monmouth, and in 1896 
disposed of his business and engaged in school 
teaching in McCoy. In 1898 he removed to In- 
dependence and engaged as a clerk in a hard- 
ware store, and in 1901, with his partner, L. 
Rice, bought out the store of which he has since 
been manager. They carry a general line of 
hardware, and have a stock valued at about $10,- 
000. Possessed of shrewd financial ability, and 
having a keen knowledge of human nature and 
its requirements, Mr. Frazer has also tact and 
consideration, traits which materially advance 
his interests. 

In the fall of 1897 Mr. Frazer was united in 
marriage with Minnie M. Bunn, a native of the 
vicinity of North Yamhill, and daughter of John 
M. Bunn, born in the same section of the state. 
Mr. Bunn has materially contributed to the 
agricultural upbuilding of Yamhill county, where 
he owns a large property, and is successful as a 
general farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. Frazer 
is popular socially as well as commercially, and 
is active as a member of the Knights of Pythias 
and the Woodmen of the World. He is a Re- 
publican in politics, and active in local affairs, 
having at two different times been a delegate 
to conventions. He is enterprising, public-spirited 
and honorable, and as such commands the appre- 
ciation and encouragement of the community. 



WILLIAM T. HOFFMAN. Carrying on an 
extensive business as one of the largest grain 
buyers and dealers in Polk county, is Mr. Hoff- 
man, of Monmouth, president of the Oregon 
Milling and Warehouse Company. A man of 
unlimited energy and ambition, he has been an 
important factor in developing the agricultural 
resources of this part of the state, attracting 
favorable attention to the quality and quantity of 
the grain here raised, and helping to place it in 
the most remunerative markets. 

A son of the late Dr. Charles Hoffman, he 
was born July 26, 1869, at Grant, Grayson 
county, Va. He comes of German ancestry, his 
paternal grandfather having been an officer in 
the Prussian army. Charles Hoffman was born 
in Hanover, Germany, and there reared and edu- 
cated. At the age of seventeen years, while at- 
tending a German university, he was forced to 
leave the institution on account of a student 



rebellion against the King of Prussia, and emi- 
grated at once to the United States. Having 
received the degree of M. D. at a German uni- 
versity, he served as surgeon in the Mexican war, 
afterward filling the same office in the Confeder- 
ate army. He traveled extensively throughout 
the Union, visiting most of the states, finally set- 
tling permanently in Grant, Va., where his death 
occurred, in 1897, at the age of seventy-six years. 
Dr. Hoffman married Sarah Grubb, who was 
born in Grant, Va., a daughter of William Grubb, 
a pioneer settler of Grayson county, and one of 
its most thriving farmers. Five children were 
born of their union, and of these one daughter 
has died, and three sons and one daughter sur- 
vive. 

After receiving his diploma from the Grant 
High School, in his native town, William T. 
Hoffman entered Glasgow College, at Glasgow, 
Ky., and was graduated therefrom, in July, 1888, 
with the degree of B. S. The following spring 
he started in life on his own account, on March 
20, 1889, beginning work in an Idaho mine. A 
year later he came to Oregon, settling at first in 
the southern part of the state, where he was 
employed in a saw-mill for two years. Removing 
to Monmouth in 1892, Mr. Hoffman attended the 
State Normal School for a year, when, in 1893, 
he was graduated with the degree of B. S. D. 
The ensuing two years he taught school in Amity, 
Ore., being successful as a teacher. In 1895, 
in company with E. B. Jamison, he engaged in 
business as a grain dealer at Airlie, commencing 
on a modest scale, but as busines increased the 
firm was merged into the Oregon Mill- 
ing and Warehouse Company, Mr. Hoff- 
man being made president, and Mr. Jami- 
son secretary and treasurer. Additional room 
being needed, a new warehouse was built 
at Monmouth in 1896, and put in charge of Mr. 
Hoffman, the flour mills at Independence being 
under the management of Mr. Jamison. This 
company has built up a most profitable manu- 
facturing and mercantile business, amounting to 
$100,000 per annum. Although Mr. Hoffman 
spent a large part of the years of 1900 and 1901 
in Nome, Alaska, where he has an interest in 
the Holyoke mines, he has always retained his 
position with the company and has been an im- 
portant factor in advancing its interests. 

On March 11, 1902, at Oregon City, Mr. Hoff- 
man married Miss M. E. Baker. Her father, 
the late Frank Baker, was born in Virginia, near 
Abingdon, and during the Civil war was a soldier 
in the Union Army. Subsequently moving west- 
ward, he located first in Missouri, living there 
until 1870, when he came to Oregon City, where 
he was successfully engaged in farming pursuits 
until his death. Mr. Hoffman is a warm advocate 
of the principles of the Republican party, which 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1221 



he supports by voice and, vote, and is active in 
public affairs, at the present time being city re- 
corder. Fraternally he is a member of the Wood- 
men of the World. 



JAMES REID SMITH. A thriving business 
man of Corvallis, and one of the leading hard- 
ware merchants, Mr. Smith is a fine representa- 
tive of the self-made men of Benton county, who 
have steadily and surely climbed the ladder of 
success, winning by their own efforts places of 
importance in financial, fraternal and political 
circles. Commencing in life with moderate 
means, he has labored with persistent industry, 
and by superior management, prudence and 
shrewd foresight has established a large and con- 
stantly increasing business, one of the finest in 
the city, where he is familiarly known and much 
esteemed. 

A native of Ontario, Mr. Smith was born July 
8, 1858, in Waterdown, Wentworth county, a 
son of William Smith. His father was born in 
Ireland, but emigrated to Waterdown, Ont., 
where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits 
until his death. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Margaret Reid, was a native of the north 
of Ireland and a daughter of James Reid, who 
came from Ireland to America at an early day 
and located in Ontario, where he improved a 
farm, on which he spent his remaining days. 
Xine children were born of their union, six of 
whom grew to years of maturity, and five are 
now living, James Reid being the only one to 
settle in the United States. 

After completing his studies at the district 
school, James R. Smith served an apprenticeship 
of three years at the tinsmith's trade in Water- 
down, going from there to Port Sarnia, after- 
wards crossing the river into Michigan and set- 
tling, in 1880, at Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he 
worked at his trade four years. Coming to Ore- 
gon in 1884, he spent a short time in Portland, 
then went to British Columbia. In the fall of 
that year he returned to Oregon and began work 
as a tinsmith in Albany. The following spring 
he located in Corvallis, embarking in the hard- 
ware business, at the same time continuing his 
trade, for two years. Selling out his stock in 
1888, Mr. Smith was employed as a tinsmith for 
two years in Corvallis, and then in Fairhaven, 
Wash., for a year. In 1891, returning to Cor- 
vallis. he bought out J. D. Clark and again estab- 
lished himself in the mercantile business, becom- 
ing head of the firm of J. R. Smith & Co., a posi- 
tion that he has since occupied. This firm car- 
ries on an extensive plumbing and tinsmithing 
business, and has an excellent trade in stoves, 
tinware and agricultural implements of all kinds, 
including Piano binders, the Deer & Coulton 



farming tools, Old Hickory wagons, and, in fact, 
everything necessary to stock a farm carried on 
with the latest and best improved machinery, his 
highest endeavor being to please his numerous 
patrons. 

Mr. Smith married in Corvallis Miss Ollie 
Smith, who was born of pioneer parents in south- 
ern Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one child, 
Grace Smith. Politically Mr. Smith supports the 
principles of the Republican party, being active 
in its ranks, and has been for a number of terms 
one of the county committee and of the county 
central committee. He was elected as council- 
man for a period of ten years, but resigned be- 
fore the expiration of the term. As street com- 
missioner he rendered the city valuable service, 
the sewer being put in operation while he was 
serving in that office. Fraternally he is a mem- 
ber of the Ancient Order United Workmen. 



FRANCIS L. HOLMES. One of the pro- 
ductive farms for which Benton county is famous 
is owned and operated by Francis L. Holmes, 
who came to Oregon in 1886, and who since that 
time has been deeply interested in the state's wel- 
fare and has aided in no small measure in her 
upbuilding. In addition to carrying on general 
farming and stock-raising on his tract of three 
hundred and eighty acres, he also owns three 
hundred and twenty acres of land which is heav- 
ily timbered. 

It was in Sullivan county, N. Y., near Monti- 
cello, that Francis L. Holmes first saw the light 
of day, the day of his birth being April 17, 1840. 
Such advantages as the locality afforded for an 
education were not allowed to pass him by, and 
he diligently improved every opportunity, so 
that about 1866 he felt qualified to teach school. 
His first experience in this capacity was in Can- 
ada, where he remained two years, after which 
he returned to his former home in New York 
state, where he also followed the teacher's profes- 
sion until 1868, when he again went to Canada, 
this time, however, with a different object in 
view. Purchasing a tract of timber land, he at 
once began clearing and improving it, and dur- 
ing- the eighteen vears in which he made his home 
there he transformed the wild, unimproved tract 
into a habitable farm. 

The marriage of Mr. Holmes in 1870 united 
him with Miss Margaret Switzer, and five chil- 
dren have been born to their marriage, whom 
they have named as follows : Albert E., Bennett, 
Frederick W., Jessie F., and Ida A., deceased. 
Mr. Holmes' qualifications to serve on the school 
board have not been overlooked, and in calling 
him to the office of director the citizens have 
made no mistake, as his many years of good 
work in that capacity will testify. He has also 



1222 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



been overseer of roads for several years, and is a 
member of the Grange. Politically he does not 
support either of the great organizations merely 
for the party's sake, voting rather for the man 
than the party. The family are identified with 
the Presbyterian Church, toward the maintenance 
of which they assist materially. 



JOHNSON M. PORTER, who is manager of 
the electric light plant of Corvallis, was born in 
Lane county, Ore., October 24, 1859, a son °^ 
John A. Porter, a native of Springfield, Ohio. 
The grandfather, Ebenezer Porter, was a painter 
by trade and not only followed that pursuit in 
Springfield but also conducted a hotel there, and 
his death occurred in that city. He married a 
Miss Poe, whose father was one of the heroes of 
the Revolutionary war. John A. Porter also 
learned the painter's trade, which he followed for 
some years in the east, and then, in 1849, attract- 
ed by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast, 
he joined an emigrant train which crossed the 
plains in search of the valuable metal. He did not 
remain long, however, in California, but came the 
same year to Oregon and was engaged in general 
merchandising in Forest Grove. Later he took 
up his abode in Lane county and engaged in the 
manufacture of lumber at Lancaster. About 1863 
he removed to Corvallis, where he followed the 
painting business throughout the remainder of 
his active business career. His death occurred 
here in 1870, and the community mourned the 
loss of a valued citizen. Mr. Porter had served 
in the Cayuse Indian war under Colonel Cor- 
nelius. He had a brother, Robert, who was also 
one of the pioneer settlers of Oregon, coming 
here at the same time, and Robert Porter spent 
his last days in Washington county, this state. 
The mother of Mr. Porter bore the maiden name 
of Missouri Mulkey. She was born in Johnson 
county of the state whose name she bore, and 
was a daughter of Johnson Mulkey, a native of 
Kentucky, who removed thence to Missouri. In 
1845 he crossed the plains to Oregon and ob- 
tained a donation claim in Benton county. The 
following year he retraced his steps to the Mis- 
souri valley, and in 1847 brought his family on 
the long overland trip to the northwest. By rea- 
son of his knowledge of the road he was made 
commander of a party which was known as the 
Mulkey train. He then located with his family 
on the donation claim, where he engaged in 
stock-raising, and at one time engaged in the 
raising of cattle in eastern Oregon. In fact, he 
was one of the most prominent stockmen and 
farmers of the Willamette valley, and his landed 
possessions comprised several thousand acres in 
Benton county, extending over a distance of sev- 
eral miles. He drove cattle to Lewiston, Ore., 



and on one of these trips, made in 1862, was so 
badly frozen that his death resulted. He passed 
away at The Dalles, and was there buried. In 
the family of Mr. and Mrs. Porter were two chil- 
dren, J. M. and Otis, the latter a resident of Den- 
ver, Colo. 

Johnson M. Porter was reared in Corvallis and 
obtained his education in the public schools and 
the old Agricultural College. In 1881 he went 
to Pomeroy, Wash., where he was engaged in 
the hardware and implement business as a mem- 
ber of the firm of Mulkey Brothers & Porter. He 
was there successfully connected with the trade 
until 1885, when he disposed of his interests and 
returned to Corvallis. Here in 1889, in connec- 
tion with L. L. Hurd, he established the electric 
light plant, obtaining a charter and then building 
the works, which have since been rebuilt and im- 
proved. In February, 1890, the business was in- 
corporated under the name of the Corvallis Elec- 
tric Light & Power Company, and Mr. Porter 
has since been its manager. 

In Albany, this state, on July 8, 1885, Mr. Por- 
ter was united in marriage to Miss Flora Rum- 
baugh, who was born in Van Wert county, Ohio. 
Her father, William Rumbaugh, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Van Wert 
county, and in 1873 he came to Oregon, settling 
in Albany, where he became a large land owner. 
He was also county commissioner for several 
terms, and was a prominent and influential resi- 
dent of his community. He married Elizabeth 
Stratton, who was born in Ohio and was de- 
scended from an old New England family. His 
death occurred in Albany in 1896, and his wife 
passed away in 1898. They were members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in their 
family were six children, three sons and three 
daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity 
and are living in Oregon. Mrs. Porter was the 
third of the family and was educated in Albany 
College. By her marriage she has become the 
mother of one son, Fred J. Mr. Porter served 
as police judge of Corvallis for seven years, and 
socially he is identified with the Woodmen of the 
World and the Knights of Pythias lodge, and in 
the latter is a past chancellor. , His entire life 
having been passed in Oregon, he is widely 
known and many of those who have been ac- 
quainted with him from his boyhood are num- 
bered among his stanchest friends. 



JOHN B. CORNETT. In perusing a record 
of the career of John B. Cornett we find an excel- 
lent example for young men just embarking in 
the active field of life, of what may be accom- 
plished by a poor man, but one who is honest, 
prudent and industrious. His advantages in early 
life were limited indeed, and as he was one of ten 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1223 



children which comprised the family, his services 
were essential in the conduct of the home farm. 
His birth occurred in Howard county, Mo., 
August 12, 1832, and until seventeen years of 
age he remained at home with his parents, who 
were farmers in the latter state. The reports of 
gold found in California had invaded the quiet 
precincts of this Missouri farm and in 1850 
we find John B., the youngest son, bound for 
that Eldorado in the west. His journey across 
the plains was devoid of any serious trouble with 
the Indians, and in due season he reached Cali- 
fornia. His first field of endeavor was in Eldo- 
rado county, where for the succeeding fourteen 
years he followed mining and prospecting. 

It was in the year 1865 that Mr. Cornett first 
set foot on Oregon soil, coming direct to Linn 
county, where he purchased a tract of two hun- 
dred and thirty acres of rich land one and one- 
half miles east of Shedds, which had formerly 
formed a part of the Savage donation claim. 
In 1 87 1 he formed domestic ties and was united 
in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Savage, who had 
crossed the plains in the year 185 1. One son, 
John B., was born to this couple, who is a stock- 
man in Crook county, Ore., is married and has 
two children living, Marcia Allen and John 
Anthony. 

All the improvements which are to be seen 
today upon Mr. Cornett's farm are the work of 
his own hands, as when he assumed control of the 
property it was in its primeval condition. Now 
the place is embellished with a well appointed 
residence, and outbuildings adapted for various 
uses have been erected. One hundred acres have 
been cleared and are under cultivation, and in 
carrying on general farming and stock-raising 
Mr. Cornett is meeting with good success. Mr. 
and Mrs. Cornett are members of the Baptist 
Church, and politically Mr. Cornett is a Pro- 
hibitionist. 



JAMES L. HOWARD. At present living 
retired in a delightful home on the outskirts of 
Albany, that his children may have better edu- 
cational advantages than were forthcoming on 
his farm in Yamhill county, James L. Howard 
is substantially anchored in the good will and 
esteem of an appreciative community, which 
regards him as representative of the self-made 
and successful agriculturists of the state. In 
fashioning his career Mr. Howard has surely 
derived inspiration from an enviable ancestry, 
many of whom in the early days of the history of 
the country held positions of honor and trust for 
the government. His father was a soldier under 
General Jackson in the war of 1812. and he, as 
well as his forefathers, was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, priding himself upon his spirit of prog- 



ress and ability to succeed in the world. For 
many years he lived on a farm in Tennessee, 
where James L. was born May 12, 1838, and 
when the latter was a mere child he was taken 
by his parents to Iowa, then very much of a 
wilderness, and reared to maturity with the nine 
other children in the family. Besides James, 
two other of the children are living, and of 
these. Charles is a resident of Washington, and 
Virginia is the wife of Mr. Birks, of McMinn- 
ville, Ore. 

For several years after his marriage with 
Rachel L. Gillespie, James L. Howard lived on 
the paternal ranch, assuming the management of 
the same for his parents. Wishing to profit by 
the superior agricultural opportunities of the 
northwest, he arranged his affairs accordingly, 
and in the spring of 1864 crossed the plains with 
ox-teams, on the way encountering comparatively 
little trouble with the Indians. The party was on 
the road about five months, taking up their abode 
on a farm near McMinnville, where they lived 
for three years, and in 1867 moving to California, 
where he engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising for twelve years. About this time he 
became somewhat dissatisfied with the west, and, 
returning to Iowa, remained there three or four 
years. Like the majority who have once lived 
on the coast, he longed to return, but instead of 
California, he settled in Oregon, purchasing the 
farm in Yamhill county upon which he lived 
until moving to his present home in 1902. He 
still owns the Yamhill county farm, and it is no 
exaggeration to say that it is one of the finest 
pieces of property in the county. Its soil has 
responded generously to the untiring industry of 
its owner, and many fine improvements have 
marked his progress from year to year. The two 
hundred and seventy-two acres were devoted 
principally to stock-raising and many fine speci- 
mens of horses, cattle and sheep found their way 
from his farm to the stock markets of the county. 

The home of Mr. Howard near Albany consists 
of ten acres, under fine cultivation, and devoted 
to fruit-raising. The grounds, resplendent in 
shrubs and flowers and beautiful trees, and the 
fine, large rural dwelling, constitute one of the 
truly delightful and homelike places in this 
county. The greater part of Mr. Howard's 
life in the state has been passed in Yamhill 
county, and it was there that his political services 
were noticeable, where he held about all of the 
minor offices within the gift of his fellow-towns- 
men. Always a stanch Democrat, he is neverthe- 
less liberal in his tendencies, and believes in 
voting for principle rather than party. He is a 
member and active worker in the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, his wife and children being mem- 
bers of the same organization. Some of his chil- 
dren are far away from home, Frank, the oldest 



1224 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



son, being in the Palouse country; C. N. is in 
California ; J. A. is in Albany ; R. P. is in Yam- 
hill county; Edward also is in Yamhill county; 
Willie is deceased; and Ernest and Ella are at 
home. 



ADAM WILHELM, SR. Were one asking 
for the name of a man who more than any other 
represents the vital and substantial element of 
Monroe, the answer would unanimously be Adam 
Wilhelm, as enterprising and resourceful a Teu- 
ton as ever came from the Rhine country. True, 
he was but two years of age when his parents 
brought him to America in 1848, his birth occur- 
ring December 10, 1846, but through all of the 
trials of pioneership, the effort to surmount busi- 
ness and other obstacles, the traits of character 
which have contributed to the solidity of the Ger- 
man empire have remained with him, and in 
transplanted soil have met with the success due 
unquestioned merit and adaptive ability. 

Leaving the sailing vessel in New York the 
Wilhelm family proceeded to Wisconsin, and 
there lived on a farm, in connection with the man- 
agement of which the father ran a hotel for sev- 
eral years. Their son, Adam, the only one living 
of their two children, having started for the west 
in 1873 and sent back favorable reports of his 
adopted state, they joined him in 1880, settling 
at Monroe, Ore., where the father lived to be 
seventy-seven and the mother seventy-four years 
of age. Adam was reared on the Wisconsin 
farm, and married Elizabeth Miller, who was 
born in France, and with her engaged in inde- 
pendent farming for three years. Arriving in 
Portland in 1873 they remained there for a couple 
of months, afterwards visiting Corvallis, and 
January 1, 1874, came to Monroe and engaged 
in the saloon business, at the same time conduct- 
ing a general merchandise store. This was about 
the beginning of the practical industry of the 
town, and his enterprises paid fairly well and put 
him on a creditable business footing in the com- 
munity. In 1896 he became interested in mill- 
ing, erected a mill here, and later put up one at 
Junction City and Harrisburg, the latter one of 
the finest in the state of Oregon. In time his mill- 
ing interests assumed very large proportions, and 
he built warehouses in each town to house his 
commodities. As his sons have accomplished 
their majority he has taken them in business, and 
the firm of Wilhelm & Sons, general merchants 
and millers, have an enviable reputation for large 
bvisiness capacity and diversified usefulness. Bv 
far the largest merchants in Benton county, their 
store requires six large rooms, and they are 
contemplating the immediate erection of a build- 
ing sufficiently large to contain all their goods 
under one roof. 



The headquarters of the milling business of 
Wilhelm & Sons is located at Monroe, and they 
handle about all of the grain raised in Benton 
county. The firm own about four thousand acres 
of land, and are extensive raisers of high-grade 
stock, this department of their activity being con- 
ducted with the same thoroughness which charac- 
terizes their grain and mercantile ventures. There 
seems to be no limit to their capacity for man- 
aging successfully important money-making 
concerns in the west, and their aim seems to be 
continual enlargement of whatever they have 
already undertaken. With the exception of nine 
dwellings in Monroe, Mr. Wilhelm owns every 
house and building in the place, and no under- 
taking of any magnitude is ever carried to a suc- 
cessful finish without his earnest co-operation 
and practical assistance. Alert and watchful, he 
has stepped fearlessly and successfully into many 
waiting niches in the northwest, and has fur- 
nished a surprising example of what may be ac- 
complished by sheer force of determination, and 
without any practical help. "It is well known 
that Mr. Wilhelm started out in life with meager 
assets, none of which were convertible into ready 
cash, and that his present large holdings are 
evolved from a continuous and unremitting at- 
tention to business. Of the nine children born 
to himself and wife, Adam, Matt and Burnett are 
in business with their father, and all give promise 
of attaining to their sire's business sagacity and 
resourcefulness. George is living at home, Law- 
rence is in Lebanon, Ore., and Mary is also at 
home. Mr. Wilhelm is a Democrat in politics, 
and has been postmaster for many years, hold- 
ing also all of the other local offices within the 
gift of his fellow townsmen. With his family he 
is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. He 
is a man of rugged integrity, kindly and sympa- 
thetic manner, and throughout his busy career he 
has been able to inspire others with faith in and 
co-operation with his many interests. The cen- 
tral and most influential figure in his community 
he is withal modest and unostentatious, taking his 
honors with that calm philosophy for which his 
countrymen are famous, and expecting to always 
succeed in all his undertakings. 



HUGH BURNS GEARIN. Along the east 
bank of the Willamette river in Marion county 
is an enormous farming enterprise which well 
may be the envy of the smaller agriculturists of 
the Pacific northwest. It is a model estate, one 
of the largest and most scientifically developed 
in the entire Willamette valley, and is owned and 
operated by Hugh B. Gearin, one of the best- 
known pioneers of Oregon. It contains sixteen 
hundred acres of land, fourteen hundred of which 
are in one body. About eight hundred acres are 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1225 



under cultivation, the remainder being left for 
the most part in its primeval state of dense for- 
est, out of which has come so much of the pros- 
perity of Oregon. Its location is two miles from 
Champoeg and three miles from St. Paul, one of 
the most desirable situations, for commercial pur- 
poses, in the state — a fact that apparently is ap- 
preciated by the owner in his disposition of the 
vast property. The mind that is able to master 
all the details necessary to the operation of such 
a tract of farming land with a success propor- 
tionate to its extent is well worthy of a more 
careful analysis than naturally is accorded the 
average farm operator. 

Hugh B. Gearin was born near Fort Wayne, 
Ind., October 9, 1849, a son °f J onn an d Ellen 
(Burns) Gearin. His father, who was the founder 
of the family in the northwest, was born in 
County Kerry, Ireland, in 1808. In his youth he 
learned the trade of shoemaker, at which he 
was employed for some years in his native land. 
In Ireland he married and in the early thirties 
brought his wife to America. Locating near 
Fort Wayne, Ind., he abandoned his trade and 
engaged in farming. In that state his wife died 
soon after their location there, and he afterward 
was married to Ellen Burns, also a native of 
Ireland, whose death occurred in Oregon in 
1888. 

With an outfit consisting of four yoke of oxen 
and the necessary outfit, John Gearin and his 
family started across the plains in 1851, arriving 
in Marion county after a journey consuming 
about six months. In the autumn of that year he 
purchased of a Frenchman named Guardupuis 
the title to a claim which is now included in the 
property owned by his son, paying the compara- 
tively small sum of five hundred dollars to secure 
the title. The property consisted of a half-sec- 
tion, the greater part of which was under heavy 
timber. Here this earnest pioneer erected a small 
log house and at once settled down to the labor- 
ious undertaking of making a comfortable home 
and fortune for his family. How well his am- 
bitions were realized may be imagined when it 
is stated that at the time of his death, in Janu- 
ary, 1893, he was the owner of one thousand 
acres of rich land skirting the river. His opera- 
tions consisted of general farming and stock- 
raising, and during his long term of residence 
in Marion county his name was associated with 
all that was honorable and of good report. He 
was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, a 
firm friend of good schools and good roads, 
and took an important part in all movements 
toward the general upbuilding of his community. 
He and his wife were survived by two sons : 
Hugh B., and John M., who has become one of 
the acknowledged leaders of the bar of Port- 
land. 

56 



Hugh B. Gearin was educated in the public 
schools and at the Seminary at Oregon City. 
He was reared to work upon the farm, and in 
time mastered all the details of this business 
under the direction of his father. For many 
years he operated the farm in partnership with 
the elder Gearin, succeeding to the ownership 
and management upon the death of the latter 
ten years ago. He has increased his possessions 
during the period of his control of the property, 
and has taken advantage of every possible mod- 
ern improvement for facilitating labor, engag- 
ing in the work scientifically. It evidently has 
been his ambition — and a most praiseworthy one 
— to convert his estate into the most attractive 
and productive in the Willamette valley, and in 
this effort he is succeeding beyond the most 
sanguine expectations of his young manhood. 

October 27, 1881, Mr. Gearin was united in 
marriage with Mary C. Murphy, a native of 
Marion county, and a daughter of Andrew and 
Elizabeth (Cosgrove) Murphy. The Murphy 
family were pioneers of the early fifties, and 
Hugh Cosgrove, Mrs. Gearin's grandfather, set- 
tled near by in 1847. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gearin have become the parents 
of eight children: Fred M., John A., Irene G., 
Basil H., Marcella E., Marie L., Cornelius Dewey 
and Harold J. Fred and John are students in 
Mount Angel College, and it is the intention of 
their father to give all the children the best pos- 
sible educational advantages. 

Mr. Gearin is a liberal-minded and progressive 
farmer, and his splendid property, his fine per- 
sonal characteristics and his desire to co-oper- 
ate conscientiously with the best element of the 
community in the betterment of the conditions 
and environments which surround him, insure 
him the continued regard of all with whom he is 
associated. The traditions and history connected 
with the life of his father unquestionably have 
been a source of great inspiration to him in his 
undertakings, and his children will be fortified 
in the beginning of their careers not only with a 
similar inspiring example, but with the added 
prestige of a literary education which their fore- 
fathers found it almost impossible to obtain in 
the earlier davs of the commonwealth. 



HON. PETER PARKER PALMER. The 
youth of today, rebelling in the midst of thickly 
crowding opportunities, but faintly realizes the 
difference between his own and the obstacles 
which hedged in the farmer lad in the central 
states during the middle of the last century. The 
very act of reaching the west, towards which all 
youthful and ambitious hearts turned in those 
davs, entailed an amount of self-sacrifice and suf- 
fering before which the stoutest heart quails at 



1226 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the present time. Yet those boys, many of whom 
are now old men and towers of strength in their 
respective communities in the west, evinced Spar- 
tan courage in carrying their plans to completion, 
and with clear, far-seeing eyes prophesied, and 
worked, and realized beyond their fondest ex- 
pectations. Such a one is Hon. Peter Parker 
Palmer, who arrived in Oregon in 1850 with 
very limited means, footsore and weary from his 
painfully long journey across the plains, but 
who has since drawn liberally upon the resources 
of his adopted state, and is now spending his 
declining years in retirement in Eugene. 

Mr. Palmer, who is ex-representative, ex-in- 
spector of customs, ex-farmer, and ex-merchant, 
spent the first years of his life near Georgetown, 
Sussex county, Del., where he was born October 
5, 1826. His grandfather, John Palmer, of 
Scotch descent, is known to have been born in 
Delaware, and his father, Woolsey H. Palmer, 
also a native of Delaware, fired with ancestral 
fervor, played his fife in the war of 1812, at the 
time being twelve years of age. The filer was 
the joy of the regiment, and was often carried 
on the shoulders of those who carried arms and 
risked their lives in the heat of battle. He was 
reared on the Delaware farm, and married Edith 
Goslee, a native daughter of Delaware, who bore 
him eleven children, of whom Peter is the third 
in order of birth and the only one to emigrate 
to the west. Until his twentieth year Peter had 
about three months schooling each year, and he 
afterward taught school in his native state for 
about a year. In 1847 ne removed to Illinois and 
clerked in a store in Alton until 1850. During 
the spring of that year he started across the 
plains with a company of fortune seekers, intend- 
ing to go to California. Instead, after arriving 
at Soda Springs the plans of the company were 
changed, and they came to Oregon. The jour- 
ney was not unpleasant, although beset with 
dangers on every hand. The Indians, while not 
molesting them personally, relieved them of con- 
siderable of their stock, and few in the party had 
anything with which to start life in the west. 
Mr. Palmer secured work in a shingle mill, and 
afterwards learned the carpenter's trade, and had 
occasion to rejoice that the pay of the carpenters 
was $12 a day, for he was obliged to pay $14 
a week for board, the price of commodities gen- 
erally being in proportion. 

In February, 1851, Mr. Palmer joined a party 
of gold-seekers, and with wagons, five yoke of 
oxen, and twenty-five hundred pounds of pro- 
visions, crossed the mountains to California. 
During the summer the party mined at Yreka, 
Cal., and in the fall of 185 1 returned to Portland 
with at least some money to show for their pains. 
Mr. Palmer stopped overnight in Portland and 
went on to Douglas county, which he had in- 



vestigated before, and been well pleased with its 
prospects. At Garden Bottom, below Winches- 
ter, he took up a claim of half a section, which 
he retained about four years, at the same time 
teaching school in the neighborhood. He also 
supplemented his comparatively limited educa- 
tion by attending the Umpqua Academy for a 
term. In Wilbur, Ore., he married Mary Slo- 
cum, who was born in Kentucky, and came to 
Oregon in 1852, and with whom he started a 
farming enterprise near the town. He afterward 
moved to a farm near Elkton, and still later near 
Gardner, where he was appointed inspector of 
customs during the Civil war, and held that posi- 
tion for nine years. During this time he also 
conducted a general merchandise business. Af- 
ter disposing of his various' interests he pur- 
chased the Scottsburg donation claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres. In connection with 
stock-raising he conducted a hotel and merchan- 
dise business in Scottsburg, his hostelry being 
known as the Palmer House, where travelers 
were well received, and found ample refreshment 
for the inner man. In 1900 he disposed of the 
store and hotel and farm at Scottsburg, and lo- 
cated in Eugene, where he has since lived in 
comparative retirement. 

In his younger days Mr. Palmer had a strong 
leaning towards the Republican party, but of late 
years has zealously advocated the Prohibition 
platform. In 1886 he was nominated for the 
legislature on the Prohibition ticket, and also 
on the Republican, and elected by a large ma- 
jority, serving his district with credit and satis- 
faction. While in the legislature he succeeded 
in passing the Prohibition amendment, and in 
other ways forwarded the best interests of the 
people of Douglas county. For a year he served 
as county school superintendent in Umpqua coun- 
ty, and about that time he served four terms as 
justice of the peace. The wife, who died in 
February, 1903, bore him eleven children : Wil- 
liam E., deceased, was married and operated a 
sawmill in Drains, Ore., and was killed by a fall- 
ing tree. He left two children, Edward and 
Ethel ; Minnie and Percy died in early life ; Al- 
bert C. is engaged in mining in Alaska ; Elmer 
C. is employed by the Southern Pacific Railway 
at Ashland, Ore. ; Elsey E. is living in southern 
California ; Alcyone, the widow of Captain 
James Hill, resides in Oakland ; Edith became 
the wife of Capt. Fred Earl and lives in Gard- 
ner, Ore. ; Gussie, the wife of Dr. W. L. Che- 
shire, lives in Eugene ; Annie, the wife of Capt. 
Frank Perrv, lives in San Francisco ; Mamie, 
Mrs. Francis Schlegel, resides in Portland. 



PETER BASHAW. Few soldiers during the 
Civil war have paid more dearly for their devo- 
tion to a noble cause than has Peter Bashaw, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1227 



a retired resident of Newberg, and who perma- 
nently lost the precious boon of health in the 
camp and field of the Union army. For the suc- 
cess which has come to him Mr. Bashaw owes 
naught save to an innate determination to make 
the best of discouraging conditions, in the face 
of which he has reared an interesting family 
and established a happy and comfortable home. 

The establishment of the Bashaw family is 
interestingly interwoven with the early history 
of the country, the emigrating ancestor being 
the paternal grandfather, who was born in 
France, and, sharing a kindred interest in the 
colonies with La Fayette, accompanied that illus- 
trious soldier on his unselfish mission to the 
states. From a money standpoint a millionaire, 
he went to Canada after his return to France, 
and bought large landed estates in the northern 
part of the country. From the first he espoused 
the cause of the United States, and as he had 
aided them in securing independence from Eng- 
lish rule, so he helped them also in securing the 
boundary line east of the St. Lawrence river. 
His efforts were detected by a spy of the British 
government, who forthwith reported his misde- 
meanor, in consequence of which his northern 
lands were confiscated by the English. While 
hiding from the British after the disclosure of 
his part in the boundary question, he was at- 
tacked by a bear, a portion of his leg torn away, 
and he was smuggled into the United States by 
friends, who concealed him between layers of 
straw on a wagon. 

It is presumed that this adventurous fore- 
father brought up eventually in Vermont, for 
here his son, Louis, the father of Peter, was 
reared, and eventually succeeded to a farm. In 
1849 Louis located in New York state, where 
he bought a farm on the highway between Ban- 
gor and Nicholville, which was a large farm 
for New York state, consisting of seventy-five 
acres. In 1868 he took his family to Pepin 
county, Wis., where he bought eighty acres of 
land, upon which his death occurred at the age 
of seventy-eight years. His last years were spent 
in comparative retirement, his health having been 
impaired during a two-years service with the 
Green Bay boys during the war. He married 
Mary Terrior, who was born near the Vermont 
line in Canada, and who died in Pepin county, 
Wis., in 1901. She was the mother of six sons 
and five daughters, all of whom attained matur- 
ity, Peter being the fifth. 

The necessity for early assisting with the fam- 
ilv support interfered sadly with the education 
of Peter Bashaw, although in later years, when 
physical work was denied him, he diligently ap- 
plied himself to overcome this deficiency, and be- 
came a well informed man. He was born in 



North Allen, Vt., October 1, 1842, and accom- 
panied his parents to New York state, where he 
was living when the call to arms agitated the 
little agricultural community. Forthwith he en- 
listed in Company I, Sixtieth New York Volun- 
teer Infantry, and, connected with the army of 
the Potomac, participated in several important 
battles of the war. At the battle of the first 
Bull Run he was shot through the cords of the 
right leg, and though receiving the best of sur- 
gical and medical service in the hospitals of New 
York City and Washington, suffered intensely 
from the wound for almost two years after his 
discharge in New York City. His system was 
also seriously undermined by typhoid fever con- 
tracted in the service, and for many months he 
was compelled to walk on crutches. The little 
place left him by his father was sold to his 
brother in order to secure funds for medical 
treatment, and he was thus enabled to secure 
some benefit. 

In 1886 Mr. Bashaw engaged in buying sheep, 
and after two years thus employed, managed 
to save a little money. With his brother and 
father he went to Wisconsin, where he con- 
tinued to buy sheep, and though his health was 
very unsatisfactory, he felt justified in coming 
to Oregon in 1898, hoping much from a change 
of climate and surroundings. In Newberg he 
invested in town property, including the Owens 
cottage and hotel, and also bought the comfort- 
able home in which his family are housed. Al- 
though he failed to receive the $100 bounty 
which should have come to him after the war, 
he receives a pension of $24 per month. The 
marriage of Mr. Bashaw and Josephine Manor 
occurred in Pepin county, Wis. Nine children 
have been born of the union, the order of their 
birth being as follows : Oris, living in Wiscon- 
sin ; Delphane, the wife of Bert Lapian, a farm- 
er of Dundee, Ore. : Lillie. the wife of William 
Martin, of Wisconsin ; Arthur, living in New- 
berg; Mary, the wife of Si. Hammock, of New- 
berg; Rosa, now Mrs. Jesse Smith of Newberg; 
Annie Bell. Lena and Vernie, living at home. 
Mr. Bashaw is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and is a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. In political affiliation he 
is a Republican. In the family of Mr. Bashaw 
lives the mother of Mrs. Bashaw, who was born 
in Vermont, and before her marriage to John 
Manor was Amelia Bland. Mrs. Manor is eighty 
years of age. 



JOHN W. PUGH. A very youthful pioneer 
of Oregon was John W. Pugh, who became a 
resident of this state at the age of one year. 
Upon attaining manhood he was satisfied to lo- 



1228 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cate permanently among the scenes of his child- 
hood, establishing himself on the farm which he 
now owns and occupies, two hundred and eighty- 
five acres, one and a half miles south of Shedds, 
putting upon it all improvements, which make 
it one of the finest farms in the vicinity. He is 
now .carrying on general farming and dairying, 
for the latter having twenty-six Jersey milch 
cows. Industry and energy, governed by intel- 
ligent thought, number him among the success- 
ful agriculturists of this notably successful sec- 
tion of the country. Mr. Pugh is not alone in- 
terested in agricultural pursuits, but has bent 
every effort toward the advancement of the in- 
terests of the community, through a wise ad- 
ministration of public affairs. He is active 
in the prosecution of church interests, as class 
leader, trustee and steward, and for nearly 
twenty-five years superintendent of the Sunday- 
school of the Methodist Episcopal Church, ex- 
erting a broad and helpful influence. The posi- 
tion of Mr. Pugh has been won through quali- 
ties which have given him the esteem and con- 
fidence of his neighbors and made him many 
friends. 

The father of Mr. Pugh, Francis A., was born 
April 6, 1 82 1, in Kentucky, from which state he 
removed with his parents to Illinois, where, as 
a farmer, his father gained a livelihood. The 
death of the elder man occurred there, caused 
by a stroke of lightning, after which the mother 
returned to her people in Kentucky, and the son 
was left alone. Later he removed to Iowa and 
there married Ruth Jessup, a native of Indiana, 
and in 1846 they started across the plains with 
ox-teams. The Platte river was reached in 
safety. From there two-wheeled wagons drawn 
by oxen was to have been the mode of travel, 
but there the Indians stampeded their cattle, 
which left them in a very uncomfortable, not to 
say dangerous, predicament. After much trouble 
they reached Whitman Station and there secured 
pack horses with which to continue the inter- 
rupted journey. One man had been killed, a Mr. 
Trimble. The remainder of the journey, how- 
ever, was made in safety, six months after the 
time of starting finding them in Washington 
county, Ore. There Mr. Pugh took up a claim 
upon which they lived for about four years, in 
the spring of 1850 coming to Linn county, where 
he became the owner of six hundred and forty 
acres of land located one and one-half miles 
southwest of Shedds, which remained the home 
of the family for twenty-eight years. In 1878 
they removed to a farm near Athena, Umatilla 
county, and in 1881 they located near Spokane, 
Wash., where he carried on general farming and 
stock-raising, making a very extensive business 
of the latter. Six years after the death of his 
wife in 1895, at the age of seventy-two years, 



Mr. Pugh removed to Spokane and there makes 
his home at the present time retired from active 
life. A very useful and practical life has been 
that of Mr. Pugh, his interest in political, edu- 
cational and religious movements contributing no 
small part to the advancement of civilization in 
the pioneer lands, being a pioneer of both Ore- 
gon and Washington. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and one of its stanch 
and earnest supporters. Of the children born to 
himself and wife the eldest is John W., who 
was born June 18, 1845, m Henry county, Iowa; 
the remainder of the family being Melissa J., 
now Mrs. W. M. Stafford, of Washington ; 
Felix M., of Spokane ; Francis K, also of Spo- 
kane ; and Sarah G., now Mrs. James Froome, 
of Waitsburg, Wash. 

The education of John W. Pugh was received 
in the district schools of Oregon near his home, 
which he attended until his marriage in 1865 with 
Frances E. Thompson, a native of Missouri, 
whose parents crossed the plains in 1852 and 
settled in Linn county. He then removed to the 
farm which he now occupies, passing the inter- 
vening years in earnest, faithful work. The two 
children born of this union are Mary E., the wife 
of S. C. Caldwell, of Albany, and George B., 
of Brownsville. Mrs. Pugh died in 1870 and 
later Mr. Pugh married Nancy E. Walker, who 
had crossed the plains with her parents in 1852 
from her native state of Arkansas. Their nine 
children are as follows : Estella, the wife of 
H. B. Taylor, of Seattle; Ernest G., of Seattle; 
Nellie J., wife of H. B. Satchwell, of Newberg, 
Ore. ; Charles A., in Linn county ; and Lura, 
Harvey G., Edith J. and John McKinley, all at 
home ; and Effie, deceased. Mr. Pugh was again 
left alone in 1898 by the death of his wife. 

. As a Republican in politics Mr. Pugh served 
one term as county commissioner, always taking 
an interest in party work, and in his fraternal 
relations is a member of Oak Plain Grange and 
Woodmen of the World, which latter he was 
the first man in Linn county to join, having been 
a member in Corvallis. 



HENRY L. BENTS. Though for some time 
a teacher in the schools of Oregon, Henry L. 
Bents has returned to the land upon which he 
was reared and to the pursuit of agriculture, 
for which his early training fitted him. He is 
the voungest of the three brothers of the Bents 
family, whose sketches appear in this work, the 
sketch of Fred Bents giving the history of the 
parents and of the removal from Switzerland 
in 1854 to a settlement on the Kansas farm, 
which was lost through a defective title, and the 
consequent trip to Oregon, where the father 
bought the land which the brothers now possess. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1229 



The birth of Henry L. Bents occurred near Kick- 
apoo, Kans., February 28, 1862, the removal to 
Oregon taking place the next year. Upon the 
farm which his father bought he was reared, his 
early training being along agricultural lines, 
though his early-displayed love of books led his 
father to give him the benefit of all the schools 
within reach, giving him a course in the Oregon 
State Agricultural College at Corvallis after his 
studies at Butteville were completed. At the 
age of eighteen years he began teaching in the 
public schools, and being an exceptionally fine 
penman he added much to his income by private 
classes in this branch. 

Upon the marriage of Mr. Bents, December 
25, 1887, to Miss Agnes A. Smith, a native of 
Oregon and the daughter of John F. Smith, he 
gave up his position in the public schools. Re- 
turning to the home place, he settled upon the 
share which belonged to him, and with the same 
energy and thoroughness which had character- 
ized his efforts at teaching commenced the im- 
provement of the farm. He has since built a 
handsome house, barns, etc., which add much to 
the general appearance, in addition to the well 
cultivated fields which testify to his success as a 
farmer. He is now engaged in general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, though making a specialty 
of hop-growing, having been connected with his 
brothers in this latter business since 1881. In the 
last named year the Bents brothers began the 
cultivation of hops on five acres of land, and 
they now have seventy acres devoted to that 
product, from which they realize handsome 
profits. Henry L. is also engaged in hop-buying 
on an extensive scale. The location of Mr. 
Bents' farm is two and a half miles southeast of ' 
Butteville and about three miles from Aurora. 

Through his personal integrity and the many 
years' experience in which he has conclusively 
proved his ability to cope with the adversities of 
the world, Mr. Bents' has won a wide popularity, 
and his place in the community is an honorable 
one. For the past eight years he has served as 
secretary of the Hop-Growers' Fire Relief As- 
sociation, and also fills that position in the Farm- 
ers' Fire Relief Association of Butteville, Ore., 
the territory of both associations including the 
entire Willamette valley, Mr. Bents having held 
the latter position for six years. At the present 
time these associations carry a business aggre- 
gating about $2,000,000. In fraternal orders he 
is prominent, being a member of Champoeg 
Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., of Butteville, and 
of Multnomah Chapter No. 2, of Salem, Ore. 
He also belongs to Butteville Tent No. 22, 
Knights of the Maccabees. Politically he is not 
a party man, reserving the right to cast his vote 
for the candidate whose election he thinks will 
be productive of most good for the country. 



In his married life Mr. Bents has been blessed 
by three children: Leita May, Velma lone, and 
an infant son. 



ALFRED P. OLIVER, one of the prominent 
business men of Newberg, was born in Franklin 
county, Vt., in the town of Sheldon, June 20, 
1858. The family became identified with the 
Green Mountain state through the emigration 
thither of D. R. Oliver, the father of Alfred, who 
was born in New York, but died in Vermont at 
the age of seventy-three years. He was a man 
dependent solely upon his own ability -to grasp 
and utilize opportunities, left an orphan at the 
age of four years, and, though reared by an 
uncle, was early brought into contact with the 
serious and responsible side of life. In his young 
manhood he married Annie B. Marsh, a native 
of Sheldon, Vt., whose father, Philo Marsh, 
was born on a farm in Franklin county, Vt. Mr. 
Marsh engaged in farming during his entire 
active life, a vocation which netted him a com- 
fortable and even affluent living, for he died at 
the age of seventy-five a comparatively wealthy 
man. The two sons and only children born to 
D. R. Oliver have inherited their father's enter- 
prise and thrift, and of these, Charles A. is a 
wealthy and influential farmer of Sheldon, Vt. 

Following upon his high school graduation, 
his thorough training as an agriculturist, and 
some practical business experience, Alfred P. 
Oliver removed to Michigan at the age of twenty- 
three, and for a year engaged as chief clerk for 
a steamship company. Returning to the east, 
he worked in a sewing machine factory in Mas- 
sachusetts for a couple of years, and then in Min- 
nesota engaged in the real estate business for a 
year. Following the tide of emigration to Da- 
kota he had a more or less satisfactory business 
career, and after another sojourn in Minnesota 
came to Oregon with J. C. Colcord, a former 
friend in Massachusetts, and a record of whose 
life may be found elsewhere in this work. After 
the first winter in Portland Mr. Oliver came 
to Newberg, bought a farm in partnership with 
his friend, and later engaged in the real estate 
business until 1890. A practical innovation is 
credited to Mr. Oliver, that of utilizing grub-oak, 
in which the state abounds, for ax handles. He 
is at present secretary and treasurer of a com- 
pany incorporated for $30,000, which is manufac- 
turing ax handles, and in which he owns over 
one-half and the controlling interest. It is dem- 
onstrated that grub-oak, formerly used almost 
exclusively for firewood, makes a much finer and 
more durable handle than the eastern hickory. 
This discovery has resulted in the starting of 
a large manufactory which is not only able to 



1230 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAFHICAL RECORD. 



supply its share of coast trade, but can keep two 
men representing its wares on the road. 

Mr. Oliver is also interested in mining, and 
in the Yamhill Coal & Oil Company, of which 
he is one of the chief promoters. The prospects 
for this company are very bright, and the prin- 
cipals entertain great expectations in connection 
therewith. A farm of six hundred acres in the 
vicinity of Newberg is one of the valued posses- 
sions of Mr. Oliver, and he also owns consid- 
erable town property, including a large business 
block. He is foremost among all projects for the 
general improvement of his adopted locality, and 
bears in the community an enviable reputation 
for integrity and progressiveness. 



JOSEPH M. ATKINSON. To students of 
scientific dairying the Spring Hill farm, owned 
by -Joseph M. and Samuel W. Atkinson, offers 
superior opportunities for observation and re- 
search. Not only is this enterprise one of the 
finest in the state of Oregon, but if compared 
with those of Switzerland, Holland, or any of 
the old established dairying centers, would un- 
doubtedly be found to possess the combined ex- 
cellencies of all, improved by American ingenu- 
ity and enterprise. The fact that in no depart- 
ment of farming is there opportunity for greater 
care, good judgment, and business sagacity, than 
in that of dairying and stock-raising, is fully ap- 
preciated, by the Atkinson Brothers, who have 
long since passed the experimental stage, and 
placed their business upon a solid and paying 
footing. 

The Spring Hill farm consists of three hun- 
dred and thirty acres, one hundred of which 
have been placed under the plow, and the bal- 
ance supplies pasturage for seventy-two head of 
cattle, comprising Jersey and other high grade 
cattle, and Mr. Atkinson sells large numbers 
of blooded stock all over the northwest. A com- 
fortable income is derived from the sale of 
Poland-China hogs and bronze turkeys. The 
dairy barn, designed for that special use by the 
owners, and containing many innovations here- 
tofore unthought of, is 80x60 feet in dimen- 
sions. Three driveways run through the barn, 
and it has a capacity of one hundred and fifty 
tons of hay, also a silo of one hundred and 
twenty-five tons capacity. The sewerage, ven- 
tilation, heating, and general arrangements are 
as complete as thorough students of dairying 
and stock-raising can make them, and the plans 
were perfected only after years of study along 
dairying lines. In connection with their farm 
the Atkinson Brothers maintain a creamery in 
Newberg, under the management of Samuel At- 
kinson, the partner of Joseph. The brothers buy 
up all the milk available from the farmers in 



the vicinity, and market their products in the 
city of Portland. 

The early history of men successful in worth- 
while walks of life are not only interesting, but 
profitable to those of like ambitions. Joseph M. 
Atkinson comes from sterling farming stock, and 
was born near St. Joe, Mo., February 21, 1870. 
His father, Robert, was born in Ireland, and 
after emigrating to the United States settled in 
Missouri with his parents, he being at that time 
but seven years of age. He became an exten- 
sive farmer and stock-raiser in the Old Bullion 
state, and in 1870 sold his farm and came to 
Oregon, settling first two miles west of where 
his son' now lives. He bought five hundred acres 
of land, which he partially improved, and upon 
which he lived for three years, in the meantime 
disposing of three hundred acres of his land. 
He finally bought five hundred acres, a portion 
of which constitutes the Spring Hill farm. Be- 
fore his death in 1891, at the age of sixty-five, 
he had sold two hundred acres of his property. 
While still living in Missouri he married Eliza- 
beth Clemmons, a native of Missouri, and who 
died in Oregon in 1894, at the age of sixty-four 
years. Mrs. Atkinson was a daughter of An- 
thony Clemmons, a native of England, and a 
minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. 
Clemmons was also a farmer, and a very sweet 
singer, and he lived to the good old age of four 
score and four years. Twelve children were born 
to Robert Atkinson and his wife, one of whom 
died in infancy. 

Joseph M. Atkinson was the sixth of the seven 
sons born to his parents, and he received his 
education in the public schools and at the Will- 
amette Business College, graduating from the 
latter at the end of the two-years course. In 1888 
he engaged in the hotel business in Astoria, Ore., 
for a couple of years, and in 1891 came to New- 
berg and took charge of the paternal farm. Even- 
tually Joseph M. and .Samuel bought out the 
other heirs, and now own three hundred and 
thirty acres of as fine farm property as can be 
found anywhere in the state. In Newberg Mr. 
Atkinson was united in marriage with Ranna E. 
Carter, a native of Vancouver, Wash., and 
daughter of W. R. Carter, born in Iowa, and 
who came to Oregon when a young man, set- 
tling on the farm adjoining that of the Atkin- 
sons. One child, Mabel, has been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Atkinson. Mr. Atkinson is a Demo- 
crat in politics, and is fraternally associated with 
the Woodmen of the World. His sterling worth 
as a citizen, his unsurpassed knowledge of dairy- 
ing and stock-raising, and his public-spiritedness 
on all occasions calling for co-operation in worthy 
causes, make him an interesting and substantial 
addition to the agricultural and business inter- 
ests of Yamhill county. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1231 



JAMES M. WRIGHT, for many years asso- 
ciated with important business interests in New- 
berg, was born in Clinton, 111., December 24, 
1840, a son of William and Leah (Harp) 
Wright, and grandson of Thomas Wright. 
Thomas Wright was born in North Carolina, 
where had settled his ancestors many years be- 
fore, and he in time moved to South Carolina, 
and from there to Kentucky. He became one of 
the very early settlers of Illinois, settling in that 
state as early as 18 18, and there improving a 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was 
a very successful farmer and had the true pio- 
neer thrift and industry. He died at the age of 
eighty-four years. 

William Wright, the father of James M., was 
born after his father's removal to South Caro- 
lina, and was eight years of age when the family 
fortunes were shifted to the Illinois prairie farm. 
In time he became a large land owner in Illinois 
and a man of prominence in the community. 
Although a farmer all his life, he was never too 
absorbed in personal affairs to take notice of 
the demands upon his time and ability from out- 
side sources, and he filled many positions of trust 
and responsibility. Always interested in poli- 
tics, he served for a couple of years as county 
judge, and was a great promoter of the anti- 
slavery movement. In fact, he was a warm per- 
sonal friend of the great emancipator, and to the 
end of his days it was a pleasure to recall that 
he had swung the ax in company with Abraham 
Lincoln, and participated in the making of the 
now historical rails. During the Black Hawk 
war he served in Lincoln's company and was 
otherwise in close touch with one of the great- 
est characters that America has ever known. He 
died on his Illinois farm at the age of eighty- 
two years, having been preceded several years 
by his wife, who was born in East Tennessee, 
a daughter of Tyra Harp, born in Tennessee, 
and an early settler on government land in 
DeWitt county. Of the six sons and four daugh- 
ters in this family, James M. is the second. 

At the age of twenty-one, September 10, 1861, 
James M. Wright enlisted for the Civil war in 
Company L, Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and at once 
began service under General Grant in the west- 
ern campaign. He participated in the battles of 
Fort Henry, Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, 
Shiloh, Corinth, Hollow Springs and many 
others, and won the rank of corporal during the 
service. How narrowly he escaped death may 
be judged when it is known that two horses 
were shot under him, one at Shiloh, and one at 
Pittsburg Landing. He was discharged from 
the service at La Grange, Tenn., and forthwith 
returned to Illinois, where he was born, reared, 
and educated. His father having presented him 
with a farm, he lived thereon for several years, 



and was also engaged in the real estate business 
in Champaign, 111., for five years, with the firm 
of McKinley & Co. This firm did a large busi- 
ness, and was one of the best known concerns 
in the county. Mr. Wright also gained further 
business experience as a general merchant near 
Danville, 111., a venture no less successful than 
were his real estate transactions. 

In the meantime Mr. Wright had disposed of 
his farm in Illinois, and as he had long appre- 
ciated the superior advantages of the west, in: 
1888 he decided to practically avail himself of 
them. Locating in Newberg, he at once became 
interested in the real estate business, and since 
that time much valuable town and country prop- 
erty has passed through his hands. In 1890 Mr. 
Wright organized the Yamhill Land Company, 
incorporated for $20,000, of which he was presi- 
dent and manager, and which started out under 
the most auspicious circumstances. Owing to 
the general depression of hard times this busi- 
ness went the way of many others of equally 
promising aspect, and closed up with a loss to 
the promoter of about $50,000. 

Mr. Wright has erected a pleasant residence 
on the ouskirts of Newberg, where he lives with 
his wife, Elizabeth A. (Keever) Wright, who 
was born in Indiana, March 25, 1845, and whose 
father, John Keever, was born in Ohio. Mr. 
Keever emigrated to Indiana at an early day, 
and from there removed to DeWitt county, 111., 
but finally died in Indiana. Seven children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wright, of whom 
Oliver C. lives in Sumpter, Ore. ; John K. lives 
in La Grande ; and Mervia is at home ; Erva, 
Ira J., and William W. are deceased. Mr. 
Wright is a Republican in politics, and has been 
justice of the peace for twenty- five or thirty 
years. He is a member of the Friends Church. 



WILLIAM C. COOLEY. Interested in both 
political and business enterprises, the present 
mayor of Brownsville, William C. Cooley, is a 
man of prominence, through the exercise of 
keen, business judgment and quick decision add- 
ing greatly to the financial prestige of the town. 
He has always been active in local political 
movements, and has been twice called upon to 
serve as mayor of the city of Brownsville by 
the Democratic party, having previously been a 
member of the city council for several terms, 
and a member of the county central committee, 
in addition to which he has been prominent in 
the business circles of the city. 

The father of Mr. Cooley, George Cooley, 
was born near Richmond, Va., July, 1831, and 
at an early date came with his mother and the 
remainder of the family as far west as Missouri, 
where he engaged in farming near Lone jack, 



1232 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



occasionally acting as clerk in a general mer- 
chandise establishment. In 1853 he crossed the 
plains and located near Cottage Grove, Lane 
county, Ore., taking up a donation claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres, and the next 
year he came to Brownsville, leaving his mother 
and younger members of the family upon the 
farm, and engaged as a clerk in a general mer- 
chandise store in this city, his remuneration to 
be $200 for the first two years, or at the rate of 
$100 per year. He has since remained in 
Brownsville, with the exception of a year when 
he was incapacitated for work on account of a 
broken leg. On recovering he again sought 
work in the store, remaining for a short time, 
after which he sold goods on a commission basis, 
and later engaged with W. J. Linville, now of 
San Bernardino, Cal. Some time after Mr. 
Cooley became a partner in the business Mr. Lin- 
ville sold his interest to James H. Washburn, 
and for the ensuing twenty-one years Mr. Cooley 
remained in this connection, at the close of that 
time J. D. Irvine taking Mr. Washburn's place. 
In November, 1894, the entire financial interest 
became vested in the Cooley family, the father 
owning three-fourths and the son, William C, 
the remainder. The father also owns one hun- 
dred acres of land adjoining the city. He now 
makes his home in Brownsville, practically re- 
tired, still giving, however, a little time to his 
business interests. In his youth he married 
Harriet Blakely, a native of Tennessee, and 
daughter of James Blakeley, also of that state, 
and who gave up his farming and stock-raising 
interests in the middle west to cross the plains 
early in the '40s, and settle in Oregon, now mak- 
ing his home in Brownsville, at the age of nine- 
ty-two years. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooley were 
born six children, two sons and four daughters, 
the oldest of whom is William Currin, who was 
born December 5, 1859, in Oregon. 

In addition to his preliminary education, re- 
ceived in the common schools of Oregon, Wil- 
liam C. Cooley attended the private subscription 
school of this city. Until 1885 Mr. Cooley re- 
mained upon the farm, working for his father, 
at that time being compelled to act as clerk in 
the store on account of his father again break- 
ing his leg, the same accident occurring four 
times. Since that time he has preferred a com- 
mercial life and has remained here, making an 
entire success of the venture, being now business 
manager of the establishment. The stock is 
valued at $9,000, this business being the largest 
of its kind in the city. In addition to his com- 
mercial interests Mr. Cooley owns thirty acres 
located near the city, twenty-six acres of which 
is devoted to the cultivation of hops. The cere- 
mony which united Mr. Cooley with Callie Saw- 
yer, of Tennessee, was performed in Browns- 



ville, and of the marriage two children have 
been born, Arthur Carl, a graduate of the Albany 
Business College, being bookkeeper in a general 
merchandise establishment at Pendleton, Ore., 
and Etta Fay, at home with her parents, and is 
studying music. Fraternally Mr. Cooley is a 
member of the Knights of Pythias and the 
Woodmen of the World, and in religion belongs 
to the Presbyterian Church. Being always in- 
terested in educational movements, Mr. Cooley 
has served for some time as school clerk and 
director. 



JOHN M. WATERS. More than passing in- 
terest is attached to the career of John M. Wa- 
ters, a pioneer who came to California in 1849, 
and from the precarious occupation of mining 
stepped into the more stable lines of activity rep- 
resented on the coast, becoming in time one 
of the most substantial and reliable of the up- 
builders of Linn county. Born on the banks 
of Lake Erie, in Ashtabula county, Ohio, Janu- 
ary 21, 1833, his ancestors were among the early 
settlers of Rochester, N. Y., and are credited 
with building the first flouring mill of that city. 
His parents, William and Rachel (Cox) Wa- 
ters, were born in Rochester, and some years 
after their marriage located on a farm bordering 
on the shores of Lake Erie, in Ashtabula county. 
In 1838 they removed to Indiana, settling on a 
farm in Warrick county, near Booneville. In 
1847 they located on a farm sixteen miles west 
of Burlington, Henry county, Iowa, and here 
the mother, who had reared a family of ten sons 
and one daughter, died, leaving many friends to 
mourn her loss. 

The news of gold in the west penetrated the 
quiet agricultural region in which dwelt the 
Waters family in Iowa, and John M., then six- 
teen years old, gladly joined his brother and 
Edward Ford in formulating plans to cross the 
plains. They had one wagon and an ox team, and 
the train with which they started was composed 
of twenty-two wagons. All proved good travel- 
ers, and the distance between St. Joseph, Mo., 
and Sacramento, Cal., was covered in the short 
space of one hundred and five days. Probably 
no member of the party journeyed westward 
under more trying circumstances than did John 
Waters, for early in the journey he broke his 
leg, which must have received good treatment, 
for after the third day he was enabled to do his 
share of walking on improvised crutches. These 
three boon companions had many trying and 
many pleasant experiences in the early mining 
days, but success attended their efforts in a 
moderate degree, although the accident prevent- 
ed John M. Waters from doing any actual min- 
ing around Hangtown. All had a hand, how- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1233 



ever, in discovering the big bar on the Cosmers 
river, which find afterward yielded thousands to 
its promoters. Although somewhat disabled 
John found driving a team between Sacramento 
and Hangtown comparatively easy work, and 
this he did for two months, returning then to 
the mines, where he built the first cabin at Mud 
Springs in the fall of 1849. Grief invaded this 
little primitive camp during the cold of the 
winter, for William Waters died, leaving his 
brother disconsolate among crude and dismal 
surroundings. Arousing his courage with the 
coming of spring, he bought a team of horses 
and went to the mines at Reddings diggings, 
where he engaged in teaming and eventually 
made his way to San Francisco. 

Arriving in Portland via steamer in the win- 
ter of 1853, Mr. Waters came to Linn county 
and upon his donation claim of one hundred 
and sixty acres built his home and afterwards 
helped build the first house in the town of Har- 
risburg. During 1858 he conducted a farm in 
Josephine county, and then returned to Harris- 
burg, where he purchased an interest in an old 
mill with Jack Hall. For nineteen years this 
mill ground the greater part of the grain for the 
surrounding farmers, becoming the most prom- 
inent center of activity in that section of the 
county. Mr. Hall stepped out of the business 
in 1862, his brother-in-law, Asa A. McCulley, 
purchasing his stock, and continuing the en- 
terprise as before. In 1877 Mr Waters sold 
his interest in the mill and transferred his busi- 
ness ability to the Brownsville Flour Mill, in- 
creased the capacity by substituting a new proc- 
ess, and afterward disposed of the same to the 
Brownsville Woolen Mill. In 1890 Mr. Waters 
became interested in constructing a one-hun- 
dred-barrel mill in Seattle, Wash., but not hav- 
ing sufficient capital to run it, the company 
was obliged to close down. Since returning to 
Brownsville he has lived retired, having estab- 
lished an unexcelled reputation as a miller, and 
acquired a very comfortable competence. 

In the days of his dawning prosperity near 
Harrisburg, Mr. Waters married Ellen Moore, 
of Tennessee, and 'seven children have been 
born of the union, three of whom are living : 
Mary Jane, the wife of Mr. Morelock, of Gold 
Hill, Ore. ; Rachel Ann, now Mrs. Cartwright, 
of Boise City, Idaho; and John Hamilton, of 
Emmett, Idaho. Considerable prominence of a 
political nature has resulted from Mr. Waters' 
association with the Republican party, to which 
he has owned allegiance ever since the forma- 
tion of the party. He has been a member of 
the town council for many terms, was mayor 
one term, and served as county commissioner 
for four years, between 1892 and 1896. His 
service has been absolutely devoid of anv effort 



to advance personal interests at the expense of 
the community. He is well known and popular 
in fraternal circles, being identified with the 
Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge, Royal Arch 
Chapter and Albany Commandery, Knights 
Templar, and the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. With his wife he worships at the 
Baptist Church, towards the support of which 
he is a liberal and always gracious contributor. 
Mr. Waters represents the best of the pioneer 
element of this community, his claims to recog- 
nition resting upon solid and substantial traits 
of character, and upon equally meritorious busi- 
ness success. 



FRANCIS TILDEN KEYES. Like the 
links of an unbroken chain leading back across 
the years is the memory of one of the old settlers 
of Yamhill county, Ore., as with a continent be- 
tween, he remembers and speaks of those who 
lived in the time of his youth, and before. Back 
in New York state the people of his name were 
born, living their lives peacefully in the midst 
of the plentitude of the Empire state until a 
pioneer was born into the family in the person 
of the old settler of Yamhill county. The grand- 
father, Elijah Keyes, of Irish descent, was a 
merchant tailor by trade ; his son, Marquis De 
Lafayette, was born in Bloomfield, N. Y., Feb- 
ruary 10, 1797. The principal part of his life 
was spent in the double business of tilling the 
soil and conducting a general merchandise store 
in Conesus, Livingston county. In i860 he met 
reverses in his business, and during the remain- 
ing years of his life he made his home with his 
children. He died in Livingston county at the 
age of ninety years, leaving many to mourn the 
loss of a good and upright man. He was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
which he had served as deacon for many years. 

His wife was Sarah Chapped, born in Massa- 
chusetts, the daughter of Edgecomb Chapped, 
also a native of that state. He was a farmer, 
and history records him as one of the many 
farmers of New England who left their plows in 
the furrow and used their horses to ride to the 
defense of the country they loved and served. 
He was a soldier in the war of 1812, doing his 
duty without thought of reward, save in the 
success of the cause for which he fought. He 
was interested in all that gave promise of ulti- 
mate good for his native land and it was his 
honor to be one of the founders of the Genesee 
Wesleyan Seminary, giving largely to the sup- 
port of this institution. Mr. Chapped died in 
Lima, N. Y. 

The union of Marquis De Lafayette Keyes 
and Sarah Chapped was blessed by the birth of 
ten children, six sons and four daughters, the 



1234: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sixth child and fifth son being Francis Tilden, 
born in Livingston county, N. Y., November 
30, 1830. In the common schools of New York, 
Francis T. received a very fair education as 
learning was estimated in those early days, and 
at the age of sixteen he secured employment on 
a farm, where he worked for some years. With 
a spirit of restlessness certainly not inherited 
from his immediate ancestors he left New York, 
April 20, 1853, en route for California by way 
of Nicaragua, reaching San Francisco May 21 
of the same year. In common with the greater 
part of the population of the west, he tried min- 
ing for about two months, succeeding but in- 
differently. After this period, leaving for Ore- 
gon, he located at Independence, Polk county, 
where he went to work as a farm hand. Two 
years later, in 1855, he went to Yamhill county, 
beginning the purchases of land that formed a 
part of his early planning for the home he ex- 
pected to make in the west. He bought first one 
hundred and sixty acres one mile north* of Dun- 
dee, following this with another of the same 
amount, also twenty-seven and a half acres. 
Meeting with nothing but prosperity, it became 
an easy matter to add to his already broad acres, 
and at one time he owned nine hundred acres, 
the greater part of which, however, he soon con- 
verted into money. From 1855 he had been 
more or less engaged in milling, running the 
mill located near his home for eight years, being 
chief miller. After the misfortune of losing his 
mill by fire, he superintended the Chehalem mill 
near Newberg for two years, and since that time 
has been engaged in farming. 

Mr. Keyes is a Republican in his political 
affiliations and during several years past has 
very often been the choice of the people for 
various offices that are at the disposal of his 
party, being constable and road supervisor at 
one time. He has always been interested in all 
school questions and duties, serving intelligently 
as school director in his community for some 
time. He was later appointed a judge of elec- 
tion, having served 'in that capacity for twelve 
years, and as clerk six years. 

Mr. Keyes married Miss Mary Corzine, who 
died May 11, 1887. She was a native of Little 
Rock, Ark., born July 24, 1841. Her father and 
mother had emigrated from Arkansas in 1843, 
settling in Salem, Ore., where the mother died 
in 1849. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Keyes were, in order of birth : Laura, now Mrs. 
J. D. Hardwick, of Salem, Ore. ; George Lin- 
coln, who met with a sad fate, being burned to 
death; Cornelia, now Mrs. Nicholas Wall, of 
Dundee, whose husband is a farmer; Frank, liv- 
ing on the home place ; Clara, who became Mrs. 
Edwards, and is now deceased ; Grace, wife of 



Joseph Etzwiler, who is engaged in farming 
near Newberg; May, wife of Elmer McCleery, 
engaged in farming near Salem. Mr. Keyes now 
makes his home with the son who is his name- 
sake. 



JOSEPH H. TEMPLETON. The donation 
claim upon which William Templeton located in 
1847 i s now owned by his sons, of whom Joseph 
is one of the most ambitious and successful of 
men. He was born in Holt county, Mo., Febru- 
ary 17, 1842. William Templeton, his father, 
was born in Rockbridge county, Va., October 
15, 1809, and at an early day moved with his 
parents to Henry county, Ind. Here he married 
Elizabeth M. Ramsey, of which union there 
were born thirteen children, eleven of whom 
came across the plains with their parents in 
1847 from Flolt county, Mo., where they then 
lived. Two wagons with four yoke of oxen 
each, a few cows, and plenty of provisions were 
gathered together for the expedition, the start 
being made in the early morning. The elder 
Templeton took up a section of land three miles 
east of Brownsville, and erected the little log 
cabin in which the family started housekeeping 
in the wilds of Oregon, their neighbors remote, 
and their immediate prospects not particularly 
encouraging. The father had some strong young 
sons to help him clear and cultivate his land, 
and soon there was in working order a 
little family community, harmoniously working 
against great odds for the right to enjoy some 
of the comforts of life in future. The year 
after his arrival the father tried mining in Cali- 
fornia for a short time, making his way there by 
pack horses over the mountains, and returning 
by steamer from San Francisco to Portland. He 
was not successful as a miner, and was glad to 
return to the slower but far more reliable occu- 
pation of tilling the soil. His death occurred on 
his home farm, January 19, 1882, and those left 
behind mourned a faithful husband, devoted 
father, and worthy man. His wife survived 
until May 8, 1898, she having been born Febru- 
ary 13, 1812. Both of these people were prom- 
inent in their neighborhood, and exerted an in- 
fluence for good at home, in 1 the church, and in 
a social way. Both were devoted members of 
the Presbyterian Church at Brownsville, and 
helped to organize it, giving generously of their 
time and means for its continued upbuilding. 
Mr. Templeton was a stanch Republican, and 
in the early days served as justice of the peace. 

Five years of age when he came to Oregon, 
Joseph H. Templeton was reared and early 
taught to make himself useful around the home 
farm, for it was the policy of the parents to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1235 



train the children to habits of thrift and indus- 
try, and no drones invaded the family circle. As 
a young man he met and became interested in 
a young neighbor, Emma Hudelson, and the re- 
sult of this association culminated in marriage, 
December 13, 1883. With his wife, Mr. Tem- 
pleton settled on one hundred and eighty-two 
acres of the paternal claim, and the industry and 
good management of the husband, and the help 
and sympathy of the wife have brought about 
more than expected good fortune. General 
farming and stock-raising are engaged in, and 
ever since 1876 a large hop-yard has been an 
adjunct to the farm. Mr. Templeton is greatly 
interested in the cause of education, and has ex- 
erted a progressive influence as a member of the 
school board for five years. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, and, like his 
father, is active in its charities and general main- 
tenance. To Mr. and Mrs. Templeton were 
born two children : Leighton F. ; and Ray- 
mond D. The wife of Mr. Templeton died 
October 2, 1892. She was a devout member of 
the Presbyterian Church, a devoted wife and a 
kind and loving mother. She was buried in the 
McHargue Cemetery near Brownsville. She 
was born April 20, 1862. in Henry county, Ind., 
where she lived until a short time before her 
marriage. 



GREENBURY SPLAWN. One of the finest 
stock farms along the Calapooia river in Linn 
county is that owned by Greenbury Splawn, who 
represents one of the early pioneer families of 
this state, and who was three years of age when 
he came here in 1850 from Holt county, Mo., 
where Mr. Splawn was born June 19, 1847. 
Moses Splawn and his wife, Ann (Riggs) 
Splawn, natives respectively of Missouri and 
Kentucky, were married in the former state, 
and for many years lived there on a farm in 
Holt county. Several children were born into 
their family, and the father finally determined 
to investigate the truth of the glowing reports 
which came to him from the west. Accordingly, 
he sold his farm, and with the money outfitted 
to cross the plains in the spring of 1850, pur- 
chasing two wagons, each having three yoke of 
oxen, and taking with him one cow to supply 
milk for the travelers. All went well at first, 
and the Indians were not very troublesome, but 
the dreaded cholera invaded the ranks of the 
party. The father and oldest son, John, the two 
mainstays of the wife and younger children, suc- 
cumbed to the disease, leaving the rest to com- 
plete the journey alone. Fortunately there was 
remaining one son about nineteen years of age, 
and he drove the oxen the rest of the way, and 
cared for his heart-broken mother and fatherless 



brothers and sisters. Arriving in Linn county, 
Ore., the wife and son took up a claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres near Holley on the 
Calipooia, which farm is still in the possession 
of the family, a portion being occupied by 
Greenbury Splawn. Here the mother lived to 
the good old age of eighty-six years, and during 
her many years in the west she doubtless viewed 
with pride her splendid property along the river 
bank, stocked with high-grade cattle, and with 
its productive soil yielding abundant harvests. 

Reared as are the average farmer lads of the 
country, Greenbury Splawn was above all else 
industrious and conscientious, and was so well 
versed in general agriculture that he assumed 
the entire management of the farm upon attain- 
ing his majority. With the exception of two 
years spent in farming in Lane county, he has 
since made the old home his own abode, and has 
not only successfully operated the land left by 
his mother, but has added thereto, and now 
owns five hundred and fifteen acres. He is en- 
gaged in general stock-raising and farming, 
making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle. One hun- 
dred and twenty-five acres are under cultivation 
and the rest devoted to pasturage. 

In establishing a reputation as one of the 
foremost farmers in his neighborhood, Mr. 
Splawn has had the assistance of a capable and 
sympathetic wife, whom he married March 28, 
1869, and who was formerly Amanda E. Mat- 
lock. Seven children have come to gladden his 
home, the order of their birth being as follows : 
John T. ; Nora ; Effie and Etta, twins ; Frank ; 
Jesse M. ; and Ida ; all at home. Mr. Splawn 
is a Democrat in politics, but he has never 
striven for political preferment. He is progres- 
sive and public-spirited, and bears an enviable 
record for good farming and fair dealing. 



ASHER F. HAMILTON. The mercantile 
business of Asher F. Hamilton of Holley, 
though a comparatively new undertaking, would 
seem destined for many years of success, judg- 
ing from the patronage accorded it during its 
three years of existence. His father, Silas Ham- 
ilton, was engaged in farming near Waukegan, 
111., when Asher F. was born. Silas Hamilton 
was born in Genesee county, N. Y., was reared 
on a farm, and as a young man went alone to 
Illinois, where he lived for several years, mar- 
ried Anne Ferry, a native of Massachusetts, and 
then locating in Berlin, Greenlake county, Wis., 
afterward started the store which gave him his 
first start in life. He moved to Wisconsin when 
Asher F. was a small boy, and late in life came 
to Holley, Ore., where his death occurred Sep- 
tember 17, 1894, at the age of seventy-six years. 

As a boy A. F. Hamilton worked in his fath- 



1236 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



er's store, and in time went to Chicago and took 
a course at a commercial college. An oppor- 
tunity to come west in 1866 with Colonel Saw- 
yer was readily taken up, and he crossed the 
plains with his employer with ox-teams, remain- 
ing with him for a year in his California home. 
He then returned via the Isthmus to his home 
in Wisconsin, engaged with his father in the 
mercantile business, and again came to Califor- 
nia in 1870. Two years later he went again to 
Wisconsin, returning to the west in 1873, and 
settling permanently in Oregon. In Linn county 
he became interested in farming, but soon aban- 
doned it for a general merchandise business in 
Sweet Home. Six years later he again resumed 
farming for two years. He then established a 
general merchandise business in Holley, four 
years later returning to the farm, but since the 
fall of 1900 has conducted his store in Holley. 

March 2, 1873, Mr. Hamilton married Mary 
.E. Crane, daughter of James Elliott and Rachel 
(Fike) Crane. Mrs. Hamilton was born in 
Sacramento, Cal., and was reared in the middle 
west. She is the mother of eight children : Olive 
Lulu, wife of Cyrus V. Barr, of Sweet Home, 
Ore. ; Fannie Rachel, wife of W. R. Mealey of 
Foster, Ore. ; Charles Asher, married and living 
with his parents ; William Silas, of Altoona, 
Wash. ; Ruth May ; Jennie Mabel ; Bessie Pearl ; 
and James Harley. Mr. Hamilton is a Prohibi- 
tionist in politics, and has been postmaster of 
Holley during all the years of his residence 
there. He has served on the school board both 
as trustee and clerk, but is not a politician, car- 
ing little for offices in general. With his wife 
and family he is a member of the Advent Chris- 
tian Church of Sweet Home. In all of his un- 
dertakings in the west Mr. Hamilton has been 
successful, and has won a reputation for fair 
dealing and progress, as well as for tact, kindli- 
ness and geniality. 



FRANCIS MALONE. As one of the pio- 
neers who came to Oregon without capital, and 
upon the foundation of grit and determination 
accumulated a competence through a correct un- 
derstanding of the chances by which he was 
surrounded, Francis Malone is entitled to men- 
tion among the forerunners of civilization in the 
northwest. His earliest years were spent on a 
farm near Lone Jack, Tenn., where he* was born 
October 9, 1834, and whence he removed with 
his parents at the age of six years to Cass 
county, Mo. Monotonous and uneventful, his 
life was passed on a farm until the spring of 
1852, when he joined a caravan bound for the 
undeveloped west, of which he had heard much 
from returning travelers. For nearly six months 
he tramped beside the slowly plodding oxen, 



glad of the falling darkness which permitted 
rest for his weary feet. With the dawn the 
party was up and doing, and he helped to feed 
and yoke the oxen, and to do such other things 
as were required of a man working his way 
across the plains. 

The first winter in Linn county Mr. Malone 
split rails for a living, and in the spring of 1853 
went to the mines in southern Oregon, return- 
ing at the end of a year to Linn county. He 
then took up a claim of one hundred and sixty 
acres near Holley, where he kept bachelor quar- 
ters for a couple of years. October 15, 1858, he 
was united in marriage with Ellen Splawn, 
daughter of Moses Splawn. 

In 1863 Mr. Malone removed to the farm now 
occupied by his wife and children, and which, 
at the time of his death, October 15, 1890, con- 
tained eighteen hundred acres in one body. This 
enormous farm speaks volumes for the enter- 
prise and good business management of the 
owner, for it is unincumbered and valuable 
land, two miles of it being in the bottoms. He 
inaugurated many fine improvements, built ex- 
tensively, and engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. Frugal and industrious, honor- 
able and thrifty, he saved more than he spent, 
and thus always kept ahead financially. The 
great farm is now occupied by his wife and 
children, among the latter being Nancy, who is 
the wife of Murray Barrett; Thomas J. married 
Eliza A. Weddle ; Lizzie, who is the wife of 
Perry McQuinn ; Sarah, deceased, was the wife 
of Jerry Keeney; Ida is the wife of P. L. Rob- 
inet ; and Clara. Mr. Malone served in the In- 
dian war of 1855-6, and for three months fought 
the red men on the upper Columbia and in the 
Walla Walla country. He was a man who made 
many friends as he went through life, and what 
is better, retained them for many years. He 
contributed not a little to the upbuilding of the 
county in which he lived, and at all times main- 
tained the best possible agricultural standard 
His widow has recently been awarded a pension 
on account of Mr. Malone's service in the In- 
dian war. 



JAMES AGEE. It was the fortune of 
James Agee to be born very near the city of 
St. Joseph, Mo., from which town the emigrants 
were taking their way into the new lands of the 
west, and it was therefore a matter of no won- 
der that the parents early joined the westward 
trend of civilization. He was born in Dekalb 
county, Mo., July 17, 1844, the son of Isaac and 
Cordelia (Thornton) Agee. In the spring of 
1852 the father gathered together his worldly 
wealth, and with his wife and eleven children 
he crossed the plains with two wagons drawn 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1237 



by ox-teams, and several head of cattle and 
oxen, with which to begin the work of farming 
in their new home. The journey was ended 
safely and the first location decided upon was in 
Yamhill county, between Sheridan and McMinn- 
vifle, where Mr. Agee took up a claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres. This was the last 
home of the head of the family, for there he re- 
mained until his death in 1901, at the advanced 
age of eighty-nine years. He had proven him- 
self a sturdy pioneer of the new land, giving his 
strength and intelligence toward the cultivation 
of the broad acres of the state, and his influence 
toward the western growth. Two of his sons, 
William and Wilson, proved valiant soldiers in 
the Cayuse war. 

James Agee was eight years old when the 
journey across the plains was made and he re- 
mained at home until he was twenty years old, 
when he began to work for his brother. Three 
years later he went to Walla Walla, Wash., and 
remained for one year, when he returned to 
Yamhill county and bought a farm of four hun- 
dred acres, and there spent the ensuing ten years 
of his life. At the expiration of this period he 
made another purchase of land, embodying six 
hundred and eighty-six acres, upon which he 
lived for sixteen years, leaving then and locating 
near Sodaville, in Linn county, principally on 
account of ill health. He has since made this 
his home, now owning forty-six acres adjoining 
McMinnville, and on his farm of four hundred 
acres being engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. 

The first marriage of Mr. Agee took place in 
1869 and united him with Miss Fannie Murray, 
by whom he had ten children, the three now liv- 
ing being as follows : Rufus P., Wilber and 
Isaac Newton. His second wife was Mrs. May 
Murray, the widow of Charles Murray. Mr, 
and Mrs. Agee have one child, Hubert J. In 
politics Mr. Agee is a Democrat, and fraternally 
he is a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows of McMinnville, and also belongs 
to McMinnville Lodge No. 43, A. F. & A. M. 



ROBERT R. TEMPLETON. Although 
born in Holt county, Mo., October 3, 1846, Rob- 
ert R. Templeton owes his early training, start 
in life, and subsequent success to the environ- 
ment in Oregon to which his parents brought 
him when a little more than a year old. His 
entire active life has been spent in the country, 
in farming, stock-raising, trapping and hunting, 
and since July, 1900, he has lived on his present 
farm of three^ hundred and seventeen acres, fif- 
teen of which are devoted to hops. Mr. Tem- 
pleton's father, William, was born in Virginia, 
and his mother, Elizabeth (Ramsey) Templeton, 
was born in Pennsylvania. The parents moved 



at an early day to Holt county, Mo., and lived 
on a farm there until crossing the plains to Ore- 
gon in 1847. The family party was a large one, 
for there were eleven children, and the prepara- 
tions for sheltering and feeding all during the 
long journey were necessarily extensive. They 
had two wagons, many pairs of oxen, a few 
cows and one horse, but when they got to Tygh 
Valley, just before crossing the mountains, they 
discarded one of the wagons and came the rest 
of the way with the other.. Mr. Templeton lo- 
cated a claim of six hundred and forty acres 
three miles east of Brownsville, along the Cal- 
lapooya river, the greater part of which was fer- 
cile and productive, and waited but the industry 
of man to convert it into a source of great profit. 
This industry Mr. Templeton possessed in great 
measure, and he was also a good manager and 
practical business man. 

Robert R. grew to manhood on the Linn 
county farm, and when old enough to go to 
school received his elementary education in a 
little log school house. At the age of twenty-one 
he went to eastern Oregon and engaged for a 
year in trapping and hunting, bringing back 
with him some particularly fine pelts, and gain- 
ing material for some exceedingly interesting 
stories of bear and other large game of that re- 
gion. Returning, he spent a year and a half in 
Tacoma, Wash., and then bought a farm with 
his brother. William, and conducted the same 
for a year. This farm was located near Halsey 
and after disposing of it Mr. Templeton en- 
gaged in the stock business at Pinesville for 
about nine years, returning then and settling on 
a part of his father's farm. 

In 1882 Mr. Templeton was united in mar- 
riage with Ollie Montgomery, of which union 
there have been born five children : Bessie, Ada, 
Clyde, John and Andrew. The last three named 
children are deceased. Mr. Templeton's present 
farm is a portion of the old homestead of which 
he took possession in July, 1900, is heretofore 
stated. He has made many fine improvements, 
and in his manner of conducting his property is 
abreast of the times, having the latest of agri- 
cutural implements. Mr. Templeton has taken 
an intelligent interest in Republican politics, 
serving as a member of the school board, for 
many years. Both himself and wife are active 
members in the Presbyterian Church, and he 
has been an elder in the church four years. No 
man in this community bears a better reputation 
or one more in accord with a wide-awake and 
progressive agricultural region. 



JOHN OSBURN. One of the thrifty and 
thriving farmers of Polk county is John Osburn, 
a well-known citizen of Independence, a town 
which is fortunate in having been settled by a 



1238 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



remarkably enterprising, industrious and intelli- 
gent class of people. A man of upright princi- 
ples and good business ability, he has won well 
deserved success through his own energetic ef- 
forts and wisely directed toil, and while advanc- 
ing his own interests has given material assist- 
ance in developing the resources of his town and 
county. John Osburn was born in Orange 
county, Ind., August 25, 1831, and acquired his 
early education in the old log schoolhouse which 
constituted the entire educational equipment of 
that region. Reared to habits of diligence, he 
commenced when quite young to assist in the 
care of the home farm, remaining with his par- 
ents until 1850. Ambitious then to enlarge his 
field of operations, he joined an emigrant train 
of three wagons bound for Oregon, paying $100 
for his fare. During the six months that he was 
on the way, he walked the greater part of the 
distance, driving one of the teams. Settling first 
in Oregon City, he remained there until the 
spring of 185 1, when he proceeded to Salem. In 
March, 1852, he went to southern Oregon to 
engage in mining on Jackson Creek, in Jackson- 
ville. Soon after he took up a donation claim of 
one hundred and sixty acres on Little Butte, 
and was engaged in stock-raising and mining 
for several years, being quite prosperous in 
both branches of industry. Also, in company 
with P. P. Prim, he did considerable prospecting 
in that section of the state. At intervals during 
his residence there serious trouble with the In- 
dians arose, and Mr. Osburn took an active part 
in some of the engagements of those years, serv- 
ing from August 8, 1853, until November 1, 
1853, under Capt. J. F. Miller, in the Rogue 
River war. Subsequently, in the Rogue River 
war of 1855 and 1856, he served for eight 
months as second lieutenant of Company G, 
under Capt. Miles F. Alcorn. 

Disposing of his ranch on the Little Butte in 
1863, Mr. Osburn went to Idaho, where, for two 
years he was* employed in mining operations at 
Florence City and Idaho City. Meeting with 
but little success there, he left Idaho in 1865, 
coming to Polk county, Ore., to look after his 
present farm, or at least one hundred and seven- 
ty-four acres of it, which he had received in ex- 
change for a band of bronchos, trading while on 
the way to Idaho. The land was wild prairie, 
and this he has since transformed into a finely 
cultivated, rich and productive farm, adding all 
the improvements since he came here. He has 
also bought adjoining land, his estate now con- 
taining two hundred and fifty acres of land, 
which is devoted to general farming, stock-rais- 
ing and dairying. 

In 1867, in Benton county, Ore., Mr. Osburn 
married Harriet Martin, who was born in Iowa 
in 1846. Her father, Jacob Martin, was among 



the pioneer settlers of Benton county, removing 
there with his family in 1847. Mr. and Mrs. 
Osburn have five children, namely : Orange, a 
resident of Salem, Ore. ; Mrs. Estella Barker, of 
Baker City, Ore. ; Ernest, living in Alaska ; 
R. D. ; and Lettie Huntley, at home. Mr. Os- 
burn is a member of Oak Grove Grange, and 
has rendered his town excellent service as road 
supervisor, school clerk, and school director. In 
politics he is a stanch Republican, uniformly 
casting his vote in support of the principles of 
that party. 



JOHN HOWARD REES. A genial, hearty, 
whole-souled man is John Howard Rees, who 
came to Oregon in the spring of 1880. His 
father, James Rees, was born in Greene county, 
Tenn., in 1813, and at seventeen years of age, in 
1830, he and his father, William Rees, a native 
of Virginia, joined an emigrating train to Il- 
linois, locating in Vermilion county, where they 
bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, and 
here the elder Rees died. Here James married 
Miss Jemima Dillon, also from Greene county, 
Tenn., having emigrated in the same train as her 
husband. Eight children blessed this union, 
three sons and five daughters, one of whom died 
in infancy. John H. was the seventh child, born 
January 29, 1859, in Vermilion county. At her 
home in the latter county the mother passed 
away when sixty-six years old, and the bereaved 
husband went west to pass the remainder of his 
days with the son, who had settled at Spring- 
brook, Yamhill county, Ore. Here the father 
died at the age of seventy-five. 

The education that Mr. Rees had received in 
the common schools of Illinois and the academy 
of his native county stood him in good stead, as 
he used the knowledge thus gained to teach in 
the public schools, thereby acquiring sufficient 
means to help him in his western venture. Upon 
his arrival in Oregon he purchased a farm situ- 
ated three-quarters of a mile west of Spring- 
brook, containing one hundred acres, twenty 
acres of which he has put out in fruit, the re- 
mainder being utilized for general farming with 
the exception of thirty acres, which is fine pas- 
ture land for grazing purposes, as he owns ten 
cows and carries on quite a scientific dairy busi- 
ness in conjunction with his farming. He has 
invested in a cream separator, thereby saving 
the expense and trouble of carrying his milk to 
a creamery. This business is very profitable and 
carried on in the manner in which Mr. Rees 
prosecutes it, is very pleasant, adding not a little 
to his income and presenting a pretty pastoral 
scene with the broad, green meadows and sleek, 
well kept cattle. 

Mr. Rees was married in Portland to Miss 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1239 



Lucy Hoskins. who had been a resident of Ver- 
milion Grove, 111., at the time her husband had 
made his home there, and four children born to 
them are : Algernon F.. deceased ; Ralph W. : 
Victor E. ; and Florence ; all those living being 
at home. Mrs. Rees' father was George Hos- 
kins. a native of Xorth Carolina, who came to 
Indiana and Illinois, dividing his years pretty 
equally between the two places, until he finally 
settled permanently in Vermilion Grove, 111., 
where he is now living a retired life. 

Mr. Rees is very active in public life, lending 
himself to every movement that has for its end 
the upbuilding of his country or the benefit of 
his fellow-men. He is a member of the Friends 
Church, and is fraternally connected with the 
Woodmen of the World. A Republican as to 
his political inclinations, he has served as con- 
stable, and at the present time is a trustee of 
the Pacific College at Newberg and clerk of the 
school board, which latter position he has held 
for fourteen years. He is one of the oldest set- 
tlers of the later emigration in this community, 
and he does honor to the state which he has 
helped to develop. 



RUFUS C. CROSBY. The Crosby family is 
undoubtedly of English origin. The name is 
first mentioned in England under the reign of 
King John, in 1204. The ancestral history in 
America can be traced back to Samuel Crosby, 
who came from London, England, to the new 
world and settled at Charlestown, Mass., in 1635. 
Phinias Crosby, the great-grandfather of our 
subject, was usually known as "Parson," being 
a minister of the Congregational Church. He was 
born in Hanover, X. H., and always resided in 
Xew England. Isaac Crosby, the grandfather. 
was born in X'ew Fane. AT., and in 1820 he went 
to Massachusetts. He married a Miss Fair, who 
died when his son, Isaac Xewton, the father of 
our subject, was but a year old. The" latter was 
born in Milford, Mass., July 10, 1824, and for 
many years resided in that place. At various 
times he devoted his energies to farming and 
general merchandising and to the coal business, 
and was long recognized as a leading business 
man of his native town. He is also a self-made 
man, for from an early age he depended upon 
his own resources. He is now living a retired 
life in Woonsocket, R. I. In public office he has 
also been quite prominent and has served as as- 
sessor and in other town offices. He married 
Maria Farman Howard, who was born in Bethel, 
Me., in Xovember, 1824. She is descended from 
the Howards who lived at Howards Grove in 
Massachusetts. Her great-grandfather was 
Phinias Howard, and the genealogical history 
of the family is to be found in the Newberry 



library of Chicago. In 1809 there was a marriage 
celebrated between a member of the Howard 
family and the Dustan family, of which Mrs. 
Rufus C. Crosby is a representative. 

The subject of this review is the eldest of six 
children, five sons and a daughter, born unto his 
parents. Of this number the daughter and two 
sons are yet living. He obtained his literary edu- 
cation in the public schools and afterward pur- 
sued a commercial course in Eaton College in 
Boston, whence he graduated in 1868. He then 
entered upon his business career in the capacity 
of a bookkeeper in the employ of a lumber 
merchant of Milford, Mass., in 1873. I" I 88o he 
removed to Providence, R. I., and purchased a 
third interest in the business of A. B. Rice & 
Company, lumber merchants, with whom he was 
associated for two years. On the expiration of 
that period he disposed of his interests on the 
Atlantic coast and removed to Duluth, Minn., 
from which place he traveled for a lumber firm 
for a year. Then going to North Dakota, he 
purchased railway land, becoming the owner of 
one hundred and sixty acres, to the cultivation 
of which he gave his attention for two or three 
years. The year 1886 witnessed his arrival in 
Portland, Ore., where he took charge of the 
lumber business of the firm of Park & Lacey, 
with whom he was connected for two or three 
years. He was then a stockholder in the Oregon 
& California Lumber Company to the extent of 
$10,000, and after two or three years' connec- 
tion with that corporation he came to Dundee and 
made investment in a prune orchard. The culti- 
vation of prunes has become one of the important 
industrial interests of the northwest. He has 
fifty acres of land here, of which twenty acres 
are devoted to that fruit, and upon his place he 
has a dryer and all equipments for caring for his 
prunes and preparing them for shipment. Re- 
cently he has erected a fine residence and large 
substantial barn in Dundee. His home is built 
in modern style of architecture and is one of the 
most attractive places of the town. Mr. Crosby 
has always been a lover of fine horses and always 
keeps a number of excellent specimens. He also 
has a number of fine carriages and takes great 
delight in driving over the country. 

In Milford, Mass.. occurred the marriage of 
Mr. Crosby and Mrs. Sarah M. (Dustan) Blakes- 
lee, who was born in Spartansburg. Pa., a daugh- 
ter of John H. Dustan, who was a native of New 
Hampshire and a lineal descendant of Hannah 
Dustan, who figures in the history of the country. 
John H. Dustan engaged in business as a mill- 
wright in Boston and afterward removed to 
Pennsylvania, where he lived for many years, but 
in 1892 he came to Oregon, settling in Portland, 
where he is now engaged in the dairy business. 
Lnto Mr. and Mrs. Crosbv were born two chil- 



1240 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



dren, but they lost their daughter, Madeline, who 
died in 1891, at the age of nine years. The son, 
John Newton, is now a freshman in the Hills 
Military School at Portland. Mrs. Crosby had 
one child by her first marriage, Ida Lelle, who 
is now the wife of Dr. A. P. Watson, of Port- 
land. 

Mr. Crosby belongs to the Royal Arcanum, be- 
ing a charter member of Oregon Council, which 
was organized in Portland in 1892. In politics 
he is a most earnest Republican, who keeps well 
informed on the issues and questions of the day, 
and does everything in his power to promote the 
growth and insure the success of his party. His 
fine home in Dundee and his prune farm are the 
visible evidences of his life of industry and care- 
fully directed labor. The west with its pulsating 
industrial life is continually drawing to it men 
of business capacity who come from the older 
east and find in the opportunities of this section 
of the country the business advantages which 
they seek. This Mr. Crosby has done and in his 
work here he is meeting with well-merited pros- 
perity. 



CHARLES F. MOORE. One of the most 
reliable and popular of the pioneer business men 
of Newberg is Charles F. Moore, engaged for 
the greater part of his active life in the drug 
business, and at present the owner and manager 
of one of the best equipped drug stores in Yam- 
hill county. Mr. Moore comes from sturdy and 
enterprising farmer stock, and was born near 
New Providence, Hardin county, Iowa, Septem- 
ber 27, 1857, the- ninth of the seven daughters 
and five sons born to Alfred Moore, a native of 
Iowa. The elder Moore removed from Indiana 
to the vicinity of New Providence, Iowa, and 
there engaged in farming on one hundred and 
sixty acres of land until his removal to Oregon, 
in 1877. For a time he lived at Eugene and 
Woodburn, removing then to Dayton, and from 
there to Newberg, where he has since been re- 
tired. He is a broad-minded and liberal man, in 
touch with happenings the world over, and great- 
ly interested in the cause of education, which he 
has done his utmost to promote. 

A common school education and practical home 
training were the equipments with which Charles 
F. Moore started out to make his own living. 
With his brother, Dr. J. B.,a practicing physician, 
he engaged in the drug business, serving an ap- 
prenticeship of three years, and thoroughly 
learning eA'ery department of the business. In 
1890 he bought out his brother, who now resides 
in Oregon City, and has since conducted it inde- 
pendently and with gratifying success. 

The wife of Mr. Moore was formerly Mary E. 
Patty, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of 



Charles W. Patty, a local minister of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church in Indiana. Of the chil- 
dren born of this union two are living: Pearl C. 
and Paul. Mr. Moore is a Republican in political 
affiliation, and has been postmaster of Newberg 
for six years, and councilman for two terms. 
Fraternally he is associated with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the 
World. In religion he is a member of the Society 
of Friends. 



HENRY J. MINTHORN, M. D. For 
twenty years Henry J. Minthorn has been 
a resident of Oregon and at the present time is 
engaged in the practice of medicine in New- 
berg. He was born in Ontario, Canada, April 26, 
1846. His paternal grandfather, John Minthorn, 
was a native of New York and removed to Can- 
ada, where he followed the occupation of farm- 
ing and spent his remaining days. His son, The- 
odore Minthorn, was born in Ontario^ in 1816, 
and he, too, carried on agricultural pursuits 
throughout his active business career. In 1856 
he came to the United States, locating in Cedar 
county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred 
and sixty acres of land and engaged in farming, 
devoting his energies to the further cultivation 
and improvement of his property until his death, 
which occurred in 1865. His wife bore the 
maiden name of Mary Wesley and was born in 
Ontario, Canada, her father being Henry Wes- 
ley, a native of Pennsylvania. He was also a 
farmer by occupation and removed from the Key- 
stone state to the Dominion, where he lived until 
called to the home beyond. 

Dr. Minthorn of this review was the third 
child and eldest son in a family of two sons and 
five daughters. He obtained a common school 
education and then entered the Western College 
in Lynn county, Iowa, at the age of fifteen years. 
A year later he became a student in the Iowa 
State University, where he remained for a 
year, and when seventeen years of age 
he engaged in teaching school for one 
term, after which he again spent a year 
in the State University. In 1865, while still a 
student, he joined a company of college boys en- 
listing in the United States army as a member 
of Company D, Forty-fourth Iowa Volunteer In- 
fantry. The regiment was assigned to the de- 
partment of the Mississippi, with the Seventeenth 
Army Corps, under Gen. A. J. Smith and Colonel 
Henderson, and in November, 1865, Dr. Min- 
thorn received an honorable discharge. 

When the country no longer needed his services 
he returned to Iowa and again spent a short 
period in the State University, after which he 
entered upon educational work. He spent the 
year 1866 as a teacher in Polk county, and in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1243 



1867 secured a position in the schools of Cedar 
county, Iowa, where he remained for two years, 
when in 1869 he went to Michigan, where he fol- 
lowed his chosen pursuit for a year. He was 
afterward a teacher in Tennessee for three years 
and then, having determined to prepare for the 
practice of medicine, he entered the Miami Medi- 
cal College, of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he re- 
mained for a year. In 1873 he became a student 
in the medical department of the Iowa State 
University, in which he was graduated on March 
4, 1874, with the degree of M. D. After practic- 
ing for three years in Cedar county, Iowa, he 
entered the Jefferson Medical College at Phila- 
delphia, Pa., and the degree of M. D. was again 
conferred upon him at his graduation with the 
class of 1877. Through the two succeeding 
years he practiced with success in Cedar county, 
Iowa, and then entered the government service in 
the Indian department as agency physician of the 
Ponco agency, serving in that capacity for three 
years. In February, 1882, he was sent to Ore- 
gon to take charge of the Indian school at Forest 
Grove and in October, 1884, he was transferred 
to the Chilocco Indian School in Oklahoma ter- 
ritory, where he remained until September, 1885, 
acting as superintendent at that place. Again 
coming to Oregon, he located in Newberg, and 
took charge of the Friends Pacific Academy, 
which is now the Pacific College. For three 
years he was connected with that institution, 
serving as its superintendent, and in 1888 he re- 
moved to Salem, Ore., becoming an active factor 
in business affairs of that city as president of the 
Oregon Land Company and of the Salem Street 
Railway Company. After six years, however, he 
returned to Iowa in 1894, locating in Muscatine 
county, where he successfully engaged in the 
practice of medicine, served as county physician 
and also conducted the Muscatine Sanitarium. 
In 1896 Dr. Minthorn suffered an attack of lung 
fever and because of this he left Iowa and made 
his way to William Duncan's Mission, at Met- 
lakahtla, Alaska, where he continued for two 
years in the practice of his profession. 

In 1898 Dr. Minthorn again came to Oregon 
and entered a farm on Prune Ridge near Scott's 
Mills. He there lived for a year, going thence to 
Hot Lake, Ore., where he remained for two 
years and in connection with B. S. Cook he 
purchased the hot springs, erected a new hotel 
and bath-house and conducted a sanitarium, 
where they are located. This venture proved a 
prosperous one, and the sanitarium was not only 
conducted with success during two years, but at 
the end of that time was sold at a good profit. 
In 1901 the doctor went to California and pur- 
sued a course of study in the medical department 
of the Southern California University. He had 
taken a course on the diseases of children in the 



Post-Graduate Medical College in 1895, and in 
March, 1902, he came to Newberg, where he has 
since lived. After two months he went to New- 
port and built the Newport Beach ocean-water 
baths, returning then to Newberg and renting the 
office in which he is now located. He still, how- 
ever, owns the baths at Newport Beach, which is 
a fine summer resort. 

Dr. Minthorn was married in Iowa to Miss 
Laura E. Miles, who was born in Ohio, a daughter 
of Benjamin Miles, native of North Carolina, 
who followed the occupation of farming and was 
superintendent of an Indian school in the Osage 
Agency of the Indian Territory. Subsequently 
he removed to Iowa, where he was superintendent 
of White's Institute for many years. In 1886 he 
came to Oregon, where he embarked in farming, 
while at the time of his death he was also pres- 
ident of the Newberg bank. The home of Dr. 
and Mrs. Minthorn has been blessed with two 
children : Gertrude, who is now a student in the 
junior class of the Newberg College; and Mary, 
who is a member of the freshman class in the 
same institution. The family are members of the 
Friends Church, and the doctor is a stalwart 
Republican. He has served as postmaster at dif- 
ferent times and places, and also filled other 
local offices, and during President Cleveland's 
first administration he was appointed special 
agent for the allotment of lands to the Indians, 
acting in that capacity for four years, during 
which time he allotted the lands of the Warm 
Springs Agency, in Oregon. 

Dr. Minthorn has a wide acquaintance through- 
out this state and possesses many excellent qual- 
ities of heart and mind which have commended 
for him the good will and confidence of those 
with whom he has been associated. He has been 
successful in his business affairs and his labors, 
too, have been of benefit to his fellow-men. He 
was especially loyal as a representative of the 
government in dealing with the Indians, and in 
every relation in which he has been found he has 
ever been faithful and reliable. 



HON. JAMES MONROE SHELLEY, of 
whose life we propose to give a few salient facts 
interesting alike to his many friends and neigh- 
bors in Eugene, Ore., his present residence, is 
a mill-owner in that section and at the present 
writing is a prominent member of the legislature 
of Oregon. He is a splendid example of what 
a man may do by his own efforts when he has 
the brain and energy to improve opportunities. 
Mr. Shelley was born near Fairfield, Iowa, May 
22, 1843, is a son of Michael and Sena (Mays) 
Shelley and grandson of George D. Shelley. 

George D. Shelley removed from Kentucky 
to Jefferson county, Iowa, and engaged in agri- 



1244 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cultural pursuits. About 1852 he started to 
cross the plains with his family, but his health 
gave way and at the crossing of the Snake river 
he died from the effects of the hardships of the 
journey. His wife proceeded to the Willamette 
valley, and her death took place at Pleasant Hill, 
Ore. 

Michael Shelley, the father of James M. Shel- 
ley, was a Kentuckian by birth, but accompanied 
his parents to Iowa, and with his father farmed 
in Jefferson county. In 1848, in company with 
his wife and six children, he crossed the great 
plains with ox-teams to the far west, the trip 
consuming six months. About the middle of Sep- 
tember, he arrived in Lane county, Ore., coming 
by the Barlow route. Having friends who had 
previously located at Pleasant Hill, the family 
pursued their course thither, and took up a do- 
nation claim, amounting to six hundred and forty 
acres. This claim was partly bottom land and 
partly hill land, and was surveyed by himself 
in a crude way by compass and sun. 

Mr. Shelley built a rail house to shelter his 
family, and this was replaced a little later by a 
more substantial log house. The following year 
(1849), h e an d others were smitten with the 
"gold fever" and determined to go to California, 
but they became discouraged at Scottsburg and 
returned to their claims. In 1857 he went north 
to Monmouth, Polk county, and was so well 
pleased with that location that in 1861 he sold 
his farm in Lane county and bought a farm near 
Independence. This farm contained two hun- 
dred and thirty acres, and there Mr. Shelley fol- 
lowed farming until 1868. During that year he 
traded his farm for cattle in Yakima county, 
Wash., but this turned out to be a poor invest- 
ment, as the first winter was so severe that he 
lost nearly all. A few years later he returned 
to the Willamette valley. He almost reached 
the four-score years allotted to man. His de- 
mise took place in October, 1894, at the home 
of his eldest daughter, Mrs. Sitton, near Mc- 
Minnville, Ore. He was a modest, unassuming 
man and did much real good in his vicinity. He 
was for many years a member of the Christian 
Church, and assisted in organizing the first 
Christian Church at Pleasant Hill. He had 
previously lost his wife, she having died in 1861. 
This esteemed couple had a family of nine chil- 
dren, as follows: Mrs. Mary Sitton, of Yam- 
hill county ; Henry, who died in 1861 ; Ransom, 
who was accidentally killed in 1865 by the fall 
of a log from a house that was being built ; J. 
M., the subject of this writing; Troy, who re- 
sides in Hood River valley and is engaged in 
horticulture; Roswell, a merchant at Hood, 
river; Ellen E., now Mrs. John Summerville, of 
Edmonton, province of Alberta, Canada; R. L., 
who resides in Montesano, Wash.; and Mrs, 



Walter Huston, residing near Harrisburg, Ore. 
Hon. J. M. Shelley was but five years old when 
his parents crossed the plains to the Pacific slope. 
He was reared in the Willamette valley, his 
primary education being received in district 
schools. Later he took an advanced course in 
the Christian College at Monmouth, which he 
attended until eighteen years of age. Leaving 
school, he assisted his father on the farm until 
he reached his majority, and then engaged in 
merchandising. His career in mercantile life 
commenced in 1864, when he clerked for a short 
time at Independence, Ore. The same year he 
enlisted in the Union army as a member of Com- 
pany A, First Regiment, Oregon Volunteer In- 
fantry, being mustered into service at Salem, 
December 19, of the same year. His regiment 
was sent to Vancouver over winter and was then 
sent back to Yamhill county. Mr. Shelley rose 
to the grade of orderly sergeant. In the fall 
of 1865, the regiment crossed the new Santiam 
road over the Cascades and established Camp 
Pope, Crook county. May 24 of the following 
year Mr. Shelley left on a furlough. Returning 
by way of The Dalles he rejoined his company 
and was mustered out of service at Ft. Yamhill 
June 30, 1866. Returning home he re-engaged 
in clerking for several years at Independence, 
and in 1 871 embarked in business at Harrisburg, 
having purchased an interest in the general mer- 
chandise establishment of Smith, Brasfield & 
Co. In 1878 a branch store was established at 
Junction City with Mr. Shelley in charge, and 
he continued to be associated with that firm until 
1879. I n 1880 he was nominated and elected 
sheriff of Lane county, located at Eugene, and 
made an efficient public officer for that term. 
After a brief period again spent in clerking, in 
1885, he accepted a position as traveling sales- 
man in Oregon and Washington for Portland 
firms, and continued in that line of work for 
several years. In May, 1897, he purchased an 
interest in the Eugene Mill & Elevator Company, 
and his interests are still identified with that mill, 
which has been changed to Williams & Shelley, 
each "partner owning a half interest. The firm 
carries on a large and successful business. Their 
mill at Eugene has a capacity of fifty barrels per 
day and is run by water power. They have a 
large elevator in proximity to the mill and an- 
other at Coburg, and are among the most ex- 
tensive grain buyers in that section. 

Mr. Shelley has been married twice. His first 
wedding took place in 1874, when he was united 
with Lydia A. Baxter, a Missourian by birth. 
Some years later, Mr. Shelley was called upon 
to mourn the loss of his wife, who died at Eu- 
gene in 1884, leaving two children, Maud E., now 
a trained nurse in Portland ; and Walter J., a 
resident of Eugene. On January 26, 1898, he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPJIICAL RECORD. 



1245 



was joined in marriage with Mrs. Nancy (John- 
son) Applegate. A short review of Mrs. Shel- 
ley's life is given in the following sketch. Mr. 
Shelley has distinguished himself not only as an 
excellent business man, but as a public-spirited 
citizen, and for him nothing is more pleasant 
than the performance of some useful service for 
the community. He is blessed with exceptional 
talents and so takes a high place in society and 
politics. In his religious belief he is an influen- 
tial member of the Christian Church, which he 
joined more than forty years ago, and is a mem- 
ber of the board of deacons. Fraternally, he is 
allied with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and 
Post No. 7, Grand Army of the Republic, having 
served in official capacities in each. 

In 1902 Mr. Shelley was nominated on the 
Republican ticket and elected to the state legis- 
lature by a majority of six hundred and fifty 
votes. He was chosen chairman of the labor and 
industry committee, and was appointed a mem- 
ber of the ways and means committee. He has 
accomplished much good since his election, and 
has secured the passage of several important bills. 
He is the author of the Warehouse bill, which 
became a law after a hard fight, and secured the 
passage of a bill extending the Australian bal- 
lot law to cities of two thousand population, and 
has secured the passage of other bills equally im- 
portant. Mr. Shelley is a member of the State 
Pioneer Association and the State Historical So- 
ciety. He has placed himself in the first rank of 
the representative men of his section and his rec- 
ord as a public servant is above reproach. 



MRS. NANCY J. SHELLEY. This estima- 
ble lady is the beloved wife of Hon. J. M. Shel- 
ley, of Eugene, Ore., and is one of the most cul- 
tured and refined ladies in that vicinity. Her 
maiden name was Nancy Johnson, the daughter 
of Melchi and Delila (Ware) Johnson, and 
granddaughter of Samuel and Sarah (Rowland) 
Johnson. 

The Johnson family originally came from 
Kentucky, where Melchi Johnson was born in 
Warren county, April 17, 1807. In early man- 
hood he left his native state, and, journeying 
westward, settled for a time in Missouri, but 
later came to Oregon, where he settled perma- 
nently, in 1847. He crossed the plains by ox- 
team. He first went to McMinnsville in Yam- 
hill county, but soon afterward settled near 
Amity in the same county and followed agricul- 
tural pursuits there for an unbroken period of 
forty years. Late in life he removed to Yon- 
calla, Douglas county, where the last five years 
of his life were spent. His death took place 
July 14, 187.S. at the age of sixty-eight years. 

Mrs. Shelley's mother was a native of Ten- 



nessee, and her birth took place in Maury county, 
March 10, 1820. On December 28, 1834, while 
still in her fifteenth year, she was united in mar- 
riage with Melchi Johnson. She was a daughter 
of William and Elizabeth (Goodman) Ware, 
her father being an extensive planter in Tennes- 
see. Mrs. Johnson survived her husband many 
years and reached the age of eighty years, and 
died in Douglas county, Ore., in 1900. Both 
she and her husband were members of the Chris- 
tian Church. Of the ten children born to them, 
nine grew to maturity. Two sons and three 
daughters are still living. 

Mrs. Shelley was born near McMinnsville, 
Yamhill county, Ore., April 26, 1850, and is the 
next to the youngest daughter of her parents. 
She was reared in her native place and educated 
in Bethel College in Polk county. January ij, 
1869, she was united in marriage with Capt. 
Albert Applegate, who is deceased. Seven chil- 
dren blessed their union. They are : Mercy, 
now Mrs. Dudley Holland, of Boise City, Idaho ; 
Nellie, now Mrs. Arthur Pence, of Oakland, 
Ore. ; J. Grant, engineer on the Southern Pacific 
Railroad ; Charles F., a stockman at Yoncalla ; 
Lulu B., Lucy I. and Albert D. reside with their 
mother in Eugene. Capt. Albert Applegate was 
born December 6, 1843, at the old mission at 
Salem, Ore., and was the son of Charles Apple- 
gate, whose sketch is also found in this history. 
Captain Applegate was reared in Douglas 
county, and for a number of years was engaged 
in stock-raising and farming in Yoncalla. He 
was well known throughout that section of the 
state and gained considerable prominence as a 
successful stockman. He enlisted in Company 
K, First Regiment Oregon Volunteers, infantry, 
and was commissioned first lieutenant of his 
company, serving valiantly until the close of the 
Civil war. He was esteemed as a good citizen 
and his death was deplored. He died at his 
home in Yoncalla, March iq, 1888. 

Ten years after the death of Captain Apple- 
gate, his widow contracted a second matrimonial 
alliance, becoming the wife of Hon. J. M. Shel- 
ley, of Eugene, Ore. Mrs. .Shelley is promi- 
nently identified with a number of social organi- 
zations, and the family unite in worshipping at 
the Christian Church. She is a member of the 
Lewis & Clark Ladies Club of Eugene and af- 
filiates with the Eastern Star ; Women of Wood- 
craft ; Rebekahs and Native Daughters of Ore- 
gon. She is both a popular and useful member 
of society and has many amiable qualities of 
heart and mind. 



WILLIAM A. TAYLOR. Upon the site of 
the present modern countrv home of William A. 
Taylor stood formerly the little log house of two 
rooms erected by his pioneer father, William 



1246 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Taylor, and in which he, the son, was born Jan- 
uary 5, 1854. In all directions may be seen evi- 
dences of the handiwork of this rugged fore- 
runner of civilization, who traversed the plains 
in 1845, fearlessly braving dangers before which 
the stoutest of hearts might well quail. 

William Taylor was born in Virginia, but was 
reared on a farm in Franklin county, Mo., whither 
he was taken by his parents when two years of 
age. When a young man he married Mary A. 
Smith, daughter of James Smith, and forthwith 
went to farming on his own responsibility, two 
children being born to him in Missouri. In the 
spring of 1845 ne prepared to cross the plains, 
having heard much of the opportunities awaiting 
the industrious in the direction of the western 
sea. On the journey he was accompanied by his 
wife and two children, his father-in-law, Mr. 
Smith, and the latter's family, and no particular 
incident is recorded as interfering with the peace 
or safety of the hopeful travelers. Mr. Smith 
brought quite a drove of cattle with him, and the 
trip was accomplished in six months. At once 
Mr. Taylor located on a farm now occupied by his 
son, and which at that time comprised six hun- 
dred and forty acres of rich timber land, seven 
miles east of Salem. With his own hands he 
hewed the logs for the little two-room cabin, and 
prepared to make those entrusted to his care as 
comfortable as possible. He was not a man to 
idly wait for success to come his way, but was 
rather filled with that vitality and good judgment 
which impel the best effort. In those days he was 
strong and wonderfully enthusiastic, and one of 
his chief pleasures was shouldering a gun and 
going forth in search of game, in which the dis- 
trict abounded. As time went by his own im- 
mediate interests were allied with those of the 
whole neighborhood, and he was a stanch advo- 
cate of good roads, good schools, and good poli- 
tics. Roads in particular he believed necessary 
to the furtherance of all improvements, and he 
himself took an active part in laying them out 
and keeping them in order. Although not an 
office-seeker, he took a keen interest in Republi- 
can affairs, but was by no means slavish in his 
devotion to any one party. In time his land 
yielded abundant harvests, and cattle grazed in 
large numbers upon his fertile meadows. He 
was one of the most thrifty and prosperous of 
the early settlers, and all regarded him as a 
man to respect and follow. From 1845 until 
his death, March n, 1897, at the age of seventy- 
eight, he lived on the same farm, two years 
more than half a century being spent among 
the same surroundings. His first wife dying 
July 17, 1854, he afterward married Matilda 
Oswald, of which union there were born six 
children of whom Horace J. and Amos live at 
Macleay ; Bertha is the wife of James Wood- 



ruff of Portland ; Josie is the wife of Robert 
Craig; Alta is the wife of Augustus Bond of 
The Dalles; and Elden is living with his mother. 
Of the first marriage were born the following 
children : Sarah, the deceased wife of Thomas 
Jefferson, of Singleton, Douglas county, Ore. ; 
Mary A., widow of Thomas Baker of Oakland, 
Ore. ; Margaret is the wife of J. Howard Mor- 
ton, of Douglas county, Ore. ; Marion lives in 
Marion county, Ore. ; Andrew J. lives in Mill 
City, Ore.; George died in 1877; and William 
A., the subject oi this review. 

His mother dying when he was six weeks old, 
William A. Taylor was reared by his older sis- 
ters, and later by his step-mother. On the farm 
which is now his home almost his entire life has 
been spent. December 19, 1875, he was married 
to Rosa Hughes, who was born in Iowa, a 
daughter of John and Hannah Hughes, there- 
after continuing to live on the old farm, the 
management of which he undertook for a couple 
of years. Hoping to benefit by an entire change 
he removed to Umatilla county, Ore., and 
engaged in the sheep-raising business on Wil- 
low creek, living the while in a primitive log 
house of one room. The sheep business not 
proving very profitable, he sold his ranch and 
returned to the old homestead, "soon after pur- 
chasing of his father the one hundred and sixty 
acres which has since been his home. Of the 
eight children which have gladdened this pros- 
perous western couple 5 Walter is a turnkey at the 
state penitentiary ; Ada is the wife of Oral Jer- 
man, a farmer of Howell's Prairie. The other 
members of the family are Virgil, Earl, Edith, 
Myrtle, Fay and Alfred. 

Mr. Taylor is engaged in general farming 
a'nd stock-raising, and his property is as well 
equipped and improved as any in the county. 
He is practical and thrifty, having learned from 
his father the fundamental principles of success- 
ful agriculture. A Republican in politics, he 
takes an active interest in the welfare of his 
party, but aside from his service as a member 
of the school board, he has neither sought nor 
held political office. His interest in the cause 
of education, however, is very keen, and he has 
devoted no inconsiderable portion of his time 
to the promotion of that cause in his district. 
Remembering his own comparatively crude 
opportunities in this direction — his education 
having- been obtained in the little schoolhouse 
which stood on the site of the present town of 
Macleay — he has earnestly striven to improve 
the educational opportunities of the present gen- 
eration. Those who know him best have learned 
to appreciate his breadth of mind and splendid 
judgment. His integrity, his unselfishness, and 
his sincere desire to promote all worthy causes 
have never been brought into question. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1247 



JOHN SCHALLER. The blacksmith shop 
of John Schaller is one of the busiest centers of 
activity in the town of Willamina, and the genial 
and successful proprietor is one of its enterpris- 
ing' and popular citizens. Mr. Schaller is one 
of the many sons of Switzerland who have trans- 
ferred their allegiance to this side of the water, 
and like his countrymen in their own picturesque 
land, possessed thrift, economy and enterprise. 
He was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, Au- 
gust 4, 1854, and until his sixteenth year lived 
with his parents, who were farmers and stock- 
raisers by occupation. 

Arriving on American shores in 1870, Mr. 
Schaller settled with his parents in Bluffton, 
Allen county, Ohio, and there lived for six years, 
as in the old country, engaging in farming. In 
1876 he crossed the plains to Jackson county, 
Ore., where he began working at the blacksmith 
trade, and after completing his apprenticeship 
located in Howell Prairie, Marion county, for a 
year. He then lived for a couple of years in 
Salem, and for two years at the Grande Ronde 
Reservation, where he worked for the govern- 
ment. Mr. Schaller had by this time saved quite 
a little money, and with it started his present 
business in Willamina, a decision justified by his 
past and present success. Also he is engaged in 
making wagons, and for the past ten years has 
increased his revenue by handling farm imple- 
ments. 

The family of Mr. Schaller consists of his 
wife, who was formerly Josephine Pool, and five 
children, Ernest, Charles, Frank, Roy and 
Grace. Mr. Schaller is a Democrat in politics, 
and a stanch supporter of his party. His fitness 
for office has been recognized by his fellow towns- 
men, who have elected him to the positions of 
road supervisor and school director. 



PAUL FUNDMAN. The mercantile pres- 
tige of Willamina is being maintained in most 
creditable manner by the Paul Fundman Com- 
pany, purveyors to the town and county of gro- 
ceries, boots and shoes, hardware, flour and 
feed. This busy mercantile establishment is man- 
aged according to the most approved business 
methods, and the excellent quality of goods, tact 
and consideration on the part of the owner, and 
general air of progressiveness and obligingness, 
ensure to these worthy people a continuation of 
their present gratifying success. 

Paul Fundman, head of the company bearing 
his name, and one of the best known men of this 
vicinity, is a native of Switzerland, and was born 
January 10, 1864. He continued to live in his 
native land until about eighteen years of age, 
emigrating to America in the fall of 1882, and 



locating at Gervais, Ore., and remaining for one 
year. He was educated in the public schools 
of his native land, and at Engelburg College, 
being thus qualified beyond the average youth 
for the responsibilities of life. For four years in 
Oregon Mr. Fundman was identified with the 
Grande Ronde Indian School, and he thereafter 
lived on a ranch in Polk county for four years. 
For the following year he returned to the Indian 
school, and then engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness in Willamina in which he has since been 
engaged. For a number of years he was in part- 
nership with Mr. Kershaw, but the present firm 
name is already of long standing. 

In 1893 Mr. Fundman married Eva Gentry, 
and one child has been born of this union, Pauline. 
Mr. Fundman is a Democrat in politics, and for 
some time was postmaster of Willamina. He is 
a broad minded and liberal gentleman, and has 
to the fullest extent the confidence of all who 
know him. 



MATHEW ACHESON. As an example of 
what may be accomplished by perseverance and 
industry, regardless of early set-backs or want of 
opportunity, Mathew Acheson is entitled to spe- 
cial mention among the prosperous farmers and 
developers of Linn county. Educationally, mor- 
ally, and agriculturally, he takes foremost rank 
among the native sons of Muskingum county, 
Ohio, where he was born January 17, 1834, and 
where the early part of his life was passed. With 
his family he removed to the state of Iowa in 
1856, and, his father dying within a year, he 
went, in 1857, to Monroe county, Iowa, where 
he engaged in educational work. There he was 
married, in i860, to Lucinda Crawford, a native 
of Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1864 he removed 
to Washington county, Iowa, and farmed for 
three or four years, and afterward engaged in 
mercantile business in Ainsworth, Iowa, contin- 
uing the same until 1872. 

Leaving Ainsworth, Iowa, Mr. Acheson came 
to Oregon, and in Linn county purchased the 
right to one hundred and sixty acres of land 
three and a half miles northwest of Shedds, 
where he lives at the present time, and where he 
owns two hundred and twenty acres. From the 
standpoint of products raised he has one of the 
most diversified farms in the county, fifteen acres 
being under orchard, of which ten acres are 
prunes and the balance pears, apples and cherries. 
He carries on general farming and stock-raising, 
and has most complete and modern facilities for 
the prosecution of his many departments. A 
large frame building, adequate barns and out- 
houses, good fences and the finest of agricultural 
implements, complete an equipment which al- 
most any farmer, however ambitious, might envv. 



1248 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



A dryer of seventy bushels' capacity is taxed to 
its utmost during the busy season. 

Aside from the formality of casting his vote 
Mr. Acheson has never identified himself with 
politics. He has always taken an active interest 
in educational work, and he is one of the fore- 
most promoters of the United Presbyterian 
Church, of which he has been an elder for many 
years. George S. and Jennie B. (Acheson) Gaff, 
of Albany, the two oldest of the children in the 
Acheson home, were born in Iowa and accom- 
panied their parents across the plains. Bertha, 
Dawson, Wilbur B. and Mathew H. are all grad- 
uates of Albany College; John L. is a graduate 
of Princeton University, N. J. ; Irvin Ray is 
living with his father, and two children, who 
died, were born in Oregon. Mr. Acheson rep- 
resents the solid and substantial in work and 
citizenship, and the county has reason to be 
proud of his successful and meritorious career. 



FRANK JAMES CO AD. That typical and 
substantial pioneer, Samuel Coad, has richly en- 
dowed this part of the state, not only from the 
standpoint of his own achievements, but because 
he has transmitted to his sons those fundamental • 
characteristics everywhere regarded as upbuild- 
ing and reliable. Integrity is a human attribute 
which no one has ever questioned in those bear- 
ing the name of Coad, and Frank James Coad, 
owner and proprietor of a flourishing sash and 
door factory and planing mills at Dallas, pos- 
sesses to an unusual degree this desirable trait. 
He was born on his father's farm on the Peedee 
branch of the Luckiamute river, May 2, 1859, 
and was reared principally in Dallas, where his 
father conducted a drug store for many years, 
and where he is now living retired. Like his 
brother, C. G., another prominent citizen of Dal- 
las, and the present postmaster, he was educated 
in, the public schools, and at La Creole Academy, 
after which he spent the winter of '78-9 in 
Prineville, Ore., in the drug business. Return- 
ing to Dallas, he worked at the carpenter's and 
builder's trade for a year, and thereafter engaged 
in the livery business with D. N. Burns, under 
the firm name of Burns & Coad, for eighteen 
months. After disposing of the livery he was 
employed for a year in the bridge department 
of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company, 
at the time they had a lease on the old narrow 
gauge road. 

In 1883 Mr. Coad went into partnership with 
D. J. Riley in purchasing the old sash and door 
factory of J. M. Campbell, which at that time 
was a very small shop built in the old style in the 
eastern part of the town, and having a six-horse 
water-power. This plant they improved 
and fitted with modern machinery, and were so 



successful in their work that a new plant fol- 
lowed in 1885, located at the end of Mill street, 
and on an enlarged scale of one hundred and 
twenty-five horse-power.. The plant has all mod- 
ern machinery, and is run by both water and 
steam power, sash, doors, mouldings, and various 
builders' materials being turned out in large 
quantities. In the meantime the partners en- 
gaged in building and contracting in Dallas and 
vicinity, until 1895, when each department had 
assumed such large proportions it was deemed 
advisable to dissolve partnership, Mr. Riley 
thereafter devoting himself to contracting, and 
Mr. Coad to the management of the milling in- 
terests. 

In Dallas, in 1883, Mr. Coad married Jennie 
Lyons, who was born in Missouri, and who is 
the mother of one child, Hallie F. For his little 
family Mr. Coad has built one of the finest and 
most commodious residences in Dallas, where 
hospitality is dispensed unstintingly, and the ut- 
most good fellowship prevails. He has availed 
himself of other avenues of profit in the vicinity 
of the town, and has been especially successful 
as a raiser of Angora goats on a small ranch 
three miles north of Dallas. He has also been 
interested in prune culture. As a Republican 
he has taken an active interest in local affairs, 
and served one term as a member of the Dallas 
city council. Mr. Coad was one of the organizers 
of the Dallas volunteer fire department, as a 
charter member of the Terror Engine Company, 
of which he was foreman for several years. He 
selected the name " Terror " for the company. 
Mr. Coad is a member of the Board of Trade 
and the Chamber of Commerce, of the Polk 
County Mohair Association, the Native Sons of 
Oregon, and the Muscovites of Portland. Both 
himself and wife are identified with the Rebek- 
as, and he is a member and past noble grand 
of Friendship Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F. ; En- 
campment No. 20, of which he is past chief patri- 
arch, and the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. 



JACKSON A. BILYEU. With the excep- 
tion of the first year of his existence, which 
was spent in Crawford county, Mo., where he 
was born February 12, 1851, Jackson A. Bilyeu 
has been a resident of Oregon throughout his 
entire life, having crossed the plains in 1852, his 
parents, George W .and Jane (Reed) Bilyeu, 
seeking then a new home in the wilderness of 
the northwest. The father and mother were 
natives respectively of Tennessee and Missouri, 
to which latter state the father had removed at 
an early date, becoming a farmer in Crawford 
county, where he remained until 1852. With the 
customary ox-teams the family started across 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1249 



the plains, coming by way of the Platte river, 
over the old Barlow route, and after a journey 
of six months and ten days the father brought 
his wife and children into the wide acres of Ore- 
gon. He first located ten miles east of Scio, 
taking up a donation claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres along the banks of the Thomas 
creek, and engaged at once in farming. Some 
time after he bought three hundred and twenty 
acres, and in that location he passed the thirty- 
rive most active years of his life. At the close 
of that period he removed to Jordan valley, and 
became the owner of a grist mill there, which 
business he conducted for ten years. In 1890 
he once more changed his residence, locating 
then in Scio, Linn county, where he died Feb- 
ruary 6,. 1898, at the age of eighty-one years. 
Mrs. Bilyeu, now eighty-two years old, makes 
her home with a daughter near Halsey. 

Of the eight sons and seven daughters born 
to his parents Jackson A. Bilyeu is the sixth 
child. He was trained to an industrious life 
upon the paternal farm, becoming versed in 
the different lines of agriculture followed by 
his father, and also receiving a mental training 
in the common school in the vicinity of his 
home. In 1875, when he was twenty-four years 
old, Mr. Bilyeu engaged in farming for himself, 
soon making a purchase of one hundred and 
sixty acres of land, located four miles southwest 
of Scio, upon which he remained until 1879. In 
the last-named year he came to Scio and entered 
into the business life of this city, engaging in 
the livery and hotel business for several years, 
after which, in 1883, he again became inter- 
ested in agricultural pursuits, and thereafter for 
several years, he bought and sold land, his 
business sagacity enabling him to do this with 
profit. He first purchased near Scio two hun- 
dred and fourteen acres, and after selling it, 
in 1895 bought a farm of three hundred and 
fifty acres five miles east of the city. . This was 
disposed of in 1898, and he has since confined 
his operations to the city. He is now retired 
from the laborious duties of a farmer, but still 
finds much to occupy his time and attention, for, 
being popular with the Democratic party, of 
which he is an adherent, he is often called upon 
to serve in some official capacity. He is at 
present city marshal, and has also held the 
positions of deputy sheriff, for six years, con- 
stable several terms, councilman many times, 
and also acts as school director at the present 
time. In addition to loaning money he acts as 
president of the Scio Creamery Company, keep- 
ing well in touch with the commercial and indus- 
trial life of the city, owning property here to 
the extent of a brick business block and two 
residences. 

Mr. Bilyeu was married in Linn county, to 



Arena J. Terry, a native of that county, and 
the children born to them are six in number, 
and are as follows : C. C. ; Maud, at home ; 
Nellie, the wife of Lee Gunsaul, of Lebanon, 
Ore. ; Pearl, deceased, wife of F. Z. Jones ; Eva 
and Nita, both of whom are at home. Frater- 
nally Mr. Bilyeu affiliates with the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, and the Knights of 
Pythias, and religiously is a member of the 
Baptist Church. 



JOHN LARKIN. Few farmers have ap- 
plied themselves to their chosen occupation 
more conscientiously than has John Larkin, to 
whom his fields and meadows and implements 
and stock afford an unending source of interest 
and study. Since coming to his present farm 
near Brownsville in 1887 he has duplicated the 
success experienced in other parts of the state, 
and in general farming and stock-raising has 
realized his expectations to an unusual degree. 
Mr. Larkin is a native son of Huntingdon 
county, Pa., and was born June 6, 1829. In 
1832 his parents moved to Clark county, Ohio, 
and in 1843 went to Iowa, where the father 
bought land in Henry county. This farm and 
household were not unlike the average in the 
middle west, and, judging from the lives of the 
children who were trained there, industry and 
integrity were accounted virtues to be culti- 
vated and never lost. 

John Larkin worked hard in his youth, accum- 
ulating useful experience while following the 
plow and harrow, and as occasion offered studi- 
ously applying himself at the district school. 
March 10, 1853, he married Abigail Ritchie, a 
native of Warren county, 111., and in 1862 sought 
to better his prospects by removal to the west. 
In the meantime Mr. Larkin had prospered in 
farming, and not liking the idea of taking the 
long overland journey, he came by way of the 
Isthmus of Panama to San Francisco, and from 
there to Portland on another steamer. Near 
Brownsville, Ore., he rented a farm for six 
years, saved his money, and managed to gain 
quite a financial start. With the proceeds of his 
farming he bought a farm near Albany, lived 
thereon four years, and after selling out bought 
a hundred and sixty acres six miles northeast of 
Brownsville. For ten years Mr. Larkin farmed 
and raised stock, was very successful, and after 
that enjoyed a pleasurable relaxation by travel- 
ing around the west. During six summers he 
drove with a team and wagon through Oregon 
and Washington, in this independent and uncon- 
ventional manner seeing far more of the points 
of interest than is possible to the palace car 
tourist. It was his lasting satisfaction to meet 
many delightful and interesting people, and to 



1250 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



be received with the greatest courtesy by all 
with whom he had to do. These summers of 
travel stand forth in his mind with singular 
clearness and furnish the pleasantest recollec- 
tions of his life. Since living on his present farm 
he has taken an active interest in politics, having 
from early youth espoused the cause of the Re- 
publican party. He is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and in his every-day 
life lives up to its highest tenets. Mr. Larkin 
has the good will and confidence of his many 
neighbors and friends, and his life work is not 
so absorbing but that he is hospitably and char- 
itably inclined. 



ZIM HI N SHAW. On the banks of the 
Luckiamute, in one of the finest locations in 
Falls City, Zim Hinshaw has erected a modern 
residence which would be a credit to any city in 
the state. Here he is enjoying a partial respite 
from a very strenuous life, although engaged in 
the real estate business, and in overlooking a 
variety of personal interests. A native son of 
Oregon, he was born on the old claim on Mill 
creek, Douglas precinct, March 28, 185 1, and 
his entire life has been spent in this county. 
His father, Isaac, was born in the state of Ohio, 
removed therefrom to Indiana, and crossed the 
plains to Oregon in 1845. His journey was ac- 
complished with the time-honored ox-teams, 
and consumed the greater part of seven months. 
Locating in Kings valley he took up a donation 
claim, but sold the squatter's right and came to 
Mill creek, near Sheridan, where he took up 
a claim of six hundred and forty acres. In time 
he proved up on his land, cleared a considerable 
part, and died there in 1873, at the age of sixty- 
seven years. He was a man of great force of 
character, and some peculiarities, one of which 
was a decided reluctance to owe any man. He 
had a great memory, and was a well known poli- 
tician, although he never went further than a 
general support of Democracy, steadfastly de- 
clining to hold office. His father, Elias, was a 
farmer before him, and lived and died in the 
east. Isaac was twice married, and was the 
father of fifteen children, three being born of 
the first union. Of the twelve children in the 
last family, and born to Melissa (Buell) Hin- 
shaw, Zim is the oldest. Mrs. Hinshaw was 
born in Iowa, a daughter of Elias Buell, who 
crossed the plains in 1847, settling on Mill cree>k, 
Polk county. He was a millwright by trade, and 
ran a saw and grist mill on Mill creek for many 
years. 

In his youth Zim Hinshaw had but scant op- 
portunity " for acquiring an education, for the 
farm demanded the care of all of the children 
who were old enough to work on it. He lived 



at home until 1883, and that summer bought a 
quarter interest in the mill, which he afterward 
conducted for seven years. Then he sold and 
bought a farm of ninety-five acres two miles 
north of the old mill, where he farmed for about 
six years. This venture proved a losing one, 
for he put much of his land in hops, and lost 
all that he had and five hundred dollars more. 
In 1896 he took a homestead on the Siletz river 
in Polk county, and farmed on the one hundred 
and sixty acres until February, 1902. He then 
sold his farm and came to Falls City, where he 
has since engaged in the real estate business. 
In the meantime he has invested heavily in town 
and country property, and among other desirable 
possessions owns the Falls City Hotel, which he 
rents ; and the Falls City Saw Mill site, with its 
forty-foot falls, and horse-power of three hun- 
dred and fifty-six. He also built a two-story 
building, in which is a barber shop on the lower 
floor and his own office on the upper, and he 
owns quite a number of town lots, and has built 
a jewelry store 16x30 feet, ground dimensions. 
His efforts in the state of his birth have there- 
fore been of the practical and substantial kind, 
and have resulted in large financial returns. 

In Ballston, Polk county, Ore., Mr. Hinshaw 
married Mahala E. Syron, a native of the town, 
and daughter of Peter Syron. Mr. Syron is one 
of the pioneer blacksmiths of that town, and 
came to Oregon in 1852. Besides following his 
trade in Ballston he has overseen the manage- 
ment of a large farm near by, although his sev- 
enty-seven years entitle him to rest from active 
life at the present time. Five children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hinshaw, of whom 
William is a stock and hay-raiser of Rock 
creek, Polk county ; Mittie M. is the wife of A. 
G. Stewart, a stock-rancher of the vicinity of 
Gaston, Ore. ; Peter was accidentally shot while 
out hunting, January 4, 1902, and his death re- 
stilted ; Alta is living at home ; and Charles also 
is living with his parents. Mr. Hinshaw is in- 
dependent in politics, and is at present a- member 
of the city council. He is fraternally identified 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of 
Falls City ; Sheridan Lodge No. 64, A. F. & 
A. M. ; and Knights of the Maccabees of Falls 
City. With his family, he is a member of the 
Baptist Church. 



' ROBERT VITUS. The city wayfarer, weary 
of the nervous strain incident to extensive bus- 
iness operations, and longing to step into an at- 
mosphere of rest and homely usefulness, would 
realize his desires through a visit to the farm 
owned by Robert Vitus and his brother August. 
These enterprising and highly successful men 
own an ideal stock and grain farm of one thous- 




G^SU^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1253 



and acres three miles northeast of Springfield, 
which, for general appointments, for scientific 
and modern management and excellence, has 
few equals in this part of Oregon. The work 
of plowing and preparing for the seed six hun- 
dred acres of land can scarcely be appreciated 
by the average farmer, yet this is the amount 
devoted to small grains on the Vitus farm, the 
rest being used for a large stock-raising enter- 
prise. None but the finest of stock reach the 
markets from this farm, and here in their best 
development may be found registered Cotswold 
sheep, full-blooded Aberdeen Angus cattle and 
Poland-China hogs. One sheep alone yielded 
twenty-one pounds of wool. The brothers en- 
tertain the greatest liking for their chosen oc- 
cupation, and to them their fine animals offer 
a field of study of which they have never neglect- 
ed to avail themselves. Both are competent 
judges of fine stock, are men of high character 
and more than ordinary ability, and their asso- 
ciation with this county has been productive of a 
raised standard along agricultural and stock- 
raising lines. 

Robert Vitus was born in Philadelphia, Pa., 
July 19, 1861, and in his younger days had the 
advantages of the public schools of Springfield, 
111., and Missouri. With his father and brother 
he came to Oregon in 1878, and the three carried 
on business until 1900, when a division was 
made of their large property, the brothers there- 
after continuing alone. May 5, 1898, Mr. Vitus 
was united in marriage with Mary Kimmei, 
daughter of Peter Kimmei. He and his wife 
died in Germany, their native land. Three 
children have been added to the family, Robert 
August, John and Arthur Wilhelm. In politics 
Mr. Vitus is a Republican, but he has no po- 
litical aspirations. The friend of education and 
advancement, his work and character command 
the honest admiration of all who know him, 
and the circle of his friends and well-wishers is 
a large one. 



SAMUEL M. DOUGLAS. For proof of the 
statement that Samuel M. Douglas has one of 
the finest dairy farms in this part of the country 
one has only to seek out his farm, which lies 
along the Willamette river in Lane county, not 
far from Springfield and Eugene. He has spared 
neither time nor expense in placing his business 
on a substantial and reliable footing and his 
reward has come in the success which he has 
achieved and the reputation he has won as one 
of the progressive farmers of the Willamette 
valley. The milk for his dairy is furnished from 
Jersey cows, which until recently numbered one 
hundred, although he is reducing them con- 



tinually. He also carries on general farming, 
and in 1893-94-95 engaged in the manufacture of 
cheese. 

The birth of Mr. Douglas occurred in Henry 
county, Iowa, December 1, 1854. He was the 
son of Thomas Douglas, who was an own cousin 
of Stephen A. Douglas, while his mother, Lu- 
anda Hanks, was an own cousin of Abraham 
Lincoln. When S. M. Douglas was ten years 
old his parents crossed the plains with ox-teams, 
and after a journey of five months they arrived 
safely in California. The father located in 
Marysville, where his son remained until he 
was nineteen years old, and then with his father 
engaged in ranching, continuing in this line of 
endeavor for seven years. While so engaged he 
began the work of shearing sheep, etc., and after 
twelve years of this life he bought his father's 
ranch in Humboldt county, making that his 
home for five years, when, in 1887, he came to 
Oregon and bought his present farm. He first 
bought seven hundred and eleven acres located 
two miles east of Springfield, and now has nine 
hundred and fifty-two acres along the Willam- 
ette river, six hundred and forty of which is 
valley land, and rich in the fine grass of this 
region. He purchased this farm from Stephen 
Edwards and J. Goodman with the intention of 
entering the dairy business, and his faith in the 
value of the location has been justified with the 
passing years. 

Mr. Douglas was married in September, 1889, 
to Miss Florence Dale, of Humboldt county, 
Cal., and the representative of an old and dis- 
tinguished family. They have one daughter, 
Sadie, who is now twelve years old. The family 
home is in Eugene, at the corner of Fifth and 
Jefferson streets. In his political relations Mr. 
Douglas is an adherent of the principles of the 
Democratic party and held the office of school 
director several years. 



BERT ELLSWORTH EMERICK, A. M., 
B. D. A man of exceptional ability and of the 
highest character, refined and scholarly in his 
tastes, Prof. Bert E. Emerick is eminently quali- 
fied for the important position he is now filling 
as president of Philomath College, which is 
controlled by the liberal faction of the United 
Brethren Church. This institution, located in 
Philomath, Benton county, was founded in 1865 
by the Church of United Brethren in Christ, its 
aim being to place within the reach of every ear- 
nest young man and woman the advantages to be 
obtained by a thorough knowledge of the higher 
branches of learning, combining a Christian 
training with the intellectual. A son of the late 
Warren Emerick, Bert E. Emerick was born 



1254 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



near Sumner, Lawrence county, 111., July 7, 
1869. 

Warren Emerick, a native of New York state, 
was engaged in the crude oil business in West 
Virginia as a young man, but afterwards re- 
moved to Marquette county, Wis., where he 
worked as a tiller of the soil for a few years. 
Removing to Lawrence county, 111., in 1865, ne 
bought two hundred acres of land near Sumner, 
and was there successfully engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits until 1894. Dividing his estate 
in that year, he settled in Boise City, Idaho, 
where he was engaged in business with a brother 
until his death, in 1897, at the age of sixty- 
seven years. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Marcella Warner, was born in the east, and died 
in 1874, in Lawrence county, 111., aged thirty- 
three years. They were the parents of ten 
children, of whom six sons and three daughters 
grew to years of maturity, Bert Ellsworth be- 
ing the eighth child in succession of birth. 

Graduating from the Sumner, 111., high school 
in 1887, Mr. Emerick subsequently taught school 
two years. In 1888 he attended the National 
Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. He 
studied at the American Institute of Phrenology, 
taking a course that has since proved very bene- 
ficial to him in many ways, after which he 
entered college at Westfield, 111., from the col- 
legiate department of which he was graduated 
in 1895, receiving the degree of A. B. During 
one of his summer vacations, that of 1893, Mr. 
Emerick studied for three months at Moody's 
Bible Institute. 

Coming to Oregon in 1895 he accepted the 
position of President of Philomath College, in 
Philomath. From 1897 until 1899 ne was P as tor 
of the United Brethren Church in Philomath, 
at the same time being one of the faculty con- 
nected with the college. Desirous of continuing 
his studies, he then went to Dayton, Ohio, where 
he took a course in theology, in 1902 being 
graduated from the Union Biblical Seminary 
with the degree of B. D. Thus further equipped 
for his work, Mr. Emerick returned to Philo- 
math, and was immediately elected to his for- 
mer position as president of Philomath Col- 
lege, and teacher of languages and ethics. 

On October 15, 1895, Professor Emerick 
married Sadie M. Armentrout, who came to 
Oregon in 1895. She was born in Edgar county, 
111., near the town of Paris, January 22, 1867. 
Her father, William H. Armentrout, a native of 
Indiana, removed to Vermilion county, 111., when 
a young man and there worked as a plasterer 
and contractor for many years. He is now a 
resident of Westfield, 111. Professor and Mrs. 
Emerick have two children, namely: Zanana 
and Francis. Professor Emerick is a strong 



Prohibitionist in politics, and an active worker 
in party ranks. 

Philomath College has now, in 1903, one 
hundred and three pupils enrolled, the number 
of students increasing each year. During its 
earlier years of existence its usefulness was 
somewhat hampered by an indebtedness, but 
since freed from that encumbrance, in 1901, vari- 
ous needed improvements have been made, and 
the scope of its work visibly enlarged. With 
a superior normal course, classical, scientific and 
philosophical courses, pupils may be fitted in 
this institution for any desired position in life. 
The library, gymnasium, laboratory and museum 
are well equipped, and made of practical use to 
each pupil. There are two literary societies, 
the Philophronean for the young men, and the 
Zetegathean for the young women, and in addi- 
tion there are various Christian societies for the 
benefit of both sexes, and a Bible Normal Union, 
for those desirous of making special preparation 
for Christian work. The Board of Trustees is 
composed of men interested in advancing the 
educational interests of the county and the state, 
and the faculty and instructors are men and wo- 
men of broad culture and talent, keenly alive to 
the physical, mental and moral needs of the 
young men and women with whom they are 
brought in contact. Thus equipped this college 
is destined to become a strong force in the great 
northwest, elevating the standard of education 
and of morals. 



ELIAS STEWART. Claiming just distinc- 
tion among the fearless and self-sacrificing men 
who stepped boldly out of the peace and tran- 
quillity of a settled eastern community, Elias 
Stewart, who was born in Virginia September 
11, 1814, was rated as one of those who joined 
the innumerable caravan in 1852, and left the 
impress of his strong personality upon agricul- 
tural and other affairs in Lane county. Of an 
old Tennessee family long identified with farm- 
ing and stock-raising around Knoxville, he spent 
his earliest years on the farm of his father, 
Brison Stewart, the latter of whom established 
the family in Missouri at an early day. The 
elder Stewart spent the remainder of his life 
on a large Missouri farm, and after his death 
his son Elias maintained his excellent reputa- 
tion as a farmer and a man, in time becoming 
prominently connected with the region around 
Bolivar, Polk county, Mo. 

In Illinois Mr. Stewart married Eliza Eng- 
land, who was born in Tennessee, a daughter of 
John England, also a native of Tennessee. He 
then removed to Polk county, Mo., and in 1849 
moved to near Knoxville, Marion county, Iowa, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1255 



and from there, in 1849, started across the 
plains to California. Arriving in St. Joseph, 
Mo., later than he expected, and dreading a 
winter on the western prairies, he tarried in the 
.Missouri town, and engaged in teaming. May 
2. 1852, he carried out his western project, and 
with two wagons, four yoke of oxen to each 
wagon, his wife and six children, again set 
forth, this time full of renewed hope in the 
future, and with grim determination to succeed. 
Partially his plans were doomed to disappoint- 
ment, for at the North Platte river, about forty 
miles west of Fort Laramie, his wife was 
stricken with cholera, and died. Making a 
coffin from a wagon board, they paid heed to her 
last request, that they bury her deep. Disconso- 
late, the father pursued his way via the Barlow 
route, arriving at Foster's, in Clackamas county, 
Ore., August 30, 1852. Not satisfied with the 
prospects near by, he continued his way to the 
forks of the Willamette river in Lane county, 
and there took up a donation claim of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres, the land being as yet a 
stranger to plow or harrow. The building ability 
of the new arrival soon found expression in a 
plank house, and the hitherto barren prairie 
farm was started on an era of usefulness through 
the persuasive powers of a curry plow with a 
wooden mold-board. In 1855 Mr. Stewart traded 
his partially improved farm with C. Mul- 
ligan for two hundred and fifty acres of land 
adjoining Eugene on the southwest, subsequent 
additions increasing the size_ to two hundred and 
eighty acres, a portion of which is now em- 
bodied in Stewart's addition to Eugene, on the 
west. 

Earnest and industrious, and possessed of 
shrewd business ability, Mr. Stewart made a de- 
cided success of his life in the west, and for 
his painstaking efforts he left at the time of his 
death, April 24, 1898, a valuable and finely 
improved farm. He was honorable and upright 
in all of his dealings, and by no means confined 
his efforts to the limits of his large property. 
Education, morality and good government were 
stimulated by his support, and his aid was in- 
variably forthcoming for enterprises which had 
for their object the betterment of the com- 
munity. Of the children who were left mother- 
less on the plains, Joseph W. lives in Springfield, 
Lane county. Ore. ; John is a farmer of Lane 
countv ; Linnie Jane, deceased, was the wife of 
Mr. P. C. Nolan ; Mary M. is the wife of A. O. 
Stevens, of Eugene ; Martha A. is the wife of 
T. G. Hendricks ; and Elizabeth is the wife of 
Joseph Lucky, of Eugene. 



LOUIS E. BEAN. As a fine representative 
of the native-born citizens of Lane county, and 
a descendant of one of the prominent pioneers 



of this section of the state, Louis E. Bean, a ris- 
ing young attorney of Eugene, is well worthy 
of honorable notice in this biographical volume. 
He was born November 21, 1867, m Lane 
county, Ore., a son of Obadiah Roberts Bean. 
His grandfather, Robert Bean, was born and 
reared in Kentucky, but in early life became a 
pioneer settler of Clay county, Mo., where he 
was engaged in tilling the soil until his death. 
He reared a large family of children, several 
of whom came to Oregon as early settlers, 
namely : Obadiah R., the father of Louis E. ; 
Riley, who crossed the plains in 1845, died in 
Seattle, Wash. ; Napoleon died at McMinnville, 
Ore. ; David died in Portland, Ore. ; Robert is 
a resident of Siskiyou county, Cal. ; and Mrs. 
Susan F. Morris, of Eugene, Ore. 

A native of Liberty, Clay county, Mo., Oba- 
diah R. Bean was born February 2, 1832, and 
there reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1850 he 
made the journey across the plains with ox-teams 
to California, where he was engaged in mining 
for a year. Not pleased with the financial re- 
sults of his labors, he came to Oregon in 185 1, 
locating first in the Willamette valley, then in 
the Chehalem valley, in Yamhill county, where 
he was engaged in farming. In 1854 he set- 
tled in Lane county, living first at Grand 
Prairie and then on a farm about three miles 
from Junction City. In 1879 ne purchased a 
farm lying near Eugene, but subsequently dis- 
posed of that property and went to Mapleton, 
locating at the head of the tide, on the Siuslaw 
river, where he bought an improved Indian 
place, on which he was successfully engaged in 
general farming until his death, in 1890. He 
was a man of enterprise and influence, taking 
an active part in political, fraternal and religious 
matters, serving one term as county commis- 
sioner, belonging to the Masonic order, and be- 
ing a member of the Christian Church. On 
October 21, 1853, in Yamhill county, Obadiah 
R. Bean married Julia A. Sharp, who was born 
near Newmarket, Harrison county, Ohio, a 
daughter of John Sharp. Her grandfather, 
Peter Sharp, was a native of New Jersey, but 
removed to Ohio as a pioneer farmer, and there 
spent the remainder of his life. John Sharp, 
born in New Jersey, settled in Pennsylvania as 
a young man, but subsequently lived in Ohio 
for a few years. In 1849 ne started for Ore- 
gon, but on reaching Missouri purchased a farm 
in Jackson county, and resided there three 
years. On May 5, 1852, with his wife and seven 
children, six boys and one girl, he started with 
ox-teams across the plains, taking the Barlow 
route. Although he was hampered by sickness 
on the journey, was unfortunate enough to lose 
one of his teams, and was snowbound for a time, 
he arrived safely in Oregon City on November 



1256 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I, 1852. Spending the first winter in the Che- 
halem valley, he took up a ranch in Washington 
county in the spring, but the land proved worth- 
less, and he located on a farm at Grand Prairie, 
Lane county, in the fall of 1853. Subsequently 
selling out there he removed to Latham, Lane 
county, where he lived retired until his death, 
at the age of eighty-one years. He served as 
county commissioner one term. Mr. Sharp mar- 
ried Cornelia A. Hesser, who was born in Vir- 
ginia, and died, at the age of eighty years, in 
Oregon. Seven children blessed their union, 
namely : Joseph Sharp, a retired farmer, living 
at Latham, Ore. ; Julia A., now Mrs. O. R. 
Bean, who resides with her son, Louis E. Bean, 
in Eugene ; Addis, a resident of Idaho ; John, a 
farmer, living near Ellensburg, Wash. ; James, a 
horticulturist in Saticoy, Cal. ; Jolly, pastor of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Walla Walla, 
Wash. ; and Lewis, an attorney in San Francisco. 

Mr. and Mrs. Obadiah R. Bean became the 
parents of eleven children, namely : Robert S., 
judge of the supreme court of Oregon; James 
R., an express messenger on the Northern Pa- 
cific Railroad, running out from Portland ; John 
W., a prominent physician of Tacoma, Wash. ; 
Mrs. Emma A. Lucax, of Aberdeen, Wash. ; 
Joseph H., died in Bakersfield, Cal., in 1897; 
Edward A., bookkeeper for O. W. Hurd, at 
Florence, Ore. ; Louis E., the subject of this 
sketch ; Frederick C, living on the homestead 
at Mapleton ; Mary died when a year old ; Ches- 
ter O., a contractor at Aberdeen, Wash. ; and 
Estelle A., living at home. 

Brought up on a farm in Lane county, Louis 
E. Bean attended first the district school, then 
the University of Oregon, subsequently taking 
a business course at Holmes' Business College, 
in Portland. The following three years he was 
connected with the United States Fish Com- 
mission, having charge of the Mapleton Hatchery 
Station, on the Siuslaw river. While thus em- 
ployed he studied law, and after his admission 
to the bar, in 1898, began the practice of his 
profession at Eugene. Subsequently accepting 
the position of receiving clerk at the United 
States land office in Roseburg, Mr. Bean re- 
mained there until January, 1902, when he re- 
signed his position. Since that time he has been 
actively engaged as a lawyer, in Eugene, mak- 
ing a specialty of land and mining law, and has 
built up a large practice in this line, becoming 
an authority on all questions concerning land 
titles and deals. 

Fraternally Mr. Bean is a member of Spencer 
Butte Lodge, No. 9, I. O. O. F. ; of the Royal 
Arcanum; and Helmet Lodge, No. 33, Knights 
of Pythias. Politically he supports the princi- 
ples of the Republican party. 



MILTON T. AWBREY. The experiences 
which have been a part of the life of M. T. 
Awbrey have helped to form the character which 
has distinguished him as a citizen of this com- 
munity. For a quarter of a century he has been 
located in Eugene, Lane county, but preceding 
that his years were full of changes and vicissi- 
tudes. He now looks back to the time when 
Oregon was a wilderness and there was but a 
promise of what should come after years of un- 
remitting toil and effort on the part of those 
who bore the burdens for the sake of the re- 
ward. Mr. Awbrey has his reward in his own 
and the country's prosperity, and his declining 
years are filled with the peace which comes of 
work well done. 

M. T. Awbrey was the second of his father's 
family of twelve children, nine of whom at- 
tained maturity and four of whom are now liv- 
ing. He was born in Ray county, Mo., October 
24, 1830, his father being Dr. Thomas Nolan 
Awbrey. The latter was a native of Virginia, 
and while a resident of that state served in 
the war of 181 2. Upon deciding to emigrate 
to some western state, he first settled in Indiana, 
after which he removed to Ray county, Mo., 
and with the practice of medicine combined the 
interests of a stock business. Being a strong 
and influential Republican, the leaders of that 
party induced him to become a candidate for 
the state legislature, in which he served one 
term. At the breaking out of the Mexican 
war he offered his services at once, his patriot- 
ism being as strong as when he first took up 
arms for the country. Upon the declaration of 
peace Dr. Awbrey located in Polk county, Iowa, 
near the city of Des Moines, where he continued 
his combined interests, and in 1850 he crossed 
the plains to Oregon. His first winter here was 
spent in Clackamas county. In 1852 he took up 
a donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres in the forks of the Willamette river in 
Lane county, upon which he put valuable im- 
provements, while engaged in the pioneer prac- 
tice of medicine and surgery. The usefulness 
of his life was impaired at a comparatively 
early age, for he was stricken with paralysis 
and for twenty years remained an invalid. He 
died at the age of eighty-three years, his force 
of character and personality having won for 
him a position of prominence in the affairs of 
the state. For one term he represented his party 
in the state legislature of Oregon. Fraternally 
he was a Mason. He married Amelia Ann 
Grubbe, a native of Virginia, who died in Ore- 
gon in 1900, at the age of ninety-one years. 

Reared to manhood in Missouri, M. T. Aw- 
brey received a rather limited education in the 
primitive schools of the state, attending for three 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1257 



months each year a pioneer log schoolhouse. 
1 le was only seventeen years old at the time of 
the breaking out of the Mexican war, but the 
martial spirit was a part of his inheritance, and 
when his father and older brother, Marshall 
C, the latter of whom now lives in Crook coun- 
ty, Ore., and has since seen much fighting in the 
Indian wars here, decided to enlist, he also be- 
came a member of the same company. As mem- 
bers of Gilpin's Battalion they were sent after 
the Indians in Mexico and Texas, and had sev- 
eral severe encounters with the savages. They 
endured much exposure, Mr. Awbrey and two 
others sleeping out in the snow, as they had to 
guard a herd of cattle which furnished them 
beef. Fourteen months were passed in the 
service, and on his discharge he located with 
his parents in Iowa. He remained at home until 
he crossed the plains in 1850, driving a four- 
horse team, while his father had two wagons, 
a carriage and some loose stock. The journey 
occupied six months, and was made over the 
old Barlow route, their safe arrival occurring 
October 9, 1850, at Foster. He spent his 
first winter in Oregon City and Portland, vari- 
ously employed. In 185 1 he came to Lane 
county. From this place he went by pack- 
train to the mines of California, where he en- 
gaged in placer mining. This employment was 
continued for one year, with fair returns, after 
which he came back over the mountains and lo- 
cated a donation claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres seven miles northwest of Eugene. 
This was all wild land, which he proceeded to 
cultivate and improve, and make into a com- 
fortable home. Six years later he sold it and 
became the owner of a three hundred and forty- 
six acre farm near Irving, upon which he en- 
gaged in the cultivation of grain principally. 
In 1862 he went to the Salmon river and a year 
later took a pack-train to Cariboo, British Co- 
lumbia, in which venture he met with consid- 
erable success. In 1878 he removed to Eugene, 
and has since made that city his home. A 
brother of Mr. Awbrey's, Thomas J., now located 
in Texas, has also been identified with the 
early history of the state, taking part in the 
Indian wars, and being seriously wounded in 
the Rogue river war. 

Mr. Awbrey , was married in Lane county, 
August 31, 1856, to Frances Baker. She was 
born in Pike county, 111., and was fourteen years 
old when she came to Oregon with her parents, 
in 1853. Her father and grandfather, both 
bearing the name of Thomas, were natives of 
Virginia, and the elder man became an early 
settler of Kentucky, from which state the son 
emigrated to Illinois and with ox-teams crossed 
the plains in 1853. Mr. Baker settled in Lane 
county, near Irving, where he took up a dona- 



tion claim of three hundred and twenty acres, 
which he improved and farmed until he died, 
in 1856. His wife was Elizabeth Robison, also 
a native of Virginia, and she died in Oregon in 
1876. She was the mother of eleven children, 
ten of whom came to Oregon and three of 
whom are now living. The children born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Awbrey are six in number, of 
whom Oren C. is a dentist in Philadelphia ; 
Don Thomas, living in Cottage Grove ; Clara 
B., wife of John Withrow, of Eugene ; Etna 
E.j a farmer on the old home place ; Violet M., 
wife of W. J. Coppernoll, of Eugene; and 
Annie De Rene is still at home. Mrs. Awbrey 
is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. 
Awbrey adheres to the principles advocated in 
the platform of the Republican party. 



FRED LEROY KENT. One of the trite 
sayings of today is that the farmer of the future 
will live more by his head than his hands, and 
that with proper education he will make his 
work far more profitable and enjoyable. Spe- 
cialists in every branch pertaining to farm life 
are wisely directing the education of the young, 
and through the influence of the land grant act 
of 1862 each state is assured a College of Agri- 
culture and Mechanical Arts. The college since 
established in Oregon, at Corvallis, is well 
equipped, and its corps of instructors is com- 
posed of men and women amply fitted for the po- 
sitions they hold. At the head of the dairying 
department of the Oregon Agricultural College, 
is Professor Kent, who is also associate profes- 
sor of agriculture and dairying. 

The lineal descendant of one of three brothers 
who emigrated from old England to New Eng- 
land in colonial days, Professor Kent was 
born, June 25, 1868, at Ellenburg Center, N. Y. 
His grandfather was a farmer in Clinton county, 
N. Y., for many years, living the greater 
part of the time in Ellenburg Center, where 
his son, S. L. Kent, the professor's father, was 
born and brought up. S. L. Kent took part in 
the Civil war, serving as a corporal in the Sev- 
enteenth New York Infantry. A farmer by 
birth and breeding, he engaged in agricultural 
labor in his native state until 1869, when he 
removed to Calhoun county, Iowa, where, buy- 
ing a farm of four hundred and eighty acres, 
near Manson, he has since been prosperously en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising. He 
is quite prominent in public affairs, being now a 
county commissioner. He is a Republican in 
politics, a member of the G. A. R., and belongs 
to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He mar- 
ried Fannie M. Bishop, who was born in Clin- 
ton county, N. Y., a daughter of Thomas Bishop, 
a life-long resident of New York, and the de- 



1258 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



scendant of a New England family. Of the 
children born of their union, five survive, Fred 
Leroy, the oldest of these five boys, being the 
only one to come to the Pacific coast. 

Acquiring his rudimentary education in the 
district schools of Mjanson, Iowa, he subse- 
quently attended Taylor Academy, in the same 
town, after which he taught school three terms. 
Using the money thus earned to advance his 
education, he, in March, 1890, entered the Iowa 
State Agricultural College, at Ames, through 
which he worked his way by hard labor, acting 
as bookkeeper for the institution while there, and 
teaching school in Calhoun county during his va- 
cations. Receiving the degree of B. Agr. in 
November, 1893, he remained with the college 
as dairy instructor until 1895. Accepting then 
the position of instructor in dairying, since 
changed to that of professor of agriculture, at 
the Oregon Agricultural College, an office cre- 
ated in 1895, he came to Corvallis, and has since 
filled this chair with great credit to himself, and 
to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. 
Under his supervision, the department of which 
he has charge has become one of the most im- 
portant in the college, dairying at the experiment 
station being reduced to an exact science. He 
is widely known throughout Oregon, taking an 
active part in local and state institutes, like- 
wise being called upon frequently to do institute 
work in the adjoining state of Washington, and 
at the Creamery Operators' Association held in 
San Francisco, Cal., December 26 and 2.7, 1902, 
read a most interesting and instructive paper on 
the Use of the Acid Test in Butter-Making. 

Politically Professor Kent is a sound Repub- 
lican, and fraternally he is a member of Cor- 
vallis Grange, No. 242 ; of the State Dairy- 
men's Association, of which he has been secre- 
tary since 1896; and of Corvallis Lodge, No. 14, 
A. F. & A. M. 



PROF. EMILE FRANCIS PERNOT. In 
the curriculum of studies at the Oregon Agri- 
cultural College, at Corvallis, no branch of learn- 
ing is deemed of more importance to the students 
and to the general public, than that of bacteri- 
ology, and no member of the teaching force of 
that 'well known institution is better fitted for his 
particular line of work than Prof. E. F. Pernot, 
who is now filling the chair of that especial 
science in the college. 

Coming from French ancestors on both sides 
of the house, Emile F. Pernot was born, August 
30, 1859, in New York City. His father, A. D. 
Pernot, was born at Montbeliard, France, a son 
of Francois Pernot, an expert machinist, who 
emigrated to this country, and died in New York 
City. A. D. Pernot also excelled as a machinist, 



serving an apprenticeship in one of the best shops 
in France. After coming to this country he made 
practical use of his inventive genius, inventing 
a machine for turning the shanks on sewing ma- 
chine needles, and he was also the inventor of 
machines for making the other parts of the 
needle, which he was the first to successfully 
manufacture, making the first needles for Elias 
Howe, inventor of the sewing machine. He 
also had the distinction of being the first to in- 
vent machines in Europe for rifling cannons. 
About 1866 he removed to Bowling Green, Wood 
county, Ohio, where he engaged in general farm- 
ing until about a year prior to his death, which 
occurred in New York City. He married Emily 
Boissard, a native of France, and she is now 
residing in Corvallis, Ore. Of the children born 
of their union five grew to years of maturity, one 
of whom, Lucy, died in 1901. Those now living 
are as follows : Eugene, a horticulturist, living 
near Corvallis ; Charles, a horticulturist, resid- 
ing in Corvallis ; Emile F., the subject of this 
sketch ; and H. S. Pernot, M. D., who was grad- 
uated from Cincinnati Medical College, and from 
Bellevue Hospital, N. Y., and is now one of 
the leading physicians of Corvallis. 

Removing with his parents to Bowling Green, 
Ohio, when about seven years old, Emile F. 
Pernot acquired the rudiments of his education 
in its public schools, remaining there until seven- 
teen years of age. Going then to Philadelphia 
in search of work, he subsequently studied 
bacteriology under Dr. Pearson, an eminent 
authority in that science. Returning home on a 
visit some time after, during the early develop- 
ment of the oil interests in Ohio, he was stricken 
with the oil fever, and, in company with his 
brother Charles, was one of the pioneers in de- 
veloping the oil resources of the Black Swamp, 
in Wood county, meeting with great success. 
Leasing and operating the first well sunk in that 
region, 600 barrels per day of oil was the out- 
put, and in the second well the daily output was 
3,000 barrels. 

On account of ill health, Mr. Pernot came to 
Oregon in 1889, locating in Corvallis as a 
photographer, and a member of the firm of Per- 
not Brothers, his brother Eugene being his 
partner. In 1890 Mr. Pernot was appointed 
photographer and engraver at the Oregon Agri- 
cultural College, and in 1896 was made professor 
of bacteriology, a position that he still holds. 
The office of state bacteriologist being created by 
the state legislature, Professor Pernot was ap- 
pointed to the position, for a term of four years, 
by Governor Geer, and he is also serving as 
bacteriologist at the experiment station of the 
college. The professor spent two years in 
Washington, D. C, in the bureau of animal in- 
dustry, department of agriculture. Particularly 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1259 



interested in his work, the professor prepares 
reports and issues bulletins, and is highly spoken 
of by John R. Mohler, chief of the pathological 
division, in his reports to headquarters. 

Professor Pernot married, in Corvallis, Miss 
Edith Coote, daughter of Prof. George Coote, 
one of the faculty of the Oregon Agricultural 
College, and they have two children, namely : 
Ainiee and Mabel. The professor is a Democrat 
in politics, has been a Knight of Pythias for 
several years, and is a member of the Episcopal 
Church, in which he is serving as junior warden. 



SILAS L. SHEDD. Among the early edu- 
cators of Oregon is to be named S. L. Shedd, 
who for about ten years after his arrival in this 
state, taught in the public schools, adding to the 
income so acquired by also engaging in farming. 
That his years of perseverance and industry were 
not unavailing is evidenced by the fact that he 
is now numbered among the substantial financial 
people of this community, making one in a 
long list of men who came to the west empty- 
handed and amassed a fortune through a right 
and wise use of the multifold opportunities here 
presented. Mr. and Mrs. Shedd now make 
their home in Corvallis, the latter also being a 
very old settler, having lived in this one house 
since 1859. 

The ancestors of S. L. Shedd were natives of 
Xew Hampshire, the grandfather, Silas, of Eng- 
lish descent, engaging in farming in that state, 
where his death occurred. The father, William 
Shedd, was born in Xew Hampshire, and was 
there reared to the same life which had occu- 
pied the years of his father. On attaining man- 
hood he married Abigail Wallace, a native of 
the same state, and a daughter of Jonas Wallace, 
who was also a farmer. In 1870 they removed 
to Oneida, Knox county, 111., where the father 
died in 1875, while the mother passed away in 
1894 in McLean county. The children born 
to them were nine in number, seven of whom are 
still living, being given in order of birth as 
follows : Mary Emmeline. now Mrs. Graves, of 
Evanston, 111. : S. L., of this review ; William 
W.. a farmer in Fairbury, 111. : Herman, who was 
killed in the Civil war, being wounded in the bat- 
tle of Fairoaks as a member of the Second Xew 
Hampshire Regiment ; Wallace, a farmer in 
Rensselaer. Ind. : Spaulding, also in that loca- 
tion : Edwin N., a miner of Lewiston, Cal. : and 
John G.. a member of the firm of Marshall 
Field & Co., of Chicago. 

S. L. Shedd was born in Greenfield. N. H.. 
September 12, 1832, and was reared in that 
state, receiving through the medium of the com- 
mon schools a good education which he began to 
practically utilize at the age of eighteen years, 



engaging then as a teacher. In 1857 ne came 
to Illinois and in connection with his work as a 
pedagogue he improved a farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres. He left the middle west, com- 
ing by horse-team to Oregon in 1862, over the 
old Oregon trail, the journey occupying the 
months from April 30 to September 7. On ar- 
riving in Corvallis he at once sought employ- 
ment as a teacher, continuing for about ten 
years, and carrying on agricultural pursuits at 
the same time. His principal occupation now, 
however, is the handling of real estate and the 
loaning of money. 

The marriage of Mr. Shedd occurred Xov em- 
ber 12, 1865, in Corvallis, uniting him with Mrs. 
Precious (Starr) Caton, a native of Licking 
county, Ohio. She was the daughter of the 
Rev. J. W. Starr, who was born in Allegany 
county, Md., the son of James. Her father early 
removed to Licking county, Ohio, where he en- 
gaged in farming, in 1839 settling in Van 
Buren county, Iowa, and from there emigrating 
in 1848 to Oregon, bringing his wife, three 
daughters and four sons. He located near Bell- 
fountain, Benton county, where he took up a 
donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, 
upon which he remained until his death in his 
seventy-fifth year. He was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, giving much ma- 
terial aid in the establishment of a congregation 
at this place. Mr. Starr had been married twice, 
his second wife being Eliza A. Lucas, a native of 
Montgomery county, Md., and a daughter of 
Amos, who died in that state. Mrs. Starr died 
in Oregon at the age of eighty-three years. The 
children born of the first union of Mr. Starr are 
as follows : Nancy, now Mrs. Belknap, of Read- 
ing, Cal.; James M. died in Iowa; John W. 
came to Oregon in 1853 an< ^ resides in Junc- 
tion, Ore. ; P. M. was a minister in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and died in Brownsville, Linn 
county, Ore. ; Moses F.. a soldier in an Ohio 
regiment during the Civil war, was taken pris- 
oner at the battle of Fitchburg, sent to Ander- 
sonville prison stockade, and there endured the 
agonies of slow starvation until his death. Of 
the second union nine children were born, eight 
of whom are now living, the eldest being Prec- 
ious, now Mrs. Shedd : Matilda J., now de- 
ceased ; Samuel Emery, located in eastern Ore- 
gon : Milton L., on the old homestead: L. H., 
in Albany : Eliza, now Mrs. Burlingame. of 
Yamhill county : S. C, near the old home : A. 
P., on the old home : and Mary Emmeline, now 
Mrs. Thorp, also in the vicinity of her child- 
hood's home. Mrs. Shedd was reared in Iowa, 
receiving her education in a pioneer log school- 
house, and in 1848 she made the memorable trip 
across the plains by ox-teams and two wagons, 
starting April 12, over the old Barlow trail. 



1260 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



They came by Ft. Hall and Laramie, landing 
in Oregon September 23 of the same year in 
which they started, being among the first immi- 
grants to reach Oregon after the Cayuse war. 
The first husband of Mrs. Shedd was J. H. 
Caton, a native of Missouri, and a representative 
of the Kentucky family by that name, who came 
to Oregon in 1843 m company with the Apple- 
gates, Whitman and Nesmith. He took up a 
donation claim near Bellfountain, and in 1859 
he bought property in Corvallis, to which city 
he removed. He died in eastern Oregon in 
1863 while there looking after his cattle interests. 
Mrs. Shedd and the two living children still 
own -the three hundred and twenty acres em- 
bodied in the donation claim. Mrs. Shedd has 
had six children, four of whom attained ma- 
turity : Sabina D. and J. W. died in this city; 
Ida M. is Mrs. Fortson, of Sacramento, Cal. ; 
and J. L. is on the old donation claim. 

Mr. Shedd was made a member of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows in 1871, in which 
he has served as past officer. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Rebekahs, and the Corvallis Grange, 
in which he is ex-master. His wife is a member 
of the Rebekahs and has acted as past officer, 
and also belongs to the Coffee Club, and to the 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Shedd is a Repub- 
lican politically. Several interesting trips have 
been made back east by Mr. and Mrs. Shedd, 
her first being in 1856 in company with Mr. Ca- 
ton, going via Panama and returning the same 
way the next year. In 1878 Mr. Shedd took the 
trip, visiting the scenes of his birth and child- 
hood, and in 1893 the two enjoyed the pleasure 
of considerable time spent at the World's Fair 
at Chicago. 



WILLIAM A. BUCHANAN is now serving 
his fourth term as county treasurer of Benton 
county, a fact which stands in incontrovertible 
evidence of his efficiency in the office, his prompt- 
ness in the discharge of his duties and his loyalty 
to the trust reposed in him. He is one of the na- 
tive sons of Benton county, his birth having oc- 
curred about ten miles south of Corvallis, on the 
1 8th of October, 1858. He is a son of Robert L. 
Buchanan, who was born in England of Scotch 
descent. The paternal grandfather, Andrew, 
was a native of Scotland, and with his wife came 
to America from England with his son Robert L. 
He followed farming throughout almost his en- 
tire life, and died in Benton county, Ore. Robert 
L. Buchanan was reared as a farmer lad, but 
afterward learned the dry goods business. Com- 
ing to the United States he landed in New York 
City, where he was connected with the dry goods 
trade until after the discovery of gold in Cali- 
fornia, when, in 1849, he joined the argonauts 



who went to the Pacific coast in search of the 
golden fleece. He was engaged in mining in Cal- 
ifornia until 1853, when he made an overland trip 
to Oregon, settling in Benton county, where he 
secured a claim which he afterward sold. He 
then purchased a farm, upon a part of which he 
still resides. In 1855 he returned to England, 
and was married in that country to Miss Jane 
Galbraith, a native of that land. She is still 
living with her husband in this county, and they 
are now numbered among the honored pioneer 
settlers. After his marriage he brought his bride, 
his parents, two brothers and two sisters to the 
new world. He continued to reside upon his 
farm, giving to it his care and attention, and in 
the work of improvement and progress he has 
been a leader and is now the owner of a valuable 
property. He belongs to the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church South and is accounted one of the 
prosperous and leading agriculturists of this sec- 
tion of Oregon. Unto him and his wife were 
born the following named : Mary, who is living 
in Benton county; Mrs. Jane Currin, of Corval- 
lis ; Mrs. Katie Veach, of Lane county, Ore. ; 
William, of this review ; Andrew, who is living 
in New York City, where he is engaged in the 
drug business ; Robert, who died about thirteen 
years ago in Benton county ; John, of Benton 
county, and Arthur, who is living on the old 
homestead. 

William A. Buchanan obtained his early edu- 
cation in the district schools and afterward spent 
two years as a student in the Agricultural Col- 
lege of Corvallis. He then went to work upon 
the home farm, where he remained for a year, 
after which he was married and engaged in farm- 
ing on his own account, six miles southwest of 
this city. He there carried on agricultural pur- 
suits for six years. After he had lived there for 
five years he lost his right arm by the bursting 
of a wood-saw. For a year longer he remained 
upon the farm, and then removed to Linn county, 
where he continued farming for two years, but 
he found that his efforts were much hampered 
by the loss of his right arm, and he determined 
to abandon agricultural pursuits. Therefore, on 
October 7, 1892, he took up his abode in Corval- 
lis, where for a few years he operated a small 
dairy. In 1894 he was nominated on the Demo- 
cratic ticket to fill the office of country treasurer, 
but was defeated by fifty-one votes. In July, 
1894, he was appointed deputy county recorder 
and served in that position until 1896, when, in 
June, he was again nominated by the Democratic 
party for the position of county treasurer and 
was elected by a majority of eighteen. In July 
he entered upon the duties of the office, and, _ in 
1898, he was renominated and elected by an in- 
creased majority of eighty. In 1900 he was_ again 
the party's candidate, and this time was given a 






rORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1263 



majority of two hundred and eighty. At the 
fourth election, in 1902, he received a majority of 
two hundred and forty. His official service is 
most commendable, for he has ever been found 
methodical and accurate in the discharge of his 
duties, fully meeting the trust reposed in him in 
every particular. He is now also serving as 
school clerk of his district, having filled the office 
continuously since March, 1896, with the excep- 
tion of two years. 

In Linn county, Ore., Mr. Buchanan was 
united in marriage to Miss Nettie Willbanks, 
who was born in Mississippi, a daughter of W. 
J. Willbanks, now a retired farmer residing in 
Corvallis. Mr. Buchanan is connected with the 
Woodmen of the World, and he belongs to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which he 
takes a very active part, doing all in his power to 
promote the cause of Christianity. He is now 
serving as one of the trustees of the church. Mr. 
Buchanan deserves great credit for what he has 
accomplished. After losing his right arm he had 
to learn to write with his left hand, and says it 
was the hardest thing which he ever tried to do, 
but he finally mastered the task to which he set 
himself, and now is a fine penman, using the 
Spencerian system. He is well liked and very 
popular and the circle of his friends is almost 
co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance. 



JUDGE HARRISON RITTENHOUSE 
KINCAID. Prominent among the citizens of 
Eugene, Lane county, Judge H. R. Kincaid is 
named as a representative of all that is sub- 
stantial and progressive in the community, and 
is given the credit which belongs to one who has 
been named among the pioneers of a state. He 
is, and forty years has been, identified with the 
Oregon State Journal, the oldest weekly news- 
paper in Oregon owned by one party, and in ad- 
dition to the duties which the management of 
this paper entails, has taken an active part in 
all public affairs, in connection with the advance- 
ment of his own prosperity aiding in that of the 
general community, and indeed making his in- 
fluence felt throughout the entire state. What 
he is, and what he has done, have become mat- 
ters which properly belong to the history of the 
early days, since through his own, and like 
efforts of others, has come the greatness of Ore- 
gon. 

The Kincaid family is of Scotch-Irish ances- 
try, the first American representative locating in 
Virginia, where the grandfather, Francis, was 
born, and from which state he brought his fam- 
ily to Madison county, Ind. As a pioneer he be- 
came a farmer in that state. His son, Thomas 
Kincaid, the father of the Judge, was born in 
Greenbrier county, Va., and was seventeen years 



old when he went with his father to Indiana. 
In addition to his training as a farmer he learned 
the trade of a blacksmith, the two forming his 
means of livelihood throughout his entire life. 
A beautiful talent which brightened his life and 
added pleasure to the lives of all with whom 
he came in contact, was his musical ability, the 
instrument which he learned to play being the 
violin. Being a progressive and active man he 
took great interest in the movements of the day, 
local and national, and while a resident of In- 
diana he became captain of a company of state 
militia. He also performed every duty which 
came to him as a citizen, upholding the inter- 
ests of the Republican party, of which he was 
an adherent; a strong Abolitionist, his convic- 
tions lay with the principles which dictated the 
course of action followed by this party, and 
when the Whigs were merged with the Repub- 
licans he remained with them, and was a Repub- 
lican throughout his life. Inheriting the pioneer 
spirit which had distinguished his ancestors, he 
early anticipated becoming a part of some newer, 
western state, deciding first to locate in Texas. 
While en route to that state he met, in St. Louis, 
a friend who advised him rather to settle in 
Iowa, whereupon • he located in Appanoose 
county, that state, and spent the winter, the 
rigors of which added to his previous desire to 
reside in Texas. In April, 1845, ne set out once 
more for the south, but in Van Buren county 
he met so many who were returning that he 
became discouraged, and located instead in St. 
Francis, Ark., where he passed the winter. 
After a short sojourn in Memphis he returned 
to Madison county, Ind.. and remained in his 
old home until 1853. In that year he brought 
his family across the plains and settled on a 
farm three miles southeast of Eugene, Lane 
county, Ore., thus becoming a pioneer of this 
western state. He made his home upon that 
farm until he became an inmate of his son's 
home, where he died in 1865, at the age of sixty- 
five years. He married Nancy Chodrick, a na- 
tive of Butler county, Ohio, and the daughter of 
Peter Chodrick, who settled in Indiana and made 
his home in that state for the remainder of his 
life. Mrs. Kincaid now makes her home in 
Eugene, at the age of eighty-seven years. 

Of the seven children born to his parents. 
Judge Kincaid is the oldest, and one of two 
who are still living. He was born in Madison 
county, Ind., January 3, 1836, and was reared 
on his father's farm, his education being derived 
from an attendance at the district school in the 
vicinity of his home. He was but seventeen 
years old when he became a pioneer, as a mem- 
ber of his father's family crossing the plains 
with ox-teams, one of which he drove from In- 
diana to the Willamette valley. The trip was 



1264 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fraught with the usual trials and dangers. Leav- 
ing Indiana in February they crossed the Mis- 
sissippi river on the ice, from the city of Bur- 
lington journeying across Iowa to the Missouri 
river, which they crossed at a point nine miles 
below Omaha. Their journey was interrupted 
for a time, while they waited for the grass to 
grow to furnish provender for their stock, when 
they once more set out, taking the Barlow route 
for Oregon. Not a house occupied the present 
site of Omaha, nor did they see any on the way, 
the first signs of habitation being at Foster, 
twelve miles from Oregon City, where they 
arrived September 29, 1853, reaching Lane 
county October 1 1. Judge Kincaid remained at 
home for about two years, during which time 
he assisted in the improvement and cultivation 
of his father's farm during the winters, while 
the summers found him employed by Isaac and 
Elias Briggs in digging a mill race at what is 
now Springfield. In 1855 he bought a pony and 
miner's outfit and set out for the Rogue river 
mines. In the placer mines on Althouse creek 
the Indians became troublesome, and, taking the 
miners unawares, killed several before the 
others saw the necessity of preparing for war- 
fare. They put up a fort in that location and 
for several weeks were compelled to live on the 
defensive. Seeing no further chance for mining, 
Judge Kincaid and his partner started for Cres- 
cent City, Cal., where they remained until spring, 
earning their livelihood by chopping cord-wood 
and splitting rails. In the spring of 1856 Judge 
Kincaid went on the steamer Goliah as a steer- 
age passenger to San Francisco, where he was 
engaged for a few weeks in erecting a plank 
fence in the city. He then went by steamer to 
Sacramento, walked from there to Folsom City, 
and was soon at work in the mines on the Amer- 
ican river, near Auburn, where he remained 
until the water dried up. Locating then in 
Marysville, he worked in the stables of an ex- 
press company, after which he found employ- 
ment with Matthew Sparks, upon his ranch on 
Bear river. Mr. Sparks afterward sold his 
property and Judge Kincaid went with him to 
Colusa county, and was there engaged in the 
making of rails for his employer. The follow- 
ing summer he engaged in freighting in the 
mountains. It was the same year that he de- 
cided to return to Oregon, and leaving his out- 
fit, valued at about $500, for which he never re- 
ceived any return, he went to San Francisco, 
and embarked for Portland. From the latter 
city he journeyed to Corvallis, and from there 
walked to Eugene, practically again at the be- 
ginning of his career. 

The first work which Judge Kincaid did in 
Oregon was cutting logs, which he hauled to 
the mijl-race, and had them sawed on shares, 



using the lumber to build his house, he having 
purchased six acres of land in the southern part 
of Eugene before going to California. As an- 
other means of livelihood he also burned char- 
coal and sold it to the blacksmiths in Eugene. 
Having accumulated a small amount of money 
he decided to attend school for one winter. In 
Columbia College he was a member of a class 
which boasted many eminent men, among them 
being C. H. Miller, now Joaquin Miller; the 
late Judge Watson ; John Miller, D. D. S,' a 
brother of Joaquin Miller ; Joseph D. Matlock ; 
Judge J. J. Walton and Jefferson Blevins. At 
that time B. J. Pengra was conducting the 
People's Press, and the year being i860, when 
the entire Union was shaken with the questions 
which were then assailing it ; much was written 
on the subject. The Herald, a Democratic 
paper, and strong for secession, published many 
articles written by President Ryan, of Columbia 
College, all appearing under the pen name of 
Vindex. After much persuasion on the part of 
friends, Judge Kincaid was induced to answer 
them through Mr. Pengra's paper, four articles 
appearing under the name of Anti-Vindex. Presi- 
dent Ryan ascribed the articles to Mr. Pengra, 
and in an assault attempted to kill him, after 
which he escaped to Virginia and entered the 
Confederate army. The affair broke up Colum- 
bia College. This was the beginning of the 
newspaper career of Judge Kincaid, the next 
summer finding him on the staff of the People's 
Press, the leading Republican paper of the state. 
Pengra was nominated for presidential elector, 
and while engaged in campaigning left the judge 
to learn printing. The press work and nearly 
all of the writing was done by Judge Kincaid 
during the campaign of i860. A short time 
afterward he gave up this work and for two 
summers was engaged in packing to Canon City, 
after which he again became identified with edi- 
torial work. For a short time he worked on 
the State Republican, the Union Crusader, and 
Copperhead Killer, the latter edited by A. C. Ed- 
munds, who wrote principally upon religious 
subjects, while the judge wrote upon political 
issues. A year later the judge and Joel Ware 
bought this paper, and changed the name to the 
Oregon State Journal. Beginning March 12, 
1864, the two were associated for one year, when 
Mr. Ware sold out to Judge Kincaid, who has 
since successfully and ably managed the affairs 
of the paper, holding the tone to the highest 
possible standard. 

Politically, no man has exercised more influ- 
ence than Judge Kincaid, for he has proven 
himself one of the strong and reliable men of 
his party, and as such has won the commenda- 
tion of leaders. He has always been a stanch 
Republican, and in 1896 joined the ranks of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1265 



Silver Republicans, in entire sympathy with 
whom he has since remained. When the Re- 
publican state convention met in Portland, April 
~. 1870, all the nominations were made speedily 
and by acclamation — except that for state printer, 
for which Henry L. Pittock, of the Oregcmian, 
Henry Denlinger, of the Oregon Statesman, and 
D. M. C. Gault were active candidates. The 
friends of Judge Kincaid, who was then a clerk 
in the United States Senate, three thousand 
miles away, and was not a candidate, used his 
name. Judge Kincaid was nominated on the fifth 
ballot, which stood as follows: Kincaid, 109; 
Denlinger, 76; Pettock, 11. The nomination 
was then made unanimous and Judge Kincaid 
returned from Washington to conduct the cam- 
paign. In 1894 he was elected secretary of state 
on the Republican ticket, serving from January, 
1895. to January, 1899. ^ n 1898 the same posi-. 
tion was virtually his, but he could not endorse 
the gold standard platform, and could not ac- 
cept the nomination on that basis ; he cast his 
lot with the Silver Republican ticket, and was 
defeated, though he led the ticket. In 1900 he 
was nominated on the Citizens' ticket for county 
judge, and overcame a majority of five hundred 
votes, taking the oath of office in July, 1900, 
for a term of four years. For eleven years, 
from 1868 to 1879, Judge Kincaid was in Wash- 
ington, D. C, where he acted as a clerk in the 
United States Senate ; he was first in the finance 
room, later in the executive room, and then in 
the enrolling room, after which he was indexing 
clerk until 1879, when a change in the political 
situation at Washington made it more profitable 
for him to return to Eugene, again assuming 
charge of his paper, for which he had written 
letters and editorials throughout the entire time. 
This paper is an eight-page quarto, published 
weekly, and at different times he has been inter- 
ested in conducting a daily. In addition to the 
interests above mentioned, the judge has always 
taken a lively interest in the agricultural pur- 
suits of the country, devoting- three hundred and 
twenty acres of the old donation claim to stock- 
raising. He is also interested in mining. 

The marriage of Judge Kincaid occurred in 
Macomb county, Mich., September 29, 1873, and 
united him with Miss Augusta Lockwood, a 
native of that locality. Her brother, C. M. Lock- 
wood, was for many years identified with the 
interests of Oregon, having conducted the stage 
line between The Dalles and Salt Lake City for 
some time. His death occurred in Michigan. 
The one child born to Judge and Mrs. Kincaid 
is named Webster Lockwood. Among the so- 
cieties with which Judge Kincaid is connected 
are the State Pioneer Association, the Oregon 
Historical Society, the Commercial Club of Eu- 
gene, and for some time he belonged to the Illi- 



hee Club of Salem and the Multopor Club of 
Portland. The life of Judge Kincaid has been 
one that is noticeable even among the many who 
have proven potent factors in the upbuilding of 
the west, and to no man is greater credit due 
for the stanch support which he has given 
toward the promotion of all worthy movements. 
He is today numbered among the representative 
citizens of Oregon, and as such is given a place 
among the records of her past. 



EDMUND WALLER HARTLEY, one of 
the representative farmers of Marion county, 
occupies one of the most picturesquely located 
country homes within the limits of the county, 
where he and his family dispense a generous 
hospitality to friend and stranger alike. His 
farm, which is located seven miles east of Salem, 
consists of four hundred acres, most of which 
is under a high state of cultivation. The original 
tract, upon which he located in 1865, consisted 
of three hundred and twenty acres of the most 
fertile and productive land in the county. Mr. 
Hartley has also indicated his faith in the future 
of Oregon by purchasing real estate in Salem. 

Mr. Hartley was born in Hardin county, Ky., 
February 6, 1825, and is a son of Joseph and 
Polly (Singleton) Hartley. There he was reared 
on his father's large farm. When the family 
removed to Jefferson county, 111., in 1841, he 
accompanied them, helping to found a new home 
in a desolate and sparsely inhabited prairie region. 
In the spring of 1865 he started across the plains 
with his family, his outfit consisting of three 
wagons, one drawn by four horses and the other 
two by oxen. The journey consumed about six 
months. With rare judgment he located at once 
upon the farm which has since been a source of 
pride to him, and which is providing him with a 
comfortable income. All the improvements upon 
the property are entirely due to his energy and 
progressive spirit, and he is regarded as one of 
the most successful farmers in the county. 

Mr. Hartley was united in marriage with Ann 
Eliza Whitlow, December 29, 1847. She is a 
native of Laurel county, Ky., where she was born 
October 22, 1829. Of this union twelve children 
have been born. In the order of their birth they 
are as follows: M. Jane, single, living at home; 
Emily D., wife of J. L. Cline, of Portland, Ore. ; 
Charles L., farming eight miles south of Salem; 
Joseph T., deceased; Elenora S., wife of Levi S. 
Brower, living near Mill City ; Letitia M., de- 
ceased ; Hiram A., living seven miles southeast 
of Silverton ; Edgar, of Salem ; Amanda I., wife 
of G. D. Bowen, who lives near Silverton ; Ida 
May, and M. Maggie, at home, and an infant, de- 
ceased. 

Mr. Hartley is an enthusiastic advocate of the 



1266 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



best possible educational advantages for the 
children of the present generation, and for some 
time has served with fidelity as a member of the 
school board. He is a member of the old school 
Baptist Church, and contributes generously of his 
means towards its support and in behalf of its 
charities. He is deservedly honored for his bus- 
iness ability and integrity, as well as for his many 
estimable personal characteristics. In politics he 
has always been a Democrat. 



GUS A. HURLEY. The real estate, law and 
insurance business of Cooper & Hurley, though 
established but two years ago, has the distinction 
of being the only enterprise of its kind in Inde- 
pendence, and has already worked up a trade in 
keeping with the high character and unquestioned 
ability of the men directing its affairs. The finan- 
cial, commercial and agricultural opportunities 
of Polk county contribute to the principal bus- 
iness of the firm, and it is their intention to boom 
these important departments, and thus enhance 
the value of lands whose sale has been placed in 
their hands. At their well equipped offices on the 
east side of Main street, information is forth- 
coming regarding almost all of the inducements 
held out to home-seekers. Loans are also ne- 
gotiated, property rented and collections made. 

Gus A. Hurley, of the firm of Cooper & Hur- 
ley, is a native son of Oregon, and was born 
at La Fayette, Yamhill county, June 14, 1877. 
His father, Andrew, from whom he inherited a 
liking for law, was born in the state of Maine, 
and was one of the sterling western pioneers 
whose successful career was of his own fashion- 
ing. He removed at an early day to Oshkosh, 
Wis., and finally became interested in the steam- 
boat business on the Mississippi river, becoming 
in 'time an officer on the boats. After crossing 
the plains in the early '50's, he located at Salem 
and engaged as a plasterer and mason, in the 
meantime spending his spare moments in master- 
ing the intricacies of legal science. About 1873 
he began to practice his profession, and was thus 
engaged up to the time of his death in 1895, at the 
age of fifty-six years. He was an active Re- 
publican, and, as indicated by his various inter- 
ests, a man of marked ability and indefatigable 
energy. He married Almira Smith, who was 
born in Yamhill county, and is the mother of two 
children, of whom Gus A. is the oldest. Almira 
Smith was a daughter of Sidney Smith, without 
doubt one of the very first to cross the plains 
to Oregon, for he came with a delegation of 
home-seekers as early as 1839, locating in the 
Chehalem valley, where he died at an advanced 
age. 

From the public schools Gus A. Hurley entered 
the state normal school at Monmouth, from which 



he was graduated in 1896, and thereafter he 
studied law under W. H. Holmes, of Salem, Ore. 
He was admitted to the bar June 12, 1899, and 
conducted a general law practice until associating 
himself with Mr. Cooper, under the firm name 
of Cooper & Hurley. He has a profound knowl- 
edge of law and general business, his occupation 
embracing more lines of activity than falls to the 
lot of the average legal practitioner. He is inter- 
ested in the building up of Independence, and 
is secretary of the Independence Improvement 
Company. He is also fraternally inclined, and 
is identified with the Masons, the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen. Although one of the 
youngest, he is also one of the most promising 
of the professional and business men of this 
county, and his friends and associates predict 
"for him a career of more than ordinary useful- 
ness. 



LINUS W. HARGER. When the town 
of Newberg was but a scattering array 
of houses Linus W. Harger proved an in- 
spiration to various lines of activity. He 
came to the locality in 1872, and, fore- 
seeing the need of such a structure, erected 
the first warehouse in the town in 1875, a de- 
parture appreciated to the full by the sur- 
rounding farmers, who flocked thither with 
their products. About the same time Mr. 
Harger invested in three hundred and twenty- 
three acres of land, which has since been 
his home, and where he has extensively culti- 
vated grain, raised stock, and grown fruit. 
He has been very successful from a business 
standpoint, and in his private character has 
won the esteem of all with whom he has been 
associated. 

This honored Oregonian pioneer was born 
in Hampden county, Mass., November 9, 1833, 
and comes of a family long identified with the 
pilgrim state. His paternal grandfather, David, 
was born there, and during the war of 1812 
left his forge and anvil in a paying little black- 
smith shop to serve the interests of a stricken 
country. His son, Leander, the father of 
Linus," was also born in Massachusetts, and 
lived for the greater part of his life near West 
Granville. In later life he removed to East 
Bridgewater, Mass., and died there at the age 
of eighty years. He married Marcia Coe, who 
was born in Massachusetts March 26, 1803, 
and who is now living at the old home in 
East Bridgewater, aged one hundred years. 
Her father, Seth, was born in Massachusetts, 
and came from ancestors long residents of the 
snug little country of Wales. 

The oldest son and second child born in his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1267 



father's family, Linus W. Harger was edu- 
cated in the public schools and at a Massachu- 
setts Academy, and at the age of eighteen 
engaged in the butchering business for a year. 
Afterward he served an apprenticeship to a 
carpenter, and was then engaged in building 
and contracting until his thirty-ninth year. In 
1854 he came to Oregon via Panama and San 
Francisco, and after three years' residence in 
Washington county, worked at his trade in 
different parts of the valley, being engaged 
by the government at Fort Dalles for about 
a year. The following two years were spent 
in travel throughout the middle west, where 
Mr. Harger looked for a desirable permanent 
locality, but found none to compare with the 
state of Oregon. Via the plains he returned 
in i860, again settling in Washington county, 
where he bought a hundred and eighty acres 
of land, which he improved, and in connection 
with the management of which he* also en- 
gaged in building and contracting for four 
years. Mr. Harger then became identified 
with the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, 
and as a traveling builder was thus engaged 
until 1872. Having in the meantime sold his 
home in Washington county, he located on 
his present farm in Yamhill county, with the 
substantial development of which he has since 
been connected. Aside from building the ware- 
house which furnished an impetus to trade 
in general at Newberg, Mr. Harger has been 
identified with general affairs in his locality, 
his sound business judgment, sterling integ- 
rity and caution making his advice invaluable 
upon all matters affecting the welfare of his 
fellow-townsmen. 

In Oregon City, Ore., Mr. Harger was 
united in marriage with Harriett Pambrun, a 
native of Washington, and whose father, Peter 
C. Pambrun, was born in France. Mr. Pam- 
brun was a man of leading characteristics, and 
besides having an enviable European war rec- 
ord took an active part in the advancement 
of affairs in the extreme northwest. At the 
great battle of Waterloo, he was a non-com- 
missioned officer, and was wounded and taken 
prisoner. After being released he became 
identified with the Hudson Bay Company in 
British North America, and there had charge 
of two ports. He was one of the best known 
pioneers of that region, and his work in con- 
nection with the Hudson Bay Company was 
in every way creditable, his management of 
their trading posts being characterized by 
business shrewdness and unquestioned integ- 
rity. Mr. Pambrun was killed by a horse fall- 
ing with him while out with a party of friends 
in search of coyotes. Four children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Harger : Helen M., 



Emerite, Theresa Ruth and Catherine, the wife 
of F. D. Kinney, a farmer near Newberg. Mr. 
Harger is a Democrat in political affiliation, 
and is fraternally a charter member of the 
Masonic lodge at Newberg. With his family 
he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 



ZACHARIAH J. IMUS was born in Co- 
shocton county, Ohio, July 20, 1849, his father 
being a native of New York, born in April, 1824. 
In his youth, and in truth up to the time of 
his death, the elder Mr. Imus enjoyed moving 
from place to place, going when a very young 
man to Michigan, where he remained but a 
short time, soon returning to Coshocton 
county, Ohio. Here he built up a little home, 
leaving it, however, for Illinois, settling in 
Peoria county. Proceeding to Iowa in 1855, 
he bought land in Ringgold county, where he 
acquired quite a reputation for land-trading. 
At this time the war was being waged in the 
southern states, and it was evident that it was 
not near its close. Mr. Imus had not enlisted 
earlier on account of his family, who were de- 
pendent on him, but now, seeing his duty, he 
left his home, joining Company I, Twenty- 
ninth Iowa infantry, in the spring of 1862, 
going at once to the front. His fighting days 
were soon numbered, however, for he con- 
tracted a disease that brought him to the hos- 
pital, and there he remained for a year before 
he was mustered out of service in 1865. His 
death occurred the same year, when he was in 
his forty-fifth year. 

The mother was, in maidenhood, Miss Ma- 
tilda Reed, a native of Maine, and after her 
husband's death she went to Missouri, where 
she lived at the time of her death. Eight 
children were born of this union, the eldest 
of whom was Zachariah. A year after his 
father left for the front this lad of fifteen took 
up the burden of life, making his own way 
from this time on. For several years he re- 
mained near his mother, helping her from the 
meager results of his work. At twenty-two 
years of age he left Iowa, settling in Osborne 
county, Kans., where he engaged in farming. 
He homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres, 
putting upon the claim the necessary improve- 
ments, but in 1 88 1 he left that state, coming to 
Oregon. Here he bought fifty-two acres near 
Dundee, Yamhill county, the principal part of 
the ground being used for the cultivation of 
hops. The land adjacent to the town, about 
four and a half acres, was in grass. For ten 
years this property remained in his possession, 
but having interested himself in the politics 
of his adopted city, he soon found other duties 



1268 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



that demanded his attention, so sold his hop- 
farm in 1901. Through Republican influence, 
he received the appointment of postmaster, 
November 6, 1898, and has since served as 
school director, school clerk and road super- 
visor. 

Mr. Imus was married in Osborne county, 
Kans., to Miss Hannah Hughes, who was born 
in White county, Ind. Her father, John 
Hughes, was a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and 
during his residence in that city engaged in 
the manufacture of shoes. In his later life 
he tried farming, locating in Indiana. He then 
moved to Nemaha county, Neb., where for 
three years he ran a hotel in Pawnee City. 
His next move was into Kansas, where he 
bought three hundred and twenty acres, and 
in 1880 came to Oregon, dying here in 1881. 
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Imus are, 
in order of birth, Gertrude, James Elmer, 
Francis, deceased, Lena, Alvin, deceased, 
Blanche, Rhoda and Ralph. Gertrude is en- 
gaged in teaching. 



RICHARD B. LINVILLE, one of the hon- 
ored residents of Newberg, was born in Clay 
county, Mo., October 17, 1835, and prior to 
coming to Oregon in 1891 had an extended 
business and political career in different parts 
of the middle west. His grandfather, Richard 
Linville, was born in North Carolina, and set- 
tled in Missouri, and in 1846 crossed the plains 
with ox-teams. On the way his wife was 
drowned in fording a stream, and alone and 
disconsolate he pursued his way west, settling 
in either Polk or Benton counties, where he 
was successful as a farmer and stock-raiser. 
John Linville, the father of Richard B., was 
born in North Carolina, and removed with his 
father to Missouri. Besides engaging in farm- 
ing he also preached in the pulpit of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian church, and during his 
comparatively brief life accomplished much 
good in the world. In later years he was an 
invalid, and his death occurred in Missouri 
when his son Richard was eight years of age. 
His wife, Nancy Jameson, was born in Vir- 
ginia and died in St. Louis, Mo., leaving five 
sons and one daughter, of whom Richard B. 
is the fourth. 

At the age of nineteen Mr. Linville gradu- 
ated from the high school, and entered an 
academy in Missouri. He was reared to farm- 
ing, and led a practically uneventful life up to 
the breaking out of the Civil war. In Sep- 
tember, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, of 
the Fifth Missouri Cavalry, attained to the 
rank of sergeant major, and after serving for 
one year obtained permission to organize a 



company for a new regiment. September 30, 
1862, he was commissioned captain of Com- 
pany E, Thirty-fifth Missouri Infantry, which 
he organized, and was discharged from the ser- 
vice May 13, 1865. For the greater part he 
was engaged in bushwhacking in Missouri and 
Arkansas, and was wounded in the right side, 
the ball still remaining in that part of his anat- 
omy. His left side did not escape the atten- 
tions of the enemy, but the ball failed to reach 
a vital spot, owing to the fact that he carried 
a newspaper m his pocket. 

In 1866, in Andrew county, Mo., Mr. Lin- 
ville entered upon his first political responsi- 
bility, when he was elected surveyor of the 
county, and served for two years. He was 
afterward elected county treasurer and served 
one term. For the following two years he 
engaged in the hardware business in Hopkins, 
Mo., and here, in 1872, was elected surveyor 
of Nodaway county, serving one term. In 
1879 ne removed to Kansas, and at Ness City, 
Ness county, engaged in a general merchan- 
dise business for twelve years. This stage of 
his career Mr. Linville recalls as a very pros- 
perous one, he happening there during a busi- 
ness "boom," and when men with ability and 
common sense were appreciated at their true 
value. Here also he entered the political 
arena, and was elected probate judge of Noda- 
way county in 1878, serving for one term. 

In 1891 Mr. Linville became identified with 
Oregon, locating at Mount Tabor, where he 
engaged in farming on a small scale. In 1897 
he removed to Yamhill county, and bought ten 
acres of land near Newberg, where he con- 
ducted a fruit ranch with considerable success, 
but disposed of this property in 1901. He 
then invested in a large stock of general com- 
modities and has since engaged in general 
merchandise business with continued success. 
Mr. Linville was married while living in Mis- 
souri to Emma Richardson, a native of that 
state, and who died in Missouri in 1874, leav- 
ing four children : Henry R., a graduate of 
the University of Kansas, and of Harvard 
University, where he received the degree of 
A. B. the first year, that of A. M. the second 
year, and Ph. D. the third year, and who is 
at present a teacher of biology in a boys' high 
school in New York City; Minnie, who is the 
wife of F. G. Shown, a farmer of Grant county, 
Ore. ; Preston, who is deceased ; and Julia, 
who is the wife of D. Connell of the vicinity 
of Portland. For a second wife Mr. Linville 
married, in Kansas, Mrs. Annie M. Jarrett, 
whose father, Ely Harmon, was born in the 
state of Pennsylvania. Mr. Harmon removed 
from Pennsylvania to Kansas in 1879, locating 
in Ness county, where he farmed for many 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1269 



years, but is now living retired. One child 
has been born to Mr. Linville and his present 
wife: Richard B.. Jr., who is living- with his 
parents. Mr. Linville has been a stanch Re- 
publican ever since his voting days, and he is 
fraternally connected with the Masons and 
the Grand Army of the Republic. 



HENRY F. HOLLENBECK. As a partner 
in the largest real estate firm in Eugene, H. F. 
Hollenbeck occupies a position in the community 
commensurate with his varied and extensive 
business experience, and his recognized capacity 
for painstaking and conscientious work. From 
a worthy Teutonic ancestry he derives the con- 
servatism and thrift which proceeds slowly but 
surely to its goal, undisturbed by distractions 
however alluring or promising. He was born 
on a farm twelve miles from Madison, Jefferson 
county, Ind., July 31, 1862, his grandfather, 
Henry Hollenbeck, having established the fam- 
ily in Scott county, the same state, after his emi- 
gration from Germany in the early pioneer days. 
Enoch R. Hollenbeck, the father of H. F., was 
born on the Scott county farm, and in early life 
selected the mason's trade as a means of live- 
lihood. This, combined with general farming, 
constituted the labor of his active years, and his 
ability in both directions brought him fair re- 
turns from a financial standpoint. As a young 
man he removed to Jefferson county, Ind., and 
afterward lived four years in Seymour, Ind., re- 
moving to Lincoln, Neb., in 1882. He came to 
Eugene, Ore., in 1887, and was soon engaged in 
a paying contracting business, doing the masonry 
work for the reservoir and many public buildings, 
and establishing a reputation for thoroughness 
and substantiality, so essential to the trade which 
he dignified with his labor and high character. 
Through his marriage with Elizabeth Maden, 
who was born in east Tennessee and died in Eu- 
gene, Ore., nine children were born, eight of 
whom are living, H. F. being the second in order 
of birth. William R., the oldest son, is a drug- 
gist in Florence, Ore. ; James W. is a business 
man of Moro, Ore. ; May is the wife of George 
Tucker, of Oakland, Cal. ; Florence married John 
Jenkins of Lane county ; Flora, now deceased, 
became the wife of Mr. R. E. Bristow, of Eu- 
gene ; Charles and Louis are residents of Los 
Angeles, Cal. ; and Maggie is now the wife of 
R. S. Smith. During his boyhood days in Ind- 
iana H. F. Hollenbeck learned the trade of plas- 
terer, and at the age of sixteen began to work 
regularly with his father, the two trades combin- 
ing most advantageously. He accompanied his 
father to Lincoln, Neb., where success awaited 
them, and they secured some of the largest con- 
tracts in the city, both on private residences and 



public buildings. After coming to Eugene the 
son worked at his trade for a year, and then en- 
gaged as a clerk in various mercantile establish- 
ments for three years, afterward engaging as a 
partner with C. T. Wandell in Eugene, in the 
management of the New York Racket Store. 
Two years later he started a piano and organ 
business, continuing the same until 1897. He 
then went to New York City that his wife might 
perfect her musical education. In 1899 Mr. Hol- 
lenbeck returned to Eugene, and after acting in 
the capacity of yard manager of the planing mill 
operated by his brother-in-law, Mr. George 
Midgley, managed the Eugene Hotel for a couple 
of years. In 1902 he became a partner of C. S. 
Farrow in the real estate business, and now 
handles some of the most valuable town and coun- 
try property in Lane county. 

In common with the rest of the community, 
Mr. Hollenbeck is justly proud of his wife, who 
is said to be one of the finest musicians on the 
coast, and is now in charge of the Musical De- 
partment of the University of Oregon. Mrs. 
Hollenbeck was formerly Rose M. Midgley, and 
was born in Springfield, Mo. She was educated 
at the University of Oregon, making a specialty 
of music, and later studied for a year under 
Prof. Epstein of St. Louis. Mrs. Hollenbeck 
had the advantage of further training under S. 
P. Mills, Sharwenka, and Gertitoski, of New 
York, and afterward entered the National Con- 
servatory of Music, finishing her eastern train- 
ing under Josefy. No greater recommendations 
were required for this lady than her enviable 
position with the university, or the appreciation 
which is unstintingly shown her by all true 
lovers of music on the coast. Faultless technique, 
beautiful expression, and wonderful tone effects, 
characterize her interpretation of the world's 
greatest masterpieces, and added to these is that 
capacity for infinite painstaking which is the 
greatest joy of the harmony loving mind and 
heart. Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbeck are members 
of the Christian church. Mr. Hollenbeck is a 
member of the Eugene Real Estate Exchange, 
and is fraternallv identified with the Woodmen 
of the World. 



VAN DORN McFARLAND. Thirty years 
of building and contracting in Eugene have 
established the reputation of Van Dorn McFar- 
land as one of the foremost in his line in Lane 
county. To his chosen work Mr. McFarland 
brings an experience dating from the time when, 
as an energetic but very youthful devotee of 
hammer and chisel, he used to search the woods 
for material to fashion picture frames and other 
articles comparatively easy of construction. 
These embryonic undertakings back in Belmont 



1270 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



county, Ohio, happened half a century ago, and 
the youth who was fascinated by the possibilities 
of putting boards together, and spurred on by 
his natural mechanical ingenuity, was sixteen 
years old, having been born in Belmont county, 
February 23, 1837. 

As the name indicates, Mr. McFarland is of 
Scotch ancestry, and he inherits that combina- 
tion of dogged perseverance and adaptiveness 
which make of the best of his countrymen sub- 
stantial and practical successes. His father and 
grandfather, both named William, were born in 
the state of Pennsylvania, the former in Red- 
stone, and both became very early settlers of Bel- 
mont county, Ohio. The grandfather was a far- 
mer during his active life, and embellished his 
career with lengthy service during the war of 
18 12. His death occurred on his farm in Bel- 
mont county, at an advanced age, his son, Wil- 
liam, also a farmer, living to the age of sixty- 
three. The younger William married Lucinda 
Sutton, who also died in Ohio, and two of whose 
six children are living, Van Dorn being the 
youngest, and the only one in Oregon. From 
the farm Van Dorn McFarland stepped into a 
carpenter apprenticeship, having worked with 
tools on his own responsibility ever since he could 
remember, and gained a great liking for the 
work. About 1863 he removed to Savannah, 
111., and worked on the old Western Union Rail- 
road, and later helped to build every station on 
the line of the Sabula, Ackley & Dakota Rail- 
road for seventy miles out of Sabula, Iowa. 
While thus employed as foreman of a large 
building force, he was located principally along 
the Wapso river, Iowa, a very unhealthful dis- 
trict, with the result that foreman and crew con- 
tracted malarial fever, and all were glad when the 
large contract was completed. Mr. McFarland 
himself, after looking around for a place to re- 
cuperate, decided upon Eugene, Ore., intending 
to return east when his cure had been effected. 
A year in the city not only restored him to 
health, but inspired him with a wholesome and 
emphatic appreciation of Eugene as a building 
and business center. Accordingly, he engaged 
in his old occupation of building and contracting 
with such good results that he decided to make 
this his permanent home. This was in 1873, and 
ever since he has lived there, in the meantime 
putting up hundreds of houses and public build- 
ings, contributing much to the upbuilding of the 
city. He superintended the construction of the 
Masonic Temple Building, of the John Klemm, 
Chrisman, and Matlock buildings, and scores^ of 
the best and most artistic residences in the city. 
He is skilled in every detail of his interesting 
work, and is known not only in the immediate 
city, but throughout the county. As relaxation 
from business cares, he _superintends the work on 



his farm of seventy-three acres three and a half 
miles north of Eugene, taking great interest in 
the improvement of his property. 

Fraternally Mr. McFarland is one of the pop- 
ular men in Lane county. While a resident of 
Ohio he was a member of Belmont Lodge No. 
16, F. & A. M., was later identified with the 
Savannah Lodge, and is now a member of Eu- 
gene Lodge No. 11, A. F. & A. M. He was 
made a Royal Arch Mason in Eugene, and is a 
member of Eugene Chapter No. 10, and is a 
member of the Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 2, K. 
T. Formerly he was identified with the Council 
of Corvallis, Ore., but demitted and joined the 
council of Albany. Mr. McFarland was a char- 
ter, but now demitted, member of the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks, of the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, of the Degree of Honor, 
and the Eastern Star. He was a charter member 
of the first Knights of Pythias Lodge in Eu- 
gene, but when the lodge became defunct he 
withdrew from the order and has never joined 
the lodge of the present day. In political affilia- 
tion Mr. McFarland is a Republican. He is a 
genial and interesting man, devoted to his calling, 
and invariably in favor of progress. He believes 
in the gospel of industry, of fair dealing and 
uprightness, maintains a name above reproach, 
and worthy of all honor. 



JOSEPH McBEE. A very popular and re- 
sourceful man was William McBee, who came 
to Benton county in 1852 and established the 
family whose very worthy representative is 
Joseph McBee, a successful farmer near Cor^ 
vallis. Born in Ohio in 1801, the father moved 
to Missouri with his parents when he was a boy, 
and was there reared on a farm, securing such 
education at the public schools as the times and 
his arduous home duties permitted. After his 
marriage with Elizabeth Milligan, of Ohio, he 
moved onto another farm, where he prospered, 
but at the same time desired to further improve 
his condition. The result of his discontent was 
that he sold his land in 1852, when he started 
across the plains with ox-teams, accompanied 
by his wife and children and his mother. On the 
way the mother died of cholera, but otherwise 
the journey was an uneventful one, and the home- 
seekers arrived at their destination less dis- 
couraged than most emigrants in the early days. 
The first winter being spent in Marion county, 
they settled the next spring on a claim seven miles 
south of Corvallis, Benton county, which claim 
is still in the possession of his heirs. Mr. Mc- 
Bee made many improvements on his farm, and 
in its management exercised business judgment 
and the greatest frugality. He had an inter- 
esting personality, and succeeded in making 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1278 



friends with all with whom he came in contact. 
Somewhat of a politician, he took a keen interest 
in the local undertakings of his party, although 
he never aspired to office. Nine children were 
horn to himself and wife, of whom W. H. is a 
fanner near Corvallis ; David lives in Smithville ; 
and Joseph is the subject of this sketch. 

Trained to farming on the paternal ranch, 
Joseph McBee remained at home until he was 
twenty-one. and then went to the gold fields on 
the Salmon river. After mining and prospecting 
for a short time he returned to Benton county 
and took up farming, and in 1875 married Fan- 
nie Irwin, who was born in Corvallis, and with 
whom he went to housekeeping on a claim eight 
milts southeast of Corvallis. In 1879 ^ e bought 
two hundred and seventy-three acres of land 
constituting a portion of the old J. Gage dona- 
tion claim, and where he is engaged in stock- 
raising and general farming. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and has been a school director 
for many years. Mrs. McBee, who was a 
daughter of Richard and Louisa Irwin, the 
former of whom is deceased, crossed the plains 
with her parents in 1850, and was reared in 
Oregon. She was the mother of the following 
children : Richard C. ; Joseph E. ; Lela ; Leora ; 
Lizzie ; Georgia : Ida ; and Willie, deceased in 
infancy. Mrs. McBee died at the home farm 
May 31, 1903, a devoted wife and a kind and 
loving mother. Mr. McBee is prominent in his 
locality, has a fine farm and fine Durham cat- 
tle, and in all his undertakings evidences thrifty 
and progressive ideas. 



CHARLES W. WASHBURNE. Occupying 
a position of importance in the business circles 
of Junction City, Lane county, Charles W. Wash- 
burne is rounding out a well spent life, the domi- 
nant influence of which has been the incidents of 
a pioneer effort among the primitive conditions 
of early Oregon. Mr. Washburne came to Ore- 
gon in 1853, and to no other man is greater 
credit due for the rapid and substantial upbuild- 
ing of Lane county; strong in his own integrity, 
his ambitions and purpose in life, he has given the 
benefit of all these to the advancement of Ore- 
gon, and in the evening of his days enjoys both 
his own prosperity and that of his adopted state. 

The birth of this honorable pioneer occurred in 
Gallia county, Ohio, September 13, 1824. He 
was the son of Robert Washburne, who, like his 
father, Charles Washburne, was a native of Vir- 
ginia, where he met his death by an attack from 
the Indians while cutting timber for fuel a short 
distance from the fort, which was the protection 
of the settlers during the Revolutionary war. 
Charles Washburne was a pioneer farmer of Vir- 
ginia and his descendants followed his example 



by becoming pioneers of the western states. His 
two sons were Isaac and Robert, the latter mov- 
ing to Gallia county, Ohio, in 1820, and there 
engaged in farming until 1827, when he located 
in Illinois, on a farm eight miles west of Spring- 
field. He continued in that location for a num- 
ber of years, participation in the Black Hawk 
war being an event in life during the time. In 
1834 he removed to Iowa, making his home in 
that state throughout the remainder of his life. 
Eleven miles west of Burlington he entered land 
and engaged in farming until his death in 1840, 
meeting with the success which always attends 
persevering effort. He became a prominent man 
in his new surroundings and fulfilled his duty as 
a citizen. Politically he was a Democrat.' A 
reminder of the Washburne family lies in the 
name of a branch of Cedar Creek, which is 
known as Washburne creek, in memory of this 
Iowa pioneer. The wife of Mr. Washburne was 
in maidenhood, Eva Roy, who was born in Vir- 
ginia and died in Illinois, in 1839, being at the 
time en route to Ohio on a visit to friends. She 
is buried near Decatur, 111. 

Of the four sons and five daughters which were 
born to his parents, Charles W. Washburne is 
the youngest and the only one now living. He 
received his education in the common schools in 
the vicinity of his home, where he remained dur- 
ing the lifetime of his parents, taking upon him- 
self the management of a farm when he was but 
sixteen years old. At the time of the gold ex- 
citement in 1849, h e set out for California and 
was soon mining on the south bank of the Sac- 
ramento river. After two years of success he 
returned to Iowa via the Isthmus of Panama, 
and after his marriage came to Oregon in 1853, 
crossing the plains with ox-teams. During this 
journey his oldest child, Ruth Ellen, was born 
near Chimney Rock. After six months of travel 
the train reached Oregon safely, and Mr. Wash- 
burne at once located a donation claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres, one and one-half miles 
southwest of Junction City. For twenty years 
he made this his home, and lost no time nor 
spared no effort to reclaim the land from its bar- 
ren condition. In 1873 ne purchased of T. A. 
Milliorn one hundred and sixty acres adjoining 
the site of Junction City and there engaged in 
farming and milling, in which he met with the 
same success which has characterized his agri- 
cultural pursuits, and in 1891 he purchased the 
old flour mills at Springfield, Lane county, put- 
ting in a complete roller process, with a capacity 
of one hundred and sixty barrels per day. This 
mill was for some time conducted by Byron and 
William, the sons of Mr. Washburne. and the 
property is now owned by himself and his son 
Bvron. One of the most notable achievements 
of the business ventures of Mr. Washburne was 



1274 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the part which he took in the organization of the 
Junction City Hotel Company, becoming vice 
president and a member of its board of directors, 
remaining in that capacity up to the present time. 
In 1893, in company with George Pickett and 
others, he bought the Commercial Bank, a pri- 
vate institution of Junction City, at a cost of 
$50,000, and he became one of the principals in 
the organization of the Farmers and Merchants 
Bank, in which he and his sons now own the con- 
trolling interest, Mr. Washburne being a director, 
and his son, W. C, acting as cashier. This is 
the only bank in the northern part of Lane 
county. 

Mr. Washburne has met with success in all 
his efforts. His landed property represents a 
large amount of money. Besides owning busi- 
ness and residence property in Junction City, he 
owns four thousand acres of valley land in Lane 
county, the principal part of which is tillable. 
Two hundred acres of this adjoins the city, and 
Mr. Washburne acts as manager of his farming 
interests, which is principally that of stock-rais- 
ing, having at present three hundred cattle, 
horses, sheep and hogs. That which represents 
the success of Mr. Washburne is the outgrowth 
of energy, perseverance and determination, for 
his entire fortune, when he commenced life in 
the Willamette valley, consisted of thirteen oxen, 
one horse, six cows, and the farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres. 

Not alone has Mr. Washburne achieved suc- 
cess, for his wife was to him a veritable help- 
meet, bravely bearing her share in the trials and 
troubles which fell to their lot as pioneers. Be- 
fore her marriage in Iowa, she was Catherine 
Amanda Stansbury, born in Indiana, the daughter 
of John Stansbury. He was a native of Mary- 
land and moved to Iowa, where he remained 
until 1850, when he spent some time in Califor- 
nia. After a successful period in the west, he 
returned to the Mississippi valley, and died in 
Nebraska, where he had made his home the lat- 
ter part of his life. Mrs. Washburne died in 
Junction City April 4, 1894, at the age of fifty- 
six years. She was the mother of seven daugh- 
ters and four sons, of whom five sons are de- 
ceased, two having died in infancy, namely : 
Thomas Albert and Chester Douglas. George 
S., deceased, was a graduate of the State Uni- 
versity, a first-class practical lawyer in Eugene, 
also serving one term as county judge. Those 
living are Ruth Ella, who is now the wife of 
John Wortman, of Portland ; Eva G. is the wife 
of R. P. Hill, of Colfax, Wash. ; Byron A. is lo- 
cated in Springfield ; W. C. is cashier and man- 
ager of the bank and hotel company, and is 
also mayor of Junction City ; Emma is Mrs. W. 
E. Butler of this city; Bertha Kate is the wife 
of E. U. Lee, of Eugene; Fred W. and Letitia 
S. are still at home. 



In his political convictions Mr. Washburne has 
always been a stanch Republican, and his was 
one of the votes which helped make Abraham 
Lincoln president of the United States. The 
ability of Mr. Washburne to maintain the re- 
sponsibilities of public office being so manifest, 
he has often been called upon to serve his party 
in various positions, in 1872 upholding the prin- 
ciples of the Republican constituency in the state 
legislature for one term. During his period of 
service he was instrumental in locating the state 
university at Eugene, and also in laying the foun- 
dation of the state capitol in Salem, acting as 
well on various committees. He has always been 
active in local politics and wields no little influ- 
ence in political circles in the county and state. 

The pioneer days are gone, and there is little 
left to recall those times of trial and privation ; 
but to the younger generation there is still the 
living link as represented by the few who re- 
main, while recollection forms a great part of the 
lives of the latter, as they pass their declining 
days in the sunshine of Oregon's prosperity. The 
little log cabin which was once the home of Mr. 
Washburne has been replaced by a handsome 
residence, and modern improvements have taken 
the place of the crude implements and primitive 
surroundings of those early times. When first 
a resident of Oregon Mr. Washburne would drive 
to Brownsville, with his well trained ox-teams, 
hauling his grain to mill. The trip consumed a 
week, and on one occasion he drove all night in 
order to hurry back to his wife and little daugh- 
ter, left alone in the wilderness of the country. 
No bridges spanned the streams. The favorite 
mode of travel was on horseback, and many 
happy visits were made to friends in various sec- 
tions of the country, with Mr. Washburne in the 
saddle, his little daughter before him, and his 
wife behind. No one, who has known Mr. Wash- 
burne and listened to his descriptions of the early 
days, can fail to have some idea, however faint, 
of that life which laid the foundation for the 
western commonwealth, and in so doing built up 
that character which is the nation's stronghold, 
in times of peace or war. 



WILEY WINKEL. Of Wiley Winkel and 
his wife it may be said that they have lived 
longer on one farm than have any of the 
neighbors in Benton county. Genial and hos- 
pitable, they are also among the most popular 
of the early settlers and have continuously striven 
to add their quota to the general improvement 
of their locality. Mr. Winkel was twenty years 
of age when he crossed the plains with his pa- 
rents in 1848, having been born in Madison 
county, Ala., July 6, 1828. His father, Isaac, 
was born in Kentucky in 1802, and was of Ger- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1275 



man descent. At a very early day he removed to 
Alabama, and there married Martha Bragg, a 
native of Alabama, with whom he moved shortly 
afterward to Missouri. In 1848 he outfitted with 
ox-teams and wagons and crossed the plains in 
the train of Captain Miller, and on the way en- 
countered no serious opposition from the Indi- 
ans, nor was there serious illness among the 
homeseekers. Mr. YYinkel came direct to Benton 
county, where he took up a claim of six hun- 
dred and forty acres ten miles south of Cor- 
vallis, on the old territorial road, which is now 
occupied by his son, but upon which he himself 
lived for about a year. Next he located on a 
farm one mile nortn of Corvallis, which he 
improved and lived upon until his death in 1874, 
having been preceded by his wife in 1865. Seven 
children were born to this couple, of whom the 
following are living : Wiley ; Gillian A., wife of 
G. Fisher, of Lane county ; Martha, the widow 
of Mack Porter, of Benton county ; and Mis- 
souri, the widow of John Baker, of Junction 
City. 

Wiley Winkel remained at home and aided his 
father with the management of the farm for a 
year after coming to Oregon, and when the 
older man moved onto his other farm the 
son proved up on the original claim. In 1851 he 
married Pamelia Grimsley, who was born in 
Illinois in 1834, and who crdssed the plains with 
her family in 1847. The young people went to 
housekeeping on their present farm, which con- 
sists of seven hundred acres in one body, three 
hundred of which are under cultivation. He 
has since carried on general farming and stock- 
raising, and has proved himself one of the very 
capable and resourceful men of the country. 
His interests have been by no means confined to 
his immediate neighborhood, but have embraced 
the political, educational and moral well-being 
of the county community. He has been especi- 
ally interested in the undertakings - of the 
Democratic party, in the principles and issues 
of which he has unbounded faith. An important 
factor in his success has been the unfailing sym- 
pathy and help of his wife, who is a daughter 
of John Grimsley, who was born in Tennessee, 
and in Kentucky married Mary Scott. Soon 
afterward he moved to Illinois, and thence to 
Iowa, and after crossing the plains in 1847 set- 
tled on a claim three miles south of Philomath 
in the foot-hills. Four children were born to 
himself and wife, of whom Mrs. Winkel is the 
oldest ; Alameda is the widow of J. Morris, 
of Big Bend ; Malinda is the widow of M. Win- 
kel, of Harrisburg: and Mary E. is the wife of 
A. Palmer, of Arlington, Ore. Mr. Grimsley 
farmed successfully until a few years before his 
death, at the age of ninety-four years, he hav- 
ing moved into the town of Corvallis, where his 



wife also died at the age of eighty-four years. 
He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, and 
was one of the first settlers of Benton county. 
Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Winkel, the order of their birth being as follows : 
Fannie, deceased ; Lawrence, a resident of Junc- 
tion ; Effie, the wife of R. Irvin, near Corvallis ; 
Robert M., deceased; Bellvaria, wife of R. Lo- 
gan, of Linn county, Ore. ; Isaac N., farming a 
part of the home place; John G., also on a por- 
tion of the home place ; Percy C, living at home ; 
and Eugene, who died in infancy. To all who 
appreciate manly and substantial traits of char- 
acter, and the value in their midst of conserva- 
tive and painstaking thought, the wish is sin- 
cere that Mr. and Mrs. Winkel may have many 
years yet of successful life, and may be long 
spared to represent the substantial and influential 
element in their county. 



JOHN JOHNSTON. Fifty-one years, with 
their changing scenes and conditions, have passed 
over the head of John Johnston since he first set- 
tled on the farm where he now makes his home, 
the location being in Marion county, Ore., five 
miles west of Woodburn. He was born in 
County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1828, and came to the 
United States in 1835, with his parents, Thomas 
and Hannah Johnston. The trip was made on a 
sailing vessel and occupied six weeks. Upon 
their arrival in New York City they journeyed 
at once to St. Louis, Mo,, where the father en- 
gaged in the commission business. 

The education of Mr. Johnston was received 
in private schools in St. Louis. He remained 
at home until he was fifteen years old, when he 
went to work with his brother at Beardstown, 
111., in a flour-mill. In 1850, in company with 
two friends, Horace Hill and Dan Riddle, he 
bought four yoke of oxen, wagon and other 
necessary equipments, and started from Inde- 
pendence, Mo., bound for the great northwest. 
The journey lasted from April to August, at the 
close of which the young emigrants located in 
Marion county, Ore. The first year of his resi- 
dence here Mr. Johnston conducted McKay's 
Mission Mill, the next finding him in Yreka, 
Cal., having traveled by pack-horses from Ore- 
gon to the latter state, where he spent a short 
time in mining and prospecting. Though meet- 
ing with gratifying success he preferred life in 
the state in which he had made his home on first 
coming to the west. Returning to Oregon in the 
fall of the same year he passed a part of the sum- 
mer of 1852 in running a mill on the Santiam 
river, giving it up to buy, in partnership with 
William H. West, the right of Mathew Mc- 
Cormick to four hundred and ninety acres of 
land located in Marion county. There was a lit- 



1276 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tie log cabin on the claim, wherein the two men, 
both being bachelors, kept house for four years. 
At the end of that time Mr. Johnston married 
Miss Mary Kennedy, who was born in 1842, 
and from that day to the present their home has 
been made upon this farm. 

Of the children which blessed the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, Ellen, the eldest, is 
the wife of K. Manning, of Portland; Annie is 
the wife of Charles Henkle, also of Portland; 
Thomas is located in Forest Grove ; Robert is in 
Astoria; Agnes is in Spokane; William is in 
Sherwood ; John is a hop-grower of Marion 
county; Joseph and Charles both make their 
home with their parents ; Eliza is in . Portland ; 
and Cecilia lives at home. 

Mr. Johnston now owns five hundred and 
thirty-five acres of land, three hundred and fifty 
of which is cultivated and pasture land, upon 
which he is carrying on general farming and 
stock-raising. Politically he is an adherent of 
the principles advocated in the platform of the 
Democratic party, and through this influence has 
served in various offices in his community. For 
a period of twenty years he has served as clerk 
of the school board, and also as road supervisor 
for a considerable length of time, his personal 
worth being evidenced in the discharge of the 
duties which have fallen to his lot as a citizen 
of this great commonwealth. 



CHARLES BECKE, JR. The agricultural 
interests of Marion county are well represented 
by him whose name introduces this review, and 
it is with pleasure that we present to our readers 
a brief outline of the qualities and characteristics 
of Mr. Becke. The province of this history is 
not so much to enter into the small details of a 
man's life, as to show forth to the world some- 
thing of the governing principles which have 
led to his success. We do not any of us need 
to be told that the farming class of any country 
is really its bone and sinew, and that those who 
cultivate the soil contribute the first and most 
essential source of wealth in all lands. It is to 
this class that Mr. Becke belongs, being the 
owner of a valuable farm of one hundred and 
ninety-three acres, devoted to general farming, 
twelve acres being planted to hops, for which he 
finds a ready sale on the market. The farm is 
well cultivated and has many improvements upon 
it, indicating the careful supervision of the 
owner. 

Mr. Becke was born in the German colony, in 
Bethel, Shelby county, Mo., February 20, 1854, 
and is a son of Charles Becke, who was born 
in Hanover, Germany, in 1820. In 1846 he left 
his native land, sailing for America, and on 
arriving in this country he took up his abode 



in Shelby county, Mo., where he was married to 
Johanna Keil. He remained in Missouri with 
the Bethel colony until 1867, when he brought 
his family across the plains and mountains, 
making his way to the Aurora colony, east of the 
present site of Aurora. Six months were con- 
sumed in making this journey, and the family of 
course were weary and glad to find a permanent 
place of abode. They remained in the Aurora 
colony until there was a division of property, in 
1875, Mr. Becke receiving as his share the farm 
of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he 
yet makes his home. 

Charles Becke, Jr., was but thirteen years of 
age when his parents came to Oregon, and in 
the common schools of this state he received his 
education. He was one of a family of eleven 
children, five of whom are now living : Charles, 
the subject of this sketch; Louisa, the wife of 
Joseph Erbsland, of Marion county ; Henry, who 
lives upon his father's farm; Sarah, the wife of 
George Gooding, a resident of Marion county; 
and Edward, who resides in Aurora. 

At the age of twenty-five years, Mr. Becke be- 
gan work for himself on a farm, following this 
by engaging in carpenter work for the Southern 
Pacific Railroad and elsewhere. For three years 
he acted as a clerk in the store of John Giesy. 
He was persevering and industrious, and these 
virtues always bring their reward, so that in 
1 88 1 he had saved enough money to purchase 
his present farm. He was not satisfied that his 
land should remain unimproved, but set about 
to transform it into a valuable farm property 
which he has succeeded in doing and it now an- 
nually returns to him a good income and does 
credit to his industry and care. Three years 
after the purchase of his home, he took a bride 
to preside over it, the lady of his choice being 
Miss Anna Giesy, daughter of John Giesy, the 
ceremony being performed January 23, 1884. 
They have three living children : Aurelia Louisa, 
Ursula Amelia and Alterius Charles. Mr. Becke 
is a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, having maintained fraternal relations 
with these organizations for a number of years. 
He is a firm believer in the principles of the Re- 
publican party and always defends what he be- 
lieves to be right, whether it relates to his own 
personal actions or to the issues which involve 
the nation's honor. 



GEN. THOMAS JONES THORP. Though 
nearly a half century has passed away since the 
dark cloud of threatened disruption appeared on 
the country's horizon, and in the interval many 
events have conspired to make common the in- 
terests of the then warring sections, there is still 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1277 



a lasting lesson of patriotism and a strengthen- 
ing of national love in the perusal of the lives of 
men who offered themselves as sacrifices for a 
principle the advocacy of which meant a fratri- 
cidal struggle, fearful in its intensity and sad- 
dening in the result when viewed through the 
desolated homes and ruined fields. The army 
which pitted its strength against Lee's soldiers 
was not called forth from impulse ; principle and 
patriotism dominated the actions of these men, 
foreshadowing the future greatness of our united 
country. 

A representative of the men of this epoch is 
Gen. Thomas Jones Thorp, a review of whose 
life, though brilliant in action and teeming with 
events, would still be incomplete without its com- 
panion sketch — a record of the woman who cast 
in her fortunes with his in the maelstrom of pub- 
lic upheaval, giving herself with patriotic ardor 
to every movement that meant service to her 
country. United as General Thorp and his wife 
were in the face of the gathering storm and at 
the head of the mustering forces, the record of 
their lives is so closely interwoven that that of 
one is not complete without that of the other. 
Mrs. Thorp was in maidenhood Mandana Cole- 
man Major, her birth occurring in Allegany 
county, N. Y., January 25, 1843, being the 
daughter of Col. John Major, also a native of that 
county, and the granddaughter of Stephen Major. 
The latter was born in the northern part of Ire- 
land of Scottish parentage, and as a young man 
he came to New York and settled in Karr val- 
ley, where he engaged as a merchant tailor, 
through the practice of his inherited thrift amass- 
ing a fortune before his death. Her father, John 
Major, was a colonel of the state militia and a 
large land-owner, and he married Serena Rath- 
bone, a native of New York and a descendant of 
Major Moses Van Campen, a patriot of the Rev- 
olution. Colonel Major died in the state of his 
birth. 

Mrs. Thorp was reared under the careful train- 
ing of a devoted mother, learning housewifely 
arts in addition to the splendid education received 
in Alfred University, and, though but seventeen 
when the storm-cloud began to gather darkly, 
her inheritance of patriotism and national love 
responded to the situation, and no mass meeting 
was complete without her presence and the sing- 
ing of a national song in her unusually beautiful 
voice, which helped no little in enlistment. At 
the close of the first peninsular campaign, when 
more troops were required to face Lee's advance 
into the north, President Lincoln called upon the 
governor of New York to raise and equip two 
regiments, and this young patriot offered her 
voice in song once more, the soldiers of the One 
Hundred and Thirtieth and One Hundred and 
Thirty-sixth carrying into battle the memory of 



her unselfish efforts, which inspired many to bear 
with patience and fortitude the trials of a sol- 
dier's life. The ceremony which united her with 
her husband in the holy bonds of matrimony was 
performed at a crucial period of the war and in 
a most picturesque manner ; it took place at Port- 
age, on the banks of the Genesee river, in the 
hollow square formed by the soldiers of the One 
Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment, in which 
Thomas P. Thorp had just been assigned the po- 
sition of lieutenant-colonel, and was performed 
by the Rev. Dr. Joel Wakeman, a chaplain of a 
company also of that regiment. After her mar- 
riage Mrs. Thorp proved herself worthy to be 
called a patriot and to be the wife of a soldier. 
She followed the regiment throughout its entire 
service, rendering devoted service in the ranks 
with the many other noble women of that period 
who sacrificed all that they held dear to minister 
to the needs of the sick and wounded in camp 
and hospital. She joined the regiment of her 
adoption and remained with it during the siege 
of Suffolk, Va., enduring with calm heroism the 
dangers and privations, cheering and encourag- 
ing the lonely, homesick soldiers, to whom the 
sight of a woman's pitying face recalled the one 
waiting and watching for their return. Never 
in the course of the weary months and the in- 
creasing perils did Mrs. Thorp suggest to her 
husband that as he had been several times 
wounded and a prisoner of war he could con- 
sistently leave the service, but cheered him in 
camp and field until the time of peace, when they 
rode side by side in the Grand Review at Wash- 
ington in the Second Brigade, First Division of 
the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac, 
her decoration the full eagle, his the star above 
the eagle. 

Gen. Thomas Jones Thorp was born in Alle- 
gany county, N. Y., in 1837, the son of Mont- 
gomery Thorp, who was born in the state of Con- 
necticut and died in Michigan, having engaged 
all his life in farming and milling. Of this fam- 
ily, General Thorp is not alone in his illustrious 
record, another brother serving in the army, be- 
ing the late Capt. Alexander K. Thorp, who was 
killed in the great cavalry charge at Winchester, 
Va., September 19, 1864. Senator Simeon M. 
Thorp, another brother, was also killed during 
the Civil war, coming to his death in 1863 
through the sacking of Lawrence, Kans., by the 
Confederate forces. At the breaking out of the 
Civil war Thomas Jones Thorp was attending the 
preparatory department of Alfred University, in- 
tending to enter Union College and continue his 
studies, but with the ardor of patriotism he at 
once enlisted, receiving on the field his diploma 
in the class of 1861. In response to President 
Lincoln's call, he enrolled as a private in a com- 
pany organized in his native county, which was 



1278 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



finally assigned to the Eighty-fifth New York 
Regiment of Infantry in the Army of the Poto- 
mac, and during the first Peninsular campaign 
he won honorable distinction as a captain at the 
battle of Fair Oaks, where he was slightly 
wounded. At the close of the Seven-Days battle 
his record won him the commendation of Gov- 
ernor Morgan of New York, who selected him to 
fill the position of lieutenant-colonel of the One 
Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment. The colonel 
of this regiment had been selected from the reg- 
ular army, the choice falling upon General Gibbs, 
who in becoming brigadier-general left a vacancy 
for Captain Thorp. This regiment bore a repu- 
tation of containing more than ordinary ability, 
being composed of the flower of the native-born 
yeomanry of the counties of Allegany and Wyo- 
ming, men of erudition and talent, from all pro- 
fessions, and to hold a commission in this regi- 
ment naturally gave a man credit for possessing 
unusual ability and courage, which Colonel Thorp 
in no wise lacked, for, though crippled from the 
wound received in the summer, he was out on 
crutches in September drilling the troops. After 
the battle of Gettysburg this regiment was trans- 
ferred to the cavalry corps by an order from the 
war department, and was thereafter known as 
the First New York Dragoons. 

During the war General Thorp rendered hon- 
orable service in every camp of the Army of the 
Potomac, participating in sixty-four engagements, 
and was absent from the battlefields only when 
disabled by wounds or for a short period in 
which he was a prisoner of war after the battle 
of the Wilderness, during which time he won a 
place in the memory of sixteen hundred Union 
prisoners for the words of cheer and encourage- 
ment which he spoke to them on the anniversary 
of the national birthday. He had been taken 
prisoner at Trevilian Station, after being severe- 
ly wounded, and was sent to Macon, Ga., but, 
undaunted by the privations and sufferings which 
might be his in a southern prison, he delivered on 
the Fourth of July an oration commemorative of 
the day, filled with eloquence stirred to life by 
the years in which he had sacrificed himself for 
his country. The stirring events of his brief so- 
journ in a southern prison were detailed in the 
north, leading up to the following article, which 
gave to the public a proper estimate of the worth 
of Colonel Thorp. We quote herewith : " This 
outburst of patriotic sentiment uttered in the very 
heart of the Confederacy, and in the very mouth 
of the cannon guarding the prisoners, was treat- 
ed by the prison commander as insubordination, 
but it was characteristic of Colonel Thorp, who 
in the night jumped from the train going from 
Savannah to Charleston in his effort to rejoin 
his command in front of Richmond. The ster- 



ling qualities -which prompted thousands of heroic 
defenders of the Union and constitutional liberty 
to stand to the front is also a trait with Colonel 
Thorp." The promotion of Colonel, Thorp fol- 
lowed close upon this event. 

At the conclusion of hostilities General Thorp 
became interested in educational work, being 
called to an important educational institution in 
Buffalo, N. Y ., by the eminent Dr. Thomas Loth- 
rop, then superintendent of public instruction in 
that city. After several years he turned his at- 
tention to the subject of applied mechanics, and 
received several important patents for invention 
from the government, being located in Chicago, 
111., having previously been a resident of Cadillac, 
Mich., where he was interested in the manufac- 
ture of lumber. While living in the latter city 
he served two terms as county clerk, his wife as- 
sisting him as deputy clerk and also acting as 
register of deeds. In February, 1892, having 
sold out his interests in Chicago, he located in 
Forest Grove, Ore., many of his interests being 
in the west, having conducted a sheep ranch for 
five years located on Little creek, just out of 
Flagstaff, Ariz., and adjoining the Navajo reser- 
vation. For several years he served as principal 
of various schools in the state, among them being 
Forest Grove, Woodlawn, Portland, and others. 
In 1899 he located in Corvallis, Ore., where he 
now makes his home, looking after his varied 
interests. 

General Thorp is now a prominent man in mili- 
tary circles, being a member of the Loyal Legion 
and the Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. 
Thorp also keeps up her old associations, being 
a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, and is 
now identified with Ellsworth No. 7, representing 
in 1897 the state of Oregon to the National Con- 
vention of the Woman's Relief Corps at Buffalo, 
and again in 1902 being a delegate to Washing- 
ton, D. C. She is also prominent in the Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union. Both the General 
and Mrs. Thorp are members of the Presbyterian 
Church, and stanch Republicans politically. Of 
the four children which blessed this union, Sim- 
eon died in Michigan ; Annie became Mrs. Sun- 
derland and died in Buffalo; Bessie Mabel and 
Montgomery are still at home with their parents. 
The daughter at home has received a fine educa- 
tion through the medium of Pacific University of 
Forest Grove. 



JOHN W. FOSTER. More and more the 
agriculturist is bringing to bear upon his occu- 
pation those practical innovations which tend to 
facilitate labor and increase the joy of living, and 
in this regard he is leagues ahead of his wearv 
predecessor, whose interminable hours incapa- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1279 



citated him for a correct appreciation of his 
gains, and gave him at best but an occasional 
glimpse into the more leisurely and congenial 
walks of life. In illustration of the former state. 
of being, one need go no further than many of 
the farmers and stock-raisers in Benton county, 
universally conceded to be one of the most fertile 
parts of the state. Among these, John W. poster 
occupies a prominent place, not only because of 
personal characteristics of a high order, but 
because he has one of the most beautiful homes 
and is one of the most extensive stock-raisers in 
the county. In the foothills of the coast range, 
overlooking a serene valley, is this ideal rural 
home, surrounded by two thousand, three hun- 
dred acres of land, many acres of which are 
under cultivation, and the greater part of which 
is devoted to stock-raising. On this same farm 
Mr. Foster was born May i, 1859, and during all 
these years it has been his home, no matter how 
far he has wandered in quest of diversion or 
business. 

John Foster, father of John W., was born in 
Ohio, March 3, 1822, and in 1834 removed with 
his parents to Missouri. In 1845 the whole fam- 
ily started across the plains with ox-teams, and 
though emigration was as yet a novel and rare 
experience, they encountered little difficulty with 
the Indians, although some of their cattle passed 
into their keeping. Six months of travel brought 
the party to the Tualatin plains, where they 
spent the winter, the following spring removing 
to the claim eight miles southwest of Corvallis, 
where the parents died at an advanced age. John 
the older did not settle on the claim with his 
parents, but rather came direct to the claim 
twelve miles south of Corvallis where his son 
now lives, and soon after carried to completion 
a little romance begun on the plains, and which 
resulted in two hearts deciding to join their life 
fortunes. Mary Lloyd was an interesting girl 
on the way to Oregon with her parents, but she 
did not long survive her marriage, dying while 
still a young woman. To her husband's care she 
left three children. Nancy, the oldest, being the 
widow of James Long of Montana ; William is 
deceased ; and Jasper T. lives in Prinesville. In 
time Mr. Foster married Elizabeth Buchanan, 
who was born in England, and came to Oregon 
in 1856. and whose father is mentioned at length 
in another part of this work. Three children 
were born also of this union : Henrietta is the 
wife of Charles Lee of Corvallis ; Emma is 
deceased : and John W. is living on the old claim. 

John Foster prospered exceedingly, and in all 
his business and other undertakings maintained 
that high standard which is the truest indication 
of good sense and progressiveness. He made 
many improvements on his farm, and became one 
of the most extensive breeders and manipulators 



of stock interests in Benton county ; shrewd and 
sagacious, he availed himself of apparent oppor- 
tunities and created new ones, and had the inter- 
est of his neighbors and friends at heart. Genial 
and obliging, he found outstretched hands and 
welcoming hearts wherever he went, and thus 
his death at the age of seventy-seven was sadly 
mourned. From time to time he had added to 
his land, and finally owned twenty-two hundred 
acres. Besides his farm he left other property 
and large money interests, all of which indicated 
his masterful grasp of chances that came to him. 
In 1884 he moved to Corvallis, where the 
remainder of his life was spent in comparative 
retirement. 

After his parents moved from the old place 
John W. Foster was left in charge, a responsibil- 
ity which he was abundantly able to assume 
because of his superior training on the farm, and 
a practical education acquired in the public 
schools, at Bishop Scott's Academy and at the 
Portland Business College. He married Laura 
Alexander, who was born in California, and who 
is the mother of one child, Ada E. Mr. Foster 
is an extensive raiser of stock, making a spe- 
cialty of Durham cattle, and he also conducts 
•general farming enterprises. He is practical and 
scientific, and has never allowed himself to get 
into grooves, or rely upon the customs and 
methods adopted by those engaged in similar 
occupations. He is a thinker, reasoner and phi- 
losopher, and while rejoicing in the good fortune 
which fate and his own industry have brought 
him, has kept pace with the times along general 
lines, and is a most companionable and interesting 
man. He has traveled a great deal for pleasure 
and information, and is one of the most influen- 
tial and popular farmers in Benton county. 



JOHN WILSON GILMOUR, retired, now 
residing at Silverton, Marion county, was born 
in Lincoln county, Ky., September 13, 1813, and 
is a son of George and Polly (Hickman) Gil- 
mour. His father, a native of Kentucky, was a 
son of James Gilmour, who was born in Ireland 
and was brought to America in his youth by his 
parents, who settled in Virginia. George Gil- 
mour was a friend of Daniel Boone, the famous 
pioneer of Kentucky, who made his home near 
that of the Gilmour family. Polly Hickman's 
maternal grandfather, named Wilson, was a mem- 
ber of the famous band of free-lances under 
command of Francis Marion, and participated in 
the historic battle of Eutaw Springs. 

August 29, 1833, J°hn W. Gilmour married 
Jane Alexander Bronaugh. and two months later 
settled in Hancock county, 111. In 1851 he start- 
ed across the plains for Oregon with his wife 
and eight children. Six months later the fam- 



1280 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ily arrived in what is now Washington county, 
locating temporarily near Hillsboro. The fol- 
lowing year they removed to Linn county, where 
Mr. Gilmour followed his trade of blacksmith 
and incidentally engaged in farming. At his 
shop, four miles west of Lebanon, he made many 
of the first plows used in Linn county. He be- 
came a man of considerable influence in the com- 
munity, and for four years served as justice of 
the peace. Soon after locating in Linn county 
the Rogue River Indian war broke out, and for 
nine months he served as captain of a wagon- 
train for the government. 

Mr Gilmour's wife was a daughter ot laii- 
aferro and Jane (Gilmour) Bronaugh, repre- 
sentatives of old families of Kentucky Mrs. 
Gilmour died December 9, 1885. To Mr. Ul- 
mour and wife were born ten children, namely : 
Mary Jane, deceased; Lucy Eleanor, deceased 
wife of Andrew Linebarger ; William, deceased ; 
John, residing in Ellenburg, Wash.; George, 
deceased; James Alexander, residing in Wash- 
ington; Nancv Elizabeth, wife of Thomas W. 
Davenport of Silverton ; George Robert, a farm- 
er residing near Silverton; Martha Ann, wife of 
Nathan Kirkendall, of Olympia, Wash.; and 
Sarah, deceased wife of La Fayette Cassady._ 

The members of the Gilmour family inherit a 
rare degree of artistic ability, their paternal an- 
cestors having been gifted as musicians, and the 
Bronaugh family having exhibited considerable 
literary talent. This pioneer family has become 
well known throughout the northwest, and its 
representatives are respected and admired tor 
the many fine traits in their character. 



RICHARD IRWIN. In Richard Irwin, the 
founder of a worthy and influential family in 
Oregon, and the accumulator of a fortune 
through his own untiring zeal, the northwest had 
one of those old-time merchants who thoroughly 
understood his business and made money where 
the majority would have failed. Shrewd and 
sagacious, he stepped into mining and other lo- 
calities where there was a demand for his goods, 
did a thriving business, and disposed of them at 
just the right time, and always with appreciable 
profit. With a foundation of good will and good 
morals, and with personal characteristics which 
make a man popular and of use in the world, it 
is not surprising that his life was typical of the 
best in old-time mercantile ventures. 

Born in Ireland, June 11, 181 3, Mr. Irwin lost 
his father when he was a child, and years after- 
ward came to America with his mother and sis- 
ters, locating in New York state in 1832. Hav- 
ing learned the mercantile business in his native 
land, he was not slow in finding employment in 



his adopted country, and in time became identi- 
fied as manager with a concern which sent him 
to Ohio with a stock of goods. Not finding the 
new locality satisfactory for store-keeping, he 
went to Iowa, and there engaged for many years 
in a general merchandise business. In 1850, in 
St. Louis, he was united in marriage with Louise 
Kompp, who was born in Germany, and whose 
home was then in Iowa. Her people crossed the 
plains in 1853, settling in Benton county, where 
the father lived to be seventy-five and the mother 
eighty years of age. Soon after his marriage 
Mr. Irwin perfected plans for crossing the plains, 
and outfitted with horse instead of ox teams, 
having three teams to each of the two wagons, 
and besides had a carriage and some loose stock. 
They joined the Jerome Gossage train, and were 
six months on the way, experiencing little trou- 
ble with the Indians. Nevertheless their ranks 
were lessened by the cholera so prevalent during 
1850, with which disease Mr. Irwin was thrice 
afflicted, while his wife was the victim of one 
attack of the dread disorder. Arriving in Port- 
land, Mr. Irwin conducted a small store there 
during the first winter, and in the spring of 185 1 
came to Corvallis, where he started a store of the 
same kind. The same fall he took up six hun- 
dred and forty acres of land on the territorial 
road, which land is still owned and occupied by 
his wife and children. To his farm he moved 
his store, and while conducting it there for ten 
years made money rapidly and was an important 
man in his neighborhood. After disposing of 
this store he farmed for some time, and in 1864 
opened a mercantile business in Portland, shortly 
afterward removing his stock to east Oregon 
during the gold excitement. With the subsiding 
of the craze he sold out and returned to his farm, 
where he engaged in farming and stock-raising 
almost up to the time of his death, at the age of 
eighty-two years and some months. He had 
large numbers of Shorthorn cattle, the sale of 
which netted him a large yearly income. Since 
his death his widow has undertaken the manage- 
ment of the farm, and has proved herself an ex- 
cellent business woman and far-sighted manager. 
The home is all that a rural residence should be, 
and the barns, out-houses and general improve- 
ments indicate the progressive and intelligent 
agriculturist. Of the five children born into the 
family, Frances is the wife of Joseph McBee, a 
farmer of this locality ; Elizabeth is deceased ; 
James is living at home; Richard is a farmer 
near Corvallis; and one child died in infancy. 
Mr. Irwin was a genial and public-spirited man, 
and everything of an up-building and progressive 
nature in his neighborhood was sure of his ap- 
proval and substantial help. For many years he 
was postmaster of his neighborhood, and he held 







i^o^ 



A\L< 



K^j 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1283 



other important offices, invariably discharging 
his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction 
to all concerned. He possessed a fund of com- 
mon sense, without which success counts for 
naught, and man) - a man has been helped on a 
discouraging way by his cheerful council and 
material help. 



L. X. ROXEY. With the passage of many 
years there will still be standing the evidence of 
the substantial and material labor which L. N. 
Roney has contributed to the growth of the city 
of Eugene and Lane county. As a contractor 
and builder he has had charge of the erection 
of many buildings, public and private, which add 
to the financial and commercial prestige of the 
community. Among his most important work 
has been the erection of the Lane county court 
house, the two McClung buildings, the First 
Xational Bank, the Lane County Bank, the Loan 
& Savings Bank, the Hoffman House, Hotel 
Smeede, the addition to the Christman building, 
the Episcopal, Christian and Methodist Episcopal 
Churches, the Eugene Opera House, and many 
others of note, including many of the most at- 
tractive private residences in the city. His first 
engagement in Lane county was the assistance 
he gave in the construction of the bridge across 
the Willamette river at Eugene. In the success- 
ful completion of every enterprise Mr. Roney 
has won the confidence of the people of the com- 
munity, and in the fulfillment of every moral 
obligation has gained their esteem. 

L. X T . Roney was born in Auglaize county, 
Ohio, September 2, 1853, tne eleventh child in 
his father's family of twelve children, eight of 
whom are now living. His parents were Thomas, 
a native of New Jersey, and Caroline H. (Lever- 
ing) Roney, a native of Pennsylvania and a rep- 
resentative of the old family of Levering's of 
Maryland. Thomas Roney settled in Ohio in 
1832. His occupation had been that of a weaver, 
but in Ohio he engaged in farming. In 1878 he 
came to Oregon and located in Lost Valley, 
where. his death occurred in 1885, at the age of 
seventy-eight years. His wife died at the home 
of L. X. Roney in 1897, at the age of eighty- 
four years. Of this large family of children, 
four brothers served in the Civil war — Henry 
and William in the Eleventh Ohio Regiment, and 
John and Charles in the short service. 

In the region of Wapakoneta, Ohio, the scene 
of his birth, L. X. Roney was reared, the oppor- 
tunity 7 for educational advancement being so lim- 
ited that he attended school but little, his wide 
knowledge of current events and general fund 
of information being the result of observation in 
later years. When fourteen years of age he 
devoted all his energies to farm work, the home 
59 



farm consisting of one hundred acres which, at. 
the present time, has seven gas wells upon it. 
When he was seventeen years of age his father 
removed to Gallatin, Daviess county, Mo. There 
he remained at work until he was nineteen years 
old, when he began an apprenticeship at the car- 
penter's trade, at which he continued for three 
years. In 1876 he located in Oregon, having 
been induced to come west by an aunt, Mrs. Wil- 
liams, who had crossed the plains in 1853, and 
was then living in Lane county. He at once 
began bridge carpentering for A. S. Miller & 
Sons, finding work in the states of Oregon and 
Washington until 1882. He then began con- 
tracting and building in Lane county, and has 
since built every bridge in Lane county, also 
operating in other counties, where he has met 
with uniform success. 

In Boise City, Idaho, June 5, 1889, Mr. Roney 
was united in marriage with Mrs. Orilla G. 
(Baker) Humphrey. She was born in Salem, 
Ore., the daughter of Capt. John Baker, one of 
the early and successful pioneers of Oregon, who 
now makes his home in Salem. 

In his political affiliations Mr. Roney is a Re- 
publican. He was the presiding officer of the 
first Young Men's Republican Club organized in 
Eugene, has been an influential delegate to sev- 
eral county conventions, and for several terms 
has served as city councilman from the third 
ward. He was made a Mason in Missouri in 
1874. He is now a member of Eugene Lodge 
Xo. 11, A. F. & A. M., in which he is past mas- 
ter; is past high priest in Eugene Chapter Xo. 
10, R. A. M. ; in 1897 was grand high priest of 
the grand chapter of Oregon; is a member of 
Ivanhoe Commandery Xo. 2, K. T., of Eugene, 
in which he served as eminent commander in 
1892 ; and is now deputy grand commander of 
the grand commandery of Oregon, having been 
elected to that office in September, 1902, and re- 
elected in September, 1903. He is also associat- 
ed with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the 
Eagles, and is a charter member of the Eugene 
Commercial Club. Mr. Roney is a man of high 
public spirit, and may always be depended upon 
to assist in the furtherance of all well considered 
projects which have for their end the promotion 
of the best interests of Eugene. 



ALFRED E. MOORE. Xot all of the inter- 
esting homes of Oregon are set down in the midst 
of broad acres. There are some who prefer 
rather the modest acres whose every nook can 
receive the owner's personal attention. To this 
latter type of home belongs that of Alfred E. 
Moore, which, when he first purchased the land, 
was a wild, uncultivated spot, with timber and 



1284 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



small brush marring its promise. Today it stands 
a clean, well-kept farm of twenty acres in the 
highest form of cultivation, ten acres being in 
fruit — prunes, apples, etc. — while the rest yields 
an abundance of farm products, with the added 
beauty of handsome buildings, giving evidence of 
the thrift of its owner. 

Alfred E. Moore was born in Hardin county, 
Iowa, December 31, 1858, and was the sixth in 
order of birth in a family of ten children. He 
received his education in the common schools of 
Iowa, attending also the academy located in New 
Providence, Iowa. At rather a youthful age he 
secured employment on a farm, where he re- 
mained until he was twenty years old. Leaving 
home at this time be came to Oregon, where he 
followed up this occupation at Eugene, Lane 
county. The next year, however, he left Eugene 
and passed through Woodburn, West Union and 
Dayton, stepping at each for some time, eager to 
know the advantages of each, as a possible loca- 
tion for his future home. When he reached New- 
berg he went no farther, believing that he had at 
last found that for which he was in search. Here 
he bought forty acres of land, a little wilderness, 
and truly it was wonderful faith that could look 
through that tangle and picture the fair future 
of that location. He soon sold twenty acres, 
wisely deciding that a half well done was worth 
the whole half done. With ceaseless energy he 
prosecuted the work of his property, cutting 
roads where they would give easy access", hew- 
ing out the trees and grubbing brush until he 
couid see the light from east to west. Truly this 
little farm presents a fair picture. 

Mr. Moore and his brother, C. F., built the 
first home-made evaporator built in Yamhill 
county, at Dayton, and two years later Mr. Moore 
and Mr. Snodgrass built the first commercial 
evaporator at Newberg. 

Mr. Moore married Miss Lizzie Woodward, 
October 8, 1890, and two children now share the 
home : Lester and Marion. Mrs. Moore was born 
in Indiana. Her father, Benjamin, was a native 
of North Carolina, and at an early day moved 
to Indiana, settling in Morgan county, where he 
died. The daughter had gone west to live with 
a brother in Oregon and it was in this way that 
she met Mr. Moore. In the Society of Friends 
Mr. Moore finds his church home, and fra- 
ternally is connected with the Woodmen of the 
World. In his political affiliation he is a Repub- 
lican. For further information regarding the 
parents of Mr. Moore, refer to the sketch of C. 
F. Moore upon another page of this work. 



GEORGE WILL. Numbered among the 
self-educated, self-made and successful farmers 
of Marion county is George WJH; owner of a 



finely improved farm near Aurora, and for- 
merly identified with the little colony whose 
tenure of life was completed in 1884. A native 
of St. Louis, Mo., Mr. Will was born Decem- 
ber 21, 1839, and comes of stanch Teutonic an- 
cestry. His father, John Will, was born in 
Bavaria, Germany, and in his native country 
owned quite a large country property, which 
he disposed of in order to come to America, in 
1839. With his hard-earned German thalers 
he bought a farm near Muscatine, Iowa, but, 
not liking the locality particularly, disposed of 
it in 1843 an d took up land in the Bethel Col- 
ony, Shelby county, Mo. Here his death oc- 
curred at an advanced age, and he left to his 
children a fair-sized property, and the heritage 
of a good name. 

At the age of sixteen George Will left the 
farm of his father and learned the hatter's 
trade, and at the same time worked in the 
woolen mills of the Bethel Colony. In August, 
1 861, at the age of twenty-two, he enlisted in 
Capt. Henry Will's company, Seventieth Regi- 
ment, Missouri Militia, and entered active serv- 
ice as bugler in that company in January, 1863, 
where he remained until March 10, of the same 
■year, when he was mustered out, and again 
joined the colonists, who were, at that time, 
agitating the subject of establishing a branch 
in the far west, Aurora, Ore., being eventually 
selected as a desirable site. Hither repaired 
several bands of pilgrims at different times, 
but the principal train to start across the plains 
outfitted in 1863, and consisted of forty wagons 
and eighty men, besides numerous women and 
children. The men were heavily armed and 
prepared for any emergency, and Mr. Will, who 
was one of the travelers, does not recall any 
serious disturbances, or any particular suffer- 
ing from Indian attacks, illness or severe 
weather. After six months the party reached 
Aurora, and the members dispersed to select 
their farms, and start their respective indus- 
tries. 

Locating in Aurora, where his knowledge of 
woolen mills was an advantage to him, Mr. 
Will was made foreman of the woolen mills 
started up by the colony. This position was 
maintained with credit until the disbanding of 
the colony, in 1884, at which time every man 
received his share of land and general profits. 

Mr. Will, very early in life, evinced decided 
taste in music, and became a member of a brass 
band at nine years of age. After coming to 
Aurora he joined the celebrated Aurora Brass 
Band, first playing a French horn, and later 
the E flat cornet, which connection he main- 
tained until forty years of age. 

In 1884 he settled upon the farm where he 
now lives, and which consists of two hundred 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1285 



and seventy-five acres, devoted to general 
farming and stock-raising, and to hops, of 
which there are ten acres at present. To much 
of his success in life Mr. Will attributes the 
sympathy and help of a good wife, to whom he 
was married in 1870, and who was formerly 
Elizabeth Link. Mrs. Will came across the 
plains with her parents in 1867, locating in the 
colony of which her father became a prominent 
member. Three children have been born into 
the Will household, of whom Edward H. is 
assisting his father on the farm ; Clara is the 
wife of Frank Siegler, of Aurora, and Elmer G. 
is living at home. 

Mr. Will is a Republican in politics, but has 
never taken any particular interest in the po- 
litical undertakings of his neighborhood, his 
farm duties taking up the greater part of his 
time. In spite of early disadvantages as to ed- 
ucation, he is a very well-informed man, hav- 
ing become a great reader as the years have 
gone by. He is stanch in his approval of good 
schools and practical educational training, and 
has seen to it that his children have profited by . 
all of the advantages he could give them. He 
is well known as an upright and enterprising 
member of the farming community around Au- 
rora, and his Jersey cattle are among the finest, 
and his farm among the best improved in the 
neighborhood. 



EDWARD F. LAMSON. The name of 
Lamson is not only substantially identified with 
the present prosperity of Oregon, but in the old 
pioneer days was represented in judicial, legis- 
lative and agricultural departments of activity. 
The farm upon which Edward F. Lamson is con- 
ducting extensive general and stock-raising en- 
terprises, and upon which he was born Septem- 
ber 19, 1850, was taken up by his father, Jere- 
miah, in 1848, and has since been a prized pos- 
session of the family. 

Jeremiah Lamson, the establisher of the fam- 
ily in Oregon, was born in Massachusetts in Jan- 
uary, 1812, and as a young man located in Bur- 
lington, Iowa, where he erected the first store in 
the town, and thereafter was foremost in its 
many avenues of usefulness. In 1847 ne 
perfected plans for crossing the plains, and with 
thirteen yoke of oxen and three wagons well filled 
with provisions, spent seven months in reaching 
the desired destination in Oregon. He had little 
trouble with the Indians, and suffered little from 
ill health, the journey being a very fortunate and 
favorable one. In the spring of '48 he took up 
a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres 
on the Willamina river, near the town of that 
name, and there farmed and raised stock almost 
up to the time of his death in 1888. He took a 



prominent part in political and other affairs in 
his adopted state, and from the beginning of its 
establishment was identified with the Republican 
party. He was a member of the first senate of 
Oregon, and was several times a member of the 
legislature, serving also four years as county 
judge. In his young days he married Flelen 
Hawks, who bore him four children: R. H., a 
resident of Portland ; H. W., a rancher of Crook 
county; Dora, the wife of Dr. W. Everett of 
Tacoma, Wash. ; and Edward F. The latter 
died on the old homestead in October, 1888. 

Through his youth Mr. Lamson lived on the 
donation claim where he was born, and at the age 
of nineteen took entire charge of its affairs. In 
1872 he was united in marriage with Helen Ber- 
gess, of which union there have been born three 
sons, Roy, Guy and Rex. In addition to the 
four hundred and eighty acres comprising the 
home farm Mr. Lamson farms other lands, mak- 
ing in all twenty-one hundred acres, and he is 
engaged principally in stock-raising, to which 
his tract of one thousand acres of bottom land 
is well adapted. The stock includes sheep and 
Hereford cattle, and Mr. Lamson is one of the 
best informed men on stock matters in this coun- 
ty. He has filled many positions of trust in the 
community, and as a Republican politician was 
elected to the legislature in 1898, and again in 
1900. President Harrison appointed him Indian 
agent of the Grand Ronde reservation, and he 
creditably maintained that position four years. 
The many sterling qualities of Mr. Lamson have 
won him many friends in Oregon, and he has 
ever had the sincere respect and liking of all 
who have been associated with him. 



MRS. MARY W. BARCLAY. Scattered 
over different parts of Oregon are farms directly 
under the management of women well schooled 
in the science of agriculture, whose lives have 
been passed in taking observations of the methods 
of others, even while they themselves were not 
then called upon to exercise their abilities. Such 
an one is Mrs. Mary W. Barclay, owner of a 
farm of four hundred acres, twelve miles south 
of Corvallis, and herself one of the most popular 
and prominent women in the community. Mrs. 
Barclay was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, in 
1841, her father, James Neill, having settled 
there after coming from Ireland at a very early 
day. Mr. Neill was a young man at the time of 
his emigration, and spent some time in Ohio be- 
fore marrying Mary Stewart, who bore him nine 
children, and who died in Ohio. At a later 
period he removed to Illinois, where his death 
occurred on a farm, to the management of which 
he devoted several years of his life. 

Mrs. Barclay was reared on the home farm and 



1286 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



educated in the public schools, and her first hus- 
band was Robert Herron,a native son of Ireland. 
Mr. Herron first met his future wife when he 
stopped in Ohio on his way from Ireland to Ore- 
gon in 1851, the remainder of his journey being 
by way of the Isthmus and San Francisco. Five 
miles northeast of Monroe, Ore., he took up a 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres, and in 
1861 returned to Ohio and married Miss Neill, 
then just twenty years of age. Together the 
young people returned to the western ranch and 
spent their lives together until the death of Mr. 
Herron, at the age of fifty-five years. He was 
a prominent man in his neighborhood, and to 
an otherwise meritorious life added a daring 
service in the Rogue River war. Six children 
were born of this union, of whom James lives 
near his mother ; Cleland is deceased ; Jane is 
the wife of W. T. Hewitt of California; Josiah 
lives on the old donation claim; John W. lives 
in Washington; and Laura M., residing on the 
home place. 

After her husband's death Mrs. Herron lived 
on the old place, successfully managed it, and 
in time became the wife of Mr. James Barclay. 
Mr. Barclay was born in the state of Missouri, 
and in 1851 crossed the plains to Oregon, meet- 
ing with no unusual adventures on the way, and 
arriving at his destination in good health and 
spirits. At once he took up a donation claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres, twelve miles 
south of Corvallis, and here brought his wife 
and farmed and raised stock up to the time of 
his death in 1892. Too much cannot be said of 
the exemplary life of Mr. Barclay, who was an 
ambitious, well educated and very popular man, 
adaptable and successful in all his undertakings. 
As a veteran of the Mexican war, he drew a 
pension from the government, and he was also 
a soldier in the Cayuse war. He was a Demo- 
crat in politics, but never took an active interest 
in office-holding. Three children were born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Barclay, Ross, Leah, and Ger- 
trude, all of whom are living with their mother. 
Mrs. Barclay still owns four hundred acres of 
the two donation claims, and has one of the 
finest rural homes in this county. Her barns 
and out-buildings and improvements suggest the 
up-to-date and prosperous land owner, and no 
one who entertained an appreciation of the man- 
ifold advantages of country life could desire a 
better place in which to pass their declining 
years. 



WILLIAM A. POTTER. A pioneer, earn- 
est, energetic and forceful, William A Potter 
spent many years in the upbuilding of the west- 
ern civilization before retiring to a quiet life, 
now making his home in Irving, Lane county. 



He came to Oregon in 1851, and since then has 
been principally interested in the agricultural 
life of the country. This representative of a 
Pennsylvania family is the descendant of Ger- 
man ancestry and originally spelled the name 
Pothour. David Pothour was born on the banks 
of the Juniata river, in Pennsylvania, in 1781, 
and in Ohio married Anna McCreary, who was 
born of Irish ancestry. Their son, William A., 
of this review, was born near the town of Hub- 
bard, Trumbull county, Ohio, February 7, 1825, 
into which state the father had removed and 
there engaged as a farmer. He spent the ex- 
traordinarily long period of seventy-five years 
in one location in that state, where his death oc- 
curred at the age of ninety-six years. They had 
been blessed with the birth of nine children, of 
whom William A. was the fifth. His early 
education was received in the common schools 
of the state where he was born, attending a little 
log school-house for his share in the distribu- 
tion of knowledge. Upon attaining manhood he 
engaged in the occupation in which his father 
had gained a livelihood, and in 1845 he started 
out into the world to seek his own living. That 
year he located in Grant county, Wis., in the 
southwest corner of the state, where he en- 
gaged in lead mining for a period of six years. 
In 185 1 he outfitted with three yoke of oxen 
and started for Oregon in company with a train 
of sixteen wagons. Six months was consumed 
in the journey, which was ended without any 
particular incident outside of those which nat- 
urally accompanied such a trip. Upon his ar- 
rival in the west he spent the first winter in 
Milwaukee, Clackamas county. He then took to 
surveying, and helped survey in various parts 
of the Willamette valley. In 1853 ne took U P 
a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres 
located in Lane county one half mile west of 
Irving, and there put up the first house which 
the prairie lands of this county had known 
In the same year Mr. Potter, with a party, 
started for the Umpqua mines, but before reach- 
ing there they heard the Indians were causing 
the prospectors considerable trouble, so the party 
changed their course and finally went to the 
mines at Yreka, Cal., where he mined for little 
over a year, but not realizing his hopes he re- 
turned to Lane county in 1854 and that ended 
his search after the hidden treasures of the 
earth. In a few years he sold his right for $500 
and took another claim of a like number of 
acres, one and a half miles north of the same 
town, to which he then removed and took up 
farming and stock-raising. This also was dis- 
posed of later, and for several years he spent 
his time in various locations of the county, al- 
ways, however, engaging in farming. In the 
fall of 1901 he came to Irving to make his home 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1287 



upon a modest little piece of two acres, which 
affords him occupation for his time. At the 
present time he is the owner of a farm of 
seventy-four acres one and a half miles south- 
east of Eugene, which is utilized as a stock- 
ranch. 

In 1855 ^ r - Potter married Louisa C. Zum- 
walt, a native of Missouri, who crossed the 
plains in 1847, and the following children have 
blessed their union : Clara Jane, wife of B. F. 
Bond, of Irving; Lewis H., of Eugene; E. O., 
also of Eugene ; Mary E., wife of Thomas Gray, 
of Irving ; U. Grant, deceased ; and Anna, wife 
of R. S. Poole, of Junction City. Democratic in 
his political views, Mr. Potter has ably filled 
different school offices. Fraternally he affiliates 
with Spencer Butte Lodge No. 9, Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the 
United Brethren Church, also of Eugene. 



WILLIAM WYATT. At the age of eighty- 
seven years William Wyatt may well contem- 
plate his lifework with serenity and satisfaction, 
for his plans have been well and substantially 
iaid, and have not been miscarried by errors in 
judgment or by want of executive ability. In 
his way of looking at things and in his con- 
servative and rather slow rise to prominence in 
die community he has proved the typical Eng- 
lishman, a by no means strange fact, for he was 
born in Birmingham, England, March 24, 
1816, and received his earliest training under 
English born parents. The family came to 
America in 1836, after a voyage of six weeks 
in a sailing vessel, and located at Norfolk, Va. 
They also lived in New York state, and at New- 
burg, on the Hudson, William found employ- 
ment in a nursery, and also in the powder mills. 
In Newburg he got quite a start in life, saved 
some money, and married, April 19, 1838, Mary 
Theodosia End, who was born in London, Eng- 
land, March 31, 1823 and came to America with 
her parents in 1836, locating in Newburg. 

Soon after his marriage Mr. Wyatt removed 
to Columbus, 111., and after a year settled in 
Henderson county, the same state, reaching 
there in the fall of 1839. He was fairly success- 
ful as a farmer, but was not so well pleased with 
the locality but what the tidings he heard of the 
fertility and resource of the west aroused his 
interest and caused him to view the matter from 
a practical standpoint. He was one of the first 
in his neighborhood to actually make the start 
to the west, and he sold out his property in 
1847, and on April 25 made the start with his 
wife and three children. He had four yoke of 
oxen and a well stocked wagon, and by all ac- 
counts had a fairly pleasant and uneventful jour- 
ney, arriving in Oregon in October, 1847. ^ n 



1850 he located on the farm which has since been 
his home, built a small log cabin with one room, 
aud started in to clear his land, and prepare it 
for crops. With little money, but with a stout 
heart and willing hands, he made the most of 
decidedly crude conditions, and in time his la- 
bor was rewarded with success. To his original 
claim he added as he secured the money neces- 
sary, until he owned three thousand and nine 
hundred acres of land, which he has since divid- 
ed among his children. When one contemplates 
the vast amount of work accomplished by this 
zealous pioneer and the calculation, planning and 
economy practiced ere he had even a small com- 
petence, one is filled with admiration for his 
strength of character, wisdom and perseverance. 
Although his own educational chances were 
limited, Mr. Wyatt has ever been a stanch ad- 
vocate of education, and his children have profit- 
ed by all that he could do for them in this direc- 
tion. Six sons and five daughters have been born 
into his family, the order of their birth being 
as follows: William, deceased in Illinois; Eliza 
A., the wife of A. J. Williams, of Benton county, 
Ore.; Ezra, deceased; Martha E., deceased; 
John, a farmer near Corvallis; Cynthia A., the 
deceased wife of J. G. Springer, and who died 
in March} 1902; William A., deceased when 
young; Virginia C, who died at the age of nine 
years; M. Eva, living at home; Samuel T., a 
farmer near Corvallis ; and Franklin, living near 
the old homestead. Mr. Wyatt has not only been 
a power in the agricultural world of this county, 
but he has exerted a vital moral influence among 
those with whom he has had to do. In 1858 
he became a convert to the United Brethren 
Church at a camp meeting at Mary's River 
church and later became a member of the 
church at Bethel. He has worked for the ad- 
vancement of the church during all of these years, 
and not only holds theories but practices the 
wholesome lessons which he has learned from 
his church and bible. His wife is a member of 
the same church, and both work together, and 
contribute generously of their means. Mr. 
Wyatt has been a trustee of Philomath College 
for over thirty years, and has taken a keen in- 
terest in this institution. More than ten years 
since there was a golden wedding at his comfort- 
able and hospitable home, and scores of friends 
assembled to extend their best wishes to the ven- 
erable couple, whose lives have taught many les- 
sons of humanity and kindliness and goodness. 



JOHN RICKARD. No little credit is due 
John Rickard for his success in life, for he 
started out when only a boy of twelve years to 
make his own way, and has not, since that time, 
been dependent on other efforts than his own| 



1288 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and is now one of the strongest men financially 
in this community of Benton county. His home 
is one of the handsomest in the vicinity, evi- 
dencing the result of his years of self-denial and 
toil. 

The birth of John Rickard occurred in Eng- 
land, December 31, 1832, his parents being Rich- 
ard and- Rachel Rickard, both natives of the 
same country. The father having died, Mrs. 
Rickard married again and came to the United 
States in 1846, and settled in Brown county, 
111., where her death occurred. On finding it 
necessary to make his own way, Mr. Rickard 
began by hiring out to the farmers in the neigh- 
borhood, where he engaged in farm work by the 
month, continuing in Illinois until 1852, when 
he crossed the plains by ox-teams. The journey 
occupied five months, and was ended without 
any molestation from the Indians. On reaching 
Oregon, he stopped for a short time in Clack- 
amas county, from there going to Josephine 
county, where he engaged in mining and pros- 
pecting for a short time. Not entirely satisfied 
with his prospects in the south, he ventured into 
Benton county and engaged in work with a sur- 
veyor, and in the summer of 1853 he started a 
brick manufactory near Corvallis, the first brick- 
yard in Benton county. A short time afterward 
he engaged in freighting out of Portland, in 
which he remained for about three years, at the 
close of that period, in 1856, finding a lucrative 
business in stock-raising near Corvallis. In 
1862 he bought a farm situated four miles south 
of Corvallis, where he remained until 1896, when 
he bought the farm adjoining, known as the 
Thomas Norris donation claim, and there he re- 
sided until October, 1903, when he removed to 
Corvallis, where he is now living retired. He 
also owns other farms, located principally in the 
valley, which bring the number of acres up to 
thirty-two hundred and fifty, making him one 
of the largest land owners in the vicinity. 

Mr. Rickard was first united in marriage with 
Laura Callaway, who was born in Missouri, and 
of the union two children have been born, 
George B., located near Philomath, and John 
Roy, who lives on the home place. His second 
wife was Ella Riley, a native of Illinois. The 
home farm is now conducted by Mr. Rickard's 
two sons. In politics Mr. Rickard is independ- 
ent of party restrictions, voting for the man 
whose administration he believes will be most 
productive of good for the greatest number. 



JOHN WHITAKER. General farming and 
stock-raising as conducted by John Whitaker 
amounts to an exact science, carefully studied and 
constantly improved upon. Old-time methods or 



machinery find no place on this model farm, bur 
rather every department represented has reached 
the highest perfection possible under the man- 
agement of an astute and far-sighted mind, 
trained by practical experience to avoid what- 
ever is superfluous or non-practical. Benton 
county has no more familiar name enrolled 
among its early settlers than that of Whitaker, 
and invariably it suggests the substantial and re- 
liable in character and attainment. John Whit- 
aker was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, May 
13, 1843, a son °f Jacob and Mary Ephrenia 
(Wiederkahr) Whitaker, natives of Germany, 
and the former born February 2, 1808. 

Special mention is due Jacob Whitaker, the 
founder of the family in America and Oregon, 
for he possessed leading and strong characteris- 
tics, and indelibly impressed his worth upon all 
who knew him. He was a stonemason and brick- 
layer by trade in his native land, and soon after 
his marriage came to the United States, settling 
in Richland county, Ohio. At a later period he 
removed to Sandusky county, where he farmed 
until 1853, an d then sold his land and prepared 
to emigrate to the northwest. The train in which 
he brought his four children to the coast con- 
sisted of but six wagons, and they were on the 
way about seven months. They found the In- 
dians peacefully inclined, nor was cholera or 
other physical disorder prevalent among the little 
party. However, one of the children was left 
behind in a little wayside grave upon the plains, 
a calamity doubly sorrowful to the father, who 
had buried his wife in Ohio in 1846, and who 
had since felt that he was almost alone in the 
world. Coming direct to Benton county, Mr. 
Whitaker took up a donation claim of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres ten miles south of Corvallis, 
and just east of the territorial road, where he 
engaged in farming, carpentering and mason 
work until a few years before his death, June 9, 
1883. His many-sided work took him into many 
parts of the county, and he came to know about 
all the people of importance within its borders. 
He was a good workman and a conscientious 
man and citizen, and won hosts of friends during 
his residence in the west. He was a member of 
the Catholic Church, and for many years served 
as a member of the school board. 

Ten years of age when the trip was made 
across the plains, John Whitaker was reared on 
the old donation claim, and educated in the dis- 
trict schools. After his marriage with Mary E. 
Zierolf, a native of Ohio, and who came to Ore- 
gon in 1869, he came to his present farm, ten 
miles south of Corvallis, and which constitutes 
a part of the old Whitaker donation claim. Of 
the seven hundred acres all in one body, three 
hundred and twenty are under cultivation, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1289 



he is engaged in general farming and stock-rais- 
ing, having some of the finest stock in the state 
of Oregon. In fact, he has the only registered 
Oxford Down sheep in the state. His Shorthorns 
are also registered, and are raised in large num- 
bers. Forty-five acres are under hops, and a 
large proportion of the land given over to grain- 
raising. The residence is a modern one, and the 
barns are such as delight the heart of a thrifty 
and ambitious landsman. Mr. Whitaker has been 
clerk of the school board for twenty-four years 
and during that time has materially advanced the 
cause of education in Benton county. He is a 
very popular, very successful, and very genial 
man, winning praise because of his aptitude and 
his unquestioned public-spiritedness. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Whitaker seven children have been 
born, all of whom are living : Peter ; Frank, at 
home ; Casper, of Washington ; Agnes, now Mrs. 
J. N. McFadden, of Benton county ; Margaret, 
wife of Roy Rickard, of this county; John O. 
and Mary Maude, at home. All were born on 
the home place. 



HON. CHARLES S. MOORE. To the en- 
ergetic nature and strong mentality of such men 
as Charles S. Moore, state treasurer of Oregon, 
is due the success and ever-increasing prosperity 
of the Republican party in this state, and in the 
hands of this class of citizens there is every as- 
surance that the best interests and welfare of the 
party will be conserved, resulting in a successful 
culmination of the highest ambitions and ex- 
pectations entertained by its adherents. Given 
to the prosecution of active measures in political 
affairs and possessing the earnest purpose of 
placing their party beyond the pale of possible 
diminution of power, the Republican leaders 
in Oregon are ever advancing, carrying every- 
thing before them in their irresistible onward 
march. Certainly one of the most potent factors 
in the success of the Republican movement in 
Oregon is Hon. Charles S. Moore, who through- 
out his life has been a loyal citizen, imbued with 
patriotism and fearless in defense of his honest 
convictions. 

Mr. Moore is a native of Marion county, Ore., 
born near Mount Angel, January 8, 1857. His 
father, William S. Moore, was born in Belle- 
ville, 111., while the grandparents were natives 
of Georgia and belong to old southern families. 
In 1848 William S. Moore made the long over- 
land journey to Oregon with his mother, two sis- 
ters and stepfather, S. Welch, the family 
settling on French Prairie. The father of 
Charles S. Moore was a millwright by trade and 
followed that pursuit in Oregon, Washington 
and Idaho. He was married at Pacific City, Pa- 
cific county, Wash., in 1854, and afterward lo- 



cated near Mount Angel, Marion county, Ore., 
securing a tract of land upon which he followed 
farming in addition to working at his trade. He 
assisted in building mills at many points in Ore- 
gon, including Portland, Salem, Oregon City, 
Albany, The Dalles and at Klamath Falls, where 
for ten years he was engaged in the operation 
of a sawmill. At the expiration of that period 
he returned to Portland, where he lived retired 
until his death, which occurred in June, 1899. 
He had served as county treasurer of Marion 
county for two years and for four years was 
county judge of Klamath county, Ore. He wed- 
ded Octavia Meldrum, who was born in Illinois, 
a daughter of John Meldrum and a sister of John 
W. and Henry Meldrum, of Oregon City. When 
a maiden of nine summers Mrs. Octavia Moore 
crossed the plains to Oregon City, this being 
in the year 1845. It was a very early epoch in 
the development of the northwest and she has 
therefore been a witness of the greater part of 
the growth and progress of this section of the 
country. She is now living in Portland. By her 
marriage she became the mother of seven chil- 
dren; Rufus S., who is a lumber merchant of 
Klamath Falls ; Charles S., of this review ; 
Mrs. Estella O. Bellinger, of Clarke county, 
Wash. ; Mrs. Frankie M. Hammond, of Kla- 
math Falls ; Bertha and Etta E., who are living 
in Portland ; and Lulu, who died at the age of 
seven years. 

When Charles S. Moore was about five years 
of age the family removed to Oregon City and 
two years later came to Salem, where for ten 
years he pursued his education in the public 
schools. He then spent two years in Willamette 
University, and in 1874 took up his abode at 
Klamath Agency. During the first year he was 
in the employ of the government on the Klamath 
Indian reservation, and afterward became clerk 
for the post trader at Fort Klamath, serving in 
that capacity for two years. In connection with 
his father and George Nurse he built the saw- 
mill at Klamath Falls in 1877, but after a year 
he accepted a clerkship in a store at that place, 
and in 1886 he purchased an interest in the bus- 
iness under the firm name of Reames, Martin 
& Co., Mr. Moore becoming manager of the 
large and ever-increasing business, continuing 
until elected state treasurer. As the years have 
passed his business interests have grown to ex- 
tensive proportions. He has always been inter- 
ested in lumber manufacturing and in this line 
of industrial activity is now associated with his 
brother in the ownership of the plant at Klamath 
Falls, which is conducted under the firm name 
and style of C. S. & R. S. Moore. This mill 
has a capacity of twenty thousand feet of lumber 
per day and is operated by water power. Mr. 
Moore is also interested in lands, both grazing 



1290 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and timber, and his investments have been judi- 
ciously made, connecting him with important bus- 
iness enterprises which yield an excellent finan- 
cial return. Upon his selection to the office of 
state treasurer he resigned his position as man- 
ager of the store at Klamath Falls, disposing of 
his interest in" the business. 

Mr. Moore was married in 1884, at Klamath 
Falls, to Miss Mary Langell, who was born in 
Jacksonville, Ore., a daughter of Hon. Nathaniel 
Langell, who came to this state from Ohio about 
1850 and took up his abode in Jacksonville. He 
is now a resident of Medford and has been quite 
prominent in public affairs, serving in 1872 and 
again in 1897 as a member of the state legisla- 
ture. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moore have been 
born two sons, Charles L. and John M. 

Mr. Moore is a member of the Commercial 
Club, of Portland, and Illihee Club of Salem, 
and is also prominent in Masonic circles, having 
been made a Mason in Klamath Lodge, No. 77, 
A. F. & A. M., in 1894. He is also a member 
of Oregon Consistory No. 1, A. & A. S. R., and is 
likewise connected with Al Kader Temple, N. 
M. S., and a charter member of the United 
Workmen of Klamath Falls, of which he is past 
master. From the time he attained his majority 
down to the present he has taken an active part 
in political affairs and has labored earnestly and 
effectively for the welfare of his party. While 
in Klamath Falls he served as school director 
and was a member of and president of the board 
of trustees of Klamath Falls. He served as 
county judge of Klamath county from July, 1894, 
until July, 1898. He has exerted a marked in- 
fluence in the councils of his party and for ten 
years was a member of the Republican state 
central committee, while for twelve years or 
more he was chairman of the county central 
committee. At the state convention held 
in April, 1896, in Portland, he was a member of 
the platform committee and with seven others 
out of thirty-two members of the committee 
made a minority report to place a gold standard 
plank in the state platform. As early as 1892 
the silver question had become one of prominence 
in Oregon, and Mr. Moore recognized that it 
must be met. He gave to the subject earnest 
thought and consideration and decided that there 
was but one safe, sound and enlightened system 
of finance for the country and that was by the 
adoption of the gold standard. In 1896 he was 
elected a delegate to the national Republican con- 
vention in St. Louis and there gave his support 
to William McKinley. In that convention he was 
a member of the platform committee. In 1898 
he was nominated on the Republican ticket in the 
convention at Astoria for the office of state treas- 
urer and was elected by a plurality of ninety-nine 
hundred and seventy-seven. He took the office 



in January, 1899, succeeding Hon. Phil Mets- 
chan, and in 1902 at the Republican convention 
he was re-nominated by acclamation, and was 
re-elected by an increased majority of fifteen 
thousand nine hundred and twelve, to serve until 
January, 1907. No higher endorsement of his 
faithful service during the first term could bt 
given. He is widely recognized as one of the 
political leaders of the northwest, and his life 
record forms an integral part of the history of 
the state. 



EDWARD HOLLOWAY. Preceded by 
twenty-one years of varied experience in differ- 
ent parts of the northwest, Edward Holloway 
came to Brownsville in 1902, purchased valuable 
town and country property, and has since engaged 
in the real estate and stock business. He owns 
about eight hundred acres of land in Linn county, 
all of which is leased out, while he is buying, 
selling and breeding Clydesdale horses and Span- 
ish jacks. He is also conducting a model dairy, 
sending to market the finest of creamery butter. 
In turning his attention to this line of industry 
Mr. Holloway is acting upon the inspirations 
received in his youth, which was fostered dur- 
ing his boyhood days in Lincolnshire, England, 
where he was born May 15, 1857. As a child he 
was familiar with Shorthorn cattle of great 
weight and noble lineage, with sheep famous for 
their size and the quality of their wool, and 
horses whose splendid proportions have made 
them marketable in all the large cities of the 
world. As a member of one of the old families 
of the eastern portion of England, he was trained 
to model farming, his father, William, being one 
of the best known farmers and stock men of his 
neighborhood. The elder Holloway owned a 
large tract of land, bought, sold and raised fine 
stock for many years, taking part also in the gen- 
eral improvement of the country. He was an 
agitator of good roads, as are the majority of 
country gentlemen, hence the unrivalled excel- 
lence of the English country highways. His 
death occurred in February, 1872, at the age of 
forty-eight years. His father, John, had been 
a farmer before him, having been born, reared 
and married in Lincolnshire. William Holloway 
married Mary Jane Elizabeth, daughter of Ed- 
ward Donnington, a large land owner and stock- 
raiser of Lincolnshire, now deceased. Mrs. Hol- 
loway, who is still living in England, is the 
mother of eleven children, six sons and five 
daughters, Edward being the fourth child. 

Upon emigrating to America in 1871, Edward 
Holloway, then sixteen years of age, joined his 
brother on the old Jeff Davis farm in Mississippi, 
at Davis Mills, which his brother was then man- 
aging, and where the younger lad gained a fair 




AtO. ftfy^Ly/OL* 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1293 



idea of American agricultural methods. In 
1875 the latter left his brother and went to 
Texas, and in Red River county bought a general 
merchandise business, two years later disposing 
of the same, and engaging in farming in Gon- 
zales county. In 1877 he went to Rosebud Land- 
ing, on the Missouri river, with a bunch of cat- 
tle for the Indians, and the following year made 
his way to a farm in the La Movie valley, Nev. 
From Walla Walla, Wash., which he reached 
in 1880. he went the following year to eastern 
Oregon, located on a farm in Umatilla county, 
and devoted the greater part of four thousand 
acres to wheat-raising. This proved a very suc- 
cessful venture, and when he sold out he was a 
financial gainer by several thousand dollars. In 
1896 Mr. Holloway located on a farm near Cur- 
rinsville, Clackamas county, Ore., and conducted 
a general merchandise store, and the following 
year bought a home containing ten acres at Mount 
Tabor. In 1899 he invested in considerable 
property in the Sunnyside addition, Portland, 
disposing of the same in 1902 to come to Browns- 
ville. 

In eastern Oregon Mr. Holloway married 
Gertrude Elizabeth Saver, daughter of Robert 
Saver, who, at the time of her birth, was engaged 
in farming in Nebraska. The father was born 
in Norfolk, England, and at an early day crossed 
the sea and located in Chicago, 111., and, after 
engaging in the real estate business for some 
time, moved to Nebraska. In 1901 Mr. Hollo- 
way and his wife visited the former's old home 
in England, where he became much interested 
in fine stock. On his return he purchased two 
thoroughbred Clydesdale stallions and one French 
Coach stallion. The Clydesdales have both since 
died, but he is now the owner of a fine English 
Shire and the only thoroughbred saddle stallion 
in the state. At present Mr. Saver is liv- 
ing on a large farm in eastern Oregon. Four 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hollo- 
way, of whom Walter Lee is deceased ; Daphna 
May. Roberta and Georgia are living at home. 
Bertram Peacock has been adopted by these 
large-hearted people, and is being given the same 
educational and other advantages enjoyed by 
the Holloway children. As a stanch Republican 
Mr. Holloway has upheld the interests of his 
party in the west, although he was formerlv a 
Democrat, experiencing a change of heart when 
the silver question became an issue. Years ago 
he served as school director and clerk for many 
terms, and he has also attended many conven- 
tions, both state and county. He is a man of 
broad and liberal ideas, and his wanderings in 
different parts of this northwestern country, his 
diverse participation in its many industries, has 



resulted in his becoming an enthusiastic advocate 
of its innumerable advantages as a home-making 
center. 



MRS. CHARLOTTE E. PENGRA. In man- 
ner, character and attainment, Mrs. Charlotte E. 
Pengra represents a family of distinguished an- 
cestry, around whom tradition clings persistently 
and fondly, and in whose make-up there is a jus- 
tifiable and inspiring pride. This pioneer of 1853, 
whose home in Springfield is the center of cul- 
ture and social prominence in the town, was born 
at Panton, Vt., May 1, 1827, and is a daughter 
of Rev. John and Aseneth (Campbell) Stearns, 
natives respectively of New Hampshire and Ver- 
mont. The paternal grandfather, Ebenezer 
Stearns, was also born in New Hampshire, and 
during the Revolutionary war he was captured 
by the Tories, in return for his devotion to the 
Colonial cause. He lived until July 1, 1823, and 
represented the fifth generation of his family in 
America, the emigrating forefather having been 
one Isaac Stearns, who came from Nayland 
Parish, Suffolk county, England, in the ship 
Arabella in 1630, locating at Watertown, near 
Mount Auburn, Mass. Fellow-passengers with 
him in the sailing vessel were such well known 
historical personages as Governor Winthrop and 
Richard Saltonstall. He was the progenitor of 
an American family as old as any in the state of 
New Hampshire, and which is represented in 
many states of the union. While his father was 
stacking his musket on the battlefields of the war 
of 1776, young John Stearns (born April 26, 
1778) was taken by his mother to Vermont on 
horseback, and there spent the early part of his 
life. Soon after his marriage in 1830 he was 
converted and called to the Baptist ministry, his 
first charge being in Vermont and later was pas- 
tor of the Elizabethtown church, Elizabethtown, 
N. Y, where he preached the gospel for nine 
years. In 181 7 he was transferred to Sardinia, 
Brown county, Ohio, and traveled several years 
as state missionary. Sorrow came to him after 
his removal' to Illinois, through the death of his 
wife at the age of sixty-six years, in 1850. With 
the help of David E., his oldest son, also Rev. 
M. N., Rev. S. E., and Avery O., an attorney, he 
outfitted with ox and horse teams for crossing 
the plains, and after arriving at the Rogue river 
country, settled on a claim near Phoenix, where 
his death occurred at the age of ninety-three 
years, in 1871. That he was a man of remark- 
able vitality and great will power may be 
imagined, when it is known that he preached al- 
most continuously up to the time of his final ill- 
ness, and at the age of eighty was able to occupy 
a pulpit at Eugene. Of his twelve children eleven 
attained maturity, seven of them being sons, only 



1294 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



two of whom are living, Mrs. Pengra being the 
eleventh child. 

Mrs. Pengra was eucated in the common 
schools of New York and Ohio, and in 1841 en- 
tered Hampton Falls Academy, of which her 
older brother was the preceptor. After an aca- 
demical training of two years she then engaged 
in educational work, studying at the same time. 
Moving to Illinois in 1848, in 1849 sne was mar_ 
ried to B. J. Pengra, in Winnebago county, 111. 
Mr. Pengra was born in Genessee county, N. Y., 
February 14, 1823, and after his father's death 
removed with his mother to Erie county, Pa., re- 
maining there until after her death. From Illi- 
nois he crossed the plains in 1853 locating on a 
claim seven miles east of Springfield, Ore., where 
he farmed and raised stock for several years. A 
man of broad education and journalistic ability, 
he established the first Republican newspaper in 
the state of Oregon at Eugene in i860, and which 
was known as the Oregon State Journal. He 
was a presidential elector at the time of Abra- 
ham Lincoln's election in i860 and served as 
surveyor-general during the administration of 
that martyred president. In 1866 Mr. Pengra 
moved to the site of Springfield, and with two 
partners, Stratton and Underwood, purchased 
the town site of Springfield. He was one of the 
pioneer developers of the town, opening flour 
and saw-mills, and purchasing surrounding 
farm-lands on a large scale. After a number 
of years of successful operating he bought a 
large stock ranch where he remained several 
years, and died at the home of his son near Co- 
burg, Ore., September 18, 1903, at the age of 
eighty years. Seven children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Pengra, of whom Stella M. is the wife 
of George W. Larson, of Reading, Cal. ; Avery 
W. died in infancy; Ella V. is the widow of 
James Walker, of Hazeldale, Lane county, Ore. ; 
W. J. and G. B., twins, the former living near 
Coburg, Ore., and the latter died at the age of 
ten years ; Bell, the wife of S. T. Black, a farmer 
of Grass Valley, Sherman county, eastern Ore- 
gon ; and Anna, the wife of Rev. C. M. Hill, 
pastor of the Baptist Church at Oakland, Cal. 
Mrs. Pengra has contributed to local papers and 
is a woman of superior culture and refinement. 
She is prominent in the Baptist Church, is a 
teacher of the bible class in the Sunday school, 
and has alv/ays given generously to church and 
charitable organizations. She is living on the 
old family homestead, in Springfield, which has 
been the family home since 1866. 



WESLEY HINTON. The pioneers who 
came to this northwestern country before the in- 
ducement of gold created discontent with the 
less-exciting means of livelihood are deserving of 



special credit for the heroic feat of crossing the 
plains. Their object must have been to establish 
homes under the most favorable possible condi- 
tions, and as the home is the foundation of the 
country, none could gainsay the nobility and dis- 
interestedness of their motives. The year 1846 
witnessed many departures from peaceful but not 
over-productive farms in the east, but at best the 
occasion of setting out must have been a rare 
one, and not frequent in any one neighborhood. 
Rumors of fertile lands and moving caravans 
reached the uneventful farming locality of Gas- 
conade county, Mo., where lived R. B. Hinton 
and his wife Elizabeth (Brammel) Hinton, with 
their large family of children, among whom was 
Wesley, born January 10, 1837, and destined to 
become one of the large agriculturists of Benton 
county. The father was born in Missouri, but 
his wife was a native of Virginia, and they had 
lived together for many years on the Gasconade 
county farm. Notwithstanding that they were 
wedded to their surroundings, they gladly set 
forth into the unknown regions of the plains in 

1846, turning their oxen's faces towards the 
western sea, and away from all with which they 
were familiar. Fortunately the little party es- 
caped many of the terrible adventures. which be- 
fell some of the early emigrants, and arrived at 
their destination in Oregon little the worse for 
their six months on the road. They came by the 
old Barlow route and spent the first winter near 
McMinnville, Yamhill county, in the spring of 

1847, taking up a claim of six hundred and forty 
acres seventeen miles south of Corvallis. This 
land now lies just at the edge of Monroe, in a 
prosperous agricultural district, but at that time 
it was accustomed only to the tramp of Indian 
feet, and to the occupancy of bear and other game 
in which the country abounded. Mr. Hinton 
built a little log cabin of one room in which 
the family lived for some months, but as his land 
yielded of its richness he was able to provide 
them with more modern quarters. He was an 
energetic and very industrious man, more than 
ordinarily intelligent, and the crude locality had 
need of his good judgment in helping to organize 
its local government. He took an active part in 
politics, was postmaster for many years, and held 
all of the local offices in his neighborhood. For 
one term also he represented his district in the 
state legislature. His wife dying about i860, he 
continued to live on his claim for some years, but 
his last days were spent at the home of his son. 
Wesley is the oldest of the thirteen children, and 
the next child living is Martha, widow of John 
Burnett, of Corvallis ; Thompson D. lives on a 
farm four miles north of Corvallis ; Columbus 
lives in Seattle ; Nancy is the wife of Harry Ran^ 
of Junction City ; Malvina is the wife of H. Fur- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1295 



geson, of Heppner, Ore. ; and Emma is the wife 
oi Alexander Lamb, of Elmira, Ore. 

The Yakima war of 1855 was the first happen- 
ing of importance that broke the monotony of 
Wesley Hinton's youth, and he gladly enlisted in 
Company I, under command of Captain Munson, 
and was mustered in at Portland. They were 
first sent to The Dalles, and later to Walla Walla, 
Wash., where transpired the famous battle of 
Walla Walla, lasting over a period of four days. 
The company wintered at Walla Walla, and were 
mustered out in Corvallis in 1856, after five 
months of service. Returning to his home, Mr. 
Hinton continued to farm, and December 16, 
1848, was united in marriage with Sarah Hinton, 
who was born December 16, 1848, thereafter 
settling on a part of Mr. Hinton's father's old 
donation claim. He owns four hundred acres 
of land, and devotes it principally to stock-rais- 
ing, Durham cattle, Cotswold sheep and Angora 
goats bringing in large yearly returns. He has 
a very nice home just at the outskirts of Monroe, 
and thus has all of the advantages of the town 
as well as country. He is public-spirited and 
enterprising, and his practical interest in the life' 
and work of others renders him a popular and 
useful acquisition to a thriving agricultural com- 
munity. A Democrat in politics, he has always 
promoted party interests in the county, but has 
never cared for official honors. As a member of 
the Masonic fraternity he has passed all of the 
chairs. With his family he is identified with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. One child has 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hinton, Esther, the 
wife of C. Rawls, who lives with Mr. and Mrs. 
Hinton. 



RILEY SHELTON. The family name which 
heads this review is one that has become well 
known through the identification of those who 
bear it with many of the important movements 
and enterprises which have given to Oregon her 
prestige among the states of the west. Riley 
Shelton is a native son, his father being the 
late Hon. Harvey Shelton, whose life left such 
a record of service and well doing that he still 
lives in the hearts of those who came to know 
him best in the pioneer days. Riley Shelton is 
now engaged in the real estate business in Scio, 
Linn county, and having spent the greater part 
of his life in this vicinity he has come to be 
known and honored for the many good qualities 
which have made him a desirable citizen of any 
community. 

The father, Hon. Harvey Shelton, was born 
in Patrick county, Va., October 16. 1822, from 
which state he removed with his parents to Jack- 
son county. Mo., and later to Buchanan county, 
of the same state, passing altogether about fifteen 



years in that section. In the spring of 1847 
they joined the tide of emigration which was set- 
tling so strongly toward the west, and which was 
more noticeable in the state of Missouri than 
in any other of the middle western states, and 
with ox-teams, crossed the plains to Oregon. 
Harvey Shelton at once took up a donation claim 
on Crabtree creek, five miles southeast of Scio, 
Linn county, which he owned up to the time of 
his death, August 21, 1893. Tn his religious 
convictions Mr. Shelton was a member of the 
Missionary Baptist Church, having become such 
at the age of eighteen years, and consistently re- 
tained membership throughout his entire life, car- 
rying into his every-day practice the principles 
which he honestly strove to follow. As both a 
patriot and politician he served his state in the 
Cayuse war, participating in the hardships and 
dangers which the pioneers were called upon to 
endure, and during the years of 1872, '74, '80 
and '84 he faithfully served not only the Demo- 
cratic party, with which his convictions lay, but 
also the people at large, who looked to men of 
honesty of purpose for the furthering of their 
interests, as a member of the house of repre- 
sentatives. Fraternally he was a member of Scio 
Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, be- 
ing a charter member of the organization, and 
had always taken a lively and active interest in 
the Grange and Farmers Alliance. 

In 1852 Mr. Shelton was united in marriage 
with Miss Caroline Thomas, who was born in 
Jackson county, Mo., November 18, 1832, and 
who, while still a child, removed with her parents 
to Texas. After their return in 1845 to her 
native state they made that their home until 185 1, 
when they crossed the plains to Oregon. Her 
father took up a claim near Scio, and August 
4, 1852, she became the wife of Harvey Shelton. 
They resided on their farm until 1884, when 
they became residents of the town of Scio, where 
her death occurred December 14, 1901, at the 
age of sixty-nine years. She also was a member 
of the Missionary Baptist Church, and had 
faithfully served as a Christian throughout her 
entire life. She was a pioneer of the character 
which constitutes the foundation for the great- 
ness of nations. She was the mother of nine 
children, seven of whom are now living, named 
in order of birth as follows: Mary C, the wife 
of 0. E. Crume, of Yamhill county ; Riley, of 
this review ; Henry L., of Scio ; George L., of 
Ashland, Ore.; Melvin H., of Arlington, Ore.; 
Isabelle, the wife of Frank Yarbrough, of Ash- 
land ; and Enoch C, of Scio. 

The oldest son now living of this family is 
Riley Shelton, who was born five miles south- 
east of Scio, Linn county, upon his father's claim, 
February 4, 1858, and was there reared to man- 
hood, receiving his education from the best 



1296 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



sources in this part of the state, after completing 
the common schools, entering Albany College in 
1878, where he remained two years. In 1881 he 
began to seek a livelihood on his own resources, 
engaging then as employing agent for the Farm- 
er's Warehouse Company, of Jefferson, Ma- 
rion county, Ore., and a year later returning to 
Scio, where he became connected in a mercan- 
tile establishment with J. C. Johnson, the lat- 
ter of whom now makes his home in Marion 
county. In 1885 Mr. Shelton retired from active 
life, and so remained until 1886, when he again 
became connected with the general merchandise 
business with H. A. Johnson, the brother of his 
former partner, and for two years the new firm 
enjoyed a successful era of custom, though Mr. 
Shelton had the misfortune to lose about $10,000 
by furnishing goods to one of the sub-contractors 
who was engaged in building the Corvallis & 
Eastern Railroad. Following his withdrawal 
from the mercantile life in 1888 he engaged in 
the real estate business, which has since lucra- 
tively occupied his time. He now, handles both 
city and country property. 

The marriage of Mr. Shelton occurred in 
Scio in 1882, Miss Florence D. E. Montgomery 
becoming his wife. She was born in Oregon, 
the daughter of Alexander Montgomery, a na- 
tive of Illinois, his emigration to Oregon having 
been made in an early day, via the Isthmus of 
Panama. He first located in Jackson county, 
where he engaged in mining, and at a later date 
he became a merchant in Scio, and still later a 
stock-dealer and farmer in Linn county, in the 
last-named business being especially successful. 
He now makes his home near Shedds, Ore., still 
interested in farming. Of the two children born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Shelton, Oborn Clyde died 
March 9, 1903, at the age of eighteen years, 
seven months and three days, and Audie Wave 
makes her home with her parents. In his political 
relations a Democrat, Mr. Shelton has served in 
many important positions in the interests of his 
party. He has acted as city recorder for two 
terms, mayor one term, school clerk for six 
years, and director for one term. As justice of 
the peace he has served three terms and as coun- 
cilman three terms, both of which positions he is 
now creditably occupying. He has also acted 
as notary public, and during Cleveland's admin- 
istration he held the position of postmaster from 
1894. Broad-minded and public-spirited in 
every way, with keen intelligence and judgment 
to guide his actions, the official life of Riley Shel- 
ton has been a credit to the people who have 
given him their vote, for he has faithfully^ upheld 
their interests and the welfare of the city and 
community. Fraternally he affiliates with the 
Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Rebekahs, 
having passed the chairs therein, and is also 



active as a member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. He belongs to the Missionary 
Baptist Church, in which he officiates as trustee. 



VERY REV. FATHER THOMAS, prior of 
Mount Angel, was born at St. Gall, Switzerland, 
September 18, 1865, and came to the United 
States in October, 1888. Having qualified in 
the classics at the Benedictine monasteries of 
Einsiedeln and Engleberg, Switzerland, he took 
up and finished philosophy and theology after 
coming to Mount Angel, and subsequently be- 
came a teacher of languages and classics in his 
Alma Mater. He was ordained to the brother- 
hood August 6, 1893, was made a director of the 
college, and later a director of the seminary and 
July 11, 1901, was elected prior. 

The early history of the religious organization 
over which Father Thomas has been called to 
preside is mentioned at length in another part of 
this work, and in connection with the life of 
Rev. Adelheim Odermatt, the founder of Mount 
Angel. Since assuming his present responsibil- 
ity Father Thomas has added what is known as 
the New College, and which bids fair to be one 
of the most useful adjuncts to the church in Ore- 
gon. This addition to the Mount Angel priory 
is situated on Mount Angel Butte, a small moun- 
tain commanding a splendid view of the sur- 
rounding country. The building was started 
May 10, 1902, and is 210x70 feet, ground dimen- 
sions, with a central building five stories in 
height, and wings on either side of four stories 
each. The new college was opened September 
15, 1903. The old college and monastery is built 
on the summit of the butte, and the winding 
path that leads up to it has fourteen stations, 
each continuing a picture of Christ during His 
crucifixion. The view at the top commands 
Mounts Hood, Jefferson and Adams, also the 
Cascade range and the state capitol at Salem, as 
well as the beautiful French Prairie, one of the 
most fertile agricultural sections of Oregon. 

With the college is connected a printing estab- 
lishment which turns out three periodicals, of 
which the St. Joseph Blatt, a weekly German 
paper, has a circulation of eleven thousand 
copies; the German monthly, called Armen 
Seelen Freund, has a circulation of nine thou- 
sand ; and the English monthly, Mount Angel 
Magazine, has a circulation of six thousand. 
The New College is of dark gray stone, and is 
most imposing from an architectural standpoint. 
The membership of the college has increased from 
one hundred to one hundred and sixty-five dur- 
ing the present administration, and it is supposed 
that the new building will permit of an attend- 
ance of two hundred and forty. Its estimated 
cost is about $80,000. In connection with the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1297 



college there is a separate building 120x60 feet, 
ground dimensions, which will be used for a 
gymnasium. 

In 1903 a stone structure, a seminary wing, 
was added to the building, 88x50 feet dimensions, 
four stories and basement, containing a dining 
hall accommodating two hundred and seventy 
people and comfortable quarters for forty sem- 
inarians, besides a novitiate for candidates to the 
Benedictine Order, monastery library for ten 
thousand volumes, and private rooms for phil- 
osophers and theologians, and the chapel has been 
re-arranged, the present building used for the 
sanctuary, and an auditorium added. By the 
time this book is completed, Mount Angel will 
have taken on a new dignity, and will have ad- 
vanced from a priory to an abbey. 



WILLIAM FAULL. As "great oaks from 
little acorns grow " so character comes up from 
the seed sown in the days of hardships and trials, 
which does not bend or daunt the brave heart, 
nor dim the eyes of hope. Upon such a char- 
acter fell the early burdens of William Faull, 
one of the most prominent men of Dallas, Ore. 
Growing into manhood without the guidance of 
a father, whose care he scarcely remembered to 
have ever had, he formed his own ideas of man- 
liness and success and his subsequent life has 
proven them unusually happy ones. 

His father, Richard Faull, a native of Corn- 
wall, England, emigrated to America with his 
family in 1847, settling near Hazel Green, in 
Grant county, Wis., where he engaged in lead 
mining. But not experiencing from his work 
the desired returns, he decided to try his for- 
tunes in the mines of California. Sailing from 
Xew York in 185 1, he reached Panama, and 
crossing the isthmus, took passage for San Fran- 
cisco, which city he was destined never to see, 
for he died on board the ship, leaving the loved 
ones back in the Wisconsin country alone. The 
mother, Elizabeth (Rodgers) Faull, also of Corn- 
wall, England, continued to live in that state for 
some time, with her six children about her. 
Later in life she removed to Lemars, Iowa, where 
she remained up to the time of her death in 1893. 

William was the fourth of the six children, 
and was born September 19, 1847, near Benton, 
LaFayette county, Wis. His education was ob- 
tained in the district schools, under very great 
difficulties, as. he was compelled to help in the 
support of the family at the age of ten years, 
receiving for his work ten and fifteen cents per 
day. As he advanced in years his wages in- 
creased proportionately, and at thirteen he was 
making $6 per month and later being the proud 
recipient of $15 for the same length of time. 
During the war, he received very good returns 



for his work, as men were scarce. When twenty 
years old he took up his father's occupation, that 
of coal and lead mining, remaining at it for four 
years, when he removed to Plymouth county, 
Iowa, where he took up a homestead claim of 
eighty acres. After nine years of improving and 
farming this property, Mr. Faull followed the 
example of his father which had ended so disas- 
trously but which has been productive of such 
good results in his case. Coming west in 1880, 
he settled in Polk county, Ore., where he carried 
on farming for four years. At the close of this 
time, he bought the store of J. B. Chambers in 
Dallas, and with F. E. Chambers as a partner, 
he commenced his mercantile life. For one year 
the two remained together, then Mr. Chambers 
retired, H. B. Cosper taking his place. This 
partnership continued for another year, when 
Mr. Faull bought out the other's interest, taking 
entire control of the business. With only a 
small stock at the beginning, he has added to it 
until it has increased in value ten times over, 
having put up in 1892, a large, brick building, 
34x112 feet, and two stories in height. The 
first floor is devoted to a hardware stock and 
house furnishings, the second, to farming imple- 
ments, being also a tin-shop. His business un- 
questionably leads the hardware interests in Polk 
county. In 1892 he also built a warehouse for 
agricultural implements, the building being 35X 
65 feet. 

In 1875 Mr. Faull was married in Wisconsin 
to Miss M. J. Kinney, born in Lake George, N. 
Y. Though very much interested in his business 
he has still found time to be active in politics, 
being a very strong Republican and a firm advo- 
cate of the tariff reform. Fraternally, he is a 
member of Jennings Lodge No. 9, A. F. & A. 
M., and Ains worth Lodge No. 17, R. A. M. 



BAZZEL W. COOPER. When fourteen 
years of age Bazzel W. Cooper made the jour- 
ney into the west, the memory of which is indel- 
ibly impressed upon his mind, he being then old 
enough to appreciate the trials and dangers, and 
withal the pleasurable excitement, of such a 
trip. He was born in Indiana, October 3, 1833, 
and while still very young his parents removed 
to Illinois and located near Rushville, Schuyler 
county, where they made their home until 1847. 
In that year his father, Samuel Cooper, outfitted 
with four wagons with four yoke of oxen each, 
and with his family of six sons and two 
daughters, he started across the plains in the 
spring, and seven months later they arrived at 
The Dalles, Ore. From that city they came down 
the river on rafts to Oregon City, Clackamas 
count\ r , in which county they spent their first 
winter in the west. In the spring of 1848 Mr. 



1298 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Cooper came to Linn county and located a dona- 
tion claim one and one-half miles from the San- 
tiam river, three miles from Lebanon, consisting 
of six hundred and forty acres of land, upon 
which he erected for the shelter of his family, 
a hewed log house. In the spring of 1849 ne 
went with pack horses to the gold fields of Cali- 
fornia, where he remained for a few months. 
The death of Mr. Cooper occurred in 1883, when 
he was seventy-seven years of age. He was a 
member of the Baptist Church. 

At the age of eighteen years Bazzel W. Cooper 
decided upon independent action for himself, and 
going to California he combined the interests of 
mining and disposing of cattle which he drove 
from Oregon into the southern state. He con- 
tinued this latter occupation for two years, meet- 
ing with a success which is evidenced by the 
property which he now owns in Linn county. 
In 1855 he removed to the farm upon which he 
now lives, and which is located eleven miles south 
of Albany. He owns six hundred acres alto- 
gether, one hundred and seventy-nine acres being 
a part of his father's original claim, and that 
where he now lives is what he himself took up. 
He is now lucratively engaged in general farm- 
ing and stock-raising. 

The marriage of Mr. Cooper occurred in 1855, 
and united him with Miss Sarah Humphreys, 
and the four children who have blessed their 
union, James Franklin, Thomas B., Josephine, 
the wife of Richard Anderson, and Samuel C, 
are all located in the neighborhood of their 
father's farm. In his political affiliation Mr. 
Cooper adheres to the principles of the Demo- 
cratic party, and through this influence has served 
as county commissioner of Linn county for four 
years. Fraternally he has been a Mason for over 
twenty-five years and a member of the Lebanon 
Lodge, and also belongs to the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen at Albany. 



REV. P. PLACIDUS, O. S. B. Not the least 
of the agencies that have assisted materially 
in the development of a new country has been the 
priesthood of all denominations, but especially 
those of the Catholic Church. Their names have 
always been written high in the annals of a new 
country, as they are among the first to offer 
themselves to a worthy cause, and there is every 
indication that their good work will go on, the 
brightest and best among their faith offered for 
a life of self-sacrifice. 

One of the most finely educated men of the 
west, who has given his talents and energies to 
this cause, devoting his life to this service with 
the good cheer and courage which characterizes 
his every action, is Rev. P. Placidus, O. S. B., 
who was born in Saxony, Germany, June 8, 



1868. He spent the years of his childhood in 
that country and in Switzerland, in the latter 
studying in the motherhouse of the Bene- 
dictine Fathers. In 1882 he came to the United 
States, going at once to Mt. Angel College, and 
and remained there for nine years, at the close of 
which he was ordained. The ensuing year he 
spent in Washington, completing his education 
in the Catholic University of America. 

In 1893 Father Placidus was assigned to Mt. 
Angel College, and after eight years he took 
charge of the parish of Mt. Angel, which had 
been established in 1881 by Father Odermat, 
under Archbishop Seghers. At that time the 
parish was very small, and it was only the sub- 
lime faith that goes hand in hand with the work 
of such men that could predict a future for it 
like that which he has realized. There are now 
one hundred and sixty families belonging to the 
parish, and their liberality has lately been shown 
by the instalment in the church of a new altar, 
said to be the finest in the state. The church 
itself is a frame structure, well built and is pleas- 
antly located on College street, near the center of 
the city. 

The duties of Father Placidus are numerous 
and arduous but he gives to the discharge of 
each that earnestness and faithfulness which 
have brought to him his merited success thus 
early in life. In the Mt. Angel College he is a 
teacher of physics, chemistry, and instrumental 
music, the latter duty being an exceedingly pleas- 
ant one, as his talent for music is exceptional, 
and he is never so happy as when an avenue is 
opened by which he can give it expression. He 
organized the Mt. Angel band, which has twenty 
instruments, and now serves as director, also 
taking an interest in the choral and dramatic 
societies. He is spiritual director of the Catholic 
Order of Foresters and the Society of St. Joseph, 
and it was chiefly through his efforts that the 
building of the latter was completed in 1901. 
Father Placidus has been instrumental in bring- 
ing about many improvements in this western 
city, and his efforts have been highly appreciated 
by fellow-citizens, his splendid personality bring- 
ing to his side many stanch friends and true 
adherents. 



HERMAN W. BARR, doctor of optics, is 
well known as a leading optician and jeweler of 
Salem, as a man of good business ability, as a 
citizen of worth, and a gentleman who in social 
life commands good will and confidence. A num- 
ber of years ago he established his present busi- 
ness and has since been a factor in -this line of 
trade, so that to-day he is enjoying enviable pros- 
perity as the direct result of keen enterprise and 
discrimination in business affairs. A native of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1299 



DeWitt, Clinton county, Iowa, lie was born July 
3, 1869, and comes of German ancestry. His 
father, John G. Barr, was born in the black for- 
ests of Baden, Germany, and in early life learned 
the trade of clock and watch-making and was en- 
gaged in the manufacture of the cuckoo and 
" grandfather " clocks. Attracted by the oppor- 
tunities of the new world he came to the United 
States when seventeen years of age, first locat- 
ing in Wheeling, W. Ya. He afterward removed 
to Wapakoneta, Ohio, where he established a 
jewelry store in 1853. Two years later he went 
to DeWitt, Iowa, where he was in business for 
thirty years and was the oldest jeweler of Clin- 
ton county. In 1885 he came to Salem, where he 
opened a jewelry store, and here he died Septem- 
ber 13, 1899, at the age of sixty-seven years. In 
his business career he ever sustained an unassail- 
able reputation because of the honorable policy 
which he inaugurated, and his perseverance and 
well-directed labor were the means of bringing 
to him a gratifying competence. He married 
Miss Louisa Margaret Stenger, who was born in 
Germany, a daughter of Sebastian Stenger, who 
was a miller by trade, and on coming from the 
fatherland to the new world took up his abode 
in Ohio, where he spent his remaining days. 
His daughter, Mrs. Barr, is still living at the 
age of sixty-seven years. In the family of Mr. 
and Mrs. Barr were thirteen children, of whom 
ten, seven sons and three daughters, are yet liv- 
ing, and three of the sons are jewelers, having 
thus followed in the business footsteps of their 
father. The family record is as follows : M. 
ieresa Schoettle is practicing osteopathv in 
Salem and is represented on another page of this 
work: John H. is a jewelry manufacturer of 
Kansas City, Mo. ; Mrs. Carrie F. Petzel is a 
resident of Salem ; Theodore M. is a tinner and 
plumber of Salem ; Herman W. is the subject of 
this review ; George J. is connected with his 
brother Theodore in business ; Frank J.. is a grad- 
uate of the American School of Osteopathv in 
Kirksville, Mo., and is now practicing in Salem; 
Leo C. is connected with the Barr jewelrv store 
of this city ; Raymond is a priest of the Bene- 
dictine Order at Mount Angel ; and Annie M. 
is also a graduated osteopathist and is engaged 
in practice in this city. 

Herman W. Barr spent the first sixteen years 
of his life in the state of his nativitv and pur- 
sued his education in St. Ambrose College in 
Davenport, Iowa, until the removal of the family 
to Oregon in 1885. Here he entered the public 
schools. In 1886 he became interested in the 
jewelry business and under the direction of his 
father became familiar with the trade in its 
various departments. In 1890 he went to Kan- 
sas City, Mo., and completed the trade under the 
direction of his brother and after about a year 



he again joined his father in Salem. In 1893, 
however, he once more went to Kansas City, 
working at the jewelry business with his brother 
and later he was with his father until he went to 
Chicago, 111., to pursue a course in the Chicago 
Ophthalmic College. He was graduated from 
that institution in 1898 with the degree of Doctor 
of Optics and later completed a course in the 
South Bend College of Optics. He has studied 
broadly and deeply in order to master the prin- 
ciples of the profession and he is to-day one of 
the most skilled opticians of the northwest. In 
1899, upon his father's death, he became manager 
of the Barr Jewelry Store and since that time has 
largely increased the business, and in order to 
meet the growing demands of the trade has 
doubled the stock. The business is twofold what 
it was when he assumed control of the store and 
the optical business has increased five hundred 
per cent. This certainly speaks well for the man- 
agement, enterprise and progressive methods of 
Mr. Barr, who is a farsighted, wideawake busi- 
ness man, carrying forward to successful com- 
pletion whatever he undertakes and brooking no 
obstacles that can be overcome by honorable 
effort. 

In this city was celebrated the marriage of 
Herman W. Barr and Miss Winifred O. Fennell, 
who was born in Kansas and they have one child, 
John G. In social circles of this city they are 
widely and favorably known and the hospitality 
of their own home makes it a favorite resort with 
their many friends. Mr. Barr is connected with 
the Greater Salem Commercial Club and is serv- 
ing on some of its important committees. He 
is also a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. 
With a nature that could never content itself 
with mediocrity he has labored for advance in 
the line of his profession and with equal ardor he 
took up the work of managing the Barr store 
and conducting the business which was estab- 
lished by his father. The consensus of public 
opinion accords him a prominent place in the 
ranks of Salem's leading business men of marked 
ability and strong purpose. 



HON. WILLIAM GALLOWAY. The Gal- 
loway family came from Scotland, the first of the 
name to cross the ocean having been the great- 
grandfather of William Galloway. Next in line 
of descent was William, a Virginian by birth, a 
soldier in the Revolutionary war and a planter 
by occupation. The father, Charles, was also 
born in the Old Dominion, and removed to Ill- 
inois, from there to Missouri, thence to Iowa 
county, Wis., where he worked in the lead mines 
and followed farming. He served in the Black 
Hawk war under Governor Dodge. In 1852, 
accompanied by his wife and eight children, he 



1300 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



crossed the plains from Wisconsin, the journey 
with ox-teams consuming seven months. Dur- 
ing the course of this journey one child died on 
the plains and a brother-in-law, Capt. J. R. 
Wiley, died of cholera on the Platte river. 

On making settlement in Yamhill county, Ore., 
Charles Galloway selected a donation claim near 
Amity, and on this farm he made his home and 
engaged in its improvement. Politically he was 
an old-time Democrat. His death occurred in Sep- 
tember of 1884, and during the same month his 
wife, Mary, also passed away. She was a native 
of Ireland, and daughter of Terrence Heeney, 
for vears a resident of New York City, where 
he died. In the family of Charles Galloway 
there were eleven children, all but two of whom 
attained mature years. Three sons and three 
daughters are now living, William being the 
youngest of the sons. He was born near Dodge- 
ville. Wis., June 10, 1845, and accompanied the 
family to Oregon in 1852, after which he attended 
the public schools and Willamette University. 
In 1868 he was graduated from the latter insti- 
tution with the degree of B. S. Following his 
school course he taught in Yamhill county several 
years and then began the study of law, later en- 
gaging in farming. Since 1892 he has been in- 
terested in horticulture, owning an eighty-acre 
orchard near McMinnville. 

The marriage of Mr. Galloway, in Yamhill 
county, united him with Emma Baker, of Revo- 
lutionary ancestry, who was born in Dodge 
countv, Wis., December 28, 185 1. After the 
death" of her father, Varranus Baker, her mother 
and family accompanied her uncle, Thomas M. 
Bennett, across the plains to Oregon in 1865. 
She is an active member of the Order of Re- 
bekas and the Woman's Relief Corps, having 
been department president of the latter organi- 
zation in 1901-2, and was also a member of the 
National Executive Board. Their family consists 
of three children: Zilpha V., who has been for 
seven years a clerk in the Oregon City Land Of- 
fice; Charles V., a graduate of the University of 
Oregon and at present the youngest member of 
the state legislature ; and Francis V., a freshman 
in the State University. 

The Democratic party has had one of its stanch 
upholders in William Galloway, and he in turn 
has been honored by it in being selected to occupy 
positions of trust and honor. In 1874 he was 
elected to the lower house of the legislature and 
four years later he was again elected to that posi- 
tion, where he served as chairman of the com- 
mittee on ways and means; again in 1880 he was 
elected to the same office. During all of these 
terms he was earnest in the support of all meas- 
ures for the benefit of the people and the de- 
velopment of the state, which it was his pride 
to see growing into one of the important common- 



wealths of our nation. From 1890 to 1894 he 
served as judge of Yamhill county. At the ex- 
piration of the term he was the candidate on the 
Democratic ticket for the office of governor, his 
opponents being Lord, Republican ; and Pierce, 
Populist: Under President Cleveland, in Febru- 
ary of 1896, he was appointed receiver of the 
United States land office at Oregon City, in which 
he has served under three presidents. On his retire- 
ment from office, July 16, 1902, he turned his 
attention to the practice of law in Oregon City, 
although he still maintains his legal residence at 
McMinnville, Yamhill county. The district of 
which he had charge, as receiver, comprises the 
counties of Linn, Benton, Lincoln, Tillamook, 
Polk, Marion, Clackamas, Yamhill, Columbia, 
Clatsop and Multnomah. He has been admitted 
to practice in the state and federal courts. Mr. 
Galloway has ever taken an active part in agri- 
culture ; is a life member of the Oregon Horti- 
cultural Society being a director for many years, 
and serving as a member of the State Board of 
Agriculture from its organization until 1897, 
having served as president of the board for three 
terms. He is a life member of the Oregon His- 
torical Society and president of the Oregon Pio- 
neer Association. The subject of this sketch has 
ever taken a great interest in the welfare of our 
dependent soldiers ; took an active interest in the 
creating of the Soldiers' Home at Roseberg and 
served two terms as member of the board, re- 
luctantly declining reappointment owing to other 
official duties. He is an enthusiastic Odd Fellow 
and a member of the United Artisans. 



HENRY L. HAGEY, a native son of Oregon, 
was born August 8, 1855, of eastern parents, his 
father, Levi Hagey, having come from Iowa in 
1847, locating near Dundee, this state. Here 
he took up a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres and quickly proved his right to be 
numbered among the men who were to give to 
Oregon her statehood, by hewing out a pathway 
through her dense forests and spreading out like 
an unrolled map, the broad meadows and fer- 
tile fields. On this farm he engaged exten- 
sively in the -raising of poultry, having in his 
great barnyards the most valuable fowls, and 
finding in the city of Portland a ready market 
for his produce. Mr. Hagey is now living in 
McMinnville, being retired from the active 
cares of life. His wife, Elizabeth Hagey, who 
shared the trials and dangers and loneliness 
of his early life, was also of eastern birth, 
having come with him on that long, hard jour- 
ney across the plains, proving herself a loyal 
helpmeet and a brave pioneer. In their west- 
ern home she passed away, leaving husband 




J<T^^UJcn^ ^^^^J^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1303 



and nine children, four sons and five daugh- 
ters. Henry L. being next to the youngest. 

In the common schools of Oregon he re- 
ceived a limited education, attending but little, 
being prevented by the many difficulties at- 
tendant upon the educational efforts of the 
early settlers. He had been well and easily 
educated, however, in that which lay nearest 
at hand and he became, under his father's 
instruction, another of the successful farmers 
of Oregon. Through his own efforts he 
bought fifty-eight acres of land, following this 
purchase with a later one of sixty-five. In 
addition to this his father gave him fifty-eight 
acres, making a large farm which he has well 
improved and cultivated, carrying on at pres- 
ent general farming. Mr. Hagey married a 
daughter of Oregon, Miss Bertha A. Brutcher, 
her father being Sebastian Brutcher, a native 
of Germany who emigrated many years be- 
fore, settling on a farm in this state. Mrs. 
Hagey 's death occurred in 1899. 

Mr. Hagey interests himself in public af- 
fairs, being a Democrat as to his political in- 
clinations, and though not aspiring to political 
honors, still does his duty as a member of his 
community, serving at the present time as 
road supervisor. He is fraternally connected 
with the Woodmen of the World. 



HYNSON SMYTH. Among those who have 
enriched the prospects of Oregon, and established 
a lien upon the gratitude of later comers to Lane 
county is Hynson Smyth, a resume of whose 
life must necessarily interest not only the well- 
to-do, but those who are traveling the up-hill 
and sometimes discouraging path of life. In the 
rather hard and exacting days of his youth it is 
doubtful if this honored pioneer saw so far ahead 
as his present prosperous condition, and there 
must be a world of satisfaction in the fact that 
his five hundred acres of prairie and eight hun- 
dred acres of mountain land are his because he 
has never been afraid to work, and never resorted 
to other than legitimate and upright methods of 
conducting his affairs. 

Of southern ancestry, Mr. Smyth was born in 
Highland county, Ohio, December 26, 1827, his 
father, Thomas, having been born in Virginia in 
1 79 1, and his mother, Hannah (Comegys) in the 
same state in 1798. The parents were married 
in Virginia in 181 5 and the following year moved 
to Highland county, Ohio, which continued to 
be their home until 1832. Their next home was 
in St. Charles county. Mo., where the father 
rented a farm, and passed the remainder of his 
life, dying in 1833, and his wife died forty-eight 
hours later. These old people were most happily 
mated, their married life proving an unusually 
60 



happy one, and it seemed eminently fitting that 
when one died the other should so soon follow. 
They were the parents of tour daughters and 
three sons, Hynson being next to the youngest. 
George C, another son, came to Oregon in 1853, 
bringing with him his wife and family of six 
children, and settling on a claim in Lane county. 
While in the Stein mountains in 1878, himself 
and oldest son were killed by the Indians, leaving 
two disconsolate families to mourn the loss of 
a devoted father and promising son. 

Six years old when his father died, Hynson 
went to live with an uncle until he was twelve 
years old. He then spent three years in the In- 
dian territory (now Kansas). In 1846 he went 
to Grant county. By this time he was a well de- 
veloped and rugged youth. He then went back 
to Missouri and in 1850 made the trip across the 
plains from Lincoln county, Mo., and met with 
no serious trouble with the Indians. In partner- 
ship with Alexander Stewart he bought a wagon 
and three yoke of oxen, and succeeded in accom- 
plishing the long distance in about six months. 
After spending the fall in Portland Mr. Smyth 
moved to Polk county and raised a large crop of 
grain, which he cut with a cradle and tramped 
out with horses. This primitive but nevertheless 
successful undertaking netted him quite a sum 
of money, and that fall he went to Missouri via 
the Isthmus of Panama, sailing from San Fran- 
cisco, and spending forty-eight days on the water 
before reaching Central America. By water he 
reached New Orleans after another long trip, 
and from there came on to Missouri, up the Mis- 
sissippi river. January 13, 1853 ne was united 
in marriage with Martha Cranshaw. He then 
rented a farm for one year in Lincoln county and 
in the spring of 1854 again started across the 
plains, this time with a four-horse team. The 
team proving not as reliable as oxen, Mr. Smyth 
purchased two yoke of oxen, the stronger animals 
bearing the strain of continuous travel with more 
fortitude. Being perfectly familiar with the 
country, Mr. Smyth was not at a loss to know 
where to locate, so came at once to his present 
farm of three hundred and twenty acres, having 
added to that from time to time until he now 
owns thirteen hundred acres. Stock-raising and 
farming have been conducted on a large scale, 
Mr. Smvth giving preference to the latter depart- 
ment of farm activity, in which he has been 
unusually successful. His improvements are 
modern, his home, barns, outhouses and fences 
in good condition, and over all is an appearance 
of solidity and prosperity not surpassed by any 
who have lent their brain and heart and ability 
to the upbuilding of this section. Mr. Smyth is 
a Democrat in politics, and in religion is a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church. Of the eight chil- 
dren born into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Smvth, 



1804 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Susan A. is the wife of Milton Robinson; Mar- 
garet is the wife of H. B. Dunlap ; George N., 
Nancy and Hannah are deceased; Thomas J. is 
at home ; William H., of Lake Creek ; and Martha 
E. is deceased. All the children grew to years 
of maturity. Mr. Smyth is one of the very sub- 
stantial and reliable men of Lane county, and 
none more than he deserves the respect and con- 
fidence of a thriving and prosperous county. 



BERNHARD GROTH. Among the families 
of Dundee, Ore., there is one that knows no rela- 
tives within a distance of many thousand miles, 
being emigrants from Germany, leaving all but 
their immediate loved ones in that faraway land. 
One of the finest homes and several of the most 
important industries of Dundee are now repre- 
sented by this family, and the uninterrupted good 
fortune that has attended them in their new life 
has made these years very happy ones. 

Bernhard Groth was born September 21, 1855, 
in Hamburg, Germany, the son and grandson of 
two Fritz Groths, the grandfather being a sea- 
captain, who after many years spent in this life 
met his death by the wrecking of his ship on the 
Isle of St. Thomas. The second Fritz, his son, 
was also born in Hamburg, Germany, and lived 
there for the sixty-six years of his life, a tanner 
by trade, ending his years at the age of sixty- 
six years, a fairly rich man. His wife was 
Johanna, born in Hamburg, and living at the 
present time in that city. Five children were 
born to them, three sons and two daughters, the 
oldest being Bernhard. 

Bernhard Grotb received his education in the 
common schools of Germany and at a youthful 
age he was apprenticed to a machinist to learn 
that trade. For several years thereafter he 
worked for the government in the shipyards of 
Hamburg and Kiel, giving this up in 1882 to seek 
new employment in the United States. On ar- 
riving, he went at once with his family to Wis- 
consin, locating near Ashland, where he took up 
a homestead claim, putting upon it the necessary 
improvements. For ten years he held the posi- 
tion of engineer in a saw-mill, putting to profit 
the early years of preparation in the fatherland. 
In 1892, however, with ambition greater than 
his opportunity, he decided to try his fortunes 
among the limitless advantages of the west. On 
arriving in Oregon, Mr. Groth located at Dun- 
dee, investing in a small place of only three and 
a half acres, intending to strike out for better 
profit than those to be found in farming. Upon 
this land he erected several buildings, one to be 
used for prune-drying, another as a hardware 
store, and in conjunction with this he runs a 
smithy and tinning shop, and his home is an 
honor to Dundee. He takes a very prominent 



part in the affairs of his adopted city, accepting 
at the hands of his Democratic brethren various 
offices, being at one time a member of the city 
council, and at present holding the position of 
city treasurer. Fraternally he is connected with 
the Woodmen of the World, and religiously he 
is a member of the Lutheran Church. 

Mr. Groth was married in Germany to Miss 
Sophia Bock, who was also a native of that coun- 
try, her father, Karl Bock, being a successful 
farmer who passed all the years of his life there. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Groth were born ten children, 
whose names in order of birth are as follows : 
Fritz, Karl, Bernhard, Reinhard, Paul, Claus, 
Martha, Mrs. A. Parrott of Dundee, Ella, Sophia 
and Hans. 



WERNER BREYMAN. It was a heroic 
band of pioneers who came to Oregon when 
this state was yet a wilderness, and, establish- 
ing their homes in the wild region, undertook 
the task of making the plain productive, of de- 
veloping the rich mineral resources of the 
state, of utilizing its forests and establishing 
commercial and industrial enterprises. Among 
those who arrived and settled in Yamhill 
county, in 1850, was Werner Breyman, who 
was born and grew to young manhood in Bock- 
enem, Hanover, Germany. His father, Fritz 
Breyman, a lieutenant in the Hanoverian army, 
fought under Wellington and was wounded in 
the famous battle of Waterloo, receiving a 
medal in after years for his valorous services. 

In 1846 Werner Breyman came to America 
with a sister and brother, who were the first 
of the name to cross the Atlantic. He took up 
his abode in Milwaukee, Wis., where he was 
employed as a clerk until 1850, when, attracted 
by the discovery of gold upon the Pacific coast, 
he started for this portion of the country, trav- 
eling with horse and mule teams, accompanied 
by five young men. Mr. Breyman went to St. 
Louis, there purchased provisions and pro- 
ceeded by boat to St. Joseph, Mo., where he 
remained for four weeks, awaiting the arrival of 
his comrades. On May 3, 1850, at that point 
they crossed the Missouri river, proceeded up 
the Platte river, and thence westward, intending 
to spend the winter in Oregon and proceed in 
the spring to California. At Fort Hall they de- 
cided to leave their wagons and pack what they 
could across the mountains, leaving the balance, 
in order to make better time ; but instead of 
finding this course a help, it proved to be a hind- 
rance, for they ran out of provisions and were 
almost starved. They could get neither flour 
nor bacon at Fort Boise — in fact, could obtain 
nothing there save dried salmon skin, and on 
that thev lived for two weeks. While en route 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1305 



they were twice attacked by the Indians, but 
managed to drive them away, and on October 6 
they arrived in Oregon — and it was in March 
that Mr. Breyman left his Wisconsin home. 

Locating at Lafayette he began working 
there for wages. In 185 1 he established the 
Lafayette House, continuing in the hotel busi- 
ness for a year. In 1852 he opened a general 
merchandise store in Lafayette, conducting it 
for ten years. He later became proprietor, 
also, of the first store in Amity, and his 
brother, Eugene, who came to Oregon in 1855, 
across the Isthmus, became his partner in 1856. 
The firm name of Breyman Brothers was as- 
sumed at Amity. In 1864 both stores were dis- 
posed of, and the brothers, under the firm style 
of Breyman Brothers, began business as gen- 
eral merchants in Salem. They built "The 
White Corner'' building, and called their store 
the White Corner Store. In 1874 they added to 
the original building, and have since made 
other improvements. There now stands on the 
site a fine two-story structure, 42x90 feet, 
which is still owned by Breyman Brothers. They 
sold their stock, however, in 1881, and since 
that time Werner Breyman has been engaged 
in the loan and similar business. Many years 
ago, when much of the land of the state was in 
its wild condition, he purchased large tracts, 
improved it and engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. He made it valuable property, and is 
still the owner of eight hundred and thirty-five 
acres near Lafayette, Yamhill county. He also 
owns farms in Marion county, and he and his 
brother purchased and laid out the Rosedale 
addition to Salem, of seventy acres. They also 
own several other additions, including an addi- 
tion, Plainfield to Portland, Ore., and one 
known as Boise Addition to Portland, Ore. 
Their investments have been carefully and 
wisely made, and as the land has increased in 
value, owing to improvement and to the rapid 
development of the state, the brothers have 
realized from their property excellent financial 
returns. 

Werner Breyman was married in Lafayette, 
Ore., to Miss Isabella Watt, a native of Mis- 
souri, and a daughter of John AVatt, who came 
to Oregon in 1848 and located a donation claim, 
including the present site of Amity. His son, 
Joseph Watt, established the Salem Woolen 
mills. Air. and Mrs. Breyman passed through 
the early hard times in Oregon and have reared 
a large family. Owing to the careful manage- 
ment of Mrs. Breyman in matters of the house- 
hold, and the enterprise of Mr. Breyman in 
the business world, their united efforts have re- 
sulted in the acquirement of a handsome prop- 
erty, numbering them among the substantial 
citizens of Salem. In 1896 they made a trip to 



Europe, visiting many points of modern and 
historic interest there, and also paying a visit 
to his old home town. They went to Italy, 
Switzerland, Austria, France, the Netherlands 
and Great Britain, and after a six-months trip 
abroad, returned by way of London to Amer- 
ica. Of their children John and Carl died in 
childhood, and Othelia and Jennie are also de- 
ceased. The three surviving members of the 
family are Anna, the wife of Rudolph Prael, of 
Portland; Elva, the wife of William Brown, of 
Salem, and Ada, the wife of William Eldredge, 
who is in the commissary department of the 
United States army at Manila. 

Since the organization of the Republican 
party Mr. Breyman has been one of its strong 
advocates. For one term he served in the 
Salem city council, while for eight years he 
was county treasurer of Yamhill county, hav- 
ing been elected to that office without his so- 
licitation. He was made a Mason in Lafayette 
Lodge, A. F. & A .M., in 1853, and is now affil- 
iated with Salem Lodge No. 4. He also holds 
membership in the Oregon Pioneer Associa- 
tion, the Oregon Historical Society, and is the 
vice-president of the Illihee Club. His long 
residence and the character and extent of his 
business interests have made him widely 
known, while the essential elements of his 
character are such as to have won him the 
favor and friendship of many with whom he 
has been brought in contact. 



JOHN B. DAVID is a contractor and sur- 
veyor whose labors in the northwest have re- 
sulted largely in the benefit and development of 
this portion of the country. There is no other 
agency so potent in opening up a region and 
advancing its industrial and commercial pros- 
perity as railroad building. Railroads have been 
the means of bringing to communities commodi- 
ties not produced there,- and of placing the pro- 
ductions of the locality upon the markets of the 
world. This is the basis of all business activity 
and the railroad builders certainly are deserving 
of the recognition of the public for what they 
have accomplished. 

Mr. David has been a resident of Oregon since 
1867 an d is a native of the Mississippi valley, 
his birth having occurred in Richland county, 
111., September 5, 1841. His father, Alexander 
F. David, was born in Center county, Pa., and be- 
came connected with general mercantile interests 
in that state. When a young man, however, he 
removed to Richland county, 111., and in 1847 
took up his abode in Winnebago, Oshkosh 
county, Wis. There he engaged in general mer- 
chandising, becoming an active factor in the busi- 
ness life of his community. Fie also rendered to 



1306 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his county valuable service in the position of 
sheriff, and when the country needed the aid of 
her loyal citizens he offered his services in 1862 
and became captain of Company B, Third Wis- 
consin Cavalry, under Colonel Hobart. The regi- 
ment was assigned to the army of the Missouri 
and Mr. David proved a loyal officer, inspiring 
his men to deeds of valor by his own bravery. 
Following the war he came to the northwest, 
settling in Clark county, Wash., in 1867. He 
purchased three hundred and twenty acres of 
land, ten miles west of Vancouver, and there 
carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. 
He masried Rebecca Galesbey, a native of Ken- 
tucky and a daughter of Aaron Galesbey, who 
was also born in Kentucky and owned a planta- 
tion about six miles from Frankfort. He died at 
the age of seventy-nine years. Unto Mr. and 
Mrs. David were born seven sons and two daugh- 
ters. 

John B. David, the eldest of the family, began 
his education in the public schools and after- 
ward attended Lawrence University of Wiscon- 
sin. He, too, was numbered among the defend- 
ers of the Union during the dark days of the 
Civil war, enlisting in Company E, Second Wis- 
consin Infantry, in which he became first duty 
sergeant. This regiment was assigned to the 
army of the Potomac and he participated in the 
first battle of Bull Run, in the bloody battle of 
Antietam and in the engagements at Freder- 
icksburg, Second Bull Run, Manassas, Gettys- 
burg, South Mountain, Gainesville, Blackburn 
Ford and others. He never missed a roll call 
until captured at Gettysburg. He was then taken 
to the Belle Island prison, was afterward two or 
three months in Andersonville, the whole period 
of his incarceration covering seventeen months 
and twenty days. Mr. David had not yet at- 
tained his majority when he joined the army, 
but for three years he valiantly aided his country, 
never failing in the performance of his duty, 
whether it led him to the lonely picket line or 
to the firing line. In April, 1864, at Madison, 
Wis., he was honorably discharged and then re- 
turned to his home. 

After two years Mr. David came to Oregon, 
locating in Oregon City in 1867. Here he en- 
tered the employ of the government as a sur- 
veyor, and in the same year was engaged in the 
construction of the Portland railroad. He was 
also the builder of the Oregon Northern Rail- 
road from Pendleton to Huntington, Ore., and 
took the contract for the construction of_ the 
Palmer cut-off in Washington, He has also done 
much important work of a similar character, and 
he took and executed the contract for the build- 
ing of a dike for the United States government 
at the mouth of the Columbia river. Mr. David 
has a thorough understanding of the great sci- 



entific principles which underlie such constructive 
work, and the labors executed by him and those 
whom he has employed have given excellent sat- 
isfaction, for he stands high as a representative 
of this great department of business. In 1880 he 
purchased three hundred and forty-seven acres 
of valuable land, of which one hundred and sixty 
acres are under cultivation and the remainder 
is devoted to pasturage or is covered with tim- 
ber. His farm is pleasantly and conveniently lo- 
cated two miles north of Spring Brook, Ore., 
and it is called " David's on the Mountain." It 
commands a wonderful panoramic view of the 
valley and the mountains, and is itself situated 
on the mountain side overlooking the beautiful 
Chehalem valley. As the roads wind around, 
making a gradual ascent, the eye looks upon the 
lovely scenery which cannot be surpassed for 
diversity, beauty and grandeur. 

Mr. David was married in Oregon City to 
Miss Juliet Saffarrans, who was born there and 
is a daughter of Dr. Henry Saffarrans, a native 
of Kentucky, who removed with his parents to 
Howard county, Mo., and was there educated. 
He prepared for the practice of medicine, was 
graduated with the degree of M. D., and in 1844 
came to Oregon. He located as Indian agent 
at The Dalles and was there at the time of the 
Whitman Massacre, but with his family he made 
his escape upon a flat-boat down the river to 
Portland and thence traveled to southern Ore- 
gon, but on account of the hostility of the In- 
dians in that portion of the state he returned 
to Oregon City, where he entered upon the prac- 
tice of medicine, which he followed with success 
in that place for ten or twelve years, at the end 
of which time his life's labors were closed in 
death. He was not only a skilled physician, but 
was also a prominent and influential man in his 
community, and wielded a wide influence in pub- 
lic affairs. The home of Mr. and Mrs. David 
has been blessed with five children : Laurena 
Mabel ; Hallie V., the wife of Frank E. Hobson, 
a mining engineer of Sumpter, Ore. ; Melvin 
Henry and Roy Lee, who are managing their 
father's farm, and which they have developed 
into a very fine place, and where they have re- 
cently opened up a good dairy business ; and 
Onie Isabella. 

Mr. David belongs to Multnomah Lodge No. 
1, F. & A. M., at Oregon City, and is one of the 
leading representatives of the Republican party 
in this locality. He frequently serves as a dele- 
gate to county, state and national conventions, 
and was a delegate to the national Republican 
convention in Cincinnati when Rutherford B. 
Hayes was nominated for the presidency. Mr. 
David is a man of fine physique, being six feet 
and two inches in height and well proportioned. 
He has a face denoting strong character and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1307 



manly purpose, and during the thirty-six years 
of his residence in Oregon his labors have been 
directed towards securing the greatest good to 
the greatest number. 



WILLIAM HENRY DOWNING. That sat- 
isfaction which a man feels who can stand out- 
side his doorway and calmly survey a sweeping 
tract of land, knowing that its cultivation and 
disposition are entirely within his control, and 
diat upon its good or bad management depends 
his subsequent welfare and that of his family, 
must often occur to William Henry Downing, 
who is managing two farms in Marion county, 
aggregating in all between eight and nine hun- 
dred acres. This fine property is located two 
and a half miles from Sublimity, and its fertile 
acres are devoted to general farming in the 
main, and to extensive stock-raising, Cotswold 
sheep bringing in the largest yearly revenue. 
That a great deal can be accomplished on so 
large an acreage is self-evident, and 1 that Mr. 
Downing taxes to the utmost the possibilities 
of the land, getting the best possible results out 
of it, is acknowledged by all who are familiar 
with his shrewd business judgment and prac- 
tical farming methods. 

As a barefooted boy Mr. Downing trudged 
around the farm upon which he now lives, and 
during the long winter evenings he used to sit 
around the fire in the near-by house, where he 
was born May 7, 1858. More fortunate than 
most of the youth of his neighborhood, he was 
not only able to complete his education in the 
public schools, but at the age of eighteen entered 
Willamette University, remaining for three years. 
At the age of twenty-one he purchased a farm 
of eighty acres adjoining the old homestead, 
and to this he added at a later period one hun- 
dred acres, in time bringing his property under 
a high state of cultivation. He built a fine 
home, had ample general improvements, mod- 
ern implements, and all things prized by the 
enterprising and progressive agriculturist, and 
remained on his farm until 1892. About this 
time he thought he would like a change of occu- 
pation, so moved into Salem and engaged in 
the real estate business for about four years. 
During the last two years of his residence there 
he conducted the Club livery stable, but dis- 
posed of it on returning to the home farm in 
1897, thereafter assuming charge of the two 
properties. 

January 20. 1881, Mr. Downing married Hen- 
rietta McKinney. of which union there were born 
two children, Ilene Bernice, deceased at the age 
of eighteen months, and Elmer, now a student 
at a private school in Salem. Mrs. Downing 
died February 20, 1884, and June 30, 1886, Mr. 



Downing married Delia H. Bower. Two chil- 
dren were born of this union, Mabel Maud and 
George Preston. February 17, 1900, his second 
wife was taken from him by death, and March 
11, 1903, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Augusta Newton, of Salem, and the daughter 
of Nathan Newton, now residing in Seattle, 
Wash. 

Politically Mr. Downing is a Democrat, but 
aside from the formality of casting his vote he 
has never identified himself with local or other 
political undertakings, though he has always done 
his duty as a citizen by acting as school clerk 
for three years, previous to which he had served 
as school director for many years. Fraternally 
he is a welcome visitor at several lodges in 
which the county abounds, among them being 
Santiam Lodge No. 25, Ancient Free and Accept- 
ed Masons, -of Stayton ; the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, at Salem; Woodmen of the 
World, of Salem, of which lodge he is a charter 
member; Modern Woodmen of America, at 
Salem; and the Grange at Macleay. In all of 
these lodges he has held high office. In religion 
he is a member of the Christian Church organ- 
ized October 18, 1900, in this locality, he being 
one of the organizers, and is clerk and treasurer 
of the society which worships in the Rock Point 
schoolhouse. As a loyal and patriotic citizen he 
served for three years in Company A, Second 
Regiment Oregon National Guard, located at 
Whiteaker, and was discharged as corporal. Pro- 
gressive and enterprising, Mr. Downing is a na- 
tive son of whom his country is justly proud. 
He is possessed of strict integrity, a genial and 
agreeable personality, and devotion to friends 
and interests at hand, and one can readily un- 
derstand his extreme popularity in the neighbor- 
hood. 



F. M. LEWIS. A worthy representative of 
a pioneer family whose strong, earnest living 
has done much for the early growth and up- 
building of this western state is F. M. Lewis, 
who was born in Polk county, Ore., upon the 
location of his present home, this being a part of 
the old donation claim taken up by his father 
in 1846. The day upon which he first saw the 
light of life was February 5, 1847, an d he was one 
of a family of twelve children, whose parents 
were David R. Lewis, born near Louisville, 
Franklin county, Ky., in 181 3, and Mary (Red- 
den) Lewis, also a native of that state, born in 
1812. For more information concerning this 
family refer to the sketch of David W. Lewis, 
the brother of Mr. Lewis of this review. 

The early education of F. M. Lewis was 
received in a log schoolhouse, located upon the 
present site of the Methodist Episcopal Church 



1308 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Lewisville, and when his school days were 
over he engaged in farming with his father. In 
1859, when twelve years old, he went into a 
logging camp, working for his father in his 
sawmill, which was located in township 9, range 
6 west. He continued at this work for six 
years, and at that time sold his interest and 
returned to agricultural pursuits, now owning 
one hundred and seventy acres, eighty acres of 
which are under cultivation, this land being a 
part of the old donation claim, which he took 
upon the division of the land. He carries on 
general farming and the raising of goats and 
sheep, having registered Angora goats and Cots- 
wold sheep, and meeting with gratifying suc- 
cess in this occupation. 

The marriage ceremony which united the for- 
tunes of F. M. Lewis and Flora McLeod, was 
performed in 1869. She is a native' of Oregon, 
having been born May 13, 1850, near Forest 
Grove, Washington county, where her father, 
Donald McLeod, had taken up a donation land 
claim. He had come west in the interests of the 
Hudson Bay Company, and had been engaged 
on the Columbia river. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis 
are the parents of one child, Orpha Icadean, 
who is now the wife of Henry Mattison, located 
near Independence. Both himself and wife are 
supporters of the Christian Church at Mon- 
mouth. Politically Mr. Lewis adheres to the 
principles advocated in the platform of the 
Democratic party. He has served as school 
director for several years. 



RICHARD J. GRANT is recalled as a man 
of more than ordinary ability and resourceful- 
ness, of great capacity for painstaking and in- 
defatigable industry. From a comparatively 
small beginning he started to farm and raise 
stock, and at the time of his death, April 24, 
1 89 1, he left an unincumbered estate of five hun- 
dred acres. A native of La Fayette county, Mo., 
he was born December 26, 1825, a son of Rich- 
ard Grant, who was born in Tennessee, and 
died in Daviess county, Mo., in 1857, at the 
age of sixty-five years. He had eleven chil- 
dren in his family, several of whom were born 
in Tennessee, and he took his family to La 
Fayette county, Mo., at a very early day. 

In his youth Mr. Grant had the training at home 
and in the public schools of the average country- 
reared boy, and he married, May 17, 1846, 
Sarah J. Williams, who survives him, and is 
living on the home farm in Benton county, Ore. 
Miss Williams was born in Kentucky, December 
2, 1826, where her father, John A. Williams, 
owned a large farm in Morgan county, and 
where he was born January 25, 1805. Mr. Will- 
iams died on a farm bordering on the Luckia- 



mute river in Polk county, Ore., in 1885. His 
wife, formerly Nancy B. Jameson, was born in 
Montgomery county, Ky., March 5, 1806, and 
died December 5, i860, on the Columbia slough 
in Multnomah county, Ore. Twelve children 
were born of this union, eight of whom were 
daughters, Mrs. Grant being the third child. 
The latter grew to womanhood on the farm in 
Daviess county, and there met her future hus- 
band, whose father's farm was ten miles distant 
from her home. After the marriage the young 
people lived with the parents of Mr. Grant, and 
in 1852 made preparation to cross the plains, 
making the start April 24, and arriving at The 
Dalles, October 23, of the same year. At first 
they had fourteen yoke of oxen, but the hard- 
ships of the overland trip caused all but two 
yoke to succumb. Three light-hearted children 
had been added to the family in Daviess county, 
Mo., and were members of the home-seeking 
party, but Nancy Melvina, five months and ten 
days old, died on Snake river August 22, and 
was left in a little wayside grave. 

In the fall that he arrived in the west Mr. 
Grant took up a donation claim of three hundred 
and twenty acres, the same comprising a portion 
of the property now occupied by his widow, and 
proceeded to improve and cultivate it. He took 
a prominent part in political and other affairs 
of his county, and was elected to the legislature 
from Polk county on the Democratic ticket in 
1868, '70-'78, holding also nearly all the local 
offices of his township. He was a member of 
Mono Grange, of Lewisville, and was otherwise 
identified with social and business concerns in 
his county. Of his five hundred acres of land, 
his widow owns three hundred and twenty acres, 
while the balance is owned by his son, James. 
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Grant, 
of whom Mary Ellen, born August 27, 1847, is 
the wife of T. O. Bevens, of this vicinity ; Nancy 
M., born March 12, 1849, died on the plains; 
David A., born January 16, 1851, is deceased, 
James M., born December 24, 1852, lives with 
his mother and manages the farm ; and Gilbert 
M., born October 27, 1859, is deceased. To an 
exceptional degree Mr. Grant enjoyed the con- 
fidence of his associates in Polk county, and in 
all ways he contributed to the stability and well- 
being of the fertile region he had chosen as the 
scene of his life's work. 



DAVID W. LEWIS. Prominent both as a 
representative of two sturdy pioneers of the 
early days and for his own success in the indus- 
trial and farming circles of Polk county, David 
W.. Lewis occupies an enviable place in the 
esteem of the citizens of this section of the 
county. The name descended to him from a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1309 



pioneer father has been perpetuated in its use 
to designate the town of Lewisville, old settlers 
recalling die days when no town was known, 
and when the two Lewises, father and grand- 
father of David \\\, occupied the east and west 
sides of the main road passing through the 
place, each holding and planning to improve a 
donation claim of six hundred and forty acres. 

The grandfather, John Lewis, was born in 
Virginia, and on attaining manhood he made 
his home in Kentucky, where David R., the 
father of David W. Lewis, was born. David 
R. there married Mary Redden, also a native of 
that state, and in 1845, both families outfitted 
for the trip across the plains, joining with their 
ox-teams the emigrant train, under the com- 
mand of Captain English. Six months of the 
year was taken up by the journey, and on 
reaching Oregon, the heads of both families 
took up claims after passing the first winter in 
Polk count} - . The claims were located on the 
road which now runs north and south through 
Lewisville, the grandfather on the we^t side 
and the father on the east. They at once 
moved their families on the respective claims 
and engaged in farming, and there the elder 
Mr. Lewis died in 1851, having been a resident 
of the west but six years. His son then bought 
the adjoining claim. In the early life upon his 
farm he sawed lumber in the hills, a part of 
which was brought to the present location of 
Lewisville and used in the erection of the first 
house in that town. His death occurred in 
1895, in Salem, and his wife died in 1897, on the 
home place. There were five hundred acres left 
of the original land owned by Mr. Lewis. 

Of the twelve children born to his parents, 
four sons and eight daughters, David W. was 
the fifth, and was born in Franklin county, Mo., 
January 8, 1845, i n the same year being taken 
from his home in the Mississippi valley to the 
new home which was to be made among the 
primitive surroundings of the Pacific slope. His 
early education was received in the little log 
schoolhouse near Lewisville, and when the 
course was completed he was apprenticed to 
learn the trade of a blacksmith. In the year 
1866 he went to California and engaged in the 
prosecution of his trade in Bakerville, Salina 
county, but returned in 1868 to Polk county, 
and opened up the same business in Lewisville, 
where he continued successfully for ten years. 
At the close of that period he received from his 
father his present farm, to which he at once 
removed and prepared to engage once more in 
the work to which he had early been trained. 
He now owns two hundred and forty acres, one 
hundred of which is timberland. He carries on 
general farming and goat-raising, having from 



seventy-five to one hundred and fifty head at 
all times. 

The marriage of Mr. Lewis occurred in 1870, 
and united him with Susan Williams, who was 
born in Polk county, Ore., November 6, 1854. 
She was the daughter of J. J. Williams, a resi- 
dent of Dallas, having crossed the plains in 1846 
and located near Airlie. They are now the 
parents of the following children : Ida, now the 
wife of L. R. Grant, of Lewisville ; Nevada, the 
wife of D. A. Madison, of Dallas ; Claude, at 
home; Josie, the wife of John Brinkley, of 
Boise City ; James L., of Pendleton, Ore. ; 
Percy, of Salem ; . Leota, at home. Politically 
Mr. Lewis is a Democrat. In religion he is a 
member of the Christian Church at Monmouth. 



WILLIAM BARCLAY, the father of Mrs. 
Andrew Rickard, was born in Missouri in 1805, 
his parents having settled there at a very early 
day. As the name indicates, the ancestors were 
Scotch, and in fact the father and mother of 
William were both born in Scotland, locating first 
in North Carolina, after immigrating to the 
United States. 

As a young man William Barclay followed 
surveying and school teaching, having profited 
by a common school education. He remained at 
home until his marriage to Mary Ann Brown, 
a native of Tennessee, and thereafter located on 
a farm, where he lived for several years. Of 
an ambitious nature, and not entirely satisfied 
with his surroundings, he sold his farm and made 
arrangements to settle in the far west, purchasing 
the necessary oxen and wagons. All went well 
until arriving at South Platte, Col., where Mrs. 
Barclay sickened and died of cholera, leaving 
seven children to the care of her sorrowing hus- 
band. Leaving the best friend they had in the 
world in a lonely wayside grave, the party pro- 
ceeded on their way, and without any further 
misfortune arrived at their destination in Yam- 
hill county. In the spring of 185 1 Mr. Barclay 
came to Benton county and took up a donation 
claim of a half section twelve and a half miles 
south of Corvallis, where he farmed with consid- 
erable success until his death, at the age of eighty- 
three years. His original purchase by no means 
constituted his entire land holdings, for as his 
farming and stock-raising interests enlarged more 
land was required, and he left a large and well 
equipped estate to his heirs. 

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Barclay never 
worked for his own advancement, although he 
served as justice of the peace for several years, 
and also was a member of the school board. He 
was liberal in his tendencies, very progressive 
in his manner of thought, and possessed a world 
of tactful consideration for those with whom he 



1310 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



had to deal. Naturally he was popular and in- 
fluential, and in his life work represented the 
best to be gotten out of farming. Of the chil- 
dren born to himself and wife, Robert S. is in 
Lincoln county; Mary E. is the widow of A. 
Rickard ; James, a farmer in Alsea county ; Mar- 
garet, the wife of Thomas Hinton, of this vicin- 
ity ; Winnie, the wife of William Levaugh, of 
Linn county ; and William, on the old homestead. 



IRVING E. GLEASON. The year 1851 
marked the advent of Irving E. Gleason in the 
state of Oregon, and here his life from that time 
forward has been spent, not idly or indifferently, 
however, but with the determination to win a 
foothold in this new western country. He was 
born in Ripley county, Ind., November 10, 1834, 
the son of Parson Gleason, who was born in 
Connecticut in 1799. The latter's parents were 
farmers bv occupation and their son assisted 
them in the care of the home farm until reaching 
his twenty-first year, when he went to Indiana. 
It was in the latter state that he married Mrs. 
Bevins, whose maiden name was Mary Ann 
Smith, a native of Vermont. A few years later 
the grandparents also went to Indiana, whither 
their son had gone, but before long they again 
changed their location, going to Minnesota, and 
it was there they spent the remainder of their 
lives, both living to be over eighty years of age. 

Parson Gleason remained a resident of Indi- 
ana until 1 85 1, when he outfitted for the trip to 
Oregon. The journey lasted four months, and 
as compared with the majority of the expeditions 
made at that time was a very peaceful one, the 
Indians giving them no trouble whatever. It 
was near Needy, Clackamas county, that the 
travelers made settlement, Mr. Gleason taking up 
a donation claim upon which he and his wife 
s pent four years, and the remainder of their 
lives was passed on another farm which they 
purchased in the same county. Mr. Gleason 
himself living to reach the advanced age _ of 
ninety years and six months, and his wife living 
to be eighty-five years of age. Throughout their 
lives they had followed general farming and 
dairying. Of their six children, three are de- 
ceased, and those living besides Irvin E. are 
Aaron B. and Amos S., both of whom are resi- 
dents of Hubbard, Ore. 

At the time of the removal of the parents to 
Oregon, Irving E. Gleason was seventeen years 
of age, and in the meantime had acquired a good 
education in the district schools of Indiana. He 
remained at home with his parents until he 
enlisted in Company C, First Oregon Mounted 
Volunteers for service in the Yakima war in 
1855, being mustered in at Portland. After a 
service of forty-two days, during which time he 



participated in one severe fight with the Indians, 
at Yakima, he was mustered out near The Dalles, 
and, returning home, remained with his parents 
and helped them in carrying on the farm until 
his twenty-first year. At this age, however, he 
assumed entire charge of his father's donation 
claim, and a few years later, in 1859, was united 
in marriage with Miss Melissa Coy, a native of 
Missouri, who crossed the plains to California 
in 1850, coming to Oregon in 185 1. The first 
two years of their married life the young people 
made their home on the old home place, but at 
that time they removed to Marion county, mak- 
ing that their home until 1865. After a res- 
idence of two years in Yamhill county they moved 
back to Marion county, remaining until 1887, 
when they went to Philomath, where for two 
years Mr. Gleason carried on a general store. 
Farming was more agreeable to his taste, how- 
ever, and upon retiring from mercantile life he 
bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres 
eight and one-half miles from Philomath in a 
southerly direction, and not far from Fern, and 
here is to be seen one of the finest rural residences 
in the vicinitv. Besides the two-story frame 
residence, the place is embellished with other 
good buildings, being up-to-date in every re- 
spect. Since his first purchase of one hundred 
and sixty acres in Benton county he has 
purchased other land from time to time, and now 
has four hundred and thirty acres of timber land. 
Mr. Gleason's son conducts a steam sawmill on 
his father's farm, doing considerable business 
in this department. 

Seven children were born to Mr. and ■ Mrs. 
Gleason, the three eldest of whom, Ira I., Mary 
A. and Marietta, are deceased, as is also Parson, 
who was next to the youngest, and who was 
named for his grandfather. Mary Ellen became 
the wife of John C. Perrin and resides in Bell- 
fountain ; Isora Eva is the wife of A. Mercer, 
and they reside in Monroe; Ulysses S. is at 
home. For six years Mr. Gleason served as 
justice of the peace in Clackamas and Marion 
counties. Politically he votes for the candidates 
of the Republican party, and in religious matters 
affiliates with the United Brethren Church. Mr. 
Gleason manifests a keen interest in the public 
welfare, and may be counted upon to take his 
part in every worthy enterprise promulgated in 
the neighborhood. 



JESSE BROWN. Ten miles south of Cor- 
vailis is the farm of Jesse Brown, a model of 
agricultural neatness, and the former playground 
of that well known member of racing society, 
Pathmark, whose pedigree is of the best, and 
whose record is 2:11^. Other valuable and 
reputable thoroughbreds have reached maturity 








4sL~d 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1311 



under the watchful eye of Mr. Brown, who appre- 
ciates the fine points of a horse as well as any- 
one in the business, and who also has a warm 
place in his heart for this best friend of man. 
Other than horses profit by the comfort and care 
to be found on the Brown farm, for the owner 
has a variety of stock, much of it registered and 
very valuable. General farming is engaged in 
on an extensive scale, and the majority of the two 
hundred and fifty acres comprising the farm are 
under cultivation. Fertile and conveniently lo- 
cated, this has been the home of the family since 
1882, and the genial and successful manager and 
owner has in the meantime acquired an enviable 
reputation as farmer, stock-raiser and all-around 
substantial member of the community. 

At a very early day G. W. Brown, the father 
of Jesse, moved from Bourbon county, Ky., where 
he was born April 28, 181 7, to Pike county, Mo., 
where his parents settled on a farm upon which 
he grew to maturity, and where he was educated 
in the public schools. In time he married Martha 
A. Todd, also a native of Bourbon county, and 
who was born in 1822. A number of children 
were born in Missouri, among them Jesse, the 
date of whose birth was December 7, 1843. The 
parents sold their farm in Pike county and pre- 
pared to cross the plains in 1850, outfitted with 
ox-teams and wagons, and with every care for 
the welfare of the homeseekers. However, they 
were destined to want for provisions and other- 
wise suffer the deprivations of the long jaunt, but 
the government came happily to the rescue, and 
supplied the necessities of life. They were seven 
months on the way, most of the family having to 
walk the entire way, which delay probably ac- 
counted for their unfortunate condition. Mr. 
Brown took up a donation claim twelve miles 
north of Corvallis, on Soap creek, where the 
father died at the age of seventy-six, the 
mother having preceded him at the age of forty- 
six. The following of their twelve children are 
living: Elizabeth, the widow of James Jones, of 
Polk county; C. J., of Benton county; Jesse; 
Walter, of Linn county ; Frank and Joseph, of 
Polk county ; and Lee, of Wells station. 

After a youth spent in hard work on the pa- 
ternal farm, Jesse Brown started out on his own 
responsibility, and located on a farm on Soap 
creek. To this new home went the wife whom 
he married January 25, 1866, when he was 
twenty-three years old, and who was formerly 
Erne E. Modie, born in Missouri, February 25, 
1850. The young, people lived on the creek farm 
for about three years, and then went to southern 
Oregon, where Mr. Brown engaged in stock- 
raising with but moderate success for about a 
year. In 1882 he came to his present farm, as 
heretofore stated, and has since made this his 
home, and the field of his successful and varied 



operations. The following children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown: Walter A., of 
Denver, Col. ; Milton, of Texas ; Frank, living 
on the home farm; Dolly, at home; Ella; Ida; 
Gertrude; and Adelia. Mr. Brown is a Democrat 
in politics, but has never devoted any time to 
hunting for office. He is a quiet, unostentatious 
man, fond of his home and loyal to his friends, 
and never wearies of improving the conditions 
among - which his lot is cast. 



JAMES ADDISON BUSHNELL. Prosper- 
ity has followed closely the operations of James 
A. Bushnell, the result of honest, patient and 
earnest effort toward the fulfillment of the prom- 
ise which is the heritage of all men born in this 
bountiful land, but comes only to those who seek 
it with an undivided attention. With the excep- 
tion of but a few months Mr. Bushnell has been 
a resident of Oregon since 1852. He located 
first near Junction City, where he remained for 
many years, when in 1875 he removed into the 
city and has since been a citizen of inestimable 
worth, taking an active part in many movements 
calculated to advance the best interests of the 
city. Among the more important movements with 
which he has been connected was the building of 
the Junction City Hotel, he being now the presi- 
dent of the company, whose property is valued at 
$28,000. He is serving as president of the Farm- 
ers and Merchants Bank, a private institution, 
with a capital of $50,000 and surplus of $3,000; 
he built the Junction City Water Works at a 
cost of $3,000, and now owns them ; and also 
owns four hundred and fifty acres of farming 
land located along the river, this being now 
rented. 

James A. Bushnell was born in Cattaraugus 
county, N. Y., July 27, 1826, his father being 
Daniel Bushnell, a native of Middlesex countv, 
Conn. After his marriage he located, in 1810, in 
New York, as a pioneer farmer of Cattaraugus 
county, and later he removed to Pennsylvania. 
Two years afterward he became a resident of 
Ohio, continuing his agricultural pursuits in Ash- 
tabula county. He died in 1844 in Harrison 
county, Ohio. He was the descendant of an old 
Connecticut family, his father, who was born 
there, also following the employment of a farmer. 
His wife was formerly Ursula Pratt, a native of 
Saybrook, Conn., and the daughter of Ozias 
Pratt, a native of the same state. He was a sea- 
faring man and also conducted a farm, and his 
death occurred there at quite an advanced age. 
He was of English extraction. Of the six sons 
and three daughters born to Mr. and Mrs. Bush- 
nell, die sixth child was James A. He remained 
at home with his parents until attaining his ma- 
joritv, when he learned the cooper's trade, work- 



1312 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ing in Hannibal, Mo. In 1849 ne married and 
settled on a farm in Adair county, Mo., where 
he remained three years, at the expiration of this 
time deciding to join the westward movement 
with the hope of bettering the condition of his 
family. Three young men, Timothy Halstead, 
Alexander Nesbit and Mr. Bushnell, set out for 
Oregon in the spring of the year, with ox-teams, 
and on arriving at their destination they went on 
down to California, spending the first winter in 
Shasta county, where they engaged in mining. 
The success of Mr. Bushnell was only moderate, 
so he decided to return to his home in Missouri. 
He set sail from San Francisco July 4, 1853, and 
reached the Missouri valley only to find the home 
empty and the family gone to meet him in Ore- 
gon. He thereupon returned to Oregon via the 
Isthmus and in Springfield, Lane county, he was 
once more reunited with his loved ones. Mr. 
Bushnell then took up a donation claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres located six miles south 
of Junction City, upon which he remained until 
1868, when he bought another farm of eight hun- 
dred acres on the west side of the Willamette 
river, the greater part of this land being still in 
his possession. In 1875 Mr. Bushnell built a 
warehouse at Junction City, and entered ex- 
tensively into the grain business. This he has 
since continued to carry on, handling the greater 
part of the grain which came into the city. 

The wife of Mr. Bushnell was formerly Eliza- 
beth C. Adkins, a native of Adair county, Mo., 
the ceremony which united them being performed 
in Adair county. She died in Junction City, in 
1868, the mother of eight children, the two living 
being Lucy J., now the wife of William M. Pit- 
ney, a farmer in this vicinity, and Helen V., wife 
of C. J. Ehrman, of Menan, Idaho. Mr. Bush- 
nell was married the second time to Mrs. Sarah 
E. Page, a native of Indiana, and the two chil- 
dren are Henry C, of Junction City, and Myrtle 
G., at home with her parents. As a Prohibition- 
ist and active for the interests of his party Mr. 
Bushnell has served for two terms as mayor 
of Junction City, and as a member of the council 
for many terms. He has also been the nominee 
of the Prohibition party for county judge and 
representative in the state legislature. Alway in- 
terested in educational movements, he has served 
as school director many years, and has contrib- 
uted generously toward all school enterprises. 
He was one of the founders of the Eugene Di- 
vinity School, and is now acting as president of 
its board of regents. The institution is supported 
by the Christian Church, whose tenets are the 
religious belief of Mr. Bushnell, in his own con- 
gregation acting as elder, and it was largely 
through his efforts that a church building was 
erected in Junction City. For five years he has 
been a member of the Oregon Christian Mission- 



ary Convention, and during the past four years 
has served as vice president of that body. To 
this, as to all other worthy objects, Mr. Bushnell 
gives liberally, and a debt of gratitude is owed 
him by those who would have their city and com- 
munity one of the first in this section, as to 
financial and moral supremacy. 



ANDREW RICKARD. By his many friends 
and associates in Benton county Andrew Rickard 
is recalled as a very popular and successful man, 
and one who must have surveyed his sixty-three 
years of existence with a great deal of satis- 
faction. The farm now occupied by his widow, 
three miles southeast of Monroe, and which was 
occupied by him from i860 to the time of his 
death, in 1893, is a constant reminder of his prac- 
tical and businesslike methods, and of the shrewd 
common sense which was the keynote to a self- 
made and thoroughly worthy character. 

On his father's farm in North Carolinaj where 
he was born August 15, 1830, Mr. Rickard 
was reared among the usual southern surround- 
ings, and remained at home until his twenty- 
third year. An opportunity offering to go the 
far west, he joined a party bound for Oregon 
with ox-teams and prairie schooners, and on the 
way fortunately escaped serious trouble with the 
Indians, cholera or mountain fever, or severe 
deprivation incident to pioneer travel. His first 
experience with land was decidedly unsatisfac- 
tory, for after taking up a claim twelve miles 
south of Corvallis, Ore., and improving it to 
some extent, the government claimed and re- 
deemed it, and he was no better off than when 
he arrived from the east. In 1855 he made his 
way to Josephine county, this state, and followed 
mining and prospecting for five years, returning 
afterward to Benton county, where, in 1861, he 
married Mary E. Barclay, a native of Missouri, 
and daughter of William Barclay, mention of 
whom is made elsewhere in this work. The year 
previous to his marriage Mr. Rickard had pur- 
chased one hundred and sixty acres of the farm 
now owned by his heirs, three miles southeast of 
Monroe, and with his wife he settled thereon, 
beginning at once to transform it into a valuable 
and productive property. From time to time he 
added to his land, and the farm at present is 
composed of four hundred and ten acres. Mrs. 
Rickard has proved a good manager since her 
husband's death, and in this is ably assisted by 
her son, Frank, one of the bright and promising 
members of a thriving agricultural community. 

Besides Frank, who is the seventh of the eight 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rickard, there is 
the eldest son, William, a farmer in Benton coun- 
ty; Sarah E., the wife of John Conger, of Lane 
county; Eliza J., the wife of James Traftzer, of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1313 



Linn county ; Nellie, the wife of William Drisco, 
of Lane count}- ; Lucy, the wife of R. H. Hewitt, 
of this vicinity ; George, living' near his mother ; 
and Anna, the wife of George Waldron, of Lane 
county. Air. Richard was a stanch Democrat in 
political affiliation, and took a keen interest in the 
political undertakings of his neighborhood. More 
offices than he cared to fill were tendered him, 
but he served acceptably as school director and 
road supervisor. He exerted a moral and pro- 
gressive influence in the community, and was 
particularly devoted to advancing the interests 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he 
was a member from earliest vouth. 



GRANT ADELBERT COVELL, M. E. In 
the college curriculum of today, no branch of 
learning is of more consequence than that per- 
taining to the mechanical arts, and that the 
science may be of the highest practical benefit 
to the student, it is absolutely necessary that the 
head of the department of mechanics shall pos- 
sess a master mind and intellect. In Prof. Grant 
A. Covell the Oregon Agricultural College has 
secured a person worthy in every respect to fill 
the position which he there holds as professor 
of mechanics and mechanical engineering, his 
superior talents and scholarly attainments emi- 
nently qualifying him for his important work. 

The descendant of one of the earlier New 
England families, Grant A. Covell was born 
August 30, 1862, in Bradford county, Pa., a son 
of Albert Covell. His grandfather, William 
Covell, was born at Plattsburg, N. Y., but when 
a young lad removed with his parents to Penn- 
sylvania, and there spent his remaining years, 
being a pioneer farmer of Bradford county. 
Albert Covell has been a life-long resident of 
Bradford county, Pa., where he is carrying on 
general farming, including dairying and bee- 
keeping, with excellent financial results. He is 
the owner of several valuable farms, and resides 
near the village of Bigpond. He is a man of 
prominence, and is actively identified with the 
Masonic order. He married Lavina Alfred, 
who was born in Tioga county, Pa., of New 
England ancestors, and six children have been 
born of their union, five of whom survive, Grant 
Adelbert, the special subject of this sketch, 
being the first-born, and the only son. 

Beginning his studies at the district school. 
Grant A. Covell remained beneath the parental 
roof-tree until seventeen years of age, when he 
became a pupil at the high school in Troy, Pa., 
from which he was graduated in 1883. Entering 
Cornell University soon after, he completed the 
required course of study in four years, receiving 
his degree of M. E. in 1887, afterward remain- 
ing there a year as instructor in the machine 



shop. The following year he went to the Uni- 
versity of Minnesota as an instructor, taking the 
chair of mechanics and mechanical engineering 
while Professor Barr was away on leave of ab- 
sence, at the end of the year being offered a 
position as instructor under Professor Barr. 
Before the opening of the term in September, 
1889, however, Professor Covell received his 
appointment to the chair of mechanics and 
mechanical engineering at the Oregon Agricult- 
ural College, and has since held the position. 
Under his wise supervision this department has 
had a phenomenal growth. The mechanical 
building in process of construction when he 
came here, is now used as the blacksmith shop 
and power house. With the means at his com- 
mand, he fitted it up as best he could. As time 
went on additions were made, and the shops were 
fairly well equipped. In 1899 the °W building 
burned, and the following year, 1900, Mechani- 
cal Hall was built, a magnificent structure, with 
finely equipped machine shops on the first floor, 
where are also various recitation rooms, and 
Professor Covell's office. In addition to having 
charge of mechanical engineering, the professor 
likewise supervises electrical engineering in the 
college. 

Professor Covell married in Corvallis, Mary 
Spencer, who was born in England, but came 
to this country when young, and was educated 
in Ohio, at the Grand River Institute. Four 
children have been born of their union, namely : 
Spencer; Walter; Margaret; and Kenneth. 
Politically the professor is a Republican, and 
fraternally he is a member of Corvallis Lodge 
No. 14, F. & A. M., of which he is past 
master; and of the Sigma Psi Society at Cor- 
nell University. Mrs. Covell is a member of the 
Presbvterian Church. 



ALFRED M. WITHAM. Continuously since 
the fall of 1849 A. M. Witham has lived on his 
present farm two miles from Corvallis, which 
originally consisted of six hundred and forty 
acres, but has since been enlarged to one thous- 
and acres. Here he has carried on farming and 
stock-raising all of these years, and has reared 
noble and able-bodied sons to follow in his foot- 
steps, and to share with him the possession of his 
broad and valuable acres. The farm is all in one 
body, and is among the valuable properties of 
Benton county. 

Mr. Witham is one of the very venerable resi- 
dents of this community, having been born near 
Liberty, Union county, Ind., September 18, 1821. 
He was reared on a farm and allowed such edu- 
cational chances as those early times afforded, 
and in 1835 removed with his parents to Porter 
county, of the same state, where he married, in 



1314 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1842, Rosanna Allen. In 1847 he prepared to 
cross the plains with two wagons each having 
three yoke of oxen, and four loose cows, and 
came by way of Fort Hall, his brother, William, 
also being a member of the party. In October, 
1847, he landed in Corvallis, and spent the winter 
in an empty cabin found on a claim four miles 
south of Corvallis. In the spring of 1848 he 
located a claim two miles from Philomath and 
erected a log cabin, made fences, and cleared a 
portion of the land, but was dissatisfied, so in the 
spring of 1849 came to his present farm. When 
he had first come to the county in 1849 tn i s 
property had a small log house of one room and 
ten acres plowed, but when he took possession 
there were some improvements and three hundred 
acres cleared. In the fall of 1849 he went to 
California with John Onby and mined on the 
middle fork of the American river, and when he 
came back in the fall brought $1,100 with him. 
This money went towards improvements on his 
land, and paved the way for his future large 
operations. At one time he owned eleven hun- 
dred acres, but now has a thousand, and this 
comprises all but fifty of the original claim. 
Thirteen children have been born into his fam- 
ily, and all have been reared to habits of thrift 
and industry. Eight attained maturity. Of 
these, Oliver lives on a farm four miles north of 
Corvallis; Mary is the wife of D. M. Bradley 
of Everett, Wash. ; Charles lives on a farm near 
Monroe, Benton county; Fannie is the wife of 
D. Baker of Seattle, Wash. ; Henry lives on the 
home place; Edward is living on part of the 
home place; Elvin is also helping to work the 
home farm; and Olive is the wife of J. W. 
Alkire of Mount Vernon, Wash. Mr. Wjtham 
is a Republican in politics, and was active in the 
early days of the state. In 1861-62 he was a 
member of the legislature, and was re-elected in 
1868 and 1874. While serving he represented 
his constituents with great credit and satisfac- 
faction. placing their needs and aspirations before 
the body with convincing intelligence. For more 
than thirty-three years he has been a member of 
the Masonic order. He is highly respected by all 
who have ever been associated with him, and 
though now approaching the twilight of life 
takes an active interest in the success of his sons, 
and in all the interests of his home. 



SAMUEL N. HOWARD. Among the sons 
of Indiana who have made their way to Oregon 
and have materially added to its development, is 
Samuel N. Howard, representing the second 
generation of his family in the west, and 
the owner of a farm of three hundred acres 
three miles north of Eugene. The namesake 
of his father, who was born in Virginia, August 



4, 1792, Mr. Howard is of English descent, and 
possesses many of the sterling characteristics 
of his worthy ancestors. The father, Samuel 
Howard, was a farmer during his entire active 
life, and as a young man removed to Ohio, and 
there married Charlotte Yates, who was born 
in Ohio, of German descent. The family subse- 
quently removed to Henry county, Ind., where 
the father bought a large farm, and where Sam- 
uel N., was born October 26, 1839. Three years 
later the family moved to Grundy county, Mo., 
and after two years moved to Polk county, 
near Des Moines, Iowa, where they lived until 
1853. The father was ambitious, notwithstand- 
ing the fact that he had long since passed the 
half century mark, and in this he was seconded 
by his children, of whom there were eight, 
Samuel N. being the fourth, and at that time 
twelve years of age. Outfitting with nine yoke 
of oxen and three wagons, the party started for 
Oregon and was six months on the way, and at 
the end of their journey were the proud pos- 
sessors of three yoke of oxen and one cow, two 
of their wagons having been lost by the way- 
side. The party was under command of Rev. 
George Koger, and the travelers had little to 
record of a disagreeable nature, the Indians 
having kept to themselves, and the weather 
having been fairly pleasant. Samuel Howard 
took up a donation claim. of three hundred and 
twenty acres near Junction City. His removal 
to the west was well timed and wise as was 
demonstrated in the following years, when his 
crops multiplied, and success came to him. 
Engaging in a large general farming enterprise, 
he was obliged to have more than his original 
purchase of land, and at the time of his death, 
in May, 1872, owned seven hundred and ten 
acres. 

At the age of fourteen Samuel N. began to 
work for wages, and early recognition of his 
ability as a wage earner greatly encouraged him 
to do his best. Practical and thrifty, he saved 
his money and studied whenever opportunity 
offered, for attendance at the public schools for 
so busy a boy was at best irregular. He knew 
that whatever he accomplished in life would be 
due to his own energy, and he applied himself 
to becoming a first class farmer, and broad- 
minded citizen. In the fall of 1861 he went to 
Wasco county, eastern Oregon, and engaged in 
a stock business for about six years, during 
that time continuing to save his money, and lay 
by for a rainy day. Returning to Lane county, 
in 1868, he took a drove of cattle across the 
mountains to California, remained a year, and 
then permanently took up his residence in Lane ■ 
county, north of Irving. 

In 1872 Mr. Howard bought three hundred 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1315 



and twenty acres of land one mile north of 
Irving, where he lived and conducted general 
farming for six years, and then moved to his 
present farm, three miles north of Eugene. 
There are few farms in the neighborhood more 
to be desired than this, for the owner has bent 
<.very energy to produce the best possible results. 
He has twenty-five acres of hops, and forty-five 
acres of fruit, prunes and cherries predominat- 
ing, to the extent of forty-five hundred trees. 
The residence on his farm is large and commod- 
ious, tbe barns modern and large enough for 
grain and stock, and the general improvements 
are in keeping with an up-to-date farming en- 
terprise. A large share of Mr. Howard's suc- 
cess he attributes to the assistance of a capable 
and helpful wife, who is a native daughter of 
Oregon. She was born in Marion county, April 
14, 1856. Mrs. Howard was before her mar- 
riage Cinderella Kays, daughter of John and 
Frances Kays, and she is the mother of six 
children of whom Emmett, the oldest son, fives 
on an adjoining farm, while DeWitt C, Dolph, 
Bessie, Jessie, and Xellie, are living at home. 
Mr. Howard has subscribed to Republican prin- 
ciples from the first of his voting days, and he 
has held the offices of school director and road 
supervisor. He has led a busy life, and while 
amassing a competence has never overlooked 
fair dealing, or consideration for the rights and 
prerogatives of others. 



CORXELIUS B. STARR. As one of the 
substantial residents of the vicinity of Monroe, 
Benton county. Mr. Starr occupies an enviable 
place in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. 
Coming to the state when a youth of fifteen years, 
his life from that time forward has been passed 
under Oregon skies, and that it has been well 
and worthily spent a perusal of this short life 
history will prove. 

Cornelius B. Starr was born in Belmont coun- 
ty. Ohio. August 11. 1838, but has no recollec- 
tion of his birthplace, as his parents moved to 
Iowa when he was only six months old. Moses 
Starr, his father, was born June 22, 1787. in old 
Virginia, but in an early day and when quite a 
young man moved to Ohio, where he engaged in 
mercantile pursuits. In his wife, who was Eliza- 
beth Calhoun, also a native of the Old Dominion, 
he had a wise counselor and true companion, 
whose nobility of character was proverbial. From 
1839 until 1853 the parental home was in Iowa, 
the father following general fanning and also 
acting in the capacity of sales agent, as his farm 
duties permitted. The year 1853 was a memor- 
able one to the Starr family, as it was April 4 of 
that year that they started on the long and peril- 
ous journey across the plains, ox and horse-teams 



furnishing the motive power. When they reached 
The Dalles the father was taken ill, and soon 
after reaching Clackamas county his death oc- 
curred. Saddened and bereaved though she was, 
the mother courageously took his place at the 
head of the little band and led them on to their 
destination, and in Benton county, one and one- 
half miles northwest of Monroe, took up a dona- 
tion claim of one hundred and sixty acres. With 
true pioneer instinct she set about to bring order 
out of chaos, and her success was exemplified in 
the fine improvements which from time to time 
were made upon the tract. Her ability as a 
physician was of an unusual order, and many a 
sickroom was brightened and cheered by her 
presence. Of the twelve children born to her, 
five sons were ministers of the gospel, in this re- 
spect following in the footsteps of their father, 
who was a local preacher and class-leader. An- 
other son, Samuel F., became the first sheriff of 
Benton county. Mary J. became the wife of 
James Campbell of Lane county ; Milton C. re- 
sides in the vicinity of Monroe ; Elizabeth A. is 
the widow of Jesse Hawley and resides in Grass 
Valley : and Martin L. resides in Washington. 
At the time of the father's death he was sixty- 
six years of age, and the mother seventv-nine at 
her demise. 

Until twenty-four years of age. Cornelius Starr 
remained at home, dutifully assisting his mother 
in the care and maintenance of the farm. At this 
age. however, he started out in a new line of en- 
deavor, and in freighting goods to Jacksonville 
met with considerable success. The Civil war 
had been in progress for some time, and when no 
longer able to resist the call for volunteers, he 
laid aside personal considerations and enlisted as 
a member of Company A. First Oregon Infantry, 
and November 30. 1864. was mustered in at 
Salem. From Vancouver, the first field of ac- 
tion, the regiment went to Fort Vamhill, and 
from there to eastern Oregon, thence went into 
camp. After a service of nineteen months he 
was mustered out at Fort Yamhill, from there 
returning to his home and resuming the peaceful 
life of the farmer. 

The marriage of Cornelius B. Starr and Miss 
Marv A. Howard was solemnized November 21. 
1869. She was a native of Illinois and crossed 
the plains with her parents in 1852. Mrs. Starr 
is a daughter of Pontius P. and Sarah (Grimm) 
Howard. The father was born in Wisconsin, 
and came to Oregon in 1852. He now resides in 
Washington, where he has lived for the past 
twenty vears. He was in the Civil war. The 
mother died May 17. 1901. She was the mother 
of nine children, seven of whom are still living : 
Albert of Washington : Alpheus of Benton coun- 
tv. Mary A., now Mrs. Starr: Adelia. Mrs. Jo- 
seph Baird; Oren, of Cottage Grove; Sarah E., 



1316 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



now Mrs. George Ludwig; Maria, resides in 
Monroe. On a claim adjoining the home of Mrs. 
Starr's parents the young people began house- 
keeping, making it their home for the following 
eleven years. From there they went to Corvallis, 
where Mr. Starr was engaged in the livery busi- 
ness for four years. After a period of six months 
spent in southern Oregon, he settled on the tract 
of seven hundred and fifty acres which now 
forms his home place. The place is embellished 
with a commodious residence and convenient 
barns and out-houses and, all in all, is one of the 
model estates in the country roundabout. While 
he carries on general farming to a certain extent, 
Mr. Starr is more particularly interested in stock- 
raising, his ranch being stocked with Shorthorn 
and Polled Angus cattle. Four children blessed 
the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Starr, as follows : 
John EL, a resident of Junction City, and has one 
child, Loris B. ; Sylva J., Artie B., and Mamie C, 
the three latter at home with their parents. The 
family are identified with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, in which Mr. Starr is serving as 
trustee. Politically he upholds the tenets and 
candidates of the Republican party. 



LEVI P. TALLMAN. A youth developed in 
a practical and kindly home atmosphere, a young 
manhood tried by the deprivation and danger of 
a Civil war service, and later years rounded out 
in useful occupations in the far northwest, is the 
life story of Levi P. Tallman, now living on a 
little fruit farm of thirty acres two miles north 
of Eugene. A pleasant recollection to Mr. Tall- 
man is the fact that he is indebted solely to 
his own efforts for his start and subsequent suc- 
cess in life, and he is a stanch advocate of indus- 
try and uprightness, aids which have been the 
principal factors in his advancement. Born in 
Huron county, Ohio, July 17, 1845, he is a son 
of Timothy W. and Harriett (Palmer) Tall- 
man, natives of New York state. The parents 
were married in their native state, and soon 
afterward removed to Huron county, Ohio, 
where the father farmed and worked at his 
trades as shoemaker and carpenter. He removed 
with his family to Kent county, Mich., in 1853, 
after a time settling in Grand Rapids where he 
was earnestly and successfully plying his trade 
at the time of his death at the age of seventy- 
seven years. 

Attaining maturity on the Kent county farm. 
Levi P. Tallman had acquired a common school 
education and a thorough knowledge of farm- 
ing. The Civil war found him anxious and 
ready to enlist as a private on September 3, 1864, 
and he became a member of Battery D, First 
Michigan Light Artillery, under Lieutenant 
Pickett, and was sent to Tennessee to join the 



command of General Van Cleave. He was not 
privileged to participate in many of the im- 
portant battles of the war owing to the lateness 
of the enlistment, but he was at Stone River, 
and afterward did garrison duty up to the time 
of his discharge, July 4, 1865, at Murfreesboro, 
Tenn. His service was marred by illness which 
necessitated detention in Hospital No. 2, for 
three months, after which he returned to Mich- 
igan, and remained there until October 20, 1866. 
While in the service Mr. Tallman met many 
who had ambitions centering in the west, and 
the continuation of a farming existence in Michi- 
gan convinced him that he, too, might profit 
by the chances held out to ambitious and de- 
serving young men. Boarding a steamer at 
New York he came to the coast by the way of 
Panama and San Francisco, taking twenty-three 
days for the trip, and remaining in San Jose, 
Cal., for eleven years farming and fruit-raising. 
Coming to Portland and later to Eugene in the 
fall of 1877 he engaged in saw-milling for three 
years on Long Tom creek, just west of the 
town. In 1873 he married Mary J. Lake, who 
died February 26, 1880, leaving two children, 
of whom Lillian is a nurse in Oakland, Cal., 
and Lewis A. is in Dawson City, Alaska. In 
1886 Mr. Tallman was united in marriage 
with Mary E. P. Phillips, a native of Tama 
county, Iowa. He lived at Hale's Station for 
six years, and in 1886 moved onto a claim of 
one hundred and sixty acres on the Siuslaw 
river, where he kept a stage house and public 
inn, and carried on quite extensive farming 
operations. He had three hundred and sixty 
acres of land, raised considerable stock, and 
prospered exceedingly in his combined occupa- 
tions. In the spring of 1903 he sold his interests 
to Eli Bangs, of Eugene, and bought his pres- 
ent farm of thirty acres two miles north of the 
town. He is engaged in small farming and 
fruit-raising, and is most pleasantly located, 
being surrounded with modern aids for the 
carrying on of his work, and occupying a com- 
fortable and hospitable home. Mr. Tallman 
subscribes himself to Democratic principles and 
issues, and many local offices have been honored 
by his services, among them that of school 
director and school clerk. He has served for 
twenty-four years as postmaster in different 
parts of Lane county, a position which argues 
both popularity and efficient service. Fratern- 
ally he is connected with the Lodge No. 139, 
I. O. O. F., at Mapleton, Ore. 



DRURY R. HODGES. Prominent among 
those to whom Benton county owes her agricult- 
ural prosperity is Drury R. Hodges, a venerable 
and highly honored retired resident of Wells 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1317 



Station, and a pioneer of 1847. M r - Hodges is 
one of the many natives of Shelby county, Ind., 
who have settled in Oregon, and his birth 
occured September 8, 1825. When nine years 
of age he removed with his parents to Allen 
county, Ohio, where he lived until 1839, and then 
moved to Platte county, Mo., settling on a farm 
of large dimensions. 

In 1846 an escape from a rather monotonous 
farming life presented itself to Mr. Hodges, who 
was in that year engaged as a teamster to haul 
provisions in a freighting train to the soldiers 
in Mexico. He had many adventures while on 
this expedition, and an opportunity to study the 
people and sights of the southern and then tur- 
bulent adjoining country. Returning to the 
paternal farm in Missouri he remained there six 
months, and April 27, 1847, married Mahala 
B. Fickle, who was born in LaFayette county, 
Mo., in August, 1828, and with whom he took 
a rather unique wedding journey. The month 
after the wedding the young people carried out 
a long-thought-of project and crossed the plains 
with ox-teams, Monroe Hodges, the father of 
Drury, as well as three brothers and two sisters, 
accompanying them. Two hired men, two 
wagons with four ox-teams to each, and four 
cows, completed quite an imposing cavalcade, 
and the little party came across with few experi- 
ences of an unpleasant nature. They were the 
usual length of time on the way, arriving in 
Benton county in October, where Monroe 
Hodges took up a donation claim of six hundred 
and forty acres, upon which they all settled. 
The son erected a little hewed-log house of one 
room, which in time had a more imposing suc- 
cessor, but which served as a starting place for 
quite extensive agricultural and stock-raising 
operations. About four hundred and fifty acres 
of the property was open land, a distinct advant- 
age over many of the farms of the early settlers, 
the greater part of which was heavily timbered. 
The father lived long to enjoy his prosperity, 
his death occurring at the age of eighty-eight 
years. 

While living on the old donation claim Drury 
Hodges gained a competence, and made many 
fine improvements. . Many years of devotion to 
the farm warranted his retirement from active 
life in 1892, and he has since "lived in Wells, 
surrounded by many friends, and the good will 
of all who know him. Eleven children were 
born to him on the old claim, nine of whom are 
living: Catherine is the wife of Cam Vander- 
pool of Benton county ; Mary E. is the widow 
of Robert Hughey ; Caroline is the wife of Amos 
Holman of The Dalles ; Robert is living on 
the home farm ; Georgie is the wife of Ben 
Davis of Tacoma ; Commodore P. is on the 
home farm ; Jackson is a doctor of dental sur- 



gery at Albany; Marcus is on the home place; 
and Florence is the wife of Sumner Reed of 
Tacoma. Mr. Hodges and his sons still own 
the entire donation claim which nets them a 
comfortable yearly income, besides providing 
employment for three of the sons. Mr. Hodges 
is an old time Jackson Democrat, but has never 
held other ■ than minor offices, preferring to 
devote all of his time to his farm and home 
circle. For more than thirty years he has been 
a member of the Masons, and his religious home 
is with the Baptist Church. Honorable in all of 
his dealings, successful and optimistic, Mr. 
Hodges is an example of what may be accom- 
plished by perseverance and devotion to duty, 
by truth to friends, and kindness and consider- 
ation in his family. 



JOHN WILES. It is an important public 
duty to honor and perpetuate as far as is pos- 
sible the memory of an eminent citizen, one 
who by his blameless and honorable life and 
successful career reflected credit not only upon 
the county in which he made his home, but upon 
the state. Through such memorials as this at 
hand, the character of his services are kept in 
remembrance and the importance of those serv- 
ices acknowledged. His example in whatever 
field his work may have been done thus stands 
as an object lesson to those who come after 
him, and though dead he still speaks. Long 
after all recollection of his personality shall have 
faded from the minds of men, the less perishable 
record may tell the story of his life and com- 
mend his example for imitation. No man was 
ever more respected in Benton county or ever 
more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people 
than John Wiles, who was one of the pioneers 
of this portion of the state, having resided in 
Benton county for nearly fifty-five years at the 
time of his demise. 

Mr. Wiles was born in Surrey county, N. C, 
on August 17, 1822, and there remained the 
first eight years of his life, after which he ac- 
companied his parents on their removal to 
Henry county, Ind. He was twenty years of 
age when the family removed to Missouri, set- 
tling in Andrew county. There his father died 
and he was forced upon his own resources. 
After a year or two he gave his share of the 
family inheritance to his mother and the other 
members of the family, while he started west in 
the hope of gaining a fortune in the country rich 
in promise, and yet whose resources were as 
then undeveloped. It was in the year 1847 that 
Mr. Wiles came to Oregon. He arranged with 
Frank Writsman to drive an ox-team, and in 
this way he made the long and arduous journey 
over the plains to the Sunset state. He was 



1318 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



then in very limited financial circumstances and 
for several months after his arrival he continued 
to work for Mr. Writsman, receiving a salary of 
twelve dollars per month. Thus he gained his 
start, but his was a nature that could never con- 
tent itself with mediocrity or with a small meas- 
ure of success if greater prosperity could be ob- 
tained through energy and honorable effort. In 
the year 1848, following the discovery of gold 
in California, he was attracted to that state and 
spent the summer of that year in the mines, but 
returned to Benton county in the succeeding 
winter. When spring again came, however, he 
once more went to the gold regions, but in the 
autumn returned to Benton county, where he re- 
sided then continuously up to the time of his 
demise. The county was to be congratulated 
upon gaining a citizen of such worth and capa- 
bility. He took a deep interest in public meas- 
ures and withal he was practical in the aid 
which he rendered to general progress and im- 
provement. 

In 185 1 Mr. Wiles was married, and reso- 
lutely undertook the work of providing a home 
for his bride. They located upon a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres which was 
joined on the south by the donation claim of 
Joseph T. Hughart. From time to time he 
added to that property and he never sold an 
acre of land unless it was to square off a tract. 
With characteristic energy he began transform- 
ing the wild land into productive fields and also 
to engage in stock-raising, which business he 
carried on successfully up to the time of his 
death. He made a specialty of Shorthorn and 
Polled Angus cattle and owned some very fine 
specimens of stock. He made his start in life 
by what he accumulated in the mines. He met 
with a fair degree of success in his search for 
gold in California and upon his return he in- 
vested this in the best grades of cattle that could 
be secured at that time. To this little herd he 
added as his means would permit and as the 
years passed he became one of the most exten- 
sive and prosperous stock-dealers of his com- 
munity. He added to his land until his pos- 
sessions in that direction were very extensive. 
He made splendid improvements upon his farm 
by adding good buildings, modern equipments 
and for many years was recognized as one of 
the leading representatives of agricultural in- 
terests in his portion of the state. In the later 
years of his life he became a director in the 
First National Bank of Corvallis and he was a 
punctual attendant at all of the meetings of the 
board of directors and did all in his power to 
promote the success of that financial institution. 

On June 8, 185 1, Mr. Wiles was united in 
marriage to Miss Martha Ann Hughart, who 
then resided on Soap creek with her father, 



Joseph Hughart, who was born in Kentucky, 
February 9, 1804, and removed from that state 
to Calloway county, Mo., in 1828. Mrs. Wiles 
was born in Calloway county, May 3, 1833, an ^ 
in 1836 the farmly removed from the place of 
her nativity to Buchanan county, Mo., where 
she lived until 1845, when her parents with 
their family crossed the plains to Oregon, mak- 
ing the trip by ox-teams in the St. Clair com- 
pany commanded by Wayman St. Clair, the 
father of Mrs. J. R. Bryson. After reaching 
Oregon the Hughart family settled at Philo- 
math and while living there Mrs. Hughart died, 
leaving Mrs. Wiles, at the age of thirteen years, 
to care for a family of five children, one of 
whom was then an infant. Two years later her 
sister, Mrs. Greenberry Smith, died, leaving an 
infant child to the care of Mrs. Wiles, but she 
nobly took up the task which fell to her lot and 
made a home for the children of her father's 
family and also the child of her deceased sister 
up to the time of her marriage. When the fam- 
ily had crossed the plains they removed to the 
old homestead near Wells, Benton county, and 
there Mrs. Wiles resided continuously until 
1885, when she became a resident of Corvallis. 
When she arrived in Benton county the entire 
district was almost an unbroken wilderness in- 
habited by the native Indians. The Hugharts 
and the family of J. C. Avery were among the 
few families then living in the Willamette val- 
ley. The heavy household duties which early 
devolved upon her largely deprived her of the 
opportunities for enjoying educational and social 
advantages, but she possessed naturally a broad 
mind and was a woman of rare qualifications, 
being possessed of keen business ideas and ex- 
ceptional financial ability. She and her sister, 
Mrs. Greenberry Smith, in their childhood days 
endured many hardships and trials incident to 
pioneer life and were not a few times exposed 
to the dangers of such an existence, but they 
proved themselves worthy to be classed among 
the honored pioneer women who have done no 
less than the husbands, brothers and fathers 
in laying the foundation for this great state. 
She had marked influence, and her life was one 
of exceptional usefulness, characterized by self- 
sacrifice from early girlhood until she passed 
to the home prepared for the righteous. She 
was ever unselfish and always regarded the wel- 
fare and happiness of those around her before 
she gave attention to her own wants. She found 
her greatest happiness in ministering to others 
and realized the truth that " it is more blessed 
to give than to receive." 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wiles were born the fol- 
lowing children : Mary Josephine, now the wife 
of W. A. Wells of Corvallis ; Mrs. Bridget Ann 
Brinkley, • who died near Airlie, Polk county, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1319 



Ore.; Eliza J., the wife of Thomas Kirkpatrick, 
of San Francisco: Walter T., who is represented 
on another page of this book ; Edward F., a 
farmer and stockman of Wells, Ore. ; Jessie 
Ellen, who died at the age of nine years ; and 
Mrs. Lucy G. Yates, of Corvallis. For many 
years the mother of this family suffered from 
ill health, but she bore her suffering uncom- 
plainingly and in her last days she was sur- 
rounded by her entire family, constituting her 
husband and five children, who did everything 
in their power to alleviate her suffering and 
pain. She realized, however, that the end was 
near, and had no dread of the future. 
Her entire life was an exemplification of 
Christian faith and she knew that a bet- 
ter home awaited her in the land beyond. 
She also requested that each of her chil- 
dren should meet her there, that the family 
chain should be unbroken, without the loss of a 
single link. Her life was indeed an eventfvd one 
for many experiences such as fall to the lot of 
few women, her cares and responsibilities in 
youth early developed her beyond her years and 
made her ever considerate of others. Her friends 
found her faithful, her family knew her as a de- 
voted and loving wife and mother and the 
church a faithful Christian. " Her children rise 
up and call her blessed," and all who knew her 
revere her memory. Mrs. Wiles passed away 
November II. 1895, and Mr. Wiles survived for 
almost seven years. After his wife's death he 
spent much of his time in the home of his son 
Edward, at the homestead, while during his last 
illness and dea,th he lived with his son, Walter, 
in Corvallis. making short visits in the homes 
of his other children from time to time. 

B. F. Irvine, editor and proprietor of the Cor- 
vallis Times, paid him the following tribute: 
" Through youth and age, the life of John Wiles 
shines with many a virtue. He was all he pre- 
tended to be and more. He breathed evil 
against no man. His tongue uttered kind words, 
or no words at all. He was just even to the 
extent of giving more than was due to satisfy 
the other party to the bargain. He was sin- 
cere and steadfast in his devotion to truth, to 
friends, to the state and to God. Quietly, calm- 
ly and honorably he wended his way through that 
labyrinth of acts that constitute a lifework and 
with that nicety of justice and kindness that it 
is said, he never made a foe. With an ambition 
only to be good and useful to himself, his peo- 
ple and his state, and, wholly free from the 
shams, insincerities and deceits that often infect 
human nature, he rounded out a life of quiet 
beauty that delighted all who came in contact 
with it. It was a gentle, unostentatious, peace- 
ful career. It was a career so full of quiet kind- 
liness that it inspires men with a desire to live 



a life like it. And, if all men lived like he 
lived, what a place of gentleness, amiability and 
beauty this world would be ! " 

A further beautiful tribute to his memory 
was paid by W. A. Wells, whom he knew long 
and intimately, and who said : 

" Such men as he was are, unfortunately, too 
scarce in this world of ours. Such men cannot 
be spared without exciting the deepest regrets 
and the saddest reflections. Our friend was one 
by whose deeds and services the world is made 
better for his having lived in it. He leaves a 
memory behind him that can be most fondly 
cherished. His life was one of usefulness, hon- 
esty, integrity and true morality. His aim was 
to discharge every duty that devolved upon him, 
to aid his fellowmen as far as circumstances 
would allow, and to do injury to none. His life 
was one of good motives and good deeds. His 
conduct was squared by the highest principles 
of right, of justice and of truth. He was a 
kind, indulgent husband, an affectionate, loving 
parent ; a warm, devoted friend, amiable in his 
intercourse with his fellowmen ; respectful of 
the rights and feelings of others and attentive to 
all who had claims upon him. He hesitated not 
to do that which he considered was right and 
his duty to perform ; he was honest and faithful 
to his trusts. He was a lover of his race, he 
emphatically led a good life. He has now passed 
from our sight, replete with honor, replete with 
manliness — bearing with him our fondest and 
kindest memories, our highest esteem and admir- 
ation. One who leads such a life as our friend 
has led, has no need to fear death, nor what 
may possibly follow after it. One who faithfully 
discharges his duty according to the sphere in 
life he occupies has no need to recoil at leaving 
this state of existence. 

" If his notions have been governed by the 
principles of right and justice towards his fel- 
lowman, he neither fears to meet him in life nor 
part with him at the hour of death. He dreads 
no angry being, no vindictive personage, from 
whom to expect vengeance and wrath. He is 
perfectly willing to meet the consequence of a 
well spent life. Such was our departed friend, 
honest John Wiles. Adieu, my honored 
friend." 



FRANK L. CFIAMBERS. That success in 
mercantile life is within the reach of every young 
man who earnestly strives to win it. is the be- 
lief of Frank L. Chambers, one of the best 
known and most prosperous merchants in the 
AVillamette valley. While inherited tendencies, 
influence and friendlv intercession have created 
an advantage for this upbuilder of Eugene, 
these aids were unable to continue him in his 



1320 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



line of promotion had he not possessed the 
substantial merit, together with a character which 
counted no effort too great, nor sacrifice too dear 
in fulfilling his duties and obligations. A keen 
appreciation of truthfulness and integrity and a 
desire to establish credit, have undoubtedly fig- 
ured prominently in his calculations, and are so 
firmly rooted in his nature that no better guide 
for those who seek success is known in this com- 
munity. 

Many years ago Manlove Chambers, the pa- 
ternal grandfather of Frank L., left his home in 
New England after a meritorious service in the 
war of 1812, and became a merchant in Logan 
county, Ohio, later continuing his chosen occupa- 
tion in Quincy, Ohio, where he died at an ad- 
vanced age. His son, James B., the father of 
Frank L., followed in his business footsteps, and 
after clerking in stores in Iowa and Missouri, re- 
turned to his native Logan county, Ohio, 
where he started a general merchandise business 
in Quincy. Afterward he removed to Sedalia 
and Mound City, Mo., engaging in a merchandise 
business in both towns, and living in the latter 
place until coming to Oregon, in 1884. His son, 
Frank L., was born in Oregon, Holt county, Mo., 
November 8, 1865, and was therefore nineteen 
years of age when the family fortunes were 
shifted to the west. He had received a practical 
common school education, and the year previous 
had graduated from the State Normal School 
at Strasburg, Mo. Beginning with his sixteenth 
year he clerked in his father's store in Mound 
City, Mo., and after settling with the family in 
Dallas, Ore., he clerked for three years in the 
hardware store started by his father. In 1885 
he had saved sufficient money to purchase an in- 
terest in the business, and the following year 
William Faull bought out the elder Chambers, 
the son disposing of his share in the business to 
the new partner in 1887. Removing to Eugene 
in April, 1887, father and son started a hard- 
ware store on Willamette street, conducted the 
same together until August 1, 1890, when the 
son became sole owner of the enterprise, contin- 
uing to manage it alone until January 1, 1902, 
when his brother, Fred E., became his partner. 
J. B. Chambers lived in retirement in Eugene 
from 1890 until his death, in 1902, and is sur- 
vived by his wife formerly Martha Nies, who 
was born in Peoria, 111., the daughter of Jonathan 
Nies, a merchant tailor, who followed his trade 
in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, and who died 
at Point Townsend, Wash., three years after 
coming west, in 1886. Mrs. Chambers has the 
satisfaction of knowing that her three sons have 
realized her expectations as far as the success 
of their lives is concerned, her youngest and old- 
est being prominent merchants, and her second 
son, Charles N-, an attorney, employed by the 



McCormick division of the International Har- 
vester Company of America, at Chicago, 111. 

In August, 1890, Frank L. Chambers located 
near his present store, and in 1896 built the large 
double store in which is conducted the largest 
business of the kind in the town, and the largest 
in the valley outside of Portland. His store has 
a frontage of fifty feet, a depth of three hun- 
dred and twenty feet to Olive street, with an L 
one hundred feet long. Thirty-two thousand feet 
of floor space is ample for a complete display of 
hardware of all kinds, and besides, there is a 
furniture department, requiring 50x80 feet. The 
stock includes all kinds of hardware, tools, nails, 
iron, steel, cutlery, builders' hardware, mechanics' 
tools, blacksmith supplies and agricultural im- 
plements, the latter including Bain wagons, bug- 
gies arid carts, Oliver chilled and steel plows, 
harrows and cultivators, besides Deering har- 
vesters and Pitts threshers. The firm also carry 
the Crescent bicycles. Located opposite the 
Smeede Hotel, no better place could be found, or 
one more accessible to the general country and 
city trade. Necessarily this large store gives em- 
ployment to many people, among whom there is 
a feeling of co-operation and good fellowship 
reflecting credit upon the management, and ma- 
terially enlarging the business. That the interests 
of Mr. Chambers are by no means self-centered 
is evident to all who are familiar with his life. 
There is no public enterprise of merit but may 
be reasonably certain of his hearty approval and 
co-operation. He is known as one of the sub- 
stantial props of the banking system of Lane 
county, being a director of the First National 
bank of Eugene, and one of the organizers and a 
director of the First National Bank at Cottage 
Grove. He is a director in the Valley Improve- 
ment company, engaged in operating a ditch for 
irrigating from the Hood river, in Wasco county, 
Ore. ; is part owner with T. G. Hendricks in the 
McKenzie Water Power Company, which pro- 
poses to develop a five thousand horse-power 
for that town ; and is a member of the firm of 
Midgley & Chambers, owners of the canal from 
the Willamette, which furnishes water power for 
Eugene. He is the president and one of the or- 
ganizers of the Eugene Theater Company, which 
organization is now building a $30,000 opera 
house. 

In company with D. Bristow, president of the 
First National Bank of Cottage Grove, Mr. 
Chambers has perfected plans for the organization 
of a banking company to be known as the Cham- 
bers-Bristow Banking Company, which, on Jan- 
uary 1, 1904, will inaugurate a private banking 
business in Eugene. This concern will occupy 
the building now occupied by the Lane County 
Bank. 

A Republican in politics, it is not surprising 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1321 



that Mr. Chambers has had little time for official 
service. He is fraternally popular, and is identi- 
fied with Eugene Lodge No. n, A. F. and A. M. ; 
the Royal Arch Masons, of this town ; Ivanhoe 
Conunandery No. 2; the Consistory No. 1, of 
Portland ; and Al Kader Temple, N. M. S. He is 
a charter member of the Commercial Club of Eu- 
gene, and is a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. For fifteen years Mr. Chambers 
has been a member of the Oregon National 
Guard, and is now quartermaster of the Fourth 
Regiment. None of whom we have knowledge 
are more typical of the vital, moving, substantial 
and versatile spirit of the western slope than this 
successful merchant. Mr. Chambers was united 
in marriage, July 29, 1891, with Ida, daughter 
of Thomas G. Hendricks, who was born in Eu- 
gene, was graduated from the University of 
Oregon, and died, April 9, 1900, leaving a 
daughter, Mary. 



JOHN HARRIS. During his many years of 
residence in the northwest John Harris was one 
of the most popular and successful farmers in 
Benton county. Coming here in June, 1852, he 
had little in the way of influence or money to start 
him on the upward path, yet at the time of his 
death in May, 1890, he left a well improved farm 
of six hundred acres, and quite a large bank ac- 
count. That energy and resource were required 
to bring about this change no one doubts, and in 
the estimation of his many friends Mr. Harris 
was the master par excellence of these admirable 
characteristics. His remote ancestors were un- 
doubtedly tillers of the soil, yet his immediate 
connections had to do with military affairs in 
Europe, his father being attached for many years 
to the English army. Attaining to the rank of 
captain, the elder Harris participated in many 
of the historic battles of his time, and was captain 
of a regiment at the battle of Waterloo, June 18, 
181 5. While stationed in Ireland his son John 
was born, October 12, 1828, and the father was 
afterward stationed in England, where both 
himself and wife passed their last days. 

In his youth John Harris learned the turner's 
trade, and followed the same for a few years in 
England, coming to the United States in 1850. 
He came immediately to California, by way of 
the Horn, seven months being taken up on the 
trip. Two years later came his wife, formerly 
Jane Buchanan, whom he had married in St. 
Johns Church, Liverpool. March 12. 1848. Ar- 
riving in California. Mr. Harris mined and pros- 
pected until 1852, and then came alone to Ore- 
gon, his intention being to investigate the pros- 
pects of a permanent residence. He was favor- 
ably impressed with the climate and general in- 
ducements, and forthwith purchased a squatter's 



right to Uncle Billie Bragg's claim of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres seven miles southwest of 
Corvallis. The following year his wife joined 
him in the new home, and together they started 
housekeeping under crude but very promising 
circumstances. From time to time he added to 
his land, and finally had six hundred acres, a large 
part of which was under cultivation. His im- 
provements were the best known at that time, and 
he made money at general farming and stock- 
raising, having always fine Durham cattle, and 
the best of other stock. He took a great interest 
in politics, although it is not recalled that he 
desired or worked for official recognition. He 
was the first master of Grange No. 52, and did 
much towards furthering the interests of that 
organization. He died in 1890 at the age of 
sixty-one, and was survived by his wife until she 
was seventy-two years old. 

The old Harris farm is now occupied by the 
only child and daughter of Mf. and Mrs. Harris, 
Mary, who is the wife of W. F. Whitby, the 
latter being manager of the property. Mr. Whit- 
by is an important factor in his neighborhood 
in Benton county, and is a man of leading char- 
acteristics. He was born in Canada in November, 
1859, and came to Oregon in 1878. A practical 
and scientific farmer, he has introduced many 
innovations on the old place, and it is now one 
of the best equipped and most modern properties 
in the county. He is a Republican in politics, 
and takes a keen interest in local affairs both 
political, agricultural and social. Fraternally he 
is associated with the Masons, the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, the Degree of Honor, and 
the Grange. Mrs. Whitby, who is the fortunate 
heiress of her father's large property, is very 
prominent in local undertakings, and exerts a 
special influence in the Grange. She held the 
position of Pomona of the State Grange for six 
years, and has been secretary of Grange 
No. 52 for twenty-one years. At the 
present time and for the past two years 
she has been master of the Grange in her 
home district, through her advocacy of its 
extension has become known throughout this 
part of the state. Mrs. Whitby is a cultured 
and verv interesting woman, and has scores of 
friends in Benton and the surrounding counties. 
She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
and not only regularly attends the service, but 
contributes generously towards the support of 
the organization. She is the devoted and always 
svmpathetic and helpful mother of three children : 
Isabella H.. John Harris and Harold R., all born 
on the home farm in Benton county. 



ALVA C. WHITE. Although comparatively 
speaking a newcomer to Benton county, Alva C. 
White has already made many steadfast friends. 



1322 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his capacity in this regard being characteristic 
of the typical frontiersman, whose familiarity 
with the boundless plains, strange and out-of-the- 
way places of the west, and human nature, ani- 
mated by the best as well as the opposite motives, 
has broadened his sympathies, taught him a fear- 
less adherence to truth and honesty, and given 
him a breeziness of manner at once attractive, 
convincing and sincere. A large and powerfully 
built man, with strong personal characteristics, 
Mr. White has been able to weather the depriva- 
tion, danger and adventure incident to a cattle 
experience covering many years, in the following 
of which he has gained a reputation second to 
none on the coast. 

Claiming distinct ancestral advantages on both 
sides of his family, Mr. White was born on a 
farm near Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, July 
17, 1847, nis father, Uriah B. White, being a 
native of Norfolk, Conn., and his mother, Mary 
(Warren) White, having been born in Tarry- 
town, N. Y. The Warren family was dis- 
tinguished during the Revolutionary war through 
the valiant services of Gen. Joseph Warren, the 
hero of the battle of Bunker Hill, and a physician 
of high standing. Uriah B. White possessed lead- 
ing characteristics, and as a millwright and bridge 
builder gained a far-reaching reputation. At a 
very early day he settled on the western reserve, 
where he engaged in farming and bridge-build- 
ing, and in 1857 removed to Iowa, where he 
built the first bridge over the river at Des Moines. 
His family joining him in 1858, he continued to 
build bridges in the Iowa city, and at the same 
time became identified with many of its leading 
and developing enterprises. With his partner, 
Dr. N. P. Turner, he secured the charter for the 
first street railway in the town, which he started 
in 1867, and managed with great success for 
several years. The last years of his life were 
spent "in retirement, and his death occurred at 
the age of seventy-eight years. His wife also 
died in Iowa, leaving nine children. 

The oldest in his father's family, Alva C. White 
attended a select school in both Ohio and Iowa, 
and at the age of seventeen became identified 
with the border career which has made up the 
greater part of his life. Employed by a freighter 
to drive a team of six mules to Salt Lake City, 
he remained in that locality and interested him- 
self in the cattle business, going later to Denver, 
Colo., then to Black Hawk, where he was em- 
ployed by the Black Hawk Mining Company. 
In 1866 he returned to Denver and the Missouri 
river, making his way on horseback to Des 
Moines, where he operated a sawmill for a couple 
of years. On a small scale he took up the cat- 
tle business in Iowa, became deeper and deeper 
involved, and soon was feeding and shipping 
enormous numbers yearly. In 1 872 he went to 



Wyoming and helped to ship the first car load 
of cattle from that state, the following year en- 
gaging in cattle ranching on a range forty miles 
northeast of Cheyenne. During 1874 he shipped 
horses and mules to California, and in 1876 made 
considerable money shipping hogs to San Fran- 
cisco. He afterward disposed of this business 
and engaged in buying, feeding and selling cattle 
throughout Wyoming and Colorado, shipping 
large numbers to Iowa for feeding, and also ship- 
ping fat stock to the city of Chicago. In 1895 
he went to eastern Oregon for cattle, and these 
also were shipped to Iowa, mostly to Dallas 
county. He has been shipping stock into Chi- 
cago about ten or twelve times a year, with un- 
abating success for the last twenty years. No 
name among stock men is better known than his, 
identified as it is with the finest and fattest cat- 
tle to be had anywhere. 

In 1901 Mr. White located in Corvallis, and at 
once engaged in the stock business on a ranch 
of three hundred and twenty acres near Blodgett. 
He is contemplating making this his permanent 
home, the location being favorable to an over- 
sight of his many interests, one of the chief of 
which is mining. Contemporary with his early 
cattle experiences was his purchase of mining 
claims in different parts of the west, many of 
which have yielded him large returns on the in- 
vestment. At present he owns mining interests 
in eastern Oregon, and still retains two of the 
claims which he bought in the early days of 
Cripple Creek, and which are located adjacent to 
the Stratton mines. His knowledge of mining 
is extensive, and has seemed to go hand in hand 
with that of cattle, although Mr. White has 
made the larger part of his fortune in the latter 
business. He is probably as well qualified as any- 
one to speak of the great cattle industry of the 
west, his own personal interests having been 
interwoven with its rapid growth for more years 
than the average man cares to devote to a roving 
life. 

Through his marriage with Mary Clegg, a 
native of Des Moines, Iowa, Mr. White not only 
found a cultivated and sympathetic wife long 
identified with educational work, but became as- 
sociated with one of the prominent and very 
early families of that part of Iowa. Abraham 
Clegg, the father of Mrs. White, was born in 
England, at Butterworth Hall, and came of a 
fine old English family which dated its ancestry 
back many generations, and in honor of which 
Clegg Hall, and many small towns, were named. 
Abraham Clegg came to America in 1846 and 
settled in New England, where he married, and 
from where he removed to Illinois, in 1848. His 
familv joining him in 1851, he removed the same 
year to Polk county, Iowa, and there purchased 
two hundred and sixty acres of land, half of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1323 



which is now within the limits of the city of Des 
Moines. At the time of purchase the town con- 
tained less than three hundred inhabitants, and 
gave little promise of its present stability and 
size. The Clegg farm was an ideal one, undu- 
lating prairies and gentle hills producing a land- 
scape of exceeding beauty and harmony. Fine 
timber abounded by the acre, and when the plow 
turned up the rich productive soil, fine harvests 
were unfailing. Desiring to substantiate for him- 
self the reports of larger opportunities in the 
west, Mr. Clegg crossed the plains to California 
with ox-teams in 1859, and in 1862 returned to 
his home via the Isthmus of Panama. This was 
the beginning of extended travel between Iowa 
and California and Oregon, he having visited 
the latter country as early as 1869. In the mean- 
time he has made several trips across the plains, 
and for the last twelve years has made his home 
in Eldorado county, southern California, a most 
interesting and intelligent man, reminiscent of the 
byways and highways of this western country, 
and of the early pioneer days of Iowa. Away 
back in New Hampshire he married Ann Nuttall, 
who was born in Nuttall, England, and who died 
in Des Moines, leaving four children. 0£ these, 
Xerx is living on the old home in Iowa ; Mary 
is the wife of Mr. White ; and George and Ed- 
ward are living near the old home in Iowa. Two 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. White, 
of whom Mary died in 1895 at the age of eight 
years, and Georgie is living with her parents. 
Mr. White is a Republican in politics, and fra- 
ternallv is associated with the Pioneer Lodge 
Xo. 22, F. & A. M., of Des Moines. With his 
wife he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Thus is told all too briefly the life- 
story of one of the class of men whose fearless 
daring and hardihood have developed one of the 
greatest industries known to the west, and which 
could never be carried forward on so large a 
scale in any other country in the world. 



PROF. T. J. RISLEY. The cause of edu- 
cation has few better friends in Oregon than 
is found in Prof. T. J. Risley, one of the success- 
ful educators of the state. He has a thorough 
appreciation of the value of a systematic training 
in the practical branches of knowledge, and his 
influence has ever been used for the elevation of 
the standard of education wherever his services 
have been given. Born in Clay county, 111., De- 
cember 24, 1866, Professor Risley is a son of J. 
M. Risley, a native of New Jersey, who later 
settled in Clay county, 111., and still later re- 
moved to Iowa, locating in Blairstown, Benton 
county. He was subsequently interested in 
farming and cattle raising in Marion county, 
Kans., but finally, in 1875, located in Benton 



county, Ore., where he purchased a farm and 
at once began its cultivation and improvement. 
His death occurred in eastern Washington. The 
wife of J. M. Risley was in maidenhood Miss 
Malinda Israel, a native of the Hoosier state. 
She is now residing in Palouse, Wash. The pa- 
ternal family comprised nine children, of whom 
T. J. was the third in order of birth, and nearly 
all of his brothers and sisters were interested in 
educational work. 

Reared upon his father's farm in early life, 
Professor Risley interspersed attendance at the 
district school with assisting in the conduct of 
the home farm, and later attended Oregon Agri- 
cultural College at Corvallis. After spending 
one winter in the State Normal at Monmouth, 
he began his lifework as an instructor at the 
time being twenty-two years of age. For the 
past twelve years he has been engaged at his 
profession in his old district in Benton county 
and elsewhere, and wherever he has labored, all 
unite in a hearty endorsement of his ability as 
an instructor of a superior order. His interest in 
education is the keener from the fact that no 
fortuitous circumstances made his educational 
path an easy one, but on the other hand it was 
necessary for him to work his own way through 
school and college. About one mile from Al- 
bany Professor Risley owns a farm of fifty-six 
acres of the old claim which his father took up 
when he came to the state. In addition to carry- 
ing on general farming and stock-raising, Pro- 
fessor Risley is giving no little attention to horti- 
culture and gardening, and is meeting with suc- 
cess in his endeavors. In order to keep in touch 
with the latest ideas in agriculture he has allied 
himself with the Fairmount Grange, of which he 
is at present serving as chaplain. Politically he 
is a Republican, stanch and true, and in religion 
is a member of the Baptist Church of Albany. 
In 1902 he was nominated for county assessor, 
but did not win the election, and is now serving 
as a member of the county central committee. 
Fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen 
of the World. 

In Benton county Professor Risley was united 
in marriage with Miss Maggie Hayden, a native 
daughter of the state, her birth occurring in 
Benton county. Two children have blessed the 
marriage of Professor and Mrs. Risley, to whom 
they have given the names of Wave and Hayden. 



JAMES H. STEWART. Among the pio- 
neers of 1 85 1 are to be numbered the members 
of the Stewart family, nearly all of whom had 
attained maturity at the time of their removal 
to the west, leaving pleasant homes to aid in the 
growing civilization and to benefit by the limit- 
less advantages offered in the new land. Today 



1324 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the Stewart family is represented by but few 
of those who experienced the trials and priva- 
tions of that long and dangerous journey, no 
direct members of the family being now living, 
James H. Stewart, the remaining brother, having 
died August 6, 1899, leaving to bear his name a 
widow and five children. 

The father of James H. Stewart, George 
Washington Stewart, was born in Scotland, 
settling at an early date in Virginia from whence 
he removed to Indiana, rearing his family prin- 
cipally in that state, though he later made his 
home in Missouri. While a resident of the 
Northwest Territory he participated in the Black 
Hawk war, which resulted in freeing that sec- 
tion of country from the depredations of the 
Indians. James H. Stewart was born in Fount- 
ain county, Ind., June 19, 1825, and on attaining 
manhood he engaged in farming in Holt county, 
Mo., marrying, March 11, 1845, Miss Louisa J. 
Thornton. Her birth occurred August 9, 1821, 
in Clark county, Ohio, near Springfield, she 
being the daughter of John and the grand- 
daughter of Coats Thornton. The latter was a 
native of England, and on coming to the United 
States he settled in Virginia, where he reared 
his family, his son John being born in that state. 
Later he removed to Ohio from which state 
John went to Tippecanoe county, Ind., and en- 
gaged in the prosecution of his trade, which was 
that of a brickmason. At the age of nineteen 
years he served in the war of 1812, being with 
Hull at Detroit. On removing to Missouri he 
located first in St. Clair county, and later in Holt 
county, having married- Rebecca Robinson, a 
native of Kentucky, and daughter of Richard, 
whose residence was divided between the states 
of Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Ohio, his death 
occurring in Missouri, where his wife also died 
three days later. 

James H. Stewart was reared in Indiana, in 
which state he remained until 1842, when he re- 
moved to Missouri, where he engaged in farm- 
ing. Being located in the state from which so 
many emigrants were being constantly given to 
increase the population of the western lands, and 
through which so many emigrants passed, it was 
but natural that he, too, should become imbued 
with the idea of opportunities beyond the Rock- 
ies. Gathering tosrether his worldly goods, con- 
sisting of two wagons, ten yoke of cattle, and 
much loose stock, all standard bred and very 
valuable, they started April 22, 1851, for Oregon 
over the old Oregon trail. They were constantly 
harassed on their journey by the Indians, who 
attacked them on Bear river, principally with the 
intent to steal the stock. During the attack Mr. 
Stewart was wounded in the hip, but succeeded 
in shooting the Indian that attacked him. One 
of their number, a Mr. Black, was killed during 



the trouble, and one blooded mare was stolen; 
later, however, the mare was recovered from a 
man who had purchased her of the Indians. 
Upon their arrival here, September 22, 1851, 
Mr. Stewart took up a donation claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres, located two miles 
north of Corvallis, Benton county, upon which 
the family remained for many years. In spite 
of the floods of 1861 which washed away all of 
his stock with the exception of two heifers and 
one filly, Mr. Stewart succeeded in building up 
a modern farm, well equipped and well stocked, 
being now a very valuable property which Mrs. 
Stewart still owns. Some time before the death 
of Mr. Stewart they removed to Corvallis, where 
they lived a life retired from the active duties 
which had so long and so successfully occupied 
them. Politically he and his wife were in accord, 
both being Republicans. Personally, Mr. Stewart 
was a man of rare worth and nobility of charac- 
ter, his religion being a consistent belief in the 
Golden Rule. During his pioneer days in Ore- 
gon he made many friends, and when fortune 
favored him with a comfortable competency, won 
by his untiring efforts, he held his place in the 
esteem of the older generations, with an added 
place in that of the new. His death was a loss 
to the entire community. 

Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Stewart, Marcellus died in infancy; Henrietta 
is now Mrs. Randall, of Corvallis, with whom 
Mrs. Stewart makes her home; Mahala is Mrs. 
John Stewart of Corvallis ; Jehil is a resident of 
Salem ; Melissa is the wife of W. H. McMahan 
of Corvallis ; and La Fayette makes his home 
in Corvallis. The three last named were born 
in Oregon. Mrs. Stewart is a member of the 
Methodist Church. She has five children living, 
six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. 
The brothers and sisters of Mrs. James H. 
Stewart, who crossed the plain in 185 1, were 
John, Mary, Rebecca and James, of whom the 
three first-named died in Washington, and the 
latter in Eugene, Ore. 



WILLIAM GROVES. With one of the most 
interesting periods of our country's history — that 
of the mining excitement of the west — William 
Groves was actively identified. When the Pacific 
coast was largely settled by men who had come 
to the west to gain fortunes rapidly, when towns 
were but collections of miners' shanties and tents, 
before the era of legislation and of law, and 
before the introduction of the comforts of civili- 
zation here, he began his search for the precious 
metal and for more than half a century has lived 
upon the coast, making his home at the present 
time in Corvallis. 

Mr. Groves is a native of Virginia, his birth 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1325 



having occurred near Batt, January 13, 1832, 
and when he was two years old his parents re- 
moved to Ohio. His father, Michael Groves, was 
also a native of Virginia and a farmer by occu- 
pation. In 1834 he removed to Ohio, settling 
first in Pickaway count} - , and later he carried on 
farming near Batavia, that state, where he died 
in 1887. He was united in marriage with Eliza 
Young, who was also born in the Old Dominion 
and died in the Buckeye state. In their family 
were seven children, of whom five are living. 
William is the eldest and the only one that came 
to the coast. He had two brothers who were 
in the Civil war. 

William Groves was reared in Ohio and 
attended a subscription school held in a log 
building. A few days before the twenty-first an- 
niversary of his birth — January 13, 1852 — he 
started for California, going to New York City 
and then on the steamer Aspinwall sailing for 
Panama. He crossed the Isthmus and then again 
embarked for San Francisco, where he arrived 
forty-five days after leaving New York. He 
rushed to the mining district on the Yuba river, 
near Nevada City, where he was engaged in 
placer mining, and in 1853 went over the moun- 
tains by pack train, through Jackson county, Ore., 
to Crescent City, Cal. Later he returned to In- 
dian creek, California, thence went up the Kla- 
math river and was mining on the Scott river 
until 1855. He was subsequently in the midst 
of. the Orofino excitement, was at Florence and 
then in the Boise Basin of Idaho, prospecting 
and mining until 1864, when he came to the 
Willamette valley, establishing his home in Cor- 
vallis. 

Here Mr. Groves built a carding mill and 
woolen factory on Oak creek, a mile and a half 
from the town, and while conducting his indus- 
trial interests he also engaged in farming. He 
carried on the carding business from 1865 until 
1885 an d then became connected with the water- 
works company of Corvallis. He has been asso- 
ciated with it from almost its inception and has 
been largely instrumental in the upbuilding of 
the system, which is now a credit to the city. He 
is acting superintendent of the plant, which has 
a capacity for pumping a million and a half gal- 
lons of water per day with a tank capacity of 
sixty thousand gallons. There is a pressure of 
thirty-five pounds in the tower, and it is seventy- 
five feet to the bottom of the tank. The pres- 
sure can be increased to one hundred pounds. 
In addition to his labors in this connection, Mr. 
Groves is still interested in farming and stock- 
raising. 

In Corvallis Mr. Groves was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Emma Horning, a native of Mis- 
souri, who came to Corvallis in 1850 with her 
parents. Her father, Fred A. Horning, was 



born near Berlin, Germany, a son of George G. 
Horning, who settled in Missouri, where he fol- 
lowed farming. F. A. Horning was a confect- 
ioner and followed his trade in Westport, Jackson 
county, Mo. In 1850 he brought his wife and 
their daughter to Oregon, making his way over- 
land with an ox-train, being on the road from 
the first of May until the first of September. He 
started for California, but changing his plans 
came to the Sunset state. Settling near Corval- 
lis he secured three hundred and tw.enty acres 
of land, now constituting one of the finest farms 
in Benton county, and thereon he carried forward 
the work of cultivation and development until 
his death in 1891. His wife bore the maiden 
name of Mary Johnson and was a daughter of 
Charles Johnson, who was born in Tennessee 
and came with his father to Missouri at an early 
age, where he lived till May, 1850, when he came 
to Oregon, bringing his wife and eight children, 
five sons and three daughters. His wife and 
one daughter died on the plains while en route to 
Oregon. His oldest son, John W., was the first 
president of the State University, which position 
he held for eighteen years, when he resigned on 
account of failing health. Charles Johnson set- 
tled on three hundred and twenty acres of land, 
most of which is now included within the College 
farm. Mr. Horning was much interested in 
raising the money for the establishment of the 
college and did much for the furtherance of the 
movement. His wife died in May, 1868. Mr. 
Johnson, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Groves, 
once owned two thousand acres of land on and 
adjacent to the site of Kansas City, Mo. In the 
Horning family were eleven children : Emma, 
now Mrs. Groves ; L. F., who is engaged in 
farming near Grangeville, Idaho ; J. Robert, a 
stockman of Lake county, this state ; Mrs. Cyn- 
thia Krape, of Portland ; Thomas H., of To- 
ledo, Ore. ; Charles, who is engaged in ranch- 
ing in eastern Washington ; George, a farmer 
of Benton county; E. B., a grocer of Corvallis; 
Alice, who is dean of the women's department 
of the State Agricultural College at Mesilla 
Park, N. M. ; Jennie, the wife of C. D. Thomp- 
son, of Hood River ; and Fred, who was educated 
in Corvallis College and is now in Nevada. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Groves was 
celebrated September 24, 1864. and has been 
blessed with four children : Lillie May ; Jessie, 
the wife of Professor Kittredge, of Weston, 
Ore. ; Frank W., who has charge of the general 
storehouse at the Puget Sound navy yard ; and 
Edna, who is a teacher. All are graduates of 
the Oregon Agricultural College. 

In public affairs Mr. Groves has long been 
prominent and several times has been called to 
offices of public honor and trust. He served for 
nine vears as citv treasurer and for one term 



1326 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



as county treasurer. He was made a Mason in 
Corvallis Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., of which 
he is a past master ; he belongs to the Royal Arch 
Chapter and is a charter member of the council, 
while both he and his wife are charter members 
of the Order of Eastern Star. Mrs. Groves is 
also a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. In his political views Mr. Groves has 
always been a Republican and his active co- 
operation in many measures for the general good 
indicates his progressive nature and public 
spirit. 



WILL G. GILSTRAP. The editor of the 
Eugene Register is not only one of the most 
commanding figures in western journalism, but 
also one of the most cosmopolitan of men. Since 
1892 he has conducted in all its details the most 
prosperous, and in many respects the most sub- 
stantial and enterprising newpaper in Lane 
county, never for an instant losing control of 
its policy, always the initiator, always the leader. 
As is well known, his paper is the mouthpiece 
of the Republican party in this section, and 
the proprietor has a genius for politics. A bril- 
liant and forceful writer, he has humor, business 
sagacity, a penetrating style as a paragrapher, 
untiring energy and amazing enterprise and 
keenness in the collection of news. As an expon- 
ent of moderate, conservative, and well balanced 
journalism, and of the courtesy which more than 
aught else indicates an adherence to the world- 
wide mission of the press, the Eugene Register 
is deserving of the respect and attention which 
it commands even among its opponents. 

That Mr. Gilstrap spent many years of his 
life on a farm has certainly been in his favor, 
and is undoubtedly responsible for the nearness 
to nature so apparent in his sympathies. He 
was born on his father's farm near Pleasanton, 
Kans., November 4, 1865, and the drudgery of 
the harvest field was varied by attendance at the 
district school. In 1882 he was graduated from 
the Pleasanton high school, and during 1883-84 
attended the Fort Scott Normal College, where 
terminated his preliminary search for knowl- 
edge. His first business experience was acquired 
as a clerk in a large lumber concern, a position 
which he relinquished upon removing to Colfax, 
Wash., in 1888. In the spring of 1889 he 
moved to Oakesdale, Wash., and established the 
Oakesdale Sun, in 1890 increasing his responsi- 
bility by starting the Alliance Advocate, which 
was later disposed of to the Farmer's Alliance, 
and used by the latter organization as its official 
organ. Mr. Gilstrap came to Oregon in 1892, 
soon afterward succeeding to the editorship of 
the Eugene Register, a dailv and weekly publi- 



cation, easily ranking as one of the leading Re- 
publican newspapers in the state. A feature of 
the paper is that it is connected with the largest 
job printing plant in Lane county. 

In Oakesdale, Wash., Mr. Gilstrap was mar- 
ried, October 16, 1891, to Lillian May Finch, 
who was born in Umatilla county, Ore., a 
daughter of S. E. Finch. Two children have 
been born of this union, Cosby Lucile, aged 
eleven, and Louis Frederick, aged two years. 
Mr. Gilstrap is a member and trustee of the 
Eugene Commercial Club, and is fraternally 
connected with the Knights of Pythias, the 
Knights of the Maccabees, and the Woodmen of 
the World. He is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. 



MARY A. GARLINGHOUSE. A pictur- 
esque windmill, flapping its skeleton arms in the 
breeze, and further indicating its presence by the 
inevitable dirge which accompanies its industry, 
would seem to beckon travelers along the high- 
way to an inspection of the finely improved Gar- 
linghouse farm over which it is called to preside 
from its elevated vantage ground. Had this time- 
honored and very ancient device eyes with which 
to see, it might view eight hundred and eight 
acres of land, given over to wheat and other 
grains, fruit, acres of corn, all the general com- 
modities with which farmers have to do, and ex- 
tensive stock-raising operations. One of the most 
valuable properties in Benton county, it is also 
one of the best equipped, and it would seem that 
no improvement evolved by the ingenuity of 
man, had been omitted from its working equip- 
ment. 

This model farm has been the property of 
Mrs. Mary Garlinghouse since 1852, and is now 
manag'ed by her second husband, William Gar- 
linghouse, who is one of the successful and 
popular men in Benton county. Mrs. Garling- 
house was born in Kentucky, her parents having 
been farmers in that state for many years. The 
family moved to Illinois, at an early day, where 
the daughter married William Coyle, with whom 
she continued to live in Illinois until 1849. The 
young couple then started across the plains with 
ox-teams, were on the road the usual length of 
time, and arrived in good health and spirits at 
their destination in Oregon. In Multnomah 
county they spent the first winter, and in 1852 
came to Benton county and took up six hundred 
and forty acres of land one mile northeast of 
Monroe. Mr. Coyle prospered in the west, made 
many improvements on his farm, and availed 
himself of all the suggestions then known to 
agriculturists. He died at the age of fifty-eight, 
leaving his widow sole owner of the large farm, 
upon which she has since lived. One child was 






i/r^rHMft 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1327 



born of this union. Malinda F., the widow of 
L. J. Starr, who is living with her mother. 

In time Airs. Loyle married William Garling- 
house, who was born in Ohio, and who crossed 
the plains in 1862, settling in Benton county. 
At present the farm consists of eight hundred 
acres, with fine improvements. Mr. Garling- 
house is the present postmaster of Monroe, and 
has served several years as a member of the 
school board. One ought certainly to mention 
his extensive knowledge of the horse, of which 
he is a keen and persistent admirer. The noble 
animal has no stancher friend anywhere, or one 
who can more eloquently sound his praises. 
Mrs. Garlinghouse is a typical pioneer woman 
of the west, strong and resourceful, and capable 
of winning and retaining the friendship of many. 
There are no more genial or hospitable people 
in the neighborhood, for their latch-key is always 
down and their larder is a tempting one. 



M. SVARVERUD. Eugene has a number of 
adopted sons claiming Norseland ancestry, but 
none who stand higher in the public esteem, or 
are more thoroughly identified with the sub- 
stantial business life of the city than M. Svar- 
verud, senior partner and manager of the Eugene 
Real Estate & Investment Company. 

Mr. Svarverud was eleven years old when he 
left his ancestral home near Christiania, Norway. 
where he was born December 11, 1855, an ^ 
where he had received irregular training at the 
public schools. He was accompanied by his 
father, Andrias P., and his mother Eline (Peter- 
slkken) Svarverud, the latter a daughter of Peter 
Peterslkken, a farmer near Christiania, and 
a land owner. The paternal family were moder- 
ate land owners, and Peter, the grandfather of 
M. Svarverud had a farm of large size and re- 
markable fertility. On both sides of the family 
the members were strict adherents of the Luth- 
eran Church. Arriving in America on a sailing 
vessel in 1866, Andrias Svarverud located in Fill- 
more county, Minn., bought a good-sized farm. 
and lived there until moving to Ransom county. 
X. Dak., in 1881. In 1893 Mr. Svarverud retired 
from active life and moved to Eugene, Ore., and 
died here in June, 1902, at the age of eighty- 
three years. He is survived by the wife who 
shared his rising fortunes, and who is now 
seventy-four years of age. 

The oldest of the six children born to his par- 
ents, and one of the four now living, M. Svar- 
verud was reared on the Minnesota farm, ac- 
companied the family to North Dakota, and at 
the age of twenty-one years homesteaded a claim 
near Fort Ransom. He was one of the first in 
that region to engage in wheat-raising, and his 
venture proved successful, netting him sufficient 



money to engage in a practical business enter- 
prise. He came to Eugene in 1889 and started 
a hardware and implement store on the corner 
of West Eighth and Olive streets, and later on 
moved to Willamette street, where he built up a 
large business under the firm name of M. Svar- 
verud & Company. The firm were so successful 
that they started a branch store at Harrisburg, 
and later one of the same kind at Independence, 
operating all three under the same firm name. 
The Cleveland administration brought the large 
general and branch houses to a crisis in 1893, 
the general depression affecting them to such an 
extent that they were obliged to sell out in order 
to pay their liabilities. With commendable 
courage Mr. Svarverud weathered this storm 
and kept hope burning in his heart, and in 1894 
started the business since known as the Eugene 
Real Estate & Investment Company, which was 
organized in 1897 with R. McMurphy, C. M. 
Densmore and W. A. Wood as Mr. Svarverud's 
partners. The firm handle town and country 
properties, including residence and timber. Many 
fine properties have passed through their hands, 
and many important transactions have been car- 
ried to a successful finish. This partnership con- 
tinued for about eighteen months, at which time 
Messrs. McMurphy and Wood withdrew, the 
business being continued by the other two gentle- 
men until 1900, when Mr. Densmore withdrew, 
and the business was continued for a year by Mr. 
Svarverud, when George Fisher purchased an 
interest, and in April, 1903, was succeeded by W. 
W. Calkins. 

Mr. Svarverud's public spirit has found out- 
let in many avenues of activity in the city, and 
his sympathies have invariably turned towards 
the benevolent and charitable as worthy of his 
personal attention and financial assistance. He 
is a Republican in politics, but has never taken 
a more than nominal interest in local affairs. 
Fraternally he is one of the best known men in 
Eugene and Lane county, and at present enjoys 
the distinction of being grand marshal of the 
Grand Lodge of Oregon, I. O. O. F., as well as 
past noble grand of the Eugene lodge. He is a 
member of the Encampment, the Woodmen of the 
World, and the Knights of the Maccabees. One 
of the first to agitate the subject of the Eugene 
Real Estate Exchange, he has been president of 
the exchange since its organization, and has 
been the leading and most influential member in 
promoting its well-being. 

In Ransom county, N. Dak., Mr. Svarverud 
married Georgiana Marsh, a native of Mil- 
waukee, Wis., and daughter of George Marsh, 
an early settler of Barnes county, N. Dak. Five 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Svar- 
verud : Franklin Evander ; Leland Wray ; George 
Martin ; Jesse Lawrence, and Frederick Carlton. 



1328 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The old-time expression, that "his word is as 
good as his bond," applies to Mr. Svarverud, for 
no man in the community is more readily ac- 
corded honor and confidence and good will, nor 
have any a more firmly established reputation 
for loyalty to business and general community 
interests. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN KNISELY. Oc- 
cupying a conspicuous position among the prom- 
inent educators of the northwest, Prof. A. L. 
Knisely is recognized as a man of rare ability 
and talent. As one of the staff of instructors 
at the Oregon Agricultural College, being pro- 
fessor of chemistry, he is faithfully performing 
his part in making this school one of the leading 
institutions of the kind in the Union, his labors 
in this direction being duly appreciated by the 
board of regents, the faculty, the students, and 
the patrons of the college. Finely educated, and 
especially prepared for the work in which he is 
engaged, he is very successful as a teacher, and 
is favorably known as an expert chemist at the 
department of agriculture, in Washington, D. C. 

A son of A. J. Knisely, Abraham L. Knisely 
was born in Chicago, 111., February 19, 1865. 
His grandfather, Christian Knisely, was born 
and reared in Meadville, Pa., where he learned 
the cabinetmaker's trade, which he subsequently 
followed for awhile in Dayton, Ohio, later re- 
moving to Chicago, 111., where he spent his last 
years. A. J. Knisely was born in Meadville, Pa., 
and was there reared and educated. Subse- 
quently taking up his residence in Chicago, 111., 
he was there engaged as a brick manufacturer 
for a number of years. Removing then to Benton 
Harbor, Mich., he has since devoted his atten- 
tion to horticultural pursuits, having a fine fruit 
/farm of twenty acres. He is a member of the 
Berrien County Horticultural Society, and its 
secretary. He married Rebecca Hastings Samp- 
son, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, of New, 
England ancestors, and a daughter of William 
Sampson, formerly a manufacturer of pottery 
in that city, later a stockholder in the South 
Branch Dock Company, at Chicago. His death 
occurred in Cincinnati, where he had resided 
for many years. Of the children born of their 
union, two sons and one daughter are living. 

Obtaining his elementary education in the 
graded schools of Chicago, Abraham L. Knisely 
went with his parents to Benton Harbor in 1876, 
and after attending the district school for awhile 
entered the high school, from which he received 
his diploma in 1884. The following year he 
spent on the home farm, then attended the Col- 
legiate Institute, being graduated from there in 
1886. Becoming interested in chemistry, Mr. 
Knisely took a four-years course at the Uni- 



versity of Michigan, from which he was gradu- 
ated with the class of 1891, receiving the degree 
of B. S. Subsequently doing post-graduate 
work in the same university, he had the degree 
of M. S. in chemistry conferred upon him. After 
receiving his diploma, in 1891, he went to Gen- 
eva, N. Y., as assistant chemist at the experi- 
ment station, and after receiving the master's 
degree continued there as assistant chemist, also 
having charge of the dairy products. In 1895 
he was given a year's leave of absence to attend 
Cornell University, where he did post-graduate 
work in agricultural chemistry and horticulture. 
Resigning his position in Geneva, he subsequently 
continued his work at Cornell, being employed, 
also, as assistant chemist in the College of Agri- 
culture. Since July, 1900, Mr. Knisely has filled 
the chair of chemistry at the Oregon Agri- 
cultural College, and has been chief chemist at 
the experiment station. Although he has been 
here a comparatively short time, he is already 
well known in scientific circles, and takes an 
active part in institute work all over the state. 

At Battle Creek, Mich., Professor Knisely 
married Miss Blanche Briggs, who was born at 
Albion, Mich., and was graduated from thle 
University of Michigan, in 1890, with the de- 
gree of B. L. Two children have been born of 
their union, Margaret Gould and Malcolm 
Briggs. In politics the professor is a sound Re- 
publican. 



ARTHUR BURTON CORDLEY. A man 
of high intellectual attainments, an earnest 
worker, especially devoted to the interests of the 
scientific department, of which he has charge, 
Professor Cordley is considered an authority 
on zoology and entomology, and by his constant 
and conscientious labor, both in his classes and 
at the experiment station, has won for himself 
an enviable reputation, and gained an honored 
position among the able instructors of the Ore- 
gon Agricultural College, with which he is con- 
nected. Energetic and ambitious, he has built 
up the department of which he is now at the head 
from its foundation, making it one of the most 
useful in the college, and one of the most popu- 
lar. Active in local enterprises, he has done 
much toward advancing the interests of Cor- 
vallis, and is everywhere held in high esteem, 
his integrity as a man, and his loyalty as a 
citizen being unquestioned. . 

A son of the late Charles Cordley, Prof. Arthur 
B. Cordley was born February 11, 1864, at 
Pinckney, Livingston county, Mich., which was 
also the birthplace of his father. His paternal 
grandfather, James Cordley, was born, reared 
and married in England. Emigrating to Amer- 
ica, in 1833, he settled in Michigan, taking up 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1329 



land in Livingston county, near Hamburg Junc- 
tion, and there improved a homestead, on which 
he spent his remaining years. Charles Cordley 
spent his entire life in Michigan, succeeding to 
the ownership of his parental acres, and being 
engaged in agricultural pursuits most success- 
fully. His wife, whose maiden name was Esther 
Hicks, was a life-long resident of Michigan, al- 
though she was of Pennsylvania ancestry, her 
parents having been natives of that state. Of 
the three children born of their union, Arthur 
B., the only son, is the only one to come to the 
Pacific coast, the two daughters still residing in 
Michigan. 

Laying the foundation for his education in the 
district school, Arthur B. Cordley labored hard 
during his vacations on the home farm, continu- 
ing his agricultural labors until nineteen years 
of age, when he entered upon his professional 
career, teaching in a public school for two years. 
Becoming a student at the Michigan State Agri- 
cultural College, in Lansing, in the spring of 
1885, ne was graduated from that institution with 
the degree of B. S. in 1888. Remaining there 
the ensuing two years, first as instructor in 
zoology, and later as assistant entomologist, he 
then accepted a position in the University of 
Vermont, at Burlington, becoming instructor in 
zoology in the College of Agriculture, and as- 
sistant entomologist at the experiment station. 
In May, 1891, Professor Cordley went to Wash- 
ington, D. C, as assistant entomologist in the 
United States Department of Agriculture, re- 
maining there until 1893. Returning then to 
Michigan, he spent two years on the home farm, 
leaving it in 1895 to take up his present work as 
professor of zoology and entomology at the 
Oregon Agricultural College, being, also, ento- 
mologist and plant pathologist at the experiment 
station. An earnest student, the professor is con- 
tinually adding to his scientific "knowledge, in 
1899 taking a graduate course for that pur- 
pose at Cornell University. In 1900 he was 
honored by his alma mater, which conferred upon 
him the degree of M. S. He has a wide reputa- 
tion in scientific and literary circles, being a mem- 
ber of the American Association of Economic 
Entomologists, a branch of the American Asso- 
ciation for Advancement of Science. 

At Brookings, S. D., Professor Cordley mar- 
ried Miss Mary McLouth, a native of Ypsilanti, 
Mich., a daughter of Prof. Lewis McLouth, Ph. 
D., for many years one of the faculty of the 
Michigan State Normal School, later president 
of the State Agricultural College of South Da- 
kota, but now a resident of Springfield, Mass., 
where he organized, and still has charge, of the 
Intercollegiate Branch of the Home Corre- 
spondence School. Professor and Mrs. Cordley 
have one child, Dorothea. Professor Cordley is 



a Republican in politics, a member of the Con- 
gregational' Church, and belongs to the W. of 
\\\, and to Corvallis Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M. 



JAMES WITHYCOMBE. Comprehending 
and heeding the advice of Sidney Smith, who 
said, "Whatever you are from nature, keep to 
it ; never desert your own line of talent, and you 
will succeed," Mr. Withycombe has unquestion- 
ably chosen his scientific occupation with great 
wisdom, and in his earnest studies has become 
complete master of the particular science in 
which he is at present interested. Conversant 
with the various branches of general farming 
from his earliest youth, he has never missed 
an opportunity to gain knowledge of anything 
connected with farm life, and is, therefore, es- 
pecially fitted for his present position as director 
of the experiment station of the Oregon Agri- 
cultural College. 

Of English birth and parentage, Mr. Withy- 
combe was born March 21, 1854, near Plymouth, 
England, which was the birthplace, also, of his 
father, Thomas Withycombe, and the life-long 
residence of his grandfather, Henry Withy- 
combe, a successful farmer and stock-raiser. 
Thomas Withycombe emigrated to this country 
with his family in 1871, and located in Wash- 
ington county, Ore., buying a part of the Horace 
Lindsay donation claim, near Farmington, where 
he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for sev- 
eral years. On retiring from active labor, he 
removed to North Yamhill, where he spent his 
last years. He married Mary Ann Spurr, who 
was born near Plymouth, England, a daughter 
of Joseph Spurr, an extensive and prosperous 
sheep-breeder. Of their union five children were 
born, namely : John ; Thomas ; James ; Mrs. Mary 
Burton, of North Yamhill, Ore, ; and Philip, a 
tile and brick manufacturer at North Yamhill. 
The mother died on the home farm, near Farm- 
ington. 

James Withycombe received his rudimentary 
education in the public schools of his native 
town, afterwards taking a course of study in the 
grammar school at Tavistock, England. Com- 
ing to Oregon when seventeen years of age, he 
assisted in the care of the home farm, at the 
same time becoming interested in stock-raising, 
and studying veterinary surgery, which he sub- 
sequently practiced successfully a number of years 
in Portland, Ore. In 1889 he was appointed, by 
the domestic annual commission, state veterinary 
of Oregon, a position that he filled most satis- 
factorily for nine years. During that time he 
also had charge of a farm in Washington 
county, near Hillsboro, owning a half section of 
land, which is still in his possession. In addi- 
tion to general farming, he paid especial atten- 



1330 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tion to raising stock, including standard-bred 
horses, Shorthorn cattle, Shropshire- and Cots- 
wold sheep and Berkshire swine, realizing ex- 
cellent results. In the fall of 1898 Mr. Withy- 
combe gave up farming to accept the position 
of vice director of the experiment station at the 
Oregon Agricultural College, with which he is 
still connected officially, having been director of 
the experiment station since his appointment to 
the position, in July, 1902. In 1899 this institu- 
tion conferred upon him the degree of M. Agr., 
to which he is worthily entitled. In the depart- 
ment of the college to which he is attached, Dr. 
Withycombe is attracting much attention, in- 
teresting the pupils in practical agriculture and 
horticulture, proving in a clear manner the 
necessity for a scientific training in these branches 
if the highest possible success is to be attained. 
He is widely known in connection with the 
dairy and farmers' institutes throughout the 
state, and has a large acquaintance with the 
leading agriculturists. With them his great am- 
bition is to have Oregon reach the place to which 
she is justly entitled among the rich agricultural 
states of the Union. He is a charter member of 
Farmington Grange, of Washington county, 
but at present holds membership with Cor- 
vallis Grange. For two years he was president 
of the North Pacific Wool Growers' Association. 
Dr. Withycombe married, in Washington 
county, Ore., Miss Isabel Carpenter, a native 
of Farmington. Four children have been born 
of their union, namely : Harry, who entered the 
University of Illinois with the class of 1903 ; 
Thomas Robert, a graduate of the Oregon Agri- 
cultural College, in the class of 1901 ; Mabel, a 
graduate of the same class as Thomas R. ; and 
Earle. The doctor is a strong Republican in 
politics, and at the convention held in Albany 
was among the first to advocate the name of T. 
H. Tongue for member of congress. He is 
a member of the Christian Church, with which 
he united in 1874, and in which he has filled dif- 
ferent offices. 



MRS. SARAH E. MOORE. The Ancient 
Order of United Workmen of the state of Ore- 
gon has reason to be proud of Mre. Sarah E. 
Moore, a prominent organizer of the Degree of 
Honor of that lodge and a woman whose noble 
qualities have all been enlisted in the cause she 
espoused. She was born in Alabama, the 
daughter of H. L. Wilkins, and the youngest 
of the children which blessed the union of her 
parents. In 1877 her father came to Corvallis, 
Ore., bringing his family to a new home among 
the newer opportunities of the west, and, then 
but a young girl, Mrs. Moore continued her 
studies in the public schools of this city. De- 



cember 27, 1881, she was united in marriage with 
Medford Moore, thus allying her fortunes with 
those of a pioneer family of Oregon. Mr. Moore 
was born in Lebanon, Linn county, Ore., in 
1854, the son of John W., a native of Mis- 
souri, who emigrated to the west in 1848 and 
settled in Linn county, where he engaged in 
farming. His life is more or less interwoven 
with the events that formed the history of the 
early days of Oregon, serving with many other 
pioneers in the Rogue river war. He is now re- 
tired from the active cares of life and makes his 
home in Walla Walla, Wash. Of the five chil- 
dren born to himself and wife only three are 
now living. The second of the children was 
Medford, and after a childhood upon his fath- 
er's farm he completed his education in the Ore- 
gon Agricultural College. At the age of eight- 
een years he went to South America in company 
with his two brothers, John and Frank, and set- 
tling in Argentine Republic, they remained there 
farming for three years. Some time after the 
death of his brother, Frank, in that country, 
Medford returned to Oregon and engaged in 
farming in Benton county, near Wells, for five 
years, removing at the close of that period to 
Prineville, Crook county, where he became in- 
terested in stock-raising. Two years later he 
ran a stage in eastern Oregon for several years ; 
then, during Cleveland's administration he was 
appointed postmaster of Prineville, a position 
he held from 1893 to 1897. After a period in 
the harness business in Prineville he was inter- 
ested in a drug store. In the affairs of the city 
h,e was always actively interested, at the time 
of his death, July 9, 1902, holding the position 
of city treasurer. Fraternally he was identified 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
being past officer in the Prineville lodge ; the 
Rebekahs ; Ancient Order of United Workmen, 
of which he was past master workman ; and the 
Degree of Honor. Politically Mr. Moore was a 
Democrat. 

While in her home in eastern Oregon Mrs. 
Moore was district deputy of the Degree of 
Honor of the A. O. U. W, and also field worker, 
in which positions she has worked all over the 
state of Oregon. She has established fourteen 
lodges of the Degree of Honor, and now has her 
membership with the Degree of Honor of Cor- 
vallis ; where she removed in August, after the 
death of her husband, for the better educational 
advantages offered her son, Guy, who is now a 
student of the Oregon Agricultural College, of 
the class of 1904, and Gladys will graduate in 
the high school, class of 1904. Guy Moore, in 
his sophomore year, won the prize offered by 
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in 
an oratorical contest, and in February, 1903, he 
won through a contest the right to represent his 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1331 



college in the state oratorical contest, in the 
former winning the gold medal and a cash prize 
of $15, his unusual ability placing him high in 
scholarly attainments, while in the state contest 
he won third place, the title of his oration being 
"Oliver Cromwell, the Man of Action." Mrs. 
Moore is also a member of the Eastern Star and 
Rebekahs, in the latter holding the position of 
vice grand. Politically she holds opinions in 
accord with those of her husband, though not 
content to be a follower, for she believes firmly 
in woman's suffrage and looks forward with 
confidence to the day when women of intelli- 
gence and judgment shall be allowed to do their 
duty to the country which gives them a home, 
side by side with the man of the same attain- 
ments. 



ROBERT McCAUSTLAND. As a pioneer 
of the state of Wisconsin, as a courageous sol- 
dier during the Civil war, as a farmer for many 
years in Benton county, Ore., and as a retired 
and helpful citizen of Corvallis, Robert Mc- 
Caustland is entitled to mention among the na- 
tive sons of Ireland who have found in the land 
beyond the seas a home and abundant oppor- 
tunity. 

Supposedly during the times of religious perse- 
cution in Scotland the paternal grandfather Mc- 
Caustland left his native land and settled in 
the mountainous County Tyrone, Ireland. Here 
was born his son, Daniel, the father of Robert, 
and who became a farmer and linen manufact- 
urer. The linen industry was conducted on a 
rather small scale, and was confined to the finer 
grades of flax cloth, in which the elder Mc- 
Caustland excelled. He never left his native 
land, nor did his wife, who also was of Scotch 
descent, before her marriage Elizabeth McFad- 
den. whose father, Samuel, came- from Scotland 
to County Tyrone. Of the nine children in 
the family all grew to maturity, and three are 
living. Robert, born in County Tyrone, June 1, 
1830, being one of the oldest. Three of the 
sons. James, Thomas and Robert served in the 
Civil war. 

As a boy in County Tyrone Robert McCaust- 
land attended the national school irregularly, and 
from his father learned the trade of linen-weav- 
ing. He was ambitious and resourceful, and 
the limitations of his countrymen seemed to his 
buoyant spirits inexpressibly sad and depress- 
ing. Accordingly he made arrangements to .come 
to America when he had reached nineteen years 
of age. and January 7. 1850. embarked on the 
sailer Harold at Glasgow. After a voyage of 
eight weeks and four days the harbor of New- 
York loomed against the horizon, and filled the 
hearts of the homeseekers with great joy and 



thankfulness. For about a year Robert remained 
in New York and worked at whatever he could 
find to do, and then went to Philadelphia, Pa., 
where he found employment in a feed store for 
about five years. In the winter of 1855 he re- 
moved to Adams county, Wis., twenty-two miles 
from Kilbourn City. Here he engaged in gen- 
eral farming for twenty-six years, and during 
the first years in the pineries experienced all of 
the deprivations incident to pioneer life. His 
neighbors were few and far between, and the 
numberless trees shut in his little habitation, and 
loneliness reigned supreme. Industry accom- 
plished much, however, and patches of cleared 
ground widened into acres of tillable land, and 
harvests rewarded the autumn expectations. 

The breaking out of the Civil war found Mr. 
McCaustland in a fairly prosperous condition, 
an important member of his agricultural com- 
munity. In November, 1864, he volunteered in 
Company C, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer 
Infantry, and was mustered in at Madison, Wis., 
afterward joining his regiment at Eastport, 
Miss. He served up and down in Mississippi 
and Alabama, and at the battle of Fort Spanish 
was wounded in the left hand March 28, 1865, 
by a shell, and was incapacitated for further 
service. After three months in the hospital he 
was mustered out in July, 1865, and thereupon 
returned to his home and farm in Wisconsin. 
November 14. 1879, ne was united in marriage 
with Mrs. Mary Hay, who was born in Nor- 
thumberland, England, a daughter of John Cow- 
ing, a native of the same part of England. Her 
grandfather, George Cowing, was a farmer in 
Northumberland, and her father brought his 
family to America in 1849, locating in Dane 
county, Wis. He afterward removed to Adams 
county, Wis., but finally lived in retirement in 
Jackson county, Minn., where his death occurred, 
as did also that of his wife, Elizabeth (David- 
son) Cowing, a native of Rutledge, England. 
Eight children were born into the Cowing fam- 
ily, seven of whom are living. One of the sons, 
John, served in the Civil war in the Forty- 
ninth Wisconsin. Mrs. McCaustland was 
reared in Wisconsin, and for her first husband 
married Murray Hay, who was born in Herki- 
mer county, N. Y., and afterward became a 
merchant in Easton, Ws. Of the four children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Hay. Marion is a mer- 
chant in Wilbur, Wash. : Libbie is now Mrs. 
Cadwell. of Minnesota: Jennie is Mrs. Alex- 
ander, of Wilbur, Wash. ; and Edward is a 
merchant in Wilbur and also manager of the 
Big Bend Land Company. 

In 1881 Mr. McCaustland sold his farm in 
Wisconsin and located in Plymouth county, 
Iowa, where he lived until 1889, when he dis- 
posed of his farm and came to Oregon, locating 



1332 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



on a farm in the vicinity of Hubbard, at the 
same time purchasing five acres in the town. 
He farmed successfully in Marion county and 
built two residences in Hubbard, both of which 
are rented, as is also his farm. In 1896 he came 
to Corvallis and bought a pleasant home where 
he continued to live comparatively retired from 
active business life, until November, 1903, when 
he and his wife removed to Wilbur, Wash., 
where they intend to take up their permanent 
residence. His first presidential vote was cast 
for a Republican candidate, and until about 
eight years ago he upheld the principles and 
issues of his chosen party. He then became a 
student of social and economic conditions, with 
the result that he is now a firm believer in So- 
cialism. The only son and child born to Mr. 
and Mrs. McCaustland, James C, is a graduate 
of the Oregon Agricultural College, class of 
1900, and is at present engaged in the mercantile 
and real estate business with his brothers in 
Wilbur. 



GEORGE BRELSFORD KEADY. Of- 
ficially connected with the Oregon Agricultural 
College, Mr. Keady has entire charge of the 
printing department of the college and experi- 
ment station. Familiar with the art preserva- 
tive from his youth, he learned the printer's 
trade from his father, becoming expert in every 
department, from the lowest in the office to the 
highest, and has made this his life work. 

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Keady was 
born, November 23, 1847, m Washington, the 
birthplace of his father, W. F. Keady, who 
was of sturdy Scotch ancestry. W. F. Keady 
was an editor by profession, for several years 
of his earlier life having charge of the Browns- 
ville (Pa.) Clipper. Removing, in 1852, with 
his family to Illinois, he made the journey over- 
land, walking all the way. Locating in Iroquois 
county, he had charge of the Middleport Press, 
now published at Watseka, 111., under the name 
of the Iroquois Times. Going then to Kankakee, 
111., he bought an interest in the Kankakee Gar- 
zette, which he -edited until purchasing the old 
Kankakee Journal, which he edited and pub- 
lished, in company with his son, George B. 
Keady, until 1880. Following the march of 
civilization westward in that year, he took up 
his residence in Olympia, Wash., and served as 
first county clerk of Thurston county after Wash- 
ington's admission to the 'Union. There he spent 
his last years, dying at a good old age. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Martha Patton, 
was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Illinois. 
Of the five children born of their union, three 
are living, one of the sons, W. P., a resident 
of Portland, Ore., being interested in the Ore- 



gon Water Power and Railway Company, and in 
mining. 

Brought up in Illinois from the age of five 
years, George B. Keady attended the public 
schools until fifteen years of age, when he offered 
his services to his country. In 1862 he enlisted 
in Company F, One Hundred and Thirteenth 
Illinois Infantry, being mustered in at Chicago 
as a private, but later being made drummer of the 
company. Joining the Army of the Tennessee 
with his regiment, he was present at many of 
the more important engagements of the war, in- 
cluding those at Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Gun- 
town and the Tallahatchie and Bolivar raids. 
Subsequently, while stationed at Memphis, Tenn., 
he assisted in guarding the Twin Bridges when 
Forrest made his raid on that city. At the ex- 
piration of his term of enlistment he was mus- 
tered out of service, at Memphis, on June 20, 
1865. 

Returning home, Mr. Keady attended school 
a year, then entered the employ of his father, 
working on the Middleport Press, and then on 
the Kankakee Gazette, learning the printer's 
trade. Subsequently forming a copartnership 
with his father, he bought the Kankakee Journal, 
and changed its name to the Kankakee Times, 
which was then run as a weekly paper, but is 
now published daily. Selling out in 1884, Mr. 
Keady went to Omaha, Neb., where he was as- 
sociated with the Gibson Miller Printing Com- 
pany until 1888. Coming then to Portland, 
Ore., he worked at his trade for the Lewis-Dry- 
den Printing Company until offered, by Frank 
Baker, a position in the state printing office, 
where he remained several years. Leaving the 
position in 1897, Mr. Keady accepted his present 
office as manager of the printing department at 
the Oregon Agricultural College, his office and 
plant being finely located in Mechanical Hall, 
one of the handsomest and most imposing build- 
ings on the campus. The plant has recently been 
much enlarged and improved, being equipped 
with the latest and most approved machinery, 
and furnished with both steam and electrical 
power. 

While living in Kankakee, 111., Mr. Keady mar- 
ried Miss Mary Wright, who was born in Indi- 
ana. Politically Mr. Keady is a Republican, 
and fraternally he is a member of Corvallis 
Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., and for many years 
belonged to Whipple Post, G. A. R., of Kanka- 
kee, 111. Mrs. Keady is a member of the Episco- 
pal Church and the Eastern Star, of Corvallis. 



PETER RICKARD. One of the ideal farm- 
ing properties of Benton county is that owned 
and managed by Peter Ric.kard, located ten 
miles southwest of Corvallis, and five hundred 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1333 



acres in extent. Three hundred and fifty acres 
of this property are under cultivation, and the 
fortunate owner carries on general farming and 
1 stock-raising, in both of which occupations he 
has been unusually successful. This farm has 
one of the finest rural residences in the county, 
and the barn is one that would delight the heart 
of a thrift}- farmer who yearly stores away 
hundreds of tons of hay and bushels of grain, 
and winters iarge numbers of fine stock. Mr. 
Rickard sees the pleasant side of farming, and 
philosophically adapts himself to the strenuous 
and less agreeable phases of country life. He 
has the means to conduct his affairs after the 
most approved and modern methods, and to sur- 
round himself and family with the luxuries 
as well as necessities of life. 

The people of Benton county are wont to as- 
sociate success with the name of Rickard, and 
in no sense have their expectations fallen short 
of realization. John Rickard, the father of 
Peter, and the founder of the family in Oregon, 
is living on a tract of land nine hundred acres 
in extent, on the old Territorial road, a portion 
of his property being in Benton, and the balance 
just across the line in Lane county. He was 
born in North Carolina, November 7, 1827, his 
father, Peter, being a native of the same state. 
Peter Rickard was reared on a southern plan- 
tation, and as a youth learned the blacksmith 
trade, which he followed for many years. He 
married Susan Kepeey, a native daughter of 
North Carolina, with whom and his children he 
removed tc Indiana in 1835, where his death 
occurred at the age of sixty-eight years. He was 
survived by his wife, who died at the home of her 
son, John, in Oregon, at the age of seventy-nine 
vears. John Rickard was seven years old when 
he went overland with his family to Indiana, and 
he lived in the Hoosier state until crossing the 
plains in 1853. He came here with practically 
nothing, and his vast estate is wholly the result 
of his indefatigable perseverance and good man- 
agement. He has taken an active interest in 
the upbuilding of his adopted locality, is a Dem- 
ocrat in politics, and has served on the school 
board for eighteen years. 

Peter Rickard, the namesake of his grand- 
father, was reared on his father's large farm, and 
was educated at the public schools and Corvallis 
College. After his marriage with Clarinda Fiech- 
ter. a native of this county, he went to live on 
a farm on Muddy creek, seven miles south of 
Philomath, and after three years bought three 
hundred and twenty acres of his present farm, 
which constitutes a portion of the old James 
Foster donation claim. Five children have been 
born into his family, of whom Thella B., Mark, 
Leatha and Vena are at home, and Luke, the 
third child in the family, is deceased. Mr. 



Rickard is a Democrat in politics, as was his 
father, and he has been prominent in political 
affairs in the county. His special fitness for 
office has been recognized by his fellow towns- 
men, who have elected him sheriff for two terms, 
and made him commissioner four years. He is 
fraternally a welcome visitor at the Masonic and 
Knights of Pythias lodges, and other social or- 
ganizations in the county profit by his helpful 
association. Upright in all of his dealings, gen- 
erous in his contributions to all worthy charities, 
and humane in his sympathies, he is a typical 
representative of the cultured and broad-minded 
agriculturist of the western slope. 



JACOB M. CURRIER. An early pioneer of 
Inavale, and one of its most respected citizens, 
Jacob M. Currier has been a resident of this 
section of the state for upwards of half a cen- 
tury, and in that time has well performed his 
part in promoting the advancement and develop- 
ment of one of the finest agricultural regions 
of Benton county. A hard-working, persevering 
man, possessing shrewd common sense, observ- 
ing and thinking for himself, he toiled as a young 
man with determined energy, and his labors have 
been crowned with success. By dint of industry 
and good management he has acquired a magnifi- 
cent estate, and is now one of the most extensive 
and well-to-do agriculturists of his community. 
Coming from substantial New England ancestry, 
he was born February 12, 1827, in Orleans coun- 
ty, Vt. In 1844 his parents, Jacob and Mary 
(Smith) Currier, removed to Missouri, where the 
father took up land, and in addition to improving 
a farm, worked at the carpenter's and stone- 
mason's trade. Both parents died at the age 
of fifty-seven years. Of the nine children born 
of their union, but three survive, namely : Mrs. 
Elizabeth Foster, of Lake county, wife of James 
Foster ; Lorena, wife of John White, of New 
York ; and Jacob M. 

Going with his parents to Missouri in 1844, 
Jacob M. Currier remained there two years. In 
1846, accompanied by two sisters, one of whom 
was married, he came across the plains with ox- 
teams, the only means of travel and transporta- 
tion in those days, ere the country was spanned 
by its present network of railways. The journey 
required seven months, and one man of the train 
was killed en route by the Indians. Spending 
the first winter on the present site of the city 
of Dallas, in Polk county, Mr. Currier enlisted the 
next year in the United States service, joining 
Capt. John Owens' company in the regiment or- 
ganized December 31, 1847, m East Portland, 
by Colonel Gilliam. Taking an active part in the 
Cavuse war, he was in the engagement at De- 
schutes, on the Columbia river, and at the battle 



1334 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Wells Spring - . Going then to the old Whitman 
station, where the massacre had taken place, he 
helped to bury the dead. At the end of six months 
he received his honorable discharge at Oregon 
City. 

Returning to Benton county, Mr. Currier re- 
mained here a short time, in the fall of 1848 go- 
ing to California, where he was engaged in pros- 
pecting and mining until the spring of 1849, when 
he again took up his residence in Benton county. 
In 1850 he took up a donation claim of six hun- 
dred and forty acres, lying about ten miles south- 
west of Corvallis, in reality buying a squatter's 
right to the place, and proved up on the same. 
Marrying very soon afterward, he and his bride 
began housekeeping in a cabin made of hewed 
logs. Endowed with true pioneer grit this young 
couple toiled incessantly, and by their united ef- 
forts improved a productive farm. The log 
house was in course of time replaced by a sub- 
stantial dwelling house, which still stands, and 
is in a good state of preservation. Barns and 
other buildings necessary for successfully carry- 
ing on his work were erected, ,more land was 
purchased, and in the pursuit of his chosen occu- 
pation Mr. Currier has amassed a competency. 
Of his large farm of one thousand, five hundred 
and sixty acres, he has eight hundred acres in 
a good state of cultivation, and is carrying on 
general farming and stock-raising with excellent 
pecuniary results. 

On August 25, 1850, Mr. Currier married 
Mariah Foster, who was born in Ohio, and 
crossed the plains with her parents in 1845. 
Further history of the Foster family may be 
found elsewhere in this volume in connection 
with the sketch of John W. Foster. Four chil- 
dren were born of that union, namely : William 
A., living in California; Lorena, wife of John 
Belknap, of California; Manly C, a resident of 
Lake county, Ore. ; and Anna, deceased. Mrs. 
Mariah (Foster) Currier died on the home farm 
in 1859. Mr. Currier subsequently married Miss 
Helena S. Buchanan, who came to Oregon with 
her parents in 1856. An extended history of the 
Buchanan family may be found on another page 
of this biographical work in connection with the 
sketch of William Buchanan. Mr. and Mrs. 
Currier became the parents of four children, 
namely: Elizabeth, who lives at home; John 
B., deceased; Sarah, living at home; and Evaline, 
wife of R. W. Scott, who has charge of the old 
Currier homestead. Politically Mr. Currier was 
formerly a strong Democrat, but is now classed 
among the Independents, voting for such meas- 
ures as he deems most beneficial to the com- 
munity regardless of party restrictions. While 
Oregon was yet a territory he served as county 
commissioner of Benton county, and has held 
various offices of minor importance. Now, and 



for the past twenty years, he has been agricultural 
reporter for the county of Benton. Fraternally 
he is a member and past master, of Corvallis 
Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M. 

Richard W. Scott, Mr. Currier's son-in-law, 
was born in Clackamas county, Ore., near Mil- 
waukee, in 1873. Marrying Miss Evaline Cur- 
rier in 1900, he has since had charge of the old 
home farm, which he is managing most success- 
fully, carrying on general farming on an ex- 
tensive scale. A young man of energy and 
progress, possessing good executive and bus- 
iness ability, he is meeting with good results in 
his labors, and is sure to succeed in any and all 
of his undertakings. He is a member of the 
local Grange, and a Republican in his political 
views. 



CHRISTOPHER TRACER. In the ex- 
treme southeastern portion of Benton county, 
three miles from the thriving city of Monroe, is 
to be seen one of the most flourishing, up-to-date 
farms for which the county is famous. Though 
comparatively a newcomer to this immediate 
vicinity, Mr. Tracer has every reason to feel 
satisfied with the results for the time and effort 
he has expended in bringing about present con- 
ditions. The tract was formerly a part of the old 
Lawrence donation claim, and at the time Mr. 
Tracer purchased it was in a wild condition, 
but as a result of his indefatigable efforts there 
are today two hundred and fifty acres of his half 
section in a fine state of cultivation, and here 
he carries on general farming and stock-raising. 

Christopher Tracer is a native of Indiana, 
born in Warrick county, January 14, 1858, the 
son of Michael and Margaret (Kinneer) Tracer, 
the former a native of Germany and the latter 
a native of the Hoosier state, where her entire 
life was passed. The father was born in 1837, 
and while still a child came to America with his 
parents, who settled in Indiana, there making 
their permanent home. Until his marriage, which 
united him with Miss Margaret Kinneer, Michael 
remained at home, giving his father the benefit 
of his services. Seven children were born of 
this marriage, of whom Christopher isthe sixth 
in order of birth, and with the exception of his 
brother, Ferd, who is a resident of Junction 
City, Lane county, Ore., all still reside in their 
native state, Indiana. After the death of his 
first wife, which occurred in 1868, Mr. Tracer 
was united with Mrs. Sarah Travser. Three 
children were born of this union, whose names 
and residences are as follows: Henry is a resi- 
dent of Smithfield, Lane county, Ore. ; Samuel 
makes his home in eastern Oregon; and Kinder 
'ives in the vicinity of Monroe. Until 1872 the 
family home was in Indiana, but- in that 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1337 



year the father brought a portion of the 
family to Oregon, settling in Benton coun- 
ty, in the vicinity of Bruce. Twenty 
years later, Mrs. Tracer died, after which Mr. 
Tracer made his home with his son Christopher, 
who in the meantime had married and settled 
in a home of his own. Here the father continued 
to live until his death in August, 1901, at the 
age of sixty-three years, having been a helpless 
invalid for the last seven years of his life. 

A marriage ceremony performed October 5, 
1880, united the destinies of Christopher Tracer 
and Julia A. Rickard. the latter a daughter of 
John Rickard. For three years thereafter the 
young people made their home in the vicinity 
of Junction City, Lane county, and after a resi- 
dence of two years near Bruce, Benton county, 
they finally took up their abode on the old Rickard 
homestead, and for the following fifteen years 
that was the scene of their labors. Their resi- 
dence on their present farm of three hundred 
and twenty acres dates from 1900, and if past 
success is any index of future prosperity it is 
safe to predict that they will remain indefinitely 
in their present location. The children born of 
this marriage were four in number, the eldest of 
whom, Aaron, is deceased, while the others, 
Letha Mae, Roy and John, are at home with 
their parents. Educational matters have a friend 
and co-worker in Mr. Tracer, and in the capacity 
of school clerk he is doing all that lies in his 
power to elevate the standard of education in 
his vicinity. His religious interests are centered 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, with 
which his family is also identified. Politically 
Mr. Tracer is a Democrat, and fraternally he 
holds membership with the Woodmen of the 
World. 



GIDEON C. MILLETT. Were one inclined 
to doubt the reliability of glowing stock-raising 
accounts in Lane county, that doubt would be 
removed by inspection of the large farm of Gid- 
eon C. Millett, one of the most extensive and suc- 
cessful stockmen around Junction City. After 
talking with this energetic and practical stock- 
raiser one becomes inspired with his enthusiasm, 
and his faith in the superiority of Poland-China 
hogs. Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep, hav- 
ing been the largest breeder of thoroughbreds in 
Lane county. It is to the wise selection of these 
two standard breeds that he owes his surprising 
good fortune, many years of experience having 
convinced him that for all-around purposes they 
are the most to be desired. Until recently Mr. 
Millett owned sixteen hundred acres of land, but 
has lately relieved himself of an enormous respon- 
sibility by disposing of some of it. The farm was 
purchased on the installment plan, and has much 

62 



more than paid for itself, the owner estimating 
that he has put at least $65,000 into it. This is 
an unusually creditable showing, for at the start 
of his career he was practically without money 
or influence, and has accomplished it all through 
the exercise of strong and forceful intelligence. 
I«n 1902 he handled sixteen hundred Poland- 
China hogs and as many Shorthorn cattle. 

In his youth Mr. Millett would have had a 
precarious existence had not a prosperous farmer 
in Iowa adopted him after the death of his 
mother. He was two years old when this catas- 
trophe overcame him, having been born in 
Waterloo, Iowa, March 9, 1868. When he was 
five years old Mr. R. Millett, his foster-father, 
brought his family to Benton county, Ore., re- 
mained there until 1875, an d then moved to Junc- 
tion City, where the lad attended the public 
schools for a couple of years. Mr. Millett (the 
elder) purchased the farm now owned by the 
younger man in 1881, and which at the time 
consisted of five hundred acres. When Gideon 
C. was twenty-three years old he took possession 
of this farm, made arrangements to pay accord- 
ing to the terms of a. contract, and one of the 
satisfactions of his life is that he has been able 
to meet this obligation fairly, and with satisfac- 
tion to all concerned. He has taken an active 
part in promoting education, good roads, and 
general improvements in Lane county, and has 
always identified himself with Republican poli- 
tics. Possessed of tact, geniality and other social 
traits, he is a welcome visitor at the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows' lodge, representing the 
same at the state grand lodge in 1900. Mr. Mil- 
lett is also a member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen and the Rebekahs. He is now 
perfecting plans to retire from active participa- 
tion in business and will probably make his home 
in Eugene. He is the second largest stockholder 
in the Junction City Hotel Company, of which 
he is a director, besides owning other property of 
considerable value. Mr. Millett lives one mile 
east of Junction City, and in the community is 
regarded as a man in whom honor, sound busi- 
ness judgment, and unquestioned success are 
happily blended. 



JACOB SHILLING. Not far from the vil- 
lage of Munkers, Linn county, may be seen the 
well cultivated farm of Jacob Shilling, a tract of 
one hundred and forty-two acres, formerly a part 
of the old Riley Thorp donation claim. His 
residence here dates from the year 1873, since 
which time he has carried on general farming, 
although of late he. has resigned the more ardu- 
ous work to younger hands,, his son doing the 
practical work, although he still superintends the 



1338 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



same. One hundred and fifteen acres are under 
cultivation, the balance in grubs and an orchard. 

A native of Wayne county, Ohio, born Sep- 
tember 16, 1835, Jacob Shilling is a son of Jacob 
and Margaret (Falgon) Shilling, both natives 
of the Keystone state, the former born in Frank- 
lin county, July II, 1801, and the latter in Mer- 
cer county, in 1804. The father was of German 
descent, the first of the family to emigrate to 
this country, coming with a colony and making 
settlement in Pennsylvania. Growing to man- 
hood in the latter state, he subsequently removed 
to Ohio, but did not go alone, as in the mean- 
time he had married Miss Margaret Falgon, 
who, as his wife, accompanied him. After en- 
gaging in agriculture in Wayne county, that 
state, for a few years, in 1839 tne parents re- 
moved to Putnam county, Ind., which was the 
scene of the family life for the following twelve 
years. It was in the latter state, in 185 1, that 
the father's death occurred, and the same year 
the mother removed with her children to Marion 
county, Iowa. She survived her husband twenty- 
seven years, passing away in Iowa in 1878. 

There were ten children in the family, seven 
sons and three daughters, and after the father's 
death the support of the mother and younger 
children devolved upon the older ones. Jacob 
was the sixth in order of birth, and at his fath- 
er's death was about sixteen years of age. His 
early education was received in the common 
schools of Indiana and Iowa, but, as early in 
life it became necessary for him to seek means 
of self support, he chose the carpenter's trade as 
promising the most satisfactory remuneration, 
and at once began to learn it in all its details. 
In i860 he was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary E. Burch, a native of Kentucky, born near 
Glasgow, February 23, 1841. Five children 
blessed this marriage, as follows : Sophronia, 
wife of J. T. Funk, of Munkers ; Robert, who 
died in infancy; C. C, a resident of Heppner, 
Ore. ; Hezekiah, at home ; and Alfred, also a 
resident of Heppner. 

After his marriage Mr. Shilling abandoned 
work at his trade and purchased a farm in Ma- 
rion county, Iowa, which ' he tilled until the 
year 1871, which, as previously stated, marked 
his advent in the far west. From Tehama, Cal., 
which was his first stopping place upon reaching 
the west, he went by team to Benton county, 
Ore., but two years later came to Linn county. 
Pleased with the outlook, he felt sufficient con- 
fidence in the future of the county to make it his 
permanent residence, and forthwith purchased 
the farm on which he now resides. In all local 
affairs he takes an intelligent interest, and gives 
his support to the Democratic party. His services 
jn a public capacity have been made manifest in 



his work as road supervisor and as school di- 
rector. He affiliates with the First Day Ad- 
ventists. 



DAVID CHARLES ROSE. One of the 
most enterprising, energetic and prosperous 
business men of Corvallis is D. C. Rose, a well 
known cigar manufacturer, who has been identi- 
fied with the manufacturing interests of this city 
for upwards of a score of years. Although of 
foreign birth, Mr. Rose has as great love for his 
adopted country and its institutions as for the 
Fatherland, and in the time of its great peril, 
during the strenuous times of the Civil war, he 
fought with the same zeal that fired the patriot- 
ism of its native-born citizens. 

A native of Wurtemberg, Germany, Mr. Rose 
was born about three miles from the city of Stutt- 
gart, in 1842. His father, the late David Rose, 
emigrated, in 1847, from Wurtemberg to the 
United States, with his family. He sailed to 
Galveston, intending to locate in Texas, but find- 
ing the country too new, he proceeded to New 
Orleans, thence up the Mississippi and Ohio 
rivers to Kentucky, settling in Campbell county, 
and buying a ranch near Newport, on which he 
resided until his death, prior to the war. Of 
his union with Anna M. Schindelin, who died 
in Kentucky, seven children were born, of whom 
three survive, one being a resident of Kentucky, 
and the other two of Oregon, D. C. living in 
Corvallis, and E. W. in Chitwood. 

With but limited school advantages, D. C. 
Rose was reared on the home plantation near 
Newport, living there until fifteen years old, 
when he went to Newport, where he remained 
until the breaking out of the Civil war. Early 
in 1861 he joined Taylor's Guards, later enlist- 
ing in the Fourth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry 
for a term of three months, during which time 
he was on guard duty most of the entire period. 
After being mustered out of service, Mr. Rose 
enlisted in the Fifty-second Ohio Infantry, but 
as that regiment did not fill up he joined the 
Seventy-first Ohio Infantry as a private, and 
with his companions was sent to Paducah, Ky., 
to join Sherman's army, thence going up the 
Tennessee river to Pittsburg Landing, at which 
battle he was shot through the right leg, the 
ball entering just below the knee. Being inca- 
pacitated for further duty for a time, he was 
sent home on a furlough, and being anxious for 
something to do, he then began learning the trade 
of a cigarmaker. Being subsequently ordered to 
report at Camp Dennison, Ohio, he was from 
there sent to a camp near Columbus, where the 
officer in charge recommended that he be dis- 
charged on account of his wound. Completing 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1339 



his trade in December, 1863, Mr. Rose worked 
at it in Newport for awhile, and then with a 
friend went to New York city, where his. com- 
panion soon enlisted as a musician in the band of 
the Eighteenth regulars, leaving him alone. 
He, therefore, in 1864, enlisted in the One Hun- 
dred and Sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, 
receiving a bounty of $700, but the examining 
surgeon rejected him ; he tried again, that time 
being accepted, but losing $200 of his bounty, 
it costing him that sum to get in. With his regi- 
ment he went to Winchester, thence to the front 
at Petersburg, where the peak of his cap was 
shot off, down through Richmond, and on 
to Appomattox, being present at the surrender 
of Lee. He afterwards took part in the grand 
review at Washington, D. C, and received his 
honorable discharge at Ogdensburg, N. Y., July 
5, 1865. 

Returning to Newport, Ky., he remained until 
1866, when he removed to Lawrenceburg, Ind. 
Two years later Mr. Rose located in Kansas 
City, Mo., going from there to Ellsworth county, 
Kans.. where he was engaged in general farm- 
ing northeast of the town of Ellsworth for twelve 
years, working also a part of the time at his 
trade, in Salina. Disposing of his farm and stock 
in the fall of 1882, he came to Oregon, establish- 
ing himself at his trade in Portland, at the same 
time owning a farm in Cornelius, which he sold 
in a few months at an advantage. In January, 
1883, Mr. Rose transferred his residence and 
business to Corvallis, where he has since been 
engaged in the manufacture of cigars, for a 
time having had his brother, E. W. Rose, as a 
partner. He aims to make good cigars only, 
among his brands that are most popular being 
the "Battle Ship Oregon," "Speckled Trout," 
"Victor Dewev," "Nickle Leader" and "Up to 
Date." 

Mr. Rose has invested to some extent in real 
estate, owning a small farm of twenty-five acres, 
on which is a fine orchard of cherry, pear and 
prune trees, which yield good crops each season. 
Politically he is a zealous advocate of the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party, and is now serv- 
ing his second term as a member of the city 
council. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights 
of Pythias ; to the Ellsworth Post, No. 19, G. A. 
R. ; and is one of the board of trustees of the 
Oregon Fire Relief Association. 

While living in Brooklyn, N. Y., Mr. Rose 
formed the acquaintance of Miss Lauretta M. 
Berry, to whom he was united in marriage soon 
after the close of the war, their nuptials being 
celebrated at Hartwick, Vt., in September, 1865. 
She was born in New Hampshire, and died, at 
Corvallis, March 2, 1894, leaving five children, 
namelv : Oliver, a machinist in Portland, Ore. ; 
Lottie E., of Portland ; George C, a farmer, in 



Condon, Ore. ; Edward, in partnership with his 
father, is junior member of the firm of D. C. 
Ross & Son, at Corvallis; and Daisy A. Mr. 
Rose married for his second wife Mrs. Georgia 
(Berry) Stevens, of Corvallis, who was born in 
New Hampshire, a sister of his first wife. 



DANIEL WILLIAM PRICHARD. When 
Daniel William Prichard undertook to learn the 
carpenter's trade under Eben Jones in Judson, 
Minn., more than a quarter of a century ago, 
he supposedly did not aspire to becoming one 
of the most expert woodwork instructors on the 
Pacific coast. Yet such he is today, and as head 
of the woodwork department of the Oregon 
Agricultural College, at Corvallis, he moulded 
the abilities and stimulated the aspirations of 
many hundred pupils, the membership of the 
class having increased from thirty, which con- 
stituted the class in 1894, to about a hundred in 
1903, when he severed his connection with the 
college by resigning on September 1. 

As his name implies, Mr. Prichard is of Welsh 
extraction, and his father, R. E., is the founder 
of the family in America. The elder Prichard 
was born in Carmarfon, Wales, and in his native 
land learned the tailor's trade. Coming to Amer- 
ica at an early day, he located at Turin, N. Y., 
where he plied his trade, and where his son, 
Daniel William, was born October 5, 1856. In 
1862 he removed to Waukesha, Wis., but, not 
finding a profitable trade, located the following 
year in Blue Earth count} - , Minn., where he 
engaged in farming for a time, but is now living 
at Sioux Falls, S. D. His wife, formerly Mar- 
garet Williams, was also born in Wales, a daugh- 
ter of Daniel Williams, who emigrated to Amer- 
ica and located on a farm in New York state. 
Mrs. Prichard, who died in South Dakota, was 
the mother of five sons and one daughter, all 
of whom are living, the talented instructor of 
Corvallis being the second child. One of the 
sons, Rev. E. R. Prichard, is pastor of the Pres- 
byterian Church of Aberdeen, Wash. 

For the greater part of his youth Daniel Prich- 
ard lived on the Minnesota farm, and at the same 
time attended the public schools of his neigh- 
borhood. At the age of eighteen he apprenticed 
to Eben Jones as heretofore stated, and in 1880 
left a fair business in Judson, Minn., and took 
up his residence in South Dakota, thereafter 
contracting and building in Howard, Miner 
county. He also homesteaded a claim of one 
hundred and sixty acres near Howard, and while 
living there combined farming and building with 
considerable profit. In 1891 he sold his land 
and came to Oregon, locating in Corvallis, where 
he worked at his trade until appointed to the po- 
sition of head of the department of woodwork 



1340 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in the Oregon Agricultural College. The depart- 
ment is amply equipped for practical work in the 
large mechanics' hall, and as an adjunct to one 
of the greatest developing enterprises of the 
state of Oregon is unsurpassed. 

The Prichard household consists of Mrs. 
Prichard, formerly Jennie Jones, a native of 
New York state, and seven children. Of the 
children, Minerva, the oldest daughter, is the 
wife of Mr. Ward, of Oregon City ; Everett is 
a student at the Oregon Agricultural College ; 
Mary ; Llewelleyn ; Ella ; Ennis ; and Edwin. 
Personally, Mr. Prichard is popular in Corvallis 
and is fraternally associated with the Knights of 
Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, and the 
Lions. He is a Republican in politics, and finds 
a religious home in the Presbyterian Church, of 
which he is a deacon. 



MINER M. SWICK. Following upon a ca- 
reer of particular merit as a builder and con- 
tractor, lumber merchant and cattle-dealer, Miner 
M. Swick is engaged in extensive farming enter- 
prises on the old Stewart donation claim, he be- 
ing a son-in-law of that well known and well 
remembered pioneer, John Stewart. Mr. Swick 
was born in Hillsdale, Mich., a son of Miner M. 
and Louise Swick, the former being a native of 
Seneca county, N. Y. ; and grandson of a soldier 
who was wounded and died in the war of 1812. 

Miner Swick was a very early settler in Hills- 
dale, Mich., near which town he owned and oper- 
ated a farm with considerable success. He was 
an ambitious man, and, convinced of the larger 
opportunities of the far west, outfitted for cross- 
ing the plains in 1853. O n this long and per- 
ilous journey he was accompanied by his wife 
and four boys, and he arrived in Oregon City 
September 29, 1853. For three years he lived 
on the French prairie, or rather made that the 
headquarters for his family, for he himself spent 
about eighteen months in the mines in California. 
Returning at the end of that time he brought 
with him $1,800, not a bad showing; and with 
this he bought a farm near Dayton, which con- 
tinued to be his home for the remainder of his 
life. His wife, Louise (Latourette) Swick, was 
born in Tompkins county, N. Y., a daughter of 
David Latourette, who came from France and 
practiced his art of weaving in Tompkins county, 
N. Y. Mrs. Swick died on the old Oregon home, 
leaving behind her the four boys with whom she 
had crossed the plains. Of these, Tunis is engaged 
in the sheep business in Grant county; Miner is 
the manager of the Stewart farm ; Lyman is en- 
gaged in mining in Grant county; and Benjamin 
F. is a practicing physician of Dayton. 

In his youth Miner M. Swick learned the car- 
penter's trade, and, beginning with 1857, con- 



tracted and built for many years in Corvallis. 
He then engaged in a planing-mill business, man- 
ufacturing sash, doors and other builders' sup- 
plies, and in 1872 located in eastern Oregon, 
where he engaged in the cattle business for twelve 
years. Returning to Corvallis he assumed charge 
of the broad acres left the heirs of John Stewart, 
and in the managing of which he is showing 
a keen knowledge of progressive and scientific 
farming. Mr. Swick possesses fine business abil- 
ity, and has personal characteristics which in- 
spire confidence, and retain indefinitely the re- 
gard and good will of many friends. 



JUDGE JOHN BURNETT. Prominent 
among those who for many years sustained the 
prestige of bench and bar in Oregon was Judge 
John Burnett, a pioneer of '49, and a resident 
of Corvallis for nearly half a century. This 
very capable practitioner was born in Pike 
county, Mo., July 4, 1831, and at an early age 
lost his father, Capt. Frank Burnett, for many 
years engaged in the steamboat business on the 
Mississippi river. Captain Burnett was born in 
Kentucky, as was also his wife, Jane Johnson, 
the latter of whom died in Illinois. 

The youth of Judge Burnett was characterized 
by a hard struggle for existence, for in the ab- 
sence of his father the family support fell largely 
on his shoulders. He was the second of a large 
family of children, and he lived for years on the 
family farm, engaging then as a clerk in a store 
and on different steamboats. As may be im- 
agined, his education was acquired under diffi- 
culties, for work absorbed his entire attention, 
and little time remained even for slight recrea- 
tion. Fortunately he was ambitious and studi- 
ous, and with his earnings was finally enabled 
to attend not only the public schools, but to take 
a course at an academy. In 1849 ne came to the 
coast by way of the plains, and a year later re- 
turned east via Panama, the following year again 
visiting California, where he prospected and 
mined. In 1858 he had occasion to bring a drove 
of horses across the mountains to the Willam- 
ette valley, and after disposing of them looked 
around him a bit and was most favorably im- 
pressed with the people and country. Having 
determined to remain, he engaged in the butch- 
ering business in Corvallis, and while thus em- 
ployed improved his spare time in studying law, 
a consummation long desired and ardently 
planned for. His guides in the first principles 
of law were Judge Thayer and Colonel Kelsay, 
and he was admitted to the bar in i860, there- 
after devoting h : s life not only to an increasing 
practice, but to the satisfactory filling of many 
important responsibilities. 

In 1865 Judge Burnett was elected a presi- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1341 



dential elector on the Democratic ticket, and be- 
ginning with 1870 he served for four years as 
judge of Benton county, in 1874 being elected 
associate justice of the supreme court of the 
state. His term as judge having expired in 1876, 
he again resumed practice, and two years later 
was elected state senator from Benton county, 
and served as chairman of the judiciary commit- 
tee in the senate. In 1882 he was appointed 
judge of the second judicial district by Governor 
Thayer, to fill out the unexpired term of Judge 
Watson. In May, 1891, he was elected mayor of 
Corvallis, serving for two terms, and he was 
again elected to the same position in October, 
1899, serving for two years. As chief executive 
he evinced the same regard for the best interests 
of his fellow townsmen as characterized his atti- 
tude towards his clients in private practice, and 
his services were invariably accompanied by re- 
forms and practical improvements. 

As relaxation from professional and public 
cares Judge Burnett engaged in general farm- 
ing and horticulture, and the farm upon which 
he expended so much care and study, and where 
he beguiled so many pleasant hours, is still owned 
by his wife. It consists of one hundred and ten 
acres, under fine cultivation, twenty-five acres 
of which are devoted to prune culture. Although 
a large and splendidly proportioned man, strong 
and healthy apparently, the judge readily suc- 
cumbed to heart disease, superinduced by an at- 
tack of grip, his death occurring March 1, 1901. 
He was genial and pleasant in manner, was ap- 
proachable to all, and was particularly devoted to 
his family. As a jurist his rulings were equitable 
and just, and were rarely questioned, it being uni- 
versally felt that wisdom, common sense and a 
profound knowledge of law dictated his every 
decision. 

June 12. 1859, Judge Burnett married Martha 
Hinton, who was born in Missouri, September 
28, 1838, and is a daughter of Hon. Roland B. 
Hinton, a native of Franklin county, Mo. The pa- 
ternal grandfather, Clayton B. Hinton, the emi- 
grating member of the family, located in Oregon, 
married Sarah Richardson, a native of Kentucky, 
and thereafter engaged in farming in Franklin 
county, Mo., of which he was an early settler. He 
was a soldier in the war of 1812, and in 1852 
crossed the plains with ox-teams, locating on a 
donation claim in Benton county, Ore., where he 
died in 1855. His son, Hon. Roland B. Hinton, 
was also a farmer in Franklin county, Mo., and 
he preceded his father across the plains in 1846, 
being accompanied by his wife, formerly Eliza- 
beth Brammel, born on the James river, Vir- 
ginia, a daughter of Thomas Brammel, who 
located in Franklin county, Mo., and died on a 
farm there. Four children were born to Mr. and 



Mrs. Hinton in Missouri, and these were num- 
bered among the little party that sought a home 
in the far northwest, and were willing to brave 
danger and deprivation to accomplish their mis- 
sion. They were six months on the way, from 
April to October, and after a year spent in Yam- 
hill county, Ore., they located on a claim eighteen 
miles south of Corvallis in Benton county, where 
Mr. Hinton built a little blacksmith shop, and 
combined blacksmithing and farming. Here he 
resided until 1869, when he located in the vicin- 
ity of Newport, where, after a short time, he was 
obliged to give up farming owing to impaired 
eyesight. For the remainder of his life he lived 
with his son, in time becoming totally blind, a 
great affliction for so ambitious a man, and one 
so thoroughly interested in the happenings of 
the outside world. In a way he was quite a poli- 
tician, and unswervingly devoted to the Demo- 
cratic party, many positions of trust and responsi- 
bility coming to him. For a term he represented 
his county in the legislature, and he was post- 
master of Starr's Point for many years, the 
office now being Monroe. 

Mrs. Burnett was educated in Benton county, 
primarily in the little log school-house near her 
home, which employed a teacher for three months 
during the winter season. Since her husband's 
death she has continued to reside in this city, 
where she owns the beautiful home, and also 
the fine and substantial business block erected by 
her husband. 

She is a member of the Congregational 
Church, and is a member of the Eastern Star 
and the Pioneer Association. Mrs. Burnett 
is the mother of five children, the order of their 
birth being as follows : Emma Alice, the de- 
ceased wife of Mr. H. W. Keesee, who left 
two children, Archie and John Burnett Keesee; 
Ida B., wife of Thomas Callahan, who is a grad- 
uate of the Agricultural College, and is now a 
teacher of English ; Martha, the wife of R. H. 
Huston, a hardware merchant of Corvallis, and 
the mother of one child, Helen ; Brady F., a grad- 
uate of the Agricultural College, a member of 
the bar, and at present clerk in the census depart- 
ment at Washington, D. C. Brady F. Burnett 
served in the Spanish-American war, and was 
in the Philippines in Company M, Second Ore- 
gon Volunteer Infantry, being wounded at the 
battle of Malabon, March 25, 1899. After re- 
covering he left the hospital and joined his regi- 
ment, remaining with it until the general muster- 
ing out. Bruce Burnett, the youngest son in the 
family, is engaged in farming in southern Ore- 
gon. Mrs. Burnett is a woman of great refine- 
ment, and her man)' sterling and amiable char- 
acteristics have endeared her to a host of friends. 



1842 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



J. H. WILSON is engaged in the practice 
of law in Corvallis; He was born August 31, 
1863, in the city which is still his home, and 
is a son of Bushrod and Priscilla Wilson, whose 
sketch is given elsewhere. He obtained his 
education in the public schools, where he pur- 
sued his studies for a few years and then spent 
a year in the old Corvallis College. He is, how- 
ever, largely a self-educated man and while he 
is today regarded as a gentleman of scholarly 
attainments and broad intellectuality, he owes 
this reputation to what he has accomplished for 
himself. In early life he entered the civil en- 
gineering department of the Oregon Pacific Rail- 
road Company and was connected with the con- 
struction department until the road was com- 
pleted, covering a period of about five years. 
He then entered the office of the county clerk, 
serving as deputy under his father for six years. 
From his boyhood he was interested in the study 
of law and he read to a greater or less extent 
while engaged in railroad work and in his clerical 
duties in the office of county clerk, his reading 
being directed by Colonel Kelsay. As the years 
passed, his knowledge of the principles of juris- 
prudence was thus broadened and, having been 
admitted to the bar about October, 1892, he 
began practice in Corvallis, where he has since 
maintained his law office. A distinctively repre- 
sentative clientele is now accorded him, and he 
has been connected with much of the important 
litigation tried in the courts of his district dur- 
ing the past decade. 

Mr. Wilson was married in Corvallis to Miss 
Effie M. Handy, who was born in Afton, N. Y. 
Her mother died in the Empire state, but the 
father, Arden K. Handy, removed with the fam- 
ily to Oregon and died in this state in 1898. Mr. 
and Mrs. Wilson now have two small children. 
Mr. Wilson was made a Mason in Corvallis 
Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., of which he is now 
a past master. He is also a past high priest of 
Ferguson Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M., and is con- 
nected with the Eastern Star, Woodmen of the 
World, and the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. In politics he has always been a Repub- 
lican and he is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, in which he served as elder for twelve 
years. He prepares his cases with great fairness 
and precision, has a mind strongly analytical and 
in argument he is forceful, his deductions fol- 
lowing in logical sequence. 



THOMAS HENRY CRAWFORD, A. M., 
has been actively identified with the educational 
interests of this section of Oregon for fully four 
decades, and has taken pleasure in witnessing 
and assisting the development of our school sys- 
tem from the time when the three " R's" were 



its only essentials until the present high plane 
of instruction has been reached. Obtaining his 
knowledge of the higher branches of learning 
in Oregon, he has since been associated with 
some of its more important schools and universi- 
ties as a teacher, and is now connected with the 
Oregon Agricultural College as head of the 
department of commerce, and with its official 
management as clerk and purchasing agent. 

Of substantial Scotch-Irish ancestry, Professor 
Crawford was born June 24, 1840, at Clarks- 
burg, Ind., a son of the late Dr. Robert H. Craw- 
ford. His grandfather, Andrew Crawford, was 
born in Londonderry, Ireland, a son of Robert 
Crawford, who emigrated from Londonderry to 
America in 1770, settling in South Carolina. 
Andrew, then but a year old, was there reared 
■to agricultural pursuits, and when becoming of 
age, located, as a farmer, in Abbeville District. 
Robert H. Crawford, the professor's father, was 
born in South Carolina, in 1808, and there ac- 
quired his early education. He subsequently 
attended Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, 
later being graduated, in 1837, from the Ohio 
Medical College, at Cincinnati, with the degree 
of M. D. The ensuing fifteen years he practiced 
medicine at Clarksburg, Ind., removing from 
there in 1852 to Oregon, bringing with him his 
wife and four children, crossing the plains with 
ox-teams, from St. Joseph, Mo., following the 
old overland trail, and being seven months on the 
road. Locating in Linn county, he took up a 
donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres 
at the foothills, and there improved a good 
estate, at the same time practicing medicine. 
Disposing of his farm in 1870, Dr. Crawford 
settled in Brownsville, where he continued the 
practice of his profession until his death, at the 
age of eighty-two years, in 1890. He was very 
prominent in public and religious matters, serving 
as state senator from Linn county from 1866 
until 1874, and being one of the prime movers 
in uniting the Associated Presbyterians and the 
members of the Associate Reform Church 
into one religious denomination, the organiza- 
tion being called the United Presbyterian 
Church. The meeting at which this organiza- 
tion was completed, was held, about 1854, near 
the home of Dr. Crawford, his father-in-law, 
Thomas Henry, being one of the elders at that 
time. Dr. Crawford married Elizabeth M. 
Henry, a native of. Kentucky, and a daughter of 
Thomas Henry, who removed from Pennsylva- 
nia to Jessamine, Ky., thence to Rush county, 
Ind., where he engaged in farming for a number 
of years. In 1852, in the company of which Dr. 
Crawford was captain, Mr. Henry came to Linn 
county, Ore., with his family, where he carried 
on farming until his death, in 1865, aged seventy- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1343 



seven years. Mrs. Henry, whose maiden name 
was Margaret Scott, survived him, dying in 
1870, aged eighty years. Mrs. Crawford died 
in 1897, aged eighty-two years. Of the union 
of Dr. and Mrs. Crawford, five children were 
born, namely : Thomas Henry ; Andrew, who 
died in 1859; Robert, a prominent horseman, 
died in 1900, at San Francisco, Cal., while on his 
way home from the Philippine Islands, where he 
had been on government service ; Mrs. Lizzie 
Smith, of Portland, Ore. ; and Mrs. Monrovia 
Starr, of Benton county. 

Coming with his parents to Oregon in 1852, 
Thomas H. Crawford here continued his studies 
in the district school, later, in 1859, entering 
Willamette University, at Salem, where he 
worked his way through college, being gradu- 
ated in 1863, with the degree of A. B. Begin- 
ning his professional career in Sublimity, Ore., 
he taught there three years, being afterward 
principal of the public schools in Salem eighteen 
months. Going then to the Portland Academy 
and Female Seminary, he was professor of 
mathematics for two and one-half years, and 
then principal of what is now the Atkinson 
school until 1872. The following four years he 
was professor of natural science at the Will- 
amette University. Returning to Portland, he 
served as principal of the old Central school one 
year, then as city superintendent of schools for 
eleven years, after which he had charge of the 
Park school as principal for six years. From 
1894 until 1896, Professor Crawford was prin- 
cipal of the Woodstock schools, and was 
then connected with the old Portland University 
for a short time, leaving there in 1897, when he 
was appointed clerk and purchasing agent at 
the Oregon Agricultural College, and later took 
charge of the literary commerce course. 

Professor Crawford married first, at Salem, 
Ore., in July, 1864, Emily B. Crandall, a native 
of Wisconsin, who came to Oregon with her 
parents in 1852, and settled near Silverton. She 
died in August, 1882. Four children were born 
of their union, three of whom, Maude, Merton 
and Pearl, died in Salem in 1875, while the 
youngest child, Ruby, is now the wife of Henry 
McConnell, of Salem, and has one child, Ruth 
McConnell. At Portland, in 1891, Professor 
Crawford married for his second wife, Miss Eva 
Grounds, who was born in Oregon, a daughter 
of Capt. Brazil Grounds, who removed from 
his native state, North Carolina, to Illinois, 
thence, in 1845, to Oregon, becoming captain 
of a steamboat on the Columbia river. 

Professor Crawford is prominently identified 
with several fraternal organizations, belonging 
to Willamette Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M., of 
which he is past master ; to Portland Chapter, 
No. 3, R. A. M. ; to Oregon Commandery No. 



1, K. T. ; to Al Kader Temple, N. M. S. ; to Has- 
salo Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; to Ellison Encampment, 
I. O. O. F., No. 1, of Portland; and is a past 
grand representative for Oregon, having repre- 
sented his state grand lodge at the sovereign 
Grand Lodge at Indianapolis, Ind., in 1875. He 
is also a member of the state and county teachers' 
association ; and is a member of the State Pio- 
neer Association; and of the State Historical 
Association. Politically he is a stanch supporter 
of the Republican party. 



JOHN RICKARD. No introduction is neces- 
sary to place the career of John Rickard before 
the people of Benton county, for his name has 
been a household word for many years, and car- 
ries with it an idea of substantiality and worth. 
Tracing his ancestry back to the very early 
days of North Carolina, his family was honored 
by the noble life of his paternal grandfather, who 
espoused the cause of the down-trodden colonies, 
and followed the fortunes of the father of his 
country on most of the great battlefields of the 
Revolution. His father, Peter, a native of North 
Carolina, was reared on a plantation, and in his 
youth learned the blacksmith's trade, to which 
he devoted many years of his life. He married 
Susan Kepley, a native daughter of North Caro- 
lina, and in 1835 took his family to Indiana, 
where the remaining years of his life were spent. 
Five of the ten children born into his family 
are living, Casper and Peter being natives of 
Junction City, while Crissie is the widow of 
Henry Beck of Smithfield, and Bettie is the wife 
of John Beck of Indiana. Peter Rickard was 
sixty-eight years of age at the time of his death, 
and was survived by his wife, who subsequently 
removed from Indiana to Oregon, and died at 
the home of her son, John, at the age of seventy- 
nine years. 

While Peter Rickard was still living in North 
Carolina, his son, John, was born November 7, 
1827, and was seven years of age when the over- 
land journey was made to Indiana. As oppor- 
tunity afforded he attended the little log school- 
house in the neighborhood of his father's farm, 
and remained at home until his marriage with 
Susanna Kime, a native daughter of the Hopsier 
state. Continuing to farm until 1853, ne out " 
fitted for crossing the plains in the regulation 
way, and it is not recorded that he met with any 
unusual experiences while wending his way 
towards the setting sun. The first winter in 
Oregon was spent near Eugene, Lane county, 
and in the spring of 1854 he came to Benton 
county and took up a donation claim of two 
hundred and ninety acres twelve miles south of 
Corvallis, on the old Territorial road. It is 
pleasant to note the ease with which he adapted 



134:4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



himself to the crude conditions then existing in 
the county, and how he slowly but surely worked 
his way to the front among the successful and 
influential upbuilders of his district. His entire 
tract consists of nine hundred acres, two hundred 
and forty of which are over in Lane county, but 
not separated from the original purchase. That 
the improvements are modern, the home and sur- 
roundings in accord with progressive ideas, goes 
without saying, and indeed the Rickard farm 
is one of the finest and most valuable in Benton 
county. Many years of experience have taught 
Mr. Rickard the most practical methods of con- 
ducting his general farming and stock-raising, 
and that his methods are successful is apparent 
to all who visit his home and accept his hospi- 
tality. 

A Democrat in political affiliation, Mr. Rickard 
has been a school director for the past eighteen 
years, and has materially advanced the cause of 
education in his neighborhood during that time. 
He is a member, a regular attendant, and trustee 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and since 
joining the organization as a young man has 
contributed many hundreds of dollars towards 
its support. Fraternally he is associated with the 
Masons. Delphi, the oldest of the children born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Rickard, died on the way across 
the plains ; Peter is a farmer in Benton county ; 
Julian is the wife of Christopher Tracer of Mon- 
roe ; Michael is engaged in farming in Linn 
county; Catherine is the wife of John Stearns 
of Linn county; John H. is a farmer of Linn 
county; Bertha is the wife of Rube Taylor of 
the vicinity of Bruce ; James, Daniel and Mary 
B. are deceased. Mr. Rickard is a remarkably 
upright and sincere man, of strong character and 
purpose, and of exceptionally fine mental and 
physical fiber. 



MARGARET COMSTOCK SNELL, M. D. 
Deeply interested in all branches of domestic 
science and hygiene, Dr. Snell is doing a much- 
needed work, through her teachings and lec- 
tures, in bringing to public notice the fact that 
much of the sickness and general ill health pre- 
vailing throughout the country is largely due 
to the use of improperly prepared food, illy 
ventilated living apartments, and unsanitary 
conditions of the dwelling houses, and their 
environments. By instructing the present gen- 
eration as to methods to be used in bettering 
these conditions, the doctor bases her hope for 
succeeding generations of a people whose physi- 
cal and mental status shall be far improved, and 
the average years of life on earth be greatly in- 
creased. Since 1889 she has been connected with 
the Oregon Agricultural College, holding the 



chair of household science and hygiene since 
its establishment. 

Of English ancestry, Margaret C. Snell was 
born near Livingston, N. Y., a daughter of 
Richard Snell, and a granddaughter of Will- 
iam Snell, who emigrated from England to 
America with his family, and settled in Penn- 
sylvania, where he spent his remaining days. 
Richard Snell left Yorkshire, England, his birth- 
place, when a boy of six years, coming with his 
parents to the United States. Learning the 
trade of a civil engineer when a young man, he 
worked at it first in Canada, afterward assist- 
ing in the survey of the Erie canal. Subse- 
quently changing his occupation, he was engaged 
in farming for a while in New York state, going 
from there to Ontario, where he continued in 
the lumber business three years. Removing then 
to Iowa, he took up land near Oskaloosa, where 
he improved a good farm. On retiring from 
active pursuits, he located in Oakland, Cal., 
living there until his death. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Margaret Comstock, was 
born in Adrian, Mich., and died in New York 
state, when a comparatively young woman, 
having borne her husband eight children. 

Receiving her early education in her native 
state, Margaret C. Snell, on removing to Iowa, 
entered Center Grove Academy, after which she 
spent several years at Grinnell College, in Grin- 
nell, Iowa. From 1872 until 1875 she taught 
school in Iowa City, going from there to Benicia, 
Cal., where three of her sisters had then opened 
Snell Seminary, in which she was a teacher for 
three years. The enterprising and energetic sis- 
ters, in 1878, bought property in Oakland, Cal., 
and having established a seminary there, she con- 
tinued with them a number of years. The semi- 
nary, which has lost none of its former prestige, 
is now located at Berkeley, Cal. In 1883 Miss 
Snell, who had previously read medicine, entered 
the Boston University Medical School, from 
which she was graduated with the degree of 
M. D. in 1886. Returning to Oakland, Cal., she 
practiced medicine there for a year, but being 
imbued with the idea that the higher and broader 
function of medical lore was to teach people 
how to keep well, rather than to cure disease, Dr. 
Snell gladly accepted the call to the Oregon 
Agricultural College, in 1888, and came here 
in 1889, when she opened the department of 
domestic science and hygiene, of which she has 
since had full charge. Enterprising and pro- 
gressive in her methods, she is never afraid to 
adopt new ideas, keeping abreast with the fore- 
most hygienists of the day, rendering her par- 
ticular department one of the most useful and 
efficient in the institution. Beginning with forty 
pupils, she has met with great success in her 




fa^ %f/?* *$av6ti»- 




MRS. J. H. McFARLAND. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1345 



labors , and has now one hundred and fifty 
students under her charge. In addition to teach- 
ing, she is widely known as a lecturer throughout 
the state, her talks on domestic science being 
interesting and instructive to all. 

Politically Dr. Snell is a Republican, and fra- 
ternally she belongs to the Grange. She also 
belongs to the Corvallis Improvement Society, 
and is a member of the Episcopal Church. 



DAVID G. McFARLAND. The town of 
Cottage Grove, Lane county, Ore., has cause to 
know the name of David G. McFarland, for it is 
from the donation claim of the father that the 
son laid out one of the first additions to the 
city, although previous to his death the father 
had laid out several city lots, about forty or 
forty-five acres in the heart of the city being once 
the property of the family of McFarlands. Four 
different divisions have subsequently been added, 
until Mr. McFarland has but two hundred and 
sixty acres of the original land given to him from 
the six hundred and forty acres which composed 
that taken up by James McFarland in 1853. The 
home farm had been divided between the two 
brothers, David G. and James Henry. 

The father of Mr. McFarland was James, born 
February 13, 1807, in North Carolina, and as a 
young man he located in Cooper county, Mo., 
from which he emigrated in the spring of 1850, 
crossing the plains with ox-teams, and after a 
journey of six months arriving in Linn county. 
He first located in Albany, and in the spring of 
1853 he came to the present site of Cottage Grove 
and took up a claim. Here he died in 1885, at 
the age of seventy-nine years. He was one of the 
strong men of the new land, in his political con- 
victions following the lead of the old Whigs and 
becoming a stanch and active Republican. His 
wife was formerly Mary Jones, who was born 
March 18, 181 1, and died in September, 1872, 
in this location. She was the mother of eight 
children, two sons and six daughters, two of the 
latter being now deceased. 

David G. McFarland was born in Cooper 
county. Mo., October 23, 1846, the fifth of this 
family of children, and his education was re- 
ceived entirely in the schools of Oregon, as he 
was but four years old when the journey was 
made across the plains. He worked for his father 
until 1875, when the land was given to the two 
sons, who have since had it in their control. The 
two hundred and sixty acres of Mr. McFarland 
which adjoin the city on the north are entirely 
pasture land, and he is now engaged in the rais- 
ing of cattle, horses, goats and sheep. He is 
also interested in mining ventures, owning a one- 
third interest in the Peek-a-boo and the Nevada, 
both located in the Bohemia mining district, and 



is also a director in the corporation which man- 
ages the Glendale Mining enterprises. As would 
be supposed, he is always interested in the ad- 
vancement of the city, and was one of the pro- 
moters of the water system sold to the town in 
1 901. In addition to the property already men- 
tioned Mr. McFarland has built a handsome resi- 
dence here in the city and also owns about forty 
lots, which are quite valuable. 

Fraternally Mr. McFarland is a member of the 
Masonic Blue Lodge No. 51, of Cottage Grove, 
and politically he follows the convictions of his 
father, being a strong Republican, and in the in- 
terests of his party he has served as school 
director. 



OREGON AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 
One of the wisest and most decisive educational 
movements in the history of our country is that 
which resulted in the organization of the State 
Agricultural College. While the Civil war was 
still in progress, in 1862, congress passed the 
Morrill act, which gave the impulse to this great 
educational movement. That act provided land 
grants for each state that would establish edu- 
cational institutions according to its provisions, 
and, practically, all the states of the Union have 
availed themselves of its provisions. 

Ninety thousand acres of land were appor- 
tioned to Oregon, and on October 9, 1862, the 
Oregon Legislative Assembly accepted the pro- 
visions of the congressional law. Six years 
later the legislature appointed commissioners to 
locate the land, and as no state college had 
then been established voted an annual appropri- 
ation toward supporting Corvallis College, in 
Benton county, a school controlled by the 
Methodist Episcopal Church South. When, in 
1885, the fund derived from the sale of the land 
grants became large enough to warrant it in so 
doing, the state obtained control of the appro- 
priation, the church willingly relinquishing its 
claim upon it, a board of regents was appointed, 
and given full power to establish an agricultural 
college. 

Selecting thirty-five acres of land in Corvallis, 
arrangements were soon made for the erection 
of a suitable building, and in the summer of 
1887 the corner-stone of the first building of 
the State Agricultural College was laid by the 
governor. During that year, congress, by the 
passage of the Hatch bill, provided for the estab- 
lishment in each of the states and territories of an 
agricultural experiment station, an annual sum 
of $15,000 being allowed for experiment work 
in Oregon. Three years afterwards, August 30, 
1890, congress passed the second Morrill act 
providing that $15,000 should be paid to each land 
grant college that year, and that amount should 



i346 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



be increased by the sum of $1,000 a year for ten 
years, after that time being $25,000 each year. 

Finely located in the picturesque city of Cor- 
vallis, and beginning its life under the most 
favorable auspices, the Agricultural College of 
Oregon was well patronized from the first, and 
soon outgrew its original environments. Addi- 
tional land was appropriated to its use, the 
grounds now comprising nearly two hundred 
acres, about forty acres being devoted to the 
campus, which is artistically laid out, and em- 
bellished with trees, shrubbery, and beautiful 
gardens. The grounds for military drill and 
athletic sports are on an adjacent tract lately 
added to the original campus. On the college 
farm of nearly one hundred and fifty acres are 
all the necessary buildings, tools, machinery and 
stock for carrying on agricultural labor after the 
most approved methods, giving to students prac- 
tical illustrations of each branch of farming. 
A variety of farm crops, fruit and berries are 
raised, experiments being given in agriculture, 
floriculture and horticulture. 

As the college grew, new buildings were de- 
manded, and many have been added. The offices 
of the president, registrar and clerk of the col- 
lege, the library, chapel, and several class-rooms 
are in the administration building. Near this 
structure is the assay building, containing labora- 
tories that are fully equipped for the work of 
assaying, and studying mineralogy. Near the 
northwestern corner of the campus is the phar- 
macy building, two stories in height, with labora-- 
tories and lecture room on the first floor, and 
rooms for study on the second floor. The classes 
in physical culture, and the drill hall for the 
cadets, may be found in the gymnasium and 
armory, a large building of wood and stone, 
70x120 feet. North of the administration build- 
ing, is the horticultural building, adjoining which 
are large and well filled greenhouses, containing 
a large collection of choice plants. 

One of the most notable buildings on the 
campus is Agricultural Hall, a beautiful stone 
structure, three stories in height, erected at 
a cost of $45,000. In this are a large assembly 
hall, laboratories and class rooms for the depart- 
ments of agriculture, horticulture, botany, chem- 
istry, zoology, entomology and bacteriology, and 
the offices of the director of the experiment 
station. In Mechanical Hall are the machine 
shops, printing office, the physical laboratory, 
several recitation rooms, and the office of the 
professor of mechanical engineering, these occu- 
pying the first floor. On the second floor are 
located the departments of art, mathematics and 
civil engineering. The power house, a brick 
building, is equipped with a forty-five horse- 
power engine, and two electric generators, each 
of two hundred light capacity, and contains, also, 



the blacksmith shop, with its twenty forges. The 
heating plant, made of brick and stone, is fur- 
nished with the most modern approved applian- 
ces for heating. 

Nothing is omitted that will make student life 
at the college pleasant and profitable. The phy- 
sical welfare of the pupils is assured by the offic- 
ers, Cauthorn Hall, named in honor of Senator 
Thomas Cauthorn, being devoted to the use of 
the young men, while Alpha Hall furnishes a 
home for the young women connected with the 
institution. Both halls are well lighted and 
heated, and furnished with modern conveniences. 

The social and intellectual life of the students 
is on as high a plane as that of any of its sister 
institutions, the social clubs, literary societies and 
churches of the city of Corvallis gladly welcom- 
ing members from the school, and each year a 
popular course of lectures, and various musical 
and literary entertainments are free to the pupils. 
Eight literary societies, four for the young men, 
and four for the girls, are maintained by the 
students, and are both enjoyable and profitable. 

Admission of students to either the freshman 
or the sub-freshman classes is similar to that of 
like institutions, and admission to special stu- 
dents is granted under certain specified condi- 
tions. One of the great thoughts expressed in 
the congressional legislation that produced this 
college in Oregon was that its work should be 
applied to the industries of the people, especial 
reference being made to the agricultural and 
mechanical arts. This idea has here been 
broadly carried out, the students acquiring a 
technical and practical knowledge of each. 

The college is especially to be congratulated 
upon its efficient corps of workers and officers. 
Wisely governed by a board of regents noted for 
the individual ability and efficiency of each of 
its members, it is equally fortunate in the selec- 
tion of its remaining officers, its faculty, and its 
corps of instructors. Men and women of broad 
and liberal education, each teacher seems pecu- 
liarly adapted to his or her especial work. From 
year to year added improvements are inaugur- 
ated in each department, new methods are in- 
troduced as soon as they are proved practicable, 
in the line of progression this institution stand- 
ing second to none in the Union. 



JOHN DENNEY. A substantial and pros- 
perous farmer, and a much-respected citizen of 
Albany, John Denney has for many years been 
industriously engaged in the prosecution of a 
calling upon which the support and wealth of 
the nation largely depends, and has met with 
well .deserved success in his undertakings. His 
large farm contains as rich and productive land 
as can be found in this vicinity, and on it he has 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



134? 



erected a comfortable house, good barns and 
outbuildings, and has supplied it with all the 
machinery and equipments required by a first- 
class, modern agriculturist. A native of Ohio, 
he was born September 6, 1840, in the town of 
Athens, where he spent the first twelve years of 
his life. 

His father, Christian Denney, removed from 
Ohio to Oregon in 1852, being about six months 
crossing the plains, with his wife and six chil- 
dren, making the journey with ox-teams. He 
brought with him all of his stock, which con- 
sisted of ten yoke of oxen, seven cows and three 
horses. Coming direct to Linn county, he 
located in Lebanon, where his death occurred 
four weeks later. His widow, whose maiden 
name was Eliza B. Nickerson, took up a dona- 
tion claim of three hundred and twenty acres 
ot land about three miles west of Lebanon ; 
and also bought a squatter's right. Moving 
upon it with her stock, she improved a consider- 
able part of the land, placing it in a yielding 
condition, and there reared her children, giving 
them especially good educational advantages. 
She died at Jefferson, Ore., in 1897, aged 
eighty-four years. Her children, six in number, 
were as follows : Laura, who married William 
Ralston ; Sarah, wife of William H. Galtia, of 
Albany ; Owen N., deceased ; John, the special 
subject of this sketch; Mahala, wife of Frank 
Pike, of Sherman county, Ore. ; and Presley 
M., deceased. Owen N. and Presley Denney 
were educated at the Santiam Academy, in 
Lebanon, finishing at the Willamette University, 
and became lawyers, both being quite prominent. 
Owen N. served as state senator two terms, and 
for several years was judge of Wasco county, 
Ore. He was subsequently consul to China 
under President Hayes, serving in that capacity 
five years, after which he was employed by the 
king of Corea for a period of seven years as 
advisor for the Corean government. Returning 
to Oregon, he followed his profession in Port- 
land until his death, in 1900. Presley M. Den- 
ney was the youngest child, and engaged in the 
practice of law at Portland, and in Utah. He 
served as' prosecuting attorney on the Mountain 
Meadow massacre trial, and for a number of 
years was a member of the Utah state senate. 

After completing his early education at the 
Santiam Academy, John Denney had charge of 
the home farm until 1864. Enlisting then as a 
private in Company F, First Oregon Infantry, 
he served for three years on the frontier, two 
years of the time being on the Snake river, in 
Idaho. Returning to the farm, he has resided 
there the greater part of the time since. In his 
home ranch he has five hundred and twenty 
acres of land, and his wife owns a smaller farm 
containing eighty acres. Practical and pains- 



taking, he has his land under goo'd cultivation, 
and well furnished with excellent improve- 
ments, his estate being a credit to his persever- 
ing energy and good management. In 1881 Mr. 
Denney received from his brother, Owen, then 
consul to China, twenty-six Chinese pheasants 
that arrived here safely out of the thirty shipped, 
and turned them loose near Peterson Butte, they 
being the first birds of the kind to be turned 
loose in Linn county. 

In 1867 Mr. Denney married Sarah F. Kester, 
and they are the parents of two children, namely : 
Effie S. and Malcolm J. The latter is a well 
known physician of Portland, Ore. In politics 
Mr. Denney is a straightforward Republican, and 
for fourteen years served as school clerk. -He is a 
member of the Universalist Church, and a pro- 
moter and supporter of everything calculated to 
advance the welfare of his community, intellect- 
ually, socially or morally, and is greatly esteemed 
for his integrity and ability. 



FREDERICK G. BLUMHART. Born in 
Wurtemberg, Germany, March 24, 1849, Fred- 
erick G. Blumhart is the son of an architect and 
builder who for many years contributed his skill 
to the modern upbuilding of one of the oldest 
and most historic cities in the United States. 
The family came to America when he was a small 
lad, so small that he barely recalls the long voy- 
age in a sailing vessel, or the subsequent settling 
in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., where his father 
continued to ply his trades. The father lived to 
be forty-five years old, and is survived by his 
wife, who today makes her home in the City of 
Brotherly Love, having attained to an age of 
seventy-six years. 

That young Frederick G. was an ambitious 
youngster, and not amenable to control and dis- 
cipline, was demonstrated when he attained his 
ninth year, when his family was completely upset 
by his disappearance from the hearthstone. The 
first they heard of him he was living in Mary- 
land, where he lived until twenty-one years old. 
His next place of residence was in Florida, where 
he found employment helping to set out some of 
the first orange trees in the state near Enterprise, 
and while there he acquired a taste for landscape 
gardening, at which he afterward worked in 
New York state. Coming to Oregon when about 
twenty-eight years of age, he brought with him 
many memories of the Centennial exposition, 
where he had found employment for several 
months, and where he had picked up a great 
deal of useful information. In this state he 
worked for a couple of years on farms near 
Oakville, and in 1880 he came to Corvallis, Ore., 
and for twenty years worked at ferrying in this 
town. No more familiar figure is known here- 



1348 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



abouts, or one more interestingly connected with 
the work-a-day life of the town. 

Incidentally, while running the ferry, Mr. 
Blumhart had invested his savings in real estate, 
thus indicating his faith in the continued pros- 
perity of this well favored locality. He also owns 
a farm of two hundred acres near Corvallis, upon 
which he has made many improvements. It will 
thus be seen that the ferrying business has 
its compensations when in the hands of capable 
and thrifty men, and that the surest and most 
satisfactory means of investment have been re- 
sorted to by the popular and successful boat- 
man. Mr. Blumhart makes his home one and 
a half miles east of Corvallis, the same being 
presided over by the wife whom he married in 
1902, and who was formerly Mrs. Sarah Peggs. 
By no means entirely given over to his chosen 
occupation, Mr. Blumhart has taken an active 
interest in town affairs, particularly Republican 
politics, and for fifteen years has been a member 
of the school board. He is a welcome member 
of the Maccabees Lodge, and is equally at home 
in various social and church organizations. Re- 
spected and honored by all with whom he has 
come in contact during his many years as a 
ferryman, he is to be congratulated that his lines 
have fallen in pleasant places, and that many 
earnest friends strive to brighten his pathway 
with kindly and sincere attentions. 



JAMES BRUCE. It is doubtful if any pio- 
neer of the great state of Oregon more emphatic- 
ally represents the letter and spirit of progress- 
iveness than does James Bruce, whose prominence 
as a large land owner and extensive agriculturist 
is subservient to his invaluable services in 
connection with the Rogue river war, in which 
memorable contest he won the rank of major by 
which he has since been known. A world of 
romance and adventure is centered in the lives 
of the greatest of the Indian fighters, not only 
because of the peculiar daring of which they 
gave evidence, but because of the vital import- 
ance of their mission and its bearing upon the 
later-day development of the west. Organized 
foes must furnish sufficient risks for the most 
venturesome, yet how much greater daring was 
required to deal with ambushed enemies, frenzied 
by the usurpation of their hunting-grounds and 
the destruction of that unmolested freedom which 
practically represented their all. A 'survey of 
Major Bruce's Indian experiences shows him to 
have been not only a relentless pursuer of sav- 
agery and brutality, but a kind and humanitarian 
adjuster of complications, for he entered into 
the feelings of the red men, and understood the 
momentous change which was sweeping them 



from their moorings and placing them within 
the circumscribed corral of civilization. 

The earliest impressions of Major Bruce are 
traced to Harrison county, Ind., where he was 
born November 3, 1827, and where his father 
was managing a farm. His grandfather re- 
sembled him in possessing nerve and a liking 
for border life, for he accompanied Daniel Boone 
on his second expedition into Indiana, and there- 
after made his home in Harrison county. James 
was ten years old when the family moved to 
Adams county, 111., in 1837, and, his father dying 
soon afterward, his mother located in New 
Albany, and in 1875 made her home with him 
in Oregon, where her death occurred at the age 
of eight-seven. The oldest of the seven children 
born to his parents, and also of the four now 
living, James Bruce has a sister Miriam, the 
wife of John Sutton of Ballard, Wash. ; a 
brother, Isaac, of Waterloo, Ore. ; and a sister, 
Emily, the wife of William Levitt of California. 
Interspersed with farming James received the 
average education in the country school near his 
home, and while yet in his teens apprenticed to 
a blacksmith, thereafter following his trade for 
some time. At the age of twenty he began a 
border career in Texas, and for two years had 
ample opportunity to watch the maneuvers of the 
agile Apache Indians, who were constantly men- 
acing the lives and property of the early settlers. 
The wonderful war tactics of these Indians were 
a source of constant surprise to the youth, and 
their ability to disappear and reappear, concen- 
trate and move rapidly, thus giving the appear- 
ance of far greater numbers than they had, and 
their feat of riding concealed on one side of their 
horses, were impressions which sunk deep into 
his responsive and impressionable nature. 

Returning to Quincy, 111., in 1849, Mr - Bruce 
engaged for a time in the river traffic, and in the 
spring of 1850, tiring of the monotony following 
his eventful experiences in Texas, prepared to 
cross the plains with some of his friends. Start- 
ing out with horse-teams he found them imprac- 
ticable, and soon traded his horses for oxen, with 
which he continued with practically few unusual 
experiences. After a short time spent in the 
mines at Placerville, Cal.. he went north to 
Shasta county and the Reddings diggings, where 
he mined in distinguished company, his fellow - 
fortuneseekers including Hon. John Kelly, 
Thomas Brown and John Milligan. With these 
companions he made a trip to the famous Scott's 
bar, where he was overcome with ague, and was 
obliged to rely upon the thoughtful care _ of his 
friends. The journey was accomplished with ox- 
teams, and owing to a scarcity of provisions Mr. 
Bruce saw a means of adding to his own finances 
and at the same time improving the condition of 
the miners. He brought a band of cattle to the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1349 



mining district and sold the beef at fifty-five cents 
a pound. With this money he was enabled to 
start up a ranching business with Dr. Robinson, 
which he soon afterward disposed of, and assist- 
ed in establishing Crescent City on the coast. 

In 1852 Mr. Bruce came to Jacksonville, on 
the Rogue river, and there became interested 
in packing and merchandising, both of which 
occupations were rendered precarious by the con- 
stant uprising of the Indians, and their im- 
placable resistance to the white man's invasion. 
Instances too numerous to mention of the hair- 
breadth escapes of this intrepid pioneer could 
be recounted were space only permitted for their 
insertion, but it is sufficient to say that he bravely 
came to the front in the emergency of the hour, 
and had his share of the hardship, deprivation 
and danger incident to the long drawn out cam- 
paign. In an especially hazardous venture the 
major was destined to realize that gratitude lives 
even in the hearts of bloodthirsty savages, for in 
1853, while the war was well under way, with 
R. B. Metcalf Mr. Bruce was delegated to seek 
the camp of Chief Joseph, in order to secure his 
co-operation in calling in the marauding Indians. 
They found the chief encamped in a natural 
fortress, his tent indicated by a blue cloth, and, 
knowing him to be a man of peace, their desire 
was to reach him before their presence should 
be discovered by his subordinates. Such was not 
to be. however, for a howling, hooting mob soon 
convinced them that their lives were not worth 
a farthing, and that their doom was approaching 
resistlessly. At this juncture an Indian boy 
named Sambo, whose life Mr. Bruce had saved 
from infuriated miners who were stringing up 
Indians at Jacksonville, some time previously 
appeared shouting at the top of his voice that 
the white man should not be killed. His inter- 
ference turned the thought of the mob tempor- 
arily, and in the meantime Chief -Joseph ap- 
peared on the scene, albeit in an unamiable frame 
of mind. At first inclined to censure the moder- 
ation of his braves, he was at length led to hear 
the story of the white men, and finally consented 
to visit' General Lane, upon whose suggestion 
the emissaries had sought the intercession of the 
chief. Needless to say. the boy Sambo treasured 
no greater gratitude in his heart than does 
Major Bruce today, for not only his own but his 
companion's life was saved, and a terrible 
slaughter averted. 

"When things had quieted down to some extent 
the major located on a claim near Table Rock, 
and in 1854 purchased of the Indians the right 
to cut hay in Sam's valley, he being under con- 
tract to supply the government post at Fort 
Lane. His gift of a horse to his old friend 
Chief Joseph brought him into considerable 
trouble, for it aroused the jealousy of Chief Zach, 



who called a council of war, and determined upon 
the killing of the horse, the burning of the hay, 
and the expulsion of the white men. Here again 
the tact and kindliness of Mr. Bruce was brought 
into play, for he was besought by his friends 
among the Indians to placate the irate chief, and 
forthwith took his place in the midst of the delib- 
erations, within the circle of the council. When 
it came his turn to show cause why action should 
not be taken he most eloquently led their minds 
and hearts into more peaceful channels, telling 
them that he loved them, and had come to speak 
to them as brothers, and as having a common 
father in heaven. Tactfully he referred to pass- 
ages in the bible substantiating his statements, 
even explaining why some were white men and 
others colored, basing the fact upon differences 
in occupation, and environment, and thus preach- 
ing the kinship of the world. Needless to say, 
he was permitted to cut his hay and pursue his 
way uninterruptedly. 

A different aspect of the matter in 1855 made 
further intercession of a peaceful nature impos- 
sible, for after Fields and Cunningham were 
killed in the Siskiyou mountains, Mr. Bruce 
formed a battalion of which he was made major, 
and relentlessly pursued the murderers. He took 
part in the battle of Hungry Hill and many 
other battles of an important nature, and in the 
history of those troublesome times the work of 
his men stands out in clear outlines, brave, deter- 
mined, and practically useful. Peace established 
in the land, he came to Benton county in 1857, 
and on the Rogue river, north of Table Rock, 
took up a donation claim upon which he lived 
until 1862. In 1857 he married Margaret Kin- 
ney, daughter of Colonel Kinney, of Benton 
county, and in 1862 removed to Lewiston, where 
he got out timber for Fort Lapwai. For one 
season he engaged in the dairy business, and 
later manipulated stock interests, in time pur- 
chasing his present farm of three hundred and 
twenty acres ten and a half miles south of Cor- 
vallis on the old Territorial road. More than 
ordinary improvements mark the appointments 
of this ideal home, to which he has added and 
now has nine hundred acres, devoted to general 
farming and stock-raising. In many wavs the 
major has taken the initiative in agricultural 
directions, and the first Jersey cattle in this 
vicinity were purchased by him in Philadelphia. 
Practical and resourceful, he has availed himself 
of all known aids to scientific farming, and his 
environment in beauty and productiveness is not 
exceeded in this part of the state. 

In 1884 Major Bruce lost his first wife, and in 
1886 he married Miss Elizabeth Mark, with 
whom, and his daughter, Sarah Catherine, he is 
passing his declining years. At present a mem- 
ber of the People's party, he has served both 



1350 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Washington and Benton counties in the legisla- 
ture, and he was an elector on the Douglas 
ticket in i860. His reputation outside the borders 
of his adopted county may be judged when it is 
known that he was one of the judges of agri- 
cultural implements at the Philadelphia Centen- 
nial in 1876. He is a charter member of the 
Oregon Grange, and has actively concerned him- 
self with its organization and maintenance. Thus 
is told all too briefly the life-story of one of the 
stalwart founders of the many-sided structure 
of the western slope, a man whose personal 
characteristics have permeated whatever sur- 
roundings he has temporarily acknowledged, and 
whose word and influence have been Of inesti- 
mable value to the great northwest. 



representative of an honored pioneer name is 
well utilizing the opportunities by which he is 
surrounded, and in return for meeting in good 
faith all in his busy and well directed life, he has 
their good will and esteem, and their hope for 
continued financial and other good fortune. 



HON. R. S. IRWIN. The agricultural, politi- 
cal and general prestige established and main- 
tained for many years by that esteemed pioneer, 
Richard Irwin, has in no way diminished in the 
hands of his son, Hon. R. S. Irwin, one of the 
popular and prominent agriculturists of the 
vicinity of Corvallis. Born on the old claim nine 
miles south of the city, he was reared in a prac- 
tical home atmosphere, and taught the value of 
a good education, and uncompromising alleg- 
iance to uprightness and integrity. After leaving 
the public schools he took a course in the Cor- 
vallis College, and • thereafter settled down to 
farming in earnest on the home place. 

After his marriage with Effie Winkle, repre- 
sentative of another pioneer family, and who was 
born on her father's donation claim near Cor- 
vallis, Mr. Irwin continued to keep house on the 
old place, for five years and then bought his 
present farm of four hundred and seventy-five 
acres thirteen miles south of Corvallis, and com- 
prising a portion of the old Slagle and Perkins 
donation claim. There were practically few im- 
provements of a modern nature on the place, 
and the present appearance of thrift and pro- 
gressiveness has been brought about through the 
untiring and practical efforts of the present 
owner. Two hundred and eighty acres are under 
cultivation, the land being advantageously laid 
out, and devoted to general farming, stock and 
grain raising. Mr. Irwin has one of the finest 
barns in his neighborhood, and his house is large 
and commodioiis, and well adapted to the cheer 
and genuine hospitality so characteristic of the 
owner and his accomplished wife. 

Three children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Irwin, Fannie, Leanna, and Bessie, all of 
whom are living at home with their parents. A 
Democrat in political affiliation, Mr. Irwin is now 
serving as commissioner of Benton county, 
having' alreadv held many of the local offices in 
his township. " Wide awake and enterprising, this 



THOMAS MILTON GATCH, M. A., PH. D. 
A man of scholarly attainments, keenly alive to 
the progressive methods of instruction in vogue 
today, and with the prestige on both sides of 
the house of a line of ancestors professionally 
educated, President Gatch has made his influence 
felt in the educational circles of the Pacific states, 
and has worthily contributed his full share in 
maintaining the high standard of the Oregon 
Agricultural College, with which he is officially 
connected as president. 

The descendant of a Prussian family that 
emigrated to the United States in old colonial 
days, he comes of old Virginia stock, his paternal 
grandfather, Philip Gatch, and his father, 
Thomas Gatch, having been born and reared in 
Virginia. Rev. Philip Gatch was one of the first 
three ministers ordained in the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church in America, and was afterwards a 
chaplain in the Revolutionary army, serving 
under Washington. Subsequently removing to 
Ohio, he continued his pastoral labors there, and 
was a member of the first constitutional conven- 
tion of that state, being a delegate from Cler- 
mont county. 

Thomas Gatch spent his early life in Powhatan 
county, Va., the place of his birth, but after 
removing with his parents to Ohio engaged in 
agricultural pursuits in Clermont county, remain- 
ing there until his death. A man of noble char- 
acter and good business ability, always faithful 
to the trusts reposed in him, he exerted a wide 
influence in the management of public affairs, 
for several terms being a member of the Ohio 
state legislature, and for a number of years he 
was an officer in the Ohio militia, holding, a com- 
mission as general. A strong believer in the 
religious faith in which he was reared, he was 
an active member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He married Lucinda E. McCormick, 
who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Rev. Fran- 
cis McCormick, a native of Virginia, who also 
served as a chaplain in the Revolutionary war, 
and afterward established the first Methodist 
Episcopal class west of the Alleghany mountains, 
settling as a minister in Ohio, where his later 
years were spent. Of the nine children born of 
their union, Thomas Milton Gatch, the special 
subject of this sketch, is the only survivor. 

A native of Milford, Clermont county, Ohio, 
Thomas M. Gatch was born January 28, 1833. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1351 



and was reared on the home farm. After his 
graduation from the Milford high school, he 
entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Dela- 
ware, Ohio, from which he received the degree 
of A. B. in 1855, and the degree of A. M. in 
1858. Going then to California by way of the 
Isthmus, Mr. Gatch was engaged in mining for 
a short time in Tuolumne county, but gave up 
the work to take the chair of mathematics and 
natural sciences in the University of the Pacific, 
at Santa Clara, a position that he held until 
January, 1859. Coming then to the northwest, 
he established a literary institute at Olympia, 
Wash., with which he was connected but a brief 
time when he was urged to become professor of 
Greek and Latin at the Willamette University, 
in Salem, Ore. A year later, on the resignation 
of President Hoyt, Professor Gatch was made 
president of the university, and continued in 
that position until 1865, when he resigned and 
returned to California to become principal of the 
public schools of Santa Cruz. Coming back 
to Oregon he served as principal of Portland 
Academy, at Portland, until 1870. Then, on the 
resignation of Rev. Nelson Rounds, D. D., in 
1870, Dr. Gatch succeeded him as president of 
the Willamette University, taking the office for 
the second time. His former administration 
having been unusually successful and popular, 
he found a cordial and sincere welcome awaiting 
him, and on tendering his resignation, in 1879, 
it was after some deliberation regretfully ac- 
cepted by the board of trustees. 

Going then to Eugene, Dr. Gatch became pro- 
fessor of English literature at the University of 
Oregon, afterwards serving as first principal of 
Wasco Academy, at The Dalles, an office that 
he resigned to accept the presidency of the Uni- 
versity of Washington, at Seattle. He remained 
in that position ten years, during which time 
important improvements were made, the new 
college building being erected, and other benefi- 
cial changes inaugurated. He next filled the 
chair of political science in the same university 
for a year, remaining until 1896, when he was 
elected to his present position as president of the 
Oregon Agricultural College. Under his judi- 
cious management this school has made great 
progress, meeting in a satisfactory degree the 
needs of the growing boys and girls of the state, 
and, with its finely equipped buildings, thorough 
and systematic methods of teaching the various 
branches of learning necessary to a practical 
understanding of agricultural and mechanical 
arts, and with its superior staff of teachers, this 
college occupies a high rank among similar insti- 
tutions in the Union, and is one of which Oregon 
may well be proud. The college grounds com- 
prise nearly one hundred and eighty-five acres 
of land, one hundred and forty-five acres of 



which is used for farming purposes, being im- 
proved with all the buildings, implements and 
stock to be found on a farm carried on after the 
most approved modern methods. Nine large 
buildings have been erected to meet the require- 
ments of the students, each being fitted up with 
all the modern appliances needed. 

While a resident of Santa Cruz, Dr. Gatch 
married Miss Orytha Bennett, who was born in 
Illinois, and went to California with her parents 
before the rush of 1849, being there in February, 
1848, when, in the mill-race at Sutter's Mills, 
James Marshall discovered gold. Of the five 
children that blessed their union, three are living, 
the record of the family being as follows : 
Claud, a prominent and influential citizen of 
Salem, Ore., is cashier of the Ladd & Bush 
Bank ; Claire is the wife of Laban H. Wheeler, 
Esq., of Seattle ; Leigh and Ruth died in Seattle ; 
and Grace, a graduate of University of Washing- 
ton, is at home. 

Dr. Gatch was a member of the first State 
Board of Examiners in Oregon, and is now a 
member of the present board. His ability as an 
educator is recognized in professional circles, and 
he has been honored by other institutions than 
his alma mater, having been given the degree of 
Ph. D. by the DePauw University of Indiana. 
Politically he is a Republican, and fraternally 
he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He was 
made a Mason at Santa Cruz, Cal. ; was master 
of Salem Lodge No. 4, F. & A. M. ; and re- 
ceived the thirty-second degree of Scottish 
Rite Masonry at Seattle. The doctor joined Che- 
meketa Lodge No. 1, I. O. O. F., at Salem, Ore., 
and has served as grand master and grand patri- 
arch of Oregon. 



BENJAMIN F. BEEZLEY. The timber 
industry, which has furnished fortunes to thou- 
sands who have settled in the west, is appre- 
ciated by Benjamin F. Beezley, who, at Falls 
City, is engaged in locating timber, and deal- 
ing in real estate. He has made a practical 
study of the timber industry, has examined the 
forests, and knOAvs where the best may be 
found, and in this way is of valuable assistance 
to would-be purchasers. He probably has as ac- 
curate an idea of the kind and extent of the tim- 
ber lands of Oregon as any man now engaged 
in locating claims. So successful was he dur- 
ing about four years of this kind of work, that 
in 1902 he associated himself in business with 
Zimri Hinshaw, and in consequence the busi- 
ness increased and is becoming widely known. 

Benjamin F. is not the only worthy represen- 
tative of his family in Falls City, for his father, 
Edward E., the founder of the name in the 
west, is engaged in a flourishing nursery busi- 



1352 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ness. The father was born in the state of Illi- 
nois, and when a young man removed to Ar- 
kansas, thence to Missouri, where he married 
Sarah Cossairt, a native of Jay county, Ind., 
near the Ohio line. His son, Benjamin F., was 
born September 3, 1875, where he engaged in 
the nursery business in Hickory county. In 

1888 he removed to the west and located in 
Whitman county, Wash., and the following 
year came to Polk county, Ore. Near Dallas 
he rented land and started a nursery business, 
conducting the same with fair success from 

1889 to 1893, when he transferred his business 
to Falls City. He is still active and devoted to 
his chosen occupation, for which he possesses 
special aptitude. To some extent he ships his 
goods out of the state, and, altogether, con- 
ducts a fairly successful business. 

The oldest of the three sons born to his par- 
ents, Benjamin F. was early in life taught self- 
reliance, and was given a good education that 
he might better succeed in his life work. His 
education at Dallas College was of his own 
provision, for, at the age of fourteen, he hired 
out as a farm hand, and carefully saved his 
earnings, that he might gain a knowledge of 
the higher branches. Eventually, he engaged 
in teaching for a year, and, in 1900, started the 
business in which he is still interested. He is 
a very intelligent and well-posted man, and it 
is his aim to increase his general knowledge as 
opportunity shall present itself. In January, 
1900, he took up a homestead claim of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres on the Siletz river, which 
he proposed to improve and sell. Three chil- 
dren have been born into the family of Mr. 
Beezley, of whom John E. is attending the 
normal school at Monmouth, Ore., and Jessie 
is living at home. 

B. F. Beezley is a Republican in politics, 
and is fraternally prominent, being a member 
of the Eastern Star, the Blue Lodge, F. & A. 
M. ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; 
the Modern Woodmen of America, and the 
Grange. 



McELVY WOOTEN. In McElvy Wooten, 
Lane county has an agriculturist identified with 
her pioneer and present day development, and 
one in whom is blended practical and progres- 
sive ideas, and extremely painstaking ways of 
carrying them out. From earliest youth the 
heir to responsibility, his mother having died 
when he was a child, he moved from his native 
state of Maryland where he was born Decem- 
ber 11, 1827, with his father and the rest of the 
family to Tennessee, and from there to Mis- 
souri, where the father, James Wooten, died in 
1842. The children kept together on the farm 



until they married or went their respective ways 
in life, McElvey Wooten starting out at once on 
a career of independence as a farm hand. He 
rented a farm in Missouri, but gave it up in 
the spring of 1850, that he might join the 
throngs in their search after homes and fortunes 
in the far west. 

Under the guidance of Major Ball, Mr. 
Wooten crossed the plains with ox-teams, was 
on the road for about six months, and during 
that time encountered little of an unpleasant or 
dangerous nature. After spending the first win- 
ter in the Waldo hills in Marion county, he went 
in 1 85 1 to northern California, and for a year 
prospected and mined with rather dishearten- 
ing results. Reared to farming, .he naturally 
returned to the occupation of his youth, being 
sure at least of an honest living, and of com- 
parative immunity from entire failure. Taking 
up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres 
two miles east of Creswell, on the coast fork of 
the Willamette river, he started in to improve 
his land, and was soon comfortably located on 
land which held great promise, but which had 
hitherto known little of improvement. He found 
a wife and companion in Eliza Jane Bunyard, 
who was born in Missouri, and died on the old 
donation claim, having borne her husband five 
children. Of these, all are deceased but James, 
who occupies and manages the old home. For 
a second wife Mr. Wooten married Lucy M. 
Conrad, the widow of D. G. Conrad, who was a 
pioneer of 1852 and they had nine children, 
five of whom are living, one of whom is living 
in Lane county, the wife of T. B. Brown. Mrs. 
Wooten's father, A. J. Cruzan,' brought her 
across the plains in 1853, locating on a farm in 
Lane county. 

As his stock-raising and general farming has 
increased in extent, Mr. Wooten has found his 
land inadequate, and so has made more recent 
purchases, owning at present three hundred and 
ninety acres, sixty of which are under cultiva- 
tion. He devotes much thought and study to 
fine stock, and some of the best which reaches 
local markets attained perfection while grazing 
in his meadows. No name in this county car- 
ries with it greater political weight than does 
that of Mr. Wooten, whose stanch support of 
Republicanism, disinterested and altogether 
worthy services, have ennobled opportunities 
which often have been turned to base account. 
The friend and promoter of education, he has 
served for many years on the school board, his 
own limited early chances having emphasized in 
his mind the necessity for a practical common 
school education. He is fraternally connected 
with the Masons, and his religious associations 
are with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dur- 








&J^b<i--£e_£rrfUB^--^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1355 



ing the Civil war Mr. Wooten was a member 
of the National Guard. He is foremost in ail 
philanthropic undertakings in his community, 
giving liberally of his hard-earned means to 
further the cause of peace and happiness among 
all classes. His friends are many and stanch, 
his character is above reproach, and financial 
success has crowned his years of well directed 
industrv. 



HON. JOHN WHITE AKER. The position 
which Hon. John Whiteaker occupied in the po- 
litical life of the state of Oregon was one of 
prominence from the formation of the common- 
wealth, being elected in June, 1858, as governor 
of the state, it being believed in Oregon that 
the bill for the admission of Oregon had been 
passed by Congress. It afterward transpired that 
the bill did not pass until early in 1859, an & not 
until official information thereof was received did 
Mr. Whiteaker assume the duties of the gov- 
ernor's office, continuing to act as chief executive 
then until September 10, 1862, the date of the 
inauguration of his successor. In the years that 
followed before the death of this honored pioneer 
he was called upon many times to act in public 
office, the earnestness with which he adhered to 
strong convictions, the energy with which he 
prosecuted his labors, and the unflinching in- 
tegrity upon which his life work was founded 
winning for him to an exceptional degree the con- 
fidence of all who came to know him well 
throughout his long life of service. His death 
occurred in Eugene October 2, 1902. 

The American progenitor of the Whiteaker 
family was the great-grandfather of Governor 
Whiteaker, who came from Holland before the 
Revolutionary war. His son James married 
Jemima Moore, by whom he had four children, 
namely : John, Sarah, David and Rachel, the 
first named son being born in Pennsylvania in 
1786. Earh- in life he settled in Indiana where 
he married Nancy Smales, a native of Maryland, 
in time removing to Allen county, Ind., where his 
death occurred October 14, 1864, at the age of 
seventy-eight years and eight months. His wife 
passed away April 24, 1868, when about eighty- 
two years of age. They were the parents of the 
following children, all of whom were born in 
Dearborn county, Ind. : James, born September 
8, 1812; Eliza, born September 30, 1815, and 
died in infancy ; Douglas Livingston, born Aug- 
ust 16, 1817; John, the special subject of this 
review, born May 4, 1820; and Catherine, born 
June 18, 1823. The early life of John Whiteaker 
was spent upon his father's farm in Dearborn 
county. Ind., his home duties being interspersed 
with a very brief period of schooling, six months 
in all. When sixteen years of age he left home 

63 



and for the ensuing ten years was traveling over 
the western and southern states in the pursuit of 
a livelihood, being engaged in 1842 in Posey 
county, Ind., working at the carpenter's trade 
for a period of three years, during which time 
he attended school at intervals. In the spring of 
1845 ne went to Victoria, Knox county, 111., 
where he followed his trade until the fall of 
1846, when he went to Putnam county, Mo., and 
spent the winter. In the spring of the following 
year he located in Alexandria, Clark county, of 
the same state, and followed his trade there until 
July, when he returned to Putnam county and on 
August 22, 1847, was united in marriage with 
Nancy Jane Hargrave, the daughter of Thomas 
and Cecelia (French) Hargrave. He then pur- 
chased some tools in Lancaster and built the first 
home for himself and wife, where he remained 
working at the trade of carpenter and cabinet- 
maker until the spring of 1849. Attracted then 
by the prospects held out by the rich mines of 
California, Mr. Whiteaker left his wife with her 
parents and sought the gold fields of the western 
state. He mined along the American river with 
fair success until the summer of 1851, when he 
returned to Missouri and with his family set out 
in the following year for Oregon. Owning his 
own outfit he crossed the plains in company with 
John Partin, Thomas Jefferies and several other 
families from Missouri, he being elected captain 
of the train which came over the old Oregon 
trail, reaching Yamhill county October 26, 1852. 
In the spring of 1853 he moved south to Spencer 
Butte, Lane county, where he took up a donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres and 
engaged in farming. Six years later he sold his 
farm and purchased another near Pleasant Hill, 
Lane county, where he remained until 1885, en ~ 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising. 
Having been appointed by President Cleveland 
to the position of collector of internal revenue 
he then sold his farm and removed to Portland, 
where he resided during his incumbency of office, 
in 1889 making his home in Eugene, where he 
spent the remainder of his life. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Whiteaker were born, four 
children. Anna makes her home with her mother 
in Eugene ; another daughter is the wife of 
D. W. Jarvis, of Portland ; Benjamin is located 
in Eugene ; and James Emmett is in Idaho. In 
his political preferment a Democrat, Mr. White- 
aker was always active in the promotion of the 
principles he endorsed. While residing at Pleas- 
ant Hill he was made justice of the peace, this 
being his first political office. In 1856 he was 
elected judge of the probate court of Lane 
county, and in the following spring was elected 
to the territorial legislature, following which he 
was elected to the highest office in the gift of the 
people, that of governor of the state of Oregon, 



1356 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



serving from March 3, 1859, to September 10, 
1862. After his retirement to private life he 
served several terms in the state legislature and 
senate, being chosen speaker of the former body 
and president of the latter, and in 1878 he was 
elected to the Forty-sixth United States Con- 
gress for two years. Although retired from the 
active cares of life after his removal to Eugene, 
Mr. Whiteaker ever lent his influence toward 
the furtherance of every and all enterprises whose 
end was the betterment of the city, county or 
state. He owned about ten blocks in the city 
which he laid out into lots, forming what is now 
known as the Whiteaker addition on the south- 
west. Steadfast in his adherence to principle, 
faithful in friendship and ever earnest in the ad- 
vancement of the welfare of his adopted state, he 
won and retained a large circle of friends and 
admirers, whose loss through his death can only 
be partially compensated by the memory of the 
life which he lived. 



THOMAS J. VAUGHAN. Connected as he 
was with the earliest history of the state, Thomas 
J. Vaughan, a resident of Lane county for a 
half century or more, is familiar with all that 
has gone before the greatness and prosperity of 
Oregon. Toward the fulfillment of developed 
resources he has given the enthusiastic help of 
youth, the steadier decision of more mature 
years, and in the evening of his life enjoys the 
peace and contentment which rewards labor well 
done. His name is surely enrolled among the 
useful pioneers of the state, and the honor 
accorded such is given to him by all who know 
him. 

Mr. Vaughan was born in Wayne county, W. 
Va., August 13, 1830. Five years after his 
birth his parents removed to Illinois and located 
near Springfield, where they remained six 
months, then returning to the former state. In 
1839 they moved across the river into Kentucky 
and remained for a period of four months, then 
continuing the journey west until they located 
in Platte county, Mo., from which state they 
emigrated toward the more remote lands. In 
1845 the father was attracted toward the oppor- 
tunities of Oregon, traveling by pack animals 
across the plains in the party which had an un- 
pleasant experience in Meek's cut-off, and on 
his arrival in the state he went to work in a saw- 
mill in Salem, where he remained throughout 
the winter. He returned to the Mississippi val- 
ley in 1846, and found that his own family did 
not know him, as he had not cut his hair nor 
beard in the entire time. Having been favor- 
ably impressed with the outlook, he outfitted 
with oxen and three- wagons and necessary sup- 
plies, and in the spring of 1847 started again 



across the plains with his wife and nine children. 
Just before leaving he had purchased some cows 
and two hundred and fifty-eight sheep, and, 
these were the first blooded sheep brought into 
the state from the east, some of which were 
afterwards sold to Benjamin Fields, who pur- 
chased fifty head of the original flock, but 
Minto's history of the sheep industry of Oregon 
makes an error by giving Benjamin Fields the 
credit of importing these same sheep. During 
the trip which occupied the time from May 17 
to September they lost all but one hundred 
sheep. Mr. Vaughan first located in Marion 
county, where the family remained for a few 
months, after which the father took up a dona- 
tion claim in Linn county, consisting of six hun- 
dred and forty acres in the neighborhood of 
West Point. In August, 1848, Mr. Vaughan 
went to California by pack animals and mined 
on the American river, and while there helped 
to hang some men at Hangtown. He was suc- 
cessful in his venture and came north with 
$14,000 in gold. Again in 1849 ne an d two 
sons, Alexander and Thomas, went to California 
and mined on the Trinit)', and were once more 
successful. Returning in the fall of the year 
to Oregon, he remained at home until 1851, 
when he again tried his fortunes in the Golden 
. state, in that year being one of the first to dis- 
cover the Yreka mines. He returned home, and 
the family continued to live in Linn county until 
1857, when they removed to Lane county, the 
father purchasing three hundred and twenty- 
five acres near Coburg. He continued a resi- 
dent of that county until his death, which oc- 
curred near Thurston, November 18, 1888, at 
the age of eighty years and twenty-seven days. 
His wife died October 12, 1901, when nearly 
ninety-one years old. 

Thomas J. Vaughan was seventeen years old 
when he crossed the plains with his parents, his 
duty on the trip being to drive the sheep. In 
1849 ne accompanied his father to California, 
and June 5, 1850; he was married to Elizabeth 
S. Sampson, a native of Platte county, Mo., 
with whose sister and brother-in-law, Luther 
White, he had crossed the plains in 1847. He 
then moved to his father's six hundred and forty 
acre donation claim, where he lived seven years, 
when he came to his present location and pur- 
chased a farm of three hundred and twenty 
acres, upon which he now carries on general 
farming and stock-raising. Eleven children were 
born to himself and wife, of whom Phoebe E. 
is the wife of Mr. Meyers and lives in Wash- 
ington ; Benjamin F. was postmaster at Hepp- 
ner, Ore., and he and his wife were both drowned 
in the Heppner flood ; Oren is a cattleman of Ne- 
vada; Olive is the wife of Henry Bollin, of 
Lane county; Martha is the wife of A. Sim- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1357 



mons; Orella lives in Seattle; Mary J. is the 
wife of Joseph Klien, of Heaklsburg, Cal. ; Em- 
ma is the wife of J. W. Shumate, of Walter- 
ville. Ore. ; Jeremiah is located near his father'* 
farm; Alta.G. died in 1888; and Lizzie is the 
wife of P. L. Barber, who is connected with the 
interests of Air. Vaughan. 

In politics Mr. Vaughan is a Republican, and 
as such has represented his party in various 
offices, and was a member of the state legisla- 
ture in 1897 and a justice of the peace for many 
years. He was the first chairman of the first 
convention to organize the Republican party in 
Lane county, which was held in 1856, and he 
now has the minutes of that meeting in his pos- 
session. Out of forty men present he is one of 
three now living. In fraternal relations he 
has been an Odd Fellow for forty-three years, 
and also belongs to the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. He is a member of the Christian 
Church. 



JOEL HIRLBURT. After many years of 
arduous toil in developing a large farm in Ben- 
ton county, Ore., Joel Hirlburt is now living re- 
tired in Monroe, one of the highly honored and 
enterprising members of the community. His 
farm of three hundred acres, four miles south- 
east of the town, furnishes interest and relaxa- 
tion whenever he chooses to visit it, but he has 
permanently stepped down from his former posi- 
tion of guide and manager, having turned the 
responsibility over to younger and more vigorous 
people. As his success as a general farmer and 
stock-raiser has increased from year to year he 
has invested in town property, and now owns 
some valuable lots inside the limits, which, taken 
in connection with his farm, make him indeed 
a large property-owner. 

That Mr. Hirlburt should devote his energies 
to farming is not to be wondered at, for as far 
back as he can remember or has heard his fore- 
fathers engaged in the same thrifty occupation. 
From Athens county, Ohio, where he was born 
and spent his earliest years, he removed with 
his family to Indiana, and from there to Mis- 
souri, and there married Nancy Casteel, a native 
of Indiana, and with whom he went to house- 
keeping on a farm. To his neighborhood came 
many rumors of gold and fertile lands in the 
west, to all of which he listened with the enthusi- 
asm of an ambitious and far-sighted man, deter- 
mined to make the best of the abilities with which 
nature had endowed him. Disposing of his Mis- 
souri interests, he prepared to cross the plains in 
1863. outfitting with ox-teams, and accomplish- 
ing his journey with little of the trouble or depri- 
vation which made of earlier migrations hideous 
nightmares. The first winter in the west was 



spent on a farm near Salem, Marion county, and 
in the spring of 1854 he came to Benton county, 
the same fall moving to Lane county, where he 
took up a donation claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres, on which he built a small log house 
and prepared to clear his land. He was fairly 
successful in accomplishing his purpose, but 
thought he could improve his conditions when, 
about 1872, he sold his claim and purchased his 
farm of three hundred acres, four miles south- 
east of Monroe. This also was in a compara- 
tively crude state, and ere crops could be put in 
much work had to be done. On the new claim 
three children were reared to maturity : Lewis, 
deceased ; Ellen ; and Arrena, the wife of A. 
Goodman, of the vicinity of Monroe. 

After the death of his wife, in 1898, Mr. Hirl- 
burt lived on the home farm for two years, and 
then moved into Monroe, his principal object be- 
ing the education of his grandchildren, of whom 
he is very fond. In no sense has he ever aspired 
to public recognition of any kind, and has not 
even taken a decided stand in politics, believing 
in voting for the man best qualified to serve the 
community welfare. He is noted for his rugged 
sincerity, his practical and worthy life, and those 
sterling traits of character which everywhere win 
respect and honest appreciation. 



CHARLES M. CRITTENDEN. As the 
only real estate dealer in the promising little 
town of Hubbard, Charles M. Crittenden en- 
joys a distinct advantage, for much valuable 
town and country property will pass through 
his hands. Although but a recent addition to 
the business life of the town, having arrived in 
1899, he has already impressed his general 
worth upon the public, who are inclined to co- 
operate with him in his efforts to spread abroad 
a knowledge of the many advantages of this 
well-favored section of the country. He is a 
justice of the peace, and is further interested in 
the social side of his adopted town as a mem- 
ber of the Knights of Pythias and the Knights 
of the Maccabees. In political affiliation he is 
a Republican. 

A native of Martin county, Minn., Mr. Crit- 
tenden was born March 2, 1870, his father, 
William, having been born in New York state, 
May 17, 1837. The elder Crittenden removed 
to Michigan as a young man, and from there 
went to Minnesota, where he engaged at his 
trade as machinist. In 1869 he took up his 
residence in Martin county, Minn., and in 1873 
went to Sioux Falls, S. D., where he took up 
a timber claim of one hundred and sixty acres. 
While working at his trade he worked this 
claim, and in 1887 removed to Tuscola county, 
Mich,, where he bought a ranch of one hundred 



1358 



FORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and sixty acres, upon which he has since lived. 
His wife, Ella A. (Hackett) Crittenden, was 
born in Vermont, and came west with her par- 
ents as a child, settling in Minnesota. She also 
is living, and is the mother of six children, five 
sons and one daughter, of whom two died in 
infancy. 

The oldest child in his father's family, 
Charles M. Crittenden was educated in the 
public schools, ending at the normal school of 
South Dakota. At the age of nineteen he 
began teaching school in Michigan, continuing 
this occupation after coming to Oregon, in dif- 
ferent parts of Clackamas county, and in Hub- 
bard, to which town he removed in 1899. 
While teaching he saw an opportunity here 
for a live, energetic real estate business, and 
inaugurated his present promising enterprise. 
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Crittenden, Mae L., Ruby B. and Jay, aged, re- 
spectively, nine, seven .and five years. Mr. 
Crittenden is a man of high ideals, is well 
posted on current events, and is unquestion- 
ably destined for a prominent place in the up- 
building of his adopted town. 



DARIUS G. McCLARAN. Though a com- 
paratively new comer to his present farm, having 
settled thereon in 1901, Darius G. McClaran has 
a firmly established reputation as a general farm- 
er and stock-raiser, the greater part of his pres- 
ent competence having been acquired in the latter 
occupation. His farm of two hundred acres is 
devoted almost exclusively to high-grade stock. 
Mr. McClaran is one of the hundreds of men who 
traveled long and wearily before reaching their 
destination in the west, and his experience and 
that of others leads one to wonder how many of 
the homeseekers of today would be willing to un- 
dergo the dangers incident to the long journey 
across the plains. Born in Holmes county, Ohio, 
March 21, 1845, ne wa s a year old when his 
parents moved near Bowling Green, Ind., and 
from there they moved to Guthrie county, Iowa, 
in 1852. Here Darius developed into a strong 
and capable young man, attended the near-by 
district school for a few months each winter, and 
looked forward to broader opportunities than 
those by which he was surrounded. In i860 he 
enlisted in the Northern army, under Captain 
Tracy, and served until receiving an honorable 
discharge- 
Many of their neighbors having departed for 
the coast, the McClaran family naturally became 
interested in the project, and finally, in 1868, 
some of their number followed the example of 
their more ambitious friends. Besides Darius G., 
there were two other brothers, James and Rich- 
ard, and their sister, Eliza McClaran, in the 



party, and they had two wagons and four yoke 
of oxen to each wagon, besides some loose stock. 
Their experiences on the plains were greatly 
modified from those of the earlier emigrants, the 
Indians having become used to the approach of 
pale faces, and newly settled towns and villages 
furnishing stopping places for procuring food 
and accommodations. Six months after setting 
out a weary and travel-stained party appeared in 
Forest Grove, entire strangers, and with but 
twenty-five cents left of their funds, but Darius 
secured employment with James Hines, mak- 
ing rails, where he remained two years. He 
afterward sought to win a fortune in the mines 
of Idaho, and after mining and prospecting for 
a time turned his attention to raising cattle, horses 
and sheep, on a ranch at Heppner, Ore. This 
proved so profitable and pleasant an occupation 
that he continued it for eighteen years, and dur- 
ing that time accumulated quite a little fortune, 
becoming prominent in politics and general affairs 
in his neighborhood. In 1885 he bought four 
hundred and eighty acres near Brownsville, Linn 
county, and lived thereon until coming to his 
present farm in 1901. Mr. McClaran is a Re- 
publican in politics, and is fraternally connected 
with the Knights of Pythias and the Maccabees 
of Brownsville and Albany respectively. He is 
progressive and public-spirited, favoring all 
movements which have for their object the ad- 
vancement of the agricultural, educational, moral 
or political standing of the community. 



JOHN E. WYATT. The stable characteristics 
possessed by that fine and venerable pioneer, Wil- 
liam Wyatt, are reproduced in some of his fam- 
ily of children, prominent among whom is John 
E., an extensive farmer and stock-raiser living 
two miles west of Corvallis. William Wyatt, of 
whom extended mention is made elsewhere in 
this work, reared his children to an appreciation 
of their duty as citizens and men, educated them 
practically, and finally started them out upon the 
highway of life with large farms of their own, 
thus giving them an advantage over the majority 
of the young men of the county. John E. Wyatt 
has taken the gift thus presented, added to it. 
improved everything that he owns until it is valu- 
able and profitable, and is conducting as success- 
ful a farming enterprise as may be found in his 
neighborhood. His specialty in the stock line is 
Cotswold sheep and Shorthorn cattle, and upon 
his grassy pastures may be found the most aris- 
tocratic and high-priced of these animals. The 
home farm consists of two hundred and sixty 
acres, and he also owns two hundred and seventy 
acres in the hills, and one hundred and sixty 
further in the mountains. A fine rural residence, 
convenient and modern barns, and up-to-date 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1359 



genera] equipments, make general farming a 
much less arduous task than it was a few years 
ago, and mark the owner as a man of ideas and 
progressive inclinations. 

A native son of the state, Mr. Wyatt was born 
on his father's farm three and a half miles south- 
west of Corvallis, January 26, 1849, and not long 
afterward was taken to the Solomon King farm, 
later still to the St. Clair farm, upon all of which 
the elder Wyatt put in crops and made some 
improvements. In 1850 his parents located on 
the donation claim where he was reared, and 
where he attended school in the neighborhood. 
Afterward he studied at Philomath College, and 
at the age of twenty located on the farm which 
is now his home. In January, 1870, he married 
Mary M. Hinkle, daughter of Jacob Hinkle, an 
early settler of this county, and went to house- 
keeping on his claim, where he has reared seven 
children: Rozella, wife of A. J. Shipley, of 
Monmouth ; Milton, at home ; Lizzie, wdfe of 
Herbert Elliott, of Perrydale ; Minnie, at home ; 
and Ernest, Elbert and Edna, triplets. Like his 
father, Mr. Wyatt is a devoted member of the 
United Brethren Church, and in politics he is a 
Republican. For many years he has rendered 
signal service as road supervisor, and he has 
been a school director for more than twenty 
years. Genial, accommodating and hospitable, 
Mr. Wyatt is also an excellent business man and 
model farmer, and thus added to the social and 
agricultural prestige of a fertile and prosperous 
county. 



MRS. AGXES THOMPSON. Among the 
honored pioneers of this section of the Will- 
amette valley is to be named Mrs. Agnes 
Thompson, who gave up home and near rel- 
atives to bear an uncle and aunt company in 
their journey across the plains in 1852. The 
years have brought many changes into her life, 
as they have into the lives of all pioneers. With 
a family of children about her and many friends 
as an heritage of the years, Mrs. Thompson is 
passing into a pleasant and prosperous old age, 
a firm memory remaining to recall the early 
days of privation and dangers to the present 
generation of the now great and thriving com- 
monwealth. 

Mrs. Thompson was in maidenhood Agnes 
Nye, the descendant of a family which origi- 
nally spelled the name in the French style, being 
of the same blood as Marshal Xey of the French 
army, whose loyalty to Xapoleon cost him his 
life, though not his honor. The first of the 
native born Americans was John Nye, who was 
born in North Sewickly, Pa., and spent his life 
in Wayne county, Ohio, and Kosciusko county, 
Ind., in the latter purchasing and clearing a 



large tract of land, providing for each of his 
twelve children a large farm. John Nye was 
the grandfather of Agnes Nye, her father 
Michael, being born in Wayne county, Ohio, 
and removing with his father to Indiana in 
1835. He was a mason and builder by trade, 
making his livelihood in the prosecution of this 
work until his death in 1848, at the age of 
forty-six years. He was a member of the Bap- 
tist Church, having officiated for many years as 
deacon. He was married twice, his first wife 
being Sophia Clark, who bore him two chil- 
dren : John, who located in Oregon in 1857 and 
engaged in farming in Lincoln county, serving 
with distinction in the Indian w r ars of this 
country ; and Agnes of this review. His second 
marriage united him with Elizabeth Kimes, who 
lived to a good age, dying in Indiana in 1899. 
She was the mother of eight children, of whom 
George died in infancy in Kosciusko county, 
Ind. ; Omar died at the age of twenty-one years 
in Indiana ; Jasper, who served in Company A, 
of the Seventy-fourth Indiana Regiment, is 
county surveyor at Knoxville, Marion county, 
Iowa; Nancy is Mrs. Disher of North Dakota; 
Rowan is a farmer in Bourbon, Ind ; Rebecca is 
the wife of W. S. Yanator, an architect and 
builder of Warsaw, Ind ; Michael is located in 
Idaho ; and Mary is the wife of Julius Magnon, 
of Marshall county, Ind. 

Agnes Nye Thompson was born July 18, 1833, 
in Indiana and was reared on her father's farm 
which was located on the banks of the Tippe- 
canoe river, in the near neighborhood of War- 
saw. W "hen of sufficient age to partake of the 
educational advantages offered in their home 
county she attended a school whose sessions 
were held in a log house, with puncheon floor 
and slab benches, and greased paper as a substi- 
tute for windows. Quill pens were a part of 
the necessary equipment of a pupil. In 1852 
she joined her uncle and aunt, William and 
Rachel Blaine, who, with ox-teams, started 
March 13 for Oregon, driving from their home 
in Indiana. Crossing the Missouri river at 
Council Bluffs, in the path of the many other 
emigrants of that time, they entered upon the 
great trail of their journey, fraught with dan- 
ger, privation and loneliness, their greatest suf- 
fering being caused from the ravages of the 
dread disease of cholera. Mrs. Thompson ex- 
perienced the trials of the disease, but recovered, 
the only member of the family who died being 
Mary Ann Blaine, who was buried upon the 
plains. Upon the arrival of the train in Oregon 
they settled in Brownsville, Linn county. 

January 1, 1855, Agnes Nye was united in 
marriage with Robert Mitchell Thompson, the 
ceremony being performed in Governor Moody's 
house. The first of the name of Thompson to 



1360 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



settle in the United States was James Thomp- 
son, who, with his brother John, left Scotland 
and after a brief stay in Antrim, Ireland, 
settled in Pennsylvania, in the year 1735, the 
former locating in Juniata county, the latter in 
Cumberland county. Robert, the son of James, 
was born in this location, and Robert Mitchell 
likewise first saw the light of day there. In 
addition to the training received from his father 
along agricultural lines, Robert Mitchell Thomp- 
son learned the trade of a carpenter, and when 
a young man he went to Illinois where he en- 
gaged in work of this nature. In 185 1 he crossed 
the plains by ox-teams, locating in Brownsville, 
where after several years spent in the prose- 
cution of his trade, he entered the mercantile 
business. In 1856 he removed to Corvallis, 
Benton county, and after a brief engagement 
at his trade he purchased a farm one mile south 
of Corvallis, containing one hundred and thirty- 
six acres and which is now excellently im- 
proved, being still in the possession of his 
widow. Later he was interested in general mer- 
chandise in Corvallis, and also serving as post- 
master during Grant's administration. In his 
early days he belonged to the Presbyterian 
faith, but his wife being a member of the United 
Evangelical Church he was won to her belief, 
in which he remained until his death in 1893, at 
the age of sixty-nine years. Politically Mr. and 
Mrs. Thompson were in accord, both being 
stanch Republicans. 

Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Thompson, Newton Addison is a pharmacist, 
located in Seattle, Wash. ; Laura is the wife of 
James Booth, of Corvallis ; Mary lives in Cor- 
vallis ; Estella is the wife of A. F. Peterson ; 
Emma also makes her home in Corvallis ; 
George died at the age of eighteen years ; John 
died at the age of six years ; and Olive Irene 
is a music teacher, located in Boise City, Idaho. 
In addition to her country home Mrs. Thompson 
also owns a residence in the city. She is a 
prominent member of the Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union, and the Woman's Relief 
Corps. 



DAVID HUGGINS. A large and well fur- 
nished rural residence, one of the finest barns 
of which Benton county can boast, well built 
fences, adequate accommodations for high-grade 
stock, and running water in every field, are a 
few of the advantages to be found on the farm 
of David Huggins, two and a half miles south- 
west of Bellfountain, and comprising a portion 
of the McKane donation claim. This prosper- 
ous farmer and dairyman is a native son of New 
York, in which state he was born April 24, 
1834, and where he was reared on a farm. As 



a youth he learned the carpenter's trade, and 
thus equipped with a trade, a common school edu- 
cation and a practical familiarity with the pos- 
sibilities of the soil, he came to California via 
the Isthmus of Panama in 1852, intending to 
make a fortune in the mines of the western 
slope. Fairly successful, he continued to pros- 
pect and mine for about seven years, and then 
located in Humboldt county, CaL, and farmed 
and worked at his trade. Around Eastern, on 
the John Day's river, he afterward mined for 
a couple of years, and all in all managed to 
make considerable headway, saving money for 
a rainy day. 

Coming to Benton county in 1864, Mr. Hug- 
gins located on a claim near Monroe, and in 1868 
enlivened his bachelor quarters by bringing home 
a wife, who was Sarah, daughter of Rowland 
Hinton, the latter of whom is mentioned at 
length in another part of this work. After his 
marriage, Mr. Huggins continued to live on his 
original farm until 1882, when he moved to 
a farm north of Monroe, and in 1889 purchased 
his present property. The first Mrs. Huggins 
died near Monroe, having reared a family of 
seven children, of whom William lives near 
Monroe; Lee is a resident of Seattle; Laura is 
the wife of L. Courtwright, of Harrisburg; 
Clara is the wife of John Jentry, of Monroe; 
Burk is living in eastern Oregon; Frances is the 
wife of William Shroder, of the vicinity of 
Monroe; and Claude lives in Monroe. At the 
time of his wife's death Mr. Huggins was fol- 
lowing his trade in Monroe, although he still 
retained possession of the farm. For a second 
wife he married Mrs. J. L. Stevens, who was 
born in Michigan, and who was formerly 
Jeanette L. Landerking. For her first husband 
Miss Landerking married Mason Quick, by 
whom she had two children, one of whom, Wil- 
liam A., is a conductor on the Northern Pacific 
Railroad, the other is deceased. By her second 
husband, John Stevens, she had eight children, 
only one of whom is now living — Mrs. Millie 
Aberson. 

Since casting his first presidential vote Mr. 
Huggins has been a stanch advocate of Democ- 
racy, but has never aspired to the offices within 
the gift of his fellow-townsmen. He is fra- 
ternally popular in the Grange and in the Fra- 
ternal Union of America, No. 264. Aside from 
his farming Mr. Huggins has worked at his 
trade to a considerable extent, and many barns 
in the country and residences and public build- 
ings in Monroe and Bellfountain have had the 
benefit of his skill in construction. Mr. Hug- 
gins has a herd of a hundred head of Shorthorn 
cattle, and eighty head of high-bred goats, be- 
sides a large number of swine. At the present 
time his splendidly appointed farm is serving 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1361 



a double purpose, that of home for his family, 
and for the poor of Benton county. As super- 
intendent of the county poor he has undertaken 
the boarding of the eleven public charges, re- 
ceiving a certain sum per week. Needless to 
sa) they are comfortable and satisfied with their 
surroundings, and materially profit by associa- 
tion with so considerate and humane a host. Mr. 
Huggins is respected and liked by his neighbors 
in the count}-, with whom he has always main- 
tained the most friendly and amicable relations. 



RICHARD FARWELL. Though the condi- 
tions of Oregon were such, in pioneer days, that 
a common interest made of all men one great 
brotherhood, the natural tie is one which is only 
strengthened by the passing years. This seems 
especially true of the family represented by the 
bearer of the name which gives title to this 
biography, Richard Farwell being related to the 
family bearing the name in Chicago, founders of 
the mercantile house of that name, and also to 
Senator Farwell. The name Farwell is here 
known and honored among the progressive and 
enterprising agriculturists of Linn county, the 
one who led his family into the then wilderness 
being Richard Farwell, Sr., a pioneer of 1852. 

The Farwell family are of eastern birth and 
lineage, the Oregon pioneer having been born in 
New Hampshire, March 29, 1822, the son of a" 
physician, from whose personality the spirit of 
broadening capabilities must have come, as he 
himself became an early settler of Illinois, feeling 
his power strong to aid in the upbuilding of new 
states. Until 1848 he remained at home with his 
parents. In that year he married Esther N. 
Paugh, a native of Pennsylvania, and they went 
to housekeeping upon a farm where they con- 
tinued a year. That being the year in which so 
many men hurried to California in eager hope of 
being one of the fortunate ones in the gold fields, 
Mr. Farwell became interested in the prospects 
and fearlessly undertook the journey across the 
plains with ox teams, leaving his young wife at 
the home of his father in Mercer county, 111. 
Aside from losing a small number of cattle 
through the depredations of the Indians, the six 
months' trip was safely accomplished, and at its 
close he began prospecting and mining, in which 
he continued for three years. He then returned 
to Illinois, via the Isthmus of Panama, and in a 
very short time he was once more on the road, 
this time accompanied by his wife, bound then 
with horse and mule teams for the Northwest. 
They experienced no serious trouble with the 
Indians while enroute, the journey occupying five 
months. Upon their arrival they came direct to 
Linn county, where their home has ever since 
been located. Mr. Farwell at once took up a 



donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres, where the remainder of his life was passed, 
and where his death occurred November 24, 1899, 
in his seventy-eighth year. That his life had 
been one of well merited commendation no one 
who knew him could deny, and he boasted a large 
circle of friends among the citizens of Linn 
county. Besides making a home for himself and 
family, expending upon its improvement the en- 
ergy, strength and efforts of a singularly forceful 
nature, he held helpful hands toward all public 
movements. Mr. Farwell was greatly interested 
in politics, being a Democrat, as he believed this 
party represented principles safeguarding the best 
interests of the country and of the community. 
He occupied creditably all the minor offices of 
the vicinity, and his influence was always exerted 
for the general welfare of the county. Fra- 
ternally he was a charter member of the Grange. 
Though not a member of any church, Mr. Far- 
well had the reputation of being one of the best 
men of this section of country, and the good will 
and esteem of his fellow townsmen was freely 
accorded him. As a hunter he enjoyed the for- 
ests of the Oregon which he knew in the very 
early days, his reputation along these lines being 
only equaled by that accorded him as citizen, 
patriot and father. Of his children, Richard C. 
is located in the vicinity of the old home ; Mary 
E. is the wife of John Duncan, also of the same 
vicinity ; Sarah W. is the wife of Walter Wright, 
of Eugene ; Edward D. makes his home with his 
mother; Iva M. is the wife of Charles Farrow, of 
Eugene ; and Hiram J. is located on a part of the 
old home place. Since the death of Mr. Farwell 
his widow has carried on the work of the farm 
with the assistance of her sons, the principal occu- 
pation now being general farming and stock- 
raising. 

Richard C. Farwell received his education in 
the district school in the vicinity of his home, 
where he remained until he married Grace 
Matthews, a native of Albany. They now make 
their home three miles east of Shedds, on a farm 
of three hundred and twenty acres, which was 
once a part of the old Northup donation claim. 
Sixty acres are under cultivation, general farming 
and stock-raising claiming the activity of this 
descendant of a worthy pioneer. Three children, 
all of whom are at home, have been born to him- 
self and wife, namely : Richard, Esther Ann and 
Clarence Merle. Mr. Farwell is a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and politi- 
cally casts his vote with the Democratic party. 

Edward D. Farwell, the second son of Richard 
Farwell, was also educated in the district school. 
His marriage with Mabel R. McElroy, a native 
of Illinois, has proved a happy one, and he still 
lives with' his family upon the home place, de- 
voting his energies to the carrying on of general 



1362 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



farming and stock-raising. He has one child, 
James Otis. In politics he also is a Democrat, 
and fraternally he belongs to the Woodmen of 
the World. 



JESSE HOLLAND SETTLEMIER, the 
founder of Woodburn, and of the largest nur- 
sery enterprises in the Willamette valley, was 
born near Alton, 111., February 5, 1840. 
George Settlemier, the father of Jesse Hol- 
land, was born at Cape Girardeau, Girardeau 
county, Mo., October 11, 1807, and came of a 
family represented for at least two hundred years 
in Berks and Bucks counties, Pa. His father, 
Adam, was born in North Carolina, and was one 
of the very early settlers of Girardeau county, 
Mo., where he enjoyed the distinction of owning 
the first wagon in that part of the country. His 
son, George, removed to the vicinity of Alton, 
111., about 1825, and there engaged in farming 
and stock-raising until 1849. He was a typical 
frontiersman, and his sturdy traits of character 
are recalled with pride by his many descendants. 
Ambitious and adventurous, he was one of the 
first in his neighborhood to start for the west, 
when gold was first discovered on the Pacific 
coast in 1849, an d with his family of ten chil- 
dren crossed the plains with ox teams, meeting 
with the usual number of adventures on the way. 
This journey was ever recalled with infinite sad- 
ness, however, because his wife, Elizabeth 
(Ryan) Settlemier, a native of Missouri, and 
the partner of his early trials in the middle west, 
was taken with typhoid fever at the mouth of 
the Feather river, and after days of suffering 
with the disease was called to the home beyond 
and buried in a lonely, wayside grave. With 
varying success Mr. Settlemier remained for a 
few months in California, then came to Oregon, 
and in 1850 took up a donation claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres on which Mount 
Angel is now located, where he lived until 1890. 
He then retired from active life, removing to 
Woodburn, where he lived for several years, 
after which he made his home with one of his 
daughters, living one mile east of Woodburn, 
where his death occurred six months later, April 
26, 1896, at the age of eighty-eight and a half 
years. 

This early settler was a strong and tireless 
worker, affable, upright, strictly honest, and full 
of fine daring and courage. He despised a lie 
or pretense of any kind. As became a frontiers- 
man of the old school he was fond of hunting 
and was a splendid judge of horses and cattle. 
He was aggressively in favor of free soil, and 
after joining the Republican party at the first 
nomination of Abraham Lincoln, held sturdily 
to its principles and issues. Of the children born 
to himself and wife Adam is deceased ; Mrs. 



Mary Ann Allen lives in San Francisco ; Wil- 
liam F. is a farmer on Willow creek, Ore. ; 
Henry W. lives at Tangent, Ore. ; Jesse Holland 
is the founder of Woodburn ; Alexander A. is a 
resident of Montana ; Columbus is deceased ; 
Martin R. lives at Mount Angel, Ore. ; and 
George M. lives in Portland. 

That the founder of Woodburn is a man of 
broad and liberal education is due to no early 
advantages in that direction. As a youth he had 
to work hard on the paternal farm, and so little 
leisure was at his disposal that attending the 
little school in his neighborhood was more of 
a recreation than duty. While imbibing this 
early knowledge he sat on benches made of split 
fir poles, and the other arrangements of the 
school were on a similar pioneer scale. His first 
independent business venture was conducted in 
Tangent, Linn county, Ore., where he started a 
nursery business in partnership with his broth- 
ers, William and Henry, the latter of whom 
still has charge of the enterprise. Though con- 
tinuing for many years, none of the brothers suc- 
ceeded in accumulating a very large amount of 
money in the nursery business. Mr. Settlemier 
severed his connection with the business directly 
after his marriage in 1862. He then acquired a 
tract of land which had been bought at sheriff's 
sale, being the donation claim upon a portion of 
which Woodburn is now located, and which con- 
sisted at that time of two hundred and fourteen 
acres. He had a great deal of trouble with this 
property because of a defective title, but finally 
overcame all obstacles through the medium of 
repurchase, having passed both the United States 
District Court and the Supreme Court at Wash- 
ington, by which the title was set aside. To the 
original property he has since added, and now 
has about seven hundred acres distributed 
through Marion and Clackamas counties, Ore., 
and Mason county, Wash. 

In time, after purchasing his first donation 
claim, Mr. Settlemier erected his present fine 
dwelling, to take the place of the little log cabin 
which was a part of the pioneer improvements 
of the early days. In 1863 he started the nurs- 
eries which have made his name famous through 
the entire northwestern country, and which at 
the present time, under the able management of 
his son, F. W. Settlemier, have no superior on 
the Pacific coast. Beginning in a small way, 
this nursery business increased and flourished 
beyond his expectations, and at present there are 
at least fifteen hundred thousand plants, and 
three hundred acres closely set with all kinds of 
fruit stock, and the very finest of ornamental 
and decorative trees and plants. From France 
and other centers of horticultural activity have 
been imported many costly and rare plants and 
trees, and the nurseries supply a trade covering 










WILLIAM YERGEN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1365 



the entire country west of the Mississippi river, 
including Mexico and British Columbia. 

Not only did Mr. Settlemier lay out and found 
the town of Woodburn, but he has been lavish 
in donating land for many of its most worthy 
public enterprises. His appreciation of educa- 
tion has been marked throughout his entire ca- 
reer, and in this connection he contributed the 
block of ground upon- which the public school 
building is located, and has in every way sought 
to elevate the standard of instruction. It is his 
pride that he has never voted against a school 
tax. His other responsibilities include the presi- 
dency of the Bank of Woodburn, one of the solid 
financial institutions of this county, and he is a 
member of the Oregon State Fair Board at the 
present time. Among his holdings Mr. Settle- 
mier includes five large brick buildings in Wood- 
burn, including the Association Building, which 
is a very fine and modern hall. In early days he ■ 
purchased at an advantageous price a six-acre 
tract of land in East Portland, which has since 
greatly increased in value, and is now included 
in the best residence district of that city. He 
has erected thirteen cottages on other property 
in Portland, the rental of which supplies a sub- 
stantial source of income. 

Thrice married, Mr. Settlemier 's first wife was 
Eleanor Elizabeth Cochran, who was born in 
Iowa in 1848, and died in Oregon in 1879. Her 
father, James Cochran, was born in Missouri, 
and died on his donation claim in Oregon in 
1863. In Portland in 1880 Mr. Settlemier mar- 
ried Clara S. Gray, who died six weeks after her 
marriage. The third marriage was contracted 
at Howell Prairie, and united him with Mary C. 
Woodworth, who was born in Missouri in 1848, 
and came to Oregon with her parents in 1850. 
Her father, Franklin N. Woodworth, a native of 
Ohio, was a successful farmer in Marion county. 
Ore., his home being a stopping place for trav- 
elers en route between Salem and Silverton. Of 
the eight children born to Mr. Settlemier Mrs. 
Nettie Beggs lives in Woodburn ; Mrs. Ada 
Jones. Mrs. Elsie Porter and Mrs. Emma Cleave- 
land live in Portland: Dell is the wife of S. I. 
Guiss, a merchant of Woodburn ; F. W. has suc- 
ceeded to his father's nursery business ; Jessie 
E. Fleck is next in order of birth ; her husband 
is the musical director of the Musical Conserv- 
atory of Utica, N. Y. ; and J. H., Jr., son by the 
third wife, is living with his parents. 

Mr. Settlemier has been a Republican all his 
life, but has had too many business responsibil- 
ities to care for official recognition. He is a 
member of the Oregon State Board of Agricul- 
ture, and has been one of the chief promoters of 
fairs and like enterprises calculated to stimulate 
an interest in home production. Of imposing 
and robust physical proportions, he is genial and 
fraiik. and a typical representative of the foun- 



ders of western commonwealths. Mr. Settle- 
mier possesses rare business discretion, and has 
seen and utilized the splendid opportunities by 
which he has been surrounded. 



WILLIAM YERGEN. Although practically 
retired from active farming several years before 
his death, which occurred September 30, 1897, 
William Yergen was the improver of a large 
farm in Marion county, upon which he located 
in 1864, and which is now in the possession of 
several of his sons. Mr. Yergen was a native of 
the town of Muhlheim, Germany, and was born 
in 1825. When six years of age he came with 
his parents to America on a sailing vessel, land- 
ing in New York harbor, whence the family 
went overland to Belleville, St. Clair county, 111., 
locating on a farm near that town. He p'roved 
an industrious and capable youth, as well as an 
ambitious one, and while yet young bade adieu 
to his family and made his way alone to St. 
Louis, Mo., where he applied himself to learn- 
ing the brick mason's trade. Having served a 
long apprenticeship he worked at his trade in 
that city until 1852, in the meantime managing 
to lay up some money, through the exercise of 
economy and wise investment. 

Though far from the paternal farm, Mr. Yer- 
gen managed to keep in touch with the rest of 
his family, and to his brother Augustus he com- 
municated his desire to make the west his home. 
Augustus was equally enthusiastic upon the sub- 
ject, as was also a brother-in-law, John Scheurer, 
so that all three made the needful preparations 
for the long journey across the plains. Without 
any particular adventure they arrived at The 
Dalles after six months on the .plains, and there 
abandoned their wagons and came down the river 
to Marion county. Here Mr. Yergen took up 
one hundred and sixty acres of land near Aurora 
upon which he lived' until the spring of 1864, 
when he gave up farming temporarily and as- 
sumed control of the brickyard at Salem oper- 
ated in connection with the building of Wil- 
lamette University. In the fall of 1864 he lo- 
cated on the farm now owned by his sons, and 
which consists of two hundred and fourteen 
acres. He took great pride in the cultivation of 
this property, and reared his sons to the cautious 
and painstaking ways which brought about his 
ultimate success. 

The first marriage of Mr. Yergen resulted in 
the birth of one child, who died in infancy. His 
marriage March 2, 1862, with Ruth Minier, who 
died February 19, 1882, resulted in ten children. 
Of these, Cassius F., a resident of Seaside, Ore., 
married Helen M. Brown, and they have one 
son, Cassius F., Jr. : J. Frank, a hop-grower on 
a portion of the old claim, married Alice Hos- 



1366 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



kins, their union being blessed with two children, 
Walter Bruce, aged five years, and Blanche 
Elizabeth, aged three years ; Elizabeth is the wife 
of I. L. Lindsay, residing in the vicinity of Hub- 
bard ; William A., living on the home place, mar- 
ried Orpha E. Jack, now the mother of two chil- 
dren, Boyd McKinley and Mabel Frances; 
Thurston H. is living on the home place; Emma 
H. died at the age of sixteen years; Benjamin 
lives on a farm near Newberg and married Lulu 
Hopkins, they having one son, Grant, aged two 
years ; the remainder are Charles A., Ernest G., 
and Walter, who died in infancy. J. Frank, 
William, Thurston, Charles and Ernest own the 
home farm, which at present consists of one hun- 
dred and eighty-six acres. Of this property 
forty acres are under hops, and besides the sons 
have two other hop-yards of seventy acres each. 
The sons are practical and progressive farmers, 
and are young men of intelligence, education, 
and pronounced public spirit. 



REV. PATTERSON C. PARKER, deceased, 
an Oregon pioneer of 1852, during the many 
years of his residence in the Willamette valley 
exerted a moral and religious influence which has 
had a most beneficent effect in moulding the 
character of many of the well-known citizens of 
Oregon. Mr. Parker was born in Tennessee in 
1809. When, in young manhood, he settled in 
Indiana, the spot he selected for a farm was in 
the midst of a wilderness. He at once set about 
the task of improving the land and establishing a 
home, and in the course of time built up a large 
flour and lumber milling business on the White 
river in Jackson county, Ind. Upon the outbreak 
of the Mexican war he enlisted in the Third In- 
diana Volunteers, became first lieutenant of his 
company, and participated in many important 
engagements, including the memorable battle of 
Buena Vista. Upon the conclusion of the war 
he returned to his home in Indiana. It was not 
long, however, before he became dissatisfied 
with his environments in that state, and decided 
to seek for his family a new home in the Far 
West. In the fall of 185 1 he outfitted with 
three wagons and ox-teams, and, accompanied 
by his wife, four sons and two daughters, started 
on the long journey westward. The winter fol- 
lowing was spent in DeWitt county, 111. In 
March, 1852, the family left DeWitt county and 
proceeded on their journey, crossing the Mis- 
souri river at St. Joseph, Mo., May 2. They 
followed the old Oregon trail from that point, 
proceeding down the Columbia river, and arriv- 
ing at the Sandy September 15, 1852. Soon 
afterward Mr. Parker located in Yamhill county, 
where he spent one year. In 1853 he located 
near Oakland, Douglas county. There a large 



and productive ranch came into his possession, 
and upon it he engaged extensively in stock-rais- 
ing and general farming. At the same time he 
exhibited a keen interest in Republican politics. 
For several terms he served in the Oregon state 
legislature, becoming the author of a vast amount 
of legislation which was greatly needed in those 
days. He also served for some time as judge 
of Umpqua county, which included what is now 
Douglas county. 

During the long period of his service in the 
legislature and on the bench Mr. Parker exerted 
a strong general influence, and invariably stood 
as the advocate of such measures only as, in his 
belief, would result in benefit to the largest pro- 
portion of the people. But he was probably 
more widely known by reason of his earnest and 
persistent efforts toward the consummation of 
plans for the dissemination of religious thought. 
■He was a regularly ordained minister in the 
United Brethren church, and preached in the 
same until about four years prior to his death. 
Chiefly through his instrumentality several 
churches of that denomination were organized 
throughout the Willamette valley and elsewhere, 
and these, for the most part, were substantially 
endowed from his ample means. Probably none 
of the early settlers of this section of the state 
who have passed away was more widely known 
and revered and beloved than he, for his daily 
life was doing good. He possessed a most un- 
selfish spirit, and was a public benefactor and 
humanitarian in the highest sense of the terms. 

Mr. Parker was united in marriage with Mary 
Scantling, a native of East Tennessee and a 
daughter of Samuel Scantling, who died in the 
latter state. Mrs. Parker died near Oakland, 
Ore., at the age of seventy-four years. Her 
husband died at Oakland, Ore., at the age of 
eighty-one years. They were the parents of six 
children, four of whom are living, as follows : 
Marion Parker, M. D., of Clackamas county, 
Ore. ; Williamson Parker, a resident of Cali- 
fornia ; Patterson C. Parker, a resident of Oak- 
land, Ore., and Mrs. Elizabeth Kelly. 



CHARLES L. WEBER. The experience of 
Charles L. Weber has been somewhat diversified 
in character, but it has all served to fit him for 
his present position, for a man who conducts a 
mercantile establishment cannot have too broad 
a view of human nature and too close an ac- 
quaintance with it, to succeed in his work. He 
is now engaged in conducting one of the most 
thoroughly equipped and well furnished stores 
in Creswell, Lane county, having been so em- 
ployed since 1896. 

Mr. Weber is of German parentage, his father, 
now a retired resident of Portland, having been 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1367 



born in the Fatherland in 1833, and as a young 
man crossed the ocean and sought the land of 
broader opportunities. He was a cabinetmaker 
by trade, and after landing in the United States 
in 1851 first settled in Wisconsin, where he com- 
bined the interests of farming with his trade. 
Later he removed to Minnesota, and in 1896 
came to Cottage Grove, Ore., where he made his 
home until the fall of 1903. The mother died at 
the age of sixty-two, leaving a family of thir- 
teen children, of whom Charles L. Weber was 
the third in order of birth, being born January 
13, i860, in Juneau county, Wis. When six 
years old he went to live with his grandparents, 
with whom he remained until he was thirteen 
years of age, during this period receiving his 
education through the medium of the district 
schools. On returning to the home of his father 
he remained for two years, when he started out 
into the world to make his own way, first taking 
up an apprenticeship with a blacksmith. He 
continued this employment for several years, 
when he located a homestead in Polk county, 
Minn., and at the same time engaged in the grain 
business, after a period of six years settling once 
more in the milder south to become occupied as 
a farmer. In 1894 he came to Oregon and set- 
tled upon a ranch in the neighborhood of Cres- 
well, Lane county, remaining until 1896 when 
he became interested in his present commercial 
enterprise. 

In 1890 Mr. Weber married Flora Ballard, a 
native of Minnesota, and they have six children, 
in order of birth as follows : William D., Clif- 
ford C, Eunice, Myrtle, Homer, and Opal, all 
of whom are at home. Besides his interest in 
the store Mr. Weber owns seven acres in his 
home place. In politics he is a Socialist and 
fraternally a member of the Woodmen of the 
World, Camp No. 484, and Creswell Lodge No. 
112, A. F. and A. M., in the latter acting as 
treasurer. He is a member of Gilfrey Lodge 
No. 169, I. O. O. F., and Moss Circle No. 485. 



THOMAS OWEN MAXWELL. An Ore- 
gon pioneer, coming here as a lad of twelve 
years, and a representative of one of the oldest 
and most respected pioneer families of this sec- 
tion of the state, Thomas O. Maxwell, of Spring- 
field, is especially worthy of notice in a work of 
this kind. Crossing the Mississippi and Missouri 
rivers, and the dreary plains, ne came to Oregon 
when the country was practically in its virgin 
wildness, and has since been actively identified 
with its agricultural, mining, industrial and finan- 
cial prosperity. As a man and a citizen, he has 
been honest and upright, and by his earnest in- 
dustry, intelligence and integrity has accumulated 
wealth, and attained a place of distinction in polit- 



ical and social circles. A native of Sangamon 
county, 111., he was born January 23, 1834, near 
Springfield, a son of the late Ludlow Maxwell, 
who for more than half a century was a resident 
of Linn county. 

Born and reared in Greene county, Ohio, Lud- 
low Maxwell removed to Sangamon county, 111., 
when a young man, and after tilling the soil in 
that locality for a few years settled in Des Moines 
county, Iowa, purchasing a farm eight miles west 
of Burlington, where he resided twelve years. 
Coming to Oregon with his family in 1847, he 
crossed the plains with ox-teams, and located in 
Linn county. Eight miles east of Albany he took 
up a donation claim of six hundred and forty 
acres, from which he improved a comfortable 
homestead, on which he spent the remainder of 
his life, dying, in 1899, at the venerable age of 
ninety-three years. He was always actively in- 
terested in the maintenance of churches and 
schools, and a strong advocate of the cause of 
temperance. Uniting with the Christian Church 
in early manhood, he continued one of its most 
faithful members until his death. In politics he 
was a Republican. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Delilah Marshall, was born in Ohio, and died 
of heart trouble on the Oregon homestead. Of 
the eleven children born of their union, nine grew 
to years of maturity, Thomas O. being the eldest 
child. 

Coming with his parents to Oregon in 1847, 
Thomas O. Maxwell, although but a boy, ren- 
dered material assistance in the pioneer labor of 
clearing and improving the parental homestead. 
Going to California in 1856, he worked in the 
gold mines of Siskiyou county two years, being 
quite successful, but by subsequent speculation in 
gold claims lost some of his accumulations. Re- 
turning to Oregon in 1859, ne operated a sawmill 
in Linn county six months, and the following ten 
years was engaged in farming, near Albany, on 
one hundred acres of land that came into his pos- 
session after the death of his mother. On Decem- 
ber 24, 1864, he entered his country's service, en- 
listing in Company F, First Oregon Infantry, and 
was employed in detail duty until being mustered 
out, July 20, 1866, at Vancouver, Wash. Hav- 
ing traded his farm for property near Cottage 
Grove, he subsequently took up one hundred and 
sixty acres of land in the same vicinity, and there 
resided until 1886. Purchasing real estate in 
Springfield in the spring of 1887, Mr. Maxwell 
has since been successfully employed at the car- 
penter's trade. In his business career he has 
been fortunate, and in addition to his other prop- 
erty interests is a stockholder in the Great West- 
ern Oil and Coal Company, and in the Cascade 
Coal Company, two safe and substantial organi- 
zations. 

Mr. Maxwell married first, in Linn county, 



1368 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ore., Ruth Powell, who was born in Menard 
county, 111., and died in Linn county, Ore. She 
bore her husband four children, namely : one 
child which died in infancy; Alfred Ludlow, a 
farmer in Lewiston, Idaho; Amy Ann, wife of 
Milton Cornelius, of Pleasant Hill, Ore., and 
Lincoln H. In July, 1898, in Lane county, Ore., 
Mr. Maxwell married Marguerite Jane Harkins, 
who was born in Canada, and they own and 
occupy a cozy home, pleasantly located on the 
banks of the Willamette. Politically Mr. Max- 
well is a Republican, and has rendered efficient 
service in public office, having served as school 
director a number of years, as councilman three 
terms, and for one term was mayor of Springfield. 
He is a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, of the Rebekahs, of the local 
Grange, and of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
and belongs to the Christian Church. 



HENRY H. SMITSON. A meritorious serv- 
ice during the Civil war, twenty years of lumber- 
ing in the great state of Oregon, and many years 
of agricultural activity, are salient items of inter- 
est in the career of Henry H. Smitson, at present 
enjoying a well earned immunity from active par- 
ticipation in the busy cares of life. Born in 
Johnson county, Ky., October 27, 1844, Mr. 
Smitson is the fourth child in a family of eight 
children born to Mathew and Nancy (Williams) 
Smitson, natives of the Old Dominion. The 
father died when his son Henry was six years old. 
The mother, who died in Jackson county, Mo., in 
1867, at the age of fifty years, was a descendant 
of an old Maine family, and was a daughter of 
William Williams, who removed from his native 
state of Maine to Maryland, later becoming one 
of the early settlers of Johnson county. 

After an uneventful boyhood Henry H. Smit- 
son found an outlet for his ambition in the 
United States Army, in which he enlisted in i860, 
at the age of seventeen. With headquarters at 
Fort Leavenworth, Kans., he was employed to 
drive a team for the commissary department 
trom Leavenworth to Fort Union, Mexico, and 
in March, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, 
Twenty-fifth Missouri Infantry, for service in the 
Civil war. At the battle of Independence he was 
made prisoner and held for some time, but was 
finally exchanged, and placed on scout duty until 
his re-enlistment, September 20, 1862, in Com- 
pany F, Twenty-Fifth Missouri Infantry. From 
then until the close of the war he was in the 
midst of camp and field, participating in most of 
the history-making battles, including Vicksburg, 
Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Altoona, 
and the Atlanta campaign, finally taking part in 
the review at Washington, after the close of the 
war. Mustered out "at Washington, and dis- 



charged in May, 1865, at Benton Barracks, St. 
Louis, Mr. Smitson located in Kansas City, Mo., 
and soon afterward engaged in the stone and 
brickmason's trade, which he followed as a means 
of livelihood until 1875. 

Coming to Oregon by way of the Union Pacific 
and Central Pacific railroads, Mr. Smitson spent 
some time in Portland, and then made his way to 
Springfield, where he has since made his home. 
While saw milling for twenty years, and later till- 
ing the soil of his adopted state, he has taken a 
keen interest in the political and general develop- 
ment, holding various positions of trust and re- 
sponsibility. A stanch Republican, he has had 
the best interests of his party at heart, his devo- 
tion being rewarded by election to the office of 
city marshal for thirteen consecutive years. Al- 
though practically retired, he has the oversight 
of his farm of eighty acres two miles south of the 
town, his property being well improved, and 
given over to stock-raising and general farming. 
At the meetings of the Grand Army of the Re- 
public Mr. Smitson contributes his share of inter- 
esting reminiscence, and over many a campfire 
has told of experiences in camp and field, all of 
them tinged witn the elements which make these 
occasions memorable. 

The home life of Mr. Smitson has been a 
happy one, and the children which have been 
born into the family have proved themselves 
worthy of the practical training and unfailing 
interest by which they have been surrounded. 
Mrs. Smitson was formerly Mary Eaton, who 
was born in St. Louis and reared and married in 
Kansas City, Mo. Her father, Joseph Eaton, 
was born in the state of Tennessee, and as a 
young man became one of the early settlers of 
St. Louis, going at a later day to Jackson county, 
Mo., where he lived until 1870. His last days 
were spent at Goshen, Lane county, Ore., where 
he died at the age of eighty years. Four of the 
eleven children, John W., Mollie, Luella and 
Willie, are deceased, while Effie is the wife of 
George McCaulley, of Springfield; Jennie is at 
home ; William is deceased ; Nellie is the wife of 
Wallace Skeels, of Springfield, and Etta, Frank 
and Jesse are at home. Miss Jennie Smitson 
owns a grocery store, where for several years 
she conducted the business. 



ROBERT GRIER VAN VALZAH, M. D. 
One of the leading physicians of Springfield, Dr. 
Robert G Van Valzah, is recognized as a man 
of talent and culture, eminently fitted for the 
position he has attained in the medical circles 
of Lane county. A physician by breeding and 
heredity, his entrance into the professional ranks 
was but the logical result of his environment. 
On the paternal side his ancestors for several 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1369 



generations were physicians of wide reputation 
and marked skill. His great grandfather, Rob- 
ert Van Yalzah, Sr., M. D., was born and edu- 
cated in Xew York, but early in life located in 
Union county, Pa., and was there engaged in 
the practice of medicine the greater part of his 
life, dying at Buffalo Roads. Robert Van Val- 
zah, Jr., M. D.. the next in line of descent, was 
born in Union county, Pa., and after his gradua- 
tion built up a successful and lucrative practice 
in his native county. 

Shepherd Laurie Van Yalzah, father of Dr. 
Robert G. Yan Yalzah, was born and reared in 
Mifninburg, Pa. Receiving the degree of M. D. 
at the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadel- 
phia, he lived the greater part of his life in 
Union and Lycoming counties, although his 
death occurred in Milton, Pa. He married Mary 
Elizabeth Grier, a daughter of Rev. Isaac Grier, 
a Presbyterian minister of note who had charge 
of one church for over fifty years. Her real 
name was Madden, but having been left father- 
less when a small child she took the surname of 
her adopted father, Rev. Isaac Grier. 

The eldest son, and second child, of a family 
of four children was born October 8, 1863, in 
Boalsburg, Center county, Pa. Robert Grier 
Van Yalzah obtained his elementary education 
in the public schools, afterwards entering the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Balti- 
more, Md., from which he was graduated with 
the degree of M. D., in 1885. The following 
two years Dr. Yan Yalzah was engaged in the 
practice of his profession in Northumberland^ 
county. Pa., first in Montandon and then in Wat- 
sontown. Removing to Hughesville, Pa., in 
1887, he carried on a successful drug business 
for five years. In 1892 the doctor came to 
Oregon, locating in Springfield, where, with the 
exception of a portion of the year 1895, when 
he was in Milton, Pa., he has since been en- 
gaged in the practice of his profession. Well 
educated, skilful and careful, he has gained the 
confidence of the community to a marked degree, 
and has built up an extensive and lucrative 
patronage. Besides his residence, the doctor is 
the owner of considerable property in Spring- 
field. He is also interested to some extent in 
stock-raising, keeping a limited number of 
Guernsey dairy stock, which he brought from 
the east. He also raises considerable poultry, 
making a specialty of White Wyandotte chickens. 

At Sunbury, Pa., Dr. Van Yalzah married 
Addie Bernice Shannon, who was born in Penn- 
sylvania, a daughter of Rev. Samuel Galbraith 
Shannon, also a native of that state. Her father 
studied theology after his marriage, was or- 
dained as a minister of the Lutheran Church, 
and afterwards preached in Philadelphia for 
twelve years. He now resides in Norwood, a 



suburb of Philadelphia, and in addition to sup- 
plying different churches as occasion requires, 
he was for several years financial secretary of 
the Susquehanna University, at Selinsgrove, Pa., 
of which he was one of the promoters, and for 
a number of yars one of its board of regents. 
He is a man of strong personality, with a special 
talent for church organization, and although 
sixty-six years of age is as vigorous and active 
as a man in life's prime. The doctor and Mrs. 
Yan Valzah are the parents of three children, 
namely : Shannon Laurie, Robert Clark and 
Can! Gerald. Politically Dr. Van Valzah is a 
Socialist, and fraternally he is a member of the 
Woodmen of the World, and of the Artisans. 



FRANCIS MARION WILKINS. With a 
heritage of splendid characteristics and an in- 
spiring example and living precept in the career 
of his father, Francis Marion Wilkins could not 
well fail to make of his life a success. For a 
quarter of a century he has been one of the 
dominant forces in the commercial activity of 
the city of Eugene, and has exercised a potent 
influence in increasing the prestige and advanc- 
ing the material welfare of the city. 

Mr. Wilkins was born near Marquam, Clacka- 
mas county. Ore., August 10, 1848, and is the 
eldest of the four surviving children born to 
Mitchell and Permelia Ann (Allen) Wilkins, 
who crossed the plains from Missouri to Oregon 
in 1847. Both his parents now reside in Eugene. 
(For early history of the family the reader is 
referred to the review of the life of Hon. Mit- 
chell Wilkins, which appears elsewhere in this 
volume.) In the fall of 1848 Francis M. Wil- 
kins was taken by his parents to the new home 
they were about to establish — a donation claim 
taken up by the father at a point about ten 
miles northeast of the site of the city of Eugene. 
There the lad grew to manhood and was reared 
to agriculture and stock-raising. On account of 
the remoteness of his home from schools, his 
earlier educational advantages were somewhat 
limited. The nearest school, conducted in a 
small log building, was located three miles from 
his home, and this he attended until he was 
qualified to enter the academy at Eugene. Still 
eager to equip himself for a business career, he 
continued his studies after the close of his school 
days in Eugene, entering the Portland Business 
College. Upon the completion of his two-years 
course in that institution, he at once embarked 
upon a business career in Eugene. In 1875 he 
became a clerk in a drug store, remaining there 
for two years in the study of pharmacy. In 
1878 he established a drug business for himself, 
locating on the east side of Willamette street 
near Hotel Eugene (now the Smeede), and in 



1370 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1889 he purchased a lot and erected a brick 
building directly opposite. In the latter location 
he remained in business until 1899, when he sold 
out and retired from active life. 

October 27, 1872, Mr. Wilkins was united in 
marriage to Miss Emma Goltra, a native of Linn 
county, Ore., and the daughter of Nelson Gol- 
tra, who was born in New Jersey and crossed the 
plains with ox-teams in 1853. He first settled 
at Lebanon, where, as contractor and builder, 
he erected the Santiam Academy in 1854. In 
the fall of that year he removed to Corvallis and 
there constructed and began the operation of a 
steam sawmill. In this enterprise he was en- 
gaged until 1858, when he was so injured by the 
explosion of a boiler that he died three weeks 
later. Mr. Goltra married Elizabeth Ellison, a 
native of Illinois, and the daughter of Aaron 
Ellison. After the death of Mr. Ellison in 
Illinois his widow came to Oregon via _ Cape 
Horn, in 1857, and a few years later died in 
Douglas, Morrow county, Ore. Five children 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins, 
namely: Maude, a graduate of the University 
of Oregon, now the wife of Herbert Condon, of 
Seattle, secretary and clerk of the State Uni- 
versity of Washington ; Frank, who is connected 
with the Equitable Life Insurance Company at 
Seattle, Wash.; Nina, a student in the Uni- 
versitv of Oregon; Lucia and Gladys. 

In politics Mr. Wilkins is a Republican, and 
though he has never aspired to public office, he 
is at present serving in the city council from the 
Fourth ward. In his fraternal relations he is 
associated with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and the Encampment ■ connected there- 
with, in both of which he is a past officer, and 
with the Woodmen of the World. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 
which he is serving on the official board. He is 
also a member of the Eugene Commercial Club. 
He was one of the organizers of the Native Sons 
of Oregon, and for many years served as presi- 
dent of Skinner's Cabin in that order. In addi- 
tion to the many business interests which have 
engrossed his attention, one of his most praise- 
worthy acts was the assistance he rendered in 
the organization of the Eugene Water Company 
and the construction of the first waterworks, of 
which he was a director for many years. In the 
line of his trade he has been for many years a 
member of the Oregon State Pharmacists' As- 
sociation, and was sent by that organization as 
a delegate to the meeting of the National Drug- 
gists' Association at San Francisco. 

This brief review of the career of one of the 
best representatives of the native citizens of Ore- 
gon illustrates what may be accomplished by a 
young man of energy and determination in a 
state rich in such opportunities as give Oregon 



her pre-eminence among the western common- 
wealths. Besides the natural conditions which 
have contributed to make his life a success, Mr. 
Wilkins possesses strong personal attributes 
which have been potential in molding his career. 
He is a man of integrity of directness of pur- 
pose, and scrupulous in the extreme in his deal- 
ings with others. It has been said of both father 
and son : " His word is as good as his bond." 
He entertains liberal and broad-minded views of 
affairs in general, has always exhibited an ad- 
mirable public spirit, and an inclination to assist 
in worthy enterprises aside from those in which 
he may have had a direct personal interest. He 
is one of the best types of sterling western man- 
hood and from any viewpoint is entitled to a 
permanent place in the historical literature of the 
Willamette valley. 



ANTHONY L. RONEY. The little com- 
munity of Goshen, noted for its thrift and 
enterprise, and for the promising as well 
as already firmly established careers of its citi- 
zens, lays claim to no more upbuilding commer- 
cial agency in its midst than the general mer- 
chandise business of Roney Brothers, advan- 
tageously located in the town. Few residents 
greeted the coming of these popular merchants 
in 1 89 1, and an abundant field was therefore 
open to them after purchasing their present store 
from J. W. Matlock. Enlarged from time to 
time, the store now presents an appearance of 
a prosperity, being well patronized by residents 
in town and county who desire first-class arti- 
cles at moderate prices. 

Anthony L. Roney, the senior member of the 
firm, and a man around whom centers a great 
deal of popular interest, was born in Auglaize 
county, Ohio, October 8, 1847, and comes of an 
old Pennsylvania family long represented in 
America. His father, who was born and reared 
in Pennsylvania, was an expert woolen mill man. 
After his marriage he moved with his family to 
Ohio in 1834, lived in Auglaize county until 
1872, and then moved to Davis county, Mo., 
which continued to be his home until 1878. 
Coming to Oregon during that year he bought 
a farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres near 
Dexter, and there engaged in farming and stock- 
raising until his death at the age of seventy- 
eight years. He was survived by his wife who 
eventually removed to Eugene, and died at the 
age of eighty-three. Mr. Roney was a stanch 
Republican, and at times worked for the politi- 
cal advancement of his friends. His twelve 
children received practical common school edu- 
cations, and in their homes were taught the 
homely virtues of honesty and industry. Charles, 
the second son, and Henry are residents of In- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1371 



dianapolis ; Thomas lives in Mississippi ; L. Nel- 
son resides in Eugene ; Anthony L. ; Charlotte, 
wife of Thomas Harris, resides in Missouri; and 
Emily, wife of Rasmus Rasmusson, is a resident 
of Indianapolis, Ind. 

Remaining on the home farm until his mar- 
riage in March, 1881, with Clara Hunsaker, 
Anthony L. Roney went to housekeeping on a 
farm near Dexter, and for eight years engaged 
in farming, stock and grain-raising, with con- 
siderable success. His next venture was the 
mercantile business in which he is now engaged, 
and in which he is in partnership with his 
brother, L. Nelson Roney. Like his father, Mr. 
Roney takes an active interest in Republican poli- 
tics, and for many years has been a member of 
the school board of Goshen. The Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the 
Maccabees profit by his membership, and he has 
passed all of the chairs in the respective lodges. 
In connection with his store he has been post- 
master of Goshen for fourteen years, serving the 
interests of the government and his fellow- 
townsmen with satisfaction. Mr. Roney has a 
pleasant home for his small family, which con- 
sists of himself, wife and son, Raleigh C. 



HON. JOHN KELLY. For many genera- 
tions the family to which John Kelly, deceased, 
belonged was identified extensively with woolen 
manufacturing in Dublin, Ireland, in which city 
he was born May 3, 1818. Following the ex- 
ample of his father, he learned every detail of 
the business, so that when he came alone to 
America at the age of nineteen years he had at 
his command a useful and paying trade. He 
first located in Canada, in time becoming man- 
ager of small woolen mills, located at Montreal 
and Quebec, and afterward filled a similar posi- 
tion in a small town in Vermont. For several 
years thereafter he followed a seafaring life, 
sailing in merchantships engaged in the Atlantic 
trade. Tiring of the sea, he settled in Water- 
ford, Racine county. Wis., where in partnership 
with George Hovey he established the Water- 
ford Woolen Mills. ' 

In the early forties Mr. Kelly left Wisconsin 
and in Missouri responded to the call for volun- 
teers to serve in the Mexican war. Enlisting in 
the Third Missouri Cavalry, he at once engaged 
in active service, developing especial shrewdness 
and trustworthiness as a scout. During a com- 
paratively short service he was called upon to 
perform many important missions ; and though 
honorably discharged at Jefferson Barracks, he 
remained in the service, entering the Quarter- 
master's department. In this capacity he ac- 
companied a regiment of cavalry across the 
plains in 1849, acting as wagon-master, and ar- 



riving in Oregon City in October of that year. 
In connection with this service he contracted to 
supply the regiment with beef until March, 1850. 

Soon after his arrival in Oregon he entered 
into a partnership with three others, one of 
whom was Gen. Joseph Lane, purchased three 
hundred head of cattle, and drove them to the 
Rogue River valley. There General Lane, with 
the aid of part of the cattle and other persuasive 
means, succeeded in negotiating a treaty of peace 
with the Indians of that region, who for two 
years had been waging war against the white 
settlers. After the conclusion of the treaty Mr. 
Kelly and his partners continued their journey 
southward to Tehama county, Cal., mined with 
moderate success on Olney creek, and in the 
spring of 185 1 drove the remaining cattle to a 
ranch in Scott valley. He soon sold his interest 
in the ranch, however, and returned to Oregon, 
taking up a donation claim near Roseburg. His 
previous experience in the cattle industry stood 
him in good stead. His property proved to be 
well adapted to extensive operations, and for 
about seventeen years he was engaged in stock- 
raising on a large scale. For a number of years 
he also conducted a cattle-driving business with 
Thomas Brown and Martin Angel, annually 
driving large herds of cattle to Scott's Bar. 

In 1861 Mr. Kelly was appointed registrar of 
the United States land office at Roseburg, and 
though he nominally resigned from the office in 
1866 he continued to perform the duties thereof 
through a deputy until the appointment of his 
successor in 1868. 

In 1866 Mr. Kelly located in Springfield, Lane 
county, and became interested in a lumber and 
grist mill, at the same time conducting a large 
stock farm and a ferry across the Willamette 
river. From a comparatively small beginning he 
branched out into a large lumber contracting 
business with various railroad and other cor- 
porations, and soon became widely known as an 
extensive operator. Upon disposing of his lum- 
ber interests in 1869, he purchased a farm of 
four hundred acres adjoining Springfield. This 
property he devoted to stock-raising and general 
farming, and was thus engaged at the time 
of his appointment to the post of collector of 
customs in Portland in 1871. This office he 
filled with credit to himself and with satisfac- 
tion to the government during the second ad- 
ministration of President Grant and the first two 
years of the administration of President Hayes. 
Under President Arthur he was appointed one 
of three commissioners to accept one hundred 
miles of the track of the Northern Pacific rail- 
road, and in 1890 was appointed superintendent 
of the Federal census for Oregon. 

Upon the completion of his service in the cus- 
toms, Mr. Kelly returned to his farm, which had 



1372 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



developed into one of the finest properties in 
Lane county, and remained there until his re- 
moval to Eugene in 1900. In the meantime ad- 
ditional farming lands came into his possession, 
giving him in all four hundred and forty acres 
near Springfield, nine hundred acres on Fall 
creek, and fourteen hundred acres in the Mo- 
hawk valley. Much of this land was disposed of 
before his death, on July 15, 1902, but he left 
a valuable property to his family. 

In LaFayette, Ore., January 30, 1853, Mr. 
Kelly was united in marriage with Elizabeth 
Parker, a native of Rockford, Ind., and a 
daughter of Rev. Patterson C. Parker, a pioneer 
of 1852. (For further family history, see sketch 
of Rev. P. C. Parker, which appears elsewhere 
in this volume.) The following children were 
born of the union : Mary L., wife of Henry B. 
Miller, United States consul at Niu Chwang, 
China ; Theresa M., wife of L. G. Jackson, of 
Eugene ; John F., vice president of the Booth- 
Kelly Lumber Company, of Eugene; Marcella 
S., wife of Judge Tanner, of Portland, Ore.; 
Abraham L. ; George H., superintendent of the 
Booth-Kelly Lumber Company; Elizabeth P. 
and Katharine S., residing with their mother at 
No. 141 West Sixth street, Eugene, Ore. 

In his fraternal relations Mr. Kelly was identi- 
fied with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and the Order of the Eastern Star. The 
death of Mr. Kelly, though he had attained the 
great age of eighty-four years, was a distinct loss 
to the citizenship of Lane county. Though re- 
tired from active participation in the affairs of 
the strenuous life of the day, his strong guiding 
hand had been but so recently felt that he natur- 
ally left a marked impress upon the trend of 
events. He was a man of remarkable strength 
of character, yet of a gracious and benevolent 
disposition, always desirous of accomplishing 
what he could for the betterment of mankind and 
particularly for the advancement of the highest 
and best interests of the home of his adoption. 
He left to his family a legacy of an honored 
name — a private, public and business record to 
which his descendants may refer with feelings 
of justifiable gratification and pride. 



FRANK M. FRESH. The well-developed 
farm now owned by Robert Downing, in Marion 
county, is the birthplace of another well-known 
and successful citizen of this community, Frank 
M. Fresh, who was born July 28, 1861. John 
Fresh, the father of Frank Fresh, was born in 
the state of Kentucky, and was reared on the 
farm of his parents, receiving there a fair com- 
mon school education. In time he started out on 
an independent career, locating in Missouri, 
whence started so many from the fertile lands 



beyond the Rocky mountains. At a very early 
day he joined a caravan bound for the north- 
west, and in time became one of the pioneers and 
upbuilders of Union county, later settling near 
Macleay, Marion county. Here he took up a large 
donation claim, improved it to a considerable ex- 
tent, and died in comparatively comfortable cir- 
cumstances in 1863. He married Margaret Stan- 
ton, and two children were born to him, of whom 
Benjamin is a farmer in Marion county. 

His mother dying when he was two years old, 
Frank M. Fresh went with his brother Benja- 
min to live with his maternal grandmother Stan- 
ton, remaining on her farm until her death at the 
age of eighty-seven years. His grandmother 
treated him like a son, and was worthy of all 
consideration as one of the noble and pioneer 
women of this state. As a young man Mr. 
Fresh took possession of his present farm, upon 
which he has made many fine improvements, and 
is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. 

January 19, 1902, he was united in marriage 
with Helen Isenhart, a daughter of Lawrence 
Isenhart, and a native of Silverton, Ore. Her 
parents died when she was a child. From a 
desolated home she passed into the affectionate 
care of her uncle Stephen, with whom she re- 
mained until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Fresh 
are members of the Christian Church, and are 
young people of promising and reliable traits 
of character. In addition to his own farm of 
seventy acres Mr. Fresh farms the property for- 
merly owned by his grandmother, and thus his 
responsibility is a large one, which, however, he 
is thoroughly competent to handle. Mr. Fresh is 
a practical and thorough farmer, thrifty, eco- 
nomical, and possesses excellent business judg- 
ment. 



FRED P. HURST. The electric lighting of 
the towns of Canby, Barlow, Hubbard, and Au- 
rora, is due to the enterprise of Fred P. Hurst, 
who, with his brother, John B., a practical elec- 
trician, started the Aurora plant in September, 
1902. The modern electric machine was in- 
stalled at an expense of $5,000, and the water 
plant at an expense of $6,000. The dynamo has 
a sixty-five horse power, and the water plant a 
one hundred horse power. At present Mr. Hurst 
is extending his interests, and is planning to 
light the farming community around Aurora, 
and also the towns of Butteville and Gervais. 
In connection with the electric plant he main- 
tains a cereal mill and feed chopper, erected at 
an expense of $1,000. The water from Deer 
and Elk creeks furnishes sufficient power for all 
needs, and the enterprise has proved a paying 
and very successful one. 

Mr. Hurst is a native son of Oregon, and was 




c^s.p^J. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1375 



born near Corvallis, August 21, 1870, the third 
oldest of five children born to John Daniel and 
Helen C. (Corlburg) Hurst, the former of 
whom was born in Rheinstadt, German}', in 1834. 
The remaining- children of the family are as fol- 
lows : William S., who is now engaged in the 
commission business in Hubbard ; John B., who 
is married and lives in Aurora ; Flora N. de- 
ceased : and Henry H., of Aurora. Fred P. 
Hurst was educated in the public schools of 
Salem and Aurora, and from a youth became 
familiar with the milling business, in which his 
father was for many years engaged. In time he 
became half owner of the mill, and at the time 
of his father's death, in 1899, assumed entire 
control. A devastating fire in September, 1901, 
reduced the mill to ashes, the loss, however, 
being partly covered by an insurance of $6,000. 
Thereafter he started the electric light plant, of 
which mention has already been made, erecting 
the same on the site of the old mill, and on a 
portion of the one-hundred and seventy-eight 
acres comprising his home. This property was 
bought by Mr. Hurst after his father's death, 
and he lives with his mother, who \vas born in 
Sweden, in June, 1837, and who came to the 
United States in i860, locating in Fairfield, 
Iowa. In 1863. Mrs. Hurst came across the 
plains, as a member of the same train in which 
her husband traveled, and was married soon 
after reaching Oregon. She is at present sixty- 
six years of age. 

In politics Mr. Hurst is independent, and he is 
fraternally popular, being a member of various 
organizations. He is identified with the Native 
Sons of Oregon, Hermes Lodge No. 56, K. P. ; 
the Rathbone Sisters ; Aurora Lodge No. 21, 
A. O. U. W., and Nesmuck Camp No. 26, W. 
O. W. In religion he is a member of the First 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hurst is ambitious 
and progressive, and his effort to improve the 
general condition of Aurora and its sister towns 
has met with deserved support and appreciation. 
He is one of the foremost of the younger gen- 
eration of business men in this county, and his 
future participation in important enterprises is 
assured. 



CLEMENT S. FRANK. Though general ef- 
forts of a public-spirited nature have character- 
ized the career of Clement Stoddard Frank, in 
Eugene, he will be longest remembered as the 
founder of the New York Racket Store, the first 
of its kind in the state, and also the first cash 
store in this town. 

This enterprise, started by Mr. Frank in 1890, 
and managed by him uninterruptedly until sell- 
ing out his stock in January. 1903, marks a dis- 
tinct era of commercial development, and won 
for the owner and proprietor an enviable business 
64 



reputation. For the first nine -months of its ex- 
istence the store was run under the firm name of 
Frank & Fisk, but upon the assumption of Mr. 
Fisk's responsibility by Perry Frank, the father 
of Clement S., the firm name was changed to 
P. Frank & Son. The present store, at 34, 36 
and 38 East Ninth street, with its floor space 
covering 40x110 feet, and its modern furnish- 
ings, best indicate the progress made during the 
past few 7 years, being- a decided improvement 
over the original quarters, which were limited to 
23x80 feet floor space. The new 7 store, erected 
in 1895, is still owned by Mr. Frank, but this by 
no means represents the extent of his town pos- 
sessions. Besides his own residence on East 
Ninth street, he has built and owns several resi- 
dences in different parts of the city, and he is 
considered one of the financially strong and sub- 
stantial business men of Lane county. 

Mr. Frank was born in Busti, Chautauqua 
county, N. Y., November 8, 1847, and before 
coming to Eugene had acquired considerable ex- 
perience. His ancestors on both sides of the 
family furnished incentive to well doing, ranging 
from commercial ability and rugged honesty on 
the paternal side, to religious enthusiasm, self- 
sacrifice, and patriotism on the maternal side. 
Perry Frank, the father of C. S. Frank, was born 
in Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y., September 
23, 1825, w r as a son of John and Elizabeth 
(Devendorf) Frank, the former of whom was 
born in Herkimer county, N. Y., and the latter 
in Germany. Elizabeth Frank used to relate 
many interesting happenings of the very early 
days in New York to her grandchildren, who 
never tired of hearing how she and her twin sis- 
ter were captured by the Indians, and for four 
years held as prisoners, compelled to wander 
from place to place, and eat and dress as did the 
red men. 

Her husband was a tanner, currier and shoe- 
maker, an occupation which he taught his son. 
Perry, and w r hich he followed for his entire ac- 
tive life, first in Herkimer and afterwards at 
Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y. 

Perry Frank owned a large farm in Chau- 
tauqua county, and this, combined with his tan- 
nery and shoe manufacturing, made him a very 
active man. In 1857 he removed to Henry 
county, Iow r a, and after engaging in shoe manu- 
facturing for ten years he also engaged in the 
grain, grocery and drug business in New Lon- 
don. He was very successful in his large under- 
taking, and when he disposed of his business and 
came to Eugene in 1888, he brought with him 
sufficient means to live in comfort for the balance 
of his life. He is Republican in politics, and 
since 1836, when he was eleven years of age, 
has been a member of the Baptist Church. 
Through his marriage with Mary E. Stoddard, 



1376 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in Busti, N. Y., January 6, 1847, Mr. Frank be- 
came identified with a family of exceptionally 
fine history, and equally excellent personal char- 
acteristics. Mrs. Frank was born in Eden, Erie 
county, N. Y., November, 19, 1826, a daughter 
of Rev. Ira C. Stoddard, who was born in Brat- 
tleboro, Vt., in 1792, and great-granddaughter 
of Jonathan Stoddard, who was one of General 
Washington's body-guards in the Revolution 
war. Rev. I. C. Stoddard was one of the early 
teachers of New York state, and although an 
eloquent preacher and large-hearted humani- 
tarian, supported himself by his efforts as a 
farmer, refusing remuneration for his services 
as a minister ot the gospel. He married Char- 
lotte Joy, also a native of Brattleboro, Vt., and 
who was born in 1795, a daughter of Elijah H. 
and Elizabeth (Chase) Joy, and on the maternal 
side was descended from one of four brothers, 
William, Elijah, Lewis and Levi, who came to 
America on the Mayflower, and settled in Massa- 
chusetts. Rev. Ira C. Stoddard and his wife 
spent their last years in Busti, N. Y., whither 
they had removed in 1836, the grandfather dying 
in 1878, and the grandmother in 1886. 

Mrs. Frank's brother, Rev. Ira J. Stoddard, 
named for his father, was a missionary to India 
for twenty years, and is now living retired at 
Pella, Iowa, being eighty-three years old. He 
was for many years president of the Baptist Col- 
lege at Pella. Two of his brothers, Jacob and 
Hiram, served in the Civil war, Jacob serving in 
the Ninth Cavalry, Company F, New York, and 
Hiram, who was a member of the Seventeenth 
New York Volunteer Infantry, was captured 
and held in Libby prison for nine months. 

Mrs. Frank is still living, and besides Clement 
S., the oldest of her children, had a daughter, 
Arabella Larooka, who died in Iowa in 1874. 

Clement S. Frank was reared in New -York 
state until 1857, an d then accompanied his pa- 
rents to Iowa, he being ten years of age at the 
time. At the age of fourteen he began to learn 
the shoemaker's trade of his father, and at the 
same time he was busy acquiring an excellent 
education, studying at the public schools of New 
London, at the Mount Pleasant Academy, and 
at the Burlington Baptist College, attending the 
latter institution for two years. From the col- 
lege class-rooms he stepped into a shoe manu- 
facturing business in Denmark, Iowa, but soon 
after quit to engage in business with his father, 
and was thus employed until father and son con- 
tracted a partnership in the shoe, grocery, drug 
and grain business in New London. In 1885 he 
removed to near Ord, Valley county, Neb., and 
engaged in a stock-raising business for three and 
a half years, moving from there to Eugene in 
1888. Like his father, Mr. Frank is a Republi- 
can, and he is further like his sire in entertaining 



broad and liberal views in regard to office hold- 
ing. He is prominent fraternally, and, in 1878, 
became a member of Charity Lodge No. 56 of 
Odd Fellows of New London, Iowa, and in 1883 
became a member of Industry Encampment No. 
18 of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1889 became a 
member of Spencer Butte Lodge No. 9 of Eu- 
gene, of which he is past grand, and in 1890 a 
member of Whimawhala Encampment No. 6, of 
which he is a past chief patriarch, and is also 
district deputy. The Rebekas and Woodmen 
of the World also profit by his membership. 

Edward Ray Frank, son of C. S. Frank, was 
born in New London, Henry county, Iowa, Sep- 
tember 6, 1870, Edna May was born in New 
London, Iowa, January 19, 1874, Libert Joy 
Frank, son of Edward Ray Frank, was 
born in Eugene, Ore., October 30, 1896, 
making four generations of the Frank fam- 
ily now living in Eugene, Oregon. Mrs. C. S. 
Frank was formerly Mrs. Lizzie (Mueller) 
Machaw, a native of New York City, and the 
mother of one daughter by her first marriage. 
With his wife, Mr. Frank is a member of the 
Baptist Church, and is serving at the present as 
chairman of the board of trustees. 



ALEXANDER THOMPSON, who occupies 
a farm of two hundred and eighty acres situated 
about ten miles northeast of Salem, in Marion 
county, comprising a portion of the old Rice 
Dunbar donation claim, is descended from an old 
New Jersey family. He was born near Mendham, 
N. J., on September 29, 1836, and is a son of 
George Harris and Tempe Leddel (McCrea) 
Thompson. George H. Thompson was of Scotch 
descent, a son of Stephen and a grandson of 
David Thompson, who served as a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war and fought with Washington 
at Morristown. It was the father of this Revolu- 
tionary soldier who immigrated from Scotland 
to America about the middle of the eighteenth 
century, locating in New Jersey. George H. 
Thompson, born in New Jersey October 9, 1803, 
served two terms as a member of the New Jersey 
state legislature, and was a man who exerted a 
great influence in his community. For a long 
period he served as a ruling elder in the Presby- 
terian Church, toward the support of which he 
contributed liberally of his means. His death 
occurred at Mendham, N. J., in 1883. He was 
united in marriage September 25, 1830, with 
Tempe Leddel McCrea, who died August 31, 
1864, at the age of fifty-six years. She was a 
daughter of Philip McCrea, a native of New 
York state. The latter was a nephew of Jane 
McCrea, whose death at the hands of the British 
and the Indians of .eastern New York formed 
one of the most exciting incidents in the colonial 
history of that section, and resulted in the crea- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1377 



tion of the popular sentiment and patriotic spirit 
which made possible the great victory at the bat- 
tles of Saratoga. 

Mr. Thompson received his education in the 
common schools of New Jersey. Upon attaining 
the age of twenty-two years he decided to em- 
bark upon a self-supporting career. As in the 
cases of thousands of other young men residing 
in the east in those days, the alluring tales in 
circulation regarding the vaunted superiority of 
western opportunities appealed to him strongly ; 
and. with a determination to put his fortunes 
to the hazard in the region west of the Missis- 
sippi, he started for Missouri. The romance 
connected with life in that state was dispelled not 
long after his arrival there, however, and he was 
glad to return to the state of his nativity, where 
he continued to reside until 1861. In that year 
he started for the Pacific coast, traveling by way 
of the Isthmus of Panama to California. From 
San Francisco he went direct to Nevada, which 
was then attracting hordes of venturesome spirits 
from all parts of the world, and in that territory 
he was engaged in mining for a year. His ex- 
perience in the mining fields of the west covered 
most of the period from 1861 to 1867, and in- 
cluded work in Montana and Idaho as well as 
Nevada. In the last-named year Mr. Thompson 
came to Oregon and purchased the farm on the 
west slope of the Waldo Hills, where he has since 
resided. At the time he purchased the property 
it contained three hundred and eighty acres, one 
hundred acres of which he ultimately sold. This 
farm is in a highly cultivated and very productive 
state, and is devoted to general farming and 
stock-raising. It is well equipped, and the im- 
provements are all modern and of a substantial 
nature. 

Mr. Thompson has been twice married. On 
April 26, 1 87 1, he was united with Harriett 
Small, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Henderson 
and Elizabeth (Burnett) Small. (For history of 
the Small family the reader is referred to the 
sketch of Matthew Small.) She died April 24, 
1874, leaving one daughter, Lida. October 4, 
1876, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage 
with Adeline McAlpin, daughter of Robert and 
Jane (Thomas) McAlpin. She was born in 
Jackson county. Mo., and crossed the plains to 
Oregon with her parents in 1852. Of this union 
five children have been born, namely : Roxanna, 
wife of Dr. D. J. Clark, of Silverton, Ore. ; Orla, 
wife of Arthur J. Stimpson, of Portland ; George 
Harris, at home ; Maud Ethel, at home, and 
James J., at home. 

Ever since attaining maturitv Mr. Thompson 
has been a stanch advocate of the principles of 
the Republican party, and has been actively iden- 
tified with its operations in Marion countv. His 
fitness for offices of trust and responsibility has 
been repeatedly recognized by the party. He was 



at one time a candidate for nomination to the 
office of sheriff of Marion county, but after an 
exciting triangular contest in the convention an 
opposing candidate was nominated. During all 
but the final ballot he lacked but six votes of the 
nomination. His interest in the cause of edu- 
cation is illustrated by the fact that for many 
years he has served continuously as school direct- 
or in his district, and for most of that period he 
has been clerk. He is an active worker in the 
Congregational Church, to the maintenance and 
work of which he has always contributed freely 
of his time and money ; and for ten years he has 
served as superintendent of the Sunday school 
connected with that denomination. 

This necessarily brief outline of the life of Al- 
exander Thompson conveys but a faint idea of his 
value as a conscientious and high-minded mem- 
ber of society. Throughout his entire career 
'he has striven to be guided in his daily walks 
by the Golden Rule, doing no man an injustice 
through intention, but exhibiting on all occasions 
a high-minded, unselfish public spirit and a gen- 
erosity of heart that will cause his name to be 
revered by his descendants and the future gen- 
erations of the neighborhood generally. It is to 
such men as he that the Willamette valley of to- 
day owes a debt it can never pay, for in all his 
undertakings he has been actuated by motives 
of the highest character, helping to build a foun- 
dation upon which the future of this common- 
wealth will rest secure. This, at least, is the 
estimate placed upon his life and character by 
those who have known him for more than thirty- 
five years. It is with genuine pleasure that the 
publishers of this work preserve for the future 
generations this record of a complete life, un- 
sullied by moral taint or personal dishonor at 
any period of his useful career ; but, on the con- 
trary, replete with demonstrations of a nobility 
of character and continuous usefulness that 
should inspire the young men of the present day 
to attain the best of which they are capable. 



JAMES M. BROWN. One of the most en- 
ergetic and far-sighted business men of Silver- 
ton is J. M. Brown, whose speculations have 
been so judiciously made that they have brought 
to him a splendid financial return. He has been 
a resident of Oregon since 1846 and has taken 
advantage of its splendid business opportunities 
as the state has grown and developed. He was 
born in Lincoln county, Mo., January 6, 1844, 
and is a son of James Brown, who was born in 
Kentucky, March 14, 1814. His grandfather, 
Bartholomew Brown, was a native of North 
Carolina, whence he crossed the Alleghanies into 
Kentucky about 1804. The father of the latter 
came from Wales about the middle of the eight- 
eenth century, locating at Old Fort, N. C, where 



1378 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he was killed while serving in the Colonial 
militia. Bartholomew Brown located on the 
Green river in Kentucky and there engaged in 
farming until 1830, when he removed to Illinois, 
settling near Alton. After a short time, how- 
ever, he went to Missouri, locating in Lincoln 
county, near Troy, where he died at the age of 
forty-eight years. A note of interest in his fam- 
ily is the fact that so far as is known his sons and 
daughters have attained a greater average of 
years than any other family in the United States. 
James Brown accompanied his parents on their 
removal to Missouri and was reared to manhood 
on their home farm. After arriving at years of 
maturity he wedded Lucinda Davis, who was 
born in Wheeling, Va. In the year 1846 they 
joined the emigrants who were crossing the 
plains to gain dominion over the northwest. 
After a long and tedious journey they arrived at 
Silverton September 14, 1846, and secured a 
donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, 
part of which is now included within the north- 
ern limits of the present city of Silverton. Mr. 
Brown established the first tannery in Oregon, 
its site being a half mile north of Silverton. 
This he conducted from 1847 until 1849, when he 
closed out the business in order to go to the gold 
mines of California, where he spent three 
months, and then returned home with one thou- 
sand dollars. He next gave his attention to 
cattle-raising and general farming. He built the 
Eating House at a cost of two thousand dollars, 
which stands on the territorial road leading from 
Portland to California, a half mile north of Sil- 
verton. This was erected in 1850, and at the 
time was the leading eating house between Port- 
land and San Francisco. Mr. Brown was a 
typical southern man of high principles, gen- 
erous and extremely hospitable. The circle of 
his friends was almost co-extensive with the 
circle of his acquaintances and he commanded 
the warm esteem of all with whom he was asso- 
ciated. His wife died in 1872 and he passed 
away in March, 1887. 

James M. Brown was the third in order of 
birth of their family of nine children, four sons 
and five daughters. He obtained a good busi- 
ness education, and when sixteen years of age he 
engaged in dealing in cattle and horses, and 
otherwise specvdating in stock. In his business 
transactions he was ever successful, and by the 
time he had reached the age of twenty-three 
years he had accumulated five thousand dollars. 
He then determined to engage in general mer- 
chandising and in 1868 entered into partnership 
with Messrs. Davenport & Wolfard in a general 
mercantile and milling business, but in this he 
was not successful. He then turned his atten- 
tion to the raising of sheep and prospered in this 
undertaking. He has throughout his entire life 
engaged in speculation to a greater or less ex- 



tent. He laid out Brown's addition to Silverton 
in 1889, and at the same time Brown's addition 
A. His investments have been made with 
marked foresight. He recognized with wonder- 
ful clearness a good opportunity and utilized it. 
One of his business principles was to place a fair 
price upon what he had to sell, and when that 
amount was offered, to sell it. He forms his 
plans readily, is determined in their execution, 
and he carries forward to successful completion 
whatever he undertakes. He owns different 
tracts of land, comprising altogether about three 
hundred acres. 

Mr. Brown was married in Portland March 
27, 1873, to Miss Edna J. Eastham, who was 
born eight miles north of Silverton November 
25, 1850, and has been a successful school 
teacher. Her father, William F. Eastham, was 
a native of Virginia, and on emigrating west- 
ward took up his abode in Macoupin county, 111., 
where he carried on farming. There he was 
married in March, 1848, to Delilah Ann Cleaver, 
and in the same year he started for Oregon, in 
company with his wife's father, Benjamin 
Cleaver. After residing for about two years at 
Oregon City he secured a donation claim of six 
hundred and forty acres eight miles north of Sil- 
verton, and afterward sold half of this and made 
his home with Mr. Brown, both he and his wife 
dying in Silverton. He was born November 23, 
1823, and died December 30, 1901. His wife 
was born February 15, 1831, and died January 
29, 1892. Mr. Eastham was the last survivor, 
save one, of the jury that convicted the Indians 
who killed Dr. Whitman. John Lawson East- 
ham, father of William F., was born in the 
colony of Fauquier county, Va., in 1776, and 
died in Macoupin county, 111., in 1862. His 
wife, Nancy Farrow, was born in Culpepper 
county, Va., in 1781, and died in Macoupin 
county, 111., in 1868. 

Benjamin Cleaver, Mrs. Brown's grandfather, 
was a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Cleaver, 
and was born in Grayson county, Ky., Septem- 
ber 6, 1803, where his wife was also born May 
29, 1808. They were married there December 
9, 1824. He came to Oregon in 1848, and after 
spending two years in Oregon City took up a 
donation claim on the south slope of Mount 
Angel, where most of the remainder of his life 
was spent. He 'served as justice of the peace for 
many years, and was a man of extensive influ- 
ence in the early days. He died in 1892, and his 
wife in 1864. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown have 
been born four children : Percy L., Carl M., 
Florence, and Earl (a twin brother of Carl, now 
deceased). The eldest son was educated in 
Willamette University. The younger son has 
also been a student in that institution andthey 
are now associated in the conduct of the Silver- 
ton Water Works. Mr. Brown's daughter was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1379 



educated in Willamette University and in the 
Salem Business College. For over thirty years 
Mr. Brown was a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he is a stal- 
wart Prohibitionist. He has always been an op- 
ponent of oppression or slavery in any form. He 
was a stanch Abolitionist during the Civil war 
and is now bitterly opposed to the slavery which 
enthralls the spirits and operations of men, 
known as the liquor habit. Mr. Brown practices 
what he preaches, for he has never taken a drink 
of whiskey in his life, nor does he use tobacco. 
His life is clean, his principles honorable, his 
actions manly and sincere. In the community 
where he has so long resided he is held in uni- 
form regard. 



JOHN P. HUMPHREYS. Among the pio- 
neers who crossed the plains in 1852, and have 
since been identified with the upbuilding of this 
wonderful commonwealth, is John P. Hum- 
phreys, younger brother of William J. Hum- 
phreys, also a large land owner and extensive 
stock-raiser of this section. Mr. Humphreys is 
the representative of a southern family located 
for many years in Tennessee, in which state he 
was born January 2, 1832. The two brothers men- 
tioned were among the most ambitious of a large 
family of children born to Thomas M. and Jane 
(Harrison) Humphreys. In their youth they 
worked hard from morning until night, taking 
part in the diversions afforded the youth of that 
neighborhood, and indulging in the dreams of 
future success, which make up a large part of 
the existence of an active and healthy boy. The 
Wilson sisters were born and reared in the same 
community, and July 21, 1852, a double wedding 
furnished enjoyment for a great many guests, all 
of whom partook of a royal feast, and had only 
good wishes for the happy young people. Mar- 
garet Moore Wilson became the wife of John P. 
Humphreys, and she and her husband made up 
two interesting members of the party which out- 
fitted and crossed the plains in September, 1852, 
arriving in due time in Missouri, where the on- 
coming winter suggested a rest until the follow- 
ing spring. With renewed strength and spirits 
they started out again in the spring, and Mr. 
Humphreys took up a three hundred and twenty- 
acre claim near Scio, Linn county. A more deso- 
late or unpromising location could hardly be con- 
ceived of at the time. However, there was an 
abundance of timber, and a good water supply, 
and it was with great hopefulness that the young 
man hewed logs and built himself and wife a 
one-room house, 16x16 feet, ground dimensions. 
This little house continued to be their home until 
1858, when they moved upon another place, Mr. 
Humphreys erecting a saw-mill, which he ran 



with considerable success until 1861. The mill 
was traded that year for land in Linn county, 
consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, 
upon which they lived during the winter of 1862 
The next spring they removed to the Waldo 
Hills, and in the fall went to Idaho, where he 
bought a claim. 

After six months of mining in Idaho, Mr. 
Humphreys was convinced that he was not born 
to seek a fortune in the mines, and thereupon re- 
turned to Marion county, where he bought the 
farm in the Waldo Hills, upon which he lives. 
He has two hundred and two acres eleven miles 
east of Salem, and the improvements are all due 
to his enterprise and unflagging industry. A 
practical and scientific farmer, that he has suc- 
ceeded is not to be wondered at in so enterprising 
and resourceful a man. 

Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Humphreys : Thomas M., a mail clerk in the 
United States postal service, residing in Wood- 
burn ; William H., of Marion county ; Mary 
Minerva, the wife of James Darby ; John A., a 
resident of Springfield, Ore. ; Charles L., of Mar- 
ion county; Penelope Jane, wife of C. M. Cart- 
wright, residing in the vicinity of Monroe ; 
Oliver, who died at the age of seven, and Joseph 
Frank, who is managing the home farm. It was 
here that the latter's birth occurred, April 7, 
1872. He was united in marriage, September 16, 
1891, to Minnie L. King, daughter of James T. 
King, of Marion county, and they have four chil- 
dren : James Harold, Herbert Rodney, Dolphie 
Albert and Mary Marguerite, the latter dying at 
the age of nineteen months. 

Like his brother, John P. Humphreys votes the 
Republican ticket, and he has taken an active 
part in local and county political undertakings, 
having filled a number of offices. He bears an 
honored name in this county, and is esteemed as 
one of the successful, reliable and substantial 
citizens. 



HARVEY A. HINKLE. A good example 
of what steady effort, constantly directed, can 
in a short time accomplish, is furnished by the 
record of Harvey A. Hinkle, the subject of this 
biography, who, although young in years, is 
conceded to be one of the most successful hop 
buyers on the western coast of the United States. 
Mr. Hinkle is junior member of the commission 
house of W. S. Hurst & Co., having complete 
charge of the branch house located at Hubbard, 
Marion county. 

He was born in Clackamas county, Ore., 
March 6, 1870, a son of John R. and Elmira 
(Thomas) Hinkle, and grandson of Alexander 
and Fannie (Hinkle) Hinkle. More extensive 
mention of his ancestors is given in the sketch 



1380 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of John Robert Hinkle, the father, and will be 
found elsewhere in this history. 

Mr. Hinkle is the youngest of two children born 
to his parents. He has one sister, Eliza, wife of 
O. L. Darling, of Salem. He obtained the rudi- 
ments of his education in the public schools of 
Elliott Prairie, and in 1881 entered Willamette 
University at Salem, where he took a scientific 
course. In 1888 he began a business course in 
the Portland Business College, from which he 
was graduated February 20, 1889. Returning 
to Salem, he became a salesman in the mercan- 
tile establishment of Steiger Brothers, and a few 
months later we find him similarly associated 
with Preger Brothers, of Portland. 

In 1890 Mr. Hinkle, in company with George 
M. Fry, opened a general merchandise store at 
Hubbard, and for three years a successful busi- 
ness was carried on under the firm name of Fry 
& Hinkle. In 1893, our subject sold his inter- 
est to Mr. Fry and began buying hops for a 
broker in San Francisco. This occupied his at- 
tention for a number of years, during which he 
made a remarkable record as a hop buyer. In 
1899 he made a change and followed a similar 
business in connection with the Paul G. R. Horst 
& Lochmund Company, of Salem, who shipped 
to New York City. Mr. Hinkle remained in 
their employ until 1902, when he entered the 
employ of W. S. Hurst & Co., commission mer- 
chants, owning a half interest in that flourishing 
business, and, it is needless to say, contributes 
his part toward its success. 

Mr. Hinkle was united in marriage with Sarah 
Fry, of Aurora, and they have one child, Lona. 
In politics Mr. Hinkle is a Republican of the 
most pronounced type ; he has served two terms 
as recorder and is now a member of the city 
council. Aside from other business pursuits he 
is associated with his- father in raising cattle for 
the market. He has hosts of friends who predict 
for him a brilliant future, and he is a worthy 
member of the Knights of Pythias ; Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks, and Woodmen of the 
World. 



EDWARD J. FRASIER. Conspicuously 
identified with the industrial and business growth 
and prosperity of Lane county is E. J. Frasier, 
who is a large property owner, and the leading 
real estate dealer of Eugene. A man of marked 
intellectual vigor and cultivated tastes, progress- 
ive in his ideas, and the possessor of rare execu- 
tive ability, he holds a position of influence in 
the community, and is contributing his full share 
towards the advancement of its highest interests. 
He was born February 28, 1857, at Delhi, Dela- 
ware county, N. Y., which was also the birth- 
place of his father, Alexander Frasier. He 
comes of Scotch ancestry, his paternal grand- 



parents, William and Isabelle (Shaw) Frasier, 
having both been born and reared in Inverness, 
Scotland. Emigrating to New York when 
young, they settled on a farm near Delhi, N. Y., 
and there spent the remainder of their lives, 
William Frasier's death occurring at the remark- 
able age of one. hundred and three years, while 
his widow attained the age of ninety-five years. 
The grandfather served in the war of 1812, and 
several years later took an active part in the 
Anti-Rent war, when battles were fought with 
pitchforks. 

Reared to agricultural pursuits, Alexander 
Frasier was engaged in general farming in 
Delhi, N. Y., until 1868, when he removed with 
his family to California, taking his wife and 
nine children by way of the Isthmus of Panama. 
Settling at Monterey, he purchased a large 
ranch, where he engaged in the breeding of 
Shorthorn cattle, until at one time he had eight 
thousand head. He also embarked in the dairy 
business on a large scale, milking eight hundred 
cows. In the memorable drought of 1876 and 
1877, which devastated that section of the state, 
he lost the greater part of his stock. Coming to 
Salem, Ore., in 1877, he bought a small farm, 
and was there engaged in horticultural pursuits 
until his death, which occurred at the age of 
seventy-six years, at Tacoma, Wash., while he 
was there on a visit. He married Alice Jane 
Douglas, who was born in New York city, and 
died in San Francisco, Cal. Her father, Rev. 
James A. Douglas, was born in Inverness, Scot- 
land. He was graduated from the University of 
Edinburgh, where he subsequently held a pro- 
fessorship until his emigration to America, when 
he settled in New York city as a Presbyterian 
minister. Nine children blessed the union of 
Alexander and Alice J. (Douglas) Frasier, 
seven of whom are still living. One son, James 
A., served in the Civil war as member of a com- 
pany of the New York Volunteer Infantry. 

The sixth child in the family, E. J. Frasier 
was eleven years old when he left his native 
town to come to California. Continuing his 
studies, he attended first the public schools of 
Monterey, then of Salinas, after which he was a 
pupil in the high school of Salem, Ore., and of 
Healds' Business College, in San Francisco, 
finally completing his education in the California 
State Normal School at San Jose. Beginning 
his professional career at the teacher's desk, he 
taught one year in Salem, Ore., and was after- 
wards employed in various places, including 
Newport, Hubbard and Howells Prairie, in Ore- 
gon. Then, spending a while in California, he 
taught there for a short time. Returning to 
Oregon, he had charge of a school in Marion 
for a time, but resigned his position there to 
enter the employ of Hubert Howe Bancroft, who 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1381 



was compiling a history of the Pacific coast 
states, and while thus engaged Mr. Frasier wrote 
the history of that part of the state, extending 
from the city of Salem to Oregon's southern 
boundary line, spending two years in the work. 
The ensuing three and one-half years he was 
head bookkeeper at the State Insane Asylum 
in Salem, serving under Dr. Carpenter and Dr. 
Josephi. 

Locating in Eugene in 1889, Mr. Frasier or- 
ganized the Lane County Land and Loan Com- 
pany, a real estate and mortgage loan concern, 
of which he has since been secretary and man- 
ager. He has likewise been the secretary, since 
its organization, of the Eugene Real Estate Ex- 
change, which he was instrumental in forming, 
and whose constitution and by-laws he drafted. 
Being appointed by Governor Lord a member of 
the executive committee of the board of commis- 
sioners to represent Oregon at the exposition 
held in Omaha, Neb., in 1898, Mr. Frasier spent 
about a year of his time in traveling through the 
state, collecting such exhibits as would best show 
the various resources and industries of Oregon. 
That he succeeded well in his arduous labors 
was proved by the great exhibition of Oregon's 
arts, industries and manufactures, and the prod- 
ucts of its soil, mines and sea at the Omaha 
Exposition, every^ part of the state responding 
generously with exhibits of its special product. 
Mr. Frasier is an extensive land holder, owning 
in Lane county several farms, which he rents. 
He is also interested in the mines of Myrtle 
creek district, a mining corporation of which 
was capitalized at $1,500,000, and which owns 
two thousand one hundred acres of placer mines 
at Myrtle Creek, Douglas county. 

In Woodland, Cal., in 1892, Mr. Frasier mar- 
ried Miss Jenne Stoddard Lee, a native of that 
town, and they have two children, namely : 
Brownell Dorris, and Helen Janet Gertrude. Po- 
litically Mr. Frasier is a strong advocate of the 
principles of the Republican party, and takes an 
active interest in local and national affairs. Fra- 
ternally he belongs to Olive Lodge No. 18, I. O. 
O. F., of Salem, in which he has held all the 
offices, and is a past grand representative to the 
Grand Lodge ; is a charter member of the Valley 
Lodge No. 18, A. O. U. W. ; and while living in 
Monterey, Cal., united with the Foresters. In 
his religious views he is a Presbyterian. 



WILLIAM E. ILER. Closely connected 
with the events of the pioneer days in Marion 
county. Ore., is the life of William E. Her, a 
youthful emigrant to the state of his adoption, 
within whose range of vision have come great 
changes during his residence here of over a half 
century. Fine houses and substantial barns have 



taken the place of the little log cabins and 
" shacks " which once constituted the conveni- 
ences of the farm ; towns and cities have sprung 
up in the wilderness, with their churches and 
schools and thriving industries ; and even the 
old fiddle, across whose strings he was wont to 
scrape the bow to make the music for the country 
dances, has been displaced by the modern or- 
chestra ; and only recollection is left to connect 
the trials and hardships of those early days with 
the present affluence. 

The birth of William E. Her occurred in Mer- 
cer county, Mo., April 10, 1845, his parents being 
James and Maria (Vanalsdale) Her, both of 
whom were natives of the state of Ohio. From 
their Missouri home the father started with his 
family for Oregon in 1847, traveling by ox- 
team. Upon his arrival at The Dalles he had 
left but one ox and a cow, so they abandoned 
their wagon and came by flat boat to Oregon 
City, where they spent their first winter in the 
west. Mr. Her was employed during this win- 
ter in transporting provisions to the soldiers 
stationed at The Dalles. In the spring of 1848 
he settled upon a farm owned by a Mr. Hudson, 
which was located three miles east of Oregon 
City, and contained three hundred and twenty 
acres. There he remained but a short time, soon 
taking up a donation claim in the same neighbor- 
hood. After a brief experience in a logging camp 
he again took his family to the Hudson farm, 
remaining upon the same until 1851, when he 
took up another claim, located in the vicinity of 
Butteville, Marion county, consisting of six hun- 
dred and forty acres. In this location he re- 
mained until his death, in 1883, at the age of sev- 
enty-two years. His wife died in 1880, at the age 
of sixty-seven. Of the five children which blessed 
the union there is only one now living, that 
being William E. Her of this review. The second 
child, Emma R., attained maturity and married 
Gustavius A. Cone, Sr. Her death occurred in 
1881. 

William E. Her was five years old at the time 
of his father's removal to his claim, and there he 
grew to manhood, reared to an agricultural life. 
His early education was received in the common 
schools in the vicinity of his home, which he at- 
tended in the short intermission between the farm- 
ing seasons. Owing to his father's ill health he 
was compelled at the age of fifteen years to take 
entire charge of the farm, which has never since 
passed from his control. He now owns 
one hundred and eighty acres of land, upon which 
he is engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising, also being interested in the cultivation 
of hops, in which business he has met with grati- 
fying success. In 1881 he first gave his atten- 
tion to the cultivation of this plant, beginning 
operations with seven acres. In 1888 he had 



1382 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



nearly sixty acres devoted to hops, in the year 
1890 disposing of over thirty thousand pounds, 
these figures representing a considerable sum of 
money. He has at the present time but twelve 
acres in hops. In the stock line he is interested 
in Poland-China hogs. 

January 10, 1870, Mr. Her was united in 
marriage with Miss Lulu Stephens. Fraternally 
he is identified with the Masons, and is serving 
as treasurer of the local lodge ; he is also a mem- 
ber of Butteville Lodge No. 59, I. O. O. F, ; 
the Maccabees, and the Grange. Being one of 
the pioneer hop-growers of the Willamette val- 
ley, Mr. Her has been deeply interested in all 
movements that tend toward the encouragement 
of the industry. He took an active part in the 
organization of the Hop-growers' Fire Relief 
Association, of which he was elected the first 
president, serving in this office for three years ; 
subsequently he was elected a member of the 
board of trustees in the association for the pro- 
tection of hop-growers in the Willamette val- 
ley. He is now serving as treasurer of the lat- 
ter company, which is carrying about $700,000 of 
insurance. In the Farmers' Relief Fire Insurance 
Company he was one of the principal organizers, 
and is now in the directorate. 

It will thus be seen, from this all too brief 
outline of the principal features in the career of 
Mr. Iler, that he has been intensely and unself- 
ishly interested in various movements which have 
had for an end the safeguarding of the most 
important interests of the Willamette valley — for 
it cannot be denied that in an agricultural sec- 
tion the prime interests are those of the men who 
cultivate the fields and reap the harvests. In 
every way a representative of the best citizen- 
ship of the country, his name will be perpetuated 
in this record as that of a man whose life has not 
been lived in vain — who accomplished all that he 
could for the benefit of his fellow-men, and whose 
aim was always to make his career one of honor, 
integrity and utility. That he has accomplished 
the result aspired to is the outcome of his own 
unaided efforts, and a distinct and enduring credit 
to himself alone. 



FREDERICK C. BEAN. The name which 
heads this sketch has long been associated with 
the cattle and land interests of Lane county, the 
business having passed from the father, Obe- 
diah R., to Frederick C. Bean, the subject of 
this sketch. The latter is a native of this great 
commonwealth, having been born in Lane 
county, four miles north of Junction City, Feb- 
ruary 10, .1869, the son of one of the very early 
pioneers, a review of whose life is to be found 
in the sketch of Louis E. Bean, of Eugene. 
Upon his father's farm Frederick C. Bean was 



reared until he was thirteen years old, when he 
accompanied his parents to a home near the 
city of Eugene, thus receiving the advantage 
which accrued from an attendance of the excel- 
lent schools of that city. In April, 1866, his 
father bought a farm in the vicinity of Maple- 
ton, locating at the head of the tide on the Sius- 
law river, and there the elder man spent the 
remainder of his days successfully engaged in 
farming, until his death, when the interests 
passed into the hands of the son. 

After assuming the responsibility of the farm 
at the death of his father Frederick C. Bean 
continued to make this farm his home, having 
now three hundred and twenty acres adjoining 
the town of Mapleton, and a homestead of one 
hundred and sixty acres five miles east, but re- 
sides upon property in Mapleton. He is at the 
present time engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising upon his fine property and is also 
agent for Baug's stage line and conducts a sub- 
land-office, while he acts as United States com- 
missioner and notary public. He was married 
in June, 1900, to Laura E. Coleman, who was 
born fifteen miles southwest of Eugene, Lane 
county, in 1869. They have two children, Hor- 
tense and Rupert. Through Republican influ- 
ence Mr. Bean was appointed postmaster of 
Mapleton January 14, 1902, having served for 
twelve years as deputy to his mother, in the 
later years having assumed entire charge of the 
office. He also acted as school clerk. In fra- 
ternal relations Mr. Bean is prominent, being a 
member of the Masonic lodge at Florence ; in the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Maple- 
ton, he has passed all the chairs and belongs to 
the Grand Lodge ; and is likewise identified with 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Flor- 
ence, and the Modern Woodmen of America, of 
Acme. 



EWING B. JAMISON. Among the more 
active and enterprising business men of Polk 
county is Mr. Jamison, who is connected with 
one of the leading industries of this section of 
the state, being secretary, treasurer, and gen- 
eral manager of the Oregon Milling and Ware- 
house company, which has warehouses at Mon- 
mouth and Airlie, and mills at Independence. 

A native of Missouri, Mr. Jamison was born 
September 11, 1868, in Callaway county, a son 
of Joseph Jamison, and grandson of Ephraim 
Jamison, who spent the larger part of his life 
in Missouri. His father was born in Franklin 
county, Mo., in 1821, and was there reared and 
educated. A farmer by occupation, he met 
with success in his operations, and continued 
a resident of his native state until his death, 
in 1901, at the advanced age of eighty years. 




^tJ^b-^^tAj 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1385 



His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy R. 
Manpin, died on the home farm, in Missouri, 
in 1880. Ten children were born of their union, 
five sons and five daughters. 

The youngest child, Ewing B. Jamison, grew 
to man's estate on the home farm, attending 
first the district schools, and later the State 
Normal school at Kirksville, entering in 1886 
and graduating in 1889, when he received a 
state diploma. Mr. Jamison at once came to 
Oregon, locating in Yamhill county, and for 
five years thereafter taught school in Amity. 
Establishing himself as a grain dealer at Amity 
in 1894, he has since assisted in building up the 
large business with which he is now identified, 
and which is incorporated as the Oregon Mill- 
ing and Warehouse Company, with W. T. 
Hoffman as president ; M. Tillery, vice-presi- 
dent, and Mr. Jamison, secretary, treasurer 
and general manager. This company has three 
warehouses, all equipped with the latest ap- 
proved machinery, and all having a good car- 
rying capacity, the one at Independence being 
eighty thousand bushels, the one at Airlie forty 
thousand bushels, and the one at Monmouth 
sixty thousand bushels. In February, 1902, 
the company purchased the large milling plant 
at Independence, fitting it up with the best- 
known and most modern machinery, and put- 
ting in steam power. Under the supervision 
of Mr. Jamison one hundred barrels of flour 
per day are here manufactured, the sifter 
process being used, and the brand, "Pride of 
Oregon," finding ready sale throughout the 
Union. 

At Portland, in 1893, Mr. Jamison was united 
in marriage with Miss Alda Pauline Lance- 
field, a native of Yamhill county. Mrs. Jami- 
son was born at Amity, Ore., July 5, 1875, and 
is the daughter of Robert W. Lancefield, a na- 
tive son, and a granddaughter of Robert James 
Lancefield, of Kent, England. Her mother, 
Sarah J. Maddox, was born in Monroe county, 
Mo., and crossed the plains to Oregon in 
1865. Mr. and Mrs. Jamison have three chil- 
dren, namely : Mildred Chastain, Olga and 
Russell Warren. Although in business in In- 
dependence, Mr. Jamison resides at Monmouth, 
where he has an attractive home. 



JAMES WHITFIELD GOWDY. Coming 
to Cottage Grove in ample time to generously aid 
in its progress and development, which have been 
carried on so rapidly and to such a remarkable 
degree, James W Gowdy has been actively asso- 
ciated with many of its beneficial enterprises, and 
is numbered among the solid business men of the 
place. For several years he was engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits, but is now one of the leading 



furniture dealers of this locality. A son of Cal- 
vin A. Gowdy, he was born June 12, 1839, in 
White county, near Carmi or Enfield, 111. His 
grandfather, John Gowdy, spent the earlier part 
of his life in Tennessee, although he was, prob- 
ably, a native of North Carolina. Removing 
from Tennessee to Illinois, he settled in White 
county, purchasing a farm, on which he spent 
Ins remaining years. 

Removing from Tennessee, the state of his 
birth, to White county, 111., Calvin A. Gowdy 
was engaged in agricultural pursuits, near the 
town of Enfield, until his death, at the age of 
sixty years. He married Cynthia Jane Miller, 
who died at a comparatively early age. She bore 
him seven children, five sons and two daughters, 
James W. being the fourth child in order of 
birth. 

After completing his studies in the common 
schools of his native town, James W. Gowdy as- 
sisted on the home farm until 1857, when an 
uncle gave him a tract of land to care for. Pur- 
chasing forty acres of adjoining land, he carried 
on general farming a number of years. In 1866 
he began working in a grist-mill at Enfield, 111., 
and was afterwards employed in a carding-mill, 
in which he subsequently bought a half interest. 
Disposing of this property in 1874, Mr. Gowdy 
followed the star of empire west, arriving No- 
vember 12 at the present site of Cottage Grove, 
which was then a wild tract of land still in its 
primitive condition. In 1876 he bought a half 
interest in three hundred and twenty acres of 
land lying west of the present town, and subse- 
quently bought the remaining half. He has since 
made another purchase, and has now five hun- 
dred acres of fertile and well improved land in 
his ranch. In 1903 Mr. Gowdy platted three 
acres of his land, laying out Gowdy's addition 
to Cottage Grove, which has a most pleasant and 
advantageous location. He has also divided two 
hundred acres of his land west of town one and 
one-half miles into ten-acre tracts, most of 
which have been sold and the place is now called 
Gowdyville. While engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits, Mr. Gowdy devoted himself for awhile to 
sheep-raising and breeding, in 1878, in company 
with another man, driving them to eastern Ore- 
gon to the ranges. Of recent years he has rented 
his farms, and devoted his attention to other 
industries. For four or more years he carried on 
a substantial livery business, giving it up in 1903 
to enter into his present occupation as a furniture 
dealer. His first partner, U. S. Martin, sold his 
interest in the firm to his brother, Jesse Martin, 
with whom Mr. Gowdy is now associated. These 
gentlemen have already established a large trade 
in their particular line of goods, their able and 
systematic business methods winning them signal 
success. Mr. Gowdy has also valuable mining 



1386 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



property, being interested in a group of six 
mining claims, the Golconda, in the Bohemia dis- 
trict, and is one of the directors of the company. 
When he came to Oregon, in 1874, Mr. Gowdy 
traveled over the Central Pacific railway, being 
on an emigrant train from Omaha to San Fran- 
cisco, where he took a boat to Portland, Ore. 
Returning to Enfield, 111., in 1884, he went over 
the Northern Pacific railroad in October, return- 
ing the following "December by way of New 
Orleans, where he spent two weeks, thence 
through Texas and Arizona to his home. 

Mr. Gowdy married first, in Lane county > Ore., 
Helen Small, who died in 1877, in eastern Ore- 
gon, where Mr. Gowdy had taken her for the 
benefit of her health. Mr. Gowdy later married 
at Cottage Grove, Mrs. Anna Jane Van Riper, 
a native of Iowa, and they have two children 
living, namely : Virgil Whitfield and Erma 
Bethel. A stanch Democrat in his political af- 
filiations,, Mr. Gowdy has served as school direc- 
tor for many years, and is now serving his sec- 
ond term in the city council. Fraternally he is a 
Mason, an Odd Fellow, a member of the Re- 
bekas, and a Knight of Pythias. He is an active 
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 
in which he has been an elder a number of years. 



WILLIAM M. GREEN. The commercial in- 
terests of Eugene, Lane county, recognize a 
valuable representative in the person of W. M. 
Green, who has conducted a grocery business in 
that city since 1891. At that date Mr. Green 
and his father began the business in a small room 
two doors north of his present location, making 
at first but a modest showing among the other 
grocers of the town. Energy and close applica- 
tion to business have brought marked success to 
this comparatively young man, who is now locat- 
ed in a building 26x78 feet in dimensions. Mr. 
Green now stands high as a merchant of integ- 
rity, the evidence of which is his wide popularity. 

William M. Green was born in New Auburn, 
Minn., August 28, i860, his father being Jona- 
than U. Green, who was born near Worcester, 
Vt., the son of J. B. Green, also a native of Ver- 
mont, and a farmer there. The father first 
learned the trade of a tailor ; but on locating in 
New Auburn, Minn., in 1857, he engaged as a 
merchant, continuing in that occupation until 
1873, and in 1875 he became deputy collector of 
customs at Moorhead, Minn., and later at Pem- 
bina, N. Dak., where he remained for four years. 
In 1883 he returned to farming, settling in 
Minnesota, and in 1891 he removed to Eugene, 
Lane county, Ore. Here his death occurred No- 
vember 9, 1896. In fraternal relations he was 
a Royal Arch Mason. He married Martha A. 
Arnold, a native of Pennsylvania, the daughter 



of William Arnold, also of that state, who 
settled as a farmer in New Auburn, Minn. Mrs. 
Green now makes her home in Eugene. She is 
the mother of eight children, five of whom are 
living. The oldest of this family is W. M. 
Green, who was reared in Minnesota, and re- 
ceived a rather limited education in the public 
schools. He remained at home until attain- 
ing his majority, meantime spending six years 
of the period as a clerk in Moorhead and 
Pembina. He then began farming, conduct- 
ing a farm near the city of his birth 
for three years, after which he went to 
Fargo, N. Dak., where he spent a similar 
period in a clerkship. In 1891 he came to Ore- 
gon with his father, and the two opened the 
business which has since grown to lucrative pro- 
portions. They started at the foot of the ladder 
and have now reached a position not to be de- 
spised in the commercial life of the city. Mr. 
Green bought his mother's interest in the busi- 
ness in January, 1903, and now conducts it en- 
tirely alone. 

In New Auburn, Minn., Mr. Green married 
Etta J. Kipp, who was born in Delaware county, 
N. Y., and their two children are Ellen M. and 
Robert E. As a Republican in politics, Mr. 
Green has taken an active part in the affairs of 
the city, having served for one term as a mem- 
ber of the council from the First ward. He is 
also a member of the County Republican Cen- 
tral Committee. Along the lines of his busi- 
ness he is a member of the Commercial Club. 
Fraternally he belongs to the Woodmen of the 
World, in which he acts as banker; Knights of 
the Maccabees ; was made a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Pembina, 
N. Dak., and is now a member of the Eugene 
Lodge and past officer. In the Encampment he 
is past chief patriarch and is now Grand High 
Priest of the Grand Encampment of Oregon. 
He is also identified with the Rebekahs. 



ERNEST WILLIAM FISHER. Upon a 
farm of five hundred acres two miles north of 
Corvallis, Ernest W. Fisher is conducting a 
successful general farming and stock-raising 
enterprise, being one of the very well known 
farmers of this locality. He came here in 1851, 
and with the exception of occasional wander- 
ings into other parts of the northwest, has made 
this his home, and the scene of his most am- 
bitious life effort. Mr. Fisher is of German 
ancestry, and his youth and early manhood were 
passed in the Fatherland, where he was born 
May 25, 1825. As was and still is the custom 
in European countries, he was given the oppor- 
tunity to learn a trade, and was four years ap- 
prenticed to a saddler. Having completed his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



138^ 



trade he became a journeyman saddler, travel- 
ing over the whole of his interesting country, 
and visiting many a picturesque and quaint old 
market-place. 

In 1849 -^ r - Fisher came to America in a sail- 
ing vessel, and after a long voyage landed in 
New York, where he worked for a time at his 
trade, and from there visited Philadelphia, St. 
Louis and other large cities. In 1851 he bought 
three yoke of oxen and a wagon and started 
across the plains, and after six months of vary- 
ing experiences landed at Salem, where his good 
trade furnished him with a means of support. 
Becoming interested in mining he spent six 
months in seeking the hidden treasures of the 
earth, and after returning to Corvallis in the 
spring of 1852 began to make saddletrees, cov- 
ering them with rawhide. This kind of saddle 
was not entirely satisfactory, and as soon as 
he could procure leather he began making pack- 
saddles, and later still manufactured quantities 
of harness. In 1856 he went to Jacksonville for 
a year, and then went to Iowa by water and the 
Isthmus, returning to the west in 1857. Locat- 
ing in Corvallis in the fall of 1857 he purchased 
his present farm, but continued to live in Cor- 
vallis, working at his trade and making much 
money. In 1870 he abandoned his trade in 
favor of farming, and it would seem from his 
success that nature has fitted him for the suc- 
cessful conduct of at least two occupations. 

In 1857 Mr. Fisher was united in marriage 
with Amelia Diller, of which union there have 
been born the following children : Annie ; Lena ; 
Charles ; Emma ; Mollie : Clara ; John ; and 
Frank, deceased. Mrs. Fisher died at Corvallis 
in 1 901, a devoted wife and a kind and loving 
mother. In many ways Mr. Fisher has con- 
tributed to the well-being of his neighborhood, 
being always in favor of progressive and up- 
building enterprises. He is a Democrat in poli- 
tics, but aside from casting his vote has never 
identified himself with local affairs of a political 
nature. He is well known in fraternal circles, 
and has been identified with the Masonic order 
since 1857, and has been a Royal Arch Mason 
for a great many years. L T pright in all of his 
dealings, a good friend and neighbor, and a most 
worthy and exemplary man. Mr. Fisher is in- 
deed an acquisition to the farming community 
near Corvallis. 



CARROLL C. CALLAWAY. That pride 
which a native son feels in his surroundings, and 
that kinship with the soil which inspires him 
to do his best under any and all circumstances, 
finds expression in the life of Carroll C. Calla- 
way, born on his present home farm January 
18, 1869, and the owner of four hundred acres 



of land two and a half miles from Wells, and 
seven miles north of Corvallis. From William 
R. Callaway, his father, Carroll C. inherits sound 
common sense and good business judgment, for 
the elder Callaway made a success of his life 
through the exercise of these same admirable 
attributes, and instilled them into his children. 

William R. Callaway was born in Delaware, 
and was eight years of age when his parents 
moved to Scotland county, Mo., where he was 
reared on a farm and educated in the public 
schools. He married Abigail Cecil, with whom 
he started housekeeping on a farm, and in 1850 
crossed the plains with ox-teams, taking six 
months for the journey. After spending six 
months in the Sacramento valley he returned 
across the plains to Missouri, not overmuch 
pleased with the prospects which he had found 
in the west. Shortly after, however, he returned 
to the west with a drove of mules, disposed of 
them at a profit, and in due time was among 
the familiar surroundings of the state of Mis- 
souri. In 1855 ne disposed of his interests and 
brought his family to California, but soon after- 
ward came to Oregon, locating on a farm near 
Albany, Linn county. Two years later he sold 
out and came to Benton county, purchasing of 
Mr. Barnes the farm of six hundred and forty 
acres, a portion of which is still owned by his 
son. Here he engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising, was successful in his operations, 
and amassed quite a little competency. The last 
year of his life was spent in Corvallis, where 
his death occurred January 20, 1898, at the age 
of seventy. He was a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and was popular and well liked in 
his neighborhood. His wife, who died in 1878, 
bore him fourteen children, all but one of whom 
attained maturity. Of the four sons and ten 
daughters, ten are married ' and have homes of 
their own. 

The elder Callaway was a firm believer in 
education, although his own youth had been 
somewhat destitute of advantages in this direc- 
tion. His children all received better educa- 
tions than is accorded the average child reared 
on a farm, this being especially true of Carroll 
C, who was a studious lad, and made the most 
of the chances that came to him. From the 
public schools he passed to the training of the 
Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis, and 
at the age of nineteen, in 1800, took charge of 
the home farm, upon which he has since lived. 
He married, December 18, 1898, Ida Wells, 
daughter of J. L. W'ells, of Portland, and of 
this union there have been born two sons, John 
and William. Mr. Callaway is a Democrat in 
political affiliation. He is not an officeseeker, 
but is nevertheless interested in the local under- 
takings of his party. Fraternally he is associated 



1388 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with the Artisans. Everything around the farm 
of Mr. Callaway suggests the progressive and 
thrifty land-owner and agriculturist, the man 
in touch with general affairs in the world, and 
one who desires all that is best and most en- 
lightened in his home surroundings. 



GEORGE BEAMIS. Beginning at the very 
bottom rung of the ladder in the state, George 
Beamis has advanced by slow and laborious 
stages to the large land ownership, having in 
the meantime endured about as many setbacks 
as fell to the lot of the average early settler. 
From the vicinity of St. Joseph, Mich., where 
he was born December 18, 1834, he removed 
when seven years of age with his father's fam- 
ily to near Muscatine, Iowa, and there lived 
on a farm of moderate size and productiveness, 
increasing his strength and usefulness by frugal 
living and plenty of muscular exercise. Small 
leisure was his, and less schooling, for there were 
many in the family, and all were taught to per- 
form their share towards the general support. 

To the Iowa farm came reports of gold and 
rich lands in the far west, and it was an unam- 
bitious youth who could let such a chance slip 
by him, especially when he saw little prospect of 
advancement in his immediate surroundings. 
Barefoot, and with his few worldly possessions 
tied in a bundle, he joined a west-bound ox- 
train at the Platte river, April 15, 1852, Job 
Long being one of the homeseekers with whom 
he formed a friendship during the long, six- 
months' journey. If Mr. Bemis had little when 
he started out he had even less upon arriving 
at his destination at Wells station, Benton 
county, Ore., and his diet of boiled wheat dur- 
ing the following winter would hardly inspire 
one with much hope for the future. Nothing 
daunted, he secured a position in the spring with 
Tom Reed, and after a couple of years began 
to work for others on the surrounding farms in 
Benton county, and was thus employed until 
1862. Always fond of the horse, and having 
a peculiar influence over this dumb friend of 
man, he turned his attention to training horses 
for a livelihood, continuing in that work for 
several years. When the Rogue River war broke 
out in all its fury he was herding cattle in that 
country, and to subdue the Indians fought 
bravely with other herders in his vicinity. In 
November, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, 
First Oregon Infantry, as a private, was mus- 
tered in at Salem and sent to Vancouver, his 
entire service being spent there and on the 
Yamhill reservation. In July, 1866, he was dis- 
charged after many interesting and exciting ex- 
periences, and after gaining a keen insight into 
the ways of the wily and intrepid red man. 



With his farm-hand work, his horse-training 
and herding, Mr. Beamis managed to get quite 
a start financially, and finally began renting 
land. In 1871 he put his earnings into a farm 
of three hundred and twenty acres, which he 
improved, lived upon for five years, and finally 
sold at a fair profit. He then purchased the 
farm upon which Claus Anthony lives at the 
present time, which he also cleared and culti- 
vated, and sold after nine years had passed. 
His present farm then came into his possession, 
which consists of three hundred and twenty 
acres, and which is located ten miles north of 
Corvallis, and five miles from Albany. He is 
engaged in general farming, stock and grain- 
raising, and is making a success of a property 
which is valued in proportion as it has been 
worked and improved. At one time he owned 
the two hundred and forty acres known as the 
Dan Rainwater place, and which he has since 
given to his son. 

The first marriage of Mr. Beamis occurred in 
1 87 1, and was with May Williamson, who bore 
him one child, Arthur, who lives in Springfield. 
His second marriage was with Oni Harvey, and 
occurred July 20, 1884, the wife being a daugh- 
ter of David Harvey. Mr. Beamis is identified 
with the McPherson Post, G. A. R., of Albany, 
and is politically a believer in the principles and 
issues of the Republican party. An excellent 
farmer, honorable man, and genial friend and 
associate, he commands the regard and respect 
of his fellow-farmers in Benton county, all of 
whom wish him a continuation of the success 
which has been so fairly if dearly won. 



THOMAS B. WILLIAMSON. Seekers 
after encouragement in an uphill struggle for 
existence should derive great satisfaction from 
a survey of the ways and means by which the 
Williamson family gained a footing in Benton 
county. Thomas B. Williamson, who is success- 
fully working a farm of one hundred and five 
acres not far from Albany, while in many re- 
spects a self-made man, and one who has over- 
come many obstacles, has never experienced the 
deprivations which came to his honored sire, 
Philip Williamson, who proved himself the per- 
sonification of endurance and perseverance. 

Born in Tennessee, in 1837, Philip Williamson 
was a mere lad when his parents took him to 
Missouri, where he was reared on a farm, and 
in youth learned the shoemaker's trade. He 
married Mary Annie Holman, and while still 
living in Missouri several of their children were 
born, among them Thomas B., the date of whose 
birth was August 15, 1857. The first three 
years of the Civil war the father was a member 
of the state militia, and owing to the unsettled 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1389 



condition of the state he determined to seek more 
peaceful surroundings in the west. Disposing 
of his property and packing such things in a 
prairie schooner as would be required on the 
journey across the plains he started forth in 
April, 18O4. with two wagons, having three 
voke of oxen each. The crossing was unevent- 
ful, but, though apparently well supplied with 
provisions and general necessities, they found 
their larder diminish with great rapidity, 
and at the end of the trip had but 
one wagon and two yoke of oxen left, and 
but eleven dollars in money. The spirit of good 
fellowship which was proverbial among the early 
settlers was especially manifest towards the Will- 
iamson family, and they were supplied with pro- 
visions and clothes, and given quite a cheery 
welcome. Locating just across the river from 
Salem, on good hay land, Mr. Williamson moved 
after a year to the Hosford place, and looked 
after the stock of Mr. Hosford until the fall 
of 1868. He then came to Benton county and 
bought one hundred and sixty-three acres of 
land for $800. improved it, and lived thereon 
for two years. In 1870 he moved to the farm 
which is still the home of his widow, and which 
consists of three hundred and twenty acres of 
the old Carter donation claim. As his harvests 
increased and he found a ready market for grain 
and stock, more land was required to carry on 
his projects, and so ambitious was he that at one 
time he owned nine hundred acres of land. This 
was all rich valley land, and under his care and 
improving spirit became very valuable. In the 
earlv days he made the shoes for his wife and 
children, a not inconsiderable task, for there 
were ten children in all. Of these, John, the 
oldest son, lives in Albany, and is a policeman; 
Martha is the wife of W. D. Prettyman, of 
Benton county; Dan M. is a farmer of Na- 
poleon ; Jacob L. is deceased ; Wiley A. is a 
stock-dealer of Albany: William G. is living 
with his mother; Emmett is a civil engineer; 
and Emma is deceased. Mr. Williamson was a 
Republican in politics, but never actively inter- 
ested himself in local offices. He was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and it is 
said of him that he lived up to his religious 
beliefs, investing his business dealings and home 
life with that honor and sincerity of purpose 
which marks the consistent church member. At 
the time of his death in 1898 he was sixty-one 
years old. still a comparatively young man, for 
he possessed great vitality, and continued to in- 
terest himself in the things and people around 
him. His wife is seventy years of age. 

When the family came to Oregon Thomas 
B. was a little fellow of seven, yet he distinctly 
recalls the camp life upon the plains, and the 
weary davs of marching beside the tired oxen. 



He helped to clear the old donation claim, and 
to make comfortable the large family of chil- 
dren, all of whom were taught to make them- 
selves useful around the farm. At twenty-one 
years of age he bought of his father his present 
farm of one hundred and five acres, which he 
has modernized and equipped with needful ma- 
chinery and buildings. October 12, 1884, he was 
united in marriage with Maggie Dwyer, who 
died April 10, 1902, leaving three children: 
Clyde E., Elmer B. and Pearl F. Mr. and Mrs. 
Williamson attended the Evangelical Church, 
towards the support of which Mr. Williamson 
has generously contributed for many years. Like 
his father, he stands well in the community, his 
word and his business integrity having never 
been questioned. 



SILAS M. YORAN. A representative of 
an old Dutch family, Silas M. Yoran is a worthy 
member of the society of Oregon, wherein the 
citizenship of men of veracity and integrity has 
been so highly appreciated, since it has meant 
the moral upbuilding of a new statehood. To 
the advancement of every worthy movement he 
has lent a ready and able hand. He is now a 
resident of Eugene, Lane county, where for a 
number of years he has engaged in the shoe 
business, previously having been connected with 
J. M. Hodson, on the Eugene Register, which 
was established and operated for six years by 
the two men. 

Mr. Yoran was born in Herkimer county, N. 
Y., January 26, 1835, the son of Jacob and the 
grandson of Jacob Yoran, both owing their na- 
tivity to the same location. The elder man was 
a miller by occupation, engaging in his native 
county in that industry, and he there married 
Miss Snell. whose five brothers, as well as five 
members of the Yoran family, took an active part 
in the Revolution, four of the former being 
left dead on the field after the battle of Oris- 
kanv. The second Jacob Yoran, the father of 
S. M. Yoran, succeeded to the mills and a farm 
of his father, located on East creek, Herkimer 
county, and there died at the age of seventy- 
six years. He married Mary Timmerman, also 
a native of that locality, and the daughter of 
John Timmerman. a farmer and a soldier of the 
Revolution. Both of these families trace their 
ancestry back to the first settlers of the state of 
New York, all being of Holland ancestry. 

Of the nine children born to his parents, five 
of whom are now living, S. M. Yoran is the 
third, and the only one located upon the Pacific 
coast. He was reared in his native state and 
upon the paternal farm, interspersing home 
duties with an attendance at the public schools 
in the neighborhood of his home. When twenty 



1390 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



years old he went to Iowa, this being 1855, the 
ensuing four years being passed in various lo- 
cations in the state, after which he settled at 
Sand Springs, Delaware county, Iowa, and en- 
gaged in a mercantile business. He later resided 
near Monticello, Jones county, where he bought 
a farm and until 1883 followed his early train- 
ing. While making his home in that county he 
served for five years as a member of the board 
of commissioners, and for two successive terms 
as a member of the state legislature. In the 
last-named year Mr. Yoran decided to change 
his location to the Pacific coast, and settled in 
Eugene, Lane county, Ore., where he engaged 
first in the warehouse business for two years, 
and afterward established, in partnership with 
J. M. Hodson, the Eugene Register. Three 
years after the sale of the paper he entered upon 
his present business, in 1893 taking up this work 
with his youngest son, Darwin E., who is still 
with him. 

In Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1859, Miss 
Maria Markell, also a native of that locality, 
became the wife of Mr. Yoran, and the follow- 
ing children have been born to them : Elizabeth 
M., of Eugene; George O., of Eugene, who is 
colonel of the Fourth Regiment of the Oregon 
National Guard; William C, engaged in job 
printing; Darwin E., who is with his father in 
the shoe business ; and Louise C, of Eugene. In 
his political affiliations a Republican, Mr. 
Yoran has taken every interest in western prog- 
ress, both municipal and state. In 1896 he was 
on the Republican ticket as presidential elector, 
and was elected. In his fraternal relations Mr. 
Yoran is one of the most prominent Masons in 
the state, having been made a member in Monti- 
cello Lodge No. 173. He now belongs to Eu- 
gene Lodge No. 11, in which he is past master. 
He was made a Royal Arch Mason in Monti- 
cello and now holds membership with Eugene 
Chapter No. 10, in which he is past high priest. 
He was made a Knight Templar in Monticello 
Commandery No. 16, K. T., and was there past 
excellent commander, and is now past com- 
mander in Ivanhoe Commandery No. 2. In 1893 
he was grand commander of the Grand Com- 
mandery of Oregon, and now belongs to the 
order of the High Priesthood. In June, 1903, 
he was elected grand master of the Grand Lodge 
of Oregon at the annual meeting of the Grand 
Lodge at Portland. Mr. Yoran's wife is a mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church. 



ALDEN S. HULBURT. A very prominent 
and influential pioneer family of Oregon is repre- 
sented by Alden S. Hulburt, owner of a one-hun- 
dred and sixty-three-acre stock and dairy farm 
near Albany. This neighborhood is very familiar 



to Mr. Hulburt, for practically his entire life has 
been passed within a radius of a few miles, his 
birth having occurred on his father's donation 
claim eight miles southwest of Albany, October 

2 7> l8 53- 

More than passing mention is due J. F. Hul- 
burt, the father of Alden S., who came here 
a poor man, but endowed with more than ordi- 
nary judgment and perseverance. A millwright 
by trade, he spent the first years of his life in 
Canada , and with his people moved to Illinois 
when he had attained his majority. In Illinois 
he married Eliza Jane Hite, a native daughter 
of the state, and thereafter continued to farm 
until 1853. Having disposed of his Illinois in- 
terests he purchased the necessary equipment 
for crossing the plains, and arriving at his destin- 
ation in Oregon, located on the before-men- 
tioned claim eight miles southwest of Albany. 
The family lived for some time in a little log 
house, but after the land had been partially 
cleared and crops began to reward the hard toil 
of the head of the house, a modern structure 
supplanted the primitive quarters. From the 
first Mr. Hulburt took an active interest in all 
local events, was particularly active as a poli- 
tician, although he refused more than the minor 
offices of the township. His land proved fertile 
and profitable, and he had the judgment to wise- 
ly dispose of it at planting 'time. While engag- 
ing in general farming, he made a specialty of 
stock-raising, and besides devoted a good deal 
of time to buying and selling stock. He lived 
to be sixty-seven years old, leaving a large and 
valuable property to his heirs. Twelve chil- 
dren were born into his family, the order of 
their birth being as follows : Mark, living in 
Albany ; Harlan, also of Albany ; Austin and 
Alden, twins ; Warren, a farmer near Albany ; 
Frank, a resident of Shedds ; Harriett, living in 
Pendleton ; Lavina, deceased ; Alice, of Pendle- 
ton ; Florence, living near Albany ; Ida, a 
resident of Pendleton; and Wallace J., a farmer 
near Albany. 

For two years after his marriage in 1878, with 
Emma Underhill, Alden S. Hulburt continued 
to live on his father's farm, and then farmed in 
Benton county for about four years. Next he 
purchased his present place of one hundred and 
sixty-three acres, where he has since carried on 
general farming and stock-raising. He has a 
model dairy on his farm, and makes a specialty of 
Jersey cattle. Thorough, practical and possess- 
ing shrewd business judgment, he makes his 
land count for all that it is worth, and has 
amassed quite a competence entirely through 
his own efforts. From time to time he has been 
before the public as an officeholder, but has 
always reluctantly accepted honors conferred by 
his fellow-townsmen. He has served accept- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1391 



ably as a member of tbe scbool board for many 
years, and for a part of that time has been 
clerk of the board. Fraternally he is a member 
of the Grange. Five children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Hulburt, of whom Lillie is the 
wife of A. Westcott, of Tangent; Lotta is the 
wife of W. Hense, of Washington; and Rollo, 
Lloyd and Alice A. are living at home. Mr. Hul- 
burt has a fine farm, well fitted with barns and 
general improvements, and his many friends 
and well-wishers hope for a continuation of his 
substantial and well-earned prosperity. 



CAPT. PLEASANT C. NOLAND. The 
loyalty and patriotism which Capt. Pleasant C. 
Xoland has always shown in the time of his 
country's need are two of his most salient traits, 
and added to these he has lived a life of quiet, 
earnest, persevering work which has numbered 
him among the useful citizens of a pioneer day. 
When a mere lad he responded to the call for 
volunteers in the Mexican war and faithfully 
performed his duty in a company wherein he 
was the youngest in age, and also occupied 
that position in relation to the entire brigade. 
Since locating in Oregon he has acted the part 
of a patriot artd a loyal citizen in the defense 
of his country and its incipient civilization, and 
deservedly won the title by which his fellow 
citizens now know him. 

In Missouri, the middle western state that gave 
to the more remote west so many sturdy emi- 
grants, Capt. Pleasant C. Noland was born Sep- 
tember 29, 1830. His father was engaged at 
his trade of stonemason and also in farming in 
Jackson county, and was also active in politics, 
giving his support to the Democratic party, and 
winning for himself a prominent place in the 
affairs of his community. He engaged heartily 
in the Mormon war and was one of the treaty 
commissioners. Owing to a large family, Pleas- 
ant C. Noland being the fourth in age among 
ten children, the father was unable to give his 
son many advantages, but undaunted by the 
obstacles which he must face he set about the 
accomplishment of the task himself and received 
considerable knowledge from an attendance of 
the district school. He remained at home until 
he was sixteen years old when he enlisted for 
service in the Mexican war, first in Captain 
Craig's company, but on account of his age, be- 
ing truthfully stated by himself, was rejected, 
and one week later was accepted by saying he 
was twenty-one years old, joining Stewart's 
company, at St. Joseph, Mo., in 1847. This 
company was detailed to guard duty on the 
frontier, where this lad served for eighteen 
months, as brave and uncomplaining as those 
many years his senior. "The company was mus- 



tered out at Ft. Leavenworth, and Mr. Noland, 
not then wearing his official title, returned to his 
home and spent the winter following attending 
the district school in the vicinity of his home. 
In May, 1849, f rom the spirit of adventure as well 
as the more sober reason of a thoughtful man, 
which he had become through his assumption of 
early responsibilities, young Noland started for 
the gold fields of California. He met with no 
serious trouble from the Indians, and after a 
journey of a little more than four months he 
reached his destination and immediately entered 
upon the life of a miner. He continued so 
occupied for two years and met with fair re- 
turns for his labor. In 185 1 he returned to his 
home in Missouri, via the Isthmus of Panama, 
spending a like period in the more quiet and 
less uncertain pursuits of the middle west. In 
1853 ne again crossed the plains with ox-teams, 
taking with him his mother, Sarah M. Noland, 
his brothers and sisters, as he felt the west to 
hold much greater chances for advancement. 
While crossing the plains this family left the 
train of emigrants at Harney lake and were lost 
in the mountains, where they remained wander- 
ing about for forty-two days, and very nearly 
starved before finding their friends again. On 
arriving in Lane county, Ore., Mr. Noland took 
up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty 
acres located one mile north of Creswell, bought 
the squatter's right and proved up on the land, 
and at once entered upon the improvement and 
cultivation of it. In the fall of 1854 Mr. No- 
land's mother died. In 1855 the son enlisted in 
Company B, Oregon Mounted Volunteers, and 
he was afterward elected second lieutenant for 
services in the Rogue River war. He served 
in this company a little more than five months, 
and took part in a number of skirmishes. In 
March, 1856, the company disbanded, and its 
re-organization was attempted and successfully 
completed by Captain Noland, who now secured 
this official title. The company, still bearing its 
old name, went back again into service and par- 
ticipated in the battle of Big Meadows and other 
minor engagements, remaining until July 4, 
1856. At one time during a skirmish on Rogue 
river the captain and his men were in a tight 
place, being surrounded by Indians. Seeing a 
canoe, he succeeded in getting a load of his 
men across and landed among the red men and 
drove them back to the river through the brush, 
having succeeded in getting behind them through 
strategic movement. A day later they got among 
the red men again and the captain succeeded 
in capturing six squaws and one Indian, and 
from this man he secured a revolver which he 
kept for years. He was ably assisted by a brave 
boy, Benton Kent, who swam the river and se- 
cured a canoe, and in this manner the captain 



1392 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was able to duplicate his deed of the day previ- 
ous. None of his men was wounded in either 
skirmish. The reason for his crossing the river 
was that three wounded men of another com- 
pany were at the mercy of the Indians, one of 
the men being Clay Huston. 

After his discharge Captain Noland returned 
home, and January I, 1857, was united in mar- 
riage with Lenna Jane Stewart, a native of Polk 
county, Mo. They lived on the home place un- 
til her death, in 1873. They had two children, 
James E., ex-sheriff and ex-county surveyor, 
lives in Creswell, and George, an attorney, of 
Astoria. In 1879 Captain Noland married Mrs. 
Melissa R. Davidson, who was born in Fayette 
county, 111., April 30, 1849, and was married in 
St. Louis, Mo., to Green C. Davidson, and with 
him came to Oregon in October, 1870. Mr. 
Davidson died in Salem, Ore., August 15, 1878, 
leaving two children, John C, a jeweler, of San 
Francisco, and Minnie, the wife of John P. Hay- 
den, of "Walla Walla, Wash. Captain Noland 
and wife have one child, Neva, who is still at 
home with her parents. The home of this worthy 
couple then remained upon the farm until 1893, 
when they located in Creswell, and upon his 
farm of four hundred and eighty acres the cap- 
tain now carries on general farming and stock- 
raising, besides which property he also owns a 
neat dwelling, a brick building and several lots 
in the town. His wife is a member of the Bap- 
tist Church. Fraternally Captain Noland is a 
member of the Masonic order, and in political 
convictions he adheres to the Democratic party, 
having always been active in the advancement 
of the principles which he endorses. 



JOHN COOLEY. Born January 30, 1837, 
Jonn Cooley became a pioneer of Oregon prima- 
rily through the courage and determination of his 
mother to find the best location for the future ad- 
vancement of her sons, as with her and his 
brothers and sisters he crossed the plains in 1853. 
He was born in Virginia, where his parents had 
always lived, his father there engaging in farm- 
ing until his death in 1843, when the mother 
brought her family as far west as Missouri and 
there located until coming to Oregon in 1853. 
In the district school in the vicinity of his home 
John Cooley received his education, and on at- 
taining manhood he engaged in farming and 
stock-raising, to which his early training had in- 
clined him. He is now employed in this latter 
business in partnership with his brother, Alex- 
ander, the two expending their intelligence and 
practical ideas in an extensive cattle business 
which has given them broad returns in the mat- 
ter of profit. 



Mr. Cooley is now living with his nephew 
upon a part of the old home place near Cottage 
Grove, Lane county, and which consists of five 
hundred and fifty acres of land, all in one body. 
This farm is the result of energetic and purpose- 
ful work, Mr. Cooley's whole life having been 
devoted to the cultivation of the lands which Ore- 
gon held out as inducements to the early settlers. 
He has found the comforts of life in the homes 
of his relatives. In politics he is like his brother, 
also of this vicinity, and whose sketch appears 
elsewhere in this work, casting his ballot in the 
interests of the Democratic party, though he has 
never cared to be officially identified with the 
movements of the party. 



LEWIS WENTZ. As an infant, Lewis 
Wentz came to the United States from Germany 
in 1837, h* s m °ther desiring to improve their 
prospects by location on more fertile if less his-* 
toric soil. They settled on a farm near Mans- 
field, Richland county, Ohio, where Lewis de- 
veloped into a strong and capable lad, industri- 
ous withal and frugal, as had been his ancestors. 
At the age of fifteen he left his home and went 
to a farm near Cleveland, a year later entering 
the regular army, and serving until the close of 
the Civil war. As a private in the western service 
he was occupied principally in fighting bush- 
whackers in Missouri, and after the restoration 
of peace continued to live in Salem, Mo., for a 
couple of years. 

From Missouri Mr. Wentz entered upon a 
frontier life in Nevada, where he mined and 
engaged in various occupations, none of which 
materially increased his finances. For a year he 
mined in the Black Hills, and then came to 
eastern Oregon, and mined with indifferent suc- 
cess for one season. Locating in Salem, he 
married in October, 1877, Mrs. Ann Johnston, 
widow of William Johnston, and daughter of 
Arnold Potter, the latter of whom was born in 
the state of New York, and became a very early 
settler of Illinois. In 1846 his daughter Ann 
started across the plains with her sister and 
brother-in-law, spending the first winter at 
Council Bluffs. Resuming their ox-team jour- 
ney the following spring, they got as far as Salt 
Lake City, from where Ann went to live with 
friends on Bear river, in 1850. Afterward she 
made her home with friends in Fort Hall, Idaho, 
and in 1850 married William Johnston, with 
whom and her baby she came to Oregon on 
horseback in 1851. From the fort to Salem was 
a long and wearisome journey, yet the little 
party arrived in fair condition, and took up a 
donation claim of six hundred and forty acres 
eight miles south of Salem, where Mr. Johnston 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1393 



prospered, and where his death occurred at an 
advanced age. Eleven children were born of 
this union, six sons and five daughters. 

After his marriage Mr. Wentz moved to his 
wife's donation claim, and. in 1893, tiring of 
farming, located in Salem for a couple of years. 
He then bought his present farm in Benton 
county, two and a half miles from Albany, where 
he is comfortably located, with every prospect 
of a continuation of his success as a practical 
and scientific farmer. He is fraternally identi- 
fied with the Masons, and with the G. A. R. 
Post of Salem. Mrs. Wentz is a member of the 
Dunkard Church, and during her entire life in 
the west has proven herself courageous in time 
of danger and deprivation, and a tower of 
strength to all dependent upon her sympathy 
and care. 



WILLIAM PEACOCK. Success comes only 
to the industrious and persevering in the ma- 
jority of instances, and William Peacock, one 
of the representative agriculturists of Benton 
county, is thoroughly deserving of the prosperity 
which he is now enjoying. His experience in life 
has not been devoid of reverses, yet he has 
bravely stood the test, and with undaunted en- 
ergy has adhered to the course which he orig- 
inally planned. His birth occurred March 8, 
1845', near Dundee, Scotland, and there it was 
that the first twenty-two years of his life were 
spent, attending school and assisting in the dut- 
ies of the home as his time and strength per- 
mitted. At this age he determined to begin a 
business career, and as an initiation in the new 
line of endeavor began working in a weaving 
factory in Scotland. Three years later, how- 
ever, we find him a passenger on a steamship 
bound for the shores of America, and, landing 
in Canada, he was variously employed for one 
year. 

From Canada Mr. Peacock removed to Le- 
mont, 111., where for six months he was em- 
ployed in the stone quarries which abound there, 
thence going to Warren county, in the same 
state, where for one year he was employed as a 
farm hand. Gradually working his way west, 
we next find him conducting a farm in Coffey 
county, Kans., which he had not purchased, how- 
ever, as he was not altogether pleased with the 
surroundings, and six years later he made settle- 
ment in Benton county, Ore., just across the river 
from Albany. During the winter and spring 
following his arrival in the west he engaged in 
chopping cord-wood, but subsequently bought a 
farm of seventy-two acres along the Willamette 
river, two miles from Albany, which he partially 
cleared, at the same time engaging in chopping 
cord-wood. After six years of arduous labor 

65 



his accumulations were swept away by the high 
water of the year 1882, practically everything 
being carried away. Nothing daunted, how- 
ever, that same year he came to the farm upon 
which he now resides, renting it for one year, 
thereafter purchasing it on time. The tract 
comprises twenty acres, twelve of which at the 
time of purchase were devoted to gardening 
vegetables, and the remainder being timber land, 
and he has continued this line of agriculture, 
meeting with good success in so doing. In all 
the country roundabout no finer or more com- 
modious residence is to be seen than that owned 
and occupied by Mr. Peacock and his family. 
The premises are further embellished by a fine 
hothouse, where are to be seen many choice 
specimens of rare plants. Mr. Peacock is a taxi- 
dermist of no inferior order, and has one hun- 
dred specimens of birds and animals which he 
has preserved by means of taxidermy. 

It was in June, 1875, soon after coming to 
Oregon, that Mr. Peacock and Miss Mary E. 
Whetstone were united in marriage. Thirteen 
children were born to them, but two are de- 
ceased. Mrs. Mary E. Peacock died March 18, 
1901, and August 21, 1901, Mr. Peacock was 
married to Mrs. Olive V. Hughes, the widow of 
Frank Hughes. By her first marriage Mrs. Pea- 
cock had two children. In no sense of the word 
can Mr. Peacock be called a politician, and aside 
from doing his duty at the polls in voting for 
the best man, regardless of party, takes no inter- 
est in politics. In the capacity of school director 
he has been of great assistance in bringing the 
educational standard of his vicinity up to a 
high plane of excellence. 



FRANK L. ARMITAGE. To Frank L. Ar- 
mitage farming is a congenial and absorbing 
occupation, to be pursued earnestly and prac- 
tically, and with one's mental faculties alert for 
improved methods. This singleness of purpose 
has accomplished great results on his farm of 
three hundred and twenty-five acres, for all who 
investigate must admit that progressiveness is 
apparent in every department of the farm's ac- 
tivity. A two-fold interest centers around this 
well appointed and prosperous home, for on it 
the present owner was born September 14, 1871, 
and has since passed his life here. He inherits 
reliable New England traits of character, and 
Ms father, George H. Armitage, was born in 
the state of New York January 25, 1824. The 
older man was reared on a farm in New York, 
and in 1848 took a steamer in New York city for 
the Isthmus of Panama, crossing which he re- 
embarked for San Francisco, intent on making 
his fortune in the mines. His dream was more 
or less rudely shaken, for he came to Lane 



1394 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



county in 1849 ar, d took up a donation claim of 
six hundred and forty acres four miles northeast 
of Eugene. Crude and with no improvements 
whatever, this possession called for vast exer- 
tion ere harvests could be gathered or a sem- 
blance of the home element realized, and to has- 
ten this happy consummation Mr. Armitage soon 
after married Sarah J. Stevens, who was born 
in Tennessee, and who crossed the plains in 
1847. Mr. Armitage increased in prosperity as 
the country around him grew and settlers fol- 
lowed his wise example, and at the time of his 
death February 12, 1893, at the age of sixty- 
eight years, he owned a fine and valuable farm. 
His widow, who is the mother of ten children, 
lives with those who have located near the home 
farm, one of these, James A., living three miles 
east of Springfield. She also spends some time 
each year with her son, S. C, in Portland, and 
with her daughter, Mrs. Ella V. Henderson, of 
Colorado. Mr. Armitage was public-spirited 
in the extreme, was in favor of education and 
general advancement, and contributed generously 
towards churches and charitable organizations. 
Like the rest of the children in his father's 
family, Frank L. Armitage was educated first 
in the public schools, and later had an opportun- 
ity of attending the University of Oregon. His 
life has been spent uninterruptedly among the 
surroundings of his boyhood days, every inch 
of ground being as familiar to him as the face 
of an old friend. He married Ada D. Calef, 
a native daughter of this vicinity, and has since 
taken an interest in church and social life, his 
wife and himself being considered one of the 
most congenial and hospitable young couples in 
their neighborhood. Mr. Armitage is engaged 
in general farming and stock-raising, but not- 
withstanding his very busy life manages to get 
a great deal of pleasure out of passing events. 
He is fraternally connected with the Woodmen 
of the World and the Knights of Pythias, and 
in political preferment is a Democrat. 



JOHN TOMLINSON. Enterprising and 
successful, John Tomlinson ranks among the 
honored and well-to-do farmers of Benton 
county. Born near Pittsfield, Pike county, 111., 
November 28, 1840, he was two years old when 
his parents moved their household possessions 
onto a farm in Ray county, Mo., where they re- 
mained until 1857, an d then sold out and pre- 
pared to cross the plains. In the family party 
was the father and mother, five sons and two 
daughters, whose headquarters during four 
months were to be a great prairie schooner drawn 
by three yoke of oxen. The trip was made in 
the short space of four months, and the first 
stop was made at West Point, Calaveras county, 
Cal., where they remained for a few months. 



Later the father took up land in the Calaveras 
valley, where both himself and wife died in 
1858. 

Seventeen years old when he crossed the 
plains, John Tomlinson was a strong and rugged 
youth, capable of looking out for himself in 
any emergency. In California he secured em- 
ployment as a farm hand for Alexander Hodges, 
his brother-in-law, and three years later, in 
1862, married Almira Gingles, a native of Mer- 
cer county, 111., and daughter of James Gingles. 
James Gingles was born in Columbia county, Pa., 
in 1819, and in Illinois married Sarah Miller, 
with whom he lived on a farm in Illinois unt;l 
crossing the plains in 1850. In Benton county 
he took up a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres, and from a small beginning worked 
his way to a position of agricultural and polit- 
ical prominence in the county. A man of lead- 
ing characteristics, he was selected to represent 
his district in the legislature in 1864, 1868 and 
1876, and for about twenty years was a member 
of the board of county commissioners of Benton 
county. His first vote was for a Republican 
candidate, and during his entire life he was loyal 
to the principles of his chosen party. His death, 
on October 16, 1878, removed one of the fore- 
most developers of this county, one who had 
taken an active interest in promoting the cause 
of education, and who assisted in erecting the 
first school in his neighborhood. He helped to 
organize the school system, and was one of the 
organizers of the Grange. From earliest man- 
hood he had been a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and each Sunday found him 
in his pew, regardless of inclement weather or 
personal ill feeling. The church invariably re- 
ceived substantial help at his hands, and it was 
said of him that he was a Christian every day 
of the week as well as on Sunday. The wife, 
who died February 17, 1853, bore him four 
children, of whom Andrew and Henry are de- 
ceased, while Mrs. Tomlinson is the second 
child and Sarah is the deceased wife of Charles 
Spencer. 

During the year following his marriage John 
Tomlinson lived on a rented farm in Benton 
county, and the following year spent on a farm 
in Polk county, going then to Linn county 
where he remained about four years. Since_ lo- 
cating on his wife's donation claim, inherited 
from her father, he has been very successful, and. 
has maintained the excellent condition of a valu- 
able and productive property. Four sons have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson all of 
whom inherit the thrift and intelligence of their 
parents, and are a credit to their respective com- 
munities. James L. is a successful grocer of Al- 
bany; William S. is living at home; Fred is in 
Albanv ; and A. Clyde is iiving with his parents. 
Mr. Tomlinson is a member of the Baptist 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1395 



Church, with which his wife has been identified 
since fifteen years of age. Both are highly re- 
spected members of this community, and have 
many friends to enjoy their hospitality and ex- 
change with them the amenities of life. 



HENRY MAXWELL. Prominent among 
the farmers who have helped to maintain the 
agricultural prestige of Lane county is Henry 
Maxwell, whose Scotch-Dutch ancestors have 
handed down to him the most desirable of their 
respective national traits, generally conceded to 
be conservatism, thrift and integrity. John 
Maxwell, the father of Henry, was born in 
Brook county, Ya., in May, 1802, and died at 
the home of his son, Henry, January 18, 1890. 
His wife, Sarah J. (Hickey) Maxwell, was born 
in Winchester, Va., in 1813, and died at the 
home of her son, John, in 1885. The parents 
were married in Yirginia, and as young and en- 
thusiastic people moved to a wilderness farm in 
Piatt countv, Mo., soon after taking up their 
residence on more desirable land in Holt county, 
in the same state. A cooper by trade, the elder 
Maxwell had worked at his trade for many years 
in the east, and continued it in Holt county, in 
connection with a large general farming enter- 
prise. Beginning with the great mining exodus 
across the plains in 1849, ne thought much of 
the possibilities beyond the western mountains, 
and by 1852 had sold his land and perfected ar- 
rangements to cross the plains. He had two 
yoke of oxen, and traveled in a large party, 
reaching his destination in Albany at the end 
of six months. In the spring of 1853 he took up 
a claim of three hundred and twenty acres seven 
miles southwest of Harrisburg, where he lived 
four years, and then moved to the ferry on the 
Mill river east of Irving. For twelve years he 
was a well known ferryman at this point, living 
in the meantime on a farm purchased in the vicin- 
ity, and to the improvement of which he and 
his sons devoted their energies. Finally he sold 
this farm and went to live with his children, his 
death and that of his wife occurring as hereto- 
fore stated. 

Born while his parents were living in Holt 
county, Mo., March 16, 1847, Henry Maxwell 
was five years old when he came to Oregon, and 
his education was principally received in the 
public schools of Coburg. He continued to live 
with his parents until 1867, and then bought his 
farm of three hundred and eleven acres, of which 
he still owns one hundred and twenty acres. His 
farm is well equipped with modern implements, 
and he carries on general farming and some 
stock-raising. He married in 1867, Marv Hill, 
who was born in Whiteside county, 111., Decem- 
ber 15, 1852, a daughter of Jesse Hill, who 



crossed the plains in 1864. Of the nine children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell, Sarah is the 
wife of Henry Bucklem, of Ashland, Ore. ; Ida 
is the wife of Charles Gray, of Baker City; 
Elizabeth is the wife of William Pearsons, of 
Baker City ; Laura is the wife of Henry Godfrey, 
of Kern county, Cal. ; Ada and Effie live in 
Baker City ; and George is in business in Baker 
City. Mr. Maxwell is a Republican in politics, 
but has never entered the ranks of office-seekers. 
He is progressive and liberal, and in favor of 
all measures instituted for the improvement of 
his town and county. Solid and reliable, up- 
right in all his dealings, and holding the most 
agreeable relations with his neighbors in the 
vicinity, he occupies a popular and financially 
strong position, honored and respected by all. 



MARTIN WINGARD. His place in life, that 
of the most useful of all laborers, an intelligent 
and progressive farmer, Martin Wingard now 
makes his home upon the farm which he ac- 
quired in 1863, near Lorane, Lane county. He 
was born October 2J, 1825, in Stark county, 
Ohio, the son of Samuel Wingard, who was also 
a pioneer of Oregon. The father was a native of 
Pennsylvania, being born in that state in 1801, 
and on attaining manhood he became a farmer 
and married in Maryland Miss Mary Bechtel, a 
native of that state. They settled in Ohio at a 
very early date, acting the part of pioneers there 
until their removal in 1839 to Indiana, with the 
spirit of their own ancestors who first settled 
America following unconsciously the westward 
trend of civilization. In 1853 they made the six- 
months journey across the plains with ox-teams, 
arriving safely in Oregon, whither the subject 
of this review had preceded them. Their first 
winter was spent in Yamhill county. In 1854 
they removed to Lane county and took up a 
donation claim located west of Eugene, remain- 
ing there for a few years, when they came to the 
present location of their son, Martin, and passed 
the remainder of their lives, the father living to 
be eighty and the mother to be ninety-five years 
old. Besides their oldest son, two daughters of 
their family are now living. Ellen, who is at 
home, and Catherine, the wife of P. F. Davis, 
located in the vicinity of Lorane. After coming 
to the west the father carried on general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, taking a moderate interest 
in political movements by holding several of the 
minor offices of the neighborhood. 

In the vicinity of the home of his father, which 
was first in Ohio and later in Indiana, Martin 
Wingard received his education in the district 
schools and until he was twenty-six years old he 
remained under the parental roof. He then 
joined the westward movement and crossed the 



1396 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



plains in 1851, a journey of seven months plac- 
ing him in Oregon, when he located in Yamhill 
county for about a year. The ensuing years, up 
to 1863, were spent in various locations, a por- 
tion of the time in California. In 1863 he came 
to Lane county and bought his farm of three 
hundred and twenty acres which has ever since 
remained his home, and to the cultivation and 
improvement of the broad acres he has given 
every intelligent and practical thought. He has 
now four hundred acres, upon which he carries 
on general farming and stock-raising. In politics 
he is a Democrat and is a member of the Grange. 
A worthy event in the life of Mr. Wingard was 
his enlistment in 1855 as a member of Company 
A, under the command of Captain Harris, for 
service in the Rogue River war, faithfully con- 
tinuing for forty-six days, during which his 
principal engagement was at Table Rock. After 
serving in the defense of his adopted state he re- 
turned to his farm and has since devoted his 
energies to the upbuilding of the agricultural in- 
terests of the country. 



HENRY MELTON. Many years of success- 
ful farming in Lane county have placed Henry 
Melton on a firm financial basis, and caused him 
to be reasonably satisfied with life in general. 
While many who have worked for more years 
than he are still struggling to acquire a compe- 
tence, he has left behind him cares connected 
with crops, stock and improvements, and is loan- 
ing money on good security to those who are 
temporarily embarrassed. 

Knox county, 111., the present center of educa- 
tional institutions, and agriculturally one of the 
garden spots of the middle west, has lent many 
native sons to the coast, notwithstanding its own 
inducements. The very early pioneer days of 
Knox county are inseparably associated with the 
Meltons, for when the wilderness was dotted by 
but a few straggling farm houses, and Indians 
outnumbered whites a hundred to one, the pa- 
rents,' George W. and Mary Ann (Riley) Mel- 
ton, came from the east and settled on govern- 
ment farms with their respective families, their 
marriage being the first "pale-face" union in 
Knox county. Ten children were reared on the 
pioneer farm upon which this couple went to 
housekeeping, and their first child, a daughter, 
was the first white child born and reared in the 
county. A great deal of pioneer interest settled 
around the Melton home, for the parents were 
hospitable and kindly people, sharing their good 
fortune with their neighbors, and keeping their 
latch string out to whomsoever chanced to pass 
that way. 

Henry Melton was born on the Knox county 
farm, June 8, 1839, and by reason of a practical 



home training and average common school edu- 
cation was able to look out for himself at a com- 
paratively early age. The Civil war found him 
assisting with the management of the home prop- 
erty, and in August, 1862, he enlisted in Com- 
pany E, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
being mustered in at Galesburg, Knox county. 
The regiment went first to Fort Henry, and from 
there to Fort Donelson, Tenn., where the soldiers 
were placed on guard duty. Besides the battle 
of Fort Donelson, he participated in many skir- 
mishes, and in all served about fourteen months, 
being honorably discharged in October, 1863, 
thereafter returning to his home and continuing 
his former occupation. 

March 9, 1865, Mr. Melton married Ella M. 
Cole, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and continued 
to live in Knox county until coming to Oregon, 
in 1882. Miss Cole was a successful teacher for 
six years in Illinois. More fortunate than many, 
Mr. Melton had saved as well as made money, 
and therefore was able to start life in the west 
under very favorable auspices. Purchasing four 
hundred and sixty-nine acres of land two miles 
north of Creswell, his operations were of such 
an extent that he soon required more land, and 
bought one hundred and forty-four acres ad- 
joining the village on the south. At present 
three hundred acres are under the plow, and be- 
sides this farm he owns twelve acres adjoining 
Creswell, which constitutes his present home. 
The farm is rented out and given over to general 
farming and stock-raising, and is one of the most 
highly improved in the county. 

Possessing personal characteristics which win 
esteem and stamp the bearer as influential and 
popular, Mr. Melton is one of the pillars of the 
community of Creswell, where he has a host of 
friends and well-wishers. He is no politician, 
notwithstanding his stanch allegiance to the Re- 
publican party. His first wife dying in Oregon, 
November 16, 1886, Mr. Melton, in 1893, made 
a journey back to Illinois, where he was married 
to Katherine Brainard, a native of Oneida county, 
N. Y., and a daughter of Jeptha and Sarah (Van 
Wagennen) Brainard, and was reared in Knox 
county, 111., and taught for over twenty years in 
the public schools. No children have been born 
of either union, but a son has been adopted into 
the family, Edward L., at present a business man 
of Seattle, Wash. 



JOHN ZINIKER. Those thrifty and reliable 
traits of character which are the heritage of the 
children of Switzerland find illustration in the 
life of John Ziniker, who was born in that coun- 
try, December 13, 1858, and was reared in one 
of the hill-side towns which have furnished 
themes for painters and poets for many genera- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1397 



tions. One in a family of eight children, his 
father made his living as a butcher, and had the 
typical regard for education and advancement 
which have made of his country one of the most 
enlightened and practical in the world. His lim- 
ited resources necessitated the co-operation of his 
children as soon as they were old enough to 
assume responsibility, and thus it happened that 
John, one of the most promising of his sons, was 
allowed to join his uncle, Albert Ruegger, when 
he came to America, in 1873. T ne latter had 
just completed a two-years' service in the Ger- 
man army, had been present at the battle of 
Sedan, and contemplated his sojourn in the 
United States with the hopefulness of one who 
had led a strenuous life, and longed for more 
peaceful and kindly conditions. 

Arriving in America, Mr. Ziniker accompanied 
his uncle's family to Trenton, Ohio, whence they 
went at the end of a year to Columbus, Neb., and 
farmed there for nine months. For about two 
years they afterward lived and farmed in Kansas, 
going then to Vancouver, Wash., and from there 
to Lane county, Ore., in 1879. Renting the place 
upon which he now lives, he aided his uncle in 
the purchase of it a few years later, and now, in 
partnership with his aunt, owns the entire farm 
of seventeen hundred acres. In 1884 Mr. Zini- 
ker married Vrena Siegerist, a native of Switzer- 
land, and nine children have been born of this 
union, the order of their birth being as follows : 
Rosa ; Freda ; Lillie, deceased ; Laura ; Emma ; 
John ; Lena ; Albert ; and Frank. Mr. Ziniker 
has about two hundred acres of land under culti- 
vation, but his principal source of income is 
Durham cattle, which are raised in large num- 
bers, as are also a variety of other kinds of stock. 
He is one of the substantial and popular men of 
this vicinity, is well read and takes a keen in- 
terest in general developments outside of his 
regular work. Like all who come from Switzer- 
land, where education is compulsory,' he appre- 
ciates the value of mental training," and it is his 
intention to give his children the advantages re- 
quired if they are to adorn and dignify their 
respective stations in life. He is fraternally asso- 
ciated with the Woodmen of the World, and the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in polit- 
ical affiliation is a Republican. 



ELIAS F. CHAPMAN. In his efforts to 
gain a substantial financial standing Elias F. 
Chapman has not neglected the duties which 
have been his as a citizen, through his associ- 
ation with the Civil war writing his name high 
in the annals of our country. In his business 
affairs he has met with a gratifying success, as 
a lumber merchant and manufacturer gaining 
a prominent place in the industrial circles of 



Eugene, Lane county, which has been his home 
since 1877. 

The Chapman family came originally from 
Wales, the great grandfather coming from that 
country and settling in Connecticut, as a citi- 
zen of that state being numbered among the 
patriots of the Revolution. The grandfather, 
Joshua Chapman, was born there and in man- 
hood removed to Indiana, locating in Kosciusko 
county, where he followed his trade of wheel- 
wright. He was one of the early settlers in 
Iowa, locating near Des Moines in later years, 
his death occurring near Beatrice, Neb., aged 
ninety-three years. Like his father he fought 
for his country, his services being in the war 
of 1812. The father, Joshua B. Chapman, was 
a native of Connecticut, and became a wheel- 
wright in New York state, going from there to 
Indiana and removing in 1842 to Illinois, and 
February 1, 1843, to Iowa, where he settled 
near Des Moines, in the latter location combin- 
ing the work of his trade with agricultural pur- 
suits. In 1876 he came to Eugene, Lane county, 
Ore., locating one and a half mile south of the 
city, where his death occurred. Politically he was 
a Republican and in religion affiliated with the 
Baptist Church. He married Naomi Connett, 
who was born in Kentucky, the daughter of 
Nicholas Connett, also of that state, but who 
spent the last years of his life in Ohio. The 
mother died in Oregon, having four living 
children, one having died in childhood, and the 
other in Oregon after reaching manhood. 

The oldest of his father's family, Elias F. 
Chapman was born in Kosciusko county, Ind., 
February 1, 1842, the following year becoming 
a resident of Iowa, where he grew to manhood. 
Interspersed with his home duties was an at- 
tendance of the public schools at Carlisle. When 
of sufficient age he was apprenticed to learn the 
wagon and carriage maker's trade and contin- 
ued so employed for two years. He also worked 
with his father in the sawmill business, even 
in his youth giving evidence of his ability along 
these lines, being then entrusted with the man- 
agement of the hardwood lumber. At the 
breaking out of the Civil war he put beyond him 
his dreams of future success in his business 
and became a volunteer in Company B, Tenth 
Iowa Regiment, being mustered in at Iowa City, 
August 23, 1861. A half-brother, Ephraim 
Fisher, was also a member of that regiment, and 
was physically disabled during the war, now 
making his home in Iowa. Mr. Chapman was 
sent with his company to Cape Girardeau, Mo., 
where his first misfortune came in the shape of 
an attack of measles while in camp. The com- 
mand wintered at Bird's Point, after which they 
saw much service, being in the battles of New 
Madrid, Corinth, during which engagement the 



1398 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



concussion of the discharge of a gun in the 
hands of a comrade burst his right ear drum ; 
Iuka, the second battle of Corinth, Holly 
Springs, Mission Ridge, Champion Hill and 
Black River. After the winter spent at Mem- 
phis Mr. Chapman experienced the horrors of 
the siege of Vicksburg, which lasted forty-seven 
days, and after which, about July 10, he was a 
member of a band of eighty men who were 
guarding a train of wagons after surrender, when 
Gen. Joseph Johnston, with a cavalry brigade, 
swept down upon them and took them prisoners. 
They were at once started on the trip to Rich- 
mond, but Sherman having possession of the 
railroads they were paroled. Mr. Chapman was 
sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and six 
weeks later he was exchanged and sent back to 
active service. He veteranized at Huntsville, 
Ala., and took part in the battles at Decatur, 
Ala., and was then paroled and sent home on a 
thirty-day furlough, after which he returned to 
Kingston and participated in the Atlantic cam- 
paign, marching with Sherman to the sea, and 
engaging in the battles of Dallas, Buzzard's 
Roost, Resaca, Snake Creek, Ala., Jonesboro, 
and Savannah. After entering Savannah he 
continued north through the Carolinas with the 
advancing columns, passing through Columbia, 
S. C, where they had an engagement, then to 
Bentonville, etc., on the memorable journey. 
He was in the Grand Review at Washington and 
carried away with him the memory of the grati- 
tude and admiration of those who witnessed the 
magnificent spectacle and realized the mighty 
work accomplished by those grand columns of 
men. 

After being mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., 
August 15, 1865, Mr. Chapman returned to Car- 
lisle, Iowa, and engaged as a hardware merchant 
of that city, and also conducted a wagon and 
carriage works. This was successfully contin- 
ued until 1876, when he removed to Healdsburg, 
Gal., and engaged in the same employment. July 
24, 1877, he came to Eugene. Opening a wagon 
and carriage works there, he remained so em- 
ployed for four years, but on account of failing 
health, disposed of his business interests and 
removed to San Jose, Cal. There he engaged in 
the planing-mill business and operated it suc- 
cessfully for two and a half years, when he 
returned to Eugene and took up a homestead 
thirteen miles east of the town, where he built 
a mill with a capacity of eight thousand feet per 
day, the motive power being steam. He also 
improved his farm and engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, and continued to reside there fifteen 
years, when he located in Eugene, where he has 
since made his home. In 1902 he built a new 
planing-mill in Eugene, located on Willamette 
street which was opened for business April 1, 



of the same year, with his son Ellis K. as a 
partner. They have now a large and lucrative 
business, turning out all kinds of planing-mill 
work. 

The marriage of Mr. Chapman occurred in 
Carlisle, Iowa, and united him with Miss Sarah 
Griffin, who was born in Tippecanoe county, Ind. 
They have one son, Ellis K., who is now in 
partnership with his father. In fraternal rela- 
tions Mr. Chapman is prominent, having been 
made a Mason in Hartford, Iowa. He became 
a charter member of the lodge at Carlisle, Ore., 
and is now a member of Eugene Lodge No. 11, 
A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of Eugene 
chapter No. 10, R. A. M. He was made an 
Odd Fellow in Carlisle and acted as noble grand, 
and is now identified with the lodge at Eugene. 
As a member of J. W. Geary Post No. 7, G. 
A. R., he was commander for three terms, in 
two of which the post gained one hundred and 
one members, making it the largest post in the 
state. He also acted as senior aid and chief of 
staff under Commander Gates. He also holds 
the position of assistant inspector on the staff of 
the national commander. In politics he is a 
stanch and loyal Republican and has always 
been true to the principles advocated by that 
party. A work which has made Mr. Chapman's 
name one to be remembered is his organization 
of the Iowa Veteran Association in Oregon for 
the purpose of procuring evidence for soldiers' 
pensions, and the bringing together the old Iowa 
soldiers in Oregon. Since the organization he 
has served as secretary for three years. 



HON. GABRIEL RUSSELL CHRISMAN 
the chief executive of the city of Eugene, repre- 
sents the broadest and best citizenship of Ore- 
gon. Inheriting sterling traits of character, and 
having the advantage in his youth of a superior 
home training, he has steadily forged to the 
front, overcoming obstacles, and supporting, on 
his way, the institutions which are the glory of 
the northwest. No name in Lane county carries 
with it greater weight, or is any nearer to the 
foundation upon which the municipal super- 
structure has been reared. 

A native of Andrew county, Mo., Mr. Chris- 
man was born December 2, 1848, and is one of the 
eight children born to Hon. Campbell E. and 
Phoebe (Flannery) Chrisman, natives of Vir- 
ginia. The older Chrisman moved from Vir- 
ginia to Missouri about the year 1840, and in 
the latter state successfully conducted a large 
farm, becoming one of the prosperous and prom- 
inent men of his section. Desiring other sur- 
roundings in which to pass the remainder of his 
life, and being ambitious to increase his fortune, 
he disposed of his property in Missouri in 185 1 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1399 



and started across the plains with his wife and 
seven children. His equipment was beyond the 
ordinary, and precluded the possibility of want 
or deprivation during the long journey, which 
was accomplished in comparative comfort. He 
had several teams of oxen and a band of loose 
cattle, the latter serving as the foundation for 
his great success in the northwest. Crossing 
the Cascade mountains by the Barlow route, the 
party arrived in Lane county in October, and 
spent the first winter near Coburg. As an ex- 
periment, Mr. Chrisman bought property near 
■Cafionville in the spring of 1852, but this invest- 
ment proving unsatisfactory, and the death of 
his wife occurring there, he moved the following 
year to what is now Walker Station, and on the 
coast fork of the Willamette river took up a 
donation claim of a section of land. This 
proved to be the nucleus of large landed pos- 
sessions, for he demonstrated marked sagacity 
in business affairs. From time to time he pur- 
chased valuable properties, and at the height of 
his prosperity owned several farms. Hundreds 
of head of stock roamed over his meadows, and 
large quantities of grain were harvested an- 
nually. With the proceeds of his enterprise he 
started a private money loaning business, and 
finally retired to Cottage Grove, purchased a 
home in the pleasant part of the town, and spent 
the remainder of his life there in comfort. He 
died there June 21, 1885, at the age of seventy- 
five years. He was a man possessed of a large 
capacity for well-doing and strong traits of 
character. As a Republican he took an active 
interest in local and state undertakings, and 
served one term in the Oregon state senate, 
during two regular and one special session. 
During the Civil war his sympathies were 
strongly on the side of the Union; and he is 
said to have been the first man to put up a flag 
in Lane county after the war. He was of a 
sociable and genial nature, and found relaxation 
and pleasure in the Masonic lodge. 

As soon as he was old enough, Gabriel R. 
Chrisman walked from his father's farm to the 
school on the south fork of the Willamette. 
His educational opportunities were bounded by 
his teacher's limitations. Realizing these, as the 
years passed, he applied himself to every pass- 
ing opportunity, learning from observation, 
books and contact with mankind. In time he 
became manager of the home farm, and at 
twenty-six years of age started out on his own 
responsibility, purchasing land in Lake county 
and engaging in stock-raising on a large scale. 
His brand — the letter C in a diamond, on the 
left flank — was one of the best known in that 
section of the country. Upon disposing of his 
farm and brand in 1883, he possessed over one 
thousand head of cattle. 



Upon settling in Cottage Grove in 1883 Mr. 
Chrisman invested in town property, but the 
following year removed to his present home in 
Eugene. He is the possessor of one of the truly 
delightful homes of the city, located on the cor- 
ner of Tenth and Charnelton streets, and sur- 
rounded by beautifully laid-out grounds. He still 
retains an interest in farming and stock-raising, 
having a farm of two hundred and thirty 
acres located three and a half miles from Junc- 
tion City, and another farm of six hundred and 
forty acres near by. 

Since early manhood Mr. Chrisman has 
espoused the cause of Republicanism, but for 
many years his political obligations began and 
ended with the casting of his ballot. He was 
elected mayor of Eugene in April, 1901, and so 
well did he conserve the best interests of his 
fellow-townsmen that he was again elected 
without opposition, in 1903. He has been dele- 
gate to many state and county conventions, and 
was at one time chairman of the Lane county 
Republican Central Committee. In 1886 he 
became one of the incorporators of the First 
National Bank of Eugene, and is at present a 
director and stock-holder. He was also one of 
the chief promoters of the Eugene Water Com- 
pany, serving first as superintendent and after- 
ward as president of the company. Fraternally 
he is associated with the Benevolent Protective 
Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World, 
and he is a charter member of the Eugene Com- 
mercial Club. In Cottage Grove, Ore., August 
31, 1884, he was united in marriage with Mary 
B. Markley, who was born near Salem, Ore., a 
daughter of David Markley, a native of Vir- 
ginia. The latter was one of the early settlers 
of California, having come to that state with his 
parents when he was a boy. At a later period 
he moved to Oregon, and at the present time 
makes his home at Cottage Grove. Mr. and 
Mrs. Chrisman have one son, Chester Russell. 
Mr. Chrisman has ever evinced a deep and prac- 
tical interest in the welfare of the city of Eugene, 
and is recognized as one of her most progress- 
ive and public-spirited citizens. 



BYRON A. WASHBURNE. The milling 
industry of Springfield, Lane county, is repre- 
sented by Byron A. Washburne, a native son 
of Oregon, having been born near Junction City, 
this county, March 2, 1865. He is the seventh 
child in a family of six sons and five daughters 
born to his father, C. W. Washburne, whose 
sketch appears elsewhere in this work, and his 
education was received in the common schools 
of his native state, being more or less limited 
by the many obstacles which were of a necessity 
a part of the early life in Oregon. His father 



1400 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



being a mill-owner, Byron A. was trained to 
this life, and at the age of eighteen years he 
assumed charge of his father's mill at Rickre- 
all, Polk county, where he continued with success 
for six years. In 1889 he returned to Junction 
City and remained for one year, after which he 
located in Springfield, since making this his 
home. 

The mill which Mr. Washburne here pur- 
chased was immediatelv overhauled and is to- 
-day a modern and up-to-date enterprise, and with 
water power the mill has a capacity of a hundred 
barrels per day. The flour, which he disposes 
of in local markets and ships to various local- 
ities, is known by the name of "Snow Ball," 
and the quality equals the purity of color which 
has won it this brand. Mr. Washburne also 
owns considerable property in different counties 
of the state, fifteen hundred acres altogether, in 
Lane, Gilliam, Lake and Klamath counties, a 
part of which is farming land, now rented, and 
the balance is timber. He has also bought a 
comfortable residence here, a two-story cottage, 
wherein he now makes his home. 

Mr. Washburne was married in Rickreall, 
Polk county, to Mary Amanda Clark, who was 
born in Polk county, the daughter of W. E. 
Clark, a native of Missouri, who crossed the 
plains when a young man and became a pioneer 
of Polk county. For several years he was the 
only Republican in that county, and he was very 
active and prominent in political affairs. The 
two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Washburne 
are : Helen, aged fourteen, and Claude, aged ten 
years. In fraternal orders Mr. Washburne is 
a member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen; Woodmen of the World; Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has 
passed all the chairs, and was a delegate to the 
Grand Lodge in 1903 ; Ancient Free and Accept- 
ed Masons; and Native Sons of Oregon. Po- 
litically he is a Republican, and has always 
been active in the advancement of the principles 
endorsed by that party, serving here as a mem- 
ber of the city council. As vice president of the 
Farmers and Merchants Bank, at Junction City, 
he is still connected with the financial interests 
of that city, wherein he made his home for some 
time. 



JAMES. A. EBBERT. For forty years James 
A. Ebbert has been taking the steps forward that 
have numbered him among the successful men of 
Lane county. Like many others he came empty- 
handed to the state of Oregon and is now a large 
land-owner in Whitman county, Wash., and upon 
his farm of three hundred and twenty acres in 
Lane county, Ore., he has been engaged since 
1859 in hog-raising, the profits of which have 



been greatly increased by his preparation of 
cured meat, in which form the public is offered 
his products. 

Mr. Ebbert was born near Uniontown, Pa., 
March 25, 183 1, and lived there on a farm until 
twenty years of age, when he went to Van Buren 
county, Iowa, and spent the time intervening 
between that and his trip to the west. In the 
spring of 1852 he came across the plains with 
four yoke of oxen, and after eighty-four days 
reached his destination and became a resident of 
Oregon. In the fall of the same year he went to 
the Rogue River mines for a short period, and in 
November he located in Portland, remaining until 
August, 1853. He then came to Lane county and 
took up a donation claim of a hundred and sixty 
acres near Springfield, and after a five-years' 
residence there he sold the farm for $1,000, and 
in 1859 bought his present property, which is 
located three and a half miles northeast of the 
same city. Since that time he has been exten- 
sively engaged in the raising of hogs, devoting 
his energies entirely to this work, and meeting 
with substantial returns for the intelligent effort 
put forth. In 1880 he began investing his money 
in land in Whitman county, Wash., and now 
owns several thousand acres in that county and 
one ranch of one hundred and sixty acres in 
Latah county, Idaho. 

On December 15, 1853, Mr - Ebbert was united 
in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Brattian, who 
died July 29, 1902, leaving no family. In his 
political relations Mr. Ebbert is a life-long Re- 
publican, having cast his first vote for Abraham 
Lincoln in i860 at the first presidential election 
in Oregon, and has voted for every Republican 
candidate for president since that time. 



ALBERT RUEGGER. The name of Albert 
Ruegger is associated with one of the finest and 
largest stock farms in Lane county, although he 
himself passed to the great majority in 1901, 
leaving behind him the legacy of a good name 
and honorable life. An American by adoption 
and preference, he was born in Switzerland, Au- 
gust 10, 1842, and to the last recalled with evident 
yearning and tenderness the days of his youth 
among the mountains of his picturesque native 
land. The farm upon which he grew to manhood 
must have furnished marked contrast in his mind 
with the one upon which he conducted his latter- 
day enterprise, for, shut in by snow-clad moun- 
tains, there were no far reaches for the eye to 
scan, and but small patches for the cattle to 
graze on. 

While still in Switzerland Mr. Ruegger mar- 
ried Rosina Ammann, who was born in Switzer- 
land, August 28, 1848. The young people con- 
tinued to live in the same canton, and during the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1401 



Franco-Prussian war of 1870 Mr. Ruegger es- 
poused the cause of his sister country on the 
north, and fought in the German army against 
France, serving until the battle of Sedan, which 
resulted in the overthrow of the third Napoleon. 
The next year he came to the United States 
with his family, living for a time in Nebraska, 
and then in Kansas, moving from there to Mis- 
souri. In 1875 he journeyed further west to 
Vancouver, Wash., and two years later came to 
Lane county, Ore., where the balance of his life 
was spent. In partnership with his nephew, 
John Ziniker, he bought a farm of seventeen hun- 
dred and fifty acres, and Edward Ziniker 
bought fifty acres of this in 1898. For a resi- 
dence he built a large frame dwelling, and added 
barns, out-houses and general improvements, 
carrying on dairying, cheese-making, general 
farming and stock-raising. His farm became 
known as one of the best appointed ones in the 
county, and the stock which found its way to the 
markets from his farm was representative of the 
best that could be raised in Oregon. He took 
a keen interest in Republican politics, but being 
a quiet and unostentatious man, never desired or 
would accept office. 

Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Ruegger 
has continued to live on the home place, which 
she manages with the assistance of her children, 
of whom Edward, Rosa, Ida, Hilda, Ernest and 
Pauline live at home, the oldest daughter, Emma, 
being the wife of Edward Ziniker. This farm is 
unquestionably one of the best conducted and im- 
proved in this county, and the men who have ac- 
complished its development are deserving of the 
greatest credit, evincing, as they have, marked 
intelligence and thrift. 



WILLIAM KNOTTS. None to a greater 
extent enjoys the confidence of his fellow-farm- 
ers around Corvallis than does William Knotts, 
representative of a very old family in Oregon, 
and who was born on the farm a portion of 
which he now owns, October 27, 185 1. His 
father, William, was born in the east, and there 
married a Miss Barrett, who bore him one child, 
a daughter, Justina, now the wife of N. P. 
Newton, of Philomath. He married, for 
his second wife, Sylvia Wilsey, with whom 
he came to Oregon in 1847, crossing the 
plains with ox-teams, and circumventing every 
danger known to the early emigrants. The first 
winter in his adopted state he lived in Wash- 
ington county, but the following year went to 
Benton county, where he took up a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres. More 
fortunate than most of the early settlers, his 
land was mostly open prairie, and he therefore 
put in his first crop much more readily than did 



his neighbors in the timber. For the accommo- 
dation of his wife and children he erected a rude 
log house of one room which served all purposes 
of uving, and had a fair start in the west at the 
time of his death in 1854, at the age of fifty-five 
years. J 

William Knotts was the third of the children 
m his father's family, and he was three years 
old when his sire died. Besides himself there 
was Margaret, who became the wife of Arthur 
Langell, and died in 1888; Sarah A., the wife 
of James Robinson, of the vicinity of Wrenn • 
Ihomas, who died in 1866; and May, who died 
while a child. Because of the father's large 
property, and the good management which it 
sustained at the hands of his widow and older 
sons, the children were able to secure practical 
educations at the public schools and at Philo- 
math College. William remained on the main 
farm until twenty-six years of age, and then 
came to the portion of the claim which is still 
his home, and upon which he has made many 
improvements. It is located three and a half 
miles north of Corvallis, and has been devoted 
principally to stock-raising, Red Polled cattle 
being preferred. General farming also receives 
attention from the successful owner of this finely 
improved property, and in all ways he has dem- 
onstrated a broad-minded and liberal tendency 
equipping his property with the latest of modern 
machinery and conducting his enterprises after 
the most approved plans. He is the owner of 
three hundred and seventy-four acres of the old 
donation claim, and besides has one one-hundred 
and a one hundred and twenty acre tract in the 
mountains. 

December 23, 1898, Mr. Knotts was united 
m marriage with Carrie, daughter of Joseph 
Woods, and of this union there have been born 
two children, Lizzie and Ethel. To a consider- 
able extent Mr. Knotts has identified himself 
with Republican politics in his neighborhood, 
and his fitness for office was recognized in 1898, 
when he was elected commissioner of Benton 
county, serving four years. Mr. Knotts has a 
fine home, a fine family and an enviable reputa- 
tion as man and farmer, and as such is a distinct 
credit to the farming community around Cor- 
vallis. 



THEODORE O. MARTIN. To the men 
whom the eastern states have given toward the 
upbuilding of the west can be traced those qual- 
ities which have impressed themselves upon the 
various communities, for rather than the man 
of adventurous disposition it has been he who 
felt his ability to cope with the difficulties which 
attend colonization who has given the impetus 
to the development of resources and added the 



1402 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



great northwest to the coterie of states. Theo- 
dore O. Martin, born in Oregon May 31, 1856, 
upon the donation claim which he now occupies, 
is the son of such a man, the double claim to 
Oregon's welfare being his nativity and his in- 
heritance of the pioneer traits which numbered 
his father among the useful men of the north- 
west. 

The father, Stephen O. Martin, was born 
March 6, 1821, in Union county, Ohio, and re- 
moved to Presque Isle, in Lake Erie, where 
his father, Charles Martin, had received a land 
grant from services in the war of 1812, from the 
results of which service he died, on the island. 
After the death of the elder man his widow re- 
moved to Laporte county, Ind., where she reared 
her family and remained throughout the rest 
of her life. She had six children, of whom 
Stephen O. was the second in order of birth. 
He made his home with his mother until his 
marriage, December 25, 1842, with Mary Cor- 
delia Parsons, her birth having occurred^ in Os- 
wego county, N. Y., March 10, 1824. The 
young people continued to live in Laporte county 
until 1844, when they removed to Lake county, 
Ind., and remained there until the spring of 
1853, when they outfitted and crossed the plains 
with ox-teams, accomplishing a journey of six 
months devoid of trouble beyond the experiences 
incident to life on the plains in those early times. 
They arrived in Lane county, Ore., where the 
husband took up a donation claim of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres, located one-half mile 
north of Creswell and twelve miles south of 
Eugene. This remained their home until their 
death, that of the father occurring at the age 
of seventy-three years, December 1, 1894, and 
the mother at seventy years of age, March 23, 
1894, in their busy and useful life adding to the 
welfare of the coming state by improving and 
cultivating the land which had become their 
home, carrying on general farming and stock- 
raising, while the husband also made several 
trips to the mines, which were not devoid of 
profit. Always active in politics, Mr. Martin 
occupied the positions of justice of the peace 
and postmaster, as well as other minor offices 
which were within the gift of the people in his 
community, his integrity and high moral char- 
acter making him a man to be trusted. He was 
also active in the work of the Christian Church, 
of which he was a member, while his wife be- 
longed to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Be- 
sides Theodore O. Martin, of this review, there 
are two of the children living : Mrs. Marcia E. 
Johnson, of Creswell, and John H, who is lo- 
cated on a part of the home place. 

The entire life of Theodore O. Martin has 
been spent in Oregon, where he grew to man- 
hood among the duties of farm life, and received 
his education in the district schools. Early 



showing an aptitude for business, he opened a 
drug and grocery store in Creswell with a part- 
ner by the name of Thomas Belshaw, the firm 
name being Belshaw & Martin. This was suc- 
cessfully conducted for four years, at the close 
of which time he married and went to live on a 
part of the donation claim of his father, and 
after the death of his parents located in the old 
home, now carrying on general farming and 
stock-raising, being particularly interested in 
Cotswold sheep. 

May 2, 1880, Margaret J. Veatch became 
Mr. Martin's wife. She was born in Lane 
county, Ore., October 29, 1859, the daughter of 
Sylvester E. Veatch, who was born March 27, 
1 83 1, in Enfield, White county, 111. Mr. 
Veatch is a farmer by occupation. He remained 
in Illinois until 1853, when he started across the 
plains with ox-teams and traveling in company 
with S. B. Knox, a native of Kentucky. The 
first winter in the west was spent in Linn county. 
In the spring of 1854 he came to Lane county 
and took up a claim located on Mosby creek, 
four miles southeast of Cottage Grove, and mar- 
ried there Maria Elizabeth Knox, a native of 
Hancock county, 111. They remained upon 
this claim until 1859, when they located near 
Cloverdale, and lived there about seven years, 
and then purchased Mr. Veatch's present prop- 
erty two miles west of Cottage Grove. Besides 
Mrs. T. O. Martin, who is the second child of 
the family, there are the following children : 
Isaac H. Veatch, of Creswell ; Robert W., of 
Eugene ; Lucetta, the wife of J. I. Thomas, of 
Cottage Grove ; Curtis Sylvester, on the home 
place ; and Dora B., the wife of John Martin, 
a brother of Theodore O. Martin. The mother 
died October 28, 1902, at the age of sixty--eight 
years, while the father still lives and engages 
in farming and stock-raising. Politically he is 
a Republican, and an active member of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church. 

Mr. and Mrs. Martin became the parents of 
one child, Maud M., who died at the age of 
seventeen years. Mr. Martin is a Prohibitionist 
in politics and holds membership and is an elder 
in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 



PIERSON M. McPHERSON was just a 
year old when his parents brought him to Port- 
land, and thirteen years old when he came to 
Lane county. In the meantime he has attained 
to prominence as an agriculturist and promoter 
of the well-being of his neighborhood, living a 
life devoted to his farm, his family and his many 
friends. In Moniteau countv. Mo., where he was 
born, September 14, 185 1, his parents, J. C. 
and Mary E. (Scott) McPherson, were well- 
known farmers, who, notwithstanding that they 
owned a large and paying farm, were on the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1403 



lookout for a chance to improve their prospects. 
During the winter of 185 1-2 they made prepar- 
ation to cross the plains in the early spring. 
They started out in April with two wagons, four 
yoke of oxen and three cows, the latter being 
pressed into service after ieaving Fort Hall. 
Upon arriving in the Willamette valley they had 
three cows and four steers, the animals having" 
fared well during the long and tiresome journey. 

The McPherson family lived first on a three- 
hundred-and-twenty-acre claim near Silverton, 
Marion county, Ore., and in 1864 removed to 
near Springfield, Lane county, where the father 
bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, 
living thereon until his death, in 1886, at the 
age of sixty-five years. The wife, who survived 
him until 1902, dying at the age of seventy- 
one years, was the mother of thirteen children, 
eight of whom attained maturity. Both parents 
were members of the Christian Church, and Mr. 
McPherson contributed many hundreds of dollars 
towards its support. He served in the Yakima 
Indian war, and at all times during his life in 
the west promoted the cause of education and 
morality. 

The 'youth of P. M. McPherson, the third 
child in his father's large family, was spent on 
the Lane county farm. July 4, 1871, he mar- 
ried Mary Spencer, thereafter living for a year 
on the James A. Ebbetts place. He then pur- 
chased ninety acres of his present farm, to 
which he has since added, and now owns two 
hundred and twenty acres, all in the valley, just 
outside of Springfield. In his meadows roam the 
finest of Jersey cattle, other stock also bringing 
in a substantial yearly income. Eight children 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McPherson, of 
whom Chandos is deceased. Those living are : 
Seth, Walter, Vennie, Dorena, Lula, Adell and 
Wade. Mr. McPherson cast his first presidential 
vote for a Democratic president and has never 
had occasion to change his mind regarding party 
affiliations. Fraternally he is connected with 
the Woodmen of the World, and in religion 
he finds a home in the Christian Church. He is 
a thrifty and practical farmer, entering with 
zest into his chosen occupation, and getting the 
best possible results from his fertile and con- 
venientlv located farm. 



ENOCH P. COLEMAN. That stock-rais- 
ing is both a congenial and paying occupation 
to Enoch P. Coleman is not doubted by anv who 
are privileged to know this genial and highly 
honored pioneer, whose personality, family and 
splendidly appointed farm appeal to the trust, 
confidence and admiration of the community in 
which he makes his home. Opportunity has 
never been allowed to slip by Mr. Coleman with- 



out his taking a many-sided view of it, and decid- 
ing then and there whether it would pay him to 
embrace it. He has made some money in min- 
ing, more in the mercantile and freighting bus- 
iness, and still more in raising high-grade Dur- 
ham and Hereford cattle. At the present time 
he owns three thousand acres of land four miles 
north of Coburg, all of which is adapted to 
stock, being abundantly watered by snows from 
the mountains and by natural springs. 

Nathan G. and Mary (Henry) Coleman were 
born in Pennsylvania, married there, and re- 
moved to Coles county, 111., in 1841. Their son, 
Enoch P., was born on their farm near Inde- 
pendence, March 31, 1842, and was therefore 
eleven years old when the family removal to 
the coast took place, in the spring of 1853. The 
father outfitted with four wagons, requiring 
twenty yoke of oxen, also a spring-wagon with 
two yoke, the latter of which was driven all the 
way across the plains by Enoch P. Coleman. 
The family possessions also included sixty head 
of cattle, some of which were thoroughbred 
Durhams, and which arrived at the end of the 
journey in much better condition than was ex- 
pected of them. The father purchased three 
hundred and twenty acres of land on the old 
Territorial road, sixteen miles southeast of Eu- 
gene, and there engaged in farming, grain and 
stock-raising. So extensive were his operations 
that more land was eventually required, and at 
the time of his death, at the age of seventy-eight 
years, he was the owner of nearly a thousand 
acres. His wife, who was born in 1800, died in 
1894, and, notwithstanding her extreme age, 
enjoyed the best of health until a short time be- 
fore she died. 

Enoch P. Coleman left the farm at the age of 
eighteen and became a clerk in a general mer- 
chandise store for a couple of years. In 1862 
he started up the Columbia river with pack ani- 
mals to the Caribou mining district, and with 
four others engaged in packing goods to the 
mines, a distance of sixty miles. That this was 
a paying venture is easily surmised, for he re- 
ceived thirty cents a pound for packing, and 
during a week's time packed many hundreds 
of pounds. Living was high during those times, 
and the cooks for the miners must have exercised 
their wits to economize. Flour brought as high 
as $1.50 a pound, beans being sold at the same 
exorbitant rate. This dreary region was aban- 
doned by Mr. Coleman in 1862, his return being 
accomplished by way of the Frazer river, and 
from there by skiffs, in company with James 
McClaren. From Portland to Eugene was by 
stage route, and Mr. Coleman spent the winter 
in the latter town. 

In the spring of 1863 Mr. Coleman went to 
The Dalles and worked for his brother and 



1404 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



brother-in-law in their shop, and in the fall of 
1864 returned to Eugene. In December of the 
same year he was united in marriage with Mary 
Walton, sister of Judge J. J. Walton, with whom 
he afterward engaged in a mercantile business 
for a couple of years. Disposing of his store 
interests, he engaged in stock-raising near Har- 
risburg, Linn county, for about ten years, and 
then came to his present farm, one of the finest 
and most valuable in Lane county. Five chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Coleman, 
of whom Frank is deceased; Nellie, born Feb- 
ruary 8, 1868, and died in 1899, was the wife 
of Sylvey Stewart, of Portland; Clara is the 
wife of J. R. Coleman, Jr. ; George is engaged 
in business with his father ; and Henry is living 
on the home ranch. In 1902 Mr. Coleman added 
to his responsibilities by purchasing a meat 
market in Ooburg, in which his son is interested, 
and which promises to be a fruitful source of 
income. He spends his time looking after his 
market and farm, and is still a very busy and 
prominent factor in the community. Politically 
he is a stanch adherent of Democracy, and among 
other honors conferred upon him by his con- 
stituents may be mentioned that of state senator 
during 1882 to 1886, and that of member of the 
house during 1888. At the age of twenty-two, 
while living at Eugene, he identified himself 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and has since acknowledged allegiance to this 
order. 

Mr. Coleman possesses in marked degree the 
force, good judgment and public spirit of the 
typical northwestern promoter, and as such is 
honored and esteemed by a large following of 
friends and associates. 



REV. WILLIAM ROBINSON. A pioneer 
of many years ago, and one who has long since 
passed away, was the Rev. William Robinson, 
who was born in Shelby county, Ohio, January 
20, 1789, the son of a strong and hardy pioneer 
of that then wilderness territory. When a young 
man he took up the ministry in the Methodist 
Church, and in his native state married Susannah 
Cannon, who was born in Kentucky, May 19, 
1793. They lived in Ohio until 1832, when they 
removed to Indiana and remained there for a 
period of five years. Upon again changing their 
location they settled in Platte county, Mo., and 
made that their home until 1847, when they out- 
fitted for the long and dangerous journey across 
the plains, and with the spirit of their ancestors 
enrolled their names among those who were to 
assist in western civilization, though both hus- 
band and wife were then approaching the even- 
ing of their lives. The journey with ox-teams 
occupied six months, . and they were mercifully 



spared any serious trouble with the Indians, en- 
during with patience and fortitude the hardships 
and trials incident to their new lives. 

Upon reaching Oregon Mr. Robinson took 
up a donation claim located on Salt creek, Polk 
county, and this remained their home for the 
period of two years. In addition to his minis- 
terial efforts he worked for the advancement of 
the country in the cultivation of the broad acres 
which gave homes to so large a number of peo- 
ple who came empty-handed, but eager to add 
their strength to the forward march. After two 
years Mr. Robinson removed to Oregon City, 
where he remained for a short time, when he re- 
turned to his claim. Soon afterward he became 
an inmate of the homes of his children, on ac- 
count of his advancing age. His death occurred 
August 1, 1864, and that of his wife September 
30, 1870, the two having walked faithfully side 
by side for many years in the performance of 
duty. Of the ten children which blessed their 
union the three now living are Richard C, who 
is located in Pilot Rock, Umatilla county, Ore. ; 
Surrenea J., widow of William J. J. Scott, whose 
sketch is found on another page of this work ; 
and Matilda Haas, of Arizona. 



HOLLAND McCOLLUM. Born on a farm 
bordering on Spencer creek, ten miles southwest 
of Eugene, April 15, 1852, Holland McCollum 
was educated in a little near-by school-house, 
and has never wandered far or for any length 
of time from the old donation claim which has 
since come into his personal possession. He 
now owns two hundred acres of the old place, 
and besides owns the thirty-two acres four miles 
west of Eugene, upon which he has made his 
home since 1898. 

Of Scotch descent, Samuel McCollum, the 
father of Holland, was born in Kentucky, and 
followed farming and stock-raising during his 
entire active life. In his native state he married 
Zilpha Callahan, also a native of the Bourbon 
state, and who died on the old donation claim 
in 1897, at the age of eighty-four years. The 
parents lived in Kentucky until 1850, and then 
crossed the plains to Oregon with ox-teams, in 
a train composed of fifty wagons. Captain 
Bailey had charge of the home and fortune- 
seekers, and little of incident out of the ordinary 
marred a pleasant and speedy journey. Mr. 
McCollum took up six hundred and forty acres 
of the claim above mentioned, and here inaug- 
urated farming and stock-raising on a large 
scale, achieving success from year to year, and 
laying by a competence for those dependent on 
his care. His death occurred in 1888, at the 
age of seventy-eight years, and he left behind 
him a record of good deeds and more than aver- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1405 



age financial success. Four sons and one daugh- 
ter were born into the family, Holland being the 
third of the children. 

After the death of his father, Holland Mc- 
Collum became possessor of the old place, al- 
though he had long been independent, begin- 
ning to collect wages for his work from the time 
he was twenty-one years old. He married at The 
Dalles, in 1880, Mathilda Malle, who was born 
in France, and who is the mother of five chil- 
dren, Mary, William, Henry, John and Charles. 
The friend of education, Mr. McCollum has given 
his children every advantage within his power, 
and has so trained them in their every-day life, 
that morally, physically and mentally, they are 
a credit to their family and themselves. As a 
general farmer Mr. McCollum is practical and 
scientific, bringing to his aid modern innova- 
tions and advanced thought, and at all times 
feeling a genuine pride in the dignity and utility 
of his calling. He is a Democrat in political 
affiliation, and has been a school director for 
many years. 



FREDERICK WILLIAM A. CRAIN. Iden- 
tified with a successful jewelry business at Junc- 
tion City since 1890, Frederick William A. Crain 
has many other claims upon the consideration of 
his fellow-townsmen, representing as he does the 
highest mental culture, the broadest humanity, 
and the most unswerving devotion to truth and 
justice. Born in Tompkins county, N. Y., No- 
vember 5, 1827, he was reared on a farm which 
abounded in memories of his patriot grandfather, 
Elijah, who was born in the seat of conservatism 
in Connecticut, and removed at a very early day 
to Tompkins county. This ancestor was a man 
of remarkably strong and active constitution, 
and notwithstanding the fact that he lived for 
seven years on tented field and within sound of 
the cannon's roar in the Revolutionary war, at- 
taining to the rank of corporal, he lived to the 
advanced age of ninety-two years. His son, 
Alvin, the father of Frederick William, was born 
in Tompkins county, and in his youth worked in a 
clock factory, later taking up his residence in Erie 
county, Pa., where he was variously engaged, 
principally as a shoe manufacturer. About 1841 
he removed to Wisconsin, making his home in 
Minneapolis, Minn., in 1857, and there engaging 
in contracting and building, work for which he 
possessed special aptitude. He also aided his 
son in the management of a store, and in time 
removed to Brownsville, Minn., whence he came 
to Eugene, Ore., in 1878. He lived to be sev- 
enty-six years old. Interesting also is the ma- 
ternal ancestry of the popular Junction City mer- 
chant, his mother, Tamson Seaton, being a 
granddaughter of that Lord Seaton whose an- 



cestral halls and proud lineage were once the 
pride of Scotland. William Seaton, the father 
of Mrs. Crain, was banished from his native 
Scotland because of his participation in its de- 
fense, and his property confiscated by the state. 
Seeking an asylum in more tolerant America, he 
retrieved his fortunes in Tompkins county, N. Y., 
and died a comparatively wealthy man. 

The oldest of the four sons and three daughters 
born to his parents, Frederick W. A. Crain was 
educated primarily in the public schools of Penn- 
sylvania and Wisconsin, and at the age of seven- 
teen contracted an illness which incapacitated him 
for about three years. Recovering he appren- 
ticed to a jeweler at Baraboo, Wis., in 1848, and 
later, when his preceptor removed to Illinois, he 
accompanied him and finished his trade. Re- 
turning to Baraboo, he engaged in a jewelry 
business until 1855, an d tnen changed his field 
of activity to Minneapolis, Minn., whence he re- 
moved to Brownsville, Minn., in 1862. In 1873 
Mr. Crain came to Eugene and opened a jewelry 
store, continuing the same until removing to his 
present business and residence in Junction City. 
He has a complete and modern store, and the 
stock includes such commodities as would nat- 
urally be required in a cosmopolitan and thriving 
community. He has invested in real estate to 
the extent of owning his store, the adjoining 
property, and his residence property, and his at- 
titude towards the town of his adoption is that of 
a citizen who appreciates her possibilities, and 
rejoices at her prosperity and good fortune. 

In Baraboo, Wis., Mr. Crain married Mary 
Melissa Lowell, who was born in Ohio, Sep- 
tember 23, 1839, and whose father, William, 
came early to the Buckeye state from his native 
state of New York. Mr. Lowell removed to 
Parma, Jackson county, Mich., about 1847, an( l 
there worked at the carpenter's trade, combining 
the same with farming for many years, his death 
occurring at his home near Eaton Rapids at the 
age of eighty-two years. Not having any chil- 
dren of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Crain have an 
adopted daughter, Annie, who makes her home 
with them, having been educated in the Uni- 
versity of Oregon and the Northwestern Uni- 
versity, Evanston, 111. Five years she devoted 
to teaching in Seattle, Wash. Mr. Crain ha's 
found a large field of usefulness in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and for over thirty years has 
been a local preacher, his genial and rational 
optimism and implicit faith in goodness and char- 
ity, endearing him to hundreds who have been 
privileged to hear his voice. As a journalist 
he has contributed to local and other periodicals, 
and his poetic productions have won him sincere 
admiration and approbation. One production, 
with its eloquent plea for freedom and kindness 
to birds, won a prize for nicety of diction, no- 



1406 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



bility of sentiment, and correctness of construc- 
tion, and another, " God Bless our Oregon/' is 
appended herewith. Mr. Crain has been a stanch 
Republican for many years, and although in no 
sense a politician, has served as treasurer of 
Eugene for six years. His name is engraved on 
the cornerstone of the University of Oregon, 
among those of other promoters of this now 
famous institution of learning, and is also placed 
in the cornerstone of the Villard section of the 
university. Far more than the average man, 
Mr. Crain has touched the rim of higher success 
in this world, has studied continuously, and filled 
the storehouse of his mind with treasure from a 
variety of sources. No one in the community 
bears a more honored name, nor does any more 
emphatically typify the high-minded, conserva- 
tive, and thoroughly reliable business man. 

GOD BLESS OUR OREGON. 
Oh for that spirit progressive, that brought our fathers 

o'er 
The lofty mountain heights, where everlasting torrents 

pour, 
To our lovely Oregon, lying nestled 'mongst the hills, 
With her verdure-coated valleys and laughing little 

rills. 

Where majestic rivers roll over beds of golden sand, 
And plunging forward, rush to meet the mighty ocean 

grand, 
With its laden fleets of commerce, come from every 

clime. 
To barter for the wealth we take from forest and 

from mine. 

For Nature, with a lavish hand, here spreads its kingly 

store 
With valleys rich in primal wealth, and hills of golden 

ore. 
These valleys of our Oregon are rich beyond compare, 
And wait to greet the toiler with more than lion's 

share. 

While here our lordly mountains rear their crested 

heads on high, 
And Nature lifts herself to kiss the star-emblazoned 

sky; 
Where every hillside stands begirt with stalwart timber's 

wealth, 
And all our coasts are blessed with wondrous cheer of 

wealth. 

Oh for a race progressive, that we may build us here, 
An empire srrand from all the wealth, each freeman's 

heart to cheer ! 
God grant it be the very best on all this globe of ours. 
With busy cities growing, and homes all bright with 

flowers. 

An empire where true manliness may guard each lovely 

home, 
And where the foul destroyer may never, never come ; 
And where in other lands is found the beer-house and 

saloon, 
May the church-house point its spire to Heaven — man's 

greatest boon. 



And may the blighting curse of rum be banished from 

this land; 
And in its place the school-house and the college ever 

stand. 
A goodly empire then we'll have, and our sons and 

daughters 
Shall glean its golden wealth beside these crystal waters. 

And no drones here may then be found, a curse upon the 

soil, 
Nor may we hear upon the street the oath or drunken 

broil. 
But grant the Orient come forth the Occident to greet, 
With branch of palm within each hand, this triumph 

to complete. 



ISAAC WILLIAM BOND. Prosperous, 
and on good terms with himself and the world 
at large, Isaac W. Bond is living a somewhat 
retired life on his farm of three hundred and 
twenty-five acres northwest of Eugene. His 
has been a busy existence, crowned with suc- 
cess because of his industry and good manage- 
ment, and because of strict adherence to the 
principles of honesty and consideration for all 
with whom he has had to do. Born in Shenan- 
doah county, Virginia, December 19, 1827, he 
is a son of Joseph and Mary (Eeshelman) Bond, 
natives of Virginia, and the former of English 
extraction. The parents were married in the 
old Dominion, and there six sons and five daugh- 
ters were born to them, Isaac W. being the 
fourth child. When he was nine )>ears old, in 
1836, the family undertook the long journey 
overland to Indiana, settling in Knox county, 
where the father died December 31, 1838, at the 
age of forty-eight years. After his death the 
family continued together for many years, or 
until Isaac W. and Allen Bond made arrange- 
ments to come to Oregon, in 1853. 

Thousands of men now enjoying the ad- 
vantages of Oregon date their start in life from 
the time when they buckled on their courage 
and started forth on the plains between them 
and the Pacific ocean. Thus it was with Isaac 
and Allen Bond, who joined a party under Vin- 
cent McClure, consisting of five wagons, they 
themselves having three yoke of oxen and three 
yoke of cows. Making the. start, March 21, 
1853, they crossed the Wabash river and pro- 
ceeded with few discomforts until locating near 
the present farm of Mr. Bond, November 1, 
1853. The latter was the happy possessor of 
one cow and one yoke of oxen at the end of his 
journey, and these served as a nucleus, around 
which he built up his present large farming in- 
dustry. Mr. McClure, his brother, and Allen 
and Isaac Bond camped around the section cor- 
ner, and afterward held these farms for them- 
selves, being well content with the richness of 
the land, and desirability of the location. Mr. 
Bond from the wild land improved his farm into 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1407 



the present fine property, built a modern home 
to supplant the one hastily constructed, and put 
up modern barns, outhouses and fences. His 
land has yielded well of general farm produce, 
and at all times he has had fine cattle on his 
place, deriving a considerable yearly income from 
their sale. 

So absorbed has he been in his home and 
church life that Mr. Bond has never taken an 
active interest in political undertakings, al- 
though as the friend of education he has served 
on the school board for twenty years, and as 
the friend of good roads has been a member of 
the board of supervisors for three terms. In 
185 1 he was united in marriage with Hettie Mc- 
Clure, daughter of the captain of the train in 
which Mr. Bond came to the west, and who was 
born in Knox county, Ind., August 19, 1835. 
Mrs. Bond proved an earnest and sympathetic 
helpmate, and in the early days of struggle and 
adversity in the new country stimulated the 
flagging and ofttimes discouraged hearts of those 
by whom she was surrounded. Notwithstanding 
the hard work which she accomplished she 
reared ten children to be useful men and women, 
impressing all with the necessity of thrift, 
economy, industry and integrity. At the time 
of her death, April 14, 1 901, she left the follow- 
ing children to mourn her loss: V. S. ; Louise, 
the wife of Rufus Robinson, of Walton, Lane 
county ; Allen, living on a farm three miles 
from the home place; Emma, the wife of Will- 
iam Wheeler, of Pleasant Hill ; Eliza Catherine, 
the wife of Halvor Wheeler, of Pleasant Hill ; 
and Amanda, living at home ; Robert B., living 
near his father. Joseph W., William L., Mary 
A., who was the wife of C. H. Withrow, are 
all deceased. Mr. Bond has always taken an 
active part in the Christian Church and was 
a deacon for manv vears. 



PETER JACKSON COX. The owner of a 
model little farm of thirty acres located two and 
a half miles west of Silverton, Marion county, 
is P. J. Cox, a native of this state, having been 
born on Howell Prairie. December 27, 1846, the 
son of Gideon S. Cox. The father was born in 
Indiana in 1804. the son of a farmer, and he 
grew up into this life, remaining on his father's 
farm until his marriage with Miss Su- 
sanna Coffenberry. The young people made 
their home in Missouri previous to settling in 
Oregon. They came across the plains by ox- 
teams in 1846, taking the usual time of six 
months for the trip, and experiencing no serious 
trouble with the Indians while on the way. Set- 
tling in Marion county Mr. Cox took up a dona- 
tion claim in Howell Prairie, trading it. how- 
ever, in a short time for that upon which P. J. 
Cox now lives, his first possessions passing into 



the hands of Al Jerman. Most of the land was 
prairie, upon which he carried on general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, and with the thrifty habits 
of the middle west began at once to put improve- 
ments of all kinds upon his farm. Air. and Airs. 
Cox reared quite a large family, being named in 
order of birth, as follows : Marsilia, wife of 
Wilburn King, both deceased; John T., of 
Salem ; Jane, wife of Samuel Penter, of Alac- 
leay ; Jacob, deceased : Alary, deceased, wife of 
Stephen Jones ; Joseph, deceased ; Diana, wife of 
Wright Foshay ; Permillia, wife of Peter Bowen ; 
Elizabeth, wife of Joshua Bowen ; Tabitha, de- 
ceased ; Julia Ann, widow of the late James Jer- 
man, of this vicinity ; George W. ; Polk, de- 
ceased ; P. J., of this review; Margeline. de- 
ceased, wife of Robert Welch, of Clackamas, 
Ore. ; and William B., of Marshfield, Ore. The 
father took quite an active interest in all educa- 
tional and church movements, and the general 
esteem in which he was held caused his death to 
be generally regretted in the community. He 
died at the age of eighty-four, his wife living to 
be only sixty-five. 

P. J. Cox received his education in the district 
school near his home, remaining with his parents 
until his marriage with Miss Christie Hadley, a 
native of Canada, daughter of Isaac and Chris- 
tiana (Harvey) Hadley, and who came to Ore- 
gon in 1875. The young people went to house- 
keeping on the place where they now live. With 
the passing of the years that brought the accu- 
mulation of the fruits of his industry and man- 
agement Air. Cox has improved the appearance 
of his home, putting up a modern house, and 
neat, attractive buildings for the protection of 
his stock and implements. His principal crop is 
hops, twenty acres of his farm being devoted to 
this cultivation. Four children have been born 
to Air. and Airs. Cox, all of whom are living : 
Lettie, of Salem ; Nellie, wife of Harlan O. 
White, of Salem : Roy, and Ora, still at home 
with their parents. Politically Mr. Cox is a 
Republican and has served as school director for 
several years. Like his father he interests him- 
self in all church movements, being a member of 
the Christian Church, in which he officiates as 
elder. 



OLNEY FRY. At the age of seventy- 
seven Olney Fry may view with satisfaction his 
well planned and well adjusted life, about two- 
thirds of which has been spent in the northwest, 
and in the pursuit of a competence for which he 
has worked hard and unceasingly. This honored 
pioneer was born in Cortland county, N. Y., 
December 10. 1825, and at the age of eleven 
moved with his parents to Knox county, 111. 
In the then unsettled middle west he gained 
strength of body and mind while helping to 



1408 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



develop a fertile farm, in the meantime irregu- 
larly attending the winter term of school held in 
a little log house in the neighborhood. 

The father of Olney Fry was born in Rhode 
Island, as was also his wife, Salina (Bennett) 
Fry, and the young couple moved to New York 
at a very early day, settling on a farm in Cortland 
county. The Illinois farm was disposed of in 
1849, an d in the spring the whole family started 
across the plains with ox-teams, after many 
months of preparation for the momentous under- 
taking. They had three wagons and many ox- 
teams, besides loose cattle to furnish meat on 
the way and start life with in the far west. Upon 
arriving in Oregon the father bought a saw and 
grist mill near Howell Prairie, which, however, 
he sold in July, 1850, and took up a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres in Linn 
county. In the course of time he gave up farming 
and retired to Albany, where his death occurred 
in 1894, at the age of ninety-two years. Four of 
his sons fought bravely in the Indian war of 

I855-56- 

When his father sold his grist mill in 1850. 
Olney Fry went to Salem and began working 
at the carpenter's trade, having completed which 
he moved to his father's farm in Linn county 
and built himself a fine house. That this work 
is well done is attested by the fact that it is still 
standing, one of the oldest landmarks in that 
section. Noticing the dearth of good cattle 
among the settlers, Mr. Fry returned to the 
east by way of Panama in the fall of 1852, and 
after buying up one hundred and fifty head of 
young cattle started with them across the plains, 
accompanied by John Davenport. They had 
many adventures before reaching the end of their 
journey, but the cattle were in fairly good condi- 
tion, and few had fallen by the wayside. Again 
in Oregon, Mr. Fry bought his present farm 
and started to raise stock, an occupation which 
he has found both remunerative and congenial. 
In 1854 he married Mary Foster, and this union 
has proved a particularly harmonious one. For 
the greater part of the time since his marriage 
Mr. Fry has lived on his farm, although he has 
taken occasional trips to towns in the state, 
leaving his home in capable hands. He is a mem- 
ber of the United Presbyterian Church, and fra- 
ternally is connected with the Grange. 



JOSEPH WILLIAM MORGAN, who is 
actively identified with the agricultural prosperity 
of Linn county, is pleasantly located about four 
miles from Shedds, where he has a choice farm, 
well improved, with a good house, barns and 
outbuildings, and everything pertaining to a 
first-class estate. As an energetic, successful 
business man, and the descendant of an honored 



pioneer of this part of the state, he is especially 
worthy of representation in this biographical 
work. He is among the older of the native-born 
citizens of the place, and now occupies the home- 
stead where his birth occurred, August 26, 1851. 

His father, Miller Morgan, was born and 
brought up in Ohio, and in Burlington, Iowa, 
married Elizabeth Helmick, a native of Germany. 
In the spring of 1847 ne started across the plains 
with one wagon, and three yoke of oxen. 
Reaching Oregon in the fall, he spent the winter 
with General McCarver then settled in Polk 
county, where he resided for one year. In 1849, 
with ox-teams, he proceeded to California, where 
he was employed in hauling freight from Sacra- 
mento to the mining districts for a few months. 
As cold weather came on, he traded his oxen for 
five mares, returned to Linn county, Ore., and 
spent that winter on Oak creek, near Albany. 
In the spring of 1850 he traded one of his horses 
for a squatter's right to six hundred and forty 
acres of land at Peterson's butte, (now known 
as the Gardiner farm) and in the fall of that 
year traded the land back to the original owner for 
two Indian ponies and took up a donation claim 
of six hundred and forty acres known as the 
Saddle Butte ranch, five hundred and fifty acres 
of it being valley land. On his land, which was 
six miles northwest of Brownsville, fourteen 
miles southeast of Albany, and four miles east 
of Shedds, he erected a log cabin in February, 
1 85 1, and at once began the improvement of a 
homestead. A man of indomitable resolution and 
perseverance, he met with good success in his 
untiring efforts, clearing an excellent farm 
whereon he resided until 1898. Removing then 
to Albany, he lived retired until his death, in 
March, 1901, aged seventy-five years. Seven 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, 
namely : James, residing in Lebanon, Ore. ; 
Thomas Franklin and Orange Z., both deceased ; 
J. W., the special subject of this sketch; Clara 
C, wife of George B. McClellan Thompson of 
Shedds ; Sarah I., wife of Ezra Randolph, of 
Oregon City ; and Lawrence O., of Shedds. 

Born and reared on the parental homestead, 
J. W. Morgan acquired a practical education 
in the district schools, and under his father's 
training became well versed in the art and 
science of agriculture. For twenty or more years 
he lived near Shedds, but in the fall of 1902 
assumed possession of the old home farm, where 
he has since resided. He owns three hundred 
acres of the paternal farm, being a portion of 
the donation claim which his father cleared, and 
is carrying on general farming and stock-raising 
with excellent results. 

In 1876 Mr. Morgan married Ann Stimson, 
who was born in Iowa, daughter of Lewis and 
Jane (Wilson) Stimson, who located in Linn 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1409 



county in 1852, taking up a donation claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres on the Sand 
Ridge. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have two chil- 
dren, namely : Lottie E., who was educated at 
Albany College, and is now teaching school ; 
and Elza F., living at home. Politically Mr. 
Morgan is a Democrat, and fraternally is a mem- 
ber of the Twenty-five Hundred Insurance 
Company of Albany. 



C. C. HAZLETON. People who comprise 
the present community of Cottage Grove little 
realize their indebtedness to the men who came 
here in the early days, and by their far-reaching 
achievements, their well laid and later-developed 
plans on the fertile farm lands, started into per- 
manent activity an aggregation of varied inter- 
ests. Royal H. Hazleton, so well known in pio- 
neer days, so well remembered by those who 
'lived and labored with him, belonged emphatically 
to the class mentioned, and none more than he 
typified the solid and forceful pioneer. 

Born in New York in 1818, Mr. Hazleton was 
reared and educated there and removed to Mis- 
souri in 1837 with his parents. As a young man 
he married Martha Runnels, a native of Mis- 
souri, and with whom he lived peacefully on a 
farm until the whole country became agitated 
over rumors of gold on the coast. He had no 
faith in mining himself, but the exodus to the 
west suggested large opportunities in the way 
of general pioneer undertakings, and he joined 
a train bound for the other side of the Rocky 
Mountains in the spring of 1849. Arriving in 
California after a comparatively pleasant six- 
months journey, he remained for a time there, 
returned to Missouri and in 1852 outfitted to 
cross the plains again, this time for Oregon. 
He lived in Eugene for a year, in the meantime 
looking for a desirable place upon which to 
settle permanently. His choice fell upon a sec- 
tion of land four miles west of Cottage Grove, 
and he located on what soon became known as 
Hazleton's creek. The land being fertile, and 
admirable for situation, the pioneer settler soon 
had a semblance of activity upon it. A small 
house was erected, and soon afterward a barn, 
other needed improvements following in due or- 
der, and as the out-going produce permitted of 
additional expenditure. In his youth Mr. Hazle- 
ton had prepared for the future by learning the 
wagonmaker's and woodworker's trades, and he 
found abundant opportunity to use them, not 
only on his own, but upon the farms of the sur- 
rounding settlers. In order to utilize the timber 
which densely covered many acres of his prop- 
erty, he built a saw-mill, and later a grist-mill, 
also a wagonshop, in which repairing was con- 
ducted for several months in the year. Being 



the first shops of their kind in the neighborhood, 
people came from far and near to have their 
wheat ground and their wagons repaired, a great 
deal of interest being soon centered around the 
mills and shop. From small beginnings towns 
have started on their successful way, and it is 
not surprising people began to settle near, for 
Mr. Hazleton realized the profit to be gotten 
out of land sold in town or small farm lots, and 
he thus became an earnest promoter of his sec- 
tion. The village grew apace, and was given the 
name of Slabtown, which it fortunately soon out- 
grew, and took on a more dignified character 
under its new name of Cottage Grove. Not con- 
tent to have merely started the town, Mr. Hazle- 
ton grew with it, in time conducted one of the 
first hotels of the village. In partnership with 
a man named Ward he built and owned Pass 
Creek Toll Road, which was among the first toll 
roads in Lane county, and which has the same 
upbuilding influence always to be attributed to 
good roads. These various enterprises netted 
him a large yearly income, some of which he in- 
vested in mining properties on the Salmon river. 
He was a successful man, and the fact that he 
left permanent reminders of himself in all parts 
of the county insures him a lasting place in its his- 
tory and progress. He never took an active in- 
terest in politics other than casting his vote for 
the Republican party. He was a devoted mem- 
ber of his church, and during the course of a 
year he gave away more than will ever be known 
in unostentatious charity. His death occurred in 
1886 on the home place. 

Of the twelve children born into his family, 
Thomas P. is in business in Waitsburg, Wash. ; 
Francis M. is a business man of Santa Cruz, 
Cal. ; Harrison H. makes his home in Lake View, 
Ore. ; John H. is in Baker City ; J; M. lives in 
Pomeroy, Wash. ; C. C. is a merchant of Cres- 
well ; and A. L. is in Whatcom, Wash. 

C. C. Hazleton, one of the younger sons of 
Royal Hazelton, and who inherits the substantial 
traits of his sire, was born on the donation 
claim upon which Cottage Grove sprang into 
existence, June 12, 1858. His father's apprecia- 
tion of a trade influenced him to thus fortify 
himself against future want, and he conducted 
a harness-shop for a short time in Cottage Grove, 
and later engaged in business in Oakland with 
his brother, J. M., giving up the same in order 
to identify himself with the Wells-Fargo Ex- 
press Company. His reliable and industrious 
traits were noted by his employers, who ad- 
vanced him in pay and responsibility, retaining 
him in their service for a long period of sixteen 
years. He was the first messenger between 
Umatilla and Pendleton, acted as agent at Hast- 
ings, Neb., San Antonio and Corpus Christi, 
Texas, and Albuquerque, N. M., thus enlarging 



1410 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his horizon by travel and contact with various 
people. In March, 1890, Mr. Hazleton returned 
from the south to Oregon and engaged in the 
general merchandise business in Creswell, con- 
tinuing the same with much success up to the 
present time. He has a store supplied with the 
necessities in demand in the town, and in addi- 
tion carries a large line of agricultural imple- 
ments and shelf hardware. He is genial and 
cordial in his relations with his patrons, and 
courtesy and consideration may be regarded as 
among the keynotes of his character. Like all 
successful merchants, he is public-spirited in the 
extreme, and gives his support to all measures 
instituted for the advancement of the general 
good. 

The Hazleton home is one of the pleasant and 
hospitable ones in the town and is presided over 
by Mrs. Hazleton, who was formerly Dora C. 
Scott, a native daughter of Oregon, and the 
devoted mother of three interesting children, 
Danae, Hazel and Nieta. Like his father a 
Republican, Mr. Hazleton has never sought po- 
litical preferment, but in his interest in edu- 
cation has found both pleasure and profit in his 
capacity as school director. Essentially social 
in disposition, he is identified fraternally with 
the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Wood- 
men of the World. 



ANDREW J. 'ZUMWALT. Faithful to his 
early training, Andrew J. Zumwalt has followed 
throughout his entire life the work which he 
learned under the instruction of his father, earn- 
ing his livelihood in the pursuit of farming and 
at the same time dispensing the benefits of what- 
ever talents wherewith he has been blessed. He 
has never shirked any public or private duty, but 
has earnestly endeavored to make himself a 
worthy and useful citizen of the state to which 
he came in early manhood. 

As one of a family of eleven children, Andrew 
J. Zumwalt was born in St. Charles county, Mo., 
September 2, 1832, and a part of the experiences 
of boyhood was an attendance at the little log 
school-house in the neighborhood of his home 
until he gained a fair education. In the spring of 
1850, in company with his father, Solomon, his 
mother, Nancy, and the remainder of the chil- 
dren, he crossed the plains with two wagons and 
four yoke of oxen to each, eight head of loose 
stock and three horses. By fall they had reached 
Salt Lake City, Utah, and they there spent the 
winter, March 9, of the following year continu- 
ing the journey into Oregon, where, in Benton 
county, the father took up a donation claim, 
where he remained a year. In 1852 he came into 
Lane county, and located two miles west of Eu- 
gene, where he lived until 1872, when he moved 



to a farm of four hundred and fifty acres, on the 
Mohawk, where he died in 1888, at the age of 
eighty-one years. Andrew J. Zumwalt also took 
up a donation claim in 1852, one of one hundred 
and sixty acres located two and a half miles west 
of Eugene, and this remained his home until 1859. 
In the last-named year he removed to Eugene 
and spent the ensuing two years there, when he 
purchased in the neighborhood of Irving a farm 
of a hundred and sixty acres upon which he lived 
until 1872. He then moved upon the farm which 
he now occupies and which consists of four hun- 
dred acres, where he is engaged in farming and 
stock-raising, being particularly interested in the 
latter business in Shorthorns. He also owns one 
hundred and twenty acres near Irving, fifty acres 
in the Mohawk valley, and one hundred and sixty 
acres at Oakesdale, Wash. 

Mr. Zumwalt was first married in February, 
1855, to Miss Margaret Walker, and seven chil- 
dren were born to them, namely : Albert M. ; 
Samantha J. ; Mary A. ; John W. ; E. W. ; Alfred, 
who is deceased ; and one who died in infancy. 
The wife died November 7, 1873, and Mr. Zum- 
walt married in April, 1875, Miss Missouri 
Brown, and their four children are named in 
order of birth as follows : May, Louisa, Paul 
and Lynn. In politics Mr. Zumwalt has been 
prominent and took an active part in the 
advancement of the Republican principles which 
he heartily endorsed, but of late years has been 
independent. He has held various minor offices 
in his community, among them being constable 
and justice of the peace, and in 1880 he was 
chosen to represent his party in the state legisla- 
ture, where he acquitted himself ably and hon- 
orably. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, and he also 
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Irving. 



ZACHARIAH TAYLOR KINTZLEY. Sep- 
tember 15, 1890, was the date of the arrival of 
Z. T. Kintzley in the state of Oregon, and with 
the exception of one month which was passed at 
Arlington, eastern Oregon, has made his home 
in Springfield, Lane county, engaging generally 
in the business of painting and paperhanging. 
He was born in Clay county, Ind., October 16, 
1847, the son of George, a native of Virginia. 
The latter, when a young man, went to Louis- 
ville, Ky., and engaged at work as a cabinet- 
maker, and later located in Indiana, where he. 
found more lucrative employment in the flour- 
mill business. He first settled in Putnamville, 
Putnam county, where he remained until 1854, 
when he located in Story county, Iowa, there giv- 
ing up his milling interests to engage in farming 
on a two-hundred-acre farm. His death occurred 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1411 



there in 1885. He had lived to see the country 
change from the pioneer conditions which pre- 
vailed when he first became a resident of that 
state to the city of Ames, which is the home of 
the state agricultural college, now located on 
land adjoining that which formed his property. 

The youngest of his father's children Z. T. 
Kintzley was reared in the state of Iowa, receiv- 
ing his education in the common schools. In 
1863, during the Civil war. when only sixteen 
years old he enlisted in Company B, Ninth Iowa 
Cavalry, serving with the Seventh Corps in the 
western department of the Seventh Army Corps. 
He participated in many of the notable battles 
of that momentous struggle and was mustered 
out in Little Rock, Ark., March 23, 1866, and 
received his discharge at Davenport, Iowa. He 
then went back to his home, and shortly removed 
with his mother to Woodbury county, near Sioux 
City, Iowa, where he engaged in farming, after 
which, in 1 88 1, he settled in Sloan City. He 
was there employed in the cattle business and so 
continued until his removal to the west nine 
rears later, locating then in Springfield, where 
he now lives. Since becoming a resident here 
he has built a residence which he sold, afterward 
buying another, and at present he is engaged in 
putting up a two-story building which is to be 
used for mercantile enterprises. 

The 'marriage of Mr. Kintzley took place in 
Iowa, Miss Mary C. Cain becoming his wife. 
She was born in Wisconsin and died here in 
1900, at the age of fifty-two years. Their four 
children are as follows : Ida Frances, deceased ; 
Alice, now Mrs. Bert Doane, who lives with 
her father ; Edna Viola, deceased ; and George 
Milton, also at home. In his fraternal relations 
Mr. Kintzley belongs to the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, and is a member 
of Geary Post, Grand Army of the Republic. 
Politically he is a Republican and in the interests 
of his party he has served for six years as a 
member of the city council and has also served 
as road supervisor for one term. 



CHESTER SKEELS. For nearly thirty 
years Chester Skeels has watched, and had a 
part in, the growth and upbuilding of Benton 
county, Ore., to which locality he came from Ill- 
inois. He was born August 6, 1833, in Frank- 
lin county, Ohio, and there his earliest boyhood 
days were spent. When yet a small boy, how- 
ever, his parents removed to Delaware county, 
that state, later going to Union county. 

After his marriage, which occurred in the 
latter county in 1855. and united him with Miss 
Margaret Brannan, a native of Zanesville, Ohio, 
Mr. Skeels moved back to Delaware county, 
there following the tinner's trade for a short 



time. Not being satisfied with the latter occu- 
pation, however, he discontinued its prosecution 
and the same year went to Piatt county, 111., and 
near Monticello, bought a tract of land which 
he improved and cultivated, making it his home 
for twenty years. 

As has been previously intimated, the year 
1875 marked the arrival of Mr. Skeels and his 
family in Oregon, and more particularly in Ben- 
ton county. His farm of seventy-two acres, lo- 
cated one mile from the city of Albany, while 
not a large acreage, is so utilized and managed 
as to produce results which might do credit to 
a tract of much larger size. Mr. Skeels makes 
a specialty of raising fruits and vegetables, and 
in the raising of potatoes is especially success- 
ful, his close proximity to market being a large 
factor in his success. 

Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Skeels only five are living, as follows : Harvey ; 
Hulda, the wife of N. E. Anderson; O. V., the 
wife of William Peacock ; Alice, who became 
the wife of Frank Hughson ; and Zua, now Mrs. 
William Voder. .In politics Mr. Skeels votes 
for the candidates of the Populist party, but has 
no inclination or desire to hold public office, as 
was proven when he refused the office of justice 
of the peace, to which his fellow-citizens had 
elected him. 



WILLIAM S. LOCKE. Inseparably asso- 
ciated with the pioneer families who came to 
the coast before the incentive of gold lured men 
from quiet homes into uncertain speculations, 
is the one to which William S. Locke belongs, 
himself one of the prosperous farmers and stock- 
raisers near Corvallis. In the coming of this 
family to the west in 1847 was rehearsed again 
the struggles and privations and discourage- 
ments which tinge the early historv of the plains 
with sadness, and make present-day travelers in 
luxurious palace cars gasp in astonishment at 
the magnitude of the sacrifice and endurance of 
the ox-train bands. The credit for crossing the 
plains at that early time can not be given to 
William S. Locke, for he was born in Sheridan 
county, Mo., August 30, 1840. and was there- 
fore but a little lad of seven years. His father, 
Abraham Locke, was the instigator of the trip, 
and the buoyant spirit which encouraged the 
weary and disheartened home-seekers. 

Born in the state of Virginia, Abraham Nel- 
son Locke removed to Missouri with his parents 
when eighteen years of age, and there married 
Harriett Sinnett, who was born in Ohio. Mr. 
Locke's father was a very early settler of the 
Sunflower state, and improved several acres of 
land before his death. Abraham continued to 
live in Missouri until 1847. anc ^ tnen S °W his 



1412 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



interests and prepared to make his home in the 
far west. With two wagons and three yoke of 
oxen to each, and with about twenty-five head 
of loose cattle, he made the start, somewhat re- 
gretfully leaving behind that of which he was 
sure, and venturing all upon that which was un- 
certain and at best hard and laborious. Four 
children had been born into his family, but they 
were not old enough to be of much use, and the 
greater part of the work fell upon his shoulders. 
A great deal of trouble was experienced with the 
stock, which wandered away or died of dis- 
ease, and the little party finally came to Meek's 
cut-off, that place of terrible memories, and like 
others similarly placed, were obliged to turn 
back and find another trail. Their sufferings 
were intense, and their continual wrestling with 
insufficient provisions, inclement weather, Indian 
cruelties and illness among their number, helped 
to make up an experience from which people 
might well beg to be delivered. Arriving in 
Oregon much depressed financially and other- 
wise, Mr. Locke spent the first winter with his 
family in Polk county, and in the spring he 
traded two yoke of oxen for Henry Fuller's 
claim of six hundred and forty acres. Here he 
erected a small log cabin and remained during 
the following winter, and in the spring brought 
his family to Polk county, leaving them there 
while he went to the mines of California. Dur- 
ing the summer in California he worked in the 
gold mines and at teaming, returning in the 
fall a sadder and wiser man, and not materially 
bettered by his short fortune-hunting experience. 
He then moved his family onto the ranch where 
his son is now living, and where he made many 
improvements, as good as were known at that 
time. His growing success was cut short, how- 
ever, in 1872, for he was thrown from a wagon 
by a runaway team, and soon afterward died 
from the effects of the wounds received. He 
was sixty-two years of age, and was respected 
and liked by all who knew him. His faithful 
and helpful wife survived him until May, 1897, 
at the time being seventy-six years old. 

As early as his strength permitted William 
S. was taught to make himself useful around 
the donation claim, and he remained there until 
starting out as a school teacher in Lane county, 
in 1868. At the end of two terms he engaged 
in stock-raising in Lane county, and in 1877 
came back to the old homestead, where he has 
since lived. He owns one hundred and thirty 
acres in the home farm, besides two hundred 
acres of pasture land, and a half interest in a 
farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres. He 
is engaged in general farming and stock-raising 
and is very successful in these lines of occupa- 
tion. Needless to say, he has made many im- 
provements over those inaugurated by his father 



in the early days, and has a well-equipped and 
thoroughly modern farming property. He mar- 
ried, in 1868, Livonia Jenkins, daughter of Rev. 
Stephen Jenkins, a pioneer of 1846, and three 
children have been born of this union : Ida, 
Bertie and Franklin, the last two of whom are 
deceased. Mr. Locke is prominent in fraternal 
circles of this county, especially with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he 
has been a member since 1864. He is a genial 
and very tactful gentleman, possesses a high 
sense of honor and an appreciation of the rights 
and prerogatives of others. 



JAMES PARVIN. The greater part of the 
growth of Oregon has not been the result of in- 
spired action, but of slow, steady and patient 
building, which is found in the greatest degree 
in the agricultural regions, to the accomplishment 
of which work is due the substantial upbuilding 
of the state. Holding a prominent place among 
these men in Lane county is James Parvin, lo- 
cated upon his farm in the neighborhood of Dex- 
ter, and he has given liberally of his means and 
influence to the upbuilding of the community in 
which he has lived for so many years. 

James Parvin has passed three score and ten 
years, having been born May 2, 1831, near the 
capital of Indiana. His father was a farmer by 
occupation, and the son was trained to this work 
while receiving his education in the district school 
in the vicinity of his home. His mother died 
when he was one year old. He went out into 
the world to make his own way when eighteen, 
and while following his early training he also 
learned the trade of a T carpenter, his livelihood 
being gained for several years, however, through 
working as a farm-hand. In 1853 ne followed 
the westward trend of progress and set out for 
Oregon, as driver of an ox-team. After a jour- 
ney of seven months the destination was safely 
reached and Mr. Parvin at once took up a dona- 
tion claim in Lane county, located on Lost creek. 
In 1855 he took another claim, two and a half 
miles south of Dexter, where he remained for 
four years, when he bought one hundred and 
sixty acres, a part of the John B. Hannah claim, 
and in the first location which Mr. Hannah had 
chosen on coming to Oregon. This has since 
been Mr. Parvin's home, putting into the culti- 
vation and improvement of the broad acres a 
practical and intelligent management which has 
met with rich returns. He now has a farm of six 
hundred and sixty-seven acres, with a commodi- 
ous frame dwelling, good barns and out-buildings 
of all descriptions. In addition to his farming 
interests, Mr. Parvin has successfully followed 
the trade which he learned under the difficulties 
of his early life, becoming a contractor of promi- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1413 



nence, and was also engaged in the mercantile 
business in Dexter for eleven years, and at that 
time was also postmaster, and operated a thresh- 
ing machine for twenty-five years. 

In February, 1854, Mr. Parvin married Sel- 
enia Parker, who was born in Coshocton county, 
Ohio, in 1834, and of the children born to them 
Ida, the wife of William Williams, lives in Dex- 
ter ; Hosea M. is located in the vicinity of Dex- 
ter, and Jennie is at home with her parents and 
conducts the store at Dexter. In politics a Dem- 
ocrat, Mr. Parvin has held various offices in his 
neighborhood, never shirking the fulfillment of his 
duty as a citizen, as is evidenced by the active 
and prominent part which he has always taken 
in the advancement of the principles advocated 
by his party. He is a consistent member of the 
Christian Church, and gives to his religious 
duties the same application and energy which has 
made his life so much of a success. 



JOSEPH M. PARKER. To any man there 
is a pleasure in the thought that he has built up 
something that is either a benefit to society in 
general or adds to the comfort of his own people, 
and the double object is fulfilled in the improve- 
ment and intelligent cultivation of a farm, for 
upon the work of the agriculturist depends the 
existence of the country at large. In Oregon, the 
new state which has been built by developing re- 
sources which only far-sighted vision could di- 
vine, there are many who have given their entire 
time to the cultivation of the broad lands and 
have taken their places in the ranks of farmers, 
and among these is Joseph M. Parker, located 
upon his farm which adjoins the postoffice of 
Dexter, Lane county, and is eighteen miles south- 
east of Eugene, the county-seat. 

Mr. Parker was born December 19, 1834, in 
Coshocton county, Ohio, and was the son of 
James Parker. Mr. Parker received his education 
in the public schools of Ohio, Illinois and Ore- 
gon, and after the death of his parents, which 
occurred in 1847, ne went to live with a brother- 
in-law, in Illinois, where he had gone with his 
parents, in 1841. Eleven years later, in 1853, 
they crossed the plains, a journey which occupied 
about six months and was remarkably free from 
trouble with the Indians, and after spending the 
first winter in Washington county. Ore., they 
located in Lane county. About 1858 Mr. Parker 
bought a farm of three hundred and twenty acres 
in the neighborhood of Trent, upon which he 
made his home for four years, when he removed 
to Coast Fork, and passed the ensuing eight 
years. He then bought a farm of eight hun- 
dred acres, a part of which he still owns and 
into the cultivation of which he has put the 
effort of a number of years, building a frame 



house, good barns and other out-buildings which 
bespeak the success of its owner. He owns about 
three hundred acres, upon which he carries on 
general farming and stock-raising, about eighty 
acres being in cultivation. For about five years 
of the time since he has been a resident of this 
locality Mr. Parker was engaged in the grist- 
milling business. 

The marriage of Mr. Parker occurred in 1858 
and united him with Miss Caroline R. Rutledge, 
who was born in Fulton county, 111., in 1842, and 
crossed the plains with her father, Blasingim 
Rutledge, in 1853, when they settled in Lane 
county. He was a farmer, stockman and mer- 
chant, and was well known in Lane county. He 
died in 1870, and was born in Tennessee about 
1816. He was married twice, Elizabeth Hopkins, 
the mother of Mrs. Parker, being his first wife. 
She died about 1848. Mr. Rutledge was again 
married, Sarah Jane Markley becoming his wife, 
and of this family only two daughters, Mrs. 
Narcissa Davis and Mrs. Ida Buchanan, are liv- 
ing. Five children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Parker, as follows : Cecelia, now the wife 
of E. B. Hunsaker, of San Francisco; Clement 
C, located in Lane county; Ellis R., located in 
Creswell ; and Ferdie and Georgia, at home. In 
politics Mr. Parker is a Democrat and takes quite 
an active interest in the movements of his party, 
the leaders of which have come to depend upon 
him in his neighborhood, as he has filled all the 
minor offices in the vicinity, and never shirks his 
duty as a citizen. 



JAMES PARKER. Yet another of the 
strong and reliable men who have made telling 
strokes towards the upbuilding of Lane county 
is James Parker, who was born in Coshocton 
county, Ohio, March 19, 1833, and brought his 
energy and well directed ambition to Oregon in 
1853. When eight years old he removed with 
his parents to Fulton county, 111., where his 
father worked at carpentering and farming, and 
where he died at the age of sixty-seven years. 
He was married twice, James being the fourth 
child of the second family, his mother dying at 
the age of forty-four years. 

Left an orphan at the age of thirteen, James 
Parker was glad of any occupation which fur- 
nished a living, and the first work that presented 
itself was splitting rails, then he went to learn 
the carder's trade in the old fashioned carding- 
mill run by tread power furnished by oxen. 
Subsequently he learned blacksmithing and the 
carpenter's trade, for in those days a mechanic 
was supposed to be a many-sided genius, and 
able to turn his hand to almost anything in his 
line. In the early times Mr. Parker found a 
large field for his work and continued it for 



1414 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



several years with good financial results. In 
the meantime he kept near his family, and in 
1853, with his brother-in-law, John Stoops, his 
two sisters, Mrs. Stoops and Selena, now Mrs. 
James Parvin, and a brother, Joseph Parker, he 
crossed the plains with ox-teams. Under the 
able leadership of Captain Frazier the party 
reached their destination without any serious 
mishap, and Mr. Parker stopped at The Dalles 
about four months, the rest of the family going 
on to Lane county and settling on a donation 
claim in Lost Valley, five miles southeast of 
Pleasant Hill. Later Mr. Parker and his brother 
went to Portland and engaged at various kinds 
of labor, and in the fall of 1854 he came to Lane 
county and attended the district school while 
helping during his leisure on the family farm. 
During the Rogue River war, to which the resi- 
dents were driven because of the constant depre- 
dations and want of good faith on the part of the 
Indians, he was employed for six months as a 
teamster, afterward returning to Lane county 
and teaching school for eighteen months. 

October 1, 1857, Mr. Parker married Phoebe 
E. Rigdon, who was born January 8, 1840, in 
Fulton county, 111., and came to Oregon in 1852 
with her parents, and here married and went to 
housekeeping on a rented farm north of Pleas- 
ant Hill, soon afterward removing to Lost Val- 
ley, where they lived for eight years. Their 
next home was the old Bowen place west of 
Pleasant Hill, and three years later Mr. Parker 
bought his present farm of three hundred and 
twenty-one acres two miles southwest of Pleas- 
ant Hill, which comprised all of the John Litt- 
rell donation claim. All of the improvements 
of a modern nature have been made by the pres- 
ent owner, who is progressive, and whose theo- 
ries of farming might well be emulated by the 
seeker after agricultural success. Jersey cattle, 
Poland China hogs and Cotswold sheep are 
here found in their best development, grains con- 
tribute a considerable part of the yearly income, 
and general farming and dairying are not omitted 
from the departments of activity here represent- 
ed. One hundred and thirty acres are under 
cultivation. The residence is a comfortable and 
well appointed one, the barns and out-buildings 
large and modern, and everything in keeping 
with the. thrifty owner. 

In addition to farming Mr. Parker has been 
engaged in milling in Lost Valley for twelve 
or fifteen years. As a Democrat he has served 
as road supervisor and school director, also as 
county commissioner for a term of four years. 
He and his wife are members of the Pleasant 
Hill Grange. Eleven children have been born 
into his family, of whom the following are liv- 
ing: Luella, wife of William Bundy, of Spring- 
field; Albert K., of Lost Valley; Hortense, the 



wife of W. E. Holdridge, of Yamhill county ; 
Clarence A., of Springfield ; Edith, the wife of 
Dr. Louis Bundy, of Medford, Ore. ; John C, 
of Springfield ; and James C, Clifton L., Guy 
W. and Augustus are living at home ; Lucien 
died, aged thirty-one years. Mr. Parker is in- 
debted solely to his own energy and perseverance 
for his rise in life. He has advanced slowly but 
surely, and in the meantime has never wavered 
from the essential requisites of honesty, integ- 
rity and industry.. 



JOHN DUNCAN. By no means an unap- 
preciated member of the agricultural class, John 
Duncan is intelligently engaged in the cultiva- 
tion of his farm of one hundred and thirty-six 
acres, located one mile north of Shedds, Linn 
county, a general line of farming connected 
with stock-raising and dairying being his prin- 
cipal occupation. This farm was once a part 
of the old Hogue estate, and a portion of it 
constituted school lands, and was first occupied 
by Mr. Duncan in 1877, since which time he has 
made all the improvements which have made this 
one of the most valuable farms in this part of 
the county. 

Mr. Duncan was born April 13, 1845, i n Cole 
county, Mo., the son of Jubal and Elizabeth 
(Mercersmith) Duncan, natives respectively of 
Kentucky and Virginia. The father had re- 
moved with his parents to Missouri when a 
mere boy, and had remained at home until his 
marriage. Two years after his death, which 
occurred when John was only four years old, 
Mrs. Duncan became the wife of John Isom, a 
native of Virginia, with whom she lived in Mis- 
souri until 1853. At tnat date they outfitted 
with ox-teams and at the close of a six-months 
journey, mercifully devoid of trouble with the 
marauding Indians, they found themselves in 
Linn county, Ore., eager and ready to make a 
home in the then wild country. Mr. Isom at 
once bought the squatter's right to a claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres six miles east 
of Shedds, on which he proved up and began 
the improvement necessary to make the farm 
of service to him. This remained the home of 
the family until 1878, when they removed to Al- 
bany, where Mr. Isom had become interested in 
industrial lines through his purchase of the Red 
Crown mills located in that city. Until his re- 
tirement several years later he conducted these 
mills, after which he made his home with his 
children. He lived to be seventy-five years old, 
becoming one of the popular men of the times 
through the many good qualities which distin- 
guished his character. He was always much 
interested in all educational and political move- 
ments, as a Democrat, serving as county com- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1415 



missioner one term and justice of the peace sev- 
eral years. His wife still survives him and now 
makes her home with Mrs. Scott Ward, a 
daughter. Mrs. Isom was the mother of three 
children by her first marriage, the only son now 
living being John Duncan, of this review. The 
eldest daughter, Mrs. Sarah M. Cleek, lives in 
Albany. The children of the last marriage are 
as follows : Frances Ann, now Mrs. Ward, of 
Albany ; Mary C, now Mrs. Skinner, of Albany ; 
Cynthia C. Ward, of Albany ; Alice, now Mrs. 
Pfeiffer, of Albany ; David I., located on Muddy 
creek ; Virginia L., now Mrs. Lanning, of Ta- 
coraa, Wash. ; Jefferson D., on the old claim ; 
John, of Dawson City; and Elizabeth, now Mrs. 
Woods, a resident of California. 

The education of John Duncan was received 
through the medium of the district school in the 
neighborhood of his home in Oregon, where he 
remained until he had reached his twenty-first 
year. He then ventured out into the world for 
himself, in eastern Oregon following mining 
and prospecting for about a year, when he en- 
gaged in the stock business there. For three 
years he continued in that location, at the close 
of which time he returned to Linn county, in 
1872 engaging in farming here. Five years later 
he entered upon the property before mentioned, 
and where he has met with a pleasant and pros- 
perous return for well directed effort. 

The marriage of Mr. Duncan occurred in 
1877, and united him with Miss Mary Farwell, 
who was born in 1854 on her father's old dona- 
tion claim. (A sketch of her family is found 
on another page of this work.) The young 
people went to housekeeping where they now 
make their home. They have been blessed 
with the birth of six children, all of whom are 
living and are named in order of birth as fol- 
lows : Francis R., of Plainview, married Miss 
Fannie Rooker in 1902; John E., of Seattle, 
Wash. ; Philip L., of Seattle ; Charles C. ; Lulu 
E. and Ray H., the three last named still mak- 
ing their home with their parents. A Democrat 
in politics, Mr. Duncan is doing his part in sus- 
taining good government, now serving as road 
supervisor, and as school director he has been a 
servant of the public for a great number of 
years. He is a member of the Grange and offi- 
ciates in the same as treasurer. 



JESSE APPLEGATE. Going back to the 
story of this brave, sturdy pioneer of Oregon, 
brings to mind the scene often described in the 
settlement of a new country. The father going 
out to work, ax on his shoulder, with only prim- 
itive tools to fell the trees, yet with patience and 
great effort, the heavy timber was slowly cleared 
away, leaving the rich soil exposed. Such is the 



history of the Applegate family — a tale of hard- 
working, honest people, who knew what was 
right and were as firm as a rock against evil- 
doing. The descendants of the illustrious family 
are widely scattered, but wherever met they are 
known as worthy and eminently respectable 
people. 

Jesse Applegate was born in Henry county, 
Ky., July 5, 181 1, and was a son of Daniel and 
Rachel (Lindsay) Applegate, the former a sol- 
dier in the Revolutionary war and the latter a 
daughter of John Lindsay of Kentucky. The 
family settled near St. Louis, Mo., in 1822, and 
Jesse Applegate was sent to school in that city. 
He was assisted in getting an education by Hon. 
Edward Bates, then a young lawyer, from whom 
he obtained copying to do — in those days legal 
papers were copied by hand. This enabled him 
to assist in paying for his education, and he 
learned surveying. He clerked in the surveyor 
general's office at St. Louis and for a time was 
also a deputy surveyor in the field. 

In 1 83 1 he was joined in marriage with 
Cynthia Parker, who was a native of Tennessee. 
The following year they took up a land claim in 
St. Clair county, Mo., and Mr. Applegate farmed, 
surveyed, and kept a country store in that vicinity 
until 1843, when he crossed the plains and 
mountains and settled in Oregon. The first 
winter was spent in the old mission buildings, 
following which he located on Salt creek in Polk 
county, which was his home until 1849, when he 
removed to Yoncalla valley and took up a dona- 
tion claim, upon which he and his wife are now 
buried. 

Mr. Applegate had no difficulty in receiving 
the appointment as surveyor of donation claims 
and surveyed many claims throughout southern 
Oregon. He was also surveyor for Maj. Ben- 
jamin Alvord and assisted in locating the Oregon 
military wagon road. He soon became identified 
with every movement on foot for the public 
good and from that time on his life was closely 
interwoven with the history of the Willamette 
valley. 

He was a member of the assembly that organ- 
ized provisional government, and became one of 
the sureties of the Hudson Bay Company for 
arms to be furnished the volunteers during the 
Cayuse war and in addition he from his own farm 
gave fifteen fat cattle to feed the soldiers in the 
field. He was leader of the first party, who, in 
1846, reached Fort Hall by way of the southern 
route through the Humboldt basin, which soon 
became an established route, and he piloted the 
first emigrants over it to Oregon. This route 
has since been known as Applegate cut-off. He 
surveyed the public wagon-road through the 
state, and was one of the pioneer surveyors of 
the Oregon and California Railroad. In 1856 



1416 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he acted as guide for Major Kearney in a cam- 
paign against the Rogue River Indians and par- 
ticipated in the fight when Captain Stewart was 
kdled. He was one of a commission of three, 
himself, and Messrs. Amory Holbrook and Ma- 
jor Rhinearson, who were sent to settle the Fort 
Colville difficulty in 1866. Mr. Applegate was 
also a member of the commission appointed to 
confer with the Modoc Indians and, if possible, 
induce them to surrender ; when he heard the 
terms Captain Jack dictated as to the time and 
manner of meeting, he became convinced that 
the Indians intended to murder the commission- 
ers, and he told General Canby that he would not 
meet Captain Jack on any such terms. Nor did 
he, but General Canby and Rev. Thomas did so, 
and were murdered. Mr. Applegate served for a 
number of years both as justice of the peace and 
as postmaster of Yoncalla, and in 1872 he went 
to Modoc county, Cal., and engaged in stock- 
raising, hoping to earn enough money to pay a 
great debt he had incurred as security for the 
secretary of state. But his hopes were not 
realized, and the winter of 1872, together with 
the Modoc war, scattered his money and took 
what little the state surety suit had left him. 
Thus, reduced in circumstances, but still un- 
daunted, he began to work for hire at manual 
labor, for Jesse D. Carr, and continued in his 
service for several years. He then returned to 
Oregon, and with his small savings planted a 
vineyard on the side of Mt. Yoncalla and subse- 
quently built a house there. In 1881, he lost his 
beloved wife and for several years thereafter he 
lived with his children. He died at the home of 
his son, Alexander, April 22, 1888, and his 
memory is revered by all who knew him. 

Mr. Applegate and his wife had twelve chil- 
dren, ten of whom grew to maturity. One child 
died in Missouri and another was drowned in the 
Columbia river on the way to Oregon in Novem- 
ber, 1843. Of their descendants there are living 
five children of the first generation ; forty-five of 
the second generation ; forty-seven of the third 
generation ; and four of the fourth generation. 



JAMES H. BELL was born in Ontario, Octo- 
ber 29, 1847. His father, John, a carpenter and 
baker by trade, was born in Edinburg, Scotland, 
in 1813, and died in Oregon in 1895. Upon emi- 
grating to Canada as a young man, he located on 
a large tract of government land, where he 
farmed and applied his trades for the balance of 
his life. His wife, Margaret (McCallum) Bell, 
was also born in Scotland, and still makes her 
home on the old homestead in Canada. 

James H. Bell was educated in the public 
schools in his neighborhood. At the age of 
twenty-two he left home and spent a year in an- 



other part of Canada, and then went to Grand 
Rapids, Mich., and worked in a store for six 
months. The following winter was spent in 
Canada, and, in 1876, he came to Oregon, and 
found employment with the railroad company at 
bridge work on the Columbia river. After seven 
months of this kind of work he returned to Can- 
ada and sold his farm, returning to Oregon in 
June of 1877. He was variously employed until 
October, 1879, when he purchased his present 
farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres. He is 
engaged in general farming and prune-raising, 
and has cleared about sixty acres of his place. 

In 1879, Mr. Bell was united in marriage with 
Sarah Willis, who was born in Ontario. The 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bell are as fol- 
lows : Edward E., of Portland; Vanderbilt, at 
home; Fred, at home; Bennett; Myrtle; Mel- 
ville; Milner; and Willis C. Mr. Bell is inde- 
pendent in his political views, and has served as 
school director for fourteen years, and was school 
clerk for five years. Fraternally he is identified 
with the Masons of McMinnville, and with the 
Order of Washington, of McMinnville, of which 
latter organization he is president. 



BYRON J. PENGRA. There has recently 
passed away from the scenes of his early asso- 
ciations a man whom all of Oregon has come to 
know in the past fifty years, and to appreciate 
for the evidence of a masterly ability which had 
ever characterized his efforts toward the ad- 
vancement of his own interests or those of his 
adopted state. Byron J. Pengra was born Feb- 
ruary 15, 1823, and lived to attain the age of 
eighty years, seven months and three days, his 
death occurring at the home of his son, W. J. 
Pengra, near Coburg, Lane county, September 
18, 1903. He came to Oregon in 1853 an d set- 
tled on a claim a few miles east of the present 
town of Springfield, Lane county, and at once 
became identified with the political life of the 
country. 

Mr. Pengra was a Republican, and in 1858 
was the leader and the most forcible speaker on 
that side of the legislative campaign, and though 
the whole ticket was defeated at that time, — the 
territory being largely Democratic — he retained 
his influence in the circles of his party, two years 
later being known as absolute dictator of the 
Oregon Republicans. He had been editing for 
about a year the People's Press at Eugene, this 
paper being then the Republican organ of the 
state, and at the time of his nomination as presi- 
dential elector he turned the paper over to Joel 
Ware in order that he might give his undivided 
attention to the exciting campaign before Kim. 
Through his influence Col. Edward D. Baker 
was induced to come north from California, not 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1417 



only to help canvass Oregon for members of the 
legislature and for Lincoln, but also to become 
candidate for United States senator. Through 
the division of the Democrats, the Republican 
electors were chosen by a small majority. 
Though not a member of the legislature, Mr. 
Pengra went to Salem, where the legislature met, 
and engineered the election of Colonel Baker and 
J. W. Nesmith to the senate by uniting the Re- 
publicans with the Douglas Democrats, and in 
the next campaign united the two factions under 
the name of Union Republican party. He car- 
ried the vote of Oregon to Washington and cast 
it for Lincoln and Hamlin. The appointment of 
surveyor-general of Oregon was given to Mr. 
Pengra through the influence of the senators 
whose election he had engineered, and this office 
he held for some years, being located in Eugene. 
Baker and Nesmith also secured for Mr. Pengra 
a land grant of several hundred thousand acres, 
from Eugene to the eastern boundary of the 
state, for a military wagon-road, which he in- 
tended should be used for the construction of a 
railroad at some future time. This was the cher- 
ished ambition of his life and to its accomplish- 
ment he gave years of energy and effort, only to 
fail in the end, his first defeat being through the 
amendment which Senator Williams made to his 
railroad bill in the senate, which allowed Ben 
Holliday to build the road through Jackson and 
Douglass counties instead of up the Willamette 
over Pengra's route. Many years later Mr. Pen- 
gra was enabled to begin the building of the road 
through the help of C. P. Huntington, who was 
then warring with Stanford for the control of 
the Southern Pacific, but with the settlement of 
the differences between those two men work was 
discontinued and Mr. Pengra was once more dis- 
appointed in his ambitious efforts. After that 
time Mr. Pengra made his home in eastern Ore- 
gon on the line of the road which had taken all 
of his energy and been the dream of his life. 
The failure to accomplish this object was one 
out of a life of successes, his ability and tenacity 
bringing about results aimed for in almost all 
other lines, all of which added to the growth and 
prosperity of the state wherein he made his 
home. He did much for the development of 
Oregon, and will long be remembered as a factor 
in the pioneer days of the state. 



MRS. JULIA A. KIRK was born in Sanga- 
mon county. 111., nine miles north of Springfield, 
September 19, 1834, and was eleven years old 
when she accompanied her parents across the 
plains. She was united in marriage with Will- 
iam Riley Kirk, who was born in Tennessee. 
His father, Alexander Kirk, had removed from 
Tennessee, also the state of his birth, when Will- 



iam Riley was but two years of age, locating 
first in Missouri, and following this up with a 
trip to Oregon in 1846. The first year of his 
residence in Oregon was spent in Yamhill county, 
the next year finding him on a donation claim 
near Brownsville, Linn county, the land now oc- 
cupied by the southern part of the city having 
once been a part of his claim. His death oc- 
curred in Umatilla county, Ore., after a very 
successful life spent in the state of his adoption. 
Upon attaining manhood William Riley Kirk 
took up a donation claim one and a half miles 
east of Brownsville, where he engaged in farm- 
ing until 1870, when he located in the city and 
became interested in general merchandise. Later 
he purchased a large interest in the Brownsville 
Woolen mills, which he served as president for 
many years. During the financial panic of 1893 
his business suffered heavily, the total loss of his 
fortune being averted only by his masterly ef- 
forts to weather the storm. From that year his 
health gradually declined and he died September 
24, 1901. 

Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirk, 
Andrew J. and Nathan are engaged in farming 
near Brownsville; Sarah Jane makes her home 
with her mother; A. Lincoln lives in Browns- 
ville; America is now the wife of D. M. Cush- 
man, a farmer in the vicinity, and Alexander is 
a resident of Brownsville. Mr. Kirk was a Re- 
publican in politics, and was associated frater- 
nally with the Odd Fellows. Both himself and 
wife were members of the Methodist Church. 



PETER HANSEN was born in Knudsker 
county, Denmark, November 10, 1857, the son of 
Follenstein Hansen, a native of the town of 
Hasle, Clemensker county, of the same country. 
The mother was, in maidenhood, Christina M. 
Peterson, who died in 1899 at the age of eighty- 
one years, having always been a resident of her 
Danish home. Six children were born of their 
union, three daughters and three sons, of whom 
Peter was the fifth. The father had early learned 
the carpenter's trade, and until his forty-fifth 
year had engaged in the pursuit of this calling, 
but at this time he left the town for a farm, fol- 
lowing this business up to the present time, being 
now eighty-five years old, and like his wife, sat- 
isfied to remain in the land of his birth. 

At nineteen years of age Peter Hansen entered 
the regular army of Denmark, in which he 
served for fifteen months as a private. His 
father had been able to give him a good educa- 
tion by allowing him to attend the public schools, 
and also the high school for two winters. At 
twenty-three he left home and the next year he 
came to the United States, following his brother, 
who was located in Colorado, where he was en- 



1418 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



gaged in mining. For three months the young 
emigrant remained there, at the close of that time 
coming on to Portland, Ore., where he secured 
employment on the dry docks. This enabled 
him to purchase land upon which to enter into 
the work for which his early training inclined 
him, and in 1883 he came to Eola, and in con- 
nection with his brother bought a farm near Oak 
Grove, upon which they remained for two years. 
In 1890 Mr. Hansen bought his present farm of 
two hundred and five acres, located near Dallas, 
of the same county. He has one hundred and 
twenty acres in active cultivation, a commodious 
residence, hop-house and good barns of all kinds. 
Mr. Hansen married, October 23, 1902, Miss 
Kate Fink, the daughter of Dr. Fink, whose 
sketch appears elsewhere in this work. A Re- 
publican in his political affiliations he has been 
selected by that party to fill the office of school 
director of his district. Mr. Hansen belongs to 
the Lutheran Church, in which he was reared in 
his Danish home. 



HENRY CLANFIELD. The paternal ances- 
tors of Mr. Clanfield have for many years been 
natives of Berkshire, England, his grandfather 
being John and his father, Robert Clanfield. The 
latter is now living in that county, over eighty 
years of age. He married Miss Mary Howse, 
born in Oxfordshire, and she died in 1893 at the 
age of sixty-five years. Nine children were born 
to them, seven of whom are now living. Henry 
Clanfield was the eldest, and was born October 
3, 1845, and his father being a farmer he was 
reared to that life. His early education was re- 
ceived in the public schools of England. At the 
age of twenty-three years he emigrated to the 
United States, settling in Shelby county, 111., 
where he engaged in farm work, continuing in 
the same for four years. Coming to Oregon 
about 1873 he located near McMinnville, where 
he was employed by David Logan for two years, 
at the end of this time going into Marion county 
and renting a farm in the Waldo hills. After 
five years' residence on that place he came to 
Polk county and bought the farm which he now 
owns, the latter purchase containing two hun- 
dred and forty-nine acres, in addition to which 
he has added by purchase one hundred and ten 
acres, one-half mile east of his home and one 
hundred and forty-seven acres southwest of Dal- 
las, at Luckiamute. One hundred and eighty 
acres is in active cultivation, upon which he is 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising. 
He has sixty-five acres devoted exclusively to 
hop-cultivation. 

Mr. Clanfield married, in 1877, Martha 
Palmer, a native of Minnesota, and they now 
have six children living, of whom Mary Smith 



lives in Mill Creek ; Hannah Dodson makes her 
home near Monmouth; George, Bert, Elizabeth 
and Elona are still at home with their parents. 
Independent in his political views, Mr. Clan- 
field has been elected to several offices by the vote 
of the best men of all beliefs, his integrity and 
judgment making him an able representative of 
the people. He has held the positions of road 
supervisor and school director and clerk. He 
adheres to the tenets of the Episcopal Church. 



JAMES HENDERSON McFARLAND. 
Variously engaged since coming to Oregon in 
1853, James Henderson McFarland has well uti- 
lized the opportunities that have come within 
his grasp and is today regarded as one of the 
large land owners and very substantial men of 
Lane county. Of an old southern family, he was 
born in Cooper county, Mo., July 4, 1845, his 
father, John Ward, and his mother, Lavica Mc- 
Farland being natives respectively of North 
Carolina and Texas. John Ward McFarland 
was born February 20, 1809, and as a young 
man removed to Illinois, and from there to 
Cooper county, Mo., where he engaged in farm- 
ing for several years. His wife dying in Cooper 
county, leaving to his care three sons, of whom 
James was the youngest, he thought to improve 
his prospects by emigration to the west, and ac- 
cordingly invested a large share of the proceeds 
of the sale of his farm in oxen and other equip- 
ment for the long journey. This was in 1853, 
and the trip was the second undertaken by Mr. 
McFarland, who had driven a team across coun- 
try for his brother in 1850. He reached his des- 
tination on the second trip without any particu- 
lar incident, and took up a claim of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres one and a half miles from 
Cottage Grove, where his death occurred in 1880. 
He married again in later life, and there were 
several children of this union, all of whom sur- 
vived him. 

Left motherless at the age of nine months, 
James Henderson McFarland was given into the 
care of his aunts, but rejoined his father ere he 
set out on his second journey over the plains. 
He helped to clear the Oregon farm, and made 
himself generally useful around the home place 
until 1862, when he took advantage of the Sal- 
mon River mine excitement in Idaho, going there 
and remaining on the scene for about a month. 
Returning home, he worked with his father, and 
November ir, 1865, married Sophrona Knox, 
born in Schuyler county, Mo., in 1847 a daugh- 
ter of Samuel Barton Knox, a native of Ken- 
tucky. Mr. Knox removed to Illinois at a very 
early day, and upon coming overland to Oregon 
in 1853 located on a section of land four miles 
north of this place. He died at the home of his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1419 



daughter, Mrs. S. E. Veatch, in 1894, at the age 
of eighty-five years. He was a very successful 
tanner and general business man, leaving quite 
a large estate to those dependent on his care. In 
1867 the elder McFarland turned his property 
over to his son, he being an invalid for several 
years before his death. 

From 1865 until 1875 Mr. McFarland varied 
his home work by running a threshing machine 
in this county, and thus became familiar with its 
resources, its people and its possibilities. At 
times he has made his home in Cottage Grove, 
and from 1900 until 1902 successfully owned and 
managed a butcher shop here. He has always 
been greatly interested in high-grade stock, and 
in the days of his greatest agricultural prosperity 
furnished some of the finest horses in this coun- 
ty. During the Civil war he was a member of 
Company E, Home Guard Cavalry. He is a Re- 
publican in political preference, and is a stanch 
friend of education, although his own chances 
were limited in the extreme. Six children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. McFarland, four sons 
and two daughters : Annie Laura is the wife of 
W. W. Chrisman, of the Row river, Ore. ; 
Charles Austin living on the home farm ; George 
Wilbur, also on the home place ; William War- 
ren, a clerk in Cottage Grove ; John Franklin, 
engaged in the meat market business in this 
town ; and Lillie Myrtle, living at home. Mr. 
McFarland is public spirited, and generously dis- 
posed towards all enterprises which have for their 
object the upbuilding of the community. His 
influence has always been exerted on the side of 
temperance and morality, and the time-honored 
association of word and bond is not misapplied 
in his case. 



DARWIN BRISTOW. The inheritance of 
an untarnished name is a legacy prized beyond 
all others, and when accompanied by these traits 
and characteristics which have kept the purity of 
the name untouched it is indeed a foundation 
upon which to build a lifework. Darwin Bris- 
tow has in all truth followed the standard set 
by his father, becoming an honored citizen of 
the county in which his father was a pioneer and 
in which Darwin Birstow was born. He is suc- 
cessfully engaged in the mercantile business and 
is also conducting a banking institution of Cot- 
tage Grove, Lane county, being now president 
of the bank which was incorporated in the fall 
of 1900 as the First National Bank of Cottage 
Grove. The capital stock is $25,000 with a small 
surplus, and this has grown from a beginning of 
$5,000, application to the work wherein talent 
was so rightfully placed bringing about these sat- 
isfactory results. The merchandise stock is 
valued at $25,000, and this also was commenced 



on a small scale, November, 1884, witnessing the 
mercantile venture of Mr. Bristow and Herbert 
Eakin, then purchasing the bankrupt stock of 
Luckey & Noland, and together the two have re- 
mained until the present day. 

The father of Mr. Bristow, the Hon. William 
Wilshire Bristow, was born in Kentucky, July 
18, 1826, but was reared in McDonough county, 
111., whither his parents removed. In the year 
1848 he made the journey to Oregon with ox- 
teams, on his arrival locating on a donation claim 
of six hundred and forty acres at Pleasant Hill, 
Lane county, and in the following year he made 
the trip to California in the hope of finding a 
fortune in the gold fields. The fall following he 
returned to his claim and at once began improv- 
ing and cultivating it, and in the spring of 1850 
or 1 85 1 he taught the first school in the county. 
Always interested and active in public move- 
ments he was often called upon to fill official posi- 
tions. He served as justice of the peace for many 
years and also as postmaster. He was a dele- 
gate to the constitutional convention in 1857 an d 
the year following was elected one of the first 
state senators from Lane county, where he was 
an able representative for the people in assisting 
in the first legislative movements of the state. 
Fie was again elected to the state senate in 1870 
and served until 1874. His death occurred in the 
latter year, when he was only forty-eight years 
old. One of the chief interests of the life of Mr. 
Bristow was the mercantile business with which 
he became connected in 1865 in Eugene, pur- 
chasing in that year a one-third interest with 
the Bristow & Company mercantile firm, which 
was then composed of his brother Elijah L. Bris- 
tow and T. B. Hendricks, and with this work he 
remained until his death. Fraternally Mr. Bris- 
tow had been a Mason for many years. 

The father of this family was not the first who 
settled in the west as a pioneer, his own father 
having preceded his emigration by three years. 
Elijah Bristow, a native of Virginia, after his 
emigration to Kentucky, and thence to Illinois, 
followed this up with the journey across the 
plains in 1845 an d became the first white settler 
of Lane county, Ore. He located at Pleasant 
Hill, and there took up a donation claim of six 
hundred and forty acres and built the first house 
of the county, which is still standing upon the 
land, and there his death occurred. He had been 
a leader in his county, giving freely of time and 
means in his broad-minded efforts to advance the 
cause of growth and civilization in this western 
land, being the first to donate land upon which to 
establish schools. 

Darwin Bristow was born December 21, 1862, 
at Pleasant Hill, Ore., the youngest child of the 
three daughters and one son born to his mother, 
who was formerly Elizabeth Coffey, of Illinois^ 



1420 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and who died quite young in her western home. 
Darwin Bristow was educated first in the com- 
mon school near his home, entering the Univer- 
sity of Oregon in 1880, graduating from the nor- 
mal course in 1884 with the degree of A. B. 
During the vacations of summer he became a 
cow-boy in southeastern Oregon, enjoying a wild, 
free life which better fitted him for the world 
of books when school was once more opened. In 
November, 1884, as before stated, he entered 
upon a mercantile life, no inconsiderable knowl- 
edge having been gained through his occasional 
clerking for T. G. Hendricks, with whom he 
made his home after his father's death, Mr. Hen- 
dricks having been appointed administrator of 
the estate and guardian of the children. In 1892 
the banking institution was established as a pri- 
vate affair, and from that has grown the present 
substantial and remunerative business which 
adds in no little degree to the financial prestige 
of the town. Mr. Bristow, in company with F. 
L. Chambers and others of Eugene, have formed 
a banking firm under the name of the Chambers- 
Bristow Banking Company, and during January 
of 1903 opened the bank at Eugene with a capital 
stock of $50,000. Mr. Bristow will, however, 
retain his business interests in Cottage Grove for 
an indefinite period. 

Mr. Bristow was married in Cottage Grove to 
Mary L. Medley, a native of Iowa, and the 
daughter of James N. Medley, who emigrated to 
Oregon in 1874 and settled in Lane county, and 
now makes his home in Eugene. The following 
children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Bristow : Greta E. ; William Wilshire ; Darwin 
Darrel ; Evelyn ; Dorothy, and Helen. With 
the exception of Dorothy, who died in early child- 
hood, the children are all at home. In his polit- 
ical relations, being a Republican, Mr. Bristow 
is very active, having served five terms as mayor 
of this city, in the city council one term, and as 
city treasurer two terms. He has also been a 
member to the state convention and of the county 
central committee for many years past. He is 
a member of the Christian Church. Fraternally 
Mr. Bristow is quite prominent among the Ma- 
sons, having served for two terms as master of 
Cottage Grove Lodge No. 51, A. F. & A. M., 
belongs to Eugene Lodge No. 10, R. A. M., 
Ivanhoe Commandery No. 2, at Eugene ; the 
Mystic Shrine of Al Kader Temple, of Port- 
land, and is a past grand patron of the Eastern 
Star of Oregon. 



TOHN F. KELLY, vice-president of the 
Booth-Kelly Lumber Company of Eugene, was 
born on a farm near Roseburg, Douglas county, 
Ore., December 11, 1857, and is a son of John 
and Elizabeth (Parker) Kelly, both pioneers of 



Oregon. (For early history of the family, see 
sketches of John Kelly and Rev. P. C. Parker, 
which appear elsewhere in this volume.) His 
early environment was such as to stimulate and 
encourage ambitious tendencies, but he soon 
learned that while influence and friendly inter- 
cession may give to a youth of character an op- 
portunity, it cannot so place him as to continue 
him in a line of promotion unless he possesses 
the substantial merit, together with a character 
which counts no effort too great nor sacrifice 
too dear in the fulfillment of obligations or the 
performance of duties. Early in life he realized 
that the world is moving so rapidly that a man 
must become a part of his work — otherwise he 
may expect to see another step in and do it for 
him. He therefore puts so much force and good 
cheer into his daily work that the efforts of his 
associates and subordinates are stimulated by his 
example. 

The first nine years of Mr. Kelly's life were 
spent on the home farm. When the University 
of Oregon was opened to the youth of the state 
he was a pupil in the public schools of Spring- 
field, Lane county. Ambitious to equip himself 
as fully as possible for a successful business ca- 
reer, he entered the university with the first 
class, continuing his studies in the classical de- 
partment for three years. He subsequently at- 
tended the Portland Business College. Feeling 
satisfied that this educational foundation would 
prove sufficiently strong to support any structure 
he might elect to build upon it, he started forth 
to make his own way in the world. After devot- 
ing four years to the railway mail service in 
Oregon, he served another four years in the reg- 
istry department of the Portland postoffice under 
Postmasters Cole and Steel. After resigning 
this position he went to Ashland, then the south- 
ern terminus of the Oregon & California Rail- 
road, and engaged in the forwarding and com- 
mission business for three years with H. B. 
Miller & Co. At the same time he conducted a 
large hardware and implement business in Ash- 
land, disposing of it just before the extension of 
the railroad was begun in 1885. Mr. Kelly and 
Mr. Miller next engaged in a lumber manufac- 
turing business at Grant's Pass under the style 
of the Sugar Pine Door & Lumber Company. 
In this occupation Mr. Kelly felt perfectly at 
home, for from his earliest boyhood he had fa- 
miliarized himself with the details of the lumber 
trade, his father being largely interested in the 
pineries of the state. The partners continued 
together for some time, and to their aid came 
such business men as John C. Carson, George H. 
Keely, H. C. Kinney and R. A. Booth, as well as 
many others. They purchased several mills in 
southern Oregon, built others, and operated 
them as manufactories of doors, boxes and build- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1421 



ing materials. After the incorporation of the 
Booth-Kelly Lumber Company in 1895, the con- 
cern purchased the property of the J. I. Jones 
Lumber Company at Saginaw, rebuilt and en- 
larged the mill, and established the main office at 
Eugene. In 1899 they built the mill at Wend- 
ling, on the Mohawk river, soon afterward pur- 
chased the Coburg mill, and in 1902 erected the 
new mill at Springfield. The Saginaw mill has 
a capacity of one hundred and fifty thousand 
feet in twenty hours ; the Springfield mill has a 
capacity of two hundred and fifty thousand feet 
in twenty hours ; the Wendling mill has a ca- 
pacity of two hundred and fifty thousand feet in 
twenty hours, and the Coburg mill has a capac- 
ity of one hundred and sixty thousand feet in 
twenty hours. Each of the five mills owned and 
operated by the company in southern Oregon 
has a capacity of about forty thousand feet in 
ten hours. 

The Booth-Kelly Lumber Company has pur- 
chased large areas of timber lands on the Mc- 
Kenzie river, owns vast tracts in Lake, Jo- 
sephine and Klamath counties, and buys the en- 
tire output of the mills in Tosephine county and 
other points along the Southern Pacific railroad. 
It employs more than one thousand men directly, 
while indirectly it gives employment to fully two 
thousand five hundred more. It is undoubtedly 
doing more to turn to practical use the un- 
equalled timber lands of the northwest than any 
other human agency in Oregon. Mr. Kelly was 
the president of the company for seven and a 
half years. Since assuming the vice-presidency 
his former place has been taken by F. H. Buck, 
of Yacaville, Cal. 

Individually. Mr. Kelly is a large property 
owner. Besides his own home in Eugene he has 
several farms. He keenly appreciates the ad- 
vantages surrounding the residents of Eugene, 
and his vitalizing energy permeates other phases 
of the state's activity. He is one of the directors 
of the Roseburg Bank. In politics he is a Re- 
publican, and fraternally he is connected with 
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. 

Mr. Kelly is recognized as one of the most 
sagacious business men of Oregon. To enumer- 
ate the causes which have led to his success one 
must look to such homely attributes as grit, de- 
termination, industry and integrity. With these 
are combined inherent business ability, which 
has been developed by constant concentration 
upon the enterprises which he has helped to 
build up. and the success of which has placed 
him among the wealthiest captains of industry in 
the Willamette valley. Thus is an honored pio- 
neer name more firmly rooted in the strength 
and great accomplishment of the state of Ore- 
gon, adding yet another link to a chain upon 
which obstacles and discouragements have pulled 



in vain, and furnishing additional proof of the 
world's estimation of noble personal character- 
istics. 

Mr. Kelly was united in marriage at Newport, 
Ore., December 18, 1901, with Mrs. Ida (Hof- 
lein) Patterson, a native of Lane county and a 
daughter of J. C. Hoflein, of Newport. Mrs. 
Kelly is the mother of two children by her for- 
mer marriage, Llovd H. and Flora. 



HUGH S. MONTGOMERY. What is 
known as South Falls City has been platted and 
laid out by Hugh S. Montgomery, who came to 
Oregon in 1889, and bought six hundred acres of 
land, upon which he farmed for some time. One 
hundred and sixty acres of this land has been laid 
aside for the town site, and constitutes the basis 
of the real-estate business at present being con- 
ducted by Mr. Montgomery. The great grand- 
father and grandfather both emigrated from Ire- 
land to the United States and died in the state of 
Pennsylvania, the latter having arrived in this 
country in 1806, settling in Philadelphia, al- 
though his death occurred in Greenfield. His 
son, John, came with him from Ireland in 1806, 
he having been born there December 15, 1795. 
In time he acquired property of his own and be- 
came one of the successful farmers of his dis- 
trict, his age at the time of his death being 
eighty-nine years. His wife, Elizabeth, was 
born in Susquehanna county, Pa., and her father, 
William Robinson, was born in Ireland. He 
came to America at an early day, and in Pennsyl- 
vania preached the gospel from the Baptist pul- 
pits, he having been reared in the faith of the 
Free Will members of that church. 

The nine children of John Montgomery were 
reared to industry and economy, and all had to 
work hard on the paternal farm. Hugh S. was 
no exception to the rule, although he, as well as 
the others, profited by educational advantages 
made possible by their father's success and their 
own application. Hugh was born in Luzerne 
county, Pa., April 15, 1827, and was the second 
oldest in the family. After completing his edu- 
cation in the public schools he attended Harvard 
Academy, and at the age of thirty engaged in in- 
dependent farming in Pennsylvania. He was not 
so well satisfied with his native state but that he 
was ambitious of larger opportunities, and in 
1889 he made arrangements to settle in Oregon, 
his choice of location resting on Falls City. His 
first marriage was celebrated in Pennsylvania, 
and was with Ellen, daughter of Isaac Griggs, 
who died in Pennsylvania leaving two children, 
of whom George is deceased : and John is a resi- 
dent of Falls City. The second marriage of Mr. 
Montgomery was with Esther Vail, born in 
Pennsylvania, and daughter of John Vail, of 



1422 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Greenfield, Pa., and a farmer by occupation. 
Two children were born of this union, Richard 
and Hugh, both of whom died at the age of nine 
years. A Prohibitionist in politics, Mr. Mont- 
gomery has been a member of the town council 
for two terms, but has never worked for or as- 
pired to public office. He is a devout member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for many 
years has attended its services and contributed 
to its support. 



JOHN M. MITCHELL who now makes his 
home in Independence, Polk county, Ore., traces 
his ancestry back to the Emerald Isle, his grand- 
father, Robert Mitchell, having emigrated to the 
United States early in the eighteenth century, 
settling in Chester, N. H. He was a sea captain 
and his life was spent in many lands, his death 
occurring far from home, among the then prim- 
itive conditions of Louisiana. His son, Robert 
was born in Chester, N. H., and, after a resi- 
dence in Maine, he removed to Minnesota in 
1864, locating at Clearwater, where he lived re- 
tired at eighty-two years of age, but returning 
in 1871 to Maine, he spent the remaining years 
of his life in the city of Leeds of that state, dying 
at the ripe old age of ninety-seven years. He 
was a carpenter and contractor and also served in 
the war of 1812. His wife was in maidenhood, 
Miss Sallie Irland, born in Skowhegan, Me., and 
died in that state. Five children blessed their 
union, and of the two sons and three daughters 
the youngest was John M., born in Vienna, Me., 
September 27, 1822. 

John M. Mitchell learned the trade of his 
father, adding to that the cabinetmaker's trade. 
In 1850 he removed to Lowell, Mass., where he 
engaged in the manufacture of sash and doors, 
continuing for four years, after which he re- 
turned to his native state, and settling in Dexter, 
engaged in the same business. In 1857 ne took 
the sash and door manufactory to Clearwater, 
Minn., and in connection with this invested in a 
grist mill, which yielded him fair returns until 
his removal to Litchfield, of the same state, 
where he built the first residence in that town. 
He made the trip to California in 1869. Locat- 
ing in Cloverdale, he opened a repair shop for 
buggies and wagons, but in 1871 he purchased a 
ranch in Mendocino county, from which he re- 
turned to Cloverdale and passed another year. 
From Navarro Ridge, where he engaged for two 
years in the manufacture of shingles, he came in 
1879, to Oregon, locating in Independence, Polk 
county, and engaged in his former business, and, 
except for a short time spent in a repair shop, 
continued in the manufacture of sash and doors 
until 1898, in this year disposing of the substan- 
tial factory which he and his son-in-law had 



erected in 1889. In 1899 Mr. Mitchell built a 
creamery which he now rents, having retired 
from the active cares of life. 

In Kingfield, Me., in 1843, Mr - Mitchell was 
married to Miss Wealthy Otis, a native of that 
city, whose father, Thomas, was born in New 
Hampshire and reared to the life of a farmer, his 
death occurring in Kingfield, Me., in 1876, at the 
age of seventy-six years. Of the four children 
born of the union Lucidia is now deceased ; Flora 
is now the wife of Clay Spurr, of San Francisco, 
Cal. ; Walter is deceased, and Nettie is the wife 
of J. S. Bohannon. As a Republican Mr. 
Mitchell was called upon in his Minnesota home 
to serve as school director and road supervisor. 
He is identified with the Masons, being a mem- 
ber of the Blue Lodge and the Chapter. 



ISAAC BARCLAY. Lane county, perpetu- 
ating the name and fame of Gen. Joseph Lane, 
the "Mariner of the West," has fulfilled the ex- 
pectations of the pioneers who chose her from 
the variety of lands represented in Oregon, and 
thereafter devoted the best years of their lives 
to the establishment of the prestige she holds 
among the counties of the state. None has 
more interestedly and helpfully watched the as- 
sociation of man and nature in the onward 
march than Isaac Barclay, and none more hope- 
fully turned up the first sod, and gathered his 
first beneficent harvest. To have accomplished 
much through the efforts of one's hands and 
brain, and minus financial or other assistance, is 
one of the things for which Mr. Barclay is truly 
grateful. He attributes much of his success to 
the fact that he was obliged to hew out his own 
fortunes, and that he had to begin to do it early 
in life. His childhood was spent on a farm in 
Fulton county, 111., where he was born May 12, 
1832, and where he laid the foundation for a 
strong constitution in outdoor labor. His father 
was moderately successful, and to an otherwise 
worthy life added meritorious service as a 
ranger in the Black Hawk war. 

With a very meagre education Mr. Barclay 
started out to make an independent livelihood in 
his fourteenth year, working for the surround- 
ing farmers in Fulton county, at whose homes 
he heard a great deal about the splendid chances 
the other side of the Rocky mountains. An un- 
looked-for opportunity came to him to test the 
truth of the glowing accounts, and as a driver of 
an ox-team for Samuel Smith he was enabled to 
reach the state of which he had heard so much. 
The train of which he was a member consisted 
only of seven wagons, yet they had compara- 
tively little trouble, the Indians being peacefully 
inclined, and illness passing them by throughout 
their journey. However, they had a terrible ex- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1423 



perience after their provisions gave out, and for 
four days and nights were without food or water. 
Coming direct to Lane county, Mr. Barclay took 
up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres 
live miles northwest of Pleasant Hill, but having 
no money with which to build or develop his 
land he went to Douglas county and engaged in 
general labor for about a year. Frugal and 
thrifty, he saved nearly all his earnings, an in- 
centive to do so being found in a winsome 
maiden by the name of Sarah G. Freeman, who 
had crossed the plains in his party, having pre- 
viously moved from her native state of New 
York to Illinois. Returning with his little hoard 
Mr. Barclay settled with zest on his claim, and 
soon after married the girl of his choice, and 
who proved helpful and courageous as the wife 
of a poor, but very ambitious man. To them 
one daughter, Flora Blanche, the wife of Z. S. 
Smith, on Fall creek, was born, and they have 
two children living, Eva Pearl and John F. The 
housekeeping arrangements were crude in the 
extreme, but sincere regard and the desire to 
found a real home lighted the way to better 
things, and after several years of hard work and 
economy, comforts and even luxuries were 
added to the home. During 1869 Mr- Barclay 
left his farm in the hands of his children and 
went to the mines of Idaho, and also farmed, 
but finally decided that his Lane county claim 
was as profitable and pleasant as any home he 
could hope to find in the northwest. He owns 
two hundred and fifty acres at the present time, 
forty of which are under cultivation. Skirting 
the Willamette, the situation is admirable, the 
land fertile, and well adapted to the large stock- 
raising aspirations of the owner. A large and 
comfortable house, adequate barns and out- 
houses, and all manner of modern agricultural 
improvements contribute to the peace and happi- 
ness of one of the highly honored early settlers 
of Lane county. 



SILAS M. TITUS. An example of energy, 
pluck and perseverance is to be found in the life 
of Silas M. Titus, who came to Oregon in 1852, 
empty-handed, save for the courage and earnest- 
ness of purpose which had already led him to 
become independent, since he had made his own 
way in the world from the age of eleven years. 
He was born in Knox county, Ohio, June 6, 
1828, and is the only one living of a family of 
twelve children born to his parents, John and 
Mary (Konkle) Titus, the father dying when 
Silas was seven years old and the mother when 
he was eleven. Ten of the children attained 
maturity, but only one found his way into the 
broader opportunities of a western life. 

Left alone and penniless, this lad struck 



bravely out into the world, undaunted by the 
task which lay before him, first finding employ- 
ment in Numa, Ind., on a farm, while he at- 
tended school during the winters. He remained 
there for two years, when he went to Wapello 
county, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand 
for four years. He then began farming on his 
own resources, raising a crop and feeding hogs, 
which he drove to Keokuk and sold. Through 
the glowing reports from the west, Mr. Titus 
was induced to cast in his lot with the pioneers 
of Oregon. He joined another man who was 
outfitting for the trip, furnishing his own pro- 
visions and one yoke of cattle, and on April 20, 
1852, they lett Iowa and began the journey. 
Beyond the events incident to life on the plains 
the journey was safely completed, their destina- 
tion being reached October 1 of the same year. 
Mr. Titus had but one ox left, which he sold for 
$20. The day after his arrival, with his custom- 
ary expedition, he entered the employ of Hen- 
derson Llewellyn, a horticulturist of Milwaukee, 
Ore., his remuneration to be $50 per month. 
For two years Mr. Titus remained in this em- 
ployment, when he went to the mines in south- 
ern Oregon and worked for $4 per day and his 
board. In 1855 he went to Eugene, when there 
were only about a dozen houses there. He was 
then in the employ of the government, freight- 
ing provisions to the soldiers of the Rogue River 
war. Afterward he worked at different occupa- 
tions until the spring of 1857, when he located 
a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres at 
Goshen, Lane county, which he proceeded to 
improve and cultivate, as it was entirely wild 
land. He engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. In 1862 he went to the Salmon river 
and spent some time prospecting, July 3 of that 
year finding him with only $1.50. He then went 
to work at $4 per day, and also conducted a store 
at night, and when he returned to his home in 
Lane county, October 1, he had $850. The fol- 
lowing year he raised another crop, and in the 
spring of 1864 he had $600 left. Two-thirds of 
this he invested in cattle and took them to the 
present site of La Grande, where he engaged in 
stock-trading for two years. Through good 
management and business judgment this brought 
him in $3,000, with which he again returned to 
the northwestern part of the state, the summer 
following engaging in teaming in Portland, 
after which he bought a thresher and located on 
his farm. Tn the fall he disposed of the thresher 
and located in Eugene, where he bought a livery 
stable en Ninth street, and for fourteen years 
conducted the same with marked success, when 
he engaged in the hardware business, and so con- 
tinued for the ensuing two years. He then sold 
out and became interested in the real estate pos- 
sibilities of Eugene, and with Col. J. A. Straight 



1424 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



as a partner he laid out Glenwood Park addition, 
three hundred acres cut up into five and ten-acre 
tracts, with the exception of ten acres which 
were laid out into city lots. Though in this 
business a few days less than nine months, he 
cleared $4,300, and this venture closed his busi- 
ness career, as he then retired to private life. 
He owns the lot at the corner of Ninth and Wil- 
lamette streets, upon which he erected a brick 
building, the dimensions of which are 60x160 
feet, and also owns his farm and other property. 
Mr. Titus was married in Cloverdale, Ore., to 
Miss Georgetta Pierce, a native of Hamilton, 
Ohio, and the daughter of Greenberry Pierce. 
The latter came to Oregon in 1852, having 
crossed the plains to California in 1849, where 
he remained for a short time and then returned 
to Ohio. Two children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Titus, of whom John A. is located on 
the home farm, and Alice is the wife of John 
O'Brien, of Albany. Fraternally Mr. Titus be- 
came an Odd Fellow in 1868, and politically 
casts his ballot with the Democratic party. 



HENRY L. MITCHEL. An orderly and 
hospitable home from the gateway of which has 
come forth worthy sons and daughters to par- 
ticipate in the moving events of Lane county, 
was that of James G. Mitchel, a pioneer of 1852, 
and prominent agriculturally, politically and re- 
ligiously. The member of the second generation 
on the coast of whom special mention is here 
made is Henry L. Mitchel, who inherits the 
stable traits of his father, and who is the owner 
of a finely improved farm of one hundred and 
thirty acres on Pleasant Hill. 

James G. Mitchel was born in Darke county, 
Ohio, in August, 1818, and at a very early day 
removed with some of his family to Iowa. His 
father followed the trade of stonemason, and the 
son in youth mastered the trade under his sire, 
working thereat at different periods of his life. 
He married in Iowa, in 1846, Miranda Shelly, 
a native of Illinois, and in 1852 sold his farm, 
and prepared to emigrate to the west. With his 
wife and children he started out under the most 
favorable conditions, having plenty of oxen and 
provisions, and being well prepared for any 
weather emergency. The Indians proved peace- 
ful along their path, but illness brought sorrow 
to the little family, and one of the children was 
left in a little wayside grave. Upon taking an 
inventory of their possessions at the end of the 
journey, one ox and one cow and a limited 
amount of provisions were found with which to 
begin life in their new home. The father took 
up a claim of three hundred and twenty acres 
fifteen miles southeast of Eugene, and here the 
parents spent the balance of their lives, the 



mother attaining to forty-seven, and the father 
to seventy-six years. No farm in the neighbor- 
hood held out such inducements for sociability 
and hospitality as did that of the Mitchel fam- 
ily, and neighbors deemed it a privilege to gather 
under its low ceilings and partake of the abun- 
dantly supplied larder. The mother, from earli- 
est girlhood, took a keen interest in church work, 
contributing to the extent of her means towards 
all humanitarian and charitable opportunities 
which appealed to her judgment. 

On this finely improved farm of the pioneer 
settler his son, Henry L., was born November 
17, 1 86 1, and like his brothers and sisters was 
educated primarily in the district schools. He 
has never wandered far from the scene of his 
birth and childhood, and now occupies a portion 
of the old claim, his sister, Jane, occupying the 
rest of the farm. He moved into his present 
house immediately after his marriage, in 1887, 
with Ellen Teeter, who was born in California 
and reared in Lane county, Ore. They are the 
parents of four children, three of whom are liv- 
ing: Raymond, James Gregory, and Anna L. 
Seventy acres of the farm of Mr. Mitchel are 
under cultivation, and he carries on general 
farming and stock-raising, devoting particular 
attention to the latter. The finest of Cotswold 
sheep and Jersey cattle roam on his meadows, 
and bring in a handsome profit to swell the 
yearly earnings. Mr. Mitchel has always fa- 
vored the Democratic party, and as a stanch ad- 
herent thereto has served as a school director for 
several years. With his wife and children he is 
a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Mitch- 
el is progressive, well posted on current events, 
and alert for all improvement, whether on his 
farm, in his family, or in the community of 
which he is an honored and influential member. 



JOHN SHELLEY. That interest and charm 
which centers around familiar landmarks, and 
more especially those which represent the up- 
ward struggle of men who have attained to 
prominence, will always be felt by those who 
appreciate stability and personal worth. Trav- 
elers along the highway which skirts the farm 
of John Shelley have years ago ceased to ask 
regarding the author of this prosperity, for the 
comfortable dwelling, large barns and fine ap- 
pointments have stood with but few changes for 
many years. The farm of three hundred and 
twenty acres, located twelve miles east of Eu- 
gene, has yielded its harvests continuously under 
the same management since 1852, the owner in 
the meanwhile having spent but one year away 
from it. and that near Walla Walla, Wash. Dur- 
ham cattle, Berkshire hogs, and Cotswold sheep 
add to the variety of marketable products, and a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1425 



general farming industry is conducted with 
equally good results. 

Although no longer a young man Mr. Shelley 
has the heart and brain and purpose which be- 
longs to youth, and he can enter heartily into the 
diversions and interests of those who have seen 
far fewer years. He was born in Macoupin 
county, 111., September 7, 1827, his parents, 
George and Catherine (Gabbert) Shelley, hav- 
ing been born in Kentucky. Shortly after their 
marriage the parents' moved to Illinois, and about 
1834 changed their home to Iowa, remaining 
there until they located in Oregon. In 1852 the 
family made arrangements to cross the plains 
with ox-teams, and although they were singu- 
larly fortunate in not having encounters with the 
Indians, cholera invaded their ranks, and to this 
dread disorder the father succumbed on the 
Platte river. The family proceeded alone to 
Lane county, where John Shelley took up the 
claim which he still owns, the other members of 
the family living with him for a short time. The 
mother soon after went on to Grand Ronde, re- 
maining there for the rest of her life. Of the 
thirteen children but two are living, and of these 
Mrs. Polly Robinson lives in Marion county. 

The marriage of Mr. Shelley and Margaret 
Park, the latter a native of Virginia, and whose 
parents located also in Lane county, occurred in 
1847, i n Iowa. Thirteen children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Shelley, of whom the fol- 
lowing are living : Thomas, living in Idaho ; 
Pascal N., a resident of Lane county ; Caroline, 
the wife of Mack Fern, of Lane county; Weston 
P., at home ; Anna became the wife of W. P. 
Martin and lives at home ; Leona married F. S. 
Winfrey and resides in Eugene ; Zora, the wife 
of J. H. West, of Lane county ; and Harry and 
Ira, at home. Although no politician, in the 
accepted meaning of that term, Mr. Shelley is 
interested in the Democratic party, voting, how- 
ever, as a rule, for the man best qualified to 
serve the general good. His life has been char- 
acterized by the greatest regard for honesty and 
fair dealing, and his friends are numerous in the 
neighborhood where he makes his home. 



FREDERICK WILLIAM PRENTICE, M. 
D. To Dr. F. W. Prentice, of Eugene, medical 
science is a realm of intricate and interminable 
avenues, lit with prophetic and alluring lamps, 
under which the wayfarer travels reverently, in- 
telligently, and always with uplifted, expectant 
eyes. Because at a certain mile-post in his jour- 
ney he is given license to use his knowledge for 
the benefit of others, the true scientist continues 
his way without note of any stopping-place, and 
his life, however long or well ordained, goes out 

67 



with great questions still unsolved, and the illu- 
minated ways and mysterious shadows still beck- 
oning. Thus, this scholarly practitioner has 
evinced something of the spirit of the old master 
painters, whose indestructible masterpieces 
breathe an appreciation for their work far be- 
yond any remuneration which a grateful world 
might tender them. When to this singleness of 
purpose is added a wholesome attitude towards 
the exigencies and comforts of latter-day life, 
a genial spirit, and harmonious disposition, one 
is constrained to believe that this town in the 
far northwest is reaching, through the lives of 
her adopted sons, the acme of advancement in a 
noble science. 

Dr. Prentice has had the advantage of the best 
possible medical and surgical training, and he 
comes of an ancestry of which much may rea- 
sonably be expected. Authentic records trace 
the family history back in the fourteenth cen- 
tury, when those bearing the name pursued their 
various vocations in Suffolk, England, from 
which county later members removed to Essex 
county. Near Wivenhoe, Essex, Dr. Prentice 
was born July 1, 1844, his father, George Alex- 
ander Prentice, being a native of Boxstead, 
Essex, while his mother, Caroline (Ellis) Pren- 
tice, a daughter of Henry Ellis, was born in Suf- 
folk. The elder Prentice came to America in 
1871, and both himself and wife died on their 
farm in Caroline county. Md. They had ten 
children, eight of whom were daughters, Fred- 
erick W. being the oldest in the family, and the 
only one to establish a name and home in the 
northwest. 

The successful career of his brother-in-law, 
Dr. Charles J. Worts, a surgeon of Essex, had 
much to do with fashioning the career of Dr. 
Prentice. After leaving the home farm and 
being graduated from the Royal Grammar 
School of Colchester, he began to study under 
his gifted relative. Subsequently he attended 
two courses of lectures at the L T niversity of 
Edinburgh, and in 1871 came to Toronto, Can- 
ada, the following year removing to Urbana, 
Champaign county, 111. Here he engaged in a 
general medical and surgical practice, and at the 
same time filled the chairs of anatomy, physiol- 
ogy, pharmacy, and materia medica at the Uni- 
versity of Illinois at Champaign. In 1877 leave 
of absence from the universitv was granted him, 
and he took a course at the Cincinnati College of 
Medicine and Surgery, being graduated in 1878. 
Returning to Urbana, he continued to practice 
and instruct, and finally entered the medical de- 
partment of the University of Pennsylvania at 
Philadelphia, being graduated in the class of 
May, 1887. 

Since coming to - Eugene in the fall of 1887, 
Dr. Prentice has continued his professional re- 



1426 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



searches with unabated enthusiasm, and in 1903 
took a course at the Illinois College of Electro- 
Therapeutics in Chicago. He is a great believer 
in the efficacy of electricity, and his many mod- 
ern office appliances include a standard static 
machine with an X-ray attachment. The doctor 
is fortunately appreciated in his adopted town, 
his patrons including many families who have 
depended upon his services for many years, and 
many who unstintingly credit him with the pres- 
ervation of their lives under most discouraging 
and often seemingly hopeless circumstances. His 
scholarly papers are listened to with greatest at- 
tention at the meetings of the medical societies 
in which the county and state abounds, and he 
is associated as a member with the American 
Medical Association, the Oregon State Medical 
Association, and the Lane County Medical So- 
ciety. Here, as in the state of Illinois, he is a 
member of the United States Board of Examin- 
ing Surgeons, and has served as treasurer of the 
same for- many years. The doctor is a Repub- 
lican in political affiliation, but the many de- 
mands upon his time have never permitted more 
than necessary participation in the affairs of his 
party. Formerly associated with the Urbana 
(111.) Masons, he is now a member of Eugene 
Lodge No 11, A. F. & A. M., and has been trans- 
ferred from the Urbana Royal Arch Masons, 
which he joined in 1874, to the chapter in Eu- 
gene. He is a member of the Eastern Star, as 
is also Mrs. Prentice, whom he married in Indi- 
anapolis, Ind., in 1886, and who was formerly 
Mrs. Elizabeth (Burch) Fickle, of Rochester, 
Ind. Mrs. Prentice is a member of the Epis- 
copal Church, and is especially active in the 
Fortnightly Club. The family occupy one of the 
pleasant and hospitable homes in Eugene, and 
the doctor and his wife represent the highest 
social and intellectual life in the northwest. 



JOHN F. BREWER. Were John F. Brewer 
called upon to give a definition of success at 
once practical and to the point, he would natu- 
rally dwell upon those attributes which have 
been of personal use to him, and which have by 
long experience not been found ■ wanting. 
Among these would be clearness and honesty of 
purpose, and the ability to grasp and use passing 
opportunities, however small and insignificant 
they might seem at the time. It is by attention 
to the details that he has been able to succeed ; 
by doing all things well ; and by continually 
striving to keep abreast of the times. 

At a very early day the grandparents of Mr. 
Brewer removed from their native state of North 
Carolina to Missouri, where their son, William 
Brewer, the father of John F.., was born in 1818. 
The family later moved to Pike county, Ark., 



settled on a farm near Murfreesboro, where the 
grandfather died. There were seven children in 
the family, of whom William was the oldest, and 
the responsibility thus presented was assumed by 
him with courage and determination. As a 
young man he clerked in a store, and afterward 
taught school, developing as time went on de- 
cided mechanical ability. Given a model, he 
could duplicate almost anything of a mechanical 
nature, and this ability proved of great use to 
him, although he never regularly applied him- 
self as a mechanic. He married . Margaret I. 
Scott, a native of Georgia, and continued to live 
in Arkansas until the western fever inspired him 
to investigate the reports to which he had list- 
ened. In 1853 he set out across the plains, ac- 
companied by his wife and children, among 
whom was John F., born in Pike county, Ark., 
May 2, 1844. The mother of Mr. Brewer came 
to the west in the same train, and they were on 
the road about seven months, encountering on 
the way some unpleasant experiences. While 
near the Green river they were surrounded by 
Indians, and as a peace offering were obliged to 
divide their provisions and general properties, 
resuming the journey with a much lightened 
burden. Coming to Lane county, Mr. Brewer 
took up a claim seven miles west of Eugene, 
improved the same, and lived there until his 
death at the age of forty-two years. He took 
an active interest in Republican politics, held a 
number of minor offices, and was one of the 
very enthusiastic workers in the United Breth- 
ren Church, of which he was a member for many 
years, and class-leader in the Sunday school. 
The wife who survived him married a second 
and third time, her last husband being Judge 
John G. Sparks, collector of internal revenues 
during the administration of Abraham Lincoln, 
and a very prominent man of Olympia, Wash. 
Mrs. Sparks is still a resident of the Sound 
country, making her home with a daughter at 
Olympia; and though past four score years, still 
retains her mental and physical alertness. By 
her first marriage she had nine children, of whom 
the following are living: Martha A., widow 
of William P. Crow, of Freewater, Wash. ; John 
F., of this review; Mary L., wife of Edward 
Harris, of Boistfort, Wash. ; Amanda C, the 
wife of Eben Sherwood, of Satsop, Wash. ; 
James H., also of Satsop; and Eva S., the wife 
of C. B. Mann, a druggist of Olympia, Wash. 

From the public schools John F. Brewer re- 
ceived a part of his education, but his father's 
training counted for more in his life, and in- 
variably stimulated to further research along the 
lines mapped out. At the present time he is an 
exceptionally well informed man, improving 
every opportunity to keep himself posted on cur- 
rent events, and associating with people who, 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1427 



like himself, appreciate the higher things of life. 
From his nineteenth year he has made an inde- 
pendent living, and in 1865 he went to the Sound 
country and took up a donation claim. The same 
vear he married Elvira Axtell, member of one of 
the earliest families of the Sound country, whose 
father, Josephus Axtell, built the second house 
on Mound Prairie. Mrs. Brewer was born in 
Illinois, and crossed the plains with her family 
in 1852, going at once to the north, where the 
Indians were very troublesome, and where they 
were obliged to live in a fort for a couple of 
vears for protection. Two of the sons, John C. 
and Thomas J. Axtell served in the Cayuse In- 
dian war and had many thrilling experiences. 
The latter is deceased, and the former lives on 
part of the old claim. While living at Grand 
Mound the father served as postmaster for many 
vears. He also served in the Indian war with 
his sons. He lived to be seventy-five, and his 
wife lived to be seventy-three years old. 

Leaving the Sound country in 1883, Mr. 
Brewer moved to Freewater for a year, and then 
took up his residence on a farm near Lexington, 
remaining there until purchasing his present 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres three miles 
east of Goshen. He has been successful in all of 
his undertakings, and the high standard of ex- 
cellence maintained on his present farm has been 
duplicated on the properties hitherto owned by 
him. He raises general produce and stock, his 
dairy being unexcelled for neatness and good 
management. As a Republican he has been a 
delegate to several county conventions. The 
Grange counts him and his family among its 
most influential members, and he is holding the 
secretaryship, to which he has been continuously 
elected for several years. Nine children have 
been reared in an atmosphere encouraging in- 
dustry and study, and of these, the oldest son, 
U. Grant, is living in Klamath county ; Arthur 
M. ; Anna, the wife of John H. Clark, and Will- 
iam H. are in Boise City, Idaho ; Ethel, the wife 
of Wilson Wilhelm, lives in Goshen ; John H. 
was killed in the Philippines during the Spanish- 
American war ; Valentine is in business in Boise 
City : Rachel and Lucretia are at home ; and Mil- 
ton died in infancy. Mr. Brewer is a worker 
and member of the United Brethren Church, 
contributing generously towards its support, as 
he does toward that of various organizations in 
which the countv abounds. 



HENRY CLAY HUMPHREY. Among the 
citizens of Eugene who were prominently iden- 
tified with its upbuilding and development for 
many years, the name of Henry Clay Humphrey 
stands forth with peculiar distinction. Though 
always optimistic as to the future of the city, 



he was not a visionary, nor did his plans mis- 
carry because of lack of foundation or stability 
of structure. A sagacious, prudent, practical 
man of business, a banker who mastered every 
detail of that important business, and a man- 
ager who possessed the rare faculty of securing 
the best services on the part of his subordinates, 
he identified himself with enterprises calculated 
to develop and place on a substantial basis the 
county in which he was born and passed his 
entire life. 

George Humphrey, his father, from whom he 
inherited his abilities and trend of thought, was 
born April 1, 1807, in New York state. From 
there he moved to Canada, where he married 
Cynthia A. Bristol. At a later period of his life 
he resided in Illinois, and still later in Iowa, 
where for many years he combined farming 
with merchandising. In 1853 ne came overland 
to Oregon and settled in Lane county, where he 
established a general store. Eventually he built 
up a flourishing general trade in Eugene. His 
children were : Albert ; Emily, wife of A. G. 
Hovey ; James, Thomas, Caroline, wife of B. H. 
Roach ; William, Norris and Henry Clay. 

Henry Clay Humphrey was born September 
18, 1856, near Elmira, Lane county, Ore. His 
youth was spent on the home farm near Elmira. 
He attended the public schools of Eugene, later 
took a course in Columbia College, and finally 
was graduated from the business college at 
Salem, Ore., and Heald's Business College at 
San Francisco. His initial business experience 
was as a clerk in the banking and brokerage 
house of A. G. Hovey, of Eugene. In 1882 he 
organized the Lane County Bank, with which he 
was identified as president until disposing of his 
interest therein in 1893. Previous to this, how- 
ever, he had evidenced his integrity and intrepid 
character by standing by this institution through- 
out the financial panic of the early months of 
1893, awaiting such time as the money could be 
raised and the creditors paid one hundred cents 
on the dollar. After severing his connection 
with the bank, he entered upon a large shipping 
business, restricting his trade to hops, prunes 
and other dried fruits, and conducting this en- 
terprise with marked success, up to the time of 
his death, which occurred November 15, 1895. 

In the meantime Mr. Humphrey's ambition 
and energy had found vent in various enter- 
prises of a public nature. He became one of the 
organizers of the Eugene Electric Light Com- 
pany, in which he retained an interest for one 
year, and other local enterprises received his 
hearty encouragement and support. He was de- 
voted to the issues and principles of the Repub- 
lican party, and fraternally was connected with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the An- 
cient Order of United Workmen, and the 



1428 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Knights of Pythias, being a charter member of 
the latter organization. 

In erecting the superstructure of his success- 
ful career, Mr. Humphrey was indebted in a 
large measure to the practical assistance ren- 
dered by a cultured and ambitious wife, Eliza- 
beth Shaw, to whom he was married in San 
Francisco, Cal., April 19, 1885. She is a daugh- 
ter of Angus and Elizabeth (Murchison) Shaw, 
both natives of Scotland, and the former born 
on the Isle of Skye. Mr. Shaw settled at an 
early day in Stark county, 111., where Mrs. Hum- 
phrey was born, and whence he crossed the 
plains with his wife and children in 1863. He 
came with horse teams and was six months on 
the journey, finally settling upon a large, and at 
present splendidly appointed, farm near Sum- 
merville, Union county, Ore., where he is known 
as one of the most extensive grain raisers in 
that section of the state. His wife, who died in 
1867, was the mother of five children, of whom 
Mrs. Humphrey is the only one residing in the 
Willamette valley. She was reared and prima- 
rily educated in Union county, and was gradu- 
ated from the University of Oregon in the class 
of 1884 with the degree_ of Bachelor of Science. 
Mrs. Humphrey was engaged in educational 
work for about three years after her husband's 
death. Broad-minded and liberal in her tenden- 
cies, her cultured mind is occupied largely by 
church work, suffrage and benevolent undertak- 
ings. She has two daughters, Eda Claire and 
Hazel Beatrice. 

In closing this brief review of the career of 
Henrv Clay Humphrey it is but proper to state 
that his every-day efforts were characterized by 
the greatest ~ liberality, and he enthusiastically 
participated in all worthy undertakings calcu- 
lated to advance the industrial, moral, educa- 
tional and social well-being of the community. 
A sane reasoner, a cautious business man, and a 
gentleman possessed of many admirable per- 
sonal traits, he inspired the respect, confidence 
and good will of all with whom he was asso- 
ciated in whatever capacity, his opinions carry- 
ing weight because of the sinceritv, earnestness 
and spirit of good-fellowship which dictated his 
every action. Cut off in the prime of his active 
and useful life, his death was a distinct loss to 
the citv of Eugene, and there is no doubt that, if 
he had lived to prosecute the plans he had for- 
mulated, he would easily have attained a position 
in the commercial circles of the northwest which 
would have made him the peer of the most emi- 
nent men of affairs on the Pacific coast. _ His 
record is so clean, so honorable, so high-minded 
and unselfish, that his name is entitled to a per- 
manent and conspicuous place in the chronicles 
of the builders and developers of the state of 
Oregon. 



WILLIAM M. RENSHAW. That congenial 
work means successful work is demonstrated 
anew in the career of William M. Renshaw, the 
genial proprietor of the Hotel Smeede at Eu- 
gene. Of Scotch-Irish ancestry, long identified 
with the south, he was born in Springfield, Mo., 
November 7, 1850, his father, W. D. Renshaw, 
having settled there in 1837. The elder Ren- 
shaw, who was born near Nashville, Tenn., in 
1823, had a large farm in the vicinity of Spring- 
field, Mo., property which he disposed of after 
acquainting himself with the prospects in the 
far west. Outfitting with ox-teams and pro- 
visions he crossed the plains with his wife and 
two children in 185 1, encompassing the interven- 
ing distance between Missouri and Portland in 
six months to a day. He had comparatively lit- 
tle trouble with the Indians, although some more 
courageous than others helped themselves to 
some of his stock. In the spring of 1852 he 
settled on a donation claim six miles south of 
Eugene, composed of three hundred and twenty 
acres of uncultivated land, and there built a 
small log house and began to prepare for such 
crops as could be planted on short order. He 
was quite successful from a financial standpoint, 
and was popular in his neighborhood, his death, 
at the age of sixty-five, which took place in 
1888, being regretted by a large circle of friends 
and well wishers. He was a Republican from 
a political standpoint, and in religion was a 
Presbyterian. In his youth he married Mary J. 
Walker, born in either Georgia or Tennessee, 
and who removed with her parents to Greene 
county, Mo., before coming to Oregon. Mrs. 
Renshaw was born in 1828 and died in 1887. Of 
the eight children born into the family, Theo- 
dore M. is living in Grant's Pass ; W. M. is the 
subject of this sketch; Hugh A. lives in Lane 
county ; Elmer L. lives in Eugene ; Samuel I. 
is in Virginia; Sarah L. is the wife of Charles 
Mayhew of Eugene ; and Hattie, wife of Jef- 
ferson Gwin of Salem. 

William M. Renshaw was less than a year old 
when he came to Oregon, and he practically re- 
members nothing of his former home, or the 
incidents leading to the family emigration. He 
was educated in the public schools and remained 
on the home farm in Linn county until nineteen 
years old, when he turned his attention to sur- 
veying, being employed by the government for 
five years to survey the public lands. He was 
associated as surveyor, first with J. H. McClung, 
then with Mr. Evans, and still later with Messrs. 
Perkins and General Odell. Having finished his 
contract for surveying' he engaged in the meat 
market business for six years, and in 1878 re- 
moved to Grant county, eastern Oregon, and en- 
gaged for two years in the cattle business. Re- 
turning to the Willamette valley in the spring 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1429 



of 18S0, he continued the butchering business 
for a couple of years, and then engaged in the 
liquor business for over twenty years. In Sep- 
tember, 1902, Mr. Renshaw leased the New 
Smeede Hotel, and opened it to the traveling 
public September 24, 1902. This is the leading 
hotel in the city, and compares favorably with 
the hostelries in much larger and older cities. 
The proprietor is eminently fitted for the many 
duties which devolve upon him, and is possessed 
of the qualities of tact, consideration, courtesy 
and geniality so necessary in the make-up of the 
successful hotel man. The hostelry is substan- 
tially and artistically furnished, has large and 
airy rooms, and ample accommodation for guests. 
A Republican in political affiliation, Mr. Ren- 
shaw has never been an aspirant for public of- 
fice. He is a member of Eugene Lodge No. 11, 
A. F. & A. M., Eugene Chapter No. 10, Royal 
Arch Masons ; the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks ; and the Ancient Order United 
Workmen. He married, in 1878, in Eugene, El- 
eanor Cochran, a native of Lane county, and a 
daughter of James Cochran, who crossed the 
plains from Indiana to Oregon in 1853. 



ALLBEE E. WHEELER. Allbee E. Wheel- 
er's position at the bar and his standing in the 
community have been earned by conscientious 
effort, spurred on by ambition. In early life we 
find him teaching a country school, in order to 
earn the tuition for a higher general and profes- 
sional education, and in after-life he stepped into 
a niche of industry in Eugene, making himself 
necessary as a thorough student of legal science, 
as the compiler of the only complete abstract 
books in Lane county, and as a broad-minded, 
public-spirited gentleman, in harmony with all 
that is progressive, substantial and practical. 

Of old New England ancestry, Mr. Wheeler 
was born on a farm near Barton, Orleans coun- 
ty, Vt., February 17, 1856, his paternal grand- 
parents, James and Sarah (Wilson) Wheeler, 
having established the family there at an early 
day. His maternal grandparents, Dr. Orson and 
Fannie (Allbee) Grow, were also well known in 
Orleans county, where the doctor combined med- 
ical practice with general farming for many 
years. Silas and Jane (Grow) Wheeler, the 
parents of Allbee E. Wheeler, lived on a farm 
in Orleans county during all of their active lives, 
but are now living retired in Chicago, 111., the 
father being eighty-one years of age, in compara- 
tively good health and spirits. The parents were 
born in New Hampshire, and Orleans county, 
Vt., respectively, and had four children, three of 
whom are living, Allbee E. being the youngest, 
and the only one in the state of Oregon. 

At the age of thirteen years Allbee E. Wheeler 



left the home farm to attend the public schools 
of Lyndon Center, Vt., whence he entered the 
Free Baptist State School, known as the Lyndon 
Literary Institute, from which he was duly grad- 
uated in 1874. The year of his graduation he 
removed to La Salle county, 111., and taught 
school near the city of La Salle for one term. 
In January, 1875, he began a four-years course 
of teaching near Onowa, Monona county, Iowa, 
during which time he married Lillia J. Herring, 
a native of Winnebago county, 111., who was 
born at Durand. Benjamin Herring, the father 
of Mrs. Wheeler, served all through the Civil 
war, and afterward removed from Illinois near 
Onowa, Iowa, where he farmed until his death. 
Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Wheeler, of whom Mabel F. is the wife of Prof. 
Charles W. Wester, of Dinuba, Cal. ; and Flora 
J. married Archie W. Livermore of Eugene. 

Mr. Wheeler was a successful educator, and 
by dint of strict economy was enabled to enter 
the law department of the University of Iowa 
after completing his teaching. Graduating in 
the class of 1881, he was admitted to the bar at 
the same time, and settled down to practice at 
Onowa, making that his home until locating in 
Eugene in 1888. At the beginning of his resi- 
dence here he started to make his abstract books, 
engaging at the same time in the abstract and 
title business, and as heretofore mentioned, has 
the only complete abstract books in the county. 
He has a comprehensive knowledge of the theory 
and practice of law, is courteous and faithful to 
clients, attentive to business, and measures pro- 
fessional duty and effort by recognition of ob- 
ligation and ends attainable. Mr. Wheeler is 
a Republican in politics, and served as council- 
man of Eugene for one term. He is a member 
of the Woodmen of the World. He is one of 
the organizers of the Congregational church of 
Eugene, and from the beginning has been one of 
the trustees and among the most active workers. 



HERBERT GORDON. That the dogged 
perseverance and resourcefulness which we are 
wont to admire in the early pioneers of the 
state exists in equal measure in many of the 
later adopted sons, is proved in innumerable in- 
stances. It is not necessary to go outside of 
Eugene for illustrations of this fact, for many 
of the rising young business men who are forg- 
ing their way to commercial prominence have 
been singularly and even discouragingly alone 
in their aspirations and accomplishments. In 
this class belongs Herbert Gordon, owner and 
manager of the largest furniture and house-fur- 
nishing establishment in the town. 

Mr. Gordon is one of the many sons of Canada 
who have found their way to the extreme western 



1430 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



part of the country, and pursued their various 
occupations with increasing success. Born near 
Toronto, August 5, 1873, he is the sixth of the 
seven children born to his parents, Thomas and 
Martha (Allen) Gordon, at present living re- 
tired in Eugene. Thomas Gordon came from 
London, England, when a child with his parents, 
and was reared on a farm in Ontario. In time 
he became a merchant near his father's home, 
and at the same time arose to political promi- 
nence in the neighborhood. For fourteen years 
he was clerk of the circuit court in county Sim- 
coe, and afterward removed to a new and heavi- 
ly timbered farm in the Northwest Territory, 
where he lived for three years. In 1888 he took 
up his residence on a farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres west of Eugene, and after three years 
of successful management moved into the town 
which has since been his home. His wife was 
born in Canada also, and is of Scotch descent. 
Besides Herbert, there are three other of the 
seven children living: William Thomas is an 
undertaker, and James Herbert a teamster of 
Eugene, and a daughter, Martha Maud, is the 
wife of Le Roy Milne, of Marcola, Lane 
county. 

Herbert Gordon was ten years old when he 
came with his parents to the Northwest Terri- 
tory, and while there he attended the public 
schools for three and a half years. In 1888 he 
came with the family to the farm near Eugene, 
and though he worked hard during the summer 
time, managed to complete the course at the 
Eugene high school. He had little money with 
which to start in any kind of business, and for 
some time the future was at best problematical 
and vague. Finally he bought a wood-saw on 
credit, and while operating it for five years not 
only paid off his indebtedness, but amassed 
quite a sum of money, with a part of which he 
built a residence on East Eleventh street. In 
1898 his fortunes looked up considerably, when 
he purchased a second-hand furniture store from 
Mr. Cummings for $500, and after closing that 
out put in a new stock of furniture, starting in 
under favorable auspices to cater to a diminutive 
trade. It was not long before his progressive 
and upright business methods impressed them- 
selves on the general public, and a correspond- 
ing increase of business found his quarters al- 
together inadequate. Accordingly, in 1900, his 
present store was erected, Nos. 24-6-8 East 
Ninth street. The building covers 40x160 feet, 
and has two floors and a gallery. The proprietor 
aims to cater to the most exclusive as well as 
cheaper trade, and carries a complete stock of 
furniture, carpets, stoves, ranges, wallpaper and 
paints. The store has elevator service, and pa- 
trons are met by courteous and obliging clerks, 
conversant with the complete stock, and able to 



furnish valuable suggestions as to combination 
and relative values. This is one of the most 
perfectly equipped furniture stores in this part 
of Oregon, and that it has been brought to its 
present state of excellence by so young a man 
argues well for his business judgment and shrewd 
practical sense. 

Mr. Gordon is popular in business and social 
circles of Eugene, is a member of the Commer- 
cial Club, and of the Woodmen of the World. 
Politically he is identified with the Republican 
party, and he finds a religious home in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. In Albany, Ore., May 
11, 1898, he married Henrietta Harshberger, who 
was born in Ohio, and who is the mother of 
two children, Wanda and Dora. 



CHARLES S. FARROW. The pioneer who 
came to Oregon before the general emigration, 
and not only hewed his way to success through 
discouraging obstacles, but reared strong and 
reliant sons to maintain the honor of his name, 
and perchance add to his prestige as a manager 
and business man under later and more favor- 
able circumstances, filed a twofold lien upon the 
gratitude of posterity. Such an one was 
Stephen F. Farrow, whose well known integrity 
and general worthiness are reflected in the lives 
of many of his children, more especially his son, 
Charles S., one of the prominent business men 
and most successful real estate dealers in Eu- 
gene. 

The founder of the Farrow family in Oregon 
was born in Montgomery county, Ky., his father, 
Isaac, having removed there from his native 
state of Virginia at a very early day. The grand- 
father married Catherine French, of Virginia, 
whose great-grandfather was one of the largest 
land-owners in the state of Virginia, much of 
the property being still in the family. Isaac 
Farrow removed with his family from Kentucky 
to Illinois while that state was yet a territory, 
settling first in Macoupin county, and later in 
Jersey county, where he owned a large farm and 
where he died at an advanced age. His son, 
Stephen F. Farrow, continued to live on the pa- 
ternal farm in Jersey county, and there was mar- 
ried, January 17, 1844, to Maria Jane Cleaver, 
who was born in Hardin county, Ky., October 
16, 1825. Benjamin Cleaver, the father of Mrs. 
Farrow, as well as her grandfather, Benjamin, 
were born in Kentucky, and the former removed 
to Macoupin county in 1828, later settling in 
Jersey county, where his daughter attained ma- 
turity, and became established in a home of her 
own. Mrs. Cleaver, formerly Rachel Tomp- 
kins, was born in Kentucky, and became the 
mother of eleven children, many of whom mar- 
ried in Illinois, but all of whom accompanied 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1431 



their parents to the west. Thus it will be seen 
that the Cleaver and Farrow families constituted 
quite a little community of their own in jersey 
county, and it seems but natural that all should 
have been animated by the common impulse to 
shift their fortunes to the far west. In the 
meantime a child had been born to Stephen F. 
Farrow and his wife. Mr. Farrow's equipment 
for the long journey across the plains in 1848 
was small compared with that of his father-in- 
law. The latter had one wagon with four yoke 
of oxen, besides plenty of loose cattle with which 
to start business after reaching his destination. 
The family gathering left Illinois March 27, 
1848, crossed the Mississippi river at Alton and 
the Missouri river at St. Joseph, proceeding 
through the Indian country via the old Oregon 
trail. On the Platte river in Nebraska territory, 
a daughter was born to Mrs. Farrow, and the 
little plains stranger was given the name of Vir- 
ginia. All went well with the entire party dur- 
ing the rest of the journey, and they arrived in 
the Willamette valley by way of the Barlow 
route in September, 1848, having been about six 
months on the way. Benjamin Cleaver bade 
adieu to the train in Marion county, taking up a 
claim now occupied by the site of Mount Angel, 
but he afterward moved to Lebanon, where he 
bought and operated a grist-mill for the remain- 
der of his active life. He lived to be eighty- 
eight years old, and died firm in the faith of the 
Christian Church, of which he had been a mem- 
ber for many years. The wife who helped him 
to his ample competence died in Marion county 
in 1866. 

Stephen F. Farrow settled on a claim of six 
hundred and forty acres on Butte creek, Clacka- 
mas county, and made this his home for sixteen 
years. His first home was a one-room log house, 
but as his land was cleared, and harvests re- 
warded his arduous toil, his family profited by 
his good fortune, and were better housed and 
clothed. In 1867 the family moved to Linn 
county, purchasing a farm of three hundred and 
twenty acres near Saddle Butte, where Stephen 
Farrow died June 22, 1885, at the age of sixty- 
nine years. He was a Republican in politics, 
and was a member of the Baptist Church. His 
wife, who survives him and lives in Eugene, is, 
by a strange coincidence, the mother of eleven 
children, she herself being one of eleven. Alice 
and Virginia, the two older daughters, died at 
nine and fifteen years of age respectively ; Albert 
A. is a stockman in Lake county, Ore. ; Laura 
is living in Eugene : Charles S. is the real estate 
dealer of Eugene ; Emily was the widow of Or- 
ange Z. Morgan, an extensive stockman of east- 
ern Oregon, but is now Mrs. Nye, and resides 
in Eugene ; William is a stockman in Lake 



county ; Minnie is the wife of M. S. Hubble, of 
Eugene ; Lillie is the wife of D. B. Troutman, of 
Tallman, Ore. ; Ralph is a resident of Portland ; 
and John is a ranchman in Lake county. 

The fourth child in his father's family, Charles 
S. Farrow was born on the farm skirting Butte 
creek, Clackamas county, October 27, 1854, and 
was reared to hard work on the farm. He ac- 
companied the family to Linn county, after the 
old farm was sold in 1867, and in both of these 
places attended the public schools as opportunity 
offered. After the death of his father the entire 
management of the farm fell upon his shoulders, 
and he engaged in farming and stock-raising, 
making great improvements on the property 
from year to year. About this time he married 
Iva M. Farwell, who was born near Shedds, 
Linn county, a daughter of Richard Farwell, a 
pioneer of 1852. Of this union there have been 
born four children, of whom Harry D. is at- 
tending the business college in Eugene ; Glenn 
H. and Hazel are attending the high school, and 
Kenneth, and all reside at home. In 1886 Mr. 
Farrow moved to a farm on the upper Siuslaw 
in Lane county, and engaged in stock-raising 
until coming to Eugene in 1889. 

For three seasons Mr. Farrow was employed 
as traveling salesman in the Willamette valley 
for the Piano Company of Chicago, and after- 
ward clerked for about five years. In 1900 he 
started the real estate business of C. S. Farrow, 
later incorporating under the firm name of C. S. 
Farrow & Company, his partner being H. F. 
Hollenbeck. The firm occupies an enviable 
place in the business world of Eugene, and 
though comparatively young in its activities, has 
already handled an enormous amount of town 
and country lands. Unquestionably it has one 
of the largest enterprises in Lane county, and 
has the option on all kinds of city, farm and 
timber lands throughout the county. It has 
pleasant offices at 506 Willamette street, and 
both men are genial and kindly in manner, at- 
tentive and considerate to purchasers, and thor- 
oughly conversant with every phase of their oc- 
cupation. Mr. Farrow is a charter member and 
director of the Eugene Real Estate Exchange. 
He is a prominent member of the Woodmen of 
the World and the Women of Woodcraft, and is 
one of the leaders in the Christian Church, of 
which he has been an official for twelve years, 
having been a member of the board of deacons 
for that period. Mr. Farrow is energetic and 
progressive, broad in his sympathies, and gen- 
erous in his judgment of all with whom he 
comes in contact. In his personal characteris- 
tics he represents the best type of this com- 
munity, and as such is honored and esteemed by 
a large circle of friends and business associates. 



1432 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



JEFFERSON D. SPENCER is carrying on 
an extensive wood and hay business in Eugene, 
thus becoming a leading factor in the commer- 
cial life of the city. He will be set down when 
the history of this county is written as one of 
the chief developers of its agricultural resources. 
No tiller of the soil has applied greater intelli- 
gence and practical good sense to the conduct of 
large agricultural projects. Keeping well abreast 
of that army of workers around whom centers 
the strength of the entire country, he has uncom- 
plainingly struggled to the front, philosophically 
regarding the obstacles which confront the toil- 
ers of earth, and inspiring others with his own 
contagious good will and enthusiasm. His career 
may be taken as typical of the man who succeeds 
in what he sets out to do, and, having succeeded, 
is not only rich in this world's goods, but rich 
in amiable and helpful traits of character. 

S. H. Spencer, the father of Jefferson D., was 
born in St. Charles county, Mo., and when a 
comparatively young man lost his first wife, who 
left him a son, John, who died in eastern Oregon. 
His second wife, Mahala Smith, was born in 
Missouri, and became the mother of eleven chil- 
dren, six of whom attained maturity and five 
are still living. Two of these children were 
born in the state of Missouri, and with these, 
and his wife, Mr. Spencer started across the 
plains in 1854, taking with him, as a nucleus for 
stock-raising in the west, a large band of cattle. 
A comparatively pleasant journey rewarded the 
courage of the travelers, and the father took up 
a claim on the Mohawk, which, however, proved 
most unsatisfactory. Later he removed to the 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres three 
miles northeast of Irving, which is still in the 
family, and where his death occurred in 1890. 
His cattle proved of practical worth to him in 
his new home, and he not only started a large 
stock business here, but drove a number of them 
to the mines during the excitement in California, 
receiving large prices for them, and thus getting 
quite a start toward competency. Daniel Taylor, 
his oldest son, died in Heppner in 1883 ; Mary is 
the wife of L. H. Wheeler and lives on 
the old place ; Eliza and Jennie and J. D. live in 
Lane county; and S. S. is teller of the First 
National Bank in Eugene. 

Following close upon his course at the Uni- 
versity of Oregon, J. D. Spencer went to Alsea 
Bay, on the coast, and built the store in which 
he conducted a general merchandise business 
four and a half years. Selling out after 
experiencing fair success, he purchased a farm 
of four hundred and forty acres one mile west 
of Irving, all of which was improved land, and 
upon which he engaged in the grain and hay 
business on a large scale. Success followed 
him from year to year, his crops, with few ex- 



ceptions, being uniformly excellent in quality and 
abundant in quantity. In October, 1902, Mr. 
Spencer purchased a farm of three hundred and 
twenty acres four miles east of Irving for $8,000, 
and soon after disposed of two hundred and 
thirty acres for $7,400, leaving for his own use 
ninety acres of finely improved land. With his 
large store of experience in dealing with hay, 
and a practical knowledge of the wood output 
of the state, he determined to retire from active 
farming and engage in a wholesale and retail 
hay and wood business in Eugene. Thus, in 
March following the purchase of his last farm, 
he bought four acres of land on Blair street, 
and in 1903 erected a barn 60x90 feet ground 
dimensions, and with forty-foot posts, the peak 
of the barn being fifty feet above the ground. 
With a capacity of four hundred cords of wood, 
and a hay capacity of three hundred and sixty 
tons, he contemplates doing a large and remu- 
nerative business. 

Mr. Spencer has kept in touch with the prog- 
ress of the world in general while superintending 
his large country interests, and is one of the 
well informed and practical workers in a prolific 
field of activity. He has found time to partici- 
pate in church and social life, and actively to 
support the cause of Prohibition. He is a mem- 
ber of the United Brethren Church, and sup- 
ports the charities conducted by that worthy or- 
ganization. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Masonic Lodge. He is popular and successful, 
and has exerted a strong influence for morality 
and the practical and substantial in business life. 
He was married, in Portland, to Clara Bond, 
who was born in the vicinity of Irving, the 
daughter of Hon. Allen Bond, a pioneer of 
1849. Mr. Bond was a farmer and merchant 
during his active life, was prominent in Re- 
publican politics in the west, and served in the 
state senate one term. His death occurred in 
1902. Two children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Spencer, Cecil Bond and Doris Rachael. 



ROBERT D. HAWLEY. The name of 
Hawley is one that is well known in Lane county 
as it belongs to efficient and reliable men, who 
have done no little toward the making of a 
western state. One of these brothers, Robert 
D. Hawley, is located on a farm of three hun- 
dred and eighty acres a mile and a half north of 
Creswell, upon which he has placed all modern 
and up-to-date improvements in the way of a 
handsome dwelling, large barns and outbuild- 
ings, the whole constituting one of the finest 
places in this part of the county. 

Mr. Hawley was born on his father's dona- 
tion claim, located on the Divide, March 8, 1859, 
and was there reared to manhood's duties and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1433 



responsibilities. For a complete account of the 
life of his father, Ira Hawley, refer to the sketch 
of George M., which appears on another page of 
this work. Robert D. Hawley received his edu- 
cation through the medium of the district school 
at Creswell, and when of sufficient age he took 
up the trade of a carpenter and followed this for 
several years. Upon attaining his majority he 
left home and went to the Palouse country, in 
Idaho, engaging there in the prosecution of his 
trade for four years, when he returned to Lane 
county and took up his residence on the property 
which he now occupies, which is a part of the I. 
Allen donation claim. In addition to this prop- 
erty he also owns one hundred and twenty acres 
of timber land. With the exception of three 
years which he spent in Creswell following his 
trade he has since lived here, engaged in the 
busv activities which are a part of intelligent 
farming, devoting his time to general farming, 
stock-raising and dairying, the milk for his dairy 
being supplied by Jersey cattle. He has placed 
upon the farm the improvements which have 
enhanced its general appearance and marketable 
value, and has under cultivation two hundred 
acres of land. He also owns and operates a 
steam threshing outfit which represents quite an 
outlay of money, but by his management and in- 
dustry he has made it a paying investment. 

The marriage of Mr. Hawley took place De- 
cember 17, 1885, and united him with Miss Mary 
H. Hillegas, a native of Missouri, who came to 
Oregon in 1882, and with her parents settled in 
Lane county. The four children which blessed 
their union are at home with their parents, being 
named in order of birth as follows : Hattie, 
Roberta, Tressa and Hazel. In fraternal orders 
Mr. Hawley is a member of the Woodmen of the 
World. He is a member and trustee of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. A Republican in 
politics, he has always taken an active part in 
the movements of the party, having been sent as 
a delegate to all but two conventions since he 
made his home here. He has held various minor 
offices of the vicinity and was once a candidate 
for sheriff, and is a popular man in the estima- 
tion of the public. 



SAMUEL T. McFALL. A resident of 
Eugene, Lane county, Samuel T. McFall is en- 
gaged in looking after his property, which con- 
sists of a residence in the city and five hundred 
and forty acres of land located six miles west, 
where his two sons are employed in a general 
farming and stock business, raising horses, cat- 
tle, hogs, etc. Mr. McFall has been a member of 
Eugene society only since December, 1898, but 
the sterling worth of his character has already 
won him many friends. 



The second child of his father's family, S. T. 
McFall was born in Iroquois county, 111., Febru- 
ary 14, 1836. His father, S. T. McFall, was 
born in Kentucky, the representative of an old 
Virginia family of Scotch descent. He became 
a farmer in Illinois and in 1843 removed to Ma- 
haska county, Iowa, where he bought four hun- 
dred acres of land at $1.25 per acre, and built a 
log house for the shelter of his family, while he 
engaged heartily in the improvement and cultiva- 
tion of his farm. His death occurred there at 
the age of eighty-three years. His wife was 
formerly Elizabeth Barbee, a native of Ross 
county, Ohio, and the daughter of Daniel Bar- 
bee, of Virginia. Daniel Barbee settled first in 
Ohio and later removed to Illinois, and thence 
to Mahaska county, Iowa. He was a patriot in 
the war of 1812. Mrs. McFall died in Iowa, 
the mother of seven children, four of whom are 
now living. 

S. T. McFall was reared on his father's farm 
in Iowa and educated in a subscription, school, 
remaining at home until 1859, when he started 
with ox-teams for Pike's Peak. From that point 
of interest he traveled throughout the state, vis- 
iting Central City, Black Hawk, Russell Gulch 
and other places, nine months being consumed in 
his prospecting, in which he was fairly success- 
ful. At the expiration of the time mentioned he 
returned to his home in Iowa, there remaining 
until August 18, 1862, when he became a volun- 
teer in Company H, Thirty-sixth Iowa Regi- 
ment, being mustered in at Ottumwa. After a 
time spent at Benton Barracks they were sent to 
Memphis, and from that time on participated in 
many engagements, among them being Helena, 
Ark., Little Rock, Prairie d'Anne, Little Mis- 
souri, Ark., Camden, and others. At Mark's 
Mills he participated in an engagement and was 
there wounded, a one-ounce minie ball passing 
through his left shoulder and lung, which event- 
ually caused him much suffering. At the same 
time he was taken prisoner two miles from the 
battlefield upon a farm, those wounded being left 
by the troops perforce. Twenty-five days later 
parole was secured for them by the Union army, 
and up to that time they had been without medi- 
cal attendance and robbed of almost all their 
clothing. Mr. McFall was taken to a hospital 
at Little Rock until he was able to return home 
on a furlough, when he again spent some time 
in the hospital at Keokuk, his wound remaining 
open for nine months, during which time his left 
collar bone was removed. He was mustered out 
August 12, 1865, his left arm entirely useless. 
With his war record ended Mr. McFall then en- 
gaged in farming, becoming the owner of one 
hundred and sixty acres of land located twenty 
miles from Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he be- 
came an extensive stockman, having gone to this 



1434: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



location from Mahaska county in 1880. He 
tilled the land and improved it in every possible 
way, and brought his farm to a high state of cul- 
tivation and consequent value by the erection of 
fine buildings, including a handsome residence 
and commodious barns. In 1891 he removed to 
Nebraska and purchased three hundred and 
twenty acres of prairie land, which he proceeded 
to improve and cultivate while engaging in the 
business of a stock shipper. This property was 
disposed of in 1898 and it was then that Mr. 
McFall came to the northwest and took up his 
residence in Eugene, Ore., becoming the owner 
of extensive farming lands and bringing into the 
work of cultivation the same practical ideas and 
methods which made his success in the Missis- 
sippi valley. 

March 18, 1866, Mr. McFall was married in 
Mahaska county, Iowa, to Miss Isabelle Skid- 
more, who was born in Columbus, Ohio. She 
was the daughter of James Skidmore, a native of 
Franklin county, of that state, and an early set- 
tler in Iowa, where he engaged in farming for 
many years. His death occurred in Kansas, near 
Argonia. His father, George Skidmore, was 
born in Kentucky and settled in Ohio as a 
farmer. He served in the War of 1812 and held 
the commission of captain in the Black Hawk 
war. The mother of Mrs. McFall was before 
marriage Eunice Hendricks, a native of Ohio, 
and the daughter of James Hendricks, of Ken- 
tucky, and her death also occurred in Kansas. A 
family of nine children was born to her, five of 
whom are living, and the second child is Mrs. 
McFall, who was reared in her native state. To 
Mr. and Mrs. McFall have been born four chil- 
dren. One son died in infancy. Of those living 
the two sons, Norman and Joseph, are conduct- 
ing the farm, and Cora, the second child, is the 
wife of A. Herschel Smith, of Eugene. Mr. 
McFall is a stanch Republican in politics, and is 
always ready to lend his influence toward the 
advance of the principles which he considers best 
for the interests of the country. While in his 
homes in Iowa and Nebraska he served for many 
years as justice of the peace. He was made a 
Mason in Fremont, Iowa, for some time was 
identified with a lodge at Randolph, Neb., and 
now holds membership in Eugene Lodge No. 11. 
As a war veteran he belongs to J. W. Geary Post 
No. 7, of this city, and in religion is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



HON. J. B. HOPKINS. A career of excep- 
tional merit, and one from which many practical 
lessons may be drawn, is that of Hon. J. B. Hop- 
kins, formerly prominently identified with lum- 
bering and milling interests in Rice county, 
Minn., and since 1890 president and general 



manager of the Eugene (Ore.) Lumber Com- 
pany.- In the records of the Hopkins family in 
America the name of Joseph appears frequently, 
the first emigrant having responded to the bibli- 
cal nomenclature, as did also the paternal grand- 
father, and the father of Hon. J. B. Hopkins. 
The grandfather was a trader and farmer, resid- 
ing for many years in Connecticut, but who 
eventually became an early settler in Jefferson 
county, N. Y. His son, Joseph, was born in 
Bridgeport, Conn., was reared in Jefferson and 
St. Lawrence counties, N. Y., and there engaged 
as a farmer and educator, acquiring distinction 
in the latter capacity. He was one of the found- 
ers, promoters and teachers of the Gouverneur 
Wesleyan Seminary, and was a man of public 
spirit and broad culture. His last years were 
spent in Minnesota, his wife, formerly Parmelia 
(Picket) Hopkins, daughter of Justus Picket, 
having died in St. Lawrence county, N. Y. Of 
the nine children born into the family, seven at- 
tained maturity, and six are living at the present 
time. 

Educated in the public schools and at Gouver- 
neur Wesleyan Seminary, Hon. J. B. Hopkins 
subsequently took a course at the Albany (N. Y.) 
Law School, and in 1865 inaugurated a self- 
supporting career as an insurance agent in St. 
Joseph, ' Mo. Two years later, in 1867, he re- 
moved to Morristown, Rice county, Minn., where 
he bought a farm and engaged in lumbering and 
milling, gradually making his way to the front 
among the large lumber merchants of that tim- 
bered region. Nor were his exertions confined 
exclusively to lumbering. He also became prom- 
inent in politics, serving three terms in the state 
legislature. In November, 1888, Mr. Hopkins 
came to Oregon, spent a few months in Forest 
Grove, and then engaged in lumbering in 
Eugene. In 1890 he organized the Eugene 
Lumber Company, of which he has since been 
president, and which company built a mill of 
twenty-five thousand feet capacity at the north 
end of Mill street. This structure burned in 
1900, its burning entailing a severe loss to the 
company, which, however, at once erected a 
mill of more modern construction, and with an 
increased capacity of five thousand. The motive 
power consists of one thirty-horse-power, and 
two forty-horse-power engines, the timber being 
secured from the company's tracts on the 'Wil- 
lamette river. This company ranks high as a 
promoter of the splendid timber possibilities of 
Lane county, and as a large employer of labor 
materially contributes to the maintenance of the 
industrial wellbeing in the city and county. The 
president is one of the practically qualified lum- 
bermen of which this region boasts, and added 
to this claim to consideration are personal char- 
acteristics of a high order, which not only inspire 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



U35 



confidence and claim the respect of his subordi- 
nates, but retain the lasting regard and good will 
of a host of friends. 

In St. Lawrence county, N. Y., Mr. Hopkins 
was united in marriage with Emma Lynd, a na- 
tive of Jefferson county, N. Y., and the mother 
of three children, of whom Dwight B. is inter- 
ested in his father's busines ; Harold L., a grad- 
uate of the University of Oregon, of Oberlin Col- 
lege, and Yale University, is a clergyman in Chi- 
cago, 111. ; and Kate is the wife of Frank H. 
Porter, of Halsey, Ore. Mr. Hopkins is a 
Republican in politics, and is a member of the 
Congregational church. 



WILLIAM NEIS. The finest hop-yard in 
the Willamette valley is said to be that of Wil- 
liam Neis, which is located near Springfield, 
Lane county, and consists of twenty-five acres of 
finely cultivated land. During some seasons he 
has raised four hundred bales, the largest crop 
in the world for the acreage, being about three 
thousand pounds to the acre, the fine soil so well 
adapted to this plant, combined with the in- 
herited talent for this employment, uniting to 
bring about the best possible results. 

Mr. Neis is not a native of this state, nor yet 
of the country wherein he has made his home for 
so many years, having been born in Oberland- 
stein, Hesse Nassau, the son of Joseph and the 
grandson of Phillip Neis, both natives of that 
location. Both followed the life of a horticul- 
turist and had extensive vineyards, their last 
days being spent in the location of their birth. 
The mother was in maidenhood Anna Marn 
Hensler, born near Ems, and of her six children 
four are now living, the two in America being 
Phillip Neis of Portland, and William, of this 
review. The latter's birth occurred May 24, 
1836. He was reared in the beautiful city of 
Oberlandstein, where he attended the public 
schools, later finishing his education in a private 
school in Coblentz. When fifteen and a half 
years old he was apprenticed as a wholesale and 
retail merchant in Cologne, where he remained 
for three years, after which he spent a year in 
Coblentz in steamboating and the commission 
business. He then entered the army, becoming 
a soldier in the second regiment of grenadiers 
and serving at various intervals for six years. 
His regiment was called into active service in 
1859 in the war between Austria, Italy and 
France, and he served on the French frontier until 
peace was declared, when Emperor Franz Josef 
gave up Lombardy. He had then attained the 
distinction of a lieutenancy through his efficiencv 
as a military man, and having a good education, 
necessary for the rank. At the close of this war 
Mr. Neis went to Paris and engaged in business 



there, and from there located in Manshester, 
England, where he followed the shipping busi- 
ness. Through the death of his mother he was 
recalled to his native country, after which he 
went to London and remained until 1869. At 
that date he became connected with the Franco- 
American Mescasche, a newspaper of New York 
city, with which he remained until 1871, when 
he started toward the broader opportunities of 
the western states. Locating in Chicago he en- 
gaged in the wood and willow ware business, 
and was making a success of his new business 
when the great fire of 1871, which devastated 
that city left him at the beginning of his career. 
He remained but seven months after his loss, 
some time after this being spent in traveling 
about through the country, passing a short time 
in New Orleans, and again in Boulder county, 
Colo., prospecting. In 1878 he settled in Cali- 
fornia, and was employed by his brother, who 
was a hop merchant in San Francisco, where he 
remained until 1887. Carrying his interests 
north Mr. Neis then located in Oregon, purchas- 
ing forty acres of land in the vicinity of Spring- 
field, the larger part of which has since been de- 
voted to the cultivation of- hops. 

Since 1899 Mr. Neis has made his home in 
Eugene, through his fine education and culture 
contributing no little to the society of this city. 
He is a Democrat in politics and adheres to the 
principles embraced in the platform of that party. 



FRANCIS BERRIAN DUNN. The feeling 
which attaches to the names of the pioneers of 
Oregon is one that will outlast time and the 
crowding of events, for the younger generation 
realizes in part the unselfish manhood and the 
wide faith in the possibilities of the west which 
gave their own lives fulfillment among the pres- 
ent affluence and prosperity of one of the great- 
est commonwealths on the Pacific slope. In 
Eugene the name of Dunn is one remembered as 
that of a strong, forceful and earnest man, whose 
career affected no little the development of the 
city, and whose success contributed to that of 
others, as he was typical of the unselfish brother- 
hood of pioneers. Though long since passed 
away, a deep interest centers around the events 
of his life. 

Mr. Dunn was born in Elizabeth, 111., Decem- 
ber 24, 1830, the third son of Jonathan and Irene 
(Clark) Dunn. His father was a millwright by 
trade and followed that occupation throughout 
his life. Both he and his wife died near Law- 
rence, Kan. The son was reared in Athens, 111., 
and received his education in the district schools, 
and when a mere lad become a cabin boy on the 
Mississippi river, where he learned some of the 
lessons which afterward proved valuable in his 



1436 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



life as a pioneer of a country where conditions 
were trying and dangerous. Following where 
his ambitions led him, he crossed the plains with 
ox-teams in 1853, and upon his safe arrival in 
Oregon became a clerk in Albany, Linn county, 
where he remained for a short time. In the fall 
of the same year he located in Eugene, Lane 
county, and that city was the scene of his busi- 
ness activity until the termination of his success- 
ful career. He first engaged as clerk in the es- 
tablishment of Joseph Brumley, continuing there 
for one year, when he opened a merchandise 
business in Springfield. After an experience of 
three years he returned to Eugene and built a 
store and engaged in the general merchandise 
business, in the course of time building up a large 
and lucrative custom, through his practical meth- 
ods and unblemished integrity winning the con- 
fidence of the people with whom he had to deal. 
His establishment, which was devoted to the sale 
of dry goods, became the first in quality, quantity 
and style, and that it was a successful business 
venture was evidenced by the amount of prop- 
erty which he was able to accumulate. He be- 
came the owner of a number of fine farms, to the 
improvement and cultivation of which he spared 
no effort or outlay. In the city he left a re- 
minder of his business career in the erection of 
the F. B. Dunn Block, a credit to the commercial 
interests of Eugene. Besides his mercantile in- 
terests, Mr. Dunn devoted sometime to hop and 
wool buying, in which operations he met with 
the usual success which had characterized his 
entire life. 

In politics Mr. Dunn was a Republican and 
served ably and efficiently as mayor of the city 
for eight years, having the entire confidence of 
the citizens in his public administrations. Know- 
ing and appreciating his unusual business sagac- 
ity and judgment, many came to him for advice., 
which he freely gave, generously eager for the 
success of his friends and associates. In Ma- 
sonic circles he was a Knight Templar, and was 
prominent in the order. His death occurred July 
20, 1892, and took from the city a stanch, earnest 
and helpful supporter, whose influence still lives 
and leads toward the advancement of western 
civilization. 

By his marriage Mr. Dunn allied himself with 
a pioneer family of great prominence in Eugene, 
Miss Cecelia Christian becoming his wife, De- 
cember 22, 1855. She was born in Mount Car- 
roll, 111., and was the daughter of Daniel R. 
Christian. The Christian family were repre- 
sented in the state of Maryland, where, in Boons- 
boro, the father was born, the son of Daniel 
Christian, a patriot and officer in the War of 
1 81 2, and grandson of Daniel Christian, a soldier 
in the Revolutionary war. Daniel R. Christian 
early became a resident of the middle west, where 



he was a pioneer farmer and builder in Mount 
Carroll, but eager to share in the greater hard- 
ships and larger rewards of a newer country, he 
brought his wife and six children across the 
plains in 1852, the journey being made with the 
slow-plodding oxen. Upon their safe arrival in 
Oregon the father took up a donation claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres, which has since 
become the Christian addition to the city of 
Eugene, extending from Eleventh street south. 
His death occurred at the age of seventy-three 
years, and the city lost one of its most enterpris- 
ing members, strong for the advancement of 
commercial and industrial interests, and strong in 
the moral life of the community, as he was an 
active member of the Methodist church. The 
wife who shared the dangers and toils of his pio- 
neer life was in maidenhood Catherine Etnyre, a 
native of Maryland, and the daughter of a shoe- 
maker, who became an early settler of Illinois. 
The mother also died in this location. She was 
the mother of the following children besides Mrs. 
Dunn : Samuel, located in Spokane, Wash. ; 
Susan, widow of William Maxwell, of Spring- 
field ; Sarah, widow of A. S. Patterson, of 
Eugene ; Etha, of Eugene ; John, who was born 
on the plains in 1852, now living in Eugene; 
and William, who died in Eugene. 

Mrs. Dunn was but twelve years old when she 
came to Oregon, and was educated principally in 
the public schools of this state. Since her hus- 
band's death she has made her home in Eugene. 
She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. She is the mother of seven children, of 
whom Irene is the wife of C. S. Williams, of 
Eugene ; Luella is the wife of George A. Dorris, 
of Springfield ; Laura is the wife of Col. George 
O. Yoran, of Eugene ; Frank E. is a merchant of 
Eugene ; Fred S. is a post-graduate of Harvard, 
having previously graduated from the University 
of Oregon and Harvard, and is now professor of 
Latin in the University of Oregon; Edna is the 
wife of Robert Diggles of Melones, Cal. ; and 
Amy still makes her home with her mother. 



WILLIAM H. ALEXANDER. Except as 
his work appeals by its substantial, practical, 
or artistic nature, one builder is hardly distin- 
guished from his brother worker in the same 
field. To be able to give general satisfaction in 
a given direction, is to hold in one's hand an 
assured success, no matter how keen the compe- 
tition, or how large or small the dimensions of 
one's ambition. The builder of ability under- 
stands the requirements of a discerning public, 
and, keeping well jn advance of his time-honored 
calling, is rarely wanting in material upon which 
to exercise his skill. Eugene is not behind in 
being able to produce master craftsmen, men who 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1437 



have contributed to its fundamental growth by 
housing its people and industries, and estab- 
lishing the harmonious aggregate for which the 
city is famed. Of this class of men W. H. Al- 
exander is essentially a leader, having for the 
past eighteen years followed the best tenets of 
construction, making a specialty of artistic and 
conveniently arranged homes, but also putting 
up a number of public buildings, including the 
Risdon and Conser blocks. Among the resi- 
dences which attest the skill of Mr. Alexander, 
and materially add to the architectural appear- 
ance of the city, may be mentioned those of F. 
E. Dunn, S. B. Eakin, T. G. Hendricks, W. T. 
Caro, Mrs. Sarah H. Patterson and the 
Schwarzschilds home. 

A native son of Oregon, Mr. Alexander was 
born on his father's donation claim near Shedds, 
July 30, 1857, and is the second of the three 
children born to Joseph R. and Elizabeth (Net- 
hall) Alexander, natives of Illinois and Scot- 
land respectively. Through his marriage in Illi- 
nois Joseph R. Alexander became identified with 
a Scottish family of illustrious lineage, for Eliza- 
beth (Percivalj Nethall, the mother of Mrs. 
Joseph R. Alexander, was the daughter of a 
Scotch nobleman. Mr. Nethall was born and 
reared in England, and became a very early set- 
tler in Illinois. After his death, his wife mar- 
ried Joseph Hite, who came to Oregon in 1853, 

itling on a farm in Linn county. Previous to 
her marriage Mrs. Alexander went by the name 
of her step-father, and was known as Miss 
Hite. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander crossed the 
plains in an ox-train in 1853, an d took up a dona- 
tion claim of three hundred and twenty acres 
where Shedds Station has since been built. This 
land the husband improved and lived on for sev- 
eral years, but finally sold out and lived in Linn 
countv, engaging in teaming between The Dalles 
and Grande Ronde valley until his death in 
1863. For a second husband Mrs. Alexander 
married Charles A. Davis, a carpenter and builder 
who located in Eugene in 1870. and is now liv- 
ing retired in that city. His wife died in 1883, 
leaving the three children before mentioned, of 
whom Sarah, the oldest, deceased, was the wife 
of Mr. Smith, and Nellie, the youngest, is the 
wife of T. B. Lucky of Eugene. 

Until his thirteenth vear W. H. Alexander 
lived on the farm and attended the country 
schools and in 1879 accompanied his mother to 
Eugene, where he had the advantage of the 
schools of that city. From a boy he worked with 
tools, and found diversion in making easily con- 
structed furniture for the house, and in doing odd 
jobs around the house for his mother. At the 
age of twentv he worked at the carpenter's trade 
under W. T. Campbell, an architect of Eugene, 
after a year being advanced to the position of 



foreman, which he held for two years. In 1885 
he began contracting and building in Eugene, 
and has since made this his home, uninterrupted- 
ly carrying on a large and remunerative busi- 
ness. He married, in Eugene, Belle Chapman, 
who' was born in the east, and came to Oregon 
as a child. Mr. Alexander is popular socially 
as well as prominent in the business world, and 
is fraternally identified with the Benevolent Pro- 
tective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Uni- 
form Rank Knights of Pythias, and the Modern 
Woodmen of America. In political affiliation 
he is a Republican, but aside from the formality 
of casting his vote has never identified himself 
with party affairs. Mr. Alexander holds high 
place in the esteem of all who know him, and 
is regarded as one of the reliable and thoroughly 
substantial men of Eugene. 



HON. JOHN HENRY McCLUNG. The 
position which the Hon. J. H. McClung now 
occupies in the city of Eugene is chiefly the re- 
sult of his own resourceful and optimistic na- 
ture. Since his entrance into the affairs of Ore- 
gon he has taken an active part in many of the 
enterprises which have especially marked the 
growth of this largest city in Lane county, 
where he now lives in retirement. He is a pio- 
neer of 1856, and through the many years which 
have passed since then he has directed his best 
energies to the cultivation of his own native tal- 
ents, which in their fulfillment have added 
greatly to the financial importance of the city 
and county which have been his home so long.. 

Mr. McClung was born in Seneca county, 
Ohio, September 10, 1837, the son of James L. 
McClung, who was a native of Seneca county, 
N. Y. His grandfather, John McClung, was 
also a native of New York state, and there he 
died. James L. McClung became a contractor 
and builder and moved to Laporte county, Ind., 
where he engaged in the prosecution of his trade 
until his death, September 11, 1850, at the age 
of forty-three years. His widow, formerly Cyn- 
thia L. Parsons, who was born near Oswego, 
N. Y., afterward married Bell Jennings, of 
Pennsylvania, and in the fall of 1856 they came 
by way of the Isthmus of Panama to Oregon, 
settling in Eugene, where Mr. Jennings engaged 
in the drug business. Some time before his 
death, which occurred in Eugene, he retired 
from active life. Mr. McClung's mother died at 
the age of seventy-five vears. She was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her 
father, R. H. Parsons, a native of New York 
state, and an early settler of Ohio and Indiana, 
where he engaged in farming, crossed the plains 
with ox-teams in 1853 an d settled three miles 
west of Eugene, and three years later located in 



1438 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



that city, where he became a merchant and jus- 
tice of the peace, which positions he held until 
his death. 

The only child of his father's family, John H. 
McClung spent the first eight years of his life 
in the state of his birth, and afterward located 
with his parents in Indiana, where he attended 
the district schools. In the summer of 1855 he 
went to Kansas with a government corps, in the 
process of surveying, carrying the chains for 
over six months, and the year following, when 
he was nineteen years old, he came to Oregon. 
He sailed from New York city on the steamer 
George Law to Aspinwall, and from that city 
started across the Isthmus of Panama by rail, 
in the course of the journey the train meeting 
with a terrible wreck, in which many lives were 
lost. Mr. McClung came through safely, how- 
ever, the car in which he was a. passenger com- 
ing intact through the wreck. From the west- 
ern side he took passage on the Golden Age, 
and came via San Francisco and the Columbia 
river to Portland and thence to Corvallis and 
Junction City. From there he walked to the 
home of his grandfather Parsons. He bought 
one hundred and sixty acres of land located six 
miles west of Eugene, and at once entered upon 
the improvement and cultivation of his farm. 
Upon the arrival of his stepfather, Mr. Jen- 
nings, a little later, the two assumed charge of 
four hundred and eighty acres, and farmed for 
some time. Until the summer of 1858 Mr. Mc- 
Clung remained so occupied, when he disposed 
of his agricultural interests and located in Eu- 
gene. In the winter following Mr. McClung at- 
tended school in Eugene, finishing his education 
and in February, 1859, ne an d an uncle, Thomas 
Belshaw, bought the only drug store then in the 
city, that conducted by Danforth & Breyman, 
and engaged in business on Willamette street, 
near the location of the First National Bank. 
This partnership continued until the spring of 
1862, when they sold their combined interests to 
Mr. Jennings. Messrs. McClung and Belshaw 
then went to the Salmon river mines in Idaho, 
traveling by pack horses to their destination; 
but the summer spent there was utterly without 
returns, and the following fall found them 
again in Eugene. Mr. McClung then purchased 
a half interest in the drug business, the firm 
name being Jennings & McClung, and this was 
continued until 1866, when Mr. Jennings was 
compelled, through failure of health, to locate 
once more upon a farm. The business was then 
sold, and Mr. McClung also bought a farm ad- 
joining that of his step-father, near Creswell, 
and conducted this farm until the fall of 1868, 
when he again returned to Eugene and became 
a copying clerk in the office of the surveyor 
general, remaining so occupied until the follow- 



ing spring. In partnership with John W. ^ Mel- 
drum he then obtained a contract to survey and 
sectionize the land about Trout creek, and later 
in the fall took other contracts near Prineville. 
In the fall of that year he returned to Eugene. 
In the spring of 1870 he took a contract to sur- 
vey on Squaw creek, and in 1871 he secured the 
same work with W. B. Pengra for Silver Lake, 
Lake county, this practically ending his work 
along these lines, with the exception of a little 
the next year along the Siuslaw and the Mc- 
Kenzie rivers. 

In the fall of 1873 Mr - McClung built the 
residence which he now occupies, completing it 
in 1874. He has nearly every variety of tree 
and shrub which grows in Oregon, and in all 
particulars his home is an evidence of the cul- 
ture which distinguishes its owner, adding in 
no small degree to the general appearance of the 
city. In his political relations a stanch Repub- 
lican, he was elected by that party, in 1874, to 
the house of representatives in the state legisla- 
ture, and two years later was nominated for 
state senator, but was defeated by Governor 
Whiteaker, by sixty-eight votes. In June, 1876, 
the Grange association became very strong in 
this section and Mr. McClung was elected as 
superintendent. In this capacity he bought the 
stock and started a general merchandise store in 
Eugene, in which he continued for seven years, 
and at the expressed desire of the company to 
dispose of its business he and A. J. Johnson 
bought the stock and continued the business, the 
firm name being McClung & Johnson. This 
mercantile venture was successfully continued 
for eight vears, and at the close of that period 
Mr. McClung became the sole owner of the 
business, changing its character to that of a dry 
goods and clothing establishment. In 1902 he 
closed out the stock and retired from the active 
cares which had so long engrossed his attention. 

In 1901 Mr. McClung built on the corner of 
Willamette and Seventh streets a brick building, 
the dimensions of which were 70x80 feet, con- 
taining three stores, and with three entrances. 
This is known as the McClung Building. In 
the year following it was supplemented by an- 
other of like character upon the corner of Wil- 
lamette and Eighth streets, 55x114 feet in dimen- 
sions, containing two stores with two entrances 
on Willamette street, and a store in the rear. 
Mr. McClung has always been actively inter- 
ested in municipal government and general busi- 
ness affairs, serving for a period of ten years as 
a member of the council and mayor for two 
years. As school director for many years he 
has exerted no little influence in educational 
matters of the city, serving in that capacity 
when the Patterson and Geary schools were 
built, and as a member of the board at the pres- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1439 



ent time is interested in the building of the new 
high school, which is being erected (1903) at 
a cost of $25,000. He is a stockholder in the 
Eugene Water Company, and serves in that cor- 
poration as a director and treasurer. In 1894 
he was once more called upon to serve in the 
legislature, being elected senator from Lane 
county by a large plurality, and served in the 
sessions of 1895 and 1897. He was not a can- 
didate for re-election. 

Miss Kate Henderson, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, who crossed the plains with her parents, 
James H. D. and Mary E. (Fisher) Henderson, 
in 1852, and settled in Yamhill county, became 
the wife of Mr. McClung in 1863, and has borne 
him the following- children : Jessie Benton, a 
graduate of the University of Oregon, and now 
the wife of Prof. Charles Friedel ; Margaret L., 
wife of Dr. J. R. Wetherbee, of Portland ; and 
Ina D., a graduate of the University of Oregon, 
who makes her home with her parents. Frater- 
nally Mr. McClung was made a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Eugene, 
and is past noble grand. He also belongs to the 
Encampment and the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. He is a member of the Eugene 
Commercial Club and the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in which he officiates as chairman of 
the board of trustees. 

In the work which Mr. McClung has accom- 
plished, no characteristic is more evident than 
faithfulness, returning always to that which 
promises him returns. This is particularly no- 
ticeable in his political life, his first vote, as a 
young man, being cast for Lincoln, and each 
successive vote following for what he deemed 
the advancement of the best principles of gov- 
ernment. 

SYRUS V. BARR. Among the able and 
progressive farmers of Linn county,, the records 
of whose lives fill an important place in this vol- 
ume, Syrus V. Barr, living near Sweet Home, 
occupies a position of prominence. He is a na- 
tive-born citizen, and the worthy descendant of 
a representative pioneer of this part of the 
county. Since the days of his boyhood he has 
witnessed many changes in this locality, and has 
contributed his full share toward the develop- 
ment and growing prosperity of his native town 
and county, being a generous supporter of all 
beneficial measures. He was born March 13, 
1855, on a farm which adjoins his own, it being 
the homestead of his father, the late Jesse Barr. 

A native of Tennessee, Jesse Barr was born 
October 18, 1818, near Nashville. When a 
young man he emigrated to Iowa, and in the 
spring of 1853, still following the tide of emi- 
gration westward bound, he crossed the plains, 
coming to Oregon with his family in a wagon 



driven by four yoke of oxen, and driving a few 
cows. Spending the winter at Brownsville, he 
secured work in the spring of 1854 near Craw- 
fordsville, and while there in the employ of Mr. 
Finley assisted in building the first saw-mill and 
grist-mill erected in that locality. In the spring 
of 1855 he purchased Mr. Darby's right to his 
donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres of land, lying three miles north of Holley, 
and three miles west of Sweet Home. The only 
improvement on the place was a small log house 
built by Mr. Darby. Moving into the cabin 
with his family, he set to work with true pioneer 
grit to clear a farm. Toiling industriously and 
persistently, he made substantial improvements, 
and gradually enlarged his operations until he 
became" one of the most successful farmers and 
stock-raisers of the neighborhood, continuing in 
his chosen occupation until his death, January 3, 
1893. He was a member of the Christian 
Church, and of Sweet Home Grange, which he 
helped to organize. Politically he affiliated with 
the Democratic party. While living in Iowa he 
married Annie Kirk, who was born near Knox- 
ville, Tenn., in 1825. She survives him, and is 
now living on the old homestead. Of the eleven 
children born of their union, five sons and six 
daughters, nine are now living, and all are mar- 
ried. 

Remaining on the home farm until attaining 
his majority, Syrus V. Barr received such edu- 
cational advantages as were afforded by the dis- 
trict schools, and was well trained to habits of 
industry and thrift by his parents. Beginning 
life for himself at the age of twenty-one years, 
he bought four hundred and thirty-six acres of 
land adjoining the parental farm, and has since 
carried on general farming with satisfactory pe- 
cuniary results. He makes a specialty of stock- 
raising, and has a fine lot of Shorthorn cattle, 
which he prefers to any other breed. The suc- 
cess with which he has met in his career has 
been wrought by persistent energy, well directed 
toil, and exceptional business ability on his part, 
and his estate, with its many improvements, is 
one of the best and most desirable pieces of 
property in the community. 

In October, 1891, Mr. Barr married Miss 
Lulu Hamilton, daughter of Asher Hamilton, 
and into their household two children have been 
born, namely : Victor and Gertrude. Politically 
Mr. Barr is identified with the Democratic party, 
and fraternally he is a member of the Macca- 
bees, and of Holly Grange. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Barr belong: to the Christian Church. 



WILLIAM J. J. SCOTT. Important among 
the men who have made their efforts productive 
of the substantial upbuilding of Oregon and the 
promotion of worthy and enterprising move- 



1440 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ments was William J. J. Scott, for many years 
well known in Lane county and various other 
sections, through the virtues which were his by 
inheritance as well as personal effort, for he 
came of an old colonial family who took part in 
the early struggles of the nation. With the 
death of Mr. Scott, in 1896, passed away a 
member of the brave and hardy band of pio- 
neers which is slowly becoming only a recollec- 
tion as time goes on and another generation 
takes up the work so nobly begun. 

The parents of Mr. Scott were residents of 
Morgan county, 111., where the father, Levi 
Scott, engaged in farming, and where this son 
was born October 15, 1824. He was left moth- 
erless at an early age, but with the self-reliance 
characteristic of the day he set out into the 
world to find a place for himself. He learned 
the trade of a carpenter, which he followed for 
some time in Illinois. Later he located in Iowa, 
remaining there until 1846, when he crossed the 
plains with ox-teams and settled in the valley 
which was afterward known by his name, near 
the Umpqua river, where he took up a donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres. He 
remained in that location until 1850, when he 
went to Oregon City to work. There he was 
married and returned to his claim, where the 
couple went to housekeeping. This home was a 
log cabin of one room, having a large fireplace 
upon which the cooking was done. They kept 
travelers, and Mrs. Dersham, a daughter, has 
the scales upon which the gold dust was 
weighed, in which they received pay for their ac- 
commodation. After a period of six years Mr. 
Scott came to Lane county and bought a farm 
two miles west of Creswell, and ten years later 
located in Eugene, where he engaged in the mer- 
cantile business in partnership with Frank 
Dunn, the firm name being Scott & Dunn. After 
a few years he again returned to his ranch, re- 
maining for two years, when he bought another 
farm in the vicinity and lived upon that a short 
time. Locating in Creswell for a brief period 
he bought the farm which is now occupied by 
his widow, located one-half mile west of Cres- 
well, which he began at once to improve and 
cultivate. The farm is supplied with a good 
dwelling-house, substantial barns and other out- 
buildings, and the land was utilized for stock- 
raising, his specialty being Shorthorn-Durham 
cattle. After giving a farm to each of his sons, 
he still had left about two thousand acres, and 
over three hundred is still in the possession of 
Mrs. Scott and managed by her, with the assist- 
ance of her son, Ripley. The balance was di- 
vided by Mrs. Scott among her ten children. 

Though not a member of any religious de- 
nomination, Mr. Scott was a man of strong in- 
tegrity and truly Christian purposes, and held a 



high place in the estimation of his fellow-citi- 
zens. Politically he was a Republican, and 
though he never shirked responsibility as a citi- 
zen, he did not aspire to official recognition, but 
held the minor offices in the vicinity as a duty 
rather than from any desire to become identified 
with party movements. In educational matters 
he was greatly interested, and gave much time 
and thought to the improvement of the institu- 
tions in his community, being one of the first 
regents appointed for the University of Oregon, 
which position he filled from 1873 to l %77- But 
once did Mr. Scott depart from his agricultural 
life, and that was in 1849, when he was induced 
by glowing reports to make the trip to Califor- 
nia to visit the gold fields. The death of Mr. 
Scott occurred September 13, 1896, in his sev- 
enty-second year. 

The wife who shared a large part of the life 
of Mr. Scott was formerly Surrenea J. Robin- 
son, who was born December 5, 1828, in Shelby 
county, Ohio, the daughter of the Rev. William 
Robinson, whose sketch appears elsewhere in 
this work. Of this union ten children were born, 
all of whom are living. Their descendants in- 
clude twenty-six grandchildren and nineteen 
great-grandchildren. Of the children Eliza S., 
the wife of D. B. Trimble, lives in Condon, 
Ore. ; Mary A., the wife of William C. Brown, 
lives at Lone Rock ; Matilda J., the wife of R. 
H. Landers, lives at Methow, Wash. ; William 
W. lives at Creswell ; John R. is located in this 
vicinity ; Rose E. married D. S. Brown and re- 
sides in Condon ; Dora C, the wife of C. C. 
Hazleton, is in Creswell ; Viola S. and Ripley F. 
are at home ; and Lillie M., the wife of R. E. 
Dersham, is located near Creswell. As a relic 
of the eastern days of their family, they have 
now in their possession the original copy of the 
Ulster Gazette, published January 4, 1800, in 
which is given a full account of Washington's 
death, and his Memoirs. 



HON. EDWIN O. POTTER, of Eugene, is 
one of the thoroughly representative men of the 
younger generation of the Willamette valley. He 
was born near Irving, Lane county, Ore., August 
25, i860, and is a son of William A. and Luezy 
(Zumwalt) Potter. The family was founded in 
America by a German immigrant, named 
Pothour, who settled in New Jersey. David Pot- 
ter, grandfather of Edwin O., of this review, 
was born in Pennsylvania, and in young man- 
hood settled in Ohio, where he engaged in farm- 
ing. His son, William A., was reared in Ohio. 
While still a young man he removed to Wis- 
consin, from which state, in 1851, he crossed the 
plains by ox-train and settled in Lane county, 
Ore. After several years' residence in various 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1441 



parts of Oregon he finally located permanently 
at Irving, where he now lives in retirement at 
the age of seventy-eight years. He is a member 
of the United Brethren Church, and fraternally 
is identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. His wife, Luezy Zumwalt, was born 
in Jefferson county, Mo., the daughter of Solo- 
mon Zumwalt. The latter started for Oregon 
with his family in the fall of 1850, traveling with 
ox-teams. Upon arriving at Salt Lake City they 
decided to remain there through the winter. The 
following June they resumed the journey and 
came directly to Lane county, where Mr. Zum- 
walt took up a donation claim two miles north- 
west of Eugene. There he resided until his re- 
tirement from the active cares of life. His death 
occurred in the Mohawk valley. (For a more 
detailed account of this family, see sketch of 
William A. Potter, which appears elsewhere in 
this volume.) 

The childhood and youth of Judge E. O. Pot- 
ter were spent upon his father's farm, where he 
was reared to agriculture. He attended the dis- 
trict school in his neighborhood, and afterward 
entered the University of Oregon, from which 
he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor 
of Arts in 1887. This institution subsequently 
conferred upon him the Master's degree. Dur- 
ing the last three years of his university course 
he taught school a part of the time, the money 
thus earned being applied toward the payment of 
his tuition fees. Upon the completion of his 
classical course he entered the law department 
of the university, and was graduated therefrom 
two years later — in 1890 — with the degree of 
Bachelor of Laws. In June of the same year he 
was admitted to the bar of Oregon, and immedi- 
ately entered upon the practice of his profession 
in Eugene. From 1890 to 1894 he served as 
deputy district attorney for Lane county. In 
1896 he was elected county judge and served 
four years, since which time he has devoted his 
entire time to the practice of his profession. 

Judge Potter was married in Eugene, October 
16, 1890, to Emily Bristol, a native of Benton 
county, Ore., and a daughter of George A. and 
Polly (Minton) Bristol, both now deceased, the 
former dying in Benton county and the latter in 
Lane county. Mrs. Potter was a member of the 
same class in the University of Oregon as was 
her husband, and was graduated with the de- 
gree of Bachelor of Arts. They have a daughter, 
named Pauline. 

In his fraternal relations Judge Potter is a 
member of Eugene Lodge No. 11, A. F. & A. M., 
in which he is past master ; of Eugene Chapter 
No. 10, R. A. M., in which he is high priest ; of 
the Woodmen of the World and the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. In the Congrega- 
tional church, of which he is a member, he is 



serving as chairman of the board of trustees. 
He is a charter member of the Eugene Commer- 
cial club, and was a member of its first board of 
trustees. He was formerly president of the 
Association of the University of Oregon. As a 
Republican he has taken an active part in the 
political affairs of Lane county for several years, 
and at the present time is chairman of the Re- 
publican county central committee. 

Though a comparatively young man, Judge 
Potter has come to be recognized as a man of 
strong influence in local affairs. He is one of 
the best types of the self-made men of the hour, 
is possessed of a strong public spirit, and is ac- 
tively identified with all worthy movements 
which have for their end the advancement of the 
public welfare. Though he has applied himself 
closely to the duties of his chosen profession, he 
has shown himself to possess varied talents. He 
is broad-minded and liberal in his views, a man 
of unquestioned integrity, and his record thus far 
leads his friends to the conclusion that future 
political preferment will be dependent solely upon 
his own inclinations. 



J. H. SIMMONS. The family of which J. 
H. Simmons is a representative is one of the 
earliest to be founded in Oregon, the family 
having come to this state for the purpose of 
making a permanent settlement in 1845. F° r 
nearly sixty years Mr. Simmons has been iden- 
fied with the Willamette valley, and during that 
long period has been a witness of the various 
and romantic steps in the development of the 
country from a wilderness to one of the most 
attractive places of residence in the entire Amer- 
ican commonwealth. 

Mr. Simmons was born in Wayne county, 
Ind., August 12, 1842, and is a son of Samuel 
and Mahala (Bunch) Simmons. His father was 
born in Randolph county, Ind., in the year 
1807, and was reared to an agricultural life. 
During the early years of his married life he 
moved to Michigan with his family, where they 
remained until 1836. The following nine years 
were spent in the states of Illinois, Iowa, Mis- 
souri and Kansas. In the latter state their home 
was at Leavenworth. In the spring of 1845 
they joined a wagon train bound for Oregon. 
After a journey consuming about six months 
they arrived at their destination, reaching the 
site of the city of Portland on Christmas day. 
They had experienced no serious troubles with 
the Indians en route, but were nearly starved at 
one time before they could reach a point where 
thev could replenish their depleted supplies. Mr. 
Simmons took his family to Washington county, 
remaining for a time at Forest Grove, but soon 
removed to what is now known as South Prairie, 



68 



144:2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



near Mathieu's Ferry. In the spring of 1846 
the elder Simmons traded a yoke of oxen for the 
title to six hundred and forty acres of rich land 
on Howell's Prairie, in Marion county, two hun- 
dred acres of which constituted a portion of the 
historic Laroque farm. At that time there were 
but four other families living in that vicinity. 
Mr. Simmons and his wife continued to reside 
on their farm until a few years before their 
death, when they removed to Portland, from 
which city they eventually returned to their orig- 
inal home. There Mr. Simmons passed away at 
the age of eighty-two years. His wife's death 
occurred soon after, at the age of eighty-one 
years. Mr. Simmons always took a deep interest 
in politics as a stanch Republican ; and he was 
also identified with all worthy educational and 
religious movements. 

Of the children born to this estimable pioneer 
couple, the four eldest are deceased, namely : 
William, Asa, Daniel and Mahala. Those sur- 
viving are : Elizabeth, wife of Eugene Shannon ; 
J. H., of this review ; and Sylvester C, of Port- 
land. 

J. H. Simmons spent the years of his child- 
hood on his father's farm, attending the district 
school in the winter season and assisting in the 
work on the farm during the summer. At the 
age of nineteen years he embarked upon an inde- 
pendent career, having a confidence in his own 
ability, which the success of past years has fully 
justified. Going to California in 1850, he en- 
gaged at once in mining, carrying with him to 
Oregon the fruits of eight years' hard labor. In 
i860 he purchased with this money a farm of 
two hundred and forty acres, upon which he has 
since resided. He has eighty acres under culti- 
vation, with one hundred and sixty acres one 
and a quarter miles north of Mount Angel, on 
the Mount Angel and Woodburn road. Upon 
his farm Mr. Simmons has put the most modern 
improvements, having a neat residence and good 
buildings of all kinds. He is at present engaged 
in general farming and stock-raising, his farm 
being stocked with a high class of animals. 

Mr. Simmons' marriage united him with Mary 
Jane Hall, a native of New York state, who 
crossed the plains with her parents in 1850. They 
have been the parents of ten children, named in 
the order of their birth as follows : Elizabeth, 
wife of M. Settlemier, of Mount Angel; J. D., 
residing near Monitor, Marion county; Grover, 
who lives on Howell's Prairie ; William, of Port- 
land ; L. D., of Sacramento; Redford and Fred- 
erick, both of Portland ; Davis, who was killed 
in Tunnel No. 6 ; Ida, wife of Joseph Mack, who 
resides near Marquam ; and Ola, wife of A. 
Johnson, of Howell's Prairie. Mrs. Simmons 
died in 1884, an d Mr. Simmons was afterward 
married to Mary A, Holmes, a native of In- 
diana, 



Mr. Simmons is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, with which he has been 
identified for thirty-five years. His record is 
that of a substantial, useful and honorable citi- 
zen. He does not belong to that class of men 
who place obstacles in the way of beneficial 
movements, but on the contrary does all in his 
power to advance the highest interests of his 
locality and of the county. 



NORMAN L. LEE, M. D. Now a leading 
physician of Junction City, Lane county, Ore., 
Norman L. Lee came to Oregon as a boy of ten 
years, having been born near Mount Vernon, 111., 
March 29, 1837, while his parents were en route 
for a settlement in Iowa. He was the third child 
of five sons and six daughters born to his par- 
ents, Philester Lee, a native of Ontario, N. Y., 
and Eliza Ann (Burge) Lee, also of that state. 
The family is one of splendid ancestry, on the 
paternal side, three brothers of the name having 
come from the land across the water in the mid- 
dle of the seventeenth century, one finding a 
habitation in New England, another in the south 
and the other in the west. Josephus Lee, the 
paternal grandfather, was born in Connecticut, 
where as a cooper he earned his livelihood. As 
a patriot he served valiantly in the war of 1812. 
When he was about eighty-eight years of age 
he crossed the plains after the death of his wife, 
and became an inmate of his son's home in Salem, 
Ore., where he died past the ninety-first year of 
his age. His son, Philester Lee, the father of 
Dr. Lee, settled in Ohio, from which state he 
emigrated in 1837 to Iowa, locating near Keo- 
sauqua, Van Buren county, and later became a 
resident of Wapello county, engaging in farm- 
ing. In 1847 ne brought his family across the 
plains with ox-teams, six months of the year 
being occupied in the trip, and after settling 
them in Portland he went to the California mines 
at the first report of the discovery of gold. When 
he returned in 1849 ft was with a reward for his 
earnest and persevering effort, and with the pro- 
ceeds of the year's work he opened up a general 
merchandise business in Salem, Ore., which after 
one year he sold and took up a donation claim 
of six hundred and forty acres near the present 
site of Sodaville, Linn county, and remained in 
that neighborhood for the balance of his life, 
with the exception of only a few years. His 
death occurred at the age of eighty-four years, at 
the home of Dr. Lee in Junction City. The 
mother was the daughter of John Burge, a na- 
tive of New York, and the representative of a 
Knickerbocker family. He learned the trade of 
blacksmith, but spent some of his early life as 
a teacher. In 1850 he crossed the plains from 
Iowa, to which state he had previously journeyed 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1443 



from his homo in New York, and on his arrival 
in Oregon located on a donation claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres near Sodaville, Linn 
county, where his death occurred. 

Norman L. Lee was educated primarily in the 
common schools of Oregon, and at the close of 
his school days he learned the trade of a carpen- 
ter and continued steadily in this work until he 
was thirty years old. In 1867 he began the study 
of medicine under the tutelage of Dr. George 
Odell, of Lebanon, Ore., and in 1870 he entered 
the medical department of Willamette Univer- 
sity and was graduated the following year with 
the degree of M. D. Entering at once upon 
general practice in Junction City, Dr. Lee has 
made a notable success of his work since making 
this his home, and has taken a leading interest 
in all movements pertaining to the general wel- 
fare of the city. He owns a farm of two hun- 
dred and fifty acres nine miles west of the city, 
which is partly improved. He also owns property 
in Junction City where he makes his home. As 
a Republican in politics he finds time to aid the 
advancement of the principles which he endorses, 
having served as postmaster of Junction City 
during Harrison's administration, and as a mem- 
ber of the city council and a school director he 
has faithfully served the public for many years. 
Dr. Lee was married in 1867 in Linn county, 
to Miss Amanda M. Griggs, who was born in 
Illinois, the daughter of A. B. Griggs, also a 
native of that state. In 1850 he crossed the 
plains to Oregon, taking up a donation claim. 
of six > hundred and forty acres near Albany, 
Linn county, where he engaged as a farmer until 
his death in April, 1903, at the age of seventy- 
seven years. The following children have blessed 
the union of the doctor and Mrs. Lee : Ernest U., 
county clerk of Lane county, located at Eu- 
gene: Claude D., a druggist at Eugene: Anna, 
the wife of Fred Fortmiller. of Portland, Ore. ; 
Bret W., attending high school at Eugene; Clare 
A., at home : Abigail and Maud, both of whom 
died in infancy. One worthy act of Dr. Lee 
which should not be passed over in a resume of 
his life was his enlistment in 1863 in Company 
F, First Oregon Infantry, serving in the com- 
missary department for nineteen months, prin- 
cipally east of the mountains. He was mustered 
out at Ft. Vancouver in 1865. 



WILSON T. LEWIS. As a meat dealer 
Wilson T. Lewis has experienced several years 
of success in Buena Vista, Polk county, and 
Junction City. Lane county, where he is now 
located. He is an excellent business man, and 
his efforts have resulted in good to the com- 
munities in which he has lived, his conscien- 
tious and painstaking methods not onlv winnine. 



but keeping, a large and appreciative patronage. 
Mr. Lewis comes of good old southern patriotic 
stock, his parents, John and Mary (Turner) 
Lewis, and his paternal grandfather, William, 
having been born in Kentucky. The grandfather 
was a soldier in the war of 181 2, and about 1840 
removed with his family to Platte county, Mo., 
where he bought a large farm, and continued to 
live until his emigration to Oregon in 1853. He 
outfitted with ox-teams and prairie schooners, 
and his journey was comparatively free from 
the distressing incidents which marred the prog- 
ress of earlier travelers. Locating on a claim 
of three hundred and twenty acres near Inde- 
pendence, Polk county, he removed to Benton 
county, Ore., in 1870, and died on his farm near 
Monroe in his eighty-seventh year. 

John Lewis took up a claim of three hundred 
and twenty acres, near Independence, Polk coun- 
ty, and in 1870 removed to a farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres in Jackson county, at pres- 
ent making his home on a little place near Med- 
ford, where he is engaged in the nursery busi- 
ness. Though eighty-seven years old May 16, 
1903, he is still hale and hearty, and takes as 
keen an interest in the products of the soil as 
he did in the days of his young and vigorous 
manhood. His father-in-law, Thomas Turner, 
was born in Kentucky, and at an early day re- 
moved to Indiana, where his death occurred in 
1835. Mrs. Lewis, who also is living, is the 
mother of nine children, five of whom are sons, 
Wilson T. being the oldest. The children were 
all educated in the public schools, and all were 
taught the necessity and dignity of self mainte- 
nance as soon as their powers were sufficiently 
developed. Wilson T., as the oldest son, left 
home in 1864, and engaged in the butcher busi- 
ness at Buena Vista, in 1873 removing his busi- 
ness to Junction City, and continuing there 
until disposing of his shop in 1902. Inspired by 
former success he re-engaged in business in July. 
1903, the loss of his shop leaving him practically 
no occupation, a state of affairs not particularly 
pleasing to so active and capable a business 
man. 

Since coming to Junction City, Mr. Lewis has 
added to its architectural and homelike appear- 
ance by erecting a comfortable and commodious 
residence, which is presided over by his wife, 
formerly Cecelia Florence, who was born seven 
miles northeast of Portland, and who is the 
mother of one daughter. Leah, now the wife of 
R. H. Skaggs, a stationary engineer living with 
the Lewis family. Mr. Lewis is fraternally 
prominent, and is identified with Eugene Lodge 
No. 11, A. F. & A. M.. of Eugene. He is a 
Democrat in political affiliation, and has served 
as councilman for a couple of terms. Mr. Lewis 
is thoroughly honorable in all of his dealings, 



1444 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and he takes a keen interest in all enterprises 
which have for their object the betterment of 
the community. 



GEORGE O. KNOWLES. The genial and 
successful manager of the Meyer & Keyles gen- 
eral merchandise store is one of the very capa- 
ble and promising business men of Mapleton, 
and one of the many sons of Minnesota who owe 
their start in life to the inspiring surroundings 
of a prosperous northwestern community. Born 
in Rice county, Minn., September 27, 1865, he 
comes of an old New Hampshire family, in 
which state his parents, Ebenezer C. and Lu- 
cinda (Atwood) Knowles, were born, reared 
and married. The parents removed from New 
Hampshire to Rice county, Minn., in 1855, locat- 
ing at Hastings, where the father worked at his 
trade as carpenter, but afterward turned his 
attention to general farming near Northfield, 
Minn. For thirty years his intrepid honesty 
and practical industry redounded to the credit of 
the neighborhood and during that time he was 
elected to the state legislature on the Repub- 
lican ticket, representing in an interested and 
helpful manner, those who had placed their con- 
fidence in him. In 1885 he sold his farm and 
came to Mapleton, Ore., arriving October 8, 
and at once purchasing some land near the town, 
where he farmed in a small way up to the time 
of his death, January 12, 1902, at the age of 
eighty-two years. His wife, who was born in 
1822, is still living in Mapleton and she is the 
mother of eight children, the order of their birth 
being as follows: John, a resident of Cotton- 
wood county, Minn. ; Albert P.. of Mapleton ; 
Frank ; Cora E., wife of W. H. Weatherson, of 
Florence, Ore. Four of the children are de- 
ceased. The elder Knowles was well known fra- 
ternally, and for more than forty years had 
been connected with the Blue Lodge, A. F. & 
A. M. 

His father's success permitted of more than 
the average educational opportunities for his 
son, George O., who passed from the public 
schools of Rice county, Minn., to Carleton Col- 
lege, which he attended two terms. Six months 
were spent at the State University at Eugene, 
and he afterward attended the Pacific Business 
College at San Francisco, remaining there five 
months. His first business experience was ac- 
quired in a mercantile business at Seaton, where 
he devoted seven years to this enterprise. For 
three years he tempted fortune in the mines 
of the Bohemia district, and was more fortunate 
than many, and at present not only owns three 
claims there, but is possessor of a general mer- 
chandise store netting a handsome yearly in- 
come. 



August 4, 1902, Mr. Knowles was united in 
marriage with Lenora B. Casterline, who was 
born in Minnesota in 1879, an< ^ came to Oregon 
in 1887, where she was reared and educated. 
Mr. Knowles is a Democrat in political affilia- 
tion. Fraternally he is associated with the Flor- 
ence Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he is pres- 
ent worshipful master ; and the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows. 



THOMAS A. MILLIORN. An unusually 
active and adventurous life has been that of 
Thomas A. Milliorn, now one of the oldest citi- 
zens of Junction City, which is built upon a part 
of the land which formed his donation claim, 
taken up in 1853, and where for many years his 
activities have been given for the advancement 
of the welfare of the city and community. An 
evidence of the prosperity which has followed 
the efforts of Mr. Milliorn since coming to Ore- 
gon lies in the property which he has accumulat- 
ed, he having built the finest residence in the city, 
is a stockholder and director and one of the in- 
corporators of the Farmers & Merchants Bank, 
owns twenty acres adjoining the town and one 
hundred and six included in a farm located upon 
the banks of the Willamette river. 

Mr. Milliorn was born in Campbell county, 
Va., August 18, 1828, the son of John, also a 
native of that state and the grandson of Henry. 
Henry Milliorn was born in Pennsylvania and 
later in life he wended his way toward the south- 
ern states, settling first in Virginia, and in 1833 
locating in Philadelphia, Tenn., where he died 
when about ninety-six years old. John Milliorn 
located with his father in East Tennessee, and 
later located in Philadelphia, thirty miles below 
Knoxville, Tenn. He was a wheelwright by 
trade and followed this work until 1843, when he 
removed to Jackson county, Mo., and located 
fourteen miles southwest of Independence in the 
neighborhood of Hart Grove. That remained his 
home for nine years, when he outfitted with ox- 
teams and crossed the plains to Oregon, on his 
arrival locating on a donation claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres one mile west of Junc- 
tion City, Lane county. The last days of his life 
were spent in the city which he saw spring into 
existence in the wilderness, where he lived re- 
tired until his death in March, 1891, lacking but 
two months of being eighty-six years old. He 
was a public-spirited man and never shirked his 
duty, serving the public in various ways, among 
them being county commissioner of Lane county. 
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church South. He married Mary W. Lee, who 
was born near Lynchburg, Va., in 181 1, and who 
died in Lane county, Ore., in 1886. She was 
the daughter of Shelley Lee, also a native of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1445 



Virginia, a member of one of the branches of the 
honored Lee family famous in the history of the 
Southern Confederacy. On attaining manhood 
Shelley Lee removed to eastern Tennessee, later 
to Indiana, again to Tennessee, then to Missouri, 
and back again to the southern state, where his 
death occurred at the advanced age of ninety- 
nine years, having all his life been engaged in 
tanning. 

Of the four sons and six daughters born to 
John and Alary W. Milliorn the second child 
and the oldest son was Thomas A. Milliorn, and 
in the common schools of Missouri and an acad- 
emy he received his education. At eighteen years 
of age he engaged at the trade of a wheelwright 
in Kansas City, and built the wagon in which he 
traveled to the mines of California in 1849, oxen 
being. the mode of conveyance. The journey 
was accomplished safely, though not without the 
harrowing experiences which invariably accom- 
panied the pioneers in their travels. On arriv- 
ing in California Mr. Milliorn engaged first in 
mining and later conducted a pack train from 
Colusa to Trinity. This he continued for two 
years, and in 1852 he came to Oregon, and lo- 
cated the claim of his father and built the cabin 
for him. Following this he became the owner 
of the claim which constituted the land upon 
which Junction City was afterward laid out. He 
later sold ninety acres to Ben Holladay, and much 
of the remainder was laid out into town lots, 
though for some time he engaged in general farm- 
ing and stock-raising. After laying out the first 
addition of the city he followed this with another, 
with C. W. Washburne to help him, now known 
as the Milliorn & Washburne Addition. Always 
public-spirited, as was his father, Mr. Milliorn 
has done everything possible to advance the in- 
terests of the city, giving both time and means 
to its upbuilding. He donated land for the mills 
and a half of the school block is the gift of his 
generosity. As a Democrat he has served his 
party in various offices, among them being school 
director for one term and notary public for six 
years. 

During the Rogue River war Mr. Milliorn 
was with the quartermaster department, hauling 
supplies to the soldiers in the south. This was 
continued for four or five months, and in all this 
time he never met with any trouble from the In- 
dians, it having been his happy faculty to mingle 
with them without having to fight them. In 
1862 he went, in company with his brother-in- 
law, E. W. Rhea, to British Columbia with 
cattle, continuing from May until November, and 
the following year, with his brother James, took 
forty pack animals over the same road with pro- 
visions, a distance of fourteen hundred miles. In 
1864-65 he went with another brother-in-law 
with a pack train to Boise Basin, Idaho, and in 



1884 went with eighteen men to the Coeur d Alene 
mines in a skiff. Not satisfied with his share in 
the dangerous expeditions in the western states 
he was eager to try his fortunes in the Klondike, 
and was only dissuaded on account of his ad- 
vancing age, which might impair his activity in 
that cold, northern land, though he is still a very 
active and energetic man, even at the age of 
seventy-five years. 

The marriage of Mr. Milliorn occurred four 
miles east of Eugene, Lane county, in 1863, an ^ 
united him with Eliza K. Awbrey, who was born 
near Grand. river, Daviess county, Mo., and died 
in January, 1877. She was the daughter of 
Thomas Awbrey, who, from his native place 
in Virginia removed to Indiana and later to Mis- 
souri, from which latter state he crossed the 
plains to Oregon in 1850. On his arrival he lo- 
cated near Eugene, Lane county, taking up a 
donation claim of six hundred and forty acres. 
His death occurred in Junction City. Of the 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Milliorn, Nina 
Ann is the wife of D. C. Gore, of Springfield; 
one died in infancy and the remaining are Cora 
Lee; Frank B., and James R., deceased. Mr. 
Milliorn married a second time in 1878, Mary L. 
Hill, of Iowa, becoming his wife. She was the 
daughter of William Hill, who came from Iowa 
to California and to Oregon in 1864. He later 
returned to California, where his death occurred 
in 1885. The two children of the second mar- 
riage are Effie Gertrude and Merle H., both of 
whom are at home. In addition to the property 
before mentioned, Mr. Milliorn owns town lots, 
and also a timber claim of one hundred and sixty 
acres, located in township 15, southwest quar- 
ter, section 20, and range 6 west, and containing 
nine million feet of lumber. In his fraternal re- 
lations he is a member of Eugene Lodge No. 
11, A. F. & A. M., and the Royal Arch Chapter 
at Corvallis, Ore. 



JOHN WESLEY STARR. Until January 
1, 1903, one of the foremost business men of 
Junction City, Lane county, where he had been 
engaged in a general hardware establishment 
since 1873, John Wesley Starr now makes his 
home in that city, retired from the active duties 
of life. He has built a comfortable residence 
there and also owns the brick building in which 
his business was located, and now feels finan- 
cially able to take the rest earned by his useful 
life of eighty-two years. 

The Starr family came originally from Mary- 
land, where the grandfather. James Starr, was 
born. He died in 1822 in Belmont county, Ohio, 
whither he had removed about the year 1800. 
The father, also John Wesley Starr,' was born 
in Allegany county, Md., April 22, 1794, and 



144:6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



with his parents he became a resident of Ohio, 
crossing the Alleghany mountains in wagons. In 
1835 he emigrated to Iowa, which movement 
was followed up with the journey across the 
plains, which was made in 1848 with ox-teams. 
He first located in Benton county, Ore., taking 
up a donation claim of six hundred and forty 
acres west of Monroe, and there his death oc- 
curred January 17, 1869, when nearly seventy- 
five years old. He was a faithful and earnest 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
in his own locality taught the word of God. His 
wife was formerly Hanna McWilliams, who 
was born in County Down, Ireland, July 9, 
1790, and at the age of four years accompanied 
her parents to the United States. Her father, 
George McWilliams, was born in the north of 
Ireland, and in 1794 located in Washington 
county, Ohio, where his death occurred. His 
occupation was that of a tailor. 

Of the five children, four sons and one daugh- 
ter, born to his parents, John Wesley Starr was 
the second son, and was born in Guernsey 
county, Ohio, August 16, 1822. He received his 
education in the common schools of his native 
state, and at the age of fifteen years was ap- 
prenticed to learn the tinner's trade in Bellefon- 
taine, Logan county. In 1842 he went to the 
present location of Keosauqua, Iowa, where his 
father was then living, and two years later he 
began traveling up and down the Mississippi 
river in the prosecution of his trade. A perma- 
nent location was finally selected in 1846, he 
then becoming a resident of Pleasant View, 
Schuyler county, 111., and later removing to 
Rushville in the same county, where he re- 
mained until 1857. In this last named year he 
followed his father's family to Oregon, traveling 
by way of the Isthmus. Upon his arrival in 
this state he located in Monroe, Benton county, 
and at once engaged at his trade. He went to 
Idaho in 1864, and at Boise Basin engaged in 
mining and also followed his trade until 1865, 
when he once more settled in Oregon, locating 
near Monroe on a farm which he operated for 
four years. At the end of that period he opened 
a hardware business in Monroe in connection 
with his trade, and this was continued in 1873 
in Junction City, the general hardware store 
following soon after his settlement in this loca- 
tion. 

Mr. Starr was married in Illinois to Mary 
Grigg, a native of Ohio, she having been born 
there March 28, 1829. She was the daughter 
of Thomas Grigg, who was born in New York 
and came to Ohio, where he married. He was 
a farmer by occupation. In 1839 he removed to 
Schuyler county, 111., where his death occurred. 
Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Starr, Or- 
rin Henry was born in Beardstown, 111., June 26, 



1847, an d now resides in Yoncalla, Ore. ; Philo 
Thomas was born in Schuyler county, 111., Octo- 
ber 22, 1849, an d is now practicing osteopathy 
in Albany, Ore. ; Phillip was born in Schuyler 
county, May 9, 1852, and is now deceased; Jos- 
eph Fletcher was born in Schuyler county, 111., 
August. 19, 1854, and is now practicing oste- 
opathy at Passaic, N. J. ; Hannah Minerva was 
born May 2, 1859, in Benton county, Ore., and 
now lives with her parents ; Charles Wesley was 
born in Benton county, Ore., May 12, 1866, and 
now resides in Eugene, Ore. ; Samuel Oscar 
was born in Benton county, Ore., December 19, 
1870; and one child died in infancy. Mr. Starr 
is a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and Rebekahs, and as a Republican in 
politics has taken a more or less active part in 
the affairs of whatever community he has. made 
his home. In Illinois he served for two years 
as constable and also as postmaster, and in Mon- 
roe he held the latter office for a like term of 
service. For one term he was city recorder of 
Junction City. 



JOHN W. BAKER. A well known con- 
tractor and builder of Lane county, John W. 
Baker is one of the leading men in his line of in- 
dustry in Cottage Grove, and during the past 
decade has been prominently identified with its 
building interests, erecting many of its more im- 
portant residences. He was born January 10, 
1846, near Madisonville, Hopkins county, Ky., 
a son of C. B. Baker. He comes of excellent 
Virginian stock, his paternal grandfather having 
been born and reared in old Virginia, afterwards 
becoming a pioneer of Hopkins county, Ky., 
where he followed farming until his death. 

Born in Kentucky, C. B. Baker spent the 
earlier years of his life in the Blue Grass region, 
being engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1853, 
joining the train of which Capt. James Biles was 
the leader, he came to the northwest by way of 
the Natchez pass, his train being the first to 
cross the Cascade mountains into the Puget 
Sound country and the only train to come 
through the Natchez Pass. Locating in Thurs- 
ton county, Wash., he took up a donation claim 
of six hundred and forty acres lying about six- 
teen miles south of Olympia, and was there suc- 
cessfully engaged in farming and stock-raising 
until his death, in June, 1866, at the age of fifty- 
seven years. He was a man of strong force of 
character and individuality, and was quite influ- 
ential in public affairs, serving as a member of 
the first two territorial legislatures of Washing- 
ton, being elected on the Democratic ticket. He 
married Louisa Berry, who was born, lived and 
died, in Kentucky, her death occurring in early 
womanhood. She was a daughter of Henry 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1447 



Berry, a life-long resident of Kentucky, but fur- 
ther history of her family was lost while crossing 
the plains. She bore her husband three sons and 
two daughters. The daughters died in Ken- 
tucky, but all of the sons became residents of 
Oregon, one of them subsequently dying in Yam- 
hill county, and one, L. H., is principal of the 
Lincoln school, at Salem, Ore., the other being 
John W., the special subject of this brief sketch. 

Crossing the plains with his father in 1853, 
John W. Baker was educated in the district 
schools of "Washington territory, and at the age 
of nineteen years began life for himself as a car- 
penter, going to The Dalles in 1865, and remain- 
ing there a year. Locating at Lafayette, Yam- 
hill county, Ore., in 1866, he worked as a carpen- 
ter and joiner in that vicinity until 1894. Re- 
moving then to Lane county, Mr. Baker has since 
been busily employed at his trade in Cottage 
Grove, by his persistent energy, strict attention 
to business, and honorable dealings with his fel- 
low-men becoming very successful in securing a 
large patronage. Enterprising, with excellent 
business tact and keen judgment, he has won his 
way through life by his own efforts, and in addi- 
tion to other interests holds stock in the Bohemia 
mining district. 

In 1868, in Yamhill county, Mr. Baker married 
Lucretia A. Martin, who was born in Yamhill 
county, August 9, 1850. Her father, Franklin 
Martin, a native of Missouri, was born April 15, 
1827. Crossing the plains with ox-teams in 1846, 
he took up a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres near Lafayette, Yamhill county, Ore., 
and there pursued the peaceful vocation of a 
farmer until his death, in 1882. He was a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church, an earnest worker 
in the temperance cause, and was especially in- 
terested in the establishment of the pioneer 
schools of this state. Of the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Baker nine children have been born, name- 
ly : Cora, wife of W. S. McFarland, a travel- 
ing salesman residing in Cottage Grove ; Ed- 
ward D., a traveling salesman, residing in Port- 
land, Ore. ; Walter L., a ranchman, living near 
Cottage Grove ; Franklin, deceased ; Clair B., a 
freight conductor on the Southern Pacific rail- 
way; Ralph X., a salesman in Knight's shoe 
store, in Portland ; Ella Ruby, Allen B. and Ches- 
ter H. While living in Yamhill county, Mr. 
Baker served as deptuy sheriff in 1874 and 1875, 
and was journal clerk in the state senate in 1876 
and 1878. In 1895, three years after locating in 
Cottage Grove, he was appointed justice of the 
peace, and in April, 1903, was appointed state 
game warden by Gov. George Chamberlain. 
Politically he is a stanch Democrat, and fra- 
ternally he is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Baker is a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church. 



FINGAL HINDS. As is invariably the case 
with adaptive and versatile people, Fingal Hinds 
has not confined his activities to any one groove, 
but has rather reached out and disposed of vari- 
ous opportunities which have come to him. 
Another natural conclusion is that the speculative 
in business endeavor has appealed to him with 
more or less force, as evidenced by a resume of 
his life, and by his present occupation, that of 
dealer in mining properties and real estate at Cot- 
tage Grove. Mr. Hinds comes from financial 
and commercial as well as agricultural stock, and 
his first impressions of life and work were gained 
on a large sized farm in Barren county, Ky., 
where his birth occurred March 20, 1849. 

Hiram Hinds, the father of Fingal, was born 
in Virginia, his family being one of the well 
known and highly honored ones of the Dominion 
state. Not lacking in interest and historical mo- 
ment is the maternal family of Kidd, among the 
remote ancestors of which there looms the pirati- 
cal figure of Captain Kidd, who lived between 
1650 and 1701, and whose gory and picturesque 
maneuvers upon the high seas, transferred to the 
pages of fiction, have caused many a youth, con- 
sumed with the fires of ambition, to bitterly re- 
gret the passing of the good old days of piracy 
and loot and hair-raising escapades. A later and 
more orthodox addition to the family history was 
Capt. G. W. Kidd, who sought for treasure in 
the mines of California rather than in the holds 
of ships, as did his illustrious predecessor, and 
who, because of his change of business tactics 
amassed a large fortune, was well known in all of 
the mining localities of the western state, bore a 
respected name, and was not assisted to his final 
reward by the artificial tactics of a disapproving 
populace. Elvira (Kidd) Hinds was born in 
Tennessee, where she married Mr. Hinds and 
later removed to Barren county, Ky. The family 
fortunes were transferred to California in i860, 
the journey being made across the plains in the 
already well established way, and a halt made in 
Nevada county, where the mines offered fair in- 
ducements to oncoming fortune-seekers. A 
banker by early training, Mr. Hinds soon made 
his financial influence felt in a locality as yet un- 
organized and in need of conservative worth, and 
in time assumed charge of the assay department 
of the Bank of Nevada county, later becoming 
identified in an important capacity with the Bank 
of Stockton. He removed to Fort Townsend, 
Wash., in 1887, and there died at the age of four- 
score years, the possessor to the last of a fine 
character, generous impulses, and many friends 
whose kindly attentions and appreciation had il- 
luminated his worthy and gracious life. 

The seventh child of the six sons and six 
daughters born to his parents, Fingal Hinds re- 
ceived the substantial education accorded all of 



1448 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the children of a prosperous family, his public 
school training being supplemented by a three- 
years course at the Jesuit College at Santa Clara, 
Cal. His father's success placed a waiting op- 
portunity in his way, and he entered the Bank of 
Stockton, first in a minor capacity, but gradually 
worked his way up to the position of bookkeeper, 
and after six years to that of assistant cashier, 
which latter responsibility he maintained for 
three years. From 1877 until 1879 he was con- 
nected as manager and one-third owner with the 
Golden Gate Packet Company, of San Jose, Cal., 
afterward associating himself with a sawmilling 
business at Truckee, Cal. Three years later, in 
1882, he ran a hotel in Fresno for a year, and in 
August, 1883, removed to Tacoma, Wash., where 
he found employment as timekeeper and outside 
manager with the Tacoma Mill Company. Dur- 
ing 1885 he arrived in the Okanogan mining dis- 
trict in eastern Washington ; and in the mean- 
time was joined by his brother, with whom he 
eventually started a wharf business at Fort 
Townsend, Mr. Hinds remaining in the mines 
and the brother superintending the wharf enter- 
prise. 

Notwithstanding the fact that he sank about 
all that he had in the world in the silver mines 
of Washington, and that he arrived in Cottage 
Grove in 1883 with extremely meagre assets, Mr. 
Hinds still continued to place his faith in mining, 
operating chiefly in the Bohemian district. He 
has since dealt extensively in real estate and min- 
ing properties, has access to claims which are 
bound to realize large returns, and by his intelli- 
gent and earnest appreciation of the many resi- 
dence and business advantages of this county, is 
not only maintaining but increasing its deserving 
prestige. Recently he has organized the Glen- 
wood Mining & Milling Company, incorporated 
for $1,000,000, and of which he is superintend- 
ent of mines. Mr. Hinds' personal possessions 
include valuable claims in the Bohemian district, 
valuable town and country property, and part in- 
terests in various enterprises here represented. 
Fraternally, he is a Mason. Through his mar- 
riage with Gussie Manning, a native of Toledo, 
Ohio, one daughter was born to Mr. Hinds, the 
same being now the wife of C. A. Mason, of 
Seattle, Wash. The present Mrs. Hinds was 
formerly Effie Knowlton, born in Cottage Grove, 
and whose father, P. D. Knowlton, an old-time 
miner, is now living retired. Mr. Hinds is ener- 
getic and forceful, quick to see a business advan- 
tage, but invariably scrupulous in all of his deal- 
ings. As a promoter of the mining and agricul- 
tural resources of this county he takes high rank, 
and a continuation of his present success is the 
wish of all who are personally aware of his many 
excellent traits of character. 



GEORGE BRATTAIN. A model general 
farming, stock-raising and dairying enterprise is 
being conducted by George Brattain on the old 
home place located by his father, Jonathan H. 
Brattain, in 1849. 1'he elder Brattain was born 
in the eastern part of the country in 1813, and at 
an early age settled with some of his brothers in 
Iowa. Here he married Ellen Trimble, a native 
daughter of Iowa, and with her settled on an av- 
erage-sized middle-west farm near Fairfield, 
where his son, George, was born April 19, 1843. 
When George was three years old, in 1846, the 
family emigration to Oregon took place, the jour- 
ney being made with ox-teams, and accomplished 
without any particular incident. The first win- 
ter was spent at Whitman's Station, and in the 
summer of 1847 Mr. Brattain arrived at Oregon 
City, where he worked in a saw-mill. A year 
later he came to Linn county, and just across the 
line in Benton county took up a claim, although 
he made his home in Linn county. In the spring 
of 1849 ne > m company with two other men and 
two women, went in a little canoe down to As- 
toria, and from there embarked in a sailing ves- 
sel for California. During the time spent in the 
mines he was fairly successful, and returned to 
the home place richer by several hundred dollars. 
This money was put into a claim the following 
spring, which claim is the one now occupied by 
his son George, and located one and a half miles 
northeast. of Peoria, and twelve miles south of 
Albany. Mr. Brattain was only forty-six years 
old at the time of his death. He became very 
prominent in Linn county, was a member of the 
constitutional convention, and also represented 
the county in the state legislature. In the early 
days he served in both the Black Hawk and Ya- 
kima wars. His wife, who died at the age of 
thirty-three, bore him four children, of whom 
Benjamin resides at Alsea, and Mary and Ed- 
ward are deceased. 

Until his fourteenth year George Brattain 
lived on the farm which is still his home, and 
then ventured forth to make an independent live- 
lihood,, securing the position of cook for a mule 
train at Fort Benton. He also engaged in min- 
ing and prospecting, and for fifteen years made 
his headquarters in that comparatively wild and 
unsettled region. Returning to the home farm 
he assumed the management thereof, and in 1879 
married Margaret Bear, a native of Kansas, who 
proved herself a sympathetic and in many ways 
remarkable woman. Two children, Grant and 
Clarence, are living with their parents. Mr. 
Brattain is a Republican and has filled many 
positions of trust and responsibility in his local- 
ity, and he was at one time treasurer of Baker 
county, Ore. He is prominent and popular in his 
neighborhood, and has the happy faculty of mak- 
ing and retaining friends. An excellent farmer 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1449 



and practical business man, he is making success 
of his life, and is a credit to the thrifty com- 
munity. 



WIXFIELD SCOTT CHRISMAN. As the 
only place of the kind in Cottage Grove, the 
Fashion Stables do not have to contend with 
competition, but it is safe to say that so admir- 
ably sustained an establishment would naturally 
receive a liberal patronage, no matter what its 
competition. W. S. Chrisman and Eli Bangs, 
proprietors of the stables, have a thorough un- 
derstanding of their business, and are in touch 
with the requirements of an exclusive and exact- 
ing, as well as more cosmopolitan trade. They 
have all kinds of turnouts, many fine horses, and 
are also the proprietors of the Cottage Grove and 
Bohemia stage line, carrying the fast freight, 
United States mail and passengers. 

Winfield Scott Chrisman, the senior member 
of the firm, and one of the prominent men of this 
county, was born in Andrew county, Mo., April 
19, 1847, tne fourth child of the six sons and two 
daughters born to his parents. He was four 
years of age when he came with the rest of the 
family to Oregon in 185 1, and his education was 
received in the early subscription school near his 
home, he having to walk a long way through the 
snow and sleet of winter to a little log school- 
house with slab benches and few conveniences. 
The family located first in Linn county, and then 
lived a year in Douglas county, at the end of 
which time they removed to Lane county, in 
1853, and settling on a claim five miles north of 
Cottage Grove, near Walker Station. In 1865 
Mr. Chrisman engaged in farming and stock- 
raising on his own responsibility, four miles west 
of Creswell. having four hundred and twenty 
acres, and this he sold in 1873, purchasing four 
hundred and eighty acres east of Cottage Grove 
on Row river. Stock-raising netted him a sub- 
stantial yearly income until 1878, when, on ac- 
count of his wife's ill health, he located in Eu- 
gene and took up the hack and dray business. 
Three years later, in 1881, he removed to Cottage 
Grove and became interested in a harness busi- 
ness, which he operated for three years, and then 
sold, and, in 1884, he began buying, selling and 
shipping stock. 

In 1890 Mr. Chrisman departed from his 
former occupations and sought to increase his 
hoard among the mines in the Bohemia district, 
and successfully negotiated for the purchase and 
sale of many valuable claims. Three years later 
found him managing the Xew York Racket 
store, of this place, and in 1900 he bought into 
his present livery business, taking as his partner 
Eli Bangs, of Eugene, Ore. Aside from his 
business property, Mr. Chrisman owns valuable 



residence and store property in several parts of 
Cottage Grove, as well as a farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres eleven miles east of the town. 
He has been prominent in political and other 
affairs here, and as a Republican has held about 
all of the offices within the gift of his fellow- 
townsmen, including that of mayor for one term, 
member of the council for several terms, marshal 
for one term, special deputy sheriff for two terms 
or four years, and constable for several terms. 
Fraternally, he is connected with the United 
Artisans. 

In Lane county, Mr. Chrisman married Caro- 
line Boren, who was born in Illinois in December, 
1846, and whose father, C. W. Boren, crossed 
the plains with his family in 1853, locating on a 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres four 
rmles from Cottage Grove. Mr. Boren was fairly 
successful in the west as well as the east, and his 
death occurred while he was on a visit to his old 
home in Illinois. Five children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Chrisman, of whom Wesley is 
on the old farm ; Mattie is the wife of J. W. 
Kirk, of this vicinity ; Clarence Bell and George 
Austin are deceased, and Hattie Lena is the wife 
of T. K. Sears, and is living with her father. 



LEVI GEER. To be well known is to be ap- 
preciated in the case of Levi Geer, for he is one 
of those thoroughly up-to-date and enterprising 
men from whose well directed efforts the prom- 
ises of future greatness in a community become a 
fulfillment. Not content with anything but the 
highest positions, it is a natural sequence that 
he is an addition to any society. He has made 
his business energy and judgment contribute to 
the advancement of all upbuilding enterprises, 
having made of his own life a financial success, 
ardently desiring to see his adopted state and 
community profit by his efforts. He now owns 
nine hundred and fifty acres of land, the im- 
provements of which have been the result of his 
own efforts. In 1902 he built a modern hotel on 
his farm, for the use of the patrons of his springs, 
known as the Oregon Mineral Springs, which 
are widely appreciated for their medicinal prop- 
erties. In the equipment of his property he has 
spared neither time nor expense, and the swim- 
ming pool, shower bath, and other conveniences 
attract many to this pleasant retreat. 

The springs are highly spoken of by all who 
have tested their curative properties. Physicians 
who have analyzed the water are a unit in their 
decision that it is one of the most wonderful 
springs in this country. Located in a narrow 
valley on the coast fork of the Willamette, the 
scenery is as attractive as any on the coast, and 
all who have paid the place a visit are anxious to 
go the second time. Mr. Geer has spent a great 



1450 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



many hundred dollars in making the improve- 
ments, and it is safe to say that when the people 
of Oregon and surrounding states fully realize 
what a benefit is to be derived from the waters of 
the springs, they will make it one of the most 
celebrated health resorts in the Pacific northwest. 
By the positive cures which have been effected it 
has been proved beyond any doubt that the use of 
the waters will cure ninety per cent of such 
diseases as stomach and kidney troubles and 
blood troubles of all kinds. Several leading phy- 
sicians have said it was the greatest blood purifier 
known to the profession. The springs are within 
easy reach, as from Cottage Grove to the hotel 
is only twelve miles, the road running along the 
river bank most of the distance, and is in fine 
condition, so that the stage ride is one that can 
be greatly enjoyed. 

Levi Geer was born in Carroll county, 111., 
May 6, 1856, and is the son of Samuel Geer, now 
one of the prominent men of Lane county. Sam- 
uel Geer was born in 181 7, and on attaining man- 
hood followed the vocation of a farmer. He 
married Nancy Hill in Illinois. In 1864 they 
started across the plains by horse and mule 
teams, during the. six-months journey experienc- 
ing several serious encounters with the Indians, 
at one time having some of their mules stolen by 
the savages. Upon their arrival in Oregon the 
father came direct to Lane county, and there pur- 
chased three hundred and twenty acres located 
twelve miles south of Cottage Grove, where they 
lived until 1881. They then located in Idaho, 
where the father followed farming and stock- 
raising until 1899, when he returned to Lane 
county. He is now making his home with his 
son, Levi Geer, his wife having died in Idaho in 
1897. Soon after settling in Lane county for the 
first time, Samuel Geer erected a grist-mill upon 
the present site of London, the motive power be- 
ing water, which turned the machinery by an 
overshot wheel thirty-two feet in diameter. 
About 1870 he became interested in the construc- 
tion of a grist-mill at Cottage Grove, and later 
built one in Cornwall, Idaho. The greater part 
of his life in the west has been devoted to this 
work. He is now eighty-six years old, and is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Politically, he is a stanch Republican. 

The greater part of the life of Levi Geer has 
been passed in Oregon, for he was but eight 
years old when he crossed the plains with his 
parents. He received his education in the dis- 
trict school and remained at home with his par- 
ents until he married. About 1880 he moved to 
Idaho, where he lived about ten years. Return- 
ing to Lane county, he bought the old home place 
at London, and has since increased the number 
of acres to nine hundred and fifty, upon which 
he is engaged in general farming and stock-rais- 



ing. Like his father, he also engaged in milling, 
his business now being known as the London 
Timber & Milling Company, in the promotion of 
which he was one of the principals. He engaged 
in the mercantile business in London in 1892, in 
partnership with John Sutherland, the firm name 
being Sutherland & Geer, a substantial building 
for the business being erected by Mr. Geer. 

The first marriage of Mr. Geer united him 
with Miss Elizabeth Rodgers, a native of Lane 
county, Ore., and the one child born to them, 
Clara May, is now the wife of G. L. Moxley, lo- 
cated in the vicinity of London. After the death 
of his first wife he married Rosa Maude Powell, 
also a native of Oregon, and their two children 
are Joseph and Robert, both of whom are at 
home. In politics Mr. Geer is independent in his 
views, giving his vote to the man whom he con- 
siders best qualified for the position. He is a 
member of the Grange and the Christian Church. 



ALEXANDER H. POWELL. That farm- 
ing in Oregon may be pursued with financial sat- 
isfaction by those who have the combined gifts 
of industry and thrift, has been demonstrated in 
the career of Alexander H. Powell, one of the 
prominent agriculturists living near Cottage 
Grove, and owner of a four hundred and sixty 
acre farm. Ever since 1878 Mr. Powell has been 
a familiar figure in this neighborhood, his work 
in the field around his home, his team and 
wagon upon the public highway, and his well 
known and kindly face lighted with interest and 
animation in his pew in the Christian Church, 
have become a part of the life in a community 
noted for its progress, enlightenment and suc- 
cessful enterprises. By no means self-centered, 
Mr. Powell has taken an active interest in educa- 
tional work, has promoted good roads and social 
diversions, and besides filling a number of local 
political offices, has given his support for many 
years to the Grange. 

From Mason county, 111., where he was born 
on his father's farm, December 8, 1834, Mr. 
Powell came to Oregon in 185 1 as a young man 
just beginning to realize the possibilities of life, 
and here, as in Illinois, he lived on a farm, de- 
veloping strength of mind and body in the har- 
vest field. As was the case with most boys of his 
age, he welcomed the diversions that circum- 
stances offered, even the Yakima war, to which 
the settlers were driven because of their inability 
to keep stock or dwell in peace in the unsettled 
country. In 1856 he enlisted in Company D, un- 
der Captain Suttler, and during his three months 
of service he had a chance to study the methods 
of the red men, as compared with those of the 
enlightened whites. 

Returning to Linn county Mr. Powell bought 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1451 



a farm in partnership with his brother, James 
Henry Powell, and in 1864 married Alary Ann 
McKnight, who was horn in Iowa and crossed 
the plains in 1860. Not entirely satisfied with 
his farm, Mr. Powell disposed of it in 1878 and 
bought his present farm, eight miles south of 
Lottage Grove, comprising a part of the old Wil- 
son donation claim. The improvements are all 
due to his enterprise and progressiveness, his 
dwelling, barns and outhouses being both com- 
fortable and modern. Five children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Powell, of whom Sarah 
M., the oldest daughter, is the wife of Lincoln 
Taylor and lives in Cottage Grove; Alfred occu- 
pies a part of the home place ; Clarinda B. mar- 
ried Henry Taylor and lives in Washington ; 
Winona F. became the wife of Alexander Small, 
and lives in the vicinity of London, and Lester 
W. is a telegraph operator on the Southern 
Pacific at Turner. Mr. Powell is one of the sub- 
stantial men of Lane county, and his moderate 
and painstaking life may well serve as an ex- 
ample in this age of progress to the rising gener- 
ation that are to carry out the lifework of the 
pioneer settlers. 



EUGENE P. WAITE. Following close upon 
a milling experience of many years, Eugene P. 
Waite purchased his present farm of one hun- 
dred and fifty-six acres in March, 1901, and has 
already established himself among the progres- 
sive and successful tillers of the soil and raisers 
of stock in Lane county. Born in Vernon county, 
Wis., December 17, 1852, he comes of an old 
Green Mountain state family, his father having 
been born in Windham count}', Yt., December 
8. 1827. His mother, Olive (Parker) Waite, 
was a native of the same place, and born Oc- 
tober 13, 1827. Married in Vermont, the par- 
ents removed to Vernon county, Wis., in 1852, 
where the father farmed and logged for many 
years, establishing a name for himself as a 
competent farmer and business man. With his 
family he came to Lane county in 1889, took up 
his abode at Acme, in the Siuslaw valley, and 
turned his attention to milling and logging, the 
large possibilities of which he has since demon- 
strated to his entire satisfaction. Aside from 
Eugene, who is the oldest of the children, there 
is Mary, the wife of C. C. Cushman. of Acme : 
Arabel, the wife of H. J. Webb, of Santa Rosa. 
Cal. ; and Anderson, living in Lowell, Mass. 

Educated in the public schools of Monroe 
county. Wis.. Eugene Waite was reared to farm- 
ing and logging, and in 1878 married Addie Bor- 
ing, who was born in Monroe county, Wis.. Au- 
gust 16, 1859. Three children have been born 
of this union, of whom Mary is the wife of 
George Chamberlain, of Talent, Ore., while War- 



ner and Wayne are living with their parents. 
Mr. Waite was thirty-seven years of age when he 
came to Eugene, and he was well equipped with 
business experience, possessing also great faith 
in the future of his adopted locality, the inter- 
ests of which he at once espoused. From his 
twenty-fifth year he began to mill on his own 
responsibility, and finally became identified with 
the old Siuslaw Milling Company, which failed 
in 1899. Thereafter he continued in the mill 
until 1 901, and then purchased his present home, 
to the improvement of which he intends devoting 
his future. Mr. Waite is not officially inclined, 
although he is a stanch supporter of the Repub- 
lican party. The friend of education, he has 
served several years as a member of the school 
board, a part of that time as school clerk. Mr. 
Waite has the confidence of the community in 
which he lives, and where he is esteemed for his 
business sagacity, his good name, and his loyalty 
to friends and interests. 



JAMES A. McLEOD. At present one of the 
business men of Acme, and interested in the de- 
velopment of his thriving little town, James A. 
McLeod has spent many years in logging and 
farming in the northwest, and has familiarized 
himself with its multitudinous resources. Deriv- 
ing from a remotely traced Scottish ancestry the 
substantial traits of the land of health, plain 
living, and high thinking, he was born in Vaughn 
township, York county, eleven miles from To- 
ronto, Canada, February 21, 1850, and was there 
educated in the common schools and reared on 
a farm. His father, James McLeod, the one who 
founded the family in Canada, was born in Elgin, 
Morayshire, one hundred and eighteen miles 
from Edinburgh, on the Lossie, Scotland, March 
2, 1809, and came to America at an early day. 
He married Sarah Fisher, a native daughter of 
Canada, and who was born in 1818. The parents 
died in Canada, March 2, 1901, and 1890 respect- 
ive!}', after rearing a family of seven children, 
of whom James A. is the fifth. 

Leaving his Canadian home in 1871, James 
A. McLeod went to Bay City, Mich., and en- 
gaged in logging for about three years, and, hav- 
ing become familiar with the occupation, trans- 
ferred his opportunities to the Pacific coast in 
1875, locating on Puget Sound in Washington 
for a couple of years. In 1877 he went to the 
logging camps along the Umpqua, and in 1879 
came to the Siuslaw river and took up a donation 
claim of one hundred and fifty-three acres five 
miles east of Acme. Having few improvements 
at the time, he set to work to till and clear his 
land, and made of it a valuable and paying prop- 
erty. In addition to general farming and some 
stock-raising he realized quite an income from 



1452 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fishing every fall, and also to an extent engaged 
in lumbering. He is also county scaler for the 
four saw-mills on the Siuslaw river. Leaving 
his farm in 1901, he came to Acme, and is now 
one of the reliable business men of this place, 
taking an interest in its social and general affairs, 
and contributing of his time and means when- 
ever a demand is made upon his resources. He 
still owns two hundred and eighty-five acres of 
land in the Siuslaw valley. 

A Republican in political affiliation, Mr. Mc- 
Leod has served as school director and road sup- 
ervisor, and he is fraternally connected with the 
Masons of Florence. More than ordinary in- 
terest attaches to the marriage ceremony which 
united Mr. McLeod and Mary E. Hadsell, in 
1882, for the couple were the first white people 
to be married on the Siuslaw river, and the first 
to go to housekeeping in other than an Indian 
wigwam. Mrs. McLeod was born in Linn county, 
Kans., February 16, 1863, and came to Oregon 
with her parents in 1875. Three children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. McLeod, Archie, 
May B., and Jennie V. 



JAMES HEMENWAY. Among Lane 
county's substantial and enterprising business 
men, whose names are scattered throughout the 
pages of this volume, no one is more worthy of 
mention that James Hemenway, who, as a mem- 
ber of the Garman & Hemenway Company, is 
carrying on an extensive and lucrative mercan- 
tile business at Cottage Grove. A native of On- 
tario, Canada, he was born July 3, 1854, at 
Bishop's Mill, Grenville county, which was like- 
wise the birthplace of his father, William Hem- 
enway. He comes of English ancestry, his im- 
migrant ancestor having come from Yorkshire, 
England, to Massachusetts, in 1632, settling in 
Framingham with his four children, two sons 
and two daughters. His descendants lived in 
Massachusetts for many generations, and many 
of them attained prominence in literary circles. 
One of his descendants, Samuel Hemenway, 
great grandfather of James, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war. He subsequently removed 
to New Hampshire from Framingham, thence to 
Vermont, settling on Lake Champlain, where 
he spent his remaining years. His son, Almond, 
was next in line of descent. Almond Hemen- 
way was born and educated in Framingham, 
Mass., and afterwards lived in New Hampshire 
and Vermont. After the death of his father he 
removed to Grenville county, Ontario, settling 
at Bishop's Mills, where he was for many years 
one of the leading builders and contractors. He 
married after going there, and in that town reared 
his children. William Hemenway lived in his 
native town until after his marriage. In 1854 



he came to the United States, locating in Dane 
county, Wis., at Black Earth, where he was em- 
ployed as a tiller of the soil until 1870. Remov- 
ing in that year to Ottawa county, Kans., he 
purchased three hundred and twenty acres of 
land in Minneapolis, and for twenty years was 
numbered among the extensive and prosperous 
farmers and stock-raisers of that locality. Com- 
ing to Oregon in 1890, he located at Cottage 
Grove, where he is now living retired from ac- 
tive pursuits, having faithfully performed his 
share of labor during his seventy-one years of 
earthly existence. He married Katherine Mc- 
Cord, who was born in county Derry, Ireland, 
of Scotch ancestors. Her father, James McCord, 
was born in Scotland, but as a young man had 
charge of a lord's estate in Ireland. Emigrating 
from there to Canada, he settled at Bishop's 
Mills, where he became a large landholder, and a 
citizen of prominence, living there until his 
death, at the age of four-score years. He was 
a Presbyterian in religion, and an active member 
of the church. 

The oldest of a family of six children, of 
whom three sons are living, James Hemenway 
was educated in the common schools of Wiscon- 
sin and Kansas. Engaging in agricultural pur- 
suits as a young man, he carried on farming and 
stock-raising in Ottawa county, Kans., until 
1888. Emigrating then to Oregon, Mr. Hemen- 
way opened a livery, sale and feed stable at Cot- 
tage Grove, and managed it successfully the 
ensuing ten years, building up a large and profit- 
able patronage. In 1898 he embarked in the 
real estate, insurance and brokerage business, 
continuing for a year. In 1899, he and his son, 
W. A. Hemenway formed a partnership with 
W. D. Garman, and established a mercantile 
business at Cottage Grove under the name of 
the Garman-Hemenway Company, which was in- 
corporated with a capital of $20,000. Meeting 
with almost unprecedented success in its venture, 
this firm has now one of the best-stocked de- 
partment stores in the county and is carrying 
on a very large business, in 1903 increasing its 
capital to $40,000 and establishing branch stores 
at Grant's Pass and Scio, W. A. Hemenway 
being manager of the store at Grant's Pass. Mr. 
Hemenway has other financial interests, also, 
owning "Happy Jack," an undeveloped mining 
claim, and having extensive mining interests in 
the Bohemia district. He owns business prop- 
erty having a frontage of thirty feet on Main 
street, and has erected a fine residence in Cot- 
tage Grove. 

Mr. Hemenway married, in Minneapolis, 
Kans., Eva Comfort, a native of Ohio. Her 
father, William Comfort, was born in New 
York state, but early in life removed to Iowa, 
and afterward settled in Minneapolis, Kans., 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1453 



where he is now actively employed in farming. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hemenway have two children, 
namely : W. A., of the Garman-Hemenway 
Company ; and Hazel, living at home. An active 
Republican in politics, Mr. Hemenway served as 
councilman seven years, and, in 1901, was elect- 
ed to the state legislature for one term, while 
there serving as chairman of the committee on 
labor and industries. He is quite prominent in 
a number of fraternal organizations, belonging 
to Eugene Lodge, Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks ; to Cottage Grove Lodge, Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has 
passed all the chairs ; to the Rebekahs ; to Cot- 
tage Grove Lodge, K. of P. ; and to Cottage 
Grove Lod°:e of Foresters. 



MAJOR FRANK E. EDWARDS, B. M. E. 
Conspicuous among the residents of Benton 
county worthy of representation in this bio- 
graphical volume is Major Frank E. Edwards, 
a native-born citizen, a veteran of the Spanish 
war, and an alumnus of the Oregon Agricultural 
College, with which he is now officially con- 
nected, being commandant and professor of mili- 
tary science and tactics, and also assistant pro- 
fessor of chemistry. 

Born September 13, 1875, in Lane county, near 
Springfield, Ore., Frank E. Edwards is a son 
of Webley J. Edwards. He comes of substan- 
tial New England ancestry, the earliest of his 
progenitors of whom he has any definite knowl- 
edge having emigrated from one of the New 
England states to New York city, where the 
family owned a large tract of land. The great- 
grandfather, Webley Edwards, of New England 
birth, served as an officer in the Revolutionary 
army, being captain of a company. The major's 
grandfather, T. D. Edwards, was reared and 
educated in Indiana, but later removed to Ohio, 
where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits 
until 1854. Coming then to Oregon across the 
plains, with ox-teams, bringing with him his 
family, his son, Webley J., being then an infant 
of six months, he located near Springfield on 
a donation claim in Lane county, where he 
cleared and improved a homestead. On retiring 
from active pursuits, he removed to Eugene, 
Ore., where his death occurred in 1895. 

Webley J. Edwards was born in Ohio, but 
was brought up on the old home farm in Ore- 
gon, where he has since resided. A prominent 
farmer and stockman, he first started in business 
in Lane county, going from there to Lake county, 
where he followed ranching and general farming 
with signal success for three years. Returning 
then to the valley, he continued in his chosen 
vocation until his removal to Mayville, Gilliam 
county, his present place of residence. He mar- 



ried Jane Gross, who was born in Iowa, a daugh- 
ter of Andrew Gross, a native of Germany, who 
emigrated to America, settling in Iowa, where he 
carried on agricultural work until 1856, when he 
came with his family to Lane county, Ore. He 
is now prosperously engaged in general farming 
in Brownsville, Linn county. Four children 
were born of their union, namely : Frank, the 
special subject of this sketch; Frederick, a 
graduate of the University of Oregon, and of 
the Oregon Agricultural College, is engaged in 
business as a stock-raiser and dealer in Gilliam 
county ; Hubert, residing on the home farm ; 
and Velma, living with her parents. 

Brought up on the home farm, and educated 
in the district schools of Lane and Gilliam coun- 
ties, Frank E. Edwards entered the Oregon Agri- 
cultural College in 1891, and was graduated in 
1895, with the degree of B. M. E. While in his 
sophomore year, he was president of the Web- 
sterian Society, and in 1896, while he was tak- 
ing a post-graduate course, he served as captain 
of a company of cadets. From 1896 until 1898, 
he was connected with the college as instructor 
in chemistry, resigning his position to enlist, as 
a private, in Company M, Second Oregon In- 
fantry. Being mustered into service on July 2, 
1898, he went with his regiment to San Fran- 
cisco, thence to Manila, arriving there on 
Thanksgiving day, 1898. He was subsequently 
made corporal of his company, and as a part of 
Wheaton's Flying Brigade, on March 25, 1899, 
took part in the battles of Tondo and Malabon, 
and the following day, March 26, was severely 
wounded at the battle of Polo, being shot 
through both legs, below the thigh. He was in- 
capacitated for further military duty, but re- 
turned, on crutches, with his company to Cali- 
fornia, then to Oregon, where he was mustered 
out of service on August 7, 1899. A month 
later, Mr. Edwards accepted the position of com- 
mandant of cadets, and professor of military sci- 
ence and tactics at his alma mater. In 1900 he 
was made instructor in chemistry, and assistant 
in the chemical department of the Agricultural' 
Experiment Station. In June of that year he 
was appointed to the staff of Gen. Charles F. 
Beebe as brigade signal officer, with rank of 
major, an office that he filled until the reorganiza- 
tion, in 1903, when, on the resignation of Gen- 
eral Beebe, he was given command of the bri- 
gade signal corps. 

Major Edwards married, in Corvallis, Miss 
Helen Elgin, who was born in Monroe county, 
Ore., and was educated at the State Normal 
School in Monmouth, Ore. Major and Mrs. Ed- 
wards have one child, Webley Elgin Edwards. 
Major Edwards is a stanch Republican in his 
political affiliations, and an active member of the 
Christian Church, being one of the board of dea- 



1454 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cons and superintendent of the Sunday school 
connected with it. He is identified with several 
fraternal organizations, belonging to Corvallis 
Grange, No. 242; to Edward C. Young Camp 
of the Spanish American War Veterans, of 
which he is past commander ; to the Knights of 
Pythias ; and is ex-president of the Alumni Asso- 
ciation. 



ROBERT E. CAMPBELL. One of the high- 
ly treasured possessions of Robert E. Campbell 
is the log house which he constructed in the 
height of his enthusiasm for his adopted state 
in 1852, and which still weathers the heat of 
summer and the cold of winter as stanch as it 
did when a little household gathered beneath its 
timbers, and earnestly laid their plans for the 
future. Strange to relate, the roof, which us- 
ually has the shortest life, has never known a 
successor, but with its supports remains an ex- 
ample of handiwork which has proved substan- 
tial in the extreme, and useful beyond compare. 
Not far from the pioneer house, which was 17x24 
feet in dimensions, and contained two rooms, is 
the more modern structure now occupied by Mr. 
Campbell, and which is one of the really fine 
rural homes in which a prosperous country 
abounds. The contrasts thus presented are 
borne out in the life of the owner, to whom 
naught has come save through the exertions of 
his hands and brain, and to the retention of 
which he owes frugality, good judgment and 
untiring industry. In LaFayette county, Mo., 
where he was born September 4, 1830, Mr. 
Campbell married, in 1849, Ruth Campbell, one 
child being born to them on the farm upon 
which they settled. With his cousin, Alexander 
Kinb, Mr. Campbell purchased a team of four 
yoke of oxen, and two cows, and started across 
the plains in a wagon, leaving home in April, 
and arriving in Lane county, Ore., in October, 
185 1. Sometime during the following winter he 
located a claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres a mile from Springfield and two miles from 
Eugene on the Willamette river, the following 
year moving to his present home where he erect- 
ed the log house above mentioned. In 1876 he 
removed to this part of the donation claim, and 
with the exception of intervals spent in other 
parts of the state, has made this his place of 
residence. For nine months Mr. Campbell lived 
in Wasco county, and during the summer of 
1854 he mined in Jackson county, this state. In 
1852 he hauled goods from Portland to Spring- 
field, and in 1859 he and his cousin built a flat- 
boat and took thirty-five tons of flour to Port- 
land, receiving in payment $2.75 per barrel. His 
farm is mostly prairie land, and all of the im- 
provements are due to his enterprise and pro- 



gressiveness. General farming, stock and grain- 
raising are engaged in on an extensive, scale, 
and in all of these departments Mr. Campbell has 
achieved success, having made a practical and 
scientific study of the occupation to which his 
life has been devoted. 

The first wife of Mr. Campbell died in 1858, 
leaving two children, of whom Harvey, who 
crossed the plains with them in 1851, died in 
1895, and Eliza is the wife of Mr. Anderson, and 
lives on the home place. For a second wife Mr. 
Campbell married in the fall of 1859, Martha 
Delgell, who died in 1865, her only child having 
died in infancy. The present Mrs. Campbell, 
married in 1867, was formerly Rebecca Hutchin- 
son, and is the mother of two sons, George E. 
and Emmet E., both of whom live on the home 
place. Mr. Campbell is a Democrat, but being 
a quiet and unostentatious man, has never identi- 
fied himself with office-seeking. Possessing 
shrewd business judgment, honesty of purpose, 
and a kindly interest in the success of his fellow 
agriculturists, Mr. Campbell is justly popular in 
his neighborhood, towards the development of 
which he has so earnestly striven. 



OSCAR P. ADAMS. A pioneer resident of 
Cottage Grove, with whom one might profitably 
while away many a winter evening, is Oscar 
P. Adams, whose most emphatic recollections are 
centered around the very early days of Oregon, 
and around the mines in this and some of the 
surrounding states. Probably no one in this 
county possesses greater familiarity with the 
ore output of the best known mining localities 
throughout the west, or has more accurately 
gauged the agricultural and general possibilities 
of a well favored and very productive region. A 
distant relative in a family which has provided 
a president to the United States, and which was 
represented on the battlefields of the Revolution 
by his paternal grandfather, Mr. Adams was 
born in Tioga county. Pa., July 30, 1828, a son 
of Isaac and Sophronia Lydia (Porter*) Adams, 
natives respectively of New York and Vermont. 
Isaac Adams was born December 15, 1803, and 
in the early '30s left his native state and went 
to Michigan, locating in Tecumseh, Lenawee 
county. This part of Michigan was a wilder- 
ness at that time, and the new arrival found no 
neighbors or even evidence of any previous set- 
tlers. He became prominent in his locality as 
it was built up and agricultural and other indus- 
tries were started, and he became a member of 
the local militia, attaining to the rank of cap- 
tain. He was a farmer all his active life, and 
died in his adopted state in 1873, his wife hav- 
ing preceded him in 1844, a t the age of forty 
years. The Porter family was an old Vermont 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1455 



one, and John Porter, the father of Mrs. Adams, 
was a soldier in the war of 1812. Ten children 
wore born to Mr. and Mrs. Adams, four of whom 
were sons, Oscar P. being the oldest. By a for- 
mer marriage Mr. Adams had one son, J. C. 
Adams. 

On the wilderness farm in Michigan, Oscar 
P. Adams grew to manhood, and in the public 
schools succeeded in getting as far as algebra, 
and other studies accordingly. He developed 
a great deal of physical strength while felling 
trees, and in time apprenticed to a machinist and 
wood-turner, trades which he applied for some 
years in the timber district. In this way he 
saved quite a little money, and $50 of this was 
paid to John H. Stevens for the privilege of 
accompanying him across the plains in 1854, but 
in addition he was required to perform various 
services during the progress of the journey. 
Starting out May 4, they went via the Barlow 
route and arrived at Foster September 6, Mr. 
Adams soon after finding employment in a saw- 
mill. After a month in the mill he made his 
way to the mines in Josephine county, and in 
1855 enlisted for government service as head 
packer during the Indian war, as he had no gun 
with which to operate as a soldier. Thirty days 
sufficed for this kind of work, and during that 
time he made dangerous expeditions with flour 
from the Bear Creek mill to the quartermaster, 
wherever located. Again he worked in the mines 
of Josephine county, and for many years spent 
portions of each year in mining in some one of 
the well known regions hereabouts. 

In 1858 Mr. Adams bought three hundred and 
twenty acres of land around and including the 
present site of Cottage Grove, in time dispos- 
ing of the town site at $10 to $12 an acre. He 
still has one hundred and twenty-four acres of 
the original purchase left, and has engaged in 
farming, stock-raising and mining ever since he 
bought it. At present his farm is rented, al- 
though he oversees it, as he also does his several 
mining claims in the western part of the state, 
principally the Bohemia district. In the mean- 
time he has been variously interested in business 
in different parts of the state, and in 1864 spent 
the year in Portland, where he engaged in truck- 
driving. In this town he married Elizabeth 
Saylor, who crossed the plains with her people 
in 1853, an d w ho died in Cottage Grove in 1870, 
leaving the following daughters : Lovica 
Helen, now Mrs. Charles Vilas, of Portland ; 
Mary C, the wife of Frank McFarland, and 
living with her father; Sophronia L., now Mrs. 
Charles Van Buren, of Astoria. Ore. : Theo- 
dosia L., the wife of C. F. Cathcart, of Rose- 
burg, Ore. ; and Hattie E., now Mrs. Wilbur 
McFarland, of Cottage Grove. The second wife 
of Mr. Adams was formerly Minerva Crom- 



well, who was born in Georgia, and who for 
nine years has been an invalid, suffering from 
a paralytic stroke. Mr. Adams has been a stu- 
dent all his life, and his life deductions are in- 
teresting and original in the extreme. Few men 
are better posted on current events, nor have 
man}- a larger fund of general useful informa- 
tion. He is a Republican in political preference, 
and finds a religious home in the Christian 
Church. 



S. N. WILKINS. Among the prosperous 
business men of Benton county, Ore., who have 
succeeded in life mainly on account of their ener- 
gy, perseverance and economy, is the subject of 
this biographical sketch, S. N. Wilkins, of Cor- 
vallis, who is too well known throughout Ben- 
ton and adjoining counties to need an extended 
introduction to the readers of this volume. Mr. 
Wilkins is now serving his second term as county 
coroner of Benton county, having been elected 
first on the Democratic ticket and afterwards as 
a candidate on the Republican ticket. He is a 
man of much natural ability and his experience 
proves that he can turn his hand to almost any- 
thing and make a success of it. He has been 
identified with the substantial improvements of 
Corvallis, having built three elegant homes which 
have at each move been surpassed by better ones, 
until the present house was erected on the cor- 
ner of Third and Madison streets in 1902. The 
first was built in 1885, and the second in 1892. 
The foundation of his present splendid business 
was formed in 1885, when he put into a corner 
of his paint shop a small stock of wall paper, 
and to this a year later added a stock of paints, 
to which was soon added other lines — picture- 
molding, artist material, and stationery. The 
business had now grown to an extent that com- 
pelled him to give up a very profitable business 
— contractor in painting and paperhanging — and 
devote his entire time to his store, which had 
grown to require larger quarters, which were 
supplied by E. W. Fisher, in 1889. In 1890 
he formed a partnership with Bond Brothers and 
to the already splendid business they added a line 
of "New York Racket goods." After a year 
with this firm Mr. Wilkins sold his interest and 
accepted a position with The Northwest Fire In- 
surance Company of Portland, Ore. Beginning 
at the bottom of the ladder July 1, 1891, he forced 
his wav to second in his line within a year, and 
in August, 1892, left his lucrative position with 
this company and purchased the stock and busi- 
ness of the late Philip Weber, and during this 
and the succeeding year did a business in line 
with the "boom times," and with many others 
found himself at the starting point again in 1894, 
but, belonging to a stock who do not readily ac- 



1456 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cept defeat, rallied his forces and, in April, 1895, 
organized the Corvallis Furniture Company and 
purchased the stock of furniture and undertaking 
goods of the estate of J. A. Knight, where this 
business had been conducted for thirty-seven 
years, and had not been a profitable business. 
Mr. Wilkins, as manager and undertaker, put it 
on a paying basis, and in 1897 he bought the 
stock of undertaking goods of his only competi- 
tor — L. Welker & Co. He continued the busi L 
ness at the old stand where prosperity followed 
until 1899, when he absorbed all the stock of the 
Corvallis Furniture Company, the latter going 
out of business. In 1901 Mr. Wilkins sold his 
stock of furniture to J. D. Mann & Co., and 
moved his undertaking business to his present 
elegant quarters, which had just been completed, 
and which are situated on Madison street nextto 
the elegant city hall, and on the same lots with 
his residence. In these new quarters Mr. Wil- 
kins has office, chapel, workroom, storeroom and 
morgue, constructed on the latest and best sani- 
tary plans, and it is conceded that his place is 
the best outside of Portland, and is several years 
in advance of the town. Since moving to these 
new quarters Mr. Wilkins devotes his entire time 
to his undertaking business. He has one fine 
funeral car and a small hearse, the latter of 
which was built in this town by the pioneers, L. 
L. Horning and J. T. Phillips, in the early seven- 
ties, and was one of the first in the valley. Mr. 
Wilkins believes in keeping abreast of the times 
in his profession. He has taken four different 
courses of lectures on embalming and sanitation, 
and is now taking a special course in anatomy 
at the Oregon Agricultural College, and has his 
plans made for a trip east, where he will com- 
plete the work begun more than eight years ago. 
As a funeral director, undertaker and em- 
baker, he ranks second to few in the state, and 
his place and the methods of conducting it are a 
source of much admiration by his friends. 

The Wilkins family originally came from Eng- 
land, and the American branch first settled in 
New England, of Puritan stock. They finally 
became scattered, one member going south and 
establishing that branch to which our subject 
belongs. Mr. Wilkins was born near Eufaula, 
Barbour county, Ala., November 4, 1851, and is 
the fourth son of H. L. Wilkins ,who was also 
a fourth son. His paternal grandfather, Wil- 
liam Wilkins, was born in the state of Georgia 
February 5, 1785, was a pioneer of Alabama, 
where he reared a family of twelve children — • 
nine sons and five daughters. In 1856, with his 
sons, daughters and their families, he came west 
and settled in the western part of this state, near 
Mobile, Ala., where he resided until 1870, com- 
ing with his son, H. L. Wilkins, to north Missis- 



sippi, where he died at the advanced age of 
eighty-seven years. 

H. L. Wilkins, the father of S. N. Wilkins, 
was born in Georgia April 2"], 1821. He was 
reared in eastern Alabama, where he was mar- 
ried to Sarah M. Jones, May 2, 1841, and fifteen 
years later, with other members of his family, 
came to the western border of the state and 
settled in Choctaw county, where he resided un- 
til 1867. In 1861 he, with his eldest son, who 
was only eighteen years old, responded to his 
country's call and with the Twenty-third Ala- 
bama Regiment, saw four years of service and 
took part in the struggles at Lookout Mountain, 
Mission Ridge, Atlanta and many other places, 
and for forty-four days lay in the trenches under 
a tropical sun at Vicksburg, living part of the 
time on "mule" beef, and a short ration at that, 
with a tornado, of shot and shell that tried men's 
souls and broke their constitutions, so that, when 
he returned from the war, he not only found 
his health much impaired, but his wealth had 
been wasted by the ravages of war. After two 
years enough was rescued from the wreck to 
enable him to take his family to the more fer- 
tile fields of north Mississippi, where he built 
up a comfortable home and regained much of 
his former losses. After a residence in Panola 
county, Miss., of ten years he, with his remain- 
ing family, came to Oregon to join S. N. Wil- 
kins and other sons who had preceded him to 
Corvallis, Benton county. Here he spent the 
remaining days of his activity, being prominently 
identified with many substantial improvements in 
Corvallis. His last few years were spent in re- 
tirement, principally at Roseburg with a son, 
where he died January 27, 1902, at the age of 
eighty years. His wife had preceded him fifteen 
years. His life had been one of action. He not 
only reared a family of ten children of his own, 
but raised four orphan girls. He was a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity for more than 
forty years, and the latch-string of his door was 
always on the outside for his friends and he 
was never known to turn a fellow-man away 
empty-handed, when he had the ability to help 
him. 

In his youth S.-N. Wilkins attended subscrip- 
tion schools for three months of the year from 
the age of six to ten years, when the war put a 
stop to schools and he, with others both older 
and younger, had to "scratch for a living," and 
at the close of the war, schools, with everything 
else, were demoralized, and it was 1867 before 
even a short three-months school could be main- 
tained, and at the age of sixteen he began his 
attendance, which was kept up with the irregu- 
larity of the subscription school of an unsettled 
country. In 1870 he went to the far western 
wilds of Texas, encountering many adventures, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



14 07 



one of which was when, on his return trip by 
way of Galveston, he escaped a yellow fever 
quarantine by just one day. Returning to Bates- 
ville. Miss., the next three years were spent in 
learning the carpenter's trade, and in February, 
1874, he left his southern home for Oregon, 
where he arrived in company with the Apple- 
white-Davis- Willbanks party April 1. 1874. The 
first two years were spent at carpenter work, and 
on the farm when this work could not be had to 
do, and in 1876 he began a course in the Oregon 
Agricultural College which was continued 
through 1877. At the conclusion of this, Octo- 
ber 9. 1878. he met and formed a matrimonial 
alliance with a native daughter. Miss Mary A. 
Moore. Mr. Moore, her father, was a native 
of Tennessee and drove an ox-team to Oregon 
in 1851. Here he was joined in marriage with 
Miss Rachel A. Robinette, February 15, 1852. 
Mr. Robinette was a native of Missouri and a 
pioneer of 1849, an< ^ was one of the first settlers 
about Lebanon, Linn county. Ore. After his 
marriage Mr. Moore settled on a donation claim 
near Lebanon, where he resided many years, 
transferring his residence to the vicinity of Irv- 
ing. Lane county, and to Corvallis in 1870, for 
school privileges. Here he remained until 1888. 
when he moved to The Dalles. Ore., where he 
now resides. He is a member of the Masonic 
order in all its branches, and is as spry as the 
average man of sixty, while he is past seventy- 
five years of age. 

In 1881 Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins went to Yakima 
City, where they resided for two years. During 
this time Mr. Wilkins served an apprenticeship 
under W. E. Thornton, to learn the trade of 
painting and paperhanging, and on his return to 
Corvallis in 1883 opened a shop where success 
crowned his efforts as above stated. 

One incident in the career of this man of ac- 
tion occurred in 1885. when he procured the 
ground for a home. but. not being able to get 
others to build for him. nor could he leave the 
work that was pressing him daily, the necessity 
became urgent and the house of six rooms was 
built from basement to roof and interior all 
finished without taking an hour from the regular 
time — all the work being done before and after 
hours. 

Mr. Wilkins is prominently identified with the 
fraternal and beneficiary lodges of Oregon. He 
is a member of the Corvallis Lodge Xo. 14. A. 
F. & A. M. : Ferguson Chapter Xo. 5. R. A. M. ; 
Oregon Council Xo. 2, and Temple Commanderv 
No. 3, K. T.. of Albany ; and Al Kader Temple 
of the Mystic Shrine, of Portland: all the 
branches of the Odd Fellows: the Woodmen of 
the World : the Knights of Maccabees : the 
Artisans : and the Independent Order of Lions. 
Mrs. Wilkins belongs to all the auxiliary orders 

6g 



— Eastern Star, Rebekahs, Ladies of the Macca- 
bees, W. O. W. Circle, the D. of H., the Lions, 
and the leading social organization of the city — 
the Fireman's Coffee Club. Mr. and Mrs. Wil- 
kins have two children — one daughter and one 
son. The daughter, Lola M., is now the wife of 
Albert Lee Wigle, who resides at Prineville, 
Crook county, Ore. Harold, the only son, now 
sixteen years old, is a student at the Oregon 
Agricultural College and a member of the Cadet 
Band. 



HARRY F. WYXXE. A native of Oregon, 
and the son of one of the most prominent pio- 
neer physicians of this state, Harry F. Wynne, 
of Cottage Grove, Lane county, is well worthy 
of representation in this biographical volume. 
Industrious and enterprising, he has never been 
content to lead a life of idleness, but as a young 
man developed his native mechanical talent by 
a constant exercise of his skill in that direction, 
and is now giving proof of his mercantile ability 
as one of the active merchants of Cottage Grove, 
where, in partnership with his mother, Mrs. 
Sarah E. Wynne, he is carrying on a substantial 
hardware business. He was born July 2J, 1866, 
at Union, Ore., a son of the late Dr. Armand L. 
"Wynne. He comes of Yirginian ancestry, his 
paternal grandfather, John Wynne, a successful 
planter and a prominent member of the Quaker 
Church, having been a life-long resident of the 
Old Dominion. 

Armand L. Wynne, M. D., was born in Taze- 
well county, Ya.. and there acquired his pre- 
liminary education. Deciding upon a profes- 
sional career, he was graduated from the Phila- 
delphia Medical College, in Pennsylvania, and 
afterwards received the degree of M. D. at the 
St. Louis Medical College, in St. Louis, Mo. 
After practicing medicine for a time in Trenton, 
Mo., Dr. Wynne came to Oregon, locating in 
Union in 1864. Two years later he removed to 
the Willamette valley, locating in Eugene, where 
he built up an extensive practice. Settling at 
Cottage Grove in 1870, the doctor continued the 
practice of his profession in this locality until 
his death, in October. 1882. when but fifty-five 
years of age. Xoted for his skill and medical 
knowledge, he won an extensive and lucrative 
patronage, and was one of the leading physicians 
of this part of Lane county. His wife, whose 
maiden name of Sarah Ellen Perkins, was born 
in Kentucky. She survives him, and is now in 
business with her son. Harry F., as above stated. 

After completing his studies in the public 
schools. Harry F. Wynne learned the trade of a 
steam eneineer on the Xorthern Pacific railway, 
working on the road for six years. The follow- 
ing six years he was employed as a stationary 



1458 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



engineer, working in different places in Wash- 
ington, California and Idaho. Returning to Cot- 
tage Grove in 1895, Mr. Wynne operated a steam 
engine for Booth & Kelley for a while, and then 
assumed charge of a quartz mill in the Bohemia 
district, working for Hellma & Music. Return- 
ing to the employ of Booth & Kelley, he worked 
in the company's saw-mill, at Saginaw, Ore., 
until 1900. Coming to Cottage Grove with the 
hardware firm of Griffin & Veatch in 1900, Mr. 
Wynne soon after embarked in the hardware 
business on his own account, forming a partner- 
ship with his mother. He carries a full line of 
hardware, having a stock valued at $2,500, and 
also handles agricultural tools and implements 
of all descriptions, having a large trade in this 
line as well as in his regular line of goods. 

Mr. Wynne married, in Salem, Ore., Alice 
Veatch, a native of LaGrande, Ore. Politically 
Mr. Wynne is an earnest supporter of the prin- 
ciples of the Democratic party, and fraternally 
he is a member of the Woodmen of the World, 
and belongs to Cottage Grove Blue Lodge, No. 
52, A. F. & A. M. 



MRS. MARY A. CANAN. Among the 
varied biographies contained in this volume, we 
are pleased to give a short sketch of Mrs. Mary 
A. Canan, who owns and conducts in a manner 
above reproach, the Occidental Hotel, which is 
considered one of the best in Corvallis. This 
hotel is a large, three-story structure, with pleas- 
ant and convenient rooms. The spacious and 
attractive dining-hall, with well filled tables, is 
a delight to the guests, whose wants are antici- 
pated by their genial hostess. An addition, 
75x100 feet, three stories high, has recently been 
added and the place is well patronized. 

Mrs. Canan has been a resident of the western 
coast since 1865. She was born at Culpeper 
Court House, Va., and is a daughter of Jesse 
and Mary (Redley) McKenney. Her father 
was of Scotch descent, was born in the vicinity 
of Richmond, Va., and followed hotel-keeping. 
Later he removed to Brown county, Ohio, settling 
permanently at Georgetown, where he spent his 
closing years. Her mother was a native of Bal- 
timore, and died in Ohio. Four children blessed 
their union, three being still living. Mrs. Canan 
was reared in Hillsboro, Ohio., where her mother 
moved after the death of her husband, and it 
was there that Mrs. Canan was educated. She 
has been married twice, her first union taking 
place at Hillsboro, where she wedded William 
Glascock. The latter was a Virginian by birth 
and was engaged for many years in mercantile 
business. In 1865 he went to California, via 
Panama route, and located at Healdsburg, So- 
noma county, where he died. Some time after 



the death of her husband, Mrs. Glascock be- 
came the wife of W. C. Canan, a Pennsylvanian 
by birth, and one of the early gold-seekers, hav- 
ing crossed the plains in the customary way. 
After this marriage, Mr. Canan engaged in the 
drug business at Healdsburg, and was also a local 
banker until 1882 when he removed to Corval- 
lis, Ore., and purchased the Occidental Hotel. 
He died in 1891, aged sixty-nine years. He was 
a member of the Masonic fraternity and in his 
political views he was a Republican. 

Mrs. Canan has carried on the hotel business 
ever since the death of her husband and has met 
with success. She has remodeled it, and in addi- 
tion owns a fine business block in Corvallis. She 
is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and also belongs to the Eastern Star. 



JOSEPH S. AMES. When a lad of eleven 
years of age, Joseph S. Ames crossed the plains 
to California, the trip being made in three wag- 
ons, drawn by nine yoke of oxen. The start 
was made April 6, 1851, and six months later 
they arrived at the Sierra mountains. October 6 
they began the journey across the mountains, 
and the first winter was spent at Diamond 
Springs, forty miles east of Sacramento. By 
way of the water route they reached Portland in 
July, 1852, and from there proceeded to Linn 
county. A few months later the father took up 
a donation claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres near Sweet Home, his farm lying one-half 
mile west of the present postoffice. Lowell Ames, 
the father of Joseph S., was a native of Cuya- 
hoga county, Ohio, and all his life had followed 
farming. He passed away March 8, 1864, at his 
home in Sweet Home, when in his sixty-fifth 
year. His wife, prior to their marriage known 
as Miss Anna Kessler, was born in Pennsylvania, 
and died in Sweet Home in 1872, in her seventy- 
first year. Their marriage was solemnized in 
Ohio and shortly afterward the young people re- 
moved to Illinois, locating at first in Kane 
county, but finally settled in Peoria. It was from 
the latter place that the family took up the long 
march across the plains. 

The parental family comprised eight children, 
all of whom were boys with one exception, and 
Joseph S., born in Kane county, 111., January 16, 
1840, was the youngest of the family. His edu- 
cation was received in the common schools of 
Illinois and as soon as years and strength per- 
mitted gave a helping hand in the farm duties. 
His services were given to his father until his 
death, when he engaged in farming on his own 
account and has followed this calling ever since. 
His fine farm of four hundred acres, which lies 
adjacent to the village of Sweet Home, is a 
model farm and is embellished with commodious 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1459 



and convenient buildings. The family residence 
is located in town. While Mr. Ames carries on 
general farming to a certain extent, he makes a 
specialty of stock-raising, and in the raising of 
Merino sheep has no superior in the county. As 
road supervisor Mr. Ames has been instrumental 
in bettering the condition of the roads in his dis- 
trict. In all local affairs he takes an intelligent 
interest, and in politics is a Republican. In his 
religious belief he is allied with the Latter Day 
Saints. 



JOHN K. McCORMACK is a native of 
Dixon county, Tenn., born February 19, 1827, 
and, in 183 1, accompanied his parents to near 
Jacksonville, 111., where he was reared, educated 
and grew to manhood. His father's property 
was in a fertile section of Illinois and furnished 
a fair income, yet the young man saw little pros- 
pect of forging to the front with anything like 
the rapidity that he desired, and therefore re- 
turning travelers from the west found him a 
willing listener. These reports were communi- 
cated to three other young men of his neighbor- 
hood, and the party proceeded to outfit for the 
long journey across the plains, purchasing a 
wagon and four yoke of oxen, and such pro- 
visions as they could cook in their camp equip- 
ment. They were six months on the way. The 
first winter in Oregon Mr. McCormack found 
work in La Fayette, and in the spring of 1852 
he went to the mines of Jacksonville, in the fall 
returning and taking up a claim of one hundred 
and sixty acres in Benton county. Here he 
farmed with considerable success for five years, 
and then moved into the Alsea valley, taking up 
a homestead upon which he erected a pleasant 
residence, good barns, out-houses and fences. In 
1887 ne came to his present farm, which also is 
highly improved, and through his industry has 
been rendered one of the very desirable and pay- 
ing properties in the neighborhood. He is en- 
gaged in general farming, hop and stock-raising. 

November 30, 1857, Mr. McCormack was 
united in marriage with Lucinda Mason, and 
their happy married life has been blessed with 
six children, namely : Emma, deceased ; Laura, 
Hardy, Ira, Ella J. and Fred. Mr. McCormack 
enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who 
know him. 



JOSHUA M. MARTIN. In 1901 the Eu- 
gene brick manufactory became the personal 
property of Joshua M. Martin, who has been 
identified with various interests in the northwest 
ever since 1883. He was born in Andrew county, 
Mo., July 26, 1863, his parents, Jesse B. and 
Julia A. (Yates) Martin, being natives of the 



same state, the former born in Buchanan county, 
January 30, 1837, and the latter born in Andrew 
county, June 26, 1838. The parents continued 
to farm in their native state until locating in 
Lane county, March 8, 1902, and they have since 
lived on a farm adjoining that of their son near 
Eugene, where they are retired from the active 
cares of life. Seven children, six of whom are 
sons, have been born to them, and' of these, 
Joshua M. is the oldest. In the spring of 1883 he 
came to Oregon, and for seven years was the 
valued assistant of a farmer near Irving. After- 
ward he rented a farm and engaged in stock and 
grain-raising from 1889 until 1900, in which 
year he moved to Eugene, soon after purchasing 
the brick industry with which his name has since 
been connected. Aside from the ground owned 
for the brick manufactory, Mr. Martin is inter- 
ested in his father's farm, and with him engages 
in a general farming industry 

In 1890 Mr. Martin was united in marriage 
with Laura Montgomery, who was born in 
Macon county, Mo., April 28, 1862, and who 
crossed the plains with her people in 1865. Of 
this union there has been born one son, Albert, 
now deceased. Ever since casting his first presi- 
dential vote Mr. Martin has adhered to Demo- 
cratic principles, and in this capacity has served 
with credit as school clerk and director, and road 
supervisor. He is fraternally identified with the 
Woodmen of the World and the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen of Eugene, and the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, ot which latter 
organization he has passed all of the chairs. 



H. W. HATCH, who is head miller of the 
Salem Flouring-mill Company, was born in Con- 
neaut, Ohio, February 25, 1855, and since 1886 
has been a resident of the Sunset state. His 
father, Alpheus Hatch, was born near Chelsea, 
Vt., which was also the birthplace of the grand- 
father, Rufus Hatch. The latter was a farmer 
bv occupation and at an early day in the devel- 
opment of Ohio removed to the Buckeye state. 
There Rufus Hatch was reared and in course of 
time became extensively identified with agricul- 
tural interests and at one time he was also en- 
gaged in the milling business. In 1871 he went 
on a business trip to Kansas and died in Cedar- 
ville, that state. His widow, who bore the 
maiden name of Harriet Babbitt, was born in 
Pennsylvania and is a resident of Portland. 
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Hatch: Mrs. Edith Stimson, of Portland; H. 
W., of this review; and A. J., who is living in 
Oklahoma. 

Upon the home farm in Ohio H. W. Hatch 
spent the days of his youth and attended private 
schools there. Between the years 1865 and 1871 



1460 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



he lived in Lowell, Mich., where he attended 
school, and during the periods of vacation he 
was employed in his uncle's flouring mill, so that 
he early gained practical experience of the busi- 
ness which he has made his lifework. In 1871 
he returned to the old home in Ohio, and was 
there apprenticed to the miller's trade in a mill 
having a capacity of three hundred barrels of 
flour per day. He occupied that position for 
three years and then removed to Cedarville, 
Smith county, Kans., where he carried on farm- 
ing for two years, returning to Ohio in 1876. 
He there worked at the miller's trade until 1877, 
when he went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania 
and secured a position as tool dresser, acting in 
that capacity until 1880 — the year of his removal 
to Mankato, Minn. Accepting a position as 
miller with the firm of R. D. Hubbard & Com- 
pany, in their large roller mill, he there remained 
until 1886, when, attracted by the business op- 
portunities of the growing northwest he came to 
Oregon and obtained employment in the Port- 
land Flouring Mill. After eighteen months he 
was sent to Salem as head miller of the Salem 
Flouring Mill and has acted in this capacity con- 
tinuously since the spring of 1888. He has the 
entire confidence of those whom he represents, 
and as manager of the business has made it a 
profitable enterprise and has largely increased its 
scope. In 1899 the mill was destroyed by fire, 
but in the fall of 1901 was rebuilt and is today 
fitted with the latest improved machinery and 
has a capacity of three hundred and fifty barrels 
of flour. Mr. Hatch has a thorough and prac- 
tical understanding of the business in every de- 
partment, including the working of the ma- 
chinery and the manufacture of flour, and is thus 
capable of controlling the labors of those who 
serve under him. The output of the plant is of 
excellent quality and therefore finds a ready sale 
upon the market. 

Mr. Hatch was married in Mankato, Minn., to 
Miss L. Wood, who was born in Lowell, Mich., 
and they now have one son, Harold Wood, and 
an adopted daughter, Murah. Mrs. Hatch is 
connected with the Christian Science Church and 
is prominent therein. Mr. Hatch gives his po- 
litical support to the Republican party, and while 
keeping well informed on the questions and 
issues of the day he has never been an aspirant 
for office, preferring to devote his energies to his 
business affairs, which he capably conducts. 



bound for the mines of California. He was 
fairly successful, and with his little hoard came 
to Oregon in 185 1, locating on the farm of three 
hundred and twenty acres now occupied by his 
son. He married Nancy Shields, member of an 
early family here, and reared a family of ten 
children, four sons and six daughters. He natu- 
rally suffered from the depredations of the In- 
dians in the early days, and as naturally joined 
the defense instituted for the protection of the 
life and property of the settlers, serving in the 
war for several months. His death occurred in 
1875, at the age of forty-nine years, and nine of 
his children are living at the present time. These 
are: Amanda, the wife of Greenbury Splawn; 
Sarah A., widow of Gideon Hodson ; Evaline, 
wife of Timothy Riggs ; John I. ; A. J., near 
Holley; Artilla, the wife of Henry H. Chance; 
William T. ; Mary J., wife of Andrew Shanks ; 
and Eliza P. 

When his father died John I. Matlock was 
seventeen years old, and as the oldest son in the 
family the management of the farm fell upon his 
shoulders. His first wife, Annie (Johnson) Mat- 
lock, died in 1887, leaving one child, Minnie, 
now living in Albany. For a second wife he 
married, October 12, 1891, Olive Pendleton, who 
is the mother of four children : Henry ; Ray, 
deceased ; Bryan, deceased ; and Vina. Mr. Mat- 
lock still owns one hundred and sixty acres of 
the original claim, and is engaged in stock-rais- 
ing and general farming. He is a member and 
overseer of the Grange, and is connected with 
the Christian Church. 



JOHN I. MATLOCK. The entire life of 
John I. Matlock has been spent upon the farm, 
one and a half miles from Holley, where he was 
born June 20, 1858. His father, William, who 
was born in Missouri, contracted the gold fever 
in 1849, and as a young man joined a party 



GEORGE R. MILLER. From British Co- 
lumbia to Mexico, and in thirty states and terri- 
tories in the Union, George R. Miller is known 
as a shrewd and successful horse dealer. Prac- 
tically his entire business life has been spent in 
studying the merits of the horse, and he has be- 
come an authority on all points concerning this 
noble animal. Mr. Miller received his start in 
life while associated with the W. W. Wallace 
circus, and, like all concerns of the kind, it prided 
itself on the excellence of its thoroughbreds. At- 
taining the position of horse-buyer for the cir- 
cus, Mr. Miller naturally came to an appreciation 
of the best horses, and, having acquired a high 
grade standard, he has never allowed it to de- 
teriorate. Leaving the circus, he devoted several 
years to breaking, training, buying and selling 
horses, and in this capacity visited the states and 
territories above mentioned. He came to Ore- 
gon in 1884, and engaged in the horse business 
in Albany, and, in 1887, took a herd of horses 
back over the mountains, in order to ship them 
to Muncie, Ind. This trip took four months, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1461 



and upon returning, Mr. Miller started an even 
larger business, making his headquarters on the 
corner of East Front and Chicago streets, Al- 
bany, where he has his office and stables. He 
visits points all along the coast, and inland sta- 
tions from British Columbia to Mexico, wher- 
ever good horses are to be had, or are in de- 
mand. He leads a varied and interesting life, 
meeting people of all classes, all of whom find 
him a courteous, agreeable and thoroughly hon- 
orable gentleman. 

Previous to his circus experience Mr. Miller 
had been connected with his father, Henry P. 
Miller, who was an extensive business man of 
Muncie, Ind. Father and son were born near 
YVilliamsport, Lycoming county, Pa., the latter 
July 7, 1854. The elder Miller was for many 
years engaged in the lumber business on the Sus- 
quehanna, and, in 1855, when his son was a year 
old, he took his family to Muncie, Ind., where 
he became interested in a lime manufacturing 
plant. Later, he turned his attention to pump 
manufacturing, and, in 1884, removed to Ore- 
gon. However, his devotion to the middle west 
led him to again take up his residence in Muncie, 
in 1895, and his death occurred in that city two 
years later. He was survived by his wife, for- 
merly Mary Grover, also born in Lycoming 
county, Pa., and still living in Muncie. Nine of 
the ten children in the family attained maturity, 
and eight are living, George R. being the ninth 
child. The children were educated in Lycoming 
county and Muncie, Ind., George R. receiving a 
practical training in the public schools ere en- 
gaging with his father in business. He attended 
principally to the jobbing department, but from 
the first evinced a keen interest in everything 
pertaining to horses. 

While living in Muncie Mr. Miller married 
Rose Leslie, who was born in Winchester, Ind., 
and who has accompanied her husband- on many 
of his expeditions. The family are members of 
the Christian Church, in which Mr. Miller is a 
deacon and active worker. Fraternally he is con- 
nected with the Foresters of America. 



C. H. BREWER. M. D., was born in Sioux 
City, Iowa, the son of Dr. Brewer, and with only 
a small part of his education acquired in that 
city. His father emigrated to Oregon, and after 
his location in Salem, Marion county, proceeded 
to build up a lucrative practice. C. H. was but 
twelve years of age at the time of the removal to 
the western state and soon after arriving here he 
entered upon his course of education, the scene of 
his early school days being Mount Angel Col- 
lege. Lpon the completion of his course there 
he entered the state university at Eugene and 
later the medical college at Salem, where he was 



graduated in the class of 1898. Locating in Sil- 
verton, Marion county, he at once commenced 
the practice of medicine for which he had been 
preparing so many years. After two years' time 
he came to Stayton, believing this city to be a 
better location for his business. In 1902 he 
bought the drug store which he is now conduct- 
ing in a business-like manner, and from which 
he realizes considerable profit. In his political 
affiliations Dr. Brewer casts his ballot with the 
Republican party. 



EDWARD GOINS, SR., was born December 
12, 1842, in Chatham county, N. C, a son of 
William Goins. He comes of patriotic stock, his 
paternal great-grandfather having fought in the 
Revolutionary war. His grandfather, Edward 
Goins, of North Carolina, served in the war of 
1812; he was a man of culture and a noted 
teacher and educator. 

William Goins, a life-long resident of North 
Carolina, was a miller by occupation. He mar- 
ried Kissie Sinkler, who was born in North 
Carolina, of pure Scotch ancestry, her father, 
Duncan Sinkler, having emigrated from Scot- 
land to North Carolina, where he pursued the 
vocation of a farmer. Thirteen children were 
born of their union, twelve of whom grew to 
years of maturity, and three are now living, Ed- 
ward being the only one on the Pacific coast. 
The mother died in Indiana. 

The third child in order of birth, Edward 
Goins, Sr., had very limited school advantages, 
but early acquired a knowledge of agriculture, 
and of milling, receiving instruction in both 
branches of industry from his father. When the 
Civil war broke out he enlisted for twelve months 
in the Confederate army, becoming a member of 
Company H, Thirteenth North Carolina In- 
fantry. Just before the year of enlistment was 
up he was given the opportunity to re-enlist for 
three years, or until the war closed, and receive 
a bounty, or be conscripted. He naturally re- 
enlisted, joining the same company and the same 
regiment. He participated in many of the prom- 
inent battles, among others the Seven-days bat- 
tles ; Fair Oaks ; Chancellorsville ; Wilderness ; 
South Mountain ; Antietam ; Gettysburg ; Fred- 
ericksburg, continuing until the surrender of 
Lee. Returning then to North Carolina, Mr. 
Goins remained at home until the fall of 1865, 
when he went to Wilkesbarre, Pa., where he was 
employed in the Audenreid mines for eighteen 
months. Going back to his native place, he 
worked a year at the cooper's trade, when, be- 
coming dissatisfied, he induced his mother to re- 
move with her family to Brazil, Ind., where he 
remained three years, working in the coal mines 
of that region. Going from there to Burlington, 



1462 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Kans., Mr. Goins established himself in the mill- 
ing business, for several years thereafter run- 
ning" a burr water-mill on the Neosho river. 
Starting for Oregon on April 19, 1874, he came 
directly to Albany, and since that time has been 
a resident of Linn county. At once entering the 
employ of Beach & Monteith, millers, he worked 
for that firm five years. Purchasing, in 1879, a 
one-third interest in the old warehouse, he re- 
modeled it, turning it into a flour-mill, and 
under the name of the Red Crown Mill managed 
it for seven years. Disposing of his interest in 
the plant, he then purchased a mill in Scio, and 
having put in modern equipment ran it by the 
roller process three years, when it was burned. 
Mr. Goins immediately replaced it with a new 
mill, into which he introduced modern ma- 
chinery, and for four years operated that most 
successfully. Selling out his interests in Scio, 
he returned to Albany, and for two years ran 
the Red Crown mill, which he leased. Then, in 
company with C. C. Hogue, he rented the old 
Magnolia mill, which he enlarged and remod- 
eled, putting in machinery of the most approved 
modern manufacture, and has since carried on an 
extensive and lucrative business. In his plant, 
which has a capacity of one hundred barrels of 
flour daily, he manufactures a standard brand of 
flour, the "Magnolia," and also makes large 
quantities of bran and feed. 

Mr. Goins married first, in Indiana, Jane 
Wicker, who was born in North Carolina, and 
died in Albany, Ore. She bore him three chil- 
dren, namely : Annie, who died in Albany ; 
Samuel, a resident of Portland, Ore. ; and John, 
who is connected with the Magnolia mills. Mr. 
Goins married second, in Albany, Clara Butcher, 
a native of Linn county, and of this union three 
children have been born, namely : Lizzie, de- 
ceased ; Archie ; and Edward, Jr. Politically he 
is a stanch supporter of the principles promul- 
gated by the Republican party, and takes a keen 
interest in the welfare of town and county. He 
served as councilman in Albany until his re- 
moval to Scio, when he resigned, and while re- 
siding in that city was a member of the common 
council several terms. Fraternally he is a mem- 
ber of the A. O. U. W. He is an active member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he 
is a class leader, and is also one of its board of 
trustees. 



I. B. BEAM has been a citizen of Albany 
since 1875, and during all the intervening years 
has been engaged in the grain business. He was 
connected with the Magnolia mill for eighteen 
years, where he gradually mastered the business, 
and finally succeeded to the responsible position 
of manager. After severing his connection with 



the Magnolia mills in 1893, Mr. Beam engaged 
in his present business with G. W. Simpson, with 
whose efficient help a large and remunerative en- 
terprise has been firmly established. To store 
their commodities, the firm have two warehouses 
in Albany on the railroad and river, with a com- 
bined capacity of fifty thousand bushels, and 
have besides erected a warehouse of thirty thou- 
sand bushels at Scio, and houses at Stayton and 
Aumsville, with- capacities respectively of twenty- 
five and fifteen thousand bushels. Formerly 
they owned the fifteen-thousand-bushel ware- 
house at Shaw, but disposed of it some time 
since. They ship grain, potatoes and hay to San 
Francisco, Portland, and points all along the 
coast, and also fill government contracts for the 
Philippines. Mr. Simpson attends to the Port- 
land part of the business, and therefore spends 
much of his time in the latter city. 

Of German descent, the Beam family was hon- 
ored by the services of the paternal grandfather 
of I. B. in the Revolutionary war, and this colo- 
nial soldier afterward returned to his home in 
New England, whence he eventually removed 
with his family to Ohio. This trip was under- 
taken overland with horse teams, and the grand- 
father took up government land in Knox county, 
near Mount Vernon, where his son, Asa, the 
father of I. B., was born. Asa was reared on 
the farm, and in his native state married Jemima 
Hague, who was born in Maryland, and was of 
German descent. Several children were born to 
the parents in Ohio, and, in 1850, Asa Beam 
disposed of his farm and took his family with 
teams to McLean county, 111., locating on crude 
land near Hudson. Here the balance of the large 
family of children were born, eleven in all, nine 
of whom attained maturity, and two of whom 
are living, I. B. and Asa, the latter being a mer- 
chant in Albany. 

In 1863 I. B. Beam enlisted in the Fourth Illi- 
nois Cavalry, Company G, and was mustered in 
at Springfield. He was attached to the Army of 
the Mississippi, in the fall of 1864, but was 
shortly discharged from the service on account 
of physical disability. In 1865 he went to Shelby 
county, and afterward to Carroll county, Mo., 
then returning to Illinois, where he engaged in 
farming until he was twenty-two. He then en- 
tered mercantile ranks as a clerk in a warehouse 
concern in Hudson, 111., and, in 1875, came to 
Albany, Ore., which has since been his home. 

In Illinois Mr. Beam was united in marriage 
with Emma J. Groves, who was born in Mc- 
Donough county, 111., and whose father served 
in an Illinois regiment during the Civil war. 
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Beam, of whom Orrin is a medical student in 
San Jose, Cal. ; Delbert is clerking in Portland, 
Ore. ; and Bessie and Lloyd are at home. Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1463 



Beam is a Republican, and is a member of the 
McPherson Post. G. A. R., of Albany. In re- 
ligion he is a Baptist. 



WILLIAM BEXTS was born in Kansas, 
February 28, i860, the son of Henry and Anna 
(Bosshard) Bents, both natives of Switzerland, 
whose emigration to the United States took place 
in 1854. (For further information regarding 
the parents refer to the sketch of Fred Bents, 
the eldest son of this family, whose sketch ap- 
pears elsewhere in this work.) When William 
Bents was but three years old his father removed 
to Oregon, crossing the plains by ox-teams and 
settling in Marion county, near Butteville, 
where he purchased a farm from John Shyrer, 
who proved a friend to the emigrant family dur- 
ing the years in which the father was struggling 
for a foothold in this western land. 

The education of Mr. Bents was received in 
the common schools of Oregon, which he at- 
tended intermittently until he commenced work 
for himself. He was reared on the old home 
place, and after his marriage, January 1, 1894, 
to Miss Annie M. Hopp, began housekeeping 
there in a modern house, having built the same 
in 1892. Mr. Bents now owns one-third of the 
original land composing the three hundred and 
six acres which his father purchased in 1864. 
Upon this property he is now engaged in general 
farming, in which he takes an intelligent and 
practical interest. In connection with his broth- 
ers, Fred and Henry L., he is interested in hop- 
cultivation, and like them has made an unques- 
tionable success of the business. He has four- 
teen acres devoted to this plant. 

Mr. Bents is a Republican and serves his coun- 
try whenever called upon. At present he is road 
supervisor of his township. 



REV. FELIX BUCHER. A commanding 
personality in the religious and intellectual world 
embraced in Benton, Lincoln, and the surround- 
ing counties of Oregon, is Father Felix Bucher, 
who came as a missionary to this state in 1893, 
and has since devoted the resources of a cultured 
mind and great heart to the uplifting of the In- 
dian, and the maintenance of peace and good will 
among various congregations of worshippers. 

In Dillingen, a village of Bavaria, province of 
Schwaben and X'euburg, Germany. Father Bu- 
cher was born September 23, 1862. Augsburg, 
the capital of that province, which claims great 
antiquity, the Emperor Augustus having estab- 
lished a colony there as early as 12 B. C., later 
took a prominent place in the history of religious 
disturbances, and today numbers among its 
claims to distinction its large trade in printing, 



engraving and bookbinding, its splendid picture 
gallery, its gymnasiums and schools, and its 
office of the Allgemeine Zeitung, the leading 
journal of Germany, established there in 1796. 
Into this historic atmosphere, where Holbein, the 
elder, was born, and where he painted, and where 
the wines of Switzerland and Italy are sent forth 
into every quarter of the globe, Xavier Bucher, 
the father of Felix, was born, in the same village 
of Dillingen ; and for the greater part of his ac- 
tive life conducted a mercantile enterprise. He 
was of German and French descent. His wife, 
Crescentia (Wachter) Bucher, was a native of 
Augsburg, and was the mother of seven chil- 
dren, three of whom are living, Father Felix 
being the only one in America, and the youngest 
in the family. 

It is evident that Rev. Bucher never enter- 
tained a thought of life outside the priesthood, 
for at the early age of fourteen he left his home 
in Dillingen and took up his abode in the mother 
house in the Palazzo Moroni, in Rome. This old 
palace, occupied now by the Society of the Di- 
vine Savior, was owned three hundred years ago 
by Cardinal Moroni, and has since borne his 
name. Here Rev. Bucher was prepared for his 
chosen calling among the most favorable and in- 
spiring conditions in the world, and was eventu- 
ally ordained in the great church of St. John of 
Lateran, the mother church of the whole Catho- 
lic world, September 19, 1891. For a year after 
his ordination he remained in the Palazzo and 
then undertook the long journey to Vancouver, 
Wash., where he remained for a short time. 
From there he came to Oregon as a missionary 
of the church, spending one year at The Dalles 
as pastor of St. Peters, and the next year was 
located at Xewport, as pastor of the church 
there. In connection with the latter charge he 
visited the Siletz Indian Mission in Lincoln 
county, which very worthy enterprise has been 
attended once or twice a year for some years by 
Father Crcckert, of Grande Ronde, one of the 
most sacrificing and helpful of the early Indian 
workers, and who had spent forty years in trying 
to improve the condition of the red men. While 
at X'ewport Father Bucher became somewhat fa- 
miliar with the work at this mission, and in 1897 
took up his residence on the reservation, the 
church and parsonage of which was donated by 
Mother Catherine Drexel, of Philadelphia, and 
consecrated by Archbishop Cross. Ever since, 
Father Bucher has ministered to the spiritual 
needs of a large and increasing congregation, for 
the responsibilities of which he is eminently 
fitted, having learned the Chinook language suf- 
ficiently well to be able to converse and preach 
therein. He also holds services at other churches 
and missions, and in January, 1903, assumed 
charge of St. Mary's Church at Corvallis. A 



1464: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



scholar, linguist and man of practical and hu- 
manitarian ideas, Father Bucher exerts a won- 
derful influence upon the lives of those by whom 
he is surrounded, leading them always up to 
greater heights, and into broader and more useful 
fields of activity. He is devoted to his work, to 
the country in which his lines are cast, and to 
the people who look to him as their guide in the 
every-day affairs of life. Surely the people of 
his far-off native town in Germany should be 
proud of its native son, who has traveled so far, 
so well, and so fearlessly to a splendid and re- 
sourceful destiny. 



WILLIAM WILLIS OGLESBY, M. D. 
The president of the Golden Slipper Mining 
Company, Dr. W. W. Oglesby, is a man of many 
and rare talents, and these have led him into 
many pursuits wherein he has found much pleas- 
ure and considerable profit, for he unites with a 
singularly forceful character the temperament of 
a man of letters. Since his advent into the west 
he has found much to interest him in the moun- 
tain peaks of his adopted state, and has ascended 
nearly all the snow-capped peaks of the Cascade 
range. He was the first man who reached the 
crest of Mount Jefferson, ascending this moun- 
tain in 1886, having ascended Mount Hood in 
1869, the Three Sisters in 1865, Diamond Peak 
in 1858 and Mount Shasta in 1856. While in- 
terested in climbing he has branched out into 
hunting and a study of the formations and 
growths of this wonderful land, which have 
added no little to his information. Dr.- Oglesby 
is also a famous Indian fighter, having been 
forced to this form of war while crossing the 
plains in 1853, and again in the Bannock war in 
Umatilla county, Ore., in 1878, he served three 
months as captain of Company G, commanding 
at the battle of Willow Springs, which was the 
scene of the fiercest Indian fighting on the coast. 
With shrewd business sagacity Dr. Oglesby has 
also devoted much time in his rambling over the 
mountains to a search for that which makes the 
onward march of the world possible, and he has 
met with rare success, having been the fortunate 
discoverer of two remunerative mines in south- 
ern Oregon. The first was the Bohemian mines, 
which he discovered in 1858, but the one of 
which he is now president, the Golden Slipper, 
was discovered in 1898. This has since devel- 
oped into a good paying property, the company 
having now a capital of $1,000,000, divided into 
ten million shares, of the par value of ten cents 
per share, fully paid up and non-assessable. The 
property of this corporation consists of what is 
known as the Golden Slipper group of mining 
claims, located on the eastern slope of Grouse 
mountain, in the Bohemia mining district, Doug- 



las county, Ore., only a short distance from 
mines famous throughout that section of the 
country, and there is every prospect of turning 
out a fortune from this property. Much credit 
is due Dr. Oglesby for his share in the business, 
as with several others he succeeded in the pro- 
motion of the company. 

Dr. Oglesby was the fourth son in a family of 
six sons and eight daughters, his birth occurring 
May 3, 1837, in Adams county, 111. He was the 
son of William Oglesby, a native of South Caro- 
lina, who come from Virginia with his parents 
to the Prairie state when only a young lad. Ex- 
Governor Oglesby, of Illinois, was' an uncle of 
the family. The preliminary education of Dr. 
Oglesby was received in the common schools of 
Missouri and Oregon. Anxious to gain a thor- 
ough knowledge of books he never ceased his 
application to his studies. In 1868 he began the 
study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. 
Johnson, of Corvallis, and in 1869 he took a 
course in Toltin Medical College, of San Fran- 
cisco, after which he practiced his profession in 
California for four years, every step forward 
being the result of earnest, patient effort on his 
own part. In 1875 he came to Oregon and at- 
tended two courses of lectures in Willamette 
University, and two years later was graduated 
with the degree of M. D. He then engaged in 
general practice in Weston, Ore., where he re- 
mained for three years, and then located in Fossil 
for a period of ten years, after which he removed 
in 1889 to Cottage Grove. Four years later he 
became a resident of Junction City, Lane county, 
and engaged in the general practice of his pro- 
fession, later becoming interested in the Golden 
Slipper mining proposition. 

The marriage of Dr. Oglesby first united him 
with Sarah Jane Morrison, a native of Tennes- 
see, and took place in Benton county, Ore. She 
was the daughter of Rev. J. P. Morrison, who 
was born in Tennessee, and after a residence 
in Missouri came to Oregon in 1862, locat- 
ing in Benton county. Nine years later he 
removed to California, where his death oc- 
curred at the age of eighty-four years. 
Mrs. Oglesby died in Corvallis, in 1867, 
when still quite young, and the doctor married 
in 1871, a sister of his first wife, Nancy C, a 
native of Missouri. The one child born of the 
first union was Anna, who is still at home with 
her father. In addition to his many other in- 
terests Dr. Oglesby took up and mastered the 
study of telegraphy and held many positions as 
an operator. He has also been connected with 
newspaper work for about fifteen years, in Cot- 
tage Grove, and was a delegate to New Orleans 
and to the Pan-American Exposition for the 
Press Association. He has also written some 
verse, which certainly has shown his power with 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



U65 



the pen. In his fraternal relations Dr. Oglesb) 
holds a prominent place, being a member of the 
Blue Lodge and the Chapter, A. F. & A. M., of 
Eugene, Ore. : Benevolent Protective Order of 
Elks, of Eugene ; Knights of Pythias, of Junc- 
tion City : Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
and the Encampment ; and is an honorary mem- 
ber of the Woodmen of the World, in which he 
acted as physician for some time. He is a mem- 
ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 
Politically Dr. Oglesby has always been a stanch 
adherent of the principles of the Democratic 
party, and served as mayor of Cottage Grove for 
two years, and also of Junction City. He was a 
candidate for the state legislature in 1896, but 
was defeated, and in the year in which William 
Jennings Bryan was first candidate for the presi- 
dencv he was one of the state electors. 



ROBERT M. CRAWFORD was born in Bel- 
fast, Ireland, December 25, 1824, and was reared 
on a small tenant farm which at best could fur- 
nish but scant livelihood for the family of fifteen 
children. His paternal grandfather, James, was 
born near Glasgow, Scotland, and as a young 
man established the family on the farm at Craw- 
fordsburn, near Belfast. On this same farm 
John Crawford, the father of Robert, was born, 
and he also was a farmer. John Crawford mar- 
ried Eliza Johnson, born in County Antrim. Ire- 
land. At present but two of this family are liv- 
ing, Thomas having been killed in Albany in 
1856,: William died here in 1890. and John died 
in 1900. 

Limited facilities for acquiring an education, 
together with scant opportunity for earning a 
livelihood, handicapped the early life of the 
Crawford children. To support himself Robert 
learned the miller's trade, at which he worked 
from 1842 until 1848. when he came to the 
United States, making his way from Xew York 
city overland to Lexington, Mo. Here he 
worked at his trade until 1849, an d then joined 
a caravan bound for the western coast, his 
brother John accompanying him. and James 
Waddell. They came via the old California trail 
and were over five months on the way, finally 
arriving in San Francisco, where the brothers 
stopped with old Captain Woodward in the his- 
toric W natcheer Hotel. Two weeks later they 
started for Xicolaus, Sutter county, and still later 
made their way to the Yuba Dam, mining at the 
latter place about four weeks, and going then to 
the Grass Valley mining district. These expe- 
ditions were not without their dangers and ex- 
citing adventures, for the Indians still resented 
the intrusion of the pale faces, and made their 
progress at best hazardous and uncertain. This 
was especially true when Mr. Crawford went to 



Humboldt Bay in March, 1850, and later to the 
Salmon river district and Scott's Bar. After a 
time he returned to Butte City, now Eureka, 
Cal., and engaged in both mining and merchan- 
dising, in 185 1 joining his brother in Oregon 
City. 

To Mr. Crawford is due the credit of having 
ground the first flour in Linn county. He pur- 
chased the mill and site of the Magnolia Mills, 
started and managed them for ten years, finally 
disposing of the property to Jim Foster. Later 
on he re-purchased the mill with his other 
brother, when Mr. Foster failed, and conducted 
it for many years, or until it was purchased by 
Colonel Hoag. Owing to ill health Mr. Craw- 
ford left this part of the country and sought a 
change of climate and surroundings in Boise 
City and Walla Walla, in both of which towns 
he started mills, and in the former of which he 
made his home for thirty years. In Idaho he 
was especially prominent in political affairs, and 
also took an active part in subduing the Indians, 
whose language he learned, and whose interests 
he studied and forwarded. He took part in 
three of the Rogue river wars, and was promi- 
nent in forming treaties and directly treated with 
the aggrieved red men. 

In 1890 Mr. Crawford and his brother, Wil- 
iam, came to Albany to take charge of their af- 
fairs, and he has since continued to be a resident 
of this city. He is a Democrat, and a member 
of the St. John Lodge Xo. 62, F. and A. M., and 
is also identified with the Bayley Chapter, R. A. 
M., and with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. The death of his brother John fell heavily 
upon the heart of this honored pioneer, for John 
and he were associated in many of the important 
undertakings of their lives, and were the closest 
of friends and boon companions. Thev crossed 
the plains together, sitting many evenings over 
cheery camp-fires, and planning for the future 
with the enthusiasm of youth as yet untried, and 
therefore hopeful. They mined and milled to- 
gether, and together built the canal in Albany, 
besides owning many large properties upon 
which they engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
ing. Mr. Crawford is at present a very large 
owner of country and town land, his possessions 
being located mostly in Linn county in the Wil- 
lamette valley, and in the heavily timbered por- 
tions of the north. True to the land of his birth, 
he has visited his friends in Ireland on half a 
dozen occasions, coming back always with re- 
newed appreciation of the many advantages 
awaiting him in the northwest. 



JOHX W. McKIXXEY is a native son of 
the west, and was born on his father's farm near 
Marion village, this county, December 21, 1855. 



1466 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



His father, William W. McKinney, was born in 
Missouri, and came to Oregon in the early pio- 
neer days, thereafter establishing himself among 
the successful agriculturists of his vicinity. 
When John W. was five years of age the family 
fortunes were shifted to four miles east of 
Turner, where the father died, and where the 
son grew to manhood, remaining with his mother 
until the fall of 1879. While still on the home 
farm he attended the public schools and Wil- 
lamette University, the latter of which he re- 
turned to several times, and finally graduated 
therefrom in June, 1879. For the following four 
years he rented the home place, and in the fall 
of 1883 removed to the farm upon which he still 
lives, bringing with him his wife, formerly Edna 
T. Smith, whom he married February 28, 1883. 
At the present time Mr. McKinney owns three 
hundred and twelve acres of land, upon which 
he has built a fine house, and fitted with all mod- 
ern improvements. Since 1888 the greater part 
of his land has been devoted to stock-raising, 
Hereford cattle, Berkshire hogs, and Leicester 
sheep being among the most profitable stock. He 
has forty head of registered Hereford cattle, and 
all his stock is the best procurable. The farm is 
called the Rockwell ranch, and is located one and 
a half miles southwest of Turner. 

No children were born of the first marriage of 
Mr. McKinney, his wife dying February 3, 1893, 
The present Mrs. McKinney, whom he married 
November 21, 1897, was Miss Minnie Colwell, 
of Salem. One child, Althea Lee, has blessed 
this union. Mr. McKinney enjoys an enviable 
reputation in Marion county, and he has many 
friends among the representative families that 
live here. 



HON. H. B. NICHOLS. One of the most 
interesting lives to be found among the early 
settlers in the western states is that of the Hon. 
H. B. Nichols who, though in his eighty-third 
year, still enjoys the good health and activity 
of a man many years his junior. A student 
from his earliest youth Mr. Nichols has broad- 
ened the current of his mental attainments by 
close and intimate associations with the busi- 
ness affairs of both the eastern and western sec- 
tions of the country, and through contact with 
many and varied nationalities he has become a 
keen, shrewd judge of human nature, but tem- 
pers the reading with a kindly personality which 
has won him many friends. 

The family of H. B. Nichols is of New Eng- 
land birth, his father being a native of Middle- 
town, Conn., where he died at the age of seven- 
ty-seven years. For a great many years he 
followed the business of hat manufacturing in 
Colchester, Conn., where he was very promi- 



nent in industrial circles. Henry Brainard 
Nichols was born January 15, 1821, in Lyme, 
Conn., and received his preliminary education in 
the public schools of that town, and at Brainard 
Academy, Haddam, Conn., later attending Wes- 
leyan University in the city of his father's birth. 
On account of ill health he left his home when 
quite young and entered upon a course of travel- 
ing, taking sea voyages for twenty-two months, 
during which time he visited the most interest- 
ing parts of the globe, gaining most valuable 
knowledge from his association with the various 
peoples. On returning to his home he went to 
Iowa, in company with his brother-in-law, Dr. 
Dayton, intending to take up the study of medi- 
cine ; but, finding the country well supplied 
with such professional men, he organized, in- 
stead, a select school in Muscatine, conducting 
the same for five years. Later in life many 
prominent men of the state of Iowa recalled the 
time when they attended the school conducted 
by Mr. Nichols. Having seen enough of the 
world, to make' him interested in all geographical 
questions, Mr. Nichols became an emigrant to 
help change the conditions of the western terri- 
tory, in 1852 crossing the plains with ox-teams 
with the intention of settling in Oregon. After 
a journey of five months he reached his destina- 
tion, and at once became a resident of Umpqua 
valley, later taking up a donation claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres about six miles west 
of Monroe, Benton county, where he has since 
made his home. In addition to his general farm- 
ing and stock-raising Mr. Nichols has taught 
school in Oregon, commencing his pedagogical 
work the first winter which he spent here. Be- 
ing one of the most intelligent and best in- 
formed men of the early days, he has always 
taken an active part in all public affairs, being 
often called upon in the matter of law contracts, 
etc. In 1857 he was a member of the constitu- 
tional convention, a member of the last terri- 
torial legislature and served one term in the 
state legislature, where he ably represented 
those who had honored him with their support. 
Through his early association with educational 
matters he has always been interested in all that 
pertained to the advancement of knowledge, for 
thirty years serving as school clerk in this vi- 
cinity. Mr. Nichols now owns twelve hundred 
acres of land, a part of which is rented, though 
he continues the management of the remainder. 
While a resident of Muscatine, Iowa, Mr. 
Nichols married Martha Overman, a native of 
Ohio, and through their many years of married 
life she was a faithful helper toward wealth and 
success in the western venture. She died in 
1883, leaving three children, all of whom were 
graduates of Willamette University. The old- 
est, Alfred C, is now deceased ; R. J. is the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



14G7 



librarian for the Oregon Agricultural College at 
Corvallis, Ore. ; and Caroline is the wife of Jud- 
son Reeves, of Salem. Fraternally Mr. Nichols 
affiliates with the Grange, having helped to es- 
tablish that organization in this vicinity, and 
was the first secretary of the same, and later 
served as master. Politically he is a Republican 
and has always been so since the formation of 
that party, but previously was a Whig, and gave 
his first presidential vote to Henry Clay, in 1844, 
while a student at the Wesleyan University, 
Middletown, Conn. As a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, Mr. Nichols has been 
faithful for fiftv vears. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON PHILLIPS was 
born in Guilford county, N. C, October 24, 1838, 
the son of David and Sarah (Sullinger) Phillips, 
born respectively August 24 and 27, 1797, and 
both natives of North Carolina. In 1838 Mr. 
Phillips brought his family to Ray county, Mo., 
and there engaged in farming, until his removal 
in 1843 to Texas, where, near Paris, he continued 
to follow this occupation. Three years later he 
again made his home in Missouri, in Andrew 
county engaging in farming, and in 1852 he out- 
fitted with ox-teams and crossed the plains via 
the Platte river, after six months' travel arriving 
safely in Salem, Ore., where he spent the first 
winter. In March, 1853, h e came to Linn 
county, and took up a donation claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres located six miles 
northeast of Scio, where he remained for twenty- 
two years. Later himself and wife made their 
home with G. W., of this review, where Mr. 
Phillips' death occurred at the age of eighty-four 
years. Mrs. Phillips died here in 1889, surviv- 
ing her husband seven years. She was the 
mother of three sons and six daughters, of whom 
G. W. is the youngest. 

G. W. Phillips was reared upon his father's 
farm, receiving a rather limited education in the 
common schools. When twenty years old he 
took charge of the paternal farm and conducted 
the same for many years. At that date there 
were nine hundred acres of land in the one tract 
on the location northeast of this place, and since 
that time Mr. Phillips has dealt extensively in 
land, owning at one time more than did any other 
farmer in the countv. He later disposed of 
much of this, and coming to Scio bought a tract 
containing three hundred and fifty acres, but now 
owns but two hundred and twenty acres, this 
property converted into cash going into the busi- 
ness life of Scio. In 1894 he became the owner 
of the flour mills of the city, and has since fur- 
nished them with the most complete and up-to- 
date equipment, the mill being run by water 
power, the latter being entirely in the control of 



Mr. Phillips. The capacity of the mill is one 
hundred and twenty barrels of flour per day. In 
1897 he purchased considerable stock in the bank 
here, taking out a third interest in the business, 
and acted as one of the directors of the same 
until 1900. Mr. Phillips is also the owner of a 
local railroad, which runs from Scio to West 
Scio, a distance of three miles. 

In Linn county, Ore., Mr. Phillips was united 
in marriage with Miss Martha Tarply, who was 
born in Missouri, December 13, 1841. Of their 
five children William Monroe is located in West 
Scio ; Saide is the wife of George Coffey, a farm- 
er in this vicinity ; Emma is the wife of Grant 
Davids, of Silverton, Ore. ; Ida is the wife of J. 
A. Warwick,- and makes her home in this city, 
and George W. is in Salem. As a member of the 
Knights of the Maccabees Mr. Phillips carries a 
life insurance policy for $3,000. In his political 
convictions he was once a Democrat, but now 
casts his ballot with the Republican party. He 
has served as county commissioner for two 
years, and as school director and road super- 
visor for many terms. 



PROF. WILLIAM M. MILLER. A native 
of Oregon, William M. Miller was born near 
McMinnville, Yamhill county, December 3, 1862, 
a son of A. M. Miller. His grandfather, the late 
Richard N. Miller, was born in old Virginia, but 
for several years resided in Cole county, Mo., 
where he was a citizen of influence, and for a 
number of terms served as sheriff of the county* 
Coming across the plains to Oregon in 1847, t^e 
year of the great Mormon emigration, he took 
up a donation claim, from which he improved a 
good farm. He spent one season in the Califor- 
nia mines, and was afterwards engaged in the 
stock business in eastern Oregon. A man of a 
deeply religious nature, he was ordained as a 
minister in the Baptist Church after coming to 
this state, and for a number of years was a local 
preacher. He spent his last days in Marion 
county. 

Coming to Oregon with his father when 
twenty-two years of age, A. M. Miller assisted 
in the pioneer labor of improving a homestead 
for two years. In 1849, on the discovery of gold 
in California, he went with the first wagon-train 
to the mines, Eugene Skinner and Colonel Lee 
being members of the same party. After spend- 
ing three years as a miner, he returned to Ore- 
gon, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
first in Yamhill county, then in Linn county, 
near Scio. Removing to Lane county in 1870, 
he bought the old Samuel Baughman donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres, lying 
just above Pleasant Hill, where he improved a 
farm, which he managed until his death, in 1902, 



1468 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



at the age of seventy-eight years. He was 
identified with the Democratic party, and was a 
deacon in the Baptist Church. He married 
Sarah Jane Hutchinson, who was born in Mis- 
souri, and came to Oregon with her aunt, Mrs. 
Tandy, in the Horton train, in 1850. She sur- 
vives him, and resides on the home farm. Of 
the eleven children born of their union, ten grew 
to years of maturity, and eight are living, name- 
ly : Mrs. Nancy Hamilton, of Eugene ; Mrs. Ger- 
trude Wilhelm, residing near Florence, Lane 
county ; Mrs. Belle McCall, of Silver Lake, Ore. ; 
R. N., a stockman of Okanogan county, Wash. ; 
William M., the special subject of this sketch; 
J. R., of Silver Lake, Ore. ; A. T., a farmer at 
Pleasant Hill, Lane county ; and D. J., also a 
farmer. 

A resident of Lane county since seven years 
of age, William M. Miller obtained the rudi- 
ments of his education in the district schools, at 
the same time being well trained in the art and 
science of agriculture on the parental homestead. 
He subsequently pursued his studies at the Uni- 
versity of Oregon for three years, and after 
teaching in the county schools for another three 
years again entered that university, this time re- 
maining two years, giving up his studies while 
in the senior class to go to Montana. At the 
end of six months he returned to Oregon, where 
he resumed his professional labors, teaching first 
in Wasco county, then in the valley. Subse- 
quently becoming principal of the Lonerock 
school, in Gilliam county, he remained there un- 
til 1892, when he accepted the principalship of 
the Creswell School, in Lane county. In 1898 
Mr. Miller was elected county superintendent of 
the Lane county schools on the Democratic ticket, 
for a term of two years, receiving a majority of 
one hundred and five votes. In 1900 he was re- 
elected for a term of four years, receiving a ma- 
jority of ninety-one of the votes cast, the ma- 
jority showing his great popularity, as the Re- 
publican ticket was elected by a majority of four 
hundred votes. 

Since assuming his present position, Mr. Mil- 
ler has been constantly adding to the efficiency 
of the schools of the county, among other things 
introducing the state course of study into the 
schools, and a system of public school examina- 
tions into the eight grades, the papers being 
graded by the superintendent himself. He has 
now full control of one hundred and seventy- 
five school districts, the last legislature having, 
through his efforts, so changed the district 
boundaries that seven of the Douglas county dis- 
tricts are now under his supervision. In these 
districts there are two hundred and twenty-one 
teachers, for whose benefit he has established 
summer institutes and local meetings, holding 
from four to ten each year. His superintend- 



ency covers the greatest length of territory of 
any county in the state, being two hundred miles 
from one extreme to the other by the nearest 
traveled road, and stands No. 1 in regard to 
districts, although it is the third in regard to 
school population. 

Mr. Miller married, in Eugene, Ore., Clara B. 
Fowler, who was born at Peters, Cal., and they 
have two children, namely : W. Kent and E. 
Maude. Fraternally Mr. Miller belongs to 
many of the leading organizations of this local- 
ity, being a member of Creswell Lodge, A. F. & 
A. M. ; of Eugene Chapter No. 10, R. A. M. ; 
of the Woodmen of the World; of the Modern 
Woodmen of America ; and of the Benevolent 
and Protective Order of Elks. He is a promi- 
nent member of the State Teachers Association, 
in which he takes an intelligent interest, and be- 
longs to the Baptist Church. Politically he is 
a stanch Democrat. 



PHY SIMPSON is a native son of Oregon, 
having been born at Lewisville, Polk county, 
September 18, 1868. His ancestry is directly 
southern, his parents being natives of Arkansas, 
his grandparents of Tennessee, the sketch of his 
father, which appears elsewhere in this work, 
giving a detailed account of their lives. Five 
children of his father's family attained maturity, 
of whom Phy was the third, and when his school 
days were over he entered into the same business 
which had occupied his father's attention for so 
many years. In 1893 ne bought a one-third in- 
terest in the saw-mills located at Independence, 
the two others comprising the firm being F. A. 
Douty and his brother, David Simpson, a farmer 
near Pedee. Their combined interests were then 
known as the Independence Lumbering Com- 
pany. They now have two camps occupying the 
attention of twenty men, while Mr. Simpson 
alone owns between four and five thousand acres 
of lumber land on the Luckiamute, and his share 
of the equipment consists of twenty head of cat- 
tle, ten horses and a donkey engine. The output 
for the year is in the neighborhood of four mil- 
lion feet of lumber. In Airlie, Polk county, Mr. 
Simpson has built a handsome residence, wherein 
he now makes his home with his wife, a native of 
Polk county. The one child born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Simpson is Eldon. Mr. Simpson is a Dem- 
ocrat in his political affiliations, and fraternally 
belonsrs to the Woodmen of the World. 



THOMAS B. SPRENGER. It is doubtless 
owing to the industrious and persevering man- 
ner with which Thomas B. Sprenger has ad- 
hered to the pursuits of agriculture that he has 
risen to such a substantial position in the farm- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1469 



ing affairs of Linn county. Two years after his 
birth, which occurred October 25, 1850, his par- 
ents. Nicholas and Maria (Bird) Sprenger, na- 
tives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively, 
removed from Morgan county, Ohio, and settled 
in Linn county. Ore., and from that time, which 
is practically his whole life, Thomas B. Sprenger 
has made his home continuously in this region. 

Thomas B. Sprenger spent his youth much 
the same as do most farmers' sons, attending 
the district schools in the winter season and giv- 
ing a helping hand in the multifarious duties that 
fall to the farmer's lot. Until 1875 he remained 
under the parental roof, but in that year he mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth J. May, a native of Iowa, 
who, in 1865, had crossed the plains with her 
father, James May. The latter settled upon a 
farm located northeast of Peoria, which he con- 
ducted for a time, but finally abandoned it and 
engaged in mercantile pursuits in the village of 
Shedds. The young people made their first home 
in the house which the elder Mr. Sprenger 
erected upon first coming to Oregon, but in time 
this rude affair was superseded by a more com- 
modious and up-to-date residence, in which the 
family now reside. A fine set of outbuildings is 
in keeping with the other modern improvements 
which Mr. Sprenger has introduced since his 
occupancy of the present homestead. While he 
carries on general farming, he also carries on a 
dairy business, which adds no inconsiderable 
amount to his yearly income. The products of 
his dairy are supplied from a fine grade of Jer- 
sey cattle. 

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Sprenger, as follows : Zaida, who married O. L. 
Carey, a confectioner of Lebanon ; Winnie, the 
wife of James Fisher, superintendent of the poor 
farm ; Wallace, a farmer in Linn county ; Mabel, 
the wife of R. HofHeck, who also resides in the 
county ; and Clayton, Arzelia, Thelma, Ethel and 
Thomas, the latter five of whom are still at home 
with their parents. Mr. Sprenger is a member 
of the Grange, which he is at present serving in 
the capacity of assistant steward. In political 
affairs he upholds the man rather than the party, 
and is thus bound to neither party. 



THOMAS W. POTTER. To Thomas W. 
Potter is due the distinction of being the only 
successful superintendent of the Chemawa In- 
dian School at Salem. At the time of his as- 
sumption of authority, in 1895, the school was in 
a demoralized condition, the attendance num- 
bered but two hundred, and all semblance of sys- 
tem or order had disappeared during the admin- 
istration of seven superintendents. At the pres- 
ent time the school enrollment is nearly eight 
hundred. To accommodate the increased attend- 



ance eight or ten buildings have been erected, 
and the promoters have under immediate consid- 
eration a large and modernly equipped structure 
to cost $25,000. All trades are taught in the in- 
stitution, and the little community, with its mul- 
tiplicity of interests, its air of industry, cleanli- 
ness, high moral tone, and general good fellow- 
ship, presents a spectacle of enlightened interest 
in the future of the red man cheering alike to 
the humanitarian, the statistician, and the stu- 
dent of sociology. Many graduates of the school 
are serving as teachers, housekeepers, cooks, 
governesses, seamstresses, bookkeepers, and kin- 
dred occupations, and many have developed suf- 
ficient means and independence to operate shops 
and farms of their own. 

Mr. Potter was born in Ontario, Canada, De- 
cember 28, 1863. From his father, who was a 
minister in the Methodist Church, he inherited 
an appreciation of education, liberality of 
thought, and humanitarianism, and so well did 
he apply himself as a student, that he had gradu- 
ated at both the Hamilton Collegiate Institute 
and the Toronto Normal School before he was 
eighteen years of age. After a year of teaching 
in Canada he went to Texas and taught mathe- 
matics at Fort Worth University for a year, and 
experienced the novelty of cow-boy life on the 
plains of Texas and Indian territory for a couple 
of years. Thereafter he engaged in educational 
work at the Cheyenne school, and when Col. D. 
B. Dyer was agent of the Cheyennes and Arapa- 
hoes, he received his first regular appointment as 
a teacher in the Cheyenne school, in 1884, and 
has ever since been identified with the work of 
bettering the condition of the Indian. After 
leaving the Cheyenne school he taught for a year 
in the Arapahoe school, from 1886 until 1887 m 
the Kiowa and Comanche agency; from 1887 
until 1889 was sub-agent at Cantonment, Okla. ; 
for one year a teacher at the Carlisle Indian 
School ; for one year a teacher at Fort Totten, 
N. D. ; and from 1893 until 1895, was superin- 
tendent and acting agent of the Eastern Chero- 
kees, N. C. 

As a relaxation from his responsibility Mr. 
Potter is interested in stock-raising, with which 
his early experience as a cow-boy made him 
very familiar. He is the owner of a profitable 
and large cattle ranch and farm in the Indian 
territory. 



L. S. MORIN. At the base of the mountains, 
in the vicinity of Dayton, is the farm occupied 
for two years more than half a century by Mrs. 
Addison Darr, one of the best known women in 
Yamhill county. This property, well tilled, pro- 
ductive, and finely equipped, is necessarily asso- 
ciated with its original owner, L. S. Morin, than 



1470 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



whom no more honored early settler braved the 
dangers of the plains in '44. 

Mr. Morin, the first husband of Mrs. Dan;, 
was born in the state of Kentucky in 1819, his 
father being a very prominent politician of the 
Blue Grass region. The latter, who died in Cali- 
fornia at the age of ninety-five years, was the 
father of four children, none of whom is living 
at the present time. The son, L. S., remained in 
the home in Kentucky until 1844, and that year 
joined a train consisting of sixty or seventy wag- 
ons, under command of Captain Ford. Mr. 
Morin was accompanied by his step-brother, and 
was equipped with provisions and ox-teams, and 
on the journey encountered many experiences of 
a decidedly unpleasant nature. However, the 
party arrived in safety at the end of their long 
trip, Mr. Morin going direct to Yamhill county, 
where he took up a donation claim consisting of 
a section of land, on what is now known as the 
Salem and LaFayette road, five miles north of 
Hopewell. Plere he erected a small log cabin, 
and during 1847-8 was absent in the mining re- 
gions of California, returning to his claim in '49. 
His marriage at that time with Eleanor Chris- 
man was the outgrowth of a romantic attachment 
begun on the plains, Joel and Mary Chrisman, 
the parents of Mrs. Morin, being members of 
that band of home seekers. Mrs. Morin was 
born in Virginia, November 4, 1826. 

Having became firmly established on the dona- 
tion claim, Mr. Morin took another trip down 
into California, but not experiencing success, 
soon afterward came back and resumed general 
farming operations on his farm. He was not 
destined to long enjoy the advantages by which 
he was surrounded, for his death occurred in 
1856, while still in the prime of his manhood and 
greatest usefulness. Three children were born 
to himself and wife, of whom Josiah and John 
are still living with their mother, and Laban S. 
is a resident of McMinnville. 

After the death of her husband Mrs. Morin 
continued to live on the home place, and in i860 
was united, in marriage with Addison Darr, who 
was born and reared in Ohio, and who crossed 
the plains in 1852. Two children were born of 
this union, of whom Addison is living in Day- 
ton, and Ella is the wife of a farmer of this 
neighborhood. In 1888 Mr. Darr died, and since 
then his widow has lived on the same place, 
enjoying the same enviable reputation for hospi- 
tality which has characterized her whole life in 
Oregon. She is prominent in the Christian 
Church, which she joined as a young woman, 
and her influence has ever been exerted along 
educational and general improvement lines. 

J. S. Morin, the oldest son in the family, and 
one of the prominent farmers in this county, is 
unmarried, and has passed his whole life with his 



mother. He is enterprising and progressive, and 
a model farmer and manager. A Democrat in 
politics, he has never aspired to official recogni- 
tion, but has honestly cast his vote for the man 
rather than his political inclinations. Mr. Morin 
is a welcome member of the Masonic fraternity, 
in which he has passed all of the chairs but that 
of treasurer, and he is also identified with the 
Eastern Star. 



BRUNO G. BOEDIGHEIMER, who is the 
proprietor of the Club stables of Salem and a 
most successful liveryman, was born in Ottertail 
county, Minn., January 15, 1867. His father, 
who was also named Bruno, was born on the 
Rhine in Germany. The grandfather, who fol- 
lowed building there for some time, brought the 
family to America when his son, Bruno, was 
about five years of age. He located in Medina 
county, Ohio, where he followed carpentering 
and building, and his death occurred in that 
state. Bruno Boedigheimer, Sr., was reared in 
Ohio, learned the carpenter's trade in his youth 
and followed that pursuit in the Buckeye state 
until the fall of 1866, when he removed to Min- 
nesota, settling in Ottertail county, where he 
homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of 
land, to which he added by purchase until his 
farm comprised three hundred and twenty acres. 
This he placed under a very high state of culti- 
vation, became a prominent and prosperous 
farmer of that locality and eventually his landed 
possessions there aggregated one thousand acres. 
In 1882 he came to Oregon and for a year fol- 
lowed farming in Linn county, after which he 
purchased a farm near Stayton, there engaging 
in agricultural pursuits until his death, which oc- 
curred in November, 1902, when he was seventy- 
eight years of age. He was of the Catholic 
faith. His widow still resides on the old home 
place. She bore the maiden name of Mary Bau- 
haus and was born in Holland, on the German 
border. Her father died in the old country and 
when eighteen years of age Mrs. Boedigheimer 
came with her mother to America and was mar- 
ried in Medina county, Ohio. By this union 
there were seven sons and two daughters, of 
whom five sons and one daughter are yet living. 
The family record is as follows : Frank died in 
Salem, in 1901 ; Joseph and William follow farm- 
ing in Minnesota ; Simon is living at the old 
home in Sublimity, Ore. ; Bruno is next in order 
of birth ; John and Enos are engaged in farming 
at Sublimity ; Aurelia is a sister in St. Mary's 
convent ; and Julia died in Minnesota. 

Farm work early became familiar to Bruno 
Boedigheimer. He attended the public schools 
until ten years of age, after which his attention 
was entirely occupied with the labors of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



U71 



fields, as he assisted his father in the improve- 
ment of the home farm in Minnesota and after- 
ward in Oregon. He remained under the pa- 
rental roof until he attained his majority, when 
he started out upon an independent business ca- 
reer, carrying on general farming on his father's 
land. "While residing upon the old home place 
he purchased one hundred and sixty acres ad- 
joining and to the development and improvement 
of that place he devoted his energies with excel- 
lent success. In 1900 he purchased the Club 
livery stables from L. Miller, on Liberty and 
Ferry streets, and here has the largest barn in 
the city. He still superintends his farm and a 
part of his father's place, his business ability 
being manifest in the successful conduct of both 
departments of his business. 

Mr. Boedigheimer was united in marriage in 
Sublimity to Miss Kate Fessler, who was born 
in Minnesota. They have seven children : 
Henry, George, Tillie, Mary, Julia, Aggie and 
William. In his political views Mr. Boedig- 
heimer is an earnest Democrat, but has never 
had either time nor desire to seek public office, 
his 'attention being fully occupied by his business 
interests. 



EDWIN N. SHEDD comes of an old New 
England familv, the forefathers having been na- 
tives of New Hampshire, where his grandfather, 
Silas Shedd. was born of English parentage. 
The father, William, was also born and reared 
in that state, later making his home in Illinois, 
where several of his children now live. For fur- 
ther information regarding his life refer to the 
sketch of S. L. Shedd, which appears on another 
paee of this work. 

Edwin N. Shedd was born in Alstead, Che- 
shire county, N. H., March 5, 1848, and was 
reared on his father's farm, attending the com- 
mon schools of the state until his removal in 
1867 to Illinois, where, for two vears. he re- 
mained in Knox county. In 1869 he decided to 
trv his fortunes in the west, g"oing first from his 
home in the middle west to New York city, 
where he took steamer to Panama, thence to San 
Francisco, landing- at the last-named place in 
March of the same vear. Determined upon the 
life of a miner, he at once sought work of this 
nature, minine in both Trinitv and Humboldt 
countv. Cal. In September of the same year he 
came to Corvallis, Ore., and eng-agred in a saw- 
mill, findine this employment lucrative for five 
vears, when he changed his location to Gardiner, 
Douglas countv. and continuing there until 1876, 
when he returned east to visit the Centennial Ex- 
position. Thence he went to New Hampshire, 
enjovinp- a visit among- the scenes of his child- 
hood. On his return to California he stopped in 



Illinois. On his second arrival in the west he 
mined for a time at Weaverville, Trinity county, 
and later settled in Lewiston, where he engaged 
in prospecting and placer mining for nearly 
twenty-seven years, during which time he met 
with a gratifying success in his chosen work. 

In December, 1902, he returned to Corvallis, 
Benton county, Ore., where his brother, S. L., 
makes his home, and has since continued to live 
with him. Fraternally Mr. Shedd belongs to the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows having been 
made a member November 29, 1870, of Barnum 
Lodge, No. 7, of which he was noble grand in 
1873. He is still a member here. He also be- 
longs to the Encampment in Albany, and to the 
Rebekahs. He belongs to the American Protec- 
tive Association and politically is a Republican. 



S. N. LILLY was born December 18, 1830, in 
Oneida county, N. Y., the son of a farmer, who 
died when S. N. was quite young. The mother 
later married again, and at the age of fourteen 
years S. N. Lilly left the home roof to make his 
own way in the world. With an older brother he 
started toward the west, stopping for about seven 
years in the state of Illinois, at the close of which 
period he came to Oregon, crossing the plains by 
ox-teams, six months of the year being taken up 
in the journey. Beyond the hardships and pri- 
vations incident to life on the plains they came 
through without any trouble, arriving safely in 
Benton county, Ore., where they settled near 
Philomath, and there Mr. Lilly bought a farm 
and remained two years. At the close of that 
time he traded this place for one located in 
King's valley, making the latter his home for 
fifteen years, when he also traded that farm for 
the one where he now lives. His present posses- 
sion consists of four hundred acres, two hundred 
and fifty acres, of which are under cultivation. 
The land adjoins Corvallis on the south, and he 
is now engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising, being also interested in hops- and fruit, 
forty and fifteen acres, respectively, being de- 
voted to their cultivation. 

In i860 Mr. Lilly was united in marriage with 
Miss Lucinda A. Hardie, a native of Illinois, who 
crossed the plains with her parents in 1852, and 
of the union nine children were born, named in 
order of birth as follows : Sidi, deceased ; Les- 
lie, located in Roseburg; Ora, the wife of W. C. 
Corbett, of Corvallis ; Clara, the wife of W. W. 
Hall, of Salem ; Frank, located in Lagrande, 
Ore. ; Hettie, at home : Mary, the wife of Will- 
liam Carver, of Minnesota ; Arthur and Ruth, 
also at home with their father. In 1893 Mrs. 
Lilly died. Mr. Lilly takes an active part in 
politics, being an adherent of the Republican 



1472 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



party. Fraternally he is a Mason, and he also 
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

An interesting event in the life of Mr. Lilly 
was his enlistment under Captain Miller for 
services in the Cayuse war, and during his six- 
months service he took part in the engagement at 
Grande Ronde, where he suffered a wound and 
a broken arm. He was mustered out at The 
Dalles. 



ARMAND L. WYNNE, M. D. During the 
last twenty years of his life, Dr. A. L. Wynne 
was connected with a medical and surgical prac- 
tice in Cottage Grove which not only placed him 
on a par with the most eminent and learned in 
the profession in Lane county, but which estab- 
lished his right to the title of one of nature's 
noblemen, well planned, well developed, extreme- 
ly cultured, humane and optimistic. The death 
of Dr. Wynne in 1883, at the age of fifty-four, 
and at the zenith of his power and usefulness, 
was a great shock to the community, the deepest 
regret being felt that so brilliant and forceful 
a man should succumb to work entailed by his 
supreme allegiance to a fascinating and exhaus- 
tive science. 

Dr. Wynne was born in old Virginia, his 
father, Jobn, being a native of the same state, 
and owner of a large plantation, still associated 
with a family which was numbered among the 
old aristocracy of an historic time. No less a 
distinguished center was the large farm in Dav- 
iess county, Mo., upon which John Wynne 
settled at an early day, taking with him into the 
practical wilderness the manners and graceful 
hospitality of the southern gentleman of culture 
and wealth. According to the light of his early 
and subsequent training he saw no error in 
maintaining a large retinue of slaves in both 
Virginia and Missouri, and his entire life was 
passed in an atmosphere suggestive of the feud- 
al, the leisurely and the hospitable. His son, 
A. L., was educated in Virginia, Philadelphia and 
St. Louis, Mo., and from earliest childhood 
evinced a liking for science, anatomy and medi- 
cine. He crossed the plains in 1864, more to 
see the country than from motives of economy, 
and located first at Grande Ronde valley, engag- 
ing in a professional practice for which he had 
specially qualified in Philadelphia. Soon after- 
ward he located in Cottage Grove, and that his 
prescriptions are still valued to the extent of 
being used by the drug stores in Cottage Grove 
argues well for his skill in diagnosis and treat- 
ment. A student always, and with a receptive, 
inquiring brain, he never tired of investigating 
the unexplored regions of medical and surgical 
science, with the result that few were more thor- 
oughly in touch with every phase of the broad 



subject. He was well known in the social life 
of the county, and was identified with the Ma- 
sons and Odd Fellows, and with various pro- 
fessional associations. In politics he was a 
Democrat, and his religious home was in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which 
he was a member and active worker for many 
years. 

In Grundy county, Mo., in 1863, Dr. Wynne 
was united in marriage with Sarah Ellen Per- 
kins, who was born in Garrard county, Ky., 
February 10, 1844, a daughter of Joseph and 
Mary Ellen (Thomas) Perkins, natives of Ken- 
tucky. At a very early day the grandfather, Ed- 
mond Perkins, established himself on a large 
plantation in Kentucky, where several of his chil- 
dren were born, and where he attained to great 
prominence in his neighborhood. He owned 
many slaves, and prospered exceedingly, his last 
days being spent among the opulence and plenty 
of his southern home. His son, Joseph, removed 
to Grundy county, Mo., with his wife in 1850, 
and there engaged in farming for several years, 
or until crossing the plains in 1864. He took 
up a claim in Baker county, later removing to 
the Willamette valley, while his death occurred 
in Cottage Grove, at an advanced age. His 
daughter, Sarah Ellen, was the fourth of the 
two daughters and five sons born into his fam- 
ily, and her life was quietly passed on the home 
farm until her marriage with Dr. Wynne. 

For thirty-four years Mrs. Wynne has lived 
in the same house, sacred from its association 
with her comrade husband, and which was the 
first house to be built on this side of the town. 
She is happy in the thought that five of her six 
children have been spared to bear her occasional 
company, the oldest of these being Harry F. 
Wynne, of whom extended mention is made else- 
where in this work. Olivia, the oldest daughter, 
is the wife of Herbert Eakin, owner and pro- 
prietor of a store and banking establishment of 
Cottage Grove ; Mabel is now Mrs. Merryman, 
of Spokane, Wash. ; Orpah is the wife of James 
Benson, a druggist of Cottage Grove ; Armand 
L. lives with his mother ; and Joseph is de- 
ceased. 



JOHN H. CLELEN was born in March, 
1842, in Adams county, III., a son of Robert 
Clelen, an early settler and pioneer farmer in 
Illinois, who, with his wife and two children, in 
1847, set out f° r tne west w ^h ox-teams, taking 
the old Barlow route. When the little party had 
nearly reached their journey's end the hopes that 
had buoyed them on during the previous months 
were saddened by the death of the wife and 
mother, who, when they had reached Molalla 
creek, was taken with measles. After burying 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1473 



their dead the father again took up the march, 
and on the forks of the Santiam river took up a 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres of rich 
bottom land, which he improved, and upon which 
he erected a log house. The year 1849, which is 
famous in history as the year of the discovery 
of gold in California, found Mr. Clelen making 
his way over the mountains to the gold fields. 
Two years later he returned to Portland by 
steamer, and from there went back to his farm. 
The uprising of the Yakima Indians, in 1855-56, 
called for the assistance of all the settlers in the 
vicinity, and Mr. Clelen took an important part 
in quelling the disturbances. In 1863 ne again 
went to the Golden state, and after remaining in 
Contra Costa count}- for a time, went to Russian 
River, thence to Texas, where he engaged in 
farming, and where his death occurred in 1871. 

The parental family comprised two children, 
of whom William died when he reached his fif- 
teenth year. John H. Clelen assisted his father 
in the management and care of the farm insofar 
as his strength permitted, and in the meantime 
gleaned a limited knowledge of the rudimentary 
studies in the district school. He accompanied 
his father on his second trip to California, in 
1863, but the following year returned to Oregon, 
and has made his home here ever since. For two 
years he was employed in a saw-mill, but after 
his marriage settled on a farm in Linn county. 
Two vears later, however, he established himself 
in the teaming business in Albany, at that time 
hauling • goods from Portland, but later he en- 
gaged in the dray and truck business, following 
this for nine years. At the expiration of this 
time he purchased a farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres near Plainview, Linn county, which 
is now rented to tenants, as is also another farm 
of the same size which he owns, located near 
Sodaville, also in this county. 

The marriage of John H. Clelen and Miss Me- 
linda Young was celebrated in Albany, Ore., 
Mrs. Clelen being a native of Illinois. She was 
the only daughter of George W. Young, who 
came to Oregon in 1851 and lent his aid in the 
development of the state. He is still living, at 
the age of seventy-three years. Three children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Clelen : Otto, 
who is an engineer in Albany ; Benjamin, also in 
business here ; and Edna, now Mrs. Rowlings, 
also a resident of Albany. The Democratic party 
claims Mr. Clelen as one of its adherents, and he 
has served as a member of the citv committee. 



CATHERINE A. PERKINS was born on a 
claim almost within sight of Cottage Grove, Oc- 
tober 25, 1855. John Cochran, the father of 
Mrs. Perkins, was born in Kentucky, and from 
his native state removed to Missouri, from where 



he brought his family across the plains in 1850. 
In his young manhood he married Lettie Kelly, 
a native of Tennessee, and who bore him seven 
children, two of whom were sons, and five of 
whom accompanied their parents on the west- 
ward trip. Mr. Cochran selected Lane county 
as a desirable and promising farming commu- 
nity, and near Cottage Grove took up a donation 
claim of a quarter of a section, where he farmed 
and raised stock with considerable success. 
While attending court in Eugene as a juryman, 
he contracted a fever from which he died in 
1858, at the early age of forty-one years. The 
wife, who survived him, and who eventually died 
in Cottage Grove, married for her second hus- 
band Samuel Dillard. 

Educated in the public schools of this county, 
Mrs. Perkins developed a charming personality, 
and at seventeen years of age she became en- 
gaged to M. C. Connelly, a railroad employe 
and a young man of excellent character and 
business ability. Mr. Connelly was born in Liv- 
erpool, England, and came to the United States, 
settling in the west, where he was engaged prin- 
cipally as superintendent of grading for the Ore- 
gon & California, now the Southern Pacific Rail- 
road. His married life was short-lived, for he 
was killed by the explosion of giant powder on 
a boat while blasting rock five miles above Uma- 
tilla, on the Columbia river, in 1876, at the age 
of thirty-one years. At the time he had advanced 
to the position of superintendent of construction, 
and his career contained great promise. He left 
one son, Arthur V., who is living in Cottage 
Grove, but who is employed as brakeman on the 
Oregon & Southeastern Railroad. 

In 1877 Mrs. Connelly was united in mar- 
riage with Joseph H. Perkins, a native of Mis- 
souri, and who came across the plains with his 
parents in 1864, settling first in Baker and after- 
ward in Lane county. Mr. Perkins' father, 
Joseph D. Perkins, was born in Kentucky, and 
from there removed to Missouri, living there on 
a farm for several years, or until coming to the 
west. The son came into the possession of a 
farm, upon a portion of which the town of Cot- 
tasrc Grove has since been built, and where he 
conducted a thriving general farming business for 
mahv vears, later running a dairy. Besides the 
town site of Cottage Grove he disposed of con- 
siderable more of his land, retaining for his per- 
sonal use one hundred and fifty acres on the east. 
His death occurred March 4, 1902, at the age of 
fifty years, and he left behind him the legacy of a 
good name, and of a life well and profitably 
spent. He was a Democrat in politics, and was 
fraternally a member of the Masonic order. 
With his wife he attended the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian Church. 

A few vears before his death Mr. Perkins 



70 



1474: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



erected the commodious residence in Cottage 
Grove now occupied by his widow. She still 
owns and rents one hundred and thirty acres 
of the property, to the improvement of which 
her husband devoted his mature and most worthy 
energies. Two daughters contribute to the hap- 
piness of her life, of whom Neva, the oldest, is 
a student in the junior class at the state 
university at Eugene, and Leah is living at home. 
Mrs. Perkins still retains the vivacity and mental 
charm which rendered her girlhood an interest- 
ing one, and she has many friends throughout 
the town and county. 

J. H. S AVERY was born in Floyd county, 
Ind., October 23, 1832, the descendant of a line 
of southern people. The father, G. B., was born 
near Lynchburg, Ky., December 24, 1804, the 
son of Henry and Agnes (Edwards) Savery. 
When a young man G. B. Savery removed to 
Floyd county, Ind., and there met and married 
a daughter of Kentucky, Catherine Sears, born 
October 16, 1808. Her parents had recently re- 
moved to Indiana, as presenting more opportuni- 
ties than the state which they had left. From 
Indiana Mr. Savery took -his family to Illinois, 
in 1838. In 1846 they again removed, seeking 
now a desirable location in Iowa, living in both 
Wapello and Jefferson counties. At length Mr. 
Savery gathered together his worldly goods in 
seven wagons drawn by seven yoke of oxen, and 
joined an emigrant train bound for Oregon, 
under the command of William Carter. The 
journey was begun April 23, 1853, and ended 
October 23, of the same year. The members of 
the emigrant train parted company in Perrydale, 
Polk county, Ore., Mr. Savery, his wife and son, 
J. H. Savery, of this review, going to a location 
a little farther north, where the father took up 
a donation claim consisting of three hundred and 
twenty acres, of which three hundred and twelve 
are still owned by the son. This farm was lo- 
cated near Ballston, a convenient market. The 
father and mother passed their years in this 
home until their death, after which it passed into 
the hands of their son, J. H. Savery, as he was 
the only child born to their union. Here Mr. Sav- 
ery now lives, giving his time and thought to the 
painstaking cultivation of his property, one hun- 
dred and sixty acres being in active cultivation. 
He is at present engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. 

April 12, 1870, Mr. Savery married Hulda Jane 
Kimsey, who was born two and a half miles 
north of Dallas, December 14, 185 1. Her father. 
John F. Kimsey, was a native of Alabama who 
crossed the plains in 1847. Five children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Savery, all but one 
of whom are living. They are as follows : Ora, 
Ralph, John T., Henry and Tracy. Mr. Savery 



has served in several minor offices, having been 
supervisor and school director for some time. 
Fraternally, he is a member of the Grange of 
Salt Creek, in which he is past master. He is a 
Socialist in his political affiliations. 

M. A. WADE was born March 16, 1830, near 
Lincolnville, Me., and his ancestors, as far back 
as record goes, were toilers of the sea or builders 
of sea craft. The paternal great-grandfather, a 
ship carpenter by trade, was a native of Scotland, 
and a sailor, and for many years came and went 
among the islands and shoals comprising the 
Scottish coast. His son, the paternal grand- 
father, also born in Scotland, followed in the 
footsteps of his sire, built many ships, and was 
engaged principally in foreign trade. He came to 
America when a comparatively young man, set- 
tled in Maine, and readily adapted himself to the 
marine affairs of that state. He was particularly 
active during the war of 1812, and though he 
never enlisted, possessed pronounced sympathy 
for the Americans, and helped them in every way 
in his power. He must have been somewhat of 
a strategist, for he resorted to the expediency of 
sinking an English vessel of which he was pilot, 
and which had on board supplies for the English 
soldiers in the Maine forts. He made his home 
for many years in Lincolnville, Me., where was 
boan his son, Alfred, the father of M. A., Sep- 
tember 22, 1798. 

A sea-faring life seems not to have appealed 
to Alfred Wade, for he lived quietly in his home 
in Maine until twenty-one years old. He then 
started out to make his living by land occupa- 
tions, and in his native state married Sarah Gil- 
key, a native of Massachusetts, and with whom 
he continued to live in Maine until 1858. He then 
brought his family to Oregon via the Isthmus of 
Panama, San Francisco and Portland, and set- 
tled at Parkersville, Ore., where he conducted a 
hotel for two years. He was quite successful, 
and from Parkersville removed to Salem, where 
he had another hotel which he conducted until 
a short time before his death at the age of sev- 
enty-eight years. His wife, who lived to be 
ninety-three years old, bore him four children, 
of whom Sarah G. is the widow of Mr. Minor, 
of Tacoma, Wash. ; W. L. is living in Salem ; 
M. A., and an infant, deceased. The parents 
were members of the Baptist Church. 

Owing to an accident which impaired his 
father's usefulness, M. A. Wade was obliged to 
assist with the family support at a comparatively 
early age. At the age of fourteen he put to sea, 
which he followed in various capacities until 
twenty-two years old. He became a mate at the 
ag-e of nineteen, and rapidly rose to the front. 
After giving up the sea he learned the trade of 
machinist and after serving an apprenticeship of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1475 



three years conducted an excavator for several 
months. In 1855 he came to California via the 
Isthmus, and for two years followed mining and 
prospecting with varying results. He then came 
to Oregon and bought a farm of one hundred 
and sixty-five acres two and a half miles south- 
east of Gervais. to which he has since added, and 
now has three hundred and six acres. His farm 
is well improved, man}- acres are under cultiva- 
tion, and he is engaged in general farming and 
stock-raising. Fifteen acres are devoted to 
hops, and in 1903 Mr. Wade raised fifteen thou- 
sand pounds. 

In i860 Mr. Wade married Jane Webb, a na- 
tive of Indiana, who crossed the plains with her 
parents in 1847. Mrs - Wade is the mother of 
seven children, of whom Mary S., Ida, and 
Frank are living at home. Mr. Webb has always 
taken an active interest in Republican politics, 
and has held several offices of trust within the 
gift of his fellow-townsmen. He is interested 
in promoting the cause of education, and has 
been a member of the school board for several 
years. For several years he was postmaster of 
Parkersville. 



HENRY A. SKEELS. One of the solid, 
progressive, and able business men of Spring- 
field, Lane county, is Henry A. Skeels, who, 
although a comparative!}' new resident of this 
place, is prominently identified with its leading 
interests, and is conspicuous in the management 
of its public affairs, being at the present time 
mayor of this thriving little city. A native of 
Illinois, he was born February 16, 1849, in Iro- 
quois county, a son of Nelson Skeels, and the 
descendant of a well known New England 
family. 

Reuben Skeels, grandfather of Henry A., was 
born and bred in Vermont, growing to a sturdy 
manhood among its green hills. He served for 
a brief time in the war of 181 2, and afterwards 
removed to Ohio, becoming a pioneer farmer of 
Columbus. Going from there to Iroquois county, 
111., in 1837, he took up a tract of land from the 
government, and again engaged in the pioneer 
labor of improving a homestead, living and la- 
boring as a general farmer until his death, at the 
age of seventy-four years. Deeply religious by 
nature and training, he was a valued and active 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
was one of the organizers of the church of that 
denomination at Onarga, 111., in which he was 
the first deacon. As one of the seven men, four 
of them being named Skeels, that were instru- 
mental in the establishment of this church, his 
name appears on its records, and the fact that 
the first meeting of its first congregation was 
held in his house is written in its annals. 



Removing from Ohio, the state of his birth, to 
Illinois when a lad of sixteen years, Nelson 
Skeels subsequently lived in Iroquois county 
until 1865, when he removed with his family to 
Montana. Locating in Boulder valley, near 
Helena, he carried on stock-raising and dairying 
for five years, meeting with fair success. He 
was subsequently engaged in the same industry 
at Bozeman, Mont., until the fall of 1873, when 
he settled near Walla Walla, Wash., where he 
was employed in stock-raising and general farm- 
ing for five years. In 1878 he located near Pa- 
louse, Whitman county, and there continued in 
his chosen vocation until his death, at the age of 
sixty- four years. He married Lucinda A. Fargo, 
who was born June 21, 1823, in West Virginia. 
Her father v/as born in Vermont, but removed 
to West Virginia as a young man, locating on 
the Conaway river, near Mount Pleasant, where 
he remained, a successful farmer and a citizen 
of prominence, until his death. He was of 
French ancestry, being descended from one of 
two brothers that came from France to America 
in colonial times. One brother, the ancestor of 
Mrs. Skeels, located in Vermont, while the other 
brother settled in Canada. Of the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Nelson Skeels, seven sons and four 
daughters were born, and of these four sons and 
one daughter are now living. 

The eldest child of his parents, Henry A. 
Skeels obtained his early education in the com- 
mon schools of Illinois, afterwards assisting his 
father in farming and stock-raising until 1871. 
In that year he established himself in business as 
a butcher at Bozeman, Mont., being in partner- 
ship with his father, however, and continuing 
thus associated until the death of the father. In 
1894 Mr. Skeels located at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, 
where he was employed in getting out timber for 
the mines, and also in running a general store 
for four years. Coming to Springfield, Ore., in 
1898, he "leased the old saw-mill, which he oper- 
ated successfully until the fall of 1901, when he 
sold out to the Booth-Kelley Company. Pur- 
chasing a store of general merchandise, he man- 
aged it profitably for a year, when, in 1902, he 
traded it for a fruit ranch in California. This 
ranch, advantageously located in the Santa Clara 
valley, contains thirty-five acres of land, and is 
devoted chiefly to the raising of prunes, apricots 
and cherries. Mr. Skeels has likewise valuable 
property in Springfield, owning houses and lots, 
and is a man of wealth as well as of political and 
social position. 

At Walla Walla, Wash., Mr. Skeels married 
Elmyra Oglesby, a native of Illinois, and they 
have six children living, namely: Nelson A., 
George W., Laura, wife of I. L. Smith ; Harry 
A., Isaac L. and John Robert, all residents of 
Springfield. For two years prior to his election 



14:76 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



as mayor of the city, Mr. Skeels served as a 
member of the city council. In his political affil- 
iations he is a Republican, and fraternally is a 
Mason. 



W. O. HECKART. A leading contractor and 
builder of Corvallis, Benton county, is W. O. 
Heckart, who stands high in the estimation of 
the people with whom he has so long been asso- 
ciated, his prominent and influential position 
having been won through a successful prosecu- 
tion of his work. He was born near Ottumwa, 
Wapello county, Iowa, February 5, i860, the son 
of Michael Heckart, a native of Pennsylvania, 
his birth having occurred in the neighborhood of 
Harrisburg, Dauphin county. He was the rep- 
resentative of an old Pennsylvania family, an an- 
cestor having settled in that state early in the 
eighteenth century, whose descendants served in 
the Revolutionary war, while the grandfather of 
our subject, W. O. Heckart, participated in the 
war of 1812. This ancestor subsequently re- 
moved from a farm in Pennsylvania to Missouri, 
Michael Heckart, who was then only sixteen 
years old, accompanying his parents to the latter 
state, where he grew to manhood and learned 
the trade of a carpenter. Subsequently, he en- 
tered land in Wapello county, Iowa, and im- 
proved and cultivated the same in conjunction 
with his trade, the first Presbyterian Church of 
Ottumwa being the work of his hands. He re- 
mained a consistent member of this faith until 
his death, while in politics he adhered to the 
principles promulgated by the Democratic party. 
He married Mary Mayer, who was born in Ohio 
and died in Iowa. Of the eleven children which 
blessed this union ten attained maturity and nine 
are now living, another son, Charles L., also a 
carpenter, being located in Corvallis. 

W. O. Heckart was the fourth child in his 
father's family, and was reared in Iowa, on a 
farm eight miles south of Ottumwa, where he 
attended the public schools and acquired a com- 
mon school education. He was early bred to the 
use of carpenter's tools, learning the trade when 
a mere lad. At sixteen he entered actively into 
the work, remaining so engaged until 1883, when 
he went to Holt county, Neb., and took up a tree 
claim and proceeded to improve it for the period 
of six years. In addition to the farming inter- 
ests with which he was engaged during these 
years he also engaged in contracting and build- 
ing in Holt county. In 1889 he sold his property 
and located in Corvallis, Benton county, Ore., 
where he has since remained, becoming a promi- 
nent figure in the industrial life of the place. 
Among the buildings which he has erected in 
this county are the Masonic Temple, Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, and Christian Church 



of Corvallis, and the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, of South Corvallis ; the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church of Harrisburg; many of 
the largest and finest residences in this city, as 
well as the court house of Toledo, Lincoln 
county, the government hospital in the Siletz In- 
dian Reservation, the Beckwith building in Eu- 
gene and also several residences in that city, 
among them being the Patterson and Kaufman 
residences. 

Mr. Heckart was married to Miss Carrie 
Hawk, a native of Wapello county, Iowa, his 
own residence being built at the corner of Fifth 
and Monroe streets. In political circles Mr. 
Heckart has been prominent since his arrival in 
this locality ; a strong Democrat, he has been 
chosen at different times to represent those of 
like convictions, from 1900 to 1903 serving as a 
member of the city council from the second ward 
and acting on several important committees. In 
1902 he was a candidate for state senator, and 
though he never canvassed the county, in a dis- 
trict two hundred and nineteen Republican he 
was defeated by only one hundred and nineteen 
votes. Fraternally he is identified with the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of America and the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, and religiously is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he 
officiates as elder and trustee. 



JOHN CURRIN was born in Grayson county, 
Va., March 2, 1816, the son of a farmer who 
was in turn the descendant of an Irish family. 
The father was always active in politics and even 
in the midst of his agricultural pursuits found 
time to serve his party as member of the state 
legislature for eighteen years, where he was an 
efficient and honorable representative, and at- 
tained a wide degree of popularity. He had 
eight children, and died when John was about 
three years old, the latter, however, remaining in 
his home until he was twenty years old,; during 
which time he received his education through 
the medium of the public schools. About that 
time he was appointed deputy sheriff of Carroll 
county, Va., and served satisfactorily for three 
years, when he emigrated to the state of Mis- 
souri and engaged in farming. In that state he 
was married and lived until 1853, when they 
started across the plains with ox-teams, and, 
after six months journey, they arrived at their 
destination. Coming direct to Lane county Mr. 
Currin took up a donation land claim of three 
hundred and twenty acres, located five miles east 
of Cottage Grove and along the banks of the 
Row river. A long and prosperous life has since 
been his and his daily duties have been those 
which advanced the importance of the real estate 
in the section chosen for his home, the excellent 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1477 



cultivation of a farm which now numbers eight 
hundred acres bespeaking his thrift and indus- 
try, and the substantial and handsome buildings 
being a credit to his taste. With his son, Felix, 
the only one of seven children now living, he is 
carrying on general farming and stock-raising - , 
being particularly interested in Durham cattle. 

Mrs. Currin, formerly Margaret Swift, a na- 
tive of Kentucky, is still living and enjoying the 
prosperity which the years have brought herself 
and husband, though she is now eighty-four 
years old. Both of these honored citizens are 
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, and in politics Mr. Currin adheres to 
the principles of the Democratic party. Frater- 
nally he belongs to the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. 



JAMES SCOTT McMURRY is engaged in 
hay growing and general farming on a portion 
of the old claim which has been in possession of 
his family since 185 1. Almost within sight of 
the lights of the city of Eugene, Mr. McMurry 
has the advantages of both town and country, 
and his every day life is passed upon one of the 
most fertile and well equipped farms in this vi- 
cinity. Mr. McMurry was a small child when 
brought to his present home, for he was born 
near Quincy, Adams county, 111., July 22, 1848, 
and reached here in September, 185 1. 

Hon. Fieldin McMurry, the father of James 
Scott, was born in Kentucky, where his paternal 
grandfather, James, had settled after his emigra- 
tion from Scotland. James McMurry spent his 
last years in Kentucky, and after his death his 
son Fieldin removed to Adams county, 111., 
where he married Harriett Riggs, a native 
daughter of Illinois, whose father, Scott Riggs, 
was a farmer and early settler of the state. With 
his wife Fieldin McMurry set up housekeeping 
on the farm he had purchased near Quincy, and 
there four of their children were born, all of 
whom accompanied their parents across the 
plains in! 1851. The family equipment consisted 
of three: wagons and several ox-teams, and the 
journey: was accomplished without any serious 
drawbacks to the health or convenience of the 
travelers. The father purchased the Culver do- 
nation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, 
erected first a small log and later a more modern 
residence, his last home being just east of where 
the university of Oregon has since been built. 
He was the first treasurer of Lane county, and 
was also a member of the territorial legislature 
which met at Corvallis. Formerly a Whig, he 
was equally stanch as a Republican, and in his 
religious views adhered to the Methodist Epis- 
copal creed. Besides James Scott, who was the 
fourth of his children, there were Milton, now 



living in Eugene; Mrs. Louisa Hubbard, Mary 
and Zadoc, who died in Eugene ; and Emma, 
Mrs. Archambeau, of Portland. 

Besides the country schools James Scott had 
the advantage of two years' attendance at the 
Christian College at Monmouth, and after his 
father's death, in i860, he remained at home and 
helped his mother with the management of the 
farm. In 1873 he married Emma Murphy, 
daughter of John E. Murphy, a prominent man 
of Polk county, and thereafter went to house- 
keeping on a farm half a mile from Monmouth, 
Polk county, and consisting of one hundred and 
sixty acres. Here he engaged principally in 
grain farming until 1879, m which year he came 
into possession of his share of the old farm, 
located in the southwestern part. His father had 
sold off ten acres for the Masonic cemetery, two 
years before his death, but otherwise retained 
his property intact. Mr. McMurry has about 
fifty acres in hay, and the balance is devoted to 
grain and general farming, also to a fine fruit 
orchard and large garden. In 1901 he built a 
prune dryer at Thurston, and now derives a sub- 
stantial income from drying and shipping prunes 
for the surrounding horticulturists. 

Like his father Mr. McMurry subscribes to 
Republican principles, and is a member of the 
Christian Church, in which he has served as 
deacon for many years, and is also identified with 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Eight 
children were born into the McMurry family, of 
whom the three eldest are deceased. The oldest 
daughter, Daisy, Mrs. Love, is making her home 
in Corvallis, while Ralph and Frank became sol- 
diers in the Spanish-American war, serving in 
the Philippine Islands in Company C, Second 
Oregon Volunteer Infantry. At the present time 
Ralph is living in Washington, but Frank is still 
in the Philippines. Myrtle, Nellie, Elsie, Glenn 
and Edna are still living: on the home farm. 



NATHANIEL W. WHITE. A director in 
the First National Bank of Cottage Grove, the 
owner of twelve hundred and fifty acres of land 
near the town, and the possessor to a gratifying 
extent of the confidence and good will of the 
community, Nathaniel W. White is firmly estab- 
lished in this history-making period of Lane 
county's supremacy, and deserves to rank among 
its most practical and helpful financiers and ag- 
riculturists. He was born in the house which is 
still his home, March 21, 1863, and with the ex- 
ception of a year spent in the neighborhood, has 
found shelter under the same roof ever since. 
The name of his father, Daniel B. White, is en- 
rolled with those of the noble pioneers of 1853, 
who were lost on the trackless plains, and in con- 
sequence suffered untold deprivations, reaching 



1478 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



their destination only after running the gamut of 
illness, Indian outbreaks and scarcity of pro- 
visions. Daniel B. White was born in Indiana in 
1815, and for some years after his marriage with 
Mary J. Stoms, continued to live in the Hoosier 
state until his removal to Iowa in 1852. His 
expectations in Iowa were not realized, conse- 
quently he decided to remove farther west. 
Owing to the trouble which he encountered in 
crossing the plains in 1853 ne was seven months 
in reaching his destination and finally settled on 
a claim four miles south of Cottage Grove. In 
1872 he suffered a stroke of paralysis, in conse- 
quence of which he soon afterward died, at the 
age of seventy-six. His widow is still living, at 
the age of eighty-one years. Besides Nathaniel 
W., who is the youngest of the children, J. P. 
lives in California, and Mrs. Phoebe J. Sharp. 

The principal improvements on the White 
farm have been made by the present owner, 
Nathaniel W., who is one of the most scientific 
of the agriculturists in his neighborhood. Add- 
ing to the original property from time to time, 
he has accumulated twelve hundred and fifty 
acres, a large share of which is devoted to stock 
raising, Herefords and Durhams being the pre- 
ferred breeds. He married Abbie J. Powell, a 
native daughter of Oregon, and has four chil- 
dren, Laura A., Alfred M., Inez B., and Harold 
W. Mr. White is a stanch > Republican, and has 
held all of the important local offices in his dis- 
trict. He is fraternally a Woodman of the 
World, and in his religious views adheres to the 
doctrine of the Christian Church, in which or- 
ganization he is clerk. His association with the 
First National Bank of Cottage Grove has con- 
tinued for several years, and he is also identified 
with other undertakings of a business and social 
nature. 



JAMES ISAAC JONES. A man of remark- 
able business energy, foresight and sagacity, 
James Isaac Jones, of Cottage Grove, occupies a 
position of eminence in the financial, agricul- 
tural, political and social life of Lane county. 
During his active career he has been conspicu- 
ously identified with many of the leading indus- 
tries of this section of the state, and in his oper- 
ations has invariably met with success. A son 
of C. H. Jones, he was born December 1, 1866, 
in Macon, Macon county, Mo., of Virginian an- 
cestry. Isaac W. Jones, the grandfather of James 
Isaac, was born in Virginia, of colonial stock. 
Going to Tennessee as a pioneer, he worked at 
his trade of an iron forger until 1850, when he 
followed the march of civilization westward to 
Missouri. In Macon county, near the city of 
Macon, he carried on general farming until his 
death, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. 



He died in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, South, in which he did much active 
work, being a local preacher. 

Born in Tennessee, C. H. Jones accompanied 
his parents to Missouri, and with the exception 
of a year spent in Indiana, lived in that state 
until 1883. On account of failing health, he 
then migrated to Oregon, locating at Cottage 
Grove as a carpenter, and still resides here, liv- 
ing rather retired from active pursuits. He mar- 
ried Louisa Harriet Gentry, who was born in 
Indiana, near Bloomington, where her father, 
James Gentry, a farmer, was born, lived, and 
died. Six children were born of their union, 
James Isaac, the third child, being the only son. 

Completing his education in the public schools 
of Oregon, James Isaac Jones embarked in busi- 
ness on his own account, in 1889, as a butcher, 
borrowing $50 for the purpose. At the end of 
two years he sold out, having paid off his indebt- 
edness, and cleared $600 in that time. In 189 1 
he bought a saw-mill on the Coast Fork Willam- 
ette river, and in a short time had so enlarged 
his business that he had to increase the capacity 
of the mill from six thousand to ten thousand 
feet per day, later increasing it to thirty-three 
thousand feet per day. With characteristic en- 
terprise he built a lumber plant at what is now 
Saginaw, in Lane county, thus establishing the 
town, which he named, and assisted in building. 
The mill has a capacity of sixty-five thousand 
feet per day, and the flume is five miles, nine 
hundred feet long, and one thousand six hundred 
and sixty feet high at the summit. The plant, 
which is one of the largest in the county, has 
planing mills and dryers connected with it. In 
1898 Mr. Jones sold out his lumber interests, 
and later bought four hundred and twenty acres 
of land adjoining Cottage Grove on the south- 
east, the farm being known as the old Shields 
donation claim, and subsequently laid off the J. 
I. Jones addition to the town. 

Embarking in enterprises of a different nature 
in 1899, Mr. Jones purchased three different 
groups of mining claims in the Bohemia district, 
buying a part of the Music and Oregon claim, 
a part of the Colorado group, and a part of the 
Winchester group. In 1900 he sold his share in 
the first three groups, but still retains the Win- 
chester, which he is developing, obtaining a fine 
grade of lead ore. In his mining ventures he 
met with much success, and also made money in 
land speculations, having, in 1900, in company 
with J. W. Cook, of Portland, purchased ten 
thousand acres of railway land, and two thou- 
sand acres of school script lands, all of which he 
has since sold at an advantageous price. In 
1901 he bought the Major Chrisman ranch of 
seven hundred and fifty-four acres, at Saginaw, 
where he is carrying on an extensive dairy and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1479 



creamery business, keeping one hundred and 
seventy-rive head of cattle. He is also the owner 
of four hundred and twenty acres of good timber 
land in Lane county. In 1900 Mr. Jones estab- 
lished himself in the hardware business in Cot- 
tage Grove, continuing for a year as head of the 
firm of Jones & Phillips. 

Mr. Jones married, at Cottage Grove, Lillie 
Lewis, who was born in Lane county, a daughter 
of J. B. Lewis, a general merchant of this place. 
She died a year after their marriage. Mr. Jones 
married second, in Eugene, Ore., Gertrude H. 
Roberts, who was born in Iowa, the birthplace of 
her father, John Roberts, a farmer, who is now 
living retired from active pursuits, in Eugene. 
Four children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Jones, namely : Oscar I., deceased ; Franklin 
Carl ; Robert Lester ; and Marie. In politics 
Mr. Jones is a Republican. He has served as 
precinct commissioner, for one term was mayor 
of the city, and is now serving his second term 
as councilman. He is prominent in fraternal 
organizations, belonging to the Blue Lodge, of 
Cottage Grove ; to Eugene Chapter, R. A. M. ; 
to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; to 
the Knights of Pythias ; and to the Artisans. 
He is an active member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, of which he is steward and trus- 
tee, and superintendent of the Sunday school, 
having held the latter position the past four 
vears. 



GABRIEL MILLER is the son of Malcolm 
Miller, who was born in Scotland, and when 
twenty-six years old emigrated to America, set- 
tling first in Nova Scotia, where he engaged as 
a coal miner. In 1843 ne removed to Tioga 
county, Pa., from which location he removed to 
Beardstown, 111., and there continued as a miner. 
In the spring of 1850 the family made the six- 
months trip to Oregon with ox-teams, the first 
winter here being spent at Salem and the next 
spring finding them located upon a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres two miles 
north of Scio. There Mr. Miller engaged in 
farming and stock-raising until his death. He 
married Jenetta Anderson, who was born at The 
Shaws, Scotland, her death occurring about six 
years after that of her husband. 

The birth of Gabriel Miller occurred in Nova 
Scotia, March 24, 1841, and he became a resident 
of the United States when only two years old, 
and of Oregon at the age of nine years. His 
education was principally received through the 
medium of the district schools of Linn county. 
When twenty years old he left home and, going 
to the mines of Boise City and Salmon river, he 
remained there for three years, after which he re- 
turned to Linn county and took a homestead, 



upon sixty-four acres of which he now makes 
his home. Mr. Miller was married twice, the 
result of the first union being one daughter, 
Anna. After the death of his first wife he mar- 
ried A. N. Titus, their children being Ezra, de- 
ceased ; Eugene and Frank, both at home with 
their parents. In his political views Mr. Miller 
is independent. 



WAGNER BROTHERS. Within the re- 
markably short period of twelve years Wagner 
Brothers, Fred and William, have built up one 
of the finest general repair, blacksmithing, 
wagon and carriagemaking, and agricultural im- 
plement enterprises in the state of Oregon. Fred 
J., the senior member of the firm, was born near 
Oshkosh, Wis., June 17, 1863, while William 
was born in the same place August 9, 1867. 

As the name implies the brothers are of Ger- 
man ancestry, their father J. C, and their grand- 
father, Christ, having been born in Berlin, Ger- 
many. The grandfather brought his family to 
America, settling in Dodge county, Wis., where 
he engaged in farming and where he died. He 
had five sons, and four of them served in the 
Civil war, one of them giving up his life for the 
cause. J. C. Wagner is recalled as a many-sided 
genius. For many years he engaged in the mer- 
chandise business in Oshkosh, Wis., and in 1879 
he removed to Kensington, Smith county, Kans., 
where he farmed and raised stock. After remov- 
ing to Oregon, in 1889, he lived in retirement, 
and his death occurred in the office of his pros- 
perous sons, March 8, 1900, of heart failure, he 
being at the time sixty-seven years of age. He 
married Mary Raisler, who also was born in 
Germany, a daughter of Carl Andrew Raisler, 
who brought his family to Wisconsin, settling on 
the farm upon which he died in Waupaca county. 
Mrs. Wagner, who is still living, is the mother of 
five children, and besides Fred J. and William J., 
the two older sons, there is a daughter, Clara, 
now Mrs. Reed, of Dallas ; Henry A., living in 
Dallas ; and Theodore A., superintendent of the 
electrict light plant in Dallas. 

The Wagner brothers were reared partially in 
Wisconsin, and were both young when the father 
removed to Kansas in 1879. As boys they were 
interested in machinery. At the age of eighteen 
Fred apprenticed to learn the wagon and car- 
riagemaking trade at Kerwin, Kans., and after 
serving for three years formed a partnership 
with his brother William. This was in 1884, 
and they started a little shop in Germantown, 
Smith county, Kans., which they conducted until 
1887. They then removed to Agra, Phillips 
county, and during the two-years residence there 
determined to cast in their fortunes with the far 
west. In order to see the country and select a 



1480 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



suitable location, they outfitted for driving the 
entire way, taking their way through Nebraska, 
Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington, where they 
stayed some time in Spokane. After visiting 
several places in Oregon they rented a shop in 
Dallas in May, 1891, and inaugurated a general 
repair and blacksmithing business, which proved 
so successful that larger quarters were an im 1 
perative necessity, and by 1899 they were obliged 
to build. The present building is 40x60 feet in 
ground dimensions, and has two stories, the shop 
being on the first floor. The second floor is de- 
voted to woodwork and painting and carriage- 
trimming. The motive power is an eight-horse- 
power engine. They have also a warehouse 
26x44 feet, ground dimensions. A large amount 
of space is given up to agricultural implements, 
of which they carry a large variety. 

Since coming to Dallas Fred J. Wagner has 
married Addie Elliott, a native of Canada, now 
the mother of one child, Vera. Mr. Wagner is a 
Prohibitionist in politics, and is fraternally con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows ; the Encampment ; the Rebekahs ; the Fra- 
ternal Union, of which he is past grand ; and the 
United Artisans. He is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. William J. Wagner 
married Mattie Mcintosh, a native of Kentucky, 
and they have one child, Albert. Mr. Wagner 
also is an Odd Fellow, and past noble grand ; a 
member of the Encampment ; the Rebekahs ; and 
the Fraternal Union. He is a member of the Lu- 
theran Church, and in political affiliation is a 
Socialist. 



GEORGE T. HALL. That the man who suc- 
ceeds in mercantile ranks is endowed with a 
variety of well developed capabilities, that he has 
traveled a long way in pursuit of the knowledge 
required for the conduct of his business, and that 
nine times out of ten he has adhered to the 
fundamental principles of good judgment and 
integrity, is a conclusion endorsed by world-wide 
students of finance. The career of George T. 
Hall is herewith cited in illustration of the fore- 
going, a career worthy and meritorious in the 
extreme, and one which is interwoven with the 
upbuilding of Eugene since 1889. 

Mr. Hall comes of a family which enjoys the 
distinction of being one of the first to settle in 
northern New York, and which bent its energies 
to the development of the agricultural and gen- 
eral resources of that state. The pioneer was 
the paternal grandfather, Thomas Hall, who was 
born in New Hampshire, and who spent nearly 
all of his active life in Franklin county, N. Y., 
the exception being a few years spent in Quebec, 
where Truman Hall, the father of George T., 
was born. Truman Hall became a prominent 



business man of Chateaugay, N. Y., where he 
engaged in manufacturing wagons until a few 
years before his death, and where his son, George 
T., was born February 15, 1844. Franklin 
county, N. Y., was for years the home of the 
Child family, into which Truman Hall married, 
his wife, Caroline, being a native of that county, 
a daughter of Jacob Child, who was born in his- 
toric Pomfret, Vt., and one of the pioneers of 
Franklin county. Mr. Child had many claims 
upon the consideration of his friends and neigh- 
bors in Franklin county, not the least of which 
was a valiant service in the war of 1812, and a 
reflected glory from the life of his father, who 
stacked his musket upon many of the battlefields 
of the Revolution. The younger Child availed 
himself of the forest advantages of Franklin 
county, and from a small beginning worked up 
a large lumber and saw-milling business, inci- 
dentally engaging in farming, and filling political 
offices, among them that of provost marshal on 
the frontier during the war of 1812. He was 
of English descent, and a man of strong char- 
acter and sterling worth. 

Following close upon his completion of the 
course at Malone Academy, at Malone, Franklin 
county, N. Y., George T. Hall began his mercan- 
tile career as a clerk in a store, and, when he had 
secured the experience of five years to back him, 
started a merchandise store in his native town of 
Chateaugay, continuing therein between 1865 
and 1889. During this time he became an im- 
portant factor in that village, participating in its 
political and other undertakings, and serving for 
two terms as a member of its board of trustees. 
Desiring a change, and feeling that twenty-four 
years in the same line of business in the same 
locality had its drawbacks, he sold out and lo- 
cated in Eugene, Ore., in 1889, engaging in the 
grocery business at his present location, and 
under the firm name of Smith & Hall, for about 
three years. He then disposed of his interest to 
Mr. Smith, and eighteen months later started in 
the same place the mercantile concern of George 
T. Hall & Son. This store fills the requirements 
of a thriving and cosmopolitan community, and 
in its remodeled state, its modern furnishings, 
and exhaustive stock of general commodities, 
typifies the model and well managed general 
catering enterprise. An adjunct to the business 
is the largest warehouse in the town, located near 
the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks. The ware- 
house is also put to general use, and Mr. Hall 
derives a substantial income from wool, hop, and 
mohair speculations, extending his business inter- 
ests also to the timber lands, of which he owns 
large tracts, and to the cultivation of hops, of 
which he owns several acres. 

In Plattsburg, N. Y., Mr. Hall was united in 
marriage with Sarah A. Cook, who was born at 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1481 



Point Rush. Clinton county. X. Y.. and who is 
the mother of two children. Of these, Carrie S., 
a graduate of an eastern institution, has been 
engaged in teaching in the public schools of 
Eugene for many years ; and George T., Jr., a 
graduate of both the high school and university, 
is in business with his father. Becoming allied 
with the Masons in Chateaugay. N. Y., Mr. Hall 
is now a member of Eugene Lodge Xo. 1 1 ; the 
Royal Arch Chapter Xo. 10 : the Ivanhoe Com- 
mandery No. 2. Knights Templar, and Al Kader 
Temple, X. M. S. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican, and is an ex-member of the state central 
committee. Mr. Hall brings to the conduct of 
his firmly established business a wide knowledge 
of general affairs, which finds vent in a keen in- 
terest in charitable and benevolent opportunities, 
and in the highest social and economic life of 
his citv. 



JAMES HOFFMAX. The life of the pioneer 
of this great northwest was often filled with un- 
known peril. In journeying thither he almost 
invariably traversed the intervening plain and 
desert with ox-teams, the slowest possible mode 
of locomotion, being many months on the road. 
Oftentimes dangers from hostile Indians, wild 
animals and troublesome insects were encoun- 
tered, and illness overtook the weary traveler. 
Although a boy of but nine years when he came 
to Oregon, James Hoffman, one of the most 
prosperous residents of Eugene, and the owner 
of the Hoffman House, has a vivid realization of 
the trials and tribulations that beset the original 
settlers of this section of the state. A native of 
Sangamon county, 111., he was born December 
21, 1842, about eight miles north of the city of 
Springfield, a son of William Hoffman. 

Born and reared in Pennsylvania, William 
Hoffman removed to Sangamon county, 111., in 
1832, and was there engaged in general farming 
for nearly twenty years. On April 1, 1851, ac- 
companied by his wife and ten children, he started 
for Oregon, but, being taken ill with mountain 
fever, died at Big Sandy, and was buried there. 
His widow, whose maiden name was Martha 
Drake, was a native of Ohio. A woman of 
energy, determination and decision, she con- 
tinued the journey westward with her children. 
The train with which she traveled consisted of 
six wagons, each drawn by six yoke of oxen a 
fine band of horses, twenty-five mares and two 
stallions, and one hundred cows, four of the 
horses belonging to the Hoffman family. The 
day after the train passed Fort Hall it came in 
contact with the Indians, who stole seventv-five 
horses, and killed an old lady, Mrs. Clark, and 
her son. and wounded a Miss Clark and a Mr. 
Sperry. About fifty men of the company gave 



chase, following the savages over the desert for 
two days. Finding the enemy strongly en- 
trenched in the valley, a skirmish ensued, but as 
several of the men from the train were killed in 
the encounter the chase was given up, and the 
journey continued. The party arrived in Oregon 
in September, 1851, with but two wagons, ten 
yoke of oxen, and ten head of loose cattle, the 
others having been lost in the Indian stampede, 
or through the carelessness of the train leaders, 
Airs. Hoffman losing every one of her horses. 

Locating with her family in Corvallis, Ore., 
Mrs. Hoffman engaged in the hotel business for 
ten years, being quite successful. Subsequently 
marrying L. A. Clark, she settled on a farm 
about twelve miles south of Corvallis, on the 
Long Tom. She afterward lived in Linn county 
ten years, then removed to Junction City, Lane 
county, where she resided until her death, at the 
age of seventy-three years. She reared ten chil- 
dren, namely: Mrs. Sarah Bundy, who died in 
Benton county, Ore. ; Mrs. Jane Roberts, who 
died in the same county; Mrs. Mary Alfred, of 
Baker City, Ore. ; Xancy, wife of E'. M. White, 
of Portland ; Lucy F., who married R. C. George, 
died in Baker county; Mrs. Martha Esterbrook, 
who died in Baker county; Mrs. Fannie Wat- 
kins, of Douglas county ; James, the especial sub- 
ject of this sketch; Henry, resident of Eugene; 
and Thomas, a stockman and miner, living in 
Baker county. 

AYhile in his ninth year, James Hoffman started 
for Oregon with his parents, crossing the river 
at Council Bluffs. Arriving in Corvallis with 
his widowed mother and her family in Septem- 
ber, 185 1, he attended the district school for a 
short time. Going with two of his brothers, in 
1852, to get horses at the farm of H. C. Owens, 
in Lane county, he came through the present site 
of the city of Eugene, which at that time was a 
tract of wild land covered " with tall grass and 
oak trees, the cabin and store of Eugene Skinner 
being hidden by the butte. From 1859 unt il 
1873 Mr. Hoffman was successfully engaged in 
mining pursuits, being employed at various 
mines, including those at Orofino. Florence, 
Baker City, Boise Basin, John Day. South Boise, 
Idaho City, Oyhee, Clear Water, Buffalo Hump, 
Salmon river, Warren's Diggings, and many 
others, making most of the trips from mine to 
mine on foot, or with pack horses, occasionally 
having trouble with the Indians. Having in- 
vested a part of his savings in a ranch of three 
thousand acres, in Linn county, Mr. Hoffman re- 
turned to the valley in 1872. and embarked in 
business as a stock-raiser, his large farm lving 
about ten miles east of Harrisburg. Selling out 
at the end of seven years to Joseph Keel and B. 
Goldsmith, he bought a section of land, and for 
three years was engaged in farming on an ex- 



1482 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tensive scale, raising large quantities of grain. 
Removing to Junction City in 1883, he operated 
his farms in Linn and Lane counties for about 
twelve years, and while there invested heavily in 
Eugene property, in 1886 building the Hoffman 
House, which is 40x116 feet, three stories in 
height. Taking up his residence in Eugene in 
1895, Mr. Hoffman has since devoted his time 
and attention to the management of his various 
interests, which keeps him busily employed. He 
owns different farms, aggregating about one 
thousand acres, has a large extent of timber land, 
and possesses valuable property in Eugene, hav- 
ing in his active career accumulated much wealth, 
and gained a position of prominence among the 
respected and esteemed citizens of Lane county. 
Mr. Hoffman married, in Lane county, 
Eugenia Milliorn, who was born in Missouri, 
and came with her parents to this county in 1853, 
locating on the present site of Junction City. 
Her father kept Milliorn station, on the overland 
stage route, for twenty or more years, it being a 
celebrated stopping place for travelers in pioneer 
days. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have one child 
only, Edith, who was graduated from the Uni- 
versity of Oregon. Politically Mr. Hoffman is 
a sound Republican, and fraternally he is a 
Knight of Pythias, and a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. He takes great in- 
terest in the early history of the state, and be- 
longs to the State Pioneers' Association and the 
Lane County Historical Society. 



LAWRENCE T. HARRIS was born in Al- 
bany, Linn county, Ore., September 13, 1873. 
In his native town Lawrence Thomas Harris 
lived until his tenth birthday, when he removed 
to Eugene with his parents, receiving a prelim- 
inary training in the public schools of the two 
cities, after which, in 1889, he entered the Uni- 
versity of Oregon. Four years later he was grad- 
uated from that institution with the degree of 
A.B. and in 1896 the degree of A.M. was con- 
ferred upon him. In the same year he was grad- 
uated from the law department with the degree 
of LL.B., and at once began a practice in Eugene 
which was successfully continued for four years. 
In the meantime he had grown in favor with the 
leaders of the Republican party, of which he is 
a stanch adherent, and in 1900 he was nominated 
by that party as one of the representatives from 
Lane county for the state legislature, and his 
election followed. While a member of this ses- 
sion he served on various important committees, 
among them being the committee on elections, of 
which he was chairman, ways and means com- 
mittees, and others. At the expiration of his 
term, 1902. he was renominated and elected by 
an increased majority of five hundred, and in 



this 1 session he was elected speaker of the house. 
Mr. Harris is also very prominent in local affairs, 
and is a member of the state Republican central 
committee. 

Fraternally Mr. Harris affiliates with the 
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Native 
Sons, Woodmen of the World, Knights of 
Pythias and Masons. 



WILLIAM J. ROYSE. The man of affairs, 
the liberal, enterprising and very successful 
manipulator of the business forces of the north- 
west, is represented by W. J. Royse, senior part- 
ner of the firm of Royse & Peterson, manufac- 
turers of excelsior at Eugene. The youth strug- 
gling with adverse circumstances, and deriving 
little encouragement from any source save those 
within himself, might find much of value from 
talking with this practical and self-reliant manu- 
facturer, and perchance might thereafter find the 
royal road to success less obscure. From the first 
of his independent life Mr. Royse has not waited 
for opportunity, but has gone to meet it, and 
while catching up with it has put in his time 
vigorously prosecuting such work as he found 
to do. 

Born in Hancock county, 111., January 6, 1862, 
he is the son of John N. and Jane (Stevens) 
Royse, natives respectively of Illinois and Ten- 
nessee ; and grandson of John Royse, born in 
Indiana, and an early settler of Hancock county, 
111. The parents are living retired at present in 
a pleasant home in Watsonville, Cal., and the 
father doubtless often thinks with pride of his 
honorable life, which in the early days contained 
much of adventure and struggle. As a young 
man he joined an expedition bound for the coast, 
crossing the plains in 1849, and three or four 
years later, after mining with moderate success 
in California, returned to his home in Illinois by 
way of the Isthmus of Panama. He bought a 
large farm, stocked and improved it, and en- 
gaged in farming for several years. As in the 
case with the majority who have once, temporar- 
ily even, lived under the skies of the west, and 
felt the freedom engendered by close proximity 
to the ocean and mountains, his mind reverted 
frequently to the days of '49, and he finally yielded 
to the allurements of memory and again sought 
the coast country. This second expedition was 
undertaken in 1864 with horse, rather than ox- 
teams, and he had the solace of the companion- 
ship of his wife and two children, of whom 
W. J. Royse is the eldest, and was then but two 
years old. For a few weeks he tarried in Los 
Angeles, and in 1865 went to Santa Cruz county, 
farmed for many years, and then retired to Wat- 
sonville, Cal. 

Although reared and educated in Watsonville, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1483 



Cal., W. J. Royse went to the country for his 
first business experience, at the age of twenty- 
one occupying a farm near the city, where he 
engaged in beet culture on an extensive scale. 
At the same time he represented as agent the 
paper mills of O'Neill Brothers & Callahan of 
Santa Cruz county, but in 1890 withdrew' from 
these combined industries, and for four years 
represented the same company in Oregon, com- 
ing to Lebanon to assist in the installation of 
their plant. He had full charge of their straw 
business in this state, and did not enter his pres- 
ent business until 1894, when he bought an in- 
terest in the excelsior mill of O'Neill Brothers 
& Peterson, since which time the firm has been 
known by the name of Royse & Peterson. The 
excelsior plant, minutely described in the record 
of the life of Mr. Peterson, is one of the stable 
and upbuilding agencies of Eugene, and bears 
the stamp of the high character of the men di- 
recting its affairs. Mr. Royse has erected a com- 
fortable residence on the corner of Sixth and 
High streets, and with the assistance of his wife, 
formerly Ella Stroud, of Linn county, extends 
good fellowship and hospitality to a large circle 
of friends. In political affiliation Mr. Royse is 
a Democrat. 



ELLEN JEANNETTE CHAMBERLIN. 
A. M. In the educational and literary circles of 
the great northwest, no name stands higher than 
that of Miss Chamberlin, one of the faculty of 
the Oregon Agricultural College, holding the po- 
sition of dean of women, and, also, that of pro- 
fessor of German, and instructor in English. Ob- 
taining a substantial education by years of study, 
and by travel in our own and foreign countries, 
she is highly cultured and accomplished, and 
fully equipped for her present high office in the 
institution with which she is connected. 

A daughter of the late Joseph Chamberlin, 
Ellen J. Chamberlin was born in Romeo, Mich., 
of pioneer ancestry. Her father, Joseph Cham- 
berlin, a native of Lima, N. Y.. was reared on 
the pioneer homestead in Michigan, receiving his 
elementary education in the district schools, and 
completing it at Albion College, in Albion. Mich., 
subsequently being a teacher in that institution 
for a number of years. In 1855, being strongly 
impressed with the necessity of civilizing the In- 
dian through Christianity, he came as an inde- 
pendent missionary to Oregon, crossing the 
plains, and beginning his work on the Grand 
Ronde Reservation. Meeting with such success 
that he was encouraged to continue his labors in 
the same field, he returned, in 1856, to Michigan 
for his family, which he brought here in 1857, 
making both trips by way of Panama, and re- 
mained on that reservation five years more, being 



there at the time that General Sheridan and Cap- 
tain Russell were stationed there with their 
troops. He was ambitious in his missionary 
work of ameliorating the conditions of the In- 
dians, in whose behalf he went to Washington, 
D. C.j in 1859, to interview the president. 
Through his efforts, plans for investigating the 
injustice often done to the red man, and means 
for converting them to Christianity, were estab- - 
fished, his work meeting with due appreciation. 
He continued his labors on the reservation until 
1862, when he removed to Salem, Ore., that he 
might educate his children at the Willamette 
University, and remained a resident of that city 
until his death, in 1887. A man of high personal 
worth, deeply religious, charitable and benevo- 
lent, he w r as held in great respect throughout the 
community. 

Joseph Chamberlin married Olive Warren, 
who was born in Covington, N. Y., and died in 
1874, at Salem, Ore. She came of Revolutionary 
stock, being a lineal descendant of Dr. Joseph 
Warren, who lost his life at the battle of Bunker 
Hill, and a daughter, also, of one who suffered 
for his country, her father, Abel Warren, who 
fought in the war of 181 2, having received a 
wound at the battle of Lundy's Lane that caused 
his death a few years later. Eight children were 
born of their union, namely : Martin L., late 
clerk of the state land board, at Salem ; Mary L., 
wife of O. A. Waller, of Salem; Ellen Jeannette, 
the special subject of this sketch; Lydia, now 
Mrs. Crockett, of Seattle, Wash. ; Sarah, now 
Mrs. C. B. Moores, of Oregon City ; Olive, wife 
of Judge Belt, of Spokane, Wash. ; Leonore, 
wife of Charles Weller, of Salem; and Julia, wife 
of J. L. Shultz, of Portland, Ore. All of the 
children were educated at Willamette Univer- 
sity. 

After receiving the degree of B. S. at the 
Willamette University, in 1868, Miss Chamber- 
lin immediately began her professional career, 
teaching first in a private school, after which she 
was an instructor in the academical department 
of her alma mater for nine years. The following 
three years she taught in a public school in Port- 
land, going from there to The Dalles Academy, 
where she taught for five years under Dr. Gatch, 
going then with him to the University of Wash- 
ington, at Seattle, where she held the chair of 
literature for ten years. Meanwhile she spent a 
year abroad, in i89i-'92, perfecting herself in 
German in Berlin, and visiting the principal 
points of interest in Great Britain and on the 
continent, including the celebrated universities, 
the Alps, Coliseum. Catacombs, Vatican, etc. In 
1897, Miss Chamberlin accepted a position at the 
State Normal School, in Monmouth, Ore., re- 
maining there until 1899, when she came to Cor- 
vallis. Miss Chamberlin has met with undoubted 



1484 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



success as a teacher, and is everywhere recog- 
nized as a woman of talent and culture. She re- 
sides at the corner of Faculty Row and Apple- 
Bloom way, where she has erected a comfortable 
and conveniently arranged cottage. 



THOMAS BARBRE was born April i, 1829, 
i'n Washington county, Vt, and when six months 
old his mother died, and when ten he was also 
bereft of the care of his father. For three years 
following this last event he lived with his brother, 
and then found a comfortable home, with a kind 
family, where he remained until he had reached 
his majority, receiving his education in the sub- 
scription schools common to the day. On leav- 
ing the home which had been his for so many 
years Mr. Barbre came as far west as Iowa, and 
there engaged as a teacher for a period of two 
years, at the end of which time he started across 
the plains as the driver of an ox-team, every foot 
of the distance between the Mississippi valley 
and the northwest being traveled on foot. On 
his arrival in Oregon he spent about a year in 
Marion county, located near Salem, and in 1853 
he came to Lane county and took up a donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres in Lost 
valley and one mile south of Dexter. This has 
remained his home since, with the exception of 
two and a half years, which he spent upon a farm 
north of Eugene, having purchased land in that 
vicinity, and owning at the present time three 
hundred and eleven acres, seventy-five of which 
are under cultivation, and is carrying on general 
farming and stock-raising, in the latter business 
having a number of Hereford cattle. 

Mr. Barbre and wife are the parents of the 
following children : Irvin, located in this vicin- 
ity ; Minnie, now Mrs. Voegli, of southern Ore- 
gon ; Lurilla, now Mrs. Hanna, of Baker City ; 
Alma, now Mrs. Handsaker, of Eugene ; Clyde, 
Mrs. Jinks, of Butte, Mont. ; and Earl, at home 
with his parents. Mr. Barbre is a Republican, 
and in religion belongs to the Christian Church, 
in which he has always manifested great interest 
and activity. 



JAMES T. KIRK. In 1865 James T. Kirk 
arrived in Oregon, having crossed the plains 
as captain of a train of one hundred and nine 
wagons. They had come via the Piatt river, 
over the old Barlow route and across the Cas- 
cade mountains, the journey occupying six 
months. Upon their arrival in Oregon they 
scattered to various locations, anxious and hope- 
ful of finding a home in the land which had 
come to be a Mecca for many of the farmers of 
the Mississippi valley, the spirit of restlessness 
probably being due to the fact that they were 



the sons of pioneers who had early settled in 
their homes and grown a part of the country 
which they helped to make. It was so with Mr. 
Kirk, for both his father and grandfather were 
pioneers, one east and the other a short distance 
west of the Mississippi river. The grandfather, 
James Kirk, was a native of Virginia, and at an 
early date he came across the mountains into 
Kentucky, walking with his gun on his shoulder 
beside the horse which carried his wife to assist 
him in the making of a home in the new lands 
of the valley. He located near Lebanon, where 
the remainder of his life was passed. He was a 
patriot as well as a pioneer in the cause of bis 
country, having served in the Revolution. His 
son, Jesse Kirk, the father of James T. Kirk, 
was born in Kentucky, and in 1830 he left his 
native state and settled in Illinois, where he re- 
mained eighteen months, after which, in the lat- 
ter half of 1 83 1, he went to Randolph county, 
Mo. He later became a resident of Adair coun- 
ty, in which he spent the remainder of his life, 
the principal city of that county, Kirksville, being 
a standing monument of the influence which he 
exerted as its first settler. His death occurred 
four miles east of that city, August 31, 1846, at 
the age of eighty years. He married Frances 
Gray, a native of Tennessee, who died near Junc- 
tion City October 30, 1867, the mother of five 
children, four sons and one daughter, of whom 
the oldest was James T., born near Lebanon, 
Ky., October 1, 1820. 

His position in the family necessitating more 
or less attention to the wants of the other and 
younger members, James T. Kirk was prevented 
from obtaining anything but a very limited edu- 
cation in the primitive schools of Kentucky, and 
his years were well occupied for others until he 
was twenty years old, when he married and went 
to farming for himself. He located dn Missouri, 
whither he had removed with his parents when 
he was only eleven years old, and there remained 
until 1865, when with a large number of others 
he sought a home in the west. In October, 1866, 
they located five miles southwest of Junction City, 
Lane county, where he bought three hundred 
and fifty-five acres, upon which he remained un- 
til 1876, when he came to Junction City and 
became the owner of forty acres in the near vicin- 
ity, where he put in a small hopyard and later 
gave this property to his youngest son. His farm 
is now rented and he is living retired, having met 
with very satisfactory results from his efforts 
in Oregon, accumulating considerable property. 
In addition to that already named he owns 
eighty acres eight miles west of Monroe, Ben- 
ton county, a blacksmith shop, several lots in the 
business part of the city and his own residence. 

Mr. Kirk was married March 2, 1841, in Mis- 
souri, to Virginia Adkins, who was born in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1485 



Howard county, Mo., ami died in Oregon in 
January, 1866. She was the daughter of James 
Adkins, a native of Virginia, who located in 
Howard county, Mo., and later removed to Adair 
county, near the present site of the city of Kirks- 
ville, where his death occurred. Of the children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirk, Jesse F. is located 
111 this vicinity as a farmer; James C, is near 
Heppner. Ore. ; William A. is deceased ; Frances 
Elizabeth is also deceased ; John T. died in in- 
fancy : Rev. Charles E., is in Phoenix, Ariz. ; 
Thomas J. is also in this vicinity ; and Joseph H. 
also died in infancy. January 1, 1868, Mr. Kirk 
married Nancy A. McClure, who was born in 
Bruceville. Ind.. the daughter of AVilliam Mc- 
Clure, who was born in a southern state and died 
in Indiana, after a useful life as a farmer. No 
children blessed the second union, and after the 
death of his wife, which occurred August 9, 
1900. Ida Adkins, the niece of his first wife, took 
charge of the household and has since cared for 
Mr. Kirk. As a Democrat Mr. Kirk has served 
for one term as a member of the city council. 
Fraternally he is a Master Mason, and also be- 
longs to the Presbyterian Church. 



J. I. PHILIPPE Pursuing their calm and 
uneventful lives in the midst of the many-sided 
activity of Eugene are men content to be onlook- 
ers only, who walk with leisurely and ofttimes 
halting steps her busy thoroughfares, and who 
gladly return to the peace of quiet homes, re- 
mote from heated and surging ambitions, and the 
mad struggle for gold which in other days looked 
so alluring. To them the occasion has passed, 
but in going it has been well utilized by these 
agricultural toilers, whose present thrift argues 
well for an earlier appreciation of the giant op- 
portunities which beckoned them to the coast, 
and caused them to stake their all on the means 
to accomplish the long journey. No class of 
citizens enjoys to greater extent the esteem of 
the thoughtful rising generation than those tillers 
of the soil, who have laid aside their worn im- 
plements, and with hearts and minds mellowed 
into harmony with their surroundings, earn- 
around with them an impression of rest and 
peace. Among the erstwhile farmers who are 
now profiting by the advantages of Eugene mav 
be mentioned J. I. Philippi. who came here in 
1902, after improving some of the finest and 
most paying properties in Lane countv. 

The oldest in a family of nine children, seven 
of whom are living, Mr. Philippi was born in 
Somerset county. Pa.. September 24. 1839. ms 
parents, David and Marv (McMillan) Philippi. 
being natives of the same county and state, as 
was also his paternal grandfather. John Philippi. 
The grandfather McMillan came from the north 



of Ireland and settled in Somerset county, Pa., 
where he died on his farm at the age of ninety- 
nine years. David Philippi and his wife spent 
their entire married life in the east and middle 
west, removing to Iowa about 1857, where the 
husband bought a farm, and where he died in 
1866. He is survived by his wife, who lives in 
Eugene, Ore., and who is four score and three 
years old. Among the heroes of the Civil war 
were two of the sons of David Philippi, both 
being members of the Thirty-second Iowa In- 
fantry, and one of whom, John, was killed at 
the battle of Sabine Cross Roads. His brother, 
Maple, was wounded in the same memorable 
battle, but recovered in due time and is now liv- 
ing in the state of Minnesota. 

In his youth J. I. Philippi had the advantages 
of the public schools in both Pennsylvania and 
Iowa, being seventeen years of age when he re- 
moved with his parents to the latter state. True, 
the schools were of the pioneer kind and but ir- 
regularly attended, but he was of a studious turn 
of mind, and instinctively grasped the impor- 
tance of acquiring all possible general knowl- 
edge. At the age of twenty-one he began to 
clerk in a general store in Clarksville, Iowa, and 
finally became interested in a mercantile business 
of his own under the firm name of Newman & 
Philippi. Mr. Newman, who afterward became 
Mr. Philippi's father-in-law, proved a capable 
and thoroughly reliable man, and the partners 
were destined to spend many years of their busi- 
ness life together. The marriage of Mary New- 
man and Air. Philippi occurred in 1862, and in 
1869 the partners sold out their business, and 
crossed the plains to Oregon with horse teams. 
The long journey was accomplished without am' 
serious mishaps, and was memorable because of 
the fact that for a part of the way they traveled 
with the noted Kit Carson. Mr. Philippi located 
a claim near Hillsboro, Washington count}-, for 
a year, and then bought and managed a tanyard 
with Mr. Newman for a year. In 1871 Mr. 
Philippi and Mr. Newman bought a farm of six 
hundred and forty acres five miles north of Al- 
bany, which they conducted with considerable 
success until 1883, when Mr. Philippi sold his 
interest and invested in three hundred and twenty 
acres near Coburg, in Lane county, where he 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising 
until 1902. He was very successful, his crops 
being invariably large and of good quality, and 
his stock bringing the highest market prices. In 
1902 he removed to Eugene, where he lives, hav- 
ing retired from active pursuits. 

In 1862 Mr. Philippi was married to Miss 
Mary Newman, daughter of his partner, Henrv 
Newman, who died in Linn county. Ore., in 
1889. Mrs. Newman was born in Adams county. 
Ohio. Politically Mr. Philippi is a Democrat, but 






1486 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



aside from assisting his office-seeking friends, 
has never taken a very active interest in party 
affairs. He is a well informed and studious man, 
and while on the farm invariably supplied him- 
self and family with current literature, thus en- 
couraging habits of thought and research in the 
minds of those around him. He has reared wisely 
and well a large family, and eight of his fourteen 
children are living. Of these, Henry and Barton 
live in Eugene ; George lives at Sweet Home ; 
Charles is a resident of Flora, Ore. ; Walter lives 
on a farm in Linn county ; Alice is now Mrs. 
Meyer, of Linn county ; Emma is the wife of 
Percy Long of Eugene ; and Lizzie lives with 
her parents. Genial in his intercourse with 
friends and associates, firm in his adherence to 
fair dealing and integrity, Mr. Philippi com- 
mands the respect and good will of all who know 
him. 



HARVEY C. VEATCH. Throughout the 
length and breadth of Lane county, Harvey C. 
Veatch, or "Burne Veatch," as he is familiarly 
known, is regarded as a typical pioneer, resource- 
ful, brave and industrious, true to his friends 
and to the best interests of a flourishing agricul- 
tural community. Since his retirement from ac- 
tive life in 1894, Cottage Grove has profited by 
his citizenship, and a popular store, that of 
Veatch & Lewis, bas enabled him to enjoy a 
satisfactory income through his investment in 
its interests, which are looked after by his son, 
O. O. Veatch. He has erected a pleasant and 
commodious residence, and besides owns four 
other buildings, some of them rented to busi- 
ness firms. Incidentally Mr. Veatch loans money 
on real estate and other security, and takes a 
practical and helpful interest in the general 
affairs of the town. 

The early ancestors of Mr. Veatch pursued 
their various occupations in the picturesque 
country of Wales, the first to emigrate to Amer- 
ica being three brothers, Elias, Nathan and 
James, who settled in North Carolina and Ala- 
bama. James, the paternal great-grandfather of 
Harvey C, married a Miss Raynor in 1751, re- 
moved with her to North Carolina, where his 
death occurred in 1780. He was the father of 
eight children, of whom the following served in 
the Revolutionary war : Walter, Isaac, James, 
Amos and Charles. Elias, the paternal grand- 
father, removed at an early day to Illinois, his 
death occurring there in 1820. His son, Isaac, 
the father of Harvey C. was born in North 
Carolina, August 25, 1786. Isaac went to 
Georgia on business, and there married Mary 
Miller, and soon after located in Tennessee, in 
time joining- his father in the far-off state of 
Illinois. Near Enfield, White county, he com- 



bined agricultural pursuits with the running of 
a grist-mill, applying also his trade of cabinet- 
maker as opportunity offered. About 1881 he 
came west to spend the remainder of his life 
with his children, and two years later, in 1882, 
his death occurred at the home of his son, Har- 
vey C, at the age of ninety-three years. He 
was a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln, and 
in his religious affiliations was a Presbyterian. 
In his family were twelve sons and four daugh- 
ters, three of whom are living at the present 
time, Robert M., Harvey C. and Sylvester E. 
Isaac Veatch served in the war of 1812, and 
always took an active interest in political and 
other undertakings of his neighborhood. 

Born in White county, 111., near Enfield, No- 
vember 10, 1828, Harvey C. Veatch had about 
the same educational chances as had his fifteen 
brothers and sisters, the extent being a little log 
school-house with slab benches. About 1845 he 
removed with his parents to Davis county, Iowa, 
settling on a farm eight miles southwest of 
Bloomfield and here in 1853 an opportunity pre- 
sented itself to cross the plains in an emigrant 
train, as driver and general helper for Samuel 
B. Knox, his future father-in-law. The train 
encountered some very annoying experiences, al- 
though the members were very careful and al- 
ways maintained a strict guard day and night. 
At Elkhorn, Neb., the Indians stampeded the 
cattle, and on another occasion, while hunting 
on AVolf Creek, Nev., Mr. Veatch and Mr. Knox 
were surrounded and surprised by a large num- 
ber of Indians, barely escaping with their lives. 
In July, 1854, Mr. Veatch located a claim of two 
hundred and seventy acres one and a half miles 
below Cottage Grove, and for forty years this 
continued to be his home, the field of the most 
successful and far-reaching effort of his life. 
Later, by purchase, three hundred and twenty 
acres of the Thos. L. Knox donation claim was 
added to his holdings. 

The romance begun on the plains with the 
daughter of his friend and employer continued 
after the respective settlements were made in 
Oregon, and the wedding of Mr. Veatch and Mar- 
garet Jane Knox was solemnized December 24, 
1854, near Cottage Grove. Miss Knox was born 
in Hancock county, 111., July 2J, 183 1, a daugh- 
ter of Samuel B. Knox, who was born in Ken- 
tucky in 1810. Mr. Knox was married in his 
native state, removed to Hancock county. 111., 
at a very early day, and in 1841 located -with his 
familv in Schuyler county. Mo. He was a nat- 
ural money-maker, shrewd at driving a bargain, 
vet generous and honorable withal, and he was 
just the kind of man to succeed well in the state 
to which he came in 1853. He brought with him 
considerable live stock, and at the end of the 
journey had one hundred cows, valued at $100 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



US7 



each, with which he started a stock business on 
his donation claim near Cottage Grove. More 
land was added to his original purchase, and at 
the time of his death, at the age of eighty-two 
years, he owned more than two thousand acres. 
Like all of the arrivals of the early '50s, Mr. 
Veatch had a great deal of trouble with the In- 
dians, so much that it was impossible to peace- 
fully pursue his agricultural vocation. The 
Rogue River war coming on, he enlisted, Octo- 
ber 20, 1855, in Company B., under Captain La- 
ban Buoy, and participated in the battle of Cow 
Creek Canyon, and assisted in removing the 
dead from the battlefield of Hungry Hill. He 
saw much of the grim and grewsome warfare of 
the murderous red men during his three months 
and ten days' service, and his discharge, at Dil- 
lard Station, Douglas county, terminated an ex- 
perience which it will ever be painful to recall. 
In his home neighborhood Mr. Veatch became 
prominent as a promoter of education and 
morality, serving for nearly twenty-two years 
on the school board, also as county commissioner 
on the Democratic ticket for one term in 1870. 
He was one of the founders of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church in 1855, the first of that 
denomination in this county, and for nearly half 
a century he has been an elder of the church, 
helping its cause financially and by personal ac- 
tivity. Since coming to Cottage Grove in 1894, 
he has been city treasurer for one term, and has 
with equal enthusiasm lent his mature interest 
to the town's educational and moral and busi- 
ness welfare. The store in which he has in- 
vested is managed by his son, and proves a con- 
siderable source of income, as do other enter- 
prises which Mr. Veatch has found worthy of 
his investment. Eight children have been born 
to himself and wife, of whom Samuel P. lives in 
Portland, and is a passenger conductor on the 
Southern Pacific railroad ; Oliver O. is a mer- 
chant of Cottage Grove ; Rosetta is now Mrs. G. 
C. Miller, of Walla Walla, Wash.; Posey S. is 
deceased ; Harriett Elizabeth is the wife of Rev. 
W. V. McGee, of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, of Long View, Tex. ; Mary Sophina is 
the wife of Robert Mosby, of Lake View, Ore. ; 
Eva is the wife of E. S. Halderman, a resident 
of this town, but a miner of the Bohemia Mining 
District ; and Robert E. is a freight conductor on 
the Southern Pacific railroad. 



OSCAR W. HURD. When Oscar W. Hurd 
came to Oregon and located on the Siuslaw river 
in 1883, bringing with him the first small stock 
of general merchandise which, had ever invaded 
that part of the country, his customers were 
composed largely of Indians, and in return for 
his wares he received treasures dear to the heart 



of the red men. Yet in this crude and ill- 
arranged mercantile establishment, with its lim- 
ited assortment of necessities, and its surround- 
ing desolation, there was a prophecy scarcely an- 
ticipated by even the hopeful proprietor himself. 
That the distance traveled by this moderately en- 
dowed storekeeper has been a long one, and that 
exceptional abilities lurked beneath his modest ex- 
terior, has been demonstrated unmistakably dur- 
ing the intervening years. This merchant prince, 
whose operations are not exceeded in extent 
by anyone along the coast of Oregon, whose 
merchant vessels ply the waters of bay and river, 
whose four thousand acres of timber land are 
being denuded and its trees utilized in a saw- 
mill of his own with a capacity of fifty thousand 
feet per day, and whose manifold interests in- 
clude the ownership and management of the 
Hurd Lumber & Navigation Company, the O. 
W. Hurd mercantile business, the Florence Drug 
Store, the Florence Creamery, and the O. W. 
Hurd Packing Company, has placed this part 
of Oregon under lasting obligation to his gen- 
ius for organization, to his extraordinary finan- 
cial acumen, and his sterling qualities as man 
and citizen. 

The early life and training of Mr. Hurd pre- 
pared him for the world of labor into which his 
ambition was to lead him. Industry was one of 
the first requisites of the rising generation 
around Penobscot county, Maine, where he was 
born December 16, 1853, and the eight children 
of Philander S. and Martha (King) Hurd, were 
no exception to the rule. Very early ancestors 
had settled in the northern country on their ar- 
rival from England in 1600, and the paternal 
great-grandfather followed the martial fortunes 
of Washington during the Revolutionary war. 
The grandfather, Jonathan Hurd, a stock-drover 
by occupation, settled on the large farm in Maine 
upon which was born his son, Philander S. 
Hurd, and the latter still occupies this highly 
treasured land possession. The maternal family 
of King also claims English ancestry, and was 
established in Maine at a very early day, the 
grandfather, Rice King, having been born there. 
Mrs. Hurd was born and reared in Bradford 
township, and at the age of seventy is the sym- 
pathetic and helpful companion of the husband 
with whom she has passed so many vears of her 
life. 

The oldest in a family of five sons and three 
daughters, Oscar W. Hurd remained at home 
until attaining his majority, and in the mean- 
time had acquired a fair common school educa- 
tion. He was not richly endowed with this 
world's goods, but he had saved his earnings, 
and was able to come to the west by way of the 
Central Pacific railroad in 1874, and to still have 
a little left for possible needs. At Punta Arena, 



1488 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Cal., he worked his way up in a shingle factory, 
beginning as a filer, and ending as the manager 
of the concern. Later he embarked in the whole- 
sale and retail butcher business in which he was 
very successful, selling his business in 1883. He 
came to Oregon with a stock of general mer- 
chandise, having heard of the opening on the 
Siuslaw river, and having made up his mind to 
grow up with the country. Ever since he has 
been a merchant, enlarging his capacity with his 
trade, and with this for a foundation, has 
branched out into a multiplicity of interests. 
The Mary Hall, the first steamboat on the river, 
was purchased and started upon its long era of 
usefulness by Mr. Hurd, and the whistle of this 
pioneer craft was the first to wake the echoes of 
the dense timber lands. At the present time 
he owns the steamer Mink, the Marguerite, and 
the tug boat Roscoe, launched May 15, 1903, and 
named after the son of the owner. Above Flor- 
ence, Mr. Hurd has a creamery in operation,, 
which has a capacity for caring for milk from 
five hundred cows. Another enterprise of equal 
importance from an employment and money- 
making standpoint is the O. W. Hurd Packing 
Company, of which he is president and sole 
owner, and which has a capacity of fifteen thou- 
sand cases of salmon per season. His four thou- 
sand acres of timber and river land is all in 
this vicinity, and the saw-mill, but recently 
erected in Florence, is aiding to carry on one 
of the most extensive logging business in this 
part of the state. No similar enterprises in the 
northwest are more substantially and reliably 
founded, or more praiseworthily maintained 
than the five of which Mr. Hurd is the instigator 
and promoter. He has given minute attention to 
the details of each branch of his many-sided busi- 
ness, and the latest in machinery and method 
have been adopted regardless of outlay or in- 
convenience. And thus Mr. Hurd enjoys the 
additional prestige due large and successful em- 
ployers of labor, and in this respect his name is 
associated with the greatest system, kindness and 
consideration. On his journey to western suc- 
cess he has dealt with all classes of people, and 
though like all strong and forceful and influen- 
tial men, enemies may have risen up in his 
path, it is safe to say that not a man, woman 
or child in this coast country regards as other 
than absolutely trustworthy, the name, character, 
or good will of this captain of industry. 

Politics has played a small part in the life of 
Mr. Hurd. He votes the Republican ticket and 
upholds Republican institutions, but aside from 
minor local offices, such as town trustee and 
councilman, his time has been devoted exclusive- 
ly to his business and home. His fraternal asso- 
ciations are with the Masons of Florence, in 
which organization he has attained high rank, 



and is a member of the grand lodge. With his 
wife he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
and at present is serving as its treasurer. In 
1887 Mr. Hurd married, in Eugene, Lily M. 
Cox, who was born in January, 1862, a daughter 
of Capt. W. A. Cox. Captain Cox spent many 
years of his life on the high seas and in the 
coast trade, but is now retired from active serv- 
ice, making his home on the Pacific shore. Mar- 
guerite, Roscoe and Hester, the three children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Hurd, are living at home. Too 
much cannot be said of the worth and example 
of men cast in heroic mould, whether their field 
of activity be in the commercial, professional, 
industrial or religious world. Any ambitious 
young man might profit by the lessons taught in 
the life of Mr. Hurd. Sober and industrious, 
persevering always in the direction which his 
better judgment dictates, he has carved out a 
competency from the new but intrinsically great 
commonwealth of Oregon, and no one of her 
citizens, of which she boasts the proudest and 
best in the world, can excel him in stability and 
moral worth. 



WILLIAM M. RITNEY. The first six years 
of the life of this honored farmer were spent in 
Howard county, Mo., where he was born De- 
cember 19, 1848, the fourth child of the four 
sons and three daughters of John and Elizabeth 
(Way land) Ritney, natives respectively of Knox 
county, Ohio, and Virginia, and the latter of 
whom met a tragic death. John Ritney removed 
with his parents from Ohio to Howard county, 
Mo., at a very early day, and there learned the 
millwright's trade, which he continued to follow 
as long as he remained in the middle west. In 
1853 he outfitted with ox-teams and crossed the 
country with comparatively few happenings of 
an unpleasant nature. For two years he lived in 
Salem, and then came to Lane county and took 
up a claim of three hundred and twenty 
acres near Junction City, which land is now oc- 
cupied by his son, William M. Here he made 
some headway in clearing his land, but died soon 
after becoming established in the west, February 
6, 1865, at the age of fifty-six years. 

At the age of sixteen years William M. Rit- 
ney engaged in independent farming and stock- 
raising on his father's farm, to which he has 
added, until he now owns four hundred and 
eight acres. The farm is advantageously lo- 
cated near the town, so that the family have the 
advantages of both town and country. Mr. Rit- 
nev has always taken a keen interest in the edu- 
cational advancement of the county, and between 
1870 and 1880 was a teacher in the schools of 
the district. He has since been a member and 
clei'k of the school board during many terms, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1489 



and has held other offices within the gift of his 
fellow-townsmen, including that of city recorder 
for six years. He is fraternally connected with 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is 
a welcome visitor of the lodge of that organiza- 
tion. Mr. Ritney has been particularly prominent 
in Presbyterian Church affairs, especially pro- 
moting the interests of the Sunday schools of his 
district, both at Eugene and Junction City. In 
the former city he was the foremost worker in 
the church for nearly thirty years, and for many 
years he has been superintendent of the Sunday 
school in Junction City, for nine years filling the 
position of secretary of the Sunday schools of 
the county. 

For his first wife Mr. Ritney married, in Eu- 
gene, Josephine Goltra, who was born in Doug- 
las county, and died in Eugene in 1877, leaving 
one child, Royal W., engaged in gold-mining in 
Baker City, Ore. The present Mrs. Ritney was 
formerly Lucy J. Bushnell, a native of Lane 
county, Ore., and who is the mother of six chil- 
dren. 



EDWARD P. REDFORD. Among the en- 
terprising and successful farmers to whom Lane 
county owes so much for her present advanced 
position, Edward P. Redford deserves more than 
passing mention. Inheriting from a thrifty and 
successful father an appreciation of the possi- 
bilities of his useful occupation, he has pro- 
gressed, as study and research have broadened 
his mind and placed him in touch with the best 
to be obtained in his line. Fie was born in Bar- 
ren county, Ky., August 10, 1829. His father 
moved his family to Missouri about 1848, this 
being the third state in which he had owned land, 
his farm in his native state, Virginia, being the 
largest. There were fifteen children in the fam- 
ily, and Edward P., who was the fourth in order 
of birth, led an uneventful youth, attending the 
district schools irregularly, and working hard 
during the summer season. Like many other 
strong and ambitious young men he was on the 
alert for improving his opportunities, and was 
willing to take great risks in order to place him- 
self in a better position. The tales of mining 
and farming which reached him from the west, 
fell upon attentive and hopeful ears, and April 
24, 1850, he started out with ox teams to seek 
his fortune in the far west. Arriving in Cali- 
fornia at the end of five months, he mined and 
prospected for a year, but was not favorably im- 
pressed with the uncertainty and rough life in- 
cident to mining, nor was he sufficiently success- 
ful to warrant a continuation of the struggle. 
For a time he engaged in teaming. In Novem- 
ber, 1852, he arrived in Portland, Ore., and has 
since been a resident of the state. 



In the spring of 1853 Mr. Redford moved to 
Benton county, making his home near Corvallis, 
until February, 1853, when he took up a dona- 
tion claim in Lane county. His marriage with 
Sarah M. Cochran occurred January 14, 1855. 
Mrs. Redford was born in Missouri, and came 
across the plains with her parents in 1852, locat- 
ing on a farm in Lane count)-. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Redford took up a claim three miles 
northeast of Cottage Grove. In 1861 he re- 
moved near Coburg, and in 1863 to his present 
place, three and one-half miles northeast of Cot- 
tag-e Grove. This farm consisted of two hun- 
dred and twenty acres, being on the angles of 
sections 9, 10, 15 and 16, township 20, range 3 
west. At present he owns one hundred and fifty- 
six acres, upon which he has made all modern 
improvements, and carries on general farming 
and stock-raising. For about seventeen years 
he operated harvesting machines around the 
country, and in this way materially increased his 
yearly allowance, many of the settlers being un- 
able at that time to own the necessary machinery 
with which to gather in their grain. 

Of the first marriage of Mr. Redford nine 
children were born, the only survivors being 
John M., of Creswell ; James E., of Arena; Eliz- 
abeth, Mrs. Armstrong, of California ; and Ida 
B., Mrs. Stocks, of the vicinity of Saginaw. 
Mrs. Redford died February 27, 1875. F° r ms 
second wife Mr. Redford married Mrs. Minerva 
Birch, who was born in Missouri and died in 
Oregon in 1897. F° r a third wife he married 
Mrs. Harriet E. Hymas, a native of Missouri. 
In politics a Democrat, Mr. Redford has taken 
an 'active interest in county politics, and has held 
all minor offices of the vicinity. He is a mem- 
ber and elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church. During his life in the west Mr. Red- 
ford has been identified with the development of 
the state, and during the Rogue river war gladly 
left his farm to espouse the cause of the settlers 
against the Indians. Enlisting under Captain 
Buoy, in Company B, he served for three months 
during the latter part of 1855 and the beginning 
of 1856, participating in many of the important 
battles, and subjecting himself to great clanger. 
Mr. Redford commands the respect and good 
will of all with whom he has been associated, 
and as an agriculturist, soldier, and citizen, has 
done his part in the upbuilding of his adopted 
state. 



FRANK W. OSBURN, the cashier of the 
Eugene Loan & Savings Bank, is one of the 
strong and influential men of the city in which 
the greater part of his life has been spent. Since 
he came to Oregon at the age of thirteen his 
every step to progress has been watched by that 



1490 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



pioneer and earlier element which zealously 
guards its prestige, and which nevertheless saw 
in the energetic and capable boy the promising 
material from which their sturdy successors were 
to come. That he has realized the expectations 
of those in a position to judge is due as much to 
his masterful handling of opportunity, as to the 
example of a practical and capable father, with 
whose drug business he was identified first as 
clerk and later as partner for many years. 

Mr. Osburn was born at Saegerstown, near 
Meadville, Crawford county, Pa., January 24, 
1853, his father, William, and his grandfather, 
Robert Osburn, being natives of the same state. 
With patriotic fervor the grandsire fought for 
his country in the war of 18 12, and died in the 
state of his birth in 1863. He was of English 
descent. His son William followed his example 
and became a land owner and stockman in Penn- 
sylvania, in which state he married Rebecca 
Deeter, born in the eastern part of the Quaker 
state, and a daughter of Michael Deeter, who was 
an early settler in the vicinity of Saegerstown. 
As the name implies, the maternal family claims 
German ancestry. Six children were born to 
William Osburn and his wife in Pennsylvania, 
Frank W. being the third. Ralph S., the oldest 
son, died in Reno, Nev. ; Robert M. was living 
in Mexico when last heard of; Adela E. is now 
Mrs. Moore of San Diego, Cal. ; Mrs. Agnes E. 
Harding is a resident of Eugene; and Mrs. 
Augusta McDonald lives at Grant's Pass, Ore. 
William Osburn brought his wife and six chil- 
dren to Eugene in 1866, by way of Panama, San 
Francisco, Portland and Albany, and for many 
years engaged in the drug busines on Willamette 
street. His death occurred in 1890, and he was 
survived by his wife until 1895. He was a 
Democrat in politics, and was fraternally con- 
nected with the Masons. 

After coming to Eugene, Frank W. Osburn 
continued the public school education begun in 
Saegerstown, and in 1872 left the schoolroom to 
enter his father's drug business, which he learned 
from the bottom. In 1872 he became a partner 
in the concern under the firm name of Osburn 
& Company, and after the death of his father in 
1890 he took into partnership Mr. Delano, the 
firm name being changed to Osburn & Delano. 
Owing to the pressure of other business matters, 
Mr. Osburn disposed of his interest in the drug 
business to his partner in 1899. In the mean- 
time, in 1890, he had become interested in what 
is now the Eugene Loan & Savings Bank, which 
was organized as the Bank of Oregon, and be- 
came the Eugene National Bank in 1891. Mr. 
Osburn was one of the organizers and directors 
of the original bank, became the bookkeeper in 
1891, and in 1892 assumed his present position of 
cashier. He is also interested as director and 



treasurer in the Lane County Electric Company. 
He has been a special factor in educational ad- 
vancement in Eugene, is now serving his second 
term on the school board, and is a member of 
the building committee overseeing the erection 
of the new high school building. Always a 
stanch Democrat, he served as postmaster of 
Eugene under. Cleveland from 1886 until 1890, 
but is not seeking further honors of a political 
nature. He is past master of Eugene Lodge No. 
11, A. F. and A. M. ; past high priest of Eugene 
Chapter No. 10, R. A. M. ; past eminent com- 
mander of Ivanhoe Commandery No. 2, Knights 
Templar ; a member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen ; and the Benevolent Protective 
Order of Elks. In 1881 Mr. Osburn married in 
Walla Walla, Wash., Addie Bristol, born in Lane 
county, Ore., and daughter of George and Paul- 
ine (Minton) Bristol, well known pioneers of 
Oregon. Frank W. Osburn, Jr., the only son of 
this union, is a graduate of the Annapolis Naval 
Academy, class of 1902, and is now junior officer 
on the gunboat Vicksburg with the Asiatic squad- 
ron in China. Mrs. Osburn is a member of the 
Congregational church. 



JOHN WILLIAM HARRIS, M. D. The 
sturdy qualities which distinguish the pioneer 
have been transmitted to the son, for since his 
fourteenth year John W. Harris has worked his 
own way in the pursuit of an education and a 
profession for which he felt his ability, attending 
the best of schools and attaining the degree which 
permitted him to begin the practice of medicine. 
He is the son of J. M. Harris, was born near 
Russellville, Ind., March 2, 1856, and was next 
to the youngest of his father's family. He lived 
in his native state until he was three years old, 
when his parents located in Illinois, near the 
town of Quincy, and there remained for six 
years, when they crossed the plains with four- 
horse teams. The journey occupied six months. 
Upon their arrival in the west the father settled 
six miles east of Albany, Linn county, where 
they remained for four years. In 1871 he located 
near Cottage Grove. (For a more complete ac- 
count of the father's life, refer to his sketch, 
which appears on another page of this work.) 

John W. Harris remained at home until at- 
taining his majority, receiving his education in 
the public schools and Monmouth College, and 
beginning to teach when but seventeen years old. 
This occupation was continued in connection 
with his studies for several years, the income 
therefrom enabling him to continue his work. 
The first year in which he undertook the study 
of medicine he was under the tutelage of his 
brother. Dr. T. W. Harris of Eugene, after which 
he entered the medical department of the Uni- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1491 



versity of California, remaining one year. He 
then became a student in the medical depart- 
ment of Willamette University, from which he 
was graduated in 1884 with the degree of M. D. 
Taking up the practice of his profession, Dr. 
Harris located in Cottage Grove, where he re- 
mained until 1888, when he removed to Eugene, 
in which city he has since been engaged in the 
practice of medicine and surgery. The uniform 
judgment which has brought him success has 
made him a prominent physician and has built up 
for him a substantial and lucrative practice. For 
the past eight years he has been secretary of the 
Lane County Medical Society, and is now serv- 
ing as medical examiner for several old line in- 
surance companies. 

The marriage of Dr. Harris occurred in Cot- 
tage Grove June 6, 1877, ar >d united him with 
Miss Mary R. Shortridge, a native of that city, 
and the daughter of James H. Shortridge, who 
became a farmer in that neighborhood as a pio- 
neer of 1852. The four children who have 
blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs. Harris are as 
follows : Madison Curtis, a graduate of the Uni- 
versity of Oregon, who is now attending North- 
western University of Chicago, class of 1904, as 
a student in the dental department ; Edith M., 
wife of Louis Martin of Portland ; Edna L. and 
George H. Mrs. Harris is a member of the 
Christian Church. In fraternal associations Dr. 
Harris is an Odd Fellow, in which, lodge he is 
past officer, and he belongs to the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, acting as medical examiner 
for that order. In politics a stanch Republican, 
he has often been called upon to serve in the in- 
terests of the party, for six years having acted 
as coroner of Lane countv. 



COL. GEORGE O. YORAN. As a journal- 
ist and soldier, Col. George O. Yoran constitutes 
a very popular and agreeable adjunct to the lat- 
ter-dav cosmopolitan life of Eugene. Represent- 
ing one of the best-known families of this state, 
his immediate connections are dealt with else- 
where in this work, and perhaps furnish a key 
to the moulding influences of his life. Pride of 
birth, - and an ancestry numbering among its 
members men who shouldered their muskets on 
the battlefields of the Revolutionary war, are 
reflected in his career. His birth occurred at 
Sand Spring, Delaware county, Iowa, and he 
was reared principally in Jones county, of the 
same state. After graduating from the high 
school of Monticello, lo'wa, he applied himself to 
learning the printer's trade, plying the same after 
coming to Eugene in 1883. For a time he was 
associated with the West Shore Magazine in 
Portland, and upon returning to Eugene joined 



his brother. W. C. Yoran, in the publication of 
the Eugene Register until its sale in 1896. 

Colonel Yoran's initial military experience be- 
gan in 1887, when he became a member of Com- 
pany C, First Regiment of Infantry, Oregon Na- 
tional Guards, and from the position of private 
was rapidly advanced to the rank of sergeant and 
second lieutenant. Resigning his commission in 
November, 1889, he was elected first lieutenant 
of Company C in the spring of 1890, a few 
months later being promoted to the captaincy of 
the same company, and in 1893 was elected major 
of the Second Regiment of Infantry, Oregon Na- 
tional Guards, the following year being given 
full command of the regiment. In 1894 he was 
elected and commissioned colonel of the regi- 
ment, and at the breaking out of the Spanish- 
American war was appointed and commissioned 
lieutenant-colonel of the Second Regiment by 
Governor Lord. With his command he accom- 
panied the regiment to the Philippine Islands, re- 
mained during the entire campaign, and after 
returning to the United States was honorably dis- 
charged in August, 1899. Upon the re-organiza- 
tion of the Oregon National Guards in May, 
1900, the Fourth regiment was organized, and 
Colonel Yoran was elected its colonel May 15, 
1900. He is a typical military man, enthusiastic 
in his appreciation of law and order, and enter- 
tains corresponding pride in the organizations 
with which he has been connected. He is a mem- 
ber of the Spanish- American War Veterans' As- 
sociation. Fraternally he is connected' with 
Eugene Lodge No. 11, A. F. and A. M., of 
which he was master in 1903, and Eugene Chap- 
ter No. 10, R. A. M., of which he is captain of 
the host. A Republican in politics, he has never 
aspired to official recognition. His wife, who 
was formerly Laura Dunn, a native of Eugene, 
is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and the mother of two interesting chil- 
dren, George Francis and Ada Gertrude. Mrs. 
Yoran is a daughter of the late F. B. Dunn. 



WALDO L. CHESHIRE, M. D. Oregon 
has her share of men of brilliant intellectual at- 
tainments and character, and among these none 
are more prominent than those of the medical 
profession, one of whom is Waldo L. Cheshire, 
who, though still young in years, is a man of wide 
experience. He is serving as president of the 
Lane County Medical Society, and also holds 
the position of medical examiner for various of 
the fraternal orders, and for two years he served 
as county coroner, from 1898 to 1900, as well 
as carrying on a general practice of medicine 
and surgery. 

Dr. Cheshire was born in Umatilla countv, 



1492 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ore., July 1 1, 1864, his father being W. P. Ches- 
hire, a native of Tennessee, and the grandfather 
Edmund Cheshire, who removed to Missouri, 
where he died. W. P. Cheshire was reared in 
Missouri until he was fifteen years of age, when 
he crossed the plains in an ox-train in 1854, com- 
ing first to the Willamette valley, where he 
worked for various people and was also em- 
ployed in the mines of Southern Oregon. In 
1855-56 he enlisted for service in the Rogue 
River Indian war, and afterward returned to 
the valley. For a short period he was a resi- 
dent of Walla Walla, Wash., and then became 
a farmer and stockman in Umatilla county. With 
the exception of a year which was spent in San 
Francisco, he has passed the remaining years in 
Lane county, engaged in farming and hop-rais- 
ing, having been engaged in the latter industry 
for fifteen years. He now makes his home in 
Eugene. In his fraternal relations he is a mem- 
ber of Eugene Lodge No. 11, A. F. & A. M. ; 
Eugene Chapter No. 10, R. A. M. ; Ivanhoe 
Commandery No. 2, K. T., and Al Kader Tem- 
ple, N. M. S., and is a member of the Episcopal 
Church. He married Susan F. Baskett, a na- 
tive of Lane county, Ore., and the daughter of 
Richard Dudley Baskett, who came with his 
wife across the plains and became a pioneer of 
the Willamette valley. He died in the spring 
of 1902, near Portland, his wife having died 
many years earlier, when she was but thirty- 
four years of age. 

Of the six children born to his parents, Wal- 
do L. Cheshire, the eldest, was reared in Lane 
county, from the age of five years. He attended 
the district school in an effort to gain a pre- 
liminary education, and afterward entered the 
University of Oregon. He withdrew from this 
work in his junior year, anxious to take up the 
study of medicine, which he did alone for two 
years, when he became a student at the Cooper 
Medical College, San Francisco, from which he 
was graduated in 1896 with the degree of M. D. 
He then began practicing in Oakland, Cal., 
where he met with fair success, and after one 
year he came to Eugene, and has since made 
this his home. 

The marriage of Dr. Cheshire occurred in 
Douglas county, Ore., Augusta May Palmer, 
a native of that county, becoming his wife. Her 
father was the Hon. P. P. Palmer, a prominent 
and successful farmer of that section. Dr. 
Cheshire was made a Mason in Eugene Lodge 
No. 11, A. F. & A. M., is a member of K. of P. 
Uniformed Rank ; Woodmen of the World ; 
Modern Woodmen of America ; Royal Arcanum ; 
Foresters, and United Artisans, in all of these 
serving as medical examiner. He is also a 
member of the Native Sons of Oregon. The 
doctor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 



Church, and in politics is a Democrat. Dr. 
Cheshire served for several years in the Oregon 
National Guard, and since July, 1898, he has 
been special examiner for Companies A and C, 
Fourth Regiment, and also of the Fourth Regi- 
ment Band. 



RICHARD T. A. ROBINSON. A Canadian 
by birth, Richard T. A. Robinson combines the 
good qualities which distinguish those northern- 
born people with the energy and open hearted- 
ness of the Oregonians, for much of his life has 
been spent here, and it is here that he has earned 
his competence. He now owns two hundred 
and seventeen acres located in the vicinity of 
Junction City, Lane county, and is busily engaged 
in general farming and stock-raising, in the latter 
work finding profit in Cotswold sheep and 
Poland-China hogs. 

Mr. Robinson was born in Mascouche, Canada, 
February 16, 1869, and when only nine years old 
he came to Oregon with his parents, Richard A. 
and Jane Ann (Alexander) Robinson, who 
located upon the farm where the son now makes 
his home, and engaged in the work of cultivation 
and improvement. This, however, remained their 
home for but a short time, as the mother died the 
year following and the father then took his chil- 
dren back to New York state to find a home. 
They remained in the latter location until the 
death of the father by a stroke of lightning, Au- 
gust 1, 1883, and then Richard T. A. returned to 
Oregon to make his home with R. L. Robinson, 
his uncle, who had come west to the gold fields 
of California in the early fifties, and from that 
location had settled in this state, where he had 
since remained. From 1886 to the day of his 
uncle's death, May 6, 1894, he made his home 
with the latter, who owned a farm of eight hun- 
dred and twenty-two acres. October 24, 1894, 
he married Jennie M. Spencer, and they now 
have one child, Jennie M. A practical and in- 
telligent farmer, Mr. Robinson has met with suc- 
cessful returns from his work and has added no 
little to the prestige of this class of men in the 
northwest. In religion he is a member of the 
United Brethren Church, and politically casts 
his ballot with the Democratic party. 



JESSE SOVERNS. In the energetic and 
practical pursuit of agriculture Jesse Soverns is 
putting in his years and following the early train- 
ing which he received from his father, George 
Soverns, one of the pioneers of 1852. The latter 
was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, December 
4, 1826, his father being Jesse Soverns, a native 
of Virginia, but who had been taken to Ohio 
when quite young, there growing to manhood's 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1493 



estate. He married Eliza Bailey, and in 1832 
they removed to Indiana and in 1837 located in 
Tazewell count}-, 111., where they followed farm- 
ing for a livelihood. 

Upon attaining manhood George Soverns mar- 
ried Fanny Holton and in 1852 he crossed the 
plains with his parents, his wife and child, a jour- 
ney which was long recalled by the misfortunes 
that followed them. The wife and child died 
upon the journey, and the mother met with an 
accident which caused her death soon after reach- 
ing Portland, and each family was thus bereft of 
the faithful care of the mother. The grandfather 
located near the present site of Junction City and 
the younger man sought a livelihood in what- 
ever he found to do, cutting wood, harvesting, 
etc. During the Rogue River war he engaged as 
teamster of his company, which was under the 
command of Capt. J. D. Matlock. In 1856 he 
located permanently in Lane county, becoming 
the owner of four hundred and twenty-six acres 
in the neighborhood of Junction City, and there 
engaged in the cultivation of his land, and espe- 
cially dealt in stock. Later he added to his 
property by a purchase of six hundred and forty- 
six acres in this county and extended his cattle 
interests to a considerable degree. For two years 
he located in Eugene on account of the excellent 
schools which he wished his children to attend, 
then spent a year again on the farm, in 1879 
locating permanently in Eugene, where he lived 
until his death in July, igoo. 

The second wife of Mr. Soverns was Mrs. 
Elizabeth (Blachley) Tylor, a widow with one 
daughter, Jane, who married Bernum S. Hyland. 
The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Soverns 
are as follows : Jesse, of this review, who was 
born on the farm where he now lives, May 28, 
1859; Hulda, deceased; and Fannie, wife of Al- 
bert Jackson. The respect and esteem of all who 
knew him was the tribute paid to the worthy life 
which Mr. Soverns had lived. 

Jesse Soverns was reared upon his father's 
farm, receiving his education in the University 
of Oregon, after which he attended the De 
France & White Commercial College of Portland, 
his course extending over a period of three years, 
the wisdom of his father foreseeing the value of 
a good education in the prosecution of agricul- 
tural pursuits. When twenty years old he as- 
sumed charge of the home farm and October 8, 
1879, was married to Evaline C. Behrens, who 
was also born in Lane county, and was the daugh- 
ter of Lewis Behrens, and they now have two 
children, George L., a merchant at Prosser, 
Wash., and Lewis, attending the high school of 
Eugene. Mr. Soverns now owns five hundred 
and seventy-five acres, all of which is in one 
piece, and engages in general farming and stock- 
raising, Cotswold sheep being his principal in- 



terest. In politics a Republican, he has proven 
his loyalty to the party and has served for twenty 
years as school clerk of District No. 38. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
fraternally he affiliates with the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, at Junction City. 



ISAAC N. EDWARDS. The usefulness of 
a man's life is not determined by his environ- 
ment, but by the character which prompts his 
actions and indicates his motives, and it often 
happens that the life of an agriculturist is more 
conducive to broad-minded thought than that of 
almost any other occupation. Especially is this 
true in Oregon, and one of this class is Isaac N. 
Edwards, a resident of Lane county, whose voice 
has been heard on the side of progress for many 
years and whose utterances have been appreci- 
ated by those who have the welfare of the state 
and community at heart. Though his principal 
interests have always lain in the cultivation of 
the soil, he was chosen to the state legislature 
for the sessions of i902-'o3 as a representative 
of the Republican party, the principles of which 
he has always supported. 

The Edwards family is also represented in 
Oregon by the father, James E., now making his 
home near Monroe, Benton county, in his eighty- 
seventh year, his presence among the citizens a 
constant reminder of the pioneer days of the 
state, for he crossed the plains in 1853. He was 
born in Pennsylvania, and in Ohio married Mary 
Longsworth, also a native of the same state, and 
in the spring of '53 he outfitted with two wagons 
and seven yoke of oxen, and with his wife and 
four children set out upon the journey which 
meant a pilgrimage like unto that of the Israelites 
of old. Seven months were spent upon the plains 
amid the trials and dangers which beset the early 
traveler, and at the conclusion of their journey 
the father located in the Alsea country, Benton 
county, where he took up a donation claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres. Upon this 
property the family remained for four years, 
when they removed near their present location, 
becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty 
acres, and later moving to their present home 
near Monroe, Benton county. The mother died 
in 1887. Mr. Edwards is a member of the 
United Brethren Church, having crossed in the 
train which was largely composed of a colony of 
that faith. As a citizen he has always been in- 
fluential in his neighborhood and has taken a 
lively interest in public affairs, the position of 
county commissioner of Benton county being his 
for fourteen years. 

The birth of Isaac N. Edwards occurred in 
Guernsey county, Ohio, November 5, 1845, ar *d 
he was thus eight years old when the journey 



' 



1494 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was made to the west. He was trained to the life 
of a farmer under the careful supervision of his 
father, but almost before entering manhood he 
left home to become a volunteer in Company A, 
First Regiment of Oregon Infantry, under the 
command of Capt. Charles La Follett, and was 
detailed to Indian service in the same year 
(1864). He was first stationed at Vancouver 
and was then removed to Fort Yamhill. His 
company was then divided and he went with 
Captain La Follett and forty men to the De 
Chutes country, where he participated in build- 
ing Camp Polk, where they remained from Oc- 
tober, 1864, to May, 1865, when the company re- 
turned to Fort Yamhill and was mustered out of 
service in July, 1865. He then returned to his 
home and at twenty-two he married, and bought 
one hundred and twenty acres in Benton county, 
that being the home of his family for two years. 
On locating in Lane county he purchased a farm 
of three hundred and twenty acres two miles 
southeast of Junction City and engaged in prac- 
tical farming for a period of sixteen years, in 
1885 removing to his present property, which 
consists of one hundred and seventy-eight acres. 
Here he carries on general farming and stock- 
raising and lives the comfortable and pleasant 
life of a prosperous farmer. He still owns the 
farm which was his home for so many years. 

The wife of Mr. Edwards was in maidenhood 
Mary Gilbert, daughter of L. D. and Hannah 
(Belknap) Gilbert, pioneers of 1847, an d by 
their union were born the following children: 
Orville, deceased; Loren ; Lettie, the wife of 
Josiah H. Herron, of Benton county; Clifford; 
Ernest, at home; Leona, wife of Jesse Flint; 
Chester and Mary, at home. In the interests of 
the Republican party, the principles of which he 
endorses, Mr. Edwards has done considerable 
campaigning in a local way, in. which capacity 
his services are thoroughly appreciated. In re- 
ligion he was once a member of the United 
Brethren Church, but in the past few years has 
been identified with the Methodist Episcopal 
faith, of which his wife is also an adherent. The 
church is built opposite his home, and he and 
• his wife were the promoters of the church organ- 
ization. He now serves as class leader, trustee 
and steward, while Mrs. Edwards is a teacher in 
the Sunday school. 



CHARLES APPLEGATE. If all the events 
and experiences of this pioneer could be chron- 
icled, they would make interesting reading for 
the occupants of the happy homes that now dot 
the country which he found a wilderness and 
inhabited by little else than savages and wild 
beasts. Suffice it to say that now his labors are 
ended, let the thronging thousands who shall 



enjoy this beautiful land remember that his 
strong arms helped to subdue this far-western 
wilderness and prepared it for civilization. 

Charles Applegate was one of three brothers, 
Charles, Lindsay and Jesse Applegate, who 
played such an important part in the early history 
of Oregon. He was born in Henry county, Ky., 
January 24, 1806, and died at Yoncalla, Douglas 
county, Ore., on August 9, 1879. When fifteen 
years of age Mr. Applegate moved to St. Louis 
county, Mo., and a number of years later, in 
1829, was joined in marriage with Malinda Mil- 
ler. With her and a small company of emi- 
grants, he started for Oregon on May 15, 1843, 
and thus became one of the very early settlers. 
They settled in the Willamette valley in Polk 
county, and remained there until 1850, but at 
that date removed to the vicinity of the present 
city of Yoncalla, where he became an essential 
figure in business affairs, continuing so until his 
death. 

Mr. Applegate was a very successful stock- 
man, and was especially a large sheep-raiser, and 
thus became very wealthy. He had a beautiful 
home on his large ranch, and was most liberal 
and hospitable to the emigrants and early settlers. 
His doors were always open to the weary trav- 
elers and they were glad to partake of his gen- 
erous hospitality, and many of the early emi- 
grants still remember him with great kindliness. 
His whole life was a blameless one and he ac- 
complished much good. He and his wife reared 
an exceptionally large family of fifteen children. 



JOHN J. SPALINGER. When John J. 
Spalinger stepped from the gang plank of a sail- 
ing vessel in New York in 1856, he had $1.50 
in his pocket, and a wealth of hope and good 
will in his heart. In his native Switzerland, 
where he was born in 1839, he had been reared 
to hard work and frugal living, and his scanty 
hoard seemed therefore more or less familiar, and 
not so discouraging as it might seem to some. 
By working his way he managed to reach Cook 
county, 111., at a time when harvests were being 
gathered, and there was need for strong and 
willing men. For a few months he worked on 
farms for thirteen dollars a month, and then went 
to Des Moines, Iowa, where he found employ- 
ment in a saw-mill. From Des Moines he made 
his way to Council Bluffs, and after working as 
a laborer for six months, returned to Des Moines, 
remaining there a few months. 

In his effort to find a desirable permanent loca- 
tion Mr. Spalinger visited St. Louis, and finally 
reached Illinois, still later moving to Jasper 
county, Iowa. Here he was married, in 1863, 
to Elizabeth Owens, with whom he went to 
housekeeping on a farm he had purchased, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1495 



which consisted of forty acres. To this he added 
from time to time, and finally accumulated a 
large property. In 1875 he came with his family 
to Oregon, and for a year lived on rented land 
in Linn county, soon after purchasing three hun- 
dred and twenty acres of land. Thirty acres of 
this land was cleared, but at present nearly two 
hundred acres are available for general crops. 
Many fine improvements have followed in the 
wake of large harvests, and the general appear- 
ance of the farm is characteristic of the enter- 
prise and order of the successful owner. It is 
three miles west of Jefferson, and is well watered, 
fenced and has a comfortable house. 

The first wife of Mr. Spalinger died in 1885, 
leaving eight children : William, deceased ; 
George ; Frank ; Oscar ; Edward ; Emma ; Callie ; 
and Sadie, deceased. In 1895 he was united in 
marriage with Mrs. Fannie Smith, daughter of 
Marshall Dudley and Chloe (Baldwin) Car- 
penter. Mrs. Spalinger was born in Iowa, and 
has resided in Oregon since 1888. By her mar- 
riage with George Frederick Smith she had two 
children, Clara Dell and Jessie May, both of 
whom are living. In politics Mr. Spalinger is 
Independent, believing in voting for the man best 
qualified to serve the public interests. He is en- 
terprising and progressive, and a typical repre- 
sentative of his resourceful nation. 



SAMUEL DOKE HOLT. The conditions 
prevalent in Oregon in the early days, though 
bespeaking desolation, loneliness and danger, 
were such as to finely develop the character of 
the men who became pioneers. Empty-handed 
they came into the wilderness and began the up- 
building of a primitive civilization, courage, hon- 
esty and earnestness of purpose becoming the 
foundation of this western commonwealth ; ad- 
vancing steadily with the march of progress un- 
hindered by tradition of pioneer days ; working 
patiently and perseveringly toward a common 
end. It is not a matter of wonder that the pres- 
ent generation pauses to look upon the record of 
such lives as those which gave to Oregon the 
strength and purpose of manhood, in both youth 
and maturity, holding in grateful remembrance 
the pioneers of the state. 

Occupying a prominent place among the pio- 
neers is the name of Samuel Doke Holt, who 
but recently passed from the scenes of his life- 
long labors. He came to Oregon in 1852 and 
settled in Lane county, where he was identified 
with agricultural and stock interests for many 
years, becoming a power financially and exerting 
a wide and lasting influence by the example of a 
Christian character, by which he is so well re- 
membered today. He was born in east Ten- 
nessee, near Greenville, the son of Barrett Holt. 



The father was born near Richmond, Va., and on 
attaining manhood removed to Tennessee and 
thence to Missouri. The boyhood of Samuel D. 
Holt was spent upon a mountainous farm in 
Tennessee, but when fifteen years old he settled 
in Andrew county, Mo., where he entered the 
quartermaster's department of the United States 
army and served throughout the Mexican war 
and for about a year prior thereto. In the sum- 
mer of 1848 he drove eight yoke of oxen, assist- 
ing in the building of Fort Kearney on the Platte 
river. After the close of the war he decided to 
try his fortunes in the west, and accordingly 
crossed the plains with ox-teams, in August of 
the same year commencing mining operations on 
the middle fork of the American river. This 
sojourn in California proved profitable, and on 
his return to Missouri in January, 185 1, via the 
Isthmus of Panama, he purchased a farm and 
decided to remain content in the middle west. 
The following year, however, he outfitted with 
three wagons and a number of loose stock and 
again crossed the plains, his destination being the 
great northwest. He was accompanied by his 
two brothers, Benjamin and James E., the former 
of whom died in Harrisburg, Ore., in 1900, while 
the latter, after many years' identification with 
this state, became a resident of San Jose, Cal., 
where he now resides. 

Mr. Holt arrived in Oregon August 29, 1852, 
and immediately took up a donation claim of one 
hundred and sixty acres in the neighborhood of 
West Point, Lane county, and engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising. He met with the success 
which follows earnest effort and practical appli- 
cation of knowledge, and before the passage of 
many years he was numbered among the repre- 
sentative citizens of his community. In partner- 
ship with his brother, James E., be became the 
owner of about three thousand acres of land, 
which was devoted to an extensive cultivation of 
cattle and sheep. After many years a large part 
of this land was disposed of and the partnership 
of the brothers dissolved. At this time Mr. Holt 
owned about six hundred acres of land, known 
as the Joe Smith donation claim, located three 
miles north of Coburg. About twenty years 
prior to his death he removed to Eugene, from 
which city he superintended the management of 
his agricultural interests. 

The marriage of Mr. Holt united him with a 
native daughter of the west, Miss Angeline 
Wilkins, who was born near West Point, Lane 
county, in 1849. The ceremony was performed 
March 10, 1868, at the home of her father, 
Mitchell Wilkins, a pioneer of 1847. Two chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Holt, namely : 
Aileen, who died at the age of six months, and 
Linna. The latter, after graduating from the 
Eugene high school, attended the University of 



1496 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Oregon, from which institution she was gradu- 
ated in 1 89 1. She married Albert Gaylord, of 
Pasadena, Cal., in which city her death occurred 
in 1898. 

With the death of Mr. Holt, which occurred 
July 19, 1901, there passed away one of the truly 
worthy men of Eugene. Not alone eminent in the 
practical demonstration of his financial ability, 
but occupying a place high in the esteem of his 
fellow-men, Mr. Holt attracted to himself that 
regard which is the portion of one of his moral 
worth. No man stood higher in Eugene and no 
man more deserved the esteem and confidence of 
his associates. A Christian beyond the mere 
naming, he belonged to the Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church, having been converted when a 
mere lad at a camp meeting near his old home in 
Greenville, Tenn. In the face of many tempta- 
tions incident to the wandering life he led and 
the trials and dangers of his pioneer venture, he 
remained true to his profession of faith. In the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church of this city, of 
which his wife is also a member, he served for 
many years on the official board, and was one 
of the strong lights of the congregation, an evi- 
dence of the love which he bore those who la- 
bored for the cause being manifested in his be- 
quest of $1,000 to be used by the board of min- 
isterial relief. In his political convictions Mr. 
Holt was a Democrat, though he was never radi- 
cal in his ideas or professions. In his fraternal 
relations he was identified with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, while his wife belongs 
to the Native Daughters of Eugene. Generous 
to a fault, broad-minded and public-spirited, Mr. 
Holt always contributed to every enterprise which 
came within his reach, having been particularly 
interested in the success of the University of 
Oregon. Both he and his brother James gave 
liberally to that institution, as much as $1,500 
at a time going to increase the financial standing 
of this college. In addition to the many acts 
which the world could witness, Mr. Holt lived 
an earnest, forceful life, whose influence will 
outlast the passage of time and effectually insure 
him a place in the hearts of the younger gener- 
ation. 



FRANK A. HACKLEMAN. A native of 
Albany, Frank A. Hackleman was born March 
14, 1865. After obtaining his knowledge of 
books in the Albany public schools, he became 
familiar as a boy with the care of stock, spend- 
ing much of his time with his father on the 
ranch. When about twenty years old he started 
in business for himself as a cattle raiser and 
dealer, at the same time making a specialty of 
breeding horses. For marking cattle, his father 
had the letter branded on the right side of 



the animal, and Mr. Hackleman uses the same 
letter, but brands it on the left side. In brand- 
ing horses the father uses the letter H, placing 
it on the shoulder, and Mr. Hackleman brands 
H with a bar across the top on the shoulder. 
Their ranch, known as the Q ranch, has a fine 
location for grazing purposes, being situated just 
on the edge of the Great Desert. Mr. Hackle- 
man's ranch consists of three hundred and twenty 
acres of good farming land, with an extensive 
range for his cattle and horses near by. In his 
large herd of stock, he has many high grade 
Shorthorn cattle, and among his horses are some 
of the best Clydes and Percherons to be found in 
this locality. He sells some to the home mar- 
ket, but ships the greater part of those he raises, 
in the year 1902 two train-loads of horses having 
been shipped from the Q ranch to Omaha, Neb., 
where good draft horses are in special demand. 
Mr. Hackleman married first Martha J. 
Stroud,, who was born and reared in Albany. 
At her death she left two children, Elmira and 
Pansey. He then married Miss Lena Cox, also 
a native of Albany, and they are the parents of 
three children, namely : Hazel, Elenore and 
Dorothea. Politically Mr. Hackleman is a Demo- 
crat. He resides in Albany, being numbered 
among its foremost citizens, but, with his fam- 
ily, spends the summer seasons on his pleasant 
ranch, where he has a beautiful country home. 



MAJOR JOHNSON is a son of Philip T. 
Johnson, and was born January 25, 1844, in 
Boone county, Mo. A native of Kentucky, 
Philip T. Johnson became an early settler of 
Boone county, Mo., but subsequently removed 
to Sullivan county, where his last years were 
spent. He served in the Civil war, enlisting in 
1 86 1 in the Twenty- third Missouri Infantry, and 
remaining with his company until he became 
so crippled that he was honorably discharged on 
account of physical disability. He married 
Sarah Hazard, a daughter of Harper Hazard, 
an early settler of Boone county, Mo., and a 
prominent member of the Baptist Church. She 
died in Missouri. Nine children were born of 
their union, eight boys and one girl. Four of 
the sons were in the Civil war, Henry D. serv- 
ing as captain of a company in a Missouri regi- 
ment ; D. F., Col. R. and Major being in the 
regiment with their father. Another son, Albert, 
was a member of the Missouri state militia for 
a year. Three sons still survive, Col. R. and Al- 
bert, of Missouri, and Major, the special sub- 
ject of this sketch. 

The eighth in a family of nine children, Major 
Johnson was brought up on a farm, and educat- 
ed in the district school. At the age of seven- 
teen, in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1497 



A, Twenty-third Missouri Infantry, and was 
mustered in at Benton Barracks, St. Louis. In 
April, 1862, at the Battle of Shiloh, the colonel 
of his regiment was killed, and he, with many 
of his comrades, was captured. The following 
six and one-half months, Mr. Johnson was con- 
fined in different southern prisons, the last one 
heing Libby Prison, where he remained until ex- 
changed. After recuperating, he rejoined his 
regiment in Missouri, and afterwards did duty 
in Tennessee from the fall of 1863 until the 
spring of 1864. At that time, as a member of 
the Fourteenth Army Corps, under General 
Thomas, he participated in the various pitched 
battles and minor engagements of the Georgia 
campaign. In the meantime Mr. Johnson's eyes, 
which had seriously troubled him from the time 
of his captivity, grew so much worse that at 
the siege of Atlanta he was unable to distinguish 
objects. As his time of service had expired, he 
was there mustered out, and honorably dis- 
charged. Returning to Missouri, he placed him- 
self under treatment, but received no help, his 
eyes continually growing worse, and since 1877 
he has been totally blind. Notwithstanding his 
great affliction, Mr. Johnson has never lost cour- 
age, but has labored persistently and willingly, 
confining his attention to the tilling of the soil 
chiefly. Emigrating to Oregon in January, 1876, 
he located first in Independence, where his 
brother, Philip T. Johnson, resided. He subse- 
quently spent a short time in Polk county, then 
removed to Albany in 1880, in 1881 going to 
Benton county, where he purchased one hundred 
and sixty acres of land on the Lebanon hillside. 
Two years later he traded that farm for another, 
and has since acquired other landed property, 
owning three farms in Linn county, one very 
fine one being located near Peoria. Since 1899, 
he has been a resident of Albany, and occupies 
a position of prominence among its esteemed and 
influential citizens. 

On August 13, 1865, Mr. Johnson married, in 
Sullivan county. Mo., Mary M. Russell, who 
was born in Loudoun county, Va., the birthplace 
of her father, Jonathan Russell. Her grand- 
father, James Russell, was a native of Virginia, 
and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was of 
Irish parentage, his family having emigrated 
from the north of Ireland to Virginia. Jona- 
than Russell began life as a farmer in Virginia, 
but afterwards became an early settler of Sulli- 
van county, Mo., removing there in 1857. He 
improved a good farm, and for a number of 
years served in the state militia. He married for 
his first wife Elizabeth Edwards, who was born 
in Loudoun county, Va., a daughter of Joseph 
Edwards, a planter. She died in Missouri, leav- 
ing five children, one of whom resides in Mis- 
souri, one in Arkansas, and three in Oregon, 



namely : Mary M., now Mrs. Johnson ; Mrs. 
Emma Crosby, of Albany; and James J., of Mon- 
mouth. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents 
of four children, namely : Mrs. Emma C. 
Knight, of Linn county; Mrs. Amanda M. Bain, 
of Linn county; James A., a barber in Albany; 
and Dr. John P., a dentist in Roseberg, Ore. 
Although not an active politician, Mr. Johnson 
supports the principles of the Republican party. 



THOMAS COLLINSON was born in county 
Durham, England, in 1822, and there spent 
twenty years of his life. His family is a very 
old one in England, and is noted for the strain 
of longevity which encourages with the possibility 
of long life all who bear the name. Joshua Col- 
linson, the father of Thomas, was a soldier in 
the English army, and served under Wellington 
at the famous battle of Waterloo. He also was 
born in county Durham, and lived to be more 
than ninety years old. 

Thomas Collinson's first self-made money was 
the result of labor in the lead mines. In 1844 
he emigrated to America, and being familiar 
with mining, took his way to coal mines of 
Pennsylvania, where he worked for about seven 
years. In 185 1 he came west to San Francisco 
by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and in Grass 
valiey, California, engaged in mining for many 
years, experiencing the average success which 
visited the seeker after wealth in the early days. 
In 1858 he went to the Caribou mining region 
on horseback, wearily riding over mountainous 
roads for seventy-eight days, and at his destina- 
tion sunk the first hole in that now famous 
region. That he was fairly successful as a miner 
is readily believed, for upon coming to Oregon 
in i860 he had the means with which to purchase 
two hundred and seventy-five acres of land, the 
same being his present farm. At that time the 
property had but few improvements, and the 
general air of prosperity prevailing at the pres- 
ent time is entirely due to the exertions of the 
present owner. A comfortable rural residence, 
good barns and outhouses, and modern agricul- 
tural implements facilitate a very successful and 
paying farming and stock-raising enterprise. Of 
the nine children born to Mr. Collinson and his 
wife, Sarah (Booth) Collinson, six are living: 
Thomas, Alice, Ann D., Joseph, William and 
Benjamin. Mr. Collinson is one of the most 
honored of the venerable citizens of this neigh- 
borhood. 



DAVID FROMAN was five years of age 
when his honored father, Jacob Froman, died 
on the farm in Durbin county, Ind., on which 
farm he himself was born September 7, 1821, 



1498 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the youngest of the seven children born to his 
mother, Margaret (Dawson) Froman, and the 
only one living. The mother died in Illinois in 
1848. She was born in Kentucky, as was also 
her husband, and both came from old families in 
the Bourbon state. 

As a small lad David removed with his mother 
to Illinois, and in 1830 settled on a farm one and 
a half miles from Danville, Vermilion county, 
then in the heart of a vast wilderness. The sur- 
roundings were very primitive and the neighbors 
far apart, the mother was very poor, and with 
difficulty found food and clothes for her chil- 
dren. This mother was a Spartan, and a won- 
derful worker, and she taught her boys the 
value of industry, forcing them to perform their 
share towards the family maintenance. In time 
two of the elder sons managed the farm, which 
was a large and productive one, and David 
worked for them, eventually receiving good 
wages for his toil. He was in a fair way to 
succeed, and felt justified in sharing his pros- 
pects with another, and married, August 12, 
1 841, in Vermilion county, Nancy A. Henderson, 
a native • of Coshocton county, Ohio, who came 
to Illinois with her parents. The young people 
began farming in Vermilion county, and Mr. 
Froman engaged also in trading in New Orleans. 

For some time Mr. Froman had been suffer- 
ing from an annoying bronchial trouble, and his 
physician advised a complete change of climate, 
intimating that Oregon might be beneficial. Ac- 
cordingly he disposed of his interests in Vermil- 
ion county and outfitted for the long journey 
across the plains, departing from home March 
24, 1 85 1. They had two wagons, with four yoke 
of oxen to each wagon, besides some horses and 
loose stock. They came via the old Oregon trail, 
and on the way the Indians relieved them of the 
care of some of their horses and cows, but other- 
wise the journey was fairly pleasant and unevent- 
ful. Locating in Linn county, Mr. Froman took 
up three hundred and twenty acres of land four 
miles southeast of Albany, built a cabin in the 
midst of the timbered wildness, and began to 
clear in order to plant the first crops. At best 
this was a laborious task, but he worked dili- 
gently, and soon had wheat in the ground, and 
a place erected to cover his stock. With a neigh- 
bor he bought a threshing machine, the first in 
that locality, the object being to thresh their own 
grain, but they afterward sent a man out with it 
to thresh for the other farmers in the district. 
During the first year the great lumbering 
machine nearly paid for itself, and this, added to 
the sale of the general farm commodities, 
brought a competence to Mr. Froman, and 
greatly encouraged him in his adopted state. 

About 1859 Mr. Froman sold his land and his 
interest in the threshing machine and came to 



live in Albany which has since been his home. 
For the greater part he has engaged in the brok- 
erage and money-loaning business, and has 
amassed a neat little fortune in this way. He 
lives in a comfortable home with his wife, and 
is popular and much beloved by all who know 
him. He is a Republican politically, formerly 
being an old-time Whig, and he has held a num- 
ber of important offices in the town, including 
that of mayor for two terms and councilman for 
several years. Fraternally he is prominent and 
well known, and is identified with the Corinthian 
Lodge, F. and A. M., of which he is past master; 
the Royal Arch Masons ; and the Grand Lodge 
of Oregon, of which he is past grand warden. 
Mr. Froman had two brothers and a sister who 
came to Oregon, and of these, Thomas John and 
Mrs. Wilson, died in Linn county. Mrs. Fro- 
man is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Mr. Froman is charitable and public- 
spirited, and few efforts to improve the town 
have failed to receive his substantial support and 
co-operation. The soul of integrity, he carries 
with him a helpful and optimistic nature, and 
one which sees principally good and merit in his 
fellow-men. 



WILLIAM C. SPENCER. The spring of 
1847 witnessed the departure of many immi- 
grants from their homes in the middle west to 
cast their lot amid the untried conditions beyond 
the Rocky mountains, and of these it is doubtful 
if any started forth with more glowing hopes, 
and greater faith in success, than William C. 
Spencer. Born in the farming region around St. 
Charles, Mo., October 1, 1823, Mr. Spencer has 
already lived to the biblical allotment of years, 
yet still finds pleasure and profit in farming and 
stock-raising, interests drawn around him by an 
inquiring mind and youthful heart. His boy- 
hood days on the Missouri farm were crowded 
with duties, and he walked three and a half 
miles to the nearest school-house. There were 
fifteen children in the family, five dying at birth, 
nine sons and .five daughters. The mother died 
in 1837, and the father in 1841, after which the 
farm was managed by the combined efforts of 
the children, several of whom had already at- 
tained maturity. 

During the winter of 1846-7 William C. made 
preparations to emigrate to the far west. Start- 
ing out April 11, 1847, ne drove during the 
entire journey, and arrived near Dayton, Ore., in 
October, little the worse for the days and months 
of strenuous activity and consequent deprivation. 
In the spring of 1848 William C. went to Polk 
county and took up a donation claim of six hun- 
dred and forty acres four miles from Springfield 
on the banks of the McKenzie river, where he 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1499 



erected a round-log house 14x16 feet dimen- 
sions, and very crude and uninviting in every 
particular. Afterward, when some of the land 
had been cleared, and crops realized, a better 
house afforded shelter for his family, and he 
remained there in comparative comfort until 
1857. Between 1857 and 1887 Mr. Spencer lived 
in Santa Clara county, Cal., after which he re- 
turned to the section farm on the McKenzie, and 
worked the same in its entirety until 1903. Dur- 
ing the preceding year he disposed of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres, finding that with in- 
creasing age this is about all that he can attend 
to with any degree of satisfaction. 

The year after coming to Oregon, in 1848, 
Mr. Spencer married Julia Scott, who died in 
1865 leaving five children, of whom Mary E. 
is now Mrs. Cowan ; Maria T. is the wife of 
James Carlyon. of California ; and Manan, Anna 
E., and William H. are deceased. Mr. Spencer 
has lived an upright and highly useful life, and 
his right to a place among the most industrious 
and worthy of the pioneers of '47 is unques- 
tioned. 



WILLIAM W. SHORTRIDGE. Identified 
with the agricultural interests of Lane county 
William W. Shortridge has also taken a broad 
view of other pursuits, having served for four- 
teen years as postmaster of Wallace. He was 
born in Muscatine, Iowa, March 31, 1836, the 
son of Samuel B. S. Shortridge, a pioneer of 
1852, who was born in Bourbon county, Ky., in 
1798, a relative of Daniel Boone. At a very 
early age he accompanied his parents to Indi- 
ana, where they made their home for many 
years. He early learned the trade of a black- 
smith and followed this in addition to farming. 
In his young manhood he married Emily A. 
Heath, also a native of Kentucky, and after 
locations in Indiana, Iowa and Illinois, they 
crossed the plains with ox-teams and came direct 
to Lane county, where he took up a donation 
claim of one hundred and sixty acres, located 
seven miles south of Cottage Grove, which he 
improved and cultivated until 1858, when he 
took up his residence with J. H. Shortridge, 
where he lived the balance of his life. Besides 
William W., of this review, he had five children, 
of whom James H. is a resident of Lane county, 
and Caroline D. became the wife of Hiram Stew- 
art, of Goshen, the others being deceased. The 
mother died in Iowa. Samuel B. S. Shortridge 
was alwavs active in politics and also as a mem- 
ber of the Church of Christ. 

William W. Shortridge grew to the age of 
sixteen years in his home in the middle west, 
receiving his education in the district schools, 
and after the journey west he remained at home 



until he married and located on Coast Fork, six 
miles south of Cottage Grove, where he lived 
three years. He then removed to Pass Creek 
near Divide and remained for a period of two 
years, when he bought one hundred and sixty 
acres of land eleven miles south of Cottage 
Grove, upon which he has since made his home. 
The improvement and cultivation of these broad, 
rich acres have been the pleasure and profit of 
Mr. Shortridge in the passing years, and he has 
bent every effort toward bringing his farm to 
a high state of perfection. He has a comfort- 
able home, one of the best south of Cottage 
Grove, and has also erected other buildings 
which go to improve the value and facilitate the 
operation of the farm. In 1883 Mr. Shortridge 
built a saw-mill on his place and has since con- 
ducted it with success. He now has two hun- 
dred acres of land, eighty of which are under 
cultivation, carrying on general farming and 
stock-raising. In the midst of his pursuits Mr. 
Shortridge, like many others, was called upon to 
defend his home and adopted state against the 
depredations of the savages in the Rogue River 
war, enlisting February 13, 1856, in Company 
A, under the command of Captain Ladshaw. 
During his service of four months and nineteen 
days he participated in the battles at Cow creek 
and Big Meadow, and many minor engagements. 
Upon his discharge he returned to his work on 
the farm. 

The marriage of Mr. Shortridge united him 
with Miss Ellen Jane Kyes, a native of Illinois, 
and to them have been born eleven children, all 
of whom are now living and named in order of 
birth are as follows : William C. ; Silas S. ; Saman- 
tha J., the wife of William Brown; A. W- ; 
Gilbert L. ; Samuel P. ; Emily L., the wife of 
Edward Adams ; Lillie S. married George Suther- 
land ; Lucy Ann married Lyman Adams ; Carrie 
F. ; and Lester A. The two last named still 
make their home with their parents, while the 
others reside in the vicinity. In political prefer- 
ence Mr. Shortridge is a Populist and has al- 
ways taken an active part in public affairs, hold- 
ing at various times the minor offices of this 
vicinity. 



NIMROD PRICE, since 1852, has been iden- 
tified with the agricultural interests of this part 
of the county. He was born in Jefferson county, 
Ky., September 8, 1822, but his parents moved 
from the south when their son Nimrod was a 
child of six years of age, settling in Indiana. 
After making their home in the Hoosier state for 
two years the family located near Danville, Ver- 
milion county, 111., in 1830. 

Nimrod Price received his early education and 
training in Illinois, and soon after reaching his 



1500 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



majority was united in marriage with Miss 
America Froman, October 22, 1846, marking the 
date of this event. The young people made their 
home in Illinois for about five years, and, in 
1 85 1, filled with a desire to found a home in the 
new west, they started on the long journey across 
the plains with the greater part of their belong- 
ings packed in one wagon, drawn by four yoke 
of oxen. Eight head of loose cattle and two 
horses also formed a part of their equipment. 
The journey began March 24, 185 1, and it was 
not until September 11 following that they 
finally reached their destination in Marion 
county. In the spring of 1852 Mr. Price came to 
Linn county and took up a donation claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres, the same prop- 
erty upon which he at present makes his home. 
With the exception of two winters, when he was 
in Albany, this has been his home ever since, 
settling here over half a century ago, and in the 
meantime he has developed one of the finest farm 
properties in Linn county. 

To Nimrod and America (Froman) Price 
were born twelve children, whose names and 
whereabouts are given as follows : Curtis re- 
sides in Jackson county, Ore. ; S. Price is a resi- 
dent of Crook county; Clara became the wife of 
Judge Charles E. Walverton, of Albany; Bruce 
is a stockman in Crook county ; Annie is the 
wife of Charles C. LaFollette and resides in Cali- 
fornia ; Kate, Mrs. Horace Powell, also resides 
in California ; Clark, the youngest of the family 
living, has assumed charge of the home place. 
The children deceased are named as follows : 
Albertine, Sydney, John M., Russell, and Fred. 
In 1848, before coming to the west, Mr. Price 
joined the Masonic fraternity, and is now identi- 
fied with the lodge at Salem of which he is the 
only charter member living. Mr. Price also has 
the distinction of being one of the seven charter 
members of the Masonic lodge at Albany. 



ELI FRANKLIN WYATT. A native of Ed- 
gar county, 111., Mr. Wyatt was born August 5, 
1828, the old paternal farm being at present ad- 
jacent to the town of Chrisman. His father, Col. 
William Wyatt, was born in Ireland, and came 
to America with the paternal grandfather, Jas- 
per, when he was three years old, settling in 
Virginia. Col. William Wyatt removed to Ed- 
gar county, 111-, about 1818, and from there en- 
listed in the Black Hawk war, for meritorious 
service receiving the rank by which he was after- 
ward known. His death occurred in his adopted 
state in September, 1847, of typhoid fever. His 
wife, formerly Elizabeth Morgan, born in Vir- 
ginia, and daughter of John Morgan of Welsh 
descent, survived him until eighty-four years of 
age. A large family of children, fourteen in 



number, were born to this couple, five of whom 
are living, Eli Franklin being the eighth in the 
family. Of the children, the oldest son, Shelby, 
is living to a truly remarkable age, and now, 
when one hundred and three years old, is hale 
and hearty and interested in all that happens on 
the old homestead in Shelby county, 111. An- 
other son, Ananias, came to California in 1853, 
later settled in Oregon, and finally died in Boise 
City, Idaho, in 1893. 

The support of so large a family naturally 
taxed the resources of the Edgar county farm 
notwithstanding the fact that the boys were all 
trained to make themselves useful, and diligently 
performed their respective tasks. At the age 
of thirteen Eli Franklin relieved the family of 
his support by going to live with a brother-in- 
law in Green county, Wis., and after a year he 
made his way to the lead mines of Galena, 111., 
where he worked for a couple of years. He 
next went to Monona county, Iowa, and while 
there made preparation to cross the plains to 
California. Getting as far as St. Joe, Mo., he 
was obliged to turn back, owing to illness, and 
thereafter went to his old home and remained 
there until 1853. He crossed the plains during 
that year with the Summervilles, starting April 
9, and arriving in Oregon September 15, and 
bought a claim of one hundred and sixty acres 
four miles east of Harrisburg. The following 
year, in 1854, he went to California to engage 
in mining, but seems not to have been success- 
ful, for he soon returned and started improving 
his ranch. Later he visited with more success 
the mines of Eureka, and Shasta county, and 
finally located permanently on his farm, where 
he engaged extensively in the stock business, 
raising principally F. B. Shorthorns, and Cots- 
wold and Shropshire sheep. As his enterprises 
grew in magnittide more land was required, and 
at one time he owned ten hundred and forty 
acres in one body. From time to time he dis- 
posed of this large holding, until he had but 
four hundred and forty acres left, that being 
disposed of in 1902. At the height of his stock- 
raising enterprise he had as many as two thou- 
sand sheep roaming on his meadows. He was 
a good manager and excellent business man, and 
had the good sense to realize that the best stock 
brought the best prices. Consequently, the fin- 
est breeds on the market were sold from the 
Wyatt farm, and had an unexcelled reputation 
throughout this and the adjoining states. 

For the last twenty-five years Mr. Wyatt has 
spent a great deal of his time in Harrisburg, and 
four years in Eugene, and in 1902 he located 
permanently in Albany. He is enjoying life in 
comfort, feeling that his unceasing toil for many 
years entitles him to a respite from business 
cares. A stanch Republican in politics, he has 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1501 



never aspired to office, but his interest in edu- 
cation has led him to serve as a member of the 
school board. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and was a trustee and one 
of the organizers and promoters of the church 
in Harrisburg. In Linn county, Ore., Mr. 
Wyatt married his first wife, Martha Froman, 
who was born in Illinois, and who bore him six 
children : Thomas, a graduate of the University 
of Oregon, and at present engaged in mining in 
east Oregon : J. Russell, an attorney at law in Al- 
bany ; Lillie. a graduate of the University of Ore- 
gon, and now the wife of John Barns, of Port- 
land ; Rosa died in Eugene : James, living in San 
Francisco ; and May, died in Eugene. The sec- 
ond marriage of Mr. Wyatt took place in Eugene 
in 1886, and was with Mrs. Mary (Evans) Cart- 
wright, born in Edgar county. 111., and daugh- 
ter of William Evans, who was a farmer in Ed- 
gar county. Mr. Evans removed to Nebraska 
in 1854, settling six miles from Nemaha, Nemaha 
county, of which locality he was the first white 
resident. April 16, i860, he started across the 
plains, arriving at his destination in Lane county, 
Ore., where he farmed for some years, and 
whence he removed to Red Bluffs, Cal., where 
his death occurred. He married Leah Oxshire, 
who was born in Tennessee, died in Oregon, and 
who was the mother of eleven children, nine of 
whom attained maturity, and three of whom are 
still living, all being residents of Oregon. Mrs. 
Wvatt was nine years of age when she crossed 
the plains with her parents, and she was reared 
on a farm, and finally married James Cartwright, 
who was born in Texas. Of this union there 
were born two children, of whom Carrie is mar- 
ried and lives in Tacoma, Wash. ; and John E., 
formerlv the editor of the Harrisburg Review, 
died in Harrisburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt has 
been born one child. Earl Franklin. 



ROBERT VEAL. A native of Pennsylva- 
nia, Robert Veal was born December 11, 1840, 
in Pottsville. His father, also named Robert 
Veal, was born in London, England, and when 
a young man emigrated to this country, locating 
in Pottsville. Pa., where his death occurred in 
the summer of 1841. He married Sarah Jenk- 
ins, also a native of England, and she, too, died 
in Pottsville, Pa. 

Reared and educated in his native town, Rob- 
ert Veal attended the public schools until fifteen 
years old. after which he served an apprentice- 
ship of four years at the machinist's trade. 
Going then to Columbus, Ohio, he worked at his 
trade until 1862. when he enlisted in Company 
H. One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Infan- 
try, which was assigned to the Army of the 



Tennessee. He was subsequently with his regi- 
ment in Chattanooga, in the Georgia campaign, 
and while there was taken sick, at Atlanta, and 
sent home to recruit. He was afterwards 
transferred to the reserve corps of veterans and 
served with different companies until the close 
of the w r ar, when he was mustered out in Indian- 
apolis, Ind. Remaining in that city, Mr. Veal 
worked as a machinist for Chandler & Taylor 
for two years, then removed to Hendricks 
county, Ind., where he was engaged in the man- 
ufacture of oak, walnut and ash lumber for a 
number of years. Going to Kansas in 1868, he 
lived in Chetopa fifteen months, then returned 
to Hendricks county, where he remained five 
years. Again taking up his residence in Che- 
topa. Kans., in 1875, Mr. Veal was there in the 
employ of B. S. Edwards & Co., flour manufac- 
turers, for nine years, being engineer and gen- 
eral repairer of machinery in their mills. 

Emigrating to Oregon in 1884, Mr. Veal lo- 
cated first in Stayton, where he was engaged in 
the manufacture of lumber for a year. Dispos- 
ing then of his mill in that place, he carried on 
a retail lumber business at Woodburn for six 
months, and then returned to Stayton. Purchas- 
ing a small chair factory from Mr. NefT, he oper- 
ated it alone for a short time, and then formed a 
partnership with his two sons under the present 
firm name of R. Veal & Sons. In April, 1888, 
this firm transferred its business to Albany, and 
built a new factory, which was burned in Octo- 
ber, 1901. With characteristic enterprise, Mr. 
Veal immediately rebuilt his plant, enlarging it 
seven-fold, and in April, 1902, the firm was 
again ready for business. Their factory is lo- 
cated on Main street, not far from their saw- 
mill, which is specially well equipped. The main 
factory is 80x240 feet; their warehouse is 50x150 
feet ; the finishing room is 50x100 feet ; and the 
dry kiln is 20x70 feet. The boiler-room is fitted 
with the latest improvements, and a blacksmith's 
shop forms a part of the plant. This firm manu- 
factures from native lumber all kinds of chairs, 
shipping them to all the coast ports, carrying on 
one of the largest retail and wholesale trades of 
any firm in the valley. It has also its own fire 
protection, having a tower eighty-nine feet high, 
a tank with a capacity of fifteen thousand gal- 
lons, giving a pressure of forty pounds, while 
pipes are laid to every building, and ample hose 
is provided for any emergency. 

On November 5, 1867, in Hendricks county, 
Ind., Mr. Veal married Miss Maggie Barker, 
who was born in Plainfield, Ind.. a daughter of 
Tohn Barker. The immigrant ancestor of the 
Barker family from which she was descended, 
emigrated from Holland to the United States, 
and settled in North Carolina prior to the Revo- 
lution. Her grandfather, Daniel Barker, left the 



1502 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



south on account of slavery, and located with his 
family in Indiana, where he followed his trade 
of a blacksmith. John Barker was born on the 
homestead in North Carolina, but moved with 
his parents to Indiana, where he was engaged 
as a blacksmith, following the occupation to 
which he was reared. He married Mary Rea- 
gan, who was born on the Little Miami river, a 
daughter of Ruell Reagan, a native of South 
Carolina, born of Quaker parents. He was a 
farmer, and settled first in Ohio, subsequently 
removing to Indiana. Of the union of John and 
Mary (Reagan) Barker seven children were 
born, Maggie, now Mrs. Veal, being the only one 
now living. The mother, who came to Oregon, 
died in Albany. Mr. and Mrs. Veal are the par- 
ents of three children, namely : Frederick C., a 
prominent business man of Albany, is a member 
of the firm of R. Veal & Sons, and its manager ; 
Harry Otis died, in Kansas, at the age of seven 
months ; and Robert A. B., a member of the firm, 
and the bookkeeper, is an ex-councilman of Al- 
bany. Politically Mr. Veal is true to the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party, which he invari- 
ably supports by voice and vote. Mrs. Veal is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



pursuits with Mr. Vaughan. In political con- 
victions Mr. Vaughan adheres to the principles 
advocated in the platform of the Republican 
party, and fraternally affiliates with the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. 



JOHN Q. VAUGHAN. In 1863 John Q. 
Vaughan bought his present property which con- 
sists of one hundred and seventeen acres located 
in the neighborhood of Coburg, Lane county, and 
since that time he has been energetically en- 
gaged in its improvement and cultivation, eighty 
acres of which are cultivated. He was born in 
Missouri, January 30, 1840, and came to Oregon 
in 1847 i n company with his parents, who were 
seeking a home among the broader opportunities 
of the western states. He remained with his 
father until 1858, when he went to the mines 
in the hope of finding the fortune which awaited 
the miner. He continued in the same mines for 
a year, and in 1861 he went to Idaho, still con- 
fident of his ability to succeed, and time justified 
the faith in himself, for after a winter spent 
in the neighborhood of Salmon river, during 
which he experienced hardships and privations 
which proved his courage, he returned to Ore- 
gon with $6,000 as the result of his persever- 
ing work. January, 1862, found him once more 
located on the home place, and there he re- 
mained until 1870, when he married and went 
to the farm which he had purchased seven years 
earlier. 

The wife of Mr. Vaughan was formerly Miss 
Flora Canterbury, and she died in 1895, the 
mother of four children, of whom Wilber is 
located in Coburg ; Oma is the wife of L. P. 
Protzman ; Eulia is the wife of A. C. Wheeler ; 
Strahan St. Clair, who is engaged in agricultural 



MELVIN TAYLOR is now located on a little 
farm of sixty-six acres which is a very small 
part of what he once owned in various sections 
of the northwest, in a home in the vicinity of 
Coburg, Lane county, in which location he has 
lived since 1873. 

The parents of Mr. Taylor, John and Eliza- 
beth (Murphy) Taylor, were both natives of 
Virginia, and it was in that state that they were 
married and from which they emigrated. They 
first located in St. Charles county, Mo., and later 
removed to Franklin county, where they made 
their home until the spring of 1847, when they 
started across the plains, having three wagons, 
nine yoke of oxen and a few cows to carry them 
safely through and start them as agriculturists 
in that remote west, of which they had heard so 
much. Four children crossed with the parents 
on the six-months journey, and at its close the 
father located near Aumsville, Marion county, 
where he took up a donation claim of six hun- 
dred and forty acres, and made that his home 
until he removed to Aumsville, where he died 
October 26, 1870, at the age of seventy-six years. 
His wife died in February, 1874, at the age of 
seventy-eight years. Of their seven sons and 
two daughters two are now living, George W., 
of Halsey, and Melvin, who was born in Frank- 
lin county, Mo., January 22, 1829. 

Mr. Taylor was eighteen years of age when he 
came to Oregon, and he remained at home until 
1852, in that year visiting the mines of Jackson- 
ville. He was married also in that year and 
began farming on his place near Sublimity, the 
cleared land being the result of his own effort. 
He proceeded to improve and cultivate the land 
and made a nice little farm, upon which he re- 
mained for seventeen years, when he removd to 
Pitt valley, Shasta county, Cal., and spent a 
year. In 1870 he returned to Oregon and lo- 
cated near Harrisburg, Linn county, and in the 
fall of that year removed to near West Point for 
the period of a year. Locating in the Palouse 
country. Wash., in 1871, he and a son took up 
land and in the spring of '72 removed to Walla 
Walla, and in the fall of that year the family 
were taken north. Their stay was short, how- 
ever, for, in 1873, tne y were back in Lane county, 
and Mr. Taylor bought two hundred and eight- 
een acres located three miles from Coburg, and 
this remained their home for nearly a quarter of 
a century. In the fall of 1897 he sold out and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1503 



wont to British Columbia on a visit to a daugh- 
ter, returning in 1898 to his present home. 

The wife of Mr. Taylor was, in maidenhood, 
Serena McDonald, and much of their life was 
passed together. For twenty-four years Mr. 
Taylor has been a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics he is a 
Democrat. 



ISHAM N. HEMBREE. A meritorious ser- 
vice during the Civil war, the office of commis- 
sioner of Lane county worthily maintained, and 
agricultural and stock-raising undertakings of 
a practical and successful nature, have con- 
tributed to the broadening and all-around use- 
fulness of the life of Isham N. Hembree. Mr. 
Hembree owns a farm of three hundred and 
twenty acres twelve miles northwest of Eugene, 
where he carries on extensive stock-raising, his 
improvements being modern and labor-saving, 
and his residences and buildings on a par with 
the ideas of enterprise and progress. 

Mr. Hembree is a farmer by inheritance, 
training and preference, and because of the lat- 
ter fact especially makes a success of his chosen 
occupation. He enjoys everything pertaining 
to the country, the industry, people, fresh air, 
and healthful living. In Dade county, Mo., 
where he was born August 24, 1838, his parents 
owned a good-sized farm, where he was trained 
to make himself useful, and attended the pub- 
lic schools during the winter season. His 
father dying when he was four years old, at the 
age of sixteen he started to earn his living on 
the farms of the surrounding families in Dade 
county, and was thus employed by the month 
at the breaking out of the Civil war. It is 
doubtful if the call to arms received such ardent 
response from any class of people as it did from 
the toilers in the fields of the country, the ar- 
duous toil from one end of the year to the other 
bringing in its train a longing for diversion or 
change, even at the risk of life. In 1861 Mr. 
Hembree enlisted in the Confederate army in 
■Missouri, and in 1862 re-enlisted in the Mis- 
souri Cavalry, as a private in the Trans-Miss- 
issippi Department. Participating in the battles 
of Wilson Creek, Pilot Knob, Little Rock, 
Springfield, and many others of a momentous 
nature, he was wounded in his first battle, 
thus carrying through the remainder of his ser- 
vice a correct idea of the grim and terrible side 
of warfare. After the surrender at Shreveport, 
La., he continued to live in Louisiana for a 
couple of years, and this ended his experiences 
in the south, the only bright memory of that 
time being of the fact that he won the rank of 
first lieutenant of Company I, Sixth Missouri 
Cavalry, thus establishing his claim of valor and 



disinterested devotion to the cause he then 
deemed just. 

Returning to Missouri in 1867, Mr. Hembree 
engaged in farming until 1872, and then came 
to Oregon, selecting Lane county as a fertile 
and promising locality. For the first five years 
he rented land, and with the proceeds of the 
enterprise saved sufficient to make a trip to Mis- 
souri in 1877, and upon his return in 1880 to 
purchase his present farm. The next year, in 
1 88 1, he married Tena Gibson, of which union 
there have been born four children : Linna S. ; 
Louie ; Eugenia ; and Itha. While not a politi- 
cian in the generally accepted sense, Mr. Hem- 
bree has held a few local offices, and has served 
as a county commissioner for a year and a half, 
appointed thereto to fill an unexpired term. He 
is essentially a religious man, and is a member 
and active worker in the Fern Ridge Christian 
Church. 



AMOS WILKINS. Want of ambition, or 
ability to forge to the front under even trying cir- 
cumstances, are failings which can never be laid 
at the door of Amos Wilkins. To his neighbors 
near Coburg, he represents the type of farmer 
and stock-raiser who would do credit to any 
community in the country, and who is just such 
a man as is needed to carry on the work of devel- 
oping Oregon. Mr. Wilkins has the advantage 
of being a native son, and he was born on his 
father's donation claim not far from where he 
now lives, April 13, 1853. 

Mr. Wilkins was fortunate in having educa- 
tional opportunities beyond the reach, of the 
average farm-reared youth, and after completing 
the training of the public schools he attended the 
Monmouth Normal College and De France & 
White Business College at Portland. An apt 
student, he made the most of these chances, a 
statement borne out in his conversation and wide 
range of information. Thirty-one years had 
passed over his head when his marriage occurred 
July 4, 1884, with Varian V. Babb, a native 
daughter of Oregon, and one of the children in 
the family of A. J. Babb, an early settler of this 
state. Soon after the ceremony the young people 
located on their present farm, which at that 
time had some improvements, since added to 
materially by the present owners. Two and a 
half miles north of Coburg. the farm consists of 
six hundred acres, and is devoted to high-grade 
stock, including Durham and Hereford cattle, 
thoroughbred driving horses, and Duroc hogs. 
Nor does this represent the extent of Mr. Wil- 
kins' possessions in the state, for with his 
brother, Jasper, he has purchased a ranch of 
two thousand four hundred acres in Linn 
county, and this also is the scene of a large 



1504 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



stock-raising industry. Like the typical stock- 
man, wherever found, Mr. Wilkins has a warm 
place in his heart for a good horse, and he is 
perhaps one of the best judges of this noble 
beast to be found in the county. He has the 
best possible facilities for caring for his stock, 
and the latter being of superior grade, he nec- 
essarily commands large prices in the markets, 
The Wilkins' home is cheery and bright, and 
education and refinement are noticeable in the 
children, Welby M., Juanita B., and Warren. 
The genial head of the house is popular and 
successful from a " business and social stand- 
point, and is a welcome visitor at Coburg Lodge 
No. 263, of the Woodmen of the World. 



DR. J. F. W. SAUBERT. The river indus- 
tries of Oregon, without which this state had 
proceeded laboriously towards an infinitely post- 
poned prosperity, might, in their incipiency, fur- 
nish the theme for many a life-story, as they 
have supplied the foundation for many a for- 
tune. The opening up of the waterways of the 
northwest, the rousing from singing idleness and 
loitering between timbered banks, to a semb- 
lance of usefulness and activity, might well be 
considered the first step towards anything of 
moment in the industrial world in the state. The 
Siuslaw, now a hive of industry, has its pioneer 
sojourners, its practical economists who turned 
its motive power to latter-day account, and revo- 
lutionized the wooded stillness along its course. 
Of these, none have arisen in time of need with 
surer or keener insight that Dr. J. F. W. Sau- 
bert, projector of the first saw-mill on the banks 
of the Siuslaw, also of the first general mer- 
chandise store, and of Acme, promising and 
thrifty among her sister towns of Lane county. 

The traits of character which have enabled 
Dr. Saubert to accomplish his ends unaided are 
unquestionably those of the high-class German 
people, and which are welcomed as fundament- 
ally strong and resourceful in any country in the 
world. Born in Bavaria, Germany, February 26, 
1835, he comes of a long-lived family on the 
paternal side, his grandfather, Saubert, and his 
father, Carl, both born in Bavaria, living to the 
ages of ninety and eighty respectively. His wife 
dying when his son, J. F. W., was five years 
of age, Carl Saubert continued to farm in Ba- 
varia until 1844, and after his marriage with 
Christine Glassell. brought his family to Amer- 
ica, locating on new land in Jefferson county. 
Wis. Since his death in 1896, his wife has con- 
tinued to live on the old place in Wisconsin. 
The three children in the family, of whom Dr 
Saubert is the oldest, were primarily educates 
in the public schools. The latter received his 
professional training in Wisconsin and at the 



Chicago Homeopathic College in Chicago. He 
has always treasured a kindly feeling for his 
preceptor, Dr. Hart, of Ontario, Wis., under 
whose efficient and kindly guidance he laid the 
solid foundation for his subsequent extensive re- 
searches. Graduating at an unusually early age, 
and in such manner as to indicate more than 
average scholarship, he began to practice medi- 
cine in Wisconsin, and removed to the less tried 
conditions of Roseburg, Douglas county, Ore., 
in 1878. Without money or influence, he began 
in a small way to make his professional influ- 
ence felt, and gradually became known as a 
humane, kindly and successful practitioner, main- 
taining the highest standards of a profession 
which furnished such splendid outlet for his 
creditable ambition. For eight years he minis- 
tered to the sick in the community, becoming a 
necessity in many* homes, and the stanch friend 
and wise counsellor of those who placed their 
faith in him. 

Regretted by a large following in Roseburg, 
Dr. Saubert came to the Siuslaw river, and more 
than any other in this section had to do with 
the founding of the town of Acme, which he 
named and promoted with his many undertak- 
ings. Purchasing a large tract of timber land 
he engaged in logging and lumbering, erected 
the first saw-mill which awoke the echoes in 
the timber land, and materially changed the char- 
acter of the entire surrounding country. This 
first structure outliving its usefulness, and fall- 
ing behind in the race for improvement, a new 
mill was erected in 1897, steam machinery being 
placed in it in 1901. Nothing busier or noisier 
dots the landscape for many miles around than 
this mill, which works the year around at manu- 
facturing general mill supplies, and which has 
a capacity of from twenty-five to thirty-five 
thousand feet per day. Up the river is the mill's 
logging crew, which operated on different sec- 
tions of the mill-owner's tract of fifteen hundred 
acres. As in all milling localities, the general 
merchandise store, with its incentive to friendly 
intercourse and sociability, is a necessity, and to 
this Dr. Saubert gave his attention when he first 
arrived. The mill and store and continuous 
practice are monuments to the untiring energy 
and resource of one of the most honored pio- 
neers of Lane county, and it is not strange that 
his name is a household word, carrying with it 
an impression of rugged simplicity, substantiality 
and worth. In connection with the store he has 
served as postmaster for thirteen years, and 
though independent in politics, has filled also the 
offices of school trustee and clerk. Various fra- 
ternal organizations profit by his membership, 
including the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men, in both of which he has passed all of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1505 



chairs. He became a charter member of the Odd 
Fellows at Viola, Wis. 

In Wisconsin Dr. Saubert was united in mar- 
riage with Anna Dejean, of which union there 
were born four sons, of whom George lives in 
Spokane, Wash., and Charles, Thomas and 
Frank are residents of Acme, the last two being 
members of the mercantile firm of M. E. Sau- 
bert & Co. A second marriage was contracted 
by Dr. Saubert in Roseburg in 1879, Mary Tay- 
lor being a native of Illinois, and an early comer 
to the state of Oregon. Four children have 
been born of this union, of whom Irma is the 
wife of Grant Earhart, of Acme, and Ray, Roy 
and Lloyd are living in the same town. As one 
of the stalwart founders of a flourishing com- 
munity, as a man who has accomplished more 
good through his professional and humanitarian 
services than will ever be known, and as an 
example of inflexible integrity, public spirited- 
ness and keen insight into the needs of commun- 
ities, Dr. Saubert deserves to rank with the 
adopted sons of whom Oregon is and will con- 
tinue to be proud. 



JOHN SUTHERLAND. The talents of 
John Sutherland have been so varied in char- 
acter that more than one occupation has felt the 
impetus of his strong and practical ideas, the ful- 
fillment of which has benefited more than one 
community, for he has been a pioneer in several 
of the western states. He was born in Newton 
county, Mo., December 27, 1846, the descendant 
of a line of ancestry which had been prominent 
in the advancement of the country's interests. 
His grandfather was a captain of a battalion of 
artillery in the war of 1812, in which he served 
his country efficiently. His son, the father of 
John Sutherland, was born and reared to the life 
of a farmer in Dutchess county, N. Y., and re- 
mained there until attaining manhood, when he 
removed to Indiana. In the latter state he mar- 
ried Elizabeth Copple, and in 1844 they removed 
to Missouri, where he followed the trade of a 
cooper. The father lived to be sixty-four years 
of age while the mother died at fifty-four. 

John Sutherland was one of nine children 
born to his parents, and he remained at home 
until attaining manhood. Besides the education 
which he received in the common schools of the 
state, he learned the trade of engineer, wdiich he 
followed successfully for about ten years, about 
1872 leaving his location in Missouri and remov- 
ing to Tehama county, Cal. This was his home 
for a year. He then located in Modoc county, 
and in 1874 went to Prescott. Ariz., where he re- 
mained two years. A like period was spent in 
Maricopa county, of that territory. In 1878 he 
located in Idaho and passed the ensuing six 



years. While on the route back to California he 
stopped for a short time in Jackson county, Ore. 
Six years were passed in California. In 1891 he 
came to Brownsville, Linn county, and the same 
winter purchased a ranch of eighty-six acres 
near London, Lane county, which he still con- 
ducts. In 1898 he established the first store in 
this place, which he has successfully conducted 
since then in partnership with Mr. Geer, the firm 
name being Sutherland & Geer. It was through 
his influence that a postmaster was appointed 
here, which position he fills acceptably. In ad- 
dition to the work which he now carries on, he 
has been an ordained minister in the Church of 
Christ for twenty years and fills the pastorate in 
London. In Fort Scott, Kans., he learned the 
trade of a wagonmaker. Having a talent for 
music, he cultivated it, and taught for several 
years. 

The marriage of Mr. Sutherland occurred in 
1867, and united him with Nancy J. Bowring, a 
native of Kentucky, a member of an efficient 
family, two of her brothers being school teachers 
and two ministers of the gospel. Twelve chil- 
dren have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Sutherland, of whom Martha Alice became the 
wife of J. L. Henderson, and lives in California ; 
William L. also resides in that state ; Nora mar- 
ried L. J. Henderson, and is located in this vi- 
cinity; George F. is also in this vicinity ; John A. 
is in California ; Maggie M. married J. W. Doak 
and makes her home near that of her parents ; 
Rose D., who became the wife of H. B. McBee, 
also lives near ; Emma lives with her parents and 
acts as assistant postmaster, and Amanda M. E., 
James G., Charles H. and Bessie are also at 
home. In religious matters Mr. Sutherland is 
associated with the Church of Christ. In politics 
he is a Prohibitionist, through the influence of 
which he has served as justice of the peace and 
a member of the school board. 



JAMES H. SHORTRIDGE. There are few 
self-made men who are obliged to start upon 
their independent careers as early as ten years of 
age, yet such was the case with James H. Short- 
ridge, whose place among the state builders of 
the west is undisputed, and is based upon a well 
directed and successful life. From time imme- 
morial an interest has centered around the black- 
smith. Mr. Shortridge is a master workman, 
his little shop on his farm six miles south of Cot- 
tage Grove, being a very busy place. He took 
up his present farm in 1853, and at that time had 
three hundred and twenty acres. 

The better to trace the career of Mr. Short- 
ridge, it is necessary to go back to the farm in 
Tippecanoe county. Ind., where he was born July 
18, 1831, and which had been taken up by his 



1506 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



grandfather as government land at a very early 
day. With the grandparents on their overland 
journey to Indiana went their son, Samuel B., 
who was born on the home farm in Bourbon 
county, Ky., in 1798, and who while yet a boy 
was apprenticed to a blacksmith, and followed 
the trade in connection with farming for the 
greater part of his life. He was a relative of 
Daniel Boone, the great American explorer and 
colonizer, and used to hunt with his illustrious 
kinsman, for he was twenty-two years old before 
the latter's death. Mr. Shortridge married Em- 
ily A. Heath, a native of Kentucky, and from 
Indiana moved to Iowa, thence to Illinois. His 
son, James H., having preceded him to the west 
in 185 1, he set out the following spring with ox 
teams, and accomplished the long distance in 
safety and comparative comfort. He came at 
once to Lane county, Ore., and took up a claim 
seven miles south of Cottage Grove, upon which 
he lived a few years, after which he made his 
home with his son, James H., until his death. 
He was quite an active politician, and was a firm 
believer in good schools, good roads and good 
local government. He took a keen interest in 
church affairs, and in this was seconded by the 
wife whom he married in his youth, and who 
died before he came to the west. Three of his 
seven children are living, James H. being the old- 
est. William W. lives near the old place, and 
Mrs. Caroline D. Stewart is a resident of 
Goshen. 

Beginning with his tenth year James H. Short- 
ridge worked in a nursery, and after some years 
returned home and learned the blacksmith trade 
of his father. From Millersburg, 111., he started 
across the plains March 13, 185 1, and five months 
later, after a comparatively pleasant journey, 
reached Lane county, Ore., and took up a claim 
of three hundred and twenty acres six miles 
south of Cottage Grove. March 13, 1853, ne 
married Amelia S. Adams, who was born in In- 
diana, and crossed the plains in 1852. Mrs. 
Shortridge entered with zest into the making of 
a home in the comparative wilderness, and the 
little house took on a semblance of genuine com- 
fort and cheer. Naturally, Mr. Shortridge 
wished to make use of his trade, and erected a 
shop on the farm, it being the first, and for many 
years the only one in the neighborhood. For 
many years the entire ranch was used for farm- 
ing and stock-raising, the genial owner respond- 
ing to calls at his shop and gaining a reputation 
for expert workmanship. Twice fire has caused 
Mr. Shortridge great loss. First his barn and all 
its contents were destroyed, including grain, 
lumber and farming implements. About ten 
years later his home was burned, while in June, 
1858, their four-year-old baby girl was burned 
to death. These great losses have made it neces^ 



sary for Mr. Shortridge to sell a portion of his 
farm, so that he now owns one hundred and fifty- 
nine acres, eighty being under cultivation. 

Republican politics have profited by the sup- 
port of Mr. Shortridge, who has held many posi- ' 
tions of trust in the community, and has invari- 
ably labored for the best interests of those who 
placed him in power. For several terms he served 
as deputy sheriff, and during a part of that 
time his responsibilities were .arduous and exact- 
ing. He is a member of the Christian Church, 
supporting the same with his attendance and 
financial help. Seven children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Shortridge, four of whom are 
living: Franklin B., of California; Rosetta be- 
came the wife of J. W. Harris, of Eugene ; 
Alice married first, J. P. Langdon, and for her 
second husband married John Weeden, of Ne- 
braska ; and Olive S. married first, F. M. Jones, 
of Portland, and after his death became the wife 
of S. M. Lacey, of Portland. Mr. and Mrs. 
Shortridge have eleven grandchildren and one 
great grandchild. 



WILLIAM HAMILTON was born in Jeffer- 
son county, Ind., January 10, 1836, and is the 
fourth child of the three sons and two daughters 
born to Forgus and Matilda (Wood) Hamilton, 
natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Vir- 
ginia. The family was established in Pennsyl- 
vania by the paternal grandfather, who came 
from Ireland at a very early day. From Penn- 
sylvania Forgus Hamilton moved to Ohio, and 
from there to Jefferson county, Ind., his death 
occurring in Jennings county, Ind. Limited 
educational opportunities did not dwarf the early 
ambitions of William Hamilton, who learned 
more from observation and practical experience, 
than do most in many years of application to 
books. In 185 1 he crossed the plains in a cara- 
van train bound for Oregon, and for ten years 
mined and prospected in Jackson and Josephine 
counties, in the spring of 1861 making his way 
to the Orofino mines in Idaho. In the fall of the 
same year he went to southern Oregon, but 
spent the winter of 1861-2 in the Salmon river 
basin in the mines of Florence, Idaho. In 1864 
he bought pack-animals and engaged in packing 
from Lewiston to the Salmon river district and 
Elk City, and afterward to Walla Walla and the 
Boise Basin. In 1864 he returned from this pio- 
neer experience to the Willamette valley, after- 
ward visiting the mines in the summer of 1865, 
since which time Lane county has been his home. 
His first farm here bordered on Lake creek, 
twenty-five miles west of Junction City, and con- 
sisted of one hundred and sixty acres of land 
which he lost. He later took up one hundred 
and twentv-nine acres near his original farm, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1507 



and in 1872 bought forty acres of land from the 
railroad company. All of this land has since 
been disposed of, Mr. Hamilton having lived on 
a portion of it until about two years ago. He 
then came to Junction City, and has since put in 
his time attending to his town property, and his 
mining interests in California and southern Ore- 
gon. In 1855 he enlisted in the Harris Company 
under Col. John Ross, and later served in the 
Second Oregon Regiment, participating in the 
battle of Hungry Hill, and in that of Cabins, 
with the Applegates, the latter of whom were 
renowned for hard and desperate fighting. He 
was discharged from the service in the Rogue 
River valley in 1866, and thereafter returned to 
his farm. In 1854 he was shot by an Indian 
while he was hunting for elk, but was fortunate 
enough to kill three out of the five Indians com- 
prising the band. In political affiliation Mr. 
Hamilton is a Lincoln Republican, a Jeffersonian 
Democrat, and a silver man to the core. 



JUDGE FELIX G. EBY. A native of Lane 
county, Judge Eby was born near Eugene, Au- 
gust 11, 1865, a son of David Eby. On the pa- 
ternal side he comes of thrifty German stock, 
his granfather, Samuel Eby, having been born, 
bred and educated in Germany. Emigrating to 
the United States, he spent his first winter in 
this country in Pennsylvania, working as a mill- 
wright. The following spring he moved to Illi- 
nois, where he was engaged in milling several 
years, and also became actively interested in the 
Moline Plow works. Removing from Illinois to 
Topeka, Kans., he engaged in milling and specu- 
lating, being very successful in his operations. 
He died in that city, in 1893. at the venerable 
age of ninety-six years. 

Born near Springfield. Ill, David Eby spent 
a part of his early life in Kansas, where he 
learned the cooper's trade. Crossing "the plains 
in 1851. he followed his trade in Astoria, Ore., 
for two years. Going to Portland, Ore., in 1853, 
he was emploved in the manufacture of barrels 
for about six months, and was then a resident of 
Oregon City for a year. Locating in Linn county 
in 1855. ne took U P a donation claim of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres near Harrisburg, and set- 
tled with his bride on the farm which he im- 
proved, living there until 1864. Purchasing 
land then in Lane county, he carried on general 
farming for five years in that locality, in 1869 
removing to eastern Oregon, where he was en- 
gaged in stock-raising two years, the present 
town of Prescott being located on the land that 
he then owned. Returning to Lane county in 
1 87 1. he carried on farming near Coburg for two 
vears, when he sold his farm and settled in Har- 
risburg, where he worked for a year at his trade. 



Then buying three hundred and sixty acres of 
land a short distance from that place, he worked 
as a farmer until 1885, when he purchased a 
ranch near Goshen, Lane county, where he re- 
sided until 1897. He disposed of his property in 
that year, and has since lived in different places 
in the valley, making his home with his children. 
He is an active member of the Christian Church, 
in which he is deacon, and since the formation of 
the state grange of Oregon has been chaplain of 
the organization. He married Elizabeth Barger, 
who was born in Missouri. Her father, Preston 
Barger, was born in one of the eastern states, 
probably Pennsylvania. In early manhood he 
lived in Illinois, removing from there to Mis- 
souri, and then, a few years after his marriage, 
coming to Oregon, crossing the plains in 1851. 
Locating in Linn county, he took up three hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land, on which he and his 
wife spent their remaining years, he dying at 
the advanced age of ninety years, and she when 
eighty-nine. 

The eldest child of a family of four sons and 
three daughters, Felix G. Eby attended first the 
district schools of Oregon, subsequently entering 
the Portland Business College, from which he 
was graduated in 1884. From 1885 until 1888 
he taught school in Linn county, being quite suc- 
cessful as a teacher. In 1893 he began reading 
law with A. C. Huff, at Woodburn. and also en- 
gaged in insurance and real estate speculations. 
Passing the examination of the state board of 
examiners in November. 1896. he began the 
practice of law in Woodburn, continuing there 
four years thereafter. Coming to Cottage Grove 
in May, 1900, Judge Eby formed a partnership 
with J. C. Johnson, and has since been actively 
and successfully engaged in his professional la- 
bors. He is especially interested in mining prop- 
erties in the Bohemia district, having been one 
of the incorporators and promoters of the Le 
Roy Mining Company, of which he was for- 
merly secretary and treasurer, and of the Hia- 
watha Mining and Milling Company, in which 
he is a director. Being elected city attorney in 
1900, he served until the office was abolished, in 
1902. Politically Judge Eby is a stanch adherent 
of the Republican party, supporting its principles 
at all times and places. Fraternally he was made 
a Mason, in 1890. at Gervais, Marion county, 
joining Fidelity Lodge Xo. 54. A. F. & A. M., 
and is now past master of his lodge. He is also 
a member of the Woodmen of the World. 



JOSEPH P. TAYLOR. A well known figure 
both in the earlier and later stages of Lane 
county development is Joseph P. Taylor, whose 
wise use of five hundred acres of fertile land 
have' brought him a competence and whose en- 



1508 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



terprise and public-spiritedness have made him 
popular and influential. Mr. Taylor comes of 
an old New Jersey family, in which state he was 
born July 27, 1830, the same state witnessing the 
birth of his father, Henry W. Taylor, in Septem- 
ber, 1808. While yet a youth the father learned 
the blacksmith trade, and followed the same for 
many years in his native state. Of a religious 
and humanitarian nature, he early espoused the 
cause of the Christian church, and almost up to 
the end of his life devoted a large share of his 
time to preaching in local pulpits. Until his 
marriage with Charlotte Peterson he continued 
to live on his father's farm, and afterward 
worked at his trade and farmed on his own re- 
sponsibility. In 1830 he removed with his family 
to Philadelphia, and there and at other points in 
the Quaker state found employment at his trade 
for about three years. For eight years he lived 
in Highland county, Ohio, and later, while living 
in Missouri, he finally decided to emigrate to the 
far west. With ox-teams and prairie schooners 
he started under the most favorable circum- 
stances, journeying day after day with little hap- 
pening out of the usual, and making considerable 
progress. While his face was turned towards 
the setting sun near which was the supposed ful- 
fillment of the hopes which had inspired his emi- 
gration, his heart was burdened by a grievous 
sorrow, for the cholera had invaded the ranks of 
the little train, and two of his children fell vic- 
tims of the dread disease. Much depressed and 
disheartened, he continued his sorrowful way, 
and finally took up a claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres four miles south of Cottage Grove. 
There were no improvements on the place, but 
the good management and industry of the new- 
comer worked wonders, and he in time reaped 
a fair reward for his labors. In the meantime 
the spirit of goodness which had led him into 
the pulpits of the middle west prompted innumer- 
able acts of kindness in his adopted county, and 
for many years he was known as one of the 
most zealous of early day preachers. Joseph P. 
is the oldest in the family of ten children, Jerry 
and Alexander live in the neighborhood, Mrs. 
Jane Garoutte resides on the old donation claim, 
and Mrs. Mary Frances White makes her home 
in Monmouth, Polk county, Ore. 

With the example of his father's fine and use- 
ful life before him Joseph Taylor approached 
manhood with a due appreciation of his duties 
and responsibilities as a free American citizen. 
The opportunity to test his mettle was forthcom- 
ing in 1855, for the Indians had rendered unbear- 
able the life of the settlers, and it seemed the 
duty of all able-bodied people to help quell the 
disturbance. Enlisting for service as a private, 
he took part in the battles of Cow Creek, Big 
Meadows and other battles and skirmishes, and 



for meritorious work was promoted to the quar- 
termaster's department. In all he served five 
months, and during that time had many hair- 
breadth escapes and exciting adventures. After 
his discharge he continued to live at home until 
1858, the year of his marriage with Mary A. 
Small, a native of Tennessee, and who crossed 
the plains in 1853, her people locating near the 
Taylor farm. Taking up a claim of one hundred 
and sixty acres south of Cottage Grove, he has 
continued to make that his home up to the pres- 
ent time, and to his original purchase has added 
and now owns more than five hundred acres. 
His farm has modern and practical improve- 
ments, and he raises produce, grain and stock. 

It is fitting that the son of so kindly and good 
a father should follow in his footsteps, and in 
this connection Mr. Taylor fulfills popular ex- 
pectations. He is fair and honorable in all of 
his dealings, and possessed of more than ordinary 
interest in, and regard for, his fellow-men. He 
also is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, and for a great many years has been class 
leader and steward. Politically he is a Prohibi- 
tionist, and this idea of temperance is by no means 
confined to intoxicants, but permeates every- 
phase of his life, impressing all with his sobriety. 
Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Tay- 
lor, Lincoln is a resident of Cottage Grove ; Ida 
C. and Rebecca are living at home ; Harvey has 
a farm near the home place ; and Lillie J. is 
making her home in Portland. Many positions 
of trust and responsibility have been tendered 
Mr. Taylor by his fellow-townsmen, and he has 
held several of the local minor offices, including 
'that of school director for fifteen consecutive 
vears. 



CROW BROTHERS. Two brothers of a 
family of Oregon, prominent in agricultural cir- 
cles are William N. and John Hardy Crow, both 
of whom are located upon the donation claim 
which their father, John Crow, took up in 1853, 
and made his home until his death. John Crow 
was born August 20, 1796, in the state of Ken- 
tucky, and he there learned the trades of a black- 
smith and gunsmith, and also engaged in farming. 
When only a boy he came with his parents to Mis- 
souri, where their home remained for many years, 
and while living there he enlisted as a private in 
the Missouri Militia, for service in the War of 
1 812. His term of service ending after six months 
he returned to his home and there married, Aug- 
ust 8, 1824, Mary Kent, who was born August 
12, 1810, also a native of Kentucky. The young 
people made their home in Missouri until 1836, 
when they removed to Iowa and remained for 
sixteen years, outfitting in 1852 with ox-teams 
and necessary supplies for the long and weari- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1509 



some trip across the plains. After six months 
they arrived safely at their destination, having 
mercifully been spared the depredations of the 
Indians. The first winter was spent in Multno- 
mah county, and in the spring of the following 
year they came into Lane county and the father 
took up a donation claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres located eight and a half miles north- 
west of Cottage Grove, and there engaged in 
farming and the prosecution of his trades until 
his death, at the age of seventy-three years. He 
was a man interested in both political and re- 
ligious matters, being a Republican and filling 
various of the minor offices of the vicinity, and 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
In the pursuit of his trade he established the first 
blacksmidi shop in this vicinity. His wife lived 
to the age of ninety years, dying in Eebruary, 
1 90 1. She was the mother of twelve children, 
of whom the following are now living: Richard, 
of Siuslaw; B. F., located five miles west of Cot- 
tage Grove ; William N., of this review ; Lucy 
E., who married William Thompson, who is now 
deceased ; John Hardy, also of this review ; 
Laura S., became the wife of Fred W. Folson, 
of Junction City, and Mary A., the wife of San- 
ford Brown, of California. 

William N. Crow was born in Iowa, April 28, 
1840, and received his education in the district 
school in the vicinity of his home, and later at- 
tended the public school of Eugene and took a 
course at a commercial college in Portland, all 
his earlier tastes having inclined him to mental 
labor rather than physical. On completing his 
work of preparation he began to teach in the 
public schools of his adopted state, and continued 
so occupied until his marriage with Miss Lillie 
A. Harris, a native of Minnesota, when he went 
to live on a part of the paternal farm, where he 
put up comfortable and modern buildings and 
made other improvements which have enhanced 
the value of the property. He now owns about 
four hundred acres of land, with about forty-five 
acres under cultivation, and is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising, having among his cat- 
tle the famous Shorthorns. In addition to his 
farming interests he has always engaged in the 
prosecution of the trades of blacksmith, wagon- 
maker and carpenter, which have added no little 
to his income. The first postoffice of Lorane was 
established in the home of Mr. Crow and he thus 
served as postmaster and has also filled various 
minor positions in the vicinity, among them being 
justice of the peace. Politically he casts his 
ballot with the Republican party, and is a mem- 
ber of the Grange. They have four children, all 
of whom are at home : Elza H. ; Elmer R. ; Oral 
E. and Pearl M. 

John Hardy Crow was born in Van Buren 
county, Iowa, April 20, 1845, an d received his 



education in the district and high school, the 
latter of Eugene, and after that he remained at 
home until his marriage, January 1, 1871, with 
Miss Martha L. Landrith, who was born Janu- 
ary 28, 1852, in Missouri, and crossed the plains 
the following year with her parents, who settled 
in Lane county. Mr. Crow went to housekeep- 
ing on a part of the home place and has since 
made this his permanent residence, with the ex- 
ception of five years, which he passed upon a 
homestead. He has here improved and culti- 
vated the land, of which he owns one hundred 
and ninety-five acres and has twenty-five acres 
in active cultivation. He is at present engaged 
in the intelligent and practical interests of gen- 
eral farming and stock-raising, but also has time 
for the public affairs of the community, as he 
has always been active in politics, filling the 
minor offices and during the Civil war acting as 
a member of the home guard. He is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he 
officiates as class leader and steward. Of the 
eleven children born to himself and wife the fol- 
lowing are living and making their home with 
their parents : Joseph W. ; George Garfield ; 
Adelia M. ; Riley T. ; and Pearne J. H. 



GEORGE O. WALKER. More than any 
other class of people in the country, the young 
and intelligent farmer, keen of wit, resourceful, 
and with a proper appreciation of the possibilities 
of his occupation, is depended on to maintain the 
financial prestige of this great country. His 
success or failure is the pulse upon which all de- 
partments of activity keep an anxious finger. 
The reports from his granaries control the mak- 
ing or marring of fortunes, and his every trans- 
action carries significance to the remotest corners 
of the earth. How necessary, therefore, that the 
man who manages tracts of land and turns them 
to account, should be well educated, systematic, 
thrifty, and above all else find in his work that 
enjoyment and satisfaction without which labor 
were nearly always in vain. A fitting representa- 
tive of this latter-day class of agriculturists is 
George O. Walker, who, profiting by the success 
of his sire, has turned his energies to such good 
account that he is one of the foremost of the 
stock-raisers in Lane county. 

On the farm where he is still living Mr. 
Walker was born January 17, 1874, and he was 
educated in the public schools and at the Drain 
Normal school. Subsequently he engaged in 
teaching for several years, but still regarded the 
old claim as his home, to which he returned dur- 
ing the summer. After his marriage with Dollie 
Morningstar, a native of Illinois, Mr. Walker 
moved from the farm into the village which had 
sprung up on a portion of it, and in 1899 started 



1510 



PORTRAIT AND" BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



a general merchandise business, continuing the 
same up to the present time. Although taking 
no particular interest in politics, Mr. Walker has 
held a number of local positions, and in 1900 was 
appointed postmaster of Walker. By no means 
devoted to one idea or place, Mr. Walker has 
branched out in business in Anlauf, Douglas 
county, where he has a small store, and also con- 
ducts a sawmill. These two occupations would 
seem to be sufficient for the average young man, 
however ambitious or capable, yet Mr. Walker 
keeps in touch with the labor of his youth, and, 
on his farm of five hundred acres adjoining the 
town, conducts a general farming and stock- 
raising industry. The same thoroughness which 
characterizes the merchant is noticeable also in 
the work of the farmer, for a better conducted 
or more modern farm it would be difficult to find 
in this county noted for its splendid farming 
properties. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have five chil- 
dren : Icie, Valta, Echo, Gale, and Ansel. The 
family are members of the Primitive Baptist 
church, and are socially well known and popu- 
lar. Thus it will be seen that though young in 
years, Mr. Walker has already established him- 
self among the substantial and permanent up- 
building agencies of Lane county, and as such 
he enjoys a prestige independent from that which 
is his by virtue of the foundation laid for him 
bv his father. 



GEORGE W. McREYNOLDS. A little more 
than a score of years has witnessed the efforts of 
George W. McReynolds to make for himself a 
substantial and honorable position in Oregon, 
whither he came in 1882, and that he has suc- 
ceeded is evidenced by his four-hundred-acre 
farm, comfortable home, good outbuildings of all 
kinds, and his large herd of stock, in which the 
Shorthorns are noticeable. The greater part of 
his life had been spent in the middle west. While 
a resident of the Mississippi valley he had the 
opportunity of serving his country in the great 
struggle between the North and South, though 
he was then scarcely more than a youth. 

A native of Davis county, Ind., George W. 
McReynolds was born April 18, 1843, tne son °f 
Joseph McReynolds, a blacksmith who had emi- 
grated from his birthplace in West Virginia 
about 1825 and settled in Indiana. He there mar- 
ried Miss Sophronia Rainey and remained until 
1858, when he located in Iowa and in 1865 he 
removed to Kansas, where his death occurred at 
the age of sixty-two years, while his wife lived to 
be eighty-five. George W. McReynolds was one 
of eleven children, and remained at home and re- 
ceived his education in the district schools of 
Iowa, until he arrived at manhood. In 1863 he 
enlisted in Company C, Eighteenth Regiment Of 



Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was first sent with 
his company to Fort Smith, Ark., in that state 
giving the greater part of his service. He was 
a member of the Shreveport expedition and en- 
gaged in various duties until his honorable dis- 
charge at Little Rock in August, 1865, when he 
returned to Iowa and later followed his parents 
into Kansas. He married in Kansas, in 1868, 
and lived there for fourteen years, when he came 
to Oregon and bought two hundred and forty 
acres, which was a part of the Sheppard claim, 
located six miles south of Cottage Grove, Lane 
county. At the same time he homesteaded a hun- 
dred and sixty acres and at once began the im- 
provement and cultivation of his large farm. He 
has since built his house, barns, and other build- 
ings and has devoted his land principally to 
stock-raising, having one of the largest stock 
farms in the vicinity, though he carries on gen- 
eral farming also. 

The wife of Mr. McReynolds was formerly 
Anna Lynch, a native of Indiana, and of their 
union have been born two children. Ernest is 
located in the vicinity of his father's farm, and 
Eva is the wife of E. S. Ellis, of Leland, Joseph- 
ine county, Ore. In political preference Mr. Mc- 
Reynolds has always been a Republican and has 
taken an active interest in the advancement of 
the principles of his party. Faithful in the per- 
formance of his duty as a citizen he has ac- 
cepted many of the minor offices of the neighbor- 
hood and filled them acceptably. As an honored 
soldier he is a member of the Grand Army of 
the Republic. 



COL. CHARLES H. HOLDEN, the United 
States land commissioner at Florence, is a man 
of more than ordinarily substantial endowments, 
developed by years of practical experience in 
government and professional service. He has the 
reputation of being one of the most conserva- 
tive students of legal science in Lane county, 
and though at present not practicing to any 
extent, wields an influence in maintaining a high 
standard of excellence among practitioners. A 
resident of Oregon since 1891, Mr. Holden ar- 
rived in the state with many honors upon his 
head, and a career behind him which more than 
justified relaxation from active life. For a time 
he lived in the city of Portland, Oregon's 
chief city, and for several years traveled 
extensively on the coast, visiting the gar- 
den spots of California, basking in the charm 
of reminiscence surrounding the historical old 
landmarks, and making an exhaustive study of 
the people and resources of the west. Arriving 
in Florence July 3, 1894, he stepped into re- 
newed activity as United States land commis- 
sioner, notary public, justice of the peace, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1511 



has since identified himself with the business, 
professional and social life of the community. A 
delightful home across the river in South Flor- 
ence is expressive of the character and personal- 
ity of Colonel Holden, its trees and shrubbery, 
artistic vistas, and evident collaboration with the 
hospitable and beautiful and gracious things of 
life, speaking most eloquently of geniality and 
success. 

In his younger days Colonel Holden became 
familiar with the early hours and hard work on a 
Kent county (Mich.) farm, to which his parents, 
Josiah R. and Joanna R. (Danforth) Holden, 
removed when he was twelve years of age. He 
was born in Grafton county, N. H., April 18, 
1832, and at the tender age of two months his 
parents emigrated to the then far west. 
On both sides of his family he inherits 
longevity, for his father lived to be ninety, and 
his mother ninety-one years of age. In Kent 
county, Mich., the father engaged in his old- 
time occupation of farming, the advantage of 
large tracts of timber on his farm leading him 
also into lumbering and milling. Three sons 
and one daughter were reared on this farm, all 
being educated in the public schools. Charles 
H., the second of the children, was one of the 
most studious, and in boyhood days evidenced a 
tendency to extend his activities beyond the bor- 
ders of the paternal farm. At the age of nine- 
teen he supplemented his common school train- 
ing by entering the Plainfield Academy, pre- 
paratory to graduation from Knox College, with 
the degree of A. B. 

Admitted to the bar in 1857, the following 
year Colonel Holden was elected district attor- 
ney for the Grand Traverse district, then em- 
bracing five counties, which position he held un- 
til the breaking out of the Civil war, when he was 
one of the first in the town to interest himself in 
forming a company. The outgrowth of his effort 
in this direction was Company A, Twenty-Sixth 
Michigan Volunteer Infantry, of which he be- 
came first , lieutenant, joining the Second army 
corps under General Hancock. During his serv- 
ice he was promoted three times for gallant and 
meritorious service, and at one time held the 
rank of lieutenant-colonel on the staff, of 
General Canby. Colonel Holden rendered dis- 
tinguished service in the Union cause, par- 
ticipating in the principal battles of the 
war, including those on the way to Gettys- 
burg and many of the engagements before Rich- 
mond and Petersburg. When peace was re- 
stored Colonel Holden continued to live in 
Washington, and during 1865 and 1866 reviewed 
his studies at the Columbia Law School. For 
ten years he was subsequently connected with 
the treasury department in Washington, princi- 
pally in the loan branch and auditor's depart- 



ments. He was the last president of the. last 
city council of Washington, D. C, receiving the 
gavel, and distinguishing himself by efficient par- 
liamentary service. 

Returning to Reed City, Mich., in 1879, 
Colonel Holden resumed the practice of law, 
and for twelve years was one of the foremost 
practitioners in that judicial circuit. His health 
becoming impaired, and desiring a complete 
change, he came to Portland, as heretofore 
stated, and has never regretted his decision to 
emigrate to the west. He is fraternally prom- 
inent, and is connected with the Blue Lodge 
Chapter and Knights Templar, F. &. A. M., 
the Independent Order of Foresters and the 
Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic of General Lyons 
Post No. 58, of Florence, Ore. Colonel Holden 
is a Republican in politics, having cast his first 
presidential vote for a Republican candidate. He 
is genial and popular, and represents in his life 
and character the reliable, conservative and solid 
business man and lawyer. 



MRS. ELIZABETH JANE MOIST. While 
the vanguard of civilization in the west was com- 
posed primarily of men, there were very early 
established homes presided over by women, whose 
courage failed not on the plains or in the midst 
of the desolation and deprivation of the settler's 
camps, and whose high-mindedness and morality 
harmonized the discordant elements wrangling 
for supremacy and power. To this class of 
women belongs Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Moist, whose 
family traversed the plains in 1847, an d who, 
after rearing a large family, and performing her 
share towards the accumulating of a competence, 
is living retired in Albany. 

The ancestry and immediate family historv 
of Mrs. Moist is spoken of at length in the bio- 
graphy of her brother, William Ralston. She 
was born in Rockville, Parke county, Ind., where 
her father, Jeremiah Ralston, owned a large farm 
and carried on extensive farming and stock- 
raising. Elizabeth Jane Ralston was eight years 
of age when the family moved to Burlington, 
Iowa. She was educated in the public schools 
of that state, and grew to a gracious and, inter- 
esting young womanhood in a refined home 
atmosphere. Jeremiah Ralston was ambitious 
and resourceful, and was one of the first farmers 
in his neighborhood to seriously consider the 
proposition of migrating to the west. So strongly 
convinced was he of the desirability of such a 
course that he sold his farm and invested in oxen 
and other requirements for the perilous journey. 
This was in 1847, an< ^ his daughter then eighteen, 
was one of the most enthusiastic of the party. 
Six months of travel brought them to the desired 



1512 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



destination in Lebanon, Ore., and two years 
later, in Lebanon, July 31, 1849, sne was united 
in marriage with Joseph Moist, with whom she 
lived nearly half a century, until his death on his 
finely improved farm near Albany, March 13, 
1893.. at the age of seventy years. 

Joseph Moist was born near Pittsburg, Pa., 
1823, and at an early day removed to Burlington, 
Iowa, where he followed his trade of blacksmith. 
He was a brave and adventurous man, for in 
1845, when the journey across the plains was a 
rare occurrence, and untold dangers beset the 
path of courageous emigrants, he set out with 
his partner with ox-teams and a wagon and 
accomplished the journey from Iowa to Oregon 
with comparative ease. Oregon City was then a 
small aggregation of houses, with few business 
interests to enliven its prospects, and he estab- 
lished a much-needed blacksmith shop, conduct- 
ing the same with considerable success. In 1846 
he took up a donation claim of six hundred and 
forty acres three miles north of Lebanon, Linn 
county, and upon this he inaugurated improve- 
ments, building a dwelling and barn. He built 
and conducted the first blacksmith shop in Linn 
county in 1850. The years 1848 and 1849 he 
spent in the mines of California. After return- 
ing, he continued to conduct his farm and shop, 
although he eventually gave up the latter, devot- 
ing all of his time to farming. In 1862 he went 
to the mines of Lewiston, Idaho, returning some- 
what richer than when he started out. His 
farm property yielded large returns, and between 
general farm produce and fine cattle and horses, 
his fortune increased at a greater ratio than that 
of the majority of the settlers. In 1877 he felt 
entitled to a partial rest from his labors, and so 
built a home in Albany, where he lived with his 
family during the winter season, spending his 
summers on the farm. Thus his remaining years 
were spent, and at the age of seventy, shortly 
before his death, he retained his faculties, and 
maintained his interest in the general happenings 
of the day. Four sons were reared to maturity 
on the farm, and of these Charles Franklin is a 
retired farmer living in Lebanon ; William Fred- 
erick and John Horace are in the livery busi- 
ness in Lebanon and Ashland; and Jay died 
while a junior at Albany College, at the age of 
twenty. 

Mr. Moist was a public-spirited and large- 
hearted man, and his influence for progress was 
felt in religious, educational and business circles 
of the county. He was a self-made man in every 
respect. He was a Democrat in political affili- 
ation, and was fraternally associated with the 
Masons at Lebanon. 

Since her husband's death Mrs. Moist has 
rented her farm and made her home in Albany. 
She is a devoted member, of the United Presby- 



terian Church, and is known for her fine womanly 
qualities, and her ability to make and retain 
friends. For, many years she was a member of 
the Eastern Star at Lebanon. 



JOHN E. P. WITHERS. To liken the char- 
acter of some of the pioneers of Oregon to the 
forest trees native to the state is in all ways 
appropriate, for it has become an accepted fact 
that the pine of the western wood furnishes the 
most durable lumber for the building of the ships 
which must breast the tumult of the deep and 
withstand its storms, and as citizens of an em- 
bryo state these men have in the past proven the 
sturdiness and strength of their manhood, many 
of them still remaining as parts of the great 
whole which gave to the Union another com- 
monwealth. Occupying such a place in the 
minds of those who recall the days by actual ex- 
perience is John E. P. Withers, who has with- 
stood the storms of trial and adversity, has 
made his own success and helped to make that 
of the state, and in the evening of his days en- 
joys the satisfaction of accomplishment. 

Mr. Withers was born in Kentucky, January 
21, 1830, and when three years old his parents 
removed to McLean county, 111., where he spent 
the intervening years until his majority. In 
1 85 1 he set out for the west, crossing the plains 
with ox-teams, and on his safe arrival located in 
the gold fields of California, where he remained 
for but a brief time, returning in the same win- 
ter to his Illinois home, this trip being made by 
water. Undaunted by his first failure to find 
satisfaction on the Pacific coast he again under- 
took the journey in 1853, and after six months 
reached Oregon, which was his destination, tak- 
ing up a donation claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres in the neighborhood of Corvallis, 
Benton county. This remained his home for six 
years when he went to Douglas county and en- 
gaged in the stock business for a like period. On 
again locating farther north he selected Lane 
county for his future home. He first bought a 
farm of one hundred and thirty acres near Eu- 
gene, where he lived until 1901, successfully en- 
gaged in general farming and stock-raising. In 
the last named year he traded a farm of seven 
hundred acres for the one which he now occu- 
pies, which consists of one hundred and seventy- 
five acres, in the vicinity of Springfield. 

The marriage of Mr. Withers occurred in Au- 
gust, 1854, Miss Margaret Gillispie, of LaFay- 
ette county, Mo., becoming his wife. She had 
come to Oregon with her parents in 1852, and 
her father had purchased the right to three hun- 
dred and twenty acres of land in the neighbor- 
hood of Eugene, which he farmed in connection 
with his duties as a minister of the Cumberland 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1513 



Presbyterian Church. The family of children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Withers were as follows: 
Mary, now Mrs. W. M. Vanduzen; Mabel, now 
Mrs. Bogart, of this county; William W., who 
was killed February 5, 1903, while performing 
his duty as sheriff of Lane county, and whose 
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume ; Alice, 
now Mrs. Hawley, of San Diego, Cal. ; Price, 
of Harney, Ore. ; Anna, now Mrs. Emery, of 
Douglas county ; Emma, now Mrs. Cornelian, of 
Helena, Mont. ; and Jessie, who is Mrs. Ed- 
monston, of Thurston, Ore. As an influential 
and able man of the Democratic party, Mr. 
Wnhers was elected to the state legislature in 
1866, where he able represented his constitu- 
ency. Both himself and wife are members of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 



NOAH BUOY. To the Buoy family oppor- 
tunities existed but for them to improve, and 
that they have done so is evidenced by the active 
part which they have taken in every movement 
pertaining to the growth of the country while 
maintaining their own positions as pioneers and 
seekers after fortunes so bountifully held out in 
this western state. Upon many of the important 
documents of the state appear the names of 
Laban Buoy, and those of his three sons, H. N., 
John and James as four among the pioneers who 
organized the Republican party in Oregon, as 
well as being connected with many other prom- 
inent movements in the early history of the com- 
monwealth. 

A representative of this family is named in 
the person of Noah Buoy, who was born in Dan- 
ville, 111., August 22, 1837, the son of Laban, 
who was born in Bourbon county, Ky., October 
8, 1802. The elder man was the son of a farmer 
and was thus early inured to habits of _ thrift and 
industry which insured his usefulness as a citi- 
zen of a new country when combined with the 
spirit which had animated his own sire when he 
left the more settled conditions of the colonial 
states and took up his abode in " the dark and 
bloody ground " famous in the annals of the mid- 
dle west. He remained at home until his mar- 
riage in 1820 with Jane Blackburn, who was 
born on the east coast of Maryland in 1801, and 
shortly afterward they removed to Indiana, 
where he engaged in farming and the trade of a 
carpenter. After a residence there of a few 
years they located in Illinois in 1823, and during 
his residence in that state he served in the Black 
Hawk war in the capacity of scout and spy, a 
dangerous and important post in which he 
proved of invaluable service. While living in 
Illinois his people joined him and made that 
state their home until their death. For thirty 



years Mr. Buoy remained in the Prairie state 
giving his aid toward the advancement of civiliza- 
tion and development of resources, but April 15, 
z 853, he crossed the plains with horse and mule 
teams and reached Oregon City, August 9, of 
the same year. Coming on to Lane county, he 
bought the squatter's right to six hundred and 
forty acres located a half mile south of Creswell, 
and upon this property he devoted his time and 
energy in cultivation and improvement, remain- 
ing so employed until his death. Not long after 
his arrival in Oregon the Rogue river Indians 
caused the trouble which resulted again in war 
and Mr. Buoy was authorized to raise a com- 
pany, of which he became captain, leading his 
men at once to the seat of war. The most serious 
of the engagements was at Looking Glass prairie, 
though he continued in the service throughout 
the entire war, receiving the commendation of 
all who appreciated the great danger and dif- 
ficulty through which he passed. He was also 
influential in all public affairs for the spirit 
which animated him was thoroughly appreciated 
by his fellow-citizens and they felt their interests 
safe when in his hands. He held various of the 
minor offices in his neighborhood, among them 
being county commissioner in which he served 
for one term, and he it was who assisted in the 
organization of the Republican party. He had 
been a member of the Presbyterian church since 
boyhood. He and his wife both died at the age 
of seventy-four, and of the children which 
blessed their union the following are now living : 
James, located in Portland ; Thomas, also of that 
city; Noah, of this review; William, of Jasper, 
Ore. ; Jane Knox, of Prineville ; and Evaline Car- 
ter, of Junction City. 

Noah Buoy received his education in the vicin- 
ity of his father's farm where he grew to man- 
hood, and was then allowed to attend the graded 
schools of Albany. When a young man he took 
up the trade of a brick mason, being the first man 
to make bricks in this county. He was only 
fifteen years old when he set out to make his 
own way in the world, and his inheritance of 
self-reliance and independence brought about the 
results which follow application and energy. 
After his marriage, April 15, 1863, with Susan 
Mary Hughes, the daughter of a blacksmith of 
Creswell, and who crossed the plains from her 
native state of Missouri as a member of the same 
train in which her husband traveled, he located 
upon a part of his father's claim and has lived 
all his life in this vicinity. In 1880 he removed 
to a farm of two hundred and twenty-six acres 
located two miles south of Creswell and is now 
engaged in the cultivation of one hundred acres 
which are tillable, and stock-raising, devoting 
much atetntion to Shorthorn and Hereford cat- 
tle. In addition to his farming interests he has 



1514 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



always worked at his trade and the combined in- 
terests were productive of wide returns. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Buoy have been born three 
children, of whom John W. is located in Harney 
county and George L. and Burton H. still make 
their home with their parents. In politics Mr. 
Buoy is a Republican, and takes an active part 
in the promotion of the principles which he en- 
dorses. 



JOHN F. WALKER. The founders of towns 
must ever occupy a special place in the history 
of the world, more especially when their names 
are associated therewith for all time, a mutually 
beneficial distinction being thus conferred. The 
town of Walker, a thrifty and promising aggre- 
gation of interests, owes its start to that honored 
pioneer, John F. Walker, upon whose farm there 
sprang into existence the inevitable store, the 
blacksmith shop and postoffice which, with slight 
modifications, have usually served as the nucleus 
for thriving towns. Behind him Mr. Walker has 
the backing of characteristics drawn from a fine 
old southern ancestry, traits fostered on the pa- 
ternal farm in Bedford county, Va., where he 
was born January n, 1827. His father, Robert 
M. Walker, was also born in the Old Dominion 
February 6, 1804, and it is presumed that his 
father, the paternal great-grandfather, was either 
born there or established his family there at a 
very early day. 

John F. Walker was never at a loss for com- 
panionship and sympathy in his childish en- 
thusiasms, for he had thirteen brothers and sis- 
ters, many of whom started out to earn their own 
living at an early age. He was twenty when he 
learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for 
a few years. In 1847 ne went to Missouri and 
farmed for three years. While thus employed 
he contracted the western fever, and in the spring 
of 1850 started for California with mule teams, 
being on the road about three months. In the 
latter state he tried his hand at mining, but 
not experiencing great success turned his atten- 
tion to carpentering, of which there was great 
need at that time. In 1852 he came to Oregon 
and spent the first winter in the mines of Jack- 
son county, the following spring taking up a 
claim of one hundred and sixty acres four miles 
southeast of Cottage Grove. This acquisition 
suggested the establishment of a home, and 
February 1, 1855, Mr. Walker married Mary J. 
Chrisman, who was born in Jackson county, Mo., 
February 16, 1839, and whose father, C. E. 
Chrisman, is mentioned elsewhere in this work. 
Mrs. Walker crossed the plains with her people 
in 1 85 1, and settled in Lane county in 1853. 

Under the most promising conditions Mr. and 
Mrs. Walker went to housekeeping on the newly 



acquired claim, and this continued to be their 
home until certain distasteful features connected 
with it led Mr. Walker to sell, and purchase a 
farm one mile east o'f Creswell. A year later he 
came into possession of the farm of five hundred 
and seventy acres upon which he now lives, and 
upon a part of which the village of Walker has 
since been built. This farm is four miles north 
of Cottage Grove, and few farms are so well 
improved, or unstintingly supplied with modern 
implements, outhouses and general aids to a large 
general farming and stock-raising industry. In 
the meantime, he has added to his land and now 
has about seventeen hundred acres, a fair show- 
ing for a man who started out in life with physi- 
cal rather than financial assets, and who has over- 
come many obstacles placed in the way of his suc- 
cess. At present Mr. Walker is living a retired 
life, although he still maintains an interest in 
everything connected with the farm. The fam- 
ily live in an old-fashioned frame dwelling, large 
and comfortable and roomy, and to which the 
numerous friends are wont to repair with great 
frequency. Of the seven children born into the 
family, Mrs. Mary A. Walden lives in Washing- 
ton; R. E., has a farm in this vicinity; J. W. 
resides in Alsea, Ore. ; Mrs. Martha Wiseman 
makes her home in Eugene; and George O. is 
a merchant of Walker. A Republican since the 
establishment of the party, Mr. Walker has been 
called upon to fill many offices of trust in this 
county, including that of county commissioner, 
school director, and road supervisor. He is a 
deacon in the Baptist church, and has always 
contributed, as his- means permitted, to its sup- 
port. He is a kind-hearted, broad-minded, and 
exceedingly liberal man, in touch with current 
events, and interestingly reminiscent of the early 
days of Oregon. With his wife he is justly es- 
teemed for interesting and fine traits of character, 
and in consequence is surrounded in his declin- 
ing years by pleasant and harmonious associates. 



JAMES CATLIN JOHNSON. The thriving 
city of Cottage Grove, Lane county, has a full 
quota of live, energetic and brainy business men, 
among whom is James C. Johnson, a young law- 
yer of talent and ability. A son of the late Wil- 
liam Henry Johnson, he was born May 12, 1872, 
in Waseca county, Minn. His paternal grand- 
father, James C. Johnson, who was born in 1808, 
in New York state, was one of the earliest set- 
tlers of Chicago, 111. Going there when the now 
magnificent city was but a rude hamlet, he en- 
gaged in trading, selling supplies to the Indian 
trading post, and to the trappers of that locality. 
Removing to Winnebago county, Wis., he con- 
tinued as a trader for many years, becoming 
widely known throughout the northwestern terri- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1515 



tory. He spent his last years in Minnesota, dying 
at an advanced age in Waseca county. 

A native of Wisconsin, William Henry John- 
son went with his parents to Minnesota, and 
lived there until after his marriage. In 1861 he 
enlisted in Company A, First Minnesota Infan- 
try, and served as a bugler, holding the rank of 
first sergeant. After the war he was for awhile 
an engineer on a Mississippi river steamboat, 
and was subsequently a locomotive engineer. 
Taking up the study of law, he was admitted to 
the bar soon after attaining his majority, and 
began the practice of his profession at Duluth, 
Minn., continuing there until 1890. Coming then 
to Oregon, he continued his professional labors 
in Portland for a year, when, in 1891, he settled 
in Woodburn, Marion county, where he was in 
active practice until his death, in 1894, at the 
early age of forty-seven years. He was quite 
prominent in public affairs, serving in the Min- 
nesota Legislature in 1882 and 1883, and as clerk 
of the court for a number of terms while a resi- 
dent of Duluth, Minn. He married Elizabeth 
Reed, who was born in Pennsylvania, and died 
in Minneapolis, Minn. Her father, Walter Reed, 
was for many years one of the leading farmers 
of Waseca county, Minn., but after his retire- 
ment from active pursuits he settled in Morris- 
town, Minn., where he spent his declining years. 

The only child of his parents, James C. John- 
son received his elementary education in the 
common schools of his native county, afterward 
taking a course at the Parsons' Business Col- 
lege in Duluth, Minn., where he was graduated 
in 1887. Subsequently entering his father's of- 
fice, he read law under his instruction, and in 
June. 1895, the year following his father's death, 
he passed the examination of the supreme court, 
and began the practice of law in Woodburn, 
where he remained five years. Enlisting in Com- 
pany M, Second Oregon United States Volun- 
teers, Mr. Johnson went with his regiment to 
the Philippine Islands, where he took part in 
many active engagements, serving as sergeant of 
his company from muster-in to muster-out, and 
while at the front engaged in the following bat- 
tles : Guam, June 21, 1898; Manila, August 13, 
1898; battle of Tondo, February 23, 1899; and 
in the engagements in the Pasig valley between 
March 12, 1899, and March 20, 1899; at Mala- 
bon, March 25 ; at Polo, March 26 ; at Marilao, 
April 1 1 ; at Tay Tay, June 3 and June 4 ; at 
Antipolo, June 4 ; at Teresa, June 5 ; and at 
Morong on the same date. Serving from May 
16, 1898, until August 7, 1899, Mr. Johnson was 
mustered out of service with a record for bravery 
and fidelity that he may well be proud of. 

Returning to Oregon, Mr. Johnson resided in 
Woodburn until May, 1900, when he transferred 
his residence and business to Cottage Grove, 



where he opened a law office, and has since built 
up an extensive and lucrative practice in his 
chosen profession. Mr. Johnson has established 
a record for the trial of cases in the Supreme 
court that speaks well of his ability. He has 
other business interests, being one of the original 
incorporators of the LeRoy Mining Company, 
and of the Hiawatha Mining Company, of which 
he is now secretary and treasurer. Both of these 
properties are located in the Bohemian mining 
district. 

At Woodburn, Ore., Mr. Johnson married 
Marguerite Ponti, who was born in Italy, and 
came with her parents to Watsonville, Cal., and 
from there to Woodburn with an older sister. 
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one child, Laura 
Marguerite. Mr. Johnson is an independent 
thinker, especially in political matters, voting 
with the courage of his convictions. Frater- 
nally he is a Knight of Pythias, and a Knight 
of the Maccabees. In religion he is an Episco- 
palian. Although not an office-seeker, he served 
as municipal judge of Woodburn. 



JERRY TAYLOR. As a reminder of his 
participation in the strife incident to settling this 
great northwestern country, and preparing the 
way for peaceful homes for men, women and chil- 
dren, Jerry Taylor, who has never quailed in the 
face of danger, carries upon his person, a wound 
that will probably trouble him to the end of his 
days. Too much cannot be said of the pioneers 
who came across the plains in the early days of 
Oregon's infancy, and by their dauntless courage 
overcame a hostile foe, and dwelt in small and 
uncomfortable houses, suffering isolation, and 
often the pangs of hunger. That the majority 
have proven equal to the character and physical 
test is the glory of the state, and none who come 
after are deserving of greater appreciation and 
honor. 

Mr. Taylor is a pioneer of 1852, having crossed 
the plains with his father, Henry W. Taylor, and 
the other members of his large family. Of Henry 
Taylor much is said in another part of this work, 
but it is fitting to refer to him as one of the 
noblest and most helpful of the western sojourn- 
ers of his time, his influence as an agriculturist, 
a politician, and a local preacher, equaling that 
of any of his contemporaries. He lived for some 
years in different parts of Pennsylvania, and at 
Pittsburg his son Jerry was born, October 13, 
1832. The latter was educated primarily in the 
public schools, and under the training of his sire 
became a practical and successful farmer. On 
his own responsibility he took up a claim of one 
hundred and sixty acres eight miles south of 
Cottage Grove, Ore. In 1854 he left his ranch 
and spent several months in the mines of Cali- 



1516 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fornia. In 1855 he enlisted for service in the 
Rogue River war in Company B, Captain Buoy, 
commander, and took part in several of the terri- 
ble conflicts which marked that era of bloodshed 
and submission. He took an active part in the 
battle of Little Meadows, and at Big Bend, on 
Cow Creek, he received the wound from the 
effects of which he is still suffering. Twenty of 
the one hundred and twenty days' enlistment 
were spent in the hospital. 

Returning to Lane county, Mr. Taylor at- 
tended the old Columbia college at Eugene, and 
for several years thereafter he was engaged in 
school teaching in Lane county. He had married 
in i860, Rachel E. Jones, who was born in Mis- 
souri, and crossed the plains with her people in 
1846. The farm owned by Mr. Taylor owes its 
development entirely to his energy and enter- 
prise, and the fine improvements indicate a mind 
in touch with scientific and modern thought. The 
preferred stock is Shorthorn cattle, that asset of 
the conservative and cautious agriculturist, and 
in addition to stock-raising, grain and general 
farm produce contribute to a gratifying yearly 
income. Elizabeth A., the oldest daughter of Mr. 
Taylor, is the wife of Mr. Lestoe and lives in 
Portland; William H. is a resident of Washing- 
ton; George R. lives on the home farm; Em- 
maranda married Alfred Powell and lives in this 
vicinity; and John N. is employed in the lumber 
camps. Mr. Taylor is a Free Thinker and in 
political matters casts his vote for the men whom 
he thinks best qualified to fill the position, re- 
gardless of party lines. He has held many of the 
local offices, all of which have come to him un- 
solicited, and has established a reputation as a 
promoter of peace and prosperity, as well as 
agricultural, political and educational excellence. 



ABRAHAM HACKLEMAN. The birth of 
Abraham Hackleman occurred near Rushville, 
Ind., July 29, 1829, his parents being Abner and 
Elizabeth (Lines) Hackleman, the latter a native 
of North Carolina. The father was one of the 
earliest settlers of Rush county, Ind., and later 
was in the vanguard of emigration to Des 
Moines county, Iowa, where he engaged near 
Burlington as a farmer. In 1845 ne likewise be- 
came an emigrant to Oregon, crossing the plains 
with the customary ox-teams, remaining, how- 
ever, but one year, when he returned to Iowa by 
pack horses, his death occurring in the fall of 
the same year. Of the five children born to 
himself and wife, four came to Oregon, the three 
besides Abraham being John, who came in 1852, 
and died in Albany ; Margaret, who is now Mrs. 
Culver, of Eugene, Ore.; and Mrs. Estes, of 
Baker City. The mother also came across the 



plains in 1852, and her death occurred in Baker 
City. 

Abraham Hackleman was reared principally 
in Iowa, having removed there at the age of four 
years, and remained until he was eighteen. At 
that age, in the year 1847, ^ e furnished a yoke 
of oxen and crossed the plains with a Mr. Burk- 
hart, leaving in April and taking the Barlow 
route over the old Oregon trail, having crossed 
the Missouri river at St. Joseph. After his ar- 
rival in Oregon City Mr. Hackleman came, in 
September of the same year, to the present site 
of Albany, where his father had located a dona- 
tion claim. He re-located the claim and at once 
erected a log house, this being the first in this 
vicinity. The next year found him en route for 
the mines of California, his trip across the moun- 
tains made exciting and dangerous by many en- 
counters with the Indians. The fall of the same 
year he returned to Oregon by water with sub- 
stantial fruits of his short time of labor. In the 
spring of the next year he again made the jour- 
ney south, but had the misfortune to be ill much 
of the time spent there, and after his return in 
the fall of '49, he engaged at once in farming and 
has since remained one of the representative 
farmers of the community. In 1850 he laid off 
seventy acres of land in the eastern part of what 
is now Albany, and which was known as Hackle- 
man's first addition, following this later with 
three more additions, including in all more than 
a hundred acres, which take in the portion of 
the city up to Baker street and the Southern 
Pacific depot. In addition to his property here 
he owns two other farms in the valley, and also 
three thousand acres of land comprising a ranch 
east of the mountains in Crook county, which 
has always been devoted to the raising of horses 
and cattle, the land being principally useful for 
hay and grazing. He has sold as many as nine 
hundred horses in one season, a very large num- 
ber even in this country of large productions. 

The marriage of Mr. Hackleman occurred in 
Linn county, Ore., Miss Elenore Davis becoming 
his wife. Miss Davis crossed the plains in 1847, 
with her father, Truit Davis, of Missouri, who 
took up a donation claim two and a half miles 
out of the city. Mrs. Hackleman died in the 
Rogue river valley, while on a visit to that vicin- 
ity. She was the mother of five children, of 
whom Pauline is Mrs. Price, of Rogue river 
valley; Thurston is an attorney in Albany, and 
also engages in farming; Denver is a farmer lo- 
cated two miles out of Albany ; Josephine became 
Mrs. Irvine and died in Albany; and Frank A. 
is a stockman here. Some time after the death 
of his wife Mr. Hackleman married in Albany 
Mrs. Vira (Anthrom) McKinnon, who had come 
from California to Oregon. In his political affili- 
ations Mr. Hackleman belongs to the Democratic 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1517 



party, and through that influence he has held 
various offices, having been county commissioner 
and a member of the city council. Always active 
in every public movement which promised an 
advancement of the interests of the state or 
community. Mr. Hackleman has assisted in sev- 
eral very notable enterprises, among them being 
the building of the military road across the moun- 
tains, and which he has served at different times 
as director and president, maintaining each posi- 
tion creditably for several years. He was also 
interested in the old Oregon & Pacific Railroad, 
and for four years served as director of the 
same. Mr. Hackleman is a member of the 
Christian Church, and certainly lives up to the 
tenets of his religion in his patient and contented 
philosophy, which has endeared him to the 
hearts of many who have enjoyed his friendship. 



WILLIAM H. SMALL. The well known 
fact that towns and cities partake, as a whole, 
of the characteristics of the people comprising 
them, finds no less emphatic expression in coun- 
try communities, where distinguishing features 
are fewer and therefore more pronounced. As 
illustrating this thought it is a pleasure to call 
attention to the career of William H. Small, so 
long identified with Lane county, and whose as- 
pirations, ambitions, hopes and example, may be 
taken as typical of all that is worthy and of good 
report. Mr. Small is a prominent man in his 
neighborhood, not only as a successful farmer 
and stock-raiser, but because he has taught peo- 
ple that his word, his work, and himself are 
thoroughly to be depended upon; that his judg- 
ment is good, and that a generous regard for the 
rights and prerogatives of others underlies his 
most ambitious undertakings. 

In Pettis county, Mo., where he was born 
February 17, 1837, Mr- Small was reared in an 
atmosphere of refinement and comparative af- 
fluence, for his father, Henry Small, was a large 
land owner and stock-dealer, and prominent in 
political, educational and social life. Henry 
Small was born in Tennessee in 181 2, and at a 
very early day removed with his parents to Mis- 
souri, where he was reared, educated, and finally 
embarked upon an independent agricultural life. 
In 1835 he was united in marriage with Nancy 
Mosby, born in Kentucky, and of this union sev- 
eral children were born in Missouri. William 
H. was thirteen years of age when the family 
migration to Oregon took place in 1850, and in 
innumerable ways he made himself useful on the 
long and tiresome journey. They were on the 
road about six months, and on the way had sev- 
enteen horses and mules stolen by the Indians. 
Otherwise their journey was uneventful. They 
settled on a claim in Linn county, near Browns- 



ville, for a couple of years, moving then to an- 
other claim upon a portion of which Cottage 
Grove now stands. The father lived to be sixty- 
three and the mother eighty-eight years old. | 
They were people of refinement, large of heart 
and strong of purpose, nobly filling their obliga- 
tions in an enlightened and progressive com- 
munity. 

With the exception of his sister, Mrs.' Susan 
Ann Julian, of California, William Small is the 
only remaining child of the six born to his 
parents. Of a studious turn of mind, he im- 
proved the educational chances that presented 
themselves by attending the district schools dur- 
ing the winter, devoting his summers to assisting 
his father around the home farm. In 1861 he 
married Martha Ann Cooley, and their first home 
was on a claim adjoining the land where London 
has since been built. In 1878 Mr. Small pur- 
chased his present farm of four hundred and 
twenty-four acres, nine miles south of Cottage 
Grove, upon which he has made extensive im- 
provements, and converted into one of the best 
farming properties in the county. He raises 
Cotswold sheep, Durham cattle and Poland- 
China hogs, besides grain and general farm pro- 
duce. He is a Democrat in politics, and has held 
all of the minor offices, being particularly active 
as a member of the school board. Fraternally 
he is connected with the Grange, and has done 
much to promote the well-being of this helpful 
organization. His children are John T. and 
Henry, living on the old place; George A., en- 
gaged in farming on the home place; Robert C, 
farming near his father; and Nancy C, living 
with her parents. 



FRANKLIN J. CHAMBERS. A native son 
of Oregon, Franklin J. Chambers was born in 
King's valley, Benton county, February 15, 1853, 
the son of Rowland and Louisa (King) Cham- 
bers, who came to Oregon in 1845, m company 
with Nehemiah King. In the spring of 1846 he 
came to King's valley and took up a donation 
claim of six hundred and forty acres, upon which 
he continued to make his home until his death in 
1870, at the age of fifty-seven years. He married 
Louisa King, the daughter of Nehemiah King, 
and upon her death he married her sister. He 
was the father of the following children : Mar- 
garet Bagsley and James Chambers, both dead ; 
Sarah, who lives at Dayton, Ore., the wife of Mr. 
Watson ; William, who lives at Pullman, Wash. ; 
Jackson, conducting a hotel at Canyon City, 
Grant county, Ore. ; John located in King's val- 
ley ; Franklin J., the subject of this review; 
Henry, in Pullman, Wash. ; Ordelia, at Olex, 
Ore. ; Samuel, in Pullman, Wash. ; Lydia, the 
wife of H. T. Maxfield, of King's valley ; Re- 



1518 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



becca, the wife of A.- B. Alexander, of Corvallis, 
Ore. ; Julia, the wife of L. G. Price, of King's 
valley ; and Lincoln, also of King's valley ; Annie 
and Alice, who died several years ago. Mrs. 
Louisa Chambers died December 3, 1889, aged 
sixty-three years. 

Franklin J. Chambers was reared to manhood 
upon the paternal farm, receiving his education 
through the medium of the common schools in 
the vicinity of his home. Following close upon 
his twenty-first birthday he located on the farm 
where he now lives, having made this his home 
ever since. He has been very successful in his 
work, and has inherited much property, now 
owning three hundred and fifty acres of the home 
farm, and altogether seven hundred and fifty-five 
acres in King's valley, and a stock ranch in 
Polk county, consisting of fourteen hundred and 
eighty acres, upon which he raises cattle, horses, 
sheep, goats, etc. 

Mr. Chambers was married in 1874 to Miss 
Emma Maxfield and they have made this their 
home ever since. In his political affiliations Mr. 
Chambers adheres to the principles of the Re- 
publican party, and through this influence he has 
held the position of county commissioner for 
eight years. Fraternally he is associated with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding 
membership in King's Valley Lodge, No. 44, of 
Corvallis, Ore., in which he has passed all the 
chairs but one, also belongs to the Encampment. 
Religiously he is a member of the United Evan- 
gelical Church. 



B. S. KELSAY, one of the best known ranch- 
ers on the Pacific coast, is a native son of Ore- 
gon. His birth occurred on a farm near Cres- 
well, Lane county, March 10, 1862, and he is 
the oldest of the ten children born to Burton and 
Euphrasia Ann (Gillis) Kelsay, natives of 
Wayne county, Ky., and Warren county, Mo., 
respectively. After many years of exceptional 
country activity, Burton Kelsay and his wife are 
living retired in Fossil, Ore., and have the satis- 
faction of knowing that eight of their thirteen 
children are living and in good circumstances, all 
but B. S. being residents of eastern Oregon. Bur- 
ton Kelsay was born September 15, 1833, and 
while in his teens removed from Kentucky to 
Missouri, where he married the daughter of 
George Gillis, now deceased. At the age of nine- 
teen, in 1853, he started across the plains with 
ox-teams and wagons, and after a six months 
trip took up a donation claim of three hundred 
and twenty acres two miles southeast of Cres- 
well. A few years later he sold this property to 
Mrs. Fannie Eaton, and took his family to Lake 
county, Cal., engaging in general farming for 
eight years. Kelsayville, Cal., was named in 



honor of his cousin. Returning to Lane county, 
he fanned again in the vicinity of Creswell, and 
in the spring of 1878 removed to Umatilla coun- 
ty, where he engaged in the sheep business with 
great success. Feeling somewhat the infirmities 
of approaching age, he retired to Fossil, Ore., 
taking with him ample means to live in comfort 
and even luxury for the remainder of his days. 

B. S. Kelsay was four years old when the fam- 
ily removal to California took place, and twelve 
when his parents returned and placed him in 
the public schools of Lane county. Accompany- 
ing the family to Umatilla county he remained 
at home until the spring preceding his majority 
when he went to Sherman county with his 
brother, L. C, and engaged in a large sheep- 
raising industry. The brothers were destined 
for success as sheep raisers, and their brand, 
three perpendicular lines with the bar across the 
top, became a familiar one to the surrounding 
rangers. After a few years the brothers divided 
their profits, B. S. continuing on the same 
ranch, which is known far and near as the Jack 
Knife sheep ranch. At times he had as high as 
twenty thousand sheep at a time. In 1898 Mr. 
Kelsay located his family in Creswell, purchased 
back the old place from Mrs. Eaton, and also 
bought an adjoining farm, having at the present 
time twelve hundred acres in one body. This 
farm is located east of Creswell and on the banks 
of the Willamette river, and is devoted to cattle, 
sheep, Angora goat, horse and hog-raising. 
This is one of the finest stock farms in Lane 
county, being well equipped with buildings for 
the care of the stock, and with modern agricul- 
tural implements for general farming. In addi- 
tion, Mr. Kelsay owns about four hundred and 
forty acres in the Sherman county ranch, and 
has two hundred acres in wheat. 

Mr. Kelsay purchased twenty acres of land in 
Eugene, between Fifteenth and Seventeenth and 
Hilliard and High streets, and laid the same out 
in fifty-two lots in 1902. This addition has built 
up faster than any addition in the city, and is all 
sold at present with the exception of the two 
lots occupied by Mr. Kelsay. An inducement to 
purchasers has been a deep well dug by the pro- 
moter, operated by a gasoline engine, and with 
a tank capacity of thirty-six thousand gallons. For 
the first three years after the first purchase, own- 
ers are privileged to use the water gratis, provid- 
ing they do their own piping to their homes. 
Needless to say, all have been glad to avail them- 
selves of this advantage, with the result that the 
addition is one of the best watered and most 
modern in this part of the state. 

In Grant county, Ore., Mr. Kelsay was united 
in marriage with Eliza C. Gilchrist, who was 
born near Scio, Ore., a daughter of William 
Gilchrist, a pioneer of 1850. Seven children 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1519 



have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelsay : Earl, 
Nona, Burt, Hazel, Charles, Ethel and Una. In 
politics Mr. Kelsay is a stanch Republican. He 
is a member of the Christian Church, and is 
fraternally identified with the Woodmen of the 
World ; the Woodmen Circle ; and the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of Grass Valley. 



JOSEPH G. POWELL. The science of 
agriculture in Lane county has been materially 
advanced by the efforts of Joseph G. Powell, 
who represents a pioneer name of dignity and 
distinction, and has built up a reputation of 
which any man might well be proud. Much may 
be attributed to the fact that Mr. Powell was 
reared in an atmosphere where the upright and 
honorable were fostered and encouraged. His 
father, Alfred Powell, was a minister of the gos- 
pel his entire active life, and in that capacity ac- 
complished an untold amount of good in Lane 
county. This pioneer of 1851 was born in Ohio, 
July 10, 1810, and while Illinois was yet a terri- 
tory, moved there with his parents, settling on a 
farm in Menard county, which had been the rov- 
ing place of the red man. From earliest youth 
Alfred Powell was religiously inclined, and when 
about twenty years of age he entered the minis- 
try which, combined with farming, constituted 
his lifework. In 1833 ne married Sarah Bracken, 
who was born in Illinois, and of this union there 
were born two children, of whom James H. is 
deceased, and Alexander H. lives in the vicinity 
of Cottage Grove. His wife dying in January, 
1837, Mr. Powell married for a second wife, 
Hannah Goble Sherell, who had removed several 
years before from her native state of Ohio, to 
Illinois. Of this union five children were born, 
Mrs. Lucinda J. Davis and Joseph G., the latter 
born June 1, 1841, being the only survivors. 
With his little family Rev. Powell crossed the 
plains in 1851, and after a six-months journey 
he arrived in Linn county, taking up a claim 
seven miles southeast of Albany. A few years 
before his death at the age of seventy-one he 
went to live with his children in Albany, his 
latter days being. spent in peace and retirement 
and surrounded by loved ones. His was an in- 
teresting and self-sacrificing life, his ambition to 
do good leading him into remote parts of the 
state, and placing him in immediate touch with 
all phases of existence. He was not one of the 
solemn, religious enthusiasts, but won souls with 
his brightness and kindliness, his happy faculty 
of looking on the best side of things, and his 
intense sympathy with the temptations and as- 
pirations of his fellow-men. In his younger days 
he served in the Black Hawk war, and for 
meritorious service was elevated from private to 
the rank of a commissioned officer. 



Joseph G. Powell was reared to farming, and 
he continued to live on the old place after his 
marriage to Melissa A. Ramsey in 1862. In 1887 
he purchased his present farm of two hundred 
and sixty-two acres, eight miles south of Cottage 
Grove, and which is a part of the old Rogers 
donation claim. He has added to his farm as 
his interests increased, and now has three hun- 
dred and eighty-two acres. Besides general 
stock, he raises Merino and Southdown sheep. 
The improvements are modern, the dwelling 
large and commodious, and barns and outhouses 
well constructed. To Mr. Powell farming is an 
occupation which demands study and continual 
advancement, and he is to be numbered among 
the influential and progressive men who are help- 
ing to maintain a high standard. Nine children 
have been born to himself and wife, of whom 
Emily, the wife of Stephen Overholser, lives in 
Washington; Nancy Overholser lives in London, 
Ore.; Charles is at home; Maude married Levi 
Geer and lives in Lane county; Ida married 
Ernest McReynolds and lives at Divide, Ore.; 
George A. lives at home; Robert B. ; Edwin W. 
and James H. Although never seeking office, 
Mr. Powell has held several of the local offices, 
and he is fraternally associated with the Grange, 
having held all of the offices in that organization. 
In the Christian Church, of which he has been a 
member since early manhood, he has always been 
a cheerful and earnest worker, contributing gen- 
erously towards its charities and general main- 
tenance. 



ALEXANDER COOLEY. It is an easy 
matter to find the source of the strength of char- 
acter and solidity of manhood which distin- 
guishes Alexander Cooley, when one reflects that 
his mother was one of the few women who sought 
the west almost entirely upon her own responsi- 
bility, as none of her children had then attained 
maturity. Left a widow in 1843, ar >d with a fam- 
ily to support, Mrs. Cooley gathered together her 
worldly goods and removed to Missouri as a 
better location than that of her Virginia home, 
and prepared to rear her children among the 
broader opportunities of the middle west. In- 
duced at a later period to look favorably upon the 
advantages accruing from the long and dan- 
gerous journey which would take them over the 
remainder of the continent and into the great 
northwest, the family outfitted in 1853 and started 
across the plains with ox-teams. At the close 
of an unusually short journey, occupying but five 
months, they arrived safely in Lane county, Ore., 
and at once located on a farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres one mile southeast of Cottage 
Grove, upon which the mother died at the age 
of seventy-six years. This was a part of the 



1520 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



G. C. Cooley donation claim and its improve- 
ment and cultivation at once became the most ab- 
sorbing interest for the young pioneers, and to 
the energy of the sons of this mother is due the 
greatly increased value of the property, the home 
site being one of the desirable ones in the vicin- 
ity, and the buildings a credit to a practical and 
progressive farmer. 

Alexander Cooley was born in Grayson 
county, Va., January 10, 1835, and through the 
early death of his father, a farmer, he felt the 
necessity of assuming burdens which would not 
otherwise have been his. He remained with his 
mother throughout her residence in the middle 
west and the later one in Oregon, and through 
her management and ability he was enabled to 
gain a good education in the district schools in 
the neighborhood of their home. In 1865 he 
married Eliza Shields, a native of Indiana, who 
crossed the plains with her parents in 185 1. Her 
death occurred in 1877, leaving a family of four 
children, of whom George is located in Paisley, 
Ore.; J. R. and Currin are both located on the 
home place ; and Juda, the wife of V. D. White, 
is living in the vicinity of her childhood's home. 
At the present time Mr. Cooley owns two hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land and carries on gen- 
eral farming and the raising of Cotswold sheep, 
Durham cattle and other stock. As a Democrat 
in politics he has never taken an active interest 
in political movements, though he has mani- 
fested his willingness to do his duty as a citizen 
through the faithful discharge of duties em- 
bodied in the various minor offices of the vicinity 
pressed upon him, and is in all ways public-spir- 
ited and interested in the welfare of the com- 
munity. 



HON. ROBERT M. VEATCH. A man of 
inestimable worth for the good which he has 
accomplished in more than one avenue in a life of 
sixty years is the Hon. Robert M. Veatch, whose 
name is well known throughout the entire state, 
and especially in Lane county, where he has 
made his home since 1865. Besides taking an 
active and engrossing part in all public affairs of 
his community and state, he has had the entire 
care of a family of three children, having lost 
his wife February 28, 1885, through her attend- 
ance upon him when he had the measles while 
in the state legislature. With a judgment and 
devotion seldom found outside of maternity, the 
father took up the double burden of widowhood 
and the caring for his children, and has now 
given to the state two honorable sons and a 
daughter as citizens of the commonwealth which 
he himself helped to form. Every credit is due 
Mr. Veatch for the strong, sturdy strokes which 
he has given toward the upbuilding and growth 



of the country, for the exemplary life which he 
has lived as a member of the community, and 
the respect and esteem of all men is given him. 

The Veatch family traces its lineage back to 
the early history of the country when three 
brothers, Elias, Nathan and James, came from 
Wales, their native land, and became settlers in 
Alabama and North Carolina. The last named 
was the great-grandfather of Robert M. Veatch, 
and he was here married to Miss Rayner, in 1751, 
and removed then to North Carolina and later 
to South Carolina. He died in 1780, the father 
of eight children, the following sons serving in 
the Revolutionary war : Walter, Isaac, Elias, 
James, Amos, and Charles. Elias was born in 
North Carolina and served as a private in the 
Revolutionary war. As a farmer he removed to 
Illinois in 1820 and there his death occurred. 
His son, Isaac, was born in North Carolina, 
August 25, 1786, and when a young man he went 
to Georgia on business and there married, and 
after returning to his home he decided to locate 
in Tennessee, which move was afterward fol- 
lowed by one which took them into Illinois, 
whither the father had settled. He located near 
the present site of Enfield, White county, earn- 
ing his livelihood by the combined interests of 
farming and the running of a grist mill, and 
being also a cabinet-maker by trade. Late in 
life he came west to spend the remaining years 
of his life with his five sons in Oregon, making 
the trip about 1881 and dying in 1882 at the 
age of ninety-six years. In politics he was a 
strong Douglas man and also a great admirer of 
Lincoln, while in religion he was a very active 
member of the Presbyterian church. His wife 
was formerly Mary Miller, of Georgia, and she 
died in Davis county, Iowa, where the family 
passed a short time, afterward returning to 
Illinois. 

Of twelve sons and four daughters born to 
his parents Robert M. Veatch was the youngest, 
and was born in White county, 111., June 5, 1843. 
He was but two and a half years old when his 
mother died, and he therefore grew up without 
her care. He received his education in the com- 
mon schools of Iowa and Missouri, his teacher 
in the latter state being Senator Pfeffer, of Kan- 
sas. In 1864 he made the six-months journey 
across the plains with ox-teams, locating in Te- 
hama county, near Red Bluff, Cal., and the year 
following found him a resident of Lane county, 
Ore. He first made his home with a brother who 
lived near Cottage Grove, and in 1866 he 
entered the Eugene Academy, where he remained 
for one year, after which he spent a like period 
in the Willamette University, and in 1868 he en- 
tered the Oregon Agricultural College and was 
a member of the first class that graduated from 
that college, having then the degree of A.B. Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1521 



Veatch then engaged in teaching, remaining for 
a period of seven years in a place near this city, 
and in 1876 he was able financially to purchase 
a farm of four hundred and forty acres located 
five miles east of Cottage Grove where he passed 
the ensuing nine years. In 1884 he removed to 
Cottage Grove in order to give his children the 
added advantages of the city schools, and has 
since made this his home. He has recently built 
a fine residence here. 

In politics a Democrat, he has been faithful to 
the principles of his party and an able repre- 
sentative in whatever position the people have 
chosen to place him. These have been positions 
of trust and honor and their interests have been 
carefully guarded. Mr. Yeatch has twice been 
a candidate for Congress, his first campaign 
being against Binger Hermann, when he reduced 
the normal Republican majority about two 
thousand votes. The second time he was de- 
feated by the late Thomas Tongue, but cut down 
the usual Republican vote nearly four thousand. 
In 1872 Mr. Yeatch was first a candidate for the 
legislature and was defeated by the very small 
number of seven votes. Not until 1882 did he 
again seek political honors, and he was then 
elected to the lower house, following this up with 
re-election in 1884, and in 1886 being chosen to 
occupy a seat among the senators. Four years 
later he was again elected to the senate, and in 
1892 he was appointed to the register of the 
Roseburg land office, where he served four years 
and three months. In 1900 he was a delegate to 
the Kansas City Democratic convention. In local 
politics he is now serving his second term as 
mayor of the city, under which administration 
the city has felt the hand of official capability. 
A new water system has been put in and a sew- 
erage system is shortly to follow. The water 
rates have been reduced to the very lowest figures 
for the benefit of the greater number of people, 
the entire municipal system now established on a 
paying basis, and a credit to the city which boasts 
such splendid government. 

The various business interests which occupy 
his attention are the presidency of the corpora- 
tion which has grown from the hardware busi- 
ness of his son, and the position of treasurer of 
the Grisley group of mines in the Bohemia dis- 
trict, besides which he is a member of the board 
of regents of the Drain Normal School, which 
position he has ably maintained for the past six 
years, always being active in educational work. 

The wife of Mr. Yeatch was formerly Sur- 
phina Currin, who was born in Missouri, Octo- 
ber 4, 1845, ar >d the marriage ceremony was per- 
formed near Cottage Grove. She was the daugh- 
ter of John Currin. a native of Virginia, who 
came to Missouri in an early day and located in 
Jackson county. He crossed the plains in 1853, 



locating in Lane county, and he now makes his 
home upon his donation claim of three hundred 
and twenty acres five miles east of Cottage 
Grove. The three children born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Veatch are Henry H., a hardware mer- 
chant in Cottage Grove ; Ermine E., at home ; 
and John C, a student in his freshman year at 
the state university at Eugene. Mrs. Veatch died 
in Salem. In his fraternal relations Mr. Veatch 
is a Master Mason, and is a charter member here 
of the Kniehts of Pvthias. 



PHILIP E. JACKSON. Since coming to 
Oregon in 1890 Philip E. Jackson has become 
the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of 
land, located two and a half miles east of Maple- 
ton, Lane county, upon which he has placed all 
of the improvements which have made it a valu- 
able property. One hundred and twenty acres 
was embodied in a homestead, while the remain- 
der has been acquired by purchase, the whole 
being now utilized in general farming and stock- 
raising, while he also carries on some logging - . 
In the thirteen years of his residence here Mr. 
Jackson and his sons have killed nearly a hun- 
dred bears in the neighborhood of his farm, 
eight being shot in the fall of 1902. 

In Ontario county, N. Y., Mr. Jackson was 
born December 23, 1840, the son of Philetus, 
born in that state in 181 5, and Mary J. (Bel- 
lows) Jackson, the date of her birth being Au- 
gust 18, 1819. Of the two living children of 
this family Philip E. is the youngest child. His 
early education was received in the common 
schools of Illinois, where his parents had re- 
moved when he was a mere lad. The father 
engaged in farming in Cook county, where he 
remained until 1859, when he removed to Minne- 
sota and took up a homestead in Brown county. 
In 1862 he was shot and killed by the Indians, 
and the burden of his own and his mother's 
support fell upon the shoulders of Philip. In 
the fall of the same year he went to Nicollet 
county and later located in Crawford county. 
Wis., where he remained until the spring of 
1865. He then returned to the old place in 
Brown county, Minn., and made his home in 
Minnesota for twenty-five years. At that date 
he crossed the continent and located upon his 
present property, where he has since remained, 
making a comfortable home in this western state. 

Mr. Jackson was married in 1868 to Mary H. 
Henton, born in Wisconsin in 1849, anc ^ Iour 
children were born to them, of whom Mary and 
Silas are deceased, and James and Andrew are 
at home. The mother of Mr. Jackson has always 
made her home with this son. In politics Mr. 
Jackson does not adhere strictly to the prin- 
ciples of any party but reserves the right to 



1522 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cast his vote for the man whom he thinks best 
fitted to fill the position, believing this to be the 
means toward securing good government. Pub- 
lic-spirited and interested in the welfare of the 
community he shirks no duty which becomes 
his as a citizen, now acting as school director for 
the district in the vicinity of his home. In fra- 
ternal relations he affiliates with the Masons of 
Florence and the Odd Fellows of Mapleton, be- 
longing also to the auxiliaries, the Eastern Star 
and the Rebekahs. 



ELMER E. LAWRENCE owes his nativity 
to the great Prairie State, having been born in 
Knoxville, 111., April 4, 1862, of parents in 
moderate circumstances, who, when he was nine 
years old, removed to Ottawa, Kans., making 
this their home for many years. At the age of 
sixteen with a common school education, he 
entered Bodworth College and with patience and 
perseverance born of ambition, he worked his 
way through the entire curriculum, also attend- 
ing the state normal. In 1886 he left Kansas, 
making his way direct to Oregon,- going at once 
to Portland, where he was employed for ten 
years in the hotel business. In 1896 Mr. Law- 
rence invested the proceeds of his thrift and 
economy in a ranch, seven miles northwest of 
Sheridan, the place containing six hundred and 
eighty acres, where he engaged extensively in 
the raising of cattle, in which occupation he met 
with the uniform success which had attended all 
his previous efforts. Quite recently he sold his 
improved ranch and resides in Sheridan for the 
present, where he experiences the joys of a re- 
tired life with his little nine-year-old daughter, 
Mildred, and his wife, who was Miss Claudia 
Tawney, of Portland, whom he married January 
4, 1888. Mr. Lawrence is a Republican and be- 
lieves thoroughly in the principles of his party. 



L. S. LOGAN was the only child born of the 
union of his father, Thomas J., with Phoebe 
Tuttle, a native of Iowa, and his birth occurred 
in Pleasantville, Marion county, Iowa, Novem- 
ber 10, 1858. His father was a native of Indi- 
ana, in which state he was reared, and later re- 
moved with his parents to Marion county, Iowa. 
After his marriage in that state he engaged in 
farming for a time, and was attracted to the 
gold fields of California in 1862. He failed to 
make a fortune in the mines, and so returned to 
Iowa, where he once more engaged in farming. 
His wife having died in 1859 he made the trip 
across the plains again in 1862, with wagon and 
mule-teams, his fcmr-year-old son accompanying 
him. The trip was accomplished in less than 
four months, and Mr. Logan first located in 



Umatilla count)', there selling his stock to the 
Overland Stage Company and for a year attend- 
ing the stage station. In the spring of 1863 he 
settled in Benton county, purchasing a farm 
five miles south of Corvallis, and engaged in 
farming until 1869, when he went to what is now 
Crook county, then known as Wasco, with a 
bunch of cattle for the Baker boys. In 1870 he 
traded his farm for an interest in the cattle busi- 
ness, establishing a ranch three miles south of 
Prineville, and in 1873 he removed to the south- 
ern part of that county, on a homestead estab- 
lishing a ranch, where he began to deal extensive- 
ly in cattle and horses. This he continued for 
many years, and later died on his farm near 
Prineville, in his sixty-eighth year. In the pub- 
lic affairs of the community he was always in- 
terested. Fraternally he was a Master Mason. 

From the age of four years L. S. Logan was 
reared on his father's farm in Benton county, 
attending the district school in the pursuit of an 
education, and when twelve years old he re- 
moved to eastern Oregon in company with his 
father, where for many years his home con- 
tinued to be. For some time he attended school 
in Prineville, but with a decided talent for the 
business which occupied his father he early be- 
came interested, and at the age of fifteen years 
he took charge of the stock while his father 
looked after the farm. To give him a better 
idea of the value of the work he was allowed to 
have a few head of cattle for his own, and he 
continued so successfully that he was made a 
partner at the age of seventeen years. In 1891 
he was able financially to buy out his father's 
interest and from that time on has conducted the 
business alone. He has since become the owner 
of other ranches, now owning two on Hampton 
Buttes, known as Butte or Barbed Wire ranch, 
and this being in the southern part of Crook 
county and just on the edge of the desert he 
has a wide range for his stock. He also owns 
the old home ranch on Camp creek, a tributary 
of Crooked river, eleven hundred acres known 
as the Ninety-six ranch, as the brand which Mr. 
Logan has always used is the combination ninety- 
six, which was originally brought by the Bakers 
from the Cherokee nation, in Indian Territory. 
Mr. Logan is now dealing in cattle only, until ten 
vears ago, however, having been one of the most 
extensive horse dealers in that part of Oregon, 
once having about three thousand head. He 
now has about six hundred head. In 1897 he 
located in Eugene and now owns two farms in 
the valley near Irving, one of three hundred 
acres and the other of three hundred and twenty, 
both of which are rented. 

Mr. Logan was married in Prineville to Miss 
Minnie Maud Milliorn. born in Junction City, 
Lane county, Ore., the daughter of William Mil- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1523 



Horn, a pioneer of the state. Three children were 
born to them, two of whom are living, namely : 
Otis, located on the ranch in Crook county, and 
Wanda. Fay is deceased. In fraternal orders 
Mr. Logan is quite prominent, having been made 
a Mason in Prineville, where he served as past 
master, and he now belongs to Eugene Lodge 
Xo. ii, A. F. & A. M. He was made a member 
of the chapter in this city and also a Knight 
Templar in Ivanhoe Commandery No. 2, and 
belongs to Al Kader, N. M. S. In religion he 
is a Baptist, and politically is a Democrat. 



JAMES W. McDOWELL. Many interest- 
ing events center around the family of which 
James W. McDowell is a member. His grand- 
father, William, was a man of brain and brawn 
and met a gallant death during the Black Hawk 
war, for when his body was picked up from 
the battlefield at Pilot House, it was found to 
be riddled with nine bullets. The grandfather 
was founder of this branch of the McDowell 
family in America, and he came from Scotland 
at an early day with six of his brothers. 

David "McDowell, the father of James W., 
was born in Beaver county. Pa., May 20, 1810, 
and when a young man left home and went to 
Ohio, where he married Malinda Marvin, a 
native of Brown county, Ohio, and who died 
August 11, 1882. at the age of sixty years. 
David McDowell led a varied and rather event- 
ful life, many years of it being spent as a cook 
and watchman on the Ohio and Mississippi 
rivers. When his son, James, was seven years 
old he moved to Walnut Hill, Marion county, 
111., and there devoted his energies to river work 
until 1848. In 1853 ne outfitted with ox-teams 
and brought his family to the west starting from 
Illinois March 15, 1853, an d arriving at Fosters, 
Clackamas county, September 20, 1853. The 
same fall he came to Linn county and located a 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres near 
Plainview, but soon after traded it for a place 
the same size three miles northeast of Browns- 
ville, where he made his home until 1892. He 
was exceedingly prosperous, utilized his property 
to the best possible advantage, and by frequent 
additions accumulated at one time eighteen hun- 
dred acres. His death occurred in Idaho in 
March, 1899. He had eight children, five of 
whom were sons. James W. McDowell was 
born near Aberdeen, Brown county, Ohio, Sep- 
tember 20. 1840. and in the public schools of 
Illinois and Linn county received a practical 
education, and he was fortunate in having a 
father who had many business interests and 
who was a large employer of labor. Consid- 
erable of the fortune of the elder McDowell 
was made in the saw-milling business, to which 



his timbered land lent itself most readily. The 
son became interested in his father's mill near 
Brownsville, and, having gained a fair start, and 
a complete knowledge of the business, he inde- 
pendently erected a mill near Crawfordsville. 
This proved such a successful venture that he 
built another mill near Holly on the Calapooia, 
with which he was identified as manager and 
owner until 1892. For the following seven years 
Mr. McDowell lived in Brownsville, and in 1899 
he purchased his present farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres, three miles southeast of Holly. 
He is engaged in stock-raising and general farm- 
ing, and has a farm containing many fine im- 
provements, and modern facilities for conduct- 
ing approved and up-to-date agriculture. Mr. 
McDowell married in Brownsville in 1878, Sarah 
A. Barnard, born on the Santiam river in Linn 
county, May 31, 1861. Four children have been 
born of this union, K. D., Henry, Pearl and Wil- 
liam. Independent in politics, Mr. McDowell 
has never been a candidate for office, although 
he has acceptably served as a member of the 
school board for a couple of terms. 



MRS. MALVINA J. HAYS. As one of 
the well known residents of Junction City Mrs 
Malvina J. Hays enjoys the esteem of a host of 
friends and well wishers, and her place among 
the brave pioneer women who dauntlessly faced 
privation and danger, and by the usefulness and 
kindliness of their lives paved the way for better 
things, is unchallenged. Born in Ohio, March 
29, 1836, Mrs. Hays is a daughter of John and 
Elizabeth (Wayland) Pitney-, natives respective- 
ly of Ohio and Virginia. In 1840 Mr. Pitney 
removed with his family to Howard county, Mo., 
where he followed his trade as machinist, and 
also engaged in the manufacture of chairs and 
furniture. He came to Oregon in 1853, locating 
on a claim near Junction City, Lane county, 
where he died at the age of fifty-six years. His 
wife survived him until sixty-four years old, her 
death being occasioned by a most distressing ac- 
cident in a warehouse where she was caught in 
a pinion and crushed to death while in the act 
of shaking hands with a friend. 

Mrs. Hays was the oldest of the four daughters 
and three sons born to her parents. In 1857 she 
was united in marriage with Andrew J. Hays, 
who was born in Virginia, and came to Missouri 
at an early day with his father, John Hays. Mr. 
Hays crossed the plains in 1850, and for two 
years engaged in mining in California, locating 
in Lane county in 1852. In 1857 he again visited 
California, but instead of mining, followed his 
trade of gunsmith, an occupation for which there 
was great need in the frontier days of the west. 
In 1859 he returned to Oregon and located a 



1524: 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



farm of one hundred acres near Harrisburg, 
farmed there until 1873, and then went to 
Yaquina Bay for his health, and died there in 
1875. Subsequently his widow located on a 
farm near Junction City, where she engaged in 
farming until 1883, and then built the residence 
which she now occupies in the town. Mr. Hays 
was a Democrat in political affiliation, was a 
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church 
and was identified with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. Seven children were born into 
the Hays household, of whom the oldest son, 
Charles C, is living in Smithfield ; Ida is the 
wife of William Weaver, of Portland, Ore. ; 
John lives in Junction City ; George is also a resi- 
dent of this place; Delia is the wife of Elmer 
Harrington, of Lake Creek, Ore. ; Ella is the 
wife of Albert Weaver, of Vancouver, Wash. ; 
and Rice is deceased. Mr. Hays participated in 
the Mexican war as a member of Company B, 
under the command of General Walton, enlisting 
at Lexington, Mo., and serving two years. 



BENJAMIN F. KEENEY. Inseparably 
associated with the upbuilding of Lane county is 
the honorable career of Andrew J. Keeney, who, 
in addition to establishing a large farming en- 
terprise near Goshen, gave to the state of his 
adoption children who maintain his good name, 
and keep in constant mind his worthy and up- 
right life. Of these, none are more truly repre- 
sentative of northwestern force and enterprise 
than Benjamin F. Keeney, who occupies part of 
the original claim purchased by his sire, and 
where Benjamin F. was born October 14, 1865. 

Andrew J. Keeney was born in Holt county, 
Mo., and was the son of a blacksmith who had 
early settled in the middle west. Remaining on 
the home farm until his marriage with a Miss 
Mulholland his life was shortly after saddened 
by the death of his wife, to whom he was de- 
votedly attached. In time he married Mrs. 
Hannah Cooper, who bore him three sons, of 
whom James M. lives in Eugene, Ore. ; William 
D. is a resident of Caldwell, Idaho; and John B. 
lives in Olex, Ore. For a third wife Mr. Keeney 
married Mrs. Amanda J. Matthews, the follow- 
ing children being born of this union : Mrs. 
Martha E. Handsaker, of Tacoma, Wash. ; Ben- 
jamin F., of Goshen, Ore. ; Andrew A., of Mas- 
sena, N. Y. ; and Thomas P., of Hong Kong, 
China. Mr. Keeney was ambitious and far- 
sighted, and was naturally impressed with the 
favorable reports he heard of the far west, to 
which he finally decided to remove his family. 
Crossing the plains with ox-teams, he mined for 
a few months in California, coming then to Ore- 
gon, his choice of residence being Lane county, 
at that time beginning to. assert its independence 



as an agricultural and stock-raising section. Lo- 
cating on the farm, a part of which is now owned 
and occupied by his son Benjamin, he laid the 
foundation for the present splendidly appointed 
farm which has become the pride of the owner 
and the neighborhood. To his original purchase 
he added from time to time, and at the time of 
his death, during the '90s, at the age of seventy- 
five years, was the owner of six hundred acres, 
the greater part of it valuable land. He raised 
large numbers of fine stock, as well as fruit, 
grains, hops and dairy products, amassing con- 
siderable wealth as his harvests increased in ex- 
tent and variety. He was no politician, but was 
vitally interested in his church, to the mainte- 
nance of which he gave liberally, as he did also 
to all worthy local charities. His life and effort 
were such that his name became associated with 
all that was noble and of good import. 

From the district schools Benjamin Keeney 
went to Monmouth College, where his apt mind 
and powers of concentration accomplished far 
more in a given time than does the average 
student. For several terms he applied his knowl- 
edge as an educator, remaining in the meantime 
on the home farm, where he worked in the har- 
vest fields during the summer. After his mar- 
riage with Martha Cummings he went to house- 
keeping on a part of the old claim. To himself 
and wife were born two children, Hugh C. and 
Hobart S. His second marriage occurred in 
1902, with Charity A. Taliafero, a native of 
North Carolina. It were difficult to find a more 
perfectly appointed farm than that purchased 
in the early days by the elder Keeney, his son 
having added those aids to modern agriculture 
which rob the occupation of its hard and dis- 
couraging aspect, and in their place substitute 
the possibility of an easily acquired competence. 
Poultry-raising is a department of activity to 
which Mr. Keeney has devoted considerable 
study, and is one of the best authorities on poul- 
try to be found in the state. With practical re- 
sults he has raised Barred Plymouth Rocks, this 
fine breed reaching its highest excellence under 
his scientific treatment. In this connection he is 
a member and secretary of the Willamette Poul- 
try Association, with headquarters at Eugene, 
and member of the State Poultry Association. 
A stanch adherent of Republicanism, Mr. 
Keeney has been prominently identified with 
official undertakings in the county, having served 
as constable, justice of the peace, deputy sheriff, 
deputy clerk, school clerk for thirteen years, 
deputy assessor for eight years and notary pub- 
lic. He is a welcome member at numerous fra- 
ternal gatherings, including the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows, the Knights of the Macca- 
bees, and the Woodmen of the'World. Possess- 
ing marked financial and executive ability, genial- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1525 



ity of manner, and the power to transfer his 
ideas and enthusiasm to others with whom he 
is associated, Mr. Keeney is deservedly popular 
and influential, and a leader in all forward move- 
ments of his native county. 



HON. LARK BILYEU. Now a leader of 
the Lane county bar and a general practitioner 
throughout the courts of the state, the Hon. 
Lark Bilyeu has attained the success which 
marks the members of this family since their 
residence in Oregon. He was born in Miller 
county, Mo., May 24, 1852, the son of Joseph 
Bilyeu, a native of Tennessee, and the descend- 
ant of an old southern family of French-Hugue- 
not extraction. (For a more complete record of 
the life and character of the pioneer, refer to the 
life of the Hon. W. R. Bilyeu, which appears on 
another page of this work.) When Mr. Bilyeu 
was a child his parents removed to Putnam 
county, Mo., and after a short time there they 
outfitted for the trip across the plains, coming 
by horse-teams to Oregon in 1862. On their 
arrival the father first settled for a few years in 
Polk county, after which he located on a farm 
near Scio, Linn county, where Lark Bilyeu 
grew to the age of seventeen years, interspersing 
his home duties with an attendance of the public 
schools. When seventeen years old he entered 
Pacific University, devoting his time entirely to 
the classical course until his senior year, when 
he was paid the honor of being elected to the 
office of superintendent of public schools of Linn 
county. This position was ably maintained for 
one term, or a period of two } r ears, during which 
time he was pursuing the study of law under the 
instruction of Judge Strahan, of Albany. At 
the expiration of his service in office, in 1877, 
he was admitted to the bar, and began practice 
in partnership with Judge Strahan. July 3, 
1882, he established an office in Eugene and con- 
tinued practice in both offices until Mr. Strahan 
was elected judge of the supreme court, since 
which he has maintained an office alone in Eu- 
gene. 

In addition to the claims made upon Mr. Bil- 
yeu's time in the practice of his profession, he 
has found time and energy to engage in the cul- 
tivation of fruit, having put to prunes and cher- 
ries a field of thirty acres, besides which he 
owns considerable timber land and a farm in the 
vicinity. Politically he is a Democrat, and with 
his keen, earnest, thoughtful mind he has proven 
of much benefit to his party as a representative 
in the state legislature, to which he was elected 
in 1884, and re-elected in 1886 and 1896. He 
was also instrumental in the passage of the bill 
for an appropriation of $30,000 for the erection 
of a hall for the University of Oregon, besides 



exerting much helpful influence toward the bet- 
terment of local affairs. He has also served as 
chairman of the Lane county Democratic central 
committee and has been a member of the state 
committee. He is now serving as councilman. 

In Albany, Mr. Bilyeu was united in marriage 
with Margaret R. Irvine, a native of Linn 
county, and the daughter of Robert A. Irvine, 
an early settler of that county, where he en- 
gaged in farming and later served as sheriff of 
the county. One son, Coke, has blessed the 
union. In his fraternal affiliations Mr. Bilyeu 
is a member of Eugene Lodge No. 11, A. F. & 
A. M. ; Eugene Chapter No. 10, Royal Arch 
Masons, and Ivanhoe Commandery, K. T., No. 
2. He is also identified with the Knights of the 
Maccabees and the Royal Arcanum. He is a 
member of the Christian Church. 



JABEZ HICKSON AKERS. When Jabez 
Hickson Akers came to Oregon, in 1874, he 
bought half a block of ground at Junction City, 
and has since made his home in the residence 
erected thereon. Until 1897 he engaged in farm- 
ing on sixty-seven acres of land northwest of 
the city, but has since rented his land and is now 
living a comparatively retired life. Mr. Akers 
is the representative of an old New England 
family, established in New Jersey by his pater- 
nal great-grandfather, and in Pennsylvania by 
his grandfather, Uriah. His father, Jesse, was 
born in Pennsylvania, as was also his mother, 
Rachel (Hickson) Akers. On both sides of the 
family are memoirs and records of the very 
early days of the Keystone state, the Hickson 
family dating its residence there to the time 
when the settlers were obliged to build block- 
houses in which to live for protection. Timothy 
Hickson was one of the earliest emigrants, and 
his agricultural footsteps were followed by his 
descendants, many of whom to-day till the well 
worn farms of Pennsylvania. Jesse Akers 
farmed for many years in Pennsylvania, and 
took all his family excepting his son, J. H, to 
Iowa in 1865, settling in Buchanan county, but 
later returning to his native state, where he 
lived near the old home place until his death at 
the age of about fifty years. He was prominent 
in the general affairs of his neighborhood, and 
among other political offices held that of justice 
of the peace for several years. There were five 
children in his family, three of whom were sons, 
Jesse being a resident of Pennsylvania, and 
Timothy having died in Altoona in the summer 
of 1903. 

The necessity for hard work in his youth in- 
terfered somewhat with the education of Jabez 
H. Akers, yet in after years he applied himself 
to making up for early deficiency, and became a 



1526 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



well informed man. When about twenty-five 
years of age he engaged in independent farming 
in his native state, and, in 1854, located in Bu- 
chanan county, near Independence, Iowa, pur- 
chasing one hundred and sixty acres of land. 
In 1874, as heretofore stated, he came to this 
state, bringing with him his wife, whom he 
married in Pennsylvania, and who was formerly 
Beulah Wink, daughter of Jacob Wink, the lat- 
ter the owner of a two-hundred-acre farm. 
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Akers, two of whom are living : Lucinda, wife 
of William Edwards, of Drain, Ore. ; and Te- 
resa, wife of George A. Young, of Snohomish, 
Wash. Mr. Akers is a Republican in politics, 
and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He is a man of sterling characteristics, 
of sound business judgment, and above all a man 
of whom his many friends and associates speak 
in the highest possible terms. 



JUDGE CHARLES E. MOOR. Among the 
earlier members of the bench in Oregon may be 
mentioned Judge. Charles E. Moor, who in more 
recent years has served in the state legislature, 
and who almost continuously since 1866 has lived 
on his present large farm near Corvallis. For 
the first six years of his life Judge Moor lived 
in Salem, N. Y., where he was born April 13, 
1823, and where his father, John Moor, was also 
born. The elder Moor married May Davis, a na- 
tive of Vermont, and settled in the Green Moun- 
tain state when his son was six years of age. 
Here the youth grew to manhood on a farm, and 
received his education in the public schools and 
at a .neighboring academy. 

Judge Moor's career of self-support began 
with his eighteenth year, when he entered the 
woolen mills, and at the end of three years 
found employment in the cotton mills of Lowell, 
Mass. In 1851 he decided to go west and seek 
a more rapid means of promotion, so boarded a 
steamer called the Empire City at New York, 
fellow-passengers with him being Chief Justice 
Nelson and Surveyor General Preston, as well as 
other United States officers of prominence. 
From the Isthmus of Panama the travelers came 
to San Francisco on the trial trip of the Colum- 
bus, just out of the docks, and upon reaching his 
destination Mr. Moor went at once to Oregon, 
locating in Milwaukee. From there he walked 
all of the distance to Oregon City, and after 
spending a couple of months there went up the 
river to Polk county. Here he engaged in school 
teaching at Bridgeport for several years, and in 
the meantime purchased a man's right to a claim 
of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he 
lived until 1862. In 1857 he married Marjory 
J. Johnson, and continued to teach and farm in- 



termittently until elected county judge in 1862. 
During his four years of service he lived in Dal- 
las most of the time, and after finishing his term 
moved to the farm where he now lives, and 
which consists of three hundred acres, five miles 
north of Corvallis on the Southern Pacific rail- 
road. Here he has engaged in farming and 
stock-raising, and has made many fine improve- 
ments, owning one of the really fine and valuable 
properties in Benton county. 

Always a stanch Republican, Mr. Moor was 
elected to the legislature in 1891, and during his 
term of service acceptably represented his dis- 
trict, proving himself an astute and forceful up- 
holder of the best interests of those who had 
honored him with their trust. Judge Moor has 
been identified with the Odd Fellows for sixty 
years. He is a stanch advocate of higher edu- 
cation, and has given his children every advan- 
tage in his power. Arthur J., the oldest son, is 
a rancher near Sprague, eastern Washington ; 
John died while young; Hiram, deceased in 
1902, was educated at the Oregon Agricultural 
College at Corvallis, and subsequently practiced 
law at Stephenson, Wash. ; and Percis J., the 
wife of George Lindeman, living on the home 
farm. Judge Moor is one of the substantial and 
highly honored members of the community of 
Benton county, and his participation in many of 
its affairs has been a highly creditable and help- 
ful one. 



FRANK KNOWLES. Although not one of 
the earliest settlers of Lane county, Frank 
Knowles possesses many pioneer characteristics, 
not the least of which is perseverance and indus- 
try, and can adapt himself to all circumstances. 
The farm of one hundred and seventy acres 
discernible through the trees on the opposite side 
of the river from Mapleton, is a fair sample of 
agricultural excellence as developed in this part 
of the county, and the genial and successful 
owner has every reason to be proud of his 
achievements. About thirty acres of river bot- 
tom land have been cleared and are under cul- 
tivation, and besides general farming and stock- 
raising, Mr. Knowles utilizes his heavily tim- 
bered land for logging purposes, during the win- 
ter season. 

A native of the vicinity of Danborough, N. 
H., Mr. Knowles was born November 2, 1854, 
a son -of E. C. and Lucinda (Atwood) Knowles, 
with whom he removed to Hastings, Minn., when 
he was three years old. Here the father em- 
ployed his time in farming and the carpenter's 
trade, two years later removing to Rice county, 
Minn., where he remained until coming to Ore- 
gon in 1885. Frank Knowles was educated 
principally in Rice county, Minn., and with his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1527 



father learned carpentering and general farm- 
ing, developing into a strong and ragged youth. 
In 1870 he came to California, and from Novem- 
ber. 1876, until May, 1878, lived at Chico, and 
worked at the carpenter's trade. At San Fran- 
cisco he boarded the steamer Empire City and 
came to Coos Bay and from there made his way 
to the Siuslaw river, still later coming to his 
present farm which he reached June 9, 1878. 
Purchasing a squatter's right to an unsurveyed 
tract of one hundred and forty-two acres, he in 
time added to his land, and the present farm is 
the result. 

Independent in politics, Mr. Knowles has been 
a member of the school board for three years, 
and road supervisor for two years. He is a 
member and past master of the Grange. In 
January, 1878, he married, in Marysville, Cal., 
Elizabeth B. Morton, a native of Nova Scotia, 
born March 1, 1856. Of this union five chil- 
dren are living, of whom Mabel is the wife of 
Joseph S lemons and lives on a farm adjoining 
that of her father, while Rosa and Ruth are liv- 
ing: at home. 



S.WEET BROTHERS. Three young men, 
of practical, clear-cut methods and forceful 
characteristics, are left to represent the name of 
Sweet, which was that of one of the early pio- 
neers of Oregon, and for many years a resident 
of Lane county. The sons, Wallace G., Cecil 
Z. and Marion J., now own three hundred and 
twenty acres of land in the neighborhood of 
Point Terrace, Lane county, upon which they 
have put all the improvements and the intelligent 
cultivation which have placed their property in 
the front rank of land-owners in this section of 
the valley. They are now engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising, and also exert their 
energies in the fisheries during the fall of the 
year, and carry on some logging, all eager to fin- 
ish honorably and profitably the work which 
their father undertook as a pioneer. 

The father, Z. T. Sweet, is well remembered 
among the old pioneer element of the country, 
for he took part in many of the movements 
which voiced the sentiment of the citizens and 
advanced the cause of civilization in the west, 
being the first man in Lane county to raise the 
flag of the country, for which they were willing 
to undergo all the hardships and privations in- 
cident to the settlement of a new state, and he 
also raised the first flag in the state of Wash- 
ington. Mr. Sweet was born in Pittsburg, Pa., 
November 2, 181 5, and when a young man he 
started toward the western states, becoming a 
house-builder and contractor in Ohio. From 
that state he emigrated to Knox county, 111., and 
there met and married Maria Stephens, who was 



born near Montreal, Canada, September 12, 1819, 
a representative of a Scotch-Irish family, a 
member of which served in the war of 1812 and 
participated in the battle of Lundy's Lane. The 
young people remained in Illinois until 1845, 
when they outfitted for the trip across the plains, 
having three yoke of oxen and necessary sup- 
plies. They joined a train composed of one hun- 
dred wagons and set out upon the journey which 
was destined to be full of danger and hardship, 
and fraught with the perils incident to such an 
undertaking. Undertaking to shorten the jour- 
ney by Meek's cut-off, they passed through 
many perils and nearly starved to death before 
reaching their destination. They were six 
months in reaching Oregon, and only seven of 
the wagons remained together. The first winter 
in the west was spent in Oregon City and they 
continued to make that their home until the fall 
of 1848, when the father went to California and 
became interested in the future of that fair state. 
In the spring of the following year the family 
removed to the south and the father continued 
to engage in mining until the spring of 1850, 
when he returned to Portland, having met with 
gratifying success in his venture. The same 
year he located a donation claim of six hundred 
and forty acres two miles east of Eugene, Lane 
county, and engaged in the less strenuous life 
of a farmer until 1857. Disposing of his prop- 
erty he once more removed to California, pur- 
chasing a farm in Sonoma county, where he 
remained for two years, becoming a resident of 
Eugene at the expiration of that time," where he 
engaged in mercantile business. In the fall of 
1859 he returned to California, and three years 
later returned to Oregon and went to the Salmon 
river mines, his family being left in the city of 
Eugene. After five months he went to Grande 
Ronde and remained for two years. 

Upon again locating in Eugene Mr. Sweet re- 
mained until 1866, when he removed to Yaquina 
Bay, and made that the home of the family for 
a year, and then became residents of Davisville, 
Cal. In the fall of 1869 the family returned to 
Illinois on a visit, where they remained for five 
years, at the end of which time they again settled 
in their last home. In the fall of 1875 they re- 
turned to Eugene, and remained until in No- 
vember, 1878, when Mr. Sweet took up one 
hundred and sixty acres of land located five 
miles southwest of Mapleton, of this county, 
upon which his death occurred, in September, 
1892, the mother also dying here. Of the four 
sons born to them, the oldest is Wallace G., who 
was born in Knox county, 111., October 14, 1843, 
and received his education in the public schools 
of Eugene ; he remained with his parents 
throughout their life and since their death has 
made his home upon this place. The second son 



1528 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



was William, the first white child born in Sacra- 
mento, Cal. ; the third son is Cecil Z., who was 
born in Lane county, Ore., two miles east of 
Eugene, January 20, 1854, his education being 
also received in the schools of that city ; the 
youngest son was Marion J., who was born at 
Petaluma, Sonoma county, Cal., in i860, his 
education being received' through the medium 
of the schools of Illinois while his parents were 
visiting old scenes. He affiliates with the Wood- 
men, holding membership with the lodge at 
Acme. Politically they are in accord, all stanch 
adherents of the principles of the Democratic 
party, Marion J. Sweet having served as road 
supervisor in the interests of the party. 



ELI BANGS was born February 15, 185 1, in 
Hillsdale county, Mich., near the city of Hills- 
dale, where his father, Smith Bangs had settled 
as a pioneer farmer. The father subsequently 
lived in Minnesota for a few years, and then re- 
moved to Page county, Iowa, where he was en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. 
His wife was born in New York state, and died 
in the fall of 1852. She bore her husband six 
children, five of whom are living, and one of 
them, H. M. Bangs, served in the Civil war as 
member of an Iowa regiment. 

Being left motherless when but eighteen 
months of age, Eli Bangs was bound out 
to a Michigan farmer when a small boy and 
was forced to work hard, with no school ad- 
vantages. * At the age of eleven years he struck 
out for himself, going to Page county, where 
he worked on his brother's farm for three years. 
From 1865 until i868 ; he was in the employ of 
freighters on the plains, running a mule train 
from Nebraska City to Julesburg, Colo., mak- 
ing several trips each year. The Indians were 
at that time very troublesome, but he had no 
serious encounter with them, although he was 
but two days behind the massacre at O'Fallon's 
Bluff. The ensuing two years he was employed 
in breaking prairie, under contract, in Page 
county, Iowa. Going to Ottawa, Franklin 
county, Kans., in 1870, Mr. Bangs engaged in 
teaming in that locality for a few years, and 
then drove a stage from that city to Osage City, 
la. In connection with his stage route, he sub- 
sequently started a livery, and also carried on a 
large business in buying and shipping horses and 
mules to the St. Louis and Kansas City mar- 
kets. 

Disposing of his interests in Ottawa in 1884, 
Mr. Bangs located in East Portland, Ore., where, 
on May 15, 1884, he opened a livery. On Sep- 
tember 1, of that year, he moved his stock to 
Eugene, Ore., establishing his business in a small 
barn about three blocks east of his present site. 



On November 1, 1884, he purchased the barn 
at the corner of Willamette and Ninth streets, 
where he remained until 1886. Buying then one- 
fourth of the block at the corner of Ninth and 
Olive streets, he erected his present large barn, 
160x160 feet, and has since carried on a very 
extensive and lucrative business. In the busy 
season he keeps about one hundred horses, and 
employs twenty hands to assist him. His large 
feed and sale stable is without doubt the most 
commodious livery barn in the Willamette val- 
ley, if not in the state of Oregon. He is also in- 
terested- in a livery business at Cottage Grove, 
being in partnership with Scott Chrisman as 
junior member of the firm of Chrisman & 
Bangs, which in addition to its large livery busi- 
ness owns and operates a stage route from Cot- 
tage Grove to the Bohemia mines, a distance of 
forty-five miles. Mr. Bangs also owns consid- 
erable timber land, and is proprietor of Bangs 
Park, which contains eighty-four acres of land, 
lying about one-half mile from Eugene, where 
he has a five-eighths-mile track, used for racing 
and driving purposes. He is largely engaged in 
buying and selling horses, dealing in draft and 
carriage horses, shipping them to the coast mar- 
kets. 

Mrs. Bangs, whose maiden name was Irene 
Wilson, was born in Ohio. By his first mar- 
riage, Mr. Bangs had five children, namely : 
Edward, who resides in Washington ; Alphia, 
who died in Colorado ; Fred, engaged in busi- 
ness with his father ; Mrs. Addie Dullard, of Eu- 
gene ; and Abraham, in business with his father. 
Mr. Bangs is a member of Eugene Lodge No. 
11, A. F. & A. M.; of Eugene Chapter, R. A. 
M. ; of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks ; and of the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. He is active in local affairs, and has 
served one term as councilman, representing the 
second ward, being elected on the Republican 
ticket, which he stanchly supports by voice and 
vote. He is one of the leading members of the 
Eugene Driving Park Association. 



H. WESLEY SMITH. Boasting a sire 
among the pioneers of the very early days of 
Oregon, and himself a native of this state, H. 
Wesley Smith has endeavored throughout his 
life to be a worthy citizen of the state. His 
father, Henry Smith, was born during a west- 
ward journey of his parents, who were traveling 
from Virginia to Tennessee in 1818, his first 
resting place in the world being a strip of green 
grass by the roadside among the Tennessee hills, 
though his later years were spent in the more 
prosaic places of life, growing to manhood on 
his father's farm, where he gained his livelihood 
from tilling the soil. The principal part of his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1529 



young manhood was spent on a Virginia farm, 
and it was there he met and married Miss Susan 
T. Wright. In 1840 they joined an emigrant 
train bound for Oregon, and after several 
months' journey had the great misfortune to 
lose all their wagons through a fire started by the 
Indians; hut. nothing daunted, they continued 
their way on foot, the oxen being used to convey 
the stores saved from the depredations of the 
savages. With seven months of travel across the 
wide, desolate plains, Mr. Smith, his wife and 
three children found themselves in the unsettled 
land that must claim so many years of labor be- 
fore the fields would yield their harvests and the 
cities grow to consume their products. Upon 
the present site of the little town of Aumsville 
Mr. Smith took up six hundred and forty acres 
included in a donation claim, and here he spent 
the remainder of his life, his death occurring 
February 10, 1885, an event which left general 
regret in the community. As a pioneer he had 
been successful in cutting his route through the 
long distances that separated him from the goal 
of his ambitions ; as a farmer he had improved 
the claim which he had made his on his arrival 
in Oregon and had added to the original number 
of acres until they amounted to thirteen hun- 
dred at the time of his death ; as a citizen he 
thought no time spent in the service of the pub- 
lic lost, giving freely of all the blessings which 
had come into his life. He was largely instru- 
mental in the laying out of the roads through 
this section of country, and to his influence and 
intelligent interest many of the districts owe 
much in the organization of the public schools. 
As a Republican be ably represented his party 
in the state legislature in 1880. In all his actions 
Mr. Smith was actuated by motives deeper than 
mere worldly desires, his attitude toward all 
with whom he came in contact being dictated by 
principles founded upon the religion which was 
the moving spring of his life. He was a con- 
sistent member of the Christian Church, being 
active in the erection of the first church of this 
denomination in the localitv. 



F. B. BELLMAN is the representative of an 
eastern family, his father, John, having been 
born in Pennsylvania, where his grandfather was 
a farmer, and his mother, Carrie Seeley, was a 
native of Utica, N. Y. The father settled in 
Wisconsin in 1835, where he engaged as a 
farmer and followed his trade of painter, the 
home of the family remaining for many years in 
that state, where the death of both father and 
mother occurred. Of the five children born to 
them four are living, the third being F. B.. who 
was born in Washington county, Wis., Novem- 
ber 8, 1858, and was reared to manhood in his 



native state. When nine years old he was sent 
to the public schools of Oshkosh, and when four- 
teen was apprenticed to learn the trade of a brick- 
mason, where he remained for four years, then 
taking up the work in various parts of the state. 
In the fall of 1880 he came as far west as Mon- 
tana and remained there for a year, when he re- 
turned to Wisconsin and continued in the prose- 
cution of his trade there until 1885, when he 
came to Eugene and has since made this his 
home. As a mason he has built the foundations 
of a large number of buildings in Eugene, among 
the more important being the court house ; First 
National Bank ; Eugene Loan and Savings Bank ; 
the two McClung buildings ; the armory ; Ris- 
don block; Snyder block; R. M. Day building; 
the Odd Fellows Hall ; addition to Hotel Smeede ; 
Preston building ; Looney block ; Consor block ; 
Chesny block ; Titus block ; addition to the 
Chrisman building ; opera house ; Beckwith 
building ; Chambers, Wilkins, Coleman, Hod- 
sons, Marx, F. B. Dunn, Saunders, Frank, Mc- 
Clarens and Shelton buildings ; mechanical hall 
of the University of Oregon ; the county court 
house of Polk county; the Aken Bristow build- 
ing ; Kern and Veatch buildings in the grounds ; 
and in Oakland, Ore., put up the E. J. Young 
building and the Mrs. Thomas Hotel, and also 
superintended the brick work in the new addition 
to the Salem Asylum, and others too numerous 
to mention. 

The marriage of Mr. Bellman took place in 
Grand Rapids in 1883 and united him with Miss 
Nellie A. Stevens, a native of Taylor, Wis., and 
the daughter of Alonzo Stevens, an emigrant 
from the east to that state, where he engaged 
as a farmer, also serving his country as a sol- 
dier in the Third Wisconsin Regiment. His 
wife was Susan Woodhall, a native of Wiscon- 
sin, in which state her death occurred. Of the 
four children which blessed their union all are 
now living, Mrs. Bellman being the youngest. 
She is the mother of three children, namely : 
Lloyd, Frank and Lena. Mr. Bellman was made 
a Mason in Eugene Lodge No. 11 and has been 
raised to the degree of Royal Arch Mason, and 
also belongs to Ivanhoe Commandery No. 3. He 
also affiliates with the Woodmen of the World 
and is a charter member of the Commercial Club 
here. Politically he casts his ballot with the 
Republican party. 



THOMAS W. HARRIS, M. D., of Eugene, 
comes of an ancient honored and distinguished 
southern family, which for many years has num- 
bered among its members men of rare intelli- 
gence and personal worth. One of these is 
Isham G. Harris, of Tennessee, who was a 
cousin of Dr. Harris' father. Three brothers of 



1530 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



this family came originally from England. One 
of them located in Massachusetts, and two of 
them sought homes in the southern states. The 
ancestor of the one with whom we are concerned 
was his grandfather, Saul Harris, who served in 
the Revolutionary war with the rank of captain. 
In colonial days he had married a woman of 
German extraction. Their son, John Moses Har- 
ris, was born near Stanford, Ky., April i, 1803. 
With no advantages in the way of education this 
young man set out with a determination to ob- 
tain such knowledge as the study of books would 
confer upon him. He became a minister in the 
Christian Church in Indiana, and subsequently 
removed to Adams county, 111. Thence in 1865 
he crossed the plains with ox and horse-teams, 
taking his family to Linn county, Ore., where 
he continued his calling, serving as state evan- 
gelist for the Christian Church for many years. 
The death of this good man occurred near Eu- 
gene in 1882, when he was seventy-eight years 
of age. His wife was formerly Jane Wilson, a 
native of Kentucky. She was the daughter of 
Thomas Wilson, also a native of that state, who 
settled in Indiana as a pioneer farmer and died 
there. He was a descendant of Scotch-Irish an- 
cestry. Mrs. Harris was the mother of ten chil- 
dren, eight of whom came to Oregon, and six of 
whom are living. 

The third child in this family was Thomas W. 
Harris, who was born near Russellville, Putnam 
county, Ind., December 27, 1849. He resided in 
his native state until 1854, when he removed 
with his parents to Minnesota, and a year later 
to Adams county, 111., where he attended the 
public schools. When the trip across the plains 
was made he did a man's work daily, though but 
sixteen years of age at the time, driving through- 
out the journey of five months. The party 
arrived in Portland on September 11, 1865. His 
father being in complete accord with his desire 
to obtain an education, young Harris attended 
the public schools of Linn county, after which 
he took a two-years course at Albany College. 
He then spent one year at the Christian College 
at Monmouth, Ore., following this by teaching 
in the schools of Linn county for two or three 
years. In 1869 he took up the study of medi- 
cine under the instruction of Dr. Shelton of 
Salem, and in 1870 entered the Ohio Medical 
College at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was 
graduated two years later with the degree of 
doctor of medicine. After three years of prac- 
tice in Albany, he entered the medical depart- 
ment of the University of California, and in 
1875 was graduated therefrom with the degree 
of doctor of medicine. Returning to Oregon he 
again engaged in practice in Albany. In 1878 
he located in Eugene, entering into partnership 
with Dr. Shelton, with whom he remained for 



two and a half years, after which he disposed 
of his interests there and again became a resi- 
dent of Albany. April 17, 1884, again found 
him a resident of Eugene, where he bought the 
practice of Dr. Shelton, the latter retiring at 
this time. For nearly a score of years Dr. Har- 
ris has practiced continuously in Eugene, and 
he now enjoys the largest clientele in Lane 
county. 

A man of varied talents, Dr. Harris has taken 
great interest in various affairs other than those 
pertaining to his profession. For several years 
he has raised standard-bred horses, some fine 
trotters with splendid records having come from 
his barns. He still owns a few of these horses 
which he retains for his own use. He is also 
interested in timber lands, owning about three 
thousand acres. Though a strong, earnest, con- 
scientious Republican, Dr. Harris has never 
sought and seldom accepted political honors. For 
one term he served as mayor, but declined a re- 
nomination. He has been chairman of the Re- 
publican county central committee, and on three 
different occasions he has served as chairman of 
the first district congressional Republican com- 
mittee, still holding that position. He conducted 
the last campaign of Representative Thomas H. 
Tongue, one evidence of his work being an in- 
crease of four thousand votes in the majority 
of the Republican candidate. He also conducted 
the campaign of the Hon. Binger Hermann in 
1903. Vitally interested in the commercial and 
industrial life of the city, he is now acting as 
president of the Eugene City Water Company, 
which is being constantly enlarged and improved 
to meet the increasing demand. 

The marriage of Dr. Harris occurred in Polk 
county, Ore., October 24, 1872, and united him 
with Laura Cattron, a native of Yamhill county, 
Ore., and they have two children. The eldest of 
these, Lawrence Thomas Harris, a practicing at- 
torney of Eugene, was speaker of the house of 
representatives of the Oregon state legislature 
in 1903. A sketch of his life is given on another 
page of this work. The younger child is a 
daughter, Agnes. Dr. Harris is prominent in 
Masonic circles, and was made a member of this 
order in 1887. He is identified with Eugene 
Lodge No. 11, A. F. & A. M. 



GEORGE A. HOUCK. An extensive land 
owner and stockman of this section of the Wil- 
lamette valley is George A. Houck, who makes 
his home in Eugene, Lane county, his ranch 
lying in both Lane and Benton counties. He is 
much interested in the raising of Angora goats, 
having the largest herd in the state, numbering 
sixteen hundred, of an exceptionally fine breed, 
having been brought from stock of Turkish and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1531 



African blood. He is the principal breeder in 
Oregon, and has also standard bred horses, 
Shorthorn cattle and Cotswold sheep, as his in- 
terest in stock is exceptionally far-reaching and 
his desire to elevate the standard an absorbing 
one. 

The Honck family came originally from 
(Germany, the spelling of the name having been 
changed by the grandfather. The great-grand- 
father came to America and settled at Philadel- 
phia with his nine sons, of whom one became a 
settler of Ohio, his son, George W., born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., in 1831, being the father of 
the Mr. Honck of this review. He learned the 
trade of a shoemaker and gained a livelihood in 
Ohio for several years, until he was attracted, in 
1852, to the gold fields of California. He made 
the trip west by way of the Isthmus, and upon 
his arrival located at Weaverville, where he en- 
gaged in mining. In 1856 he again made the 
journey to California, this time crossing the 
mountains, and finally he located in Benton 
county, Ore., where he became the owner of a 
large stock farm. About 1870 he converted 
everything into cattle and removed to southern 
Oregon, after which he sold out and returned to 
Ohio with his family. Though the west pre- 
sented a herculean task in the clearance and cul- 
tivation of its broad fields, and the dangers and 
privations which were a part of the life of a pio- 
neer. Mr. Houck was again anxious to become 
a citizen in the new country, so the journey was 
again made. He then located in Corvallis and 
engfaeed in the livery business, and became a 
very prominent man in the upbuilding of the 
city. In the days of the construction of the Ore- 
gon Pacific Railroad he did much toward the 
furtherance of their plans and the securing of 
land. About this time he also bought large 
tracts of land in southern Benton and northern 
Lane counties, principally in the native condition, 
and this remains in the family estate to the 
present time. Mr. Houck died in Monroe. Ben- 
ton county, in 1895, when sixty-six years old. 
He served one term as county commissioner, 
during which the courthouse was erected. In 
religion he was a member of the Roman Catholic 
Church. 

Mr. Houck married Delila Young, a native of 
Missouri, and the daughter of Harvey Young, 
who was born in North Carolina. He lived in 
a number of the states of the Mississippi valley, 
after settling in Kentucky, removing to Indiana 
and later to Missouri, where he was one of the 
frontiersmen. In 1847 he started across the 
plains with his family, leaving St. Joe in May of 
that year, and not arriving on the present site 
of Portland until December 25. 1847. There 
was a very large number of ox-teams in the 
train, but it was badly managed, for so much 



time was lost that their provisions ran very low 
before their arrival, and in fact would have run 
out altogether if one of their number had not 
gone ahead and organized a rescue party which 
met them with sufficient supplies to last until 
they could reach the settlements in Oregon. 
There were only ten pounds of flour when the 
rescue party met them. Mr. Young had but one 
cow and a little wagon upon his arrival, and had 
met with the misfortune of having one of his 
children killed on the plains, being run over by 
a wagon. After locating in various parts of the 
Willamette valley Mr. Young went to eastern 
Oregon and thence to Montana, where he en- 
gaged as a farmer and stockman. His death 
occurred in that state near Bozeman, when he 
was over eighty years old. Mrs. Houck now re- 
sides in Gold Hill, Ore., the mother of six chil- 
dren, of whom three are living, namely : Jesse 
J., George A. and Ambrose, the first and last 
named being engaged as millers at. Gold Hill, in 
which business George A. is also interested. 

George A. Houck was born near Corvallis, 
Benton county, Ore., January, 1868, and was 
reared to manhood in that location. His educa- 
tion was received principally through the me- 
dium of the public schools of Corvallis, and 
when the common course was completed he was 
sent to Notre Dame University, in Indiana, in 
1883, taking up the work and graduating in 
1888, with the degree of C. E. On his return to 
his western home he took up the work of the 
various farms which constituted the property of 
his father, aiming to bring them to a higher state 
of cultivation than had hitherto been reached. 
He became the possessor of two thousand acres 
of land, then devoted principally to pasturage, 
and of this he has cleared and broken five hun- 
dred acres, the balance being in tame grass. He 
has three thousand head of stock, over half being 
Angora goats in which he has always taken a 
special interest. He has arranged his ranch into 
four different sections which necessitated the 
erection of four sets of buildings,- which has nec- 
essarily enhanced the value of his property. 
Much of the land is adapted to the cultivation 
of fruit and he intends cutting it up into smaller 
ranches at no distant period. The land extends 
two miles from Monroe, while the home ranch 
is within a mile of that city. In addition to this 
land Mr. Houck also owns eleven hundred acres 
of timber. In 1898 he removed from his ranch 
and located in Eugene, where he now makes his 
home. 

In Indiana Mr. Houck was married to Mary 
Sweeney, who was born in Fort Wayne, of that 
state, and they now have four children, named in 
order of birth as follows : Frances, Agnes, 
Edwin and James. Fraternally Mr. Houck af- 



1532 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



filiates with the Woodmen of the World. In his 
political relations he is a Democrat, and in re- 
ligion belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. 



WILLIAM KYLE. Upon his arrival here in 
1884, William Kyle started a canning industry 
known as the Florence Canning Company, which 
knew an uninterrupted era of prosperity until it 
was consumed by fire in 1901. Almost contem- 
porary with the starting of the canning factory 
was the establishment of a general merchandise 
store, in which he was joined by Mr. Myer in 
1887, since continuing the business with marked 
success. The business responsibility of the part- 
ners was increased in 1890 by the purchase of the 
steamers Lillian and Roberts, with which they 
started an ocean trade between this place and 
San Francisco. The boats proved so profitable 
that they were induced to add to their resources 
by building the schooner Bella, in 1897, and the 
boats now ply the waters with their cargoes and 
passengers. Yet another concern, the success of 
which is directly traceable to the combined ef- 
forts of these sterling business men, is the Flor- 
ence Lumber Company, inaugurated in 1899, 
with a capacity of thirty thousand feet, and of 
which Messrs. Kyle and Myer are sole owners. 
For the conduct of their business the firm own 
three thousand acres of timber and river land. 

Born in Scotland, May 22, 1858, William 
Kyle's earliest years were passed among com- 
mercial rather than agricultural surroundings, 
for his father, John Kyle, was a woolen manu- 
facturer, and followed that occupation during 
his entire active life. The father was born in 
Scotland in July, 1828, and died in London in 
1885, while his wife, Isabelle (Millree) Kyle, 
born in Scotland in 1829, died in her native land 
in 1870. William, who was the fourth of the 
nine children, boarded an English vessel called 
Glasgow, bound for the south seas and San 
Francisco. In this trip he touched at New Zea- 
land and Australia, and eventually arrived at 
San Francisco. Starting out again on another 
vessel as cabin boy, he arrived at Astoria, Ore., 
when he was fifteen years old, and for the fol- 
lowing three years interested himself in fishing 
for the people of that town, and he gradually 
worked his way in land ventures, eventually suc- 
ceeding to a position with the Seaside Packing 
Company, with which he was identified four 
years, a part of the time as general manager. 
Severing his connection with this enterprise he 
went to the Umpqua district and conducted the 
Gardiner Packing Company's plant for two 
years, then disposing of his interest and coming 
to Florence in 1884 as heretofore stated. 

Mr. Kyle has been a stanch supporter of the 
Republican party, and in more recent years has 



been active in local and state politics, attending 
county and other conventions, and filling many 
positions of trust and responsibility. Ever since 
1887 he has been postmaster of Florence, and he 
has served as councilman and school director. 
Fraternally he is one of the most popular men 
of the town, being a member of the Grand Lodge 
of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, of which he is recorder. In 
1882 Mr. Kyle married Christina Bovang, who 
was born in Sweden, and who is the mother of 
four children, William, David, Edwin and Isa- 
ella. 



WILLIAM W. NEELY. The sturdy quali- 
ties of the Neely family are a direct inheritance 
from a Scotch-Irish ancestry. The father, Ed- 
ward Neely, was born in Washington county, 
Ky., October 25, 1795, and died July 9, 1881, 
and the mother, Ruth (Miller) Neely, was born 
in Simpson county, Ky., in 1808, and died in 
May, 1890. The two were united in marriage in 
their native state and afterward went to Illinois, 
where they located near Quincy, the father en- 
gaging in the prosecution of his trade, which 
was that of cabinetmaker, and also farmed. In 
1836 they removed to Cedar county, Mo., and re- 
mained there eighteen years, when they outfitted 
for the journey across the plains, which they 
crossed in 1854, locating on a donation claim of 
three hundred and twenty acres ten miles west 
of Eugene, Lane county, along the banks of 
Coyote creek. This remained the home of the 
family until the father's death. 

Of the eleven children born to his parents, 
William W. Neely was the eighth in order of 
birth, his natal day being December 22, 1842, 
and the first scenes of his childhood being in 
Cedar county, Mo. He accompanied his parents 
to Oregon and attended the common schools of 
Lane county in pursuit of an education. When 
fifteen years old he began one of his first busi- 
ness experiences, being a trip into northern Cali- 
fornia, when he drove a herd of cattle. When 
of sufficient age he took a homestead near Hale 
and made that his home for about eight years, 
and at the close of that time he removed to Jo- 
sephine county and located a pre-emption claim 
of one hundred and eighty acres, upon which he 
remained for nine years. Returning then to 
Lane county he bought property above Mapleton 
and located along the Siuslaw river, and made 
that his home for fifteen years, when he disposed 
of that possession and located upon his present 
farm, where be has since lived. Besides farming 
he occupies his time in the fall in fishing, and 
also engages in logging. 

In Lane county, in 1870, Mr. Neely was united 
in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Fountain, who 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1533 



was born in Boone county, Mo., February 18, 
1853. and of the seven children born to them 
three are now living, namely : Thomas J., at 
home; Mary L., the wife of Ludwig Christen- 
son, of Florence, Ore. ; and Luella, the wife of 
F. C. Peil, of Monroe, Benton county. In his 
fraternal relations Mr. Neely is a Mason, hold- 
ing membership with the lodge at Florence and 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Ma- 
pleton. also being identified with the Eastern 
Star and Rebekahs. In politics he is independ- 
ent in his views, voting for the best men for of- 
ficial positions, and is serving at the present as 
road supervisor and school director. 



JAMES W. WHITE. Among the enterpris- 
ing, prosperous and popular business men of 
Lane county is James W. White, who is carry- 
ing on a substantial trade in groceries, grain and 
feed, at Eugene. Although a mere youth when 
the Civil war broke out, fired with a patriotic 
enthusiasm he enlisted, and took an active part 
in many important engagements, leaving the 
field at the close of the conflict with an excellent 
record as a soldier. He was born in Vinton, 
Iowa, July 24, 1846, a son of Gideon Blackburn 
W nite. His paternal grandfather, John White, 
was born, reared and married in Kentucky, but 
afterward removed to Edgar county, 111., where 
he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his 
death. 

A native of Kentucky, Gideon B. White re- 
moved with his parents to Illinois, thence to 
Iowa, where he settled as a farmer in Marion 
county. Subsequently settling in Chautauqua 
county, Kans., he there spent his remaining 
vears. He married Sarah Hollenbeck, who was 
born in Kentucky, but was reared in Edgar 
county, 111., where her father, J. C. Hollenbeck, 
was for many years a well known miller. Of 
the fourteen children born of their union, ten 
grew to years of maturity, and four of the sons 
served in the Civil war, namely : Lawrence, 
who served in the First Minnesota Sharpshoot- 
ers, was killed in the Seven-days' Battles ; Jona- 
than, who was a corporal in the First Iowa In- 
fantry, and is now a resident of Oklahoma; 
William, now living in Chautauqua county, 
Kans., served in the Twenty-ninth Infantrv; 
and J. W., the special subject of this sketch. 

The youngest child of the household, J. W. 
White was brought up on the home farm in 
Iowa, and obtained his education in the district 
school. In the fall of 1861, when fifteen years 
of age. he enlisted in the Thirteenth United 
States Regulars, but the recruiting officer re- 
fused to accept him without his parents' consent. 
He subsequently enlisted in the Seventeenth 
Iowa Infantry, in the camp at Keokuk, and was 



mustered in March 13, 1862, at Keokuk. He 
saw hard service both in camp and field, among 
the engagements in which he took part being the 
following : Corinth, ; Iuka ; Holly Springs ; 
Black River Bridge; Vicksburg; Champion 
Hills ; Jackson, Miss. ; Missionary Ridge ; Dal- 
las ; Resaca ; Snake Creek ; Peach Tree ; Buzzard 
Roost; Kenesaw; and Tilton. While at Hunts- 
ville, Ala., in 1864, he veteranized, and on Oc- 
tober 13, of that year, he, with his regiment, 
was captured and confined in Million prison. 
Having a sum of money secreted about his per- 
son, Mr. White succeeded in buying the liberty 
of himself and the orderly sergeant of his com- 
pany, giving $50 apiece for their parole, and re- 
turned home on a furlough. Being exchanged 
in the spring of 1865, just before the close, of 
the war, he rejoined the few survivors of his 
regiment at New Orleans. Subsequently going 
to Washington, he took part in the grand re- 
view, then proceeded to Louisville, Ky., thence 
by train to Davenport, Iowa, where, in the sum- 
mer of 1865, he was mustered out of service. 
Returning at once to the parental homestead, 
Mr. White remained there a while, and then 
began farming on his own account. Removing 
to Fredonia, Wilson county, Kans., in the spring 
of 1867, he entered one hundred and sixty acres 
of land, on which he erected a good set of build- 
ings, and commenced the improvement of a farm, 
for a number of years being one of the leading 
farmers and stock-raisers of that locality. Dis- 
posing of his Kansas property in 1892, Mr. 
White settled in Eugene, Ore., where he has 
since been extensively and profitably engaged in 
the grocery and feed business, being favorably 
located on Willamette street. 

In Wilson county, Kans., Mr. White married 
Miss Esther Ann Vaughn, a native of Kentucky. 
She died in April, 1899, in Eugene, leaving eight 
children, namely: William, of San Francisco, 
Cal. ; Mrs. May Moffitt, of Bremerton, Wash.; 
Mrs. Minnie Croner, of Eugene; and James, 
Edna, Vineta, Velma and Lawrence, living at 
home. Politically Mr. White supports the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party, and for four 
years represented the third ward in the city 
council. Fraternally he is a member of the In- 
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the 
Artisans. He is likewise a member and quar- 
termaster of the J. W. Geary Post, No. 7, G. 
A. R. He belongs to the Christian Church, of 
which he is an active member, and one of the 
deacons. 



MARK HULBURT was born in Whiteside 
county, 111.. October 18, 1847, ms parents being 
J. F. and Eliza Jane Hulburt, natives respect- 
ively of Vermont and Illinois. The father be- 



1534 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



came an early settler in the Prairie state, and 
though a miller by trade he engaged as a farmer 
there until 1853, when, with ox and cow-teams 
and the family carriage, be brought his wife and 
six children across the plains. The journey oc- 
cupied six months, and at its close they settled 
in Linn county, Ore., taking up a donation land 
claim located six miles southeast of Albany. 
Until his death, in 1872, he engaged in improv- 
ing and cultivating the broad acres, which meant 
a prosperous and pleasant home for himself and 
family. The death of his wife had occurred ten 
years earlier. They were the parents of twelve 
children, all of whom attained maturity. Named 
in order of birth they are as follows : Harriet 
Jane, now Mrs. Maple, who makes her home in 
Pendleton ; Lovina, who became Mrs. Brewer, 
and was accidentally killed by explosion in 1902 ; 
Mark, of this review ; Harlan, in the real estate 
business in Albany ; Alice M., now Mrs. Turner, 
of Pendleton ; Florence, now Mrs. Dow, of Linn 
county ; Ida, Mrs. Cullon, also of Linn county ; 
Austin and Alden, twins ; Wallace, Warren and 
Frank, the five last named being farmers in Linn 
county. 

When twenty-one years of age Mark Hulburt 
left home and put in practice the splendid train- 
ing which he had received from his father, on 
the home farm, becoming then a stock dealer, 
buying and shipping stock. In 1870 he went to 
eastern Oregon and engaged in the stock busi- 
ness in that locality, establishing a ranch on Hay 
creek, Wasco county, where he raised cattle and 
horses for ten years, shipping them to all parts 
of the country. At the end of that time he re- 
turned to the Willamette valley, and became the 
owner of the property upon which he now car- 
ries on the same business. In 1893 he removed 
to the city of Albany, from which location he 
superintends the work of his ranch. 

The marriage of Mr. Hulburt occurred in 
Linn county, Miss Sarah J. Turner becoming his 
wife. She was born in Missouri and came to 
Oregon with her parents. The one son of their 
union is Riley E., who is one of the successful 
business men of Albany, being engaged in a 
hardware establishment in that location. In his 
political convictions Mr. Hulburt casts his vote 
with the Republican party. 



OLE MYRIND was born in Trondhjem, Nor- 
way, January 18. 1857. He was the son of An- 
grim Myrind, a native of the same location, 
whose occupation throughout his life was that of 
a shoemaker. He died in his native land in 1898, 
at the age of eighty-seven years, his wife, also a 
native of Norway, having passed away in 1869, 
when fifty-one years old. 

Of the four sons and one daughter which were 



born to his parents Ole Myrind was the young- 
est in age, and his education was received in the 
common schools of his native country. When 
of a sufficient age he was apprenticed to learn 
the trade of a shoemaker, serving for three years 
before taking up the business for himself. Until 
1888 he remained in Norway, when he took pas- 
sage in a ship bound for Boston. Upon his safe 
arrival he went at once toward the farming 
lands of the country, locating first in Mitchell 
county, Kans., where he engaged as a farm hand, 
in the fall of the same year proceeding to Ne- 
braska. In the latter state he became employed 
in a rock quarry at Bennett, Lancaster county, 
where he remained until the following year, 
when he went to Colfax, Wash., and worked on 
the construction of railroads. Until February, 
1900, he continued in that work, and he then 
came to Portland, Ore., and engaged in fishing 
in the Columbia river, located at Astoria for two 
years. In 1892 he came into the Siuslaw valley 
and bought the right to eighty acres of land lo- 
cated two miles east of Mapleton, and has since 
been engaged in general farming and stock- 
raising. Meeting with success in his work he 
has added eighty acres to the original purchase 
and has now one hundred and sixty acres. He 
has made all improvements upon the farm, erect- 
ing dwelling, barns and outbuildings, etc. An- 
other source of income beyond the profits of his 
farm is his fishing 'in the Siuslaw river each fall. 
In politics Mr. Myrind adheres to the prin- 
ciples advocated in the platform of the Repub- 
lican party, and socially belongs to the Grange of 
Mapleton. 



J. B. TILLOTSON. The painstaking and 
conservative element in Mr. Tillotson's make-up 
is undoubtedly inherited from his English ances- 
tors, who were represented at a very early day 
in America. Bartlett Tillotson, the paternal 
grandfather of J. B., was born in Virginia, and 
at an early day removed with his ' family to a 
plantation near Dalton, Stokes county, N. C, 
where he farmed and worked at his trade of 
manufacturing cooper. His son, John, born near 
Lynchburg, Va., was a planter in Stokes county, 
and there married a native daughter, Parthena 
Powell King, daughter of William King, also a 
planter and a soldier in the war of 1812. 

The third oldest, and the only one on the coast 
of his father's six children, J. B. Tillotson was 
born near Dalton, Stokes county, N. C, January 
13, 1862, and lived at home until he became of 
age. He attended the public schools as oppor- 
tunity offered, and as early as twelve years of 
age began to work at carpentering under his 
uncle, becoming in time a practical and expe- 
rienced carpenter. As soon as he left home he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1535 



purchased a farm near Walnut Cove, Stokes 
county, and not only engaged in farming, but 
devoted considerable time to teaming and con- 
tracting. In 1890 he, came to Oregon and settkd 
first in Corvallis, and the first year worked at 
bridge carpentering, afterward engaging in gen- 
eral trade work in Albany. This town has been 
his headquarters ever since, although he has re- 
moved his family to Portland, a more central 
location for his constantly extending business. 
From the first bridge construction has appealed 
to his abilities as particularly congenial and sat- 
isfying, and considering the number of years 
which he has devoted to this class of engineer- 
ing, the amount of work accomplished has been 
remarkable. Among the many bridges con- 
structed by Mr. Tillotson, mention may be made 
of those which span the Santiam at Jefferson, 
and Stayton, of new bridges over the same river 
at Mill City, McDowell, the Rocky Point bridge 
across the South Santiam near Foster, the 
Waterloo bridge, rebuilt the bridge at Roseburg 
over the South Umpqua, and rebuilt the bridge 
at Sandy on the Base Line Road, and the draw- 
bridge at Skamokawa, Wash. 

The absorbing nature of the work of Mr. Til- 
lotson has never permitted him to actively par- 
ticipate in political or social undertakings to any 
extent, although he has been very active in 
church work, having for many years been a 
member of the Christian Church, and one of the 
board of deacons. He is fraternally connected 
with the Foresters of America, the Knights of 
the Maccabees and the Order of Pendo. He 
married in North Carolina, Martha J. Smith, a 
neighbor and .native daughter, and the mother of 
two children, Martha Fay and Greta Frances. 



WILLIAM C. WASHBURNE. In keeping 
with the reputation for resourcefulness and busi- 
ness sagacity established by his honored pioneer 
father, William C. Washburne, the present 
mayor of Junction City, is variously identified 
with the substantial affairs of Lane county, 
being cashier of the Farmers & Merchants' Bank 
at Junction City, secretary and treasurer of the 
Junction City Hotel Company, and owner and 
leaser of large tracts of stock-raising and timber 
land in Lane and the adjoining counties. A na- 
tive son of Lane county, he was born on the old 
donation claim near Junction City, September 
21, 1867, and is the eighth child of the large 
family of children born to Charles W. and Cath- 
erine A. (Stansbury) Washburne, grandson of 
Robert and Eva (Roy) Washburne, and great- 
grandson of Charles Washburne, the latter of 
whom was killed by the Indians near Clarks- 
burg, Virginia, during the Revolutionary war. 
The grandfather, Robert, established the family 



in Ohio about 1822, later living in Illinois and 
Des Moines county, Iowa, in which latter state 
himself and wife passed their last days. Their 
son, Charles, remained at home until their death, 
afterward engaging in farming on the home 
farm until the gold excitement swept over the 
land, in 1849. With a company of seventy he 
crossed the plains with ox-teams, and after a 
few months of mining at Coloma, Cal., and 
Georgetown, he went to San Francisco, em- 
barked on a sailing vessel, and returned to his 
home in Iowa via the Isthmus of Panama. 

After his marriage, in 185 1, Mr. Washburne 
settled down to farming in Henry county, Iowa, 
and in the meantime experienced the discontent 
which usually visited the lives of returned trav- 
elers from the west, and, in 1853, he sold his 
farm and outfitted with ox-teams and wagons, 
preparing to cross the plains to Oregon. He 
had two wagons, eight yoke of oxen and some 
loose cattle, and their journey was uneventful, 
save for the birth of their first child, Ruth Ellen, 
on the plains near Chimney Rock. One and a 
half miles southwest of Junction City Mr. Wash- 
burne located his claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres, where he built a log cabin just in 
time to shelter those dear to him from the driv- 
ing winter rains. Many of the animals with 
which he had started out survived the ordeal of 
the plains, and with these he began a stock- 
raising business, increasing the same from year 
to year, until he was one of the most extensive 
stock-raisers in Lane county. Additional lands 
were necessarily required for the accommoda- 
tion of stock and farming, and in time he had 
six hundred acres in Lane county, and large 
landed property interests in Washington. A 
large portion of these lands are still in his pos- 
session. In 1891 he purchased the mill property 
at Springfield, placed in it a complete roller 
process with a capacity of one hundred and fifty 
barrels per day, and eventually handed over the 
management of the mill to his sons, Byron and 
William. He made an addition to Junction City 
in 1891 and he was one of the organizers of the 
Junction City Hotel Company, of which he was 
president for many years. As a Republican he 
has activelv advanced the interests of his party 
in this county, and represented it in the state 
legislature in 1872. An energetic and masterful 
personality, he has greatly influenced all depart- 
ments of activity in this section, and stands to- 
dav as a representative of all that is admirable 
and progressive in northwestern citizenship. 

The pronounced good fortune of his father 
permitted of superior educational opportunities 
for his children, and William C, like the rest, 
availed himself to the utmost of his chances. 
From the public schools he went to the State 
University in 1890. taking a two-years course in 



1536 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



English, and afterward graduating from the 
Portland Business College, having taken the 
banking- and general business course. There- 
after he entered his father's Springfield mill as 
manager and bookkeeper, and in 1893 became 
identified with the local bank, known as the 
Farmers and Merchants' Bank, incorporated 
under the state laws with a capital stock of 
$35,000. This is a solid and paying institution, 
the directors being such well known men as J. 
A, Bushnell, C. W. Washburne and J. P. Milli- 
orn, with Mr. William Washburne as cashier, 
and G. F. Shipworth as assistant cashier. Mr. 
Washburne is identified with extensive stock in- 
terests in the count} 7 , and for the purpose leases 
at least eight hundred acres of land, upon which 
he has about six hundred sheep and two hundred 
head of cattle. He also owns a one hundred and 
sixty acre tract of timber land, and two hundred 
acres of farming and grazing land, besides con- 
siderable property in Junction City. As a Re- 
publican, he has taken an active interest in local 
affairs, and besides his present term as mayor, 
has served six years in the city council, filling 
also other positions of trust and responsibility. 
He is fraternally one of the best known men of 
the younger generation, being identified with 
the Masonic order (demitted), Eugene Chapter 
No. 10, Royal Arch Masons ; the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks, No. 357, of Eugene, 
and the Woodmen of the World ; Oasis Lodge 
No. 41, I. O. O. F., of Junction City, of which 
he is financial secretary. Mr. Washburne is 
popular and influential in his native county and 
state, and to an exceptional degree enjoys the 
good will and confidence of the many people 
with whom he is thrown in contact. Mr. Wash- 
burne acts as his father's business manager, 
which brings him in close relation with the busi- 
ness men of Washington and Oregon. 



CAPT. CHARLES LA FOLLETT was born 
September 21, 1829, on a farm in Putnam county, 
Ind. At the age of sixteen he left home and 
attended a writing school, thereafter teaching 
permanship during one winter. Another winter 
was devoted to the study of phrenology, and 
after that for three years he traveled around, lec- 
turing on phrenology during the summer and 
studving during the winter time. In a company 
of one hundred and forty-four well armed men 
Mr. La Follett started across the plains from 
Missouri in 1849, hi s equipment consisting of five 
voke of oxen and a two-horse wagon. He was 
made wagon-master and sergeant of the train, 
and had his hands full trying to conceal his uncle, 
Walter Henton, who was one of the party, and 
whom the Mormons sought to capture in retalia- 
tion for his having; been one of the sixteen men to 



kill Joe Smith. Provisions ran short during the 
journey, and many adventures r enlivened what 
would otherwise have been a very weary and 
monotonous march. In Oregon Mr. La Follett 
found the Indians so troublesome that he went 
to Santa Clara county, Cal., and there taught an 
early subscription school, and in 1852 he went 
with a Mr. Snelling into the Redwood timber 
district and had charge of from fifty to seventy- 
five men engaged in getting out timber. This 
proved a profitable venture, and at the end of 
eighteen months his available assets consisted 
of $20,000, $10,000 of which was lost in an onion- 
raising undertaking and the balance being lost 
on a claim in Redwood City. He reached Port- 
land in 1853. At the home of Dr. McBride, near 
North Yamhill, he got up a subscription school, 
and during the next season attended the Pacific 
University. For several years following he 
traveled through California and Oregon lecturing 
on phrenology in the summer and teaching in 
the winter, and to intensify the interests of his 
lectures invested in a picture machine, then a 
great novelty in the west. 

In 1856 Mr. La Follett married Mary A. 
Snodgrass and the following year began the 
study of law, being admitted to the bar in 1858. 
His initial practice was conducted in Dallas, 
where he became prominent in politics, and in 
1863 was elected to the legislature. During the 
session he gave substantial evidence of his be- 
lief in Prohibition by drawing up and securing 
the passage of a law prohibiting minors visiting 
saloons, a matter which lay very near to the 
heart of Mr. La Follett. He served in the legis- 
lature three terms, and during -the last term 
Governor Gibbs appointed him to a lieutenancy 
in the army, that he might raise a company in 
Linn and Benton counties for the suppression 
of the Indians. To further this good work a 
band was hired at an outlay of $50 a day, in- 
numerable meetings held at which collections 
were taken up, and at the end of the campaign 
one hundred and three men had enlisted. Lieu- 
tenant La Follett was mustered in as captain of 
Companv A, First Oregon Infantry, at Salem, 
and went with his company to Vancouver, where 
it was stationed until the following summer. He 
then went to Fort Yamhill and took possession 
of the house of Philip Sheridan, just as the dis- 
tinguished soldier took his departure. The regi- 
ment was ordered to leave in September, and the 
captain, with Lieutenant Shipley and one hun- 
dred and ten men, acted as guard to control the 
Indians. During the Snake River war this same 
band crossed the mountains to the Crooked River 
country, and there carried their provisions in 
wagons over the lava beds, and soon afterward 
built a fort to keep the Indians out of the region. 
What was known as Camp Pope, on Squaw 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1537 



creek, was the outgrowth of this expedition, and 
here they remained during the winter, and in the 
spring Captain La Follett and Superintendent 
Huntington made a treaty with the Warm 
Spring Indians, which resulted in the soldiers 
leaving camp in July, and returning to Fort 
Yamhill. The soldiers all entertained the sin- 
cerest admiration for the bravery and able leader- 
ship of their captain, and before the soldiers were 
discharged the mothers of the boys sent to San 
Francisco and got a flag to present to him, 
which emblem of appreciation was unhappily lost 
on the ship Jonathan, which sank on the wa) - to 
Portland. Another flag was later secured, and 
this remains one of the treasured possessions of 
the fearless and high-minded leader. 

Soon after the war Captain La Follett was a 
candidate for the senate but was defeated, and 
in 1870 he was appointed Indian agent of the 
Grande Ronde Agency, maintaining the position 
for four years. On account of his wife's ill 
health he moved onto a farm in the mountains 
near Grande Ronde and for fourteen years en- 
gaged successfully in general farming and stock- 
raising. He then located in Sheridan and en- 
gaged in the practice of law, and in 1888 took 
up his residence in Portland, remaining in the 
northern city until 1899. In the meantime he 
had been elected to the legislature from Yam- 
hill county. Since 1899 he has lived retired in 
Sheridan. Five children have been born into 
the La Follett family, of whom W. G. A., the 
oldest son, lives in Sheridan : C. B. is a merchant 
of this town ; Edith is the wife of H. C. Foster, 
treasurer of Yamhill county ; Ollie is the wife 
of J. Soppenfield, of the vicinity of Salem ; and 
Hettie lives in Seattle, Wash. Captain La Fol- 
lett is identified with the Donelson Post, G. A. 
R., of Sheridan, and is active in the undertakings 
of the post, at one time having served as com- 
mander. 



ARCHIE J. JOHNSON. To a greater or 
less degree a man . is measured by the success 
which he achieves in his undertakings, the circle 
of his influence widening in proportion to the 
height which he attains among his associates, his 
words carrying weight as his actions have pre- 
viously proven his ability to command respect 
and confidence. It is no discredit to the other 
sections of the Union that the great northwest 
should, so early in its infancy, have reason to 
name with pride a large percentage of its citi- 
zens as those who have risen to more than local 
prominence, whose hands have upheld the west- 
ern states through the trying period of growth 
and consequent power, for they are natives or 
sons of natives of the middle and eastern states 
which have perforce passed on some of their 



brightest and most enterprising men to aid in 
the advancement of civilization of the Pacific 
slope. Among these men none hold, or more 
merit a higher position of both local and state 
prominence, than Archie J. Johnson, the son and 
grandson of pioneers, and the representative of 
a New York family which has made its way with 
true pioneer instinct to a locality where men of 
ability and earnestness of purpose are required 
to cement the union of a then remote territory, 
and develop the possbilities which nature has so 
plentifully bestowed upon it. That these three, 
father, son and native son, have faithfully ful- 
filled their duties as citizens, a brief biographical 
resume will quickly show, and it will be inter- 
esting reading to those who have watched the 
beginning, growth and triumphal lead in the van 
of progress of this western commonwealth. 

The grandfather, Hiram Alvah Johnson, was 
born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., on February 
18, 1819, and after his emigration to the middle 
west, he remained in Illinois until 1848, when he 
crossed the plains with ox-teams, and at once 
took up a donation claim near Jefferson, Marion 
county, Ore. For twenty-eight years he made 
his home upon this farm of six hundred and 
forty acres, and in the town of Jefferson, where 
he was engaged in a general merchandise busi- 
ness, and at the close of that period he removed 
to Salem, and made his home there until his 
death, in February, 1896, at the age of seventy- 
seven years. He was a man of strong independ- 
ent ideas, and as such he influenced more or less 
the affairs of the community in which he re- 
sided. He was a Republican in politics, and for 
twelve years he served as justice of the peace in 
Salem. He was a member of the Christian 
Church, and into this work he carried the same 
traits dominant in his political and social life. 
His son, John Charles, the father of Archie J. 
Johnson, was a native of Illinois, being born on 
May 29, 1842, and he came with his father into 
the west, living upon the latter 's farm until 1869, 
when he bought property located three miles 
north of Scio, Linn county, consisting of a thou- 
sand acres. There he successfully engaged in 
farming and stock-raising until 1874, when he 
decided to venture into the commercial life of 
the city of Scio, engaging in a general mercan- 
tile business with one J. M. Brown, with whom 
he remained for one year. The firm was after- 
ward known as Johnson Brothers for four years, 
after which John C. Johnson sold out and lived 
retired for a couple of years, when he again be- 
came connected with the general merchandise 
business of the same city, his partner being Riley 
Shelton. This connection occupied another four 
years, and for a like period after that he lived 
retired, in 1889 engaging for one year with his 
son, Archie J., of this review, and then selling 



74 



1538 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



his interest in the business to Ross E. Hibler. 
He then removed to Salem, whe^e he now makes 
his home, though each summer finds him with 
his family upon his two-hundred-and-forty-acre 
farm near Stayton, Marion county. 

In 1864 John Charles Johnson married Vio- 
letta Gunsaules, a native of Indiana, who was 
born in 1846, the daughter of Manuel Gunsau- 
les, who was a native of Pennsylvania, moving 
first to Ohio and later, at the age of fifteen, to 
Illinois, and came across the plains to Oregon in 
1853, locating one and a half miles east of Jef- 
ferson, Marion county, where he died in 1878, 
at the age of sixty-four. Of the four sons and 
three daughters which blessed the union of J. C. 
Johnson and Violetta Gunsaules five children are 
now living, the second being Archie J. Johnson, 
who was born three miles northwest of Jeffer- 
son, September 18, 1867. He received a pre- 
liminary education in the common schools, and 
upon the completion of the course he entered, in 
the spring of 1885, the Portland Business Col- 
lege and made a phenomenal record in his stud- 
ies, graduating in December of the same year, in 
less time than any preceding scholar. He had 
also developed early a decided talent for busi- 
ness, at the age of fourteen years acting as clerk 
in a general merchandise establishment at Scio, 
for the ensuing year and a half continuing to 
hold the position, in connection with which he 
attended school as occasion offered. At sixteen 
years of age he took the position of bookkeeper 
and head salesman for Johnson & Shelton, and 
maintained the same creditably until 1887. He 
then became timekeeper for the Oregon Pacific 
Railway, but gave this up and re-entered for a 
short time the mercantile life in Scio, from 
which he removed to Seattle, Wash., in the 
spring of 1888, and engaged in the real estate 
business. The next year found him again a resi- 
dent of Scio, and in connection with his father, 
herein previously mentioned, he engaged in the 
general merchandise business, and later contin- 
ued with Mr. Hibler, who is now the owner of 
the store. In 1891 he sold out his interests in 
the business, and in January, 1892, he removed 
to Salem, where he lived until November of the 
same year, but seemingly not satisfied to live any 
place but in the city where he had spent his boy- 
hood days and had met with success in all his 
business dealings, he returned to Scio, and with 
T. J. Munkers purchased the controlling interest 
in the bank of Scio, and at once assumed the ac- 
tive management of it. In 1894 he bought Mr. 
Munkers' interest, and he then became president 
and conducted the business until the fall of 1900, 
his brother C. V. having assumed the cashier- 
ship with him in 1896. In 1900 he sold out and 
engaged in stock-raising, having bought four 
thousand one hundred and sixty acres of land in 



Benton and Polk counties, and began the stock 
business on extensive plans, in connection with 
his brother (C. V. Johnson) and brother-in-law 
(J. C. Simpson), making a specialty of regis- 
tered stock. They now have a fine herd of 
Shorthorn and a few choice Hereford cattle, 
along with their other grade cattle, sheep and 
goats. In partnership with Ross E. Hibler he 
is extensively engaged in buying mohair and 
wool throughout the Willamette valley, a far- 
reaching business in this state. Mr. Johnson has 
certainly made a success of his business interests 
in the city of Scio and elsewhere, and his con- 
nection with the various commercial and indus- 
trial enterprises of this city, his chief prominence 
in the latter being in the flouring mill business, 
having purchased a one-half interest in 1895 in 
the fine flouring mill located there, and disposed 
of the same in 1900, working up a large export 
business in flour during this period, and has 
been of much benefit to the business affairs 
there, and he is rightly named as one of the prin- 
cipals in the prominent work of the community. 
Mr. Johnson was married in January, 1888, to 
Miss Linnie Young, a native of Minnesota, and 
they are now the parents of the following chil- 
dren : Cleo L. ; Zeta A. ; Elmo E. ; Darrel D. 
an Orlo O., all of whom are at home. Frater- 
nally Mr. Johnson is a member of the Encamp- 
ment, subordinate and Rebekah lodges of the 
I. O. O. F., and the Modern Woodmen of 
America. He belongs to the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian Church. Even among the busy hours 
of his business life Mr. Johnson has found time 
to take an active interest in all public and polit- 
ical movements, as an ardent Republican, serv- 
ing his party in various positions of trust and 
honor. In June, 1894, he was elected to the 
state senate to represent Linn county for four 
years, carrying by a large majority a previously 
Democratic county. In this position he became 
a prominent factor in the affairs of the state, 
serving on various important committees. He 
was the promoter of the bill at the 1897 session 
to tax foreign companies when carrying on busi- 
ness in the state, but which could not be consid- 
ered on account of the failure in the organization 
of the house during the entire session. He has 
also been a member of the state central commit- 
tee, for years a member of the county central 
committee of his party and has served several 
terms as councilman of the city of Scio and as 
its mayor, was a school director for two terms, 
was chairman of the board when the Scio school 
building was erected, he being one of the pro- 
moters of the project. The chief business in- 
terest of Mr. Johnson at the present time is the 
position to which he was appointed in March 
1899, that of national bank examiner, for the 
northwest district, including the states of Ore- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1 539 



gon, Washington, Montana, and Idaho, and up 
to April I, 1902, including Wyoming. This po- 
sition he has since held with the same success 
which has characterized all his efforts, and which 
win for him the respect of all who appreciate the 
business sagacity and untiring energy of their 
fellow townsman. He is a very busy man, for 
all his time not given to his official duties is 
taken up with his large personal interests. Mr. 
Johnson is esteemed among his associates for an 
exceptionally pleasing personality and intrinsic 
worth of character, which has made him a valu- 
able citizen to all communities in which he has in 
the past resided, and especially to the town 
wherein most of his life has been passed, that of 
Scio, Linn county. In July, 1903, Mr. Johnson 
removed to Corvallis, where he has taken up his 
permanent residence, being" near his farm and 
live-stock interests and is at home in this beau- 
tiful college city on the banks of the Willamette 
river. 



CAPT. THOMAS A. STEEAR. A sea-far- 
ing life is one that has many fascinations even 
amid its dangers, and generally, when one finds 
occupation in such work the attractions far out- 
weigh the advantages of a home and the peace- 
ful pursuits on land, and it is impossible to be 
satisfied with any other employment. The ex- 
ception to the general rule is to be found in the 
person of Capt. Thomas A. Steear, who has set- 
tled down into a peaceful, contented land life 
after fourteen years' experience on the sea, sat- 
isfied to engage in agricultural pursuits for the 
remainder of his years, his home now located on 
a farm of ninety-five acres three miles southwest 
of Mapleton, Lane county. 

Captain Steear was born in Orange county, 
X. Y.. May 4, 1837, next to the youngest in age 
of the seven children born to his parents, both 
of whom were natives of New Hampshire, and 
the death of both occurring in New York state. 
The father, John Steear, being a farmer, this 
son interspersed his home duties with an attend- 
ance of the common schools of his native state 
until he had reached the age of thirteen years, 
when he left home and became a messenger boy 
aboard a merchantman, which sailed from the 
city of New York. After three years in this 
service he went into the L T nited States navy as 
a sailor on a gunner, and served in the Crimean 
war under the French government on a Umited 
States vessel chartered by the French. While in 
the United States navy he was on the Naugatuck 
and witnessed the sinking of the Cumberland 
and Congress by the Merrimack at Hampton 
Roads, which he considers the great event of his 
life. He also participated as a soldier in the 
battle of Sand Creek with the Comanche and 



Arapahoe Indians, at which battle over eight 
hundred Indians were killed. The captain has 
been steamboating on the Sinslaw river for 
about fifteen years, periodically, in connection 
with his farm and stock-raising. Various inci- 
dents came into the life of the captain as he trav- 
eled into different locations of the world in the 
capacity of a sailor, but after fourteen years in 
the service he left the sea and first located in 
Colorado, in the vicinity of Denver, engaging in 
the cattle business. This employment was con- 
tinued successfully for many years, and, in 1887, 
he came to the Siuslaw valley and bought the 
right to his farm of one hundred and thirty-five, 
acres of land, afterward becoming the owner of 
the ninety-five acres which is now his home. 

The marriage of Captain Steear occurred in 
Colorado, in 1878, and united him with Miss 
Mary A. Campbell, a native of Illinois, and of 
the children born to them John is located on the 
adjoining farm; Susan and Amadella are at 
home. As a Democrat in his political affiliations 
Captain Steear is actively interested in advanc- 
ing the principles of his party, and has served as 
school director since he first located in the valley. 
Fraternally he is a Mason and is past warden of 
the lodge in which he holds membership. 



REV. PETER BEUTGEN, B. S. T. The 
position as pastor of the Purification Church. 
Engene, belongs to the Rev. Peter Beutgen, B. 
S. T., to which he was appointed in 1901, ac- 
ceptably filling the post to the present time. He 
is one of the cultured and well read men of the 
Catholic faith in this part of the United States 
and does much to advance the cause of the re- 
ligion to which he has devoted the energies and 
talents of his life. 

The Rev. Peter Beutgen was born at Tecum- 
seh, Mich., in the neighborhood of Detroit, Oc- 
tober 7, 1864. His father, Nicholas Beutgen, 
was born on the Rhine, Germany, and he came 
to Kent county, Canada, where he was employed 
as a baker. After locating near Detroit, Mich., 
he removed to that city and continued to follow 
his trade until 1875. At that date he located in 
Portland, Ore., and after a number of years 
spent in the prosecution of his trade he became 
an assistant to the city engineer and superin- 
tendent of streets, with whom he remained ten 
years, his death occurring there in 1896. He 
married Mary McNally. a native of Ireland, and 
she died in Portland in 1902. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Beutgen were born four sons and four daugh- 
ters, the sons besides our subject being as fol- 
lows : John, a merchant of Los Angeles. Cal. : 
Nicholas, a merchant of Portland ; and Fran- 
cis, a contractor of New York City. 

When eleven years old the Rev. Peter Beutgen 



1540 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



became a resident of Portland, removing at that 
time with his parents to that city. When four- 
teen years old he entered St. Hyacinth's College 
in the city of that name in Canada, where he 
completed the classics in seven years. After a 
course of three years in another university he 
spent the ensuing three years at Mount Angel 
College, engaged in teaching and a farther con- 
tinuance of his studies. He also engaged in 
mission work in this state for some time. At 
Mount Angel he was ordained a priest in 1890, 
by Bishop Gross, who sent him to Coos Bay, 
where he organized the church, and later built 
St. Monica's at Marshfield and St. Mary's, Star 
of the Sea, at Cape Blanco, this being now the 
most westerly church in the United States, and 
both now having large congregations. The Rev. 
Peter Beutgen entered mission work extensively, 
remaining so employed for three or four years, 
when he became a student at the Catholic Uni- 
versity at Washington, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1898, with the degree of B. S. T. He 
then returned to Oregon and was first appointed 
pastor of Baker City, where he remained a year, 
during which time he traveled on horseback to 
the missions. During his pastorate of two years 
at Roseburg he kept up his interest in the mis- 
sions, and at the close of this period he received 
his present appointment, a congregation which 
was established about twelve years ago and now 
numbers three hundred. He belongs to the 
Catholic Knights of America, in which he offi- 
ciates as chaplain. 



G. W. GRIFFIN. A young man of decided 
push and energy, G. W. Griffin has already 
achieved a substantial position in the business 
circles of Eugene as manager of the Griffin 
Hardware Company, one of the leading firms of 
its kind in Lane county, and has gained in a 
marked degree the esteem and confidence of the 
community. A son of the late G. P. Griffin, he 
was born December 29, 1870, in Earlville, N. Y. 

A native of New York state, G. P. Griffin was 
first engaged in business for himself as a mer- 
chant in the town of Earlville, and was after- 
ward identified with the mercantile interests of 
Rockford, 111., and of Manchester, Iowa, while 
in the latter place being also engaged in the 
stock-raising business in Wyoming and Mon- 
tana. Going to Nevada in i860, he worked as 
a millwright, building five large quartz-mills. 
Returning to Earlville, N. Y., in 1867 he again 
engaged in business. Coming to Oregon in 
1888, he located at Eugene as a hardware mer- 
chant, and five years later, in 1893, organized the 
Griffin Hardware Company, becoming its presi- 
dent, a position that he retained until his death, 
in 1897. He was a man of good business ability, 



quick to seize advantageous opportunities, and 
was successful in his undertakings. Politically 
he was an earnest supporter of the principles 
of the Republican party. In 1859 he married 
Mary A. Spraker, who was born in New York 
state, and now resides in Eugene. Since the 
death of her husband she has succeeded him as 
president of the Griffin Hardware Company. Of 
the six children born of their union, the follow- 
ing are living : Drew, a member of the Griffin 
Hardware Company ; G. W., the special sub- 
ject of this sketch; and Lizzie, wife of R. S. 
Bryson, of Pendleton, Ore. Charles W., for- 
merly a member of the firm, was drowned in 
the Willamette river the night of July 20, 1903. 

Although born in New York state, G. W. 
Griffin was reared in Illinois and Iowa, receiv- 
ing a practical education in the public schools of 
those states. After coming with his parents to 
Eugene, he studied for a year at the University 
of Oregon, and was subsequently a clerk in his 
father's hardware store. On the incorporation 
of the Griffin Hardware Company, in January, 
1893, he was made secretary of the company, 
and since the death of his father has served as 
manager of the entire business. This firm has 
a two-story building, 29x190 feet, well stocked 
with hardware of every description, logger's 
and miner's supplies, stoves, tinware and agri- 
cultural implements and tools of all kinds, carry- 
ing a complete assortment of the various goods 
found in a first class store of its kind. The com- 
pany also owns a large implement warehouse, 
and two large storage buildings. 

Taking an active interest in promoting the wel- 
fare of Eugene, Mr. Griffin has not shirked the 
duties of public office, but served as city treas- 
urer in 1897, and from 1900 until 1902 as county 
coroner, and is now a member of the city coun- 
cil, representing the third ward. He is a stanch 
Republican in his political affiliations. He is 
prominently identified by membership with sev- 
eral of the leading organizations of the county, 
belonging to Eugene Lodge No. 11, A. F. & 
A. M.; to Eugene Chapter No. 10, R. A. M. ; 
and to the Knights of Pythias lodge, which he 
has served three times as chancellor commander, 
for the past six years being a member of the 
grand lodge. He also belongs to the Uniformed 
Rank K. of P. ; the Royal Arcanum ; and the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is 
a charter member of the Commercial Club of 
Eugene and a member of its board of trustees. 



ALEXANDER SMITH. The son of one of 
the largest land owners in the Willamette valley, 
Alexander Smith was always interested in the 
accumulation of landed property and the culti- 
vation of the soil, an occupation which he fol- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1541 



lowed up to the time of his death, being also 
largely and profitably interested in dealing in 
stock. His ancestry is traced back to the state 
of Virginia, where his grandfather, George, 
settled upon coming to this country from his 
birthplace in Ireland. Some time later he re- 
moved to Indiana, where he became a large land 
owner near South Bend. Greenberry Smith, the 
father of Alexander, was born in Virginia and 
accompanied his parents to Indiana, and on at- 
taining manhood left home, going to Clay 
county. Mo., where he engaged in fanning, giv- 
ing this up in 1845 to undertake the journey 
across the plains. His brother, Alexander, had 
joined him, and together the two started with a 
herd of cattle, a part of which they took 
through safely to Oregon whither they were 
journeying, the amount of time occupied by the 
trip being six months. In Benton county Mr. 
Smith took up a donation claim of six hundred 
and forty acres, located upon Soap creek twelve 
miles north of what is now the town of Corvallis 
though at that time there was but one house 
here. He early became a model farmer of this 
section, putting improvements upon his claim in 
the way of buildings and added cultivation. 
He also became largely interested in the 
stock business, principally in eastern Oregon, 
where he went in the year 1862, locat- 
ing in what is now Gilliam county, though 
it then formed a part of Wasco county. For fif- 
teen years he remained in this business and con- 
tinued to add to his land until he owned about 
eight thousand acres in Polk and Benton coun- 
ties though the amount aggregated over ten 
thousand at the time of his death. At one time 
he added to his profits by conducting a general 
store at his ranch, though he continued this for 
but a few years. The last of his days were spent 
in retirement in Corvallis where his death oc- 
curred in 1886, at the age of sixty-seven years. 
Fraternally he was a" member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. Only once in his life 
had Mr. Smith been enticed away from his 
chosen work, and that was for a journey in 1849 
to the mines of California, where he remained 
but eighteen months. Mr. Smith had been mar- 
ried twice, his first union being with Miss Eliza 
Hughart, a native of Missouri, and daughter of 
Joseph Hughart who came to Oregon in 1845 
locating in Benton county. She was the mother 
of one child, Alexander Smith of this review, 
her death occurring when he was but three 
months old. Mr. Smith later married for a sec- 
ond wife, Elizabeth Baker, who was born in the 
eastern part of Tennessee, the daughter of John 
Baker, a pioneer of 1846. She died in 1902 in 
Corvallis, to which city her husband had removed 
the family. She left one child, John Smith, who 



is now one of the wealthy men of Benton county 
and makes his home in Corvallis. 

Alexander Smith was born on the donation 
claim taken up by his father, December 10, 1848, 
and was reared to manhood on this farm. He 
was given the best of advantages in the educa- 
tional line, after his early education was com- 
pleted in the public schools being sent to Van- 
couver College. Following the example of his 
father he spent ten years engaged in the stock 
business in the original location selected by his 
father, after that bending his best efforts to the 
successful cultivation of his large farm which 
was located two and a half miles south of Cor- 
vallis. His death occurred in 1890, a loss to the 
community of a large-hearted, whole-souled 
man, who had ever been ready to assist all who 
called upon him in the hour of need. Politically 
Mr. Smith voted with the Democratic party. 

By his marriage June 2, 1871, with Miss Anna 
Callaway, Alexander Smith allied himself with 
not only a very prominent family of Oregon but 
one which traces its ancestry on the maternal side 
to the nobility of England. Her father, Hon. 
William Richard Callaway, was born in Tennes- 
see, the son of William, one of the pioneers of 
Missouri, and a large land owner in Scotland 
county of that state. Tiring of farming, the son, 
William R., went to Fillmore, Andrew county, 
where he engaged for some time in a mercantile 
business, later, however, returning to the old farm 
in Scotland county. In 1865 he decided to make a 
change of home, not from necessity, but from 
the desire to give his strength and energy to 
the upbuilding of a commonwealth beyond the 
Rockies. The trip was made across the plains, 
in company with a large party all well armed and 
well equipped, the wagons drawn by horses. Mr. 
Callaway had four wagons, two teams allowed 
for each, besides quite a number of loose horses. 
After a six-months trip the party arrived at 
their destination, Mr. Callaway locating first in 
Linn county, but soon removed to Benton county, 
purchasing property advantageously located on 
Soap creek, where he built a house and other 
improvements and engaged extensively in gen- 
eral farming. Adding to his property from time 
to time he finally owned over one thousand 
acres, the station Callaway, on the Southern 
Pacific railroad, being upon this land. Mr. Calla- 
way's last year was spent in Corvallis whither he 
had removed, intending to pass the remaining 
years of his life in retirement. His death oc- 
curred in 1895, at the age of seventy-two years. 
He had always been a very prominent man in 
this section of the country through the influence 
of the many good qualities which distinguished 
him, and as the choice of the people he was an 
able representative in the state legislature for 
one term. In his fraternal associations he affili- 



1542 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ated with the Masons. Mr. Callaway married 
Miss Abigail Cecil, who was born in Tennessee, 
a descendant of Lord Cecil of England, her im- 
mediate ancestor being Samuel Cecil, whose 
birth occurred in Tennessee, his home on attain- 
ing manhood being in Kentucky and Missouri 
until 1864, when he came to California. After a 
year spent in that location he came to Oregon, 
remaining, however, but a short time before re- 
turning to California and engaging in farming 
until his death in Yolo county. Mrs. Callaway 
died before the removal to Corvallis. On 
the death of her husband, Mrs. Smith removed 
to Corvallis, where she now makes her home, a 
welcome addition to the cultured society of this 
city. She owns three hundred acres of the old 
homestead upon which she was reared, in addi- 
tion to much other property left in her charge 
at the death of her husband. She is the mother 
of two children, of whom Eliza is now the wife 
of J. W. Hayes, a farmer of Benton county, liv- 
ing in Corvallis, and Clarence, who makes his 
home with his mother. 



JAMES F. ROBINSON. As the manager 
of the Lane County Electric Company, James 
F. Robinson is establishing for himself an en- 
viable reputation in regard to his executive 
ability and mechanical knowledge, after a very 
successful career in various other lines in the 
city. Previous to the organization of this com- 
pany, in which Mr. Robinson acted as one of the 
principals, he served in the same capacity in the 
one established in 1890 and which was known 
as the Eugene Electric Company. He then super- 
intended the construction of the plant and after- 
wards rebuilt it, and the company is now putting 
up a fine plant in Springfield, which has a capac- 
ity of six hundred horse power, the engines to 
supply both Springfield and Eugene with power 
and light. Since the organization Mr. Robinson 
has served as a director. 

Mr. Robinson was born in Henry county, Iowa, 
near Mt. Pleasant, December 2, 1846, the young- 
est of the three children born into the family of 
his parents and the only one who attained ma- 
turity. His father was James Robinson, a native 
of Ross county, Ohio, the grandfather being 
Josiah Robinson. The latter was born in Vir- 
ginia and became a settler in Ross county on 
the north fork of the Scioto river, where he en- 
gaged as a farmer until his death. Religiously 
he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
The father also became a farmer in Ohio and 
later removed to Iowa, where his death occurred 
in October, 1846. His wife was formerly Cather- 
ine Macauley, born in New York state, the daugh- 
ter of James Macauley, who came from Inver- 
ness, Scotland, and became a resident of New 



York and later settled in Ohio and from there 
removed to Iowa. In 1849 ne crossed the plains 
to California, enduring safely all the hardships 
and dangers of the trip only to experience death 
in a mine in an Illinois town. Mrs. Robinson 
married a second time, a man named Bradford, 
and later she died in Macon county, Mo. 

On the farm in Iowa Mr. Robinson attained 
the age of eleven years, when his mother removed 
to Macon county, Mo., where he received a pre- 
liminary education in the public schools, after 
which he returned to Ohio, and attended Bryan 
Academy in Chillicothe. Later he was graduated 
from South Salem Academy, after which he re- 
turned to his home in Missouri, and remained 
until after the close of the war, when he again 
went to Chillicothe and worked on his grand- 
father's farm for two years. On locating once 
more in Macon county he engaged as clerk in 
a hardware store. In 1872 he crossed the con- 
tinent and coming by way of San Francisco lo- 
cated in Eugene, Lane county, Ore., which has 
since been his home. On his arrival here Mr. 
Robinson first entered the hardware business, 
establishing the first hardware store south of 
Albany and successfully conducted it until 1888, 
under the firm name of Robinson & Church. At 
that date they sold out and dissolved partnership. 
Mr. Robinson then became interested in the or- 
ganization of the water works here, superintend- 
ing the construction, and when finished he be- 
came superintendent of the company, in which 
he was a director. This employment continued 
for two years, when he resigned to accept his 
present position in which he has won much com- 
mendation for his excellent management. 

The first marriage of Mr. Robinson occurred 
in Macon county, Mo., Miss Jennie Hughes, of 
Wisconsin, becoming his wife. She died in San 
Francisco, leaving one daughter, Stella, who is a 
graduate of University of Oregon. His second 
marriage united him with Nannie Hughes, also 
of Wisconsin, the ceremony being performed in 
Eugene, and they are the parents of two children, 
Ralph D. and Emma Helene. In his fraternal 
relations Mr. Robinson is one of the prominent 
men of the state, having filled the most impor- 
tant offices of Masonry. He was made a member 
of this order in Macon Lodge No. 106, and now 
belongs to Eugene Lodge No. 1 1, A. F. & A. 
M., in which he is past master. He entered the 
Grand Lodge as an officer and worked up to the 
grand master of Grand Lodge of Oregon, in 
which he served one term, and in 1898 he was 
elected grand secretary of grand lodge and has 
been re-elected each year. He was made a Royal 
Arch Mason in Macon county and is now a 
member of Eugene Chapter, No. 10, R. A. M. 
He served as high priest, and was grand high 
priest of the Grand Chapter of Oregon two terms 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1543 



in succession, and since 1896 he has acted as 
grand secretary of the Grand Chapter of Oregon. 
1 le was raised to Knights Templar degree in 
Emanuel Commandery No. 7, of Macon, Mo., 
and is now a member of Ivanhoe Commandery 
No. 2, in which he is past eminent commander. 
Mr. Robinson organized the first commandery 
in Oregon, that being Oregon Commandery No. 
1 in Portland, and there acted as eminent com- 
mander for two terms, and also organized the 
Grand Commandery of Oregon, acting as the 
first grand commander. He is at the present 
time grand recorder of the Grand Commandery 
of Oregon, having held the post since 1895, and 
is a member of Oregon Consistory No. 1, Al 
Kader Temple, N. M. S., and is grand recorder 
of the order of High Priesthood. In his polit- 
ical principles Mr. Robinson is a stanch Repub- 
lican and has served his party in various ways. 
His wife is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. 



HON. JOSEPH DE WITT MATLOCK. A 
pioneer whose life has been marked by the course 
of events in the great Northwest, whose shrewd 
business instinct and quick decision have enabled 
him to see and profit by the opportunities which 
have been the foundation of statehood, is the 
Hon. J. D. Matlock, now a resident of Eugene, 
Lane county, Ore., where he lives retired from 
the duties which have so long engrossed his at- 
tention. He has been greatly interested in the 
growth of this city, both commercially and politi- 
cally, but his energies have not been expended 
here alone, as for some time he carried on a 
profitable mercantile enterprise in Alaskan fields, 
having but recently returned from the north. A 
brief reading of his life will be interesting for 
those who have experienced pioneer life in this 
section of the country, and also for those who 
have watched the growth of this western com- 
monwealth. 

Joseph De Witt Matlock was born in Benton 
county.. Tenn., March 8, 1839, the son of Edward 
Lane Matlock, a farmer in that locality, who 
emigrated from his native state of Georgia. In 
the fall of 1839 the father removed to Dade 
county, Mo., where he served one term as county 
judge, and continued in his occupation of farm- 
ing, until his emigration to Oregon in 1853, 
where he settled near Goshen, Lane county, on a 
donation claim of two hundred and ninety-six 
acres, to the improvement and cultivation of 
which he devoted the years until 1862. In the 
last-named year he went to the Florence mines, 
and the following year to the Boise Basin mines, 
in the latter becoming ill of lung fever and dying 
July 1. 1863, at the age of forty-six years, having 
been born April 18, 1817. He had faithfully 



served as wagonmaster in the Rogue River In- 
dian war, in 1855-56. His wife was formerly 
Susan C. Fry, a native of North Carolina, born 
December 3, 181 5, and died at Heppner, Ore., 
May 11, 1896. She was the mother of seven 
sons and one daughter, named in order of birth, 
as follows : Caswell John, a rancher in Morrow 
county, Ore., who served in the Rogue River 
Indian war ; J. D., of this review ; James W., ex- 
sheriff of Morrow county, now residing in 
Heppner ; Edward Lane, who died in Heppner 
while sheriff of the county; Wm. F., a capitalist 
of Pendleton, Ore., who served as state senator 
two terms and as major general of the Oregon 
National Guards ; Thomas J., a rancher in Hepp- 
ner; Benjamin F., who died in Morrow county; 
and Sarah, who married Lee Greenwood and 
died in Eugene, Ore. 

The education of J. D. Matlock was received 
in Dade county, Mo., but was rather limited, 
though his father, as one of the most public-spir- 
ited men of that community, had borne one-half 
of the expense of the school in their district. He 
was fourteen years old when the journey was 
made across the plains, the little company start- 
ing in April, 1853, with ox-teams and quite a 
large number of loose cattle, which this lad was 
compelled to drive, walking the entire distance. 
His father had, besides, six or seven wagons. 
With no unusual occurrence the party followed 
the old Oregon trail until they reached Fort 
Boise, and from there they followed Meek's cut- 
off, which led along the Malheur river to the big 
lakes, two weeks being consumed in coming 
around them, and also crossed the desert, where 
their supply of water was exhausted. They then 
crossed the Des Chutes river and came in on 
what is now the Military road, crossing the Wil- 
lamette river nineteen different times before they 
arrived at Butte Disappointment, October 26, 
1853. Mr. Matlock, as a boy, went upon his 
father's farm and there remained for several 
years. His desultory education was finished here, 
first with an attendance at the common school 
at Goshen, the Eugene high school, and he then 
entered Columbia College, which was burned, 
and he then entered the Cornelius high school, 
where he completed his education. In 1862 he 
went to the Florence mines, where he met with 
fair success, after which he returned to Lane 
county. There he was married, in the fall of 
1862, to Elizabeth E. Rutledge, who was born 
November 9. 1844, in Illinois, and who came to 
Oregon in 1853. Mr. Matlock then located on a 
farm seven miles southeast of Eugene, where 
he bought one hundred and sixty acres, upon 
which he farmed until his wife died in 1864. He 
then commenced teaching school, which occupa- 
tion was continued for two years, during which 
time he was elected county superintendent of 



154:4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



public instruction, holding this position for one 
term. He then engaged in pork-packing and the 
general merchandise business in Pleasant Hill, 
Lane county, in which he remained for about 
twenty months, after which he again located on a 
farm, selecting eight hundred and fifty acres in 
the vicinity of Pleasant Hill, where he engaged 
in farming and stock-raising for fifteen years. 
He met with a most pleasing success in this work, 
and at the close of the fifteen years he had ac- 
cumulated a comfortable competency, where- 
upon he sold his property and removed to Eu- 
gene, becoming the owner of the merchandise 
stock of T. G. Hendricks in 1884-. Two years 
later he erected on the corner of Willamette and 
Eighth streets a handsome three-story building, 
to which his constantly increasing business was 
removed, and he here carried on the work until 
1896, when he sold out and prepared to go to 
Alaska. January, 1898, found him en route for 
the north, going first to Skagway and then en- 
gaging in business at Lake Bennett, British 
Columbia, where he continued successfully for 
two years. He then sold out and prepared to 
move his stock to Dawson, taking it down the 
Yukon river on flat-boats. While en route he 
lost about $2,000 through the sinking of a boat 
during a storm, for, though he succeeded in rais- 
ing it, the stock was almost worthless. In Daw- 
son he once more opened up a general merchan- 
dise business, but remained only eighteen months, 
when he closed out the stock and returned to 
Eugene coming down the Yukon river to St. 
Michaels, thence to Nome. Mr. Matlock now 
owns five hundred acres located five miles from 
Eugene, which is devoted to the raising of stock, 
this land now being rented. For many years he 
was interested in the Eugene Lumber Company, 
acting as director for the company, and has but 
recently disposed of his interest in the business. 

Notwithstanding his engrossing business in- 
terests, Mr. Matlock has always taken an active 
part in public affairs, being broad-minded and 
earnest in his efforts for the best interests of the 
community. In 1874 he was elected to the state 
legislature on the Democratic ticket, of which 
party he is an adherent. For one term he was 
mayor of Eugene, and was councilman for a 
period of ten years, now holding that office as a 
representative of South Eugene, from the Second 
ward. He is also chairman of the street com- 
missioners and a member of the health commis- 
sion. He is chairman of the Lane county Demo- 
cratic central committee and a member of the 
First Congressional District Democratic com- 
mittee. 

The second marriage of Mr. Matlock united 
him with Louisa Rutledge, who was born April 
1, 1852, in Illinois, and is a half-sister of his 
first wife. Her death occurred in Eugene, July 



17, 1891, after which he married Mrs. Sarah 
Durant, the widow of William Durant. She was 
born in Indiana, August 15, 1843, and came to 
Oregon in 1874. Her father was Samuel Lowe, 
a native of Ireland, who came to a farm near 
Omaha, Neb., and when retired made his home 
near that city until his death. The first husband 
of Mrs. Matlock was a merchant in Eugene, who 
died in 1887. Of the six children born of their 
union five are now deceased, one daughter, Jen- 
nie, who married Robert M. Pratt, living in Eu- 
gene. Mr. Matlock is the father of twelve chil- 
dren : Elizabeth C. is the wife of S. C. Smith, 
of Eugene ; Edis De Witt and Caswell C. are 
merchants in Eugene; Lulu S. died in Eugene; 
Louisa C. is the wife of George Randebusch, of 
Los Angeles, Cal. ; Bertha M. is the wife of E. 
E. Emmons, of Dawson, British Columbia ; Mary 
M. died in Eugene; Joseph Fry is attending the 
Naval Training School; Frankie and William 
are deceased; Eugene is at home; and Hazel is 
deceased. In his fraternal relations Mr. Matlock 
was made a Mason in Eugene Lodge No. 11, 
A. F. & A. M., and is also a member of Eugene 
Chapter No. 10, R. A. M. ; Ivanhoe Commandery 
No. 2, K. T., and the Consistory No. 1, having 
taken the thirty-second degree; and Al Kader 
Temple, N. M. S. He was made a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Eu- 
gene, in which he is past noble grand, and also 
belongs to the Encampment. He is a member of 
the Christian Church. 



HUGH M. FINLEY. The fruit-raising pos- 
sibilities of Benton county, and more especially 
of the region around Bruce, have tempted many 
to engage in this always interesting occupation 
to the credit of themselves and of the whole 
neighborhood. Among these may be mentioned 
Hugh M. Finley, owner of a farm of two hun- 
dred acres on the Willamette river, and about 
six miles northeast of Monroe. The majority 
of the improvements on this paying property are 
traceable to the enterprise and progressiveness 
of the present owner, who has lived here since 
1876 and is an integral part of the prosperous 
community. , He is one of the largest fruit grow- 
ers in the vicinity, having a prune orchard alone 
which is thirty-five acres in extent. Besides this 
he has a grain warehouse capable of storing his 
own and his neighbors' commodities. 

Born in Saline county, Mo., January 27, 1847, 
Mr. Finley is a son of James W. and Margaret 
(Campbell) Finley, natives respectively of Ken- 
tucky and North Carolina, and the former born 
in 1820. At a very early date James W. Finley 
moved with his parents from Kentucky to Mis- 
souri, where he married, and lived on a farm 
until 1852. In the meantime seven children had 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1545 



been born into his family, of whom William A. 
is now a resident of California ; Newton also 
lives in California ; Sarah Emery is a resident of 
California; J. P. lives in Portland; Anna Em- 
bree lives in Polk county, Ore. ; James B. is in 
Nevada; and Hugh M. is the subject of this ar- 
ticle. With his seven children and wife Mr. 
Finley crossed the plains in 1852 with ox and 
mule teams, the journey consuming about six 
months. Coming direct to California, he took up 
a claim in Santa Clara county, and soon after- 
ward the mother died. Mr. Finley subsequently 
married again, and lived to be fifty-six years old. 
At the age of twenty Hugh M. Finley came 
from California and located in Corvallis, where 
he supplemented his common school education 
by further training at the Oregon Agricultural 
College, from which he was duly graduated. 
Thereafter he engaged in educational work, and, 
in 1872, married Emma Canthorn, a native of 
Missouri. For five years Mr. Finley was en- 
gaged in teaching. In 1876 he bought his pres- 
ent farm of two hundred acres on the Willam- 
ette river, where he has reared his four children, 
of whom Ross C. is in Portland, Edna and Ada 
are in Corvallis, and Percy is at home. Mr. 
Finley is a Democrat in politics, and is frater- 
nally associated with the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. He is popular and well liked 
and is one of the cultured, broad-minded and 
very successful men of his neighborhood. 



HON. LINDSAY APPLEGATE. Few pio- 
neers of history who participated in the multi- 
tudes of disasters and hardships attending those 
emigrating to a new, unsettled country have had 
more thrilling experiences than those of Lindsay 
Applegate, who, with his brother Charles and 
Jesse Applegate, stand so conspicuously in the 
early history of Oregon. 

Lindsay Applegate was born September 18, 
1808, in Henry county, Ky., and lived in his na- 
tive state until 1820, when the family removed 
to St. Louis county, Mo. There the educational 
advantages were yet in very poor condition and 
the education he received until his fifteenth vear 
was by no means complete. With some young 
comrades he enlisted under General Ashley of 
St. Louis, in a trapping expedition over the 
Rocky mountains. This expedition was divided ; 
one division taking a train of pack mules was to 
travel overland and the other, of which Lindsay 
Applegate was a member, with heavy baggage 
started to ascend the Missouri river. When the 
river party had reached Pawneetown, they were 
attacked by the Indians, defeated, and sought 
refuge at Conned Bluffs. At this place young 
Applegate and several others were taken ill, which 
necessitated their return to St. Louis. From 



there he returned to his home, but his restless 
spirit longed for a more adventuresome life than 
was there afforded him, and he followed trading 
on the Mississippi river. After awhile, he dis- 
continued this to work in the newly discovered 
lead mines of Galena, 111., and later served as 
volunteer in the Black Hawk war under General 
Whitesides. 

In 1 83 1, Mr. Applegate was joined in mar- 
riage with Elizabeth Miller in Cole county, Mo. ; 
not long afterward he removed to southwestern 
Missouri, where he erected the first saw-mill 
built in that section of the state. In company 
with his wife and brothers and a small company 
of emigrants he crossed the plains to Oregon 
in 1843 an d soon became known as one of the 
pioneer settlers of Polk county. In 1844 he 
served as a member of the First Volunteer Com- 
pany organized to protect the new settlements 
from the Indians. In 1846 he was one of the 
fifteen who discovered the south road from the 
Willamette valley to Fort Hall. Two years later 
he made a trip by land to the newly discovered 
mines of 'California, but the same year returned 
by water. He raised a company of soldiers in 
1850 and went in pursuit of the deserting regu- 
lars from Oregon City and captured them. The 
same year he went south to the Umpqua river, 
there to serve as special Indian agent under Gen- 
eral Palmer. Lindsay Applegate also raised a 
detachment of Mounted Oregon Volunteers and 
was soon mustered into the United States service 
in the war against the Rogue River Indians. 
August 22, 1853, the y marched from Winchester 
to Fort Alden, near Table Rock, then the head- 
quarters of Governor Lane, and served until Sep- 
tember 7, 1853, when Mr. Applegate was made 
captain of the company. When the treaty be- 
tween the Indians and Governor Lane was signed 
at Table Rock, Captain Applegate was also 
present. 

In 1859, he took possession of the Toll House 
in the Siskiyou mountains, Jackson county, and 
there attended to the toll road from that place to 
the California state line, which was then on his 
land. Two years later, as captain of the Rogue 
river volunteers, he traveled east of the Siskiyou 
mountains, protecting the emigrants into Oregon 
from the Indians. In 1864 he served as in- 
terpreter at the Klamath-Modoc treaty and in the 
ensuing year was appointed sub-agent, serving 
at Klamath until 1869, when a military agent 
took the place and he was removed. As a proof 
of Captain Applegate's honesty while acting as 
Indian agent we quote from his final discharge 
and settlement : ' Your account for disburse- 
ments in the Indian services from January 1, 
1868, till January 1, 1869, has been adjusted and 
a balance found due you of $42.01, differing that 
amount from your last account as explained in 



1546 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the accompanying settlement. (Signed) E. B. 
French, Auditor." 

There are those who believe that had Lindsay 
Applegate remained in charge of the Lake In- 
dians all would have gone well, and that one 
bloody drama of the Modoc war would never 
have been played. Mr. Applegate represented 
Jackson county in the Oregon legislature in 1862 
and acted under Superintendent Rector as spe- 
cial Indian agent for southern Oregon. He died 
at his old home in Ashland, Jackson county, Ore., 
one of those restless strong spirits which help 
hew out the way for civilization in the wilder- 
ness, and who are nevertheless willing to aid 
liberally in promoting the refining influences of 
an adA^ancing people. 

Among his children were three of special men- 
tion, as follows : Lucien B. Applegate, who was 
surveyor general of Oregon and Indian agent at 
Klamath Falls ; Capt. Ivan Applegate, who 
served in the Modoc Indian war, and Capt. Oliver 
C. Applegate, who is now Indian agent at Kla- 
math Falls and also served in the Modoc war. 



HENRY SHEAK. The position which 
Henry Sheak has occupied in the professional 
line in Oregon has been one of no little im- 
portance, for many students have gone from his 
instruction into the business world either to add 
to its prestige by a life in keeping with their 
work or to a failure which would reflect upon 
their preceptor. That success has attended Mr. 
Sheak is attested by the many who have profited 
by his capable instruction in their own successes, 
strong commendations from the citizens of all 
communities where he has made his home being 
the tribute paid to his qualifications and special 
fitness for the work which has engrossed his at- 
tention for so many years. 

To the citizens of the Willamette valley Mr. 
Sheak needs no introduction, for he is well and 
favorably known. He was born near Canal Ful- 
ton, Ohio, June 19, 1843. His great-grand- 
parents were Hollanders and immigrated to this 
country with an infant son, christened Christian, 
and settled in Connecticut, but both parents died 
when Christian was so young that he never 
learned the German language. Christian Sheak 
grew up and married Mary Kirkham, a Yankee 
girl of English ancestry. The issue was three 
children, Mary, Ezekiel and Almira. They re- 
moved to Troy, N. Y., where Ezekiel, the 
grandfather of Henry Sheak, grew up, attended 
the public schools, working on the farm, clerk- 
ing in a grocen r , learning the harnessmaking 
trade and that of shoemaking, teaching school, 
becoming captain of a battery in the state militia 
and at thirty-nine marrying Olive Young, a 
young widow with two boys, George and Hamil- 



ton. James Devoe, her grandfather, came to 
this country with LaFayette and she attended a 
reception given LaFayette on his last visit to 
this country. Mrs. Sheak's mother's maiden 
name was Irene Root, and her people came from 
England in early colonial times, many of her 
relatives participating in the Revolutionary war. 

The marriage of Ezekiel Sheak occurred 
about 1835 at the home of the bride's parents 
at Saratoga Springs, N. Y. On October 28, 
1837, tne fi rs t child was born and named James. 
The following year Mr. Sheak with his father's 
family and one step-son, Hamilton, removed to 
Canal Fulton, Ohio, and purchased a tract of 
timber land near there, and the work of carving 
out a home on the frontier commenced. The 
parents were aged and feeble, but Ezekiel was 
in his prime, athletic, six feet and one inch in 
stature and weighed one hundred and ninety 
pounds. Log houses were built and the heavy 
forests were rapidly converted into orchards and 
into fields of grain. Here three more sons were 
born to Ezekiel Sheak and wife, John, Henry 
and Charles. 

In 1846 the parents both died and Ezekiel 
gave all of his share of the estate, which had 
been held in common, to his maiden sister, Al- 
mira, and moved on a farm near Massillon, 
Ohio. Here he provided a good home for his 
family and educated his children in the public 
schools, until 1855, when he was taken down 
with lung fever and soon died. A series of mis- 
fortunes had left the family destitute, and the 
mother, paralyzed with grief, was left in a piti- 
able condition. Henry, at the tender age of 
eleven, with tearful eyes and a heavy heart, 
turned from all the endearments of home and 
found a home among strangers. The family with 
whom he found a refuge was Dutch, and Henry 
soon learned to talk the language. They clad him 
with a suit of clothes of a boy much larger than 
he, who had died, and his uncouth appearance 
was very mortifying to him, but his extreme 
timidity kept him from revealing his embarrass- 
ment. In early springtime his feet were wet for 
weeks at a time, and many times he found his 
stockings frozen in the morning, and he had a 
hard time to get them on, to say nothing about 
his discomfort after they were on. Here a good 
part of two years was spent. Meanwhile the 
mother and two older brothers had bought eight 
acres of land and put up a house, and Henry 
returned home to work in summer and attend 
school in winter. His ambition was to get an 
education, and his mother had promised to let 
him attend the high school of Massillon as soon 
as the place was paid for. About the time this 
was accomplished Henry was greatly agitated 
over the news and pictures in Harper's Weekly, 
of the preparations the south was making for 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1547 



war. When the news came that Sumter had 
been fired upon he was so excited that for two 
nights he could not sleep at all, and he made his 
bed on the floor and practiced the most abste- 
mious habits of living in order to inure himself 
to the hardships of soldier life. On April 21, 
i860, when he was but seventeen years of age, he 
enlisted, but was disappointed by not being called 
into the field. Nearly all of his neighbors were 
in sympathy with the south, so he bought a 
soldier cap and wore it to show which cause he 
espoused. In September of the same year both 
he and his brother James enlisted in the Nine- 
teenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went to the 
camp of rendezvous at Alliance, Ohio. The 
regiment was soon sent into Kentucky and the 
winter campaign was very severe, what with 
marching through rain, sleet and mud, living on 
mush made of unsifted corn meal without salt, 
half burned and half uncooked, carrying that in 
the haversack and eating it cold, but straight for 
dinner, often having to wring out the wet blan- 
kets after the night's rest and carry the enor- 
mous load of wet blankets and wet clothes all 
day, trudging through the slush all day and 
crawl under wet blankets at night and lie in mud 
and water. After several weeks of this expe- 
rience Henry was picked up in a fence corner 
one day and taken in an ambulance to an ex- 
temporized hospital and laid on the bare floor, 
where he lay half unconscious for two days, 
when his case was diagnosed and he placed on 
a mat of straw and given something to eat. 
After several weeks he was able to walk, and 
wanted to go to his regiment, but being refused, 
he and a comrade who had lost his speech ran 
away from the hospital and for several weeks 
marched alone through the storms of winter, de- 
pending upon the mercy of guerillas for their 
lives and the hospitality of the people for food 
and shelter, when they finally reached Bowling 
Green, Ky., and took the cars and met their 
regiment at Nashville and were soon en route 
for Shiloh. After this severe battle the Corinth 
campaign commenced, and after that city was 
evacuated the army marched through northern 
Mississippi and Alabama to Battle-Creek. Tenn. 
Here the army camped, and for two weeks lived 
on fresh pork, foraged without permission, and 
cooked and eaten without salt or crackers or 
any condiment whatever. Then Mr. Sheak was 
taken down with chronic diarrhea and taken to 
the hospital at Nashville, and only recovered in 
time to return to his regiment just before the 
battle of Stone River. After this sanguinary 
battle Mr. Sheak was on the top of a train which 
ran off the track, and he was thrown down an 
embankment of about thirty feet and was in- 
jured internally, on account of which he was 
sent to Nashville, and from there to Louisville 



and thence to Camp Dennison, and recovered in 
time to return to his regiment just before the 
battle of Chickamauga. After this disastrous 
conflict the army was shut up and besieged at 
Chattanooga and the army became so famished 
that Mr. Sheak said he often was tempted to 
gnaw the flesh from his own arms. The battle 
of Missionary Ridge relieved the siege, and 
part of the army was sent to relieve the army 
besieged at Knoxville. The army was without 
rations and but partially clothed, but they 
parched corn and wrapped their feet in rags and 
marched over the frozen ground, leaving the 
snow stained with blood. Under these circum- 
stances the time for which the regiment had 
enlisted had expired and the men were asked to 
re-enlist and Mr. Sheak, with all of his company, 
with the exception of two, again entered the 
service of their country for three years, or dur- 
ing the war. This term of service commenced 
January 1, 1864, an d Mr. Sheak was promoted 
to corporal. 

A furlough of thirty days was joyously spent 
with friends, after which the regiment returned 
to east Tennessee and soon started on the At- 
lanta campaign, when they were under fire night 
and day for one hundred and four days continu- 
ously, and the army slept with their accoutre- 
ments on, with the exception of three days. Mr. 
Sheak had many bullet-holes shot in his cloth- 
ing from time to time, one bullet going through 
the crown of his hat and grazing his scalp; and 
in the last battle of the campaign, the battle of 
Lovejoy, he had eighteen bullet-holes shot in his 
clothing, and every commissioned officer in the 
regiment was either killed or wounded. 

Assistant Inspector Gen. R. L. Walker certi- 
fies as follows : "This is to certify that Henry 
Sheak, corporal Co. I, One Hundred and Nine- 
tieth V. V. I., was a member of my company 
and participated in the following named battles : 
Shiloh, Corinth, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, 
Mission Ridge, Newhope Church, Pine Knob, 
Kenesaw, Ferry Road Camp Ground, Peach- 
tree Creek, Atlanta, Lovejoy, Columbia, Frank- 
lin and Nashville. Since May 17 last he has 
held a clerkship in this office and by good con- 
duct as a soldier on the field and by ability, 
faithfulness and integrity in this office he has 
won for himself the esteem of both officers and 
men. [Signed] R. Ludlo Walker, Acting As- 
sistant Inspector General, and formerly Captain 
Company I, Nineteenth Ohio Veteran Volunteer 
Infantry. 

"San Antonio, Texas, September 29, 1865." 

From the office of the inspector general he 
was promoted to the office of the assistant pay- 
master general, and from that to the office of the 
assistant adjutant general, which position he 
held until summoned by his regimental officers 



1548 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to assist in mustering the regiment out of serv- 
ice, which occurred November 28, 1865. 

On returning home, Mr. Sheak spent the first 
winter in the high school of Massillon, Ohio ; 
then spent one term in the literary department 
of Oberlin College, and then being offered the 
position of bookkeeper in the First National 
Bank of Massillon he prepared himself for the 
position by taking a course in the Business In- 
stitute of Oberlin, graduating therefrom, but on 
returning home to take the position in the bank 
he found that the position had been given to a 
brother of the president of the bank the day 
before he reached home. Mr. Sheak having 
overtaxed himself taking his commercial course, 
he found himself broken in health and decided on 
a change of work and purchased a tract of land 
in the vicinity of Frankfort, Mich., and put it 
out to fruit ; but, while visiting a brother in 
Iowa, he was given the principalship of the 
commercial department of Western College, and 
he also matriculated as a student in the literary 
department and graduated therefrom in 1873. 
During a period of eighteen months prior to his 
graduation he held the office of official court re- 
porter of the eighth judicial district of Iowa. 
In the winter of 1872 he was taken down with 
typhoid fever and for several days was not ex- 
pected to live. This sickness left him ever after 
a sufferer from indigestion and consequent 
weakness. Through exposures during his army 
life he lost the use of one ear and contracted 
rheumatism, both of which have seriously crip- 
pled him in his life-work. 

Soon after his graduation from Western Col- 
lege he took the ague, and as soon as he recov- 
ered sufficiently to be able to travel he, in com- 
pany with his college chum, Prof. R. E. Will- 
iams, president-elect of Philomath College, came 
to Oregon and took a position with President 
Williams in the faculty of that college. The 
next year he went to Portland and engaged in 
teaching stenography, and did reporting for the 
newspapers. President Williams becoming sick, 
begged Professor Sheak to return to Philomath 
and take a position with him in the college fac- 
ulty, and to take his place during his sickness, 
and begged it for friendship's sake. Mr. Sheak 
accepted the invitation, and from that time to 
1902 occupied a professorship in Philomath Col- 
lege, being continuously principal of the com- 
mercial department and part of the time teach- 
ing mathematics, part of the time the natural 
sciences, the physical, ethics and psychology. 
Nearly all of this time he was a member of the 
board of trustees and of the executive board, 
and secretary of both, and for three years the 
agent and treasurer. 

On September 5, 1878, Professor Sheak was 
married to Miss Ida A. Castle, the daughter of 



Bishop Nicholas Castle, D. D. Two children 
were born of this union, Gertrude Almeda, who, 
after reaching her senior year in college, com- 
pleted a course of music in the conservatory of 
music at Philomath and then took courses at the 
Willamette University and the conservatory of 
music at Denver, Col., and was principal of the 
conservatory of music at Philomath College for 
two years. In 1900 Miss Sheak was united in 
marriage to Prof. W. G. Fisher, who occupied 
the chair of languages in Philomath College. 
Two years later the professor accepted the pas- 
torate of the First U. B. Church of Portland, 
where they now reside. The second daughter, 
Edith Lenora, was born May 18, 1886, and at 
this writing is a sophomore in Philomath Col- 
lege and a student of music. 

Aside from Mr. Sheak's college work he was 
statistical secretary of the State S. S. Associa- 
tion for five years ; wrote the first charter for 
the city of Philomath and secured its passage in 
the legislature, and has been either mayor or 
councilman of the city government almost con- 
tiuously for eighteen years. Three times he was 
nominated for county superintendent of public 
instruction by the leading political parties, but 
declined the nominations. 

In political preference Mr. Sheak is a Prohi- 
bitionist, and during his residence in the west 
has done much to advance the cause which he 
espouses. In his religious convictions he affili- 
ates with the United Brethren Church. Broad- 
minded and progressive, Mr. Sheak has proven 
himself a desirable- citizen, lending his influence 
toward the promotion of all enterprises which 
have for their end the general welfare of the 
community, and seeking in every way to fulfill 
the law of earnest, practical living. 



W. D. WALLACE. Frugal and thrifty by 
inheritance, W. D. Wallace, a farmer of Lane 
county, located in the vicinity of Jasper, has 
added to his native qualities those which come 
from an early contact with the world when 
viewed from the standpoint of a pioneer, for he 
was only eight years old when his parents emi- 
grated to the west and the hardships and priva- 
tions which followed the movement became a 
part of his life. He was born in IoWa, Novem- 
ber 21, 1844, the son of James A. Wallace, born 
in 1821, and married in Illinois to Miss Irene C. 
Daniels, after which the young couple located in 
Iowa a short time and then moved back to Illi- 
nois, and remained until 1852. They then start- 
ed across the plains with ox-teams, nearly all 
of which died on the journey. Reaching Bar- 
low's Gate Mr. Wallace succeeded in trading the 
wagon for a pony and placed his wife and two 
younger children on its back, himself and an- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1549 



other child on one of the remaining oxen and 
packed their provisions on another ox and a 
cow. when they proceeded over the mountains. 
When they finally got to Foster Mr. Wallace 
again made an exchange, this time securing a 
wagon in trade for the pony, and hitching the 
cattle, a yoke of oxen and two cows, to the 
wagon, proceeded to the Willamette valley, 
eventually locating at Jasper, where the father 
took up a donation claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres in Lane county and made that his 
home until his death, in 1868. Their first gar- 
den was cultivated by hitching one ox to a rude 
plow, using ropes for tugs, and while the elder 
man held the plow, W. D., then a lad of thir- 
teen years, guided the ox. The death of his 
wife occurred in 1899. Of their six children W. 
D. was the first in order of birth, those follow- 
ing being Marion and J. C, located in this vi- 
cinity : Mary E. ; Lucy A. and Emma. 

W. D. Wallace remained at home until he was 
twenty-four years old, engaging in the duties 
which fell to his lot as the son of a pioneer 
farmer and fitting himself for successful work. 
After his marriage in 1868 he went to work for 
himself, and now owns six hundred and forty 
acres of land, of which two hundred is a part of 
the old claim of his father. He carries on stock- 
raising, having cattle, sheep, horses and goats, 
and is meeting with the success which attends 
energy- and application when guided by intelli- 
gent and practical ideas. His wife was, in maid- 
enhood, Lucinda M. Drury, a native of Mis- 
souri, who came west in 1853. The following 
children have blessed their union : Robert, at 
home ; Chester, near his childhood's home ; 
Charles, at home ; John T. ; Fred ; Benjamin H. ; 
Caroline S. ; Irene M. ; Nora A., and Mary B. 
Mr. Wallace is a member of the Christian 
Church. 



WILLIAM H. WEATHERSON. The 
West, an important factor in moulding public 
opinion in Lane county, and published at Flor- 
ence by William H. Weatherson, is fortunately 
under the supervision of a wide-awake and pro- 
gressive promoter of western enterprises who is 
keenly alive to his responsibility as a journalist. 
This small periodical abounds in newsy and in- 
teresting information, and though not partisan, 
has a mind of its own, which is expressed fear- 
lessly and to the point, and always with due re- 
gard for the best interests of the community. 
The genial editor has the faculty of maintaining 
friendlv relations with people in and out of his 
paper, and has never succeeded in making ene- 
mies. Many years of educational work, and 
continuous research along general lines, has 
fitted Mr. Weatherson for a newspaper career of 



great promise. Born in St. Lawrence county, 
N. Y., June 2, 1858, he is of Scotch ancestry, 
his grandfather, William, who was born in 1776 
and died in 1856, having established the family 
name in New York. Edkin Weatherson, the 
father of William, was born in St. Lawrence 
county, N. Y., January 12, 1832, as was also his 
wife, formerly Alice Cowan, whose natal day 
was July 16, 1836. The parents were married 
in New York and moved to Rice county, Minn., 
when William was eight years of age. Here the 
family located on the farm which is still the 
home of the parents, and where the father has 
for vears been known as one of the foremost 
farmers of his neighborhood. 

The oldest of the nine children born to his 
parents, Mr. Weatherson improved his early op- 
portunities at the district school, and when six- 
teen years of age began to teach during the 
winter, spending his summers in the harvest- 
fields of the home farm. Upon removing to 
Oregon, in 1886, he located on the Siuslaw, and 
for ten years engaged in teaching at different 
points along the river, afterward taking up a 
donation claim of one hundred and twenty acres 
four miles east of Mapleton. In September, 
1896, he came to Florence and became owner 
and manager of The West, and in connection 
therewith has established a real estate business, 
handling both town and country property. Mr. 
Weatherson still owns his farm in the vicinity of 
the town of Mapleton, and four lots in Florence. 
He is one of the most progressive and cultured 
of the citizens who are maintaining a high 
standard of municipal well-being, and is prac- 
tically connected with the social, economic, edu- 
cational, and political advancement. A Repub- 
lican in politics, he is a school director and presi- 
dent of the city council, and he is fraternally 
connected with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, of which he has passed all of the chairs 
and attended the Grand Lodge ; and the Modern 
Woodmen of America, of which he is clerk. 
With his wife and children he is a member of 
the Presbvterian Church. Mr. Weatherson mar- 
ried, in 1887, Cora E. Knowles, who was born 
in Rice county, Minn.. May 30, 1862, and who 
is the mother of six children : Alice E. Hazel L., 
Agnes E., Edkin E., Dora H., and Hattie A. 



JAMES H. HAWLEY. Oregon's progress 
has been marked chiefly by the development of 
her agricultural interests. From the practical 
duties and helpful discipline of farm life have 
come many of the men to whom our nation owes 
her supremacy, and for strong, helpful and vig- 
orous manhood we still depend upon the sons of 
farmers. Within the borders of Oregon are 
always to be found those who are capable of 



1.550 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



assuming the responsibilities and duties of citi- 
zens, these being chiefly the sons of those sturdy 
and faithful pioneers who braved the dangers 
and privations of the wilderness while they 
worked for that which their children enjoy to- 
day. 

It is the pride of James H. Hawley, of this re- 
view, that he is both the son of such a man and 
a native citizen of such a state as Oregon. His 
father, Ira Hawley, was born in the state of 
New York, May 16, 1817, and following the 
occupation of his father he engaged in farming 
from his earliest youth. When seventeen years 
old he started out into the world to make his own 
way, in Illinois working as a farm hand for the 
period of four years. Through the practice of 
industry and economy he was enabled at the end 
of that time to purchase a farm, upon which he 
made his home until 1849. He then crossed the 
plains on a Cayuse pony, being occupied for 
about a year in the gold fields of California, 
after which he returned to his home in Illinois 
by the way of the Isthmus. In the spring of 
1852 he once more crossed the plains, bringing 
with him into the west his family, with whom 
he settled in Lane county, Ore., upon a donation 
claim of three hundred and twenty acres, located 
on the divide between Douglas and Lane coun- 
ties. The energy and ambition which had char- 
acterized his life in the middle west also proved 
dominant traits in his new location, and in the 
years which followed brought him large returns 
for his efforts. In addition to general farming 
he engaged in stock-dealing, the proceeds of his 
work being invested in real estate, he becoming 
in time the owner of a large amount of property, 
amounting' to four thousand acres. This he di- 
vided among his children a few years before his 
death. For many years his home was known as 
the Mountain House, the last hostlery on this 
side of the mountains. He lived to be over 
eighty years old, while his wife, who was for- 
merly Elvira Riley, a native of Indiana, died at 
the age of seventy-six. Of the children born to 
them the oldest son is located near Moscow, 
Idaho; William B. is in Lorane; George M. 
lives near Cottage Grove, Ore. ; James H, of 
this review, and Robert located in this vicinity. 

James H. Hawley was born upon the farm 
where he now lives, this being the donation claim 
which his father first took up in Oregon, his 
natal day being September 17, 1862. On this 
farm, located four miles south of Cottage Grove 
and on the divide between Lane and Douglas 
counties, he was reared to a useful manhood. 
With the progressive spirit which marked the 
natives of New York state, the father spared no 
effort nor expense in the education of his chil- 
dren, his son, James H. Hawley, receiving a 
course in the University of Oregon. On com- 



pleting his education James H. Hawley returned 
to the parental roof and engaged with his father 
in the home duties until his marriage, in 1886, 
with Miss Hulda Alice Withers, a native of Ore- 
gon. She was the daughter of J. E. P. Withers, 
one of the most substantial and upright pioneers 
of the early days. The young people began their 
married life on the home place, and with the 
exception of four years spent in California this 
has ever since remained their home. Mr. Haw- 
ley now owns about eighteen hundred acres of 
land, almost all of which is in one body, besides 
additional property in Cottage Grove, and is an 
extensive stock dealer. He has one hundred and 
fifty head of cattle ; nine hundred head of goats ; 
two hundred head of sheep, and fifteen head of 
horses and mules. 

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Hawley ; L. Homer and Alsea Hazel, who 
add to the happiness of the household. Mr. 
Hawley is a Republican in politics, but has never 
taken an active interest in the movements of his 
party, nor has he ever cared for official recogni- 
tion. In fraternal relations he affiliates with the 
Woodmen of the World. 



HON. MITCHELL WILKINS. The name 
of Wilkins is one which will always attract the 
attention of the student of the history of Ore- 
gon, for it was borne by one of the early settlers 
of the state, one whose high character and con- 
scientious efforts have left their impress upon 
the progress of events. This pioneer, the Hon. 
Mitchell Wilkins, was born in Orange county, 
N. C. His father, who was descended from a 
Scotch family of the colonial period, died in 
North Carolina when the son was but nine 
years of age. Early in life Mitchell Wilkins 
started out in the world to seek his own live- 
lihood, for several years engaging in boating 
and boat-building on the Mississippi river. He 
afterward settled in Andrew county, Mo., near 
St. Joseph, which was then little more than a 
pioneer camp on the outskirts of civilization. 
He performed the first carpenter work of any 
note in that embryo town, erecting the first sub- 
stantial buildings there. 

In 1847 Mr. Wilkins and his wife became 
members of a party of seven hundred people 
who started overland from St. Joseph for the 
far west, a long trip fraught with many clangers 
and privations in those days. Mr. Wilkins met 
with his full share of trouble and losses. While 
crossing the plains he lost his team, this necessi- 
tating the abandonment of the wagon in the 
Rocky mountains ; and the journey to the Wil- 
lamette valley was completed with one horse, 
one ox and two cows. Mr. Wilkins and his 
young wife, their hopes and ambitions high 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1551 



despite the drawbacks with which Fate had 
handicapped them, walked all the way across the 
mountains, following the old Barlow route, and 
reached their destination in safety. They spent 
the winter of 1847-8 near what is now Mar- 
quam, Clackamas county, where Mr. Wilkins 
erected a small log cabin. In the spring of 
1848 they resumed their journey toward the 
south. Arriving in what is now Lane county, 
Mr. YVilkins took up a donation claim of six 
hundred and forty acres located ten miles north- 
east of the site of the city of Eugene. Here he 
set about the work of erecting a temporary log 
cabin, into which he moved his family in the 
fall of that year. During the following year he 
constructed a more substantial house of hewed 
logs, and a few years later was enabled to erect 
a frame house of a more pretentious character. 

Mr. Wilkins had barely become established in 
his pioneer home in the wilderness before the 
news of the discovery of gold in California be- 
gan to attract the attention of the inhabitants of 
the western frontier. In the hope of bettering 
his financial condition he started for the Eldorado 
on horseback in the fall of 1849. He arrived 
in the Sacramento valley without incident of 
note, and at once engaged in placer mining on 
a small scale : but after fourteen days he and the 
party associated with him in the work were 
driven out by the snow and the depredations of 
the Indians, and Mr. Wilkins returned to his 
home in Oregon. 

From that year until the time of his retire- 
ment from the active responsibilities of life, Mr. 
Wilkins devoted his energies to stock-raising, in 
which he met with most gratifying success. 
From time to time he made purchases of land 
adjoining his original claim until he is now the 
owner of three thousand acres, located prin- 
cipally in the foothills, which he has improved 
and fitted up in every way necessary to make it 
a model stock ranch. He has always raised stock 
of the finest breeds, including Devons, Durhams 
and Polled-Angus cattle. He is now eighty- 
four years of age and makes his home in Eu- 
gene, having retired from active cares, princi- 
pally by reason of a paralytic stroke experienced 
in 1893. 

Mr. Wilkins has not been selfishly interested 
in his work toward success in this generous 
region, but has cheerfully and capably aided in 
the promotion of all worthy causes whose ten- 
dencv has been to advance the welfare of the 
people at large. In politics he has been a Re- 
publican since the Civil war, serving in 1862 as 
a member of the Oregon state legislature. For 
some time prior thereto Mr. Wilkins had taken 
a prominent part in the political undertakings 
of the county and state. During the historical 
triangular fight for the governorship of the 



state, he was nominated for the office on the In- 
dependent ticket, but was not able to overcome 
the Republican majority. He has always ex- 
hibited a deep and abiding interest in the gen- 
eral welfare of agricultural interests in Oregon. 
He became one of the chief organizers of the 
State Agricultural Society, and for many years 
served as its president. In 1876 he visited the 
Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia as com- 
missioner from Oregon, acted in the same 
capacity at the New Orleans Exposition in 1884 
and the Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 
1893. It was in the fall after his return from 
Chicago that he was stricken with paralysis. 

Mr. Wilkins was united in marriage with 
Permelia Ann Allen, a native of Missouri, and 
a daughter of Robert Allen, who crossed the 
plains in 1847 m tne same train with which his 
daughter and son-in-law were connected. His 
wife had died in Missouri. Mrs. Wilkins is still 
living at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. 
and Mrs. Wilkins have been the parents of seven 
children, four of whom are now living : Fran- 
cis Marion, a retired druggist of Eugene ; Jas- 
per and Amos, who are located on the ranch ; 
and Angeline, widow of Samuel D. Holt, of Eu- 
gene. 

Personally Mr. Wilkins belongs to the highest 
type of the pioneer citizen and self-made man. 
His success in life has been due solely to his 
own efforts. The characteristics which have 
contributed most to his success, as shown by the 
record of his life, have been his indomitable 
energy and perseverance, his integrity in all 
business transactions, and the liberal, broad- 
minded manner in which he has conducted all 
his operations. His record in public and private 
life has been above reproach, free from all sus- 
picion of dishonor. Honesty, courage, enter- 
prise and fairness toward his fellow-men have 
endeared him closely to all who have been 
favored with his friendship. Now, in the twi- 
light of a long and useful career, he and his 
estimable wife are surrounded by their friends 
and all the comforts due those honored men and 
women who have passed the allotted span of 
life. The clean, noble records they will leave 
behind them should prove a source of inspira- 
tion to future generations, and of gratification 
and pride to their own descendants. 



GEORGE M. HAWLEY. In the vicinity of 
Cottage Grove, Lane county, is located the home 
of George M. Hawley, one of the progressive 
and up-to-date farmers of this region. He is a 
native son of the state, having been born on 
the Divide. Ore., September 9, 1857. the son of 
Ira Hawley. The latter was born in New York 
state, May 16, 181 7, and his father being a 



1552 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



farmer by occupation he was early trained to that 
life. When seventeen years old he started out 
into the world to make his own way, going first 
to the state of Illinois, where he engaged as a 
farm hand, working by the month. This was 
continued steadily until he had attained his ma- 
jority and with the proceeds of his four years' 
work he bought a farm, where he engaged in 
farming for himself. He was married about 
this time to Elvira Riley, a native of Indiana. 
Mr. Hawley remained in Illinois until 1849, 
when he crossed the plains on a Cayuse pony 
into the gold fields of California. There he mined 
for about a year, when he returned to Illinois 
by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and in the 
spring of 1852 returned west, direct to Lane 
county, Ore., where he took up a donation claim 
of three hundred and twenty acres located on 
the divide between Douglas and Lane counties. 
This remained his home for many years, and in 
the prosecution of stock dealing and farming he 
gradually accumulated a large amount of prop- 
erty, none of which he was ever known to sell. 
He became one of the very successful men of 
the county and was one of the principal stock 
dealers in this section, his estate amounting to 
four thousand acres, which he divided among his 
children a few years before his death. He lived 
to be over eighty years old, his wife dying at 
seventy-six. The two acquired fame as keepers 
of what was known as the Mountain House, the 
last stopping place on this side of the mountains. 
Of the children born to them the oldest son is 
located near Moscow, Idaho; William R. is in 
Lorane; George M., of this review is located 
near Cottage Grove; Robert is located in this 
vicinity; and James H., whose sketch appears, 
elsewhere in this volume. 

George M. Hawley was reared on his father's 
farm and received his education in the district 
schools. He remained at home until attaining 
his majority, and he then came to the farm 
which he now occupies, then having three hun- 
dred and seventy-five acres two miles north of 
Creswell, and three hundred and forty embodied 
in a stock ranch two miles west. For six years 
he lived alone upon this farm and then married 
Mary C. Adams, a native of Cottage Grove, and 
the two children born to them are Herbert and 
George F., both residents of Cottage Grove. Mr. 
Hawley now has seven hundred and fifteen acres 
of land, two hundred and fifty of which are till- 
able, and he is now carrying on general farming 
and stock-raising, in the latter business pre- 
ferring Durham cattle, Cotswold sheep and An- 
gora goats. Mr. Hawley has a neat dwelling 
and substantial outbuildings to add to the gen- 
eral appearance of his property. 

For a second wife Mr. Hawley married Min- 
nie Ozment, a native of Lorane. Mr. Hawley 



is prominent in fraternal orders, being a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Follows, An- 
cient Order of United Workmen, Woodmen of 
the World, and various of the auxiliaries, among 
them the Rebekahs, etc. Politically he is a Re- 
publican and has held various offices in the vi- 
cinity, and always takes an active and intelligent 
part in the affairs of the community, and is one 
of the trustees of the First National Bank of 
Cottage Grove. 



WILLIAM LEWIS McFARLAND. At an 
early day the paternal grandfather of W. L. Mc- 
Farland, William McFarland, came from Scot- 
land and established his family in Ohio, settling 
on a farm in the vicinity of St. Clairsville, where 
he reared a large family of children. Among the 
sons born in Ohio was Elijah, the father of Will- 
iam Lewis, who eventually succeeded to the old 
farm, and died there at the age of sixty-nine 
years. He married Jane Gable, a native of Ger- 
many, whose father, Peter Gable, was one of the 
very early settlers of Ohio. Mrs. McFarland 
survives her husband, and at the present time is 
seventy years of age. Of her twelve children 
nine are married and have homes of their own. 
Of these, William Lewis, the third oldest, was 
born in St. Clairsville, Ohio, September -20, i860, 
and with his brother, James, a blacksmith living 
in Junction City, Ore., are the only members of 
the family on the coast. 

For two years and nine months W. L. McFar- 
land served an apprenticeship with Martin 
Brothers, blacksmiths, in St. Clairsville, Ohio. 
Afterward he worked at Bellaire, Ohio, in the 
Baltimore & Ohio shops, and with the same rail- 
road company was later employed in different 
shops between Bellaire and Chicago. The last 
of the five years with this company he was fore- 
man of the shops in Chicago. Not less success- 
ful was a trip down the Mississippi valley as a 
journeyman, after which he returned to Ohio 
and ran a blacksmith shop of his own until 1885. 
Desiring an all around change, and having heard 
much about the climate and other advantages of 
Oregon, he sold out and came to Eugene, where 
he started a business of his own in 1886, in part- 
nership with Mr. McMurry. Six months later 
the entire business passed into the hands of Mr. 
McFarland, who is still doing business on the 
corner of Eighth and Olive streets, one of the 
oldest blacksmith sites in Eugene. 

Besides the property occupied by his black- 
smith shop, 54x80 feet, he owns a large lot on 
west Eighth street, where he built a large build- 
ing containing two stores and apartments, in 
1903. This building covers sixty square feet of 
ground, and is modern in construction and equip- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1553 



ment. He also owns a building, 60x120 feet, in 
Springfield, this state. 

While living in Bellaire, Ohio, December 23, 
1883, Mr. McFarland married Mary Rampe, 
who was born in London, England, a daughter 
of Herman Rampe, who was born and died in 
Germany. Mrs. McFarland was left an orphan 
at an early age, and when nine years old came to 
America with a friend, making her home in St. 
Louis. She is the mother of six children : Jen- 
nie, Lucy, Edith, Mary V., Hazel and William. 
Although never inclined to participate actively in 
Republican politics, Mr. McFarland is a stanch 
upholder of his party. Fraternally he affiliates 
with the Modern Woodmen of America, the 
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and 
Knights of the Maccabees, being a past officer of 
the latter organization. 



JAMES POLK MILLIORN. The old Mil- 
Horn place in Junction City, built so many years 
ago by that honored pioneer, T. A. Milliorn, has 
been occupied and owned by his son, James Polk, 
since 1875, the latter interestingly and substan- 
tially identified with Oregon since his twelfth 
year. Born near Knoxville, Tenn., August 30, 
1840, he vividly recalls every particular of the 
overland trip in 1852, and his participation in 
what was indeed a momentous crisis for the 
family. The driving of loose stock and the rid- 
ing of horses fell to his lot, and the train came 
by way of the Platte river, escaping attacks of 
a serious nature on the part of the Indians, and 
being rather fortunate until arriving at Pacific 
Spring. Here the dread cholera invaded their 
ranks, his mother being seriously ill with it, and 
his sister and three other members of the party 
succumbing to the disorder. Starting in April, 
the train arrived at the Cascades in November, 
and there they lost all of the stock which had 
survived the long journey across the plains. 
From the low r er Cascade to the mouth of the 
Sandy the father and mother came on a flat boat, 
and James got onto the old Clinton which was 
lying on some rocks in the Columbia river, and 
though there were people on board who were 
more fortunate than himself in the way of clothes 
and provisions, he did not succeed in getting 
them to help him with even a blanket in which to 
sleep. He was very hungry also, and when he 
reached Sandy he was reduced to such a state 
that he was glad to give 25 cents for a turnip 
with which to stay the pangs of hunger, for he 
had then been twenty-four hours with nothing 
to eat. The family spent the first winter on a 
claim six miles east of Portland, and in Febru- 
ary. 1853, came to Lane county, settling on three 
hundred and twenty acres three-quarters of a 
mile west of Junction City. 



In i860 Mr. Milliorn went to Washington 
with James Patterson, driving beef-cattle to a 
point above Seattle, and finally made his way to 
the Snoqualmie river, with an Indian for a guide. 
The same year he went to the Rogue river in 
Jackson county and was variously employed at 
farming, mining, repairing wagons, sawing logs, 
and running a cooper shop, and the following 
year came back to his father's place in Lane 
county. In 1862 he engaged in mining in the 
Florence district. Idaho, on Baboon Gulch, and 
when he returned was the richer by several hun- 
dreds of dollars. In 1863 lle changed his field 
of mining operations to the Caribou district, 
going there overland with a pack train and with 
a cargo of bacon. The way was dangerous, as 
is well known, and in some places it was neces- 
sary to tie the horses together by their tails and 
let them slide down deep declines. In the fall 
he came to Canyon City with sheep, and in 1864 
went to the Boise Basin via the Columbia trail 
with sheep, encountering many interesting ex- 
periences while in the wild and desolate places of 
the great northwest. 

In January, 1865, Mr. Milliorn married Kittie 
Mulholland, who was born in Missouri, and 
crossed the plains with her parents in 1853, lo- 
cating at Pleasant Hill, this county. Immediate- 
ly after his marriage he engaged in a general 
merchandise business ten miles below Corvallis, 
in partnership with W. G. Pickett, now deceased, 
and for whose estate Mr. Milliorn has been ap- 
pointed administrator. The mercantile business 
was disposed of in 1865, and in 1869 he went on 
a farm of three hundred and twenty acres four 
miles south of Junction City, remaining there 
until purchasing the old homestead in Junction 
City in 1875. Three children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Milliorn, of whom H. M. is 
engaged in the merchandise business in this 
town ; W. G. is a farmer ; and J. E. is in partner- 
ship with his merchant brother. Mr. Milliorn is 
a Democrat in political affiliation, and he has 
been a member of the council many terms. Mr. 
Milliorn contributed his share towards the sup- 
pression of the Indian in the early davs. He was 
sixteen vears of age when he enlisted in the 
Rogue river war in 1855-6, and at the time was 
the youngest man in the war. He went in the 
capacity of wagon-master, but was finally de- 
tailed to build bridges on Eels creek. 



ROBERT HARRISON was born in Lincoln- 
shire, England, in 1828. He crossed the ocean 
in 1848 and after looking around a little in New 
York citv made his way to St. Joseph county, 
Mich., where he worked on farms until the spring 
of 1852. His two brothers, who had also come to 



1554 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



America, became interested in crossing the 
plains and trying their luck in the northwest, 
and Robert joined them in their preparations, 
and hopefully looked forward to making the long 
journey. The brothers had six yoke of oxen be- 
sides three cows, and they came across without 
any particular difficulty, either with the Indians 
or with the illnesses which often afflicted the 
travelers. During the first winter in Oregon Mr. 
Harrison stayed with one of his brothers in Linn 
county, and in 1852 he went to the mines of 
Eureka, Cal., but was not a successful miner, 
and soon returned to the slower means of liveli- 
hood offered in the fertile Willamette valley. 

In 1856 Mr. Harrison married Mrs. Tennes- 
see Hannah, and soon after bought the eighty 
acres which comprise his present farm. Con- 
tinuously ever since he has made every effort to 
improve his property, and at present has a pleas- 
ant and comfortable residence, good barns, 
fences and outhouses, as well as many of the 
latest agricultural implements. As his stock- 
raising and general farming enterprise increased, 
more land was required, and at one time he 
owned twelve hundred acres. A generous and 
helpful father, he has divided all but his present 
eighty acres among his five sons and three daugh- 
ters, all of whom are doing well, and who are 
proving a credit to their practical and kindly 
home teachings. For the greater part Mr. Har- 
rison has devoted his land to stock-raising, in 
which he has been very successful. 



MAJOR FRANK E. EDWARDS. Con- 
spicuous among the residents of Benton county 
worthy of representation in this biographical 
volume is Major Frank E. Edwards, a native- 
born citizen, a veteran of the Spanish war, and 
an alumnus of the Oregon Agricultural College, 
with which he is now officially connected, being 
commandant, and professor of military science 
and tactics, and, also, assistant professor of 
chemistry. A man of scholarly attainments, a 
thorough-going soldier, and a most successful 
teacher, he is held in high esteem by the stu- 
dents, his associates, and the board of regents, 
and is one of the most popular members of the 
faculty of the institution. 

Born September 13, 1875, in Lane county, near 
Springfield, Ore., he is a son of Webley J. Ed- 
wards. He comes of substantial New England 
ancestry, the earliest of his progenitors of whom 
he has any definite knowledge having emigrated 
from one of the New England states to New 
York city, where they owned a large tract of 
land. His great-great-grandfather, Webley Ed- 
wards, of New England birth, served as an offi- 
cer in the Revolutionary army, being captain of 
a company. His great-grandfather was engaged 
in steamboating on the Ohio, residing in Indiana. 



The major's grandfather, T. D. Edwards, was 
reared and educated in Indiana, but later re- 
moved to Ohio, where he was engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits until 1854. Coming then to 
Oregon across the plains, with ox teams, bring- 
ing with him his family, his son, Webley J., be- 
ing then an infant of six months, he located near 
Springfield, on a donation claim, in Lane county, 
where he cleared and improved a homestead. On 
retiring from active pursuits, he removed to Eu- 
gene, Ore., where his death occurred, in 1895. 

'Webley J. Edwards was born in Ohio, but 
was brought up on the old home farm in Oregon, 
where he has since resided. A prominent farmer 
and stockman, he first started in business in Lane 
county, going from there to Lake county, where 
he followed ranching and general farming with 
signal success for three years. Returning then 
to the valley, he continued in his chosen vocation 
until his removal to Mayville, Gilliam county, 
his present place of residence. He married Jane 
Gross, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of An- 
drew Gross, a native of Germany, who emigrat- 
ed to America, settling in Iowa, where he carried 
on agricultural work until 1856, when he came 
with his family to Linn county, Ore. He is now 
prosperously engaged in general farming in 
Brownsville, Linn county. Four children were 
born of their union, namely : Frank, the special 
subject of this sketch; Fred A., a graduate 
of the University of Oregon, and of the Oregon 
Agricultural College, is engaged in business as 
a stock-raiser and dealer in Gilliam county; 
Stephen Hubert, residing on the home farm ; and 
Velma, living with her parents. 

Brought up on the home farm, and educated 
in the district schools of Lane and Gilliam coun- 
ties, Frank E. Edwards entered the Oregon Agri- 
cultural College in 1891, and was graduated, in 
1895, with the degree of B. M. E. In 1896, 
while he was taking a post graduate course, he 
served as captain of a company of cadets. From 
1896 until 1898 he was connected with the col- 
lege as instructor in chemistry, resigning his 
position to enlist, as a private, in Company M, 
Second Oregon Infantry. Being mustered into 
service on July 2, 1898, he went with his regi- 
ment to San Francisco, thence to Manila, arriv- 
ing there on Thanksgiving day, 1898. He was 
subsequently made corporal of his company, and 
as a part of Wheaton's Flying Brigade, on March 
25, 1899, took part in the battles of Tondo Feb- 
ruary 26, Pasig March 14, and Malaban March 
25, and the following day, March 26, was se- 
verely wounded at the battle of Polo, being shot 
through both legs, at the thighs. He was in- 
capacitated for further military duty but re- 
turned, on crutches, with his company to Cali- 
fornia, then to Oregon, where he was mustered 
out of service on August 7, 1899. A month 
later, Mr. Edwards accepted the position of com- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1555 



mandant of cadets, and professor of military sci- 
ence and tactics at his alma mater. In 1900 he 
was made instructor in chemistry, and assistant 
in the chemical department of the Agricultural 
Experiment Station. In June of that year he 
was appointed to the staff of Gen. Charles F. 
Beebe as brigade signal officer, with rank of ma- 
jor, an office that he filled until the reorganization 
of the O. N. G., in 1903, when, on die resigna- 
tion of General Beebe, he resigned. 

Major Edwards married, in Corvallis, Septem- 
ber 29, 1900, Miss Helen Elgin, who was born 
in Marion county, Ore., and was educated at 
the State Normal School in Monmouth, Ore. 
Major and Mrs. Edwards have one child, Web- 
ley Elgin Edwards. Major Edwards is a stanch 
Republican in his political affiliations, and an 
active member of the Christian Church, being 
one of the board of deacons, and president of the 
Sunday school connected with it. He is identi- 
fied with several fraternal organizations, belong- 
ing to Corvallis Grange No. 242 ; to Edward C. 
Young Camp of the Spanish American War Vet- 
erans, of which he is past commander ; to the 
Knights of Pythias ; and is ex-president of the 
Alumni Association. 



W. O. HECKART. To no class of men in 
the world are growing communities more in- 
debted than to their contractors and builders, 
artisans whose ingenuity enables them to ap- 
propriately house families, institutions and busi- 
ness enterprises, and whose busy brains are cease- 
lessly striving not only to overcome competition, 
but to make their respective communities the 
equal architecturally, if not the superior, of those 
by which they are surrounded. The enormous 
responsibility of the builder, his relations to life 
and death and safety, his satisfaction in well do- 
ing, and his ignominy in failure, all conspire to 
make of him an important and leading factor, 
especially when it is recalled that it is his work 
upon which the reputation of a city is primarily 
based. Corvallis has her builders in whom in- 
tense pride is felt, and of these none takes higher 
rank than W. O. Heckart, the constructor of her 
principal residences, business blocks and churches 
and also builder of many of the important struc- 
tures in near-by towns. The Masonic Temple, 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South, the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church South of South Corvallis, the Chris- 
tian Church, and many of the finest and largest 
residences in this town, the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church of Harrisburg, Ore., the Court House 
in Toledo, Lincoln county, the Government Hos- 
pital on the Silitz Indian Reservation, and the 
Calkins, Patterson, Beckwith, and other resi- 
dences and buildings in Eugene, are the result 
of a general demand for the excellent work 
of Mr. Heckart, and in fact he does not 



recall a time when he was not familiar with 
the workman's bench. His ancestors were 
equally handy with fire-arms, and the emi- 
grant who established the family in Penn- 
sylvania some time during 1700, furnished 
a son for the Colonial army of 1776. He in 
turn reared a lad who carried a musket in the 
war of 1 81 2, which patriot was the paternal 
grandfather of the builder of Corvallis. The 
soldier married in Pennsylvania, and while 
living on a farm near Harrisburg, Dauphin 
county, his son, Michael, the father of W. 
O. Heckart, was born. When the latter 
was sixteen years old the family removed 
to Missouri, where the grandfather died, and 
where Michael married Mary Moyer, a na- 
tive of Ohio. Soon afterward, in 185 1, Mi- 
chael pre-eempted land in Wapello county, 
Iowa, where his wife died, and where he built 
up quite a large farming and carpentering busi- 
ness. He erected the first Presbyterian church 
in Ottumwa, and was very successful as a build- 
er for the balance of his life. A Democrat in 
politics, he was public spirited and progressive, 
and gave his ten children a practical education, 
fitting them also to care for themselves in a busi- 
ness way. Ten of these children attained ma- 
turity, and nine are living at the present time, 
two being in Corvallis, W. O. and Charles L., 
the latter a carpenter. 

The fourth youngest in his father's family, 
Mr. Heckart was born in Wapello county, Iowa, 
February 5, i860, and was reared on a farm eight 
miles south of Ottumwa. Having gained a prac- 
tical knowledge of the carpenter's trade he went 
into actual business with his oldest brother at 
the age of sixteen, and in 1883 removed to Holt 
county, Neb., where he took up a homestead 
and tree claim, improved the same, and lived 
thereon for six years. In the meantime he had 
alternated farming with contracting and build- 
ing, and when he located in Corvallis in 1889, 
he was well qualified to undertake the large 
business which soon came his way, and from 
1900 until 1903 served as city councilman of 
the Second Ward, representing his ward on 
several important committees, and thoroughly 
fulfilling the expectations of those who had 
placed him in power. In 1902 he was a candi- 
date for state senator, being defeated only by 
one hundred and nineteen votes, his defeat due 
no doubt to the fact that he never canvassed the 
county. With his wife, whom he married in 
Iowa, and who was formerly Carrie Howk, a 
native daughter, he lives in a comfortable and 
modern residence on the corner of Fifth and 
Monroe streets. He is fraternally associated 
with the Modern Woodmen of America and 
with the Ancient Order United Workmen. In 
religion he is an elder and trustee of the First 
Presbvterian Church. 



1556 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



JOSEPH P. TAYLOR. A well known figure 
both in the earlier and later stages of Lane 
county development is Joseph P. Taylor, whose 
wise use of five hundred acres of fertile land has 
brought him a competence and whose enterprise 
and public-spiritedness have made him popular 
and influential. Mr. Taylor comes of an old 
New Jersey family, in which state he was born 
July 27, 1830, the same state witnessing the 
birth of his father, Henry W. Taylor, in Sep- 
tember, 1808. While yet a youth the father 
learned the blacksmith trade, and followed the 
same for many years in his native state. Of a 
religious and humanitarian nature, he early es- 
poused the cause of the Christian Church, and 
almost up to the end of his life devoted a large 
share of his time to preaching in local pulpits. 
Until his marriage with Charlotte Peterson he 
continued to live on his father's farm, and after- 
ward worked at his trade and farmed on his 
own responsibility. In 1830 he removed with his 
family to Philadelphia, and there and at other 
points in the Quaker state found employment 
at his trade for about three years. For eight 
years he lived in Highland county. Ohio, and 
later, while living in southwestern Missouri, he 
decided to emigrate to the far west, starting 
April 19, 1852. The country there was not one- 
tenth occupied, and nine-tenths of the land was 
covered with its natural growth. There were 
three families composing the train, with six 
wagons, one of which was used to haul feed for 
stock on the first of the trip, as the grass was 
young and short. Just before they reached the 
Kaw (Kansas) river they encountered one of 
the most fearful hail storms that they had ever 
witnessed. Gulches that had been dry became 
filled with rushing torrents of water and ice 
twenty feet deep and the hail piled up to the 
wagon hubs on the face of a gradual slope. 
But they soon were able to move on ; between the 
Blue river and the Platte their road merged 
with that over which the St. Louis travel came. 
The next morning they saw camps in quarantine 
with the smallpox, but which was soon checked ; 
however, the cholera proceeded, which was then 
raging in St. Louis. The travel here and on the 
south side of the Platte became so dense that dur- 
ing the mornings there was a line of wagons, 
seven abreast, many of the drivers urging their 
teams to get in the lead. On the north of the 
river they could see a line of wagons equal to 
their own, moving along the trail. After they 
crossed the South Platte, in what was then 
known as the Hollow, the cholera reached a 
crisis and produced a terribly melancholy season. 
Every living thing seemed to feel it, but the 
little train in which Mr. Taylor's family traveled 
escaped serious sickness. There were many 
graves filled there by the cholera victims in 



1850. As they passed on they noticed now and 
then a new marble tombstone put up by pass- 
ing friends, over the graves of some who had 
died before. The train passed on with the com- 
mon humdrum of camp life, up the Platte and 
Sweetwater rivers, across the Rocky mountains 
and Green river, also the Salt Lake basin and 
down the Snake river past the Salmon Falls. 
When the grass became short the train con- 
cluded to cross the Snake river. Some young 
men thereupon undertook to make a boat. They 
secured some wagon-boxes and soon had a 
square-end boat, and began to carry the people 
and their effects over the river, while the stock 
was made to swim the rushing torrent. While 
the boat was under construction there accumu- 
lated quite an encampment. And as the goods 
were taken out of the wagons the germs of the 
cholera were stirred up and the plague broke 
out afresh. The Taylor family was among the 
first to cross, but there were graves being dug 
when they left the next morning. They moved 
eleven miles that day to a meadow where was 
plenty of good water. Here they found travelers 
already encamped, and they were digging a 
grave for one of their number. A little boy in 
the Taylor train, a son of Harry Hazleton, sick- 
ened and died that night. The next morning 
before they left camp there were thirteen newly 
made graves. Every camping place from that 
on to the second crossing of Snake river was 
a graveyard. Mr. Taylor's youngest brother 
was buried near Boise river, where Boise City 
now stands. The train re-crossed the Snake 
river at old Fort Boise. Another brother sick- 
ened here and died in two days. Here they had 
their first view of the Grande Ronde valley, 
which Mr. Taylor remembers as one of the most 
beautiful valleys on earth. 

The train here met a great many Oregonians 
who came out from the Willamette valley to 
meet their friends. From them was learned 
the high price of food in the settlement, and as 
there were many emigrants who had run short 
of provisions, and Mr. Taylor had a supply for 
the winter he sold his surplus to those who 
needed it for just what he learned that he could 
replace it for. He sold one hundred pounds af 
homemade pressed tobacco at fifty cents per 
plug (three plugs to the pound) in a little while. 
The parents came very near dying with the 
cholera on Willow creek, but recovered, and that 
was the last they saw of the dreaded enemy. 
The little band crossed the Cascades through 
some of the tallest trees in the world and ar- 
rived at Foster September 19, 1852, just five 
months from the time they left the home in 
Missouri. Thus they crossed the plains with 
their little train with just nine men able to bear 
arms without placing a guard for a single 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1557 



night. Of ninety head of stock only two died, 
and two or three became foot-sore. 

Joseph P. is the oldest in the family of ten 
children. Jerry and Alexander live in the neigh- 
borhood, Mrs. Jane Garoutte resides on the old 
donation claim, and Mrs. Mary Frances White 
makes her home in Monmouth, Polk county, 
Ore. With the example of his father's fine and 
useful life before him Joseph Taylor approached 
manhood with a due appreciation of his duties 
and responsibilities as a free American citizen. 
The opportunity to test his mettle was forth- 
coming in 1855, for the Indians had rendered 
unbearable the life of the settlers, and it seemed 
the duty of all able-bodied people to help quell 
the disturbance. Enlisting for service as a pri- 
vate, he took part in the battles of Cow Creek, 
and Big Meadows. 

Mr. Taylor says : "After the two days' fight 
at Big Meadows the volunteers established a 
post and built a stockade and a double log-house 
for quartermaster and commissary stores. There 
being no quartermaster to take charge of the 
stores, the major of the northern battalion ap- 
pointed me quartermaster for the post. This 
was irregular, the legislature not having pro- 
vided for such a quartermaster. My captain 
gave me a discharge. This was also irregular, 
as I should only have been reported on extra 
duty with my rank. So, although the general 
government acknowledged my services and paid 
me the wages of a regular, the state of Ore- 
gon rejected my claim as quartermaster on ac- 
count of irregularities. Although thousands of 
dollars worth of goods were placed in my care 
and passed through my hands, and I performed 
the hardest service that I ever did on any ac- 
count, it was disallowed, and although I hunted 
Indians on foot while my horse ran on the grass, 
I have never received a cent from the state of 
Oregon. Over forty years have passed since 
I did this service." 

After his discharge Mr. Taylor continued to 
live at home until 1858, the year of his mar- 
riage with Mary A. Small, a native of Tennes- 
see, who crossed the plains in 1853, ner peop 1 e 
locating near the Taylor farm. Taking up a 
claim of one hundred and sixty acres south of 
Cottage Grove he has continued to make that his 
home up to the present time, and to his original 
purchase has added and now owns more than 
five hundred acres. His farm has modern and 
practical improvements, and he raises produce, 
grain and stock. 

It is fitting that the son of so kindly and good 
a father should follow in his footsteps, and in 
this connection Mr. Taylor fulfills popular ex- 
pectations. He is fair and honorable in all of his 
dealings and possessed of more than ordinary 
interest in and regard for his fellow-men. He 



also is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and for a great many years has been 
class leader and steward. Politically he is a 
Prohibitionist, and this idea of temperance is 
by no means confined to intoxicants, but perme- 
ates every phase of his life, impressing all with 
his sobriety. Of the nine children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Taylor, Lincoln is a resident of Cot- 
tage Grove ; Ida C. and Rebecca are living at 
home ; Harvey has a farm near the home place ; 
and Lillie J. is making her home in Portland. 
Many positions of trust and responsibility have 
been tendered Mr. Taylor by his fellow towns- 
men, and he has held several of the local minor 
offices, including that of school director, for 
fifteen consecutive years. 



FELIX G. EBY. A worthy representative of 
the legal fraternity of Oregon, F. G. Eby, a well- 
known and esteemed citizen, has made the most 
of his opportunities, and in the course of his 
active career has steadily climbed the hill of 
progress and success. He is a self-made man 
in the broadest sense implied by the term, his 
life experiences furnishing an excellent example 
to the young men of this day and generation of 
what may be accomplished by persistent indus- 
try, enterprise and good judgment. A native of 
Lane county, he was born near Eugene, Au- 
gust 11, 1865, a son °f David Eby. On the 
paternal side he comes of thrifty German stock, 
his grandfather, Samuel Eby, having been born, 
bred and edticated in Germany. Emigrating to 
the United States he spent his first winter in 
this country in Pennsylvania, working as a mill- 
wright. The following spring he moved to Il- 
linois, where he was engaged in milling several 
years, and also became actively interested in the 
Moline Plow works. Removing from Illinois to 
Topeka, Kans., he engaged in milling and spec- 
ulating, being very successful in his operations. 
He died in that city, in 1893, at the venerable 
age of ninety-six years. 

Born near Springfield, 111., June 13, 1826, 
David Eby, father of F. G. Eby, spent a part of 
his early life there where he learned the cooper's 
trade. Crossing the plains in 185 1, he followed 
his trade in Astoria, Ore., for two years. 
Going to Portland, Ore., in 1853, he was em- 
ployed in the manufacture of barrels for a year, 
and was then a resident of Oregon City for a 
year. Locating in Linn county in 1855 he took 
up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty 
acres near Harrisburg, and settled with his bride, 
Elizabeth Barger, a native of Missouri and the 
daughter of Preston Barger, on the farm which 
he improved, living there until 1864. Purchas- 
ing land then in Lane county, he carried on 



1558 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



general farming for five years in that locality, 
in 1869 removing to eastern Oregon, where he 
was engaged in stock-raising two years, the 
present town of Prescott being located on the 
land that he then owned. Returning to Lane 
county in 1871 he carried on farming near Co- 
burg for two years, when he sold his farm, and 
settled in Harrisburg, where he worked for a 
year at his trade. Then buying three hundred 
and sixty acres of land a short distance from 
that place, he worked at farming until 1885, 
when he purchased a ranch near Goshen, Lane 
county, where he resided until 1897. Disposing 
of all his real estate in that year, he has since 
lived in different places in the valley, making his 
home with his children, since the death of his 
wife in August, 1900, looking after his finan- 
cial interests, and enjoying himself. He is an 
active member of the Christian Church, in which 
he is deacon, and since the formation of the 
State Grange of Oregon has been chaplain of 
the organization. Mrs. Eby's father, Preston 
Barger, was born in the state of Ohio and was 
also of German descent. In early manhood he 
lived in Illinois, removing from there to Mis- 
souri, and then, a few years after his marriage, 
coming to Oregon, crossing the plains in 185 1. 
Locating in Linn county, he took up three hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land, on which he and 
his good wife spent their remaining years, he 
dying at the advanced age of ninety years, and 
she in her eighty-ninth year. 

The eldest child of a family of four boys and 
three girls, F. G. Eby attended first the dis- 
trict schools of Oregon, subsequently entering 
the Portland Business College, from which he 
was graduated in 1884. From 1885 unt il J 888 
he taught school in Linn county, being quite 
successful as a teacher. In 1893 he began read- 
ing law at Woodburn, and also engaged in in- 
surance and real estate speculations. Passing 
the examination of the State Board of Exam- 
iners in 1896, he began the practice of law in 
Woodburn, continuing there four years there- 
after. Moving to Cottage Grove in May, 1900, 
"Judge Eby," so called on account of his sound 
reasonings on legal and other questions, formed 
a partnership with J. C. Johnson, and has since 
been actively and successfully engaged in his 
professional labors. He is especially interested 
in mining properties in the Bohemia district, 
having been one of the incorporators and pro- 
moters of the Le Roy Mining Company, of 
which he was formerly secretary and treasurer, 
and of the Hiawatha Mining Company, in which 
he is a director. Being elected city attorney of 
Cottage Grove in 1900, he served until the office 
was abolished in 1902. He was elected and 



served two terms as city attorney of Wood- 
burn. 

Politically Judge Eby is a stanch adherent of 
the Republican party, supporting its principles 
at all times and places. Being a fluent speaker, 
his services are in great demand in political cam- 
paigns. Fraternally he was made a Mason in 
1890, at Gervais, Marion county, joining Fidelity 
Lodge, No. 54, A. F. & A. M, of which he is 
past master; he is also a member of the Wood- 
men of the World and of the Foresters of 
America. October 28, 1903, he was married to 
Miss Tola Shull, an accomplished and highly 
esteemed young lady of Walla Walla, and since 
that time has resided at No. 660 Broadway, 
Portland. Mr. Eby has offices in the Chamber 
of Commerce, having identified himself with the 
business interests of Portland. 



EDWARD P. REDFORD. Among the en- 
terprising and successful farmers to whom Lane 
county owes so much for her present advanced 
position, Edward P. Redford deserves more than 
passing mention. Inheriting from thrifty and 
successful farmers an appreciation of the possi- 
bilities of his useful occupation, he has pro- 
gressed as study and research have broadened his 
mind and placed him in touch with the best to be 
obtained in his field. Born in Barren county, 
Ky., August 10, 1829, he is the son of a father 
who moved his family to Missouri about 1848, 
this being the third state in which he had owned 
farms, that in his native state of Virginia being 
the largest. There were fifteen children in the 
family, and Edward P., who was the fourth, led 
an uneventful life as a youth, attending the dis- 
trict schools irregularly, and working hard dur- 
ing the summer season. Like any other strong 
and resourceful young man, he was on the look- 
out for improving his prospects, and was willing 
to take great risks in order to place himself in a 
better position. The tales of mining and farm- 
ing which reached him from the west fell upon 
attentive ears, and April 24, 1850, he started out 
with ox-teams to make his fortune in the far 
west. Arriving in California at the end of five 
months, he mined and prospected for a year, but 
was not favorably impressed with the uncer- 
tainty and rough life incident to mining, nor was 
he sufficiently successful to warrant a continua- 
tion of the struggle. For a time he engaged in 
teaming, and in November, 1852, landed in Port- 
land, Ore., of which state he has since been a 
resident. 

In the spring of 1853 Mr Redford moved to 
near Eugene, and in February, 1853, to °k up a 
donation claim in Lane county. His marriage 
with Sarah M. Cochran occurred January 14, 
1855, Mrs. Redford being a native of Missouri, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1559 



and she came across the plains with her parents 
in 1852, locating on a farm in Lane county. 
Alter his marriage Mr. Redford took up a claim 
three miles northeast of Cottage Grove, mov- 
ing in 1861 to near Coburg, and in 1863 to ms 
present place, three miles northeast of Cottage 
Grove. This farm consisted of two hundred and 
twenty acres, being on the angles of sections 
9, 10, 15 and 16, township 20, range 3 west. At 
present he owns one hundred and fifty-six acres, 
upon which he has made all modern improve- 
ments, and carries on general farming and stock- 
raising. For about seventeen years he conducted 
harvesting machines around the country, and in 
this way materially increased his yearly allow- 
ance, many of the settlers being unable at that 
time to own the necessary machinery for the 
conduct of their farms. 

Of the first marriage of Mr. Redford nine 
children were born: John M., of Creswell; 
James E., of Arena ; Mrs. Elizabeth Armstrong, 
of California; and Mrs. Ida B. Stocks, of this 
vicinity, being the only survivors. Mrs. Red- 
ford died February 27, 1875. For a second wife 
Mr. Redford married Mrs. Harriett E. Hymas, 
a native of Missouri. In politics a Democrat, 
Mr. Redford has taken an active interest in 
county politics, although he has never been will- 
ing to have his name put in nomination for of- 
fice. He is a member and elder in the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church. During his life in 
the west Mr. Redford has identified himself with 
its unpleasant as well as agreeable phases of de- 
velopment, and during the Rogue River war 
gladly left his farm to espouse the cause of the 
settlers against the troublesome Indians. Enlist- 
ing under Captain Buoy, in Company B, he 
served for three months during the latter part of 
1855 and the beginning of 1856, participating in 
many of the important battles. Mr. Redford 
commands the respect and good will of all with 
whom he has been associated in whatsoever ca- 
capity, and as an agriculturist, soldier and gen- 
eral citizen, has done his part in the upbuilding 
of his adopted state. 



U. G. BERRY. The general merchandise 
store owned and managed by U. G. Berry is one 
of the successful business concerns of Peoria. 
Formerly the property of L. H. Ahrbecker, it 
came under the present control in 1896, and has 
since been enlarged both as to building and 
stock. A large trade is conscientiously cared 
for, the general line of commodities being of ex- 
cellent quality and at moderate prices. For five 
years Mr. Berry has been the postmaster of the 
town, a part of the store being arranged for the 
accommodation of the mails. 

Mr. Berry comes from a family from which 



one would expect only upright and capable men, 
for his youth was surrounded by the noblest 
and most worthy influences, and he was reared 
to appreciate the value of industry and a good 
name. His father, J. L. Berry, of German de- 
scent, was born in Richmond county, 111., and 
in early manhood devoted himself to a course 
of study at the United Brethren College in his 
native state. During his entire life he com- 
bined farming, preaching and general ministra- 
tions, at an early day removing to Minnesota, 
where he made his home for several years. He 
married Susan Reaves, who bore him seven 
children, four sons and three daughters, of whom 
U. G, the oldest, was born in Minnesota May 7, 
1869. I n I 88i the family fortunes were shifted 
from Minnesota to Wasco county, Ore., on the 
Hood river, and here the father took up a claim. 
At the same time U. G. attended Philomath Col- 
lege for a few months. The father did not long 
survive the change of climate and general sur- 
roundings, for his death occurred in Philomath 
in 1885, at the age of forty-seven years. 

After his father's death the oldest son in the 
family naturally assumed control of the farm, 
which greatly improved with the passing years, 
and proved both valuable and productive. Not 
wishing to remain longer in the country, the 
family decided to sell the property in 1890, and 
move to Corvallis, where U. G. Berry engaged 
in the transfer business with the City Dray Com- 
pany. In time he succeeded to the entire owner- 
ship of the business, and at the end of six years 
he moved to Peoria, and bought his present 
store of Mr. Ahrbecker. At Corvallis he was 
married in 1891 to Anna Ridenaur, who was 
born in Benton county, October 28, 1871, a 
daughter of William Ridenaur, who is still liv- 
ing, retired, in Lincoln county. Two children 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Berry: Glenn 
and Lucile. Aside from the office of postmaster, 
Mr. Berry has held several elective offices, among 
them that of school director and clerk for six 
years. He is one of the stanch Republicans of 
this town, and has never swerved from party 
allegiance since casting his first presidential 
vote. He is popular fraternally, and is connected 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Berry is genial 
and large-hearted, generous in his contributions 
to local enterprises of a charitable or upbuilding 
nature, and fair in his judgment of his friends 
and the world at large. 



WILLIAM HAMILTON. In the compara- 
tively brief space allowed one can scarcely do 
justice to the many interesting features of the 
life of William Hamilton, a pioneer of pioneers, 
whose memory of Indians and general border ex- 



1560 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



periences would furnish many a theme for the 
novelist or playwright. Mr. Hamilton was born 
in Jefferson county, Ind., January 10, 1836, and 
is the third youngest of the three sons and two 
daughters born to Forgus and Matilda (Woods) 
Hamilton, natives respectively of Pennsylvania 
and Virginia. The family was established in 
Pennsylvania by the paternal grandfather, who 
came from Ireland at a very early day, and 
farmed for the remainder of his life. From 
Pennsylvania Forgus Hamilton moved to Ohio, 
and from there to Jefferson county, Ind. His 
death occurred in Jennings county, Ind., his 
wife surviving him for a number of years. 

Limited educational opportunities did not 
dwarf the early ambitions of William Hamilton, 
who learned more from observation and practical 
experience than do most men in many years of 
application to books. In 185 1 he crossed the 
plains in a caravan bound for Oregon. For ten 
years he mined and prospected in northern Cali- 
fornia, and in the spring of 1861 made his way 
to the Orofino mines in Idaho. He spent the 
winter of 1861-2 in the Salmon river basin and 
at the Florence and Idaho mines. In 1862 he 
bought animals and engaged in packing from 
Lewiston to the Salmon river district and Elk 
City, and afterward from Walla Walla to the 
Boise Basin. In 1864 he returned from this 
pioneer experience to the Willamette valley, 
afterward visiting the mines, but in 1865 settled 
in Lane county, which has since been his home. 
His first farm in this county was on Lake creek, 
twenty-five miles west of Junction City, and con- 
sisted of one hundred and sixty acres of land, 
which he lost because of a defective title. He 
later took up one hundred and twenty-nine acres 
near his original farm, and in 1872 bought forty 
acres of land from the railroad company, located 
in section 17. All of this land has since been 
disposed of, Mr. Hamilton having lived on a 
portion of it until about two years ago, and sub- 
sequently moved to Junction City. 

Mr. Hamilton has never married, but this does 
not indicate that his life has been self-centered, 
or that the large profits from his various enter- 
prises have not passed into useful channels. He 
is humanitarian in the extreme, giving liberally 
to the worthy causes represented in his neigh- 
borhood and county, and proving a friend indeed 
to many less fortunate than himself. In his early 
conflicts with the Indians he was not unmindful 
of the things due the deposed monarchs of the 
plains, and often made friends with the most 
troublesome of the leaders. In 1855 he enlisted 
in the Harris Company under Col. John Ross, 
and later served in the Second Oregon mounted 
volunteers, participating in the battle of Hungry 
Hill, and in that of the Cabins with the Apple- 
gates, the latter of whom were renowned for 



hard and desperate fighting. He was discharged 
from the service in the Rogue River valley, and 
thereafter returned to the mines to undergo for 
many years the deprivations and dangers which 
beset all who tried to make their way in the 
early days. He is probably more familiar with 
the trails and out-of-the-way places in this north- 
western country than any other man now living 
in Junction City, and it was this very knowledge 
of the country that caused him to be selected as 
guide to lead from the hills the army that after- 
ward went to Grave Creek. In political affilia- 
tion Mr. Hamilton is a Lincoln Republican, a 
Jeffersonian Democrat and a silver man to the 
core. He is at present employing his leisure in 
writing a complete history of his life, and his 
facile pen will undoubtedly lend itself to graphic 
descriptions utterly impossible on the part of even 
his most intimate and well-informed friends. 
Mr. Hamilton is appreciated for his many ad- 
mirable traits of character, for his goodness of 
heart and his intense public spirit, and his friends 
throughout the northwest are legion. 



JAMES ISAAC JONES. A man of remark- 
able business energy, foresight and sagacity, 
James Isaac Jones, of Cottage Grove, occupies 
a position of eminence in the financial, agricul- 
tural, political and social life of Lane county. 
During his active career he has been conspicu- 
ously identified with many of the leading indus- 
tries of this section of the state, and in his oper- 
ations has invariably met with success, fortune 
smiling upon his every venture. A son of C. 
H. Jones, he was born December 1, 1866, in 
Macon City, Macon county, Mo., of Virginian 
ancestry. 

Isaac W. Jones, the grandfather of James 
Isaac, was born in Virginia, of colonial stock. 
Going to Tennessee as a pioneer, he worked at 
his trade of an iron-forger until 1850, when he 
followed the march of civilization westward to 
Missouri. Purchasing land in Macon county, 
near the city of Macon, he carried on general 
farming until his death, at the advanced age of 
eighty-six years. A model citizen, and a man 
of true Christian character, he was a faithful 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, in which he did much active work, being 
a local preacher. 

Born in Tennessee, C. H. Jones accompanied 
his parents to Missouri, and with the exception 
of a year spent in Indiana, lived in that state 
until 1883. On account of failing health he then 
emigrated to Oregon, locating at Cottage Grove 
as a carpenter, and still resides here, living 
rather retired from active pursuits. He married 
Louisa Harriet Gentry, who was born in Indi- 
ana, near Bloomington, where her father, James 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1561 



Gentry, was born, lived and died. Six children 
were born of their union, James Isaac, the third 
child in succession of birth, being the only son. 

Completing his education in the public schools 
of Oregon, James Isaac Jones embarked in bus- 
iness on his own account in 1889, as a butcher, 
borrowing $50 for the purpose. At the end 
of two years he sold out, having paid off his in- 
debtedness and cleared $600 in that time. In 
1891 he bought a saw-mill on the Coast Fork 
river, and in a short time had so enlarged his 
business that he had to increase the capacity of 
the mill from six thousand feet per day to ten 
thousand feet per day, later increasing it to 
thirty-three thousand feet per day. With char- 
acteristic enterprise he built a lumber plant at 
what is now Saginaw, in Lane county, thus es- 
tablishing the town, which he named, and as- 
sisted in building. The mill has a capacity of 
sixty-five thousand feet per day, and the flume 
is five miles, nine hundred feet long and one 
thousand six hundred and sixty feet high at the 
summit. The plant, which is one of the largest 
in the county, has planing-mills and dryers con- 
nected with it. In 1898 Mr. Jones sold out his 
lumber interests, and the following year bought 
four hundred and twenty acres of land adjoin- 
ing Cottage Grove on the southeast, the farm 
being known as the old Shields donation claim, 
and subsequently laid off the J. I. Jones addi- 
tion to the town. 

Embarking in enterprises of a different nature 
in 1899, Mr. Jones purchased three different 
groups of mining claims in the Bohemia dis- 
trict, buying a part of the Music and Oregon 
and Colorado groups, and all of the Winchester 
group. In 1900 he sold his share in the first 
two groups, but still retains the Winchester r 
which he is developing, obtaining a fine grade of 
lead ore. In his mining ventures he met with 
much success, and also made money in land spec- 
ulations, having, in 1900, in company with "J. 
W. Cook, of Portland, purchased ten thousand 
acres of railway land and two thousand acres of 
school script land, all of which he has since sold 
at an advantageous price. In 1901 he bought 
the Major Chrisman ranch of seven hundred 
and fifty-four acres, at Saginaw, where he is 
carrying on an extensive dairy and creamery 
business, keeping one hundred and seventy-five 
head of cattle. He is also the owner of four 
hundred and twenty acres of good timber land in 
Lane county. In 1900 Mr. Jones established 
himself in the hardware business in Cottage 
Grove, continuing for a year as head of the firm 
of Jones & Phillips. 

Mr. Jones married, at Cottage Grove, Lillie 
Lewis, who was born near Junction City, a 
daughter of J. B. Lewis, a general merchant of 
this place. She died a year after their marriage. 



Mr. Jones married a second time, in Eugene, 
Ore., Gertrude H. Roberts, who was born in 
Iowa, the birthplace of her father, John Roberts, 
a farmer, who is now living retired from active 
pursuits in Eugene. Four children have blessed 
the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jones, namely : Oscar 
I., deceased; Frankie Carl; Robert Lester; and 
Maria. 1 In politics Mr. Jones is a Republican, 
and has always taken a cordial interest in the suc- 
cess of his party. He has served as precinct 
committeeman, for one term was mayor of the 
city, and is now serving his second term as coun- 
cilman. He is prominent in fraternal organiza- 
tions, belonging to Cottage Grove Lodge, A. F. 
& A. M. ; to Eugene Chapter, R. A. M. ; to the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows; to the 
Knights of Pythias ; and to the Artisans. He is 
an active member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which he is steward and trustee, and 
superintendent of the Sunday school, having held 
the latter position the past four years. 



JAMES SCOTT McMURRY. On Alder 
street, near the Masonic cemetery, James Scott 
McMurry is engaged in hay growing and gen- 
eral farming on a portion of the old claim which 
has been a treasured possession of his family 
since 1851. Within sight of the lights of the 
city of Eugene, Mr. McMurry has the advantage 
of both city and country, and his every day life 
is passed upon one of the most fertile and well 
equipped farms in this vicinity. Mr. McMurry 
was three years and three months old when his 
feet first trod the soil of the unimproved farm, 
for he was born near Quincy, Adams county, 
111., July 22, 1848, and reached here in Septem- 
ber, 185 1. 

Fieldin McMurry, the father of James Scott 
McMurry, was born in Kentucky, whence had 
settled his paternal grandfather, James Mc- 
Murry, after his emigration from Scotland. 
James McMurry spent his last years in the 
Bourbon state ; after his death his son, Fieldin, 
removed to Adams county, 111., where he married 
Harriett Riggs, a native of that state, whose 
father, Scott Riggs, was a farmer and early set- 
tler there. With his wife Fieldin McMurry be- 
gan housekeeping on the farm he had purchased 
near Quincy, and there four of their children 
were born, all of whom accompanied their pa- 
rents across the plains in 185 1. The family 
equipment consisted of three wagons and several 
ox-teams, and the journey was accomplished 
without any serious drawbacks to the health or 
convenience of the travelers. The father pur- 
chased the Culver donation claim of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres, erected a small log house 
and later built a more modern residence, his last 
home being just east of where the University 



1562 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of Oregon has since been built. He became 
a prominent man in this locality, and was hon- 
ored by his election to offices of trust and re- 
sponsibility. He was the first treasurer of Lane 
county, and was also a member of the territorial 
legislature which met at Corvallis. Formerly 
a Whig, he was equally stanch as a Republican, 
and a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Besides James Scott, who was the 
fourth child, there was Milton, now living in 
Eugene; Louisa Hubbard, Mary and Zodac, 
who died in Eugene ; and Emma, Mrs. Arch- 
ambeau, of Portland. 

After his father's death, in i860, J. S. Mc- 
Murry remained at home and helped his mother 
with the management of the farm. Besides the 
country schools he attended Christian College, at 
Monmouth, in 1871-72. At the age of twenty- 
five, in 1873, he married Emma Murphy, daugh- 
ter of John E. Murphy, a prominent resident of 
Polk county, and thereafter went to housekeep- 
ing on a farm half a mile from Monmouth, Polk 
county, consisting of one hundred and sixty 
acres. Here he engaged principally in grain 
farming until 1879, during which year he came 
into his inheritance of one hundred acres of the 
old farm. His father had sold off ten acres for 
the Masonic cemetery four years before his 
death, but otherwise retained his property intact. 
Mr. McMurry has about fifty acres in hay, 
and the balance is devoted to grain and general 
farming, also to a fine fruit orchard and large 
garden. In 1901 he built a prune dryer at Thurs- 
ton, and now derives a substantial income from 
drying and shipping prunes for the surrounding 
horticulturists. 

Like his father, Mr. McMurry is a Republican, 
although he has no thought of participating in 
the official affairs of his district. He is essen- 
tially a man of domestic habits, devoted to his 
farm and family. For many years he has been 
a member of the Christian Church, in which he 
faithfully performs his duties as deacon. He is 
a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men. Eight children have been born into the 
McMurry family. The oldest daughter, Daisy, 
is the wife of Mr. Love, and is making her home 
in Canyonville; Ralph and Frank became sol- 
diers in the Spanish-American war, serving in 
the Philippine Islands in Company C, Second 
Oregon Volunteer Infantry; Myrtle, Nellie, 
Elsie, Glenn and Edna are living at home. Mr. 
McMurry is a practical and energetic farmer, 
progressive and public spirited, and no one in 
the community bears a better reputation for sin- 
cerity of purpose and business integrity. 



GEORGE M. HAWLEY. The faith which 
peopled and developed the resources of Oregon 
also gave rise to a spirit of independence which 



characterized those who cast their lot in the early 
days as pioneers, and without this the west must 
have lacked that which has so quickly lifted to 
importance its commercial and industrial inter- 
ests. Many of the present prominent citizens of 
the state are the sons of those adventurous spirits, 
and their inheritance of courage, energy and per- 
severance has early insured their success in the 
various lines of business adapted to this section 
of the country, of which none holds a higher 
place than the cultivation of the soil, in which 
many of the most talented men of the state are 
engaged. 

In the vicinity of Creswell, Lane county, is lo- 
cated the home of George M. Hawley, one of the 
progressive and up-to-date farmers of this region. 
He is a native son of the state, having been born 
on the Divide, Ore., September 9, 1857, the son 
of Ira Hawley. The latter was born in York 
county, N. Y., May 16, 1817, and his father 
being a farmer by occupation he was early trained 
to that life. When seventeen years old he started 
out into the world to make his own way, going 
first to the state of Illinois, Knox county, where 
he engaged as a farm hand, working by the 
month. This was continued steadily until he had 
attained his majority — a perseverance uncommon 
in so young a man, — and with the proceeds of his 
four years' work he bought a farm, where he en- 
gaged in farming for himself. He was married 
about this time to Elvira Riley, a native of Indi- 
ana, and he remained in Illinois until 1849, when 
he was attracted by the glowing reports to cross 
the plains on a Cayuse pony into the gold fields 
of California. There he mined for about a year, 
when he returned to Illinois by way of the Isth- 
mus of Panama, and in the spring of 1852 he 
crossed the plains with his family, coming direct 
to Lane county, Ore., where he took up a dona- 
tion claim of three hundred and twenty acres lo- 
cated on the Divide between Douglas and Lane 
counties. This remained his home for many 
years, and in the prosecution of stock dealing and 
farming he gradually accumulated a large amount 
of property, none of which he was ever known to 
sell. He became one of the very successful men 
of the county and was one of the principal stock 
dealers in this section, his estate amounting to 
four thousand acres, which he divided among his 
children a few years before his death. He lived 
to be over eighty years old, while his wife died 
at seventy-six. The two acquired fame as the 
keepers of what was known as the " Mountain 
House," the last stopping place on this side of the 
Calipooes mountains. Of the children born to 
them, Niram is located near Moscow, Idaho; 
William B. is in Lorane, Ore. ; George M. is the 
subject of this review; Robert D. is located in the 
vicinity of Creswell ; and James owns the old 
homestead on the Divide 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1563 



George M. Hawley was reared on his father's 
farm and received his education in the district 
schools of Cottage Grove. He remained at home 
until attaining his majority, and he then came to 
the farm which he now occupies, then having three 
hundred and seventy-five acres one and one-half 
miles north of Creswell, and three hundred and 
twenty embodied in a stock ranch eight miles 
west. For six years he lived alone upon this 
farm and then married Mary C. Adams, a native 
of Cottage Grove, and the two children born to 
them are Herbert and George Frances. He now 
has six hundred and ninety-five acres of land, two 
hundred and fifty of which are under cultivation, 
and is carrying on g-eneral farming and stock- 
raising, his greatest industry being tbe raising of 



Durham cattle, Cotswold sheep, Angora goats. 
A neat dwelling and substantial outbuildings add 
to the general appearance of his property. 

March 31, 1894, Mr. Hawley married for a 
second wife Minnie M. Ozment, a native of Lo- 
rane. Mr. Hawley is prominent in fraternal 
orders, being a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, Daughters of Rebekah, Ancient 
Order of United Workmen and Woodmen of the 
World. Politically he is a Republican and has 
held various offices in the vicinitv. and alwavs 
takes an active and intelligent part in tbe affairs 
of the community. One of the most important 
business positions which he has held is that of 
one of the trustees of the First National Bank of 
Cottage Grove. 




INDEX 



A 



Abrams, Lewis 981 

Acheson, Mathew 1247 

Ackerman, Hon. J. H 995 

Adams, Oliver H 705 

Adams, Oscar P 1454 

Addison, Robert 465 

Adkins, Sampson D 1064 

Agee, James 1236 

Ainsworth, George J 80 

Ainsworth, Capt. J. C 158 

Ainsworth, J. C 159 

Akers, Jabez H 1525 

Alderman, Edwin A 757 

Alexander, William H 1436 

Allen, Frank E 257 

Allen, Henry 551 

Allen, Nelson H 432 

Allen, Timothy D 872 

Allen, William M 1208 

Ambler, Henry 1142 

Ambler, Thomas L 900 

Ames, Joseph S 1458 

Ames, Samuel 827 

Amstutz, Jacob 876 

Andersen, Peter C 485 

Apperson, Capt. J. T 279 

Applegate, Charles 1494 

Applegate, Jesse 141 5 

Applegate, Lindsay 1545 

Armitage, Frank L 1393 

Arnold, James L 1204 

Arthur, A. F 559 

Arthurs, John D 1 164 

Atkinson, Joseph M 1230 

Atwater, James L 910 

Avery, J. C 869 

Avery, Punderson 919 

Awbrey, Milton T 1256 

B 

Babcock, William P 576 

Bailey, Eli j ah 783 

Baker, John W.. 1446 

Baker, William E 372 

Bangs, Eli 1528 

Barbre, Thomas 1484 

Barclay, Isaac 1422 

Barclay, Mrs. Mary W 1285 

Barclay, William 1309 

Barclay, William D 964 

Barlow, William 137 

Barnard. Guilford 948 

Barnes. Mrs. Martha 1079 

Barr, Syrus V 1439 

Barr, Herman W 1298 

Bashaw, Peter 1226 

Baskett. Catherine S 788 

Bates, Hon. G. W 170 

Bates, P. A 720 

Bausch, Mrs. Rosalia 1094 

Baxter, Samuel R 649 



Beam, I. B 1462 

Beamis. George 1388 

Bean, Frederick C 1382 

Bean, Louis E 1255 

Beard, Josephus J 1051 

Beardsley, James 477 

Becke, Charles, Jr 1276 

Beck, Mrs. Margarite 899 

Bedwell, H. F 614 

Beebe, Gen. C. F 154 

Beezley, Benjamin F 1351 

Bell, Edward 871 

Bell, James H 1416 

Bell, John C 133 

Bellman, F. B 1529 

Belt, Charles F 347 

Bennett, Levi 533 

Bents, Fred 743 

Bents, Henry L 1228 

Bents, William 1463 

Berry, U. G 1559 

Berry, Henry M 822 

Beutgen, Rev. Peter 1539 

Bewley, James F 267 

Bewley, Roswell L 268 

Bible, A. S 570 

Bickel, Fred 157 

Bickers, Horace E 309 

Biddle, Edward 407 

Bilyeu, Jackson A 1248 

Bilyeu, Hon. Lark. 1525 

Bilyeu, Hon. William R 898 

Bishop, Charles P 353 

Black, Charles W 238 

Blackburn, Addison P 737 

Blakely, Capt. James 1213 

Blakeslee, Charles L 841 

Bland, George H 1165 

Bland, John W 1162 

Blanton, John 788 

Blevins, Hon. Alfred 1058 

Blevins, Andrew J 1057 

Blumhart, Frederick G 1347 

Boardman, Prof. H. L 640 

Bodine, Daniel H 870 

Boedigheimer, Bruno G 1470 

Bogue, William 842 

Boise, Hon. Reuben P 209 

Bomhoff, Dedrick H 341 

Bond, Albert B 1000 

Bond, Isaac W 1406 

Bond, Samuel Lincoln 1063 

Bonham, Hon. Benjamin F... 241 

Bonney, Bradford S 1161 

Bonney, T. L 553 

Boyle, Mrs. Josephine 364 

Boynton, Charles 339 

Brandeberry. Jason N 402 

Branson, Eli T 643 

Brattain, George 1448 

Brattain, James C 1137 

Brewer, C. H., M.D 1461 

Brewer, John F 1426 

Breyman, Werner 1304 



Bridgefarmer. Alanson 1059 

Bridges, B. F 800 

Brinkley, Henry H 750 

Bristow, Darwin 1419 

Bristow, Henry T 946 

Bronaugh, Earl C, Jr 286 

Bronaugh, Earl C 287 

Brooks, Frank M., M.D 357 

Brown, James H 578 

Brown, James M 1377 

Brown, Jesse 1310 

Brown, L. W., M.D 1096 

Brown, Gen. Martin V 1032 

Brown, W. R 528 

Browne, Samuel C, M.D 961 

Brownell, Albert io=;2 

Brownell, Hon. G. C 89 

Bruce, James 1348 

Bryant, George K 671 

Buchanan, James S 749 

Buchanan, John A 1150 

Buchanan, William A 1260 

Bucher, Rev. Felix 1463 

Buckingham, Augustus H 210 

Buoy, Noah 1513 

Burch, Charles H 502 

Burkhart, George W 449 

Burnett, Judge John 1340 

Burnett, M. P 976 

Burns, H. C 620 

Burton, Alvin A 906 

Busey, David S 812 

Bush, Hon. Asahel 27 

Bushnell, James A 131 1 

Buskey, Frank 947 

Bussard, Dory. 382 

Buterick, Harrison 365 

Butler, Ira F. M 1181 

Butt, Clarence 987 

Buxton, Edward 1 169 

Byerley, Absalom 552 

Byrd, Lorenzo A 903 

Byrd, William H., M.D 297 



Calbreath, Hon. John F 534 

Caldwell, Valentine H 1070 

Calhoon, Mrs. Rebecca........ 528 

Callaway, Carroll C 1387 

Callison, Robert 1093 

Cameron, James M 841 

Campbell, Albert 871 

Campbell, Frank 688 

Campbell, Robert E 1454 

Campbell, William 672 

Canan, Mrs. Mary A 1458 

Cannon, Sylvester 659 

Canter, Marshall W 811 

Caples, Hon. J. F 291 

Cartwright, Richard, M.D 952 

Cary, George T 715 

Cathey, B. A, M.D 1011 



1566 



INDEX. 



Chamberlain, Hon. George E. . . 37 

Chamberlin, Enoch 843 

Chamberlin, Miss Ellen J 1483 

Chambers, Franklin J 1517 

Chambers, Frank L 1319 

Chambers, Mathew C 926 

Chandler, A. C 630 

Chandler, Will E 1179 

Chapin, Milton S 700 

Chapman, Elias F 1397 

Charlton, James K 504 

Cheshire, Waldo L., M.D 1491 

Chipman, Seymour 11 55 

Chrisman, Hon. Gabriel R....1398 

Chrisman, Winfield S 1449 

Christenson, Nels C 564 

Church, John C 1090 

Churchill, L. Arthur 817 

Chute, Abraham L 748 

Claggett, William D 893 

Clanfield, Henry 1418 

Clark, Newton 95 

Clark, Capt. Peter F 327 

Claxton, Richard 444 

Claypool, Samuel R 1173 

Geek, Henry A 262 

Cleland, Hon. J. B 29 

Cleland, William A 30 

Clelen, John H 1472 

Cline, George W 1048 

Clough, A. M 915 

Clough, Harry B., M.D 996 

Coad, Chester G 1216 

Coad, Frank J 1248 

Coad, Samuel 520 

Cochran, George W 1065 

Cochran, William T 1022 

Cockrell, Thomas 448 

Colbath, Benjamin B 346 

Coleman, Enoch P 1403 

Coleman, James 669 

Coleman, William T 485 

Collins, J. J 390 

Collins, Judge J. L 1126 

Collinson, Thomas 1497 

Colwell, John J 312 

Comegys, Presley 925 

Comley, Jennings B 804 

Compton, James W 838 

Cone, Anson S 393 

Cone, Gustavus A 211 

Conner, Job 297 

Conner, Roswell L 676 

Conser, John A 1189 

Cook, Mrs. E. A 619 

Cook, Francis M 438 

Cook, John F 618 

Cook, John F., M.D 569 

Cooley, Alexander 1519 

Cooley, John 1392 

Cooley, Mathias 1 183 

Cooley, William C 1231 

Coolidge, Ai 387 

Coon, Washington L 1077 

Cooper, Bazzel W 1297 

Cooper, Col. Jacob C 692 

Cooper, John R 1001 

Cooper, Thomas H 1 160 

Coote, Prof. George 1 097 

Coovert, Abram 710 

Coovert, John W 626 

Corbett, Hon. H. W 21 

Cordley, Arthur B 1328 



Cornelius, Absalom H 539 

Cornelius, Green B 414 

Cornett, John B 1222 

Coshow, Oliver P 821 

Covell, Grant A 1313 

Cowls, Hon. J. W 261 

Cox, Edwin G 928 

Cox, Peter J 1407 

Cox, Smith 928 

Coyle, Alexander 781 

Cozine, Pleasant 677 

Craig, Capt. David 399 

Crain, Frederick W. A 1405 

Crandall, Albert 1 1202 

Craw, George F 853 

Crawford, John 641 

Crawford, Robert M 1465 

Crawford, Thomas H 1342 

Crees, William 1085 

Cressy, W. E 902 

Crisell, William A 1 183 

Crittenden, Charles M 1357 

Croisan, Hon. Edward M 1023 

Cronise, Harry H 844 

Crosby, Rufus C 1239 

Crow, J. Hardy 1508 

Crow, William N 1508 

Crowder, Salmon W 665 

Crowley, James M., M.D 727 

Crume, Nelson P 1152 

Cummings, Thomas B 1002 

Cummings, William L 989 

Currier, Jacob M 1333 

Currin, John 1476 

Currin, William H 848 

Cusick, Hon. W. A, M.D 584 

Cusiter, George 932 



D 



Daly, Hon. John J 478 

Damon, Lyman 729 

Daniel, Samuel M 728 

Dannals, James 318 

Dannals, O. P 251 

Dannals, Reuben 294 

Darst, Paul 321 

Davenport, Homer C 934 

Davenport, Hon. Timothy W.942 

David, John B 1305 

Davidson William M 737 

Davis, Piatt A 235 

Davis, James B 926 

Davis, John N 459 

Davis, L. T 363 

Davis, Hon. W. H., M.D 1193 

Dawson, Hon. Sylvander A. . 666 

Dekum, Adolph A 96 

De Guire, Charles F 931 

Denney, John 1346 

Dentel, Godfrey 929 

Derby, James R ." 630 

Dickinson, John 729 

Dimick, George W. . . . .' 1053 

Dimmick, Joseph 1172 

D'Lashmutt, E. L 525 

Dodge, Francis M 993 

Dolph, Cyrus A 178 

Dolph, Hon. Joseph N 180 

Donaca, William B 815 

Dosch, Col. H. E 285 

Douglas, Samuel M 1253 



Downing, William H 1307 

Drucks, John E 1206 

Duncan, John 1414 

Dunn, Francis B 1435 

Durst, Balthasar 781 



Earhart, George F 654 

Earhart, Rockey P 115 

Eberhard, George 1 129 

Ebbert, James A 1400 

Eby, Felix G 1557 

Edwards, Major Frank E 1554 

Edwards, Isaac N 1493 

Edwards, James E 954 

Edwards, Jesse 303 

Edwards, Melvin M 1190 

Ek, Magnus 212 

Eldridge, Kersey C 856 

Elkins, James 881 

Elkins, Luther 881 

Ellis, John 474 

Ellis, Maj. Matthew H., M.D.. 894 

Ellis, Hon. Mitchell M 683 

Ellis, William R 578 

Elmore, William P 605 

Embree, Thomas V. B., M.D.. . 413 

Emerick, Prof. Bert E 1253 

Emmens, Mrs. Eliza G 532 

English, John 878 

English, Levin N 370 

Erbsland, Joseph 1043 

Esson, Alexander 542 

Evans, William G 784 

Everding, Henry 67 

Everest, William 1 191 

Everett, Henry G 1175 



Failing, Edward 48 

Failing, Henry 33 

Failing, James F 48 

Failing, Hon. Josiah 47 

Farra, George R., M.D 743 

Farrow, Charles S 1430 

Farwell, Edward D 1361 

Farwell, Richard 1361 

Farwell, Richard C 1361 

Faull, William 1297 

Fawcett, Thomas K 1147 

Feller, Francis 1117 

Feller, Peter 483 

Fendall, Philip R 655 

Fendall, Riley Y 57« 

Fenton, James D 41 

Fenton, William D 41 

Fields, Frank S 134 

Fink, Victor, M.D 468 

Finley, Hugh M 1544 

Finn, John J 797 

Finseth, Peter A 310 

Finzer r . Elmer W 796 

Finzer, Capt. William E 859 

Fischer, Henry F 837 

Fischer, Louis H 958 

Fisher, Ernest W 1386 

Fisher, William J 1078 

Fisk, Fred 1096 

Flanders, Capt. G. H 116 



INDEX. 



1567 



Fleischner, I. N 44 

Flickinger, Henry 731 

Flinn, Judge L 650 

Ford. August R 638 

Ford, John T 664 

Foster, H. Z 707 

Foster, John W 1278 

Frank, Clement S 1375 

Frasier, Edward J 1380 

Frazer. Arthur L 96 

Frazer, Uel L 1219 

Frazer, George N 917 

Frazier, William 163 

Fresh, Frank M 1372 

Froman, David 1497 

Froman, Strauder 466 

Fruit. Martin P 731 

Fry, George M 806 

Fry, John 864 

Fry, Olney 1407 

Fry, R. William 217 

Fry, William 795 

Fryer, J. T 720 

Fuller, James N. B 913 

Fullerton, C. P 1129 

Fulton, Hon. C. W 90 

Fundman, Paul 1247 



Galbraith, Joseph P 412 

Galloway, Hon. Charles V 601 

Galloway, Hon. William 1299 

Gant, Reuben 944 

Gardner, Abner D 984 

Gardner Brothers 735 

Gardner, Winfield S 738 

Garlinghouse, Mary A 1326 

Gatch, Thomas M 1350 

Gaulet, Mathias 776 

Gearin, Hugh B 1224 

Geary, Edward R 128 

Gee, Henry 639 

Geer, Levi 1449 

Geer, Hon." T-^eodore T 199 

Geisendorfer, John 575 

Geldard, William 471 

George, Hon. M. C 53 

Gerhard, Conrad A 850 

Gibson. D. W 877 

Giesy, Benjamin F., M.D 909^ 

Giesy, Jacob 805 

Gill, Matthew C 1036 

Gilliam, Gen. Cornelius 526 

Gillis, Col. A. B., M.D 503 

Gilmour, John W 1279 

Gilstrap, Will G 1326 

Glass, John H 764 

GlasSj Robert 951 

Gleason, Amos S 741 

G'eason, Irving E 1310 

Glenn, Robert 437 

Glover, C. P 927 

Glover. F. M ^]2^ 

Gcan, Mrs. Elizabeth 1205 

Gofif, Eugenio E 324 

Goins, Edward, Sr 1461 

Goltra, William 395 

Gooch, George M 243 

Goodall, Oliver P...: 828 

Gooding, Nicholas 963 

Gordon, Herbert 1429 

Goucher, E. E., M.D 590 



Gouley, Philip P 985 

Gowdy, J. T 687 

Go wdy, James W 1385 

Graham. John J 548 

Grant, Richard J 1308 

Grant, William 521 

Grauer, Jacob 701. 

Graves, Col. J. B 262 

Graves, Thomas J 563 

Gray, Joseph 1 151 

Green, William M 1386 

Greer, George H 381 

Grierson, David W 776 

Griffin. G. W 1540 

Grigsby, James A 730 

Grimes, J. H 306 

Groth, Bernhard 1304 

Grover, La Fayette 1046 

Groves, William 1324 



H 



Hackleman, Abraham 1516 

Hackleman, Frank A 1496 

Flager, William 883 

Hagey, Henry L 1300 

Hagey, Levi 661 

Hall, Abner R 1179 

Hall, Albert D 1140 

Hall, George T 1480 

Hall, Lafayette F 918 

Hall, W. W 323 

Hamilton, Asher F 1235 

Hamilton, Joseph E 751 

Hamilton, William 1559 

Hammond, Justus E 1 164 

Hampton, John D 901 

Hand. William R 264 

Hansen, Peter 1417 

Harger, Linus W 1266 

Harris, John 1321 

Harris, John W., M.D 1490 

Harris, Nancy W 492 

Harris, Lawrence T 1482 

Harris, T. W., M.D 1529 

FTarrison. Robert 1553 

Hart, Julius N 420 

Hartley, Edmund W 1265 

Hartman, Hon. C. D 490 

Hastings, John C 817 

Hastings. Reuben A 887 

Hatch, H. W 1459 

Hawkins. Edward H 1051 

Hawley. George M 1562 

Flawley, James H 1549 

Hawley. John H 447 

Hawley, Robert D 1432 

Hayes, James 875 

Hays, Mrs. Malvina J 1523 

Hayter, Oscar 242 

Hayter, Thomas J 242 

Hazleton, C. C 1409 

Heckart, W. 1555 

Helmick. James 375 

Helmick. Mrs. Sarah 697 

Hembree. Isham N 1503 

Hemenway, James 1452 

Hendershott. George W 624 

Henderson, James P. G 939 

Henderson, William B 1070 

Hendrick, Hon. Marion B 558 

Hendricks, Hon. Thomas G... 195 
Hendricson, William F 1042 



Henkie, Jeremiah E 11 54 

Henkle, Robert L 1148 

Henry, Dudley G 713 

Herren, Albert 1190 

Herren, Edward C 848 

Herren, Levi M 905 

Herron, Hugh 1021 

Herron, James M 963 

Herron, Josiah H 1 149 

Hewitt, Hon. H. H 400 

Hibbard, Trenton R 424 

Hicks, Charles F 911 

Hicks. Philip T 911 

Hill, John J 798 

Hill, Col. J. Linsey 617 

Hilleary, William M 496 

Hillman, Samuel T 826 

Hiltibrand, James 855 

Hinds, Fingal 1447 

Flinkle, Harvey A 1379 

Hinkle, John R 436 

Hinshaw, Zim 1250 

Hinton, Thompson D 964 

Hinton, Wesley T294 

Hirlburt, Joel ^57 

Hirsch, Edward 495 

Hirsch, Hon. Solomon 164 

Hoag, C. H 7S 8 

Hobart, Scott T 1060 

Hobson, Hon. W. H 1 140 

Hodes, August IO i 4 

Hodges, Drury R I3I 6 

Hodson, John M 169 

Hodson, Julius C 930 

Hoffman, James 1481 

Hoffman, William T 1220 

Holden, Col. Charles H 1510 

Hollenbeck, Henry F 1269 

Holloway, Edward 1290 

Holman, John B 406 

Holmes, Francis L 1221 

Holt, Samuel D 1495 

Hopkins, Hon. J. B 1434 

Hopkins, Thomas G 317 

H orton, Samuel H 1 166 

Hoskins, J. L 708 

Hosmer, J. Earl 915 

Houck, George A 1530 

Houck, James 691 

Houck, W. S 607 

Houston, Newton 897 

Howard, James A 360 

Howard, James L 1223 

Howard, Samuel N 1314 

Howd, Capt. Julius 988 

Howe, Thomas 311 

Hoyt, Capt. Richard no 

Hubbard, Judge W. C 345 

Huddleston, Mrs. Samantha A. 1089 

Hudson, Albert D 1067 

Hudson. William 1067 

Huff, Charles C 1219 

Huggins. David 1360 

Hughes. James S 599 

Hughes, John 333 

Hulburt, Alden S 1390 

Hulburt. Mark 1533 

Hume, Peter 623 

Humphrey, Henry Clay 1427 

Humphreys, John P 1379 

Humphreys, Hon. N. B 450 

Humphreys, William J 941 

Hunt, Jeptha T 222 



1568 



INDEX. 



Hunt, John A 507 

Hunt, Mary E 990 

Hunt, Capt. M. W 975 

Hurd, Oscar W 1487 

Hurley, Gus A 1266 

Hurst, Frederick J. J 560 

Hurst, Fred P 1372 

Hurst, William S 1 107 

Huston, Hon. Samuel B 125 

Huston, Walter 744 

Huston, Worth 237 

Hutchinson, Joseph S 92 

Hutt, Lewis S 612 



I 



Her, William E 1381 

Imus, Zachariah J 1267 

Inman, Hon. R. D 147 

Ireland, Theron A 914 

Ireland, William P 766 

Irvine, Robert A 139 

Irvine, Rev. Samuel G 508 

Irwin, Richard 1280 

Irwin, R. S 1350 

Isom, Jefferson D 969 



J 



Jackson, Carl H : . . . 144 

Jackson, Col. James 67 

Jackson, Philip E 1521 

Jackson, Wesley 143 

Jackson, William C 886 

Jackson, Prof. William L 816 

James, John T 913 

Jamison, Ewing B 1382 

Jayne, Robert A., M.D 1136 

Jeffries, Theodore 783 

Jennings, Hon. A. C 1078 

Jerman, William J 489 

Johnson, Archie J 1 537 

Johnson, Burtis W 1181 

Johnson, George R 608 

Johnson, James C 1514 

Johnson, John L 1029 

Johnson, Major 1496 

Johnson, Peter K 1208 

Johnson, Mrs. Phoebe A 888 

Johnston, David 1 199 

Johnston, David H 962 

Johnston, John 1275 

Jolly, Hon. William A.. 1145 

Jones, George W 681 

Jones, Herman H 114 

Jones, James Isaac 1560 

Jones, John H 113 

Jones, Joseph A 927 

Jones, Thomas A 354 

Jones, William R 1198 

Judah, Neely J 491 



K 



Kamm, Mrs. C. A 85 

Kamra, Jacob 83 

Kauffman, B. F 721 

Kaupisch, H. W 878 

Kay, Hon. Thomas B 587 

Keady, George B 1332 

Kcebler, Joseph R 1037 



Keeney, Benjamin F 1524 

Keeney, Elias 1159 

Kellogg, Capt. Charles H.... 104 

Kellogg, Capt. Orrin 103 

Kellogg, Capt. Joseph 101 

Kelly, Hon. John 1371 

Kelly, John F 1420 

Kelsay, B. S 1518 

Kelsay, Col. John 759 

Kennedy, Barney 947 

Kent, Fred L 1257 

Keyes, Francis T 1233 

Kiefer, Charles 4.37 

Kimsey, Alvis 708 

Kincaid, Harrison R 1263 

King, Solomon 1087 

Kingery, D. B 662 

Kinney, Marshall J 121 

Kinney, Robert C 120 

Kinney, Mrs. N. W 121 

Kintzley, Zachariah T 1410 

Kirk, James T 1484 

Kirk, Julia A 1417 

Kirkland, Justinian W 453 

Kirkland, Philip M 1201 

Kirkpatrick, E. C 872 

Kirsch, Theobald 1209 

Kitchen, John M., M.D 348 

Klinger, Maurice 358 

Klum. George W 1187 

Knapp, Richard B 144 

Knight, George W 916 

Knight, John 787 

Knisely, Abraham L 1328 

Knotts, William 1401 

Knowles, Frank 1526 

Knowles, George 1444 

Koontz, Martin V 1200 

Koppe, Emil 1063 

Kruger, William C 1006 

Kyle, William L T532 



Lachmund, Louis 6G3 

Ladd, Charles E 86 

Ladd, William S 73 

La Follett, Capt. Charles ...1536 
Lamberson, John A., M.D... 1066 

Lamson, Edward F 1285 

Lane. Andrew V 1037 

Larkin, John 1249 

Larkin, John S 1007 

Lassell, Lorenzo H 1031 

Laughlin, Bedford H 221 

Laughlin, Hon. Lee 315 

Laughlin, William 221 

Lawrence, Elmer E 1522 

Lawrence, Gary E 887 

Layson, J. B 686 

Lee, Charles H., M.D 205 

Lee, Norman L., M.D 1442 

Lee, Reuben 441 

Leese, Thomas 970 

Leet, Oliver E 330 

Leighton, Ariel H 571 

Leonard, Abel A 629 

Leonard, Benjamin A 405 

Levens, Isaac 703 

Lewis, Abner 994 

Lewis, Abraham B. B 980 

Lewis, David W 1308 

Lewis, F. M 1307 



Lewis, John M 177 

Lewis, Miles 725 

Lewis, Wilson T 1443 

Lichty, John 997 

Lilly, S. N 1471 

Lines, John H 318 

Link, Franklin A 1038 

Linville, Richard B 1268 

Livingston, Silas 330 

Locke, Abram S 1 T97 

Locke, Abram N 1151 

Locke, Alfred R 1 100 

Locke, William S 1411 

Loe, Joseph 825 

Logan, L. S 1522 

Loggan, Robert O., M.D 1170 

Lombard, James L 1086 

Long, Charlie 1076 

Looney, Jesse W 1005 

Lorence, M 465 

Loughary, U. Scott 666 

Lucas, Mrs. Elizabeth F 435 

Lucas, Ferris A 329 

Lugger, Henry K 12:2 

Luper, Charity J 806 



M 



McBee, Joseph ■. . . . 1270 

McCain, James 572 

McCall, R. W 716 

McCally, Americus T 11 74 

McCartney, John M 749 

McCaustland, Robert 1331 

McChesney, John 48.3 

McClaran," D. G 1358 

McClung, Hon. John H 1437 

McCollum Brothers 1057 

McCollum, Holland 1404 

McCormack, John K 1459 

McCormick, Charles P 940 

McCraken, Hon. John tS6 

McCrea, John C 912 

McCrosky, Manford 400 

McCrow, John 569 

McCully, David Stg 

McDonald, Montgomery M... 714 

McDowell, James W 1523 

McFall, Samuel T 1433 

McFarland, David G 1345 

McFarland, James H 1418 

McFarland, Van Dorn 1269 

McFarland, William L 1552 

McGrew, Edwin 929 

McGuire, Henry 1186 

McKay, James 611 

McKay, John N 888 

McKay, William R 769 

McKillop, Abraham 328 

McKinley, Merritt 571 

McKinney, Jesse L 810 

McKinney, John W 1465 

McLane, Weston 760 

McLeod, James A 1451 

McLeod, William 1160 

McLoughlin, Dr. John 1075 

McMillen, Capt. J. H 107 

McMurphey, Robert n 15 

McMurry, James S 1561 

McNary, Lawrence A 98 

McPherson, Edward A 317 

McPherson, Pierson M 1402 

McPherson, William A 1108 



INDEX. 



1569 



McReynolds, George W 1510 

Mackenzie, K. A. J., M.D 282 

Mackey, Thomas C, M.D....1026 

Macy, W. T 698 

Magness, A. P 670 

Magness, Robert N 648 

Mallory, Rufus 97 

Malone, Francis 1236 

Maloney, Hon. Hundley S 698 

Marshall, Lewellyn C 462 

Marshall, Preston B 299 

Martin, James 206 

Martin, James W 531 

Martin, Joshua M 1459 

Martin, Manly 827 

Martin, Theodore 1401 

Mascher, L. F 973 

Masters, William 275 

Mateer, Stewart 1216 

Matlock, John 1 1460 

Matlock, Hon. Joseph D 1543 

Matthieu, Francois X 215 

Mattison, Charles H9 ( 5 

Maxwell, Henry 1395 

Maxwell, Thomas 1367 

Mayer, Jacob 54 

Mayer, Joseph 840 

Meeker, Edward 9 2 4 

Meeker, Isaac 922 

Meiring, Henry 7%7 

Meldrum, Hon. J. W 119 

Melton, Henry 1396 

Merchant, William 644 

Mess, Peter W 298 

Metayer, Rev. Louis 264 

Metschan, Hon. Phil 273 

Meyer, Conrad 430 

Meyer, Frank E 244 

Michaux, J. C, M.D 705 

Mickel, Nicholas 1052 

Miles, Benjamin C 904 

Miles, Thomas E 1077 

Miley, William 773 

Miller, Arthur C 1086 

Miller, A. Monroe 455 

Miller, Charles 9S6 

Miller, Frank J 977 

Miller, Frank M 924 

Miller, Gabriel 1479 

Miller, George R 1400 

Miller, Henry J 796 

Miller, Jacob G 9°5 

Miller, Jacob M 12x2 

Miller, James W 1045 

Miller, Merritt 631 

Miller, Mart V 923 

Miller, Thomas F 1043 

Miller, William 229 

Miller, Prof. William M 1467 

Millett, Gideon C 1337 

Milliorn, James P 1553 

Milliorn, Thomas A 1444 

Minthorn, Henry J., M.D 1240 

Minto, John 247 

Mitchel, Henry L 1424 

Mitchell, Charles 710 

Mitchell, John H 77 

Mitchell, John M 1422 

Moisan, Francis X 789 

Moist, Charles F 839 

Moist, Mrs. Elizabeth J 1511 

Montague, Charles B 983 

Monteith, Thomas 1178 

Montgomery, Hugh S 1421 



Moody, Hon. Zenas F 376 

Moor, Charles E 1526 

Moore, Alfred E 1283 

Moore, Charles F 1240 

Moore, Hon. Charles S 1289 

Moore, Jonah W 647 

Moore, Mrs. Sarah E 1330 

Moran, John H 1 192 

Morcom, Elisha P' 908 

Moreland, Hon. J. C 49 

Morgan, Joseph W 1408 

Morgareidge, G. C 722 

Morin, L. S 1469 

Morley, John 1 153 

Morris, Eliam S 825 

Morris, Francis A 1007 

Morris, John 336 

Morrison, George 671 

Moser, John 1 185 

Moses, Victor P 982 

Moyer, John M 1157 

Mulkey, Rev. I. N 772 

Mulkey, James H 771 

Munkers, Stirling P 252 

Munkers, Thomas J 1163 

Murch, George H 1135 

Murphey, William H 862 

Murphy, Henderson W 753 

Myers, David .1*74 

Myrind, Ole 1534 



N 



Nachtigall, David 269 

Neely, William W 1532 

Neis, William 1435 

Nelson, Hon. Josiah C 999 

Nelson, Olif 1198 

Nesmith, Hon. J. W 292 

Newell, John 595 

Newport, N. M 225 

Newth, Charles H., M.D 1171 

Newton, Norris P 957 

Nichols, Hon. Henry B 1466 

Nickell, W. W 650 

Nolan, Joseph M 760 

Noland, Capt. Pleasant C 1391 

Northup, Prof. Emmanuel .... 554 
Norton, Wiley 899 



Obye, Christian 613 

Odell, Dr. George W 725 

Odell, Gen. W. H 351 

Odermatt, Rev. Adelhelm .... 429 

Oglesby, William W 1464 

Olds, George W 685 

Olds, James H 594 

Oliver, Alfred P 1229 

Olvis, Charles 406 

Oregon Agricultural College. .1345 

Ormsby, Capt. S. B 884 

Orr, Samuel 778 

Osburn, Frank W 1489 

Osburn, John 1237 

Osfield, Henry J 342 

Owen, William E 839 



Palmer, Judge Hiram M, 484 

Palmer, Marion 1202 

Palmer, Hon. Peter P 1225 

Park, Joseph 1149 

Parker, James 1413 

Parker, Joseph M 1413 

Parker, Moses 742 

Parker, Patterson C 1366 

Parrish, Henry E 1098 

Parrish, Rev. Josiah L 383 

Parrish, William H., M.D 1194 

Parsons, John D 864 

Parvin, James 1412 

Patrick, Christopher C 638 

Patterson, A. W, M.D 1105 

Patterson, Francis A 1195 

Pattison, Charles 1098 

Pattison, Robert 1 145 

Payne, Caleb J 642 

Peacock, William 1393 

Pease, Capt. G. A 281 

Peery, Edward C 1176 

Peery, M. S 648 

Pengra, Byron J 1416 

Pengra, Mrs. Charlotte E....1293 

Penland, Elias B 431 

Penington, Hon. Stewart M... 541 

Pennoyer, Hon. Sylvester 1046 

Percival, William W 1214 

Perkins, A. G 474 

Perkins, Mrs. Catherine A.... 1473 

Perkins, John 613 

Perkins, Joseph B 601 

Perkins, Lawrence S 1 197 

Pernot, Prof. Emile F 1258 

Peterson, Charles 1119 

Peterson, Adolph F 1130 

Pfandhoefer, Louis H., M.D... 312 

Phile, Philip 1009 

Philippi, J. I I4 8 5 

Fhillips, George W 1467 

Phillips, Richard W 596 

Fhilpott, Thomas J 10S8 

Pierce, E. A., M.D 366 

Pironi, Joseph im 

Placidus, Rev. P 1298 

Plimpton, William W 276 

Pohle, Herman 566 

Poling, Charles C 418 

Pooler, Lewis C 417 

Poorman, John M 1177 

Porter, Ai 752 

Porter, Edward S 460 

Porter, Henry C : 480 

Porter, John 251 

Porter, Johnson M 1222 

Porter, William M 754 

Potter, Judge E. 1440 

Potter, Lester 656 

Potter, Sylvester 582 

Potter, Thomas W 1469 

Potter, William A 1286 

Powell, Alexander H 1450 

Powell, Ira C 1192 

Powell, Joseph G 1519 

Powell, Franklin S 793 

Powers, Ira F., Sr 91 

Powers, William M 42? 

Pratt, Prof. I. W 23 

Prentice, Frederick W., M. D. .1425 

Preston, William 1089 

Price, Nimrod 1499 



1570 



INDEX. 



Price, Sarah C. 910 

Prichard, Daniel W 1339 

Prill, Albert G., M.D 1210 

Propst, Franklin 992 

Propst, John W 922 

Pugh, Jesse W 719 

Pugh, John W 1227 



Q 



Quimby, Lot P. W 185 



R 



Radir, Adam 948 

Ralston, William 256 

Rampy, Robert A 1203 

Ranson, John W., M.D 973 

Read, Columbia 970 

Redford, Edward P 1558 

Redmond, John 735 

Reed, James C H57 

Rees, John H 1238 

Reeves, Thomas D 1 172 

Reid, James 533 

Reisner, Frank 1218 

Remington, Eugene L 516 

Remington, E. S 305 

Renshaw, William M 1428 

Rhodes, Hon. Benjamin F. ... 704 

Richardson, Albion J 423 

Richardson, Hon. J. A., M.D..1044 

Richardson, John W 1001 

Richardson, W. Y 359 

Riches, Thomas W 306 

Richter, Johnson E 862 

Rickard, Andrew 1312 

Rickard, John 1343 

Rickard, John 1287 

Rickard, Peter 1332 

Rider, Oren D 771 

Rigdon, Stephen 1073 

Rigler, Frank 174 

Riley, Peter 510 

Risley, Prof T J 1323 

Ritner, Lewis 931 

Ritney, William M 1488 

Robe, Rev. Robert 593 

Roberts, Henry M 833 

Roberts, Samuel 607 

Robinson, James F 1542 

Robinson, Reuben F 109 

Robinson, Richard T. A 1492 

Robinson, Rev. William 1404 

Roland, John W 486 

Roney, Anthony L 1370 

Roney, L. N 1283 

Root, Lorenzo 58T 

Rose, David C 1338 

Ross, Duncan 726 

Ross, Joseph T 840 

Rowe, H. S 59 

Rowell, William W 270 

Royse, William J 1482 

Rudd, Z. H 394 

Ruegger, Albert 1400 

Ruettner, Peter 449 

Russell, William M 660 

Ryan, Joseph J 1030 



Sabin, James C 11 12 

Sappingfield, John 498 

Sargeant, Walter J 688 

Saubert, J. F. W 1504 

Savage, William 656 

Savery, J. H 1474 

Scarbrough, Lemuel D., M. D.1153 

Schaller, John 1247 

Scheurer, William Riley 847 

Schoettle, Mrs. Mary T 577 

Scholl, Lawrence M 803 

Schultz Brothers 1 168 

Schwab, Frederick 316 

Scott, Mrs. Ann 637 

Scott, Charles 257 

Scott, Harvey W 71 

Scott, John J 388 

Scott, Judge John H 865 

Scott, Joseph F 576 

Scott, Madison 454 

Scott, Robert H 653 

Scott, Thomas 1201 

Scott, William J. J 1439 

Scrafford, Marshall 860 

Scroggin, Pleasant M 809 

Scroggin, Stephen L 583 

Seavey, Alexander 909 

Seely. Edwin R 819 

Seely, E. J 396 

Sellwood, Rev. J. W 191 

Settlemier, Frank W 602 

Settlemier, Jesse H 1362 

Settlemier, Martin R 310 

Shadden, Amon 763 

Shanks, J. B 1010 

Sharon, E. E 56 

Shaver, George W 183 

Shaver, Capt. J. W 184 

Shaw, John A 1006 

Sheak, Henry 1540 

Sheasgreen, Frank P 121 7 

Shedd, Edwin N 1471 

Shedd, Silas L ". 1259 

Shelley, John 1424 

Shelley, Hon. James M 1243 

Shelley, Mrs. Nancy J 1245 

Shelton, Evaline 1210 

Shelton, James 442 

Shelton, Riley 1295 

Shepherd, William 757 

Sherer, William M 957 

Shilling, Jacob 1337 

Shisler, Richard C 811 

Shortridge, James H 1505 

Shortridge, William W 1499 

Sigler, B. D 293 

Srmeral, Wilton L 945 

Simkins, Hiram 694 

Simmons, J. H 1441 

Simpson, Arthur L 467 

Simpson, George F 268 

Simpson, Henderson 732 

Simpson, Isaac M 921 

Simpson, James 1008 

Simpson, Phy 1468 

Sims, Thomas H 217 

Skaif e, Michael 959 

Skaife, Thomas 959 

Skeels, Chester 141 1 

Skeels, Henry A 1475 

Skipton, Elijah 1167 

Skipton, Frank 328 



Sladen, Capt. J. A 160 

Sloan, Enoch D 1068 

Small, Matthew 255 

Small, William H. 1517 

Smith, Alexander 1540 

Smith, Alfred. . .* 660 

Smith, Amedee M 189 

Smith, Amedee M., Jr 191 

Smith, David 525 

Smith, Delavan S 920 

Smith, Ephraim L. 1135 , 

Smith, Frank M 420 

Smith, George C 794 

Smith, Henry S 770 

Smith, H. Wesley 1528 

Smith, Hon. Irvin L 231 

Smith, James R 1221 

Smith, Jesse H 1120 

Smith, John B 336 

Smith, John D 527 

Smith, John R ' 1069 

Smith, Milton W. 173 

Smith, Robert A 1 100 

Smith, Sidney 443 

Smith, William F 1029 

Smith, Capt. W. H 104 

Smitson, Henry H 1368 

Smyth, Hynson 1303 

Snell, Miss Margaret C, M.D. 1344 

Snyder, Henry A 799 

Somers, Clarence F 11 16 

Soverns, Jesse 1492 

Sox, Edward F 540 

Spalinger, John J 1494 

Spaulding, Charles K 1187 

Spaulding, Erastus 389 

Spencer, Jefferson D 1432 

Spencer, William C 1498 

Spink, Perry W 547 

Splawn, Greenbury 1235 

Spores, James M 1 125 

Sprenger, Henry B 1064 

Sprenger, Nicholas 1215 

Sprenger, Thomas B 1468 

Stafford, James M 1120 

Stanard, Alphonso W 736 

Stansbery, John E 43 

Stark, August, M.D 237 

Stark, Jacob M 1211 

Starr, Asbury P 974 

Starr, Prof. Charles L 955 

Starr, Cornelius B 1315 

Starr, Edwin N 1180 

Starr, Hiram H 1054 

Starr, Isaac W. ; M.D 834 

Starr, John W 1445 

Steear, Capt. Thomas A 1539 

Steele, Samuel N 866 

Steelhammer, Andrew G 960 

Stephens, . Smith 596 

Stevens, Isaac 49° 

Stewart, Elias 1254 - 

Stewart, Henry 1047 _ 

Stewart, James H ..1323 _ 

Stewart, John 891 - 

Stewart, Joseph W 1095 - 

Stewart, Mathias W 775 - 

Stolle, Hermann 951 

Stolz, Gideon 565 

Storts, Grear 1032 

Stott, Fielding D 722 

Stouffer, Daniel P 478 

Stratton, Charles C 513 



INDEX. 



1571 



Strong. Charles J 782 

Stump. Mrs. Catherine E 715 

Sully. Frank 606 

Summers. Gen. Owen 151 

Sunderland, Milton 42 

Sutherland, John 1505 

Stiver, Green B . . . : 863 

Saver, Marshall N 861 

Svarverud, M 1327 

Swan, Lewis P 1026 

Sweek. Hon. Alexander 60 

Sweet Brothers 1527 

Swick, Miner M 1340 

Sylvester, Mrs. Anne B 950 



Tallman, Levi P 1316 

Taylor, Jerry 1515 

Taylor, Joseph P 1556 

Tavlor, Melvin 1502 

Taylor, Walter K 820 

Taylor, William A. . : 1245 

Teal, John B 258 

Templeton, Joseph H 1234 

Templeton. Robert R 1237 

Thomas, Rev. Father 1296 

Thompson, Mrs. Agnes 1359 

Thompson, Alexander 1376 

Thompson, George C 1 139 

Thompson, Merritt L 304 

Thomson. George 545 

Thorp, Thomas J 1276 

Tillotson. J. B 1534 

Titus, Silas M 1423 

Tobey, Edgar 949 

Tomlinson, John 1394 

Tomlinson, Sidney 340 

Tooze, Walter L 777 

Towle, George 1003 

Townsend, Washington R 769 

Tracer, Christopher 1334 

Train. Samuel S 54*5 

Travis, Lee M 1021 

Turner, Mrs. Mahala F 978 

Turner, William McD 820 



U 



Upmeyer, Edward E 1099 



Vance, William L 461 

Vandran, Christopher A 299 

Van Orsdel, J. G 236 

Van Valzah, Robert G., M.D.1368 

Van Wessenhove, Frank 961 

Van Winkle, James S 907 

Vaughan, John Q 1502 

Vaughan. Thomas J 1356 

Veal, Robert 1501 

Veatch. Harvey C i486 



Veatch, Robert M 1520 

Vinton, George W. L 795 

Vitus, Augustus J. F 1110 

Vitus, Augustus J. F., Jr 1122 

Vitus, Bruno C 1122 

Vitus, Robert 1250 



W 

Wade, M. A 1474 

Wagner Brothers 1479 

Wait, Charles N 131 

Waite, Eugene P 1451 

Waldo, Hon. William 472 

Walker, Albert S 1121 

Walker, E P 747 

Walker, George O 1509 

Walker, Harvey 803 

Walker, John F 1514 

Walker, William W 1004 

Wallace, Collin A 991 

Wallace, J. P., M.D 1207 

Wallace, Marion 1137 

Wallace, W. D 1548 

Walling, John 263 

Wallis, Mrs. Emaline 1116 

Walton, Hon. Joshua J 1019 

Washburne, Byron A 1399 

Washburne, Charles W 1273 

Washburne, William C 1535 

Waters, John 953 

Waters, John M 1232 

Watkins, Arthur H 300 

Watson, John M 371 

Watters, Judge Virgil E 1131 

Weatherson, William H 1549 

Weaver, Samuel W., M.D 369 

Weber, Charles L 1366 

Weed, Judson 1 147 

-Wells, Dr. B. D 365 

-Wells, William L 831 

Wengenroth, William A 797 

Wentz, Lewis 1392 

Wess, William 716 

Whalley, Hon. John W 61 

Wheeler, Allbee E 1429 

Wheeler, Hon. Jason 203 

Wheeler, Jedediah 1041 

Whitaker, Jacob 1 146 

Whitaker, John . :• 1288 

White, Alva C 1321 

White, John R 933 

White, James W 1533 

White, Luther 854 

White, Marion J 933 

White, Nathaniel W 1477 

Whiteaker, Hon. John 1355 

Whitney, Uriah 501 

Wiesner. Bartholomew 892 

Wiles, John 1317 

Wiles, Walter T 1118 

Wilhelm, Adam, Sr 1224 

Wilkins, Amos 1503 

Wilkins. Francis M 1369 

Wilkins, Hon. Mitchell 1550 

Wilkins, S. N 1455 



Will, Frederick W 798 

Will, George 1284 

Willbanks, W. J 956 

Williams, Hon. G. H 65 

Williams, Thomas 954 

Williams, William E 818 

Williamson, Thomas B 1388 

Wilson, Alfred 1083 

Wilson, Alpheus M 1206 

Wilson, Bushrod W 971 

Wilson, James P 1084 

Wilson, J. H 1342 

Wilson, William 1 184 

Windsor, Benjamin 681 

Winegar, Jay E 828 

Wingard, Martin 1395 

Winkel, Wiley 1274 

Winslow, Hezekiah H 998 

Winslow, Paris R 389 

Winstanley, James 832 

Witham, Alfred M 1313 

Withers, John E. P 1512 

Withers, William W 1035 

Withycombe, James 1329 

Wolf, Adolf 411 

Wolfard, Erhard 1169 

Wolfer, George J 684 

Wood, Edmund 654 

Wood, John T 625 

Woodcock, Absalom C 1107 

Woodcock, Martin 1013 

Woodcock, Milton S 1015 

Woolworth, R. M 713 

Wooten, McElvy 1352 

Workinger, Gilbert L 1047 

Worth, J. Q. A 127 

.^Wortman, Hon. Jacob 589 

Wright, James M 1231 - 

Wrightman, Andrew E., M. D.1074 

Writsman, John W 1080 

Wyatt, Eli F 1500 

Wyatt, John E 1358 

Wyatt. William 1287 

Wynne, Armand L., M. D 1472 

Wynne, Harry F 1457 

Y 

Yannke, Charles W 809 

Yergen, Adelbert 856 

Yergen, Augustus 557 

Yergen, William 1365 

Yocom, Franklin 831 

Yoder, Daniel J 812 

Yoran, Col. George O 1491 

Yoran, Silas M 1389 

York, Francis M 632 

York, John W 274 

Young, George W 790 

Z 

Zeigler, William 1138 

Zierolf, Casper 979 

Ziniker. John 1396 

Zumwalt, Andrew J 1410 



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